WAKEENEY–WaKeeney City Council members dealt with some unhappy residents during their Oct. 7 meeting who were objecting to city orders to clean up their properties.

Two situations had improved enough for council members to approve deadline extensions; one couple was advised to meet with the police chief.

The complete meeting minutes follow.

RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE GOVERNING BODY 7 OCTOBER 2014
The Governing Body of the City of WaKeeney, Kansas met in a regular session at City Hall 408 Russell Ave at 7:00 PM with the Mayor presiding and the following members present:
Mayor Kenneth Roy and Council Members Mary Jo Clevenger, Irene Dirks, Troy Leiker, Lynelle Shubert, and Allen Weigel
BEING ABSENT: None
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as written, printed and distributed.
GUESTS: Brad Walt, Tina Walt, Shelly Jones, Elyssa Carr, Larissa Howard, Kacie Dunn, Trevor DePreist, Curtis Mong, Christina Lowry, Jody Zeman, Leanna Garrett, Ray Stithem, Shawnee Phillips, Mikalya Cody, Kassidy Chase, Cedric Flax, Abigale Buchholz, Aaron Satran, Bryn Hafliger, Gene Stenzel, John Kuhn, Tanner Townley, Ian Conness, Sean Conness, Alex Haxton, Lexus Haxton, Charlie Knoll, Jim Britz, Lynn Britz, Sherry Robinson, and Janelle Miller.
Jody Zeman, Trego County Economic Development Director was present to introduce Jim and Lynn Britz to the City Council and discuss their plans concerning the relocation of a business to WaKeeney from Ohio. Mr. Britz answered various questions from the Governing Body concerning this trucking and truck overhaul companies. Mr. and Mrs. Britz were thanked by the City Council and took their leave.
Curtis Mong, 321 S. 4th Street was present before the City Council to request an extension of time to clean up his property in Block 82. Due to some progress being made, the Governing Body agreed to allow Mr. Mong a two month extension.
Brad and Tina Walt, 229 S. 11th Street were present before the City Council to protest a recent citation they had received from the WaKeeney Police Department concerning three (3) junk vehicles on their property. Mrs. Walt read a prepared statement discussing WaKeeney’s junk in general and that one person’s junk is another’s treasure. Mr. Walt indicated that all three (3) vehicles have current registrations and are operable. Mayor Roy informed the aggrieved parties to discuss the matter with the Chief of Police.
The Governing Body discussed with Ray Stithem his efforts to improve the appearance of his property in Block 3, Original City. Mr. Stithem indicated he was working to replace and/or improve some of the fencing around his property.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR: Hardy Howard presented information concerning city owned lots in Block 3, Billings Subdivision. After a short discussion, Allen Weigel motioned to sell the East 50’ of Lot 4 and all of Lot 5, Block 3, Billings Sub to Gene and Tammae Stenzel for $625.00 and to authorize the Mayor Roy to sign the deed. Troy Leiker seconded. Motion carried.
At this time an ordinance making appropriation for the payment of claims for the month of September 2014 was read, whereupon, Mary Jo Clevenger motioned to approve claims in the amount of $163,269.79 Troy Leiker seconded. Motion carried. Warrants #10318, #10325, and #10354 were reviewed prior to approval.
The LKM regional supper will be held on October 21, 2014 in Hill City, KS. A decision on the fate of the next City Council meeting will be made prior to this date. Some members of the Governing Body will attend the meeting.
No further business appearing, the meeting was adjourned.

Several area high schools are hosting blood drives this week. The students are working to earn a scholarship from American Red Cross.

Thomas More Prep-Marian High School
Hays
Tuesday, November 11th
9 am – 2 pm
Al Billinger Filed House – Wrestling Room
Goal 62
Call 785-625-6577 (school office) or go to redcrossblood.org

Trego County Community High School
Wakeeney Tuesday, November 11
9 am – 3 pm
HS Gym
Goal 63
Call 1-800 RED CROSS or redcrossblood.org

Decatur Community High School
Oberlin
Wednesday, November 12
9 am – 3 pm
HS Gym
Goal 67
Call 1-800 RED CROSS or redcrossblood.org

Ellis High School
Ellis
Thursday, November 13
8:30 am – 2:30 pm
HS Gym
Goal 54
Call 1-800-RED CROSS or redcrossblood.org

Hays High School
Hays
Friday, November 14
8:30 am – 2:30 pm
Gym B
Goal 63
Make appointment at hayshighindians.com or call 785-623-2600.

Local entrepreneurs are invited to the second “JoinUp Hays” networking event Thursday, November 13, at Gella’s, 117 East 11th.

Organizer Josh Dechant, the “Entrepreneur in Residence” within the Fort Hays State University College of Business and Entrepreneurship, expects the gathering will become a regular monthly meeting with the opportunity for “creative people to run their ideas past the business people.”

“The turnout last time wasn’t huge, but everyone attending said it was ‘awesome’ and thought it was worth attending,” Dechant said.

Dechant has also designed a JoinUp mobile app.  “The purpose is to allow entrepreneurs, designers, developers, business owners, founders, makers and other professionals to connect with each other for startups, projects, or short and long-term jobs,” he explained.

Thursday’s meeting is from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  There is no charge to attend.

More information about Join Up is available on the group’s Facebook page and web page, or by calling Dechant at (785)-650-9736.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Late fall is the peak season for deer movement in Kansas and as a result, deer-vehicle crashes also go up, according to Kansas Highway Patrol Technical Trooper Tod Hileman

“About half the deer-vehicle crashes we work all year long come in October, November and December — with November being the heavy one, ” Hileman said. “November really spikes (statistically) in deer crashes.”

There are some things drivers can do to reduce the chance of hitting a deer.

“Be really alert around low-lying areas and around trees. Be especially cautious in areas where you see a deer-crossing sign and be on the lookout for deer particularly at dawn and dusk,” he said.

“Above all, slow down,” Hileman advised.  “Allow yourself a little more time for your commute.”

Last year in Ellis County, there were 98 deer/vehicle crashes, with one fatality, according to statistics provided by Hileman:

“If you do hit a deer, stay in your vehicle. Put on your hazard lights and pull over to the right as far as you can. Call 9-1-1 and don’t try to move the deer,” advised Hileman. “I remember last year there were three fatalities in one morning involving deer. Two of them were when people got outside of their vehicle after the crash, and they were then struck by another vehicle.”

The annual Veterans Day observance at the Hays VFW, 22nd and Vine, is scheduled for Tuesday, beginning at 11 a.m.

The program is to start outdoors with the traditional raising of the colors by the Marine Corps Honor Guard, followed by the playing of Taps and the rifle salute.

Participants will then move indoors for the remainder of the program, featuring a speech by Col. Jim Spiess, Ret. Spiess is a 1965 graduate of St. Joseph Military Academy in Hays and now lives in Wichita.

Special music will be provided by Mark Nebel.

This year’s event will include a special honor and tribute to local World War II veterans, according to VFW Post 9076 Chaplain Stan Dreiling.

A meal prepared by the Sons of the VFW will be served after the program with dessert provided by Equity Bank.

The Russell program also begins at 11 a.m. in the Russell County Veterans Memorial Park followed by an open house at VFW Post 6240, 248 Bob Dole Dr.

Lunch will be served by the Russell VFW Ladies Auxiliary.