Still a little hobbled and unsteady on my feet from recent knee surgery,&nbsp;here I sit at the&nbsp;computer, listening to the spring wind howl outside and reminiscing about past turkey hunts.&nbsp;These memories are probably as close as I’ll get&nbsp;to harvesting a turkey this&nbsp;spring,&nbsp;but&nbsp;memories of&nbsp;one&nbsp;particular&nbsp;fall turkey hunt keep&nbsp;popping into my mental in-box.

Ordinarily being inducted into&nbsp;any sort of members-only club or organization is an honor; something to be proud of, something to be pleased about, a reason to hold&nbsp;one’s&nbsp;head high. One&nbsp;weekend&nbsp;years ago, however, I was unintentionally and involuntarily given membership in an organization I’m&nbsp;ashamed to be a part of…&nbsp;Let me explain.

It was dusk and&nbsp;a chilly wind blew&nbsp;from the west.&nbsp;I had finally aligned my priorities, and number one was labeled “bag a fall turkey.”&nbsp;Our hunting blind was tucked under&nbsp;some craggy low hanging trees in front of an old silo. An alfalfa field lay in front of me, and the river&nbsp;with its fringe&nbsp;of trees and scrub brush, lay behind. I couldn’t see much to my left, but the west wind had been bringing with it the clucks and cackles of wild turkeys for nearly an hour. Fall turkey hunting is&nbsp;as different from spring turkey hunting as&nbsp;east is from west. The&nbsp;turkeys are grouped in large flocks for the winter, often a hundred or more around here, and hunting them becomes a game of cat and mouse, (ideally the turkeys play the part of the mouse.)&nbsp;Maybe I hunt overly paranoid and&nbsp;ultra-suspicious turkeys, but when the dust settles, I often end up looking more like the mouse myself.&nbsp;

Anyway,&nbsp;there I sat,&nbsp;straining&nbsp;to see&nbsp;the birds I could&nbsp;hear. Slowly black&nbsp;specks appeared&nbsp;in the alfalfa until the field was black, like&nbsp;a pepper shaker&nbsp;had&nbsp;spilled onto a green tablecloth. In two&nbsp;distinct groups they ever-so-slowly filed across the field, strutting, flapping and twittering like school kids&nbsp;after recess. As the first group&nbsp;crossed in front of&nbsp;me,&nbsp;they were too far away for a shot, and when&nbsp;they finally disappeared into the trees to my right, I thought my evening’s hunt was over. However,&nbsp;the sounds of turkeys still wafted on the wind and a second large group materialized through the branches&nbsp;to my left, this bunch&nbsp;much closer than the last. I slowly and quietly eased the&nbsp;12-gauge&nbsp;barrel through the open slit in front&nbsp;of the&nbsp;blind,&nbsp;released the safety and waited, already tasting fresh wild turkey breast. My best shot was through an&nbsp;opening in the trees about as wide as the&nbsp;blind, and one large hen in front of the flock soon stood&nbsp;there.&nbsp;As she cocked&nbsp;her head and looked my way, I put the front sight of the barrel on the base of her neck, and squeezed off the shot.&nbsp;Even as the sound of the&nbsp;blast still hung in the air,&nbsp;wild turkeys flew&nbsp;everywhere; I mean all the turkeys, every last one of them&nbsp;including the hen I’d shot&nbsp;at!&nbsp;I sat in the silence of the dark blind, somehow trying to deny the fact that I had&nbsp;just blown an easy shot.&nbsp;I walked around in the alfalfa&nbsp;as if I&nbsp;expected&nbsp;the earth to suddenly spew forth a dead&nbsp;turkey it had&nbsp;hidden from me as a cruel joke.&nbsp;I gazed in the direction of the fleeing birds as if I&nbsp;planned&nbsp;to see a dead turkey appear without warning somewhere in the distance.&nbsp;I had been told by other hunters that sooner or later every turkey hunter misses an easy shot, and I had just joined that club.&nbsp;I was now a&nbsp;card-carrying&nbsp;member of TWITS (That&nbsp;Was&nbsp;Incredibly&nbsp;Terrible&nbsp;Shooting.)&nbsp;

Walking to my pickup, I had to chuckle and wonder what was going through that turkeys mind (since it was not pellets from my shotgun shell.) I knew I could count on a compassionate and understanding&nbsp;response from my wife at home, and, sure enough, she replied “How in the world did that happen?”&nbsp;Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.

Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at&nbsp;stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="Steve&nbsp;Gilliland" />
 <figcaption>Steve&nbsp;Gilliland</figcaption>
 </figure>Still a little hobbled and unsteady on my feet from recent knee surgery,&nbsp;here I sit at the&nbsp;computer, listening to the spring wind howl outside and reminiscing about past turkey hunts.&nbsp;These memories are probably as close as I’ll get&nbsp;to harvesting a turkey this&nbsp;spring,&nbsp;but&nbsp;memories of&nbsp;one&nbsp;particular&nbsp;fall turkey hunt keep&nbsp;popping into my mental in-box.Ordinarily being inducted into&nbsp;any sort of members-only club or organization is an honor; something to be proud of, something to be pleased about, a reason to hold&nbsp;one’s&nbsp;head high. One&nbsp;weekend&nbsp;years ago, however, I was unintentionally and involuntarily given membership in an organization I’m&nbsp;ashamed to be a part of…&nbsp;Let me explain.It was dusk and&nbsp;a chilly wind blew&nbsp;from the west.&nbsp;I had finally aligned my priorities, and number one was labeled “bag a fall turkey.”&nbsp;Our hunting blind was tucked under&nbsp;some craggy low hanging trees in front of an old silo. An alfalfa field lay in front of me, and the river&nbsp;with its fringe&nbsp;of trees and scrub brush, lay behind. I couldn’t see much to my left, but the west wind had been bringing with it the clucks and cackles of wild turkeys for nearly an hour. Fall turkey hunting is&nbsp;as different from spring turkey hunting as&nbsp;east is from west. The&nbsp;turkeys are grouped in large flocks for the winter, often a hundred or more around here, and hunting them becomes a game of cat and mouse, (ideally the turkeys play the part of the mouse.)&nbsp;Maybe I hunt overly paranoid and&nbsp;ultra-suspicious turkeys, but when the dust settles, I often end up looking more like the mouse myself.&nbsp;Anyway,&nbsp;there I sat,&nbsp;straining&nbsp;to see&nbsp;the birds I could&nbsp;hear. Slowly black&nbsp;specks appeared&nbsp;in the alfalfa until the field was black, like&nbsp;a pepper shaker&nbsp;had&nbsp;spilled onto a green tablecloth. In two&nbsp;distinct groups they ever-so-slowly filed across the field, strutting, flapping and twittering like school kids&nbsp;after recess. As the first group&nbsp;crossed in front of&nbsp;me,&nbsp;they were too far away for a shot, and when&nbsp;they finally disappeared into the trees to my right, I thought my evening’s hunt was over. However,&nbsp;the sounds of turkeys still wafted on the wind and a second large group materialized through the branches&nbsp;to my left, this bunch&nbsp;much closer than the last. I slowly and quietly eased the&nbsp;12-gauge&nbsp;barrel through the open slit in front&nbsp;of the&nbsp;blind,&nbsp;released the safety and waited, already tasting fresh wild turkey breast. My best shot was through an&nbsp;opening in the trees about as wide as the&nbsp;blind, and one large hen in front of the flock soon stood&nbsp;there.&nbsp;As she cocked&nbsp;her head and looked my way, I put the front sight of the barrel on the base of her neck, and squeezed off the shot.&nbsp;Even as the sound of the&nbsp;blast still hung in the air,&nbsp;wild turkeys flew&nbsp;everywhere; I mean all the turkeys, every last one of them&nbsp;including the hen I’d shot&nbsp;at!&nbsp;I sat in the silence of the dark blind, somehow trying to deny the fact that I had&nbsp;just blown an easy shot.&nbsp;I walked around in the alfalfa&nbsp;as if I&nbsp;expected&nbsp;the earth to suddenly spew forth a dead&nbsp;turkey it had&nbsp;hidden from me as a cruel joke.&nbsp;I gazed in the direction of the fleeing birds as if I&nbsp;planned&nbsp;to see a dead turkey appear without warning somewhere in the distance.&nbsp;I had been told by other hunters that sooner or later every turkey hunter misses an easy shot, and I had just joined that club.&nbsp;I was now a&nbsp;card-carrying&nbsp;member of TWITS (That&nbsp;Was&nbsp;Incredibly&nbsp;Terrible&nbsp;Shooting.)&nbsp;Walking to my pickup, I had to chuckle and wonder what was going through that turkeys mind (since it was not pellets from my shotgun shell.) I knew I could count on a compassionate and understanding&nbsp;response from my wife at home, and, sure enough, she replied “How in the world did that happen?”&nbsp;Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at&nbsp;stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Exploring Outdoors Kansas: How in the world did that happen?

Much has been written about current state legislators not responding to special education funding and not meeting the 92% criteria on excess funding. &nbsp;I would like to address those claims.

Let’s look at the numbers.&nbsp;To figure out Special Education spending we take the actual spending for Special Education in Kansas for 2021&nbsp;of&nbsp;$1,017,356,006. &nbsp;Then we add an increase based on an approximate&nbsp;4% raise in teacher salaries of $40,694,240.&nbsp;Then we add in&nbsp;an estimated addition of 300 teachers and paraprofessionals at a cost of $71,014 per employee for a total of $21,322,200&nbsp;(remember this&nbsp;number).&nbsp;&nbsp;That equals a grand total of $1,079,372,446. &nbsp;

Now to compute “Excess Cost Computation."&nbsp; First you deduct the average per pupil cost&nbsp;of Regular Education ($7,909) multiplied&nbsp;by special education&nbsp;full-time equivalent pupils excluding any State Hospital&nbsp;residents&nbsp;which is 29,000 pupils ($229,361,000&nbsp;–&nbsp;which&nbsp;is the increase from 2021)&nbsp;and then subtracted&nbsp;Federal Aid, Medicaid Reimbursements and State Hospitals Administrative Costs which&nbsp;comes to&nbsp;$671,784,315 which then appears that&nbsp;Special Education is only calculated at 76.24%&nbsp;and&nbsp;the&nbsp;state is required to fund excess costs&nbsp;at 92%.

These numbers&nbsp;appear dismal. &nbsp;But let me&nbsp;tell you&nbsp;that these numbers don’t reflect&nbsp;the full story. &nbsp;Base Aid per student&nbsp;is never that amount. &nbsp;For 2023 base aid per student is $8,147.00&nbsp;and special education students&nbsp;are weighted&nbsp;(which adds layers of extra funding)&nbsp;and for the&nbsp;29,000&nbsp;special education&nbsp;students&nbsp;is another&nbsp;$238.7 million dollars. &nbsp;Federal Aid is&nbsp;$130.9 million, Medicaid is&nbsp;another $39.8 million. &nbsp;That total is $936,687,918 million. &nbsp;If you take this total and divide by the $1 billion in total funding reported by districts, you’ll find that the State funded&nbsp;at 92%&nbsp;of excess costs based on the raw numbers.&nbsp;This total for&nbsp;our special education population does not include bond &amp; interest, capital equalization, local option budget, or&nbsp;capital outlay. Those dollars that benefit these students and all students are in addition. Therefore, there is a great disparity between what KSDE&nbsp;uses as their formula versus what the Legislature&nbsp;actually pays.&nbsp;

Unencumbered funds that are held by USD 489&nbsp;for special education&nbsp;are currently&nbsp;$415,888.00and have risen over the past three years. &nbsp;If you&nbsp;remember, the state paid for 300 new teachers at a cost of&nbsp;over $21 million. &nbsp;As we all know, there has been a teacher and paraprofessional shortage and we&nbsp;definitely did&nbsp;not&nbsp;hire 300 new teachers. Basically –&nbsp;excess funding was deposited into special education unencumbered funds totaling over $220 million.&nbsp;These funds&nbsp;increased by 15% in five years.&nbsp;I fail to see how the State of Kansas has NOT fulfilled its requirement&nbsp;for funding when I look at these numbers. &nbsp;You may disagree with&nbsp;whether or not we should add&nbsp;more funding, but it would be very difficult to argue with the numbers I have provided.&nbsp;

State Rep. Barb Wasinger, R-Hays, 111th&nbsp;District

Much has been written about current state legislators not responding to special education funding and not meeting the 92% criteria on excess funding. &nbsp;I would like to address those claims.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Let’s look at the numbers.&nbsp;To figure out Special Education spending we take the actual spending for Special Education in Kansas for 2021&nbsp;of&nbsp;$1,017,356,006. &nbsp;Then we add an increase based on an approximate&nbsp;4% raise in teacher salaries of $40,694,240.&nbsp;Then we add in&nbsp;an estimated addition of 300 teachers and paraprofessionals at a cost of $71,014 per employee for a total of $21,322,200&nbsp;(remember this&nbsp;number).&nbsp;&nbsp;That equals a grand total of $1,079,372,446. &nbsp;Now to compute “Excess Cost Computation."&nbsp; First you deduct the average per pupil cost&nbsp;of Regular Education ($7,909) multiplied&nbsp;by special education&nbsp;full-time equivalent pupils excluding any State Hospital&nbsp;residents&nbsp;which is 29,000 pupils ($229,361,000&nbsp;–&nbsp;which&nbsp;is the increase from 2021)&nbsp;and then subtracted&nbsp;Federal Aid, Medicaid Reimbursements and State Hospitals Administrative Costs which&nbsp;comes to&nbsp;$671,784,315 which then appears that&nbsp;Special Education is only calculated at 76.24%&nbsp;and&nbsp;the&nbsp;state is required to fund excess costs&nbsp;at 92%.These numbers&nbsp;appear dismal. &nbsp;But let me&nbsp;tell you&nbsp;that these numbers don’t reflect&nbsp;the full story. &nbsp;Base Aid per student&nbsp;is never that amount. &nbsp;For 2023 base aid per student is $8,147.00&nbsp;and special education students&nbsp;are weighted&nbsp;(which adds layers of extra funding)&nbsp;and for the&nbsp;29,000&nbsp;special education&nbsp;students&nbsp;is another&nbsp;$238.7 million dollars. &nbsp;Federal Aid is&nbsp;$130.9 million, Medicaid is&nbsp;another $39.8 million. &nbsp;That total is $936,687,918 million. &nbsp;If you take this total and divide by the $1 billion in total funding reported by districts, you’ll find that the State funded&nbsp;at 92%&nbsp;of excess costs based on the raw numbers.&nbsp;This total for&nbsp;our special education population does not include bond &amp; interest, capital equalization, local option budget, or&nbsp;capital outlay. Those dollars that benefit these students and all students are in addition. Therefore, there is a great disparity between what KSDE&nbsp;uses as their formula versus what the Legislature&nbsp;actually pays.&nbsp;Unencumbered funds that are held by USD 489&nbsp;for special education&nbsp;are currently&nbsp;$415,888.00and have risen over the past three years. &nbsp;If you&nbsp;remember, the state paid for 300 new teachers at a cost of&nbsp;over $21 million. &nbsp;As we all know, there has been a teacher and paraprofessional shortage and we&nbsp;definitely did&nbsp;not&nbsp;hire 300 new teachers. Basically –&nbsp;excess funding was deposited into special education unencumbered funds totaling over $220 million.&nbsp;These funds&nbsp;increased by 15% in five years.&nbsp;I fail to see how the State of Kansas has NOT fulfilled its requirement&nbsp;for funding when I look at these numbers. &nbsp;You may disagree with&nbsp;whether or not we should add&nbsp;more funding, but it would be very difficult to argue with the numbers I have provided.&nbsp;State Rep. Barb Wasinger, R-Hays, 111th&nbsp;District

LETTER: The truth behind special education funding

By ERIC THOMAS <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/04/29/be-an-environmental-activist-through-your-backyard-gardening-choices/">Courtesy Kansas Reflector</a>

I like to consider myself an advocate
 for the environment: someone who believes that climate change is a 
dangerous and advancing threat. I fret that our government doesn’t do 
more to encourage sustainability and alternative energy.

But I am striking some weak stances there with “believe” and “fret.” What about some action on my part?

The best I muster is minimizing the 
damage that I regularly do to the environment. I choose a car that gets 
good gas mileage. I run our laundry at night to avoid peak power hours. I
 scold my son and daughter about not recycling.

Those changes allow me to stay in my 
comfy place of privileged consumption. Those tiny actions minimize my 
outsized first-world environmental impact.

Two Kansas podcasts this week provide
 similar ways to begin healing our environment, rather than limiting the
 daily damage we impart.

Together, the podcasts offer dual 
serendipities. First, their timing is extraordinary. Both episodes — 
posted on consecutive days on different podcasting channels — overlap by
 considering how backyard gardens with native plants can foster monarch 
butterflies.

The second serendipity is considering
 the strikingly beautiful monarch butterfly. Its marathon migratory 
pattern from Canada to Mexico over the course of generations of 
reproduction is a natural miracle. Add to that the precision of their 
migration (the butterflies take their cues from the angle of the sun in 
the sky).

Here are the two podcasts that 
magically overlapped in discussing how our backyard gardens can be more 
than a place to dump annual bags of red mulch:&nbsp;

The connection to Kansas for the monarch butterfly comes from <a target="_blank" href="https://www.monarchwatch.org/tagmig/">its migratory path through our state</a>, and also from <a target="_blank" href="https://www.monarchwatch.org/index.html">the Kansas-based nonprofit organization</a> that for 30 years has been working toward their preservation.

Chip Taylor, the founder and director
 of Monarch Watch, connects the butterfly with today’s largest 
environmental issues on Uncovering Kansas.

“Monarchs are important because they 
are symbolic of how we are managing the planet and the effect that we 
are having on the planet,” Taylor says. “The fact that the monarch 
population is going down is troubling because this is one of the most 
fantastic natural phenomena on the planet. We’ve got to be paying 
attention.

“And the monarchs are telling us that we aren’t paying attention.”&nbsp;

In eight countries, Monarch Watch has created more that <a target="_blank" href="https://www.monarchwatch.org/waystations/">38,000 waystations</a>: locations where monarchs can find their coveted milkweed plant.

Taylor explains that selecting a 
native milkweed plant is vital. Blindly buying any old milkweed might 
mean inadvertently harming monarchs with pesticides.&nbsp;

“People who buy milkweed — tropical 
milkweed in particular — from big-box stores,” Taylor said. “And they 
take those plants home to raise a few monarch caterpillars on them. Two 
or three bites of that foliage, if it’s been treated with these 
neonicotinoid pesticides, those butterflies are curled up and writhing 
at the bottom of the pot.”

The guest on this week’s Flatlander 
Podcast also asks listeners to be mindful of what they plant. Brad Guhr,
 an educator at Dyck Arboretum of the Plains in Hesston, explains why we
 should choose native plants.

Guhr says native plants should give 
back to the environment in which they are planted as much as they take. 
(This sounds like a grand ambition for us all.) He agrees with Taylor 
that it’s often difficult to find such plants at national hardware and 
retail chains.&nbsp;

However, finding the right plant can create a thriving natural environment.&nbsp;

“The more diversity that you get at 
that plant level, the more diversity you are going to get at that animal
 level, more high up,” Guhr says. “And I think that is where another 
level of enjoyment comes in. Wanting to see the wildlife that gets 
attracted to a landscape.”

Of course, this kind of 
thoughtfulness about what plants we select flies in the face of the 
weekend warrior mentality of maintaining the stereotypical suburban 
backyard. It’s so tempting to race through the Home Depot nursery and 
choose a plant that might survive in an empty plant bed back home. We 
want to spend just a few hours to simply make our yard “look cute.” Both
 guests make the case for being more mindful.

Eventually, even Guhr’s interview turns to the monarch.&nbsp;

“You bet I am going to talk about the
 monarch butterfly and all of the lessons that it brings along,” Guhr 
says. “Especially as it becomes more imperiled and we see these trends 
of its reduction in our environment, it’s easy to sound the alarms and 
try to highlight all of the different reasons that the monarch provides 
for us.”

Taylor sees the monarch’s symbolic value in prodding environmental curiosity and action.

“It’s a platform that we’ve got,” 
Taylor says. “The monarch butterfly is iconic. It’s cherished by a lot 
of people. And it gives us an opportunity to talk about a change that’s 
occurring.”

<a target="_blank" href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/1KmdXfI8qcGXppor5sLlng?si=dddf95eecd2940d7">Savvy, lazy or crazy, Putin will soon lose power</a>

In his interview with host Jon 
Niccum, Valery Dzutsati, a visiting assistant professor at the 
University of Kansas, draws a parallel between the Russian invasion of 
Ukraine in 2022 to the Russian-Japanese war in 1904. Detailed 
connections like these deliver what the title of the podcasts promises: 
experts attacking. Dzutsaki says that the 1904 war resulted in the first
 Russian revolution against the contemporary rulers of Russia. Will that
 happen again? Dzutsati predicts the end of Putin’s power in the next 
five years.&nbsp;

<a target="_blank" href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/12tj6bl6PbfkfUZXBo64Re?si=e90de5ea028940e4">Chris Courtwright</a>

Chris Courtwright delivers a 
behind-the-scenes tick-tock of how the Kansas Legislative Research 
Department makes financial projections. While this sounds dry, 
Courtwright’s voice rings with the righteous conviction of a dedicated 
numbers guy. The wonky breakdown of economics and taxes will help 
listeners understand:&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1651241310989.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By ERIC THOMAS <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/04/29/be-an-environmental-activist-through-your-backyard-gardening-choices/">Courtesy Kansas Reflector</a>I like to consider myself an advocate
 for the environment: someone who believes that climate change is a 
dangerous and advancing threat. I fret that our government doesn’t do 
more to encourage sustainability and alternative energy.But I am striking some weak stances there with “believe” and “fret.” What about some action on my part?The best I muster is minimizing the 
damage that I regularly do to the environment. I choose a car that gets 
good gas mileage. I run our laundry at night to avoid peak power hours. I
 scold my son and daughter about not recycling.Those changes allow me to stay in my 
comfy place of privileged consumption. Those tiny actions minimize my 
outsized first-world environmental impact.Two Kansas podcasts this week provide
 similar ways to begin healing our environment, rather than limiting the
 daily damage we impart.Together, the podcasts offer dual 
serendipities. First, their timing is extraordinary. Both episodes — 
posted on consecutive days on different podcasting channels — overlap by
 considering how backyard gardens with native plants can foster monarch 
butterflies.The second serendipity is considering
 the strikingly beautiful monarch butterfly. Its marathon migratory 
pattern from Canada to Mexico over the course of generations of 
reproduction is a natural miracle. Add to that the precision of their 
migration (the butterflies take their cues from the angle of the sun in 
the sky).Here are the two podcasts that 
magically overlapped in discussing how our backyard gardens can be more 
than a place to dump annual bags of red mulch:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li><a target="_blank" href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/6QpDX5buJsrlJQVcAjb03M?si=3279393f95eb4761">Wildflowers and Native Plants from the Flatlander Podcast, April 22</a></li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/4b7ipKx8DOkoQDc9ObvQ6M?si=e855b77cd9644482">Monarch Watch from the Uncovering Kansas podcast, April 23</a></li>
 </ul>The connection to Kansas for the monarch butterfly comes from <a target="_blank" href="https://www.monarchwatch.org/tagmig/">its migratory path through our state</a>, and also from <a target="_blank" href="https://www.monarchwatch.org/index.html">the Kansas-based nonprofit organization</a> that for 30 years has been working toward their preservation.Chip Taylor, the founder and director
 of Monarch Watch, connects the butterfly with today’s largest 
environmental issues on Uncovering Kansas.“Monarchs are important because they 
are symbolic of how we are managing the planet and the effect that we 
are having on the planet,” Taylor says. “The fact that the monarch 
population is going down is troubling because this is one of the most 
fantastic natural phenomena on the planet. We’ve got to be paying 
attention.“And the monarchs are telling us that we aren’t paying attention.”&nbsp;In eight countries, Monarch Watch has created more that <a target="_blank" href="https://www.monarchwatch.org/waystations/">38,000 waystations</a>: locations where monarchs can find their coveted milkweed plant.Taylor explains that selecting a 
native milkweed plant is vital. Blindly buying any old milkweed might 
mean inadvertently harming monarchs with pesticides.&nbsp;“People who buy milkweed — tropical 
milkweed in particular — from big-box stores,” Taylor said. “And they 
take those plants home to raise a few monarch caterpillars on them. Two 
or three bites of that foliage, if it’s been treated with these 
neonicotinoid pesticides, those butterflies are curled up and writhing 
at the bottom of the pot.”The guest on this week’s Flatlander 
Podcast also asks listeners to be mindful of what they plant. Brad Guhr,
 an educator at Dyck Arboretum of the Plains in Hesston, explains why we
 should choose native plants.Guhr says native plants should give 
back to the environment in which they are planted as much as they take. 
(This sounds like a grand ambition for us all.) He agrees with Taylor 
that it’s often difficult to find such plants at national hardware and 
retail chains.&nbsp;However, finding the right plant can create a thriving natural environment.&nbsp;“The more diversity that you get at 
that plant level, the more diversity you are going to get at that animal
 level, more high up,” Guhr says. “And I think that is where another 
level of enjoyment comes in. Wanting to see the wildlife that gets 
attracted to a landscape.”Of course, this kind of 
thoughtfulness about what plants we select flies in the face of the 
weekend warrior mentality of maintaining the stereotypical suburban 
backyard. It’s so tempting to race through the Home Depot nursery and 
choose a plant that might survive in an empty plant bed back home. We 
want to spend just a few hours to simply make our yard “look cute.” Both
 guests make the case for being more mindful.Eventually, even Guhr’s interview turns to the monarch.&nbsp;“You bet I am going to talk about the
 monarch butterfly and all of the lessons that it brings along,” Guhr 
says. “Especially as it becomes more imperiled and we see these trends 
of its reduction in our environment, it’s easy to sound the alarms and 
try to highlight all of the different reasons that the monarch provides 
for us.”Taylor sees the monarch’s symbolic value in prodding environmental curiosity and action.“It’s a platform that we’ve got,” 
Taylor says. “The monarch butterfly is iconic. It’s cherished by a lot 
of people. And it gives us an opportunity to talk about a change that’s 
occurring.”<a target="_blank" href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/1KmdXfI8qcGXppor5sLlng?si=dddf95eecd2940d7">Savvy, lazy or crazy, Putin will soon lose power</a>When Experts Attack, April 21, 2022In his interview with host Jon 
Niccum, Valery Dzutsati, a visiting assistant professor at the 
University of Kansas, draws a parallel between the Russian invasion of 
Ukraine in 2022 to the Russian-Japanese war in 1904. Detailed 
connections like these deliver what the title of the podcasts promises: 
experts attacking. Dzutsaki says that the 1904 war resulted in the first
 Russian revolution against the contemporary rulers of Russia. Will that
 happen again? Dzutsati predicts the end of Putin’s power in the next 
five years.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/12tj6bl6PbfkfUZXBo64Re?si=e90de5ea028940e4">Chris Courtwright</a>That Guy in Hutch, April 21, 2022Chris Courtwright delivers a 
behind-the-scenes tick-tock of how the Kansas Legislative Research 
Department makes financial projections. While this sounds dry, 
Courtwright’s voice rings with the righteous conviction of a dedicated 
numbers guy. The wonky breakdown of economics and taxes will help 
listeners understand:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>The history of the grocery tax (he seems mystified that a cut hasn’t passed).</li><li>The diversification of tax revenue in Kansas (it protects against tax revenue slumping during downturns.</li><li>The
 cash in our state’s coffers (“I am telling you that there’s more money 
in the Kansas state coffers than there’s ever been.”).</li>
 </ul>

OPINION: Be an environmental activist through backyard choices

In February, we announced a new partnership with Hays Academy of Hair Design that will provide the hair academy students the opportunity to take four business courses while working toward a Business Essentials certificate from Fort Hays State University.

This partnership is&nbsp;similar to&nbsp;the Gateway Program through FHSU and the North Central Kansas Technical College. Through that program, NCK Tech students can enjoy many benefits offered to Fort Hays State students, including access to campus services, participation in student activities and organizations, and on-campus student housing.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Our first eight-week class of the certificate, Understanding Personal Finances, was a huge success. The second, Management Practices, will conclude at the end of this semester. The third and fourth classes – Basics of Accounting and Taxes, and Social Media Marketing – will be taught during the fall 2022 semester.

Hays native Reece&nbsp;Leiker, who will graduate from Hays High School in May, plans to enroll in all those classes next year.

I have known Reece for several years as a client of her make-up and skin care business. I have always been fascinated by her business savvy. I am thrilled that she is among the students taking advantage of the FHSU-Hays Academy partnership.

Reece said she knew from the first time she heard about the partnership that it was something she wanted to check out.&nbsp;

“I love school for the social aspect, and I like surrounding myself with like-minded peers,” she said. “I knew living on campus was for me because I want to meet new people and stay connected to my friends who will be attending FHSU this fall. I think living on my own will teach me a lot about myself, and I look forward to that.”

Reece said her goal is to enjoy the college experience while still being able to attend the school of her choice – the hair academy.&nbsp;

“My goal is to have the college experience but receive the schooling of my choice through the hair academy,” she said. “The business classes follow the same logic for me, and I believe that knowing more is highly beneficial.”

One of things that I really admire about Reece is her entrepreneurial spirit. She said she didn’t picture herself as an entrepreneur when she was younger. However, when she was 11 years old and her younger brother, Channing, was 7, their mom asked them “What could you do to change the world?”

Soon thereafter, the&nbsp;Leiker&nbsp;siblings created Pure&nbsp;Roots, &nbsp;a&nbsp;homemade laundry detergent.&nbsp;

They identified and acquired a corporate sponsor for the materials so that 100% of the money from the detergent sales went directly toward their philanthropic goal to build five homes for the extremely poor in Nicaragua.

They estimated the total cost of those five homes to be $26,000, and they set a timeline of one year for raising that amount. However, Reece and Channing reached their goal in just seven months. They then set a new target of funding 20 homes&nbsp;and also&nbsp;met that goal, raising $104,000.

Inspired by her early success, and driven by her family’s motto, “Leave it better than you found it,” Reece set out on a new venture: making the world more beautiful,&nbsp;inside&nbsp;and out, by inspiring confidence and self-love.

At the age of 14, Reece became an affiliate for a cosmetics brand. Later, she and her family established Fancy That Boutique for her business. The Hays storefront features additional products such as journals and jewelry.

That’s when Reece realized that the beauty industry was something she wanted to pursue as a career.

“I chose Hays Academy of Hair Design because after being an affiliate for a cosmetics brand, I realized it was something I truly enjoyed,” she said. “I love helping women become the best version of themselves and reflecting their inner beauty outward.”

“While I attend Hays Academy and FHSU, I plan on launching my brand and focusing on growing my business. &nbsp;After graduating, I plan to expand my brand and take over Fancy That Boutique.&nbsp;

“I love Hays and want to do my part in growing the business sector,” she said, “so I'm sure there will be more entrepreneurial opportunities I will pursue.”

“I really admire my mother when it comes to business because she leads with humility and compassion,” Reece said. “She makes others feel loved and heard. She pushes through her struggles and comes out stronger each time. She takes time to grow herself and takes her priorities seriously.”

I have watched Reece grow her understanding of business practices such as inventory, supply chain, marketing, website development, financial management, and business planning. In all my encounters with Reece, I have found her to be extremely knowledgeable about her products and among the best in customer service and relationships. Each order she prepares for her clients includes a hand-written note to encourage a smile and a positive thought. She constantly thinks about her focus on inspiring positive change in our world.

Even at her young age, Reece has already made a significant impact in the lives and hearts of many while simultaneously building her business acumen and entrepreneurial skills and heart. I cannot wait to see how her journey continues to ignite people, communities, and our world with love. And I am excited about how our partnership with Hays Academy of Hair Design will continue to bring students like Reece to our campus.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575302014229.png" alt="Dr. Tisa Mason, FHSU president" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Tisa Mason, FHSU president</figcaption>
 </figure>In February, we announced a new partnership with Hays Academy of Hair Design that will provide the hair academy students the opportunity to take four business courses while working toward a Business Essentials certificate from Fort Hays State University.This partnership is&nbsp;similar to&nbsp;the Gateway Program through FHSU and the North Central Kansas Technical College. Through that program, NCK Tech students can enjoy many benefits offered to Fort Hays State students, including access to campus services, participation in student activities and organizations, and on-campus student housing.&nbsp;&nbsp;Our first eight-week class of the certificate, Understanding Personal Finances, was a huge success. The second, Management Practices, will conclude at the end of this semester. The third and fourth classes – Basics of Accounting and Taxes, and Social Media Marketing – will be taught during the fall 2022 semester.Hays native Reece&nbsp;Leiker, who will graduate from Hays High School in May, plans to enroll in all those classes next year.I have known Reece for several years as a client of her make-up and skin care business. I have always been fascinated by her business savvy. I am thrilled that she is among the students taking advantage of the FHSU-Hays Academy partnership.Reece said she knew from the first time she heard about the partnership that it was something she wanted to check out.&nbsp;“I love school for the social aspect, and I like surrounding myself with like-minded peers,” she said. “I knew living on campus was for me because I want to meet new people and stay connected to my friends who will be attending FHSU this fall. I think living on my own will teach me a lot about myself, and I look forward to that.”Reece said her goal is to enjoy the college experience while still being able to attend the school of her choice – the hair academy.&nbsp;“My goal is to have the college experience but receive the schooling of my choice through the hair academy,” she said. “The business classes follow the same logic for me, and I believe that knowing more is highly beneficial.”One of things that I really admire about Reece is her entrepreneurial spirit. She said she didn’t picture herself as an entrepreneur when she was younger. However, when she was 11 years old and her younger brother, Channing, was 7, their mom asked them “What could you do to change the world?”Soon thereafter, the&nbsp;Leiker&nbsp;siblings created Pure&nbsp;Roots, &nbsp;a&nbsp;homemade laundry detergent.&nbsp;They identified and acquired a corporate sponsor for the materials so that 100% of the money from the detergent sales went directly toward their philanthropic goal to build five homes for the extremely poor in Nicaragua.They estimated the total cost of those five homes to be $26,000, and they set a timeline of one year for raising that amount. However, Reece and Channing reached their goal in just seven months. They then set a new target of funding 20 homes&nbsp;and also&nbsp;met that goal, raising $104,000.Inspired by her early success, and driven by her family’s motto, “Leave it better than you found it,” Reece set out on a new venture: making the world more beautiful,&nbsp;inside&nbsp;and out, by inspiring confidence and self-love.At the age of 14, Reece became an affiliate for a cosmetics brand. Later, she and her family established Fancy That Boutique for her business. The Hays storefront features additional products such as journals and jewelry.That’s when Reece realized that the beauty industry was something she wanted to pursue as a career.“I chose Hays Academy of Hair Design because after being an affiliate for a cosmetics brand, I realized it was something I truly enjoyed,” she said. “I love helping women become the best version of themselves and reflecting their inner beauty outward.”“While I attend Hays Academy and FHSU, I plan on launching my brand and focusing on growing my business. &nbsp;After graduating, I plan to expand my brand and take over Fancy That Boutique.&nbsp;“I love Hays and want to do my part in growing the business sector,” she said, “so I'm sure there will be more entrepreneurial opportunities I will pursue.”Reece’s role model is her mom, Taryn.“I really admire my mother when it comes to business because she leads with humility and compassion,” Reece said. “She makes others feel loved and heard. She pushes through her struggles and comes out stronger each time. She takes time to grow herself and takes her priorities seriously.”I have watched Reece grow her understanding of business practices such as inventory, supply chain, marketing, website development, financial management, and business planning. In all my encounters with Reece, I have found her to be extremely knowledgeable about her products and among the best in customer service and relationships. Each order she prepares for her clients includes a hand-written note to encourage a smile and a positive thought. She constantly thinks about her focus on inspiring positive change in our world.Even at her young age, Reece has already made a significant impact in the lives and hearts of many while simultaneously building her business acumen and entrepreneurial skills and heart. I cannot wait to see how her journey continues to ignite people, communities, and our world with love. And I am excited about how our partnership with Hays Academy of Hair Design will continue to bring students like Reece to our campus.

MASON: Partnerships expanding opportunities for students

On May 10, this community will decide whether to approve a $143 million school bond. Its supporters say that a new high school is needed to draw more residents. Unfortunately, the bigger tax bills and higher rents will make life unaffordable for many who live here now. They’re struggling as it is, and the evidence suggests that things are about to get worse.

In a story last month, Fox Business <a href="https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/russian-war-in-worlds-breadbasket-threatens-food-supply">noted</a> how Ukraine and Russia are known as the breadbasket of Europe, and between them they account for a third of global wheat and barley exports. They also produce corn, and 75% of the world’s sunflower oil. Unfortunately, that breadbast will be a lot lighter this fall.&nbsp;

Due to Russia’s invasion, many <a href="https://www.agricensus.com/Article/ANALYSIS-Ukraine-planting-outlooks-slashed-amid-Russia-invasion-21174.html">Ukrainian farmers</a> haven’t been able to plant this year. And even for those who have, there’s no guarantee they’ll be able to bring their crops to market. While Russian farmers are planting, it’s not clear if they’ll be able to sell what they grow: as Bloomberg <a href="https://archive.ph/6Geaa">reported</a> on April 5, there is now mounting pressure to sanction the country’s agricultural products.&nbsp;

Now you might be thinking, “Hey, we’re Americans–we grow our own food.” Well, that’s tough to do without fertilizer, something which just got significantly more expensive. Modern fertilizers typically contain three elements: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Potassium is usually derived from something called potash; unfortunately, Russia and Belarus are the world’s number two and three potash producers. As of this month, Russia is <a href="https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/17312-russian-halt-to-fertilizer-exports-expected-to-boost-prices-spur-shortfalls">no longer</a> exporting potash, while potash from Belarus is about to be hit with steep U.S. tariffs <a href="https://archive.ph/8FthD">next month</a>.

Nitrogen usually comes in the form of ammonia, something that requires natural gas to manufacture. Low and behold, Russia is the world’s <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/264771/top-countries-based-on-natural-gas-production/">second largest</a> natural gas producer. We could mitigate rising natural gas prices by aggressively upping domestic production, but the Biden administration <a href="https://video.foxnews.com/v/6302696045001/">isn’t interested</a>.&nbsp;

So what does all of this mean? Well, even Joe Biden <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/biden-warns-americans-food-shortage-gonna-be-real-following-sanctions-russia">acknowledged</a> last month that “real” food shortages are a possibility. In other words, we’ll be paying a lot more to buy groceries. That’s on top of the extra we’ll be shelling out to fill our gas tanks and heat our homes. Then there’s the fact that interest rates are up and <a href="https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/mortgage-rates-fastest-pace-1994">expected to rise</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

This is going to impact everyone, but it’ll be hardest on those who are just scraping by. These are often the elderly, single parents, and families with low incomes. Forcing them to pay more in property taxes or higher rent along with a half cent sales tax could literally force some out of their homes. Even if you think it’s reasonable to burden them with more costs, now isn’t the time to do it.

Instead of “growing Hays,” passing this bond will push out the vulnerable, including many of our elders who have nowhere else to go. We need to show up on May 10 and keep that from happening. 

On May 10, this community will decide whether to approve a $143 million school bond. Its supporters say that a new high school is needed to draw more residents. Unfortunately, the bigger tax bills and higher rents will make life unaffordable for many who live here now. They’re struggling as it is, and the evidence suggests that things are about to get worse. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>In a story last month, Fox Business <a href="https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/russian-war-in-worlds-breadbasket-threatens-food-supply">noted</a> how Ukraine and Russia are known as the breadbasket of Europe, and between them they account for a third of global wheat and barley exports. They also produce corn, and 75% of the world’s sunflower oil. Unfortunately, that breadbast will be a lot lighter this fall.&nbsp;Due to Russia’s invasion, many <a href="https://www.agricensus.com/Article/ANALYSIS-Ukraine-planting-outlooks-slashed-amid-Russia-invasion-21174.html">Ukrainian farmers</a> haven’t been able to plant this year. And even for those who have, there’s no guarantee they’ll be able to bring their crops to market. While Russian farmers are planting, it’s not clear if they’ll be able to sell what they grow: as Bloomberg <a href="https://archive.ph/6Geaa">reported</a> on April 5, there is now mounting pressure to sanction the country’s agricultural products.&nbsp;Now you might be thinking, “Hey, we’re Americans–we grow our own food.” Well, that’s tough to do without fertilizer, something which just got significantly more expensive. Modern fertilizers typically contain three elements: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Potassium is usually derived from something called potash; unfortunately, Russia and Belarus are the world’s number two and three potash producers. As of this month, Russia is <a href="https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/17312-russian-halt-to-fertilizer-exports-expected-to-boost-prices-spur-shortfalls">no longer</a> exporting potash, while potash from Belarus is about to be hit with steep U.S. tariffs <a href="https://archive.ph/8FthD">next month</a>.Nitrogen usually comes in the form of ammonia, something that requires natural gas to manufacture. Low and behold, Russia is the world’s <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/264771/top-countries-based-on-natural-gas-production/">second largest</a> natural gas producer. We could mitigate rising natural gas prices by aggressively upping domestic production, but the Biden administration <a href="https://video.foxnews.com/v/6302696045001/">isn’t interested</a>.&nbsp;So what does all of this mean? Well, even Joe Biden <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/biden-warns-americans-food-shortage-gonna-be-real-following-sanctions-russia">acknowledged</a> last month that “real” food shortages are a possibility. In other words, we’ll be paying a lot more to buy groceries. That’s on top of the extra we’ll be shelling out to fill our gas tanks and heat our homes. Then there’s the fact that interest rates are up and <a href="https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/mortgage-rates-fastest-pace-1994">expected to rise</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;This is going to impact everyone, but it’ll be hardest on those who are just scraping by. These are often the elderly, single parents, and families with low incomes. Forcing them to pay more in property taxes or higher rent along with a half cent sales tax could literally force some out of their homes. Even if you think it’s reasonable to burden them with more costs, now isn’t the time to do it.Instead of “growing Hays,” passing this bond will push out the vulnerable, including many of our elders who have nowhere else to go. We need to show up on May 10 and keep that from happening. Adam Peters, Hays

LETTER: The time to spend on schools is not now

​Last Friday, April 22, 2022, Ron Wilson, USD 489’s Superintendent sent an email to all 489&nbsp;staff and school board members. &nbsp;Here are the relevant parts for the purpose of this letter:

​“Monday, April 25th&nbsp;is the start of early voting for our bond opportunity… It&nbsp;doesn’t’&nbsp;cost us a penny to vote! Simply, by not voting really registers as a NO vote when it comes to our school staff… I have told everyone that has told me that this bond attempt I promise I&nbsp;will do my part to ensure that we have educator&nbsp;support,&nbsp;and they will vote&nbsp;(emphasis added)… If 100% of the eligible voters in your building vote before May 10th&nbsp;we will bring in lunch for you one day before&nbsp;the end&nbsp;of school. &nbsp;Yes, we will know if&nbsp;you vote&nbsp;(emphasis added)&nbsp;(and no we can not see how you vote) ...&nbsp; The first building in our district to get 100% also gets&nbsp;dessert with their lunch!”

​I believe the notion that the 489 administration&nbsp;will keep&nbsp;tabs on who does and does not vote amounts to a&nbsp;subtle&nbsp;but very real&nbsp;attempt to intimidate and bully the staff of USD 489. &nbsp;This&nbsp;email&nbsp;quite&nbsp;simply crossed&nbsp;the line.

​Here are the questions I have for the&nbsp;superintendent&nbsp;and the members of the&nbsp;school board. &nbsp;Inquiring minds want to know.

1.Will the administration compile an actual list of staff and teachers who vote or don’t vote? &nbsp; 2.Will school district employees create that list?&nbsp;If so, who will pay for them to do it? 3. If a staff member or teacher doesn’t vote will that be noted in their employee file? &nbsp;Will their name be on a list for the public to see?4.What about that apparently quaint notion of individuall iberty upon which this country was founded which allows a person the freedom to choose to vote or not vote? 5.Where are the local NEA union leaders in this instance? &nbsp;Will they object to this effort to intimidate the teachers and staff or are they so singularly minded in favor of the bond that protecting their members is secondary? 6.The school board president proudly proclaims that this is the most transparent school board and administration ever. Is this the board’s and administration’s idea of transparency? 7.Do the superintendent and the board members understand that the email could possibly subject them to a charge of violating KSA25-2409 in which election bribery is defined as an act offering to confer any benefit over the value of $3.00 as consideration for any person to vote for any question submitted to any public election?

Oh, and by the way, do you want to&nbsp;know&nbsp;the&nbsp;real reason DLR and the&nbsp;489 superintendent&nbsp;and board members decided to call for a May election date despite the&nbsp;fact that it will cost the tax payers between $20 and $30 thousand dollars?

​Well,&nbsp;DLR’s spokesperson and&nbsp;“political expert”&nbsp;will tell you that it was simply time to do it, notwithstanding&nbsp;that there is the August primary election&nbsp;a mere 90 days after this bond election.&nbsp;&nbsp;She knows full&nbsp;well, as does anyone who has worked on political campaigns, as I have done many times over the years, that voter turnout for special elections is low.&nbsp;So she understands that the more&nbsp;motivated&nbsp;voters in this bond election will be the USD&nbsp;489staff, teachers and pro-bond people. &nbsp;But that isn’t the real reason.

​After the very first night I attended one of the&nbsp;“Citizen&nbsp;Committee”&nbsp;meetings last September, DLR’s&nbsp;spokesperson&nbsp;approached me as I was visiting with another person and we discussed the bond election&nbsp;process. &nbsp;I asked her why there was a rush again (just as there was with the last bond election) to&nbsp;have an April election (that was the goal at the time). She&nbsp;initially&nbsp;responded with the reasons set out above, but then she let it be known the real reason and motivation for&nbsp;wanting an early election:

​To paraphrase&nbsp;her exact words&nbsp;as&nbsp;closely&nbsp;as I can:&nbsp;Well,&nbsp;the&nbsp;Value&nbsp;Them Both constitutional amendment&nbsp;(dealing with the abortion issue)&nbsp;is on the ballot in&nbsp;August and we’re not sure about&nbsp;the kind of voter that will come out and vote in that&nbsp;election.&nbsp;In&nbsp;other words, pro Value Them Both voters couldn’t be trusted to make their&nbsp;decision&nbsp;on the merits of the bond questions,&nbsp;so we’ll just avoid that question mark. I then retorted rather emphatically that&nbsp;if that is&nbsp;her thinking then&nbsp;she really&nbsp;doesn’t&nbsp;understand the voters of Ellis County&nbsp;at all. &nbsp;They have approved bond elections in the past&nbsp;when they&nbsp;thought they were reasonable&nbsp;and made sense. &nbsp;

As Paul Harvey used to say at the end of his radio&nbsp;program,&nbsp;“Now you know the rest&nbsp;of the story."

​So the only&nbsp;remaining&nbsp;question then is this. &nbsp;Will those who have the temerity to disagree with the proposed bond sit on their hands and stay at home on election day? &nbsp;One thing is for certain, however, if they&nbsp;do show up to vote, USD 489&nbsp;Superintendent Ron Wilson will&nbsp;not be&nbsp;bringing them any lunch. &nbsp;And as far as dessert is&nbsp;concerned,&nbsp;Fuhgeddaboutdit!

​Last Friday, April 22, 2022, Ron Wilson, USD 489’s Superintendent sent an email to all 489&nbsp;staff and school board members. &nbsp;Here are the relevant parts for the purpose of this letter:​“Monday, April 25th&nbsp;is the start of early voting for our bond opportunity… It&nbsp;doesn’t’&nbsp;cost us a penny to vote! Simply, by not voting really registers as a NO vote when it comes to our school staff… I have told everyone that has told me that this bond attempt I promise I&nbsp;will do my part to ensure that we have educator&nbsp;support,&nbsp;and they will vote&nbsp;(emphasis added)… If 100% of the eligible voters in your building vote before May 10th&nbsp;we will bring in lunch for you one day before&nbsp;the end&nbsp;of school. &nbsp;Yes, we will know if&nbsp;you vote&nbsp;(emphasis added)&nbsp;(and no we can not see how you vote) ...&nbsp; The first building in our district to get 100% also gets&nbsp;dessert with their lunch!”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>​I believe the notion that the 489 administration&nbsp;will keep&nbsp;tabs on who does and does not vote amounts to a&nbsp;subtle&nbsp;but very real&nbsp;attempt to intimidate and bully the staff of USD 489. &nbsp;This&nbsp;email&nbsp;quite&nbsp;simply crossed&nbsp;the line.​Here are the questions I have for the&nbsp;superintendent&nbsp;and the members of the&nbsp;school board. &nbsp;Inquiring minds want to know.1.Will the administration compile an actual list of staff and teachers who vote or don’t vote? &nbsp; 2.Will school district employees create that list?&nbsp;If so, who will pay for them to do it? 3. If a staff member or teacher doesn’t vote will that be noted in their employee file? &nbsp;Will their name be on a list for the public to see?4.What about that apparently quaint notion of individuall iberty upon which this country was founded which allows a person the freedom to choose to vote or not vote? 5.Where are the local NEA union leaders in this instance? &nbsp;Will they object to this effort to intimidate the teachers and staff or are they so singularly minded in favor of the bond that protecting their members is secondary? 6.The school board president proudly proclaims that this is the most transparent school board and administration ever. Is this the board’s and administration’s idea of transparency? 7.Do the superintendent and the board members understand that the email could possibly subject them to a charge of violating KSA25-2409 in which election bribery is defined as an act offering to confer any benefit over the value of $3.00 as consideration for any person to vote for any question submitted to any public election?Oh, and by the way, do you want to&nbsp;know&nbsp;the&nbsp;real reason DLR and the&nbsp;489 superintendent&nbsp;and board members decided to call for a May election date despite the&nbsp;fact that it will cost the tax payers between $20 and $30 thousand dollars?​Well,&nbsp;DLR’s spokesperson and&nbsp;“political expert”&nbsp;will tell you that it was simply time to do it, notwithstanding&nbsp;that there is the August primary election&nbsp;a mere 90 days after this bond election.&nbsp;&nbsp;She knows full&nbsp;well, as does anyone who has worked on political campaigns, as I have done many times over the years, that voter turnout for special elections is low.&nbsp;So she understands that the more&nbsp;motivated&nbsp;voters in this bond election will be the USD&nbsp;489staff, teachers and pro-bond people. &nbsp;But that isn’t the real reason.​After the very first night I attended one of the&nbsp;“Citizen&nbsp;Committee”&nbsp;meetings last September, DLR’s&nbsp;spokesperson&nbsp;approached me as I was visiting with another person and we discussed the bond election&nbsp;process. &nbsp;I asked her why there was a rush again (just as there was with the last bond election) to&nbsp;have an April election (that was the goal at the time). She&nbsp;initially&nbsp;responded with the reasons set out above, but then she let it be known the real reason and motivation for&nbsp;wanting an early election:​To paraphrase&nbsp;her exact words&nbsp;as&nbsp;closely&nbsp;as I can:&nbsp;Well,&nbsp;the&nbsp;Value&nbsp;Them Both constitutional amendment&nbsp;(dealing with the abortion issue)&nbsp;is on the ballot in&nbsp;August and we’re not sure about&nbsp;the kind of voter that will come out and vote in that&nbsp;election.&nbsp;In&nbsp;other words, pro Value Them Both voters couldn’t be trusted to make their&nbsp;decision&nbsp;on the merits of the bond questions,&nbsp;so we’ll just avoid that question mark. I then retorted rather emphatically that&nbsp;if that is&nbsp;her thinking then&nbsp;she really&nbsp;doesn’t&nbsp;understand the voters of Ellis County&nbsp;at all. &nbsp;They have approved bond elections in the past&nbsp;when they&nbsp;thought they were reasonable&nbsp;and made sense. &nbsp;As Paul Harvey used to say at the end of his radio&nbsp;program,&nbsp;“Now you know the rest&nbsp;of the story."​So the only&nbsp;remaining&nbsp;question then is this. &nbsp;Will those who have the temerity to disagree with the proposed bond sit on their hands and stay at home on election day? &nbsp;One thing is for certain, however, if they&nbsp;do show up to vote, USD 489&nbsp;Superintendent Ron Wilson will&nbsp;not be&nbsp;bringing them any lunch. &nbsp;And as far as dessert is&nbsp;concerned,&nbsp;Fuhgeddaboutdit!Tom&nbsp;Wasinger, Hays

LETTER: USD 489 superintendent, school board cross the line

One of the buzzwords of late is “hack.” Now hack can mean something very bad, like your computer getting “hacked,” meaning someone has digitally broken into your information and now everyone&nbsp;in the township&nbsp;somehow&nbsp;knows the secret recipe for Aunt Agnes’s famous potato salad and Uncle Oscar’s deer jerky marinade, (even though they were both written on the inside of the kitchen cabinet door.)&nbsp;“Hack” can also mean a DIY shortcut of some sort, like how&nbsp;to use a roman candle to light the&nbsp;neighbor’s wheat stubble on fire without&nbsp;even&nbsp;leaving your yard.&nbsp;But I digress, so now on&nbsp;to some hunter hacks I found, and some hunter hacks of my own.

More has probably been written about different ways to start a campfire than about any other outdoor subject.&nbsp;

First&nbsp;off, no one in the crowd I hang with is gonna’ have need of a campfire except for rare camping trips with the family, then we’ll start our fires with those neat gizmos called&nbsp;matches and lighters. We all have Little Buddy propane heaters in our deer blinds, and none of us have the ambition to climb Mount Everest or do anything where emergency campfires might be needed.&nbsp;Never-the-less, I found hacks about&nbsp;using corn chips and crayons as fire starters.&nbsp;Sure,&nbsp;they work fine, but what self respecting hunter is going to waste good corn chips to start a fire.&nbsp;Eat the chips and light the empty bag, it works just as well. And as far as lighting crayons to start a campfire, once again it works great and they burn for a long time, but&nbsp;no hunter worth their jerky&nbsp;would dream of wasting a perfectly good crayon just to start a fire. They should be kept for things&nbsp;of greater importance&nbsp;like&nbsp;scribbling messages and phone numbers on the wall of your deer&nbsp;blind&nbsp;or for labeling packages&nbsp;of meat in&nbsp;the freezer so you can tell this year’s&nbsp;venison&nbsp;back strap from the muskrat meat kept for next year’s coyote bait.&nbsp;

Another interesting campfire starting hack I found involves&nbsp;dryer lint; it seems dryer&nbsp;lint&nbsp;burns very well and starts very easily. It can be stuffed into empty toilet paper tubes or merely carried in a Ziploc bag and used right from there. Now we’re talkin’, something we&nbsp;all&nbsp;can&nbsp;relate to. I mean who doesn’t save&nbsp;all their dryer&nbsp;lint and&nbsp;empty toilet paper tubes? Instead of emptying&nbsp;them into the recycle container and trash every couple years, make fire starters from them!&nbsp;But in all my trolling of the almighty internet I did not find one reference to the most trustworthy tried-and-true method of starting a campfire ever, even used by our Native American forefathers. From anywhere in&nbsp;Kansas,&nbsp;you would have to travel&nbsp;forever to deer hunt where there are no cattle nearby, SO LIGHT A&nbsp;DRY&nbsp;COW TURD.&nbsp;

The next most talked about topic in the outdoors, especially relating to survival, is how to build a shelter.&nbsp;Let me offer&nbsp;a hillbilly hack for building a shelter.&nbsp;All hillbilly outdoorsmen&nbsp;worth their pork rinds will have a serious collection of tarps, and what a better use for a tarp than an emergency shelter. Harbor Freight has them in all sizes and you can occasionally get a small one “free with any purchase,” so there’s absolutely no excuse for not having one to carry with you on all outdoor excursions. A word of caution here; it’s not in your best interest to remove the tarp covering the hole in your trailer house roof.&nbsp;Anyway,&nbsp;there are a variety of ways to deploy your tarp/shelter. If you’re fishing, I’m sure you’ll have dynamite with you, so&nbsp;merely drop a stick into a small hole you dig in the ground, light her up and you’ll soon have a nice cave that you can crawl into and cover with your tarp.&nbsp;

No friend of mine would be caught dead on a hunting or&nbsp;fishing trip without a menagerie of plastic&nbsp;five-gallon&nbsp;buckets, and the uses for them as hillbilly hunter hacks are endless.&nbsp;You can&nbsp;buy kits to turn one&nbsp;into a “luggable loo,” and even&nbsp;cut a notch lengthways in a pool noodle and snap it around the top for a&nbsp;soft seat while you heed nature’s call.&nbsp;Spray paint a few more&nbsp;buckets&nbsp;green, drill a&nbsp;small hole at the bottom&nbsp;and put them at the base of each “illegal pharmaceutical” plant you “just happened to find growing” along the river as a way to water those beauties.&nbsp;Five-gallon&nbsp;buckets make great hillbilly mouse traps&nbsp;too, for the deer blind or even the living room.&nbsp;

On each side of the bucket near the top, drill a hole big enough for a&nbsp;broom handle to slide through and fit loosely enough to spin. Fill the bucket with water or used motor oil (which I’m sure you will have by the barrel-full,) put a glob of peanut butter in the middle of the broom handle and&nbsp;viola; when a mouse walks the broom handle to get the peanut butter, it will spin and dump the&nbsp;little blighter into the slurry&nbsp;below. If you keep the TV volume low enough you can hear the splash and reward the cat with a live mouse.

I’m certain the list of hillbilly hacks, whether for hunting or not is endless, and I’ve probably just scratched the surface here. Maybe a book is in order, “Hillbilly Hunter Hacks for the Deer Blind, Boat and Living Room.” For all my loyal readers&nbsp;who want one, let me know and&nbsp;I’ll reserve you a signed copy.&nbsp;Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors!

Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="Steve&nbsp;Gilliland" />
 <figcaption>Steve&nbsp;Gilliland</figcaption>
 </figure>One of the buzzwords of late is “hack.” Now hack can mean something very bad, like your computer getting “hacked,” meaning someone has digitally broken into your information and now everyone&nbsp;in the township&nbsp;somehow&nbsp;knows the secret recipe for Aunt Agnes’s famous potato salad and Uncle Oscar’s deer jerky marinade, (even though they were both written on the inside of the kitchen cabinet door.)&nbsp;“Hack” can also mean a DIY shortcut of some sort, like how&nbsp;to use a roman candle to light the&nbsp;neighbor’s wheat stubble on fire without&nbsp;even&nbsp;leaving your yard.&nbsp;But I digress, so now on&nbsp;to some hunter hacks I found, and some hunter hacks of my own.More has probably been written about different ways to start a campfire than about any other outdoor subject.&nbsp;First&nbsp;off, no one in the crowd I hang with is gonna’ have need of a campfire except for rare camping trips with the family, then we’ll start our fires with those neat gizmos called&nbsp;matches and lighters. We all have Little Buddy propane heaters in our deer blinds, and none of us have the ambition to climb Mount Everest or do anything where emergency campfires might be needed.&nbsp;Never-the-less, I found hacks about&nbsp;using corn chips and crayons as fire starters.&nbsp;Sure,&nbsp;they work fine, but what self respecting hunter is going to waste good corn chips to start a fire.&nbsp;Eat the chips and light the empty bag, it works just as well. And as far as lighting crayons to start a campfire, once again it works great and they burn for a long time, but&nbsp;no hunter worth their jerky&nbsp;would dream of wasting a perfectly good crayon just to start a fire. They should be kept for things&nbsp;of greater importance&nbsp;like&nbsp;scribbling messages and phone numbers on the wall of your deer&nbsp;blind&nbsp;or for labeling packages&nbsp;of meat in&nbsp;the freezer so you can tell this year’s&nbsp;venison&nbsp;back strap from the muskrat meat kept for next year’s coyote bait.&nbsp;Another interesting campfire starting hack I found involves&nbsp;dryer lint; it seems dryer&nbsp;lint&nbsp;burns very well and starts very easily. It can be stuffed into empty toilet paper tubes or merely carried in a Ziploc bag and used right from there. Now we’re talkin’, something we&nbsp;all&nbsp;can&nbsp;relate to. I mean who doesn’t save&nbsp;all their dryer&nbsp;lint and&nbsp;empty toilet paper tubes? Instead of emptying&nbsp;them into the recycle container and trash every couple years, make fire starters from them!&nbsp;But in all my trolling of the almighty internet I did not find one reference to the most trustworthy tried-and-true method of starting a campfire ever, even used by our Native American forefathers. From anywhere in&nbsp;Kansas,&nbsp;you would have to travel&nbsp;forever to deer hunt where there are no cattle nearby, SO LIGHT A&nbsp;DRY&nbsp;COW TURD.&nbsp;The next most talked about topic in the outdoors, especially relating to survival, is how to build a shelter.&nbsp;Let me offer&nbsp;a hillbilly hack for building a shelter.&nbsp;All hillbilly outdoorsmen&nbsp;worth their pork rinds will have a serious collection of tarps, and what a better use for a tarp than an emergency shelter. Harbor Freight has them in all sizes and you can occasionally get a small one “free with any purchase,” so there’s absolutely no excuse for not having one to carry with you on all outdoor excursions. A word of caution here; it’s not in your best interest to remove the tarp covering the hole in your trailer house roof.&nbsp;Anyway,&nbsp;there are a variety of ways to deploy your tarp/shelter. If you’re fishing, I’m sure you’ll have dynamite with you, so&nbsp;merely drop a stick into a small hole you dig in the ground, light her up and you’ll soon have a nice cave that you can crawl into and cover with your tarp.&nbsp;No friend of mine would be caught dead on a hunting or&nbsp;fishing trip without a menagerie of plastic&nbsp;five-gallon&nbsp;buckets, and the uses for them as hillbilly hunter hacks are endless.&nbsp;You can&nbsp;buy kits to turn one&nbsp;into a “luggable loo,” and even&nbsp;cut a notch lengthways in a pool noodle and snap it around the top for a&nbsp;soft seat while you heed nature’s call.&nbsp;Spray paint a few more&nbsp;buckets&nbsp;green, drill a&nbsp;small hole at the bottom&nbsp;and put them at the base of each “illegal pharmaceutical” plant you “just happened to find growing” along the river as a way to water those beauties.&nbsp;Five-gallon&nbsp;buckets make great hillbilly mouse traps&nbsp;too, for the deer blind or even the living room.&nbsp;On each side of the bucket near the top, drill a hole big enough for a&nbsp;broom handle to slide through and fit loosely enough to spin. Fill the bucket with water or used motor oil (which I’m sure you will have by the barrel-full,) put a glob of peanut butter in the middle of the broom handle and&nbsp;viola; when a mouse walks the broom handle to get the peanut butter, it will spin and dump the&nbsp;little blighter into the slurry&nbsp;below. If you keep the TV volume low enough you can hear the splash and reward the cat with a live mouse.I’m certain the list of hillbilly hacks, whether for hunting or not is endless, and I’ve probably just scratched the surface here. Maybe a book is in order, “Hillbilly Hunter Hacks for the Deer Blind, Boat and Living Room.” For all my loyal readers&nbsp;who want one, let me know and&nbsp;I’ll reserve you a signed copy.&nbsp;Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors!Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Exploring Outdoor Kansas: Hillbilly hunter hacks

By GREG DOERING Kansas Farm Bureau County Farm Bureaus across Kansas marked Earth Day last week in classrooms, farm fields, fairgrounds, pastures, recycling centers and other assorted locations across the state. They helped schoolchildren understand that growing food and caring for natural resources go hand in hand. &nbsp; Though they may not label themselves environmentalists, farmers and ranchers are some of the finest ecologist, preservationists and conservationists in the world. While we’re all dependent on the earth, we don’t all get the close-up experience of what Mother Nature has to offer like agriculturists do day in and day out. Certainly, there are those who disagree with my belief that farmers and ranchers are dedicated caretakers of our natural resources. You know the type. They make dire claims about the future of our planet and point to modern agriculture as a significant culprit in a bleaker tomorrow. I’ll go ahead and put my cards on the table for why I believe they’re wrong even though I buy the premise that our atmosphere is warming and human activity is contributing to that phenomenon. Where we differ is I don’t believe it’s necessary to discard the progress we’ve made since the industrial revolution based on the projection of what the planet could maybe, potentially look like decades in the future. “Washington Post” columnist Sunny Bunch once observed that well-meaning but overly enthusiastic eco-activists are easy marks for caricature on the basis their beliefs are genuine. “Environmentalists make a useful villain because their malevolence can be obscured by a patina of reasonableness,” he wrote. “Global warming and other manmade problems are going to end the world if we don’t do something — so just about anything is justified! But their villainy resonates with the masses because they actually do want to make life worse for people, for the most part.” For the “villains,” obvious sources of carbon dioxide or methane like transportation, electrical generation and agriculture should be severely limited if not eliminated to preserve the future. Do you fly or drive? Stop that! Do you enjoy stepping into an air conditioned building on a warm, humid day? Don’t! Do you enjoy consuming beef, pork, chicken and other animal proteins? You should move to a plant-based diet or consider these wonderful recipes featuring bugs! While I admire their sincerity and believe their proposed solution would work in theory, it has failed in reality. Changing human behavior is hard to do even when it results in a positive outcome relatively quickly, like quitting smoking or a consistent exercise program. Convincing people to give up conveniences today for some vague improvement decades down the line is impossible. Like with so many other things in life, the answer isn’t strict prohibition of desirable activities that also come with negative side effects. The solution isn’t to get rid of the desirable activities, it’s to address the side effects. One of the best examples in recent history of successfully achieving this is the reduction of atmospheric sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide by 93 percent and 87 percent, respectively. This year’s Earth Day slogan was “Invest in Our Planet,” and that’s exactly the course we should be on. There’s not one technology that will reverse the side effects of the past two-plus centuries of progress. Instead, it will be a combination of ideas, both new and old, that will preserve our planet. Investing in earth is a lot like farming. The little steps we take today won’t show up tomorrow, next week or even next month. But to have a fruitful harvest, those initial steps are a requirement, even if our planet-level growing season is measured in decades and centuries rather than from planting to harvest.

"Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574694551876.png" alt="Greg Doering&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Greg Doering&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By GREG DOERING Kansas Farm Bureau County Farm Bureaus across Kansas marked Earth Day last week in classrooms, farm fields, fairgrounds, pastures, recycling centers and other assorted locations across the state. They helped schoolchildren understand that growing food and caring for natural resources go hand in hand. &nbsp; Though they may not label themselves environmentalists, farmers and ranchers are some of the finest ecologist, preservationists and conservationists in the world. While we’re all dependent on the earth, we don’t all get the close-up experience of what Mother Nature has to offer like agriculturists do day in and day out. Certainly, there are those who disagree with my belief that farmers and ranchers are dedicated caretakers of our natural resources. You know the type. They make dire claims about the future of our planet and point to modern agriculture as a significant culprit in a bleaker tomorrow. I’ll go ahead and put my cards on the table for why I believe they’re wrong even though I buy the premise that our atmosphere is warming and human activity is contributing to that phenomenon. Where we differ is I don’t believe it’s necessary to discard the progress we’ve made since the industrial revolution based on the projection of what the planet could maybe, potentially look like decades in the future. “Washington Post” columnist Sunny Bunch once observed that well-meaning but overly enthusiastic eco-activists are easy marks for caricature on the basis their beliefs are genuine. “Environmentalists make a useful villain because their malevolence can be obscured by a patina of reasonableness,” he wrote. “Global warming and other manmade problems are going to end the world if we don’t do something — so just about anything is justified! But their villainy resonates with the masses because they actually do want to make life worse for people, for the most part.” For the “villains,” obvious sources of carbon dioxide or methane like transportation, electrical generation and agriculture should be severely limited if not eliminated to preserve the future. Do you fly or drive? Stop that! Do you enjoy stepping into an air conditioned building on a warm, humid day? Don’t! Do you enjoy consuming beef, pork, chicken and other animal proteins? You should move to a plant-based diet or consider these wonderful recipes featuring bugs! While I admire their sincerity and believe their proposed solution would work in theory, it has failed in reality. Changing human behavior is hard to do even when it results in a positive outcome relatively quickly, like quitting smoking or a consistent exercise program. Convincing people to give up conveniences today for some vague improvement decades down the line is impossible. Like with so many other things in life, the answer isn’t strict prohibition of desirable activities that also come with negative side effects. The solution isn’t to get rid of the desirable activities, it’s to address the side effects. One of the best examples in recent history of successfully achieving this is the reduction of atmospheric sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide by 93 percent and 87 percent, respectively. This year’s Earth Day slogan was “Invest in Our Planet,” and that’s exactly the course we should be on. There’s not one technology that will reverse the side effects of the past two-plus centuries of progress. Instead, it will be a combination of ideas, both new and old, that will preserve our planet. Investing in earth is a lot like farming. The little steps we take today won’t show up tomorrow, next week or even next month. But to have a fruitful harvest, those initial steps are a requirement, even if our planet-level growing season is measured in decades and centuries rather than from planting to harvest."Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.&nbsp;

Kansas Farm Bureau Insight: Investing in earth

I want to address my concern&nbsp;about the recent changes that will be made to the Fort Hays State University College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.

The change that will be taken place, where they separate the college into five different departments instead of having 11, is extremely upsetting to students and staff.

This will be putting an immense&nbsp;amount of distraught emotions on each and every person in the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Science.

 When conversing with peers, none of them agree with this decision and neither does the staff.

This merging of departments will negatively affect the staff that I care about in the art and design building, and it will also be affecting staff in the theater and music departments.

In addition, it was unfair for the college to only ask the chairs that would be continuing their position as a chair, and targeted the chairs that would be least likely to resist pressure.

Without asking each and every department, they took the five chairs and asked them if they would be OK with something like this. I believe it was unjust of them to do this because of course they're going to say yes, they wouldn't be losing&nbsp;their jobs.

They claim that this will not affect pay rate, jobs or funds, but how can it not!? At the art and design building, the staff and students do a lot of collaborative&nbsp;work to make the art and design building what it is today. 

Our chair, Karrie, does a lot of hard work for both students and staff and is pushed to an extreme limit to get everything handled appropriately and on time.

She has an excessive amount of insight as to what goes on in each and every classroom.

If we were to have a chair that does not appropriately understand what it is to means to take care of the art and design building, the whole building would be set on fire.

To add to that, because Karrie does so much for us, putting two other departments on top of her or anyone else's workload would be extremely dehumanizing.

On top of that, we just had our annual high school art day, where we preached to high school seniors, juniors and sophomores about how awesome our department is and how well each section of our art building does.

If this implementation were to take place, the incoming freshmen who join our department would be cut extremely short and not have the experience we so proudly talked about.

I want to stress that the art and design department has nothing personally against the music and theater departments; however, there is no obtainable way for us to merge.

It is like Kansas and Wyoming trying to become one state, there is no possible way that can happen appropriately.

We can collaborate the&nbsp;best that we can, but this implementation is outrageous and unobtainable.&nbsp;With no official plan or written document as to what is actually going to happen with our departments, I strongly encourage that we demolish this idea and look for other solutions to our problems on campus.

There was NO democracy in this decision, and it is inappropriate for anyone to implement this decision in just a couple of months with absolutely no plan or answers to anyone's questions other than "that's a good question" or "I don't know."

I have been told over and over that this will not affect students in any department; however, I could not disagree more.

Here at FHSU, we have a very tight-knit community that strives off of small classrooms and one-to-one help from our teachers.

If we put more stress on our staff and chairs, they will have no time to help their students succeed in the ways they so efficiently do so now.

In conclusion, I believe that this implementation is outrageously unobtainable, and FHSU should look for other ways to solve its problems. 

Please help us stress how against this the students and faculty are. The students are doing the best that we can to make sure this doesn't happen because of how impractical this decision is and how it negatively affects our department.

I want to address my concern&nbsp;about the recent changes that will be made to the Fort Hays State University College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.The change that will be taken place, where they separate the college into five different departments instead of having 11, is extremely upsetting to students and staff.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>This will be putting an immense&nbsp;amount of distraught emotions on each and every person in the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Science. When conversing with peers, none of them agree with this decision and neither does the staff.This merging of departments will negatively affect the staff that I care about in the art and design building, and it will also be affecting staff in the theater and music departments.In addition, it was unfair for the college to only ask the chairs that would be continuing their position as a chair, and targeted the chairs that would be least likely to resist pressure.Without asking each and every department, they took the five chairs and asked them if they would be OK with something like this. I believe it was unjust of them to do this because of course they're going to say yes, they wouldn't be losing&nbsp;their jobs.They claim that this will not affect pay rate, jobs or funds, but how can it not!? At the art and design building, the staff and students do a lot of collaborative&nbsp;work to make the art and design building what it is today. Our chair, Karrie, does a lot of hard work for both students and staff and is pushed to an extreme limit to get everything handled appropriately and on time.She has an excessive amount of insight as to what goes on in each and every classroom.If we were to have a chair that does not appropriately understand what it is to means to take care of the art and design building, the whole building would be set on fire.To add to that, because Karrie does so much for us, putting two other departments on top of her or anyone else's workload would be extremely dehumanizing.On top of that, we just had our annual high school art day, where we preached to high school seniors, juniors and sophomores about how awesome our department is and how well each section of our art building does.If this implementation were to take place, the incoming freshmen who join our department would be cut extremely short and not have the experience we so proudly talked about.I want to stress that the art and design department has nothing personally against the music and theater departments; however, there is no obtainable way for us to merge.It is like Kansas and Wyoming trying to become one state, there is no possible way that can happen appropriately.We can collaborate the&nbsp;best that we can, but this implementation is outrageous and unobtainable.&nbsp;With no official plan or written document as to what is actually going to happen with our departments, I strongly encourage that we demolish this idea and look for other solutions to our problems on campus.There was NO democracy in this decision, and it is inappropriate for anyone to implement this decision in just a couple of months with absolutely no plan or answers to anyone's questions other than "that's a good question" or "I don't know."I have been told over and over that this will not affect students in any department; however, I could not disagree more.Here at FHSU, we have a very tight-knit community that strives off of small classrooms and one-to-one help from our teachers.If we put more stress on our staff and chairs, they will have no time to help their students succeed in the ways they so efficiently do so now.In conclusion, I believe that this implementation is outrageously unobtainable, and FHSU should look for other ways to solve its problems. Please help us stress how against this the students and faculty are. The students are doing the best that we can to make sure this doesn't happen because of how impractical this decision is and how it negatively affects our department. Respectfully, Mariah Dechant

LETTER: Potential department merge at FHSU raises questions

In the next two weeks, the voters in the USD 489 school district will decide on an issue that will impact our community for the next 50 years. Regardless of how you choose to vote on the school bond, I hope you will consider what I call the four Cs.

We live in a competitive world. Our community competes with many others when it comes to attracting new businesses, healthcare professionals, professors, teachers, retirees, and remote workers. Fortunately, in many areas, we compete very well. We have a great healthcare system, an amazing four-year university, great broadband technology, and our city and county elected officials have consistently done a very good job maintaining our infrastructure. Unfortunately, we don’t compete well in the quality of our educational facilities. We have failed to make the investments needed and it has put us at a competitive disadvantage. I assure you that when companies and people look at Hays, they look at the quality of education as WELL as the quality of our facilities. Facilities matter. We don’t compete well. We need to fix this.

Many comments have been made regarding trust. Trust comes hard these days and some feel we cannot trust the USD 489 school board, the vision committee, the architect, the date of the vote, you name it. Having witnessed the process, what I have seen is a group of dedicated community members who have done their homework, looked at various options, and developed a plan that is doable and will create long-term value for our community. While all of us will never agree with every part of this bond from what I have seen, we can have a great deal of confidence in the people who have worked through this process. They are not a bunch of Kool-Aid drinkers. They are smart, engaged people that want only the best for our community.&nbsp;

Much focus has been placed on the cost of the bond. &nbsp;Understandably so. It is a large investment and we will all have to contribute in one way or another. A more important question however is what is the cost of&nbsp;NOT&nbsp;passing this bond. Make no mistake, there is a cost to this community if this bond fails. We will miss opportunities. There will be people and businesses that will choose not to locate here. It will not help our workforce shortage and it will be more difficult to grow. I cannot put a specific dollar value on what that cost will be but I believe, in the long term, it will be well above the cost of this bond.&nbsp;

The most important C is children. We have neglected to provide modern learning environments for our kids for long enough. I am a lifelong resident of this community. My parents went through the USD 489 School System, I attended Lincoln School, Felten Middle School, and Hays High School on 12th street. They were old when I was there and that was a long time ago! The “it was good enough for me so it should be good enough for the children today” attitude doesn’t cut it anymore. We live in a different world and it is time that we make the investments needed to ensure our children, grandchildren, and future generations have an environment that equips them best for the future. We can’t kick this can down the road any longer.&nbsp;

Doug Williams, Grow Hays executive director

In the next two weeks, the voters in the USD 489 school district will decide on an issue that will impact our community for the next 50 years. Regardless of how you choose to vote on the school bond, I hope you will consider what I call the four Cs.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Competition</h2>We live in a competitive world. Our community competes with many others when it comes to attracting new businesses, healthcare professionals, professors, teachers, retirees, and remote workers. Fortunately, in many areas, we compete very well. We have a great healthcare system, an amazing four-year university, great broadband technology, and our city and county elected officials have consistently done a very good job maintaining our infrastructure. Unfortunately, we don’t compete well in the quality of our educational facilities. We have failed to make the investments needed and it has put us at a competitive disadvantage. I assure you that when companies and people look at Hays, they look at the quality of education as WELL as the quality of our facilities. Facilities matter. We don’t compete well. We need to fix this.<h2>Confidence</h2>Many comments have been made regarding trust. Trust comes hard these days and some feel we cannot trust the USD 489 school board, the vision committee, the architect, the date of the vote, you name it. Having witnessed the process, what I have seen is a group of dedicated community members who have done their homework, looked at various options, and developed a plan that is doable and will create long-term value for our community. While all of us will never agree with every part of this bond from what I have seen, we can have a great deal of confidence in the people who have worked through this process. They are not a bunch of Kool-Aid drinkers. They are smart, engaged people that want only the best for our community.&nbsp;<h2>Cost</h2>Much focus has been placed on the cost of the bond. &nbsp;Understandably so. It is a large investment and we will all have to contribute in one way or another. A more important question however is what is the cost of&nbsp;NOT&nbsp;passing this bond. Make no mistake, there is a cost to this community if this bond fails. We will miss opportunities. There will be people and businesses that will choose not to locate here. It will not help our workforce shortage and it will be more difficult to grow. I cannot put a specific dollar value on what that cost will be but I believe, in the long term, it will be well above the cost of this bond.&nbsp;<h2>Children</h2>The most important C is children. We have neglected to provide modern learning environments for our kids for long enough. I am a lifelong resident of this community. My parents went through the USD 489 School System, I attended Lincoln School, Felten Middle School, and Hays High School on 12th street. They were old when I was there and that was a long time ago! The “it was good enough for me so it should be good enough for the children today” attitude doesn’t cut it anymore. We live in a different world and it is time that we make the investments needed to ensure our children, grandchildren, and future generations have an environment that equips them best for the future. We can’t kick this can down the road any longer.&nbsp;Doug Williams, Grow Hays executive director

LETTER: USD 489 bond — if not now, when?

I read with growing dismay the article in Hays Post of April 22 regarding the meeting about the upcoming bond issue and the <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/1bcb128d-dad8-45bf-9b21-87ea2601f267">arguments against passing.</a> I am retired and my grandchildren are old enough they will see very little of the gains from the major factors of the passage of the bond issues, but that is beside the point. The point being is that Hays desperately needs to build and revamp the secondary schools in the district. To not do so is short-sighted to say the least. Second-rate facilities means it is hard to hire and keep quality teachers and administration and provide a solid foundation for the future.

Additionally, HaysMed strives to be a paragon of excellence in health care for rural communities not only in Kansas, but as a model across the nation. We cannot attract and keep top-notch personnel if the school system is second rate. FHSU is also a pre-eminent institution. Likewise, the ability to attract not only faculty, but to retain them and to attract and retain students once they graduate is hampered when the district has second-rate facilities.

Arguments against passage of the bond issue cited high interest rates and inflation, but to delay only means the cost of eventually remedying the situation will be much higher. It is cheaper now than it will be in the future — it always is. How many times have you seen costs drop?

In the same issue of Hays Post, <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/12a7d582-c8eb-4078-b540-226ef94748fd">Jacob Proffit had an op-ed</a> that was dead-on. It is more expensive to maintain older, outdated facilities than it is to build new ones and repurpose some of the newer of the current buildings.

Although USD 489 is the main beneficiary of the passage of the bond issue, the entire city, county and the region also benefit as Hays grows and more businesses and services come to town. The “pull factor” that Hays has now only increases with top-notch K-12 facilities. We cannot afford to not pass the bond issue.

I read with growing dismay the article in Hays Post of April 22 regarding the meeting about the upcoming bond issue and the <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/1bcb128d-dad8-45bf-9b21-87ea2601f267">arguments against passing.</a> I am retired and my grandchildren are old enough they will see very little of the gains from the major factors of the passage of the bond issues, but that is beside the point. The point being is that Hays desperately needs to build and revamp the secondary schools in the district. To not do so is short-sighted to say the least. Second-rate facilities means it is hard to hire and keep quality teachers and administration and provide a solid foundation for the future.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Additionally, HaysMed strives to be a paragon of excellence in health care for rural communities not only in Kansas, but as a model across the nation. We cannot attract and keep top-notch personnel if the school system is second rate. FHSU is also a pre-eminent institution. Likewise, the ability to attract not only faculty, but to retain them and to attract and retain students once they graduate is hampered when the district has second-rate facilities.Arguments against passage of the bond issue cited high interest rates and inflation, but to delay only means the cost of eventually remedying the situation will be much higher. It is cheaper now than it will be in the future — it always is. How many times have you seen costs drop?In the same issue of Hays Post, <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/12a7d582-c8eb-4078-b540-226ef94748fd">Jacob Proffit had an op-ed</a> that was dead-on. It is more expensive to maintain older, outdated facilities than it is to build new ones and repurpose some of the newer of the current buildings.Although USD 489 is the main beneficiary of the passage of the bond issue, the entire city, county and the region also benefit as Hays grows and more businesses and services come to town. The “pull factor” that Hays has now only increases with top-notch K-12 facilities. We cannot afford to not pass the bond issue.Mike Giess Hays

LETTER: Time to move on from second-rate school facilities

Dear parents and students of Hays public schools and the Hays community:

What an exciting time for Hays, America! &nbsp;Mary and I have watched from a distance, with hopeful optimism, the various proposals to improve USD 489 facilities for kids, families and the community. &nbsp;We are so very thankful and excited that Hays is putting forward a bond proposal that is visionary, meaningful, appropriate, long-lasting, reasonable, affordable and necessary! &nbsp;Vote yes!

We will always love Hays and USD489! &nbsp;It was an honor to serve as educators at Roosevelt Elementary and Hays High School for 27 years, as we raised our three daughters who attended O’Loughlin, Roosevelt, Felten (HMS) and Hays High. &nbsp;We owe much to USD 489 and would not change a thing! Thanks to USD489, our daughters have grown into successful, strong and independent young women. Thank you, USD 489. Thanks for our daughters developmentally appropriate experiences, academic rigor and their individual personal-social growth while students of USD 489! &nbsp;Voteyes!

Our dear Hays students, parents and friends, it is time to reinvest, step up to the plate and hit a home run for the kids of Hays. &nbsp;Vote yes!&nbsp;

For 40 years, Hays students, staff and families have done their very best to make things work with what we have. &nbsp;At the same time, like-sized districts have passed bond issues that support the needs of their students. Many districts have passed as many as three bonds while Hays kids have been left behind. &nbsp;Any student, parent or staff member who travels the state for academic/athletic/fine arts events can validate this truth, this reality. &nbsp;In my new position as the Kapaun Mt Carmel athletic director, I am witnessing first-hand how districts like Salina, Maize, Andover, Wichita, Goddard, Derby, Mulvane and literally every other district I’ve attended student events at this year have invested and re-invested in their kids, families and communities. &nbsp;For the sake of current Hays kids and many future generations of Hays students, vote yes!

You can do this, Hays! Don’t let this opportunity to do what is needed, pass you by. For the sake of the current students and future generations of families, vote yes!

With sincere appreciation, love and care for USD 489, Martin and Mary Straub, Wichita

Dear parents and students of Hays public schools and the Hays community:What an exciting time for Hays, America! &nbsp;Mary and I have watched from a distance, with hopeful optimism, the various proposals to improve USD 489 facilities for kids, families and the community. &nbsp;We are so very thankful and excited that Hays is putting forward a bond proposal that is visionary, meaningful, appropriate, long-lasting, reasonable, affordable and necessary! &nbsp;Vote yes!<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>We will always love Hays and USD489! &nbsp;It was an honor to serve as educators at Roosevelt Elementary and Hays High School for 27 years, as we raised our three daughters who attended O’Loughlin, Roosevelt, Felten (HMS) and Hays High. &nbsp;We owe much to USD 489 and would not change a thing! Thanks to USD489, our daughters have grown into successful, strong and independent young women. Thank you, USD 489. Thanks for our daughters developmentally appropriate experiences, academic rigor and their individual personal-social growth while students of USD 489! &nbsp;Voteyes!Our dear Hays students, parents and friends, it is time to reinvest, step up to the plate and hit a home run for the kids of Hays. &nbsp;Vote yes!&nbsp;For 40 years, Hays students, staff and families have done their very best to make things work with what we have. &nbsp;At the same time, like-sized districts have passed bond issues that support the needs of their students. Many districts have passed as many as three bonds while Hays kids have been left behind. &nbsp;Any student, parent or staff member who travels the state for academic/athletic/fine arts events can validate this truth, this reality. &nbsp;In my new position as the Kapaun Mt Carmel athletic director, I am witnessing first-hand how districts like Salina, Maize, Andover, Wichita, Goddard, Derby, Mulvane and literally every other district I’ve attended student events at this year have invested and re-invested in their kids, families and communities. &nbsp;For the sake of current Hays kids and many future generations of Hays students, vote yes!You can do this, Hays! Don’t let this opportunity to do what is needed, pass you by. For the sake of the current students and future generations of families, vote yes!With sincere appreciation, love and care for USD 489, Martin and Mary Straub, Wichita

LETTER: It's time to catch Hays USD 489 up with rest of Kansas

State Senator Rick Kloos waded into the cultural warfare fray on Facebook this week by calling for the Shawnee Heights High School Superintendent to remove the book, “Gender Queer,” from the school library.

A graphic (comic-book style) memoir, the book, written by Maia Kobabe, deals primarily with transgender characters and subjects explained through the author’s teenage perspective.&nbsp;

“As a Senator who represents the 19th district of Kansas, I’m calling on USD 450 to remove the book from its library,” said Kloos on his Facebook page referring to his talk with the superintendent.&nbsp;

As a private citizen, Kloos can voice any opinion he has, but should a state legislator compel action from a school employee?&nbsp;

In Kansas, local boards of education are held responsible for choosing books for the library as well as removing books.&nbsp;

Books are selected in a variety of ways. These include:&nbsp; By the school librarian based on selections of the American Library Association or other educational groups, by the librarian and the principal or superintendent and by a committee of teachers.

The U. S. Supreme Court has not ruled on how boards of education should choose books for their libraries. However, in 1982 the Court ruled in Island Trees School District v. Pico that once a book is in a library, a school board may not remove that book because they disapprove of it.&nbsp;

Justice Brennan concluded for the majority that school officials may not remove books based on "narrowly partisan or political grounds," because that would amount to an "official suppression of ideas."&nbsp;&nbsp;

However, a book may be removed under certain circumstances, for example, if the book is inappropriate for students age-level.

Over time many books have been challenged for removal and many Kansas schools have established longstanding protocols for dealing with censorship challenges.&nbsp;

These protocols are based on school board review and include input from multiple individuals before a final decision is made.

Moreover, Kansas schools have allowed parents, upon request, to withhold a book from their child’s use while the book remains in the library. Parents also may withdraw students from classes or courses where they find the content objectionable.

As a writer, I am a strong proponent of free speech. Yet, I was surprised to find that 1,145 books have been banned from school libraries in the last nine months, and “Gender Queer” was the one most often removed according to a list compiled by PEN America. The research also showed 33 percent or 379 of the banned books were on the topic of gender identity.&nbsp;

After it was mentioned in testimony before a legislative committee this spring, I decided to read “Gender Queer.”&nbsp; I found a simple account that might help some young people. However, the graphic display of the work also made me see why parents might have strong reactions to this book based on the maturity of their child.&nbsp;

I won’t share my views on whether “Gender Queer” should be censored because, frankly, I’m conflicted and because this decision isn’t up to me.&nbsp;

The one thing I can say with conviction is that book banning decisions should not come from political pressure at the state level or through coercion of vocal parent groups.&nbsp;

The decisions should be made by the local school board based on processes schools have been using for years.&nbsp;

Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean Emerita Wichita State University College of Education.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1593719779701.jpeg" alt="Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean Emerita Wichita State University College of Education." />
 <figcaption>Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean Emerita Wichita State University College of Education.</figcaption>
 </figure>State Senator Rick Kloos waded into the cultural warfare fray on Facebook this week by calling for the Shawnee Heights High School Superintendent to remove the book, “Gender Queer,” from the school library.A graphic (comic-book style) memoir, the book, written by Maia Kobabe, deals primarily with transgender characters and subjects explained through the author’s teenage perspective.&nbsp;“As a Senator who represents the 19th district of Kansas, I’m calling on USD 450 to remove the book from its library,” said Kloos on his Facebook page referring to his talk with the superintendent.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>As a private citizen, Kloos can voice any opinion he has, but should a state legislator compel action from a school employee?&nbsp;In Kansas, local boards of education are held responsible for choosing books for the library as well as removing books.&nbsp;Books are selected in a variety of ways. These include:&nbsp; By the school librarian based on selections of the American Library Association or other educational groups, by the librarian and the principal or superintendent and by a committee of teachers.The U. S. Supreme Court has not ruled on how boards of education should choose books for their libraries. However, in 1982 the Court ruled in Island Trees School District v. Pico that once a book is in a library, a school board may not remove that book because they disapprove of it.&nbsp;Justice Brennan concluded for the majority that school officials may not remove books based on "narrowly partisan or political grounds," because that would amount to an "official suppression of ideas."&nbsp;&nbsp;However, a book may be removed under certain circumstances, for example, if the book is inappropriate for students age-level.Over time many books have been challenged for removal and many Kansas schools have established longstanding protocols for dealing with censorship challenges.&nbsp;These protocols are based on school board review and include input from multiple individuals before a final decision is made.Moreover, Kansas schools have allowed parents, upon request, to withhold a book from their child’s use while the book remains in the library. Parents also may withdraw students from classes or courses where they find the content objectionable.As a writer, I am a strong proponent of free speech. Yet, I was surprised to find that 1,145 books have been banned from school libraries in the last nine months, and “Gender Queer” was the one most often removed according to a list compiled by PEN America. The research also showed 33 percent or 379 of the banned books were on the topic of gender identity.&nbsp;After it was mentioned in testimony before a legislative committee this spring, I decided to read “Gender Queer.”&nbsp; I found a simple account that might help some young people. However, the graphic display of the work also made me see why parents might have strong reactions to this book based on the maturity of their child.&nbsp;I won’t share my views on whether “Gender Queer” should be censored because, frankly, I’m conflicted and because this decision isn’t up to me.&nbsp;The one thing I can say with conviction is that book banning decisions should not come from political pressure at the state level or through coercion of vocal parent groups.&nbsp;The decisions should be made by the local school board based on processes schools have been using for years.&nbsp;Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean Emerita Wichita State University College of Education.

INSIGHT KANSAS: Book banning battles in Kansas schools

By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development&nbsp;&nbsp;

From hay to historic buildings -- and parts to pies -- Craig Stertz is involved in his rural community. He is what we call a ruralpreneur, an entrepreneur taking on multiple projects in his small town.&nbsp;

Craig and MaryAnn Stertz are ruralpreneurs in Lincoln, Kansas. Craig was born in Lincoln before his family moved to Belleville. Nine years later, the family moved back to Lincoln where Craig’s father founded Lincoln Farm Supply.&nbsp;

Craig followed his dad into the family business, which he owns today along with his brother Terry and partner Darrell Oetting. Craig also met and married MaryAnn, who works in the county treasurer’s office. He is in his second term as president of the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce.&nbsp;

Lincoln Farm Supply provides new and used equipment, parts and repairs for farm operations in north central Kansas. The company is a dealer for multiple lines of farm equipment.&nbsp;

In response to customer needs, hay handling has become a specialty of Lincoln Farm Supply. “A combine or a planter gets used one time a year, but hay equipment might get used 4-5 times a year,” Craig said. Equipment has changed to include the making and stacking of giant square bales, and even treating the hay by steaming it.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“At one time, we were the largest big square baler dealer in four states,” Craig said.&nbsp;&nbsp;Access to the Internet has also made a difference. “It extends your reach,” he said. “The other day I got a call from a guy in Oregon who bales rice straw and he wanted some of our equipment.”&nbsp;

In order to complement the farm store, Craig co-located an auto parts business with Lincoln Farm Supply. “That makes good use of our parts guys’ time when it’s slow during the winter months. It also brings new people in the door,” Craig said.&nbsp;

One of MaryAnn’s clients owned an old stone building downtown. After the owner’s husband passed, the building sat empty for years and was deteriorating. The woman decided to sell it rather than see it torn down.&nbsp;

“MaryAnn came home and told me, `We don’t want a hole in downtown,’” Craig said.&nbsp;&nbsp;Craig and MaryAnn bought and remodeled the building. “It was 2 ½ years of working nights and weekends, and MaryAnn was working side by side with me,” Craig said. “We had to tear out a lot of rotten wood, but we put it back the way it was.”&nbsp;

It looks great. Now a coffee shop is on the first floor and the upstairs is an Airbnb.&nbsp;

Craig also explored investing in food businesses. “Mostly I followed my stomach,” he said. He considered out-of-state companies that make salsa and barbecue sauce before he considered MarCon Pies.&nbsp;

As we have previously profiled, MarCon Pies in Marysville produces handcrafted pies for the wholesale market and fundraisers. The company is named for the original bakers, Marilyn and Connie, who started the business.&nbsp;

In 2020, Craig and MaryAnn bought MarCon Pies and moved the business to Lincoln, where it is housed in another building that Craig and MaryAnn bought on Main Street.&nbsp;

In addition to wholesaling pies to retail outlets, MarCon partners with local churches, athletic teams, community foundations and K-12 schools to sell pies as fundraisers.&nbsp;

Using heirloom recipes and delicious ingredients, MarCon produces pies in flavors such as apple, apricot, blackberry, blueberry, cherry, peach and strawberry rhubarb. No-sugar-added options are available in apple, cherry and peach. Pecan and pumpkin pies are available in April and in October through December.&nbsp;

Craig tries to encourage other businesses in town to have an Internet presence. “You can have a Main Street business, but if you also sell online, you can generate additional revenue from outside the community,” he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

It’s great to find this ruralpreneur in the rural community of Lincoln, population 1,297 people. Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;

For more information on Craig’s businesses, see&nbsp;<a href="http://www.lincolnfarmsupply.com/">www.lincolnfarmsupply.com</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.marconpies.com/">www.marconpies.com</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

From pies to parts, from historic buildings to hay, we salute Craig and MaryAnn Stertz for making a difference with their local investment. They demonstrate commitment to their community.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650461762773.png" alt="MaryAnn and Craig Stertz" />
 <figcaption>MaryAnn and Craig Stertz</figcaption>
 </figure>By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development&nbsp;&nbsp;From hay to historic buildings -- and parts to pies -- Craig Stertz is involved in his rural community. He is what we call a ruralpreneur, an entrepreneur taking on multiple projects in his small town.&nbsp;Craig and MaryAnn Stertz are ruralpreneurs in Lincoln, Kansas. Craig was born in Lincoln before his family moved to Belleville. Nine years later, the family moved back to Lincoln where Craig’s father founded Lincoln Farm Supply.&nbsp;Craig followed his dad into the family business, which he owns today along with his brother Terry and partner Darrell Oetting. Craig also met and married MaryAnn, who works in the county treasurer’s office. He is in his second term as president of the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce.&nbsp;Lincoln Farm Supply provides new and used equipment, parts and repairs for farm operations in north central Kansas. The company is a dealer for multiple lines of farm equipment.&nbsp;In response to customer needs, hay handling has become a specialty of Lincoln Farm Supply. “A combine or a planter gets used one time a year, but hay equipment might get used 4-5 times a year,” Craig said. Equipment has changed to include the making and stacking of giant square bales, and even treating the hay by steaming it.&nbsp;&nbsp;“At one time, we were the largest big square baler dealer in four states,” Craig said.&nbsp;&nbsp;Access to the Internet has also made a difference. “It extends your reach,” he said. “The other day I got a call from a guy in Oregon who bales rice straw and he wanted some of our equipment.”&nbsp;In order to complement the farm store, Craig co-located an auto parts business with Lincoln Farm Supply. “That makes good use of our parts guys’ time when it’s slow during the winter months. It also brings new people in the door,” Craig said.&nbsp;One of MaryAnn’s clients owned an old stone building downtown. After the owner’s husband passed, the building sat empty for years and was deteriorating. The woman decided to sell it rather than see it torn down.&nbsp;“MaryAnn came home and told me, `We don’t want a hole in downtown,’” Craig said.&nbsp;&nbsp;Craig and MaryAnn bought and remodeled the building. “It was 2 ½ years of working nights and weekends, and MaryAnn was working side by side with me,” Craig said. “We had to tear out a lot of rotten wood, but we put it back the way it was.”&nbsp;It looks great. Now a coffee shop is on the first floor and the upstairs is an Airbnb.&nbsp;Craig also explored investing in food businesses. “Mostly I followed my stomach,” he said. He considered out-of-state companies that make salsa and barbecue sauce before he considered MarCon Pies.&nbsp;As we have previously profiled, MarCon Pies in Marysville produces handcrafted pies for the wholesale market and fundraisers. The company is named for the original bakers, Marilyn and Connie, who started the business.&nbsp;In 2020, Craig and MaryAnn bought MarCon Pies and moved the business to Lincoln, where it is housed in another building that Craig and MaryAnn bought on Main Street.&nbsp;In addition to wholesaling pies to retail outlets, MarCon partners with local churches, athletic teams, community foundations and K-12 schools to sell pies as fundraisers.&nbsp;Using heirloom recipes and delicious ingredients, MarCon produces pies in flavors such as apple, apricot, blackberry, blueberry, cherry, peach and strawberry rhubarb. No-sugar-added options are available in apple, cherry and peach. Pecan and pumpkin pies are available in April and in October through December.&nbsp;Craig tries to encourage other businesses in town to have an Internet presence. “You can have a Main Street business, but if you also sell online, you can generate additional revenue from outside the community,” he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It’s great to find this ruralpreneur in the rural community of Lincoln, population 1,297 people. Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;For more information on Craig’s businesses, see&nbsp;<a href="http://www.lincolnfarmsupply.com/">www.lincolnfarmsupply.com</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.marconpies.com/">www.marconpies.com</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;From pies to parts, from historic buildings to hay, we salute Craig and MaryAnn Stertz for making a difference with their local investment. They demonstrate commitment to their community.&nbsp;

Now That’s Rural: Craig and MaryAnn Stertz, Lincoln

I grew up in the area but did not attend Hays High School. However, for the past 26 years, I have personally (and our&nbsp;company for the past 52 years) been involved in repairs and maintenance to&nbsp;the USD&nbsp;489 buildings.&nbsp;Some&nbsp;of this work has been donated by my company. During this&nbsp;time,&nbsp;I can say first-hand that at some point the expenses to maintaining these buildings out-cost rebuilding them.

Dear taxpayers,I grew up in the area but did not attend Hays High School. However, for the past 26 years, I have personally (and our&nbsp;company for the past 52 years) been involved in repairs and maintenance to&nbsp;the USD&nbsp;489 buildings.&nbsp;Some&nbsp;of this work has been donated by my company. During this&nbsp;time,&nbsp;I can say first-hand that at some point the expenses to maintaining these buildings out-cost rebuilding them.Personally,&nbsp;I have always felt that Hays has some of the highest tax rates in the state and I am an advocate of lower taxes. However, education is the one place I feel we owe to our children and their futures. Anyone&nbsp;who knows me knows that I run our<a></a>&nbsp;businesses by running the numbers and assessing the up and down sides.Hays High is 40 years old, yet it is the newest building in the USD 489 district. We are to that point where cost of maintenance and risk of safety is outweighing a new build.Personally,&nbsp;I am in favor of a new high school and using the current high school&nbsp;as the middle school. My children currently attend Hays High but will be long out of school before the new school is completed. Still I believe in investing in the future of our city and that is done by investing in our future generations.In the end, the money is going to be spent so we either continue to do repairs and attempt to keep the buildings safe, leaving the cost of the rebuilds to our children. Or we decide to spend the money and strengthen our community now.Jacob&nbsp;Proffitt, Hays

Opinion