The Dane G. Hansen Organization has always been generous to Northwest Kansas. Their grants have helped many worthy institutions and charitable organizations. Grants to our learning institutions to fund new/old campus facilities along with grants to students to help them pay their tuitions. These students grants are needed more than ever as Fort Hays State University and others continue to increase their tuitions… 6.5% this year alone!

The Hansen Org. decided on July 29, 2016 to grant the Downtown Hays Development Corp. $100,000 to build a pavilion/restroom next to train tracks under a decaying 159 ft. grain storage silo in an isolated area on 10th St.. According to DHDC’s director Bloom, “concerts and parties will be held in the open air pavilion all year round and renting of the pavilion will be available to anyone interested”. DHDC and FHSU believe this will increase our community connection with FHSU. I disagree. I can only hope that Union Pacific stands by their earlier 2014 decision that stated the “a pavilion would be unsafe to residents and students”.

Tell FHSU’s hierarchy to advise the Dane G. Hansen Org. that this $100,000 would be better used and safer for all if it was used for student tuition grants. I did, and I personally received a response saying “that I should trust in our local elected political officials”. I do not hold a degree, but after 72 years I think I know better!

John Basso, Hays resident