In answer to your questions
As a novice newspaper person I am often flummoxed by some of the things this business throws at me. I may have mentioned this fact 50 or 80 times before, but bear with me. I am going to mention it again.
The number of people who have asked about past opinions and editorials often amazes me. Sheesh, and here I thought you either weren't reading them or you weren't paying attention. It's not like I announced that there would be a quiz about them or anything. But here are some updates to your questions and comments.
A number of months ago I did an opinion piece about my sister being diagnosed with breast cancer. The gist of the column was to encourage my female readers to get regular exams and be vigilant. What I was not prepared for was the number of people who have since asked about her and have expressed their concern. Thanks so much, I appreciate each of you. With the Wednesday publication of this paper Karen will go in for her final chemotherapy treatment. She will have to wait several weeks to find out when she begins radiation, but she is hoping to be through by Christmas. She is doing well. She chose an aggressive protocol and is lucky to have an understanding and knowledgeable medical team behind her. She lost her hair of course, but with good information and new medication has had minimal negative side effects. She has an exceptional attitude and outlook on her future. Her faith has not wavered. Thanks for asking.
Answers to repeated questions about other topics about which I have written:
Yes, you do have to sign your name on your letter to the editor. And yes, the deadline is noon on Monday for EVERYTHING.
Yes, OK, its true, I already admitted it — John Mellot and I were the most obnoxious PHS fans in the stands for years in the 1980s. The reason we were able to get away with it is because there was no "sportsmanship" policy for fans at high school games back then. And we made the most of it. We were awful, horrible, despicable, now give it up! Neither one of us would act that way today. Well, at least I wouldn't
No, I don't yet know who the top 100 athletes in Marion County might be. It is my understanding that there were about 300 nominations and a "panel of judges" (no, I don't know who they are) is currently making the cuts to cull the group to 100. You will read it in this newspaper as soon as a decision is made.
To those of you who signed the petition to have changes made at the intersection of U.S.-50/77 at Florence, thank you. Yes, I believe your signature did make a difference. Several legislators contacted Rick Burcky who maintains the web site that sponsored the petition. They took the time to look at the situation and find out the facts. You got their attention. That is impressive.
The Kansas Department of Transportation announced two weeks ago that it will install a roundabout at the intersection. Deb Miller, head of KDOT, and members of her staff met with the Florence city council and interested citizens to make the announcement in Florence. I know that many of you who signed the petition are Peabody Gazette-Bulletin readers who live elsewhere. You responded because of the editorials we ran about the intersection after two teenage girls from Marion were killed there in July. Many of you added comments about your own experiences there and your concerns for family and friends who still drive through it. You really made a difference — more of a difference than I thought possible when the petition first went on line. Thank you all.
So there you have it. Keep those comments and questions coming. It makes me feel better to know that someone actually reads this column.
— SUSAN MARSHALL
