Jan 14, 2020

Elected boards choose their leaders and seat new members

Posted Jan 14, 2020 2:48 AM
Mayor Jeff Underhill
Mayor Jeff Underhill

The Junction City Commission has elected Jeff Underhill mayor for the upcoming year.  He wants to see economic development get the necessary funding from the City to be successful. "We can have those big wins like we've had the past couple of years with Camso and things along those lines and create more jobs, and the City being the facilitator of that."

Underhill will also serve as chair of the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors this year. Pat Landes has been elected vice mayor. 

Geary County Commission Chair Keith Ascher
Geary County Commission Chair Keith Ascher

Keith Ascher is the choice of his fellow commissioners to serve as the chair for the Geary County Commission. He is  looking forward to the year ahead. "This is my fourth year and up until now I'be been vice chair all along so I think I'm ready for it." Charles Stimatze will be the vice chair for the commission.

USD 475 Board of Education ( L-R ) , with members Rina Neal, Dave Walker, Sarah Talley, new member Kristy Haden, Jim Schmidt, Anwar Khoury and new member Ron Johnson.
USD 475 Board of Education ( L-R ) , with members Rina Neal, Dave Walker, Sarah Talley, new member Kristy Haden, Jim Schmidt, Anwar Khoury and new member Ron Johnson.

Rina Neal has been elected to serve as Board of Education president in 2020. She has served in this role since July of 2019. "I appreciate the Board nominating me to continue the work that we set out semester, to continue to work on Dr. Eggleston's vision, and continue to have a student first focus. I look forward to continuing to serve with our Board members and especially our two new Board members. "  Jim Schmidt is the choice of the Board to serve as vice president.

In addition to Haden and Johnson on the school board, two new members took the oath of office for their terms on the Junction City Commission and incumbent Pat Landes also took the oath for another term.

( L-R ) Junction City Commissioners Nathan Butler, Pat Landes and Ronna Larson.
( L-R ) Junction City Commissioners Nathan Butler, Pat Landes and Ronna Larson.

Brad Scholz was seated on the Geary County Commission for his first meeting. 

Geary County Commissioner Brad Scholz
Geary County Commissioner Brad Scholz

Scholz is filling the vacancy on the commission created by the death of R. Ben Bennett in December.