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Jan. 5, 2011
LINCOLN — Tyson Larson is gearing up for his first legislative session as the newly-elected Senator for District 40 in Northeast Nebraska.
Larson has been busy working on several bills he will be introducing during the 2011 legislative session.
“I will be introducing four or five bills. Three of them are extremely big ones,” said Larson.
Larson’s main focus is on a bill that will create a state meat inspection agency.
The agency would be able to inspect any kind of meat, which will help the smaller farmers and local meat producers, along with the local meat lockers. It will also be good for specialty meat producers, according to Larson.
“It will be good for rural Nebraska,” Larson said. “The USDA currently inspects meat — with a state agency, they will be able to do it.”
A state inspection agency could also help boost the horse market, which has been drastically affected by a federal bill passed in 2008 which removed funds and personnel from inspecting horse meat.
Two other bills are also very important to Larson; a flat tax on income for individuals and businesses and a bill which would address taxes on wind energy.
Larson believes a flat tax on income would make Nebraska one of the more progressive states in the nation.
Jan. 5, 2011
RANDOLPH — Local men are in desperate need of warm winter hats and scarves after Friday night’s Q125 kick-off New Year’s Eve Dance.
Participants brought in the New Year with a new look that makes the harsh Nebraska winters a little more painful and are sure to make the hot Nebraska summers a little more miserable.
The event kicked-off the beginning of the beard contest to be held at the July Q125 event. With several categories to enter, participants brought in 2011 with a fresh shave.
Stylists Kim Nordhues, Gina Backhaus, Pat Dominissee and Karla Korth volunteered their time and talent, trimming beards and shaving heads.
The event was organized by the Randolph Q125 committee with proceeds going toward the celebration in July; music was donated by Becky Kollars DJ Service and the local Volunteer Rescue Unit served beverages to participants with funds going toward the purchase of a new ambulance.
Jan. 6, 2016
RANDOLPH — With recent changes in the city office, Randolph citizens have an opportunity to contribute and participate, according to Gary Van Meter, Randolph Community Development Director.
“We have not appointed a park board for years and now it is in place once again. We also have a new police chief, fire chief, city clerk/treasurer, and public works supervisor—all in the space of one year. Now is the time for Randolph citizens to participate in change by using the “Revitalize Randolph” program sponsored by First State Bank of Randolph.
The leadership development program is similar to formats being practiced in other area communities.
Van Meter, a resident of Wayne for 32 years, enrolled in the first Leadership Wayne program in 1992.
“The program has been repeated numerous times in Wayne,” he said, “with the result of adding scores of capable leaders throughout the community over the past 23 years.”
“Once established,” he added, “the program takes on a life of its own with a place in the community for earmarking future leaders. Norfolk, Madison, and other communities have similar successful programs.”
One of the key reference books for the class is, “Economic Development for Small Communities,” by Robert Shively, a native Nebraskan. In it, Shively paints a picture of successful small town leadership changing every 15 years.
In order to do so, however, existing leadership must be willing to groom new leaders to take their place. And, young, aspiring leaders must be willing to step up to take on responsibility.
