Opinion

Cataracts and Logs by Carolyn Tucker

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Keys to the Kingdom by Carolyn Tucker

Cataracts and Logs

At a recent family gathering to celebrate two birthdays and one wedding anniversary, I was talking about how dim my car’s interior lights were. Well, immediately my daughter and son started joking about cataracts. And I responded, “Yes! I do have cataracts (unbeknownst to them) in both eyes! But compared to the lights in my previous vehicle, these are simply not as bright!” Well, then both of them guffawed about me “having a log in my eye” preventing me from seeing well. My kids are pros at turning an ordinary conversation into a nutty comedy routine…and I’m usually the butt of the joke. And I’m usually the one laughing the loudest.

But no one was laughing when Jesus spoke about our “eye” in the New Testament. He  was clearly illustrating that Christ followers must conduct a thorough self-examination before criticizing and judging others. Jesus didn’t pussyfoot around when He spoke to those gathered about Him: “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ’Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye” (Matthew 7:3-5 NLT). Jesus didn’t want His followers displaying the same fault of criticism like the Pharisees.

A lack of love and mercy always distorts our vision of others. Judging someone else has been described as casually looking at ourselves through rose-colored glasses but   scrutinizing our fellowman with a magnifying glass. Why would believers be so determined to focus on one flaw in someone else’s life when we have multiple glaring flaws of our own? It’s so easy to try to set someone straight when we’re not evaluating ourselves honestly and truthfully according to God’s Word.

Other Bible translation comparisons are: sawdust and beam; very small particle and beam of timber; splinter and telephone pole; little piece of dust and big piece of wood. Jesus was teaching in hyperbole to get us to understand and remember the seriousness of judging and being critical. I certainly understand this method of exaggeration. When my late husband and I were newlyweds, I couldn’t seem to remember that he preferred mayonnaise over whipped salad dressing on his sandwich. Finally, after forgetting several times, he very calmly used hyperbole to get his point across: “I would rather have dog poop on my sandwich than whipped salad dressing.“ Welp, I finally got it and I never forgot it either!

Jesus wants His followers to honor God by simply living in humility and honesty. This enables us to be in a position to really love, care, and help serve others. The problem with judging others is that we always set ourselves above those we judge. Oswald Chambers warned his readers: “Beware of anything that puts you in the superior person’s place.“ Jesus’ words strongly suggest that it would be well for the critic to remove the huge obstruction from his/her eye first before attempting to retrieve the itsy-bitsy particle from someone else’s eye. In other words, clean up your own backyard before you criticize your neighbor’s. What Jesus is basically saying on the Sermon on the Mount is, “You can’t help the other fellow until you get rid of that critical attitude you have” ~ Ralph Earle.

The Key: Don’t let cataracts or logs impede your vision when trying to help others.

Bourbon County

10/14/25 Bourbon County Commission Agenda Outline

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The north wing, east side of the Bourbon County Courthouse.

Bourbon County Commission Agenda Outline

Agenda 10.14.25

Bourbon County Commission Chambers, 210 S National Ave. Please note, the regular Monday meeting has been moved to Tuesday, October 14, 2025, 5:30 PM due to the October 13 holiday (Page 1)

I. Call to Order

  • Roll Call
  • Pledge of Allegiance
  • Prayer

III. Approvals

  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Minutes (unofficial until approved): 09.15.25, 09.16.25, 09.22.25, 09.23.25, 09.26.25, 09.29.25, 10.06.25, 10.07.25

IV. Executive Session

  • Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy – Milburn-Kee

V. Consent Agenda

  • Approval of 10.10.25 Accounts Payable $161,009.81
  • Approval of tax corrections

VI. Discussion Item

  • Dustin Hall & Kenny Allen – Trailer Reconsideration

VII. Public Comments

  • Public Comments for Items Not on The Agenda

VIII. Old Business

  • Culverts
  • 190th Street Benefit District
  • Eagle Road
  • 95th & Unique
  • Craw-Kan Agreement
  • Planning Commission
  • Elevator
  • Letter of Support Care Van
  • Bitcoin Mining Discussion
  • Meetings Resolution
  • Tri-Valley Agreement for 2025
  • Law Enforcement Resolution
  • KDEM (FEMA required documentation)
  • Subrecipient Audit Requirements
  • Title VI Civil Rights Form
  • Title VI Civil Rights Policy Plan
  • Notice of Nondiscrimination
  • Title VI Complaint Form

IX. New Business

  • County Clerk – Election Schedule
  • Fence Viewing Application David Bailey & Payton Farr

X. Department Updates

XI. Build Agenda for following meeting

XII. Commission Comments

XIII. Adjournment

Detailed Summary of Information Packet

Future Agenda Items and Executive Session Statutes (Page 2)

  • Executive Session Statutes: Lists the statutory grounds for executive sessions, including KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) for personnel, (b)(2) for attorney consultation, (b)(3) for employer/employee negotiations, and (b)(6) for preliminary discussion of real estate acquisition.
  • Future Agenda Items: Upcoming topics include the Vehicle Lease Program, 108 W. 2nd, Credit Card Policy, Economic Development, Bitcoin Mining, Juvenile Detention Contract, Gov.Deals, Sanitation Worksession, and Phone System.

County Clerk Memorandum Re: Meeting Minutes (Page 3)

  • The County Clerk, Susan Walker, informed the Commission that she has acquired a program to transcribe meetings into a summarized format to significantly reduce administrative time.
  • A full, detailed transcript is still available for historical reference. She requests that speakers avoid interrupting one another to ensure more accurate voice identification by the new system.

Summary of Minutes: Monday, September 15, 2025 (Pages 4–9)

  • Budget: The county’s budget situation was described as “challenging,” and a public hearing was held. A special meeting was planned for the next day to finalize the budget (Page 4).
  • Radio System Upgrades: The Commission approved funding for Phase One of the first responder radio system upgrade project with Tusa Consulting Services, costing $32,680, using the jail sales tax fund (Page 5, 8).
  • Phone System: The Sheriff was approved to use $10,884 from the jail sales tax fund to upgrade the jail’s phone system (Page 5, 8).
  • Elevator: Due to non-compliance with state regulations, the Clerk was authorized to apply for a variance to continue current courthouse elevator operations while exploring modernization options (Page 5, 8).
  • Roads: The Commission accepted responsibility for the maintenance of 2,226 feet of North Union Road in Mapleton, Kansas (Page 7). Discussion on the status of the 95th & Unique Road was deferred for legal consultation (Page 5).

Summary of Minutes: Special Meeting, Tuesday, September 16, 2025 (Pages 10–12)

  • Final Mill Levy: After an extensive line-item review of the budget, the Commissioners reached a consensus on a final mill levy set at 59.930 (Page 11).
  • Financial Impact: This decision was expected to result in a cash reserve of approximately $450,000 (Page 11).
  • Budget Adjustments: The 2026 budget was agreed to include a transfer of $250,000 from the County Sales Tax fund to the Law Enforcement fund, an allocation of $90,750 for SEK Health Board, and the Mental Health allocation was cut (Page 12).

Summary of Minutes: Monday, September 22, 2025 (Pages 13–17)

  • Budget Shortfall: A potential $106,000 shortfall was identified in the Sheriff’s Department 2026 budget (Page 13). A special meeting was scheduled for the next day to address this.
  • Vehicle Leasing: A proposal for a law enforcement vehicle leasing program through Enterprise Fleet Management was presented, and the Commission requested legal counsel review the contract (Page 13).
  • Planning Commission: Seven individuals were approved to serve on the newly formed Bourbon County Planning Commission with one, two, and three-year terms (Page 17).

Summary of Minutes: Special Meeting, Tuesday, September 23, 2025 (Pages 18–20)

  • Budgetary Issues: Cuts were made to the IT budget and the emergency preparedness position to move towards a revenue-neutral budget (Page 18).
  • Sheriff’s Revenue: Discussion was held regarding the legality of a separate fund for the Sheriff’s Department’s inmate housing revenue (Page 18, 19).

Summary of Minutes: Special Meeting, Friday, September 26, 2025 (Pages 21–23)

  • Budget Finalization: The Commissioners reached a consensus on the 2026 budget, setting the mill levy at 56.678, which is below revenue neutral (Page 21).
  • Budget Review: The finalized budget is to be reviewed by a third-party auditor for a cost not to exceed $1,500 (Page 21).

Summary of Minutes: Monday, September 29, 2025 (Pages 24–28)

  • Craw-Kan Agreement: The Commission decided to enter into a three-year contract with Craw-Kan for internet and phone systems at $100,000 per year (Page 24).
  • Roads: The Commission approved a grant application and a county contribution of $82,000 for Bridge Number 19.2Q on Jayhawk Road (Page 28).

Summary of Minutes: Monday, October 6, 2025 (Pages 29–30)

  • Trailer Purchase: Public Works received approval to purchase an $85,000 walking floor trailer for the landfill (Page 29).
  • Bitcoin Mining: The Sheriff advised the Commission to consult with the County Attorney and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) regarding noise concerns, citing limitations in his office’s ability to enforce a noise resolution (Page 29).

Summary of Minutes: Special Meeting, Tuesday, October 7, 2025 (Pages 31–32)

  • Public Works Authority: The Commission voted to retain sole authority to direct the Public Works Department (Page 31).
  • Elected Official Pay: The Commission voted to set the pay for elected officials at $5,000 per year, effective January 1, 2026 (Page 31).

Accounts Payable Details (Pages 33–68)

  • This section contains the detailed breakdown of the Accounts Payable for 10/10/25, which totals $161,009.81 and is scheduled for approval on the agenda.

Care Van Letter of Support (Page 69)

  • A draft letter of support is included for Building Health Inc.’s (BHI) application to the Kansas Department of Transportation for the operation of General Public Transportation (Care Van). The letter expresses the Commission’s support for BHI’s services.
K-State Extension

Fall Brush Control by Lonnie Mengarelli

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Lonnie Mengarelli. Submitted photo.

Fall Is a Good Time to Control Woody Plants in Pastures

Late summer and fall are excellent seasons to tackle unwanted trees and brush in pastures. Cooler weather slows forage growth, but woody plants continue to store energy in their roots, making control efforts more effective. Left unchecked, species like elm, locust, osage orange (hedge) , and Russian olive can quickly spread and reduce valuable forage production.

Two of the most common methods for controlling scattered trees are basal bark and cut-stump treatments.

  • Basal bark method: For smaller trees (less than 4–6 inches in diameter), spray the lower 12–15 inches of the trunk with a mixture containing triclopyr (sold under trade names such as Remedy Ultra or Pathfinder II) in diesel fuel. The spray should thoroughly wet all sides of the stem down to the ground line. Ready-to-use products such as Pathfinder II are available, and premixes like PastureGard HL are also effective.
  • Cut-stump method: For larger trees, cut the trunk off at ground level, then immediately treat the freshly cut surface with herbicide. The cambium layer (the light-colored wood just inside the bark) is the most important area to cover. Triclopyr solutions work well, and dicamba products such as Clarity or Sterling Blue are also effective on many species. Treat the cut surface with triclopyr and diesel fuel within 30-60 minutes before the sap seals over the exposed area.Eastern red cedar is an exception—simply cut it below the lowest green branch, and the tree will not resprout.

Keep in mind that many common pasture trees, such as ash, elm, oak, persimmon, locust, and willow, will sprout vigorously from stumps or roots if left untreated. Treating them correctly the first time will prevent multi-stemmed clumps from forming.

Producers have several herbicide options, and the right choice depends on species, tree size, and site conditions. Always check the product label for mixing directions, grazing or haying restrictions, and site use approvals. For example, Tordon RTU and Pathway can only be used in non-cropland areas like fence rows or rights-of-way, not in pastures.

Application can be done with backpack sprayers, ATV-mounted sprayers with hand wands, or even paintbrushes for small jobs. For cutting, tools like hydraulic shears or saws equipped with spray nozzles can make the process more efficient.

Tips for success:

  • Always follow the directions on the herbicide label.
  • Before spraying, brush any sawdust or debris off the cut surface.
  • Apply herbicide to freshly cut stump (30-60min after).
  • Spray cut surface and stump to ground level.
  • Spray exposed roots above the soil surface.
  • The cambium layer is the critical area to spray.
  • Apply enough liquid that it pools on the cut surface.

With the right timing and technique, fall treatments can help keep woody plants in check and protect valuable pasture forage for livestock.

Lonnie Mengarelli is a K-State Research and Extension Agriculture agent assigned to Southwind District. He may be reached at [email protected] or 620-223-3720

Elections, Government

U.S. Congressman Derek Schmidt Newsletter

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Rep. Derek Schmidt's header image

Friends,

 

Three weeks ago today, the House passed a bipartisan bill to keep the government funded through November 21. Because Senate Democrats continue to block that clean continuing resolution in the Senate — voting against it seven times now — the federal government has now been shut down for 10 days. Many critical federal workers, including our military, air traffic controllers, TSA agents and our border patrol will soon miss paychecks.

Shamelessly, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and other Congressional Democrats are using these workers as leverage for their demands of $1.5 trillion in reckless spending. Earlier this week, Schumer admitted they are playing political games with these employees’ livelihoods:

Senator Schumer and his allies think scoring political points and appeasing their most radical members is more important than reopening our government, paying our troops and other essential workers. They can reopen the government immediately by ending their blockade, passing the House’s continuing resolutions and allowing the regular appropriations process to move forward.

 

I have cosponsored the Pay Our Troops Act, which would ensure that our men and women in uniform would continue to get paid during government shutdowns and not used as political pawns in future budget disputes. I am supporting similar legislation to keep paying our air traffic controllers.

Defense Bill Advances in the Senate

While the Senate remains gridlocked on the government-funding bill, I am grateful that last night they took up and passed their version of the FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the annual legislative package to authorize funding for every aspect of our military for the upcoming year.

 

The Senate adopted an amendment that I worked on along with Sen. Moran that will improve veterans’ access to care at Department of Defense healthcare facilities like Irwin Army Community Hospital at Ft. Riley.

 

The House passed its version of the NDAA last month. House and Senate Armed Services Committee leadership will now work on resolving the differences between the bills and present a final version for both chambers to vote on in the coming weeks.
Constituent Services

As a reminder, my offices in Washington, Topeka and Pittsburg remain open, despite the shutdown, and available to help with federal agencies including the VA, Social Security, and the IRS.

 

Regrettably, our ability to help with some of these situations may be affected, as many departments and agencies will not be processing casework during the shutdown. However, that work will resume once federal funding is resolved. If you are experiencing an issue with a federal agency, please call my office at (785) 205-5253 or fill out the form on our website, and we will work with you on the paperwork that must be completed so we can file your case as soon as we are able.

During my time in Washington this week, I was pleased to welcome Kansans from the Nature Conservancy, as well as representatives from Proctor and Gamble, which operates a facility in Kansas City, Kansas.
Opinion

The Unknowns by Patty LaRoche

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Patty LaRoche. 2023.
Author: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection
www.alittlefaithlift.com
AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Assoc.)

Do the names “Fortunatus” and “Achaicus” and “Stephanas” ring a bell? How about Epanetus, Andronicus, Junias, Ampliatus, Urbanus, Stachys, Apelles, Aristobulus, Herodion, Narcissus, Tryphaena, Tryphosa, Persis, Asyncritus, Phlegon and Hermes? Probably not names you considered naming your child.

Hint: they have to do with Paul in the Bible. You’ve got it? Great.

These are people in Paul’s life who assisted him in his ministry and were thanked by Paul for their contributions. They were little-known men and women who came alongside him to help where there was a need but known enough for Paul to give them recognition in his letters to Jewish converts.

For most of us, we probably have hundreds of “unknowns” with whom we have crossed paths who have made our lives better, those who without fanfare were there for us when we needed them most. I am blessed to have those people in my life. My brother David was one of them.

I remember the time my car was in the shop, my husband away on a baseball trip, and the only person I knew I could call was David. “No problem” was his answer, a familiar expression he used the many times I needed him. He pulled up in his junker truck, told me I needed to sit right next to him because there was a hole in the floor under the mat on the passenger side, and when I told him I thought that was weird, he said, “Suit yourself, but if I slam on the brakes and we come to a screeching halt, you might find yourself under the truck.”

I sat next to my brother. Better safe than weird, I guess.

To see what was behind him when he was driving, David reached under his driver’s seat and pulled out the side mirror that had broken off his truck. He proudly held it out the window, moving it to get the right angle. He thought nothing of it. I cracked up but knew, Beggars can’t be choosers.

David stopped for every hitchhiker and traveler in trouble. One day, he picked up a bicyclist, drove him to his farmhouse and let him sleep on the couch while David fixed his tire. He loved coaching and would call his players “French fries” if they messed up. Every player mattered to him, sometimes enough to discipline harshly so they would learn a valuable lesson. Countless nights, the lights would come on at the baseball field across from where we lived. There was David, working with a player who couldn’t sleep and asked for extra batting practice.

Not surprisingly, he died from a chain saw accident, sawing wood for widows who depended on him for their home’s heat. I never knew how much he did for others until his funeral when people shared endless stories about his sacrifice to improve their lives.

I have a feeling that we are going to be shocked at the people we see in Heaven, those “no-names” who spent more time on their knees than on their feet, those unsung heroes who never were about accolades or praise but, like Paul’s pals, were there at the right time to make others’ lives better. I pray I am one of those people. I hope you do too.

Fort Scott, Government, Schools

USD234 Board Agenda For Oct. 13

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Unified School District 234

424 South Main

Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697

www.usd234.org

620-223-0800   Fax 620-223-2760

 

DESTRY BROWN                                                                                                                                                  

Superintendent                                                                                                                                             

 

 

 

 

BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING

October 13, 2025 – 5:30 P.M.

AGENDA PUBLIC

1.0       Call Meeting to Order                                                                      David Stewart, President

2.0       Flag Salute

3.0       Approval of the Official Agenda (Action Item)

4.0       Approval of the Consent Agenda (Action Item)

            4.1       Board Minutes

                                    09-11-25

            4.2       Financials – Cash Flow Report

            4.3       Check Register

            4.4       Payroll – September 20, 2025 – $1,796,795.06

4.5       Activity Funds Accounts

4.6       USD 234 Gifts

4.7       Resolution 25-12 – Add/Correct Bank Signers Middle School

4.8       Declare Surplus Property – Vehicles to be sold at auction

5.0       Leadership Reports (Information/Discussion Item)

            5.1       Superintendent’s Report (Destry)  

5.2       Assistant Superintendent’s Report (Zach)

            5.3       Assistant Superintendent’s Report (Terry)

            5.4       Special Education Director’s Report

 

6.0       Winfield Scott Presentation

7.0       New Business

            7.1       Donation to Fort Scott Community College – Bus #14 (Action Item)

            7.2       2026 Health Insurance Renewal (Action Item)

            7.3       Wrestling Mats and Wall Pads Purchase (Action Item)

            7.4       Wrestling Locker Room Lockers and Benches Bids (Action Item)

 

8.0       Public Forum

9.0       Other Business – Personnel Matters – Time __________

 

10.0     Adjourn Meeting _____ (Time)            David Stewart, President

 

 

Art, Gordon Parks Museum

2025 Gordon Parks Celebration Poetry Contest Winners Named

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Fort Scott, Kan. — Winners of the Gordon Parks Museum Poetry Contest sponsored by Helen Townsend and
Trabar Associates, have been selected.

The theme was “What Does Your Heart See?”

A record 41 entries were received. The winner of First Place was Angele Martinez, Nevada. MO, with the poem
titled, “Shot Photo of the Heart”. Second Place was Liam-Warren Acaeron, Chicago, IL with the poem, “The
Stern of You and Me”. And Third Place was Corine Gaston. Tulsa, OK with the poem, “For Evelyn”.

There were four Honorable Mentions named:
Marissa Byers, Indianapolis, IN, with the poem titled ” Searching Seeing” Tracey Seals, Fort Scott, KS, with the poem titled, “What My Heart Sees” Aaliyah Teague, Wichita, KS with the poem titled, “The Middle Child” Raegan Neufeld, Pittsburg, KS with the poem titled, “My Home On the Prairie”

First, Second, and Third place winners received cash prizes of $200, $150, and $100 respectively.

This poetry contest is inspired by a quote from Gordon Parks, “I feel it is the heart, not the eye, that
should determine the content of the photograph. What the eye sees is its own. What the heart can
perceive is a very different matter.”

Poets were invited to capture the essence of the theme.

Judges for the photo contest were Annette Hope-Billings and Poet, Cash Hollistah.

The poetry exhibit will be
on display on the Gordon Parks Museum facebook page facebook.com/fsccgpmuseum/ and the museum’s
website gordonparkscenter.org.

Angele Martinez, Nevada. MO, with the poem
titled, “Shot Photo of the Heart”

SHOT PHOTO OF THE HEART
Click.
Not to own.
To listen.
Listen to what beats.
Silence…
then a burst !
The heart opening :
It’s the camera lens.
To look ?
No. To feel.
Before shape,
Before contour,
Before the world even knows
It exists !
The eye may take
But it is the heart that receives !
Receives what we feel,
Echoing everywhere.
Where ?
Everywhere !
In streets,
In shadows,
In faces.
To catch the ephemeral
Which is only ephemeral in the moment
Because the message itself is powerful !
To capture the world
until it passes through us !
The world,
Not seen
But touched,
Then leaving…
More complex,
More real,
Carrying the moment away.

Liam-Warren Acaeron, Chicago, IL with the poem, “The
Stern of You and Me”

THE STERN OF U & ME
From the bleak of my now, I make a U-
turn, to see what my life of art must have navigated—
like 1996, when I used to palm a K1000,
strapped around my neck, lens dangling over my chest—
my art must have eyed all the better wearer of jeans,
must have zoomed into my guitar case a few feet away
a slice of the strap that held my dad’s yashica,
my art must still see the old crevices where
plaque was once pastries and pepsi, see
the chest that bounded when I heard Dad
is dead.
my art must still see this chest that caved in and out,
late at night, when I walked to the edge of the lake waters,
I can’t swim, I walked on, my body underwater, neck above surface,
until
my feet touched sand no more. Must still see this chest
that was pushed by a mysterious wave, back to the shore, and
I lived
to change my mind about unliving.
Must still see a microcosmically bent chest from a punch
at my homeless shelter, because
I have a lot of torn power, bold or be a bell, just
compressed when I wheezed in winter from a mild pneumonia,
my life of art eyes a stable ribcage from carrying fifty-pound
groceries from pantry to Mom, unmindful
of my spine, tapped of so much burden,
crimson blood to burgundy when it was 92 degrees
of walking miles from my Skokie Village to Howard train station.
Just now, I heart that there were once chiefs who met eagles
just to raid the future for a bow.
Just now, a goose and a car honk before the oncoming traffic
of snowstorm, to oversee this memo
that I am still a hull, for better shots,
between my stern and your meadow.

Corine Gaston,Tulsa, OK with the poem, “For Evelyn”.

For Evelyn
We used to walk and say hello to the trees,
the creeping phlox, the rockpools
She taught me how to hold my thumb
as a perch for the monarchs
Migrating through the pine barrens
and on and on over the tea-colored lake
I see a picture of the park with the chain-link fence
She points: I chased off boys
Throwing their shoes over the powerlines
And the forest is falling through me again.
Then one summer, she lay in hospice
and called out to god, her thin body all pain.
She held my hand tight in her grip
and when she was ready to go, she let go.
The morning light shined on
like it was any other day.
There was moss on the magnolia.
Clouded moonlight lifting its cloth from the tide
It brought me to my knees–my grandmother’s body
without my grandmother.
We buried her in a box and
slid the coffin into a granite wall.
She loved butterflies and dogwoods,
Dipping one hand in the rockpool
Watching the seaplanes through a lens–
Watching a single star bleeding white against blue
As if she said I’ve had enough of this earth.
Let me be reborn with one foot on the sky.

 

Uncategorized

2025 Gordon Parks Celebration Photo Contest Winners Named

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Winners of the Gordon Parks Museum photo contest,
sponsored by Merl Humphrey Photography and Don Thompson Images, have been selected.

This year’s
theme was, “What Does Your Heart See?”.
141 entries were received, which was the highest number of entries ever.

First Place was Yasser Alaa
Mobarak, Alexandria Egypt, with the photo titled “Nepali Woman.”

 

Second Place was Kevin B. Jones, San
Francisco, CA, with the photo “2025 Cuba Revisited #2.”

 

and Third Place was Jacki Lunberg, Fort Scott, KS,
with the photo, “My Baby You’ll Be.”

There were five Honorable Mentions named: “Turn the Page” by KrystalCarter, (Las Vegas, NV), “Not Forgotten” by Mark Dolf, (Tulsa, OK), “SalsaFeet” by Robert D. Little, Stillwater, OK), “Best Friends Forever” by LeyaJanine, (Wichita KS). and ”A Love Without Words” by Mika Milburn,(Fulton, KS).

First, Second, and Third place winners received cash prizes of $200, $75, and $50 respectively.

This photo contest was inspired by a quote from Gordon Parks, “I feel it is the heart, not the eye, that should determine the content of the photograph. What the eye sees is its own. What the heart can perceive is a very different matter. Photographers were invited to capture the essence of the theme.

Judges for the photo contest was professional photographer, Veretta Cobler and, established creative director designer, Donna Fumoso.

The photo exhibitwill be on display on the Gordon Parks Museum facebook page facebook.com/fsccgpmuseum/ and the museum’s website
gordonparkscenter.org.

###

Fort Scott Community College, Government

FSCC Holds Special Meeting on Oct. 13

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The Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting on Monday, October 13 at 12:30 pm in the Cleaver-Boileau-Burris Agriculture Building for meeting with the Higher Learning Commission peer review team.

The board will meet with the peer review team from 12:30 pm – 1:15 pm, and no action will be taken during this time.

At the conclusion of their time with the peer review team, but not before 1:15 pm, the board will take action on personnel items.

 

 

Juley McDaniel

Director of Human Resources

Fort Scott Community College

Bourbon County, Government

Uniontown City Council Agenda for Oct. 14, Unapproved Minutes of Sept. 9 Meeting

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2025 Financials-September

The monthly meeting of the Uniontown City Council is Oct. 14 at 7 p.m.

ROLL CALL:  ___ Jess Ervin ___ Amber Kelly ___ Mary Pemberton ___ Savannah Pritchett

 ___ Bradley Stewart

 

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS

 

 

CITIZENS REQUESTS

 

 

FINANCIAL REPORT

Sally Johnson – Financial reports

 

APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA

  1. Minutes of September 9, 2025 Regular Meeting
  2. September Treasurers Report, Profit & Loss Report by Class & October Accounts Payables

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Codes Enforcement:  Doug Coyan

 

 

Superintendent:  Bobby Rich

 

 

 

Clerk Report:  Haley Arnold

 

 

COUNCIL & COMMITTEE REPORTS

Councilman Ervin –

Councilman Kelly –

Councilwoman Pemberton –

Councilwoman Pritchett –

Councilman Stewart–

Mayor Jurgensen –

 

OLD BUSINESS

SEED Grant –

 

FEMA Flooding–

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

 

ADJOURN Time ____________ Moved by ______________, 2nd ___________________, Approved ___________

 

 

Unapproved minutes of the Sept. 9 meeting:

The Regular Council Meeting on September 9, 2025 at Uniontown Community Center was called to order at 7:00PM by Mayor Jurgensen.  Council members present were Jess Ervin, Savannah Pritchett, and Bradley Stewart.  Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting were Mike Ramsey, Codes Enforcement Officer Doug Coyan, City Superintendent Bobby Rich, City Treasurer Sally Johnson and City Clerk Haley Arnold.

 

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS

Appointed Haley Arnold as city clerk and administered oath of office.

 

CITIZENS REQUEST

Michael Ramsey thanked the City and Bobby Rich for preparing the City for Old Settlers. Then asked what they could do better for next year. He gave a history of his family in the Uniontown area and asked about engraving family names on limestone posts in the park. Discussion followed and they will revisit the issue in November.

 

FINANCIAL REPORT

Treasurer Johnson presented the August 2025 Treasurer’s Report.  Beginning Checking Account Balance for all funds was $245,981.25, Receipts $50,112.40, Transfers Out $14,524.00, Expenditures $29,453.83, Checking Account Closing Balance $252,115.82. Bank Statement Balance $254,515.61, including Checking Account Interest of $53.90, Outstanding Deposits $0, Outstanding Checks $2,399.79, Reconciled Balance $252,115.82.  Water Utilities Certificates of Deposit $38,470.63, Sewer Utilities Certificate of Deposit $23,159.28, Gas Utilities Certificates of Deposit $45,384.38, Total All Funds, including Certificates of Deposit $359,130.11. Year-to-Date Interest in Checking Acct is $478.07, and Utility CDs $1,859.61 for a Total Year-to-Date Interest of $2,337.68.  Also included the status of the Projects Checking Account for the month of August 2025, Beginning Balance $0, Receipts $0, Expenditures $0, Ending Balance $0.  August Transfers from Sewer Utility Fund to Sewer Revolving Loan $1,402.00; from Water Utility Fund to GO Water Bond & Interest $1,622.00, Capital Improvement-Streets from Gas Utility $6,250.00, Capital Improvement-Streets from General Fund $2,500.00, Utility Capital Improvement-Streets from Sewer Fund $750.00, and Capital Improvement-Streets from Water Fund $2,000.00, for Total Transfers of $14,524.00.  Net Income for the month of August $6,134.57, Year-to-Date Net Loss $11,747.92.  Budget vs Actual Gas Fund YTD Revenue $99,944.18 (74.2%), Expenditures $87,000.59 (57.0%); Sewer Fund YTD Revenue $23,558.28 (63.3%), Expenditures $36,409.11 (79.0%); Water Fund YTD Revenue $75,122.87 (60.7%), Expenditures $80,511.66 (50.5%); General Fund YTD Revenue $107,379.44 (71.7%), Expenditures $138,852.82 (65.0%); and Special Highway YTD Revenue $5,979.53 (82.4%), Expenditures $3,708.70 (51.1%).  The September 2025 payables to date in the amount of $37,426.70 were presented.  The invoices from KMGA and Johnson Vaughn, PA have not been received by noon meeting day.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

Motion by Ervin, Second by Stewart, Approved 3-0, to approve Consent Agenda:

  • Minutes of August 12, 2025 2026 Budget Hearing and Regular Meeting and August 14, 2025 Special Meeting
  • Treasurer’s Reports, Monthly Transaction Report, Profit & Loss by Class Report & Appropriations Report
  • Resolution 2025-0909-01 waiving the requirements of K.S.A. 75-1120a(a)

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Codes Enforcement Officer Doug Coyan reported 406 Fulton had not removed or covered junk vehicle in yard. 405 Hill St not keeping yard mowed. We will mow and bill. 201 Fulton is in compliance. 101 Washington is in compliance. 401 Sherman weedeating, junk vehicles, and trash issues; letter will be sent. 202 4th St mowing and weedeating not done. After discussion, we will contract out and bill to owner. Also, it was discussed getting quotes from mowing contractors for services next year.

 

Superintendent Rich informed the council of a quote from Kelly Electric to install three 50amp, 240 volt outlets along the north side of park for $1,100.00.

 

Motion by Pritchett, Second by Stewart, Approved 3-0 to accept quote from Kelly Electric.

 

Clerk Arnold requested to change office hours to 7:30AM-12:30PM, 1:00PM-5:00PM M-Th, 8:00AM-12:00PM F.

 

Motion by Stewart, Second by Ervin, Approved 3-0 to change office hours as presented, effective September 10, 2025.

 

Received dog complaint. Letter was sent to dog owner and owner replied with own complaint. Clerk Arnold will send a letter to both parties asking each to keep their own dogs under their control with ordinance attached.

 

COUNCIL REPORT

Councilman Ervin – nothing

Councilwoman Kelly – absent

Councilwoman Pemberton – absent

Councilwoman Pritchett – nothing

Councilman Stewart – nothing

Mayor Jurgensen – praised the clean up after Old Settlers, thanked Bobby Rich for asphalt along new side walk, and discussed seeding where the concrete was removed.

 

OLD BUSINESS

SEED Grant – Treasurer Johnson has started close out paperwork for the project.

 

FEMA Flooding (DR4800) Project – Received periodic updates on progress through FEMA system.

 

NEW BUSINESS

Executive session not needed.

 

Moved by Ervin, Second by Stewart, 

Approved 3-0, to adjourn at 8:12PM.

Fort Scott Community College

FSCC Foundation Benefit Auction is Oct. 18

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Sending on behalf of Chamber member

Fort Scott

Community College Foundation
The FSCC Foundation invites you their

Big Benefit Auction

Saturday, October 18th

5:30-9pm

@ Ellis Fine Arts Building

2108 Horton St. ( on FSCC campus)

Tickets: $50/each

Table of 8 seating available for $400

includes meal (beef tips or chicken) and Open Bar

Click HERE to order tickets!

Auction Highlighted Items!

Autographed & Framed

Bobby Witt Jr Royals Jersey

Autographed & Framed

Salvador Perez Royals Jersey

Autographed & Framed

Danny Manning Retro KU Jersey

Custom Firepits

2 Hours Community Service by

FSCC Baseball Team

(52 students)

Kenny Felt Print and Photo Session Package

Women’s Package including Coach Handbag and Kate Spade Handbag

Kendra Scott Jewelry

Fort Scott Dragoons Custom Package

including season tickets, apparel, and experience

Arrowhead Private Guided Tour for 4

Beef & Pork Package

Laptop Computers

….AND so much more!!

The FSCC Foundation would like to offer a special

thank you to the following event sponsors
Commerce Bank Lyons Reality Group
Sate Farm

Kale Nelson

 Big Sugar Lumber
Union State Bank Fort Scott Dragoons
Smith Cattle SEK Financial

Bob Campbell
Citizens Bank THANK YOU SPONSORS! Atkins Insurance Agency
Cheney Witt

Funeral Chapel

 Freedom Fitness
Labconco Doug & Patti Ropp
Diehl, Banward, Bolton CPA Wise Accounting

Click HERE for

FSCC Foundation website!

Click HERE for FSCC Foundation Facebook Page!

A special thank you to our

2025 Chamber Champion members!

Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce

231 E. Wall St., Fort Scott, KS 66701

620-223-3566

fortscott.com
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Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
 

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