Those elected in the last November election will be sworn in sometime in December, because of their duties starting in January, said Bourbon County Clerk Jennifer Hawkins.
Also in January, the Bourbon County Commission will choose a chairman for the year amongst themselves, she said.
This year the county elections were done on newly purchased election equipment, Hawkins said, with few glitches.
“We had a representative from the company on site, Clear Ballot, of Boston, Massachusetts,” she said.
The prior county clerk purchased all new equipment before she resigned, Hawkins said.
The following are the newly elected officials from the November 7, 2023 election:
For the City of Fort Scott Commission: Tracy Dancer, Matthew Wells, and Dyllon Olson.
For the Bronson City Council: Michael Stewart, Christy O’Brien, and Kayla Greenway.
As Mayor of Fulton: Misty Adams
On the Fulton City Council: Lawrence Paddock, Ronald Marsh, and Stephanie Smith.
On the Uniontown City Council: Danea Esslinger, Bradley Stewart, and Mary Pemberton.
On the the Redfield Council: L.D. Morrison, Brandy Corriston and Mel Hunt.
On the Mapleton Council, Michael Hueston, Tayler Northcutt* and Woody Brown*.
*These candidates were chosen by lot on November 20, 2023
to break a three-way tie, with the Bourbon County Chairman Jim Harris pulling a name out of a hat, supervised by the county clerk, she said.
For the Fort Scott USD 234 Board of Education:
Position 1: James Wood
Position 2: Mike Miles
Position 3: Doug Hurd
At-large: Stewart Gulager
For the Uniontown USD235 Board of Education:
Position 1: Troy Couchman
Position 2: Rhonda Hoener
Position 3: Seth Martin
At-Large: Matt Kelly
For the Southwind Extension District: Trent Johnson and Deb Lust.
For the Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees: Ronda Bailey, Douglas Ropp, and Chad McKinnis.
“As of the final unofficial report with all precincts reporting we had a total of 2,382 ballots cast out of 12,309 registered voters with a turnout of 19.35% which is better than the last city/school election where there was only 14.54% of turnout,” Jennifer Hawkins, the Bourbon County Clerk said. “We had 28 workers spread throughout the seven polling sites this year.”
“The official results will not be available until after the provisional ballots are determined at canvass next week,” she said.
The following are the unofficial Bourbon County Election Results,taken from the county’s Facebook page.
Early voting in Bourbon County has started on whether Uniontown’s school district will get new safety upgrades and expanded opportunities for students.
“The USD 235 bond issue prioritizes projects that were identified as the greatest needs through a 2021 facilities audit and through community feedback via 2022 survey work that went to all patrons,” USD 235 Superintendent Vance Eden said. “These items constitute safety upgrades and the expansion of educational opportunities for students.”
Vance Eden, superintendent for USD 235. Photo from the school district’s website.
Information about each specific component of the projects can be found on the website, uniontown235.org, under the label Bond Info, he said.
The two-question format on the ballot for a vote, “is responsive to the feedback we received regarding priorities and tax implications,” he said.
“In this format, Proposition 1 would need to pass for Proposition 2 to have the potential to pass,” he said.”
The tax implications can be found on the district’s website, he said. “Additionally, I’m happy to sit down with any patron who has a prior year’s tax bill and help them figure that out even more precisely,” Eden said. “The projects proposed do not represent all of the ideas and needs of the district, we have been extremely mindful to prioritize those most important and meaningful projects as parts of the bond.”
The list of those projects are below:
“New WBE Preschool- This would include programs for 3-year-old and 4-year-old students. This would also be a storm shelter all West Bourbon Elementary students and staff could use if needed.
Student Support Offices- We would add offices on both sides of the street for the (student support) providers who are working with students.
WBE Entrance- The aluminum doors are original to the building and are at the end of their life. This would also address some ADA compliance issues with the entrance.
Music Room- We would move around a couple of classes and make a music room that better fits the needs acoustically. This would also allow us to better address/ provide special education services in the prior music room.
Junior High, and High School Fire Alarm- A new fire alarm would include smoke detection and automatic calling of emergency services when triggered. Our current system does not do this.
HS Multipurpose Room- We would add a multi-purpose room at the HS that will also serve as the storm shelter for JH/HS students and staff. This will be a valuable space for all kinds of needs, including a room for wrestling practice.
New Agriculture Classroom, Metals Shop, and Construction Trades Shop- This building is at the end of its life and needs replacement for Ag and Metals to continue to be a part of our programming. We would also take the opportunity to add a construction trades program to this building to increase student programs.
6th Grade- 6th grade students would move across the street to become a part of the JH. This was the most efficient use of space and programming. It will increase opportunities for these students while creating the needed space at WBE to address their needs there without having to add on with additional new construction.”
‘The proposed USD 235 Bond Issue qualifies for State-Aide,” according to the district’s Facebook page on Nov.1. “If our bond is approved, the State will pay for 32% of the overall cost. If approved, the district will also apply for FEMA funding related to the storm shelters. If awarded, it would cover 50% of the cost of those storm shelters at WBE and UJH/HS.”
Other District Improvements, Not on the Bond Issue-The Community Walking Trail
Eden also provided an update on the walking trail around the school that is used by the community as well.
“The walking trail is currently with the architect to ensure ADA compliance and the project specifications,” he said.
“The layout will largely remain the same. There will be some ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) adjustments as well as considerations for better drainage in those locations where it is needed. The trail itself will be concrete construction at a width of 5 feet.”
“It is funded through a Recreational Trail Program Grant with the Department of Wildlife and Parks,” he said. Through this grant, they will pay 80% of the cost and the district will be responsible for the remaining 20%. That said, our 20% can be in-kind donations, which will be our preference.
Schultz Squared Architecture is doing this project for the district, he said. “They are the architect doing our pre-bond work and already had the planning materials needed to fulfill this quickly and efficiently.”
The Vote Here sign sits in front of the north wing of the Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National.
Early voting for the November 7 election begins today.
“If anybody would like to receive a mailed advance ballot, they may complete an application and return it to our office by October 31, 2023,” Bourbon County Clerk Jennifer Hawkins said.
One can vote at the Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National, in the early voting availability.
Early voting starts today at the Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National.
Today and tomorrow, Oct. 27, one can vote from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the courthouse.
Saturday, October 28 votes can be cast from 8:30 a.m. to noon, and Monday, October 30 until November 3 from 8:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the courthouse.
There will be voting availability on Saturday, November 4, and then on Monday, November 6 from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the courthouse.
Election day is November 7 and the community can then vote in places closer to their neighborhood. See the list below of polling places in the county.
Candidates for the Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees:
Vote for three or less:
Ronda Bailey, Douglas Ropp, David Elliott, Kirk Hart, Roberta “Bert” Lewis, Robert Nelson, Josh Jones and Chad McKinnis.
Fort Scott City Commissioners, vote for three or less:
Joshua Baseley, Edwin Woelhof, Janice Allen, Harold Pete Allen, Tracy Dancer, Margaret Cummings, Matthew Wells, Dyllon Olson, Barbara Ann Rawlins.
No candidates have filed for the city councils of Mapleton and Fulton, and none for the mayor of Fulton
Filing to run for the Bronson City Council is Michael Stewart; for the Redfield City Council is L.D. Morrison and Brandy Corriston and for the Uniontown City Council is Danae Esslinger.
For the USD 234 Board of Education (Fort Scott Schooll District), vote for one of the following:
Position 1: James Wood, Joe Wimmer, Scott Center
Position 2: Mike Miles
Position 3: Robert Harrington, Aaron Judy, Doug Hurd
At Large: Payton Coyan, Stewart Gulager.
For the USD 235 Board of Education (Uniontown School District), vote for one of the following:
Position 1: Troy Couchman
Position 2: Rhonda Hoener
Position 3: Seth Martin, Kolby Stock
At Large: Matt Kelly, Josh Hartman
Southwind Extension District, vote for two of the following:
Deb Lust, Trent Johnson
The following are the questions that will be on the ballot, for the Uniontown School District, USD 235
Proposition No. 1:
Shall the following be adopted?
Shall Unified School District No. 235, Bourbon County, Kansas (Uniontown), issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $5,635,000, to pay the costs to construct, furnish and equip renovations, improvements, and additions to District facilities, including but not limited to: (a) Pre-K classroom/storm shelter, student support offices, music room, and secure entrance at West Bourbon Elementary School; (b) 6th grade classrooms, student support offices, tech office, multipurpose classroom/storm shelter, and fire alarm system at the Uniontown Junior/Senior High School; and (c) all other necessary improvements related to it (collectively the “Project”), and to pay costs of issuance and interest on said general obligation bonds during construction of the Project; all pursuant to the provisions of K.S.A. 10-101 et seq., K.S.A. 25-2018(f), K.S.A. 72‑5457, and K.S.A. 72-5458 et seq.?
To vote in favor of Proposition No. 1 submitted on this ballot, completely darken the oval to the left of the word “Yes” on the paper ballot. To vote against it, completely darken the oval to the left of the word “No” on the paper ballot.
Proposition No. 2:
Shall the following be adopted?
Shall Unified School District No. 235, Bourbon County, Kansas (Uniontown), issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $3,485,000, to pay the costs to construct, furnish and equip an Ag-Science Classroom, Metals Shop, and Construction Science Shop at the Uniontown Junior/Senior High School, and all other necessary improvements related to it (collectively the “Project”), and to pay costs of issuance and interest on said general obligation bonds during construction of the Project; all pursuant to the provisions of K.S.A. 10-101 et seq., K.S.A. 25-2018(f), K.S.A. 72‑5457, and K.S.A. 72-5458 et seq.?
To vote in favor of Proposition No. 2 submitted on this ballot, completely darken the oval to the left of the word “Yes” on the paper ballot. To vote against it, completely darken the oval to the left of the word “No” on the paper ballot.
Residents living in the City of Fort Scott vote at the following locations:
1st Ward-Community Christian Church
2nd Ward-Grace Baptist Church
3rd Ward-Grace Baptist Church
4th Ward-Grace Baptist Church
5th Ward-Community Christian Church
6th Ward-Community Christian Church
7th Ward-Grace Baptist Church
Residents living in the County vote at the following locations:
There will be two dates that the community can interact with local candidates for the upcoming November 2023 elections.
Ellis Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2401 S. Horton.
Session 1: Wednesday, Oct 25,5:30 doors open, 6 pm, at the Ellis Family Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College: candidates for FSCC bd of Trustees, USD 234 Board of Education and the, Fort Scott City Commission.
Uniontown City Hall.
Session 2: Thursday, Oct 26, 6:30 p.m. at Uniontown City Hall, Uniontown: candidates for FSCC bd of Trustees, USD 235 Board of Education, and city council candidates for Uniontown, Bronson, and Redfield.
Submitted by Deb Martin for the Bourbon County Republicans.
Meet and get acquainted with those who will be on this year’s November 6 ballot. Voters will soon empower some of these candidates with the responsibility of supervising the management of funds allocated for maintaining the effectiveness of these entities.
Do you know who spends tax dollars? Yes? No? Without a doubt, the time has come for all voters(taxpayers) in our local communities to know who, how, why our hard-earned tax dollars are being used for our schools and cities. These are the estimated annual budgets: FSCC- $20,000,000; USD 234- $33,800,000; USD 235- $6,300,000; City of Ft Scott- $17,000,000.)
Two “meet and greet” sessions have been scheduled to allow for some relevant interaction.
The first session, hosted by the Ft Scott Chamber of Commerce, is set for October 25, 2023, at the FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center. The session includes candidates for the FSCC Board of Trustees, USD 234 Board of Education, and the Ft Scott City Commission. Doors will open at 5:30 followed with a time of questions and answers by the candidates at 6:00 pm.
Session two, hosted by the Bourbon County Republicans, will be on October 26, 2023, at the Uniontown City Hall in Uniontown. This will include candidates for the FSCC Board of Trustees, USD 235, and city council candidates from Uniontown, Bronson, and Redfield. The meeting will start promptly at 6:30 and is scheduled to last no more than 2 hours.
The chamber and the BBCO Republicans will receive questions from the public prior to the sessions. Please submit your questions to the appropriate entity.
“…A county conducting a recount may not substitute ballot images for the original paper ballots, unless the person requesting the recount specifically requests such substitution in a county that uses optical scanning equipment or electronic or electromechanical voting systems,” the opinion reads.
September 19 proclaimed Kansas Voter Registration Day, joining a national effort toward civic engagement
TOPEKA –
–Governor Laura Kelly signed a proclamation declaring September 19, 2023, Kansas Voter Registration Day. This aligns with the National Voter Registration Day events taking place across the United States. The goal is to reach Kansans who either haven’t yet registered to vote, or simply need to update their registration due to things like a move or name change, by engaging communities through this statewide, single-day event.
On September 19, the State Library, along with libraries and community organizations across the state, will host events encouraging voter registration. Leah Grote, a reference librarian at the State Library, attended a Federal Depository Library Program training on voter engagement and learned about NVRD initiatives from other state libraries. “I thought Kansas should have an initiative like that too,” Grote said. “I’ve worked to create a webpage with information and resources Kansans need to register to vote and host their own registration drives. Our hope is that this initiative will inspire people across the state to make sure they are registered and to help others register to vote.”
Nationally, the holiday has helped more than 5 million Americans register to vote through the collective efforts of thousands of volunteers, nonprofit organizations, businesses, schools, libraries, election officials, and citizens just like you. Kansas Voter Registration Day is about building community while building democracy–together. Kansans are welcome to visit the State Library on Kansas Voter Registration Day to register or check their registration and pick up NVRD stickers in English, Spanish and Vietnamese (while they last).
