| Fort Scott American Legion Thompson-Harkey Post 25 continues to lead the Department of Kansas in membership at 151% with 77 members.
Recruit a new Legion member and both you and the new member will be entered into a drawing where each of you could win $500. This new member contest runs until May 15. Bringing in a past member whose membership expired in 2017 or earlier would also count towards the $500 drawing. If you need recruiting brochures or membership applications, please contact me. I’ll make arrangements to deliver them to you.
Post Service Officer Myra Jowers will meet with anyone, by appointment, who has questions about filing VA claims, who need a second set of eyes to review their claims or help understand VA documents they have received in the mail. Her service is free and is for anyone, Veteran or family member, who wishes to file a claim or appeal a denied claim. She can be reached at [email protected] or 620.215.1286 to schedule an appointment.
Your Post 25 Color Guard continues to grow. Come to the May 9 meeting and learn more about the Post 25 Color Guard. Darrell Spencer serves as the Color Guard Captain. Post 25 Color Guard members presented colors at the Fort Scott Community Prayer Breakfast on May 1. See attached photos.
Four local Veterans donated blood at the recent visit by the Red Cross to Fort Scott. The American Legion Blood Donor Program has existed officially since 1942 to promote blood donations by American Legion family members. Thanks to those who donated.
Two students were recommended by Post 25 to attend this year’s Boys/Girls State. Macayla Jo McClure will be attending Girls State. Luke George will be attending Boys State. It is exciting to see young people step up and attend these Legion sponsored programs. Their photos are attached.
Wyatt Williams of Nevada will be attending the Kansas Cadet Law Enforcement Academy this summer. Wyatt in an 11th grader who participates in the Nevada Police Department’s internal student cadet program. His photo is attached. Wyatt’s mother learned about the Kansas Cadet Law Enforcement Academy through a Fort Scott friend who overheard a Post member discussing Legion programs.
The Cadet Law Enforcement Chair indicated that Kansas residency wasn’t a requirement to participate in this program. Wyatt was asked to submit his application for the program and was highly highly recommended by the Nevada Police Department. Wyatt’s photo is attached.
Members and friends of Post 25 greeted the Warrior Convoy that passed through downtown Fort Scott on Wednesday, May 1. In addition to showing support for combat wounded Veterans, we recruited a new member. Photos are attached.
Legion merchandise can be ordered through Emblem Sales: https://emblem.legion.org/. Contact me if ordering a Legion cap to insure your cap has the correct lettering.
VA MISSION Act: What is the latest on community care? Find out more at this web address: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVA/bulletins/23d694a
Volunteers Needed
Ralph Carlson is seeking volunteers to help with minor home repairs for low income area residents. Volunteers with carpentry, plumbing and electrical skills. All projects are short term and can be accomplished based upon the volunteer’s availability. Some of Ralph’s most recent projects were wheelchair ramps for two disabled Veterans and repairing a kitchen floor for a senior citizen. Call Ralph at 620-644-8162 to volunteer or more for information about his program.
The Fort Scott Cancer Treatment Center relocated to Chanute. Drivers are needed to take Fort Scott patients to Chanute for chemotherapy. Drivers will use their own vehicle and there is a small stipend for gas, if requested. A driver will take the chemo patient to their appointment in Chanute and wait for treatment to be completed and then bring the patient back to Fort Scott. The driver may have only a half hour wait for the patient or two – three hours. Call Donna Bauer at 620-224-7075 for more information or to volunteer.
You do not have to be a Veteran to step up for one of the volunteer opportunities. Just someone who will step up and offer a helping hand to our neighbors.
Upcoming Events
May 4. Post Commander Carl Jowers will be at the Fort Scott Walmart from 9 am – 12 pm. This is our American Legion community awareness program. I’ll have membership applications for the Legion, Auxiliary and Sons. Bring eligible members by our table and I can sign them up on the spot. If you recruit a new Legionnaire, they and you will be entered into a drawing for $500 each. Even of you don’t have any potential members, feel free just to stop by.
May 6. Post 25 meet and greet at 6:30 pm in Memorial Hall. Come and enjoy the fellowship of other Veterans. Bring an eligible Veteran to visit our Post.
May 6. Post 25 general membership meeting at 7 pm in Memorial Hall. Our membership meetings are open to all. SAL members are strongly encouraged to attend. Tonight’s meeting will include the installation of Post Officers for the 2019 – 20 Legion year. 2nd District Commander Marri Krupco will conduct the installation.
May 9. American Legion Post 25 Color Guard meets in Memorial Hall at 6 pm this month. The Post 25 Color Guard is open to all Post 25 Legionnaires and SAL members.
May 9. American Legion Baseball Information Session for players ages 15 to 19 Fort Scott Memorial Hall (Corner of National Ave. and 3rd Street) at 7 pm. Players must be a student or recent graduate of Fort Scott High School. We need at least 5 more players to have a Legion Baseball team this year.
Email Post 25 Baseball Chair Earl Adams at [email protected] with any questions about Legion Baseball. May 17-19. Department of Kansas American Legion Convention. Hutchinson, Ks. Any paid 2019 Legionnaire can attend. Post 25 can have four delegates at the Convention. Post 25 is authorized four voting delegates. Two more delegates are needed. Contact Post Commander Carl Jowers if you would like to attend and represent Post 25. May 23. There will be a meet and greet for females interested in joining American Legion Auxiliary Unit 25 at 6 pm in Memorial Hall. At the initial meeting on May 2, there were enough females in attendance to charter the Unit. The official chartering date will be in July to coincide with the new Legion year, which begins July 1.
Any female who has an ancestor who served in the United States military is probably eligible for the American Legion Auxiliary. Additionally, female family members of Veterans and active duty military may also be eligible for the American Legion Auxiliary. Eligibility to join the Auxiliary may be confusing, however email [email protected] for more details on determining your eligibility to join. May 31 – June 2. American Legion Leadership College at Cloud County Community College, Concordia, Ks. Any paid 2019 Legionnaire can attend. Contact Post Commander Carl Jowers for more information on attending. June 3. Post 25 meet and greet at 6:30 pm in Memorial Hall. Come and enjoy the fellowship of other Veterans. Bring an eligible Veteran to visit our Post.
June 3. Post 25 general membership meeting at 7 pm in Memorial Hall. Our membership meetings are open to all. SAL members are strongly encouraged to attend. Tonight’s meeting will include the installation of Post Officers for the 2019 – 20 Legion year. 2nd District Commander Marri Krupco will conduct the installation.
Remember to check out Post 25 on Facebook. It contains current information pertaining to Veterans and their families.
VA Shuttle MAY Schedule
Mondays. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.
Tuesdays. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.
Wednesdays. Fort Scott/Kansas City VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.
The shuttle will make stops in Pleasanton, Louisburg and Ottawa to pick up scheduled riders.
Carl Jowers. Commander Fort Scott American Legion Post 25 Telephone: 620.215.1688 Email: [email protected] |
Fort Scott City Commission Agenda May 7
FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
FORT SCOTT CITY HALL
COMMISSION ROOM
123 SOUTH MAIN
MAY 7, 2019
6:00 P.M.
I. ROLL CALL:
ADAMSON BARTELSMEYER MITCHELL NICHOLS PARKER
II. FLAG SALUTE
III. INVOCATION: Pastor Brian Rhoades, Grace Baptist Tabernacle
IV. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS:
Recognition of Rhonda Dunn, Municipal Training Institute Graduate–Level 1
Introduction of Burton Harding, City Attorney
Introduction of EMS Staff
National Nursing Home Week – May 12-18, 2019
V. CONSENT AGENDA:
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Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of April 16th, 2019.
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Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1237-A totaling $544,014.48.
VII. APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:
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APPEARANCE:
Ms. Angella Curran’s Fort Scott High School Class – Two presentations
B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute limit per citizen)
C. PUBLIC HEARINGS/COMMENTS:
VIII. CONSIDERATION:
- Consideration to use 2019 Joplin toolbox for sewer repairs
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Consideration of agreement with Schneider Electric for our Energy Grade Audit for all City facilities
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Consideration to allow the Defense Treat Reduction Agency to test City water for EMP vulnerability
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Approve Work Order with Olsson Associates for Phase III Archaeological Survey
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Approval to solicit bids for electric vault building at the Airport
IX. COMMENTS:
- Director Updates:
- Commission:
- City Manager:
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:
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Personnel matters of non-elected personnel
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Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship
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Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative or representatives of the body or agency
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Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships
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Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property
X. MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT: ROLL CALL
Fort Scott VA Shuttle Service
The Fort Scott VA Shuttle service provides transportation service to Topeka and Kansas City VA Hospital for Veterans in the Southeast Kansas area as follows:
Mondays and Tuesdays: Fort Scott to Topeka VA Medical Center.
Wednesdays: Fort Scott to Kansas City VA Medical Center.
The shuttle service is free to any Veteran who needs transportation to the VA for their medical appointments.
Veterans must have an appointment scheduled between 9 am and 1 pm on the day they ride the shuttle. Veterans who have “walk-in” appointments can also schedule a shuttle ride.
The shuttle will depart from the Fort Scott’s Pete’s 66 service station on Main Street and will return to Fort Scott after the last Veteran has completed their appointment. The departure time is based upon the time of first appointment of the day at the VA Medical Center day. Riders will be notified of the shuttle departure time the evening before their ride.
Veterans living along Highway 69 or near Louisburg and Ottawa can also schedule a ride to the VA by following the below process.
Veterans scheduling rides must be at one of our predetermined stops to ride the shuttle. This is a shuttle service, not a taxi service.
The VA shuttle holds five passengers and riders must preregister for a seat. Seats on the shuttle are open to any area Veteran on a first come, first served basis.
The shuttle does not accommodate wheelchairs or pets. Only certified service dogs are permitted on the shuttle. Oxygen tanks are not permitted on the shuttle. Oxygen concentrators are allowed.
Family members may not ride with the Veteran on the shuttle. However, those Veterans who need a caregiver to accompany them can provide a signed note from their doctor attesting that the Veteran requires a caregiver to accompany them to and from their appointment.
To register for a shuttle seat, the Veteran must
- Have an appointment at a VA Medical Center between 9 am and 1 pm for the day they schedule their shuttle seat.
- Call 785-925-0261 or email [email protected] to schedule their seat. All seat reservations must be scheduled by 5 pm, the day prior to their appointment.
Please don’t hesitate to call or email me with any questions you might have.
Carl Jowers, Fort Scott Shuttle Coordinator.
What’s Happening by the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce
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Governor Kelly: It’s time to expand Medicaid
The following column is from Governor Laura Kelly regarding Medicaid expansion:
With every passing day, more Kansans feel the impact of the state’s failure to expand Medicaid. It’s our neighbor struggling to get access to affordable healthcare. It’s a friend who works full-time – and works hard – but can’t afford private insurance or a doctor’s visit. It’s a working mother who can’t get mental health services to address her undiagnosed depression. It’s a young person with a disability who can’t get the health coverage he needs to continue working.
To date, Kansas has sent over $3.2 billion of our tax dollars to be used by other states to pay for their healthcare. That’s money that could go towards making Kansans healthier. It would also help Kansans who fall in the coverage gap – where they make slightly too much to get traditional Medicaid, but not nearly enough to afford private health insurance.
It’s not just patients who stand to lose if we fail to expand Medicaid. Our communities and local hospitals are struggling. According to some reports, 30 percent of our state’s hospitals are considered financially vulnerable. In small communities across our state, these facilities are at serious risk of closure.
Rural hospitals face numerous challenges and expansion won’t solve all of them. But all rural hospitals will benefit from Medicaid expansion proportionately, more than urban hospitals.
Many hospitals – both urban and rural – have high rates of uncompensated care. That means they are providing healthcare services for folks who can’t afford to pay. By expanding Medicaid, we can help their bottom line and infuse millions into our state’s economy.
Unfortunately, some Republican leaders still refuse to listen to the experts or acknowledge the success of the 36 states that already expanded Medicaid. They continue to ignore the resounding support voiced by Kansas families, businesses, child advocates and healthcare providers.
Expanding Medicaid is a commonsense, proven way to strengthen our state. We must move forward this year.
Last month, a bipartisan coalition in the Kansas House came together to pass expansion. It was a big step forward and I commend their courage and determination. But again this week, leaders in the Senate refused to allow a vote on Medicaid expansion.
Our friends, families and neighbors need Medicaid expansion. Not only is it sound policy, it is the right thing to do. Call Senate Majority Leader Jim Denning and Senate President Susan Wagle at 1-800-432-3924 and demand a vote on Medicaid expansion.
Entrepreneur Education Series May 8
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The Fort Scott Police Department Daily Reports May 3
Click below:
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports May 3
Did You Hear That Voice? by Pastor James Collins
“Who among you will give ear to this? who will hearken and hear for the time to come?”
Isaiah 42:23
I have been trying to learn to use my cell phone, but there are many buttons and apps – I have no idea what most of them do. The other day, I saw my friend, Ida Ford, talking into her cell phone. However, she wasn’t on a call. “What are you doing?” I asked. She said, “I’m using the voice command app. I talk, and the voice command types my text message.”
Ida showed me how the app worked and for the past few days, I have tried to use it. Yet, it doesn’t work right. It doesn’t understand my redneck accent.
Someone texted me and told me about a lady from church who was in the hospital. I replied with my voice command, “I hope she gets better. I pray she does.” Only it said, “I pray she dies.” That was not good…
Once I got the voice command activated, I couldn’t figure out how to turn it off. I got frustrated and said, “Baloney!” When I said, “Baloney,” the phone said, “Bologna is a city in Italy. It is also a cooked, smoked sausage.” I screamed, “I didn’t say Bologna. I said, Baloney!”
Later that day, I was at the dentist office with the phone in my pocket. As I was sitting in the waiting room, a voice said, “Say a command.” The lady at the reception desk looked up at me. I heard the voice again, “Say a command.” I realized the voice was coming out of my britches.
“Say a command.”
I took the phone out of my pocket, tried to turn it off, but it kept saying, “Say a command.”
“Say a command.”
“I command you to shut up!” I exclaimed.
I was called back to the exam room. I was sitting in the dental chair while the hygienist was cleaning my teeth. I couldn’t say anything because there was a suction hose, tooth scraper, polisher, waterpik, and seven or eight other dental tools hanging out of my mouth. I couldn’t have said anything if I tried.
Suddenly, I heard a voice say, “Did you say call Brian Poodle?” It said it again. “Did you say call Brian Poodle?”
I know Brian Williams, Brian Foster, and Brian Lane. However, I don’t know Brian Poodle. I know some wiener dogs, and a schnauzer, but I don’t know a poodle.
Frustrated, I finally reached in my pocket and turned off that stinking thing. I was tired of hearing the voice. So, I turned it off.
Often, we do the same thing.
Young people get tired of listening to their parents. So, they turn them off.
In church, people get tired of listening to the preacher. So, they turn him off.
You get tired of listening to the Word of God. So, you turn it off.
The point is: God might just be trying to say a command to you. Will you give an ear to Him? Will you just listen? Don’t cover your ears and close your heart.
Pastor James Collins serves at Fort Scott’s First Southern Baptist Church. He can be reached at www.thepointis.net.
Obituary of Marjorie Tate
Marjorie Elinor Tate, age 92, a former resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, and more recently of Rockaway Beach, Missouri, passed away Thursday, May 2, 2019, at her home in Rockaway Beach.
She was born October 29, 1926, in St. Louis, Missouri, the daughter of Forrest Bobbitt and Matilda Jane Mapes Bobbitt.
She married Marvin E. Tate on April 5, 1946, at the Mt. Zion Bible School in Ava, Missouri. Marjorie was a devoted wife and mother. She did bookkeeping for her husband’s carpentry and antique businesses.
She faithfully attended the Parkway Church of God (Holiness) where she served for many years as a Sunday School teacher. She was a long-time supporter of Ft. Scott Christian Heights and the youth activities of her church. After moving to Rockaway Beach, she attended church at the Bridge of Faith Community Church where she volunteered with the church thrift store.
Survivors include two daughters, Nancy Martinez and husband, Juan, of Eagle Pass, Texas and Jane Peck and husband, Daryl, of Rockaway Beach, Missouri and her son, Kelly Tate and wife, Jan, of Ft. Scott, Kansas. Also surviving are fifteen grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren.
Her husband, Marvin, preceded her in death on June 17, 2010. She was also preceded in death by a granddaughter.
Pastor Jonathan McGuire and Rev. Eric Going will conduct funeral services at 2:00 P.M. Monday, May 6th at the Parkway Church of God (Holiness).
Private burial will take place in the U. S. National Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Sunday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to the Bridge of Faith Church or Central Mission of Faith 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.
Mercy Donates to Via Christi
Mercy Health Foundation Donates $200,000 to Ascension/Via Christi for Continuation of Emergency Services in Fort Scott
Access to numerous health care services has remained intact following the closure of Mercy Hospital in December 2018, due in part to substantial donations from Mercy Health Foundation Fort Scott, according to a press release from Mercy Hospital Foundation.
In their continued support of healthcare in the community, the foundation board agreed to donate $200,000 to the Ascension/Via Christi Emergency Department, Ft. Scott to ensure the continuation of essential health care services for residents of Fort Scott and Bourbon County.
Emergency care, lab, and radiology services are currently available at the prior Mercy location, 403 Woodlands Blvd., south of Fort Scott, just off 69 Hwy. and are being provided by Ascension/Via Christi. The funds are intended to facilitate technology and equipment for the emergency services.
Funds donated by Mercy Health Foundation will assist Ascension/Via Christi with costs associated to support a lab interface with the electronic health record and documentation system, a Lucas chest compression system, space lab patient monitors, iStat lab equipment, EKG TC 70 wireless, and a CT power injector, according to the Mercy Foundation press release.
Earlier this year, Mercy Health Foundation donated $300,000 to Community Health Center, who now provides clinical services in the former Mercy Hospital Clinic. That CHC clinic includes a primary care physicians office area, laboratory, x-ray and mammogram services. In addition, it provides convenient care at the location at 1624 S. National Avenue.
Click below for that story:
Mercy Health Foundation Donates $300,000 To Community Health Center
Mercy Health Foundation—Fort Scott, is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and the following are members: Jared Leek, chair; Chris Petty, vice chair; Bryan Holt, treasurer; Becky Tourtillott, secretary; Alysia Johnston, Mark McCoy, Bill Michaud, Jolynne Mitchell, Pat Neff, Colleen Quick and Darcy Smith, according to the website:
http://mercyhealthfoundation.net/communities/fort-scott/fort-scott-staff-board-directors/
Ascension Via Christi leases approximately 16,000 square feet of space from Mercy, according to the Ascension Via Christi website:
This follows the closure of Mercy Hospital Fort Scott in December 2018.
Under the agreement between Mercy Hospital and Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, the latter now manages emergency and outpatient services at the Fort Scott hospital location.
A Worker Not Ashamed by Patty LaRoche
Let’s face it. Sometimes being a bold witness for Christ is kinda hard. No, not kinda. It is. Last month, for example, Dave and I went to a Mexican restaurant. The only available seats were at the bar. Dave sat at the end, and I sat next to him with an empty stool on my other side. When an inebriated man sat beside me, ordered two beers and started slurring questions, I tried to be Christ-like. “Are you a Hillary fan?” he began. “No, but I’m a taco fan,” I answered. Next question: “Are you a Christian?” When I said I was, he yelled excitedly, “Me too!” Trying to high-five me, he almost fell off his barstool. (Dear Lord, all I wanted was a taco.) Whenever Dave and I tried to talk, my bar buddy would interrupt. Rude. But we are called to love rude people too, right?
Last week I wrote that we are called to disciple others. I imagine some of you immediately had heart palpitations at the mere thought of sharing your faith. I get it. I pray for witnessing opportunities, and then Satan reminds me that I’m about to look like a fool. Then I think of the people I personally have prayed for, people who have opted not to give Jesus a chance, and how I ask God to send others into their lives so their words might have an impact. What if others ask the same, and I am that “other” person they have prayed for?
There are hundreds of ways to share Jesus Christ. For starters, we need to pray for opportunities to tell our story: We were lost. We were found. We are saved. Our life has never been the same.
The best way to witness our faith is to live it out (even if it involves drunks at taco stands). Sometimes it’s not about that person at all; it’s how others watch what is going on. In our couples’ Bible study, “Helen” shared that she and her husband went to a boat show the previous weekend. She watched a dirty, homeless lady walk into a coffee shop and stand in line. Helen felt compelled to give her some money (something she admitted she never had done before), approached the woman, handed her the money and followed that with a hug, telling her God loved her. Within the hour as she and her husband were checking in for the show, the ticket-taker stopped her and asked, “Were you the one who just hugged that homeless lady back in the coffee shop? I saw you do that and thought how I never take that risk but need to.”
Someone once said, “Preach the gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.” Start by being a good listener. Everyone has a need or a hurt. Sometimes we physically can offer help, but one thing we definitely can do is offer to pray for them (and then, of course, pray.) The other day I was outside when a middle-aged woman walked by with two dogs, one on a leash and the other in a stroller. I commented on her dogs (a GREAT way to start a conversation, I have found), and she shared that at 4:00 that afternoon, the strollered dog was being put to sleep. This was their “last walk.” I was touched by her story and told her I would pray for her. At 3:57, I began praying. The next day when I ran into her, she told me how much my offer to pray meant to her. It was a start. Dave and I have a friend who eats out a lot, and at every meal, he tells the waiters/waitresses that he is getting ready to pray a blessing on his food and asks if they have any prayer requests. Most of the time he is told no, but occasionally he is given an opportunity to share Christ. I know shy people who leave gospel tracts on shelves in supermarkets, gas stations coffee shops, trick-or-treat bags, Christmas cards, etc. The opportunities are endless. We are told in Scripture that we have a responsibility to share Jesus: Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. (2Timothy 2:15) We all have a “best.” My approach might not be yours, but one thing is for certain: saying or doing nothing is not an option.