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Month: May 2015

Waymaster: From the Dome to Home

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109th Dist. State Rep. Troy Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill
109th Dist. State Rep. Troy Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill

May 22, 2015
Troy L. Waymaster, State Representative, Kansas House District, 109

Election Changes
Election law changes have dominated this legislative session, although not nearly as much as the state budget and taxes. There were numerous election law changes that were introduced at the beginning of session, and now we have all of the bills that either passed one of the chambers combined into one conference committee report between the House and Senate. The conference committee report that has been submitted is House Bill 2104, which addresses an array of different election topics.

First, this report addresses the removal of a candidate following the primary election. The new language would specify that a candidate can be removed from the ballot due to medical reasons, not living in the state of Kansas, and revising the law addressing the removal of a nominee who has passed away. Also, there are specifications and timeline provisions that must be met if replacing a nominee due to one of the before mentioned conditions.

House Bill 2104 would also change local elections from April to November in odd numbered years, starting in 2017. In addition to moving the local elections from the spring to fall, these local elections would still remain non-partisan. These elections are still to be administered by the county election officer.

The main argument for moving local elections from the spring to the fall of odd numbered years is to generate an increase of voter participation. Although I am weary there will be substantial increases, we do need to address the dismal voter turnout for spring elections.

The final component of this conference committee report is the cancellation of a 2016 Presidential Primary in Kansas and postponing the next one until 2020. By canceling the primary during the 2016 Presidential Election, and instead holding a caucus, the state of Kansas would save approximately $1.8 million.

We debated this conference committee report on Thursday, May 21, and the report passed by 64-58.

Tax Work Continues
The tax committees on the House and Senate both produced different tax policies that were debated in committee and passed out to each respective chamber. There has continued to be discussion among many House members, including myself, on what would be the most plausible tax policy that would garner the 63 needed votes in the House to pass out of our chamber.

The most accepted tax policy is looking back at the small business income taxes of 2012, perhaps increasing the state consumption tax to 6.5% with the consumption tax on food at 5.9%, freezing the current income tax rates on individuals with the potential of those income taxes being ratcheted down when the state experiences growth, imposing a small tax increase on tobacco and alcohol than what Governor Brownback suggested, and adjustments for the Managed Care Organizations privilege fee. We will see in the coming week which tax plan will be debated and voted on the House floor.

Working After Retirement
The House last Friday passed the conference committee report for Senate Substitute for House Bill 2095, which would make changes to the working-after-retirement provisions of the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System. Starting on July 1, 2016, a KPERS retiree would be allowed to receive up to $25,000 in compensation annually from a contributing KPERS employer, regardless of whether the retiree is returning to work for the same or a different employer, before the retiree would be required to either terminate employment or forgo monthly KPERS benefits until the end of the calendar year.

In the case of school districts, they would be permitted to hire a retiree to fill a special teacher position or any of the top five hard-to-fill positions, which are determined annually by the State Board of Education. Re-employed retirees would continue to receive full retirement benefits for up to three school years or 36 months, whichever would be less, during which the school district would pay to KPERS the actuarially determined employer contribution plus 8 percent.

The main objective of the bill is to limit what is commonly referred to as “double dipping” where a public employee is receiving both a salary and retirement benefit from the state at the same time. By restricting this practice, the state would be providing more stability to the state’s public pension system. Public employee retirees should have the opportunity to return to employment with the state, but it is not good policy to treat a current employee as both an employee and a retiree.

The Senate passed the conference committee report for Senate Substitute for House Bill 2095 unanimously last Thursday, May 14, and on Friday, May 15, the House adopted the conference committee report by a vote of 97-22.

Veto Session Continues and Contact Information
Even though the past few weeks during the veto session has produced many conference committee reports that have been debated and passed by both chambers, we are still awaiting the pivotal discussion and votes on the main items to wrap up the 2015

Legislative Session: Budget and Taxes.
The legislative schedule now appears that we will return after the Memorial Day weekend and then not have another break until these two items are ultimately addressed.

I do hope that everyone takes time during this Memorial Day Holiday to honor those that served in our military during times of war and conflict, and to especially reflect on the men and women of our armed forces that paid the ultimate sacrifice for their nation.

If you have any concerns, feel free to contact my office at (785) 296-7672, visit www.troywaymaster.com or email me at [email protected].
It is an honor to serve the 109th Kansas House District and the state of Kansas. Do not hesitate to contact me with your thoughts, concerns and questions. I appreciate hearing from the residents of the 109th House District and others from the state of Kansas.

Troy L. Waymaster, State Representative
109th Kansas House
300 SW 10th
Topeka, KS 66612

Free Park Crawl workout offered at Center For Health Improvement

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Hays Medical Center

The Center for Health Improvement is offering a free Park Crawl workout for exercise enthusiasts from 8:15 to 11 a.m. Saturday. Participants will travel to four parks in the Hays area with different exercises featured at each location.

Center for Health Improvement

The day starts at the Center for Health Improvement, 2500 Canterbury, with a warm up at 8:15 a.m. The first stop is the Kiwanis Park for Kick Box Cardio workout at 8:30 a.m. Next on the route is Core Work at Sunrise Park at 9 a.m. From there it’s on to Hill HIIT at Hickok Park at 9:30 a.m. Yoga in the Trees will be held at the Auble-Bickle Park at 10 a.m. At 10:30 a.m., the group will be back at The Center for Health Improvement for PiYo, followed by breakfast.

Transportation from park to park will be provided by Access Public Transportation. If you can’t make the whole event, you are encouraged to join the group at any one of the park locations. Bring your family and friends for a day of fun to the free Park Crawl workout.

For more information, go to www.thecenter.haysmed.com or call (785) 623-5900. The Park Crawl is partially underwritten by a grant from the Kansas Health Foundation Fund for Heartland Community Foundation.

More sites in Kansas to offer free summer meals

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WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas will offer free meals to children this summer at 100 more sites than last year.

This week, 44 school cafeterias and other Wichita sites will begin offering free meals as part of the annual summer food service program.

The Wichita Eagle reports that the meals are for children who count on free breakfasts and lunches during the school year.

Peggy McAdoo, assistant director of child nutrition and wellness for the Kansas Department of Education, says there may be more than 450 sites statewide this year, nearly 100 more locations than last summer. The Kansas Food Bank also will supply meals to 19 sites in rural communities.

The program is open to children younger than 18 and doesn’t require any paperwork.

Demolition of Docking building not expected until next year

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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The demolition of the Docking State Office Building is not expected until at least the summer of next year.

The Brownback administration has wanted to demolish the building in Topeka for some time. Department of Administration spokesman John Milburn says the budget under negotiation for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1, doesn’t include an appropriation for tearing down the building. The project is expected to cost an estimated $7.5 million. Milburn says the department has the authority to use its funds to pay for the demolition.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports Senate negotiators proposed a one-year delay of the demolition, which House negotiators rejected. Sen. Laura Kelly said a compromise would allow the demolition but prohibit the state from giving up or selling the land.

Hays couple running to raise money for Down syndrome

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By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

A Hays couple is using their love of running to raise awareness about a condition they know all too well.

In October 2012, Leyda and Chad Simon’s daughter, Ashlynn, was born with Down syndrome and a congenital heart defect.

In March 2013, Ashlynn, then five months old, underwent open heart surgery.

One day, Leyda decided she wanted to clear her mind and take some time for herself — so she went for a walk. The walk turned into a run and a desire to raise money for Down syndrome research and help spread awareness through running.

Chad, a Marine stationed at a base in North Carolina at the time, along with Leyda and a friend signed up for The Marine Corps Marathon in Washington and raised $2,700 to benefit Down syndrome research.

From that came Team Ashlynn, a group dedicated to raising Down syndrome awareness and donating to research.

In 2014, Chad retired from the Marine Corps and the family returned to Hays so he could finish his degree at Fort Hays State University.

Leyda then ran in the New York City Marathon and represented El Salvador and Down syndrome awareness in the opening ceremonies.

After that, the couple decided that they would run in the Chicago Marathon, and they began raising money toward their goal of $5,000.

Every year, March 21 is dedicated as World Down Syndrome Day, and the couple put together a virtual race where people from all over the world made a pledge to incorporate 3-2-1 into their day.

According to National Down Syndrome Society, the most common form of the disease is trisomy 21 where “an embryo with three copies of chromosome 21 instead of the usual two”

“The goal was just for people to go out and do some activity,” Chad said.

Chad said he ran 3.21 miles twice, and they had people run, bike and even Zumba on that day.

June 3 is National Running Day, and the couple has created another online event to raise money called Step Up for Down Syndrome.

The event encourages people to register and go for a run. Anyone who signs up for the event will get a medal and/or a shirt.

IMG_2994Chad said they are about halfway to their goal and said there are three parts to the event.

“One is to raise money for Down syndrome research, the other one is about raising awareness about Down syndrome, and third is to get people to go and be active,” he said.

“I just want to motivate, anybody can do anything,” added Leyda. “You don’t need to be a runner” to take part in the event.

Registration for the Step Up for Down Syndrome event is open until June 1 to get a shirt or a medal.

The couple also raffled off a basketball signed by the FHSU women’s basketball team, and they hope to create a 5K in Hays to raise money for Down syndrome research.

Erwin ‘Erv’ Leiker

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Erwin “Erv” Leiker, 81, Great Bend, died Sunday, May 24, 2015 at his home.

Erwin Leiker

He was born February 6, 1934 in Hays the son of Leo and Angela (Klaus) Leiker. He was a U.S. Army veteran who served during the Korean War. On November 8, 1958 he married Janet Grace Burgardt in Pfeifer, Kansas. She died May 6, 2000. He was a retired oilfield worker and was a Hays High School graduate. He was a member of Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Great Bend, the Knights of Columbus, and the American Legion. He was a loving father and grandfather, and was very kindhearted and ornery. He loved fishing, polka music, the Kansas City Royals and Chiefs, and KU athletics.

Survivors include two sons, David Leiker and wife Theresa of Great Bend, and Gary Leiker and wife Lisa of Weir, Kansas, three daughters, Deborah Leiker of Great Bend, Diane Weaver and husband Kirk of Wichita, and Becky Tymiak and husband Terry of Regina, Saskatchewan Canada, four brothers, LaVern Leiker of Great Bend, Ronnie Leiker and wife Diana of Hays, Kenneth Leiker and wife Darlene of Council Grove, KS, and Art Leiker and wife Marilyn of Hays, two sisters Erma Dinges and husband Jim of Schoenchen, and Norine Leiker of Hays, a sister in law Bernetha Leiker of Hays, seven grandchildren, Nathan McDermott, Nicole Donnelly, Amanda McDermott, Jessica Jarvis and husband Richard, Andrew McDermott and wife Christine, Derek Ervin and wife Amanda, and Kaitlyn Leiker, and five great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Janet, a brother Herbert Leiker, a son in law Dan Ervin, a grandson Daniel Ervin, and a sister in law June Leiker.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Friday, May 29, 2015 at the Holy Cross Catholic Church in Pfeifer, Kansas. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 until 8:00 pm on Thursday and from 8:30 until 9:30 am on Friday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine. A parish vigil service and rosary will be at 6:30 pm on Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, or to the Red Cross, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com or via email at [email protected].

Iola Depperschmidt

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Iola Depperschmidt, age 95, passed away Monday, May 25, 2015 at the Frizzell Memorial Hospital-Long term Care Unit in Ransom, Kansas.

Funeral services will be 10 AM Thursday, May 28, 2015 at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel & Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.

Visitation will be Wednesday 4 PM – 8 PM and Thursday 9 AM until service time at the funeral chapel.
A complete obituary is pending

Block party will celebrate Hays bike system

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bike hays
The city of Hays will celebrate the Bike Hays system with a Ground Painting Ceremony at 5:30 p.m. June 4 at the intersection of 11th and Main streets.

A block party will be held at 11th and Main with music, vendors and fun. Limited Bike Hays backpacks, brochures and other items will be available free. Kandango is hosting the celebration and encourages community participation.

For more information, visit the Bike Hays website or Kandango.

Schlageck: Tell the livestock story

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John Schlageck writes for the Kansas Farm Bureau.
John Schlageck writes for the Kansas Farm Bureau.

Today’s livestock producers work in a noble profession. Unfortunately, not everyone believes this so people who care for animals must understand how consumers think and feel. Get inside their heads, if you will.

Consumers hold farmers responsible for the humane treatment of farm animals. In recent consumer surveys, people rated animal well being higher than the care and well being of workers in the food system but not as high as food safety.

It is not science, technical capacity or ability that drives trust. Instead, it is whether consumers believe agriculture shares their ethics and values.

Farmers and ranchers must talk about their commitment to doing the right thing – their commitment to values and ethics, not just science.

They have plenty of evidence to demonstrate they’re doing the right thing, but rely too much on such language. They must connect with the public on a value’s basis.

The most important job ahead is to communicate in a way that helps people trust what farmers and ranchers say and do. Too often livestock producers take for granted that rural neighbors know and understand who they are and what they do.

Agriculture can no longer take this for granted. Our industry continues to evolve and most of the people in the United States today are not involved in farming and ranching.

Americans know little about where their food comes from. They want to believe that what livestock producers are doing is consistent with their values and ethics. Telling this story includes showing people what is taking place on our nation’s farms and ranches.

That said, there clearly remain legitimate reasons like disease prevention and biosecurity not to allow unfettered access to farms and ranches.

Livestock production or animal agriculture in the most affluent country in the world faces special challenges and opportunities. Among those challenges is that Americans spend such a small percentage of their income on food that they can demand food where they want it, when they want it, in the proportion they want it and produced in a humane way.

Many food stores and food retailers have announced implementation of third-party verification measures to ensure food animals are treated humanely. In some instances, customers will demand third-party verification and if it doesn’t exist, the store providing the food may not be credible.

Agriculture can and will win the hearts and minds of consumers.

Farmers and ranchers must remember whom they are trying to influence. Customers and consumers need to hear from livestock producers.

It is not productive for the agriculture community to attack activist groups. Instead, agriculture must retake its rightful position as the people in charge of ensuring the humane treatment of animals.

Tell your story. Inform people at every opportunity how hard you work every day to ensure animals are treated fairly and humanely.

John Schlageck, a Hoxie native, is a leading commentator on agriculture and rural Kansas.

EXPLORING KAN. OUTDOORS: The toad abode

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Steve Gilliland
Steve Gilliland

There’s just something about a toad that “conjures” up visions of a witch in a huge black hat with a big hairy wart on her nose stirring a bubbling pot full of potion and mumbling spells as she stirs. Toads just look creepy, and then of course there is that propensity they possess to pee on anyone picking them up.

Despite having a face only a mother could love, toads are extremely important to our planet. It is reported that a toad can eat ten thousand insects in one summer and are part of natures pest patrol (the person who did the counting for that study really needs a life!)

Toads begin their lives as tiny swimming tadpoles and eventually crawl onto land and begin breathing air, yet another of God’s creative mysteries. Toads, like other amphibians actually absorb air through their skin as well as getting it from their lungs with occasional breaths. They also absorb water though their skin rather than drinking it through their mouths.

DSCF1548

Because of toxins in their environment, toad populations are said to be declining nearly to the point of crisis, although I certainly see no evidence of that at my house. Raccoons, skunks and snakes are natural predators of toads. Besides protection from them, and pets which are usually mere annoyances, toads also need cool dark places to get away from the bright sun and weather.

Joyce has several large flower gardens and scattered throughout each garden she has created what she calls “toad abodes.” She takes broken clay or ornamental flower pots and turns them into cool, dark, secret hideaways for the resident toads.

She finds an already shady spot beneath a big perennial plant, then simply lays the broken pot on its side to form a little round-top enclosure into which the toads can easily crawl and hide themselves away from predators, pets and the heat of the day. One such hideaway is even made from the bleached white pelvic bone of a cow drug home from the woods by our grandson. Laid beneath a big plant with long slender leaves that hang down over it, the arched shape makes a perfect secret hideout for a toad or two. Any object that has room for a toad to crawl inside will work, and besides protecting the toads, they look very decorative and rustic in the flower bed too.

So the next time you buy your pet a new toy or treat, think about your insect removal friends too. Find a broken clay pot or bowl and place it in a new spot in the garden for yet another toad abode. And next year, when you ask yourself what in the world that broken pot is doing in your flower bed and pick it up to remove it, don’t be surprised to see a pair of dark eyes looking back at you from beneath it…Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors!

Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at [email protected].

Sunny, warm Tuesday

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Thunderstorm chances continue through the week.

Today Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. Northwest wind 6 to 11 mph becoming light and variable in the afternoon.
Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. South southeast wind around 6 mph.

Wednesday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 5pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. South southeast wind 6 to 14 mph.

Screen Shot 2015-05-26 at 6.42.00 AMWednesday Night Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly between 7pm and 2am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. South southeast wind 9 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 80. South wind 9 to 15 mph.

Thursday Night A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63.

Friday A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76.

2 hospitalized after vehicle overturns into standing water

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SALINA- Two people were injured in an accident just after 6 p.m. on Monday in Saline County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2001 Ford Escape driven by Randy C. Romine, 52, Elmwood, NE., was northbound on Interstate 135 just south of the Smolan exit.

The vehicle was in the passing lane, hydroplaned into the right ditch and overturned into a pool of standing water.

Romine and a passenger Dawn L. Romine, 49, Elmwood, NE., were transported to Salina Regional Medical Center.

Randy Romine was not wearing a seat belt according to the KHP.

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