Bourbon County Public Works, in conjunction with Killough Construction, will begin milling Soldier Road from 69 Highway to 245th Street and 245th Street from Soldier Road to Valley Road beginning Thursday, 4/20/2023. Please expect traffic delays as the road will be down to one lane.
Bourbon County Commission Agenda for April 20
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 1st Floor County Courthouse
210 S National Avenue
April 20, 2023, 9:00 AM
- Call Meeting to Order
- Flag Salute and Prayer
- Consent Agenda
- Approval of Minutes from 4/13/2023
- Approval of Payroll $321,317.83
- Approval of Accounts Payable $344,124.74
- Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(1)
- Department Updates
- Eric Bailey, Public Works Director
- Don George-Elm Creek Grant
- Susan Bancroft, CFO-2024 Budget & Financials
- Lora Holdridge- End of Year Billing
- Matthew Wells-Farmer’s Market Pavilion
- 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.
High School Students Can Get a Head Start on High Demand/High Paying Jobs
For students who want a career in construction trades such as welding, masonry, carpentry or heating and air conditioning, which are high demand and high paying jobs, there is a short cut to do that.
Junior or senior year students in Fort Scott High School and Uniontown High School have the opportunity to get a head start on these jobs, said Kris Mengarelli, Fort Scott Community College’s Director of the Career and Technology Center, CTEC.
“CTE courses prepare students with the technical, academic, and employment skills needed for life after high school,” from CTEC’s Facebook page. “The courses hone critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills—all valuable tools needed to succeed in today’s workforce.”
“Starting in the fall of 2023, we are….offering carpentry basics, OSHA 10 (certification training) and introduction to craft skills for high school and college,” he said. “This is typically for juniors and seniors. It’s a two-year program to get a certificate.”
“The teacher will be Michael Casner, a Fort Scott High School teacher,” he said. “He’ll be teaching dual credit classes for those three classes at the high school. Uniontown will be able to send students over to attend those classes as well. The schools will coordinate what works best.”
The target student is any interested in the trades for a career.
The State of Kansas is offering an Excel in CTE Initiative, for high school juniors and seniors for free college tuition on approved technical courses offered at Kansas technical schools and community colleges.
“The state looks at where there is a lacking workforce,” he said.
The main purpose of the bill is to stimulate growth in Career and Technical Education at both the secondary and post-secondary level in Kansas, according to https://www.ksde.org/Agency/Division-of-Learning-Services/Career-Standards-and-Assessment-Services/CSAS-Home/Career-Technical-Education-CTE/Excel-in-CTE
“There are some small fees that fall back on the student, but not significant,” Mengarelli said.
Following the classes for dual high school and college credit, students will have a nationally recognized certificate,” he said. “Students who want to go into construction, this makes them employable just out of high school.”
CTEC is located in Crawford County.
Destry Brown, Fort Scott’s Superintendent of USD 234 was a “key player in getting CTEC started in Crawford County,” Mengarelli said.
Brown was formerly a superintendent of schools in Pittsburg, in Crawford County and is currently superintendent of schools for Fort Scott.
Death Notice of Jon Farrell
Jon L. Farrell, 57, resident of Fort Scott, passed away Thursday evening, April 13, 2023, at Overland Park Regional Medical Center as a result of multiple medical complications.
Following cremation, the family will hold private services at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary’s School and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, Kansas, 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.
The Gordon Parks Museum Photo Contest
MERL HUMPHREY PHOTOGRAPHY PRESENTS
The 2023 Gordon Parks Museum
Photo Contest
(Open to any non-professional photographer)
THEME:“Family, Home and Roots”
This photo contest is inspired by Gordon Parks and his love for his family and upbringing. This is open to any amateur photographer. Photographers are invited to capture the essence of the theme.
Who can participate?
Amateur (nonprofessional) photographers of all ages and skill levels are invited to take pictures for the project.
How many photos can I enter? No more than 2.
Are there prizes?
Yes! There will be a first place ($100), second place ($75) and third place ($50) prize and up to five honorable
mentions. Winners will be announced at the Gordon Parks Celebration.
All photos submitted that are accepted, will be on exhibit during the 20th annual Gordon Parks Celebration on Oct. 5 – 7, 2023. All accepted photos will also be posted on the Gordon Parks Website and Facebook page.
How do I submit?
Photographs must be submitted via e-mail to [email protected]. All photos must be in JPEG format and limit file size to less than 2 MB. Photographers should submit attached photo in JPEG format, with
the title, their name, address, email, and phone number. If under 14 years old please include parent’s information.
When do I have to submit my entries?
Photos should be received via email by Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at the latest.
Anything else I need to know?
The Gordon Parks Museum reserves the right to not accept or display any submitted photo(s) that would be considered to be
obscene, violent or in any other way objectionable or inappropriate and/or that do not hold to the standards of FSCC policy or the
mission of the Gordon Parks Museum.
It is the photographer’s responsibility to make sure they have permission to take and use the photograph subject’s image.
By entering the contest, you retain the rights to your works while granting The Gordon Parks Museum the unrestricted, royalty-free, perpetual right to use, reproduce, communicate modify and display the works (in whole or in part) for any purpose without any fee or other form of compensation, and without further notification or permission.
By participating in this contest, you release and agree to indemnify and hold harmless The Gordon Parks Museum and its employees, directors, officers, affiliates, agents, judges and advertising and promotional agencies from any and all damages, injuries, claims, causes of actions, or losses of any kind resulting from your participation in this contest or receipt or use of any prize.
Sponsored by Merl Humphrey Photography
5 N. Main St., Fort Scott, KS
Questions? Email [email protected] Or call 223-2700, ext. 5850
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports April 19
Obituary of Timothy Stuart
Timothy Duane Stuart, age 62, a resident of rural Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Monday, April 17, 2023, at his home. He was born March 12, 1961, in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Verlin Wayne Stuart and Katherine Regina Diibon Stuart. Tim first married Connie Powell on November 6, 1980. Together they had a son, Scott. They were later divorced. In 1988, Tim was united in marriage to Sandra M. Gale and to this union were born four children, Heather, Michael, Timothy and Amber. Prior to becoming disabled, Tim worked as a welder. Favorite times were spent camping and fishing with family and friends. In earlier years, Tim attended the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Ft. Scott.
Survivors include his children, Scott Stuart, Heather Stuart, Michael Ray Vincent Stuart, Timothy Duane Stuart, Amber Hatfield and Nathaniel Stuart. Also surviving are a sister, Michelle Sharp and nieces and nephews, Gregory, Joshua, Justin and Tyler Sharp, Brent Brown and Jennifer Stafford as well as several great-nieces and great-nephews.
Tim was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Denise Ivison.
There was cremation. A private family graveside service will be held at a later date at the St. Mary’s Cemetery in Ft. Scott, Kansas. Arrangements were under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
LAST CALL for Sponsorships, Reservations, and Donations!
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KDOT to replace bridge on U.S. 69
The week of May 1 the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) expects to start a project to replace the First Cow Creek drainage bridge on the southbound lanes of U.S. 69 in Crawford County. The bridge is 2¼ miles north of the U.S. 69/69A junction at Frontenac.
Traffic will be carried through construction on a temporary crossover to the northbound lanes. The speed limit will be reduced to 45 miles per hour and a vehicle width restriction of 12 feet will be in effect. Weather permitting, the new bridge is expected to be open in late 2023.
KDOT awarded the construction contract of $1.7 million to Mission Construction Company, Inc., St. Paul, Kansas. Check KDOT’s updated traveler information website, www.Kandrive.org, for more highway condition and construction details. Persons with questions may contact Doug Pulliam at KDOT-Pittsburg, (620) 235-9523, or Public Affairs Manager Priscilla Petersen at (620) 902-6433.
Alysia Johnston Retires as FSCC’s President
Alysia Johnston, Fort Scott Community College’s President submitted her retirement at last evenings Board of Trustees meeting.
“I have been reminded lately how fragile life can be and I am needing to spend more time with family,” Johnston said. “I will miss the people I have had the great pleasure to work with the most.”
“It has been my great privilege to serve FSCC as President for the last 8 years,” she said in a statement. “After a great deal of thought and consulting with my husband, I have decided it is time I retire and dedicate more time to family.”
“I believe we have a wonderful team of Trustees, faculty, staff, and community who have demonstrated their passion for student success and community support,” she said. “It is my sincere hope that many of the programs, projects, policies, and procedures we have begun or changed will continue to advance FSCC’s mission.”
“I know the college is in great hands to move forward and meet the needs of its many stakeholders,” she said. “I hope I have helped position the college to continue being a critical piece of not only economic development, but a beacon for vision and collaboration to advance all citizens of Bourbon County. I believe making sure our mission of providing for student and community needs should always be the North Star.”
Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson
April 14, 2023
Fake News Politics strikes a sorrowful note when politicians lie to further their own ambitions. It not only happens in Washington but also in Kansas. Disappointingly, a State Representative, who is a veteran, put out fake news about me. He said that I single-handedly blocked a property tax exemption for disabled veterans. He knows he is wrong. First, as Chairman of the Senate Tax Committee, I have fought diligently for our veterans and military to increase their benefits in Kansas. I was the leader who worked with other legislators (nothing happens in Topeka with only one person) creating a property tax freeze for disabled veterans and low-income seniors last year. I also have led the effort this year in expanding qualifications for the program. The results of the expansion are in Conference Committee Report (CCR) 8. Hopefully it will become law. I also proposed a 100% increase on the income tax personal exemption for disabled veterans. It was signed into law last year for 100% disabled veterans. The Representative who is spreading Fake News, needs to accept the facts. Now, he is trying to take credit for the property-tax freeze (it originated in the Senate, not the House) and for a Constitutional Amendment that I introduced and got passed in the Senate (again, working with others), SCR 1611. It will limit property valuation increases for EVERYONE to a maximum of 4% each year with a few exceptions. Hopefully it will pass the House, then voters can decide.
The property tax exemption for disabled veterans, House Bill (HB) 2036, didn’t pass the House until the last day of session and wasn’t assigned to the Senate Tax Committee until days after standing committee meetings had ended for this session. If this was such a priority for the Representative, why did he wait until the clock ran out? As for me blocking HB 2036, the words of the Vice-Chairman of the Senate Tax Committee stated the facts, “Someone has given you bad information. Chairman Tyson offered to accept HB 2036, but the House turned down the offer. I was in the room when the offer was made and rejected. Just thought I should set the record straight.”
Born-Alive Infant Protection Act, HB 2313, was vetoed by the Governor. The legislation would make it a crime to let a baby die that was born alive during an abortion or attempted abortion. The bill passed by supermajority in both chambers. There will be a veto override attempt that should pass if no legislators change their position. I voted for the legislation and will vote for the override.
Firearms Safety and Training in Schools, HB 2304, was also vetoed by the Governor. The bill providing schools an option for firearms safety classes passed the Senate with enough votes for a veto override. The House was a few votes short. Hopefully, they can find the votes so the bill will become law. I voted for HB 2304 and will vote for the motion to override.
Fairness in Women’s Sports, HB 2238, was vetoed by the Governor for the third year in a row. The results didn’t end the same this year because the legislature had 2/3 majority to override the veto, and did so. A supermajority of legislators understand that fairness in women’s sports only include biological women competing against each other. I voted for the bill and for the veto override.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.
Caryn
U235 Special Board Meeting Agenda is April 19 at 6 p.m.
Click here to view the agenda: