McPherson – Week of May 27 2025
Summer Reading Kickoff; Clean Audit; Fire Department Saunas; Mental Health Program; Mayor's Memorial Day Tribute
Library's Summer Reading Kickoff Draws Over 1,000 Residents
City Receives Clean Audit with No Findings
Fire Department Invests $14k in Cancer Prevention Saunas
Police Department Launches Mental Health Support Program for Veterans and First Responders
Mayor Brown Shares Personal Vietnam War Story in Memorial Day Tribute
Library's Summer Reading Kickoff Draws Over 1,000 Residents
The McPherson Public Library's summer reading kickoff party proved to be a massive success, drawing more than 1,000 people to the library on Thursday. Head Librarian Mckenzie Murphy reported to the commission that the event resulted in 22 new library cards, 106 summer reading program signups, and an impressive 635 books checked out in a single day. "We had six vendors, a couple of them sold out of food. We had eight organizations. A couple of them left early because they ran out of things to give away," Murphy told commissioners. The overwhelming turnout required street closures and support from the police department, fire department, and EMS.
City of McPherson
City Receives Clean Audit with No Findings
The City of McPherson received excellent news from its annual financial audit, with auditor Christina Henson from the Lloyd Group reporting a clean opinion with no findings or recommendations. "We think that the city governance and management is doing a fantastic job and we didn't find any issues to report," Henson told commissioners. The audit showed the city's general fund performed particularly well, with strong cash positions across most funds and no budget violations. The only federal program audited this year was ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funding, which also received a clean opinion. Mayor Brown highlighted the complexity of combining the city's audit with the Board of Public Utilities audit, praising the auditors for successfully merging two different accounting systems.
City of McPherson
Fire Department Invests $14k in Cancer Prevention Saunas
The McPherson Fire Department received approval to purchase two medical-grade saunas for $14,198 as part of a comprehensive firefighter health and wellness initiative. Fire Chief Chad Mayberry explained that firefighters face higher cancer rates than the general public, with toxin absorption through skin being the primary route of exposure. The saunas will be installed at both fire stations to help firefighters detoxify after fire calls. "Firefighters have a higher rate of cancer and different types of cancers than the general public," Mayberry noted, adding that the saunas also provide cardiovascular benefits, muscle recovery, and mental health support through endorphin release. The chief mentioned that other city departments, including the police, may be allowed to use the facilities when not in use by firefighters. One sauna will be installed at each of the city's two fire stations.
City of McPherson
Police Department Launches Mental Health Support Program for Veterans and First Responders
The McPherson Police Department has initiated a new mental health support program called the "Heroes and Warriors Shoot" for veterans and first responders dealing with PTSD and other trauma-related issues. Police Chief Mikel Golden reported that the first event on Saturday morning drew 15 participants who spent four hours at the police shooting range. The program, run in partnership with Sheep Dog Impact Assistance, aims to help participants work through trauma while engaging in outdoor activities. "We're going to continue this through the summer, one day a month," Golden said, emphasizing the program's role in "building relationships, doing fidelity, and taking care of our veterans and first responders, dealing with some issues that they can't talk to others about." The initiative reflects the city's broader commitment to supporting the mental health of those who serve the community.
Greg Loving
City of McPherson
Mayor Brown Shares Personal Vietnam War Story in Memorial Day Tribute
In an emotional Memorial Day address, Mayor Thomas A. Brown shared a harrowing personal account from his service in Vietnam, revealing how he was the lone survivor of a North Vietnamese Army attack. The mayor, wearing his Marine Corps tie, described how his radio operator was shot beside him, and how he chose to carry the radio rather than a rifle to coordinate naval gunfire and air support. "I still was not knowing who was going to make it, not expecting to be the only one," Brown said, detailing his escape while wounded in both arms. The mayor also revealed why he wears red every Friday - a tradition to honor deployed troops. "You may have wondered why on Friday I always have red. It's not because McPherson is red, but red is tradition to wear red on Friday for deployed troops. So every week of the year I wear red on Friday," Brown explained. He noted that this would be his "last Memorial Day as mayor”.
City of McPherson
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Sources
- https://www.facebook.com/CityOfMcPhersonLocalGovernment/videos/2088017708340904
- https://www.facebook.com/CityOfMcPhersonLocalGovernment/videos/2088017708340904
- https://www.facebook.com/CityOfMcPhersonLocalGovernment/videos/2088017708340904
- https://www.facebook.com/CityOfMcPhersonLocalGovernment/videos/2088017708340904
- https://www.facebook.com/CityOfMcPhersonLocalGovernment/videos/2088017708340904
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