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Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: May 28th, 2019
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________
3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Kendell Mason
9:00-Jim Harris – 10 minute executive session for preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property
Jim Harris – Discuss the condition of Yale Road
10:00 am – Dave Martin with the City of Fort Scott – executive session for personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel
10:30 am – Health Department Generator
Justifications for Executive Session:
Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel
Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship
Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency
Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships
Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property
Matters relating to the security of a public body or agency, public building or facility or the information system of a public body or agency, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize the security of such public body, agency, building, facility or information system
A Time To Mourn
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-4
I was awakened at 2:30 in the morning by a pounding on my door. Adrenaline immediately hit my system as I jumped to my feet. You learn how to sleep and sort of stay awake at the same time in combat. I threw open the door to see the face of Pfc. Clark. “Come quick chaplain,” he said. “We had a convoy get hit. There is one casualty.” Clark turned to run back to headquarters. I yelled after him, “Who?” He stopped, looked over his shoulder, and said, “Maj. Culver.”
I felt like I had been punched in the stomach. My eyes welled up with tears. As I hurriedly dressed, I argued and bargained with God. “No! No! No! You can’t do this. Not Wayne. Let it be a mistake. Take my life instead.” I slipped my boots on without lacing them and ran out into the night. There was a red haze in the air. Literally, the Iraqi desert looked like hell.
The tactical operations center was quiet when I enter the room. Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at me. The squadron commander, Ltc. William Rachal walked over. He put his hand on my shoulder and whispered, “Chappy, the vehicle Wayne was in was struck by an IED. He was killed instantly.” My legs felt weak, I backed up against the wall, and slid down into a chair. Ltc. Rachal leaned in and continued, “I know that you are hurting, but I need you to hold it together. Everyone will be looking to you.” I choked back tears, stood to my feet, and said, “Yes, sir.”
Ltc. Rachal was right. Over the next few days, people did look to me. As the chaplain for Task Force Geronimo, the soldiers looked to me for spiritual guidance and comfort – especially in a time of loss. Wayne was a huge loss. To our unit, Maj. Ronald “Wayne” Culver was our executive officer. To me, he was the best friend I had on the deployment.
We spent a lot of time together in the year leading up to our arrival in Iraq. Once we arrived, we made it a point to have coffee every morning. We didn’t talk business over morning coffee. The conversations were about family, movies, music, and God. I intentionally ended each morning coffee with a prayer for Wayne. The last time I saw him, I also prayed for him. He was getting ready to depart on the ill-fated mission. When I finished praying, Wayne smiled and said, “You didn’t pray in little baby Jesus name.” He was jokingly referring to a line in the movie, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.
Since his death and over the years, I often think about his children. His daughter, Michelle, finished her master’s degree last year. She lives in Austin and works for the State of Texas. His son, Ron, graduated from the University of Kansas last week. Wayne would be proud of them.
It is going on ten years, since I last spoke to Wayne’s wife, Tracy. I can’t work up the courage to contact her. At our deployment ceremony, Tracy said to me, “I am so glad that you have come into Wayne’s life. Since he met you, he is more focused on the Lord. Wayne loves you.” Then she said something to me that haunts my dreams. She said, “Keep him straight. Take care of him.” Tragically, I couldn’t take care of him…
The day before Wayne’s death, I had just returned to Iraq from ten days in the United States. I had been given leave to go home to be with my wife, Amanda, for the birth of our son, John. My son was born one week, and my best friend died the next. There is a time to be born; and a time to die. To everything there is a season…
The point is: The Bible teaches there is a time for mourning. When Wayne died, I really couldn’t process his passing. I had to be strong. I had to soldier on. I had to preach his memorial service. My season for mourning had to wait. It had to wait until today. As I write these words, my heart breaks over the loss of my friend.
Memorial Day is this Monday. It is a solemn day to remember those who gave everything in the service of this country. It is a time to honor those who gave their lives for the freedoms we cherish. It is a time to mourn their loss.
However, I have come to realize that Wayne would not want me to mourn forever. So, I have decided to look forward. There will come a time when I will see Wayne again. There will come a time when we will share a morning cup of coffee. There will come a time when death and sadness will be no more. There will come a time when there will be no more crying, pain, or mourning.
I don’t know about you, but I look forward to that season…
James Collins is a pastor, columnist, author, and retired U.S. Army Chaplain. He can be reached at Fort Scott’s First Southern Baptist Church at (620) 223-2986, or through the website www.thepointis.net.
U.S. NAVY MEMORIAL
Dedication
has been moved to
MEMORIAL HALL
Sunday, May 26, 2019
2:30 p.m.
1 East Third Street
Fort Scott, KS
Sponsored by Olson-Frary-Burkhart
VFW Post 1165
Reception at VFW Post , 1745 S. National
following ceremony
In accordance with Executive Order 10-12, and in recognition of Memorial Day, May 27, 2019, Governor Laura Kelly has ordered flags throughout the State of Kansas to be flown at half-staff from sunup to noon on May 27. President Donald J. Trump also issued a flag directive honoring Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace.
“I’m always deeply humbled when I reflect on the sacrifices made by the military service men and women of this country – whether it is veterans, soldiers currently on active duty, or those who made the ultimate sacrifice,” Kelly said. “Memorial Day is a time to honor those who died while serving our country. They are all reminders of the values that our country holds dear, and the high stakes necessary to defend our way of life.”
To receive email alerts when the governor orders flags to half-staff, please visit https://governor.kansas.gov/newsroom/kansas-flag-honors.
Click below:
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) cautions people living in or near high-water areas to not be surprised if they see more wildlife than usual. Animals living near flooding bodies of water or in low-lying areas will be forced to temporarily move to other locations to survive. They could congregate on high-ground “islands,” in residential or commercial areas or around outbuildings. Residents may even find small animals in homes or outbuildings if they’re not well-sealed.
Animals such as rabbits, rodents, lizards, snakes, turtles, insects, certain birds or even larger animals such as coyotes and deer may be on the move. Here are some tips to be aware of when you spot a flood-weary animal –
If displaced wildlife have become a nuisance, people can visit the KDWPT website at https://ksoutdoors.com/Services/Wildlife-Damage-Control and find a list of wildlife damage control permit holders (NADC Permit Holders) who may be able to assist.
—30—
Ron Kaufman
Director of Information Services
Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism
1020 S. Kansas Ave., 2nd Fl
Topeka, KS 66612
785-296-2870
KSOutdoors.com & TravelKS.com
Note new email address – [email protected]
Due to the predicted weather coming into our area tonight, “Flicks on the Bricks” the free showing of “Despicable Me” has been cancelled. The next “Flicks on the Bricks” free movie night will be Friday, June 21st with “Planes: Fire & Rescue.”
Meals funded by the United State Dept. of Agriculture will be served from noon to 1 p.m. starting May 28 at the Keyhole Youth Activity Center, 1002 S. Main. The program runs Mondays through Fridays and ends July 26.
“Congress controls money through the program for child nutrition,” Debbie Kreutzman, Kansas Food Bank Community Relations Manager, said. Kansas Food Bank provides the meals.
The meals are sack lunches are provided for those under 18 years of age.
“Kids will come in, check in, no need to give names, and then pick up a lunch of shelf-stable meals,” Kreutzman said.
“It is open to all kids, regardless of income and regardless of whether they live in Fort Scott,” Kreutzman said. “For example, if visiting a grandparent from New Mexico, say, they can come and eat.”
Nutritional Requirements
“This provides an alternative where kids have an option to get a meal,” she said.
All meals served will have the following nutritional requirements met:
2 ounces of meat or meat alternative
A whole grain -bread, crackers, etc.
2 serves of fruit and/or vegetable
8 ounces of milk
Options Added To Give Children What They Like Best
“We have set meals served throughout the summer,” Kreutzman said. “In the past, we have had 30 sites across the state.”
After reviewing the past four years of serving the shelf-stable meals, Kreutzman said it was noted that children liked being offered an extra grain to their meal and preferred chocolate milk.
So those are being added to the meal options.
Community Organizations Asked To Provide Fresh Fruit
“I talked to Judy Hood (the Keyhole Site Manager) about community organizations providing fresh fruit or granola bars or fruit juice,” Kreutzman said. “There is a possibility of having fresh fruit: bananas, Cutie oranges, apples. We have to think in terms of what kids can pick up and eat. Cutting fruits or vegetables requires cutting and sanitation which requires a commercial kitchen.”
To donate contact Hood or call the Keyhole Youth Activity Center at 620-223-4700.
“Some sites across the state, Farmers Markets donate fresh fruits and vegetables to send home with kids,” Kreutzman said.
Next week chicken salad in a can, cheddar cheese sticks, applesauce, Gold Fish crackers, pretzels, fruit and grain bar, a box of juice and chocolate milk will be offered on Tuesday, the first day, Kreutzman said.
USD 235, Uniontown, will also be offering a children’s summer food program. That school district will utilize its’ facility and offer cafeteria style food. That program starts June 3 and will be featured next week in fortscott.biz.
“Well, I told you not to do it like that and you did it anyway.” A very irritated postal worker here in Florida was not pleased with a co-worker. After she repeated that statement two more times, my mission, when I got to her station, was to try and ease the tension. In the meantime, I would enjoy the Lady Gaga music over the speaker system and be thankful I safely had ridden my bike the two miles to get there without getting run over by some maniac driver.
On my turn, I began by saying how much I enjoyed the music. Her snarky silence let me know that she couldn’t care less. She applied the extra postage I needed while I quietly hummed along to “Shallow.” I gave her a ten-dollar bill; she told me that she did not have change and needed a credit card. Because I biked there, I didn’t have my wallet, I said. “Well, I don’t have change,” she replied, loudly and rudely. Since the line behind me was rather long, I was in hopes a Good Samaritan would offer change. Nope. (You’re not in Kansas anymore, Dorothy, I told myself, which has become my mantra here in Jupiter on multiple occasions.)
“I will just stand over here and wait for all these other people to be helped. Perhaps then you will have change.”
“Forget it,” she barked. “Just take all of my change. Then I won’t have any left.”
Looking at her nametag (Ms. Khan), I continued. “I’m sorry, You’ve been open only 10 minutes. I’m surprised that’s all the money you have left.”
“Forget it.” And with that, she handed me $8.46…which might have been the perfect time to join Lady Gaga in song:Tell me somethin’, girl, are you happy in this modern world?
Or do you need more? Is there somethin’ else you’re searchin’ for?
Then again, perhaps silence was a better option.
As I exited, she began shrieking at the woman behind me who didn’t bring the right change either. I turned to hand the poor lady some of my money just as she pulled out a credit card that prevented Ms. Khan from jumping over the counter and poking her eyes out. Once we both were outside, she shared how she had reported “that rude clerk before” and encouraged me to do the same…right then. Emboldened by this lady’s courage, I went back inside. No supervisor was available. I was given a phone number to call.
Over the next couple of days, God began to change my mind. This clerk was rude for a reason. Perhaps she was having marital issues or financial issues. Perhaps she just didn’t like Lady Gaga. Today I returned to the post office to show Jesus’ love to a hurting soul. With no line and only Ms. Khan working, the timing was perfect. Thank you, Lord.
I began. “Ms. Khan, the last time I was in here, you were rude not only to a co-worker but also to me and another lady who encouraged me to report you. I chose not to do that but to speak to you in person.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You informed a lady working at the counter next to you—long brown hair and glasses—that you had told her not to do something and she did it anyway.”
“I have no memory of that.”
“Well, I do. You said it three times, and she appeared terribly embarrassed. I later thought that perhaps you were going through some difficulties. Sometimes I’m unkind when times are tough, and as a Christian I wondered if maybe I could pray for you.
“I’m not going through anything except I’m fasting twice a day for my religion” (I’m guessing Muslim), “and no, I don’t need your prayers.” And that was that.
As I turned to leave, she left me with these parting words: “Besides, I’m just loud.” I wanted to remind her that there is a difference between loud and rude. Lucky for her (and probably for me), silence was the better option. I think I’ll pray for her anyway.
