Imperial chamber looks for community event volunteers

The Imperial Chamber of Commerce and local citizens packed into MorningStar Cafe’s dining area at noon Oct. 19 to plan for Halloween and Christmas, as well as receive updates on coming activities.
A major focus for the day was on the need for volunteers. As the Chamber’s Christmas event organizer, Chris Krausnick said getting help at times during the fall and winter months can be challenging. Children have sports, she said, and people are traveling out of town.
The Chamber’s “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” events will be held on Saturday, Nov. 26.
“I think everybody with kids is just so darn busy,” she said. “I get it.”
Anyone interested in helping out at the Chamber’s Christmas events can contact Krausnick at 308-883-2322.
Other upcoming events discussed at the meeting included the trick-or-treating on Broadway set for Friday, Oct. 28 and Smokin’ on Broadway set for Saturday, July 15, 2023.
This year, the chamber will be operating Smokin’ on Broadway with help from the Midwest BBQ Association, which sponsors and hosts barbecue competitions for fundraising in local areas. The BBQ Association asked the city provide $450 to help with costs, with the stipulation that proceeds from the event be used specifically within the Imperial community. Currently, the chamber is in talks with Twenty Hands High, a country and southern rock group from Denver, to play at the event.
The chamber gave mayoral candidates Duncan Einspahr and Craig Loeffler the opportunity to present their plans for Imperial. Both stressed their Republican Party background, and agreed that internal cooperation and housing were important issues.
Their main point of contention remained whether Imperial should consider the idea of absorbing the city’s police force into county law enforcement.
Einspahr believed the transition could save Imperial money without lengthening law enforcement response times. Loeffler believed a police department was a sign of a growing town and to shutter it prematurely would cost Imperial in community investment and law enforcement specialization.
Near the meeting’s end, Community Development  Director Tyler Pribbeno praised the local Career Fair held that day at Chase County Schools. Next year, he said, the Career Fair may extended to a longer period of time.
“Out of all the conversations—what is there, 175 probably—out of all of those, I had one student tell me they’re not even considering coming back to Imperial,” Pribbeno said.
Twenty years ago, when he was in high school, Pribbeno said he was probably the only one who said he wanted to come back to Imperial.
“We’ve seen a shift in their mindset; they love it here…most of our students are saying they want to come back. They see a future for themselves, and that’s because of the business leaders in this room and across our community,” he said.