Commissioners don't understand challenges

I think our county commissioners need a reality check.

Each year a typical worker in this county gets a generous raise of 25 cents per hour.¬ If they are lucky enough to work a 40-hour week for 52 weeks, they just got an extra $520 per year.¬ Wow!

But wait.¬ You are lucky enough to have insurance through your employer.¬ But, the family deductible went from $800 annually to $1,500.¬ Unless you are unlucky enough to have a major medical bill, you will never meet that.¬ There went your raise.¬ 

Each morning there is a dash at gas stations to see who can be first to raise the price of a gallon.¬ 

Because of the high price of fuel, when you go to buy groceries or anything, the prices have gone through the roof. You hear about people who can't afford to pay for groceries, gas and prescriptions.¬ So they cut back on all. Then we hear from our county commissioners that if we don't approve the sales tax for them, they will get it from property taxes.

You are our employees.¬ Not our dictators.¬ You should learn to live just like the rest of us.¬ Tighten your belts. Take the budget you got last year, and make it work this year.¬ Make cuts in things not absolutely necessary.¬ Make equipment last longer.¬ Forget the new vehicles for various county workers.¬ Turn down the heater, or turn up the air conditioner.¬ Make employees pay a larger share of the health insurance.¬ After all, every other business does.¬ It is ridiculous that city and county employees in Finney County, and probably all the others, have better benefits than their employers, the taxpayers.¬ When I can drive down a county road and see three or four pickups with the county emblem on them parked on the shoulder, and the people are standing around talking, then we are wasting money.

I have a challenge¬ for you.¬ Each commissioner needs to adopt a Finney County family, and not one that is well off.¬ Using your money, take the income that family receives, and figure out how to pay their bills.¬ Then figure out how much the taxes you insist you are going to impose upon that family will cost them.¬ Even a small amount can be a lot.

It seems to me, if you can't figure out how to cut your budgets, and stop insisting on more, then perhaps it is time for you to give up your seats, and let someone more in touch with the residents try to figure it out.

The comment that people who come here to shop will pay most of the sales tax is ludicrous.¬ How long, and how many people will continue to come from out of town to shop if prices continue to skyrocket?¬ I wouldn't.¬ And if they begin to realize they can save by spending money where they live, after they factor in gas, then many will be forced to stop coming here to shop.¬ And then we, the residents, will be stuck with another bill to pay. Wake up!

FAYLENE LEAL,

Garden City

Mission of Mercy makes an impact

We would like to extend our thanks and appreciation for those involved with Mission of Mercy last weekend in Garden City. We had read about it in the newspaper, but had no idea we would be recipients of the generous contributions these dentists and volunteers have given to thousands of people across the state of Kansas.

On Friday, our son was in an accident in physical education class and did extensive damage to his teeth. After going to our pediatrician and the hospital for stitches, we were told that they couldn't do anything and he needed immediate dental attention. All of the dentists were at Mission of Mercy at the 3i Building, so we had to go there. As soon as we walked in, they saw the urgency of our situation and found the right dentists that we needed for each procedure.

We would like to give special thanks to Dr. Jeff and Carrie Stasch, Dr. Justin Kohlhorst and Dr. Michael Harris of Garden City, and Dr. David Hamil of Marysville. Everyone was so kind and caring. We wanted to pay for their services, but were told everything was free and they wouldn't accept money.

God had a plan for us that day, besides getting the help that we needed. He wanted us to see and experience first hand a charitable organization that we otherwise would have passed by. We now want to spread the word to others to donate and volunteer for the next Mission of Mercy. Thanks again and God bless each one of you.

ELDON, TERRY and SETH ALEXANDER,

Garden City