Opinions

This weekend, Congress narrowly avoided a government shutdown. After a turbulent week, the House of Representatives passed a short-term bipartisan spending bill. The Senate approved the bill hours before the deadline of October 1.

The time has come and for the love of God, I just really want to shave my face. You see, last September the Central City softball team went on a run and out of superstition and support I decided that I would not shave my face.

The power to tax is the power to destroy,” said U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall who served from 1801 to 1835. With the state and federal government growing every year, the need for more of your money grows as well! This reality becomes even more disturbing when the government’s version of values and ethics runs counter to one’s own beliefs and morals. In fact, as Thomas Jefferson said, “To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.”

We are now a few weeks into the school year and more than halfway through the first quarter. Students should be becoming familiar with the routines and expectations that are needed to be successful in their new grade level.

In the word’s of War, why can’t we be friends? Now I’m sure that song has some deeper meaning that I have never cared to research because it came out well before I was born. For me though that is the song that is the soundtrack to all the conflict in my life.

Loren Lippincott, District 34 Senator Learning to discern There’s an old maxim that says “there are two sides to every story.” In fact it’s so old it can be found in the Bible, although not in so many words. Proverbs 18:17 says, “The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.” In other words, if you only hear half the story it seems to ring true until the other side is presented to shed more light on the situation.

The Bison Afterschool Program began six years ago with the mission to “promote healthy choices and love for learning in a positive environment of cooperation and support.” If you ever have an opportunity to visit the afterschool program (and we hope you do), you will see that mission on display through the smiles and enthusiasm of our students. You will see kids who are actively engaged in hands-on learning, physical fitness, and cooperative games. You will see them enjoying a healthy snack, interacting with caring adults, and learning from our presenters and from one another. None of this is possible without tremendous support from our community. We are incredibly grateful for all of the grants and donations that have helped make this program possible, and, of course, we could not offer this program without the teachers, paras, and volunteers who are willing to invest their time for our kids. From the start, the aim has been to bring members of our community together to work with our students on a regular basis in a safe, educational, and engaging environment, and we continue to pursue that goal.

As September ends we have October to prepare for as nothing wants to wait. As a chamber we are always looking forward in order to promote upcoming events. Next week will be the return of our semi-annual Small Town Market Days from October 5-7. Central City businesses are preparing for shoppers to come for some retail therapy! Check out the flyer in this week’s paper for places to shop, dine and explore right here in Central City. Remember your Bison Bucks! This is a great time to support local and spend them at your favorite chamber business.

Cross County, a sport that I may never understand, but will always appreciate. Last Thursday I headed to Valley View with my sons to watch the Roger “Bumps” Nielsen Central City Invitational and it was great to see both Bumps and Mrs. Nielsen! It was also extremely special to see the Central City and Nebraska Christian girls teams come together to share a moment before they ran. Made this Central City native so darn proud.