As you’ll see on our front page, discussions are underway about possibilities for usage of the $20 million in federal aid Platte County will be receiving from the latest round of federal COVID relief. Much is yet to be learned about the latest money, such as what restrictions and strings are attached as to how the money can be spent. One thing that’s already known is that the $20 million will arrive via two payments: a $10 million payment to arrive fairly soon and the second $10 million to come early next year, says Rob Willard, county treasurer.
Still no word on whether the new aid will provide financial relief for speakeasies. Speaking of speakeasies, Brad Carl, Landmark Live co-host, has been busy adding another verse to his smash hit “Meet Me at the Speakeasy.” Coming soon. Heads up to our Parkville audience.
I’ve always said The Landmark has the sharpest and most engaged readers of any newspaper you’ll ever see. That’s not hyperbole.
The level of community engagement is obvious once again by following the stacks of letters to the editor that have been appearing in our publication as the Tuesday, April 6 municipal election approaches. Over the last few weeks we’ve squeezed as many as possible on this page, and you’ll notice this week’s edition is also jam-packed with letters. Heck, so many letters we haven’t even had room for a cartoon on page 2 or room for those smarty pants “fillers” that encourage readers to subscribe/advertise in this fine newspaper. And the staff listing? It’s had to disappear from this page several times in recent weeks to make room for more thoughts from readers.
As has been our custom, we will now hit pause on political letters to the editor as there is only one Landmark edition still to come before the voting takes place. The reason we do this is to prevent any last minute attacks or positions to be taken without enough time for the other side to respond. We do still accept political content for our March 31 edition, but it will have to be in the form of a paid advertisement rather than a letter to the editor. Thank you and thanks for knowing The Landmark is the sounding board for issues of local importance.
The full impact of the COVID-19 crisis hit home last week when family friend Mike Godsil of Leavenworth died Thursday after battling the virus for weeks. As with other stories you’ve no doubt heard, his situation is further proof this virus acts in strange ways and affects others very differently. Mike and his wife both contracted COVID in the same week, ironically just a couple of days before they were scheduled to receive the vaccine. His wife recovered quickly but Mike struggled, was hospitalized for seven weeks and spent much of that time on a ventilator.
Mike was a big man with a giant heart. He had retired four or five years ago after more than 40 years with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway. Mike and I came to know one another only because for the past 15 years he was married to a lifelong friend of my wife, and when the ladies wanted to get together for girl talk they would occasionally drag the husbands along. The image of him working his butt off, without being asked, to tackle the placement of tables and chairs and other logistical chores at our daughter’s outdoor wedding in 2013 is forever burned in my mind. He loved the sport of baseball and having grown up in Illinois he could tell you stories upon stories about the Chicago Cubs and the Cincinnati Reds, among others. He was one of the most polite and well-mannered men I’ve ever met. But if he felt someone he cared about was being disrespected, his gentle demeanor would appropriately change to fit the situation.
It’s a good practice to try to learn something from everyone we meet in our lives. That learning can be done through simple observation, without the other person even realizing you’re paying attention. Sometimes it might be a re-learning of things we already knew but just needed a gentle reminder, such as the manners we were taught as kids. He didn’t know it, but by observing the way Mike carried himself, I re-learned the mannerly art of always placing the comfort of others above the comfort of yourself in group settings.
The world needs more folks like Mike Godsil.
The COVID pandemic has been a beast. But the vaccine distribution is a game changer. Better days are upon us, you guys.
I know the worst is over because a week ago I suddenly became motivated to start working out again after a months-long self-imposed ban on the insane practice. Not gonna lie, at first I tried to ignore the motivation. But it wouldn’t go away. Once I got rolling, getting the burn again felt good, surprising as it may sound.
And I’ve started wearing pants to work again.
Are you free on Wednesday afternoons? The Landmark is looking to hire a person to assist with inserting newspapers and making a few deliveries in the county. Position begins mid-April. Roughly an hour and a half inserting papers followed by another hour or two of making deliveries to a handful of locations, primarily in Parkville/Riverside area. Punctuality, pleasant personality, and reliable transportation are the only requirements. Fun working atmosphere. Potential for the position to grow into other responsibilities. Call 816.858.0363 for more info.
(Get updates on pants and other fashion trends from Ivan Foley via email to ivan@plattecountylandmark.com)