The Bourbon County Democrats met on Sunday, September 15, and elected Kate Emmett-Sweetser as their new county chairwoman.
The previous chairwoman, Kathy Dancer, had resigned in August when she accepted a job overseas.
Other officers are Vice-Chair Clint Walker, Treasurer Shirley Palmer, and Recording Secretary Jacki Prettyman.
The Bourbon County Democrats will hold their monthly meeting on Sunday, October 20, at 2:30 pm.
The location will be at the Brewhaus on the corner of Wall and National Avenue. All Democrats, Liberals, and Progressives are welcome to attend.
The Democrats are collecting coats and other winter garments to donate to charity. Those wishing to participate should bring their item(s) to the meeting on Sunday.
Krista Postai, President and CEO of Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, said they expanding services.
Mercy Hospital announced in October 2018 that they would be closing December 2018.
Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, 401 Woodland Hills Blvd.
CHC/SEK then assumed responsibilities, securing physicians and staff to provide a clinic to the community at the Mercy Hospital site, 401 Woodland Hills Blvd.
The CHC/SEK is currently planning to build a new facility on the Horton Street side of the former Mercy Hospital site.
CHC/SEK will be building a facility on Horton, just west of the former Mercy Hospital building.
“We have selected an architect for our new Fort Scott clinic,” Postai said. “It’s Zingre and Associates from Ft. Scott and we are in the midst of designing the new facility.”
“We only have a two-year lease for our current space which Mercy clearly indicated is not renewable,” Postai said. “We knew from the beginning that we would have to build a new clinic, which we’ve shared publically to the various groups we’ve talked with, including the city and county. To help make our startup affordable in Ft. Scott and give us time to plan, Mercy discounted the rent amount for us and everyone in there, which is greatly appreciated.”
“Overhead (electricity, gas, etc.) is extremely expensive in the existing space, as is ongoing maintenance on the building,” Postai said. ” So there is no way we could assume the financial burden of a 177,000 sq. ft. building that is only being minimally utilized. Others who have evaluated ownership of the building came to the same conclusion. We know Mercy recognizes that and have evaluated options including demolition although, to my knowledge, no final decision has been reached.”
“CHC/SEK is planning on expanding its services to include dental care, mental health care, a women’s center, more accessible pharmacy, etc. which can’t be accomplished in the existing space we now occupy without a major investment in renovation in a building with a uncertain future,” Postai said. “Our model of care also supports integration of services. For example, children coming in for their well child check may also have a visit with the dentist or someone struggling to manage their diabetes may meet with a therapist or a patient educator as part of their medical visit. Numerous support staff also coordinate care or work with special populations (e.g. expectant mothers) which requires space within the clinic. So, we’re working with our Ft. Scott staff to determine what they want and need in a new building built specifically to support our ‘one-stop’ approach or, as our vision says, ‘Healthcare The Way It Should Be.'”
In addition, CHC/SEK also will assume responsibility of Mercy’s clinic in Columbus in January 2020, Postai said.
” We will be combining our existing Columbus clinic with Mercy’s clinic,” Postai said. “Mercy will continue to manage the hospital in Columbus which is owned by the city.”
Postai said CHC/SEK is also extending its reach into Oklahoma.
“CHC/SEK was one of 77 health centers in the U.S. to receive grants to open new health centers and we will be doing so in Miami and Wyandotte, Oklahoma,” she said. ” Our center in Miami is currently operated by Mercy who asked us if we would assume responsibility and we agreed to do so. The one in Wyandotte is in a school and will primarily serve the students, their families and school staff. We will have the clinics open before the end of the year.”
The organization is also working to secure future doctors for the area, and former Mercy Hospital CEO Reta Baker was selected to administer the program to do just that.
Reta Baker is now CHC/SEK’s Vice President of Clinical Education, with the office located in Pittsburg.
“We also are working with the University of Kansas School of Medicine to establish a family practice residency program in southeast Kansas,” Postai said. “To provide administrative oversight of this program – and all of our clinical education students – is Reta Baker, former hospital CEO in Ft. Scott. She has been named VP/Clinical Education and her office is located in CHC/SEK’s system office in Pittsburg.”
With all the outreach activity of CHC/SEK, “We are nearing 500 full-time employees,” Postai said.
Here is the list of CHS/SEK outreach from Krista Postai:
“Crawford County: Our main clinic in Pittsburg plus a dental-only clinic downtown and we just opened a school-based health center in Pittsburg High School. A mobile medical van goes daily to the middle school and elementary schools. We also have the clinic in Arma.
Cherokee County … we have a clinic in Baxter Springs and Columbus.
Bourbon County … we have Walk-in Care and the main Ft. Scott clinic.
Linn County … we have clinics in Mound City and Pleasanton.
Labette County – we have a clinic in Parsons.
Montgomery County – we have a clinic in Independence and three in Coffeyville – a main clinic, one in the elementary school and one in the middle/high school.
Allen County – we have a clinic in Iola.
We will be opening two clinics in Ottawa County, OK in December – one in Miami and one in the Wyandotte Schools.
We also employ nurses in multiple schools, as well as behavioral health specialists throughout the region.”
CHCSEK offices are located at 3011 N. Michigan, Pittsburg, KS 66762. The phone number is 620-235-1867.
The CHC/SEK Clinic in Fort Scott’s number is 223-8040.
Pittsburg Youth Chorale, under the direction of MJ Harper, will perform a Pre-Parade Prelude at 8:30AM on Saturday, October 19th at Root Coffeehouse, 402 N. Broadway.
Sing along to holiday hits before Halloween, patriotic tunes in preparation for Veterans Day, and folk tunes perfect for Autumn.
Performers meet Tuesdays 5-6PM at First United Methodist Church, 415 N. Pine.
If you are interested in booking this ensemble, contact MJ Harper at 620-719-6633 or email [email protected] . 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, contact MJ Harper.
Governor Laura Kelly’s appointments were submitted today to the Senate Majority Leader’s office in advance of the November 5, 2019, Confirmation Oversight Committee meeting.
The following appointees submitted:
David Herndon (R), Shawnee, Kansas Bank Commissioner
Brad Stratton (U), Overland Park, KPERS Board of Trustees
Kala Spigarelli (D), Pittsburg, Kansas Lottery Commission
Ruth Stevenson (R), Olathe, Banking Board
Rick Wiley (R), Westphalia, Public Employee Relations Board
Dr. Michael Birzer (U), Wichita, State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services
Patricia Hudgins (D), Manhattan, State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services
Erica Andrade (D), Kansas City, State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services
Laurel Michel (R), Salina, State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services
In addition, paperwork was submitted on July 10 for:
Jeff Zmuda – Secretary, Kansas Department of Corrections
After the November 5, 2019, Confirmation Oversight Committee meeting, the Governor’s appointments will be voted on by the full Senate in the 2020 Legislative Session.
Pauline Mae Norris, age 94, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Tuesday, October 15, 2019, at Franklin House Assisted Living in Ft. Scott. She was born May 3, 1925, in Hepler, KS, the daughter of Charles Oscar Cowan and Grace Olive Boileau Cowan. She graduated from Blue Mound high school with the class of 1942.
Pauline married Everett Wayne “Soapy” Norris on May 19, 1946, in Mapleton, KS. He preceded her in death on May 3, 1995.
When younger, she worked for Key Work Clothes as well as helping on the family dairy farm in Devon, KS. They moved to Ft. Scott in 1986. Pauline enjoyed making rag rugs.
She was a member of the Devon United Methodist Church where she was very active in earlier years. She later transferred to First United Methodist in Ft. Scott.
Survivors include her son Jeff Norris and wife Vera, Ft. Scott; two sisters, Charlene Bruns, Ft. Scott, and Mary Dahmer, Nevada, MO; a brother, Bill Cowan and wife Norma, Nevada, MO; three grandchildren, Lindsey Norris, Ft. Scott, Sara Wells and husband Eric, Lawrence, KS, and Paul Norris and wife Cierra, Lecompton, KS; thgreat-grandchildrendren, Sebastian, Remy and Oaklee; and many nieces and nephews.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Bradley Norris; four sisters, Metta Walker and husband Mark, Irmal Smith and husband Louis, Ruth Walker and husband Jake, and Opal Brillhart and husband Ed; a brother Floyd “Buck” Cowan; brothers-in-law Glenn “Plute” Dahmer and Maurice Bruns; and her parents.
Graveside services will be held at 10:30 AM Saturday, October 19th, in the Mapleton Cemetery, Mapleton, KS.
The family will gather at the Cheney Witt Chapel prior to leaving for the cemetery at 10:00.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to Gideons International and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Margaret Marie Haas was born on September 3, 1924, to Charles and Pearl Niemeir in Bourbon County, Kansas. She was the eighth of ten children. Marie attended Center School through the 8th grade and graduated from Fort Scott High School, Fort Scott, Kansas in 1942. As a young girl, Marie’s family began attending church services at the First Christian Church in Ft. Scott, Kansas. At the age of 15, Marie accepted Christ as her Savior and was baptized on October 29, 1939.
After graduating from high school, Marie worked as a secretary for the Western Insurance Company in Fort Scott, Kansas. On June 17, 1945, Marie married Raymond G. Haas (Electrician’s Mate, Second Class Navy) at the First Christian Church in Fort Scott, Kansas, and together they had three children, Esther Ann Jenkins (Randy) of Lancaster, PA, Steven Ray Haas (Sandra) of Riley, Kansas, and Ronald Charles Haas (Sandra) of Birmingham, Alabama. Marie and Raymond were married for 64 years until his death in September of 2009.
Together, Raymond and Marie lived a full life in the Fort Scott area where they farmed and raised their children. Marie and Raymond were extensively involved in their church at Bethel Community Baptist Church. During their retirement years, Raymond spent much of his time helping his neighbors in need while Marie enjoyed babysitting and working with the Awana program at Bethel where she assisted the young children with learning Bible verses. Marie and Raymond also enjoyed traveling and visiting their children and grandchildren. In 2007, Raymond and Marie moved to Birmingham, Alabama to live with their youngest son Ron Haas due to the declining health of Raymond. After Raymond’s death, Marie remained in Birmingham until April of 2019. While in Birmingham, Marie was faithful to attend Glen Iris Baptist Church.
Marie was lovingly known as “Granny” to her family and many, many others both young and old. She was known for her sweet smile that could be easily transformed into a giggle by the antics of her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. Marie loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren and wouldn’t miss the opportunity to be present for any sporting event or music recital in which they participated. Marie leaves a legacy of quiet faithfulness and service to her family, friends, and to her Savior. She will be greatly missed by all that had the privilege of knowing her.
Marie passed away at the age of 95 on October 13, 2019. She is preceded in death by her husband, Raymond G. Haas, four brothers and four sisters. Marie is survived by one sister, Lois Hixon of Denver, Colorado, three children, twelve grandchildren, forty-four great grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 12:30 P.M. Friday, October 18th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Bethel Community Baptist Church and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 666701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
In three weeks voters will be electing government representation.
In addition, there will be a question to consider on the ballot.
In the November 5, 2019, General Election you will be asked to approve removing a census count adjustment.
“The amendment question seeks to do away with a census count specifically for college students and military personnel to be counted where they come from and not where they are at the time of their vote,” according to a report on KSN TV, Wichita, Oct. 14, 2019. For the whole report click below:
Following is how the amendment will appear on the ballot, followed by the Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab’s explanation of the question.
This is how it will read:
Constitutional Amendment
Vote Yes or No
Explanatory statement. The
purpose of this amendment is to
eliminate the adjustment of
the census taken by the United
States census bureau regarding
nonresident military personnel
and nonresident students when
reapportioning the Kansas senate
and house of representatives.
A vote for this proposition would
eliminate the adjustment of
the census taken by the United
States census bureau regarding
nonresident military personnel
and nonresident students when
reapportioning the Kansas senate
and house of representatives.
A vote against this proposition
would continue in effect the
requirement for the adjustment of
the census taken by the United
States census bureau regarding
nonresident military personnel
and nonresident students when
reapportioning the Kansas senate
and house of representatives.
Shall the following be adopted?
1. Reapportionment of
senatorial and representative
districts. (a) At its regular session
in 1989, the legislature shall by
law reapportion the state
representative districts, the state
senatorial districts or both the
state representative and
senatorial districts upon the basis
of the latest census of the
inhabitants of the state taken by
the authority of chapter 61 of the
1987 Session Laws of Kansas. At
its regular session in 1992, and at
its regular session every tenth
year thereafter, the legislature
shall by law reapportion the state
senatorial districts and
representative districts on the
basis of the population of the
state as established by the most
recent census of population taken
and published by the United
States census bureau of the
census. Senatorial and
representative districts shall be
reapportioned upon the basis of
the population of the state
adjusted: (1) To exclude
nonresident military personnel
stationed within the state and
nonresident students attending
colleges and universities within
the state; and (2) to include
military personnel stationed within
the state who are residents of the
state and students attending
colleges and universities within
the state who are residents of the
state in the district of their
permanent residence. Bills
reapportioning legislative districts
shall be published in the Kansas
register immediately upon final
passage and shall be effective for
the next following election of
legislators and thereafter until
again reapportioned.
(b) Within 15 days after the
publication of an act
reapportioning the legislative
districts within the time specified
in (a), the attorney general shall
petition the supreme court of the
state to determine the validity
thereof. The supreme court,
within 30 days from the filing of
the petition, shall enter its
judgment. Should the supreme
court determine that the
reapportionment statute is invalid,
the legislature shall enact a
statute of reapportionment
conforming to the judgment of the
supreme court within 15 days.
(c) Upon enactment of a
reapportionment to conform with
a judgment under (b), the
attorney general shall apply to the
supreme court of the state to
determine the validity thereof.
The supreme court, within 10
days from the filing of such
application, shall enter its
judgment. Should the supreme
court determine that the
reapportionment statute is invalid,
the legislature shall again enact a
statute reapportioning the
legislative districts in compliance
with the direction of and
conforming to the mandate of the
supreme court within 15 days
after entry thereof.
(d) Whenever a petition or
application is filed under this
section, the supreme court, in
accordance with its rules, shall
permit interested persons to
present their views.
(e) A judgment of the supreme
court of the state determining a
reapportionment to be valid shall
be final until the legislative
districts are again reapportioned
in accordance herewith.
KEY POINTS
The following is provided by Bourbon County Clerk Kendell Mason, who sent info from the Kansas Secretary of State to explain the amendment.
Kansas is the only state in the nation that adjusts its census numbers.
Adjustment is estimated to cost $835,000 in 2020.
In the 2010 adjustment, approximately 13,000 people, out of 2.9 million, were affected.
Eliminating the adjustment would give lawmakers an additional legislative session to complete redistricting.
Legislative and State Board of Education districts would be drawn using the same numbers as congressional districts.
The Legislature supported eliminating the adjustment with bi-partisan super majorities.
Summary:
A Proposition to amend section 1 of article 10 of the constitution of the state of Kansas.
In 2019, the Legislature passed a constitutional amendment (SCR1605) with a bipartisan super majority to eliminate a provision in the Kansas Constitution requiring Kansas to adjust census numbers for military personnel and college students. Intended to slow the impact of urban migration from rural Kansas to the more populated, eastern half of the state, the requirement has, historically, had the opposite effect by marginally increasing population numbers for urban areas.
The adjustment is antiquated, burdensome and expensive because it requires the Secretary of State’s office to contact every college student and member of the military residing in Kansas to determine their official residence. Keep in mind, the U.S. Census Bureau is responsible for counting individuals where they reside in the United States. They expend significant resources in communicating with Americans on the importance of the Census. Kansas is essentially asking students and military personnel the same question – at a cost of at least $835,000 – in a manner contradictory to what is asked by the Census Bureau.
