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As of February 1, the Fort Scott Presbyterian Church has a new pastor, Reverend Sarah Gengler.
Gengler didn’t start immediately in her current career.
While working at one career, she started volunteering at a Presbyterian Church.
Gengler graduated from Adrian High School (Minnesota) in May 2001 and attended South Dakota State University from Sept. 2001 to Dec. 2004 earning a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and political science.
She began attending a Presbyterian Church in the community she was living in, while working as an education reporter for a daily newspaper.
“The work did not allow me to get to know people, as it had while working for a weekly newspaper, and my boss at the time seemed to thrive off the staff being unhappy,” she said. “I told the youth director I volunteered for at my church that I would love to do what she did, but I did not have the degree and could not afford to go back to school at that time. She told me that sometimes churches didn’t require youth directors to have a formal degree, so I left my journalism career and jumped into ministry with both feet.”
“After only a few months I knew I wanted to further my education in religious studies,” she said. “I began to take seminary classes online, for two years and felt God calling me to fully ordained ministry. I had just missed the cutoff for the fall of 2010 so I continued to work until I could enter seminary full time the summer of 2011.”
Gengler graduated from the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary in May 2014 with a Master of Divinity which focused on small rural ministry.
She was ordained in 2014 and has served Presbyterian churches in Indiana and Nebraska, and the last six months as a contracted pastor to an Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Minnesota.
“Some of my passions in ministry include preaching, pastoral care/visiting, mission and community work, and mailing greeting cards,” she said.” In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family, friends, and two dogs (Max and Daisy), reading/listening to audiobooks, cooking, baking, quilting, and anything crafty. I seem to always be busy and truly enjoy helping others.”
Sarah Gengler was born and raised on a dairy farm near Adrian, Minnesota in the southwest corner of the state, as the third of six children.
“They still run the dairy farm with my two younger brothers and milk approximately 400 cows,” she said in a press release. “People are always stunned when I tell them there are 29 people, including me, in my immediate family.”
Pastor Sarah’s hours are Sunday from 9 a.m. – noon; Monday – Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. – noon; and afternoon times by appointment.
Contact info: Church – 620-223-3180; Email – [email protected]
Address of the church: 308 S. Crawford (at the corner of 3rd and Crawford Streets)
Service time: Faith Formation classes begin at 9:30 a.m. during the school year. Worship is at 10:30 a.m. Children are welcomed in worship or childcare is available.
NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR REGULAR
MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
CITY HALL COMMISSION ROOM – 123 SOUTH MAIN ST.
February 6, 2024 – 6:00 P.M.
III. Pledge of Allegiance
VII. Public Comment: Sign up required. Comments on any topic not on agenda
and limited to five (5) minutes per person, at the Commission’s discretion.
VIII. Appearances:
– T. VanHoecke
– M. Wells
– M. Guns
– D. Olson
– T. Dancer
XII. Adjourn:
CITY OF FORT SCOTT
SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING
Unapproved minutes
A regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held January 23, 2024, 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, M. Wells, M. Guns, and D. Olson were present with Mayor T. Dancer.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND INVOCATION T. Dancer led the Pledge of Allegiance and B. Matkin provided the invocation.
AUDIENCE IN ATTENDANCE Brad Matkin/City Manager, Jason Dickman/Earles Engineering, Jason Pickert/Chief of Police, Ben Hart/BakerTilly-Finance, Dave Bruner/Fire Chief, Mark McCoy/REDI, Robert Harrington/REDI, Marvin A. Lewis, Josh Jones, Travis Sawyer, Michael J. Hoyt, Jody Lore, Darnell Pullian, Barry Queen, Dean Striler and Cory Bryars.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
AGENDA APPROVED AS SUBMITTED.
CONSENT AGENDA
CONSENT AGENDA APPROVED.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Josh Jones: J. Jones addressed the Commission requesting that they delay approving the Bourbon County REDI Contract for 2024 that is on the night’s agenda until the next meeting to hear a proposal from the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team (HBCAT) to complement REDI.
Dean Striler: D. Striler addressed the Commission regarding his disapproval of the decision to disband the Lake Fort Scott Advisory Board and requested an explanation.
Barry Queen: B. Queen addressed the Commission regarding his disapproval and concerns of the decision to disband the Lake Fort Scott Advisory Board. He would like clear communication.
Michael J. Hoyt: M. Hoyt addressed the Commission regarding who will be the City contact for the STAR Bond. B. Matkin stated that he is the City contact and Garth Hermann/GillmoreBell who B. Matkin would contact for responses to STAR Bond questions.
OLD BUSINESS
Combine Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals – tabled from January 9, 2024, for legal counsel
NO ACTION TAKEN. THE BOARDS REMAIN SEPARATE.
Resolution No. 3-2024 – EXEMPTION FROM GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES UNDER K.S.A. 1120A – tabled from January 9, 2024
All voted aye.
APPROVED RESOLUTION NO. 3-2024 – EXEMPTION FROM GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES UNDER K.S.A. 1120A.
City Commission Representative to the Fort Scott Public Library M. Wells explained that there was concern from the Fort Scott Public Library that the newly elected Mayor was not to sit on the Library Board. M. Wells was chosen by Commission vote to remain the representative. This is against the board’s standard practice. B. Farmer/City Attorney researched the topic and found no Kansas statutes that prohibited M. Wells from remaining on the Library Board without the title of Mayor for 2024. The direction come from the Southeastern Kansas Library Association’s accepted standards. B. Farmer will write a letter to the Fort Scott Public Library explaining the Commission’s decision to retain M. Wells as the City Commission Representative for the Fort Scott Public Library for 2024. If there continues to be an issue, the remedy would be to write a Charter Ordinance.
NO NEW ACTION TAKEN. THE VOTE TO RETAIN M. WELLS AS THE CITY COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVE TO THE FORT SCOTT PUBLIC LIBRARY, JANUARY 9, 2024, STANDS AS RECORDED.
APPREARANCES
Michael J. Hoyt regarding Charter Ordinance No. 31: M. Hoyt addressed the Commission by request of an Appearance and provided supplemental materials. In summary, on August 18, 2020, a Charter Ordinance exempting the City of Fort Scott from the provisions of K.S.A. 12631P relating to the disposition of sewer and storm water reserve funds was passed by the City Commission. After the ordinance passed, a protest
petition was found to be sufficient by the County Attorney. The petition was circulated, enough signatures were obtained to put this issue on a ballot. A special election was held on January 5, 2021, and the decision was that Charter Ordinance No. 31 would NOT be invoked. M. Hoyt stated that he has an issue with this because Charter Ordinance No. 31 is not recorded in the City’s ordinances; like it never existed. M. Hoyt stated that it should be in the City’s records as passed by the City Commission and revoked by protest petition. He is asking that it be put on the record. B. Farmer stated that it is called a “distinction without a difference”. M. Hoyt would like to make sure that there are no further mistakes. He stated that there have been similar issues in the past.
The Commission directed the City Manager, City Attorney and City Clerk to follow up with the stated actions.
NEW BUSINESS
Public Hearings:
APPROVED TO OPEN PUBLIC HEARING FOR CASE NO. 1042 – VACATION OF E. 21ST STREET – MARVIN A. LEWIS AT 6:45PM.
Case No. 1042 – Vacation of E. 21st Street – Marvin A. Lewis – Not recommended by Planning Commission January 10, 2024.
Discussion was had about options. B. Farmer stated that the Commission can only vote on whether to vacate E. 21st Street as presented in the case. J. Jones stated that the alternative would be to vote on the vacation and then make a second motion regarding the proposal.
APPROVED TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING OF CASE NO. 1042 AT 6:55PM.
APPROVED TO FOLLOW THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND NOT APPROVE THE ACTION REQUEST TO VACATE E. 21ST STREET AS PRESENTED IN CASE NO. 1042.
APPROVED TO HAVE THE CITY ATTORNEY WRITE A PROPOSAL TO SWAP LOT 11, OWNED BY MARVIN A. LEWIS, WITH THE CITY-OWNED PROPERTY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF E. 21ST STREET. THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT WOULD MAINTAIN THE ABILITY ACCESS TO UTILITIES ON ALL LAND IN THE TRANSACTION. THIS PROPOSAL IS TO BE PRESENTED TO MARVIN A. LEWIS FOR CONSIDERATION.
APPROVED TO OPEN PUBLIC HEARING FOR CASE NO. 1044 – ZONING CHANGE AND SPECIAL USE PERMIT – 1601 E. WALL – TRAVIS SAWYER AT 6:57PM.
Case No. 1044 – Zoning Change and Special Use Permit – 1601 E. Wall – Travis Sawyer – Recommended by Planning Commission January 10, 2024 – Travis Sawyer requested that the City Commission consider a change in his original proposal to the Planning Commission which is to move the proposed building (7) feet closer to Franklin Street than what was represented on the map. He stated he spoke to the Planning Commission about it because he would be building into the easement. The intention is to keep it further from the waterway. The previous building was into the easement as well.
Pete Allen asked that the Commission keep in consideration the proposed Wall Street Historic District that is in process.
The City Engineer stated that he looked at the site and if the paperwork includes a variance to the setback, everything should be fine.
APPROVED TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING OF CASE NO. 1044 AT 7:07PM.
APPROVED TO FOLLOW THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND APPROVE THE ACTION REQUEST OF CASE NO. 1044 TO CHANGE THE ZONING OF 1601 E. WALL STREET FROM MULTI-USE TO C-3 AND APPROVE THE SPECIAL USE PERMIT.
ACTION ITEMS
Replacement of staff vehicle allocated in 2023 Capital Improvement Plan Fire Chief Dave Bruner addressed the Commission for permission to search for a replacement for the 2009 Trailblazer (purchased in 2010) that is currently assigned to the Deputy Fire Chief as a response vehicle.
Repair of the vehicle has become an issue. D. Bruner stated that he would like the Commission’s approval to search for a used replacement vehicle and waive the approval requirement of the City’s Purchasing
Policy. That would allow him to work with the City Manager and act quicker on the purchase due to the demand for used vehicles. It was determined that the Commission had previously waived the requirements if funds were available. B. Hart confirmed funds are available in the Public Safety Capital Equipment Fund with $30,000.00 allocated in the budget and the amount is amendable if necessary.
APPROVED THE PURCHASE OF AN UNEQUIPPED VEHICLE UNDER $30,000.00 (WITHOUT REQUIRED EMERGENCY ITEMS) AND UP TO $35,000.00 (WITH REQUIRED EMERGENCY ITEMS) WITH THE APPROVAL TO BE MADE BY THE CITY MANAGER.
Streets Advisory Board Ordinance Changes
APPROVED TO TABLE THE DISCUSSION OF STREET ADVISORY BOARD ORDINANCE CHANGES UNTIL THE FEBRUARY 6, 2024, CITY COMMISSION MEETING.
Letter of Interest for the vacancy on the Streets Advisory Board submitted by Robert Hassig
APPROVED ROBERT HASSIG AS A MEMBER OF THE FORT SCOTT STREETS ADVISORY BOARD.
Consideration of 2024 REDI Contract
Mark McCoy/President of Regional Economic Development Incorporated (REDI) addressed the Commission as the City and County’s economic development entity with a proposed contract beginning in 2024.
Discussion was had on the status of the contract and payments related to that contract.
Further discussion was had regarding the economic development for the City regarding first point of contact, following procedure, honoring the existing contract and possible changes in language of the proposed contract.
MOTION DEFEATED BY 2-3 VOTE.
MOTION DEFEATED BY 2-3 VOTE.
Cost Plus Net Fee Agreement for (Preliminary) Engineering Services – Project No. 06-KA-6898-01 – KDOT CCLIP-US 54 Project Phase I
The City Engineer presented the official state contract which is a three-party agreement between the engineer, the City and the State. This agreement combines the fees of Phase I design and allows the 90/10 reimbursement to be put into effect. Once completed and returned to the State, a supplement to this agreement with cover Phase II design.
APPROVED THE COST PLUS NET FEE AGREEMENT FOR (PRELIMINARY) ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR PROJECT NO. 06-KA-6898-01 KDOT CCLIP US54 PROJECT PHASE I.
Work Session – Contractors’ Advisory Board
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Comments were made by the City Manager, City Engineer, Commissioner VanHoecke, Commissioner Wells, Commissioner Guns, Commissioner Olson, and Commissioner Dancer. Available on the City of Fort Scott YouTube Channel.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
APPROVED TO RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
APPROVED TO MOVE OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION WITH NO ACTION.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 9:08PM.
Submitted by:
Lisa A. Lewis, City Clerk

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“In the first year, The Artificers (the name of their art gallery) hosted artists from Kansas, Missouri, Tennessee, North Carolina, California, and Georgia,” Kate said. “These Master artists have also taught classes in their medium and brought their talents to share in Fort Scott.”
Trent works to create art in mixed media: clay, glass, wood, and metal; Kate works in clay and acrylic painting.
“We had our studio in Kansas City for 22 years,” Trent said in a prior interview. “I’ve been a professional for 28 years. We’ve done everything from gallery to commission to art festivals all over the country. Most of our work is commission now.”
Trent said when Kansas City shut down businesses during the COVID-19 Pandemic, they began coming to their farm, west of Fort Scott.
Trent’s parents, Ed and Jackie Freeman built a house near Bronson and retired there, and so Trent and Kate have been coming here for 20 years, he said. “And we loved the town.”
Eventually, the Freeman’s purchased the building at 8 North National Avenue, on October 2, 2020.
Continue reading The Artificers Celebrate One Year in Business
The Fort Scott High School Thespians perform the dark comedy “Arsenic and Old Lace” at 7 p.m. on Feb. 8, 9, and 10 at the FSHS Auditorium.
Dramatists Play Service describes the play this way, “Drama critic Mortimer Brewster’s engagement announcement is upended when he discovers a corpse in his elderly aunts’ window seat. Mortimer rushes to tell Abby and Martha before they stumble upon the body themselves, only to learn that the two old women aren’t just aware of the dead man in their parlor, they killed him! Between his aunts’ penchant for poisoning wine, a brother who thinks he’s Teddy Roosevelt, and another brother using plastic surgery to hide from the police—not to mention Mortimer’s own hesitancy about marriage—it’ll be a miracle if Mortimer makes it to his wedding. “Arsenic and Old Lace” is a classic black comedy about the only thing more deadly than poison: family.”
The Brewster sisters are played by senior Jaedyn Lewis and junior Emma Guns with the role of Mortimer being played by senior Jericho Jones. Major supporting roles are played by senior Regen Wells and juniors Cooper George, Kaiden Clary, and Mykael Lewis.
Tickets for performances are $7 for adults and $5 for students and children. Tickets are available at fortscotthighschool.ludus.com or at the door. All tickets are reserved seating. Doors open 30 minutes prior to showtime.
The show is directed by FSHS Theatre Director Angie Bin and FSHS Thespian alum Mesa Jones is Assistant Director.
close
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces a Love Local Chocolate Crawl shopping event which will take place on Saturday, February 10th. Most stores in the Downtown Historic District and several additional locations will be participating in the fun.
Customers are invited to shop local retailers while sampling a variety of chocolate treats along the way, and many will also be offering drawings and promotions. Locations included in the event will have a Chocolate Crawl poster and red and white balloons displayed at their entrance.
The Chamber encourages the community to shop local, love local and join the Chocolate Crawl on February 10th to celebrate Valentine’s Day. “You can’t buy love, but you can buy local!”
Contact the Chamber for more information at 620-223-3566.
The January meeting of the Starlite FCE was held at the Presbyterian Village meeting room. Vice President Joyce Allen called the meeting to order and led the Club in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and the Club Collect.
Thirteen member and two guests were in attendance. The members reported that they had volunteered eighteen hours and had recycled ten pounds. The meeting of the previous meeting was read and approved. Doris Ericson presented the treasurer’s report. Doris reported that the club members had donated $160 to Preferred Living and that she had forwarded the money along with $80 donated by others. Doris Moved that the Club purchase our Wreaths across America this month since you can get two for the price of one. Deb Lust seconded the motion, motion carried.
Karen Peery presented some coloring books she had from the American Legion that we may use for our Citizenship project. Terri Williams was going to inquire if we could reproduce them and report at the next meeting. Letha Johnson moved that the meeting be adjourned, Deb Lust seconded the motion, motion carried, meeting adjourned.
After the meeting Claudia Wheeler and Ida Ford presented the lesson on Operation Christmas Child along with the help of Donna Burschell. Claudia and Donna had recently traveled to North Caroline to help with the packing and shipping of the Shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. The club received many tips and ideas of items to make and pack.
Refreshments of Sunflower cupcakes, mints, coffee and water was provided by Betty Johnson and Joyce Allen and enjoyed by all.
Prepared by
Terri Williams
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The Artificers In February!Check out the calendar below for all events happening this month! |
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Artist Opening and Reception!! |
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Sallys’ Master Artist Classes |
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February Classes |
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Valentines Day “Ghost” ClassWhat’s the first thing you think of when someone says wheel throwing? That steamy movie scene with Patrick & Demi, Right?!? Now’s your chance! Grab your favorite Patrick or Demi and have a Valentine’s event that will go down in the books as if it were a memorable scene out of a movie! |
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GLAZE DAY is February 17th!Come in and “paint” your heart away with all the variety of glazes and pieces we have available! |
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Sneak Peak of Next Month!(subject to change) |
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WORK SESSION – TUESDAY, FEB. 6TH – 5:00PM – Topic of discussion is Memorial Hall
REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING – TUESDAY, FEB. 6TH – 6:00PM – Complete Agenda Packet is posted and available on www.fscity.org under AGENDA/MINUTES
Submitted by
Lisa A. Lewis, City Clerk