The Post Podcast

Hays receives Kansas Main Street designation

On this episode of the Post Podcast Downtown Hays Development Corp. executive director Sara Bloom shares details about the Kansas Main Steet program.
 
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Hays microfactory to bring industrial opportunities to the area

On this episode of the Post Podcast, Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams shares information about  the Hays microfactory project. 
 
Transcript:
EDITORS NOTE: Transcripts are provided by an automated service and are not verified for accuracy.
 
James Bell 
A spark grant from the state of Kansas is going to allow Grow Hays to move forward with their microfactory project. Grow Hays, Executive Director Doug Williams stops by to talk to us about that and more on this episode of the Post Podcast.
 
Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams 
It was an exciting week, the Kansas space grants were awarded on Monday, I believe it was. And the bass stands for building a stronger economy. I believe that this was $100 million, that the state of Kansas was putting out for grants to people who applied and fit their criteria. These are funds that came down from the ARPA, federal funds, post COVID infrastructure type bill. And so the Department of Revenue wrote some specifications for grants that they would be willing to do that they had, I believe it was 417, or over 400 applications totaling 1,000,800,000 1,800,000,000, for this 100 million. So clearly, there was a huge demand. But we were fortunate enough to get a, a grant for microfactory, which we've been working on for a while. And so that was terrific news.
 
James Bell 
Yeah, I want to back this up a little bit, because I do remember, we talked about it on this segment A little while back, but this is one of those projects that I think it was kind of flying under the radar. And I really I kind of want to ask this and not in a bad way. But I don't think this grant we we really didn't expect to get this great. Did we? Well, we always expect well, I know you want the you applied and you hope but
 
Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams 
You know, we you just never know in these situations, you hope you put forth a good proposal, David Klingon, who is our new Director of Recruitment and retainment put together a great grant proposal explained it very well. And so but you never know, when you send them in, there were at least five grants submitted from Ellis County, we submitted a couple a couple other people submitted a couple. And I think there was one other one that I'm aware of. And this was the only one in Ellis County that was awarded. So we were we were happy about that. In looking at the criteria, it was it was very much economic development driven. And many, many of the applications were infrastructure related streets, roads, that kind of thing. And we put one in for infrastructure as well, and the Tallgrass edition. And it was clear by the awards that they didn't do a lot of infrastructure stuff, they they really narrowed down projects that were economic development related. And that's what this microfactory really is, is a long term economic development engine. We hope it's an incubator for manufacturers. And so I think that's why it received the attention it did and got the award.
 
James Bell 
You know, I want to talk about this kind of a facility in detail, the one that's proposed here, but, you know, this is really something I think that's kind of new to the industry, you run the brief space down there, that co working space and for office, kind of jobs. But, you know, I haven't really heard anything about this kind of a microfactory concept isn't relatively new.
 
Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams 
It is at least as far as I know, I've not seen much of it out there. But it makes a lot of sense. Just like brief space makes a lot of sense. It's an incubator, in this case, and microfactory is an incubator for manufacturers, this, this building will be a 30,000 square foot structure built to the specifications that manufacturers need, you know, tall ceilings, large overhead doors, the opportunity maybe to put in a overhead crane of some sort, or what have you. And this 30,000 square feet will be sliced up in five or six areas of five to six to seven, you know, it might slice and dice a little differently depending on who goes in and what you need. But we will offer it to a small manufacturer or an existing manufacturer who has a new idea and need some space to develop that idea. A small, maybe an inventor who has an idea for an invention but just needs some space, as well as some assistance to bring this product to market. And then the hope is that they they go into this space at a considerably reduced rate of rent, they develop their product, build their business and outgrow it so that we can then build them another building and have them expand into that and then move the next guy in where they were and so that's the concept we're excited about it i think i think it's got good opportunity for the community and and I think it'll be really good.
 
James Bell 
Yeah, absolutely. And I think for Hey, specifically we've talked about this in the past Hays is primarily a white collar economy and this can help maybe drive some of that opportunity space that we're that we have here in the region.
 
Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams 
Well absolutely Hays in our our three largest employers are the Medical Center, the University and USD 489 Was your primarily white collar office type jobs. We have some manufacturing obviously with inner sis and Hess and cross and size wise and and what Not but we don't have a lot of manufacturing. And this is an area of opportunity for us and an area that we believe we need to grow this part of our economy in an effort to kind of diversify things and have a broader range of of job options in our community. And so this will be a great opportunity to do that. And we need some more manufacturing here. And this, this should we hope, over time, provide that opportunity to grow some manufacturers.
 
James Bell 
Very cool. Now, I know, location, and a lot of the details have yet to be worked out because it really was kind of a conceptual plan when the grant was applied. And now you've got the money now, we have to actually make it go. But I don't know if you want to talk a little bit about some of those specifics on this project that will be the people will see is it's kind of coming to fruition.
 
Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams 
Sure. You know, as you say that the easy parts over now we have to actually execute and make it happen. But the proposed location is at the corner of ninth and commerce Parkway, which is just to the south of Glassman Corporation, that's an area owned by heart America development and has had seen some activity out there lately, there's been a couple of lots sell out there. And, and this is on one of those lots that they have available. It's about a five or six acre tract, which will house this structure nicely and would even add allow for some potential additional development of structure if need be. It's it's a great location from the standpoint that it's easily accessible to highway 40. Right down the street is on day 70. So it's a great spot for shipping things in and out and that kind of thing. And, and so we think it's a great spot for it. timeframe, this has to be done, doesn't have to be done. But the guidelines require about two years. So within two years, we need to be have this project completed. That's a bit of a challenge. Because right now as an example, there's about a 12 month lead time on metal buildings. So you know, the process, we've got to get some architectural drawings done. And then we've got to start the construction process bidding on the construction process and things, order the building, put the slab in and those kinds of things. So we'll be busy for the next couple years getting this done. But it's very doable in that timeframe, we just can't doddle on a lot of things.
 
James Bell 
Yeah, and, you know, I'm curious, like, what does that process gonna look like for air review even thought this far ahead. For those people that are interested, you know, like, you know, say, I've got an idea for a new broom, and I want to move out there, what do I do?
 
Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams 
Well, you contact us to begin with that that's the good part of a two year lead time or a 1218 monthly time as well we're constructing the facility, we can be looking for prospective tenants, and they can be ramping up and figuring out how much space they would need. Because in a building like that, you can divide it really any way you want to divide it, it could be, theoretically, if you had the right opportunity, it could be one person could take half of it, I don't see that happening, I'd rather have more small spaces. But when you've got 30,000 square feet, if you've got five, you know, if you divide it up by five, that's 6000 square feet per tenant, which is a fair amount of square footage. So just depends on kind of what happens. But that's that's the as I said, the nice thing is, we'll be able to be looking for those tenants while we're constructing the facility. And really how you how you split it up inside is one of the last decisions you have to make. And you can even leave it open until you have somebody that needs a certain amount of space, and then you just put up a wall. So it's a pretty simple process at that point in time. But so if anybody out there has an idea or is a small manufacturer that needs some additional space and is looking to do some things, we'd love to hear from them, because we'd love to figure out how they might work into this space.
 
James Bell 
Excellent. You know, I'm curious to what about businesses that maybe are looking to relocate to this area? I think about there was a project over in Russell a couple years ago to bring a hemp processing manufacturing, they made the equipment and they were building it there in Russell, is that going to be helpful for those kinds of businesses to move into the region as well?
 
Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams 
Well, certainly could be, you know, a lot of times those people looking to move and make that kind of a move are going to be larger. So they may need more space than what 6000 7000 Square feet might offer. But definitely somebody who's in a community or out in another location that that needs some space and would be willing to relocate. We'd love to talk to them as well.
 
James Bell 
Do you think to that folks might utilize this space as a way to kind of collaborate even like a no. And again, I think I think of that brief space model that co working space and it's such it's such a cool situation that's happening down there as you're seeing more and more businesses that are kind of firmly you know, using that spot, it's not a temporary space, it's their office space. So I wonder if that's gonna happen there as well,
 
Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams 
I think it could I think you could get complementary businesses out there. You know, if you look at to Wichita, which is very heavy manufacturing community because of the aircraft industry and whatnot. There's a lot of small businesses that that make this particular widget for an airplane, and then it has to be attached to this next thing. And there may be two manufacturers side by side who, who work closely on a complementary product. So I could see that happening, for sure.
 
James Bell 
Very cool. And you know, and I think the last piece on this, so we didn't really talk about it's the the funding piece overall, because two and a half or 2.6, from the state that covers a giant portion of the overall cost, but you still got about what 800,000 to go right.
 
Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams 
And we do. And that's going to be the challenge. But we've we're working on making sure we've got that covered, we obviously had to show that we had the funds to do this to cover our match to begin with. And so we've got a couple of sources for that. But we're also exploring other sources. So we've got it in place. But that's not to say that we aren't looking for alternative ways to fund that portion of the project. And, and I think we're, we've got a pretty good story to tell. So I think a couple of our other sources will be helpful to us and bridging that gap and making this happen.
 
James Bell 
Very cool. Well, we've got just about a minute left, Doug, any other last thoughts or anything else you think folks should know about this project? Is it starting to kick off?
 
Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams 
Well, just take watch, we'll keep people posted on our website on Facebook and that type of thing. And in terms of when we get started and where we are in the process. I don't think you'll see a lot of activity on the actual site for a while yet probably six months, maybe but maybe sooner, but just we'll try and keep everybody posted. And obviously if there are prospective tenants out there that are looking for space, and we'd like to utilize this opportunity. We'd love to talk to him.

Forward Ever: American Cancer Society chief patient officer Arif Kamal

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times host Gary Shorman speaks with American Cancer Society chief patient officer Arif Kamal.

Fort Hays State University Day of Giving scheduled

On this episode of the Post Podcast Fort Hays State University Alumni Association director of engagement Carolyn Tatro and board chair Mike Slattery share information about giving at FHSU.

Hays High education impacted by lack of space

On this episode of the Post Podcast Hays High principal, Shawn Henderson shares the latest from USD 489.
Transcript:
EDITORS NOTE: Transcripts are provided by an automated service and are not verified for accuracy.
 
James Bell 
Hays High continues to struggle with this space and aging facilities. Principal Shawn Henderson stops by to talk to us a little bit about that and more on this episode of the post podcast. As we've heard from some of the other principals here on the go morning show, there's a pretty big problem with space in the district. Right?
 
Shawn Henderson 
Exactly. And I think that would hold true for sure it hits high. And that's kind of the thing that we've really been talking to everybody about is space and beyond space, even just how space works in terms of how modern learners learn, and really what industry is asking us. And that's about having students that know how to collaborate, they know how to innovate and work as a team. And to do that you've got to have a place for them to, to take care of those needs, and to engage in that kind of learning, which is really important. Yeah, you know, I
 
James Bell 
think I saw a picture pretty recently from Hays high. And it was it was students working in the hallway, because there's no place else for him to work.
 
Shawn Henderson 
Yes, and that. And really, that's a very common sight for us. When you look at how schools are handling those spaces, now, there are different types of classrooms, different kinds of spaces allocated for the kind of learning that's taking place for our teachers to replicate that now. They're, they're sending them to the hallway. So it is very true. When I talk to people, there are always students lining the halls, and it's not the old school model of you're in trouble, go to the hall. Otherwise, I'd have a whole lot of people in trouble. That's not what this is. This is this is a place to give kids an opportunity to collaborate, which again, comes from industry, and that's the skills they want those kids to have.
 
James Bell 
Yeah, you know, we hear about that quite a bit too. The the desire 20 years ago was to send everybody to college or big goes to college gets a four year standard degree. But now we've we've learned that those those those hands on skills, electricians, the plumbers, the tech jobs, are what's in real high demand. And so yeah, so what you're saying is you guys are responding to what is needed out there in the world world. Right. And,
 
Shawn Henderson 
Yeah, and it is, again, it's listening to industry, and it is understanding, and I appreciate that you said that, because it's true. There's not just one path for students, you know, we talked about things at the high school level called individual plan of study, and what we're talking about is your path, you the student and what what your skills, what's your interest, we gauge those interests, we, we, you know, have curriculum for that we get them out in the community. And that's something that we are continuing to expand, we want our students to get the skills that they need, but then to go and put them to use in our community and to learn those skills partner with business. Because really, that's what's going to set them apart when they go out. And they try to join the workforce. Yeah,
 
James Bell 
no, you know, we hear quite a bit the the quality of the education isn't necessarily determined by the facilities, I wonder if you want to talk a little bit about this in specifics, how they actually do get impacted in specific ways. Like I think of my high school experience science labs, I went to an older school, I went to a school built in the 20s. And at the time, our science lab was virtually non existent. And I don't know the status of your facility. So it's just an example. But I wonder about, like, the ability to teach those skills that are needed in a facility now that is pushing, you know, 40 years old in haste highest case,
 
Shawn Henderson 
right? And you look at our teachers, and you think about the term, they're doing these things in spite of the limitations that they have. And then you look at our dynamic staff, you look at the kind of people that teach our young people in this community and you think, wow, what if they were able to have the kind of space that they need, so that those barriers are not in their way, and that you know, as someone that is the leader of that environment, it's really excited to think about making sure that they have that space and they have the tools that they need, because then they are going to be able to maximize that environment for those students and try to remove some of those barriers for them. And that's exciting I think for the educators it's exciting for the students it's exciting as a parent you know, I have students in school myself that you know, what does that look like for for them to have exactly what they need so that they can they can grow
 
James Bell 
you know, I wonder if you want to talk about a little bit maybe this how this compares Hayes high to some other districts in our league?
 
Shawn Henderson 
Yeah, I mean, I think the thing is, is that you know, the if you start to go around the the Western you know, are the wack right and so you start to look at what the other schools the Dodge City, liberal garden, great Ben, you look at it, it is it, you know, facilities, you look at the the kind of practice spaces they have the kind of learning environment they have. And, you know, the truth is, is our parents, our families, they're on the road, they're on the road a lot. And it's not even just so much about the schools in our conference, you know, families that have competitive sports and competitive even all the things that that families are doing now. They they traveled to a lot of places, they see a lot of schools and they understand the condition of the facilities, not even so much the condition but just the Um, what those opportunities are that they can see with their eyes just visiting those towns in the schools. And, and that's something that I that I think that Hayes can really consider and think about in terms of what we have here. And I think that's a question worth asking for sure.
 
James Bell 
Absolutely. You know, we've also heard a lot about missed opportunities, conferences or sports. I don't know, things. Everybody knows, I'm not much of a sports guy. But I think about, you know, all those opportunities that as a school we could have if we had the space to do so to bring people into haze. You want to speak a little bit about that, right?
 
Shawn Henderson 
Yeah, certainly. So you're talking about regional level events, you're talking about events where the the Keisha, they call and they say, Would you be willing to host that? Well, it's always an honor to host for Keisha events because it brings great, well, to be honest, it brings people to the community. And that benefits everyone. But when we don't have the facilities that can hold those events, because there are stipulations from the state, of course. And then when we're not able to do that we lose out on revenue for the community, we lose out of people coming to see what Hayes is about. And it's unfortunate. And you know, another example for us, that's the easiest to show is we just we truly do not have an auditorium, not to not to the type that that students utilize now. And it would be something that would go across, it would be all students K through 12. The community that tends to be that place in the community that so many things happen, whether it's an assembly, or it's a concert, that's a talked about spaces we simply don't have that is one that is off. For us. We just don't have that. And we lose out on a lot of things from a curriculum standpoint. And then just from an opportunity standpoint,
 
James Bell 
absolutely. You know, I was I was right before going on air I was telling you last night, as a matter of fact, I was at a or Tuesday, I guess I should say Roosevelt had their program at 12 St. auditorium. And I think there's no better visual for some of the facility concerns in the district, that Wall Street auditorium that building, it doesn't look good. And if you're, as a parent, and especially somebody coming outside of the district, if you're in that building, I think it just screams to something needs done.
 
Shawn Henderson 
Yeah. And for us, it's it's a part of the curriculum to we have students that are that are incredible performers. But it goes beyond that. It's the stagecraft, it's the people that want to be involved in quite frankly, what you do, right? I mean, those are the kinds of things that we want to provide those opportunities, that that really, we have so many kids a cross section of kids that could use that space. And, you know, whether it's a stage craft class, that's a drama class, we would not, we do not have a place for that right now, there. You know, it's not even in our building. And again, yeah, I think that's a, that's a true example of that. Yeah. And
 
James Bell 
going back, again, to kind of what we were talking about, at the onset of this, you know, those tech jobs, those jobs that we don't even that don't exist today, we don't know what they're gonna be. And that's what the students that are coming into the highest high now are going to be doing jobs that we can't even imagine. And it's going to require development and infrastructure to make the make those career potential opportunities happen.
 
Shawn Henderson 
Correct. And we want to be responsive, we do not want to provide any barriers or roadblocks for our students, because quite frankly, when they there, it's a competitive world. And they're going up against students that have, you know, similar experiences, or, and we want to make sure that we have the tools in place for them, so that they can be competitive.
 
James Bell 
And again, no knocks against any of the educators, I think that almost everybody I speak to, I think would agree that USD 49 has some of the best educators in the state of Kansas, if not beyond.
 
Shawn Henderson 
Oh, absolutely. And again, I go back to what I said at the beginning. It's, it's, it's what they're doing in spite of what's in front of them, you know, they're just some barriers for them. And then if you start to remove those barriers, and give them the kind of space allocation that they need, I really like to think about what what they can do, then then they can flourish. And I think that that's important as well.
 
James Bell 
You know, I think the other important piece of talking about facilities and maintenance in the district is the upkeep, then that's something that is heard pretty frequently. You know, why? Why didn't the district take better care of Hays high when we built it 40 years ago? You know, I don't know if you want to talk a little bit about that, you know, from a financial standpoint, the challenges that come with trying to upkeep a building that is now 40 years old.
 
Shawn Henderson 
Right, and I think it's a fair question, you know, is, Are we maintaining the buildings and, and I've heard a lot of great analogies and people that know me, you know, I use them all the time. But at my age, I'm simply not the same person I was when I was 16. Just not as not as fast and not, you know, not as quick on my feet and, and the truth is, is that It doesn't matter how hard that we upkeep something there, age is real, it's going to come into play. We have people that work tirelessly and decades of, of people that have worked really hard to provide an infrastructure and they do a great job. But the infrastructure grows in age. And when it does, it creates issues that have to be solved. And that includes dollars and cents. And I think something that that we want to make sure that we realize is, is it's not so much that the facilities haven't been taken care of. It's that time is a real factor. And, you know, that's why this conversation of when when is it time to upgrade? When is it time to build new? When is it time to change that infrastructure so that we are preparing for 50 years from now? I think that's that's the question that's in front of voters. And it's the right question to ask, and we hope people do. And we hope that if they have questions that they can ask, because, you know, that's the thing, I recently helped my daughter registered to vote, and it was the same conversation I had with her that I would have with anyone is that, you know, it's an incredible civic responsibility to be able to do this. And that's the conversation I had with my new 18 year old. And, and just like I would tell her, you know, you've got to decide you've got to be educated on this. You've got to know what what you know what your decision means. And then you you've got to vote. And that's, that's what I would tell her. And really, that's what I would tell anyone. That's my hope is that, that people know what we're talking about, ask those questions and get out and vote. Absolutely.
 
James Bell 
Yeah. And I think one of the great things that I've seen with this, with the district and the committees that are working on this bond issue is the amount of information that has been put out there is truly comprehensive, I think it's really a pretty good job. And there's a town hall, they've had some of these meetings already, but a town hall coming up to that, where you can go in if you're curious about this and learn more about the issues and ask questions directly some of the people that are in the know
 
Shawn Henderson 
Exactly. And that's going to be on April 20, Hayes Middle School in Hays High School are going to come together at six o'clock. And yeah, again, we would welcome anyone to come in and ask those questions. And because again, as we have an opportunity to share, and to take time to answer those questions, I think that's when people feel comfortable with the decision that they're making. And I think that's appropriate.
 
James Bell 
Absolutely. Well, anything else that you want to hit on or any other last thoughts before we go?
 
Shawn Henderson 
No, I mean, hey, this is a great time of year. We're hoping spring comes around. It's taken a real slow time to get to spring, but there's always some nice high activities out there. We've got the music students going to call me today for state, large group got all kinds of activities going on in the spring would love to see people out. It's good to support our students.

FHSU readies for upcoming rodeo

On this episode of the Post Podcast, Fort Hays State University Rodeo team members Brent Hornbuckle and Jessi Ross share information about the upcoming FHSU rodeo.
 
Transcript:
EDITORS NOTE: Transcripts are provided by an automated service and are not verified for accuracy.
James Bell 
For a state university set for the rodeo this weekend, team members Jesse Ross and Brent Hornbuckle stopped by to tell us a little bit about the festivities on this episode of the post podcast.
 
Brent Hornbuckle 
Seven o'clock each night, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Thursday,
 
James Bell 
Friday and Saturday. Now, if I remember correctly from the last time, you folks were here, the rodeo grounds, it's a little different now. Right?
 
Brent Hornbuckle 
Actually, we are doing it at the Phillipsburg.
 
James Bell 
Okay, so you're back out at the fairgrounds or at our rodeo arena at the college. Okay, see, this is why you gotta you got a clue straight out here. I don't know what's going on ever. So did the college Thursday, Friday, Saturday, seven o'clock, what are people going to see during the events?
 
Jessi Ross 
So we'll have a mixture of rough stock and timed events. So there's bucking horses, ball ride and barrel racing, and a bunch of team roping and calf roping. Just a little bit. Everything.
 
James Bell 
Fantastic. Yeah, that's what I love. You know, and that's the great part about rodeo. Right? It's it's a diverse, and you get to see all kinds of different showmanship.
 
Jessi Ross 
Yes, it's definitely a thrill. It's never boring.
 
James Bell 
Absolutely. Now, are you guys ready to go coming up this Thursday?
 
Brent Hornbuckle 
as of tonight, we will be one more day of practice. Yeah, one more day of practice and prep. So excellent.
 
James Bell 
If folks are wanting to go out there and see the events, what's the easiest and best way for them to do that? Did you have to get tickets? Or is this offering?
 
Brent Hornbuckle 
Well, the you can buy advance tickets, which will save you a little money, you can pick those up at Orleans Vanderbilts and the Memorial Union on campus. Those tickets around you $8 for adults $5 for kids. And then if you do want to just come out to the rodeo at the gate the tickets for adults are $12 and the tickets for kids are eight and kids five and under get in for free. Okay, and that's per night, per night. Okay?
 
James Bell 
All right, very good. And then so you know if for folks for those out there listening people like myself that aren't super familiar with rodeo Jesse knows who I'm talking about last time she was here I told her all about this. I don't know anything about rodeo you know what, what kind of expectations should people have going into this? Or is it just show up and have a good time?
 
Brent Hornbuckle 
I wouldn't have much expectations and then show up and have a good time because you never know what's gonna happen. You could see really good runs, you could see pretty crazy wrecks and or you could see everything run smooth. You know, it's a rodeo, you can't ever plan for about anything to happen. You just hope for the best.
 
James Bell 
Very cool. What do you guys have to do to get the grounds ready or is it is there really anything involved in that?
 
Jessi Ross 
Well, we have to set banners you know, prep everything. And for the barrel racers out there. You want to get that ground really good. So in the past, we've had some pretty sketchy weather, but this weekend is looking beautiful, so we're hoping the ground will stay good antastic set everything up.
 
James Bell 
What kind of weather is ideal for this? Are you looking for like that mid 60s Low breeze or do you like a little rain or overclass? How overcast? What's the best
 
Jessi Ross 
Personally I'd like it sunny and 75 everybody bye. But you know in Kansas Beggars can't be choosers so you kind of have to plan for a little bit of wind but definitely not rain and snow.
 
James Bell 
Yeah, no snow snow never is good for sports. Any sports I don't think unless you're a skier All right. Well, guys, I know you've got to get over to the bowl. Any other last thoughts or anything else we want to hit on before we go?
 
Brent Hornbuckle 
No, we just hope to see a bunch of you out there and come support the Tigers. Very good.
 
James Bell 
Again Thursday, Friday and Saturday seven o'clock on the Fort Hays State University rodeo grounds.
 
Brent Hornbuckle 
Yep. Doug Phillip arena. It's on the golf course.

Hays Police Department celebrates dispatchers during National Public Safety Telecommunicators

On this episode of the Post Podcast, Hays Police Department communications Lt. Jeff Ridgeway shares information about the department's dispatchers as they celebrate National Public Safety Telecommunicators.
 
Transcript:
EDITORS NOTE: Transcripts are provided by an automated service and are not verified for accuracy.
 
James Bell 
The Hays Police Department is celebrating their dispatchers during National Public Safety Telecommunicators week Communications Lieutenant Jeff Ridgeway stops by to talk to us about that and more on this episode of the Post Podcast.
 
Jeff Ridgeway 
Just a week of giving thanks to our dispatchers are 911 operators across the nation. They have a job that typically goes without, you know, I can't say they go unnoticed, because they are very much a key part of first responders and I will one calls and even the administrative calls. So this is just a week to be able to just say, Hey, thanks, thanks for taking that call answering the call being that life link and helping getting resources, those first response resources to where they need to go.
 
James Bell 
Yeah, you know, I think it was maybe a year or two ago, you were kind enough to take me down into the dispatch center. We were working on a story. I don't know if the story is now but I was really taken aback by kind of the the professionalism of these folks, but also the stories that I heard, you know, of being that first first responder, and it's really, you know, they are kind of, in some ways behind the scenes, because he's on the phone. But some of the things that they have to deal with are just as heavy and serious as what you would think of as a street officer, right?
 
Jeff Ridgeway 
Well, the people calling, these are some low points in some people's lives, they are in crisis, desperate need for help, just from a wide range of aspects eating anywhere from people who are contemplating taking their own life to crimes that just occurred, whether it be a robbery a homicide, or, or, or even something, perhaps not as critical as as you know, hey, my dog got out of the backyard, which might be critical for some, you know, so they definitely get a wide range of phone calls. And whether it be through the 911 system or just a non administrative or the non emergency line. They are definitely that first point of contact with the public safety agencies and are just able to route the the assistance that's needed redirect people to where they need to go or or just be that lifeline when needed.
 
James Bell 
Yeah. Well, and they also have to deal with people like me calling down they're asking questions all the time. What was this? We heard sirens will tell us about it.
 
Jeff Ridgeway 
They have they have a good filter system? So they know. Absolutely.
 
James Bell 
Always professional, but also always. What's the word I'm looking for? Not correct. But you know, direct to the point very direct.
 
Jeff Ridgeway 
Yeah, they, you know, we have a limited number of like 911 lines, we've only we've only got 5 911 lines in the county that come and of course, we serve for the whole county here in Ellis County. So when you have just a limited number lines, they're very, pretty much say we gotta get off the phone because somebody else might be needed next. So they're very mindful of that concept. Yeah.
 
James Bell 
So you know, what is this? What are we doing this week to help kind of recognize those folks?
 
Jeff Ridgeway 
Well, just as an agency for us, we're just kind of getting a couple extra treats and give him some thank you cards and stuff like that, you know, buying them lunch, dinner a couple times this week, getting some ice cream, and just doing some different activities like that just as appreciation. They've kind of come up as a team, they've came up with special themed days where they're kind of getting to relax a little bit not being in their their normal, uniform expectations and being able to dress down for example, today, it's kind of America Day, so they're wearing America style thing. outfits, and then tomorrow will be their favorite shirt day. And yesterday, they were dressed up with your favorite sports. So I mean, just different things for for everyday this week. As we just again, our focus is just to make sure they understand that they're appreciated. They are definitely kind of forgotten at times. But they're very much a very critical part of our emergency response system.
 
James Bell 
Oh, absolutely. Yeah. And again, that first first responder, right,
 
Jeff Ridgeway 
yes, absolutely.
 
James Bell 
So you know, I don't know if we want to talk a little bit about kind of how that all works and kind of the jobs down there in the communication center. Because, you know, it's been what I think about two years now since the Hayes Police Department took over the responsibilities of running the center again,
 
Jeff Ridgeway 
Well, actually the Hays Police Department has well, You're correct. The Hays police department in the city of Hays is operated for many years and the county has provided the equipment. It was prior to a couple of years ago it was their own department within the city and it got combined back down to the police department. And you know, in 2021, they answered over 70,000 phone calls down there. Over 11,000 was being 911 calls but so they they're constantly getting a lot of phone calls down there. We serve and dispatch for 10 public safety agencies in our county five law enforcement for fire and of course, are county wide EMS. So they're constantly being busy. And one of the really needs information was looking back at some numbers from last year is our dispatch staff are able to answer 99% of the 91 calls within 10 seconds of it ringing. Wow, that is just an outstanding ability that's much, significantly higher than the national average of about 90%. Or that's national standard, I should say. So we're definitely doing really good in that aspect. We just have a phenomenal staff down there that is committed to their job committed to the the the role in making sure they can provide that service to our community.
 
James Bell 
That's incredible. You're looking for a couple more to join the ranks.
 
Jeff Ridgeway 
At the moment, we've got two openings that we're trying to get filled. We've got a couple of candidates that are going through our process and but we're always looking for a good, good dispatcher.
 
James Bell 
You know, I'm curious what you think about police officers in general the physicality the build a rundown somebody or the, you know, the quick action, quick thinking, you know, what kind of skills that does a dispatcher need to be effective at that job?
 
Jeff Ridgeway 
All right. You know, that's, that's a real tough question. I'll try to get that answered here. But from, from my observation, the ability to think fast, limited information, deal with unusual problems, just some common sense is probably the most common or most needed. skill set is just having that ability to, and, of course, he's always the doesn't hurt if you can stay calm when someone's upset on that on that phone. And even if they are redirecting their anger, you know, at the dispatcher and unfortunate it happens at time. So just being able to manage that that are definitely valuable skill sets,
 
James Bell 
I would think there's a pretty heavy tech component kind of involved in there, right. And especially right now, when you're redoing your system down there.
 
Jeff Ridgeway 
We just went last month ago, we spent transitions to a new computer aided dispatch software program and some other software that that the long term goal will make the I believe will make the job for our dispatchers easier. And so we've got four consoles in our 911 Center, that the average six monitors on each console. So there's a lot of screens, a lot of information that they're able to see lots of stuff coming in. So there is a bit of a tech skill set. They're working with the different software and stuff. But again, all that's intended to help them one, be able to do their job easier and give them access to the resources and information. Not only does the dispatchers need, but then that they can relay to the first responders you're out in the field.
 
James Bell 
Yeah, even before when I was down in there, the amount of information at their fingertips is actually it's it's mind boggling to me what they can access. And I can't even imagine what this new system I've got kind of an inkling of what it does.
 
Jeff Ridgeway 
Bringing in a new employee, I feel like without counting them, there's like 20 different resources that we have to set up the user profiles and give them access to ranging anywhere from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation to the FBI to various intelligence resources that we're able to provide them, again, the goal being there that they can read that information on to the first responders.
 
James Bell 
And I also thought it was it was pretty cool. They had, they had some entertainment going on, they had a TV show playing as well, because there is there's those times I imagine in a dispatch center where you're you're got a little bit of a lull, but then it's like you got to be ready to go on a moment's notice
 
Jeff Ridgeway 
Definitely has its ups and downs, there's moments of where the phones don't ring, perhaps more often than the early morning hours. And so there are moments where there are that downtime. And so to help get them through that downtime, we do have some opportunities, or we got a couple TV screens that are up on the wall, just they typically just have the video going they normally don't have much audio there. But but they all recognize that even though that's there, that phone rings, that's that's your focus on that. And it's a quick transition over and they're never seen there being an issue as far as not getting things done that they need to get done. And but you just have to recognize that it's not constant all the time something go go go there is some downtime. So to help break up that those downtimes we do provide some alternatives to help them.
 
James Bell 
Yeah, and I had to imagine it helps keep focus because you know, if you're zoning out, I think that would probably be the worst kind of situation just sitting there waiting for something to happen at your desk. You know, you have to be in that mind frame at all times. Right.
 
Jeff Ridgeway 
I mean, I don't think it's fair to expect anybody to just to sit there for hours and during those quiet times and just wait for the phone and you've you've, I mean, there's other tasks that they have that they'll take care of too, but I think we have realistic expectations on that aspect.
 
James Bell 
And I think, you know, Jim, generally across the city, I think everybody recognizes the tremendous work that they all do down there.
 
Jeff Ridgeway 
Yes, absolutely. Absolutely. Well,
 
James Bell  
I'll tell you, we've got just about a minute or so left. Any other last thoughts or anything you want to hit on before we go?
 
Jeff Ridgeway 
Well, again, I just want to express an appreciation to our staff down there, they're a great staff. They, even when we've been short handed over the last couple months, and they'll come in on their days off to help cover if someone is ill. It's just a great team that we've got down here and I really, the community has, I feel very lucky to have such an awesome staff that we have here. And it's really it's really great to to be able to work with such a great crew and a great staff and know what the expectations have the skill set that they need and translates very well into our first responder system. Very effective at what they're doing.

Weekend Setlist April 13, 2022

On this episode of the Weekend Setlist host Jeffery Leiker details events around the Hays area this weekend.

Hays Chamber readies for Dale Carnegie training sessions

On this episode of the Post Podcast Hays Chamber vice president of membership Rhonda Meyerhoff and administrative assistant, Marlis Fletcher stop by to share information about upcoming Dale Carnegie training sessions.
 
Transcript:
EDITORS NOTE: Transcripts are provided by an automated service and are not verified for accuracy.
 
James Bell 
The Hays Chamber has a couple of Dale Carnegie leadership training sessions coming up in the near future administrative assistant Marlas Fletcher as well as vice president of membership, Rhonda Meyerhoff stops by to talk to us about that and more on this episode of the post podcast.
 
Rhonda Meyerhoff, vice president of membership 
Marla's has taken the session. So she's still currently smart. I'm not.
 
James Bell 
Well, you're getting in on this round. Right?
 
Rhonda Meyerhoff, vice president of membership 
I am very cool. Yes.
 
Marlis Fletcher 
Yeah. You're excited about it? Yeah.
 
Rhonda Meyerhoff, vice president of membership 
Yeah. I'm very excited about it.
 
James Bell 
Yeah. And I know, this is one of, you know, Sarah is the president and CEO down there. She loves Dale Carnegie's, she's always talking about these things.
 
Marlis Fletcher 
Yeah, it's a great, great experience. And we've actually got two different workshops coming up. The first one's April 29, from 930 to 1130. It's the same day as our membership lunch. So you can sign up for this. It's self awareness, insights on personal leadership. And then right after that you can, and it's $50 for Chamber members and 60 for non members. So anybody can come. And right after that, you can come to our membership lunch, so it's same place just starts at noon. So you're right there, and you can hit both. Both things at one stop. Yeah, convenient. But they do. This is just a one day one. And I've never been to like a one day one. But you know, this one is you're going to be able to learn techniques to enhance your self awareness. So any training that Dale Carnegie, Carnegie puts on is good. But I'm especially excited to be able to go to this one.
 
James Bell 
Yeah, because I think we've talked about the the longer training sessions, a bit of a one day event, because I think about like the time commitment involved in in taking a long session. You know, maybe not everybody has that. But I think everybody could carve out an afternoon. Well, it's
 
Marlis Fletcher 
930 to 1130. Morning, you know, it's the morning and then yeah,
 
James Bell 
don't show up in the afternoon, because you will you will miss the event.
 
Marlis Fletcher 
You will. But yeah, that's pretty cool. Yeah. So then after that, we're having the June 7 14th and 21st. It's Tuesdays for three consecutive weeks, we're having the full Dale Carnegie training. For non Chamber members, the cost is $1,995. But you get a 15% discount if you're a chamber member. So it is from 830 to five, each of those days, they do break an hour for lunch on your own. And this is the one I took. And I really, really enjoyed it. I learned a lot about me, I learned a lot about how to deal with people. You do get three books. And I have them in front of me. And one is How to Win Friends and Influence People
 
James Bell 
the classic right? That's the one that started it all.
 
Marlis Fletcher 
It says over 30 million copies sold. But I bet you it's probably more than that
 
James Bell 
it does the cover looks and not say it's an old book, but the cover looks like an older version. So I bet it's considerably higher than that now,
 
Marlis Fletcher 
I bet it is too. And then How to Stop Worrying and start living. And who wouldn't want that? Yeah,
 
James Bell 
I was just gonna say like, maybe looking to borrow that one.
 
Marlis Fletcher 
This one, Sarah. Sure. And then the quick and easy way to effective speaking.
 
James Bell 
Ah, very cool. I could use that one as well, I think here on the radio. Oh, you do pretty good. But
 
Rhonda Meyerhoff, vice president of membership 
yeah, it's been really interesting, though. Because people that have taken it just, I mean, they go back to it and go back to go back to in their workplace and their personal life. Right?
 
Marlis Fletcher 
That's right. Like, I actually have somebody in my life who had taken that does not live in Hayes. But they took it from the same. He took it from the same people. And he has a very good job. And he claims that he got his job because he had the Dale Carnegie training while he went through his interview well, so
 
James Bell 
yeah, it's gonna be the kind of stuff that, you know, I haven't been involved. But I imagine that the stuff that is discussed and talked about and it's actionable, it's, it's not and I think maybe people will balk at the price, because it is a hefty price tag it is but what you're gonna get out of it, you're gonna build us in any job for the rest of your life.
 
Marlis Fletcher 
Oh, personal and professional. So, you know, each each session each each of his chapters you he has different principles. And like the first principle that you're going to learn if you read How to Win friends and influence people is don't criticize, condemn or complain. And you know, that's a pretty good life lesson there itself. So it gives you it gives you it'll give you instances where different things have happened and how this person handled it or should have handled it in the book. And it's it's just a really interesting learning experience. Yeah.
 
James Bell 
And getting in it's actionable content, right. It's not, you know, it's not like a lecture on how to be leaders. or do leadership? Well, it's stuff you can take and actually use
 
Marlis Fletcher 
apply, apply. That's before
 
Rhonda Meyerhoff, vice president of membership 
you, you know, one thing on here that I'm really anxious to apply. I'm getting it that wonderful age where people's names sometimes elude me. But that's actually that doesn't
 
James Bell 
happen to everybody all the time, because I was gonna say, the listeners here on the show can tell you, every once in a while I forget the news guy's name like I see him every day.
 
Rhonda Meyerhoff, vice president of membership 
Well, one of the things that you'll work on is the process to recall names and facts. And I'm really, I'm happy about that. Because I've told friends, if we go somewhere, and I don't introduce it, it's because I can't remember the other person's name. You know, it's just yeah. So that is for sure. actionable. It's so embarrassing. When you can't recall someone's name.
 
James Bell 
But better. I mean, and in your world, though, how many people do you interact with an average? I mean, you're just all over the place. And there's so many people you want to you want to remember every name, but sometimes it's
 
Rhonda Meyerhoff, vice president of membership 
one of those individuals isn't important. Personal. Absolutely. They deserve to be called by the right of the right name. Yes, yeah. So yeah, that's three days,
 
Marlis Fletcher 
it is three days, June 7 14th, and 21st. And it's really all day 830 to five.
 
Rhonda Meyerhoff, vice president of membership 
there last year, there was a group that came up from Dodge City, Kansas.
 
Marlis Fletcher 
There were they all worked at a it wasn't a feedlot, but it was something cattle related. Yeah. And they were fun. We had a lot of fun with them. Very cool.
 
Rhonda Meyerhoff, vice president of membership 
You know, yeah. And you talk about actionable items. You know, just strengthening relationships. We all think we might be good at that. But sometimes you used to do something so well that you forgot to do it anymore. And I don't know if that makes sense. But I'm old enough that, you know, things that you used to do, you just kind of let slip off the radar, because something else came in and took its place. Sure. Um, so that'll be that'll be good to look at that. And, you know, just all the different things that I saw Marlis grow a lot. In taking this.
 
Marlis Fletcher 
It does, it gives you a lot of confidence, you know, to speak to a person that you don't know, or in public, it just gives you a lot of confidence. I felt like this has confidence, competence and enthusiasm. But I really felt like the competent. The confidence was the big one for me.
 
Rhonda Meyerhoff, vice president of membership 
Yeah, you know, and James, yeah, a price tag, not cheap. But for, for our own Chamber members. You know, we surveyed them, that was still yet when Tammy was at the chamber. And one of the things that our businesses wanted is, they wanted to be able to provide training for their employees, but not have to send them to salon to which taught Kansas City to Denver. And so that's part of the reason why they brought Dale Carnegie here. So what I would like to share with our local individuals, yeah, there's a price tag, but you're gonna get to save on gasoline, your hotel, you're gonna get to save even more time, because you would spend time traveling to these locations. So that's more time out of the office. So there's actually a lot of good reasons why to take it here. Why to take it local, and put some money into your people. Surveys will show too, that employees really respect a business more and their employer more if they feel like they're valued, and that they have put some money back into the person, aside from their wages, invested time and skills. Yeah, absolutely.
 
James Bell 
And, you know, and talk about a time when when keeping and retaining people is paramount. I mean, everybody is looking for help. And right now, if you're losing employees, you've got problems.
 
Rhonda Meyerhoff, vice president of membership 
Absolutely. You know, and if you want to look at succession planning, maybe you're in that middle age group, and you're kind of thinking that someday, you'd like to retire, maybe it's your own business, maybe you're at the top and CEO or president or whatever, or some other position. What a great way to start grooming the next person coming in. By having them do some of this training, and actually preparing them to take on leadership within your within your company or your business. You'll not only gain from this succession planning, but you'll gain during the time that they're there supporting you while you're still there.
 
James Bell 
Absolutely. You know, and I will say this I have spoken to I don't know how many over the years people that have been through these training classes and I've never heard anyone say my I didn't feel like it was worth it. They everybody that comes out of this has has just nothing but positive to say,
 
Rhonda Meyerhoff, vice president of membership 
well, and I'm excited to get to take it because when they do the Dale Carnegie quotes, I might be able to do one too.
 
James Bell 
Oh. So you know, we've we've run out of time, we should tell everybody like how if somebody is interested in participating in one of these sessions, where do they do?
 
Marlis Fletcher 
So you can call us at the chamber, and we'll give you the information, the phone number is 6288201. And we'll we'll send you the the sheet on it. We can email it to you.
 
Rhonda Meyerhoff, vice president of membership 
Yeah, we'll send you a registration link to and, and get you going. We'll help you through the process. If there's questions, we'll do the best we can.
 
Marlis Fletcher 
And we have it in our newsletters. We've had it in like the last two newsletters, I think so.
 
Rhonda Meyerhoff, vice president of membership 
Yeah. And those newsletters that our listeners want to know, all of our newsletters are actually online. If they go to Hayes chamber.com Go to News and Events tab at the top, go click to the right. And there's a section that's newsletters. So James, they could look in the March newsletter or the April newsletter, either one and learn more about both of these subjects that are coming up. Individuals maybe don't receive the newsletter.
 
James Bell 
Sure. Yeah. And you know, like and that online interface is so slick. i We still have we always have the paper version floating around. But I love the online. And plus, you can always reference it no matter where you are. You're on your phone, you're at your desk, you're at home, you can just click over there and get all the information you need.
 
Rhonda Meyerhoff, vice president of membership 
Yes, exactly. And it's easy for us to share.
 
James Bell 
Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. Well, all right, guys. We got just about a minute or so left, what else you guys got going on this week.
 
Rhonda Meyerhoff, vice president of membership 
All righty. We are going to be having a ribbon cutting already at 10 o'clock this morning. We are going to celebrate, there's been a turf project out at Hayes rec on their their sports complex fields on the northeast quad. And we're going to be doing a ribbon cutting. We believe that's going to make a huge change and then being able to have teams in every weekend, spending money in haste and helping the economy but yeah, we're gonna celebrate with haste wreck on that with at the bagel, Schmidt sports complex. And then on tomorrow is going to be Mental Health First Aid training. And that is the free of them. But they do want to know if you're going to be there that so if you'd like to attend that call the chamber. And that event is from eight to five tomorrow, and it's going to be a brief space. And there's also on Thursday, then H yp advisory council meeting at the Welcome Center that starts at 515 April 14. Also, you know, James, one of our big projects that we're working on that I think will be ours forever, and we're happy about that is childcare and so it's going to be in Victoria, and it's the prospective and current childcare provider meeting. And that will be from 630 to 730 at the ELMS conference room 613 grant terrace. And then I want you all to know, we are very blessed Friday the chamber team has off. They don't have us work on Good Friday. So we get to have that day off and and go into work Friday things with our church family. So that's what's going on this week.
 

Ellis County Commission recap: April 12, 2022

On this episode of the Post Podcast, Hays Post reporter Jonathan Zweygardt recap this week's Ellis County Commission meeting with County Administrator Darin Myers.
Transcript:
EDITORS NOTE: Transcripts are provided by an automated service and are not verified for accuracy.
 
James Bell 
This week's Ellis County Commission meeting was a busy one. Hays Post reporter Jonathan Zweygardt recaps that meeting with County Administrator Darinn Meyers, on this episode of the Post Podcast.
 
Jonathan Zweygardt 
We're gonna talk a little bit about yesterday's meeting. And then also, obviously, with kind of some of the fire dangers, your position as the fire chief, we can talk about that as well. But as far as the last night's meeting, kind of the busy meeting from last night, so that had a couple of presentations and a couple of different things. We'll kind of chat about some of those last night DSC Wk with Jerry Michaud, their director, and then presidents and then also with access. And when Chris came before the commission yesterday, I was kind of curious, they kind of, you know, providing their annual update to the commission, talking about obviously, with TSN DVK. staffing issues a big deal. I didn't know if there was anything in particular that kind of stood out from their presentation yesterday, as they gave a report to the commission.
 
Darin Myers 
I think there's several things that point out, that if you look at the commission meetings for the last several months, as well as the ones that are coming up, last year, in the budget cycle session with the Commission, they had requested all the outside agencies who with funding from the county come back and kind of give updates periodically throughout the year. So that's why you're seeing a lot of them at the commission meetings, explaining where they're at with their organization where the funding has went to and where they've kind of progressed and, you know, coming out of COVID what their plans are. And last night DSM Wk Jerry gave a pretty good update on where they're at. Seems like a similar problem. There's not enough workers and they're not being paid, not being paid enough, and how are we going to figure out how to pay them. But there's also I think, the biggest point that really stuck out to me, and they have individuals out there, I can't remember how long the waiting list was. But they were on that waiting list individuals for over 10 years now waiting to get services from DSM Wk, not just because of the funding, but because they don't have the level of supporters within their organization to take care of them because they can't find that in the workforce. So I think that was the biggest thing that stuck out with the SW K. And it's it's an important service to our community, but all of Northwest Kansas for the entire area that they serve.
 
Jonathan Zweygardt 
You said he said since 2012, and I think it was commissioner Schleicher asked, you know, Is it money? Or is it staffing and Jerry said if if we found a whole bunch of money, we'd still have the issue because of staffing. And, and you're the county is right in that kind of same boat, it seems like everybody's dealing with staffing issues. Yep. And then also with access, the County Commission works with them through grant support, because the large share of their funding comes from grant support through k dot and the Commission, a lot of times, it's asked to just sign on for supports through grants for access.
 
Darin Myers 
And one of their biggest grants that they get for their funding source. track a lot of things from the amount of people that they transport with their their their set fees are from the state, how many miles they drive, but a lot of their funding comes on at 20 Grant, or if they get $20. And matching funds here locally, for instance, from the county commission, that can eat up 20% of what they get. They get the other 80% from the grant from the federal government. So it's a smart investment of money that there's a need for that public transportation throughout the county. And I was surprised by their rates $2 for an in person drop or in town drop off and $4 anywhere in the county. And that's in line throughout the entire state, which is us amount set by the I believe k.is What he said, so significantly cheaper than taking a taxi or an Uber. And sometimes the services of those larger vans for the people in need of those types of services for wheelchair bound and such are so great option. And we need that for our community.
 
Jonathan Zweygardt 
And I know you kind of hit on it with the presentations. You know, this kind of leads into that last line item on the on the agenda from yesterday is the budget forecast. And, you know, there's a lot of numbers and a lot that goes into that. So but this is the start of that conversation that commission is hearing from these different outside agencies that the Commission partners with and provides funds for. And that's kind of, you know, along the line with this budget process, which you're just now starting for, believe it or not 2023. And so that kind of is your reasoning, why and, and kind of going into that.
 
Darin Myers 
Yeah, the budget cycles, it's a little bit shorter this year, the process is a little different than we've done in the past. But the commission, you know, one of their things that they had really emphasized last year was if we're giving outside agencies those funding, we'd like to know where it's going and so that way it's justifiable and understandable to the public of those taxpayer dollars going to help organizations like DSN Wk or High Plains mental health or economic development with grow haze A lot of those have immediate results and impacts coming back to our community for those, those dollars that we give them.
 
Jonathan Zweygardt 
I know last night, speaking of the budget kind of laid out, so with the Commission, the schedule of how the budget process will go, and I know next week, which I assume will spend a lot of our next couple of months talking about the budget through August and into September for 2023. That he kind of laid out the the schedule, and so next week, you'll kind of get maybe more of a direction as far as how the commission wants to go with department heads and kind of their direction for them.
 
Darin Myers 
Yep. So we spent a little last night I know, you couldn't see the numbers on the screen. But it was basically just how that the lines progressed on if you made a change with salaries or if you made a change with valuations, you made a change with health insurance or a combination of both. It shows you on how inflation and change in how services are going to impact the impact of over the next 10 years, a lot of that is the sales tax that was passed back in 2020. Once that expires, come 2030. The county is right in the same financial piece that it was back before then. So it's not that we emphasize what the commissioner has made sure we're making smart choices now not necessarily for 2023. But what's 2033 look like? Make sound investments now spend the money where it needs to be now. So that way we're looking at what 2020 or 2030 2033 looks like. And yeah, those kick off the budget process next week. With the information we shared last night, hopefully there'll be able to individually think about it and make some discussions, we have a have a discussion next week at the commission meeting as to what direction they'd like to see the department heads and elected officials put in their budget for for next year.
 
Jonathan Zweygardt 
And like I said, I know we're gonna be talking about this, you know, until September, but you talked about those numbers. And I thought it was interesting to see how different things change and you made the comment, you're talking about inflation, and valuation, healthcare. If one of those changes, you know, even just a salaries, for instance, if you if one of those things change just a percentage plus or minus, it makes a great impact on, you know, not only next year, but also there 10 years from now. But also what happens if two or three of those things are four or five of those things change that, you know, while we don't know what the future looks like, you know, that's still important to make good financial decisions. Because of the, you know, there are some things you just don't know you can't control. And so that's something that you said the commission has to look for.
 
Darin Myers 
Yeah, one of the easiest things that you can look at when you look at a forecast like that is you can look at the history and guarantee almost everything you buy now is more expensive, or everything you do now is more expensive than it was when you were a kid. So nothing's ever gonna get cheaper 10 years from now, hardly anything's gonna be cheaper than it is now. And just look at the gas prices two years ago, we were under $2 an hour. We were pushing. We were on vacation two weeks ago, we paid the highest at 486. Out in Illinois. So a lot of those play big, big impacts on the budget and all those little pieces combined. Make make up a big portion of where we need to look out into the future and just be smart with those dollars that way. We're just more financially sound.
 
Jonathan Zweygardt 
And there were a handful other things we wanted to quickly hit on but one of the things that I was gonna ask because I think you brought it up last night, the mill levy, when was the last time that the Commission raised the mill levy, obviously, it changes due to valuations. And there's some things outside of the Commission's control. It just happens because that's how it works with valuations. But as far as a real middle of a change, you know, when the last time that happened by the Commission was or that commission.
 
Darin Myers 
 I had it on piece of paper last night I look back for the last 15 years and 15 years ago and there's a big misinterpretation with the mill levy extra is everybody thinks that the mill levy sets the budget and that's not necessarily the case. It's a combination of what your valuations are for your property compared to what the budget is. And then that kind of helps determine what the mill levy is. Valuations go up your budget stays the same your mill levy goes down. If you're if your mill levy goes up, your valuations go up, your taxes go up so there's so many different pieces to that. And then you also got to look just for instance, the city Hayes, believe the overall mill levy is 110 mills. The county collects 100% of that, but we don't keep hardly any of it. You have about 40 mills that goes to school districts you have 25 or so mills that goes to the city Hayes Ellis County is only 36. And then you got the fire district on where yours at Sometimes if you're over an LLC that LSP Levy, so we're only the Ellis County government is only about a third of what you pay in your property taxes for the city Hays residents. A little bit less than in the others because the mill levies are different analysis Victoria. But yeah, it's it Where's actually changes more, we basically focus more on the budget. So if our budget say this year is 24 million, they basically give us the direction that yeah, we would like to see the budget stay the same, because we have no impact on what the valuations or the evaluations or what the homes are come across is what the markets doing. Everybody knows what the market is in Hays right now. There's no homes for sale, the homes are selling 10 to 15 20% higher than what the appraised values are. And people are paying that price when those prices go up supply and demand. Low supply the demand is high that people pay more. Eventually our appraisals by state statute have to catch up to that. So the middle of has basically been the same essentially for the last seven years. It's it hovers we can't keep it essentially the exact same because the valuations changed the budget changes which changes the mill levy, but it's it's been I think I said last night, the last seven years, there's only been six tenths of a mil difference from where it was seven years ago, which in the overall grand scheme of things when your overall mill levy for the city Hays area. It's 110 Mills, seven tenths of a mil is pretty minimal.
 
Jonathan Zweygardt 
Yeah, very good. Well, I'm sure talk about that more as the budget process just getting started for 2023. A couple of other things yesterday, the HVAC work and the admin center already underway with Glassman corporation that was just kind of a final approval last night for the commission.
 
Darin Myers 
Yep, the US that I believe they prove that work and the purchase order back in February. So they're getting started on that. And it's going to be about a nine month process. Working through going back to how salaries and the workforce are shortages, it's the same thing. And in the supply arena, there's about a 20 week lead time, I think 20 to 24 week lead time before we get a lot of the equipment for that so they got a lot of prep work cleaning, replacing some fan coil units throughout the building some rooftop units. There's a lot of work that goes into that. So though, you'll see Glassman down the administrative building for the next nine months quite a bit.
 
Jonathan Zweygardt 
Very good. And I know there are a couple of other things but you know, before we get out I wanted to make sure obviously in your role as the fire chief, you repeat to the weather before we got on and you know today's another Dangerous fire weather day and it looks like with the lack of moisture in that 10 day that you know we got to kind of keep an eye on that for the next handful of days after dealing with that before as well.
 
Darin Myers 
Yeah, I know when you're asking me about speaking about this this morning you had a couple of people knocking on wood last night that nothing pops up. We've been fortunate last week with three or four days of fire weather last week that we didn't have anything locally we had some smaller fires. We also assisted out of county on a fire up in Brooks county but it's happening all around us still it's just not hit home yet. If you didn't see last week at that fire North Norton up in Nebraska the volunteer fire chief up there was killed in a car accident because driving through smoke and hidden one of the other fire vehicles very unfortunate so my my guess my thoughts and sympathies out to that would fire department up in Nebraska but here we are again a week later. At Red Flag Warning today it looks like it's going to proceed for the next several days the burn ban in the county is still in place. So there is no outside burning, except for what's allowed within the burn ban. And like you said I looked at the weather because I do that about about every day and you know how the weather changes in Kansas but the next 10 days there's chances for moisture but as I showed you the highest chance was 40% sometime over the weekend but he said point 04 inches and then the way the wind blows that'll be gone within two hours after the wind blows when it stops raining. So for the next 10 days it doesn't look like we're gonna see any good chances or moisture but hopefully, like I say as the weather changes we'll get something sooner than later. I don't like having the Birdman in place I like it off and getting plenty of moisture but I just hope everybody's careful out there. tire chains up on your trailer so they're not dragging don't throw your cigarettes out don't do any outside burning recreational chimineas firepits anything we we have fires that actively start back up in the wind that had been out for two weeks from brush piles and people burning trees and branches. So that's that's kind of why that burn plan is in place right now and even after a little bit of rainfall because those those winds can torch up a fire and Start things but if you see something, don't be afraid to call 911 If you have something call 911 Immediately, the faster we get resources out there, even if we've come to find out there's nothing on fire there's no issue at least we got to help them. There's no harm in turning people around in the past week, get people there is the faster you'll be on top of things and less damage and destruction.
 

Hays Public Library celebrates national poetry month during busy April

On this epidsode of the Post Podcast, Hays Public Library communications coordinator Callie Kolacny shares the latest from the library.
 
Transcript:
EDITORS NOTE: Transcripts are provided by an automated service and are not verified for accuracy.
 
James Bell  It's a busy spring as they get ready for an even busier summer at the Hays Public Library, Communications Coordinator, Callie Kolacny, and he stops by to share with us the latest from the Hays Public Library on this episode of the Post Podcast.
Callie Kolacny  National Poetry Month. And we really liked poetry at the library. So we've got several programs coming up. We had the Kansas Poet Laureate at the library last Saturday, so this past weekend to do a poetry reading and that went really well. It was really great to have him here in Hays, and then coming up on the 18th. So next Monday is haiku poetry days, you can come and present some haiku poetry listen to other haiku poetry that will be at five o'clock on Monday, the 18th. Then we also, of course, have our annual poetry contest. This is the 22nd year for the poetry contest, it will be on April 22, at 6pm. In the last two years, because of the pandemic, we did an online version of this, but we're back to in person now. So you will bring your original poem, and you can only do one poem. So bring your original poem, please bring four copies of that poem. Present that at the library. It'll start at 6pm on the 22nd. And it'll be judged and the winners will, there'll be some prizes for the winners, all poetry that submitted will be printed into the journal mirrors, which is a journal of all the poetry. This is for ages 16 and older, as I said, one poem, one original poem, and come and join us on April 22. Evening of your don't write poetry, just come and listen and find out there's amazing poets in this community.
James Bell  Truly, truly, there is, you know, I So are they gonna, if you if you're wanting to participate, then when do you have to read the poet poem out loud? Or to the group? Or can you sneak
Callie Kolacny  in and just sneak it in? I think that they want you to present it. I don't know if that is an actual requirement or not. I didn't ask that question. So I'm not positive on that. I think that the the goal is to have you present your poetry, and also bring other poetry because there'll be a period of time when when everybody's done before the judges have decided that there's gonna be an open mic. So, you know, bring some other poetry, whether it's yours or somebody else's, just bring some other poetry to, to read and entertain. 
James Bell  Yeah, very cool. And you know, if you ever been to a poetry reading, I know, I know, when I think about it. I think about poetry readings, I remember back to college going through sent some really dull stuff, but these are, these are fun. My wife, who's an English teacher, you know, she works with the English group down there, and they do poetry stuff all the time. And they just have a blast. It's crazy how much fun they have.
Callie Kolacny  Yeah, I mean, some of its serious. Some of it's funny, you just never know what you're going to get. So it's very entertaining.
James Bell  Absolutely. And again, that's coming up on April 22. At six o'clock, the Haiku Poetry Day.
Callie Kolacny  April 18. Yes, at five o'clock. Very cool.
James Bell  You've also got a for those kiddos. I think you're in contests coming up, right?
Callie Kolacny  Yeah, we are partnering with cost of the High Plains. April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. And so we decided to do a coloring contest just to recognize this month. And so we are providing the, we're the location where you pick up the coloring sheets, everybody's going to do the same picture. And then we'll have three age groups, zero to five, six to 11 and 12, to 18. And so you pick up your sheets, you have to have them returned to the library by April 22. And they will be displayed at the spring Artwalk on April 30. There will be winners classes, providing gift baskets for each of the age groups, for the winners in those age groups. And it's just it's a great way we love to partner with community organizations. So we're very proud to partner with Casa on this project.
James Bell  Yeah, that's awesome what and when you talk about an impactful and worthwhile organization who Casa those the what they do is is tremendously demanding but also very, very much needed.
Callie Kolacny  Yes, very much so and so and that you know, they're right across the street from the libraries though it's a great partnership with them and so we're really happy to work with them and hope that we get lots of people come come pick up your the coloring sheet it is you find them on the second floor, there's some of the children's desks and some of the why a desk and come pick them up. Just make sure that you have them returned by April 22. So that we can judge them the next week and we'll have some winners and everything will be announced later that that next week.
James Bell  Very cool. Very cool. Well now moving on into some of the regular events going on. I love these these making sense of and you got a pretty cool one coming up. Oh goodness is this tonight?
Callie Kolacny  Tomorrow? Tomorrow? Yep. Tomorrow making sense of mushrooms with professors Mike from professors is going to be there to talk about the mushrooms that they grow, figuring out how to teach you how to grow them, how to cook with them, just different things you can do with mushrooms, so making sense of mushrooms, with professors will be at tomorrow at 530. It'll be at the it's at the library, not at professors. And that's a library. So yeah, that it'll be a fun these, these programs have been great. And they've been well attended and so excited to have another one, we are going to continue them through the summer as well. So we're, we're excited to have more of these programs. So that'll be tomorrow night at 530. And then we're having DIY seasonings on Thursday night at six o'clock. So you can learn how to make your own seasoning mixtures and things like that. We'll have our painting class. So that'll be April 19, at 6pm. So that's next week, then we're going to have a viewing of everything is illuminated, followed by a discussion on April 24. At 6pm. It's for this month is also Holocaust remembrance. And so this is a program that is based on that. So everything is illuminated will be followed by discussion by Amber nickel. She's the one that did our Ukrainepresentation. 
James Bell  She joined us on the show here last week. 
Callie Kolacny  Yeah, and the Holocaust is one also one of her areas of expertise. So she will be in following are leading that discussion of that viewing. We will have a family storytime on April 23 at 10 a m, that's a great opportunity for people who are working during the week and can't come to storytimes with their kiddos, this is a nice Saturday for them to come to a storytime that'll be again April 23. At 10am. We also have the as I said, the spring Artwalk will be April 30, we'll have some that's going to be another Saturday all day come and go thing throughout downtown Hayes. So we will have some jazz music for an hour at 130 to 230. So you can come and enjoy some jazz music at the library while you're doing the spring Art Walk. Of course, Star Wars Day May the fourth so we always do something for Star Wars days. So we'll have some kind of a program at four o'clock on May the fourth and then we've got a program, the Hayes Arts Council is bringing this group to town laughing matters. And they're going to do a presentation at the library. It's a variety show, that'll be on May the fifth at 6:30pm.
James Bell  Awesome, awesome. You can find about more about these events, you have a really pretty cool calendar on your website, right?
Callie Kolacny  We do we have a great calendar on the website, just go to his library.org. And up at the top, there's events and then go to the calendar. That's the one that's updated all the time. We also have these our program booklets. And, of course, the the one that we did, it was January through April. So it's you know, almost the end of that one. So put together the summer one is more of a magazine style, it's a little bit bigger than the other ones have been because we have a lot of programs coming up in the summer. So that will be coming out later this month. So be on the lookout for that. And that is also available on the website. So you can you can still find the one that's for this current time period on the website. But then this new one will be on there as well.
James Bell  Very cool. You mentioned the summer is coming up, are you going to have your Beanstack challenges coming back as well are the summer challenge. 
Callie Kolacny  You know, some people just call us, you know, summer reading, but it's more than just reading. So we kind of call ours the summer challenge. It is coming up registration will begin may 1, and you can register through Beanstack or at the library. But you do have to register in order to be eligible to win any of the prizes. So we'll talk a lot more about this next month. But do want to let people know this is coming up. You can register beginning meet may 1, if you need help with the Beanstack in the online things, just talked to the staff at the library. We know how to do this, how to get you set up, we'd be happy to create your account for you. But it's gonna be a lot of fun. The theme this year is oceans of possibilities. So a lot of things about oceans, which is not very, you know, common around here, obviously. But it's fascinating. And it's interesting. We're doing a big project with the Sternberg museum as well. So I'll have more information on that next month. So just be ready. Be ready for summer challenge.
James Bell  Very cool. Look forward to hearing about that one. Now. We got a holiday coming up. Is it gonna affect your hours down there at the library as we do close? 
Callie Kolacny  For Good Friday, we close at noon. So this coming Friday, we will be closing at noon and then we will be closed on Sunday for Easter. We will be open on Saturday though so you can still come on Saturday but close Friday at noon and all day on Sunday.
James Bell  Okay, so make that note. If you're looking to head down to library Friday and Saturday, you're gonna have those limited hours. All righty, Kelly, well, we've got just about 30 seconds or so left. If people want to find out more about what's going on to library what's the best way for him to do so.
Callie Kolacny  Follow us on social media. I try to post a lot of stuff on social media about what's coming up. So Facebook, Twitter and Instagram just look for his public library. Also, the website has lots of information. He's library.org. As I said, you can get those event calendars and just other things on the website. And if you need information you want to talk to somebody 6259014 Is the phone number happy to talk to you
James Bell  Very good Callie as always thanks for joining us great to see us.
Callie Kolacny  Everybody have a wonderful Easter.

Imagine Ellis County wraps town hall events

On this episode of the Post Podcast Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams shares information about the recently completely Imagine Ellis County town halls meetings that solicted feedback from Ellis County residents about their ideas for the future.

Forward Ever: FHSU professor and historian Amber Nickell

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with Fort Hays State University assistant professor of history Amber Nickell.

Weekend Setlist April 8, 2022

On this episode of the Weekend Setlist host Jeffery Leiker details events around the Hays area this weekend.

USD 489 prepares to wrap 2022 school year

On this episode of the Post Podcast Wilson Elementary principal, Anita Schieve shares the latest from USD 489.

Healing Kids’ Hearts retreat helps area children cope with loss

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As springs takes hold these steps can help keep you safe

On this episode of the Post Podcast Ellis County Sheriff Scott Braun shares summer bike and walking safety tips.

Sunflower Senior Solutions: Never a bad time to compare plans

On this episode of the Post Podcast Sunflower Senior Solutions owner Courtney Dale shares the latest in Medicare enrollment news.

Holocaust remembrance events planned in Hays

On this episode of the Post Podcast Fort Hays State University assistant professor of History Amber Nickell shares information about upcoming area holocaust remembrance events.

Ellis County Clerk prepares for upcoming elections

On this episode of the Post Podcast Ellis County clerk and election officer Bobbi Dreiling shares information about voting in the upcoming elections with Hays Post reporter Jonathan Zweygardt.