Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
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Some label Chuck Hagel unfit for the role of defense secretary. They express concern over his stance on Israel or call him soft on the use of force. Others refer to a distant remark seen as insensitive to homosexuals. Certainly he has raised eyebrows with comments such as “the Jewish lobby intimidates a lot of people up here,” the “up here” referring to Washington’s Capitol Hill. And although he cast his vote in favor of the Iraq war in 2002, he pulled his support as the conflict wore on and the initial cause—weapons of mass destruction—turned...
Over the past week I spent several otherwise valuable hours watching “Playmakers” for the sixth or seventh time. For those unfamiliar, ESPN put out “Playmakers” as a mini-series—or, rather, a soap opera for men—back in 2004. It explored life in a fictional NFL team, including references to steroids, cocaine, in-fighting and homosexuality. In response, the league threatened to pull football highlights if the series continued on to a second season. ESPN caved in, cancelling out one of the best dramas seen on television. Freedom is not free, w...
I wrote a letter to the editor a few weeks back. If you remember, I had asked what had been accomplished by our Economic Development Director. As if by magic, there appears the suggestion by her that there is “new life” for the rail spur project. I thought that old stinking corpse was dead and buried. Friends, that project should have been started a few years ago. With inflation, labor costs and material costs exploding, this thing is not even feasible now. Add about 25-30 percent to the original estimate to complete this work and you’ll under...
This is one Sheriff’s open opinion and want it to be known to the people of my county. I’m sure most sheriffs feel the same way as I do. I am adamantly opposed to any thing that infringes on our Constitutional rights; gun control is one that’s a burr under my saddle. What happened in Sandy Hook and the theater in Colorado are tragic and I feel for those families deeply. I hate it when people suffer and die no matter the cause. It should be realized, it was the deranged people who killed those innocent people not the gun. Just as in 9/11 and t...
It has always been a conundrum. Interview after interview with local residents reveals a near universal desire for progress in Kimball. People want more diverse restaurants, shopping, downtown repairs, new industry, a completed rail spur and more—although some lean toward slower, more manageable growth and others aim for big ideas. Yet this is offset by a nagging “it will never happen” form of pessimism, pervasive at coffee tables. Who could blame them? The rail spur has been under discussion, planning and vetting for almost a decade. Renov...
Sometimes I wonder if modern pundits and newly minted representatives can even define words like “negotiation” and “compromise.” They are in the dictionary, of course. But most people proclaiming fundamental political beliefs are frightened of books, magazines, websites and even newspapers not churned out by their own kind. When strung together into ideas, it seems, words challenge their hard and fast version of the world. Besides, when a belief is held firmly, as a changeless thing, no amount of logic, fact or persuasion will cause this type t...
The 25th Annual Governor’s Ag Conference will be held February 12-13 at the Younes Conference Center in Kearney. I invite all Nebraskans to attend this event and participate in discussions that focus on the future of the state’s number one industry. The theme for this year’s conference is “A Platform for Nebraska Agriculture’s Future.” The conference will challenge the farmers and ranchers, agribusiness representatives, and policy and business leaders in attendance to think about some of the key policies and practices that will drive agric...
In recent days, Congressional leaders came together with an agreement to provide middle class tax relief and extend protection for two million unemployed Americans. This agreement provides some relief for all of us who are frustrated with the gridlock that often dominates Washington. It is also good news for the 98 percent of American families and 97 percent of small businesses who were protected from a tax increase. At the same time, I am disappointed that Congress was unable to pass a multi-year Food, Farm and Jobs Bill. Congress did extend...
The House, Senate and President all recently agreed to last-minute legislation to stop automatic tax increases and delay arbitrary defense spending cuts known collectively as the “fiscal cliff.” The President had consistently said the fiscal cliff must be resolved through a “balanced approach” to deficit reduction including new tax revenues as well as spending cuts. However, the agreement passed by Congress only addressed the issues of taxes, which is neither good policy nor a balanced approach. The final bill did nothing to address out-of-...
This new year brings to Washington a fresh start. Last week, we welcomed to the 113th Congress many new faces, including my colleague Senator Deb Fischer. Although it’s a new year and a new session, many of the important issues we must tackle are far from novel. Our country’s debt has grown, and the government is spending more than it takes in. Our economy is still searching for traction, and many Americans remain unemployed or underemployed. In 2013, Congress must resolve to make these issues the top priority. We cannot afford to let this opp...
By all accounts the Visitor’s Committee showed considerable wisdom in their choice for tourism director. Certainly there are those who question the need for someone in such a position—even for the position itself. It is unlikely that Kimball will ever be a tourist destination, with a couple of notable exceptions. For two brief moments in 2013, travelers will descend upon the city. The annual bicycle ride across Nebraska (BRAN) will start from Kimball, sending several hundred enthusiasts along our streets. Later in the summer, those inv...
I’m not much for resolutions, although clearly there’s plenty of room for improvement. For example, I could resolve to learn a musical instrument. But that would require a lot of time, beginning with lengthy lessons in reading music—and I’d rather lounge on the couch watching sports. I could also resolve to visit the weight room once in awhile. Of course, before that happens I need a spell of rehab on a nagging rotator cuff injury—which would necessitate a prolonged period away from my couch and all those channels dedicated to soccer, f...
Long before planes, there were trains. And as we reach the close of 2012, we are also reaching the end of a year-long celebration marking Union Pacific Railroad’s 150th anniversary. All Nebraskans are proud to claim Union Pacific as a Nebraska enterprise and to celebrate its deep and strong ties to our state’s rich history and its future. In my own family, my grandfather John C. Gale was known as “Iron Hat” during his years as Chief Special Agent for Union Pacific. He was a good friend and close associate of William Jeffers, a legenda...
It’s hard to believe that my fourth year serving you in the Senate has come to a close. It is truly an honor to represent our great state in Washington. This past year has been filled with many important policy debates, legislative accomplishments, and exciting new developments for Nebraska. In what has become an end-of-year tradition, I want to take a moment to highlight some of these events and reflect upon the year. Jobs and the Economy By far the most pressing issue facing our nation is our economy. Nebraska has been somewhat of a bright s...
January If Nebraska Held A Primary Now, Who Would Get Your Vote? Kenneth Bowman “Mitt Romney, because I think he is the only one who can beat Obama and we have to get Obama out of office. He didn’t create any jobs. There are 36 million people out of work in the United States right now. No government should be able to tell us where we should get our health care.” March Several New Businesses Have Opened In Kimball; Is This A Good Sign? Ross Aerni “I think new businesses would be good for our local economy. It brings more that people can do, so I...
The Nebraska Community Foundation completed its 2011 Transfer of Wealth Study which provided insight into the abundance Nebraska enjoys and the opportunities to act now. Over the next 50 years, $603 billion will transfer from one generation to the next within Nebraska. This wealth may be held in residential and agricultural real estate, securities, retirement accounts, business ownership, and other assets. In Kimball County, the estimated 50 year intergenerational transfer of wealth is $1.14 billion. This equates to $160 million in just the...
It may seem as if 2012 passed quickly into the history books--and thankfully so. Remember, it was a year of drought and parched earth. Wildfires blazed through the scorching summer, farmers and ranchers struggled with the lack of moisture, the price of hay soared. But 2012 was also a year when talk of an oil boom fueled by new drilling technology into Niobrara shale stirred--subdued talk, to be sure. As in any year, the community suffered through difficult moments and celebrated wonderful occasions. Despite the drought, Kimball’s Farmers Day d...
Elisha Hunt Rhodes kept a diary during his time in America’s Civil War. It was later published under the title “All for the Union.” As a graduate student studying military history, I thumbed through a modern edition of the book rather perfunctorily--until, that is, I came across one passage. “Dec. 31/62—Well, the year 1862 is drawing to a close. As I look back I am bewildered when I think of the hundreds of miles I have tramped, the thousands of dead and wounded that I have seen, and the many strange sights that I have witnessed. I can truly th...
As we celebrate the season of giving and spending time with friends and family, I want to highlight some of the efforts made by state workers this year who have also chosen to give back to their communities. Every year, the Nebraska State Employees Charitable Giving campaign gives employees wherever they work the opportunity to donate to a network of charitable organizations across the state. Participating employees can make cash or check donations or set aside a portion of their earnings to organizations across Nebraska. This year, more than...
I am writing this letter regarding the hiring of a tourism director for Kimball County. I think our administrators have gone nuts. Kimball as a tourist destination? Let’s see--a broken down Wheat Growers Hotel and a few mills. Yep, that will put us on the map. What a waste of your tax dollars. By the way, what has our economic development director done toward getting businesses to relocate here? That’s one other waste of your hard earned dollars. Let’s get rid of both of these ridiculous positions and maybe this will result in lower taxes...
Over the course of the last few months, I have had the opportunity to write several articles pertaining to agriculture in our daily lives. As those months went by, I notice, regardless the topic, there was always one thing that had major adverse effects on almost any agriculturally based topic I could think of. This issue isn’t something you would think of in a split second. It isn’t the drought, or cost of production, or supply and demand. The factor that is constantly playing a role in the agricultural industry is the media. When an eve...
“So this is Christmas, and what have you done?” The first line of John Lennon’s famous holiday song reminds us that the season calls for a personal account of our efforts to aid community and humanity. Another year is ending, he reminds us, and a new one—with a new set of needs—awaits just a few days away. Kimball and the surrounding area faces many challenges: economic growth, low income families, an aging population, homes and buildings in disrepair. Of course, most many parts of the world share in these. But we believe the residents of Kimba...