OFFICE OF SECURITIES COMMISSIONER

TOPEKA — Kansas State Bank Commissioner Miki Bowman and Kansas Securities Commissioner Josh Ney announced the winners of the 2017 Financial Scholars Essay Contest in an awards ceremony held at the Dillon House in Topeka Friday, April 28. The contest was jointly sponsored by the Office of the State Bank Commissioner (OSBC) and the Office of the Kansas Securities Commissioner (KSC). Five scholarships, ranging from $500 to $2500, as well as three $250 honorable mention prizes were awarded to Kansas high school seniors to help cover the cost of tuition at a Kansas school of higher education.

A record 140 essays from across the state were submitted to and judged by an independent panel of judges. To be eligible, students must have participated in at least one of four financial literacy programs sponsored by the state agencies: EverFi, Stock Market Game, Personal Finance Challenge or LifeSmarts.

Students were asked to submit a two-part essay. In the first section, they chose one of the following financial challenges: a real-life event that happened to them or someone they know that impacted their views of handling money, a financial issue they believe public policy makers should give more attention to, or what they would like their lives to look like ten years down the road and the decisions they would have to make about finances and money management. The students then provided a 3-6 page analysis applying the lessons they incorporated in the first section toward financial decisions they are currently making regarding their higher education, including discussion of the positive and negative aspects of student loans, comparing the various types of higher education, and researching the earning potential of their chosen field of study and the job availability and demand of potential careers.

Nathan Buss, a senior at Jefferson West High School, won the top prize of $2500 for his essay. He wrote about lessons from his family’s farm that originated when his family settled on a 160-acre tract of land back in the 1870s. Through smart money management and a mindset to spend only what they were able to, his grandfather was able to keep the farm running through some very difficult times. The following is an excerpt from his essay: “We are still the sole owners of the land and have been for over 100 years…As I work with my family to maintain our herd of cattle, I am careful about the ways in which my money is spent. Being a small operation, we continue to use the same 1963 Massey-Ferguson tractor that my grandfather drove when he plowed the fields…I will always utilize the teachings of those that came before me in order to ensure my financial success.”

Nathan plans to attend Kansas State University next year and major in Biological Systems Engineering. At the Dillon House, Nathan was also recognized by local legislator Representative Ron Ellis.

Other scholarship winners in attendance were: 2nd place: Kylee Trout, Scott Community High School; 3rd place: Kyle Unruh, Hillsboro High School; and 5th place: Sydney Hoover, De Soto High School. Honorable mention attendees were: Makenzie Fankhauser, Shawnee Mission East High School and Kim Nguyen, Seaman High School. Students who were not able to attend were: 4th place: Brooke Bulloch, Maize South High School and honorable mention: Seth Tunnell, Wellington High School.

Students and their families attending the events were treated to a special luncheon at the historic Dillon House in Topeka. An awards ceremony followed the meal, which included remarks from both commissioners and a scholarship recipients panel discussion covering the topic of financial literacy. Nathan Buss read his winning essay to close the ceremony. The students and their families then took photos in the governor’s ceremonial office and had the option to tour the statehouse and dome.

“The programs we sponsor are designed to help prepare students for life beyond high school,” said Bowman. “These essays illustrate the impact our programs have made on Kansas students across the state. It is clear these students are aware of the importance of making sound financial decisions from the start. Congratulations and best wishes as you begin your life journey.”

“These essays take a great deal of time and thought to complete, and I commend the students who participated and wish them all the best of luck in this next stage of life,” said Ney.

Robin Buss is a teacher at Jefferson West and mother to Nathan Buss. She had encouraged Nathan to complete the EverFi program and enter the scholarship contest. Mrs. Buss received a gift card at the ceremony for facilitating the student receiving the top award. Scott Community High School teacher Aaron Dirks received a gift card for having the most student entrants in the contest for the second year in a row. He was unable to attend the ceremony in Topeka.

The mission of the KSC is to protect and inform Kansas investors; to promote integrity, fairness, and full disclosure in financial services; and to foster capital formation.

The OSBC regulates all state-chartered banks, trust companies, mortgage businesses, supervised lenders, credit service organizations, and money transmitters that do business in the State of Kansas. The mission of the OSBC is to ensure the integrity of regulated providers of financial services through responsible and proactive oversight, while protecting and educating consumers.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Each month Hays assistant city manager Jacob Wood presents a review of projects and training completed by city departments to the Hays city commission.

Here’s a look at what was accomplished during April.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

A large percentage of Hays voters will go to a new polling place this year following the recent closure of the Hays American Legion Post 173, 1305 Canterbury, due to a dwindling membership.

Letters are being mailed this week to the approximate 2,400 registered voters in Ward 4, Precincts 1, 3 and 5 to notify them of the change.

“In Ellis County we have 10 poll sites and the American Legion is no longer available,” said Donna Maskus, Ellis County Clerk. “So we had to look for a new polling site for those voters. I’m very pleased to say the Hays Recreation Center is going to allow us to use their facility.”

It won’t be a big change; the HRC is just two block south of the American Legion at 1105 Canterbury.

According to Maskus, voters will go to the south building in Gym A on the south end of the building. She said parking is best on the west side.

“All future elections will take place at Hays Rec for those voters,” Maskus explained. “The American Legion was one of the larger voting sites and I think Hays Rec will be a very accommodating place.”

Facilities used as poll locations have the discretion of whether to charge Ellis County for use of the building. The Hays Recreation Commission is allowing use of its building at no cost.

“I want to commend Hays Rec for not charging the county and I look forward to working with their personnel.”

And just in case voters still go to the American Legion, “we’ll, of course, post reminders of the new location at the American Legion, the old place,” Maskus said. “Habit is you go to that same place come election day.”

The Kansas general election is Nov. 7. If a primary election is required in Ellis County, it will be held Aug. 1.

For more information about elections in Ellis County, go to the county’s website www.ellisco.net or call the County Clerk office at (785) 628-9410.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Thanks to an “illuminating” project by NCK Tech students, those enjoying Kiwanis Park, 17th and Harvest Road, will now be able to do so after dark.

The electrical technology students spent two days last week installing two electrical receptacles and a light for the shelter house.

“People will be able to use an electric grill and have a light turned on when they need to,” said Allan Hill, instructor and Electrical Technology Department chairman. “We’re running power from the power source underground to the shelter.”

The students took skills they learned in classes and labs to the real-world park setting, including wiring of electrical wire receptacles and light switches and bending in conduit wire.

“We ran PVC pipe underground the first day. The second day, they learned how to pull wire through that pipe and hook it all up,” Hill explained.

NCK Tech has a partnership with the city of Hays to have their students complete projects which would otherwise need to be done by city employees. In exchange, the school is charged no rent for a city-owned building which houses the NCK Tech Big Creek Campus downtown at 101 Main Street.

The same day seven students were completing the Kiwanis Park project, seven other students were involved in another hand-on project at the main NCK Tech campus, 2205 Wheatland Ave, installing exit lights in school buildings.

Students graduating from the electrical technology program in Hays usually have no problem finding employment.

“I have seven more second-year students and they all have jobs and are out away and working,” Hill said.

“The ones working here in the park are first-year students. With the construction business as high as it is, electricians are needed everywhere. These guys, if they’re willing to move or even stay in the area, there’s jobs waiting for them to go find.”

By Becky Kiser
Hays Post

Rain and unusual snowfall in Hays over the weekend, the final days of April.

It was welcome moisture with none of the problems far western Kansas experienced with up to 17 inches of snow reported in Colby.

Friday’s high in Hays was 63 degrees with 0.40 inches of rain falling at the official reporting station, the K-State Agricultural Research Center south of town.

Saturday’s high was a much cooler 40 degrees with 1.99 inches of rain received.

Still cooler on Sunday, April 30, the high in Hays was just 37 degrees with the overnight low dipping to 31 degrees. Although there were snowflakes seen falling in the morning following another 0.18 inches of rain, according to Joe Becker, weather record keeper,  there was no measurable amount of snow. Light periodic sprinkles continued throughout Sunday with more light snowfall recorded at 10:30 p.m. Sunday.

The official total rainfall so far for the year in Hay is 10.86 inches.

The weekend rainfall total measured at the Eagle Media Center, 2300 Hall, was 1.78 inches. Catherine had an inch more precipitation at 2.77 inches.

ELLIS–Following a rainy weekend mixed with snow, it’s time to think about July 4 fireworks in Ellis.

Ellis city council members will hear requests during their May 1 meeting for fireworks permit applications from Ellis Softball/Baseball Association and Ellis Baptist Youth.

Several agenda items are related to the municipal swimming pool which has problems with water leaks. An update on the fundraising for a new pool slide will be presented by Pauleen Edmonds of the Ellis Community Foundation.

The complete agenda for tonight’s meeting follows.

AGENDA
May 1, 2017
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF ELLIS
City Hall – Council Meeting Room

BILLS ORDINANCE REVIEW WORK SESSION BEGINS AT 7:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL AND MEETING CALL TO ORDER AT 7:30 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA (if needed)
1) CONSENT AGENDA
a) Minutes from Regular Meeting on April 17, 2017
b) Bills Ordinance #2020
c) Manual Journal Entries for November 2016
(Council will review for approval under one motion under the consent agenda. By majority vote of the governing body, any item may be removed from the consent agenda and considered separately)
PUBLIC COMMENTS
(Each speaker will be limited to five minutes. If several people from the group wish to speak on same subject, the group must appoint a spokesperson. ALL comments from public on agenda items must be during Public Comment. Once council begins their business meeting, no more comments from public will be allowed.)
2) PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
3) SPECIAL ORDER
a) Presentation by Fort Hays State University Leadership 310 Team on Pool Research Project
b) Update on Pool Slide Fundraising Event – Pauleen Edmonds, Ellis Community Foundation
4) UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a) Consider Approval of Fireworks Permit Applications – Ellis Softball/Baseball Association and Ellis Baptist Youth
5) NEW BUSINESS
a) Consider Ratification of Change Order #2 for Street Improvement Project
b) Consider Approval of Application for License to Sell Cereal Malt Beverages – Ellis Chamber of Commerce
c) Consider Authorization to Sign Consultant of Record Agreement
d) Discuss Rededication of Cottonwood Avenue
e) Consider Approval of City Attorney Contract Renewal
6) REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
a) Administrative
1) Public Works
(1) Comparative Water Reports
(2) Repair Documentation from Natare Corporation
(3) Department Update
2) Police
(1) Monthly Activity Report for April
(2) May Staff Calendar
(3) Department Update
3) City Clerk
(1) Financial Reports for November 2016
(2) Draft Minutes from City Committees
(3) Department Update
4) Attorney
(1) Update on Status of Code Violation Cases
5) Mayor Update and Announcements
(1) Update from 2017 Leadership Summit and Kansas Mayor’s Conference
(2) Report on Citizen’s Complaint
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
7) ADJOURNMENT

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

A number of area law enforcement agencies will participate in Saturday’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Each location will be open between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The Ellis County Drug Enforcement Unit will be in the parking lots of the Hays Good Samaritan Society, 2700 Canal Blvd., and the Hays Visitors Center, 2700 Vine. Residents may drop off unused or unexpired prescription and over-the-counter medications.

The Trego County Sheriff’s Office will accept drop-offs at the Law Enforcement Center in WaKeeney, 525 Warren Ave.

Rooks County officers will be at the Rooks County Health Center in Plainville, 1210 N. Washington.

Hoisington residents may drop off their unwanted drugs at the Hoisington Police Department, 109 E. 1st. Other area locations are listed below.

The local events are in collaboration with National Drug Take Back Day sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Association (DEA).

HHS GUIDON

The Hays High School Chamber Singers are busy practicing for their 2017 Dinner Show to be presented May 4, 5 and 6. This year’s theme is “One Voice For The World.”

Reservations should be made by Fri., April 28. Tickets are $18 each.

Here’s a preview from the HHS Guidon of some of the show music: