James Fallows, a freelance writer, became curious about the demise of small towns; so, in 2016, he and his wife flew a small plane 54,000 miles around America to find out the common factors of cities that are succeeding despite the trends. They found 11 common characteristics; here is my summary of their findings:
Divisive national politics don’t rule the atmosphere. Yes, people are aware of what is going on, and they are involved, but it does not saturate every relationship. The focus is on local initiatives to address practical problems.
Who makes this town go? When interviewed, the same names were on the lips of the citizens. It could have been a business owner, a politician, a radio personality, and/or a newspaper columnist, but everyone knew who they were, and understood the influence they have on the community.
When the motivation for public good found in government efficiently bonds with the incentives for effective efforts found in the private sector, good things happen. In successful cities, citizens could identify and explain one or more effective public/private partnerships.
“Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it.” People who live in the more successful towns know their history, which gives the community a sense of connection and commonality that is invaluable and a springboard into the future.
Many forces have driven economic activity away from these civic centers, but successful cities have launched revival projects to reclaim their past, creating a sense of vibrancy not found in communities with dilapidated historical districts.
Another way to think about this is ANY kind of Federal government spending in the area. Also, a research university draws academics and young people.
A community college is a wonderful and effective bridge to a better future for our young people. Great towns support them.
If the citizens feel good about the public/private schools in their community, it shows through. We have to invest in education, and stay involved after our children are grown.
The only growth that is occurring in small town America is through migration and immigration. Whether new people are born in a big city, a foreign country, or across the state line, successful communities welcome everyone. Don’t be offended by a regional accent or a foreign language; rather, use it as a conversational bridge.
Healthy growth in small towns is seldom an accident. Effective civic planning creates a vision that most people in the community can get excited about and embrace.
This may be the most reliable marker of a successful town. Why? Maybe it indicates that the community incubates creative and gutsy entrepreneurs. It also gives people a place to gather.
The great news for Fort Scott is that we check most of these boxes. I am confident that we can make progress on most, if not all, of these fronts. Let’s create a vision of success together.
Butch Hall was a 2000 Uniontown High School graduate, who was killed in Afganistan in 2004.
His family and friends are hosting a pond hopping bass tournament in his honor that not only supports our small community, but will also raise money for a newly founded charity called the Bourbon County Angels.
In 2020, the Angels helped over 75 Bourbon County families put gifts under the Christmas tree.
Sponsors are listed on the flyer and the t-shirts.
T-shirts are available to purchase online until and including the day of the event.
The event will be located at Union Station, Uniontown’s convenience store, where they will be hosting a beer garden.
They have also purchased pork from Bronson Locker that will be smoked by Chuck Weyant and served on the day of the event.
All proceeds from the pulled pork sandwiches will go to the Bourbon County Angels along with 50% of the tournament registration fees.
Tournament participants must check-in at 6:00 am at Union Station and return for the weigh-in at 3:00 pm.
Limit of 3 people per team.
$20 per person to enter. All ages welcome.
Biggest bass and heaviest stringer per team. There will also be a $5 big bass pot.
Fish must be alive at weigh-in.
Butch’s family has donated individual trophies for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams and one for the biggest bass.
Donated prize drawings will be held after the weigh-in. Find the latest information on the Facebook event page Butch Hall Memorial Fishing Tournament.
Submitted by Sara Roufs
May 4, 2021 Tuesday 9:00 am
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners, the County Counselor and the County Clerk present.
Also present were the following; Jason Silvers with the Fort Scott Tribune, Nancy Van Etten, Mr. & Mrs. Clint Walker, Mark McCoy, Michael Hoyt and Anne Dare.
Jim made a motion to approve the minutes from last week’s meeting, Clifton seconded and all approved and signed the minutes.
Eric Bailey presented an access entrance permit for Dakota Hall at 1068 230th, Lynne made a motion to approve the permit, Clifton seconded and all approved.
Eric presented a permit from CrawKan from 2020; he asked if the Commissioners wanted to approve it or not, he said it wasn’t signed off on at that time, he said that Justin Meeks had reviewed the permit. Justin said that CrawKan did authorize this last year, he said he thought the Commissioners should retro-actively sign this, Eric said that CrawKan is getting a new permit, Justin said that Craw-Kan did sign the permit so it is binding. Susan questioned if there was a bond for this work; Eric said there was supposed to have been; Jim said they never asked anyone for a bond and said this was never enforced. Justin said it is important to do these things in the future. Eric asked the Commissioners if they wanted to continue with the permitting process; Jim said yes.
Justin Meeks discussed the bridge that was shut down in 2012 at 35th & Yellowstone; he said the County doesn’t have band-aid money for the bridge. He said the bridge can’t handle weight and said there are 11 other bridges in the County like this. He said he, Shane Walker and Eric Bailey will meet with landowners near the bridge. Lynne later said one landowner owns both sides of the road by the bridge and said the landowner could petition to close the road.
Eric said a patron reached out to him asking to borrow a bump sign for a week; Justin said the County would like to loan items but doesn’t want to set a precedent on loaning items. He said the County could make and sell this person a sign but said he didn’t think the County should let anyone borrow items. All the Commissioners did not want to loan the sign out.
Eric said this year to date the County has billed $7,550.92 for permits (culverts, utility, oversized weight permits, etc.).
Eric said they did get gravel on the road at 120th & 3 Highway. He said they picked up brush and limbs at the Fort Scott Lake. They plan to do asphalt patching this week on 130th as well as near Elm Creek Lake. He said they have an ad in the paper for help wanted for the asphalt crew. Eric said the fence around the new cell tower should be done today.
Eric said they received the John Deere skid steer back and said most of the repairs were under warranty. He said the motor went out of the 1997 bridge truck and said he received an estimate of $16,736 to fix this; he said it was purchased for approximately $31,023. He found a truck in Jackson, Mississippi to pull the low boy trailer, but said the 2015 for $39,000 has high mileage. Eric said he has looked locally for a replacement, but hasn’t found one. Jim said the County may have to pay a little more to get one with less miles. Eric said the John Deere with the side arm mower is in the shop for repairs.
Eric said on Wednesday he will be going to Linn County to meet with Jackie Messer to review their County software and to discuss grants and training.
Jayhawk Wind update: Eric said they were going to finish capping the roads today, but said the rain has delayed this. Jim asked where they bought their rock from; Eric said he wasn’t sure.
Eric and Jim Harris will be attending a meeting on Thursday with T&C Wildlife about their road.
The Commissioners received a Real Property Relief Application for Douglas and Debra Biernacki at 2326 Jayhawk Road, the home was destroyed by a fire on 2/10/2021. Clifton made a motion to approve the application, Jim seconded and all approved and signed the application.
Jesse Pohlmann met with the Commissioners via telephone regarding a noise ordinance for a shooting range located west of 69 Highway on 54 Highway. He said he understood this was a business, but said they are shooting here later at night. Justin Meeks said there are civil remedies for this and said there could be criminal remedy. Justin said he hadn’t looked to see if the County had a sound ordinance. Justin said the City of Fort Scott has ordinances and said this would be located within three miles of the City. Lynne asked Justin to look at the noise side of this, Justin said he would consult Mr. Farmer about this. The Commissioners will discuss this again on May 18th.
The Commissioners took a 10-minute break.
Justin Meeks discussed the tax sale; he said the County is receiving return receipts back. He said some people on the tax sale list are wanting to make sure their back taxes are paid. He said homes are selling in Bourbon County so the title company is busy.
Justin said he went to Redfield to view the housing development there regarding septic tanks; he said a septic tank isn’t doable for 3 of the parcels, since the smallest parcel the County has granted a variance for is .85 of an acre and said some of these lots are smaller than this. Justin said he will contact the attorney for Redfield. Jim questioned if a lagoon would be possible for these landowners; Justin said lagoons have to be maintained.
Justin said previously the Commissioners went into an executive session for acquisition for real property; he said he is still in negotiations with an individual, but said he is still working on a multi-use parking lot.
Susan Bancroft said the 2020 audit is scheduled for the week of May 10th. She said once this is completed, they will start talking about the 2022 budget.
Public Comment: Nancy Van Etten a resident of 764 195th met with the Commissioners, she said the Commissioners have talked about having work sessions for bridges and roads and said they needed to let the public have input on these subjects. She asked for an update on the sewer district interlocal agreement; Justin said he talked to Mr. Farmer last week and said he is working on this, Justin said he could get an update from him this week. Nancy said others are wanting to build in the area and will need an answer on this issue. Nancy invited everyone to attend the National Day of Prayer on Thursday.
Michael Hoyt said he wanted to give a shout out to Clifton since he objected last week to having a consultant for insurance; he said we didn’t need a consultant to tell us what we should do or what we should’ve done, he said there are a lot of resources in the Community. He said he gave the Commissioners information about advisory boards and said anything he would do with this issue would involve the voters and said he would get the citizens involved.
Anne Dare said she was surprised they were going to discuss zoning today, since the date of May 10th had been put out to discuss this; she questioned if this discussion was put out to the public. Clifton said this wasn’t a one and done discussion for zoning, he said they are a Commission that doesn’t work that way and said they try to do their research. He said he didn’t know of a lot of spot decisions made in the past.
Commissioner Comment: Jim said the Commissioners voted last week to remove the mask mandate, but said people needed to wear masks inside at the Transfer Station since there is an employee there with health issues that can’t be vaccinated. Justin said if the employee has requested this, the County needed to accommodate the employee, Jim said the employee requested others in the building wear a mask, Justin said the County can request this, but said the problem is enforcing this. Clifton suggested putting a sign up that said due to medical reasons, please wear a mask, Justin said this was reasonable. Eric Bailey said there was no reason anyone else needed to enter the building.
Lynne announced that the new Economic Development Director @ BWERKS would start May 10th and would be located on the 2nd floor at the Landmark Bank.
Jim said a citizen called him and wanted to meet; he said he would meet with this person, but would not be meeting as a Commissioner.
County zoning discussion: Lynne had previously asked Justin to look at zoning. Justin gave the Commissioner information regarding land use and development from the KAC website; he also gave them statutes to review (he said KSA 12-755, KSA 12-558, KSA 12-553-558 addresses zoning). Justin said implementing zoning is not an easy process. Justin said zoning is about land use, but said they can’t limit agricultural use. He said in order to get zoning started they could have a planning commission, could put the issue on the ballot or the Commissioners could implement zoning in the County. He said there are already Federal laws in place that limit some issues, (F.A.A., hog farming, rock quarries, etc.). Justin said there are both advantages and disadvantages to zoning. He said some people have moved to this County because we aren’t zoned and they want to use their properties as they see fit. He said code issues are different than zoning issues and said religion could become a part of zoning in Bourbon County. He said the flood plain issue controls a large portion of our County and said people have to have permits to build in a flood plain; Michael Hoyt said there are remedies for building in a flood plain. Justin said there is a fine line between growth and limiting it from happening. Clifton said he didn’t feel it was his responsibility to tell someone how to build a house. Jim Harris said codes are for people’s protection, but said they are very hard to enforce. Hoyt questioned if the ADM pipeline to the water treatment plant was permitted; Justin said he wasn’t sure, he said this was before his time and across the State line. Jim said he would be surprised if residents would want County-wide zoning, he said his goal as a Commissioner is that he wants people to fill out a special use permit so that the Commissioners can review the permits. Jim said that Lynne previously said the Commissioners couldn’t stop the windfarm if they wanted to, Justin said they couldn’t because the County wasn’t zoned. Justin said some things at the Windfarm were controlled by the next step up, (animals, F.A.A.), he said they have created some defacto zoning for the windfarm with setbacks. Lynne asked if we were going to target one industry, Justin said possibly yes and possibly no. Jim said none of them wanted to tell someone what to do with their property. Lynne said without the intervention of the public on the Windfarms we wouldn’t have gotten the contract we did. Justin said there was no way to stop an individual who signed a contract from building a structure on their property. Jim said his goal is to have an advisory committee and not just for windfarms, he said we needed to develop guidelines. Lora Holdridge said she grew up in the Country, but now lives in the City, she said she didn’t think they should be able to tell people living in the County what to do; she said the County needed to let every Bourbon County citizen know this discussion was going on. Justin said this is just a starting point and an open discussion. Jim said his goal is to make sure a tower isn’t built too close to a house. Justin said the southwest part of the County has restricted use regarding towers. Lynne said when they said they couldn’t stop the windfarm, they couldn’t stop it; Anne Dare questioned where is the line? She said we have got to look forward and said otherwise the Federal government will tell us what we are going to do with our own land. Justin said the next step is to have public hearings or to review statutes. Justin said local government can’t supersede a Federal statute. Clifton said he felt they needed to involve the public in this matter.
Lynne said they needed to have work sessions for hard surface roads, Jim said the County needed to plan for the future and for future expenses.
At 11:34, Jim made a motion to adjourn, Clifton seconded and all approved.
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
(ss) Lynne Oharah, Chairman
(ss) Jim Harris, Commissioner
(ss) Clifton Beth, Commissioner
ATTEST:
Kendell Mason, Bourbon County Clerk
May 11, 2021, Approved Date
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: May 18, 2021
Date: May 18, 2021
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District–Jim Harris Corrected: _______________________
3rd District-Clifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Kendell Mason
MEETING WILL BE HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM.
Call to Order
K-State Research and Extension Southwind District
Family Consumer Science News Column
Joy Miller
620-223-3720 or [email protected]
Release: May 14, 2021
COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Program, What Do You Need to Know?
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) began providing financial assistance for funeral expenses under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The Funeral Assistance program is one of the ever-evolving schemes to take advantage of a vulnerable economic moment. Read on to learn more about the Funeral Assistance Program and tips to avoid being scammed.
Beginning in April, survivors can apply for up to $9,000 in qualifying funeral expenses if a loved one past away after January 20, 2020 related to COVID-19.
To be eligible for the funeral assistance, applicants must meet these conditions.
Applicants may apply by calling 844-684-6333 (TTY: 800-462-7585) from 9a.m. to 9p.m. EDT, Monday through Friday. Multilingual services are available. No online applications will be accepted. Prior to calling, start gathering documents such as official death certificate, funeral expense receipts and contracts, and proof of funds received from other sources specifically used toward funeral costs. This information will need to be submitted after registering the application. Review the Funeral Assistance frequently asked questions page for qualifications, covered expenses, and information needed to apply at COVID-19 Funeral Assistance|FEMA.gov.
FEMA reports that scammers are contacting people and pretending to offer to register them for funeral expense benefits. To avoid government imposter scams, here are some tips:
If you get a scam call, hang up and report it to the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 or the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
For more information, contact Joy Miller at [email protected] or call 620.223.3720.
Larry and Vickie Shead are opening their farm next week for the community to view the organic homestead they have created.
All the Sheads will be helping on the day of the Organic Homestead Festival, including themselves, their adult children and their spouses, along with their 20 grandchildren.
The Organic Homestead Festival has several purposes.
“To share our family farm’s story-touring the farm, which will be laced with the history….to show our gardens, orchards, high tunnel, animals, bees and others, to supply ideas and information from what we learned in 43 years, to stir up interest in sustainable organic lifestyle, to sell products: produce, plants, kittens and poultry, to serve lunch for hungry people, to strengthen the community with other like-minded people and to sign-up for future classes,” Vickie said.
The event is scheduled for Saturday, May 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with single tickets-$5 or a family, $20.
A walking taco meal will be available for an additional $5.
To view a Shead YouTube on spring planting:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dk-j18Ox5Y
There will be a SheadStead Market Store with fresh produce picked that day, veggie powders-which add nutrients to any meal, Guatemala sun hats, egg-gathering aprons, and herbal salves.
In addition, they will be selling some of their animals: peacocks, turkeys, chicks, ducklings, and kittens.
“We have always been a farm where people would come to learn and help,” she said. “Now, we have seen an increase in people asking us for information on how to grow their own organic fruits and vegetables.”
“Gardening and homestead-type living off the land are becoming very appealing to many because of the uncertainty of our future and the number of chemicals farmers are using,” Vickie said. “Many are asking if we will teach them…to plant, harvest and preserve, which includes canning, dehydrating, and freezing, as well as have one’s own meat and eggs.”
“There will be lots of fun for the whole family,” she said. “Questions and answers session on sustainable organic lifestyle..for adults.”
“In the children’s areas, they can…milk a cow and learn how to churn cream into butter, pet the animals in the petting yard, take pictures in photo cut-outs, hear a story about working on a farm, gather eggs…play educational games and meet Kernal Corn himself!” Vickie said.
The Shead farm is located at 2468 Cavalry, Garland, south of Fort Scott.
For more information:http://sheadfarm.com or 620.224.4149.
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The group that set up an office on the second floor, above the Star Emporium Downtown General Store, 17 S. Main, has changed the name, but not services.
“The partners that made up the Bourbon County Workforce and Entrepreneur Resource Center (BWERC) have decided to name ourselves The Center for Economic Growth,” Jody Hoener, director of the center, said. “We have the same space, model, operations, and services that were provided before.” The one exception is the Bourbon County Commission is not a part of the partnership, she said.
“Our mission is to increase access to physical activity and healthy food, promote tobacco cessation, enhance the quality of life and encourage economic growth,” she said. “We wanted our program and name to tie directly to our mission.”
“The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team Board and our partners re-branded our collaborative efforts,” Hoener said. “Our work to build healthy communities and address the social determinants continues, with health and economic stability as the focus of the center.”
“Specifically, we are working with community members and our partners on economic stability,” she said.
“Priority is given to those businesses owned by low-income, minority, female, or veteran,” she said. “Pittsburg State University Small Business Development Center uses the U.S. Small Business Administration small business definition…typically 500 employees or less with less than $5m in profit in a two-year period.”
“Poverty and low income are drivers of poor health,” Hoener said. ” Bourbon County is a rural community… with higher rates of poverty. Our community has seen low investment and low upward mobility in employment. We are working to create economic opportunities to generate wealth and income for Bourbon County residents.”
The partner organizations are the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Fort Scott Community College, Kansas Works, Pittsburg State University’s Small Business Development Center, and BAJA Investments.
Hoener’s work as the Bourbon County Economic Director ended in March
Continue reading Center for Economic Growth: Focus on Health and Economic Stability
This Friday night, May 14th, the Chamber of Commerce Concert series at Heritage Park, will present The Hemphill Family and Friends Band. The group consists of Jack and Sandy Hemphill and their two adult children, Brad Hemphill and Kristen Weeks.
UMB Bank donates $2,000 from its community fund to support Bourbon County CASA. UMB is a proud sponsor and supporter of the local CASA program.
Bourbon County CASA, founded in May 1990, has provided advocates for over 900 local children who are victims of abuse and neglect. This would not be possible without the support of individuals and businesses such as UMB.
On Mother’s Day, we celebrated everything a mother does for her children. Mothers change their children’s diapers, fed them, teach them to walk, take them to school, protect them and so much more.
Sadly, not all children are so lucky to have a mother, or a mother figure, who can and will do these things for them.
When a child is placed in the state’s care because of evidence of abuse and neglect, a judge can appoint a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) to speak up for a child’s best interest by learning everything about the child’s situation. Often the CASA volunteer is the stability a child needs during this frightful time. CASA volunteers advocate for the child’s best interests in court and in the child welfare system when no one else can.
CASA volunteers are regular people — stay-at-home moms, retirees, teachers, business people. They don’t need to be lawyers or social workers. They just need to be willing to speak up for children in need just like a mother would for her child.
“CASA volunteers become that role model because they often are the one constant in a child’s life while he or she is in the foster care system,” said Horn.
You can help break the cycle of abuse from one generation to another. You can model what a good mother looks like by becoming a CASA volunteer or supporting Bourbon County CASA.
The next training class to become a CASA volunteer for Bourbon County CASA is spring 2022. More information can be found at nationalcasagal.org or by emailing [email protected].
The Center for Economic Growth (The Center) is giving individuals, living in a historically impoverished rural community, an opportunity for economic stability and wealth creation. Because of generous donations like these, critical services will continue to be provided to Bourbon County and City of Fort Scott residents and businesses free of charge. The Center provides expertise, business planning, financial projections, training and more with a focus on low to moderate-income, minority, woman-owned, or food-related business.
Economic stability represents an individual’s ability to access resources such as food, housing or healthcare, as well as creating a healthy business culture to help an employer attract and retain talent, reduce absenteeism and turnover, and improve productivity. “Since 2016, we have focused intently on our mission to enhance the quality of life and encourage economic growth in individuals,” Jody Hoener, President and CEO of The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, “Through this collaboration, we are increasing access to employment and entrepreneurship in a population that has lacked upward mobility in employment opportunities and access to capital.”
The Center for Economic Growth has an array of state, regional, and local partnerships that include: The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, PSU Small Business Development Center (PSU SBDC), Southeast KANSASWORKS, Fort Scott Community College, and BAJA Investments. “I am constantly impressed with how well each entity works together,” Dacia Clark, Assistant Director, PSU SBDC says, “This collaboration benefits our clients as a one-stop-shop for services. Because of The Center, Bourbon County is ahead of the pack and significantly contributing to our regional goals.” Through the Blue Cross Blue Shield Pathways to Healthy Kansas Grant, The Center has access to even more expertise and resources right at their fingertips.
According to Smart Growth America, in today’s world business growth is driven by collaboration among many types of entities, private companies, universities, and others, that must interact frequently and work together creatively. “UMB is excited to support the creative and innovative efforts of The Center for Economic Growth. We hope that our contribution will make a difference in the lives of individuals in our community.” Crystal Maddox, UMB Senior Vice President-Commercial Lender.
The Center is located in the Historic Downtown Fort Scott in the upstairs of 17 South Main Fort Scott KS. It is a “one-stop-shop” for business, employment, food, telework, and distance learning needs. Current businesses, and those looking to start a business, have a physical location to meet with a person. Additionally, services are available for those seeking employment, developing soft skills (i.e. interviewing), or other job-seeking assistance. Businesses are encouraged and welcome to contact Southeast KANSASWORKS to see how they can connect with those looking for employment.
An overview of services The Center provides Bourbon County:
• WORKERS & FAMILIES:
o Distance Learning and Telework Space
o Unemployment & Job Seeking Assistance
o Increasing Access to Healthy Food
o Building Capacity for Local Food Assistance
• ADDRESSING CHILDCARE:
o Relief in Fulfilling Educational Requirements for Centers
o Incentives for Becoming a Legal Childcare Provider
• BUSINESS TOOLS & TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE:
o Getting Businesses Online via new Websites & Social Media
o Loans & Grants
o Special COVID Programs & Resources
Find us on social media! On Facebook, Instagram and Twitter #healthybbco
Background of The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team:
The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team is a Blue Cross Blue Shield Pathways to Healthy
Kansas Community. Its mission is to increase access to healthy food and physical activity,
promote commercial tobacco cessation, enhance quality of life and encourage economic
growth. The problems of health inequity and social injustice are complex in nature and
inextricably linked to key economic indicators. A healthy workforce is a prerequisite for
economic success in any industry and in all cities.
Contact information:
Jody Hoener, President and CEO
The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, Inc
620-215-5725
[email protected]
Mary Hunt, Interim Operations Director
Southeast KANSASWorks
Desk: 620-232-1222
Cell: 620-670-0006
Website: www.sekworks.org
Dacia Clark, Assistant Director, PSU SBDC
[email protected]
785-445-2537
Lindsay Madison, President and CEO, The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
[email protected]
(620) 223-3566
