Monday, July 8

· (Children) Storytime 10:00 AM

· (Children) Storytime 10:00 AM with Miss Wheelchair Kansas 2013

· (Children) Storytime 11:00 AM

· Computer Class: How to Use the New HPL Website 1:00 PM

· (Children) Alive Awake Alert Enthusiastic Day 2:00 PM

· (YA) Board Games 2:00 PM

· Friends of the HPL Board Meeting 3:30 PM

· (Children) Storytime 6:30 PM

Tuesday, July 9

· (Children) Storytime 10:00 AM

· (Children) Storytime 10:00 AM with Miss Wheelchair Kansas 2013

· (Children) Storytime 11:00 AM

· (Children) Tween Event: Personalized Beach Towels 12:00 PM

· (Children) Entertainer Richard Renner 2:00 PM

· (YA) Video Game League 2:00 PM

· Hays Public Library Board Meeting 4:00 PM

Wednesday, July 10

· (Children) Storytime 10:00 AM

· (Children) Storytime 10:00 AM with Miss Wheelchair Kansas 2013

· (YA) Dodge Ball 10:00 AM

· (Children) Lap-Sit (0-18 months) 10:45 AM

· (Adult) Feed and Film 12:00 PM

· (Children) Kids in the Kitchen: Tortilla Pizza 2:00 PM

· (YA) Magic Tricks Day 2:00 PM

· (Adult) Meet Free Meals: Grilling Kabobs

Thursday, July 11

· (Children) Storytime 10:00 AM

· (Children) Storytime 10:00 AM with Miss Wheelchair Kansas 2013

· (Adult) Computer Class 11:00 AM

· (Children) Crafty Day: Paint Your Own Ceramic Dinosaur 2:00 PM

· (YA) Flower Design Workshop 2:00 PM

· (Children) Mini Mights 4:00 PM

· (Adult) Creative Writing Group 6:00 PM

· Computer Class: How to Use the New HPL Website 7:00 PM

Friday, July 12

· (Children) Cre-8-ive Moments: Mini S’mores 10:00 AM

· (Children) Chess Club 1:00 PM

· (YA) Extreme Bingo- Cash Out 2:00 PM

· (Children) Lego Club 3:00 PM

· (YA) 80’s Night 6:30 PM

Sunday, July 14

· (Adult) Computer Class 11:00 AM

· Computer Class: How to Use the New HPL Website 1:00 PM

· Live Music- Folk Musician Craig Plotner 2:00 PM

So~~~me and the girls went to Hays, Kansas today to get mower blades and then some other thing at Walmart. As we are walking up to Walmart we see a little dog that has been left in a car~~~he/she is barking up a storm!! I know it was not 100 degrees today, but it was way too hot for an animal to be left in a car!! We take down the description, tag number and also location of the car and proceed to the Customer
Service counter to report this. At that time we find out we are not the first persons to report this dog in this car!! We were told that the Humane Society of Hays had already been called~~~and since they obviously had not come to Walmart, they employees decided that they should just call the police at that point. I felt good that we had given all the necessary information and the police were being called. When we left the store, the greeter remembered us and told me~~the animal control (humane society) NEVER SHOWED UP and when the police came, they got out of their car, looked in the car where the dog was, got back in their car and LEFT!!! How freaking insane is this?!?!?!? Will never make that mistake again and trust the law enforcement or animal control of Hays, Kansas!!! Poor little dog!! And ASSHOLE owners!!!

Lynnette Chard, Palco

The views and opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the author. These views and opinions do not represent those of the Post News Network and/or any/all contributors to this site.

Moran’s Memo: Show Your Patriotism Through Service

By Senator Jerry Moran 

The Fourth of July is an all-American holiday – a day when communities across the country come together to wave the Red, White and Blue, and commemorate our nation’s independence with parades, fireworks and good barbecue. Every Kansas family celebrates in their own special way, but we are all united in our cause for celebration: the many blessings we enjoy as Americans and the sacrifices made in the name of our freedom.

While Independence Day traditionally honors the struggle for independence from Great Britain during the American Revolution, it is impossible to overlook the service of the current generation in our Armed Forces who continue to bravely defend freedom, liberty and the American Dream.

It has been almost 10 years since I first met Katrina Gier Lewison, then a captain in the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division. She grew up in Hutchinson, Kan., graduated from West Point, and served in Iraq as a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter pilot. Capt. Lewison’s letters home to her parents during her deployment had been published regularly by the Hutchinson News, and I took great interest in reading about the service of her battalion in the Mosul area of Iraq as they helped villagers, repaired local schools, ran engineering projects, and built a clinic.

I had the opportunity to travel to Iraq in August 2003, and told my traveling companion – General David Petraeus – that I would like to meet Capt. Lewison. Little did I know she was riding in the cockpit of our helicopter and I was shocked when she responded to me herself over the headset. During our mid-flight conversation, I learned that she had been injured just a few weeks prior by shrapnel from a grenade thrown at a Humvee she was traveling in. At that moment, Gen. Petreaus revealed to Capt. Lewison that she was to be awarded the Purple Heart for her injuries. After our helicopter landed, I had the honor of presenting the Purple Heart pin to this brave Kansan during an impromptu service that left tears in the eyes of many in attendance – including my own.

Many Kansans, like Lewison, choose military service because of their passionate faith in our nation. But you don’t have to sign up for one of the Armed Forces to serve our country. Hubert H. Humphrey, the 38th Vice President of the United States, once said, “What we need are critical lovers of America – patriots who express their faith in their country by working to improve it.”

The fact is, one individual or organization can change the course of someone’s life. Regardless of where you live, how much you earn, or how far you went in school, you can volunteer. Whether it’s visiting the sick and disabled, feeding the hungry, mentoring children or supporting your community, you can make a difference.

There are opportunities to serve our nation on the home front throughout Kansas. Here are just a few suggestions: volunteer at an after school program; serve as a Scoutmaster with your local Boy Scout of Girl Scout troop; work with your local 4-H chapter; adopt a “Little” through the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization; coach a youth sports team; or serve your church congregation. The youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow, so we need to help them develop into individuals capable of dreaming big and pursuing those dreams.

As Kansans, we have witnessed first-hand the devastation caused by natural disasters like tornadoes, and many Kansans have been on the receiving end of their fellow Americans’ generosity. Another way to serve our country is by donating time, goods or money to those who have lost everything due to a natural disaster. A great resource is the American Red Cross; local chapters gather volunteers and funds to help those in need. Your support can help give your fellow citizens the courage to persevere in spite of enormous challenges. Visit redcross.org to learn more about opportunities to serve.

As we celebrate the 237th Birthday of our great nation, we should be mindful that with freedom comes responsibility. Great sacrifices have been made by many, including Katrina Gier Lewison, so we can live in freedom. We must continue to work to uphold the ideals of the Declaration of Independence – life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness – and work to make certain the United States of America remains the land of opportunity. As Americans, we are called upon to better our communities and nation through patriotic service, and I hope you are compelled to answer that call.

Brownback’s Economic Performance: Nothing But Negative

Governor Sam Brownback talks a good game on economic growth. According to Sam, Kansas is turning the corner thanks to his supply-side, trickle down policies that put money back in the hands of “job creators”, spurring the Kansas economy and bringing jobs to Kansas.

Unfortunately for Kansas and the governor, the negative economic news keeps rolling in, undercutting Brownback’s false promises of economic revitalization.

Over the past seven days we saw just how bad things really are: Kansas unemployment is up, Kansans’ incomes are down, child poverty is up, Kansas jobs numbers are below average, and state bonds took a huge hit with a super downgrade brought on by Brownback’s tax break giveaways.

May’s unemployment report showed unemployment rising to 5.7%, well above the historical average for Kansas. While Brownback likes to call the 2000s the “lost decade”, Kansas annually averaged sub-5% unemployment in the 2000s, well below today’s 5.7% level.

We also learned today that personal incomes in Kansas are falling, down 1.2% for the first quarter of 2013. This loss of income adds insult to injury for working Kansans who will also see their taxes go up thanks to Brownback’s tax plan that permanently raises sales taxes and drastically reduces income tax deductions like the home mortgage interest deduction.

News for Kansas kids isn’t any better. One in five Kansas children now live in poverty while more Kansas parents find themselves with no consistent employment. What’s more, hundreds of Kansas kids are being kicked out of Head Start and millions of dollars in childhood initiative funds are being used by the governor to pay for even more tax breaks for billionaires and big business.

Kansas workers aren’t fairing well under Governor Brownback either. A report released by the Wichita Business Journal found that Brownback ranks 25th (out of 45) for job creation by governors. In the two-plus years Brownback has steered the Kansas economy, job growth has trailed the national average, sitting at an anemic 1.7% per year. To put that in perspective, If we had maintained merely average growth since Brownback took office, there would be over 6,700 new jobs in Kansas today.

Finally, Kansas government bonds were subjected to a “super downgrade” thanks to Brownback’s unsustainable tax and budget policies. The governor’s policies have led Kansas to a position of “inadequate financial strength”, scaring off investors and increasing economic uncertainty.

What then is certain? With Sam Brownback at the helm, the only thing that is certain is that working Kansans will continue to lose out with higher taxes, less income, and fewer job opportunities.

– See more at: https://www.ksdp.org/blog/kdp-weekly-wrap-6#sthash.BDN89b0d.dpuf

“World’s Fastest” rollercoaster opens in Los Angeles. It travels from 0 to 70 mph in just over 2 seconds

Book Review: Adamtine (Author Hannah Berry)

I am not a devoted graphic novel reader, although I’ve dabbled here and there. The plot of Adamtine drew me in – four strangers take the last train home, but something each is trying to forget is catching up with them – and the art kept me interested.

Reading a graphic novel is a different experience: you get as much, if not more, from the images as you do from the words and dialogue. That is definitely the case with Adamtine – as you read, you discover clues to the connection between the strangers and the horror of what they may face. It’s very dark, both in terms of the artwork and the events that occur. If you’re like me, you’ll be compelled to flip back to the beginning as soon as you reach the conclusion.

4 out of 5 stars.

Marleah Augustine is the Adult Department Librarian at the Hays Public Library

You can see more of her blog here https://hayspubliclibrary.wordpress.com

Welcome to this week’s edition of Deadline Wednesday Gazette.

Here you will find information about deadlines and other exciting things going on at the Hays Recreation Commission!
Please feel free to e-mail us with comments, questions or concerns.
We love to hear from you!

DEADLINES FOR JUNE 26TH
If a class is full PLEASE put your name on the waiting list. We always do our best to accommodate everyone so if you are not on the waiting list and we add an additional class you will miss out!

EVERYONE
DASH 4 DISABILITIES FUN RUN
This year we will be hosting our 2nd annual Dash 4 Disabilities FUN RUN! This run will consist of your choice of a 1 mile run/walk or a 5K run/walk. The run will not be timed, and the proceeds will go to help support the Special Populations programs held by HRC. Our goal is to make it so our programs are free or inexpensive for our participants. We will also be putting the money towards an annual Hoedown Event for the Special Populations and their families. Don’t miss out on this fun event, and a great way to give back and make our community a better place for people of all abilities. Sponsors for this event include: DSNWK, and The ARC of Central Plains.
Entry Deadline: June 27
Entry Fee: $10.00, $12.00 after the deadline
Held on: Saturday, June 29
Times: Registration at 8:15am, Event begins at 9:00am
Ages: All ages
Location: Front of Hays Aquatic Park
Limitations: Min. 15

YOUTH SPORTS
YOUTH VOLLEYBALL CAMP
Learn the fundamentals of volleyball through participation in our youth camp. Play is open to boys and girls in grades 3rd – 8th (2012 – 13 school year).
Entry Deadline: June 26
Camp dates: July 8 – 12

Times Grades Fees
1:00 – 2:00pm 3rd – 5th grade $20.00
2:15 – 4:15pm 6th – 8th grade $35.00
Instructor: Karen Nowak
Location: Recreation Center
Awards: All participants will receive a camp T-shirt

BABY TAS (5 & OLDER)
FEEL THE SPARK – NEW
Music will spark fun and joy for children and their adults moving, playing, singing and exploring one, two or three of these special classes. Family groups are invited to enroll. Sign-up for one or more sessions.
Entry Deadline: Session 1: June 26
Session 2: July 3
Session 3: July 10
Entry Fee: $5.00 per person
Held on: Session: 1 Wednesday, July 3
Session: 2 Wednesday, July 10
Session 3: Wednesday, July 17
Time: 9:15 – 9:45am
Ages: 8 months – 6 years w/an adult
Location: Hays Recreation
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 12
Instructor: JoAnn Jordan, Board Certified Music Therapist

SHAKERS
Turn a Pringles container into a maraca by adding beans, noodles and mixer of pasta. The kids with finger paint a sheet of paper to be attached to the can. We will end with a music sounding environment.
Entry Deadline: June 26
Entry Fee: $3.00
Held on: Friday, June 28
Time: 9:30 – 10:00am
Ages: 6 – 24 w/an adult
Location: Recreation Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 15

TINY TAS (5 & OLDER)
FEEL THE SPARK – NEW
Music will spark fun and joy for children and their adults moving, playing, singing and exploring one, two or three of these special classes. Family groups are invited to enroll. Sign-up for one or more sessions.
Entry Deadline: Session 1: June 26
Session 2: July 3
Session 3: July 10
Entry Fee: $5.00 per person
Held on: Session: 1 Wednesday, July 3
Session: 2 Wednesday, July 10
Session 3: Wednesday, July 17
Time: 9:15 – 9:45am
Ages: 8 months – 6 years w/an adult
Location: Hays Recreation
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 12
Instructor: JoAnn Jordan, Board Certified Music Therapist

TWEEN TAS (5 & OLDER)
PAINTED SNEAKERS
Customize your own pair of shoes by starting with a little design and a lot of paint. You can pick your design and find your colors to make one in million designs that no one else has. Let us know your shoe size and let the fun begin. During the second class you can add some more color or decorate your shoestrings to match. Let the fun begin!
Entry Deadline: June 26
Entry Fee: $10.00
Held on: Tuesday, July 2nd & 9th
Times: 9:30 – 10:30 am
Ages: 6 & older
Location: Recreation Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 15

ADULT LEISURE
INTRODUCTION TO MASSAGE THERAPY – NEW
Have you ever wanted to learn Massage Therapy? This will be a two-day; hands on course will show you how to use your body efficiently, using tools such as: hot stones, aromatherapy, and Chinese cupping.
Please, contact Ceena Owens for more information at: 785-301-2218!
Entry Deadline: June 26
Entry Fee: $250.00
Held on: Saturday & Sunday, June 29 & 30
Times: 10:00 – 4:00pm
Ages: 18 & older
Location: Elements of Massage – 1308 Main St.
Limitations: Min. 3
Instructor: Ceena Owens -RN, RMT

ACTIVELY 55 CLUB
ROCK OUT WELLNESS – NEW
Explore and learn ways music can add to your health routine. Both informational and experiential opportunities will be included each week. Interests of the participants will guide the areas explored and the music used.
Entry Deadline: June 26
Entry Fee: $7.50
Held on: July 1,8,15
Ages: 55 & older
Location: Recreation Center
Limitations: Min. 8 Max. 20

POKER WALK – NEW
“Do you have a Flush? Nope… but if I make another lap I might get a better card!” Join us to walk & play poker all in perfect weather year-round. Each lap around the gym you draw a card. After seven laps you have a poker hand. As you continue walking laps simply discard a playing card & draw another card to make the best possible 7 card hand of the day. A gift card will be given to the best hand. Finish the day with a cup of coffee, tea or juice along with a special treat.
Entry Deadline: June 26
Entry Fee: FREE
Held on: July 3
Time: 8:00 – ?
Ages: 55 & older
Location: Recreation Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 15

SPECIAL POPS
To participate in these activities, a person must:
-be diagnosed with intellectual disabilities
-have a significant learning or vocational problem
Special Pops – GAME NIGHT
Join us for an evening full of fun, playing original board games and interactive games on the Wii! We’ll have snacks and drinks available as well! Don’t miss an opportunity to hang out with your friends and socialize.
Entry Deadline: June 26
Entry Fee: FREE
Held on: Thursday, June 27
Times: 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Ages: All Ages
Location: Recreation Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 30

WELLNESS
HELL CREEK ON HEELS TRAIL RACE SERIES
Join Hays Recreation in conjunction with Sara Kay Carrell of Wild Within You for the Third annual trail running series, Hell Creek on Heels! The Switchgrass Trail at Wilson State Park will NOT leave you disappointed! All trail runs will begin at the trail head for Switchgrass Trail, which is located in the Switchgrass Campground of Wilson State Park. All events are fully supported with aid stations. Come on out and give your Wild a try! Run distances are approximate due to the nature of trail running. Be prepared for the event to be a tad bit longer! Check for most current trail conditions at Facebook Switchgrass Trail!
Entry Deadline: Session 3: June 26 – Off-road Duathlon
Session 4: July 24 – Trail 25k & 5k
Session 5: August 7 – Trail 10k & 5k
Session 6: Sept 18 – Trail 30K & 5k
Entry Fee: $20 for each event, $5.00 late fee after the deadline
Held on: Duathlon (bike/run/bike) – Sunday, June 30
Trail 25k and 5k – Sunday, July 28
Trail 10k and 5k – Sunday, August 11
Trail 30k and 5k – Sunday, Sept 22
Time: races register at 7:00am, with a 8:00am start
Location: Wilson State Park, 5 mi. N. of I-70 – Exit 206 on K232

AQUATICS
HRC SWIM LESSON PROGRAM
Classes will be held on Monday – Thursday.
Each class is 45 min. long. Red Cross guidelines are followed. You need to choose a Session, Time, and Level!
You will not be contacted unless your requested time is not available, please mark these dates on your calendar.
Make up dates: In case of bad weather, class can be made up on Fridays of week one and two.
Refund policy: There are no refunds issued after the first day of class.
Entry Deadline: Session 2: June 26
Session 3: July 10
Entry Fee: $30.00, $2.50 discount for each additional child enrolled
Held on: Session 2: July 8 – July 19
Session 3: July 22 – Aug 2
Time: Time A: 9:15 – 10:00am
Time B: 10:15 – 11:00am
Ages: 5 & older as of June 1
Levels: Session 2: Levels 1 – 6
Session 3: Levels 1 – 5
Location: Hays Aquatic Park
Limitations: Min. 4 Max. 10 per class

UPCOMING DEADLINES
July 3
Adapted Day Camp
Alphabet Daze
Ballet Level 2
Bowling 4 Beginners
Feel the Spark
Glow Art
Going to the Fair
Kanine Kollege
Kid’s Pizza Pizzazz
Meal Preparation
Messy Monsters
Our Big Backyard
Pizza Crust for adults
School’s Out
SP JAM
Tatting
Tennis Lessons
Zumbatomic

Arresting journalists-at-work is a double-negative

Government surveillance of news media operations ranging from The Associated Press to Fox News has made national headlines for more than month now.
But there’s an ongoing government-press conflict that also is important in its effect on journalists’ ability to gather news and report to the rest of us, and to the proper role of a free press under the First Amendment.
Journalists – reporters and photographers – are being arrested while reporting on public demonstrations or police activity on matters of public interest. In a latest example, Charlotte Observer religion reporter Tim Funk was arrested June 10 at the General Assembly building in Raleigh, N.C., while interviewing local clergy involved in legislative protests.
As seen in a video of the arrest posted on Facebook, Funk, a veteran reporter, was interviewing members of the protest group while wearing a Charlotte Observer identification card on a lanyard around his neck. He continued to do interviews with several protesters after police ordered the group to disperse. He is standing in front of, not among, the group.
Funk first is grabbed by the arm and then handcuffed with a plastic tie. Later, the reporter was escorted away by three uniform officers. An Observer news story said Funk “was taken along with the arrested protesters to the Wake County magistrate’s office to be arraigned on misdemeanor charges of trespassing and failure to disperse.”
“We believe there was no reason to detain him,” said Cheryl Carpenter, the newspaper’s managing editor said in an Observer story about Funk’s arrest. “He wasn’t there to do anything but report the story, to talk to Charlotte clergy. He was doing his job in a public place.”
Gathering news – and in the process, performing the Constitutional duty as a “watchdog on government” that the nation’s founders envisioned for a free press –requires more getting a few facts from official sources. It means being at the scene, talking with those involved, observing the news first-hand.
If Funk’s arrest were a single incident, it still would be of concern. But, according to a Web site set up to track arrests of journalists in recent years who were reporting on the Occupy movement, in the year ending in September 2012, “more than 90 journalists have been arrested in 12 cities around the United States while covering Occupy protests and civil unrest.”
Add in a sizeable number of arrests in recent years of photographers for taking pictures at the scene of police actions and traffic incidents, and also those swept up in mass arrests of protesters at national and international conferences in the last decade, and there’s more reason to worry.
Mickey Osterreicher, general counsel for the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA), said he deals with such arrest issues involving photojournalists “every day, all across the nation.” He works with police departments to educate officers on the rights of journalists – and the public – to take photos. He said catch and release police actions have no legal foundation, and that the increase in arrests may stem from a “perfect storm” of more cell phone cameras, and easier distribution and more visibility because of the Web.
Certainly, there are times when situations are chaotic and police must act to protect public safety. In such instances, it may be impossible to sort out the protester from the person reporting on the protest. But in Funk’s case, for example, there was no chaos and he visibly – with ID on and notebook in hand – was working as a reporter.
The rights to assemble, peaceably petition the government for change, and to raise one’s voice in doing so, are all protected freedoms under the First Amendment – along with the right of a free press to gather and report the news without government sanction or disruption.
If police are arresting demonstrators for what they say and do out of legitimate concerns for public safety or for trespassing or such, having an independent news media there to accurately observe and report is a plus for officials and for our society.
Ignoring that “plus” for whatever reason produces a double negative: Doubt over the unreported motives and actions of police and other officials, as well as the trampling of First Amendment rights.
Gene Policinski is senior vice president and executive director of the First Amendment Center. Email him at [email protected]

Bad News Brownback: Hits Keep On Coming

While Sec. of State Kris Kobach had himself a nasty little week of bad press, what with the US Supreme Court rejecting his voter suppression tactics and his decision to compare peaceful protesters to the KKK, his week still paled in comparison to Gov. Sam Brownback’s week.

In a single day, the Topeka Capitol-Journal had three front page, above the fold stories that aptly captured some of the major failings of Gov. Brownback’s sinking administration. Donor kickbacks, secret meetings,and selling out middle-class Kansans all captured in a single news cycle.

– See more at: https://www.ksdp.org/blog/kdp-weekly-wrap-5#sthash.cFcT99o5.dpuf

Cronyism
Discredited supply-side economics isn’t the only thing being revived by Gov. Brownback – the spoils system is apparently back as well.

That would explain why a Mississippi-based company owned by a major Brownback donor was awarded a contract to collect child support payments.

It would also help explain why a former employee of that company was hired to run the Department of Children and Families child support division and why she came to the conclusion that her own division needed to be privatized.

As Brownback and his GOP allies continue their efforts to dismantle Kansas government (see KanCare), don’t be surprised to see more programs being sold off to bidders who just happen to have strong ties to the Brownback machine.

Secret Meetings
It can’t be comfortable to publicly raise water rates over 100% on fellow Kansans which may explain why Brownback’s appointees to the Kansas Corporations Committee made sure to avoid holding a public vote when they more than doubled some Salina residents’ water rates.

Luckily, Shawnee County District Attorney Chad Taylor and the Citizen’s Utility Ratepayer Board acted to stop the secret meetings by filing a lawsuit against KCC and its members for violating the Kansas Open Meetings Act.

Again, this is a recurring pattern under the Brownback administration as this is not the first time DA Taylor has been forced to file a lawuit because of secret meetings involving the governor. As you may recall, Gov. Brownback ushered in the 2012 legislative session by holding dinner meetings with Kansas legislators that violated KOMA and led to a months long investigation.

Sticking It To Middle-Class Kansans
The tuition hikes the KDP warned about ever since Gov. Brownback and GOP legislators cut higher education $66 million are now a reality.

The Kansas Board of Regents approved rate hikes for all six regents institutions in Kansas, with Wichita State seeing the biggest increase of 8.1%. Click here to see how much each school’s tuition is going up.

Since we’ve said enough about how damaging these cuts are, we figured we’d share some other people’s views on Brownback’s attacks on higher education.

The Marysville Advocate: “Gov. Sam Brownback and his sidekicks, conservative Republican legislators, are succeeding in dismantling Kansas with each slash to education they make.”

The Manhattan Mercury: “The [higher ed] cuts will…hurt the education of thousands of present and future students, contribute to the exodus of some of the system’s most qualified faculty, and undermine the long-term prosperity that legislators say is crucial for Kansas.”

The Hutchinson News: “Low- and middle-income Kansans took it on the chin from state government this legislative session in more ways than one. The cost of a college education – probably the most important ticket to financial success – will go higher once more in Kansas, putting it out of reach of more Kansans….Not only have our legislators opted for mediocre universities, they have shortchanged our state’s high school graduates, fewer of whom will have the opportunity to go to college.”

Kansas First District Congressman Tim Huelskamp announced town hall meetings for Stanton, Hamilton, Greeley, Wallace, and Sherman Counties for Monday, July 1st. Rep. Huelskamp is pleased to continue his tradition of hosting at least one town hall every year in each of the 63 counties he represents. Rep. Huelskamp has hosted 175 town halls: 70 in 2011, 69 in 2012, and 36 thus far in 2013.
Rep. Huelskamp released the following statement:
“I am honored to continue the tradition of hosting a town hall in every county of the ‘Big First’ district. Hosting town halls have been, and continue to be my favorite part of the job. These town halls not only allow me to meet great people, but also give me valuable feedback that I take back to Washington.”
Constituents with questions should contact Rep. Huelskamp’s Dodge City office at (620) 225-0172.

Monday, July 1, 2013
Stanton County Town Hall
8:00am – 9:00am CDT
Stanton County Senior Center
205 East Weaver Avenue, Johnson City

Hamilton County Town Hall
9:00am – 10:00am MDT
Hamilton County Courthouse – Commissioner Room
219 N Main St, Syracuse

Greeley County Town Hall
11:00am – 12:00pm MDT
Melven O. Kuder Senior Center
410 Broadway Ave, Tribune

Wallace County Town Hall
2:00pm – 3:00pm MDT
Wallace County Courthouse – Courtroom
313 N Main St, Sharon Springs

Sherman County Town Hall
4:00pm – 5:00pm MDT
Sherman County Courthouse – Courtroom
813 Broadway Ave, Goodland