
City Manager: Buck Run Warming Center



Bourbon County Economic Development Council, Inc. is a not-for-profit started in 1992.
The council “reconstituted” in 2020.
“The bylaws were amended, and the board reconstituted in 2020, to make economic development functions a county-wide effort again, and to reestablish cooperation and trust amongst the disparate geographies in our county,” he said. “We can no longer afford to go it alone, and must work together.”
In the last few months, the council began a search for an economic development director.
Their goal for this month is to hire an economic development director to move the county forward.
“The Human Resource Committee (of BEDCO) is currently running the process of hiring an executive director,” Motley said. “We had 13 applications from all over the United States, and one from overseas.”
Through a qualifications matrix, six applications were selected, and each of the six has completed a test to measure skills and temperament suitable for the job, he said.
The committee will reduce the number of applicants based on their scores, and begin interviewing the finalists soon, Motley said.
Composition of BEDCO
“The board of trustees consists of appointees by the…seven incorporated cities, one each from USD 234, USD 235, Fort Scott Community College, the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, and two at-large members,” Motley said.
The group is comprised of:
Bourbon County Commissioner Lynne Oharah, City of Fort Scott Commissioner Josh Jones, Jess Ervin representing Uniontown, Mike Blevins-Mapleton, Michael Stewart-Bronson, (Treasurer) Mary Pemberton-Redfield, Misty Adams-Fulton, Ted Hessong-USD234, Bret Howard-USD235, (Vice President) Jim Fewins-Fort Scott Community College,(President) Greg Motley-Fort Scott Area Community Foundation, (At-Large) Mark McCoy and (At-Large) Heather Davis.
“Our goal is to be a trusted vehicle whereby we can act as a catalyst for economic development and any other function that might integrate well on a county-wide basis,” Motley said. “Right now, our most valuable assets are lots in the Fort Scott Industrial Park; in conjunction with the county, we are currently working with an active prospect on a land deal in that vicinity that would bring a new business to town.”
“The main board only meets when there is something of substance to consider,” Motley said.
In addition to the human resource committee, the operations committee is meeting regularly.
Operations Committee
The operations committee met on Feb. 11, and worked on logistics of onboarding the economic development director, including office space, phone, etc., Motley said.
That committee is comprised of Mark McCoy, Lynne Oharah, Mary Pemberton, Misty Adams, and Josh Jones.

“We discussed office locations,” McCoy said. “Cost is number one, we have very limited funds.”
Two locations were discussed: the BWERC ( Bourbon County Workforce and Entrepreneur Resource Center) office above the new Star Emporium Downtown General Store on Main Street and an office inside Landmark Bank, also on Main Street.
“Both of these offer the potential of the first year, no cost,” McCoy said.
Also discussed was the equipment needed for the job.
“Telecommunication is an important part of the job,” McCoy said. “We want to make sure BEDCO has appropriate information technology access.”
The position is being funded by the Bourbon County Commission who committed $130,000 for the total package of salary, benefits, equipment, supplies, transportation expenses, association expenses, and office space, McCoy said.
“The goal is to save taxes in Bourbon County,” McCoy said. “My goal in the future is to have one economic director representing the county.”
Currently, the City of Fort Scott and the Bourbon County Commission both have an economic director.
The city and county recently agreed to share the finance director position, held by Susan Bancroft.
To learn more about this collaboration:
Susan Bancroft Assumes Duties as Bourbon County Business Manager
Name Change
The BEDCO group is considering a name change since they have a new direction of the whole county.
“There are four names under consideration,” McCoy said. “With the new direction, it is important to revise who you are and where you are going.”

Chelsea Yount, Fort Scott Community College Cheer Coach is also on the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team.

The college is one of the local employers working with the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team (HBCAT)to improve health in the community.
When the college realized grant money was available for an employee fitness center through HBCAT, “we sprang into action to create the opportunity for physical activity (for employees) on campus,” Yount said. “We have about 150 plus employees.”
The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team Grant to FSCC for the project was for $12,500.
“Discussion of creating a fitness center for FSCC employees began in September of 2017 and the gym opened in February of 2019,” she said. “The FSCC Employee fitness center was designed to give employees 24/hr access to a facility that would encourage healthy living and a healthy workspace.”

The fitness center is located in the upper level of the Fort Scott Community College School of Cosmetology, just off Horton Street.
The center encourages employee users to wear face masks when using the facility for COVID-19 mitigation. Sanitary wipes and spray are available to clean the equipment following use, as well.


Bourbon County staff are in the process of carrying out a tax sale on property owners who have not paid their taxes.

“We started to receive abstracts from the title company about two weeks ago,” said Bourbon County Counselor Justin Meeks. “We are getting a couple a day. We should have the sale in the late spring and if needed, another one in October or November of this year.”
The county personnel are on the the title company’s timeline,” Meeks said.
“They have been very busy, which is a good thing for everyone because that means houses are selling,” Meeks said.

Local business owner, Marsha Lancaster, has been in the hospital for over a month, according to her sister Debbie Baxley.
“She went into the hospital at Pittsburg for two to three days, then they took her to Arkansas,” Baxley said.
“Her kidneys were shutting down and they couldn’t find a hospital to take her with COVID (the pandemic virus plaguing the nation and the world),” she said. “They found one in Arkansas and we said just take her to wherever she can get help.”
They have tested Lancaster three times for COVID-19 and each was negative, her sister said.
Lancaster is currently on dialysis every other day and oxygen.
“Her kidneys’ aren’t functioning yet, the doctor said they could kick in any day,” she said. “They have been trying to get her off of oxygen. That’s been going well.”
“We can see her on our cellphone and she looks good when we talk to her,” Baxley said.
Cards can be sent to Marsha at
Regional Springdale NW Medical Center,
609 W. Maple Avenue, 6th floor, attn: Marsha Lancaster
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
Her business is running with the help of others.

Her well-known restaurant, Marsha’s Deli, is continuing with the help of staff and family. The restaurant is located at 6 W. 18th in Fort Scott.
Baxley and her daughter, Shelly Rowe, along with Carla Hemrick, and Lisa Bradley “are taking care of the business for her,” Baxley said.
Monday and Tuesday the restaurant was closed due to the ice roads and arctic weather conditions.
A fundraiser has been started for Lancaster.
Meanwhile, a fundraiser has been started for Lancaster.
“We thought being self-employed, there was no way she wouldn’t need help,” Linda Findley who is spearheading the fundraiser said.
The fundraiser is Friday, Feb. 19 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Elk’s Building at 111 W. 19th. People are asked to drive to the east door of the building and orders will be taken by helpers. Then the meals will be brought out to the buyer.
It’s a chicken and noodles dinner with mashed potatoes, green beans, and bread for $10 cash or check only.
Pre-ordering is encouraged. Call 620-215-2036 or 816-797-4884.
Findley said she is anticipating serving 500 meals, with over 200 already ordered.
“Numerous people have sent big donations,” Findley said. “Marrone’s of Pittsburg and G & W Foods of Fort Scott has helped with food.”
Helping the day of the fundraiser will be Nancy Maze, Brenda Collinge, Debbie Myers, JoLynne Mitchell, and Adina Findley, Findley said.


Saint Martin’s Academy, rural Fort Scott, is a Catholic boarding school for boys that combines classical academics with a practical work program on a sustainable farm, according to its’ website. www.saintmartinsacademy.org
The school is in its’ third year.
Daniel Kerr is the headmaster of the academy and gave fortscott.biz an email interview.

“We have 42 students this year across all four grades: 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th,” Kerr said. “Our first graduating class of nine will graduate on May 29th. Our graduates’ plans include college, apprenticing in a trade, and mission work.”







Alene Jolly is retiring from Tri-Valley Developmental Services after 40 years. Her last day is Friday, Feb. 12.

Through those years Jolly has done transportation of clients, worked at the service center, was a case manager, worked at residential services, and most currently, the program director in Fort Scott.
She has tried to provide individuals that receive services involvement in the community, “to add value to their lives and provide services, too.”
Tri-Valley empowers people with disabilities to realize their potential as full citizens in the community, by supporting them in working and living in the place they call home, according to the company’s website.
Currently, Tri-Valley in Fort Scott has close to 40 employees and 30 individuals they provide services to.
For Jolly, the best part of the job was seeing the individuals that she worked with having joy when they accomplished a task.
“It puts warm fuzzies in your heart,” she said.
Tri-Valley opened in 1975 and Jolly has been with the company since 1980. Through the years she has seen people’s attitudes change towards developmentally disabled in the community, she said.
“There is more acceptance, especially of the individuals having jobs in the community,” Jolly said.
Mary Davis, a former co-worker of 25 years, said of Jolly, “She is a very capable, intelligent, dedicated person. She can do about anything that needs doing.”
Jolly thinks it is time to start a new chapter in her life.
“I’m going to do a little this, a little that,” she said. “Travel, crafts, gardening…things I have put on the back burner.”

Keys to the Kingdom
Carolyn Tucker
If I had a nickel for every time I heard my Mom tell me, “Pretty is as pretty does,” I could buy a Big Mac or some Belgian truffles. Even though she’s been gone several years, her words of wisdom still resound in my soul. Recently, I was visiting with a Missouri cousin and this particular quote came out of my mouth. This relative had heard that expression before, but had never really thought about the meaning. So I explained it in a straight-shooting manner and he said, “That makes sense.” My sweet cousin Danny is a perfect example of this saying when I exchange “pretty“ for “handsome.”
How you act and what you do is what makes you truly pretty, not your appearance. A gal can be pretty, but she is only (as good, kind, etc.) as she does. An individual with exemplary character, ethics, and integrity is more important than good looks. Just because a person is physically pleasing on the outside doesn’t guarantee he/she is pretty on the inside. If our actions, attitudes, and behaviors are ugly, it doesn’t matter how gorgeous we are on the outside! Our words and deeds continuously speak for themselves because what‘s on the inside will certainly find its way to the outside — for good or bad.
Jesus was batting a thousand with His point-blank sermon. He criticized the religious leaders by telling them that religious appearance is not enough. “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy — full of greed and self-indulgence“ (Matthew 23:25,26 NLT). The religious leaders were only concerned with outward appearances and neglected inward purity and loving others. Jesus instructed them to clean the inside of the cup and dish first, and then the outside will follow suit.
Jesus boldly told the crowds and His disciples not to follow the example of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees. Why? Because they didn’t practice what they preached. In fact, Jesus said that everything they did was for show. “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs — beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people’s bones and all sorts of impurity. Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness (Matthew 23:27,28 NLT).
In the book of 1 Samuel Chapter 25, Abigail is a beautiful woman with brains married to nincompoop Nabal. When David’s men kindly asked Nabal for provisions, he foolishly refused, insulting the most powerful man in the region. When Abigail wisely intervened and brought a caravan of food and gifts to David and his 600 men, she fell to the ground at his feet. She made one of the longest speeches by a woman recorded in the Bible. God used her humble words and prudent actions to save many lives. After her scoundrel husband died, she later became David’s wife. Abigail was pretty on the outside, but she is remembered as one of the great peacemakers because she was pretty on the inside.
“The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7 NLT).
The Key: Live your life inside-out to get to the heart of the matter.

Last week the Fort Scott High School Boys Swim Team competed at Coffeyville on Tuesday.
Oliver Witt took 1st in both the 500 Free and the 50 Free. He swam a state consideration time in the 50.
Bobby Kemmerer took 1st in both the 100 Free and the 100 Back, swimming a state consideration time in the 100 Free.
Sam Mix took 2nd in both the 50 Free and the 100 Breast.
The boys also were able to swim in the 400 Free Relay placing 1st as an exhibition team.
On Thursday, the Tiger Swimmers traveled to Hutchinson to compete in the Buhler High School meet.
Oliver took 1st in the 200 Free and 4th in the 100 Butterfly.
Sam took 3rd in the 50 Free and Bobby took 2nd in the 100 Free and 4th in the Breast.
Next week the boys will be preparing for their last regular-season competition, the League Meet in Osawatomie. This will be the last opportunity for earning State Qualifying times. The 5A-1A State Swim Meet will be on Saturday, February 21st in Shawnee Mission.
Submitted by Coach Angie Kemmerer

Girard Medical Center of Uniontown, the new community health center in western Bourbon County, will open in March.
Residents currently must travel either to Fort Scott which is 20 miles away, Iola-25 miles, Pittsburg-38 miles, or Girard-30 miles for medical care.
Spearheaded by Uniontown Ruritan, and the vision of several members of the community, the Uniontown health clinic is a collaboration of Ruritan, USD 235 School District, the Bourbon County Commission, the City of Uniontown, and Girard Medical Center.
“We hoped to open March 1, but it may be mid-March,” Ruth Duling, the CEO of Girard Medical Center, said.

The school district provided the building for the clinic, which is located south of the Uniontown High School football field on the main street in the small town.

“Uniontown USD 235 is excited to partner with other organizations to bring health care options to our district communities,” USD 235 Superintendent Bret Howard said. “The 2020-21 school year has been very challenging, especially when it comes to community health. USD 235 is pleased to partner with Girard Medical Center and the Uniontown Ruritan Club in making this dream a reality.”

“It is great to see the successful culmination of a dream become reality in the creation of the Uniontown rural health clinic,” Mark Warren, District #37 Governor of Middle America Ruritan, who helped spearhead the project, said. “This clinic has the potential to benefit citizens of all ages and provide a choice in health care for the residents of our community.”

GMC is planning to start providing services to the community with the clinic open three days a week, Duling said.
“The remodel has gone well, and we just have clean—up and finishing touches,” she said.
“We are still working on securing personnel,” Duling said. “We will have two positions to start with and we have applicants for those positions already.”
The Girard Medical Center of Uniontown is part of the satellite clinics that GMC has in southeast Kansas: Girard Medical Center of Cherokee, Girard Medical Center of Arma, and Girard Medical Center of Frontenac.


