Chet and Linda Bower received news that they are a recipient of the Kansas SPARK Grant.
The Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Taskforce is leading Kansas forward in recovery from the effects of COVID-19. They are responsible for statewide distribution of the U.S. Coronavirus Relief Fund.
The Bowers own five acres northwest of Fort Scott, of which one acre is in garden produce.
The Bower’s grant will be used for repairing or updating farm equipment, Linda said. “The equipment must be repaired or purchased by Dec. 31, according to the grant.”
“This will allow us to effectively increase produce to supply to local people,” she said.
The Bower’s have been vendors at the Fort Scott Farmer’s Market for many years.
In addition, they supply produce to Papa Don’s Restaurant, Fort Scott and Emory’s Restaurant in Missouri.
“Excess produce is donated to the Beacon,” Linda said. “Also local assisted living facilities. We hate to throw anything away.”
The Fort Scott Farmer’s Market ends the last Saturday in October.
“Right now there is squash, tomatoes, watermelon, cucumbers, potatoes, zucchini, pumpkins, baked goods, pies, chicken, eggs, honey, and crafts,” Linda said.
The market is located on Skutbitz Plaza, in front of the Fort Scott National Historic Site, at the end of North Main Street.
The vendors set up shop on Tuesdays from 4-6 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.
Jody Hoener, Bourbon County Economic Development Director. Submitted photo.
The following is a statement from Jody Hoener, the Bourbon County Economic Director, in regards to recent activities of the Bourbon County Economic Development Corporation.
“Currently, there are three economic developers in our community. The City of Fort Scott employs two, with community and economic development directors, and Bourbon County employs me as the county-wide economic development director.
“Consolidating services between the City of Fort Scott and the County has been discussed in depth with departments like public works, human resources, and economic development.
A group of community members researched potential cost savings in addition to best practices as modeled by similar communities.
A recommendation was presented to BEDCO to develop a private/public partnership in order to consolidate economic development to one director, under a single entity, with broad representation from each of the six cities, the county, and taxing entities.
Bourbon County has committed to funding this position. I believe it is the hope that all entities, including the City of Fort Scott, will see the benefit in this model and participate likewise.
While I am fully aware that my current position will be eliminated, and have no preconceived notion that I will be gainfully employed in the new position, I fully support the decisions made by the county commissioners and BEDCO Board. I have been encouraged to apply for the new position, along with other incumbents in Bourbon County, once it is posted.
The move is in the best interest of the entire community and is one step in the right direction toward building a better business climate.
FORT SCOTT– The Fort Scott Area Community Foundation announces the recipients of the
12th annual granting cycle. This year, $36,250 is being awarded to 18 non-profits in the
community.
Of the total amount, $5,000 is restricted to youth projects. In total, the Foundation received requests for grants totaling $73,146.
“We have the privilege of seeing the heart and soul of our non-profits through the review of their grant applications. We read their goals to meet the most basic needs of our citizens from food, to
clothing, to just keeping on the lights and heat. And then, we read applications that represent aspirational goals to improve the quality of life we all treasure. It reaffirms to all of us the importance of the work of the Foundation through its granting program”, said Gregg Motley, chairperson of the granting committee.
Applicants were required to provide proof of their 501(c)3 status in order to be considered.
Additionally, applicants responded to questions regarding their programming and how it responds to the specific needs of the community.
They also provided a plan for the sustainability of the project, groups with whom they collaborate, and a budget.
The 18 non-profits receiving grants include
U-234 third grade music program,
City of Ft. Scott
Fire Department safety trailer refurbishing,
Beacon,
KSU Extension Aging with Attitude expo,
Ft. Scott/Bourbon County Riverfront Authority walking trail enhancements,
CASA volunteer training during pandemic,
Lowell Milken Center Ft. Scott Front Line Heroes,
Special Olympics Kansas meals for athletes,
Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition rent/utilities assistance,
Fort Scott Community College Martin Luther King celebration.
Other agencies receiving grants are
Care to Share transportation vouchers,
Gordon Parks Museum Learning Tree Film Trail,
City of Ft. Scott/Kiwanis friendship swing at park,
Faith Christian Center school supplies for all Ft. Scott students,
Pioneer Harvest Fiesta fairgrounds seating,
First United Methodist Church Feeding Families In His Name,
U-234 first grade virtual community experience, and
Compassionate Ministries ID and winter warming project.
The funds for these grants are derived from interest earned each year from the Foundation’s unrestricted endowment. Currently, this endowment stands at $650,677.
“It is through the generosity of our community that the unrestricted endowment has grown significantly to where we are today,” said Carla Farmer, FSACF chair. “The principal from this
endowment is never touched allowing the interest to be used in its entirety for grants to our
hardworking non-profits.”
The Good Works Forever Campaign, which begins in November, is the primary way in which citizens can contribute to the unrestricted endowed fund. For more information on how to make a gift to the Campaign call 620-224-6500 or visit fsacf.com.
A complete listing of the grants is available on fsacf.com.
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The American Legion Oratorical Contest exists to develop deeper knowledge and appreciation for the U.S. Constitution among high school students.
The overall national contest winner gets a $25,000 scholarship. Second place takes home $22,500, and third gets $20,000.
The American Legion assigns new topics based on Constitutional Amendments each year and all contestants must use the assigned national topics in their orations.
Your Fort Scott American Legion is seeking Bourbon County students to participate in a program to prepare for the February 2021 Fort Scott oratorical competition.
Interested students must be in grades 9 – 12 and can be enrolled in public, private or homeschooled.
Ideally, each oratorical contestant should be willing to meet one Saturday morning a month through January and present both an 8 – 10 minute prepared oration and a 3 -5 minute assigned topic to three judges, who will evaluate their orations and provide feedback to prepare for their next presentation.
There is no reason why a local Bourbon County student, with preparation, cannot go all the way to National for the top American Legion oratorical prizes.
The American Legion Oratorical competition is unique in that competitors can compete each year until they graduate high school or win the national competition.
Any student who is interested in participating in the local American Legion competition should email American Legion Post Commander Carl Jowers at 620.215.1688 or email him at [email protected] for more information.
Deadline to register to vote in the November National Election on November 3rd, is October 13th.
You can register to vote at the County Clerk’s Office, online at many websites.
BUT if you assistance to register, have any questions or concerns on residency, where to vote, former or pending criminal charges, your registration status – ANY CONCERN YOU HAVE THAT PREVENTS YOU FROM VOTING please call us at 620-222-0075, leave a confidential message with at least a phone number where we can reach you.
TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE but you may also write us at Advocates, P.O. Box 1009, Fort Scott, KS 66701, and we can assist to find answers at NO COST.
This is not legal advice nor is an attorney-client relationship implied. All information will be private and confidential.
2020 GORDON PARKS PHOTO CONTEST Sponsored by Merl Humphrey. The Theme “Social Justice, Diversity and Equity” for any amateur photographer. Deadline EXTENDED to 10/26/2020, send submission to [email protected].
GUIDED TOURS OF THE FORT DAILY, 10AM &1PMThe Fort Scott National Historic Site is open daily 8am-5pm for touring on your own, but arrive at 10am or 1pm on any day and take advantage of a guided tour with a park ranger! Guided tour lasts approx. 1 hour.
10/9 – Rotary Krispy Kreme Doughnut pickup! Memorial Hall from 6 to 10am, if you ordered Doughnuts for Dictionaries!
10/10 – FORT SCOTT FARMERS’ MARKET– At Skubitz Plaza in front of the Fort, 8am to noon. American Legion serving Breakfast on the Bricks starting at 8am.
10/10 –CRUISE NIGHT – last cruise night for the season! 6 pm -10 pm, route of 6th St. to 18th!
10/10-11 – EKTEC Rodeo, Saturday & Sunday, Bourbon County Fairgrounds, click here for more info.
10/10 – FSHS CLASS OF 2019- HONOR RAYMOND HARPER – 1 -2 pm, Balloon release memorial for classmate Raymond @ FSHS Football Stadium.
10/10- BOILER ROOM BREWHAUS! Brews & Brushes! 1 – 4 pm. We will be creating a painting that can last through the fall with those gorgeous trees we all love and a cute truck.
10/11 – BOILER ROOM BREWHAUS! Brings back Trivia night for teams of 2 to 6 people, $5 entry
10/15 ~ GENERAL ELECTION CANDIDATE FORUM. ~ Memorial Hall, Meet & Greet at 5:30 pm, and Forum starts at 6 pm
10/15 & 10/16 ~ BLOOD DRIVE – BRCC ~ Buck Run Community Center – Give life! 10/15 from 1-7pm & 10/16 from 9 am -1 pm.
10/16 ~ FREE GOSPEL FRIDAY NIGHT CONCERT First United Methodist Church. 7-9 pm. Blackwood Brothers in Concert singing Southern Gospel. This is a FREE concert!
10/17 FSCC HOSTS COOK’S CLINIC – Head Basketball Coach. Starts at 10 am to 1 pm. Michael Cook and other area High School & college coaches doing various drills and areas on emphasis. Arnold Arena at Fort Scott Community College.Day. $20 per person. Zoom Stream link of Cook’s Clinic available for $15 per viewer.
REGISTER FOR KANSASWORKS VIRTUAL JOB FAIR – NO COST TO EMPLOYERS!
COLOR GUARD NEEDED
Your Fort Scott American Legion Post 25 is being asked to provide funeral honors for more and more Veterans who are being interred not only in the Fort Scott National Cemetery but also in cemeteries in the local area.
As a member of the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary or Sons of the American Legion you are invited to join American Legion Post 25 Color Guard. Attendance at Legion meetings is not required to participate with the Color Guard. Some time, though, is needed to practice flag folding and presentation and other the other rituals performed by the Color.
As a Color Guard member, you would be contacted to assist in providing funeral honors for an area Veteran. If you are not available, then other Color Guard members would be contacted to assist with the flag presentation.
Sseveral photos are attached to show our Post Color Guard participating in flag presentations for recent funerals.
Remember, any current member of the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary or Sons of the American Legion can join the Post 25 Color Guard.
If you would like additional information about joining the Post 25 Color Guard, please call Color Guard Commander Darrell Spencer at 620.224.6720 or email [email protected].
Any area resident who may be eligible to join the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary or Sons of the American Legion, should contact Post 25 Commander Carl Jowers at 620.215.1688 for more information. Once you join the American Legion family, you can then join the Fort Scott American Legion Post 25 Color Guard.
SEK Financial is pleased to announce the addition of it’s sixth partner. Fort Scott native Mason Knopp recently completed his securities, regulatory, and insurance exams. Mason joins the experienced group at SEK Financial with representatives Jim Sather, Larry Davenport, Bob Campbell, Mitch Quick and Robert Tersinar.
Mason is a Fort Scott High School graduate, who completed his degree at Southeastern Louisiana University. Partner Larry Davenport commented “we are pleased to grow our firm with such a young professional person”. We think Mason is the right person at the right time.” Added Jim Sather.
Mason will specialize in a full range of individual and group retirement planning products. He will also provide life insurance and employee benefits for the SEK Financial client base. Mason can be reached at SEK Financial located at 399 Hudson, Fort Scott or via telephone at (620)223-5756.
Bronson, Fort Scott, Fulton, Mapleton, Redfield and Uniontown all benefit from the upcoming proposed 1-percent sales tax that will be on the Nov. 3 Bourbon County Ballot.
In fact, if the proposal fails to renew (the sales tax has been in place for years), cities will have to make hard decisions concerning services they can provide their communities, according to authorities.
Several community officials have responded with what the possible impact on their communities will be.
“If a no vote prevails, each entity receiving this sales tax would have troubling decisions that would set our communities back even further,” Fort Scott’s Financial Director Susan Bancroft said. “Some communities may be forced to raise property taxes to cover lost revenue and some may face having to make the decision to unincorporate.”
“Citizens may ask why a sales tax rather than a property tax,” Bancroft said. ” Local residents and nonresident consumers buying in Bourbon County share in the revenue generated from a sales tax. Essentially, visiting consumers help financially support improvements in our communities versus a property tax solely coming from Bourbon County residents.’
“Currently, The City of Fort Scott generates roughly $750,000 per year from the 1% sales tax,” Bancroft said. “Approximately 67% ($500,000) of the sales tax is used for the street department for operations and basic maintenance to our city streets.”
“Additionally, 20% of the sales tax supports any capital improvements needed for parks, public safety, recreational facilities and public buildings,” she said. “The remaining 13% of the sales tax supports general fund operations for things such as: public parks, municipal airport, Woodland Hills Golf Course, aquatic center, Buck Run Community Center and public safety.”
FS Commission Recent Change: 90% Will Go To Streets
“At the October 6th commission meeting, the (Fort Scott)City Commission made a bold decision to change their current allocations of the 1% countywide sales tax to the street department,” Bancroft said. “The current 67% will increase to 90%, and will be dedicated to the street department for operations and maintenance if the sales tax passes on November 3rd. The remaining 10% will be used to continue to fund public parks, public buildings, recreational facilities, and public safety.”
Graphic provided by Susan Bancroft.
Bronson, Fulton, Mapleton, Redfield and Uniontown use the portion of their sales tax to support general operations and are a significant part of their budgets, Bancroft said.
Bancroft broke down the following percentages for how much the countywide sales tax generates in each entity as a percentage of total revenue received:
Bourbon County 35%
Bronson 18%
Fort Scott 11%
Mapleton 29%
Redfield 27%
Uniontown 14%
“I encourage the citizens of Bourbon County to research the facts to understand the impact this vote could make on our county. The proposed sales tax is not a new sales tax. This sales tax is simply renewing the current sales tax in place, and for all entities, it is to support the day to day activities that keep our communities running.” Bancroft stated.
Bronson
“The City of Bronson relies on the countywide sales tax to supplement our general fund to reduce the burden on property taxpayers,” according to Bronson City Clerk Ellen Harper. “Our general fund pays, in full or in part, expenses for general operations of the city wages, liability insurance, street maintenance, community center, library and parks. We would lose over $25,000 a year, which may not seem like much, but for a small city it would be detrimental to our finances. An estimated loss of 18% revenue would mean an approximate increase of 43 mills if it were to be added to property taxes. We couldn’t put that kind of burden on our citizens. So many services and benefits would have to be cut.”
Uniontown
“The City of Uniontown receives approximately $22,000 annually from this tax,” Uniontown City Clerk Sally Johnson said. “These funds are deposited to the general fund to help fund our public services to our community. These funds have not been earmarked for specific projects but have been used to fund a portion of patch material for city streets, culverts, ditch repairs, street lighting, signal light at Hwy. 3 intersection, help maintain the community center and much more. The City of Uniontown would like for citizens to consider renewing this tax so we can continue to provide services to our community.”
Fort Scott
Fort Scott’s Finance Director Bancroft states “The City of Fort Scott depends heavily on the countywide sales tax. If the sales tax does not pass, the impact will be greater than the $750,000 generally generated from the sales tax. The $750,000 of sales tax will be lost revenue and an additional $500,000 will need to be cut from other areas to continue to supply the same essential operations and maintenance in the street department. This equates to 1.2 million dollars that would need to be cut if the countywide sales tax does not pass. Areas that would be affected are public safety, parks, economic development, recreational facilities, aquatic center and staffing.”
Susan Bancroft is the Fort Scott Finance Director. Submitted photo.
Fulton
“Without the allocation of funds to the City of Fulton that are obtained through this sales tax, we would be cutting our yearly general fund in half,” Misty Adams, Mayor of Fulton said. “This would not be operable for our small town. The loss of revenue would be a huge loss and devastation for our small town and many other small rural communities. We would be operating in the red by year-end and be seeking assistance from our county commissioners. Without the passing of the 1% sale tax, we residents would see an increase in our property taxes and for some, this would create a financial hardship. Many small rural towns are housed by retirees who are budgeting their monthly expenses and are on fixed income, so increase in expenses is not what we are looking to do.”
The sales tax will appear on the Bourbon County November 3, 2020 ballot, as follows (taken from the county’s website):
Shall the following be adopted?
Shall Bourbon County, Kansas, levy (renew) a one percent countywide retailers’ sales tax to take effect on July 1, 2021, and expire on June 30, 2031, with the allocated shares pursuant to K.S.A. 2019 Supp. 12-192 to be used as follows: (1) to Bourbon County, for the purpose of maintenance and construction of hard surface roads, and (2) to each city located in Bourbon County, for the purpose of providing funding for public services?
To vote in favor of any question submitted upon the ballot, darken
the oval to the left of the word “YES”; to vote against it, darken
Thursday. October 8. American Legion Auxiliary Unit 25 meets at 6 pm in Fort Scott’s Memorial Hall. The meeting is open to members and guests and prospective members who are eligible to join the American Legion Auxiliary. Call American Legion Fort Scott Unit 25 President Sylvia Norris at 620.215.1688 for more information about joining the American Legion Auxiliary.
Thursday. October 8. American Legion Post 25 Color Guard meets at 7 pm in Fort Scott’s Memorial Hall. The meeting is open to members and guests and prospective members who are eligible to join the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary or Sons of the American Legion. Call Color Guard Commander Darrell Spencer at 620-224-6720 for more information about joining the American Legion Post 25 Color Guard.
Saturday. October 10. Breakfast on the Bricks by the Fort Scott American Legion Color Guard starts at 8 am
All members, prospective members and guests are invited to American Legion meetings.
Any female who has or had a family member in military service can join the American Legion Auxiliary. This includes those parents, grandparents, siblings and children who served our nation.
Your Fort Scott American Legion Post 25 has been also busy in the last week providing services to our community.
Attached are photographs of the recent Breakfast on the Bricks hosted by the Fort Scott American Legion Auxiliary Unit 25. Shown in the photo are Auxiliary Members Mary Jean Hart, Linda Beltz and Michelle Lyon and Legionnaire Ron Beltz.
A photograph of three American Legion Chapter 25 Riders preparing for an escort of Navy Veteran Norman Gideon to the National Cemetery. Shown are Riders Darell “pup” Spencer, Myra “Sassy” Jowers and Jake “Blue Duck” Campbell.
A special thanks to Sheriff Bill Martin for arranging a police escort for Veteran Norman Gideon from the southern Bourbon County line to the National Cemetery
A photograph of two American Legion bulletin boards placed at the Fort Scott VA Clinic. The bulletin boards were provided by the Fort Scott American Legion Auxiliary Unit 25. Legionnaire Bob Matthews and Auxiliary member Tanya Lowe installed the bulletin board.
All photographs courtesy of Fort Scott American Legion Post Commander Carl Jowers.
The sales tax that is up for renewal on the November 3 General Election has been in place for 20 years, according to Bourbon County Commissioner Lynne Oharah.
“(It) is essential for the maintenance and improvement of the hard service road system in Bourbon County which is around 140 miles,” he said.
“Thirty-five percent of the Bourbon County Public Works Department budget comes from this sale tax revenue and (it) can only be used on hard service roads within the county,” Oharah said.
“The total (tax collected) is about $2 million for the county and all the cities in the county,” Oharah said. “Our part is used for our hard surface road program, about $1,100,000 per year, for maintaining and improving our hard surface roads.”
The county gets one-half of the sales tax, the rest goes to the other cities in the county, he said.
Hard surface roads include mowing 280 miles of ditches at least three times a year; ice and snow removal and application of brim/chip application for better traction, pothole repair, maintaining easements which includes ditching, equipment updates, side trim of rights-of-way and replacing culverts into people’s property, he said.
“With a sales tax, everyone pays, which includes out-of-county residents that use our county road system,” Oharah said. “This responsibility to maintain and repair hard services roads in Bourbon County does not fall on to the property owner of Bourbon County.”
The Bourbon County Road Service Department has costs below the standard for the industry, he said.
“You get more roadwork for less cost,” Oharah said.
“Norm Bowers, who is a retired engineer and surveyor and teaches at the University of Kansas Transportation Center, did a study on Bourbon County asphalt program, a year or two ago, and indicated the average cost per ton for asphalt applied to hard service road in Bourbon County is $90 per ton and the average per ton in the open market for Bourbon County to hire a contractor is $180 per ton to apply the product to the hard service road,” he said.
Oharah said the following are county costs for roads.
$30,000 to $35,000 for 1-inch overlay per mile in Bourbon County.
$13,000 for chip and seal of hard service road per mile in Bourbon County.
$80,000 to $110,000 per mile for a 3-inch new road service per mile, which includes most of the prep work in Bourbon County.
“Bourbon County can produce chips for hard surface roads, snow and ice safety for about $4 dollars a ton which is under half the cost of retail,” Oharah said. “This is a huge saving to the Bourbon County citizens. Its over $10 in the marketplace.”
The sales tax will appear on the Bourbon County November 3, 2020, as follows (taken from the county’s website):
Shall the following be adopted?
Shall Bourbon County, Kansas, levy (renew) a one percent countywide retailers’ sales tax to take effect on July 1, 2021, and expire on June 30, 2031, with the allocated shares pursuant to K.S.A. 2019 Supp. 12-192 to be used as follows: (1) to Bourbon County, for the purpose of maintenance and construction of hard surface roads, and (2) to each city located in Bourbon County, for the purpose of providing funding for public services?
To vote in favor of any question submitted upon the ballot, darken
the oval to the left of the word “YES”; to vote against it, darken
Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas is offering a drive-through flu shot clinic on Saturday, October 10, from 9AM – 3PM at its Fort Scott clinic at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd.
There is no out-of-pocket cost for participants. The drive-through flu clinic is recommended for everyone two years of age and older, with rare exceptions, because it is an effective way to decrease flu illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths.
Upon entering the drive-through, participants are asked to wear a facemask to protect CHC/SEK staff. To help keep the vaccination line moving, please wear clothing where your shoulder is easily exposed.
Getting a flu vaccine this fall will be more important than ever, not only to reduce your risk from flu but also to conserve potentially scarce health care resources. This is a standard-dose inactivated flu vaccine; CHC/SEK does not have high-dose available at this time.
At CHC/SEK, flu shots remain available at all clinics, and, there is no out-of-pocket cost for receiving a flu shot. For those with health insurance, their insurance is billed for the service; however, no money will be collected from participants regardless of their insurance status. By getting a flu shot now, you will protect yourself and your family and friends!
Getting an annual flu shot, and good health habits like washing your hands can help stop germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
Covering the mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing may prevent those around you from getting sick. Make it a habit to clean and disinfect commonly used surfaces in your home, school or office. Flu vaccines and good hand hygiene are still the go-to recommendations for prevention; however, public health officials say it is just as important to contain the virus, which means staying home when you are sick.
