Fort Scott, Government

Fort Scott City Commission Agenda Jan. 15

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The Fort Scott City Commission meets every other Tuesday. The next meeting is at 6 p.m. on Jan. 15 at City Hall.

This is the agenda of the meeting.

I. ROLL CALL:

ADAMSON BARTELSMEYER NICHOLS PARKER MITCHELL

II. FLAG SALUTE:

III. INVOCATION: Pastor Norman Tillotson, First Baptist Church

IV. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS: Recognition of Alpha Money and Randy Ballweber – Codes Certification

V. CONSENT AGENDA:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of December 18th, 2018.

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1230-A totaling $581,238.41.

  1. Resolution 1-2019 designating the official City newspaper.

  1. Resolution 2-2019 designating the official City depositories for public funds

  1. Certificate of Appropriateness – 7 South National Avenue and 6 East Wall

  1. Certificate of Appropriateness – 10-12 East Wall Street

  1. Certificate of Appropriateness – 124 E. Wall Street

  1. Resolution 3-2019 – Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure located at 1612 E. Oak – Public Hearing Date – 3/5/2019 at 6:15 p.m.

VI. REORGANIZATION OF CITY COMMISSION AND ELECTION OF MAYOR, COMMISSION PRESIDENT, B.C.E.D.C.I. REPRESENTATIVE, AND FORT SCOTT HOUSING AUTHORITY DELEGATE

    1. Election of Mayor – Swearing in of new Mayor
    2. Election of Commission President

    3. Election of Bourbon County Economic Development Council Inc. Representative

    4. Election of Fort Scott Housing Authority Delegate

VII. APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:

  1. APPEARANCE: Mark McCoy – Discussion on Visioning Committee

B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute limit per citizen)

C. PUBLIC HEARINGS/COMMENTS: None

VIII. CONSIDERATION:

  1. Airport Electric Vault Upgrade – Rachel and Seth
  1. Consideration to Solicit Bids – Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (16) – Dave Bruner

IV. COMMENTS:

  1. Director Updates: Deb Needleman – KCAMP

Rachel Pruitt – Price Chopper Incentives

  1. Commission:
  1. City Attorney:
  1. City Manager:

      1. Health Care Update

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

I MOVE THAT THE CITY COMMISSION RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE

SESSION FOR ________________________________ IN ORDER TO

(see below justification)

DISCUSS ______________________________________. THE

EXECUTIVE SESSION WILL BE ___________ MINUTES AND THE OPEN

MEETING TO RESUME AT ________________.

Justifications for Executive Sessions:

  • Personnel matters of 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 or representatives 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

IV. MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT: ROLL CALL

Entertainment, Fort Scott

The Prairie Troubadour Feb. 22-23

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The Troubadour is ready to croon!  Program details and registration now available for our 4th annual Symposium.

Restore your weary soul with a much-needed weekend of mirth and friendship during the doldrums of the year.At a glance:

  • Dates are Feb. 22nd (evening) & 23rd (full day), 2019
  • This year’s theme is Reason for Faith: Reflections on Particles and the Paraclete.  Discussions will range from evolution and the New Atheists to the role of science in education and the work of Fr. Stanley Jaki.
  • Dale Ahlquist, David Whalen, Stacy Trasancos, William Fahey and Kevin O’Brien fill-out yet another all-star cast of presenters.
  • A slightly less frenetic schedule this year allowing for more time to catch up with friends and browse 8th Day Books’ magnificent mobile bookstore.
  • A great opportunity to get to know the students, faculty and growing community of Saint Martin’s Academy with an update on our inaugural year.
Click here for full details and to register.
NOTE: EARLY BIRD pricing runs through February 10th only.
Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Kansas Day Promotion

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The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Invites You to Celebrate the 158th Anniversary of Kansas Day on Tuesday,
January 29th, 2019!
EARN 10% DISCOUNT AT PARTICIPATING RETAILERS – WEAR THE WORD “KANSAS” OR A SUNFLOWER ON KANSAS DAY!
Kansas entered the Union as the 34th state on January 29th in 1861. On this 158th anniversary of Kansas Day, the Fort Scott Area Chamber would like to promote both our state’s history as well as local businesses.
Any person shopping a participating Chamber member retailer on Tuesday, January 29th, wearing a sunflower or the word “Kansas” anywhere on their apparel will receive 10% off of their purchase. Participating businesses will have a sunflower placed in the front of their store.
If you are a Fort Scott business owner, and would like to participate, please click here to print the flyer displayed below and hang it in your window for shoppers to see. If you need the Chamber to print one out for you, please let us know by calling Administrative Assistant Monica Walden at: 620-223-3566.
Celebrate Kansas Day and thank a local owner for doing business in our wonderful state!
Opinion

Baptism by Patty LaRoche

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When you hear the word “Baptism,” what comes to mind? Infant sprinkle? Immersion? Unimportant? Necessary for salvation? Few Christian topics are more controversial. From the time John the Baptist showed up munching on locusts and honey, the concept of Baptism has been debated, and just as soon as I think I have it figured out, another scripture comes along to show why people disagree.

A few years ago, at our couples’ Bible study, the question of Baptism–as a requisite for entrance into Heaven–came up (not a topic I would recommend for baby believers). One person made the typical defense for it not being necessary: Jesus promised the un-baptized thief hanging on a cross beside him that “Today you will be with me in Paradise.” Others claimed that to be a non-issue because the crucifixion was pre-resurrection; it was after Jesus died and rose again that Baptism became mandatory. (If you find that Bible passage, please let me know.)

Ephesians 2:8-9 was read to the group. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Grace, not works. Baptism is not necessary for salvation.

Quickly, that was discounted when a church leader used Acts 2:38 as a defense for Baptism’s necessity: And Peter said to them, “Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Aha! Baptism is necessary for salvation.

Not according to one author who, for example, used the Greek definition of the word “for” in Acts 2:38 as a way of proving Baptism is not required for salvation. (which of course was Greek to me). Another attempted to prove his point by writing about the Negative Inference Fallacy—”Just because Acts 2:38 says ‘repent and be baptized….for the forgiveness of sins…and the gift of the Holy Spirit’ does not mean that if one repents and is not baptized, he will not receive forgiveness of sins or the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

See what I mean? One says “Yea.” Another says “Nay.”

What’s a person to do?

A week after their wedding, Andy and Kristen, our son and (now—hooray!) daughter-in-law, were baptized together in the gulf waters off the coast of Pine Island, Florida. Andy’s brother, Adam, performed the ceremony after sharing a few thoughts about Baptism. First, he said, it is an outward demonstration of participation in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. Second, it symbolizes the commitment Andy and Kristen made at their wedding since, in Scripture, the Bride refers to the Church, and the bridegroom to Jesus. Third, “Marriage” is integral to the purest of relationships, just like Baptism connects us to Jesus Christ: “for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” Gal. 3:27

Still, the question remains: Is it necessary for salvation?

I don’t know, but I do know that I liked the answer our Bible study leader gave our group about its significance: “Jesus was baptized, and if he is our example, why shouldn’t we?”

No one could disagree with that.

Obituary

Obituary of Will Eugene Cook

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Will Eugene Cook, age 79, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, January 9, 2019, at the Medicalodge of Ft. Scott.

He was born July 5, 1938, in Ft. Scott, the son of Dee Cook and Clara Ellen Proctor Cook.

Will had worked at various business throughout his life. In earlier years, he had worked as a custodian for St. Mary’s School and also worked for the Chevrolet dealership in Ft. Scott. Later, he worked for several years at Extrusions. He then helped out at Love’s Sanitation and Ft. Scott Burial Vault Company.

He attended the Ft. Scott Church of the Nazarene. Will enjoyed tending the flowers in his yard.

Survivors include three brothers, Charles Cook, of Stover, Missouri, Dallas Cook, Joplin, Missouri and Dave Cook of Webb City, Missouri and a sister, Eva Marie Foster, of Norman, Oklahoma.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, January 15th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Services are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Area News, Business, Fort Scott, Jobs

Gordman’s Job Fair-Fort Scott: Feb. 19

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Apparel and home décor retailer Gordmans, a division of Stage Stores, is coming to Fort Scott and surrounding regions this March.

 

Gordmans is currently hiring for a variety of full-time and part-time positions and encourages interested candidates to apply online at gordmans.com and then attend the job fair at the following new location:

 

Fort Scott Gordmans

Tuesday, Feb. 19
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
2400 S. Main Street
Fort Scott, Kansas         

 

Pittsburg Gordmans
Thursday, Feb. 7
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
202 E. Centennial Drive
Pittsburg, Kansas         

 

Carthage Gordmans

Wednesday, Feb. 20
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.       

2410 S Grand Avenue
Carthage, Missouri     

Business, Fort Scott, Government

Price Chopper: No Taxpayer Dollars

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The marquee at Price Chopper on South Main Street Wednesday afternoon, announcing the closure of the store.

Price Chopper announced January 7 that they would close the Fort Scott store on South Main Street.

In addition to Price Chopper closing, Dunkin’ Donuts store and Fort Scott Pharmacy, both located in the main Price Chopper building are closing.

The closure of Price Chopper effects 85 employees, said Mike Massey, store manager.

A sign on the doors of Price Chopper Jan. 9.

“Forty full-time employees, some of whom will be going to other Price Choppers,” Massey said.

“It’s a beautiful store, Fort Scott will miss it,” Massey said with a glum face.

There was a full parking lot on January 9, the first day of the closeout sale of Price Chopper.

Dunkin’ Donuts last day open is Friday, January 11, said employee Franklin Dorres. He said they had eight full-time and four part-time employees.

Fort Scott Pharmacy is closing no later than Jan. 18, said Pharmacist Julie Pellett. “Three out of the five employees will go to Iola. The Iola group offers to provide much of the services we provided to our Fort Scott customers. Call 620-365-3176 for more information.”

The sign on the door of Fort Scott Pharmacy January 9, announcing the closure of the pharmacy.

Question about how the closure effects taxpayers

Fortscott.biz received a valid question from the public on how much local taxpayers have provided for the development of the Price Chopper grocery store.

The City of Fort Scott was given the question, which mentioned Industrial Revenue Bonds, and responded.

” There is no negative effect to the taxpayers regarding the closure,” said Rachel Pruitt, Fort Scott’s Economic Development Director. “Reimbursement is only on incremental tax revenue.  The incentive should motivate the developer (AWG)to recruit new business.  If there is no tax revenue the developer does not receive reimbursement on their investment.”

“The incentives were explained in several commission meetings prior to construction,” Pruitt said. “I found a few notes to further explain the city’s involvement.”

This image was provided by the City of Fort Scott Economic Development Director, Rachel Pruitt.

Pruitt added the following to clarify:

“Local Incentives for Price Chopper Development:

  • Developer-funded project costs  were $9.4MM
  • Reimbursement of up to $2.65MM
  • $1.9MM via Tax Increment Financing (TIF)
  • Incremental real property tax and city sales taxes
  • $750,000 via Community Improvement District
  • .05% sales tax

“The State incentive:  IRB state sales tax exemption on construction materials and labor.

“IRB (Industrial Revenue Bond) was a state tax exemption on construction materials and labor.

There was no federal government incentive involved in the property development by Price Chopper.

“The County incentive:  participation in TIF – incremental property tax revenue reimbursed to AWG (the developer).

“TIF (Tax Increment Financing) District pays the developer on the ‘incremental’ tax revenue.  There is no bond obligation to the taxpayers.”

“They were performance-based incentives.”

Price Chopper opened Dec. 13, 2017

At the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee this morning, Jan. 10, Pruitt said even though Aldi’s has been mentioned as a replacement for Price Chopper, that decision is in the hand of the developer.

 

Government, Jobs, Kansas

Kansas Eco Devo Up in 2018

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Kansas Department of Commerce Releases Economic Development Statistics for 2018

Topeka, Kan. – Kansas has had much to celebrate in the area of economic development during 2018, according to statistics released today from the Kansas Department of Commerce. 2018 has been an exceptional year for the Kansas economy, with over 11,000 new jobs and $1.7 billion in capital investment added to the state’s economy.

The Department of Commerce reports it participated in 138 successful economic development projects across the state during 2018, yielding 11,548 new jobs and 9,116 retained jobs. The total capital investment on these projects was $1.7 billion and $1.17 billion in payroll.

“I’m proud of what we have accomplished with the economy during my time in office,” said Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. “Unemployment is at record lows, we have more people working than ever before, and job creation is on the rise. Kansas has a brighter future because of the hard work done by so many over the past year.”

 

Of the 138 successful projects in 2018, the following are among the largest:

o    GEICO announced a new service center in Lenexa, with a $9,800,456 capital investment and 500 new jobs.

o    Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc. is expanding its manufacturing facility in Abilene, with a $10,841,000 capital investment and 200 new jobs.

o    Hospira, Inc., a Pfizer company, is expanding its pharmaceutical plant in McPherson with a $156,000,000 capital investment and 325 jobs added.

o    New Directions Behavioral Health announced it will move its headquarters to the Sprint campus in Overland Park with a $15,500,000 capital investment and 566 jobs added.

o    Orizon Aerostructures, LLC announced it would relocate a manufacturing operation to Olathe, with a $127,285,001 capital investment and 400 new jobs.

o    Palmer Manufacturing & Tank, Inc. announced a $16,642,000 capital investment in its Garden City plant, adding 201 jobs.

o    Shamrock Trading Corporation will build an office tower in Overland Park with a $248,000,000 capital investment and the company will add 1,500 jobs.

o    Spirit Aerosystems announced another major expansion, with plans for adding 1,400 new jobs.

 

“This has been an extraordinary year for economic development in Kansas,” said Robert North, Interim Secretary for the Kansas Department of Commerce. “The businesses that have made the wise choice to open or expand in the state of Kansas are making substantial contributions to the health of our economy and overall quality of life.”

 

Fort Scott, Schools

FSHS Thespians Qualify for International Thespian Festival

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Fort Scott Thespians. Submitted photo. Front row L to R: Mesa Jones, Hunter Adamson, Karina Kantilal, Mary Gladbach, Alyx Brooks 2nd row: Taillyn Harding, Sierra Long, Amber Russo, Mersadie Roof, Christina King, Alexis Williams, Jasamine Thron, Mackenzie Peoples 3rd row: Brian Stumfoll, Lexy Bailey, Brandy Stafford, Avery Dorsey, Daniel Belcuore, Zaria Byrd, Christina Ramirez, Harmony Brown, Angie Bin, Wyntter Snyder 4th row: Mark Bergmann, Levi Bin, Abi Deloera, Jacob Ham, Dominic Cannon, Jo Goodbody, Olivia Wilterding 5th row: Kathelra Murray, Jade Bailey, Carlee Studyvin, Addy Labbe, Ashanti Green, Sage Hill, Mason Moore, Wendy Monahan

The Fort Scott High School Thespian Troupe #7365 has students performing at the International Thespian Festival for the first time in history. After attending the KS State Thespian Festival in Wichita on Jan. 3-5, the troupe brought home a number of significant awards.

Senior Hunter Adamson qualified for Nationals in Monologue (where she performed both a humorous and dramatic script selection) and junior Mesa Jones qualified for Nationals in Musical Solo (performing Breathe from “Into the Heights”). Jones will also perform in the all-state musical production of “Bring It On” that qualified to be showcased on the main stage at Nationals. They compete at the International Thespian Festival at the University of Nebraska in June.

2018 State Thespian Officer Hunter Adamson and 2019 State Thespian Officer Mesa Jones

FSHS also won the Gold Honor Troupe Award (the highest troupe honor) through the presentation of the Honor Troupe Notebook by senior Karina Kantilal. Senior Alyx Brooks auditioned for colleges and received call-backs from eleven schools for her acting audition and from twenty-eight different schools for her lighting design audition.

Hunter Adamson, Mesa Jones, Karina Kantilal, Mary Gladbach, and Alyx Brooks; FSHS Thespians Officers with the Gold Honor Troupe trophy.

The FSHS Thespian President, Adamson, also served as a State Thespian Officer, planning and leading the entire Festival. Jones served as a State Board Member this year and was elected by troupe directors from all over the state to lead as one of 5 officers in charge of next year’s State Thespian Festival. She will attend training at the International Thespian Festival this summer and work throughout the next year to plan. 

Also competing at the State Festival this year were juniors Mackenzie Peoples and Addy Labbe in Musical Solo, Brooks in Lighting Design, and sophomores Amber Russo and Ivy Bailey in the Monologue category.

In all, thirty-five students attended Festival from FSHS and competed in improvised acting, charades, or costuming events at night. Throughout the day, the students attended workshops, met with college representatives, and watched award-winning full-length and one-act performances.

FSHS Drama Director Angie Bin, English teacher Mark Bergmann, and Drama Student-Teacher Wynnter Snyder accompanied the students. Bin presented a workshop on Children’s Theatre as part of the Festival.

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County Local News