Donna Cooper, Hays, writes her name on the back of her MWE solar panel. (Photo courtesy MWE)
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
Donna Cooper, a retired Hays High School science teacher, had a big smile on her face as she signed her name on the back of a solar panel in “her” row at the new Midwest Energy solar array just north of Colby.
Cooper, a longtime advocate of renewable energy, was one of about 100 people who gathered for the April 23 dedication and ribbon cutting on East Memorial Veterans Drive.
It is the first solar farm in Kansas.
“Solar energy has been developing rapidly the last five to ten years,” said Earnie Lehman, MWE president and general manager. “We saw it developing in other states.”
The Midwest Energy solar farm is just north of Colby. It is the first solar array in Kansas.
“In 2010, we became aware of Clean Energy Collective, based in Colorado, which had the concept of community solar collectives, rather than rooftop panels which can be disrupted by trees or in congested areas.
“We began long and intensive talks with CEC to bring community solar to Kansas,” Lehman said.
Hays-based Midwest Energy queried customers in 2011 and 2012 to find out if they would be interested in solar power.
“There was a much higher interest than we expected,” said Pat Parke, MWE vice-president of customer service.
At the ribbon cutting were Rep. Rick Billinger, Goodland; Clean Energy Collective VP for Development Jim Hartman, MWE General Manager Earnie Lehman, Sen. Ralph Ostmeyer, Grinnell; and Rep. Don Hineman, Dighton.
Today there are 3,960 panels on the 6-acre site of the 1-megawatt community solar array. Nearly 60% of the panels have been purchased by Midwest Energy electric customers in western and central Kansas serving residential, commercial, oil, irrigation and agricultural accounts.
“The project was engineered, designed and constructed by Clean Energy Collective,” explained Parke.
“MWE has an agreement to purchase the electricity that is produced here, much like we would buy the electricity that is produced from a wind farm or a coal-fired power plant. It’s called a Purchase Power Agreement.
Midwest Energy solar panel row
“The CEC sells one or more panels to the customer, so the customer takes ownership of the panel(s) but the project is still managed by CEC.
“Midwest Energy’s role is to buy the electricity and then put a credit on that customer’s electric bill monthly. The total output of the entire facility is divided up proportionally depending on how many panels the customer owns. We (MWE) are paying for the electricity by putting the credit on the customer’s bill,” Parke said.
The Colby site was chosen for its ideal solar exposure rating and includes state-of-the-art inverters combined with high efficiency 305-watt solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, according to CEC.
The array features an advanced solar tracking system—the first-ever solar tracking system used in a community-owned solar facility developed by Clean Energy Collective. Four motors tilt the solar panels to follow the sun throughout the day.
Solar panel owners get a credit of 10.5 cents for each kilowatt hour their panels generate on their monthly electric bill. Midwest Energy estimates each panel will deliver roughly $57 a year in credits, for a 6.4 percent rate of return.
Find out more about the Midwest Energy solar garden in Colby with Eagle Communications’ Mike Cooper on Community Connection.
Hays Kiwanis volunteers pose for a picture during their Kiwanis One Day project.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
The Hays Kiwanis Club recently joined with other clubs around the world for “Kiwanis ONE Day,” with an estimated one million volunteer hours donated to community service projects internationally.
The Hays club members did some spring cleaning and sprucing up in the Kiwanis Park located at 17th and Harvest Road.
The park is a partnership with the city of Hays. Director of Parks Jeff Boyle provided project coordinator Don Scheibler with a list of things that needed to be done.
“We were happy to do it,” Scheibler said. “Everything Kiwanis does is improving the community and working to make life better for the children.”
“Quality of life is a huge issue for folks these days,” Boyle said, “and this Kiwanis Park is a perfect example of it. You’ve gotta have a place for kids to hang out and enjoy their day, parents included.”
The group of about 20 Kiwanis members and friends “repainted picnic tables and the swing set, raked the sand in the volleyball pits and picked up trash,” Scheibler added, which tends to collect in the drainage canal along the east side of the park.
The city provided all the supplies and equipment needed for the project.
In celebration of Kiwanis International’s 100th year, the Hays Kiwanis club presented a $40,000 check to the city in January for new playground equipment, restrooms and a fitness trail in the park.
“This park wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the Kiwanis,” declared Boyle. “It was just an open field back in 1991 when they went before the city commission and said ‘we want to put in a park.'”
FHSU President Dr. Mirta Martin takes a candid photo of the VALUE scholars.
FHSU University Relations
With a gift of $200,000 announced in a Tuesday news conference, Omer “Hap” Voss Jr. has created the Voss Advanced Leadership Undergraduate Experience at Fort Hays State University, known as the VALUE program.
Hap Voss, of San Francisco, is the son of Omer Sr. and Annabelle Voss, long-time supporters of Fort Hays State and two people who truly believed in education and the importance of providing young minds with the opportunity to succeed.
Omer G. Voss, Sr. (Photo courtesy FHSU)
Omer Sr. grew up in Phillipsburg and enrolled at FHSU in 1933 at age 16. He went on to become the vice-president of International Harvester Company (now Navistar), living and working on every continent from the 1940s through the 1970s.
His son quoted from a speech Omer Sr. made at FHSU in 2004 about the need for “get it done skills” for employees, and for life.
“He said ‘I’ve managed people with outstanding knowledge and skills but they’ve not received the training or education or coaching necessary to give them the leadership skills that they and we need badly. Too often our most talented and knowledgeable employees are lacking the necessary skills to lead others. We need to train them and prepare them to lead,'” Voss read from his notes.
Then he looked up at the audience filled with Leadership Studies students and said, “I’ll add to that. We need to learn to lead at every level, not just at the top.”
Over the years, the Voss family has made generous gifts to the FHSU Foundation. In 2003, the couple established the “Omer G. Voss Distinguished Professorship in Leadership Studies.”
Tim Chapman, president and CEO of the FHSU Foundation, said the $200,000 was an “initial” gift and he invited others to contribute to the VALUE program.
Chapman recalled visiting the couple’s home in Chicago many times. When he asked about their various educational gifts, Annabelle Voss said, “Our money seems to go further at Fort Hays State.”
Dr. Mirta M. Martin, president, pointed to today’s gift as one more example of the value of family at Fort Hays State. “The legacy lives on,” she said. “This wonderful gift to FHSU students is also a tribute from Hap to his parents. We care about each other in the Tiger family, and this gift demonstrates how that attitude of caring continues to live over the miles, the years and for many, many, many generations to come. This gift shows the importance of leading from the heart.”
Annabelle passed away in 2009, and Omer Sr. passed away three years later in 2012.
According to Chapman, the couple’s son, Hap, is a chip off the old block. “Hap’s dream is coming true to help Fort Hays State and to fulfill the hopes of his father and mother who wanted nothing more than to support students and help them to become leaders of our country and world.”
In presenting the gift, Hap Voss recalled visits to the FHSU campus over the years with his father and mother. In one of those visits, he said his father advised students that to become leaders, they must “dig down and find your skills.” Voss Sr. gave the Commencement address in 1961, and when he received an honorarium of $600, he and Annabelle decided to donate it to an FHSU scholarship fund. That was the beginning of financial support for Fort Hays State from the Voss family.
Hap Voss earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan, served in Vietnam with the Navy and returned to school for a graduate degree. He retired a couple years ago as a senior vice president with the Bank of America, but he said he never learned about leadership in college. “Early on, I wasn’t the leader I could have been.”
In discussions with FHSU faculty, he discovered the Leadership Studies program could do even better by establishing the VALUE program. “Leading begins at the edge of your comfort zone,” he said, and he decided the gift of $200,000 to create the VALUE program would help FHSU’s leadership faculty and students “make it happen.”
Dr. Curt Brungardt, FHSU Omer G. Voss Distinguished Professor of Leadership Studies, and Omer Voss, Jr.
Curt Brungardt, director of FHSU’s Center for Civic Leadership, spoke about his personal connection to the Voss family and what this latest gift would mean to his students.
“Over the last decade, it has been my honor to hold the title of Omer Voss Distinguished Professor of Leadership Studies,” Brungardt said. “Omer and Annabelle Voss and their family have had a tremendous impact on this university and especially the Department of Leadership Studies, the Center for Civic Leadership, and most importantly, our students.”
Brungardt said he got to spend a lot of quality time with the couple in their home. “I would make the excuse to go to Chicago at least once or twice a year and I really grew close to both of them. We would sit and visit for hours about their life, Omer’s time at FHSU, and his advice to our leadership students,” he recalled. “On some of those trips Hap was there, and I got to meet and develop a relationship with him as well. Since his parent’s death, I now make an effort to go see Hap in San Francisco yearly.”
Dr. Jill Arensdorf, FHSU Dept. of Leadership Studies Chair
The VALUE program is “designed to develop the most promising undergraduates into powerful agents for good, following their educational experience at FHSU,” Jill Arensdorf, chair and associate professor of the Department of Leadership Studies, said during the news conference.
“The VALUE program is a year-long curricular and co-curricular experience for upper-division students, where they will be challenged to embrace and dedicate themselves to deeper individual development.”
Students in the Voss Advanced Leadership Undergraduate Experience program are able to explore their personal interests and develop a plan of study for one year related to corporate leadership, civic/non-profit leadership, or scholarship/leadership research.
These students can also take advantage of mentoring and coaching, experiential learning, advanced leadership labs, and will, at the end of the year-long program, submit an e-portfolio to present the scope of their work to Leadership Studies faculty and VALUE mentors.
Arensdorf introduced the students who were chosen to participate in the VALUE class for the 2015-16 academic year:
Stephen Anderson, a Kansas City, Kan., senior majoring in Informatics;
Ali Sedbrook, a Thornton, Colo., junior majoring in Organizational Leadership;
Lindsay Smith, a Wichita senior majoring in Organizational Leadership;
Ashley Templeton, a Wilson junior majoring in Organizational Leadership;
Chance Bulmer, a Hays junior majoring in Organizational Leadership;
Lizette Avalos, a Liberal senior majoring in Organizational Leadership;
Tera Mills, an Arkansas City senior majoring in Organizational Leadership;
Emilie Atherton, an Advance, N.C., junior majoring in Organizational Leadership;
Jade Singleton-Reich, a Denver junior majoring in Organizational Leadership; and
Kaitlyn Dinges, a Cimarron senior majoring in Organizational Leadership.
Despite a “really big push” by ‘Uncork Kansas,’ Rep. Sue Boldra, R-Hays, “does not think the issue will come up for a vote” when state lawmakers return to Topeka Wednesday.
‘Uncork Kansas’ presented testimony March 31 in favor of Senate Bill 298 in the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee.
“Kansans deserve the opportunity to benefit on tangible things such as better pricing, convenience, an improved shopping experience, and increased selections that this free market legislation affords,” said Ken DeLuca, vice president of Dillons Food Stores.
The bill is considered a “county option” bill, meaning voters in each Kansas county would have the opportunity to vote in a general election to decide whether adult beverages can be sold in grocery and convenience stores within the county.
Rep. Boldra is opposed to the county option.
“I think it would be too divisive, too irregular and would be hard to control,” she said.
“The two big ‘giants’ (Kroger and QuikTrip) that would win in this case, don’t even have headquarters in Kansas,” Boldra said.
“So the little guys–the small liquor stores in Hays, Ellis and Victoria–would certainly be in jeopardy. There are about 54 employees in these local liquor stores. I doubt if the big-box stores would hire them.”
“I’ve always said I’m pro-business, but I’m also a fan of small business, and they know I will vote no,” Boldra said.
The Uncork Kansas measure would permit grocery and convenience stores to sell regular strength beer and also allow grocery stores to purchase a liquor license from an existing owner to sell retail wine and spirits.
Earlier this year, a Kansas House committee passed Uncork Kansas legislation–HB2200–without the county-by-county option.
Both the Senate and the House will consider Uncork Kansas measures when the legislature reconvenes Wednesday, April 28, following their spring break.
Pictures supplied by Ellis County Emergency Manager Bill Ring of storms Friday night, April 24, in northeast Ellis County, where there were reports of a tornado, hail and an inch of rain; in Lucas, where hail covered the streets; and in Scott City, where three tornadoes were reported.
The Russell County Sheriff’s office reported damage to trees, roofs, cars, and windows across northern Russell County.
Hays Assistant City Manager Paul Briseno talks about the nearly completed 41st Street reconstruction.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
The project to reconstruct 41st Street between the US-183 By-pass and Hall Street “should be open for use at the end of this month,” according to Hays City Assistant City Manager Paul Briseno.
“When complete, 41st will have three driving lane surfaces and a 10-foot multi-purpose path along the north side of 41st Street. An additional path north of Hall Street from 41st to 45th Street will be added by the city with help from Ellis County in the near future.”
“Total cost for the joint Kansas Department of Transportation/City of Hays project is $3.8 million dollars. The city’s share was $1.1 million with the state paying the remaining $2.7 million,” Briseno reported to Hays City Commissioners during their Thursday night meeting.
Monday, April 27, work will occur in the intersection of 41st and Hall Street.
Traffic north of the intersection and east of the intersection will be reduced to only one lane for periods of time. Construction flaggers will be present to direct traffic through the intersection.
By the end of the week, May 1, 41st Street will be fully open to all traffic.
Project cleanup and minor work along the edges of the road will continue for the next few weeks, so motorists are asked to be aware of construction workers and use caution when driving in the area.
Name plates for the reorganized Hays City Commission are placed Thursday night by city finance director Kim Rupp.
Newly-elected Hays mayor Eber Phelps welcomed the newest city commissioners to the governing body Thursday night. Phelps was first elected to the Hays City Commission in 1990 and then went on to serve in the Kansas House of Representatives for 15 years.
Lance Jones and James Meier are serving their first-ever terms in a public office.
Local city, county and school board elections were held April 2 in Kansas. Phelps told the new commissioners “that’s the best way to do it.”
“I know there’s talk (by the Kansas legislature) of moving local city elections to the fall, but believe me, the way we do it now is great. (April) is when we start embarking on the budget process in Hays and this is when you can really learn about the community. It’s a really interesting process to go through,” Phelps said.
Phelps was quick to praise city staff involved in the budget process.
“In comparison from 25 years ago until now, it’s amazing the preparation that goes into each of our meetings. The budget process to me is interesting, and I guess you could say, a lot less painful,” he added.
Commissoners Jones and Meier will soon begin tours of city departments to familiarize themselves with the city’s operations.
New Hays City Commissioners Lance Jones, Henry Schwaller IV and James Meier are sworn in to office Thursday night by City Clerk Brenda Kitchen.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
The three men recently elected to the Hays City Commission were sworn into office Thursday evening by City Clerk Brenda Kitchen.
Lance Jones, Henry Schwaller IV and James Meier raised their right hands and repeated the oath of office administered by Kitchen, swearing to “support the constitution of the United States and the constitution of the state of Kansas, and faithfully discharge the duties of city commissioner of the city of Hays, Kansas.”
The governing board was then reorganized with Eber Phelps elected as mayor and Shaun Musil elected as vice-mayor.
After special thanks and recognition of outgoing commissioners Kent Steward and Ron Mellick, the new commission conducted a public hearing for special assessments in the Golden Belt Estates 5th Addition and in 46th Street 2nd Addition. Both areas are west of Hall Street and north of 41st Street.
There were no audience comments.
Hays Mayor Eber Phelps brings down the gavel at the end of Thursday night’s meeting of the new Hays City Commission.
Commissioners then unanimously approved an ordinance levying special assessments to the property owners for water, sanitary sewer, storm sewer and street improvements, which are already completed.
Forty-Sixth Street Second Addition will be a 15-year assessment of $16,212.56 for each of the 28 lots. Golden Belt Estates 5th Addition will also be a 15-year assessment of $16,424.02 for each of the 34 lots in Danby Lane and Jagger Court.
The total amount of the levied special assessments is a little more than $1 million dollars.
Karissa Cochrane, Preschool A teacher at HACC, rides with students during Thursday’s Trike-A-Thon.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
There was some serious biking and triking going on Thursday morning in the parking lot east of the Hays Area Children’s Center, 94 Lewis Drive.
The kids, who all attend HACC, were cheered on by their family members and friends during the perfect spring weather.
One youngster got her bike’s training wheels stuck in a pavement rut, and was helplessly spinning her back wheel. Luckily, the Hays Public Library’s “Book Fairies” (aka Angie Aeillo and Nichole Lang of the HPL Children’s Dept.) came to the rescue.
They sprinkled some special fairy dust on her and the bike, and she was quickly off and pedaling away.
“Trike-A-Thon is a celebration of our kids and the center,” said Kaley Conner, HACC Community Relations Coordinator. ”
It’s also an opportunity for the children to become more involved in the upcoming fundraiser Tumbleweed Tour For Tykes, formerly known as the Rope ‘Em Ride.
“They have the opportunity to do some fundraising themselves and can seek sponsorship for participating in Trike-A-Thon. We had orange T-shirts made for the kids,” Conner said.
Victor E. Tiger, FHSU, cheers on the bikers and trikers at HACC.
Trike-A Thon proceeds will be used for classroom supplies for HACC child care programs.
“We have great families. It’s nice of them to observe their child’s interactions today with the other children and their teachers.
“They (the kids) sure will nap well for their teachers this afternoon,” Conner said with a smile as she watched the noisy fun.
The Tumbleweed Tour For Tykes is Saturday, May 2. For the first time, motorcyclists will also bike the scenic routes which range from 5 to 100 miles across Ellis County.
Late registration is still available, according to Conner, although you won’t get a T-shirt. Contact Conner at [email protected] or call (785) 625-3257 for more information.
Proceeds will benefit HACC services for young and disabled children.
Rep. Travis Couture-Lovelady, Sen. Ralph Ostmeyer and Rep. Sue Boldra speak in Hays last month.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
Lawmakers will return to Topeka from their spring recess Wednesday, April 29. The Kansas legislature by law must wrap up its regular session within 90 calendar days.
Rep. Sue Boldra, R-Hays, said she “feels a little confident we’ll be done in 90 days,” but with the state budget deficit and school funding concerns remaining, “we may not be done by May 12.”
Kansas would take an additional $25 million hit in its next state budget to provide the aid it has promised to public schools.
The GOP-controlled Legislature approved a measure in March which Republican Gov. Sam Brownback signed to junk the state’s per-pupil school funding formula and replace it with predictable block grants for the next two years.
The law has been challenged in court.
Rep. Boldra said she “will have a seat at the table” as school funding discussions continue.
“Just tweak it every year—since 1992–things have been tweaked so that many times we don’t even understand what all is in there.
“So I think it’s time that we did take a look at the school finance formula again. I’m not sure we should just dump everything and start with block grants, but that’s what they—we– have decided to do,” Boldra said.
State officials said Tuesday that a property tax imposed by the state to raise money for schools is expected to generate $17.5 million less than previously anticipated during the fiscal year beginning July 1.
Officials also predict that aid to school districts for construction projects will cost $7.5 million more than previously estimated.
Although the legislature may schedule an adjournment and allow for a “wrap-up” session, the regular session generally ends in late April or early May.
Three Hays City Commissioners will be sworn into office shortly after the start of Thursday night’s commission meeting.
Incumbent Henry Schwaller IV, and newcomers Lance Jones and James Meier will be administered the oath of office by city clerk Brenda Kitchen.
The governing body will then be reorganized with the election of mayor and vice-mayor. Schwaller currently serves as mayor and Eber Phelps is vice-mayor. Shaun Musil is the fifth Hays city commissioner.
Commissioners will conduct a public hearing for special assessments in the
Golden Belt Estates 5th Addition and 46th Street 2nd Addition followed by ordinance approval to assess the cost of improvements to property owners in both additions.
The meeting begins at 6:30p.m. Thursday, April 23, in Hays City Hall.
The recent predictions by many meteorologists for 2.5 inches of rain in Hays did not materialize.
During the three-day forecast window, just 0.41 of an inch of precipitation was officially recorded in Hays at the K-State Agricultural Research Center, according to weather records keeper Joe Becker.
“I made copies from the Internet of the weather-rain-storm photos taken this past week in (other areas of) Kansas, then pasted them to the office windows so that we can imagine rain is coming when we look outside,” Becker joked in his daily weather report April 21.
Jeff Boyle, Director of Hays Parks, also joked a bit that “most people remember to water new trees they’ve just planted.” He’s also encouraging residents to “deep water” mature trees on their property.
“Even though we are in a major drought and conserving water as best we can, my recommendation is to go ahead and deep water your trees.
“From January 2011 until today, Hays is about one foot behind normal precipitation for that period.
“As a general rule of thumb, if you can water your tree within the dripline of the canopy, typically that would be adequate for the tree to survive through this (drought) period.
“You can’t replace a 30-year-old tree in a season; you can replace a yard in a season,” Boyle added.
