ELLY GRIMM
• Leader & Times
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the Liberal City Commission honored that at its most recent meeting Tuesday evening.
Vice Mayor Matt Landry read the proclamation.
“WHEREAS, breast cancer remains one of the most common cancers affecting one in eight women during their lifetime; and WHEREAS, early detection through regular screenings, mammograms, and increased awareness significantly improves survival rates of life for those diagnosed; and WHEREAS, continued research and innovation have led to improved treatments and a greater understanding of prevention, offering hope to individuals and families touched by breast cancer; WHEREAS the City of Liberal recognizes the courage and strength of breast cancer survivors and honors the memory of those lives who were lost to this disease; and WHEREAS, local healthcare providers, community organizations and volunteers in Liberal continue to play a vital role in education, early detection and supporting those affected; and WHEREAS, during the month of October, communities across the nation united to raise awareness, share information and encourage individuals to take proactive steps toward prevention and early detection,” Landry read.
Commissioner Janeth Vazquez then shared some thoughts.
“I do truly feel community education is important, and prevention is really the best thing you can do,” Vazquez said. “I really do have a passion for getting the word out about this. We hear about it every October and there are various campaigns throughout the U.S. Southwest Medical Center partners with many other local entities for the Community Health Fair, and what I’m to seeing is an increase in cancer diagnoses every year. Something that’s really shocked me is the number of younger women who are starting to be diagnosed with it – I’ve seen women in their mid-30s stop by to see our cute giveaways and then end up getting a screening done, and their tests come back positive. These women are typically healthy and aren’t really presenting any symptoms, but they turn out to have positive screening results for this as well as with skin cancer. We’re happy to put this information out so more women can get screened. Being proactive and taking care of yourself is the best thing you can do for your health. If we can share the word for women to get checked, I think we can touch a lot of lives.”
A pair of state grants were also on the agenda, beginning with one from the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT).
“This KDOT grant provides annual funding for administration, operations, and capital expenses for State Fiscal Year 2027,” Finance Director Kristyn Reust said. “We are recommending approval of Resolution No. 2440, allowing the application of the 2027 Section 5311 Transportation Programs Grant and allowing the mayor, city manager, and finance director to execute grant documents.”
Another grant up for approval was from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP).
“The Recreational Trails Program Grant through the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks provides funds to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both non-motorized and motorized recreational trail uses,” Reust said. “The RTP will fund a variety of trail projects from the following seven categories: Maintenance and Restoration, Trailside and Trailhead Facilities, New Recreational Trail Construction, Land or Easement Acquisition, Trail Construction Equipment, Trail Accessibility Assessment, and Educational Projects. The City of Liberal will specifically be applying for Trailhead Facilities and Trail Construction Equipment. We are recommending approval of Resolution No. 2441, allowing the application of the Recreational Trails Program Grant and allowing the mayor, city manager, and finance director to execute grant documents.”
“Can you give a brief overview of what this would be used for?” Commissioner Jeff Parsons asked.
“If you’ll all remember, there was a meeting earlier this year when Bruce Young came and talked about the need for some upgraded facilities out at Arkalon Park like the bathrooms and things like that,” Reust said. “We looked at grants and other programs that could be used to cover some of those costs, and in my research, I found this grant and if approved, this would pay for those upgrades and a few other things. This grant will help cover the costs of some of those upgrades we’ve already been talking about. This is also an 80/20 reimbursable grant.”
Ultimately, both resolutions were approved 4-0, with Mayor Jose Lara absent for the evening.
Also in new business, the commission approved Resolution No. 2442 concerning a vehicle nuisance abatement, updated Title IX approval for the CityBus program, and the purchase of body armor for the Liberal Police Department.
