The Commissioners held a special meeting at 9 a.m. Feb. 7 to discuss the weather conditions.
Following discussion the following motion was made:
Commissioner Lynne Oharah made a motion not to close the Bourbon County Courthouse. If an employee doesn’t work, vacation time or take unpaid time off can be taken.
Commissioner Nick Ruhl seconded and the motion passed.
There will be an emergency meeting today, Feb. 7 at 9 a.m. at the Bourbon County Commission room at the courthouse.
The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the weather conditions.
Tobacco addiction is being addressed locally.
“Right now Bourbon County has the 4th worst ranking for tobacco use in the state. Tobacco users cost employers $5, 816 in annual excess cost than non-tobacco users (Berman et al, 2014). What strategies have shown to make the largest impact? Counseling and Medication,” according to Jody Hoener. “Thank you to everyone who has signed up for the Tobacco Cessation Specialist Training, all free spots are filled, but you are still welcome to register to attend and we can invoice you the cost, $950. Other research and resources can be found through the Partners in Quitting Program and KANQUIT!”
“Based on last week’s Workwell KS Workshop on Tobacco Cessation, held at the Empress Event Center, we will see two more worksites implementing tobacco-free policies in addition to Peerless and FSCC. Please let me know if you are interested in making this policy change and we can send you a template and work with you through the process.”
The following is a press release from Hoener.
In 2018, The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team (HBCAT) conducted a survey to examine the perceptions of Bourbon County community members about the issues of healthy eating, active living, and tobacco cessation.
The survey was a part of the Pathways to a Healthy Kansas grant that was received by the HBCAT in coordination with Mercy Hospital and the City of Fort Scott.
Pathways is a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas initiative.
HBCAT thanks the 244 community members who took the time to complete the survey. Here are a few key findings from the survey results.
Tobacco Free Policies: Most survey respondents support tobacco-free policies in local parks, school grounds, and worksites.
Action being taken: Research shows the two most important factors to tobacco cessation is medication and counseling. The HBCAT will work with worksites, local healthcare, schools, and community policy to encourage evidence-based solutions and promote healthy environments.
Finding #2: Almost 80 percent of respondents didn’t think that our community had adequate street lighting for walking at night.
Action being taken: Through our schools, worksites, and community policy pathways we are working to improve access to outdoor recreation. Formal assessments have been completed, and planning is in place to apply for funding to implement strategies at several locations throughout the community to encourage safe non-motorized transportation and physical activity.
Finding #3: Almost 80 percent of respondents are familiar with the U.S. recommendations for adult fruit and vegetable consumption but less than half of them reported meeting those guidelines.
Action being taken: The HBCAT spearheaded the inception of the Bourbon County Food Alliance and that alliance is instrumental in our work, “The Bourbon County Food Alliance is focusing on supporting the Farmers Market and looking for opportunities to increase patrons and vendors,” Robert Uhler, City of Fort Scott Community Development Director.
For more information about the survey or the Pathways initiative, contact: Jody Hoener, (620)215-5725 or at [email protected] Find us on Facebook or Twitter at @Healthybbco 0
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: February 5th, 2019
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________
3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Kendell Mason
9:00 Wellness Update
9:15-10:00-Jim Harris
10:30-Employee Questionnaire
11:00-12:00-Justin Meeks
12:00-1:30-Commissioners gone to lunch.
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: January 29th, 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-Employee Questionnaire
10:30-David Neville-Executive Session-non elected personnel-15 minutes
11:00-12:00-Justin Meeks
12:00-1:30-Commissioners gone to lunch.
January 26 is the final day to order, with pick-up on Feb. 2.
We are in the countdown for enchilada sales! We’re encouraging all YPL-ers to push hard and continue to promote our fundraiser until the (extended) date of Saturday, January 26.
Orders can be taken on the form (collect cash or check at the time of ordering) or entered into the online system at www.ypl-bbco.org/enchiladas/ but don’t do both or it will duplicate the orders. Enchiladas are $20 a dozen. Pick-up is Feb 2.
Send a pic of your order form to [email protected] and make arrangements to drop off the money.
We are excited about this worthwhile activity and are proud to support the Beacon in Fort Scott.
Contact Laura Agee with any questions: [email protected] or 949-274-6514.
Recognized by KDHE and the Governor’s Council on Fitness
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and Candice McField of the Governor’s Council on Fitness presented the 2019 Kansas Health Champion awards at a luncheon today during the Community Health Promotion Summit in Manhattan. The Health Champion Award was developed by the Governor’s Council on Fitness to recognize and promote exemplary contributions to fitness in Kansas.
“Eligible nominees include volunteers, schools, communities, employers, media organizations and policy makers that put forth exceptional efforts to model, encourage, and promote fitness in Kansas,” said Awards Committee Chair, Candice McField. “The winners were selected from the nominations of several worthy candidates in each category”.
This year’s winners were:
Health Champions
Pastor Adrion Roberson serves as co-pastor of the Berean Fellowship Church in Kansas City, Kansas. And CEO/Co-Founder of KC United! Youth Sports & Education Initiative. In 2008, it all started as the Wyandotte County Youth Football and Cheer. As of 2016 KCU! has evolved into the Mary Ann Flunder Summer STEAM Sports & Arts Camp. For the parents and guardians of the participants, he has started the GAMECHANGERS program. Under his leadership, he is developing an idea for a year-round after-school program that will help strengthen student/athletes and students who love the arts in the S.T.E.A.M. disciplines. Lastly, he has a vision for the old Indian Springs Mall that will transform it into a youth sports tourism/community revitalization center focused on among other things strengthening the ‘holistic health’ of the city. Lenton Bailey Jr. who nominated Pastor Roberson for the award said, “Although at times the challenge has been great, he has remained committed to his vision of creating the healthiest community in Kansas”. Throughout, his time with the organization KC United! has given over 5,000 youth and parents with a higher level of community engagement. His partnerships with dietitians, local healthcare programs and various wrap around services, ensure that those who attend the organization’s summer camps receive a healthy breakfast and lunch each day.
The Monarch Cement Company places immense value on their employees and their overall health. They have an onsite clinic for employees and dependents. The clinic offers basic labs, medications, and immunizations at no cost with over 86% using the clinic in one way or another. Monarch is a WorkWell Kansas worksite and in 2017, a primary focus became physical activity. Every employee received training on proper stretching, and the company has a designated walking path in the corporate office. Elizabeth Ablah who nominated the organization remarked, “Improvements have been made, and are continuing to be made, which will have a lasting impact on the lives of Monarch’s employees, families and their community for a long time to come.” Interest by employees in other physical activities, like pickleball, has spread over to the community; where the local recreation department is developing plans to put pickleball courts in the city park and even offered equipment to the local elementary school.
Honorable Mentions
Jody Hoener is the grant coordinator for the Pathways to a Healthy Kansas Grant Coordinator and serves as Bourbon County’s Economic Development Director. Under her leadership, she has taken her county to the tops of the charts in terms of making impactful change to improve the health and fitness of her friends and neighbors. She has made great strides working with worksites. “Jody’s work will contribute to improving the health for more than 1,800 people,” said Elizabeth Ablah who nominated Jody for the award “that is not even counting the residual effect it will have on families and the neighborhood at large.” Aside from working in her own community, as a WorkWell Kansas champion, she also takes times to support others across the state who are working on similar projects.
The city of Emporia has been hard at work making improvements to encourage more physical activity in their community. In March, they adopted an ordinance banning all tobacco and electronic cigarettes on playgrounds and at youth sporting events. Ongoing events welcomed by the city such as Dirty Kanza and Disc Golf, both internationally known and recognized, have resulted in large groups of community members who come to take part in one or both activities. In August, the city expressed support for the Safe Routes to Healthy Food Access resolution that will now offer biking and walking infrastructure to help people get safely to and from grocery stores and farmers markets in low access areas. “Their willingness to support, expand and advocate for public health can be a model for other communities across the state,” said Theresa Briggs of Healthier Lyon County who also nominated the city for the award.
“Congratulations, to these fine individuals and organizations and their support in being exceptional in their efforts to model, encourage, and promote fitness in Kansas,” said McField.
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Date: January 25th, 2019
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________
3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Kendell Mason
3:00-Special Meeting-Executive Session-Attorney-Client Privileged
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2019 Kansas Health Champion Awards Luncheon Set for Thursday
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Governor’s Council on Fitness will host an awards luncheon, honoring the 2019 Kansas Health Champions at the Bluemont Hotel (Hartford room) in Manhattan on Thursday, Jan. 24 at noon. This marks the seventh year of presenting the Kansas Health Champion awards.
Individuals invited to the awards luncheon include Governor Laura Kelly, KDHE Interim Secretary Lee Norman, M.D., Pastor Adrion Roberson of Kansas City, Kansas, Jody Hoener of Ft. Scott, Judy Works of Humboldt and Mayor Danny Giefer and City Manager Mark McAnarney of Emporia.
After presentation of awards the champions will share a brief presentation on their efforts in modeling, encouraging, and promoting fitness in Kansas.
WHO: KDHE, The Governor’s Council on Fitness and guests
WHAT: 2019 Kansas Health Champion Award luncheon at the Bluemont Hotel
WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 24, Noon – 1:00p.m.
WHERE: Bluemont Hotel, 1212 Bluemont Ave, Manhattan, Hartford Rm (second floor)
Senior Cyber Café
Learn to use your tablet, smartphone
It’s time to turn the table and stop asking your children or grandchildren for help with your tablet or smartphone. Learn how to navigate your device at a free event at Fort Scott Presbyterian Village.
Your children and grandchildren will be coming to you for assistance after this seminar! We’ll cover the basics, like sending emails, downloading attachments, sharing photos and searching Google. We’ll also address some advanced topics, like how to use maps and which apps to download to make your life easier.
“Senior Cyber Café – Navigating Smartphones and Tablets” will begin at 2:30 p.m. January 31 at Ft. Scott Village at 2401 S Horton St. The talk is part of Presbyterian Manor’s Just Ask series, a free, ongoing lifelong learning program featuring information from local, regional and national experts on topics of interest to older adults and their families.
Space is limited. RSVP by January 30 to Becky Kellum by calling 620-223-5550 or emailing [email protected].
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Fort Scott Presbyterian Village has served Bourbon County since 1994 with independent and assisted living. Learn more at FortScottPresbyterianVillage.org. Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization with 18 locations in Missouri and Kansas. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org.
