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Kevin K. Allen resigned his position as Fort Scott City Commissioner on April 17, at the Fort Scott City Commission meeting.
Allen stated the reason he is resigning: he is in the process of moving into his home at 507 Brown Street on the city’s east side, which is just outside the city limits.
Kevin Allen has served on the commission for two years and as mayor for five months, he said.
The current commissioners are Josh Jones, Tim Van Hoecke, Shane Walker and Matthew Wells.
He gave his opinion on the commission’s accomplishments in the last two years:
The city meetings are now recorded on YouTube for transparency and accountability to the citizens.
There are no time limits now when a citizen wants to speak to the commission at the meeting.
The streets department is now 10 employees, up from four, and has a budget of $1 million, up from $200,000.
The county and city governments are sharing services, which saves the taxpayers money.
Sunday liquor sales were approved, to gain tax revenue.
Several stop signs were removed, that were not needed.
Unused properties in Fort Scott and Lake Fort Scott were sold, and money put towards amenities at the lake.
A Land Bank was created.
A local city attorney was hired, replacing a Kansas City area one, saving the city $150,000 a year.
The city government now buys local services and insurance.
The commission has “focused more on infrastructure” and is “fixing up parks.”
“It’s been a great pleasure to serve as commissioner,” Allen said. “It’s time for me to mount up and ride.”
The commissioners expressed appreciation for Allen’s service.
In an interview on April 18 with Josh Jones, who is the president of the commission, said he assumes the commission will interview the candidates for the vacant position and if there are an abundance of letters of interest, they will narrow it down, then interview.
The following is a press release from the City of Fort Scott:
“Persons interested in applying to fill the position vacated by Commissioner Kevin Allen are asked to submit a letter of interest to: City Clerk, Diane Clay at 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701 or by email at [email protected]. Letters of interest must be received by the City Clerk by 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 31st, 2022. Only individuals who reside in the City limits of Fort Scott are eligible to apply. Once the appointment has been made, it will become effective at the next scheduled City Commission meeting and the term will expire in December of 2023.
Any additional information or questions may be obtained by contacting Diane Clay, City Clerk at 620-223-0550.”
A later phone call from Fort Scott City Attorney Bob Farmer stated the state law that requires residency within the city limits can be found in the Kansas Government Handbook, page 27, regarding qualifications.
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The Land Bank meeting will be held on Monday, May 23rd, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas, in the City Commission meeting room.
This meeting will be made available via the City’s you tube channel at City of Fort Scott.
On Friday, April 29th , Tri-Valley Developmental Services held their 2022 Award Ceremony to celebrate individual achievements as well as community support in Bourbon county. The ceremony took place at 1 pm at Tri-Valley’s Service Center located in Fort Scott’s Industrial Park. Awards were presented to the following individuals:
Business of the Year – Labconco
Employer of the Year – Wendy’s Ol’ Fashioned Hamburgers of Fort Scott
Achievement Award – Crystal Douglas
Winfred Jent Award – Judge Mark Ward
Board of Director’s Award – Ken Anderson
Lifetime Achievement Award – Mertz Tax Service
Refreshments were served following the ceremony. Attendees received a Tri-Valley cup as a takeaway.
Submitted by Tricia Campbell, Special Projects Coordinator at
Tri-Valley Developmental Services.
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Supporters of football at Fort Scott Community College have filed for non-profit status from the State of Kansas and are in the process of setting up a Greyhound Football Legacy Center, Inc.
They have a board of directors, and set up by-laws.
“We just started the process of a 501 3c status,” Jack Milligan, president of the group, said. “We’ve hired an accountant firm.”
“We are setting up alumni chapters throughout Kansas and other states,” he said.
“We don’t have members, we have teammates,” Milligan said. “There is a lot of energy for it.”
“We are affiliated with the Fort Scott Community College Alumni Facebook page,” he said.
They have joined the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, because the group wants “to be a part of the community,” Milligan said.
And they have a website: https://www.savegreyhoundfootball.com/
They have also rented 11 N. Main from Eddie Townley for a Greyhound Football Legacy Center, which will be a gathering place for the group.
Milligan is president of the organization, Doug Ropp is vice president; Jerry Witt is vice-president at large; directors are Steve Bowers, Jim Barrows, Jim Chapman, Matt Glades, Kevin Gundy and Steve Williams.
“We have a great network of business experience and success on the board and will use that to regain the football program and many other things in the community,” Milligan said.
“We will staff the center with volunteers, local and otherwise,” he said.
The center will house old football uniforms and trophies, along with computers and furniture. Currently there is a large conference table and chairs in the building.
The group plans to launch into the community during Good Ol Days, the annual homecoming event of Fort Scott on June 3-4.
The group is hopeful of bringing football back to the community college, following the recent closing of the program.
“The FSCC Board of Trustees unanimously voted to end the historic Greyhound Football program in November 2021,” according the group’s website.
The group’s goal is to bring it back for the 2023 season.
NEWS RELEASE
Monday, May 16, 2022
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, May 16, 2022, for a special board meeting.
President James Wood opened the meeting.
The board went into executive session to discuss personnel matters for nonelected personnel. The board returned to open meeting and approved the following:
A. Employment of Destry Brown as Superintendent of Schools for the 2022-23 school year
B. Employment of Dr. Zach Johnson as the Fort Scott Middle School Principal for the 2022-23 school year
C. Transfer of Jennifer Herring, Winfield Scott cook, to high school cook for the 2022-23 school year
D. Base salary adjustment for Bryce Daly, district technology technician, effective July 2022
The board adjourned.
U234 Press Release to Announce Selection
Destry Brown begins leadership of USD 234 Fort Scott on July 1.
The USD 234 Board of Education has announced the selection of Destry Brown, as the new superintendent. Mr. Brown will take the reins on July 1, 2022, after the resignation of Ted Hessong at the end of the 2021-22 school year.
Destry Brown has broad educational experience, as a teacher, administrator and an educator of educators. He is currently serving as Superintendent of Clinton, Missouri schools. Mr. Brown has also served as superintendent of schools in Pittsburg, KS, Frontenac, KS and has been an elementary principal.
Students in our schools succeed because they are quality students focused on preparing for their future. We feel our staff and administration support student learning and educational opportunities that will ensure they are prepared for career or college.
“I am so excited to be the new superintendent in my hometown! I look forward to serving the students, teachers, the Board and the rest of the Tiger community.
The Fort Scott school system has a rich history and tradition of excellence. I am humbled to think that I will be a part of continuing this tradition. The district has amazing staff and students as
well as a super supportive community. All of those things working together will make being the superintendent in Fort Scott a joy and a pleasure. I am excited for the opportunity to become reacquainted with the Fort Scott community and to become a part of the Tiger
Family once again.”
Board President James Wood says that Destry Brown emerged from a very thorough search process as the right candidate to lead the School District.
“The Board is certain in our choice of Mr. Brown and confident that under his leadership USD 234 will again to be recognized as having a culture of student success, employee appreciation and community
pride.”
James Wood, Board President, explained that community input, including the involvement of stakeholders was a key factor in the success of the superintendent search process. The feedback provided from teachers and administrators, parents and community members, insured the board and stakeholders were on the same page. “The input from the community as a whole was very helpful to our process.”
The Board selected two finalists, who were interviewed by the Board.
As a board team we feel we made the right selection to serve our students and our community.
Symbols of Sacrifice, Memorial Day Weekend
Fort Scott Kan. – Fort Scott National Historic Site invites you to join the park in placing the flags for the “Symbols of Sacrifice” Field of Honor Friday morning, May 27, beginning at 9 am. To ensure everyone can help, we will be scheduling shifts that begin each hour from 9 a.m. through 1 p.m., but you may help as long as you wish. To find out more and to become involved, please contact the park at 620-223-0310, email us at [email protected], or just come out and help. We welcome community members and organizations to participate.
Symbols of Sacrifice continues the entire Memorial Day Weekend, Friday, May 27 through, Monday, May 30, and the Field of Honor will be open throughout the weekend. There will be guided fort tours daily at 10 am and 1 pm. This is an all-weather event.
“The Field of Honor with its approximately 7,000 flags commemorate the ultimate sacrifice members of the United States Armed Forces have made to keep this country free,” said Carl Brenner, Acting Superintendent, Fort Scott National Historic Site. Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day. It originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971.