Stories from Saturday, January 6, 2007

When people aren't responsible, unwanted animals suffer

I attended McCook City Council meeting Tuesday evening and was pleased to note that the present council operates in a more relaxed atmosphere than my past experience. Possibly the voter's recent removal of a long term irascible member will have positive lasting effect in how the council receives input from the public...

I want to applaud Gene O. Morris on his article concerning art in the schools (Jan. 4, 2007). He strongly believes that art "should be re-established, enhanced." Hurrah! I (whole-)heartedly agree with him. We do have a strong heritage of art here that continues in the adult world of McCook, but is sadly missing from the schools. I believe that we need to offer our young people a balanced education ... one that includes all the fine arts in all grades...

Gov. Dave Heineman has unveiled his plans for this legislative session, and most of his effort will go toward reducing taxes, through cutting spending, while not shifting the tax burden from the state to local property taxpayers. That's a big job and will affect all of us if he is successful to any extent. But reducing the entire budget is too much for most of us to wrap our minds around...

As I write this column at 9:30 on Friday morning, the day before publication, it's snowing again. This is the third Friday in a row we've had frozen precipitation. Two weeks ago, the precipitation was in the form of freezing rain, which no one wants. Even though the trees looked beautiful as they were encased in ice, the beauty was deceiving because of the damage being done...

The McCook Bison boys basketball team built up a 42-22 lead at halftime Friday night against Hershey at the MHS gymnasium, only to have the Panthers rally back within 4 points in the fourth quarter. The Bison, who led 16-2 after one quarter, held on for a 56-48 victory and evened their record at 5-5...