Volume 32 MISSION STATEMENT The mission of the Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce is to enhance the business climate and improve the quality of life in Dodge City and the surrounding area for our members.
ORGANIZATION CORE VALUES IS THE LEADING BUSINESS ADVOCATE a united voice for business DEMONSTRATES INTEGRITY through words and actions FOCUSES ON VALUE member resources demonstrate a return on investment EDUCATES how business is good for community IS CUSTOMER FOCUSED we are here to serve our members ENCOURAGES CITIZEN ADVOCACY citizen participation to build a better Dodge City FACILITATES LEADERSHIP training ground for future leaders IS TECHNOLOGY FOCUSED increase value to all members
October 2019
Issue 10
BEAUTIFUL SCOTLAND & IRELAND For the past five years the Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce has hosted an annual international trip as a way for community members to network with one another and check off locations on their bucket lists at the same time. This year, fifty travelers embarked on the trip of a lifetime to beautiful Scotland and Northern Ireland. During the 8 day stay in Scotland, our travelers were able to explore ancient castles in Edinburgh, have lunch at the old course at St. Andrews, visit the Isle of Skye, and experience the sweeping views of the Glens and Lochs. At the conclusion of the Scotland trip many travelers opted to extend their trip and visit the capitol of Northern Ireland – Belfast. If you are interested in receiving more information about the 2020 trip, please contact Anna Bjerken at (620) 227-3119.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS
Michael Burns, Chairman of the Board Landmark National Bank Raul De La Toree, Vice-Chairman ServiceMaster Rapid Response
DIRECTORS
Michael Burns, Landmark National Bank Dr. R.C. Trotter, Family Practice Associates of Western KS Alicia Edwards, DC Women’s Chamber Shane Laws, Victory Electric Lauren Morse, Fischer Chiropractic David Rebein, Rebein Brothers Law Simeon Russell, Cargill Greg Ruehle, Servi-Tech Chris Ragland, United Wireless Arena Raul De La Torre, ServiceMaster Rapid Response Randy Riekenberg, United Wireless Communications Gerald Miller, Black Hills Energy Mario Rayo, Fee Insurance Group Sergio Garcia, National Beef
The Business Advantage
October 2019
MCCANN TO REPRESENT FORD COUNTY ON THE SWKAAA SUB-REGION COUNCIL Attorney Megan L. McCann, partner at the Law Office of Davis & McCann, P. A., Dodge City, Kansas, has been appointed by the Ford County Commissioners to represent Ford County on the Southwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging subregion council. Southwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging (SWKAAA) is a planning, coordinating, and funding agency providing services to older Kansans in the 28 counties of southwest Kansas. Sub-region council members elect representatives to serve on the SWKAAA board of directors and act in an advisory capacity for the board. As elder law and estate planning attorneys, Davis & McCann, P. A. provides specialized legal services in the areas of estate planning, long-term care, Medicaid (advance planning and crisis planning), and special needs planning, among others. Davis & McCann, P. A. is a member of Wealth Counsel, a national consortium of Estate Planning Attorneys. Ms. McCann is also a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), a professional association providing education and training for professionals in the areas of elder law and special needs planning. In addition to long-term care planning and Medicaid planning, Davis & McCann, P. A. offers services in simple and complex estate planning, business and farm succession planning, business formation, probate, trust administration, simple and complex real estate matters and more. The firm represents clients in counties throughout the western half of Kansas.
EX OFFICIO MEMBERS
John Bogner, Western Beverage Fred Dierksen, Superintendent USD 443 J.D. Gilbert, Ford County Joann Knight, DC/FC Dev Corp Director Jan Stevens, Executive Director Dodge City CVB Cherise Tieben, City of Dodge City Dr. Harold Nolte, Dodge City Community College
CHAMBER STAFF
Anna Bjerken, President abjerken@dodgechamber.com Marisa Vargas, Membership Director mvargas@dodgechamber.com Joni Wittman, Events Director jwittman@dodgechamber.com
OFFICE INFORMATION
Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Office (620) 227-3119 | (620) 227-2957 Fax 101 E. Wyatt Earp | PO Box 939 Dodge City, KS 67801 www.dodgechamber.com www.facebook.com/dcacc E-mail: info@dodgechamber.com
hosted by
Boot Hill Museum 500 W. Wyatt Earp
Tuesday, October 29th - 9:00 a.m. -10:30 a.m.
October 2019
The Business Advantage
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DR. DIERKSEN REPORTS SHIFT IN FOCUS BY SCHOOLS FOR FAIR FUNDING (SFFF) Dr. Fred Dierksen, Superintendent of Schools, returned from Newton, where he attended the Schools For Fair Funding (SFFF) meeting on September 27, 2019. “The goodnews is that we are no longer in litigation,” said Dierksen. Since the committee has achieved past goals,they have now adopted new goals. The plan is to monitor school finance issues to assure full implementation of the Gannon reforms, and preserve the adequacy and equity of the school finance formula. Dodge City Public Schools has used the funding to provide more classes and career-ready programs for students. Five percent of the new money was added to the teacher salary chart, and several teachers were hired to lower class sizes. This year four-kindergarten teachers, three first grade teachers, one secondary math teacher, and two secondary science teachers were hired. Next year the plan is to employ three second grade teachers. The Base Aid for Student Excellence, (BASE) for the 2018-19 school year was $4,165. The increase for the 2019-20 school year was an increase of $271.00 per student for a total of $4,436. The projected rate for 2020-21 is $4,569. If the legislature continues to implement the funding as promised and continues to appropriate the needed amount on an annual basis, and does not mess with equity, the case will be complete. However, SFFF has retained jurisdiction so that if the need arises, they can ask the court for compliance without starting over with a new case. The expense to remain active in the SFFF has significantly decreased from $5.25 per student in FY19 to $1.10 per student in FY20 (Meeting Summary 9-27-19). Overall, Dierksen is pleased with Governor Kelly, State Legislature, and the Supreme Court’s agreement on the funding formula. He said, “Kansas public schools have benefitted from the efforts of the four original plaintiffs to ensure funding for all of our students. This funding formula is vital to quality education for students in all public schools.” For more information, contact Kerri Baker at baker.kerri@usd443.org
Company: Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce Job Title: Office Manager How to Apply: Email resumes to abjerken@dodgechamber.com Company: The City of Dodge City Job Title: Rural Education & Workforce Alliance (REWA) Coordinator How to Apply: Please apply online at https://ks-dodgecity.
civicplushrms.com/careers/. Additional information about this position is available from the Human Resource Office at 806 N. 2nd Ave. during normal business hours or online at http://www.dodgecity. org. Should accommodations be needed to receive or complete the online application, please contact Human Resources, City of Dodge City, PO Box 880, Dodge City, Kansas 67801, or call (620) 225-8100 or email hr@dodgecity.org
Company: MJE, LLC & MJE Livestock Equipment Job Title: Welder, Fabricator, Loader Operator, Heavy Equipment Diesel Mechanics For more information please contact: Call 620.846.2634 or email scoleman@mjellc.net Company: United Wireless Arena Job Title: Operations/Change Over Crew Full Job Description: Part time-event driven position. Work to change the set up of the building as needed for events. Will require night and weekend work. How to Apply: Online at www.unitedwirelessarena.com or in person at Arena Ticket Office.
Does your business have job openings you would like to feature in the next Business Advantage? Email the Company Name, Job Title, How to Apply and any other relative information to info@dodgechamber.com
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The Business Advantage
October 2019
UPDATES FROM THE DODGE CITY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU Travel Writer
Dodge City hosted a travel writer on Friday, October 4 through Sunday, October 6. Tim Trudell from “The Walking Tourists” met staff from the Dodge City Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) at the Kansas Media Marketplace, which began his interest in Dodge City. Special arrangements with attractions across town were set up for his visit. Megan Welsh Tourism Coordinator with the CVB had the opportunity to meet with Tim and discuss future opportunities for Tim to return to Dodge City. The Dodge City CVB is looking forward to the writings of Tim’s Journey. You can follow Tim on his website thewalkingtourists.com/ and on his social media Facebook, Twitter, Instagram @thewalkingtourist.
Hunting
The Dodge City Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) is calling all pheasant hunters for their annual pheasant hunting contest Bounty Bird with Rooster Roundup. The CVB will release 150 banded birds. If you are lucky enough to bag one of the tag birds you can register the band at the Dodge City Visitor Information Center for a chance to win a prize. All entries will receive a prize and be registered to win other prizes. For a full list of rules and regulations, go to visitdodgecity.org or call 620-2258186. The contest will run from November 9, 2019, to January 31, 2020.
Conference
Several of the Dodge City Convention and Visitors Bureau staff will be attending the 2019 Kansas Tourism Conference from October 21-23. The team is excited to have this opportunity to learn more about this growing industry. During these three days, there will be several informative meetings concerning marketing, leadership, and hotel trends, as well, we will be meeting with other state wide coalitions.
I Don’t Care Family Restaurant and Sport bar is hosting the Dodge City Red Demon Coach Talk, every Thursday evening at 6 pm. on 98.1 FM. We have the NFL Ticket, for all the football games every Sunday, and $2.00 domestic draws on Sunday during the football season. Weekly football pick sheets, free to play, with weekly winner prizes. Come out for a nice USDA Prime Rib Steak, best price in Town.
October 2019
The Business Advantage
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3I SHOW WELCOMES NEW ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Western Kansas Manufacturers Association, sponsor of the annual 3i SHOW, is proud to introduce Renee Ricke who has recently joined the company as an Administrative Assistant. Ricke will be responsible for contacting and communicating with exhibitors regarding contracting 3i SHOW space. Ricke will perform other general office duties as necessary. With an upbeat and positive personality, Ricke is ready to apply her time as the General Manager of the Dodge City Country Club to her new role. Ricke comes to WKMA with over 15 years of accounting and book keeping experience. Ricke has been a proud resident of Kansas her entire life and grew up farming and ranching with her family. The 3i SHOW, sponsored by Western Kansas Manufacturers Association, will be held March 19-21, 2020, at the Western State Bank Expo Center in Dodge City, KS. For complete information, visit www.3ishow.com, or contact the WKMA office directly toll-free at 877-405-2883 or locally at 620227-8082. Like the 3i SHOW Facebook Page and follow them on Twitter.
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The Business Advantage
October 2019
SEVERAL PROMOTIONS AND THREE NEW FACES AT VICTORY ELECTRIC Next time you visit Victory Electric’s office or call us on the phone, you may see a new face or hear an unfamiliar voice on the end of the line. Victory Electric is excited to welcome Brenda Hertel as our newest member service representative. In her role as a member services representative, Hertel will be assisting members by answering phone calls, assisting with billing, answering general questions about member services and programs, and processing cash receipts. “I am excited for the opportunity to work at Victory Electric. The people here seem friendly and I look forward to working with the members,” Hertel said. “I think what excites me the most is being able to work with a variety of people and the daily one-on-one communication.”
Long time Dodge City resident Christy Granlund recently started at Victory Electric as the accounting and payroll administrator. In her role as an accounting and payroll administrator, Granlund will be assisting the general administration of payroll, accounts payable, banking transactions and legal compliance. “Many people have used words like ‘family’ and ‘community’ to describe working at Victory Electric. I am very excited to become part of such a great group! I look forward to meeting many new people and making many new friends,” Grandlund said.
Your business can advertise here!
Contact the Dodge City Chamber of Commerce for more details! (620) 227-3119
Spearville native TJ Ackerman is Victory Electric’s new human resources coordinator. As a human resources coordinator, Ackerman will be assisting with general administration regarding benefits, policies and procedures, training and development, legal compliance, and other human resources issues and roles. “I’m excited for the opportunity to work with a great team at Victory Electric and to help our community,” Ackerman said.
Victory Electric is excited to announce Melissa Ruiz changed roles from accounting and payroll administrator to accountant. Ruiz began her career at Victory Electric in 2004 as a member service representative. From that position, Ruiz transitioned in to billing and eventually the accounting and payroll administrator. Some of the duties Ruiz will take on in her new position will be handling bank reconciliations, preparing board reports, tying out balance sheet accounts, and assisting with the budget. “We are very excited about Melissa taking on this new role in our department. With her 15 years of Victory Electric experience and administration of our iVue software, she brings a wealth of institutional knowledge and has already proven herself to be a very valuable asset to our team,” said chief financial officer, Angela Unruh.
Customer Service 1-888-890-5554
www.blackhillsenergy.com
Your business can advertise here!
Contact the Dodge City Chamber of Commerce for more details! (620) 227-3119
We have a duly appointed Notary Public on staff. Stop by the Chamber Office at 101 E. Wyatt Earp to get your document notorized. This service is free to Chamber members.
October 2019
The Business Advantage
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VICTORY ELECTRIC CONTINUED...
Victory Electric’s operations department recognized linemen Jeff Martinez, Jake Gier and Tanner Gemaehlich for earning their journeyman lineman certificates. Becoming a journeyman lineman is a goal all linemen strive to achieve, as journeyman is the highest classification linemen work toward and attain. A journeyman lineman is the highest classification linemen work toward. The process is four years of experience and time on the job as well as working through four textbooks. For every textbook, there are 10 exams with a final accumulated exam at the end of book four.
In addition, Kody Stockton, Colton Lee, Austin Gooder and Tyler Trent met the requirements and passed the certification to become 3rd class Linemen.
Your business can advertise here!
Your business can advertise here!
620-225-2888 www.parkerhaskins.com Contact the Dodge City Chamber of Commerce for more details! (620) 227-3119
Contact the Dodge City Chamber of Commerce for more details! (620) 227-3119
Central & Comanche Dodge City, Kansas
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The Business Advantage
October 2019
VICTORY ELECTRIC CONTINUED... MORSE ELECTED TO REPRESENT KANSAS ON NRECA BOARD At the Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc., board meeting in early August, Victory Electric trustee and board vice president Pat Morse was elected to serve a two-year term representing Kansas on the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) board of directors. NRECA is the national association for electric cooperatives that provides vital services and represents more than 900 member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperatives and public power/utility districts across the nation. Morse serves as one of the district 10 trustees on the Victory Electric Board of Trustees. The 10th board district covers members who reside within the city of Dodge City limits. Morse also serves on the board of directors for Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. In addition to his 12 years as a Victory Electric trustee, Morse has more than 40 years of utility operations experience from his former role as a vice president of a national telecommunications company.
VICTORY ELECTRIC LAUNCHES NEW ONLINE STREETLIGHT OUTAGE REPORTING FORM Did you know you can help promote safety and security in your community? By letting us know when streetlights are out or damaged, you can help us keep the streets safe and well lit. Because Victory Electric crews are not able to patrol streets in the dark and nighttime hours, we rely on you and appreciate you helping us maintain the more than 4,170 streetlights in our service area. Our new streetlight outage reporting tool makes it easier than ever to report streetlights that may be out, cycling on and off, have broken glass or exposed wires, or the pole is broken or leaning. Visit victorylectric.net/ report-street-light-problem on your computer or mobile device and tell us: • City where the streetlight is located • The location of the streetlight • What’s wrong with the light • Streetlight/pole number (if available) • Your contact information Our sincere thanks go out to all who provide information to help us maintain streetlights. Keeping streetlights functioning properly is part of our commitment to providing you with safe, reliable power.
October 2019
The Business Advantage
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MEET OUR NEW CHAMBER AMBASSADOR! Sandy Myers is a new member to the Chamber Ambassador program and to the United Wireless Arena family. She grew up in Ingalls, KS and after graduation, spent 16 years living in Manhattan, KS, where she graduated with her degree in Agriculture Economics from Kansas State University. Sandy has a 13-year old daughter, Angel, and both are very active volunteers through school, their church, and local 4-H. Sandy moved back to southwest Kansas in 2015 to be nearer to her family, which consists of her mother, 4 brothers, 1 sister, and 13 nephews and nieces. Sandy has had a wide variety of experience and education, which have made her a great asset as the new Marketing Director and Event Manager for the United Wireless Arena & Boot Hill Casino Conference Center.
YOUR BEST MOVE is banking with us!
Open any new checking account and earn a special $200 bonus* with qualifying transactions. And ask to chat with one of our professionals about your money goals. They’ll get you moving in the right direction. Open your new account today! Member FDIC *Offer valid 10/1/19-12/31/19 and may be canceled without notice. $100 minimum balance required to open. Offer only available to customers opening their first personal checking account with us at any Sunflower Bank or First National 1870 location. Customer will receive a $200 bonus when they open a new personal checking account (Convenience, Spend & Sign & Save, Elite, Superb, Premier), complete 20 or more debit card purchases (pinned, signed, or credit), and have ACH credits, ACH debits, or a combination of both (e.g., Direct Deposit/Electronic Payments) totaling $500 or more that all post to the new account on or before 1/31/20. The account must be open as of 2/6/20 and have a positive balance at least one day between 1/1/20–1/31/20 to be eligible for the bonus payment. Customer will receive a 1099 INT for bonus payment. Qualifying bonus payment will be paid into new checking account by end of business day on 2/7/20. Not valid with any other offer. First National 1870, a division of Sunflower Bank, N.A.
DODGE CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY 1001 N 2nd Avenue — Dodge City, KS 67801
The Circ Desk The Dodge City Public Library Foundation’s Annual Wine & Cheese Event Saturday, October 19th 7:00-10:00 pm This year’s Wine & Cheese event will be held on Saturday, October 19th beginning at 7pm and feature guest speaker Stan Herd, internationally renowned crop artist and painter. Tickets are $25 apiece and available at either circulation desk at the Dodge City Public Library or through a Foundation board member.
The Annual Wine & Cheese event is the Dodge City Public Library Foundation’s largest fundraiser of the year, with proceeds going to help fund programs and events for the Dodge City Public Library. For more information, please contact us at 620-2250248. We look forward to seeing you there!
THE PARANORMAL IS NOT ABNORMAL Thursday, October 10th from 6:00-8:00 pm Featured also will be local story tellers sharing a few short stories about the myths and legends native to the state of Kansas. Author Deb Goodrich Deb Goodrich is the chairman of the 200th anniversary of Come join us here at the library to hear Topeka author and the Santa Fe Trail, 2021, was news director at WPAQ radio, historian Deb Goodrich speak on her experiences ghost hunt- has appeared in several docuing, living at the Topeka Ceme- mentaries featuring historic tery and some stories from her Kansas, and is the recipient of the Wrangler Award. She is curresearch into Kansas history, rently writing a biography and including an exorcism at Fort screenplay on Charles Curtis, Riley. America’s only Native American Participate in a short trivia Vice President. Ms. Goodrich game about haunted places in also appears weekly on the teleKansas for a chance to win vision show “Around Kansas”. some great prizes.
www.dcpl.info
Volume 36 Issue 10
10/7/19 OCTOBER
Everything is Figureoutable Hart's Hollow Farm Cold Storage: a novel Jesus and the Dead Sea Scrolls: Revealing the Jewish Roots of Christianity Red at the Bone The Girl Who Lived Twice The Titanic Secret The Perfect Pie : Your Ultimate Guide to Classic and Modern Armstrong Echo in the Canyon John Wick — Chapter 3, — Parabellum A Score to Settle Inside Man: Most Wanted The Dead don't Die Cold blood Shaft X-Men — Dark Phoenix Nekrotronic
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