THE UNIVERSITY DARRY KANSAN THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2006
NEWS 5A
ECONOMY
Meeting to discuss adaptations for rural counties' economy
Decreasing populations call for government action
BY BEN SMITH
.. One of the biggest problems facing rural Kansas counties is keeping people in them.
A conference at the Big 12 Room in the Kansas Union today will address that problem, and look for a way to make government adapt and economies strengthen.
Analysts, researchers and politicians will discuss the future of Kansas economic and political policy while reviewing data and information concerning population fluctuation, decline and aging in Kansas. Keynote speakers include Suzanne Leland, associate professor of political science at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and Rep. Doug Mays (R-Topeka), Speaker of the Kansas House of Representatives.
- In 2000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, Grant County — one of the largest counties in southwest Kansas — had a population of at about 7,900. The 2005 estimate had only 7,530 people, most of them living in the county seat of Ulysses, Pop, 6,000. The case is the same in many rural counties.
Joshua Rosenbloom, professor of economics, said that most counties in the State of Kansas had a population less than 7,500 and that virtually all of those counties were losing population.
"Some of these places are going to vanish," Rosenbloom said. "People are going away and there isn't a very big population base to begin with."
Most of those leaving these rural counties are still working while those staying are likely retired, Rosenbloom said.
"The economy stagnates and it becomes more unattractive for
people who live there" Rosenbloom said.
Rosenbloom said the goal was to explore reshaping the local government landscape through city and county consolidation.
The conference is from 8:30 a.m.
to 3:45 p.m. Tickets are $85. Call
864-3701 for more information.
kansan staff writer Ben Smith can be contacted at bsmith@kansan. com.
Edited by Natalie Johnson
Professor receives possible opportunity to display art
ARTS
BY DANAE DESHAZER
Lawrence Arts Commission will select an artist to provide original works for Wakarusa fire station
Third time's a charm for David Vertaknik.
"I guess I didn't have the luxury to really venture out on my own. But, as my studio grew here, I was given the opportunity to work on bigger projects. I have always been interested in large-scale art, especially in the public," he said.
After applying for the Lawrence Percent for Art program twice before, the associate professor of ceramics never imagined he might get the opportunity to provide an original art piece for the new fire station on Wakarusa Dr.
"I'm a farm boy," Vertacnik said. "The body and nature of my work shows a relationship to the land; it has a connectedness. This piece of work I am working on typifies that. I'd be honored to have it here in Lawrence."
When Vertacnik first began his career as a professor, he did not
have much time to create a lot of work for his art portfolio.
When the city builds a new municipal building, the Percent for Art program in Lawrence requires up to two percent of the money it takes to construct the building to be set aside for art. This money supports an artist to design and construct artwork to accompany the building. Percent for Art received about 40 applicants from around the country for its newest project: the Wakarusa fire station.
The Lawrence Arts Commission makes the final selection.
The Percent for Art committee narrowed the selection down at the end of September. The three artists are now busy creating their proposals for presentation.
"We are very fortunate in Lawrence to have such a successful Percent for Art program," Liz Kowalchuk, co-chair of the Percent for Art committee and Lawrence arts commissioner, said. About $38,000 is available for this project.
An artist will be chosen Dec. 1. The evaluation will include a presentation of each artist's proposal and a model of the artwork. It will also include a question-and-answer session.
Rich Barr of Lawrence-Douglas County Fire and Medical said, "I think our local society really enjoys art. For the new station, not only will it be art, it will also represent a profession."
Julee Kessinger, Overland Park senior, has taken two ceramics classes from Vertacnik.
"He was amazing. He loves his work and cares a lot about the success of his students. I think this is a great opportunity for him to show off his talent," Kessinger said.
Kansan correspondent Danae DeShazer can be contacted at editor@kansan.com.
Edited by Travis Robinett
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