Category Archives: Fort Scott

Fort Scott, Government

Fort Scott Commission Agenda for June 18

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AGENDA

FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION

FORT SCOTT CITY HALL

COMMISSION ROOM

123 SOUTH MAIN

JUNE 18, 2019

6 p.m.

I. ROLL CALL:

ADAMSON BARTELSMEYER MITCHELL NICHOLS PARKER

II. FLAG SALUTE

III. INVOCATION: Pastor Steve Cole, First United Methodist Church

IV. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS:

Recognition of Dave Bruner, Certified Fire Protection Specialist

Introduction of Adam Harrison, Codes Enforcement Supervisor

Introduction of Lyle Brittain, Codes Enforcement Officer

Recognition of Randy Ballweber, Codes Enforcement Officer

Recognition of Fort Scott Fire Department firefighters

V. CONSENT AGENDA:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of June 4th, 2019.

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1240-A totaling $538,657.58.

  1. Certificate of Appropriateness – 118 E. Wall Street

  1. Certificate of Appropriateness – 120-122 E. Wall Street

  1. Fireworks Waiver – July 4th, 2019

  1. Parade Permit – Burke Street Parade – July 4th, 2019

VII. APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:

  1. APPEARANCE:

B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute limit per citizen)

C. PUBLIC HEARINGS/COMMENTS:

VIII. CONSIDERATION:

  1. Consideration of Bids – Electric Vault Building – Airport
  1. Consideration of amendment to Tobacco Ordinance
  1. Discussion of Golden Arrow Property – Greg Schick

  1. Consideration of street closure for Flicks on the Bricks – Skubitz on Main Street and all traffic south of Main to Wall

IX. COMMENTS:

  1. Director Updates: Dave Bruner – EMS Update
  1. Commission:
  1. City Manager:

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

I MOVE THAT THE CITY COMMISSION RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE

SESSION FOR ________________________________ IN ORDER TO

(see below justification)

DISCUSS ______________________________________. THE

EXECUTIVE SESSION WILL BE ___________ MINUTES AND THE OPEN

MEETING TO RESUME AT ________________.

Justifications for Executive Sessions:

  • Personnel matters of non-elected personnel

  • Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship

  • Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative or representatives of the body or agency

  • Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships

  • Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property

X. MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT: ROLL CALL

Entertainment, Fort Scott

Meet The Author: Ronda Hassig, June 25

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Join Hedgehog.INK!

for an Author-talk and Book-signing

with Ronda Hassig

June 25, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. in her home at 512 S. Judson,

(former home of Ken and Charolette Lunt)

Ronda Hassig is a retired middle school librarian and author.  She is a 5th generation Kansan born and raised in Lawrence. She has always loved history and she and her husband Rob have traveled the world collecting artifacts from the Civil War, Civil Rights, World War I, World War II, Vietnam, and the Cold War.  

Ronda has a passion for primary sources and uses them in all of her books.

Ronda and her husband have recently moved to Fort Scott.

The Greatest Test of Courage follows Edward Mack during World War II. Stationed in the Philippines, his life changed forever on December 7, 1941.

Learn about Edward Mack’s story and how his ring found in California in 2007, prompted the writing of his story.

Fort Scott, Schools

National History Day 2019: FSMS

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Fort Scott Middle School students attended the National History Day competition June 9-13th in College Park, Maryland.

https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.15752-0/p480x480/64737024_2523731254337756_1687534440630190080_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&_nc_oc=AQnhuAUYCv0FAqxRZHuZT8-eq71fnlTJz2b_6lzDeYKtigBRBOIjvXwl8_-dT6QbHu4&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-1.xx&oh=13bb9de00117aebbdb0105a262a46862&oe=5D78F990
Katelyn Dancer. Submitted photo.

Participating for the first time were Kaitlyn Leavell, Kaitlin Hardwick and Adelynn Nolan.

https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.15752-0/p480x480/62358317_2441356726094937_8937045628295315456_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&_nc_oc=AQnGsWp1nXQrifo2TIIIPpoLHRDXdkUXl9DdeAsPFzdROs5XuW-c1bGFNZbEmVEbtHM&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-1.xx&oh=24ef666a8a9329d8f0ccc542cf6074b6&oe=5D993240
From left to right. Kaitlin Hardwick, Adelyn Nolan, Katelyn Dancer, Kaitlyn Leavell.

The group competed in the junior group performance category with a project titled “We will not be silent: the triumph through tragedy of the White Rose Resistance Group”.

 

Katelyn Dancer competed for her second year at National History Day as a junior individual performance with her project “Radium Girls: triumph despite tragedy”. Dancer received the top junior project award for the Kansas delegation, and finished fourth in the nation in junior individual performance. Both projects were well received by their judges and received high marks.

“After all the hard work, extra practices and numerous revisions of both script and annotated bibliographies, all four girls can’t wait to try again with next year’s theme, ‘Breaking through Barriers’,” Angie Kemmerer said.

https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.15752-0/p480x480/63019314_395179971090404_6044281426684149760_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&_nc_oc=AQnoictWArSDBFF5BupT2Glj2-C_NJdouRoNy1lvrgY6yBG4JqU8fu67hmFoD2Hk1Iw&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-1.xx&oh=fac3fe1d07a9d0e1007fd1d3d567d8d7&oe=5D9B7DB3
State parade of competitors before the National History Day awards ceremony in Maryland. Submitted photo.
Business, Fort Scott

Lavender Patch Fest II June 15

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Devin and Betsy Reichard, owners of the Lavender Patch. Submitted photo.
This year,  Lavender Fest II is this Saturday, June 15 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The cost is $5, with children five-years-old and under free.
Activities include live music from Bob Pavey Lovett and Red Letter Edition, a bluegrass/gospel band that has played at Silver Dollar City.
They are back by popular demand, Betsy said.
There will be a demonstration from Martha Scott on making lavender wands/bottles and little lavender baskets.
Betsy Reichard and Martha Scott, right, discuss the lavender bottles that Scott will be making for the festival.
“You also have the opportunity to make your own or buy one from her,” Betsy said.
Betsy Reichard will be giving demonstrations on making lavender wreaths and present “I have lavender, now what do I do?” she said.
Tours of the lavender fields, as well as info on how to plant lavender, will also be given.
“In addition, we will have lavender plants available to plant,” Reichard said.  “For those who would like to take a bundle home, we will once again have you-pick lavender bundles for $5.”
There will be outdoor games, picture taking opportunities, and the chance to sit, relax, and enjoy time with friends and family. she said.
Lavender plants.
A sign welcomes to the Lavender Patch, 2376 Locust Rd.
What is the Lavender Patch?
“The Lavender Patch is a small family owned lavender farm located just east of Ft. Scott city limits on Locust Rd,” Reichard said. ” We have over a thousand lavender plants and 20 varieties. Our farm is a Kansas agritourism farm and we welcome visitors to walk through the fields, take pictures, pick a lavender bundle and visit our gift shop our hours of operation which is 9 a.m.to 1 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday in June and in July it will change to 9  to noon. Thursday through Saturday, people may also call and an appointment can be made for other days and times.”
The Lavender Patch gift shop sells all things lavender.
When did it start?
“We decided to start our lavender farm in 2009 and spent the year researching, connecting with other lavender farms, and making plans. In 2010 we planted our first few plants to see if this is what we wanted to do. In 2011 we moved so did not do anything addition with the lavender but in 2012 we started planting in mass with lots of help from family and friends. Through the years we have had our struggles and just to get plants to live was our goal! However, in 2016 we switched to a new area on our farm and are having much more success!”
Why a lavender farm?
“We bought this property in 2008 since we had always wanted to live in the country. In 2009 we went to California to see Davin’s brother Daryl, his wife Erlinda and their family.  Erlinda had visited a lavender farm in California and thought it would be a neat thing to do. Knowing that we had bought this property and that they (Daryl and Erlinda) planned to move back to Kansas, Erlinda had the idea this was something we could do together as a family. While in California, we all visited the same lavender farm Erlinda had gone to previously. We talked to the owners, toured their farm, and then started our research. While on that trip, we decided on the name The Lavender Patch although Erlinda was the one who originally came up with it. “
 
New this season? 
“We have added more plants and replaced many that died this winter from winter kill. Lavender doesn’t like to have ‘wet feet’ so this rain we have had has been a challenge. We have had some of our plants that have struggled and others didn’t make it. We do have some new products in our gift shop, including some lavender scone, bread, and cookie mixes.”
 

Betsy Reichard can be reached at620-223-1364

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Fort Scott American Legion Thompson-Harkey Post 25 Scuttlebutt

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Fort Scott American Legion Thompson-Harkey Post 25 continues to lead the Department of Kansas in membership at 153% with 78 members.

 

Post 25 Legionnaire David Bishard has transferred to Post Everlasting. Additional information on funeral services will be provided at a later date.

 

Your support for the Fort Scott American Legion baseball team is needed. This is our 1st Legion baseball team in several years and we are literally starting from scratch on equipment. Myra and I will match $1.00 for every $10.00 donation. Our fundraising goal is $3,000. Registration, insurance, baseballs and other incidentals are expensive.

 

Our goal in Fort Scott is to build an American Legion baseball program based on integrity and develop young men of character for our community. and our nation.

 

Please mail your donation for the Fort Scott American Legion baseball team to

 

American Legion Post 25

PO Box 25

Fort Scott, Ks. 66701

 

You can make a donation at https://www.gofundme.com/fort-scott-american-legion-baseball/donate/?upsell=cpgn_share.  If you use GoFundMe, they ask for a platform “service” fee. It is up to you to adjust the “recommended” fee by selecting other.

 

You can also call  me at 620-215-1688 to arrange a local pick up of your donation. No donation too small.

 

 

 

 Upcoming Events

 

June 13. American Legion Auxiliary Unit 25 meets in Memorial Hall at 6 pm this evening.  Tonight’s meeting is a “meet and greet” and will be the last one before the Auxiliary Unit is chartered in July. All eligible female family members of veterans are invited to attend.

 

June 13. American Legion Post 25 Color Guard meets in Memorial Hall at 7 pm this month. The Post 25 Color Guard is open to all Post 25 Legionnaires and SAL members.

 

June 14. Flag retirement at The Fort NHS at 7 pm. Unserviceable American flags will be honorably retired during the ceremony. This event is open to the public.

 

Remember to check out Post 25 on Facebook. It contains current information pertaining to Veterans and their families.

 

VA Shuttle June Schedule

 

Mondays. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.

 

Tuesdays. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.

 

Wednesdays. Fort Scott/Kansas City VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.

 

The shuttle will make stops in Pleasanton, Louisburg and Ottawa to pick up scheduled riders.

 

Carl Jowers. Commander

Fort Scott American Legion Post 25

Telephone: 620.215.1688

Email: [email protected]

Business, Fort Scott

Ultra High Speed Internet Now Available Through Craw-Kan

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A map of the Craw-Kan Telephone Cooperative coverage ability for the Fort Scott area. Submitted photo.
Craw-KanTelephone Cooperative, Girard,  is offering ultra high-speed internet, high definition television and unlimited telephone service over 100% buried fiber optic FTTH network to residences and businesses inside the city limits of Fort Scott, mostly on the west side of town.
“Our first customers inside the city limits of Fort Scott we installed in early 2018,” Zach Adams,  Craw-Kan Marketing Manager said.  “We will attempt to complete the rest of the city limits of Fort Scott in 2020.”
Craw-Kan conducted a  business  study prior to coming to Fort Scott.
“After extensive study, it was determined that the demand for a new Internet Service Provider in the City of Fort Scott was adequate to make a successful business model,” Adams said.   “Partnership’s with Bourbon County and the City of Fort Scott proved helpful in making it easier for Craw-Kan to expand into Fort Scott. “
A landline purchase is not required.
“Customer’s in Fort Scott are not members of the cooperative and thus are not required to have landline telephone service and do not receive the benefits of cooperative membership,” Adams said. “It is required however that a customer subscribes to the internet if they wish to subscribe to our cable tv or telephone line.”
What are the costs involved?
“No installation for internet, cable tv (up to 3 TVs), no equipment rental fees and we provide remote management of our gateway router free of charge,” Adams said. ” Customer only pays for monthly service charges.  All internet and telephone is unlimited usage – we do not bill overages or long distance.”
Residential internet service ranges from approximately $50 to $70 per month, cable TV service approximately $40 – $100 per month, plus extra for movie packages, according to the Craw-Kan website:
Call 620-724-4542 for more information or to place an order.
Art, Fort Scott

Preservation Program Comes to Gordon Park Museum

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GORDON PARKS MUSEUM FOUNDATION TO PARTICIPATE IN COLLECTIONS ASSESSMENT FOR PRESERVATION PROGRAM

Fort Scott, KS Gordon Park Museum Foundation announces that it is 1 of 79 institutions in the United States selected to participate in the Collections Assessment for Preservation (CAP) program.

CAP helps museums improve the care of their collections by providing support for a conservation assessment of the museum’s collections and buildings. The museum will work with a team of preservation professionals to identify preventive conservation priorities. Museum specialist, Karen Butler-Clary from Highlands Ranch, Colorado is the Collection Assessor and architect, Craig Patterson from Lawrence, KS is the Building Assessor. The final assessment report will help the museum prioritize its collections care efforts in the coming years.

“The CAP program will help the Gordon Parks Museum to further enhance our collections care. Our goal is to preserve the collections for future generations. We are very excited and thankful to be part of this unique program and looking forward to getting started with the program right away to help ensure the preservation of the great collections we have here in the Museum for others to enjoy and study” said Kirk Sharp, Executive Director of the Gordon Parks Museum.

The CAP program is administered by FAIC through a cooperative agreement with the Institute of Museum and Library Services; a federal grant-making agency that supports museums and libraries.

# # #

About the Gordon Parks Museum Foundation The mission of the Gordon Parks Museum is to honor the life and work of Gordon Parks, internationally-known photographer, filmmaker, writer, and musician; and to use his remarkable life story to teach about artistic creativity, cultural awareness, and the role of diversity in our lives. The Gordon Parks Museum Foundation is located at 2108 S. Horton St. Fort Scott, KS 66701 and specializes in collections of Gordon Parks. It is open from Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Learn more at www.gordonparkscenter.org

About FAIC The Foundation for Advancement in Conservation saves cultural heritage for future generations, protecting it from decay and destruction. Learn more about FAIC at www.culturalheritage.org/foundation.

About IMLS The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s

Bourbon County, Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott

What’s Happening in Fort Scott This Week by the Chamber of Commerce

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Kids Eat Free Lunch At The Keyhole, noon to 1pm, Mon.-Fri., now through July 26th!! 10th & Main St., across from the Fort Scott High School

Sack lunches will be provided to those under 18. Children check in, no need to give names, and then pick up a lunch of shelf-stable meals. Open to all kids, regardless of income; no need to reside in Fort Scott
Care to Share (“The Sharing Bucket”) will be hosting the 5th Annual “TaTa” Ride on June 15th, 2019 and an “AR-15 Gun Raffle”. Raffle tickets are $5 each and on sale now! ATF Regulations apply. Contact Stacey Wright for tickets or more info. (See flyer below)
Hedgehog.INK now has gardening books on the sale rack in the front of the store – These books are FREE, for a donation to Fort Scott High School Thespians. Funds raised will help send students to the international competition in late June
Benefit Bass Fishing Tournaments & Raffles for Class of ’91 Grad Chad Elmer – Entry fees will go toward’s Chad’s upcoming expenses and prize money. Raffles include fishing and outdoor gear, ammo, an AR15 gun, and more! (See flyer below for complete details)
7-8
Weekly Livestock Sale at Fort Scott Livestock Market. Starting at 10am on both Fridays & Saturdays
Fridays:  Cows, Pairs, Big Bulls
Saturdays:  Stocker & Feeder Cattle, followed by any cows & bulls that come in late Friday & Saturday. Cafe open both sale days. You don’t have to be a buyer, just to come watch the sale and visit the cafe!
7 YPL First Friday Luncheon (Young Professional’s League of Bourbon County) – Papa Don’s,
10 N. Main St., 12-1pm

Open to YPL members or anyone interested in the organization
7 Friday Night Concert in the Park – Heritage Park Pavillion, 1st & Main St., 7-8pm

This Friday’s show will feature the local favorite band “The Eastsiders”. The band does Christian, gospel and classic rock. Many of the songs are originals written by lead singer Danny Brown. The crowd loves this band!

The concerts are organized by Ralph Carlson. If you or someone you know is interested in performing, contact Ralph at [email protected]

Bring your lawn chair as seating is limited. In the event of rain, we will move to Common Ground Coffee Co., at
116 S. Main St.
8 Farmer’s Market – Skubitz Plaza (in front of the historic fort)

Saturday Mornings, 8:00am – 12:00pm

Fort Scott Farmers’ Market is a farmer driven and run market. The farmers work hard to produce the very finest produce available. We also provide a great venue for community organizations to promote their mission and raise funds

We are focused on fresh locally produce farm products
8 Kiwanis 3-Person Scholarship Scramble – Woodland Hills Golf Course, 2414 S. Horton, 9am-2pm

Contact Shannon O’Neil for more information/registration: 620-223-5060
8 Storytime at Hedgehog.INK – 16 S. Main St., 10:30am

Join Addisyn for a celebration of fairy tales! (See flyer below)

For more information, visit: https://www.facebook.com/hedgesbookstore/
8
5th Annual Fire Department Benefit Ride – this year’s ride will benefit local family, Jack & Stephanie Lockwood. Stephanie is battling leukemia (See flyer below)

Schedule:
12pm – register at Fire Station 1
1pm – 100 mile ride begins at Fire Station 1 (1604 S. National Ave.), ends at Holmtown Pub (206 N. National Ave.)
5pm – Live music by Royce Hyer
6pm – Live music by the Dirty Bourbon Band

There will be a gun raffle inbetween bands. Come on out and help support the Lockwood family!

To watch a Dirty Bourbon Band video, visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DirtyBourbonBand/
8
Cinema Saturdays at the Gordon Parks Museum – FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center, 2108 S. Horton, 12-2pm

The Gordon Parks Museum will show the films of Gordon Parks on Saturdays this summer starting on June 8 at 12:00 p.m. in the museum on the FSCC campus.  This free event will feature Mr. Parks’ films and one of Kevin Willmott’s films
8
Barks & Brews at Boiler Room Brewhaus – 2 S. National Ave.

Join Paws and Claws as we celebrate the release of the Farm Dog Pils from The Boiler Room Brewhaus. In addition to a great, local craft beer, there will be sodas, food, and live music. A portion of proceeds from Farm Dog sales will be donated to Paws and Claws. Hot dogs and sides available for a free will donation. We will even have a few furry critters available for adoption and some great pet products to raffle off!
8 BBQ Fundraiser for Hammond Community Center Maintenance – Hammond Community Center, 2275 Soldier Rd., 5-7pm

Please help us maintain our beloved community building!

Free Will Offering * Take Out Available

Menu: Smoked Ham/Pulled Park, Baked Beans,
Coleslaw, Bread, Dessert, Tea/Water/Lemonade
9 Team Trivia at the Boiler Room Brewhaus – 10 S. National,
3-5pm

Exciting, fun and challenging team trivia. Put your team together (maximum of 8 teams, maximum of 5 members on a team)

$5 per person. Cash prizes for winning team. Pre-register at the tap room
Fort Scott, Government, Housing

Lyle Brittain: Fort Scott’s New Codes Officer

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Lyle Brittain, Fort Scott Codes Enforcement Officer.

Living in cities and towns has both benefits and responsibilities.

A property owner is responsible for keeping his/her property in a habitable condition, grass at a reasonable height and free of debris, among city codes.

The Fort Scott Codes Department provides information and assistance regarding permits, zoning, and Fort Scott codes and regulations, according to the city’s website.

Lyle Brittain, 25, was introduced at the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Weekly Coffee on May 30 as a new codes officer for the city.

Brittain earned an associates degree in business from Fort Scott Community College in 2014, and has owned a landscape business for 12 years he said.

His duties in the codes officer position are to inspect properties for compliance of grass height, proper electrical and gas systems, and additionally, issuing building permits, he said.

“We drive up and down streets,” Brittain said. “We will take complaints (about properties) and they will be addressed as soon as we can.”

The codes department can be reached by calling the city office at 223-0550. The hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“We are allowed on private property unless the owner tells us to leave,” Brittain said.

“We don’t want to make people mad,” he said. “We introduce ourselves and let them know if they don’t get the codes violation done, there will be a legal letter coming.”

“The letter will give a certain amount of days to get the issue resolved, say for instance grass getting too high (on a property),” Brittain said. “If the city  has to use its’ resources of manpower and machine to resolve the issue, it’s $300.”

A code the public may not know about concerns properties that are deemed uninhabitable.

“You can’t live in a house without electricity or water or sewer services,” Brittain said. “That’s considered an uninhabitable condition.”

The Fort Scott Codes Department is located in the basement of Memorial Hall at 1 E. Third.
The door the City of Fort Scott Codes Department at Memorial Hall, 1 E. Third.

Rhonda Dunn is the Fort Scott Director of Finance and Codes, and Adam Harrison is the newly created codes supervisor.

Lyle is married to Liz Brittain and the son of Bill and Michelle Brittain.