KANSAS CITY – A former Johnson County restaurant owner was indicted Wednesday on charges of fraudulently obtaining $605,000 in loans, according to U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom.
Charles Waits, 54, Lenexa, Kan., was charged in a superseding indictment with one count of bank fraud and two counts of making false statements to a lender. The indictment alleges Waits, a partner in Kansas City Sports Grille, Inc., obtained two commercial loans through Community America Credit Union. He gave the lender a financial statement with false statements regarding his personal assets and net worth.
The indictment seeks a monetary judgment of $605,000, representing the proceeds of the crimes.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison and a fine up to $1 million on each count. The U.S. Secret Service investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Oakley is prosecuting.
The next Pickin’ at the Deines, open jam session will be Sunday, March 20, starting at 3:30 p.m. at the Deines Cultural Center, 820 N. Main, Russell. Musicians of all skill levels are invited to bring their acoustic instruments and join in.
Bring a food dish and join in on the potluck starting at around 5:30 p.m.
This is a free event and everyone is welcome. Call DCC Director Shannon Trevethan at (785) 483-3742 for inquiries.
ELLIS–Bret Andries was appointed March 7 by Ellis Mayor David McDaniel to fill the unexpired term of Heather Luea, who resigned from the city council. Andries was the next highest vote recipient in last April’s election. McDaniel also appointed Sylvia Kinderknecht to fill the vacancy on the Planning Commission/Board of Zoning Appeals.
Don Younger, representing the Ellis Golf Club, talked to the council about the club’s financial difficulties. The club is already charged the city’s lowest water rate. Younger told the council he’s worried that without some city funds, the club would be forced to close. The Ellis Golf Club has lost $135,000 over the last three years.
The council also heard about public education activities in advance of the Tuesday, April 5, election to approve continuation of the one cent sales tax for bond and interest payments on the water treatment plant.
The complete March 7, 2016, meet minutes follow.
ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING Minutes March 7, 2016
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor David McDaniel called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members Gary Luea, Jolene Niernberger, Bob Redger, and John Walz. Also present were Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, City Clerk Amy Burton, Police Chief Taft Yates, and City Attorney Olavee Raub. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner was absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
Police Chief Taft Yates asked for an addition under his report to discuss outside agency help during his medical leave.
PUBLIC PRESENT
Don Younger, Phillip Quevillon, Charlene Weber, Dean Gottschalk, Dustin Avey, Buck Driggs, Justine Benoit, Cheryl Kinderknecht, Glen Keller, Ty McCulloch, Amy Varner, Casey Thomlinson, Charles Dick, Nickole Byers, and Steve Ferland.
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on February 15, 2016, Minutes from the Special Meeting on February 19, 2016, and Bills Ordinance #1992. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 4-0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Phillip Quevillon asked about possible meeting locations in Ellis to host Toastmaster events. He also offered his services for announcing sports events, if needed.
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
None
SPECIAL ORDER
Financial: Special Project
The Fort Hays State University Leadership 310 Team gave a short presentation on their plan to educate the residents on the importance of the sales tax election on April 5th. They will be distributing flyers to residents and also attending community events to help spread awareness of the election. The Team consists of Amy Varner, Charles Dick, Ty McCulloch, and Casey Thomlinson. The City is asking residents to approve the continuation of the one cent sales tax to pay the bond and interest payments on the Water Treatment Plant.
Streets: Grant
Justine Benoit, Western Kansas Planning & Development, presented the Grant Agreement between the City of Ellis and the State of Kansas Department of Commerce. The City was awarded a Community Development Block Grant in the amount of $400,000 with the City matching funds of $413,859. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member John Walz seconded a motion to approve the CDBG Grant Agreement with the State of Kansas and authorizing the Mayor to sign. The motion carried 4-0.
General Government: Financial
Dustin Avey, Piper Jaffray, visited with Council about refinancing the City’s 2006 General Obligation and Revenue Bond issues. The City could save approximately $500,000 by taking advantage of low interest rates and refinancing the outstanding bonds. All costs of issuance would be paid out of the bond proceeds from refinancing. The City could keep the bond payments the same and pay the bonds off early, or elect to defer payments by taking the savings at the beginning of the debt schedule. Mr. Avey stated the City would need to hire someone to submit the continuing disclosure statements annually. The Council will further consider refinancing the bonds at the next Council meeting.
Water: Accounting/Billing
Don Younger, representing the Ellis Golf Club, informed Council of a financial hardship the Club is experiencing. Mr. Younger requested the City combine their water meters into one bill in order to get a lower rate charged for water use on their monthly bill. City Clerk Amy Burton explained the City does not use a water rate tier system, and that all of the Club’s water usage is charged at the lowest rate of $4.65 per thousand. Mr. Younger then asked if the City could purchase equipment for the Club to save on property and sales tax. He stated that without the City’s help, he is afraid the Club will be forced to close. The Club has lost $135,000 over the last three years.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Water: Repair/Maintenance
Buck Driggs, Driggs Design Group, provided results from the recent bid letting for the Waterline Improvement Project. Four bidders inquired on the project and two bidders submitted a proposal – Esfeld Construction and APAC-Kansas. Mr. Driggs stated he normally recommends the low bidder, in this case Esfeld Construction; however, Esfeld Construction had errors in their submitted bid document and has still not responded to his request for contact information for their listed work references. Mr. Driggs does not feel comfortable recommending the award of the contract to Esfeld Construction based on information he has gathered on their work history and the errors in their bid document. Council member Jolene Nierberger moved to reject the Esfeld Contruction bid in the amount of $336,625 due to the concerns stated by Mr. Driggs. Council member John Walz seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0. Council member Bob Redger then moved to award the Waterline Improvement Project contract to APAC Construction in the amount of $346,804.80. Council member John Walz seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0.
Water Exploration: Special Project
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman stated that requests for bids for drilling additional test holes were sent to five companies. Two companies submitted bids – Sargent Drilling and Layne Christensen. Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member John Walz seconded a motion to accept the low bid from Sargent Drilling to drill test holes for up to six sites with funds to come from the Capital Improvement – Water Exploration Fund. The motion carried 4-0.
Water Exploration: Special Project
Council member John Walz moved to authorize the Mayor to sign the Voluntary Dismissal of an Application for Permit to Appropriate Water. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0.
Campground: Special Project
Mr. Scheuerman noted that the Heartland Building Center invoices for dock materials are $137.81 higher than the $9,000 Council approved at the last two Council meetings. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to ratify the Heartland Building Center invoices in the amount of $9,137.81, with funds to come from the Campground Fund. The motion carried 4-0.
Streets: Repair/Maintenance
Mr. Scheuerman presented the cost estimate to lay hot-mix on Dorrance Street from 9th – 10th Streets. The City does not have the equipment to perform the work; therefore, APAC would need to lay it while they are in the area later this spring. The total cost for the project is estimated at $119,500. Mr. Scheuerman stated that in order to complete that size of project in addition to the scheduled street seal work for 2016, the Council would need to increase the annual transfer into the Capital Improvement-Street fund in order to have sufficient funds to match the CDBG grant award. He again discussed Lakeview Street repairs and how spreading that project over three years, as presented, could still preserve adequate funds to meet the required CDBG match. Mr. Scheuerman requested guidance from Council on what project to undertake in that letters need to be sent out requesting assistance and materials need to be ordered. He noted that discussion has been ongoing on the additional projects since late January and he believes a decision needs to be made soon or materials and assistance may no longer be available. Council member Gary Luea inquired of City Attorney Olavee Raub about the City’s ability to assess special assessments to those residents benefitting from the Lakeview Drive repairs. Ms. Raub stated that special assessments may only be charged to those residents living in the city limits and that there is a statutory process the City would need to follow, including holding a public hearing, to assess any special assessments to residents. It was the consensus of Council to table further discussion until the next Council meeting.
Streets: City Code
City Attorney Olavee Raub presented a proposed ordinance extending the amount of time residents have to clear their sidewalks after a snow or ice storm from six hours to twelve hours. Council member Gary Luea moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to approve Ordinance No. 1397 amending Code Section 13-502 regarding ice and snow removal. The motion carried 4-0.
NEW BUSINESS
Personnel: Exit/Entry
Mayor David McDaniel read a prepared statement that due to the resignation of Council member Heather Luea, it is his statutory duty to recommend a replacement for the vacancy for Council’s consideration. With that, Mayor McDaniel recommends the appointment of Bret Andries to fill the unexpired term of Heather Luea. Mr. Andries was the next highest vote recipient in last April’s election. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to approve the appointment of Bret Andries to fill the unexpired term on Council. The motion carried 4-0.
General Government: Committee
Mayor McDaniel recommended the appointment of Sylvia Kinderknecht to fill the vacancy on the Planning Commission/Board of Zoning Appeals. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to approve the appointment of Sylvia Kinderknecht to fill the unexpired term on the Planning Commission/Board of Zoning Appeals. The motion carried 4-0.
Parks: Event Request
Council member Bob Redger moved to approve the Public Property Permit Applications, Event Requests for Traffic Control, and Noise Permit Application for the EHS Alumni Association, contingent on the Chamber of Commerce submitting an approved Cereal Malt Beverage license application. Council member John Walz seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0. The applications are for the annual EHS alumni activities on May 27-28th.
General Government: Committee
Council members John Walz and Jolene Niernberger spoke on the Kansas PRIDE Program and their recent committee meeting. The program aims to help communities enhance their quality of life through volunteer efforts. Ellis has already participated in the First Impressions Committee portion and the next step is to adopt a resolution committing to the program. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to adopt Resolution No. 523 committing to the Kansas PRIDE Program. The motion carried 4-0.
Special Machinery: Acquisition
City Clerk Amy Burton presented three bids for a new copier/printer for the Clerk’s office. The current copy machine is almost 14 years old and the printer is 15 years old. After discussing the various office machines and service history with the City, Council member Gary Luea moved to approve the proposal from Tri-Central Office Supply for a Savin MP-4054SP copier in the amount of $5,150, and to enter into the maintenance and supply agreement for $1,280 per year after the warranty expires. Funds for the copier to come out of the Special Machinery fund. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0.
Personnel: Policy
Police Chief Taft Yates asked Council to consider adding a specialization to the list included in the Personnel and Policy Manual. Officer Chris Krom recently attended a class on Child Safety Seat installation and he would like that specialization included on the list. Employees are awarded a small pay increase for those certifications/specializations stated in the manual. City Attorney Olavee Raub will draft revisions to the policy for consideration at the next meeting adding wording that the list is not all-inclusive and that certifications/ specializations may be approved by department heads.
Water: Repair/Maintenance
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman informed Council of problems with the high speed pump at the Water Treatment Plant. Mr. Scheuerman contacted Layne Christensen to inspect and remove the pump for possible repairs. Mayor David McDaniel approved the emergency repair prior to the Council meeting. Council member Gary Luea moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to ratify the quotation from Layne Christensen in the amount of $2,402.50 for the emergency repair to the high speed pump at the Water Treatment Plant, with funds to come from the Water Utility fund. The motion carried 4-0.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
PUBLIC WORKS
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman read a note received last week from Jolene Niernberger acknowledging the tragedy in Hays whereby a trench collapsed killing two people. Ms. Niernberger stated she recognizes the danger in the work the Department performs and appreciates Mr. Scheuerman’s efforts in implementing safety measures.
Water
Mr. Scheuerman presented the Comparative Water Report for the periods December 10th – January 10th, and from January 10th – February 10th. He also presented the Well Levels and Average Daily Water Use spreadsheets. Mr. Scheuerman noted that the well levels are starting to drop and the creek is drying up again.
Water: Training
Mr. Scheuerman requested approval to attend floodplain training in Emporia and El Dorado this spring. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to allow Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman to attend floodplain training in El Dorado and Emporia in April and May. The motion carried 4-0.
Public Works: Disposal
It was the consensus of Council to have Mr. Scheuerman sell the old welder on the Purple Wave Auction site.
POLICE
Police Chief Taft Yates reported that the Highway Patrol has brought to Ellis a granite stone memorializing Marshall Andrew Miller from the Memorial Wall in Topeka. Chief Yates will contact the family to see if they would like the stone.
Chief Yates presented the February Activity Report and the March Staff Calendar. He noted that the calendar will be changing due to unforeseen circumstances. Chief Yates will be having surgery next week on a broken bone and will be on light duty for some time.
Personnel: Entry
Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to allow Police Chief Taft Yates to seek additional certified part-time officers to help out the Department on an as-needed basis. The motion carried 4-0, with Council member Gary Luea abstaining. Council member Bob Redger asked for City Clerk Amy Burton to add discussion of hiring procedures to the next Council agenda.
Police: Training
Chief Yates informed Council that prior to the Hesston shooting all Department officers participated in six hours of active shooter training in Hays.
CITY CLERK
City Clerk Amy Burton presented the January health insurance summary. She also noted that the Clerk’s office has two interns from Fort Hays State University working with her office this semester on two different projects. One intern is developing a wellness program for the City and the other intern is helping with a policy for onboarding/offboarding employees. Ms. Burton also informed Council that her office is looking at prices to replace the laptop in the Council room.
ATTORNEY
City Attorney Olavee Raub will visit with Fire Chief Denis Vine regarding a policy for fire calls due to automatic smoke detectors when the resident is not responding to the door. She also suggested the City consider a budget pay system for the Golf Club’s utility bills. Council will address both items at the next Council meeting.
MAYOR UPDATE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor David McDaniel has contacted County Commissioner Marcy McClelland and asked her to present a report to the Council.
Mayor reminded Council that at the March 21st Council meeting Steve Samuelson with FEMA will present on the Community Rating System Program. He would like for the Trades Board to be invited to that meeting.
General Government: Special Meetings
Mayor McDaniel noted that meetings need to be scheduled with the Trades Board and the Cemetery Committee to follow up on open items. It was decided to have a joint meeting with the Trades Board on March 24th at 7:00 p.m., and a joint meeting with the Cemetery Committee on March 29th at 7:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Gary Luea seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 4-0. The meeting adjourned at 10:08 p.m.
Dr. Mark Peterson teaches political science at college level in Topeka, KS.
Earlier this month the Insight Kansas writers got together for the Mid-America American Studies Association 2016 Conference. Our presentation was “Sam Brownback’s Kansas: Politics and Policies, 2010-2016.” The Topeka Capital-Journal put an unexpected coda on our presentation in its next Sunday editorial, “Brownback plan failing.” The paper has been a consistent supporter of the governor throughout his public career.
The evidence grows that the governor has become more than just a lame duck running out the clock on his last three years. He may be about to become what politicians love best in all the world – a scapegoat. After all, what the paper called a “plan” was identified by the man himself as an “experiment.” While still early in the state’s 2016 election season the voices of once-faithful allies rise even now, before the end of this legislative session, complaining, objecting, proposing legislative corrections to the experiment, and possibly veto overrides.
Never a fan of this governor’s particular mix of theocratic conservatism and love of supply-side economics, it might be expected that this writer has an elevated happy factor. But, that is not the case. To be sure, the dogma that eliminating taxes on proprietors’ incomes was going to stimulate a tremendous upsurge in new jobs was bad economics when proposed – just as daft as it was when first tried in the 1980s. Further, there’s no doubt that taking a larger bite of poor, lower-middle and middle class incomes with increased consumption taxes would reduce consumer spending and create disaffection and discontent. The dismal performance of sales tax receipts and the fact that in general the citizens of Kansas think less of the governor than they do of the despised Obama provides proof. Finally, for those of differing philosophical viewpoints, the governor’s obsession with advancing and espousing aggressively conservative social values has had a markedly chilling effect, especially if one prizes the value of separation between church and state.
Why not then rejoice at the governor’s excellent impersonation of the biblical Job? At the base of the governor’s severe political conservatism, there is a very real set of concerns that all Kansans should be thinking about and acting upon. Kansas is not what it used to be. Our farms no longer account for the incomes of 40 percent of our fellow citizens. The aviation industry, so critical 60 years ago, is a shadow of its past. The bonanza of oil and gas has gone and is unlikely to return to its peak. It’s a litany of grim realities that has long been building.
Census Bureau data retrieved for the roundtable showed that in the 2000 Census, Kansans aged 15 to 19 years old numbered 210,118. In 2010 that same cohort, now 25 to 29 years of age, stood at 197,783 – a decline of 5.9%. Similarly, the group that was 20 to 24 years old in 2000 numbered 190,167. By 2010 the count of these Kansans, now 30 to 34 years old, amounted to 179,937 – a decline of 5.4%. That’s 23,000 workers, potential parents, neighbors and future leaders that simply left! Wichita State’s Center for Economic Development and Business Research presented projections in February showing that Kansas’s current 15 to 24 year old bracket will shrink 37,000 (9%) by 2024. The departed are not likely to return, but the state can do better with its future.
Kansas must change. It must become more progressive, more accepting of evolving cultures, more willing to accommodate humanity in all its diversity, and it must use the tools of both government and the marketplace. If these things do not occur, the 2020 census is likely to convey similar grim news for Nana and Gramps, who keep asking themselves why the kids have to live so darn far away.
MANHATTAN — Masons from 220 lodges across Kansas have collectively given $2.5 million through the Kansas Masonic Foundation to support Kansas State University programs. The gift will support the Kansas PRIDE program, the Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship and the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs, according to a media release.
“This gift is on behalf of Kansas Masons to benefit programs that are good for Kansans and Kansas communities,” said Darren Kellerman, grand master of Kansas Masons.
“Last year, we awarded 78 scholarships to Kansas State University students. Now we are excited to expand our partnership with K-State through three truly unique initiatives,” said Michael Tavares, president of the Kansas Masonic Foundation. He added that the foundation is celebrating its 50th anniversary with the public launch of a $20 million fundraising campaign to help Kansas Masons continue improving communities.
“We are grateful for this significant partnership with Kansas Masons,” saidKirk Schulz, president of Kansas State University. “Their generous investment will support K-State’s outreach and service mission, which is part of our land-grant heritage and is key to becoming a Top 50 public research university by 2025.”
The Kansas PRIDE Program is a partnership between K-State Research and Extension, the Kansas Department of Commerce and Kansas PRIDE Inc. The program encourages and assists local volunteers working in cooperation with local government in making their community a better place to work and live through projects that preserve, create and improve.
“With more than 45 years of success, the Kansas PRIDE program continues to be vital in creating a better tomorrow for 500 Kansas communities over the life of the program, including about 70 communities each year,” said Daryl Buchholz, associate director of extension and applied research at Kansas State University. “The Kansas Masons’ generous investment of time and money will help us expand this program to even more communities, engaging more Kansans in community vitality projects that will improve their future.”
The Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship works to enhance the entrepreneurial environment at Kansas State University and throughout Kansas by providing education and support to entrepreneurs. The Kansas Masonic Foundation’s gift will support the Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge, offering financial prizes and mentors from Masonic and business leaders to guide teams from Kansas high schools and universities.
“We are sincerely grateful for the generosity and support of the Kansas Masons,” said Chad Jackson, director of the Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship. “Their sponsorship of the Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge will enable us to provide key resources and support for the next generation of Kansas entrepreneurs who will drive our state’s economy.”
The Office of Military and Veterans Affairs focuses on military-related institutional policies, education, research and outreach. The office works in conjunction with administrative, academic and student life offices across Kansas State University, and also with the ROTC program, the Kansas National Guard and Fort Riley military installation.
“This gift will help us expand the reach and depth of our work serving military and their families in the state of Kansas, as well as those who are transitioning from military back into civilian work and education in the state of Kansas,” said Arthur DeGroat, retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel and executive director of military and veterans affairs at the university.
Philanthropic contributions to Kansas State University are coordinated by the Kansas State University Foundation. The foundation was established in 1944 as the official fundraising arm of the university. It is a separate, independent entity chartered by the state of Kansas as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit education corporation. The foundation is leading Innovation and Inspiration: The Campaign for Kansas State University to raise $1 billion for student success, faculty development, facility enhancement and programmatic success.
Ryan James Brown, 41, of Seattle, Washington, died on Saturday, February 27, 2016, at his home in Seattle.
Ryan was born on May 14, 1974, in Lawrence, Kansas, the son of Stewart A. and Sharon K. (Earp) Brown. Ryan grew up in the Shawnee Mission, Kansas, area, attended local schools and graduated from Shawnee Mission Northwest High School in 1992. He attended Kansas State University after high school. Ryan was an Eagle Scout. With his career he moved to San Francisco, California and then to Seattle, Washington. He worked in the information technology field for EMC Corporation as an Information Applications Developer. He enjoyed spending time with his friends, cooking and eating fine food.
Surviving family members include his parents Stewart A. and Sharon K. Brown of Norman, Oklahoma; aunts and uncles Rhonda Rinehart, Karen and Jim Ansell, Jon and Vicki Brown, Joel Brown; and numerous cousins and caring friends.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, John and Elma Brown of Gorham and Wendel and LaVon Earp of Russell.
A memorial service to honor Ryan’s life will be held at 10 A.M. on Saturday, March 19, 2016, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell with Pastor Ezekiel Koech officiating. Cremation has preceded the services and inurnment of the remains will follow service. Memorials may be given to the H. Roe Bartle Boy Scout Camp and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.
A Winter Weather Advisory issued for Ellis County at 1 a.m. Friday continues until 10 a.m. this morning.
The National Weather Service in Dodge City predicted two to four inches of wet snow and that’s just what happened in Hays.
According to official records at the K-State Agriculture Research Center south of town, 3.20 inches of snow had fallen by 9 a.m., yielding 0.55 of much-needed precipitation.
The overnight low in Hays was 30 degrees with Thursday’s high reaching 63 degrees. Today’s forecast high is just 40 degrees.
Most of the U.S. will welcome spring tomorrow. Spring begins at 11:30 p.m. Central Daylight Time Saturday, March 19.
File Photo by Andy Marso/KHI News Service Rep. John Wilson, a Democrat from Lawrence testified before the committee
A bill that would legalize hemp oil for treating seizures advanced Thursday to the full Kansas Senate, but not before a committee made extensive changes.
The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee amended Senate Bill 489 to forbid in-state hemp oil production, create different standards for adult and child patients, require doctors who want to prescribe hemp oil to pay for a different certification and specify that the state’s Health Care Stabilization Fund wouldn’t be liable if patients are injured while taking hemp oil.
The amended bill would require that hemp oil prescribed to people younger than 21 contain no more than 0.3 percent tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, which is the chemical that produces a sense of euphoria or “high” in recreational marijuana users.
Sen. Jim Denning, an Overland Park Republican, introduced the amendment to lower the limit for minors while allowing THC content of up to 3 percent for adults.
A second amendment, from Sen. Jacob LaTurner, a Pittsburg Republican, would stipulate that the hemp oil must contain at least 15 percent cannabidiol, or CBD, a chemical in marijuana that doesn’t cause a high.
Advocates see health benefits
Medical marijuana advocates converged Wednesday on the Statehouse to plead their case, but the committee delayed working the bill due to limited time.
Sara Weber was among those who said allowing hemp oil could make a significant difference in her life.
Weber, 27, of Washington, said she has had multiple types of seizures since she has was 18, and taking variety of medications hasn’t substantially reduced them.
A doctor she visited in Colorado said she would benefit from taking a high-cannabidiol hemp oil as a maintenance medication and a hemp oil with a higher tetrahydrocannabinol content for times of heightened seizure activity, but she and her two children can’t easily pick up and move from their family’s support system.
Weber said she takes four medications but still has 20 to 50 seizures per month, and hopes hemp oil could change that. The seizures have kept her from driving, working in her parents’ restaurant or even taking care of daily activities without someone present to make sure she isn’t injured, she said.
“Maybe I would be able to take my daughters to the park,” she said. “Maybe I’d be able to cook dinner without someone in the kitchen. Maybe I’d be able to go back to work.”
No in-state production
During Thursday’s committee hearing, LaTurner also offered an amendment striking language that would allow facilities to produce hemp oil in Kansas. States such as Oklahoma also have taken the route of importing from states with looser restrictions, and forbidding production in Kansas would address law enforcement’s concerns about explosions in facilities creating the oil, he said.
“This is in line with what Kentucky, Iowa and others have done,” he said.
The Colorado explosions mostly have happened in homes where amateur cooks attempted to make hash oil. Hash oil differs from hemp oil in that it is created to maximize THC content for recreational users.
Rep. John Wilson, a Lawrence Democrat who testified before the committee, said the amendment banning in-state production could make the bill unworkable because hemp oil remains illegal under federal law.
“You are asking them to break federal law by bringing a controlled substance across a state border,” he said.
Federal authorities have opted not to aggressively enforce drug laws against medical marijuana users, but a future president could change that informal policy.
Denning also offered amendments that would:
allow patients a 30-day supply instead of a 60-day supply.
require providers to pay $2,000 for an annual certification if they want to prescribe hemp oil and have an office in a state-licensed medical facility.
hold the state’s Health Care Stabilization Fund harmless if patients are harmed after hemp oil, meaning any compensation would have to come from the doctor’s malpractice insurance.
Denning said a higher license fee is necessary to pay to set up the framework to regulate hemp oil.
But Sen. David Haley, a Kansas City Democrat, said he thought it was “discriminatory” to charge doctors who want to prescribe hemp oil more than the state charges those looking to reinstate their licenses after losing them.
“We’re just getting started. We have no pay-fors,” Denning said.
Megan Hart is a reporter for KHI News Service in Topeka, a partner in the Heartland Health Monitor team. You can reach her on Twitter @meganhartMC
Now, according to state statute, the city must “call an election for a special date or the next Primary or General election in which the city is a participant,” City Attorney John Bird explained during Thursday night’s commission work session.
“The timing of the election is a decision to be made by the city commission. You don’t have an option; you must set an election date. The petitioners (the school district) decide the wording” of the ballot, Bird added.
Volunteers Chris Dinkel and Mike Morley, are serving on the USD 489 Bond Committee. The men told commissioners “there is significant community support behind this capital improvement project” and they hope to have a June 7 special election.
“The Hays Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Board supports having the bond issue and a sales tax question together, hopefully on June 7,” Morley reported.
“Waiting for an election the city is involved in could this back to November 2017,” said Mayor Eber Phelps, “and I think that’s a little too long to wait.”
The other three commissioners agreed there was “no reason to delay it,” although Commissioner James Meier reiterated he “still thinks it’s a bad idea.” Commissioner Henry Schwaller was absent.
Part of the reason for the June 7 target date instead of the November general election was to “head off a lot of the noise,” said Dinkel. “This is going to be a fairly noisy national election. If we want to be heard in community speaking events–in any sort of public education effort–we’re going to have to beat the big push in Sept., Oct., Nov.”
“Pushing the local election back a whole year more, we’re looking at inflation of costs and would have to go back to the drawing board of some things,” Dinkel added.
“I think the intent is looking at the backlog of deferred maintenance that exists today,” Morley said.
“That backlog grows. It’s accruing at a rate of about $500,000 to $700,000 a year from where we are now, not to mention the uncertainty of interest,” Morley told commissioners.
“If I were to divine what the school board’s intent is, it’s probably looking at–in terms of the size of this bond–if they were to issue it sooner, that’s better in terms of borrow costs and in getting on with a three-year project, starting to knock some of this deferred maintenance out.”
The Hays school board is scheduled to vote at its Monday, March 21 meeting to adopt a resolution for a June 7, 2016, bond issue election.
The Hays Fire Department will be inspecting fire hydrants and flushing water mains on Friday, March 18, in the area south of 8th Street to 4th Street between Main Street and Allen Street, then south of 13th Street to Highway 40 between Canterbury and Commerce Parkway.
This is part of a coordinated effort by the city of Hays to inspect all fire hydrants in the city and flush all water mains annually.
Dr. Nettie Craig Asberry (1865-1968) Courtesy UW Special Collections
NPS
NICODEMUS–Nicodemus National Historic Site is pleased to host the Women of Nicodemus program on Sat., March 19th at 1:00 p.m. in the Township Hall in Nicodemus.
The program will consist of reenactments of four iconic women of Nicodemus – Emma Williams (Johnella Holmes) first woman to travel to Nicodemus and gave birth to the first male baby born in Nicodemus, Lula Craig (Angela Bates) first historian, Effie Moore (Twillia Berry) smoked a piped and grew cane, providing sorghum to the community, and Nettie Craig (Cecelia Crocket) first African American female to receive a PhD and former resident and music teacher of Nicodemus. The reenactors will present musical performances of the Nicodemus famous gospel singers – The Williams Sisters.
Historical photos and other memorabilia will be on display. The event is free and open to the public. Everyone is invited to stop in to enjoy the program the Women of Nicodemus, visit with the reenactors, and enjoy the refreshments.
The town of Nicodemus is symbolic of the pioneer spirit of African Americans. They dared to leave the only region they had been familiar with to seek personal freedom and the opportunity to develop their talents and capabilities.
Nicodemus National Historic Site represents the western expansion and settlement of the Great Plains, and includes five buildings: The First Baptist Church, St. Francis Hotel, Nicodemus School District Number One, African Episcopal Church, and Township Hall.
KANSAS CITY – A former Johnson County restaurant owner was indicted Wednesday on charges of fraudulently obtaining $605,000 in loans, according to U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom.
ELLIS–Bret Andries was appointed March 7 by Ellis Mayor David McDaniel to fill the unexpired term of Heather Luea, who resigned from the city council. Andries was the next highest vote recipient in last April’s election. McDaniel also appointed Sylvia Kinderknecht to fill the vacancy on the Planning Commission/Board of Zoning Appeals.
Ryan James Brown, 41, of Seattle, Washington, died on Saturday, February 27, 2016, at his home in Seattle.
By BECKY KISER
The overnight low in Hays was 30 degrees with Thursday’s high reaching 63 degrees. Today’s forecast high is just 40 degrees.
Today is the final chance to save with The Eagle Radio Auction, going on now.
HFD
