It is time for a hats-off letter. If you didn't make it to the Midwest Oktoberfest at the fairground, shame on you -- a great family event, a real plus to Hays.

Leo Dorzweiler and his volunteers do a wonderful job. Next, hats off to the city of Hays for making a deal with the vo-tech on the Army Reserve building. Great job, again, a real plus to Hays.

Next, hats off to the new county commissioners; we again have transparency in county government.

And finally, hats off to the businesses in the city of Hays and Ellis County.

You have all weathered the storm of the national recession in fine shape. Property values remain steady, and people can find a job if they want to work. All in all, it is a great state of the union for Hays and Ellis County.

Jason Dinges

1584 Smoky Hill River Road