Week 1

        Even though this is my home town, starting this internship was like starting a new job, resulting in a major case of nerves. These fears were soon allayed by a sea of welcoming faces and warm handshakes. Newton is a town of approximately 20,000 about 30 miles north of Wichita in America’s heartland. Newton is a very conservative community with a progressive leadership. Randy Riggs, the City Manager, arranged this internship for me. Assistant City Managers Lunda Asmani and Tim Johnson spent the good part of a day (each) driving me around to facilities that they oversee. One of the most dynamic members of the management team is Suzanne Loomis, the Director of Public Works and the City Engineer. This first week has been a whirlwind of tours though numerous public facilities.

        I met the Supervisors and received guided tours of the facilities housing the Streets & Sanitation Department (Randy Jackson); the Wastewater Treatment plant (Ed Bonham); and the Mission Water Plant complete with 20 wells (also Ed). Tim drove me around to see each of the municipal parks and the airport which is rapidly expanding. We were given guided tours of the world-class Sandcreek Station Golf course and the new Meridian Conference Center. Suzanne took me out to the Kansas Logistics Park which is under construction. She pointed out land they have acquired and other that they have options on. She provided me with maps showing expansion plans complete with added railroad tracks/spurs, new roads, future plans for additional electrical service and to increase water pressure, modifications to the roads to accommodate heavy trucks; and much, much more. The Kansas Logistics Park will house several manufacturers of wind turbine parts in addition to other manufacturers. It is anticipated that these new industries will provide over 1,000 well-paying jobs for local residents. Newton has been successful in receiving millions of dollars in federal and state grant monies for this and other projects. The afternoon was spent with Fire Chief Gary Denny not only took me to each of the three fire stations, but explained to me the collaborations with other smaller communities in the area and the county. Chief Denny is also in charge of Emergency Services and Homeland Security for the area. Fire Station #3 is a new facility that was funded entirely by grant money. To a man (or woman) each of these expressed appreciation and confidence in their staffs.

        Previously (Day 2 of my internship), I attended a City Council meeting in the evening. There was discussion of several minor issues, but the primary issue dealt with a problem in the funding of a program assisting victims of domestic violence. The City of Newton and Harvey County jointly sponsor this program which was previously supported by grant funding. The continuance of that funding appears to be very uncertain. The City Councilmen are very caring and concerned individuals and they discussed options to find money to fund the program. Unfortunately, that looks rather bleak at this point.

        Newton supports the Kansas Leadership Center and Assistant City Manager Tim Johnson has suggested that I attend the three leadership sessions and the City will pay my registration fees. So I am planning on attending those in Fedbruary. Lest I forget to mention, tomorrow I go to see the City Attorney, Robert Myers, to learn about the Municipal Court. I understand that I will start working on projects next week. This has been a wonderful experience thus far and I imagine that I have already experienced more than some may during their entire internship experience. THANKS NEWTON!

        End note: It turned quite cold and windy here today. I had to clear the snow off of my windshield when I left City Hall tonight. Another benefit of my internship is that it is only six blocks from my house to City Hall.  I have struggled with setting up this blog, but thanks to the City's fabulous IT lady, Brenda Ternes, I made it!!