Aaron Estabrook was raised in Dodge City and holds a degree in Political Science from Kansas State University and a certificate in Conflict Resolution from Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University. He served in the U.S. Army 2nd Infantry Division from 2008-2012 with a year-long combat deployment to southern Afghanistan.
Estabrook brings professional experience working with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide Supportive Services to Veterans Families across Kansas and managing other statewide non-profits. He served as Executive Director of the Save Kansas Coalition, Inc. where he promoted civic engagement on state legislative policy focused on balanced taxes, transportation, healthcare, and public education. In 2013, he was elected to a four-year term on the Manhattan-Ogden Board of Education.
From 2018-2021, Estabrook worked as the Business and Community Liaison for Flint Hills Job Corps, where he represented Job Corps on statewide councils and workforce development boards; advocated on behalf of the program to local officials and congressional staff. He cultivated networks with employers across Kansas through work-based learning opportunities for Job Corps graduates and strengthened relationships with the Kansas Department of Education.
Currently, Aaron Estabrook is the Executive Director of the Manhattan Housing Authority, a local public not-for-profit entity. He provides oversight of all operations of the Housing Authority and administers federal, state and local housing and related programs.
Aaron and his wife Dantia MacDonald live in downtown Manhattan with their two daughters. Sophia and Kennedy are studious and kind elementary students in USD 383 Public Schools. Dantia is a grant-writer, film director, and author currently serving as Co-Executive Director at Morningstar CRO in Manhattan.
Why should I vote for you?
Too many folks in politics today spend all their time complaining about problems and looking for who to blame. That’s not how I operate. I’m here to find solutions to these problems and get results, and compromise is at the root of that. From being a Kansas farm kid, US Army Sergeant and now your Manhattan City Commissioner I know the value of hard work and what it takes to get things done. My service has taught me to respect passion, rely on logical reasoning to solve problems, and ensure space for dissent and differing views.
Two years ago, you elected me, and I have kept my word. Despite the chaos and complexity of the global pandemic with your help I found ways to get stuff done for you. Together we have accomplished more than many imagined. We were successful in dedicating 10% (about $6.5M) of the Economic Development sales tax, that citizens passed in 2020, toward future Workforce Housing Initiatives in Manhattan. I worked with the MLK Committee to make it possible to officially rename 17th street and recognize the historic connection Martin Luther King Jr has with K-State and Manhattan. We demanded goals be set and rolled out the first ever Strategic Plan for the City. I am seeking reelection because I know there is more work to do, and I have a unique capacity to continue the progress we have made, and I ask for your support once again.
What is your biggest budget priority and why?
With the first ever strategic plan completed this month, we can lean on that living document to craft the budget – ensuring that it is in alignment with the priorities of the community – not just the whims of one commissioner or city manager. We have a guiding document to build the budget around and make those priorities fit within the existing revenue streams we have developed. The era of band-aid budgeting should be in the rear-view mirror.
How would you draw more economic development and investment to Manhattan?
The City Commission can offer Eco Devo packages that help foster Job Growth, but it can also rein in fees, taxes, and other costs that keep the employer from hiring someone else because they are worried their overhead costs are too much.
Right now – I think we are in a weird bubble of a very lackadaisical labor market mixed with rapid inflation and pandemic related issues. The resilience of the market is being tested like it really hasn’t before and people are able to choose to work nearly anywhere they want.
The City Commission can be touting the things people look for in their communities when choosing where to work or where to relocate their business. Solar Roof Pioneers, Civic Software Companies, walkable areas, amazing parks, top-notch schools, we have the best of the past and the vision for the future right here and need to be champions of that.
What does Manhattan do well? How should that be maintained/expanded?
Manhattan is full of people that are great at solving problems. From the worlds most advanced military to the kindergarten classroom, Manhattan is a hub of opportunity, growth, and critical thinking.
Developing critical thinking, problem solving, and innovation is at the core of how we foster growth, but it is also what is attractive to outsiders looking at places to set up business.
What future improvements/additions/changes should be prioritized?
Housing is a top priority for me. We are attacking this problem from so many directions that I cannot be more excited to be a part of this moment in time. My interest in Housing goes back to working with Homeless Veterans and the lessons I learned in that 3-year span are helping me shape what pieces to the solution are missing locally and how we need to shore those up now to prevent more issues later.
As a City Commissioner – I look at the Housing Challenge more from a Workforce Housing standpoint and that our current housing stock in Manhattan is mismatched or not aligned with the likely workforce of today and in the future. The housing in large swaths of Manhattan was once suitable but then slowly it has sort of ‘Frankensteined’ to meet the needs of record enrollment at K-State. Those days of record enrollment have passed (for now) and we are moving in the right direction by dedicating 10% of the renewed 2023 Sales Tax that was passed last year to Workforce Housing initiatives. We can use those levers of government power to incentivize and stimulate the transformation of our housing stock so that it is more aligned for prospective employers and young professionals looking to reside here for generations ahead.
In what ways, if any, does Manhattan need to adapt for the mass influx of families for NBAF and Afghan resettlement?
We all can practice grace, offer support, and continue to be patient. Manhattan has the capacity to handle an influx of families for NBAF or Afghan Resettlement.
What ways, if any, should the concepts of diversity, equity, and inclusion be included in professional development or other training for City employees?
The concepts of diversity, equity, and inclusion have taken shape with the DEI Taskforce designed to address these topics through the lens of professionals and city employees. I welcome the input and believe it will inform benchmarking for the City’s Organizational Excellence Initiative.
Less than 30% of the City Staff is female. It is helpful to understand who the historically underrepresented people in the organization are so that we can measure honestly the steps being taken to provide equal opportunity.
What is your top, specific issue in running for this office and why?
The outcomes and goals of the first ever strategic plan by the community (Crossroads MHK) will weigh and inform my decision making for the community as whole.
However, on a personal level; Housing, Food, and Veterans are the issues that motivate me to serve Manhattan.
Housing Solutions: I will continue leading Workforce Housing Initiatives and building teams to tackle our housing crisis, so we align goals with the needs of our community.
Food Systems Planning: We must find ways to incentivize healthier food access. I will continue working with stakeholders to build a system-wide food plan for the community.
Veterans Initiatives: Everything from suicide prevention, homelessness, post 9/11 Memorials, veteran owned business growth, to establishing a Veterans Treatment Court I am dedicated to working for Veterans.
Editor’s Note: All candidates were provided identical questions. All candidates were given identical time limits for response submissions. Responses were limited to 300 words per question. Candidate responses are published as written, up to 300 words. Only candidates choosing to respond will be profiled.