Outgoing Geary County Commissioner Larry Hicks was honored during a reception at the Geary County Office Building on Wednesday.  Hicks, who lost in the November general election race for the 2nd district seat on the county commission, is completing eight years of service on the county commission.

Hicks addressed an audience of community members and county employees attending the reception, “I’m truly humbled that all of you came out and showed your appreciation for the work I’ve tried to accomplish.” He added he believes in Junction City and Geary County.

Hicks cited his continued support of the effort to meet the challenges existing in Geary County as his biggest accomplishment during his time on the county commission.  His time on the commission comes to an end on Monday ( January 9 ).

Charles Stimatze will fill the second district seat on the commission.

 

The National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Geary County:

URGENT – WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TOPEKA KS

 

CLOUD-CLAY-RILEY-GEARY-WABAUNSEE-

INCLUDING THE CITIES OF…CONCORDIA…CLAY CENTER…MANHATTAN…

JUNCTION CITY…ALMA…ESKRIDGE…MAPLE HILL…ALTA VISTA…

MCFARLAND…HARVEYVILLE…PAXICO

…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO

6 AM CST THURSDAY…

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TOPEKA HAS ISSUED A WINTER

WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW…WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS

EVENING TO 6 AM CST THURSDAY.

* TIMING…SNOW WILL BEGIN IN NORTHERN KANSAS DURING THE EARLY

EVENING BEFORE SPREADING TO THE SOUTHEAST OVERNIGHT. THE

ACCUMULATING SNOW WILL TAPER OFF AROUND SUNRISE TOMORROW

MORNING. THERE IS A CHANCE FOR LIGHT SNOWFALL TO LINGER OVER FAR

EASTERN KANSAS THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING…HOWEVER DO NOT EXPECT

ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS THURSDAY MORNING.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS…SNOWFALL TOTALS IN THE ADVISORY AREA WILL

RANGE FROM 1 TO 3 INCHES. LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS UP TO 4 INCHES

ARE POSSIBLE…ESPECIALLY NORTH OF INTERSTATE 70 AND EAST OF

HIGHWAY 75.

* MAIN IMPACT…WINTRY PRECIPITATION IS FORECAST TO ACCUMULATE

IN THE AFFECTED AREAS CAUSING HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS.

THOSE WITH TRAVEL PLANS ARE ADVISED TO CHOOSE AN ALTERNATE

ROUTE…OR SHOULD USE EXTREME CAUTION IF TRAVEL IS

UNAVOIDABLE.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW

WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW

COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES…AND USE CAUTION WHILE

DRIVING.

Economic development and growth has struggled in Geary County, but it’s not an isolated issue.

Dave Baker, 68th District House of Representatives, said that it’s an issue that clouds the entire State.

“The idea that people come [to an area] because of cheap taxes, obviously, that did not work…we need to get back on track and get a good balance,” said Baker.

GOP Governor Sam Brownback slashed personal income taxes in 2011 with the belief that it would create business expansion and thus prompt a wave of hiring. Baker said he’s a “firm believer” that the way to “get Kansas back on track” is to reinvigorate the Commerce Department and get more businesses to move to Kansas.

One of the first things a potential business looks at  is the quality of life in an area before deciding to locate there.

“In Kansas we have an unbelievable quality of life, in this area especially look at the recreation that is available here – you have the lakes, you have the Flint Hills, some of the most beautiful country in the entire country that hasn’t been destroyed..and the people, my goodness, everywhere I go in Junction City I am always welcomed,” said Baker.

Baker suggest everyone “tell their story” and promote the quality of life offered in Geary County. Baker suggests enhancing that quality of life with a possible new high school may not be the death sentence many community members fear.

“The schools here in Geary County, my goodness, you have the best schools in the State here, you have so much to be proud of; I’m on the committee that’s looking at the possibility of a new high school here and that’s a situation that every other school district in the state of Kansas is in great envy of,” said Baker.

Understanding the hesitation of the community, Baker is optimistic that this time may be the right time.

“I know there’s been some issues on past endeavors that didn’t come to fruition, but I think [we’re] going to work through that; I think those houses and those lots will be filled in and those will be put back on the tax roll – I don’t think we’re without hope,” said Baker. “One of the biggest improvements that I see happening right now is the 77 Highway project, that has been a real inhibiting factor here for the last few years while it’s been going on, and it looks like it’s about done.”

Proposals for a new high school have suggested relocating on the west side of town off of US-77. The first of two Town Hall meetings to discuss a proposed new high school project is on January 17th.

Baker was a guest on the AM radio talk show JC Now on 1420 KJCK – The Talk of JC.

Phyllis Fitzgerald is the new Mayor of Junction City.

If her name is familiar, it’s because Fitzgerald served as the Vice Mayor in 2016 and is a frequent supporter of community events and projects.

“I am just honored and humbled to have been selected by my fellow Commissioners to be the Mayor of Junction City,” said Fitzgerald who added that it is in her heart to serve. “By heart, I’m a public servant, I love serving, I love serving my community – I am absolutely looking forward to 2017.”

Fitzgerald has been working hard in 2016 on the beautification of Junction City – something she said will carry over into 2017 and in her time as Mayor. In addition to clean-up efforts, Fitzgerald wants to work toward embracing Fort Riley more visibly.

“[We’ve] been talking about having some signs put up on the major thoroughfares…that clearly say ‘Junction City, Home of Fort Riley’, because Junction City is Fort Riley’s hometown,” said Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald said in addition to the 100th Anniversary of the Big Red One, 2017 is a year packed with events in Junction City. “If you don’t get out and adventure out and see what’s happening, you’ll miss out,” said Fitzgerald.

The first female Mayor in Junction City in decades, Fitzgerald wants to continue to be a leader and a servant to the community.

“I absolutely love my community, I love serving and just being a part of the community and helping in any way and place that I can,” said Fitzgerald.

Commissioner Mick McCallister previously served as Mayor of Junction City.

Commissioner Pat Landes was voted Vice Mayor for 2017.

Geary USD 475 cut the ribbon on a new addition at Sheridan Elementary School in Junction City today.

Dr. Corbin Witt, Superintendent, said the students and staff were equally excited for the changes. “It’s a wonderful area, there are three classrooms in the FEMA area so it’s enough to serve the entire school – there are restrooms in that area – so, it is a complete FEMA shelter…there are new technology in the classrooms, and I think everybody was very excited and so it was a great addition to Sheridan.”

Witt said there was a group of teachers that were sharing closet space and the addition was much needed. Sheridan Elementary School principal Dixie Coleman agreed.

“The extra space has been outstanding. Our ESS teachers and service providers now have all the room they need to work in [and] our ELL program now has a nice room for all that they do for our students and staff,” said Coleman.

The addition also included increased parking space.

 

JUNCTION CITY, KAN. – Geary County Schools USD 475 has selected Mr. Matthew Droge as the new Executive Director of Communications, after reviewing several qualified applicants. Mat will start the New Year as the Director of Communications on January 2^nd, pending Board approval. He will replace Hugh Davis, who resigned in November to be closer to his family who have been living in Lincoln, Nebraska for most of 2016. Hugh’s last day will be January 9, 2017.

 

Mat had served as a Law Enforcement Agency Spokesperson for the Riley County Police Department. He comes to Geary County Schools following a successful career as both a police officer and leader in communications and public relations for law enforcement. He is also an experienced strategic and crisis communicator and plans to use these skills to assist the District with strategic planning for upcoming projects and events. His dedication to professionalism and engagement through various communication styles will assist Geary County Schools in building upon relationships with staff, parents, students, and community stakeholders.

 

“I look forward to seeing what this award winning district can accomplish in the future and am excited to be able to highlight the achievements of students and staff. I plan to get started by meeting district staff as well as meeting and continuing to build relationships with community groups,” stated Mat.

 

Mat has been recognized by an international community for his work in public relations for law enforcement and was recently nominated for a Harvard Innovations in American Government Award. He will begin work with the District’s Communications Coordinator, Christine Johnson and Media Specialist, Quilaztli Pastorelli on January 2, 2017. In an outline of his expectations, he lists the importance of building relationships both internally and externally in order to reach common goals within the community.

 

The Executive Director of Communications is largely responsible for overall district communication which includes media relations, web presence, social media, the text messaging system, and crisis planning. Mat will serve as the official school spokesperson and work to highlight the many accomplishments of Geary County Schools in print, broadcast, and online formats.

 

 

Hugh Davis

Executive Director of Communications – USD 475