Opinion

The Original Sunscreen by Carolyn Tucker

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Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker

The Original Sunscreen

I have several vintage commercials from my teenage years still floating around in my head: “I’d walk a mile for a Camel.“ Wendy’s: “Where’s the beef?” Virginia Slims: “You’ve come a long way, Baby!” “How about a nice Hawaiian Punch?” And one of my favorites was the Coppertone suntan commercial with the dog tugging on the little girl’s  swimsuit bottom. The selling point was to show what a great tan she had in comparison to her pale bare derriere. Times have certainly changed over the years; now there’s more focus on sunscreen rather than suntan lotion.

 

In the Old Testament, the Israelites wandered in the desert wilderness for 40 years. That’s a long time to be in the sun. “The Lord went ahead of them. He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud…” (Exodus 13:21 NLT). The desert had no roads, tracks, or signs. And the Israelites had no maps, landmarks, or guides. But God’s cloud went before them to lead the way at just the right pace and stopped to rest at just the right place. God continues to know the future and will always guide us safely through its trackless ways.

 

For 40 years, the pillar of cloud was much more than a GPS for Jews. God loved them,  had mercy on them, and provided His own unique brand of sunscreen. “He spread a cloud for a covering…” (Psalm 105:39 MEV). This cloud sheltered them from the blazing sun and extreme heat. The Bible contains the historical record of the first supernatural sunscreen. “God’s your Guardian, right at your side to protect you — shielding you from sunstroke, sheltering you from moonstroke” (Psalm 121:5-6 MSG). Without God’s miraculous intervention, wandering around in the desert sun would have turned all of the nearly 3 million Israelites into fried strips of bacon.

 

Paul wrote to the Church at Corinth, “My dear fellow believers, you need to understand that all of our Jewish ancestors who walked through a wilderness long ago were under the glory cloud…” (1 Corinthians 10:1 TPT). The Israelites witnessed a variety of constant-standing miracles. After 40 years, their clothes didn’t wear out and neither did their sandals. Even when they complained about pitching their tents, whined and disobeyed for 40 years, the cloud didn’t depart but continued to guide and protect them. God was with the Israelites every day and every night, and He continues to be with all believers today. Paul said, “Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!” (2 Corinthians 12:9 AMP).

 

It was God, not Moses, who actually brought the Israelites out of Egypt. “When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory…” (Exodus 13:17 NLT). The day the mobile Tabernacle was pitched,  the pillar of cloud covered it. But from evening until morning the cloud looked like a pillar of fire. This was the usual supernatural pattern for 40 years — a glory cloud by day and a fiery cloud by night. The glory/fiery cloud was the visible divine presence and protection of God. “Whether the cloud stayed above the Tabernacle for two days, a month, or a year, the people of Israel stayed in camp and did not move on. But as soon as it lifted, they broke camp and moved on. So they camped or traveled at the Lord’s command, and they did whatever the Lord told them through Moses” (Numbers 9:22-23 NLT). God never calls believers to do something that He won’t help us accomplish.

The Key: God is awesome! Day or night, He supplies all of our needs.

K-State Extension

Tips to Keep Unwanted Pests Out

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As the weather cools, it is inevitable that certain outdoor pests are going to try to find their way inside homes. One of the best ways to limit unwanted intrusions of insects or rodents is to deny them entry. It is often easier to prevent entry into a home or building than trying to control them once they are inside.

 

Here are seven useful tips for pest proofing.

 

  1. At the base of all exterior doors, install door sweeps or thresholds. Gaps of 1/16 inch will permit entry of insects and spiders; ¼ inch wide gaps are large enough for entry of mice. The bottom corner of doors is often where rodents and insects enter.

 

Applying calk along the bottom outside edge and sides of door thresholds will exclude ant and small insect entry. Garage doors should also be checked for bottom seals. A rubber seal is best as vinyl seals poorly in cold weather.

 

  1. Utility openings should also be sealed. This includes areas where pipes and wires enter the foundation and siding, around outdoor faucets, receptacles, gas meters, clothes dryer vents and telephone/cable TV wires. Plug holes with caulk, cement, expandable foam, steel wool or other suitable sealant.

 

  1. Use a good quality silicone or acrylic latex caulk to caulk around windows, doors and fascia boards. Use a high quality caulking gun. A gun that has a back-off trigger to halt the flow of caulk is best.

 

  1. Repair gaps and tears in window and door screens. Doing so will help reduce entry of flies, gnats, lady beetles and other overwintering pests in the fall. However, there are some insects such as hackberry psyllids that are small enough to fit through mesh window screens. The only way to prevent entry of these tiny insects is to keep windows closed.

 

  1. Attic, roof and crawl space vents should be covered with ¼ inch wire mesh to prevent entry of birds, bats, squirrels, rodents and other wildlife.

 

  1. An exterior (barrier) insecticide treatment can also be applied. Sealing is by far the most permanent way to exclude pests. However, it can be labor intensive and sometimes impractical.  For situations like that, an exterior insecticide treatment may be best. You will get the most for your efforts by applying a longer lasting liquid formulation containing synthetic pyrethroids. Read and follow label directions before using any pesticide.

 

Barrier insecticide treatments should be applied to the base of all exterior doors, garage and crawl space entrances, around foundation vents and utility openings and up underneath siding.

  1. Pests such as lady beetles are often best controlled with a little manual labor by using a vacuum cleaner or broom to sweep them up.

 

Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension horticulture agent assigned to Southwind District.  She may be reached at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

 

 

Bourbon County, Government, Schools

USD235 Unapproved Minutes of Sept. 9 and Agenda for Board Meeting on Oct. 14

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UNIONTOWN UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 235

Uniontown, Kansas 66779

9 September, 2024

Revenue Neutral Hearing

 

The Board of Education of Uniontown Unified School District 235, State of Kansas, met in Special Session (Revenue Neutral Hearing) on Monday, September 9, 2024, at 7:15 p.m.

 

Board members present:  Mike Mason, Tyler Martin, Matt Kelly, Rhonda Hoener, Troy Couchman, Seth Martin, and Brian Stewart

 

Others present for all or portions of the meeting: Vance Eden, Pam Kimrey, Robert Onelio, Dustin Miller, Scott Sutton, Tim Endicott, Jackie Shadden UTA Representative, Shelly Kiblinger DCS Services.

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:15 p.m. by President Mason. Mason then led the group in the flag salute.

 

  1. Martin, seconded by Kelly, made a motion to approve the agenda.

Motion passed 7-0.

 

President Mason opened the hearing.

Superintendent Eden reviewed the budget.

No patron addressed the board.

 

  1. Martin, seconded by Hoener, made a motion to close the hearing.

Motion passed 7-0

 

President Mason closed the hearing at 7:18 p.m.

 

  1. Martin, seconded by S. Martin, made a motion to approve the 2024-2025 Revenue Neutral rate.

Motion passed 7-0. (Roll call form attached to minutes)

 

  1. Martin, seconded by S. Martin, moved to adjourn.

Motion passed 7-0.

 

Meeting adjourned at 7:19 p.m.

 

Uniontown USD 235 – Budget Hearing – September 9, 2024 page 2

 

UNIONTOWN UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 235

 

Budget Hearing

 

The Board of Education of Uniontown Unified School District 235, State of Kansas, met in Special Session (Budget Hearing) on Monday, September 9, 2024, at 7:20 p.m.

 

Board members present:  Mike Mason, Tyler Martin, Matt Kelly, Rhonda Hoener, Troy Couchman, Brian Stewart, and Seth Martin.

 

Others present for all or portions of the meeting:  Vance Eden, Pam Kimrey, Robert Onelio, Dustin Miller, Scott Sutton, Tim Endicott, Jackie Shadden UTA Representative, Shelly Kiblinger DCS Services.

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:20 p.m. by President Mason.

 

Hoener, seconded by Kelly, made a motion to approve the agenda.

Motion passed 7-0.

 

The Budget Hearing was opened at 7:21 p.m.

Superintendent Eden reviewed and explained the budget.

No patron addressed the board.

 

  1. Martin, seconded by Hoener, made a motion to close the hearing.

Motion passed 7-0

 

President Mason closed the Budget Hearing at 7:27 p.m.

 

  1. Martin, seconded by S. Martin, made a motion to approve the 2024-2025 budget.

Motion passed 7-0.

 

Hoener, seconded by T. Martin, made a motion to adjourn the meeting.

Motion passed.7-0.

 

Meeting adjourned at 7:28.

 

Uniontown USD 235 – Regular Meeting – September 9, 2024 page 3

 

REGULAR MEETING                                                     9 SEPTEMBER 2024

 

The Board of Education of Uniontown Unified School District 235, State of Kansas, met in regular session on Monday, September 9, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. in the UHS Commons Area, Uniontown, Kansas.

 

Board members present:  Mike Mason, Tyler Martin, Matt Kelly, Rhonda Hoener, Troy Couchman, Brian Stewart,

and Seth Martin.

 

Others present for all or portions of the meeting:  Vance Eden, Pam Kimrey, Robert Onelio, Dustin Miller, Scott Sutton, Tim Endicott, Jackie Shadden UTA Representative, Shelly Kiblinger DCS Services.

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by President Mason.

Superintendent Eden read the mission statement.

 

  1. Martin, seconded by Hoener, made a motion to approve the agenda.

Motion passed 7-0.

 

Kelly, seconded by Couchman, made a motion to approve the August 12, 2024 Regular meeting minutes.

Motion passed 7-0.

.

Hoener, seconded by S. Martin, made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda.

Motion passed 7-0.

 

  1. Approve payment of bills in the amount of $478,657.50.

 

No patron addressed the board.

 

Shelly Kiblinger, DCS, gave a presentation regarding the Bond Survey Results

 

Superintendent Eden gave brief oral reports over sale of excess vehicles, Energy Performance Contract financing, Strategic Plan Update, Safety and Security Director/ job description.

 

Superintendent Eden and Principals Onelio and Miller gave brief oral administrative reports to the board.

 

  1. Martin, seconded by Couchman, made a motion to approve the the sale of a 2013 Toyota Camry and 2017 Chevy Equinox

Motion passed 7-0.

 

Hoener, seconded by T. Martin, made a motion to approve Financing (Flagstar) Resolution 2025.12

Motion passed 7-0

Uniontown USD 235 – Regular Meeting – September 9, 2024 page 4

 

Hoener, seconded by Couchman, made a motion to approve increasing substitute teacher pay to $120.00 per day and long-term substitute teacher pay to $170.00 per day.

Motion passed 6-1 S. Martin Abstaining

 

  1. Martin, seconded by Couchman, made a motion to increase activity drivers pay to $18.00 per hour with no change to sit time rate.

Motion passed 7-0

 

  1. Martin, seconded by Kelly, made a motion to go into executive session to discuss an individual employee’s performance pursuant to non-elected personnel exception under KOMA, and the open meeting will resume at 8:50 p.m.

Motion passed 7-0.

 

Into Executive Session at 8:30 p.m.

Eden was invited into session.

Out of Executive Session at 8:50 p.m.

 

  1. Martin, seconded by Couchman, made a motion to return to executive session for the above stated reason and the open meeting will resume at 9:00 p.m.

Motion passed 7-0

 

Return to Executive Session at 8:50 p.m.

Eden was invited into session.

Out of Executive Session at 9:00 p.m.

 

President Mason called the Regular Meeting to order at 9:01 p.m

 

  1. Martin, seconded by Couchman, made a motion to accept the resignation of Derek Jackson effective 9/4/2024

Motion passed 7-0

 

  1. Martin, seconded by Couchman, made a motion to approve Matthew Morgan as full time custodian for the remainder of the 2024-2025 school year.

Motion passed 7-0

 

Kelly, seconded by S. Martin, made a motion to adjourn the meeting.

Motion passed 7-0

 

Meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.

Uniontown USD 235 – Regular Meeting – September 9, 2024 page 5

 

 

Date minutes approved ______________________

______________________________

President, Board of Education

__________________________________

Attested:  Clerk, Board of Education

 

The next regular board meeting is October 14, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.

 

 

UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 235

UNIONTOWN, KANSAS

 BOARD OF EDUCATION

REGULAR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

Monday, October 14, 2024 7:30 p.m.

 

AGENDA

  1. Call to Order
  2. District Mission Statement
  3. Approve the Agenda
  4. Review and approve the September 9, 2024 Regular meeting minutes,

Revenue Neutral Rate meeting minutes and Budget meeting minutes.

 

  1. Consent Agenda
  2. Approve and pay bills on the computer printout $ 463,728.73

 

III.  Informational Items.

  1. Audience with patrons
  2. Amanda Stagg – Shooting Team
  3. Kyle & Sheena Parks – Impacts of Industrial Solar
  4. KASB Convention- Nov. 15-17 (kasb.org/convention)
  5. Bond Issue
  6. Wellness Policy
  7. Solar Contribution Agreement(s)
  8. EMC/SRO
  9. Strategic Plan
  10. Administrative Reports- Mr. Onelio, Mr. Miller, and Mr. Eden

 

 

  1. Action Items.
  2. Approve paying $1,076.35 insurance for Fitness Center. BHH Ins.
  3. Approve Wellness Policy
  4. Approve Contribution Agreement(s)
  5. Executive Session – Personnel
  6. Executive Session- Superintendent Evaluation

VII. Adjournment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 11, 2024

 

 

 

 

 

TO:  USD 235 Board of Education Members

 

FROM:  Pam Kimrey, Clerk of the Board

 

 

 

 

 

This letter is to serve as your official notice of the Regular Board Meeting to be held at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, October 14, 2024.

 

Next regular board meeting date is Monday, November 11, 2024 at 7:30.

Government, Kansas

Kansas Drought Update

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For Immediate Release:

October 11, 2024

 

Contact:

Kansas Water Office

Kristin Kaipust

(785) 296-3185, [email protected]

 

 

Governor Kelly Updates Declaration of Drought Emergency, Warnings, and Watches for Kansas Counties

 

TOPEKA — Governor Laura Kelly has signed a proclamation approving updated drought declarations for Kansas counties.

“Drought conditions have persisted across the state through the summer season, and Kansans are continuing to see the effects,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “With conditions expected to remain dry throughout the fall, Kansans should consider their water usage and take extra care to prevent wildfires.”

The drought declaration placed three counties into emergency status, 55 into warning status, and 47 into watch status. This action was recommended by Connie Owen, Director of the Kansas Water Office and Chair of the Governor’s Drought Response Team. Although recent rainfall provided widespread drought relief, this relief was short-term, with many areas experiencing below-average rainfall for several months. Forecasts indicate that drought will persist and expand across most of the state through October and into the winter.

“Many of our state’s large river basins are currently being supported by federal reservoirs, utilizing storage in those reservoirs to maintain streamflow,” said Owen. “If conditions persist, as predicted, the demand and stress on water resources may increase quickly. The Governor’s Drought Response Team will continue to monitor the drought conditions across Kansas and make recommendations to Governor Kelly as conditions change.”

Through an interagency agreement between the Kansas Water Office, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, and the Kansas Division of Emergency Management, counties in the emergency stage are eligible for emergency water use from certain state fishing lakes and some federal reservoirs.

 

Individuals and communities must contact the Kansas Water Office for a water supply request before withdrawing water from lakes. These requests will, in turn, be referred to the appropriate office to obtain the necessary permits to withdraw the requested water.

 

This proclamation shall remain in effect for those counties identified until rescinded by a proclamation ending the declaration or revising the drought stage status of the affected counties.

 

Effective immediately, the proclamation:

 

  • Declares a Drought Emergency, Warning, or Watch for the counties as identified below;
  • Authorizes and directs all agencies under the jurisdiction of the Governor to implement the appropriate watch, warning, or emergency-level drought response actions assigned in the Operations Plan of the Governor’s Drought Response Team.

 

The Governor’s Drought Response Team will continue to watch the situation closely and work to minimize the negative drought-induced effects on Kansans. Kansans are encouraged to report drought-related conditions and impacts in their region through the Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) system.

For more detailed information about current conditions, visit the Climate and Drought webpage on the Kansas Water Office website at kwo.ks.gov.

County Drought Stage Declarations:

Drought Emergency: Harvey, Reno, Sedgwick.

 

Drought Warning: Barton, Bourbon, Brown, Chautauqua, Cherokee, Cheyenne, Clay, Cloud, Cowley, Crawford, Decatur, Elk, Ellis, Ellsworth, Graham, Hamilton, Harper, Jewell, Johnson, Kingman, Labette, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marshall, Miami, Mitchell, Montgomery, Morton, Nemaha, Neosho, Norton, Osborne, Ottawa, Phillips, Pottawatomie, Rawlins, Republic, Riley, Rooks, Rush, Russell, Scott, Shawnee, Sheridan, Sherman, Smith, Stafford, Stanton, Sumner, Thomas, Wabaunsee, Wallace, Washington, Wyandotte.

Drought Watch: Allen, Anderson, Atchison, Barber, Butler, Chase, Clark, Coffey, Comanche, Dickinson, Doniphan, Douglas, Edwards, Finney, Ford, Franklin, Geary, Gove, Grant, Gray, Greeley, Greenwood, Haskell, Hodgeman, Jackson, Jefferson, Kearny, Kiowa, Leavenworth, Logan, Lyon, Marion, McPherson, Meade, Morris, Ness, Osage, Pawnee, Pratt, Rice, Saline, Seward, Stevens, Trego, Wichita, Wilson, Woodson.

 

# #

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda for Oct. 15

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Bourbon County Courthouse

210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800

Fax: 620-223-5832

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Kansas

Brandon Whisenhunt

1st District Commissioner

Jim Harris, Chairman

2nd District Commissioner

Clifton Beth

3rd District Commissioner

 

 

Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.

Fort Scott, KS 66701

 

October 15, 2024 9:00 a.m.

 

 

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  2. Flag Salute
  • Approval of Consent Agenda
    1. Approval of Minutes from 10/7/2024
  1. County Clerk
  2. KCAMP Meeting Delegate
  3. Kansas Gas Agreement
  4. New Year’s Holiday
  5. Election Information
  6. Insurance
  7. Commission Comments
  8. Adjourn Meeting

 

 

Executive Session Justifications:

 

KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the

attorney-client relationship.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the

representative(s) of               the body or agency.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual     proprietorships

KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting

would jeopardize such security measures.

 

Fort Scott, Government, Schools

Agenda for the USD234 Board of Education on October 14

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Unified School District 234

424 South Main

Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697

www.usd234.org

620-223-0800   Fax 620-223-2760

 

DESTRY BROWN                                                                                                                                                        

Superintendent                                                                                                                                             

 

 

 

 

BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING

October 14, 2024 – 5:30 P.M.

AGENDA SUMMARY WITH COMMENTARY

1.0       Call Meeting to Order                                                                      David Stewart, President

2.0       Flag Salute

3.0       Approval of the Official Agenda (Action Item)

4.0       Approval of the Consent Agenda (Action Item)

            4.1       Board Minutes

  1. 09/09/24 Minutes
  2. 09/25/24 Minutes

            4.2       Financials – Cash Flow Report

            4.3       Check Register

            4.4       Payroll – September 20 2024 – $1,673,203.67

4.5       Activity Funds Accounts

4.6       USD 234 Gifts

4.7       Declare Surplus Property – Vehicles to be sold at auction

5.0       Employee Recognitions

6.0       Leadership Reports (Information/Discussion Item)

            6.1       Superintendent’s Report     

            6.2       Assistant Superintendent’s Report

            6.3       Special Education Director’s Report                                 

 

7.0       Old Business

7.1        Audit Contract for the year ending June 30, 2025 (Action Item)

7.2       Frary Field Turf Replacement

7.3       Doral Renewables Contribution Agreement

8.0       New Business

8.2       Board Vacancy (Discussion)

8.3       Bus Accident & Prevention (Discussion)

 

9.0       Public Forum

10.0     Other Business –

 

10.1     Enter Executive Session – Personnel Matters (Action Item)

10.2     Exit Executive Session – _______ (Time)

10.3     Approval of Personnel Report (Action Item)

11.0     KASB Board Training – Michelle Hubbard

 

12.0     Adjourn Meeting _____ (Time)            David Stewart, PresidentAgenda

Bourbon County

240th Road Closed Oct. 15-16

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240th Street from Jayhawk Road to Limestone Road will be closed to through traffic from 8:00am to 3:00pm on Tuesday, October 15th and Wednesday, October 16th for road repair.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Should you have any questions, please call the Bourbon County Public Works office at (620) 223-3800 ext 341.
From
Becky Robertson
Bourbon County Public Works
Gordon Parks Museum

2024 Gordon Parks Celebration Poetry Contest Winners Named

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2024 Gordon Parks Celebration Poetry Contest Winners Named

 

FORT SCOTT — Winners of the Gordon Parks Museum Poetry Contest sponsored by Helen Townsend and Trabar Associates, have been chosen. The theme was “What Fills Your Hungry Heart?”. Fifteen entries were received and the winner of First Place was Taylor Bailey, Fort Scott, KS, with the poem titled, “Turn Off the Camera”. Second Place was Logan Pinedo, Leavenworth, KS with the poem, “Homecooked”. Third Place was Karen Cayce, Wichita, KS with the poem, “Unforeseen”.  Allie Allison, Pittsburg, KS, received Honorable Mention with the poem titled, “The Symphony of Love”.

 

First, Second, and Third place winners received cash prizes of $200, $75, and $50 respectively.

The contest was open to any emerging poet. The theme was inspired by a quote from Gordon Parks, “I’ve lived a lot, worked a lot, and smiled a lot. And I will cling to all of those blessings until my hungry heart is hopelessly exhausted.”  Poets were invited to capture the essence of the theme.

 

Judges for the photo contest was Kansas Poet Laureate, Traci Brimhall, Poet and Author, Annette Hope-Billings and Poet, Cash Hollistah. The poetry exhibit will be on display on the Gordon Parks Museum facebook page facebook.com/fsccgpmuseum/ and the museum’s website gordonparkscenter.org.

 

Turn Off the Camera

You look into the all-knowing eyes of your camera

and plaintively read your well-rehearsed script.

Addressing strangers and ghosts that profess their love for you

and believe every fable that falls from your lips.

Every second of your life is laid bare online

you never learned to keep a little back for yourself.

Every want, every need that you’ve been told to have

are as easy to read as a book on the shelf.

Your words are happy and your smile is bright

but you hold yourself like you’re made from glass.

Your fans may be blind to how you really are

but I feel your distress in each breath.

You live in a mansion with all your bought friends.

You make other men jealous with your money and frills.

Your focus is shifting to the barely audible growls

of a painful hunger that food never fulfills.

You must learn when to put the camera away

find out who still speaks when the script is unwritten.

Discern between faceless strangers behind a screen

and true friends that stay when change comes unbidden.

Take stock of what’s real and burn away what isn’t.

Learning to live again, for yourself, it’s an art

but that’s what will fill your hungry heart.

 

Homecooked

 

What feeds my hungry heart
is feeding others
Giving my love to someone over and over
filling them up on this carefully crafted love
that rivals grandma’s home cooking
Something new yet familiar
a twist on an old recipe
Love seasoned to taste

What feeds my hungry heart
is opening them up
feeling that hot wave of air hit me
as I place my love casserole inside
Carefully timed to golden brown perfection
then seeing their face light up with the first mouthful

What feeds my hungry heart
is hope that I’ll get a taste
of that warm gooey center called love
served to me on ‘the good plate’
prepared special by experienced hands
stirring, mixing, and layering the ingredients
of a love just for me

 

Unforseen.

 

Sometimes it’s hard to believe there’s a God, to have faith in an unseen power. To know there’s a force you can call on for help in your darkest, most desperate hour. I know it’s not easy, I’ve been there myself, though our problems are not just the same. I know how it feels when no one is there when God is no more than a name. But I’ll tell you a secret, I pray anyway to something I can’t hear or see. I pray to the darkness, I pray to the night, or to what may be holy in me. And sometimes not always there comes a deep change. I feel peaceful, set free, and made whole. Is it God? Is it me? Has some power of the universe helped me to heal my own soul? I don’t have the answers. I can’t say for sure that what I believe in is true. But if God were a fact we wouldn’t need Faith. So I say believe and I do.

 

 

 

 

Gordon Parks Museum

Winners of the Gordon Parks Museum photo contest

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The Gordon Parks Museum

 

Fort Scott Community College, Fort Scott, KS

                                   

 

 

 

For Immediate Release: October 11, 2024

Contact: Kirk Sharp at 620-223-2700, ext. 5850

Email: [email protected]

 

2024 Gordon Parks Celebration

Photo Contest Winners Named

 

FORT SCOTT — Winners of the Gordon Parks Museum photo contest, sponsored by Merl Humphrey Photography and Don Thompson Images, have been chosen. The theme was “What Fills Your Hungry Heart?”. Eighty entries were received and the winner of First Place was Johnna Walker, Franklin, KS, with the photo titled “Possibility.” Second Place was Robert D. Little, Stillwater, OK, with the photo “Pedalling Washtub Bass Player NOLA.” Third Place was Amirra Mitchell, Wichita, KS, with the photo, “I see It, I like it, I captured it”.

There were five Honorable Mentions named: “Girl” by Yasser Alaa Mobarak,

(Alexandria, Egypt), “Two Rapping Ravens” by Mark Dolf, (Tulsa, OK), “An artist point of view” by Evangeline Garcia, (Wichita, KS), “Longing For Adventure” by Isaac Gorges, (Wichita, KS) and “Reading is FUNdamental” by Knew’Era Haynes, (Wichita KS). First, Second, and Third place winners received cash prizes of $200, $75, and $50 respectively.

The contest was open to any non-professional photographer and was inspired by a quote from Gordon Parks, “I’ve lived a lot, worked a lot, and smiled a lot. And I will cling to all of those blessings until my hungry heart is hopelessly exhausted.” Photographers were invited to capture the essence of the theme.

 

Judges for the photo contest was professional photographer, Veretta Cobler and established make-up artist and hair stylist, Donna Fumoso based in New York City. The photo exhibit will be on display on the Gordon Parks Museum facebook page facebook.com/fsccgpmuseum/ and the museum’s website gordonparkscenter.org.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Fort Scott, Government

FS City Commission Minutes of Oct. `

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CITY OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION MEETING

 

 

Minutes of October 1, 2024                                                              Regular Meeting

 

A regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held October 1, 2024, at 6:00PM in the City Commission Meeting Room at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. Meeting available on City of Fort Scott YouTube Channel. Time stamps according to recording.

 

Meeting called to order at 6:00PM. Commissioners Tim VanHoecke, Dyllon Olson, Matthew Wells, and Kathryn Salsbury were present with Mayor Tracy Dancer.

 

Audience in Attendance – Brad Matkin/City Manager, Bob Farmer/City Attorney, Jason Dickman/City Engineer-Earles Engineering, Caleb Bell/FSPD Lieutenant, Leroy Kruger/Codes Enforcement, Scott Flater/Water Utilities Director, Carey Spoon/Executive Director of Southeast Kansas Regional Planning & Development Consultant, Michael Hoyt.

 

  1. Dancer led the Pledge of Allegiance and M. Wells said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City, our Government and City officials.

 

Approval of Agenda – (Time stamp 2:29)

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to approve the agenda as presented.  D. Olson seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

Approval of Consent Agenda – (Time stamp 3:02)

– Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1369-A – Expense Approval Report – Payment Dates of September 11, 2024 – September 24, 2024 – $449,830.43

-Approval of Minutes for September 3, 2024, September 9, 2024, September 17, 2024, and September 24, 2024.

-Request to Pay – Heck & Wicker, Inc. – Project No. 24-414 – Horton St. & 6th St. Improvements – Application for Payment No. 3 – $60,439.46

 

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to approve the Consent Agenda.  K. Salsbury seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

Public Comments

 

Michael Hoyt – (Time stamp 3:34) – a reminder to the citizens that October 14th will be the last day for voter registration and to request a mail-in ballot for the November 5th election, early voting begins October 21st. He also distributed postcards as a reminder and to explain the item on the ballot regarding the move from (3) to (5) County Commissioner Districts.

 

Appearances

 

Scott Flater/Water Utilities Director – (Time stamp 4:53) addressed the Commission with an update on Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), and the status of the Wastewater Treatment Plant lagoons. Graphs kept from January 2022 until August 2024 were distributed. They illustrated: loads from ADM, charges to ADM, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) average, chemical oxygen demand (COD) average, total suspended solids, pH on load, total phosphorus, total Kjeldahl nitrogen average, and reuse water sold to ADM. The conditions of the lagoons at the WWTP are healthy. ADM continues to work on their pre-treatment. AMS still has (5) trailers on location and continue to dump the advanced microbes into the lagoon, and once a week agitate the sludge by boat. Measurements of the sludge level are not routinely provided to S. Flater. He stated that in the future, Lagoon #1 will need to be dewatered to remove the inorganic sludge (such as rocks, sand, etc.) which comes mainly from the storm and sanitary sewer systems.

 

  1. Olson would like to see an MOU drawn up with AMS putting terms on paper regarding reimbursement.

 

ACTION: D. Olson will send contact information to S. Flater regarding the previous mechanical dredge of one of the lagoons.

 

  1. Matkin stated that they will be discussing the contract prior to the expiration date of the current contract in December 2024.

 

ACTION: S. Flater will get sludge level numbers from AMS.

 

ACTION: B. Matkin and S. Flater will talk to ADM regarding their previous offer to help the City with the mechanical dredging at their meeting on October 10, 2024.

 

  1. Flater explained that the long-term plan will be created when ADM solves their lagoon issues as they will not want to pay for AMS any longer once that happens.

 

Discussion was had regarding the level limits that are set for the lagoons and the long-term impact of the discontinuation of AMS. ADM has a long-term plan to pipeline the water to Fort Scott instead of hauling, therefore they are working on improving their lagoons and pre-treatment process.

 

Unfinished Business

Status of Building at 118 E. Wall – Requested documents from owner due per September 24, 2024, Special City Commission meeting – (Time stamp 29:58)

  1. Matkin received documents from Jose Montanez by email (on September 30, 2024) and the Commissioners were given printed copies at the table. He was told that they will be starting this week and have a lift at the site. They need to obtain a permit from the Codes Department prior to beginning the work which requires documents that are still missing: certificate of liability for the building, structural engineering report and scope of work. The documents provided are not what was requested by the Commission.

 

ACTION:  B. Matkin will ask Jose Montanez for a copy of the liability insurance for the building at 118 E. Wall St.

 

  1. Matkin left the meeting at (Time stamp 45:01) and returned at (Time stamp 47:37).

 

Missing pages of the email were printed and distributed to the Commissioners by B. Matkin.

 

Discussion was had regarding the missing documents that needed to be submitted before the permit to begin work could be issued by the Codes Department.

 

MOTION:  M. Wells moved to extend the timeline to the October 15th deadline, still requesting the (2) pieces of documentation – the timeline for the work and the structural engineer’s report (from RetroPros for the work being performed) – laying out his scope of work as indicated from the permanent repair recommendations.

 

Further discussion was had regarding the engineering report that was provided (to date) and the current contractor (RetroPro). It was determined that the report provided was from Thomas Rewert, however he is the engineer that was fired by the building owner.  M. Wells stated that what has been provided is a scope of work by a contractor who has still not provided any structural engineer report and the work listed on the scope, according to that structural engineer report, cannot be performed. He stated that the work being performed must be certified by a structural engineer or it is not guaranteed to be structurally safe, and the buildings will not be reopened.

 

  1. Kruger commented on the lift and scaffolding options.

 

  1. VanHoecke left the meeting at (Time stamp 57:05).

 

  1. Dancer clarified that in the previous meeting the building owner told the Commission that they had fired this gentleman (T. Rewert) and they were going to hire a different contractor now that they had the recommendations to do the work that the structural engineer (T. Rewert) recommended. The building owner stated they were going with Option 2. He stated that the scope of work from RetroPros does not describe Option 2 from the structural engineering report provided.

 

  1. VanHoecke returned to the meeting at (Time stamp 58:43).

 

Further discussion was had regarding the intentions of the Commission in the matter and the options if the deadline is not met.

 

  1. Salsbury seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

Consideration of Approval of Certificate of Substantial Completion – Project No. 22-031B – Fort Scott Pavilion – Sprouls Construction, Inc. – Tabled from September 17, 2024 – (Time stamp 1:03:24) – J. Dickman explained the work that had been completed according to the request of the Commission at the September 17, 2024 meeting.

 

  1. Matkin left the meeting at 1:04:36.

 

MOTION:  M. Wells moved to approve the Certificate of Substantial Completion for Project No. 22-031B.  K. Salsbury seconded the motion.  All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

Request to Pay – Sprouls Construction, Inc. – Project No. 22-031B – Fort Scott Pavilion – Payment Application No. 5 – $8,075.00 – Tabled from September 17, 2024.

 

Request to Pay – Sprouls Construction, Inc. – Project No. 22-031B – Fort Scott Pavilion – Payment Application No. 6 FINAL (Retainage) – $10,397.85 – Tabled from September 17, 2024.

 

MOTION:  M. Wells moved to pay Payment Application No. 5 and Payment Application No. 6 (Final Retainage) for Project No. 22-031B. T. VanHoecke seconded the motion.  All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

New Business /Public Hearing:

 

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to open the public hearing at 7:06PM (Time stamp 1:06:08). M. Wells seconded the motion.  All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

Consideration of Submission of Application on behalf of the City of Fort Scott to the Kansas Department of Commerce for a CDBG Grant under the Community Centers & Parks Category for improvements at Memorial Hall – C. Spoon/Executive Director of Southeast Kansas Regional Planning & Development

  1. Spoon read the following statement: This project proposes replacing existing windows with new aluminum windows, replace existing steel lintels, restore the damaged brick and cast stone masonry, and mend the masonry and mortar joints. The roof at the northeast corner of the building will also be restored. The estimated total project cost is $751,484.75 with a grant request of $569,000.

 

There were no public comments.

 

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to close the public hearing at 7:08PM (Time stamp 1:08:17).  D. Olson seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

  1. Matkin returned to the meeting (Time stamp 1:09:20).

 

MOTION: T. VanHoecke moved to go forward with the CDBG grant application regarding Commerce for Small Cities Community Development Block Grant funds under the Community Centers & Parks Category for Memorial Hall.  M. Wells seconded the motion.  All voted yes.’

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

New Business/Action Items:

Consideration to Approve Renewal of the Downtown Historic District and Riverfront Park Common Consumption Area Permit (existing Ordinance No. 3756) – annual permit expires November 21, 2024 – (Time stamp 1:10:21) – City Clerk explained that the annual permit needs to be renewed at this time. If the Commission wishes to make any changes to the Ordinance, including the boundaries, it must be done and passed before the application can be submitted to the state.

 

Discussion was had regarding options to change the existing boundaries.

 

ACTION:  B. Matkin will talk to Jill Jaworski/Superintendent of Fort Scott National Historic Site regarding the inclusion of the Pavilion and Skubitz Plaza in the Common Consumption Area.

 

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to table this item until the October 15, 2024, meeting.  M. Wells seconded the motion.  All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

Reports and Comments

           

City Manager (Time stamp 1:19:16)

– Received COI from the building owner of 118 E. Wall by email.

– Cape Seal Update

– Weekend Events: Gordon Parks event, Pioneer Harvest Fiesta and Parade, Alumni Rodeo and comedy show

– VanFossen Update

– Horton & 6th St. Project Update

 

City Engineer (Time stamp 1:20:49)

– Horton & 6th St. Project Update

 

  1. Farmer left the meeting (Time stamp 1:21:08)

 

  1. VanHoecke (Time stamp 1:22:07)

–  Many exciting things in Fort Scott

–  Request to pray for NC, SC, GA and FL, please help where you can

 

  1. Farmer returned to the meeting (Time stamp 1:22:47).

 

  1. Wells (Time stamp 1:23:02)

–  Special thank you to Care to Share people for their past event

–  Request to pray for the hurricane victims

 

  1. Salsbury (Time stamp 1:24:20)

–  Spent some extra time in town this week, beautiful both visually and in spirit

and noted the progress we are making

 

  1. Olson (Time stamp 1:24:39)

–  Care to Share Fort Fest was a great event

–  Contractors’ licensing program needs to move forward. Will be putting an Ordinance together and bring before the Commission.

 

  1. Dancer (Time stamp 1:26:27)

–  Thank you to the organizations hosting events that make our town great

–  Moving school zone speed limit signs North of 8th St. and South of 12th St.

–  Follow up of annexation report requested of City Attorney

–  Lake property storage encroachments

–  Lake shore easement encroachments

–  IT Infrastructure for the City – IT Equipment Purchase Moratorium suggested pending the acceptable report of equipment currently in use and a diagram of our current IT infrastructure.

 

Discussion was had about IT concerns and the moratorium.

 

ACTION:  IT Department to provide answers to the questions T. Dancer has submitted prior to the invitation to appear at the next meeting, October 15, 2024, for an update.

 

City Attorney (Time stamp 1:39:28)

– Teresa Davenport and Cory Bryars did an exceptional job with the Care to Share event

 

Executive Session

 

MOTION:  M. Wells moved for the City Commission recess into Executive Session for the purpose of discussion of a legal matter pursuant to the attorney-client privilege exception in K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(2). The meeting will resume in the Commission Room at 8:00PM after recessing in the City Manager’s office. In the meeting will be the (5) City Commissioners, the City Manager and the City Attorney. T. VanHoecke seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

MOTION:  M. Wells moved to come out of Executive Session.  T. VanHoecke seconded the motion. M. Wells, T. VanHoecke, D. Olson and T. Dancer voted yes. K. Salsbury was not at the table to vote.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 4-0 VOTE.

 

MOTION:  moved for the City Commission recess into Executive Session for the purpose of discussion of a legal matter pursuant to the attorney-client privilege exception in K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(2). The meeting will resume in the Commission Room at 8:11PM.  In the meeting will be the (5) City Commissioners, the City Manager and the City Attorney. D. Olson seconded the motion. M. Wells, T. VanHoecke, D. Olson and T. Dancer voted yes. K. Salsbury was not at the table to vote.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 4-0 VOTE.

 

MOTION:  M. Wells moved to come out of Executive Session.  T. VanHoecke seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

  1. VanHoecke moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:11PM. D. Olson seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:11PM (Time stamp 2:11:14).

 

WORK SESSION, REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING AND PUBLIC HEARINGS – TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2024, BEGINNING AT 5:00PM AT CITY HALL

 

 

 

 

_______________________________________________________________________

Submitted by:

Lisa A. Lewis, City Clerk

Fort Scott, Government

Agenda for the FS City Commission for Oct. 15

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NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR REGULAR

MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION

City Hall Commission Room – 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

October 15, 2024 – 6:00 P.M.

 

  1.     Call to Order
  2.     Roll Call

Tim VanHoecke,   Matthew Wells,   Dyllon Olson,   Kathryn Salsbury,  Tracy Dancer

III.       Pledge of Allegiance

  1. Invocation
  2. Approval of Agenda
  3. Consent Agenda
  4. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1370-A – Expense Approval Report – Payment Dates of September 25, 2024 – October 8, 2024 – $ 734,821.86
  5. Approval of Minutes for October 1, 2024.
  6. September Financials

 

VII.    Public Comment – Sign up required before the beginning of the meeting on register at the entrance of the Commission Room. Public Comments are for any topic not on the agenda and limited to five (5) minutes per person, at the Commission’s discretion.

VIII.     Appearances – Must be scheduled with the City Clerk at least (1) week prior to the meeting             

              you wish to address the Commission. You will be scheduled on the agenda to speak on your topic.

 

  1. Kathy Dancer – Alley Repairs in Downtown Fort Scott

 

  1. Unfinished Business
  2. Status of Building at 118 E. Wall – Requested documents from owner due per October 1, 2024, extension approved until October 15, 2024.
  3. Consideration to Approve Renewal of the Downtown Historic District and Riverfront Park Common Consumption Area Permit (existing Ordinance No. 3756) – annual permit expires November 21, 2024 – Tabled from October 1, 2024.

 

  1. New Business

 

Public Hearing:

  1. Consideration to Approve Ordinance No. 3771 – Floodplain Management Ordinance – Pursuant to 44 CFR Sect. 60.3(d) – Regulatory Floodway Identified, K.S.A. 12-766 and K.A.R. 5-44-1 through 5-44-7 – Wyatt, N. Nation, B. Allen

 

  1. Consideration to Approve Resolution No. 28-2024 – Directing the Repair or Removal of an Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure located at 1721 E. Wall
  2. Consideration to Approve Resolution No. 29-2024 – Directing the Repair or Removal of an Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure located at 323 W. Wall
  3. Consideration to Approve Resolution No. 30-2024 – Directing the Repair or Removal of an Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure located at 1619 E. Pine
  4. Consideration to Approve Resolution No. 31-2024 – Directing the Repair or Removal of an Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure at 1105 E. Scott
  5. Consideration to Approve Resolution No. 32-2024 – Directing the Repair or Removal of an Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure at 402 S. Lowman
  6. Consideration to Approve Resolution No. 33-2024 – Directing the Repair or Removal of an Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure at 418 S. Couch

 

Action Items:

  1. Consideration to Approve Resolution No. 27-2024 – Operation Greenlight for Veterans – that in observance of Operation Green Light, the City of Fort Scott, Kansas encourages its citizens in patriotic tradition to recognize the importance of honoring all those who made immeasurable sacrifices to preserve freedom by displaying green lights in a window of their place of business or residence from November 4th through the 11th, 2024 – Submitted by Michael Hoyt
  2. Consideration to Approve Healthcare MOU
  3. Consideration to Approve Federal-Aid Fund Exchange Master Agreement
  4. Consideration to Appoint Ann Rawlins to the Fort Scott Planning Commission – Recommended by the Planning Commission on October 2, 2024, to fill the vacant seat of the (7) member Commission.
  5. Consideration of MOU Between City of Fort Scott and Old Fort Genealogical Society (OFGS) for Usage of the Eastern Side, Lower Level of Memorial Hall
  6. Consideration of a Change Order on Project No. 6 U-2455-01 Horton St. & 6th Project – Replace/Repair Inlet and Manholes – J. Dickman
  7. Reports and Comments
  8. City Manager Comments
  9. Engineering Comments
  10.  Commissioners Comments
  11. City Attorney Comments

 

XII.      Adjourn

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