A Tribute to a Lifetime Leader - Eber Phelps

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

As we work together to shape a better future for Hays, I find it important to recognize the leaders whose compassion and service have paved the way for so many of us. Today, I want to honor a man who helped inspire my path into public service: former Hays City Commissioner, Mayor, and State Representative Eber Phelps.

Mr. Phelps has spent much of his life serving the people of Hays and western Kansas. A proud native of our city, he served multiple terms on the Hays City Commission and later represented our community in the Kansas House of Representatives for nearly two decades. His service was marked by thoughtful leadership, deep community ties, and a genuine desire to make life better for others.

But it’s not just his public record that left an impression on me—it’s the kind of person he is. When I was just five years old, I had been featured in the Hays Daily News for receiving a wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation due to my ongoing health challenges. At that time, Mayor Phelps took it upon himself to write a personal letter to my mother and me. In it, he expressed his admiration for my strength and referred to me as a brave kid. That simple, heartfelt letter meant the world to my family. It wasn’t something he had to do—it was something he chose to do. And that choice spoke volumes about his character.

That act of kindness stayed with me. Years later, when I was a sophomore in high school, I met Mr. Phelps in person. That meeting planted the seed of what would grow into a deep interest in politics and public service. I didn’t just see someone with a title—I saw someone who understood what it meant to care, to connect, and to lead with heart.

Mr. Phelps is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of leader. He has always carried himself with humility, honor, and an unwavering commitment to community. In every role he’s taken on, from mayor to state representative, he’s modeled the values that I now strive to embody in my own campaign: compassion, service, and integrity.

As we look toward the future of Hays, I believe we should all carry forward the example that Mr. Phelps set. His legacy reminds us that leadership isn’t about spotlight—it’s about service. It’s about doing the small things that matter, even when no one is watching.

Thank you, Mr. Phelps, for showing us all what true public service looks like.

With deep appreciation,

Samuel Allen
For Hays. For You.