Each month, Eagle Radio in Great Bend will recognize groups or individuals that make a big impact on our community. This week's Appreciation Month is highlighting the Great Bend City Council. All eight councilmembers and the mayor will be featured with stories throughout the month.
By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Cory Urban spent five years attending the University of Kansas and then
another five years living in the Kansas City area. With a young child at the
time, Urban and his wife decided to move to Great Bend where both of them grew
up. Coming back to rural Kansas as an adult was definitely a change of pace,
but the Urbans were looking forward to better job opportunities and the ability
to slow down.
“We missed all the places to go, places to eat and things to do,” said Urban. “But
in a big city like that, you almost feel like cattle. You get an ear tag with a
number…you’re not really a person. Back here, you’re more personable and get to
know people.”
Moving back to Great Bend also allowed Urban to get more involved. Along with
coaching his children’s sporting events, Urban knew he wanted to be part of the Great Bend City Council.
“I always had an interest in municipal government,” explained Urban. “I studied
a lot of history in government classes and public administration. My mom has
also worked for the city for 25 years so I knew what I was getting into to an
extent.”
Urban was elected to represent Ward 3 on the City Council and started his first
two-year term in January 2018. He was reelected to another term that began in
2020.
Urban says it took nearly his entire first term before he felt completely comfortable
approaching issues and recognized the uncompensated position is one where the
more you put into it, the more you will get out.
“The sheer amount of infrastructure we have for a town of our size is
surprising,” said Urban. “With wastewater, storm water and water delivery, you
realize how many moving pieces there are and how much money it costs to keep them
up.”
Urban is familiar with one critical part of this area's economy serving as an
independent contractor in the oilfield. When Urban moved back to Great Bend, he
started working for his dad checking on leases to make sure all the equipment
was functioning. Eventually employed with companies to do the same work, Urban
decided to be an independent oilfield contractor.
Balancing work, family and his responsibilities on the City Council can be a
challenge, but Urban still spends 5-10 hours a week preparing and doing the
proper research for a meeting.
“We usually get the agendas the Wednesday before the Monday meeting,” explained
Urban. “If I have questions or concerns, I will touch base with people before
Friday so I can stew on it over the weekend. If it is a big item, sometimes
there is more work needed.”
If there was one notion Urban wishes all citizens understood better when it
comes to government workings, it is the time that it takes for change to
happen.
“There are projects that I was interested in before I even got on the council
that are still in the infancy stages,” Urban said. “You want to constantly be
moving forward but sometimes there are hiccups and things don’t turn out the way
you initially planned.”
Urban mentions that he is still deciding if he will seek a third term on the City
Council, knowing he has to decide by June 1 if he wants to put his
name on the ballot.
“I enjoy it,” added Urban. “It takes up a lot of time and I have two kids that
are both very active. It is a busy time, but at the end of the day I am trying
to do what I can to serve the public and do my part. I think everyone needs to.”