By Lucky Kidd
McPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. — McPherson County Public Works Director Tom Kramer was terminated, effective immediately, by McPherson County Commissioners Monday. The termination came following a brief executive session at the conclusion of their weekly meeting. No explanation was given by Commissioners when they took the action following the closed-door discussion which included Kramer.
Ad Astra News has contacted County Administrator Rick Witte for additional information on the termination and plans going forward, but had no returned messages as of mid-afternoon Monday.
Prior to the executive session and Kramer’s termination, Commissioners approved a design contract with Kirkham Michael for a bridge replacement project on Arapaho Road a half mile west of 8th Avenue south of Inman. This is a project McPherson County received a grant for from the Kansas Department of Transportation.
At a recent meeting, KDOT officials stressed the need to move quickly on getting contracts in place, as they have to have contracts for construction in hand within two years of the grant award. Kramer said he spoke by phone with the three consultants he had solicited for proposals, which only Kirkham Michael responded to, He did note many consultants are tied up on various federal and state projects at this time.
Commissioners accepted a Planning Board recommendation and rejected a request for a special use permit to allow a commercial dirt race track on a property in the 1700 block of Overland Road northeast of McPherson where a private track is currently situated.
Neighbors voiced strong opposition to the application at last month’s Planning Board hearing. One of those neighbors, Tami Schropp, addressed Commissioners during the meeting about noise and other issues from a birthday party over the weekend, one vehicle going to it nearly hitting her husband as he was mowing on the edge of her property.
Schropp also told Commissioners about some negative comments that have arisen since the hearing, including one after the hearing concluded, and concerns related to a disabled family member.
Planning, Zoning and Environmental Administrator Jon Kinsey said private, non-commercial use of the track is permitted by right under zoning regulations, the permit requested would have allowed events with admission charged. There was a valid protest petition filed that would have required a unanimous vote of the Commission to approve the permit.
McPherson County Commissioners Monday approved a just over $5,300 purchase of a new computer work station for the county’s Mapping/GIS coordinator. IT Director Jeff Butler told Commissioners there were two main reasons for the purchase. One relates to a graphics card they have had problems with, and while just the card could have been replaced the existing computer dates to the former coordinator who has been retired from some time.
The purchase price from Dell reflects a Premiere Customer discount that cut the purchase price significantly, and Butler indicated it could go down a bit more.
During his weekly update Sheriff Jerry Montagne said 29 arrests were made last week, which brought the jail very close at one point to its maximum capacity of 60. 52 inmates were housed Monday morning with several of those scheduled to be transferred out this week.
