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Opinion

Local Heroines and Heroes by Gregg Motley

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Gregg Motley. President of the Regional Economic Development, Inc. Submitted photo.

 

In previous columns, I have mentioned the importance of leadership as a critical ingredient in the success of a community, and we do have some men and women in our county that are leaders. The citizens that I consider heroic are making important time, talent and treasure investments in our community. Here are a few projects that I consider of particular significance:

Sleep Inn. This project, mostly funded by local investors, beautified an entry corner to Fort Scott and our historical district. It also gave us a newer hospitality facility that leaves many of our visitors with a positive impression of our community.

Fort Scott Munitions. This was a big investment by a local family in another blighted property at the entrance to Fort Scott. While they are putting the property to great use, they may never fully recover all the money they invested in the property to make it usable.

Hole in the Wall. Yes, this project had some public funding, but local investors took a risk and developed an attractive building out of an eyesore across from the National Historical Site. Remember the concrete blocks and poles on Scott Avenue?

E3/Common Grounds. A large amount of money has been put into this project by a local couple, restoring an important intersection in the historical district, and attracting several new businesses into the development.

Sharky’s and Luther’s. This investment in a downtown building, and renting another important landmark, has created an attractive gathering place for local people and tourists alike.

Bandera Stone. This Bourbon County company announced a new showroom location in Uniontown. This is a much needed investment in the Western side of our county.

Dairy Queen. Another local couple making a big investment to build a brand new building on South Main that is accessible by many who are just passing through. Our county has realized a nice increase in sales tax collection at the expense of this couple’s increased overhead.

Eddy Street. Two local men bought a couple of blighted properties in the 300 block, west of the Presbyterian Church, and built two new houses that are a significant upgrade to the neighborhood. About two years after they were built, the men sold the properties at a loss. Heroically, they embarked on the project, not to make money, but to make our community a better place.

Good Neighbor Action Team. This group of community leaders have made countless personal investments in Bourbon County communities, usually below the radar. Yard clean ups, paint jobs, wheel chair ramps, and other community improvements have been performed dozens of times by these generous Bourbon County stars.

The list could go on. Investments like these by local people are the lifeblood of our community, and represent commitments above and beyond the call of duty. It is another goal of Bourbon County REDI to help facilitate future investments like these all over our county, not only by local heroes and heroines, but by newcomers as well.

Obituary

Obituary of Violet Magee

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Violet Marie (Nardelli) Magee, age 97, passed peacefully, surrounded by family and caregivers, at her home, in Baldwin, Kansas, on January 11, 2022. Violet was born in Gross, Kansas to Mario Nardelli and Johanna (Zanona) Nardelli, October, 6, 1924. She graduated from Arcadia High School in 1941, completed her teaching certificate at Kansas State Teachers College of Pittsburg and began her first job in a one room schoolhouse at St. Paul, Kansas, on the “island”.

Violet’s life spoke music, like a tapestry. It was woven through her journey and defined her being. Using voice lessons to learn the English dialect, it was discovered that she was blessed with being a quick learner. Violet was most notably a talented pianist who could embellish music and teach others, piano and voice.   So gifted, her instructor accompanied her to Chicago for a debut of her talent and a musical tour.  Earlier, she had rekindled a friendship with a schoolmate; a pilot returning from World War II, so she came home for her true love.   She was married to Raymond Edward Magee on June 20, 1948 at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church in Mulberry, Kansas, during a rainstorm. A tornado followed the ceremony, so the reception was held in the family basement by the light of church candles.

Violet and Raymond celebrated 52 years of marriage and “were proud and grateful for five children and were honored that God had entrusted them to be their parents.” They spoke of goodness and their actions showed care and kindness. Their home was filled with cappellettis, cinnamon rolls, pies, meatballs, and handmade breads that were available to family and anyone that needed a place for the holidays. There were piano students of all ages, often 30 a week, along with scout meetings, homemade dance costumes, student recitals, voice lessons, and choir practice for mass and weddings.

Music made the moment, making every occasion better, as Violet played at graduations, civic symphony, community choir, school plays, as well as participating and judging piano and voice competitions. She volunteered her time at St. Mary’s as a music teacher. As the organist at Mary Queen of Angel Catholic Church for fifty years, generations remember Midnight Mass and Easter. She played at many weddings as well as funerals. Hundreds of thank you cards lined her scrapbooks, recalling her contribution to their ceremonies. Music was a large part of her life, and she was thankful for the opportunity, but most importantly she credited God for her talent.

Violet was a friend, a neighbor, a teacher, and a mentor. Most importantly, she was a wife, a mother to 5 children, a grandmother to 14 grandchildren, a great-grandmother to 6 great-grandchildren, and a loving dog owner to her loyal O’Riley.

Violet was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond.

Survivor’s include one daughter, Sharon Magee-Minor and husband, James, of Baldwin, Kansas; four sons, Dr. Raymond Daniel Magee, and wife Connie, Topeka, Kansas, Dr. Lawrence Marion Magee and wife, Michelle, Lawrence, Kansas, Mark Edward Magee, and wife Cabrina, DeSoto, Kansas, and Dr. Shawn Michael Magee, and wife Shirley Dawn, Topeka, Kansas.

What a wonderful difference she made in the lives of many. “Always in our Hearts”

 Because the Funeral Mass is for family only, friends and neighbors may view Violet on Wednesday, January 19th thru Friday, January 21st, from 8:00 am until 7:00 pm at Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, Fort Scott, Kansas.

A private family service will be held at Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, on January 22nd, 2022, where she was the organist for 50 years.

A private family graveside service will follow at Garden of Memories, Pittsburg, Kansas.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Violet may be made to Mary Queen of Angels Music Ministry or Engineering Scholarship at Kansas University, Raymond and Violet Magee. Memorials may be left in care of Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 West Wall, Fort Scott, Kansas, 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Opinion

Reflections on Christmas by Patty LaRoche

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Patty LaRoche

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8

In 2022, I hope to follow the advice in that scripture. Take this past Christmas holiday, for example. I will reminisce about how my husband led us in sweet devotions, and we purposefully prayed for individual families, instead of being sad because some relatives could not attend.

I will think of our white elephant gift exchange and be grateful I ended up with a lovely tray instead of the pair of high heels I previously had given my granddaughter which were chic and stylish but squished my toes, instead of how she obviously couldn’t wait to give them away.

I will be grateful for aching thighs the day after walking the hills my children and grandchildren jumped on their dirt bikes, even though I could not bend over to pick up a kitchen towel I dropped.

I will think of all we learned about each other after drawing random questions out of a bowl, including how one person answered “If you could have lunch with any two people, dead or alive, who would it be and why?” with “Jesus and Hitler.” (She redeemed herself with her reasoning: She wanted to see how Hitler would react when he faced the one who died for his sins).

I will remember how all the women spent an afternoon together making our favorite cookie recipes to take to the three local Afghanistan families, even though I failed to spray oil on the cookie sheet of my first batch and only a few survived.

I will think of the beautiful 45-degree weather that allowed us to have a weenie roast, instead of the sleet that had to be chiseled off our windshields the next day on our drive to the airport.

I will recall how the women thumped the men in the highly competitive marathon of Marbles and Jokers (4-1, but who’s counting?) instead of how some of the men acted like babies when they lost.

I will never forget how much everyone enjoyed the Christmas games I found on the internet (like the Alphabet Game where, in 15 minutes, you list as many Christmas words as you can for each letter) and how competitive everyone was to win the prizes, instead of how argumentative they were when I wouldn’t accept their answers.

As my son, Adam, put it, “We should have known that the only answers Mom would accept were words from the Bible. We could have put Jehoshaphat under ‘J’ and she would have found a way that related to Christmas.” (Really? “Bed” is not a Christmas word, even though you sleep in one, waiting for Santa to come down the chimney, and “Oh” doesn’t count just because it starts the song “Oh Christmas Tree.”) I. WAS. A. FAIR. JUDGE.

I will think of those who have survived Covid and those who have gone to Heaven over the holidays because of it and will be reminded of the need to tell everyone I meet about Jesus.

And I will think of how every single moment gives me a chance to follow the advice of Philippians 4:8. I pray I can live up to that resolution. I should have known that, within a week, my 2022 resolution would be tested to the max.

Fort Scott

Wreath Removal At National Cemetery

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Wreaths Across America

Schedules Wreath Removal for

Fort Scott National Cemetery

After a very successful laying of nearly 7000 wreaths at Fort Scott National Cemetery on December 18, 2021, it is now time for removal of those wreaths. You still have time to drive through the cemetery for another look at the images showing Remembrance and Honor to our fallen military.

Wreath removal is scheduled for January 18, 2022, beginning at 1 PM. Volunteers are needed for this project. We invite individuals, groups, organizations and clubs to join in this project. For questions, please contact Diann Tucker, 620-224-7054, or Mika, 620-223-6700. The support of our community is greatly appreciated.

Social distancing is recommended, and masks will be available for those who have not been vaccinated or who want the protection of a mask.

Obituary

Obituary of Karen Stout

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Karen Sue Stout, age 81, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Wednesday, January 12, 2022, at her son’s residence in Frontenac, KS.

She was born April 5, 1940, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Jack Willard Phillips and Kathryn Marie Williams Phillips.

She graduated from FSHS with the class of 1958. Karen married Robert Ray Stout on July 14, 1965, in Ft. Scott. He preceded her in death on August 23, 2019.

Karen worked for the Western Insurance Company in Ft. Scott. She later worked at the laundry mat where she enjoyed visiting with people.

She enjoyed flowers, fishing, dining at Max’s Way Station, reading the Tribune, and local sports. She was a fan of both the Kansas City Royals and Chiefs. Karen was very interested in American Indian culture. She loved spending time with her family.

Karen was baptized in the Nazarene Church.

Survivors include a son, Steven Ray Stout and wife Courtney, Frontenac, KS; 5 grandchildren, Alexia Lang, Victoria Fortenberry, Kendra Stout, Joran Stout, and Garrison Stout; 11 great-grandchildren; and a niece, Jeannette Ramsay-Query.

Besides her husband, she was preceded by a brother, Kirk Phillips; a sister, Beverly Ramsey; stepmother Virginia Herre; aunt, Louise Bell; and her parents.

There was cremation.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 Noon until 1:15 PM Wednesday, January 19th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery.

Services are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Fort Scott, Government
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There an opening is for the Lake Fort Scott Advisory Board Committee:

  • One opening (Full-time resident on the East side of Lake Fort Scott)

The function of the Lake Fort Scott Advisory Board Committee is to provide suggestions to the City Manager and Governing Body regarding lake operations, lake safety, fishing, boating, and camping at Lake Fort Scott.

If you have a desire to serve on this board and meet the above requirements, please submit a letter of interest to the City Clerk, Diane Clay, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. The names will be submitted for consideration to the City Commission. All of the boards and commissions serve on a volunteer basis and are not compensated. If you would like more information on this board, please contact Diane Clay, City Clerk at 620-223-0550 or dclay@fscity.org. Please submit your letter of interest by January 28th, 2022.

Fort Scott, Government

FS City Special Meeting Jan. 13

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There will be a Special Meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission held at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 13th, 2022. This meeting will be held to consider two change orders for the Urgent Need Grant on North National.

The work session regarding brick streets will be held immediately following the special meeting.

These meetings will be held at 123 S. Main Street in the City Commission meeting room. These meetings will be broadcast on the City’s you tube channel.

 

Government, Kansas

KS 2023 Budget Announced

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Governor Laura Kelly Announces Fiscal Year 2023 Budget

~ Governor Kelly keeps her promise to bring fiscal responsibility back to state government ~

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced her fourth budget recommendation. This budget builds on years of work by the Kelly Administration to restore the state’s fiscal prosperity, grow the state’s economy, expand the state’s workforce, and invest in the health and safety of the people of the state of Kansas.

“Fully funding K-12. Closing the Bank of KDOT. Balancing our budget. This is what the people of Kansas elected me to do,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “This budget not only restores state funding for critical services, it cuts the state sales tax on food. I encourage the Legislature to waste no time and send me a clean bill to Axe the Food Tax.”

The Governor’s budget fully funds K-12 for a fifth straight year and makes historic investments in workforce training and higher education to ensure that Kansans are ready to enter the workforce. By expanding Medicaid, the state of Kansas not only nets millions of dollars of enhanced federal matching funds, it allows more people to remain in the workforce and boosts local economies.

Recognizing that some revenues may be one-time only, the budget makes several one-time investments to reduce debt and increase structural balance, including paying off KPERS and other debts accrued under previous administrations, providing Kansas taxpayers with a $250 rebate, and making one-time investments and capital improvements in the state’s public safety, corrections, and juvenile justice systems.

Other highlights of this budget include:

  • Responsibly cutting taxes for every Kansan: Unlike proposals that have focused the greatest benefit of tax reform on a small number of Kansans, cutting the state sales tax on food and providing a rebate for every Kansas taxpayer will ensure tax relief goes to the hardworking Kansans that power our state’s economy.
  • Recognizing the service of law enforcement and other state employees: This budget calls for a minimum 5% pay increase for all state employees and includes funding to help recruit and retain State Highway Patrol officers, nurses, corrections officers, public defenders, Community Corrections, home and community-based service providers, child protection specialists, and others. It also includes funding to enhance pensions and new protective equipment and facility improvements for those working in secure facilities.
  • Sustaining the state’s record-breaking economic growth: Kansas has continued record-breaking economic growth for a second straight year—bringing the two-year total of economic investment to over $7.6 billion. This budget builds on the Governor’s previous efforts to restore the Department of Commerce by fully returning the Economic Development Initiatives Fund to its intended purpose—economic development. In addition to efforts to enhance the state’s workforce through training and apprenticeships, the budget intends to capitalize on broadband development, encourage small business innovation, and develop and renovate new moderate-income housing.
  • Achieving and maintaining school funding: This budget includes adequate school funding to meet the requirements of the Gannon settlement for a fifth straight year, ensuring that as students, parents, and teachers continue to learn and overcome the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic, schools have resources to help keep our kids on track to graduate, earn postsecondary degrees and certificates, and ultimately join the workforce.
  • Fully closing the Bank of KDOT: This budget not only fulfills the Governor’s promise to close the Bank of KDOT, it ends other extraordinary transfers out of the State Highway Fund. These transfers for non-infrastructure programs such as Mental Health Grants and debt service on bonds will now be funded out of SGF, returning needed infrastructure dollars to their original purpose.
  • Promoting workforce readiness and competitiveness: funding for postsecondary education has not recovered to pre-Great Recession levels in over a decade. This budget not only restores higher education funding and freezes tuition at four-year institutions, it includes additional funding for need-based aid, Excel in CTE, and National Guard scholarships so that more Kansans can seek the education and training they need to qualify for in-demand jobs. It also provides capital investment funding to ensure that all institutions remain engines of economic growth with new facilities and technology to increase the state’s competitiveness.
  • Reducing fees and making payments on-time: Under previous administrations, “one-time” and “temporary” measures were put in place that added to KPERS debt, increased fees for vehicle registration, and delayed the final school payment into the next fiscal year. Coming off the recent repayment of the PMIB loan, this budget ends the DMV surcharge, pays off KPERS debt early, and returns the 12th school payment to the current year. It also pays bonds early, improving the state’s structural balance and securing Kansas’ finances in the event of future national or international economic challenges.
  • Strengthening Access to Mental Healthcare: With the lifting of the moratorium at Osawatomie State Hospital, this budget continues the work of ensuring mental health access closer to home by providing funding for regional crisis services and hospital beds, suicide prevention grants for local agencies, and expanding access to mental health teams in the state’s schools. It also provides new substance use treatment options for those in state hospitals and corrections facilities.
  • Promoting healthcare affordability: expanding Medicaid is not only a good deal for the state of Kansas, it helps Kansans remain in the workforce and keeps local health providers in business. Our healthcare providers are essential to keeping local economies strong. This budget also funds enhanced post-partum Medicaid coverage for up to 12 months, improving mental and physical health for mothers and young families.
  • Protecting the state and safeguarding our future: After the state experienced significant natural disasters in recent years, this budget provides funding for staff and one-time funding for upgrades of facilities and equipment for our National Guard and state health and environment lab.
  • Fully funding the state water plan: for too many years, the state’s radical tax policies led the state to defund efforts to protect one of our most valuable resources: water. This budget fully funds the State Water Plan Fund for the first time since FY 2008—providing irrigation technology and other water-saving resources that will promote the resilience and abundance of our rural communities and ag industry for generations to come.
  • Saving for tomorrow: Until this budget, Kansas has been unique among states to have either a small or non-existent budget stabilization fund. This budget ensures that Kansas has a real “Rainy Day Fund” in case national and international events threaten to harm our sustained economic growth.

    View the Governor’s full budget recommendation here.