By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
The needs for more housing and more business development in Hays dominated many of the answers from the five city commission candidates during Tuesday night's hour-long forum.
The forum was presented by the Hays Chamber, Fort Hays State University Docking Institute of Public Affairs, FHSU Political Science Department and FHSU Student Government Association.
The three incumbents, Reese Barrick, Alaina Cunningham, and Mason Ruder, along with newcomers Kelly Ancar and Diana Pantle answered questions from the moderators as well as several submitted by audience members.
Barrick, director of the Sternberg Museum of Natural History, and Ruder, TMP-Marian advancement director, also included as a priority in the next two to four years, a long-term water supply with completion of the R-9 Ranch water transfer process to Hays and Russell from the cities' property in Edwards County.
Pantle agreed with the water project.
"Without water, none of us are going to be around," she said, and added education as one of her top priorities.
"I want to be sure my granddaughter gets the highest education possible. We've got a great system here and I think we need to do whatever we can to retain that," said the retired Pantel, who moved to Hays from Colorado six years ago to be with family.
Cunningham, a nurse and fitness instructor, said "retaining youth in the community instead of them moving away" is one of her top priorities. She tied that problem to a need for a "better variety of housing for them and wanting to stay in Hays."
Ancar, a nurse and owner of Amazing Grace Homecare, focused on the taxpayer as her top priority.
"Taking a good hard look at how we're spending the taxpayer dollars, and work towards managing that spending, cutting waste wherever we can, identifying small places where we can save money, so that we can maintain the revenue-neutral status."
All the candidates agreed that the shortage of workers in Hays is largely due to the housing shortage. Incentives for developers, builders and property owners were suggested as possible solutions.
Barrick talked about ensuring the continued success of Fort Hays State "with more students who'll stay here."
Cunningham said the process of growing a workforce is multi-layered. She suggested incentivizing students to stay in Hays after they attend the local educational institutions of NCK-Tech College, FHSU or the Hays Academy of Hair Design. She would also incentivize students to return to Hays who left the area to attend college.
Ancar said her staff has a "tough time finding housing" and suggested the city become more involved in renters' rights, which might encourage more people to remain Hays residents.
Each candidate also supported population growth for Hays and the role of the city in economic development.
"Really focus on our partnerships with the business leaders, Grow Hays, and other people within the community looking to grow our workforce and develop housing," Ruder said. "We're one of the few cities our size in the entire state that actually saw growth in the last census. If we continue on the path that we're on now, I see a bright future ahead."
Ancar again stressed the need to "stay revenue-neutral, keep control over property taxes so people want to live here or to move back here and it's affordable to live here."
"Innovation comes through turmoil," Barrick said, suggesting the city should work on issuing a STAR bond, a funding method for Kansas municipalities to develop major commercial, entertainment and tourism destinations.
Cunningham wants the city to "continue exploring incentives that would help bring more builders or developers into the area to help us bring new attractions or retail businesses that would then bring in more visitors."
Pantle served on a Grow Hays committee responsible for marketing Hays to new residents, including retirees.
Sustainability is a part of that, she said. "There are businesses in town where the owners are getting older and want to retire. I think it's important that the city makes those owners know that we will do whatever possible to find younger owners to take over that business."
Audience questions included discussions about city funding to outside agencies, the city's Essential Air Service program and contract with SkyWest/United Airlines, and the newly approved common consumption area in downtown Hays.
Asked about partisanship, each candidate said they would lead without a personal agenda and answer solely to Hays residents. The Hays City Commission is a non-partisan governing body.
The forum was streamed live on the FHSU Tiger Media Network's YouTube channel and is available for playback here.
The election is Tuesday, Nov. 7. Three city commission seats are open.