Maria Louise Smith, age 75, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at her home.
Maria was born June 20, 1948, to her parents, Charles Meek and Betty Graham. She was the oldest of four children. She was born in Ft. Scott, Kansas where she grew up and attended school. Maria married James Linn, who she had three children with but later divorced. Maria remarried in 1988 to Bill Smith.
She worked as a supervisor at Peerless for twenty-five years. In Maria’s younger years, she enjoyed playing softball as a catcher and dancing whenever given the chance. As she got older, Maria loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed listening to music on her record player and watching NBA basketball games.
Maria is survived by her three children, Cindy Marsh (Ashley Stark) of Ft. Scott, James Linn Jr., (Junie) of South Carolina and Ganette Davidson of Ft. Scott. She is also survived by one brother, fifteen grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Maria was preceded in death by her two husbands, parents, two brothers, two nephews and a granddaughter.
Graveside services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Friday, March 22nd at the Centerville Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the Maria Smith 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.com.
The Bourbon County Garden Club sells plants on the opening day of the Fort Scott Farmer’s Market. Club member Paula Blincoe is in the visor. Photo from 2022.
The Bourbon County Garden Club started in 2003 and gives time and talent to the community through public garden care.
The Bourbon County Garden Club will open its season on Thursday, March 21, with a meeting at 6 p.m. at the Lowell Milken Center in downtown Fort Scott, at Wall and Main Street. The club meets once a month from March until October.
“New members bring new energy and new ideas,” said Martha Jane Gentry, co-president of the club in a press release. “Learn how you can contribute to Bourbon County Garden Club activities for the coming season by attending the March 21 meeting.”
“Garden experience is not necessary for participation,” said Gentry, “The club offers opportunities for learning and for community service.”
“The Garden Club started in 2003 and has grown in membership since then,” she said. “There are now about thirty members representing different ages, interests, and areas of the county.”
Membership is free, with the club’s activities financially supported by one fundraiser. The annual plant sale occurs on the opening Saturday of the Downtown Farmers’ Market, this year on May 4.
“The club partners with Tri-Valley Developmental Services to sell a wide variety of plants, all of which are geared to our area’s growing conditions,” she said. “Club members offer plants freshly dug from their own gardens, and Tri-Valley provides plants and hanging baskets from the agency’s greenhouse.”
About one-third of the members have chosen to further their gardening knowledge by taking the K-State Master Gardener course through the K-State Extension Service.
“The class is offered via Zoom in the fall, with occasional in-person meetings,” she said. “Master Gardeners are required to share their knowledge through area activities, and the local club offers some of those opportunities.”
Many Projects
In addition to increasing in number, the number of community projects has increased.
The partnership with the City of Fort Scott has been vital for many of these projects.
The club sets new plants in place at the Heritage Park. Submitted photo.There are four pocket gardens at the intersection of 8th and Crawford. The one that is most established is at the corner of 801 S. Crawford. Submitted photo.
“The city installed the watering system for Heritage Park (at First and Main Street) which members designed and planted in 2006,” she said. “That garden features a mix of annuals and perennials and is a colorful backdrop for Friday night concerts, photo shoots, and downtown gatherings.”
Club members Paula Blincoe on the left, Sheryl Bloomfield on the ladder, and Judy Wallis on the right. Submitted photo.
“Later, the city added a watering system for the downtown hanging planters and for the island gardens at the pool,” Gentry said.” In addition to those projects, the club has planted, cared for, and watered gardens in the North Main area.”
The garden at the north end of Main Street is planted and cared for by the Bourbon County Garden Club.
“A recent project is the island garden at Riverfront Park, a collaboration with the Fire Department and Riverfront volunteers,” she said.
The newest project is outside the downtown area.
Residential pocket gardens were expanded last year through the club. Several members had already planted corner/pocket gardens, and the club decided to expand the project. Two local homeowners won free gardens from drawings through the club’s Facebook page and at the plant sale.
A pocket garden. Submitted photo.
“A pocket garden is a small planting plot or large pot tucked into a convenient corner of your property,” according to www.bobvilla.com>articles>pocket-gardens.
“I do the four corners at 8th and Crawford as part of the pocket garden project,” she said. “There are bulbs currently blooming”
A pocket garden. Submitted photo.
A club committee collaborated with those homeowners in the fall, before planting the garden.
“Look for Garden Club Pocket Garden signs throughout Fort Scott to see what can flourish in small areas with challenging conditions,” she said. “For all gardens, the plant selection focuses on choices that are drought. Both the city staff and club members are committed to minimal water usage.”
Leadership
The officers of the club are:
Barbara McCord and Martha Jane Gentry – co-presidents
Jesse Clarence Kemp II was born in Detroit, Michigan on September 29th, 1939, to Iva Glen (Amos) Kemp and Jesse Clarence Kemp I. He joined the love of his life on March 13th, 2024, after passing peacefully.
Jesse helped his parents train and race greyhounds, even sleeping with the new pups to keep them safe. He attended grade school in Appleton City and Girard and graduated from College High in Pittsburg. After high school, he joined the Air Force obtaining a degree as a mechanic and serving one of his four years of service in Thule, Greenland. After his honorable discharge, he worked at Western Auto, Farmers Insurance, and Cessna in Wichita, Kansas. The family then moved to Fort Scott where he created and implemented the computerizing system at Mercy Hospital, then as finance manager at Ray Shepherd Motors before opening his own company in health care billing. After retirement, he was employed at Walmart Automotive.
Jesse married Josephine Marie Ruggero on June 30th, 1957. Together they raised Kathy O’Dell (Nick), Kris Haas (Kevin), Kim Branson (Bobby), Kenny Kemp (Christy), Melissa Dunkley (Eric), Frank Ruggero (Lucretia), Lynn Ruggero, Buddy Ruggero, and Vesta Beal (Blake). He was also blessed with many grandkids and great-grandkids. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, music, motorcycles, and most of all, spending time with his family.
He was preceded in death by his mother, father, sister June, two infant siblings, and wife.
Rev. Marty Dewitt will conduct funeral services at 11:30 AM on Monday, March 18th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 10:30 AM until service time Monday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to either American Legion Post #25 or Arma American Legion Riders and may be left in the care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.
Patty LaRoche. 2023. Author: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection www.alittlefaithlift.com AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Assoc.)
“We suffer more often in imagination than in reality.” Seneca
Pornography (inanely called the “victimless crime”) is one of the easiest, most toxic, temptations known to man.
The statistics are alarming. “Webroot” reports that every second, 28,258 users are watching pornography on the internet. Every day, 37 pornographic videos are created in the United States, and 116,000 queries related to child pornography are received. Last year, the top-ranked porn site had 700 million more visits than Amazon.
Tragically, about 200,000 Americans are classified as “porn addicts,” and 40 million American people regularly visit porn sites. “Psychology Today” states that one-third of porn viewers are women.
For the last few years, our son Adam has fought against sex-trafficking. He and his team talk openly about how most people engaged in the activity begin by looking at pornography, some at the age of five, but most around 10.
The younger a man is when he first views pornography, the more likely he is to want power over women. As for young girls, 80% of 15-year-old females reported that they have been exposed to violent, degrading online pornography.
Philippians 4:8 reminds us of why porn is a sin. Pornographers struggle with lust, and those desires conflict with God’s holiness Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
The antithesis of pornography.
Once that thrill ends, many viewers look for more and turn to prostitution. He becomes the pimp. The average pimp has 4-6 girls and can make between $150,000-$200,000 per year. (Not bad, until they are caught and end up with 20 years in prison.) Compare that to the prostitute who works 6-8 hours a day, 5-6 days a week and has 3-5 clients a might. She makes about $35,000 a year but has her room and drugs paid for. (A McDonalds’ worker makes around $29,000, has no risks of getting an STD, being beaten or murdered.)
Think about it. These girls were once in elementary school, swinging on the playground and practicing their tap dance moves. Something goes terribly wrong for them to end up in this career, but “johns” (patrons) don’t care.
Last week, my son’s anti-trafficking team spent time on the West coast, working with local police. They never left one road where dozens of prostitutes work. Even though the evenings were cold, there the girls stood, in lacy underwear, most under the age of 14, soliciting johns by selling their bodies. One twelve-year-old girl was recovered, reunited with her mother, and flown to the Midwest to a facility specializing in the treatment of these damaged girls.
So, what does prostitution have to do with pornography?
Pimps quickly learn that porn pays better and prostitutes are prime candidates to work in porn, and prostitutes quickly learn that they are in much less danger in that field.
I spoke to a former pornographer who referred to those engaged in porn as sex traffickers. He explained that these men are staring at women, performing for the entertainment of men, so they are equally liable for the degradation of females.
Matthew 5:28 28 says that a man looking at woman with lustful intent “has already committed adultery in his heart.”
The good news is there is hope. God is in the Forgiveness business, so anyone engaged in these behaviors can repent. No different than any other sin. But make no mistake. Porn is a slippery slope, and the cliff at the bottom will not be a safe place to land.
401 Woodland Hills Blvd. Kansas Renewal Institute, a behavioral healthcare treatment center will open soon.
The Kansas Renewal Institute, located at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd. in Fort Scott, is a pioneering behavioral healthcare center specializing in treating adults and adolescents.
Our mission is to provide exceptional, accessible behavioral health services across Kansas, fostering resilience and renewal in our communities.
Kansas Renewal Institute offers full-time, part-time, and per-diem employment for all persons wishing to become a part of an exciting team of behavioral health professionals.
We need dedicated, responsible, caring individuals who have a passion for assisting others throughout their treatment process.
Join Our Team!
If you have a passion for helping others, join Kansas Renewal Institute to be part of a team that is saving lives! Our team provides compassionate treatment for children, adolescents, and adults who are struggling with their mental health and/or substance
use concerns.
We work to meet each patient’s unique needs to help them achieve mental wellness so they can live happier lives full of hope.
Located in Fort Scott, our residential treatment programs provide modern, safe, and patient-friendly environments that encourage positive interactions conducive to health, hope, and healing.
Behavioral Health Technicians Needed: A Great Career Starter
Helping children as a Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) could be your calling! No experience, certification, or college degree is necessary – we will train you on the job! Applicants must be 20 years or older with a high school diploma or GED. As a BHT, you will provide care and support to patients ages 6 to 18 who are
struggling with their mental health. We invite you to be their bridge to better health!
–Masters Level Therapist (must be licensed in Kansas or eligible for licensure):
Monday- Friday (days).
–Case Manager: Monday-Friday (days).
–Behavioral Health Technician providing direct care for Patients. Day, Night, and Weekend Shifts are needed.
(Applicants will be subject to a Drug Test and Background Check if hired)
The heart of our work is helping people. That means offering our employees a robust benefits package that ensures they’re able to care for themselves and their families, while they help children in need. Benefits include:
Competitive pay for the industry
Medical plans with generous employer contribution
Tuition, CEU and licensure reimbursement
Generous paid time off
A strong focus on promoting internally
Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging
AND MUCH MORE!
Old asphalt is coming off the Uniontown Walking Trail this week. This view is in the back of the high school. Two residents, Brian Stewart and Jason Koch are donating their time and resources to demolish the current asphalt trail.
An improved walking trail around the USD 235 Campus is in the making. The trail is an oval around the two school buildings in Uniontown and is used by many in the community.
Work began on March 11 to dig up the old asphalt.
“Everything that was asphalt will be replaced with concrete,” said Uniontown Schools Superintendent Vance Eden. “The new path will be 5 feet wide and ADA compliant.”
Vance Eden, superintendent for USD 235. Photo from the school district’s website.
“Excavation/demolition is being donated by Brian Stewart and Jason Koch.” Vance said. “The (concrete) replacement is being done by Tri-state Building of Pittsburg. The project was bid by several contractors and they had the winning bid.”
The major part of the community improvement project is through the Recreational Trails Program by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, he said.
“The district will cover its portion through in-kind donations and also our Capital Outlay Fund,” Eden said. “Donations of the excavation by Brian Stewart and Jason Koch, a gravel donation of 800 tons by Mary and Don Pemberton of Bandera Stone, and a donation of the rock hauling by Bourbon County (Public Works Department) all help us minimize the district’s cash portion.
The old asphalt is coming off in preparation of the improved walking rail in Uniontown. This view is on Clay Street looking east to the West Bourbon Elementary School playground.
The project should be completed by late April or early May.
“Spring weather could be a factor but we are planning on it taking around 6 to 8 weeks,” he said.
The Uniontown Walking Trail looking south on 75th Street in January 2024.The Uniontown Hiking Trail looking north on 75th Street on January 2024.
Fort Scott, Kan. Friday. March 14, 2024 – Beach Museum of Art Specialist and Musician Nate McClendon will be at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center Theater on Thursday, March 21, 2024, to present his Gordon Parks: Self Portrait in music and narration with a live jazz band. The performance starts at 7:30p.m. and doors open at 7:00p.m. This is a free community event.
This performance was inspired by the exhibition Homeward to the Prairie I Come: Photographs by Gordon Parks from the Beach Museum of Art at Kansas State University organized by the Beach Museum with support from Art Bridges, a philanthropic organization dedicated to expanding access to American art. This music and narration event is free and open to the public of all ages courtesy of Art Bridges. It is part of the Gordon Parks Convening at the Ellis Fine Arts Center, March 20 – 22, a collaboration with the Beach Museum of Art and the Gordon Parks Museum funded by Art Bridges. The convening will have over twelve museum professionals from across the nation at Fort Scott learning more about Gordon Parks and his works.
For information on the Gordon Parks: Self Portrait Live Jazz event, contact Kirk Sharp, executive director, (620) 223-2700, ext. 5850, or at [email protected].
Matthew Wells, Tim VanHoecke, Melissa Guns, Dyllon Olson, Tracy Dancer
III. Pledge of Allegiance – T. Dancer/Mayor
Invocation – M. Wells/Commissioner
Approval of Agenda
Consent Agenda
Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1356-A – Expense Approval Report – Payment Dates February 28, 2024 – March 12, 2024 – $387,082.32
Approval of Minutes from March 5, 2024, February 6, 2024, and September 19, 2023 – cannot confirm earlier approval.
February 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 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 with your topic. You will be scheduled on the official agenda to speak on that topic.
Tiger Color Run – Request for Temporary Street Closure – April 26, 2024 – Maple Ridge Park (roadway in Riverfront Park) – 5:00PM – 8:00PM and Temporary Park Closure – April 26, 2024 – 4:00PM – 8:00PM.
Diane Striler – Downtown Ice Rink
Old Business
Approval of Ordinance No. 3762 – AN ORDINANCE REPEALING AND REPLACING ORDINANCE NO. 2383, ORDINANCE NO. 2384 AND ORDINANCE NO. 2393 WHICH ESTABLISHES THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, KASAS, PLANNING COMMISSION, AND ORDIANCE NO. 3497 AMENDING SECTION 2.20.040 MEMBERS APPOINTMENT AND TERMS OF THE MEMBER THEREOF AND DEFINING THEIR DUTIES – Recommended by Planning Commission-February 21, 2024, tabled by City Commission-March 5, 2024- Commission Work Session-March 12, 2024.
Approval of Ordinance No. 3761 – AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 10.04.90 OF ORDINANCE NO. 3486UTLITY TERRAIN VEHICLES (UTV) OF THE FORT SCOTT MUNICIPAL CODE – tabled March 5, 2024, to change verbiage before approval.
Approval of Ordinance No.3763 to repeal Ordinance No. 3060 Requiring a Public Dance License
Approval to correct the numbering of Charter Ordinance No. 32 to Charter Ordinance No. 35.
Consideration of MOU with Bourbon County Senior Citizens, Inc. – tabled from February 20, 2023
Updates on (6) lake lot surveys – J. Dickman
New Business
Public Hearing – Case No. 1043 – Zoning Change from R2-C3 and Conditional Use Permit – Gary W. Cullor and Sally A. Cullor Revocable Trust represented by Kevin F. Mitchelson/Wheeler & Mitchelson Law Firm and Fred Wingert/Advantage Development, LLC. – Recommended by the Planning Commission on February 21, 2024.
Action Items
Consideration to purchase (1) 2024 72” Grasshopper 900D mower under state contract #53340. Item is budgeted for 2024 to replace the Super 104 mower -$21,124.95 – T. Coffman
Consideration to purchase WorkMaster 70 – Tractor for Public Works from R&R Equipment – Sole Vendor – $38,500.00 – T. Coffman
Consideration of CD Reinvestment Bids (2) bids received – Landmark National Bank and UMB Bank – B. Hart
$2,000,000.00 – 12 Months – Settlement Date March 20, 2024 –
Maturity Date June 20, 2024
$1,000,000.00 – 3 months – Settlement Date March 20, 2024 –
Maturity Date June 20, 2024
Discussion of School Zone Speed Limit Signs on National
Discussion of Downtown Parking Time Limit/Yellow Curb Enforcement
Discussion of Codification of Ordinances for City of Fort Scott – L. Lewis
March 18, 2024
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 18, 2024. The meeting will be held in the meeting room of Cleaver-Burris Boileau Hall at Fort Scott Community College.
5:30 p.m. Regular monthly Board meeting
THE AGENDA
5:30 ROLL CALL, 3
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
CALL TO ORDER, 4
A. Comments from the Chair, 4
B. Comments from the Public, 4
C. Review of Programs – Agriculture, 4
CONSENT AGENDA, 5
A. Approval of Agenda, 5
B. Approval of Minutes of previous Regular Board Meeting conducted on February 19,
2024, and Special Board Meeting conducted on February 29, 2024,
C. Approval of Bills and Claims, 9
D. Ratification of Contracts, 30
1. Tri-Valley Shredding Agreement, 30
2. Osawatomie State Hospital Agreement for Clinical Training, 32
E. Approval of Personnel Actions, 5
DISCUSSION ITEMS, 40
A. First Reading of Policies, 40
1. Purchasing
2. Travel Expenses
3. College Vehicle Use
4. Guidelines for Use of FSCC
Facilities
B. Honorary Degree, 45
C. Graduation Ceremony Attendance, 46
ACTION ITEMS, 47
A. Resolution 2024 – 2: Consideration of Sycamore Grove Apartments Lease Agreement, 47
B. Resolution 2024 – 3: Consideration of Board Member Conflict of Interest Policy, 48
C. Resolution 2024 – 4: Consideration of Board Meeting Rules of Order Policy, 49
D. Resolution 2024 – 5: Consideration of Employee Tuition Scholarship Policy, 50
E. Resolution 2024 – 6: Consideration of Campus Closings Due to Weather Policy, 51
F. Resolution 2024 – 7: Consideration of Tuition and Fees for 2024-25 Academic Year, 52
G. Resolution 2024 – 8: Consideration of Agreement Between FSCC and IDEA, 571
H. Resolution 2024 – 9: Consideration of Culinary Arts Memorandum of Understanding
Between FSCC and Southeast Kansas Education Service Center, 58
I. Resolution 2024 – 10: Consideration of Amended Lease Agreement between FSCC and the City of Frontenac, 60
REPORTS, 66
A. Higher Learning Commission
B. Gordon Parks Museum
C. Foundation
D. Administration
EXECUTIVE SESSION, 74
ADJOURNMENT, 75
UPCOMING CALENDAR DATES:
• March 18, 2024 Board Meeting
• April 15, 2024 Board Meeting
• May 20, 2024 Board Meeting
• May 27, 2024 Memorial Day, Campus Closed
• June 17, 2024 Board Meeting
Sincerely,
Bryan Holt, Chair
Jason Kegler, 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
_____ Ronda Bailey
_____ John Bartelsmeyer
_____ Jim Fewins
_____ Bryan Holt
_____ Chad McKinnis
_____ Doug Ropp3
CALL TO ORDER
A. COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR
B. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
C. REVIEW OF PROGRAMS – AGRICULTURE4
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 19, 2024
and Special Board Meeting conducted on February 29, 2024.
C. APPROVAL OF BILLS and CLAIMS
Attached are the Bills and Claims Report.
D. RATIFICATION OF CONTRACTS
Attached are contracts for amounts less than the threshold required for Board approval.
E. APPROVAL OF PERSONNEL ACTIONS
1) Separations
a) Cale Griffiths, Custodian, effective February 29, 2024
b) Lance Coulter, Custodian, effective February 29, 2024
c) Geraldin Alaniz, Iowa MEP, effective February 29, 2024
d) McKinley Ward-LaSalle, Assistant Track/XC Coach, effective February 29, 2024
e) Mary Speyrer, Louisiana MEP, effective February 29, 2024
f) Jolee Carswell, Head Women’s Basketball Coach, effective March 7, 2024
g) Kristen Havron, Cosmetology Instructor, effective March 8, 2024
h) Celina Moses, Assistant Director to Financial Aid, effective March 20, 2024
i) Jared Keylon, Director of Facilities and Operations, effective March 22,
2024
j) DeeDee Cheney, Athletics Secretary, effective March 31, 2024
2) Transfers
a) Sara Sutton, from Agriculture Instructor/Meats Coach to Vice President of Career and Technical Education and Workforce Development, effective July 1, 2024
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the Consent Agenda items be approved as
presented.
BOARD ACTION: MOTION _____ SECOND _____ VOTE _____
DISCUSSION:
VOTE: Bailey Bartelsmeyer Fewins
Holt McKinnis Ropp
