Bourbon County, Government

Special Meeting Agenda for Bo Co Commission at 4 p.m. Today

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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 210 S. National Ave.

Fort Scott, KS 66701

 

July 10, 2023 4:00

 

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  2. Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(4)
  • Adjourn Meeting

 

 

 

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.

 

Fort Scott, Jobs, Schools

New Assistant Prinicpal at Winfield Scott: Chris Garzone

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Submitted photo.

Chris Garzone, 53, is the new Assistant Principal at Winfield Scott Elementary, Fort Scott, starting August 1.

Winfield Scott Elementary School, 316 W. 10th Street, Fort Scott.

From Prescott, Arizona, he attended Sterling College on a scholarship to play football and baseball and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health and Physical Education K-12.

Garzone chose a career in education because of the lasting impact teachers and coaches had in his life.
He is in his 28th year in education.
Those years include Gallup, New Mexico, at a small catholic school.
“I was the K-12 Physical Education teacher, taught 10th grade health, was the Athletic Director, and coached various sports.”
They  moved to Fort Scott, where his wife Laura taught at St. Mary’s and he was hired at Nevada R5 Schools, teaching elementary physical education K-2 for one year, then taught health classes at Heartland Behavioral Health School for five years. He coached softball, baseball, football and basketball while in Nevada.
In 2005, he completed the Educational Leadership Program from Pittsburg State University and was hired as an assistant principal at Pittsburg Community Middle School.
After one year, he transferred to Pittsburg High School and was an assistant principal for 17 years.
“The best part of being an administrator is the relationships that have occurred between students, staff, the families and the community,” he said. “We are all on a team focused on doing what’s right for each individual child. Observing teachers and students having success inside and outside the classroom is very rewarding for me. I am a servant leader who places others’ needs above my own.”
“I accepted the Assistant Principal position at Winfield Scott because professionally it will be a good challenge for me, switching from secondary to elementary,” he said.  “Fort Scott is an amazing community. My wife grew up here and this small town is a good place to live and be involved in.”

He is celebrating his 30th wedding anniversary with Laura Tuchscherer of Fort Scott this August, he said.

They have four children: Haley, a May 2023 Kansas University Graduate  pursuing a masters degree in Public Health, with the intent on attending medical school;  Austin, attending Pittsburg State University in the Automotive Certification Program; Molly,  at PSU pursuing Elementary Education; Tyler,  a junior at Fort Scott High School,who plans to play basketball for the Tigers.

“Our children have blessed our lives in so many ways,” he said.

Fort Scott, Jobs, Schools

U234 Job Fair Today

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USD 234 Job Fair!

Come join the Tiger Family!

USD 234 will be hosting a Job Fair on July 11th, 2023 from 11am-4pm and July 12th,2023 from 2pm-7pm.

This event will be held in the FSMS – Flex Space

(on the South Side of the Building)

1105 E. 12th St.

For more information contact the Board of Education at

620.223.0800 or visit their website at www.usd234.org
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Obituary

Obituary of Frankie Shrakes

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Frankie Shrakes, Jr., age 74, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Friday, July 7, 2023, at his home.  He was born September 5, 1948, in Ft. Scott, the son of Frank Shrakes and Velma “Dolly” McDaniel Shrakes.  He married Gail L. Guffey on June 6, 1966, at Ft. Scott.

Frankie worked for twenty-five years at Peerless Products in Ft. Scott.  He had a knack for working on engines, and following his retirement from Peerless, he operated his own small engine repair shop.

In his younger days, Frankie enjoyed playing softball and racing go-carts and stock cars.  He also enjoyed fishing and occasionally participated in area bass tournaments.

He attended Ft. Scott Church of the Nazarene.

 

Survivors include his daughters, Teresa Shrakes of Ft. Scott, Heidi Dixon (Rob) also of Ft. Scott and DiAnna Dakon (Ronald) of Smithville, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Ricky Ann Vargas (Ariel), Austin Shelden, Alek Shelden (Megan), Ashton Dixon. Jacob Mein, Nickolas Dakon, and Skylar Dakon; three great-grandchildren, Lola, Santiago and Laney Vargas.  Also surviving are four brothers, John “Duke” Zabrinas, Donald Shrakes, Ronnie Shrakes, and Larry Shrakes and three sisters, Carol Shrakes, Kathy Shrakes and Janet Shrakes and a special cousin J.R. Stewart (Wendy) of Ft. Scott.

Frankie was preceded in death by his wife, Gail, on October 7, 2022.

 

Rev. Virgil Peck will conduct funeral services at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, July 12th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Centerville Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Tuesday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to Care to Share 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.

Entertainment, Fort Scott

“Dangerous” Doug Harper Performs At Friday Night Free Concert

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“Dangerous” Doug Harper will take the stage at 7 p.m. for the Friday Night Concert at the Heritage Park Pavilion at 1st and Main streets.

Harper is a returning musician, bringing many songs he’s written himself. A native of Nevada, Mo., Harper has been singing and playing guitar for many years. His career began with playing in bands, and toured through 38 states with Nevada’s Marci Mitchell, before Harper went solo in 2012.

Harper writes “modern folk songs,” but also performs some traditional songs. He calls his genre “subferior” because he said it’s “kind of country, kind of rock and kind of folk, which means there’s less instruments.”
Currently he performs in many nursing homes and coffee shops and said he likes the close connection to his audience.

Harper self-produces a couple of albums a year. When he’s not working in the theatre department at Cottey College as a technical director, he also produces a podcast, “Lunch With Doug” and a magazine, “Local Ear,” which can be picked up in 12 states.

“We welcome Doug back to the stage,” concert organizer Ralph Carlson said. “It’s always a pleasure to have local musicians bring their original music.”

The concert is free and seating is limited, so bring a lawn chair. In the event of inclement weather or extreme heat, the concert will moved to Common Ground Coffee at 12 E. Wall St.

Sound support is provided by Dave’s Music Gear and Jim Butler. The concert series is sponsored by the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce.

Bourbon County, Government

The Bourbon County Commission Agenda for July 10

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Bourbon County Courthouse

210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800

Fax: 620-223-583

Bourbon County, Kansas

Nelson Blythe

1st District Commissioner

Jim Harris, Chairman

2nd District Commissioner

Clifton Beth

3rd District Commissioner

 

 

Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.

Fort Scott, KS 66701

 

July 10, 2023 4:30 p.m.

 

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  2. Flag Salute followed by Prayer
  • Budget Work Session from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
  1. Approval of Consent agenda
    1. Minutes from 6/26/2023, 6/28/2023, and 7/3/2023
    2. Approval of Payroll totaling $216,424.52
    3. Approval of Accounts Payable Totaling $392,442.81
  2. Department Updates
    1. Public Works
  3. James Malveaux-Ditching Issue
  • Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk-Real Property Relief Application 11 N. Barbee
  • Clifton Beth-Healthcare
  1. Clifton Beth-Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(4)
  2. Justin Meeks-Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(2)
  3. Public Comments
  • Commission Comments
  • 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.

 

Opinion

Nothing Secondhand by Carolyn Tucker

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Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker

One of my favorite things to do is shop at thrift stores. This is tremendous fun for me because I never know what unique secondhand treasure I’ll find. My friend Misty gave
me a framed wall hanging with a quote from J.S. Bach that reads: “Music hath no end other than the glory of God and the recreation of the soul.” Very well said, and this lovely gift was purchased at a flea market.

Both my son-in-law Levi and I like the movie, “Secondhand Lions.” The plot is about a 14-year-old boy who is sent to live with his eccentric and reclusive great uncles on a ramshackle farm in Texas. The bachelor uncles order a lion for a wild game hunt on their
farm. But when the “king of the jungle” was delivered and unloaded, all they had for their money was an old worn-out retired circus lioness, so she was turned over to the boy as a
pet. He loved her, even though the secondhand lioness had seen better days.

Toward the end of the movie, the two aging uncles considered themselves just “a couple of has- beens“ right along with the lioness.

There’s nothing secondhand about God. “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning”

(Lamentations 3:22,23 NLT). While I sleep, His loving goodness is restocked and available when my feet hit the floor in the morning. Believers know their heavenly Father firsthand and understand that there‘s always new hope for a breakthrough every day.

“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV).

Even when we’re in the valley we can be thankful to God.
Why? Because we aren’t without His spiritual blessings that are freely given to us

My pastor says, “There’s no free rides, just free gifts.” God invites us to receive His unfailing love, mercies, hope, faithfulness, peace, and joy. Even if we fail and miss the mark, the mercies and forgiveness of God never cease and that is proof of His trustworthiness.

“Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy…” (Psalm 33:18 NKJV). God sees, knows, and cares about all who revere and obey Him.

In Genesis Chapter 16, Hagar ran away to the wilderness because Sarai was treating her so harshly. But God found her and spoke to her. Hagar was the only person to give God the Hebrew name “El-roi” which means “the God who sees me.“

You may feel like nobody knows the trouble you’ve seen, but that’s not true. El-roi knows everything you’re going through and He is “at the ready” with new mercies every morning.

Whatever you need, God has it because He’s not short-handed in any way, shape, or form.

“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened at all, that it cannot save nor His ear dull with deafness that it cannot hear” (Isaiah 59:1 AMP).

God is not about to wear out, retire, give up on you, or throw His hands up and walk away. He is seated on His throne
with the King of the Universe beside Him.

“[Jesus] who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand — with angels, authorities, and powers in submission to Him” (1 Peter 3:22 NIV). God has always been, and always will be, faithful in His love and mercies.

The Key: Our firsthand experience with God proves that His mercies never wear out.

Bourbon County, Government

Amended Agenda for Fort Scott City Commission on July 11

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NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR REGULAR        

MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION

CITY HALL COMMISSION ROOM – 123 SOUTH MAIN ST.

July 11, 2023 – 6:00 P.M.

 

  1.   Roll Call:
  2.   VanHoecke       K. Harrington       E. Woellhof        M. Guns         M. Wells
  3.   Pledge of Allegiance & Invocation:  Led by T. VanHoecke

III.    Approval of Agenda:

  1. Consent Agenda:
  2. Approval of Minutes of the Regular Meeting of June 20, 2023
  3. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1339-A — $1,207,831.66
  4. Request to Pay – Bennett Construction, Inc. via Earles Engineering & Inspection, Inc. – 2022 CDBG Sanitary Sewer Project – Contractor’s Application for No. 2 – Work done June 10, 2023 – June 25, 2023 – $262,723.50
  5. Request to Pay – SEKRPC Grant Admin Services Project 22-PF-016 – Invoice #2 – $4,000.00
  6.   Public Comment:

Sign up required.  Comments on any topic not on agenda and limited to five (5) minutes per person, at Commission’s discretion.

  1. Old Business:

 

  1. Consideration of Phase II Aeration Upgrade to Cell 1B and the Inlet of Cell 2 for Wastewater Treatment Plant – J. Dickman – TABLED FROM JUNE 20, 2023
  2. Approval of CORRECTED Ordinance No. 3746 VACATING PORTION OF BARTEAU STREET – Ordinance No. 3745 originally approved February 7, 2023. Error found during recording process at the Appraiser’s Office. Correction made and ordinance renumbered.

 VII.   Appearances:

  1. Rachel French:  1st Colored Infantry Mural – seeking approval from the                           City Commission
  2. Sarah Klassen:  Old Fort Genealogy – regarding ADA Compliance of the West     Entrance of Memorial Hall
  3. Arnold Schofield:  Discussion of the Design Review Board
  4. Michael Hoyt:  House numbering ordinance and expansion of the Municipal Court
  5. Kendall Schoenrock:  Regarding the DCF Building proposed for Wall Street and National Avenue

VIII.   Public Hearing:  None

  1.  New Business: 
  2. Consideration to approve purchase of a green’s mower package from Professional Turf Products – $12,720.00 – D. Guns
  3. Consideration to close Hospice account – D. Tally
  4. Consideration to purchase 2015 Ford F-250 SD 4×4 EX Cab 4DR F250 Utility Bed ¾ Ton for the Collections Department from Evans Motors in Pittsburg, KS – $29,995.00 – S. Flater
  5. Consideration of Ordinance No. 3747 ESTABLISHING THE REQUIRED HOOKUPS TO THE CITY WATER SYSTEM FOR THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, KANSAS – Required by the USDA as part of their funding of the River Intake Project – B. Farmer
  6. Consideration of adopting Certified Local Government Program – Design Review Advisory Board option – M. Wells
  7. Selection of Commissioner to represent the City on the Land Bank Advisory Board
  8.   Reports and Comments:
  9. City Manager Comments:
  10. Engineering Comments:
  11. Commissioners Comments:
  12. VanHoecke –
  13. Harrington –
  14. Woellhof –
  15. Guns –
  16. Wells –

 

  1. City Attorney Comments:

 

  1.  Executive Session:

XII.     Adjournment:

Fair, K-State Extension, Youth

Colored Ribbons at the County Fair

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Jennifer Terrell, K-State Extension Agent

 

It’s county fair time and this means that 4-H’ers have the opportunity to showcase all of their hard work learned on projects throughout the 4-H year. For many, this time of year is a highlight of the 4-H program.

Have you ever wondered what the different colored ribbons attached to exhibits mean? Well, I would like to tell you how 4-H exhibits are evaluated at the local county fair.

At the local county fair, most exhibits are judged on a conference or interview basis. This is where the judge interviews the participant as he or she evaluates the product against a set of standards rather than against other exhibits. The purpose of this judging is to determine what the 4-H’er learned while completing the project. Judges may consider skill level based on age and circumstance, and expect a higher performance from older 4-H’ers, so there is some variance within the standard. Comments are generally provided verbally and sometimes written. After the exhibit is evaluated, the judge then awards a ribbon placing to the exhibit.

In 4-H, we use the Danish Ribbon System where exhibits are placed into four different ribbon groups. A purple ribbon means outstanding on all standards, a blue ribbon exceeds the minimum standards but may have some minor flaws where improvements can be made, a red ribbon meets all minimum standards and may have some visible signs of needed improvement and finally a white ribbon fails to meet the minimum standard for the project. Of the purple ribbons, the judge can select a Champion and Reserve Champion.

In 4-H, we believe that using the Danish Ribbon System gives every 4-H member the recognition deserved for the work that was done and encourage them to follow the motto “to make the best better.” While no evaluation system is perfect, this system helps 4-H develop top quality youth instead of focusing on purple ribbon projects.

I encourage you to visit your local county fair and see all of the amazing work 4-H’ers have on display. And as you walk around, pay close attention to the different ribbon placings attached to projects. You will notice there will be any number of purples, blues, reds, or whites in each of the departments. This is the Danish Ribbon System, where 4-H’ers are encouraged to challenge themselves, set goals, and receive constructive criticism. All things to help young people build essential life skills to thrive.

For more information about 4-H Youth Development, reach out to Jennifer Terrell, District Extension Agent for K-State Research and Extension – Southwind District at [email protected] or 620-223-3720.

K-State Extension

Grasshoppers – Destructive Summer Pest

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Krista Harding
District Extension Agent, Horticulture
Southwind Extension District
111 S. Butler
Erie, KS 66733
Office: 620-244-3826
Cell: 620-496-8786

Grasshoppers seemed to have started feeding in my landscape a few weeks ago. Their main target has been my Mexican sunflower blooms. I’m not sure what makes them so tasty to the grasshoppers!

 

Believe it or not, Kansas has approximately 115 grasshopper species. Fortunately though, only 5 species are considered as threats to crops and vegetables. The differential and two-stripped grasshoppers are the most common type found in the home garden.

 

These two types of grasshoppers are characterized by their large size, with adults averaging 1 ½ to 2 inches in length. The differential grasshopper is mostly yellow and black and has a V-shaped pattern on their hind legs. The two-striped grasshopper is brownish or grayish in color. As you look at them from above, there are two yellow stripes running down the top of the head.

 

Grasshoppers remain in the area where they were hatched, and feed primarily on grasses and broadleaf plants. Sometimes when there are large populations of grasshoppers and all of the available plants have been consumed, they will seek out new food sources. Trees may become targets once other plant materials have been eaten. In drought situations, grasshoppers will feed on anything containing moisture including moist soil, wood and even linens that are left outside.

 

Sometimes you will hear people say that grasshoppers like hot dry conditions. That is sort of true. Basically, grasshoppers are more noticeable during drought conditions because they are in search of new food sources. In years of low populations or when there is adequate moisture, grasshoppers will stay in their hatching area and they do not cause a great deal of damage.

 

So what is a homeowner supposed to do to protect their plants? I am sure some of you have used a spray treatment and are convinced that the spray did not kill the grasshoppers. Some of the grasshoppers were more than likely killed, but you probably didn’t notice the dead ones because new ones had already hatched and had begun their destruction.

 

Before spraying any insecticide, please check the product label. Permethrin and carbaryl (Sevin) will work on vegetables and ornamentals. For insecticides applied to vegetables, it is important to observe the post-harvest intervals listed on product labels. For a complete list of available insecticides, please contact me at the Extension office.

 

Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension Horticulture agent assigned to Southwind District.  She may be reached at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.

 

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Bourbon County Local News