By ALICIA FEYERHERM
Tiger Media Network
Five candidates are running for the Hays City Commission: Kelly Ancar, Reese Barrick, Alaina Cunningham, Diana Pantle and Mason Ruder. These five candidates are competing for three spots: two four-year and one two-year terms. The election will be on Tuesday, November 7.
Kelly Ancar
Who are you?
I have lived in Hays for over 40 years, and two of my grown children live here with their families as well. I have four children, 11 grandchildren, and my family is the most important group in my life. I own and operate Amazing Grace Homecare in Hays, working as the RN Director to watch over the care of hundreds of clients in the area over the years, as well as having employed more than a thousand caregivers during that time. I’m also a professional musician, performing Classic Rock music with FLATSPIN since 2007.
Why are you running for City Commission?
The taxpayers of this city need relief from escalating property taxes. The consequence of overspending and exceeding Revenue Neutral will be increased property tax valuations to meet the need for funding. I believe that now is the time to get control over the spending of taxpayer dollars by the City of Hays. I’m running for City Commissioner because my business owner experience will help me identify opportunities for savings in the budget while working toward growth for Hays. We absolutely must keep our City in a Revenue Neutral status to ever see a reduction in property taxes, and we need City Commissioners who will say no to increased spending without consideration of the consequences to taxpayers.
What are things you feel the City Commission does well?
The City Commission shows a focus on growth and shares my priority for ensuring adequate housing for families who want to live here in Hays. Hays is a beautiful, clean, and growing city, with credit to the people who work every day to keep it that way.
What are things you are looking to improve upon if elected?
I will bring a responsible approach to budgeting, with commitment to keeping the City of Hays Revenue Neutral. I want to find a better path for the messaging to the public about what the City Commission is doing to resolve the spending over Revenue Neutral. I plan to open more communication to the taxpayers over and above the hearings that are the minimum required by law. I’ve spoken to so many people over the last year that state they feel that no one is listening to their concerns. I’m going to change that.
Reese Barrick
Incumbent
(Candidate did not provide a photo)
Who are you?
I am the director of the Sternberg Museum of Natural History. I have lived in Hays for 14 years. I grew up in the small rural town of Osage, IA where I grew up baling hay, detasseling corn and lifeguarding at the local pool. I was a professor (NC State) for 10 years after my graduate studies at USC and have worked as a museum director for the past 20 years. I have lived in small towns (Osage, Price, UT) and large metropolitan areas (Raleigh, Los Angeles) and believe that Hays is the best of both worlds. In addition to being the director of the Sternberg Museum, I have served on the Hays Convention and Visitor Bureau advisory board for 12 years and have been a Hays City Commissioner for the past two years.
Why are you running for City Commission?
I am running for re-election to the City Commission because I am excited for the future of Hays and feel that my background and experience have brought a unique perspective to the City Commission the past two years and hope to be able to continue to serve the citizens of Hays by supporting city departments that are key to our quality of life. Expanded housing and childcare are also vital to the city and are issues important to me. We are very close to bringing water to Hays from the City’s R-9 ranch south of Kinsley. This will solidify Hay’s future water supply for decades and support future growth in Hays.
What are things you feel the City Commission does well?
The present City Commission works very well with city management in securing Hays’ future by providing resources to continue a system of annual maintenance of the city’s streets, water and sewer systems, and public safety equipment. We agree that the city must also be forward-thinking in planning for growth and quality of life issues. This includes our parks and recreational facilities and events, keeping our airport operational and addressing the need for growth in housing and business opportunities. Commissioners do not always agree on everything, but there is a mutual respect that we are all working on the best interests of Hays and there is agreement on a vision for the future of the city.
What are things you are looking to improve upon if elected?
During my two years in office, Hays has made great progress in expanding public safety with a new fire department headquarters, new housing developments, the addition of the ARC park, water conservation, and street and sewer maintenance. We must continue this momentum with more housing, expanded childcare, a new police station, and water security with the construction of the R-9 ranch water project. The city must also look for ways to increase business and tourism opportunities for Hays.
Alaina Cunningham
Incumbent
Who are you?
My name is Alaina Cunningham. I became a resident of Hays in August of 2010. We chose to move to Hays not only to start a career for my husband, but to raise our growing family in a small, vibrant community. We have three children that we have the pleasure of raising in our great city. I am a practicing registered nurse and a group fitness instructor.
Why are you running for City Commission?
In our 13 years of residing in Hays, I have engulfed myself in multiple areas of the community. I have served and held positions on the Downtown Hays Development Corporation Board, as well as, currently serving on the HaysMed Foundation Board and on the Hays High Academic Booster Club. In the past, I have also served and held offices on the O’Loughlin PTA, while all three of our children attended grade school.
My interest in this role comes from my desire to make a positive change within our community. I feel it is my duty to serve the public and “Do Good.” This is a motto I try to apply to all aspects of my life. I’m driven to run for this seat to expand on our current progress with economic growth. I would be focused on fostering our development of youth and engaging them with the growing needs of retirees in our community. A prosperous community includes all ages, young to old.
What are things you feel the City Commission does well?
I have had the pleasure of serving on the City Commission for the past ten months as an appointed official. The current commission has worked diligently to develop a well-thought-out, money-conscious budget. The commission is supporting the staff, as we work to progress with the water efforts in finding a sustainable water source for our area. The commission works alongside city staff to maintain our infrastructure and provide quality of life. Past commissions have helped to set the foundation for the work the current commission is able to accomplish. I plan to do the same for forthcoming commissioners and the city of Hays.
What are things you are looking to improve upon if elected?
I have chosen and continue to choose to be very involved with community organizations, community activities and youth education. The dedication and time placed into each of these endeavors fosters, not only my personal growth, but more importantly allows our community to become greater. If elected, I will continue to devote my time and energy to the city of Hays and its citizens as a valuable resource.
Diana Pantle
Who are you?
I moved to Hays from the Denver area 5.5 years ago. I am retired and currently an Ellis County Master Gardener-Secretary of the Advisory Council, a member of the Hays Library Foundation Board and participate as a Senior Companion through the program sponsored by FHSU. I am attempting to begin a chapter of the Audubon Society to increase interest in not just birds but the natural world in general. I help maintain one of the Little Free Libraries.
Why are you running for City Commission?
I love the Hays area and community and will do whatever I can to maintain and possibly improve the city.
What are things you feel the City Commission does well?
From what I’ve seen, the Commission has been instrumental in the development of the community for the betterment of its residents.
What are things you are looking to improve upon if elected?
I’m not sure it’s actually what I would improve but what I might bring to the table. I want to advocate not just for those in my demographic but for the younger citizens as well. Additionally, subjects I would like to broach are the keeping of a small flock (no more than three to four chickens within the city limits, no roosters); the licensing of massage therapists to ensure anyone working in this field has proper training, the potential to develop community gardens which might be overseen by the Ellis County Master Gardeners, where residents without available space could reserve a place to grow a garden and be mentored by the ECMGs.
Mason Ruder
Incumbent
Who are you?
My name is Mason Ruder. I have a wife, Tori Ruder, who is a childcare provider here in Hays. We have two girls, Ryleigh and Isabelle who are four and two years old. We also have two twin boys on the way at the end of February. I am the Director of Institutional Advancement at Hays Catholic Schools (Thomas More Prep-Marian & Holy Family Elementary) where I help tell our story and garner support of all kinds to ensure the future of our schools. My family arrived in Ellis County in 1876 with the first group of Volga Germans and settled here. The Ruders have been here ever since. I graduated from TMP-M in 2010 and I am completing my Bachelor’s in Political Leadership and Public Service at FHSU as a Non-Traditional Online Student. I have obtained a Certified Public Manager certification through the KU Public Leadership Program and a Leadership Certificate from FHSU.
Why are you running for City Commission?
As this is my second time running, where I was blessed to have received the top number of votes the last time, my mission continues the same. Simply put, my goal is to ensure the longevity of Hays by preserving its fiscally responsible management practices and investment in infrastructure while also utilizing new partnerships and methods of smart, sustainable growth into the future for all citizens and visitors to Hays.
What are things you feel the City Commission does well?
We are very lucky to have a board that works so well together. Even when there are disagreements, we remain respectful and positive each decision should be made for the betterment of the community as a whole. We have worked diligently with staff and citizens alike to identify areas of need and research the best possible scenarios of success.
What are things you are looking to improve upon if elected?
Though COVID slowed down our hit-the-ground-running approach, we did not let up. We will continue to improve upon policies and incentives to help foster smart growth for our future. This includes making sure we are diligently tackling the largest project the City has ever taken on (and the first of its kind in the State of Kansas) which is the R9 Ranch water transfer project. This project is vital to our future sustainability and drought protection for at least the next generation and more.
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