Futuristic discussion about the potential for growth in the Flint Hills region was a focus at the Leaders Retreat over the weekend. Members of the Junction City, Manhattan and Wamego participated in the two-day retreat.

Junction City Manager Allen Dinkel referred to a presentation by one speaker that indicated there is the potential for a population growth of 100,000 people in the area in the future over the next 40 to 50 years. Dinkel added he felt that was a positive that at least futuristically, somebody was looking at the region and saying there was potential for growth. ” Of course it’s going to be us to decide how we get there working with the communities and everything else, and how do we enhance that.”

Dinkel said Major General Joseph Martin, commanding general of the 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley, did a good job of instilling the importance of Fort Riley to providing protection to the region, state and nation.

There has been interest in trying to bring another brigade of soldiers, about 5,400 troops to Fort Riley in the future. Dinkel said there was some discussion of that topic. “He kind of said it’s going to be up to Big Army.”  The city manager added, “I think we’re on the radar screen and just what we do to get there.” Dinkel planned to meet with the Manhattan city manager to talk about the kind of local efforts that can be made to try to help make that happen.

The retreat included reports on the activities in the different cities in the region to learn how the communities fit in together and how they can work collaboratively together to create more growth in the area.

The commanding general of the 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley, Major General Joseph Martin, was one of the featured speakers during the Flint Hills Regional Leaders Retreat Friday in Olathe.

Topics ranging from Fort Riley to K-State Career Services and Kansas City Federal Reserve were covered.

The retreat continues Saturday morning with community and region reports, and Stan Longhoffer of Wichita State University will discuss housing.

Chamber of Commerce and community members from Junction City, Manhattan and Wamego plus representatives from Fort Riley participate in the annual retreat. This year it is being held at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Olathe Conference Center.

The event is being sponsored by the Chambers of Commerce in Manhattan, Junction City and Wamego.

The reorganization of the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce was a key agenda item for the Board of Directors when they met Friday morning. The meeting was held in Olathe just ahead of the Flint Hills Regional Leaders Retreat.

Board member Ben Bennett reported that they started with the reorganization of the Chamber board and the Chamber of Commerce under new direction with three entities. “A chamber membership Division, an EDC Division, and a Military Affairs Division. ”

Committees were set up to search for new membership and military affairs directors. Bennett added, “We have an Economic Development Director who will oversee the total operation but from an EDC perspective.”

Bennett said EDC Director Mickey Fornaro-Dean will be the Economic Development Director / Chamber of Commerce Director. Fornaro-Dean, who was initially hired as an EDC Director, has also been working in the Chamber CEO role on an interim basis in recent months, but that interim tag can now be removed.

The Chamber reorganization follows the resignation or retirement of former employees, and the decision by the Geary County Commission to remove the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau from the Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber Board decision on the reorganization goes to the City and County Commissions for a final approval in the future.

Approximately 30 people from Junction City are attending the Flint Hills Regional Leaders Retreat. Others from Manhattan, Wamego and Fort Riley also attend that two-day event which began Friday and continues on Saturday.

        TOPEKA, KAN. – An indictment unsealed Thursday alleges three Kansas residents lied on forms they filled out to purchase firearms, U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said. All three defendants were soldiers stationed at Fort Riley.

          Johny Perez, 26, Junction City, Kan., is charged with six counts of making false statements on ATF Form 4473 when he purchased firearms from licensed dealers, and one count of dealing firearms without a federal license. Jorge Flores, 26, Fort Riley, is charged with two counts of making false statements when he purchased firearms. Maya George, 22 Fort Riley, is charged with one count of making a false statement when she purchased firearms.

          All three defendants are accused of falsely denying that they were acquiring the firearms on behalf of other buyers. The firearms were purchased from Jack and Dick’s Jewelry and Loan in Junction City, Godfrey’s Indoor Shooting and Archery Ranges in Junction City and Quantico Tactical Supply in Junction City.

          If convicted, they face up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each count of making a false statement. Dealing guns without a license carries a penalty of up to five years and a fine up to $250,000. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard is prosecuting.

Jim Cross

Public information officer for U.S. Attorney Tom Beall in the District of Kansas