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Fort Scott, Government

Fort Scott City Commission Agenda for March 19

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AGENDA

FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION

FORT SCOTT CITY HALL

COMMISSION ROOM

123 SOUTH MAIN

MARCH 19, 2019

6:00

I. ROLL CALL:

ADAMSON BARTELSMEYER MITCHELL NICHOLS PARKER

II. FLAG SALUTE

III. INVOCATION: To be Announced

IV. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS: Triple AAA Award

V. CONSENT AGENDA:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of March 5th, 2019.

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1234-A totaling $340,436.350.

VI. APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:

  1. APPEARANCE: Bert Lewis – 2019 Prom – Street Closing and Parking Lot Request- April 13, 2019

B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute limit per citizen)

C. PUBLIC HEARINGS/COMMENTS:

6:00 p.m. Budget Amendment Public Hearing

VII. CONSIDERATION:

  1. Consideration of Conditional Use Permit to allow residential living on the 1st floor at the property at 18-20-22 South Main Street

  1. Consideration of Engineering Firm to conduct energy audit

  1. Request of installation of street light at 1st & Goodlander

  1. Consideration of amendment of Cereal Malt Beverage Ordinance to change from 3.2 to 6.0

VIII. COMMENTS:

  1. Director Updates:

Health Care Update – Dave Martin

EMS Update – Dave Bruner

Legislative Report – Robert Uhler

Fire Truck/Finance Discussion – Rhonda and Rachel

  1. Commission:
  1. City Attorney:
  1. City Manager:

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

I MOVE THAT THE CITY COMMISSION RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE

SESSION FOR ________________________________ IN ORDER TO

(see below justification)

DISCUSS ______________________________________. THE

EXECUTIVE SESSION WILL BE ___________ MINUTES AND THE OPEN

MEETING TO RESUME AT ________________.

Justifications for Executive Sessions:

  • Personnel matters of 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 or representatives 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

IX. MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT: ROLL CALL

Obituary

Obituary of Louise Woodworth Crist Prell

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Louise Woodworth Crist Prell, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully early Wednesday, December 19, 2018, at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange, CA.
She was born December 22, 1933, in Evanston, IL, to C. Francis Crist and Alice Woodworth Crist.
Louise graduated from Northwestern University in 1956 with a bachelor’s degree in speech. She taught second grade in Itasca, IL, and married George Alan Prell on July 2, 1958. They moved to Phoenix, AZ in 1960, and had their first three children: Wendy Prell Danbury, Taylor Woodworth Prell, and Christopher Alan Prell; they moved to Tustin, CA, where they had Marjorie (Maggie) Prell Wheeler. Louise and George found a home close to good schools and their chosen church, Trinity United Presbyterian.
Louise was active in family life, enriching her children’s lives through reading aloud, traveling, making art, singing, visiting museums and zoos, and helping with homework.
She and George took many summer road trips to the Midwest with all four children in the station wagon, singing songs, making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, playing license plate games, enjoying the scenery, moo-ing at cows, and visiting relatives in Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, and Illinois.
She was an active church member, teaching Sunday School, directing musical productions, playing flute in the church orchestra, helping set up the Samaritan Care Center, volunteering time and household goods to the Refugee Resettlement Committee, and teaching English as a second language through the Laubach Literacy program.
She served as Treasurer for the Forest Home Women’s Auxiliary, and for many years she served as the head volunteer for Opera Pacific, organizing volunteers who raised money, provided transportation for opera stars, and increased awareness and appreciation of opera in Orange County, CA.
All who knew her remember her sweet, generous nature.

Louise is survived by her four children; grandchildren, Jordan, Leanna, Sean, James, Colin and Aidan; and great-grandson, Benjamin.

Family, friends, and others whose lives were touched by Louise are invited to a memorial service at West Liberty Methodist Church, Fulton, KS, on Saturday, March 30, at 11:00 AM, followed by a graveside ceremony at West Liberty Cemetery.

Louise’s ashes will be interred beside those of her beloved husband, George, who had spent many summers at the Taylor family farm across the road, near the final resting place of his parents, Callie Taylor Prell and Edward Prell, and of his aunt and uncle, Alma Taylor Benedict and Henry Benedict, who were longtime residents of the Fort Scott area.
A luncheon reception will follow immediately back at the church.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to World Vision International. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guest book at cheneywitt.com. Local arrangements are being handled by the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main.

Obituary

Obituary of Grace Hyatt

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Grace P. Hyatt, September 3, 1928 – March 14, 2019. Grace Hyatt, of Emporia, Kansas, died at Newman Hospital in Emporia,Thursday.

Grace Pauline Hyatt went to be with her Lord and her husband in Heaven. Her cowboy went to Heaven twelve years ago on Friday. Grace Pauline Carmean was born near Des Moines, New Mexico. Her parents were Dorothy May Meier Hintergardt Carmean and Charles Pearson Carmean. She was named for Grace Longwell who helped with the delivery.

Very, very poor, the family was rich with love in the Land of Enchantment. Between 1928 and 1934, the family moved several times. Grace remembered crawling up on the bed to see her baby sister, Eva, in 1932 in Springer, New Mexico. Shortly afterward, the family moved by covered wagon to Miami, New Mexico. During the Great Depression, many poor families moved by wagons since they did not own vehicles. Grace began school in Miami, New Mexico. The family was back near Des Moines during the Dust Bowl. The Ken Burns documentary placed them at the epicenter of the many dust storms. Charlie “Shorty” had severe asthma but did not move to Kansas until the middle of World War II.

They settled on the old Perkins farm at Xenia, Kansas. Ernest Edward Hyatt of Folsom, New Mexico, and Grace Pauline Carmean of Xenia, Kansas were married at the Bourbon County Courthouse on March 21, 1946. Grace and Ernest were going to be different from everyone when they got married. They took a train from Ft. Scott to Kansas City, Missouri to be married. A three-day waiting period was in effect in Missouri, so they took a bus back to Ft. Scott. The bus had a flat tire in Louisburg and lost a lot of time, much to the annoyance of the passengers and soon to be newlyweds. The courthouse closed at 5 P.M. Grace and Ernest arrived at 4:55 P.M. just in time to be married by Probate Judge George Newell Bainum.

Grace’s earlier years were spent as a homemaker and mother. The Hyatt’s lived their entire married life in Allen and Bourbon Counties except for eight months. They lived and worked on the XT Ranch in Folsom, New Mexico in 1947 where Ernest was raised. The XT Ranch was just down the road from where Grace was raised.

Grace was a Baptist.

She died on Pi Day. She didn’t know about science but sure could bake pies. She was a good cook and also enjoyed crocheting, gardening, canning, music, her coffee, animals and flowers. She had many windmills, reminders of New Mexico. She had one regret; she never did visit Hawaii to get a grass skirt. She was a member of the Bronson Order of Eastern Star #65 and later the Olive Chapter #13 of Ft. Scott for over sixty years, the American Legion Auxiliary and the Kansas Woman’s Day Club.

She was preceded in death by sisters, Eva Brecheisen, Marjorie Schultz; half-sisters, Inez Carmean, Ola May Carmean, Goldie East, Amelia Wasmer and Helen Faucett and half-brothers, Frank Carmean, Chrest Hintegardt and Adolph Hindergardt.

Survivors are Randy and Betty Pierson, Clay and Randielle Houser and Calvin Houser, all of Emporia and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends all over the world.

Visitation will begin at 1:00 P.M. Sunday, March 17th at the Cheney Witt Bronson Chapel, Eastern Star Services and funeral services will follow visitation.

Burial will follow in the Bronson Cemetery where Grace will be laid to rest beside her cowboy.

Memorials are suggested to the Xenia Masonic Lodge #47 AF & AM, the oldest lodge west of the Mississippi River which continues to do work in the original building in which it was chartered.

A Mr. Stevenson was the wagon master that brought the Carmean ancestors to Bourbon County from Ohio. The town was named Xenia (Z-Knee), Kansas after Xenia (Zinnia), Ohio. In the meantime, the editor of the Xenia News moved as a Free Stater to Lawrence, Kansas and on to what he founded as Emporia, Kansas. Preston Plumb had many connections to Emporia and both Xenias.

Services are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Bronson Chapel, 501 Pine Street, Bronson, Kansas. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Kansas

Kansas American Legion Day March 15

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Gov. Laura Kelly recognized the role that Kansas American Legion members play in supporting Kansas veterans by recently signing a proclamation designating March 15, 2019, as Kansas American Legion Day.

“We appreciate the Governor recognizing the significant contributions made by American Legion Posts as pillars in Kansas communities over the last 100 years,” Kansas Department Commander Dan Wiley said. “Kansas has a special place in the history of The American Legion. One of our favorite sons, Harry Colmery, Past National Commander from Topeka, was the author of the post-World War II G.I. Bill of Rights that lifted the standard of living for an entire generation. We look forward to another century of service positively impacting the lives of veterans and the communities in which they live.”

On March 15, 1919, The American Legion was founded in Paris, France by members of the American Expeditionary Force. Over the past 100 years, The Kansas American Legion has become a preeminent community-service organization in Kansas. It has more than 40,000 family members in over 500 Kansas American Legion posts, units, and squadrons. These Legion entities promote a variety of programs that support the goals of The American Legion.

Kansas Department Vice Commander Chuck Shoemaker has participated in three signings in the Governor’s Office proclaiming the state’s gratitude for American Legion activities.

Article from the Hutchison News, submitted by Carl Jowers.

Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

What’s Happening in Fort Scott, March 15

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Care to Share (“The Sharing Bucket”) will be hosting the 5th Annual “TaTa” Ride on June 15th, 2019 and an “AR-15 Gun Raffle”. Raffle tickets are $5 each and on sale now! ATF Regulations apply. Contact Stacey Wright for tickets or more info. (See flyer below)
2019 Spring Job Fair, hosted by the Chamber of Commerce – Employers are hiring! Full-Time & Part-Time positions are available

Tues., April 2nd, from 10am-2pm at the FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center, 2108 S. Horton

Employers may contact the Chamber to reserve a booth at 620-223-3566.

Employment candidates should be ready, bring resumes, and dress for success
15-16
Weekly Livestock Sale at Fort Scott Livestock Market. Starting at 10am on both Fridays & Saturdays
Fridays:  Cows, Pairs, Big Bulls
Saturdays:  Stocker & Feeder Cattle, followed by any cows & bulls that come in late Friday & Saturday. Cafe open both sale days. You don’t have to be a buyer, just to come watch the sale and visit the cafe!
15 Friendship Soup Lunch hosted by First United Methodist Church has been CANCELLED for this month
15 Lenten Fish Fry hoted by Knights of Columbus – Kennedy Gym behind Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, 705 S. Holbrook

Each Friday from March 8th through April 12th. Doors open at 5pm and we serve until 7pm. Menu includes southern fried catfish, baked white fish, spaghetti, green beans, coleslaw, baked potatoes and french fries, grilled cheese for the kids. Free-will donation or $5 for
take-out box
15
Fort Scott High School performs “The Curious Savage”, 7pm

A cast of colorful characters, a greedy chase for missing money, and a heartwarming message will intrigue audiences at this Spring play

Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for children. Tickets are available from the high school office at 1005 S. Main, or at Common Ground, 116 S. Main, or at the door
16-17 St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at Holmtown Pub – 206 N. National Ave., all weekend

Holmtown Pub is ready for their big day! We’ll be serving traditional corn beef and cabbage and green beer. DJ Rayma will be rocking the patio from 9pm-1am. Wear your green and bring your favorite leprechaun!
16
St. Patrick’s Day at Sharky’s Pub & Grub – 16 N. National, starts at 9am

– Opens with 9am green eggs & ham breakfast buffet
– Corn Hole tournament at 1pm. $25/team, cash prizes
– Danny Joe, from Danny & the Eastsiders at 2pm
– SEKB Entertainment at 7pm
16
The Ryan Hall Band performs live at Boiler Room Brewhaus – 10 S. Main
You will not want to miss this show! Fort Scott is privileged to have such a talented musician playing at your local brewery. This is the first time Ryan has played in Fort Scott. He and his band are sponsored, so it is a free concert and has very limited seating, with no reserved tables. Doors open at 2:00, pot luck meal at 5:00 (meet the band) show starts at 7:00
Watch one of Ryan’s YouTube videos here: https://youtu.be/Aac4-S6JuVM
16 Sass Monkey performing at Liberty Theatre – 113 S. Main St., 8:30 pm

Sass Monkey is one of the mid-west’s premier party and dance bands featuring music from the 80’s, 90’s, and 2000’s. Bring your dance shoes!

Tickets are $30. Purchase online at www.fortscottliberty.com, our Facebook page, or call the Liberty Theatre Box Office:
620-224-9787
17
Join Walk Kansas 2019 – an 8-week healthy lifestyle challenge!

Walk Kansas 2019 – An 8-Week healthy lifestyle challenge from March 17th to May 11th! Gather your team of six people by March 15th. Register online at www.walkkansas.org or by contacting Joy Miller: 620-223-3720 / [email protected].

Earn 4 Health Quest credits towards State of Kansas health insurance for participating in the program! (See flyer below for more info)
18 Community Book Club – email [email protected] for location, 7-8pm

This month’s book: A Gentleman In Moscow by Amor Towles
19-20 Story Time – Fort Scott Public Library,  201 S. National Ave., 10-11am
19 T.O.P.S Meeting – Buck Run Community Center,
3-4pm
19 Fort Scott Kiwanis Meeting – FSCC Heritage Room, 2108 S. Horton, 12-1pm
19 KW Cattle Company Bull Sale – 1996 Jayhawk Rd., 12-2pm

KW Cattle Company will host their annual Angus/Hereford Bull Sale (See flyer below)
19 Community Bingo at Country Place Senior Living – 820 S. Horton, 2-4pm

Residents and the public are invited the 3rd Tuesday of each month for Community Bingo
19 Zumba Classes at FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center, 2108 S. Horton

Zumba classes are held every Tuesday & Thursday night from 5-6:15pm. $3 per class

Contact Kassie Fugate-Cate: 620-223-2700 for more info
19 City Commission Meeting – City Hall, 123 S. Main St., 6-7pm
20 Rotary Meeting – Presbyterian Church,
308 S. Crawford St., 12-1pm
20
Adult Coloring Program – Fort Scott Public Library, 201 S. National Ave., 2-4pm

Join us in the library events room for a relaxing afternoon of coloring and conversation. Library provides coloring pages, pens and pencils, and snacks. Bring your own beverage of choice (no alcohol, please)
20
TAG (Teen Advisory Group) – Fort Scott Public Library, 201 S. National Ave., 4-5pm

Exclusively for middle and high school students. We have meetings weekly, including a games & snack night, a community service project, a book club meeting, and a craft night each month
Make a difference in your community while having fun at TAG! Each meeting includes food, drinks, and a good time with your fellow teens. Bring your friends!
20 Gordman’s Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting – 2400 S. Main St., 5:30-6:30

Save the date and join us for Gordman’s Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting Event! The first 100 guests will get a scratch-off card, and one lucky person will reveal a $50 shopping card! (See flyer below for more info)
21
Join us for the weekly Chamber Coffee of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at 8am. This week’s Chamber Coffee will be hosted by Briggs Auto of Fort Scott

Location: 1901 S. Main St., in the GM south building
21 Pioneer Kiwanis Meeting – FSCC Heritage Room, 12pm-1pm
21 Zumba Classes at FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center, 2108 S. Horton

Zumba classes are held every Tuesday & Thursday night from 5-6:15pm. $3 per class

Contact Kassie Fugate-Cate: 620-223-2700 for more info
21 Thursday Card Players – Buck Run Community Center, 735 Scott Ave., 6-9pm. Free weekly event to anyone that wants to play cards, drink coffee, eat snacks, and socialize
21 Farm Finances 101- Empress Event Center,
7 N. Main, 6:30pm-8pm

Come learn about financial topics such as: Cash Flow Statements, Balance Sheets, Business Analysis Pages, and more. Presented by Ethan Holly, Ag Lender at Landmark Bank

Dinner included. Please RSVP to Southwind Extension District, Fort Scott Office:
620-223-3720 (See flyer below for more info)
22
Weekly Livestock Sale at Fort Scott Livestock Market. Starting at 10am on both Fridays & Saturdays
Fridays:  Cows, Pairs, Big Bulls
Saturdays:  Stocker & Feeder Cattle, followed by any cows & bulls that come in late Friday & Saturday. Cafe open both sale days. You don’t have to be a buyer, just to come watch the sale and visit the cafe!
22 Lenten Fish Fry hosted by Knights of Columbus – Kennedy Gym behind Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, 705 S. Holbrook

Each Friday from March 8th through April 12th. Doors open at 5pm and we serve until 7pm. Menu includes southern fried catfish, baked white fish, spaghetti, green beans, coleslaw, baked potatoes and french fries, grilled cheese for the kids. Free-will donation or $5 for
take-out box
23 Next of Kin performing at the Boiler Room Brewhaus – 10 S. National Ave., 7pm-9pm

Next of Kin, Country music band from SE Kansas. Tickets $10.00, available at The Boiler Room Brewhaus, the Chamber and the Visitors Center. Meet the band at the pot luck from 6pm to 7pm
25
Creating Art Celebrating Age Contest by Presbyterian Village – 2401 S. Horton
Entry Deadline: March 25th, 2019
Open to all area artists 65 and older, amateur or professional. Non juried exhibitors of all ages are welcome to display their art. Artwork may be dropped off March 18th-25th.

Exhibit: March 26th – April 10th, 2019
9am – 5pm, Presbyterian Village, 2401 S. Horton, Fort Scott (Main Lobby)

Reception: April 5th, 2019
3:30pm, in the Dining Room

(See flyer below for more information)
25 Chamber Board Meeting – Papa Don’s, 10 N. Main St., 12pm
26-27 Story Time – Fort Scott Public Library,  201 S. National Ave., 10-11am
26 T.O.P.S Meeting – Buck Run Community Center,
3-4pm
26 Fort Scott Kiwanis Meeting – FSCC Heritage Room, 2108 S. Horton, 12-1pm
26 Zumba Classes at FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center, 2108 S. Horton

Zumba classes are held every Tuesday & Thursday night from 5-6:15pm. $3 per class

Contact Kassie Fugate-Cate: 620-223-2700 for more info
26 Author Talk and Book Signing at Hedgehog.INK – 16 S. Main, 6pm

Meet and greet author Joyce Love. There will be an author talk, Q & A and book signing. Her book will be available for purchase in the bookstore. Light refreshments will be served
27 Breakfast Bingo at Buck Run Community Center, 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month – 735 Scott Ave. – 9am-10am

Come drink some coffee and play some bingo at Buck Run.  Staff will provide the bingo cards, the caller, and coffee.  Prizes provided by the Fort Scott Recreation Commission
27 Rotary Meeting – Presbyterian Church,
308 S. Crawford St., 12-1pm
27
Adult Coloring Program – Fort Scott Public Library, 201 S. National Ave., 2-4pm

Join us in the library events room for a relaxing afternoon of coloring and conversation. Library provides coloring pages, pens and pencils, and snacks. Bring your own beverage of choice (no alcohol, please)
27
TAG (Teen Advisory Group) – Fort Scott Public Library, 201 S. National Ave., 4-5pm

Exclusively for middle and high school students. We have meetings weekly, including a games & snack night, a community service project, a book club meeting, and a craft night each month
Make a difference in your community while having fun at TAG! Each meeting includes food, drinks, and a good time with your fellow teens. Bring your friends!
28
Join us for the weekly Chamber Coffee of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at 8am. This week’s Chamber Coffee will be hosted by County of Bourbon

Location: 210 S. National (Courthouse)
28 Pioneer Kiwanis Meeting – FSCC Heritage Room, 12pm-1pm
28 Zumba Classes at FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center, 2108 S. Horton

Zumba classes are held every Tuesday & Thursday night from 5-6:15pm. $3 per class

Contact Kassie Fugate-Cate: 620-223-2700 for more info
28 Thursday Card Players – Buck Run Community Center, 735 Scott Ave., 6-9pm.

Free weekly event to anyone that wants to play cards, drink coffee, eat snacks, and socialize
28 Bourbon County Garden Club Meeting at Hedgehog.INK – 16 S. Main, 6pm
Save the Date:
– March 29 – Lenten Fish Fry hosted by Knights of Columbus at Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church
– March 30 – Gardener’s Auction at Tri-Valley
– April 2 – Job Fair at FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center
– April 2 – Quarterly Downtown Meet & Greet
Click here for full events listing on our website.

Obituary

Obituary of Robert Howard

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Robert “Bob” Howard, age 76, resident of rural Ft. Scott, KS, passed away at home on Tuesday, March 12, 2019, after his battle with cancer.

He was born in Ft. Scott on September 18, 1942. Bob joined the Navy in 1960. He married Judy Saker on March 7, 1964, in Ft. Scott. He was Sailor of the Year at the National Parachute Test Facility in El Centro, CA, and attended USC under a Naval program where he received a degree of Directorship for Motion Pictures. After 20 years of service he retired as a Chief Photographer from Combat Camera Westcoast.

Following his military service, he worked for 28 years as a Senior Service Tech for Noritsu America in Florida, the Caribbean, and Oklahoma. Both his military service and job with Noritsu took him to over 42 different countries. Upon retiring from Noritsu he returned to rural Ft. Scott.

Bob enjoyed playing softball, golf, cards, hunting, fishing, and any other competitive sport. He was a member of Mirza Shrine, Bourbon County Shrine Club and was a driver for Mirza’s Hospital Dads.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Judy, of the home; a daughter, Tracy Dahl, Park City, KS; a son, Brian Howard, Orlando, FL; grandchildren Chad Dahl, Wichita, KS, and Sydney Dahl, Valley Center, KS; great-grandson Landon Dahl, McPherson, KS; and sister-in-law, Monto Jo Saker, rural Ft. Scott.

He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Howard; mother, Mildred Logan Howard Miller; and younger brother William “Billy” Howard.

There was cremation.

The family will host a Celebration of Life from 4:00 until 6:00 PM Saturday, March 16th, at the Carriage House, 301 S. Main St., Ft. Scott, KS.

Memorials are suggested to either Shriner’s Hospital for Children, Mirza’s Hospital Dads Transportation Fund, or Care to Share, 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.

Area News

Fort Scott American Legion Thompson-Harkey Post 25 Scuttlebutt

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 Upcoming Events

 

March 14. Post 25 Color Guard meets at 7 pm in Memorial Hall. All Post members including SAL members are invited to join our growing Color Guard.

 

March 18. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot at 6:15 am. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.

 

March 19. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot at 6:15 am. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.

 

March 23. Department of Kansas District 2 Convention at Gardner Post 19 starts at 8 am. Districts will meet in Convention for the purpose of conducting its business and electing officers for the 2019-20 membership year which begins on July 1. All Legionnaires in good standing are invited and encouraged to attend District and Department conventions.

 

March 25. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot at 6:15 am. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.

 

March 26. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot at 6:15 am. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.

 

April 1. Post 25 meet and greet at 6:30 pm in Memorial Hall. Come and enjoy the fellowship of other Veterans. Bring an eligible Veteran to visit our Post.

 

April 1. Post 25 general membership meeting at 7 pm in Memorial Hall. Our membership meetings are open to all. SAL members are strongly encouraged to attend.

 

Remember to check out Post 25 on Facebook. It contains current information pertaining to Veterans and their families.

 

 

I am pleased to announce that once again Fort Scott American Legion Thompson-Harkey Post 25 leads the Department of Kansas in membership for the week ending March 8. Our 2019 goal was 51 members. Our current membership is at 143% and 73 members. We are 22 members over our goal. By way of comparison, Sterling Post 128 in District 7 is in 2nd place for membership at 123%. Thanks to all members who have made Fort Scott Post 25 a highly visible and active Legion Post in the Department of Kansas.

 

We welcomed Vernon Hill, Marilyn Matthews and Michael Newberry into Post 25 as new members at our March membership meeting. Michael Johnson also joined the SAL Squadron 25 as a new member.

 

Recruit a new Legion member and both you and the new member will be entered into a drawing where each of you could win $500. This new member contest runs until May. Bringing in a past member whose membership expired in 2017 or earlier would also count towards the $500 drawing. If you need recruiting brochures or membership applications, please contact me. I’ll make arrangements to deliver them to you. A copy of the membership drive rules is attached.

 

American Legion Service Officer Myra Jowers will meet with anyone, by appointment, who has questions about filing VA claims, who need a second set of eyes to review their claims or help understand VA documents they have received in the mail. Her service is free and is for anyone, Veteran or family member, who wishes to file a claim or appeal a denied claim. She can be reached at [email protected] or 620.215.1286 to schedule an appointment.

 

Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle is now in operation. The shuttle is operating on Mondays and Tuesdays.

 

I anticipate adding a Kansas City VA Medical Center shuttle run starting in April. The KC run will be on either a Wednesday or Thursday. A start date will be set once two more shuttle drivers are cleared by the VA.

 

Any area Vet needing a ride for a medical appointment should call 785-925-0261 for more information or to reserve a seat. All Vets riding the shuttle must have medical appointments between 9 am and 1 pm and call by 5 pm the day before their appointment to schedule their ride.

 

We are moving towards starting an American Legion Riders. An organizational meeting will be scheduled in mid-March. The date and time will be based upon ALR District Officers availability. If you are interested in joining the Post 25 Riders Chapter, contact Post Commander Carl Jowers to be placed on a meeting notification list. The requirements to join the ALR are on the attached flyer.

 

Second nominations for Post 25 Officers for the 2019 – 2020 Legion year will at our April meeting. Any Post 25 Legionnaire who is current on their dues can be nominated for any office. Please give thought to stepping up and being nominated for an office or encourage other members to step up and help guide Post 25’s growth for another year.

 

Your Post 25 Color Guard continues to grow. Come to the March 14 meeting and learn more about the Post 25 Color Guard. Darrell Spencer serves as the Color Guard Captain.

 

Legion merchandise can be ordered through Emblem Sales: https://emblem.legion.org/.  Contact me if ordering a Legion cap to insure your cap has the correct lettering.

 

 

 

Government, Health Care, Kansas

Horton Hospital Closes: Governor Sends Help

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Governor comments on Horton Community Hospital closure, sends agency assistance

Following the closure Tuesday of Horton Community Hospital, Governor Laura Kelly extended assistance from her administration and highlighted the critical importance of community hospitals in rural Kansas.

“I’m concerned for the community of Horton as they face the serious loss of their local hospital,” Kelly said. “This is becoming a far too frequent occurrence in our state. Local hospitals are key to the health of Kansas families and are often one of the largest employers in a small town. Elected leaders must work together to do more to support our local hospitals.”

Three rural hospitals have closed in the last three months. Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott closed on December 31st. Oswego Community Hospital closed in February. And Horton Community Hospital closed its doors Tuesday.

“I’ve directed our agencies to coordinate support for hospital staff during this challenging time,” Kelly said. “A closure of a hospital has ripple effects through the community and region. Our KANSASWORKS team will be in Horton Thursday to assist hospital staff with filing for unemployment benefits, as well as job applications and re-employment services.”

The Governor’s Office, Kansas Department of Commerce and Kansas Department of Labor are working to provide support to employees of the hospital, ensure unemployment benefits applications are streamlined, and re-employment opportunities are available.

In response to Tuesday’s closure, KANSASWORKS will be hosting Rapid Response Informational Meetings Thursday in Horton in conjunction with the Community Outreach Event at the Horton Public Library.

Efforts to assist affected hospital employees will include Rapid Response Informational Meetings at 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Thursday at the Horton Public Library, 809 1st Ave E. No registration is required. Information will be shared about KANSASWORKS, Workforce Center employment and training services and how to file unemployment insurance benefits.

Also, the KANSASWORKS Mobile Workforce Center will be at the Horton Public Library from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday to provide additional re-employment services. Workforce Center staff will be available to help with registering on KANSASWORKS.com, creating a resumé, job search assistance and filling out job applications.

The Rapid Response team was also sent to Oswego following the closure of its hospital last month.

Any questions about KANSASWORKS should be directed to the Department of Commerce: