The Kansas Publisher Official monthly publication of the Kansas Press Association Oct. 21, 2015

Inside Today Brownback appeals order to disclose ov. Sam Brownback has appealed a Page 2 Shawnee County District judge’s order Hutch News also seeks records KPA board member Andy Taylor in September that denied Brownback’s similar situation to the one in Salina has discusses the loss of his com- G effort to block disclosure of information about Hutchinson News executives seeking munity hospital. applicants seeking appointment to expanded Arecords as well. county commission seats in Saline County. Publisher John Montgomery said his news- Page 3 Shawnee County District Judge Rebecca W. paper is trying to get the list of candidates for John Foust highlights an adver- Crotty had made the ruling a few weeks earlier. a Reno County magistrate judge position that tising strategy that might work. The appeal also asks Crotty for “clarifica- went to Cheryl Allen. tion” of her order, saying it was “unclear” In a formal request by The News to obtain Page 4 whether the judge’s memorandum decision and those under consideration for the bench, a KPA president Susan Lynn order is a “final determination of the parties’ spokesman from the governor’s office denied discusses whether money or rights.” the request, citing the same exceptions under the community service is the driver. Kansas Open Records Act as the Salina case. See APPEAL on Page 5 Pages 6-7-8 Check out the jobs that are avail- able at Kansas newspapers. Page 8 Doug Anstaett is tired of the lip service being given by elected officials to transparency.

KPA Calendar Oct. 22 KPA staff members will be calling newspapers all day to complete a digital survey sanc- tioned by the Kansas Newspa- per Foundation. Emily Bradbury, director of member services for the of KPA membership to participants in the Northwest Oct. 23 Kansas Press Association, explains the various benefits District meeting Sept. 18 in Atwood. CANCELED — Montgomery Family Symposium, University of Kansas. Merriam announces retirement as hotline attorney ike Merriam, who has served the Kansas Association of Broadcasters, Nov. 6 as the Kansas Press Associa- the Society of Professional Journalists, KPA district meeting, Topeka. Mtion’s Legal Hotline attorney the League of Women Voters and media for more than three decades, announced law advocates. Dec. 15 his retirement this week due to ongoing “Our association and its members National Bill of Rights Day. health struggles. owe a huge debt of gratitude to Mike Merriam was honored last Novem- for his loyal service as a media attorney April 22-23, 2016 ber with the Above and Beyond Award and operator of the Legal Hotline,” said Kansas Press Association an- from the Kansas Sunshine Coalition Doug Anstaett, KPA executive director. nual convention, Overland Park for Open Government, an organization DoubleTree Hotel. that includes representatives of KPA, See MERRIAM on Page 7 Mike Merriam Kansas Press Association, 5423 S.W. 7th, Topeka, KS 66606 • www.kspress.com • (855) 572-1863 2 Kansas Press Association, 5423 S.W. 7th, Topeka, KS 66606 • www.kspress.com • (855) 572-1863 2015-16 KPA Board Editors know good medicine, Susan Lynn President Iola Register good information are critical [email protected] hen Mercy Hospital announced the current crisis affecting Independence in early September that it was simply because a local newspaper saw the Sarah Kessinger ceasing its hospital and emergen- situation as a major news story. It could not First Vice President W Marysville Advocate cy department in Independence, it seemed be ignored. like the collective soul of Independence, Nor could the Montgomery County [email protected] Kan., went into cardiac arrest. Chronicle rely singularly on the few press And, there was no one in town with releases from Mercy Hospital for answers. M. Olaf Frandsen a crash cart ... or a prayer ... to attempt a Getting the information required old- Second Vice President rescue. fashioned, gum-shoe journalism: telephone Salina Journal The plug has been pulled on a town’s calls and personal interviews with multiple [email protected] primary healthcare provider — a area medical providers, a relation- service that has been provided by ship with the Kansas Hospital Andy Taylor Treasurer the same religious charity since Association (a fantastic informa- Montgomery County Chronicle 1920. tion resource), and countless hours [email protected] That’s the harsh reality con- of reading previous news stories fronting Independence, a town of about the state of healthcare in Dan Thalmann 9,000 in Montgomery County. rural America. Past President Things aren’t looking good in What has happened since Sep- Washington County News Independence. And the loss of a tember is that Independence has [email protected] major entity, with 190 employees become a national poster child for left with pink slips in hand, obvi- a growing (and disturbing) trend: John Baetz ously is a gut punch. Andy Taylor rural hospitals are on life support. Northwest District Director However, if there is ever a And, Mercy was among the first to Lincoln Sentinel-Republican need for a newspaper to explain the situ- issue a “Do Not Resuscitate” order. [email protected] ation — perhaps demand a few answers, The New York Times contributed investigate the status of rural healthcare, greatly to the Mercy Hospital situation with Peter Cook and speak on behalf of a wounded town — a lengthy account in the Oct. 4 issue. Multi- Southeast District Director it’s now. ple stories in the political blogosphere have Parsons Sun The Montgomery County Chronicle retold Mercy’s situation, and reporters from [email protected] has spent countless the Wichita Eagle, column inches in Topeka Capital- Mary Hoisington the past six months What has happened since Journal and Kansas Daily Membership Director Great Bend Tribune devoted to the story City Star have September is that Indepen- [email protected] of Mercy Hospital. dence has become a national contributed greatly We reported on poster child for a growing to the explanation Tim Kellenberger the efforts of the of the local crisis, Northeast District Director hospital’s top brass (and disturbing) trend: with heavy empha- Sabetha Herald to attempt a merger rural hospitals are on life sis on the state of [email protected] with a hospital in Kansas’ refusal to Coffeyville (those support. expand Medicaid Denice Kuhns merger talks ulti- rolls (as part of the Southwest District Director mately failed). Affordable Care Meade County News We spoke about Mercy’s difficult deci- Act funding mechanisms). [email protected] sion to announce its closure in September. I believe this story is not over in Kansas. We studied the issues that led to Mercy’s The Kansas Hospital Association is Travis Mounts decision to close, namely the changing already anticipating closures of other Nondaily Membership Director population demographics, the failure to hospitals (large and small) in the coming Times-Sentinel Newspapers retain physicians in a rural market, and the year. And, every study under the universal [email protected] policy decisions that are made (or aren’t medical sun has pointed to a sort of dooms- made) in Washington, D.C., and Topeka, day scenario as it pertains to rural health Scott Stanford Kan. markets. Legislative Director And, we have given ample coverage to In Kansas, we have hospitals every- Lawrence Journal-World other area medical providers as they try to where (Kansas ranks third in the nation [email protected] make sense of the changing medical scene in hospitals per capita). It’s my hope that Joey Young in southeast Kansas. newspapers across the Sunflower State will Central District Director Not trying to toot my own horn, but brush up on their knowledge of rural health The Clarion (Andale) I feel the residents of Independence and [email protected] Montgomery County better understand See TAYLOR on Page 3 Kansas Press Association, 5423 S.W. 7th, Topeka, KS 66606 • www.kspress.com • (855) 572-1863 3 Want to sell more ads? Try this proven technique ichael was talking to me about compliment their current media choices. turn that seven into a 10?’ This question one of his favorite sales tech- Find something positive to say, even if can produce a ton of good information. Mniques. they are the weakest media outlets in the Sometimes they talk about their current “Even though I’ve been selling ads for market. It’s foolish to be critical and put marketing results and – most important – a lot of years,” he said, “there’s always them in a position to defend their choice. what they would like to accomplish in the something new to learn. A friend in the For example, I might future. That opens a furniture industry shared a great idea on say, ‘It’s easy to see discussion about what how to ask questions to get the right kind why someone would The technique involves I can do for them.” of information. I don’t pick that radio station. asking a prospect to rate Step 5: Then know if this technique I know a few people Michael works to was developed specifi- who work there, and his or her experience manage expectations. cally for the furniture they are excited about with existing ads. Then “It’s unrealistic to business, but it works their product.’” it’s easy to shift the con- expect a perfect 10,” just as well in ad Step 3: “This is he said. “After all, a sales.” where the magic versation to the benefits lot depends on things He explained that starts,” Michael said. of advertising with his in their businesses that the technique involves “I ask the prospect to publishing company. are beyond my control asking a prospect to rate the experience, – like parking and rate his or her experi- by saying something customer service. So ence with existing ads. like, ‘On a scale of I say, ‘I think we can John Foust Then it’s easy to shift one to 10 – with 10 being the best – how agree that perfection is rare. So let me ask the conversation to the would you rate the job those ads are doing if you would be happy if we change that benefits of advertising with his publishing for you?’ seven to a nine?’” company. “People are generally willing to give See where Michael’s technique can Step 1: “The first thing I do is deter- their ads a rating. A 10-point scale seems lead. Looks like it’s worth a try. mine where they are currently running to work better than a five-point scale, be- ads,” Michael said. “If I already know, cause there’s a wider range. Most people John Foust has conducted training I just confirm it by asking, ‘I see you’ve are reluctant to rate at the very top or programs for thousands of newspaper ad- been advertising with XYZ Media. Is that bottom, so a rating of eight on a 10-point vertising professionals. Many are using his right?’ And if I’m not sure where they’re scale is more revealing than a rating of training videos to save time and get quick running, I ask, ‘Where are you currently four on a five-point scale.” results from in-house training. E-mail for advertising?’ In just a few seconds, they Step 4: “Let’s say I talk to somebody information at [email protected]. identify my primary competitors.” who gives a rating of seven. Next I ask, (c) Copyright 2015 by John Foust. All Step 2: “The next step is to sincerely ‘In your opinion, what would it take to rights reserved. The more you jump in the Taylor rural health discussion, the Continued from Page 2 better informed your read- facts and figures. Start digesting informa- ers will be whenever the tion. As unappealing as it might sound, you need to know the ins and outs of the budgetary axe has to fall on Affordable Care Act, sometimes known as local healthcare. Obamacare. Go to the Kansas Hospital Association’s website to seek any sort of data related to a town that could never imagine a day hospitals in the state. Talk to your hospital without a local hospital. However, the administrators to get a candidate perspec- realization has been met with a town that tive on the financial condition of your understands the challenges ahead — thanks hometown hospital. Visit with your physi- to a newspaper that took the time to explain cians to get their take on the situation. Dis- them. cover how many people in your town are There might not be a doctor in the obtaining their health services in another house (in Independence), but there is, at county ... or another state. And, discuss the least, a weekly newspaper that now knows topic of local tax subsidies for hospital op- the value of good medicine ... and good erations with your city and county leaders. information. The more you jump into the rural health discussion, the better informed your readers Andy Taylor is the editor of the Mont- will be whenever the budgetary axe has to gomery County Chronicle. He currently fall on local healthcare. serves as treasurer on the Kansas Press I saw that axe fall hard and swift on Association Board of Directors. 4 Kansas Press Association, 5423 S.W. 7th, Topeka, KS 66606 • www.kspress.com • (855) 572-1863 Readers ‘expect’ us to fulfill our obligation o, you’re in the newspaper consolidation so pronounced in every a Facebook page. The idea of “citizen business more as a lifestyle field, that even if you discovered the next journalism” — the industry’s “answer” to “Sdecision, not to make your must-have device or service, you couldn’t widespread cutbacks — was short-lived. fortune,” the financial adviser said. bet it would be around in the next 15 It takes real journalists to produce a high- He didn’t mean it as a criticism, but it years,” he said. “That’s the nature of busi- quality product. still hurt. ness these days.” And publishers, Truth is, the Iola Register’s heyday To further massage of everyone, should may be in the past. my bruised ego, he If the Register ceased demand nothing less. Coupled with the chal- threw me some soft publication I truly A newspaper’s lenges of the industry, questions. think a lot of residents inherent responsibility southeast Kansas “What do you like is to educate and fos- continues to lose about your business?” would feel a vital public ter community. And population at a rate of “How is the Regis- service had been with- our readers — even about 9 percent every ter regarded in the drawn. A newspaper when they complain 10 years. community?” “What — expect us to fulfill To help assuage my would happen if you isn’t like a restaurant, this obligation. pain, he quickly point- folded up shop?” or a dress shop ... So no, the Regis- ed out newspapers are That last question ter isn’t raking in the by no means unique Susan Lynn really got me. bucks. in their battle to stand If the Register ceased publication I But I’d be hard-pressed to come up their ground in an ever-changing market. truly think a lot of residents would feel a with a more important public service or From hardware stores to electronics, vital public service had been withdrawn. rewarding career. medicine to law, those in generations-old A newspaper isn’t like a restaurant or businesses now feel as if they’re standing a dress shop, where when one shuts down Susan Lynn is editor and publisher of on quicksand. another quickly replaces it. the Iola Register and the 2015-16 president “The pace of change is so fast, and The community can’t replace it with of the Kansas Press Association. Names in the News Two Kansas Press Association staff editor of The Clarion in Andale. She is married to the former managing edi- members were recognized this past month for Overstake previously served as editor of the tor, Andrew Lawson, who is public informa- reaching their five-year anniversaries with the Hillsboro Star-Journal and was a sports writer tion officer and special projects coordinator for association. at the Miami Herald. the city of Arkansas City. Amy Blaufelder, staff accountant, and Lori Jackson, administrative assistant for ad- Cheryl Burns, La Crosse, has joined The The Kansas Attorney General’s Office vertising, began working at KPA in mid-2010. Hays Daily News in advertising services and and the Kansas Sunshine Coalition for Open “We’re proud of the great customer service as a graphic designer. She is a graduate of Government will offer free training on open and professionalism Amy and Lori have Northwest Missouri State University and has records and open meetings laws Oct. 27 in brought to our operation,” said Doug Anstaett, two sons. Wichita. KPA executive director. “The feedback I Attorneys from Attorney General Derek get from members and clients about them is Virginia Madson, 97, has retired from Schmidt’s office will train residents on the fantastic.” The Horton Headlight after writing a personal state’s open government laws from 1 p.m. to column for more than two decades. 4 p.m. at Wichita State University’s Marcus The final of five district meetings of the Madson, a 1940 graduate of the Unversity Welcome Center from 1 to 4 p.m. on Oct. 27. Kansas Press Association will take place Nov. of Kansas, penned “Sharing Through the 5 at the KPA office in Topeka. Ages” for 23 years. The Gallery at Kansas Wesleyan University Previous meetings have been in Iola, At- in Salina has hosted a photography exhibition wood, Garden City and Newton. MiAi Parrish, president and publisher of images by photojournalist Tom Dorsey of The meetings, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., of The Kansas City Star since mid-2011, has the Salina Journal. are an opportunity for Emily Bradbury to dis- left the newspaper to become president and “The Last Few Years: Found Images by cuss the services KPA provides to its members publisher of The Arizona Republic, a Gannett Tom Dorsey for the Salina Journal” will run and for Doug Anstaett to stress the importance publication where she worked in the newsroom through Friday at the Gallery in Sams Hall of of attending the 2016 Day at the Legislature from 1999 to 2001. Fine Arts, 100 E. Claflin Ave., in Salina. next February. Dorsey has been a resident of Salina since In addition, KPA’s advertising director, Kayleigh Lawson has been promoted to 1962. Amber Jackson, discusses advertising sales news editor of the Arkansas City Traveler. In 2010, he published a book of his pho- opportunities through the Kansas Display Ad Lawson, 29, is also the online editor and tography titled “Stuff I’ve Shot: Sometimes I and Kansas Classified Ad networks and also will continue to handle Traveler website and Get Lucky” and has earned awards from the provides basic sales training. social media operations. Associated Press, Kansas Press Association, She started at the Traveler five years ago as the National Press Photographers Association Grant Overstake is the new managing a circulation clerk. and Harris Enterprises. Kansas Press Association, 5423 S.W. 7th, Topeka, KS 66606 • www.kspress.com • (855) 572-1863 5

Besides the governor, Eileen Haw- The Salina Journal and the AP filed Appeal ley, Brownback’s spokeswoman, and suit in January after the governor refused Continued from Page 1 Kim Borchers, Brownback’s director of to reveal the identity of candidates seek- appointments, were defendants in the ing appointment to the two county com- The Salina Journal and The Associated lawsuit. mission posts. Press filed the Kansas Open Records Act The governor was responsible for The defendants had contended the lawsuit seeking disclosure of informa- appointing two members to the Saline requested records were exempt from the tion about applicants for vacancies on the County Commission after it was expand- open records act and that Brownback Saline County Commission. ed by voters in a Nov. 4 election from wasn’t the custodian of the requested The litigation focused on whether three to five members. records. KORA would force disclosure of all or In part, the lawsuit sought disclosure On Sept. 18, Crotty said the requested part of the materials submitted by about of all who sought the Saline County county commission applications weren’t 14 applicants to Brownback. Commission vacancies. exempt under the open records law. Huck Boyd Lecture September KDAN, KCAN winners set Nov. 5 at K-State he following newspapers sold either direct placement, Kansas Display Ad Net- osalyn Durant, senior vice president, work, Kansas Classified Ad Network or out-of-state network ads in September. College Networks, Programming for T Remember, if you sell a KDAN or KCAN, which run in almost 150 Kansas ESPN, will be the speaker for the newspapers, you keep half the money. Sell one outside of Kansas (SDAN or SCAN) or R 16th annual Huck Boyd Lecture in Com- do direct placement in other papers and keep half the commission allowed to KPA. munity Media at 9:30 a.m. Nov. 5 in the • KDAN — Gyp Hill Premiere, three ads, $1,200 profit; Anderson County Review, ballroom of the K-State Alumni Center. Her five ads, $4,125 profit; Derby Informer, one ad, $170 profit; Iola Register and GateHouse topic will be “Leadership lessons from an Media,, one ad each, $400 profit; Hillsboro Free Press, one ad, $400 profit; Scott County ESPN executive.” A panel discussion on Record, one ad, $340 profit. social media will follow at 10:30 a.m. • Out-of-state DAN — Anderson County Review, six ads for $1,125 profit. The lecture and panel discussion are • KCAN — GateHouse Media, nine ads for $1,350 profit; Anthony Republican, one co-sponsored by the A.Q. Miller School ad for $150 profit; Times-Sentinel, one ad for $150 profit. of Journalism and Mass Communications • Direct — Hays Daily News, five ads, $717; Hillsboro Free Press, one ad, $28. at K-State and the Huck Boyd National Center for Community Media.

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24 active startup companies 159 active license agreements for commercial use of KU inventions $12 million in licensing revenue $275.2 million in externally sponsored research expenditures, including $250 million from sources outside Kansas $9 million in corporate-sponsored research funding 29 corporate tenants in the Bioscience & Technology Business Center at KU, including Garmin and ADM 6 Kansas Press Association, 5423 S.W. 7th, Topeka, KS 66606 • www.kspress.com • (855) 572-1863 Marketplace NEWS 785-243-2424. (9-22) to learn the news business? This person will COPY EDITOR - The Topeka Capital REPORTER/PAGE DESIGNER — The plan news coverage, coordinate the work of Journal is seeking a copy editor. The right Arkansas City Traveler seeks help in the part-time staff, cover stories and features, candidate will be a strong communicator and newsroom with reporting and designing take photos, design and lay out pages, post to skilled wordsmith with an eye for cutting- pages. Duties include newsroom coverage web pages and Facebook. Journalism degree edge design. Apply http://tinyurl.com/morri- and writing, for both print and Web; some or some newspaper experience preferred. sapp. Questions call Kent at (785) 295-5655. page design; and occasional photography. Will consider two years-plus experience. (10-15) Candidates should have basic computer, Pay commensurate with ability and experi- writing and interpersonal communication ence. Competitive pay, benefits, location in REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER - A five- skills. We seek people who are motivated and Northwest Kansas. Apply to steve.haynes@ day-a-week newspaper is seeking an ener- organized, show initiative, and have a good nwkansas.com. and dpaxton@nwkansas. getic reporter/photographer who can tell great attitude. Familiarity with Adobe InDesign com. The Norton Telegram/Nor’West News- stories and make local government meetings and Photoshop software would be a plus, but papers, Oberlin, Kan. (785) 475-2206. EOE and issues interesting. PO Box 268, Newton, is not a requirement. We will train the right m/f/h/v (4-30) KS, 67114. (10-14) candidate. To apply, email daseaton@arkcity. net or call (620) 442-4200 ext. 122. Drop off MANAGING EDITOR — The Pittsburg REPORTER - The Wichita Business Journal a resume at the Traveler office, or mail one Morning Sun is looking for an editor. We’re is seeking a reporter who is able to marry to The Arkansas City Traveler, 200 E. Fifth looking for a hands-on managing editor strong traditional journalism skills with Ave., Arkansas City, KS 67005. (7-22) who can lead by example and motivate a online and social media know-how. What- strong news team. Please send a cover letter, ever the platform, reporters in our shop DIGITAL JOURNALIST — The Wichita resume: [email protected]. produce content – original and curated – that Business Journal is looking for a digital is accompanied by perspective and context. journalist who is passionate about growing ENTERPRISING community journalist Primary Responsibilities: Own the beat audience using compelling content, strategic needed at award-winning weeklies near resort audience. Own the beat conversation. Build social media techniques and analytics at an lakes. Great place to start. Fully paid benefits. source network relentlessly. Contribute three award-winning operation that is part of a Details at http://marionrecord.com/job/ to five online posts per day. Contribute 1 great company. Our digital editor is in charge people and one enterprise story to the weekly of all the WBJ’s digital efforts, from posting ADVERTISING print paper. Develop and curate a reporter blogs to engaging with readers using social ADVERTISING SALES – Accepting page in the print paper each week, comprised media and creating strategies for delivering resumes for a self-motivated, goal driven of information, highlights and data gathered content. Interested? Check out more infor- individual to join an award winning sales and reported on throughout the week. Meet mation here: http://acbj.com/careers/detail/ team. Must have excellent written and oral or exceed goals relating to audience-engage- acbj.1611 (7-13) communication skills. Established client base ment. Contact Editor Bill Roy at 316-266- with the opportunity to develop new clients 6184 or [email protected]. (10-5) FREELANCER — Journalist/writer with ex- for both print and on-line business will be perience in breaking/hard news, features and provided. Competitive pay and generous STAFF WRITER/EDITOR — Do you have news narrative looking for freelance work. benefit package. Current driver’s license and a passion for writing? The Independence Journalism degree plus 20 years experience. reliable car required. Send resume and cover Daily Reporter, a growing 134 year old insti- Reply to [email protected]. letter to Mary Karst at maryk_ads@daily- tution, is looking for a motivated, self-driven (5/20) news.net or mail to The Hays Daily News, Staff Writer/Editor to join our team. You must P.O. Box 857, Hays, KS 67601. have your own transportation and a flex- MANAGING EDITOR for small daily on ible schedule. Requirements include: A firm High Plains, on I-70. Are you ready to step DIGITAL MEDIA grasp of English and writing, open to learning up? This person will lead a full-time staff of Tired of not being able to update your newspaper format and able to keep up in a three, plus part-timers, plan and track news website? Do you hate the design, but have no fast paced environment that changes daily. coverage, coordinate photo and stories, one on staff who can alter it? Have your eyes Please send a resume and sample of your design and lay out pages, cover some meet- widened in shock when hearing what a new work to [email protected] ings and write some stories, deal with public website might cost? Relax ... The Hays Daily (9-29) and online/Facebook pages, generally run the News’ Pixel Power Haus is your solution. newsroom. Journalism degree preferred, at Call Patrick Lowry at (785) 628-1081 to hear MANAGING EDITOR — A small three day least two years’ newspaper experience. This how we can help. Designed by a newspaper, a week publication in North Central Kansas is a good paper, hoping to get better. Apply to for newspapers. is seeking a managing editor. This person will Sharon Friedlander, publisher, sfriedlander@ be in charge of a staff of three. Responsibili- nwkansas.com, and Steve Haynes steve. PRESSROOM ties will be to plan news coverage and photos, [email protected]. Colby Free Press/ PRESS OPERATOR — The Junction City design and layout pages, deal with the public Nor’West Newspapers, Colby, Kan. (785) Daily Union has an opening for a qualified and keep track of ads. Journalism degree pre- 462-3963. EOE m/f/h/v (4-30) web offset operator for our six-unit Goss ferred, but someone with experience will be REPORTER/NEWS EDITOR for award- Community press. We are a five-day-a-week considered. We will train the right candidate. winning weekly on High Plains. Are you morning newspaper with several outside Apply by contacting Brad Lowell, jbrad@ up to the challenge of continuing a strong nckcn.com, Box 309, Concordia, KS or call tradition? Can you do it all? Do you want See MARKETPLACE on Page 7 Kansas Press Association, 5423 S.W. 7th, Topeka, KS 66606 • www.kspress.com • (855) 572-1863 7

KPA Office Staff Doug Anstaett Executive Director [email protected] (785) 249-1108 Amy Blaufelder Accountant [email protected] Emily Bradbury Member Services Director [email protected] Richard Gannon Mike Merriam is shown presenting a session on legal issues at a past meeting of the Kansas Governmental Affairs Director Press Association. He announced his retirement this week due to ongoing health struggles. [email protected]

For well over three decades, he has Amber Jackson Merriam provided invaluable service as the Legal Advertising Director Hotline attorney for KPA, KAB and the [email protected] Continued from Page 1 Sunshine Coalition. “When I was an editor and publisher, Lori Jackson “His professional expertise, coupled with one thing I really appreciated about Mike Administrative Assistant/Advertising his dry sense of humor, will be missed in was his belief in what we journalists were [email protected] our organization and throughout the Kansas trying to accomplish,” Anstaett said. “He media landscape.” encouraged us to be unafraid of taking risks Merriam received his law degree from in going to press with information the public Washburn University in 1976 after earning needed to know.” KPA Consultants a bachelor’s degree from the University of Merriam had this to say about his retire- Kansas. ment: “Personally, I tell you that the most Tom Eblen He devoted his legal practice almost prestigious clients of my career, the ones News Consultant entirely to press and First Amendment that have filled me with pride and accom- [email protected] representation for more than three decades, plishment, have been the Kansas Press representing many newspapers, commu- Association, the Kansas Association of Mike Kautsch nications companies, broadcasters, media Broadcasters, the Topeka Capital-Journal, Media Law, KU School of Law insurance companies and wire services. and WIBW. I miss them terribly already.” [email protected] He proposed and formed the Kansas For the time being, legal questions Bar Association’s Media Bar Committee in should be directed to Anstaett or Emily Position Open 1988 and teamed up with KU law profes- Bradbury, director of member services for Media Law, Legal Hotline sor and colleague Mike Kautsch for years KPA toll-free at (855) 572-1863. Call Doug Anstaett or Emily Brad- presenting the “Mike and Mike Show” on KPA and KAB will be working together bury at (855) 572-1863 open government issues. to identify Merriam’s successor. Nick Schwien Continued from Page 6 Technology Hotline Marketplace/ (785) 650-8372 printing jobs. Good mechanical skills, valid and press make-ready. Good work ethics [email protected] driver’s license, along with a good work ethic along with mechanical skills and ability to re- needed to join our team. We offer a benefits act quickly to print related problems. We are FRIENDS OF KPA package that includes BC/BS health insur- willing to train the right person. Job require- ance, 401k and more. Submit your resume ments include: • Current valid driver’s license Ron Keefover with references or request an application by with clean driving record, ability to pass a Retired, Kansas Court System contacting production.mgr@thedailyunion. written fork lift test and train on lift; • Color President net vision and depth perception; • Ability to lift Kansas Sunshine Coalition a minimum of 75 pounds; • Ability to read for Open Government PART-TIME PRESS OPERATOR — The and comprehend written and/or oral English [email protected] Great Bend Tribune is seeking a part-time instruction along with ability to communicate (for questions on cameras in the press operator to join our printing team. The effectively with team members. To submit a courtroom and other issues involving ideal candidate will have previous web press the court system in Kansas) experience, including print of process color See MARKETPLACE on Page 8 8 Kansas Press Association, 5423 S.W. 7th, Topeka, KS 66606 • www.kspress.com • (855) 572-1863 Positions are elected; secrecy is unconscionable he word “transparency” has become Usually, people interested in being a Hutchinson, where the governor has so far such a staple in the talking points county commissioner have to file for office, refused to release the names of those who Tof politicians and would-be elected run some kind of campaign and tell the voters applied for a Reno County magistrate judge’s officials that you would think information why they should be the ones elected to office. position that opened before the sitting judge’s gathering would be a breeze for journalists. Under state statute, after Saline County term had expired. Not so much. voters changed their commission from a The person he chose might very well be While it’s easy to say you’re for something three-member to five-member board, Brown- the most qualified candidate who applied for — like open government — what happens back had the job of filling the vacancies. the position, but who can be sure? The list of when the rubber meets For the governor to argue these “candi- her competitors is being kept secret. the road? dates” had to be shielded from the public For our system of government to work, we Today’s front page because revealing their names might invade need to know these things. story on The Salina their privacy is a vacuous argument. For a governor to cite flimsy reasons for Journal’s victory in the His argument, that withholding the names courtroom is a case in letting the cat out of is the opposite of trans- point. the bag about who For the governor to parency; it is secrecy. Despite winning the he considered would argue these “candidates” Enough goes on in court battle against Gov. discourage citizens from had to be shielded from government that we Sam Brownback, the stepping forward, is an don’t know about. We Journal still waits more insult to the intelligence the public because reveal- don’t need candidates than a month later for the Doug Anstaett of most Kansans. ing their names might taking office who have records it has sought for almost a year about Elections are con- invade their privacy is a not been fully vetted the list of candidates the governor considered ducted in the sunshine and able to be compared while appointing two new members to the for a number of reasons, vacuous argument. to their competitors. Saline County Commission. the least of which is be- Judge Crotty has The Kansas Open Records Act exceptions cause that is our system said there is no reason cited by the governor and his staff members — and it has worked for more than 150 years. to keep these names secret. have been found to be without merit by Despite the fact that fewer of us are voting Is there some good reason that the gover- Shawnee County District Judge Rebecca each year, those of us who do vote still cher- nor has appealed her ruling — other than to Crotty. ish this fundamental right. continue the stonewalling and secrecy? The judge agrees with the Journal’s argu- To allow those who want to be appointed ment that the public has a right to know who to a vacancy to remain anonymous is anti- Doug Anstaett is executive director of the applied for the two seats. thetical to our way of government. Kansas Press Association. These, after all, are elected positions. We have a similar situation brewing in

Marketplace/Continued from Page 7 resume with references or request an applica- contact Chris Jones, production manager, tion. Nor’west Press, Goodland, Kansas. Call tion contact [email protected]. by calling 417-667-3344 after 4 p.m., or via 785-899-2338. email at [email protected] (7-14) MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE NEWSPAPERS FOR SALE WANTED — Muller Martini 227 inserter FOR SALE — Hamada 800 DX w/spray Respected 128-year-old weekly newspaper hoppers, turning station, 310/20 stacker parts/ unit, electrostatic unit, 3M dampening in Southwest Kansas; only newspaper in the equipment, or compatibles from inserting sleeves; LOG Etronics Film Processor Model county. Owner moving out of state. Steady equipment or mailing machine. Call James at #LL2218, 196-264 volts, single phase, 15 subscription, advertising, annual sales ap- (620) 792-1211. amps; Brown Ultra-lite 1500 plate burner; 2 proximately $140,000. Will include building Nu-Arc light tables; 1950 Anniversary Edition and property in sale. (785) 341-7573 after 5 PRESS OPERATOR — Are you depend- Heidelberg Windmill press, very good condi- p.m. MST. able? Like working with your hands? Enjoy learning how things work the way they do? Have an ability to fix things? Then you may This month’s question have the abilities we’re looking for. The ideal Q. A person questioned our decision to require a “Paid for by” dis- candidate will have previous mechanical claimer on an ad seeking the approval or defeat of a local bond issue. experience and a demonstrated ability to work They said they could find nothing in the law requiring a disclaimer. well with others and can work flexible hours, Who is right? including nights during the week. Prior news- paper press experience a bonus but not man- A. You are. In KSA 25-2407, issues such as bond elections and other datory. The Nevada Daily Mail and Nevada special questions submitted to voters are included in the requirements News is located within easy driving distance for disclaimers. A previous statute only addressed candidates for of- of Kansas City, Joplin, and Springfield. We’re fice, but this one directly addresses the “issues” question as well. It is part of Rust Communications, a family news- on the KPA website at www.kspress.com under Member Services in paper company. Interested applicants should the Media Law Library. Click on Rules on Political Advertising.