By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

The ARC of the Central Plains is making a fundraising push in hopes of having enough money to break ground on the accessible Hays ARC Park by the end of the summer.

The ARC Park has raised $330,000 in less than a year toward its $1.77 million goal to build an accessible playground, splash pad and baseball field at what is now Seven Hills Park.

Sarah Meitner, parent and fundraiser, said the ARC Park group is trying to have $600,000 in cash and in-kind pledges by the end of May so they can write a grant request to the Dane G. Hansen Foundation for the the remainder of their funding.

The group recently was approached by Trey Moeder, a former Hays resident, who has agreed his company — Forever Lawn Mile High of Colorado Springs, Colo. — will donate the labor for installation of the turf for the baseball field. A dollar amount for that donation has yet to be determined.

The ARC Park group had originally planned to build the accessible complex in three phases with the playground going in first.

However, the group determined it could save money by doing the complete build at one time. The group also noted the longer they wait, the more construction costs are likely to increase.

The ARC Park is pushing to complete as much of its fundraising now because it is racing against the weather. If the group hopes to have at least the playground portion of the park finished by the end of the year, it needs to order equipment in July.

The rubber surface for the playground can’t be laid during cold weather, so it would have to be completed before the weather turns nasty this fall. This would mean construction in September.

The group anticipates even if construction is finished on the splash pad this year, it would not open to the public until summer 2020.

The baseball field, however, could be used for the Special Olympics season, which will be in October, if the diamond is completed in time.

Brent Kaiser, ARC activities director, said even if the full amount can’t be raised for all three parts of the complex in time for installation this year, the group would like to move forward with the playground portion.

Although the group has conceptual drawings, finalizing the design of the complex will be part of the group’s focus in the next month, Kaiser said.

The group has decided on an oil and ag theme for the park. A couple of items on the ARC Park’s wish list include accessible swings and a “We Go Round.” The equipment is like a merry-go-round, but it is even with the ground and is accessible to wheelchairs.

The volunteers who are coordinating the fundraising for this project have already put hours and hours into the project, but Kathy McAdoo, ARC executive director, said the project has been a labor of love.

Meitner’s 5-year-old son, Abe, has Down syndrome and was a major motivator for her to pursue a park at which Abe and other children with disabilities could play.

However, Meitner noted there are other benefits to the community.

“We know through talking to other parents how they seek out other parks like this,” she said. “So when they are road tripping they can stop at a park because maybe their child can’t handle a restaurant. We know that it is going to attract people from outside of our community, and that is going to bring dollars to Hays.”

The park is designed to be used by all children and all adults. This means a child who may have broken a leg and is temporary disabled still has an opportunity to play, Meitner said. Parents and grandparents who might be disabled can access the park and playground equipment and play with their children and grandchildren.

Meitner said she also saw this as a model park for other communities.

“It’s a showpiece facility for our community,” Meitner said. “It is something that sets Hays apart — something that other communities will want to mimic. We have already gotten calls from other communities that have said, ‘How did you get where you are? We want this too.’ ”

Kaiser said, “We don’t want to be the only place like this in Kansas. Our goal is more places see it and want to do the exact same thing.”

Meitner added, “I would like to see accessible equipment in every park.”

Although the ARC Park is pushing on toward its fundraising goal, Meitner wanted to thank those people who have already donated. The Schmidt Foundation donated $100,000 and HaysMed donated $40,000. However, the park has had more than 250 individual donors.

Meitner said she wanted to especially thank the children and youth of the community who donated their pennies and nickels to the project.

“I want to thank all the kids in this community who had the heart to build this park,” she said.

Children have brought in the contents of their piggy banks, lemonade stand proceeds and tooth fairy money. Girl Scout and Boy Scout groups have donated money. A four-member Daisy Girl Scout troop recently donated $500 of their cookie money. TMP-Marian, HHS, Holy Family, Roosevelt, Lincoln and O’Loughlin students have all made donations to the park.

“I think it is the kids speaking up and saying, ‘We want this,’ ” McAdoo said. “They are setting an excellent example for the adults in our community.”

FHSU student groups have also conducted many fundraisers for the park this school year.

“We really like how it has brought all different parts of the community together with a common goal,” Meitner said. “I can’t help think that is going to instill in those kids a sense of pride, so when they are playing there they will want to take good care of the park, they will want to visit a lot and take some ownership in it.”

You can donate to the ARC Park by dropping a check by or mailing a check to the ARC office at 600 Main St., Hays, KS 67601. Please note the donation is for the ARC Park on the check. Donations can also be made online. A small fee is charged to the ARC Park for each online donation, so checks are preferred.

You can also call 785-628-8831, email [email protected] or see the ARC Park’s Facebook page  for more information.

By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

Businesses in the L. Kuhn Addition 4 want Ellis County to start maintaining its roads again.

However, County Public Works Director Bill Ring said the county stopped maintaining the road about two years ago when he learned the property was not properly platted.

This means the roads legally are on private property. According to state statute, the county can’t work on private property. It  also risks liability if it sends workers or equipment to the site.

Galen Romme, who represented the addition at the county commission meeting Monday, said it was the owners’ understanding the addition was properly platted by the City of Hays.

“We are just trying to figure out what we need to do to maintain [the roads] again and get back out there and help these businesses out,” Romme said.

Romme said there are about 45 people employed at businesses in the addition. Employers include the Frito-Lay distribution center, a FedEx facility and other businesses.

The addition lies within a three-mile zone in which both the city and county must approve the plat.

A final plat within the 3-mile Hays Extra-Territorial Zone is supposed to be approved by the Hays Planning Commission and then by the Ellis County Commission and finally by the Hays City Commission.

The final plat was approved by the city commission on Dec. 9, 2010, but it was never reviewed or approved by the county commission.

Ring with the assistance of the County Clerk’s office researched county records and found no reference to the plat in county commission records.

The city records indicated the city recommended the county commission approve the final plat contingent there would be a maintenance agreement with the county. No agreement was developed. The roads also were never inspected by the county, Ring said.

He questioned if the addition’s roads should be concrete or asphalt based on the amount of truck traffic in the addition. The addition also does not have a second entrance/exit to provide access for emergency vehicles.

“Some trucks have gotten stuck on the roadway going into the development, blocking other businesses access to their properties,” Ring said.

The addition has about 2,100 feet of roadway, not including a half roadway (285th Avenue) on the east side of the addition that was never fully developed.

“My position has to be protecting the best interest of Ellis County and keeping us out of any litigious situation,” Ring said. “Working on private property, again which is a violation of statute, is not in the best interest of Ellis County.”

Commissioner Butch Schlyer said he agreed with Ring, the county can’t work on private property because of liability issues.

County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes asked if the final plat could still come before the county commission for approval. Ring said it was his understanding that it could, but he would have some stipulations on maintenance for the roads.

Romme said, “Going back to what we were told was that the city was in charge of that 3-mile area. The county acted accordingly like it was an approved plat all these years. Actions also speak volumes of words.”

Commissioner Dustin Roths said, “I figure we readdress it and figure out what we can possibly do to take care of these businesses and [find] where there was a mix-up between the city and the county and the developer. [Let’s] figure out how we can take care of them, but it can’t be at our cost initially. We don’t have the funds to do this.”

Commission Chairman Dean Haselhorst said the county has no idea if the road was constructed to county specifications. He said he thought the road would have to be brought up to county specifications before he would agree to approve the final plat.

By CRISTINA JANNEY

Hays Post

A group of local high school sophomores were jolted forward Friday into their 26-year-old lives to learn about what it really takes to financially support a family.

RealityU was sponsored by the United Way of Ellis County and included students from Ellis, Victoria and Thomas More Prep-Marian. However, Sherry Dryden, United Way executive director, said United Way would like to expand the program to Hays High School in the fall.

The students took a survey before arriving Friday at TMP for the RealityU simulation. Their career interests determined their occupation and salary. Their GPA and other factors also figured into credit scores.

The students were assigned children. Some couples carried dolls that cried throughout the simulation.

The students visited stations to learn more about the expenses they faced, some of which included groceries, transportation, health and car insurance, child care, utilities, and communication.

Students were allowed to choose what kind of vehicle or housing they wanted. In other cases, students rolled dice to learn their fate. For example, students rolled a dice to learn what percentage of their health insurance their employers were going to pay.

Students could also be assigned to the chance station. Students rolled dice to see if they would receive an addition to their income, such as a bonus at work or a tax refund, or if they would end up with an additional expense, such as a flat tire or a trip to the emergency room.

Many students were surprised about the cost of basic living expenses, including Victoria students Morgan Dorzweiler and Justin Braun.

The students had to budget $645 for child care for their one child. Dorzweiler was a real estate agent, and Braun was an auto mechanic.

The couple learned they would not be able to eat out as much as they might want to.

“You can’t always pick the highest and most expensive option when you are limited on money,” Braun said.

Clay Shaw and Evalyn Miller were assigned the professions of veterinarian and cosmetologist respectively.

“It costs a lot of money to live,” Miller said.

Shaw said he was surprised at how much the couple spent on clothes and food. The students spent $538 on clothing and $193 on food.

James Younger of Big Creek Crossing volunteered during the simulation. He said many of the students chose the most expensive clothing on his list.

“There were cheaper options on the sheet,” he told the students. “Don’t be afraid to speak up about that. It is our job in retail to go ahead and sell you the highest prices item to make the most money. Don’t be afraid to try to negotiate.”

Ellis students Abigail North, who was a certified athletic trainer, and Toby Woodworth, a construction laborer, were thrown a curveball when they learned they had to pay a $275 traffic ticket. Woodworth said he was also surprised by the cost of family health insurance.

Marcie Mayo, volunteer with Advanced Property Management, worked the chance table, and said many students were shocked about some of the unexpected expenses they could be hit with.

“It makes them aware of what’s going on,” she said of the students. “Like utilities … you have to pay for the lights to be on. They are seeing that. I do think it is beneficial.”

Linda Riedel and Marcie Pray of Platinum Group volunteered to help students learn about housing.

“They are trying to learn the values of life, and they are having to make decisions on whether to rent an apartment or purchase a home based off of their income,” Riedel said.

The students learned they had to pay extra for pets if they rented and they had to rent or buy a bigger space if they had children. Several couples pursued second jobs after they visited the housing table. The students also learned their pre-assigned credit rating had a significant effect on what they paid for housing.

Riedel said many students had not given much thought to the decisions they will have to make as adults.

“They are just trying to balance right now which way is the best way,” Riedel said. “It is creating an awareness where they are trying to figure out what their options are and what’s best for them.”

Ken Schoenrock, VHS teacher, said RealityU is helping the students get ready for life.

“At this point, they are still going through life thinking you work, you get a paycheck and then you get to go play,” he said. “This brings a little bit of light to what it is like when you get out of school and enter the real world.”

In the wrap-up session, one student said she was going to go home and thank her parents because she realized how much money they spent to raise her.

By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

As the school year nears a close, administrators at Hays High School and Hays Middle School both said they have seen a spike this year in vaping referrals at the schools.

Neither HMS Principal Tom Albers nor HHS Assistant Principal John Linn had exact number of referrals they have received as a result of vaping, but both agreed the number of students using nicotine products at school has increased.

The 2017 Kansas Youth Risk Factors Survey shows one in three (or 34.8 percent) Kansas high school students have tried e-cigarettes and one in 10 (or 10.6 percent) were current users.

In light of the jump the Kansas State Board of Education will receive a presentation on vaping during its regular May meeting on Tuesday.

HHS is seeing very few referrals for traditional tobacco products, such as cigarettes or chewing tobacco, Linn said.

Easy to conceal

Linn said the most common devices he finds students using are Juuls, which is specific brand of vape device. The Juuls tend to be small, easy to conceal and sometimes resemble flash drives.

“I will be honest with you. I didn’t even know Juuls existed until the last couple of years,” he said, “and these things have just blown up.”

Albers said the vaping devices are easier for students to conceal than traditional tobacco.

“The one thing about cigarettes is that you can’t really do that without people seeing and smelling,” he said. … “Vape ends up being something that is easy to hide. It doesn’t produce smoke. It just produces a vape. It is really hard to see or find.”

Education lacking

Both administrators said despite information sent out to district patrons earlier this year about vaping as well as education in health classes, many students and parents are still not aware of the dangers of vaping.

“When I talk to our kids, it is more about trying to fit in,” Linn said. “I get very little about ‘I am trying to quit smoking so this is the best alternative to do that.’ You try to tell them no its not because it has the same amount of nicotine in those substances as a pack of cigarettes.”

Linn said he didn’t think students think about the addictive nature of nicotine when they vape.

“I think they think it is a safer alternative than smoking,” he said. “There has been multiple times this year that I have talked to students about vaping and these issues and asked them specifically, ‘Do you even know what you are sucking into your lungs? Do you even know what it is?’ You would be amazed about how many of them tell me no. They don’t know what it is. It just tastes good.”

Albers said companies are marketing to kids with sweet flavors. They also manipulate the amount of nicotine in vape pods. One pod can have the same amount of nicotine as three and half packs of cigarettes.

“Kids become addicted whether they realize it or not,” he said.

Most parents Linn said he has talked to are aware their children have tried vaping, but may not be aware they have a vaping device and are vaping on a regular basis.

“Again it comes back to education and letting them know it is the same issue as any type of tobacco product,”‘ Linn said. “It has nicotine, and that’s addictive. It is not good for students of this age whose brains are developing like they should.”

Health dangers of vaping

Dr. Michelle Pope, Hays pediatrician, spoke to TMP students last spring about the dangers of vaping.

Not only is the nicotine you can consume through vaping dangerous, but so are other chemicals and heavy metals you take into your lungs when you vape, she said.

Vaping liquids are loosely regulated by the federal government and 95 percent of the juices are made in China.

Vaping in teens can permanently stunt lung development. Nicotine, specifically, can cause cancer, is addictive and damaging, especially to the adolescent brain. It can also cause heart attack and stroke, Pope said.

School nicotine policy includes vaping

The Hays USD 489 school board passed revisions to its tobacco policy at its April 29 meeting. Superintendent John Thissen said the changes clarify what nicotine products are banned at the school.

This includes “any device that can be used to deliver nicotine or nicotine salts to the person inhaling from the device. Such definition shall include, but may not be limited to, any electronic cigarette, cigar, cigarillo, pipe or personal vaporizer.”

Vaping is banned not only in schools during school hours, but in any district facility; in school vehicles; at school-sponsored activities, programs, or events; and on school owned or operated property. The policy is the same for both school employees and students.

The consequences of vaping at school

For students, the policy goes on to discuss the consequences for students caught with nicotine or tobacco products.

According to the policy, “Student violations may result in parent/guardian notification, participating in tobacco education program, suspension and/or expulsion from school and/or extracurricular activities, community service, and/or notification of law enforcement.”

Linn said standard discipline at HHS for students caught with vaping devices or tobacco products is an automatic two-day in-school suspension. If the student is younger than 18, the police are contacted. If students are caught subsequent times, the disciplinary action can be heightened, Linn said.

“This is really frustrating, because the devices have changed so much. They are so difficult to detect,”Linn said. “I can search bags and all that kind of stuff, but if they hide it on themselves, it is very difficult to find sometimes. The companies have made it really easy for the students to use them and hide it.

“We do take it very seriously, and hopefully, we can get some kids to think before they do something like that.”

By CRISTINA JANNEY

Hays Post

The DAV Vintage Bike Show brought bikers from across the region to raise money for a new van for the DAV.

The organization needs to raise $15,000 toward the van and then the national DAV will supply the remaining funding for the van.

The van is used to bring veterans from outlying areas into Hays for appointments and to bring veterans from Hays and the surrounding region to the Bob Dole VA Medical Center in Wichita.

Doug Nichols of Palco is a Veterans of the Vietnam War. He was wounded in combat during the Tet Offensive and received the Purple Heart and the Silver Star. He has been a member of the DAV every since.

Nichols brought his 1977 Yamaha, which he bought new in 1977. He still rides the bike.

“It’s a nostalgia thing,” he said. “It is an older dirt bike. I had similar bikes when I was younger. In 1977, this was brand new — the ultimate bike. I bought it then and have enjoyed it every since.”

Nichols also has three other road bikes. He has ridden with the Run For the Wall group to Washington, D.C., every May since 2006, but will but will be sitting this year out.

“It is total freedom,” Nicholas said of riding. “You are on your own, and you have to use your own ingenuity if something goes wrong. It is nothing like being in the cage of a car. I like to call them cagers — people who drive cars. It’s the freedom of it and the adventure and being able to interact in the environment more than you do in a car.”

John Weber of Denver brought four bikes to the show — an 1947 Chief Indian, 1940 Sport Scout, 1938 Junior Scout and 1929 Henderson with a side car.

Weber said he married into a bike family. His father-in-law rode the Henderson until he was 84. His mother-in-law and father-in-law rode a 1928 Super X Excelsior while they were dating.

Weber’s favorite bike of the four is the Sport Scout, which was all in boxes when he bought it.

Weber rides all of his classic bikes.

“They’re different,” he said. “I get on a modern bike, and I’m bored.”

The Henderson has a manual spark advance. As the motor RPM goes up, the spark tends to lag, so you have to manually advance it.

Weber said he enjoys going to shows and has already been to more than a dozen this year. He is president of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America. He also likes to go on club rides.

“You are in the space,” he said of riding. “When you are in a car, you’re in a box. Inside that box is your space. When you are on a motorcycle, you’re not restricted.”

Marty Patterson brought the van and 1926 Harley-Davidson JD that he and his brother, Pat, used to ride in the 3,500 mile Antique Motorcycle Club of America’s 2018 Cannonball. The brothers will not be participating this year, but they do plan to ride in the 2020 Cannonball.

The Patterson brothers bought the 1926 in Wichita from the original owner’s son, who was 83 at the time. The brothers rebuilt and restored the bike from the frame up.

He also brought to the show a 1946 Harley UL.

“I have been riding bikes since I was 8 or 9 years old, and every year they got bigger and faster and faster. I found myself seeing how fast I could make it to Sturgis. As I have gotten older now, I jus wanted to slow down. These bikes run about 45 or 55 miles per hour. You slow down and enjoy the day. You enjoy the environment. It is a whole different style than how quick can you get there.”

He said on the older bikes, you ride them for a couple of hours and then wrench on them for 30 minutes.

“It’s just more of a journey on the old bikes, and that’s what I enjoy doing right now,” he said.

Gary Shormam of Hays brought to the show his 1928 and 1940 Harley Davidsons. He started riding on his family’s farm when he was about 8 years old.

“It’s fun to ride. It is fun to find the old ones and bring back some history of how motorcycles got started,” he said.

Shorman said he likes to see how the motorcycle has progressed.

“The difference even between the ’40 and the ’28 is big,” he said. … “How they just advanced year, after year, after year to become better and now the new ones are like cars today.”

He said the 1928’s engine is fairly simple.

“When you look at that, it is a pretty simple single-cylinder motorcycle engine that runs that,” he said. “There’s not a lot to it. You have a battery, a spark plug. Put some oil in it and gas, kick it and away you go.”

Shorman said the appeal of riding is being outside.

“Many times you are in meetings all day long and you are working in different areas that are inside — being outside on the weekend and playing with these …” Shorman said was the reason why he owns the bikes.

“The other thing is you can take them apart. You can take them apart and put them back together. You can take the head off that and put it back on, clean it up. The new stuff you really have to take to a real professional. It is a real engine you can work on.”

All of the men said they enjoyed talking to other motorcycle owners, but the real reason they came was to help raise money for the DAV.

Editor’s note: Gary Shorman is the president and CEO of Eagle Communications, which owns and operates the Hays Post.