To view all details: http://fortscott.com/christmas-on-the-bricks
Christmas Photos With Santa Paws Supports SEK Animal Advocates
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports November 15
When God Nudges by Patty LaRoche
Author: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection
www.alittlefaithlift.com
AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Assoc.)
When God nudges, obey. The blessing will bring a smile to your face and peace to your heart, and who doesn’t need that?
In a Walmart store here in Las Vegas, two days after Veterans’ Day, I stood in line behind an elderly man who wore a Navy Seals’ shirt and a Purple Heart hat. “Thank you for your service,” I said. He answered, “You’re welcome.” He placed five frozen T.V. dinners and four packets of hangers on the conveyor belt.
Typical for my line-choosing for a cashier, the woman ahead of him had some issues with her purchases. This time, I didn’t mind. It gave me a perfect opportunity to ask him about his military experience. He was a member of the original Frogmen, a precursor to the Navy Seals. He, like Dave and my Mazatlán friend, Howard, had been part of the underwater demolition team, planting recording devices in the ocean around Russia.
I told the gentleman about how Howard had an explosive device go off near his head on one of his similar operations, causing his eardrum to burst. This man said that the Russians had detonated those devices when he was on a mission. His hearing didn’t suffer, but he had spent a lifetime with severe migraines.
This veteran later served in Vietnam, returned to America where he taught self defense to teachers and got his black belt in Tae Kwon Do. He had to retire when “there was an accident on a bus.” He did not seem to want to tell me what that incident was.
That’s when I felt God’s nudging. “Pay his bill.” Stepping ahead of the elderly man, I told the cashier what I was going to do. My new friend shared that he had plenty of money; he had no family and lived alone. I said that it was my blessing and that it was one small way I could thank him for his service. He continued to tell me that I didn’t need to pay for his things.
Good grief, I thought, I’m going to have to tackle this guy so that I can be obedient to God. The cashier spoke up. “I think this is an angel experience. Paying it forward.” I had to laugh and assured her that I had no idea if angels were involved but that I was sure this was something God wanted me to do. The veteran asked if he could shake my hand. I told him that this small gift was my privilege and definitely my blessing. We shook hands, he thanked me, took his bags and shuffled out of the store, clearly disbelieving what had just happened.
When I paid my bill and the cashier spun the carousel around and handed me my plastic bags, she gave me two extra bags filled with hangers I had not bought. Apparently, the veteran had been so shocked by what had happened, he left the store without two of his bags.
Lovely. My attempt to bless this poor old guy now turned into him having to make another trip to Walmart to retrieve his purchases. I hurried out of the store and looked for him in the parking lot, to no avail.
I sure hope he was blessed with his frozen dinners. The cashier sure seemed to be blessed. And I know I certainly was…even though I was missing the smile on my face and peace in my heart.
Minutes of the Nov. 14 Bourbon County Commission Agenda
November 7, 2024 Thursday 9:00 a.m.
The Board of Bourbon County Commissioners met in open session with Commissioners Harris and Whisenhunt and the County Clerk present.
Clint Walker, Rachel Walker, Casey Brown with SEKCAP, Jamey M. Whitney with SEKCAP, Anne Dare, Jean Tucker, Marla Heckman, Jason Silvers, Brent Smith, Mike Wunderly, Tim Emerson, Mary Pemberton, Debbi Shepard, Deb Martin, Scott Christensen with SEKCAP, Samuel Tran, and Kay Tran were present for some or all of the meeting.
Jim opened the meeting and led the flag salute.
Brandon made a motion to approve the consent agenda which includes approval of minutes from 10/31/2024, approval of accounts payable totaling $442,955.86, and approval of payroll totaling $306,687.17. Jim seconded the motion and all approved.
Casey Brown, Community Engagement Coordinator with SEKCAP, distributed a handout to the Commissioners that outlined the transportation services they offer within Bourbon County. General public transportation services are offered in all towns throughout the entire county with riders in Fort Scott totaling 81% of the rides. Mr. Brown stated they are applying for a Kansas Department of Transportation grant and asked Bourbon County to submit a letter of support for their transportation services that they could submit with the grant application. Jim made a motion to approve the support letter for SEKCAP. Brandon seconded the motion and all approved. Mr. Brown stated Bourbon County previously contributed $3,000 to SEKCAP to help with the transportation costs and he asked that we match the City of Fort Scott’s $5,000 contribution. Brandon asked if the CFO should be consulted before we approve any type of contribution. Jim stated the Commissioners have $70,000 in a discretionary fund. Susan Walker, CFO, stated there are funds in the discretionary fund, however; she is concerned where we may end up at the end of the year. Mr. Brown said they only need a letter to submit to the state with the amount we would contribute next year, and do not need the cash in hand until their fiscal year of 7-1-2025 to 6-30-2026. Susan asked if they are associated with the Area Agency on Aging and suggested tabling the discussion until next week so they can determine who all they contribute to for transportation services. Brandon agreed to wait until next week to agree to a dollar amount for the SEKCAP transportation services.
Eric Bailey, Public Works Director, stated FEMA was here Tuesday to review roads that haven’t been completed and they will be back today to drive roads north of 54 Highway. Eric said that the core drilling at Elm Creek has been completed and he will have a representative from the company do a presentation next week. Eric asked for a 7-minute executive session for acquisition of real estate to include the Commissioners, Justin Meeks, and himself. Brandon made a motion to go into a 7-minute executive session under KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property to include both Commissioners, Justin Meeks, and Eric Bailey and will return at 9:16. Jim seconded the motion and all approved. Jim made a motion to resume normal session at 9:16 with action. Brandon stated a low water crossing at 60th Street and Grand Road needs to be replaced and he made a motion to allow Public Works to spend up to $2,200 to purchase land to complete the project. Jim seconded the motion and all approved.
Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk, presented a form for KWORCC to nominate a voting delegate for the upcoming Kansas Association of Counties conference. Jim made a motion to nominate Jennifer Hawkins as Bourbon County’s voting delegate for KWORCC. Brandon seconded the motion and all approved. Jennifer said they had a total of 6508 voters during the General Election which equals a 51.04% turnout. Jennifer stated they have 163 provisional ballots that were cast. Jennifer said they have had questions about the election results reports where invalid is listed by write-in. Jennifer explained that for federal, state, and county offices an affidavit of write-in candidacy had to be filed in order for the write-in votes to count, so anybody who did not file an affidavit is listed under the invalid section. Jim said he would like Eric to be his canvassing delegate.
Susan handed out a report to the Commission for next week that she said was emailed that shows if every department spends all their budget the contingency will not be available.
Brandon said he has a statement that he would like to make and to not be interrupted until he is finished saying what he has to say. Brandon said he “is extremely concerned with the behavior of the two of you and County Counselor Meeks. Last week’s meeting is an embarrassment to the democratic process. When you do not allow the citizens of our county to participate and actually listened to during important decisions like what you pass last week with solar agreements, without discussion I might add, makes many people question your motives. It is very clear that you moved the meetings to a day and time to make it difficult for me to participate. I was outnumbered in the vote so I’m stuck with this until January. I do not buy it that Harris and Meeks had conflicts on Monday evenings and Meeks does not need to attend the meetings anyway. If we have legal questions, we can call him or get answers for the next meeting time. I spoke with the County Clerk and we have always had the meetings in the Commission room during early voting week. Moving the meeting to the commons area was an attempt to not have the meeting recorded. The County Clerk and I were set up to fail last week. Mr. Meeks you are to blame. Counselor Meeks the lack of professionalism and courtesy to alert us with a phone call about the addition to the agenda is par for the course with you. A call would have been an appropriate gesture knowing I work evenings and Jennifer was in the middle of an election. I find it interesting that we receive agreements hours before our meeting on Thursday, but the schools agreed to donation agreements at their meetings before ours and the representatives from Advance Power had booked flights 10 days prior to our meeting. Leaves me to believe this was all part of the plan, the underhanded tactics you use to literally screw the taxpayers of our county, and not as you stated Mr. Harris in the paper that you are looking out for all taxpayers. You were only looking out for those families that will benefit millions of dollars each year. Commissioner Beth, Harris, and Counselor Meeks obviously had all met prior to this meeting as they discussed nothing during the Commission meeting and had no questions about the agreements. This is why you were voted out in August and it is clear since the two of you lost in the primary you are making sure those who follow are left to clean up the mess of poor decisions you have made over the past three to four years.” Jim said he was going to respond to everything Brandon said. Jim said “I don’t know who told you what I do on Monday nights but it’s really none of your business if I don’t want to be there on Monday nights. I did have a conflict of interest, I met with Counselor Meeks and it was in his best interest also on Thursday mornings. I don’t know what you do on Monday night, I don’t care what you do on Monday nights, it’s none of my business what you do on your personal time so to insult me like this is ridiculous you have no idea what I do on Monday nights with my family. I really take offense to your comments what I do in my personal time. You can tell it pissed me off I haven’t been pissed off here before this year but you just pissed me off. Furthermore before moving the meeting my understanding the County Clerk asked us if she could use this room and we can move it to the foyer, she asked us that and you can check the minutes and I said yes and everybody else said yes so that is why it was moved. I’m hiding nothing I sent the updates to the agenda to the County Clerk at 3:40 and she said she had some personal things going on nothing in hiding. Me and Commissioner Beth had no meetings I talked to Justin Meeks, Counselor, and the counselor for the solar panel people several times that week trying to get better agreements for the people. Where you’re wrong Brandon is my job and your job, that you seem to forget, you haven’t protected all property rights of the people that’s taken those solar panels have just as many rights as the people that don’t like them and you’ve forgot that. You said I didn’t represent all the people and I do represent all the people and that’s why I got in trouble because I represent all the people every one of these people have rights by the Constitution and you have failed to notice that. What did you do to help protect the people that’s getting the solar panels? Nothing.” Brandon said he has talked to them several times and that he got cut out of the entire conversation. Jim said that Brandon has talked to the solar companies on the phone because they told him they did and that you had supper with them. Brandon said ”I he did I didn’t hide that fact to anybody but all of a sudden we’re voting on it without discussion on the council, we didn’t even have an executive session about it, Jim, you guys decided to pass these damn things and let these things come in without a discussion with the Commissioners.” Jim said, “that is right, we discussed it a little bit that morning, and we’ve been talking about it for a year how much longer do we need to talk about it?” Brandon said, “you just cut the county out.” Jim said, “that was interesting for the donation agreements, I don’t know what you mean, but God bless us for not helping the kids in Bourbon County.” Brandon said, “no, I’m not mad that the schools are getting some money but yet they’re getting all of it you could have helped the entire county out. We could have got that money and lowered property taxes the next two or three years and still gave the school money.” Jim said, “it would have been dangerous to lower very much because in 10 years you’d have a problem because the depreciation might come in at zero and the Commissioners in 10 years might have to raise it up.” Brandon said, “maybe we couldn’t have lowered property taxes but we could have maybe taken care of some business.” Jim said, “I appreciate your comments, that’s why we’re here today. I disagree with 99% of what you said and again what I do on Monday nights is nobody’s business in this room including yours so keep that in mind if you stick your nose in Jim Harris’ business cause it ain’t none of your business what I do and you need to remember that.” Brandon said, “ I don’t care what you do Jim on your spare time.” Jim said, “you brought it up, you said you knew what I did I had no reason not to come to any meetings. How in the world do you know my personal business?” Brandon said, “I just think it’s funny that we had these meetings on Monday night at 5:30 for four years now.” Jim said, “No, we changed it we had I think Monday morning for a long, long time and we decided we’d open it up to evenings for public comments and we didn’t get many comments we just kept getting the same people. The public didn’t really attend. I’ve got like four more meetings and I can’t resign because if you want to know my business is because my life insurance won’t carry over if I leave early so that’s everybody else’s business.” Brandon said, “that’s fine.” Jim said, “well you stuck your nose in my business let’s just go all the way here.” Brandon said, “I didn’t ask you to resign, did I ask you to resign in what I read?” Jim said, “no, I want to let you know why I’m not but you stuck your nose in my business when you said I have no right to change my meeting on Monday to Thursday. That’s my business. I made the motion and it was seconded. When you’re sitting here the next guy can make what motions you want but until then you keep your nose of out of my person business and furthermore, my turn if you’re done. We need to remove the burn ban someone said last week it didn’t have any validity in it anyway as far as the Sheriff couldn’t do anything so I’ll make a motion to remove the burn ban.” Brandon seconded the motion and all approved. Jim said all the hospital equipment has had the repairs needed and are up and running and that Freeman is very happy. Freeman said they’ll be putting up some nice signs hopefully this week saying welcome to Bourbon County and I think they posted some jobs for the Fort Scott facility.
Jim made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:29. Brandon seconded the motion and all approved.
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
___________________, Chairman
___________________,Commissioner
ATTEST: ___________________,Commissioner
Jennifer Hawkins, Bourbon County Clerk
11-14-2024 Approved Date
Obituary of Kent Mitchell
Kent Eugene Mitchell, age 91, resident of Zionsville, IN passed away Sunday, Nov 10, 2024, at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis, IN. He was born and raised in Ft Scott, KS graduating from Ft Scott High School in 1952.
Kent did AF ROTC and belonged to the Delta Tau Delta house at Kansas University graduating in 1956. Kent joined the Air Force and flew the F-86 fighter and T-33 Shooting Star. Kent married in 1961 and was a proud father 5 short years later of 3. In 1966 he relocated the family to the highlight of his career at Hickam AFB, Hawaii. Here he would enjoy 4 years of tropical paradise. Kent chose Richards-Gabauer AFB in Belton, MO as his last duty assignment. This brought him back to his beloved home state of Kansas.
He would raise his family here, get a job as a Commerce Bank investment banker, and stay in Kansas City for the next 53 years.
Kent had really three all-consuming passions:
Running. He ran 79 marathons, starting at the age of 57, including at least one in every state and all seven continents, including Antarctica. On his 60th birthday, he went to the track at JUCO and ran 60 miles to “celebrate.”
Sports, He was absolutely obsessed with the Kansas Jayhawks, Chiefs and Royals. He played a plethora of sports and LOVED to compete.
And lastly family. His last and most important passion was his love and complete devotion to 10 people in his life, his mother Mary Sue, his three children, Sue, Matt and David and six grandchildren Julie, Hannah, Morgan, Audrey, Trevor and Griffin.
Kent was the only child of Ralph (went by Mitch) and Mary Sue Mitchell. Kent was a devout Christian. He is now in heaven with Jesus and His Angels.
He will be terribly and sorely missed by us all.
Rev. Christopher Eshelman will conduct funeral services at 12:30 PM Friday, November 15th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS. Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery in Fort Scott. Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Nov. 14
Chamber Coffee Hosted by Christmas On The Bricks On November 14
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The Wayward Betty’s Perform at The Green Lantern
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Amended Agenda For The Bourbon County Commission Nov. 14
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
November 14, 2024 9:00 a.m.
- Call Meeting to Order
- Flag Salute
- Approval of Consent Agenda
- Approval of Minutes from 11/7/2024
- Casey Brown-SEKCAP Transportation Funding Request
- 9:15-James Krstolich-Ideatek Broadband Letter of Support
- 9:30-Tara Albin-Cox Broadband Letter of Support
- Department Updates
- Public Works
- Eric Bailey-Discussion of Rock Quarry at Elm Creek
- Jennifer Hawkins-Holiday Dinner
- Justin Meeks-Executive Session KSA 75-4319 (b)(1)
- Justin Meeks-Executive Session KSA 75-4319 (b)(2)
- Commission Comments
- 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.
Commerce Launches Kansas Global Business Expansion Program
TOPEKA – The International Division of the Kansas Department of Commerce today launched the Kansas Global Business Expansion (K-GLOBE) program. The program merges two formerly separate programs – the Kansas International Trade Show Assistance Program (KITSAP) and the Kansas International Trade Marketing Assistance Program (KITMAP) – into one international business development-focused grant.
“Commerce is streamlining the manner in which Kansas companies receive assistance to start or continue growing their exporting potential,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “The K-GLOBE program is going to provide entrepreneurial businesses with resources to expand their sales internationally, putting their products and services in front of a much larger marketplace.”
K-GLOBE is administered by the Kansas Department of Commerce’s International Division to support exporting efforts of small- and medium-sized Kansas businesses by exhibiting products internationally at trade shows and conferences. The grant assists Kansas companies by conducting export-related marketing and business development activities such as foreign sales trips, market research, website localization, and translation and interpretation services.
“95% of potential customers for Kansas products and services reside outside of the United States. We want Kansas companies to have the opportunity to effectively capture this international market share and bring revenue home from abroad,” Commerce International Director Laura Lombard said. “K-GLOBE aims to support companies by being a financial resource for those international goals and we are hopeful that Kansas businesses will take advantage.”
The new program provides companies with a reimbursement for 50% of eligible direct expenses up to $10,000 per fiscal year (July 1-June 30). Eligible businesses are companies with their headquarters located in Kansas whose products or services originated in the state, or with products that received substantial value-added processing in Kansas.
“Applications and paperwork are inevitable in any grant process, but we’re grateful to Kansas Commerce for their initiative to simplify the programs,” Sam Billen of Primary Color Music, LLC said. “We expect to continue using K-GLOBE and hopeful that many other Kansas-based businesses will take advantage of these resources.”
For more information about K-GLOBE, click here.
About the Kansas Department of Commerce:
As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.