This is part of a series on introducing the candidates for the November 6 election.
Kansas Senate, 13th District (vote for one)
Bryan Hoffman 370 N. 250th St. Mulberry 66756 Democratic
Richard Hilderbrand 10337 SE 107th Terr. Galena 66763 Republican
Sam Habjan 300 N Cherokee St. Frontenac 66763 Libertarian
Name: Bryan Hoffman
Age: 35
Candidate for the position of Kansas Senate District 13
Place of residence: Mulberry, KS
Current occupation: Job Superintendent – Construction of Roads and Bridges
Community involvement: I have coached little league and I am a member of the producers cooperative in Girard.
Party affiliation: Democrat
1) What is the biggest issue, if elected, and how do you plan to address it?
The biggest issue is expanding access to affordable healthcare with Medicaid expansion. Southeast Kansas needs a leader who will fight to provide Southeast Kansans with access to healthcare by protecting our community hospitals and clinics. We must ensure federal tax dollars paid by Kansas taxpayers are returned and invested right here at home.
2) Give your views on food sales tax:
Kansas has the highest food sales tax in the country, and that’s not okay. I am in favor of lowering the food sales tax rate in order to reduce the burden on hardworking Kansas families.
3) Give your views on legalizing marijuana:
I would be willing to consider legalizing the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. I would not be in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana.
4) Give your views on health care for our state, including Medicaid:
Providing Southeast Kansans with access to affordable healthcare means a healthier and more productive workforce. I support expanding Medicaid. In addition to providing more Kansans with access to healthcare, it creates more good-paying jobs and stimulates our economy.
5) Give views on abortion and Planned Parenthood:
I am pro-life. However, abortion is a federal issue because Roe v. Wade is the law of the land.
This is part of a series introducing the candidates for the November 6 election.
Kansas Senate, 13th District (vote for one)
Bryan Hoffman 370 N. 250th St. Mulberry 66756 Democratic
Richard Hilderbrand 10337 SE 107th Terr. Galena 66763 Republican
Sam Habjan 300 N Cherokee St. Frontenac 66763 Libertarian
Name: Richard Hilderbrand
Age: 49
Candidate for the position of Kansas State Senate, District 13
Place of residence: Galena, KS
Current occupation: Small Business Owner
Community involvement: Local Business Owner, Economic Development, Lions Club, Masonic Lodge #71
Party affiliation: Republican
1) What is the biggest issue, if elected, and how do you plan to address it?
We need fiscal accountability in Topeka.
The biggest issue that we are facing in Kansas is the out of control spending and high taxes. I will continue to fight against the out of control spending budgets that increase spending by $1.1 billion; continue to rob $355 million from our employee’s retirement, and $580 million from our highway funding; cuts $114 million from education funding, and still out spends our revenue by $304 million over two years. I will continue to fight to lower taxes in the state of Kansas, especially our high property taxes, and sales tax.
2 )Give your views on food sales tax:
We are 1 of only 12 states that tax food sales. We have the second highest food sales tax in the nation. This is just down right embarrassing. We have to control our state spending so that we can lower this.
3) Give your views on legalizing marijuana:
I do no support it.
4) Give your views on health care for our state, including Medicaid:
Healthcare like everything else, is becoming more urbanized.
When Obamacare was passed, it cut reimbursement rates for our elderly and disabled by $1 trillion to set up Medicaid expansion to the able-bodied. We have to restore those cuts, so that we can give the most vulnerable the care that they need. We have to continue to cut regulations on hospitals so that they can offer more services in rural areas, such as telemedicine.
5) Give views on abortion and Planned Parenthood:
I am endorsed by Kansans For Life. I would vote in favor of any legislation that would ban, or make it more difficult to kill an innocent unborn child. I don’t have any positive views on Planned Parenthood.
The ribbon cutting of the new USD 235 fitness center was led by Jake Steinfeld, Thursday morning, Oct. 11.
Jake Steinfeld, Chairman of the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils, along with students and local dignitaries cut the ribbon on Uniontown’s new $100,000 DON’T QUIT! Fitness Center, during a ceremony in the West Bourbon Elementary School gym.
Fitness ambassador students get a run-through before the ribbon cutting with Don Payne, Equipment Director for TuffStuff Fitness Int.Four students from each grade, 4th through 12th, were randomly selected to be student fitness ambassadors. They were given prior training in the weeks leading up to the official ribbon cutting.
During the opening speech before the students, teachers, and guests, Steinfeld said that exercise helps students stay focused and therefore improves student learning.
He encouraged the students to stay active their whole lives.
“When you have your health and you have hope, that’s what I believe the American dream is all about,” Steinfeld said.
The opening of the new USD 235 Fitness Center created excitement at the West Bourbon Elementary School Thursday morning, not only for students but the Uniontown community.
The reason: Community members will be using the equipment in the future, as well as students.
Last month USD 235 Superintendent Brett Howard was uncertain if the community would be able to use the equipment in addition to the students as originally planned, due to liability insurance issues.
The insurance issues were resolved at the board meeting this week, WBE Principal Vance Eden, said in an interview.
In a later email to fortscott.biz, Eden said community members will need to come to the office of WBE to pay and get their card for the fitness center from him.
The details of the public use of the fitness center will be worked on this week, and it will be open to the public next week, according to Howard in an interview.
The ceremony moved from the elementary school gym to the site of the new fitness center across the road at the junior high school, where the ribbon cutting took place. The center is housed in the former library of the school.
The Uniontown High School former library, pictured here, is the site of the new center.
Uniontown High School 2018
The USD 235 students starting at 4th grade will begin using the facility next week, Physical Education Teacher Jackie Hall said.
“We are so excited for our kids to have this opportunity,” she said.
This is part of a series of responses from candidates for the Nov. 6, 2018 election. There are two people running for 2nd District Representative.
State Representative, 2nd District (vote for one)
Adam J. Lusker Sr. 452 S. 210th St. Frontenac 66763 Democratic
Kenneth Collins 102 E. 1st Street Mulberry 66756 Republican
These are Ken Collins responses:
Ken Collins.
Name: Ken Collins
Age:55
Candidate for the position of: Second District Kansas State Representative
Place of residence: Mulberry, Kansas
Current occupation: Retired from AT&T and working to establish a convenience store business.
Community involvement: Adjutant of American Legion Post 176 in Mulberry.
Party affiliation: Republican
1) What is the biggest issue, if elected, and how do you plan to address it?
An important issue for me is economic growth in Southeast Kansas. I plan to advocate for continuing improvements on US Highway 69 and to look for ways to reduce taxes including sales, gasoline property and income taxes. We are in competition with neighboring states in several ways so we need to keep our tax rates as low as possible.
2)Give your views on food sales tax:
We need to try to find a way to lower sales tax, especially on groceries. Many states have reduced sales tax rates for food. A large percentage of Kansans live in close proximity to Missouri so we are losing business when consumers choose to cross the state line to shop. Missouri’s sales tax rate for groceries is 1.23% as compared to our basic rate of 6.5%. on all items including food.
3) Give your views on legalizing marijuana:
I haven’t seen any reliable information yet on how legalization has had an effect on states like Colorado so I haven’t come to a decision.
4) Give your views on health care for our state, including Medicaid:
We need to find some new ways to provide health care in rural areas. It is shocking news to everyone that Mercy Hospital of Fort Scott will soon be closing but hopefully solutions can be found to fill the gaps in service that will result. I’m generally leery of Medicaid Expansion, although the program would be federally subsidized it would still cost the Kansas taxpayers.
5) Give views on abortion and Planned Parenthood:
I am strongly pro-life and if elected I will vote in a manner to protect the unborn. I would not support any taxpayer subsidization of Planned Parenthood.
This is part of a series of responses from candidates for the Nov. 6, 2018 election. There are three people on the ballot for Kansas Secretary of State:
Secretary of State (vote for one)
Brian “BAM” McClendon1200 Oread Avenue #703 Lawrence 66044 Democratic
Scott Schwab 14953 W 140th Terr. Olathe 66062 Republican
Rob Hodgkinson 7111 W 151st St #104 Overland Park 66223 Libertarian
Here are Brian McClendon’s responses:
Brian McClendon
Name: Brian “BAM” McClendon
Age: 54
Candidate for the position of Kansas Secretary of State
Place of residence: Lawrence, KS
Current occupation: Research professor, University of Kansas
Party affiliation: Democrat
Community involvement:
● Helped found non-profit KSvotes to encourage non-partisan civic
engagement in Kansas and led the team that developed an online/mobile voter registration tool for Kansas
● With Beth Ellyn McClendon, established the McClendon Engineering Scholarship at the University of Kansas
● Pro bono STEM presentations at Kansas elementary, middle and high schools, colleges, and universities; and companies and organizations
● The University of Kansas Endowment, Trustee
● Member of Portola Valley Cable Committee for 8 years. Brought
broadband to small-town cable system against all odds
● Member, Consumer Technology Association Advisory Board (CES)
● Member, National Academy of Engineering
● University of Kansas School of Engineering Advisory Board
● University of Kansas EECS Advisory Board
● National Academy of Engineering
● United Nations “Champions of the Earth Laureate” award (the UN’s top environmental prize) for “harnessing the power of technology to support conservation and green economic development,” Entrepreneurial Vision 2013
1) What is the biggest issue, if elected, and how do you plan to address it?
The focus of the Secretary of State is and should be on supporting elections and voting, business registration and support, and government transparency. Protecting our elections from foreign interference, protecting the private data of Kansas citizens, protecting the fundamental right of every eligible citizen to vote,
and increasing voter engagement are critical challenges that the Kansas Secretary of State should prioritize.
As a businessman, a former executive with Google, and an innovator, I have the skills to accomplish these goals.
My first tasks will be:
● To use my technology expertise to monitor the state’s voting systems in order to help ensure that every vote is counted and to guard against any outside interference. Additionally, I’ll continue to promote voter registration and advance ballots. Registering to vote and requesting advance ballots should be as easy for eligible voters as using Google Maps.
● The voter registration system at the Kansas Department of Motor Vehicle driver’s license bureaus needs immediate attention. There are reports that some new voter registrations through the DMV are not being recorded at the county level. As a result, voters who believed they were registered to vote are discovering they are not. This needs to be investigated and fixed.
● I will return non-partisan public service to the Secretary of State’s office. I will modernize the Secretary of State’s website by updating the technology, especially search and navigation, to make the site easier to use for all citizens and businesses. The Secretary of State’s website is the front door for Kansas businesses and the front door for citizens. I will make sure that the door is open.
● As a businessman, I’ve started companies, built companies and built teams that delivered products that met stringent requirements for security, efficiency, and ease of use. At Google, I lead a team that grew from 29 to 2000. I can make the Secretary of State’s office accessible, secure and efficient.
● As the administrator of the Crosscheck database, Kansas absorbs the cost and liability of securing data for citizens in multiple other states, but it’s riddled with problems including tens of thousands of false results creating hundreds of hours of work lost chasing down false matches. Crosscheck’s security protocols have also been widely criticized, and some personal data of Kansans has already been leaked. Viable options exist. Crosscheck must be reviewed and then fixed or replaced.
2)Give your views on food sales tax:
The Secretary of State is an administrative position, not legislative. The office has no direct engagement with or influence upon tax policy. The focus of the Secretary of State is and should be on supporting elections and voting, business registration and support, and government transparency.
That said, food sales is a regressive tax placing a disproportionate burden for financially supporting shared public services upon working and middle-class families. Over-relying on a food sales tax means the state is not fairly or effectively distributing the responsibility to fund shared public services.
3) Give your views on legalizing marijuana:
The Secretary of State is an administrative position, not legislative. The office has no direct engagement with or influence upon substance legalization or related policy. The focus of the Secretary of State is and should be on supporting elections and voting, business registration and support, and government transparency.
4) Give your views on health care for our state, including Medicaid:
The Secretary of State is an administrative position, not legislative. The office has no direct engagement with or influence upon public health policy. The focus of the Secretary of State is and should be on supporting elections and voting, business registration and support, and government transparency.
That said, Bourbon County has just experienced a hospital closure that is largely a result of conservative Kansas leaders refusing to expand Medicare/Medicaid coverage in our state. The partisan opposition to expanding those services, and the resulting negative impact upon health care access to rural and smaller communities, are clearly not working in the best interests of all Kansans.
5) Give views on abortion and Planned Parenthood:
The Secretary of State is an administrative position, not legislative. The office has no direct engagement with or influence upon women’s health policy. The focus of the Secretary of State is and should be on supporting elections and voting, business registration and support, and government transparency.
A local helping agency will continue food and financial help but discontinue the distribution of clothing.
The Beacon Board of Directors voted last week to not accept clothing for distribution to its clients.
“While grateful for the years of generosity of Fort Scott citizens in their donations of clothing and household items, the Beacon Board of Directors has regretfully chosen to end receiving of donations of clothing and household items,” according to a press release from the Beacon.
“The board voted unanimously to continue offering only food service and financial services as it has in the past,” Carol MacArthur, president of the board told fortscott.biz.
“The Beacon will no longer distribute these (clothing) items effective November 1, 2018. This decision not made lightly and only after careful assessment.”
“Food and monetary donations are welcome and essential, as these needs are endless,” according to the press release.
“The Board would also like to thank all those who have worked in the Beacon for their tireless efforts in serving the community.”
At a recent Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition meeting, it was stated that these agencies still provide distribution of clothing in Fort Scott: Mother to Mother Ministry and Communities In Schools, with qualifiers.
This is part of a series of responses from candidates for the Nov. 6, 2018 election.
County Commission District #1 (vote for one)
Clinton L. Walker 1999 105th St. Mapleton 66754 Democratic
Lynne D. Oharah 2120 95th St. Uniontown 66779 Republican
Here are the responses from incumbent Lynne Oharah:
Lynne Oharah
Name: Lynne Oharah
Age: 71
Candidate for the position of County Commissioner District 1
Place of residence: 2120 95th St. Uniontown, Ks.
Current occupation: Semi-retired, Current County Commissioner District 1
Community involvement: USA Navy Veteran, Past Kansas State Representative. Former USD235 School Board Member for 10 years. Current member of the Uniontown Ruritan club. Member of the Southeast Kansas Planning Committee.
Party affiliation: Republican
What is the biggest issue, if elected, and how do you plan to address it?
Growing the economy and reducing taxes. We have held the line on raising the mill levy and raising the mill levy in the future is not an option. We must make every effort to reduce taxes through economic growth which will increase our population and provide new avenues for growth and continue providing services needed and wanted by the public.
The programs that have been started are the Bourbon County Neighborhood Revitalization Program which is already starting to show results, the continuation of the partnership with CrawKan Telephone Company to provide broadband access to the highspeed internet, plans to promote a Data Center (server farm) in the old jail facility.
We must work with all business, existing and new, agriculture and not-agriculture, to promote growth.
Another extremely important issue to be addressed is dealing with the loss of Mercy Hospital. We must work together, county, cities, and communities, to address how we provide quality medical services to the population of Bourbon County.
I would be very involved in this process and be part of a team to that will work to ensure we do have the medical services we need.
Vicky Polen, Safehouse Crisis Center Victim Advocate, speaks to the Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition members, Wednesday. Seated is Billie Jo Drake, coalition chairwoman.
Safehouse Crisis Center, Pittsburg, has served 33 victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking that come from Bourbon County.
“It’s important that everybody be aware of these issues,” Vicky Polen, a victim advocate with the center told the Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition members during its’ monthly meeting.
Thirty-three might not seem like a big number, she said. “But we spent 433 hours with them.”
The crisis center serves Southeast Kansas.
From statistical data on the center’s website these are the numbers of the services that have been given from the center: 550- Hotline calls, 297-Victims were Sheltered, 857-Total Agency Victims Served (Unduplicated), 10,912-Peer Counseling Meetings, 769-Support Groups, 1,019- Safety Plans, 329-Court Advocacy, 248-Presentations to 10,023 Public and Professional Individuals, 216-Served through Child Exchange and Visitation Center, 776-Personal Advocacy.
The coalition meets the first Wednesday in the basement of the First Baptist Church at noon.
Members present during the meeting are allowed to tell what is happening and what services are offered from their agencies. A previously selected speaker presents a program on their agency. This month it was Vicky Polen of Safehouse. The November 7 speaker will be Mandi H-Woods, Kansas Children’s Service League.
The Iron Star owner Barbara Trimbur told the meeting’s attendees that the 14-year-old business is a destination spot for out-of-town shoppers. She has vendors, not booths in her business.
There are many good things happening in Fort Scott, according to attendees of the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet October 2.
The meeting, hosted by Iron Star Antiques, 3 N. Main, allowed area businesses and organizations to tell about their upcoming events:
Bryan Ritter, with Boiler Room Brewhaus Microbrewery, spoke to the attendees about the upcoming liquor by the drink question on the November ballot.
“Yes is a vote for small business and economic development,” Ritter said.
The meeting, hosted by Iron Star Antiques, 3 N. Main, allowed area businesses and organizations to tell about their upcoming events:
The Gordon Parks Celebration is this weekend at Fort Scott Community College see this link for details: Gordon Parks Celebration Oct. 4-7
Hole In The Wall Liquor Store’s grand opening and ribbon cutting is from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12.
Pioneer Harvest Fiesta is Oct. 19-21 at the fairgrounds. Oct. 18 is the downtown parade at 6 p.m.
Downtown Halloween Parade is 11 a.m. Oct. 27.
Hedgehog, INK Bookstore, 16 S. Main, grand opening and ribbon cutting is from 5:15 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30.
Forks and Corks at Memorial Hall, Nov. 3.
Holiday Open Houses, Thursdays, Nov. 8 and Dec. 13.
Friends of the Fort: Buy a flag subscription to place flags at businesses and homes. Proceeds go to Fort Scott National Historic Site.https://www.facebook.com/Friends.FSNHS
Fort Scott Economic Development Director Rachel Pruitt said the city is working with Mercy Hospital on solutions to the closing of the hospital.
There is a new children’s book produced by the Lowell Milken Center For Unsung Heroes, featuring the story of Irena Sendler and using LMC Program Director Megan Felt and her daughter to tell the story.
The City State Bank downtown branch renovation has started and should be finished in 60 days.
To support the cause of Lee’s Paws and Claws, businesses are asked to consider placing collection boxes near their cash registers. Contact Kate Sweetser.
Smallville Crossfit’s Day of the Lifting Dead is Nov. 3
Bourbon County’s new economic director, Jody Hoener, welcomed input from the community.
Captured Images is producing a new magazine and is seeking advertisers.
Nate’s Place Restaurant is closed this week for some remodeling, which was helped with a Healthy Bourbon County grant.
The Liberty Theater: Across the Pond Band will perform Oct. 27; Jessica Page Band, Nov. 10; and the Jerry Thompkins Band, Nov. 13.
The Front Door Christmas Store will be open every Saturday and Sunday in November and also the downtown open houses. This year the store will be at 104 N. National, next to the Buffalo Grill.
Fort Scott Community College events: Oct. 13-free children’s fair; Oct. 20-alumni rodeo, the play “Gilligan’s Island” will be Oct. 19-21.http://www.fortscott.edu/calendar
Papa Don’s Restaurant held a fundraiser for the FSCC track team Oct. 3. Students waited tables, and a percent of the day’s profits went to the team.
The Fort Scott Lofts project is in the beginning stage and will be home to 40 more residents downtown, Fort Scott Economic Director Rachel Pruitt said.
Downtown Quarterly Meet and Greet attendees pick up literature of upcoming events, following the meeting.
Saturday, October 13, the FSCC Community Relations committee will be holding a FREE Fall Kid’s Festival.
Kids of all ages are welcome to join in the fun!
The festival will be held at Fort Scott Community College in the South Bailey Hall Parking lot from 9 am to 11 am.
There will be a costume contest at 10 am, so wear your best Halloween costume! There will be a prize awarded.
The activities will include a hayride, bounce house, games, prizes, face painting and treats. Bring your own pumpkin for pumpkin painting.
This will be the first of two kid’s festivals this school year, with the second this Spring. FSCC wants to involve the community in campus activities and this is one way to do so that is a lot of fun for everyone involved.
Kassie Cate says, “The FSCC Community Relations committee is looked at as one of the bridges between the college and the community. We do our best to participate in all the community activities as well as provide activities on campus for the community. The community always does a great job at holding numerous activities and events throughout the year, so we feel that we need to also be a part of that, and do our share on free or low-cost events for the people in Fort Scott and surrounding areas.”
Please contact Kassie Cate with any questions by email: [email protected] or by phone: 620.223.2700 ext. 5248
