Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition
General Membership Meeting Agenda for August 7, 2024
1:00 p.m. in the Conference Room at the Scottview Apartments, 315 S. Scott.
Bourbon County Courthouse
210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800
Fax: 620-223-5832
Bourbon County, Kansas
1st District Commissioner
2nd District Commissioner
3rd District Commissioner
Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.
Fort Scott, KS 66701
August 5, 2024 5:30 p.m.
There will not be a County Commission Meeting on Monday, August 5, 2024 due to the Primary Election preparations.
Other books by Glessner:
Amanda Clasen- Community Vitality Agent
August 2024
According to the National Retail Federation, 25% of back to school shoppers started buying their student’s school supplies as early as June this year. 80% of shoppers are planning for inflation on making all supplies more expensive than past years. Finding the right deals and discounts will be most important for families when they start back to school shopping as it is estimated that most shoppers are planning to spend about 10% less than their budget last year. Below are some suggested ways to help create a manageable budget and ways to cut small cost when going back to school shopping for your student’s this upcoming school year.
Shop Local Businesses- Small, Local businesses have a smaller overhead than a large box store and are in return able to sometimes offer lower prices and be more willing to negotiate a better price to meet customer needs.
Take Stock- See what you already have and figure out expenses you can delay. For example, your child may not need a new pair of shoes right now. Last year’s colored pencils could still be usable.
Set a Spending Budget and stick to it- It’s a good idea to pad your back-to-school shopping budget to cover unanticipated expenses. For example, you may need to replenish school supplies or clothes during the school year. Don’t forget about surprise costs, such as a class field trip.
Shop the sales- Look for clearance sales on school supplies. Not all items must be purchased immediately. In addition to shopping summer sales, you might also find deals if you wait until shortly after school starts so you can stock up for less. When you’re shopping sales, keep in mind that some stores match other stores’ prices, which could cut down on time spent running around town, searching out deals.
Buy More Generic or store Brand items- Unless your child’s school insists on name brands, parents’ money-saving plans include buying less expensive brands, including generic or store brands. However, if you’re shopping from a school list, check with the teacher before buying a less expensive brand. If your school expects students to have a specific type of organizer or calculator, don’t wait until the last minute. You may pay more or have fewer choices.
Buy in Bulk- You may find per-item costs lower if you buy in bulk versus individual items. Work with other families or neighbors to buy a batch of pens, notebooks, and other supplies, then distribute the purchase.
Back to school shopping comes once a year and it’s a guarantee that you will buy some sort of supplies for school. To get ahead of the game for next school year start saving now. Divide the total cost you spent this year by 12 and put away that amount every month. You can create a physical or digital savings envelope or even open a separate savings account and set up automatic monthly transfers.
For more resources to help shop locally, please contact your local chamber or Amanda Clasen, Community Vitality Agent, at [email protected] or at any Southwind Extension office. 4
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Regular training helps firefighters build competence in emergencies.
The Fort Scott Fire Department has never had its own training facility, crews have trained in the station bay areas, online, and in a small storage shed area near the Hawkins Public Safety facility, FSFD Deputy Chief Mike Miles said in a press release.
“New recruits need better training opportunities, with real-life situations translating to better service when an emergency happens,” Miles said. He believes it will help with retention, morale, more opportunities to go train on new skills or different skills, and will relieve frustration to have better training opportunities.
“Regular training in a dedicated facility helps firefighters build confidence in their abilities and competence in handling emergencies,” Miles said in the press release. “This confidence translates into better performance and decision-making during real incidents, ultimately leading to a more effective emergency response and better outcomes.”
The FSFD has planned a site that is currently open space on the southwest corner of the Hawkins Public Safety Facility at 17th and Judson Streets. It is unused currently.
“We are hoping to have it completed by the end of September,” he said. ” We still have concrete to pour for work areas and then we will go inside and start to construct the layouts we desire for training purposes.”
He said the rooms will be set up like living rooms, bedrooms, kitchen, entanglement areas, etc. where search and rescue skills can be practiced.
Miles has sought to let the neighborhood know of the plans the department has.
He sent letters to surrounding neighbors to invite them to the station to answer questions and discuss the plans for the training facility. He said positive feedback was received from that endeavor with a “couple of concerns of smoke.”
“We want to be good neighbors, training times will be during the daytime hours… nontoxic smoke…always mindful of the weather conditions before considering any burn…maybe a couple of times a year with actual live fire,” he said.
He said they did look at other areas for the location of the facility, but didn’t find a suitable location or landowner contacting them back.
“Having the training center on-site at the FSFD gives us more flexibility,” he said “If we get called out during a training evolution we can leave the site and not worry about our gear. Water, bathrooms, and all the equipment are already on site.”
The Fort Scott Police, Bourbon County Emergency Medical Service, and other agencies will also be able to use this facility as a training opportunity, he said.
“This will be a major benefit to the service FSFD provides to the community and only make us stronger,” he said. “The capital improvement budget set forth by Fire Chief Dave Bruner allows for this project to be completed.”
A1 Towing and Recovery LLC volunteered company time, equipment, and employees to help with the project.
“It’s exciting to see the Fort Scott Fire Department wanting to continue practice/training to stay at the peak of their skills that our community depends on,’ said A1 owner, Robert Coon.
NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR REGULAR
MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
City Hall Commission Room – 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
August 6, 2024 – 6:00 P.M.
Tim VanHoecke, Matthew Wells, Dyllon Olson, Kathryn Salsbury, Tracy Dancer
III. Pledge of Allegiance
VII. Public Comment – Sign up required before the beginning of the meeting on register at the entrance of the Commission Room. Public Comments are for any topic not on the agenda and limited to five (5) minutes per person, at the Commission’s discretion.
VIII. Appearances – Must be scheduled with the City Clerk at least (1) week prior to the meeting
you wish to address the Commission. You will be scheduled on the agenda to speak on your topic.
Tabled from July 16, 2024.
Action Items:
XII. Executive Session
XIII. Adjourn
TOPEKA — The Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship today announced a new $500,000 grant opportunity for established registered apprenticeship programs in Kansas. Awards will range from $75,000 to $200,000 per awardee.
These grant funds will be awarded to assist existing programs with technical instruction, on-the-job training, staffing and additional employees to implement and manage programs, marketing and outreach, and other activities.
“The Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship plays a vital role in our state’s economic growth by helping prepare our workforce for success,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “We know that registered apprenticeships are key pipelines to career advancement, professional development and prosperity. This grant opportunity bolsters our commitment to preparing Kansans for in-demand jobs that need their skills right now.”
This additional funding opportunity plays an integral part in growing and supporting the registered apprenticeship programs throughout the state. Over time, the grant has helped with recent successes including the 80% growth in new registered apprentices across the state (from 925 in 2023 to 1,672 in 2024).
“Last year, registered apprenticeship programs used these funds in a variety of creative ways,” Director of Apprenticeship and Internship Shonda Anderson said. “Investments were made in Spanish-speaking instructors, new training equipment for electricians and heavy equipment operators, as well as agriculture and human resource opportunities.”
The Kansas Department of Commerce currently is seeking applications. Eligible applicants must be a state educational institution, business, non-profit group or workforce board with projects that will attract and retain employees and continue to build the state’s workforce through registered apprenticeship.
Those applying should clearly demonstrate linkage between project, industry demand, apprentice training and recruitment. Additionally, applicants are required to provide a 1:1 match for every grant dollar requested.
Interested parties have until 5:00 p.m. August 25 to apply. Announcement of awardees is expected in September.
For more information about the application or to apply, click here. For more information about the Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship, click here.
About the Kansas Department of Commerce:
As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.
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MANHATTAN, Kansas — Join the Kansas Department of Agriculture in Manhattan this month as they discuss growth opportunities for agriculture at the ninth annual Kansas Governor’s Summit on Agricultural Growth on Wednesday, August 21, at the K-State Alumni Center at 1720 Anderson Ave. in Manhattan. Attendees are also invited to participate in a social event on Tuesday evening, August 20, also at the K-State Alumni Center.
In addition to hearing directly from sector leaders and partners on the most important issues impacting the Kansas agriculture industry, the 2024 Ag Growth Summit will feature two guest speakers who will share their expertise on international agriculture issues. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis M. Taylor will speak on “Global Markets, Local Impact: The Power of Trade in Advancing U.S. Agriculture.” The other guest speaker will be Eddy Acevedo, who serves as the principal advisor on national security and foreign policy matters at The Wilson Center, and he will present on “Geopolitical Impact on International Trade and National Security.”
There is no cost to attend the Ag Growth Summit events, but it is important that attendees register by August 9 so KDA can provide adequate materials for attendees and have accurate meal counts. Registration can be found at www.agriculture.ks.gov/Summit.
All farmers, ranchers, agribusiness owners and industry professionals are welcome at the 2024 Ag Growth Summit — if you’re committed to working for agricultural growth in Kansas, please join us in this effort.
If you have questions about the 2024 Kansas Governor’s Summit on Agricultural Growth, please contact Auburn Wassberg at [email protected] or 785-564-6799.
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Joshua Jones: Candidate for Kansas House of Representatives District 4
Hello there! I’m Joshua Jones, a proud resident of Bourbon County, where my family’s legacy spans back to the 1850s. My wife Karen shares this deep connection, with her family settling in western Bourbon County around the same time. Together, we’ve celebrated 23 years of marriage and have been blessed with three wonderful children: Taylor and Madison, both 23, and David, who is 19.
**My Promises to You:**
My belief is simple: if the people I serve benefit, then I benefit. We are all in this together. I am giving back my salary because your tax dollars should work for you.
How often do you only hear from politicians during the election? During my time as Mayor/City Commissioner, I was the first to hold public forums to get citizens’ input.
“The position I am running for encompasses all of Bourbon County and most of Linn County. Over the past few years, through my business, I have expanded my connections in Linn County.
As your state representative, I plan to leverage these relationships, along with engaging with other citizens, to address Linn County concerns and work together to create beneficial legislation.
In Bourbon County, I am the only candidate who resides here.
Issues such as the lack of an emergency room directly affect me and our community. While the announcement of Freeman Health System coming to town gives me hope, we must remember past promises, like the one involving Noble, which did not materialize.
Being the only Bourbon County candidate, it is crucial for me to ensure that Freeman’s arrival becomes a reality. Securing state-level support will be essential to ensure Bourbon County has adequate healthcare.
Issues like Pike Reservoir where the proposed lake would encompass cemeteries where I have family buried. No matter if I am for or against a project I would commit to involving citizens in the process like I did when I was City Commissioner.
Living in Bourbon County also provides me with a unique understanding of medium to smaller issues, such as trains blocking intersections for hours or the challenges faced by public schools competing in the same KSHSAA class as private schools, which I have personally experienced as an injustice.
These are issues I can address at the state level, and my residency in Bourbon County gives me a unique perspective and dedication to tackling them. I am committed to working tirelessly for the betterment of both Bourbon and Linn Counties.”
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This ad paid for by Joshua Jones Candidate/Treasurer
With one, dull, uncooperative blade shaving my legs, I turned to a new one (blade, not leg). This one had not two but five blades, guaranteeing that the hair missed by the first four would be clipped by the last. Only, when I was finished, my legs were no smoother. Perhaps I needed a razor with ten blades since these five had not done their job. I tried again, shaving slower and more deliberately. No difference. Scissors would have been more effective.
Clearly, I had gotten ripped off on this razor. I would return it and ask for my money back. Later that morning, I told Dave that they didn’t make razors like they used to. He asked to look at it. “Maybe if you put the blades in the correct way instead of upside down, that will help.” Seriously? How had I not figured that out? What was wrong with me? Dave appreciated that he wasn’t the only one who messed up.
Two hours before, we were to load our mower onto the trailer to take to our friend who would change the oil and filters, sharpen and level the blades. A team effort.
Hubby, after three tries, found where he had stashed the key that unlocked the cabinet that held the trailer hitch and the tie-downs and after two tries, found the key that unlocked the trailer hitch. He backed the truck up to the trailer, aided by my keen eye to direct him to reverse in a straight line. He was masterful as he moved levers and connected hooks and electrical cables to ensure the trailer was properly attached to the trailer hitch. We checked and triple-checked every possibility for the trailer not to come unhinged. It was a proud moment for my manual man.
We lowered the back ramp so he could ride the mower up onto the trailer. Imagine my surprise when he exited the garage on our golf cart, the golf cart that runs on batteries and is, last I checked, incapable of cutting a blade of grass. Perhaps he was just moving it out of the way for the mower? No. When he came zipping around the corner, heading for the trailer, I realized that he was having a “moment” where not all cylinders were firing. I admit, I had my own “moment” and thought of letting him load the golf cart, use his tie-downs to anchor it, and drive it to the repair person who would, of course, find this as hysterical as I did.
But as a submissive, Christian woman (ahem), I realized that God might not find that as funny as I did, and since I am to be Dave’s helpmate, I kindly (well, sort of) reminded Hubby that he was driving a golf cart and not a lawnmower. Actually, I cracked up. And so did he.
And here I was, two hours later, asking for help for a blade I had inserted upside down into the razor handle. It’s easy at those times to point out each other’s inadequacies, ignoring Ephesians 4:32 (ESV) which tells us to be kind and tenderhearted. Dave and I know that our brains aren’t what they used to be. We now help each other with a word or name that escapes us, remind our partner that a tag is out or a zipper down, assist-drive from the passenger seat, repeat our daily schedules (multiple times) and fill each other’s gaps, gaps that are widening each day.
Most of all, we try to find humor in our mess-ups. I think that God appreciates that. I hope we always find them as funny as we do now.
