The Bowman family now owns three restaurants in the historic downtown Fort Scott area.
“We love food!” Carissa Bowman said. “AND it’s another opportunity to continue to grow our community through restoring a historic downtown building and generating more jobs.”
Carissa, Alex, Cindy, and John Bowman are the owners of Outpost 13 West. Carissa and Alex own Brickstreet BBQ.
Carissa and Alex Bowman, submitted photo.
“John and Cindy own Nu Grille (across the street from Brickstreet),” Carissa said. “They are Alex’s parents; my in-laws. Alex manages Nu Grille currently.”
Cindy and John Bowman. Submitted photo.
The new restaurant will feature Southwestern cuisine.
“You can build your own taco, burrito, bowl, salad or nacho,” Carissa said.
They plan to open the new venture at the end of July, she said.
City permits are posted on the windows of Outpost 13 West.
The new restaurant is at 13 W. Oak St.
Special Recognition of the Brickstreet Restaurant
Brickstreet BBQ is located at the corner of Oak Street and National Avenue on Fort Scott’s northside. The new Outpost 13 West is to the left, behind Brickstreet in this photo. The River Room Event Center is located on the second floor.
” We’re being featured in one of their episodes,” Carissa said. “Filming will take place on July 1st.”
“We hope this builds relationships with the public and surrounding areas to bring people not only to our business but Fort Scott as a whole,” she said. “We want to continue to create a positive image of Brickstreet so we can build our brand and keep growing!”
Memorial Hall steps are cordoned off because of mortar falling from over the steps. Visitors should enter through the south entrance on Third Street.
The local Daughters of the Revolution, Molly Foster Berry Chapter, has set up a traveling exhibit on the American Revolutionary War at Memorial Hall, Third and National Avenue. There is no admission.
One of the information banners. Submitted photo.
Until June 15, the exhibit can be viewed by entering the south door, across the street from the Methodist Church from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.It is a self-guided tour. The Chapter members are sitting in shifts at the exhibit.
“Our chapter is about promoting patriotism,” Barbara Ritter, spokeswoman for the group said.
The American Revolution Experience Exhibit comprises 12 roll-up, graphic banners, each measuring 7’ high by 3’ wide, and three kiosks, comprised of IPads and stands, according to its website.
The Molly Foster Berry chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution was organized on October 19, 1911. The chapter is named after its first regent, Miss Frances Hall’s Revolutionary War ancestor, Samuel Berry’s wife. Members, called Daughters, are direct descendants of a Revolutionary War Patriot.
This chapter, along with the American Legion, was instrumental in raising funds for the Memorial Hall. Because of this fundraising, a special suite in the hall was given for their use forever.
“D.A.R members are active women passionate about community service, preserving American History, educating children as well as honoring and supporting those who serve our nation,” Ritter said.
The Daughters of the American Revolution will celebrate nation-wide the 250th Anniversary of the Revolutionary War in 2026.
“We would like to get together with other civic organizations to plan out activities for this event,” Ritter said. “The nation celebrated in 1976 with many activities.
If anyone is interested in more information, contact her at [email protected], or 913.636.4892
Highlights of what this chapter has done since its inception:
They started a Red Cross Chapter Unit in which they knitted socks and over 130 sweaters to donate to the men in service, donated
money and goods to be distributed to newly arriving immigrants on Ellis Island, were charged with the care of the Block House, which is now part of the Fort Scott National Historic Site, recognized Bourbon County good citizens, planted trees, donated bedding, beds and food to the Goodlander Home, distributed American Flags and donated books to the library.
“And more recently a Vietnam Veteran Ceremony, recognizing our Bourbon County Vietnam Veterans with a certificate, lapel pin and dinner,” Ritter said.
Currently, the group has 26 members, two associate members and two awaiting documentation.
One of the 12 banners in the exhibit. Submitted photo.
Paula Baker and Renee Denton of Freeman Health Systems visit with Bourbon County Commissioner Clifton Beth at the press conference on June 13.
The former Fort Scott Mercy Hospital will be used once again for hospital operations.
Today, Paula Baker, CEO of Freeman Health System announced that they will be operating 10 in-patient hospital beds at the site and will open an emergency department as well.
Paula Baker speaks to the press and the crowd that showed up to hear an announcement about health care in the county today.
“If treated in the E.R., you will be treated right here (in the hospital section),” she told a crowd that gathered at the former hospital.
There will also be an outpatient lab, radiology, CAT scans available to the public, and an on-site pharmacy.
There will be six bays in the emergency department and 365-day coverage, 24 hours a day.
A licensed physician and emergency-trained staff will be employed, which will total approximately 70 employees, according to Renee Denton, Chief Operating Officer at Freeman Neosho Hospital, who is helping in this project.
Baker said they have to be licensed by the State of Kansas and that process is long and complex, but they hope to be open by April 1, 2025.
There will be clear separation between Freeman’s hospital bed unit and the Kansas Renewal Institute which also operates in the former Mercy Hospital building, Denton said. Freeman will use the former birthing wing of the hospital.
Baker said they have been working with local city and county entities to make this happen and Bourbon County Commissioner Clifton Beth spoke to the crowd as well as Baker.
She commended Beth and County Commissioner Jim Harris.
“They have worked to get this together and they care,” she said.
Clifton Beth speaks to the crowd at the former Mercy Hospital Emergency Department on June 13.
Beth said the process to reopen a hospital began about five years ago and thanked the sales tax committee that recently spearheaded a May 20234 vote that will produce some money for the project. In addition, he thanked the voters for supporting the tax.
Also helping in the process were present and former county commissioners, Fort Scott City Commissioners, health agencies, the Bourbon County E.M.S., and Kansas Renewal Institute personnel, Beth said.
“We have been in communication with Kansas on the licensure entities, they have committed to help us expedite the licensure,” Denton said.
Nicole Gilmore. 31, is the new Winfield Scott Elementary School Assistant Principal in Fort Scott.
Gilmore earned Building Principal Certification from Pittsburg State University in 2023, Master of Social Work from the University of Washington-Seattle in 2016, and Bachelor of Social Work and Bachelor of General Studies in Political Science from the University of Kansas in 2015.
For the past six years, she has been a School Social Worker with the SEK Interlocal #637 at The Learning Center in Girard, KS, which is a day school program across 13 school districts in Southeast Kansas for K-12 students with significant emotional and behavioral disabilities.
“I additionally have experience as an Adjunct Instructor through the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare for the past four years and as the Colorguard Instructor at Pittsburg High School for seven years.”
“Previously, I have had clinical experience in child welfare and medical settings, along with working internationally in schools with the Peace Corps in Thailand,” she said. “I have had administrative experience in nonprofits through tasks such as quality assurance, planning and public policy, grant writing, and data analysis.”
She will start her duties on August 1.
“I have been actively working with Mr. Garzone, the new principal of Winfield Scott, as well as teachers in the building already! I was fortunate enough to attend the Missouri School-Wide Positive Behavioral Supports Conference in Osage Beach this summer (June 3-5) and we are excited to start implementing some of the ideas that we learned while attending!”
“As an assistant principal, I will support the principal and co-lead in all academic programming.
” I will assist in overseeing daily activities, committees, meetings, and school operations,” she said. “I will work collaboratively in the planning of school needs, alongside students, families, staff, and community stakeholders.”
“The best part of being in education is building relationships with students, staff, and families,” she said. “I love to see students grow and develop over time, with the knowledge and skills that they’ve learned while at school, and that we can do it because we work in partnership with each other. I’m excited to work with the K-2 students, specifically, because that is often where they start to develop a hate or love relationship with the school, and the staff at Winfield Scott has a huge role in that! I believe that we have fantastic teachers in the Winfield Scott building, who will foster that love of learning, and I’ll be here to help augment and magnify all the great things they do every single day!”
“Some challenges include having limited resources and funding, as well as the ever-growing need for additional personnel,” she said. “There is a teacher shortage across the United States today, not just isolated to Fort Scott, but there is a significant need to not only attract but focus on retaining and growing our teachers here. Additionally, with the increase in behavioral and emotional challenges, our teachers and support staff need help in navigating appropriate ways to respond and how to work with community partners such as SEKMHC (Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center) to implement quality wraparound services that meet the needs of the student and their family.”
At Pittsburg State University he earned a Bachelor of Science in Education in 2013 and majored in Biology. Also from
Pittsburg State, he earned a Master of Science in Educational Leadership in 2018.
Johnson has worked 11 years at Pittsburg High School as a science teacher, coach (football and basketball), and administrator and was an assistant principal for the last four years at Pittsburg High School.
He officially starts on August 1.
Johnson’s duties are safety and security for staff and students, student and staff supervision, instructional leadership, student support services, student discipline, and extracurricular activities.
What is the best part of being in education for you?
“It is working alongside amazing educators and the opportunity to positively impact students’ lives and help them reach their full potential.”
What are some challenges?
“Some challenges include meeting diverse student needs and finding solutions for staffing needs.”
“I am a proud graduate of USD 234 and I am excited to be a Tiger again! ” he said.
The mural on the east side of Bandera Stone Inc. in Uniontown.
A mural on the side of a Uniontown business makes the downtown area more attractive and pays homage to local history.
Don and Mary Pemberton own Bandera Stone Inc., a rock quarry business in the county.
“Bandera flagstone has been quarried near Redfield off and on since the mid-1800’s and the company name Bandera Stone carries on that history,” she said.
“Bandera Stone Inc. had outgrown its office space, and needed to expand and add a showroom,” Mary Pemberton said. She and her husband Don own the business.
“We liked this brick building on the Uniontown square and wanted to save it,” she said. ” I always planned on having a mural painted on one side as part of the remodel.”
“In March of 2023, my office assistant, Ashley, encouraged me to apply for the Rural Mural Grant awarded by the Kansas Office of Rural Prosperity to promote tourism to small communities,” she said. “The City of Uniontown agreed to sponsor my application and we were awarded a grant that covered about 1/3 of the cost of the mural. Bandera Stone, Inc. funded the other 2/3 of the total cost.”
She selected Danyell Miles, Fort Scott, after talking with a few artists.
“She has painted several murals around Fort Scott and Pittsburg, so I knew the quality of her work. I wanted the mural to have some local and state significance, yet be fun and a nice backdrop for selfies. The design Danyell put together is all of that! With her mother, Flo Tanner, helping her, Danyell began painting in June 2023 and finished in August 2023, working two or three evenings each week to avoid the daytime heat.”
The artist is Danyell Miles, assisted by her mother, Flo Tanner as depicted by this sign on the mural.
“Everything on the mural has a meaning and was designed so visitors who know a little about Bourbon County, and take a few minutes to really look, will find ‘hidden’ relevance in the various elements,” she said.
“The Eagle represents the local Uniontown High School mascot; a nod to local and state aviation history is the hot air balloon and banner which is being pulled by Amelia Earhart’s airplane; Wizard of Oz characters are one of the first things most people think of about Kansas – as are tornados. Danyell had the brilliant idea of using ‘tornado debris’ to incorporate a number of local and Kansas items: the books are all authored by Bourbon County residents, a Missouri-Pacific railroad engine reminds that Bourbon County used to be a rail hub, a box turtle, fishing, farming, and even a windmill to signify the future. Also prominently displayed in the debris is ‘Life in a Jar’, the UHS History Day project that inspired a book and movie and brought the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes to Fort Scott!”
Pemberton added a 3D element by making a basket that ” people can stand in when taking a picture with the hot air balloon. The colorful balloon with the Uniontown banner makes for a very nice and memorable ‘hometown’ or ‘travels’ photo.”
” Next time you are near Uniontown, stop by 103 Third Street on the north side of the park square and see the mural, take a picture, view the fossil collection in the Bandera Stone Inc. window displays and if you’d like, step inside the showroom to see the transformation of a piece of Uniontown history which most people remember as a former cafe,” she said.
Bandera Stone is on the square in Uniontown. The basket at the bottom of the balloon is for people to stand in for a photo opportunity.
The following local authors/books are depicted on the mural: The Greatest Test of Courage by Ronda Hassig; Historic Reflections of Bourbon County by Fred Campbell Jr. and Don Miller; Murder and Mayhem by Brian Allen; Life in a Jar; Why Did Grandpa Cry? by Cathy Werling; A Little Faith Lift by Patty LaRoche; A Kansas Sunset by Joyce Love, Our Duty by Gerri Hilgar; The Moffet Street Gang by Kay Large; Legends of Bourbon County by Judy Marshall; Fort Scott Now and Then by D. Miller, A Schofield, F. Campbell, and D. Banwart and The Learning Tree by Gordon Parks.
Lonnie Mengarelli, 35, is the new Kansas State University Southwind District Crops and Natural Resources Agent.
His office is in Fort Scott, but the district covers Allen, Bourbon, Neosho, and Woodson counties.
He replaced Chad Guthrie and began his duties on May 13, 2024.
Mengarelli is a 2008 Girard High School graduate, who earned a Bachelor of Science from K-State in 2013, majoring in Agricultural Technology Management with two minors: agronomy and animal science.
His background: from November 2021- May 2024 he was an agronomist for Producer Cooperative Association in Girard, making herbicide and fertilizer recommendations for producers.
From June 2013 to November 2021 he worked for K-State at the Southeast Research and Extension Center in Parsons, doing small plot row crop research, in charge of crop variety trials (corn, soybean, grain sorghum, wheat, and oil seed sunflower), and the field lead for the crop production studies under Dr. Gretchen Sassenrath researching soil health and cover crop studies.
He grew up on farm northeast of Girard raising Angus influence cattle.
“I put up hay all summer long including alfalfa, fescue, sedan grass, and prairie hay,” he said. “My father was the fourth agent in Crawford County so I was heavily involved in county fair preparations and extension events.”
His duties for this position: “Being the first person-to-person contact for all row crop production, rangeland, and wildlife questions. I will help with weed identification and control, crop pest control, and consulting on management practices to help improve ag production. I will also be heavily involved in the Bourbon County Fair assisting with the 4-h shows and projects.”
He lives in Hepler, Kansas with his wife Hannah (high school sweethearts) and four kids: Heidi (10), Avery (8), Emery (8), and Heston (6).
‘We’ve been happily married 12 years and own our 160-acre Charolais-influenced cow/calf operation,” he said.
Outside of work, he has many hobbies.
“They include working on my antique trucks and tractors and going to support my kids in all their activities. When not at work I enjoy helping family on their farms from operating equipment to turning wrenches and working with livestock. I am the Fire Chief for the Hepler Rural Fire Department. Also, I am an active member of the Hepler Ruritan Club. I serve as beef project leader for the Bone Creek 4H club in Crawford County. In the spring I volunteer to run field events such as shot put and discus at Girard High/Middle School track meets. “
Mengarelli’s office is in the Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National Avenue.
If your church has a Vacation Bible School this summer, please send the name and address of the church, the date of VBS and times, the age group of children invited, and the theme of the VBS. The following are Vacation Bible Schools for this summer that have been submitted.
Rinehart Christian Church; 9443 S 900 Rd, Richards, MO 64778
With a Theme-“Circus theme. Big Show, Big Faith, Bigger God, Rinehart Christian Church will have their V.B.S. from June 9-12 (Sunday-Wednesday evenings); 6-8:30 p.m. “We feed everyone at 6, including parents who bring their kids and don’t want to make another trip back to pick them up…so they stay for the evening.”
First Baptist Church
The First Baptist Church, 123 Scott is hosting a One Day Vacation Bible School on Saturday, June 15 from 9:30 a.m. -1 p.m. Lunch will be provided. Children ages 5-12 are welcome to attend!
First Presbyterian and First United Methodist Combine Efforts
Denise Needham is the VBS director for the First Presbyterian and First United Methodist Church team.
This year our VBS is being hosted by the First United Methodist Church at 301 S National Ave in Fort Scott Ks. From June 17th to 21st, 5:30 pm to 8 pm. Free Dinner provided.
Our theme is “Just like me: Digging in and Growing Deep”
“Free for children going into Kindergarten through 5th grade. Join us in a garden full of wonder and love!”
Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene
Fort Scott Nazarene church, 1728 Horton St. Fort Scott, will have their VBS from June 24th-27th from 6:00-8:30 pm. with a
Scuba theme
See their website fsn. life or our Facebook page for more info.
Uniontown First Missionary Baptist Church
The Uniontown Baptist Church will have its VBS with the theme of God’s Backyard Bible Camp ‘Under the Stars’ on July 22-26, from 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. for ages 4 through 5th grade.
Each child can fill a Samaritan’s Purse Christmas Shoebox to send to a child overseas. The school includes game time and bounce houses.
Bethel Community Baptist Church
Submitted graphic.
VBS K5-6th grade:
Church name: Bethel Community Baptist Church
Address: 1397 155th St, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Date: Wednesday, July 31st-Sunday, August 4th.
Time: 9am-noon.
Theme: On a mission for the Lord
Submitted graphic.
VBS 7th-12th grade:
Church name: Bethel Community Baptist Church
Address: 1397 155th St, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Date: Monday, August 5th-Thurs. August 8th.
Time: 6:30-9:00 pm.
Theme: Teen Challange
Marie Seaver presents a child’s bike to Frank Halsey of Gunn Park Trails. Submitted photo.
8-year-old Marlie Seaver donated her 20” bike to mountain bike enthusiast Frank Halsey. Halsey founded Gunn Park Trails, a bike trail system in Fort Scott’s largest park.
“The bike is a 20” Guardian that her parents Josh and Melinda Seaver bought her last fall,” Halsey said. “The company, Guardian Bikes, as seen on the 2017 episode of Shark Tank, teamed with Mark Cuban, has a trade-in policy that requires the old bike to be donated to a charitable organization that promotes bike riding and biking safety. The Seaver family knew of Gunn Park Trails and reached out to me.”
“My husband Josh and I had tried for quite awhile to teach Marlie to ride a bike,” Melinda Seavers said. ” Finally after trying other bikes we did some research and found a company called Guardian Bikes online. They have great reviews and an amazing 365-day guarantee on all of their bikes. ”
“If your kid won’t ride it, can’t ride it, if it’s too big, if it’s too small they will refund your purchase or allow you to exchange for the correct size (which we did) and allow you to donate the original bike to a nonprofit of your choice,” she said “Last fall we purchased the bike for Marlie and she learned to ride it with no problems the very same day! After this winter when we got the bike out for her to ride this Spring it was too small for her. We contacted Guardian Bikes and they said to locate a charity we would like to donate to.”
“My husband and I used to be next door neighbors with Frank Halsey and we have followed along with his journey in creating and maintaining the Gunn Park Trails. I contacted him to find out if the bike would be useful to his project in any way to raffle or raise money for the trails or any of the many events they would be hosting in the future. ”
“He said there is an organization called NICA (National Interscholastic Cycling Association) that was coming to help with the cleanup efforts of the trails after the recent flood in April canceled their event and damaged many parts of the trails. It sounded like the perfect fit for Marlie to donate her bike to since she really loved the bike and wanted it to go to a good cause here in Fort Scott. We met Frank at the Gunn Park Trails sign early this week to take a picture to send to Guardian Bikes to show them where our bike was donated.”
“I’m not sure what Frank and the NICA will decide is the best way to use the bike for their efforts but we were happy they could benefit from it in some way,” she said.
Frank Halsey has the idea to raffle the bike off at a future event to help fund the maintenance of the trails.
About The Trails
According to Frank Halsey, Gunn Park Trails was started in 2009, by him and his “bunch of misfit volunteers.”
Today there are approximately 8.5 miles of mountain bike trails, ranging from easy to difficult. These trails are maintained by volunteers, and attract visitors from all over, including the Annual Marmaton Massacre Festival.
They are also trying to develop a more complete skills park and pump track on the property immediately before entering the park. Additional funding is being sought to make this more permanent.
Terry Mayfield, 51, is the new Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations, who will start duties on July 1. His office will be in the USD 234 District Central Office.
Mayfield earned a Bachelor of Science in Education – Social Studies from Missouri Southern State College 1996, a Masters in Education – Secondary School Administration from University of Central Missouri 2004, and an Education Specialist – Superintendency from University of Central Missouri 2008.
“I spent nine years as a social studies teacher and coach and 19 years in school administration – four years as a building principal and 15 years as superintendent – the last eight years I have spent as the superintendent of the Drexel R-IV School District in Drexel, MO.,” he said.
His duties include:
Oversee all business operations in the district.
Collaborate with the superintendent to prepare, manage and oversee the district budget.
Provide financial data to the superintendent and board of education.
Prepare and analyze bid documents.
Oversee health insurance and other employee benefits.
Manage district investments of funds.
Manage bond and lease purchase payments.
Oversee grant funds and reporting.
Oversee operations departments; food service, transportation, maintenance and technology.
What is the best part of being in education for you?
The best part about being in education is the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with students and staff and to witness their personal and professional growth. Watching students develop confidence, skills, and a passion for learning is incredibly rewarding. Similarly, supporting colleagues as they advance in their careers and achieve their goals creates a collaborative and dynamic work environment. These connections and the positive impact on others’ lives make education a uniquely fulfilling field, fostering a sense of community and continuous development for everyone involved. Seeing the long-term successes of former students and colleagues further highlights the profound and lasting influence educators have on shaping futures.
What are some challenges?
Challenges in education today include providing all students with the skills they need for future success and supporting teachers and staff in a demanding profession. The day-to-day pressures of teaching, meeting diverse student needs, and staying current with educational practices can be overwhelming. It’s crucial to recognize and address these challenges to foster a supportive environment for both students and educators.
Contact info:
District Central Office Phone: 620-223-0800, 620-223-2760
Chris Garzone, 54, is the new principal at Winfield Scott Elementary School in Fort Scott as of August 1. He was hired as the assistant principal last year.
Garzone earned a Master of Arts Degree in Educational Leadership from Pittsburg State University and next year will be his 30th year in education. For twenty of those years, he was an administrator.
Garzone’s duties: ” Besides the day-to-day responsibilities of being a principal, I am responsible for the educational experience of all the students at Winfield Scott Elementary School. I provide support and guidance for all staff and promote a positive culture within the building.”
“The best part of being in education is experiencing growth in student behavior and learning. A challenge would be not having enough time throughout the day to address the needs of all staff and students. Winfield Scott has an amazing staff that cares about their students. I look forward to continuing as an administrator at this school,” he said.
Sara Sutton from the Fort Scott Community College website.
The recent administration shifts at Fort Scott Community College have not been easy.
FSCC President Dr. Jason Kegler was put on paid administrative leave on May 20 and Sara Sutton was promoted to interim president. No reason was given by the college trustees for putting Kegler on leave.
Sutton was selected by the FSCC Board of Trustees to be the interim president, on May 23.
At that same meeting, the trustees resolved to suspend men’s golf and women’s golf, e-sports, and flag football and will honor those student scholarships for the 2024-25 school year, they announced.
Sutton began duties as the new interim president on May 24.
Sutton has been an instructor at the college since 2018, then promoted to vice president in February 2024.
Sutton earned an Associate of Science degree from Fort Scott Community College, a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Kansas State University, a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education, and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Pittsburg State University, and was appointed as the FSCC Vice President of Career and Technical Education and Workforce Development in February 2024. Sutton was to begin her official duties in the role on July 1, 2024, according to the college website.
Her duties have now shifted to leadership of the community college.
“This transition has had its challenges to navigate,” she said. “The change in leadership on Friday, May 24th not only brought about my Interim role but also a new athletic director.”
Liza Erwin is the newly appointed FSCC Athletic Director.
“With the board’s decision to suspend the three sports programs, the new athletic director had to properly inform the National Junior College Athletic Association of the changes and then gain access to the Letter of Intent (LOI) system,” she said. “That did not take place until early in the following week. Then, it was a series of approvals with all LOI’s released by Saturday, June 1st from FSCC.”
“The Athletic Director was in contact with coaches and personally contacted each student,” Sutton said. “While we wish this process was faster on our end, we were at the mercy of the challenges of the transition of a new Athletic Director and Interim President all in the same time frame. We tried our best to complete the release in a timely manner so students could move forward.”
“All students who were impacted by these changes have been given the opportunity to be on scholarship next school year,” she said. “Those who have paid any fees for the 2024-2025 school year and wish to not attend FSCC will be refunded.
“This decision was not taken lightly and the educational future of those impacted is important to Fort Scott Community College,” Sutton said.
The Vote Here sign sits in front of the north wing of the Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National in 2018.
The Bourbon County Primary Election Day will be on August 6.
“Early voting will begin on July 29, to give everybody a week to come in early to vote,” Bourbon County Clerk Jennifer Hawkins said.
Five Bourbon County Government officials are seeking re-election this year.
And there is a shift in elected personnel.
Patty Love, the current Bourbon County Treasurer, has decided to retire and will not seek re-election this year, according to Hawkins.
“After much consideration, I have decided to run for Bourbon County Treasurer,” she said. “I spent five years working in the Treasurer’s Office and feel my knowledge and experience are needed in that office.”
Love, Hawkins, and Bourbon County Chief Financial Officer Susan Walker have worked closely on county issues over the past few years, Hawkins said.
“We are making great progress within the organization, as evident by the good audits, however; I feel there is still more to accomplish, and I can help accomplish this by being Treasurer,” she said.
“Susan Walker, CFO, has played an integral part in my success as County Clerk and I feel she would be an excellent Clerk as she has 20 years of experience in human resources and municipal finance and government,” Hawkins said.
“Many do not know that Susan is a Certified Municipal Clerk through Wichita State University,” Hawkins said. “Given how well our offices have worked in the past I feel this will make for a smooth transition. Our plans are to create policies and procedures to ensure financial controls are in place for future elected officials.”
“By working together and developing policies and procedures there will be checks and balances in place and the need for a Chief Financial Officer can be eliminated potentially saving the wages of the CFO or reallocating the wages to other needs,” Hawkins said.
The following are the other incumbents and their challengers, with a short explanation of the duties of the office.
Commissioners
All three of the commissioner seats are up for re-election.
The current three County Commissioners, Clifton Beth (District 3), Jim Harris ( District 2), and Brandon Whisenhunt (District 1) have thrown their hat in the ring to serve again.
Those running against them are Clinton Walker, David Beerbower, Steven Houston, and Leroy Kruger.
The county commissioners are the chief elected officials of the county, according to the county’s website. They set policies and procedures for running the courthouse and set the budgets for all Bourbon County departments.
County Attorney
Tiara McElroy is not running again for Bourbon County Attorney and James Crux has filed for that position.
The county attorney is the prosecuting attorney for the county.
Register of Deeds
Register of Deeds Lora Holdridge has filed for the position again and no one filed to run against her.
The register of deeds keeps and records all deeds to property located in the county, according to the county’s website. He/She maintains military discharge records and school records as well.
County Treasurer
Jennifer Hawkins and Michael Hoyt are running for county treasurer. Hawkins is the current Bourbon County Clerk.
According to the county’s website, the county treasurer collects and distributes all real and personal property taxes and is an agent for the Kansas Division of Vehicles for vehicle and title registrations.
County Clerk
Susan Walker, the current Bourbon County Finance Director, has filed for the Bourbon County Clerk position.
The county clerk is the county’s chief election officer who maintains voter registration and conducts all elections in the county, according to the county’s website. He/she sets the tax roll and keeps records for the county as Freedom of Information Officer.
Sheriff
Sheriff Bill Martin filed to run again and is being challenged by Nelson Blythe.
The county sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer of the county, according to the county’s website.
To view all the state and other county filings provided the county clerk:
Please nominate a Young Entrepreneur for this series, a youth under 18 years old.
The Needham brothers with their first customers of the day on May 25, Dad, Seth, is in the background middle.
Robert Needham, 10, and his brother, John, 6, with the guided help of their father, Seth, have developed homemade food products.
They started working on recipes several weeks ago.
On May 25, they set up shop at Gunn Park, south of the first playground area, near where cars are leaving the park.
Robert and John Needham at their pop-up business in Gunn Park on May 25.
“They were open for about an hour and 45 minutes,” Seth said. “Around 2:45, I could tell they were getting worn out, so we shut down. They had been working on set-up, signs, and getting supplies loaded since about 10 AM that morning, so it was a long day for them. But they had around $75 in sales between the two of them.”
Robert
Robert is the creator of Robert’s Famous Lemonade.
The logo that Robert, with computer help from his Dad, made for his business.
Robert said he named his business “because it’s famous and also lemonade.”
Robert sells his lemonade in red Solo cup at Gunn Park at his pop-up shop.
With supervision, Robert buys the lemons, “juices them out” and then makes a simple syrup, then adds extra sugar, “because it was too sour,” he said.
“It’s super good, costs $2, and you get a red Solo cup with a straw,” Robert said. If you bring your own cup, you save 25 cents.”
Robert is saving up his money for something special.
John
John’s product is homemade popsicles.
John created the logo for his business with computer help from his father.
He explained how to make the product: “You take blue gelatin, sugar, a Kool-Aid packet, water and a secret ingredient, Blue Hawaiian Punch and heat it up. You cool it. Then you pour it into popsicle molds. You put sticks in before juice. Then Dad puts it in the freezer. It takes 10 hours to freeze.”
They will be making different flavors through the summer, Seth said.
John shows his product Blue Raspberry Starburst Popsicles.
Seth said his boys always taste-test the products before selling them.
The best part of his business, for John, is “You get a bunch of money.”
Marketing Lessons
Their Dad helped them with the marketing of their product.
“We found an online design tool, and then they did all the work themselves,” Seth said. “The websites had some basic templates made up that they customized with their names, choice of colors, choice of fonts, and images.”
They have also learned how to make a marketing video, Seth said.
