By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
The changing of the guard is complete. The Barton County Commission met away from its usual time Monday morning to swear in new Commissioners Duane Reif, Tricia Schlessiger and Donna Zimmerman. Commission Chair Shawn Hutchinson said goodbye to Commissioners Jennifer Schartz, Kirby Krier, and Jon Prescott.
"You have spent hours in meetings and on phone calls, and spent sleepless nights worried about our future," he said. "You've dedicated yourself, your family, and most importantly, your time to your district and to this county. You are appreciated and honored today for all that you have done. You have done your part in making Barton boom again."
Chief District Judge Steve Johnson swore in all three new commissioners, along with County Clerk Bev Schmeidler. "Congratulations to all those we swore in here today," he said. "You're starting off on an exciting adventure of fulfilling your duties to which you were elected."
Each of the outgoing commissioners spoke about their time on the commission. Prescott, who was appointed to the role in 2020, said it has been an honor and learning experience serving as commissioner.
"It's amazing how many moving parts and pieces there are that take place in this county," he said. "As a resident, I had no appreciation. If you don't have the knowledge, you can't appreciate. Being in this chair has given me knowledge, which thus gives me appreciation for what everyone does in this county."
Krier steps down from a third stint as commissioner after serving from 1999-2005, 2008-2011, and being appointed again in 2020. He served a different district in each term on the body. Krier said he was proud to be part of a commission that left the county with more than $11.5 million in reserves, a figure that more than doubled in his latest tenure.
Schartz spent 18 consecutive years representing the fifth district. She provided a laundry list of projects of which she was proud to be a part of.
"I've always seen myself as a public servant and not a politician," she said. "Whenever I would get thrown into that politician group, it always made my hackles come up because I don't see myself as that. I really just want to help my community be better."