Category Archives: Fort Scott

Building For Lease at US 69 and National Ave.

BUILDING FOR LEASE IN FORT SCOTT
LEASE AS ONE SITE OR
EACH BUILDING SEPARATE
PRIME LOCATION – US 69 & NATIONAL AVE.
Contact Bill Brittain for more information
on this property at 620-224-8657
or click here to email Bill.
The site was most recently used as the location
of the Bourbon County Cars dealership
for the past 8 years, and they relocated to an adjacent property they purchased.
Great Visibility * Highway Traffic
KDOT reports daily traffic counts at this
location as 8,830 vehicles in 2020.
See additional pictures below.
THANK YOU TO OUR CHAMBER BOOSTERS BELOW FOR THEIR
PREMIUM SUPPORT ANNUALLY OF THE WORK OF THE CHAMBER
FOR FORT SCOTT/BOURBON COUNTY!

Updated FS City Commission Meeting For Aug. 5

SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA
FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
CITY HALL COMMISSION ROOM
123 S MAIN STREET
August 5, 2021
6:00 P.M.
I. ROLL CALL:
K. ALLEN P. ALLEN R NICHOLS L WATTS J. JONES
II. CONSIDERATION:
1. Discussion regarding Cooper, National & Horton Bids (Jason Dickman)
2. Approve Broker for Lake Lot Properties
3. Approve Broker for 4500 Campbell Drive
4. Executive Session
III. ADJOURN

Community Conversation on Kansans Can Succeed Aug. 16

Education officials announce
Kansans Can Success tour coming to 50 locations & Fort Scott is on the list!
Everyone, including educators, parents, legislators, members of the business community, and members of the media are invited to attend!
Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson and Deputy Commissioner Dr. Brad Neuenswander are conducting 50 community conversations.
The Kansas State Board of Education’s outcomes for measuring progress toward achieving that vision were also derived from information gathered during the tour. Outcomes include social-emotional growth, kindergarten readiness, Individual Plan of Study, graduation, postsecondary success, and civic engagement.
Watson and Neuenswander will share success stories, as well as challenges, discuss the Kansans Can School Redesign Project, answer questions, and gather information during the tours.

FS City Commission Meets in Special Session August 5

The  Fort Scott City Commission will have a special meeting August 5, 2021, at 6:00 PM at City Hall, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas.

 

This meeting is open to the public. This meeting will also be made available via the City’s you tube channel at City of Fort Scott.

The agenda:

SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA
FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
CITY HALL COMMISSION ROOM
123 S MAIN STREET
August 5, 2021
6:00 P.M.
I. ROLL CALL:
K. ALLEN P. ALLEN R NICHOLS L WATTS J. JONES
II. CONSIDERATION:
1. Approve Broker for Lake Lot Properties
2. Approve Broker for 4500 Campbell Drive
3. Executive Session
III. ADJOURN

 

City Hires New HR Director: Brad Matkin

Brad Matkin. Submitted photo.

Brad Matkin, 51, is the new Fort Scott  Director of Human Resources. His start day was August 2, 2021.

“I will be recruiting, interviewing, and onboarding new members,” Matkin said. “Working on member benefits, challenging our benefit resources to give us better opportunities/pricing, working with the department managers to provide management/leadership training, and being the ears for the city members, and several other things too numerous to list.”

Matkin’s office is at Fort Scott City Hall, 123 S. Main. The phone number of city hall is 223-0550.

Matkin believes a good human resource person is the backbone of a company/organization, working on policies, processes, and helping create a good working environment for the members, he said.

“With that, I just kept working getting my education and gaining the knowledge it would take to be successful in a position like this… Director of Human Resources for the City of Fort Scott.”

The best part of the career is working with the members of the entity, he said. “I really enjoy the interaction with them even if the situation is sometimes not a good one. I feel members need to be able to voice their opinion to someone that can be confidential but also someone that can possibly help.”

The  COVID-19 Pandemic has created challenges in a human resource person’s job.

“Hiring and retaining members is everybody’s challenge currently but I feel the challenge is exciting,” Matkin said. “I feel getting the right mix of people that will create a good team environment plus treating them fair will make them happy to come to work. “Communication is key to retaining members, yes wages and benefits are important also, but if you can make members feel important and create a bond between the groups you will be much more successful. The old saying that members leave their boss not the job is very true.”

Matkin earned a master’s degree in business administration at Pittsburg State University with an emphasis in human resources. He has over twenty years in business management and four years in a human resource and recruiting role.

He is married ” to my wonderful wife of 28 years, Tammy” and they have three grown children and two grandsons, he said.

Outside of his career Matkin enjoys spending time with family and collects sports memorabilia.  “I also like watching KC Chiefs football and KC Royals baseball,” he said.

 

 

 

Sales Tax Holiday This Weekend At Several Ft. Scott Retailers

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce an opportunity for shoppers to save money August 6th through the 8th.

Select retailers will be offering a Sales Tax Holiday by volunteering to pay the sales tax for shoppers. Enjoy a 9.4% discount this weekend at these participating merchants: Angie Dawn’s Boutique, Bids & Dibs, Hedgehog.INK, J & W Sports, Ruddick’s Furniture & Flooring (up to $500 of sales/$50 of Sales Tax) Shirt Shack, Sunshine Boutique, and Treasure Hunt Flea Market. These stores offer a variety of merchandise including apparel, home furnishings and décor – both new and repurposed, school supplies and much more. There is no need to cross the border during this No Sales Tax Holiday Weekend. Save money, shop local, shop Fort Scott.

This shop local promotion is organized by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce. Please contact (620) 223-3566 with questions.

Downtown Clean Up Day August 13: Ideas, Volunteers, Donations Needed

Organized by the Downtown Divison of the
Chamber Board!
Engaging opportunities within our community!
Project Ideas, Volunteers
& Donations Requested
Downtown Spring Clean
Friday, August 13th, 3-6pm
See information below.
Project Ideas & Sign-ups
to volunteer requested by April 7th!
The Downtown Division of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce has planned a Downtown Spring Clean event on Friday, August 13th from 3 to 6pm. The committee is seeking project ideas and volunteers for the event to spruce up the Downtown Historic District.
The committee is asking for people to submit project ideas, or sign up to volunteer, preferably by this Wednesday, August 11th so projects and materials needed can be organized. All participants will receive a free t-shirt, courtesy of MyOneStop, and businesses/organizations who send a group of volunteers and/or provide a donation for materials will be listed on the back of the t-shirt. Donations may be made to the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce and dropped off at 231 E. Wall St.
Those with project ideas or interest in volunteering may contact Bailey Lyons, Downtown Division Chair, at 620-224-7795 or email [email protected].
FORT SCOTT DOWNTOWN
SPRING CLEAN EVENT
Date: FRIDAY, AUGUST 13TH, 2021
Available Times: 3 PM – 6 PM

New Employee Profile: Josh Hays

Josh Hays. Submitted photo.

Josh Hays, 40, recently began a new chapter in his life: a realtor at Stewart Realty Co., 1707 S. National Avenue.

The broker of the company, Diann Tucker, has encouraged Hays to join her for years, Hays said.

“One of her boys is my best friend,” he said. “She wanted me to do it for a long time.”

He is currently a farrier as well.

“I’m still shoeing horses,” Hays said. “I’m a journeyman farrier.”

A farrier is a  craftsman who trims and shoes horses’ hooves.
Hays said the farrier career has limitations.
“The physical aches,” he said. “I’m tired of crawling under a horse and shoeing horses.”
“Real estate is one of those things you can work into,”  he said. “I still have flexibility. It’s a good career path to transition into.”
Hays has already listed his first property with Stewart Realty Co.
The property is at 1780 Indian Road, Fort Scott, KS 66701.  The link is:
Fort more information, call or send him a text (620) 215-5621
Stewart Realty Co., 1707 S. National Avenue. The photo is from its Facebook page.
In addition to horses, his family has a cow-calf operation south of Fort Scott.
Hays and his wife, April, have two daughters, Isabel, 11 years old, and Dally, 4.
They like to attend rodeos together and Josh is a roper.
“I like roping when I can, I enjoy it,” he said.
Hays is a 1999 graduate of Fort Scott High School, a 2004 graduate of Pittsburg State University with a major in history, and graduated from farrier school in 2010.

U234 Press Release July 30

NEWS RELEASE

 

Friday, July 30, 2021

 

Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met in the Fort Scott High School Cafeteria at noon on Friday, July 30, for a special board meeting.

President James Wood opened the meeting.  The board approved the following employment matters:

 

A.    Employment of Gwen Skaggs as a middle school paraprofessional for the 2021-22 school year

B.    Employment of Shawn Judson as a 12-month custodian for the 2021-22 school year

 

Gina Shelton, Business Manager, gave a budget presentation.  The board adjourned.

 

Agenda For FS City Commission Aug. 3

NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR
MEETING OF
FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
CITY HALL
CITY COMMISSION MEETING ROOM
123 SOUTH MAIN STREET
AUGUST 3, 2021
6:00 P.M.
I. K. Allen P. Allen R. Nichols L. Watts J. Jones
II. Flag Salute:
III. Invocation: Led by: (To be Announced)
IV. Approval of Agenda:
V. Proclamations/Recognitions:
A. Recognition of Thade Yates, Summer Intern
VI. Consent Agenda:
A. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1293-A totaling $632,620.70
B. Request to Pay – Key Equipment & Supply Co. – Tractor Trailer – $139,754
C. Request to Pay – Earles Engineering & Inspection, Inc. – Building Inspection – $1,669.50
D. Request to Pay – Bettis Asphalt – National Ave. Mill & Overlay – $74,465.65
VII. Public Comment:
(Sign up required. Comments on any topic not on agenda and limited to five (5) minutes per
person, at Commission discretion)
VIII. City Manager Reports and Comments
IX. Engineering Firm Update
X. Public Hearing:
XI. Old Business:
A. Discussion of Downtown Parking
XII. Appearances:
A. Frank Halsey – Marmaton Massacre Event (September 18 & 19)
B. Lee Davis – Eagle Project Presentation
C. Terry Sercer – 2020 Audit
XIII. New Business:
A. Approval to go out for Request for Proposals for Kansas Moderate Income Housing Grant
B. Discussion of Code Enforcement Training and Adherence to the International Property
Maintenance Code
C. Approval of Bid for Lake Fort Scott Property Sale
D. Approval of Bid for FirstSource Property Sale
E. Approval of Super Market Developers & CHCSK Termination Agreement – CID & TIF
District
F. Approval of Contract for Audited Services 2020
G. Discussion of Potential Storwmater Projects for 2021
a. 15th & National – 17th & Eddy
b. Crawford from Wall to Elm
c. Washington & Wall
d. East National & Railroad
XIV. Reports and Comments:
B. Commissioners Report and Comments:
C. City Attorney Reports and Comments:
XV. Executive Session – If requested, (please follow script in all motions for Executive Sessions)
XVI. Adjournment:

To view entire packet including financials:

Agenda Packet 8-3-21

Wiffle Ball Tournament Today On Burke Street

The site of the Burke Street Classic Wiffle Ball Tournament, July 30, 2021. Submitted photos.

Some area youth have organized a tournament in their neighborhood.

The Burke Street Wiffle Ball Classic 2021 starts at 2 p.m. today and is estimated to run until approximately 7:30 p.m., according to event organizer Dryden Cosens, age 17.

The event is located on Burke Street, adjacent to the Cosens’ home at 1320 Marblecrest Drive.

“It’s on a lot between Ralph Hall’s and Frank Halsey’s houses, our neighbors,” Cosens said.

A wiffle ball is a light perforated ball used in a type of baseball.

“The rules are watered down,” Cosens said. “It’s a fun thing to do in the backyard with family and friends.”

But today it is a tournament, that approximately nine teams will be competing in, with around 35-40 people.

The name of the league is Burke Street Wiffle Ball, he said.

“Anybody can come and watch,” Cosens said. “There are some shade trees, but bring your own lawn chairs.”

To aid players on this humid July day with temperatures expected to be near 100 degrees, Cosens and his brother Cal, will have popcicles and a tent set up, along with water.

 

Cal and Dryden Cosens. Submitted photo.

The Cosen brothers have been playing wiffle ball since Dryden was in sixth-grade, he said. He is now 17, and Cal is 15.

“In 2015, we had our first tournament,” Dryden said. “We made a Youtube channel, but kind of gave it up when we got busy with playing baseball.”

A friend, Rocco Loffredo, came to Dryden, with the idea of restarting the tournament.

“I talked to Cal, and we decided it would be a good idea,” he said.