Columns

Emotions can be a positive in life, depending upon how you react to the emotions. This week, as I pen the Bull, I think back to the fact that the older I get, the more emotions I show, maybe even the more opinionated I get, but the fact of the matter is, as I get older, day by day, and year by year, I’m 40 years removed from high school. I’m a so called “seasoned” newspaper fella, whether that is good or bad thing, I don’t know, as that’s not my prerogative, that is on you, as the readers of the Clay County News. Either you like it, or you don’t. In this world, “it is what it is.”

I reflect back to a conversation I remember having with my father, who is one of two people that I truly believe was, and are the drivers of who I am.

I’ve written a great deal about my dad, some called him Doug, the Duncan clan called him “Butch” (to this day I am not sure why they called him Butch, but they did), and the other person is my sister Tonya.

On numerous occasions, I have overheard the crowds of the opposing team comment on the number of small children in the Sutton stands. Sutton is growing, that is a fact. In addition, when newcomers visit our community, they are pleasantly surprised by the number of businesses in this town and how long many of them have been open.

Sutton is prosperous, that is a fact. What I find so fascinating is the fact that many of these successful businesses are owned by those parents with all those kids, many of whom are involved in about every activity that you can think of, and you see those same parents/ business owners attending all those events.

You can really tell this town supports its schools, daycares, businesses, police, after school activities, and churches. It is evident this community supports BOTH family and business growth. That is something to be proud of, that is a fact.

They’re back. The 108th Legislature, Second Session, convenes today.

One can expect proposed bills and discussion of some hot button issues as well as what could be a protracted debate on rules. It’s likely that state Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon will have something to say about guns in schools.

The Education or Revenue committees will likely address school financing and the Executive Council will seek discussion about putting legislative committee clerks in a pool to provide uniform training while avoiding partisanship. The council will also offer something to deal with legislative oversight of corrections and social services.

Who should be allowed to carry a gun on school property, beyond on-duty law enforcement officers?

Participants in high school sports and performing arts are under tremendous pressure these days – from parents, teachers, coaches and peers. Their days are consumed with school, sports and activities. They are trying to figure out who they are and who they want to be – all while having to compare themselves to everyone else on social media. It’s easy to see why high school students have a lot on their plates … and their minds.

It is time for all of us to turn our attention to these students, including the activity participants at schools in Nebraska. Empathy is so important. No matter who you are—a parent, teacher, coach, athletic administrator, performing arts director, or anyone else who interacts with teens—we can all play a part in looking out for them.

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord”, Luke 2:11.

Across the state of Nebraska, the colors of the Christmas lights are gleaming across the roads. On our radios, carols of reindeer and snowmen play spreading the joy of Christmas.

In our homes, the trees are being set up adorned with ornaments and twinkling lights filled with the scent of cookies coming out of the oven.

Our Children are anxious to look under the trees to see presents wrapped in bright colors and ribbons. The gifts of the Christmas season do much to spread joy into the hearts of old and young alike.

But all of these gifts, no matter how fun or special, compare to the greatest gift of all- our Savior Jesus Christ.

Our world is certainly full of sin and brokenness but the true meaning of Christmas gives us a reason to celebrate.

The Gospel of John tells us that God did not send his Son to condemn the world, but to save it.

With Christmas nearly here, this week I decided to share an article from our Extension Horticulturalist, Nicole Stoner on poinsettias.

A common holiday gift is the Poinsettia. If you receive one for Christmas this year, do you know how to care for it? Poinsettias are a staple for the Christmas season, but they don’t have to be a shortlived gift that is thrown away at the beginning of the year.

Typically, poinsettias are most commonly found in red, but the color range is constantly expanding.

They can now be found in white, pink, green, peach, yellow, or marbled or speckled colors. On an old-fashioned poinsettia, the red colored portion of the poinsettia is not the flower of the plant.

The colored, leaf-like structures are called bracts, which are just modified leaves. The true flower of a poinsettia is the yellow center of the colored bracts.

Dear Santa Claus...I hope that you are well rested and ready for your trek across the world. I’ve never been big on “needing things” in life, but this year is a little different, and my wish list, to me, doesn’t seem to be to “needy,” so here is my wish list for the holiday season, in MY little bubble of the world: 1. Bring resolve to the struggles of world peace, and political division and help make little Clay County Nebraska a much better place to live...although it’s a pretty awesome place to call home the people of my home county are pretty darn awesome, and if you take a look at our fair county, which maybe you have, you’ll feel the same about “my county,” as I do; 2. Bring some resolve to the almost five months or direction to damages to the Sutton downtown business district, damaged by the July 29, EF-1 tornado that left our building, at least nine-10 other businesses, and several homes, and areas in despare.

CAPITOL VIEW COMMENTARY BY J.L. SCHMIDT STATEHOUSE CORRESPONDENT NEBRASKA PRESS ASSOCIATION

Just when you thought the drought was bad, deserts have started popping up in Nebraska.

Pick a topic: childcare; food; maternal health care. They have been discussed in the interim by lawmakers and deserve to be included among bills under consideration next session. It’s time to start looking at problems affecting Nebraskans and not the national agenda of one political party.

For example, the state could help encourage more doctors to dedicate their time and specialty to labor and delivery care if the dangers of maternal health care deserts are addressed, State Sen. Jen Day of Omaha recently told members of the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee. She was joined by doctors, maternal health experts and hospital administrators during an interim study hearing.

Across the State of Nebraska, you may see the gathering of signatures to put the EPIC tax on the ballot to be decided on by the voters.

The EPIC tax, or eliminate property, income, and corporate tax, provides an opportunity to completely transform Nebraska’s complicated, outdated, and broken tax systema goal I certainly support.

For years Nebraskans have told me over and over again that rising property taxes are a top issue. And over and over again, the Nebraska Legislature passes property tax relief which only slightly decreases the problem.

I have brought legislation and voted in favor of property tax relief, but the relief only slows down the growing property tax burden with Nebraskans still paying more and more even when we pass so called “relief.”

By placing the EPIC tax on the ballot, Nebraska’s second house- the voters, have a chance to truly see some major relief.

First, thank you to all the business owners and concerned citizens who came to our city council meeting on November 13.

I am constantly edified by the care our town members show and how involved they are with civic issues. I have seen this time and again over this past year as mayor. I was glad to address the frustrations of business owners regarding the destruction from the tornado.

It was an opportunity for all to have their voices heard. Over the last 100 days it has been frustrating for me as mayor to learn how much mine, and the city councils’ hands, were tied in this process, as well as the many insurance roadblocks that were faced. At the meeting, our town lawyer was able to help everyone understand it is illegal for the city to be more involved than it has been.