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FS City Commission New Member Selection is at 6 p.m. Today, June 20

The email below is what all candidates received this morning as a reminder and what to expect tonight.  Candidate Stephen Doherty withdrew, his email is included:

 

Dear Mr. Dancer, Mr. Allen, Mrs. Allen, Mr. Olson, Ms. Rawlins and Mrs. Guns,

 

Just a friendly reminder that the City Commission will vote on and select a new Commissioner for the vacant spot for which you applied.  The meeting begins promptly at 6:00PM at City Hall in the Commissioners’ Room. It will be LIVE and recorded on YouTube.

 

As in the past, each candidate will be called to the podium to introduce themselves and the Commissioners will most likely ask questions of you. Please feel free to ask them questions as well.

 

The Appointment of the Office is the priority on the Agenda and the first order of business. No other business will be conducted until the new Commissioner is selected. Once selected, you will be sworn in with an Oath of Office (by the City Clerk), then take your place at the table as a newly appointed City Commissioner and continue with the rest of the Agenda.

 

As you may or may not know, this could be a lengthy meeting. Please be prepared to stay for the entire meeting as you will be voting on Agenda items tonight.

 

It is an exciting evening, and I wish you all the best of luck and look forward to working with our next City Commissioner! All other pertinent information will be given after the meeting.

 

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I will also be available prior to the meeting for any last-minute concerns.

 

Sincerely,

 

Lisa Lewis

City Clerk

620.2230.0550 Ext. 202

[email protected]

 

Farmers Market Vendor Spotlight: Mack and Michele Houser

Mack and Michele Houser have been growing and selling vegetables at the Fort Scott Farmers’ Market for several years now! They find great self accomplishment in producing fresh, homegrown vegetables for spring, summer, and fall. You can find them at the Farmers’ Market on Saturday mornings and Tuesday afternoons. They are also available to make deliveries in and around Fort Scott. For more info, stop and visit their booth, or give them a call!

Bo Co Commission Minutes of June 12

June 12, 2023                                                                                                         Monday, 5:30 p.m.

 

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners and the County Clerk present at the Mapleton Community Center.

 

Ron Burton, Jason Silvers, Clint Walker, Susan Bancroft, and Shane Walker were present for some or all of the meeting.

 

Jim Harris opened the meeting with the flag salute followed by a prayer led by Nelson Blythe.

 

Clifton made a motion to approve the consent agenda which includes the approval of minutes from 6/5/2023. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved.

 

Dustin Hall, Assistant Public Works Director, gave an update stating the asphalt plan is going well and they are now headed back to 245th Street on Valley Road. The culvert crew has replaced the culverts on their hard surface roads list and will continue replacing culverts on gravel roads as well as new installations. The mowers are currently mowing hard surface roads. A resident in attendance asked if they were going to mow two passes and Dustin said the county plans on making two passes on all roads this fall. Dustin said the new truck that was ordered for the Landfill was delivered today from Canton, Ohio. Clifton said he has received calls from residents who can’t buy chemicals from the county barn to spray their noxious weeds. Clifton said he is assuming we have money somewhere in the general fund and we need to transfer money so we can buy chemicals. Clifton made a motion to transfer $30,000 into the Noxious Weed fund. Justin recommended going into executive session. Clifton made a motion to go into a 5-minute executive session KSA 75-4319(b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy to include the three Commissioners, Dustin Hall, Susan Bancroft, and Justin Meeks. The executive session will be held in another room within the community center and they will return at 5:41. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved. Clifton made a motion to resume normal session at 5:41 with possible action. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved. Jim said there is a cash flow problem with getting the chemical sold and waiting on customers to pay their bill. Jim seconded Clifton’s original motion to move $30,00 into the Noxious Weed fund. Nelson questioned if we have the funds to transfer, and Susan said the transfer can be made from the General fund. Clifton said we would be doing a disservice to the county by not doing this. Dustin said by statute the county loses a certain percentage off the top when we sell the chemical to residents. Dustin said we need to put limits back on the amount of chemical a person can purchase. Clifton said he thought there were limits. Jim talked about letting the motion die to allow Dustin to talk with Susan and bring back a new plan. Jim withdrew his second of the motion to move $30,000 to the Noxious Weed fund and said it sounds like we need to have limits. Nelson suggested if people paid for the chemical before they left with it that might help. Nelson asked if we were out of chemical now and Dustin replied yes, we are waiting on money to come in and they haven’t received budget reports so they don’t know exactly what they have now. Susan suggested reaching out to other communities to see how they handle their Noxious Weed program. Jim asked if Noxious Weed could take money from Road and Bridge, and Susan said she would have to do some research to determine if that was possible.

 

Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk, brought Gary Hall’s fence viewing application back before the Commissioners since the prior fence viewing time had to be re-scheduled. Clifton placed a call to Gary to set up a new time, but there was no answer.

 

Clint Walker gave a newspaper to Chairman Harris to read about a high risk grant another community received. Clint said the 14th is Flag Day and the Avenue of Flags will be along National Avenue to East National Avenue and will continue to the National Cemetery and suggested anybody who is free to volunteer to help set up flags.

 

Ron Burton, Mayor of Mapleton, said they just purchased a tractor and asked the process of purchasing chemical for Noxious Weeds. Mr. Burton discussed Union Street and said they are looking into grants to try to pave the small section of street. Mr. Burton said the road starts in Redfield and comes to Mapleton and asked why the county doesn’t maintain that portion of road. Jim said it is in city limits and said it is same as Jayhawk Road turning into Margrave and the City of Fort Scott being responsible for Margrave. Jim suggested Ron check with the Register of Deeds office to check the boundary to ensure the road is in the Mapleton city limits. Ron discussed the limited funds of Mapleton saying he is unsure as to how they could pave the road, and that he has contacted the state to find out why their funding has gone down. Susan said the last two years they have had a hard time receiving a budget from Mapleton so they may not get levied funds. Susan suggested she and the County Clerk could come to a meeting and help explain the RNR and budget process. Susan suggested checking with KDOT to see if they may have grants to help the city pave the road. Mr. Burton asked the county for Mapleton’s five load allotment of gravel and Dustin said they would try to get it hauled Thursday or Friday.

 

Several local residents attended the meeting to discuss the condition of Yale Road. Around 95th Street culverts were installed on one side of Yale Road and now the other side is plugged. Dustin said he would look at the culverts to see if they needed cleaned out or replaced. A resident asked since the county voted to mill the road if they would sign something saying it will be put back next year. Jim said he could not do that because Eagle Road has been waiting five years to be paved. Nelson said they made a guarantee to pave one mile of Yale Road next year. It was discussed why the road had to be tore up before it was asphalted, and it was explained that there is no base currently under the road so even if the county paved the road, it would never hold together properly. A resident of Hidden Valley Lakes said the road tears his car up and that a lot of expensive trucks and boats travel the road. Jim said he drove the road before coming to the meeting and agrees it is bad. Dustin said they want to fix the road, but want to do it properly. Stacey Kline discussed the condition of the road west of the lake and said it is not maintained well at all and that she goes out of her way to avoid driving it. Stacey also said the roads need mowed because you can’t see to turn onto the road and people don’t follow speed limits. Dustin said the road grader will be out there Wednesday to grade the road and that a mower is already in the area mowing roads.

 

Steve Hall presented pictures of a noxious weed issue on the property next to his. Steve said they have had this problem for a lot of years. The last few years the county has been mowing ditches and that helps, but stated the landowner needs to spray his property so the noxious weed doesn’t get onto Steve’s property.

 

Justin Meeks, County Counselor, said there will be a tax sale on June 29th at 10:00 a.m. at the Bourbon County Courthouse to sell Hidden Valley Lake lots.  Justin asked for an executive session. Clifton made a motion to amend the agenda to allow an executive session. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved. Clifton made a motion to go into a 5-minute executive session under KSA 75-4319(b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship to include the 3 Commissioners and Justin Meeks. The executive session will be held in another room in the community center and they will return at 6:44. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved. Clifton made a motion to resume normal session at 6:44 with no action. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved.

 

Clifton reassured the residents in attendance that the county has a plan to fix Yale Road. Jim said the county must fix the road, and Clifton agreed that we are on notice we have to fix it. A resident asked if the road could be chip and sealed. Clifton asked if we should throw good money at a bad road?  Clifton discussed the noxious weed chemical situation and stated there need to be limits set in place again because some are abusing the program. Clifton said the county sells chemicals to be used for noxious weeds not for crops.

 

Jim made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:49. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved.

Approved 6-19-2023                                                                              THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

___________________, Chairman

___________________, Commissioner

ATTEST:                                                                                                    ___________________, Commissioner

                                                         

Jennifer Hawkins, Bourbon County Clerk

_______________, Approved Date

 

 

Obituary of Jessie Dikeman Streeter

Jessie Margie (Dikeman) Streeter, age 89, a longtime resident of Fort Scott, passed away June 13, 2023.

 

She was born November 26, 1933, near Pawnee Station, Kansas to William and Bessie (Long) Dikeman. The youngest of six children, Jessie attended rural grade schools in Bourbon County and graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1950. She loved school and was especially fond of reading and math.

 

On December 31, 1950, Jessie married James (Jim) Streeter in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. He preceded her in death in 2020. They were best friends who loved being together whether they were roller skating, bowling, playing cards or games, water skiing, golfing, camping, walking, dancing, playing tennis, putting puzzles together, or spending time with their family. As travel companions, they toured every US state, most of it pulling a travel trailer behind their pickup truck. Their travels also took them to Canada, Mexico, Austria, and Germany. After retiring, they migrated each winter to the warmer climates of Florida, Texas, and Arizona. They never let their traveling interfere with being at the big and little events of their children and grandchildren, whether near or far. It was not uncommon to see them at sporting, musical, and educational activities, as well as birthday celebrations, weddings, or baby showers. Watching and attending Kansas City Royals games also provided much enjoyment for them.

 

Jessie’s work life began early. During her senior year of high school, she worked part time at Standard Advertising. Shortly after being married, her husband joined the service and was stationed overseas. During this time, she worked at Key Work Clothes during the day and at the Liberty Theater in the evening. Once her husband returned and as they started a family, she worked part time at the Federal Land Bank and then at Cullor Limestone. She also worked part time in the office at the First Baptist Church where they were active members for many years. Some may remember her as a long-time secretary at Winfield Scott Elementary School. Her last full-time job was in the Bourbon County Appraisers Office. After retiring, she worked seasonally at Mertz Tax Service.

 

Jessie especially enjoyed entertaining in her home. She planned and hosted both small and large get togethers for family, friends, co-workers, 4-H, and church groups. Family events almost always included hand-churned homemade ice cream made with her personal recipe. She loved to decorate and took pride in self-designing the rural home they built in 1967. Her passion for decorating continued when they moved to a duplex in Fort Scott in 2011. She also had a knack for growing and displaying beautiful flowers and healthy plants.

 

Survivors include two children, David Streeter (Debbie), Carl Junction, Missouri, and Susan Kern (Steve), Loa, Utah; six grandchildren, Chris Linder, Cottonwood Heights, Utah, Angela Suarez, Pittsburg, Kansas, Nick Streeter, Carl Junction, Missouri, Kelsie McCrea, Peculiar, Missouri, Wes Streeter, Pittsburg, Kansas, and Jason Linder, Clearfield, Utah; and 14 great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband and parents, she is preceded in death by her siblings Alta Carper, Raymond Dikeman, Ruth Dikeman, Frank Dikeman, JoAnn Gilbert, and two great-grandchildren.

 

Rev. Kevin Moyers will conduct funeral services at 11:30 A.M. Tuesday, June 27th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery in Ft. Scott, Kansas.  The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 10:30 A.M. until service time at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Memorials are suggested to the Wounded Warrior Project and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

 

Friday Night Concert at Presbyterian Church

The Tucker Music Studio recital was held at the First Presbyterian Church in 2012. Pictured is piano student Taylor Cation, left, with teacher Carolyn Tucker, right. Submitted photo.

Carolyn Tucker Presents “Music of a Lifetime” Concert

 

This week the Friday Night Free Concert in Fort Scott will be indoors.

Carolyn Tucker will present her “Music of a Lifetime” concert on Friday, June 23, 7:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 308 S. Crawford Street.

 

The evening will feature some of the gospel music that has impacted Carolyn’s life. The selections will be both piano and vocal, including three piano solos. The music will feature camp-meeting songs such as, “This World is Not My Home,“ beloved hymns, spirituals, southern-gospel classics by songwriter Dottie Rambo, and one original song, “His Sweet Love.”

 

“Carolyn ‘cut her teeth’ on the music of the church and southern gospel,” concert-series organizer Ralph Carlson said. “Coming from a long line of musicians on her mother’s side, as a young child, she consistently begged her parents for a piano and they soon complied. She began studying piano at the age of nine and quickly discovered that she could also play by ear. Years later, her father affirmed that buying a new piano for his daughter was the best investment he ever made. She has a lifetime of involvement playing and singing for church, funerals, weddings, concerts, retirement facilities, and other venues.”

 

Dave Oas and Jim Butler provide the sound. The public is invited and encouraged to attend the event complete with comfortable seating and air-conditioning. The one-hour free concert is sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.

 

 

 

 

Kolby Martinez Lands a 50 Pound Catfish from Lake Fort Scott

Kolby Martinez, 21, is born and raised in Fort Scott, according to his cousin Alexis Wilson, Fort Scott.

“He enjoys fishing at Fort Scott Lake, and Gunn Park pond,” she said. “On June 16, 2023 he caught his new personal record of a 50-pound catfish at Fort Scott Lake, using bluegill for bait.”

“He loves fishing and does it as a hobby,” said Wilson.

Kolby is open to helping newcomers learn how to fish, she said.

 

Vendors Have Two Options at 2023 Bourbon County Fair

The Bourbon County Fair has two options for vendors the year.
The first is in the Merchants Building on Tuesday, July 18, Wednesday, July 19, and Thursday, July 20.  All three night are from 5 pm to 8 pm and the cost is $25.
  The second option is new this year and it is the Makers’ Outdoor Market.  The outdoor market will be in setup between the main fairgrounds and the rodeo arena on Thursday, July 20th from 5 pm to 8 pm with a cost of $5.
There is limited spaces available in the Merchants Building.
Both options are open to any business, organization, maker, producer, creator, or non-profit.
Any questions can be sent to [email protected]
Registration:

Amended Bo Co Commission Agenda For June 19

Bourbon County Courthouse
210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800
Fax: 620-223-5832

Bourbon County, Kansas

Nelson Blythe
1st District Commissioner
Jim Harris, Chairman
2nd District Commissioner
Clifton Beth
3rd District Commissioner

Bourbon County Commission Agenda Bourbon County Courthouse
210 S. National Ave.
Fort Scott, KS 66701
June 19, 2023, 5:30 p.m.

I. Call Meeting to Order
II. Flag Salute Followed by Prayer
III. Consent agenda
a. Approval of Minutes from 6/12/2023
b. Approval of Payroll $336,021.25
c. Approval of Payroll $1,200.80
d. Approval of Accounts Payable Totaling $433,607.15
IV. Department Updates
a. Public Works
V. Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk-Hall Fence Viewing
VI. Teri Hulsey, EMS Director-Discussion of EMS Vehicles
VII. Susan Bancroft, CFO- HRSA Notice
VIII. Susan Bancroft-Executive Session KSA 75-4319 (b)(1)
IX. Public Comments
X. Commission Comments
XI. Meeting Adjourn

Executive Session Justifications:

KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the
attorney-client relationship.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the
representative(s) of the body or agency.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual proprietorships
KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting
would jeopardize such security measures.

 

Farmers Market Vendor Spotlight: Sweet Country Farms

Sweet Country Farm is a three generation family living and working the land just south of Fort Scott. They specialize in farm fresh produce, berries, herbs and eggs. They also provide handmade soaps, felted wool art, specialty cards and a variety of paper products. For special occasions and parties, you can contact them on their Facebook page Sweet Country Farms to place a special order for eggs, cookies and pies. Come out to the Fort Scott Farmers’ Market and meet them this Saturday morning!

All Means All by Carolyn Hayward Tucker

Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Hayward Tucker

I didn’t understand much about the He-Man Woman-Haters Club. All I really remember is that The Little Rascals got into a lot of mischief and they had a cute dog named Petey. Spanky was the ring leader, Alfalfa had awful hair and vocal ability, and Buckwheat’s smile was adorable. These are the boys I remember best, although there were several others. Their neighborhood exclusive boys club was against girls and Valentine’s Day.

Being excluded doesn’t promote acceptance or positive emotions, but being included lets us know we’re loved, valued, and appreciated. Before the foundation of the world was laid, God the Father decided that anyone who loved His Son would be loved and accepted by Him as His child. God decided He would adopt all those who believed in and accepted Jesus as their Savior and Lord. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 NKJV). If you’ve ever memorized Bible verses, this is probably one you’ve committed to memory. This scripture is the gospel in a nutshell. God loved everyone, so He sent His Son to save them. Salvation is not an exclusive offer, but rather all-inclusive.

When Jesus was born, the angel told the shepherds, “Don’t be afraid!“ he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to ALL people” (Luke 2:10 NLT). This super-good news was all-inclusive. The word “all” is used to refer to the whole quantity or extent of a particular group. All means everybody. “For God shows no partiality [undue favor or unfairness; with Him one man is not different from another] (Romans 2:11 AMP). Salvation is offered through Jesus Christ for the good, the bad, and the ugly. No one is ever too bad or too-far gone to come to Jesus. No matter what you’ve done or haven‘t done, His blood washes away every sin stain to make you white as snow. All means all. “He [Jesus] is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in Him will have their sins forgiven through His name” (Acts 10:43 NLT).

When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple to present Him to the Lord, Simeon was there. He took the baby Jesus in his arms and praised God saying, “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as You have promised. I have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared for ALL people. He is a light to reveal God…” (Luke 2:29-32 NLT). All people means Jews and Gentiles. God’s mercy is available to ALL, but not all will accept it. His mercy and forgiveness is all-inclusive, but all people have a freewill to accept Jesus or reject Him.

Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in Me will never be thirsty. For it is my Father’s will that ALL who see His Son and believe in Him should have eternal life” (John 6:35,40 NLT). God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit are in cahoots together so ALL who believe in the Son will have an abundant life now and eternal life later. There are no restrictions, rules, or regulations required to walk through the open gospel door. The good news is for ALL who choose to believe and receive Jesus as Savior. “…Contrary to man’s perspective, the Lord is not late with His promise to return, as some measure lateness. But rather, His ’delay’ simply reveals His loving patience toward you, because He does not want any to perish but ALL to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9 TPT).

The Key: All can smile like Buckwheat because of the all-inclusive invitation to be part of God’s family.