All posts by Loretta George

Business, Fort Scott

State Farm Insurance Moves

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Kale Nelson and staff of the State Farm Insurance Agency. From left Chalia Swank, licensed representative; Nelson,  agent, and Rebecca Ballou, receptionist. Not pictured is Sharon Campbell who works part-time as a customer service representative.

State Farm Insurance Agent Kale Nelson has moved to a more easily accessed location.

“It’s one of the best locations in Fort Scott, being at the intersection of 69 Hwy. and South National Avenue,” Nelson said.

“There is a tremendous amount of traffic, he said.

The new address is 1805 S. National, in a building that is still in the process of being totally renovated.

Today, the parking lot of the property was being graveled for customers, and they are still in the process of settling in the building, Nelson said.

Demolition of the interior of the building started last summer and Nelson and his staff moved on February 19, he said.

“I’m thrilled with the way it turned out,” Nelson said. “There is a little more work to do.”

Besides purchasing his own business property, investing in the community was a goal Nelson had in the renovation.

“It was important to make an investment in a historical building,” Nelson said.

“We’ve had a lot of people share stories about the property (and its many transformations),” he said.

Nelson has been a State Farm Agent since 2005.

Working with people drives him, he said.

“I really enjoy helping people put their protection plans in place….life, some health, home, auto, business, bank… a large range of offerings. Help them overcome what deficiencies they have with the best value for their dollar,” he said.

Hours of operation for the business is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday and evenings by appointment.

“The Saturday morning hours are for people who can’t get in during the week,” Nelson said

Attorney Justin Meeks will also have an office on the property when his section of the building is completed.

 

 

The new State Farm Insurance office is located at 1805 S. National, this photo was taken a few weeks ago. The building is located at the intersection of 69 Hwy. and South National Avenue.
Opinion

King Solomon by Patty LaRoche

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Patty LaRoche

King Solomon, known for his wisdom, certainly made his fair share of mistakes. As ruler of a vast kingdom, he decided to change the original boundaries of the 12 tribes of Israel into 12 “tax districts,” each managed by an overseer, as a way of supporting his lavish lifestyle. Let the corruption begin. After Solomon’s death, only two tribes were left, Judah and Benjamin.

My personal Bible study this past few weeks has been in the book of Ecclesiastes. Written by Solomon, it looks at “life under the sun” (i.e., corruption, incompetent leaders, repeat criminals, materialism, and a desire to return to the “good old days”—sound familiar?). He addresses man’s search for happiness and the futility in that search as people desire explanations for what is going on around them. Where is Wisdom when you seek it?

Maybe you’ve been there. You feel like your world is imploding and you can’t figure out what you’ve done to deserve it. After all, you’re honest. Hard-working. Moral. Yet, life is handing you lemons, and you’re fresh out of sugar. Not even your new F-150 pick-up truck offers lasting happiness, and if that can’t do it…what can?

According to Solomon, nothing “under the sun.” He wrote that, apart from Heaven, some things have no explanations, and, more importantly, we Christians are to live by promises, not explanations. So, why do we continue to search for answers to our “Why’s”? Probably the same reason Adam and Eve did. Ignoring God’s advice not to bite into the fruit, they found His warning—“to gain knowledge of good and evil”– to be true all right, but instead of life being “more perfect” (impossible by definition), they were alienated from God. From delighted to devastated in one nibble. And we have been gnawing on the same fruit ever since.

We are fools if we think, like Adam and Eve, that an increase in knowledge will produce an increase in happiness. Think of the inventions that promised to improve our lives with little thought for the downside that accompanies them. Computers with pornography. Televisions with immorality and negativity. Automobiles with pollution. Pesticides and genetically-modified foods with cancer. Cell phones with bullying and sexting. Diet Coke with headaches.

Commercials promise that Princess Cruise ships will fill our pleasure needs, yet, after several thousand dollars spent, we remain as restless as ever. A good friend of mine owns a famous restaurant in New York. Recently, after finding that $350-per-person meals still lack a joy-gene, a “dream-weaver” was hired to add the special touches to the person’s dining experience. That happened after a couple was overheard discussing their world travels, and here they were in the Big Apple, flying out the next morning, and still had not eaten a famous New York dirty-dog. Immediately the owner was alerted, ran outside and returned with two hotdogs. The couple was ecstatic. I’m betting that even those “doggie treats” fail to provide long-term satisfaction. A smile, perhaps, but not perpetual happiness.

Chuck Colson, the founder of Prison Fellowship ministry, once said, “Life isn’t like a book. Life isn’t logical, or sensible, or orderly. Life is a mess most of the time. And theology must be lived in the midst of that mess.”

Solomon would agree…after the first ten chapters of Ecclesiastes, that is. Something changes. No longer does he conclude that life is not worth living, for now, as opposed to looking “under the sun,” he looks “above the sun” (i.e., where God lives). He concludes with four principles. Life is: an adventure (Live by faith, so expect the unexpected); a gift (which we are to enjoy); a school (where daily learning occurs); and stewardship (a blessing by giving). Once we accept that, Wisdom wins.

It all depends on where we fix our gaze.

Area News, Fort Scott

Beacon Will Provide Evening Hours

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From left: Gary Murrell, Director and David Gillen, Food Packaging Specialist at the Beacon, 525 E. Sixth.

The Beacon has a multi-decade history in Fort Scott as a helping agency to those with limited resources.

“The Beacon has just completed 33 years as a food pantry,” said Carol MacArthur, president of the Beacon Board of Directors. “We are working toward making Beacon’s services more available to clients, and this includes trying some methods not done previously.”

This includes the agency becoming more consumer-friendly by adding evening hours on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, starting March 12.

“On March 12, The Beacon will adapt its hours in order to become more “user-friendly” to Bourbon County residents,” MacArthur said.

“Since a number of individuals have expressed a need for evening hours, the Beacon staff will open for full service twice a month between 4:30 and 7 p.m.,” she said.

“We’ll be closed the Tuesday we are open in the evening,” said Garry Murrell, the director of the Beacon.

Murrell will be available to provide service and assistance as he does during day-time hours.

The Beacon provides a food pantry for the community.

“Basic needs for the family,” Murrell said. “Canned goods, rice, beans, potatoes, (the food) varies.”

“We have a limited amount of meat, which we give until we don’t have anymore,” he said.

Individuals, churches, businesses and others donate food throughout the year.

“We have a lot of food drives to help us,” Murrell said.

From left: David Gillen, Food Packaging Specialist and Sharon Farmer, Front Desk Receptionist at the Beacon.

The Beacon also provides financial assistance, if the person qualifies, for utility bills, and occasionally rent and prescription assistance.

“If we have the funds, we can help,” Murrell said. “If we don’t we can’t.”

The new evening hours will be offered on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month.

March 12th and 26th

April 9th and 23rd

May 14th and 28th.

To contact the Beacon, please call 223-6869.

Business, Fort Scott

New Fort Scott Business: Ad Astra Roasters

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Patrick and Kristi Whalen  have started a new coffee bean roasting business: Ad Astra Roasters.
Patrick Whalen and his wife, Kristi, and moved to Fort Scott in 2017. Patrick Whalen helped found and serves as the headmaster for St. Martin’s Academy, a new boy’s Catholic boarding school.
An interest in good tasting coffee turned into a  coffee roasting business for the couple, called Ad Astra Roasters.
“As far as I can tell we are the only roasters in Fort Scott,” Whalen said. “We just obtained our license from the state and are excited to be doing business with a couple local coffee shops, Common Ground in Fort Scott and Root in Pittsburg.”
“I had served on active duty as a Marine for about a decade and both my wife Kristi, and I had done a lot of traveling where we developed a taste for geographically specific coffees and an interest in coffee cultures from around the world,”  Whalen said.
“As a result of how hard it is to find excellent coffee, I have been roasting coffee for my own family for several years,”  Whalen said.
“When we moved to Fort Scott and decided to settle down, we thought we’d share our beans with friends and colleagues etc.,” he said. ” We received great feedback and in 2018 thought we’d try to sell a little bit on the side.”
“We worked with some close friends to build bigger roasters and with the support of the Boiler Room Brewhaus (another local business) and the Common Ground Coffee Shop, were soon selling directly to folks in the community.”
Currently, Ad Astra Roasters is based out of the Whalen home on Main Street in Fort Scott.
“We have turned a section of our basement into the roastery and have our food processing and wholesale license,” he said.
Their beans are from a variety of different bean importing companies around the country who have a reputation for ethical sourcing and business practices, he said.
“Many of our offerings are organic and fair trade certified, and frequently we can tell you the name of the specific farm or cooperative from which the beans come,” Whalen said.  “Most of the coffee we roast is what’s called a single origin, meaning that it is not a blend from all over the world, but represents the specific geography and climate of where it was farmed.”
The Whalens currently sell bags of coffee at Common Ground, The Boiler Room Brewhaus, and at Root Coffeehouse in Pittsburg or online through their website www.adastraroasters.com.
“Both Root and Common Ground serve our coffee by the cup, and we’re always happy to provide data on the coffee and brewing tips to make it the best possible cup of joe,” he said.
The Whalen’s can be contacted at 949-331-5506 or at [email protected].
Bourbon County, Schools

How To Learn a Foreign Language: Host An International Student

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Clara Ylander, from  Sweden,  left, stayed with Jim and Janice Fewins; Rachele Tarpinelli,right,  from Italy, stayed with Jay and Sara Jackman last year and attended Uniontown High School.

Learning  a foreign language,enjoying the  advancement of educational and cultural opportunities, supporing volunteerism,  enriching someone’s life while enriching your own, these are all the benefits of hosting an international student, according to Janice Rake, coordinator for Greenheart Exchange Program.

 

Greenheart Exchange Program students seeking host families for the next school year are  beginning to apply now, Rake said.

 

“The students are happy to live in any type of family scenario: family with or without children, empty nesters, retired couple, single person…..it does not matter,” said  Rake. “They are just excited to come to America and have the opportunity. Most want to come for the entire school year but some come for only one semester.”

 

Host families complete an application process which includes a home visit, references and background checks.

 

“My goal is always to find a good family/student match so it is a positive experience for all involved,” she said.

 

“The host family provides a bed and place to study, three meals a day and needed transportation as the students are not allowed to drive,” Rake said.

 

The students bring spending money for personal spending, shopping and entertainment. Greenheart Exchange secures the VISA, arranges the arrival and departures flights, provides health insurance and monitors throughout the year. The student agrees to follow the guidelines of the program. Greenheart requires each student to fulfill some volunteer or community service work and expects high academic and personal standards.

 

Rake checks in and monitors the students progress throughout the school year, she said.

 

Included  below are several of the students that have applied so far.

 

Olga, 16, from Poland, is  an “A” student,  who will come the first semester, enjoys reading, scouting, volunteering with a children’s group, drama, art, sports, nature,  and travel.  She has a fear of dogs until she gets to know them.  She loves philosophy.  Olga attends church sometimes.
Hannes, 16,  from Germany,  is an “A” student.  He loves camping and motocross. His favorite classes are math, physics and PE.  He likes sports but also enjoys baking. He works in a local grocery.  Hannes attends church sometimes.
Alexandra, 16,  from Germany, loves music, sings in choir, plays piano, likes archery, Taikwondo, biking and reading.  She has a “B” average.  She has a mild allergy to fur but  this does not restrict her.  She has a cat.  She is a bit shy but sweet, friendly and open-minded.  She attends church sometimes.
Oliver, 15, from the  Czech Republic,  is a “B” student. He plays piano and enjoys running, movies and music.  He attends church sometimes.
Rebecca, 16, from Switzerland, is a “B+” student. She volunteers with a children’s group, plays guitar, enjoys swimming, reading and cooking.  Her favorite subjects are Latin, French, geography and math.
Nicolas, 15, from  Spain,  is a”B+” student.  He enjoys writing, movies,video games, cooking,  He loves dogs but is allergic to cats.  He wants to study journalism and be a writer.  His religion is Catholic and would attend church sometimes.
If interested in hosting or want more information, please contact Janice Rake, Greenheart Coordinator, [email protected] or call 620-473-0646.  Information  can be found at the website greenheartexchange.org.
Janice Rake is a former teacher and retired postmaster who returned to education when she retired and moved to Redfield.
She was a substitute teacher at Uniontown where she hosted a high school exchange student, Carol, from Brazil.
“I fell in love with Carol and the Greenheart student exchange program,” Rake said.
Since then she has hosted and placed 18 students at various area high schools.
“Every one has been a joy,” she said.
They have come from Italy, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Poland, Albania, Vietnam, Thailand, and Hong Kong.
“The students have varied interests: sports, camping, scouts, art, photography, theater, writing, literature, robotics, music, cooking, travel, history, volunteerism, animal lovers,” she said. “They are mature, independent and enthusiastic about experiencing American school and culture and love sharing their culture. They offer diversity and expose our local students to a world outside their own.”
Rafaela Lima, from Brazil, stayed with Janice Rake last year and graduated from Lawrence High School.
Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda Feb. 19

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Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

Date: February 19th, 2019

1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________

3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

9:00-9:45-Jim Harris

10:00-11:00-Fence viewing between property owners Cox & Gander

11:00-12:00-Justin Meeks

12:00-1:30-Commissioners gone to lunch

1:30-2:15-Bill Martin-Contracts/Vehicle

2:15-3:30-Commissioner to leave and go to the Fort-Senator Moran

Justifications for Executive Session:

          Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel

          Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship

          Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency

          Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships

          Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property

          Matters relating to the security of a public body or agency, public building or facility or the information system of a public body or agency, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize the security of such public body, agency, building, facility or information system

Fort Scott, Government

Fort Scott Commission Meeting Minutes Feb. 2

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CITY OF FORT SCOTT

CITY COMMISSION MEETING

Minutes of February 5, 2019 Regular Meeting #2

The regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held February 5th, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Commission Room, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas.

ROLL CALL:

Commissioners Adamson, Bartelsmeyer, Mitchell and Nichols were present with Mayor Parker presiding.

INVOCATION: Michael Mix, Public Utilities Director, said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City, our Government and City officials.

AUDIENCE IN ATTENDANCE: Travis Shelton, Rhonda Dunn, Darrell Parker, Jerry Witt, Billy Keith, Bill Lemke, Michael Mix, Garth Hermann, Paul Ballou, Deb Needleman, Rachel Pruitt, Randy Ballweber, Venieta Ballweber, Alpha Money, Lindsay Madison, Chad Brown, and Clayton Miller

PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS: Recognition of Alpha Money and Randy Ballweber – Codes Certification – Rhonda Dunn, Finance/Codes Director, recognized her Codes Enforcement officers, Alpha Money and Randy Ballweber for successfully completing the Kansas Code Enforcement Officer courses offered by the Kansas Association of Code Enforcement.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND APPROPRIATIONS/CONSENT AGENDA:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of January 15th, 2019.

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1231-A totaling $589,319.33.

  1. Approval of 2019 Cereal Malt Beverage License – Package Sales – GW2 DBA Cash Saver, 911 E. 6th Street

Mitchell moved the Consent Agenda. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED CONSENT AGENDA.

APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:

  1. APPEARANCE: Jerry Witt, Riverfront Lighting – Jerry Witt, Chairperson of the Riverfront Committee, appeared before the Commission and informed them that three years ago the Riverfront Committee received a grant from Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks to construct a pavilion and an overlook. Both of these have been constructed and there are still some funds available. He contacted the State to see if lighting could be included under this grant and the State said it could be. He has visited with the Fort Scott National Historic Site and the Kansas State Historic Preservation Office (SHIPO) regarding the lighting. He also talked to K.D.O.T. who informed him that all materials have to be American made. It took him about two months, but he finally located a company with all American made lighting. He is working with Max Fanning who will be installing the lighting. They will have 14 lights at an estimated cost of $18,000. This lighting will be on the north side of the river. The City has stated they are willing to dig a ditch to lay the electrical. He asked for approval to install the lights at the north side of Riverfront Park.

Nichols moved to approve the lighting at Riverfront Park. Bartelsmeyer seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED LIGHTING ON THE NORTH SIDE OF RIVERFRONT PARK TO BE PAID WITH REMAINING KDWP GRANT FUNDS.

B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute

limit per citizen) – None

  1. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None

CONSIDERATION:

  1. Consideration of Resolution 4-2019 declaring it necessary to acquire Fire Fighting Equipment for use by the Fire Department of the City of Fort Scott, Kansas and to issue General Obligation Bonds of said City to pay the costs thereof; and providing for the giving of notice of intention to acquire said equipment and to issue said General Obligation Bonds – Garth Hermann, Gilmore & Bell, informed the Commission that this is the first step to secure funding for the two fire trucks the City needs to purchase. A public Notice of Intent will be published in the February 9th and February 16th newspaper notifying the public that the governing body has declared it necessary to acquire firefighting equipment at an estimated cost of $1,751,748.72. The costs of the equipment, interest on interim financing and associated financing costs will be paid from the proceeds of General Obligation Bonds of the City in an amount not to exceed $1,915,000 to be issued by the City. This notice shall be published for two consecutive weeks and if, within 60 days following the date of the last publication, a petition signed by not less than 5% of the qualified electors of the City is filed with the City Clerk, no such bonds shall be issued until the issuance shall have been approved by a majority of the qualified electors of the City voting on the question. If no petition is timely filed, the governing body of the City will proceed with the acquisition of the equipment and issuance of the bonds.

Paul Ballou, Fire Chief, updated the Commission on the age of the two fire trucks and the issues they have been causing. Parts are getting very hard to find due to their age.

Parker moved to approve Resolution 4-2019. Bartelsmeyer seconded. All voted aye.

Approved Resolution 4-2019 declaring it necessary to acquire Fire Fighting Equipment for use by the Fire Department of the City of Fort Scott, Kansas and to issue General Obligation Bonds of said City to pay the costs thereof; and providing for the giving of notice of intention to acquire said equipment and to issue said General Obligation Bonds.

  1. Consideration of appointments to Golf Course Advisory Board – Diane Clay, City Clerk, informed the Commission that the Golf Course Advisory Board met on January 17th, 2019 at the Golf Course Clubhouse. It was discovered due to the inactivity of meeting, that their terms had all expired. All the board members were willing to be reappointed. She asked for the reappointment of John Leek, Kenneth Holt, Mitch Quick, Steve Harry, and Jeffrey Sweetser for a two year term respectively expiring on December 31, 2021.

Nichols moved to approve the reappointment of the Golf Course Advisory Board members. Adams seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED RE-APPOINTMENTS TO THE GOLF COURSE ADVISORY BOARD FOR JOHN LEEK, KENNETH HOLT, MITCH QUICK, STEVE HARRY, AND JEFFREY SWEETSER EXPIRING DECEMBER 31, 2021.

  1. Approval of 2019 ADM Contract – Michael Mix, Public Utilities Director, informed the Commission that after some minor changes, A.D.M. has finally signed the contract for purchasing reused water from our Wastewater Treatment Plant and paying for the treatment of the wastewater they haul to our lagoons. Approval is recommended.

Adamson moved to approve the 2019 ADM contract. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED 2019 A.D.M. CONTRACT.

  1. Approval to purchase sewer push camera – Michael Mix, Public Utilities Director, informed the Commission that he has received a proposal for a sewer push camera. This camera will enable the City to inspect sewer lines that are small or hard to reach. The main camera is limited to 8” or larger and also required good access to the manhole with our large camera van. This push camera is extremely light weight and portable. It will greatly increase our efficiency with sewer visual inspections. This camera is from Key Equipment in Kansas City and costs $10,995.00. This is a budgeted item.

Mitchell moved to approve to purchase the sewer push camera in the amount of $10,995.00 from Key Equipment. Bartelsmeyer seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED TO PURCHASE THE SEWER PUSH CAMERA IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,995.00 FROM KEY EQUIPMENT OF KANSAS CITY.

  1. Approval to solicit bids for water leak correlator – Bill Lemke, Water Distribution Supervisor, informed the Commission he is requesting permission to solicit bids for the purchase of a leak correlator which is equipment that uses sensors to deter noise transmitted in the wall of the pipe and through water. Items such as meters, valves, and fire hydrants are used as access points to precisely pinpoint leaks between two points. He asked for permission to solicit bids for a leak correlator that will have the capabilities for both metallic and pvc pipe style piping. The estimated cost is $25,000. This is a budgeted item.

Mitchell moved to approve to solicit bids for the water leak correlator. Parker seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED TO SOLICIT BIDS FOR THE WATER LEAK CORRELATOR.

City Manager commended Bill Lemke and his crew for working the water leaks during all times of the night.

  1. Consideration of new life insurance benefit offering – Deb Needleman, Human Resource Director, informed the Commission that there is a new life insurance option to our benefit offerings. This life insurance product would be one the employee could take with them when they leave City employment without conversion to a higher premium rate. There is also the option for a paid up at 65 policy.

Discussion was held regarding giving other life insurance vendors an opportunity to submit this same type of benefit to the City.

City Manager suggested tabling this item until the February 19th, 2019 meeting.

Bartelsmeyer moved to table this item until the February 19th, 2019 meeting. Adamson seconded. All voted aye.

TABLED THIS ITEM UNTIL THE FEBRUARY 19TH, 2019 MEETING.

COMMISSION/STAFF:

  1. Director Updates:

Ambulance Update: Paul Ballou, Fire Chief, informed the Commission that EMS has been very busy. In January there were 202 requests for service. Of those requests, there were 153 transports and 49 dry runs, which means an ambulance was called but did not transport a patient. As of February 5th, there were 25 requests already for service with five (5) of those being transports. Transports have been to Via Christi in Pittsburg, Girard, Allen County, and Nevada Regional Hospital. There are currently three ambulances and also the ambulance housed at the Fire Department. He thanked Tom Coffman, City Mechanic, for working on a fuel pump on an ambulance recently. It was out of rotation less than 24 hours which is great.

B. City Commission:

Nichols – He thanked the ambulance crews for the great job they are doing.

Adamson – Nothing to report.

Mitchell – Nothing to report.

Bartelsmeyer – Nothing to report.

Parker – She stated that she received a nice letter from a lady who visited Fort Scott recently. She said she had a great time but did mention she was concerned with a couple of areas where there was a lot of trash and debris. She asked the City Manager about how to address the trash issue.

City Manager said that the City will need to get tougher with people and the trash violations.

C. City Attorney: Not present.

  1. City Manager:

Health Care Update: City Manager said that last week was a good week for health care. He said that on October 1st our world fell out from beneath us with the announcement of the closure of Mercy Hospital. A task force was formed with three goals: Secure primary care; Ambulance service; and Emergency Room. He asked the public to be patient as the new Community Health Care Walk-In clinics are transitioned.

Meet and Greet: City Manager said that he attended this morning’s Meet and Greet in downtown Fort Scott. Parking downtown seems to be a big frustration to business owners. This is a good problem with all the development going on in downtown, but a frustration to others. It is public parking and business owners don’t own the parking in front of their store fronts. He asked them to be patient as this is public parking.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

Parker moved to move into Executive Session for 10 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel to include City Commission, City Manager, and Human Resource Director. There is no action anticipated. Bartelsmeyer seconded. All voted aye.

WENT INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 7:00 P.M.

ADJOURNMENT:

Mitchell moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:10 p.m. Bartelsmeyer seconded. All voted aye.

ADJOURNED MEETING AT 7:10 P.M.

The next regularly scheduled meeting is to be held on February 19th, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.

RECORDED BY:

DIANE K. CLAY

CITY CLERK

Business, Fort Scott

Scott Teenor: The Fixer

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Scott Teenor, Briggs Automall Fort Scott’s new general manager.

Scott Teenor is the new general manager at Briggs Automall of Fort Scott, since February 1. Briggs is located at 1819 S. Main, on Hwy 69.

“I’m the guy who fixes things,” Teenor said.

Teenor has worked for Russ Briggs for 24 years he said.

“I’ve managed every one of his stores in Manhatten, Topeka and Lawrence,” Teenor said.

Briggs purchased Shepherd Auto about three years ago.

“Russ Briggs desire is to satisfy the customer,” Teenor said. “He is involved in so many different ways.”

Teenor has two simple rules, he said.

“Be on time and treat people the way you want to be treated.”

Teenor wants to refute a recent rumor he heard that is circulating.

“There seems to be a rumor we are closing,” he said. “We are not closing.”

“One thing that we have been doing is ‘right-sizing’ inventory and staff, for what the current market bears,” he said.

Currently, Briggs has 250 vehicles on the lot: Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Buick and Chevrolet.

“But we have access to inventory in all the other locations,” Teenor said. “So 2,000 additional new and used vehicles.”

Teenor can be reached at 620-223-0900 or his cell 785-344-3599.

He lives in Lawrence and commutes every day, he said.

 

 

 

Business, Fort Scott

Visage Organic Spa: Good For Your Face

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Nancy Johnson is a licensed esthetician offering services and products to pamper, at her business Visage Organics Skincare Spa.

Nancy Johnson moved to Fort Scott in September and saw an opportunity for a business, she said.

She graduated from the Euro Institute in 2007 and is a licensed esthetician.

Her business, Visage Organics Skincare Spa, offers facials, waxing, lash/brow tinting, and sugaring facials at her place of business, 117 E. National.

Visage is located inside 117 E. National.

She can be reached at 620-224-6455.

Call for an appointment Monday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Johnson sells Niko Organic, Organic Express, and Blinc products in her business.

She also offers ear candling, a service which pulls all the sediments out of ears, she said.

Johnson hosted the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee on Feb. 14.

Also offered at Healing Hands Therapeutic Massage and Salon are haircuts, shampoo/sets, perms, colors and highlights, waxing, nails and massage services.

Healing Hands Therapeutic Massage and Salon booth renters are from left: Stacy Racy- owner, Sherri Northcutt, Kimberly Skaggs, and Nancy Johnson. Not pictured is Brooke Bolin.

Stacy Racy is the massage therapist, Kimberly Skaggs, Brooke Bolin and Sherri Northcutt are cosmetologists. They can be reached at 620-223-3117.

Bourbon County, Business

New Salon Business In Uniontown

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Hannah Ballou purchased the salon on Uniontown’s square on December 28, 2018, and opened her new business, entitled HB Salon on Jan. 3 in that building.

“I went to Fort Scott Community College Cosmetology school, after graduation in May 2015, I started working at Mercy’s Diamonds in the Market Place,” Ballou said.  Mercy Hospital closed in Dec. 2018.

“I built a pretty good clientele and they have followed me to Uniontown,” she said.

Hannah Ballou opened her new beauty salon on Jan. 3 in Uniontown.

“I grew up in Uniontown and went to school there and most of my clientele are from Uniontown way,” she said. “I live in LaHarpe, so it’s kind of ‘meet in the middle’.”

HB Salon is currently open on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The phone number is 620-756-4770.

Haircut costs are as follows: women’s dry cut, $18; women’s wash, cut and style, $25; men’s cuts are $13.

“I offer a variety of hair color and perms, which vary in price depending on the products.”

Hannah has deep roots in Bourbon County. She is married to Levi Ballou, her parents are Tim and Kerri Travis and her grandparents are Arlo and Ernie Eden.

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Health Care

New EMS Vehicles Dedicated Feb. 12 At Timken

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This is the oldest member of the Emergency Medical Services transport vehicle. It is a 2001 model, which is housed at the Fort Scott Fire Department. A ceremony is planned to dedicate a new addition to the EMS fleet.
There will be a  Mercy Health Foundation dedication ceremony to add to the local Emergency Medical Services transportation fleet, 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12 at the Timken  Company, 4505 Campbell Drive.

 

Timken is located at 4505 Campbell Drive, in Fort Scott’s Industrial Park, just off Hwy. 69.
The community is invited to attend this special presentation and may contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at 620-223-3566 or [email protected] with questions
or for more information.
The Timken Foundation, Canton, Ohio, donated $25,000 which helped purchase an EMS vehicle.
The purpose of the Timken Foundation is to support entities such as hospitals, recreational, educational, cultural, social, and other charitable institutions, according to information provided by Rachel Pruitt, City of Fort Scott Economic Development Director.
An EMS transport vehicle costs approximately $100,000, according to Mercy Foundation President Jared Leek.
Additional funds were raised by fundraising events and private donations.
The new transport ambulance will be owned by Bourbon County and managed by the City of Fort Scott, according to a link provided by Dave Bruner, City of Fort Scott.
A transport ambulance looks more like a van than a traditional ambulance but has better longevity, fuel economy, easier service and maintenance than a traditional ambulance but comes with all of the same equipment, according to the link.
On April 1, the operation of the local EMS will transition from Mercy Hospital to Bourbon County EMS. Mercy Hospital closed in December 2018.

 

” We currently have four ambulances staffed 24-7  during the period that the emergency room is closed,” Bruner said.

Currently, there are eight full time and 16 part-time employees in the EMS, according to Bruner.

This includes paramedics, who have two years of schooling and have advanced life support certification. There are also Emergency Medical Technicians, who have six months of school, then must pass national certification, EMT Clint Lawrence said.
“We have to have a minimum of two people for each vehicle on duty,” Lawrence said. “Right now we have four vehicles because each of our patients has to go out of town to another hospital.”