Speaking of Puerto Rico–which we weren’t–one Landmark staff member may or may not be heading there as we speak. I don’t like to give away personal info of employees so I will neither confirm nor deny. But that may be the reason we had another early print deadline this week. Which makes three straight weeks of Tuesday print dates.
Back to a more normal schedule next week. That’s assuming I get the paper out next week, as I may or may not be the only one here to work on it. But again I can neither confirm nor deny.
I’m not a golf fan but every year I tune into a bit of the Masters television coverage just to hear the fake bird sounds in the background. The pre-recorded bird sounds that CBS and Masters people try to fool us into thinking are real and occurring live. Not real. Fake af.
You’re welcome, America.
Fear tactics, much?
The 81% increase in the real estate tax levy for the Northland Regional Ambulance District passed on April 2. But only by 14 votes. It was close to being defeated (the majority of the opposition came from the Clay County portion of the district) despite a heavily funded campaign that featured what many reasonable folks would consider an over-the-top mailing crusade that made claims such as “without the levy increase emergency services will be cut,” and “operating services will be cut in half,” and, my personal wildly exaggerated favorite that said if the tax increase failed “response times will drastically increase from seven minutes to at least 25 minutes.”
One NRAD official posted on The Landmark Facebook page that those flyers were sent out by Union Local 42. “The board of directors does not have any say in what the union does,” Kent Pine, ambulance board member posted.
Whether you’re happy it passed or whether you’re disappointed such a large increase passed, it’s a nice reminder that is still important to take the time to vote in local elections. Only 14 votes decided a near doubling of a tax rate.
Voter turnout was only 11.7 percent on April 2.
The Central Platte Fire District now has a five member board of directors instead of just three, thanks to voters approving the move earlier this month. It’s a good move. “We felt this was a smart move to make with the size and growing population in our community. Quality representation and accountability is of high importance and we hope the community is in favor,” Troy Miller, fire chief, had told me a few months before the matter came to a vote on April 2.
Central Platte has long range plans to ask for a tax levy increase, as well.
“It’s been many years since the department asked for a tax increase and will need an increase soon to match the growth and increasing number of large buildings in the area,” Miller told me in an email earlier this year. “With the Hancock Amendment, our tax rate has decreased by one cent a year for the last several years. The current rate we receive is 26 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.”
Miller added: “We took the time in 2023 to analyze our budget and make many needed changes to how we use our funds in a manner that is efficient and appropriate. Within the next two years I expect the calls for service and the funding required to maintain the department will be lopsided and drain our reserves. Efforts in applying for a number of grants in 2024 is ongoing and with a little luck we may be able to soften the tax burden on our citizens,” the chief added.
At some point the district wants to move to an entirely full time department. At present, Central Platte has four full time positions. “They will be working daytime for now until further funding becomes available to hire the additional firefighters needed for 24/7 full time coverage. Until then, our paid-per-call volunteers will continue to provide coverage around those hours,” Miller said.
Miller said the year 2023 ended with Central Platte having responded to 1683 calls for service. In 2022 that number was 1499. Call types range from fires, motor vehicle accidents, and medical assistance. “Additionally we respond to residents who need assistance with replacing smoke detector batteries,” Miller remarked.
Dana Babcock, longtime director of administration for Platte County, recently retired after more than 21 years of service to Platte County. A retirement reception was held for her on March 4.
You’ll recall county commissioners relatively recently brought on Wes Minder to serve as the county’s first-ever county administrator. Who knows, perhaps that sped up retirement plans for the director of administration.
Scott Fricker, presiding county commissioner, recently told me the position of director of administration will not be filled. According to my conversation with Fricker, indications are, at least for now, Minder will take over many, if not all, of the duties Babcock was performing. Down the road there may be a need for a clerical post to assist Minder. The director of administration was earning a salary in the $70,000s per year. Fricker indicated any future hire to assist Minder with office duties would not be making anywhere near the $70,000 range.
Thank you to readers who reached out with well wishes about the recent skin cancer procedures on my sweet and tender face. Even the guy who emailed “I hope they improve your face.” Lol.
All is well. Each of the two spots required a surgical cutting–but only one cut each–to get all the cancer in each location.. All that’s left to do now is take steps to assist the healing process of both incision sites. Planning to pull off the final bandage any day now.
(Email Foley’s face at ivan@plattecountylandmark.com)