Jayhawk Road will be closed from 69 Hwy. to the railroad tracks on Sunday, August 20th from 7:00am to 5:00pm.
Submitted by
Becky Robertson
Bourbon County Public Works
Category Archives: Bourbon County
Young Entrepreneur: Benjamin Shead
This is part of a series featuring young entrepreneurs in our community.
Following the first set of stories on young entrepreneurs in our community, an anonymous donor wrote fortscott.biz that he wanted to grant each one of the featured youth with $50.
To view the prior story: Young Entrepreneurs Series Spawns An Anonymous Benefactor
If you know of a child, under 18 years of age, that is creating products or providing services to sell to the public, please send their name and phone number to [email protected]
Fortscott.biz wants to encourage the youth who are learning business by doing it.
Benjamin Shead,13, has an online tutoring business.
“Some classes I have guided other students in are geometry, Latin, sixth grade math, formal logic, algebra 1 and 2,” he said.
“Most of my clients contact me through Facebook,” Benjamin said. “I also take students when my sister’s (Katy Shead) schedule is too busy.”
“I started tutoring when my sister’s schedule was getting packed with students,” he said. “This showed me that I enjoyed helping other people in their educational trouble areas.”
“I tutor so that I can revisit material that I enjoyed learning but am no longer being taught,” he said. “Tutoring gives me the ability to experience a class again, this time on a deeper level, the level of teaching the material. I also enjoy finding new ways to explain a concept and tutoring gives me a purpose for the exploration of these ways.”
“One subject I really enjoy tutoring is Formal Logic,” Benjamin said. “It is awesome to learn how to explain proofs by comparing them to a hidden treasure or something else that the student understands better than proofs.”
“While it is a lot better for kids to be tutored, if they need it, across the school year, I sometimes help kids in last-minute cramming sessions for math and logic finals,” he said. “These sessions provide a last-minute review, and it gives kids confidence to try their best on this last assignment.”
Benjamin lives just outside the Fort Scott city limits with his sister, Katy and parents Mark and Haley Shead.
Benjamin submitted this photo of him working on a math problem called a collatz conjecture.
Here is his explanation of collatz conjecture:
“The collatz conjecture is a theory about mathematics which is believed to be true but no one has been able to prove yet,” Benjamin said. “It states that if any odd whole number is plugged into the formula (3n+1)/2, if any even number is divided by two, and every number is plugged back into one of these formulas, a formula will eventually reach one.”
Bo Co Commission Minutes of August 7
August 7, 2023 Monday, 5:30 p.m.
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners and the County Clerk present.
Clint Walker, Rachel Walker, Patty Ropp, Michael Hoyt, and Patty Ann Sanborn were present for some or all of the meeting.
Jim Harris opened the meeting with the flag salute followed by a prayer led by Nelson Blythe.
Clifton Beth made a motion to approve the consent agenda which includes approval of minutes from 7/31/23. Nelson Blythe seconded the motion and all approved.
Michael Hoyt said he ordered 50 copies of the KORA and KOMA handbook for us and the City of Fort Scott. Clifton told him that copies of the documents were printed off for a previous meeting and have been available. Michael asked when budget discussion would take place and asked for a schedule.
Patty Ann Sanborn with SEK, Inc. informed the Commissioners of the SEK Housing Conference that will be held November 14th and 15th in Independence and invited them to join other city and county commissioners as well as economic development personnel. Rural Housing Champions Darcy Wilson will speak during the conference. SEK, Inc. was founded in 1957 and works on CTE, workforce development, and childcare as well. Jim thanked Patty Ann for coming and said he would try to attend because the conference sounds interesting.
Motor grader finance bids were presented to the Commissioners to open. Bids from two lenders were received, two from Murphy Tractor for John Deere Financial and one from City State Bank. Both bids were based upon the proposed financing amount of $604,000. City State Bank bid annual payments of $112,493.18 for seven years with a fixed interest rate of 7.10%. The total amount of the interest would be $183,452.26 making the grand total of payments $787,452.26. John Deere Financial bid annual payments of $108,345.15 for seven years with a fixed interest rate of 5.75%. The total amount of interest would be $154,417.05 making the grand total of payments $758,417.05. John Deere Financial also bid monthly payments of $8751.35 for seven years with a fixed interest rate of 5.75%. The total amount of interest would be $131,114.40 making the grand total of payments $735,114.40. The Commissioners discussed each bid and Eric said he would analyze the bids and come back with a recommendation during his time later in the meeting.
Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk, informed the Commissioners of two meetings that will be held within the next few months. The first meeting is the Southeast Kansas 17 County Officials District Meeting which will be held on September 14th in Columbus. Clifton and Nelson are unable to attend but Jim plans on attending. The Kansas Association of Counties Annual Conference will be held December 5-7 in Wichita and all three Commissioners plan on attending.
Justin Meeks, County Counselor, said there have been some internal struggles with policy we have in place. Mr. Meeks stated the handbook was created on liability and there is a substance abuse testing prescreen and random quarterly drug testing no matter the department. Justin said we need a centralized person to handle the drug testing and he handed out a copy of best practices from our insurance provider. Mr. Meeks stated elected officials can go outside of certain policy, for example hiring and firing, but not when it comes to insurance and stated the insurance company can raise our rates or even drop our coverage. Jim asked if HR currently handles the drug testing and Justin confirmed that. Nelson asked what the issue is and Justin stated an elected official wants to be added to the list to be able to do drug screens. Jim said we currently have a centralized person and questioned why we would change that when they have been doing a great job. Clifton stated in his opinion it was petty to not follow the policy we have in place. Jim said he sees no reason to make changes to a policy that is working and stated if elected officials don’t like it, they can come to the Commissioners about it. Jim asked Justin if there were any updates on our handbook. Justin said it can be difficult at times to get everybody on the same page when there are difference of opinions. Jim asked if the Commission would review and approve the handbook once it is complete and Justin said yes that is the procedure. Jim asked when it was last updated and Justin said some 5 years ago and some 8-9 months ago but they hit some roadblocks. Jim said he could meet with elected officials regarding the handbook if it is ok with Clifton and Nelson. Justin presented an agreement for our elevator for the Commission to approve. Mr. Meeks stated this is the same agreement as last time and asked if the Commission would like to table the discussion until they had an opportunity to review. Clifton made a motion to allow Chairman Harris to sign the elevator agreement with KONE as presented by Justin Meeks. Nelson seconded the motion, and all approved.
Susan Bancroft requested a 10-minute executive session to discuss nonelected personnel. Clifton made a motion to go into a 10-minute executive session under KSA 75-4319(b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy. The executive session will include all three Commissioners, Susan Bancroft, and Justin Meeks and will return at 6:05. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved. Clifton made a motion to resume normal session at 6:05 with no action. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved.
Jim Harris requested a 15-minute executive session to discuss nonelected personnel. Clifton made a motion to go into a 15-minute executive session under KSA 75-4319(b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy. The executive session will include all three Commissioners and Justin Meeks and will return at 6:21. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved. Clifton made a motion to resume normal session at 6:21 with no action. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved.
A short break was taken and normal session was resumed at 6:24.
Eric Bailey, Public Works Director, presented the monthly culvert list for the Commissioner’s approval. Eric said the culvert list and the fuel spreadsheet have been emailed to the Commissioners and they will continue to do that in the future to save paper. Eric said they completed asphalting Williams Street last week. Jim said he drove the road a few times and they did a great job. Eric said they are taking out a rutted section next to the National Cemetery to redo the asphalt before school starts. The crew is still clearing overburden at Thomas Quarry to prepare for another blast. Eric stated they now have four mowers out mowing throughout the county. Clifton suggested there is a place to save money, and Nelson said they would still need to mow intersections. Eric said they picked up the belly dump trailer last week and the new truck will be here this week so they will be able to have two belly dump trailers hauling gravel. Eric discussed the bids stating that there is a savings of $52,337 with the monthly payments option with John Deere Financial versus the annual payment option that City State Bank bid. Eric said he would like to stay local but that is a significant savings. Jim agreed and said it is hard to stay local when they could save the county $53,000. Nelson made a motion to go with John Deere Financial’s monthly payment bid. Clifton seconded the motion and all approved. Eric said they received one Request for Qualifications for the feasibility study for an overpass south of town and that was from Schwab Eaton. Jim explained this was the first step in the process because you can’t apply for grants without a feasibility study. Eric said it is just their qualifications and if we choose them, they will give us a dollar amount to perform the study. Jim asked the other Commissioners if they were ok with Eric contacting Schwab Eaton to get a price to bring back to the meeting next week and they both agreed. Nelson asked Eric if he could get them a price if the county only mowed intersections versus mowing all roads.
Nelson questioned where we were with the money on CD’s. Clifton said he as been told the Treasurer hasn’t done it yet and that we are losing money. Nelson agreed stating we need to get the extra money from the interest. The subject of CD’s will be placed on the agenda for next week so the Treasurer can be present to update the Commissioners. Clifton said there have been a lot of rumors going around that the Via Christi ER is leaving. Clifton said he has been fully aware that another healthcare facility has been talking about buying Via Christi. Clifton said that Legacy and Bourbon County REDI have been working for a long time and have been working with a strategic partner for healthcare in our county and that an announcement will be made in the next couple of weeks that will be a big deal for our community. Clifton stated the rumors about the ER closing is not true and if Via Christi is purchased there is a plan for healthcare in Bourbon County.
Jim thanked Clifton for the days he has spend working on our healthcare. Clifton said Legacy Health and Bourbon County REDI deserve a lot of credit because they have done a lot of work that will pay off in the near future.
Clifton made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:38. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved.
Approved 8-14-2023
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
___________________, Chairman
___________________, Commissioner
ATTEST: ___________________, Commissioner
Jennifer Hawkins, Bourbon County Clerk
, Approved Date
U.S. 54 bridge survey begins this week near Uniontown
The week of Aug. 14 the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) plans to begin a survey for the replacement of the Turkey Creek bridge on U.S. 54 in Bourbon County. The bridge is 1.2 miles east of the U.S. 54/K-3 south junction (see map).
The approximate length of the survey area is 2,500 feet. The survey is based on the existing highway alignment and is expected to be finished by Sept. 7.
Activities include the use of survey instruments on the ground to determine locations of existing features within the corridor. A member of the survey crew will contact property owners or tenants for permission to enter private property. Joe Bowen will manage the survey for KDOT. Persons with questions may contact KDOT Public Affairs Manager Priscilla Petersen, (620) 902-6433.
Bo Co Commission Amended Agenda for August 14
Bourbon County Courthouse
210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800
Fax: 620-223-5832
Bourbon County, Kansas
Nelson Blythe
1st District Commissioner
Jim Harris, Chairman
2nd District Commissioner
Clifton Beth
3rd District Commissioner
Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.
Fort Scott, KS 66701
August 14, 2023 5:30
- Call Meeting to Order
- Flag Salute followed by Prayer
- Approval of Consent Agenda
- Minutes from 8/7/2023
- Approval of Payroll Totaling $214,430.95
- Approval of Accounts Payable Totaling $394,953.25
- Public Comments
- Susan Walker-Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(1)
- Discussion of the Changes to the Drug and Alcohol Testing Program
- Department Updates
- Public Works
- Overpass Request for Qualifications
- Jennifer Hawkins-County Clerk, KC Mart Cereal Malt Beverage License Renewal
- Susan Walker, Patty Love, Jennifer Hawkins-Financial Policies & Procedures
- Susan Walker & Patty Love-CD’s
- Jim Harris-Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(1)
- Jim Harris-Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(4)
- Commission Comments
- Adjourn Meeting
Executive Session Justifications:
KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the
attorney-client relationship.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the
representative(s) of the body or agency.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual proprietorships
KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting
would jeopardize such security measures.
New Uniontown Teachers: Ericson and Martin
This is a part of a series of new teachers in Uniontown’s School District.
The district’s open house is August 15 from 4 to 6 p.m.
The first day of class for students is August 16.
Tyler Ericson will teach 4th grade at West Bourbon Elementary, in Uniontown starting this school year.
“The thing I love about teaching is…relationships with each of my students,” she said. “How they can come to me about anything, and they will not be judged… whether it be in or outside of school. I love seeing children learn, but most importantly having fun and being engaged while doing it.”
“A challenge for me would be change,” she said. “…starting over from a whole new school district, a new grade, and new colleagues can be overwhelming. Teaching primary and now about to teach 4th grade, it will definitely be different, but in a good way. I am excited to see what West Bourbon has in store for me!”
She said she looks forward to taking part in school community activities that plan to make community members feel welcomed, respected, trusted, heard, and needed, to help promote student success.
Ericson hales from a big family in Kansas City and Oklahoma, she said. In addition, she and husband, Ethan, have two sons, Julian and Jamison, and one daughter Journee.
Ericson earned her A.A in Elementary Education, at Labette Community College and a B.S. in Elementary Education from Pittsburg State University.
She taught second grade at Winfield Scott Elementary last school year; first grade at Winfield Scott from February 2022 to May 2022; and was a special education paraprofessional at Uniontown High School from January 2018 to May 2019.
She was substitute teacher certified by the Kansas Department of Education from August 2019 to May 2020.
Ericson worked in Early Childhood Centers in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area from the age of 15 to 24.
Christal Martin will teach high school science in grades 10-12.
She received a bachelors in science degree with an emphasis in nursing in 2008 from Pittsburg State University, and is currently finishing a master’s degree in secondary education from Western Governor’s University.
She has worked as a Uniontown Junior High At-Risk Aide for the past three years.
For Martin, the best thing about working with children is “Building connections with students, and watching them academically succeed,” she said.
A challenge this year will be learning to navigate through everything as a new teacher, she said.
She is married to husband, Seth, and they have two sons, Caden and Casen.
Bo Co Democrats Meet
Bourbon County Democrats will not hold an August general meeting but will meet Sept. 17th, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at the
Ellis Arts Center, Fort Scott Community College.
Ellis Arts Center, Fort Scott Community College.
Submitted by
Carol MacArthur
Chair, Bourbon Co. Democrats
620 215 1505
Please like us on Facebook
“Serving Bourbon County’s Registered Democrats”
Amended Bo Co Commission Agenda for August 14
Bourbon County Courthouse
210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800
Fax: 620-223-5832
Bourbon County, Kansas
Nelson Blythe
1st District Commissioner
Jim Harris, Chairman
2nd District Commissioner
Clifton Beth
3rd District Commissioner
Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.
Fort Scott, KS 66701
August 14, 2023 5:30
- Call Meeting to Order
- Flag Salute followed by Prayer
- Approval of Consent Agenda
- Minutes from 8/7/2023
- Approval of Payroll Totaling $214,430.95
- Approval of Accounts Payable Totaling $394,953.25
- Public Comments
- Department Updates
- Public Works
- Overpass Request for Qualifications
- Jennifer Hawkins-County Clerk, KC Mart Cereal Malt Beverage License Renewal
- Susan Walker, Patty Love, Jennifer Hawkins-Financial Policies & Procedures
- Susan Walker & Patty Love-CD’s
- Susan Walker-Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(1)
- Jim Harris-Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(1)
- Jim Harris-Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(4)
- Commission Comments
- Adjourn Meeting
Executive Session Justifications:
KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the
attorney-client relationship.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the
representative(s) of the body or agency.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual proprietorships
KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting
would jeopardize such security measures.
Bourbon County Commission Agenda for August 14
Bourbon County Courthouse
210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800
Fax: 620-223-5832
Bourbon County, Kansas
Nelson Blythe
1st District Commissioner
Jim Harris, Chairman
2nd District Commissioner
Clifton Beth
3rd District Commissioner
Attachments:
Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.
Fort Scott, KS 66701
August 14, 2023 5:30
- Call Meeting to Order
- Flag Salute followed by Prayer
- Approval of Consent Agenda
- Minutes from 8/7/2023
- Approval of Payroll Totaling $214,430.95
- Approval of Accounts Payable Totaling $394,953.25
- Public Comments
- Department Updates
- Public Works
- Overpass Request for Qualifications
- Jennifer Hawkins-County Clerk, KC Mart Cereal Malt Beverage License Renewal
- Susan Walker, Patty Love, Jennifer Hawkins-Financial Policies & Procedures
- Susan Walker & Patty Love-CD’s
- Sheriff Bill Martin-Policy & Procedure of Random Drug Testing
- Susan Walker-Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(1)
- Jim Harris-Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(1)
- Jim Harris-Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(4)
- Commission Comments
- Adjourn Meeting
Executive Session Justifications:
KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the
attorney-client relationship.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the
representative(s) of the body or agency.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual proprietorships
KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting
would jeopardize such security measures.
Food Truck and Country Music in Uniontown Park Starting at 5 p.m. Today
The Hot Pink Heifer food truck is setting up at Uniontown Park tonight, before the Road Runnerz Band from 7-8:30 p.m., who will be playing classic rock and country music.
The band music is free. Bring a lawn chair.
Ribbon Cutting/Chamber Coffee at HBCAT on Aug. 31 to Launch Local Transportation Service
Ft. Scott Area Community Foundation Summer 2023 Newsletter
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