All posts by Loretta George

Bourbon County, Elections, Kansas

Introducing the Candidates: Adam Lusker

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This is part of a series introducing the candidates in the November 6 election

State Representative, 2nd District (vote for one)

Adam J. Lusker Sr. 452 S. 210th St. Frontenac 66763 Democratic

Kenneth Collins 102 E. 1st Street Mulberry 66756 Republican

Adam Lusker

Name: Adam J. Lusker Sr.

Age: 46

Position running for: 2nd District Kansas State Representative

Residence: Frontenac, KS

Occupation: Mason

Community involvement:

Member of the following: American Legion Post 43, Frontenac Rotary, Frontenac Unified Methodist Church, Sacred Heart Church, Elks Lodge, Masonic Lodge 187, Mirza Temple Shrine, Scottish Rite, Former Member of Frontenac Education Foundation and USD 249 School Board, 25-year business owner

Party affiliation: Democrat

What is the biggest issue, if elected, and how do you plan to address it?

  1. Maintaining a consistent revenue source, to ensure our budget is balanced and meets the needs of our community.

Give your views on the sales tax.

  1. Sales taxes are regressive taxes. Higher sales taxes affect people’s buying power in a negative way, especially our lower and fixed-income citizens. Therefore, food sales tax impacts these same folks adversely. Our sales tax also puts border counties like ours at a disadvantage economically in regard to retail sales, food, mercantile, equipment, etc, with our neighboring state. I think we should work to reduce food sales tax, as well as sales tax in general as other sources of revenue, are realized.

Give your views on legalizing marijuana.

  1. I do not believe Kansas is ready for legalizing marijuana. Several states are still continuing to deal with legal marijuana. We were a test site for a very costly tax plan; I think we should let other states be the petri dish on this experiment.

Give your views on health care for our state, including Medicaid.

  1. We should continue to find ways to reduce health care costs, increase access to medicine and promote wellness in our state. Regardless of anyone’s opinion of the Affordable Care Act, it is law and Kansas has to take advantage of all we can to keep our hospitals open. Kansas taxpayers have sent over $3 billion of our money to other states to expand Medicaid. The numbers show that expanding Medicaid would have a positive impact on our healthcare systems and our communities.

Give your views on abortion and Planned Parenthood.

  1. I have a pro-life voting record and will continue. I think we should continue to invest in adoption and education to prevent unwanted pregnancy.
Obituary

Obituary of Mabel Miller

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Mable L. Miller, 91, of Fort Scott, Kansas, passed away Friday, October 19, 2018, at Via Christi in Pittsburg, Kansas.

Mabel Ladena Miller was born at home in the Hiattville area on June 29, 1927, to Roy and Bessie (Eisenbrandt) Ater. She graduated from Uniontown High School in 1945.

She was married to Elmer Miller Jr. on July 11, 1946. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, homemaker, and worked on the family farm.

Mabel was an active member of the Hiattville United Methodist Church and member of United Methodist Women. She also worked as a volunteer at Beacon for many years and the Hiattville Election Board.

Survivors include her sons: Robert “Bob” Miller and his wife Glenda, Roger Miller and his wife Lori; daughter Sandra Ellis and her husband Carl, all of the rural Hiattville area; two sisters Arla and husband Leo of Fort Scott, and Evelyn Shull of Kechi, KS; ten grandchildren, twenty-nine great-grandchildren, eight great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 64 years Elmer, parents Roy and Bessie Ater, sisters Thelma Buntain, Maxine Peel, Waneta Ater, and baby brother Ellwyn Ater.

Following cremation, a Memorial Service celebrating Mabel’s life will be announced at a later date. The family requests memorials be made to Hiattville United Methodist Church and Beacon of Fort Scott, and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, PO Box 309, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Fort Scott

Cannon Receives Library Excellence Award

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Valetta Cannon with her recent awards from the Southeast Kansas Library System and the City of Fort Scott.

A local librarian recently received a recognition by the state library system and the City of Fort Scott.

Valetta Cannon, Fort Scott Public  Library’s Youth Librarian and Assistant Director received a trophy from the Southeast Kansas Library System, along with a $1,000 check from SKLS for the library.

“The award was first publicly announced at the Southeast Kansas Library System’s annual meeting at Iola High School on June 1,” Cannon said. “The trophy, certificate, and check were presented to me at the Fort Scott City Commission meeting on September 18.
“A traveling plaque will be moved from the other staff excellence award winner’s library to ours at the end of the year. This is the first year these awards have been offered by SEKLS.”
According to the SEKLS website,
“Decisions will be based upon the extent to which a nominee exceeds the norm and provides excellent service or support, with consideration to the size and type of library of the nominee.
The committee’s decisions are subject to the approval of the Director.
Library staff: Any employee of an SEKLS library other than the director
Considerations: Excellent library staff provide quality service, seek to promote and improve library service, collaborate well with the director and other staff members, and make an important contribution to the functioning of the library.”
The $1,000 donation to the library will be used for services and programming
“I have submitted several ideas for investing the money into improved young patron services and programming to our library board,” Cannon said. “All purchase ideas for the award money are currently pending approval or revision.”
A trophy, a City of Fort Scott Certificate of Recognition, and a $1,000 donation to the public library were awarded Cannon.

 

Entertainment, Fort Scott Community College

Gilligan’s Island at FSCC

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Castmembers sing the opening song, “The Ballad of Gilligan’s Island” Saturday night at the Ellis Fine Arts Center at Fort Scott Community College. From left: Jasper Dunn, Katie Button, Jared Oshel, Fayelyn Kmiec, Aiden Ballinger, Karri Johnson, and Harold Hicks.

Oct. 19-21, Fort Scott Community College Theatre members presented the musical version of “Gilligan’s Island”.

“Gilligan’s Island”  was a comedy TV program from the mid-1960s.

Any musical is a challenge for a small department, director  Allen Twitchel, stated in the bulletin for the show.

“We are attempting to produce a professional-quality show with cardboard and crepe paper while juggling everyone’s busy schedules,” Twitchel said.

The group of students and college staff worked diligently to exceed all expectations, Twitchel said.

Listening to the audience chuckle and clap, the audience seemed to agree.

The setting is a deserted island in the Pacific Ocean, where seven people are stranded during a shipwreck.

They come to grips with the situation, work on schemes to get off the island and are visited by a visitor from outer-space.

Gilligan was portrayed by  FSCC student Aiden Ballinger, Skipper by former FSCC student Jared Oshel, Mr. Howell by FSCC English IntructorHarold Hicks, Mrs. Howell by FSCC Office Assistant Karri Johnson, Ginger by FSCC student Fayelyn Kmiec , Professor by FSCC student Jasper Dunn, Mary Ann by FSCC student Katie Button, and Alien by FSCC student Marcus Robinson.

Several solos were performed by  Ballinger, Button, Kmiec, Dunn, and Hicks.

Gilligan and Ginger both have an emotional meltdown when the castaways learn they are stranded on a deserted island.
The group ties itself together in preparation of a hurricane.
The outer-space alien, played by Marcus Robinson, left, aims a weapon at the Skipper and Gilligan.
The group sings “Worlds Apart” in one of the final scenes of the play.
From left: Marcus Robinson, Karri Johnson, and Harold Hicks wait in line to greet the audience following the musical play Saturday night
Bourbon County, Elections, Kansas

Introducing The Candidates: Jake LaTurner

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This is part of a series featuring candidates for the November 6 election.

State Treasurer (vote for one)

Marci Francisco 1101 Ohio Lawrence 66044 Democratic

Jake LaTurner P.O. Box 67177 Topeka 66667 Republican

Name: Jake LaTurner

Age: 30

Candidate for the position of Kansas State Treasurer

Place of residence: Topeka, Kansas

Current occupation: Kansas State Treasurer

Community involvement: Various church and community-related activities.

Party affiliation: Republican

What is the biggest issue, if elected, and how do you plan to address it:

Having served as State Treasurer for the last year and a half, I am proud to say that we improved the services offered to all Kansans while saving the taxpayer’s money.

I have taken the time to analyze agency operations, allowing us to find innovative solutions, efficiencies, and streamline processes.

For example, this last fiscal year we set a record for the most unclaimed property returned to Kansans’ in a single year by more than 12%. We have put over $37 million back into the pockets of Kansans.

Our Learning Quest 529 Education Savings Accounts were ranked Top 5 in the nation by Forbes.

We also launched the ABLE savings program for individuals living with a disability and enhanced it with legislation.

Additionally, we launched a brand new, user and mobile friendly website that improves the claims process and allows for direct deposit.

All of these things have been accomplished while decreasing the square footage of the office and reducing the budget.

I list these things because not only am I running for State Treasurer, but I have a proven record of success in the office. If elected to a full-year term, I will continue to look for ways of providing a better service at the best possible cost.

Give your views on food sales-tax:

Prior to becoming State Treasurer, I was honored to represent Fort Scott in the Kanas Senate. While in the legislature, I repeatedly voted to remove and/or reduce the sales tax on food.

Give your views on legalizing marijuana:

While in the legislature, I voted against the legalization of recreational marijuana.

Give your views on healthcare – including Medicaid:

Access to quality healthcare is a critical issue to Kansans, especially in our rural areas. Costs continue to increase and many Kansans are struggling to pay their bills. This is something families across our state grapple with daily, specifically, my heart goes out to the Ft. Scott community as they cope with their recent decrease in healthcare access. I believe we can find Kansas based solutions that increase access and affordability.

Give your views on abortion and Planned Parenthood:

I am pro-life and have a 100% pro-life voting record with Kansans for Life. My wife Suzanne and I are proud members of the pro-life generation because we believe women and their unborn children deserve better than abortion.

The vast majority of Kansans do not want their hard-earned tax dollars going to subsidize abortion providers like Planned Parenthood. My voting record on this issue is clear.

Area News

A Little For Everyone At Pioneer Harvest

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The quilt show at Pioneer Harvest Fiesta is one event for women at the annual show.

Pictured is Charlotte Hite, Fort Scott, who brought several heirloom quilts to the show. This quilt is one of her grandmother’s, who was in a quilting club in Uniontown.

Other events: arts and crafts show, gas engine exhibit, tractor exhibit, flea market, food vendors and live music.

 

Wheat threshing, draft horse plowing, corn husking, rock crushing, sawmill operation,  are among  the demonstrations at the event.

Because of wet arena conditions, there will be no tractor pulls, according to Allen Warren, of the PHF board.

Weekend admission is $5.

 

Area News, Business

Shoe Sensation in Fort Scott to Relocate

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The Shoe Sensation, 2420 S. Main, Fort Scott will be open until Oct. 27.

Shoe Sensation will relocate to Pittsburg this November

Shoe Sensation administration, headquartered in Jeffersonville, Indiana, has decided to relocate the Fort Scott store location, 2420 S. Main,  to Pittsburg.

“We have notified our landlord of our intent to leave our current location,” according to a press release from Taylor McAdams, public relations coordinator with Shoe Sensation. “This is part of our continued growth and expansion strategy.”

“We believe we can better serve a greater area of our target customer and existing customer base by moving our location to Pittsburg where we will continue to offer a wide variety of name brand shoes for the entire family,” says CEO, Dave Schoengart.

“We will be serving our customers in Fort Scott until our last day of business on October 27, 2018.”

Current employees were given the opportunity to commute to Pittsburg.

Shoe Sensation in Pittsburg will have its Grand Opening and Ribbon-Cutting with the Chamber on November 16, 2018.

The ribbon-cutting will take place at the new Shoe Sensation store in Northgate Plaza at 2808 N. Broadway Pittsburg, which is located behind Appleby’s Restaurant.

The new Shoe Sensation, 2808 N. Broadway, Pittsburg.

Information provided with the press release:

Shoe Sensation is a regional chain of family shoe stores selling quality name-brand shoes. Our stores carry a large selection of men’s, women’s, children’s, and athletic footwear in a better-branded merchandise mix. Shoe Sensation was developed to meet the footwear needs of the entire family; our clientele range from toddlers to senior citizens.

Area News

Tri-Yak-Athon Tentative For Oct. 20

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Frank Halsey speaks to a group of young riders in July before a mountain bike race at Gunn Park.

An annual outdoors athletic event has tentatively been rescheduled for Oct. 20.

“The Tri-Yak-AThon is rescheduled for this Saturday, weather permitting,” Frank Halsey, who is the original organizer of the event. “We are praying the forecasted rain for Thursday night and Friday morning misses us.”

” The Tri-yak-a-thon is a race where participants run on Gunn Park’s beautiful trails, kayak up and down the Marmaton River, and then tackle the trails again on a bike”, according to a press release. ” The goal of the event is to have fun and raise money to support the bike share program. ”

“I can tell you there is a lot of interest again this year,” Halsey said. “We are just so dependent on weather it’s hard to tell how many will show.”

The 6th Annual Tri-Yak-A-Thon, at Gunn Park Trails, was postponed for the scheduled race on Oct. 13, due to Marmaton River flooding.  Organizers rescheduled tentatively for October 20.

The Gunn Park Trails volunteers extend an invitation to enjoy the fall weather and watch the 6th annual Tri-yak-a-thon. 

This year’s proceeds benefit the new City of Fort Scott Bike Share Program.

The competition is scheduled on October 20 at 10:00 AM in Gunn Park.

The trail run is approximately four miles, the kayak portion is 2.5 miles, and the final portion is a 7-mile mountain bike ride.

Participants may be part of a relay team or do the entire race solo.

Participants must bring their own kayak, life jacket, helmet, and mountain bike.  Riders must wear a helmet.

Onsite registration and packet pickup will be from 8:00 to 9:45 AM Oct. 20 at Shelter House 6.

You can register online at https://www.trireg.com/tri-yak-a-thon.

“Whether you enter the race or just come and cheer, please join us and support our park, our trails, and our bike share program,” according to the press release.

Fort Scott started a Bike Share program June 2018,

Ten yellow bikes are available for community members and visitors to take and ride for free check out.

Nate’s Place eatery, 750 S. National Avenue is a hub for Bike-Share.

Bikes are available  from the following hub locations:
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce/CVB, 231 E. Wall St., 620-223-3566
Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton St., 620-223-2700
Nate’s Place/Lyons Twin Mansions, 750 S. National Ave., 620-223-3644
Peerless Products, Inc., 2403 S. Main St., 620-223-4610

Riders must be at least 12 years of age to ride.  If under 18 a parent/guardian must sign the waiver form.
Hub location will take a copy of driver’s license upon bike check-out.
Click here to view the waiver form.

Bourbon County, Elections, Kansas

Introducing the Candidates: Trevor Jacob

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This is part of a series featuring candidates in the Nov. 6 election.

State Representatives, 4th District (vote for one)

Lawrence Forbach 305 Dement Street Mound City 66056 Democratic

Trevor Jacobs 1927 Locust Rd Fort Scott 66701 Republican

Name: Trevor Jacobs

Age: 42

Candidate for the position of 4th District Kansas House of Representatives

Place of residence: Fort Scott Ks

Current occupation: BNSF Railway

Community involvement:

Preach on KMDO 1600 AM, KOMB 103.9 FM, Sunday mornings, for the radio broadcast Jesus Saves Ministries, preach at Linn County, Mound City Jail, Fort Scott Country Place, Fort Scott Guest Home Estates, Fort Scott Medical Lodge, and have a Bible outreach program, with Jesus Saves Ministries.

Party affiliation: Republican

1) What is the biggest issue, if elected, and how do you plan to address it?

To stand for our God-given rights of “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” I stand to protect our constitutional freedoms. To stand for true American and Kansas traditional values that have made this nation and state great. I stand for the life of the preborn and the protection of the elderly. I stand unashamedly for Biblical morality. I stand for our God-given right to protect ourselves, our families, and our property from government intrusion.

2) Give your views on food sales tax:

I oppose sales tax on food. I voted every time to abolish the sales tax on food. This issue had been introduced and debated multiple times, in the Kansas House Chamber and was voted down everytime by the liberal fringes of both parties. If it wasn’t for partisan politics this issue would have already been resolved.

3) Give your views on legalizing marijuana:

I oppose legalizing marijuana.

4) Give your views on health care for our state, including Medicaid:

This is a very important topic and issue and when considering the future of our healthcare system, the state has put itself in obligation to provide a safety net of healthcare to the elderly, disabled, and the poor. This program is taxpayer funded. It is extremely important to maintain the mindset that there must be serious checks and balances and a degree of accountability with the healthcare programs. Healthcare is not about the quantity of recipients on a particular plan, but of the quality of healthcare that the recipients are receiving.

5) Give views on abortion and Planned Parenthood:

I oppose the murder of children in the womb and I strongly believe it is contrary to the traditional values of the Founding Fathers and documents of this nation. “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” God has formed and created every person for a purpose and a plan.

As for Planned Parenthood, I believe they do not deserve any taxpayer money…given the chance, I would vote to defund Planned Parenthood.

Fort Scott

Diane Clay: Kansas Outstanding Clerk of the Year

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Diane Clay holding her award for Kansas Outstanding Court Clerk of the Year.

Fort Scott City Clerk Diane Clay earned the Kansas Outstanding Court Clerk of the Year Award recently.

This award is selected by the Kansas Association for Court Management Past President’s Committee to a clerk who has shown outstanding service.

The award was presented to Clay by Amy Spitler, Past President of the K.A.C.M. organization on September 27.

Clay has been a part of the K.A.C.M. organization for 19 years and been Fort Scott City Clerk/Municipal Court Clerk for 19 years.

She has served as the  K.A.C.M. Ambassador Chair for many years, secretary for two years and served as a trustee on the board of directors for many years.

She has been with the City of Fort Scott for 20 years where she served as the city manager’s administrative assistant for one year.

Clay’s duties as a court clerk are to enter all new citations that are given by the Fort Scott Police Department, create a weekly docket, attend court every week and keep accurate records of fines assessed by the Municipal Court Judge, Blake Hudson. She then receives payment of fines and sends all convictions to Driver Solutions in Topeka electronically.

“I enjoy being the court clerk for the city very much,” she said. “I enjoy working with the public on a daily basis and assisting people whenever I can,” she said.

“Diane is very well versed in the workings of the court and has a tremendous amount of knowledge and understanding of the ordinances that govern the court,” Deb Needleman, Human Resource Director for the city, said. “She treats everyone with respect and serves the city well.”

Kansas Association for Court Management was formed over 30 years ago and meets twice a year at a spring conference and a fall conference. Over 300 cities in Kansas belong to this organization.

Bourbon County, Elections, Mercy Hospital

Introducing the Candidates: Jeff Caldwell

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This is a part of a series of candidates for the November 6 election.
Governor/Lt. Governor (vote for one)

Kris Kobach/ Wink Hartman P.O. Box 1993 Topeka 66601 Republican

Laura Kelly/Lynn Rogers P.O. Box 2098 Topeka 66601 Democratic

Jeff Caldwell/ Mary Gerlt 4900 W 108th St, Apt. 1202 Leawood 66211 Libertarian

Rick Kloos/Nathaniel Kloos 5339 SW 22nd Pl. Topeka 66614 Independent

Greg Orman/John Doll 18001 W 106th St Olathe 66061 Independent

Name:Jeff Caldwell
Age: 32
Candidate for the position of Governor of Kansas
Place of residence: Leawood, Kansas
Current occupation: Sales
Community involvement: Volunteer for Harvesters, Food Banks, and Food Pantries
Party affiliation: Libertarian
1) What is the biggest issue, if elected, and how do you plan to address it?
The Kansas government spends way too much money and is $3.2 billion in debt. It’s time for Kansas to stop borrowing money from different agencies and stealing from KPERS. I will work with the legislators to responsibly cut government spending, abolish unnecessary agencies like the Board of Cosmetology, and eliminate overburdensome regulations and red tape. I will also look at returning state responsibilities back to local city governments and find ways to have nonprofit organizations take over some services provided by the state.
2)Give your views on food sales tax:
Kansas is one of only seven states in the entire United States that taxes food without a reduced rate or no rate at all. Kansas has one of the highest tax rates on food in the entire United States. Missouri, Nebraska, and Colorado have a reduced tax rate on food. Oregon and Montana have no tax on food. Having some of the highest sales tax on food in the nation is a burden on everyone. My platform includes abolishing the tax on food and water, lowering private property taxes, and abolishing the income tax for the service industry.
3) Give your views on legalizing marijuana:
I am the only Kansas Gubernatorial candidate running to fully legalize cannabis. I am also the only Kansas Gubernatorial candidate running to pardon all nonviolent cannabis offenses. Earlier this year, Kansas passed a $525 million school funding increase. The politicians in Topeka have not told us how they are going to pay for it or how they are going to improve our economic outlook. The unemployment rate in Kansas has been stuck at 3.4% for over 6 months; however, the Kansas legislators are telling us an improving economy will cover the funding. I want to use funds from full legalization of medical and recreational cannabis, hemp, and sports betting to cover the cost.
4) Give your views on health care for our state, including Medicaid:
I am running to keep Medicaid at current levels while cutting government regulations to allow free market solutions to health care [not privatization like Brownback, which created government granted monopolies]. This means more direct primary care doctors, ushering in coverage from insurance companies out of state, allowing more nonprofit organizations to enter health care, and allowing for importation of medicine from other countries. Having more doctors who do not require health insurance allows for there to be more doctors able to perform tasks without charge and have more flexible payments for people who cannot afford treatment. This offsets costs from catastrophic injuries and sickness. If we can cut enough government spending, and Medicaid expansion passes the house and senate, I will sign the bill for expansion. I will work to ensure expansion does not create more red tape and operates closer to a free market than having corporate or government monopolies on health care.
5) Give views on abortion and Planned Parenthood:
I would like to keep abortion laws the same as they are. To stop polarizing politics, I support allowing Kansans to choose where their tax dollars are spent. If a citizen does not want their tax dollars to go to Planned Parenthood, they should not be forced to fund Planned Parenthood. Furthermore, if a citizen believes in funding Planned Parenthood, they should be allowed to direct their tax dollars to Planned Parenthood.