Election winners congratulated
Present in the Barton County Commission chamber Wednesday morning were those who emerged victorious for county positions in Tuesday’s general election. These included District 1 Commissioner-elect Duane Reif, District 4 Commissioner Tricia Schlessiger, District 5 Commissioner-elect Donna Zimmerman and the County Clerk Bev Schmeidler.
“Congratulations to all the elected officials who were elected last night,” said commission Chairman Shawn Hutchinson, District 3. “Welcome aboard.”
Although these individuals officially won their seats Tuesday, none were strangers to the commission. All have attended commission meetings for the past several months.
District 1 Commissioner Kirby said this is good. There will be some “big decisions” faced by the commission shortly after they are sworn into office.
“I think Barton County will be well served by these people,” District 5 Commissioner Jennifer Schartz said.
The officers elect said they were excited to get started.
Commission: County employees should avoid parking close to Courthouse
On a morning when Barton County Commissioners were praising long-term county employees for their service and approving longevity pay, commission Chairman Shawn Hutchinson. District 3, brought up a complaint from the public dropped into the Courthouse suggestion box.
“We’ve had I’ve had multiple calls in the last two years and multiple complaints about parking around our courthouse, and yet again another in the suggestion box,” Hutchinson said. The note in the box read “why are the Barton County Courthouse employees allowed to park so close to the entrances of the courthouse. I think at least three or four spaces on Main Street and in Kansas on each side of the courthouse entrances should be reserved for patrons going to have daily business and would help the older folks who then have to walk so far. Thank you for your consideration.”
“I know in my world in the private sector, we don’t park in front of our front doors,” he said. “We park further away because we have to walk in once, these folks are coming in and go on all day long.”
So, Hutchinson wanted to remind Barton County staff “we work for the public. And so if we have to be a little bit inconvenienced and walk a little bit further, that’s still what we’re supposed to do to serve the public appropriately.”
He caught static from other commissioners for bringing this up during the discussion on longevity pay.
“I wanted to say that we appreciate our employees for their in their diligence to service to this county. And one of the things that they can do to step up their game is to park further from the front.”
The county also has a parking lot staff can use.
“There’s been multiple emails sent (to county personnel) requesting some support and compliance but apparently there’s still an issue,” he said.
District 2 Commissioner Barb Esfeld said she thought it was in the county’s employee handbook that staff should avoid parking close.
“It’s easy to get into the routine and you’re running late and you’re hurrying, so I understand,” she said. But, maybe perhaps folks just need to be more mindful.
Appointment made to Health Department committee
The Barton Commission Wednesday morning appointed Emily Young to the Health Department Advisory Committee. Young is a nurse and has worked in Barton County for 15 years, said Health Director Karen Winkelman said.
She is filling an opening in an unexpired term, she said. The uncompensated term ends on Dec. 31 of this year, and Winkelman will urge Young to reapply.
The committee provides guidance, recommendations and assistance to the Barton County Health Department staff, Winkelman said, adding this was particularly helpful during the COVID-19 pandemic. “They give us ideas on what is needed in the community.
The Advisory committee is made up of no fewer than five and no more than nine members. Winkelman said she still has two vacancies.
County offices close for Veterans Day
Barton County Office Buildings will close Friday in observance of Veterans Day. The Health Department and the Records Division of the Sheriff’s Office will also be closed that day. The Landfill be open from 8–11 a.m., and then close for the remainder of the day.
Emergency services will be in normal operation.
Also Friday, the Memorial Parks Advisory Committee has scheduled the dedication of the fourth stone at the Golden Belt Veterans Memorial for 1:30 p.m. at the Golden Belt Memorial Park, 59 NW 50 Road, Great Bend, Kansas.
Commission to canvas votes
The Barton County Commission will meet as the Board of County Canvassers at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16, in the Office of the County Clerk. At that time, commissioners will canvass the Tuesday general election ballots.
