The Salina Journal from Salina, Kansas • Page 8

"Down fo our fast chicken and cow Budget-figuring is painful city of Saline By Karen Black Something like the social atmosphere at a funeral is creeping into Satina city offices these days. Officials and department heads have little appetite for what they've been doing since June 1 reviewing preliminary requests for the 1972 Salina budget. The word at city hall is "We can't afford it." Most officials concede that 1972 will be a tight year, and that 1973 will be even worse. There simply is not going to be enough money for the capital expenditures city officials say they should be making. Cuff stuff Potud for pound, the 3 sons of Mr.

and Mrs. Cecil Denning, 621 State, have been like peas in a pod. Mrs: Denning was reminded of that this week when the couple's third son was born. The infant, who hasn't been named were expecting a girl and didn't have a boy's name picked weighed 8 8 oz. when he was born Wednesday.

In 1968, Mrs. Denning gave birth to David, who weighed 8 8 oz. And the couple's first son, Kenneth, born in 1966, also weighed 8 oz. Sometimes a friendly dog can be just a bit too friendly. Like when it jumps up to greet a human pal who is preoccupied with trying to keep a bicycle balanced.

Elgin L. Myers, 1208 Indian Rock Lane, paid the price of friendship Friday afternoon when he was treated at Asbury hospital for scrapes on his forehead, temple, cheek, jaw and left shoulder. Police said Elgin was riding past the home of Robert H. Steele, 1109 Indian Rock Lane, while Steele was walking his dog. The animal's friendly greeting toppled Elgin from his bicycle.

4H ranch building contract signed JUNCTION CITY, Kaii. AP) A 'contract for- the 1600,000 state 4-H citizenship building at Rock Springs Ranch south of here was signed Friday by the chairman of the Kansas 4-H Foundation, Dolph Simons Lawrence. The new citizenship center, which is scheduled to be completed by the summer of 1972, "will provide a place for Kansas youths, regardless of whether they belong to the 4-H Club, to meet and study the principles of citizenship which have made this country great and will continue to make it greater," said J. Harold Johnson, executive director of the foundation. The contract signing came during the "Friends of 4-H Day" observance at the center.

Two names were added to the 4-H "Wall -of Fame" in the William Hall dining room at the ranch. They were L.R. Quinlan, professor emeritus of landscape architecture at Kansas State University, and the late Fred Wilson, Andoyer banker and farmer, who were honored for their years of service to 4-H Club work. Murder charge dismissed, refiled Judge William C. O'Keefe, of Geary county probate court, dismissed without prejudice Friday afternoon a charge of first-degree murder filed against former Salinan Eric Graves.

26. Graves had been charged in connection with the death of Pfc. Fleming Murray, Ft. Riley. who was found dead on a sidewalk near the edge of Junction City's business district.

Police said he had been shot once in the head with a small-caliber pistol. The State of Kansas has refiled the first degree murder charges against Graves. He is awaiting arraignment in Geary county jail under $20,000 bond. Judge O'Keefe said the first charge was dismissed because no autoposy report was introduced at the hearing, and the cause of death could not be shown conclusively. Salinans picked resident advisers Douglas Newland, 1023 Scott, Stan Wenger, 2041 Highland, and Paula Holmquist, Smolan, have been elected residence hall staff members for the 1971-1972 academic year at Kansas State university.

As resident advisers, they will aid fellow students in academic and social areas. RA's chosen by students, residence hall staffs awl hall student governments. Wenger, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert D.

Wenfer, will be a graduate student in mechanical engineering. Miss Holmquist, daughter of Mr. arid Mrs. Evan Holmquist, will be a junior in clothing retailing. New- Und, chosen as an alternate, is the son of Virgil A.

Newland. He will be a graduate stedent in agricultural economics. The city is not quite financially strapped, but its wallet isn't exactly flush, either. Complex pressures are squeezing the city's financial resources. First, with every other city, county and school district, Salina must live for at least another 2 years under a spending and taxing lid imposed last year by the Kansas Legislature.

The lid does not allow local governments to spend more than. 105 percent of general operating revenue in the preceding year. It also limits the total amount of local property taxes which can be levied. The lid will not be lifted until at least after the 1973 budget year. The lid on local spending does not account for inflation in the costs the city must bear when it buys equipment, supplies and services.

The bills for everything, from paper to nursery stock for the parks to street maintenance materials, are going up. So are contractors' prices for public works jobs. And city employes, with those in private business, like cost-of-living raises. Running Salina is an expensive operation more than $5.8 million this year. Because of the spending Hd, Salina's 1972 general operating budget can increase by only $128,000 above the present year.

In preliminary budget sessions which will continue this week, department heads are juggling figures and priorities to make ends meet. In addition to the spending lid and inflationary operating costs, the city also is faced with a possibly crippling loss in assessed valuation. On May 28, Saline county commissioners passed a resolution cutting 10 percent from the valuation of all lots and land in Saline county. The county-wide valuation loss is $1,680,000. More than 50 percent of the loss $913,906 is within the city limits of Salina.

Another $71,100 in valuation has been lost as private property in the northeast industrial park area has been acquired by the Salina Urban Renewal agency. And earlier this year, the state board of tax appeals ordered Salina Airport Authority property, with a valuation of more than $400,000, removed from the tax rolls. Some of this loss will be recovered from increased personal property valuations and the addition of new construction and real estate improvements. But until the 1971 valuation abstract is prepared, the city does not know how much taxable valuation will be added in those categories. The city's tangible valuation last year was 163,125,667.

Don Harrison, city clerk, predicts that, through losses and reductions in valuation, Salina's tax base for the 1971 levy may fali below 1969 levels. Valuation is the source of local property tax dollars which finance government operation. Local tax levies are set to produce the money government needs. One tax mill provides $1 for every $1000 assessed valuation. Like the water table When valuation is reduced, it's like the water table which drops beneath irrigated fields.

The source of revenue diminishes. The farmer runs his irrigation pumps longer or prays for rain when the well is running dry. Cities raise their levies to offset the valuation loss. For example, on a 1-mill levy, the city would get $1 from a taxpayer Salina bankers deny claim they discriminate against mi Salina's financial institutions discriminated against minority businessmen by setting unofficial "ceilings" on the amount of money they can borrow? Yes, says Vernon A. Tolbert, director of the Wichita branch of the Kansas Office of Minority Business Enterprise.

No, say local bankers. Tolbert, in Salina Saturday to conduct a seminar on minority business opportunities, said in an interview, "Many blacks feel the lending institutions are so bigoted they've given up hope or even applying for loans. "There are limits on what minority persons can borrow here." Local bank officials denied the charges. "That's absolutely untrue," said Gerald Shadwick, president of the First National Bank and Trust Co. "In cooperating with the Small Business administration, we go out of our way to help minority businessmen." R.

H. Zimmerman, president of the First State Bank and Trust echoed Shadwick's remarks. "There's no thought given to race in discussing a loan, pur loans are given on the basis of feasibility, management and "We have made minority business loans," Zimmerman added. "We have turned some down, too, but we've turned down loans for others as well." C. Delbert Miller, Planters State Bank president, and C.

N. Hoffman, National Bank of America president, also commented. "I vigorously deny this statement," Hoffman said. "We treat everyone equally." "Go beyond" position in the cases of minority persons has often been to go beyond what we would ordinarily do," Miller said. "But, no matter who it is, certain standards must be met before loans are given." Although money is a problem for minority persons who want to start businesses, it isn't the OMBE's major headache.

"Our major problems are just having the facilities to make more people aware of the many opportunities available to them and getting the conservative majority to come out of their complacency and participate," Tolbert said. One of the OMBE's jobs is helping put together business packages which will attract government and private fund sources, "In business, if you have the vehicle and talent, it's not too hard to get money," Tolbert said. "What is hard is finding where the money is." The OMBE offices in Wichita, Topeka and Kansas City have come up with financial backing to the tune of $300,000 in the last 4 months for fledgling minority businesses across the state. The Wichita office opened in August, 1970, but several months were spent in organizing and planning before fund-seeking started. OMBE was created in 1969 on the national level.

All types of businesses are being started with OMBE's help, but the trend is away from service occupations. "We've had a real fill of them," Tolbert said. "They don't lead anywhere. We're getting more into retail sales, manufacturing and production." Most of the OMBE-supported businesses which have opened so far have been successful, Tolbert said. Separate dreamer, doer "Our job is to separate the dreamer from the doer," Tolbert said.

"We package businesses and locate funds. This is not a talk program. We're all action." Another part of the OMBE's work in Kansas is in supplying minority businesses and industries with expert help in such areas as law and accounting. The "Big Brother" system; which utilizes trained, established professionals on a consulting basis, has proved to be successful, Tolbert said. In Salina, however, the few minority- owned businesses which have been started are small and underfunded, he added.

"There's something wrong with the leadership," Tolbert said. "This shouldn't be. There's no real communication with financial institutions and businessmen who should be interested. Minorities must get into the Firemen's petition hearing is set Hearing on a mandamus petition to reinstate 3 ex-Salina firemen.in their jobs is scheduled to begin at 9:30 am Monday in Saline county district court. Attorneys for the former firemen and the city of Salina are to argue before Judge Ray Haggart.

The ex-firemen, Keith Armstrong, Jack Gray and James R. Martin, allege they lost their jobs because of union activities. They filed the mandamus action against the city of Salina and Norris Olson, city manager, in January. Defections rise OTTAWA (AP) The immigration department recorded 62 defections to Canada from Communist ships and airplanes in the first five months of 1971. In all 1970, 50 similar defections were recorded.

Cadet Lawman A group of 44 high school boys will converge on Highway Patrol Division 2 headquarters Sunday to begin the 3rd annual Cadet Lawmen Academy. The boys all have completed their junior years at high schools throughout the state. The academy is co-sponsored by the Highway Patrol and the American Legion. The cadets will receive what essentially is the standard Highway Patrol training course telescoped into one week's time. Subject matter includes history of law enforcement in Kansas and of the patrol, police relations, functions of the Kansas and Federal Bureaus of Investigation and the National Crime Information Center, operation of equipment such as VASCAR which catches speeders and the gas chromatograph which is a device to test drunkenness, first aid, self defense, firearms and high-performance defensive driving.

Miller may speak Attorney General Vern Miller or a representative from his office is scheduled to speak on philosophy of law enforcement. One Salina youth, James Pierce Weisger- school to open her, son of city commissioner Jack Weisgerber, is among the cadets. Each cadet is sponsored by his local American Legion post. Nine area youths are attending. They are James Dewey Adams, Courtland; Lee Kenneth Ankeman, Norton; Morgan Christopher Bailey, Miltonvale; John Beer, Natoma; James Leonard Melby, Scandia; Robert E.

Meyn, Hanover; Patrick Evan Miracle, Lindsborg; Marvin Joseph Neuschafer, Enterprise, and Ronald Lynn Toman, Holyrood. Other cadets are: Thomas Charles Arehart, Shawnee; Laurence W. Breedlove Pi Mr; Michael D. Brouftard Andover; Jerry Wayne Collins, Waverly; Dan Cox Change; Peter N. Davis.

Belle Plafne; George Arthur Edwards, Topeka; Stephen W. Frye, Niotaze; Georoe Gallion Garden City; Bruce Ktnneth Gifford, Lawrence i ri ear1 Glenn Nev 0n; Gr nt Hardtner; X. wrer LeeHelserman, Law- Kent K.hnerf, Lyons; Ron James Karlin, Hut- ctimson, Harry W. Kassner, Sedgwick; David Kimble Kinsl Jsson UJaII; Brad Mor Dwi 9 ht; Hugoton; Tim Alan Oxandle. Efie; hn L.

$elr Harold Dean Phili Kansas City; Jim P. Sul- Deu 1 economical mainstream to get any type of Approximately 40 persons attended the seminar Saturday at the Cavalier Court. Speakers included Salina Mayor Robert Caldwell, U.L. "Rip" Gooch, president'of Aero Services Wichita; Clarence Wesley, manager of community development and human resources at the Wichita Chamber of Commerce; John R. Kupfer, trade specialist for OMBE, Kansas City, and Jim Green and Jack Deenihan, loan officers from the Small Business Administration.

"We've got concerned people in town that are always willing to help minorities," Caldwell said. "We need the whites and the whites need us." The top amount which can be loaned by the SBA is $25,000, Green said. Interest rate on EOL loans is percent with a limit of 15 years to pay. Working capital can be loaned for up to 10 years. "You also have 4 good participating bankers who have participated in SBA programs in the Salina area," Green said.

Generally, EOL loans require the businessman to supply 20 percent of the total Regular loans require from 40 to-60 percent. Virtually all retail, service, wholesale and manufacturing businesses are eligible for SBA loans. The SBA will not loan to farmers, real estate agencies or other investment or speculative businesses, Green said. Gooch urged minority persons to become involved in manufacturing enterprises. "We have got to produce something.

We have been exploited all our lives in manufacturing." Sebelius asks "Day of Bread" WASHINGTON B.C. Congressman Keith Sebelius introduced a joint resolution Thursday designating a "Day of Bread" and Week" on a permanent basis. He was joined by 15 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives. The of Bread" acknowledges the role played by wheat and its products in feeding mankind throughout the world. Congressman Sebelius said the first Tues-day following the first Sunday of October of each year would be designated a "Day of Bread" and the week itself a period of "Harvest The resolution also calls for the President to issue an annual proclamation calling for the people of the United States to join with the people of other nations in observing the ceremonies.

"Bread has long been the symbol of the harvest of all crops and of food itself. Its meaning is expressed in prayer and in ceremony and ritual throughout the modern world. Perhaps by. joining in an international celebration of this kind we can better work for peace in a troubled and hungry Sebelius said. The "Day of Bread" this year falls on Tuesday, Oct.

5, and will be acknowledged by Congress and by activities sponsored by the "National Day of Bread KSU scholarship to Steve Swander Steven R. Swander, 905 Windsor, has been awarded a J. 0. Hamilton memorial scholarship to Kansas State university. Hamilton scholarship awards, named after the head of the KSU physics department from 1907-37, are made to engineering or physics students.

Eleven scholarships were awarded Friday, valued at $3500. Other area scholarship winners are: Kenneth K. Kellogg, Phillipsburg; Jay L. Shorney, Narka, and Tommy Joe Taylor, Goodland. Active oldster AUCKLAND (AP) Bill Aitkenhead, 75,.

walked the length of New miles-- in 87 days. He said he hopes to repeat the trek at age 80. with a tot valued for tax purposes at $1000. If the valuation dropped and the levy did not change, the city would get only 50 cents. To receive $1 on $500 valuation, the city would have to increase its mill levy.

Bat Saliaa's case, becaue a charter flrtiuace limituf the general fud levy, that may aot possible. Without changing the ordinance, the city's general fund levy cannot exceed 20 mills. The levy was above 18 mills last year, and Harrison predicts it will approach the limit this year. Because of the 60-day waiting period before charter ordinances take effect, commissioners cannot raise the limit this year before the budget deadline, Aug. 25.

"If we plan to spend the maximum we can spend next year, even under the 105 percent limit, Salina probably is not going to have enough money," Harrison predicts. Harrison, with Bill Harris, director of administration, and Mel Abbott, city treasurer, are reviewing the preliminary departmental budget requests before they are presented to Norris Olson; city manager, at the end of this week. Not much choice "There isn't much choice about the budg- et this year," Harrison said. "There isn't a department that doesn't need equipment -police, fire, name it. But there isn't any.

way we can fill air the budget requests." In the long run, Harrison said, such delays will be even more costly for the' city. Prices will increase and equipment wjll wear out until sizable cash outlays are inevitable. There's also the possibility that the city may have to cut back on its services. And no one is guaranteeing, that the budget will stand even the price of a cost-of-living salary increase for employes. Prospects may brighten before July 19, when' the 1972 budget is to be formally presented to city commissioners.

But right now the outlook is glum. i "We are," said one city official, "like the family that's down to its last chicken and cow. When that runs out, what are we going todo?" His all for his art Rick Wilson's crowning glory, the modishly long locks, will soon disappear. Rick, 17-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs.

R. O. Wilson, 312 E. Parkway, is member of Silver Sabre drum and bugle corps and corps dis- cipline says no long hair. So off it comes.

Incidentally, Sabres are practicing at their field at Salina airport for competitive season opening later this month. (Journal Photo) Burr Oak centennial message carried by historic riders More than 700 letters, going to'addressees in 31 states, will arrive at destinations next week bearing the historic Pony Express imprint. They were carried 10 miles on horseback early Saturday, from North Branch to Burr Oak, as part of Burr Oak's centennial festivities. The Burr Oak post office broke out the stamp to commemorate the occasion. Two riders, Dale Jeffery and Robert M.

Korb, took part in the re-creation, highlight of the centennial festival. Although the original Pony Express lasted only 4 years, the daring exploits of its mounted couriers have become a part of the history of the Old West. Authentic U.S. postal officials loaned the centennial committee one of the saddlebags used by the original Pony Express riders. The 10-mile route was certified for the day as an official postal route, and the riders were sworn in as couriers for the one-way trip.

Nearly 1500 people had arrived in Burr Oak for the centennial celebration by Saturday noon, according to Mayor Lyle Wood, and more were expected that evening, after the day's planting was over on area farms. Burr Oak's population is slightly over 400. Works of many local artists are on display during the birthday celebration, and "every window in town" boasts some kind of centennial artwork, according to Wood. Most storefronts house displays illustrating chapters in Burr Oak history, including some 60- year-old photographs of the town and its citizens. Do you need another employe? Hundreds of readers are looking through the classified ads every day.

Phone TA 3-6363 and an ad- taker will help you with your ad. Happy shopper Pat Mettner, assistant manager at Duckwall store in Sunset Plaza, awards $10 bill to Mrs. LeJand Tinkler, 865 Merrill, as The Salina Jour- nal's Happy Shopper of the Mrs. Tinkler is holding 16-month-old i daughter, Karla. (Journal Photo) i.