Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition will meet Wednesday, October 4, 1:00 p.m., in the Conference Room at the Scottview Apartments, 315 S. Scott.
General Membership Meeting Agenda
October 4, 2023
Welcome:
Member Introductions and Announcements:
Program: Alisha Turner, Kansas Children’s Service League
Open Forum: November 1 we will hear from Travis Wilcoxsen and Kathy Romero, Angel Care Home Health; and in December we will hear more about Maggie Young’s work with tobacco cessation.
Adjournment: The next General Membership meeting will be November
The CareVan is parked in front of the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Fort Scott, at 2322 S. Main Submitted photo.
Since August, the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas has offered CareVan, which provides transportation for all people in Bourbon County.
“We started rides the beginning of August taking a few people, then September our new driver completed training and we moved them to be Bourbon County only,” said Dee Yount, CareVan Program Manager, said.
They are storing the vehicle at Fort Scott CHC clinic, located at 2322 S. Main. The dispatch is in Pittsburg.
“Riders can go anyplace in the county, this is not a CHC-only service,” Yount said. “It is first-come-first-served, and we take same-day appointments. Our dispatchers answer and take trips when people call in, we try to find a way for everyone to get a ride.”
“We are trying to cover the entire county, Fort Scott is the point that most rides are from,” she said.
Highlights of the service:
Anyone can use this service
Their rides can go anyplace in the county
Last minute scheduling is available
Dispatch answers all calls or returns them within 20 minutes
It is free
The service is wheelchair accessible.
Transportation hours are Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with dispatch hours of Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Services are based on availability, including same-day scheduling.
To schedule an appointment call 833-228-7433.
The project is funded in part by the Kansas Department of Transportation’s Public Transit Program and the Federal Transit Administration.
Contact info:
Dee Yount Program Manager’s phone number is 620. 215. 9626 or email [email protected]
Submitted by Becky Johnson, Administrator/Director of the Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Department.
The Bourbon County office is located at 524 S. Lowman and can be reached at 620.223.4464 or [email protected]
Recently all four of the offices of SEK Multi-County Health Department (SEKMCHD) (Allen, Anderson, Bourbon and Woodson Counties) have received the Gold Level “Breastfeeding Employees Support Award” from the Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition and its Business Case for Breastfeeding program.
We have worked very hard to get this award for our offices and are pleased with the continual growth we are having for employee support, recruitment and retention. It is the goal of SEK Multi-County Health Department to become and remain a family-forward workplace, to provide resources and education for our employees and to normalize breastfeeding, as it is a healthy and natural way to feed your baby and is essential to maintaining the workforce.
SEKMCHD benefits not only from staff retention but also from turnover costs, healthcare costs savings and reduction of absenteeism. Child care is difficult to find, as most parents know, so we allow new moms to bring their baby to work with them for the first 6 months. We also benefit from staff satisfaction and these days, that it not an easy thing to maintain. My motto is “Take care of your employees and they’ll take care of you”. I am blessed with a great group of employees that want to work in public health and I spend a lot of time making sure their needs are met and finding new ways to retain them.
We have taken on several new services in the last couple of years, one being our Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program and have been able to hire new employees to provide this service to our communities. Our clientele has grown so much that we now have 2 Breastfeeding Peer Counselors (Holly Fritter, who covers Bourbon and Woodson Counties and Khloe Utley, who covers Allen and Anderson Counties) and a supervisor for this program (Brittany Frishman, who is our Designated Breastfeeding Expert and covers all 4 counties). This ties right in with the support we offer our employees. Also, our staff have taken several levels of courses on breastfeeding, we’ve remodeled/updated areas in each of our offices for lactation rooms and can offer professional lactation support to our communities.
I am so very proud of our team and the accomplishments we’ve made through the turmoil that has been faced in public health in recent years. It’s nice to see something positive take off so well!
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with Commissioners Jim Harris and Clifton Beth and the County Clerk present.
Clint Walker, Rachel Walker, Dale Griffiths, Mark McCoy, and Jason Silvers were present for some or all of the meeting.
Jim Harris opened the meeting with the flag salute followed by a prayer led by Mark McCoy.
Clifton made a motion to approve the consent agenda which includes approval of minutes from 9/11/23. Jim seconded the motion, and all approved.
Clint Walker informed the Commissioners of an upcoming meeting he read about in the newspaper. KDOT will host a meeting on October 12th at the Bowlus Fine arts Center in Iola to discuss highway projects, the IKE project, and grant opportunities. Mr. Walker also spoke about ambulance transport reimbursements to VA facilities and question why can’t local transports be reimbursed in that manner.
Bill Michaud of CORE Communities updated the Commissioners on the progress the program has made. An advisory board has been formed and includes Amy Harper with Fort Scott Nazarene, Carrie Fess with Faith Church, David Shephard, Destry Brown with USD 234, Jennifer Michaud, Jodi Davis, Josh Jones, Patty Simpson with the Housing Authority, Rachel Carpenter with Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, David Goodyear, David Gillen with the Beacon, Clifton Beth, and Bill Michaud. Bill thanked Jim for attending the poverty simulation that was recently held with approximately 45 people in attendance. Sherry Walrod has been hired as the Community Liaison and Janice Lamb as the CORE Coach. Sherry Walrod stated that she grew up in Bourbon County, the daughter of Charles and Willa Cable, and resided here for 30 years and recently returned. Sherry thanked the Commissioners investing in CORE Communities and stated part of the financial investment has allowed them to harness into Youth CORE Ministries and stated they have the administration and coaching they need. Sherry stated she has a personal coach that she has weekly meetings with who coaches and advises her through all the processes. The need to involve the entire community was discussed with Sherry inviting all who have lived or experienced poverty to help solve the problem. A launch date of November 13th is set for the first of the 20-week classes. The classes will be held on Monday nights at the United Methodist Church. There are two phases for the attendees who are called CORE Leaders. Phase 1 is the 20-week classes and upon graduation from that they will enter into Phase 2 which is when the CORE Coach will help them negotiate through things such as obtaining a driver’s license or arranging transportation. Sherry stated they will come to future meetings and offer updates. Jim thanked everyone for what they are doing and spoke about how the benefits of the work done today will be reaped 20 years down the road. Clifton stated he is excited about the program and that he felt, aside from regular county business, this is the first or second most important thing he has sent money towards as a Commissioner and feels it is a phenomenal program.
Eric Bailey, Public Works Director, stated they are finishing chip and seal on Jayhawk Road tomorrow and that will be the end of the chip and seal program for the year. Eric said they are going to move to asphalting and will start on 233rd Street then move to Garland east of the railroad tracks and on to Eagle Road. After those projects they will look at their budget to see what it and mother nature will allow them to do next. Jim said the chip and seal on Jayhawk looks good and Eric said he would tell the crew. Eric said he wanted to thank Linn County again for allowing us to use their chip spreader to complete our chip and seal projects. Eric presented paperwork to be signed for the grant we received for a bridge project on 60th and Grand Road. Clifton made a motion to accept the bridge project to replace LPA bridge 5.0-S.9 NBI structure #000061075006069 located at 60th and Grand Road. Our portion is approximately $75,000 of the $916,000 total cost of the project. Jim seconded the motion and all approved. Eric said they have the rock crusher and cone crusher going and are hauling rock in the Hiattville area as well as mowing ditches and side arm mowing. Eric said a retirement celebration will be held on October 6th for Charlie Elliott who has worked for the county for 32 years. Eric said they have to do some decking work on a bridge at 175th and Valley Road so they have a cone up.
Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk, notified the Commissioners that Emily Franks of Jarred, Gilmore, and Phillips PA will be here next week to present the 2022 audit.
Jim requested a 10-minute executive session. Clifton made a motion to go into a 10-minute executive session under KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual proprietorships to include both Commissioners, Justin Meeks, and Eric Bailey and will return at 6:04. Jim seconded the motion and all approved. Clifton made a motion to resume normal session at 6:04 with no action. Jim seconded the motion and all approved.
Jim said the City Manager contacted him this morning concerning water. Jim stated he called Brian Allen, Bourbon County Emergency Manager and local historian, about 12 wells located in Fort Scott that they are having trouble finding. Jim said they are looking at a lot of options and there are discussions being held about our water situation.
Clifton made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:07. Jim seconded the motion and all approved.
Join us for a SPECIAL Saturday Chamber Coffee hosted by
Kansas Rocks
Recreation Park
Saturday, September 30th
8:30am-10:00am
2051 130th St.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a special Saturday Chamber Coffee Saturday, September 30th at 8:30am to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Kansas Rocks Recreation Park (KRRP). The Coffee will be hosted by KRRP located at 2051 130th St. near Mapleton in northwest Bourbon County. Coffee and donuts will be available as well as short rides on the trails in provided vehicles with park volunteers for attendees.
Kansas Rocks Recreation Park is a 4×4 off-road park with camping facilities. KRRP now has 35 miles of trails for 4-wheel Drive Jeeps and other off-road vehicles, mountain bikes, hiking, and UTV’s. Currently the park features over 60 shared mountain bike trails and over 380 acres of trails to explore via hiking. The park sells season passes, day passes, and hosts special events throughout the year. For more information on the park, visit ksrockspark.com or follow their
Facebook page.
When traveling to the park from Fort Scott, attendees should go west on Highway 54 for 10 miles, north on 125th St. for 6 miles, east on Tomahawk Rd., and north on 130th St., following the signs to the park entrance.
For KRRP to plan refreshments and rides, attendees are asked to RSVP before September 27th, click here to register! Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information.
Rayma Ridge is the owner of Rayma’s Clean Team. Submitted photo.
Rayma Ridge, 31, opened her new business, Rayma’s Clean Team LLC in June, 2023.
She provides the area between Bronson and Fort Scott with cleaning and organizing services
“Through discussion with other community members, I recognized the need for residential housekeeping services,” Ridge said. “I have been doing some form of housekeeping/ organizing for friends and family members since I was about 14 years old.”
This got her thinking.
“With many years of experience and having recognized the local demand, I decided to get my LLC and start my own business,” she said. “I began with a small amount of clientele, but I was blessed to fill my books quickly! I have the best clients!!”
Currently, she has one employee in training, she said.
Before and after cleaning of Rayma’s Clean Team. Submitted photos.
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
September 25, 2023 5:30 p.m.
Call Meeting to Order
Flag Salute Followed by Prayer
Consent Agenda
Approval of Minutes from 9-18-2023
Approval of Payroll Totaling $338,719.44
Approval of Accounts Payable Totaling $576,872.46
Public Comments
Department Updates
Public Works
Emily Franks-Jarred, Gilmore, and Phillips, PA-Presentation of 2022 Audit
Health Insurance Benefits
Susan Bancroft-Executive Session KSA 75-4319 (b)(1)
Justin Meeks-Executive Session KSA 75-4319 (b)(2)
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.
This exciting venture is returning to gravel roots by merging the thrill of gravel riding with the power of storytelling to foster a deep connection between cyclists and the remarkable places they traverse.
At the heart of Gravel Kansas is a commitment to celebrating the rich heritage, culture, and stories that define the state. Through
a meticulously curated selection of gravel routes, cyclists will embark on journeys that weave through historic towns, rolling prairies, and breathtaking vistas. Each route serves as a gateway
to discovery, leading riders to hidden gems and immersing them in the tapestry of Kansas’ diverse landscapes.
“We are thrilled to introduce Gravel Kansas to cyclists around the world,” said LeLan Dains, Founding Chair of Gravel Kansas. “Our initiative is all about forging a profound bond between
people, places, and stories. With every pedal stroke, cyclists will experience the beauty, history, and character of Kansas in an entirely new way.”
This project wouldn’t be possible without funding support from Kansas Tourism.
Locally, “Bourbon on the Rocks” is the name given to the group of gravel cycling routes in Bourbon County. Those routes are anywhere from 7-60 miles. Bourbon on the Rocks routes include beginner routes that are family oriented, intermediate routes (not for the faint of heart), and a couple of advanced routes for serious gravel grinders that want to be “punished” on a ride.
Fort Scott Public Relations & Tourism Director, Jackson Tough met with LeLan Dains at the 2021 Kansas tourism conference. Jackson said, “we started brainstorming ideas about a statewide
tourism push to promote Kansas as the gravel cycling capital of the world. We organized a committee and recruited other communities.”
At the same time, Tough began working with Tayton Majors, Business Retention & Community Initiatives Manager for Bourbon County Regional Economic Development on the project.
“Tayton was a great contributor in helping to design, describe, and map our variety of a dozen gravel bicycling routes within Bourbon County, all starting and ending in or near Fort Scott.
Each of the “Bourbon on the Rocks” routes offers a payoff—whether it’s a million-dollar view, a story of local lore, or a historic feature. To view Bourbon County routes simply go to www.GravelKansas.com, click “find routes” then “southeast.” Bourbon County is at the top of
those listings.
Tough said “we anticipate even more routes being added locally and from around the state. I’m excited to see the project’s website, gravelks.com come to fruition. It’s a great step to get more
gravel cycling enthusiasts to come to Bourbon County and the state.”
For more information about Gravel Kansas and to explore the inaugural routes, please visit gravelks.com.
Follow Gravel Kansas on Facebook for updates, stories, and exciting cycling content.
###
About Gravel Kansas:
Gravel Kansas is a pioneering cycling initiative that creates iconic gravel routes across the
picturesque landscapes of Kansas. Combining the thrill of gravel cycling with the power of
storytelling, Gravel Kansas aims to foster a deep connection between cyclists and the
remarkable places they explore. Through meticulously curated routes and engaging narratives,
Gravel Kansas celebrates the heritage, culture, and stories that define the state. For more
information, visit gravelks.com.
https://gravelks.com/
Organizers have planned a fun weekend the last few days of September, called FortFest 23, which is free and open to all.
The events kick off Friday night September 29 with a street dance in front of Sharky’s Pub and Grub at 16 North National Ave. in Fort Scott.
“The dance features two live bands, starting with Danny Brown and the Bourbon County Revival at 7 p.m., and then Left of Center featuring local artist Lori Hixon at 9 p.m.,” said event organizer and Care to Share supporter Cory Bryars.
Saturday’s events are in the north portion of Riverfront Park on National Avenue just north of downtown Fort Scott, he said.
The FortFest features Blues music.
“This is the second annual FortFest, and we intend on having bigger and better FortFest for years to come,” he said. “FortFest23 features four high-quality regionally and nationally acclaimed Blues bands, each with a different style and sound. For people unfamiliar with the Blues or who think it is a single type of slow depressing music, they have only heard a sliver of what the Blues is all about.”
The audience from a prior FortFest. Submitted photo.
“Dozens of the approximately 500 people who came to the first FortFest left saying ‘Wow—I didn’t know that was the Blues’ and have been talking about it ever since,” Bryars said. “Famous Blues Musician Willie Dixon said ‘The Blues is the roots, the rest is the fruits.’ SOOOO true. From country to rock and countless iterations in between, the Blues is at the core of most of the music America and much of the rest of the world loves.”
“Care to Share hosts FortFest with the financial support of dozens of businesses and individuals from throughout Bourbon, Crawford, and Linn Counties, and beyond,” Bryars said. The Care to Share FortFest23 Planning and GET-IT-DONE Committee include:
Teresa”TD” Davenport, Lavetta Simmons, Kathy Clark, Leah Lewis, Tammy Miller, Bobbi Kemna, Joyce Nickelson, Sidney Zimmerman, and Bryars.
“The City of Fort Scott is a generous supporter, and we will list all those who contributed in flyers at the festival, on Facebook, and in a follow-up thank you in various outlets,” he said. “Support those who Support Care to Share!”
The Blues musicians for Saturday, September 30 from 1 to 9 p.m. are:
1 p.m.- Howard Mahan Band. “Originally from Fredonia and now in Lawrence/KC—he has quite the interesting bio–#1 in his KU Law Class, scratch golfer, killer musician,” Bryars said.
3 p.m.- Sister Lucille, Springfield MO. “Tons of news on them online and recently at or near the top of Billboard’s National Blues rankings,” he said.
5 p.m.-The Arkansas Brothers, Jonesboro Arkansas. “Down-home classic Blues with a great harmonica and killer guitars. You might just hear some old country like Hank William Sr from these guys too. The Arkansas Bros could walk around Fort Scott and everyone would think they were from here,” he said.
7 p.m.- Divas on Fire, Fayetteville/NW Arkansas.”A group of powerful women with amazing vocals and harmonies and top-tier supporting musicians. They will have seven or even more band members wrapping up FortFest 23 with a sure-to-be-memorable performance. They will feature artists like Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, and Donna Summer as well good old hard-driving Blues and harmonies sure to please almost everyone.”
Other happenings that evening:
Car Show at noon from Rollin’ Nostalgia Car Club, Frontenac, and “anyone who wants to display their car is welcome,” he said.
Over 30 fine arts and crafts vendors start at noon.
A non-sanctioned BackYard BBQ Ribs Contest open to all comers—details on Facebook.
Varied food and drinks are available—Care to Share Bake Sale, smash burgers, walking tacos, pulled pork, pizza, funnel cakes, ice cream, sno-cones, and more.
Kids fair from noon to 6 p.m. hosted by Pittsburg State’s Care to Share Student Support Group—face painting, games for all ages
Corn hole tournament
Parking for the event: Twister Trailer across from Riverfront Park, along both sides of Maple Road as it heads east of National Avenue, and the Park Loop Road just south of the red bridge on National Avenue.
Parking is free and just a short walk to the event, and there will be shuttles running throughout the day, he said.
“Food and drink are charged by the individual vendors, and some of the events have a small participant fee, such as the corn hole tournament, BBQ contest, and car show,” he said. “In years past, there were small charges for some of the kid activities—more details on everything will be on Facebook. A portion of the fees will go into a prize pool for winners of the events, and a portion will go to Care to Share.”
People should bring chairs/or blankets to enjoy the events, bug spray, dancing shoes, and don’t forget a donation to Care to Share, he said.
The purpose of FortFest is to “build awareness of Care to Share, thank our communities, create energy in our communities, and raise funds for Care to Share to support cancer fighters in our communities,” he said.
Care to Share is a southeast Kansas cancer support group that is 100% volunteer and community-funded.
They want to thank the communities they serve for the financial and emotional support of their daily mission to provide emotional and financial support to cancer fighters, he said
