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Category: Local

Hays High DECA to host Entrepreneurship Promotion Week

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Entrepreneurship is the cornerstone of our local economy and provides opportunities for those who desire to own their own business. Local entrepreneurship provides jobs and generates tax dollars that support our schools and local government entities. Hays High DECA wishes to celebrate those individuals who have jumped at the opportunity to be their own boss.

During the week of January 21-25, 2019, Hays High DECA is sponsoring an entrepreneurship week at Hays High School and throughout the city of Hays. The theme of this year’s campaign is Passion to Paycheck. The co-chairs of the campaign are Hays High DECA members Brooke Denning, Cassidy Prough, and Madelyn Waddell. Signage will be hung throughout the building informing students and faculty about entrepreneurship and the events that will take place during the week.

On Monday, January 21, 2019, information regarding the week’s activities will be launched on www.hayshighindians.com, the Hays High DECA social media websites, and Hays High social media websites. Ads will run on various Eagle Radio stations as well.  The purpose of this week is to further educate people about the value of entrepreneurship.

On Wednesday, January 23 and Friday, January 25, 2019, Hays High DECA members will be instructing Wilson first graders in Julie Brown’s class about entrepreneurship. The elementary students will be creating a product prototype, determining the cost of materials, setting the price of the product, and developing an advertising campaign for their product. DECA members will assist the first graders in this process. We are looking forward to fun-filled class times with the Wilson first graders.

Also on Wednesday January 23, 2019, local entrepreneur and Hays High DECA alum Allyson Werth will be coming to Hays High to share with us her experience of starting and owning multiple businesses. TMP FBLA, JagK, Helping Hands, and Hays High entrepreneurship students have been invited to attend.

DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. Currently, there are 215,000 members worldwide.

Hays High DECA is active in the community by organizing and conducting the annual Trick or Treat So Others Can Eat Food Drive, supporting and raising funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Wichita,  and conducting various public relations campaigns as well as various related marketing projects. Hays High DECA members compete at a state and international level.

To find out more about the Passion to Paycheck project, feel free to contact Brooke Denning at [email protected] , Cassidy Prough at [email protected] , Madelyn Waddell at [email protected] and Shaina Prough at [email protected]. Contact may also be made via Hays High’s phone number, 785-623-2600.

 

BOOR: Seminar will help farmers and ranchers plan for future

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The past several years have been a challenge to be in agriculture to say the very least. Farmers and ranchers currently are experiencing one of the biggest downturns in history with many drawing parallels to the 1980s.

Planning for the future is critical for both the short-term viability of the farm business as well as for the long-term growth and sustainability of the farming legacy.

The Cottonwood District along with the South Central Kansas Farm Management Association will be hosting a program that will offer a variety of outlook talks to assist in planning for the upcoming years. Having a grasp of input costs and projected prices can assist in making equipment purchasing decisions, land rental arrangements, cattle and grain marketing plans, and more. Managing a farm’s financials will also be discussed, as it pertains to the current economic times.

The scheduled sessions for the day are as follows:

“Understanding Your Financial Position”- Bryan Manny
“Determining Your Cost of Production and how it relates to marketing” – Clay Simons and Aaron Meisenheimer
“Recognizing Signs of Extreme Stress and Who’s There to Help.”- Alicia Boor
“Making Communication a Part of Your Business”- Joni James and Camille Claassen

The seminar is sponsored by Barton County Kansas Farm Management, Barton County Farm Bureau, and First Kansas Bank. It will be held on January 29th in Hoisington at the Knights of Columbus – 114 N. Main Street. The program begins with registration at 9 am and will end at 4. You must RSVP at 620-793-1910 or by email at [email protected] by January 22 to ensure that enough materials will be available.

Sternberg shares intricacies of food webs on Darwin Day

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Caleb, 7, Chloe and Julie Robben learn about the Arctic food web during the Sternberg Museum Darwin Day.

By CRISTINA JANNEY

Hays Post

Visitors took advantage of a free admission at the Sternberg Museum of History on Sunday to learn more about predator and prey relationships.

Staff and volunteers shared museum specimens with guests and talked about how different creatures integrate into to complex food webs.

David Levering, camps manager, and Chase Shelburne, curatorial assistant, discussed the food web in western Kansas and how energy moves through the food web.

The major source of energy is sunlight, which plants use for photosynthesis to grow leaves, seeds and berries.

“In insects and small mammals and small birds eating those plant products, they grow their bodies and sustain themselves, but then they will be frequently eaten by predators,”Levering said. “So what we will see is lots of little animals that eat those plant products and then fewer animals that eat other animals because there is less and less energy and it can’t keep as many alive.”

You might see hundreds of mice in fields, but only a few hawks or foxes, he said.

Primary consumers or plant eaters in Kansas can include cottontail rabbits, prairie dogs or cotton rats.

Kimberly and Gage, 6, Pfanenstiel of Victoria learn about the western Kansas food web at Sternberg’s Darwin Day.

“Then we have a lot of these snakes and lizards, which form a strange section in a trophic area. Like I mentioned they can eat a lot animals that are on the food web, and they can be eaten by some of the animals on the same level. And then of course they are prey for bigger animals like our shrikes and hawks and some owls. We have tons of snake species — some of which eat each other as well.”

Birds of prey have adaptions such as a hooked beaks to better eat their prey. Least weasels change color from a brownish grey to white during the winter months.

Evolution and adaptation is a constant weapons race that is in a perpetual tie.

Trevor Williams, Fort Hays State University graduate student in geoscience, gave the example of a crab trying to eat a shellfish. The shellfish grow thicker shells with more defensive spikes to keep the crabs from eating them. The crabs grow bigger claws to better crack the shells.

Williams said it is like “Alice in Wonderland” when Alice is in the Red Queen’s castle. She is running as fast as she can, but it as if she is standing still.

Faythe, 8, Madison, 8, Evelyn, 4, and Jace, 1, Stropes of Ellis learn about adaptations of crabs and shellfish at the Sternberg Darwin Days.

“That is a way to explain what is going on in the evolutionary arms race,” he said. “Every species is evolving in response to other species. That includes both predators and prey and competition, so it is trying to get any edge it can. When everyone else is doing the same thing, everyone is stuck in one place. They call that the Red Queen’s Hypothesis.”

Another example is rattlesnakes and squirrels. Over time squirrels have developed a tolerance to snakes’ venom. The snakes with the strongest venom are the ones that eat. As a result the snakes’ venom grows stronger with successive generations.

Amber Michels, FHSU graduate students in geoscience, discussed the arctic food web, which is supported by the tiny phytoplankton and krill.

When the sun is up from March to September, there are large plankton blooms. Baleen whales only feed on the tiny krill, so they constantly move from the Arctic to the Antarctic in search of food. Arctic birds, such as terns, puffins and loons, eat fish that eat the krill. Freshwater fish in the arctic have a type of anti-freeze that keeps them from freezing.

Julie Robben said the event was an opportunity for her family to get out of the house after so much cold weather.

“We wanted to learn lots about animals and science,” Caleb Robben, 7, said.

Cloudy, cold Monday

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M.L.King Day Patchy freezing fog before 7am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 41. East southeast wind 11 to 15 mph.

Monday Night A slight chance of rain, freezing rain, and sleet before 3am, then a chance of sleet between 3am and 4am, then a chance of snow and freezing rain after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. Southeast wind 8 to 18 mph becoming north after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tuesday A chance of freezing rain before 7am, then a chance of snow and freezing rain between 7am and 9am, then a chance of snow after 9am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 29. Windy, with a north northwest wind 22 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 39 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tuesday NightA 20 percent chance of snow before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 18. Blustery, with a north northwest wind 16 to 21 mph decreasing to 8 to 13 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 31 mph.

WednesdaySunny, with a high near 42.

Wednesday NightPartly cloudy, with a low around 25.

ThursdayPartly sunny, with a high near 34. Breezy.

FHSU grad is new ABBB accountant

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ABBB

The certified public accounting firm of Adams, Brown, Beran & Ball, Chartered (ABBB) is pleased to announce the addition of Brittany Brock to their professional team.

Brock is already familiar with the firm, having served as an intern in the fall of 2017 and a student worker for the previous year. She now steps into the role of staff accountant.

“Throughout the course of her time with us as an intern and a student worker, she has gone above and beyond for our clients,” said Brian Staats, CPA, CGMA, managing partner of ABBB. “We look forward to watching her continued growth as a full-time member of the ABBB team.”

A recent graduate of Fort Hays State University, Brock earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting in 2018. Prior to that, she attended Barton Community College, earning an associate degree. Brock currently resides in Hays.

OPINION: Moran is ‘part of the resistance’

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Jim McLean

He’ll cringe when he reads this but, Republican U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran is part of “the resistance.”

Not always in obvious ways. Moreover, not in ways that come close to comforting those who view President Donald Trump as a clear and present danger to the nation.

But in his own quiet, Kansas way, Moran resists the chaos of Trump’s Washington by advocating for a return to “regular order” in the U.S. Senate and the nation.

Different in style but still much like his late colleague, Sen. John McCain of Arizona.

An institutionalist, Moran says there is no excuse for the federal shutdown. For the failure of Congress and the White House to negotiate compromises and fund the government.

Just before Christmas, Moran voted against a stopgap measure that would have averted a shutdown — but only for a few weeks. He said congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle had grown used to cutting corners, taking the easy way out. “Punting” instead of staying at the negotiating table and resolving differences.

“We’ve done this too many times,” he said.

Indeed, they have. Congress managed to pass all of its required appropriations bills only four times since the mid-1970s.

To resolve the current stalemate, Moran is urging his colleagues and the White House to agree to a compromise. One that would give the president some of the border security funding he wants in exchange for reinstating protections for undocumented immigrants brought into the country as children.

There are other examples of Moran breaking ranks.

Just the other day, despite pressure from the White House and GOP leaders, Moran voted with Senate Democrats to stop the administration from lifting some of the sanctions imposed on Russia for its attack on our democracy. His vote backed penalties on three companies controlled by oligarch closely tied to both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Paul Manafort, the one-time manager of Trump’s 2016 campaign.

Moran was one of only 11 Republican senators to support the resolution, which fell three votes short of the number needed to advance it to a final vote.

He also was quick to speak out when the New York Times reported recently that Trump was once again on the verge of pulling the U.S. out of NATO. Moran made his opposition clear, saying a “unified NATO alliance is essential to sustaining American security and prosperity.”

A few weeks earlier, Moran criticized the president’s abrupt decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria. That decision triggered the resignation of Defense Secretary James Mattis, whom Moran praised as a leader who provided needed “stability” during a time of “transition and uncertainty.”

Perhaps Moran’s most celebrated maverick moment came in July 2017 when he voted against an Obamacare repeal bill that Trump and Republican leaders desperately wanted. He cast his “no” vote on a procedural motion that temporarily stopped the repeal effort in its tracks.

Characteristically, Moran didn’t oppose replacing Obamacare with something else. He just didn’t like the closed-door process used to write the bill or that it was little more than a Republican power play.

“Trying to do something with one party alone is a mistake,” Moran told me at the time. “I’ve called for all 100 senators to be involved in the process by which we repeal and replace or we fix the Affordable Care Act.”

Moran the institutionalist. Imagine every member of the Senate — Republican and Democrat alike — participating in an open process of give-and-take resulting in something that resembles consensus on an important piece of legislation.

Naïve perhaps. Nevertheless, an ideal worth shooting for.

So there’s no misunderstanding, I’m not making the case that Jerry Moran is a one-man bulwark against the chaos and disorder of the Trump presidency.

He carefully picks his battles. And when he does speak up, his criticism of the president is often muted.

But that’s understandable. He’s a right-center Republican from a state that Trump carried by a wide margin. Plus, he’s cautious by nature. Just ask his congressional colleagues or those he served with in the Kansas Legislature.

But he’s also a Kansan. As such, he understands that much of what is under attack these days belongs to the legacy of fellow Kansan Dwight Eisenhower. The post-World War II order built by the U.S. and its European allies to defend democracy and keep the peace.

Jim McLean is the chief political reporter for the Kansas News Service. He’s covered politics and state government for more than 35 years. You can reach him on Twitter @jmcleanks. 

Mayor signs proclamation for Hays School Choice Week

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CITY OF HAYS

To all Citizens of the City of Hays, Greetings:

WHEREAS, all children in Hay should have access to the highest-quality education possible; and

WHEREAS, Hays recognizes the important role that an effective education plays in preparing all students in Hays to be successful adults; and

WHEREAS, quality education is critically important to the economic vitality of Hays; and

WHEREAS, Hays is home to a multitude of high-quality public and nonpublic schools from which parents can choose for their children, in addition to families who educate their children in the home; and

WHEREAS, educational variety not only helps to diversify our economy, but also enhances the vibrancy of our community; and

WHEREAS, Hays has many high-quality teaching professionals in all types of school settings who are committed to educating our children; and

WHEREAS, School Choice Week is celebrated across the country by millions of students, parents, educators, schools and organizations to raise awareness of the need for effective educational options;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JAMES MEIER, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF HAYS, KANSAS, do hereby recognize January 20-26, 2019 as Hays School Choice Week and I call this observance to the attention of all of our citizens.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the City of Hays this 10th day of January, 2019.

James Meier, Mayor

Sunny, warmer Sunday

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Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 45. Wind chill values as low as 4 early. South southwest wind 6 to 8 mph becoming north northeast in the afternoon.
Tonight
Areas of fog after 9pm. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 22. East wind 8 to 14 mph.
M.L.King Day
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph.
Monday Night
A slight chance of rain before 1am, then a slight chance of rain and snow between 1am and 2am, then a slight chance of snow after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. Blustery, with a southeast wind 9 to 14 mph becoming north northwest 17 to 22 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tuesday
A 30 percent chance of snow, mainly between 7am and noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 30. Very windy, with a north northwest wind 24 to 33 mph, with gusts as high as 48 mph.
Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 19. Blustery.
Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 42.
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 25.
Thursday
Partly sunny, with a high near 34.

Megalodon shark exhibit splashing down at Sternberg Feb. 2

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By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

Two visitors stand next to replica jaws of the now-extinct megalodon shark. (Courtesy photo)

The newest traveling exhibit to come to the Sternberg Museum of Natural History will feature the biggest shark to ever swim in the oceans.

“Megalodon: The largest shark that ever lived” will have a walk-in replica of the massive shark that stretched to 60 feet and weighed an estimated 72 tons.

The exhibit is set to open to the public on Saturday, Feb. 2. The museum will have a members-only opening from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1. The traveling exhibit is set to be at the Sternberg through Labor Day.

Megalodon are believed to have lived 23 million to 2.6 million years ago. Despite myths and legends perpetuated by movies like last summer’s “Meg,” the megalodon is long extinct.

As with modern sharks, megalodon bodies were primarily comprised of cartilage. All that remains of these giants today is their teeth, which could grow to seven inches. Megalodon were on the scene after the inland sea that covered Kansas vanished. However, fossil teeth can still be found in the Carolinas.

Visitors touch megalodon shark teeth at the “Megalodon: The largest shark that ever lived” exhibit. The traveling exhibit will open at the Sternberg on Feb. 2. (Courtesy photo)

Portions of the exhibit will allow people to look and touch megalodon teeth as well as view the progression of the shark’s jaw size as they grew from 30 feet to their full 60 feet.

Scientists believe megalodon preyed upon whales. Tooth marks have been found in fossilized whale bones.

Scientists are divided about the relationship between megalodon and modern sharks. Some scientists believe the megalodon are related to modern great white sharks and makos. However, others believe the megalodon evolved into another shark species that is also now extinct.

Visitors to the exhibit will also learn about modern sharks, their habitats and prey.

Darrah Steffen, Sternberg public relations assistant, said she thinks Americans’ fascination with sharks is born out of fear. However, she said it is important to dispel myths and create awareness to protect modern sharks in the wild.

“I think it is important to bring awareness even if we are in the middle of the United States,” she said. “Because you don’t want people to fear [sharks] if they ever come in contact with them.”

A boy stands inside the mouth of a life-size sculpture of a megalodon shark. (Courtesy photo)

Rachel Unruh, marketing intern, noted sharks are not the mindless killing machines as they have been portrayed. Sharks are calculated hunters and humans are not their typical prey.

“It is fear to fascination,” she said of the exhibit.

The exhibit was created by the University of Florida.

 

Ellis city council reorganizes in new year

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ELLIS – In a Jan. 14 meeting filled with reorganization of appointments for the new year, the Ellis City Council unanimously elected Holly Aschenbrenner as Council President. City Clerk Amy Burton administered the oath of office to newly elected council members Steve Ferland, Martin LaBarge, and incumbent Jolene Niernberger.

Mayor David McDaniel announced the consultant updating the Ellis County Comprehensive Plan will hold a meeting in Ellis Thu.,  January 31 at 8:00 a.m. to gather input for the city.

The complete meeting minutes follow.

 

ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING

Minutes

January 14, 2019

 

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor David McDaniel called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members Bret Andries, Holly Aschenbrenner, Steve Ferland, Martin LaBarge, Jolene Niernberger, and Bob Redger.  Also present were Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, City Clerk Amy Burton, and Police Chief Taft Yates.  City Attorney Olavee Raub was absent.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

ADMINISTER OATH OF OFFICE TO NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIALS

Personnel: Entry

City Clerk Amy Burton administered the Oath of Office to newly elected Council members Steve Ferland, Martin LaBarge, and Jolene Niernberger.

AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA

Mayor David McDaniel requested the addition of consideration of the purchase of vehicles for the Public Works Department.

PUBLIC PRESENT

Sam Pyle, Dan Pyle, Glen Keller, Joleen Fisher, Guy Riedel, Guy Windholz, Nickole Byers (arrived at 7:35 p.m.), Pauleen Edmonds (arrived at 7:35 p.m.), and Travis Kohlrus (arrived at 7:42 p.m.)

CONSENT AGENDA

None

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Guy Windholz, representing the Bukovina Society, thanked Council for their support and work on the Campground Expansion Project.  The Society receives many visitors that are staying at the campground.

PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)

None

SPECIAL ORDER

Museum: Special Project

Sam Pyle presented a slide show of the renovations made to the basement of the Railroad Museum for his Eagle Scout project.  Council member Jolene Niernberger congratulated Mr. Pyle on earning the impressive Eagle Scout designation.

NEW BUSINESS

Personnel: Position

Council member Bob Redger made a motion to elect Council member Holly Aschenbrenner as Council President.  Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion.  The motion carried 6-0.

General Government: Policy

Annually, the Council designates the official newspapers and official banks for the City to use.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to designate the Hays Daily News and Ellis Review as official newspapers; Equity Bank and Golden Belt Bank as official banks within the City limits; and Emprise Bank and Commerce Bank as the official banks outside the City limits.  Council member Steve Ferland seconded the motion.  The motion carried 6-0.

Tourism: Contracts

Joleen Fisher, representing the Tourism Committee, presented the 2019 advertising packages for the City.  The proposal includes Eagle Community TV, Eagle Radio, Central Brochure Distribution, and the Ellis Review.  Council requested that the television advertising be refreshed more often, and for the Committee to possibly look into adding directional signage for the museums and campground.  Council member Bob Redger moved to approve the 2019 advertising proposals from Eagle Community TV ($4,200); Eagle Radio ($2,448); Central Brochure Distribution ($600); and the Ellis Review ($1,000) for a total of $8,248, with funds to come from the Tourism Fund.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion.  The motion carried 6-0.

General Government: Financial

Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve Resolution No. 552 authorizing employees and City officials to use the City’s credit card.  Council member Steve Ferland seconded the motion.  The motion carried 6-0.

Special Machinery: Acquisition

Council member Bret Andries requested consideration of the purchase of two pickups for the Public Works Department tonight due to the time frame involved.  The second pickup is available for purchase at auction on Friday.  Guy Riedel, Auto Standard owner, is offering to sell a 2015 Ford F250 at a price of $19,900, or $18,500 if two trucks are purchased.  The second truck, a 2012 Ford F250, would be sold at a price of $15,500.  Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman stated he was not aware of the specifications of the second pickup until late afternoon, and does not believe it is a viable choice for the Department; however, he has looked at the 2015 Ford truck and believes it would be a good fit for the Department.  Since Mr. Scheuerman is not interested in the 2012 Ford up for auction on Friday, Council member Holly Aschenbrenner requested more time to review the purchase of the vehicle.  Also, the City’s purchasing policy states that competitive bids must be received for purchases exceeding $10,000.  Mr. Riedel feels confident he will be able to find a second pickup to fit the City’s needs and would be willing to sell the 2015 Ford for the reduced price.  Council member Jolene Niernberger made a motion to purchase the 2015 Ford F250 from Auto Standard, LLC in the amount of $18,500, with funds to come from the Special Machinery Fund.  Council member Martin LaBarge seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-1, with Council member Holly Aschenbrenner opposed.

REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS

Public Works

Mr. Scheuerman asked if the new Council was interested in continuing the annual street seal maintenance program.  The program seals approximately 40-45 blocks a year, encompassing the entire City over the span of six years.  It was the consensus of Council to continue the program.  Mr. Scheuerman will present cost estimates at the next meeting.

Police

Police Chief Taft Yates reported that Officer Kolas began employment on January 7th and has already qualified on the Department’s firearms and taser.

City Clerk

City Clerk Amy Burton requested that the Governing Body complete the Authorization to Release Personal Contact Information that was included in their Council packet, and to check available dates to hold Council orientation.

Attorney

Mayor Update and Announcements

Mayor David McDaniel presented a Resolution declaring the City’s intent to remain in the Kansas PRIDE Program.  Council requested the Resolution be inserted into the Council packets for the next meeting.

The consultant updating the Ellis County Comprehensive Plan will hold a meeting in Ellis on January 31st at 8:00 a.m. to gather input for the City.

Council member Holly Aschenbrenner asked if the Council was interested again in sponsoring the meal for the Community Block Party.  It was the consensus of the Council to support the event.

ADJOURNMENT

Council member Bret Andries moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting.  The motion carried 6-0.  The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.

 

OPINION: The Color Purple

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Gov. Laura Kelly (R-KS)

We should be decades beyond commenting on what women politicians wear. We don’t, usually, notice what kind of suits the dudes in office are sporting. Men, especially, should steer clear of this topic.

Notice anyway that Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly wore purple pants and purple boots at a chilly inauguration on Monday. Maybe she just liked the outfit. Maybe the pants and boots were particularly toasty. But because the color’s handy, let’s draw some symbolism from it.

She’s a blue governor in a red state. Is Kansas becoming more purple? Maybe. It replaced one Republican congressman with a Democratic congresswoman. Kelly’s win over Kris Kobach, a Democrat over a Republican, might also suggest the state’s hue is trending magenta. And a few moderate Republican lawmakers recently declared themselves Democrats.

But is the state really becoming a blend of red and blue? Or is it becoming more distinctly red and blue?

Remember that Kobach barely beat then-Gov. Jeff Colyer in the Republican primary. They differed little on policy. Lower taxes. Smaller government. Less regulation. No abortion. Their differences were more in style. Had Colyer won the primary — again, he lost by this much — it’s entirely plausible that he’d be governor today. Kelly was propelled to office every bit as much by antipathy for confrontation-happy Kobach as she was by support for the mild messages she used in her campaign.

What’s more, Democratic governors aren’t that novel here. Of the last 10 governors, half have been Democrats.

Those party switchers? They were already occasionally voting with Democrats. Their switches came with some tactical benefits.

Yes, more Democrats got elected to the Kansas House this year. But so did more deeply conservative Republicans. It was the moderate, purple middle that faded a tad.

Or there’s another way to look at our color theme. In Alice Walker’s novel, The Color Purple, it was a reference to a bruise. Kelly certainly looks at state government as wounded by tax cuts that begat revenue drops that begat budget cuts.

As she looks to restore spending — for better foster care, smoother highways, safer prisons, more robust schools — she’ll struggle against a Republican leadership in the Legislature that’s even more conservative than it was a year ago. Some of those folks will run for the U.S. Senate and have every reason to appeal to the right-wing base of the GOP. And they’ve already signaled that they’ll fight back against Democratic tax-and-spend tendencies.

She ended her State of the State speech declaring it was time to get to work. She needs to brace for a fight.

Scott Canon is the managing editor of Kansas News Service.

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