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Monthly Archives: September 2023
New USD234 Transportation Director: Charlie Hensley
Charlie Hensley is the new Transportation Director for USD 234
Charlie’s background- “Joined the Army in July of 1989 right out of high school. I was stationed at Ft. Benning, GA and assigned to 197th Infantry Division, 4/41 Field Artillery. Shortly after, I deployed to Iraq in Operation Desert Shield/Storm. After several years of active duty my term ended and I returned to Washington State where I started a new career in the Automotive Industry as a painter and Tow Truck driver. After being in the automotive industry for several more years, I joined the United States Army Reserve and changed careers again to become a United States Army Reserve Administrator, assigned to the 385th Transportation Battalion out of the Port of Tacoma in Washington. While serving in the Army Reserve, I was deployed again, this time to the Port of Kuwait where we undertook various Transportation Duties on land and at sea.”
Why Charlie enjoys this new position & what he hopes to bring to it-
“As the Transportation Director for USD 234, I really enjoy working with the community,
staff, and especially the children. Our kids, as well as the Bus Drivers’ safety is of the
utmost importance as well as getting our children to and from school. Being a bus driver
is a thankless job and I hope to change that. If we all come together, we can and will
accomplish the mission.”
Charlie & his family-
I was born in Barstow, CA and raised in Washington State. Through my years, I have had several different careers from sweeping floors to overseeing millions of dollars of Military Equipment, to include large tugs and floating cranes. I met my wife while working on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA in 2010. Moved to the Fort Scott area in 2017 and I joined the USD 234 School District working with the High School kids in 2021. Our goal is to retire in the area. Combined, we have 5 children (3 out of the home),2 dogs and 2 cats. I enjoy hunting and fishing, especially river fishing when possible.
A message from Charlie-
“With the world in these trying times, we need more smiles and less hate. Together as a community we can make a difference; separated, we will crumble.”
Submitted by
Haley Jones
Administrative Assistant/Communications Coordinator
Fort Scott USD 234
620-223-0800 Ext 1119
Obituary of Oleta Smith
Oleta F. Smith , age 77, resident of Fort Scott Kansas, passed away Thursday, September 21, 2023, at Via Christi in Pittsburg Kansas, She was born September 13, 1946 near McAlester Oklahoma, She is the daughter of John T. Smith and Lillian Mildred Workman Smith,
She leaves behind a partner in crime of the home, Charles Farley, and several furbabies that she loved dearly.
Oleta worked as a waitress for years before going back to school to become a CNA/HHA, An achievement that she was very proud of.
Survivors include Charles Farley, and her sister Nancy Taylor and her husband Donnie of Kansas City, their children and their families.
Her surviving children are Connie Willis and her husband Jack of Fort Scott, KS; Rebecca Haga and her husband Bill of Waldron, AR; Lillian “Dee” Lewis and her husband Glenn of Arma, KS and Peggy Hull and her husband Kevin of Fort Scott, KS. She has 13 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren, all of whom she was very proud of.
Oleta has a family reunion waiting at the gate to heaven with her parents John T. and Lillian, several aunts and uncles, cousins, two daughters Nancy Stuart of Waldron, AR. and Johnny J. Jolliff of Fort Scott, KS, and one great-granddaughter Lilee of Lowery City, MO.
Oleta requested a very simple service, there will only be a graveside service with music played and family speaking at Clarksburg Cemetery at 1:30 p.m. Friday, 29th of September, you are welcome to come.
If you wish to make any donations in Oleta‘s name please make them to Care to Share, an organization in Fort Scott that helped Johnny Jolliff during her battle with cancer.
Benefit For Christmas Baskets This Saturday, Sept. 30
Sending on behalf of Chamber Member Elks Lodge 579….
Golf Tournament for Christmas Baskets
Elks Lodge 579 is having a Benefit Golf Tournament for Christmas Baskets!
4-Person Scramble
$60.00 per person
Saturday, September 30th
10:00am Registration
11:00am Shotgun Start
Lunch will be provided.
Sign up by noon on Thursday, September 28th
Call the Lodge to sign up: 620.223.5821
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
SPECIAL Saturday Chamber Coffee hosted by Kansas Rocks Recreation Park Saturday, Sept. 30
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Amended Agenda for the Bourbon County Commission Today
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
September 25, 2023 5:30 p.m.
- Call Meeting to Order
- Flag Salute Followed by Prayer
- Consent Agenda
- Approval of Minutes from 9-18-2023
- Approval of Payroll Totaling $338,719.44
- Approval of Accounts Payable Totaling $576,872.46
- Public Comments
- Emily Franks-Jarred, Gilmore, and Phillips, PA-Presentation of 2022 Audit
- Susan Walker-Executive Session KSA 75-4319 (b)(1)
- Health Insurance Benefits
- Department Updates
- Public Works
- Justin Meeks-Executive Session KSA 75-4319 (b)(2)
- Commission Comments
- 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.
New Cleaning and Organizing Service: Rayma’s Clean Team
Rayma Ridge, 31, opened her new business, Rayma’s Clean Team LLC in June, 2023.
She provides the area between Bronson and Fort Scott with cleaning and organizing services
“Through discussion with other community members, I recognized the need for residential housekeeping services,” Ridge said. “I have been doing some form of housekeeping/ organizing for friends and family members since I was about 14 years old.”
This got her thinking.
“With many years of experience and having recognized the local demand, I decided to get my LLC and start my own business,” she said. “I began with a small amount of clientele, but I was blessed to fill my books quickly! I have the best clients!!”
Currently, she has one employee in training, she said.
Contact info: phone: 620-224-6839
email: [email protected]
Like/ follow on Facebook, where Ridge includes highlights of some of her favorite cleaning products.
She is located in Uniontown.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Sept. 25
Sticky Hairy Feet by Carolyn Tucker
Keys to the Kingdom
By Carolyn Tucker
I had heard that it would be a good idea to put a sticky glue trap under the beds to catch spiders. When I was at the store, I figured the stickier the better, so I purchased the heavy-duty ones. Later, my daughter Mariam came for an overnight visit, bringing my three granddaughters and their new puppy. Brutus is an adorable mini poodle mix with little chocolate curls all over and tiny hazel eyes. During the evening, Mariam, Brutus, and I were in a bedroom when I walked out and left them. Mariam then set the puppy down and, in a flash, he went under the bed and found the glue trap. I’m glad it wasn’t his nose that got stuck. Nevertheless, it was a huge ordeal to release his hairy back foot as the glue stretched out about a mile. While laughing hysterically, we did the best we could with scissors and set him down on the carpeted floor. He couldn’t walk worth a hoot because his foot would stick every time he took a step. (More laughter.) Realizing something was terribly wrong, Brutus would just stand there. When Mariam coaxed him to “come,” his little back leg would shake like Elvis as he tried to pry it off the carpet. (More laughter with crying.) Fortunately, we finally thought of using Goo Gone.
If you think your life is hopeless because it’s just one sticky mess after another, think again. Jesus is an expert at cleaning up messes. “Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isaiah 1:18 NKJV). God promises that even though one’s sins are as deep-dyed and irremovable as the stain of blood, His grace can restore a messed-up life to moral whiteness and purity. It’s amazing to think that Jesus’ blood washes away our sin and makes us clean.
I’m reminded of the song “Something Beautiful” written by Bill and Gloria Gaither. Allow these lyrics to offer encouragement if you’re wondering if there‘s any relief in sight: “Something beautiful, something good; all my confusion He understood. All I had to offer Him was brokenness and strife, but He made something beautiful of my life.”
I also remember singing a hymn written by Anna W. Waterman: “Come ye sinners, lost and hopeless, Jesus’ blood can make you free. For He saved the worst among you, when He saved a wretch like me. And I know, yes, I know Jesus’ blood can make the vilest sinner clean.” Apostle Paul remarked about being the worst among sinners before He came to Christ Jesus. “This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners’ — and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of His great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in Him and receive eternal life” (1 Timothy 1:15-16 NLT).
Here is a key Christian truth: Christ came to save sinners from the mess of sin. Paul considered himself the worst sinner before the blood of Jesus cleaned him up and set him free. Since Jesus is no respecter of persons, He’ll do the same for you if you’re tired of your sticky mess.
The Key: Jesus’ blood works way better than Goo Gone.
Obituary of Patsy Gomez
Patsy Jane Linker Gomez, age 82, resident of Iola, KS, formerly of Fort Scott, KS, died Friday, September 22, 2023, at the Allen County Regional Hospital, Iola, KS. She was born on May 8, 1941, in Cambridge, MD, the daughter of Lawrence and Pearl Mae Morow Headley.
Although her life was not easy, she was always there for her family, providing in every way possible. She babysat for most of her grandchildren at some point.
Patsy enjoyed yardwork and rock gardening. She liked to decorate for every holiday. She loved volunteering at the Iola Senior Thrift Store, serving as vice-president.
Survivors include her children; James Helm (Ilene) Springfield, MO, Sherry Briggs, Pittsburg, KS, and David Schaffer (Alice), Fort Scott, KS; a brother, George Headley, Chanute, KS; 3 sisters, Dolores Asleton (Rick) GA, Carolyn Eastwood (Melvin), Fulton, KS, and Katherine Thuma, Wann, OK; several stepchildren, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by 2 husbands, Carl Linker, and Jr. Gomez; 8 siblings; and her parents.
Pastor Kelly Klubek will conduct funeral services at 10:30 am Saturday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in the Barnesville Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 9:30 am until service time Saturday at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to the Patsy Gomez 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.
Volunteers Paint Light Poles on Skubitz Plaza
Associated Wholesale Grocers, also known as Value Merchandisers, Fort Scott, contacted the Good Neighbor Action Team about work projects needed in the community.
Associated Wholesale Grocers, also known as Value Merchandisers, Fort Scott, contacted the Good Neighbor Action Team about work projects needed in the community.
Saturday, September 23, volunteers painted the light poles as Skubitz Plaza, in front of the Fort Scott National Historic Site.
Submitted by Craig Campbell, with the Good Neighbor Action Team.
Building Stronger Communities
Amanda Clasen- Community Vitality Agent
September 2023
As I have started to settle into my new position as the Community Vitality Agent for Southwind District and make my way around to communities within our district, there are many great projects and discussions that communities and groups are doing and supporting. I have been asked several times over the past three months, “What does the job of a Community Vitality agent consist of?”
The foundation of community vitality is to help communities become a prosperous place to live, work, play, and thrive through identifying the bright and dark spots in that community, while encouraging growth in population and sustainability.
Vitality is defined as “the state of being strong and active” and “the power giving continuance to life.”
By a community having strong vitality, we are setting our local businesses up for financial prosperity as well as enriching the lives of current and potential residents. It also encourages individuals to become more involved in making their communities shine.
Part of a strong community is using the guidelines of the Seven Community Capitals.
Rarely do communities possess ALL community capitals, but all possess some community capitals.
The capitals can create a foundation for expanding community capital areas, building on current capitals, or working to create opportunities in capitals that a community is currently lacking.
I encourage you to think of the bright spots that your community has that fall into each of the capitals listed below, and also think about projects that you can see your community benefiting from in each of these as well.
Natural Capital: The quality and quantity of natural and environmental resources existing in a community. Includes all natural aspects of community. Assets of clean water, clean air, wildlife, parks, lakes, good soil, landscape – all are examples of natural capital.
Cultural Capital: The values, norms, beliefs, and traditions that people inherit from the family, school, and community. assets may include local beliefs, values, history, foods, festivals, cultural heritage, art, etc.
Human Capital: Investments are those investments that add to the health, education, well-being and self-esteem of people.
Social Capital: Represents the “glue” that holds a community together and whose presence can spur the type of economic growth that brings benefits to the entire community. Examples include leadership, working together, mutual trust, and sense of a shared future.
Political Capital: The ability to influence and enforce rules, regulations, and standards. Communities should allow all groups to have opportunities for leadership and engagement, and to have a voice in public issues.
Financial Capital: Includes forms of money used to increase capacity of the unit that accesses it. These include: savings, debt capital, investment capital, tax revenue, tax abatement and grants. Other examples of financial capital are investments, fair wages, internal and external sources of income.
Built Capital includes all human-constructed infrastructure such as sewers, water systems, machinery, roads, electronic communication, buildings, and housing.
Think about the following questions, What is it that you love about the community you live in?
If you could change one thing about your community, what would it be?
What dialogue and with who, would you need to have a discussion with to make that change happen?
For more information please contact Amanda Clasen, Community Vitality Agent, at [email protected] or at any Southwind Extension office.