By Allen Dinkel
Junction City Manager
In 1853 Fort Riley was established as a military post to protect the movement of people and trade over the Oregon, California, and Santa Fe trails. Meanwhile in 1855 or so. (depending on which story you read), a settlement was formed and in 1859 it was incorporated as Junction City. From that time, I assume there has been a strong connection between the two. Many know that I was raised in Western Kansas about 170 miles west of here. I have always known of the strong connection between this City and the Army installation. It is synonymous. We all know that we probably would not have a new High School or have the 17th highest enrollment numbers this school year of the 531-member high schools of the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) without this relationship.
This past week, I along with Mayor Landes and City Commissioner Underhill, traveled to Washington, D.C. to attend the Annual Meeting of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA). We were joined by representatives of Geary County and USD 475. All 3 entities make this trip for the simple reason that “Fort Riley is important to our community”. I know that some may question this annual trip, but if there was another business that had such a great economic impact on our community, you would want us to do all we can to continue and strengthen this historic bond. Simply it is essential to continue to show everyone that Fort Riley is important to Junction City and that Junction City is important to Fort Riley.
I also know that some may say that Fort Riley will always exist and that we don’t need to be at events such as the AUSA annual event. However, there is an old adage that comes into play. “If you are not at the table, you will be eaten at the table.” Growing up in Kansas I have always felt it is important to have
Fort Riley located in the middle of the geographic 48 States, but I am not sure that is always the case when those who live near the other Army Installations in the country are battling for government dollars and what to see “Their” base grow and prosper as we do here.
For me, there was one key moment on this trip. During the opening Ceremony, the Secretary of the Army mentioned the positive impacts of 3 different basis. She not only mentioned Fort Riley once, but also a second time. Yes, that may sound simple, but we all want that in the mind of “Decision Makers” when they make future decisions.
During this trip, as we have in the past, we took time to visit the Offices of United States Senators Moran and Marshall and Representative Jake LaTurner. As you probably know, Junction City and Geary County were moved into the Second Congressional District in 2022 after being in the “Big First” for some years. We continue to grow that relationship with this office as we are still “new” to each other. We did not get to visit with the elected officials but had the chance to visit with their “key” staff members. Yes we do see them here in Kansas at times, but there is something important about stopping by “Their House”.
During these “Hill” visits we discuss the needs for the community in both how they strengthen our relationship with Fort Riley and in general. Remember when the largest employer on our region benefits, so do we. Our local group spoke about various issues such as Child Care to needs for Federal dollars for projects such as the improvement of the Bridge on North Washington Street that crosses the Republican River and leads to the Trooper Gate. This Bridge needs attention and it is not a “Small Ticket” item. This is a City owned bridge, so the funds either come from a mixture of grants and local funding, or just from local tax dollars. This means more tax dollars are needed or something else gets dropped to provide adequate funds. Though not “Set in Stone” yet, there is a great chance the City will apply for grant funds for this project in 2024. We are trying to get this project on the “Radar” now and will continue to do so. During 2 of these visits, this project was already known to these staffers.
No doubt, there are many issues in Washington right now. The recent removal of the Speaker of the House definitely leaves many to wonder what will happen. Who will the new Speaker be, or will there be a threat of a government shutdown in a bit more than a month? This can equate to funding for the Army and Fort Riley. There are a couple of projects already approved for Fort
Riley, but the funds have yet to be appropriated to make the projects become reality.
Yes, there was a social of the local AUSA Chapter where both present and former Fort Riley soldiers were in attendance. It is always good to here, that Fort Riley was important to them, and their families, and we often hear how they loved being at Fort Riley, in the Flint Hills Region, and in our community. That just don’t happen.
Yes, as I wrote in the first paragraph, there has been a long-term relationship between Fort Riley and Junction City. We can’t fall asleep on this one. No doubt as we wish to grow Junction City we need more diversification in our economy, but as the old Cowboy saying goes, “You Gotta Dance With the One who Brung You”.