RUSSELL IS... A City Commissioner (and Honorary Mayor!) - Part 2

EDITOR'S NOTE - THIS IS PART TWO OF A THREE-PART SERIES.

Concordia is the flagship town of Cloud County, and its citizens are imbued with a proud tradition of rural toughness and a generational spirit of getting things done. The community, as a whole, has marshalled its survival instincts to endure in a modern era when many small towns are vanishing.
Agriculture is the lifeblood of Cloud County, and its taxpayers are heavily influenced by the economic uncertainties of that commerce. The rural way of life is becoming increasingly more expensive to maintain, and residents must try to do so with an aging and declining population responsible for an above-average tax burden.
Taxpayers will soon reach a financial crossroads with proposals for a new medical facility and improvements and new construction for the school district that may cost tens of millions of dollars.
But some of the most immediate challenges facing the town itself concern its aging infrastructure. Concordia is well over 100 years old. Many of its water lines, sewer lines, roads, and buildings are showing their age. Repairing or replacing them is expensive, and it must be done with an operating budget that never seems large enough to meet all the needs.
These are the issues the four men and one woman who currently sit on the Concordia city commission must deal with. All volunteers, they were elected to be the voices that guide Concordia into its future.
So let's meet them.

CHARLES P. LAMBERTZ
Chuck Lambertz was born and raised in Wichita, but his wife Amber is from Concordia. Eleven years ago they decided to make Concordia their home.
"I really enjoyed Concordia when we came to visit, people were genuine," Lambertz said. "I wanted to work as an outpatient therapist, and I was able to do that here, so we decided to make a five year commitment to the town and see how it went. The stars kind of aligned; we liked it, and we've stayed."
Lambertz always thought Concordia had much to offer, but he also knew the town faced some serious challenges ahead. And rather than sit on the sidelines, he stood up and did something about it. He ran for the city commission.
"Stewardship is an important part of my life and personal philosophy," Lambertz said. "When the question is asked 'who are the people who stepped forward and took responsibility?', I felt I should be one of them."
Lambertz doesn't have a grand vision for the town. Like everyone else he knows it would be ideal to add jobs and grow, but the community faces more immediate concerns.
"It's a challenge for all small towns just to maintain what they have. We have limited resources that we have to distribute the best we can. As a community, we really have to come together and prioritize our needs and share our resources where they are needed the most. We have great leaders in the community right now, and all of us - the city staff, the Health Center, the college and school boards - have to make a collaborative effort."
For the city itself, infrastructure is the biggest ongoing problem.
"It's important for people to understand the age of the infrastructure of the town," Lambertz said. "It was built a long time ago, and built well, but everything ages. We're at the point where we needed to replace things like the water main on Sixth Street, and fix the drainage problem on the northeast side of town."
Lambertz was recently elected to a second term on the city commission, and cites the dedication of the city staff and employees as one of the main reasons why he continues to serve.
All the commissioners get a Commissioners Packet each week, and Lambertz consults with City Manager Amy Lange about upcoming topics and researches the issues. He also relies heavily on the advice of the city's department heads, including City Clerk Stacey Smith, Finance Director Amber Farha, and City Attorney Justin Ferrell.
"I've learned to really appreciate the work the city staff does to have all the information prepared for us," Lambertz said. "I've come to trust their understanding of the town's needs. I'm impressed by the passion they have for their jobs, and for this community."
Lambertz had already served a term as mayor of Concordia, and since I was not only going to be a city commissioner but also mayor for a day, I asked him what it felt like to clutch that mayor's gavel for the first time.
He smiled like Lambertz does: tolerant, somewhat serene, comfortable with who he is and what he's about to say.
"Well, it's not quite like Thor's hammer," he said, "but it does feel good to hold."
I interviewed all the city commissioners for this story. But Lambertz is a full-time therapist, so when I left his office after our interview I just felt a lot better about myself.

MARK MATTHEW
"You can sit on the sidelines and complain, or you can get involved. I chose to be involved."
Mark Matthew spoke those words calmly but with passion. Spend a few minutes with one of the newest members of the city commission, and you will clearly understand why citizens voted for him.
Born and raised in Concordia, Matthew graduated from CHS in 1974, K-State in 1978, and then went on to earn his MBA from the University of Nebraska-Kearney.
Matthew has worked all over the United States, and also traveled the world as a business executive for global supply operations, rising to the position of vice-president of a corporation with 100,000 employees.
After Matthew retired in 2016 he moved back to Concordia with his wife, Dr. Patricia Macfarlane, a neuro-radiologist and CCCC board of trustee.
"I love Concordia," Matthew said. "I always knew I would come back here, and knew I wanted to make a contribution when I did."
As an experienced businessman, Matthew questioned the way some things were being done with city business.
"I wanted to be able to ask questions. I heard a great piece of advice a long time ago: 'never miss an opportunity to raise your hand'".
Throughout his business career, Matthew specialized in fixing things that were broken. When it came to how a business was being run - or how it wasn't being run properly - Matthew was the guy brought in to turn things around.
"For me, the worst thing I can hear is: 'we do it this way because that's the way it's always been done'. When I hear that, it tells me that there is an opportunity for improvement."
Matthew's main goal as commissioner is to try and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of city government.
"I think my background has helped with some of the city's complex contracts and agreements. I also think that one of the biggest assets I bring to the commission is my willingness to listen. We can't solve every problem, but as long as I'm there we're sure going to try."
Matthew understands the importance of bringing jobs to the community, but he is also aware of the importance of perception.
"We want the town to represent itself well in appearance and the facilities it has to offer to potential businesses and families who might move here. We've got to be able to impress them. But we also need to make those decisions based on what is practical for our tax base. It's important to find the right balance between what is practical and what is extravagant. We have practical needs right now. And, in my opinion, if we want to attract the type of business that this town needs to stay viable, then we need a hospital here too."
Matthew has a clear vision as to what type of representative he needs to be for the citizenry.
"You have to be a good listener, and you have to want to be a problem-solver. Not everyone is going to happy with the way you vote on an issue, but it's important for them to know that you'll listen to their problem, even if you might not agree on how to resolve it."
Speaking of 'listening', the next time Easy G has karaoke night, stop in and listen. You might find City Commissioner Mark Matthew at the microphone belting out a few tunes.
Dude's got some serious pipes.

SAM J. SACCO
Behind his sometimes-stern facade, Sam Sacco has a quick sense of humor (keep that in mind, Sam, as you read the next sentence).
Sacco is the elder statesman of the commission - not because he's served the longest, he's just the oldest.
Born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, Sacco was employed in the agricultural industry his entire life. He moved to Concordia to work in a management position at the Nesika plant near Scandia, and retired from there in 2016.
Sacco is a do-er. He doesn't sit on the sidelines. He didn't like the way some things were done on the city commission so he decided run for a seat himself.
He lost. To Chuck Lambertz.
He ran again, and won, and now sits next to Lambertz at the commission podium. Is there any lingering animosity or bitterness about that initial defeat?
"Chuck is an excellent steward for the town," Sacco said, and then flashed a still-boyish grin. "But that doesn't mean we always agree on things."
Sacco has a firm belief as to what his responsibilities are as a city commissioner.
"People asked me to run because they wanted someone with business experience on the commission. They wanted someone who would ask questions and challenge the status quo. I'm sitting in that chair to look out for the best interest of our citizens. In business I reported to a board of directors. As a commissioner, my board of directors are the citizens of the community."
That mentality is what compelled Sacco to recently challenge State Representative Susan Concannon for her seat in the Kansas legislature.
"People were concerned that their voice wasn't being heard in Topeka," Sacco said. "I'm not afraid to say what's on my mind. I'm not afraid to ask questions that might rub politicians and lawmakers the wrong way."
As a political novice with no name recognition, Sacco wasn't given much chance of success in the election. But he ultimately lost a tight race with Concannon, surprising many political insiders.
Sacco has served as mayor of Concordia for 2018, and under his tenure he established the Mayor's Report, a monthly update on city government actions and needs. He also implemented the Neighborhood Listening Tour, where commissioners meet with townspeople in an informal setting to discuss issues.
Sacco is pleased with some of the changes within city government in the past few years. "We have a new city manager in place, and I think we have a lot more transparency now," he said. "I'm also personally glad for the election of Commissioner Mark Matthew, because I think he's another concerned citizen who asks a lot of questions, and who doesn't just settle for the status quo."
As long as Sacco sits on the city commission, he intends to keep asking questions and keep city government transparent.
"The people have a right to know how their money is being spent, and why it's being spent the way it is."
Sacco has the same concerns as every community leader, especially the need for high-paying jobs in the community. So he wishes more people got involved in the process.
"We need people to step forward. If you're not happy with something, or don't like the way things are being run, then get involved. More people need to step up and tell their civic leaders what they think."
Sacco is the oldest member of the commission, but he's got fresh ideas and a realistic view of the future.
"We really have to change the mentality of the town," he said. "We can't still believe in the way the town thought in the 1950's and 1960's. We are a graying community. We have many people who don't want the town to change while they're still here, but then we have so many young people who won't stay in town unless it changes. Something's gotta give, because if we keep this up we'll have a dying city."
That is the essence of Sam Sacco: caring, pragmatic, and unafraid to tell you what he thinks.

S. CHRISTY HASCH
Hasch grew up in Bassett, Nebraska (population 575). The daughter of a farmer, Hasch was always interested in government. In high school she participated in student leadership councils and state-sponsored government workshops.
The first time Hasch ran for a seat on the city commission, she also lost. She won the second time around, and is now in the midst of a second term.
A school psychologist for 34 years, Hasch is the only woman currently on the city commission, and feels that it is vital for a female voice to be heard.
"I bring a different perspective," she said. "We (women) view things differently and see a different focus on issues than men, and I think it's important to have that perspective heard."
Hasch has firm belief in her responsibilities to the community and the issues it must confront in order to move forward.
"My strengths are a strong educational background, and I think I have a pretty good feel for people's thoughts and concerns. I don't just look at the cost of something, although cost is always a key factor with our budget. But I also look at what is sensible and beneficial for the community."
Hasch strongly believes that local government boards in small towns are vital to their survival, and wishes more citizens would be involved, especially younger people.
"They are the future of this town, and I would really like them to come forward and let their voices be heard. That's why I think the election of Keaton Snavely to the board was a nice addition."
As with all civic leaders, Hasch understands the complex problems small towns like Concordia must deal with, and realizes there are no quick fixes or easy solutions.
"A good example is the pool issue," she said. "It was more controversial than I expected, but I understand the anger behind it. I really think that people in this town and county are just taxed too high already."
Hasch holds no allusions that the coming months will be tough for the town, and its finances.
"We've got to continue to work on our infrastructure, like replacing our sewer and water lines beneath the streets. And we have to do something about our hospital. We don't have a true medical facility that can care for all the needs of this community. Its so heartbreaking that people go to Salina or Beloit or even Minneapolis for their hospital care. We have great doctors here, but we need surgeons and OB-GYN. Our citizens deserve that."
Hasch isn't sure if she'll run again when her currents term expires. She definitely wants a female presence on the city commission, but she also sees the school district at a crossroads, and her future interest may lie there. Hasch spent 17 years as president of the local teachers organization, and was the chief negotiator for teacher's contracts.
Whatever her plans for the future, there is one thing S. Christy Hasch wants everyone to do: ask her what the 'S' in her first name stands for.
Seriously, she'd love for everybody to ask.

KEATON SNAVELY
At 29 years of age, Keaton Snavely may have been the youngest person ever elected to the Concordia city commission.
But if you think you're going to hear a lot of youthful colloquialisms and stereotypical phrasing... you are seriously mistaken.
Snavely is a perceptive young man with keen eye and deep passion for the issues confronting the community. Born and raised in Concordia, he knows what it means to work hard to feed a family and put a roof over their heads.
"There's some days I'll put in 300 miles servicing my sales routes," he said.
Snavely is an outside salesman for Fastenal. He is already blessed with three daughters, and six weeks ago he and wife, Whitney, welcomed a baby boy into their brood.
Work and a growing family keep Snavely more than just busy. But he heard the call for a younger voice to be heard in the matters of city government, and he answered it.
"I wanted to make a difference," he said. "The younger generation here does care, and we wanted to get a younger set of eyes on the commission because there are a lot of issues that we have a completely different point of view on."
Snavely had watched the way things were being done, and how money was being spent, and he didn't like it.
"I'm not against the Plaza, but the way they went about doing it really bit me the wrong way."
But the Plaza process wasn't the main impetus for Snavely deciding to run for city commission.
"For me," he said, "the real eye opener is the tax burden. We've got to do something about that. We've got to find ways to raise our tax base (the number of people supporting the tax burden), because this can't keep going like it is."
Snavely is fully aware that some changes - like building a broader tax base - won't happen overnight. But he also knows that time is of the essence.
"We've got immediate needs, but we also need to make some major decisions now that will affect the future of Concordia, like with the hospital and the schools. We've got some difficult financial times ahead. The next five years are probably going to be rough. But that's why I want to be here. I'm ready to tackle all the issues we have to face."
Snavely knew he would also have to work hard at being a city commissioner, but he was surprised by how much he enjoys the job.
"I love it, even all the little details that people don't get to see. And I really like hearing all the different opinions. The commission is so diversified now. We get views from all different perspectives, and I think that's really important for the future of this town."
There may be some tough times ahead, but Snavely also sees a bright future filled with possibilities.
"This is just a great place to live and raise a family. There's nothing else like it. Our community has a lot to offer, and eventually that will bring in the jobs we need."
The next time you hear of a Community Listening Tour taking place, take the time to stop in and talk to Keaton Snavely. But try not to stare. Because one of the first things you're going to notice about this bright young man is that he has one of the finest beards in Concordia.

RUSSELL GAGNON
It's probably best to just not say anything.

TOMORROW - PART 3: Russell Gagnon is a City Commissioner! (Everyone shudder)