Monthly Archives: December 2022

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Agenda for Jan. 3

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Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Date: January 3, 2023
1st District–Nelson Blythe Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District–Jim Harris Corrected: _______________________
3rd District–Clifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk–Ashley Shelton
MEETING HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM BEGINNING AT 9:00AM
Call to Order
• Flag Salute
• Reorganization of Board
• Approval of Minutes
• Eric Bailey – Road & Bridge Report
• Approval of Accounts Payable
• Matt Quick – NRP Renewal
• Teri Hulsey – Grant Approval
• Ashley Shelton – Resolutions, KAC Renewal, KONE, 6th Judicial Coroner, Forensic Medical,
Presentation of Filed Documents
• Lora Holdridge – Part–time Employee to Full–time Employee Request
• Susan Bancroft – Chief Financial Officer
o Bank Bids
o Handbook – Section 2
o Broker Selection
• Justin Meeks – County Counselor Comment
• Shane Walker – Chief Information Officer Comment
• Jim Harris – Executive Session KSA 75–4319(b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual
nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
• Public Comment
• Commission Comment

DBB Letter(1) Handbook Section 2(1) Assured Partners Timeline(1) Lora Holdridge – Agenda Request Form(1)
Justifications for Executive Session:
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 security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures.

 

 

Attachments:

DBB Letter(1)

Handbook Section 2(1)

Assured Partners Timeline(1)

Lora Holdridge – Agenda Request Form(1)

 

Bourbon County

Bourbon County Coalition Meeting Agenda for Jan. 4

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Billie Jo Drake opens the Bourbon County Inter Agency Coalition monthly meeting Dec. 4.

Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition

General Membership Meeting Agenda

Conference Room at the Scottview Apartments

 

January 4, 2023

 

 

  1. Welcome: 

 

 

  1. Member Introductions and Announcements:

 

 

  1. Program: Lorina Bowman, Museum of Creativity

 

 

  1. Open Forum:

 

 

  1. Adjournment:  Next General Membership meeting will be February 1, at 1:00 p.m.
Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Robert Coon Invests in Another Downtown Building

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120 E. Wall was purchased this week by Robert and Kim Coon. Submitted photo.

Continuing the restoration of Fort Scott’s downtown, Robert and Kim Coon have purchased 120 E. Wall this week. They own Coon Rentals LLC.

Robert and Kim Coon own Coon Rentals LLC. Submitted photo.

“After I bought the Kress Building, I fell in love with the downtown area,” Robert Coon said. “There is lots of energy, lots of events, music on Friday nights at Heritage Park. That little strip of Main Street was dead, now it’s thriving.”

The Kress Building he purchased last year was renovated into Pizza Republic Restaurant this year.

To view a prior story:

New Restaurant and Pub Coming to Downtown Fort Scott

“It’s the support of the community that put downtown Fort Scott on the map and it’s exploding,” he said. “Developers, business people have contributed-the Bartlesmeyers, the Lyons, the Freemans, the LaRoches, the Lipes, the Dancers and others.”

“Developers are taking money from their other ventures to fund this,” he said. “These people are building downtown, are working downtown and still choosing to build downtown.”

“My wife and I have always been involved in rentals,” Coon said. “The residential rental market is easy. The commercial market is fun.”

Going back in time, the shoe store, the appliance store, the Kress Tea Room were closing, now investors are revitalizing the downtown, he said.

Instrumental economic development people in this revitalization have been Jody Hoener and Rob Harrington, Coon said.

 

Plans For the Building

Coon Rentals LLC will be renovating the upstairs of 120 E. Wall into a 1,900 square feet “high end, classy Airbnb.”

“The view is spectacular from the second floor,” he said.

The lower 1900 square feet, which was renovated by the Gettler’s and most recently Patrick Wood, is an office space that is currently rented out to Stutesman Action Realty.

A view inside 120 E. Wall on the main floor. Submitted photo.

History of the Building

“In the 1800’s the original building burnt down,” Coon said. “In 1920, the current structure was built. Brian Allen and Shane Walker are a wealth of knowledge of downtown history.”

“There was a complete renovation under the previous ownership of Patrick J. Wood-the street level, 1900 square feet of a stunning, professional area, is currently occupied by Stutesman Action Reality.  The 1,900 square feet, high end loft apartment space upstairs is set to be Airbnb in early April, 2023”.

Robert Coon can be reached at 620.215.9267.
Opinion

An Unintentional Block by Patty LaRoche

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“Dave, it has to be on your end,” I said, patiently.

“Patty, I want you to turn off your phone and turn it on again.”

“Why would I do that?”

“Because I can call everyone except you.  My calls go directly to your Voicemail.”

“So why couldn’t that be your phone’s fault?  You’re in Mexico.  I’m in the United States.  Chances are, I have better reception than you have. After all, my calls go through to you; yours don’t come through to me.”

This went on for a few days.  In that time, I, a submissive wife, followed Dave’s advice and turned my phone off and back on. No success.  Dave’s email let me know that he couldn’t figure out why I didn’t answer his texts.  “Because I never got them,” I answered

This was not going well.

I called Dave.  “I will visit Verizon to see if this is my phone’s fault,” I said, trying to be a good team player, even though I was positive this problem was his phone, not mine.

“Great. Unless you’ve blocked me, there has to be a problem coming from the carrier.”

“Or you,” I added.

How silly of him to say, “Unless you’ve blocked me.” Who would block their spouse? Just to make sure I wasn’t responsible for this disaster, however, I checked my contact list.

Sure as shootin’, he was blocked.

Desperate measures were needed.  How could I make Dave think that he was responsible?  Was it possible for him to block himself?  I think not.

“Well, what do you know, Honey?  You were blocked. Ha-ha. I have no idea how that happened.”

Dave then reminded me that I had blocked three other friends in the past few months.  Like this was an epidemic or something.

Anyway, we worked it out, but as I thought about how easy it was to block someone unintentionally, I considered how I sometimes do it intentionally, like ignoring a phone call or a text because I just want to be alone.

But what if I block God?  Like when I feel His nudging to do something kind that day, but I’m too tired or too irritable or too insensitive to obey.

Yes, I do that, but my New Year’s resolution is to listen to Him purposefully and do what He says.

This morning, I felt God telling me to be kind to someone I didn’t know.  I was flying from K.C. to Florida, and I had gotten little sleep, but I was determined to obey.

I won’t list here all the things that went wrong, but I still had opportunities to help.

At ticketing, I traded places with a man who was late for his flight.  Going through security, I overheard a mother instructing her teenage son on what to do while traveling alone.  I assured her that I would get her son to the right gate…which I would have, had I not been pulled out of line because I had five ounces of sun screen in my carry bag instead of the three allowed. Ultimately, I caught up with him and assured him he was at the right gate. He looked at me like I was a nut-case.

While boarding, I noticed a young girl standing by herself.  I struck up a conversation with her.  She was “really nervous” as she never had flown alone before, so I told her that I would wait for her when we deplaned and get her to her next flight.  She seemed thankful when I ushered her through the airport, although she seemed to know exactly what she was doing.

Still, not bad for one day. Let’s just hope I can say the same at the end of 2023.

 

Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

What’s Happening in Fort Scott Weekly Newsletter

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What’s Happening in Fort Scott!

December 29th Weekly Newsletter

UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS

________________

Fort Scott National Historic Site

Daily Tours: 10am & 1pm

Museum of Creativity

Holiday Hours & Events

Click here! Great place to burn some

energy over the holidays!

12/26-31 ~ All gently used books 50% off at Hedgehog.INK! Book Store.

12/29 ~ Lego Club – Museum of Creativity,

$2/person, ages 13+ meets from 4-6pm, ages 7-12 meets from 4:30-5:30pm. Click here for more info.

12/29 ~ Ladies Craft Night – Museum of Creativity, $5/participant, 6-8pm. Click here for more info.

12/29 ~ BINGO hosted by American Legion #25 at Memorial Hall , doors open at 6pm and

Bingo starts at 7pm. Click here for more info.

12/30-31 ~ Kansas City T-Nuts Model Railroad Club – Museum of Creativity, Friday December 30th from 9am-10pm and Saturday December 31st from 10am-6pm, free will donations are welcome. Click here for more info.

01/01 ~ Happy New Year from the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce!

01/01 ~ Potluck Dinner with First Presbyterian Church, guest will be FSCC Men’s

Basketball Team, sign – up by calling 620.223.3180 or email [email protected], please bring a dish to share, 11:30am-1pm.

Click here for more info.

01/05 ~ Seniorcise-Senior Exercise at Credo Senior Living, every Thursday at 10:30am,

click here for more info.

01/05 ~ Lego Club – Museum of Creativity,

$2/person, ages 13+ meets from 4-6pm, ages 7-12 meets from 4:30-5:30pm. Click here for more info.

01/05 ~ Ladies Craft Night – Museum of Creativity, $5/participant, 6-8pm. Click here for more info.

01/05 ~ BINGO hosted by American Legion #25 at Memorial Hall , doors open at 6pm and

Bingo starts at 7pm. Click here for more info.

01/06 ~ Friday Fun Night – Museum of Creativity, 3:30-7:30pm,$1/per person.

Click here for more info.

01/06 ~ Game Night – Museum of Creativity,

6-10pm, $1/ per person. Click here for more info.

01/09 ~ Winter League at M’axe, 6-8pm, Hatchet on Mondays $100, Big Axe on Tuesdays $60, Per Team Members for duals on Mondays $40, Knives on Tuesday $60, Vikings league (age 10 to 17) Wednesdays $50, these fees cover your dues for an 8 week period for throw and you get a league discount on throw outside of league.

Click here for more info.

_________

SAVE THE DATE!

1/13 ~ Martin Luther King, Jr. Lunch & Learn at the Gordon Parks Museum, 12pm.

1/16 ~ Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service at the Gordon Parks Museum, 9am-2pm.

1/21 ~ Jeff Leeson Comedy Tour, Memorial Hall, fundraiser for the Splash Pad, doors open click here for details.

1/28 ~ Grand Opening Gala at The Artificers, Ribbon Cutting 5:30pm, Gala 6-9pm.

_________

SHOPPING ~ SUPPORT LOCAL!

Boutiques-Antiques-Flea Markets & more!

Click here for Chamber member

specialty shopping & other retail in

Downtown & other areas of the community.
Fort Scott Area
Chamber of Commerce
620-223-3566
In This Issue

Calendar of Events

Special Event Features

THANK YOU Chamber Champion members!!
Chamber Highlights
Click here for our
Membership Directory.
We THANK our members for their support! Interested in joining the Chamber?
Click here for info.
Thinking of doing business in or relocating to Fort Scott?
Contact us for a relocation packet, information on grants & incentives, and more!
Seeking a job/career?
We post a Job of the Day daily on our Facebook page, distribute a monthly job openings flyer, and post jobs on our website.
Many opportunities available!
Housing needs?
Click here for a listing of our Chamber member realtors.
Click here for our rental listing.

Upcoming Movie Schedule @ Fort Cinema
THANK YOU TO OUR CHAMBER CHAMPION MEMBERS!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
231 E. Wall Street
Fort Scott, KS 66701
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Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Obituary

Obituary of Carl “Pete” Robinson

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Carl Joe “Pete” Robinson, Jr., age 53, resident of Fort Scott, KS, died Tuesday, December 27, 2022, at the Via Christi Emergency Room, Fort Scott.

Survivors include sons Du’Shaun Robinson (Courtney), Fort Scott, De’Vonte Robinson, Pittsburg, KS, and Bentley Williams; daughters Da’Nisha Robinson, Bronson, KS, Alexis Williams, and Jasmine Lynch; his mother, Helen Patterson, Fort Scott; fiancé Tabitha Lynch, Fort Scott; sisters Rudie Robinson, St. Louis, MO, and Gina Robinson-Booker (Bill) St. Louis, MO; grandchildren Jayden, Jordan, Khingston “King”, Khalil “Bubba”, Latayvius “TayTay”, Khyrie “KhyKhy”, and Ami’Yah “YahYah”; nieces Wendy Watkins, and Loretta Alexander; nephews Dominick Robinson, and John Whitworth, Jr.; and uncles Clarence Whitworth, and Morris Whitworth.

He was preceded in death by a son, Domonic Robinson, his father, Carl Joe Robinson, Sr., a brother John Edward Whitworth, Sr., and grandparents Buford Robinson, Sr., and Ruth Robinson.

Rev. George Proctor and Rev. Marty Dewitt will conduct funeral services at 11:00 AM Saturday, January 7th, at West Bourbon Elementary School Gym in Uniontown, KS. Burial will follow in the Bronson Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 9:00 until 11:00 AM at WBE. Memorials are suggested to the Pete Robinson Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Business, Fort Scott

New Business: Helpful Hands Errands and Delivery Service Targets Help for Seniors

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Teresa Cummings. Submitted photo.

Teresa Cummings, 53, moved with her family from California to Fort Scott in May 2020, when her husband retired. “It was the best thing I’ve ever done,” she said. “We have more conservative values than the San Francisco Bay area.”

In October 2022, she started her business Helpful Hands Errands and Delivery Service.
She is hoping to fill a need for senior citizens who might need a little help shopping and running errands.
“I will deliver to anyone, but what got me started is I wanted to help older people,” Cummings said. “They are walking history and have done a lot for their families. Some people don’t have a lot of family to help them out.”
Cummings delivers from any restaurant and will shop at any store in town.
“I do additional errands, such as prescription pick-up, pick-up or drop-off of items to friends and family, in-home meal prep, party and holiday decorating, and more,” she said. “
Whatever the  errand or personal service need, she will accommodate.
Her hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, Sunday and Monday by appointment only.
The business contact is 620.224.7604.
The service area for the business is the Fort Scott area.
Her pricing for shopping service:
1-5 items $3.50
6-10 items $5.50
11-15 items $7.50
16+ items $11/hour (one hr. min.)
Delivery (for example: restaurant, prescription pick-up, etc.) $3.50
All other errands (example party prep, holiday decorating, in-home meal prep, etc.): $11/hour
15% discount for Veterans
This fall, Cummings was helped by the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team with the start up of her business.
“Rachel Carpenter and Dacia Clark helped me to go through each step to set up the business,” she said. “They were absolutely wonderful. I would recommend to anybody trying to start a new business.”
Government, Kansas

Help For Heating Homes Available

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Low-Income Energy Assistance Program to Continue Heating Homes this Winter

TOPEKA – Colder temperatures and winter weather has arrived in Kansas. The dropping temperatures and necessity of raising the thermostat are leaving some families vulnerable when it comes to covering their heating bills.

The Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP), implemented in the state by the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF), allows peace of mind and financial assistance to families struggling to pay their heating bills during the cold winter months.

“LIEAP has helped our Kansas communities stay warm for many years,” DCF Secretary Laura Howard said. “It is an important and valued support program provided to families during cold Kansas winters.”

Last year, $47 million aided approximately 40,000 households in covering winter heating bills, averaging $1,180 per home.

To receive assistance, applicants must apply on the DCF website, www.dcf.ks.gov, by clicking “Apply for Services” or in person and be eligible according to the qualifications. Find a DCF service center closest to you at www.dcf.ks.gov/services/Pages/DCFOfficeLocatorMap.aspx.

The applications are available beginning Jan. 3, 2023, and must be received by 5 p.m., March 31. More information and FAQs on the LIEAP program is available at www.dcf.ks.gov/services/ees/Pages/EnergyAssistance.aspx.

To qualify, households must have an adult at the address that is responsible for the heating costs of the home. Applicants must be able to prove a recent history of payments on the energy bill (within the past three months), along with being at or below 150% of the federal poverty level.

The one-time assistance payment is determined by household income, number of persons living at the address, type of dwelling, and type of heating fuel. Income eligibility guidelines are as follows. Funding for LIEAP is provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Community Service through the Federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

Persons Living at the Address

Maximum Gross Monthly Income

1

$1,699

2

$2,289

3

$2,879

4​

$3,469

​5

$4,059

6​

$4,649

7​

$5,239

8​

$5,829

*Add $590 for each additional person

###

Government, Kansas

Kansas Year in Review

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Year in Review: Kelly Administration Delivers a Successful 2022 for Kansas

TOPEKA – As 2022 ends, the Kelly administration highlights promises made and kept over the past year.

“This year, we got Kansas back on track by working across the aisle to attract jobs, strengthen our roads and bridges, and fully fund education,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “2023 is looking bright!”

ECONOMY & WORKFORCE: Kansas attracted nearly $7.5 billion in capital investment in 2022 – doubling last year’s amount, which was a record.

INFRASTRUCTURE: In 2022, the Kelly administration made progress on 500 transportation projects totaling $1.7 billion in construction. This includes projects that will resurface nearly 1,500 miles of roadway and repair or replace more than 220 bridges.

BIPARTISANSHIP: During the 2022 session, Governor Kelly signed 96 bipartisan bills.

EDUCATION: In 2022, Governor Kelly signed legislation fully funding K-12 education for the fourth consecutive year and guaranteeing funding through the 2024 fiscal year. The legislation also funded historic investments in early childhood and K-12 education.

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda For Dec. 29.

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Agenda 

Bourbon County Commission Room 

1st Floor, County Courthouse 

210 S. National Avenue 

Fort Scott, KS 66701 

 

 

Date: December 29, 2022 

1st District-Nelson Blythe                                                                 Minutes: Approved: _______________ 

2nd District-Jim Harris                                                                      Corrected: _______________________ 

3rd District-Clifton Beth                                                                              Adjourned at: _______________ 

County Clerk-Ashley Shelton 

 

 

 

MEETING HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM BEGINNING at 8:00AM. 

 

 

  • Flag Salute 
  • MOU Medical Director for Emergency Medical Services 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Justifications for Executive Session: 

          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 security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures.