| Fort Scott American Legion Thompson-Harkey Post 25 continues to lead the Department of Kansas in membership at 151% with 77 members.
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 15. 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.
Post 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.
Your Post 25 Color Guard continues to grow. Come to the May 9 meeting and learn more about the Post 25 Color Guard. Darrell Spencer serves as the Color Guard Captain. Post 25 Color Guard members presented colors at the Fort Scott Community Prayer Breakfast on May 1. See attached photos.
Four local Veterans donated blood at the recent visit by the Red Cross to Fort Scott. The American Legion Blood Donor Program has existed officially since 1942 to promote blood donations by American Legion family members. Thanks to those who donated.
Two students were recommended by Post 25 to attend this year’s Boys/Girls State. Macayla Jo McClure will be attending Girls State. Luke George will be attending Boys State. It is exciting to see young people step up and attend these Legion sponsored programs. Their photos are attached.
Wyatt Williams of Nevada will be attending the Kansas Cadet Law Enforcement Academy this summer. Wyatt in an 11th grader who participates in the Nevada Police Department’s internal student cadet program. His photo is attached. Wyatt’s mother learned about the Kansas Cadet Law Enforcement Academy through a Fort Scott friend who overheard a Post member discussing Legion programs.
The Cadet Law Enforcement Chair indicated that Kansas residency wasn’t a requirement to participate in this program. Wyatt was asked to submit his application for the program and was highly highly recommended by the Nevada Police Department. Wyatt’s photo is attached.
Members and friends of Post 25 greeted the Warrior Convoy that passed through downtown Fort Scott on Wednesday, May 1. In addition to showing support for combat wounded Veterans, we recruited a new member. Photos are attached.
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.
VA MISSION Act: What is the latest on community care? Find out more at this web address: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVA/bulletins/23d694a
Volunteers Needed
Ralph Carlson is seeking volunteers to help with minor home repairs for low income area residents. Volunteers with carpentry, plumbing and electrical skills. All projects are short term and can be accomplished based upon the volunteer’s availability. Some of Ralph’s most recent projects were wheelchair ramps for two disabled Veterans and repairing a kitchen floor for a senior citizen. Call Ralph at 620-644-8162 to volunteer or more for information about his program.
The Fort Scott Cancer Treatment Center relocated to Chanute. Drivers are needed to take Fort Scott patients to Chanute for chemotherapy. Drivers will use their own vehicle and there is a small stipend for gas, if requested. A driver will take the chemo patient to their appointment in Chanute and wait for treatment to be completed and then bring the patient back to Fort Scott. The driver may have only a half hour wait for the patient or two – three hours. Call Donna Bauer at 620-224-7075 for more information or to volunteer.
You do not have to be a Veteran to step up for one of the volunteer opportunities. Just someone who will step up and offer a helping hand to our neighbors.
Upcoming Events
May 4. Post Commander Carl Jowers will be at the Fort Scott Walmart from 9 am – 12 pm. This is our American Legion community awareness program. I’ll have membership applications for the Legion, Auxiliary and Sons. Bring eligible members by our table and I can sign them up on the spot. If you recruit a new Legionnaire, they and you will be entered into a drawing for $500 each. Even of you don’t have any potential members, feel free just to stop by.
May 6. 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.
May 6. 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. Tonight’s meeting will include the installation of Post Officers for the 2019 – 20 Legion year. 2nd District Commander Marri Krupco will conduct the installation.
May 9. American Legion Post 25 Color Guard meets in Memorial Hall at 6 pm this month. The Post 25 Color Guard is open to all Post 25 Legionnaires and SAL members.
May 9. American Legion Baseball Information Session for players ages 15 to 19 Fort Scott Memorial Hall (Corner of National Ave. and 3rd Street) at 7 pm. Players must be a student or recent graduate of Fort Scott High School. We need at least 5 more players to have a Legion Baseball team this year.
Email Post 25 Baseball Chair Earl Adams at [email protected] with any questions about Legion Baseball. May 17-19. Department of Kansas American Legion Convention. Hutchinson, Ks. Any paid 2019 Legionnaire can attend. Post 25 can have four delegates at the Convention. Post 25 is authorized four voting delegates. Two more delegates are needed. Contact Post Commander Carl Jowers if you would like to attend and represent Post 25. May 23. There will be a meet and greet for females interested in joining American Legion Auxiliary Unit 25 at 6 pm in Memorial Hall. At the initial meeting on May 2, there were enough females in attendance to charter the Unit. The official chartering date will be in July to coincide with the new Legion year, which begins July 1.
Any female who has an ancestor who served in the United States military is probably eligible for the American Legion Auxiliary. Additionally, female family members of Veterans and active duty military may also be eligible for the American Legion Auxiliary. Eligibility to join the Auxiliary may be confusing, however email [email protected] for more details on determining your eligibility to join. May 31 – June 2. American Legion Leadership College at Cloud County Community College, Concordia, Ks. Any paid 2019 Legionnaire can attend. Contact Post Commander Carl Jowers for more information on attending. June 3. 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.
June 3. 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. Tonight’s meeting will include the installation of Post Officers for the 2019 – 20 Legion year. 2nd District Commander Marri Krupco will conduct the installation.
Remember to check out Post 25 on Facebook. It contains current information pertaining to Veterans and their families.
VA Shuttle MAY Schedule
Mondays. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.
Tuesdays. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.
Wednesdays. Fort Scott/Kansas City VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.
The shuttle will make stops in Pleasanton, Louisburg and Ottawa to pick up scheduled riders.
Carl Jowers. Commander Fort Scott American Legion Post 25 Telephone: 620.215.1688 Email: [email protected] |
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Fort Scott City Commission Agenda May 7
FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
FORT SCOTT CITY HALL
COMMISSION ROOM
123 SOUTH MAIN
MAY 7, 2019
6:00 P.M.
I. ROLL CALL:
ADAMSON BARTELSMEYER MITCHELL NICHOLS PARKER
II. FLAG SALUTE
III. INVOCATION: Pastor Brian Rhoades, Grace Baptist Tabernacle
IV. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS:
Recognition of Rhonda Dunn, Municipal Training Institute Graduate–Level 1
Introduction of Burton Harding, City Attorney
Introduction of EMS Staff
National Nursing Home Week – May 12-18, 2019
V. CONSENT AGENDA:
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Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of April 16th, 2019.
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Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1237-A totaling $544,014.48.
VII. APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:
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APPEARANCE:
Ms. Angella Curran’s Fort Scott High School Class – Two presentations
B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute limit per citizen)
C. PUBLIC HEARINGS/COMMENTS:
VIII. CONSIDERATION:
- Consideration to use 2019 Joplin toolbox for sewer repairs
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Consideration of agreement with Schneider Electric for our Energy Grade Audit for all City facilities
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Consideration to allow the Defense Treat Reduction Agency to test City water for EMP vulnerability
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Approve Work Order with Olsson Associates for Phase III Archaeological Survey
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Approval to solicit bids for electric vault building at the Airport
IX. COMMENTS:
- Director Updates:
- Commission:
- 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:
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Personnel matters of non-elected personnel
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Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship
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Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative or representatives of the body or agency
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Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships
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Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property
X. MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT: ROLL CALL
Fort Scott VA Shuttle Service
The Fort Scott VA Shuttle service provides transportation service to Topeka and Kansas City VA Hospital for Veterans in the Southeast Kansas area as follows:
Mondays and Tuesdays: Fort Scott to Topeka VA Medical Center.
Wednesdays: Fort Scott to Kansas City VA Medical Center.
The shuttle service is free to any Veteran who needs transportation to the VA for their medical appointments.
Veterans must have an appointment scheduled between 9 am and 1 pm on the day they ride the shuttle. Veterans who have “walk-in” appointments can also schedule a shuttle ride.
The shuttle will depart from the Fort Scott’s Pete’s 66 service station on Main Street and will return to Fort Scott after the last Veteran has completed their appointment. The departure time is based upon the time of first appointment of the day at the VA Medical Center day. Riders will be notified of the shuttle departure time the evening before their ride.
Veterans living along Highway 69 or near Louisburg and Ottawa can also schedule a ride to the VA by following the below process.
Veterans scheduling rides must be at one of our predetermined stops to ride the shuttle. This is a shuttle service, not a taxi service.
The VA shuttle holds five passengers and riders must preregister for a seat. Seats on the shuttle are open to any area Veteran on a first come, first served basis.
The shuttle does not accommodate wheelchairs or pets. Only certified service dogs are permitted on the shuttle. Oxygen tanks are not permitted on the shuttle. Oxygen concentrators are allowed.
Family members may not ride with the Veteran on the shuttle. However, those Veterans who need a caregiver to accompany them can provide a signed note from their doctor attesting that the Veteran requires a caregiver to accompany them to and from their appointment.
To register for a shuttle seat, the Veteran must
- Have an appointment at a VA Medical Center between 9 am and 1 pm for the day they schedule their shuttle seat.
- Call 785-925-0261 or email [email protected] to schedule their seat. All seat reservations must be scheduled by 5 pm, the day prior to their appointment.
Please don’t hesitate to call or email me with any questions you might have.
Carl Jowers, Fort Scott Shuttle Coordinator.
What’s Happening by the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce
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Governor Kelly: It’s time to expand Medicaid
The following column is from Governor Laura Kelly regarding Medicaid expansion:
With every passing day, more Kansans feel the impact of the state’s failure to expand Medicaid. It’s our neighbor struggling to get access to affordable healthcare. It’s a friend who works full-time – and works hard – but can’t afford private insurance or a doctor’s visit. It’s a working mother who can’t get mental health services to address her undiagnosed depression. It’s a young person with a disability who can’t get the health coverage he needs to continue working.
To date, Kansas has sent over $3.2 billion of our tax dollars to be used by other states to pay for their healthcare. That’s money that could go towards making Kansans healthier. It would also help Kansans who fall in the coverage gap – where they make slightly too much to get traditional Medicaid, but not nearly enough to afford private health insurance.
It’s not just patients who stand to lose if we fail to expand Medicaid. Our communities and local hospitals are struggling. According to some reports, 30 percent of our state’s hospitals are considered financially vulnerable. In small communities across our state, these facilities are at serious risk of closure.
Rural hospitals face numerous challenges and expansion won’t solve all of them. But all rural hospitals will benefit from Medicaid expansion proportionately, more than urban hospitals.
Many hospitals – both urban and rural – have high rates of uncompensated care. That means they are providing healthcare services for folks who can’t afford to pay. By expanding Medicaid, we can help their bottom line and infuse millions into our state’s economy.
Unfortunately, some Republican leaders still refuse to listen to the experts or acknowledge the success of the 36 states that already expanded Medicaid. They continue to ignore the resounding support voiced by Kansas families, businesses, child advocates and healthcare providers.
Expanding Medicaid is a commonsense, proven way to strengthen our state. We must move forward this year.
Last month, a bipartisan coalition in the Kansas House came together to pass expansion. It was a big step forward and I commend their courage and determination. But again this week, leaders in the Senate refused to allow a vote on Medicaid expansion.
Our friends, families and neighbors need Medicaid expansion. Not only is it sound policy, it is the right thing to do. Call Senate Majority Leader Jim Denning and Senate President Susan Wagle at 1-800-432-3924 and demand a vote on Medicaid expansion.
Entrepreneur Education Series May 8
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The Fort Scott Police Department Daily Reports May 3
Click below:
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports May 3
Did You Hear That Voice? by Pastor James Collins
“Who among you will give ear to this? who will hearken and hear for the time to come?”
Isaiah 42:23
I have been trying to learn to use my cell phone, but there are many buttons and apps – I have no idea what most of them do. The other day, I saw my friend, Ida Ford, talking into her cell phone. However, she wasn’t on a call. “What are you doing?” I asked. She said, “I’m using the voice command app. I talk, and the voice command types my text message.”
Ida showed me how the app worked and for the past few days, I have tried to use it. Yet, it doesn’t work right. It doesn’t understand my redneck accent.
Someone texted me and told me about a lady from church who was in the hospital. I replied with my voice command, “I hope she gets better. I pray she does.” Only it said, “I pray she dies.” That was not good…
Once I got the voice command activated, I couldn’t figure out how to turn it off. I got frustrated and said, “Baloney!” When I said, “Baloney,” the phone said, “Bologna is a city in Italy. It is also a cooked, smoked sausage.” I screamed, “I didn’t say Bologna. I said, Baloney!”
Later that day, I was at the dentist office with the phone in my pocket. As I was sitting in the waiting room, a voice said, “Say a command.” The lady at the reception desk looked up at me. I heard the voice again, “Say a command.” I realized the voice was coming out of my britches.
“Say a command.”
I took the phone out of my pocket, tried to turn it off, but it kept saying, “Say a command.”
“Say a command.”
“I command you to shut up!” I exclaimed.
I was called back to the exam room. I was sitting in the dental chair while the hygienist was cleaning my teeth. I couldn’t say anything because there was a suction hose, tooth scraper, polisher, waterpik, and seven or eight other dental tools hanging out of my mouth. I couldn’t have said anything if I tried.
Suddenly, I heard a voice say, “Did you say call Brian Poodle?” It said it again. “Did you say call Brian Poodle?”
I know Brian Williams, Brian Foster, and Brian Lane. However, I don’t know Brian Poodle. I know some wiener dogs, and a schnauzer, but I don’t know a poodle.
Frustrated, I finally reached in my pocket and turned off that stinking thing. I was tired of hearing the voice. So, I turned it off.
Often, we do the same thing.
Young people get tired of listening to their parents. So, they turn them off.
In church, people get tired of listening to the preacher. So, they turn him off.
You get tired of listening to the Word of God. So, you turn it off.
The point is: God might just be trying to say a command to you. Will you give an ear to Him? Will you just listen? Don’t cover your ears and close your heart.
Pastor James Collins serves at Fort Scott’s First Southern Baptist Church. He can be reached at www.thepointis.net.
Obituary of Marjorie Tate
Marjorie Elinor Tate, age 92, a former resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, and more recently of Rockaway Beach, Missouri, passed away Thursday, May 2, 2019, at her home in Rockaway Beach.
She was born October 29, 1926, in St. Louis, Missouri, the daughter of Forrest Bobbitt and Matilda Jane Mapes Bobbitt.
She married Marvin E. Tate on April 5, 1946, at the Mt. Zion Bible School in Ava, Missouri. Marjorie was a devoted wife and mother. She did bookkeeping for her husband’s carpentry and antique businesses.
She faithfully attended the Parkway Church of God (Holiness) where she served for many years as a Sunday School teacher. She was a long-time supporter of Ft. Scott Christian Heights and the youth activities of her church. After moving to Rockaway Beach, she attended church at the Bridge of Faith Community Church where she volunteered with the church thrift store.
Survivors include two daughters, Nancy Martinez and husband, Juan, of Eagle Pass, Texas and Jane Peck and husband, Daryl, of Rockaway Beach, Missouri and her son, Kelly Tate and wife, Jan, of Ft. Scott, Kansas. Also surviving are fifteen grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren.
Her husband, Marvin, preceded her in death on June 17, 2010. She was also preceded in death by a granddaughter.
Pastor Jonathan McGuire and Rev. Eric Going will conduct funeral services at 2:00 P.M. Monday, May 6th at the Parkway Church of God (Holiness).
Private burial will take place in the U. S. National Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Sunday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to the Bridge of Faith Church or Central Mission of Faith and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Angel Investor assistance
Topeka, Kan. – The window for accepting Angel Investor Tax Credit Applications has reached its halfway point.
Applications for companies seeking investment through the Kansas Angel Investor Tax Credit (KAITC) program for 2019 will be accepted through Aug. 31. The program offers Kansas income tax credits to qualified individuals who provide seed-capital financing for emerging Kansas businesses engaged in development, implementation and commercialization of innovative technologies, products and services.
The KAITC Program is administered by the Kansas Department of Commerce and designed to bring together accredited angel investors with qualified Kansas companies seeking seed and early stage investment. The purpose of the Kansas Angel Investor Tax Credit act is to facilitate:
- The availability of equity investment in businesses in the early stages of commercial development.
- Assist in the creation and expansion of Kansas businesses, which are job and wealth creating enterprises.
Applications for certification will be accepted only for Kansas businesses in the seed and early stage rounds of financing.
Companies must meet the following criteria to be certified as a Qualified Kansas Business:
- The business has a reasonable chance of success and potential to create measurable employment within Kansas.
- In the most recent tax year of the business, annual gross revenue was less than $5 million
- Businesses that are not Bioscience businesses must have been in operation for less than five years; bioscience businesses must have been in operation for less than 10 years.
- The business has an innovative and proprietary technology, product, or service.
- The existing owners of the business have made a substantial financial and time commitment to the business.
- The securities to be issued and purchased are qualified securities.
- The company agrees to adequate reporting of business information to the Kansas Department of Commerce.
- The ability of investors in the business to receive tax credits for cash investments in qualified securities of the business is beneficial, because funding otherwise available for the business is not available on commercially reasonable terms.
- Each applicant must sign a Qualified Company Agreement with the Kansas Department of Commerce.
Certification of companies must meet mandates established by Kansas statute to allow accredited Angel Investors to receive the Kansas Angel Investor Tax Credit. This year, the application fee has been reduced from $750 to $500.
Ryan Brinker
Public Information Officer
Kansas Department of Commerce
1000 SW Jackson St. Ste. 100
Topeka, KS 66612-1354
Phone: 785-296-4931
Cell: 785-276-9723
Obituary of John Darwin Hastings
John Darwin Hastings, age 89, resident of Nevada, MO, formerly of Bronaugh, MO, passed away at his home Tuesday, April 30, 2019.
He was born on March 21, 1930, in Lindsay, CA, the son of John Raymond and Dora Beatrice Fry Hastings. He graduated from Bronaugh high school with the class of 1948. He served three tours of duty in Korea in the Navy. John married Mary Ann Stumfoll on August 9, 1952, in Bentonville AR. She preceded in death on June 24, 2017.
John was a hard-working farmer. He loved the Lord and served as deacon and Sunday School teacher. He was an avid reader, especially his Bible. When not working, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, watching westerns, and tending his vegetable and flower gardens. Iris was his favorite flower. He was a member of the First Baptist Church, Pleasanton, KS.
Survivors include his son, Rev. John Bradley Hastings and wife Ronda, Grants, NM; two daughters, Renee Clemons and husband John, Oronogo, MO, and Lexi Strickler and husband Doug, Iola, KS; two sisters, Betty Smith and husband Jerry, Haysville, KS, and Joan Owens, Saginaw, MO; three brothers, Donald Hastings and wife Doris, Elkhart, IN, Gary Lee Hastings, Bronaugh, MO, and Billy Ray Hastings, Philippines; 9 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Alisa Ann Hastings; a brother, Robert Hastings; three sisters, Laverna Drummond, Lorene Hopkins, and Jo Ellen Jones; and his parents.
Rev. Bradley Hastings will conduct funeral services at 10:00 AM Monday, May 6th, at the Grace Baptist Tabernacle.
Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 9:00 until service time Monday at Grace Baptist.
Memorials are suggested to Native American Baptist Missions and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS 66701.
Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.