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The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Invites you to the 2018 Pioneer Harvest Parade, this Thursday night at 6:00 pm. This parade of antique, classic farm implements through the streets of Fort Scott’s historic downtown kicks off this weekends Pioneer Harvest Fiesta!
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Bourbon County Commissioners are attending a meeting and won’t meet until Thursday, October 18.
Submitted by Whitney Ball, Bourbon County Clerk
This is part of a series on the candidates for the general election November 6.
United States House of Representatives, 2nd District (vote for one)
Paul Davis P.O. Box 944 Lawrence 66044 Democratic
Laura Kelly/Lynn Rogers P.O. Box 2098 Topeka 66601 Democratic
Steve Watkins 6021 SW 29th St, Ste A Box 150 Topeka 66614 Republican
Name: Kelly Standley
Age: 49
Candidate for the position of U.S. House of Representatives 2nd District Kansas
Place of residence: Saint Paul, Kansas
Current occupation: Business owner and job creator
Community involvement:
Homeless shelter where we help to clothe, feed, find jobs and give them a place to stay while doing all this.
Party affiliation: Libertarian
2) Give your views on food sales tax:
Considering the fact that Kansans pay a higher sales tax on food than most other States I am for lowering the tax. Here is my problem with doing that though, will the stores take advantage of that and see an opportunity to raise prices on products so they can have a better bottom line? Some large retail stores advertise they are lowering prices on products but what they don’t say is that when they lower prices on select items they raise prices on other items to make up the difference. I know this to be true, I have worked large retail before and I never thought that was fair to the consumer.
3) Give your views on legalizing marijuana:
I lived in Colorado for several years and I saw the downside to legalizing it, but I can say that the downside came when they made it open for recreational use. At the same time I saw new schools being built, a larger number of law enforcement agencies having staff and supplies they needed. I saw hospitals not worrying about how patients were going to pay a bill. I would support putting this option on a national ballot for the people in each state to vote on and decide if it is what they want. The Federal Government has no place regulating this product and it should be left up to the states individually.
4) Give your views on health care for our state, including Medicaid:
Medicaid needs to be addressed and no more hospitals like Mercy in Fort Scott, Independence should have to close down because of Medicaid shortfalls. I would like to see the State of Kansas come up with a solution that works for the hospitals instead of against them. Hospitals in rural areas are very important to their communities and we have no time to play around when lives are at risk!
5) Give views on abortion and Planned Parenthood:
I’m for women having choices to do what they want with their bodies but I am also not for abortion. What I would like to see is instead of the Federal Government pushing Planned Parenthood agencies to have specific quota numbers for abortions. It would be more beneficial to see Planned Parenthood work with adoption agencies to get children adopted and not aborted.
This is part of a series featuring candidates for the Nov. 6 election.
United States House of Representatives, 2nd District (vote for one)
Paul Davis P.O. Box 944 Lawrence 66044 Democratic
Laura Kelly/Lynn Rogers P.O. Box 2098 Topeka 66601 Democratic
Steve Watkins 6021 SW 29th St, Ste A Box 150 Topeka 66614 Republican
Name: Steve Watkins
Age: 42
Candidate for the position of U.S. House of Representatives, KS-02
Place of Residence: Topeka, Kansas
Current Occupation: Engineer
Community involvement: Member, Philip Billard VFW Post 1650
Party affiliation: Republican
Policy Questions
1. What is the biggest issue, if elected, and how do you plan to address it?
The most important and biggest issues our nation faces today are protecting Social Security and Medicare, keeping taxes low, and securing our southern border. What stands in the way of these pivotal issues for the American people is the partisan obstruction by Democrats. As a Captain in the U.S. Army, I spent years leading diverse groups of people through difficult situations. In order to work toward solutions to our most prevalent issues, we must elect leaders that are willing to work across the aisle and put aside their party labels for the betterment of the American people.
2. Give your views on a food sales tax:
While I personally oppose sales tax on food, there are currently no sales taxes on food or anything else at the federal level. Sales taxes are all levied at the state a local level, so those are the choices of state and local leaders. In Congress, I would oppose any
efforts to impose a federal sales tax. Further, while my opponent has advocated to repeal some of the recent tax cuts signed into law by President Trump. I would seek to make them permanent for hard working Kansans.
3. Give your views on legalizing marijuana:
Although I am not personally in favor of legalizing marijuana for recreational use, I am also a strong believer in the 10th Amendment to the Constitution and I believe this is an ultimately a state’s rights issue. However, I am sympathetic to the push to legalize
marijuana strictly for medicinal purposes. As a Veteran myself, I have read many studies that suggest medical marijuana can help veterans struggling with PTSD, as well as to treat symptoms of serious illness and other conditions. I believe further research
should be done in this area.
4. Give your views on health care in our state, including Medicaid:
First and foremost, Congress must repeal and replace Obamacare and work together toward a patient-centered healthcare system that protects those with pre-existing conditions, reduces costs, promotes competition in the marketplace, and gives patients
more control over their health care. Obamacare did the opposite. Introducing crippling tax mandates and excessive regulations that were geared more toward an urban setting than a rural setting. This has unfairly targeted rural areas and has had a very negative
impact on our rural hospitals leading to a loss of access as was recently demonstrated here in Fort Scott. Lower quality of health care, fewer choices, and skyrocketing premiums is not “Affordable Care”. While Medicaid expansion is one possible short term
fix, the real solution to our healthcare system is building a new system that allows for more choices and more adaptability to the individual patient and the individual healthcare setting.
5. Give views on abortion and Planned Parenthood:
I am and always have been committed to protecting the sanctity of life, at all costs. By signing the National Right To Life Pledge, I vowed to end federal funding for Planned Parenthood and to never vote for pro-choice legislation in Washington. My opponent, on
the other hand, has a long record of voting against life, including votes in support of late-term abortions. Planned Parenthood, a major donor to the Democratic Party, is the largest provider of abortions in the U.S. It is unacceptable that over 500 million
taxpayer dollars is given to Planned Parenthood year after year. I have been endorsed by both Kansans for Life and the National Right to Life Committee. As your congressman, I will never vote for the pro-choice legislation.
The Fort Scott City Commission budgeted this year for a three-percent raise for the city employees.
“When the commission approves the budget, we build in what we can for the employees, a three-percent raise,” City Manager Dave Martin said. “It takes effect on the anniversary date of when they started.”
Martin started in August 2010.
Fort Scott City Mayor JoLynne Mitchell introduced the City Manager’s Employment Agreement to the city commission Oct 2 at their regular meeting, according to the minutes of the meeting.
She asked each commissioner to speak to City Manager Dave Martin about his evaluation.
Commissioner Cindy Bartelsmeyer thanked Martin for his leadership and for the “hard work” he has provided. Ongoing improvements in street conditions need to be addressed, she said, according to the minutes.
Commissioner Jeanne Parker said she” can’t remember a person who has taken such great strides with the city… and he has done a terrific job.”
Commissioner Randy Nichols said that the Martin is very “forward thinking” and has a “great staff that works with him and is very positive.”
Mayor Mitchell said he does “a tremendous job.” She said that they “sometimes don’t speak the same language but they get along great.” She hopes that Martin recognizes that he has a “great City Commission” behind him.
The City Commission then approved a raise for Martin.
He received a three-percent increase in salary bringing his salary to $107,462.78.
One year was added to his contract, which will take his employment through August 21, 2023.
If Martin should leave, he would be paid for his sick leave and vacation time.
All members of the commission voted to approve the raise, with the stipulations listed.
Martin thanked the commission and said that he “appreciates the opportunity to serve the city and the city commission.” He said he “couldn’t do this job without his good team of employees.”
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Fort Scott Community College Announces Advanced Quit-Smoking Program for Employees and Students
Fort Scott Community College, in collaboration with Truth Initiative, announced today the EX Program, an innovative quit-smoking program designed for FSCC employees and students, has started.
The EX Program is a comprehensive, digital smoking-cessation program designed for employers, health systems and health plans to offer to their employees or members who smoke.
The program includes the popular quit-smoking planning tools and online community from the proven-effective smoking cessation program.
According to Truth Initiative, statistics make clear why an innovative, advanced approach is needed:
“Through the policy adoption and the work required to accomplish it, not only are we creating a healthier environment, but many students have experienced the procedures of policy and education. We are the heart of the institution and being involved in the policy process is important. We are, also, offering educational opportunities including health-related topics and online and face-to-face cessation workshops. We hope that through the opportunities such as the Ex Program, students, faculty, and staff will be offered the tools to better handle the transition of the policy adoption,” said Leslie Damian, Smoke-Free Campus Initiative college leader, and intern.
The Ex Program will be one cessation tool offered as part of the Fort Scott Community College’s Smoke-Free Campus Initiative.
FSCC announced in January that they were one of 18 minority-serving institutions and community colleges to receive funds and technical support from Truth Initiative®, the nation’s largest nonprofit public health organization dedicated to making tobacco use a thing of the past.
The project is being led by Phi Theta Kappa, the honor society on campus. Over the past three years, Truth Initiative has partnered with 135 colleges, reaching more than 1.2 million students and 275,000 faculties and staff across 35 states.
To learn more about our work speaking, seeking and spreading the truth about tobacco, visit truthinitiative.org.
The Uniontown FFA Chapter traveled to Sedan, Kansas on Friday, October 12th to compete in the Southeast District FFA Horse Evaluation competition.
After placing four haltered classes, two performance classes and presenting two sets of oral reasons, Uniontown was named the first place team in the Freshman/Sophomore division.
The team was made up of all freshman including Gwen Fry was the high individual overall, Kristy Beene who was 6th individually, Colton Robinson who was 9th, Addie Martin, Bryce Eck, Jakeob Stewart, Zach Snyder, Thomas Snider, and Connor Gregg.
Submitted by Scott Sutton
There will be an organizational meeting for a Sons of the American Legion (SAL) Squadron on Saturday, October 20 at 10 am. The meeting will be held downstairs in Fort Scott’s Memorial Hall and is open to any male descendant of an honorably discharged Veteran.
The Sons of the American Legion Squadron is a part of the American Legion family, but it develops its own local community service programs and projects. The SAL offers an opportunity for the sons and grandsons of Veterans to honor their Veteran ancestor while giving back to the community.
Sons, grandsons and great-grandsons of honorably discharged Veterans are eligible for SAL membership.
SAL membership eligibility can be confusing as I cannot join the SAL though my own military service. My SAL eligibility is through my grandfather’s military service in World War 1. My sons and grandsons can join the SAL through my military service.
If you have any questions about joining the SAL or if you have questions about your eligibility, email me at [email protected] or call me at 904.553.1848.
I look forward to you joining us on Saturday, October 20 as we charter this newest organization supporting the Veterans and citizens of Bourbon County.
If you wish to join the SAL , but are unable to attend our organizational meeting, please contact me. God, family and work should always come before Legion activities. I will work with you on your membership application.
Feel free to share this email with family and friends who may be interested in the Sons of the American Legion.
Carl Jowers, Commander
Fort Scott American Legion Post 25
Click below for the daily reports, which can best be viewed on a computer.
Pittsburg Youth Chorale presents Pre-Parade Prelude
Pittsburg Youth Chorale, under the direction of M.J. Harper, will perform a pre-parade prelude at 8:30 AM on Saturday, October 20 outside of Root Coffeehouse at 802 N. Broadway.
Warm up your body before the PSU Homecoming Parade with a cup of joe or mug of tea and a scone or muffin.
Warm up your voice with patriotic pieces such as “The Star Spangled Banner” and “TAPS.” Warm up your feet with selections like “Sing, Sing, Sing!”
Performers: Auggie Allison, Ben Bolinger, Sydney Ewing, Eden Darling, Amaeus Hawkins, Quorynn Harris, Angie Miller, Rachael Miller, Zayne Miller, Chloe Riska, and Hayden Turnbull meet Tuesdays 5-6PM at Pittsburg Memorial Auditorium & Convention Center, 503 N. Pine.
If you are interested in booking this ensemble, email [email protected] or call 620-235-7827.
Area singers in 4th, 5th, and 6th grade are invited to join Pittsburg Youth Chorale.
Participants do not need to be enrolled in USD 250 to belong to this ensemble.
To enroll, visit Pittsburg Memorial Auditorium & Convention Center between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM, or call 620-231-7827.
Contact: MJ Harper, 620-719-6633, [email protected]
