All posts by Loretta George

Bourbon County

Uniontown Ruritan Club Will Host National President for Information Event on May 22

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Local service clubs provide many behind-the-scenes activities to enhance the quality of life for their communities.

Mark Warren, a past District Governor of Ruritan for the Middle America district and currently a member of the Uniontown Ruritan Club, said he enjoys the projects the Ruritan Club  provides for the community.

Mark Warren, at the Girard Medical Clinic of Uniontown building, which the Ruritan Club helped bring to fruition in 2020.

“For me Ruritan is being involved in making money through fundraising projects and giving this money back to the community through financial assistance to the needy, improving the physical appearance of our community, honoring those who serve and have served this country in the military, and providing scholarship assistance to our youth to help accomplish their goals in life.

In the last few years, the club has helped bring the Girard Medical Center of Uniontown to the town, which has a population of around 300, with the collaboration of other entities. They have helped build the new public restrooms in the town’s downtown and provided scholarships to several high school students to further their education.

The public restrooms are just across from Uniontown’s downtown park. This was another project of the Ruritan Club in collaboration with other entities.

Next month, the club is hosting a special informational recruiting event for area residents who may be interested in learning more about Ruritan, Warren said.

Rebecca Lane, the 2025 National Ruritan President, from the home office in Dublin, Virginia, will be in Kansas and Nebraska from May 20 to May 29, visiting clubs in these two states.

2025 National Ruritan President Rebecca Lane. From the organization’s website.

 

“The potluck style dinner event hosted by area Ruritan Clubs will be May 22 at 7 p.m. at the Uniontown Community Center. Anyone in rural Bourbon County communities who would like to learn more about Ruritan is invited to attend,” Warren said. “Rebecca will be here to answer questions. We have clubs in Bronson, Redfield, and Uniontown. Residents of these communities are invited to join the clubs that night.”

Current Uniontown Ruritan Officers are President Mike Mason, Vice President Rick Allen, Secretary Raymond “Skeet” George, Treasurer Mary Pemberton, 3rd Year Director Henry Homan, 2nd Year Director Randy Rathbun, and 1st Year Director Joe George.

The Uniontown Ruritan meets at the Uniontown Methodist Church on the third Monday of every month at 7 p.m.

To learn more about the Bronson Ruritan, call Terry Johnston at 620-224-7566, and Redfield, call Skeet at 620-224-8051.

JPGs created by Adam Page from Uniontown High School
JPGs created by Adam Page from Uniontown High School
Bourbon County

Garden Club Members Will Sell Plants at the Farmer’s Market on May 3: Fundraiser For Fort Scott Garden Beds

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Bourbon County Garden Club members oversaw and worked with other volunteers to put in new flowers around the downtown area in April 2024. Submitted photo.
Submitted photo.

The Bourbon County Garden Club will hold its annual plant sale on the opening day of the Downtown Farmers’ Market, Saturday, May 3, from 8 a.m. until noon.

They will be located at the north end of the Downtown Pavilion, located at National Avenue and Old Fort Boulevard.

Proceeds from the sale support beautification efforts that the group does throughout the community, including the city pool islands, Heritage Park, and the North Main area, according to a press release.

Herbs. Submitted photo.

“The garden club partners with Tri Valley Developmental Services to sell a wide variety of plants, all of which are geared to our area’s challenging weather. Club members offer plants freshly dug from their own gardens. Tri Valley provides annuals, herbs, and both floral and foliage hanging baskets. Among the variety of annuals for this year are geraniums, calibrachoa, coleus, and begonias, which are in bloom and ideal for Mothers’ Day gifts,” according to the press release.

One of the gardens at the Fort Scott Aquatic Center that is planted and maintained by the Bourbon County Garden Club.  Submitted photo.

The group members will share their knowledge of the plants and answer questions during the sale.

 

Coleus. Submitted photo.

 

“A feature this year is a children’s free activity area. There will be garden-related coloring sheets and crayons, plus rocks that children can decorate with acrylic paint markers. They may take the rocks with them or leave them around town for other children to find. The garden club will also be selling decorative rocks that Fort Scott Middle School students have painted,” according to the press release.

Sedum planter that will be part of a drawing at the Fort Scott Farmer’s Market. Submitted photo.

 

There will be drawings for several unique pots that have been planted with drought-resistant sedum.

Drawing prices are $2 per ticket or $5 for three tickets.

The garden club members help decorate downtown Fort Scott for the holidays in 2024. From its Facebook page.

 

The Bourbon County Garden Club meets on the second Tuesday of the month, March through October. The next meeting will be Tuesday, May 13th, at Heritage Park, First and Main Street, in downtown Fort Scott, at 6 p.m.

“Bourbon County Garden Club is a group of local gardeners that gather to learn, grow, and share in their passion of gardening. We meet to plant and care for gardens spread throughout our city. Hope to see you at our next meeting!” according to its Facebook page

 

For garden club news, meeting announcements, and photos: https://www.facebook.com/Bourboncountygardeners

The Bourbon County Garden Club met at the Common Grounds Coffee Shop in May 2022, photo. Taken from the club’s Facebook page.

 

 

 

Area News, Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes

Lowell Milken presents $25,000 cash prize to Meredith Reid 2024 at red carpet ceremony

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ghs meredith reid bio v2

Santa Monica, Calif., (Apr. 22, 2025) — Hailing from across the country, the 2024 class of Milken Educator Award recipients traveled to Los Angeles to attend the national Milken Educator Awards Forum held at UCLA April 1-3. Meeting one another for the first time, the 2024 class gathered with their loved ones to walk the red carpet – a celebration fitting for their continued excellence and leadership inside and outside of the classroom.

 

Milken Educator Awards Founder Lowell Milken hosted the 2024 Awardees, officially recognizing Kansas Milken Educator Award recipient Meredith Reid with her unrestricted $25,000 cash prize following her surprise notification in January.

 

The all-expenses-paid trip to L.A. and $25,000 cash prize were part of each educator’s Award, which also provides lifetime membership to the national Milken Educator Network, powerful mentorship and professional development opportunities, and access to a brain trust of over 3,000 Milken Educators working to shape the future of K-12 education.

 

“We honor the achievements of 2024’s Milken Educators, who dedicate their lives to providing students with the high-quality education they need and deserve,” said Lowell Milken. “We shine a spotlight on these extraordinary change agents so that when they return to their communities, they will know that their impact is not only noticed but also treasured. We hope they will continue to inspire other talented young people to join the adventure of teaching and serve as a beacon of excellence for future generations.”

 

At this year’s forum, appropriately themed “3,000 Strong and Making an Impact,” veteran and new Milken Educators gathered at UCLA to share ideas for amplifying their voice in their professional careers. With the Awards’ mission to “Celebrate, Elevate, and Activate” the teaching profession, recipients learned about the powerful opportunities the Milken Educator Network affords to expand their leadership in practice and policy.

 

Additionally, the forum celebrated a significant milestone for the Milken Family Foundation: reaching the 3,000th Milken Educator Award recipient since the Awards’ inception nearly four decades ago. The 2024-25 season concluded with the induction of 42 new Milken Educators, with more than $75 million in individual financial prizes and more than $145 million invested in the Milken Educator Award national network overall.

 

 

See highlights from the Milken Educator Awards Forum and Tour at #MilkenAward or on our channels: Facebook (MilkenEducatorAwards)| X (Milken)| YouTube (MilkenAward)| Instagram (MilkenFamilyFdn)| LinkedIn (MilkenFamilyFdn)| TikTok (MilkenAward).

 

Visit MilkenEducatorAwards.org or call the Milken Family Foundation at (310) 570-4772 for more information.

-MEA-

 

About the Milken Educator Awards: “The Future Belongs to the Educated”
The first Milken Educator Awards were presented by the Milken Family Foundation in 1987. Created by philanthropist and education visionary Lowell Milken, the Awards provide public recognition and individual financial rewards of $25,000 to K-12 teachers, principals, and specialists from around the country who are furthering excellence in education. Recipients are heralded in early- to mid-career for what they have achieved and for the promise of what they will accomplish. The Milken Family Foundation celebrates more than 40 years of elevating education in America and around the world. Learn more at MFF.org.

 

PHOTOS:

Download photos from galleries on the right column of each educator’s bio page here by clicking the blue button under each desired photo.

Credit: Milken Family Foundation

Meredith Reid (KS ’24)

Teacher

Girard High School
Girard, KS

Subject(s) taught: Music
Grade(s): 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

 

At the time of the Award, Meredith Reid was:

Teacher
Girard High School
Girard, KS

Subject(s) taught: Music
Grade(s): 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Biographical Information

 

When Meredith Reid attended Girard High School as a student, the choral music program had no longer existed. When she returned to her alma mater as a teacher several years later, Reid reestablished the program which now produces an award-winning choir. They regularly perform throughout the community and compete at regional and state music events, where the group earned the “superior” rating this past school year.

In addition, nearly all her high school soloists receive top ratings at the regional and state competitions. Reid had six students chosen for the Kansas All-State Choirs, one of only two choral programs in southeast Kansas to achieve this honor. One of her choral students was selected to join the prestigious Kansas State University Summer Choral Institute, a highly selective program that admits only 48 students across the country each year.

In her classroom, Reid uses a positive rewards system to motivate her students to utilize good singing techniques. The system was so well-received she was asked to present the model at the Kansas Music Educators Association In-Service Workshop. For students in this rural community with little to no access to private vocal lessons, Reid opens a world of musical opportunities for her choral students.

Outside of GHS, Reid is an engaged member of her hometown and beyond, serving as a local officer in P.E.O., a nonprofit organization that helps women pursue education; representing GHS at a national education conference; and serving as board secretary for the American Choral Directors Association. Reid has been involved with the Kansas Music Educators Association and served as Southeast Kansas choral chair. Her commitment to music education extends to her colleagues and young music teachers in the district and region who benefit from her friendship and mentorship. Her community choir, “Generations,” reflects her goals of having a sustained music program whose members serve as role models for young musicians and represent the importance of lifelong dedication to music appreciation.

A Kansas State University graduate, Reid earned a Bachelor of Music Education in 2010 and a Master of Music Education in 2017.

 

Entertainment, Fort Scott, Government

Fort Scott Public Library Awarded $20,000 For Children’s Section

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The Fort Scott Public Library is located at the corner of 2nd Street and National Avenue.

 

The Fort Scott Public Library was honored to be one of the 50 libraries in the United States to receive a prestigious $20,000 grant from the American Library Association and the Association of Small and Rural Libraries for their Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities Grant.

According to https://www.ala.org/tools/librariestransform/libraries-transforming-communities/access

“Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities offered more than $14 million in grants to small and rural libraries to increase the accessibility of facilities, services, and programs to better serve people with disabilities.

To be eligible, a library must have a legal area population of 25,000 or less and be located at least five miles from an urbanized area, in keeping with the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) definitions of small and rural libraries.

ALA awarded four rounds of grants to be distributed over the next four years ranging from $10,000 to $20,000.

Participating libraries will first conduct community input-gathering sessions to assure that their work aligns with local needs. Libraries will be required to identify the primary audience they are hoping to reach (e.g., homebound seniors, children with autism, Deaf community members) and facilitate a community conversation with the impacted populations in order to guide the improvement of the library’s services. Grantees would then use the funds to create services or improve their facilities based on the needs identified by their audience.”

“This grant, in the amount we received, was a testament to our commitment to serving our community,” said Library Director Jennifer Gum-Fowler. “Another 250 libraries were granted $10,000 for the same grant.”

“We were informed in late March that we had won, but we were asked to wait until all the other libraries had been notified and accepted the grant. To make a bigger splash, we announced it at the Chamber Coffee last week. We will begin working on the grant in just a few weeks.”

Some new play areas for the children’s section.

“This grant is a game-changer for us. It will create a dedicated quiet space in the library for children with non-neurotypical disabilities, a much-needed addition to our services.”

“We will purchase a Shushbooth to do this in our limited space,” she said.

“A Shushbooth is a soundproof room with a small table, chairs, and an area for the kids to sit on the floor,” she said. “Depending on the child, it will give them a place where they can be both quiet and loud. It makes the library more accessible for the children. When not used for the kids, the rest of the community can use it for Zoom meetings and telehealth.”

“Some of the grant will also help us add therapeutic toys and items that the parents and children can check out and use. The rest of the grant will train staff to work better with these children and parents, ensuring a more inclusive and supportive environment. We will be hosting a community conversation soon about the grant, so stay tuned for that,” she said.

 

Changes on the horizon

 

“The library is undergoing a makeover to align with the grant we just received. The children’s area is being moved downstairs to make it more accessible for parents and children. We are also creating a Teen Zone and a Makerspace upstairs for the community. ”

 

“In addition, the library has received a Tech Grant from Southeast Kansas Library System, which we used to purchase a projector and screen for the events room. This makes the event room a conference room and a programming room for the community. We hope these changes will transform the library into a vibrant hub for the community to use and enjoy.”

Pictured is Jennifer Gun-Fowler, standing, and front row from left are Jennifer Carnes, Machenzie Kaemmer, and Samantha Miller. Not pictured is Pam Johnson.

 

The employees of the Fort Scott Public Library are

Jennifer Gum-Fowler- Library Director

Mackenzie Kaemmer- Youth Services Specialist

Samantha Miller- Youth Services Assistant

Pam Johnson – Inter Library Loan-Resource Clerk

Jennifer Carnes – Collections-Cataloging Clerk

 

 

The library is open Monday through Friday from  9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is closed Sunday.

 

Contact info: Jennifer Gum-Fowler- 620-223-2882, [email protected], 201 S Nation

The north side of the library is ground level. The City of Fort Scott was working on the stripes for the parking spaces on April 15.
Fort Scott, Schools

Fort Scott Christian Heights Country Store & Auction is Saturday, May 3

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Sending on behalf of Chamber Member

Fort Scott Christian Heights

would like to invite the community to their PTF

Country Store & Auction

Saturday, May 3rd Fort Scott Christian Heights

1101 S. Barbee St.

*All proceeds benefit the FSCH PTF

Crusader Charge 5K and 2 Mile Fun Walk

Registration at 7:00am

Race Begins at 7:30am

Line up on Margrave, between 10th & 12th Streets,

or call the school ahead to register.

DURING THE DAY

9AM-3PM
Giant Indoor Garage Sale

*Clothing, toys, household items, furniture, plants, new crafted and handmade items & more! Something for everyone!

Bakery

*Homemade baked items of all kinds: cinnamon rolls, pies, cakes, breads, and more will be for sale.

Concession Stand

*A full menu will be available throughout the day:

Burgers, taco salads, sodas, milkshakes, and more!

We have you covered for lunch (& snacks)! We will be open throughout the whole event!

DINNER

4:00-6:00pm

Fried chicken dinner with all the trimmings!

Adults: $10

Kids (5-12): $5

(under 5 – free)

AUCTION

6:00pm-?

The auction features new items and gift certificates donated by Fort Scott Area businesses

CONTACT/QUESTIONS

1101 S. Barbee St.

Fort Scott, KS 66701

620-223-4330

office@fortscottchristianheights.org
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
Bourbon County, Business, Food

Slick Rock Cattle Company: New Strategies in Farm to Table Marketing

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John Erie, Terri Erie-his wife, and Mia Bryant-his granddaughter, man the Slick Rock Cattle Co. booth at the Fort Scott Home and Farm Show on April 4 at Fort Scott Community College.

Slick Rock Cattle Co., Fort Scott, has recently started delivering beef products in a strategy to market their product from farm to table.

“In the last three months, we have started delivering to Fort Scott,  Overland Park, Girard, and Chanute at designated sites for pick up,” said John Erie, who is co-owner with Kevin Stark, of the cattle company.

Kevin Stark, co-owner of Slick Rock Cattle Company from the business website.

Erie has been in the cattle business since childhood, working outside jobs, he said. Stark had a farming operation. They both attend the same church and one day started a conversation that ended in a cattle company partnership that has lasted 11 years.

“We had sold one-quarter beef, one-half or whole, and still do. Some people were wanting to buy certain cuts. Enough people asked, so we are going down that road,” Erie said. “Seems like people are wanting to help local farmers that produce hormone-free, grass-fed, grain-finished on-the-farm beef.”

“We reduced the number of cattle to specialize in a farm-to-table operation.”

They sell 12-month subscriptions, with the option of $125 per month over the years time. “Different cuts each month with ground beef. People can make their own bundle and it’s for people with not a lot of freezer space and not a lot of money at one time.”

“We can do 1/4, 1/2, or whole or all rib eye or all ground beef… a custom order,” he said.

The cattle are raised locally in northeast Bourbon County, and butchered and packaged locally at the Bronson Locker, in western Bourbon County,  a U.S. Dept. of Agriculture-certified business.

This reduces the environmental impact (lower fuel cost) because of the lower mileage needed to reach the customer.

The business employs Erie, Stark, and Erie’s granddaughter Mia Bryant along with some high school employees at times.

The cattle company has an office at the Hammond Elevator, northeast of Fort Scott, and can be reached at 620.224.8033 or slickrockcattlecollc.com

Black Angus cattle are the basis of the business, from their website.

 

 

Business, Fort Scott

Young Entrepreneur: Henry Witt, Welder Fabricator

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This is part of a series featuring young entrepreneurs in our community. To submit a young entrepreneur, email [email protected] with contact information for that person.

Henry Witt is the owner of H. Witt Fabrication, Fort Scott.

Although only 25 years old, Henry  Witt has 10 years of experience as a welder.

“I’ve been doing it in my garage since I was 15,” he said. “I bought my first welder at Tractor Supply and taught myself how to weld.”

With the products he made, he put himself through Missouri Welding School, Nevada, MO.

He is a full-service fabrication builder.

“It’s my passion,” he said. “I have always enjoyed doing something that lasts forever.”

“I spent four years as a union boiler maker in Emporia, KS,” he said. ” I decided to pursue my own business.”

The name of the business is H. Witt Fabrication.

“We do custom work. Anything metal you need to be built or repaired, we have full machining capabilities.”

A welding repair from his Facebook page.

 

A custom-built fire pit by Henry Witt, from his Facebook page.

Metal artwork, garden/lawn decor, and repair are some of the projects Witt has done.

“We can do prototyping, 3-D designs for customers to view the products,” he said.

His wife, Hunter, and he are both Fort Scott High School graduates, she in 2019 and he in 2018.

“She helps with everything and is an integral part of my operation.”

Witt can be reached at 620.469.0794 or H.Witt Fabrication on Facebook or [email protected]

Henry and Hunter Witt at the Fort Scott Farm and Home Show at Arnold Arena on April 4. They are standing in front of a nautilus sculpture that he is currently working on.

 

Bourbon County, Government

Agenda for April 9 Uniontown City Council Meeting and Minutes of Prior Meeting

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Unapproved minutes:

The Regular Council Meeting on March 11, 2025 at Uniontown Community Center was called to order at 7:00PM by Mayor Jurgensen.  Council members present were Jess Ervin, Amber Kelly, Mary Pemberton, Savannah Pritchett, and Bradley Stewart.  Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting were Joe George, the PSU Nursing Students Anthony Arulzu, Shannon Kalgreen, Mia Perez, Cora Simpson, City Treasurer Sally Johnson, City Superintendent Bobby Rich, and City Clerk Danea Esslinger.

 

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS

Public Restroom toilets, Taylor Plumbing–not in attendance, Mitchell Trenching submitted a bid for replacing lines from main through building.

 

Motion by Kelly, Second by Pritchett, Approved 5-0 to accept Mitchell Trenching bid of $900.

 

SEED Grant bid opening–one bid was received by Terry Nading for all SEED projects total material and labor $14,440.

Terry Nading provided 2 sizes for the bullet proof glass window: 58 ¾” x 29 7/8” for $1,600 or 36” x 29 7/8” for $800 and labor $1,260.

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0 to accept Terry Nading bid proposal for all but the window at this time.

 

FEMA Flooding bid opening–2 bids were received for all 4 components by Marbery Concrete, Inc. and Roger and Sons Concrete. No decision made on theses bids at this time as Council is waiting until after the FEMA meeting on 3/18/25.

 

2 Sidewalk bid opening-2 concrete bids were received. Marbery Concrete, Inc. and Roger and Sons Concrete. No decision made on the 2 concrete bids at this time as Council is waiting on response from business owner.

 

 

CITIZENS REQUESTS

None

 

FINANCIAL REPORT

Treasurer Johnson presented the February 2025 financial reports.  Beginning Checking Account Balance for all funds for February was $306,769.02, Receipts $37,051.18, Transfers Out $3,024.00, Expenditures $59,968.41, Checking Account Closing Balance $280,827.79. Bank Statement Balance $289,529.93, including Checking Account Interest of $58.11, Outstanding Deposits $0, Outstanding Checks $8,702.14, Reconciled Balance $280,827.79.  Water Utilities Certificates of Deposit $38,042.59, Sewer Utilities Certificate of Deposit $2,2822.26, Gas Utilities Certificates of Deposit $44,871.48, Total All Funds, including Certificates of Deposit $386,564.12. Year-to-Date Interest in Checking Acct is $119.73, and Utility CDs $581.65 for a Total Year-to-Date Interest of $701.38.  Transfers from Sewer Utility Fund to Sewer Revolving Loan $1,402.00; from Water Utility Fund to GO Water Bond & Interest $1,622.00 for Total Transfers of $3,024.00. Net Loss for the month of February $25,941.23, Year-to-Date Net Income $16,964.05.  Appropriations to date for February 2025 are $50,641.45

 

APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA

Motion by Ervin, Second byKelly, Approved 5-0, to approve Consent Agenda:

  • Minutes of February 11, 2024 Regular Council Meeting.
  • Treasurer’s Reports & Monthly Transaction Report for February 2025 and the Accounts Payables

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Superintendent:  Bobby Rich

Tractor-tractor repair completed, Brad Stewart delivered and picked up tractor with his trailer and fuel, please compensate him for

wear and tear on equipment and fuel costs for $500

 

Motion by Kelly, Second by Pritchett, Approved 4-0-1 (Stewart abstain) to approve payment.

 

Mosquito Workshop-superintendent requested workshop attendance.

 

Motion by Kelly, Second by Stewart, Approved 5-0 to approve Mosquito workshop attendance.

 

Clerk Report:  Danea Esslinger  

Jayhawk software & Quickbooks online update-started the Jayhawk software requirements and have not started Quickbooks online.

Telephone/Blue Tooth Ear Headset/Monitor-asked Council for 2 new monitors, new updated telephones, and blue tooth headset

 

Motion by Kelly, Second by Stewart, Approved 5-0 to approve requested equipment.

 

Reminders for upcoming events for the City of Uniontown:

Rabies Clinic will be on 3/29/25 @ 1:30pm to 3pm with Dr. Lora Holeman

City Office will be closed on March 19, 20, 21, 27, & 28, 2025

CCMFOA Conference – March 19-21, Manhattan

KACM Conference – March 27-28, Manhattan

Dogs at large-Dog catcher has been unable to catch the dogs at large in the City. Council advise to send 2 citations for repeat offenders, and a certified letter to the other offender.

 

COUNCIL & COMMITTEE REPORTS

Councilman Ervin –none

Councilman Kelly – none

Councilwoman Pemberton – are we are still needing and accepting book donations? Treasurer Johnson said yes.

Councilwoman Pritchett –letter needed to tenant and landlord regarding trash on front porch and now in back yard

Councilman Stewart– none

Mayor Jurgensen –none

 

OLD BUSINESS

Warehouse Building Electric update-have electricity installed and have rollup doors programed

Council stated to get a bids for the foam installation for the warehouse building.

 

Motion by Pritchett, Second by Ervin, Approved 5-0 to get bids for the foam installation of the Warehouse.

 

Park electric –electrician is waiting for boring to be completed

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Motion by Kelly, Second by Pritchett, Approved 5-0, to enter into executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel exception, KSA 75-4319(b)(1), in order to discuss performance of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at 9:00 PM.

 

Johnson called in at 8:45, out at 9:00.

 

Motion by Kelly, Second by Pritchett, Approved 5-0, to enter into executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel exception, KSA 75-4319(b)(1), in order to discuss performance of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at 9:15 PM.

 

Esslinger called in at 9:03, out at 9:20.

 

Motion by Kelly, Second by Pritchett, Approved 5-0, to enter into executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel exception, KSA 75-4319(b)(1), in order to discuss performance of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at 9:30 PM.

 

Open meeting resumed at 9:30.  No action from executive session.

 

City Clerk asked the council if need to send a debtor to collections with CBK, Inc. Council agreed to send.

 

Council member stated need to change the next month meeting from April 8, 2025 at 7:00 PM to April 9, 2025 at 5:30 PM.

 

Motion by Kelly, Second by Ervin, Approved 5-0 to move date and time of next month meeting to April 9, 2025 at 5:30 PM.

 

ADJOURN Time 9:45 Moved by Ervin, 2nd Kelly, Approved 5-0

Agenda for the Uniontown City Council on April 9 at 5:30 p.m.

CALL TO ORDER AT ________ by _____________________________

ROLL CALL: 

___ Jess Ervin ___ Amber Kelly ___ Mary Pemberton ___ Savannah Pritchett ___ Bradley Stewart

 

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS

Warehouse Insulation bid opening-

 

CITIZENS REQUESTS

 

FINANCIAL REPORT

Sally Johnson – Financial reports

 

APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA

  1. Minutes of March 11, 2025 Regular Council Meeting
  2. March Treasurers Report, Monthly Transaction Report & March Accounts Payables

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Codes Enforcement:  Doug Coyan

Trash complaint – 301 1st St #1

Dogs running at large-call or Text Betsie

 

Superintendent:  Bobby Rich

Public Restroom-trenching

 

Clerk Report:  Danea Esslinger  

Jayhawk software-started utility billing with Jayhawk software

Quickbooks Online-has been ordered by Sally

EMC-Loren Korte expressed he will come to May meeting if council needs him to attend

Rabies Clinic – had 15 city dogs and 5 total cats

 

COUNCIL & COMMITTEE REPORTS

Councilman Ervin –

Councilman Kelly –

Councilwoman Pemberton –

Councilwoman Pritchett –

Councilman Stewart–

Mayor Jurgensen –

 

OLD BUSINESS

SEED Grant – update

 

FEMA Flooding– update

 

Public Restroom toilets-

 

Sidewalk-

 

Park electric –

 

ADJOURN Time ____________ Moved by ______________, 2nd ___________________, Approved ___________

 

 

Bourbon County, Business

New Farm and Ranch Supply Store Is Open In Bourbon County

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A new ranch and farm supply store opened on April 1, two miles south on Hwy.69 at 2187 Hackberry Road.

Producers Cooperative Association, of Girard, is the owner of the store.

Inside the new PCA Store on Hackberry Road, just south of Fort Scott, off of Hwy. 69. Submitted photo.

“All of your farm and ranch retail supplies, along with livestock feed, vaccines, pet food, fencing supplies, livestock equipment, and more,” will be offered at the store,” said Manager Kaylee Johnson.

Submitted photos of the Producers Cooperative Association’s new store in Bourbon County.

“There was a soft store opening on April 1st with a Grand Opening to follow on May 8th,” she said.

Left to right: Brock Howser and Will Wunderly, two of the employees at the PCA Store in Bourbon County. Submitted photo.

 

The Location Supervisor is Will Wunderly, with three other employees.

In August 2024, the Producers Cooperative Association leadership began the process of expanding into Bourbon County, Wunderly said.

He said that the building was previously a tractor dealership.

Submitted photo of the PCA store.

Why a store in rural  Bourbon County?

“With our main office being located just to the south, in Girard Kansas, we chose to expand with our growth into Bourbon County,” Johnson said. ” We have multiple customers in Bourbon County and saw it as an opportunity to expand our services for our customers.”

For more information: 1-800-442-2809 (option 8 for Fort Scott) or

https://www.facebook.com/pcacoop

The PCA Store as seen from Hwy. 69, south of Fort Scott. Submitted photo.

 

Business, Fort Scott, Jobs

Rogers Body Shop Closed Its Doors: Couldn’t Find Workers

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Rogers Body Shop owner, Larry Rogers.

Larry Rogers said he “always figured that they would be taking me from my shop to the undertakers”, and that he would continue the auto repair shop work he had done for 37 years until he died.

But he couldn’t find workers to do the jobs that needed to be done.

“With what we do, put vehicles back to pre-crash conditions, we have to have people that can follow directions and come to work,” Rogers said. “Getting people to show up was a problem, more for younger applicants.”

“It wasn’t something we planned on doing, it was the turn of events,” he said.

“There should be five workers in the building, it ended up just Ryan and I,” he said.

“We had hired and trained workers, but not for over one year.”

His son, Ryan, has worked with him for 17 years.

“He was going to take over, but decided he’d go to work for someone else and let them have the headaches (of not having enough workers).”

Rogers quit taking on more auto body repair work at the end of October 2024 and had enough work on the books until the end of January 2025.

“I’ve talked to plumbers, mechanics, electricians,  and they also couldn’t find anyone willing,” he said. “Things were tough before COVID-19. After COVID-19 we didn’t have many applicants. It used to be you’d have people stopping in to ask if we were hiring.”

“There used to be tech schools to train people on auto body repair…a lot of them have closed down.”

Nationwide

It is a nationwide problem, according to an article from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Workforce participation remains below pre-pandemic levels. The United States is missing 1.7 million Americans from the workforce compared to February 2020, according to https://www.uschamber.com/workforce/understanding-americas-labor-shortage

According to the article

Employers are facing unprecedented challenges trying to find enough workers to fill open jobs. Right now, the latest data shows that there are 8 million job openings in the U.S. but only 6.8 million unemployed workers.

 If every unemployed person in the country found a job, we would still have millions of open jobs. 

Some of the factors for this, according to the article are:

Early retirements and an aging workforce

Net international migration to the U.S. is at its lowest level in decades

Lack of access to child care.

Some opened their own businesses.

Increase in savings: higher-income and savings bolstered people’s economic stability.

Future for Rogers

“I’m not retired, said Rogers, who is 63. “I still own the Alignment Service, east of this building.”

Ryan went to work for a car dealership in Olathe in March, doing bodywork.

“I am basically trying to get ready for an auction, probably in June,” he said. “Trying to sort out and clean out the building. After 37 years in the business, there is a lot of stuff. The building will be for sale.”

“I don’t know what I’ll do after that,” he said.

Rogers bought the business from Frank Burchett in 1987 on East Wall Street. The building isn’t there now because of the new Highway 54 route. He built the current building at 120 W. 19th and opened his business in July 2003.

 

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Fort Scott High School Football Booster & Athletes Fundraiser “Egg My Yard”

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Sending on behalf of Chamber Member

Fort Scott High School Football Booster

Fort Scott High School Football Booster & Athletes

invite you to their fundraiser

“Egg My Yard”

Order pre-filled eggs to be hidden in your yard the night before Easter along with a note from the Easter Bunny!

24 EGGS $35

36 EGGS $50

48 EGGS $60

Deadline for orders: April 17th

Yards will be egged on April 20th after dark!

Click HERE to book your spot today

or use the QR code on the flyer.

Payment MUST be made before delivery.

Payment:

Cash

  • Misty Adams at Citizen’s Bank
  • Brian Williams at The Butcher Block

-OR-

VENMO @rebecca-williams-38

Proceeds will benefit the 2026 FSHS Football Team.
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US