Americus News
Belle Grimsley, Special to the Gazette
Thursday, February 12, 2009
State Sen. Jim Barnett; Lyon County commissioners, Scott Briggs, Teresa Walters and Roland Martin; and retired commissioners Myron Van Gundy, Marshall Miller and Jackie Leffler attended the Questions and Issues forum on Saturday.
Connie Boyce and Nancy Wells from KansasLand Bank served refreshments to a group of 30 people gathered to hear and discuss the latest county and state happenings.
Briggs remarked that the "Shop Emporia First" slogan has resulted in a year of positive sales.
Martin stated that L-Cat ridership has remained high, 53,6000 senior citizen meals were served, and 320,000 tons of gravel were hauled out.
Walters declared that the Department on Aging services is invaluable, that she believes in lifelong learning and to let her know what everyone's priorities are. She wants to be available, fair and honest.
Barnett said that the Lyon County sales tax bill will be heard in the House on Wednesday and is a joint approach with state Reps. Don Hill and Peggy Mast.
Mast was unable to attend the forum because of a death in the family.
Briggs and Martin are certain that the 911 system needs to be reworked as fire trucks and first responders are not arriving in a timely manner.
The maps will be rechecked and reevaluated in hopes of eliminating the existing confusion with county lines and county roads.