TOPEKA — On Jan. 22, the League of Kansas Municipalities held its annual Local Government Day event. Hundreds of local city and county government officials, both elected and appointed, attended the event to discuss legislative priorities for cities. The League also uses this event as an opportunity to recognize six 7th graders for their participation in the League’s annual “If I Were Mayor” memo contest. This year, the League recognized Kyler Glick, a 7th grade student at Quinter Jr/Sr. High School, as the statewide winner. Kyler’s memo represented the northwest region of Kansas.
Every year, the League hosts a statewide competition for all seventh-grade students. The students are tasked with deciding what change they would want to make in their community if given the chance to be mayor. The memo format requires students to consider their policy proposal, barriers to implementation, and an evaluation of necessary resources. Hundreds of students participated in the contest and five regional winners along with one overall winner was selected.
Kyler’s memo focused on making the local non-profit historical museum sustainable through renewable energy and a small tax. He suggested installation of solar panels on the museum could reduce the energy bill in half; additionally, Kyler proposed an initiative to raise the mill levy by one so property taxes could help fund the museum. Kyler believed through these projects the museum could be self-sustaining, keeping the history of his community alive for generations.
The League presented awards to six regional students who were named regional winners in the contest.
