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Paying for the privilege
Funny things have been going on around the office of the McCook Daily Gazette.
It seems that someone came up with the brainy idea that employees need to start paying for the use of the restroom.
"A Dime a Time" reads the placard on the little can setting on the back of the toilet. Its just too bad they aren't using that money to add more stalls but they have other plans.
Since the placement of the little can, conversation has been flying between the desks of the McCook Gazette.
"What happens if I just have a nickel?" someone will ask. "All I have is a $20?" someone else will say.
"If I only have a quarter, how do I figure the half?" another yells out.
"Don't flush!" comes the answer.
And borrowing practices have greatly increased. A statement often heard around the newsroom is "I can't wait any longer, does someone have a dime I can borrow?"
Most of the questions have been answered and my penny stash is gone. I now owe the bank $1.05. (The nickel question was mine.)
In watching the big money transactions around the office one question comes to mind...Why can't the Gazette afford to provide a free toilet for its employees.
What will management come up with next? Will they begin charging us for the use of the computers? Will each piece of paper that comes across my desk start costing me a nickel? What do they plan to charge for the use of the phone? Exactly how much is the air in my work space worth?
When it is all over, will I be paying Gene Morris for the privilege of working here?
In reality, the bathroom fees are going to a good cause. As part of the Gazette's participation in the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life scheduled for Friday, Aug. 9, Glenda Ellerton, the Gazette team organizer is coming up with, shall we say, innovative ways to raise funds.
Some of you may remember some of the fund raising activities planned by Relay event organizers last year. In particular the placement of the pink pelicans (known to most -- except yours truly -- as flamingos) on the front lawn of the McCook City Auditorium. Mayor Linda Taylor paid a generous donation on behalf of the city of McCook to have the flamboyant lawn ornaments removed.
As the time for the benefit draws closer, I'm sure there will be many more opportunities to "donate." In keeping with the toilet theme, look for something big and pink to begin popping up in a neighborhood near you.
Each relay participant will be taking $5 donations for luminarias to honor those who have fought their battle with cancer and won and for those who have lost their valiant fight. If you have not been contacted and would like the opportunity to sponsor a luminaria or to make a cash donation, call Dixie Bethell, luminaria coordinator at (308) 345-2650 ext. 296.
Cancer survivors who will be attending the Relay can receive a free T-shirt by calling Sheila Snyder at (308) 340-3053 with their size. Please leave a message.
As for me, I've bought three rolls of dimes and plan to continue supporting the results of my Diet Mountain Dew habit while donating to a very worthy cause. You too should plan to give early and, like me, give often.