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Wednesday, March 10, 2010 - Wamego Kansas

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beth howell dayEditor

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Wednesday, March 13, 2013 Wamego, Kansas

DayDreaming

An Occasional Column from the Editor’s Desk

Record

Another Award for the Raider Nation?

By now, congratulations have gone out to the Lady Raiders for their historic win Saturday as they were crowned the 4A State Bas-ketball Champions.

But there is another award out there -- the sportsmanship award. Per-sonally, after attending all three Wamego games and portions of many others, I feel that award should go

to the Raider Nation.This was a challenge

issued by Athletic Director Mark Stephan and the Raider Nation rose to it.

Day-after-day the stands were packed with red (even when the students didn’t get a free pass from school). The boys team was there supporting the girls in their quest for state gold. Parents, friends and community members came out in force.

On the court, our Lady

Raiders shone! They were polite to the officials, helped opposing players off the deck and kept their composure.

As usual, the Raider Nation had a large group of cheerleaders ... and they cheered at every opportu-nity -- even for the brief moment or two when Wamego would falter.

Keeping spirts up, the pep band was a huge con-tributor to the state experi-ence. While they had to

share the floor for two games, they entertained the crowd by themselves against Fort Scott. You know the band is doing a great job when the fans from the other team are getting into the music!

The Raider Nation was loud and boisterous! But it was polite and respectful.

Here’s hoping that was recognized and Wamego can add a KSHSAA Sportsmanship Plaque to the trophy case.

By Beth howell Day

Editor, The Smoke Signal

Let the Sun Shine In!

Editor’s Note: Doug Anstaett is the executive director of the Kansas Press Association.

Most of us are fed up with the doldrums of win-ter, so why not celebrate the sunshine that comes with the advent of spring by also celebrating Sun-shine Week.

What is Sunshine Week?It’s an annual obser-

vance — this year’s it’s March 10 to 16 — that has as its goal promotion of a dialogue about the impor-tance of open government and freedom of informa-tion.

Is the fact that Sunshine Week is set smack dab in the middle of the Kansas legislative session happen-stance — or providence? Anyone who has observed the recent behavior of some public officials in our state could be excused for leaning toward the lat-ter.

After all, we’ve had more than our share this session of blatant attempts to close the curtains at the Statehouse.

Legislators, who have more freedom than any other elected officials in Kansas, want even more.

It’s not enough that they can “legally” caucus their entire party delegation behind closed doors.

It’s not enough that they can meet in small groups out of the public’s view

and discuss the public’s business — just so long as they assemble just one less than a majority of a com-mittee’s membership in the same room.

It’s not enough that they can be wined and dined by lobbyists, who can bend their ears for hours, most of the time without any public scrutiny.

No, they want more.They’ve floated bills

that would allow them to get together during “chance” meetings at social events and discuss the public’s business.

Under one bill, if they were invited to a wedding and took advantage of the situation to discuss busi-ness, they wouldn’t be breaking the Kansas Open Meetings Act. After all, the

“central purpose” of the get-together is to celebrate with the bride and groom.

Under another, KOMA would not be broken even if a majority of a public body discussed pending legislation behind closed doors, as long as their con-versations didn’t rise to the level of deliberation.

That’s a far cry from what KOMA requires today.

In other words, they already have the goldmine, but they want to give the public the shaft.

The problem is, these bills would free up all pub-lic bodies to do the same — city commissions and councils, county commis-sions, school boards and all the rest who are cov-ered by KOMA.

Is this any way to run a government?

Not if you’re interested in the sunshine illuminat-ing your service as a public official.

If, however, you prefer to operate in the dark, it’s the perfect prescription … for disaster.

By Doug anstaet t

Guest Editorial

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Legislative Report‘Innovative School

District’ Bill Passes House

This week has been like spring break since Monday and Tuesday were days off for the Legislature. However, everyone was reviewing materials on those days in preparation for the rest of the session. The rest of the week was spent on hearings on the few remaining bills, passing them out of committee, voting some down and others simply tabled. The tabled bills are tech-nically still “alive” until the end of the 2014 ses-sion.

One bill of interest that the whole House passed was HB 2319. This bill would allow any school board of education to apply to the State Board of Education for authority to operate as a public Innovative School Dis-trict. An Innovative School District would be exempt from most rules and regulations currently applied to them. This bill was supported by several public school districts currently under innova-tive wavers. The districts will be able to educate their students the way the parents, teachers, and school board deem best.

Last Friday the House passed a bill setting aside a week in September as Liberty Week in the schools to promote patri-

otism and study the Con-stitution.

Kayla Oney, St. George; Abbey Amick, Alma; and Julie Roller, Wamego came to visit and educate me about their Power Up organiza-tion. It is an organization of young people 21–29 years of age who are rural by choice. Their goal is to create a network of people who live and work in small towns and rural communities.

Cheyenne George, Administrator of Valley Vista Good Samaritan Society in Wamego visit-ed and informed me of the great work they are doing. Linda and I were guests at the Flint Hills Rancher’s meeting and met some avid supporters of our beautiful Flint Hills. We also attended the Wabaunsee County Economic Development annual meeting in historic Paxico. Linda is a district board member and I often hear her promoting tour-ism and the region to oth-ers at the Capitol.

The break is officially over and the increased volume of work begins next week. The heavy lifting starts with the con-sideration of the budget and tax bills. I am sure the differences between the House, Senate, and the Governor’s plans on these will cause a great deal of debate and even-tual compromise.

By Ron highlanD

Rep. 51st District