OTTAWA — The new U.S. 59 could be named after Ottawa businessman and political activist Vern Chesbro. State Rep. Bill Feuerborn, D-Garnett, saID that he introduced a bill Tuesday that would name the new highway in Franklin County after Chesbro, who recently died. Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce president Tom Weigand said the bill has the support of state Sen. Pat Apple, R-Louisburg, and Rep. Tony Brown, D-Baldwin City. Chesbro was an executive of Contel and served as the head of the Kansas Republican Party and served on the board of the Kansas Public Employee Retirement System. Chesbro’s family is pleased by the effort, Weigand said. The new U.S. 59 in Franklin County is scheduled to be open later this spring.
