James Meier, a pharmacist at Hays Medical Center, filed for a seat on the Hays City Commission this week.
“My family and I just love Hays,” he said. “I would like the opportunity to make it an even better place to live, work and raise a family.”
Meier works full-time at Hays Medical Center as the pharmacy supervisor while also filling in for central and western Kansas Walmart and independent pharmacies. He completed his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kansas after finishing bachelor degrees in French and Economics from Emporia State University. He is married to Andrea Meier, who finished her Elementary Education degree from ESU and now stays at home with their five children, Olivia, 8, Madeleine, 7, Joshua, 4, Elizabeth, 3 and Gabriel, 7 months. They are members of High Plains Baptist Church.
Meier serves as the District 1 Director for the Kansas Council of Health-System Pharmacists, representing pharmacists in the western third of Kansas. He also was appointed to the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission, which investigates and enforces violations of the Kansas Campaign Finance Act.
“As I travel the western half of Kansas, many different people have told me about their good impression of Hays and its people. But it has become apparent to me we are facing competition from communities like Garden City and Kearney. I want to help make sure Hays maintains its competitive advantage.”
The recent passage of the mall sales tax is an example of where the community may be able to improve, Meier says.
“While well intentioned, I don’t believe the improvements at the Mall are the best use of taxpayer money. When we’re facing stiff competition from other communities, we have to get the most use out of each dollar spent.”
Securing additional water resources, a new water treatment plant and managing future growth are also issues that Meier thinks will be important to the community’s future.
“The future looks very bright for Hays,” he said. “I would be honored if the voters saw fit to let me serve them on the city commission.”
City/school elections across the state will be April 7.