An agenda item is listed at the end of next Monday’s Great Bend City Council meeting to appoint the next Great Bend City Administrator. While no official announcement has been made by the City of Great Bend, it is anticipated that Kendal Francis will be named to the position, based on sources.

Francis is originally from Beloit where he worked in the water / wastewater department for nearly 20 years. Francis then served as City Administrator for the City of Lakin from February 2014 to August 2015. Francis’ most recent work came in Coffeyville where he was the City Manager from August 2015 to March 2018. On his resume, Francis states he managed Coffeyville’s $87.3 million annual budget and 155 full-time employees.

In an interview with Francis on June 27, he stated he appreciated Great Bend’s plans for the future.

Kendal Francis Audio

Francis resigned from the Coffeyville City Manager position in March after settling terms with the Coffeyville City Commission. Francis’ contract did not end until August, but the Commission wanted Francis to resign immediately because of displeasure with Francis’ management style. According to Francis, some of the five-member Commission disliked certain department heads and were upset Francis did not terminate the employees. Francis added there was also an issue with high utility bills in Coffeyville the past couple of years.

Kendal Francis Audio

Francis graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University in 1993 and a Master’s Certificate of Public Administration from KSU in 2011.

The other two finalists were Larry Collins and Scott Hildebrand. Collins was a retired Fire Chief in Dayton, Ohio that most recently served as Interim City Administrator in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Hildebrand is the current City Administrator of Valley Center.

Slavin Management Consultants handled the job search and narrowed down the candidates.

The July 16th meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.

You can listen to the entire interview with Francis on June 27 below.

Full Kendal Francis Interview

When Barton County Administrator Phil Hathcock arrived for work Monday he probably wasn’t planning on being involved in a foot chase to help apprehend a prisoner who ran from the Barton County Courthouse after sentencing. But there he was chasing 41-year old Raymond K. Chapman who had bolted from the courtroom after being sentenced to 12 months in the county jail for a probation violation. Hathcock was in the Commission meeting room on the first floor right after Barton County Commissioners had wrapped up their Monday morning meeting when the fun began.

Phil Hathcock Audio

Which was in the alley behind the Eagle Media Center between Baker and Holland Streets. Hathcock downplayed his role in the capture of Chapman but did say he appreciated the ride back to the courthouse after the arrest was made.

Phil Hathcock Audio

Chapman was booked into jail for the 12 month probation violation sentence and is now facing new charges for trying to escape custody.

Over 20 local business workers from the Great Bend area sat in on a luncheon Wednesday afternoon at the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce to hear about a survey to determine what is the “skills gap” in the Kansas workforce.

Great Bend was chosen as one of several communities to participate in the online survey that hopes to make the Kansas economy grow and prepare students for successful careers.

Nick Jordan is a former Kansas Senator, Secretary of Commerce, and Secretary of Revenue. He is now helping with the KU School of Business to put together the survey.

Nick Jordan Audio

Jordan made a short presentation to the Great Bend businessmen and businesswomen before an open discussion on what the Great Bend workforce needs. Community members identified technology, personal finance, construction companies, management and communication skills, and real-world experience as a student as the keys in Great Bend’s economic growth.

Jordan urged the business owners and workers of Great Bend to fill out the survey at kansasskillsgap.org.

Nick Jordan Audio

Along with the KU School of Business, the Kansas State Department of Education and the Kansas Chamber are coming together to build the survey. Jordan noted the survey is also designed to build better communication between education and employers so schools can better equip students.

BUSINESS NEWS

It might be easier for Sarah Krom to list the jobs she has NOT tackled at Sunflower Diversified Services. Her list of titles during more than three decades at the non-profit agency is long; and now she can add another to the list.

Krom is the new chief operating officer (COO) at Sunflower, which serves infants, toddlers and adults with developmental disabilities and delays in Barton, Pawnee, Rice, Rush and Stafford counties.

“The 34 years I have devoted to Sunflower give me a solid base of experience in virtually every department,” Krom said. “This allows me to rely on historical perspectives and broad views of how our team can work cohesively to provide quality services.

“Decky Makings, the previous COO, and other current and former administrators have shared their talents and guidance over the years,” she continued. “I have a strong foundation to build on because of them.”

Krom, a Great Bend High School graduate, has held managerial positions in residential, transportation, employment, community habilitation, production, recycling, human resources and medical supports. She also has worked in production sales, community employment, case management and strategic planning. In addition, Krom has represented Sunflower in state and local developmental-disability affairs; advocated for clients and Sunflower at the local, state and national levels; and provided oversight of the facilities.

“The only areas I haven’t been directly involved in are fiscal management, the Early Education Center and Incredible Years Preschool,” Krom noted.

When Krom signed on at Sunflower on Aug. 1, 1984, she was on the overnight staff at a group home. She was attracted to Sunflower because of her mother.

“Mom and others had noticed that I had been drawn to offering support to vulnerable and disadvantaged people,” Krom recalled. “She was a Sunflower supporter for many years and challenged me to seek employment here.

“As the years have gone by, Sunflower clients have become a significant part of my life,” she added. “It is so rewarding to contribute to the quality of life for the people we serve.”

In the early days, Sunflower was able to offer only two options for adults who were leaving their family homes – an institution or Sunflower group-living situations of five or more people.

“Fortunately, things have changed drastically,” she commented. “Now we offer living situations based on each person’s need for support. They are renters and homeowners in the communities of their choice.”

Day-service opportunities were always in sheltered environments and employment was typically a single manufacturing task.

“Again, fortunately, we now offer community work sites, a variety of manufacturing tasks and integrated employment with job coaches,” Krom said. “Case management used to involve a client being assigned to someone who determined what was best for that client. Today, clients choose from many work options. We are in tune with their wants and needs.”

As COO, Krom is working to improve efficiencies and identify growth opportunities.

“I also want to ensure the right person is in the right job,” she said. “This will allow us to enhance services, and improve the work culture and benefits for our staff. Our managers, administrators and staff believe in the ‘Sunflower Difference’ and want to make this a career path.

“All of us are dedicated to allowing individuals with disabilities and delays to be actively involved in decisions that affect their lives. Our clients have the right to make choices and the responsibility to live with the results of those choices. It is not the cheapest way to support people but it is the right way.”

As a non-profit agency, Sunflower receives state and local tax dollars but they don’t come close to meeting all the needs, Krom emphasized.

“This is why we count on private donations and the success of our annual fundraisers. We cannot do all of this without the community’s support.”

BARTON COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just after 6 p.m. Wednesday in Barton County.

Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir reported a 1989 Ford F150 driven by Kaden Fowler, 15, Great Bend, was eastbound at a high rate of speed on an access road in the area of the flood control project south of Great Bend.

Fowler lost control of the vehicle striking two fence posts and a guidewire. The vehicle then traveled up an embankment, striking another post where it came to rest.  Fowler was not injured in the accident.

The passenger in the vehicle was identified as Brevan Phelps, 17 of Ellinwood.  Phelps sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the collision. He was transported to Great Bend Regional Hospital by private vehicle, according to Bellendir.

Neither occupant was wearing seatbelts at the time of the collision. Excessive speed and driver inexperience are suspected as contributing factors in the collision. The accident is still under investigation by the Barton County Sheriff’s Office.  Further charges may be pending, according Bellendir.

United Way of Central Kansas and FamilyWize announced today that 254 local residents saved $13,061.40 in 2017 on prescription medications through the organizations’ partnership. The results were revealed in their annual Health Impact Report, a compilation of data reflecting the health and financial support offered by United Way and FamilyWize in its joint community initiatives across the country.

Key highlights from the Health Impact Report for Barton and Pawnee counties since this program was brought to the area in 2006 include:
 646 Community Members saved money
 $114,000 was saved on all prescription medications
 The average savings was 39%

“Rising prescription prices continue to be a major burden for individuals and families in our community, whether their medications are for mental health or another chronic illness. We consider ourselves advocates for individuals struggling with the high costs of mental illness,” said Gaila Demel, UWCK Executive Director. “Our partnership with FamilyWize enables us to address this issue by offering abundant resources to all community members seeking affordable healthcare. The impact we’re making is changing lives, and we look forward to supporting many more families in the years to come.”

“It’s heartening to see the far-reaching impact we’ve achieved through our strong ongoing partnership with United Way,” added Dan Barnes, Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of FamilyWize.

“Together we are reaching millions of Americans, and we will continue working toward our goal of helping to educate people across the United States on ways to significantly lower drug costs and maintain prescription adherence.”

FamilyWize is one of the longest running prescription savings programs in the country and is accepted at most pharmacies nationwide, covering all FDA-approved prescription medications.

Over 1,000 United Ways have collaborated with FamilyWize to help over 11 million Americans save more than $1 billion, with an average savings of 45 percent since the partnership began.

“The FamilyWize program is free, has no eligibility or registration requirements, and provides families and individuals access to affordable prescription medications. Visit www.familywize.org to download their Apple or Android mobile app, print out the discount card, or simply learn more about the program. The card is also available at the United Way of Central Kansas office.”

About FamilyWize

Since 2005, FamilyWize has helped over 11 million Americans live healthier lives by saving them more than $1 billion on life-saving prescription drugs. By aggregating large groups of patients, FamilyWize advocates and negotiates for deep discounts on prescription drugs which it then passes on in full to patients. FamilyWize partners with some of the most respected community groups and health care providers in the country, including United Way Worldwide, National Council for Behavioral Health, Mental Health America, and American Heart Association, among thousands of other community organizations. To use FamilyWize, download our card or mobile app at https://familywize.org/free-prescription-discount-card.

BOOKED: Austin Amos of Hutchinson for Rice County District Court warrant for failure to appear, bond set at $763 cash only.

BOOKED: Michael Brohaugh of Great Bend on GBMC warrant for FTA, bond is set in the amount of $1,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Kyle Logan of Wichita on BTDC warrant for probation violation, bond set at $338 cash only and ELDC warrant for probation violation, no bond.

BOOKED: Brent Allen on BTDC warrant for FTA, no bond.

BOOKED: Monica Salcido of Great Bend on BTDC case for aggravated assault and obstruction, bond set at $20,000 C/S.

RELEASED: Thomas Alvis of Ness City on a BCDC case for probation violation, served sentence in full.

RELEASED: Michael Brohaugh of Great Bend on GBMC warrant for FTA after posting a surety bond through Dynomite Bail Bonding in the amount of $1,000.

RELEASED: Tanner Guyton of Great Bend on McPherson County District Court warrant for failure to appear, transferred to McPherson County Sheriff’s Office.

RELEASED: Monica Salcido of Great Bend on BCDC case for aggravated assault and obstruction after posting a $20,000 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonding.

RELEASED: Cody Ward of Tyler, TX on State of Texas warrant for forgery financial instrument and State of Texas warrant for fraud and possession of a controlled substance after being transferred to another agency.