We are giving away the Chicken Soup for the Soul book “Life Lessons from the Dog.”
Listen during a KZ Country Morning with Theresa Trapp Monday, April 8-Friday, April 12, 2019 for chances to call 785-628-2995 and win.
No age requirement to win.
Winners will need to pick up their books at the KZ Country Studio, 2300 Hall, Hays, KS within 30 days of winning.
You can’t help but be changed when you have a dog. They teach us about devotion, loyalty, and the value of living in the moment. They show us how to appreciate every day, and somehow, in those deep eyes, we learn about ourselves as well, becoming better humans.
Our canine companions teach us many lessons, from their puppy days to their quiet senior years. Along the way they keep us company, provide unconditional love, and share in the ups and downs of our lives. These 101 real-life stories will delight dog lovers of all kinds. You’ll laugh a lot, tear up at times, and nod your head in recognition as you read these tales about the wonderful experience of sharing life with a dog. Part of the proceeds go to support the work of American Humane, providing a better life for dogs everywhere.
Congratulations Pat Norris, Don Burlison, Lynnie Chard, Karen Sears and Pam Bieker!
Janice Kay (Schissler) Kogl, 74, of Atwood, Kansas went to be with the Lord April 1, 2019 in McAllen, Texas following a tragic accident. She was born January 22, 1945 in Oberlin, Kansas to Clifford and Blanche Schissler, their first of three children.
She was baptized and confirmed at the Atwood United Methodist Church and remained active as a United Methodist through the years until reuniting with Larry Kogl and joining the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She graduated from Atwood High School in 1963 and Brown Mackie Business College in 1965.
Jan had two children from a prior marriage, Sherry Lisle of Springfield, Missouri and is preceded in death by her son Jeff Kessler. She has seven grandchildren and one great granddaughter, all living in the Springfield, Missouri area. She is survived by her husband Larry Kogl, and her siblings Terry Schissler of Tampa, Florida and Lee Schissler and wife Jackie of Denver, Colorado. She always considered Jackie as her sister, and not just a sister in law.
Through the years, Jan worked as a legal secretary, bookkeeper for a range of businesses from a large farm to a church’s district superintendent’s office. She was always industrious and had a terrific sense of humor, honed from years of living with two “troubled” pranking brothers.
Jan and Larry dated back in high school then she left for college in Salina. After 50 years she and Larry reunited and married during a blizzard February 10, 2018 in Atwood. Once they reunited Jan joined Larry on the road trucking across the United States. She lived life to the fullest and enjoyed the simple things. She loved to travel. Enjoyed gardening, canning, sewing, reading, and studying God’s Word. She kept a clean house and a warm heart toward Christ. A woman of faith and a beautiful human being who loved her family and friends unconditionally.
Jan will be missed. She lived life big and loved her family and friends with joy and compassion. She will join her beloved son Jeff, and her parents Clifford and Blanche in heaven.
Visitation is Friday, April 5th, from 6pm to 8pm at Baalmann Mortuary in Atwood with a Vigil at 8:00 p.m.. The Funeral Mass will be held at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Atwood on Saturday, April 6th, at 10:30am. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For condolences or information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com
Eagle Communications is having a last chance to donate to the Eagle Cares Nebraska Flood Relief Fund. Eagle will be doing a radio remote from Eagle Technology Solutions, 1503 E. 27th, from 11a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday to collect the final donations.
A GoFundMe account is now available for online donations.
The Hays contributions will be combined with those collected by Eagle Radio stations in Great Bend, Salina, Hutchinson, Manhattan and Junction City. The final amount will then be matched by the Schmidt Family Foundation and distributed to the Nebraska Red Cross.
Disclosure: Eagle Communications is the parent company of Hays Post.
Marilou Theresia (Berndt) Long, 87, passed away on April 4, 2019 at the Good Samaritan Society of Decatur County in Oberlin, KS where she called home. She was born on March 16, 1932 in rural Decatur County to Arthur John and Vina Irene (Gragg) Berndt.
Marilou attended Mt. Pleasant – St Johns Parochial School and then graduated from DCHS in 1950. Upon high school graduation she spent a year in Denver going to night classes at Denver University. On October 6, 1956 Marilou married Elden J. Long at Faith Lutheran Church in Oberlin, KS where the two were lifelong members. She was baptized in the Lutheran Church on April 3, 1932 and was confirmed on April 14, 1946.
Along with her membership to the church she was also involved with the ELCA Women’s Group. She also enjoyed the memberships with the Sunshine Group, BPW, the Home Makers Unit (Three Prairie Unit), and being a leader for the Boy Scouts and 4-H.
She pursued several occupations in her life time from owning her own store (Art Ver Mar) to upholstery and draperies and working at Interior Connection and co-founding the Bargain Box +. But most of all she was a farmer’s wife and loving mother.
Marilou was preceded in death by her parents; husband Elden Long; sister Nathalie (Floyd) Badsky; sisters-in-law Emma (Norton) Frickey and Wava (Merle) Williams; grandson Geoffrey Miles Long; nephew Mark Williams. She is survived by sons Greg (Mary) Long of Oberlin, Brad (Shanna) Long of Oberlin; daughter Linda (Brad) Wade of Oberlin; 7 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family and friends.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, April 8th, 2019 at 10:00AM at Faith Lutheran Church in Oberlin, KS. The burial was held in Oberlin Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Faith Lutheran Church. Condolences may be left at www.paulsfh.com.
Ruth Margaret Haughawout, age 95, died April 3, 2019 at the Life Care Center of Elkhorn in Nebraska.
Preceded in death by husband Thurman Isaac, sons Peter & Robert, brother Donald, granddaughter Angela and Great grandson Alistar.
Survived by sons & daughters-in-law Michael & Janet of Bennington, NE, David & Andrea of Albuquerque, NM, daughters-in-law Janet of Van Cleave, MI, and LuAnn of Wichita, KS, 5 grandchildren, 1 step grandchild, 14 great grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren, and brother & sister-in-law William & Donna Dible of Rexford, KS.
Funeral service 12:30 PM Tuesday, April 9, 2019 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 17606 Spaulding St., Omaha, NE with visitation from 1-3 PM prior to the service at the church. Interment 11:00 AM Thursday, April 11, 2019 at Rexford Cemetery, Rexford, KS. Memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association. Condolences may be left at www.paulsfh.com
James “Jimmy” Alan Langer, 64, passed away April 4, 2019 at his home in Great Bend. He was born September 14, 1954 at Ness City to Leonard & Mary Helen (Younger) Langer. He married Gloria Rush September 14, 1989 at Kinsley. She survives.
Coming from Ness City in 1973, James was a Great Bend resident. He was a truck driver in the oilfield for 30 years, having worked for Butterfly Supply and Great Plains Inspection. He loved gardening, especially his watermelons. He enjoyed watching monster trucks and old tv shows and especially enjoyed his geese. He loved to spend time with his family and grandchildren.
Survivors include, his wife Gloria Langer of the home; one son, Timothy Langer and his wife Amber of Great Bend; three daughters, Angela Henry and Crissy Charles and her husband Jack, all of Great Bend, and Stephanie Langer of Augusta; one brother, Robert Langer of Great Bend; one sister, Becky Kumle and her husband Mark of Great Bend; and 11 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter Katrina; and sister Rose Mai.
There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. Celebration of Life gathering for family and friends will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 9, 2019 at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to the James Alan Langer Funeral Expense Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.
Drees: “Instead of him serving 32 months in prison and releasing him, he has been under supervision now for 18 years.”
——————————- By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post
In 2001, Friar Ron Gilardi pleaded guilty to three counts of indecent liberties with a 14-year-old student at Thomas More Prep-Marian school.
However, Gilardi was not sent to prison. He ended up at a private treatment facility in Missouri along with other priests and friars who had been removed from the ministry based on sexual abuse charges.
Gilardi’s case was groundbreaking at the time, said Ellis County Attorney Tom Drees, who is also a Catholic and TMP graduate.
Gilardi was prosecuted before the Boston Globe investigated and revealed widespread sexual abuse in the Boston dioceses and the systemic coverup by the church of sexual abuse by clergy.
Gilardi was accused of sexually abusing a male student from Texas in 1993 and 1994. The student was 14 and 15 years old at the time. The young man recovered repressed memories of the abuse in 1999 during a counseling session, Drees said.
Under the sentencing guidelines at the time, Gilardi, as a first-time offender, would have been facing a prison sentence of 32 months. With good behavior, he could have been released in 27 months, Drees said.
But as part of Gilardi’s plea agreement, he was ordered to the Vianney Renewal Center in Dittmer, Mo., a private ministry that includes behavior health treatment. Drees said Gilardi was to remain on the locked grounds of the center at all times.
After 32 months at the center, Gilardi remained at the Vianney Renewal Center for two additional years on probation. His probation for the Hays case ended in March 2006.
“He remains under supervision even to today by the Capuchin order,” Drees said. “He is still under supervision and still does not have access to any children. He is not allowed to perform any ministry duties as a priest, so he is basically reduced to a life of prayer and penance.
“Instead of him serving 32 months in prison and releasing him, he has been under supervision now for 18 years.”
Drees likened Gilardi supervision under under the Catholic church as equivalent to him still being under probation with the court.
The family of the victim was consulted at the time about the terms of the plea agreement and agreed to the conditions of Gilardi’s sentence, Drees said.
He noted the Gilardi’s case was prosecuted in public court and his sentence was likewise open to the public, adding several media outlets did stories about the case.
Even today, Drees said he feels comfortable with the plea agreement and the final outcome for the case. He said agreeing to a deal that sent Gilardi to the Vianney Center was in no way an attempt to divert public attention from the case.
“It was a way to have him appropriately punished, and in this case, instead of the taxpayer paying to have him locked up, the order is paying to have him locked up,” Drees said.
He continued, “Just the opposite. I don’t think it is a way to hide it. I don’t think it is in any way lessened. He has been supervised for 18 years now.”
Gilardi, 71, is living at a similar center called RECON, also known as the Wounded Brothers Project, with at least four other convicted clergy sex offenders, all of whom are listed on the Missouri sex offender registry. Two of the men listed on the sex register are Capuchins, but did not serve in Kansas. The home is in rural Missouri near Roberstville, southwest of St. Louis.
Fr. Joseph Mary Elder, communications director for the Capuchins, visited Hays on Tuesday night for a listening session about sex abuse in the order.
He said was asked about RECON and the Vianney Renewal Center and said he couldn’t answer questions about the centers because they were run by a private Catholic ministry — the Servants of the Paraclete — and not the Capuchins.
The St. Louis Dispatch has been covering the Vianney Renewal Center and RECON for years. In a story in 2015, the publication reported the Servants of the Paraclete had purchased homes from neighbors of the center who expressed concerns about decreased property values because of sexual offenders.
The St. Louis Dispatch has also questioned the level of supervision and security at facilities at Vianney and RECON.
The Servants of the Paraclete have a troubled past. The order took in priests with histories of sexual abuse at its Jemez Springs, N.M., facility in the 1960s and 1970s. The New Mexico center is now closed. Some of the clergy who were treated at the facility were returned to service in New Mexico, resulting in a flood of sexual abuse reports and lawsuits in the dioceses.
Hays Post tried to contact RECON, but the only contact information that could be found for the center was a non-functioning email.
Hays Post also attempted to contact the Vianney Renewal Center, but a phone call was not returned.
Eagle Communications Inc. announced this week the acquisition of Salina-based Mid America Productions.
The professional audio-video production house has been in business since 1983 creating video content for a variety of business partners, as well as event support, photo services, web design and data transfer services.
The three-person crew of Corey McKee, Karl Sneath and Kevin Bourne bring 55 years of combined video production and editing experience to Eagle.
“Eagle strives every day to help businesses succeed by connecting them to their customers,” said Travis Kohlrus, Eagle Communications vice president. “We believe the addition of MAP to the Eagle portfolio can enhance the level of service we can provide from training and recruitment videos to legal and documentary videos, continuing our quest of keeping our communities … connected.”
“The video production company, started in 1983 by my late husband, Rick Weber, will continue to operate at 1510 E. Iron in Salina. It’s very rewarding to know that MAP and its employees will continue to provide professional video and multimedia services to our many customers and corporate clients,” said Mid American Productions owner/manager Judy Weber. “I am very thankful to have had such dedicated and knowledgeable employees over the years, and I wish them and Eagle every success.”
Mid America Productions’ portfolio can be seen HERE.
“I’m excited for this acquisition,” said Katie Dorzweiler, Eagle Marketing Solutions director. “For over 15 years, Eagle has been creating high-quality, award-winning video production services to main street businesses. With the addition of Mid America Productions, we can now offer long-play commercial video serving both the internal and external promotional needs of our clients. Video is increasingly relevant for businesses to market themselves through television, online search engines and through social media. Eagle is now well positioned to provide clients access to all of these platforms.”
Eagle Communications Inc. is a Kansas-based Broadband Services and Media Company with over 280 employee-owners. The company operates 28 radio stations in Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri, as well as broadband systems in 60 Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado communities. The company also offers e-business solutions, web hosting, telephone service, high-speed internet, and wireless internet in most service areas. For more information log on to www.eaglecom.net.
Disclosure: Eagle Communications is the parent company of Hays Post.
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Transportation has pledged to match $1 million in funding for road improvements in Ellis County’s Northwest Business Corridor, contingent on approval of a grant the county has made to the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, Logan.
“I appreciate the ongoing dialogue regarding the Northwest Business Corridor in Ellis County/’ Deputy Secretary of Transportation, Lindsey Douglas wrote. “Investments in the corridor will pay dividends by providing more efficient access to jobs…. Which will enhance freight connectivity and provide better access to regional markets and beyond.”
Rep. Barb Wasinger (R-Hays), 111th District, brought together a coalition of federal, state, county and city leaders in February to see the road first-hand, tour businesses whose operations are affected by the road, and asked all parties to work together for a solution.
Kansas Deputy Transportation Secretary Lindsey Douglas; Congressman Roger Marshall; Rep. Ken Rahjes; Sen. Rick Billinger, and Kansas Commerce Secretary David Toland
“I’d like to thank Congressman Marshall, Commerce Secretary Toland and Deputy Transportation Secretary Douglas, as well as Senator Billinger, Representative Rahjes, and our county and city commissioners for their work on this project,” Wasinger said.
“Commitment of these funds from the state, along with previously approved Ellis County funding, are moving this project forward. We’re hopeful the Dane G. Hansen Foundation will favorably consider the county’s grant application, and help make these improvements a reality.”
The Northwest Business Corridor, which includes 230th Avenue between 1-70 and Feedlot Road, as well as Feedlot Road from 230th Avenue to U.S. Highway 183, has long been eyed for improvements.
230th Avenue north of I-70
In particular, 230th Avenue is a narrow limestone road that sees hundreds of vehicles and heavy trucks daily, including traffic from Pertl Feeders, Hess Services, Midwest Energy and Ellis County Concrete.
Poor sight lines, drainage and erosion have made the road dangerous for the volume of traffic it serves.
Improvements along the corridor are also essential for a travel plaza planned for the area, and could help alleviate truck congestion once roundabouts on Vine Street are completed.
Addy Tritt, FHSU grad, stands in the Hays Payless with some of the shoes she bought for Nebraska flood victims.
When Fort Hays State University grad Addy Tritt decided to help Nebraska flood victims by buying out the remaining inventory of the Hays Payless store, she wasn’t thinking about the attention she would receive.
And no one could have expected just how much attention would be attracted to the Hays Post story.
Vietnamese language news website VNExpress
Tritt has been in contact with news organizations ranging from Good Morning America to CBS News and the story has been republished in dozens of news outlets worldwide.
Just some of the national news organizations that published Tritt’s tale include Huff Post, CBS News, BBC News, the New York Post, the New York Daily News, Better Homes and Gardens, The Hill, the U.K. Daily Mail, USA Today, CNN, Fox News, Business Insider, Good Morning America and People. Dozens more local and regional news organizations also republished the story.
Tritt’s good-news article jumped the pond, as well, and was published in the United Kingdom’s Daily Mail.
The story has also been published in several languages, including Spanish, Arabic, Indonesian and Vietnamese, among others.
ELLIS – A public hearing regarding construction of a new municipal swimming pool was conducted by the Ellis City Council Monday evening prior to the regular council meeting.
The Kansas Dept. of Commerce is offering a special round of grant funding for small city swimming pools.
A new pool for Ellis is projected to costs $1.85 million. The city can apply for a maximum $1 million state grant with a local match of $850,000.
It was a 3-2 vote later in the meeting on a resolution for Ellis to apply for the Community Development Block Grant funds. Council members Steve Ferland and Bob Redger were opposed.
In other business, the city accepted a $50,000 grant from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, Logan, for the campground expansion project.
The complete meeting minutes follow.
ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
Minutes
April 1, 2019
PUBLIC HEARING – COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT – SWIMMING POOL
Swimming Pool – Grant
Mayor David McDaniel opened the public hearing regarding swimming pool improvements at 7:00 p.m. Justine Benoit, Northwest Kansas Planning and Development Commission, provided details of the Department of Commerce special round of funding for small cities swimming pools. The State has set aside $20 million for this once-in-a-lifetime grant opportunity. The project is expected to cost $1,850,500, with a maximum grant award of $1,000,000 and a City cash match of $850,500. The City hopes to apply for other local and regional grants to offset the cash match. Several residents appeared to offer opinions and ask questions regarding the proposed project. Mayor McDaniel closed the public hearing at 7:30 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor David McDaniel called the regular meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members Bret Andries, Holly Aschenbrenner, Steve Ferland, Jolene Niernberger, and Bob Redger. Also present were Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, City Clerk Amy Burton, Police Chief Taft Yates, and City Attorney Olavee Raub. Council member Martin LaBarge was absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
Mayor David McDaniel requested Council’s ratification of the City’s acceptance of the Dane G. Hansen Foundation grant for the Campground Expansion Project.
PUBLIC PRESENT
Justine Benoit, Darrell Romme, Verda Flinn, Dan Pyle, Jeff Wolf, Glen Keller, Barbara Perkins, Juno Ogle, Nickole Byers (arrived 7:55 p.m.) and Devin Henderson (arrived at 7:55 p.m.)
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on March 18, 2019 and Bills Ordinance #2066. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 5-0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
None
SPECIAL ORDER
Swimming Pool: Grant
Justine Benoit, Northwest Kansas Planning and Development, presented the proposed contract for administrative consulting services. The contract is contingent upon Community Development Block Grant funding. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the contract with Northwest Kansas Planning and Development for grant administrator services in the amount of $20,500, contingent upon CDBG funding, with funds to come from the Capital Improvement – Special Projects fund. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-1, with Council member Steve Ferland opposed.
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner then moved to authorize Mayor David McDaniel to sign the related grant documents for Community Development Block Grant funding. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-1, with Council member Steve Ferland opposed.
Swimming Pool: Grant
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve Resolution No. 554 certifying the City of Ellis has legal authority to apply for Community Development Block Grant funds. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-2, with Council members Steve Ferland and Bob Redger opposed.
Swimming Pool: Grant
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve Resolution No. 555 assuring the Kansas Department of Commerce that funds will be provided for the operation and maintenance of the grant-funded improvements to the swimming pool. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-2, with Council members Steve Ferland and Bob Redger opposed.
General Government: Insurance
Darrell Romme, Romme Agency, reviewed the 2019 general insurance policy for the City. The City incurred over $165,000 in losses the prior renewal period, much of that in worker’s compensation claims. The last several years the City has received a return on premium based on the insurance pool’s losses, with almost $20,000 refunded last year. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the 2019 renewal of the City’s insurance policies from Romme Agency in the amount of $121,873.00. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Sanitation: Accounting/Billing
Dan Pyle, Ellis Recreation Commission, requested Council approval to waive sanitation fees for weekly grass disposal. Council member Bob Redger moved to waive the weekly grass sanitation fees indefinitely for the Ellis Recreation Commission. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Mr. Pyle continued by requesting Council approval to utilize a City dumpster and to waive weekly trash dumpster fees at 501 West 6th. The Commission mows the property around the shop annex and also pays a portion of the electrical charges. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to allow the Commission use of a City dumpster and to waive sanitation fees for weekly dumpster service at 501 West 6th in exchange for in-kind services provided by the Commission. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Streets: Policy
Council reviewed the proposed Emergency Route Plan. Several questions arose and it was the consensus of Council to table consideration of the plan until Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, Police Chief Taft Yates, and City Attorney Olavee Raub can meet to further discuss.
Sewer: Repair/Maintenance
City Attorney Olavee Raub reported that after further investigation into the property affected by the Cedar Lane lift station project, only one property owner is involved. The project may also fall within an existing easement and further research will be completed to determine the exact property line.
General Government: City Code
Ms. Raub presented the suggested revisions to the proposed ordinance regulating the sale of cereal malt beverages and beer. Council suggested revising Section 10 (c) to also set the special event fees by resolution. Council member Bret Andries moved to approve Ordinance No. 1438 regulating the sale of cereal malt beverages and beer, with the revision to Section 10 (c). Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0. Council then discussed increasing the license fees to $100.00 for a General Retailer, $75.00 for a Limited Retailer, and $50.00 per day for special event fees.
General Government: Policy
City Clerk Amy Burton presented the proposed Donation Policy. Council suggested revisions to the Eligible Applicants and Funding Criteria sections. Ms. Burton will present the revised policy for consideration at the next Council meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Tourism: Contract
Ms. Burton presented the 2019 renewal contract for the City’s five Lamar billboards. The total annual contract increased 17% and the renewal now includes a preemptive clause that the City’s billboards may be canceled from the contract at any time if another advertiser offers a higher rent payment. Council replaced all of the billboard wraps last year. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the contract with Lamar in the amount of $9,750.00 with funds to come from the Tourism Fund and to direct the Tourism Committee to research additional sign options by January 1, 2020. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
General Government: Financial
Council member Bob Redger moved to approve Resolution No. 556 authorizing employees and City officials to use the City’s credit card. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Clerk: Acquisition
Council member Steve Ferland moved to approve the purchase of 20,000 pressure seal utility billing forms from Hamlin Creative Consulting in the amount of $2,120.00, with funds to come from the General-Administration fund. Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Streets: Repair/Maintenance
Council member Bob Redger moved to ratify the invoice from APAC in the amount of $703.87 with funds to come from the Capital Improvement – Street fund. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0 with Council member Steve Ferland abstaining due to perceived conflict of interest.
General Government: Disposition
Emergency Manager Darin Myers has a potential buyer for the City’s old warning sirens. Council member Bret Andries moved to authorize the sale of the City’s five outdoor warning sirens. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman inquired if the Council was still interested in applying for the Community Development Block Grant for replacement of a section of waterlines in the City. It was the consensus of Council to proceed with the grant application.
Mr. Scheuerman reported that the engine in the 1-ton dump truck has recently failed. Repairs are estimated at $3,000 – $7,700. Mr. Scheuerman will provide more accurate repairs costs at the next Council meeting.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates presented the Monthly Activity Report for March and the April Staff Calendar. The Department will host the annual prescription drug takeback program on April 27th.
City Clerk
City Clerk Amy Burton reported that the Kansas Department of Health and Environment recently inspected the City’s burn site and it was found to be in compliance with the Kansas Open Burning Regulations.
Campground: Grant
The City was awarded a Dane G. Hansen Foundation grant in the amount of $50,000 for the Campground Expansion Project. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to ratify the Mayor’s signature accepting the grant. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Attorney
Mayor Update and Announcements
Council member Bob Redger requested the engineer for the swimming pool improvement project attend a future Council meeting to further discuss the project.
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner noted that the Community Block Party has moved from Play World to Swimming Pool Park.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Steve Ferland moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY – A man who is co-owner of vape shops in Kansas and two other states has been charged by complaint with hiring someone to commit murder, according to First Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
Brock-photo Pottawatomie County, OK
According to an affidavit in support of an arrest warrant filed in federal court Thursday, Vernon Wayne Brock, 69, of Alva, OK., hired a Kansas resident to commit a murder in Oklahoma City. The individual from Kansas is alleged to have contacted the FBI and cooperated in the investigation.
The affidavit states that Brock and the individual from Kansas are partners in 17 vape shops in Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma and that Brock was upset with a former vape shop employee who refused to continue a sexual relationship with him. Brock allegedly wanted the individual from Kansas to arrange the murder of the former employee’s boyfriend in Oklahoma City in exchange for $5,000.
According to the affidavit, Brock identified the boyfriend by sending a picture to the individual from Kansas and confirming “that’s the guy we want dead.” The affidavit includes several alleged quotes by Brock from recorded conversations between Brock and the individual from Kansas, including:
“Are they going to thump her around a little bit? And do him? Cause that’s what I wanted.”
“I’d rather do him, thump her and I mean thump her hard. And tell her if she says one word to the cops about anything there will be someone come back to get her . . . .”
“The main thing is for them to throw the scent off of everything. . . . What they want to say to him is, . . . you didn’t pay us for our drugs or something like that, and you owe us a million dollars, then pop, before he has anything to say either way.”
FBI agents arrested Brock on the afternoon of April 3, with the assistance of the Woods County Sheriff’s Office, after Brock delivered a $5,000 check to the individual from Kansas at a café in Harper, Kansas. Brock appeared Thursday afternoon for an initial appearance before United States Magistrate Judge Shon T. Erwin.
If found guilty of murder-for-hire, Brock faces a potential penalty of ten years in prison, a fine of $250,000, and three years of supervised release.
The key to passing Medicaid expansion may not necessarily be our polarized legislature, but voters themselves, especially in small town and rural Kansas. But how much do average Kansans honestly care about expansion, and how much do they prioritize what their communities might gain from it? Maybe less than you think, which might help explain why Topeka is gridlocked on this issue.
Patrick R. Miller is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Kansas.
Most polling over time shows that Kansans support expansion. For example, the fall 2017 Kansas Speaks survey showed that Kansans supported “expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act” 69 percent to 30 percent—typical numbers in Kansas polls. The exception is one recent poll from a conservative organization that produced 54 percent opposition after crafting their survey questions to make expansion look unattractive.
Unfortunately, no public poll of Kansans has asked how much they actually care about expansion or prioritize it versus other issues. The gut sentiment of most Kansans may be to support expansion, but we do not know the strength of those opinions, or how persuadable they are to opposing expansion. Big unknowns.
One key argument of expansion advocates is that Medicaid expansion would particularly benefit rural communities since the uninsured are often more rural and expansion dollars would benefit struggling rural hospitals. But one pattern in surveys is that rural residents typically support expansion less than suburban and urban residents, and are often pretty divided on the issue.
Elections reflect this.
In 2018, Nebraska, Utah and Idaho voters expanded Medicaid. These states in polls are typically more Republican and conservative than Kansas. If voters there passed expansion, Kansans probably would, too. In all three, though, rural communities mostly opposed expansion. It passed because of suburban and urban voters.
In Kansas, Independence and Fort Scott have experienced hospital closures. However, voters in both often prefer anti-expansion politicians. They backed anti-expansion Kris Kobach strongly in 2018 over pro-expansion Laura Kelly, supporting him as strongly as they supported anti-expansion Sam Brownback in 2014.
When the Kansas state House voted recently to expand Medicaid, anti-expansion votes skewed more toward rural legislators whose communities could benefit more from expansion. Why? Some legislators may feel safe opposing expansion if they believe that constituents will not punish them. That could also explain why conservative leadership blocks expansion votes if they feel that they have nothing to fear.
Barring some grand bargain in Topeka, how does Kansas eventually pass expansion? Advocates bear part of the burden. They should assess how effective their efforts have been. If many Kansans, especially in rural communities, are not voting based on this issue, then how effectively have advocates communicated the benefits and importance of expansion?
Politicians, especially pro-expansion moderate Republicans, also have some burden. Because of changing demographics between the parties, Democrats are increasingly a suburban to urban party, whereas Republicans are increasingly a rural to suburban party. All things equal, Democrats are more likely to defeat Republicans, moderate or conservative, in suburban than in rural districts.
For expansion advocates to replace rural anti-expansion politicians, that probably has to occur in Republican primaries where issues often matter more since party is not a factor. However, moderate Republicans leave many rural conservatives unchallenged in primaries, perhaps thinking that rural voters are too conservative to elect moderates when in fact many pro-expansion moderates represent rural districts.
If voters, especially in rural communities, are not invested in expansion or offered attractive candidates for their palates, then elections will not produce the right mix in Topeka to break its gridlock. Ultimately, most Kansans may support expansion, but they must truly invest in the issue for that preference to become policy.
Patrick R. Miller is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Kansas.
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