I am a Republican legislator currently representing the 75th District (Butler County), and I wish to offer my recommendation for the re-election of your Rep. Eber Phelps. He is a Democrat and the Kansas House member currently representing the 111th District from Hays.

It has been my pleasure to have numerous opportunities in the past eight years to work closely with Rep. Phelps in the Kansas House. Eber and I sat on the opposite side of the "aisle" from a political perspective, him as a Democrat and I as a conservative Republican. We ignored party lines and worked together.

We both are employed in the HVAC industry, and we used our extensive collective knowledge of the heating, cooling, electrical and plumbing industry to develop logical, practical and useful legislation that has had a positive impact on the construction industry within Kansas.

Eber and I formed a "stakeholder" group that brings industry representatives, civic leaders, tradesmen, business owners and state officials together to write compromise legislation that has enhanced safety and productivity within our chosen civilian occupation. The group meets regularly several times throughout the year to make sure we are aware of the statewide issues facing our industry.

Together we produced legislation that directly influenced state reciprocity of tradesmen and business owner's license which allows local code authority and those inspectors having jurisdiction to easily verify competency and provide for public safety. Over the past eight years, Eber and I worked together to get landmark legislation through the House chamber and worked as a team to shepherd the same legislation through the Senate and signed into law.

Rep. Phelps is an honorable man who works for the people he represents and yet will take time to look at the "Big Picture" and do what is best for the state of Kansas. He is a valuable member of the Democrat caucus, currently serving as the caucus whip; he is valuable to the Legislature because he is willing to work for the greater good. He studies the proposed legislation, asks probing questions and uses a sharp intellect to coach other House members so they fully understand the issues.

After having served on numerous committees with Rep. Phelps, I have come to know him and appreciate what he stands for. He is a dedicated legislator, a great Kansan and I consider him my friend.

I recommend and endorse Eber because he has proven he can do the job, work with others to reach a consensus, he is fair-minded and is an asset to the legislative process. He deserves your vote.

Rep. John C. Grange,

R-El Dorado