The Kansas Legislature opened its 2014 90-day session Monday with a lot on its collective mind. There are new faces in the House and nervousness about a yet-unseen ruling from the state Supreme Court on education funding.
There are also other unresolved issues hanging over lawmakers heads following the contentious and unproductive 2013. Further more, all statewide offices are on the ballot this year, as well as all 125 seats in the House.
One headline predicted more of the same this year. With political infighting and officials worrying about an election, this unfortunate prophecy may come to pass.
Enter the Barton County Commission. At its meeting Monday morning, the Commission selected a new chairman, Kenny Schremmer, and a new chairman pro tem, Jennifer Schartz.
Before passing the gavel to Schremmer, outgoing Chairman Don Cates offered observations over his term at the helm of the commission. “Time flies when you are having fun,” he said.
Admittedly, not all the commissioners agreed on every issue, he said. That is to be expected with a governing body made up of independent thinkers.
They may have disagreed, but moved on and remained friends. In the end, they all have the best interest of the county at heart and respected one another.
“We continue to be in good shape and we don’t have any debt,” Cates said, eying the last year.
 He wrapped up his remarks by saying how wonderful it would be if state and federal lawmakers could say the same.
We can only hope those in Topeka, as well as in Washington,D.C., heard Cates’ statement. They could learn a lesson or two.
Dale Hogg