Kansas Farm Bureau

A new coalition is fighting to defend the rural way of life and economic prosperity in five states.

The coalition, comprised of the Kansas Farm Bureau, Kansas Corn Growers Association, Texas Farm Bureau, The American Farm Bureau Federation, New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau and Colorado Farm Bureau, opposes The Center for Biological Diversity, Defenders of Wildlife and WildEarth Guardians’ request that the lesser prairie chicken (LPC) be listed as an “endangered” species. The bird is currently listed as “threatened.” The LPC range is roughly 20 million acres, affecting 85 counties in Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Colorado.

“We are already seeing impacts from the ‘threatened’ listing,” said Jim Sipes, who farms near the primary habitat area. “We have seen wind generator projects leave the area. We have seen oil and gas companies pull out of the region. We have seen seismograph crews stopping seismograph work, and we are seeing effects on farms and ranches through the amount of grazing we are able to do.”

The threat from an “endangered” designation reaches far beyond the farm gate to rural Main Street and local government.

“In our small communities, businesses on Main Street depend on farmers and ranchers,” said Marieta Hauser, an economic development administrator and rural Chamber of Commerce official. “If we don’t stop excessive regulations on farmers and ranchers, more and more often what you are going to see on Main Street in rural America is a ‘Going Out of Business’ sign. If farmers and ranchers don’t have money to spend, our main street businesses will not be able to survive. It’s that important.”

County commissioner Mick MacNair, who lives in the habitat area, is concerned that with a more restrictive designation of the LPC comes lower property values. With less oil, gas, and renewable energy development, the tax base reduction would be disastrous.

“How we are going to fund our county roads and keep them maintained? How are we going to fund our local police departments? How are we going to fund our EMS and fire departments?” MacNair asks. “These are essential government entities. With the loss of revenue this will cost us, we have some very grave concerns.”

The coalition has created a website to provide detailed information on the issue and the progress of a lawsuit opposing the listing. Users are also urged to donate to the legal fund to defer the cost of litigation. The site is www.stopfowlplay.com. You can also follow the coalition activity on Twitter and Facebook at @StopFowlPlay and Facebook.com/StopFowlPlay. Look for the hashtag #StopFowlPlay.

ELLIS–The Ellis City Council meets in regular session tonight beginning at 7:30 p.m. Agenda items include consideration of ordinances allowing automatic rate increases for city services.

An update about the wastewater treatment facility improvements will also be presented by Brian Spano of Wilson and Company.

A 7 p.m. work session precedes the meeting.

The complete agenda follows.

AGENDA December 1, 2014 REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF ELLIS City Hall – Council Meeting Room

BILLS ORDINANCE REVIEW WORK SESSION BEGINS AT 7:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL AND MEETING CALL TO ORDER AT 7:30 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA (if needed)
1) CONSENT AGENDA
a) Minutes from Regular Meeting on November 17, 2014
b) Bills Ordinance #1962
(Council will review for approval under one motion under the consent agenda. By majority vote of the governing body, any item may be removed from the consent agenda and considered separately)
PUBLIC COMMENTS
(Each speaker will be limited to five minutes. If several people from the group wish to speak on same subject, the group must appoint a spokesperson. ALL comments from public on agenda items must be during Public Comment. Once council begins their business meeting, no more comments from public will be allowed.)
2) PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
3) SPECIAL ORDER
a) Fire Department Monthly Report – Chief Denis Vine
b) Update on Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvements, Brian Spano, Wilson and Company
4) UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a) Consider Approval of Purchasing and Bidding Policy and Procedures
b) Discuss Ordinances Allowing Automatic Rate Increases
c) Update on Financial Continuing Disclosure Requirements
d) Discuss City Holiday Observation Schedule
5) NEW BUSINESS
a) Consider Appointment to Wellhead Protection Committee and Water Advisory Committee
b) Consider Approval of 2015 Wage Structure
c) Discussion on Personnel Policies and Guidelines
d) Consider Approval to Write-off Bad Debts
e) Discussion on Utility Services Policy
f) Consider Payment of Employment Screening
6) REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
a) Administrative
1) Public Works
(1) Comparative Water Report
(2) Well Level Chart
(3) Update on Applicant Search
(4) Consider Sale of HVAC Units
(5) Update on Well #12
(6) Consider Approval of Asphalt Purchase
(7) Department Update
2) Police
(1) November Activity Report
(2) December Officer Calendar
(3) Department Update
3) City Clerk
(1) Employee Meal Policy
(2) Payments to Ellis County Coalition
(3) Annual Campground Survey Results
(4) City Resident Satisfaction Survey Results
(5) Department Update
4) Attorney
5) Mayor/Council
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
7) ADJOURNMENT

Hays High School will have its annual Financial Aid Night for all interested seniors and parents at 7 p.m. Monday in the lecture hall.

Families will learn how to apply for all types of state and federal financial aid using the FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Completing the FAFSA is a required step when seeking most need-based scholarships, grants, loans and work-study. The FAFSA is used across the U.S. at nearly all colleges, public career/tech ed schools, and some private trade schools.

Craig Karlin, director of Student Financial Assistance at Fort Hays State University, will be the guest speaker for the evening. He will be speaking on behalf of all Kansas financial aid administrators.

If questions regarding the Financial Aid Night, call the HHS counseling office at (785) 623-2608.

FHSU Encore Series

Tickets go on sale today for the latest Encore Series performance.

“Mamma Mia” will take the stage on Jan. 28 at Beach-Schmidt Performing Arts Center.

A mother. A daughter. Three possible dads. And a trip down the aisle you’ll never forget. Over 50 million people around the world have fallen in love with the characters, the story and the music that make Mamma Mia! the ultimate feel-good show!

Writer Catherine Johnson’s sunny, funny tale unfolds on a Greek island paradise. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago. The story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs propels this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship, and every night everyone’s having the time of their lives.

For more information or for tickets, click HERE.