The Great Bend City Band announces their summer 2018 schedule. All concerts this year will be held at the courthouse square band shell at 8:15 pm.

Concert dates are on the following Thursdays: May 31, June 7, 14, 21, and 28. A special jazz band concert will also be held at 8:15 pm at the band shall on June 29. July concerts will be July 5, 12 & 17.

In case of inclement weather, the outdoor concert for that evening will be cancelled by 7:15 pm.

The July 5 concert will be a patriotic concert. On July 17, the Great Bend City Band will host a dual concert with the 35th Infantry Division Band. This special concert will begin at 7:30 pm with the Great Bend City Band followed by the 35th Infantry Division Band at 8:15 pm. The concert will conclude with a mass band performance of “America, the Beautiful” and “The Stars and Stripes Forever.”

More information may be obtained about the band by contacting the director of the City Band, Steven Lueth, at 620-935-4330.

BOARD OF BARTON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Agenda Meeting
Monday, May 21, 2018 — 9:00 a.m. Until Close

I. OPENING BUSINESS:
A. Call Meeting to Order.
B. Recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
C. Consider Approval of the Agenda.
D. Consider Minutes of the May 7, 2018, and the May 14, 2018, Regular Meetings.
E. Any citizen wishing to make statements during the discussion of any item must first be recognized by the Commission Chair. After being recognized, that person should state their name and the name of any organization represented. Statements should be limited to five minutes.
F. Cell phones and other electronic devices, other than those used by the media and law enforcement, should be shut off.

II. OLD BUSINESS – Items tabled, or scheduled, from previous Commission Meetings, will be heard at this time.
-There is no Old Business at this time.

III. NEW BUSINESS – All new business to be considered by the Commission will be heard at this time.

A. COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE: Request for Approval – Added / Abated / Escaped / Refunded Taxes:
-Bev Schmeidler, Assistant Deputy County Clerk / Records, will present a listing of Added / Abated / Escaped / Refunded Taxes. Orders for these actions are kept on file in the County Clerk’s Office. These are used to correct assessments and are requested by the County Appraiser’s Office or the County Clerk’s Office.

B. PROCLAMATION 2018-11: Older Americans Month, May, 2018:
-Every May, the Administration on Aging, an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, leads the Nation’s observance of Older Americans Month. The 2018 theme, Engage at Every Age, emphasizes that one is never too old to take part in activities that can enrich one’s physical, mental and emotional well-being. It also celebrates the many ways in which older adults make a difference in communities. Trella Berscheidt, one of the County’s appointees to the Southwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging (SWKAAA) Board, has asked that the Commission consider adoption of a Proclamation naming May, 2018, as Older Americans Month.

C. RESOLUTION 2018-12: Establishing a Speed Limit of 45 Miles Per Hour on Portions of North Washington Avenue, NE 30 Road and NW 30 Road, Great Bend Township, Barton County, Kansas:
-As the result of an accident at the intersection of North Washington Avenue and North 30 Road, the Commission requested that County staff research potential safety improvements. On May 7, 2018, the Commission approved action that would, in part, “change the speed limit going north stopping at the bridge”. After discussion on May 14, 2018, it was determined that this action should be superseded with reducing the speed limits on portions of North Washington Avenue, NE 30 Road and NW 30 Road. This is just one improvement. As the Commission continues to study this intersection, future improvements could include signage and rumble strips. Barry McManaman, County Engineer, will provide details.

D. COUNTY ENGINEER: Approval of KDOT Agreement No. 86-18 for the 2019 High Risk Rural Roads Signing Contract:
-Barton County was awarded Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) High Risk Rural Roads funds for Project No. 5 C-4869-01 to upgrade signing and analyze no passing zones on approximately 71 miles of County blacktop roads. KDOT will pay for 100% of the costs for design, construction, and inspection of the project. A 3-party agreement between KDOT, Barton County, and Kirkham Michael was approved last fall for the design work. KDOT asks that the County approve an agreement allowing for the project to proceed through construction. KDOT will handle the bid letting and administer the project, with construction work done by a contractor. The contract letting date is tentatively set for September, 2019. The Engineer’s Office will do the inspection work and KDOT will reimburse labor and equipment costs. Mr. McManaman will provide details.

E. COUNTY ENGINEER: 2018 Hot Mix Asphalt Overlay Project:
-The County Engineer accepted bids until May 4, 2018, for the 2018 Hot Mix Asphalt Overlay Project. The project includes 3,112 tons of HMA-Commercial Grade (Class A) asphalt to be placed on East Barton County Road. Venture Corporation submitted the only bid for $288,968.00. In addition to monies included in the Road and Bridge Fund for this planned expenditure, there are Federal Fund Exchange monies available through Capital Improvement. Barry McManaman, County Engineer, and Darren Williams, County Works Director, will provide details.

F. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: Renewal of Anti-Ransomware Software:
-To better protect the County from computer hackers, ransomware attacks, malware threats and virus attacks, it is suggested that the County renew and upgrade the Malwarebytes software contract. John Debes, Information Technology Director, will provide details.

IV. ENDING BUSINESS – After new items are heard by the Commission, the following items, including announcements, will be heard.

A. ANNOUNCEMENTS: -Following the close of the Agenda Meeting, the Commission will consider the authorization of personnel changes for classified positions, sign any documentation approved during the agenda meeting or sign any other documentation required for regular County business. Similar action may take place throughout the day.
-County Business Offices will be closed on Monday, May 28, 2018, in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. The Health Department, the Records Division of the Sheriff’s Office and the County Landfill will also be closed that day. Emergency services will be in normal operation.

B. APPOINTMENTS:
MAY 21, 2018
10:00 a.m. or close of the Agenda Meeting – Department Head Meeting with the Commissioners. Department Head meetings are held in the Courthouse Conference Room, Room 101. After the Department Head meeting is closed, the Commission will return to their Chambers.
11:00 a.m. – Financial Update – Matt Patzner, Financial Officer
11:15 a.m. – Business Update – Jim Jordan, County Treasurer
11:30 a.m. – Regular Business Discussion – Phil Hathcock, County Administrator
THE COUNTY EDITION, KVGB-AM – Thursdays at 11:05 a.m. Members of the Juvenile Services Department are scheduled for May 24, 2018.

V. OTHER BUSINESS:
A. Discussion Items.
B. Citizens or organizations may present requests or proposals for initial consideration.
C. The Commissioners are available to the Public on Mondays during regular business hours.
D. The Commissioners may, individually, schedule personal appointments related to County business at their discretion.
E. The next Regular Meeting will be at 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 29, 2018.

VI. ADJOURN.

BUSINESS NEWS

Story by Micah Oelze

Barton Community College’s Center for Adult Education will soon begin its nine-week GED Preparation Class. Students must attend all orientation classes May 21-24, and the first day of class May 29. Failure to attend all five days will result in removal of the student from the program. The center is located at 1025 Main St. in Great Bend.

There is a one-time $65 fee for materials. Once students have completed the preparation courses, they will be able to take the official GED test. The cost to take the GED test is $132.

The May 21 session is from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. The day will include welcome information along with required testing. On May 22 from 8:30 a.m.-11:45 a.m. students will learn more information about Barton’s Student Support Services, the public library and more with the 1-4 p.m. time slot available to the students who may need to re-take the required tests from the previous day. All students will then partake in an Educational Opportunity Center workshop from 8:30 a.m.-10 a.m. on May 23. Lastly, on May 24 from 8:30-11:30 a.m., students will learn about WorkReady! and GED.com before meeting with their instructor one-on-one to discuss goals, their expectations, attendance requirements, workload, etc. Appointments will be 30 minutes each and scheduled between 12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. on May 24.

On Tuesday, May 29, students will have the choice to begin attending the morning class pathway from 8-11 a.m. or the evening hybrid class pathway from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Those interested in taking the GED exam without any preparation instruction can do so right away but are urged to receive advising before moving forward.

Minors must bring a parent or legal guardian to enroll and must also bring their disclaimer or exemption documentation from their high school or online program.

For more information, contact Adult Education Support & Testing Specialist Susanne Yarmer at yarmers@bartonccc.edu.

Scott McPherson, District Court Judge for Barton, Ellsworth, Rice, Russell, and Stafford Counties, was among the 53 judges from over 20 states who successfully completed the General Jurisdiction course at The National Judicial College in Reno, Nevada, on May 3, 2018.

McPherson is new to the bench, having been appointed by Governor Sam Brownback in December. The General Jurisdiction course is designed for the newer judge.

The course provided nine full days, a total of 60 classroom hours, of intensive emersion in the unique, wide-ranging, necessary skills required for becoming an effective and efficient general jurisdiction judge.

McPherson said that both the academic and experiential teaching techniques at the College gave him a solid, practical understanding of the many facets of serving as District Judge.

“I feel much more equipped and confident to manage my cases and the courtroom,” McPherson said.

Kansas Judges Rhonda Mason, Olathe, and Fred Johnson, Parsons, also graduated the course with Judge McPherson.

BUSINESS NEWS

Larned, KS – B&B Quality Meats announced the release of its new website bandbqualitymeats.com. The fully redesigned website features revamped web pages that allow shoppers all over the nation to order jerky from Kansas.

B&B Quality Meats in Larned now offers countrywide shipping of its meats. From beef sticks, to summer sausages, to beef jerky, B&B delivers the freshly cut and never pressed beef jerky.

The Kansas livestock industry is huge, which has created the need for unmatched processing quality and capacity. B&B offers the power of larger processors, combined with the family-style experience.

Customers will now be able to…

• Shop B&B’s quality beef jerky selection and browse available bundle packages

• CLICK TO ORDER

Learn more about B&B’s history and how it’s bringing nationwide attention to beef jerky, done the Kansas way, by visiting bandbqualitymeats.com.

BOOKED: Scott Jurgensen of Great Bend on Barton County District Court case for DUI 3rd and circumvention of interlock device with a bond set at $2,500 C/S.

BOOKED: Laura Standlee of Ellinwood on Kansas Highway Patrol case for DWS and no seat belt, bond set at $2,500 C/S.

BOOKED: Jesse Julian of Hudson on GBMC warrant for failure to appear, bond is set at $1,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Herbert Reed of Tulsa, OK of BTDC case for criminal threat, bond set at $5,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Derek Nease of Claflin on Barton County District Court case for battery DV and assault with a bond set at $2,500 C/S.

RELEASED: Scott Jurgensen of Great Bend on Barton County District Court case for DUI 3rd and circumvention of interlock device after posting a $2,500 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonding.

RELEASED: Eliseo Velasco of Great Bend on BTDC warrant for probation violation to new chance treatment in Dodge City.

RELEASED: Jimmy Gilliam of Great Bend to KDOC.

RELEASED: Ramone Hester of Great Bend to KDOC.

RELEASED: Tony Erskine of Elmirage, AZ on Barton County District Court warrant for probation violation to KDOC.

RELEASED: Aaron Z. Corkill after being released by GBMC on a case.

RELEASED: Laura Standlee of Ellinwood on Kansas Highway Patrol case for DWS and no seat belt, posted $2,500 bond through Ace Bail Bonding.

RELEASED: Jesse Julian of Great Bend on GBMC warrant for failure to appear, posted bond through Ace Bail Bonding in the amount of $1,000 C/S.

RELEASED: Wayne Masse of Great Bend on BTDC case for possession of methamphetamine, possession of paraphernalia, felony obstruction, possession of marijuana, posted $10,000 C/S through Dyn-O-Mite Bail Bonding.

BUSINESS NEWS

Debbie McCormick vividly remembers her meetings with education professionals about a family member with a developmental delay. These are not fond memories.

“I cannot tell you the number of times I was just barely holding it together,” McCormick said. “I would leave the meetings and usually make it to my car. Then I would sit there and let the frustration out.”

Since McCormick doesn’t want other parents to feel so alone, she approached Jon Prescott, Sunflower Diversified Services executive director, about forming a support group.

Prescott listened and the introductory meeting of Caregivers Count is set for 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 5 at the Hoisington Activity Center.

Sunflower, a non-profit agency, serves infants, toddlers and adults with special needs in Barton, Pawnee, Rice, Rush and Stafford counties.

McCormick, of Ellinwood, has a daughter with developmental delays; the daughter, who is now in her 30s, had three daughters who McCormick adopted. Two of these girls, ages 6 and 10, have delays. All three have received Sunflower services over the years. Sunflower provides parents with the assurance that their children’s needs are being met, McCormick said, noting she appreciates the agency’s willingness to sponsor the new group.

“This support group is personal for me,” McCormick commented. “Parents and other caregivers are on islands by themselves. No one understands and they don’t know which way to turn. It is overwhelming.

“I went through this alone with my daughter the first time; I want it to be different with my younger ones. It is not just me I am concerned about. What about young parents who are by themselves? What keeps them afloat?”

McCormick knows her young girls will succeed in special education, with academic modifications. And as they get older, they will learn life skills such as how to balance a checkbook and make a budget, and how to live independently.

“They will have jobs and be successful members of society,” she said. “But I have real concerns for families facing more severe disabilities. How are they dealing with it?”

She believes Caregivers Count will offer the support families need.

“Parents need to be with people who understand. With numbers come strength. Numbers motivate change. If we learn about common problems, we can find solutions,” McCormick emphasized.

Caregivers Count will meet quarterly but its members will be encouraged to reach out to one another anytime.

“Our steering committee will help pull people together and get connected,” McCormick said.

In addition to McCormick and Prescott, committee members include: Heather Quillin and Brandi Demel, both of Sunflower; Kiley Klug, parent; and Shelly Schneider and Briana White, both of the Barton County Health Department. White is also a parent.

Quillin, children’s services coordinator, said Sunflower had been talking about a support group and the idea “came to life” because of McCormick. A few months later, the local 100 People Who Care donated $10,000 to Sunflower.

“We have $1,000 of that for seed money. Some will be used to host the kick-off and the rest is for ongoing projects,” Quillin noted. “This allowed us to really start brainstorming. Results include a Facebook group and flyers to help spread the word about this new program.” (Another $200 was donated by two local banks; the remainder of the donation is earmarked for another project that will be announced soon.)

“Any parent, guardian, grandparent or foster parent of a child birth to age 21 with special needs is encouraged to attend the kick-off,” Quillin said. “We hope caregivers will build a rapport with one another for support in their day-to-day lives and that this group will provide opportunities to gather resources.”