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Governor Signs Bill Making Voting More Convenient in Kansas
Applauds coalition of local officials for spearheading the legislation
In an effort to expand and improve voting opportunities in Kansas, Governor Laura Kelly signed House Substitute for Senate Bill 130 yesterday afternoon, amending the law concerning advance ballots, signature requirements and polling places.
“Over the past decade, we have seen countless efforts aimed at making voting more difficult in this state,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “I hope this will be the first of many laws that help ensure that every voice is heard in our democratic process and that every vote is counted.”
House Substitute for Senate Bill 130 will give county election officials the discretion to allow all registered voters to cast their ballot at any polling place in their county on election day. It also requires county election officers to attempt to contact each voter who submitted an advance voting ballot without a signature or with a signature that does not match the signature on file. The voter will be allowed to correct their signature before the commencement of the final tallying of votes in that county.
“This law is about local control and protecting every vote,” Kelly said. “I applaud all of the local and state officials who worked together to make this law a reality, especially those in Sedgwick County who were the driving force behind it.”
This brings the total number of bills signed in the 2019 Legislative Session to 37, with one being vetoed. By law, the Kansas governor has 10 calendar days to sign bills into law, veto bills or allow bills to become law without her signature.
The Fort Scott Police Department Daily Reports April 15
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Herbs and Butterflies: Gardening At Noon
K-State Southwind District presents:
Gardening at Noon
at Heritage Park, May 2nd & 9th!
Spring has sprung, and it’s time
to get gardening.
Bring your lunch, a drink, and
come learn something new!
K-State Southwind Extension District presents two special
“Gardening at Noon” classes
at Heritage Park, 102 E. 1st Street in Fort Scott:
May 2nd – All About Herbs
Herbs are easy to grow in beds or containers. Join us to learn planting tips and sample some tasty recipes utilizing herbs.
May 9th – Attracting Butterflies
We need more pollinators! Learn how to attract more butterflies to your garden by selecting the right plants, planting in the right location, and
providing a water source.
All participants will receive a 25% off coupon to use for any gardening book in the Hedgehog.INK! Bookstore, located at 16 S. Main St. in Fort Scott!
Call 620-244-3826
for more information.
(Rain cancels events)
What’s Happening in Fort Scott by the Chamber of Commerce
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Legislative Update By State Senator Caryn Tyson
April 12, 2019
The legislature is on break. However, as a legislator I am continuing to work throughout the district and on unresolved issues. I have had the opportunity to visit businesses, schools, and with others. It helps me represent you in Topeka.
Education Funding – How much is Enough? It is a question that is impacting every Kansan, whether you’re an employee of a school, a taxpayer, a parent, a student, or a future student. Money being an indicator of priority, then Kansas has made education the number one priority for many years. According to Division of Budget Comparison Report in 2001, over 50% of State General Fund (SGF) went to education. In the 2019 Report, over 50% of the SGF goes for education.
The 2019 SGF budget for departments and agencies is $7.1 billion, over $3.5 billion of that money will be spent on K-12. That is only state aid. It does not include local and federal money spent on 286 school districts in Kansas. Total K-12 spending, state, federal, and local money is over $6 billion.
There have been attempts to require more of the K-12 funding to go to the classroom and teachers. However, there is never a majority of legislators who support this effort.
The Kansas Department of Education (KSDE) website has reports available to give you more of an indication how the money is being spent and other topics are included. Interestingly, one of the reports shows the pupil-teacher ratio as 15.4 for the 2017-2018 school year. The calculation used for ratio was the total enrollment divided by total PK-12 teachers. PK-12 teachers includes practical arts/vocational teachers, kindergarten teachers, pre-kindergarten teachers, reading specialists/teachers, and all other teachers, calculated at a full-tine equivalency. https://datacentral.ksde.org/default.aspx
One expenditure that isn’t talked about much is what schools spend to lobby for more money. Legislative Post Audit has a limited scope report asking, “How Much Money Do a Small Sample of Counties, Cities, and School Districts Report to Us They Spent on Lobbyist or Associations with Lobbyists in 2017?” The three largest school districts, Wichita, Shawnee Mission, and Olathe schools reported spending around $1.4 million on lobbying in 2017. Taxpayer money spent to get more taxpayer money. (http://www.kslpa.org/media/files/reports/l-18-011.pdf Appendix C, page 15).
We can all agree that education is important. Kansas has made education the number one priority of the State and has been putting money toward that priority for years. What is our Return On Investment (ROI)? It’s time for a paradigm shift because the pattern of adding more money, no matter what amount, is never enough to satisfy the lawyers and the KS Supreme Court. Our objective should be based on student outcomes and the amount of money should be determined by the 165 legislators elected to do that job – not the Supreme Court.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.
Caryn
FSHS National 2019 Qualifiers For Debate
The South Kansas District completed their last National Qualifier of the season at Pittburg High School on Saturday April, 13, and Fort Scott HS qualified four more members to Nationals.
Congratulations to the 2019 National Qualifiers who will be competing in Dallas, Texas, June 17-21.
If you see these students please congratulate them!
Dalton Womeldorff- World Schools
Ashton Nave – World Schools
Jorden Willard – World Schools
Madison Toth – Program of Oral Interpretation and Congress Senate
Rebekah Sweyko – Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking and Congress House
Jonie Antonio – Congress House
Brooklyn Lyons – Humorous Interpretation and Dramatic Interpretation
Zoe Self and Hunter Adamson – DUO Interpretation
Zoe Self – International Extemporaneous Speaking
Shekhar Gugnani and Neil Gugnani – Public Forum Debate
Elizabeth Ngatia – Program Oral Interpretation and Original Oratory
Mark Adams – Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking and Lincoln-Douglas Debate
Pictured L-R: Top: Shekhar Gugnani, Ashton Nave, Neil Gugnani, Mark Adam, Dalton Womeldorff
Pictured L-R: Middle: Jonie Antonio, Elizabeth Ngatia, Brooklyn Lyons, Jorden Willard
Pictered L-R: Bottom: Madison Toth, Rebekah Sweyko, Zoe Self
Not Pictured: Hunter Adamson
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Angella Curran
Fort Scott High School
Speech Communications
Debate/Forensics
Attachments area
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Bourbon County Commission Agenda April 16
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: April 16th, 2019
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________
3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Kendell Mason
9:00-9:45-Jim Harris
10:00-10:15-2019 Budget Amendment
11:00-12:00-Justin Meeks
12:00-1:30-Commissioners gone to lunch
Justifications for Executive Session:
Personnel matters of individual 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(s) 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
Matters relating to the security of a public body or agency, public building or facility or the information system of a public body or agency, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize the security of such public body, agency, building, facility or information system
Obituary of Mary Alice Wallace
Mary Alice Wallace, age 92, a resident of Forsythe, Missouri, passed away Friday, April 12, 2019, in Forsythe.
She was born January 21, 1927, in Hartville, Missouri, the daughter of Efton Newton and Velma Gladys Fuge Newton.
She married William Arthur Wallace on December 14, 1945, in Springfield, Missouri.
Bill and Mary made their home in Wichita, Kansas for several years. Bill’s job with KG&E moved their family to Ft. Scott, Kansas in 1961. While in Ft. Scott, Mary worked for Rosebrough’s Shoes and later for Newman Young Clinic. She was a member of the Community Christian Church in Ft. Scott. Following Bill’s death on August 8, 1988, Mary moved to Wichita where she made her home for nearly thirty years. She recently moved to Forsythe.
Survivors include her son, Bill Wallace and wife, Cheryl, of Forsythe; and two daugthers, Jeanette Boggs, of Wichita and Janelle McCormack and husband, Eddie, of Hays, Kansas; five grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild due in September. Also surviving a sister-in-law, Marianna Newton, of Tulsa, Oklahoma and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Geneva Newton; a brother, J. C. Newton and a granddaughter.
Rev. Leon Weece will conduct funeral services at 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, April 17th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Private burial will take place in the U. S. National Cemetery in Ft. Scott, Kansas.
Memorials are suggested to Community Christian Church 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.
Obituary of John Harryman
John Evans Harryman, age 74, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Saturday, April 13, 2019, at Via Christi Hospital, Pittsburg, KS.
He was born on October 10, 1944, in Metz, MO, the son of Guy Franklin Harryman, Sr. and Irene Dulcina McClintock Harryman.
John served our country in the Navy, joining at age 17. He graduated from Pittsburg State University with a bachelor’s degree in automotive engineering.
He married Linda Harper on October 4, 1969, in Devon, KS.
John worked as a quality control manager for Kenworth in Kansas City, MO. He then worked for Shepherd Team Auto Plaza in Ft. Scott as parts manager. He later worked for Superior Wheel in Pittsburg, KS, as quality control manager until retirement.
In his spare time, John enjoyed fishing, bowling, race cars, motorcycles and all types of good music. He loved spending time with his family, especially attending all the grandkid’s activities and sports. He was a member of Diamond Community Church.
Survivors include his wife Linda of the home; a daughter, Michelle Harrison, Ft. Scott; and a son, Johnny Harryman and wife Molly, Ft. Scott; five grandchildren: Eddie Harryman, Lucas Harryman, Corina Harrison, Ellen Harrison and Jennifer Harrison; one great granddaughter, Charley West; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Guy Franklin, Jr.; two sisters, Frances Threatt and Margaret Myers; and his parents.
Rev. Jimmy Tucker will conduct funeral services at 11:00 AM Thursday, April 18th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in the Centerville Cemetery, Devon, KS.
The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until service time Thursday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to the Diamond Community Church 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.
Bourbon County Commission Minutes of April 2
April 2, 2019 Tuesday 9:00 am
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners, the County Counselor and the County Clerk present.
Nancy Van Etten was present for a portion of the meeting.
Jody Hoener met with the Commissioners to give a wellness update; she said that Bobby Reed (jail employee) is a new Wellness committee member. She said she will be asking the Commissioners to pass a policy to work towards implementing a tobacco free worksite (including chewing, vaping and smoking) for Bourbon County employees beginning 01/01/2020. She said it is important to make sure employees have the resources if they want to quit; Bourbon County health insurance requires a prescription for nicotine replacement therapies, Jody said she will work with C.H.C. to make the replacement therapies available.
Jody reported that there are almost 50 business retention surveys completed.
Jeff made a motion to go into a 10 minute executive session for personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel, Nick seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners and Jim Harris). No action was taken.
Jim Harris reported they are trimming trees for the City of Fort Scott this morning, he said they did this without the County Commissioners approval. Jim said he will want the City of Fort Scott’s asphalt trucks in return when the County needs them. Jeff suggested formalizing a mutual aid agreement.
Lynne reported that Loretta George had reported potholes on Maple Road towards the tower as well as potholes on Hackberry Road west of the Airport.
Jim Harris reported they had patched in the Industrial Park.
Nick asked that Jim place rock larger than road rock on Unique east of the quarry; he said semis are getting stuck in the road there.
Jim Harris discussed Hickory Road; the City of Fort Scott received a grant to build turning lanes into the LaRoche ballpark complex. The City has never asked the County to accept the road; Lynne said it is a City road unless it is turned over to the County.
Jim Harris said they could use a milling machine to use around the County.
Tammy Helm with the Fort Scott Tribune arrived at the meeting.
The Commissioners will take bids in 2019 for the mow able hay at the old landfill as well as Elm Creek.
Nick asked Jim to check with Big Sugar regarding the price for fish food.
The Commissioners and Shane Walker discussed a list of incomplete items at the new jail; the Commissioners had compiled a list of items, Lynne received a list of incomplete items from Bill Martin and said he would compile the lists together. Jeff gave Lynne permission to send to the Commissioners a final list, the Commissioners to respond to his list as well as permission to draft a letter to Universal Construction and Goldberg Group with a 90 day deadline to complete the projects, Nick seconded and all approved. Lynne said he would call Universal to schedule doing the balancing at the jail as well as getting filter work completed. There was a discussion over needing a permanent ladder installed at the jail to use for maintenance on the roof top units; Shane said he will check into the cost of a ladder. Jeff made a motion to purchase and install a whole building water filter at the jail, Nick seconded and all approved.
Tom Headley reported potholes in Devon; Lynne said he would discuss this with Jim Harris.
Shane Walker reported they will need computers, printers and scanners at the new ambulance barn, he estimated this to cost $4,000; the Commissioners said this expense will come out the Ambulance fund.
Terry Sercer met with the Commissioners; he planned a 2019 budget amendment in order to allow for the ambulance revenue and expenses. Lynne moved to approve publishing the amendment, Nick seconded and all approved. The budget amendment for the ambulance fund will be on April 16th at 10:00 am. Terry will publish the notice of the amendment. Terry estimated that the ambulance receipts will cover 70% of the ambulance expenses. The amended ambulance budget will allow for $1,020,000 in expenses and planned revenue of $1,036,020. Terry said he was pleased to tell the Commissioners that the budgeted 2018 carryover was $280,000 but Terry estimated the carryover to be approximately $500,000; Terry suggested (and the Commissioners agreed) that this excess be left in the General fund to be used for Ambulance expenses in 2019. Terry said if the money was used for ambulance expenses, the ambulance could replenish the fund with ambulance reimbursements. The Commissioners said the ambulance fund will likely always have to be subsidized. Terry said that some funds have a 2018 cash carryover; Terry will transfer the excess into reserve accounts for the following departments, Election equipment fund will have approximately $28,000 transferred and the Appraiser fund will have approximately $6,000 transferred into the Appraiser reserve fund. Any excess in the Road & Bridge Sales Tax will stay in that fund.
City of Fort Scott employees Larry Gazaway, Rachel Pruitt, Rhonda Dunn, Dave Martin as well as City Commissioner Cheryl Adamson met with the Commissioners, Jim Harris, Jerad Heckman and Jody Hoener. Justin Meeks said this was not on the agenda, but said they came to discuss the cooperation between the County and the City of Fort Scott. Larry Gazaway gave a tourism update; he said approximately $24 million is spent annually by visitors; he said they receive an average of 1,000 people a month at the tourism center. Larry described Geofence, an advertising option being used. Larry discussed past and future conferences to be held in Fort Scott. Larry asked for funding from Bourbon County (approximately $15,000 annually) to help pay for advertising and marketing expenses. Lynne said the County will begin working on the 2020 budget in June and could consider this request to help with economic development. Larry said his current budget is funded by Transient Guest Tax; he said the City charges 6% for Transient Guest Tax for overnight (not extended stay rentals) rentals and hotels. Justin suggested that there is lodging in the northwest part of the County that could be a part of the Transient Guest Tax. There was a brief discussion over the 1 cent sales tax; this sales tax was voted on and is used for road maintenance. The County and the Cities in the County share this money; this will be voted on again in the future, Dave Martin suggested that the County and City partner to get the word out so that the public sees the importance of the sales tax. Lynne said he will meet with Robert Uhler regarding this tax. Justin suggested that at some point all of the Cities and the County need to get together regarding this tax.
Rhonda Dunn said the City wanted to withdraw their request for the County to waive the Landfill fees for the debris from the demolishing of the Stout building; she said it was not their intention to create turmoil. Lynne made a motion to rescind the decision for Bourbon County to waive the Landfill fees for the debris from the demolishing of the Stout building, Jeff seconded and all approved.
Lynne 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, Nick seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners and Justin Meeks). No action was taken.
Justin Meeks reported that he recently received a request to take over dockets; he said he had did this.
Nick made a motion that Justin constructs a HIPPA release concerning Dave Bruner, Jeff seconded and all approved.
Nick made a motion to give Lynne, Justin Meeks, Jim Harris and Shane Walker permission to attend a meeting with Senator Watkins regarding a confidential proposal, Jeff seconded and all approved.
Jeff made a motion to break for lunch and reconvene at 1:30, Lynne seconded and all approved.
Christy Keating, Dave Bruner and Robert Uhler met with the Commissioners to discuss the ambulance service; Amanda Gilmore was also present for this meeting. Christy said that in March there were 218 requests for service; 164 transports, 94 to facilities, 67 to Via Christi Fort Scott, 3 medical transports and 54 dry runs. Christy said they are now at full staff for the ambulance. Christy said they had received calls from citizens who were concerned about the delay in transfers (on a busy day); she said they had to prioritize the patient’s needs on the order of the transfers. Dave Bruner said they will get one new ambulance in service now, he said they need minimal supplies for the 2nd ambulance to get it in service. Dave said they get fuel for the ambulances at the City unless they are out of town and need fuel. The Commissioners commended everyone for the work regarding the ambulance service. The ambulance barn is nearly complete; Lynne suggested spending the money to get the ambulance building thoroughly insulated.
The Commissioners met with Jim Harris; Lynne reported that Robert Uhler with the City of Fort Scott asked for the price for 14,000 ton of asphalt without chips. Jim estimated it to cost $45-$60/ton at the plant based on 2018 expenses. Justin said he would review the Attorney General’s opinion on this.
Nick made a motion to go into a 15 minute executive session regarding 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, Justin Meeks and Jim Harris). No action was taken.
The Commissioners agreed that if any department wants to plant flowers/plants in the flower beds at the Courthouse they could spend up to $100 for the cost of the flowers/plants.
Lynne made a motion that he signs a KWORCC loss prevention report, Nick seconded and all approved.
At 3:38, Lynne 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
04/09/2019, Approved Date
Advertise For the Town-Wide Garage Sale
Mark your calendars for the
Spring Town-wide Garage Sale on Friday and Saturday, May 10th & 11th…
Now is the time to advertise your business on the official garage sale map!
The maps will be distributed to garage sale shoppers the week of the Town-wide Garage Sale. They will be distributed from local stores and the Chamber of Commerce.
The cost to place an ad is $25 for a regular sized ad, $35 for the larger ad.
Ad spaces are limited, so contact the Chamber: 620-223-3566 or email:[email protected]
to ensure your space!