Remembering Linda

Dear Editor, Today is all about Linda Mowery-Denning and her amazing life. As I sit pondering what I will say at the reception in her honor, so many things come to mind.

Love and prayers go out to Matt and Allie. She was a huge and positive influence in the lives of countless persons ... everywhere. Ellsworth yes, Salina yes and pretty much all over the USA.

As my son said to me on the phone a couple days ago, “She was always writing” each time he was at the house to visit Matt (her Ellsworth home and her Salina condo). Of course they stayed in the basement, for the most part, but Linda was smart! She would take on any topic with ease. If you wanted to have an intelligent discourse, she was that person. If you were a stranger, that didn’t last long. She nailed her writing every single time, whether on a political topic or any topic.

Her death was sudden and both my son and I were shocked. My son would have preferred to be here, but he had to stay in LA. I plan to go up the street to Barolo Grille soon, then the service at Ryan Mortuary.

Linda, Matt and Allie WILL be in my thoughts and prayers on my drive back home this afternoon. So will the numerous individuals that Linda and I both knew, as well as those Linda knew and I didn’t. God has you in His kingdom reunited with your husband. What a glorious reunion. Rest in peace, my friend.

Mary Schmidt Ellsworth

Editor’s note: We have a story in this week’s paper about Linda’s lasting impact on Ellsworth County, but know there is no possible way to include all stories and memories of her in one article. Please feel free to send letters to the editor and share your memories. Linda loved an active editorial page, and we welcome your letters that honor her memory. Emails may be sent to kbonar@indyrepnews.com.

A full day’s work?

112 Board of Education, For a few years I’ve always wondered why our higher administrators fail to attend functions at Wilson Schools. Today during the Veteran’s Day tribute in Wilson, I noticed that our principal, Mr. Lowry, was not present. This upsets me for many reasons. Some are that I’ve gone to talk to Mr. Lowry during the week at random times and days to only be told that he wouldn’t be in the office that day. Being a reasonable person, I would just think OK, maybe today he’s doing superintendent duties. But after much thought, those duties can and should be handled from the Wilson School where he is both principal and superintendent. His absence today bothered me, as there were many people that have served our communities in the commons room, and he wasn’t there to show his support in person or tribute video. This leads me to speculate that even our student body is unable to get support from him. I do understand we have multiple schools, so maybe I’ll give him the benefit of doubt in hopes he attended a program at another school building.

This brings me to my point of this email. For far too long there has been a lack of support by administrative staff at the Wilson Schools. My tax dollars help to pay the salary of these administrators, but they fail to support all USD 112 communities, schools and kids. This is unacceptable and has been for a while now, but today was the last straw for me and I feel something needs to be done. I continuously hear “we are unified” from board members, but are we? Spending money on “needs” of one building but Band-Aids another. It’s funny how the “needs” and Band-Aids always seem to fall onto the same buildings. The board wonders why Wilson wants out of this district. It’s because of the lack of support we get from the board other than our two representatives and the inability to hold true to the words that you say will happen. Who is responsible for holding the administration to their actions? Who ensures that there is fair across-the-board spending in the district? Who ensures that these board members are truly acting in the best interest of ALL USD 112? If I don’t show up for work, I get a dock in pay. Do these same things happen for the administration or do they remain with their full day’s pay to not fulfill their duties? Does Mr. Lowry not support the veterans of the community? His actions of not being there today show me that he doesn’t. It seems as if he is only concerned with doing the bare minimum to receive, what I assume is the largest salary for USD 112, and rushing back to his out of district residence. I know at the end of the year he is resigning, so I don’t anticipate him changing his ways. I assume he will most likely move on to the next school to suck funds from them while not adequately putting in a full day’s work. I hope you as the board are happy with his time at USD 112, as you selected him for what seems to accomplish a onesided agenda. Ever since he’s been here there has been a lack of support from him for our community and school. It has even been noted that he has said he doesn’t like Wilson. To be continued in next week’s edition. Concerned parent and taxpayer, Jeff Keith Wilson