More often than not, a person’s love of the outdoors, especially hunting and trapping is fostered by their father or a father figure in their young life. I’ve grown used to being an exception to the rule, which applies in this case as well.

Don’t get me wrong, our dad loves the outdoors, but was never a hunter or trapper. My brother lives on 200 acres of Ohio wilderness and dad loves roaming the many trails that weave and meander through his place. He lives to be there at my brother’s for the annual Gilliland family deer hunt that happens every November. Dad used to take me fishing when I was little; we’d walk to a couple ponds just up the road and catch bullheads and bass. I remember him taking me pheasant hunting one time, probably because I pestered him until he did. Other than that, he never took any of us hunting or trapping, I think because his dad didn’t hunt or trap and our dad just never got bitten by those bugs.

I have to believe that our families hunting “genes” come from our grandfather Hosafros (our mother’s father) who made many trips to Wyoming to hunt deer, elk and moose. In 1961 he harvested a moose that’s in the Boone and Crocket record book (records of American big game animals taken with firearms.) But my brother and I first hunted deer with a motley crew of neighbor guys where we lived in north-central Ohio; the Beck family, whose numbers no one ever really knew, and Dave Burt, a local cop who lived on the road behind our farm. We’d gather in Dave’s kitchen for coffee and hot cocoa, and inevitably someone would spot a deer crossing the road and the hunt was on. I remember how jealous I was when my brother, who’s 11 years my junior harvested his first deer before I did and on my farm no less. Today he’s still the better deer hunter.

Our love of trapping began when I was in junior high as an older man named Mr. Wolf allowed me to tag along when he checked traps he had on our land. He helped me put together a few ragtag traps and the following year I trapped in the creek that ran through our place. Later in high school I caught muskrats and the occasional mink in a pond dad had built and in local creeks, and snagged a few fox on land surrounding our place. When my brother was old enough and had also been bitten by the trapping bug, I gave him dad’s pond to trap where he also caught muskrats, mink and coon.

Like I said, even though our families love for hunting and trapping can’t be attributed directly to our father, at 91 he still loves the outdoors. So, this week, to log a little “dad” time for myself and to get him out of his retirement home apartment, I swooped him up and we headed to the McPherson Valley Wetlands for a hike. The trails had recently been mowed making the walking easy, but I had to measure my steps so my long legs didn’t out-distance him. We stopped on the first rise and I pointed out all the marshes that were now dry and the ones that still held water. Next we meandered down into one dry pool along the trail where I had trapped muskrats last winter. We looked over a now flattened muskrat hut that had once seemed as big as a Volkswagen.

We could still make out a muskrat trail in the mud that led from one big bunch of cattails to another. A little further and we topped the dike along the drainage ditch that runs nearly a mile to the next road and drains all the marshes along the way, but was now so dry the ducks have to hitchhike down it. Just behind us the drainage split as it made its way around a large grove of trees. Last winter at that place was a long beaver dam that had since been demolished with heavy equipment. We stepped over the left over rubble from the dam and down into the dry drainage ditch. It was fascinating to think that last winter the water was deep enough where we stood that I hesitated to wade into it with chest waders.

We found a beaver den or two dug into the bank deep in the bottom of the dry drainage. Bottles, tree limbs and strangely enough a bright yellow golf ball all lay in the mud waiting to be covered once again when the rain comes. The grove of trees harbors mammoth cottonwoods probably as old as dad and I together. We clamored up out of the dry ditch, meandered through the trees and onto the road that led us back to the truck.

Dad’s pace was noticeably slower then, and I think he was glad he’d hauled along his favorite walkin’ stick. Yes, I used to wish dad had taken us kids hunting and trapping, but I’m just glad he still enjoys nature. So even if you dad (or mom) is not a hunter or trapper, go snag them sometime and take them for a hike in God’s Creation and help them enjoy their twilight years Exploring Kansas Outdoors!

Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at [email protected].

I love seeing leaves turn bright colors and magazines promote colorful pages full of Halloween costumes, décor, and party ideas. Shopping aisles full of colorful candy tempt my eye. Making this season even better, garden centers display net sacks filled with next spring’s tulips and daffodils. An Orscheln’s exhibit showcased 30 bulb packages, so after stocking up on October 31 goodies, I tossed one each of daffodils and tulips into my cart. I’ll tuck them into a fall garden bed and watch them bloom come May.

I’ve always loved growing vegetables and flowers. It wasn’t until I married that I planted rows of blossoms that start from a bulb. The first year was disappointing but those following provided multiplying reasons to love these perennials. As time passes, those bulbs double, quadruple, well—you get the picture. With patience, a skimpy beginning evolves into a blast of brilliant color waving in spring breezes. This motivates me to plant season after season.

Because marketers promote both Halloween candy and flower bulbs that must be planted before mid-November, the association tempts me to hand out flower bulbs to trick or treaters along with instructions to start their flower bed. Before long, good sense reigns and I instead stock up on sweets for costumed guests. However, I should mention that four-legged trick or treaters of the squirrel and deer variety do a happy dance when I throw a sack or two of bulbs into my cart.

Yes, these furry neighbors look forward to this time of year too. I swear squirrels hiding in trees a block away have spotting scopes they use to spy on where I tuck those tender orbs. Within a day or two, I find a couple of fresh plantings dug out and devoured. Once nothing remained but loose dirt—the bulbs vanished like the ghosties who wandered up our sidewalk with bags in hand.

Deer do their damage later when tender leaves and delicate blossoms first emerge. While squirrels don’t discriminate between daffodil and tulip, mature deer have a more selective palate. I suspect yearlings don’t know daffodils disagree with their stomachs and sample a few until they learn better. Older ones leave turn their noses up. Tulips are another matter. Based on the number these gluttons eat, white tails and muleys consider them delicacies.

When we lived by Big Creek, I counted myself lucky if half my tulips made it to full bloom. I rarely worried about protecting them from the fingers of curious toddlers because deer beat our daughters to them every spring. Odds for a successful full flowering haven’t improved much even though I now live in town and our girls are grown. Apparently, hooved gourmands can’t resist wandering through swing set-filled neighborhoods. They’ve discovered residents landscape with tasty treats that turn their junket into a candy store visit.

Over time, my brain has melded Halloween and spring bulb planting into a combined experience. Be careful when you check your trick or treat bag. I may cave and pass out next season’s blooms instead of the traditional Hershey bar or Kit Kat.

By RON WILSON
Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development

Let’s go exploring – not in some far-away land, but right here in Kansas. We now have a new guidebook which can tell us about wonderful communities, sights to see, and great places to eat, within our own state.

Marci Penner and WenDee Rowe are director and assistant director of the Kansas Sampler Foundation and co-authors of The Kansas Guidebook 2 for Explorers.

As we have previously profiled, Marci grew up on her family’s farm near Inman. She went to Kansas University and the University of Wisconsin and was a guidance counselor back east before returning to Kansas.

Marci’s father, Mil was a farmer, conservationist, entrepreneur, writer and self-taught photographer. In the 1980s, he published a coffee table photo essay book. Readers admired the pictures and asked, “How do you get to those places?”

This led Mil and Marci to travel around Kansas to develop a guidebook after she returned in 1990. “I asked him a million questions as we traveled,” Marci said. “I treasure that time we had together.”

As they criss-crossed Kansas, the Penners noticed two things: Kansans needed to know more about their own state, and rural communities needed support.

Mil and Marci published three Kansas guidebooks in the early 1990s. They had a book signing party at their farm and invited community representatives to come share about their communities. It went so well that this grew into the annual Kansas Sampler Festival.

In 1993, Marci and Mil founded the Kansas Sampler Foundation. In 2006, WenDee Rowe joined the foundation as assistant director. The foundation published Marci’s books: the Kansas Guidebook for Explorers in 2005 and the 8 Wonders of Kansas Guidebook in 2012. Sadly, Mil Penner passed in 2015. “I feel his presence and support every day,” Marci said.

Meanwhile, there was a lot of interest in another comprehensive guidebook about the state. In 2012, Marci and WenDee set out to do the research to produce an updated guidebook. Incredibly, they visited every single one of the 626 incorporated towns in Kansas. “It was one of the most enriching experiences I’ve ever had,” WenDee said.

At the 2017 Kansas Sampler Festival, the new book made its debut. The Kansas Guidebook 2 for Explorers was released. This colorful book includes 4,500 attractions, 843 eateries, and more than 1,600 pictures. Featured are 515 incorporated cities in all 105 counties and 97 “unincorporated spots in the road.”

The book covers the state in six regions. Counties in each region are listed in alphabetical order as are the cities within each county. Entries include directions, hours, websites and contact numbers for the various attractions. “The book offers `one-stop shopping’ for all there is to see and do in Kansas,” WenDee said.

So, of all these Kansas places, which one is Marci’s favorite? “It changed daily,” Marci said. “I see a million places that I love.” When pressed, she mentioned such places as Big Basin in southwest Kansas, the Arikaree Breaks in northwest Kansas, the mine lands in southeast Kansas, Courtland in north central, Mt. Sunflower in the far west, and Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Garden in the far east. She also mentioned fun places like Roller Coaster Hill on the highway south of the rural community of Soldier, population 136 people. Now, that’s rural.

“It’s great to hear people say, `The guidebook has given us a reason to start exploring,’” Marci said. “It’s really gratifying to hear people learning to love Kansas.” With the holidays approaching, this would be a great purchase for anyone who loves Kansas and enjoys seeing new places.

The guidebook is available through the Buy Merchandise tab at www.kansassampler.org and also at certain locally-owned bookstores across Kansas which are listed on the website.

Let’s go exploring – with a brand new guidebook to help us. We commend Marci Penner and WenDee Rowe for making a difference with their passion for exploring Kansas. As National Geographic photographer Jim Richardson wrote: “Marci and WenDee have sought the soul of Kansas in thousands of places – and revealed it rich and whole. In all the world, I doubt there is another guidebook that unlocks so much unexpected wonder.”

Friend,

This week, my colleagues and I have been hard at work clearing a path towards simplifying our tax code to a system that can work better for you. Through reform, we will not only be putting more money back in your pocket, but making our entire tax system simpler, fairer and easier to navigate.

Our outdated tax code is currently filled with loopholes and tax breaks for those who can pay accountants and attorneys to scour the 73,000-pages of bureaucratic morass. The House GOP Plan will lead to tax relief for working and middle class families by dramatically simplifying the tax code, and making  possible a filing process that is equally accessible to all Americans, and able to be completed on the side of a postcard.

As always, if you have any questions, concerns or know of ways my office can be of assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us.

See the above video for my floor speech this week on the importance of trade to the Kansas’ manufacturing industry.

In the House

It’s National Co-op Month!

This week, I took to the House floor to speak in recognition of national Co-op month! Cooperatives benefit us in so many ways, providing us with vital goods and services that we interact with on a daily basis. My district is home to many of these Co-ops, varying in size and trade, but all with the same aim – working together toward the benefit of their members. Watch my speech below for more information!

Honoring Sen. Bob & Elizabeth Dole

It was an absolute pleasure this week to see Elizabeth Dole (pictured right) as Newman’s Own honored her and Senator Bob Dole for their service to veterans and their caregivers. The Elizabeth Dole Foundation works tirelessly to ensure that our veterans and their families receive the care and assistance they both need, and have earned.

The example that the Dole family sets for us all is one of dedication and honor, the embodiment of great American values. Thank you for your continued work to improve the lives of so many!

Internship Opportunities in my Office

Have you ever wondered what it is really like to work for Congress?

If so, I encourage you to apply to my internship program that runs year round! Internships provide an opportunity for students to work closely with me and my staff, and assist our efforts to represent Kansans on Capitol Hill. You can apply directly from my website.

I am excited to have some of you join me in working for Kansas and the First District! Applications for the Spring semester internship are due by November 13th. (Seen left with Fall ’17 intern class)

 

Is the First Amendment truly in danger? It can certainly seem like it when every week some new and alarming event happens that makes people wonder if our freedom to express ourselves is slipping away.

But is that just a feeling that we get from being plugged into the 24-hour news cycle, or from listening to pundits argue with each other on cable television?

Here at the First Amendment Center, we launched a report card series this year in the hopes of gauging true threats to the First Amendment. Each quarter, 15 experts from across the political spectrum award grades to the five freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment. They base their evaluations on events that have occurred in the previous three months.

The latest report card shows that over the course of this year, our panelists have grown steadily more pessimistic about freedom of speech. Its grade point average has dropped from a C+ to a C; and while at the beginning of this year the majority of panelists awarded it Bs and Cs, it recently has been earning Ds and Fs.

Why the gloomy outlook on free speech? Our panelists pointed to two major factors: controversies involving free speech on college campuses, and controversies involving free speech and Donald Trump. In the past few months there have been several incidents where college students have disrupted events featuring controversial campus speakers. Furthermore, survey results from the Brookings Institute, The Economist, and the Cato Institute indicate that a majority of college students think that hate speech should be censored and that students should be able to shut down an event they don’t like by loudly and repeatedly shouting down the speaker.

As for President Trump, his latest attacks on freedom of speech have revolved around his open criticism of football player Colin Kaepernick for kneeling during the national anthem; he urged the NFL to fire Kaepernick for exercising his First Amendment right to engage in silent protest. (He also continues to take cheap shots at the free press, but let’s take it one freedom at a time.)

How much do things like this matter in the long run? For all the news that they’ve generated, President Trump and (most) American college students haven’t actually violated the First Amendment. The First Amendment protects our speech from government censorship and government punishment. For all of his rampant tweeting, Trump has not sought a law making it illegal to kneel during the national anthem, nor has he personally taken any action against Kaepernick. He has advocated for the NFL to fire Kaepernick, but that’s a suggestion, not a mandate. As his press team has pointed out, the president has First Amendment rights as well.

It also sometimes feels like a bizarre form of theater. Tweeting about disrespect for the national anthem allows Trump to play to his fan base while avoiding a real conversation about police brutality. Shouting down a speaker like Richard Spencer makes students feel like they’ve defeated a neo-Nazi — but it’s uncertain what kind of impact this has on the white supremacist movement as a whole.

Sometimes we forget that freedom of speech doesn’t just refer to the right to talk; it also encompasses the right to hear others speak. The rising antagonism toward speech we disagree with doesn’t necessarily violate the First Amendment, but this attitude can be corrosive to its spirit. Because when speech becomes less about the communication of ideas and more about posturing and showing off your hatred for your enemies, fewer and fewer people will hear it.

Lata Nott is executive director of the First Amendment Center of the Newseum Institute. Contact her via email at [email protected], or follow her on Twitter at @LataNott.

I assume most readers are following the controversy of NFL players taking a knee during the national anthem prior to play.

I have some thoughts about this that maybe some haven’t thought about, and which gets little coverage if any.

Kneeling rather than standing during the national anthem of NFL football games is clearly a liberal thing. Conservatives don’t take a knee. They stand during the national anthem.

The irony of all this is that while kneeling they are all supporting liberal causes like cops are bad, whites are racist, inequality, white supremacy, etc. BUT, it is liberals who are trying to ruin NFL football.

Where does all this talk about concussions coming from? It comes from liberals trying to make football bad for young boys to participate in. Isn’t football, to a large extent, about manliness? Call it masculinity. Surely readers have seen reports about some public schools nationally trying to make young boys and girls behave identically.

The primary agenda of liberals since losing the election is about creating divisiveness in this country every which way possible. Liberals want a divided America and the NFL has become a compliant partner.

The NFL is shooting itself in the foot, cutting off its nose to spite its face. Most fans don’t approve of kneeling, therefore, the NFL will be the loser in all of this. Ratings are already down and getting worse each week.

Much of the protesting is anti Trump even though Trump policies show a decrease in unemployment among blacks and many other positives for minorities. That was not the case under Obama.

Do you suppose most of the players taking a knee voted for Obama and still support him? What are they thinking? Under Obama, the poor got poorer and the rich got richer. The black community was hit the hardest by Obama policies. Obama created a racial divide unlike any other president in our history yet the very thing the players supposedly oppose, they appear to be supporting.

What has the congressional black caucus done for blacks? Nothing! Look at cities like Chicago, Baltimore, Detroit etc. that have been run by Democrats for decades, many of them black, yet the players wouldn’t dream of going to the real source of the problem for minorities. That includes the breakup of the family where three out of four black kids grow up without a father in the household.

The whole NFL thing is a sham. “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

Then again, maybe they should pay a price for their stubbornness and ignorance. They still don’t get it.

Les Knoll lives in Victoria and Gilbert, Ariz.

Halloween is the number one holiday for candy sales. Overall, Americans eat almost 25 pounds of candy per capita every year.

The spooky truth about all this sugar? Recent studies looking into the dietary habits of our children show that they are consuming more sugar than ever before. Dental decay and childhood obesity are a couple of very real consequences of a diet containing too much sugar.

Before the holiday, plan with your children how the candy cache can be enjoyed.

Children usually have a favorite or two. After sampling a bit, consider freezing candy for future use and storing hard candy in an airtight container for another day. Incorporating holiday candy as a dessert or occasional treat over several weeks can spread out the candy and the calories, and also extend the holiday mood.

What if some or all of your child’s Halloween candy disappeared after trick-or-treating? Meet the Sugar Fairy– a creation of an imaginative mom. The Sugar Fairy collects candy at night and trades toys or books or money or trips to the library in its place. Gifts from the Sugar Fairy may vary, but should always be something that kids want and enjoy. Just have the kids leave the candy on the kitchen table and the Sugar Fairy visits while everyone is asleep. Children may want to exchange all or part of their Halloween candy for Sugar Fairy surprises, which means less sugar for kids and less headaches for parents.

Many dentists and health care providers are also jumping on the low-candy bandwagon, buying Halloween candy for cash or trading it for other desirable items like books or toys.

There isn’t any reason why Halloween treats need be high in sugar, calories or fat.

Researchers from Yale University’s Center for Eating and Weight Disorders investigated whether children would choose toys over candy when offered both on Halloween. They observed 284 kids between the ages of 3 and 14. Guess what? The children were just as likely to choose toys as candy, regardless of gender.

Maybe this is the year to step away from the candy aisle and offer some non-candy alternative treats for your Halloween visitors. Here are some tricky ideas to consider: pencils, erasers, stickers, whistles, Mardi Gras beads, temporary tattoos, novelty band-aid bandages, restaurant coupons, small raisin boxes, individual packs of microwave popcorn, small bottles of bubbles, crayons, party-favor rings, plastic spiders, eyeballs, skeletons, etc.

Any of these are treats that are apt to please Halloween visitors, without over-doing the sweets. And they’ll last longer than a few sugary bites.

Linda K. Beech is Cottonwood District Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences.

“Today, citizenship requires that people be knowledgeable about public issues and possess the capacity to work toward a solution by acting together with a shared sense of purpose for the common good.” Toward this goal, I would like to share some thoughts on the school bond issue.

We have a group of concerned citizens who came together to look at what would be best for the children attending public school in our community and formulate a plan. I would like to ask citizens to consider another group of individuals in the community- those on a fixed income whether it is retirement, pensions or welfare.

Those who own a home will likely see a $15-$20 monthly increase in their taxes if the bond is passed. If these individuals cannot afford this increase in taxes, they may lose their home. When individuals lose their home they may become depressed and despondent, especially if they were planning to live in the home until they died. When individuals become depressed and despondent they may become ill with what may or may not be a life threatening condition.

Those who are paying rent will likely see this amount passed on to them in their monthly rent. They will have to decide which part of their budget to cut expenses in order to pay the increased rent. They may decide to move out of Hays to a lower cost surrounding community. If they have children, then the school attendance will drop.

Anyone moving to the area will consider these issues when deciding where to live. The result may be a decrease in the number of children attending school and the number of citizens in Hays, which would be opposite of what is planned as an outcome of passing the bond. One group of the community will benefit while another group may suffer.

How can we improve our schools and still consider the common good? Do we need to consider ‘need’ vs. ‘want’ and what is ‘realistic’ vs. ‘idealistic’? For example, could students live with conduit running down the walls and exposed ductwork if we had enhanced security and a new auditorium? Do we need an ongoing Strategic Planning Committee for the school to look at these complex issues? Does the school have an Endowment Fund? Would a ‘United Way’ type goal work to raise some money? Would the schools be willing to conduct more food drives to keep the community pantries filled for those who must cut expenses in their food budget to pay higher rent?

Balancing the needs of the students with the needs of those on a fixed income and the community in general should be possible but we will need to consider more options.

Sandra Watchous MN, RN, Hays

I am writing this letter to speak of the Nov. 7th Bond election for USD 489 Schools. It has become obvious of the division of sides concerning the passage of the Bond Program. The announced mill levy increases the tax on an $150,000 valued home by $16.43 per month over a thirty year period. This is a longer period of time than I would wish to approve but I must also acknowledge a major construction bond issue for our schools has not passed in 39 years. This brings the subject into perspective, as the maintenance conditions of our buildings and improvements for our students has been placed near the rear of our strategic planning for decades.

I have been privy to be involved in building construction and maintenance retrofits and services with my group of employees for some 42 years of my company’s 72-year history. I have worked on numerous types of buildings, programs and bond issues, many major in scope. Salina in the past 20 years has implemented two major bond issues as well as Garden City, Dodge City, Great Bend, Emporia, Liberal and Manhattan, most are similar in size and scope to USD 489.

I have a concern we are being left behind in our educational community and the benefit to new business and families concerns of educational facilities available to them. After visiting with employees, there remains a question of the types of programs that can be provided in our current education institution. Some are limited by physical structure. We could lose people in several years due to the failure to act on this proposal. This should be a concern to economic development for Hays.

Some of the buildings in question were old when I went to school here in the 1960’s, and unfortunately, other than a few updates and breakdown machinery repair done with capital outlay budget, not much if any programs have been enacted since the building of the High School 36 years ago. There were some renovations through the years and an air-conditioning of schools update but not a major review of all buildings, purposes and use, successfully fulfilled.

In all honesty, from my point of view, and those who work in my organization on technical side, the District has been utilizing equipment that’s served well past its use. The District has run the course of receiving its benefit from old machinery and its replacement lifecycle is at our doorstep. While I am conservative in nature and promote dedicated services to increase longevity, there are areas where we no longer have a decent return on the original capital. Concerns when calculating energy efficiency and zoning conditions of buildings are apparent.

I understand there are many who acknowledge the need and simply have issue with the methodology of the planning, reasoning, size and length of the bond proposal. In all the bond issues that I have been involved in over my career, I have rarely seen any that did not have some issues, misgivings or changes, especially in remodel programs.

I plan to vote in favor of the USD 489 bond issue on Nov. 7th and not because I haven’t weighed the alternatives. We have done this for years and we usually accept a substandard product in construction at the end because we delay in moving forward. We have enough information to make a decision, regardless of your decision, which should be respected, I hope you vote. I will vote yes. Let’s move forward. I owe it to my children and grandchildren.

Joseph Glassman
Hays

There have been several questions regarding one large bond versus several smaller ones. This was a concept that we discussed at length within the Community Vision Team, but here are a few reasons why we decided against it.

First, construction rates are projected to continue to increase at around 6%. If we borrow $40 million now and $38.5 million in 15 years, the parts of the project that we put off for 15 years would cost around $90 million to complete. So we could split it up, but we’d be asking for $40 million now and about $90 million in 15 years, which is more than the $78.5 million that is currently proposed. This number reflects only construction increases and doesn’t take into account increases in interest rates or expenses associated with proposing the second bond.

We’d also miss out on the operational savings that the district will experience once this project is complete. Based on research and national standards, four section elementary schools are the best option for both educational outcomes and efficiency. Combine the changes to the elementary schools with improved systems at the high school, and the district will save around $300,000 per year in operational costs. Staggering the project diminishes this return.

Third, the state has imposed statewide limits on the total amount that districts can propose in any given year, so even if we decided to propose another bond in 10 or 15 years, we’d likely have to wait in line for several more years before putting it to a vote. We’re exempt from this limit this one time only because we haven’t passed a bond in over 25 years. Given this limitation, the committee felt that it was important to affect as many students as possible with this bond proposal.

Finally, the needs in the district are pressing. If we had been doing small bonds the past forty years, then our district wouldn’t need the attention it does now. Some districts have done that, and they will continue to do that. We’re past that point in Hays, and passing small bonds every decade or two will never get us back on track. This bond accomplishes a lot for the money, and it will set the district on track to not need major corrections like this in the future. Once this bond is paid off and regardless of the obstacles, we should get in the habit of passing small bonds to keep the district moving in a positive direction, but doing it now will not address the needs we’re facing as a district and as a community.

Jennifer Teget
Community Vision Team Member

Kansas politics is challenging terrain for any gubernatorial aspirant, and this primer on the state’s political landscape is kindly offered to the 17 announced candidates for governor in 2018 and those yet to follow.

The state’s political geography may be seen in three pieces: five urban hubs, the smallest rural counties, and larger rural regional centers, each with unique challenges in a statewide campaign.

The urban hubs of Johnson, Sedgwick, Shawnee, Wyandotte, and Douglas counties are growing—adding 69,000 to their population since 2010 and now comprising 54 percent of the state’s total. Their politics are competitive and distinct, ranging from racially diverse Wyandotte with voter registration favoring Democrats more than 3 to 1, to suburban Johnson—having a 2 to 1 Republican advantage over Democrats and three times the population of its metropolitan neighbor. The politics of Sedgwick, Shawnee, and Douglas are colored by the economies of their major cities: Wichita, the state’s largest city, a manufacturing center; Topeka, home of state government; and Lawrence with a dominant state university complex.

Even though the urban partisan division favors Republicans by 59 to 41 percent, a Democratic candidate must win here by a substantial margin to claim the governorship. Kathleen Sebelius won with urban vote margins of 40,000 (2002) and 110,000 (2006). Paul Davis won these counties by 35,000 votes in 2014 but still lost.

Small rural counties, representing 23 percent of the state’s population, are mostly homogeneous demographically and politically. They are dominated by agriculture and for the last century have fought a losing battle against the forces of mechanization, technology, and economics. Three of every four of the smallest 85 rural counties reached their peak populations in 1930 or before and have dropped steadily since then. Exceptions are found in a few counties neighboring growing urban areas and those benefiting from the red meat industry in southwest Kansas.

In the 85 smallest rural counties Republican registrations outnumber that of Democrats by 3 to 1, and Republican candidates expect to build healthy leads here. These rural voters gave Trump a 150,000 vote margin in 2016, representing two-thirds of his statewide margin. In the closer 2014 gubernatorial race these voters handed Sam Brownback the 50,000 vote margin that allowed him to overcome Davis’ urban edge.

Fifteen larger rural counties serve as regional economic centers and are scattered across the state—from Leavenworth to Finney, Crawford to Ellis. They comprise 23 percent of the state’s population and have grown slightly since 2010. Most have major state or federal facilities, such as state universities (Crawford, Ellis, Lyon, and Riley), correctional institutions (Leavenworth and Reno), or military installations (Geary and Leavenworth). Others border the urban hubs (Butler, Cowley, Harvey, and Miami). Finney and Ford have grown with the meat packing industry; Montgomery and Saline have independent regional reach.

Politically, the regional centers form a bridge between the urban hubs and smaller rural counties. Republicans hold a registration advantage over Democrats of slightly less than 2 to 1 in these centers. In general elections their voters tend to line up with other rural voters but with less partisan leanings. The outcome of competitive Republican primaries is more likely determined by voters in these rural centers plus the smaller rural counties than in the urban hubs.

Add to this partisan mix 525,000 “independent” voters, 30 percent of all registered voters, who are unaffiliated with any political party and slightly less prominent in smaller rural counties than in urban hubs and regional centers.

So gubernatorial hopefuls, consider this territory. Map out a winning campaign for 2018 and have at it. Best of luck.

H. Edward Flentje is professor emeritus at Wichita State University.

Bond elections do not occur in a vacuum, and as the Vision Team worked on this bond, we were painfully aware of the trust issues that Hays has with our school board. That’s precisely why a Vision Team was created with community members to offer input towards this bond.

As a result, a plan was developed that addresses the most pressing needs of our schools while still lowering the dollar amount of the bond from the last bond. There’s been plenty written about the content of this bond, but I feel that the process of developing this bond is worth noting.

Too often, these projects are top-down affairs developed behind closed doors with no input from the community, by a group of leaders who have vested interest in the project. However, that could not be further from the truth in this case.

From the beginning of the process, the scope and content of this bond was developed by a volunteer committee that was open to the public and composed of a variety of individuals from throughout the community. We worked in open meetings with input from anyone who chose to attend. We incorporated feedback from our educators, administrators, and community polling while deciding specific pieces of the bond. The content of this bond was exhaustively discussed and debated. Every project proposed in this bond is there for a specific, defensible reason that can be explained.

So I would ask any of you who don’t support this bond because you don’t trust the school board to reconsider and understand this bond was created by our community. Developing this bond was truly a grass-roots effort. It will greatly benefit our community if our citizens vote YES on Nov. 7.

Alaina Cunningham

Advance voting for the general election began Monday. On the Nov. 7 ballot for patrons of Hays USD 489 is a $78.5 million bond issue designed to improve facilities throughout the district.

Click HERE for information on the bond from USD 489.

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