Support from Mother Nature, judges welcome

Support from judges

If you haven't yet read the letter from Lancaster County's District Judges, which appeared on page 2 of Tuesday's Gazette, please take the time to do so.

It's a masterpiece of support, spelling out in clear and logical terms why the Work Ethic Camp in McCook should be kept open.

In the heart of their message, the judges declare, "To be clear, the persons sentenced to the Work Ethic Camp are there because the judge has already decided that the defendant will not succeed on probation; even intensified supervised probation. Work Ethic Camp for these individuals is clearly a better alternative than prison, where the likelihood of re-offending is well in excess of 50 percent. Without WEC, there is little chance to break the re-offending cycle."

That's what Work Ethic Camp supporters have been trying to get across throughout the funding battle. The judges' letter, which was sent to all 49 members of the Nebraska Legislature, will help tremendously in the fight to keep the camp open.

As the judges say to conclude their letter, "In the final analysis, the true cost savings lies in keeping the Work Ethic Camp, not in its elimination."

Well said, judges. Thank you immensely for your support. Million-dollar rain

In his many years at the Benkelman Post & News-Chronicle, the late Wayne Ketler described any large amount of precipitation as a "million dollar rain."

One of those who remembers Wayne's writings is Dr. K.C. Stout, a long-time Benkelman physician and weather-watcher. With puddles in the street and .65 of an inch already in the rain gauge in Benkelman at 8 a.m. this morning, Doc Stout is undoubtedly guessing that before the day is over, this, too, will qualify as a "million dollar rain."

And, you know, area-wide, the million-dollar description is probably accurate. Think about all the extra growth of crops and pastures, and the difference that makes for feed and bushels produced for sale. Timely moisture has an effect on the expense side, too, limiting the amount of hay, irrigation and fertilizer that is necessary in dry conditions.

A few dollars here, a few dollars there. Across the area, it surely does amount to a bunch of money. Now that the rain has started, let's hope it keeps coming. Whether it's a little or a lot, we appreciate every drop of rain we get in the Golden Plains.