The effort to register voters for the May 9th school bond election is under way in Junction City. Voters could go to the polls to cast ballots on a proposed new Junction City High School.
Megan Katt and Abby Khoury registered voters Tuesday at Lincoln Elementary School during the time parents were visiting the school for parent – teacher conferences.
Khoury stated they were also providing information about the JCHS Way Forward campaign. On the turnout Tuesday she said, ” We’ve had a lot of people interested in what we’re doing and we’ve had a good amount of people registering, which is nice.” Khoury added most of those who were registering are aware of the campaign but they were provided more information to fill in little details.
Registration efforts were held at the JCHS play “Shrek” one night late last week where Khoury noted they were able to reach out to many high school seniors and get them registered.
If the Kansas State Board of Education authorizes state aid and federal heavy impact aid is received by USD 475 for the project as expected, voters on May 9th would be asked to approve a bond issue so the school district could qualify for the state aid funding for a new high school. The local property tax levy would not increase for this project.
There is an effort underway to establish a non-profit long-term senior care facility in Junction City.
Calvin Pottberg, Greater Geary Community Foundation Chairman, said the project will fill a need in the community.
“We’re looking at a greenhouse style that’s almost like an at-home living facility rather than a facility just with wings on it and rooms, this is trying to have it like your home living room facility; we’re excited about and looking forward to it,” said Pottberg.
The facility would cost between $7 -$8 million.
“A new not for profit, long term care facility with everything from an Alzheimer’s unit to independent living to long-term care living…we’re in the process now of acquiring some land and then the next step will be fundraising and looking for other grants,” said Pottberg.
Donations to the project would be facilitated through the Greater Geary Community Foundation.
Work is being done to include Veteran’s Parking Spaces in Junction City.
City Manager Allen Dinkel said the plan is to have spaces only on City lots, which include the parking lot across from the City office building and the parking lot directly east across the street from Heritage Park.
“The [spaces] are to at least acknowledge Veterans and the parking spaces [will be] reserved for those with Veterans license plates,” said Dinkel. “[We] decided to put those not on the street because of a problem with enforcement, but in parking lots so we can give honor to those that have served the country.”
The idea was brought to the City Commission by a member of the public in late 2016.
A final timeline on when the designated parking spots will emerge has not been determined, but the signs will only be on City owned lots.
Nick Brungardt, Walmart (Chestnut St.) General Manager, said he would completely support the effort at his store.
“We have a lot of Veterans that work for us in our store and I think those folks have given a lot for us, and giving them a parking space is probably one of the simplest things that we can do,” said Brungardt.
Ultimately, the decision for Walmart would come from corporate; but would other store owners adapt the reserved parking spaces as well?
Below are some signs that other communities have adopted.
Tell us what you think in the comments below.
photo courtesy FOX 9 Florida, sign in Brevard County, FL
photo courtesy Howard County Chamber of Commerce, Columbia, MO (sample of potential sign)
David Wild has been named the new Chief Operating Officer for Geary County USD 475 effective June 1, 2017.
Wild comes to the District from the Apostolic Academy at Faith Tabernacle Apostolic Church in Junction City where he served as the Principal since July 2014; it was also around that time that Wild became interested in working for USD 475.
“I first became interested in the position in 2014 when I was approaching retirement and at that time I redirected myself after being invited to come be the Principal at Apostolic Academy,” said Wild.
Wild said it was important to him to see the Academy work through some changes and work with the pastor of the church to see the school excel.
“Those changes were coming to an end, and my term of employment looked like I could probably move on and when Mr. Clark announced that he was resigning to move on to St. John’s Military Academy, I saw it as another window of opportunity opening up,” said Wild.
As a graduate of Junction City High School, Wild is excited to serve the School District that has served him and his family.
“I’m looking forward to that opportunity to serve in the District and in the community that has served me very well – for my entire lifetime I’ve called it home, other than when I was at Kansas State University – my wife taught at Junction City High School for over 30 years and she retired in 2012; our kids attended school in the community and I have been active in the community through one program or another my entire life, so to be able to now give back to the community is very attractive to me and I’m looking forward to it,” said Wild.
Wild is the former Director of Contracting for the First Infantry Division at Fort Riley, a position where he managed millions of dollars in budgets and construction projects.
“It exposed me to a great deal of contracting processes, which I think was probably attractive for the selection panel for the District,” said Wild.
As USD 475 prepares for a May 9th bond election to pursue a new high school, Wild said that if the bond issue passes he believes he can alleviate some of the concerns expressed by School Board and community members.
“People are looking for somebody with integrity and they’ve got to have confidence with somebody that is going to do the right thing regardless of the pressure that may come upon them, so my faith serves well in making sure that I am doing what’s best by the taxpayer,” said Wild.
Wild is a resident of Milford, Kansas.
“On behalf of Geary County Schools, I want to welcome Mr. Wild to USD 475. He’s a lifelong resident of Geary County, a graduate of Junction City High School, and has a passion for working in a support role for our schools and the community.” Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Corbin Witt.
The rodeo arena at the fairgrounds could possibly see a new improvement in the future.
The Geary County Commission met with members of the 4-H / Senior Citizens Building Committee on Monday, with commissioner Ben Bennett reporting afterward that there was some discussion about possibly putting a fence around the rodeo arena. “So that you’ll have to have a key access to get into the arena area.”
It is merely a suggestion at this point. No final action has been taken.
The Junction City Military Affairs Council will host their next monthly breakfast on Thursday, March 23rd at 7:30 a.m. at the convention center in Junction City.
The deadline to register for the breakfast will be Friday, March 17th at 5 p.m.
The cost of the breakfast is $12 per person. New this year is a military service member rate of $10. The fee is payable by check or cash at the door or online at the Chamber of Commerce at info@jcacc.org or by calling the Chamber at 762-2632.
The public office hours for the Geary County Attorney’s office will undergo a slight change this week.
Currently the office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. but that will change to 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Staff will continue to work, however , from 4 to 5 p.m. County Attorney Krista Blaisdell confirmed the staff will still be working 37-and-a-half hour weeks.
Pat Hunter to the far left, photo taken Dec. 2015 after County signed agreement with rural health network
The longtime Director of the Geary County Health Department, Pat Hunter, has informed the Geary County Commission of her intent to retire, effective June 19th.
Hunter noted that she has seen many changes in her tenure, but the greatest one is that over the past 10 years the agency passed its annual audits without material findings. The last audit was completed in September of 2015. Hunter also stated in a letter to County Human Resources Director John Thummel that also noteworthy was when the agency transition from a city – county operation to become a Geary County entity in 2015 the financial balance sheet transferred to the Geary County treasury totaled more than $900,000.
Hunter also noted, “Through the fiscal oversight of the Health Department by the combined City-County Board of Health the agency was able to expand / renovate the existing building without financial assistance from the City or County due to the fact that monies were saved for over 10 years to complete the planned expansion.”
Hunter said grants coming into the health department vary depending on funding sources, and will continue to be a source of concern as the federal and state agencies struggle to find funds for appropriation to the local agencies to do population services. “The local agency is responsible for managing all hazards, public health emergencies with its local partners during a crisis. This too over time will decrease in funding but the responsibilities will still belong to the County to protect the citizens of Geary County.”
With the pasture burning season rapidly approaching, landowners often have questions or receive conflicting information about prescribed burning.
The Geary County Extension Office, in conjunction with Geary County Emergency Management Services and the Kansas Livestock Association will be co-hosting a roundtable discussion on prescribed burning in Geary County.
The meeting is slated for 7 p.m., Tuesday evening, March 21st at the Geary County 4-H/Sr. Citizens Building, 1025 S. Spring Valley Rd. in Junction City. There will be discussion of the state and county open burning regulations, Flint Hills Smoke Management plan and the many other factors that must be dealt with in prescribed burning.
In addition to the previously mentioned agencies, a representative with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment will be present to discuss smoke management issues. Following presentations by the representatives the floor will be opened to questions and comments to provide clarification and input from
landowners regarding prescribed burning and smoke management.
The program is free and open to the public. Grazing land managers are encouraged to attend.
For more information contact Chuck Otte, Geary County Extension Office at 238-4161 or cotte@ksu.edu.
