Category Archives: Elections

May 14, 2024 Is The Date For Healthcare Sales Tax Question To Be Decided

Vote Here sign at the Bourbon County Courthouse.

People who have been wanting to make their voices heard on a sales tax to establish and operate emergency healthcare in our community will soon have their chance.

The Bourbon County Commission will have an election on May 14 for voters to decide.

“It was suggested months ago to put the matter of a healthcare sales tax on the ballot when the subject of subsidizing an emergency room, due to  Ascension Via Christi closing the emergency room, was first announced,” said Bourbon County Clerk Jennifer Hawkins.

To view the press release of the closure:

December 20: Ascension Via Christi Closes Emergency Department in Fort Scott

Bourbon County Clerk Jennifer Hawkins. Submitted photo.

“(Bourbon County Counselor)Justin Meeks and Charles Gentry have been working for the last month or so revising the question language at the direction of the Commission,” she said. “Charles Gentry is a retired local attorney who attended the commission meetings regarding putting a question on the ballot and offered to help with the healthcare sales tax question language. The commissioners agreed to allow Mr. Gentry to work with County Counselor Meeks with creating and ultimately finalizing the wording of the ballot question.”

At the March 11, 2024 meeting of the Bourbon County Commission, Commissioner Clifton Beth made a motion to approve a community vote on the idea.

Bourbon County Commissioner Clifton Beth. Submitted photo.

“The original question asked for a one-half cent sales tax, but Clifton made a motion to approve the question changing it to a one-quarter cent sales tax and it was approved by all three Commissioners,” Hawkins said. “The purpose of the sales tax is to be used as needed for the establishment and operation of an Emergency Department in Bourbon County.”

The election will be held on May 14, 2024.

At the next commission meeting,  Hawkins will present costs associated with operating early voting and ask the commissioners if they want to fund early voting or want a one-day election, she said.

 

Here is the wording of the question that will be asked of Bourbon County residents:

Shall the following be adopted?

 

Bourbon County shall adopt a one-quarter cent retail sales tax effective October 1, 2024, and continuing for 5 years. Said tax shall be used as needed for establishment and operation of an Emergency Department in Bourbon County. Upon termination, remaining tax funds shall be used for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and/or property tax reduction as determined by the Bourbon County Commissioners.

 

              Yes

              No

Kansas election fraud defendant arrested in Florida

A Florida man is under arrest after being charged with election fraud in Kansas. George Andrews, 30 of Dade City, Florida, was arrested on Feb. 10 for forging signatures on petitions to make “No Labels” an officially recognized political party in Kansas.

“The arrested individual was part of a scheme to defraud Kansas voters by placing their forged signatures on petitions. In Kansas, we take election fraud seriously, and we will prosecute every case where the evidence indicates a crime has been committed beyond a reasonable doubt,” Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach said.

The arrest comes following an extensive investigation by the Kansas Attorney General’s Office.

Andrews is charged with two counts of election perjury and 28 counts of election forgery. He was arrested on Feb. 10 in Dade City, Florida. Pending extradition to Kansas, Andrews will appear in Johnson County District Court.

In 2015, the legislature gave the Attorney General’s Office and the Secretary of State’s Office the authority to prosecute elections crimes in Kansas. When Kobach was Secretary of State, he successfully prosecuted 12 cases of election fraud, including double voting and non-citizen voting. Kobach is the first Kansas Attorney General to exercise the authority to prosecute election crimes.

Andrews should be presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Presidential Preference and Tax for Health Care Question Elections Coming in the Next Two Months

A sign in front of the Bourbon County Courthouse in November 2021.

Two elections will take place this spring, a presidential preference one on March 19 and one on April 16, for a question on whether a one-quarter cent sales tax would be imposed locally to partially fund health care services, including emergency (ambulance) services.

The following is provided by Bourbon County Clerk Jennifer Hawkins.

March 2024 election

This is a Presidential Preference Primary.

“A presidential preference primary takes an act by the Kansas legislature to be conducted. The enactment takes the responsibility from the two-state parties (Republican and Democrat) in Kansas from conducting a caucus, and instead, having the state of Kansas conduct a primary election. It is a “preference” primary because it is an election where the vote totals are given to a political party to allocate delegates to candidates at the national convention. This is not a primary where the voters select the party candidate. This year, the state legislature decided to resurrect the state-run presidential preference primary, which had only been used in Kansas in 1980 and 1992,” according to the Kansas Secretary of State website.

Early voting will take place at the courthouse and begin on March 12 and run until Monday, March 18 at noon.

Residents will be able to vote at their normal polling place from 7:00 am-7:00 pm on March 19.

The list of candidates is located below.

The Democrat-filed candidates are:

Dean Phillips
Jason Michael Palmer
Joseph R Biden Jr.
Marianne Williamson

The Republican-filed candidates are:

Donald J. Trump
Nikki R. Haley
Ron DeSantis
Ryan L. Binkley

April 2024 election

The sales tax question will be the only thing on the ballot in April, Bourbon County Clerk Jennifer Hawkins said.

The one-quarter cent sales tax would be imposed to partially fund health care services, including emergency (ambulance) services.

“Right now, the question is still being drafted with the two attached questions being submitted by County Counselor Justin Meeks at the last commission meeting as possible options and are drafts that are subject to change,” she said.

The election will be held on April 16 with early voting beginning on April 9.

 

This is a draft of the tax question, subject to change:

Bo Co Democrats Meet Feb. 18

Bourbon County Democrats kick off 2024 with their first general meeting on Sunday, February 18th, 2024.
The meeting will be held at Fort Scott Community College in The Ellis Building meeting rooms.
The meeting time is 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
They will welcome a well-known Kansas Legislator to this first meeting: Representative Vic Miller, House Minority Leader. Miller is leaving the House to run for Kansas Senate this year and will be discussing “Cracking the Super Majority,” along with other issues relevant to Bourbon County and the State.
Please join BBcoDems to welcome Representative Miller.
We are also holding a special drawing (which involves customized engraving).
For more information, call or text 620 215 1505. Please add your name to the message.
Carol MacArthur
Chair, Bourbon Co. Democrats
620 215 1505
Please like us on Facebook
“Serving Bourbon County’s Registered Democrats”

Presidential Preference Primary Coming to Kansas in March

The vote here sign sits in front of the north wing of the Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National.

Bourbon County Clerk Jennifer Hawkins spoke to the commissioners on January 23 about the upcoming Presidential Preference Primary election on March 19.

Hawkins stated the last day to register to vote will be February 19th. Early voting will begin at the courthouse on March 11 and run until noon on March 18. On March 19 residents will be able to vote at their normal polling place.

Unaffiliated voters will not be able to vote in this election, Hawkins said. “They would have to register to be a Democrat or Republican, but they can affiliate up until election day. They can re-register as an independent after the election.”

Commissioner Clifton Beth asked who will be paying for this election and Hawkins said the State will be reimbursing the County for what they consider hard-costs such as ballots, building rent, and personnel costs.

Bourbon County Clerk Jennifer Hawkins. Submitted photo.

The following is from the Kansas Secretary of State’s website about the election:

What is a Presidential Preference Primary?

A presidential preference primary takes an act by the Kansas legislature to be conducted. The enactment takes the responsibility from the two state parties (Republican and Democrat) in Kansas from conducting a caucus, and instead, having the state of Kansas conduct a primary election. It is a “preference” primary because it is an election where the vote totals are given to a political party to allocate delegates to candidates at the national convention. This is not a primary where the voters selected the party candidate.

What is the History of Presidential Preference Primary in Kansas?

In Kansas, it is a function of the state political parties to allocate delegates to presidential candidates at each party’s national convention to select each party’s presidential nominee. Such delegates are chosen via caucus or convention by the political parties. This year, the state legislature decided to resurrect the state-run presidential preference primary, which had only been used in Kansas in 1980 and 1992.

When is the Election?

The Republican and Democratic parties can have a state-run primary election on March 19, 2024. However, either party may opt out of participating in the primary by notifying the Secretary of State on or before December 1, 2023.

Who is on the Ballot?

Presidential candidates must file their candidacy with the Secretary of State 60 days before the election (12:00 p.m. January 19, 2024). Candidates must either pay a $10,000 filing fee or present a petition with 5,000 signatures of registered Kansas voters of the applicable political party.

What Voters Can Participate?

Each political party must notify the Secretary of State in writing on or before January 16, 2024, as to who may vote in the party’s primary election.

Where is my Polling Location?

Like other elections, the county election office will determine where the voting locations are held. Advance voting by mail and advance voting in person are also an option. You will vote at your regular polling place unless you receive a notification by mail from your county election office. You may also verify your polling location on the VoterView website.

 

Eight Candidates File for the Kansas Presidential Preference Primary

Friday, January 19, 2024

TOPEKA – Secretary of State Scott Schwab announced that eight candidates, four Democrats and four Republicans, met today’s filing deadline for the state’s Presidential Preference Primary. The preference primary will be held on March 19. Candidates were required to pay a $10,000 filing fee and submit notarized paperwork with the Kansas Secretary of State’s office.

The Democrat filed candidates are:

Dean Phillips
Jason Michael Palmer
Joseph R Biden Jr.
Marianne Williamson

The Republican filed candidates are:

Donald J. Trump
Nikki R. Haley
Ron DeSantis
Ryan L. Binkley

“I am pleased to have four candidates from each major political party file with our office,” Schwab said. “I encourage Kansans to get out and vote in this historic election.”

As a reminder, the deadline to register or update voter registration is February 20 to participate in the preference primary.

In accordance with K.S.A. 25-4503(d), the Secretary of State’s office conducted the random selection of the ballot order for both political parties on January 22, at the Memorial Hall Auditorium in Topeka.

In addition to the ballot order selected by the Office, each ballot will have four candidate names, as well as a “none of the names shown” option. To learn more about this one-time Presidential Preference Primary visit VoteKansas.gov.

 

To view the Kansas bill on this subject:

summary_hb_2053_2023(1)

 

 

Elected Officials for the New Year Will be Sworn-In This Month

The Bourbon County Courthouse.

Those elected in the last November election will be sworn in sometime in December, because of their duties starting in January, said Bourbon County Clerk Jennifer Hawkins.

Also in January, the Bourbon County Commission will choose a chairman for the year amongst themselves, she said.

This year the county elections were done on newly purchased election equipment, Hawkins said, with few glitches.

“We had a representative from the company on site, Clear Ballot, of Boston, Massachusetts,” she said.

The prior county clerk purchased all new equipment before she resigned, Hawkins said.

The following are the newly elected officials from the November 7, 2023 election:

For the City of Fort Scott Commission:  Tracy Dancer, Matthew Wells, and Dyllon Olson.

For the Bronson City Council:  Michael Stewart, Christy O’Brien, and Kayla Greenway.

As Mayor of Fulton: Misty Adams

On the Fulton City Council:  Lawrence Paddock, Ronald Marsh, and Stephanie Smith.

On the Uniontown City Council: Danea Esslinger, Bradley Stewart, and Mary Pemberton.

On the the Redfield Council: L.D. Morrison, Brandy Corriston and Mel Hunt.

On the Mapleton Council, Michael Hueston, Tayler Northcutt* and Woody Brown*.

*These candidates were chosen by lot  on November 20, 2023
to break a three-way tie, with the Bourbon County Chairman Jim Harris pulling a name out of a hat, supervised by the county clerk, she said.

For the Fort Scott USD 234 Board of Education:

Position 1: James Wood

Position 2: Mike Miles

Position 3: Doug Hurd

At-large: Stewart Gulager

For the Uniontown USD235 Board of Education:

Position 1: Troy Couchman

Position 2: Rhonda Hoener

Position 3: Seth Martin

At-Large: Matt Kelly

 

For the  Southwind Extension District: Trent Johnson and Deb Lust.

For the Fort Scott Community College  Board of Trustees:  Ronda Bailey, Douglas Ropp, and Chad McKinnis.

 

Bourbon County Unofficial Write-In Report

Submitted by Jennifer Hawkins, Bourbon County Clerk.

Bourbon County, 2023 C/5 General Election, Nov 07, 2023                                                                                                                       Nov 9, 2023

2:48:28 PM

Statement of Votes Cast

Choice Votes

CITY COMMISSION FORT SCOTT (Vote for 3)

 

Tracy Dancer 500
Matthew Wells 489
Dyllon Olson 363
Joshua Baseley 304
Harold “Pete” Allen 304
Edwin Woellhof 260
Margaret P. Cummings 257
Janice Allen 173
Barbara Ann Rawlins 134
Write-in 14
Write-in 6
Write-in 1
[Write-in] Chad Cosens 3
[Write-in] Aaron Malone 2
[Write-in] Joseph Kaveh 2
[Write-in] Bluto 1
[Write-in] Brad Makin 1
[Write-in] Bugs Bunny 1
[Write-in] Deb McCoy 1
[Write-in] Elmer Fudd 1
[Write-in] James Spears 1
[Write-in] James W. Dean 1
[Write-in] Johnathan Bowman 1
[Write-in] Kevin W. Davidson 1
[Write-in] Minnie Mouse 1
[Write-in] Olive Oil 1
[Write-in] Scott Hunsaker 1
[Write-in] Skitch Allen 1
[Write-in] Tiffnie Spears 1

BRONSON CITY COUNCIL (Vote for 3)

 

Michael Stewart 44

 

Bourbon County, 2023 C/5 General Election, Nov 07, 2023                                                                                                                       Nov 9, 2023

2:48:28 PM

Statement of Votes Cast

Choice Votes
Write-in 27
Write-in 19
Write-in 1
[Write-in] Christy O’Brien 20
[Write-in] Kayla Greenway 18
[Write-in] Ellen Harper 2
[Write-in] John Stokes 2
[Write-in] Kelly Perry 2
[Write-in] David Elliott 1
[Write-in] Doris Decker 1
[Write-in] Terry Johnston 1

FULTON MAYOR (Vote for 1)

 

Write-in 32
[Write-in] Misty Adams 16
[Write-in] Pedro Morillo 14
[Write-in] Chris Anderson 2

FULTON CITY COUNCIL (Vote for 5)

 

Write-in 31
Write-in 31
Write-in 29
Write-in 29
Write-in 28
[Write-in] Lawrence Paddock 29
[Write-in] Ronald Marsh 25
[Write-in] Stephanie Smith 20
[Write-in] Steve Doucet 18
[Write-in] Martin Becerra 16
[Write-in] Pedro Morillo 12
[Write-in] Randy Beckford 12
[Write-in] Karen Paddock 11
[Write-in] Caleb Jackson 2
[Write-in] Daryl Adams 1

 

Bourbon County, 2023 C/5 General Election, Nov 07, 2023                                                                                                                       Nov 9, 2023

2:48:28 PM

Statement of Votes Cast

Choice Votes
[Write-in] Laurie Daly  
[Write-in] Robert Durbin  

UNIONTOWN CITY COUNCIL (Vote for 3)

 

Danea Esslinger 70
Write-in 21
Write-in 17
Write-in 0
[Write-in] Bradley Stewart 16
[Write-in] Mary Pemberton 15
[Write-in] Kyle Knight 2
[Write-in] Bill Griffin 1
[Write-in] Bill Marlow 1
[Write-in] Frank Johnson 1
[Write-in] Josh Hartman 1
[Write-in] Mary Pillion 1

REDFIELD CITY COUNCIL (Vote for 3)

 

L.D. Morrison 17
Brandy Corriston 16
Write-in 9
Write-in 0
Write-in 0
[Write-in] Mel Hunt 4
[Write-in] Jeff Reed 2
[Write-in] Jeff Beerbower 1
[Write-in] Kody Graham 1
[Write-in] Rick Graham 1

MAPLETON CITY COUNCIL (Vote for 3)

 

Write-in 12
Write-in 7
Write-in 6
[Write-in] Michael Hueston 6
[Write-in] Nate Burton 5

 

Bourbon County, 2023 C/5 General Election, Nov 07, 2023                                                                                                                       Nov 9, 2023

2:48:28 PM

Statement of Votes Cast

Choice Votes
[Write-in] Taylor Northcutt 5
[Write-in] Woody Brown 5
[Write-in] Alice Meyric 1
[Write-in] David Holl 1
[Write-in] John Ross 1
[Write-in] Mike Blevins Sr. 1

USO 234 POSITION 1 (Vote for 1)

 

James Wood 1,012
Joe Wimmer 463
Scott Center 181
Write-in 13
[Write-in] Rob Hassig 2
[Write-in] Arthur Houser 1
[Write-in] Bert 1
[Write-in] Bugs Bunny 1
[Write-in] Danny Brown 1
[Write-in] Donald Trump 1
[Write-in] Lindsay Hill 1
[Write-in] Michael Hoyt 1
[Write-in] Phil Jackson 1
[Write-in] Quick Draw 1
[Write-in] William Dean 1
[Write-in] Invalid 1

USO 234 POSITION 2 (Vote for 1)

 

Mike Miles 1,392
Write-in 56
[Write-in] Anyone Else 3
[Write-in] Danny Brown 3
[Write-in] Emily Hill 3
[Write-in] Mickey Mouse 3
[Write-in] Joe Wimmer 2
[Write-in] Kellye Barrows 2

 

 

Bourbon County, 2023 C/5 General Election, Nov 07, 2023                                                                                                                       Nov 9, 2023

2:48:28 PM

Statement of Votes Cast

Choice Votes
[Write-in] Martha Jane Gentry 2
[Write-in] Aaron Judy 1
[Write-in] Aaron Malone 1
[Write-in] Amy Hixon 1
[Write-in] Anne Dare 1
[Write-in] Bugs Bunny 1
[Write-in] Chad Cosens 1
[Write-in] Danny Brown Jr. 1
[Write-in] Don Wood 1
[Write-in] Donald Trump 1
[Write-in] Doug Hurd 1
[Write-in] Doug Ropp 1
[Write-in] Earnie 1
[Write-in] Gary Floyd 1
[Write-in] Gerald Hart 1
[Write-in] Harold Martin 1
[Write-in] Jason Gorman 1
[Write-in] John Doe 1
[Write-in] John Kerr 1
[Write-in] Justin Meeks 1
[Write-in] Kevin Allen 1
[Write-in] Lisa Ward 1
[Write-in] Matt Noll 1
[Write-in] Matthew Park 1
[Write-in] Mike Hoyt 1
[Write-in] Nick Barrows 1
[Write-in] Norm Nation 1
[Write-in] Payton Coyan 1
[Write-in] Scott Center 1
[Write-in] Tom Davis 1
[Write-in] Tom Dick 1
[Write-in] Tracy Altic 1
[Write-in] Invalid 7

 

Bourbon County, 2023 C/5 General Election, Nov 07, 2023                                                                                                                       Nov 9, 2023

2:48:28 PM

Statement of Votes Cast

Choice Votes

USO 234 POSITION 3 (Vote for 1)

 

Doug Hurd 833
Aaron Judy 715
Robert Harrington 117
Write-in 10
[Write-in] Blank 1
[Write-in] Count Von Count 1
[Write-in] Donald Duck 1
[Write-in] Doug Ropp 1
[Write-in] Joe Blow 1
[Write-in] Kent Aiken 1
[Write-in] Michael Donahue Jr. 1
[Write-in] Michael Hoyt 1
[Write-in] Tom Gorman 1
[Write-in] Invalid 1

USO 234 AT-LARGE POSITION (Vote for 1)

 

Stewart Gulager 863
Payton Coyan 771
Write-in 13
[Write-in] Aaron Judy 1
[Write-in] Big Bird 1
[Write-in] Bugs Bunny 1
[Write-in] Charles Russell 1
[Write-in] Donald Trump 1
[Write-in] Goofy 1
[Write-in] James W. Dean 1
[Write-in] Michael Hoyt 1
[Write-in] Mike Leachner 1
[Write-in] Mike Loyde 1
[Write-in] Robert Hassig 1
[Write-in] Tom Gorman 1
[Write-in] Blank 1

 

Bourbon County, 2023 C/5 General Election, Nov 07, 2023                                                                                                                       Nov 9, 2023

2:48:28 PM

Statement of Votes Cast

Choice Votes

USO 235 POSITION 1 (Vote for 1)

 

Troy Couchman 444
Write-in 23
[Write-in] Shawn Pritchett 4
[Write-in] Dane Clayton 2
[Write-in] Barry McAnulty 1
[Write-in] Brian Powell 1
[Write-in] Chad Holt 1
[Write-in] Chad McKinnis 1
[Write-in] Clint Walker 1
[Write-in] David Elliott 1
[Write-in] Kaley Blythe 1
[Write-in] Mike Hueston 1
[Write-in] Nelson Blythe 1
[Write-in] Rhonda Hoener 1
[Write-in] Ryan Demott 1
[Write-in] Serena McAnulty 1
[Write-in] Seth Martin 1
[Write-in] Troy Couchman 1
[Write-in] Blank 3

USO 235 POSITION 2 (Vote for 1)

 

Rhonda Hoener 465
Write-in 24
[Write-in] Edward Ramsey 3
[Write-in] Barry McAnulty 1
[Write-in] Blake Reed 1
[Write-in] Brian Powell 1
[Write-in] Chad Holt 1
[Write-in] Dale Griffiths 1
[Write-in] Jason Koch 1
[Write-in] Jason Sutterby 1
[Write-in] John Speer Sr. 1

 

Bourbon County, 2023 C/5 General Election, Nov 07, 2023                                                                                                                       Nov 9, 2023

2:48:28 PM

Statement of Votes Cast

Choice Votes
[Write-in] Kaley Blythe 1
[Write-in] Kelsey Blythe 1
[Write-in] Kody Graham 1
[Write-in] Matt Kelly 1
[Write-in] Micky Mouse 1
[Write-in] Randy McAnulty 1
[Write-in] Rhonda Hoener 1
[Write-in] Seth Martin 1
[Write-in] Travis M. Stewart 1
[Write-in] Will Bishop 1
[Write-in] Blank 3

USO 235 POSITION 3 (Vote for 1)

 

Seth Martin 272
Kolby Stock 270
Write-in 7
[Write-in] Brian Powell 1
[Write-in] Chad Holt 1
[Write-in] David Elliott 1
[Write-in] Lee Belle Blythe 1
[Write-in] Mike Hueston 1
[Write-in] Penelope Blythe 1
[Write-in] Seth Martin 1

USO 235 AT-LARGE POSITION (Vote for 1)

 

Matt Kelly 298
Josh Hartman 241
Write-in 8
[Write-in] Brian Powell 1
[Write-in] David Elliott 1
[Write-in] Josh Marlow 1
[Write-in] Kody Graham 1
[Write-in] Mark Hartman 1
[Write-in] Nelson Blythe 1

 

Bourbon County, 2023 C/5 General Election, Nov 07, 2023                                                                                                                       Nov 9, 2023

2:48:28 PM

Statement of Votes Cast

Choice Votes
[Write-in] Tony Bradbury  
[Write-in] Blank  

USD 248 POSITION 1 (Vote for 1)

 

Henry Ashbacher 0
Write-in 0

USD 248 POSITION 2 (Vote for 1)

 

Roger L Breneman 0
Write-in 0

USD 248 POSITION 3 (Vote for 1)

 

David M Goble 0
Write-in 0

USD 248 AT-LARGE POSITION (Vote for 1)

 

Lori Susann Johnson 0
Write-in 0

USD 346 POSITION 3 (Vote for 1)

 

Max Krull 21
Write-in 2
[Write-in] Martin Harvey 2

USD 346 AT-LARGE POSITION (Vote for 1)

 

Brent Paddock 23
Write-in 1
[Write-in] Shelley Collette 1

SOUTHWIND EXTENSION DISTRICT (Vote for 2)

 

Trent Johnson 1,569
Deb Lust 1,284
Write-in 30
Write-in 6
[Write-in] Bugs Bunny 2
[Write-in] Eric Knechtel 2
[Write-in] John Doe 2
[Write-in] Brandon Whisenhunt 1
[Write-in] Brat Holder 1

 

Bourbon County, 2023 C/5 General Election, Nov 07, 2023                                                                                                                       Nov 9, 2023

2:48:28 PM

Statement of Votes Cast

Choice Votes
[Write-in] Brian Powell 1
[Write-in] Chris Anderson 1
[Write-in] Denise Powell 1
[Write-in] Don Woods 1
[Write-in] Donald Trump 1
[Write-in] Jamie Holeman 1
[Write-in] Janice Allen 1
[Write-in] Jasmine Blythe 1
[Write-in] Joe Kaveh 1
[Write-in] John Dykstra 1
[Write-in] John Ericson 1
[Write-in] Justin Fountain 1
[Write-in] Kody Graham 1
[Write-in] Michael Hoyt 1
[Write-in] Mighty Mouse 1
[Write-in] Mike Donahue Jr. 1
[Write-in] Oscar 1
[Write-in] Pop Eye 1
[Write-in] Randy McAnulty 1
[Write-in] Serena McAnulty 1
[Write-in] T. Allen 1
[Write-in] Invalid 7

BOARD OF TRUSTEES (Vote for 3)

 

Rhonda Bailey 1,405
Douglas Ropp 1,242
Chad McKinnis 869
Josh Jones 694
David Elliott 650
Roberta M. “Bert” Lewis 552
Robert Nelson 474
Kirk Hart 380
Write-in 18
Write-in 4

 

Bourbon County, 2023 C/5 General Election, Nov 07, 2023                                                                                                                       Nov 9, 2023

2:48:28 PM

Statement of Votes Cast

Choice Votes
Write-in 1
[Write-in] Batman 1
[Write-in] Brat Holder 1
[Write-in] Brian Powell 1
[Write-in] Bugs Bunny 1
[Write-in] Clark Kent 1
[Write-in] Deanne Wise 1
[Write-in] Deb McCoy 1
[Write-in] Denise Powell 1
[Write-in] Grover 1
[Write-in] James W. Dean 1
[Write-in] Joker 1
[Write-in] Jordan McDermed 1
[Write-in] Joseph Kaveh 1
[Write-in] Judy Earp 1
[Write-in] Kelsey Blythe 1
[Write-in] Kevin Allen 1
[Write-in] Kody Graham 1
[Write-in] Michael Hoyt 1
[Write-in] Randy McAnulty 1
[Write-in] Robin 1
[Write-in] Serena McAnulty 1
[Write-in] Invalid 2

USO 235 PROPOSITION 1 (Vote for 1)

 

No 358
Yes 227

USO 235 PROPOSITION 2 (Vote for 1)

 

No 377
Yes 210

 

Bourbon County Unofficial Election Results: Slight Increase in Voter Participation

“As of the final unofficial report with all precincts reporting we had a total of 2,382 ballots cast out of 12,309 registered voters with a turnout of 19.35% which is better than the last city/school election where there was only 14.54% of turnout,” Jennifer Hawkins, the Bourbon County Clerk said. “We had 28 workers spread throughout the seven polling sites this year.”

“The official results will not be available until after the provisional ballots are determined at canvass next week,” she said.

The following are the unofficial Bourbon County Election Results,taken from the county’s Facebook page.

Uniontown School Bond Proposals: Compiled Through Facilities Audit and Community Feedback

Uniontown High School.
Early voting in Bourbon County has started on whether Uniontown’s school district will get new safety upgrades and expanded opportunities for students.
“The USD 235 bond issue prioritizes projects that were identified as the greatest needs through a 2021 facilities audit and through community feedback via 2022 survey work that went to all patrons,” USD 235 Superintendent Vance Eden said.  “These items constitute safety upgrades and the expansion of educational opportunities for students.”
Vance Eden, superintendent for USD 235. Photo from the school district’s website.
Information about each specific component of the projects can be found on the website, uniontown235.org, under the label Bond Info, he said.
The two-question format on the ballot for a vote,  “is responsive to the feedback we received regarding priorities and tax implications,” he said.
“In this format, Proposition 1 would need to pass for Proposition 2 to have the potential to pass,” he said.”
The tax implications can be found on the district’s website, he said. “Additionally, I’m happy to sit down with any patron who has a prior year’s tax bill and help them figure that out even more precisely,” Eden said.  “The projects proposed do not represent all of the ideas and needs of the district, we have been extremely mindful to prioritize those most important and meaningful projects as parts of the bond.”
The list of those projects are below:
  • “New WBE Preschool- This would include programs for 3-year-old and 4-year-old students.  This would also be a storm shelter all West Bourbon Elementary students and staff could use if needed.
  • Student Support Offices-  We would add offices on both sides of the street for the (student support) providers who are working with students.  
  • WBE Entrance- The aluminum doors are original to the building and are at the end of their life.  This would also address some ADA compliance issues with the entrance.
  • Music Room-  We would move around a couple of classes and make a music room that better fits the needs acoustically.  This would also allow us to better address/ provide special education services in the prior music room.
  • Junior High, and High School Fire Alarm- A new fire alarm would include smoke detection and automatic calling of emergency services when triggered.  Our current system does not do this.
  • HS Multipurpose Room- We would add a multi-purpose room at the HS that will also serve as the storm shelter for JH/HS students and staff. This will be a valuable space for all kinds of needs, including a room for wrestling practice.
  • New Agriculture Classroom, Metals Shop, and Construction Trades Shop-  This building is at the end of its life and needs replacement for Ag and Metals to continue to be a part of our programming.  We would also take the opportunity to add a construction trades program to this building to increase student programs.

6th Grade- 6th grade students would move across the street to become a part of the JH.  This was the most efficient use of space and programming.  It will increase opportunities for these students while creating the needed space at WBE to address their needs there without having to add on with additional new construction.”

‘The proposed USD 235 Bond Issue qualifies for State-Aide,” according to the district’s Facebook page on Nov.1. “If our bond is approved, the State will pay for 32% of the overall cost. If approved, the district will also apply for FEMA funding related to the storm shelters. If awarded, it would cover 50% of the cost of those storm shelters at WBE and UJH/HS.”

Other District Improvements, Not on the Bond Issue-The Community Walking Trail

Eden also provided an update on the walking trail around the school that is used by the community as well.

“The walking trail is currently with the architect to ensure ADA compliance and the project specifications,” he said.
“The layout will largely remain the same.  There will be some ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) adjustments as well as considerations for better drainage in those locations where it is needed.  The trail itself will be concrete construction at a width of 5 feet.”
“It is funded through a Recreational Trail Program Grant with the Department of Wildlife and Parks,” he said.  Through this grant, they will pay 80% of the cost and the district will be responsible for the remaining 20%.  That said, our 20% can be in-kind donations, which will be our preference.
Schultz Squared Architecture is doing this project for the district, he said.  “They are the architect doing our pre-bond work and already had the planning materials needed to fulfill this quickly and efficiently.”