Kansas voters will go to the polls next Tuesday, Nov. 4, to cast ballots in the general election.

At the top of the list will the race for President of the United States and the two major candidates are John McCain and his running mate for vice-president, Sarah Palin, both Republicans, vs. Democrats Barack Obama for president and Joe Biden for vice-president.
Less known candidates for president will be:
Libertarian Party - Bob Barr and Wayne A. Root.
Independent - Ralph Nader and Matt Gonzalez.
Reform - Chuck Baldwin and Darrell Castle.

In other races, incumbent U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, a Republican, will be challenged by Jim Slattery, a Democrat, along with Joseph Martin, Reform Party, and Randall Hodgkinson, Libertarian Party.

Also, U.S. Rep. Todd Tiahrt, a Republican, will be challenged on the ballot by Democrat Donald Betts Jr., and by Steven Rosile, Libertarian Party, and Susan G. Ducey, Reform Party.

For state senator, two-term incumbent Derek Schmidt of Independence, a Republican, is running unopposed for re-election.

For state representative in the 12th Dist. which includes both Elk and most of Chautauqua counties, Republican incumbent Jeff King of Independence is being challenged by Democrat Sandra K. Frisco, Independence.

Also representing parts of Chautauqua County is Sasha Kelley of Arkansas City, a Republican, who is being challenged by Democrat Gene Burr of Arkansas City.

For magistrate judge in Dist. 14 (Montgomery and Chautauqua counties), Gary House of Sedan is the Republican nominee and will be opposed by Robert W. Lattin of Independence, a Democrat.

David A. Casement, Sedan, is running unopposed for district magistrate judge in Chautauqua County as a Republican.

In Chautauqua County, Danny D. Williams is running unopposed for county commissioner in Dist. 2 as a Republican, and Jack L. Carpenter is also running unopposed for county commissioner in Dist. 3 as a Republican.

Running unopposed for other Chautauqua County offices are Cammie Farner, Republican for county clerk; Lisa A. Hudson, Republican for county treasurer; Laura C. Beeson, Republican for county register of deeds and Larry Markle, Republican for county attorney.

Listed on the ballot as a Republican for Chautauqua County Sheriff will be Perry A. Russell of Peru, and independent candidate Cash Kimple of Sedan who has thrown his support to Russell.
Asking for a write-in vote is incumbent sheriff Frank Green who lost to Russell in the August primary election.

In Elk County, all elected county officers are running unopposed in the general election. They include: Elizabeth M. Hendricks of Howard, Democrat, county commissioner, Dist. 2; K.R. “Ken” Liebau, Grenola, Republican, county commissioner, Dist. 3; Donna K. Kaminska, Longton, Republican, Elk County Clerk; Deanna L. Jones, Longton, Republican, Elk County Treasurer; Neva L. Walter, Howard, Republican, Elk County Register of Deeds; Marla Foster Ware, Moline, Elk County Clerk; Doug Hanks, Howard, Elk County Sheriff.

Also running in Elk County: David A. Ricke, Rose Hill, Republican for district judge on the Republican ticket, Dist. 13, Div. 3; Charles M. “Chuck” Hart, Andover, Republican for district judge, Dist. 14, Div. 2; and Kristin Hutchison, Howard, Republican, district magistrate judge, Dist. 1, Pos. 1.

Numerous township positions also will be on the ballot.

Kansas Supreme Court justices Eric S. Rosen and Lee A. Johnson will be listed as “shall they be retained?” questions, and the same is true with Steve Lieben, Joseph Pierron, Christel E. Marquardt and Richard D. Greene for positions on the Kansas Court of Appeals.

Details on voting places and other election information can be found elsewhere in today’s Prairie Star.

Two events with lots of public interest will be featured on taylornews.org next Tuesday night, Nov. 4: Election results and the results of the Class 2A state football playoffs. See this week’s Prairie Star for details on the players.

The start of the class 2A state playoffs will begin next Tuesday night, Nov. 4, with the bi-district football game. The Nov. 5 edition of the Prairie Star will go to press prior to the start of that bi-district football game. Therefore, results will be unavailable for publication. However, the Prairie Star’s website — www.taylornews.org — will carry a score of the bi-district playoff game late Tuesday night.

Struggles have persisted throughout the 2008 football season for the West Elk Patriots and Sedan Blue Devils. However, both teams have hopes of salvaging their season campaign on Thursday night with a shot at the class 2A state playoffs.

Tickets to the state playoffs will be punched on Thursday night, Oct. 30, when the two rival squads lock horns in the regular season finale as well as the last game of the class 2A district 8 playoffs. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m., in Howard.

Sedan is now 2-6 overall but got its foot in the district playoff door last Friday night when the Blue Devils defeated district playoff team Oswego, 31-14.

West Elk is 1-7 overall and experienced defeat from the powerful claws of the Humboldt Cubs, 56-38, in a non-league bout last Friday night. The Patriots lost to the Oswego Indians, 20-14, on Oct. 14 to take an 0-1 standing in the district playoffs.

So, here are the scenarios for both teams should they wish to enter the state playoffs.

• If Sedan defeats West Elk, then Sedan is the district playoff champion and will host the first round of the state playoffs next Tuesday night, Nov. 4 against either Pleasanton or Uniontown. A Sedan victory over the Patriots would also give the district playoff runner-up title to Oswego. The Indians would then travel to Pittsburg-Colgan next Tuesday, Nov. 4.

• A West Elk victory over Sedan is a bit more tricky. That’s because all three district playoff teams (Oswego, West Elk and Sedan) would be 1-1 in the district playoffs. That’s where a confusing scoring formula — one that would make a Harvard mathematician envious — comes into play.

In a nutshell, West Elk has to have a winning scoring margin of 10 or more points to be classified as the district champion and host a first-round state ploayoff game next Tuesday, Nov. 4. Sedan would then be the district runner-up and travel to Pittsburg-Colgan that same night.

If West Elk wins by nine or fewer points over Sedan, then Sedan is the district champion with the Patriots being the district runner-up.

Regardless of the scoring margin, a West Elk victory over Sedan would knock Oswego out of the state playoff contention.

On Oct. 4, National Weather Service Observer Ruth Beason was presented the Edward H. Stoll Award for 50 years of service for the Hale area. This award was created in 1975 in honor of a Cooperative Observer Edward Stoll, and is given to all observers who complete 50 years of service.

Stoll was the observer at Elwood, Neb., for over 76 years, and was the first to receive this prestigious Stoll award. It should be said that an observer who takes observations for that period has to be an excellent observer.

Leon Wasinger, Cooperative Program Manager (pictured left) and Richard Elder, Meteorologist in Charge (pictured right) from the National Weather Service Forecast Office (NWS) in Wichita presented this award to Mrs. Beason. Also in attendance was Michael (Joe) Rosner, Data Acquisition Program Manager.

During the past 50 years, Beason has provided precipitation readings. This data is published by the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) on a monthly basis and made available to the general public.

Kansas State University’s Weather Data Library stores the data which is made available by request. The data is used by several industries including Manufacturing, Medical, Transportation, Communication, Financial, Agriculture, Litigation, Insurance, Public Utilities, Water Resources, and Architectural Design.

The National Weather Service extends their sincere appreciation to Ruth Beason for her 50 years of prestigious service.

By JL Tunison
The fifteenth Annual Ol’ Time Chautauqua Hills Cowboy Poet Gathering will be held on Saturday night, Nov. 1, at 7 p.m., at the Gregg Theater in Sedan.

Entertainers this year are Shandee Allen, Debra Hill, Tray Allen, and Robert Beene. You are going to experience a unique art form of the American West….cowboy poetry and western music. What you will see and hear is still one of a kind. You will hear the authentic works of a cowboy…poetry, music, laughter — all compounded to recreate the feelings that was and is the American West.

The presentation will be laid back, down to earth, and hopefully will bring a smile to your face and perhaps a tear to your eye. Cowboys are simple folk, but have deep, rich feelings. We sincerely hope that you will find in this offering a touch of romance, of history, of laughter, and of heartfelt enjoyment.

Most of all, remember that all the proceeds go to the Chautauqua County 4-H Scholarship Fund. You will be helping to educate your community youth! Tickets are $5 and will be available at the door.

By Jerry Wagner
PRAIRIE STAR

The West Elk School Board met in a muted planning session Monday evening designed to contemplate long-range possibilities of building a new facility on the centrally located campus in Howard.

Attending this evening were the majority of the board members, two architects from PBA & Associates, as well as a smattering of parents.

Board president Marty Talliaferro stated the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the declining enrollment, now at 346 students, and that given continual financial pressures they were considering building a new facility.

The focus, according to Talliaferro, was to discuss a centrally located facility that would be capable of providing a quality education and meeting the varying demands of our district for 20 to 25 years.

There were two options initially discussed: building a new facility on the West Elk campus or utilizing the old grade school. Talliaferro expressed discomfort with the effectiveness and efficiency of utilizing the old grade school building. Ed Klock of PBA explained that in Newton they had utilized an early 20th century school building and it had cost roughly 75 percent of a new build, which tends to run roughly $160 per sq ft.

PBA outlined that the first steps in a construction design process would be to evaluate the existing West Elk High School structure and contemplate any necessary improvements and where to locate any new facility.

As stated by Talliaferro: “My goal is to put the district on a stable financial footing. and any plan would need to provide adequate growth room, should such growth occur. “

Klock discussed that there were four primary budgetary concerns: building costs, site improvements, equipment/furniture costs, and a contingency fund. There was a discussion regarding the considerations of building either an attached or detached structure or the code implications that would result from an attached structure.

The potential details of a new facility as well as modifications to West Elk were then discussed in some detail focusing on correctly aligning the building to match the curriculum for the twenty-first century. Discussions of whether foreign language, interactive distance learning, athletic improvements, and what potential technology integration should be included were discussed, with the general consensus among the board being that the structure should encompass some improvements to address current deficits in technology and athletics.

Mr. Reese presented an example of the Rose Hill school district that had utilized a cloverleaf layout to the elementary school that integrated the grades and focused more on the individual needs of the student as well as having multiple uses for each learning space.

Based on current board policy of no more than 24 students per classroom, the new facility would require, at a minimum, one classroom per grade level as well as a further 3 flex classrooms that would adapt to whichever grade levels had exceeded board policy.

In addition, there would potentially either be a new elementary library or a unified library facility that would permit, perhaps, utilizing the current West Elk library as additional classroom space. The subject of a practice gymnasium or multi-purpose room absorbed a significant period of discussion, especially considering the current lack of scheduling flexibility available for the West Elk gymnasium.

The general board consensus was to entertain a practice gym that would have seating for 100-150 people that would be roughly 8500 square feet in size. Bert Moore explained that in 2006, he and his administration had discussed an estimate on a facility of 12 classrooms, a library, a multi-purpose room, a gymnasium, restroom facilities, and secretarial/administrative rooms at a built cost of $2.5 million.

Much discussion centered on the potential twenty-first century advancements that could be included both in building technology and classroom technology. The general agreement was that any new structure should incorporate some element of available efficiencies.

Several classroom technological advancements were discussed including Smart Boards, in-classroom projectors, and mobile wireless computer carts. The statement was made by Bert Moore “What would the school of the future look like?” He encouraged the board to plan to encompass the future.

Talliaferro furthered that by stating that he had several graduates comment on their lack of preparedness for the technology that they had encountered upon graduating.

The discussion focused more on the mechanics and time lines of any construction and bond issue. Once a preliminary design concept and its costs were relayed to the board, should it adopt a resolution for a bond, the state would require 75-90 days to review the proposal before a bond election could be held.

If a bond issue were passed, the design period would require an additional 6-9 months with construction then requiring 12-15 months.

Talliaferro was quick to explain that the board would be required to utilize maximum Local Option Budget authority on this next budget and that the district was losing all fiscal flexibility.

It is important to note that state aid towards construction costs can range from 26 to 34 percent depending on economic conditions in the district, so the bond amount would be dependent on said aid.

It was generally agreed by the board to have the architects review with the school administrators the current facility at the West Elk campus and begin to discuss with staff the elements of a new facility.

This session would be scheduled at some point in the next few weeks with a Board follow up possible in the next few months.

The architects made it clear that the most beneficial sessions for these initial plans were ones that were collaborative and inclusive in nature.

Talliaferro said, “Tthe community expects that we should go forward even if we don’t do anything in the end.”

Think Pink - Breast Cancer Awareness
By Jan Stephens
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and to follow that a program “Think Pink and Tell a Friend: will be given at the WWW.Calm luncheon at the Sedan Christian Church on November 5. This program will discuss information on early detection and risk reduction of breast cancer.

A display table will be available from 11:30 during the lunch, and from 12:30-1 p.m., there will be a discussion and question and answer session. The discussion will be led by Stephanie Thompson, RN, of Early Detection Works and Jan Stephens, K-State Research and Extension multi-county specialist.

There will be educational handouts for all and doorprizes. The Think Pink and Tell a Friend program is sponsored by American Cancer Society, Early Detection Works, and K-State Research and Extension/Rolling Prairie Extension District.

By Nancy Floyd
This incredible fall season reminds me of coming to Sedan as a bride in October of 1959 and my mother-in-law, Louise Floyd Wall, taking me on tours around the countryside.

I was fascinated and saddened by abandoned farm houses. At some of the houses Louise could tell me who lived there and what happened to the family, while others I would create my own scenarios and almost feel their presence, children playing tag, clothes being hung on the clothesline, cows being milked in the barn, and more.

What Louise and I loved the most, however, was going to and wandering around the old Chautauqua Springs Resort area in Chautauqua. Ghosts of the past could definitely be felt, even I gather, President Teddy Roosevelt who came twice for the healing mineral waters. There were once three hotels plus log cabins at the Springs. Louise and I found a ruin of a log cabin. The Eagle Hotel was considered the finest in Chautauqua County.

Pauline Green, the mother of Sheriff Frank Green, bought the original spring house and 13 acres of Chautauqua Springs in 1968 and he started mowing there when he was 15. He lives in the spring house now and if you are lucky you can catch him mowing the grounds and he’ll fill you in with great stories of the past.

Nita Jones and I met Frank at Chautauqua Springs on Columbus Day. Frank showed us the sculpture of Chief Black Dog, and sculpted bear by Dinh Nguyen. We visited the bath area of the springs which produces 1.5 million gallons of water a year. Apparently the Indians were the first to come bathe to cure their ailments.

To see the springs turn east on Chautauqua street off south Highway 99 and drive until you see the tree sculptures and the springs. Park your car, have a picnic, wander around and feel the Ghosts of the Past.

Items for the Burden United Methodist Church Lord’s Acre event on Oct. 25 are shown by Maurine Smith and Joanne Black. Online bididng for the Walnut Valley Festival quilt can be made by going to http://pickersparadise.org.

The Country Store will be open from 4-7 p.m., with dinner from 5-7 p.m., and the auction following at 7 p.m. at the church.

Volunteers have been spending their available time repairing damage caused six weeks ago by vandals at the El Cado Cemetery located south of Peru and east of Chautauqua. County residents, neighbors, Chautauqua County employees and Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Department employees spent a recent afternoon helping to straighten the overturned tombstones and reset others. More than 40 stones received damage at that time. The investigation continues into the vandalism and there were clues left at the scene which law enforcement officers hope will lead to the arrest and prosecution of the offenders.

The Elk County Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee is sponsoring Disaster Planning Resource Fairs at public libraries and other public buildings in the county during the week of Nov. 3-8.

The purpose is to provide information to the public on ways to prevent damages as a result of natural disasters as well as gain public input on the Elk County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan that is currently under development. Several FEMA publications will be available as well as a summary of planning efforts underway and a short questionnaire to capture public comments.

A planning committee composed of Elk County, the incorporated cities, school districts, other special districts, and private-non profit entities is currently developing a comprehensive Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan to reduce the vulnerability of people and property in the county to the impacts of natural hazards and to become eligible for mitigation funding programs from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The plan will address a comprehensive list of natural hazards—ranging from flooding to tornados, severe winter weather, and drought—and will assess the likely impacts of these hazards to communities in Elk County.

The pairings for the class 2A sub-state volleyball tournament in Sedan on Saturday, Oct. 25 have been announced.

The tournament schedule will be:

• Match 1 — Noon: Central-Burden (8) vs. Oxford (9).

All other matches will begin 20 minutes after the conclusion of the previous match

• Match 2 — West Elk (2) vs. Udall (7)

• Match 3 — Sedan (3) vs. Flinthills (6)

• Match 4 — Cedar Vale/Dexter (1) vs. winner of Central-Burden/Oxford (8)

• Match 5 — Berean Academy (4) vs. Peabody-Burns (5)

• Match 6 — (Semi-finals) Winners of Matches 2 and 7 vs. Matches 3 and 6

• Match 7 — (Semi-finals) Winners of Matches 1 and 8 vs. Matches 4 and 5.

• Match 8 — Championship game

The winner will advance to the class 2A state tournament at Fort Hays State University on Oct. 30-Nov. 1.

The records of the teams participating in the tournament are:

• Cedar Vale/Dexter (24-9)

• West Elk (23-16)

• Sedan (17-15)

• Berean Academy (15-17)

• Peabody-Burns (15-18)

• Flinthills (12-18)

• Udall (12-19)

• Central-Burden (11-22)

• Oxford (4-21)

S.A.E.D.C. TO HOST PUMPKIN CARVING/ DECORATING CONTEST
On Friday, Oct. 31, S.A.E.D.C. will host a contest for the best carved or decorated pumpkin. Bring your pumpkin to the Kurtis Arts Plaza in Sedan between 4-7 p.m. Judging of the pumpkins will take place at 7 p.m., with cash and prizes to be awarded. Be sure to stop by and Trick or Treat.

For more information contact Austin Floyd at 725-3121, Leota Casement at 725-5312, Sue Kill at 725-3951 or Melodi Jones at 725-3494.

_____________________

CASH AND PRIZES TO BE AWARDED AT CHILI COOK-OFF
By Leota Casement
SAEDC will host a Chili Cook-Off Nov. 8 at the Kurtis Arts Plaza. The cooking begins at noon. The contestants can enter traditional or nontraditional chili. Each team will be responsible to provide a minimum of three gallons of chili. Entry fee is $20 per team. Chili and Best Booth will be judged beginning at 4 p.m. by a Peoples Choice Award.

Anyone wishing to enter can pick up an entry form at Floyd’s Supermarket, Kokopelli Gallery, or by calling Leota Casement at 725-5312 . Entry forms can be mailed to you if needed. Come and enjoy the chili and be a judge for only $6.00. Children under 10 years of age are free.

A Pie Eating Contest will also be held at 3:30 p.m. Come out and enjoy the fun.

Be sure to make a donation for a chance to win a Gas Grill, or Scooter. Donations are $2 for one chance or $5 for three chances and may be made at Floyd’s Supermarket, Mel’s General Store, or from any of the following SAEDC board members.

For more information contact Austin Floyd at 725-3121, Terry Ricketts, Sue Kill at 725-3951, Leota Casement at 725-5312 or Melodi Jones at 725-3494.

It promises to be a fun filled enjoyable day, so come out and enjoy.

An after school program for children in Kindergarten through sixth grade meets each Wednesday at the Grenola United Methodist Church.

On Oct. 29, the children will go out “trick or treating” in the community. They will be collecting non-perishable food items for the Elk County Food Pantry. Look for little ghosts and goblins between 5-6 p.m. Turn on your porch light if you have a food items to contribute.

The 2008 Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 25, marks the 50th year that Burden United Methodist Church congregation has worked hard to deliver a scrumptious meal and a great sale with handmade arts and crafts, homegrown goods and a wide-array of services.

A Walnut Valley Festival t-shirt quilt, made by the ladies of Burden UMC, promises to create much interest at this year’s auction. The beautiful queen-sized quilt has 20 blocks made from festival t-shirts from various years.
On sale will also be a ‘Red Hat’ wall-hanging, a baby quilt & pillow, hand carved Santa, many crafts, homegrown products and tasty homemade baked goods. The Country Store opens at 4 p.m. John and Justin Brazle will begin the auction at 7 p.m.

Chairpersons Janelle Tatum and Debbie Martin have planned the menu: Grandma Tatum’s Meatloaf or Smoked Pork Loin (prepared by James Brown of “Paddle Foot BBQ” in Atlanta), along with a salad bar, ultra mashed potatoes, green beans, pie and drink. Serving begins at 5 p.m. and is priced at $7 or $3.50 for kids 10 & under.

This event marks the beginning of another great year of programs, projects and missions for the church located at 6th and Oak. Missions earmarked from the evening’s proceeds include the United Methodist ‘Bridges to the Future’ campaign and other mission projects.

Come and enjoy great food, fellowship and the fun of Lord’s Acre 2008. The evening, and all the work that goes into it, is done with love and is dedicated to God’s glory in the church, the community and the world.

For more information call Pastor Jimmy Taylor at 620-438-2357 or chairpersons Marian and Bob Hedges at 438-2282.