Obituary

Obituary of Donald Elkins

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Donald L. Elkins, age 50, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Sunday, March 19, 2023, at the Via Christi Emergency Room in Ft. Scott.  He was born April 12, 1972, in Rock Hill, South Carolina, the son of Donald Wayne Elkins and Sherry Lynne Hunt Elkins.  At an early age, the family moved to California.  Donald grew up and attended school in Taft, California.  Following high school, he went to work in the oil fields of southern California where he continued to work for many years.

In 2015, he relocated to Ft. Scott in order to be closer to his family.  While living in Ft. Scott, he was employed by RSC Construction.  He married his longtime companion, Trina Royal.  She preceded him in death on April 2, 2021.

 

Survivors include his children, Samantha Elkins, of Nevada, Missouri, Brandon Elkins of Portland, Oregon, Britney Elkins, of Ft. Scott, Kansas, Jessica Perkins of Emerald Isle, North Carolina and Justin Perkins of Bakersfield, California.  Also surviving are several grandchildren and two sisters, Melissa Gurule and Teresa Salazar both of Ft. Scott and numerous nieces and nephews.

 

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Sunday, March 26th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Donald Elkins Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.comOb

Obituary

Obituary of George Osborn Jr.

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George Washington Osborn, Jr., age 88, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Saturday, March 18, 2023, at the Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Missouri.

George was born March 20, 1934, to George W. Osborn and Stella Cauthon Osborn in Bates County, Missouri. He was the sixth of seven children. George grew up on the farm and started farming when he was fourteen years old and proudly continued until he was eighty.

He married the love of his life, Joanne Greer, on November 17, 1954. He started his married life working for a ranch in Adrian, Missouri. In November 1959, they moved to Gardner, Kansas where he rented his own farm across the road from his widowed aunt so that he could take care of her. In those early years, he did what he could to take care of his family including digging graves.

He did so well with the farming and soil conservation that he won several farming awards in Johnson, Miami, and Linn counties. In 1967, he bought his own farm outside of Drexel, Missouri, (on the Kansas side) and moved his family there and started a large hog operation along with the farming. In 1988, he and Joanne moved further south to the Blue Mound, Kansas area where he enjoyed farming row crops and not worrying about pigs and cattle

George was a member of the St. John’s United Methodist Church in Ft. Scott. He enjoyed traveling with his wife, Joanne when the farming schedule allowed.

George was preceded in death by his parents and all of his siblings and his youngest son, Doug.

He is survived by his wife, Joanne, of sixty-eight years, his daughter, Ruth Benson (Randy) of Webb City, Missouri and son, Pete Osborn of Beaver, Ohio. Also surviving are two grandsons, Randall Benson (Stephanie) of Kansas City, Missouri and Jonathan Benson (Kari) of Kailua, Hawaii (USAF) and three great-granddaughters, Kathy, Alyssa and Clara of Kansas City, Missouri.

Rev. Jim Brackett will conduct funeral services at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, March 22nd at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Memory Gardens Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:00 P.M. until service time at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association 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.

Business, Food, Fort Scott

Retail and Now Cafe at the Former Scottish Rite Temple

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Tracy and Kathy Dancer. Submitted photo.
Kathy Dancer, 49, and Tracy Dancer, 50, opened 110 South Main as a retail shop in the former Scottish Rite Temple in December and will be opening a cafe in the building this spring.
Retail
110 South Main Mercantile and Market  features decor, gifts, and food from Kansas and the Midwest, Kathy said.
“We have great products from Kansas City Canning Company, Kansas City Caramels, Prairie Fire Candles, Bombshell Beauty, Finding Home Farms, Thompson’s Homemade Decor, and about 30 other small business partners,” she said. ” Our market vendors include many local artisans and craft people who produce glass art, textiles, furniture, cutting boards, keepsake boxes, home decor, pens, notebooks, and decorative signs. We recently added a line of chocolates from Andre’s Chocolates and popcorn and fudge from Simply Delightful.”
“The retail store will be expanding this spring and summer to offer additional space for market vendors and artists who have high-quality handcrafted items,” she said.  Additional vendors and artists will be added as they expand the space.
Cafe
“We are also opening Cohn’s Cafe,” Kathy said.  The restaurant is named after Sidney Cohn and his wife, who had a cafe and coffee shop in this space from 1926-1948, she said. The restaurant space was used by the Freemasons council as a kitchen and dining space for several decades after that.
Before photo of the dining space below and the space when the carpet was removed, above. Submitted photos.

“The cafe will feature locally sourced ingredients and will have breakfast and lunch for dine-in or carry-out,” she said.  “We will source ingredients from local producers and will have a seasonally adjusted menu based on the availability of fresh, local vegetables, meats, and other ingredients.  Our menu will include quiches, crepes, soups, salads, sandwiches, and pies and desserts. We plan to have grab-and-go items available as well.”
View of the new dining space. Submitted photo.
“The cafe will be the cornerstone for additional planned improvements to the building,” Kathy said.  “We felt the cafe was a great way to share the building with the community while also supporting local artists, craftspeople, and food producers.  We are excited to showcase some of the great products available in our community in both the retail space and cafe.”
Electrical Issues
The Dancer’s hope to open this spring, but are having a problem with electric service to the building.
“We will have all of our spaces ready and equipment in place by the end of March but we are still waiting for additional electric service so we can proceed with our inspections and licensing,” she said.  “Unfortunately, there was extensive damage done to the electric service to the building while it was unoccupied prior to our purchase.”

“We have been working with our electrician to have adequate service reinstalled in the building but we are having to work around other utilities that were added in the alley,” Kathy said.  “As soon as we have enough electricity to operate the commercial kitchen equipment and modern HVAC, we will finish licensing and begin training staff.  We will announce opening dates on our social media pages, 110SouthMain and Cohn’sCafeonMain.

 Healthy Bourbon County Action Team (HBCAT)Grant
The Dancer’s received a restaurant /retail grant in the amount of $7,000 from HBCAT.
“We are very excited to be named as a recipient of the HBCAT grant in the restaurant category,” Kathy said.  “The grant will be used to help install the commercial kitchen for the cafe.  We have several pieces of used equipment including a sink, ovens, and a commercial refrigerator that need minor repairs and installation.  The balance of the funds will be used to acquire additional kitchen equipment including a commercial cook top, a commercial freezer, and a refrigerated table for salads and sandwiches.”
This is the prep kitchen where the HBCAT grant will be used for some of the equipment. Submitted photo.

 

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Government, Health Care, Kansas

March 19-25 is National Poison Prevention Week

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When Poison Happens, We’re Here For You.

TOPEKA –Kansas Governor Laura Kelly issued a proclamation to kick off National Poison Prevention Week. The Poison Center at the University of Kansas Health System and Safe Kids Kansas want to remind Kansans that Poison Centers are ready 24/7 with fast, free advice.

The theme for this year’s National Poison Prevention Week is Poison Centers – When Poison happens, we’re here for you.

Not everyone realizes that Poison Centers are for everyone. While poison centers get more calls about children, calls about teens, adults and older adults tend to be more serious. Over half of the calls to the Kansas Poison Center in 2022 involved medicines or pharmaceuticals. However, other common poisons include household products, plants, mushrooms, pesticides, animal bites and stings, carbon monoxide, and many other nonpharmaceutical substances.

“The best piece of advice we can give is to program the Poison Help number, 800-222-1222, in your phone and post it visibly in your home. This way you are prepared in the event of a poisoning emergency or simply have questions,” said Stefanie Baines, education coordinator for the Kansas Poison Control Center.

Here are the ways Poison Centers save time, worry, lives and money:

Time

When seconds count, calling a poison center is faster and more accurate than a confusing internet search.

Worry

Nurses, pharmacists and doctors answer calls. We can help in more than 150 languages. Doctors and hospitals turn to us for help every day.

Lives

Whether it is a question or an emergency, Poison Centers provide life-saving information when you need it the most.

Money

All calls are free. More than 70 percent of people who call get the help they need right where they are – saving the cost of a trip to the doctor or hospital.

“It is also important to know Poison Centers are not just for emergencies. You can call anytime from anywhere in the nation for information or advice from local experts,” said Cherie Sage, state coordinator for Safe Kids Kansas.

If you think someone has been poisoned, call 800-222-1222 right away. Fast and free expert help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For more information about preventing accidental poisoning visit kansashealthsystem.com/poison and safekidskansas.org/poison_prevention.htm.

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Opinion

Treasure or Trinket? by Carolyn Tucker

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Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker

 

 

When I’m shopping at a thrift store or flea market and something catches my eye, the first thing I do is look at the price tag. The second thing I do is ask myself if there’s anywhere to put it in my home! In these second-time-around stores, I’ve discovered magnificent old family portraits that should have been displayed in a loved one’s home because they are beautiful treasures. I’m saddened when I see precious family pictures being offered for some stranger to purchase. Why weren’t these photos treated with love, honor and respect and kept in the family? Because the treasure was treated as a trinket of little value.

 

When Jesus taught His disciples the parable about the hidden treasure a man discovered on a plot of land, He was not implying that we can purchase or work our way into heaven. “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field” (Matthew 13:44 MLT). He was teaching a serious truth that the kingdom of heaven is of such great value that we should be willing to give up all we have in order to gain it. Since there were no banks, treasure was often buried in fields for safekeeping. The supreme value of the hidden treasure (the kingdom of heaven) is worth more than the  sacrifice one can make to acquire it.

 

It’s worth the cost for believers to follow Christ and live according to His Word. And then when our last breath is drawn, heaven will be worth the price of not compromising our conscience, devotion to God, integrity, reputation, loyalty, and faithfulness. Whatever it costs us to obey God and do the right thing is worth it. Keeping our eyes on The Prize is key. Of course, Christ followers must realize we can’t be so heavenly minded that we’re of no earthly value. Everything we do must be weighed and compared against the individualized assignment God gave us. It’s easy to get sidetracked and bumfuzzled when we ignore our calling, forget the treasure, and go our own way. Being the hands and feet of Jesus is worth the cost of personal sacrifice.

 

We’re trained for the Kingdom of Heaven while we live on planet earth. Our routine life is the daily battlefield where we get to activate our training. Dad trained for 16 weeks at Camp Fannin, Texas before he was shipped out to the frontlines of Germany in 1944. Army training and spiritual training are similar. If we don’t learn to respect authority, follow instructions, and pay attention to our enemy, we won’t be on the survivor list.

 

The song, “Heaven Will Surely Be Worth It All” was written in 1946 with lyrics by W. Oliver Cooper. I usually share the lyrics of a mentioned song, but in this case the title says it all. We mustn’t think of heaven as a natural occurrence at the end of the rainbow of life. We can’t merely hope, do good deeds, or buy our way into heaven. Nor can we ignore the glorious treasure of it and stuff it into an empty drawer. One day a bystander asked Jesus, “Lord, will only a few have eternal life?” Jesus responded to the crowd, “There is a great cost for anyone to enter through the narrow doorway to God’s kingdom realm. I tell you, there will be many who will want to enter but won’t be able to. For once the head of the house has shut and locked the door, it will be too late” (Luke 13:24,25 TPT). Eternal life is a priceless gift for the child of God, not an earned reward.

 

The Key: The Kingdom of Heaven is a treasure and not a trinket to be treated lightly.

Fort Scott, Government

FS City Commission Agenda for March 21

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NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR REGULAR

MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION


CITY HALL COMMISSION ROOM – 123 SOUTH MAIN ST.

March 21, 2023 – 6:00 P.M.

 

   Roll Call:

  1.       J. Jones     T. Van Hoecke     E. Woellhof     K. Harrington     M. Wells
  2.      Flag Salute:
  • Invocation:

 

  1. Approval of Agenda:
  2. Consent Agenda:
  3. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of March 7, 2023, and special meeting of March 13, 2023.

 

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1331-A totaling $321,703.00

 

  1. Request to Pay – J. Richardson Construction – 17th & Eddy Stormwater

     Improvements – $12,274.30

 

  1. February Financials

 

 

  1. Public Comment:

Sign up required.  Comments on any topic not on agenda and limited to five (5)      minutes per person, at Commission discretion.

 

VII.      Old Business: 

 

  1.   Sludge Removal Update – AMS and ADM Update – Scott Flater
  2.  Presentation of RenoDry Report for Memorial Hall – Michael Clancy
  3. Consideration of proposal for Memorial Hall steps – Mid-Continental

Restoration, Co., Inc. – John Carrier

  1.   Consideration of bid for Fort Scott Pavilion tabled from 3/7/2023
  2.    Barnes lake lot easement – T. Russell

        

 

VIII.     Appearances:

 

  1. Request to Close Riverfront Park for Care to Share Event – Cory Bryars
  2. Request for Donation to Good Ol’ Days – Shawn O’Brien
  3. Consideration of Temporary Street Closure – Tacos & Tailgates – 9/23/23

 

  1. Public Hearing:

 

 

  1. New Business:
  2. Consideration of Purchase of two (2) fire hydrants – B. Lemke
  3. Consideration of Banking Service Bids – B. Hart
  4. Consideration of 2023 Contract Mowing Bids
  5. Consideration of Schneider Electric – HVAC – Presentation of Cost Savings
  6. Consideration asphalt Williams St. – Bourbon Co. Public Works -$18,653.08
  7. Consideration of CDBG Sewer Project Inspection Proposal – J. Dickman
  8. Consideration of 15-Day Notice with Jeff Hancock

 

  1. Reports and Comments:
  2. City Manager Comments:
  3. Engineering Comments:
  4. Commissioners Comments:
  5. VanHoecke –
  6. Woellhof –
  7. Harrington –
  8. Jones –
  9. Wells –

 

  1. City Attorney Comments:

 

XII.        Executive Session – If requested, (please follow script in all motions for   Executive Sessions)

 

XIII.        Adjournment:

Government, Kansas

Updating Kansas Mental Health Care

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Governor Kelly Announces Kansas to Receive
$1 Million to Expand Community-Based Mental Health Care Model

~~Expands Kelly Administration’s Efforts to Provide Services through Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics~~

TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly announced Kansas is receiving a $1 million, one-year federal planning grant to support the transition of Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) to become Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC) capable of treating mental health and substance abuse crises through integrated physical-behavioral care. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

In 2021, Governor Kelly signed Senate Substitute for House Bill 2208, which laid the groundwork to modernize the state’s mental health system to meet community-specific needs. With that bill, Kansas became the first state to pass legislation identifying the CCBHC model as a solution to the mental health and substance use crisis. Since then, KDADS has been transitioning the state’s 26 CMHCs to CCBHCs.

“The CCBHC model is at the core of the work my administration is doing to help Kansans overcome addiction and improve mental health,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “With his funding, more Kansans – including more members of the military and veterans — will receive mental health and substance use disorder treatment, primary care, and intensive services in their own communities.”

CCBHCs are required to serve anyone who requests care — including developmentally appropriate care for children — for mental health and substance use, regardless of ability to pay, place of residence, or age.

Kansas has been developing its CCBHC program since 2021 in cooperation with the state’s 26 Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs). KDADS applied for the SAMHSA Cooperative Agreements for CCBHC Planning Grant in December 2022. Funding for this opportunity was made available through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which builds upon the $300 million awarded in September 2022 for new and existing CCBHCs to expand access.

What They’re Saying:

“CCBHCs can help transform communities across Kansas by providing timely access to comprehensive behavioral and mental care,” Kansas Senator Roger Marshall said. “I value how CCBHCs work collaboratively with hospitals to step in and reduce emergency department visits and aid law enforcement officers in responding to individuals suffering from a behavioral health crisis. I applaud the state legislature for laying the groundwork and passing comprehensive legislation to increase the number of CCBHCs in the state and congratulate KDADS and KDHE for being one of 15 states selected to participate in this pilot program. This has been a collaborative effort since we extended the federal pilot program in December 2020. I’ll continue to assist the state agencies and CCBHCs so they successfully serve Kansans in need.”

“I believe every Kansan should have access to affordable health care, and that absolutely includes mental health. Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics provide essential services to keep our communities healthy and safe, and now that this federal program has expanded to Kansas, our network of centers will be able to expand their reach to all who need help—regardless of financial situation,” Representative Sharice Davids, (KS-03), said. “I’m proud to have voted for this federal funding and I know it will help many Kansans in need.”

“We are honored to be one of the 15 states receiving this planning grant and want to recognize the outreach and support our application received from the Kansas congressional delegation. This is the first step toward Kansas ultimately being selected as one of 10 to SAMHSA’s CCBHC Medicaid Demonstration project,” Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) Secretary Laura Howard said. “Participation in that project would highlight the significant work Kansas has put into strengthening and transforming the state’s behavioral health system one community at a time and hold us up as an example for the rest of the nation.”

“I am extremely thrilled to learn that KDADS is the recipient of the $1 million dollar grant. Helping our mental health centers move more quickly into the CCBHC model means that more Kansans will have access to mental health services,” Kanas Senator Pat Pettey, Kansas Senate District 6 and Ranking Minority Member of the Senate Committee on Public Health and Welfare, said.

“Kansas being selected as one of 15 states to receive today’s announced planning grants from SAMHSA puts us on a path closer to ensuring easier access to comprehensive mental health and substance use treatment services statewide,” Kansas Representative Brenda Landwehr, Kansas House District 105 and Chair of the House Committee on Health and Human Services, said. “I am grateful for the bipartisan leadership we had here in Kansas that made this funding a reality and proud to be able to say Kansas was a leader on this front and was the first state to put the CCBHC model into statute. I will continue to support and promote Kansas’ ability to transform how individuals suffering from a behavioral health or substance use crisis access mental health services.”

“The CCBHC grants we are receiving from the federal government will help us build additional infrastructure for the mental health safety net in Kansas,” Kyle Kessler, Executive Director of the Association of Community Mental Health Centers of Kansas, said. “Any resources that go toward our CCBHC investment solidify the work done by community mental health centers and our partners in the executive and legislative branches of government and support our state designed system.”

“Kansas has been a leader in the CCBHC arena, launching its first CCBHCs almost a year ago. This planning grant will allow the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services to build on its success and help drive better integration of primary care and behavioral health,” Kansas Department for Health and Environment Medicaid Director Sarah Fertig said. “This award would not be possible without close partnerships with providers and the support of our congressional delegation.”

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Fort Scott Community College, Government

FSCC Trustees Agenda for March 20

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March 20, 2023
Board of Trustees
Fort Scott Community College
2108 S. Horton
Fort Scott, KS 66701
The Board of Trustees of Fort Scott Community College will meet in regular session on Monday,
March 20, 2023. The meeting will be held in Cleaver-Burris-Boileau Hall at Fort Scott Community
College.
5:00 p.m. Dinner in Cleaver-Burris-Boileau Hall, followed by regular board meeting at
approximately 5:30 p.m.
THE AGENDA
5:00 DINNER
5:30 ROLL CALL, 3
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
CALL TO ORDER, 4
A. Comments from the Chair, 4
B. Comments from the Public, 4
CONSENT AGENDA, 5
A. Approval of Agenda, 5
B. Approval of Minutes of previous Regular Board Meeting conducted on February 20,
2023, 6
C. Approval of Treasurer’s Report, Bills, and Claims, 7
D. Approval of Personnel Actions, 5
ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS, 59
A. Approval of Property Disposal – Copiers, 59
B. Approval of Property Disposal – E-Waste, 60
C. Consideration of KanREN Access Circuit Renewal (Multi-Year Renewal), 65
D. Consideration of Public Notice Publication for 902 S. Horton Property, 69
E. Consideration of Agreement Between FSCC and Institute for the Development of
Educational Advancement (IDEA), 74
F. Consideration of Arnold Arena Gym Floor Bids78
G. Discussion of Graduation Ceremony Attendance, 79
H. Consideration of 2023-24 Tuition and Fees, 80
REPORTS, 82
A. Administrative Updates, 82
EXECUTIVE SESSION, 97
ADJOURNMENT, 981

UPCOMING CALENDAR DATES:
• March 20, 2023: Board Meeting
• March 24, 2023: Aggie Day
• April 7, 2023: Good Friday, Campus Closed
• April 17, 2023: Board Meeting
• May 13, 2023: Graduation
• May 15, 2023: Board Meeting
• June 19, 2023: Board Meeting
Sincerely,
John Bartelsmeyer, Chair
Alysia Johnston, President
FSCC’s vision for the future is to support “Students First, Community Always” through a
central focus on teaching and learning; advancing strong, innovative programs and
departments; maximizing and leveraging opportunities; initiating efficient and effective
processes; and developing the region’s workforce.2

ROLL CALL
_____ John Bartelsmeyer
_____ Jim Fewins
_____ Dave Elliott
_____ Kirk Hart
_____ Bryan Holt
_____ Robert Nelson3

CALL TO ORDER
A. COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR
B. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC4

CONSENT AGENDA
A. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Attached are the minutes of the Regular Board Meeting conducted on February 20, 2023.
C. APPROVAL OF TREASURER’S REPORT, BILLS and CLAIMS
Attached are the Treasurer’s Report and the Bills and Claims Report.
D. APPROVAL OF PERSONNEL ACTIONS
1) Additions
a) Lawrence Alford, Technical Director/Theater Manager, effective March 21,
2023
b) Jessie Carr, TRIO Database/Social Media Manager, effective April 10, 2023
c) Amy Young, CTEC Administrative Assistant, effective April 3, 2023
2) Separations
a) Kaylena Andersen, Women’s Head Basketball Coach, effective March 7,
2023
E. APPROVAL OF GRADUATION HONOREES
1) Greg King, Outstanding Alumni
2) Bill Rhoads, Honorary Associate Degree
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the Consent Agenda items be approved as
presented.
BOARD ACTION: MOTION _____ SECOND _____ VOTE _____
DISCUSSION:
VOTE: Bartelsmeyer Elliott Fewins
Hart Holt Nelson5

Fort Scott Community College, Government

FSCC Minutes of Feb. 20

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FORT SCOTT COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Minutes of the Board of Trustees Meeting
February 20, 2023
PRESENT: John Bartelsmeyer, Dave Elliott, Jim Fewins, Bryan Holt, and Robert Nelson
ALSO PRESENT: Alysia Johnston, President, Juley McDaniel, Board Clerk, faculty, staff
Chairman Bartelsmeyer called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm in Cleaver-Burris-Boileau Hall meeting rooms. The
meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR: None.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: None.
CONSENT AGENDA: A motion was made by Elliott, seconded by Holt, and approved by unanimous vote to add
an item E under Action/Discussion as Consideration of CDL Program Tractor/Trailer Combination Purchases.
A motion was made by Nelson, seconded by Fewins, and carried by unanimous vote to approve the consent agenda
as amended.
ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS:
A. A motion was made by Fewins, seconded by Elliott, and carried by unanimous vote to approve the 2023-24
class and miscellaneous fees as presented.
B. A motion was made by Elliott, seconded by Nelson, and carried by unanimous vote to approve Bowen
Construction for the restoration work at Garrison Apartments.
C. A motion was made by Holt, seconded by Fewins, and carried by unanimous vote to approve disposal of
the salon chairs.
D. A motion was made by Holt, seconded by Fewins, and carried by unanimous vote to approve disposal of
print shop equipment.
E. A motion was made by Fewins, seconded by Holt, and carried by unanimous vote to approve the authority
to purchase two tractors and two trailers for the CDL program for an amount not to exceed $220,000 as
soon as possible after bids are opened.
ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATES: The Board reviewed and heard updates from Instruction, Student Services,
Finance and Operations, Student Services, Athletics, and the President.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Trustees, a motion to adjourn was made at
6:46 p.m. by Fewins, seconded by Nelson, and carried by unanimous vote.

Entertainment, Fort Scott

Elevate Fort Scott: Bringing Entertainment Events To Town

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Brad Matkin. Submitted photo.

Elevate Fort Scott is one of several community “movers and shakers” groups that have have organized recently to improve the quality of life in the community.

“Besides our Elevate Fort Scott group there are several other groups that are making things happen and bringing great events to Fort Scott,” said Brad Matkin, one of the organizers of Elevate Fort Scott. “Advance Bourbon County, Fort Scott Forward, and others have been working very hard to bring in events and activities for our citizens and visitors to enjoy.”

“We are not only looking for a strong 2023 but are already planning some events for 2024 we feel everyone will enjoy and be excited about,” he said.

“While talking to one of the current members, I told them I felt I wanted to get a group together that wanted to make Fort Scott a place to be and to put on events that would make us a destination place plus add more things for our citizens to do,” Brad Matkin, group member said. “Even though I am the one that thought of getting this group together it is the six other members that make Elevate Fort Scott successful, they do the leg work and put in the time to make these events a reality.”

The group is comprised of Cory Bryars, Kirk Sharp, Jackson Tough, Josh Jones, Diane Striler, Lindsay Madison, and Matkin.

They first met last year around November, he said.

“The purpose of this group is to come up with positive ways and events to help Fort Scott grow, to show visitors what Fort Scott has to offer, and to get citizens involved in the many great things Fort Scott has to offer,” he said. “We are not trying to reinvent the wheel with the events we are working on, just trying to build off the already great events Fort Scott has to offer”

“Our goal is to think of an idea, work to get it started, then hand it off to a charity organization to put it on and raise money for their cause,” Matkin said. “Our group is not generating any funding for the events and are not involved in that part of the event; we just want to help get more things going in our great town and help the charities raise money.”

Events in The Works

“This group has been working on a lot of different ideas that are still in the early stages, but I can tell you we have added a BBQ cook-off that will share Riverfront Park with the second annual Care to Share/Sharing Bucket Fall Festival and Blues Festival,” he said.

The Riverfront Park Pavilion had its ribbon cutting in May 2018. Riverfront Park is the sight of this years Care to Share Fall Festival and Blues Festival.

“We are also working on a newly named Christmas on the Bricks that will take place of Christmas in the Park that has been a yearly tradition for Fort Scott,” Matkin said. “Christmas on the Bricks will offer the opportunity for the uptown shops to bring out their holiday flare and stay open late for holiday shopping. We are looking at this event to flow along right with the Christmas Parade, Artificers Christmas Shoppe, and the Annual National Historic Site Candlelight Tour. Some of the things we have already planned is a movie night,  a Christmas concert, carolers, chili, and much more.”

 

“Some of the newest things this group has brought to life is a ‘Rock-N-Roll Karaoke’ which will allow people to sing with a real band,” he said. “This will be held at Memorial Hall on June 9th. ‘Almost Kiss’ will be at Memorial Hall on November 18th.  They are a cover band for the Legendary Rock band Kiss and is one of only six Kiss tribute bands that former Kiss star Gene Simmons endorses.”

 

 

Bourbon County Local News