2024 General Election Day Voting Hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. November 5
Letter to the Editor: Vance White
Greetings Bourbon County citizens and voters,
My name is Vance White and I am running as a write in candidate for Bourbon County Attorney. The reason I am running is simple, I can do a much better job. Since 2018, after the last person from here left office, we have had a series of outsiders who have been deficient in at least one serious way, not prosecuting criminals that should be prosecuted. I personally have had a burglary and criminal damage to property case sitting in the County Attorney’s office for nearly three (3) years now. The County Attorney’s office has photographs of the perpetrators, and I believe there are confessions, but nothing has been done. I have heard from other crime victims around the county, with similar stories, who have pretty much given up. That’s not the way it’s supposed to work folks, and I promise that if you elect me things will change. Cases will be expeditiously prosecuted and crime victims will be treated with respect, including letters sent out updating them about their cases.
This would not be my first time working in the County Attorney’s office. I “cut my teeth” there many years ago as an intern and Assistant County Attorney under the late John L. Swarts III. It was under his tenure that I learned early on that crime victims have rights too, should be treated fairly and never ignored. I have been around Bourbon County since 1992 and currently reside in Fulton. I am a proud member of Community Christian Church and an honorably discharged U.S. Army veteran.
So, if you would like to see a County Attorney working in that office who has lived here almost half his life, knows many people here already and is committed to his job, please WRITE IN MY NAME in the box for County Attorney. Thank you for your consideration!
Best regards,
Vance White
120 W. Osage St.
Fulton, KS 66738
Family Movie Night at Memorial Hall on November 9
The Fort Scott Sons of American Legion, a part of the local American Legion has planned a family movie night for Saturday, November 9 at Memorial Hall that will feature the family-friendly movie, Free Birds.
Doors open at 6 p.m. and the movie starts at 6:30 p.m.
Please bring lawn chairs, blankets, and/or pillows, it will be like an outdoor movie, but inside Memorial Hall, 1 East Third.
Free Birds is a 2013 science fiction comedy Thanksgiving movie, in which Jake and Reggie travel back in time to the year 1621, just before the first Thanksgiving. The plan: Prevent all turkeys from ever becoming holiday dinners, according to rottentomatoes.com.
“When I was a kid, a fun thing to do was going to the movies with my brother,” said L.W. Beerbower, a member of the Sons of Veterans. “We wanted to do something that brings the family together and doesn’t break the budget.”
The group had a mock run with their families recently and “my kids are still talking about it,” he said.
Admission is $1 per person and each child must be accompanied by an adult.
Concessions will be available.
“Fort Scott City Manager Brad Matkin has let us use the popcorn maker from the LaRoche Stadium Complex,” he said. “Candy and pop will be available to purchase.”
The group has its own projector and inflatable movie screen, and are in the process of planning for a movie next month as well, he said.
Ice Skating Rink Fundraiser: Pumpkin Rolls, Order by November 6
Eat At Sharky’s Today to Help Fundraise for the new Ice Skating Rink
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The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Nov. 4
Right In The Middle by Carolyn Tucker
Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker
Right in the Middle
First thing in the morning, quite often I will step out onto the front porch to scrutinize the weather. One morning I was amazed to witness dark clouds to the west, thunder in the north, pleasant skies to the south, and sunshine to the east. It was a very mixed bag of elements. And where was I? Right in the middle of it. This scenario reminded me of life because some days are happy-go-lucky and some are tempestuous with no storm warning.
On stormy days or seasons, I must remember Psalm 68:5 which I have paraphrased on an index card that sits on my computer: “God is a father to the fatherless and a protector of the widow.” Interestingly, I am both fatherless and a widow. But I’m also rich according to God‘s heavenly storehouse. One definition of rich is: plentiful; a full supply; abundant provision. Apostle Paul wrote to the Church in Philippi and reminded them, “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19 KJV).
Christ followers are rich in our heavenly Father’s love. We’re rich in His mercies every morning. We’re rich in His forgiveness. We’re rich in His protection. We’re rich in His peace, and the list could go on. As the Almighty Everlasting Father, God supplies us with whatever we need in every aspect. When children need something, all they have to do is ask their parents for it. When (not if) we have a stormy day with desperate needs, we too are to ask our Father and then, “Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for Him to act“ (Psalm 37:7 NLT).
On one of my darkest days a few years ago, I placed a magnet on my refrigerator that read, “Even when you don’t see it, God is working things out for your good.“ That statement based on Romans 8:28 gave me hope that the present storm would eventually end. Not every storm that hits is in the forecast, so the magnet remains in plain sight to encourage me whenever I find myself in the middle of another storm. From his own experience, King David wrote, “God’s glory is all around me! His wrap-around presence is all I need, for the Lord is my Savior, my hero, and my life-giving strength. Join me, everyone! Trust only in God every moment. Tell Him all your troubles and pour out your heart-longings to Him. Believe me when I tell you — He will help you!” (Psalm 62:7,8 TPT). As Bro. Smith, my childhood pastor, would say, “God is still on the throne.”
If we believers could really grasp the truth that there’s no risk of failure with God, we wouldn’t let worry and anxiety paralyze us when the storms of life hit us square in the face. We don’t like the painful experience, but our faith grows during the roughest times in our life. I want to be like King David and have a bold, unshakeable, triumphant faith that doesn’t tear to shreds when the stormwinds blow.
Let these scriptures settle your soul and give you peace: “I will greatly protect you. I will set you in a high place, safe and secure before My face. I will answer your cry for help every time you pray, and you will find and feel My presence even in your time of pressure and trouble” (Psalm 91:14-15 TPT).
The Key: Where is Jesus when the storms of life hit? Right in the middle with us.
Feeling Stretched as a Caregiver?
It’s a fact, caregivers have higher levels of stress than non-caregivers. If you are serving as a caregiver to a loved one, I want you to know you are fulfilling a valuable role! I also want you to know, that it is ok to take care of yourself too.
While we can’t stop stress from occurring, we can help manage it. Too much stress, especially over a long time, can harm your health. You may not get enough sleep or physical activity, or eat a balanced diet — which increases your risk of medical problems.
The following are some ideas to help you manage your caregiver stress:
- Take a break from caregiving. Take a walk or meet up with a friend. Do something not related to caregiving.
- Get support. Attend a support group, have a friend you can call just to let off steam, or look for community resources.
- Read a book, meditate, pray, garden, knit, take a long bath.
- Take care of your health. Go to the doctor, get routine exams and flu shots, get enough sleep, and eat your fruits and vegetables.
- Change “guilt” to “regret.” Guilt means you did something wrong, regret means that you are in a difficult situation and sometimes you have to make difficult decisions, but they are not wrong.
- Forgive yourself—often. You cannot be a perfect caregiver, all day, every day.
- Ask for and accept help when offered. No one can do this alone. We often don’t know what to say when someone offers help. Prepare for this and create a task list to have ready. When someone asks you if they can help, refer to your list and say “YES.” Let them choose what task on the list they would like to do!
- And finally….Laugh. Find ways to keep your sense of humor on a daily basis.
For more information contact Tara Solomon-Smith, tsolomon@ksu.edu, or call 620-244-3826.
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Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service
In-Person Advance Voting Ends at Noon on November 4
What’s Happening In Fort Scott Nov. 1 Newsletter
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Agenda for the Nov. 5 City of Fort Scott Meeting
NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR REGULAR
MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
City Hall Commission Room – 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
November 5, 2024 – 6:00 P.M.
- Call to Order
- Roll Call
Tim VanHoecke, Matthew Wells, Dyllon Olson, Kathryn Salsbury, Tracy Dancer
III. Pledge of Allegiance
- Invocation
- Approval of Agenda
- Consent Agenda
- Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1371-A – Expense Approval Report – Payment Dates of October 10, 2024 – October 29, 2024 – $ 673,364.99
- Approval of Minutes for October 15, 2024.
- Approval of Ordinance No. 3772 – AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 10.04 OF THE FORT SCOTT MUNICIPAL CODE TO INCORPORATE STANDARD TRAFFIC ORDINANCES for changes in STO for the 51st Edition of the Standard Traffic Ordinances publish in 2024
- Approval of Ordinance No. 3773 – AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 10.05 REGULATING PUBLIC OFFENSES WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, KANSAS; INCORPORATING BY REVERENCE THE UNIFORM PUBLIC OFFENSE CODE FOR KANSAS CITIES, 40TH EDITION, “WITH CERTAIN OMISSIONS, CHANGES, AND ADDITION; PRESCIRBING ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS; AND PROVIDE CERTAIN PENALTIES
- Request to Pay – Earles Engineering & Inspection, Inc. – Invoice #17591 – Project No. 24-414 – Horton St. and 6th Improvements – Salary – $24,423.45
- Request to Pay – Earles Engineering & Inspection, Inc. – Pay Estimate No. 6 – Invoice #17589 – KDOT Project No. 06 KA-6898-01 – EEI Project No. 23-15A/ US-54 CCLIP Phase I – Design 67.8% – $24,483.14
- Request to Pay – Project No. 24-414 – Horton St. & 6th Street Improvements – Heck & Wicker, Inc. – Application for Payment No. 4 – $402,686.80
VII. Public Comment – Sign up required before the beginning of the meeting on register at the entrance of the Commission Room. Public Comments are for any topic not on the agenda and limited to five (5) minutes per person, at the Commission’s discretion.
VIII. Appearances – Must be scheduled with the City Clerk at least (1) week prior to the meeting
you wish to address the Commission. You will be scheduled on the agenda to speak on your topic.
- Casey Brown/Community Engagement Coordinator of SEK-CAP – Update on current ridership and request for (2) Letter of Support and Matching Funds Request to continue services in 2025.
- Representative from American Legion – To discuss Memorial Hall meeting room.
- Unfinished Business
- Status of Building at 118 E. Wall – L. Kruger
- New Business
Public Hearing:
- Resolution No. 33-2024 – RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE REPAIR OR REMOVAL OF AN ALLEGED UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE AT 418 S. COUCH – Tabled from October 15, 2024 – L. Kruger
- Consideration to Approve a Conditional Use Permit for a Verizon Telecommunication Tower at 2317 Maple – Planning Commission Case No. 1046 – Not recommended by the Planning Commission on October 2, 2024 – N. Nation
- Consideration to Approve a Rezoning Request from Commercial 1 (C1) to Industrial 2 (I2) at 602 E. 10th Street for the Purpose of Vehicle Storage and (Possible) Repair – Planning Commission Case No. 1048 – Recommended for Approval by the Planning Commission on October 2, 2024 – N. Nation
- Consideration of Petition to Vacate a Portion of Alley in Southside Park Addition submitted by Jason Marbery – N. Nation
Action Items:
- Approval of Annual Christmas Parade Permit on December 5, 2024 – B. Matkin
- Consideration of Bids for WWTP Maintenance and Installation Services – S. Flater
- Consideration of Bids for Demolition of Structures: 1721 E. Wall, 323 W. Wall, 1619 E. Pine and 402 S. Lowman – Kruger
- Consideration for approval to remove (2) FAA-owned Visual Approach Slope Indicators (VASI) at Fort Scott Municipal Airport and replace with (2) City-owned Precision Approach Path Indicators (PAPI) – M. Wyatt/Planning, Housing and Business Development Director and Bryan Matkin/Asst. Manager-FSK
- Consideration of Approval to Pay Invoice #161277 – Champlin Tire Recycling, Inc. – $31,200.00 – $15,500.00 from Parks Tax Fund – $15,600.00 from KDHE Waste Tire Grant Program awarded January 2024 requiring 50/50 match – Wyatt
- Consideration of Annual Holiday Bonus for City Employees – Matkin
- Reports and Comments
- City Manager Comments
- Engineering Comments
- Commissioners Comments
- City Attorney Comments
XII. Adjourn