January featured artist
Al Letner, pottery
Presentation:
January 19, 3:00 p.m.
Al Letner’s artwork is on display at Hedgehog.INK! during the month of January. He will give a presentation, open to the public, on January 19 at 3:00 p.m. During this time, he will share about his artwork and the techniques he uses.
“As an artist I find most of my inspiration in the natural world. I have always thought of myself as an organic artist, utilizing natural color and pattern in my abstract work.”
Bryan Holt became the president and Chief Executive Officer of Union State Bank on Jan. 1, 2019.
“I’ll be the fifth generation of the Holt family to hold this position,” Bryan Holt said. “It is a great honor for me.”
Union State Bank has been family-owned and operated since 1901.
“My great-grandfather, L.E. “Emett” Holt began, then grand-dad Curtis Holt, then my dad, Kent Holt,” Kenny Holt said.
Kenny Holt held the president and CEO position from 1993 to December 31, 2018.
“We (he and his wife, Nancy) are slowing down and doing things we want to do,” Kenny Holt said.
Kenny will work in the transition period to mentor Bryan and Chad Holt, his younger son, who will be taking over some duties as well, he said.
Bryan Holt has been preparing for leadership through education and career experience.
He has an associates degree from Fort Scott Community College and a Bachelors in Business Administration with a major in Finance from Pittsburg State University Additionally, he completed the Graduate School of Banking in 2012.
“I have worked at the (Union State) bank twice now,” Bryan Holt said. “Part-time as a teller from 1990 – 1993. I returned to the bank in 2005 as the Business Development Officer and Information Security Officer, moving from McKinney, Texas. In a bank our size, all of the officers have been exposed to all parts of the business and that’s true of me.”
“My duties will be evolving to include overseeing overall operations of the bank, including strategic direction,” he said. “Of course, I’ll still be working in lending and business development, but learning this new role will become a large part of my daily activities.”
Technology has been changed the culture in America and the world, and the banking sector is no different.
“The rapid advance of technology will continue to disrupt the traditional banking model,” Bryan Holt said. “Our customers will rely less and less on coming into the branch, preferring to do business via mobile methods. We are working to balance the personalized service that we’ve been providing for nearly 120 years with the convenience of banking from your mobile device.”
“Technology has allowed us to do a lot of things,” Kenny Holt said.
A negative change in banking in the last 25 years is the “regulatory burden put on us,” Kenny Holt said. “The regulation doesn’t apply to us (small banks), but we still have to abide.”
USB stated purpose is to provide affordable, high-quality financial products and services that enhance the customers’ financial well-being and strengthen the communities they serve. The mission is to be the bank of choice in the communities served.
Union State Bank has two locations: on the Uniontown square and can be reached at 620-756-4305 and Fort Scott at 1009 S. Clark, 620-223-0066.
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WEEKLY CHAMBER COFFEE REMINDER
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Old Fort Transportation, LLC, owned by Jacqueline and James Sellers, took over public transportation from Pitt-Taxi on Jan. 1, 2019.
Sellers is no stranger to public transportation in Fort Scott.
“In 2003, I started working as the coordinator for Bourbon County Senior Citizen,” Sellers said. “One of my responsibilities was to work with transportation, so I did some of the dispatching and the driving.”
Through the years, Sellers got to know those that used the service.
“Little did I know how much happiness and sorrow was to come,” she said.” I got to meet many of my fellow citizens, and as I grew to know them, I celebrated with them and I have mourned with them. I have taken some to job interviews and then taken them to work. Then had to say ‘see you later’ as they bought their car and were able to drive themselves to work.”
During that period of time public transportation was providing over a thousand rides a month, she said.
“Then in 2014, SEK-CAP (South East Kansas-Community Action Program) took over transportation,” Sellers said. “It was with a heavy heart I watched as many of my transportation family were suffering from the 24-hour notice (SEK-CAP requirement) for transportation and the ridership dwindled. Bourbon County Senior Citizens, then took an active look at better transportation for the city. Pitt-Taxi took over in 2016, and I was asked once again to manage transportation. I have been able to watch transportation grow again.”
In late 2018, the owners of Pitt-Taxi made a decision to retire.
“When the owners of Pitt-Taxi decided to retire, I had to make a decision, and with the support of my husband, James, we decided to take over the transportation here in Fort Scott,” Sellers said. “Thanks to the help of Bourbon County Senior Citizens and the support of the City (of Fort Scott), Old Fort Transportation will continue to provide the needed transportation for our hometown families.”
The business primarily provides transportation in Fort Scott, and when possible, the surrounding areas, she said.
Old Fort Transportation LLC is located at 26 N. Main, in the Bourbon County Senior Citizens Center.
“You can’t miss the vehicles (two vans) parked on Old Fort Blvd., she said.
The phone number is still the same (620)249-1440.
Regular hours of operation are Mon. through Sat. 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The full cost of a ride is $6.
“There is a discounted rate of $4 for senior citizens and those who have a commodity card or a Beacon card,” she said.
The public transportation business provides an average of 900 rides a month.
Sellers compiled a list of where she takes passengers:
Shopping – G &W Grocery Store, Walmart, Dollar General, Tractor Supply, Price Chopper Grocery Store, and downtown shops.
Medical appointments – Mercy, Urgent Care, Dr. Kellenburger, Baker Clinic, eye doctors, dentists, WIC, Mental Health clinic, and I Am Rehab.
Work – restaurants and fast food places, Walmart, G and W, Price Chopper, Extrusions, Peerless, Timken, First Source, Valu Merchandise, Nursing homes, and individual homes.
Other- banks, post office, library, Fort Scott Community College, Bourbon County Court House, jail, Fort Scott City Hall, cable office, bill pay centers, automotive repair, nursing home to visit, restaurants and fast food places to eat.
The local animal shelter is seeking a new facility and selling the old one located southeast of Fort Scott.
The following is an interview with Treasurer Kathy Dancer and Corresponding Secretary Kate Sweetser, two members of the board of directors of Lee’s Paw and Claws Animal Shelter:
Why the move?
“The current shelter, which was built and then expanded thanks to a generous gift from Lee Weast, is fantastic but has presented two challenges.
One is that fundraising has not provided the income required to run a 4,000 square foot facility.
The other is that the location on a gravel road seven miles from town has made it harder to attract both volunteers and potential adopters.”
“Lee’s Paws and Claws Animal Shelter is owned and operated by the Shirley Yeager Animal Friends Foundation. The foundation’s board of directors has made the decision to transition to a more sustainable business model.”
“Part of this transition involves rightsizing to a smaller, more affordable facility located in the city. Our organization relies on adopters, volunteers, and donors. Being located in Fort Scott will help meet the needs of the humans involved. ”
“Another key part of the transition to a sustainable business model is the implementation of a foster care program for dogs. Dogs who have been in foster care are better socialized and therefore more easily adopted.
Our goal is to have a smaller facility that will serve as a cat shelter, an office, and an intake and adoption area.”
Who made the decision?
“The time and expense associated with maintaining our current facility has been an issue for several years. The current executive board has been exploring options for about a year now. The first decision to offer the current facility for sale was made a few months ago and the board agreed unanimously to sell the current building and acreage.
The second decision was to transition to a foster model and relocate closer to town while the current facility is on the market. Some board members wanted to stay at our current location until it sells and others wanted to transition as soon as possible. The decision was a difficult one and involved lengthy discussions and number-crunching, but in November of 2018, the board voted to begin the downsizing process and transition to a foster program in early 2019.”
“The current executive board consists of Randy Shannon, chair; Matt Messer, vice-chair; Kathy Dancer, treasurer; Rhonda Dunn, recording secretary; and Kate Emmett-Sweetser, corresponding secretary. The general board of directors includes the executive board members as well as Marianne Crane, Barb Ritter, and Rob Shaw. Ann Gillmore-Hoffman is board member emeritus.”
Where is the current facility located?
“We are currently located at 721 240thStreet, between Fort Scott and Garland. The 4,000 square foot facility (which is for sale) is situated on 19.8 acres which includes a pond and a tornado shelter. “
What are you looking for in town?
“We are looking for 1000-1500 square feet which could house an office, intake room, adoption area, and a few cat suites. We want a location which is affordable to maintain and easy for volunteers and potential adopters to access. We have a few potential rental and purchase options which we will discuss at our next executive board session.”
Tell about the animal foster program.
“Our goal is to develop a network of foster homes for dogs waiting for adoption. A foster home is a better temporary situation for dogs than a shelter because the animals live in a home where they receive more attention and are socialized with family members, both humans and other pets.
The state requires that we inspect and license all animal foster homes, so the process can take several weeks. Once a foster home is approved, they are licensed for a year. When placing a dog in foster care, our organization will have the dog spayed or neutered and vaccinated. The foster family will provide for the daily needs of the dog and coordinate with shelter personnel to give potential adopters opportunities to meet the foster dog. We plan to host adoption events on a regular basis at our new location. Foster applications are available on our website at www.LeesPawsAndClawsShelter.org/fostering.html.”
Westar-KCP&L merger already producing benefits
for Kansas customers, communities
Rate study: Kansas rates more competitive as merger efficiencies realized
KANSAS CITY, Mo., Jan. 14, 2019 – When Great Plains Energy (the parent company of KCP&L) and Westar Energy merged in June 2018 to form Evergy, the new company promised multiple benefits to customers. As the company enters the first full calendar year combined, Kansas customers have already seen significant benefits from the merger.
Customer credits: In December of 2018, Westar’s customers began receiving credits on their electric bill. These credits were the result of merger efficiencies and the reduction in federal income tax rates. KCP&L’s Kansas customers are scheduled to receive credits on their bills in the weeks ahead. The company anticipates future bill credits as additional merger savings are achieved.
Electric rates reduced: KCP&L and Westar both completed rate reviews in 2018. As a result of ongoing merger savings and the reduction in federal income taxes, the base price of electricity was reduced for all KCP&L and Westar customers. Westar prices decreased about $50 million and KCP&L $4 million.
Rate increase moratorium: Lower base rates enacted in 2018 will remain stable, as the company has committed to no base rate changes for five years (until December 2023).
Increased community investment: Both KCP&L and Westar have well-established histories of community involvement and charitable giving, which they pledged to maintain. Since the merger was completed, in addition to maintaining the companies’ historic levels of charitable giving, Evergy has made an additional $4 million in investments to support key community development projects in Topeka, Wichita and Pittsburg.
No involuntary layoffs: The company has adhered to its pledge of no involuntary layoffs due to the merger and maintained staffing levels in Topeka and Wichita.
Electric rates study, Kansas prices competitive: Stabilizing prices and maintaining local control were key reasons KCP&L and Westar sought to merge. The companies also promised to publish a study of their electricity prices and how they compared with other utilities as part of the merger agreement.
KCP&L and Westar Energy’s rate study filed today with the Kansas Corporation Commission concludes that the companies’ electricity prices are in line with the national average, are entering a period of rate stability and are well-positioned to meet customers’ needs.
“Prices going forward are expected to be more stable. Our merger brings economies of scale to ongoing operations and future investments. We are ahead of many peers in adoption of renewables, meeting state and federal environmental regulations and investing in infrastructure to ensure reliability and economic growth,” said Chuck Caisley, senior vice president, marketing and public affairs. “For example, Oklahoma’s largest utility just filed a rate request to recover costs in making environmental upgrades similar to those we’ve already completed.”
The study showed that a long-term electricity price advantage Kansas enjoyed eroded in the past decade. The rate study points to four primary factors: plunging natural gas prices; declining industrial use, despite billions of dollars of economic development in Kansas; mandated environmental upgrades and renewable energy investment; and investment to modernize the state’s transmission grid.
While low-cost coal benefitted Kansas through the 1970s into the early 2000s, the shale gas boom coupled with the disproportionate effect of environmental regulations on coal-fueled generation provided advantages to utilities that were more reliant on natural gas-fueled power plants. The cost advantage reached retail customers and wholesale markets alike.
Required investment in developing renewables markets and to meet environmental regulations aligned with a national economic downturn that flattened electricity sales. In times of growing sales, investment has less impact on prices because it is spread over broader sales. While electricity sales were down about 0.7 percent for other study utilities in 2017 compared with 2007, for KCP&L Kansas, they were down 5.5 percent and for Westar Energy, 4.1 percent. Despite these declines, Kansas continued to attract business.
“Kansas is drawing new investment. Since 2010, we’ve attracted more than $4.3 billion in industrial investments including major brands like Mars Chocolate, Cargill, Geico and Spirit Aerosystems,” Caisley said. “Prices are important, but customers also want access to renewable energy, which we can now provide at a competitive price. And customers expect excellent reliability. Without that, nothing else matters.”
Additional information about the study
The study uses 2017 prices available from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (the most recent full year available). In 2018, KCP&L and Westar decreased prices and agreed that base prices wouldn’t change for five years. For the study, KCP&L and Westar Energy examined how their prices compare with 35 investor-owned, vertically integrated electric providers. These companies serve more than 11 million customers in 10 Midwestern states. Some other utilities studied are just entering cycles of investment to meet federal environmental mandates and to update transmission infrastructure. Investments that are just beginning to affect their prices.
About KCP&L and Westar Energy:
Serving approximately 1.6 million customers in Kansas and Missouri, Kansas City Power & Light Company (KCP&L), KCP&L Greater Missouri Operations Company and Westar Energy are the electric utilities of Evergy, Inc. (NYSE: EVRG). Together we generate nearly half the power we provide to homes and businesses with emission-free sources. We support our local communities where we live and work, and strive to meet the needs of customers through energy savings and innovative solutions.
| Investor Contact:
Cody VandeVelde Director, Investor Relations Phone: 785-575-8227 |
Media Contact:
Gina Penzig Manager, Media Communications Phone: 785-575-8089 Media line: 888-613-0003 |
For more information:
Inspired by other area magazines, businessman Gary Palmer is launching a magazine called Discover Local.
The target audience will be primarily tourists, he said. “With an emphasis on local services and retailers.”
“The idea came from other magazines like 417 Magazine, which covers all those in the (telephone) area code 417 (in southwest Missouri),” he said. “It talks about the goings-on in the region with a strong emphasis on entertainment and food and what people can enjoy.”
“It ties those who would be visiting to those locally that are providing services and opportunities to enjoy. It seems there is a void for something like this.”
“The whole idea behind this,” Palmer said. “I want this magazine to be beneficial to all parties involved. I personally feel that our community has an enormous amount of resources and a willingness to help others. This is just a visual way to pair our resources with those seeking to enjoy our community.”
There will be several local authors contributing to the magazine: Larry Gazzaway, Martha Scott, Jody Hoener and others he said.
And why not publish a magazine? Palmer is the owner of Captured Images, a photography business, and owns his own printer that will be publishing the magazine.
“We will be publishing this right here on Main Street,” Palmer said.
The magazine will have no subscription costs for readers but would be paid for by the advertisements that local businesses purchase.
“There may be a small postage charge if people would like us to mail it to them,” he said.
“The subscriptions for advertisers would be billed quarterly and range from $150 up,” Palmer said. “What is very unique about the magazine is we will be asking our advertisers to subscribe annually.
“An annual subscription will include a feature about the advertiser,” Palmer said. “If Capture Images buys one-half page for the year, for example, it would get a full page article at some point, featuring the business.”
There will be four publications annually.
The magazine would be placed in local hotels and the Tourism/Chamber of Commerce Office.
Captured Images Press is located at 118 S. Main and can be contacted at 223-5375.
“Our community needs something positive,” he said. “I hope this builds momentum.”
Jared Leek began Front Door Real Estate in 2008 working out of his home, he told the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee attendees Thursday morning.
In October 2018 he opened an office business at 14 S. Main.
The real estate business hosted the Chamber Coffee at a new listing, a house located at 500 Sunset Drive.
Lisa Ward and Crystal Mason are agents for Front Door Real Estate, while Leek is the broker.
“A ton of real estate is moving in Fort Scott,” Leek said. “A lot of out- of-town people are moving in. We had a fantastic year, last year.”
The featured house at 500 Sunset Drive, is a four bedroom, three bath home with 2, 252 square feet, built in 1950, listed at $149,900.
“It’s a great, solid house, well taken care of,” Mason said.
The agency sells residential, commercial, lots, land and lake property.
For more information call 620-224-9787.
Apparel and home décor retailer Gordmans, a division of Stage Stores, is coming to Fort Scott and surrounding regions this March.
Gordmans is currently hiring for a variety of full-time and part-time positions and encourages interested candidates to apply online at gordmans.com and then attend the job fair at the following new location:
Fort Scott Gordmans
Tuesday, Feb. 19
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
2400 S. Main Street
Fort Scott, Kansas
Pittsburg Gordmans
Thursday, Feb. 7
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
202 E. Centennial Drive
Pittsburg, Kansas
Carthage Gordmans
Wednesday, Feb. 20
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
2410 S Grand Avenue
Carthage, Missouri
Price Chopper announced January 7 that they would close the Fort Scott store on South Main Street.
In addition to Price Chopper closing, Dunkin’ Donuts store and Fort Scott Pharmacy, both located in the main Price Chopper building are closing.
The closure of Price Chopper effects 85 employees, said Mike Massey, store manager.
“Forty full-time employees, some of whom will be going to other Price Choppers,” Massey said.
“It’s a beautiful store, Fort Scott will miss it,” Massey said with a glum face.
Dunkin’ Donuts last day open is Friday, January 11, said employee Franklin Dorres. He said they had eight full-time and four part-time employees.
Fort Scott Pharmacy is closing no later than Jan. 18, said Pharmacist Julie Pellett. “Three out of the five employees will go to Iola. The Iola group offers to provide much of the services we provided to our Fort Scott customers. Call 620-365-3176 for more information.”
Question about how the closure effects taxpayers
Fortscott.biz received a valid question from the public on how much local taxpayers have provided for the development of the Price Chopper grocery store.
The City of Fort Scott was given the question, which mentioned Industrial Revenue Bonds, and responded.
” There is no negative effect to the taxpayers regarding the closure,” said Rachel Pruitt, Fort Scott’s Economic Development Director. “Reimbursement is only on incremental tax revenue. The incentive should motivate the developer (AWG)to recruit new business. If there is no tax revenue the developer does not receive reimbursement on their investment.”
“The incentives were explained in several commission meetings prior to construction,” Pruitt said. “I found a few notes to further explain the city’s involvement.”
Pruitt added the following to clarify:
“Local Incentives for Price Chopper Development:
“The State incentive: IRB state sales tax exemption on construction materials and labor.
“IRB (Industrial Revenue Bond) was a state tax exemption on construction materials and labor.
There was no federal government incentive involved in the property development by Price Chopper.
“The County incentive: participation in TIF – incremental property tax revenue reimbursed to AWG (the developer).
“TIF (Tax Increment Financing) District pays the developer on the ‘incremental’ tax revenue. There is no bond obligation to the taxpayers.”
“They were performance-based incentives.”
Price Chopper opened Dec. 13, 2017
At the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee this morning, Jan. 10, Pruitt said even though Aldi’s has been mentioned as a replacement for Price Chopper, that decision is in the hand of the developer.
WEEKLY CHAMBER COFFEE REMINDER
Join us for Chamber Coffee
Hosted by:
Crystal Mason and Jared Leek of
Front Door Real Estate
Location:
500 Sunset Dr., Fort Scott
Thursday, January 10, 2019
Click here for Front Door Real Estate’s website.
Chamber members and guests are encouraged to attend for networking, community announcements, and to learn about the hosting business or organization.
Members may pay $1 to make an announcement about an upcoming event, special/sale/discount, or news of any kind.
Upcoming Coffees:
January 17 – USD 234 – Fort Scott High School
January 24 – Sharky’s Pub & Grub
January 31 – Southwind Extension District
February 7 – City State Bank
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