There will be an organizational meeting for a Sons of the American Legion (SAL) Squadron on Saturday, October 20 at 10 am. The meeting will be held downstairs in Fort Scott’s Memorial Hall and is open to any male descendant of an honorably discharged Veteran.
The Sons of the American Legion Squadron is a part of the American Legion family, but it develops its own local community service programs and projects. The SAL offers an opportunity for the sons and grandsons of Veterans to honor their Veteran ancestor while giving back to the community.
Sons, grandsons and great-grandsons of honorably discharged Veterans are eligible for SAL membership.
SAL membership eligibility can be confusing as I cannot join the SAL though my own military service. My SAL eligibility is through my grandfather’s military service in World War 1. My sons and grandsons can join the SAL through my military service.
If you have any questions about joining the SAL or if you have questions about your eligibility, email me at [email protected] or call me at 904.553.1848.
I look forward to you joining us on Saturday, October 20 as we charter this newest organization supporting the Veterans and citizens of Bourbon County.
If you wish to join the SAL , but are unable to attend our organizational meeting, please contact me. God, family and work should always come before Legion activities. I will work with you on your membership application.
Feel free to share this email with family and friends who may be interested in the Sons of the American Legion.
October 16. Tuesday. American Legion Post 25 Commander Carl Jowers has office hours at Memorial Hall from 9 – 10 am. Carl is available to discuss any suggestions or concerns you may have about Post 25, Veterans issues in general or just to help solve world problems. Carl will meet with you at other times by emailing him at [email protected] or calling him at 904.553.1848 to schedule an appointment.
October 16. Tuesday. American Legion Service Officer Myra Jowers is at Memorial Hall from 9 – 10 am. Myra is available to assist you with questions about your VA claims or paperwork. This free service is for ANY Veteran or family member who may have questions about starting a VA claim or have questions about next steps.
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She is not allowed to complete your forms for you, but rather provide guidance and directions in pursuing your claims. She will meet with you at other times by emailing her at [email protected] to schedule an appointment.
October 20. Saturday. Organizational meeting for Sons of the American Legion (SAL) Squadron. Sons and grandsons of current or deceased Legion members are eligible for to join the SAL. Sons and grandsons of honorably discharged Veterans are eligible to join as well.
SAL membership eligibility can be confusing as I cannot join the SAL because I am a Veteran. My SAL eligibility is through my grandfather’s military service in World War 1. My sons and grandsons can join the SAL because of my military service. Email me with any questions about eligibility to join this Legion family program.
We will be meeting downstairs in Fort Scott’s Memorial Hall at 10 am to charter the unit.
The Sons of the American Legion are part of the American Legion family. More information about the SAL is available at https://www.legion.org/sons
This is an opportunity for the sons and grandsons of Veterans to honor their Veteran ancestor while giving back to the community.
Please reply to this email if I can count on you or a male descendant to join the SAL.
October 23. Tuesday. American Legion Post 25 Commander Carl Jowers has office hours at Memorial Hall from 9 – 11 am. Carl is available to discuss any suggestions or concerns you may have about Post 25, Veterans issues in general or just to help solve world problems. Carl will meet with you at other times by emailing him at [email protected] or calling him at 904.553.1848 to schedule an appointment.
October 23. Tuesday. American Legion Service Officer Myra Jowers is at Memorial Hall from 9 – 11 am. Myra is available to assist you with questions about your VA claims or paperwork. This free service is for ANY Veteran or family member who may have questions about starting a VA claim or have questions about next steps.
October 25. Post 25 Color Guard meets in Memorial Hall at 7 pm. The Post 25 Color Guard is open to all Post 25 members.
October 27th. 2nd District Commander Homecoming in Blue Mound. See attached flyer for details. All Post 25 Legionnaires are invited to attend.
November 9 – 11. Veterans weekend in Fort Scott.
November 9. Friday evening, 5pm: Reception @ Boiler Room Brewhaus, 2 S. National Ave.
November 9. Saturday, 10am: Veterans Day Program @ Memorial Hall, 1 E. 3rd St.
November 10. Saturday, 12 – 4 PM. “A Gathering of Veterans” at VFW Post 1165 for fellowship and camaraderie.
November 10. Saturday, 5 pm: Veterans Day Parade in Downtown Fort Scott. All Veterans are encouraged to participate. Transportation will be available for those unable to walk in the parade.
November 10. Saturday, 7pm: 1800’s Grand Ball @ Memorial Hall, 1 E. 3rd St.
Clickhere to purchase Grand Ball tickets online,
or purchase in person at the Chamber or over the phone at 620-223-3566.
November 11. Sunday, 9am: Veterans Church Service @ Community Christian Church, 1919 S. Horton St.
November 11. Sunday, 11am: Veterans Day Service @ US National Cemetery No. 1, 900 E. National Ave.
November 11. Sunday, 12pm: Lunch @ VFW, 1745 S. National Ave.
This part of a series on the candidates for the November 6 election.
Secretary of State (vote for one)
Brian “BAM” McClendon1200 Oread Avenue #703 Lawrence 66044 Democratic
Scott Schwab 14953 W 140th Terr. Olathe 66062 Republican
Rob Hodgkinson 7111 W 151st St #104 Overland Park 66223 Libertarian
Name: Rob Hodgkinson
Age: 59
Candidate for the position of Kansas Secretary of State
Place of residence: Stilwell Kansas
Current occupation: Realtor
Community involvement: Immediate past State Chair for the Libertarian Party of Kansas
Party affiliation: Libertarian
1) What is the biggest issue, if elected, and how do you plan to address it?
Improve transparency of the office.
Making elections accessible, accountable and secure.
I see this in three parts for elections – voter registration, voter participation and numbers of candidates. Voter registration needs to be much simpler/easier than in the past. Voter participation needs to increase candidates: I love the fact we have five candidates in the governor’s race this year – I will work to have many candidates all the way through the ballot. When we have many candidates, rather than throwing mud and being negative, we get the chance to hear about issues.
Strengthen the new regulations for audits in elections (effective 1/2019). The current wording of the audit requirements leaves a lot of wiggle room as to how they will be done.
Ending Crosscheck, this program is faulty and not used by all 50 states making its intended purpose useless
.
Lobbying to have the election commissioner of the four big counties election offices locally elected rather than being appointed by the Secretary of State.
Updating the KSSoS website, today it is not mobile friendly, the navigation is awkward, and is hard to read due to too much legal language being used rather than plain tone it should use.
I believe the KSSoS can do a similar thing to what the State Treasurer does with the 529 college savings plans to help improve voter registrations and voter turnout, that is to make public announcements about voting: Here is how you register to vote, here are the important dates, remember that there is an early voting option that can be used, etc.
2)Give your views on food sales tax:
As Secretary of State, I cannot affect this issue
3) Give your views on legalizing marijuana:
As Secretary of State, I cannot affect this issue
4) Give your views on health care for our state, including Medicaid:
As Secretary of State, I cannot affect this issue
5) Give views on abortion and Planned Parenthood:
As Secretary of State, I cannot affect this issue
6). Why should voters consider you the most qualified candidate? What in your background most prepares you to serve in this office?
I have an IT background with experience being responsible for a company’s entire IT/IS enterprise. I also have small business experience and an exterior remodeling company I was a partner/owner in; tripled in size during the recession. I have election experience from a third party “Outsider” perspective. I will not be wearing the uniform of one of the 2 big political parties We need the KSSoS office to be fair in its election dispute settlements to Kansans, not parties.
This is part of a series introducing the candidates in the November 6 election.
Patty Love does not have a challenger in the election.
Name: Patricia (Patty) Love
Candidate for the position of Bourbon County Treasurer
Place of residence: Fort Scott, Kansas
Current occupation: Bourbon County Treasurer
Community Involvement: Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, Bourbon County Republican Committee, Kansas County Treasurers Association
Party affiliation: Republican
What is the biggest issue, if elected, and do you plan to address it?
The biggest issue that Bourbon County currently faces is the high property and vehicle taxes. It is my goal as county treasurer to make sure that tax collection and vehicle registrations are carried out in an accurate, courteous and efficient manner while keeping office expense within budget and cut expenses where possible.
This is part of a series on introducing the candidates for the November 6 election.
Kansas Senate, 13th District (vote for one)
Bryan Hoffman 370 N. 250th St. Mulberry 66756 Democratic
Richard Hilderbrand 10337 SE 107th Terr. Galena 66763 Republican
Sam Habjan 300 N Cherokee St. Frontenac 66763 Libertarian
Name: Bryan Hoffman
Age: 35
Candidate for the position of Kansas Senate District 13
Place of residence: Mulberry, KS
Current occupation: Job Superintendent – Construction of Roads and Bridges
Community involvement: I have coached little league and I am a member of the producers cooperative in Girard.
Party affiliation: Democrat
1) What is the biggest issue, if elected, and how do you plan to address it?
The biggest issue is expanding access to affordable healthcare with Medicaid expansion. Southeast Kansas needs a leader who will fight to provide Southeast Kansans with access to healthcare by protecting our community hospitals and clinics. We must ensure federal tax dollars paid by Kansas taxpayers are returned and invested right here at home.
2) Give your views on food sales tax:
Kansas has the highest food sales tax in the country, and that’s not okay. I am in favor of lowering the food sales tax rate in order to reduce the burden on hardworking Kansas families.
3) Give your views on legalizing marijuana:
I would be willing to consider legalizing the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. I would not be in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana.
4) Give your views on health care for our state, including Medicaid:
Providing Southeast Kansans with access to affordable healthcare means a healthier and more productive workforce. I support expanding Medicaid. In addition to providing more Kansans with access to healthcare, it creates more good-paying jobs and stimulates our economy.
5) Give views on abortion and Planned Parenthood:
I am pro-life. However, abortion is a federal issue because Roe v. Wade is the law of the land.
This is part of a series introducing the candidates for the November 6 election.
Kansas Senate, 13th District (vote for one)
Bryan Hoffman 370 N. 250th St. Mulberry 66756 Democratic
Richard Hilderbrand 10337 SE 107th Terr. Galena 66763 Republican
Sam Habjan 300 N Cherokee St. Frontenac 66763 Libertarian
Name: Richard Hilderbrand
Age: 49
Candidate for the position of Kansas State Senate, District 13
Place of residence: Galena, KS
Current occupation: Small Business Owner
Community involvement: Local Business Owner, Economic Development, Lions Club, Masonic Lodge #71
Party affiliation: Republican
1) What is the biggest issue, if elected, and how do you plan to address it?
We need fiscal accountability in Topeka.
The biggest issue that we are facing in Kansas is the out of control spending and high taxes. I will continue to fight against the out of control spending budgets that increase spending by $1.1 billion; continue to rob $355 million from our employee’s retirement, and $580 million from our highway funding; cuts $114 million from education funding, and still out spends our revenue by $304 million over two years. I will continue to fight to lower taxes in the state of Kansas, especially our high property taxes, and sales tax.
2 )Give your views on food sales tax:
We are 1 of only 12 states that tax food sales. We have the second highest food sales tax in the nation. This is just down right embarrassing. We have to control our state spending so that we can lower this.
3) Give your views on legalizing marijuana:
I do no support it.
4) Give your views on health care for our state, including Medicaid:
Healthcare like everything else, is becoming more urbanized.
When Obamacare was passed, it cut reimbursement rates for our elderly and disabled by $1 trillion to set up Medicaid expansion to the able-bodied. We have to restore those cuts, so that we can give the most vulnerable the care that they need. We have to continue to cut regulations on hospitals so that they can offer more services in rural areas, such as telemedicine.
5) Give views on abortion and Planned Parenthood:
I am endorsed by Kansans For Life. I would vote in favor of any legislation that would ban, or make it more difficult to kill an innocent unborn child. I don’t have any positive views on Planned Parenthood.
Jake Steinfeld, Chairman of the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils, along with students and local dignitaries cut the ribbon on Uniontown’s new $100,000 DON’T QUIT! Fitness Center, during a ceremony in the West Bourbon Elementary School gym.
During the opening speech before the students, teachers, and guests, Steinfeld said that exercise helps students stay focused and therefore improves student learning.
He encouraged the students to stay active their whole lives.
“When you have your health and you have hope, that’s what I believe the American dream is all about,” Steinfeld said.
The opening of the new USD 235 Fitness Center created excitement at the West Bourbon Elementary School Thursday morning, not only for students but the Uniontown community.
The reason: Community members will be using the equipment in the future, as well as students.
Last month USD 235 Superintendent Brett Howard was uncertain if the community would be able to use the equipment in addition to the students as originally planned, due to liability insurance issues.
The insurance issues were resolved at the board meeting this week, WBE Principal Vance Eden, said in an interview.
In a later email to fortscott.biz, Eden said community members will need to come to the office of WBE to pay and get their card for the fitness center from him.
The details of the public use of the fitness center will be worked on this week, and it will be open to the public next week, according to Howard in an interview.
The ceremony moved from the elementary school gym to the site of the new fitness center across the road at the junior high school, where the ribbon cutting took place. The center is housed in the former library of the school.
The USD 235 students starting at 4th grade will begin using the facility next week, Physical Education Teacher Jackie Hall said.
“We are so excited for our kids to have this opportunity,” she said.
This is part of a series of responses from candidates for the Nov. 6, 2018 election. There are two people running for 2nd District Representative.
State Representative, 2nd District (vote for one)
Adam J. Lusker Sr. 452 S. 210th St. Frontenac 66763 Democratic
Kenneth Collins 102 E. 1st Street Mulberry 66756 Republican
These are Ken Collins responses:
Name: Ken Collins
Age:55
Candidate for the position of: Second District Kansas State Representative
Place of residence: Mulberry, Kansas
Current occupation: Retired from AT&T and working to establish a convenience store business.
Community involvement: Adjutant of American Legion Post 176 in Mulberry.
Party affiliation: Republican
1) What is the biggest issue, if elected, and how do you plan to address it?
An important issue for me is economic growth in Southeast Kansas. I plan to advocate for continuing improvements on US Highway 69 and to look for ways to reduce taxes including sales, gasoline property and income taxes. We are in competition with neighboring states in several ways so we need to keep our tax rates as low as possible.
2)Give your views on food sales tax:
We need to try to find a way to lower sales tax, especially on groceries. Many states have reduced sales tax rates for food. A large percentage of Kansans live in close proximity to Missouri so we are losing business when consumers choose to cross the state line to shop. Missouri’s sales tax rate for groceries is 1.23% as compared to our basic rate of 6.5%. on all items including food.
3) Give your views on legalizing marijuana:
I haven’t seen any reliable information yet on how legalization has had an effect on states like Colorado so I haven’t come to a decision.
4) Give your views on health care for our state, including Medicaid:
We need to find some new ways to provide health care in rural areas. It is shocking news to everyone that Mercy Hospital of Fort Scott will soon be closing but hopefully solutions can be found to fill the gaps in service that will result. I’m generally leery of Medicaid Expansion, although the program would be federally subsidized it would still cost the Kansas taxpayers.
5) Give views on abortion and Planned Parenthood:
I am strongly pro-life and if elected I will vote in a manner to protect the unborn. I would not support any taxpayer subsidization of Planned Parenthood.
This is part of a series of responses from candidates for the Nov. 6, 2018 election. There are three people on the ballot for Kansas Secretary of State:
Secretary of State (vote for one)
Brian “BAM” McClendon1200 Oread Avenue #703 Lawrence 66044 Democratic
Scott Schwab 14953 W 140th Terr. Olathe 66062 Republican
Rob Hodgkinson 7111 W 151st St #104 Overland Park 66223 Libertarian
Here are Brian McClendon’s responses:
Name: Brian “BAM” McClendon
Age: 54
Candidate for the position of Kansas Secretary of State
Place of residence: Lawrence, KS
Current occupation: Research professor, University of Kansas
Party affiliation: Democrat
Community involvement:
● Helped found non-profit KSvotes to encourage non-partisan civic
engagement in Kansas and led the team that developed an online/mobile voter registration tool for Kansas
● With Beth Ellyn McClendon, established the McClendon Engineering Scholarship at the University of Kansas
● Pro bono STEM presentations at Kansas elementary, middle and high schools, colleges, and universities; and companies and organizations
● The University of Kansas Endowment, Trustee
● Member of Portola Valley Cable Committee for 8 years. Brought
broadband to small-town cable system against all odds
● Member, Consumer Technology Association Advisory Board (CES)
● Member, National Academy of Engineering
● University of Kansas School of Engineering Advisory Board
● University of Kansas EECS Advisory Board
● National Academy of Engineering
● United Nations “Champions of the Earth Laureate” award (the UN’s top environmental prize) for “harnessing the power of technology to support conservation and green economic development,” Entrepreneurial Vision 2013
1) What is the biggest issue, if elected, and how do you plan to address it?
The focus of the Secretary of State is and should be on supporting elections and voting, business registration and support, and government transparency. Protecting our elections from foreign interference, protecting the private data of Kansas citizens, protecting the fundamental right of every eligible citizen to vote,
and increasing voter engagement are critical challenges that the Kansas Secretary of State should prioritize.
As a businessman, a former executive with Google, and an innovator, I have the skills to accomplish these goals.
My first tasks will be:
● To use my technology expertise to monitor the state’s voting systems in order to help ensure that every vote is counted and to guard against any outside interference. Additionally, I’ll continue to promote voter registration and advance ballots. Registering to vote and requesting advance ballots should be as easy for eligible voters as using Google Maps.
● The voter registration system at the Kansas Department of Motor Vehicle driver’s license bureaus needs immediate attention. There are reports that some new voter registrations through the DMV are not being recorded at the county level. As a result, voters who believed they were registered to vote are discovering they are not. This needs to be investigated and fixed.
● I will return non-partisan public service to the Secretary of State’s office. I will modernize the Secretary of State’s website by updating the technology, especially search and navigation, to make the site easier to use for all citizens and businesses. The Secretary of State’s website is the front door for Kansas businesses and the front door for citizens. I will make sure that the door is open.
● As a businessman, I’ve started companies, built companies and built teams that delivered products that met stringent requirements for security, efficiency, and ease of use. At Google, I lead a team that grew from 29 to 2000. I can make the Secretary of State’s office accessible, secure and efficient.
● As the administrator of the Crosscheck database, Kansas absorbs the cost and liability of securing data for citizens in multiple other states, but it’s riddled with problems including tens of thousands of false results creating hundreds of hours of work lost chasing down false matches. Crosscheck’s security protocols have also been widely criticized, and some personal data of Kansans has already been leaked. Viable options exist. Crosscheck must be reviewed and then fixed or replaced.
2)Give your views on food sales tax:
The Secretary of State is an administrative position, not legislative. The office has no direct engagement with or influence upon tax policy. The focus of the Secretary of State is and should be on supporting elections and voting, business registration and support, and government transparency.
That said, food sales is a regressive tax placing a disproportionate burden for financially supporting shared public services upon working and middle-class families. Over-relying on a food sales tax means the state is not fairly or effectively distributing the responsibility to fund shared public services.
3) Give your views on legalizing marijuana:
The Secretary of State is an administrative position, not legislative. The office has no direct engagement with or influence upon substance legalization or related policy. The focus of the Secretary of State is and should be on supporting elections and voting, business registration and support, and government transparency.
4) Give your views on health care for our state, including Medicaid:
The Secretary of State is an administrative position, not legislative. The office has no direct engagement with or influence upon public health policy. The focus of the Secretary of State is and should be on supporting elections and voting, business registration and support, and government transparency.
That said, Bourbon County has just experienced a hospital closure that is largely a result of conservative Kansas leaders refusing to expand Medicare/Medicaid coverage in our state. The partisan opposition to expanding those services, and the resulting negative impact upon health care access to rural and smaller communities, are clearly not working in the best interests of all Kansans.
5) Give views on abortion and Planned Parenthood:
The Secretary of State is an administrative position, not legislative. The office has no direct engagement with or influence upon women’s health policy. The focus of the Secretary of State is and should be on supporting elections and voting, business registration and support, and government transparency.
Famed Fitness Icon Jake (Body by Jake) Steinfeld and Uniontown 235 Students to Cut Ribbon on their Newly Gifted DON’T QUIT!TM Fitness Center
WHAT: Jake Steinfeld, Chairman of the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils, dignitaries and students will cut the ribbon on Uniontown USD 235 School’s new DON’T QUIT! Fitness Center at 8:30 a..m. on Thursday, October 11, 2018. Uniontown was one of three Kansas schools selected as a DON’T QUIT! Fitness Champion earlier this year for demonstrating new and innovative ways of promoting student physical activity and wellness. The other two winning schools were Lincoln Elementary in Fredonia and Jardine Middle School in Topeka.
Governor Colyer signed a proclamation declaring October as “DON’T QUIT! Fitness Month.” During DON’T QUIT! Fitness Month, families and communities are encouraged to renew their commitment to making physical activity and healthy eating part of our children’s daily lives.
The National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils program has now rolled out in twenty-four states and will be putting fitness centers in all 50 states. Each fitness center is financed through public/private partnerships with companies like The Coca-Cola Company, Amerigroup Foundation, Wheels Up and Nike, and does not rely on taxpayer dollars or state funding. TuffStuff Fitness International provides all of the fitness equipment, which is manufactured right here in the United States. The Foundation’s goal is to build a nation of the fittest, healthiest kids in the world.
WHO: Jake Steinfeld, Chairman of the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils
Lynne Oharah, County Commissioner
Bret Howard, Superintendent
Vance Eden, Principal
VISUAL: 500 excited students
DON’T QUIT! Fitness Center – Students will use the equipment for the first time!
Proclamation presentation
WHEN: Thursday, October 11, 2018
8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
WHERE: Uniontown 235
602 5th Street
Uniontown, KS 66779
WBE Gymnasium
WHY: Physical activity and exercise have been shown to help prevent and treat more than 40 chronic diseases, enhance individual health and quality of life and reduce health care costs. In schools, physical activity and exercise have been shown to improve academic achievement, increase confidence and self-esteem, reduce discipline problems, cut absenteeism and foster better interpersonal relationships.
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For more information about the National Foundation, visit www.natgovfit.org.
About The National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils The National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils (NFGFC) seeks to encourage and reward innovation in the field of youth fitness by awarding fitness centers to schools that use new and unique methods to promote student physical activity and wellness. The NFGFC envisions a fitness center in every school in the U.S., helping to build a nation that—through innovation and a “DON’T QUIT!” attitude—boasts the fittest kids in the world. Since 2012, the NFGFC has delivered fitness centers in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C., Georgia, New Jersey, Delaware, West Virginia, California, New Mexico, Connecticut, Virginia, Illinois, Arkansas, Florida, Texas, Ohio, Washington, Wisconsin, Arizona, Maryland, Louisiana, Oregon and Colorado. In 2018, we will gift fitness centers to four more states including Kansas, South Carolina, Tennessee and Utah.
Do you know how that playground equipment at the park down the street was purchased? Or the new sign leading visitors to a local landmark? How about initial money for a festival? In any community, chances are that someone, or a group of individuals, wrote a grant proposal and received funding to help with the project.
Individuals and community groups can learn more about writing successful grant proposals at a workshop planned in Humboldt, KS on Friday, November 9, 2018. The workshop is presented by Nancy Daniels, a community vitality specialist with K-State Research and Extension and the author of many grant proposals. The training will be at the Humboldt Public Library, 916 Bridge Street from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and includes lunch. The cost to attend is $10.
“This workshop is for everyone, whether they’ve never written a proposal before and have no idea where to start, to those who have experience but are looking for ways to improve their approach,” Daniels said. “The magic that happens in a local community when people find out they don’t have to wait to get something done, that they can do it themselves, is incredible.”
Participants also learn from each other, Daniels said, adding that even experienced grant writers pick up tips and are reenergized after coming together with peers in their communities. Participants are encouraged to bring their grants or grant ideas to share.
Workshop topics include:
Sources of data for community needs (where do you find the numbers to back up your request?);
Where to find grants;
The five common elements of a great grant proposal;
Practicing the grant writing elements.
More information and registration is available by contacting Carla Nemecek at the Southwind Extension District Iola Office, 620-365-2242 or email [email protected].