By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
The Catherine Water District will conduct a live repair Friday morning in Catherine.
According to District Manager Tom Walters, Jr., the work will start at about 9 a.m. this morning and will continue until about noon. The water supply will be off during those hours.
The water outage will affect the town of Catherine and water district customers along the blacktop road east of Catherine.
By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Since her mom convinced her to enter the annual Hays Sunrise Rotary Club’s Grocery Grab and even bought her $10 winning ticket, Plainville resident Sheila Eichman handed over the frozen turkey she grabbed Wednesday night to her mom, Shirley Eichman.
Sheila Eichman’s name was drawn from more than 270 entries in the fourth annual fundraiser for the Sunshine Rotary Club which uses the proceeds for improvements to Ekey Park, 1902 Holmes. “I was shocked I won,” she said. Her mother, Shirley, lives in WaKeeney and works at Enersys in Hays.
Eichman had just five minutes to race through Dillon’s, 1902 Vine, and managed to toss $833.90 worth of free groceries from the shelves into two grocery carts. Store manager Don Koerner watched while several Rotary Club members chased along. Martin Straub recorded the trek on his iPad while president Larry Dreiling acted as the official timer, loudly yelling out the remaining minutes and seconds.
Still slightly out of breath as she watched the Dillon’s clerk check out and total up her winnings, Eichman joked “I should have trained for this for awhile.”
There were a few restrictions for the grocery grab, including a one minute limit in the meat department with a maximum two items of each type. Pharmacy, alcohol, and tobacco products were prohibited.
“I went for the staples, filling up our pantry,” Eichman said. She started in the meat department and soon headed straight to the coffee aisle. “Oh my gosh, I love coffee,” she laughed. Although her kids had made some requests on what she should pick up, Eichman stuck with the basics, including industrial size containers of cooking oil and black pepper.
Eichman, who works in the Rooks County Health Center business department, and her boyfriend Alon Zimmerman, scoped out the grocery store to determine her strategy before the event started.
“We haven’t shopped here since Dillon’s was remodeled so I wanted to find out where everything was. It’s a lot bigger than the old store,” she said. Zimmerman, who acted as “chief scout and cheerleader” helped load the groceries in their vehicle. “There were a lot of bags,” he smiled.
According to club member Martin LaBarge, whose two daughters were along to watch the fun, the grocery grab is “usually the week before Thanksgiving. We work with Dillon’s to determine which day works for them.” The event is held in the evening when there are generally fewer customers in the store. Wednesday night’s shoppers were advised over the store’s public address system about what was going to happen and asked to “step aside” if possible, while Eichman ran through the aisles.
The Sunrise Rotary Club pays for the groceries out of the ticket proceeds. “We raised a little over $2,500 bucks,” Dreiling reported. The remaining money will go into the club’s fund to pay for a restroom in Ekey Park.
“We’ve built up the playground area and put in a picnic area, but the one thing we don’t have is a restroom. So we’re raising money to put in a restroom similar to what’s installed in downtown Hays. The Parks Department can lay it down very quickly.
“It runs about $20,000. We’re about halfway there right now. It’s a major fundraiser. Hopefully, within a year or two, I think we’ll have it done,” Dreiling predicted.
“One of the best things about it, with the restroom facility, the citizenry will be able to rent out the park and use the picnic area for family reunions, high school graduations, quinceaneras, whatever you want to have.”
And, oh yes, Eichman did earn Dillon’s fuel points with her grocery haul–80 cents off a gallon. “I’m definitely going to enter again next year, and I bet a lot of my co-workers will too,” she added with a grin.
Chartered April 29, 2010, the Hays Sunrise Rotary Club is the newest service club in Hays. It is comprised of 20 men and women who are business, professional and community leaders with a shared commitment to make the world a better place through humanitarian service above self. The club meets the second and fourth Thursday mornings of each month in the Tiger Room of Fort Hays State University’s Gross Memorial Coliseum.
New members are always welcome. For more information contact [email protected] or visit hayssunriserotary.org.
By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
As Hays Public Works Director Jesse Rohr introduced his newest employee to Hays city commissioners last week, he also announced the department is now fully staffed.
“Paul Sieja started with us two weeks ago. He’s a Maintenance Worker I with the Service Division. His background and construction experience has been very beneficial already and an asset for us,” Rohr said.
“We’re glad to have Paul on board, and I’m happy to say we are now fully staffed in Public Works,” he added.
“I shouldn’t have said anything about that,” Rohr joked, as one city commissioner knocked on the wood commission table and the room erupted in laughter.
Department heads now regularly introduce new employees and recognize employee promotions to the city commission.
By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
The 41 participants of the sixth annual Kansas Startup at Fort Hays State University kicked off their entrepreneurial weekend in the Robbins Center with a pep talk from a U.S. Senator Friday night.
Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS), a former Hays resident, was back home to encourage their ideas and desire to help make western Kansas become an entrepreneurial hub. Moran is a member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Technology Committee
“I got interested in startups because I was worried about the fiscal condition of our country. A report from the Kauffman Foundation of Kansas City landed on my desk and talked about the opportunities we have to grow our economy by increasing the number of startups and improving the number of startups that are successful. It occurred to me that maybe it’s easier politically to deal with a growing economy than it is figuring out where we cut spending or raising taxes on somebody.
“This became something I developed a passion for. I’m particularly glad we have startup interest in parts of Kansas that are rural.
“I teamed up with Senator Mark Warner (D-Virginia) and we’ve been pursuing something now in its fourth version, called Startup Act 4.0.” The bipartisan jobs legislation would encourage creation and growth of new businesses.
“We took a lot of Kauffman information and recommendations and are working to pursue a tax code, an immigration policy, access to federally funded research, and increasing the amount of money, authorizations and opportunities for economic development authority of the Department of Commerce to provide resources for startup businesses and entrepreneurs.
“The goal is to see if we can get this legislation through the Congress. The tax code portions of our bill — the ability to retain capital and to reward success and entrepreneurial efforts –have already passed Congress.
“We’ve encouraged our colleagues in the United States Senate to host startup events, to visit startup companies, and talk about entrepreneurship.”
Moran has visited SXSW (South By Southwest) in Austin several times, each time making sure his attire was less formal. “I got out of my suit about the third year and out of the tie and sport jacket the fourth year,” he joked with the crowd. SXSW is a popular annual conference and festival celebrating the convergence of the interactive, film, and music industries. “I’m trying to figure out how what we see in Austin, in Boston and in Silicon Valley, can be replicated in Kansas.”
Immigration issues are primarily what keep his Startup Act legislation from being passed, Moran thinks.
“Our suggested legislation allows for 75,000 new visas for people who are foreign-born and educated in the United States who want to put their capital into starting a business and employ people in the United States. It also allows for 50,000 more STEM visas for those who are interested in science, mathematics, technology, and engineering.
“This may be the most important thing we can do.
“In fact, the Kaufman studies indicate the number of entrepreneurial efforts by those who are foreign as compared to American is significantly larger. About 40 percent of startups come from foreign individuals in the United States. We want to utilize people’s entrepreneurial and intellectual skill sets. We want to utilize their capital if they want to start a business. But because it deals with immigration and people coming to the United States, that then lends itself toward broader political discussion.
“I would guess 80 percent of my colleagues agree with those two (visa) proposals and could vote for them. But too often we can’t deal with any immigration issue unless we deal with every immigration issue, which then results in dealing with no immigration issues. So we are redoubling our efforts in this Congress and this Senate to pursue that success.
“Someone in Silicon Valley was telling me they applied for H-1B visas for the 18 engineers they needed. They got none of those in the (visa) lottery. They said ‘Senator, you should know we hired them anyway.’ So how do you hire people when you didn’t get the visa? They hired them at their facilities in Canada.
“Not only did we lose 18 new engineering jobs in the United States, but I have little doubt that one or more of those 18 hired engineers will be the creator of the next Facebook or the next Google, and the sad fact is, they’re not in the United States. So we lose a lot if we can’t come together and figure out how to have an appropriate, fair immigration system.
“We want to improve the chances regulations don’t get in the way of a new business. Most people starting a new business don’t have a lot of money. Anything that drives up the cost of just getting your business off the ground diminishes the chances for its success.
“This is really about The American Dream,” Moran concluded. “I wish you well. If you can succeed in pursuing The American Dream, you will help others achieve theirs. And that’s a great thing for one generation to pass on to the next.”
Kansas Startup, led by the FHSU W.R. and Yvonne Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship, is a time for entrepreneurs to meet, share ideas, and launch new businesses.
“This three-day event is open to anyone with a great idea and the desire to make that idea a reality,” said Henry Schwaller, instructor of management and co-organizer of Kansas Startup. “The weekend is a 48-hour, hands-on experience where anyone interested in starting a business or non-profit can find out if their idea is viable.”
Hopeful entrepreneurs begin by making their pitches over an open mic on Friday – bringing their best ideas and hoping to inspire others to join their teams.
Saturday and Sunday, the focus is on developing the business idea and building a viable product. On Sunday evening, teams present their product to a panel of experts for feedback and prizes. Participant presentations are open to the public free of charge at 5 p.m. Sunday in the Robbins Center.
The event is sponsored by NetWork Kansas, Sunflower Electric Power, Commerce Bank, and Midwest Energy.
By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
The city of Hays will purchase two pieces of property in the Smoky Hill River wellfield south of town, where many of the city’s water wells are situated. Currently, the city leases the properties.
When the wellfield was developed, the city leased sites for water wells, monitoring wells, and access easements. The leases had automatic inflator provisions. Beginning with the wellfield reconfiguration in 2006, the city started buying out these leases in order to save money in the future.
Production well S-18, along with a monitoring well, sits in the center of the wellfield on a 36.9 acre tract owned by the Dinges Family Trust.
The city has been working since 2003 to acquire property in this wellfield to secure its wells, according to City Attorney John Bird.
The Dinges Family Trust extended the offer to sell the well, pipeline and the land.
“The total price is $225,000,” Bird told city commissioners Thursday night. “The City Finance Director agrees the capitalization of this lease has a very significant value, somewhere between $79,000 and $109,000. The future value is even higher than that, of course. The land itself is probably worth somewhere between $111,000 and $148,000 range.
“We think it’s a wise fiscal decision by the city,” said Bird. “It’s definitely a wise decision hydrologically because this is where we’re going to have our water source forever. The ability to relocate wells and not have to go through a new negotiation process with owners is a valuable one.”
The land will be turned over to the city’s property manager.
“I’m not making any promises, but down the road I suspect this property will become even more valuable. There may be some other uses that are compatible with the wellfield concept. We don’t want to own anymore land than we have to,” he added. “Down the road, it may be marketable.”
The second tract where well S-11 is located on 3.7 acres is owned by Brandon and Brandi Zimmerman, who also approached the city about selling it. The purchase price is $80,000.
“We are also acquiring something else I think is really valuable in this and that is the ability to relocate the well if our engineers tell us we need to or some event occurred that the wellfield needed to be reconfigured. It gives us a lot of flexibility down on the Smoky and I think it’s also a wise financial decision.”
Both properties will be purchased using the water sales tax. The city was paying about $400 a month on each property lease.
There are two leases remaining on private land with city-owned water wells.
ELLIS – Ellis city council members agree the town needs to find additional sources of water but there are concerns about the cost.
Water Advisory Committee member Gary Luea reported during Monday’s meeting the Water Exploration Project cost estimate is $3.5 million.
Council members Bob Redger, Bret Andries and Jolene Niernberger said they completely support the project. Holly Aschenbrenner, Dena Patee, and Susan Eaton also support it but are are worried about the expense. They want the city to explore options on partnering with other communities to cost share.
In other business, the council unanimously agreed to have City Attorney Olavee Raub begin negotiations with the Ellis Golf Club Board for potential sale of city-owned property at the golf course. The city owns 1.67 acres which includes the land housing the cart sheds, shop area, and parking lot. The Golf Club Board wants the property intact in order to entice a potential buyer.
The council also directed Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman to acquire elevation shots of the Ellis Campground as part of an application for state funding to expand the campground.
The complete meeting minutes follow.
ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
Minutes November 6, 2017
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor David McDaniel called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members Bret Andries, Holly Aschenbrenner, Susan Eaton, Jolene Niernberger, Dena Patee, and Bob Redger. Also present were Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, City Clerk Amy Burton, Police Chief Taft Yates, and City Attorney Olavee Raub.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
None
PUBLIC PRESENT
Buck Driggs, Brian Raub, Glen Keller, Barbara Perkins, Dale Giebler, Jim Honas, Ron Hallagin, Gary Luea, Charlene Weber, Nickole Byers, John Kolacny, Whitey Kohl (arrived at 7:48 p.m.), and Cassy Zeigler (arrived at 8:35 p.m.).
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on October 16, 2017 and Bills Ordinance #2032. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 6-0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Nickole Byers announced that Main Street Media recently acquired the newspaper in Wakeeney. After witnessing other communities’ governing bodies in action, Ms. Byers praised the Ellis governing body for doing an excellent job for our community.
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
Committee: Award
Mayor David McDaniel recognized members of the City’s Trades Board and presented Dale Giebler, Jim Honas, and Alan Scheuerman with a Citizen’s Award for their act of service. Members Monte Cox, Kevin Fox, Bobby Younger, and Terry Zerfas were unable to attend.
SPECIAL ORDER
Campground: Special Project
Mayor David McDaniel announced that Steve Seibel, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism, was unable to attend tonight’s meeting. At a previous meeting, Council directed the Campground Committee to visit with Mr. Seibel to review the City’s cost estimate of the 5-year Campground Expansion Project. Charlene Weber, Committee Chair, stated the Committee met with Mr. Seibel and that he feels the proposed cost of the expansion is fair and reasonable. The City has additional costs over the Cedar Bluff expansion in that the City’s project must follow floodplain and City building code regulations. A reimbursement grant is available and Mr. Seibel offered to work with the Committee on preparing the application for funding. Council then discussed the varying site elevations involved in the location of the expansion. Council directed Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman to present exact elevation shots from the east and west sides of the project to determine how much fill would be required.
General Government: Special Project
Ron Hallagin, representing the Ellis Golf Club, reported that the Board has contracted with Art Schoenthaler Construction to perform dirt work at the Ellis Golf Club in order to improve the drainage concerns in the area. The work will be performed in the spring and Mr. Schoenthaler and the Ellis Golf Club will work with the City to determine a solution. Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman stated the culverts further south will also need to be cleaned out. City Attorney Olavee Raub added that easements will need to be obtained for those areas on private property.
Water Exploration: Special Project
Gary Luea, Water Advisory Committee, acknowledged that the Water Exploration Project will be a costly one – between securing the land and constructing the wells and distribution lines to the City. Mr. Luea compared this project (estimated at $3.5 million) to the more expensive Water Treatment Plant project ($5.5 million) back in 2006 in that not everyone in the community may see the need or desire to pay for the project. Mr. Luea then polled each council member for the record on whether or not they were in favor of continuing the project. Council members Bob Redger, Bret Andries and Jolene Niernberger expressed 100% support for the project. Council members Holly Aschenbrenner, Dena Patee, and Susan Eaton expressed support for the project, but voiced concerns over the total cost and that the City needed to explore options on partnering with other communities to cost share.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
General Government: Land Disposal
The Governing Body reviewed the Boundary Survey of City property at the golf course from James Meis, Driggs Design Group. At an earlier Council meeting, the Ellis Golf Club Board asked if the City would be willing to sell the property in order to entice a potential buyer. The area consists of 1.67 acres and includes the land that houses the shop area, cart sheds, and the parking lot. Council member Bob Redger moved to direct City Attorney Olavee Raub to begin negotiations with the Ellis Golf Club Board for potential sale of the property. Council member Dena Patee seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
NEW BUSINESS
Streets: Event Request
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the Public Property Permit Application submitted by the Ellis Polar Express for their annual event in Playworld Park on December 2, 2017. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
Streets: Repair/Maintenance
Buck Driggs, Driggs Design Group, and City Clerk Amy Burton presented the sixth set of pay applications for the Street Improvement Project. This will be the final construction drawdown; therefore, the Contractor’s Pay Estimate is to release the held retainage. The City will hold a public hearing on December 4th to close-out the project. Council member Dena Patee moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to approve Request for Payment of CDBG Funds #6 in the amount of $38,770.84 for the Street Improvement Project. The motion carried 6-0.
Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to approve Contractor’s Pay Estimate #6 to Vogts-Parga Construction, LLC in the amount of $64,390.44 for the Street Improvement Project. The motion carried 6-0.
Council member Bob Redger then moved to authorize the Mayor to sign the related documents for the Street Improvement Project. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
Street: Acquisition
Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the purchase of 15 tons of high performance asphalt from APAC in an amount not to exceed $2,000.00 with funds to come from the Special Highway Fund. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
Water: Acquisition
Council member Bob Redger moved to ratify payment of the invoice to Metron-Farnier, LLC in the amount of $1,014.00 for the purchase of three auto-read water meters. The meters were within the Department Head’s authorization limit of $1,000; however, the freight costs resulted in the total invoice exceeding that authorization. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
General Government: Policy
Council discussed modifying the City’s Purchasing Policy to where additional charges, such as freight and handling fees, would be excluded from consideration of the Department Head’s purchasing authorization. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to revise the Purchasing Policy so that the purchasing authority granted to the Department Heads is not inclusive of shipping and handling, freight, and hazardous materials fees. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
Public Works: Repair/Maintenance
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman informed Council the 1999 Mack Truck is in need of repair. The suspension needs re-bushed and there is a possibility the trunnion may need replaced. Mr. Scheuerman contacted several truck repair shops and Bruckner Truck Sales was the only place that works on Mack trucks; therefore, only one bid was obtained. The bid submitted includes the possible trunnion replacement so the repair may be less than the price quoted. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to approve the bid from Bruckner Truck Sales for repairs to the Mack truck in an amount not to exceed $7,060.58, with the cost to be split between the Water Utility, Special Highway, and Special Parks funds. The motion carried 6-0.
City Clerk: Acquisition
City Clerk Amy Burton presented a quote to replenish the City’s stock of 6”x9” “bill enclosed” envelopes. Council member Dena Patee moved to approve the purchase of 5,000 envelopes from Hamlin Creative Consulting in the amount of $1,110.35, with the cost to be split between the Water Utility, Sewer Utility, and Sanitation funds. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
City Clerk Amy Burton reviewed the corrected Comparative Water Reports for the periods ending June 10th, July 10th, and August 10th, and the current report for the period ending September 10th.
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman reported staff will be placing doorknockers on residents affected by the annual sewer cleaning. Mayer Specialty Services will begin the annual event on November 13th.
Mr. Scheuerman shared a letter received from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment regarding the Ellis Dump Site. Several recommendations were offered on how to improve the site.
The Smoky Hill-Saline Regional Planning Area committee is asking for input on their regional plan. Copies of the plan are available from Mr. Scheuerman.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates presented the Monthly Activity Report for October and the November Staff Calendar. The Department has been busy with several on-going cases. Chief Yates reported that Trunk or Treat had another successful year. Council then asked Chief Yates about current security measures at City Hall.
City Clerk
City Clerk Amy Burton reviewed the CDBG Monitoring Letter received from the Kansas Department of Commerce regarding the Street Improvement Project. The monitoring letter indicated no corrective action was needed to close out the grant.
Ellis County Public Works Director Bill Ring submitted a letter from the Kansas Department of Transportation regarding the Cottonwood Street Bridge. The bridge was not selected for the current round of grant funding for repairs.
Draft minutes from the recent Campground Committee, Trades Board, and Planning Commission/Board of Zoning Appeals meetings were reviewed.
Council discussed the new business incentives that the City currently offers to new businesses wanting to open in town. The City currently offers one year of free sanitation and sewer services. One hurdle the City has in offering more incentives is the lack of funding to do so. Council directed Ms. Burton to inquire of other cities to see what business incentives they are able to offer to entice new businesses to town.
Attorney
City Attorney Olavee Raub reported that the Chrysler Museum Board has signed the revised lease agreement and will be sending the agreement to the City for the Mayor to sign. The Railroad Museum has yet to meet to sign their revised lease agreement with the City.
City Prosecutor Cassy Zeigler reported on several structures that need attention from the Council. 210 E. 11th, 1309 Fauteux, and 208 W. 12th have all been served numerous violation notices with no action taken. The structures have been deemed dangerous and unfit for habitation. Ms. Zeigler recommended the City set a hearing date for the property owners to appear before Council and explain how they plan to address the violations cited. If the City moves forward with condemnation, the City would pay for the cost of demolition up front. The property owner then has thirty days to reimburse the City. If not paid, then the costs are assessed to the property through the tax roll. Council member Dena Patee moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to direct City Prosecutor Cassy Zeigler to draft a resolution setting the public hearing for the City to discuss certain properties pursuant to the environmental code. The motion carried 6-0. The hearing is set for January 2, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. It was the consensus of Council to have Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman obtain bids to demolish the structure at 210 E. 11th. Bids have already been received for the other two structures.
Mayor Update and Announcements
The second Strategic Doing meeting is scheduled for November 20th at 6:00 p.m. in Hays.
Council member Jolene Niernberger briefed the Council on the conservation field day she attended in Hays in October. The meeting stressed the importance of having a reliable water resource and implementing conservation measures to preserve that resource.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:13 p.m.
By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
The longtime manager of the Fort Hays Municipal Golf Course (FHMGC) Pro-Shop, Rich Guffey, will retire at the end of the year when his contract with the city of Hays ends Dec. 31.
Hays city commissioners Thursday night approved the hire of Hays resident Jeremy Coulter as the new Pro-Shop manager with a three year contract starting Jan. 1, 2018.
Parks Director Jeff Boyle told commissioners Coulter will be paid $2,000 a month plus a $2,400 year-end bonus upon receiving a satisfactory performance review. The funds will be paid from the Golf Course General Fund Budget.
Coulter, a Golf Course Advisory Committee member who’s played the game since he was a child, will supplement his city salary with retail sales in the Pro Shop. He currently works as the Marketing Solutions Sales Manager at Eagle Communications.
“The Pro Shop manager, in addition to his contractual payment, would receive all profits from the sales of food and beverages, cart and club rentals, clothing and apparel, and all other golfing equipment such as balls, clubs, those sort of things,” Boyle told commissioners. “He has to purchase all those items outright and then can sell them retail.” The golf carts are supplied by Copper Carts of Hays.
“The city receives all fees at the golf course that are associated with golf cart rentals, membership fees, greens fees, locker fees, tournament greens fees and cart path trail fees,” he explained. “The city pays for the building and equipment repairs, electrical and gas usage, and all upgrades to the Pro Shop facility.”
The Pro Shop manager utilizes the city-owned Point-of-Sale system for all transactions at the golf course and keeps a record of all fees collected, and of all purchases and sales made by him in the management and operation of the club house.
“I’ve known Jeremy a long time and I think he’ll do a great job out there,” said City Commissioner Sandy Jacobs. “And you’re right about his retail background experience. If anyone can make it successful, he should be able to.”
The city is still evaluating whether the Pro Shop Manager position should be changed in status to a city employee.
“Right now we wouldn’t recommend it,” said City Manager Toby Dougherty. “We think this is the most cost effective option for the city.”
By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
SkyWest Airlines, which provides passenger service at the Hays Regional Airport, is bidding on passenger service at the Salina Regional Airport. Its proposal to the U.S. Department of Transportation includes adding a flight that would benefit both Salina and Hays.
“It would be a swing flight from Chicago to Denver that would stop in Salina and Hays each way,” Hays City Manager Toby Dougherty told city commissioners Thursday night.
“One flight would leave Chicago at 10:40 a.m., land in Salina at 1 p.m., land in Hays at 2 p.m. and then turnaround and head to Denver. There would be a flight leaving Denver at 2:30 p.m. It would stop in Hays, it would stop in Salina, and then it would wind up in Chicago at 8 p.m.,” Dougherty explained.
“That would be the net effect of the change.” The two daily flights to Denver would remain “roughly the same schedule,” he added.
SkyWest has asked for community input and support of its proposal.
Dougherty has reached out to the Ellis County commission, Fort Hays State University, and HaysMed encouraging their support. The city has already received a letter of support from Eagle Communications, the parent company of Hays Post.
“Any letters we get we’ll add to the pack to send to the Department of Transportation.”
City commissioners were more than happy to unanimously agree to signing a letter of support.
“This is a great step forward,” said Commissioner Henry Schwaller. “People have been wanting flights to Kansas City. We’re going to have a flight to Chicago. That’s even better.” “Very exciting,” echoed Commissioner Sandy Jacobs.
“I think this is unbelievable news for us,” agreed Mayor Shaun Musil. “The people of Hays have loved SkyWest ever since we’ve had it but they keep asking for something going east. This is an opportunity that would surpass that.”
SkyWest flights currently go twice a day between Hays and the Denver International Airport where passengers can connect to flights across the country.
If DOT awards the contract to SkyWest, the additional flights would be initiated April 18, 2018, according to the airline. Dougherty anticipates a formal announcement from DOT about the contract in late December or early January.
Some Hays residents are already aware of the possible flights.
“Melissa Dixon (executive director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau) made the announcement Wednesday night during the Santa Claus Fly In at the airport,” Jacobs said. “There was a lot of people there for that event and they were really excited about it as well.”
By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Although one man said his wife had to remind him, the east Hays residents who now have a new polling location seem to be finding it today with no trouble.
Those voters in the 4th Ward, Precincts 1, 3 and 5 now go to the Hays Recreation Commission after the recent closing of the former American Legion. Both locations are on Canterbury Street, just a couple of blocks apart.
Poll worker Marcy McClelland, who is also an Ellis County Commissioner, says people were waiting in their vehicles for the HRC doors to open at 7 a.m.
“Everything is going very well. I don’t believe too many people have had trouble finding us, which we were concerned with,” McClelland said.
“We’ve had not an overwhelming amount but it’s been steady.”
No one Hays Post talked to was willing to discuss their vote on the $78.5 million bond issue for Hays USD 489. Most of those in the informal exit poll said “it will be interesting.”
Hays residents are also electing three school board members and three city commissioners.
The polls are open in Ellis County until 7 p.m. Be sure to check back with Hays Post tonight for local election results.
By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
When the Executive Leadership Team at Fort Hays State University saw the list several months ago of potential participants in this fall’s FHSU Presidential Speaker Series, “we targeted these individuals to see if there was an opportunity to attract them to Fort Hays State,” said Dr. Joey Linn, vice president of Student Affairs.
And, there was.
Cmdr. Kirk Lippold (U.S. Navy), Gen. Barry McCaffrey (U.S. Army) and Gen. Peter Pace (U.S. Marine Corps), who have nearly 100 years of combined military service, will conduct a panel discussion – “The US Military’s Role in Global Security” – at 7:30 p.m. Thu., Nov. 9 in the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center.
“We are extremely excited, obviously, to have these three coming in. We also finalized our moderator, which we’re very excited about as well,” Linn said. “It’s going to be an evening to remember.”
Jamelle Bouie, political analyst for Slate and CBS News, will serve as moderator for the event.
“When we were organizing this months ago, we looked at what was going on across the country, and we thought, what great timing,” Linn said.
“But we were also warned that if something does happen, nationally or internationally, chances are they will drop us because they would have to be elsewhere,” explained Linn, “on national television, that sort of thing.”
“So we kind of rolled the dice a little bit, but having the topic “The US Military’s Role in Global Security” and having these three gentlemen at this time, we thought was just perfect,” Linn said. “I know the people who come to this are going to hear a lot of great information and there may be time at the end for the audience to ask questions.
“The timing on this couldn’t be any better.”
Admission to the Presidential Speaker Series is free, although attendees must have their ticket in hand to be admitted because a large audience is anticipated.
Tickets are available for pickup at the Hays Welcome Center, 2700 Vine, and the Student Service Center in the FHSU Memorial Union.
“Having it at no cost to our students and people who will coming from across Kansas, just makes this even better,” Linn added.
About Cdr. Kirk Lippold – Lippold retired from the U.S Navy in 2007 after 26 years of service. He was commanding officer of the USS Cole when it came under a suicide terrorist attack by al Qaeda in the port of Aden, Yemen, in 2000. During his command, Lippold and his crew distinguished themselves by saving the American war ship from sinking. This event is widely recognized as one of the most brazen acts of terrorism by al Qaeda prior to September 11, 2001.
Lippold’s personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal (three awards), Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Commendation Medal (two awards), Joint Service Achievement Medal and Navy Achievement Medal (two awards), in addition to various campaign and service ribbons.
Lippold now serves as a global security expert for many major news networks.
About Gen. Barry McCaffrey – McCaffrey served in the U.S. Army for 32 years and retired as a four-star general. At retirement, he was the most highly decorated serving general, having been awarded three Purple Heart medals (wounded in combat three times), two Distinguished Service Crosses (the nation’s second highest award for valor) and two Silver Stars for valor.
For five years after leaving the military, McCaffrey served as the director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). Upon leaving government service, he served as the Bradley Distinguished Professor of International Security Studies from 2001-05 and as an adjunct professor of International Security Studies from 2006-10 at the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.
McCaffrey is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Inter-American Dialogue.
He currently serves as a national security and terrorism analyst for NBC News and is president of his own consulting firm based in Alexandria, Va.
About Gen. Peter Pace – Pace retired from active duty on Oct. 1, 2007, after more than 40 years of service in the U.S. Marine Corps. Pace was sworn in as 16th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 2005. In this capacity, he served as the principal military advisor to the President, the Secretary of Defense, the National Security Council and the Homeland Security Council. Prior to becoming Chairman, Pace served as Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He holds the distinction of being the first Marine to have served in either of these positions.
In June 2008, Pace was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor a President can bestow. He is a member of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Senior Advisory Group, and has served on the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board, and the Secretary of Defense’s Defense Policy Board. He also served as leader-in-residence and the Poling Chair of Business and Government for the Kelley School of Business, Indiana University. Pace is a Distinguished Visiting Research Scholar for Fordham University and an adjunct faculty member of Georgetown University.
He is associated with a number of charities focused on supporting the troops and their families.
Bouie, as Slate’s chief political correspondent, reports on events and issues ranging from civil unrest to political partisanship and has emerged as a leading voice on U.S. politics, public policy, elections and race. In 2015, Forbes named him to its “30 Under 30 in Media” list as one of the individuals driving the ever-shifting landscape of news and content.
As a political analyst for CBS News, Bouie contributes to the weekly roundtable discussion on “Face The Nation,” and his writing has appeared in The Atlantic, The Washington Post, The New York Times, TIME and The New Yorker as well as Slate.
HAYSMED
At a news conference on Friday, the HaysMed Foundation announced that businessman and philanthropist Don Bickle and his wife, Chris, are donating $1 million to the HaysMed Foundation “Powerful Technology, A Look Inside” Campaign.
“We believe it’s important to commit to hometown organizations and we have a deep appreciation for HaysMed, their staff and the healthcare they provide,” stated Bickle. “Today we’re helping to fund equipment, but more importantly the gift will support quality specialty healthcare for all of our families, friends, and neighbors in the region.”
In recognition of their significant leadership gift, the HaysMed Bone, Joint & Spine Center will be named the “Don and Chris Bickle Bone, Joint & Spine Center.”
Campaign co-chairs Dr. Tom and Debra McDonald announced that $2.7 million had been received in gifts and pledges towards the $3 million goal. Recent major gifts included more than $50,000 from HaysMed Associates, $50,000 from the HaysMed Volunteers, and $25,000 from the Cecil and Brenda Crawford Family-Crawford Supply which endowed a fund.
A primary component of the Powerful Technology Campaign is a CT scanner that captures detailed images of vital organs in only a fraction of a second while significantly reducing the radiation dose up to 82% from traditional CT scanners. Another initiative of the campaign is the replacement of all patient monitors which will integrate with the electronic medical record system and offer a more comprehensive way to monitor patients’ health status. The renovation and equipment of two catheterization labs, and gifts for endowed funds are two other projects of the Campaign.
HaysMed President and CEO Eddie Herrman stated, “The Powerful Technology Campaign will help keep HaysMed on the cutting edge of technology for better diagnoses and treatment for the communities and patients we serve and help us maintain our place as a vital healthcare provider.”
Ruth Heffel, Executive Director of the HaysMed Foundation, encouraged people to consider investing in the Campaign for the health of citizens in the region.
By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
“The road will be fully opened to traffic tomorrow.”
City Project Manager John Braun made the announcement about the 8th Street reconstruction project during Thursday night’s Hays city commission work session.
“They’re not quite finished, but the project is done almost a full month ahead of schedule,” Braun added.
The $1.49 million project between Milner and Vine will completely open Friday.
The entire project included removing and replacing the three driving lanes, curb and gutter, sidewalk, ADA ramps, driveways, replacing storm sewer inlet tops, resurfacing the sidewalk along the Montgomery ditch bridge and waterline replacement at Riley.
“Work started in May, with Phase 1 delayed due to spring rains and other construction delays,” Braun reminded the commission. “But to make up for time, much of the paving in Phase 2 was done at night. They got more work done then, before most people got up, and more than most people do all day.
“The contractor, Morgan Brothers Construction of Lacrosse, worked hard to make sure adjacent businesses always had the best access possible under the circumstances.”
Once all the concrete was cured, traffic pavement markings were put down the past few days.
“The only work that remains is some bump grinding in a couple of locations where there’s a few bumps,” Braun said. “The grinding contractor is supposed to be here next week. There won’t be any grinding on the pavement markings or in the center turning lanes. It’ll all be on the driving lanes.”
“It looks so good,” commented City Commissioner Sandy Jacobs, “and the businesses there, I talked to three or four of them, they are just thrilled.”
The sidewalk over the Montgomery Street ditch bridge still needs to be rehabbed, according to Braun. “That will happen within the next three to four weeks because the contractor time will be up by the end of the month.”
“This is a really great project and I think the commission should take credit for a lot of this,” said Vice-Mayor James Meier as the other commissioners nodded their heads in agreement.
“Not only did we fight for this (concrete pavement rather than asphalt), it was paid for in cash and it was more than $300,000 under the estimate,” Meier pointed out.
A dyed stamped ribbon of brick was included behind the curb. “I love the sidewalks, the brick on it,” said Jacobs. “It’s just really aesthetically pleasing.” The stamped ribbon was part of additional side work by the contractor. “It wasn’t paid for by the city but by the contractor to spruce up the area outside of the right-of-way,” Braun reported.
“There’s a real pride factor there,” Jacobs added with a smile.
By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Starting today, 911 text messages can be sent in 71 Kansas counties, including Ellis County.
According to the Kansas 911 Coordinating Council, the Text-to-911 service can be utilized by persons who cannot safely make a voice call to 911 in an emergency, and by those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
The service is available with plans from AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless.
Customers of Hays-based Nex-Tech Wireless can also text to 911, according to Corrina Hudsonpillar, marketing and public relations supervisor for Nex-Tech Wireless.
” We implemented the technology within our network in March 2014,” Hudsonpillar said.
Authorities stress the best way to contact 911 is by making a voice phone call.
