March 23, 2018
Friday
Ark City
www.acdailybytes.com
College trustees further restrict public comments By JENI McGEE jeni@acdailybytes.com The Cowley College Board of Trustees voted last week to further restrict public comments at its meetings, a move that ran counter to statements made by several trustee candidates at a public forum last fall. The trustees on March 12 spoke with Donna Whiteman, Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB) assistant executive director for legal services, regarding laws that govern public comments at official board meetings. Following the conversation with Whiteman, the board voted to approve new wording for its communications policy. The new language adds additional restrictions, based on Whiteman’s input. The only trustee who voted against the policy was Gary Wilson. Changes include a reordering of the agenda by moving public comments immediately preceding “other business.” As before, the board clerk must receive notice of a citizen who wishes to address the board at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting — but now citizens also must present any written testimony in advance, as well. Since the November election, Parkerfield Mayor Mike Bergagnini — who ran an unsuccessful campaign for trustee and
also applied for a vacancy later filled by Nancy Short Burger — has spoken critically at several board meetings regarding spending and other decisions. Discussion with Whiteman “Any public body (that) receives state or federal funds must comply with the (Kansas) Open Meetings Act (KOMA),” Whiteman said. KOMA requires that all meetings of that public body’s governing board be open so taxpaying citizens may attend them and observe. “There is no right (for citizens) to speak,” Whiteman said, although she allowed that “most boards allow three minutes to bring up any issues.” “Any member of the public can contact a board member ... before or after a meeting,” she added. Whiteman compared the board of trustees to the board of a large corporation such as AT&T. “(The board members) don’t get involved, generally, in the day-to-day operations,” she said. “The board of trustees does not have to permit the time to speak at all?” asked trustee Jill Long. “It’s a privilege, not a right?” “Right,” Whiteman said. Public comments changes In a news release, college spokesman Rama Peroo said cit-
izens should attempt to resolve any concerns with appropriate college personnel prior to addressing the board of trustees. “This process can be achieved by completing the ‘Tell it to the President’ form on the college’s public website” the release states. “Concerns will then be routed to the appropriate personnel. Persons having matters to be brought before the board must submit those items in writing, including the full written testimony.” “Presentations containing information or comments related to college personnel or students may be deferred for consideration in executive session,” according to the release. “The chair reserves the right to stop the proceedings at any time and refer the speaker to follow up with the Office of the President.” Wilson objects Wilson offered several objections to the proposed changes before casting a nay vote. “I don’t like full written testimony — I think that would be hard to do,” he said. “I don’t like (that) the chair reserves the right to stop proceedings and (instruct an individual to) follow up with the Office of the President, because if it’s a board matter, it should be brought before the board.”
Crain warns others of skin cancer risks after her own close brush By JENI McGEE jeni@acdailybytes.com After her recent cancer scare, Cowley County resident Pam Crain is warning others against the ill effects of too much sun exposure. “Here is my (public service announcement) on skin cancer: Go get that spot checked... Now!” she posted Tuesday on Facebook. “Being as fair skinned as I am, I always desired a tan,” Crain said. “Of course, my attempts only resulted in sunburns. As a teenager and young
adult, I did not use sunscreen.” But that has changed since her diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma — a form of cancer that is relatively easy to treat. “I will not be without (sunscreen) now,” Crain said. Realization and diagnosis Crain first noticed a small blemish on her nose late last year, but initially, she didn’t give it more than a cursory glance. “After about six weeks, it had not gone away and had gotten a little bit bigger,” she said. Crain finally mentioned it to
her husband and daughter on a family vacation. “I had an appointment on the Tuesday we got home,” she said. “I had a gut feeling and was sure it was (cancer), so I wasn’t really surprised. “My dad has had the same type of cancer ... on his nose.” Removal and reconstruction The dermatologist’s initial interaction with Crain involved a biopsy, the results of which took two weeks to come back from the lab.
City looking for contract help with 2018 nuisance abatement Staff Report The City of Arkansas City is soliciting bids to take care of nuisance abatement mowing for the upcoming growing season. A nuisance abatement contractor will be used to mow and trim the yards of properties that have been turned in for tall grass
and weeds. The grass on these properties must be in excess of 12 inches tall. This contract will be awarded based on the “apparent ability to perform a quality job in a timely manner,” according to a request for proposals. Mowing will have to
be completed within three days of notification from the city. There are several qualifications that applicants must meet, including a minimum liability insurance coverage. To view all of the specifications, visit www.arkansascityks. gov/Government/Pub-
lic Works/Neighborhood Services/2018 Bid Mowing Contract.pdf. Bids are due to City Hall by 2 p.m. April 2. They should be addressed to: City of Arkansas City, Kansas Attn: Lesley Shook 118 W. Central Ave. Arkansas City, KS 67005
SCKMC trustees discuss Health Unit losses, lab outreach payback By JENI McGEE jeni@acdailybytes.com South Central Kansas Medical Center saw a second month of losses from its Senior Health Unit in February. Since its inception in December 2016, the unit has had only three months in which it did not result in a profit. Last month, the unit had a total loss of $6,461, the SCKMC Board of Trustees learned Thursday morning. SCKMC Chief Financial Officer Holly Harper and Chief Executive Officer Virgil Watson cited extended stays in the unit as the reason. Individuals who are admitted into the unit generally stay for less than 12 days, but there have been some staying for longer. “We can’t find a place for them to go,”
Watson said of the patients whose need to stay in the unit had passed. The reimbursement rate for these patients changes if the patient stays past a certain number of days, he explained. “Sometimes a patient needs to stay (that long),” Watson added. Outreach payback SCKMC has begun to repay money previously paid to it through a lab outreach program that was started in February 2017. The program initially showed a $1.1 million profit, but last November, SCKMC administrators announced the program would be discontinued. “On the lab outreach, the million (in) revenue, how much of that is going to be paid (back) out?” City Man-
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ager Nick Hernandez asked at the November 2017 meeting of the SCKMC Board of Trustees. “About $900,000,” Watson told him at the time. However, that number has increased
to nearly the entire profit that originally was reported. Even though the hospital has been paying the money back, it still owes $900,000 in repayment to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas.
After Prom Bingo fundraiser planned Staff Report There will be a fundraiser this week for Arkansas City High School’s After Prom event. Starting at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, a bingo fundraiser will be held at the Ark City Recreation Center, located at 225 E. Fifth Ave. Adult admission is a donation of $10. With this donation, each adult will receive a bingo pack of 10 cards, which is good for 30 games. Ten rounds of bingo will be played and the prizes are valued at $10 or more. This event will feature bingo, shopping opportunities and a lunch option. Lunch will be a brisket sandwich with chips, for $6. Some of the vendors that will be on site include Mary Kay, Paparazzi and Lularoe. After Prom will be held April 21-22 at the Agri-Business Building, following prom.
Career Air Force veteran, ACHS graduate Tauscher mourned by friends By JENI McGEE jeni@acdailybytes.com
Tauscher. “The memories we created together will be forever cherished, and I can’t thank Arkansas City native Douglas him enough for his leadership “Doug” Tauscher passed away to our family and this country.” March 4, just shy of his 56th Family member Stephanie birthday. Rank also commented on Doug The 1980 graduate of ArkanTauscher’s passing. sas City High School was known “I wanted to take this opporbest for his kindness. tunity to share the obituary of a “I don’t have enough hands to combat veteran who served his count how many strangers my country for 24 years, and was dad helped in his days on Earth, dedicated to the care and love and those are the ones just I of his beautiful family,” she said knew about,” said his son, Ryan in a Facebook post earlier this Tauscher. “He lived his life for month. his family, and the service of “His death has been a shock others and his country.” to his close and extended fam“He always had a smile and a ily and friends. And Doug’s kind word for everyone,” said death leaves a huge hole in our Pam Crain. hearts and minds.” “Doug Tauscher had so many Tauscher remembered gifts and talents. But, when Doug Tauscher is survived reading the tributes left by so by his wife, son, daughter and many people, there is a comparents. mon thread, a significant mes“I learned too many things sage: Doug always made you from my dad to recite, (but) feel like he had time for you,” one thing was to love everyone Rank added. you meet always and you never “It didn’t matter how much know what someone is going time had passed, he was standthrough, so lend out a helping ing there in your landscape, hand at all times,” said Ryan always a bright light.”
Early life and education Doug Tauscher began life as the son of hog farmers Ernest and Beverly Tauscher. “(He) was taught the value of hard work from his parents,” said Ryan Tauscher. Doug Tauscher received his bachelor of business administration degree in 1984 from Washburn University in Topeka. That same year, he also joined the U.S. Air Force as a second lieutenant. Tauscher earned his master’s degree in aeronautical science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1993. Tauscher family Tauscher met his wife, LeeAnn Johnson, in 1988 in Shreveport, Louisiana. “My sister (Courtney) was born and then my dad had the option of being a Royal Exchange pilot with the British Air Force, so they moved to England,” said Ryan Tauscher.