Click below:
All posts by Submitted Story
Tax Reform Starts in Kansas
Governor launches first Council on Tax Reform meeting
Governor Laura Kelly today lauded the successful start of a bipartisan, in-depth study of the state’s tax system.
The Governor’s Council on Tax Reform, which will make specific statutory recommendations to state lawmakers, met for the first time Tuesday and Wednesday in the Capitol.
The meeting began with an overview of state tax policy changes since 2012 and continued with presentations on the current status of revenue, economic development, transportation and labor in Kansas; sales tax requirements; and an overview of property taxes.
“The information helped establish a solid foundation for Council members as they study strategies for tax reform,” Governor Kelly said. “While Kansas continues to recover from the failed Brownback-Colyer tax experiment – and with economic uncertainty in mind – we need to find balance in tax fairness and stability. I expect the Council to deliver recommendations for reform that benefits all Kansans.
“Even with the fiscal fallout we inherited, I presented a balanced budget this past session without increasing taxes – as promised, and we still were able to start rebuilding our foster-care system, infrastructure and other critical programs,” the governor said. “I’ve assembled a Council with wide-ranging expertise needed to address lingering budgetary challenges and make recommendations on ways to keep moving forward in providing services Kansans need and expect.”
The co-chairs of the bipartisan Council reiterated the importance of keeping the tax burden as low as possible.
“As the governor has said, it’s important to proceed with caution,” co-chair Steve Morris, a Republican and former Senate president, said. “While Kansas continues to recover, we must make sure the tax code can support important public investment in core services such as public safety and infrastructure, but without any undue burden on taxpayers.”
Co-chair Janis Lee, a former state senator who was ranking Democrat on the Senate’s tax committee and a chief hearing officer for the Kansas Court of Tax Appeals, agreed. “Poor policymaking by the previous administration put Kansas in the hole. We cannot repeat the mistakes that led to a self-inflicted budget crisis as we pursue commonsense tax reform beneficial to all Kansans.”
Among issues cited during the initial Council meeting:
- Sales taxes are high and complicated, with a number of inconsistencies.
- High property taxes, a situation worsened by shrinking state support.
- The economic health of the state relies on business and population growth, making it imperative to pursue quality-of-life improvements that require stable revenue.
Future meetings of the Council in 2019 are set for Oct. 15-16, Nov. 14 and Dec. 3-4. An interim report by the Council is planned for December 2019, in advance of the 2020 legislative session. A final report is due in December 2020, in advance of the 2021 legislative session.
For more on Governor Kelly’s executive order establishing the Council and its membership: https://governor.kansas.gov/governor-kelly-issues-executive-order-launching-governors-council-on-tax-reform/
###
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Sept. 25
Downtown Meet and Greet Oct. 1
Quarterly Downtown Meet & Greet Scheduled for October 1st
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce the Quarterly Downtown Meet & Greet will be held Tuesday, October 1st from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at Papa Don’s Pizza, 10 N. Main Street.
These informal, quarterly meetings are hosted by the Chamber for downtown business owners, representatives and community members to network and share ideas on events, promotions and anything related to downtown. Coffee, juice and light refreshments will be served.
Please join us Tuesday, October 1st for the Quarterly Downtown Meet & Greet. Contact the Chamber at 620-223-3566 with any questions.
The Fort Scott Police Department Daily Reports Sept. 23
Click below:
Advantage Metals Customer Appreciation Sept. 28
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Sept. 24
FSHS Homecoming Candidates 2019
Fort Scott High School Homecoming Candidates are announced and pictured as follows:
Front row, from left: Myah Chaplin and Asher Cook;
Middle row: Addy Labbe, Elizabeth Ngatia, Kenady Poyner, Zoe` Self, Mya Stewart;
Back Row: Brody Bowles, Connor Fess, Keenan Guilfoyle, C. J. Horton, Caleb Watkins.
The Fort Scott High School Pep Assembly will be at 11:18 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 28.
The coronation will be at 6:30 pm ahead of the football game against Pittsburg High School on Friday night. The dance will follow the game until 11:30 p.m.
Submitted by Bert Lewis
Join 4-H in the Southwind District!
Submitted by: Carla Nemecek, Director
National 4-H week is just around the corner, October 6-12, 2019 and you will have an extra opportunity to learn about 4-H through various media – including radio, newspaper and social media. Once you have been exposed to 4-H in the Southwind District, your family will likely be wanting more information on how or where to join. In Allen, Bourbon, Neosho and Woodson Counties, there are a total of 21 4-H clubs to choose from! Usually these clubs meet once a month to plan activities and practice parliamentary procedure….but mostly they come together to have FUN!
Kansas 4-H is open to youth between the ages of 7 and 19. The new 4-H year starts in October, so many prefer to join 4-H during this month. To be eligible to exhibit at the County Fair, members must be enrolled by January 1 to get the full 4-H experience. 4-H enrollment, however, is open year round, so youth can join any time and take part in any non-competitive 4-H activity.
So often, community leaders and other volunteers hear from families that they don’t have the “time” to commit to 4-H. This can be a hard statement to swallow when 4-H can have such an impact on all kids of all ages from all backgrounds of life. Families can put in as little or as much time as they have available, and there are no set requirements kids have to meet to be a part of 4-H. Record books are not a requirement, but an option. They are done differently today than most parents remember and can be a great resource tool for High School seniors who then go on to apply for college scholarships.
4-H teaches skills that last a lifetime, and leadership is at the forefront. Other life skills include – a positive self-concept, an inquiring mind, concern for the community, healthy interpersonal relationships, and sound decision making. 4-H is more than a single game or activity. Your kids will learn to speak in front of a group, handle responsibility, help their community, try new things, work with others and make good decisions.
In this busy world, schedules often send family members in a variety of directions. 4-H can bring families together. 4-H families learn together. They plan meetings, events, projects and activities together. Family members help out as club leaders, project leaders, meeting helpers, transportation aides and in a variety of other ways. Parental involvement can help ensure the best learning experience for your child. Club participation, projects and friendships with other members become memorable parts of the 4-H Program. Equally important are the skills that last a lifetime. Successful adults often credit their experiences in 4-H as turning points in their lives. They credit planning, organization and public speaking skills as essential to their success.
As part of the 4-H experience, youth are encouraged to learn about and contribute to the betterment of their communities. 4-H also utilizes a variety of community resources to enhance the educational experience of members. Those resources may include meeting places, guest speakers, volunteers and field trips.
In 4-H, youth “learn by doing.” Much of that learning happens through project experiences. From beef to bicycles…electricity to entomology…forestry to food science…photography to plant science…rabbits to rockets…Kansas 4-H offers 32 project areas designed to develop the wide range of interests that appeal to today’s young people. In addition to subject-matter skills, many young people develop interests that last a lifetime.
If 4-H is something you or members of your family have been interested in, but have had reservations, give us a call at the Extension Office and we would be happy to talk to you or answer any questions you might have. Find any of the Southwind District Offices at www.southwind.ksu.edu
Carla Nemecek
Southwind Extension District
Director & Agent
[email protected]
620-365-2242
1 North Washington, Iola, KS 66749
Southwind Extension District
Director & Agent
[email protected]
620-365-2242
1 North Washington, Iola, KS 66749
Obituary of Lyle Leo Comstock
Lyle Leo Comstock, age 96, resident of Redfield, KS, died Saturday, September 21, 2019, at his home surrounded by family.
He was born August 7, 1923, in Ft. Scott, KS, the son of Mack and Lena Edna Smith Comstock. He graduated from Ft. Scott High School with the class of 1940. He attended Ft. Scott Community College for two years and then the University of Missouri for one
year. Leo joined the Navy in January of 1943. He retired after 20 years of service as a Chief Petty Officer. Leo married Natalie Beatrice Post on August 20, 1945, in Kansas City, KS.
After his Navy service, Leo co-owned and operated the Nu-Grill from 1963-1968 with his brother Mack. He also raised cattle and worked for the post office. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and gardening. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He was a member of Ft. Scott Masonic Lodge and the V.F.W.
Survivors include his wife of 74 years, Natalie; three sons, Gary Comstock and wife Dianne, Topeks, KS, Steven Comstock and wife Vicki, Alma, KS, and Rick Comstock and wife Chris, Ft. Scott; two daughters, Connie Thomas and husband Phil, Yukon, OK; and Judy Ditch, Topeka, KS; 19 grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and nine step-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two granddaughters, Kristen Kam Thomas, and Michelle Stephanie Ditch; three brothers, Smith, Cecil and Mack Comstock; four sisters, Eunice Shubert Clark, Fannie Taylor, Margaret Middleton, and Thorea Jane Ramsey; and his parents.
Rev. Chub Bolling will conduct graveside services at 1:00 Friday, September 27, in the Uniontown Cemetery.
Military honors will be provided by the Olson Frary Burkhart Post #1165 V.F. W.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 8:00 Thursday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to Integrity Hospice and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Bourbon County Commission Agenda for Sept. 24
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: September 24th, 2019
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________
3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Kendell Mason
9:00-9:45-Jim Harris
Review of 5 year Solid Waste Plan Update
Review of School Zone on Indian Road
9:45-10:00-Will Wallis-Diaster Debris Removal
10:00-10:30-Jody Hoener
11:00-12:00-Justin Meeks
11:45-12:00-Bobby Reed-Plumbing at Jail
12:00-1:30-Commissioners gone to lunch
Friday Night Free Concert: Thompson Trio
Each Friday evening the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce features a musician or musicians at Heritage Park, at 1st and Main Street at 7 p.m.
“The featured band this Friday will be the Thompson Trio,” Ralph Carlson, event coordinator said. ” The group has been one of our favorites. They will do a mix of big band , old standards and popular music. It amazes me that they can do the music of these big bands with only three instruments.
In the event of rain we will move into the common grounds coffee shop. Come early and bring lawn chairs as seating is limited.
 |
|