By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

A bi-partisan group of Ellis County residents met Tuesday evening in Hays for the organizational meeting of Ellis County Team Davis.

The group, comprised of  Democrats and Republicans, supports Paul Davis and Jill Docking in November’s election for Kansas governor and lieutenant governor.

There were the 28 people attending the initial meeting.  Henry Schwaller was  elected Ellis County chairman for the campaign; Janis Lee was elected vice-chairman.  Both are Hays residents.

The group will “focus on expanding its membership over the next month,” Schwaller said in a news release today.

“Ellis County Team Davis plans to share the candidates’ message with Ellis County voters through the November election by staffing a phone bank, participating in local events and campaigning door-to-door,” Schwaller added.

Local residents interested in more information about the candidates or joining the group may contact [email protected] or visit the group’s Facebook page.

The next Ellis County Team Davis meeting  is Tuesday, June 3.

Rep. Paul Davis, D-Lawrence, has served in the Kansas House of Representatives since 2003 and is the House minority leader.

Jill Docking, D-Wichita, is a long-time financial planner.  She served on the Kansas Board of Regents from 2007-2010.

Docking lost a bid for the U.S. Senate against Brownback in 1996. Her husband, Tom, was lieutenant governor from 1983 to 1987. His father, Robert, and his grandfather, George Docking, both served as governor.

 

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Now in its fourth year, this Kansas drought is the third worst in the last 100 years.

That’s the assessment of Bob Gillen, director of the K-State Agricultural Research Center in Hays:

Gillen says the 1930s drought lasted eight years, from 1932 through 1940, with 1933 to 1936 the worst years for dust storms and limited precipitation.

All 105 Kansas counties are now in a drought situation. Gov. Sam Brownback issued the update Wednesday morning.

More than half of Kansas counties, including Ellis, are in the emergency stage.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

You don’t have to be an aviation fan to enjoy Great Planes on the Great Plains at the Hays Regional Airport.

The annual free event is Saturday, June 7, from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m., according to Hays Public Works Director I.D. Creech:

The pancake breakfast will be prepared by the Sunrise Rotary Club.

Private pilots will fly in early to display their airplanes on the tarmac for the public to view and ask questions.  The Civil Air Patrol will also be on hand to explain their mission.

Creech said unlike in years past, there will not be a display of military aircraft because of federal budget cuts.

The Kansas Highway Patrol will show off its airplane and also offer rides on the seatbelt convincer.

Ident-A-Kid will be provided by local law enforcement officers.

The event is sponsored by the Fly Hays committee.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

ELLIS–The current mayor of Ellis, Lyle Johnston, is running for Ellis County Commissioner.

Johnston filed Friday for election to the District 1 seat which includes Ellis.  The position is currently held by Swede Holmgren.

“I feel there is a continued need for good representation for the Ellis area at the county level, and therefore I have decided to take the necessary steps to be on the ballot,” Johnston said.

If elected, Johnston would have to resign his position as Ellis City mayor.  There would be three months left in his term before the regular city elections in April 2015.

The filing deadline is noon, June 2.  The primary election is August 5.

 

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

It was a sunny, windy Sunday afternoon  as local supporters gathered on the Commerce Parkway overpass east of Hays to wave at motorcyclists headed east on Interstate 70.

The “Run for the Wall” participants came in several waves, small groups of five or six first, followed by the biggest core group of a 100 or so bikes bound to Washington. 

There are three separate runs, each starting in California, with riders joining along the way.

Hays American Legion Post 173 Riders Lambert Staab and his son, Larry Staab, joined the group in Goodland, according to Post 173 historian Kelly Smith. It’s the northernmost route. They are scheduled to arrive at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial this weekend to participate in Memorial Day ceremonies Monday honoring all veterans.

The crowd of greeters in Hays was smaller than in the past eight years after a last-minute conference with the Kansas Department of Transportation, which was concerned about safety and limited the number of people and motorcycles atop the overpass.

No matter, said ALR director Tony Smith:

The purpose of the annual Run for the Wall, according to their website, is to promote healing among all veterans and their families and friends, to call for an accounting of all prisoners of war and those missing in action, to honor the memory of those killed in action from all wars, and to support U.S. military personnel around the world.

 

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Catholic schools in Hays are facing some budget concerns as well as space issues.

“We don’t want to grow faster than what we can sustain,” said Thomas More Prep-Marian Development Director Jeff Brull.

During a strategic planning meeting earlier this week, Bishop Edward Weisenburger of the Salina diocese outlined long-range plans for Catholic education in Hays.

Holy Family Elementary School has a waiting list for students, according to Brull.

It’s been determined that the $750,000 price tag for reopening the former Kennedy Middle School to operate a third campus is too expensive. That estimate does not include necessary capital improvements to the building.

Positive enrollment trends could lead to construction at the existing two campuses. Brull said there are options with the Holy Family building, which is an Immaculate Heart of Mary parish school:

The junior high was added to TMP two years ago at a cost of $700,000.

The high school residency program is also being reviewed.

The two facilities, which usually house 50 to 60 international students, require about $1.3 million in badly needed repairs, according to Weisenburger.

If the money can’t be raised, host families might be asked to come forward  to offer living quarters — or the program could be closed in May 2015.

Another upcoming issue is the hiring of a new principal for TMP-Marian Junior/Senior High School for the 2015-16 school year.

Kathy Taylor, a longtime faculty member, has served as TMP principal the past two years and will be departing after the 2014-15 school year.

 

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Saturday’s final Eggs and Issues breakfast with area legislators was the first time in three years the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce was actually able to host the third meeting.

“The past two years the Legislature was still in session at this time,” explained Tammy Wellbrock, chamber executive director.

Still, 40th District Sen. Ralph Ostmeyer, R-Grinnell, was unable to attend. He was traveling to high school graduation ceremonies in Grinnell and Hoxie for two of his grandsons.

The audience was happy to hear a session wrap-up from 111th District Rep. Sue Boldra, R-Hays, and 110th District Rep. Travis Couture-Lovelady, R-Palco.

Despite last Thursday’s downgrade of the state’s bond rating by Moody’s Investment Service, which said the move was triggered by Wednesday’s announcement the state collected $93 million less than expected in April, Couture-Lovelady isn’t overly concerned.

“Overall, (the budget) is generally as expected, even better than projected,” Couture-Loveday said. “It’s easy to make this political.”

Both legislators contend what Kansas is experiencing is the “effect of tax increases implemented by the Obama administration resulting in lower income tax payments.”

“People moved their money around,” Boldra said. “A change in capital gains tax rates at the federal level reduced income tax revenue in states across the country.”

“When Gov. Brownback took office, there was $876.05 left in the state’s checkbook,” Boldra pointed out.

“As of Friday, according to state treasurer Ron Estes, we have nearly $400 million in the checkbook,” said Travis Couture-Lovelady. “The sky is not falling.”

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Letter carriers in Hays and across the country will be collecting food for families in need tomorrow.

This is the 21st annual “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive organized by the National Association of Letter Carriers.

Last year in Hays, 7,800 pounds of non-perishable food items were donated and delivered to the Community Assistance Center (CAC), according to postman Lester Robben.

“Just leave your items in a plastic bag by your mailbox or the neighborhood box and we’ll pick it up during our regular Saturday mail routes,” said Robben.

This is one of two major food drives for the year, said CAC co-director Laurie Mortinger, “and the cupboard is nearly empty:”

All the food is taken back to the post office where it’s weighed, then it’s on to the Community Assistance Center.

“We load the food into pickups, drive it over and unload,” said Robben. “It’s pretty amazing to see it all in one place.”

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Hays city commissioners awarded two bids and one contract Thursday night for waterline improvements and leak detection services.

As recommended by city staff, the bid of $233,458 from Stripe and Seal was accepted for waterline improvements on Hickory and Ash streets between 27th and 29th streets. The project will start Oct. 1 and be complete within 60 working days.

The $151,406 bid from APAC-Kansas was accepted for waterline improvements on Elm Street from Fort to Fourth streets. The work will be done during Fort Hays State University’s summer break.

Both waterline projects will be funded from the Water and Sewer Capital Reserve Fund.

Commissioners also voted to accept the $43,920 bid from Wachs Water Services for leak detection services in 180 miles of raw and potable water lines. The funds will come from the 2014 Utilities Department Water Conservation budget.

The presentations were made by Nick Willis, who is now the Assistant Director of Utilities, as announced by city manager Toby Dougherty. Willis had been in that position on an interim basis.

In other business, city commissioners approved several mayoral appointments:

Airport Advisory Committee
Errol Wuertz – 3-year term to expire 4-30-17 (5th term)

Hays Area Planning Commission
Justin McClung – 3-year term to expire 4-30-17 (1st term)
Kris Munsch – 3-year term to expire 4-30-17 (1st term)

Hays Beautification Committee
Dorothy McRae – 3-year term to expire 8-1-17 (1st term)

Hays Public Library Board
David Goodlett – 4-year term to expire 4-30-18 (3rd term – nonconsecutive)
Kathleen Schukman – 4-year term to expire 4-30-18 (1st term)

In other business, Mayor Henry Schwaller was appointed as the city commission’s representative to the Ellis County Coalition Board.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

A crowd of local skate enthusiasts heard the good news they were hoping for at Thursday night’s Hays City Commission meeting.

The Western Kansas Skate Park Committee received the unanimous endorsement from commissioners to begin soliciting donations for the improvement and expansion of the skate park at Aubel-Bickle Park, 30th and Sherman.

“I appreciate your initiative and think it’s a good thing,” said Commissioner Kent Steward.

WKSC member Derek Hadley told commissioners the total  project cost is estimated at $250,000:

The funding process will be similar to the Hays Dog Park projec.  All donations will be deposited with and accounted for by the city of Hays.

Commissioners voted to require Phase 1, the bowl area, to be  completed within two years, and the entire project to be  finished within five years.

The skate park was built in 1996.

For more on Thursday’s meeting, check Hays Post.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

There are now two seven-passenger vans in Hays taking military veterans from the Hays VA clinic to the Wichita VA hospital for medical treatment. The second van was donated recently by Auto World, owned by Dick and Kay Werth.

“It’s a terrific service for vets,” according to Mike Dreiling, adjutant treasurer of the Disabled American Veterans Fort Hays Chapter 18. One van drives directly from Hays to Wichita; the other picks up veterans in several area towns and along the route to Wichita.

On Thursday, Rick Kennedy, volunteer director at Wichita’s Robert J. Dole Regional VA Hospital, will be in Hays for a special ceremony to thank the Werths for the donation.

Following that, Kennedy will host a meeting addressing the benefits of being a volunteer and helping veterans.

“Right now, we really need more volunteer drivers for our vans,” Dreiling said.

Darrell Loreg, senior vice president of Fort Hays DAV, is a longtime volunteer driver. It’s often a 12-hour day for the retiree — and he loves it.

“Some of these guys will even give me a hug when we get back to Hays,” Loreg said. “They’re so grateful for the ride.  It’s a free service.  Without it, what would they do?”

To be a volunteer driver, you must pass a physical and have a standard driver’s license.

The volunteer recruiting meeting starts at 5 p.m. tomorrow at LINK, 2401 E. 13th.

For more information, call Dreiling at (785)-735-7117.