My View on School Consolidation

April 9, 2014 1 Comment


I have been listening to everyone’s comments on school consolidation, and I have to say, I am appalled.

There is so much negativity in the community. The ones that support the issue are not as vocal. One local resident expressed concern to me over voicing their support of the issue for fear of starting an argument with friends.

I am worried we may become a community divided, regardless of the outcome. I am not afraid to voice my support of the issue. I am in favor of consolidation.

Money is the biggest issue for all concerned. The state cannot provide funding as in the past. And, if the state so chooses, they could step in and solve our problem for us. All three schools could be absorbed into another system, without being partnered. This would mean no voices would be heard at all.

It is up to all of us to look out for the well-being of our children. It isn’t about sports, school colors, past rivalries, etc. It is about education!

With the consolidation, more could and more than likely would, be offered academically. Our children would thrive with the realm of knowledge to be gained.

There are other ways the children would benefit from consolidation. One of the most important being social skills. They would meet many others and learn more from others around them. This will benefit them the rest of their lives.

Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

Academics, to me, is the most important reason to consolidate. Our children could benefit, or be left behind if consolidation doesn’t happen.

The world is ever changing. If we don’t change with it, not only do we lose but, we lose our future in our children.

I for one don’t want to sacrifice a child’s future because of fear of the future.

I commend the school board members in all three districts for their efforts in dealing with this issue. I am sure it has been very difficult for them.

One last thing: Before developing an opinion, please be well-informed. Know ALL of the facts. Remember, this is for long-term. Having the finances for now doesn’t guarantee a stable future.

We owe our children the best education possible.

 

 

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Verna Ann Dunsmoor, 95 of Wakefield, NE

April 9, 2014 Leave a comment


Verna Ann Dunsmoor, a resident at Wakefield Care Center, died Tuesday, April 8, 2014. A private memorial will be held at a later date. There will be a cremation.  Bressler – Munderloh – Smith Funeral Home of Wakefield is in charge of the arrangements.

Verna was born May 20, 1918 in Allen, Nebraska, the daughter of Everett and Iva (Allen) Carr. She graduated from Allen High School and married Floyd (Hap) Dunsmoor in Boulder, Colorado on April 14, 1940.

Verna was a homemaker and worked in accounting at Gates Rubber Company in Denver, Colorado. Verna’s interests included gardening, bowling, bridge and primarily, being a loving wife to Hap.

Verna is survived by siblings Lucille Chapel – Cincinnati, OH, Velma Cohen – Las Vegas, NV, Wilma Money – Walnut Creek, CA, Polly Kjer – Lincoln, NE, Loren Carr – Allen, NE & James Carr – New Smyrna Beach, FL and many nieces and nephews.

 

 

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Marcella Ruehling, 92 of West Point, Formerly of Bancroft, NE

April 9, 2014 Leave a comment


Marcella Ruehling, 92, of West Point, Nebraska formerly of Bancroft died on Monday, April 7, 2014 at St. Francis Memorial Hospital in West Point, Nebraska.

Funeral services for Marcella will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church near Bancroft, Nebraska; Pastor Ryan Seymore will be officiating.  The visitation with the family present will be held on Friday from 3:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the Munderloh – Smith Funeral Home in Bancroft.  Burial will be in the Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery.  Memorials are suggested to Zion Lutheran Church.  Munderloh – Smith Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Marcella Ruehling

Marcella Ruehling

Marcella was born on April 20, 1921 in Bancroft, Nebraska, the daughter of August and Bertha (Schmidt) Tietz.  She was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church and was married there on December 20, 1944 to Erwin Ruehling.

To this union three children were born:  Marilyn, Shirley, and Dale.  Marcella helped Erwin for over 50 years with the farm operation especially with the dairy herd they maintained.  After Erwin’s death in 2004, Marcella continued to maintain the farmstead, doing the mowing and gardening well into her 90’s.  Her life was centered around church and family activities.  She was a member of the Zion Lutheran Ladies Aid, LWML, and Zion Guild.  During her life she was in various card clubs, sewed, and was active member of the Bancroft Senior Citizens Center.

She is survived by her son Dale (Bobbie) Ruehling of Schuyler, Nebraska, sons-in-law Roger Reppert of Jackson, MN, and Keith Jansen of Valley, NE.  She is also survived by eight grandchildren, their spouses and nineteen great grandchildren: Gail (Kevin) Nieusma, their children Kori (Jake) VanderYacht, Jordan, Lakeville MN,  Terri (Harlyn) VanderGriend, Anna, Ben, Zach, Nate, West Point NE, Randi (Josh) Larsen, Hailey, Apple Valley MN, Erin (Derek) Butts, Levi, Heber City, UT, Susan (Kelley) Hinrichs, Madelyn, Brooks, Barrett, Valley, NE, Chris (Becky) Jansen, Lily, Laura, Lydia, Luke, Lincoln, NE, Matt (Susan) Ruehling, Adam, Chatham, IL, Scott (Rachel) Ruehling, Riley, Reese, Liam, Grand Island, NE.  Marcella is also survived by sisters-in-law Elaine Tietz of Bancroft, NE and Norma Jean Tietz of Wayne, NE, and a brother-in-law Willie Broekemeier of Beemer, NE.

She was proceeded in death by her parents, her husband Erwin on August 1, 2004, two daughters Marilyn Reppert and Shirley Jansen.  Also three brothers, Herbert, Ray, and Arlen Tietz, and sister-in-laws Loretta Tietz and Alieta Broekemier.

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Fire Weather Warning Issued

April 8, 2014 Leave a comment


A fire weather warning has been issued for northeast Nebraska.

The warning begins at noon, Wed., April 9th and expires at 7:00 p.m. Wed. evening.

The wind will be out of the southwest at 15-25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

The relative humidity will be low, around 15 percent.

Wind, low humidity and warm temperatures will all contribute to the possibility of extreme fire behavior.

 

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Easter Trivia

April 8, 2014 Leave a comment


Easter Trivia: In the song, “Here Comes Peter Cottontail” he’s got colored eggs for who?
Post your answers here!

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4-H Week Project

April 8, 2014 Leave a comment


Brayden Anderson's 4-H week project. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

Brayden Anderson’s 4-H week project. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

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Verna Dunsmoor, 95 of Wakefield, NE

April 8, 2014 Leave a comment


Verna Dunsmoor, 95, of Wakefield, Nebraska died on Tuesday, April 8, 2014 at the Wakefield Health Care Center in Wakefield, Nebraska.

Memorial services for Verna will be held at a later date.

Bressler – Munderloh – Smith Funeral Home of Wakefield is in charge of the arrangements.

 

 

 

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News From Oakland Heights

April 8, 2014 Leave a comment


Oakland Heights News by Nancy Silvey

We had a nice day for the Volunteer Appreciation Coffee. It was nice to see everyone here. We have a full couple of weeks coming up. Thursday April 10th the General Store will be open for residents from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm. Next week we will be having Ice Cream sundaes at 2:30 on Tuesday April 15th. On Thursday April 17th we will be having Maundy Thursday service at 2:30 with First Lutheran. On Friday April 18th at 2:30 is the Good Friday service with First Baptist. And on Saturday April 19th the Lions club will be putting on an Easter egg hunt for the local Children starting at 2:00 pm. Also on Saturday the Rusty Buckets will be here at 2:30 pm to perform.

We have a resident celebrating a birthday on April 14th, wishing a Happy Birthday to Laurence Hultquist.

Church Service for Palm Sunday April 13th at 2:30 pm will be given by the St. John Lutheran Church with refreshments served afterwards.

Activities for the week of April 14th   to April19th ;   are as followed, Reading with Marilyn, Manicures, Reminiscing Group,  Reading Group, Sing A Long,   Bingo w/Evan. Free, Bible Fellowship, Let’s Play Ball, Crafty Cooking, Saturday morning movie, and Lawrence Welk

Volunteers signing in last week were; Judy Nelson, Mary Donovan, Seth Anderson, Dani Moseman, Betty Hanna, Donna Baldwin, Di Ruwe, Bonnie Fleischman, Pat Anderson, Lucille Fleischman, and Mary Alice Pearson.

Guest’s signing the Guest book this past week was: Makayla Johnson to visit the Johnsons. Also visiting was Connie Fager here to visit Harriet Smith.

 

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The View From Reservoir Hill

April 8, 2014 Leave a comment


Reservoir Hill overlooks Tekamah. This is a view to the east. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

Reservoir Hill overlooks Tekamah. This is a view to the east. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

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Lyons-Decatur Northeast Seniors Meet Senator Brasch

April 8, 2014 Leave a comment


April Fools’ Day marked the 51st Legislative Day of the 103rd Legislature, Second Session. There are five legislative days remaining until we adjourn Sine Die on April 17. Thank you to Pastor Shawn Linnell of Trinity Lutheran Church in Blair for joining us as Chaplain of the Day on Tuesday, April 1 and to Pastor Coral Parmenter of United Methodist Church of Christ in Wisner for joining us as Chaplain on April 2. We always appreciate the clergy from District 16 who volunteer to travel to Lincoln and offer their prayers.

After the passage of LBs 130, 905, and 906 (budget appropriation bills), Governor Heineman returned them to the Legislature with line-item vetoes. On Tuesday, we carefully examined these bills and fully debated the potential outcomes. The Governor stated his line-item vetoes returns $65 million dollars to taxpayers for the property tax relief they requested. Among some of the vetoed items were:

  • $14.5 million from the Cash Reserve to the Nebraska Capitol Construction fund for the erection of fountains in the Capitol courtyards and renovation of the building’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system;
  • various new Salary Limits for state agencies, new state agency positions, and a transfer from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Contingency Fund Program to the Behavioral Health Aid Program (in order to offset costs to the state due to implementation of the Affordable Care Act);
  • $12.5 million transfer from the Department of Motor Vehicles Cash Fund to the Vehicle Title and Registration System Replacement and Maintenance Cash Fund and $5 million of the $15 million to the Game and Parks Commission for maintenance and improvement projects.

 

All vetoes were overridden Tuesday by the Legislature. I supported the Governor’s vetoes and not the override of the Legislature, as I believe more extensive tax relief is possible for our taxpayers. However, I appreciated the privilege of attending the bill signing press conference with the Governor in support of valuable tax relief efforts for Nebraskans.

Senator Chambers introduced a motion Wednesday to override Governor Heineman’s veto of his mountain lion hunting bill, LB671. The motion failed on a 24-21-4 vote. Senator Chambers has taken a firm stand that it will be a “rough rest of the session” for those of us who voted for the override.

We enjoyed welcoming Lyons-Decatur Northeast High School seniors and two of their teachers Wednesday. Unfortunately, I was unable to meet the Lyons-Decatur 4th graders who visited the next day, as they were pressed for time. We also had student visitors from the Federation of Women’s Club of Nebraska. I was able to sit down for lunch at the Governor’s Residence with a Cuming County student and his Dodge County friends, and we enjoyed a refreshing trip together to the top of the tower and looked out across a brisk, extremely breezy capital city.

Our session is winding down as the issues continue heating up. As always, I encourage you to share your thoughts on pending legislation before we adjourn sine die. Please continue to contact me, my administrative aide, Katie Wattermann, or my legislative aide, Joe Neuhaus, with questions or thoughts at (402) 471-2728 or by email at lbrasch@leg.ne.gov; or stop by Room 1016 if you are at the Capitol.

Keeping the Good Life growing in Nebraska,

Senator Lydia Brasch, District 16

 

Senator Lydia Brasch

Senator Lydia Brasch

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