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Bourbon County, Government, Submitted

Bourbon County Commission Agenda April 24

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Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

2nd Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

Date: April 24th, 2018

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-Consideration of permit for access entrance culvert at 1282 135th Consideration of listing 1989 Ford Model 7600 Tractor to sale on Purple Wave

Executive Session-Justin Meeks-Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of a corporation

Solid Waste Plan

10:00-10:15-Wage Resolution

10:15-11:00-Bill Martin-Utility payments

11:00-12:00-Justin Meeks

Contract with CrawKan

Update about ROZ program

NRP Review/Meeting updates/data

Executive Session-Attorney/Client relationship

12:00-1:30-Commissioners gone to lunch

1:30-Clint Anderson

2:00-2:15-Cathy Cooper-6th Judicial Districts grants

2:15-2:30-Deferred Comp. Resolution

2:30-Employee Handbook

3:00-Pre-Planning to discuss possible repurpose of old sheriff and correctional administration offices

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

Area News, K-State Extension, Submitted

Topping Trees: Bad Choice

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Tree Topping is a Bad Choice

You may have heard the practice of tree topping referred to as “heading,” “stubbing,” or “dehorning,” but regardless of what it is called, it is always a bad choice. Unfortunately, many uninformed homeowners are often talked into this pruning practice. Topping a tree is not a beneficial or proper pruning practice. It’s a bad decision for any tree.

Tree topping is the drastic removal or cutting back of large mature limbs – back to stubs. Many homeowners have a misconception that having trees topped will reduce the tree height and in turn decrease the chance of it falling due to wind or ice. This is simply not true.

Purdue University Forestry and Natural Resources sites eight reasons why trees should not be topped:

  1. Starvation – Trees need leaves to make food. Topping removes so much of the leafy crown that a tree may be unable to provide food to the roots and the tree starves. Good pruning practices rarely remove more than one-quarter to one-third of the leafy crown.
  2. Shock – The tree canopy acts like an umbrella – shading the bark from the direct sunlight of summer. The sudden removal of the leafy protective layer exposes the bark to sunscald. Neighboring plants relying on shady conditions will suffer as well.
  3. Insects and disease – Large wounds resulting from tree topping have difficulty closing. This will attract insects and disease. If decay is already present in the limb, cutting will only spread it even more.
  4. Weak limbs – The new limb growth that appears after a tree is topped is weakly attached to the remaining branches. The limbs actually attach to the larger branch with layers of wood that overlap year after year. This results in minimal attachment of the wood to the main branch.
  5. Rapid new growth – The thought that topping will control the height of the tree is false. Actually, the opposite happens. Trees respond rapidly to the injury by producing many long, weak sprouts. The result – trees quickly regain the height it once had and becomes bushier.
  6. Tree death – some species of trees do not tolerate topping. All previously mentioned factors are just too much for the tree and it dies.
  7. Ugliness – A topped tree is an ugly tree. Even with regrowth, it never regains the grace and beauty it once had.
  8. Cost – A chainsaw and a bucket truck are not all that is needed to properly prune a tree. Topping might seem like a bargain deal when compared to other recommended practices, but in the long run, it will actually cost you more! Topping reduces property values, increases replacement cost when a tree dies, increases the risk of losing nearby trees and shrubs, increases the risk of liability from weaken branches and increases future pruning costs.

Prune trees properly and regularly. Don’t be talked into topping by someone just looking to come in and make random cuts. Hire a certified arborist. They will know how and where to make cuts to reduce the canopy and yet maintain a strong, beautiful tree.

When planting a new tree keep in mind its mature height. The Extension office has a publication on recommended trees for Kansas. This publication also details the mature height that you can expect. Check growth habits before you plant to ensure that the tree won’t outgrow the space!

Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension Agricultural agent assigned to Southwind District. She may be reached at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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Mercy Hospital Auxiliary will host the Flash Sale (formerly known as Books are Fun Sale) on Thursday, April 26 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Friday, April 27 from 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Mercy Hospital main lobby.

The sale is the perfect opportunity to purchase gifts for special occasions, holidays and even graduation.

The two-day fundraising event will feature hundreds of books for all ages at exceptional savings. Softback, hardback, and even coffee table books are available for purchase. Also for sale are stationary, music, home décor and items for the kitchen. Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express are accepted. Mercy co-workers have a payroll deduction option, too.

The Mercy Hospital Auxiliary is a volunteer organization that raises money to benefit the hospital and provides scholarships for a nursing student at Fort Scott Community College.

Over the years, Mercy Auxiliary has donated over $900,000 to Mercy Hospital for state-of-the-art equipment, supplies and upgrading of services for the patients’ benefit through vending machine sales, proceeds of sales in the Mercy Market Place gift shop, and other specialty sales. Collectively, auxiliary members volunteer the equivalent of almost 6 full-time co-workers in hours of service each year to the hospital.

Government, Kansas, Submitted

Senator Richard Hilderbrand Week 13 Newsletter

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RICHARD HILDERBRAND

SENATOR, 13TH DISTRICT

Phone: 785-296-7370
Email: [email protected]

Quote of the Week:

“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”

– Abraham Lincoln

Education Bill Update

I wanted to give everyone an update on the education bill. On Saturday, the house stripped the contents of SB 423 and put in the contents of their bill HB 2445, with some minor adjustments. The house needed 63 votes to pass it, and

it passed by a vote of 63-56. The Senate needed 21 votes to pass it, and it passed by a vote of 21-19. The Governor has said that he is going to be signing this bill into law.

For the house bill to have $230 million more in spending over the senate bill, I would have hoped for better results for our Southeast Kansas districts. The senate version had

$10 million dollars to use state wide for mental health. The house version cut this dollar amount back and limited it to

6 school districts: Wichita, Topeka, Kansas City, Parsons, Garden City, and Central Kansas. Mental Health funding is important for all our school districts, not just for the 6 that were selected. The house bill also has a onetime ex-

pense for the purchase of a database and computers for two school districts. While the final bill will add over $500 mil- lion more to our educational funding. It favors the urban high population areas of our state over our rural districts.

I have concerns that this new bill will not meet the equitable piece of our educational funding. That is why I voted against the concur motion, which would have sent it back to the House and Senate Education Committee.Important Updates

HOUSE LEADERSHIP FAILS TO RUN CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

HCR 5029 passed out of House Judiciary Committee, but failed to be brought above the line for debate in the full House.

A coalition of organizations known as the Kansas Coalition for Fair Funding, have come together to push for passage of the Constitutional Amendment to address the ambiguities in the Kansas Constitution in regards to suitable funding.

The coalition is made up of a variety of entities including the Kansas Contractors Association, Kansas Chamber, Kansas Farm Bureau, American Warrior, Kansas Livestock Association and Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association (PMCA).

The House Judiciary Committee amended the bill and then passed it out. The differences in language can be found by reading the amended bill which you can find by clicking here: http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2017_18/measures/documents/hcr5029_01_0000.pdf

The ballot language would read as follows:

“Explanatory statement. The purpose of this amendment is to provide that suitable provision for the financing for public education means that the provision is adequate and equitable. Questions of adequacy of total funding of public education shall be determined by the legislature.

“A vote for this proposition would require suitable provision for the financing of public education to be both adequate and equitable and would reserve the power to establish and resolve any question of the adequacy of the funding to the legislature.

SENATE PASSES FEDERAL WINDFALL TAX REFORM LEGISLATION

Kansas Senate passed S Sub HB 2228, which would allow Kansas taxpayers to keep the windfall instead of government pocketing their hard-earned money. Kansas tax filers will be allowed to itemize deductions for state income tax purposes, even if they do not itemize deductions for federal income tax purposes.

The windfall is estimated to give taxpayers back $137 million of their money in the next fiscal year, $179 million in the subsequent fiscal year, and $187 million the following fiscal year.

S Sub HB 2228 accelerates the restoration of federal itemized deductions for state income purposes to 100 percent for deductions for medical expenses, mortgage interest and property taxes paid.

The bill also increases current Kansas standard deduction amounts by 25.0 percent beginning in tax year 2018

An additional provision of the bill would authorize nonrefundable income tax credits beginning in tax year 2018 for the Eisenhower Foundation.

S Sub HB 2228 also included provision to benefit businesses that employs workers with disabilities. The bill enacts a new nonrefundable income tax credit for tax years 2018-2022 for expenditures on goods and services purchased from qualified vendors or non-profit certified businesses providing a certain level of health insurance benefits and having at least

30.0 percent of their employees be resident Kansans with disabilities.

S Sub HB 2228 also seeks to bring in revenue by taxing international income expected to be returning to the U.S. after federal tax reform.

Important Updates Cont.

The Facts of the Matter

  1. Oops: Kansas lawmakers have $80M error to fix in school finance plan. Charts produced by KSDE show a difference of $79.7 million in general state aid between the approved and intended versions of Senate Bill 423. There will be a move to pass a “technical” correction when the Legislature returns on April 26. (Source)

  2. The Kansas Constitution Has a Strict Even-Year Deadline for Legislative Sessions. Many may be wondering why Saturday night was so dramatic – the reason is embedded in our Kansas Constitution. Article 2, Section 8 of the Kansas Constitution says, “The duration of regular sessions held in even-numbered years shall not exceed ninety calendar days. Such sessions may be extended beyond ninety calendar days by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members elected to each house.” (Source)

  3. Gannon Case in Eighth Year. The Kansas education system has been subject to lawsuits for decades. Currently, the Gannon v. Kansas case has been active since November of 2010, casting a long shadow over the ability of the Kansas

Legislature to craft meaningful reforms to ensure every child in Kansas receives a suitable education.

ROZ Program

I submitted an amendment to add Crawford County to the state ROZ program. After an objection of germaneness by Senator Vicki Schmidt, it was ruled not germane. I worked with Senator Larry Alley from Cowley county to get the Kansas Income Tax waiver added.

After our initial effort wasn’t allowed an opportunity to be voted on, because of the objection of germaneness. We were able to get the tax income waiver portion added for Crawford and Cowley Counties. It now goes to the Senate and House Conference Committee.

http://www.kansascommerce.com/320/Rural-Opportunity-Zones

Adoption Protection Act Update

After narrowly being defeated 10 days ago, many Kansans are hoping the Kansas House will attempt a second bite at the apple by taking another vote on the Adoption Protection Act. This past week, various circumstances delayed renewed consideration of the legislation, but proponents are working hard to have another debate and vote on the bill when the legislature returns on April 26th.Important Updates Cont.

HARD FACTS:
  • Total tax receipts so far, this fiscal year total $4.8 billion, which is $673.61 million or 16.32 percent above last year

at this time and $314.83 million above estimates for the year (Kansas Department of Revenue).

  • Income tax collections for the fiscal year are $603.95 million above last year and $325.73 million above current expectations (Kansas Department of Revenue)
  • March 2018 tax receipts came in $60.91 million over last March and $39.47 million above current expectations. Individual income tax collections in March were $77.88 million above last year. Sales tax receipts are up for the year by

$38.36 million over last year (Kansas Department of Revenue).

WEEKLY OVERVIEW:

This week was the last week of legislative activity before First Adjournment. Early Sunday morning, the Senate gaveled

out for adjournment and will reconvene on April 26th for Veto Session.

The Senate voted on numerous conference committee reports, a tax reform bill, and a school finance plan.

A conference committee is a small, bipartisan, and bicameral committee that works to smooth out the differences be- tween the House and Senate’s version of a similar bill. Once the conference committee reaches a compromise, the negotiated bill is sent to both the House and Senate for a final vote before advancing to the governor’s desk.

When the Senate gavels in on April 26th, we will begin Veto Session and will wrap up any legislative loose ends for the year.

SCHOOL FINANCE:

In the early hours of Sunday morning and after a night of debate, the Senate voted to concur on a school finance plan that

the House sent over earlier that day.

On Saturday morning, the House narrowly passed a school finance deal on a vote of 63-56. The House placed their original K-12 finance plan into a Senate bill and passed it to the Senate to either concur or non-concur on the deal.

The House’s plan would add $500 million to public school funding over the next five years. The funding plan almost doubles the cost of the Senate’s proposed plan that passed earlier that week. Some opponents of the bill believe the plan will make it difficult to earmark other priorities and require a possible tax increase.

The Senate voted 21-19 to concur, sending it to Governor Colyer’s desk for him to sign.

FLOOR ACTION:

SENATE SCHOOL FINANCE PLAN (Sub SB 423): Substitute Senate Bill 423 amends the Kansas School Equity and Enhancement Act by making appropriations to the Department of Education relating to school finance.

Sub SB 423 would phase in a $275 million increase to education funding. Some major policy provisions included in SB 423 are:

  • Base aid for student excellence will increase from $4,006 to $4,258 in 2018-19, to $4,334 in 2019-20, to $4,412 in 2020-21, to $4,492 in 2021-22, and to $4,574 in 2022-23.
  • Increase special education funding by $24 million in 2018-2019.
  • Expand early childhood funding by increasing state aid for three- and four-year-old at-risk children by

$3,000,000.

  • Allow all students the opportunity to participate in ACT and ACT Work Keys funded by the state.
  • Add $1,760,000 for ABC Early Childhood Program.
  • Provide a pilot program for improvement of mental health services for school districts.
  • Provides that all high school students may take a college class in Comp I at no cost to the student.

mportant Updates Con

CONCURS:

SB 324: Senate Bill 324 amends the vehicle dealers and manufacturers licensing act.

The Senate concurred on House amendments 37-0.

SB 410: Senate Bill 410 updates captive insurance statutes and provides for association and branch captive insurance companies and special purpose insurance companies.

The Senate concurred on House amendments 39-0.

SB 394: Senate Bill 394 ensures transparency in state government contract decisions.

The Senate concurred on House amendments 40-0.

SB 275: Senate Bill 275 relates to mid-term appointments of credit union council members.

The Senate concurred on House amendments 40-0.

SB 263: Senate Bill 263 creates a program to research the use of industrial hemp.

The Senate concurred on House amendments 40-0.

CONSIDERATION OF APPOINTMENTS:

The Senate confirmed Dwight Keen to serve on the Kansas Corporation Commission. Keen is a co-owner of Keen Oil Co., a Winfield, Kan., oil and gas production company. He has served as Securities Commissioner of Kansas and board chair for the Kansas Independent Oil and Gas Association. He received a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s in economics from Wichita State University and received a law degree from Kansas University.

Keen was nominated last month by Governor Jeff Colyer and replaces Pat Apple on the three-person commission, after Apple announced in December that he would not seek reappointment.

The Senate confirmed Keen on Saturday April 7th.

NEXT WEEK:

The Senate gaveled out on Sunday April 8th for First Adjournment and will return April 26th for Veto Session.

2018 SESSION DATES AND DEADLINES:

Please be aware of the following dates and deadlines for the 2018 legislative session. As always, each is subject to modification and leadership will keep you updated on any changes which might occur.CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORTS

(HB 2470): House Bill 2470 would allow microbreweries within the state of Kansas to contract with other microbreweries for production and packaging of beer and hard cider. The bill amends law related to the sale of alcoholic candy and to the sale of domestic beer in refillable containers. HB 2470 allows licensed microbreweries in the state to produce beer containing up to 15 percent alcohol by weight. The bill also increases the length of time that certain businesses may serve alcohol to 6AM to 2 AM. Current law only allows for the sale of alcohol between 9AM and 2AM.

The Conference Committee Report was adopted by a vote of 27-10. [ I voted against this bill. This bill had several

bills combined into one bill. One of the bills allows alcohol to be served at 6:00 am. This changes the time from 9:oo am to 6:oo am]

(HB 2606): House Bill 2606 amends law related to testing for a class M (motorcycle) driver’s license, online driver’s li– cense renewal, and the length of time a commercial driver’s license is valid.

The Conference Committee Report was adopted by a vote of 38-2. [I voted for this bill.]

(HB 2597): House Bill 2597 would amend law regarding designation of an urban area. The bill amends law when a mayor is considered a member of a governing body. HB 2597 also deals with the compensation, supervision, personnel, and budgeting policies of election commissioners.

The Conference Committee Report was adopted by a vote of 29-10. [I voted for this bill.]

(HB 2542): House Bill 2542 amends statutes for fees collected by the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) and performance-based budgeting requirements. HB 2542 also creates the Dyslexia Task Force that will conduct a study of issues and report to the Kansas Legislature by January 30, 2019.

The Conference Committee Report was adopted by a vote of 40-0.

(HB 2583): House Bill 2583 would create the Noxious Weed Act and repeal current Noxious Weed law. The Conference Committee Report was adopted by a vote of 35-5. [I voted against this bill. It would expand the authority of non-elected officials & weaken the control of the legislators.]

(HB 2476): House Bill 2476 would amend the section of the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA) related to the unlawful use of names derived from public records. The bill would create an additional exception to the general prohibition in KORA against selling, giving, or receiving any list of names and addresses from public records for sales purposes. The Conference Committee Report was adopted by a vote of 39-1. [I voted for this bill.]

(S Sub for S Sub for HB 2386): Senate Substitute for Senate Substitute for House Bill 2386 would amend law related to licensure, certification, or registration qualifications for employment at adult care homes, hospitals, and home health agencies. S Sub for S Sub for HB 2386 would add all employees of the Kansas Commission on Veterans’ Affairs Office to the definition of “safety sensitive positions” found in law.

The Conference Committee Report was adopted by a vote of 40-0.

(S Sub for HB 2600): Senate Substitute for House Bill 2600 would amend the Nuclear Energy Development and Radiation Control Act, provide for the study and investigation of maternal deaths by the Secretary of Health and Environment, and create the Palliative Care and Quality of Life Interdisciplinary Advisory Council and the State Palliative Care Consumer and Professional Information and Education Program within the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).

The Conference Committee Report was adopted by a vote of 27-12. [I voted against this bill. It had combined sev-

eral bills that would expand the role of unelected officials and the overall scope of government.]

(HB 2482): House Bill 2482 would amend law related to contracts between the State and persons or companies who are actively engaged in a boycott of Israel. The Conference Committee

Report was adopted by a vote of 36-1. [I voted for this bill.]

CLOSING STATEMENT

CLOSING STATEMENT

“It is hard to believe that the 2018 regular session is already behind us! With only eight days left until the 2018 session is complete, we still have a lot of work left to do.”

– Senator Richard Hilderbrand

Food for Thought

Thank you to everyone that took the time to respond to this. The new k-12 funding bill was signed by the Governor

today, 4/17/18, and we still have a lot of important issues to address. As we move forward with addressing these issues, I am looking forward to hearing from you.

You have a total of $1 to spend on the following state expenses. What percentage of that dollar would you spend on each item?

*Administration

*Correctional Institutes

*Courts

*Disabled

*Economic Development

*Elderly

*Foster Care

*Health and Environment

*Higher Education

*K-12 Education

*Law Enforcement

*Legislators

*Medicaid

*Mental Health

*National Guard

*Roads and Infrastructure

*Unemployed(State assistance)

Thank You for Engaging!

Thank you for all your calls, emails, and letters regarding your thoughts and concerns about happenings in Kansas. Constituent correspondence helps inform my decision-making process and is taken into great consideration when I cast my vote in the Kansas Senate. I hope you’ll continue to engage with me on the issues that matter most to you, your family, and our community. If you are on Twitter or Facebook, I encourage you to follow along with the #ksleg hashtag for real-time updates on legislative happenings in Topeka.

Please know that I am fully committed to addressing the current issues in our state, and I am proud to be your voice in the Kansas Senate.

We had the honor of recognizing members of the Pittsburg State University Army ROTC today in the Senate. Thank you, Pan Phyu, Eric Hollingsworth, Autumn Crist, Eathan Jewell, and Brandsson Miller for your service in the Kansas Army National Guard!

Obituary

Obituary Of Ronald Button

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Ronald “Ronnie” Button, age 80, a resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Friday, April 20, 2018, at his home.

He was born June 2, 1937, in Ft. Scott, the son of Merle and Mable Dunham Button.

He married Betty Jean Kutina on January 17, 1955, in Ft. Scott. Ronnie jointly owned and operated Button’s Salvage Yard for over 30 years. He also worked at Wal-Mart for 10 years. He could always be located by listening for his whistle.

In their younger years, Ronnie and Betty like to bowl. He collected antiques and pictures of people and places in Ft. Scott and Belltown. He also liked to visit the casinos. He loved spending time with family, especially the grandkids who called him “Poppy”.

Survivors include his wife Betty of the home; three children, Johnny Button of the home, Teresa Vanderpool and husband John, Uniontown, KS, and Cheryl Russell and husband Larry, Ft. Scott; seven grandchildren, Michael, Justin, and Nick Russell, Josh and Cody Vanderpool, Menda Candido, and Kayla Bunnel; eight  great- grandchildren; siblings Ralph “Pewee” Button and wife Charlotte, Ft. Scott, Merlene Button, Ft. Scott, Mary Button, Ft. Scott, Donnie Ray Button, Ft. Scott, and Judy Snow and husband Larry, Mapleton, KS; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Bobbie Button; five sisters, infant Patsy Button, Tammy Meriman, Shirley Armstrong, Bonnie Phillips and Patty Smith; granddaughter, Melissa Lynn Russell; and his parents.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Wednesday, April 25th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Memory Gardens Cemetery. The family will receive friends from1:00 until service time Wednesday prior to the service. Memorials are suggested to the Ronnie Button Memorial Fund and may be left in the 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.

Government, Kansas

Efforts To Improve Child Welfare

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DCF Secretary to Announce Efforts to Improve Child Welfare System

Policy, procedure, training changes and new foster care contracts

TOPEKA – Since her appointment as Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) Secretary, Gina Meier-Hummel has spent the last four months carefully reviewing the child welfare system and exploring ways to improve foster care services, licensing, training, family preservation services, adoption support and more.

Although her top-to-bottom review continues, with the assistance of national experts, she is pleased to announce an exciting move forward, with new foster care contracts for Kansas’ privatized child welfare system.

The new contracts will be designed to, among other things, streamline services, promote safety and permanency, increase accountability and prioritize keeping families safely together.

As the Request for Proposal is prepared to solicit bids, the Secretary is seeking the public’s suggestions for improvement that should be included in the new contracts. A Request for Information (RFI) process begins today.

For one week, DCF will offer the public the ability to provide suggestions for the new contracts through an online submission form, available at www.dcf.ks.gov.

A public comment meeting is also planned, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday, April 24, at the DCF Administration Building, 555 S. Kansas Ave.

Further details, along with information about recent improvements to the child welfare system, will be announced during a news conference on Monday, April 23, in Topeka.

Obituary

Obituary Of Joan Dickson

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Joan M. Dickson, age 88, a resident of Easton, Maryland., passed away on Oct. 25, 2017, at the University of Maryland Shore Medical Center in Easton.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James “Jim” Dickson; her parents, Dr. Charles and Wilma Mosley; and her sister, Helen Louise Dix.
Joan is survived by her nephew, Steven Dix (Nancy); and her cousins, Marjorie Midili and Conrad Mowrey (Jean).
Joan worked for the U.S. government until her retirement. She loved all animals, especially cats. Two of her favorite ones, Harry and Mia, also preceded her in death, and she dearly missed them. Joan knew that animals if treated fairly, would only return love and loyalty a lesson she wished all would better learn.
Joan was a Master Gardener and was frequently consulted for her advice on gardens, flowers, trees, and grasses. If she didn’t know the answer, she would research it and quickly get back to you.
Joan fought through a number of adversities throughout her life, never complaining about any and always rising above them. Even various cancers found an especially formidable opponent in Joan. She was a strong woman. Bitterness and anger were never part of Joan’s life, rather she presented kindness, a caring way, dependability and fairness combined with an interesting sense of humor.
A graveside service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, April 26th at the Evergreen Cemetery in Ft Scott, Kansas.  Family and friends will meet at the cemetery.  Services are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Government, Kansas

New Kansas Website For Posting of Meetings

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Governor Colyer announces the launch of Kansas Public Square

TOPEKA _ Gov. Jeff Colyer, MD., announced Friday the launch of Kansas Public Square, the state’s new website for posting meetings and minutes, adding a new layer of transparency in state government.

“The framers of our Kansas Constitution had it right when they stated that ‘all political power is inherent to the people,’” Colyer said. “Through the development of Kansas Public Square, we are ensuring our citizens are informed about their government and have the opportunity to speak up and be heard.”

Governor Colyer ordered the creation of a public meeting website with the signing of Executive Order 18-08. All Cabinet agencies, boards, and commissions under the authority of the Governor are required to post notification of all meetings subject to the Kansas Open Meetings Act. The order was one of several signed by Governor Colyer during his first days in office, aimed at improving government transparency and accountability.

Kansas Public Square was developed by the Department of Administration and the Office of Information Technology Services. The site allows for users to see meetings on a daily, weekly and monthly format, searching by the agency, board or commission. Users have the option to download the meeting notice directly to their Outlook, iCal and Google calendars.

The new site is also responsive to users whether on a PC, tablet or mobile device.

“We developed Public Square with the user in mind, incorporating features that will make it easier for citizens and others to be informed about when their government is conducting business,” said John Milburn, Director of Legislative and Public Affairs for the Department of Administration. “The site is intended to complement existing practices for notifying the public about meetings.”

The site can be found at publicsquare.ks.gov.

Fort Scott, Submitted

FSHS Prom Walk-In April 21 Moved To New Gym

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Due to the weather forecast for April 21, the 2018 Prom Walk-in has been moved to the high school NEW GYM, the auxiliary gym.

LIMITED SEATING WILL BE AVAILABLE AND NO LAWN CHAIRS WILL BE ALLOWED.

Standing room will exist.

Car’s will still line up headed north on Main Street and turn east on 9th Street.

Drop off of attendees will be at 9th and State Street (north entrance of new gym).

Valet parkers will pick up cars there.

The east (back), south, and west (front) parking lots at FSHS will be for VALET PARKING ONLY.

Spectators will be allowed to park in the gravel lot west of the high school, on the street in front of the high school, in front of the stadium, at the swimming pool, and at Buck Run Community Center.

Parents will enter through the northwest doors of new gym or main east entrance of the High School.

The gym will open at 5:00 pm.

The Walk-in will be televised on the Fort Scott City Link

http://www.citylinktv.com/channel/fort-scott-tv/.

 

Submitted by Bert Lewis, an FSHS instructor.

Business, Fort Scott

Bartelsmeyer Estate Jewelry Sale Starts April 23

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An event to share with friends and family!

The Semi-Annual Estate Jewelry Sale at Bartelsmeyer Jewelry is about to begin on Monday, April 23 and will continue through May 5.

All Estate Jewelry is 25 percent off including free ring sizing.

May 7th – 12th, any remaining estate jewelry will be marked down to 50 percent, however, ring sizing is not included at 50 percent off prices

Bartelsmeyer Jewelry is located at 1519 S. Main. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Fort Scott

Tina Banwart Memorial Run Tomorrow

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Spread Tina’s Love 5K & 1-Mile Fun Walk is a benefit event in remembrance of Tina Banwart, of Fort Scott, who lost her life to cancer in November 2017. Proceeds will go to Fort Scott Christian Heights, the private school that her 3 young daughters attend.

Race and fun walk will be conducted on Margrave Street, beginning and ending in front of Fort Scott Christian Heights.
Registration begins at 7:30 AM on Margrave Street between 10th & 12th Streets in front of FSCH. Race & walk begin at 8:00 AM.
Entry Fee is $15.00

Categories:
Male: 12-18 years
Male: 19-30 years
Male: 31 years & up

Female: 12-18 years
Female: 19-30 years
Female: 31 years & up

Medals for 1st, 2nd & 3rd place 5K contestants will be awarded in all categories!

Entry forms may be dropped off at the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce or emailed to Amy Sinn: [email protected], or mailed to Nicole Banwart, 1123 S. Crawford St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Make checks payable to Amy Sinn and write “for Tina” in the memo.

Click here for registration form or see the form in the comments:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mmNguAFtMuWaMR_RzP3ef-DRyRkn2Oc_/view?usp=sharing