Within Reason With Mike Matson- Danielle Dulin, MHK City Manager + Jason Smith, Manhattan Chamber exec

Uh, we're gonna talk about sales tax.

We're gonna talk about street improvements.

But before we do, there's, uh, some big news that has been created here, uh, yesterday and later today.

Uh, we expect that it will be announced that, uh, Richard Linton will be departing as president of Kansas State University and going back to his alma mater, Virginia Tech.

It was broke by The Manhattan Mercury last night.

Uh, Linton arguably one of the most visible players in our community.

You two are right there as well.

So let's get your reaction.

Danielle, what, when, when you heard the news, uh, what's on your mind?

Yeah.

You know, um, I, I recognize that K State's incredibly important, um, to Manhattan.

Uh, it's part of our identity, part of our economy.

Um, and certainly when we see a transition in leadership, uh, it's something that we're gonna pay attention to.

But I think as I'm reflecting on it this morning, the important thing to remember is that the relationship between Manhattan and the university is much bigger than just any one person.

And so my focus is going to be continuing to work on the partnerships.

We have a lot of shared interest, uh, attracting talent to building this economy, um, creating opportunities for the folks who live here, trying to make sure we got a pri- people don't wanna leave here.

Um, so, uh, just continuing to work on those opportunities and making sure we're positioning Manhattan for the future.

Jason Smith, the Chamber clearly works, uh, closely with Anderson Hall and with President Linton.

Uh, when you heard the news-

Yeah

... what went through your mind?

Well, so again, we haven't heard this official yet.

I, I obviously, uh, trust Ned's sources and, and assume the article to be correct.

Um, you know, it's, it's a difficult time right now, and I'll, I'll, I'll give President Linton a ton of credit.

He had a couple of things he wanted to get done when he got here.

Uh, we're gonna talk about sales tax.

We're gonna talk about street improvements.

But before we do, there's, uh, some big news that has been created here, uh, yesterday and later today.

Uh, we expect that it will be announced that, uh, Richard Linton will be departing as president of Kansas State University and going back to his alma mater, Virginia Tech.

It was broke by The Manhattan Mercury last night.

Uh, Linton arguably one of the most visible players in our community.

You two are right there as well.

So let's get your reaction.

Danielle, what, when, when you heard the news, uh, what's on your mind?

Yeah.

You know, um, I, I recognize that K State's incredibly important, um, to Manhattan.

Uh, it's part of our identity, part of our economy.

Um, and certainly when we see a transition in leadership, uh, it's something that we're gonna pay attention to.

But I think as I'm reflecting on it this morning, the important thing to remember is that the relationship between Manhattan and the university is much bigger than just any one person.

And so my focus is going to be continuing to work on the partnerships.

We have a lot of shared interest, uh, attracting talent to building this economy, um, creating opportunities for the folks who live here, trying to make sure we got a pri- people don't wanna leave here.

Um, so, uh, just continuing to work on those opportunities and making sure we're positioning Manhattan for the future.

Jason Smith, the Chamber clearly works, uh, closely with Anderson Hall and with President Linton.

Uh, when you heard the news-

Yeah

... what went through your mind?

Well, so again, we haven't heard this official yet.

I, I obviously, uh, trust Ned's sources and, and assume the article to be correct.

Um, you know, it's, it's a difficult time right now, and I'll, I'll, I'll give President Linton a ton of credit.

He had a couple of things he wanted to get done when he got here.