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ANOTHER GOOD THING ABOUT KANSAS

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 19:12:00 GMT

THE COST OF LIVING !

We continue to control health care costs! For the fourth consecutive year we have done what other companies believe is impossible. Below is a comparison of the health care option that most PFI employees choose.

	2004	2008
Single premium	$27.00	$23.55
Emp/child(ren) premium	$50.45	$45.45
Emp/Spouse premium	$59.03	$50.63
Family premium	$73.61	$72.53
In-House Doctor	No	Yes
Deductible	$250	$200
Prescription	$10 generic/$20 brand	$15 generic/$45 brand
Max out of pocket	$1,250	$1,200
Lifetime maximum	$2 million	$5 million
Office co-pay	$20	$20
Coinsurance	80/20	80/20

This example covers the majority of our workforce and represents the overall savings for our entire Power Flame family.

Power Flame will continue to offer a discount to those employees who participate in the Power Flame wellness program. This year there will be no brown bag sessions. All employees who participate in the Wellness Fair on February 12^th or 13^th will receive a discount on their premiums. There will be an additional discount for spouses who participate in the Wellness Fair and are covered under the Power Flame health insurance program.

Additional information regarding the Wellness Fair and insurance premiums coming your way daily!

I LIKE MY JOB, AND KANSAS.

A GOOD PLACE TO LIVE, WORK, RAISE KIDS.

TRACY

Spotlight on Kansas

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 13:57:00 GMT

Monday night was a big night for the state of Kansas. From the presence of Greensburg City Manager Steve Hewitt and former Sen. Bob Dole in the first lady's VIP box to Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' response, Kansas' signature was all over the president's State of the Union address. While the national spotlight was on Kansas, it simply served to drive home what everyone in Kansas already knows.

The Midwest is known for producing hard-working people. We aren't afraid to roll up our sleeves and pitch in when times get tough. This is personified in Hewitt. After his town was destroyed by an EF-5 tornado, he rallied the residents of Greensburg to rebuild their community. He even put aside rebuilding his own home in order to rebuild his town. Even though President Bush didn't acknowledge Hewitt during his speech, his invitation was a big thank you for a job well done.

The Midwest is also known for people who will work tirelessly for their neighbors and friends. Whether it is a commitment of time or money, Kansans have always been there to help out those in need. Dole's recognition for helping improve military veterans' health care only reinforces this Midwestern value. Dole has worked his entire career to ensure that our neighbors and friends who defend us are given the best care possible. And thanks to his work we are making strides in this area.

The other value that was put on display Monday was that of leadership. Dole and Hewitt have shown great leadership is times of struggle. Kansas has always produced good leaders. Sebelius' response to the president's address was another chance to put that leadership on display. And her response was as non-traditional as a Democratic governor in a Republican state. While it remains to be seen if her words can be put into action, it would be the kind of leadership that many people in this country are looking for. It is the kind of leadership that allows a Democrat to win two terms in a state such as Kansas.

Kansans should be proud of the attention that was thrust upon the state during the State of the Union address. For those of us in Kansas, we already knew that we produce strong, caring leaders. Now the rest of the nation is clearly aware of that reputation. The challenge will be to build on that reputation.

- Darren Werth

Editor and publisher

Democratic Response

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 13:11:00 GMT

Prepared text of the Democratic response to the State of the Union address delivered Monday by Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, as provided by her office.

___

I'm Kathleen Sebelius, Governor of the State of Kansas.

And I am grateful for the opportunity to speak with you tonight.

I'm a Democrat, but tonight, it really doesn't matter whether you think of yourself as a Democrat, or a Republican,or an independent, or none of the above.

Instead, the fact you're tuning in this evening tells me each of you is, above all an American, first.

You are mothers and fathers. Grandparents and grandchildren. Working people and business-owners. Americans all.

And the American people — folks like you, and me — are not nearly as divided as our rancorous politics might suggest.

In fact, right now, tonight, as political pundits discuss the President's speech — chances are, they'll obsess over the reactions of members of Congress.

"How many times was the President interrupted by applause? Did Republicans stand? Did Democrats sit?"

And the rest of us will roll our eyes and think, "What in the world does any of that have to do with me?"

And, so, I want to take a slight detour from tradition on this State of the Union night.

In this time, normally reserved for the partisan response, I hope to offer you something more: An American response.

A national call to action on behalf of the struggling families in the heartland and across this great country. A wake-up call to Washington — on behalf of a new American majority — that time is running out on our opportunities to meet our challenges and solve our problems.

Our struggling economy requires urgent and immediate action, and then sustained attention. Families can't pay their bills. They are losing their jobs, and now are threatened with losing their homes.

We heard last week and again tonight that Congress and the president are acting quickly, on a temporary, targeted stimulus package. That is encouraging. But you and I know that a temporary fix is only the first step toward meeting our challenges and solving our problems.

There is a chance Mr. President, in the next 357 days, to get real results, and give the American people renewed optimism that their challenges are the top priority. Working together, working hard, committing to results, we can get the job done.

In fact, over the last year, the Democratic majority in Congress has begun to move us in the right direction — with bipartisan action to strengthen our national security, raise the minimum wage and reduce the costs of college loans.

These are encouraging first steps. But there is still more to be done.

And, so we ask you, Mr. President — will you join us? Let's get to work.

We know that we are stronger as a nation when our people have access to the highest quality, most affordable health care. When our businesses can compete in the global marketplace without the burden of rising health care costs here at home.

We know that caring for our children, so they have a healthy and better start in life, is what grownups do. Governors in both parties, and a large majority of the Congress are ready, right now, to provide health care to 10 million American children, as a first step in overhauling our health care system.

Join us, Mr. President, sign the bill and let's get to work.

Sitting with the first lady tonight was Steve Hewitt, the city manager of Greensburg, Kan. Many of you remember Greensburg — our town nearly destroyed by a tornado last year.

Thanks to Steve's efforts, and hundreds of others in our state, and across the country, Greensburg will recover. Folks rolled up their sleeves and got to work, and local, state and federal governments assisted in the effort.

But more than just recover — the Kansans who live in Greensburg are building green — rebuilding a better community for their children and grandchildren; making shared sacrifices, and investments for the next generation.

Greensburg is not alone. You and I stand ready — ready to protect our environment for future generations and stay economically competitive. Mayors have committed their cities to going green; governors have joined together, leading efforts for energy security and independence; and the majority in Congress is ready to tackle the challenge of reducing global warming and creating a new energy future for America.

So we ask you, Mr. President, will you join us? It's time to get to work.

Here in the heartland, we honor and respect military service. We appreciate the enormous sacrifices made by soldiers and their families.

As governor of Kansas, I am the commander in chief of our National Guard. Over the past five years, I have seen thousands of soldiers deployed from Kansas. I've visited our troops in Iraq; attended funerals and comforted families; and seen the impact at home of the war being waged.

We stand ready in the heartland and across this country, to join forces with peace-loving nations across the globe and to fight the war against terrorists, wherever they may strike. But our capable and dedicated soldiers can't solve the political disputes where they are, and can't focus on the real enemies elsewhere.

The new Democratic majority of Congress and the vast majority of Americans are ready — ready to chart a new course. If more Republicans in Congress stand with us this year, we won't have to wait for a new President to restore America's role in the world, and fight a more effective war on terror.

The last five years have cost us dearly — in lives lost; in thousands of wounded warriors whose futures may never be the same; in challenges not met here at home because our resources were committed elsewhere. America's foreign policy has left us with fewer allies and more enemies.

Join us, Mr. President, and working together with Congress to make tough, smart decisions; we will regain our standing in the world and protect our people and our interests.

I know government can work to benefit the people we serve, because I see it every day, not only here in Kansas, but in states across the country. I know government can work, Mr. President, because like you, I grew up in a family committed to public service. My father and my father-in-law both served in Congress — one a Republican and one a Democrat. They had far more in common than the issues that divided them — a love for their country that led them from military service to public service. A lifetime of working for the common good, making sacrifices so their children and grandchildren could have a better future.

They are called "the Greatest Generation." But I believe, like parents across America, that our greatest generations are still to come. That we must chart a new course, at home and abroad, to give our future greatest generations all the opportunities our parents gave us.

These are uncertain times, but with strength and determination, we can meet the challenges together. If Washington can work together, so quickly, on a short-term fix for families caught in the financial squeeze, then we can work together to transform America.

In these difficult times — the American people aren't afraid to face difficult choices.

But, we have no more patience for divisive politics.

Tonight's address begins the final year of this presidency, with new leaders on the horizon and uncertainty throughout our land. Conditions we face, at home and abroad, are results of choices made and challenges unmet.

In spite of the attempts to convince us that we are divided as a people, a new American majority has come together. We are tired of leaders who rather than asking what we can do for our country, ask nothing of us at all.

We are Americans sharing a belief in something greater than ourselves, a nation coming together to meet challenges and find solutions; to share sacrifices and share prosperity; and focus, once again, not only on the individual good but on the common good.

On behalf of the new American majority — the majority of elected officials at the national, state and local level, and the majority of Americans, we ask you, Mr. President, to join us. We are ready to work together, to be the America we have been — and can be once again.

Thank you for listening. God bless and sleep well. And in the morning, let's get to work.

Local group wants to open homeless shelter

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 21:04:00 GMT

Good evening fans of mediocrity.

Mr. Mediocrity has been quite busy all week, thus the light blogging.

In any case, this (below) sounds like a worthy cause. Think I might check into this, as I haven't been doing any volunteer/mission work for a while.

By Jamie Willey

Parsons Sun

About a dozen people have formed a faith-based group in Parsons that plans to establish a homeless shelter in the city.

The group, which calls itself Safehaven, is non-profit and non-denominational, Melissa Brown of Parsons told city commissioners Tuesday evening.

Brown said Safehaven wants to take people off the streets, but it also wants to reach beyond that. She said the National Coalition for the Homeless expands on the definition of homelessness for rural areas such as Parsons. Homelessness can consist of too many families trying to live in a house not meant for so many people. Brown said Safehaven would work to help those people as well.

Besides providing shelter, Brown said Safehaven plans to take the people it serves to job interviews and inform them of the resources in LabetteCounty that could help them get on their feet.

"We want to be a hand up, and not a handout," Brown said.

Brown said Safehaven was not seeking money from the city, but may do so in the future. Instead, she said the group is looking for support from the city commission and from the community. She said the group could use the prayers of the community as well as volunteers.

Safehaven has no facility in mind yet, but is looking for a two-story house that would allow males and females to be separated.

Commissioner Bob Bartelli said the commission would support Safehaven's plans.

"It sounds like a good thing, and it says something about our community that you care and you want to reach out to those less fortunate," Mayor Tom Shaw said.

Brown said Safehaven would keep the commission abreast of future developments.

Magazine publishes LCC teacher's article

Mon, 21 Jan 2008 15:22:00 GMT

Labette Community College history instructor John Mack was published in this month's Kansas History magazine.

The article entitled "United We Stand: Law and Order on the Southeastern Kansas Frontier, 1866-1870" focuses on how after the Civil War thousands of settlers poured into Southeast Kansas seeking new opportunities for economic success that had, perhaps, eluded them back east.

In Mack's article, he discusses that from the settlers' perspective, this was still a raw frontier land, and facing political and legal uncertainty, they looked to each other for sustenance, support and strength. Acutely conscious of their vulnerability, settlers created extra-legal cooperative clubs and committees by which they defended their nascent communities against those intent on circumventing the law.

Mack examines the formation of these extra-legal committees by explicating the cultural values that supported their attempts to establish ordered communities on the southeastern Kansas frontier.

"From the vantage point of twenty-first-century social norms," concludes professor Mack, "these settlers were taking the law into their own hands. . . . [but] they viewed their actions differently."

If the legally constituted authorities could not insure "social order," the settlers would do so themselves. "Any assault on their property or their families was a direct attack on the social order they were seeking to establish and neither would nor could be tolerated."

The article can be found on the Kansas History website at www.kshs.org.

KANSANS ARE GOOD PEOPLE

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 12:12:00 GMT

Customer gives $400 tip to help buy books

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., Jan. 17 (UPI) -- A customer at a Kansas restaurant left a $400 tip for a waitress who had been talking to a co-worker about her problems paying for college textbooks.

Marlena Hayes told KMBC-TV in Kansas City that her benefactor, a woman who had been eating at Mimi's Cafe in Overland Park with two small children, also left a note Tuesday that said, "Good luck with school." Hayes said she was shocked when she discovered the size of the tip.

"One of my co-workers was actually holding me, I was shaking," she said. "I was just so touched and overwhelmed."

Hayes said that, for the first time in two months, she went to sleep without worrying about money.

(continued)

Sebelius to deliver Democrats response....

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 13:45:00 GMT

....to Bushs State of the Union

By STEVE KRASKE
The Kansas City Star

Come on down, Kathleen Sebelius.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced Tuesday that she had plucked the Kansas governor out of the national mass of Democrats to deliver the party’s response to President Bush’s State of the Union address on Jan. 28.

Sebelius’ talk will last no more than 10 minutes and will follow the president’s final annual address to Congress. Instead of flying to Washington, she plans to deliver it from Cedar Crest, the governor’s mansion in west Topeka.

“Wowwww,” said political scientist Bob Beatty of Washburn University in Topeka. “This is a big deal.”

Sebelius spokeswoman Nicole Corcoran said the governor would have full control over the message’s content.

She was asked last week. As of Tuesday, she had not yet begun to prepare her remarks because of other pressing matters on her plate: identifying a successor to outgoing Attorney General Paul Morrison and delivering her sixth State of the State speech Monday night.

Democrats hailed the news as yet another sign of a rising national profile.

“I’m pretty pleased with it,” said Kansas Democratic Party Chairman Larry Gates. “It gives the rest of the country an opportunity to see what we Kansans see every day — somebody who is not afraid to jump in and roll up her sleeves and work across party lines and get things done.”

Elected to two terms in a heavily GOP state, Sebelius is hailed as one who can bridge the partisan divide. She’s been suggested as a potential vice-presidential nominee or a Cabinet member.

“It confirms what many of us have been observing for a long time now, and that is that Sebelius is playing to a Washington, D.C., audience with a lot of her moves,” said Kansas GOP Chairman Kris Kobach.

He pointed to the Sebelius administration’s rejection of a coal plant in western Kansas. He said that decision was aimed at satisfying “the global warming contingent” of the Democratic Party and not residents of western Kansas who were eager for the 2,400 jobs the plant would have created.

Last year, Sen. James Webb of Virginia had a feisty response to Bush, saying at one point, “We need a new direction.”

Sebelius, however, is not known for fiery rhetoric, and her address probably will carry a far different tone.

She suggested as much with a statement that Americans “expect their leaders to resolve their differences and put partisanship on the back burner …

“That is exactly the kind of leadership we’ve demonstrated in Kansas.”

Kobach said Sebelius will have to pick up the rhetorical pace when she speaks before the nation, saying that Monday night’s State of the State address was “rather lackluster.”

Beatty said the speech is destined to “substantially” raise Sebelius’ national profile. “Most Americans,” he said, “don’t know who she is.”

Gates isn’t worried: “I’m very comfortable that she’ll handle it very well.”

WELCOME TO MEDIOCRITY

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 16:02:00 GMT

Entry Word: mediocre

Function: adjective

1) of average to below average quality <your grades are mediocre and barely acceptable>

2) Synonyms: common, fair, indifferent, medium, middling, ordinary, passable, run-of-the-mill, second-rate, so-so

3) Related Words: acceptable, adequate, all right, alright, decent, OK (or okay), reasonable, satisfactory, sufficient, sufficing, tolerable; moderate, modest; presentable, respectable; minimal, unexceptional; fine, good, nice

I'm still looking for you! ~Tracy