All posts by Loretta George

Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Health Care, Housing

New Businesses Downtown

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Lindsay Madison, executive director of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, speaks to the Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet attendees on Jan. 28 at Papa Don’s Restaurant on Main Street.

There is much happening in downtown Fort Scott.

New businesses that have opened up downtown were highlighted at the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet on Jan. 28. The meeting took place at Papa Don’s Restaurant.

Luther’s BBQ Restaurant, Moe’s Bread bakery, Ascension Via Christi’s medical office, Modern Woodmen of America office, the Bolton Law Firm, Visage Skin Care Spa-were mentioned by Chamber Executive Director Lindsay Madison to the group.

 

Up Dog Yoga, a fitness center, opened up at 12B North Main in September.

 

Common Grounds Coffee Shop, 10 E. Wall, is tentatively slated to be completed in April, Madison said. They will move from their current site on Main Street to a larger building.

 

Additionally, Structure by Margo, a beauty salon, will open next month at 19 S. National Ave.

 

And the Unsung Heroes Park, between Wall and First Street on Main Street is slated for completion this year.

 

Mayco Ace Hardware was recently approved for a loan for rehabilitating it’s building, Fort Scott Economic Director Rachel Pruitt told the meet and greet attendees.

 

The historic building at First and Main Street, is back on track to be made into apartments as well.

 

“We are moving forward,” Tony Krsnich, CEO of Flint Hills Holdings Group, told FortScott.Biz. “A new contractor, Rau Construction, Overland Park, will be starting in the next few weeks.”

“It will be made into 25 apartments, rents that accommodate a wide range of rents, from $300 up,” Krsnich said. “They will be one and two-bedroom units.

On the Main Street first floor there will be a commons area and some apartments also, he said.

The tentative date for completion is Sept. 1, Krsnich said.

 

Madison stated January is the start of a new year for grants for businesses and that Fort Scott is an eCommunity which strives to encourage entrepreneurship.

 

 

Entertainment, Fort Scott

Unsung Heroes Park Is Progressing

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Dreamscape Innovations, Inc., Mound City,  employees work on the Unsung Heroes Park in downtown Fort Scott on Jan. 28. Jerry Harrelson, Pleasanton, and Justin Robertson, Mound City work on plumbing pipes and putting mulch down on the water feature in the park.

A green space amid the concrete sidewalks and streets of downtown Fort Scott will soon be ready for public enjoyment.

 

Work on the Unsung Heroes Park, just south of the Lowell Milken Center at 1 S. Main, is progressing.

 

“It would be nice to have it done by the all-school reunion (in late June),” Beth Nuss, one of the organizers of the park told the Downtown Meet and Greet on Jan. 28. “But you know how that goes with weather.”

 

On January 28,  some employees of DreamScape Innovations, Inc., of  Mound City, were installing plumbing pipes, planting trees and laying down mulch.

 

Employee Justin Robertson said weather permitting, that the water feature project will be completed in a few weeks.

 

A frontal view of the water feature in an artist’s rendition.  Elaine Buerge is the artist. Submitted artwork.

R2 Construction did the excavation and concrete work on the site.

 

 

Future Work

A stage area is being planned for the wall of the old Kress building which is on the south side of the park.

The north side of the old Kress Building on Main Street will be the location of the stage area.

 

The Rotary Club is donating benches and trash receptacles for the park.

 

A bench is also being donated by Niece Of Kansas, Inc. in honor of employee Pat Flanagan who died in September 2019.

 

There will be a small fenced area for dogs in the park.

 

“The area for dogs will try to accommodate pets of people living downtown,” she said in a prior interview.

 

History

 

The area has been vacant since 2005 when the building sitting on it, burned down.

 

The idea of green space in downtown Fort Scott began in 2017.

 

The planning group is currently comprised of Elaine Buerge, Bernita Hill, Beth Nuss, and Carolyn Sinn.

 

After the original research and planning took place, bids were let.

 

“The bids were not financially feasible,” Nuss said in a previous interview. “So we needed to revisit the plan.”

 

“All the money we had was donated,” she said.

 

Then the Timken Company stepped in with a grant of $25,000, “which got us to the top,” Nuss said.

 

Since it is a privately funded project, organizations and individuals who would like to contribute may contact group members, said committee member Bernita Hill.

 

 

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Bourbon County, Fort Scott Community College

Black History Month Lunch and Learn Feb. 5

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The Gordon Parks Museum will celebrate Black History Month on Wednesday, February 5th at 11:00 a.m. with a “Lunch and Learn” presentation.

Guest speaker will be Frank Clay, Jr., author and a member of The National Speaker’s Association. The presentation titled “Find the Right Weapons and Success is Yours” will be held in the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and participants are encouraged to bring their lunch and drinks with them. Some dessert will be provided.

“Find the Right Weapons and Success is Yours” is a presentation reflecting on lessons learned from Gordon Parks and how Gordon chose the right weapons to bring about change in his life and the world.

Clay will also speak on how Gordon’s book The Choice of Weapons, helped to inspire others such as Frank to find the right weapons in life.

Frank Clay, Jr. is also a U.S. Army Veteran, business coach, entrepreneur, and the founder and principal of 2020 Solutions Inc. He is also a speaker and executive coach who holds a bachelor’s in business administration and a master’s in business management.

 

For more information about “Find the Right Weapons and Success is Your” presentation at the Gordon Parks Museum call 223-2700, ext. 5850 or email [email protected].
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Business, Fort Scott

Structure by Margo Coming Soon

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Margo Davis stands in front of the building that is being renovated into a beauty salon for her, named Structure by Margo. The business will tentatively open in late February.
Hairstylist Margo Davis is opening a new salon at 19 S. National in late February.
The storefront and interior of the former Bids and Dibs Consignment Store are being transformed into the salon.
She is renting the building from Amy and Kent Boyd.
Structure By Margo which will offer haircuts, color services, chemical services (including perms/relaxers), waxing, special occasion (updos), shampoos and sets.
“Eventually, a nail tech will be added,” Davis said. “I would also like to have a make-up artist and someone who does lash extensions.”
When the business is up and going there will be five stylists, she said.
Davis is planning to hire students just starting their cosmetology careers, she said.  She has already hired one.
“I want to be a mentor,” Davis said. “There will be a job opportunity for them.”
Davis taught cosmetology classes at Fort Scott Community College from 1989 to 2016.
“The students were my focus,” she said. “I will be a stepping stone to a cosmetologist having their own salon or getting extra training.”
 
To contact Davis, call  316-323-0977 
Hours will be  Monday-Thursday 10 am to 6 pm, Friday 10 am to 5 pm, Saturday 10 am to 2 pm,  and will be closed on Sundays.
“Opening date is estimated to be in four weeks. Currently, the shop is being renovated,” Davis said.
JDQ Construction, Joshua Query, is the contractor for the renovation of 19 S. National. Pictured is the work in progress on Jan. 27.
Davis said  Bourbon County Economic Director Jody Hoenor gave step-by-step guidance during the process of applying for an eCommunity loan to start her business.
“The BEDCO (Bourbon County Economic Development Council) committee gave me the grant to help with my rent while I’m working alone until  I can find more stylists and for whatever I may need in the business,” she said. The City of Fort Scott Economic Director Rachel Pruitt was instrumental in this grant, she said.
“Everybody has been so helpful,” Davis said. She said her husband, Wendall Davis, has been providing additional help to her in the process.
Bourbon County, Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott

Presbyterian Village: Look What’s New Series Starts Today

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Presbyterian Village, 2401 S. Horton, Fort Scott.

Presbyterian Village, 2401 S. Horton, is offering tenants and the public a series highlighting new technologies, exercise, and fashion styles.

“We are calling it ‘New to You’,” Becky Kellum, PV Marketing Director said.

Monday the presentation is featuring new household items, she said.

“Roomba versus the vacuum cleaner and The Ring, the new way to see who is at your door through your smartphone, I will be giving this presentation,” Kellum said.

“Tuesday Angela Carpenter and I will be demonstrating the Instant Pot,” she said.  “We are making soup and will be serving that soup to all who attend.”

” Wednesday the sheriff’s department will be coming at 3 pm to educate the public on the body camera,  how it protects them and the public,” she said.

“Thursday we will be educating on the new way to exercise from home with a personal trainer  (the new technology) … The Mirror vs the Pelton,” she said.

” Friday we will be displaying the latest fashion trends, with items donated for this display by  Bib and Dibs Consignment Store,” Kellum said.

The presentations are Monday through Friday at 3  pm in the Presbyterian Village Community Room.

“This is to educate the tenants what the hottest trends are,” and the public is invited to attend, she said.

 

 

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

Jackie Sellers: Senior Services and Taxi, Too

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Jackie Sellers sits in her office at the Bourbon County Senior Citizens Center, 26 N. Main.

Jackie Sellers is the site manager for the Bourbon County Senior Citizens Center, 26 N. Main. The center is the hub of many services that are provided to seniors in the community.

 

Her jobs entail food distribution for Meals On Wheels, a Kansas Food Bank Senior Food Program, food commodities distribution and a monthly potluck for people with disabilities in the community.

 

Another venture, housed at the site, is providing public transportation service to the community.

 

Taxi

 

Sellers coordinates rides for Old Fort Transportation, a local taxi service.

 

The hours for Old Fort Transportation are 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. To secure a ride call 223-0750.

 

She said there are five employees that drive the vans that are part of the transportation fleet.

 

“We provide 900-1,000 rides a month,” she said. Rides to go to a job, or the doctor or shopping. “It’s been a busy year, we are looking good.”

 

“We will provide out of town runs,” Sellers said. “We do have drivers for that, with 24 hours notice.”

 

Old Fort Transportation has even occasionally provided rides home from the emergency room when people are dismissed after hours.

 

Sellers was co-host of the Jan. 16 Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee with Fort Scott Compassion Ministries, who have an office in the center.

 

At the coffee, Fort Scott City Manager Dave Martin told Sellers that he appreciates her for keeping the taxi service going.

 

Food

 

The Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging Senior Nutrition Program, also known as Meals on Wheels, is delivered through the Bourbon County Senior Citizens, with Sellers coordinating.

 

Sellers provides drivers for 54 senior citizens who receive home delivery of a hot meal.

 

Four people receive frozen meals through the program, she said.

 

“If you are on the route of the driver coming from Pittsburg, you get hot meals,” Sellers said. “If you are not on the route, you get frozen meals.”

 

“Volunteers dish up the food and deliver the meals,” she said.

 

Once a month, Sellers also coordinates food commodities distribution.

 

“It is income-based,” she said. “They come in once a month on the fourth Thursday to 26 N. Main. They can come on that day and we can sign them up.”

 

“We serve about 120 households a month,” Sellers said.

 

In addition, about 78 people receive a box of food from the Kansas Food Bank’s Senior Food Program, she said. This distribution is the fourth Friday of each month.

 

“Come in and pick up an application, mail it to Wichita,” she said. “If the application is in at the beginning of the month, they can get the box that month.”

 

Included in the box: meat, vegetables, fruit, shelf-milk, cereal, juice, a loaf of cheese.

 

“This is income-based and age-based,” Sellers said. “You have to be 60 years plus.”

 

There is also a potluck on the second Friday in partnership with Resource Center for Independent Living, for those with disabilities.

“If you know someone who could use help, they can help,” she said.

 

Jackie Sellers, site manager at Bourbon County Senior Citizens center, places a quart of milk in a cooler to deliver with Meals on Wheels lunches.
Fort Scott Community College, Government

FSCC Trustees Meet Jan. 27

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The Board of Trustees of Fort Scott Community College will meet in regular session on Monday, January 27, 2020. The meeting will be held in the Heritage Room at Fort Scott Community College.
5:00 p.m. Dinner in the Heritage Room at 5:00 p.m. followed by regular board meeting at 5:30 p.m.

THE AGENDA is below with page in agenda packet noted.
5:00 DINNER
5:30 ROLL CALL, 3
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
CALL TO ORDER, 4
A. Comments from the Chair, 4
B. Migrant Grant Programs Update, 4
CONSENT AGENDA, 5

CONSENT AGENDA
A. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
1) Attached are the minutes of the Regular Board Meeting conducted on December 16, 2019.
C. APPROVAL OF TREASURER’S REPORT, BILLS and CLAIMS
Attached are the Treasurer’s Report and the Bills and Claims Report.

D. APPROVAL OF PERSONNEL ACTIONS

1) Additions

a) Carson Hunter, Assistant Football Coach, effective January 1
b) Michael Reynolds, Assistant Football Coach, effective January 1
c) Brant Newman, Assistant Football Coach, effective January 20
d) Lee “Harris” Bivin, Assistant Football Coach, effective January 20
e) Cam Robinson, Assistant Football Coach, effective January 22
f) Tasha Fox, Financial Aid/Scholarship Coordinator, effective February 10.

2) Separations

a) Debra Wood, Accounting Clerk, effective December 31, 2019
b) Valentino Coleman, Assistant Football Coach, effective December 31, 2019
c) Jared Walters, Assistant Baseball Coach, effective January 3
d) Kale Pick, Head Football Coach, effective January 15
e) Kaitlyn Doherty, Nursing Administrative Assistant, effective January 31
f) Matt Glades, Director of Admissions, effective January 31
g) Taylyn Barkley, Assistant Volleyball Coach, effective January 31
h) Lindsey Hill, Head Volleyball Coach, date pending

3) Transfers
a) Carson Hunter, from Assistant Football Coach to Head Football Coach, effective January 17
b) Larry Amer, from Adjunct Instructor to Design and Art Production
Specialist, effective January 27

RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the Consent Agenda items be approved as
presented.
BOARD ACTION: MOTION _____ SECOND _____ VOTE _____
DISCUSSION:

A. Approval of Agenda, 5
B. Approval of Minutes of previous Regular Board Meeting conducted on December 16,
2019, 6
C. Approval of Treasurer’s Report, Bills, and Claims, 7
D. Approval of Personnel Actions, 5
ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Consideration of 2020-2021 Calendar, 51
B. Approval of Disposal of Property – Semi Truck and Trailers, 53
C. Discussion of Board Technology Training, 54
D. Discussion of Board Graduation Attendance, 54
REPORTS, 55
A. Administrative Updates, 56
EXECUTIVE SESSION, 70
ADJOURNMENT, 71

UPCOMING CALENDAR DATES:
• January 27, 2020: Board Meeting
• February 17, 2020: Board Meeting
• March 16, 2020: Board Meeting
• March 23, – 27, 2020: Spring Break – Campus Closed
• April 3, 2020: Aggie Day
• April 10, 2020: Good Friday – Campus Closed
• April 20, 2020: Board Meeting
• May 11 – 14, 2020: Final Exams
• May 15, 2020: Graduation
• May 18, 2020: Board Meeting
• May 25, 2020: Memorial Day – Campus Closed
• June 15, 2020: Board Meeting

FSCC’s vision for the future is to support “Students First, Community Always” through a central focus on teaching and learning; advancing strong, innovative programs and
departments; maximizing and leveraging opportunities; initiating efficient and effective processes; and developing the region’s workforce.

 

CALL TO ORDER
A. COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR
B. MIGRANT GRANT PROGRAMS

Bourbon County, Church news

Allen Schellack: Compassionate Support

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Allen Schellack, ministry coordinator for Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries at his office upstairs at 26 N. Main.

Allen Schellack wears many hats, all of them serving his community in some way.

He coordinates Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries(FSCM), Bourbon County Salvation Army,  and Care Portal.

Schellack is also a part of the Fort Scott Ministerial Alliance. He attends the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene.

“I don’t know how to say ‘no’,” Schellack told the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee attendees on Jan. 16. FSCM hosted the coffee on that day along with the Senior Citizens Center.

“My wife bought me a ‘no’ button,” he said with a smile.

But it doesn’t seem to be working.

“Compassion is an important part of what we do,” Shellack said. “We are looking at how to be more effective in the community.”

“Our biggest need in the community is freedom from drugs and alcohol,  and respect for each other and themselves,” he said.

“I can pray and give caring support or a place to encourage you that you are worth something,” he said.

His office, where he coordinates all the ministries, is upstairs at the Senior Citizens Center, 26 N. Main.

Bourbon County Senior Citizens Center, 26 N. Main.

From here he oversees assistance to foster families, homeless individuals, and services through the other community partnerships.

FSCM teamed with CarePortal, an online church engagement tool that connects the child welfare workers to churches. The portal makes churches aware of needs and gives the opportunity to respond to those needs. There are about six churches in Bourbon County who help in this way.

He also provides services to homeless people, along with hygienic supplies, phone access and fellowship.

Last year, the ministry also helped with needed supplies to students and assisted families at Christmas time.

FSCM is the designated Salvation Army Disaster Relief and Services Extension Unit for Bourbon County.

This is where the annual  Salvation Army bell-ringing fundraiser comes into play that Schellack coordinates.

At the Jan. 16 Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee, Schellack thanked all those who volunteered at Christmas, ringing the bells for the Salvation Army.

“We didn’t meet our goal but did raise over $7,000 to help the community for crisis times,” he said. Through SA, he can provide disaster relief assistance, rental/utility assistance, prescriptions, temporary lodging, gasoline for work or doctor, eyeglass help and other unspecified needs on a case by case basis.

The Fort Scott Ministerial Alliance gathers once a month and they have a hospitality fund that helps transients who are “stuck here in town, we help them get on their way,” he said.

Fort Scott City Manager Dave Martin, a coffee attendee,  thanked Schellack for all the services he provides the community.

FSCM is a volunteer organization, with no paid staff. The services are provided through local churches and community partners.

Schellack can be reached at 620.223.2212.

Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries, located above the Senior Citizens Center on North Main Street.

 

 

 

 

Business, Fort Scott

The Offices: Starting a Small Business Turn-Key

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The Offices, a set of offices being developed by Legweak LLC.
Jeff and Jamie Armstrong have put resources of time and money into The Offices, located at 1711-1715 S. National Avenue. (Just north of Subway Restaurant.)
Jeff and Jamie Armstrong stand in front of the property they developed into business suites. Submitted photo.

Recently, they signed on their first renter in the development.

 

“We cater to small businesses that need a turn-key solution without the overhead of their own storefront,” Jamie Armstrong said.
“We created this space to help attract and grow small businesses in a community we dearly love,” she said.  “It is difficult to find professional space that’s affordable with great visibility when you are getting started or growing into a new market.”
The Armstrong’s have worked in the last few months to build the offices, which were created to fit the need of the renter.
“We hope that by adapting size and scale, we have brought to a rural market like Fort Scott, a small business concept that has been wildly popular in urban markets,” Armstrong said.

The first business moving into The Offices building is Mag-Lab of Pittsburg. This business offers medical lab services to the community.

 

Brian Holt, Mag-Lab medical technologist and Sharon Newell, phlebotomist, stand in the lobby of The Offices, where the new Mag-Lab is located. There are six offices available in this section of the buildings. A common lobby, restroom, and kitchen area are shared among the renters.

 

“They open up February 3rd,” Armstrong said.  ” We have five remaining units available for lease.”

 

” Our amenities include private, pre-wired 10’x12’ office with on-site storage, virtual receptionist, common area cleaning service, and all utilities included for one flat monthly cost. We offer flexible lease terms that start at $500/mo. We would be the perfect option for a satellite law practice, CPA, medical practitioner, a work-from-home business and many, many others.”

 

The common kitchenette area of The Offices, 1711 S. National.

 

The restroom has wheelchair accessibility at The Offices.

 

The name of the development business that the Armstrong’s started is Legweak,LLC. For more information: 620-224-3036.

See their Facebook page at Legweak Properties

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Jobs, Schools

Fort Scott Chamber: Encouraging Businesses

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Lindsay Madison is the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Executive Director.

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce has been working to encourage entrepreneurship and matching skills to local employers’ needs in 2019, according to information provided during the Jan. 9 Chamber coffee.

Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center, 321 E. Wall

Two new programs were added to the community this year: Bourbon County E-Community and Work Ready Community. The focus of the two is enhancing local economic development through entrepreneurship and workforce development.

Loans for Businesses Through Entrepreneur Community

Bourbon County E-Community provides access to funds, which are locally administered through the Chamber. These loans included start-up businesses as well as existing business purchases or expenses. The funds are accessed through NetWork Kansas, whose mission statement is to promote an entrepreneurial environment throughout the state that connects entrepreneurs and small business owners with expertise, education, and economic resources.

Those who have received these loans in Fort Scott from July 1 to Dec. 31:

Smallville Crossfit, an E-Community Loan of $40,000.

Luther’s BBQ, an E-Community Loan of $45,000.

Smallville Crossfit, a start-up loan of $25,000.

Lulther’s BBQ, a start-up loan of $30,000.

Margo’s LLC (a salon and spa), an E-Community Load of $39,000.

Other events in support of E-Community: a luncheon to educate on the loan program, an entrepreneur appreciation luncheon, a semi-monthly local newspaper ad promoting the loans, and planning for a Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge, in partnership with Fort Scott High School (judging for the challenge will be March 11, 2020.)

 

Work Ready Community

Work Ready Community is a nation-wide program to aid matching people to a job that needs their skills and preparing people to have the skills that employers need.

Work Ready Communities is working at the grassroots level to make the country more competitive and closing the skills gap that threatens to paralyze the U.S. economy, according to its website. They do this by providing a community-based framework.

To learn more: /https://www.workreadycommunities.org/

Bourbon County became a Work Ready Community in Sept. 2019.

A group of 10 people from Bourbon County, USD 234, USD235, Fort Scott Community College, the City of Uniontown and local employers attended a Work Ready Community Workshop in August 2019.

Kansas initiated an initiative for high school juniors to take the Work Keys test and earn certification. The certification is to improve hiring and employee retention, help provide employees who have the skills needed and help students attain success in landing a career.

 

To view the Chamber leadership this year,click below:

http://fortscott.com/board-of-directors

To see the Chamber sponsored events, view the flyer below:

https://chambermaster.blob.core.windows.net/userfiles/UserFiles/chambers/2874/CMS/2019-Year-in-Review—Chamber.pdf

 

To join the Chamber, click here:

http://fortscott.com/join-the-chamber

 

 

 

 

 

Fort Scott

Not Complaining, Doing Acts of Service

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Ground cover materials and repair of some of the children’s playground equipment were part of the workday in December.

Some local citizens have decided not to complain about issues, but instead to work on solutions.

 

Citizens For Park Improvements is the name of a group of local citizens who had been working in Gunn Park to improve the children’s areas.

Saw the need, took action

“The weekend before I started the group, we were at the park for a church function,” Seth Needham said. ” My youngest wanted to swing, but he couldn’t because the swings were broke. Even if the swings weren’t broke, the surface was muddy, and the whole area was unsafe. The swings that weren’t broke were 28 inches off the ground, which isn’t safe for a toddler. So, I decided to take action.”

” I have 2 sons, and I want the park to be a fun place for them.”

New ground cover under the teeter-totter makes it safer for children. The materials were provided by members of the Citizens For Park Improvements.

“It is something that had been on my mind for quite some time,” Needham said. ” I love our parks. I love taking my sons to our parks. But our parks need a lot of work. As I parent who frequents the parks, I see a lot of the issues. And I wasn’t seeing those issues being addressed. Things like a teeter-totter that was 40 inches off the ground, which was dangerous for my sons. Or slides that my two-year-old couldn’t go down because they had huge drop-offs at the bottom. Swing sets that were in disrepair. Ground covering that is non-existent.  I realized I had two choices; gripe and complain on Facebook, or take action. I chose the second.”

“We have good parks,” he said.  “But we have the basis for GREAT parks. And that’s what I want. I want to see Gunn Park be a wonderful safe place for families. I believe our parks department is doing a great job, but it sounds like they are overwhelmed sometimes just trying to keep up with the day-to-day operations. I figured if I could organize a group of people to help with some of the small stuff, the park department might have more time to focus on the larger issues.”

Started November 2019: More Projects In Spring

Needham started the project on November 6.

“I figured a few people might join and help, but I never expected it to take off like this. We have had one meeting, are already drawing up plans for our first six projects. We had our first workday, and got several projects done.”

Upcoming projects planned for this spring include updating bathrooms, repairing playground equipment, new ground cover for playgrounds, “and also some bigger projects which will really add to Gunn Park,” Needham said.  “We have people looking into funding options, have set-up a material registry with Big-Sugar Lumber, and have experts looking into things such as drainage. And there is so much more that is going on.”

Currently, there is a project to clear off the Bell Town Park Trail on the north end of town, being organized by Denise Findley Needham.

 

New ground cover materials were placed under the swing sets at Gunn Park by the citizen’s group.

 

“Right now there are around 500 people in the group, and it’s growing daily,” he said. “We have a good group of people with fresh ideas, and the will to make it happen. One of my goals from the beginning was to make the group accessible to anyone. I want anyone who wants to help to have the opportunity, regardless of age, income, physical health, or time. I’m trying hard to organize the group where someone who has to work weekends can still contribute if they want to. Or the person who has $10 leftover after pay-day, but still wants to help. There will be a place for them. Or maybe someone who is older or disabled and can’t get out there and do physical labor…. We can use them too.”

Leadership

” We have never really decided on leadership,” he said.  “I guess right now, I’m it. There have been several individuals who have really stepped up… and I couldn’t have done it without them. So if that qualifies as a leader, I would have to say Craig Campbell, Deb McCoy, Josh Jones, Beth Nuss, Lindsay Madison, Susan Bancroft, and Chad Brown so far. As projects come up, I am sure we’ll see more people step up to the plate when they see a need for something they are great at. “

 

Social media is helping the organization

“I organized it through Facebook to make it easier for people. Let’s face it, people are busy. It’s hard to attend traditional meetings. But by organizing it online, people can contribute on THEIR schedule. Ideas can be exchanged easily. We can set-up events so that people can see what we need, when we are working, and how they can help.”

To view the group’s page:

https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=Citizens%20for%20Park%20improvemnts&epa=SEARCH_BOX

 

“If anyone wants to be involved, they just need to join our Facebook group,” Needham said.  “In the group, we post ideas and solutions we are working on, workdays, and how people can help.”