Get to Know the Candidates: Ashley Hutchinson

Each week leading to the November 7th general election, the candidates running for the Concordia City Commission will sit down with KNCK News Director Toby Nosker on KNCK's "Talk of the Town."

Five candidates are vying for two seats on the Concordia City Commission.  The positions are currently held by Ragena Belden and Ashley Hutchinson.

Belden and Hutchinson, who were both elected in 2020, are seeking second-terms.

Former Concordia City Commissioner Christy Hasch, who served three terms as commissioner from 2013 to 2022, including a stint as mayor from April 2015 to January 2017, has also filed for a position.  Hasch did not seek re-election in 2022.

Two other challengers in the race are Gary Jeardoe, Jr. and Dannie Kearn.

Hutchinson, the Director of Governmental Relations/Affiliate Marketing and Public Relations for Salina Regional Health Center and the North Central Kansas Medical Center in Concordia, is nearing the end of her first term.  Hutchinson told KNCK News about her decision to seek re-election.

Hutchinson officially filed for re-election in April 2023.

During KNCK's "Talk of the Town" on Monday, October 30th, Hutchinson said one of the city's top achievements during her first three years in office has been shoring up investment in human infrastructure, meaning investing in workers, raising wages and increasing productivity to boost local economic growth.

To have the quality of life everyone expects, Hutchinson says the city needs safe and decent places for people to live, which is why the city of Concordia intends to develop a new residential subdivision at 1100 Highland Drive, at the site of the former Cloud County Health Center.

In 2022, Concordia was awarded a Moderate Income Housing (MIH) grant from the State Department of Commerce, which also included the use of a Rural Housing Incentive District to pay for anticipated bonds to be issued to construct the public infrastructure to serve these new homes.  The Concordia City Commission formally established a Rural Housing Incentive District and adopted a plan for the development of housing and public facilities in the district earlier this year.  Twelve new moderate income homes and four high income homes are expected to be constructed as a result of implementation of this plan.

Election day is Tuesday, November 7th.

Advance Voting is available in the Cloud County Clerk's Office.  Advance Voting ends at noon on Monday, November 6th.