Letters to the Editor
The Rawlins County Square Deal welcomes letters to the editor. They will be judged for brevity and good taste and will be subject to editing. A letter that may be libelous will not be published. Letters to the editor must be signed.
Square Deal email
The Square Deal's email address is
squaredeal114@sbcglobal.net
Tired of how 'they' do things?
By Kathy Davis-Vrbas
Rawlins County citizens, do you have complaints about how “they” are running the local government? Do you find yourselves telling friends over coffee that you wish were in charge, because you would do things differently? Then here is good news for you: You can file for office yourself.
June 10 is the deadline to file for a variety of county, township and precinct positions that are coming open this election season. While the fireworks of the national election scene certainly grab our attention, we need to be mindful that persons serving in local positions also have a great deal of responsibility for making decisions that affect all of us right here at home.
Serving on a local board is not only a great public service; it’s a great education. You can learn about the decision-making process and how much work it takes to complete projects. You can enhance your skills in diplomacy, finance and public relations. You can make new friends — and practice loving your enemies.
We will be seeing a lot of American flags flying throughout the community as Memorial Day, Flag Day and the 4th of July approach. Let the display of the Stars and Stripes remind us that one of the most precious freedoms guaranteed us as citizens of the United States is the right to determine who serves in positions of authority over us.
And above all, let us remember that we are the candidate pool, as well as the electorate. The next time we complain and criticize “them,” our local public servants, let’s remember that in America, “them” is “us.”
— Letter to the Editor —
Former junior high teacher
was listening, too
To the editor:
I would like to take this opportunity to tell Tara how much I enjoyed her editorial titled, ‘See teach, we were listening.’ It had a lot of meaning and it surely did bring back lots of memories for me of thinking back to when I was a junior high teacher.
It was my pleasure to see a lot of students go from grade school into high school and on to college or at least find their calling in life and, for the most part, I think most of those students were very successful and I am very proud of them.
I am sure that students were always listening and paying attention a lot more than we teachers often realized and it was good to be reminded about that in Tara’s article.
As I remember, Tara was a very creative writer and artist in junior high school. I do remember her creative ability. And now it is especially rewarding to see her working for the newspaper in Atwood and being so successful. I truly enjoy Tara’s writings. She is doing a great job with the Square Deal newspaper.
One of my greatest rewards of teaching is seeing students like her doing so well and being so successful. Tara certainly deserves an A+ for her writing and news articles for the Rawlins County Square Deal newspaper.
Patti Domsch,
former junior high teacher
Reader enjoys Flatland music
To the editor:
WOW! Those of us who got to experience The Flatland Big Band music at the Rawlins County High School really were in for a treat. The people from all over Kansas, and also one from Oklahoma City, put on a musical show that made the crowd jiggle in their seats.
We appreciate Julie Groom for bringing such great people together, who had fun and shared it with everyone still interested in great music. And, we feel the RCHS Jazz Ensemble is on their way to fame.
We are so fortunate to have this kind of talent right here in our community. Way to go, you young people!
Gertie Kastens
Reader requests 125th edition
To the editor:
Enclosed is my check to cover the cost for a copy of the 125th Special Keepsake Edition.
I was born 90 years ago in my parent’s home 1 mile east of Atwood where my brother, Alden Rogers, still lives. I’m thinking that there will surely be things of interest in the copy you’ve made up.
I remember when Frank Greason had The Square Deal, then it was Tillet. I think he had The Citizen for years. My, I even remember when the lake was built!
I check your “news” on the Internet.
Velora Schmahl
Department explains termination
To the editor:
I would like to take this opportunity to explain to the community about the termination of the home health agency at the health department.
We put the home health on hold August of 2006, at the request of the state, due to back billing issues.
It took a long time to get the issues worked out. When we did, we found that the home health agency was not financially viable. We had not yet made the decision to add more staff to be able to provide the service adequately or terminate.
The county commissioners, county attorney and [Pam Stuczynski] have had many discussions regarding what to do. None of us have wanted to terminate. However, the state visited us two weeks ago and said we must make a decision to add staff or terminate. The price and distance of travel and the availability of registered nurses are two of the major challenges that we faced.
Financially, it was felt that we could not add staff. We are working very hard to provide as many services as we can and stay cost effective. We have always continued to provide private home health visits through the health department. This decision will not affect this service.
Five agencies surrounding Rawlins County are licensed to provide Medicare home health. They are Good Samaritan Society; NW KS Home Care in St. Francis; Cottonwood Home Care in Oberlin; Community HealthCare in McCook; and L&C Home Health in Colby and Goodland.
I have contacted them and they too are having staffing issues and find it difficult to provide services in this area.
This was a very difficult decision that we have all had to make. We will continue to assist if you have home health needs through our private care or helping to find assistance elsewhere.
Thank you all for your support and words of encouragement through this difficult decision. Please call us at 785-626-3968 if you have any questions.
Pam Stuczynski, Chuck Unger, Wilbur Henry and Don Marshall
Active Duty Military Personnel
Editor’s Note: The following addresses of active duty military personnel, along with information about their Rawlins County ties, were provided by Virgie Burk.
We encourage everyone to remember our armed services personnel with cards and letters, not just during the holidays, but also throughout the year.
The Square Deal is pleased to publish addresses of servicemen and women on active duty who might enjoy hearing from hometown friends. Submit addresses to the Square Deal, Box 371, Atwood, KS 67730 or email to squaredeal114@sbcglobal.net
Justin Antholz, son of Michelle and Robbin Antholz of McDonald, is now serving in Iraq. He would enjoy hearing from family and friends. His address is PFC Antholz, Justin R., 1st LAR Bn H&S Co, Co. Office 40595, FPO AP 96426-0595.
SPC Paul Andrijeski, DCO 50 NSB 2 FOB SPICHER, APO AEO 9393. Son of Kathy Vap and grandson of Evelyn Vap.
Tim Reidy, 58 Terra Court, St. Mary’s, GA 31558. Wife: Julie Burk Reidy. He has no address; Julie will email message. Julie’s parents are Elmer and Rita Burk; grandmothers: Agnes Burk and Lucille Sramek.
Maurice Pianalto (Civ), M7 Aerospace, A Co 249th Avn Reg, APO AE 09391. Son of Margaret Pianalto.
CPL Morgan Waterman, 2nd BN 3DMAR 3DMARDIV, Whiskey CO PLT, Unit 44065, FPO AP 96607-4065. Son of Donnie and RosaLee Waterman and grandson of Ray and Rosa Trail and Lila Waterman.
PFC Jayme Hestermann, HHC STB BDE 41D, APO AE 09378. Son of James “Dino” and Roxane Hestermann and grandson of Ray and Rosa Trail and Bud and Betty Hestermann.
Cpl. Jesse Davenport, PO BOX 823, Indian Head, MD 20640. Son of John and Dora Davenport.
PFC Ricky Alan Musgrave HHC, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, APO AE 09390. Son of Virginia Musgrave Cahoj.
SRA Tommy K. Smith, 5519 Lucky Lane, Wichita Falls, TX 76306 (Sheppard AFB, TX 76311). Son of Phyllis Reed.
CW3 J.D., Souchek, ACO TASK FORCE, 165th MI B.N., APO AE 09354. Son of Frances Souchek.
AB Mark A. Brown, 6989, 621 F Ave # 15346, Sheppard AFB, TX 76311-7500, e-mail brownm4@gimail.af.mil. Son of James and Robin Brown.
Jacob Vrbas, 1201 SW Harrier Circle #103, Oak Harbor, WA 98277. Son of Jerry and Kathy Vrbas.
Judy Lynn Harris, US Embassy, Health Unite, APO AE 09316. Daughter of Lee and Marion Morales.
PFC Zachary Walker, C/ 4-23 Inf. Regt, APO AE 09319, Son of Cecil and Connie Marintzer Walker and nephew of Bud and Vicky Mumm.
1LT Aric Harris, Task Force Tornado, Camp Bondsteel, APO AE 09340. Husband of Jamie Wilkinson Harris and son-in-law of Cheryl and Greg Wilkinson.
Sgt. Ronald D. Stark II, 22 Dearborn Circle, Fort Stewart, GA 31315. Currently serving in Iraq. Mail will reach him at above address. Son of Ardis Stark of Atwood and the late Ron Stark. Grandson of Ada Schruben of Atwood.
S-Sgt. Joshua Woody, 2704 Gray Fox, Jacksonville, AR 72076. Son of Steve and Lisa Woody.
1st Lt. Abram Woody, 206 Rickenbacker, Laughlin AFB, TX 78840. Son of Steve and Lisa Woody.
Andrew Bohme, B 4-320 FA Unit #41504, 4 BCT - 101st Airborne, APO - AE 09390-1504. Parents, Kenny and Janice Bohme. Grandfathers, Francis Bohme and William Cahoj Sr.
PFC Kelly R. Simmonds, MRB-Co. A/Bldg. 5641, Unit 731, Bldg. 6038, Doughboy Loop, Ft. Dix, NJ 08640-9001. |
