I read Dr. Ed Hammond’s recent letter (LETTER: ‘Dark money’ group’s push polling in Ellis Co. filled with untruths) with disappointment. There was lots of misleading and inaccurate information in that letter that I wish to correct.

For the record, neither the Kansas Chamber nor the Kansas Chamber PAC have participated in any “push” polling.

The Kansas Chamber PAC has endorsed Ellis County Commissioner Barb Wasinger because she understands the fundamental role business plays in the economic health of Kansas and her community.  It would appear Dr. Hammond’s outrage is based on ideology or partisanship, not geography.

I find it quite unfortunate Dr. Hammond chose to use such divisive rhetoric; I am not exactly sure what “Eastern” money is. The Kansas Chamber is proud to have members all over Kansas, including Ellis County.

As for the entire silliness of the term “dark money,” every penny the Chamber and PAC spend on elections and advocacy and every company or individual that contributes to the PAC is 100 publicly disclosed. You can find that information on the Kansas Secretary of State’s website.

There is nothing nefarious or complicated about what the Kansas Chamber PAC does. It does what the teachers’ Union PAC does, and dozens of other organizations that engage in Kansas legislative races. It endorses candidates who support issues important to the Kansas business community.

During the last two years, Rep. Eber Phelps voted with the Kansas business community just 11 percent of the time. He voted for tax increases on Kansas families and small businesses several times. He voted against returning a tax-windfall to Kansas citizens and businesses that resulted from the federal tax reform passed last year. He voted against reforming teacher tenure in Kansas; voted against legal reform as well as voted against business interests related to workers compensation.

Elections matter and the policy makers we send to Topeka determine whether Kansas businesses will thrive or suffer under the burden of an ever-expanding government. We must elect and maintain in office, legislators who will lead the charge for business, so our state and local economies can grow and create more jobs and prosperity for all Kansans.

Certainly, people can have disagreements on policy. But to do so, it helps to at least be reasonable and accurate.

Alan Cobb,
Kansas Chamber
President and CEO

The Hays Police Department responded to 5 animal calls and conducted 14 traffic stops Fri., Oct. 5, 2018, according to the HPD Activity Log.

MV Accident-Hit and Run–2100 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 7:46 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–2700 block Hickory, Hays; 9:49 AM
Battery – Domestic–3600 block Vine St, Hays; 11:10 AM; 11:40 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–200 block W 5th St, Hays; 1:37 PM
Unwanted Person–1200 block Main St, Hays; 1:57 PM
Mental Health Call–1500 block Milner St, Hays; 2:19 PM
Theft (general)–300 block E 8th St, Hays; 10/4 5 PM; 10/5 2:44 PM
Theft (general)–1200 block Motz Ave, Hays; 10/3 12 PM; 10/4 5 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–15th and Fort St, Hays; 4:37 PM; 4:39 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–1700 block Oak St, Hays; 5:30 PM
Civil Dispute–3500 block Canal Blvd, Hays; 6:47 PM
Found/Lost Property–Hays; 7:05 PM
Assist – Other (not MV)–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 8:06 PM
Disturbance – Noise–3400 block Vine St, Hays; 9:29 PM
Prowler–200 block E 24th St, Hays; 10:02 PM
Disturbance – Noise–400 block W 5th St, Hays; 11:26 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 5 animal calls and conducted 26 traffic stops Sat., Oct. 6, 2018, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Drug Offenses/DUI–500 block E 20th St, Hays; 12:26 AM
Overdose–1500 block Henry Dr, Hays; 10/5 11 PM; 10/6 8:40 AM
Counterfeit currency/documents–2900 block Vine St, Hays; 10:02 AM
Criminal Trespass–2700 block Broadway Ave, Hays; 10:03 AM
Disturbance – Noise–2700 block Cottonwood Ln, Hays; 10:24 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–400 block W 11th St, Hays; 12:02 PM
44 – Traffic Stop–200 block W 15th St, Hays; 12:57 PM
Animal At Large–300 block Lewis Dr, Hays; 1:14 PM
Animal At Large–2700 block Hickory St, Hays; 6:21 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 1 animal call and conducted 9 traffic stops Sun., Oct. 7, 2018, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Curfew Violation–2700 block Hickory, Hays; 12:05 AM
Driving Under the Influence–800 block Fort St, Hays; 12:59 AM; 1:23 AM
Driving Under the Influence–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 1:48 AM
Disorderly Conduct–100 block W 7th St, Hays; 1:53 AM
Disturbance – General–200 block E 13th St, Hays; 2:53 AM
Disturbance – Noise–1300 block E 33rd St, Hays; 3:10 AM
MV Accident-Private Property–3700 block Vine St, Hays; 4:48 AM
Credit Card Violations–Hays; 9/28 6 AM; 10/7 8:14 AM
Drug Offenses–1000 block E 41st St, Hays; 10:45 AM; 10:51 AM
Criminal Damage to Property–200 block E 23rd St, Hays; 10/5 5 PM; 10/6 8 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–2200 block E 17th St, Hays; 6:40 PM
Suspicious Person–200 block E 25th St, Hays; 9:47 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 3 animal calls and conducted 14 traffic stops Mon., Oct. 8, 2018, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Disturbance – Noise–2700 block Epworth St, Hays; 12:15 AM
Battery – Domestic–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 12:46 AM
MV Accident-Private Property–2700 block Epworth Village St, Hays; 8:52 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–2200 block Gen Custer Rd, Hays; 12:41 PM
Harassment (All Other)–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 5:38 PM; 6:01 PM
Civil Dispute–200 block Castillian Blvd, Hays; 5:30 PM
Harassment (All Other)–1600 block E 27th St, Hays; 7:23 PM
Drug Offenses–2600 block Vine St, Hays; 9:35 PM
Traffic/Driving Complaint–Hays; 10:04 PM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–800 block of W 8th St, Hays; 10:28 PM
Mental Health Call–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 11:46 PM

FHSU University Relations

The next performance in the ongoing International Piano Series from the Department of Music and Theatre at Fort Hays State University will be a duo piano recital featuring Karina Avanesian-Weinstein and Anthony Weinstein.

The couple will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, in the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center in Sheridan Hall on the FHSU campus.

Admission is free.

The program includes works by Schubert and Tchaikovsky, said Dr. Irena Ravitskaya, associate professor of music at FHSU.

CITY OF HAYS

Due to a lack of agenda items for formal approval, the Oct. 11, 2018, Hays City Commission meeting has been cancelled.