Category Archives: Elections

Ride Provided to Vote

November 3, 2020 Submitted Story Leave a comment

If you live in Bourbon County and need a ride to vote today, call me at 620-215-1688 for a ride.

I will pick you up and return you home again after you’ve voted.

Your vote may help decide a local, state or national election.

It goes without saying, there will be no political discussions during the ride. This is an offer of a free ride to vote, if you need transportation to vote.

For GOD and Country.

Carl Jowers. Post 25 Commander.

Bourbon County, Elections, Government

Bourbon County Ballot For Nov. 3

November 3, 2020 Loretta George Leave a comment

COUNTY CLERK’S NOTICE OF CANDIDATES TO BE VOTED ON

AT THE GENERAL ELECTION NOVEMBER 3, 2020

State of Kansas County of Bourbon

In compliance with K.S.A. 25-105, and the General Election Laws of the State of Kansas, I submit herewith the list of National, State and District Candidates certified to me by the Secretary of State, and the list of those filed as candidates in Bourbon County in the forthcoming General Election to be held, Tuesday, November 3, 2020.

And, I hereby give further notice that the election will be held in the voting places listed below in Bourbon County, Kansas, and that the polls will be opened and closed at the regular time specified by law for the conduct of elections. All precincts in the county will open at 7:00 am and will close at 7:00 pm.

Sales Tax Question on the ballot:

To vote in favor of any question

submitted upon the ballot, darken

the oval to the left of the word

“YES”;

to vote against it, darken

the oval to the left of the word

“NO”.

Shall the following be adopted?

Shall Bourbon County, Kansas,

levy (renew) a one percent

countywide retailers’ sales tax to

take effect on July 1, 2021, and

expire on June 30, 2031, with the

allocated shares pursuant to

K.S.A. 2019 Supp. 12-192 to be

used as follows: (1) to Bourbon

County, for the purpose of

maintenance and construction of

hard surface roads, and (2) to

each city located in Bourbon

County, for the purpose of

providing funding for public

services?

Residents living in the City of Fort Scott vote at the following locations:

1^st Ward Community Christian Church – 1919 S Horton, Fort Scott

2^nd Ward Grace Baptist Church – 502 S Margrave, Fort Scott

3^rd Ward Grace Baptist Church – 502 S Margrave, Fort Scott

4^th Ward Community Christian Church – 1919 S Horton, Fort Scott

5^th Ward Community Christian Church – 1919 S Horton, Fort Scott

6^th Ward Community Christian Church – 1919 S Horton, Fort Scott

7^th Ward Grace Baptist Church – 502 S Margrave, Fort Scott

Residents living out in the county vote at the following locations:

Drywood Grace Baptist Church – 502 S Margrave, Fort Scott

Franklin Mapleton Community Building – 565 Eldora, Mapleton, KS

Freedom Fulton Community Building – 408 West Osage, Fulton, KS

East Marion Uniontown City Hall – 206 Sherman Street, Uniontown, KS

West Marion Bronson Community Building – 504 Clay Street, Bronson, KS

Marmaton Redfield City Hall – 312 N Pine, Redfield, KS

Millcreek Redfield City Hall – 312 N Pine, Redfield, KS

Osage Fulton Community Building – 408 West Osage, Fulton, KS

Pawnee Redfield City Hall – 312 N Pine, Redfield, KS

North Scott Community Christian Church – 1919 S Horton, Fort Scott

South Scott Grace Baptist Church – 502 S Margrave, Fort Scott

Timberhill Mapleton Community Building – 565 Eldora, Mapleton, KS

Walnut Uniontown City Hall – 206 Sherman Street, Uniontown, KS

NATIONAL AND STATE OFFICES

For President and Vice-President of the United States
		Joseph R. Biden / Kamala D. Harris	1209 Barley Mill Road Wilmington, DE 19807	Democratic
		Donald J. Trump / Michael R. Pence 1100 S. Ocean Blvd. Palm Beach, FL 33480		Republican
		Jo Jorgensen / Jeremy “Spike” Cohen	Greenville, SC	Libertarian
For United States Senate
	Barbara Bollier		6910 Overhill Road Mission Hills, KS 66208	Democratic
	Roger Marshall		PO Box 1588 Great Bend, KS 67530	Republican
	Jason Buckley		8828 Marty Ln Overland Park, KS 66212	Libertarian
For US House of Representatives – District 2
		Michelle De La Isla	3250 SW Briarwood Dr Topeka, KS 66611	Democratic
		Jake LaTurner	2329 SW Ashworth Pl Topeka, KS 66614	Republican
		Robert Garrard	2287 N 300 Rd Edgerton, KS 66021	Libertarian
Kansas Senate, District 12
		Mike Bruner	1002 Pecan St. Humboldt, KS 66748	Democratic
		Caryn Tyson	PO Box 191 Parker, KS 66072	Republican
Kansas Senate, District 13
		Nancy J. Ingle	511 E. 21^st Pittsburg, KS 66762	Democratic
		Richard Hilderbrand	240 Cleveland Ave Baxter Springs, KS 66713	Republican
Kansas House of Representatives, District 2
		Lynn D. Grant	202 S. Appleton Frontenac, KS 66763	Democratic
		Kenneth Collins	102 E First Street Mulberry, KS 66756	Republican
Kansas House of Representatives, District 4
		Bill Meyer	14 Golfview Drive Fort Scott, KS 66701	Democratic
		Trevor Jacobs	1927 Locust Road Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
For County Commissioner – District 2
		Jim Harris	2302 Jayhawk Rd Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
For County Commissioner – District 3
		Clifton Beth	2236 215^th, Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
		Phillip G. Hoyt	2422 242^nd Terrace Fulton, KS 66738	Democratic
For County Clerk
		Kendell Dawn Mason	2 S Eddy Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
For County Treasurer
		Patty Love	901 Shepherd St Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
For Register of Deeds
		Lora Holdridge	1814 Richards Rd Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
For County Attorney
		Jacqie Spradling	PO Box 576 Spring Hill, KS 66083	Republican
For County Sheriff
		Mike Feagins	1964 Justice Rd Fort Scott, KS 66701	Democratic
		Bill Martin	502 Meadow Ln Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE
Drywood		Richard Cullison, Jr.	506 260^th Garland, KS 66741	Republican
Franklin		Tony Bradbury	631 Soldier Rd. Bronson, KS 66716	Republican
Freedom		Janice Seested	2330 215^th St. Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
Marion		Steve Geiger	1121 Hwy 3 Uniontown, KS 66779	Republican
Marmaton		David Duffey	1201 Locust Rd Redfield, KS 66769	Republican
Millcreek		Yvonne Beck	1821 159^th Street Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
Osage		Brian Wade	2618 Soldier Rd. Fort Scott, KS 66701	Democratic
Pawnee		Karen A. Endicott-Coyan	1635 Fern Rd Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
Scott		Jim Sackett	2019 Maple Rd Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
Timberhill		Dan Laughlin	2275 105^th St. Mapleton, KS 66754	Republican
Walnut		No Republican or Democratic Candidates filed

TOWNSHIP TREASURER
Drywood		No Republican or Democratic Candidates filed
Franklin		No Republican or Democratic Candidates filed
Freedom		Karen A. Paddock	608 W Cedar St. Fulton, KS 66738	Republican
Marion		Rex Wilson	905 Clay St. Bronson, KS 66716	Republican
Marmaton		Wilma K. Graham	102 W 4^th Redfield, KS 66769	Democratic
Millcreek		Betty L. Graham	1458 Tomahawk Rd Fort Scott, KS 66701	Democratic
Osage		Kathleen Valentine	2638 Tomahawk Rd Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
Pawnee		Sharon Middleton	1374 Eagle Rd Fort Scott, KS 66701	Democratic
Scott		Harold Rogers	2189 Ironwood Rd Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
Timberhill		David Scharenberg	1045 Yale Rd Mapleton, KS 66754	Republican
Walnut		No Republican or Democratic Candidates filed

STATE OF KANSAS OFFICIAL JUDICIAL BALLOT
Supreme Court Justice, Court of Appeals Judges, District Court Judges and District Magistrate Judge
Question #1,		Shall the following Supreme Court Justice be retained in office?
		Eric S. Rosen	1928 S.W. Indian Woods Ln. Topeka, KS 66611	Position 4

Question #2,		Shall the following Court of Appeals Judges be retained in office?
		Sarah E. Warner	Kansas Judicial Center 301 SW 10^th Ave Topeka, KS 66612	Position 4
		David E. Bruns	Olathe	Position 6
		G. Gordon Atcheson	301 SW 10^th Ave Topeka, KS 66612	Position 8
		Karen M. Arnold-Burger	301 SW 10^th Ave Topeka, KS 66612	Position 9
		Kathryn Gardner	301 SW 10^th Ave Topeka, KS 66612	Position 14

Question #3,		Shall the following Judges of the District Court be retained in office?
		Terri L Johnson	PO Box 311 Pleasanton, KS 66075	District 6, Division 2
		Mark A. Ward	829 190^th St Fort Scott, KS 66701	District 6, Division 3
		Steven C. Montgomery	22404 S. Roosevelt St. Spring Hill, KS 66083	District 6, Division 4

Question #4,		Shall the following Judge of the District Magistrate be retained in office?
		Valorie R. Leblanc	210 S. National Fort Scott, KS 66701	District 6
Shall the following be adopted? Shall Bourbon County, Kansas, levy (renew) a one percent countywide retailers’ sales tax to take effect on July 1, 2021, and expire on June 30, 2031, with the allocated shares pursuant to K.S.A. 2019 Supp. 12-192 to be used as follows: (1) to Bourbon county, for the purpose of maintenance and construction of hard surface roads, and (2) to each city located in Bourbon county, for the purpose of providing funding for public services?

Kendell Mason, County Clerk &

(SEAL) Bourbon County Election Officer

Bourbon County, Elections, Government

Bourbon County Ballot For Nov. 3

October 27, 2020 Loretta George 1 Comment

COUNTY CLERK’S NOTICE OF CANDIDATES TO BE VOTED ON

AT THE GENERAL ELECTION NOVEMBER 3, 2020

State of Kansas County of Bourbon

Sales Tax Question on the ballot:

To vote in favor of any question

submitted upon the ballot, darken

the oval to the left of the word

“YES”;

to vote against it, darken

the oval to the left of the word

“NO”.

Shall the following be adopted?

Shall Bourbon County, Kansas,

levy (renew) a one percent

countywide retailers’ sales tax to

take effect on July 1, 2021, and

expire on June 30, 2031, with the

allocated shares pursuant to

K.S.A. 2019 Supp. 12-192 to be

used as follows: (1) to Bourbon

County, for the purpose of

maintenance and construction of

hard surface roads, and (2) to

each city located in Bourbon

County, for the purpose of

providing funding for public

services?

Residents living in the City of Fort Scott vote at the following locations:

1^st Ward Community Christian Church – 1919 S Horton, Fort Scott

2^nd Ward Grace Baptist Church – 502 S Margrave, Fort Scott

3^rd Ward Grace Baptist Church – 502 S Margrave, Fort Scott

4^th Ward Community Christian Church – 1919 S Horton, Fort Scott

5^th Ward Community Christian Church – 1919 S Horton, Fort Scott

6^th Ward Community Christian Church – 1919 S Horton, Fort Scott

7^th Ward Grace Baptist Church – 502 S Margrave, Fort Scott

Residents living out in the county vote at the following locations:

Drywood Grace Baptist Church – 502 S Margrave, Fort Scott

Franklin Mapleton Community Building – 565 Eldora, Mapleton, KS

Freedom Fulton Community Building – 408 West Osage, Fulton, KS

East Marion Uniontown City Hall – 206 Sherman Street, Uniontown, KS

West Marion Bronson Community Building – 504 Clay Street, Bronson, KS

Marmaton Redfield City Hall – 312 N Pine, Redfield, KS

Millcreek Redfield City Hall – 312 N Pine, Redfield, KS

Osage Fulton Community Building – 408 West Osage, Fulton, KS

Pawnee Redfield City Hall – 312 N Pine, Redfield, KS

North Scott Community Christian Church – 1919 S Horton, Fort Scott

South Scott Grace Baptist Church – 502 S Margrave, Fort Scott

Timberhill Mapleton Community Building – 565 Eldora, Mapleton, KS

Walnut Uniontown City Hall – 206 Sherman Street, Uniontown, KS

NATIONAL AND STATE OFFICES

For President and Vice-President of the United States
		Joseph R. Biden / Kamala D. Harris	1209 Barley Mill Road Wilmington, DE 19807	Democratic
		Donald J. Trump / Michael R. Pence 1100 S. Ocean Blvd. Palm Beach, FL 33480		Republican
		Jo Jorgensen / Jeremy “Spike” Cohen	Greenville, SC	Libertarian
For United States Senate
	Barbara Bollier		6910 Overhill Road Mission Hills, KS 66208	Democratic
	Roger Marshall		PO Box 1588 Great Bend, KS 67530	Republican
	Jason Buckley		8828 Marty Ln Overland Park, KS 66212	Libertarian
For US House of Representatives – District 2
		Michelle De La Isla	3250 SW Briarwood Dr Topeka, KS 66611	Democratic
		Jake LaTurner	2329 SW Ashworth Pl Topeka, KS 66614	Republican
		Robert Garrard	2287 N 300 Rd Edgerton, KS 66021	Libertarian
Kansas Senate, District 12
		Mike Bruner	1002 Pecan St. Humboldt, KS 66748	Democratic
		Caryn Tyson	PO Box 191 Parker, KS 66072	Republican
Kansas Senate, District 13
		Nancy J. Ingle	511 E. 21^st Pittsburg, KS 66762	Democratic
		Richard Hilderbrand	240 Cleveland Ave Baxter Springs, KS 66713	Republican
Kansas House of Representatives, District 2
		Lynn D. Grant	202 S. Appleton Frontenac, KS 66763	Democratic
		Kenneth Collins	102 E First Street Mulberry, KS 66756	Republican
Kansas House of Representatives, District 4
		Bill Meyer	14 Golfview Drive Fort Scott, KS 66701	Democratic
		Trevor Jacobs	1927 Locust Road Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
For County Commissioner – District 2
		Jim Harris	2302 Jayhawk Rd Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
For County Commissioner – District 3
		Clifton Beth	2236 215^th, Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
		Phillip G. Hoyt	2422 242^nd Terrace Fulton, KS 66738	Democratic
For County Clerk
		Kendell Dawn Mason	2 S Eddy Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
For County Treasurer
		Patty Love	901 Shepherd St Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
For Register of Deeds
		Lora Holdridge	1814 Richards Rd Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
For County Attorney
		Jacqie Spradling	PO Box 576 Spring Hill, KS 66083	Republican
For County Sheriff
		Mike Feagins	1964 Justice Rd Fort Scott, KS 66701	Democratic
		Bill Martin	502 Meadow Ln Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE
Drywood		Richard Cullison, Jr.	506 260^th Garland, KS 66741	Republican
Franklin		Tony Bradbury	631 Soldier Rd. Bronson, KS 66716	Republican
Freedom		Janice Seested	2330 215^th St. Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
Marion		Steve Geiger	1121 Hwy 3 Uniontown, KS 66779	Republican
Marmaton		David Duffey	1201 Locust Rd Redfield, KS 66769	Republican
Millcreek		Yvonne Beck	1821 159^th Street Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
Osage		Brian Wade	2618 Soldier Rd. Fort Scott, KS 66701	Democratic
Pawnee		Karen A. Endicott-Coyan	1635 Fern Rd Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
Scott		Jim Sackett	2019 Maple Rd Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
Timberhill		Dan Laughlin	2275 105^th St. Mapleton, KS 66754	Republican
Walnut		No Republican or Democratic Candidates filed

TOWNSHIP TREASURER
Drywood		No Republican or Democratic Candidates filed
Franklin		No Republican or Democratic Candidates filed
Freedom		Karen A. Paddock	608 W Cedar St. Fulton, KS 66738	Republican
Marion		Rex Wilson	905 Clay St. Bronson, KS 66716	Republican
Marmaton		Wilma K. Graham	102 W 4^th Redfield, KS 66769	Democratic
Millcreek		Betty L. Graham	1458 Tomahawk Rd Fort Scott, KS 66701	Democratic
Osage		Kathleen Valentine	2638 Tomahawk Rd Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
Pawnee		Sharon Middleton	1374 Eagle Rd Fort Scott, KS 66701	Democratic
Scott		Harold Rogers	2189 Ironwood Rd Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
Timberhill		David Scharenberg	1045 Yale Rd Mapleton, KS 66754	Republican
Walnut		No Republican or Democratic Candidates filed

STATE OF KANSAS OFFICIAL JUDICIAL BALLOT
Supreme Court Justice, Court of Appeals Judges, District Court Judges and District Magistrate Judge
Question #1,		Shall the following Supreme Court Justice be retained in office?
		Eric S. Rosen	1928 S.W. Indian Woods Ln. Topeka, KS 66611	Position 4

Question #2,		Shall the following Court of Appeals Judges be retained in office?
		Sarah E. Warner	Kansas Judicial Center 301 SW 10^th Ave Topeka, KS 66612	Position 4
		David E. Bruns	Olathe	Position 6
		G. Gordon Atcheson	301 SW 10^th Ave Topeka, KS 66612	Position 8
		Karen M. Arnold-Burger	301 SW 10^th Ave Topeka, KS 66612	Position 9
		Kathryn Gardner	301 SW 10^th Ave Topeka, KS 66612	Position 14

Question #3,		Shall the following Judges of the District Court be retained in office?
		Terri L Johnson	PO Box 311 Pleasanton, KS 66075	District 6, Division 2
		Mark A. Ward	829 190^th St Fort Scott, KS 66701	District 6, Division 3
		Steven C. Montgomery	22404 S. Roosevelt St. Spring Hill, KS 66083	District 6, Division 4

Question #4,		Shall the following Judge of the District Magistrate be retained in office?
		Valorie R. Leblanc	210 S. National Fort Scott, KS 66701	District 6
Shall the following be adopted? Shall Bourbon County, Kansas, levy (renew) a one percent countywide retailers’ sales tax to take effect on July 1, 2021, and expire on June 30, 2031, with the allocated shares pursuant to K.S.A. 2019 Supp. 12-192 to be used as follows: (1) to Bourbon county, for the purpose of maintenance and construction of hard surface roads, and (2) to each city located in Bourbon county, for the purpose of providing funding for public services?

Kendell Mason, County Clerk &

(SEAL) Bourbon County Election Officer

Elections, Kansas

Complete and Return Advance Ballots

October 26, 2020 Submitted Story Leave a comment

Governor Kelly and KHLAAC Remind Voters with Advance Ballots to Complete and Return

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly and The Voter Turnout Project of the Kansas Hispanic & Latino American Affairs Commission (KHLAAC) urge all voters who requested advance ballots by mail to vote with their mailed ballots

“As a reminder to those who have requested advance ballots—make sure you use the ballot that was mailed to you, rather than going to a polling site and receiving a provisional ballot,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “If you already requested a ballot to be sent to you, wait for it to arrive, then mail it back, or drop it at your county election office or local ballot drop box.”

Voters who requested an advance by mail ballot but choose to cast their ballot in person will be given a provisional ballot to ensure they only vote once. Provisional ballots are not counted until following the election—during the county canvass.

“Due to the pandemic and increased participation in voting, many voters are trying to understand what voting options they have if they have requested a ballot by mail,” Executive Director of the KHLAAC Aude Negrete said,” If a voter has requested a ballot by mail, they should complete the ballot that was mailed to them and then return it to the election office. If they choose to vote in-person, they will have to cast a provisional ballot that won’t be counted until after the election. Many counties have set up drop boxes that voters may use to return their ballot if they opt to return it in person instead of mailing it back.”

If a voter is unsure as to if they have requested a ballot, they can find that information on the Secretary of State website at https://myvoteinfo.voteks.org/VoterView.

The Latino Voter Turnout project of the Kansas Hispanic & Latino American Affairs Commission (KHLAAC) is a collaboration of with over twenty Kansas Latino agencies to increase voter engagement in the community. More information about KHLAAC’s efforts visit: https://khlaac.ks.gov/voto-latino

Bourbon County, Elections, Government

Advance Voting Up in Kansas and in Bourbon County

October 21, 2020 Loretta George Leave a comment

The number of advance voting ballots mailed out for the Kansas 2020 General Election has sharply increased, according to The Kansas City Star newspaper dated Oct. 15.

“The state said it was shipping 456,148 advance ballots this year, way beyond the 133,822 in 2016 and 128,220 in 2018.

“Democrats so far have had the highest mail-in ballot turnout. Officials reported that among ballots received, 1,261 were from those affiliated as Democrats, followed by Republicans (556), unaffiliated voters (549) and Libertarians (17).”

“On Day 1 of early voting Wednesday, (Oct. 15) Kansans returned more than triple the number of mail-in ballots sent in 2016, according to the Secretary of State’s office.”

“Officials reported 2,383 ballots sent back as of Wednesday. That’s three times the 771 after the first day of mail-in voting in 2016 and 423 in 2018.”

“The Secretary of State’s office explained in a subsequent Tweet that the ballots returned thus far are from military personnel and overseas citizens, who are sent ballots beginning 45 days prior to the election.”

To see the entire story, click below:

https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article246473700.html

In Bourbon County to date, there have been 432 advance in-person voters with two weeks left until the Nov. 3 election, according to Clerk Kendell Mason.

“We have mailed 970 ballots and 376 have been returned,” Mason said.

In the 2019 general election, there were 493 total in-person advance voters, she said.

“Advance voters put their voted ballots in a machine that counts their votes, but we will not know the results of those votes until we close down the machine on November 3^rd,” Mason said.

Voters took advantage of advance voting at the Bourbon County Clerk’s Office.

Bourbon County, Elections, Government

Bourbon County Ballot For Nov. 3

October 20, 2020 Loretta George Leave a comment

COUNTY CLERK’S NOTICE OF CANDIDATES TO BE VOTED ON

AT THE GENERAL ELECTION NOVEMBER 3, 2020

State of Kansas County of Bourbon

Sales Tax Question on the ballot:

To vote in favor of any question

submitted upon the ballot, darken

the oval to the left of the word

“YES”;

to vote against it, darken

the oval to the left of the word

“NO”.

Shall the following be adopted?

Shall Bourbon County, Kansas,

levy (renew) a one percent

countywide retailers’ sales tax to

take effect on July 1, 2021, and

expire on June 30, 2031, with the

allocated shares pursuant to

K.S.A. 2019 Supp. 12-192 to be

used as follows: (1) to Bourbon

County, for the purpose of

maintenance and construction of

hard surface roads, and (2) to

each city located in Bourbon

County, for the purpose of

providing funding for public

services?

Residents living in the City of Fort Scott vote at the following locations:

1^st Ward Community Christian Church – 1919 S Horton, Fort Scott

2^nd Ward Grace Baptist Church – 502 S Margrave, Fort Scott

3^rd Ward Grace Baptist Church – 502 S Margrave, Fort Scott

4^th Ward Community Christian Church – 1919 S Horton, Fort Scott

5^th Ward Community Christian Church – 1919 S Horton, Fort Scott

6^th Ward Community Christian Church – 1919 S Horton, Fort Scott

7^th Ward Grace Baptist Church – 502 S Margrave, Fort Scott

Residents living out in the county vote at the following locations:

Drywood Grace Baptist Church – 502 S Margrave, Fort Scott

Franklin Mapleton Community Building – 565 Eldora, Mapleton, KS

Freedom Fulton Community Building – 408 West Osage, Fulton, KS

East Marion Uniontown City Hall – 206 Sherman Street, Uniontown, KS

West Marion Bronson Community Building – 504 Clay Street, Bronson, KS

Marmaton Redfield City Hall – 312 N Pine, Redfield, KS

Millcreek Redfield City Hall – 312 N Pine, Redfield, KS

Osage Fulton Community Building – 408 West Osage, Fulton, KS

Pawnee Redfield City Hall – 312 N Pine, Redfield, KS

North Scott Community Christian Church – 1919 S Horton, Fort Scott

South Scott Grace Baptist Church – 502 S Margrave, Fort Scott

Timberhill Mapleton Community Building – 565 Eldora, Mapleton, KS

Walnut Uniontown City Hall – 206 Sherman Street, Uniontown, KS

NATIONAL AND STATE OFFICES

For President and Vice-President of the United States
		Joseph R. Biden / Kamala D. Harris	1209 Barley Mill Road Wilmington, DE 19807	Democratic
		Donald J. Trump / Michael R. Pence 1100 S. Ocean Blvd. Palm Beach, FL 33480		Republican
		Jo Jorgensen / Jeremy “Spike” Cohen	Greenville, SC	Libertarian
For United States Senate
	Barbara Bollier		6910 Overhill Road Mission Hills, KS 66208	Democratic
	Roger Marshall		PO Box 1588 Great Bend, KS 67530	Republican
	Jason Buckley		8828 Marty Ln Overland Park, KS 66212	Libertarian
For US House of Representatives – District 2
		Michelle De La Isla	3250 SW Briarwood Dr Topeka, KS 66611	Democratic
		Jake LaTurner	2329 SW Ashworth Pl Topeka, KS 66614	Republican
		Robert Garrard	2287 N 300 Rd Edgerton, KS 66021	Libertarian
Kansas Senate, District 12
		Mike Bruner	1002 Pecan St. Humboldt, KS 66748	Democratic
		Caryn Tyson	PO Box 191 Parker, KS 66072	Republican
Kansas Senate, District 13
		Nancy J. Ingle	511 E. 21^st Pittsburg, KS 66762	Democratic
		Richard Hilderbrand	240 Cleveland Ave Baxter Springs, KS 66713	Republican
Kansas House of Representatives, District 2
		Lynn D. Grant	202 S. Appleton Frontenac, KS 66763	Democratic
		Kenneth Collins	102 E First Street Mulberry, KS 66756	Republican
Kansas House of Representatives, District 4
		Bill Meyer	14 Golfview Drive Fort Scott, KS 66701	Democratic
		Trevor Jacobs	1927 Locust Road Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
For County Commissioner – District 2
		Jim Harris	2302 Jayhawk Rd Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
For County Commissioner – District 3
		Clifton Beth	2236 215^th, Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
		Phillip G. Hoyt	2422 242^nd Terrace Fulton, KS 66738	Democratic
For County Clerk
		Kendell Dawn Mason	2 S Eddy Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
For County Treasurer
		Patty Love	901 Shepherd St Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
For Register of Deeds
		Lora Holdridge	1814 Richards Rd Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
For County Attorney
		Jacqie Spradling	PO Box 576 Spring Hill, KS 66083	Republican
For County Sheriff
		Mike Feagins	1964 Justice Rd Fort Scott, KS 66701	Democratic
		Bill Martin	502 Meadow Ln Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE
Drywood		Richard Cullison, Jr.	506 260^th Garland, KS 66741	Republican
Franklin		Tony Bradbury	631 Soldier Rd. Bronson, KS 66716	Republican
Freedom		Janice Seested	2330 215^th St. Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
Marion		Steve Geiger	1121 Hwy 3 Uniontown, KS 66779	Republican
Marmaton		David Duffey	1201 Locust Rd Redfield, KS 66769	Republican
Millcreek		Yvonne Beck	1821 159^th Street Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
Osage		Brian Wade	2618 Soldier Rd. Fort Scott, KS 66701	Democratic
Pawnee		Karen A. Endicott-Coyan	1635 Fern Rd Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
Scott		Jim Sackett	2019 Maple Rd Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
Timberhill		Dan Laughlin	2275 105^th St. Mapleton, KS 66754	Republican
Walnut		No Republican or Democratic Candidates filed

TOWNSHIP TREASURER
Drywood		No Republican or Democratic Candidates filed
Franklin		No Republican or Democratic Candidates filed
Freedom		Karen A. Paddock	608 W Cedar St. Fulton, KS 66738	Republican
Marion		Rex Wilson	905 Clay St. Bronson, KS 66716	Republican
Marmaton		Wilma K. Graham	102 W 4^th Redfield, KS 66769	Democratic
Millcreek		Betty L. Graham	1458 Tomahawk Rd Fort Scott, KS 66701	Democratic
Osage		Kathleen Valentine	2638 Tomahawk Rd Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
Pawnee		Sharon Middleton	1374 Eagle Rd Fort Scott, KS 66701	Democratic
Scott		Harold Rogers	2189 Ironwood Rd Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
Timberhill		David Scharenberg	1045 Yale Rd Mapleton, KS 66754	Republican
Walnut		No Republican or Democratic Candidates filed

STATE OF KANSAS OFFICIAL JUDICIAL BALLOT
Supreme Court Justice, Court of Appeals Judges, District Court Judges and District Magistrate Judge
Question #1,		Shall the following Supreme Court Justice be retained in office?
		Eric S. Rosen	1928 S.W. Indian Woods Ln. Topeka, KS 66611	Position 4

Question #2,		Shall the following Court of Appeals Judges be retained in office?
		Sarah E. Warner	Kansas Judicial Center 301 SW 10^th Ave Topeka, KS 66612	Position 4
		David E. Bruns	Olathe	Position 6
		G. Gordon Atcheson	301 SW 10^th Ave Topeka, KS 66612	Position 8
		Karen M. Arnold-Burger	301 SW 10^th Ave Topeka, KS 66612	Position 9
		Kathryn Gardner	301 SW 10^th Ave Topeka, KS 66612	Position 14

Question #3,		Shall the following Judges of the District Court be retained in office?
		Terri L Johnson	PO Box 311 Pleasanton, KS 66075	District 6, Division 2
		Mark A. Ward	829 190^th St Fort Scott, KS 66701	District 6, Division 3
		Steven C. Montgomery	22404 S. Roosevelt St. Spring Hill, KS 66083	District 6, Division 4

Question #4,		Shall the following Judge of the District Magistrate be retained in office?
		Valorie R. Leblanc	210 S. National Fort Scott, KS 66701	District 6
Shall the following be adopted? Shall Bourbon County, Kansas, levy (renew) a one percent countywide retailers’ sales tax to take effect on July 1, 2021, and expire on June 30, 2031, with the allocated shares pursuant to K.S.A. 2019 Supp. 12-192 to be used as follows: (1) to Bourbon county, for the purpose of maintenance and construction of hard surface roads, and (2) to each city located in Bourbon county, for the purpose of providing funding for public services?

Kendell Mason, County Clerk &

(SEAL) Bourbon County Election Officer

Advertisements, Elections, Government, Kansas

AD: Bill Meyer For KS Representative District 4

October 19, 2020 Submitted Story Leave a comment

Bill Meyer for Kansas House of Representatives
District 4

If you want a Representative who stands for:

Maintaining full funding for our public schools;

Expanding Medicaid to cover 150,000 low-income Kansans while bringing $700 million per year into the Kansas economy;

Expanding broadband internet into our rural areas as the # 1 necessity for attracting new business and keeping the ones we have, enabling our farmers and ranchers to access current market conditions, providing opportunities for offsite virtual learning, and expanding telemedicine into medically underserved areas;

Respecting and listening to the opinions of others;

Vote for Bill Meyer on November 3

Elections

Bourbon County Ballot For Nov. 3

October 13, 2020 Loretta George Leave a comment

COUNTY CLERK’S NOTICE OF CANDIDATES TO BE VOTED ON

AT THE GENERAL ELECTION NOVEMBER 3, 2020

State of Kansas County of Bourbon

Sales Tax Question on the ballot:

To vote in favor of any question

submitted upon the ballot, darken

the oval to the left of the word

“YES”;

to vote against it, darken

the oval to the left of the word

“NO”.

Shall the following be adopted?

Shall Bourbon County, Kansas,

levy (renew) a one percent

countywide retailers’ sales tax to

take effect on July 1, 2021, and

expire on June 30, 2031, with the

allocated shares pursuant to

K.S.A. 2019 Supp. 12-192 to be

used as follows: (1) to Bourbon

County, for the purpose of

maintenance and construction of

hard surface roads, and (2) to

each city located in Bourbon

County, for the purpose of

providing funding for public

services?

Residents living in the City of Fort Scott vote at the following locations:

1^st Ward Community Christian Church – 1919 S Horton, Fort Scott

2^nd Ward Grace Baptist Church – 502 S Margrave, Fort Scott

3^rd Ward Grace Baptist Church – 502 S Margrave, Fort Scott

4^th Ward Community Christian Church – 1919 S Horton, Fort Scott

5^th Ward Community Christian Church – 1919 S Horton, Fort Scott

6^th Ward Community Christian Church – 1919 S Horton, Fort Scott

7^th Ward Grace Baptist Church – 502 S Margrave, Fort Scott

Residents living out in the county vote at the following locations:

Drywood Grace Baptist Church – 502 S Margrave, Fort Scott

Franklin Mapleton Community Building – 565 Eldora, Mapleton, KS

Freedom Fulton Community Building – 408 West Osage, Fulton, KS

East Marion Uniontown City Hall – 206 Sherman Street, Uniontown, KS

West Marion Bronson Community Building – 504 Clay Street, Bronson, KS

Marmaton Redfield City Hall – 312 N Pine, Redfield, KS

Millcreek Redfield City Hall – 312 N Pine, Redfield, KS

Osage Fulton Community Building – 408 West Osage, Fulton, KS

Pawnee Redfield City Hall – 312 N Pine, Redfield, KS

North Scott Community Christian Church – 1919 S Horton, Fort Scott

South Scott Grace Baptist Church – 502 S Margrave, Fort Scott

Timberhill Mapleton Community Building – 565 Eldora, Mapleton, KS

Walnut Uniontown City Hall – 206 Sherman Street, Uniontown, KS

NATIONAL AND STATE OFFICES

For President and Vice-President of the United States
		Joseph R. Biden / Kamala D. Harris	1209 Barley Mill Road Wilmington, DE 19807	Democratic
		Donald J. Trump / Michael R. Pence 1100 S. Ocean Blvd. Palm Beach, FL 33480		Republican
		Jo Jorgensen / Jeremy “Spike” Cohen	Greenville, SC	Libertarian
For United States Senate
	Barbara Bollier		6910 Overhill Road Mission Hills, KS 66208	Democratic
	Roger Marshall		PO Box 1588 Great Bend, KS 67530	Republican
	Jason Buckley		8828 Marty Ln Overland Park, KS 66212	Libertarian
For US House of Representatives – District 2
		Michelle De La Isla	3250 SW Briarwood Dr Topeka, KS 66611	Democratic
		Jake LaTurner	2329 SW Ashworth Pl Topeka, KS 66614	Republican
		Robert Garrard	2287 N 300 Rd Edgerton, KS 66021	Libertarian
Kansas Senate, District 12
		Mike Bruner	1002 Pecan St. Humboldt, KS 66748	Democratic
		Caryn Tyson	PO Box 191 Parker, KS 66072	Republican
Kansas Senate, District 13
		Nancy J. Ingle	511 E. 21^st Pittsburg, KS 66762	Democratic
		Richard Hilderbrand	240 Cleveland Ave Baxter Springs, KS 66713	Republican
Kansas House of Representatives, District 2
		Lynn D. Grant	202 S. Appleton Frontenac, KS 66763	Democratic
		Kenneth Collins	102 E First Street Mulberry, KS 66756	Republican
Kansas House of Representatives, District 4
		Bill Meyer	14 Golfview Drive Fort Scott, KS 66701	Democratic
		Trevor Jacobs	1927 Locust Road Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
For County Commissioner – District 2
		Jim Harris	2302 Jayhawk Rd Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
For County Commissioner – District 3
		Clifton Beth	2236 215^th, Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
		Phillip G. Hoyt	2422 242^nd Terrace Fulton, KS 66738	Democratic
For County Clerk
		Kendell Dawn Mason	2 S Eddy Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
For County Treasurer
		Patty Love	901 Shepherd St Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
For Register of Deeds
		Lora Holdridge	1814 Richards Rd Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
For County Attorney
		Jacqie Spradling	PO Box 576 Spring Hill, KS 66083	Republican
For County Sheriff
		Mike Feagins	1964 Justice Rd Fort Scott, KS 66701	Democratic
		Bill Martin	502 Meadow Ln Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE
Drywood		Richard Cullison, Jr.	506 260^th Garland, KS 66741	Republican
Franklin		Tony Bradbury	631 Soldier Rd. Bronson, KS 66716	Republican
Freedom		Janice Seested	2330 215^th St. Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
Marion		Steve Geiger	1121 Hwy 3 Uniontown, KS 66779	Republican
Marmaton		David Duffey	1201 Locust Rd Redfield, KS 66769	Republican
Millcreek		Yvonne Beck	1821 159^th Street Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
Osage		Brian Wade	2618 Soldier Rd. Fort Scott, KS 66701	Democratic
Pawnee		Karen A. Endicott-Coyan	1635 Fern Rd Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
Scott		Jim Sackett	2019 Maple Rd Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
Timberhill		Dan Laughlin	2275 105^th St. Mapleton, KS 66754	Republican
Walnut		No Republican or Democratic Candidates filed

TOWNSHIP TREASURER
Drywood		No Republican or Democratic Candidates filed
Franklin		No Republican or Democratic Candidates filed
Freedom		Karen A. Paddock	608 W Cedar St. Fulton, KS 66738	Republican
Marion		Rex Wilson	905 Clay St. Bronson, KS 66716	Republican
Marmaton		Wilma K. Graham	102 W 4^th Redfield, KS 66769	Democratic
Millcreek		Betty L. Graham	1458 Tomahawk Rd Fort Scott, KS 66701	Democratic
Osage		Kathleen Valentine	2638 Tomahawk Rd Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
Pawnee		Sharon Middleton	1374 Eagle Rd Fort Scott, KS 66701	Democratic
Scott		Harold Rogers	2189 Ironwood Rd Fort Scott, KS 66701	Republican
Timberhill		David Scharenberg	1045 Yale Rd Mapleton, KS 66754	Republican
Walnut		No Republican or Democratic Candidates filed

STATE OF KANSAS OFFICIAL JUDICIAL BALLOT
Supreme Court Justice, Court of Appeals Judges, District Court Judges and District Magistrate Judge
Question #1,		Shall the following Supreme Court Justice be retained in office?
		Eric S. Rosen	1928 S.W. Indian Woods Ln. Topeka, KS 66611	Position 4

Question #2,		Shall the following Court of Appeals Judges be retained in office?
		Sarah E. Warner	Kansas Judicial Center 301 SW 10^th Ave Topeka, KS 66612	Position 4
		David E. Bruns	Olathe	Position 6
		G. Gordon Atcheson	301 SW 10^th Ave Topeka, KS 66612	Position 8
		Karen M. Arnold-Burger	301 SW 10^th Ave Topeka, KS 66612	Position 9
		Kathryn Gardner	301 SW 10^th Ave Topeka, KS 66612	Position 14

Question #3,		Shall the following Judges of the District Court be retained in office?
		Terri L Johnson	PO Box 311 Pleasanton, KS 66075	District 6, Division 2
		Mark A. Ward	829 190^th St Fort Scott, KS 66701	District 6, Division 3
		Steven C. Montgomery	22404 S. Roosevelt St. Spring Hill, KS 66083	District 6, Division 4

Question #4,		Shall the following Judge of the District Magistrate be retained in office?
		Valorie R. Leblanc	210 S. National Fort Scott, KS 66701	District 6
Shall the following be adopted? Shall Bourbon County, Kansas, levy (renew) a one percent countywide retailers’ sales tax to take effect on July 1, 2021, and expire on June 30, 2031, with the allocated shares pursuant to K.S.A. 2019 Supp. 12-192 to be used as follows: (1) to Bourbon county, for the purpose of maintenance and construction of hard surface roads, and (2) to each city located in Bourbon county, for the purpose of providing funding for public services?

Kendell Mason, County Clerk &

(SEAL) Bourbon County Election Officer

Advertisements, Elections, Government, Kansas

AD: Bill Meyer for KS Representative District 4

October 12, 2020 Submitted Story Leave a comment

Bill Meyer for Kansas House of Representatives
District 4

If you want a Representative who stands for:

Maintaining full funding for our public schools;

Expanding Medicaid to cover 150,000 low-income Kansans while bringing $700 million per year into the Kansas economy;

Respecting and listening to the opinions of others;

Vote for Bill Meyer on November 3

Bourbon County, Elections

Deadline To Register to Vote is Oct. 13

October 8, 2020 Submitted Story Leave a comment

Deadline to register to vote in the November National Election on November 3rd, is October 13th.

You can register to vote at the County Clerk’s Office, online at many websites.

BUT if you assistance to register, have any questions or concerns on residency, where to vote, former or pending criminal charges, your registration status – ANY CONCERN YOU HAVE THAT PREVENTS YOU FROM VOTING please call us at 620-222-0075, leave a confidential message with at least a phone number where we can reach you.

TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE but you may also write us at Advocates, P.O. Box 1009, Fort Scott, KS 66701, and we can assist to find answers at NO COST.

This is not legal advice nor is an attorney-client relationship implied. All information will be private and confidential.

Submitted by Michael J. Hoyt

Art, Bourbon County, Business, Elections, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

What’s Happening In Fort Scott

October 8, 2020 Submitted Story Leave a comment

UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS

2020 GORDON PARKS PHOTO CONTEST Sponsored by Merl Humphrey. The Theme “Social Justice, Diversity and Equity” for any amateur photographer. Deadline EXTENDED to 10/26/2020, send submission to gordonparksphotocontest@fortscott.edu.

GUIDED TOURS OF THE FORT DAILY, 10AM &1PMThe Fort Scott National Historic Site is open daily 8am-5pm for touring on your own, but arrive at 10am or 1pm on any day and take advantage of a guided tour with a park ranger! Guided tour lasts approx. 1 hour.

10/9 – Rotary Krispy Kreme Doughnut pickup! Memorial Hall from 6 to 10am, if you ordered Doughnuts for Dictionaries!

10/9-10/15 –FORT CINEMA Hocus Pocus, Heaven & COCO.

10/9 thru 10/11 – CLARK STREET LIGHTS, HALLOWEEN THEME & SCREAM!

$1 entry from 7 pm -10 pm

10/9 –BOILER ROOM BREWHAUS! – Come in and drink and sing Karaoke night!

10/9 & 10/10- FORT SCOTT LIVESTOCK

Sale starts as 10am – Sale Barn and Sat. at 7 am

10/10 – FORT SCOTT FARMERS’ MARKET– At Skubitz Plaza in front of the Fort, 8am to noon. American Legion serving Breakfast on the Bricks starting at 8am.

10/10 –CRUISE NIGHT – last cruise night for the season! 6 pm -10 pm, route of 6th St. to 18th!

10/10 –CHC/SEK DRIVE THRU FLU SHOT CLINIC 401 Woodland Hills Blvd. 9 am – 3 pm

10/10 – E3 11U Baseball Tryouts, 11am, Fisher Park, click here for info.

10/10 –BOURBON COUNTY STRONG 4-PERSON SCRAMBLE 401 Woodland Hills Blvd. 9 am – 3 pm. Contact Kayla Stewart – fortscottgc@gmail.com

10/10-11 – EKTEC Rodeo, Saturday & Sunday, Bourbon County Fairgrounds, click here for more info.

10/10 – FSHS CLASS OF 2019- HONOR RAYMOND HARPER – 1 -2 pm, Balloon release memorial for classmate Raymond @ FSHS Football Stadium.

10/10- BOILER ROOM BREWHAUS! Brews & Brushes! 1 – 4 pm. We will be creating a painting that can last through the fall with those gorgeous trees we all love and a cute truck.

10/11 – BOILER ROOM BREWHAUS! Brings back Trivia night for teams of 2 to 6 people, $5 entry

per team, 5-7 pm

SAVE THE DATE!

10/13 ~ PITTSBURG REGIONAL ECONOMIC OUTLOOK CONFERENCE ~ PSU, Overman Student Center, 1701 S. Broadway, Pittsburg, KS 10:30 am – 2 pm. Price $105.

10/15 ~ GENERAL ELECTION CANDIDATE FORUM. ~ Memorial Hall, Meet & Greet at 5:30 pm, and Forum starts at 6 pm

10/15 & 10/16 ~ BLOOD DRIVE – BRCC ~ Buck Run Community Center – Give life! 10/15 from 1-7pm & 10/16 from 9 am -1 pm.

10/16 ~ FREE GOSPEL FRIDAY NIGHT CONCERT First United Methodist Church. 7-9 pm. Blackwood Brothers in Concert singing Southern Gospel. This is a FREE concert!

10/17 FSCC HOSTS COOK’S CLINIC – Head Basketball Coach. Starts at 10 am to 1 pm. Michael Cook and other area High School & college coaches doing various drills and areas on emphasis. Arnold Arena at Fort Scott Community College.Day. $20 per person. Zoom Stream link of Cook’s Clinic available for $15 per viewer.

10/17 THE BOILER ROOM BREWHAUS! Live Music with Damaris at 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm.

10/27, 28, 29- KANSASWORKS VIRTUAL JOB FAIR! REGISTER, IT IS FREE!

Fort Scott Area

Chamber of Commerce

620-223-3566

information@fortscott.com

fortscott.com

In This Issue

Calendar of Events

FSNHS Guided Tours

Fort Cinema Movie

Gordon Parks Photo Contest

Clark Street Lights-Halloween

Farmers’ Market

Cruise Night

CHC/SEK Drive Thru Flu Shot

The Boiler Room Brewhaus – Karaoke Night, Live Music

Fort Scott Livestock Sale

THANK YOU Booster Members!

Chamber Highlights

Click here for our

Membership Directory.

We THANK our members for their support! Interested in joining the Chamber? Click here for info.

Thinking of doing business in or relocating to Fort Scott?

Seeking a job/career?

We post a Job of the Day daily on our Facebook page, distribute a monthly job openings flyer, and post jobs on our website.

Many opportunities available!

Housing needs?

Click here for a listing of our Chamber member realtors.

Click here for our rental listing.

COLOR GUARD NEEDED

Your Fort Scott American Legion Post 25 is being asked to provide funeral honors for more and more Veterans who are being interred not only in the Fort Scott National Cemetery but also in cemeteries in the local area.

As a member of the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary or Sons of the American Legion you are invited to join American Legion Post 25 Color Guard. Attendance at Legion meetings is not required to participate with the Color Guard. Some time, though, is needed to practice flag folding and presentation and other the other rituals performed by the Color.

As a Color Guard member, you would be contacted to assist in providing funeral honors for an area Veteran. If you are not available, then other Color Guard members would be contacted to assist with the flag presentation.

Sseveral photos are attached to show our Post Color Guard participating in flag presentations for recent funerals.

Remember, any current member of the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary or Sons of the American Legion can join the Post 25 Color Guard.

If you would like additional information about joining the Post 25 Color Guard, please call Color Guard Commander Darrell Spencer at 620.224.6720 or email carljowers@gmail.com.

Any area resident who may be eligible to join the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary or Sons of the American Legion, should contact Post 25 Commander Carl Jowers at 620.215.1688 for more information. Once you join the American Legion family, you can then join the Fort Scott American Legion Post 25 Color Guard.

Carl Jowers. Post 25 Commander.

THANK YOU TO OUR BOOSTER MEMBERS!

Bourbon County, Elections, Fort Scott, Government

Bourbon County Cities Need 1-percent Sales Tax Proposed on Nov. 3

October 8, 2020 Loretta George 10 Comments

Bronson, Fort Scott, Fulton, Mapleton, Redfield and Uniontown all benefit from the upcoming proposed 1-percent sales tax that will be on the Nov. 3 Bourbon County Ballot.

In fact, if the proposal fails to renew (the sales tax has been in place for years), cities will have to make hard decisions concerning services they can provide their communities, according to authorities.

Several community officials have responded with what the possible impact on their communities will be.

“If a no vote prevails, each entity receiving this sales tax would have troubling decisions that would set our communities back even further,” Fort Scott’s Financial Director Susan Bancroft said. “Some communities may be forced to raise property taxes to cover lost revenue and some may face having to make the decision to unincorporate.”

“Citizens may ask why a sales tax rather than a property tax,” Bancroft said. ” Local residents and nonresident consumers buying in Bourbon County share in the revenue generated from a sales tax. Essentially, visiting consumers help financially support improvements in our communities versus a property tax solely coming from Bourbon County residents.’

“Currently, The City of Fort Scott generates roughly $750,000 per year from the 1% sales tax,” Bancroft said. “Approximately 67% ($500,000) of the sales tax is used for the street department for operations and basic maintenance to our city streets.”

“Additionally, 20% of the sales tax supports any capital improvements needed for parks, public safety, recreational facilities and public buildings,” she said. “The remaining 13% of the sales tax supports general fund operations for things such as: public parks, municipal airport, Woodland Hills Golf Course, aquatic center, Buck Run Community Center and public safety.”

FS Commission Recent Change: 90% Will Go To Streets

“At the October 6^th commission meeting, the (Fort Scott)City Commission made a bold decision to change their current allocations of the 1% countywide sales tax to the street department,” Bancroft said. “The current 67% will increase to 90%, and will be dedicated to the street department for operations and maintenance if the sales tax passes on November 3^rd. The remaining 10% will be used to continue to fund public parks, public buildings, recreational facilities, and public safety.”

Bronson, Fulton, Mapleton, Redfield and Uniontown use the portion of their sales tax to support general operations and are a significant part of their budgets, Bancroft said.

Bancroft broke down the following percentages for how much the countywide sales tax generates in each entity as a percentage of total revenue received:

Bourbon County 35%
Bronson 18%
Fort Scott 11%
Mapleton 29%
Redfield 27%
Uniontown 14%

“I encourage the citizens of Bourbon County to research the facts to understand the impact this vote could make on our county. The proposed sales tax is not a new sales tax. This sales tax is simply renewing the current sales tax in place, and for all entities, it is to support the day to day activities that keep our communities running.” Bancroft stated.

Bronson

“The City of Bronson relies on the countywide sales tax to supplement our general fund to reduce the burden on property taxpayers,” according to Bronson City Clerk Ellen Harper. “Our general fund pays, in full or in part, expenses for general operations of the city wages, liability insurance, street maintenance, community center, library and parks. We would lose over $25,000 a year, which may not seem like much, but for a small city it would be detrimental to our finances. An estimated loss of 18% revenue would mean an approximate increase of 43 mills if it were to be added to property taxes. We couldn’t put that kind of burden on our citizens. So many services and benefits would have to be cut.”

Uniontown

“The City of Uniontown receives approximately $22,000 annually from this tax,” Uniontown City Clerk Sally Johnson said. “These funds are deposited to the general fund to help fund our public services to our community. These funds have not been earmarked for specific projects but have been used to fund a portion of patch material for city streets, culverts, ditch repairs, street lighting, signal light at Hwy. 3 intersection, help maintain the community center and much more. The City of Uniontown would like for citizens to consider renewing this tax so we can continue to provide services to our community.”

Fort Scott

Fort Scott’s Finance Director Bancroft states “The City of Fort Scott depends heavily on the countywide sales tax. If the sales tax does not pass, the impact will be greater than the $750,000 generally generated from the sales tax. The $750,000 of sales tax will be lost revenue and an additional $500,000 will need to be cut from other areas to continue to supply the same essential operations and maintenance in the street department. This equates to 1.2 million dollars that would need to be cut if the countywide sales tax does not pass. Areas that would be affected are public safety, parks, economic development, recreational facilities, aquatic center and staffing.”

Fulton

“Without the allocation of funds to the City of Fulton that are obtained through this sales tax, we would be cutting our yearly general fund in half,” Misty Adams, Mayor of Fulton said. “This would not be operable for our small town. The loss of revenue would be a huge loss and devastation for our small town and many other small rural communities. We would be operating in the red by year-end and be seeking assistance from our county commissioners. Without the passing of the 1% sale tax, we residents would see an increase in our property taxes and for some, this would create a financial hardship. Many small rural towns are housed by retirees who are budgeting their monthly expenses and are on fixed income, so increase in expenses is not what we are looking to do.”

The sales tax will appear on the Bourbon County November 3, 2020 ballot, as follows (taken from the county’s website):

Shall the following be adopted?

Shall Bourbon County, Kansas, levy (renew) a one percent countywide retailers’ sales tax to take effect on July 1, 2021, and expire on June 30, 2031, with the allocated shares pursuant to K.S.A. 2019 Supp. 12-192 to be used as follows: (1) to Bourbon County, for the purpose of maintenance and construction of hard surface roads, and (2) to each city located in Bourbon County, for the purpose of providing funding for public services?

To vote in favor of any question submitted upon the ballot, darken

the oval to the left of the word “YES”; to vote against it, darken

the oval to the left of the word “NO”.

Fort Scott Biz

Category Archives: Elections

Ride Provided to Vote

Bourbon County Ballot For Nov. 3

Bourbon County Ballot For Nov. 3

Complete and Return Advance Ballots

Governor Kelly and KHLAAC Remind Voters with Advance Ballots to Complete and Return

Advance Voting Up in Kansas and in Bourbon County

Bourbon County Ballot For Nov. 3

AD: Bill Meyer For KS Representative District 4

Bourbon County Ballot For Nov. 3

AD: Bill Meyer for KS Representative District 4

Deadline To Register to Vote is Oct. 13

What’s Happening In Fort Scott

Bourbon County Cities Need 1-percent Sales Tax Proposed on Nov. 3

Bourbon County Local News