|
|
|
Written by Travis Perry
|
|
Wednesday, 10 March 2010 08:00 |
Rural Osawatomie resident Claud Blackman sat at a table in Tailgators Bar and Grill last Thursday, watching television, talking with friends and having a cigarette.
It’s a moment he’s repeated many times, and it’s one of the main reasons he enjoys going to Tailgators. Blackman said he enjoys a good cigarette; it’s his way to unwind after a hard day. 
But legislation en route to Kansas’ governor could make the privilege enjoyed by Blackman and others like him go up in smoke.
On Feb. 25, the Kansas House approved a measure that could make Kansas the 31st state to implement some form of smoking ban. Gov. Mark Parkinson has lauded the bill, saying he would sign any such legislation into law. Should he sign a ban, it would take effect July 1.
The legislation would ban smoking in public places, in taxicabs and at building access points, as well as in restaurants, bars and other places of employment. Exceptions would be made for tobacco shops, private homes (except when used as a day-care facility) and private clubs that meet specific criteria.
The state would levy a $100 fine for a violation, $200 for a second violation within a year of the initial offense and $500 for every subsequent violation within a year of the first.
The measure has some Osawatomie business owners worried about how their customer base will be affected.
Dale Morgan, who owns Tailgators, estimated that on any given night, about 60 percent of his customers are smokers — giving him cause for concern about the issue.
Blackman succinctly stated his opposition to the legislation including bars and taverns in the ban and said he likely would stop going to places like Tailgators if it were implemented.
“Ninety-percent of people go to a bar to drink. Is that any more dangerous than smoking?” Blackman said, venting frustration with the issue. “The state’s saying they need more tax money, then they ban smoking in a place like this.”
Morgan’s primary worry is that the smoking ban will put his establishment at a disadvantage when compared with such places as the Osawatomie Elks Lodge, which would be exempt from the ban because of its required membership dues.
“I’m definitely concerned about it,” he said. “I’m concerned that I won’t be on a level playing field.”
Tony Savage, owner of The Flood Zone and Sports Bar, voiced similar worries, estimating that on an average night, the majority of his customers are smokers.
“It’s going to probably have a big effect on us,” he said. “We’re going to have to adapt to the new law and serve the customers the best we can.”
While Morgan is displeased by the legislation, he admits that it could make the working environment better for him and the rest of his staff, none of whom smoke. Additionally, it would lighten the load in terms of cleaning; projectors, tables, speakers, nearly everything would be much cleaner without smoke hanging in the air, he said.
|
|
|
|
|
Written by Travis Perry
|
|
Wednesday, 10 March 2010 08:00 |
Sheila Hagnauer’s kindergarten class looked warily at the plates before them. 
What was on them certainly smelled like scrambled eggs and looked similar to scrambled eggs, but many of the youngsters were convinced that the green-tinted concoction in front of them was most certainly not eggs. That is, until the bravest among them carefully and quickly wolfed down a few bites to discover that the oddly colored creation was, in fact, edible and actually quite good.
Such was the sight in many classrooms around Swenson Early Childhood Education Center last week as students celebrated books, reading and all things Dr. Seuss.
From “Green Eggs and Ham” to “Wacky Wednesday” and “One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish,” Swenson students, faculty members and administrators honored children’s author Theodor Seuss Geisel by enjoying his works.
While annual Read Across America week was filled with wacky fun, teachers said, the time serves a greater purpose than simply shaking things up in classrooms.
“I think when they can be involved or dress up as part of the book to, it’s just that more exciting for them,” kindergarten teacher Emily Mitchell said. “It kind of ties everyone together when you do things like this.”
|
|
|
|
Written by Travis Perry
|
|
Wednesday, 10 March 2010 08:00 |
For U.S. Rep. Jerry Moran, the axiom “walking into the lions den” may have come to mind Friday afternoon.  Undaunted, the representative from Kansas’ First Congressional District, which boasts 69 counties and encompasses more than half the state’s landmass, confidently met with members of the Osawatomie Lions Club to field questions and to meet with potential constituents in preparation for his run for the U.S. Senate. He is hoping to fill the void being left by Sen. Sam Brownback, who is leaving the office to run for governor of Kansas. Moran said his reasons for seeking the Senate post are simply a matter of numbers. “Clearly, one of 100 is different than one of 435,” Moran noted, saying work simply gets done faster in the Senate. Handling inquiries ranging from the national debt to the state of the health-care industry, Moran answered some questions thrown at him by Lions Club members, doing his best to articulate his views about the future of Kansas and the country. “I think we’re bankrupt and we need to reverse course,” Moran said about the debt, which is now more than $10 trillion. “Our country can’t maintain this level of borrowing.” Doing some quick calculations, Moran figured that in order to pay off the national debt tomorrow, every family in the U.S. would need to contribute about $40,000 to the rising bill. |
|
|
|
Written by Travis Perry
|
|
Wednesday, 10 March 2010 08:00 |
A constant stream of Osawatomie residents filled the halls of First Presbyterian Church Saturday as people showed up for the church’s 14th-annual chili fund-raiser.
Warming stomachs, hearts, souls and friendships, the event has become a steadfast tradition for the church and community, the Rev. Leslie King said. She was pleased to see such a solid turnout for the fund-raiser, which takes place on the first Saturday of March each year. 
While visitors strolled through a line to pick up an array of delectable edibles, the crisp, clear notes of a University of Kansas trumpet ensemble echoed through the halls of the recently remodeled church at Fourth and Main streets. The past two years, King said, the event has been in Osawatomie City Auditorium because of the construction; she was happy to bring everyone together again under the church’s roof to enjoy the remodeled structure.
In total, the event raised in $3,200.
“This was a high for us,” King said. In previous years, the event has raised roughly $2,000 to $2,500.
The money will be used to aid in the church’s general operations, as well as for various outreach efforts to help struggling members of the community, she said. Nowadays, King added, it is more important than ever to do so.
“The benevolence requests have increased twofold for us,” she said, noting that while the economic downturn has placed stress on church outreach efforts, it also has provided more and more opportunities to help.
|
|
|
|
Written by Travis Perry
|
|
Wednesday, 10 March 2010 08:00 |
A small group of students sat mesmerized by the sights and sounds before them.
Fingers dancing, strings vibrating and music flowing — all were under the control of a baton held by an excited, dignified gray-haired man who was eagerly bouncing about and waving his arms, creating sounds many of the youths had never experienced.
It was a unique opportunity for 13 Osawatomie high-schoolers.
Traveling Friday afternoon with students to view a practice session of the Kansas City Symphony conducted by Michael Stern, OHS vocal music instructor Kristi Baker said she hoped to offer students an experience many otherwise would not have had.
“I’m trying to show them what all the possibilities of music are out there, especially for the ones who are looking to keep it up,” Baker said.
Friday’s outing was the second time she had taken a group to listen to the Kansas City Symphony. “That’s a learning experience I can’t give them with CDs or DVDs,” she said.
|
|
|
