Demolition debris at the former Ambassador Hotel, 3603 Vine.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
A demolition permit was issued Nov. 30, 2016, for demolition and cleanup of the property at 3603 Vine Street in north Hays. Seven months later, “the property is in a very unstable and unsafe condition” according to the city of Hays.
The former Ambassador Hotel closed its doors Dec. 1, 2015, after several internal property maintenance issues. The property owner, ABEL Lodging of Dallas, chose to raze the structure for redevelopment.
Demolition work was expected to take six to eight weeks, as Carl Britz, owner of American Wrecking Services, told the city.
Little progress was noted by city staff and by March, 2017, the work had stopped for remediation of additional asbestos found in the building. 24/7 Enviro Solutions, the company hired by American Wrecking Services, was on site through March and into early April.
Since then, according to Hays Planning Inspection Enforcement Superintendent Jesse Rohr, very little if any rubble has been hauled from the site other than some scrap metal.
After seven months of “little progress and creation of a huge hazard,” staff began abatement under regulatory authority of the 2006 International Property Maintenance Code said Assistant City Manager Jacob Wood.
The situation will be presented to Hays city commissioners during their work session Thu., July 6, with a request to authorize a nuisance abatement of the property during the July 13 regular meeting. Staff has solicited proposals from various contractors and will make a determination of cost based on the amount of material left to abate after the statutorily-allowed, 10-day waiting period following formal action.
“The best course of action is for the contractor and the property owner to get the work done before we come in,” Wood said. “They still will have a little bit of time. This (abatement) process is not a quick process … it’ll be July 24 before the city would start on the process in hiring a contractor.”
“Hopefully, between now and then they can get more work done and start hauling some of that stuff off,” Wood added.
Any costs incurred by the city due to the abatement process would be charged as a lien against the real estate upon which the structure is located.
The city commission will look at another proposed abatement tonight, that of an inoperable vehicle located at 414 E 7th Street.
Also on the agenda is an overview of the draft 2018 budget by City Manager Toby Dougherty.
In other business, City Attorney John Bird will discuss proposed increases for seat belt fines and municipal court costs.
The two water slides at the Hays Aquatic Park (HAP) remain open but they are affected by a new state law that became effective Sat., July 1. That law has resulted in the temporary shutdown of the water slides at the Russell Municipal Swimming Pool.
The law is under review by the Hays city attorney, according to Assistant City Manager Jacob Wood.
Amendments to the Kansas Amusement Ride Act state that no amusement ride shall be operated in Kansas unless a valid permit for such ride has been issued by the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) and the owner of the ride has registered with KDOL as an amusement ride owner, beginning July 1, 2017.
Water slides are required to meet ASTM standards and receive written certification by a qualified inspector, acknowledged by the National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials (NAARSO) or other nationally recognized third party training organizations, prior to applying for a KDOL permit to operate the slide.
Water slides that are at least 15 feet in height and that use water to propel the patron through the ride are considered an amusement ride, as defined in the new law.
“There is some disparity in the law,” Wood said, “and our HAP slides may or may not qualify as amusement rides. There’s a difference between using water to propel someone down the slide as opposed to the water being used as a lubricant on the slide.
“We won’t close them down for now. We’ll probably have a decision within the next couple of days,” he said Monday afternoon.
The water slides at the Hays Aquatic Park and the Russell Municipal Swimming Pool exceed 15 feet in height.
Two new water slides were just opened Saturday, July 1, at the Ellis Municipal Swimming Pool. According to City Clerk Amy Burton, both slides are less than 15 feet in height and therefore not subject to the new state law.
“When we were looking at purchasing them, we kind of figured this law might happen, so we took that into consideration when we bought the slides,” Burton said.
On June 23, Gov. Sam Brownback signed a billdelaying a provision that creates criminal penalties for operating a ride without a license until Jan. 1, 2018, and prohibits the Department of Labor from enforcing penalties until new rules are published. The department had been concerned that some parks wouldn’t be able to comply with the new tougher standards by July 1.
The initial law was enacted in April after the death of Republican Rep. Scott Schwab’s 10-year-old son, Caleb, last summer at Schlitterbahn Water Park in Kansas City.
According to a notice on the KDOL website, a public hearing has been set on new permanent rules and regulations under the Kansas Amusement Ride Act at 9 a.m. on Sept. 7, 2017, at the Kansas Department of Labor in Topeka.
Another couple of good rains in Hays this past weekend have pushed the yearly total precipitation to more than 20 inches.
Weather data from the K-State Agricultural Research Center south of town indicates 0.62 inches of rain fell Saturday and another 0.70 inches received Sunday.
Flooding across a rural Ellis Co. road July 2. (Pictures courtesy Bill Ring)
A Flash Flood Warning was issued Sunday morning for central Ellis County after more than 5 inches of rain fell in some rural areas.
Ellis Co. Public Works Dir. Bill Ring inspects flood damage July 2 in the 2200 block of St. John-St. Andrew road.
Water ran across some country roads and washed out others in the northern areas of the county, according to Ellis County Public Works Director Bill Ring.
ELLIS–Fireworks will be allowed to be sold and discharged in Ellis July 2-5. City council members approved the 2017 resolution at their June 19 meeting.
Fire Chief Dustin Vine reported the fire trucks have all passed the regular pump inspection tests. He also reported the Ellis Fire Department has two vacant positions and noted the north wall of the fire station is starting to collapse.
The council also heard from Glen Keller, chairman of the Planning Commission/Board of Zoning Appeals, who presented the 2017 Comprehensive Plan Goals and Objectives. Approval of the document will be made at a future meeting after further review by the city council.
The complete meeting minutes follow.
ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING Minutes June 19, 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, Fire Chief Dustin Vine, and City Attorney Olavee Raub.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
PUBLIC PRESENT
Josh Eaton, Brian Raub, Maleah Vine, Westin Vine, Cheryl Kinderknecht, Glen Keller, and Andrew Scheck.
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on June 5, 2017, Bills Ordinance #2023, and the January 2017 manual journal entries. Council member Dena Patee seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 6-0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Josh Eaton expressed concerns over not having a licensed building inspector in the Public Works Department and asked why the City is not fixing the brick streets. He also questioned why a specific contractor in Ellis is allowed to perform work in town without a license.
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
General Government: Petition
City Attorney Olavee Raub discussed a Notice of Claim from Mark Flax requesting payment for damages to a water line at his rental property during the Street Improvement Project. Mr. Flax is requesting reimbursement of parts in the amount of $47.84 and his labor to complete the repair calculated at $50 per hour, for three hours, for a total amount of $197.84. Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman stated the line was broken by the contractor, and the City flushed the line to the meter at Mr. Flax’s property. Ms. Raub stated the liability for the broken line, and subsequently the claim, would rest with the contractor. Ms. Raub will submit the claim to the contractor for review, and will also inform Mr. Flax of the status of the claim.
SPECIAL ORDER
Fire: Report
Fire Chief Dustin Vine reported the fire trucks have all passed the regular pump inspection tests. The Department is currently short two firemen. Chief Vine will be at the Fire Station on June 22nd at 4:00 p.m. to facilitate his portion of the City Facility Inspection Tour. He expressed concerns that the north wall of the Fire Station is starting to collapse.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
General Government: Committee
Glen Keller, Chairman of the Planning Commission/Board of Zoning Appeals, presented the 2017 Comprehensive Plan Goals and Objectives as prepared by the Commission. The document is useful for Council during budget preparation as it prioritizes items important for growth and sustainability for the City. Council would like to table approval of the document until the next meeting to have more time to review.
Water: License/Permit
Council considered an application from Andrew Scheck to drill a new water well at his residence. The City is not currently under a declared water emergency that would prohibit the drilling. Therefore, Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to approve the Application for Permit to Drill Private Water Well for Andrew Scheck. The motion carried 6-0. Mr. Scheck will need to pay the permit fee at the Clerk’s office prior to drilling.
General Government: Land Disposition
Representatives from the Ellis Golf Club were to attend to see if the City might be interested in selling land that surrounds the club house and cart sheds. No representatives were present; therefore, this item will once again be tabled until a future meeting.
Public Works: Special Project
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman wanted to discuss a drainage issue on the south side of the golf course; however, since Ellis Golf Club representatives were not present this item will be tabled until a future meeting.
General Government: Committees
Mayor David McDaniel presented his list of recommended annual appointments. Volunteers are appointed by the Mayor with approval by the Council. Mayor McDaniel would like to change the name of the Senior Advisory Committee to the Community Advisory Committee. City Attorney Olavee Raub will draft a resolution for the name change. Council member Bob Redger moved to approve the Roster of Appointments as presented. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. Upon a call for discussion, Council member Holly Aschenbrenner asked which committees were required, as she believes it is unnecessary to have so many committees. Ms. Niernberger countered that committees offer the community a chance to voice their opinions and invest in the community by helping make decisions. Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman added that committees are important to conduct the research for projects and offer recommendations. Upon a call for the vote, Council members Bret Andries, Jolene Niernberger, and Bob Redger voted in favor of the motion, and Council members Holly Aschenbrenner, Susan Eaton, and Dena Patee voted opposed. Mayor David McDaniel broke the tie by voting in favor of the approval of the Roster of Appointments; therefore, the motion carried 4-3.
General Government: Policy
City Attorney Olavee Raub presented a resolution permitting the dates for discharge of fireworks from July 2nd through July 4th, per Council direction. City Clerk Amy Burton asked for Council to consider extending the resolution to July 5th, as the dates on the resolution under consideration don’t agree with the dates listed on the permits to sell fireworks that Council previously approved. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Dena Patee seconded a motion to approve Resolution 536 declaring the dates of discharge of fireworks, as amended to read July 2nd through July 5th. The motion carried 6-0.
Fire: License/Permits
Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to approve the Application for License to Sell Cereal Malt Beverages for the Ellis Fire Department, pending successful background checks, during the Ellis Junior Free Fair. The motion carried 6-0.
Clerk: Disposal
City Clerk Amy Burton presented the list of documents set for disposal according to the Records Management Policy. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the Certificate of Destruction of Public Records as presented. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
Campground: Traffic
Mayor David McDaniel requested Council consider new or additional signage directing patrons to the Lakeside Campground. Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman will look into the size and cost of new signage.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented the Comparative Water Report for April 10th – May 10th.
The Facility Inspection Tour will begin at 4:00 p.m. on June 22, 2017.
Mr. Scheuerman reported he has made four attempts to contact the appraiser. Council suggested in order to obtain a quote for appraising the new well sites, without success. He has already obtained one quote for the service. Council requested Mr. Scheuerman contact another appraiser to obtain a second quote.
Mr. Scheuerman reported that the installation of the variable field drives during the Wastewater Treatment Facility Project saved the City $1,100 in electricity costs in just one month.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates reported he has met with County law enforcement agencies and the Ellis County Attorney’s office regarding Senate Bill 367 amending the juvenile justice system. The Department also recently assisted with the Driver’s Education class at Ellis High School.
City Clerk
City Clerk Amy Burton presented the Financial Statements for January 2017 consisting of the Statement of Accounts, Treasurer’s Report and Security Deposit Worksheet. Ms. Burton also presented the Health Insurance Savings Report for May 2017.
The bids for the janitorial contract for City Hall are due by noon on June 30th.
The swimming pool slides are being installed and the Community Foundation will hold a free swim event on July 1st. Ms. Burton inquired if the City still wanted to host the annual July 4th free swim event since it is only a few days after the Foundation’s event. It was the consensus of Council to proceed with the July 4th event.
The magnets produced by the Kansas State University Watershed District have been mailed. The City has a small supply of the mailings. Council suggested distributing the magnets to new residents when they sign up for services.
Attorney
City Attorney Olavee Raub reported she has been able to obtain an address for the owner of the property on Fauteux Street and is in the process of serving notice of the code and environmental violations.
Ms. Raub addressed a complaint by a resident on the east side of town alleging that the City is violating the zoning codes by storing construction materials in an area zoned agricultural. Ms. Raub stated the storage of the materials does not create a zoning violation. Ellis County has informed Mr. Scheuerman that they would allow the City to store some of the material on their property; however, the County has also received complaints from residents requesting their stockpile be moved as well. Mr. Scheuerman asked Council for suggestions of where they would like the stockpile to be located, as the City has no other area large enough to store that quantity of material. After hearing suggestions from Council, Ms. Raub stated she will provide the resident with a status update.
Mayor Update and Announcements
Mayor David McDaniel requested discussion on Josh Eaton’s comments during Public Comment. Mr. Scheuerman stated that when Midwest Energy contacts the City to perform a natural gas test, the City only performs a pressure test, as City Code warrants, and not to verify if it was installed correctly. Council member Bret Andries confirmed Mr. Scheuerman’s comments, adding that no inspections are required to be performed, just the pressure testing. Mr. Scheuerman also stated that the City does perform routine maintenance to the City’s brick streets; however, to perform major repairs will take significant dollars that Council has not budgeted for in the past. In regards to the named contractor who Mr. Eaton alleges is performing work in the City without a license, City Attorney Olavee Raub stated she needs a formal complaint filed by either the Department Head or citizen in order to investigate and prosecute.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Dena Patee seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:16 p.m.
Two overnight thunderstorms brought a little more rain to Hays.
The official amount received as recorded at the K-State Agricultural Research Center south of town was 0.28 inches. The Eagle Media Center, 2300 Hall, received 0.13 inches of rain.
According to official weather observer Joe Becker, rain fell in Hays for six consecutive days, June 21-26, then took a day off, and returned June 28.
So far in June, 3.82 inches of rain have fallen in Hays. The year to date amount is 19.08 inches.
The first-ever Day of Action sponsored by the United Way of Ellis County (UWEC) was a resounding success.
According to Sherry Dryden, executive director of the United Way, more than 600 items were recently delivered by members of the Hays Rotary Club to the 13 partner agencies. The goal for this inaugural year was 150 items.
“These supplies will assist the agencies in areas of need,” Dryden said. Requests were made for office supplies, personal toiletries, diapers, children’s clothing, non-perishable food items, kids’ games and crafts, bottled water and other items.
Dryden said the new Day of Action was conducted in conjunction with the Fri., June 30 Pacesetter Kickoff, the companies that help give a financial boost to the United Way fundraising campaign.
Eagle Communications was the top donor among UWEC Pacesetter companies. Eagle Employee/Owners donated more than 200 items.
“The United Way of Ellis County and their 13 partner agencies wish to express gratitude to everyone in Ellis County who donated supplies during the Day of Action week,” she said.
The official 2017 campaign kickoff is August 25 with a community kickoff the next day on August 26.
(DISCLAIMER: Hays Post is owned by Eagle Communications.)
Extreme northwest Kansas is likely to see storms for a second consecutive day.
Severe weather hit extreme northwest Kansas late Monday afternoon.
Reports to the National Weather Service include two and one inch-sized hail five miles south of Atwood in Rawlins County just before five p.m. Two inch hail was also reported via social media in Rexford in Thomas County at 5:20 p.m.
High winds tossed a carport in a Sharon Springs backyard into the roof of a neighbor’s house. That happened in Wallace County just after five p.m.
Tornado warnings were issued by the National Weather Service in Goodland for Gove, Logan and Thomas counties.
Some Hays residents made plans to do yard work Sunday, anticipating a cool day promised in the weather forecast. They weren’t disappointed.
The high in Hays on June 25 was just 69 degrees, with the overnight low dipping to 55 degrees. One year ago on June 25 the high was a more seasonable 88 degrees.
Outdoor plans may have been disrupted yesterday. Rain fell several times resulting in a total 0.44 inches measured at the K-State Agricultural Center south of town.
Rain also fell Friday–0.12 inches–and again Saturday–0.08 inches. The high both days was 79 degrees.
So far in June, Hays has received 3.54 inches of rain. Year to date, 18.80 inches of measure has been recorded.
Today’s weather forecast calls for more normal temperatures and a chance of rain.
Jack Schramm, with his son J.D. and his granddaughter, peers out from the fourth floor of TMP-Marian school where he once had his bunk at the former St. Joseph’s Military Academy.
In a heartfelt tribute, Hays native J.D. Schramm writes about his first Father’s Day without his dad, Jack, 93, who passed away June 2 in Hays.
Jack Schramm was dubbed the “Number One Fan” of Thomas More Prep-Marian school.
A lifelong champion and supporter of TMP-M, he had just marked the 75 year anniversary of his graduation from its predecessor school, St. Joseph’s Military Academy.
It was hot in Hays Thursday with the mercury soaring to an official 100 degrees, according to the K-State Agricultural Research Center.
Rain moved in just before 10:30 p.m., accompanied by a brilliant lightning storm in the west. The storm dropped 0.30 rain in Hays and cooled the air to an overnight low of 58 degrees.
The rain returned about 8 a.m. Friday with another 0.14 inches and several minutes of pea-sized hail falling as of 8:30 a.m.
Hays has received 2.90 inches of rain in June. So far in 2017, 18.16 inches of moisture has been measured.
Hays city commissioners don’t like it, but it’s inevitable.
A 10-foot tall chain link wildlife fence will be built around the Hays Regional Airport starting this fall, as required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Commissioners unanimously approved a bid of $1,528,650 by Paul Wertenberger Construction, Hays, to construct the five and half miles of fencing. The FAA is expected to reimburse the city 90 percent of the $1.766 million project total cost, with the city’s 10 percent share being $176,605. The city’s Capital Improvement Plan included $200,000 in 2017 for the project to be funded out of the Airport Improvement Fund.
The city has put off the project for several years.
“Basically, the FAA approves our running five-year airport improvement plan,” explained City Manager Toby Dougherty. “When the FAA inspectors noticed wildlife at the airport (in 2010) and the FAA identified this fence as a solution to that, our response was we’re gonna do that when we absolutely have to do it. Now is the time the FAA says ‘you have to do it.'”
According to Dougherty, the FAA will not allow any other grants for projects until the fence is done because “this is their number one priority.”
“Worst case scenario, if we don’t protect the airport to their standards we could lose our certification for air passenger service…going without FAA grant money might play well for a couple years but then if we’re faced with rebuilding a runway or taxiway, that’s probably something we couldn’t foot the bill on our own,” Dougherty said.
Although the bid from Paul Wertenberger Construction (PWC) was not the lowest, only three of the five total bids were valid, according to John Braun, interim director of Public Works. The PWC bid was still lower than the $1.535 million engineer’s estimate.
The fence will be topped by a one-foot-tall outward-angled three-strand barbed wire outrigger. Underground will be a three-foot-deep buried skirt to deter digging under the fence by burrowing animals.
Commissioner Sandy Jacobs said she “hates” the way the fence will appear from the road and has begun looking for volunteers who are interested in “beautifying” the fence with some bushes if it’s allowed.
“There are some limitations,” advised City Attorney John Bird. “Some of the easements around the airport might be affected but we can look into it.”
“It looks like a prison,” Jacobs said shaking her head.
“I can’t imagine there’s a lot of wildlife seen on the airport,” Mayor Shaun Musil said, “but the airport manager, Ovid Seifers, told me Wednesday night he actually does see quite a bit out there.”
“It kind of sickens me that we have to spend this kind of money,” he added. “But on the other hand, it’d be pretty bad if we had an accident out there.”
“Absolutely,” agreed Commissioner Jacobs.
Stan Christopher, HDR
In other business, an update on the progress of the city’s wastewater treatment plant reconstruction since late April was presented by Stan Christopher, HDR Engineering, the city’s owner representative for the project.
“I’m excited to say we’re making progress after taking a step back,” Christopher said, referring to a contract termination with the Wichita firm CDM Smith in the first design phase. The design-builder, Burns and McDonnell/CAS Constructors, moved its contract trailer on site earlier this week.
The deadline for the rebuilt plant to be fully operational is Sept. 1, 2019.
Rep. Eber Phelps, (D-Hays) 111th Dist.
During citizen’s comments, 111th Dist. Rep. Eber Phelps (D-Hays) gave a review of the state legislature’s recent wrap-up session. Legislators will return to Topeka Monday, June 26, for Sine Die, “one final day before the books are closed for the state of Kansas. That’s the last day the legislature can take action on anything,” Phelps explained.
The commission voted to approve the recommendation of Finance Director Kim Rupp to refund water and sewage system revenue bonds for better interest rates, saving about $170,000 in future debt service payments.
Commissioners also approved the sale of $1.6 million in general obligation bonds financing four benefit district/special assessment projects–46th Street Second Addition Phase 2, King’s Gate First Addition Phase 2, Tallgrass Addition Phase 5 and S&W Alley Pavement. Rupp noted the “numbers will be adjusted a little bit” because one individual property owner will be pre-paying the assessment.
In addition, $2.2 million in water and sewage system bonds that originally financed various water system will be sold for refinancing saving the city about $170,000 in future debt service payments.
Commissioner Lance Jones was absent from the meeting.
Gubernatorial candidate Jim Barnett, (R-Topeka), addresses a group in downtown Hays Wednesday afternoon.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
It was Dr. Jim Barnett’s last stop of a two-day campaign announcement tour of Kansas and a homecoming of sorts for two of his young staff members who have ties to Hays, WaKeeney, Ransom and Bazine.
Barnett and his entourage were in Hays Wednesday afternoon, spreading word of his intention to run for governor in 2018.
A life-long Republican, Barnett is a practicing physician of 35 years and lives in Topeka. He grew up on a farm near Reading on the edge of the Flint Hills. His fiance also grew up on a farm, near Americus. Barnett served as a state senator from 2001 to 2010 for the Emporia area and is a past president of the Emporia school board.
In 2006, Barnett won a seven-way primary and was the Republican candidate for governor.
“The best years of my public service came when I was on a school board,” Barnett declared, “and it’s when I got to rub shoulders with educators. I knew how important their job was for the future of those children.”
“I want to make it clear that education is critical to our future in Kansas, not just K-12 but also early childhood education. Higher education is also critically important especially when it comes to workforce development.”
As governor, Barnett said he wants to support and fund schools.
“I want schools funded year after year so we’re not back in the courts. I want our decisions made by parents and by educators in the classroom and not in the courtroom.”
State legislators battled through an extended 2017 session in reaching a new school funding formula, which increases aid to schools by $284 million within two years. The fate of the new K-12 formula is now in the hands of the Kansas Supreme Court. The justices found the state’s current funding system unconstitutional in the ongoing Gannon v. Kansas school finance lawsuit, in which dozens of school districts are suing the state over funding levels.
“I applaud those legislators who made that very difficult vote. The Kansas tax experiment almost brought us to our knees,” Barnett said.
The end of most of Gov. Brownback’s tax cuts was made official with the passing of SB 30. The bill was passed by an override of the governor’s veto. The legislation repeals the non-wage business income tax exemption for small businesses going back to Jan. 1, 2017.
The internal medicine doctor supports expansion of Medicaid in Kansas, which is opposed by Brownback. “That’s a short term solution. There’s an intersection of out-of-control healthcare costs and people who work and still can’t afford healthcare,” said Barnett.
“Long term, I expect President Trump and Congress to issue block grants for Medicaid,” he predicted. “So the next governor better have a passion and an understanding because in Kansas we’re gonna have to figure out how to take care of a lot of people with limited resources.
“I welcome that challenge because that’s what I’ve been doing for 35 years. We need to have access to quality healthcare in our communities if they’re going to stay alive.”
Barnett also talked about the importance of infrastructure. “If we don’t have good roads and bridges, air travel and rail, we can’t grow economically. We need to restore funding to the Kansas Department of Transportation.”
The only way to pay for it all long term is to grow the state’s economy, according to Barnett. If elected governor, he plans to involve community business leaders and ask them what they need to do better and how the state can help.
Clare Gustin, a Sunflower Electric vice-president who works with the western Kansas Rural Economic Development Alliance, pointed out that “rural development takes more money, takes more creativity and takes longer than in urban areas.” “When a legislative body looks at (only) how many jobs were created, that doesn’t tell the whole story in rural communities. We have to have a balanced approach. Two jobs in a small community is like 200 jobs in Johnson County,” Gustin said.
Jim Barnett (center) chats with Ellis County Commissioner Marcy McClelland (left) and others at Gella’s Wednesday.
Barnett agreed.
“I don’t see this as a top-down effort. I want this to be business and industry-driven,” he responded. “When it comes to accountability, I’ll ask them what they need to know and they’ll tell me. Then they’ll tell their election officials to support it, because it’s jobs.
“I think the most important appointment I will make as governor is the Secretary of Commerce. We need a relationship that is joined at the hip. It’s vital to growing the state’s economy.”
When asked about the rural versus urban divide in Kansas, Barnett talked about what is common to all Kansans including agriculture and water supplies.
“I’m proud we’re an ag state and I want all Kansans to recognize that. It’s a huge part of our economy and we cannot afford to lose that base. That’s 70,000 farmers, ranchers and producers eventually transporting out $5.5 billion of ag products to other places (annually).”
There has been preliminary talk at the state level of moving water from northeast Kansas to western Kansas through an open channel.
“That doesn’t quite mesh with me, but maybe that’s how we do it,” Barnett said. “Water affects all of us. It’s not only western Kansas that has water (shortage) issues. Eventually, eastern Kansas will as well.
“There are short-term and long-term needs. Obviously conservation, new technologies for watering and measuring soil moisture which also provide the opportunity to bring high-tech jobs into the state, research for new crops and new crop usages, these involve the entire state.”
Uniting Kansans is the focus of Barnett’s campaign with his #OneKansas agenda.
“We’ll never solve our issues unless we come together,” he said, “and I believe it’s high time we did that.”
