Area Happenings - Week of June 4, 2017

Here are the upcoming events that the Gazette has been made aware of as of  June 3, 2017.  To submit an item to the community events calendar, please email it to press@baldwingazette.com.

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June 4, 2017

Day Out with Thomas
Thomas the train will be in Baldwin CityTickets available online

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June 7-9, 2017 
Baker Summer STEM Camp

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math!  Wow!

Be a part of Baker University's first ever Summer STEM camp in which your child can partake in activities both on campus and at Baker's very own Wetlands.

Activities include rocket building, programing, exploring natural wildlife up close and much more!

Need more information, can't access Baker's website?
Contact: Emma Byrd, camp director  at  stemcamp@bakeru.edu  -or-
by phone
Monday-Friday at  (913) 317-6287

Ages: Students entering 7-9
When: June 7-9 (Wednesday-Friday) 9 A.M. - 3:30 P.M.
Cost:  $50
Siblings attending get a 10% discount off total cost
Enroll by May 1st
Campers receive Booklets, T-Shirts and Snacks

https://www.bakeru.edu/stem-camp/

Location: Baker University
Ivan L. Boyd Center
413 6th Street
Baldwin City, KS

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June 9, 2017

Day Out with Thomas
Thomas the train will be in Baldwin City
Tickets available online

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June 10, 2017
LMH Summer Spray 5K Eudora

Kids 12 and Under: $10
Adult Preregistration (online at least 48 hours before event): $25
preregister at:  www.lmhendowment.org/summerspray
Adult Registration (1 hour before event): $30
For more information: 785-505-3318

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June 10, 2017

Day Out with Thomas
Thomas the train will be in Baldwin City
Tickets available online

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June 10, 2017
Academy Choir (from Baldwin Academy of Dance and Voice) will be performing the National Anthem at
KC T-Bones game on
June 10th
at 7:05 PM.
Support our local kids and get your tickets today for this game.
 Tickets range from $6.50 for general admission to $16 for prime seats.
a $2 surcharge for tickets purchased the day of the game.

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June 11, 2017

Day Out with Thomas
Thomas the train will be in Baldwin City
Tickets available online

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June 23, 2017

COME AND ENJOY OUR
COMMUNITY DINNER  & FELLOWSHIP
          TO BE HELD  AT 6:00  to ?

 
HOST
VINLAND UNITED CHURCH
1724 N 692 RD
BALDWIN CITY, KS 6600

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 June 24, 2017

LMH Summer Spray 5K Baldwin City

Kids 12 and Under: $10
Adult Preregistration (online at least 48 hours before event): $25
preregister at:  www.lmhendowment.org/summerspray
Adult Registration (1 hour before event): $30
For more information: 785-505-3318

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June 28, 2017

Thankful Thursday Free Community Meal
Serving 6 to 7 pm
Ives Chapel UMC
1018 Miami
Baldwin City
Free community meals are the last Thursday of each month

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July 15, 2017

LMH Summer Spray 5K Toganoxie   

Kids 12 and Under: $10
Adult Preregistration (online at least 48 hours before event): $25
preregister at:  www.lmhendowment.org/summerspray
Adult Registration (1 hour before event): $30
For more information: 785-505-3318

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August 20, 2017

Battlefield Tours Led by John Brown

As part of the Civil War on the Western Frontier activities commemorating the 154th anniversary of Quantrill's Raid on Lawrence, Kansas, there will be a special tour of the Black Jack Battlefield. It will be conducted by Kerry Altenbernd as John Brown, assisted by members of the 13th Kansas Infantry Reg. reenactor group serving as his civilian Free State militia. Maybe a few proslavery men will be there too.  
The reenactors will be camping on site, so come out early and visit with them.

Time: Saturday, June 3 at 4 PM - 5 PM

Free Admission

Location: Black Jack Battlefield and Nature Park
163 E 2000th Rd
Wellsville, Kansas 66092

More Information:
(785) 380-9156
info@blackjackbattlefield.org

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August 25, 2017

COME AND ENJOY OUR
COMMUNITY DINNER  & FELLOWSHIP
          TO BE HELD  AT 6:00  to ?
     

    

 
HOST
VINLAND UNITED CHURCH
1724 N 692 RD
BALDWIN CITY, KS 6600

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 October 21-22, 2017

Maple Leaf Festival
     
 
 
Downtown Baldwin City

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 October 28, 2017

COME AND ENJOY OUR
COMMUNITY DINNER  & FELLOWSHIP
          TO BE HELD  AT 6:00  to ?
     
 
 
HOST
VINLAND UNITED CHURCH
1724 N 692 RD
BALDWIN CITY, KS 6600

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 December 29, 2017

COME AND ENJOY OUR
COMMUNITY DINNER  & FELLOWSHIP
          TO BE HELD  AT 6:00  to ?

 
HOST
VINLAND UNITED CHURCH
1724 N 692 RD
BALDWIN CITY, KS 6600

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Every 4th Thursday of the Month
10 A.M. - 11 A.M.
Mobile Food Bank
Baldwin City New Life Assembly of God
118 5th St  Baldwin City, KS
Stay in car, line up and drive through

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Every Tuesday through October  
Eudora Local Gardening Farmer’s Market
4:30 pm – 6:30 pm Tuesdays
through October 2016
1402 Church Street
Eudora, KS.
In the parking lot of Gene’s Hartland Foods.
Local, fresh produce and foods offered by local growers and producers!

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Every Wednesday through October
De Soto Farmer’s Market (Fresh Promise’s Market)
4:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Wednesdays through October 2016
at The Barn at Kill Creek Farm
9200 Kill Creek Road
De Soto, KS
Local, fresh produce and foods offered by local growers and producers!

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Every Thursday through October 
Cottin's Hardware Farmer's Market on Thursdays from
4:00 pm - 6:30 pm
through September
at Cottin's Hardware & Rental back parking lot
1832 Massachusetts Street
Lawrence, KS
Local vendors offer a variety of goods including produce, baked items, hot foods, meats, eggs, soaps, jams, jellies, herbs, fudge and much more!;

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Every Friday through October
Perry Lecompton Farmers' Market
Fridays from 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm
at Bernie's parking lot
24 Hwy and Ferguson Road
Perry, KS
Visit the market to find fresh vegetables, fruits, homemade jams and jellies, baked goods, honey, fresh cut flowers, farm fresh eggs, handmade crafts and more!

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Packed City Council Agenda - June 6, 2017

City Council Agenda

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A. Call to Order- Mayor Marilyn Pearse
Tribute to honor Steve Bauer.
B. Consent Agenda
1. Minutes of the May 16, 2017 Regular Meeting
2. Baldwin City Recreation 5K Benefit Run
3. Garrett’s Worldwide Enterprises Fireworks
4. Pyro Papas Fireworks
5. Shay Fireworks
6. Knights of Columbus Fireworks
C. Public Comment:
Members of the public are welcome to comment on items relating to City business not listed on this
Agenda. Please stand and wait to be recognized by the Mayor. As a general practice, the comments may or may not be acted upon by the Council during the meeting, or Council may refer the items to staff for follow up.
If you wish to comment on an item listed on the Agenda, a sign-up sheet is provided for you to sign in and provide your address. You will be called on when the Agenda item of interest is under discussion by the Council.
D. Special Reports or Presentations
E. Old Business
1. Sales Tax discussion - Community Building (D/A)
F. New Business
1. Ordinance 1371 Conditional Use Permit - Fellowship Bible Church (D)
2. Development Plan-Fellowship Bible Church (D/A)
3. Ordinance 1372 Property Annexation (Smith) (D)
4. Appointment- Jana Craig-Hare, Library Board (A)
G. Committee and/or Commission Reports
1. Budget and Finance/Kathy Gerstner, David Simmons
2. Community Development Committee/Tony Brown
3. Public Health and Safety Committee/David Simmons, Kathy Gerstner
4. Public Works Committee/Christi Darnell
5. Utilities Committee/ Tony Brown, Christi Darnell
H. City Administrator and Staff comments
1. Vendor & Summary Reports
I. Council & Mayor Comments
Mayor Pearse - Process for appointment of vacant unexpired council seat
J. Executive Session
K. Adjourn

Filings for Local Office - Douglas County

Lawrence City Commission 
Matthew Herbert
Bassem Chahine
Lisa Larsen
Dustin Stumblingbear
Jennifer Ananda
Ken Easthouse
Mike Anderson
Christian Lyche

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Baldwin City City Council
Susan Pitts
Peter Sexton
Brian Messenger
A.J. Stevens
Shane Starkey
Brian Cramer

Baldwin City Mayor
Marilyn Pearse
Casey A. Simoneau

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Eudora City Commission
Tim Reazin
Jolene M. Born

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Lecompton City Council
Elsie I. Middleton
Tim J. McNish

Mayor 
Sandra Jacquot

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School Board
USD 497 - Lawrence
At Large

Melissa Y. Johnson
James Alan Hollinger
Kelly Jones
GR Gordon-Ross
Steve Wallace
Jill Hayhurst
Gretchen Alix Lister

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USD 348 - Baldwin City
District 1, Position 4
 Gregory L Kruger
District 2, Position 5
Susan Schiffelbein
District 3, Position 6 
Chris Perry

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USD  491 - Eudora
At-Large
Michael P. Kelso
Joseph Hurla
Eric Votaw
Eric Ahlander

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USD 343 - Perry-Lecompton
Position #2
Unexpired 2 yr term
Brian Damme
DeAnn Hupe Seib

Position #4

Jarae D Essman
Ryan Blosser

Position #5
Ramon C. Gonzalez, Jr

Position #6
Debra Walburn
Stephanie Confer
Nick Fergus
Brad Guess

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USD 289 - Wellsville
Position #3 (unexpired 2-year term)
Position #4
Position #5
Position #6

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USD 450 - Shawnee Heights

Position #4, District A
Position #5, District B
Position #6, District C

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USD 434 - Santa Fe Trail

Position #4
Position #5
Position #6

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Baker University Alum Amer Didic Signs with Sporting KC

Press release submitted by Tyler Price, Baker University Assistant Athletic Director

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BALDWIN CITY, Kansas – Baker University alum Amer Didic has been signed by Sporting KC of Major League Soccer (MLS), announced on Wednesday by the club.

He has signed a contract for the 2017 season with options for 2018, 2019 and 2020, becoming the first-ever former Baker University men’s soccer player to sign with a team from the MLS.

The 22-year-old center back is the third player to sign an MLS contract from USL affiliate Swope Park Rangers, following defender Tyler Pasher and goalkeeper Adrian Zendejas who joined Sporting Kansas City in December.

“I am very excited for this opportunity,” Didic said. “This is something I have been striving to do for the last year and a half, but it doesn’t stop here. I want to take what I’ve learned from the Swope Park Rangers and help Sporting Kansas City stay successful and contend for championships. I feel prepared to step in and do what I need to do for the team to win.”

“Signing Amer is something we have been planning since the beginning of the year when he joined us for preseason,” Sporting Kansas City Manager Peter Vermes said.

“He is someone who came to the Swope Park Rangers last year and has made an incredible evolution in a short period of time. He’s a very good defender with the ball at his feet and he’s incredibly agile for his size. I’m excited for Amer because not many people knew about him out of college, and I appreciate when players get rewarded for staying committed and going after their dream.”

Didic made 32 appearances for the Rangers during his first professional season in 2016, receiving USL All-League First Team honors as a Defender of the Year finalist after appearing on USL’s Team of the Week a league-high six times. In addition to leading SPR to a Western Conference championship and an appearance in the USL Cup Final, the 6-foot-4 defender played all 90 minutes in three CONCACAF Champions League matches for Sporting Kansas City.

Before starting six matches this season for the Rangers, Didic kicked off 2017 with his debut for the Canada U-23 Men’s National Team in March. He started and played the full 90 minutes in consecutive shutout wins over Uzbekistan and Qatar as Canada was crowned champion of the U-23 tournament in Doha, Qatar.

Born in Bosnia and Herzegovina and raised in Edmonton, Canada, Didic spent a four-year college career at Baker University in nearby Baldwin City, Kansas, where he was a two-time NAIA All-American and landed NSCAA All-American and Heart of America Athletic Conference Player of the Year honors as a senior in 2015.

Baldwin City Local Elections

Kevin Surbaugh

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The filing deadline for the upcoming local elections has come to a close.  Those that have filed to fill two seats on the Baldwin City Council, one mayoral position and three school board seats are now set. According to public records from the Douglas County Elections Office, all three seats of the Baldwin School Board has no opponents. Each of the three seats has only one candidate that has filed. Meaning baring a successful write-in campaign, all three candidates will be elected.
However, the city council and mayoral seats will see an election battle.  The two council seats have six candidates who are seeking to fill those seats. No current council member filed to run for reelection. On the Mayoral front Incumbent Marilyn Pearse has filed for reelection and is being challenged by local businessman Casey Simoneau. 

A full list of all candidates is below:

Baldwin City City Council
Susan Pitts  
Peter Sexton 
Brian Messenger  
A.J. Stevens  
Shane Starkey  
Brian Cramer  

Mayor
Marilyn Pearse 
Casey A. Simoneau 


USD  348
District 1, Position 4 
Gregory L Kruger  
District 2, Position 5
Susan Schiffelbein 
District 3, Position 6
Chris Perry  

Presidents Weekly Address - June 2, 2017

Weekly Address Courtesy of the White House

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Evel Knievel Museum Opens in Topeka

Press Release submitted by Ron Kaufman, Director of Information Services, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism

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TOPEKA, KS – Among the many exciting attractions that Kansas has to offer, visitors to northeast Kansas can add a new museum to their must-see list of experiences – The Evel Knievel Museum at Historic Harley Davidson in Topeka. The museum held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, May 26.  

The $5 million, 13,000 sq. ft. museum features Evel’s motorcycles, leathers and helmets, his fully-restored Mack truck dubbed “Big Red” and his personal and never-before-seen memorabilia. The two-story museum also features several interactive experiences including a virtual reality 4-D motorcycle jump, “Broken Bones” interactive with Evel’s actual X-rays, “Plan Your Jump” challenge, “Engine and Suspension” interactive and a “Snake River Experience Room” featuring Knievel’s actual X2 Skycycle.

The museum was made possible, in part, by an $88,000 Attraction Development Grant from the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT). The program works to assist the development of sustainable, market-driven travel experiences in Kansas that will attract visitors and create long-lasting economic benefits from the creation of jobs, capital investment, revenue and visitation.

During its two-week soft opening, forty-six percent of the museum’s visitors were from out of state, including 13 states and four foreign countries, so the museum is quickly becoming a destination.

“We are tremendously excited to have the Evel Knievel Museum join the large number of amazing attractions in Kansas,” said Linda Craghead, KDWPT Assistant Secretary for Parks and Tourism. “We congratulate Historic Harley Davidson and all the dedicated people and organizations that helped make the museum possible, and we’re proud that the state could play a role in bringing it to Topeka.”

The Evel Knievel Museum at Historic Harley Davidson is located at 2047 SW Topeka Blvd., Topeka, KS 66612. For information, call 785-215-6205, or visit www.EvelKnievelMuseum.org.

A grand opening celebration will be held June 30 and July 1. Tickets for the grand opening are limited and can be purchased online at www.eventbrite.com.

For information about Attraction Development Grants visit TravelKs.com and click on “Travel Industry,” and then "Grants."

Governor Sam Brownback signs Senate Bill 23

Press Release from Governor's Office

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  Streamlining state government by increasing protections and decreasing costs

Topeka – Kansas Governor Sam Brownback today signed Senate Bill 23, bringing the Kansas Securities Commissioner and related regulatory responsibilities under the Kansas Insurance Commissioner, and giving prosecuting authority for securities fraud to the Kansas Attorney General. This law, outlined in the Governor’s 2017 State of the State address, leverages existing institutions to increase consumer protection, decrease costs, and eliminate duplication.

“As Governor, I have worked to make state government more efficient, so we can better steward taxpayer dollars and improve core services for all Kansans,” said Governor Brownback. “When I appointed Commissioner Ney in 2013, I asked him to start looking for ways to reduce redundant efforts between the Insurance and Securities agencies. Through the work of Commissioner Ney, Attorney General Schmidt and Commissioner Selzer, this bill eliminates repeated efforts, while providing robust consumer protection.”

 

Photo courtesy of the Office of the Governor

Current Securities Commissioner Josh Ney hailed the new law as good governance that better serves the people of Kansas.

"Governor Brownback’s proposal to combine the insurance and securities agencies is a commonsense, conservative solution to providing better consumer protection services for less money,” said Commissioner Ney. “This is a smart way to shrink the size and scope of state government while maintaining the independent watchdog role of the securities commissioner going forward."

As part of the Kansas Insurance Department, the Securities Commissioner will now be appointed by the Kansas Insurance Commissioner, subject to confirmation by the Kansas Senate.  

“This bill provides the State of Kansas with additional opportunities to better protect the public, to reduce costs, and to be more productive in so many areas,” said Kansas Insurance Commissioner Ken Selzer, CPA.  “We look forward to serving Kansans in this streamlined capacity.”

The Attorney General, Insurance Commissioner, and Securities Commissioner will coordinate to investigate and prevent crimes relating to insurance. SB 23 consolidates prosecutorial authority under the Attorney General.

"This reorganization will strengthen the ability of the Attorney General's office to prosecute securities fraud, insurance fraud, elder abuse and financial crimes overall," said Attorney General Derek Schmidt. "From a criminal enforcement standpoint, it is a smart initiative."

Commissioner Ney will serve in his current capacity until the new law takes effect on July 1, 2017.

“Thank you to Commissioner Ney for his dedication to serving with excellence the people of Kansas,” said Governor Brownback.

Country Superstar Luke Bryan will Come to Baldwin City

Kevin Surbaugh

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On Thursday June 26, 2017 Luke Bryan announced the stops for his ninth annual Farm Tour. According to the announcement, the tour will begin in Lincoln, NE on September 28, 2017.  The Bayer Presents Luke Bryan Farm Tour 2017 is scheduled to run Sept. 28 through Oct. 7. Visiting six farming communities during those two weeks. Baldwin City is the second stop scheduled on the tour.
That stop on September 29, will be at Don-Ale Farms at 1038 N 600 Rd Baldwin City, KS. The concert begins at 6 P.M. with the gates opening for parking at 2 P.M.

The Bayer Presents Luke Bryan Farm Tour 2017 is set to run Sept. 28 through Oct. 7.

Read More: Luke Bryan Secures 2017 Farm Tour | http://tasteofcountry.com/luke-bryan-2017-farm-tour-dates/?trackback=tsmclip

The Bayer Presents Luke Bryan Farm Tour 2017 is set to run Sept. 28 through Oct. 7.

Read More: Luke Bryan Secures 2017 Farm Tour | http://tasteofcountry.com/luke-bryan-2017-farm-tour-dates/?trackback=tsmclip

The complete list of tour stops:

• Sept. 28: Lincoln, Nebraska (Benes Farm) 
• Sept. 29: Baldwin City, Kansas (Don-Ale Farms) 
• Sept. 30: Boone, Iowa (Ziel Farm)  
• Oct. 5: Fort Wayne, Indiana (Spangler Farms West) 
• Oct. 6: Edinburg, Illinois (Ayers Family Farm) 
• Oct. 7: Centralia, Missouri (Stowers Farm)

Governor Signs Seven Bills into Law

Topeka – Kansas Governor Sam Brownback signed several bills into law this past week. 

Senate Bill 89 into law. This bill amends the law relating to the collection of certain vehicle title and registration fees.

House Substitute for Senate Bill 40 – Establishes new criminal charges aimed at reducing human trafficking and sexual exploitation of children and requires holders of Commercial Drivers Licenses be trained to recognize possible human trafficking.

House Substitute for Senate Bill 120– Updates the code for civil procedure.

                  

Senate Bill 149 – Amends statutes regarding briefing in the Kansas Supreme Court and representation of state agencies by the Attorney General’s office. 

Senate Substitute for House Bill 2053 – Creates the Crisis Intervention Act and amends the law related to mental health.

House Bill 2054 – Allows certain state agencies to share information with one another for the purpose of carrying out their official duties, allows for the Kansas Department of Corrections to request assistance from other jurisdictions if needed, and amends the law related to fee funds.

House Bill 2041 – Extends the sunset date for the judicial surcharge and amends how certain fee funds are utilized. 

The Governor has now signed 80 bills into law this session and vetoed two. By law, the Kansas governor has 10 calendar days to sign the bill into law, veto the bill or allow the bill to become law without his or her signature.