Trickle-down effect was not what Kansas schools wanted.
On Monday, the Kansas State High School Activities Association released the results of statewide vote by Class 4A, 3A, 2-1A schools on a proposal to restructure Kansas football classifications. It failed to pass.
Iola High, a Class 4A school, voted for the proposal to reduce Class 4A from 64 to 48 teams, creating a trickle-down effect for Classes 3A and 2-1A. The proposal passed at the KSHSAA’s April Board of Directors meeting then was sent out for a vote by all schools it would effect.
“We voted for the proposal as a collective,” said David Grover, Iola High out-going principal. “It was a 4A impact vote and it did pass (39 yes, 25 no) with 4A schools. The smaller schools did not vote for it.”
Grover, who is now the superintendent at USD 268 in Cheney, pointed out that if a school did not send in a ballot, it was counted as a no vote. Cheney and Goodland are the smallest 4A schools in Kansas.
A quick telephone survey of the Register area schools — Humboldt, Marmaton Valley, Uniontown, Southern Coffey County, Yates Center and Crest, voted and voted no on the proposal. All those contacted had the same reasons but also recognize that the Kansas Class 4A situation needs to be addressed.
Marmaton Valley High principal Jeremy Boldra and Southern Coffey County superintendent/principal Mike Kastle serve on the KSHSAA Board of Directors as league representatives.
“We didn’t see it benefiting our classification here (at MVHS),” Boldra said. “But from the KSHSAA board of directors standpoint, we felt it was good to let the schools vote on it.”
Kastle echoed statements by Humboldt Superintendent K.B. Cress, Yates Center Superintendent Rusty Arnold, Uniontown and Crest athletic directors Jim Mason and Brent Smith — “The state needs to go the other direction (up). There are better solutions out there we just have to find them.”
Class 4A has 64 schools ranging in enrollment from 197 students to 564. There are 64 schools at Class 3A (120-195) and 41 (69-118) in Class 2-1A 11-man football. Class 1A’s 8-man numbers are 104 teams in two divisions.
The state’s Class 6A (1016-1801) and Class 5A (564-1005) each has 32 schools.
Addressing the disparities among the state’s football classifications is at hand. Maybe we’re looking at Class 7A in Kansas.
Daryl Ratcliff
Daryl N. Ratcliff, 82, Humboldt, passed away Friday, June 15, 2012, at Prairie Mission Retirement Center, St. Paul.
Daryl was born in Phillipsburg on Sept. 20, 1929, the son of Harold Elisha and Delia (Butler) Ratcliff. He was a graduate of Columbia University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in education.
He married Mary Anna Martin in 1952. She preceded him in death in 1974. He then married Harriet Raney Purdom in 1984. She preceded him in death in 2009.
He was a long-time agriculture instructor and dairyman.
Daryl is survived by four children, Greg Ratcliff, Deborah Lovell, James Ratcliff, and Brian Ratcliff, all of Iola; a step-daughter, Cindy Dick, Chanute; a brother, Gwen Ratcliff; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Daniel Allen Ratcliff; and a stepson, Jerry Purdom.
Graveside services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Humboldt. Memorials may be left at Penwell-Gabel Humboldt Chapel for Prairie Mission Retirement Center. A special message for the family may be left at www.PenwellGabelChanute.com.
Michael Yoho
Michael Eugene Yoho, 59, Neosho Falls, passed away Tuesday, June 19, 2012, at his home in Neosho Falls.
Mike was born Aug. 1, 1952, in Yates Center, to Glay “Cork” and Rosalie (Igou) Yoho. He graduated from Le Roy High School and attended Allen County Community College. He farmed and raised livestock with his dad his whole life and was a partner in his family’s auction business for the past 30 years.
Mike was an outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing and hard work. He met all those he encountered with a huge smile and a booming “hello.” He truly never met a stranger.
Loved ones left behind include his partner and friend Lisa O’Brien; parents, Rosalie and Cork Yoho; two children, Tina Murcko, Iola, and Butch Tomlinson, Piqua; two brothers, Galen, Yates Center, and Tim, Edgerton; six grandchildren and numerous loving family and friends.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel in Iola. Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Cedarvale Cemetery, Neosho Falls. Memorials may be left at the funeral home for Friends For Life. Online condolences for the family may be left at www.iolafuneral.com.
Iola A Indians lose twice
OTTAWA — Iola American Legion A Indians suffered their first losses of the season Monday.
The A Indians dropped a 7-5 decision to host Ottawa after Ottawa scored six runs in the sixth inning. Iola was leading 3-1 at the time.
Trent Latta was the losing pitcher, going 5 2/3 innings. He gave up seven runs on five hits, four walks and two hit batters. Latta struck out six.
Cole Morrison came on in relief in the sixth. He struck out a batter to end the inning.
Iola did score twice in the seventh but it wasn’t enough.
Drew Faulhaber hit two singles and a double. Shae Beasley had a single and a double as did Latta.
Aaron Barclay hit two singles. Derrick Weir, Eric Heffern and Thealvin Minor had a single apiece.
In the second game, Ottawa used a five-run third to boost itself to a 9-2 win in five innings. Iola scored single runs in the second and fourth innings.
Barclay pitched 2 1/3 innings and was charged with five runs on four hits and two walks. Minor pitched 1 1/3 innings, giving up four runs on two hits and three walks.
Morrison pitched a third of an inning. Each pitcher recorded a strikeout.
Brock Peters connected for two base hits. Beasley tripled. Trey Wilson and Barclay each had a single.
The Iola A team plays at home Friday against Burlington. First pitch is 6 p.m. at Riverside Park.
Youth tennis camp set for next week
A tennis day camp for boys and girls is next week, Monday through Thursday.
Eric Sparks, former state medalist for Iola High tennis,is offering the fundamentals of tennis camp. Cost is $25 per participant.
There are three age groups for the camp with different time slots. Youths 5-7 go from 8 to 9 a.m. followed by the 8-10- age group who meet from 9 to 10 a.m. Youths 11-17 have a session from 10 to 11:15 a.m.
The camp is at the tennis courts northeast of Iola High School.
Participants need to bring a tennis racquet and a bottle of water.
Sparks is on the Emporia State tennis team. He has served as an instructor for ESU youth tennis camps. He also has been a student assistant coach for Emporia High School tennis the past two years.
Sparks said he will teach the 10 and under youngsters on a smaller court with a smaller net.
“Like basketball or baseball, the kids start out using a smaller goal or in T-ball using a lighter bat,” Sparks said. “That’s what we’re doing now with tennis.”
For more information contact Sparks at 620-228-8120 or email him at esparks@emporia.edu.
E-Verify helps legitimize worker status, business ethics
Kansas Republicans are at odds regarding immigration.
Big business prefers a lax hand, while hard-liners favor strict enforcement of sending illegals home.
And once again, the Kansas Legislature failed to enact E-Verify legislation.
Participation in the federal program is voluntary, though more and more states are making it mandatory.
E-Verify requires companies having contracts with the state worth more than $50,000 to submit a notarized statement saying they used E-Verify to check the status of new employees.
E-Verify is a federal database that enables employers to check a potential or current worker’s eligibility to work in the United States. The system was authorized by the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996.
Kansas feedlot and dairy owners, among others, say they can’t find enough U.S. citizens to work the back-breaking, low-paying jobs typical of their industries, and are against the verification system. The state is estimated to have 45,000 undocumented workers in its ranks.
So far, Kansas has been willing to turn a blind eye in favor of this pro-business attitude, while at the same time negating food stamp benefits to hundreds of U.S.-born children of undocumented immigrants.
We’re willing to tolerate immigrant labor as long as we don’t have to treat them like human beings.
IMMIGRATION is probably the only issue that pits big business and the powerful Kansas Chamber of Commerce against Kris Kobach, Kansas’s secretary of state who has made immigration his cause celebre.
Kobach has called a proposal by the Chamber regarding immigration nothing more than “amnesty.”
The idea was to allow undocumented immigrants to be able to remain in Kansas if they work in jobs in agriculture and other industries that are struggling through labor shortages.
That is, they want nothing to change.
For good reason. In Georgia, where strict immigration laws exist, an estimated loss of $140 million in crop revenues in 2011 came from a work shortage of immigrant labor.
That’s also why the American Farm Bureau Foundation opposes E-Verify, saying it creates a negative impact on U.S. farm production.
Kansas is far from alone in trying to handle immigration. Arizona, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Utah, Colorado and Indiana all have changed their immigration laws, impacting farmers, businesses, schools, law enforcement and of course, immigrants, legal or otherwise.
Which is precisely why we need a national immigration policy — with teeth.
President Obama’s recently announced plan to halt the deportation of some of the 800,000 children of current illegal immigrants is another step toward righting this sinking ship, where every state is devising its own immigration policies.
Obama’s measure applies to those under 30 who came to the United States before they were 16 and have lived here at least five years.
They cannot have a criminal record and must either be in school, a high school graduate or serving in the military.
That criteria alone would rule out more than 67 million current U.S. citizens who have criminal records or have dropped out of school.
OBAMA is saying we’ll give your best and brightest a legal opportunity to work in the U.S. Because they already have spent their formative years here and declared their desire to make the United States their legal home, they are ideal candidates.
“They are Americans in their hearts, in their minds, in every single way but one … on paper,” Obama has said.
That’s a win/win for us as a country as well as those who came here through the actions of their parents and now face an unknown future “back home.”
This is not a new tack for Obama.
In 2010 he was a strong proponent of the DREAM (Development, Relief and Education of Alien Minors) Act. The bill would have made children of illegal immigrants eligible for residency if they attend college, serve in the military or don’t have criminal records.
Congress failed to approve the act by five votes.
Since he has been in office he has built a strong record on deportations of illegals and has increased the number of federal agents patrolling the border.
But there’s still work to be done. The president’s most recent endeavor still leaves unanswered the plight of the 11-12 million illegal aliens in the United States.
Which takes us back to E-Verify.
Making employers hire legal workers is the best way to make both sides obey the law. That means making the immigration policy less burdensome for those who want to call the United States home, and enforcing current laws against hiring illegals.
That’s called — don’t faint — compromise.
— Susan Lynn
Simple-minded talk often used to hide ulterior motives
No doubt, Caryn Tyson is a smart lady.
Two bachelor’s degrees in engineering and math. A master’s in engineering management. Contracts with NASA. A successful cattle breeding operation with her husband, Tim.
That’s why at Saturday’s candidate forum her remarks about what she views as fair taxation were disingenuous.
“People shouldn’t get more from the federal government than they are willing to put in. I never get a refund on my taxes.”
Only people who make enough money say things like that. That’s tea party talk for let them eat cake.
TYSON, who is running for Senate District No. 12, was referring to the barely saved earned income tax credit that Kansas gives low-income workers. Gov. Sam Brownback and other ultra-conservatives such as Tyson favored scrapping it, saying the credit was too much of a burden on the state. In the end, it was kept, though other valuable benefits were dumped.
The average refund for the earned income benefit is $360. It is based on 18 percent of what the federal government allows.
Statewide, 14.11 percent of Kansans qualified for the credit; in Allen County, 18.23 percent of our population falls into the low-income category.
In this most recent legislative session, Tyson voted against continuing the credit. She’s also against those whose refunds exceed what they pay in taxes to continue receiving the balance in cash.
This is the “refund” Tyson is complaining about. Of course, the only way you qualify for such a bonus is that you don’t make enough money to owe more in taxes.
That’s important information Tyson so cleverly omits, acting as if we’re giving wage-earners some perk for being paid so poorly — those moochers.
RONALD REAGAN hailed the tax credit, begun in 1975, as “the best anti-poverty, the best pro-family, the best job-creation measure to come out of Congress.”
Reagan knew that people value themselves more when they are gainfully employed — even if the pay is minimal.
The earned income tax credit allows people to remain employed in low-paying jobs, knowing they can recoup some of their earnings that otherwise would have gone to taxes.
Typically, they use this small windfall in purchasing basic needs such as new tires, medications, and needed improvements to their homes or new shoes for their children. The majority of this money is spent in the local economy.
Low-wage earners in Kansas are in need of the EITC even more now that their tax rates have been raised. Kansas’s poor are the only income group to see their taxes increase because of this year’s legislative action, averaging $148 more.
The middle class will see a decrease of 0.5 percent, or an average tax cut of $212. The wealthiest will enjoy a decrease of 2 percent, or an average tax cut of $21,087.
ADDING INSULT to injury, Kansas legislators negated the Kansas food sales tax refund as well as the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit.
The latter helped working families pay for child care, the care of an elderly parent or an incapacitated spouse.
The food sales refund was to help poor families offset the sales tax Kansas imposes on food items.
According to the Wall Street Journal, “Kansas now joins only Mississippi and Alabama in applying the sales tax to food and not offering any type of targeted low-income relief.”
What an esteemed lot we’ve joined.
Tyson’s no dummy. She and her ilk are very calculating about their ideas of “fair” taxation. Already we have enough of a picture to see who is to make the sacrifices for these high-income tax breaks, business tax exemptions, and other non-deserving advantages.
Most of us have a moral code that says those who have much, owe much. The French call it noblesse oblige. It’s the duty of those who are successful to give to those who are not, and to say, repeatedly, “but for the grace of God, go I.”
— Susan Lynn
Humboldt Speedway featuring modifieds
HUMBOLDT — On Friday, the United States Modified Touring Series (USMTS) returns to Humboldt Speedway dirt track. A $4,000-to-win feature for the modified division will be up for grabs.
Last Friday was a good tune-up race for Humboldt’s USRA modified drivers getting ready for the high competition coming in this week. A field of 30 modified drivers filled the track last week but heat races, mechanical failures and a B feature race thinned the field by the time the A feature was run.
John Allen and Al Purkey, both veteran drivers, gave the Speedway crowd what it wanted. Purkey took the lead from the drop of the green flag as Allen waited to make a move from a second-place position.
The two drivers moved through lap traffic then on lap 22 of the 25-lap race, Allen made his move. He passed Purkey and gained the lead through turns three and four.
Purkey finished second. Jeremy Payne ran third in the final field of 20 cars. Shad Badder and Mickey Burrell rounded out the top five.
Youngster Trevor Hunt made it back into the winner’s circle in the B-Mod division last Friday. Tim VanGotten came from the back of the pack to take second. Jack Simmons crossed the finish line in third followed by Jeremy Wilson and Buddy Thompson.
Derek Michael claimed the victory in the pure stock division. Tyler Kidwell and Jeremy Willard battled with Kidwell taking second and Willard in third place. George Reimer ran fourth and Mike Churning placed fifth.
Scott Stuart held off the challenges by Tyler James and Daryl Drake to win the factory stock feature race. James was the runner-up with Drake in third palce. Todd Kidwell was fourth and Jason Thurman took fifth.
This Friday’s USMTS drivers come to Humboldt for a big pay day. General admission is $20 and children are $5. A pit pass is $35.
Here are last Friday’s results:
Humboldt Speedway
Race Results
Friday, June 15, 2012
Whitworth Construction
Pure Stock
HEAT 1 — Tyler Kidwell, Derek Michael, Robert Shaughnessy, George Reimer, Mike Churning, Ryan Smith
HEAT 2 — Levi Phillips, Jeremy Willard, Mike Aiello, Donnie Devers, William Joyce, Matt Cornett, Floyd Taggart
FEATURE — Derek Michael, Tyler Kidwell, Jeremy Willard, George Reimer, Mike Churning, Robert Shaughnessy, Ryan Smith, Floyd Taggart, Levi Phillips, Mike Aiello, William Joyce, Matt Cornett, John Maloney, Donnie Devers
Factory Stock
HEAT 1 — Scott Stuart, Jason Thurman, Daryl Drake, Rick Aiello, Patrick Kay, Trever Vann, Chris Weldon, Brandon Tindle
HEAT 2 — Todd Kidwell, Nick Fritch, Tyler James, Derrek Wilson, Chad Klauman, Tim Phillips, Shane Ballew, Brandon Weide, Dennis Aiello
FEATURE — Scott Stuart, Tyler James, Daryl Drake, Todd Kidwell, Jason Thurman, Nick Fritch, Patrick Kay, Brandon Tindle, Derrek Wilson, Chad Klauman, Rick Aiello, Tim Phillips, Shane Ballew, Chris Weldon, Trever Vann
Ray’s Metal Depot
USRA B-Mod
HEAT 1 — Jeremy Wilson, Jimmie Davis, Riley Whitworth, Mike Letterman, Doug Scism, Scott Collins
HEAT 2 — Trevor Hunt, Jack Simmons, Jeremy Bennett, Ron Bunn, Jon Westhoff, Andy Bryant
HEAT 3 — Leon Bash, Buddy Thompson, Steven Trester, Jack Knauss, Tim VanGotten
FEATURE — Trever Hunt, Tim VanGotten, Jack Simmons, Jeremy Wilson, Buddy Thompson, Leon bash, Jimmie Davis, Jeremy Bennett, Riley Whitworth, Ron Bunn, Scott Collins, Mike Letterman, Kenny Shaw, Doug Scism, Jack Knauss, Jon Westhoff, Steven Trester
USRA Modified
HEAT 1 — Scott Daniels, Mickey Burrell, Chase Sigg, Jeremy Rasmussen, Jessy Willard, Gene Hogan, Jess Folk Jr., Johnny Bone Jr.
HEAT 2 — Shad Badder, Dalton Kirk, Justin Rexwinkle, Cody Schniepp, Josh Griggs, Jerry Reeves, Bryce Schniepp
HEAT 3 — Jeremy Payne, Brent Holman, Paden Phillips, Allen Broers, Lewis Jackson, Mike Phillips, Randy Zimmerman
HEAT 4 — Al Purkey, John Allen, Zack Marsh, Chase Domer, Chris Deaton, Dennis Bishop, Dusty Campbell
B FEATURE Jessy Willard, Johnny Bone Jr., Chase Domer, Dennis Bishop, Chris Deaton, Josh Griggs, Dustin Campbell, Bryce Schniepp, Jerry Reeves, Colton Bunn, Lewis Jackson
A FEATURE — John Allen, Al Purkey, Jeremy Payne, Shad Badder, Mickey Burrell, Chase Sigg, Johnny Bone Jr., Brent Holman, Jessy Willard, Scott Daniels, Justin Rexwinkle, Dalton Kirk, Jeremy Rasmussen, Zack Marsh, Paden Phillips, Chase Domer, Dennis Bishop, Cody Schniepp, Allan Broers, Chris Deaton
RAAM flies through
Race Across America bicyclists began filtering through Iola on their trek from Califorina to Maryland Monday. Holger Roethig (387) of Germany pedals down Madison Avenue around 3:30 Tuesday afternoon. Riders in the RAAM communicate with support vehicles through radio headsets. RAAM is a non-stop race covering 3,000 miles. The 2012 edition is the 31st year for the race.
Pretty in pink
Layla Newkirk paints an inchworm at the Summer Roaming Pals activity at the Iola Public Library Tuesday night. The children are encouraged to take their ceramic creations with them throughout the summer and to take pictures including it. After the children were through painting the ceramic pieces they were taken outside and coated with a gloss finish.