County officials are "recommending" that everyone who lives or works outside city limits in Barton County should "post and maintain 911 locator signage."

That decision was reached following lengthy discussion this past week.

The discussion involved whether the county should "recommend" establishing the signs or whether the county should require it. And if the county should require the signs, what should the penalty be when signs are not established?

The importance of 911 locator signs involves getting emergency help where it is needed as quickly as possible, and it is important that people outside "all corporate city limits" in the county use that 911 designation, rather than continuing city addresses outside city limits.

Besides the discussion of county enforcement, the issue that was raised was one of getting emergency personnel to the point where they are needed when moments count.

And it was suggested that the moments that count and that get wasted with faulty signage could well involve the next emergency call, that gets held back because the personnel get tied up on a previous call where an address cannot be located.

The proper placement and maintenance of 911 locator information is vital in the rural areas, it was stressed.

Also this week, the commissioners recognized a group of Claflin sixth grade students who were chosen from those who recently completed a DARE program.

Sgt. Brad Patzner, Sgt. Dave Smith and Deputy Bennet Shumate conduct the DARE classes for the Barton County Sheriff’s Office at Claflin, Holy Family and Hoisington grade schools and at Great Bend Middle School.

Patzner brought Claflin students, Kirsten Gunder, Keeley Hipp, Kylie Holmes, James Radenberg and Janae Ryan to the commission meeting to present their DARE essays, and the students received certificates of appreciation from the commissioners.