During the primary election held on Tuesday, May 15, the public voted against funding for The Plains Historical Society and The Ag Society, through a tax levy. The Plains Historical Society tallied 303 votes for additional taxes to 561 against.  The Ag Society fell short by a vote of 544 to 320.  This news was a great disappointment for both entities.

“The vote was misunderstood,” reported Glynn Felkins, president of the Plains Historical Society, “I believe that the voters thought that the vote was just on approving an increase to our budget, when in reality it was a vote on continued funding as well as including a much needed increase.”

The group will be without funding starting at the beginning of the next fiscal year.

Felkins states that the group has a limited amount of funds in which they can use to operate. The bequest that the group received was intended to be used for special projects, not for their operating expenses.

“We need help,” stated Felkins, “we can’t survive on the small donations and fund raisers that we have.”

Felkins and the group are grateful to Z&S Construction for their help in removing the retaining wall and moving the extra dirt where the fence will be placed on the north side of the property.  He explained that Z&S put in many man hours as well as provided the equipment used to help the group out.

“We cannot thank them enough,” said Felkins.

The group is running a gun raffle to help cover the expenses of the fence, and are appealing to the public for their support in helping them with operating expenses. Besides the security fence, the old High School is in desperate need of a new roof, a security system, handy-cap accessibility, fire prevention system, new windows, efficient heating and new wiring.

“We are going forward with the installation of our perimeter fence,” shared Felkins, “We need the fence for security and to prevent vandalism that we have encountered in the past.”

The group is hoping to create a partnership with the Kimball Theater Group to use the stage in the Fraternal Hall Museum for melodramas and plays. They would also like to continue the tradition of sponsoring art shows.

In addition, the society hopes for the support of the community to continue some of the great things that they do for the community annually.