By Rachel Rayner FHSU University Relations and Marketing
Director Shah Sadikov, assistant professor of music at Fort Hays State University, plans to make the 2015-2016 Hays Symphony orchestra season a cultural experience that will enrich the Hays community.
“It is important to have music in the community because that shows the community’s artistic richness,” said Sadikov.
The orchestra, consisting of FHSU faculty and students, community members and invited musicians will play more monumental music than in the past. The concerts will begin with overtures before going to full symphonies in the second half.
Sadikov will discuss the history, philosophy, and meaning behind the music before each concert. Not everyone is familiar with the music, he said, and this will acquaint the audience with the selections before hearing them.
“We want the audience to come and be engaged in the music,” said Sadikov. “We have great people who want to play music. We’re excited to present the orchestra in a new light.”
Sadikov programmed the season’s music as part of a three-season-long arc tracing the history of Hays’ Volga German settlers. The music this year will be Germanic, next year will feature Russian music, and the third year will be an American season.
“Before immigrating to Hays, America, they emigrated to Russia,” said Sadikov.
The progression also traces Sadikov’s history studying in his native Uzbekistan before traveling to Germany and America. He recently returned from a year of studying German music, culture, philosophy and language in Germany, so he knows the music and feels it.
“I am from the former Soviet Union, so I have a direct connection to Russian culture too,” he said. “Now I am in America. I am not fully American yet, but I am influenced by the culture.”
The German music programmed in this season is the core repertoire of any symphony orchestra, featuring master composers such as Beethoven, Brahms, Bruch, Mozart and Mendelssohn.
“The music is very well played, respected and well received, so we should be playing it here too,” he said.
The first concert is 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19, in the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center.
The concert begins with Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Egmont Overture,” one of the nine incidental pieces he wrote for Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s tragedy “Egmont,” before moving on to Max Bruch’s violin concerto in G minor. Laura Black, violinist with the Wichita Symphony, will play the solo. The second half of the concert will feature Johannes Brahms’ Second Symphony.
“Brahms is so emotional, so intimate in his Second Symphony, and it touches you so deeply when you are in tune with it,” said Sadikov.
The second concert is 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7, in Beach/Schmidt. Felix Mendelssohn’s “Hebrides Overture” opens the performance, evoking images of the sea with undulating strings and rolling timpani. Dr. Ivalah Allen, assistant professor of music, will sing Samuel Barber’s “Knoxville, Summer 1915.”
The orchestra will then play Tulkun Kurbanov’s “Poem (in Memory of a Teacher.)” Sadikov said that Kurbanov’s piece is very personal to him because the composer was his father’s best friend. Kurbanov, who Sadikov calls his godfather, was one of the most famous Uzbek composers.
The piece features a motive — a short pattern of notes and rhythms that is the basis of a composition — from Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony, which the orchestra will perform during the second half of the concert. Sadikov will explain how the motive is used in Kurbanov’s piece during his pre-concert talk.
The third concert, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, in Beach/Schmidt, opens with another Beethoven overture: the stormy “Coriolan Overture” based on Shakespeare’s “Coriolanus.”
For the second piece, Sadikov takes the stage as a viola soloist alongside award-winning violinist Véronique Mathieu, assistant professor of music at the University of Kansas, to perform Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Sinfonia Concertante for Violin and Viola.”
The concert closes with Brahms’ Symphony No. 3. Sadikov said that, like Kurbanov, Brahms also considered Beethoven to be his teacher.
“He is a direct continuation of Beethoven’s symphonic style and used his motives as well. It’s all interwoven,” he said.
The last concert of the season, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 30, in Beach/Schmidt, will feature the orchestra and the FHSU choirs. Dr. Terry Crull, assistant professor of music, will conduct the choir during the first half of the concert. The music has yet to be announced.
During the second half, Sadikov will conduct the orchestra in playing Pyotr Illyich Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5. Sadikov said that he programmed the symphony for a variety of reasons: Tchaikovsky’s fifth and Brahms’ second were written within 10 years of each other, and because Tchaikovsky and Brahms knew each other.
“They were counterparts from two different parts of the world,” he said. “They didn’t like each other, but they respected each other. They were both the genius composers of their time.”
By ending the season with a Russian symphony, the orchestra transitions to next year’s Russian season.
Sadikov hopes that the community will come and enjoy the concerts.
“We are artists, we are part of the community, and what we do is appreciated by the community,” he said. “If we have nobody to play for, then we have no reason to exist. The more people we see, the more support we see, the more we will be blooming. I am very excited and I’m very hopeful to see that in the future.”
ELLIS–Instead of trapping feral cats wandering loose in Ellis, city council members will first consider an new ordinance requiring pet owners to register their cats and provide proof of vaccination. During their Sept. 14 meeting the council directed City Attorney Olavee Raub to draft an ordinance for review at the next meeting.
Ellis Golf Club representative Neil DeWerff asked for help in removing skunks which are destroying the course turf.
The council also approved Ronald Julian as a new volunteer fireman; voted to move ahead with the sidewalk and crosswalk project on South Monroe Street, at a cost not to exceed $3,500; and set Oct. 19 as the fall city-wide cleanup day.
The complete agenda minutes for Sept. 14, 2015, follow.
ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES September 14, 2015
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor David McDaniel called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members Holly Aschenbrenner, Gary Luea, Heather Luea, Jolene Niernberger, Bob Redger, and John Walz. Also present were City Clerk Amy Burton, Police Chief Taft Yates, Fire Chief Denis Vine, and City Attorney Olavee Raub. Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman was absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
Luke Karlin requested his removal from the agenda under Special Order.
PUBLIC PRESENT
Belinda DeWerff, Neil DeWerff, Dean Gottschalk, Tim Flax, Ron VanEpps, Luke Pechanec, Janice Dinkel, Glen Keller, and Cheryl Kinderknecht.
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on August 17, 2015, Bills Ordinance #1980, and the July manual journal entries. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Neil DeWerff, representing Ellis Golf Club, informed Council about a problem the golf course is having with skunks. The skunks are destroying the turf and Mr. DeWerff spends several hours a day repairing the damage. The Club has spent several thousand dollars trying to find a solution and nothing has helped. Mr. DeWerff asked for the Council to consider loosening the firearm policy in town so they may eliminate the skunk problem.
Luke Pechanec discussed his application to the Board of Zoning Appeals for a special use permit to sell firearms and ammunition out of his home. The City has two properties within 200’ of his residence; therefore, Mr. Pechanec is asking Council to authorize the Mayor to sign the consent form for his application. Mr. Pechanec has ten years of experience with firearms and is pursuing his Federal Firearm License. The Board of Zoning Appeals does have the ability to approve his special use permit contingent on Mr. Pechanec receiving that license.
Gary Luea spoke on a High Water Consumption Notice he received. He feels the wording in the letter is severe and maybe the City could use kinder wording in the letter. City Clerk Amy Burton will provide examples of the different types of letters at the next meeting for Council to review.
Dean Gottschalk noted his business, DC Services, has also received a High Water Consumption Notice. He feels there is no way the business has used that much water. The meter has been checked and he doesn’t have a leak but his readings still seem high.
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
None
SPECIAL ORDER
Electric: Special Project
Tim Flax, Vice-President of Information Technology with Midwest Energy, spoke to Council on the utility company’s need for a data center hub. They have a proposed site selected on 6th Street north of the existing substation. Midwest Energy would like to construct a 180’ self-supporting telecommunication tower and equipment shed on the proposed site, currently owned by the City. The tower would be constructed outside of the “fall zone” of any residential property; however, Mr. Flax explained the more likely scenario would be for the tower to bend in half due to a storm or tornado. The City’s zoning code would also direct placement of the tower, as well as the Federal Communications Commission. Mr. Flax inquired if the City would consider leasing or selling the land in order for Midwest Energy to construct the tower. The Council would consider leasing the ground rather than selling, and directed Mr. Flax to submit a lease agreement proposal for consideration. Midwest Energy would also need to file application with the Planning Commission/Board of Zoning Appeals for a change in zoning.
Fire: Entry
Fire Chief Denis Vine reported he has found a volunteer fireman to fill the vacancy on the Fire Department. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to approve Ronald Julian as a volunteer fireman, effective immediately. The motion carried 6-0.
Fire: Repair/Maintenance
Chief Vine reported the bricks on the north side of the old fire station were coming off due to water getting in. Roofmaster’s Roofing generously donated guttering for the volunteer firemen to install to help with drainage.
Each year, Municipal Emergency Services (MES) performs inspections on the Department’s SCBA air packs. Due to several of the air packs needing repair, the invoice exceeded the $1,000 authorization for a department head. Council member Gary Luea moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to ratify the invoice from MES in the amount of $1,067 for testing and certifying the air packs. The motion carried 6-0.
Public Works: Special Project
Mayor David McDaniel reported only one bid was received for the swathing of the 19 acres of grass area by the Police Range. The bid was not sealed, as directed; however, since it was the only one received, Council was able to accept the bid of $100 from Steve Homburg to swath the grass area. Mr. Homburg has until September 20, 2015 to remove the grass.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
General Government: License/Permit
Police Chief Taft Yates has conferred with the Animal Facility Inspector with the Department of Agriculture and the City Attorney about options available to control the feral cat population. The City could loan traps to residents, in which the City would be responsible for taking the captured cat to the animal shelter and pay the $35 impound fee, or the City could rent traps to residents and then the resident would be responsible to take the cat to the animal shelter and pay the impound fee. Chief Yates cautioned that residents that knowingly trap another resident’s cat could be charged criminally. It was the consensus of Council that the City should consider requiring pet owners to register their cats and provide proof of vaccination. City Attorney Olavee Raub will draft an ordinance for review at the next meeting.
Streets: Special Project
City Clerk Amy Burton reported that Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman has applied for a Midwest Energy grant to help fund the sidewalk and crosswalk project on South Monroe Street. He has also contacted Bob Muirhead with Midwest Energy to see if they would have any interest in paying for the cost of the sidewalk on their portion of the property included in the project. Mr. Scheuerman estimates the total project to cost $3,000 – $3,500. The school district has verbally agreed to clear the sidewalks in the winter if the City makes the sidewalk wide enough for their tractor to fit. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member Gary Luea seconded a motion to proceed with the sidewalk project at a cost not to exceed $3,500 with funds to come from the Special Highway fund. The motion carried 6-0.
Water Exploration: Special Project
City Clerk Amy Burton reported that Brad Vincent with Ground Water Associates, Inc. has requested an extension from the Division of Water Resources for additional time to submit information that the proposed wells will not impair existing water rights. Ms. Burton has received a letter from the Division that the deadline has been extended to November 5, 2015.
NEW BUSINESS
Capital Improvement – Streets: Repair/Maintenance
Ms. Burton presented bids for crack patch material for street repairs. Council member John Walz moved to accept the low bid from PMSI in the amount of $21,240 with funds to come from Capital Improvement – Streets. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
Personnel: Policy
Ms. Burton presented an updated resolution authorizing City employees to utilize the City credit card for necessary expenditures. The resolution has been updated for the addition of an employee. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to approve Resolution No. 513 authorizing current employees to use the City credit card. The motion carried 5-1, with Council member Gary Luea opposed.
General Government: Committee
Mayor David McDaniel reviewed a letter from the League of Kansas Municipalities providing the City an opportunity to register a voting delegate to represent the City in the affairs of the League. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to elect Jolene Niernberger as the LKM voting delegate. The motion carried 6-0, with Council member Jolene Niernberger abstained. Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Gary Luea seconded a motion to elect John Walz as the LKM alternate voting delegate. The motion carried 6-0, with Council member John Walz abstained.
General Government: City Code
Council member Bob Redger discussed the Ellis Golf Club’s request to loosen the restrictions on using firearms within city limits. He asked for Council to consider a variance allowing the Club to file a permit with the Police Department to use a shotgun to eliminate the skunk problem. Police Chief Taft Yates and City Attorney Olavee Raub explained the restrictions in place are City ordinances based on State Statutes. Kansas law states it is illegal to spotlight an animal and to discharge a firearm in the city limits, unless under specific circumstances. Ms. Raub will research the statutes to determine if a variance is provided for in the case of nuisance animals. Council member Gary Luea suggested the Club consider hiring a professional trapper as killing the skunks will cause an unpleasant odor in the residential area near the course. Kansas Wildlife and Parks might also be able to provide assistance. Ms. Raub will have more information for the next meeting.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
Water
City Clerk Amy Burton presented the Comparative Water Report for the period June 10th to July 10th and the water well levels.
General Government: Land Acquisition
Ms. Burton discussed the need to acquire right-of-way easements for the water and sewer lines for the newly annexed property. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to direct City Attorney Olavee Raub to draft the right-of-way easements for the annexed land on Lakeview Street. Ms. Raub will confer with Alan on the easement distance. Upon a call for the vote, the motion carried 5-1, with Council member Gary Luea opposed.
Streets: Repair/Maintenance
This fall the Public Works Department will build shoulders on Cedar Lane down to Old Highway 40 to help with drainage. Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman will present bids for striping the street at the next meeting.
Sanitation: Special Project
City Clerk Amy Burton reported the last grass route will be ran October 12th. The fall City-Wide Cleanup has been scheduled for October 19th, and summer hours will tentatively end September 21st.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates presented the Monthly Activity Report for August and the September Staff Calendar. The Department had several major incidents in August, including assisting with a roll-over accident and investigating suspicious activity near the grade school. The Department has conducted training on new and changing laws, firearms, and taser certification.
City Clerk
City Clerk Amy Burton presented the July Financial Statements consisting of the Statement of Accounts, Security Deposit Worksheet and the Treasurer’s Report.
Ms. Burton presented information from eCivis online grant service. The service helps municipalities find grant opportunities at a subscription price of $690 per year for a 3-year subscription period. Ms. Burton received one request for feedback from another City and was told they do not plan to renew. They are in the last year of their subscription period and have yet to receive a grant award through the service. Council decided to not take any action at this time.
General Government: Training
Ms. Burton announced the early registration deadline for the League of Kansas Municipalities Annual Conference held in October is September 25th. Council members Jolene Niernberger, John Walz, and Mayor David McDaniel expressed interest in attending.
General Government: Zoning
The Council discussed the Application for Special Use Permit by Luke Pechanec. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to authorize the Mayor to sign the consent agreement related to the application for Mr. Pechanec. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0. The Board of Zoning Appeals will hold a hearing on Mr. Pechanec’s application on September 28th.
Water: Special Project
Several months ago the Council expressed interest in helping to sponsor a county-wide water calendar that will offer monthly tips on water conservation and the importance of protecting our water source in Ellis County. Council member Gary Luea moved and Council member John Walz seconded a motion to participate as a Silver Sponsor at a donation of $501 with money to come from the Capital Improvement Fund-Special Project fund. The motion carried 6-0.
Sewer: Repair/Maintenance
City Clerk Amy Burton presented an email received from Brian Spano, Wilson & Co., requesting Council to consider approving $180 to WedgCor Steel Buildings to have the roof of the new addition painted white to match the existing building. Council expressed displeasure at the “nickel and diming” on the building and discussed having the City Attorney dispute the additional charge when the engineer requested an identical building. After further discussion Council member Heather Luea moved to approve the building revision to WedgCor Steel Buildings in the amount of $180. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-2, with Council members Heather Luea, Jolene Niernberger, Bob Redger, and John Walz voting in favor of the motion, and Council members Holly Aschenbrenner and Gary Luea voting opposed.
Tourism: Special Project
Ms. Burton provided the proof of the back page for the Experience Ellis brochure. Council proposed several changes. Ms. Burton will forward the changes onto the publisher.
Tourism: Repair/Maintenance
The Council reviewed a photo of the billboard a mile east of town. The vinyl is coming off and the pictures are faded. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to replace the vinyl of the billboard at a cost of $720 with money to come from Tourism funds. The motion carried 5-1, with Council member Holly Aschenbrenner opposed.
Clerk: Notice
City Clerk Amy Burton informed Council of a letter being distributed in Ellis from HomeServe. The company offers homeowners the opportunity to purchase insurance on their water and sewer lines. Ms. Burton stressed the City is not associated with this company and for homeowners to consider at their own risk.
Water: Billing
Ms. Burton responded to comments made under Public Forum about the wording in the High Water Consumption Notices sent to residents. Much of the wording in City violation notices come from the City Code sections and City Attorney Olavee Raub reviews the initial letter for accuracy before any letters are mailed to residents. Council member Gary Luea questioned the readings of his meter in recent months. Ms. Burton will check on his readings.
Attorney
City Attorney Olavee Raub requested permission to attend the Joint Prosecutor/Law Enforcement Officer Impaired Driving Seminar in Wichita in October. The seminar is free but the City would need to pay for hotel accommodations. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to approve two nights’ hotel accommodations at the conference rate for Ms. Raub to attend the Impaired Driving Seminar on October 19th – 20th. The motion carried 6-0.
Mayor/Council
Sanitation: City Code
Mayor David McDaniel discussed City Code 15-405 regarding tree limbs and brush. The Public Works Department has had several requests over the last month for special pickups on tree limbs. None of the special pickups met City Code on the length of limbs. Mayor McDaniel gave notice that effectively immediately; requests for limb pickups must meet City Code specifications.
Public Works: Training
Mayor McDaniel reported that Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman has started the building inspector certification program as directed by Council. The Council will discuss with Mr. Scheuerman setting a deadline for completion at the next meeting when he returns from vacation.
General Government: Training
Mayor McDaniel attended the Kansas Mayor’s Association meeting on September 12th. The new election procedures were discussed regarding the transition from April to November elections. The City is still able to hold a Special Election in April for the sales tax issue. At the meeting participants held a mock Council meeting. Mayor McDaniel was pleased to report that Ellis is in compliance with aspects of conducting a Council meeting. He encouraged the Council to consider attending the Regional Supper in Goodland on October 21st.
Council
Council member Gary Luea inquired of any updates on the 10th Street bridge.
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner will be absent at the September 21st meeting. However, she asked for the Mayor to follow up on the installation of the transducers and the dock at the campground.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Gary Luea seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 10:17 p.m.
The proposed Zoning and Subdivision Regulations currently being considered by the City of Hays represent another government effort to solve problems that do not exist.
At over 500 pages in length, these regulations are extremely complicated and difficult to understand.
Do we really need the City of Hays to tell us how many caliper inches wide a newly planted tree must be, how many trees we can plant and where we have to plant them? Should the City of Hays dictate to a builder of a multi-family property how much of their property must be brick or stone and what type of siding they can use?
These are just examples of the thousands of requirements that will be placed on property owners.
The regulations will undoubtedly result in:
1) A significant loss of the rights of property owners in the development and improvement of their properties.
2) An increase in the cost of development, construction and remodeling.
3) An increase in the cost of local government as a result of the enforcement and
administrative costs surrounding these regulations.
4. A deterrent to new business and residential growth in our area.
We have attended numerous meetings beginning, July of 2014, involving city staff and the planning commission and expressed concerns. While they have listened, we believe that after review of the new drafts of the proposed regulations it is apparent that promising to make small changes will not be sufficient to stop the overall negative impact these regulations will have on our community. The regulations are excessive and another case of government intruding ever further into the lives of property owners.
We’d like to issue 2 challenges:
1) All planning commission and city commission members to read the entire Zoning Rewrite prior to taking it to a vote. We don’t need another pass first…read later.
2) All concerned property and business owners to contact a HBOR member or their city commissioners to voice their concerns.
We are asking the Hays City Commission to reject the proposed Zoning and Subdivision Regulations currently under consideration. We also ask city staff to continue efforts to work with Developers, Realtors, Contractors and Property Owners to identify realistic revisions needed to the existing regulations.
The current regulations have served the City of Hays well and there is “no need to throw out the baby with the bath water”.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas residents whose voter registrations have been suspended because they haven’t provided a passport or birth certificate have 90 days to provide the documents before their registrations are canceled.
The Kansas City Star reports Secretary of State Kris Kobach issued the 90-day rule on Thursday, saying it was matter of efficiency and cost-savings. Voting rights groups vigorously objected to the time limit, which goes into effect early next month.
More than 35,000 voter registration applications are currently “in suspense,” of which about 30,000 are incomplete because registrants haven’t provided the required identification.
Proof-of-citizenship documents have been required since January 2013 but there was no limit on how long county election officials had to keep incomplete registrations.
Kerry Wasinger, FHSU General Counsel/Asst. to the President
By Diane Gasper-O’Brien FHSU University Relations and Marketing
She teases that her husband is lucky to have met a newcomer to town from another state 13 years ago, someone to share his life with, since he is related to nearly everyone in Ellis County.
After 15 years living in Hays, Kerry Wasinger feels about at home as her husband, Steven Wasinger, a native of the area.
The sense of family is about to get a whole lot deeper for Wasinger, who grew up in a small town in Missouri.
She is the new general counsel executive assistant to the president of Fort Hays State University, which has adopted the mantra “We Are Family” since Dr. Mirta M. Martin arrived in Hays as FHSU’s new president in July 2014.
Much like Martin, Wasinger hit the ground running from Day One on campus. Wasinger is co-chair of the Criticial Incident Policy Group on campus, along with Ed Howell, FHSU police chief.
In just a week on the job, Wasinger will be an observer in the emergency operations center — a behind-the-scenes role — in an “active shooter” exercise Tuesday, designed to test the capabilities of law enforcement and emergency management teams in case of an emergency situation.
Wasinger replaces Todd Powell, who resigned in January after 10 years as FHSU’s general counsel to return to private practice. Powell continued as a consultant for FHSU during the interim period.
“I’d like to thank Todd for ensuring a seamless transition,” Martin said. “And I’d like to express my gratification to the search committee which was chaired by Chief Howell.”
Martin said that following a national search, Wasinger emerged as a good fit for the job because of the breadth of experience she brings to FHSU.
Wasinger received her bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from the University of Missouri in 1996.She graduated from the Washburn University School of Law in Topeka in 1999 and took her first job halfway across the state in Hays — as a staff attorney for Kansas Legal Services, and she has never left. She met her future husband here and agrees it’s a “great place to raise a family.”
The Wasingers are parents of two young children, 9-year-old Kyle and 5-year-old Emma.
“Our son can walk from his school to the library, and we don’t have to worry about it,” she said.
During her work for Kansas Legal Services, Wasinger represented clients in areas of domestic and general civil matters.
“She brings that view of the world with her, which is invaluable,” Martin said.
Wasinger then began work as staff attorney for the 23rd Judicial district Court trustee before joining the Herman Law Office in Hays in 2013.
“She’s well known in the community and has close ties to the university,” Martin said. “And her connection with law enforcement is critical for the campus.”
Wasinger also has experience with faculty. She has taught business law classes online for Fort Hays State and for the Sias International University program in China. She even spent six weeks in China teaching at Sias a few years ago.
“The level of trust and respect she has earned among the faculty will serve the university very, very well,” Martin said. “That will make an effective bridge for us; we’re not starting from scratch.”
Wasinger said she was intrigued with the general counsel position because “I like learning.”
“I have always liked academia,” she said. “This is a nice combination of two loves.”
Restoring the historic airplane has been a 15-year effort. Friday’s engine test is a step that volunteers hope will put it one step closer to its first flight.
Built in Wichita 70 years ago, the plane was dubbed “Doc” after being assigned to a squadron of eight bombers named for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. It was finished too late to fly bombing missions during World War II, though it eventually served as a radar trainer during the Korean War. -The Associated Press contributed to this story
A group of case managers from Johnson County who work with Kansans with disabilities came to Topeka last month to air grievances about the state’s “health homes” initiative.
Rep. Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican who chairs the House Health and Human Services Committee and co-chairs the KanCare oversight committee, was the recipient of the most MCO lobbying meals through May 27. Hawkins received 41 meals worth nearly $1,062. CREDIT ANDY MARSO / HEARTLAND HEALTH MONITOR
In the morning, several of them testified in front of the Robert G. (Bob) Bethell Joint Committee on Home and Community Based Services and KanCare Oversight.
When the committee broke for lunch, they went to a popular restaurant across the street from the Statehouse. While there, they spotted staffers from Amerigroup, one of the KanCare managed care organizations (MCOs), treating one of the committee members to a meal.
Meredith Funkhouser, co-owner of Case Management Services Inc., found that frustrating because Amerigroup was the MCO she’d had the most trouble with on the health homes issue.
“Some of those Amerigroup staff members have been contacted by our agency with real problems, and we do not get calls back,” Funkhouser said in an email. “We also rarely get return emails until we have escalated a problem to the oversight committee. … I guess by providing lunch they can explain their way through this debacle over a roast beef sandwich.”
Food and beverages exempt
Lobbyists providing lunch — or other meals — for legislators is common practice in Topeka. Companies and advocacy groups see it as a way to get valuable face time with policymakers so they can make their case on issues that are important to them.
The laws governing such interactions in Kansas are relatively strict compared to other states like Missouri, where legislators may accept unlimited gifts from lobbyists.
In Kansas lobbyists may not give lawmakers any material goods worth more than $40 in a calendar year and they may not spend more than $100 a year per legislator on recreational activities like sporting events.
But food and beverage purchases for lawmakers are exempt from those limits under state law, as long as the lobbyist is dining with the legislator and is not explicitly requesting any legislative action in return.
Marilyn Kubler, director of another case management agency, said when legislators get food and drinks from the MCOs, whose income depends on state Medicaid contracts, those purchases merit scrutiny — especially when the legislators receiving the meals are on the committee tasked with overseeing the MCO’s performance.
“Although it may be legal, it definitely is not ethical and the perception of a state senator or representative being hosted by an MCO for lunches and dinners when they serve on an oversight committee seems like a corruption of office,” Kubler said.
The KanCare committee was established in 2013 to oversee the Medicaid makeover launched that year by Gov. Sam Brownback. KanCare moved most of the state’s Medicaid beneficiaries into health plans run by the three MCOs, which are private insurance companies.
The state’s $3 billion KanCare program serves about 425,000 Kansans.
United Healthcare: $0 for lobbying
The most recent reports published by the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission outline lobbying expenditures from Jan. 1 to May 27, which includes most of the 2015 legislative session.
Those filings show that the MCOs spent $7,247.44 on lobbying during that period. About $5,325 of that was for 237 itemized meals for legislators and their staff members. The rest were un-itemized expenses, which could include meals for people not directly involved in government, such as legislators’ spouses.
Amerigroup spent $3,121.65. Sunflower State Health Plan spent $1,898.20 and its parent company, St. Louis-based Centene, spent $2,227.59.
The third MCO, United Healthcare, reported no lobbying expenses.
“While we won’t comment on what other health plans may do, we will say that we support all efforts aimed at transparency and hold our meetings during office hours as a way to help make ourselves available to answer questions any policymaker may have,” Molly McMillen, a spokeswoman for United Healthcare, said in an email.
Media relations specialists with Amerigroup and Sunflower did not respond to requests for comment on their lobbying expenses.
Rep. Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican who chairs the House Health and Human Services Committee and co-chairs the KanCare oversight committee, was the recipient of the most MCO lobbying meals through May 27.
Hawkins received 41 meals worth $1,061.91 — an average of more than $25 for each meal — during that time from lobbyists for Amerigroup, Centene and Sunflower State.
Hawkins didn’t respond to an emailed request for comment. Previously he’s said that campaign donations from the MCOs do not affect the way he or other members of the oversight committee approach their jobs.
No meals for committee Democrats
The oversight committee is made up of seven Republicans and four Democrats. Rep. John Edmonds of Great Bend was the only Republican on the committee who didn’t receive any meals from the MCOs.
None of the committee’s Democrats received any meals.
Republicans hold large majorities in both chambers. Sen. Laura Kelly, a Democrat from Topeka who is the ranking member of the KanCare oversight committee, said members of her party are often ignored by the MCOs, and that limits policy discussions.
“It’s not that I’m begging for a lunch,” Kelly said. “I don’t care about that stuff. It’s the exclusion of people who are from a different party or who might disagree with you. People who might ask you challenging questions.”
Kelly also is ranking minority member of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee. Amerigroup is co-hosting a fundraiser next month for the re-election campaigns of the committee’s seven Republicans.
Kelly said lobbyists have always gravitated toward the party in power, but in the last several years the partisanship has gone “to another level.”
“It just feels different now,” she said.
Andy Marso is a reporter for Heartland Health Monitor, a news collaboration focusing on health issues and their impact in Missouri and Kansas.
What was once a crowded field battling for the starting quarterback job at Kansas State has suddenly grown thin. After losing starter Jesse Ertz to a knee injury on the first possession of the opening game of the season against South Dakota, the Wildcats have now lost backup Alex Delton. The true freshman from Hays High reportedly injured his knee while closing out K-State’s victory at Texas-San Antonio on Saturday.
It’s not like me to use words such as “stupid” in my letters, however, when it comes to Hillary Clinton’s run for the presidency I can’t help myself.
In a previous letter to the editor of mine I claimed what she did using a private email server was the “stupidest” political move ever. Her sinking poll numbers are proving me to be right. As I read the news and watch TV her email scandal is all over the place and has become a campaign quagmire.
Guess what? Yup, she does another really “stupid” thing. In order to reverse her falling poll numbers with women, she runs an ad about being a big supporter of women getting raped and that they should speak out about it.
Republicans should be all over that ad, and they’re not. Maybe the GOP is stuck on “stupid” as well. Small wonder Trump is popular.
Hillary’s husband Bill is a serial sexual abuser. There is case after case of women speaking up about being attacked by Bill.
Hillary knows about Bill’s transgressions. She’s not a nonbeliever. No, she doesn’t attack Bill, as if it would do any good anyway. Instead, Hillary, with the help of liberal media, has a godawful history where she goes all out to destroy the lives of Monica, Kathleen Willey, Juanita Broaddrick, Paula Jones, and many more who were victims of her husband.
It is a known fact that Bill had a 12-year relationship with Gennifer Flowers while married to Hillary. What about Bill paling around a lot since leaving the presidency with Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted pedophile who has a hideaway on James Island in the Caribbean known as a place where underage girls hang out and so did Bill a dozen times.
How “stupid” can Hillary be in trying to be a rapist victim’s biggest supporter? It should be the last thing in the world she would want to bring up. Talk about opening up a can of worms!
In 1975, before Bill, when Hillary was a young defense attorney, she defended a child rapist whom she knew was guilty but managed to get a not guilty verdict. In the process, she lied all over the place about the 12 year old girl, ruining the poor girl’s life, and then laughing about the whole thing later.
Does anybody doubt that if a Republican candidate was doing what Hillary does they would still be in the presidential race? Not a chance! Liberal media, in the pocket for Dems, would have taken out that Republican a long time ago.
What does that say about this country should Hillary and Bill be back in the White House? Morality no longer matters, nor competence?
After a misunderstanding, the Ellis County Attorney attempted to clarify comments made last week about his employees and the construction process at the Ellis County Law Enforcement Center at this week’s county commission meeting.
County Commissioner Dean Haselhorst told the commission last week that some county employees had been contacting the project superintendent at the Law Enforcement Center and jail and bypassing Haselhorst, who is serving as the construction liaison. Haselhorst said employees had been requesting changes be made to certain areas of the building, including the county attorney office’s breakroom.
Ellis County Attorney Tom Drees approached the commission about the comments and said he talked with Haselhorst about the requested changes. Drees said the request was for 3 extra feet of counter space in the breakroom, adding he talked with Haselhorst about the change and no one bypassed the commission.
According to the Drees, the money to pay for the change is not coming from his department’s budget, instead it is coming from the Diversion Trust Fund, and no taxpayer dollars are going to pay for the change. Drees said they also used money from that fund to move his department from the LEC to the NEW building.
Haselhorst said there was a miscommunication between himself and Drees. Drees apologized for the misinformation that was given to the commission. Haselhorst added it was “not a problem” and it had been “taken care of.”
