FortScott.Biz is doing a series on the agencies that receive funding through United Way of Bourbon County.
The following is an interview with Diane Brillhart, treasurer of Bourbon County 4-H Fair.
Who is the contact person along with phone number?
Dale Griffiths – 620-215-3101
What service do you provide to our community?
“We provide a venue and structure for holding the annual county fair. The County Fair is a place for our local kids to exhibit the projects they have been working on and teach others about things they have learned. Our venue is also available for others in the community to hold events and activities.”
How many people are served?
“Everyone in the community can benefit from our facility.”
What percentage of your budget is the United Way Grant?
“Five percent.”
Who are the board members?
President Dale Griffiths, Vice-Pres. Mark Crystal, Secretary Lynda Foster, Assist. Secretary David Foster, Treasurer Diane Brillhart, Assist. Treasurer Mark Brillhart, Merchant Superintendent Allen Warren, Grandstand Superintendent Stewart Gulager and Assistant Grandstand Superintendent Mark Leatherman.
United Way is primarily funded through donations from local businesses when employees agree to donate an amount through payroll deductions.
Gina Shelton, president of United Way of Bourbon County said the cost of a purchased soft drink, one dollar if it was payroll deducted by many people, would help the agency meet its 2018 Campaign goal of $50,000.
Southeast Kansas Respite Services worker Kathy Ogle visits with a client.
FortScott.Biz is providing a series featuring each United Way of Bourbon County agency in the coming weeks.
United Way is primarily funded through donations from local businesses when employees agree to donate an amount through payroll deductions.
Gina Shelton, president of United Way of Bourbon County said the cost of a purchased soft drink, one dollar if it was payroll deducted by many people, would help the agency meet its 2018 Campaign goal of $50,000.
Diane Salyers is the contact for Southeast Kansas Respite Services (SEKRS) and she provided the answers in the following interview with fortscott.biz. She can be reached at[email protected]
What service do you provide Bourbon County residents?
“SEKRS was organized to give parents/ family caregivers a rest or break from the constant care that is often required by a child, adult family member, or senior with special needs. It is very difficult to find persons willing to assume the added responsibility of caring for someone with special needs. SEKRS hires individuals to go into the home and stay with the individual with special needs so the family caregiver can get away.”
“Our goal is to strengthen families and keep them together by giving them a break from the constant care and added stress families of individuals with special needs face on a daily basis. Family caregivers need to know their loved ones are being cared for by skilled and competent caregivers. SEKRS provides that care.”
What are your service hours?
“Our office hours are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, but our services can be at any time, including nights and weekends.”
What is your local address?
“We are located t 2601 Gabriel, Parsons KS 67357 and we cover the nine counties of Southeast Kansas.”
What percentage of your budget is the United Way grant?
“We requested $500 which is 10 percent of our budget.”
Who are your board members?
SEKRS Board of Directors 2017-2018
Scott Thompson -Chairperson
Director CLASS LTD
PO Box 266
Columbus, KS 66725
Tim Cunningham
Director Tri-Valley Developmental Services
PO Box 518
Chanute, KS 66720
Mike Dixon Acting Superintendent, Parsons State Hospital and Training
PO Box 738
Parsons, KS 67357
Matt Atteberry-Secretary
Director Labette Center for Mental Health Services
PO Box 258
Parsons, KS 67357
Dave Lindeman-Treasurer
Director University of Kansas Life Span at Parsons
9:30- 9:45 Jim Harris- Application for utility construction for the natural gas line on Maple Road
9:45-10:00 Justin Meek – Kansas Property Tax Lid
10:00-10:15 Travis Sawyer -Car dealership zoning
10:30-11:00 County NRP Program
11:00-12:00 Informational presentation for possible Opioid Crisis
12:00- 1:00 – Commissioners go to Lunch
1:15- 1:30 – Smoking Policy
1:30-2:00 Executive Session Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel
2:00-2:15 update on Vision meeting
2:15-2:45 Review of fire district KSA 19-3619
2:45 Employee Handbook
Justifications for Executive Session:
Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel
Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship
Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency
Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships
Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property
Matters relating to the security of a public body or agency, public building or facility or the information system of a public body or agency, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize the security of such public body, agency, building, facility or information system
Schenkel Construction workers constructed the pavilion at Riverfront Park starting in fall 2017. It is nearly complete.
Riverfront Park Pavilion is almost ready for public use.
“We have to plant grass and landscape,” Jerry Witt, chairman of the Fort Scott Bourbon County Riverfront Authority (FSBCRA), said.
The FSBCRA envisions the pavilion will be used for family gatherings or public concerts or meetings, according to Witt.
There will be a grand opening this spring for the pavilion.
“We’re gearing towards a ribbon cutting following a Chamber of Commerce Coffee on May 17 at 8:45 a.m.,” Witt said.
“That evening at 6 p.m. there will be hot dogs, watermelon, and desserts,” he said. “Then a free country music concert at 6:30 p.m. Jason Richison, Kinley Rice and Rick Cook and the Seminole Band will be here.”
The $38,000 pavilion was funded by a matching grant where 80 percent was provided by a Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks grant, and the FSBCRA paying 20 percent through local fundraising, Witt said.
Schenkel Contracting, Fort Scott, constructed the building purchased from Lester Building Systems of Minnesota, starting in early fall.
The 30 by 50 by 12-foot wooden frame, with commercial scissor trusses, a steel roof and gable ends, has electricity and lights.
The pavilion is located east of the parking area just inside Riverfront Park in the Belltown Trail area, north of the Marmaton River.
The next project of the FSBCRA is an overlook structure, Witt said.
Members of Fort Scott Bourbon County Riverfront Authority discuss updates on construction projects at Riverfront Park at the Carriage House in September. Clockwise from left: Danny Magee, Bob Love, Allen Warren, Jerry Witt and Jeff Sweetser. Not pictured are Betty Boyko, Dean Mann, Arnold Scholfield, Penny Barnes and Dave Martin and Brian Leaders, who are ex-officio members.
“We will be building an overlook at the convergence of Mill Creek and the Marmaton River,” Witt said. “It will be a five-sided structure with some seating. It’s for educational and recreational purposes.”
Each side of the overlook will be 14 feet and it will be 24 feet across.
There will be a 40 foot American Disabilities Act compliant boardwalk leading to the overlook.
“The Westar Green Team is supplying the lumber and milling, the Riverfront Authority will supply labor,” Witt said.
Construction will begin in late spring or early summer, he said, with the contractor to yet be determined.
The FSBCRA is getting preliminary costs for possible lighting options in the park, Witt said.
In addition, the board is submitting a grant application for playground equipment, he said.
“It will be rustic logs and nature-type things for the kids,” Witt said.
The FSBCRA is regrouping for a historic bridge relocation to the park.
“We are looking at further grants,” Witt said. “We rejected the low bid because it was higher than the engineer thought it should be. The engineer thought it should $750,000, the low bid was $1.2 million, so we are starting over.”
The FSBCRA meets monthly.
For more information, contact Witt at 620-215-4817.
The new apartment complex will be located on Huntington Street, to the east of the Horton Street parcel of land.
The old trailer park property that was on South Horton Street will see some revitalization in the future.
Tuesday the property at 1907 S. Horton, north of Community Christian Church, was rezoned.
“Along Horton, there will be a small shopping center service, a strip mall, for residents and (Fort Scott Community College) students,” Rhonda Dunn, Community Development Director for the City of Fort Scott said.
Rhonda Dunn, Community Development Director with the City of Fort Scott.
Along Huntington St. on the east side of the Horton parcel of land, there will be apartments or duplexes built, she said.
Patrick Wood and Jake Gross, with Two Dogs Barking Real Estate, are the owners of the property and have cleared it for development.
The business also owns Garrison Apartments at 1729 S. Horton and will be building similar apartments or duplexes at the site.
The Garrison Apartments on South Horton Street. The new complexes will be similar, according to Fort Scott Community Development Director Rhonda Dunn.
“They will be a higher end finish for young professionals,” Dunn said of the proposed apartments.
“The key is, it will not be mobile homes there,” Dunn said. “I keep strict regulations on mobile homes to make sure it’s the best quality we can get. The mobile homes in our town are ‘grandfathered in’. No one needs to worry I am going to get their mobile home.”
The house and outbuildings currently on the site will be sold and removed, she said.
The house and outbuildings to be removed. The small shopping center will be located here.
New kiosks have two maps—one of the City of Fort Scott trails locations and one of the specific map of the trail at the location. Pictured is the Bell Town Trail kiosk at Riverfront Park.
Area parks have had some improvements over the winter, with the placement of wayfaring signs.
There are nine signs total: Ellis Park Trail, Bell Town Trail, Riverfront Loop Trail, Fort Scott Community College Trail, three (including a new trail) at Gunn Park, Uniontown Trail, and the future Industrial Park Trail, according to Jody Hoener, chair of the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, that is coordinating the project.
Ellis Park Trail on Twelfth Street and Bell Town Trail in Riverfront Park have completed kiosks.
The next signs to go up will be the Riverfront Loop Trail and the Fort Scott Community College Trail.
It’s been a collaborative effort.
The Wayfinding Signs and Kiosks Project is funded by an American Planning Association-Kansas Chapter and Blue Cross Blue Shield Pathways to Healthy Kansas Grant.
Fort Scott High School carpentry classes have constructed the kiosks.
Trail maps were designed by Simon Ballou. Darren Crays, Designing Edge Graphics, is printing and installing the maps.
The City of Fort Scott is providing the installation of the kiosks.
Wayfinding signs and kiosks are part of creating a system of non-motorized transportation in the area, according to Hoener. Ensuring consistent signage design and graphics across all signs is best practice to make trails easily identifiable, she said.
The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team consists of Jerry Witt (Fort Scott Bourbon County Riverfront Authority), Frank Halsey (Gunn Park Trails Volunteers), Lindsay Madison (Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce), Todd Farrell (City of Fort Scott) and Jody Hoener ((Mercy Hospital).
Daniel Jenkins, CPRF Wheelchair and Posture Seating Clinic Technician, adjusts the positioning of a joystick on a customized wheelchair.
The Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation (CPRF) of Kansas is a United Way of Bourbon County agency.
FortScott.Biz is providing a series featuring each agency in the coming weeks.
United Way is primarily funded through donations from local businesses when employees agree to donate an amount through payroll deductions.
Gina Shelton, president of United Way of Bourbon County said the cost of a purchased soft drink, one dollar if it was payroll deducted by many people, would help the agency meet its 2018 Campaign goal of $50,000.
The following is from an interview with Kacee Shuler, director of public relations with Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation of Kansas.
The contact person is Shuler, who can be reached at 316-688-1888 or [email protected]
What service do you provide for our community?
“We provide customized wheelchair and posture seating services, financial aid for assistive technology and medical equipment, and accessible living opportunities. All CPRF programs are designed to promote quality of life and independence for individuals with disabilities.”
When are you open? Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Local address?
“We do not have an office in Bourbon County. Our Wichita address is 5111 E 21st St N | Wichita, KS 67208.”
What percentage of your budget is the United Way grant?
“On average, our allocation is about 50 percent of our budget in Bourbon County.”
Submitted photo of Kenny Felt. Felt is promoting awareness of human trafficking by photographing local people who will post on their individual social media platforms on Feb. 22, Shine A Light On Slavery Day.
The End It Movement is about human trafficking.
Local photographer Kenny Felt decided to get involved in bringing awareness to the human rights issue.
“I don’t know a lot, but I know enough to be scared of it,” Felt said.
“It’s hard to get a number of victims because it’s a hidden practice,” he said. “The victims aren’t known, have no voice or ability to speak out.”
“How many times have we seen something and did nothing,” Felt said. “This is my attempt to bring awareness.”
The red x symbol was designed to spark a conversation, he said.
February 22 is “Shine A Light On Slavery Day”.
“I don’t have the ability to do much, but I can take pictures and post them on Feb. 22,” Felt said.
He set a goal to get 50 photos of local people with a red x painted on them.
“More than that have joined in so far,” Felt said.
Each participant posts on their own social media.
Adam LaRoche is a supporter of the End It Movement.
“I will post a movie gallery on my Facebook page on Feb. 22,” he said.
To have a free photo taken by Felt to post on social media in support of this cause, he is available to take photos for this project at his studio 13 N. North Main:
Human trafficking is the criminal activity of holding another person for the purposes of exploitation through forced labor and sex trafficking, according to a Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) website: dol.ks.gov/HumanTrafficking.
Even here in Kansas, men, women, and children are forced to work for long hours under deplorable conditions for little or no pay without the freedom to leave, according to the KDOL website.
Notice to Victims of Human Trafficking
If you or someone you know is being forced to engage in any activity and cannot leave – whether it is commercial sex, housework, farm work or any other activity – call the toll-free National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at 1‑888‑373‑7888 to access help and services, according to the website. The toll-free hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and available in many languages.
Indicators of Human Trafficking
According to the Department of Homeland Security at dhs.gov/blue-campaign here are some common indicators to help recognize human trafficking:
Does the person appear disconnected from family, friends, community organizations, or houses of worship?
Has a child stopped attending school?
Has the person had a sudden or dramatic change in behavior?
Is a juvenile engaged in commercial sex acts?
Is the person confused, or showing signs of mental or physical abuse?
Does the person have bruises in various stages of healing?
Is the person fearful, timid, or submissive?
Does the person show signs of having been denied food, water, sleep, or medical care?
Is the person often in the company of someone to whom he or she defers? Or someone who seems to be in control of the situation, e.g., where they go or who they talk to?
Does the person appear to be coached on what to say?
Is the person living in unsuitable conditions?
Does the person lack personal possessions and appear not to have a stable living situation?
Does the person have freedom of movement? Can the person freely leave where they live? Are there unreasonable security measures?
Not all indicators listed above are present in every human trafficking situation, and the presence or absence of any of the indicators is not necessarily proof of human trafficking.
Community Christian Church Pastor Dusty Drake speaks at the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee on Thursday.
Community Christian Church hosted the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee Thursday.
The church is celebrating 45 years in Fort Scott.
Pastor Dusty Drake told the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee attendees “the most important treasure of the church is our people.”
Drake said the mission of the church is still to take people to the next step with Jesus Christ.
An upcoming Easter series will be accentuated by the congregation reading the book “Imagine Heaven”, by John Burke, Drake said.
“It explores the near-death experiences of 100s of people and puts together a picture of what happens when clinically dead,” he said.
The experiences line up with what scripture says about life after death, Drake said and Easter is the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.
Church staff was introduced by Drake.
The staff includes Drake as the teaching and service pastor, Paul Martin as children’s and administrative pastor, Ian Johnson as the youth pastor, Marcy Reynolds adult ministry and pastoral care pastor.
Jamie Beckham is the administrative director and Jennifer Addington is the office receptionist, along with Stacey Atkins.
He welcomed those attending to the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. services each Sunday.
Announcements for the week from Chamber attendees:
“Waterways-Past, Present and Future, the Marmaton River, Mill Creek and Buck Run” will be from Feb. 24 to April 8 at the Beaux Arts Center, 102 S. National Ave.
A bloodmobile will be located at Ellis Fine Art Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College Monday, Feb. 26 from 1 to 7 p.m. and Tues. Feb. 27 from 1 to 9 p.m.
Nicki Traul, representing USD 234 told of the upcoming expansion of the preschool program in the district.
The Knights of Columbus annual Lenten Fish Fry will be every Friday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. at Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church in the gym.
Smallville Crossfit will start a beginners class March 5. Check them out on Facebook.
Rotary Dancing With Our Stars is an annual event for fundraising for local charities and Rotary. The date this year is Feb. 17 at 7 p.m.
Bourbon County Arts Council show featuring En Power and Light and Flagship Romance date is Feb. 16 at 8 p.m.
Nominations are being sought for recognition of business people and others for the annual Chamber Awards Dinner, March 15. Contact the Chamber for more information.
Officials met yesterday to redo a sentencing that brought it into compliance with the law.
Lawyers and Judge Amy Harth met in the small courtroom of the Bourbon County Courthouse Thursday morning to correct a sentencing error in the case of the State of Kansas VS Joseph Banker.
Bourbon County Attorney Jackie Spradling and Defense Attorney Chris Meek met with Judge Harth via teleconference, with defendentJoseph Banker also present in the courtroom.
At the earlier sentencing on Feb. 2, all parties gave statements regarding the sexual exploitation of a child charges against Banker, Harth said.
“Everything everyone said was taken into account,” Harth said. “It was compelling.”
At that time Judge Harth sentenced Banker to 60 months probation.
Meek, Spradling, and Harth have been corresponding via email since the sentencing, Meek said.
“Judge Harth gave the wrong probation during the sentencing (Feb.2),” Meek said in an interview earlier this week. “It should have been 36 months for probation and the post-release supervision is 60 months.”
Spradling agreed that Judge Harth inadvertently put 60 months probation, and the sentence should have been 36 months.
“I realized within five minutes of the mistake that day,” Judge Harth told the two attorneys Thursday. “The previous order was void. I am correcting it. ”
