Building a Stronger Community Through Communication

NEW BEGINNINGS

EXCITING LIVING WINESKINS

Please consider a new application of the parable in Luke 5:37-39 (NRSV) “No one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the new wine will burst the skins and will be spilled and the skins will be destroyed. But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. And no one after drinking old wine desires new wine but says, ‘The old is good.’”

  Let’s use this parable to learn something new about the aging process. Jesus told this parable to Pharisees who were so inflexible in their religious beliefs that they refused to accept the “new wine” of the Gospel of freedom and salvation.

  We are aware of having two separate but sequential parts of life.  We spend the first years of our lives struggling up the ladder of success to become the most successful and productive person possible.  We look forward to the retirement years when we can enjoy the fruits of our hard work.

  Problems begin when we use the first part of our life building a container that we hope will hold everything we need for the downward journey in the other side. We may deceive ourselves into thinking that the container is an end in itself. How disappointing to discover that we have created and maintained a static container without knowing that we need a living container that will remain elastic and able to receive a perpetual supply of new energy that demands flexibility. It is tragic when humans refuse to grow and change as we mature. The poet said, “Grow old along with me. The best is yet to be.”

  We need not destroy the wineskin of the journey–however our living wineskin requires continual exercise to remain healthy.

 Indications of hardening wineskins may be expressed with comments like: “This has worked in the past so I will force the “new wine” into the “old” wineskin; “If it ain’t broke-don’t fix it.”

They don’t know that the wineskin is leaking.

  Jesus warned his audience against becoming dry and brittle in their orthodoxy. They considered their brittle wineskin to be sacred and therefore could not receive the new wine from heaven.

  We are wise to gladly receive new inspiration to grow mentally, spiritually and socially in the second half of life. How sad if we should discover that our wineskin cannot expand to accept anything “new” and “different.” Is it possible that many people “never grow up” in their old age because they refuse to replace their youthful toys and pleasures with “grown up” vehicles, attitudes and actions?

  The parable speaks encouraging words to everyone who has progressed well into the second phase of life. “And no one after drinking old wine desires new wine but says, ‘The old is good.’”

  When Jesus spoke these words he was talking to religious leaders who had been drinking “old” established wine. It was good enough for them and therefore they rejected Jesus. Their prejudiced minds closed their hearts to the new revelations of Christ.

  We are using this metaphor to illustrate that as we grow older we can accept new situations and turn them into true blessings. We have grown in wisdom and are able to become guides for those who still struggle to find their way in life.

  We can apply our maturity to solve problems to create new ways that will benefit others and ourselves.  Soon we will find that we are receiving “new wine” that will creatively change into maturely aged wine that becomes “The good wine.”

OBITUARIES

THE WRITINGS OF STEVE KAGIN

PRIDEFUL HEARTS MUST SUBMIT

Have you ever known anyone that was prideful? People who are full of pride think very highly of themselves. They seem to believe they are above others and are entitled to the riches and pleasures of life. Prideful people consistently want more and more from the world and will ignore God given commandments to follow God’s will. Prideful people will ignore the needs of others to get what they want. Prideful people think of themselves first and others last. Prideful people will face the consequences of their behaviors.
Pride is a very bad trait to have and God doesn’t like it. James chapter 4 verse 6 states, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” There are many stories in the Bible that talk about pride and show the consequences of having a prideful heart. I will share some with you.
In the book of Jude it says in Chapter 1 verses 10 and 11, “But these men revile the things which they do not understand; and the things they know by instinct, like unreasoning animals, by these things they are destroyed. Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain, and for pay they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.”
In order to understand the power of this scripture one must understand what happened in the stories of Cain, Balaam and Korah. Cain committed murder. He killed his brother Abel out of jealousy and pride (Gen 4:1-16).
Balaam was a prophet for God and he gave God’s prophecies out of greed so he could make money, not so he could help and instruct the people. Balaam was prideful and thought he deserved that money. (Numbers 22-24).
Korah rebelled against Moses, God’s divinely appointed leader. Korah tried to overthrow him and take leadership of the Israelites. (Number 16:1-35).
All three of these men show the attitudes of people focused on themselves. They were prideful, selfish, jealous, greedy and lusted after power. They all also ignored God’s will in their lives.
In verse 11 of Jude it states that by “these things they are destroyed.” Cain, Balaam and Korah all died as a result of their pride and conquest for power. They all had to face the consequences of turning their backs on God and living by their own prideful, lustful desires.
There is another story in the book of Acts where someone died of pride. In Acts Chapter 12: 21-23 it talks about the death of Herod. Herod on a particular day put on his royal apparel and started addressing the people. As he did so, the people started crying out, “The voice of a God and not of man.” When the people did this Herod did not stop them or deny it. He kept on talking because he liked being considered a God. The Bible then says, “Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died.”
Theological commentary tells us that it took five days for Herod to die and the worms literally ate him from the inside out. That is similar to what pride does to us. Pride kills us spiritually and it very slowly eats away at our soul, devouring the spirit that God planted to dwell within us.
The four people mentioned were separated from God and eventually perished as a direct result of their pride. Pride is a very dangerous thing.
The good news is that God gives grace to the humble. It is in God’s grace that we experience God’s blessings. It is in submission and through His grace that we have the power to rid our lives of pride and go through the process of repentance, asking God to forgive us for our sinful, prideful hearts.
The interesting paradox about prideful people is the fact that they don’t know they are prideful. This realization can be difficult, however if one becomes aware of it and if they will learn to be humble, they will experience the Glory of God. Do away with your pride and experience God’s grace.
WHAT'S UNDER MY HAT ~ Monte Tucker

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

WORK, WONDER AND WORRY ~ John Schlageck, Kansas Farm Bureau

A recent swing through northwestern Kansas reveals a winter wheat crop that looks really good. Stands are uniform, the color is a dark green, and even with the mild temperatures so far this winter, most of the wheat has not grown too quickly and may escape the specter of winter kill.
Even in southwestern Kansas, that region of the state hit the hardest last year, the wheat crop looks good. Favorable growing conditions began the end of September and early October when this year’s crop was being planted.
Rains from three to six inches were reported in much of southwestern Kansas, although some of the cropland near Elkhart, Sublette, Satanta and Meade didn’t receive plentiful rainfall.
A similar weather pattern swept through this part of the state a week before Christmas. More than a foot of snow blanketed a large area of southwestern Kansas from northern Morton County north to Syracuse and east all the way to Ellis County where 14″ was reported at Victoria.
Scott City recorded 15” of snow and moisture totaled six inches or more from the rain and snow that stayed on the ground throughout half of January.
Wheat growers remain optimistic this year’s wheat crop is far better off than one year ago. The significant rainfall and snow will go a long way in helping this year’s crop enter the spring growing season with a leg up.
Most long-term forecasts predict normal precipitation throughout the upcoming spring season with another dry summer. Should this hold true, this year’s wheat crop will at least have a better chance than last year of being harvested. With a few timely rains in February and March there may be far fewer acres abandoned if any.
Many southwestern Kansas producers consider the current condition of their wheat crop ideal at this time. Because of the month-long snow cover, most of the crop hasn’t broken dormancy yet. Temperatures have been cooler than in other regions of Kansas where record high winter temperatures have been recorded.
Less growth than normal means healthier wheat at this time. There’s less chance the crop will green up, grow and then face the possibility of being hammered by freeze this spring when it begins to warm up.
Drive through southwestern Kansas and one thing becomes apparent quickly and that’s the amount of wheat in the fields. This year’s acreage is tabbed at 9.5 million acres up from 8.7 million in 2011.
As already stated, planting conditions overall were much better this year than last. High wheat prices have also driven this increase, but continued dryness in some areas of the central and southern Plains also led to more wheat planted. Compared to more thirsty crops like corn, milo and soybeans, wheat tends to survive drought while producing a decent crop.
Subsoil moisture remains a concern for every farmer throughout much of western Kansas. Shortfalls vary from almost no subsoil moisture in the southwestern counties to several inches in some of the northern tier Kansas counties.
Yes, it’s a new year and with it comes new hope of harvest in June. While all farmers know that’s a lifetime away, as eternal optimists they’ll hope and pray for moisture, better-than-average growing conditions and storms that stay away from their land. And once they harvest the wheat, they begin wondering, worrying and wishing for a successful fall harvest.

KANSAS REPORTER

LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH CHIEF LANDS KPERS CHIEF EXECUTIVE JOB ~ Gene Meyer, Kansas Reporter

TOPEKA — The Kansas state pension fund is broken and, so far, there is no clear plan for fixing it.
By conservative estimates, an $8.3 billion gap exists between the money the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System will need to pay retirement benefits promised to teachers and government workers through 2033, and the money it will probably have by then to make those payments.
"The unfunded liability is like an elephant that won't go away," KPERS chairman Ron Hagen said.
Some say the shortfall could be much more, and taxpayers — who are obligated by state law to pick up the tab for promised benefits that investment profits fail to cover — would be left with the bill, the size of which also remains unclear.
Pension watchers — making assumptions about how fast investments will grow — say the gap is nearly three times larger than the $8.3 projection.
"That value fluctuates," Alan Conroy said. "I'm confident that KPERS' actuaries are following currently accepted guidelines in their projections."
This week, Conroy, director of the Kansas Legislative Research Department, was chosen over 25 other candidates to lead the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System as executive director. He'll earn $175,000 a year. The previous director, Glenn Deck, retired in September.
Conroy, 56, will supervise a staff of 85 workers who administer about $1.3 billion annually in retirement benefits to KPERS members.
Conroy said Tuesday he has no immediate plans to make major changes in the pension fund's approach for dealing with the funding shortfall, and he declined to talk in detail about potential changes to KPERS until he starts work Feb. 13.
Conroy has no investment background. "But that's a good thing," Hagen said. "We hire other people with investment backgrounds. He has a management background. His job is really about managing the resources."
Conroy now works as director of the Kansas Legislative Research Department, a nonpartisan research and fiscal agency that, among other things, calculates the official budget and revenue numbers that legislators use to allocate more than $14 billion in spending each year.
Retiree Ernie Claudel will be watching.
"He's always shown a great deal of interest in KPERS, which we think is a good thing," said Claudel, a retired Olathe school administrator who often visits the Capitol to watch pension fund deliberations and blogs to other retirees.
"But it is way too soon to know what difference he will make."
Hagen and other observers predict the pension liabilities will increase faster if legislators this session begin converting KPERS from a traditional pension plan for current employees to a 401(k)-style retirement savings plan for future hires. The move would slow the rate of contributions to the traditional plan, but it would not slow the rate at which more than 160,000 teachers and workers now on public payrolls will continue to earn benefits.
With $13 billion in assets, KPERS is the largest pension plan in Kansas. It tends to the retirement funds of teachers and other public employees of state government, as well the funds for workers in more than 1,500 state, local and municipal governments and school districts.
Other analysts contend that KPERS — like many public pensions in the nation that also presume their portfolios will grow an average 8 percent annually — is making unrealistic assumptions about future market profits and how quickly they can rebound from profound market losses in 2008 and 2009.
American Enterprise Institute, a Washington, D.C., think tank, said the actual shortfall will be nearer $21.8 billion when adjusted to real market values, rather than the multiple averages that pensions use to adjust for volatility.
In a separate study for the National Bureau of Economic Research, economists Robert Novy-Marx and Joshua Raugh estimated the gap will hit $22 million. NBER is a private, nonpartisan research group in Cambridge, Mass. That shortfall, Novy-Marx and Raugh calculate, would require every household in Kansas to pay as much as $1,197 in additional taxes annually for 30 years to cover.
"Even if you believe in 8 percent investment returns, that $8.3 billion unfunded liability now will increase to a minimum $9.5 billion in another year," said Richard Stumpf, a certified financial planner in Wichita who also served on a KPERS Study Commission.
"But even though KPERS investment managers are doing commendable jobs and achieving higher than average market returns, KPERS hasn't had an average 8 percent return in 13 or 14 years," Stumpf said.
If investment profits are as low as 4 percent or 5 percent, then that's $20 billion to $22 billion more that taxpayers will have to put into the system "is probably a minimum," Stumpf said.
By KPERS' calculations, its investments earned 13 percent in 2010, the latest calendar year for which numbers are available. But those earnings are calculated following current Governmental Accounting Standards Board rules. GASB, the professional accounting standards board for government accounting, is proposing a change in those rules to require counting losses more immediately, the way the American Enterprise Institute and Novy-Marx and Raugh did.
It is unclear whether those proposed new standards would prompt KPERS trustees to lower the funds' planned investment returns below the current 8 percent, which also would cause unfunded liabilities to grow. The trustees last summer debated cutting the rate to 7.5 percent, but ultimately voted not to change.
Conroy said Tuesday he didn't think such a reduction would happen in the short term.

GOVERNMENTAL NEWS

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE-Week 2 ~ Ramon C. Gonzalez, Jr., Representative 47th Dist.

The second week of the 2012 legislative session was abbreviated due to the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. However, work continued as committees had their second week to address issues and legislation. Bills are starting to come out of committee for further debate and votes by the full House. With the first session deadlines quickly approaching, our pace should pick up in the next week. As always, I’ll keep you updated. Please stay involved and let me know your thoughts on the measures under consideration.

Kansas Tax Policy

As discussed last week, one of the most pressing issues facing the Legislature this session is strengthening the state economy. Over the next 90 days, serious attention will be focused on a variety of broad-scale tax policies to determine the best way to move forward. Several different proposals have been proposed and each must to go through the committee process to ensure our end result is responsible, equitable and affordable.

In an effort to achieve these basic goals, and maintain our promise to Kansas, the House is formulating a tax bill concept that was introduced this week. The proposal would maintain current tax deductions, credits and exemptions, including food sales tax refunds, historic tax credits, and mortgage deductions. It would maintain the statutory sales tax sunset, passed during the 2010 session, which lowers the sales tax rate to 5.7 percent in 2013.

A two percent growth factor is built into the plan and any increased revenues over two percent will trigger incremental reductions in individual income tax rates, with a specific emphasis on accelerating the reduction of the low and moderate tax brackets. This particular provision balances the need to lower rates while also ensuring a healthy ending balance to keep Kansas at a sound fiscal status. 

In addition, small businesses will also be allowed to retain non-wage profits to keep and further invest in their business and create jobs. The bill would leverage the Earned Income Tax Credit with federal Medicaid funds to increase Medicaid funding from $60 million to approximately $113 million to protect safety nets for the most vulnerable Kansans. Finally, the House plan accelerates severance tax collections on new oil wells and expands the successful Rural Opportunity (ROZ) program.

Research shows Kansas has among the highest tax rates in the region and we are consistently losing workers to nearby states with lower tax rates. The House has been focused and committed on developing favorable tax policy that enables employers to create jobs, entices new business to relocate to Kansas and ensures residents will continue to live and work in our state. Our State has a diverse economy which presents a considerable challenge for any type of major tax policy changes. Regardless, alteration to the current tax code will not come without exhaustive study and deliberation. Feedback from all angles is a critical part of this process, so I encourage you to involve yourself in the process and express your views.

Work on the House tax plan will begin quickly within the tax committee, where members will begin combing through the various details and projections that will need to be reconciled in order to produce a final produce for consideration by the full membership. During this process, I encourage you to contact me with input on which parts of this proposal or any others that might impact you directly.

Redistricting Kansas

Every ten years the state of Kansas redraws its Congressional and Legislative boundaries based on the most recent census figures. Each state has its own unique process for how they redraw these boundaries. Figures show the population of Kansas has grown in the eastern part of the state while western Kansas continues to struggle with declining population numbers. As a result, expectations are one Kansas Senate seat will shift from the west to the east side of state, as will approximately three Kansas House seats. The goal is to have 22,761 persons in each Kansas House district, 70,986 in each Kansas Senate District and 713,280 persons in each of the four Congressional districts.

Public hearings on the redistricting process were held throughout the state over the summer and fall. Meetings were held in 10 locations and input gathered from these hearings will be taken into consideration by the separate Senate and House redistricting committees while creating the new House, Senate and Congressional district maps. Before the 2012 session can come to an end new district maps must be approved by the Legislature so they can get final approval from the court for the August 2012 primary election and November 2012 general election.

The House has set an ambitious goal for creating its new district maps. The first deadline was this week, January 20, for the initial House district map to go to the non-partisan Kansas Legislative Research Department for approval. Each proposed map must meet a specific set of predetermined requirements before it can proceed to be introduced as legislation and subsequent hearings. The main sticking point in the past has been to make the population deviation for each district as close to zero as possible to ensure one person equals one vote.

Redrawing the House, Senate and Congressional districts is a time consuming process, and sometimes a source of frustration as members are inevitably forced to swap territory with neighbors. In some cases, a member may have represented a certain community or geographical region for decades. This makes it difficult to part with constituents – or perhaps meet new ones – so it’s a challenging phase for some. A multitude of factors must be considered, and the final product is still weeks away, but the House has committed to making the process as open and transparent as possible in an effort to create a fair and logical map that members feel comfortable voting for, which will allow us to move on to more pressing issues that directly impact our constituents.

Caylee’s Law – HB 2440

This week the House introduced language addressing one of our first caucus priorities in 2012. House Bill 2440, if passed, would implement Caylee’s law, after Florida 2-year-old Caylee Anthony who disappeared in 2008. Anthony’s mother, Casey, failed to notify authorities of her daughter’s disappearance for a month. Unfortunately, current law does not view this sort of negligence as a crime in many states. In response, numerous states are now aiming to prevent this from occurring again by creating reporting standards. Current Kansas law does not impose criminal penalties for failing to notify law enforcement of the death or disappearance of a child.

The bill currently resides in the House Corrections and Juvenile Justice Committee where it is waiting on a hearing. I look forward to supporting this legislation as it is an essential tool to better protecting Kansas children.

Regents Reporting Requirements

In the fall of 2011, Penn State University was rocked by allegations that former football coach Jerry Sandusky had been caught sexually assaulting or inappropriately interacting with underage boys on or near university property. Subsequent investigations appeared to reveal that eyewitness accounts of the abuse were not reported to proper university and law enforcement authorities.

As a result, legislation will be introduced in the House that requires all state post-secondary educational institutions to develop reporting standards for cases of abuse.

In addition, the Kansas Board of Regents will require each regents institution to formalize individual standards for reporting abuse, such as that in the Penn State scandal.

As unimaginable as these circumstances may seem, the tragedy of the Penn State case has served us a warning. Our schools need to have clear, concise reporting standards for instances of abuse, and I’m confident this legislation uses the most reasonable approach to guarding against any similar circumstances. 

State Archives Available Online

The Kansas Historical Society has partnered with a popular family history website, ancestry.com, to allow individuals with valid Kansas driver’s licenses with free access to over 8 million Kansas records. To access the records, users need to access www.kshs.org/ancestry and enter their name, date of birth and Kansas driver’s license number. Once the number is authenticated users will be redirected to ancestry.com.

Users will be able to access Kansas census records from 1865 to 1985; Civil War enlistment papers of Kansas Volunteer Regiments (1862, 1863, 1868); Russell County vital and probate records; selected World War I manuscripts; and United Spanish-American War veterans certificate collections.

The Historical Society also has a digital portal providing access to 200,000 images of photographs, artifacts, diaries, letters, maps and other printed materials at www.kansasmemory.org.

I hope you take the time to track the Legislature’s work in Topeka over the course of the 2012 session. Although early, policy proposals on the above issues, and many others, are quickly forming and I believe it is an important part of the process to keep my constituents updated. As you know, the devil is in the details and many components of these policies are subject to change. I encourage you to let me know your thoughts on the issues discussed by the legislature and others which might be affecting you. Please feel free to call or e-mail me at (785) 296-7677 ramon.gonzalez@house.ks.gov and I’d be happy to discuss any topic you are interested in. Thank you for the honor of serving you!

ATTORNEY GENERAL SCHMIDT LEADS NATIONAL EFFORT TARGETING SCAMMERS WHO PREY ON MILITARY FAMILIES

TOPEKA – (January 25, 2012) – Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt today announced a new federal program that will track scam artists who prey on military families and try to elude authorities by skipping from state to state.
“Our military men and women and their families sacrifice each and every day to keep our country safe,” Schmidt said. “Crooks and scam artists who prey on military families require a particular focus from law enforcement authorities. Kansas law gives our office special authority to go after those who prey on military families, and we are working toward better cooperation with other states and with federal authorities so there is no place to hide.”
The new federal program is a nationwide database available to law enforcement that will include information about civil and criminal enforcement actions against companies and individuals who prey on military families. It will be called the Repeat Offenders Against Military Database (“ROAM Database”). Schmidt today joined with Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway in a letter asking all state attorneys general to cooperate with federal authorities to get the new database up and running and to provide it with information about convictions and judgments. Schmidt and Conway are the national co-chairs of the Consumer Protection Committee of the National Association of Attorneys General.
“Fraudsters who target the military sometimes close up shop in one state when law enforcement actions are taken against them, only to set up the same scheme in another state,” the two attorneys general wrote. “The initial issue this presents is simply identifying who the repeat offenders are, especially when they may operate under different corporate names.”
Consumer Corner: Protect your personal data – online and off
By Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt
Nearly every day, our office hears stories of Kansans whose personal information has ended up in someone else’s hands. In today’s information age, it is easier than ever for identity thieves to get this information. On January 28, we recognize National Data Privacy Day. As we commemorate this day and begin a new year, it is a good time to review your precautions to guard against a tragic – and perhaps costly – privacy breach.
Our computers contain a significant amount of personal information. Passwords, financial information and other files are often stored on our hard drives and even on the Internet. Identity thieves may try several different methods to gain access to this information.
Phishing scams. People on the Internet are not always who they claim to be. In a phishing scam, an identity thief will send you an email pretending to be your bank, credit card company or another place of business. It may tell you that your password has expired and you need to reply to the email with your old password and new password to reset it. Or the email may contain a link that directs you to a website to change your password. The email and website may look official, even containing your bank’s logo. But this is just a scam to gain access to your online banking account.
If you use online banking, always go through your bank’s homepage to access your account. Links in emails cannot always be trusted, even if they look official.
Viruses. Scam artists and hackers can also gain access to your system by installing a virus on your computer. These viruses can then record your every action on your computer, including capturing your usernames and passwords to online accounts. The best way to avoid these viruses is to be very cautious when opening email attachments or downloading files from the Internet. Only open files from trusted sources. You should also be sure your antivirus software is up-to-date, and regularly scan your system for viruses.
Electronic devices. Thieves are always on the lookout for electronics, especially when they are left inside a car. When a thief gets a hold of a laptop computer or smartphone, they don’t just get the device itself, but may be able to access the personal information stored on it. To prevent this from happening, first be sure to keep the device in a secure location. Second, use strong passwords to lock your computer and smartphone. Additionally, you may want to put another level of password protection on sensitive files and applications.
Physical files. Even with all the information that has been digitized, most of us still have many paper files. Whether it is tax information, blank checks, bank statements or bills, these documents can contain significant personal information. It’s important to keep these documents in a secure place in our homes and offices, and to properly destroy them before throwing them away. Shredding them with a cross-cut shredder is one of the best ways to make sure identity thieves can’t get this information from your dumpster. Later this spring, our office will be sponsoring several shred-a-thons across the state to help you safely dispose of personal information.
Even with the best precautions, data breaches do occur. News reports of hackers getting into banks and government computer systems are unfortunately common. When these data breaches occur, federal and state laws do give you some protections. The business or agency where the data breach occurred is required to notify you of the breach. They may also be required to report the breach to credit monitoring agencies.
Our office is continuing to crack down on identity theft – one of the fastest-growing crimes in America. If you believe you have been a victim of identity theft, please contact our office at 1-800-432-2310 or at www.ksag.org.

ATTORNEY GENERAL SCHMIDT: OTTAWA MAN FOUND GUILTY OF ELDER ABUSE

TOPEKA – (January 24, 2012) – An Ottawa man has been found guilty of financial abuse of a 95-year-old woman, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced today.
Guadalupe Mora, 65, of Ottawa, yesterday entered a plea of no contest to one count of mistreatment of a dependent adult and one count of theft in Franklin County District Court. The plea was accepted by District Judge Thomas Sachse, who entered a finding of guilty in the case. Yesterday’s action resolves charges filed by the attorney general last April.
The court scheduled sentencing for February 27. As part of the plea agreement, the parties are recommending restitution be paid to the victim in the amount of $90,431.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Stefani Hepford.

JENKINS REACTS TO PRESIDENT OBAMA’S STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins released the following statement after President Obama delivered his State of the Union address to Congress on January 24, 2012:
“Sadly, this evening’s State of the Union address was a far cry from the message of unity we heard from President Obama a few short years ago.  Rather than urging Americans to come together to tackle the challenges we face as a nation, the President seems content to stoke partisan disagreement and further divide the American people.  This may be effective rhetoric along the campaign trail, but even in a campaign year, I expect more out of a sitting President addressing Congress for a State of the Union.”
“The hardworking American taxpayers have faced immense challenges over the last several years, and from stimulus packages to corporate bailouts, the President’s policies and ‘go it alone’ strategies have stoked partisan passions, but done little to help ease America’s pain.  There is a bipartisan path to be forged, and I hope for the good of the country and the sake of this generation and the ones to follow the President will put his rhetoric aside, not surrender the year to election politics, and work with me and likeminded individuals to craft real solutions to our shared problems.”
“It has now been a thousand days since the Democrat-controlled-Senate last passed a budget, but we in the Republican led House have passed more than 30 jobs bills, crafted a responsible budget, and continue to fight for a reasonable regulatory environment and job creating tax reforms to provide certainty to the American economy.   I stand ready to work with the President on these solutions, but this divisive campaign rhetoric over the past several months and again tonight demonstrate a greater desire for reelection politics than answers for the American people.”

JENKINS RECOGNIZES SOMBER ANNIVERSARY

1000 Days since the Democrat-Controlled-Senate has Passed a Budget
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins released the following on January 24, 2012 the 1000 day anniversary of the last time the Democrat-controlled-Senate passed a budget resolution:
“In 1000 days you could build the Pentagon…twice.  You could draft, approve and enact the U.S. Constitution…twice.  The polio vaccine could go from field trials to widespread use… twice.   But if you were the Democrat controlled Senate, led by Senator Harry Reid, you would be unable to fulfill your statutory obligation and pass a budget.”
“As a CPA, I can tell you that the first step to overcoming a financial crisis is to obtain a complete understanding of one’s financial situation, then make a detailed plan to make responsible spending decisions.  This plan is called a budget, and it is the statutory obligation of Congress to pass one every year.” 
“The appalling absence of leadership from the other side the aisle on our budgeting responsibilities over the last 1000 days has resulted in uncertainty for our business owners and further stunted job creation in this country. In short, it’s a complete and total embarrassment. The American people deserve better.  The Republican House passed a budget as required last year and is preparing to pass another one this year. Instead of filming erroneous commercials that earned them the Pulitzer Prize winning Politifact.com “Lie of the Year,” it is time for the President and Washington Democrats to meet the Republicans at the table with a budget of their own.”

CONGRESSWOMAN JENKINS SENDS
PRESIDENT OBAMA LETTER ON NBAF

 WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins released the following statement after sending the attached letter to President Obama asking for his continued support of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, Kansas:
“Both the Bush and Obama administrations have made it exceedingly clear that the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) is essential to our national security, and that Manhattan, Kansas, with its strong ties to K-State and the Animal Health Corridor, is the best place for the NBAF to be located.  In fact, the Federal Government has already appropriated $90 million towards the construction of the NBAF, which has in turn been matched by the state of Kansas.”
“The NBAF will be a cutting edge research facility that will accelerate our nation’s ability to protect ourselves, our food supply and our economy from biological threats; it will become the world’s premier animal health research facility and further solidify our nation’s place as the international leader in animal health research. Simply put, America needs the NBAF, and I hope President Obama continues to support its construction in his FY2013 budget.”

MISCELLANEOUS PRESS RELEASES

SOCIAL JUSTICE WEEK SET FOR FEB. 5-10

Presentations on the pro-life movement, women and poverty and prayers for peace will be featured at Benedictine College during the week of February 5, 2012. The school’s annual Social Justice Week, now in its 24th year, will give student groups related to social issues a chance to gain a focus on campus and in the community. Participating groups include the Knights of Columbus, Benedictine College Hunger Coalition, Ravens Respect Life and the Black Student Union. All programs and presentations are free and open to the public.
Events get underway at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 5, in O’Malley-McAllister Auditorium, with Kathy Ostrowski, state legislative director of Kansans for Life, who will speak on pro-life legislation here and abroad. Ostrowski took over the legislative position in 2003 after having served as research director for the organization for several years. She graduated with honors with a triple major in Art, Philosophy and Political Science from Northern Illinois University. She moved to Kansas, where her husband, John, was finishing a law degree from Washburn University in Topeka. They raised one daughter, Kristy, a current Benedictine senior, and four sons, including Mark, a 2006 Benedictine grad and current seminarian for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. They are now the proud grandparents of four.
On Monday, Feb. 6, Sister Carol Ann Petersen, OSB, director of the Keeler Women’s Center in Kansas City, Kan., will be the guest of the college’s Hunger Coalition. Her presentation, "Keeler Women's Center - Serving Women in the Urban Core," is set for 7 p.m. that night in O’Malley-McAllister Auditorium. She will discuss the mission of the Center, how it serves women and men, especially the poor, and will highlight volunteer opportunities.
The Knights of Columbus will present a panel discussion on the Jan 1, 2012 radio address by Pope Benedict XVI regarding the World Day of Prayer for Peace. The program, featuring Benedictine College faculty, will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at 7:30 p.m. in O’Malley-McAllister Auditorium. The panel will include: Dr. John Rziha, associate professor in the Benedictine College Theology Department; Tom Hoopes, former executive editor of the National Catholic Register and vice president of college relations at Benedictine College; and Father Meinrad Miller, OSB, subprior and novice master of St. Benedict’s Abbey and Chaplain of the Benedictine College Knights of Columbus.
Founded in 1858, Benedictine College is a Catholic, Benedictine, residential, liberal arts college located on the bluffs above the Missouri River in Atchison, Kansas. The school is proud to have been named one of America’s Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report as well as one of the top Catholic colleges in the nation by First Things magazine and the Newman Guide. It prides itself on outstanding academics, extraordinary faith life, strong athletic programs, and an exceptional sense of community and belonging. It has a mission to educate men and women within a community of faith and scholarship.

BENEDICTINE COLLEGE ANNOUNCES INSTITUTE FOR MISSIONARY ACTIVITY

ATCHISON, KAN. (Jan. 25, 2012) Benedictine College has announced the formation of the Institute for Missionary Activity, becoming the first Catholic college in America to create a program designed to help future missionaries be more successful in their work and their ability to effect change. The new Institute combines academics, personal formation and field experience to create graduates who are fully equipped for missionary work. The formation of the Institute for Missionary Activity corresponds with specific aspects of Benedictine College’s new strategic plan.
“The goal of the Institute is to send out the most dynamic Catholic missionaries our country has to offer,” said David Trotter, director of the Institute. “As the flagship college of the New Evangelization, Benedictine College has founded the Institute for Missionary Activity to train students to be disciples of Jesus Christ in the modern world and advance the mission of the Church.”
Trotter, who has worked for the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) for over 6 years, said many young missionaries enter the field with a degree in theology but little practical experience in things like human resources, managing budgets, marketing, pedagogy and other things that would make them more effective.
“Professionals in the ministry field are asking for additional training and preparation beyond what knowledge of theology can provide,” he said. “At the undergraduate level, no other Catholic or secular college or university is formally combining Catholic Social Teaching and the New Evangelization in a way that trains and places graduates successfully.”
The Institute will register its first students in the fall, with incoming freshmen declaring a 3-year track of participation and registering for a semester-long service learning seminar. It is open to Benedictine College students who wish to pursue full-time missionary work after college. Trotter said that includes short term and long term service, local, national or international programs, and working with material or spiritual poor, youth or adults, in service, catechesis and evangelization.
The Institute will host its first event this spring. The Symposium on Advancing the New Evangelization is set for March 23-24, 2012 in the new, state-of-the-art Ferrell Academic Center on the Benedictine College campus. The facility is the new home of the school’s Theology and Philosophy departments.
“This symposium will provide a venue for academics and professionals to discuss this important topic in the hopes of deepening an understanding of the New Evangelization and how it can be advanced in different fields of study and practice,” Trotter said. “Registration is $75 for non-students and will be available online in February.”
Founded in 1858, Benedictine College is a Catholic, Benedictine, residential, liberal arts college located on the bluffs above the Missouri River in Atchison, Kansas. The school is proud to have been named one of America’s Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report as well as one of the top Catholic colleges in the nation by First Things magazine and the Newman Guide. It prides itself on outstanding academics, extraordinary faith life, strong athletic programs, and an exceptional sense of community and belonging. It has a mission to educate men and women within a community of faith and scholarship.

WILDLIFE AND PARKS REPORTS

GATHERINGS FROM THE PAST ~ PROCEDEMUS O. POPPS

 (Note:  I have decided to go back 70 years in the issues of The Effingham New Leaf, to see what folks were doing during World War II.)
“Towns that got in a hurry and took down hitching racks a score or more years ago maybe did so too soon.  Effingham has a few relics of the past.  In front of the Hegarty elevator and north of McClanahan’s store are still to be found the old fashioned type with heavy chains strung between polls.  At the Marrs home are two more modern ones, fancy cut stone in each of which is embedded heavy iron rings.  Now that tire rationing is being enforced, farmers may return to the old horse and buggy days.  Effingham can accommodate a few, so for the present there is no need to worry where teams will be ‘tied up’ while their owners go shopping.”