FHSU University Relations and Marketing

Five Fort Hays State University students were awarded scholarships at the Tuesday, Oct. 18, Sigma Phi Epsilon Balanced Man Scholarship reception. The recipients reflect the importance of leading a balanced life.

Receiving $500 awards were Dane Murzyn, Carlos Chavez, Dacey Brister and Joseph Raat. Receiving a $1,000 award was Hunter Perryman.

The students, with classifications, majors and high schools, are listed by hometowns.

Denver, Colo. (80239): Dane Murzyn, a freshman majoring in health and human performance, is a Bishop Machebeuf High School graduate.

Hays (67601): Hunter Perryman, a freshman majoring in biology, is a Hays High School graduate.

Imperial, Neb. (69033): Carlos Chavez, a freshman majoring in accounting, is a Chase County High School graduate.

O’Fallon, Mo. (63366): Dacey Brister, freshman, is a Fort Zumwalt North High School graduate.

Plainville (67663): Joseph Raat, a freshman majoring in technology studies, is a Natoma High School graduate.

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

The Ellis County Treasurer’s office has seen a number of changes over the last three years under current Treasurer Ann Pfeifer, but she says she has enjoyed being able to serve the community — and hopes to continue serving.

Pfeifer, an Ellis County native, is running for re-election as a Democrat and faces Republican challenger Lisa Schlegel in the Nov. 8 general election.

Pfeifer took over as the treasurer in April 2013 after working as the country’s accounting manager for almost three years. She also spent time working in the banking industry and higher education prior to going to work for Ellis County in November 2010.

Within 60 days of taking office in 2013, Pfeifer and the treasurer’s office helped oversee the closing of four bonds for major construction projects within Ellis County. The first was for the Old U.S. 40 project and the other three were for the Law Enforcement Center, county jail and Emergency Services building.

Pfeifer, who recently became a Certified Kansas County Finance Officer from the Kansas County Treasurer’s Association, said, if re-elected, she plans to continue working to make the office more efficient and continue to look for cost savings.

She said her office is planning to look for a better way to manage wait times and lines. They are currently looking at a system that would allow customers to queue online before coming to the office.

“We are just trying to look at the pros and cons to that,” Pfeifer said, “and if that would be a good fit for Ellis County.”

RELATED: Lisa Schlegel candidate profile.

The office, under the leadership of Pfeifer, is working to become more streamlined and make residents’ experiences with the treasurer’s office more pleasant.

“We work very hard on making sure that every customer is treated the best we can once they get to our window,” Pfeifer said.

In another effort to save money, Pfeifer said she is working with another vendor to mail tax statements.

“To make sure that we can try to get the best price we can on postage, because that is something that we can really control,” she said.

Her office also has enlisted the help of a local vendor to process and send out the tax statements, which Pfeifer said has reduced overtime expenses.

Pfeifer said another goal is to open the payroll reduction option to more employees than just those who work for the county.

The EZ Pay Escrow contribution is withdrawn from paychecks and put into an account with the county that can be used to pay for tag and tax transactions.

“That way, instead of having to make their payments once a year or twice a year,” Pfeifer said, “they are able to use it where they can break it up into 11 or 12 easy monthly payments.”

Pfeifer said even though the department has gone through a lot of change and she has had some disagreements with the county commission, she wouldn’t change anything. She said she wants to help as many people as she can.

“As a mother of three, I want to see Ellis County thrive and be a great place to live, not only for now but for my children and future generations,” she said.

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

Citing a lack of leadership and a desire to hold public office, Ellis County native Lisa Schlegel is running for Ellis County Treasurer.

After working in higher education, at a local bank and at the Hays Public Library, Schlegel is running as a Republican against incumbent Treasurer Ann Pfeifer, a Democrat.

Schlegel graduated from Fort Hays State University with a degree in Leadership Studies and received a master’s from the University of Kansas. She believes her education would be a benefit the Treasurer’s Office.

“It’s just become clear to me that this would be a great time for me,” Schlegel said, “to share my leadership skills and make that office a more pleasant place to work, a more pleasant place for people to come and just have better leadership, which can only make Ellis County stronger.”

Schlegel said she has more leadership experience than her opponent and said that is the biggest problem facing the treasurer’s office.

“It’s been a three-year leadership track record of poor leadership decisions,” Schlegel.

RELATED: Ann Pfeifer candidate profile.

She cited a verbal altercation over taxes at an Ellis County Commission meeting between Pfeifer and County Commissioner Barb Wasinger as an example of the lack of leadership shown by the treasurer and said Pfeifer takes things personally.

“There was no effort to sort of bring people together and sort of dial down the negative energy,” Schlegel said.

Schlegel does not a substantial background in finance, but said there are many treasurers around the country who do not have a background in finance. She said skills she uses in her personal life will help her be successful in the role.

“I’m a quick learner,” Schlegel said. “I’ve had an excellent educational record and an excellent professional record.”

She said that will allow her to quickly pick up on state-provided training.

“I know that I’m going to learn quickly and learn how to pick up on that stuff,” Schlegel said. “She (Pfeifer) got in there and had no experience, and she learned.

“My opponent, again, does not want people to know that that is where she is getting her education, that it’s provided to her and she is learning that.”

Schlegel touted her experience keeping her personal finances and said she manages her own money well.

“Those skills that I just have naturally in my life will carry over,” she said.

She said she has no examples of Pfeifer’s inability to manage the county’s budget – which totals more than $47 million — and said she believe Pfeifer is “probably doing OK.”

Schlegel also said her knowledge of the farm and oil communities will benefit her, if elected.

“When I heard about the shortcoming of this office, I just knew that I could do better, I have done better,” Schlegel said. “I’d like to stay in Hays. I’d like to get into local government.”

USD 489

“All USD 489 staff and students are safe after lockdown procedures were in effect at O’Loughlin Elementary, Westside, and the Learning Center on Thursday, October 20, 2016. At no time were any USD 489 students or staff in any direct threat.

“At approximately 2:33 p.m., O’Loughlin Elementary School was notified by the Hays Police Department to enter into lockdown.  Police identified an escaped suspect was on foot in the area near the three district campuses.  School district officials notified parents that lockdown procedures were in effect at O’Loughlin Elementary School, Westside, and the Learning Center.

“The district received notification from law enforcement at 2:57 p.m. giving the all-clear. District officials notified parents of the all-clear as soon as it was received. Students were able to dismiss on time at both O’Loughlin, Westside, and the Learning Center.”

RELATED: Statement from USD 489 on short-lived lockdown.

UPDATE, 3:02 p.m.: “Law enforcement has given the district the all-clear to exit out of lockdown for O’Loughlin, Westside and Rockwell campuses. Please commence in picking up your students at their appropriate dismissal times.” — USD 489

Hays Post will update with additional information as details become available.

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USD 489

O’Loughlin Elementary School, Westside and Rockwell campuses are currently on lockdown, according to a release Thursday afternoon just before 3 p.m.

“Hays law enforcement has contacted the schools to go into lockdown procedures. Students will not be dismissed until the all-clear has been given by law enforcement. We will notify parents as soon as the all-clear has been given by law enforcement,” according to the notice.

A separate notice issued by O’Loughlin Elementary noted all students and staff are safe.

Check Hays Post for more as details become available.