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“Opportunity came for us to acquire these bio cabinets, Kimberly (his wife) called and spoke with Gina Shelton (USD234 Board Clerk and Finance Director) about donating them if the school district could use them. Gina was instrumental in the process. I believe they are going to be used in two different science classes.”
“These bio cabinets couldn’t have a better home than USD 234 science labs,” Coon said. “Kim and I have six proud Fort Scott Tigers.”
“They will be placed at the middle school and/or high school,” Brown said. “This will be determined after the principals return to contract for the 2023-24 school year.”

The First Christian Church of Fort Scott closed its doors in January 2016 after 145 years of supporting and ministering to families in the Bourbon County area. The church was located most of those years at the corner of 1st and Judson.
Founded in 1871 and once one of the largest congregations in the area, First Christian Church faced an aging, declining membership with waning attendance and finally the retirement of the minister.
The Board of Trustees decided the best action would be to preserve the resources that remained and discontinue worship services. The group recognized the money was provided from Bourbon County citizens and should remain in Bourbon County to provide good works for its citizens.
After selling the church building as well as the parsonage and liquidating assets, the Board of Trustees was determined to locate the best use of their church’s remaining $250,000.
Following serious investigation and much discussion, the Trustees voted to establish an endowed fund with the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation (FSACF).
The earnings of this fund, managed by FSACF, are used annually through grants for worthy projects and efforts to organizations in the Bourbon County area. The principal amount of approximately $250,000 is left untouched and will continue to generate financial grants into perpetuity.
In 2022, grants through this Endowed Fund were made to a Riverfront Authority Labyrinth in honor of Allen Warren; Methodist Church Feeding Families Program; Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries; USD 234 Preschool Center Community Involvement; USD 234 Healthy Snacks Program and (along with other area Churches) the purchase of a used vehicle to support Afghan families who had moved to our community.
This First Christian Church Endowed Fund should generate $12,000 to $20,000 each year to be used to support worthwhile endeavors in Fort Scott and Bourbon County for many, many years to come.
If you would like to contribute to the First Christian Church of Fort Scott Charitable Endowment Fund or would like information about how an organization, individuals or families can establish their own endowed fund through the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation, go to www.fsacf.com for more information.
CITY OF FORT SCOTT
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
The regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held June 20, 2023 at 6:00PM in the City Commission Meeting Room at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas.
ROLL CALL:
Commissioners T. Van Hoecke (via Microsoft Teams), K. Harrington, E. Woellhof were present with Mayor M. Wells.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND INVOCATION: M. Wells, said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City, our Government and City officials.
AUDIENCE IN ATTENDANCE: Brad Matkin/City Manager, Bob Farmer/City Attorney, Lisa Lewis/City Clerk, Ben Hart/Finance Director, Jason Dickman/Earles Engineering, Scott Flater/Water Utilities Director, Angela Simon, Melissa Guns, Doug Guns, Rachel French, Bailey Lyons, Dyllon Olson, Patrick Wood, Ann Rawlins, Betty Breault, Josh Jones, John Maloney, Dawna Maloney, Jason Silvers, Travis Sawyer, Jennifer Sawyer, Anne Dare, Sarah Klassen, Rachel Carpenter, Janice Allen, Michael Hoyt, Dyllon Olson and Lieutenant Caleb Bell.
RECOGNITIONS:
Fire Chief David Bruner recognized Firefighter Scott Shelton and Deputy Fire Chief Mike Miles who completed the K.U. Emergency Leaders Academy.
APPOINTMENT OF OFFICE: Discussion was had about the Letters of Interest for the vacant City Commissioner chair that were submitted. Some of the letters were from candidates already on the ballot for the upcoming election.
The candidates addressed the Commission in the following order. For the record Stephen Doherty withdrew his name for consideration by email (June 19, 2023) to the City Clerk prior to the meeting. A full transcript of the candidates’ statements and question and answer exchange will be posted on www.fscity.org after the June 20, 2023, City Commission Meeting Minutes are approved on July 11, 2023:
APPROVED TO APPOINT MELISSA GUNS AS THE CITY COMMISSIONER TO FINISH OUT THE VACATED SEAT THAT WILL EXPIRE DECEMBER 31, 2025.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: An amended agenda for June 20, 2023, was presented to the Commissioners at the beginning of the meeting. The amendments were as follows: 1) the recognitions from the fire department and public works, 2) the withdrawal of Commissioner candidate Stephen Doherty 3) May Financials were updated with (3) missing components.
CONSENT AGENDA:
APPROVED THE CONSENT AGENDA.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
The following citizens addressed the Commission during Public Comments. Their topic follows their name in the order in which they signed up and appeared. A full transcript of their statement will be posted on www.fscity.org after the June 20, 2023, City Commission Meeting Minutes are approved on July 11, 2023.
around town – used to do it in the past.
Board concerns
disbanding the board
Arch Project
immediately-need for community changes and growth – Fort Scott Pavilion – too much bureaucracy in Fort Scott
on the July 11, 2023, Agenda.
Josh Jones requested that M. Wells modify the current agenda to discuss the
concerns regarding the Design Review Board.
Rachel French told M. Wells that she is concerned about going before the Design Review Board after “speaking her peace tonight”. She stated that if they do not talk about it tonight, she still has gone before them.
Discussion was had about the City Commission and SHPPO having the final say over the advisory board. B. Matkin stated that it was up to the (5) Commissioners. B. Farmer told R. French to “just do it”.
APPEARANCES:
Travis Sawyer – submitted a request for a Temporary Street Closure on July 4, 2023, 2:00PM-11:00PM on Heylman from 6th to 7th Streets.
APPROVED THE REQUEST FOR A TEMPORARY STREET CLOSURE OF HEYLMAN FROM 6TH TO 7TH STREETS ON JULY 4TH, 2023, FROM 2:00PM TO 11:00PM.
The City Manager agreed to provide the City’s street barricades for the event. They will be placed in his yard on July 3, 2023.
OLD BUSINESS:
APPROVED CHANGE ORDER NO. 1 – 2022 CDBG SANITARY SEWER PROJECT CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION FOR $233,292.86.
Discussion was had about the options and the preferences.
APPROVED TO TABLE THE ITEM UNTIL JULY 11, 2023.
PUBLIC HEARING: None
NEW BUSINESS:
APPROVED TO ADVERTISE FOR BIDS FOR SANITARY SEWER REROUTING FOR EVERGY INFANTRY SUBSTATION
REPORTS AND COMMENTS:
City Manager: B. Matkin
City Engineer: J. Dickman/Earles Engineering & Inspection
City Attorney: B. Farmer
COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS:
Adjournment:
APPROVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 9:32PM.
Respectfully submitted for approval,
Lisa A. Lewis, City Clerk

There are several community projects happening in Fort Scott.
At the Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greeton July 11, facilitated by the Chamber of Commerce, leaders of several of the projects gave updates. The event was hosted by Lyons Realty Group office.
Lindsey Madison, Chamber Executive Director, gave a summary of the upcoming events and promotions:
Updates from attendees:
Bourbon County Commission Chairman Jim Harris said it is asphalt laying season in the county, “please be cautious of workers.”
“Since 2019 we’ve lowered the mill levy by 9.6%…I will not vote for a mill levy increase,” he said.
There is a new format for speaking at the commission meetings, he said: People must sign up and they get 5 minutes each to speak. “We want peoples input,” he said. “It’s OK to disagree but be professional.”
Harris said there is a request for proposals for the overpass project on the south side of Fort Scott. The commission will be applying for state and federal funds for the project.
Rob Harrington, Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Director, said they have been working on a Star Bond and TIF project south of town, and it will be “huge to the community.” His office is at the former Mercy Hospital building, now owned by Legacy Health Foundation.
Kari West, Lead Customer Solutions Manager at Evergy, said the utility company hasn’t had an increase in five years and they are requesting one. Evergy purchased property north and west of their current location on Skubitz Plaza with plans to move to that site.


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The 6th Annual Bourbon County Special Olympics Golf Scramble is July 29.

“To date we have raised over $115,00 for Special Olympics Kansas,” Steve Anthony, tournament director said. “Because last year was such a huge hit for us we are bringing back former Major Leaguer Otis Nixon to our event.”
“Otis will be bringing with him Harlem Globetrotter Hollywood Brown, Golf Trick Shot Artist Rocky Shipe, and Olympic Medalist Arthur Culbreath,” he said.
They have a full field of sixty-two teams with 264 players coming from seven different states.
Tee times will start on Saturday July 29 at 7a.m. with the first wave of teams. The second wave will take off at approx 1:15 p.m.
“I want to thank Andrew Defebaugh and Chase Halsey for all of their help to make this tournament a success,” Anthony said. “The community is invited to come out starting at 7 a.m. to purchase raffle tickets for $1 each.”

“We also have a golf cart we will be giving away that day to the lucky winner of one of our many raffle prizes we will have available,” Anthony said. “I can’t thank the community enough for always stepping up to raise funds for such a great cause.”
For more information please contact him at 620-215-2392.

Chris Garzone, 53, is the new Assistant Principal at Winfield Scott Elementary, Fort Scott, starting August 1.

From Prescott, Arizona, he attended Sterling College on a scholarship to play football and baseball and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health and Physical Education K-12.
He is celebrating his 30th wedding anniversary with Laura Tuchscherer of Fort Scott this August, he said.
They have four children: Haley, a May 2023 Kansas University Graduate pursuing a masters degree in Public Health, with the intent on attending medical school; Austin, attending Pittsburg State University in the Automotive Certification Program; Molly, at PSU pursuing Elementary Education; Tyler, a junior at Fort Scott High School,who plans to play basketball for the Tigers.
“Our children have blessed our lives in so many ways,” he said.

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“Dangerous” Doug Harper will take the stage at 7 p.m. for the Friday Night Concert at the Heritage Park Pavilion at 1st and Main streets.
Harper is a returning musician, bringing many songs he’s written himself. A native of Nevada, Mo., Harper has been singing and playing guitar for many years. His career began with playing in bands, and toured through 38 states with Nevada’s Marci Mitchell, before Harper went solo in 2012.
Harper writes “modern folk songs,” but also performs some traditional songs. He calls his genre “subferior” because he said it’s “kind of country, kind of rock and kind of folk, which means there’s less instruments.”
Currently he performs in many nursing homes and coffee shops and said he likes the close connection to his audience.
Harper self-produces a couple of albums a year. When he’s not working in the theatre department at Cottey College as a technical director, he also produces a podcast, “Lunch With Doug” and a magazine, “Local Ear,” which can be picked up in 12 states.
“We welcome Doug back to the stage,” concert organizer Ralph Carlson said. “It’s always a pleasure to have local musicians bring their original music.”
The concert is free and seating is limited, so bring a lawn chair. In the event of inclement weather or extreme heat, the concert will moved to Common Ground Coffee at 12 E. Wall St.
Sound support is provided by Dave’s Music Gear and Jim Butler. The concert series is sponsored by the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce.
NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR REGULAR
MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
CITY HALL COMMISSION ROOM – 123 SOUTH MAIN ST.
July 11, 2023 – 6:00 P.M.
I. Roll Call:
T. VanHoecke K. Harrington E. Woellhof M. Guns M. Wells
II. Pledge of Allegiance & Invocation: Led by T. VanHoecke
III. Approval of Agenda:
IV. Consent Agenda:
A. Approval of Minutes of the Regular Meeting of June 20, 2023
B. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1339-A — $1,207,831.66
C. Request to Pay – Bennett Construction, Inc. via Earles Engineering & Inspection, Inc. – 2022 CDBG Sanitary Sewer Project – Contractor’s Application for No. 2 – Work done June 10, 2023 – June 25, 2023 – $262,723.50
D. Request to Pay – SEKRPC Grant Admin Services Project 22-PF-016 – Invoice #2 – $4,000.00
V. Public Comment:
Sign up required. Comments on any topic not on agenda and limited to five (5) minutes per person, at Commission’s discretion.
VI. Old Business:
A. Consideration of Phase II Aeration Upgrade to Cell 1B and the Inlet of Cell 2 for Wastewater Treatment Plant – J. Dickman – TABLED FROM JUNE 20, 2023
B. Approval of CORRECTED Ordinance No. 3746 VACATING PORTION OF BARTEAU STREET – Ordinance No. 3745 originally approved February 7, 2023. Error found during recording process at the Appraiser’s Office. Correction made and ordinance renumbered.
VII. Appearances:
1. Rachel French: 1st Colored Infantry Mural – seeking approval from the City Commission
2. Sarah Klassen: Old Fort Genealogy – regarding ADA Compliance of the West Entrance of Memorial Hall
3. Arnold Schofield: Discussion of the Design Review Board
4. Michael Hoyt: House numbering ordinance and expansion of the Municipal Court
5. Kendall Schoenrock: Regarding the DCF Building proposed for Wall Street and National Avenue
VIII. Public Hearing: None
IX. New Business:
A. Consideration to approve purchase of a green’s mower package from Professional Turf Products – $12,720.00 – D. Guns
B. Consideration to close Hospice account – D. Tally
C. Consideration to purchase 2015 Ford F-250 SD 4×4 EX Cab 4DR F250 Utility Bed ¾ Ton for the Collections Department from Evans Motors in Pittsburg, KS – $29,995.00 – S. Flater
D. Consideration of Ordinance No. 3747 ESTABLISHING THE REQUIRED HOOKUPS TO THE CITY WATER SYSTEM FOR THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, KANSAS – Required by the USDA as part of their funding of the River Intake Project – B. Farmer
E. Consideration of adopting Certified Local Government Program – Design Review Advisory Board option – M. Wells
F. Selection of Commissioner to represent the City on the Land Bank Advisory Board
X. Reports and Comments:
A. City Manager Comments:
B. Engineering Comments:
C. Commissioners Comments:
T. VanHoecke –
K. Harrington –
E. Woellhof –
M. Guns –
M. Wells –
D. City Attorney Comments:
XI. Executive Session:
XII. Adjournment:

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