Thursday, April 26, 2018 The Wamego Times Page 5

MANHATTAN — Kansas State University’s Blue Key Senior Honorary has named recipients of Blue Key scholar-ships for the 2018-2019 academic year.

Trey Schmidt, Wamego, a sophomore in computer en-gineering, was awarded a Neal Atkinson Junior Leadership Scholarship.

All scholarship recipients underwent a rigorous and competitive application and interview process. Awardees were selected for demonstrating a clear dedication to the three pillars of Blue Key: scholarship, leadership and ser-vice.

Several Wamego High School students qualified for state band competition. They are: Katie Anderson, alto saxophone solo; Katie Anderson, Hannah Long, Cheyanne Brunner, Nick Watson, saxophone quartet; and Brooke Prockish, Emma Stegman, Matt Solomon, Hunter Andrews, Kylee Jones and Colin Boatman, percussion ensemble.

The Wamego High School Choir also had several quali-fiers for state: Sam Hermesch, Lydia Spears, Beth Land and Michaela VanDuesen.

A benefit will be held for the Josh Asbury family of St. George from 4-7 p.m., Saturday, April 28, at the Wamego United Methodist Church, 600 Lincoln Ave. Asbury, a grad-uate of Wamego High School, was injured in an auto acci-dent on Sept. 16 and funds will help cover medical bills and household expenses. A free will offering will be accepted for a sloppy joe, baked bean and potato salad supper.

The regular monthly meeting of the Kaw Valley 4-H club was held April 9.

The roll call, “What is your favorite 4-H project?”, was answered by 39 members and two guests.

Isabella Wilber led in singing the “Jay Bird” song from 4-H camp. Jenna DeRouchey told the club that she donated all the cleaning supplies that were gathered from the March 4-H meeting to Community Health Ministries in Wamego. Aaron Sylvester stated that there were still time slots that needed to be filled for the Petting Zoo at the Tulip Festival.

The song leader lea the club in singing “Happy Birth-day” to the April birthdays. The program for the night were project meetings. Meghan Kearn led a foods meeting and the members made biscuit pizzas. James DeRouchey talked about raising swine and tips for showing in a swine project meeting. There was also a goat and sheep project meeting led by Rebecca Rookstool.

The Kansas Department of Transportation expresses its appreciation for employees celebrating state years-of-ser-vice anniversaries in May. KDOT is proud to acknowledge them for the long-term dedication they have provided to the state of Kansas.

Robert Rickstrew, equipment operator senior, Wamego, is celebrating 20 years with KDOT.

Schmidt awarded Blue Key Scholarship

WHS Students Qualify for State Music

Josh Asbury Benefit

Kaw Valley 4-H club

KDOT recognizes service

School BriefS

community BriefS

Mark Portell, MAP News SerivceAppraiser Lois Schlegel appeared twice

before the Pottawatomie County Commis-sion Monday.

She was smiling broadly during her second visit, having just learned that Pott County won its appraisal case against Menards in an appeal before the Kansas Board of Tax Appeals (BOTA).

“As of right now I’d like to do a little dance,” Schlegel told commissioners. “It was a very good letter I got today.”

The official decision from BOTA upheld the county’s appraisal of $11,689,600 for the Menards property at 515 McCall Rd., Manhattan. Menards appealed the appraisal, asserting the property should be valued at nearly half that amount, or $6.5 million.

“The Board rules that the evidentiary burden is on the County and finds the County has sustained its burden to sup-port its valuation of the subject property,” BOTA said in its official finding.

“The County has accurately identified the characteristics of the subject property and appropriately valued its components using the cost approach,” the board went on. “Based on the evidence presented at the hearing, duly weighing such evidence, the Board determines that the appraised value of the subject property for tax year 2017 is $11,689,600.”

Hiring a professional to conduct a fee appraisal of the Menards property was key to winning the appeal, Schlegel said.

“It (the professional appraisal) ended up costing the county some money, but it saved a lot of tax dollars,” Schlegel said. “That’s the key. We’ve got to keep on top of it and keep on fighting it.”

The appraisal appeal by Menards is a growing trend across by “big box” stores across the country which claim apprais-als should be based on the “Dark Store Theory”; that is, property should be valued as if it is vacant and available for sale to a future hypothetical user rather than its current use as a functioning, oc-

cupied store.If the “Dark Store Theory” gains trac-

tion, appraisers such as Schlegel believe it could have a “mushrooming” effect with other franchise business such as restau-rants and hotels making similar appeals.

Such a trend would have a dramatic impact on the valuations of taxing dis-tricts and, consequently, on property tax revenues.

“If we keep losing valuation, it’s going to affect municipalities––school boards, cities, everyone who relies on tax dol-lars,” Schlegel said. “Everybody’s going to jump on the bandwagon and go, if they can.”

While the Pott County/Menards appeal case has attracted statewide attention (representatives of Johnson and Saline Counties attended the April 9 BOTA hear-ing), it may not be a significant precedent, according to Pott County Counselor John Watt.

“This was one appraisal,” Watt said Monday. “We had an expert. They had an expert. Their appraisal had some problems and I don’t think they will repeat those problems.”

Both Watt and Schlegel believe appraisal appeals from “big box” stores will con-tinue and that ultimately the Kansas Leg-islature will have to address the issue.

Commissioners applauded Schlegel and Watt for their work on the BOTA appeal. Chairman Dee McKee even offered a standing ovation.

“Congratulations to both of you,” said Commissioner Pat Weixelman. “We really appreciate your hard work.”

In other business Monday:• The commission approved the purchase

of .62 acres at 321 Barber St., Havensville, for construction of a new fire station.

Cost of the property is $12,500, the new station is expected to cost about $600,000, according to Jared Barnes, county fire supervisor.

Construction of the new Havensville station will complete the facilities needs

of fire departments within Consolidated Fire District 1 of Pott County.

• Schlegel––in her first appearance before the commission––reported 79 property sales in March, the same number as in March of last year.

“It’s pretty comparable to the last three years,” she said.

Schlegel also said her office heard 93 property appraisal appeals this year: 15 commercial, nine agricultural, nine farm-steads, 32 residential and 28 vacant lots.

• The commission approved formal membership in the National Joint Power Alliance, a group of 50,000 municipalities whose broad purchasing power lever-ages competitive pricing in the areas of construction equipment, energy, facilities and fleets.

“If anything, it (membership) will lower our costs, but it won’t necessarily change who we’re buying from,” said Peter Clark, public works director.

• Clark said he is meeting with stake-holders to obtain feedback on the county’s proposed Blue Township Sewer Master Plan.

Clark met last week with the Flint Hills Area Builders Association, and will meet with property owners at 7 p.m. this Thursday, April 26, in the Green Valley Community Center.

• The commission proclaimed May as Mental Health Month in Pott County after hearing a quarterly update from Robbin Cole, director of Pawnee Mental Health.

Cole said the agency’s Wamego office, located in Three Rivers in the Wamego Industrial Park, is open five days a week. There is a therapist on duty three days a week, and a substance abuse therapist available two days a week, Cole said.

Cole also said there are two Pott County vacancies on the PMH Board. There is a precedent for commissioners from member counties serving on the agency’s board and she encouraged commissioners to give that consideration.

County wins ‘dark store’ case

Public Notices 310

Public Notices 310

Pottawatomie County

Taxpayers:

2nd Half 2017 Taxes Due by May 10, 2018

Payment Options: In Person-By Mail-

By Phone with Credit Card (additional fee applies)

207 North First Street PO Box 158 Westmoreland, KS

Lisa L. Wright (785) 457-3681 Pottawatomie County Treasurer

DUE DATE

Public Notices 310

Public Notices 310

Passenger Tire & Refrigeration Appliance Amnesty

Pottawatomie County Residents (Business and Commercial Haulers Excluded)

May 1-31, 2018 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Landfill accepts HHW, oil, batteries, E-Waste, metal and brush daily at NO charge. All regular trash shall be separated.

There will be a fee of 50% normal rate for all other non-passenger vehicle tires.

ALL LOADS MUST BE SECURED OR TARPED Public responsible for their own unloading

POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY TRANSFER STATION

For more information call 785 456-9706

Public Notices 310

(First Published in The Wamego Times, Thursday, April 19, 2018)NOTICE OF MEETING TO ELECT SUPERVISORS

OF TRI-COUNTY DRAINAGE DISTRICT NO. 1SHAWNEE COUNTY, KANSAS

TO: ALL LANDOWNERS OF THE TRI-COUNTY DRAINAGE DISTRICT NO. 1 OF SHAWNEE COUNTY, KANSAS

that at 8:00 o’clock p.m. on April 20, 2018, at 104 W. Pottawatomie in Rossville, Kansas, the Tri-County Drain-age District No. 1 of Shawnee County, Kansas, will meet for the purpose of electing members of the Board of Su-pervisors. Owners of real estate in said District are en-titled to participate.

DAVID STADLER, Secretary

(Published in The Wamego Times, Thursday, April 26, 2018)

NOTICE TO FILE FORCITY COMMISSION POSITION

The following City Commission positions will expire, January 14, 2019

Position No. 4

Persons interested in running for Position

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Public Notices 310

Public Notices 310 Public Notices 310

(First published in the Wamego Times, Thursday, April 26, 2018)

IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF POTTAWATOMIE

COUNTY, KANSASIN THE MATTER )OF THE ESTATE ) Case No.OF JOHN WAYNE )18 PR 17RANDLE, )DECEASED )

NOTICE OF HEARINGThe State of Kansas to All Persons Concerned:

on the 13th day of April 2018, a

JoLane Randle, praying for Infor-mal Administration.

written defenses thereto on or before the 17th day of May 2018, at 1:00 o’clock p.m., on such day, in this Court, in the City of Westmoreland, in Pottawatomie County, Kansas, at which time and place such cause will be heard. Should you fail therein, judgment and decree will be entered in due course upon the Petition.Prepared and submitted by:/s/ Jacob R. PughJacob R. Pugh, #22661PUGH & PUGH Attorneys at Law, P.A.625 Lincoln AvenueP.O. Box 138Wamego, Kansas 66547(785) 456-9377Fax: (785) 456-8581Email: Jake@pughlaw.netAttorney for Petitioners

(First published in the Wamego Times, Thursday, April 26, 2018)

IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF POTTAWATOMIE

COUNTY, KANSASIN THE MATTER )OF THE ESTATE ) Case No.AGNES MARIE ) 17 PR 45DELEYE, )DECEASED )

NOTICE OF HEARINGTHE STATE OF KANSAS TO ALL PERSONS CONCERNED:

Court by John DeLeye, Marsha Becker and Mary Dodson, duly appointed, Co-Executors of the Estate of Agnes Marie DeLeye, deceased, praying Petitioners’ acts be approved; account be settled and allowed; the heirs be determined; the Will be construed and the Estate be assigned to the persons entitled thereto; the Court

attorney and expenses are reason-able and should be allowed; the costs be determined and ordered paid; the administration of the

discharged as Co-Executors of the Estate of Agnes Marie DeLeye, deceased, and the Petitioners be released from further liability.

written defenses thereto on or before May 17, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. in this District Court, in the City of Westmoreland, in Pottawatomie County, Kansas, at which time and place the cause will be heard. Should you fail, judgment and de-cree will be entered in due course upon said Petition. John DeLeye, Co-Executor Marsha Becker, Co-Executor Mary Dodson, Co-ExecutorPrepared and submitted by:/s/ Jacob R. PughJacob R. Pugh, #22661PUGH & PUGH Attorneys at Law, P.A.625 Lincoln AvenueP.O. Box 138Wamego, Kansas 66547Phone: (785) 456-9377Fax: (785) 456-8581Attorney for Petitioner

(First published in the Wamego Times, Thursday, April 26, 2018)

IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF POTTAWATOMIE

COUNTY, KANSASIN THE MATTER )OF THE ESTATE ) Case No.AGNES MARIE ) 17 PR 45DELEYE, )DECEASED )

NOTICE OF HEARINGTHE STATE OF KANSAS TO ALL PERSONS CONCERNED:

Court by John DeLeye, Marsha Becker and Mary Dodson, duly appointed, Co-Executors of the Estate of Agnes Marie DeLeye, deceased, praying Petitioners’ acts be approved; account be settled and allowed; the heirs be determined; the Will be construed and the Estate be assigned to the persons entitled thereto; the Court

attorney and expenses are reason-able and should be allowed; the costs be determined and ordered paid; the administration of the

discharged as Co-Executors of the Estate of Agnes Marie DeLeye, deceased, and the Petitioners be released from further liability.

written defenses thereto on or before May 17, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. in this District Court, in the City of Westmoreland, in Pottawatomie County, Kansas, at which time and place the cause will be heard. Should you fail, judgment and de-cree will be entered in due course upon said Petition. John DeLeye, Co-Executor Marsha Becker, Co-Executor Mary Dodson, Co-ExecutorPrepared and submitted by:/s/ Jacob R. PughJacob R. Pugh, #22661PUGH & PUGH Attorneys at Law, P.A.625 Lincoln AvenueP.O. Box 138Wamego, Kansas 66547Phone: (785) 456-9377Fax: (785) 456-8581Attorney for Petitioner

For an additional $2.50 a week to the print price you can also advertise on

For more information contact: The Wamego Times

785-456-2602

First published in The Wamego Times, Thursday, April 19, 2018

IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY, KANSAS

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF )

) CASE NO. 17 PR 28

REY EVERETT MORFORD, DECEASED )

NOTICE OF HEARING

THE STATE OF KANSAS TO ALL PERSONS CONCERNED:

You are hereby notified that a petition has been filed in this Court by Richard

Beasterfeld, duly appointed, qualified and acting Executor of the Estate of Rey Everett Morford,

deceased, praying Petitioner’s acts be approved; account be settled and allowed; the heirs be

determined; the Will be construed and the Estate be assigned to the persons entitled thereto; the

Court find the allowances requested for attorney and expenses are reasonable and should be

allowed; the costs be determined and ordered paid; the administration of the estate be closed;

upon the filing of receipts the Petitioner be finally discharged as the Executor of the Estate of

Richard Beasterfeld, deceased, and the Petitioner be released from further liability.

You are required to file your written defenses thereto on or before May 17, 2018, at 1:00

p.m. in this Court, in Westmoreland, Pottawatomie, County, Kansas, at which time and place the

cause will be heard. Should you fail, judgment and decree will be entered in due course upon

said Petition.

Richard Beasterfeld, Petitioner

Prepared and submitted by:

/s/ Jacob R. Pugh

Jacob R. Pugh #22661

PUGH & PUGH Attorneys at Law, P.A.

625 Lincoln Avenue

P.O. Box 138

Wamego, Kansas 66547

Phone: (785) 456-9377

Fax: (785) 456-8581

NOTE TO PUBLISHER: Please publish for three consecutive Thursdays commencing April 19, 2018.

Immediately after the first publication, please forward three (3) copies of the published Notice to Jacob R. Pugh at

the law office of PUGH & PUGH Attorneys at Law, P.A. 625 Lincoln Avenue, Post Office Box 138, Wamego,

Kansas 66547. Immediately after the third publication, please make your proof of publication to the District Court

in the Pottawatomie County Courthouse in Westmoreland, Kansas, and a copy thereof to PUGH & PUGH Attorneys

at Law, P.A. Thank you.