Obituary -- Peggy L. (Graham) James 1951-2016

Peggy L. (Graham) James, age 64, Hopkins, Missouri, formerly of Ravenwood, Missouri died January 6, 2016 at Mosaic Life Care, St. Joseph, Missouri.

Peggy was born January 27, 1951 in Stanberry, Missouri the daughter of the late Marvin Lee and Juna  Leola (Paxton) Graham.

Peggy was united in marriage to Byland James, June 29, 1969 at Stanberry.

Peggy was a graduate of Stanberry High School and NWMSU with a Masters in English.  She taught both Elementary and High School Education.  Peggy was a member of the United Methodist Church, Ravenwood.

Survivors include: Husband, Byland of the home, one daughter Angie (Dan) Titus, Hopkins, one son Donnie (Heather) James, Maysville, Missouri, brother Eldon (Connie) Graham, Stanberry, sister Wanda (Norman) Hoffman, St. Joseph, Missouri; four grandchildren, Nicholas James, Alicia Reeves, Dwight Titus, Chelsie Titus; four great grandchildren, Conner, Corey, Clayton and Kynlee.

Funeral Services will be 2:00 PM, Saturday, January 9, 2016 at the Ravenwood United Methodist Church with the family visitation from 1-2 PM prior to the services.  Burial:  Oak Lawn Cemetery, Ravenwood.  Memorial: Kitty Cat Connection, 8066  Southwest 223^rd Street, Trimble, MO  64492. 

 Arrangements: Andrews-Hann Funeral Home, Grant City, MO.

Sharon Paxson, Ashley Rush In the Process of Receiving EMT Training

Sharon Paxson and Ashley Rush are in the process of undergoing their EMT training, Emergency Management Director Pat Kobbe reported at the Worth County Commission Meeting Monday.

Ms. Kobbe also reported that 17 people from Worth County attended the recent emergency exercise at Hundley-Whaley last month. This was almost as many as Gentry County, which hosted the exercise. In it, there was an accident involving a pickup truck hauling anhydrous ammonia that flipped over, causing a leak. The Life Flight helicopter was involved in the exercise. Anhydrous ammonia has been a point of emphasis in emergency training.

Kobbe also reported that the county is still completing paperwork on the disaster declaration from May 16th to July 27th. Road & Bridge Foreman Jim Fletchall reported that it was 2/3’s done. Kobbe said that she did not think that Worth County would be declared for the recent storms that hit the area that involved massive flooding in the St. Louis area.

Brush enforcement was the main issue of discussion at Monday’s meeting. The commissioners went through the entire list of landowners who received letters, lining up who the county was going to remove brush from in order of age and priority. Landowners who do not comply with the voter-approved county brush law will have their brush removed by the county and have the costs assessed against their taxes. The county will send out a new round of brush letters to some which had gotten one several years ago, but which the commission had never followed up on. This will follow inspections of roads by commissioners. Other roads are in the process of having brush removed and will be reinspected by the commissioners.

Worth County Sheriff's Report

12-28 – Person in about concealed carry permit.
12-28 – Person calls for well-being check on local resident; officer reports person is OK.
12-29 – Person calls about road conditions.
12-29 – Several people in to talk to officers.
12-30 – Ringgold County calls about C&I truckers on southbound 169 highway.
12-30 – Person calls about concealed carry permit.
12-30 – Resident calls about her son’s well-being.
12-31 – Resident reports damage to mailbox.
1-1 – Officer assists stranded motorist.
1-2 – Person calls for well-being check on relative; person is OK.
1-3 – Officers investigating domestic disturbance in Grant City.

The Onion – Koch Brothers Bought Each Other Same Election

The Onion website reports that the Koch Brothers had bought each other the same election. The Onion, of course, is a parody website that posts daily political satire. However, it has spawned a number of similar sites, some of which post “stories” that are widely believed. For instance, we were briefly taken in by one site which claimed that Ronald Reagan had repudiated the Republican Party just before his death in 2004. Mr. Reagan, of course, had Alzheimer’s Disease by that time.

As recounted in The Onion:
The two brothers and energy industry magnates, who for decades have gathered to share a holiday meal and open presents next to the Christmas tree in Charles’ Wichita home, admitted they were a bit embarrassed to learn they had each given the other U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin’s congressional seat, but said they ultimately shrugged off the coincidence.

“When we realized we both bought New York’s 1st District, we just looked at each other and laughed,” said Charles Koch, who acknowledged that he and David have pretty similar tastes. “Now that I think about it, I can’t believe this has never happened before. It was probably bound to sooner or later. I guess we just know each other too well!”“At least it’s something we can enjoy using together,” he added.

David Koch explained that he had hoped the present would be a special surprise for Charles, noting that he had taken care to be discreet by telling his brother he was “just heading out to another fundraiser at Lincoln Center” when he was in fact on his way to go purchase the outcome of the election in the eastern Long Island congressional district. In addition, he was reportedly careful not to take any calls from the Zeldin 2016 campaign team while he and Charles were out together at dinner, the ballet, or Cato Institute symposiums.

“A few months ago, we were watching the news, and when one of the pundits on TV mentioned Zeldin’s reelection bid, Charles’ whole face just lit up,” said David Koch, who later admitted he had purchased the district partly because he knew he would want to borrow it for himself from time to time. “Well, it seems like my brother and I both had the same idea about limiting the petroleum industry’s liability for toxic spills and ensuring taxpayers shoulder the majority of cleanup costs. That’s just so us, you know?”

Democrats, of course, are not immune from The Onion’s barbs. On their website Friday included one headline, “Hillary Clinton Relaxing Before Debate with Few Hours of Debate Practice.” Obviously, this piece was poking fun at her ambition. Another piece reads, “Bernie Sanders Refuses Flashy ABC Podium in Favor of Own Humble, Homemade Lectern,” implying that Mr. Sanders was bragging about his humility. Another piece recounts a supposed brawl in the Supreme Court between Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Stephen Breyer. In real life, the two men are frequently on the opposite sides of court decisions.

The Onion does not limit itself to politics. In the Letters to Santa in the Sheridan Express last month, some kids requested video games for different consoles. However, The Onion notes that one of the best-selling Christmas items this year was Star Wars Battlefront for the Wrong Console.

The Koch Brothers piece was about the influence of money in politics. After the Citizens United ruling allowing (for the most part) unlimited money in politics, people like the Koch Brothers have gotten much more influential in elections. This accounts in part for the explosion of TV and radio ads that you see every election cycle. One of the few restrictions that was allowed to stand was the one that prohibits super-PACS from coordinating their activities with political candidates.

Now, there are billionaires on both sides of the political aisle who are seeking to buy our elections. The hope is not necessarily for a quid pro quo, but for our elected officials to turn around and hand out tax breaks that are not necessarily on the public radar until the breaks are already signed into law. These favors are frequently attached to must-pass legislation such as the recent Omnibus Bill that was recently passed by Congress and signed by President Obama.

The Koch Brothers have been pushing for special tax breaks as well as favorable legislation for the oil industry and a massive rollback of our federal government. The agenda runs even further. In 1980, David Koch ran as Libertarian Party candidate for Vice President.

The following excerpts are part of the Libertarian Party platform that Mr. Koch ran on back in 1980:
“We favor the abolition of Medicare and Medicaid programs.”
“We favor the repeal of the fraudulent, virtually bankrupt, and increasingly oppressive Social Security system. Pending that repeal, participation in Social Security should be made voluntary.”
“We propose the abolition of the governmental Postal Service. The present system, in addition to being inefficient, encourages governmental surveillance of private correspondence. Pending abolition, we call for an end to the monopoly system and for allowing free competition in all aspects of postal service.”
“We oppose all personal and corporate income taxation, including capital gains taxes.”
“We support the eventual repeal of all taxation.” “As an interim measure, all criminal and civil sanctions against tax evasion should be terminated immediately.”
“We support repeal of all law which impede the ability of any person to find employment, such as minimum wage laws.”
“We advocate the complete separation of education and State. Government schools lead to the indoctrination of children and interfere with the free choice of individuals. Government ownership, operation, regulation, and subsidy of schools and colleges should be ended.”
“We condemn compulsory education laws … and we call for the immediate repeal of such laws.”
“We support the abolition of the Environmental Protection Agency.”
“We support abolition of the Department of Energy.”
“We call for the dissolution of all government agencies concerned with transportation, including the Department of Transportation.”
“We demand the return of America's railroad system to private ownership. We call for the privatization of the public roads and national highway system.”
“We specifically oppose laws requiring an individual to buy or use so-called "self-protection" equipment such as safety belts, air bags, or crash helmets.”
“We advocate the abolition of the Federal Aviation Administration.”
“We advocate the abolition of the Food and Drug Administration.”
“We support an end to all subsidies for child-bearing built into our present laws, including all welfare plans and the provision of tax-supported services for children.”

But while the Koch Brothers may rant and rave against the dangers of big government, they are happy to take government funding for their operations. The organization Good Jobs First, which tracks where government money is going, found that the Koch Brothers have taken $196 million in federal, state, and local subsidies, mostly since 2009. In addition, they took $6.2 million in bailout money.

And their father, Fred Koch, had no qualms about doing business with Stalin from 1929 to 1931, during the time when he was starving his people. When most other companies stayed away from Stalin, an October 1st 2014 article in Salon notes that Fred Koch went to the Soviet Union and helped them jump-start their oil program, which is now one of the world’s largest.

Will the Train Come Back to Sheridan?

Back in 1985, the last trail rolled through Sheridan as the railroad company tore up track. But now, while it may be 15-30 years down the road, there is a chance for the train to come back to Sheridan in the form of high-speed rail.

As air service replaced rail service, the last passenger train to come through Sheridan was in 1962. Air service was viewed as a way to get from one part of the country to another in just a few hours. However, that is changing following the 9/11 attacks. People must now go through long security lines to check in. People must also go through invasive searches. And starting on January 10th, the TSA (which handles security at airports) will no longer accept Missouri Driver’s Licenses as an acceptable form of identification, along with those of several other states.

This means that there is increasing interest in high speed rail service as an alternative to air travel. The US High Speed Rail Association is one of the chief groups in the US pushing this form of travel. They propose a fully-integrated rail system built in four different phases, with trains that go at a top speed of 220 miles per hour. They also propose a 110 miles per hour system of lines; one of their lines would run from Kansas City to Des Monies directly through Parnell, Sheridan, and Blockton.
These lines have a lot of potential. One could live in a rural area like ours, which is one of the safest places in the country to live in and take the train to work in, say, St. Joseph, Kansas City, or Des Monies, which have a lot more jobs available. One would not have to fill their car up every time they set out.

Jim Hightower, in the Hightower Lowdown of October 2015, notes that many different tributes have been made to various rail lines that were active earlier in our country’s history. Such songs include “Wabash Cannonball,” “Rock Island Line,” “Fireball Mail,” and “City of New Orleans.” Another one is a local favorite played from time to time at local concerns, the “Orange Blossom Special.” Another tune not mentioned by Mr. Hightower is “Chattanooga Choo Choo,” played by Worth County’s own Glenn Miller and his orchestra. “In contrast, you won’t find many lilting paens to the bumper to bumper traffic on the I-5 in Los Angeles, nor to the jam-packed Monday morning shuttles out of New York’s La Guardia Airport,” writes Mr. Hightower.

Mr. Hightower continues, “But neither are we hearing many new upbeat tunes about traveling from city to city on today’s passenger rail network. That’s because our corporate and governmental masters of transportation have sidetracked what not so long ago was a world-leading cross-country train system and reduced it to an underfunded hodge-podge that is an insult to the traveling public and wholly inadequate for a nation with pretensions of greatness. Highway builders, auto lobbyists, and airline monopolists – people with concrete for brains and oil in their veins – have hijacked America’s transportation policy. As a result, our mobility future has been clogged with their self-interest, blocking the efficient, reliable, enjoyable rail-travel alternative.”

The US High Speed Rail Association proposes a three-tired system. One is the national network discussed above, which they say would connect 80% of the country. The second is a regional rail system. This would connect major US cities with other places up to three hours away, based on demand. The third would consist of a city streetcar tram and light rail system that would connect different parts of our major cities. Cost would be an estimated $500 billion over the next 15-30 years.
Back in the 1950’s, President Eisenhower successfully pushed for the Interstate Highway System so that the country could move troops and National Guard units around the country in an emergency. With the Paris and San Bernardino attacks, national security is on everyone’s minds again. A national high-speed rail system would enable the country to move troops and National Guard units around even faster in the event of an emergency, such as the ongoing flooding near St. Louis. Such a system would have allowed this country to bring the National Guard into New Orleans following Katrina much sooner. Today, the Interstate Highway System routinely deals with delays and congestion, for instance, CNN reported back in 2012 that 600,000 people have commutes to work that take over 90 minutes. The ability to move National Guard personnel and supplies around in the event of an emergency could make a life or death difference.

Many other countries all have high speed rail. For instance, Mr. Hightower notes that travel from New York to Chicago (711 miles) takes 17 hours. But travel from Beijing (China) to Shanghai (819 miles) takes just five hours on that country’s high speed rail network. And travel from Denver to Los Angeles would take just six hours. And, as Mr. Hightower notes, it would be done without the hassle of air travel. Other countries that have high speed rail include Japan, Canada, France, Russia, India, UK, Morocco, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Mexico, Poland, Spain, Brazil, Germany, South Africa, and Turkey. But as Mr. Hightower writes, “Our ‘God-blessed’ America has not even measured up to mediocrity in developing this essential piece of public infrastructure.”

Obituary -- Patsy Kanak 1948-2015

Patsy Kanak, 67, of Grant City, MO died December 31^st, 2015. She was born on June 1, 1948 in Ranger, TX. The daughter of Dub and Mildred Sellers, she was educated in the Hays, KS public school system and later attended Fort Hays State University.  

Patsy leaves behind her beloved husband, Norman Kanak.

In 1972 she married Norman Kanak of Ellsworth, KS. They have 4 children.

She leaves her son Shawn Kanak, wife Tiffany and their three children; Haley, Tanner and Meagan Cloninger (Kanak) married to Troy and they have Patsy’s two great grandchildren Liam and Quinn. She also leaves her son Jason Kanak, wife Jen and their 4 children; Cayden, Alex, Trevor and Max. She also leaves her daughter Kim Sherwood (Kanak), husband Nathan and their 2 children; Kendall and Emma. She also leaves her youngest son Matthew Kanak and his two children; Olivia and Jacob.

She leaves two brothers Donnie and Henry Sellers, both of Russell, KS behind as well.  Patsy also leaves several nieces and nephews and cousins.

Funeral services will be held at the Christian Church of Grant City, MO on Monday January 4^th, 2016. A visitation will begin at 12pm and the memorial service will be held at 2pm with the Rev. Dirk Buffington presiding. Memorial gifts in Patsy’s memory can be made to the Christian Church of Grant City, 501 South High Street Grant City MO 64456

Arrangements are being handled by Prugh-Dunfee Funeral Home Grant City, MO.

Obituary -- Martin Joseph Goedken 1941-2015

Martin Joseph Goedken, 74, Conception Junction, MO, died Monday, December 28, 2015, at Northwest Medical Center, Albany, MO.

Martin was born July 7, 1941, in Petersburg, Iowa to Alfred Henry and Loretta Elizabeth (Koch) Goedken. He married Lisa Birzer September 1, 1973, in Lansing, Kansas.

He was a graduate of St. Lawrence Seminary, Mt. Calvary, WI and he continued his education, earning his Masters in Hospital Administration from the University of Iowa . He was the Vice-President of St. Francis Hospital, Maryville, Missouri and retired as the Director of Northwest Catholic Charities.

Martin was a member of the St Columba Catholic Church where he was a Permanent Deacon, Tri-C American Legion Post #464, having served in the United States Army Reserves, Knights of Columbus, Conception Jct. and Tri-County Right to Life.

Preceding him in death were his parents, brothers Floyd and David Goedken, sister Sr. Angela Goedken and grandson Caleb Adwell.

Martin is survived by his wife Lisa Goedken, of the home in Conception Jct., five children: sons Matthew (Lori) Goedken, St. Joseph, MO, Aaron Goedken, Portland, OR and Christopher (Molly) Goedken, Omaha, NE; daughters Jennifer (Shane) Adwell, Ravenwood, MO, Sr. Faustina Goedken, Sisters in Jesus the Lord, Raytown, MO; eight grandchildren; three brothers Dale Goedken, Dyersville, IA, Dennis (Ann) Goedken, Cottage Grove, WI and Charles (Patrice) Goedken, Harrisburg, PA; five sisters Joan (Urban) Pasker, New Vienna, IA, Lois (Donald) Burkle, Dyersville, IA, Delaine (Paul) Knipper, Dyersville, IA, Delores (Terry) O'Brien, Cascade, IA and Sr. Rita Goedken, Dubuque, IA.

A Parish Rosary will be held at 5:00 PM, Sunday, January 3, 2016, followed by a visitation from 5:30-7:30 PM, both at St. Columba Catholic Church, Conception Jct., MO.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 AM, Monday, January 4th, also at St. Columba Catholic Church, with burial in St. Columba Cemetery, Conception, MO.

Memorials may be made to Catholic Charities in Martin's name.

www.pricefuneralhomemaryville.com