With the general election nearly upon us, it’s important to know what your current elected official, Rep. Pat George, has done for Kansas families.               Providers of services to disabled children through the Technology Assist Waiver and Home and Community-Based Services (a division of SRS) have struggled to bring attention to a very small program that has a significant impact for Kansas families facing the challenges that come with caring for severely disabled children in family settings. For the last two legislative sessions, Rep. Pat George has taken the time to understand and support this program for medically fragile children. His experience helps him recognize that keeping consumers and workers at home (in their own communities) not only saves costs, but keeps children, their families and caregivers at home.

I would like to devote my column today to those immigrants who are waiting for the documents that will bring them forward into a regular American life. Official papers giving them the right to be in the shade if they so desire, not in the shadows.

Building character starts with parents, teachers
    History starts today! These words are from lyrics of a favorite song. This week as we welcome the senior class of 2009, we also introduce the pre-kindergarten and graduating class of 2023.
     Parents and teachers set the course of the future. The academic and personal character building of our children begins with this partnership and is supported of our community.

What’s not to like about promoting Kansas?
    Usually, not a thing. In fact, we are trying hard to applaud the recent efforts of the Kansas Department of Commerce. This week, KDOC’s Agriculture Marketing Division announced it was revamping the 30-year-old “From the Land of Kansas” campaign that labels and markets products made in the Sunflower State.

    ("Candidate: Americans must change fuel habits," Aug. 8) "The fact remains that we need to start drilling for oil. Don't expect that to happen if Slattery is elected to the Senate and there is a Democrat Congress again. All options for energy production need to be pursued, but until that technology is perfected, oil is the only way to go at this point.
    "This country needs a realistic energy policy. Build infrastructure to support refining, drill for more oil, develop any and all technology (nuclear, coal, solar, bio fuel, hydrogen...etc.). We fought a war on two fronts. This energy issue can be overcome as well."

Blood donations could help save lives
    Thank you, Dodge City and surrounding communities, for participating in making our July community blood drive a success. The donation you made could mean the difference between life and death, maybe even for someone you know. Your support is a wonderful example of how to give back to our community and help patients in need.

I receive mail like anybody else — ads; the best offers ever; bills; cards, according to the dates and seasons; bills; political propaganda; and bills.
    But I also I receive nice letters and cards from readers. They are enthusiastic and even refer to certain article I have written. That was the case with Laura Bell, who was my student at Dodge City High School. The article was titled "When I Was a Teacher.” In there, I mentioned Laura, who is Mrs. Laura Fitzmorris today.

 Last week (July 16),  in a major address in the nation’s capital, former Vice President Al Gore called for a 10-year plan to move the nation's entire energy supply to solar, wind and other renewable sources. What he failed to address is the massive role of meat production in the global climate crisis.