Fire safety is something that is drilled into our heads as kids. We know who to call when there’s a fire. We know to stop, drop and roll if we’re on fire. We know that we should run for the street if our house catches on fire. We know not to leave a candle burning if we leave the house. But when it was time for the firefighters to teach us these things, often times we were more interested in the cool gadgets they brought with them and couldn’t wait to get our grimy fingerprints all over them.
When it comes to writing about sports I.....well, I don’t write about sports. I could probably learn and I really should, but I’m a news person. Anyway, despite my lack of knowledge on how to write sports, I am OK at writing features. So, without further adieu, here is a sports feature that contains hardly any information about the actual sport. Last Friday night wasn’t very chilly. For late September, it was actually quite nice; however, earlier that day had been drowned in bouts of rain. And, although the sky lacked the dark clouds, looming ones threatened the possibility of turning Friday nights football game into a swampy situation.
I am sure some of you that read the Bull week in and week out wonder where some of my thoughts come from each week....”Where’s Duncan going to go this week?” Well, this week it is easy for me, as you will see a different perspective in Jeana’s column, “Ripped Jeans,” we both share our thoughts regarding the 2015 Southern Nebraska Conference Sportsmanship Summit, held Wednesday, Sept. 23, in McCool Junction. Sandy Creek principal Jason Searle, while standing at the 4-H Horse Show at the Clay County Fair, came up and asked if I would consider talking to the students and sponsors during the summit.
As you will see this week, the Edgar community has begun a very important stage of moving the community forward. In addition, Sutton, which has already begun looking to the future, has taken steps to move their community forward, as well. These two communities are beginning to look down the road, look at the future and grow their communities in, what is hoped to be, positive steps. Community growth and betterment is only possible, however, with help, feedback and input during the critical stages of developing comprehensive plans.
Holding federal agencies accountable is a key responsibility of Congress. Unfortunately, the Obama administration has complicated these efforts by ignoring the Constitution’s separation of powers, bypassing the American people’s elected representatives, and taking unilateral executive action. Despite these challenges, Congress is working to restore accountability in government.
As I travel the state, ag producers, manufacturers, and small business owners tell me that one of their greatest barriers to growing their operations is recruiting the right talent with the right skills. The center-pivot industry needs irrigation technicians. Manufacturers face a shortage of welders.
Have We Sent Lawmaking Down A Slippery Slope?
Statewide ballot initiatives have been allowed in Nebraska for more than 100 years. There are 21 other states that allow such initiatives brought about by the petition process. Since 1912 there have been 69 such measures put before voters and roughly a third of them have been successful. Nebraska’s unique one-house legislature was created by a successful resolution approved by voters in 1934. Likewise, the length of service by those elected senators was limited to two terms by the initiative process.