The JFK in Hays, Kansas committee and the Ellis County Democratic Party are pleased to announce the keynote speaker for a banquet honoring John F. Kennedy’s campaign visit to Hays in November 1959.

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Thomas Oliphant, who co-authored a best-selling book about Kennedy’s 1960 campaign for the presidency, will share his insights at a 7 p.m. banquet on Nov. 20 at Kennedy Middle School, known as Jefferson West in 1959. Oliphant and Curtis Wilkie wrote “The Road to Camelot: Inside JFK’s Five-Year Campaign,” in which they detailed Kennedy’s unconventional path to the presidency.

General admission tickets are now on sale at $50 each. In 1959, tickets were $10, which today would cost $88. VIP seating includes assigned seats near the main table and is available at $100 per ticket. Event sponsors will meet Mr. Oliphant at a private reception before the banquet. Sponsorship levels are $2,500, which includes eight tickets and priority seating near main table; $1,000, four tickets and priority seating; $500, two tickets and priority seating. Sponsors also will have their name or company name on the banquet program. Those interested in becoming a sponsor can either email [email protected], call 785-628-6162 or stop by 1500 Vine. Copies of Mr. Oliphant’s book will be available for purchase at the banquet, and signed copies will be part of a raffle for prizes. Tickets are available at 1500 Vine, Hays, Kansas or online HERE or go to eventbrite.com and search for JFK in Hays, Kansas.

In addition to the banquet honoring the 60th anniversary of Kennedy’s visit, Mr. Oliphant will hold a 3:30 p.m. news conference that afternoon in the Memorial Union.

The evening before the banquet, at 7 p.m. on Nov. 19, there will be a panel discussion at the Fort Hays Ballroom on the FHSU campus focusing on Kennedy’s trip to Kansas in 1959 and Norbert Dreiling’s role. The panel discussion is free and open to the public.

In addition, Randy Gonzales — who graduated from Fort Hays State University in May 2019 with a master’s degree in history, and who wrote his thesis on Kennedy’s trip to Kansas — will discuss his thesis at 3 p.m. Nov. 7 at Forsyth Library on the FHSU campus, at the opening of an exhibit focusing on Kennedy and Dreiling.

Presidential hopeful John F. Kennedy toured five cities in a Kansas tour November 19-20 of 1959. Prior to arriving in Hays, Kennedy stopped in Kansas City, Wichita, Dodge City and Salina. Instead of relying on party leaders to choose a candidate at the national convention, Kennedy ushered in a new era, traveling from state to state to win delegates. While in Hays, Kennedy gave an interview to the local television station, held a press conference in the Memorial Union on the campus of Fort Hays Kansas State College (now Fort Hays State University), rode in a parade down Main Street, and was the keynote speaker at the banquet. There was an overflow crowd at the fundraiser in the school’s gym, with 645 in attendance.

For updates on the banquet and other planned events, visit the committee’s Facebook page, JFK in Hays, Kansas.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Water pressure in northwest Hays is not as strong as it is south of Interstate 70.

Plans to install a second waterline under I-70 will correct the problem as well as provide better fire protection and a redundant water supply to the growing number of businesses north of I-70.

According to Jeff Crispin, director of water resources, water north of I-70 is supplied by a single 16-inch water main.

“In 1993 this line was installed as well as the half-million gallon water tower north of Hays to supply the few businesses north of I-70,” Crispin told commissioners last week. The current above-ground booster station is located near the curve of 41st Street.

“In the last 26 years we have seen growth in this area of many businesses that are vital to our economy. A failure of that single water main under I-70 would have huge consequences to be able to provide water just for use, but most importantly fire protection.”

Crispin also noted a break in the existing line cannot be easily repaired.

A typical water main break in the city takes an average of about four hours to repair.

“That’s from notification to that you have a water leak, to repair, to the service being put back in. If you look around in the industry, that’s pretty darn good timing,” Crispin said.

If the single water line under I-70 breaks, the city will not be able to dig up I-70, according to Crispin.

“You’re talking about getting approval (from state and federal agencies) to bore a new line would take time, and then to actually bore that new line, we would probably be talking weeks in order to replace that line.”

City commissioners are expected Thursday night to approve a low bid of $769,678 from Midlands Contracting, Inc., Kearney, Neb. for construction of the second waterline crossing and a booster pump station.

Other agenda items for Oct. 24 include:

• Authorization of the 2020 health insurance plan for city employees from Blue Cross Blue Shield. The renewal cost is about two percent less than in 2019.
• Approval of up to $390,020 toward the acquisition of right-of-way and easements associated with the North Vine Street Corridor Project.
• Annexation request by Mark Ottley of property at 700 W. 48th St., formerly Mid-Kansas Auto Auction. Ottley has changed
  business plans for the location and has also requested from the Hays Area Planning Commission a change of zoning from C-2
  (Commercial General) to A-L (Agriculture) for a portion of the property.
• Presentation of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years of service awards to city employees.

The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.

The newest member of the Office Products Inc. family will open its doors in Hays at 1218 E. 27th on Nov. 1, extending the reach of the Great Bend-based, family-owned business.

OPI has been in business for six decades in Great Bend and also has stores in Larned and Russell.

Kenny and Terry Vink, who are brothers, co-own the new location; they collaborated on the venture with their brother, Craig.

“We always look for ways to grow our business,” said Kenny Vink. “Our family has served central Kansans for more than 60 years and we have a strong core business. But if a business doesn’t grow it stagnates.”

The new store in Hays will offer many of the same products and services as the locations in Great Bend and other communities. These include: sales and service for Canon, HP and Brother copiers and printers; office furniture; custom office design; and a wide variety of office supplies.

“Customers in the Hays area also will have easy access to our specialty services in Great Bend,” Vink noted. “For example, our Copy Center, printing service, computer sales and service, and a range of promotional products will be at customers’ fingertips.

“Most of these services can be handled by our in-house staff in Hays, as well as by phone and email.”

“This involves extensive continuing education, especially for our experts in computer and networking services,” he noted. “We will continue this legacy and grow for
our employees and the communities we serve. This has worked for many years and now Hays area residents can reap the benefits too.”

Vink noted that he and his brother have considered a brick-and-mortar Hays location for quite a while. They recently decided now is the time.

“In today’s market, we knew we needed growth,” Vink said. “And we will help neighboring northwest Kansas businesses prosper too because we buy locally. We know how important this is to the overall economic health of any community.

“Customers of the new store can expect the same prompt and professional service that OPI is known for,” he added.

Opening the new store is not OPI’s first venture into the Hays area; two employees have been available there for sales and service for a few years. They will serve customers in the new store, along with Ty Berry who will fill the manager position.

Berry said he is “looking forward to bringing an OPI store to Hays. I am excited be part of OPI’s growth in northwest Kansas.”

OPI employees in Hays will call on current and new customers within a 60-mile radius; the Great Bend store also reaches a 60-mile radius. The OPI website and online
catalog are always available for shopping and ordering.

OPI is located at 1204 Main in Great Bend; 516 Broadway in Larned; 724 N. Main in Russell; and soon 1218 E. 27th in Hays.

— Submitted