Sundown Salute 2016 will forever be remembered as an epic night of rock and roll.

The 1st Infantry Division Rock band opened the evening at 6:00 pm, followed by Cimino rocking the stage at 7:30 pm.

The crowd began thickening around 7:00pm and reached record breaking proportions during Bret Michael’s performance at 9:00pm.

Sundown Salute Director Sharon Glessner estimated the crowd size Saturday evening.

“It was definetely over 20,000 with it being a record crowd,” said Glessner.

Cool temperatures with a gloomy overcast threatened to halt the Sundown Salute festivities, but nothing was going to stop the many devoted Bret Michaels fans from having a good time.

“That’s crazy on july 3rd [for temperatures to be] 70 degrees, but we’ll take it, anything, just no rain,” said Glessner.

During his performance, Michaels mentioned returning to Junction City for next year’s Fourth of July celebrations.

After the concert, Bret Michaels spoke exclusively with JC Post.

“First of all, Junction City rocked – I’ve had one of the best days of my life…It was an amazing crowd, we would be proud to be back here next year,” said Michaels.

Glessner said she was thrilled beyond words.

“[That] was awesome; I kind of choked a little bit. We would love to have him back; he loved it here, he loves the military, the soldiers…he’s a great supporter of all of this and he loves Kansas too,” said Glessner.

Michaels rocked out to fan favorites as the enormous crowd in Heritage Park in downtown Junction City sang along.

“It was an awesome night…It was three generations of people just partying,” said Michaels.

Michaels comes from a family legacy of military service members and he loved Junction City’s connection to the armed forces.

“I was overseas, [we] were over in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait with a lot of the men and women that were here [tonight] so it made it really special for me,” said Michaels.

During his performance, Michaels invited Major General Wayne W. Grigsby Jr, Command Sergeant Major Joseph Cornelison and the 1st Infantry Division Rock Band on stage for a special tribute.

“It was just a great time for everybody, I can’t imagine anybody that didn’t have a good time,” said Glessner.

Immediately after the concert, Junction City Interim Police Chief Dan Breci said despite the large number in attendance there were no reported incidents.

“It’s been a great night, no incidents in the park and everybody’s behaving; you wouldn’t think you could fit 20,000 people in our park,” said Breci.

Two things are certain about July 3, 2016:  1. Bret Michaels rocked Junction City with record breaking crowds; 2. we can look forward to next year being just as awesome.

 

“I’m here next year, they won’t be able to keep us away and I hope it’s on Fourth of July week – but I’m coming back,” said Michaels

Vietnam veterans from the 137th Engineer Company were welcomed home in Junction City on Saturday. They were in Junction City for a reunion.

The group toured the Milford Lake Dam and then received a Sheriff’s Department and combat veterans motorcycle association escort into Junction City to the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel where they were greeted by friends, family, and community leaders.

Mayor Mick McCallister told the veterans we are proud of them. “Lessons learned in Vietnam and more importantly lessons learned throughout the United States for when you came home is the reason why we gather at events like this because you did not get the welcome home that you deserved. ” McCallister said he was proud to be in their prescence.

Junction City Commissioner Phyllis Fitzgerald and Geary County Commissioner Ben Bennett also welcomed the veterans during the ceremony.

A member of the unit, Gary Farris, said the 137th Engineers were formed early in the summer of 1966 and left for Vietnam in May of 1967. They were stationed at Fort Riley for about 10 months.

This unit helped with the project to build the Milford Lake dam. Farris stated, “Before we left to go to Vietnam we were an engineer unit, and we instrumental in starting the project with the Corps of Engineers. ”

“We did a lot of surveying. We had earth movers, scrapers, dozers. They all worked on the dam hauling in rock, hauling in dirt, landfill, getting the beaches ready for the boats. The unit worked on the dam for about six months until they left for Vietnam. Ferris added members departed for Vietnam and no one in the unit saw the dam until they had a reunion in 2006.

The welcome home Saturday was a surprise event. Upon arriving at the Courtyard by Marriott, Farris noted he cried. “And I know half the guys, or all the guys on the bus cried.”

The welcome home ceremony was the idea of Farris’ granddaughter Kimberly Archer. Farris said he knew something was up but she wouldn’t tell him. Once a sheriff’s department patrol car arrived with lights flashing, he stated he then knew what was occurring. Then the motorcycle group met the unit as they headed toward Junction City. “I was just at awe, it was just beautiful.

Upon their arrival the soldiers were greeted by a Junction City fire truck displaying a huge American flag, and others waving smaller flags.

The flags were provided by Jim Clark Chevrolet Cadillac.

 

 

 

UPDATE:

At approximately 9 p.m. Saturday Salute was cancelled for the remainder of the evening due to the rain. Sundown Salute  will resume as scheduled on Sunday.

The performance by Thunderhead – A Tribute to Rush, did not occur due to the cancellation Saturday night.

Prior to the rain the coordinator for Sundown Salute, Sharon Glessner, estimated there were about 2,000 people in attendance in the Heritage Park area in downtown Junction City.

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As of 8:25 p.m. Saturday the Sundown Salute activities were continuing in downtown Junction City, despite the rain that was received.

Police Chief Dan Breci confirmed the crowd numbers dwindled after the rain began and the vendor’s tents were down. But food was still being served in the food court, and the Ottaway Amusements carnival continued to operate.  The concerts are progressing.

 

A relatively cool evening greeted festival goers at Sundown Salute in downtown Junction City Friday evening.

Police Chief Dan Breci estimated the turnout at approximately 4,000 people for the activities. That include a country music performance by the Phil Vandel Band, Motown, Funk and Soul by the Funk Syndicate, and a performance by Boogie Wonderland.

Breci said late Friday evening the crowd was fantastic, everyone was behaving and having a good time. He praised the performing groups. “I think the groups are great. They’re really fantastic. I ‘ve been saying for the last three hours I thought this place would be packed tonight just because the weather is so nice.”

Vendor Coordinator Sam Niemcyzk noted there are 12 food vendors and more than 25 craft vendors selling items ranging from toy and clothing to chain metal outfits. “They’ve actually got a Wonder Woman chain metal outfit over there. That looks really neat.”The number of craft vendors is a big increase from a year ago.The food vendors range from those selling funnel cake to chicken on a stick.

Junction City Commissioner Phyllis Fitzgerald enjoyed seeing all the people up in front of the audience during the concerts that were dancing. On her favorite activity, Fitzgerald said, “My favorite thing to do down here is to walk around, visit with people I know, meet new people, enjoy the music and just really try to have a good time down here.”

Sundown Salute is scheduled to continue Saturday beginning with a car show from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.  Activities in Heritage Park will range from the All Star Stunt Dogs Challenge at 11 a.m. to Keith Leff the magician at 1:15 and 3 p.m.

The Saturday evening concert lineup includes Battle of the Bands at 5:30 p.m. followed by Goddesses of Rock at 7 p.m. and Thunderhead – A Tribute to Rush at 9 p.m.

Kicking off the beginning of another successful Sundown Salute was the annual Hot Dog Feed hosted by the Junction City Fire Department in conjuction with Sundown Salute.

This year the goal was to feed 500 people a meal that consisted of two hot dogs, chips, a cookie and water.

Rick Rook, Junction City Fire Chief says that a lot of planning and volunteers help bring this annual event together.

“We try and involve some people from the community, we’ve got a city commissioner, we’ve also got the new Chief of Staff for Fort Riley and we’ve got other community members that want to come out and be involved and we’re happy to have their assistance,” said Rook.

Vice Mayor and City Commissioner Phyllis Fitzgerald, and Colonel Chuck Masaracchia, the new Chief of Staff for Fort Riley were amongst the volunteers.

Masaracchia has only been in the area for two weeks and says that he already feels welcome in the community.

“I got to come out and represent Fort Riley and really put a spin from the military that Fort Riley is a part of Junction City and the local community and the local community is part of Fort Riley. The Big Red One and [Commanding] General Grigsby does an outstanding job with his community outreach and getting us out here and involved with the community,” said Masaracchia.

 

Sharon Glessner, Director of Sundown Salute was pleased with the turnout of the Hot Dog Feed.

“I think it was successful because the hot dogs didn’t go as fast because normally they go in 20 minutes and then a lot of people are left out; but tonight, a lot of people just hanging out in the park got the free hot dogs, so I think that was really successful,” said Glessner.

Firefighters and volunteers were able to give out all of their hot dogs to the community.

“This is our way of giving back to the community and get our guys out – and they enjoy doing this, to see the public…it’s a great event,” said Rook.

 

Junction City Mayor Mick McCallister is pointing to accomplishments by the consolidated Chamber of Commerce during the past five years.

He responded to a critical letter released by county officials that stated the near five year results of consolidation have yielded too much indecision and inconsistency that has not generated the type of job creation, revenue and sales tax enhancement worthy of the County’s nearly two million dollars of public funds expended.

The Mayor said, “I believe it’s too soon to give up. We’ve had a lot of turnover, we’ve had a lot of turmoil, but there has been an enormous amount of EDC progress in this community, personally,  over the last three years that I know. I would like for the Chamber to sit down and give us a list, give the media list, what has occurred during those five years.”

McCallister cited CVS Pharmacy, the Walmart Neighborhood Market, and the ACT Call Center that all located in Junction City.

County Commissioners Florence Whitebread and Larry Hicks in a letter have been supportive for redirecting County funds away from the Chamber administration back to individual agencies. Those could include the EDC, CVB, and Military Affairs Council.

McCallister said right now he is a little disappointed in the County Commission. “Specifically we’ve been discussing these options and what should we do. They have brought up we need to change something, and we have offered on many occasions, let’s sit down, talk about it,  come to a compromise, come to a decision and move forward. Since December we have been talking about his, and then all of a sudden we don’t even have a Plan B.”

Prior to consolidation of the Chamber under one umbrella the EDC, CVB, and Military Affairs Council along with what is now the Chamber Activities Division operated seperately.

One member of the Geary County Commission, Ben Bennett, has made it clear that he is a supporter of the consolidated Chamber operation.

 

Geary County USD 475 has selected a new Chief Information Officer.

A graudate of Abilene High School, Karl DeArmond is replacing Jan Pabitzky, who retires on June 30th after 14 years with USD 475.

DeArmond comes to USD 475 with a BBA in Computer Information Systems from Fort Hays State University and a Executive MS from the University of Missouri.

DeArmond currently works as the Director of Information Systems for Geary Community Hospital.

DeArmond will begin duties at Chief Information Officer for USD 475 Geary County Schools on July 18th, 2016, pending School Board approval.

More discussion was on the table for a proposed sports complex in Junction City/Geary county at the joint city – county commission meeting Monday evening.

Ben Bennett, County Commissioner, says they are aggressively moving forward with the project and planning for the sports complex.

“In order to make this thing work, we’ve got to have two things right off the bat – a place, and the money to do it; an

d in order to do that you have to have an organizational structure of somebody to work it and to work all the angles and all the edges that need to be put together,” says Bennett.

Bennett is referring to the contracted project manager position that was discussed several weeks ago to oversee the project from the planning to groundbreaking, and until it is operational.  Bennett said that a job description and formal search for applicants could begin very soon as they expect to have the job description drafted by next week.

Many details on the proposed sports complex are still being withheld at this time.

“We’re not telling anybody anything yet, until we get some more things on the ground,” said Bennett.

Bennett fears if those on the committee to bring the sports complex make sites public that they are considering then landowners and realtors may spike the prices from their current listings.

As for the funding of the project, Bennett says they are still working on the full proposal but are optimistic about finding sources other than taxpayers.

“I think it will work better if it comes from other sources; but the tax money we are using right now is not the tax money that Geary county people have put in the bag, it’s the people who are guests in our hotels,” said Bennett.

The transient guest hotel tax is a fee that is added to hotel stays across the state and nationwide – this is not an exclusive to Geary county tax.

One thing Bennett wants everyone to keep in mind is that this is a great revenue prospect for the community.

This could potentially bring more attractions into the area, but Bennett says that when it comes to bringing more restaurants and attractions to Junction City, that is part of the Economic Development Committee’s (EDC) job, but “[we’re] going to give them a present to work with.”

“I don’t know if we’ll see a sports complex in my lifetime or not,” said Bennett, “but I’m going to work like heck to make sure it comes because it will be a great economic boost to this community.”

The majority of the three-member Geary County Commission wants a critical analysis done of the master agreement that formed the consolidated Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce.

A letter was distributed to city officials at the joint city – county commission meeting on Monday by Commissioner Larry Hicks which stated that the County will budget for the EDC, CVB and Military Affairs Council, but based on what they have seen their position is not to further delegate the Chamber of Commerce as the administrator for disbursement of those public funds. The letter was written by the county counselor on behalf of the county commission.

There is a 2-1 stance on the commission on this issue, with Florence Whitebread also  in support and Ben Bennett opposed.

Whitebread told JC Post, “Well right now we need to get notification that we feel that we need to make some changes. We’re not sure of all the changes, but we needed to get a letter out by July 1, and to start the implementation and the talk about this so that if we come to conclusions on this we can make those by the end of the year and change it.”

The letter said the Commission would prefer these public agencies and the Chamber remain under one roof, with direction from their respective committees as done prior to the consolidated master agreement. It is suggested to redirect the funds away from the Chamber of Commerce and their administration back to the agencies themselves for functionality and operation.

Bennett told JC Post he did not vote for the presentation made at the joint meeting on Monday. ” I am opposed to it, and I’m opposed to the purpose of it, and opposed to why it’s being brought forward in this manner. We did the consolidation in order to bring those four entities together and for them to work together ( EDC, CVB, Military Affairs Council, and Chamber of Commerce).

Bennett noted they worked hard to ensure to cover all the bases they could. “We knew that there would be changes to it, and we did put into it the issue that it needed to be revisited from time, annually actually, and we’ve not done that.”

The letter is also being sent to Mayor Mick McCallister before the July 1 deadline.

The letter states, “The near five year results of consolidation have yielded too much indecision and inconsistency that has not generated the type of job creation, revenue, and sales tax enhancement worthy of the County’s nearly two million dollars of public funds expended. Under the CMA the Chamber of Commerce has been considerably strengthened versus their status prior to the agreement, but their rejuvenation has been at the expense of the EDC, which continues to labor and languish in a state of infertility, often getting caught up in the chamber’s bureaucratic process.”

“Both the EDC and the CVB must get back to results oriented practices, each committee should be responsible for the hiring of individual directors and setting policy. The directorso f each agency are responsible for day to day operations, each will share in the lease and equipment costs on amounts agreed upon. Details on payroll can be worked out by each entity. We support and believe in a strong Chamber of Commerce as demonstrated by our consistent funding of nearly five years but do we continue funding public dollars ad infinitum? We are hopeful that a meaningful dialogue can begin in creating a more thoughtful approach in the modification of the CMA that will lead us to the creation of business development in both the city and county.”