Once again, we are providing an open forum for our readers who want to say something, report something, or ask a question -- on any issue. Any topic is fair game, although the Times' comments policy still applies.We were reminded just how popular reader commentary is when, earlier this year, Times readers voted overwhelmingly (75% to 25%) in opposition to our staff's decision to limit remarks following stories.
The Dorchester Times' Web site averages more than 235 hits a day, according to an independent Web tracking service. That means the Times is the perfect forum to air your thoughts, news tips, announcements, complaints and concerns -- on any issue.
So go ahead and sound off. We are listening. And so are hundreds of others.
The times needs to post pictures of abandoned and neglected properties in town like the house on 9th and Jefferson. That is unacceptable and a real blight on our community.
ReplyDeleteThe photo of the buring grain elevator on the home page: I remember being there. It was going to be torn down but they burned it on purpose to let the volunteer fire department practice. As I recall, fire departments from near by towns were there also. It was an exciting day. I believe it happened in the early 1960's.
ReplyDeleteI visited the Saline County courthouse recently during the middle of the day, and there were only three customers in the building. My friends in Butler County (David City) said their courthouse is a ghost town and suggested that it only be open part-time to save money. Would this work in Saline County? Another suggestion was that more business could be conducted online which would reduce the number of county employees.
ReplyDeleteI see the Crete News website has been updated, featuring the weather and other information.
ReplyDeleteLooks very much like the Dorchester Times. Hmmmmmmmmmmm
I read with interest "Vested Czech's" comment. While there is some merit in what she says, I have to say, I am really getting upset with this move to abandon personal service.
ReplyDeleteGranted, I am an old fashioned fellow, but when I pay my taxes, I go in person to the court house, here in York, and personally hand over my tax. I get an old fashioned thank you, and get to visit with a real person. And they visit back!
To me, that is the problem with todays society. People do not know how to socialize with other people any more. And if you take the PERSON out of the government service, and the PERSON out of the tax payer, you have dehumanized us. It is much easier to enslave a population who is just a number on a tax form, or in the case of the private sector, just a numbered, so called customer. You cannot have empathy with someone with no face.
I get a big scratch out of the people who no longer go to the post office to buy stamps, who sit at a computer and do ALL of their business from their seat in their home. Where is the personal encounters with your fellow humanity.
1984 is here, it just took a few more years. AS much as I enjoy the blog, and my email, I lament the days of letter writing, and paying all your bills in person. To hear that "thank you" when you hand over your hard earned money makes it much easier.
I visited the Saline County Court House, just before Memorial Day. I found it with almost full halls, and you had to stand in a short line to do your business. And it was almost lunch time. Vested Czech must have visited on a slow day.
Once again, I do not hide behind a nom de plume.
JR Wolfe
York
Instead of cutting county gov't to a lower level, I'd rather see expenses reduced at the school level, where about 70% of your property taxes go.
ReplyDeleteI hear teachers are holding out for a 6% raise, on top of their generous health benefits that cover an entire family. When are the teachers' union and the bosses running it going to wake up and realize the taxpayers providing their salaries are hurting, too?
Public Health Solutions District Health Deparment wants to know... WHAT DO YOU THINK SALINE COUNTIES
ReplyDeleteENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS ARE?
Saline County BASIS workgroup has identified the
following concerns for Saline County:
Waste Management
Water
Pesticide Exposure
Air Quality
Commuter Traffic
Walking/Biking Trails—
Available Greenspace—
Do you have an opinion?
Help direct funding & program development
Let us know your thoughts
contact Kim Plouzek
888-310-0565 for additional information go to
www.phsneb.org/health_planning/basiscommentboard.html
As for the comment by Vested Czech, the only way to make a decision would be to conduct a "foot traffic study" versus workload. This was done with in-house libraries located within federal agencies. Once the study was completed, many libraries were closed. Unfortunately, the internet had replaced librarians.
ReplyDeletemaybe the teachers are holding out because they are some of the lowest paid teachers in the nation.
ReplyDeletea year ago we had tons of money, and still do.....
carpeting, monuments,new furniture....
maybe someday people will realize how important teachers are
I'd like to see a return of the Dorchester street dances. Isn't there a way this could be done as a fund raiser for the fire dept.?
ReplyDeleteAlso, is there any talk among city board members about providing incentives for people to buy the commercial buildings along Main St. Seems to me the town could help pay property tax for the first five years if someone was willing to buy a building on main street for a business (not a residence like one building has been turned into).
ReplyDeleteSomething to think about.
The street dances of the past were great fun. They brought in lots of out of town people who left some of their money here. The events were well planned and everyone had a great time. But with the current sue-happy mentality that exists, it's not surprising that people are very hesitant to stick their neck out again.
ReplyDeletestreet dance would be awesome, alot of small towns have them.
ReplyDeletewhy should the govt.(town board) keep handing out freebies.
ReplyDeleteWhat ever happened to people getting out and earning and paying for what they want.
tax dollars shouldnt go to helping private businesses make it.
Property tax incentives to bring business owners to Dorchester's main street would be a GREAT THING!!! (See four comments above)
ReplyDeleteInstead, our state spends about 90% of its tax revenue for welfare, much of which goes to people who are too lazy, too unambitious to help themselves. (Food stamps, housing vouchers, child support, health care, Medicaid, etc.) People who have babies who can't afford them, people who think work is a dirty word.
Who do you think pays these welfare bills? Magic Obama? The money comes from businesses and the hardworking people they employ. This town, this county, this state NEEDS MORE JOBS. Help create them.
Don't sit around and sob like an invalid in soiled adult undergarments!!!
Ben's Iron Grill is great. It would be a winner anywhere, not just Dorchester. From one Dorchester resident to all you others, please support it.
ReplyDeletecongrats, times! 50,000 hits to your website since december is quite impressive.
ReplyDelete