Dear editor,
The comment was made that we were probably going to be in a recession yet this year. I think it looks like a depression now in southeastern Kansas.
Look at all the businesses that have left or went broke in Iola: Town & Country Supermarket, Litwins, The Greenery, Herff Jones (150 employees), Western Auto, Sears, Diebolt Lumber, Save a Lot in Chanute and Coffeyville, Rons IGA in Chanute, Moons IGA in Humboldt and LaCygne.
Yes, I can name over 20 large supermarkets in southeast Kansas that have folded up, including four Food for Less Dillons in Emporia and Genes IGA in Fort Scott.
I see that they sold 30 houses at the sheriffs sale last year. Almost every newspaper lists houses being foreclosed by some out of town bank.
I really commend Iola for the programs and help that people are receiving with food, housing and feeding programs for our children. These programs are desperately needed.
I know a lot of people fall through the cracks, and we do our best, but I see a man sleeping in his truck all winter with no heat. There are two houses with no gas and two families living in each.
Three families this last week alone crying to borrow money for food. A family with a 12-year-old daughter getting utilities shut off. We have taken care of this matter.
I am sorry, we have more taxes than we can afford, but teachers need higher pay. How can we say we need new schools at this time? I agree we need to protect our childrens education. Their minds are very important to us all.
This needs to be carefully thought out.
Concerned,
Raymond E. Cooper,
Iola, Kan.
