HAYS, Kan.  -  A longtime Kansas legislator who lost his re-election bid in November is getting right back into public service.  The Hays Daily News reports that eight-term House Democrat Eber Phelps has been appointed to fill an unexpired term on the Hays City Commission.
     Phelps was one of three applicants to replace Barbara Wasinger, who's resigning to take a seat on the Ellis County Commission. He was appointed Thursday night on a 3-0 vote.
     Phelps will serve until April of next year in his second stint on the city commission. He spent six years on the commission before resigning in 1996 following his first election to the Kansas House.
     Phelps was defeated by Republican Sue Boldra in last month's election from the northwest Kansas House district.