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Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee at Hedgehog.INK July 11

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WEEKLY CHAMBER COFFEE REMINDER
Join us for Chamber Coffee
Hosted by:

Hedgehog.INK
Location:

16 S. Main St., Fort Scott
Thursday, July 11, 2019  at 8:00 a.m.
Visit Hedgehog’s website by clicking HERE.
Visit Hedgehog’s Facebook page HERE.


Chamber members and guests are encouraged to attend for networking, community announcements, and to learn about the hosting business or organization.
Members may pay $1 to make an announcement about an upcoming event, special/sale/discount, or news of any kind.
Upcoming Coffees:
July 18 – Bourbon County Fair
July 25 – Bourbon County E-Community @ Sleep Inn
August 1 – OPEN – CALL TO SCHEDULE
August 8 – State Farm/Meeks Law Firm
Government, Kansas

Spurling joins Department of Revenue as Legislative Liaison

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TOPEKA, Kan. – Secretary Burghart announces the selection of Ethan Spurling to take over the position of Legislative Liaison for the Kansas Department of Revenue. Spurling joins the Department after serving as Operations and Scheduling Coordinator in Governor Laura Kelly’s office since January.

“Ethan will bring a unique perspective to this position with his previous experience and relationship building at the municipal level,” Secretary Mark Burghart said. “We look forward to taking that experience and expanding that within his role.”

Prior to his time with the Kelly-Rogers administration, Spurling served the City of Frontenac, Kansas as a city councilman for almost four years.

“It was during my time serving as a city councilman I found a great understanding of civic duty.” Spurling said. “This is a great opportunity to continue that passion while working alongside legislators to help Kansans.”

 

Spurling is a 2018 graduate of Pittsburg State University with degree in Political Science and International Studies.

Bourbon County, Elections

Candidate Forum July 23 For Local Races

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REMINDER:
Election Candidate Forum
for Primary Races:
USD-234 Position 3
City of Fort Scott Commission
IS TUESDAY, JULY 23
Save the date:
Community members are invited to an
Election Candidate Forum
co-hosted by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce and the Young Professionals League.
The event will take place on Tuesday, July 23rd at the FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center at 2108 S. Horton. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for a meet & greet with the candidates and the forum will begin at 6 p.m.
Questions for the candidates may be submitted to the Chamber by
July 22nd at [email protected].
There will be two races on the
Primary Election ballot:
–  The first is USD-234 Position 3 Candidates. There are 5 candidates for 1 position; this race will be narrowed to 2 candidates after the primary election.
Candidates include: Kellye Barrows, Joe Foulk Sr., Michael Hoyt, Josh Jones, and Aaron Judy.
– The second is Fort Scott City Commission. There are 14 candidates for 3 positions; this race will be narrowed to 6 candidates after the primary election.
Candidates include:Cheryl Adamson, Harold (Pete) Allen, Kevin (Skitch) Allen, Cindy Bartelsmeyer, Casey Bolden, Tracy Dancer, Bobby Duncan, Bob Farmer, Josh Jones, Deb McCoy, Diana Morriss, Jeanie Parker, Lindsey Watts, and Matthew Wells.
The general public is invited and encouraged to attend this Election Candidate Forum on Tuesday, July 23rd. Light refreshments will be served.
Candidates should RSVP to the Chamber prior to the forum
by e-mailing [email protected] or
by calling 620-223-3566.
————————————————————————————————————————
For a listing of candidates that have filed for the
2019 Bourbon County Election, click HERE.
Fort Scott Community College

Greyhound Academic Success

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Greyhounds Continue Academic Success

Submitted by Kassie Fugate-Cate on

two students posing with the greyhound mascot during a business expo

Fort Scott Community College Greyhounds continue with academic awesomeness! Over 200 students made it on either the Honor Roll list (GPA 3.5-3.74), Vice President’s list (GPA 3.75-3.99), or President’s list (GPA 4.0+) for the spring 2019 semester!

 

“The Fort Scott Community College Administration and Faculty
are extremely proud of our students. Congratulations on your outstanding academic achievement during the spring 2019 semester”, says VP of Student Services, Janet Fancher.

 

FSCC students, keep up the hard work and dedication. We cannot wait to see what our centennial class has to offer in the fall of 2019!!

 

Congrats Greyhounds!!!

 

#GoGreyhounds

 

To review the full list(s) of honorees, please click HERE.

Government, Kansas

New Director of Kansas Native American Affairs

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Governor appoints executive director to the Office of Native American Affairs

 

Gov. Laura Kelly today announced the appointment of Chris Howell as executive director of the Office of Native American Affairs and Governor’s Tribal Liaison.

 

The Native American Affairs office serves as the liaison for the governor to ensure that Native American concerns and needs are addressed in state policymaking.

 

“Chris will step into this important role with a breadth of relevant and meaningful experience in both the public and private sector,” Gov. Laura Kelly said. “I appreciate his willingness to serve in such an important capacity, and help work toward positive state-tribal relations.”

 

Howell, of Lawrence, most recently served as Director of Tribal Relations for Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railway, and was involved in tribal outreach and communications with more than 86 tribal nations located along the BNSF railway system. Howell has served multiple state administrations, including as Interim Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Kansas Arts Commission. He graduated with a B.A. in business from Emporia State University.

 

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Minutes of June 25

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June 25, 2019                                                           Tuesday 1:00 pm

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners, the County Counselor and the County Clerk present.

Jason Silvers with the Fort Scott Tribune was also present.   Steve Hill was present for a portion of the meeting.

Kelly Stone – an intern with the City of Fort Scott was present for a portion of the meeting.

Nick made a motion to approve a budgeted transfer of $200,000 total for the 1st two quarters of 2019 from Road & Bridge Sales Tax to Road & Bridge, Lynne seconded and the motion passed.

Jim Harris reported that they are overlaying with the recently purchased paver on Condensory, 235th (Frank Young suggested not overlaying the bridge on 235th, but to patch the bridge) and Franklin. He said the paver machine is doing a great job. Nick thanked Jim’s employees for the good work they are doing.

Lynne reported to Jim Harris a request from Joe George for a field entrance ½ mile west of a little south of Paint Creek.

Jim reported that one of the Freightliner trucks has been in the shop approximately 10 days of the last 3 weeks; he said so far in 2019 the County has spent $10,000-$12,000 on repairs for this truck. The truck is used to haul asphalt and gravel and has a snow plow. Jim said that the City of Fort Scott has loaned him a truck and a driver to help since this truck is down; Jim said he had loaned the City the excavator.

Jeff discussed Justice Lane; he said that years ago the County dumped some fill in the area; a resident in the area wants the right-of-way maintained. Jeff discussed a possible drainage issue near a driveway entrance on Justice Lane. Jeff questioned if cost sharing regarding trimming and treating could be done with the utility companies using the right-of-ways.

Jeff Fischer discussed the areas that he wants overlaid this year; he said he based his decision on traffic count and the condition of the road. He suggested a surface thick enough to restore the surface for chip sealed condition.

  1. Industrial Park – patch and overlay on Liberty Bell Road past Value Merchandiser and then up to 69 Highway.
  2. The Horton Extension – overlaying south on 215th from the City limits to Indian Road.
  3. Ironwood Road
  4. Two miles on Jefferson Highway from Indian Road going south to the tracks.

Jody Hoener, Economic Development Director met with the Commissioners; she said that Peerless Products had bought a building for expansion in Nevada, Missouri. Jody said that she didn’t feel that Peerless had any intention of moving outside of Fort Scott.

Lynne made a motion to go into a 10 minute executive session for personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel, Jeff seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners, Justin Meeks and Jody Hoener). No action was taken.

Jody reported that she had sent invitations to the cities in Bourbon County to inform them of the strategic plan and the 5 & 10 year goals. She said she had met with Bronson; their top three issues were businesses, housing and the roads. Jody said a representative from Fulton questioned how to get spraying done for mosquitos; Lynne suggested asking Uniontown who they use to spray them.

Nick made a motion to go into a 15 minute executive session for personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel, Jeff seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners and Justin Meeks). No action was taken.

Nick made a motion to go into a 15 minute executive session for consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship, Jeff seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners and Justin Meeks). No action was taken.

Jeff made a motion to have only a morning Commission meeting from 9-12 on July 2nd, Nick seconded and all approved.

Justin Meeks reviewed the Kansas Association of Counties legislative update and discussed KORA and KOMA guidelines with the Commissioners.

Lynne made a motion to go into a 20 minute executive session for personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel, Nick seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners, Justin Meeks and Dave Bruner). No action was taken.

Dave Bruner gave an EMS update; he said as of 6/24/2019 for June they have had 143 calls for service, 104 of those were transports, 61 were transfers (40 of those transfers were to Via Christi) and 39 dry runs. Dave said so far the maintenance the maintenance costs for the EMS vehicles was $9,363.79.

Lynne made a motion to approve the fireworks permit for Cathy Ramirez for 840 N. Main, Mapleton, KS, Nick seconded and all approved.

At 3:45, Jeff made a motion to adjourn, Nick seconded and all approved.

THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

(ss) Lynne Oharah, Chairman

(ss) Jeff Fischer, Commissioner

(ss) Nick Ruhl, Commissioner

ATTEST:

Kendell Mason, Bourbon County Clerk

07/02/2019, Approved Date

 

Government, Kansas

Facilitator Selected For Criminal Justice Reform

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Governor appoints facilitator to the Kansas Criminal Justice Reform Commission

 

Today Governor Laura Kelly announced Reggie Robinson as the facilitator for the Kansas Criminal Justice Reform Commission.

 

“Reggie has a distinct and esteemed background that will contribute greatly to this position,” Kelly said. “Kansas needs comprehensive criminal justice reform, and Reggie will be integral to this effort.”

 

Robinson, a Lawrence resident, currently serves as Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs at the University of Kansas. Previously, Robinson served as the director of the School of Public Affairs and Administration from July 2014 – August 2017. He was a professor of law and Director for the Center of Law and Government at Washburn University. Robinson was a White House Fellow and Special Assistant to Attorney General Janet Reno in 1993. He served as Deputy Associate Attorney General of the U.S. from 1996 – 1997, and Acting Director for Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime from 1997 – 1998.

 

Robinson received his undergraduate and graduate law degrees from the University of Kansas. He also served in the U.S. Army as an active duty field artillery officer.

 

The Kansas Criminal Justice Reform Commission was created as part of HB 2290, which passed during the 2019 legislative session. The governor appoints one criminal defense attorney or public defender, one member representative of the faith-based community, and one facilitator to provide administrative assistance to develop a project plan and assist the Commission in its duties. This facilitator is not a member of the Commission.

 

Bourbon County, K-State Extension

Annual Flowers Need Attention to Keep Blooming

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Krista Harding
District Extension Agent, Horticulture
Southwind Extension District
111 S. Butler
Erie, KS 66733
Office: 620-244-3826
Cell: 620-496-8786

 

What an unusually rainy spring and summer we have had! Our soils have definitely been saturated for several weeks now. You may think that watering won’t be needed for quite some time since soil moisture levels are very high. However, watering may be needed much sooner than you think.

Excessive rain can drive oxygen out of the soil and literally drown roots. Therefore, as we enter hotter, drier weather, the plants with damaged root systems may be very susceptible to lack of water. Don’t forget to check your plants for signs of wilting or leaf scorching and water as needed.

The excessive rainfall has also depleted our soils of nitrogen. If your annual flowers haven’t been overly impressive yet, they may need a shot of fertilizer.

Annual flowers have been bred to flower early and over a long period of time. Providing nitrogen through the growing season (side-dressing) will help maintain flower display. A high nitrogen fertilizer applied every four to six weeks is helpful during a rainy summer or if flower beds are irrigated.

Common sources of nitrogen-only fertilizers include nitrate of soda, urea, and ammonium sulfate. Use only one of the listed fertilizers and apply at the rate given:

  • Nitrate of soda (16-0-0) – Apply ¾ pound fertilizer per 100 square feet
  • Urea (46-0-0) – Apply ¼ pound fertilizer per 100 square feet
  • Ammonium sulfate (21-0-0) – Apply ½ pound fertilizer per 100 square feet

If you cannot find the above materials, you can use a lawn fertilizer that is about 30 percent nitrogen (nitrogen is the first number in the set of three) and apply it at the rate of 1/3 pound per 100 square feet. Do not use a fertilizer that contains a weed killer or a weed preventer.

Removing spent flowers or “deadheading” will help some plants bloom more profusely. Annuals focus their energy on seed production to ensure that the species survives. If old flowers are removed, the energy normally used to produce seed is now available to produce more flowers. Deadheading is as easy as pinching the plant between the thumb and finger, but tough, wiry stems will require the use of scissors or pruning shears.

Plants that do increase blooms in response to deadheading include hardy geraniums, coreopsis, some petunias, marigolds, snapdragons, begonias, some roses, zinnias, sweet peas, salvia, blanket flower, and yarrow.

There are some “self-cleaning” plants on the market now. These plants drop their spent flowers and bloom again and do not require manual deadheading. In many cases, they are sterile varieties – bred not to produce seeds. The petunia and rose varieties that are “self-cleaning” continue to excel in the home garden market because of their low maintenance and blooming power.

If you need help with any horticulture topic, give me a call. My current office schedule is Monday and Friday – Erie; Tuesday – Iola; Wednesday morning – Yates Center; Wednesday afternoon – Chanute Recreation Commission and Thursday – Fort Scott.

Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension Agricultural agent assigned to Southwind District. She may be reached at [email protected] or 62-244-3826.

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