The Labette County Fair will be held July 27-Aug. 1 at the fairground in Oswego. A full agenda of activities are planned in the long tradition of the fair which is celebrating its 98th year.
Leading the fair this year is Steve McKinzie who serves as fair board president.Fair events actually get underway the previous week with the 4-H clothing exhibits and competition held at the First Baptist Church in Altamont on Tuesday, July 21.
The 4-H foods and nutrition event will be held at the same location on Thursday, July 23.
On Sunday, July 26, the pony pull and 4-H dog show will be held at the fairgrounds.

The entire weekly schedule is in this week’s Labette Avenue.

Members of the Chetopa community gathered at the west edge of the Neosho River bridge on Saturday, July 4, to officially name it “Veterans’ Memorial Bridge.”
Built in 2004, it has been the subject of considerable discussion and surveys among Chetopa residents to determine what to name it.
There were many suggestions and a survey was printed in the Chetopa Advance in 2004 asking for opinions. City Clerk Toni Crumrine announced to the city council in April 2004 that the survey showed most Chetopa residents liked the name “Veterans’ Memorial Bridge.”

The complete story is in this week’s Labette Avenue.

State Treasurer Dennis McKinney was in Labette County  Thursday, June 4.
McKinney was the guest speaker at Rotary International in Parsons then toured the Ammunition Plant in Parsons.
In the afternoon he  headed to the courthouse in Oswego to visit with County Treasurer Crystal Addis, where he toured the courthouse and the sheriff’s office.

OSWEGO — To conclude activities during Kansas Severe Weather Awareness Week, Labette County has launched Labette Alerts, a new public service that will send emergency alerts to residents via text messaging, pagers or e-mail. Once signed up, residents can automatically receive NOAA alerts when Labette County is under a significant weather warning or watch.
Although this service is provided free from Labette County, individuals will be responsible for any standard text messaging charges that may apply, so check your individual plan to avoid charges before signing up.
Labette Alerts is part of the Wireless Emergency Notification System (WENS). It enables county officials to instantly communicate directly with mobile devices who have subscribed to the service. The new service will be used to send critical safety information from Labette County in the event of a real emergency.
In emergency situations, it can be difficult to get information out to a large number of people in a short amount of time. This system will be a great asset to the residents of Labette County. Because of its design, WENS can notify up to 30,000 individuals per minute and therefore making it the fastest method of communication when severe weather is approaching.
Notable catastrophes in the recent past have shown that this method is one of the most reliable forms of communication when phone networks become overloaded and the ability to make or receive voice calls is not available.
In addition to the public, the county is offering Labette Alerts to local school districts, Labette Health and EMS, government officials, fire, and law enforcement agencies throughout the county.
Other uses for the countywide program in addition to weather alerts includes, Amber Alerts, notification of siren testing, and other important notices.
Signing up for Labette Alerts is easy, and you will be added almost instantly. Visit www.labettecounty.com and click on “Emergency Alert Sign up” and enter your mobile number and/or e-mail address. You will receive a text message confirming that you have opted into the alert system to receive emergency notifications. Your registration information is private and will not be shared. For those who do not have internet access, call the Labette County Sheriff’s Department at (620) 795-2994 to sign-up.
Find out more on the web at www.labettecounty.com. If you have other questions, call (620) 795-2994.

__________________
PUBLIC NOTICE
(Published in the Labette Avenue, Wednesday, February 11, 2009)
RESOLUTION NO. 2009-7-L
NATURE OF THE IMMINENT THREAT OF DISASTER:
The grassland and cropland of Kansas form an important part of our economy, and provide for protection of watersheds, forage for livestock, refuge for wildlife, and recreational opportunities. Wildfires endanger these resources, real and personal property, and the lives of residents and visitors in these areas. Extremely dry, hot, and windy weather conditions with temperatures above normal have created an extreme fire hazard in the grassland and cropland of Kansas. Fires have been reported throughout the county and have caused substantial damage. Once started, these fires are difficult to control and strain both paid and volunteer fire department manpower and resources. The fire danger is “extreme” in this county. The dry condition, above-normal temperatures and fire danger will continue unabated until sufficient rainfall occurs across the area.
It is hereby resolved, directed and ordered by the Board of County Commissioners of Labette County, Kansas, that the following acts are prohibited within the boundaries of this County by all citizens and visitors:
1. Careless use of smoking materials, including cigarettes, cigars and smoking pipes. Discard shall be in a manner to preclude threat from smoldering remains.
2. Building, maintaining, attending or using any open fire or camp fire except in permanent stoves or fireplaces or barbecue grills in developed recreational sites or residential lawns.
3. Prescribed burning of all fence rows, fields, wildland, ravines, trash and debris. Prescribed burning may be exempted from this order where such burning is necessary for crop survival and has been specifically approved in writing by the Fire Chief (or other appropriate officer) of this County. Crop survival is defined as stubble burning in preparation for second crop planting.
The knowing and willful violation of this Resolution shall constitute a Class C misdemeanor and any person convicted of such violation shall be punished as provided by law.
This Resolution shall be in full force and effect until action is taken by the Board of County Commissioners to terminate.
Dated this 5th day of February, 2009.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
LABETTE COUNTY, KANSAS
Lonie R. Addis, Chairperson
Brian C. Kinzie, Commissioner
ATTEST:
Linda Schreppel
Labette County Clerk

_____________________________________________________

PUBLIC NOTICE
(First published in the Labette Avenue, Wednesday, February 4 and 11, 2009)
NOTICE OF SPECIAL
QUESTION ELECTION
LABETTE COUNTY, KANSAS

The Board of County Commissioners, Labette County, Kansas, has heretobefore, pursuant to resolution duly adopted, declared it advisable to extend (retain) the current one percent (1%) County Wide Retailer’s Sales Tax for a period of five (5) years from July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2016.
NOTICE is hereby given to the qualified electors of the County that a special question will be submitted at the general election held on April 7, 2009 as follows:
Shall the following be adopted?
Shall a County Wide one percent (1%) Retailer’s Sales Tax be extended (retained) for a period of five (5) years from July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2016, all pursuant to the provisions of K.S.A. 12-187 et seq.?
To vote in favor of the question darken the oval to the left of the word “Yes”.  To vote in opposition of the question darken the oval to the left of the word “No”.
O    YES
O     NO
The polls will be open at 7:00 o’clock A.M. and will close at 7:00 o’clock P.M., on April 7, 2009, the Election Day.  The voting places in the County, and the area each voting place will serve, will be as follows:
Voters Residing In    Will Vote At
Canada/Howard Township – Angola Community Center, Angola
Elm Grove Township – Edna Community Senior Center, Edna
Fairview/Hackberry Township – Christian Church, 100 W 3rd, Bartlett
Labette Township – Meadow View School, 1377 21000 Rd, Parsons
Liberty Township – Center Bethel Church, 1699 18000 Rd, Parsons
Montana/Neosho Township – Neosho Twp Fire Station, 25001 Wallace Rd, Parsons
Mound Valley Township – Mound Valley Community Center, Mound Valley
Mount Pleasant Township – 1st Baptist Church, 400 S Wabash, Altamont
North Township – Foursquare Church, Hwy 400 (E Main), Parsons
Osage Township – United Methodist Church, Dennis
Walton Township – Westside Christian Church – 5100 W Main, Parsons
Chetopa City/Richland Township – Masonic Lodge, 4th & Locust, Chetopa
Oswego City/Township – Community Bldg, 5th & Merchant, Oswego
Parsons – 1st Ward – First Baptist Church (Lobby New Bldg) 1621 Main, Parsons
Parsons– 2nd Ward  – Municipal Building (Basement), 112 S 17th, Parsons
Parsons – 3rd Ward  – First Christian Church, 1500 S 29th, Parsons
Parsons – 4th Ward  – Parsons Middle School Community Rm, 2710 Main, Parsons
The election will be conducted by the county election officer being the County Clerk as provided by law for holding elections, and the method of voting will be by ballot.  Registered voters are eligible to vote by advance voting ballot upon application to the County Clerk of Labette County whose address is Labette County Courthouse, 501 Merchant, Oswego, Kansas 67356 pursuant to K.S.A. 25-1117 et seq.
DATED: January 26, 2009.
__________________________________________________________________________________

PUBLIC NOTICE
(First published in the Labette Avenue, Wednesday, February 4, 2009)
RESOLUTION NO. 2009-06-L    

A RESOULTUTION EXTENDING A ONE PERCENT (1%) COUNTY WIDE RETAILER‘S SALES TAX IN LABETTE COUNTY, KANSAS
WHEREAS, the qualified electors of Labette County previously authorized a one percent (1%) County Wide Retailer’s Sales Tax for a period of five (5) years which took effect on July 1, 2006; and
WHEREAS, said one percent (1%) County Wide Retailer’s Sales Tax will expire on the 30th day of June, 2011; and
WHEREAS, revenue derived from the sales tax is divided between Labette County and its incorporated cities and is used for reduction of property taxes.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF LABETTE COUNTY, KANSAS:
1.) That a special question election be held in the manner prescribed by law on April 7, 2009 for the purpose of submitting to the qualified electors of Labette County the question of extending for an additional five (5) years the levying of the County Wide Retailer’s Sales Tax in the amount of one percent (1%).
2.) Such extension of said tax, if approved, to take effect on July 1, 2011 and end on June 30, 2016.
3.) This resolution shall become effective upon passage and its publication in the official county newspaper.
Adopted this 26th day of January, 2009.
BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF LABETTE COUNTY, KS
Lonie R. Addis, Chairman
Brian C. Kinzie, Commissioner
Jack W. Martin, Commissioner
ATTEST:
Linda Schreppel, County Clerk

A key employer in this area stands to lose up to 62 employees over the next six months if plans by the Kansas Department of Corrections are followed.
The Labette Women’s Correctional Camp at Oswego was closed at the end of Wednesday, leaving some 16 works without jobs. An additional 46 employees will lose theirs by June 30 when the men’s correctional camp in Oswego.
A group of community leaders from Labette County made a trip to Topeka on Dec. 19 in a lobbying effort toward keeping the camps open, but their presentations did not receive the desired response by state officials who are attempting to cut their budget 3% statewide.
Lonie Addis, chairman of the Labette County Commission, said a total of six people representing Labette County attended the meeting with Sec. of Corrections Roger Werholtz and Chuck Simmons, deputy secretary for facilities management for the KDOC.
“I think it went well,” said Addis. “But at this point, it looks like the women’s camp will close at the end of December, then the men’s camp will close by June. We are still seeking alternatives and seeking assistance and will try our best to keep the camps open, but we will also entertain other options.”
Those options might include converting the correctional camps into regular prison housing. Specific interest has been shown by officials of the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Department in Wichita which is needing more cell space for inmates.
But Addis said he and other community leaders are still hoping to keep the men’s portion of the local camp open. Although LCCC administrator Tom Bringle has not been officially notified of the men’s camp closing, he fully expects to receive that notice after Jan. 1, with a six-month notice.
That gap in timing will give the local leaders some time to lobby lawmakers in Topeka and other officials of the KDOC. In the case of the women’s camp closure, there was scarcely any time since its closing happened within 45 days of the first notice from the KDOC.  Since the Kansas Legislature would not reconvene until January, it left few options for local leaders to consider.
Those attending the Dec. 19 meeting in Topeka were: Commissioner Addis,  LCC President Dr. George Knox and LCCC Board Member; Stacey Green, former inmate at LCWC and current LWCC board member; Tom Bringle, LWCC Administrator; Sen. Dwayne Umbarger and Rep. Rich Proehl.
Addis said the presentations by local officials to the KDOC officials were well received, however he granted that those in Topeka have a difficult job ahead of them making necessary cuts in state spending to offset a nearly $1 billion deficit from the past year.
The group had hoped to meet with Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius but she was out of town. Her chief of staff, Troy Finley, and three other aides met with the local delegation.

Local reaction to last week’s announcement that the Labette Women’s Correctional Conservation Camp in Oswego would close after Dec. 31 has been swift.
Phil Blair, chairman of the Oswego Economic Development Committee, called his members together on Friday to discuss how they would respond to the announcement.
Letters are being written to Roger Werholtz, Kansas Department of Corrections, and Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, asking them to reconsider closing the LWCCC.
Blair said both Sen. Dwayne Umbarger and State Rep. Richard Proehl have been in contact with Werholtz and they will continue to argue for state officials to reconsider their action.
Both Umbarger and Proehl have emphasized that the boot camp concept is unique in the punishment of those convicted of crimes in Kansas and it has been quite successful. The recidivism rate has been lower for repeat offenders among those inmates who completed the programs at Oswego.
The women’s camp currently employs 14 workers and houses 27 inmates.
Werholtz said closing the women’s camp is expected to save approximately $483,000 in the current fiscal year and $1 million in 2010.
“We recognize eliminating this sentencing option will have an impact on community corrections agencies across the state and on the economy in Labette County,” Werholtz said.
Camp administrator Tom Bringle and Labette County Sheriff William Blundell met Monday with Labette County Commissioners to discuss the women’s camp closing.
Bringle said the idea of using the camp for a prison would not work for most prisoner situations.
He said ordinary county jails must adhere to maximum security standards and the women’s camp was not designed to meet those guidelines.
Still, Bringle agreed to meet with Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Department officials who will tour the camp next Tuesday, Dec. 2.
According to a story in Sunday’s Wichita Eagle, the Sedgwick County Commission has discussed the possibility of sending inmates to the Oswego women’s prison if the KDOC would approve the plan.
Commissioner Lonie Addis said he already had met with Sedgwick County officials to discuss the possibilities.
Another tour was scheduled on Wednesday, Dec. 3, when KDOC officials who will come to take inventory of personal property at the site.
Deputy Secretary for Facilities Management Charles E. Simmons will lead the Wednesday delegation.
Commissioners said there was not much they could do until they talked with both Sedgwick and KDOC officials.
“We also will keep looking at other options,” Bringle said. Asked about the future of the men’s camp which houses 192 inmates and employs 62 workers, Bringle commented, “Right now we can only reduce expenses as much as we can then see what happens.”
According to the Wichita newspaper story, Sec. Werholtz acknowledged that the Oswego men’s camp may also be closed in the near future.
Commission chairman Lonie Addis vowed to continue fighting to keep both the camps in full operation, pointing to their success and service to the community.
“We definitely will look at alternatives,” Addis said, “but we will fight to keep the camp open until we can’t fight anymore.”
In a letter to Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, Addis compared the boot camp style of incarceration to his years as a U.S. Marine during the Vietnam War.
Addis said it was common in those days for the courts to allow an offender to join the armed forces instead of sitting in jail.
He said the military experience was good for the offenders and many of them became his friends — and buddies.
“A source of discipline and pride allowed them to function in a world that would not have been possible otherwise,” Addis said. “I owe my very life to them.”
Addis recalled that in 1991 the State of Kansas looked for alternatives to placing young offenders in prisons. A boot camp facility was an answer and Oswego became home to the first such experiment in the state.
He gave one example of a young woman who served her time in the women’s camp and today serves on the LCCC Board of Trustees, also serving in a productive job at the Labette Center for Mental Health Services in Parsons.
Copies of his letter were sent to Senators Dwayne Umbarger and Carolyn McGinn, and State Representatives Doug Gatewood, Bob Grant, Gary Hayzlett, Julie Menghini, Rich Proehl and Jerry Williams.

The Nov. 4 general election is only three weeks away and Labette County Clerk Linda Schreppel is urging everyone to make sure they are properly registered.
If you have voted in recent elections, and haven’t moved to a different address, you do not need to register.
Voters who have never registered or those who have recently moved should go to the clerk’s office in the Labette County Courthouse and fill out registration forms. The last day you can do that and still vote in the Nov. 4 election is next Monday, Oct. 20.
Schreppel said advance voting has begun at the courthouse and she already has processed 400 advance ballots.
She has sent out and processed five email ballots for military personnel.
Schreppel said a presidential election always draws a big turnout and she hopes that is the case this time.