Christmas on the Bricks 2024 – Booklet Brochure (8) compressed 
Artificers Art Show Opens Tonight
The Artificers at 8 N National Ave. is hosting an artist show tonight
December 6th from 5-9 pm, December 7th from 10am-9pm, and December 8th from noon-5 pm.
“We are so blessed to have returning artists that are with us every year as well as new artists that we invite because we love their art and want to offer unique gifts for purchase,” said Kate Freeman, part owner of the Artificers.
The list of Artists:
Trent Freeman (local) | Mixed Media Sculpture
Kate Freeman (local) | Clay Sculpture
Erin Shevling (KC) | Functional Pottery
Darrell Williams (Nevada, MO)| Air Brush & Graphite
Tim Kienzle (KC) | Copper Jewelry
Andrea Latham (KC) | Ceramic Pottery
Sally Brandon (Philipsburg, KS)| Fiber Artist
Kadra Nevitt (local) | Chalk Pastels
Carleen Shatto (KC) | Glass Artist
Ned DuCharme (Hume, MO) | Neo-impressionist
Danae Esslinger Hired As The New Uniontown City Clerk
Danea Esslinger is the new Uniontown City Clerk, as of December 5.
Esslinger has been on the Uniontown City Council for 13 years and lived in Uniontown for 29 years. Both of her children, Breanna and Brenton, graduated from Uniontown High School. She is the daughter of David DeWayne and Deana Fuhrman of Bronson.
She graduated from Garnett High School and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business, with an emphasis in management from Pittsburg State University.
Recently, the council has had difficulty finding a new clerk to replace Sally Johnson who wants to retire from that position.
That’s when Esslinger decided to apply for the job.
At last month’s Uniontown City Council Special meeting, she resigned from her council position and applied for the job.
“I am wanting to do some things that make the city even better,” Esslinger said.
Duties of the Clerk
From a prior interview with Sally Johnson, retiring city clerk, she told of the duties of the Uniontown City Clerk.
“The Clerk position entails performing all duties as defined by Kansas State Statute and City Ordinances: receive and disperse monetary funds and maintain financial records; complete various administrative reports; grant applications & administration; prepare, mail and apply payments of monthly customer utility billing; assist residents via phone or walk-in; attend and record minutes of all city council meetings, write monthly community newsletter; maintain city website; other duties as required.”
New Treasurer
Sally Johnson is the new treasurer of the council, following the resignation of Charlene Bolinger, which was effective Nov. 13.
This part-time job is to “do bank reconciliation and make sure the clerk is getting things done correctly,” Johnson said.
Updated December 11 Agenda For the Uniontown City Council
CALL TO ORDER AT ________ by _____________________________
ROLL CALL:
___ Jess Ervin ___ Amber Kelly ___ Mary Pemberton ___ vacant ___ Bradley Stewart
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS
Appoint and administer Oath of Office Savannah Pritchett as councilmember to fill vacant position –
Administer Oath of Office to Danea Esslinger, City Clerk/Municipal Court Clerk –
KMGA Prepay Project, Dixie Riedel – may not be able to come due to meeting date change
Public Restroom toilets, Taylor Plumbing –
CITIZENS REQUESTS
FINANCIAL REPORT
Sally Johnson – Financial reports
APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA
- Minutes of November 12, 2024 Regular Council Meeting and November 19, 2024 Special Council Meeting
- Treasurers Report, Monthly Transaction Report & Accounts Payables
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Superintendent: Bobby Rich
Clerk Report: Danea Esslinger
COUNCIL & COMMITTEE REPORTS
Councilman Ervin –
Councilwoman Esslinger –
Councilman Kelly –
Councilwoman Pemberton –
Councilman Stewart–
Mayor Jurgensen –
OLD BUSINESS
Pickleball court project –
Streets/FEMA –
Warehouse project –
SEED Grant –
NEW BUSINESS
CMB 2025 License renewal –
Sunday CMB hours of sales –
Motion by _____________, Second by __________, Approved ______, to enter into executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel exception, KSA 75-4319(b)(1), in order to discuss non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at ____________.
ADJOURN Time ____
Local 4-H Youth: Livestock Judging Team National Champions!
The Southwind District 4-H Livestock Judging Team members are the National Champions!
Reegan McDaniel (Fort Scott), Tate Crystal (Fort Scott) and Kyser Nemecek (Iola) were among six youth invited to try out for the Kansas 4-H All-Star Team this fall.
After successfully earning their spots, they joined Marais des Cygnes District 4-H member Esmerelda Franklin to form a new team representing Kansas at the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, KY.
In November, coached by Brody Nemecek, this All-Star Team achieved the ultimate honor—winning the National 4-H Livestock Judging Contest.
Their individual success was just as remarkable as their team accomplishments: Esmerelda – High Individual Overall; Reegan – Reserve High Individual; Kyser 8th overall; Tate 11th overall. All four team members were awarded All-American recognition for their efforts.
The Southwind boys also competed in the National 4-H Livestock Skillathon Contest in Louisville where they were named 7th Team Overall.
Traversing Life’s Sand Traps by Patty LaRoche
Author: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection
www.alittlefaithlift.com
AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Assoc.)
I love the story of the woman who woke up one Monday morning, looked in the mirror, and noticed she had only three hairs on her head. “Well,” she said, “I think I’ll braid my hair today.” She did and she had a wonderful day. On Tuesday she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only two hairs on her head. “Hmm,” she said, “I think I’ll part my hair down the middle today.” She did, and she had a great day. Wednesday morning she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that she had only one hair on her head. “Well,” she said, “today I’m going to wear my hair in a ponytail.” So she did, and she had a fun day. On Thursday she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that there wasn’t a single hair on her head. “Yes!” she exclaimed, “I don’t have to fix my hair today!”
I thought of that story this past Thanksgiving when Dave and I joined family members and their friends at the dunes in Dumont, California. They all had spent several days there in their RV’s, riding their “toys” (dirt bikes and side-by-sides) over humongous hills of sand that stretched for miles. We were the newcomers, not nearly as daring (actually, I was terrified) and certainly much older than they. Since Dave’s daughter, Nikki, her husband Dave and the other four families had spent the last 30 Thanksgivings there, they understood the terrain’s difficulties. More than once, they towed less-seasoned campers out of deep trenches of sand. They shared food, tools, and “toys” with each other. No one complained about the sand that filled their clothes, covered their hair and faces or found its way into their beds. Our eyes were crusted and our mouths gritty as day after day the sand whirled around us. Still, everyone loved the adventure enough to ignore this minor annoyance. I need to look at all of life with that perspective. Not surprisingly, this past Sunday Dave and I tried a new church, and the sermon was on the book of Psalms and how the writers of the 150 chapters praised God through the good and the bad. One strand of hair or sand-matted hair. It mattered not. Did you know that you can change your life by changing the way you think? By finding reasons to praise God, for example, we will find the promise in Isaiah 26:3 (NLT): You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you. A mind filled with thoughts fixed on God will produce a heart filled with praise, a powerful tool in our spiritual arsenal as we traverse life’s challenges. Praise brings healing to our spirit. It provides a conduit by which the Father conveys deliverance and blessing. With the Christmas season approaching, let’s all find reason to appreciate the gritty annoyances of life as we invite God to pull us out of our deepest trenches that mire us in stress and anxiety. He waits to be given the chance.
Uniontown City Council Meeting Minutes From November 12
The Regular Council Meeting on November 12, 2024 at Uniontown Community Center was called to order at 7:00PM by Mayor Jurgensen. Council members present were Jess Ervin, Danea Esslinger, Amber Kelly, Mary Pemberton, and Bradley Stewart. Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting were City Treasurer Charlene Bolinger, City Superintendent Bobby Rich, and City Clerk Sally Johnson.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS
Public Restroom toilet issue – Danny Taylor, Taylor Plumbing, has worked on the flush valves for the toilets. There is not enough water volume or pressure for the valves to work properly. Suggestions to remedy are to replace current piping from the meter to the valves with larger piping and increase pressure to the valves or replace the toilets with residential toilets.
Motion by Kelly, Second by Esslinger, Failed 2-3 to replace toilets with residential ADA toilets
He will return next month with estimated figures for both options.
CITIZENS REQUEST
none
FINANCIAL REPORT
Treasurer Bolinger presented the October 2024 Treasurer’s Report. Beginning Checking Account Balance for all funds was $272,926.87, Receipts $72,792.48, Transfers Out $3,026.00, Expenditures $36,882.81, Checking Account Closing Balance $305,810.54. Bank Statement Balance $313,061.25, including Checking Account Interest of $60.96, Outstanding Deposits $0, Outstanding Checks $7,250.71, Reconciled Balance $305,810.54. Water Utilities Certificates of Deposit $37,624.74, Sewer Utilities Certificate of Deposit $21,491.62, Gas Utilities Certificates of Deposit $39,426.41, Total All Funds, including Certificates of Deposit $404,353.31. Year-to-Date Interest in Checking Acct is $587.65, and Utility CDs $1,443.93 for a Total Year-to-Date Interest of $2,031.58. Also included the status of the Projects Checking Account for the month of October 2024, Beginning Balance $0, Receipts $0, Expenditures $0, Ending Balance $0. October Transfers from Sewer Utility Fund to Sewer Revolving Loan $1,402.00; from Water Utility Fund to GO Water Bond & Interest $1,624.00 for Total Transfers of $3,026.00. Net Income for the month of October $32,883.67, Year-to-Date Net Income $70,331.34. Budget vs Actual Water Fund YTD Revenue $99,922.94 (81.0%), Expenditures $102,002.05 (62.8%); Sewer Fund YTD Revenue $29,153.80 (78.9%), Expenditures $25,731.01 (61.1%); Gas Fund YTD Revenue $100,521.58 (68.6%), Expenditures $93,332.91 (52.6%); General Fund YTD Revenue $205,264.79 (104.9%), Expenditures $160,323.61 (51.8%); and Special Highway YTD Revenue $8,175.91 (112.5%), Expenditures $7,183.05 (70.9%). The November 2024 payables to date in the amount of $25,002.71 were presented. The invoices from Homestead Tech, KMGA, Johnson-Schowengerdt, and Ag Engineering have not been received by noon meeting day.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Kelly, Second by Ervin, Approved 5-0, to approve Consent Agenda:
- Minutes of October 8, 2024 Regular Council Meeting
- Treasurer’s Reports, Monthly Transaction Report & Accounts Payables
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
City Superintendent Rich had nothing to report.
Clerk Johnson reminded the council that we had received another quote for the storm siren maintenance in August, but no action was taken.
Motion by Stewart, Second by Esslinger, Approved 4-0-1 (Kelly abstained) to accept the quote from Kelly Electric to inspect semi-annually at $300/inspection for a contract term of five years
The 2025-2026 Projected Gas Supply Schedule was presented.
Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0 to accept 2025-2026 Projected Gas Supply Schedule as presented
KMGA prepay project – after discussion, Council requested more information.
A KMGA member update was presented.
League of Kansas Municipalities announced a Cyber Liability Insurance Program in partnership with Cowell Insurance Service Inc and Travelers Insurance. There will be a free webinar November 21, 2-3PM to learn more.
Progress on Warehouse – the roof and outside metal has been removed. Contractor says will be completed by December 15, 2024.
COUNCIL REPORT
Councilman Ervin – nothing
Councilwoman Esslinger – nothing
Councilwoman Kelly – asked about check to Bloesser Outdoor Services. It is in approved payables and will be mailed tomorrow.
Councilwoman Pemberton – nothing
Councilman Stewart – nothing
Mayor Jurgensen – asked if we know when Bettis Asphalt will be here to complete warranty work. Clerk Johnson sent email request for timeline this morning, no response as of meeting time. She will reach out again and impress upon them that property owners want to be able to get in their garage before it gets much colder. He also presented a retirement plaque to Sally Johnson.
OLD BUSINESS
Pickleball Court Placemaking Project – Councilwoman Pemberton gave report that the will begin erecting fence on November 25 or 26.
Streets/FEMA – Clerk Johnson requested budgeting quotes from three contractors for the proposed mitigation work. None were received by noon today. One contractor did call this morning and will have quote to us later this week.
Sale of property – sale of property closed today and funds received.
SEED Grant – Grant application was submitted 11/4/24. Councilman Ervin wrote the narrative and Clerk Johnson filled in the budget information. Grant will be awarded in December.
NEW BUSINESS
Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0 to enter into executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel exception, KSA 75-4319(b)(1), in order to discuss non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at 8:15
Open meeting resumed at 8:15.
Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0 to extend executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel exception, KSA 75-4319(b)(1), in order to discuss non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at 8:30PM.
Clerk Johnson called in at 8:15, out at 8:28. Open meeting resumed at 8:30PM.
Motion by Ervin, Second by Esslinger, Approved 5-0 to accept retirement of Sally Johnson as City Clerk effective 11/15/2024; accept resignation of Charlene Bolinger as City Treasurer effective 11/13/2024; appoint Christina Miller as City Clerk effective 11/18/24; and appoint Sally Johnson as City Treasurer effective 11/18/24
Moved by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0, to adjourn at 8:32PM
Special Meeting Minutes of the Uniontown City Council on November 19
The Special Council Meeting on November 19, 2024 at Uniontown City Hall, was called to order at 7:00PM by Mayor Jurgensen. Council members present were Jess Ervin, Danea Esslinger, Amber Kelly, Mary Pemberton, and Bradley Stewart.
Motion by Kelly, Second by Stewart, Approved 5-0 to enter in to executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel matters exception, KSA 4319(b)(1), in order to discuss vacancy of non-elected personnel position, the open meeting to resume at 8:10PM
Councilwoman Esslinger exited executive session at 7:45, back in at 8PM.
Meeting resumed at 8:10PM.
Motion by Stewart, Second by Pemberton, Approved 4-0 to accept resignation of Danea Esslinger as Councilwoman, effective immediately.
Motion by Kelly, Second by Pemberton, Approved 4-0 to accept resignation of Christina Miller as City Clerk effective 11/18/2024 and to hire Danea Esslinger as City Clerk, with a start date of December 5th or 9th, dependent upon notice to her current employer.
Moved by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 4-0, to adjourn at 8:12PM
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports December 6
WREATHS GOAL IS MET
| Diann Tucker, Wreaths Across Location Coordinator for Fort Scott National Cemetery has announced that this year’s goal has been met and a wreath will be provided for every site at the cemetery during the upcoming Wreaths Day ceremony.
Tucker extends her thanks to all who did fundraising and donations to make this possible. It is only through such generosity that we can accomplish this goal. She reminds us that if you did not get to support the 2024 fundraising campaign, they are already beginning to work on the 2025 goal. This is a year-long effort in to raise awareness and support to make this possible each year. Saturday, December 14, the CFI Wreaths Across America semi-hauling wreaths for our soldiers depart to Fort Scott National Cemetery at 7:30 AM from the FSCC Harley Davidson School on 69 Highway north of Pittsburg, to arrive at the Fort Scott Cemetery about 8 AM. The convoy from Pittsburg to Fort Scott will be led by the American Legion Riders Post 25. Motorcycles and personal vehicles are welcome to join the escort to Fort Scott. Boxes of wreaths will need to be off-loaded and distributed throughout the cemetery for laying after the ceremony. Volunteers will be needed to help unload the truck. The Wreaths Across America ceremony will begin at 10 AM December 14 at Fort Scott National Cemetery, with guest speaker Alan Drake, former U.S. Army. Immediately following the ceremony friends, family members and volunteers will be asked to present wreaths to each honored soldier resting at this cemetery site. Our mission emphasis continues to be Remember, Honor and Teach. Some limited golf cart transportation will be available to assist guests from parking areas to the ceremony location. |
Please join us for this important event. We have the freedom to celebrate holidays and each day of our lives because of what our military has done and continues to do on our behalf each day.
Free Pictures With The Grinch at the Lowell Milken Center This Weekend
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Agenda For the Fort Scott City Commission on Dec. 6
NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR SPECIAL
MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
City Hall Commission Room – 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
December 6, 2024 – 11:00 A.M.
- Call to Order
- Roll Call
Tim VanHoecke, Matthew Wells, Dyllon Olson, Kathryn Salsbury, Tracy Dancer
III. Pledge of Allegiance
- Invocation
- Approval of Agenda
- 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.
VII. Unfinished Business
- Consideration of Contractor’s Application for Payment No. 5-REV – Heck & Wicker, Inc. – Project No. 24-414 (Concrete and Dirt Work) $140,130.12
VIII. Reports and Comments
- City Manager Comments
- Engineering Comments
- Commissioners’ Comments
- City Attorney Comments
- Adjourn