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Everyone needs a Hushai by Carolyn Tucker

Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker Everyone needs a Hushai
In the latter years of our marriage, my late husband and I became only “fair-weather” bikers. We’d jump on the Suzuki Boulevard and tootle around Gunn Park, head west on old Hwy 54, or south to Garland and enjoy the warm sun and breeze. I now describe myself as a “fair-weather” mower. If it’s too windy, too cold, too muddy, or too many irons in the fire, I will not mow my 3-acre property. Consequently, these strict stipulations caused me to get behind about a month before attempting the first mowing of the season. So when I discovered the battery was dead and wouldn’t hold a charge, I nearly cried. I knew the clock was ticking and it would be raining in a few hours. What did I do? I got a hold of a friend and he and his wife brought out and installed a new battery, so I was ready to mow in just a few minutes. My problem was solved…because of friends.
I recently came across a scripture that struck me and has stuck with me: “…and Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend” (1 Chronicles 27:33 NASB). King David had everything he needed and everything he wanted. He had army commanders, chief officers of the tribes of Israel, various overseers, counselors, servants, and more wives than was wise. But even the king of Israel needed a man he could count on to simply be his friend.
Hushai is mentioned in the Old Testament books of 2 Samuel (chapters 15-18) and 1 Chronicles. He isn’t remembered today like we think of Noah, Elijah, or Paul. Most of us don’t give Hushai a second thought. But he’s surely worth studying because he was important enough to be recorded in the Bible as a friend to king David. This six-letter word is part of living the abundant life Jesus said believers could have. Do we realize that God answers our prayers many times through a friend?
Hushai is a good example of how God uses faithful individuals to accomplish His purposes and help others. Because of Hushai’s intimate trust and deep loyalty, he was instrumental in thwarting Absalom’s attempt to overtake the throne from his father David. Hushai demonstrated that the faithfulness and wisdom of a friend can be of great benefit in the everyday affairs of someone’s life.
A friend who shows up at the right place at the right time is usually the beginning of an answer to prayer. As believers, we should have our hearts tuned into God’s still, small voice as He prompts us to reach out to someone He’s placed on our minds. With God’s help, let’s determine to be better friends in the “reaching out” part. I want to have a mindset that’s devoted to others because I know how important friends are to me.
A friend makes you laugh, is dependable, and will throw you a party rather than under the bus. A friend never throws stones or kicks you when you’re down. A friend can’t be bought with money and doesn’t count favors. A friend is there when you need her/him. A friend remembers the good and forgets the bad. A friend knows all about your flaws and loves you anyway. And a friend can offer the word you’re searching for but can’t think of when you’re telling a story.
Friends are a beautiful source of love, healing, joy, and encouragement. “The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense” (Proverbs 27:9 NLT). Mom always said, “Two heads are better than one.”
The Key: If you’re a friend, you’re fulfilling a very important God-given role.
Southeast Kansas Library System June Newsletter
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The SEKnFind Newsletter
June 2025
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Bo Co Commission Agenda Packet for June 30
To view attachments to the agenda:
Bourbon County Commission Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Chambers, 210 S National Ave.
June 30, 2025, 5:30 PM
- Call Meeting to Order
- Roll Call
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Prayer – David Beerbower
- Approval of Agenda
- Approval of Minutes from 06.23.25, 06.26.25, and 06.27.25
- Consent Agenda
- Approval of 06.24.25 Accounts Payable Totaling $14,309.50
- Approval of 06.25.25 Accounts Payable Totaling $46.32
- Approval of 06.27.25 Accounts Payable Totaling $280,889.82
- Approval of 06.27.25 Payroll Totaling $311,381.83
- Approval of 06.25.25 Payroll Totaling $323.37
- 2024 Audit Presentation – Emily Frank, Jarred, Gilmore & Phillips, PA
- Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy for job performance with ____________ attending and will return at _________PM in the commission chambers. – Beerbower
- Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy for job performance with ____________ attending and will return at _________PM in the commission chambers. – Beerbower
- Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy for job performance with ____________ attending and will return at _________PM in the commission chambers. – Eric Bailey
- Old Business
- Juvenile Detention– Beerbower
- Appraiser Contract – Matt Quick
- District 4&5 Term Limits – Clerk
- SEK Mental Health Resolution and Letter of Support– Milburn
- NRP Discussion-Matt Quick
- Courthouse Repairs
- Ealyn Taylor – Animal Control
- Zoning Recommendation-Beerbower
- Repeal Resolution 19-25
- Public Comments for Items Not on The Agenda
- New Business
- Turck Bypass Route-Matthew Wells
- Public Works Safety Audit – Dr. Cohen
- Fence Viewing Resolution-Beerbower
- Precinct Legal Descriptions-Susan Walker
- Commission Comments
- Adjournment
Immediately following the meeting there will be a work session to discuss the Landfill.
Future business that has been tabled in past meetings or planned for future meetings:
- Economic Development Direction
- 911 Agreement
- Precinct Legal Resolution
Doherty Health Benefits
Agenda for the FS City Commission on July 1
NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR REGULAR
MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
City Hall Commission Room – 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
July 1, 2025 – 6:00 P.M.
- Call to Order/Roll Call
- Pledge of Allegiance
III. Invocation
- Approval of Agenda
- Consent Agenda
- Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1387-A – Expense Approval Report – Payment Dates of June 11, 2025 – June 24, 2025 – $489,151.22
- Approval of Minutes: Regular Meeting of June 17, 2025
- Public Comment
VII. Appearances
- Ronette Center – Resolution No. 12-2025 Kansas Community Empowerment Program
VIII. Unfinished Business
- Consideration to Approve Certificate of Appropriateness – 24 N. Main St. – La Hacienda – Front Door – Approved by SHPO June 12, 2025, and Recommended by Design Review Board June 20, 2025.
- Consideration to Amend Ordinance No. 3782 – AN ORDINANCE FOR THE PURPOSE OF ESTABLISHING THE FORT SCOTT HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND RESOURCE COMMISSION TO THE CITY CODE OF THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, KANSAS – Approved June 17, 2025 – L. Dillon
- Discussion of CLG Process (next steps) – L. Dillon
- Consideration to Approve Purchase of Playground Surface for Nelson Park – $36,000.00 – Recommended by Parks Advisory Board on June 12, 2025 – Matkin
- Consideration to Approve Revised Employee Handbook and Adopt Ordinance No. 3783 – AN ORDINANCE REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 3533, ADOPTING EMPLOYEE MANUAL – Tabled from June 17, 2025 – B. Matkin
- New Business
Action Items:
- Consideration of Approval for City Manager to Sign Airport Taxiway KDOT Grant Documents for Project No. AV-2026-16 – Agreement No. 455-25
- Consideration of Temporary Street Closure – Coates Street from Elm to Mulberry – July 4, 2025 – 10:00AM – Midnight.
- Consideration of Resolution No. 14-2025 – RESOLUTION AND NOTICE OF HEARING WITH REFERENCE TO ALLEGED USAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE AT 18 S. HOLBROOK – Public Hearing Date of August 19, 2025.
- Consideration of Resolution No. 15-2025 – RESOLUTION AND NOTICE OF HEARING WITH REFERENCE TO ALLEGED USAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE AT 402 N. SHUTE – Public Hearing Date of August 19, 2025.
- Consideration of Resolution No. 16-2025 – RESOLUTION AND NOTICE OF HEARING WITH REFERENCE TO ALLEGED USAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE AT 205 LINCOLN – Public Hearing Date of August 19, 2025.
- Consideration of Resolution No. 17-2025 – RESOLUTION AND NOTICE OF HEARING WITH REFERENCE TO ALLEGED USAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE AT 102 N. BARBEE – Public Hearing Date of August 19, 2025.
- Consideration of Resolution No. 18-2025 – RESOLUTION AND NOTICE OF HEARING WITH REFERENCE TO ALLEGED USAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE AT 602 S. BARBEE – Public Hearing Date of August 19, 2025.
- Consideration of Resolution No. 19-2025 – RESOLUTION AND NOTICE OF HEARING WITH REFERENCE TO ALLEGED USAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE AT 505 CLARK – Public Hearing Date of August 19, 2025.
- Reports and Comments
- Adjourn
Death Notice of Charles William Lewis
Charles William “Bill” Lewis, 79, of Fort Scott, passed away at Overland Park Regional Hospital early Friday morning, June 27, 2025.
Services are set for 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home with burial following at Memory Gardens.
The complete obituary will be available later.
Obituary of Ronald Fred Taylor

Ronald “Ronnie” Fred Taylor, 87, resident of Bronson, Kansas, passed away at his home early Thursday morning, June 26, 2025. He was born June 6, 1938, in Xenia, Kansas, the son of William Ray Taylor and Helen Mae (Stewart) Taylor. He married Bonnie Mason on May 31, 1959, in Fort Scott, and she preceded him in death on September 17, 2020.
Ronnie was a farmer, and he was a Master Plumber for fifty years. He was a member of the Xenia Baptist Church, and he served on the board of Heartland Electric Cooperative for forty years.
Ronnie is survived by his son, Raymond Taylor and his wife Kathy, of Bronson, Kansas; three grandchildren, Danny, Nathan and his wife Ashley, and Maggie, as well as several great-grandchildren.
In addition to his wife Bonnie, Ronnie was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Brad Taylor, who died in April of 2001; and a brother, William Leon Taylor.
Pastor Randy Smith will conduct funeral services for Ronnie at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.
Burial will follow at the Bronson Cemetery, under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Xenia Baptist Church, and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, KS, 66701. Friends and family may sign the online guest book and share memories at www.konantzcheney.com.
U235 Special Negotiations Meeting Is June 30

Bo Co Budget Advisory Committee Meets on July 1
The Bourbon County Budget Advisory Committee will meet on Tuesday, July 1, 2025 at 8:15 AM in the Commission meeting room located in the Bourbon County Courthouse 210 S. National Avenue. This meeting is open to the public.
Bo Co Commission Special Meeting Today at 4 p.m.
Bourbon County Commission Chambers, 210 S National Ave.
Special Meeting June 27, 2025, 4:00 PM
I. Call Meeting to Order
a. Roll Call
b. Pledge of Allegiance
c. Prayer
II. Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to
protect their privacy with ____________ attending and will return at _________PM in the
commission chambers.
III. Adjournment
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS – FORM OF MOTION
____ Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their
privacy
____ Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body of agency which would be
deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship
____ Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in
consultation with the representatives of the body or agency
____ Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations,
partnerships, trust, and individual proprietorships
____ Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of acquisition of real estate
____ Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open
meeting would jeopardize such security measures
The subject to be discussed during executive session: ________________________________________
State persons to attend
Open session will resume at _____ A.M./P.M. in the commission chambers.
Seniors Farmers Market Vouchers Available on July 14
Great News! The Senior Farmers Market Vouchers will be available starting July 14th.
The Kansas Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (KSFMNP) is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service. The program provides annual benefits to low-income seniors to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables, herbs and honey from authorized farmers at Farmers Markets in Kansas.
Benefits are given out on a first-come, first-serve basis. The person must be at least 60 years old and meet financial guidelines. Applications will be available at the following locations:
Fort Scott – Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, 231 E. Wall.
Chanute – SEK Area Agency on Aging, 1 West Ash
Benefits are distributed until September 30, 2025 or until benefits are gone, whichever happens first. Applicants who qualify will receive a booklet of $5 coupons for a one-time annual benefit of $50 to purchase eligible foods from authorized farmers. For more information call SEK Area Agency on Aging at 620-431-2980.
Submitted by Kathy Brennon, Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging
Letter to the Editor: Deb McCoy
Bamboozled Again for a Tax Abatement
Deb McCoy
6/25/2025
The Kansas County Commissioners website states that the “County Commissioners in Kansas have the responsibility of approving property tax exemptions for economic development purposes.” Does anyone recall a discussion taking place in a commissioner meeting when Legacy Healthcare Inc. applied for a tax abatement on March 11th, 2024 for the“old Mercy Hospital building”? The answer is NO. Why would anyone assume that the building could be tax exempt, when there has been no hospital facility in place since Mercy Hospital closed in 2018.
The application completed by Legacy Healthcare Inc. that was submitted to the Bourbon County Appraiser listed the KSA 79-201b statute that would authorize the exemption: “Property exempt from taxation; hospitals, public hospital authority, adult care homes, children’s homes, group housing of certain handicapped persons, housing for elder persons and single-parent families. The following described property, to the extent herein specified, shall be and is hereby exempt from all property or ad valorem taxes levied under the laws of the state of Kansas.” Under KSA 79-201b First. “All real property and tangible personal property, actually and regularly used exclusively for hospital purposes by a hospital as the same is defined by KSA 65-425.” KSA 65-452 defines hospitals and other facilities as used in this act. 65-452 (a) “General Hospital” means an establishment with an organized medical staff of physicians; with permanent facilities that include inpatient beds; and with medical services, including physicians services, and continuous registered professional nursing service for not less than 24 hours of every, to provide diagnosis and treatment for patients who have a variety of medical conditions.”
Legacy Healthcare Foundation has never housed a hospital setting in the “old Mercy Hospital” even though part of the Donation Agreement that was signed on November 17th, 2022, states that they would “include development of an Acute Care Hospital and Ancillary Services.” If this was Legacy Healthcare Foundations intentions then why was the Acute Care Hospital and Ancillary Services not initiated and an application not completed upon receipt of the “old Mercy Hospital Building” in November of 2022?
On September 12, 2024 The Board of Tax Appeal State of Kansas in the matter of the application of Legacy Healthcare Foundation for exemption from Ad Valorem Taxation in Bourbon County Kansas was granted exemption of the “old Mercy Hospital building.” According to the Board of Tax Appeals Docket No. 2024-1192-TX Order the application for exemption from ad valorem taxation is granted from November 17, 2022, and each succeeding year, so long as the property continues to be used for exempt purposes. In the event the exempt property ceases to be used for exempt purposes, the applicant must report that fact to the Bourbon County Appraiser within 30 days. So the abatement was given on a building that does not house a hospital setting. The order also stated that Any party who is aggrieved by this order may file a written petition for reconsideration with this Board as provided in KSA 77-529 within 30 days from the date of certification of this order. We as a community would not have known that this request for a tax exemption of the hospital no hospital building was even being pursued. The 2023 and 2024 property taxes that were deeded to Legacy Healthcare Inc. in the donation agreement have not been paid, which included their property taxes on the old hospital building and on the land that surrounds the old hospital building, and the three lots that Legacy divided that includes 0 S. Horton, O Hwy 69, and 0 Woodland Hills. The old hospital building taxes as of 2024 that were abated was around $400 thousand.
It was recently discovered that Legacy Healthcare Foundation, a California Non-profit corporation created a Warranty Deed on November 4th, 2024. This Kansas Entity Special Warranty Deed made and entered into this 14th day of July, 2024, by and between Legacy Healthcare Foundation, a California non-profit corporation as Grantor, and Kansas RE Investment Group LLLP, (a Georgia Domestic LLLP) as Grantee, whose mailing address is 401 Woodland Hills Blvd, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. Witnesseth, that the Grantor, for and in consideration of the sum of One Dollar and other good and valuable consideration paid by the Grantee, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged by Grantor does by these presents Grant, Bargain, Sell and Convey unto the Grantee,the following described Real Estate situated in the County of Bourbon, State of Kansas, to wit:
Lots 1 & 2, MERCY HEALTH SYSTEMS OF KANSAS TO THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
It was discovered that Legacy still holds the mortgage and they assigned the mortgage to Pasadena Private Lending, INC. formed in Delaware. Filed with the State of California Office of the Secretary of State on January 30th, 2024 “STATEMENT AND DESIGNATION-OUT OF STATE STOCK CORPORATION.” Agent Craig Colbath, 2 North Lake, Suite 510, Pasadena,CA. 91101
What burden of expenses has our County Commissioners and Attorney, Bourbon County REDI, and Legacy imposed upon the Bourbon County taxpayers using Bourbon County/State and Federal Funds? Decision after decision has been made regarding the need for a hospital. The amount of time and money and effort in coming up with a solution seems to always fall back on the taxpayers of our community. When you add up the monetary figures that have gone into the Legacy Healthcare Foundation and its failure to provide an Acute Care Hospital per the Donation Agreement the total figure is staggering.
Feasibility Study $1 million dollars (City 200k & County $800K)
Mercy Hospital assets assessment of the building $19.6 million dollars
$2 million dollars
($1 million dollars from citizens donations)
($1 million dollars donation from a foundation.)
Mercy monetary donation of $600 thousand
______________________________
Grand Total – 23.2 million dollars
Bourbon County REDI
(established on August 9, 2021)
Expenditures reports from the City and County for the years of 2021 thru 2024
Was given $855,017.68
County ¼ cent sales Tax effective October 1, 2024 to help “attract” Emergency
Services by funding approximately $750,000 thousand dollars annually over the next 5 years.
Estimate total $3,750,000.00
Taxes on the Mercy/Legacy No Hospital Building
2024 showed that no taxes have been paid on any of the donated“Real Property” for 2023-2024
Balance $409,828.23
Application of Tax Abatement submitted on March 11, 2024 by Legacy for years at issue 2022
A Tax Abatement request was granted by the Board of Tax Appeals State of Kansas on September 9th, 2024.
Eliminating $354,131.35 dollars off of our existing tax records for the next 10 years.
Estimated Total $1,805,131.90
(May I remind you that the 2025 budgets are already in place and the County, City, School Districts, and Fort Scott Community College.will be affected.)
Total of all figures above $30,019,977.81
This does not include the legal funds and ancillary funds surrounding the process.
AND STILL NO HOSPITAL
