Wolf speaks in McPherson

Nick Gosnell

Dr. Milton Wolf, who is running against incumbent United States Senator Pat Roberts in the Republican primary election August 5th was in McPherson Monday over the noon hour for a fundraiser and to speak to those interested in learning more about his candidacy.

Wolf, a Radiologist from Leawood, told Mid Kansas Online, "I'm a Constitutional, conservative Republican, but I'm not a politician. I'm actually a doctor. I was born and raised in Lyons, so this is home for me. I'm challenging Senator Pat Roberts. Nothing personal, I have voted for him, but he's been there too long. He's been in Washington for 47 years. No one should be in Washington for 47 years. Moses himself should not be in Washington for 47 years."

Those interested in learning more prior to the primary election can log on to Wolf's website at www.miltonwolf.com.

Pine Village to hold Variety Show July 27

Please join Pine Village for its annual Benefit Day Variety Show on Sunday, July 27 at the Wellness Center. The evening will begin at 6 p.m. and will include performances by David Anderson on the Hammer Dulcimer, Donna Stucky and Carol Hadduck on the piano, Cameron Clark sharing a story, Adam Robb enlightening us with a science experiment, and several singers including the Roth family – Brad (West Zion Mennonite Pastor), Lici, Mateo & Elijah, Jamie Kaminkow, Shelby Sparks, and Taylor and Chase Stucky! A free will donation will be collected for 2014 Benefit Day Project – the remodeling of the extremely outdated bathing rooms in The Neighborhoods!

Come enjoy an evening of fun, fellowship and great entertainment. Also, be sure to mark your calendars for the other upcoming Benefit Day events:

August 22 - Bierock Dinner

September 25 – Walk-A-Thon

September 26-27 – Garage and Bake Sale

October 23 – Benefit Day Dinner & Auction

About Pine Village: Pine Village is a Continuing Care Retirement Community, offering gracious living for adults 62 and older with an active and independent lifestyle for today in a supportive Christian environment.  Services include independent living, assisted living, health care, skilled care and memory care. For more information, visit us online at www.pinevillageks.org or come by for a visit at 86 22nd Ave., Moundridge.

2015 McPherson City Budget Hearing Set for August 4, 2014 at 9:00 AM

The City of McPherson was able to hold down the mill levy again this year by efficiently reducing expenditures wherever it could.  A public hearing on the proposed budget is scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday August 4, 2014 at the Municipal Center.  Anyone who is interested may speak at that time.  By law, once the budget has been published in legal form – which will be done this week – the budget cannot be increased.  However, after taking input at the public hearing, the commission could choose to decrease the budget.

The 2014 budget authority was $36,450,363 with a mill levy of 51.022.  During the 2015 budget process, the city commissioners revised the 2014 expenditures to a level of $24,509,506.  They are looking at a 2015 budget authority of $36,962,468.  The city commissioners will work to restrict the 2015 expenditures to a level similar to 2014.  The 2015 budget will be funded by a mill levy of 51.322 which is slightly higher than the 51.202 average of the last six years.  This mill levy still allows for increased costs of fuel, paving, KPERS, KP&F and other expenditures.

Holding the mill levy was hard to achieve because of declining revenue while experiencing only a very slight increase in the total assessed valuation of property.  Expected assessed valuation for 2015 is $108,319,244, up from the $106,040,085 assessed valuation in 2014.  New improvements within the city limits of $706,909 helped to result in an increase of 2.15% of the expected 2015 assessed valuation over the prior year.

Work on the proposed 2015 budget began in April, according to City Administrator Nick Gregory.  Department heads were responsible for projecting the next year’s revenues and expenses.  In May, June and July, the commissioners prioritized the requests and developed the budget.  Since some of the traditional sources of income have been reduced or eliminated because of the State of Kansas financial condition, developing a budget was a challenging time again this year.  “With only a very modest increase in assessed valuation, combined with various street improvements, rising fuel, rising retirement costs, as well as other costs, the commissioners and department heads have worked very hard to maintain stability in the mill levy again this year.” Gregory also pointed out that “Everyone is striving to operate as efficiently as possible with the available resources.”

The City is looking forward to the completion of First/Hartup/Hill reconstruction project in the next few months as well as the construction of Oxford Pointe/Certainteed drainage improvement and additional housing development later this year and into 2015.  This year’s budget reflects some delays in equipment purchases where possible, and the elimination of most overtime as well as some seasonal positions.  If an employee leaves the city, non-essential positions will not be filled right away, if at all.  

In summary, the City has held a tight rein on the mill levy again this year, as this year’s budgeted mill levy is up only 0.300 of a mill (or 0.588%) over the prior year and up only 0.120 of a mill (or 0.235%) over the average of the last six years.  

Specific budget information is available at the office of the city clerk and also will be available at the budget hearing.

Financial reports for candidates available prior to primary

On Monday, July 28, 2014 treasurers for candidates running for state and county office will file their pre-primary election receipts and expenditures reports.

On July 31, 2014, a report of last-minute contributions will be filed by any state or county candidate who receives any contribution in the amount of $300 or more. These reports are a matter of public record.

County candidate reports are available for review in the county election office in which the candidate is on the ballot. Candidates for state office file their reports only in the Secretary of State’s office.

State candidate reports can be viewed on the Commission’s website at www.kansas.gov/ethics. These reports disclose the financial transactions of candidates prior to the August 5, 2014 primary election.

The Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission administers and enforces the State’s Campaign Finance Act. The Commission’s primary objective is to obtain complete, accurate and timely disclosure of required financial information from candidates running for state and county office.

Grant to add biking/hiking trail approved by KDOT

The City of McPherson announced on Tuesday that it was approved by the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) for a Travel Alternative project in the amount of $504,000.

The project consists of building a 10-foot wide concrete shared use path from Thunderbird St. to Wall Bicentennial Park along Ave. A. The project is part of the city’s efforts to improve and expand hiking/walking and biking trails in the community. Federal funds will pay for 60% of the project.

McPherson City Administrator Nick Gregory said that the goal based upon the city's grant application with KDOT is to complete the project during the 2016 construction season, and that design work on the project and collaboration with the railroad would begin as soon as possible.

WSU High School Guest Program offering $150K in scholarship money

Wichita State University

Wichita State University's High School Guest Program — which lets high school juniors and seniors take courses at WSU and earn full college credit — has $150,000 in scholarship money available for the 2014 fall semester.

The money will be disbursed in $500 awards to qualified high school students on a first-come, first-served basis.

Under the program, high school students are allowed to take up to six hours of coursework a semester at Wichita State, giving them a head start on their college careers.

"It's an advantage for the students to get credit hours under their belts." said Bobby Gandu, Wichita State's director of admissions. "But just as importantly, it gives them an advantage in terms of experience. They'll get familiar with the teaching style and higher expectations of college coursework and will be better equipped to hit the ground running when they enter college as traditional freshmen."

To be eligible for the program, students must have completed their sophomore year of high school and must have at least a 3.00 grade point average. Returning WSU guest students must also have earned at least a 2.00 WSU cumulative GPA.

Students must enroll in at least three credit hours to be eligible for a $500 scholarship. Those admitted and enrolled by Aug. 1 will be given highest priority for the scholarships. All high school guest students must be enrolled by August 8, 2014. There is a one-time, $30 application fee for new students.

Go to www.wichita.edu/hsguest for more information about the program.

McPherson driver involved in fatal Reno County crash

A three vehicle crash in Reno County on Tuesday that killed a Haven woman involved a driver from McPherson.

According to a report from the Kansas Highway Patrol, a 2004 Chevy Malibu driven by 92 year old James F Richey of Haven failed to yield at the intersection of Arlington Road and K-14 to a southbound 2001 Ford Explorer driven by 30 year old Brooksie L Conroy of McPherson.

Upon collision the Malibu then struck a 2011 Ford F-350 driven by Neill Unruh of Haviland which was stopped at the intersection. James Richey and his passenger, 85 year old Ollie Richey were taken to hospitals, James Richey to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center and Ollie Richey to St. Francis in Wichita. Ollie Richey later died from her injuries.

All four persons involved were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.

Rhonda Wince appointed to USD 418 School Board

The McPherson USD 418 School Board has a new member. Rhonda Wince was appointed to fill a seat vacated by Nancy Young.

Wince works at Wince Family Dental Associates and volunteers with the Curriculum Coordinating Council and Eisenhower Elementary PTO, according to an article from the McPherson Sentinel.

Wince will be placed on the board at the board's next meeting July 28th.

Cartridge King of Kansas undergoing computer upgrade next week, unable to take online orders July 23-25

Cartridge King of Kansas

On July 23rd, 24th and July 25th, Cartridge King will undergo a major IT upgrade. This will affect how we normally do busineses. For these three days only, we can only accept orders via phone or fax. Our website will also be down those two days.

We will be back to business as normal on Monday, July 28th. The following are phone and fax numbers for each location.

McPherson 888-621-5860 Fax 620-241-8533

Topeka 785-232-1393 Fax 785-232-1155

Wichita 316-264-5399 Fax 316-264-0066

We are sorry for the inconvenience and thank you in advance for your patience during this upgrade.

KABC to honor Sandy Praeger with KABC Caring Award in October

Kansas Advocates for Better Care (KABC) has announced that it will honor Sandy Praeger, Kansas Insurance Commissioner, with the KABC Caring Award.  KABC, a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for good quality long-term care, annually honors an individual who has demonstrated advocacy and commitment which significantly improves the quality of care and life of older Kansans needing long-term care services.

The KABC Caring Award will be presented to Praeger on October 26, 2014 during the organization’s annual Stand By Me benefit event in Lawrence.

“We are recognizing Sandy Praeger for her many years of leadership and work in promoting good quality health and long-term care for older Kansans,” said Linda Carlsen, KABC president.  “In her various elected roles, she has made it a priority to advocate for government accountability in fulfilling its oversight and enforcement roles for long-term care, support quality standards for the long-term care workforce, and promote greater access to healthcare and support services for elders living at home.”

Praeger held her first public office in 1985 when she was elected to the Lawrence City Commission, later serving as mayor.  Between 1990 and 2002, she served in the Kansas House of Representatives for one term and Senate for three terms.  During her Senate tenure she chaired the Senate Public Health Committee which was responsible for legislative oversight of aging and long-term services.  In 2002, Praeger left the senate for a successful run as Kansas Insurance Commissioner.  

As a new state legislator, Praeger was mentored on long-term quality care by KABC founder, Anna “Petey” Cerf.  While in the Kansas legislature, Praeger worked with Cerf and KABC to pass several bills that supported independence, choice, and services for older adults wishing to remain at home, and promoted quality and choice for those living in nursing homes.  While chair of the Senate Committee on Health, she supported creation of the Home- and Community-Based Services Frail Elderly Medicaid waivers to provide Kansans with quality long-term supports and services, allowing them to stay in their own homes.

“Petey often told lawmakers and policy makers to ‘do the right thing,’ ” Praeger said.  “After she died, I could feel her sitting on my shoulder, telling me to ‘do the right thing’ when we debated long-term care issues.”

While in the Kansas legislature, Praeger worked to gain passage of patient protection laws, supported external review of health plans and insurance, and carried legislation that required hospices to be licensed, a requirement of Medicare that enabled older adults to receive hospice care.  In 2001, she led the successful campaign for mental health parity in Kansas.

Praeger has served since 2002 as the Kansas Insurance Commissioner, responsible for regulating all insurance sold in Kansas and overseeing approximately 1,600 insurance companies and more than 108,000 agents licensed to do business in the state.  She has continued her consumer advocacy throughout the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.  During the past legislative session, she was a vocal opponent of legislation that would allow Kansas to opt out federal health care programs through a compact or a block grant, trading the “certainty” of Medicare which serves older adults for something “uncertain.”

Praeger has been active at the national level where she has served as president of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).  She currently serves as chair of the NAIC Health Insurance and Managed Care Committee, as well as other NAIC committees and task forces.  In 2012 she was appointed as an NAIC representative on the board of directors of the National Insurance Producer Registry.

Praeger has testified numerous times before the U.S. Senate Finance Committee on health reform issues. She has appeared before the Senate Select Committee on Aging concerning qualifications of investment advisers, testified before the U.S. Senate Small Business Committee to express concerns about association health plans, and appeared before the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee about small business health insurance.

Praeger’s work has earned her numerous awards and national recognition. She is a two-time recipient of the prestigious Dr. Nathan B. Davis Award, bestowed to individuals who have made a significant contribution to the public health through elected and career government service.

Her community involvement includes the United Way of Douglas County Board of Directors, and she is a founding member of three local boards: Health Care Access (a clinic for the medically indigent), the Haskell Indian Nations University Foundation and Court Appointed Special Advocates/CASA.

A graduate of the University of Kansas, she and her husband, Dr. Mark Praeger, live in Lawrence where they raised two children.

Praeger is the sixth recipient of the organization’s highest award.  Past recipients include journalist Dave Ranney; former Secretary of the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services Dr. Robert Harder; Dr. Rosemary Chapin, University of Kansas professor; former Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson, and former Kansas Congressman Dennis Moore.

Kansas Advocates for Better Care (KABC) is a 39 year old, not-for-profit organization (501(c)(3) IRS designated charitable organization), beholden to no commercial interests, and is supported almost entirely by donations from citizens who support our mission of improving the quality of care in all long-term settings. KABC provides assistance to older or disabled adults seeking information and guidance regarding long-term care placements and services and help to resolve problems with the care they receive from facilities or other long-term service providers. KABC provides information and education to public policy makers and advocates for policies that will improve the quality of long-term care in Kansas. (www.kabc.org)