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FS City Commission Meets July 17
The Fort Scott City Commission will meet on Friday, July 17th, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at the City Hall Commission Meeting Room at 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas to hold a work session to discuss the City’s 5 year capital plan.
The meetings are still limited in number due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however the room will only hold 14 due to the 6’ social distancing rules. Patrons will be let in until the room is full to ensure the public health orders are followed.
The meeting will be available on the City’s YouTube channel.
Bourbon County Commission Agenda for July 14
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: July 14, 2020
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________
3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Kendell Mason
MEETING WILL BE HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM. ANYONE ATTENDING THE MEETING WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR A MASK PROVIDED BY THE COUNTY. MUST MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING.
9:00 – 9:30 JT Heckman
9:30 – 9:45 Tri-Valley Board
9:45 – 10:00 Jody Hoener, BCBS Pathways Grant
10:00 – 10:15 Jody Hoener, CDBG-CV Grants & Spark
10:15 – 10:30 BBCO Soil Conservation District, 2021 Budget Review
10:30 – 10:45 David Neville, Second Floor Air Conditioner
10:45 – 11:00 Susan Bancroft, Requesting a variance from Sewer District Agreement
11:00 – 11:15 Larry Sharp, KCAMP Insurance Annual Review
11:15 – 11:30 Bill Martin/Bobby Reed, 2021 Budget Review
11:30 – 11:35 Michael Hoyt, Spark Program
11:45 – 12:00 Jacqie Spradling, Attorney 2021 Budget Review
12:00 – 12:15 Justin Meeks, CIC Contract
12:15 – 1:30 Lunch
1:30 – 4:30 Commissioners to have a budget work session
FS Lake Advisory Board Meets July 18
The Lake Fort Scott Advisory Board will meet on Saturday, July 18th, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. at the City Hall Commission Meeting Room at 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas.
The meetings are still limited in number due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however the room will only hold 14 due to the 6’ social distancing rules. Patrons will be let in until the room is full to ensure the public health orders are followed.
The meeting will still be available on the City’s YouTube channel.
Obituary of David C. Middleton
David Charles Middleton, age 70, a resident of rural Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Sunday, July 12, 2020, at his home.
He was born August 1, 1949, in Ft. Scott, the son of Lee Charles Middleton and Allie Ethyl Peterson Middleton.
David graduated from the Ft. Scott High School with the Class of 1967.
He married Sharon Simpson on November 18, 1966, at Nevada, Missouri.
In earlier years, David worked at Mid-America Business forms and then for the Co-Op in Uniontown and Beulah. He later returned to the printing industry and was employed by Apico Printing in Girard and later Ward-Kraft in Ft. Scott. In addition, he operated his own farm and dairy. He retired in 2011.
He was a member of the Cherry Grove Baptist Church, the Xenia Masonic Lodge and the Mirza Shrine of Pittsburg.
He enjoyed fishing and hunting as well as spending time with his grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife, Sharon, of the home; his son, Chris Middleton (Amy Larson), of Pittsburg; seven grandchildren, Brittany Horn (John), of Lawrence, Kansas, Matthew Prettyman (Alexis) and Shelby Garcia (Steven), all of Williston, Florida and Jazzmin Middleton, Dylan Middleton, Kaydence Clark and Kamdin Clark, all of Pittsburg, Kansas and seven great-grandchildren, Cameron, Kaden, Izzy, Addison, Elle, Amora and Aurelia. Also surviving are a brother, Kenneth Middleton (Lavon), of Uniontown, Kansas and three sisters, Carrie Elbrader, Ark City, Kansas, Lois Cooney, Frontenac, Kansas and Donna Davidson Williams, Uniontown, Kansas.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Beverly Ann Horn, a sister, Carolyn Rourk, and his parents.
Rev. Marty DeWitt will conduct graveside services at 2:00 P.M. Sunday, July 19th at the Pleasant Valley Cemetery.
Masonic rites will also be conducted.
The family will receive friends on Sunday at the Cheney Witt Chapel from Noon until leaving for the cemetery at 1:30 P.M.
Memorials are suggested to the Mirza Shrine General Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Nick Graham: Candidate For Bourbon County Clerk
This is part of a series of features on the candidates running for offices in Bourbon County. The Bourbon County Primary Election will be held, Tuesday, August 4, 2020.
Monday, July 20, is the candidate forum at Ellis Fine Arts Center, on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for a meet and greet with candidates. The forum starts at 6 p.m. in the order of the federal, state, then local candidates.
Nick Graham, 40, is a candidate for Bourbon County Clerk.
Graham has an associate’s degree in network administration from Labette Community College.
He has 20 years in information technology experience for local small businesses and education providers. He is a former Fort Scott City Commissioner.
What skills do you bring to the position if elected?
“I love helping and interacting with people, which is not particularly common among IT guys, and the clerk’s office provides a ton of opportunities to help improve and streamline county services and communication that we can implement quickly and at little or no cost.”
“I also think I’m a strong coalition builder – there is a lot of silo mentality going on inside (and outside) the county government right now, and when that happens, the biggest loser is the taxpayer, as they get fragmented service and fragmented communication. I’ve sat down with several elected and non-elected officials on the county level (and the city level) sharing my ideas and plans on ways we can make everyone’s job a little easier and provide a much smoother experience for our customers, the taxpayers.”
“I also think I’m a strong coalition builder – there is a lot of silo mentality going on inside (and outside) the county government right now, and when that happens, the biggest loser is the taxpayer, as they get fragmented service and fragmented communication. I’ve sat down with several elected and non-elected officials on the county level (and the city level) sharing my ideas and plans on ways we can make everyone’s job a little easier and provide a much smoother experience for our customers, the taxpayers.”
“Lastly, having worked in the technology side of public education and for small businesses with very limited budgets, I’ve learned how to improvise and innovate without spending a lot of money. In a rural county like ours, that’s going to be more and more critical as time goes on, especially in economic times like these.”
What is your priority on day one?
“I have two main priorities for when I am sworn in as clerk:
1) Build a useful online presence for the county – provide quality online broadcasts of the meetings, start building an easily accessible and easy to use system so people can pull up public records online, and making it as easy as possible for people to do their business with the county without having to take a trip to the courthouse if they don’t want to.
2) Education. The county clerk’s office is incredibly multifaceted, from taking minutes at commission meetings, to handling accounts payable, to overseeing all local elections, to being co-guardian of the budget with the treasurer. And that’s just four of the fourteen core responsibilities. It’s a critical position, and I intend to immerse myself in all the training and resources available to the clerk. I’ve also established good working relationships with both current and former county clerks in the southeast Kansas area, so I feel like I’ve got a great support team in place.”
The following is from the Bourbon County website:
Not sure if you’re registered to vote or where to vote?
You may register to vote online, through the Kansas Secretary of State’s website.
Check your voter registration status, the location of your polling place and view a sample ballot at VoterView by the Secretary of State.
The County Clerk is elected in November of Presidential Election years to a term of four years. There are no term limits to this elected office.
The Bourbon County Clerk/Election Officer is responsible for a wide range of things under Kansas Law. Some of those are listed here.
Advance Voting is available prior to each election. You may advance vote in one of two ways: By mail, by filing an application for a ballot to be mailed to you OR in-person, beginning at least one week prior to any election.
Bill Brittain Thanks Congressman Watkins For Help On Former Mercy Building
Submitted by Bill Brittain.
“On July 10, I was able to publicly thank Congressman Steve Watkins for his help on the Mercy facility.
The Congressman was in town Friday at the Nu-Grille (restaurant) for a small group discussion passing through for other stops for the day.
Several months ago I reached out to him and his office with an idea to save the (former)Mercy Hospital facility.
After I reached out to them he sent one of his staff to meet with me.
His staff came to some of the meetings we set up with other people of interest such as the city, CHC, Via Christi and others. His office made contact with the person with Mercy headquarters and arranged a phone meeting between that person and myself along with the Congressman’s staff member.
They have searched for Government grants that might be of assistance for Bourbon County to use.
They opened doors that we could not get open and that is what allowed the process to move forward!
He and his staff have been instrumental with helping us get to where
we are today!
I would also like to thank the Bourbon County Commissioners for taking bold action by accepting the donation of the facility!
By doing so I believe we will ensure our community will have good healthcare options available in a nice facility for many years to come.
Our hope is to fill this facility with several healthcare options and I am in hopes that we will have hospital services at some point down
the road.
Jody Hoener, the Bourbon County Economic Director has also worked very hard in spearheading meetings, making contacts, and looking for grants.
It definitely, like many things, takes action from many but
without Congressman Watkins Office I don’t think we could have got the ball rolling!
Bourbon County Has Four New Cases of COVID 19
SEK Multi-County Health Departments
Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, and Woodson Counties
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
July 13, 2020
“Allen County has 2 new COVID-19 cases this morning and Bourbon County has 4,” Rebecca Johnson, SEK Multi-County Health Departments Administrator, said. “Of Bourbon County’s 4, 2 are presumptive positive.”
Allen County
| Current Positive Cases | 3 |
| Current Recovered Cases | 5 |
| Total Positives Since Testing | 8-1 removed-out of state and to remain there |
| Deaths | 0 |
Anderson County
| Current Positive Cases | 11 |
| Current Recovered Cases | 4 |
| Total Positives Since Testing | 15 |
| Deaths | 0 |
Bourbon County
| Current Positive Cases | 26 |
| Presumptive Cases | 3-1 listed on KDHE website, tested negative |
| Positive Out of State/County-staying in Bourbon | 11 |
| Total Hospitalizations | 5-1 still remaining in hospital |
| Current Recovered Cases | 29-includes presumptive case |
| Total Positives Since Testing | 54 |
| Deaths | 1 |
Woodson County
| Current Positive Cases | 0 |
| Total Hospitalizations | 1-0 remaining in hospital |
| Current Recovered Cases | 10 |
| Total Positives Since Testing | 10 |
| Deaths | 0 |
Recovered cases are based on dates of onset of symptoms, not on day testing results are received.
Bourbon County Agenda For July 13
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: July 13, 2020
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________
3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Kendell Mason
MEETING WILL BE HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM. ANYONE ATTENDING THE MEETING WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR A MASK PROVIDED BY THE COUNTY. MUST MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING.
10:30 Executive Session, Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports July 13
The Fort Scott Police Department Daily Reports July 3-12
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Reasons to Leave Your Church by Pastor James Collins
“And upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18b
“Why didn’t you wear a tie to church today, you pinheaded nitwit?” Lois asked me with a frown on her face. Lois Steam (not her real name) is a woman in our church who complains about everything. Two weeks ago, Lois stomped up to me after church and I could tell she was upset. She continued, “I absolutely hated that song we sang today. What’s with all the handclapping? This is a church, not a disco.” This is a worship service, not a funeral, I thought.
As Lois continued her verbal assault, I never said a word. But I thought things that weren’t very pastor-like. Pray for me.
“Why don’t we go back to singing more from the red hymnals? If Jesus sang from the red hymnal, why can’t we?”
I think you’re wrong. Everybody knows that Jesus sang from the blue hymnal.
“Why didn’t you come check on me after my surgery last week?”
I’m not sure if having an ingrown toenail removed is a surgery worthy of a pastoral visit.
“You need to change your voice. I can’t stand your accent.”
Yes ma’am. I will try to have that done by next Sunday.
“This church isn’t meeting my needs. I might just move my membership.”
Don’t let the door hit you where the Good Lord split you.
At some point, you have probably felt like Lois. You feel unhappy at your church and think that you should leave. As a public service, I have put together a list of reasons to leave your church.
- Your gifts and talents are not celebrated. If you are asked to help in the nursery when you clearly belong on stage, then you need to leave.
- Your pet issues are not being addressed from the pulpit. If your pastor isn’t constantly addressing an issue that you saw on Facebook and got all worked up over, then you need to leave.
- You are annoyed with the people. Overly friendly greeters. Young hipsters. Crotchety seniors. Confused Millennials. Noisy children. Lost sinners. People who want…help. Surely God wouldn’t want you to stick it out with people like that. If you have those kinds of people, your church is probably beyond hope. Time to move on. Your next church, I’m sure will be perfect…
Of course, I am speaking with my tongue in my cheek. Church is not about you. It’s all about Jesus and sharing His message and love. A great church is built on these four things.
The Book – the inspired, infallible, inerrant Word of God.
The Blood – the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Birth – the new birth.
The Blessed Hope – the coming again of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The point is: If you are looking for a church, find out what stand they take on the Book, the Blood, the Birth, and the Blessed Hope. Or if they take any stand at all. If they don’t believe in these four foundations, saturate that place with your absence. Then find a church that does.
Remember, it’s not about you. It’s all about Jesus.
He will build His church, with all kinds of people.
People like you.
People like me.
Even people like Lois.
James Collins is the pastor of First Southern Baptist Church. Follow him on Twitter @collins_point, Facebook James Collins “The Point Is,” or at the website thepointis.net.