Fort Scott, Government

Brad Matkin Resigns as City of Fort Scott Manager, Effective January 3

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Brad Matkin. Submitted photo.

Brad Matkin, Fort Scott’s City Manager for approximately 1.5 years resigned yesterday, posting a public service announcement on the City of Fort Scott Facebook page.

Matkin said on October 24 he turned in a letter of resignation to the Fort Scott City Commission, effective on January 3, 2024.

“I will continue doing duties of city manager until that time and close out some of the projects we’ve got, and establish guidelines for the next few years, ” he said on Facebook.

“There is a lot left to do,” Matkin said. “We have only touched the very tip of the iceberg with our accomplishments. As a City, we must establish a Housing/Business Development Coordinator who works full-time for the city and goes and visits with our existing businesses to see if there is anything the City of Fort Scott can do for them. We worry so much about bringing in new business sometimes the great businesses like Timken, Peerless, Ward Kraft, etc. get forgotten.”

This Housing/Business Development Coordinator position would also help developers in their housing and business developments, finding grants, property, and opportunities, he said.

Other projects that Matkin sees as not completed are street, water, and wastewater 2024 and 2025 programs that need to be developed and executed, along with several other tasks.

“You sacrifice a lot with this position and family is very important to me,” he said in an interview. “I have lost many years with my family in previous jobs, and I have decided this was not fair to me or my family. There are several reasons for my departure but this is the only one I will discuss.”

Matkin thanked the city staff and utility work crews, the commissioners, citizens, and his family for their support.

Even “Citizens who haven’t always been supportive, I want to thank you because you are the motivation that drives us,” he said.

He credits any accomplishments to his staff and crews, he said in an interview. “I was just the person that helped with the decisions, they are the ones that made them happen. Every accomplishment I can write down was done by the City of Fort Scott Team and not the City Manager.”

 

Here are the staff accomplishments:

  • Building the staff that the city currently has.
  • Establishing the “My Fort Scott” app.
  • Finishing Cooper Street.
  • Finishing “Old Faithful” project.
  • Improving wages for City staff members.
  • Improving wages for City Public Safety members
  • Gunn Park camping area improvements.
  • Lake Fort Scott stem repair.
  • 2022 Cape Seal program completion and 2023 Cape Seal program preparation work.
  • Increasing advertisements and promotions of area events by the tourism department.
  • Approvement of 2025 CCLIP grant for 2nd phase of Wall Street
  • Pothole and Crack sealing program.
  • Establishing a brick crew, and a street repair team.
  • Memorial Hall improvements.
  • Additional Lake Fort Scott fishing docks.
  • Buck Run Community Center improvements.
  • Wastewater Treatment Plant improvements and elimination of “the smell”.
  • Assignment of Baker Tilly as City’s Finance Director.
  • Flawless 2022 City audit.
  • $1.7 million CDBG sewer repair grant ($1.1 million was the city’s responsibility).
  • Airport runway and taxi-way improvements.
  • Stormwater project on 17th and Eddy.
  • Purchased street line painter, painting the city streets with city crews.
  • Several street and water line repairs.
  • Bringing back the Community Development position.
  • Establishing a budget that did not increase taxes and opened up some additional monies.

 

Fort Scott has a future, he said. “If it’s allowed, but it’s going to take positivity. That was my goal to spread positivity and get rid of negativity. I feel like I have done that, for the most part.”

“It’s my hometown,” he said on the Facebook announcement of his resignation. “I’ve lived here 53 years….there is no place better.”

He will help the commission find a replacement for the position, he said. “To get everything ready for basically what I would have done into the next two years,” he said in making the resignation announcement at the Community Connections Panel at noon yesterday.

When Matkin told the panel he was resigning, at the end of his presentation of highlights at the city,  the moderator, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce President Bailey Lyons thanked Matkin for his service to the city of Fort Scott, and asked if there is a new search started for city manager.

“I haven’t talked to the commission, personally,” he said. “If I had a recommendation, I would make it a national search or a least broaden the search out a little further. It will take a little while to find one.”

To view a prior story:

Brad Matkin is the New Fort ScoATtt Interim City Manager

Bourbon County, Elections, Fort Scott

Early Voting Starts Today at the Courthouse in Fort Scott

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The Vote Here sign sits in front of the north wing of the Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National.

Early voting for the November 7 election begins today.

“If anybody would like to receive a mailed advance ballot, they may complete an application and return it to our office by October 31, 2023,” Bourbon County Clerk Jennifer Hawkins said.

One can vote at the Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National,  in the early voting availability.

Early voting starts today at the Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National.

Today and tomorrow, Oct. 27, one can vote from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the courthouse.

Saturday, October 28 votes can be cast from 8:30 a.m. to noon, and Monday, October 30 until November 3 from 8:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the courthouse.

There will be voting availability on Saturday, November 4, and then on Monday, November 6 from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the courthouse.

Election day is November 7 and the community can then vote in places closer to their neighborhood. See the list below of polling places in the county.

Candidates for the Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees:

Vote for three or less:

Ronda Bailey, Douglas Ropp, David Elliott, Kirk Hart, Roberta “Bert” Lewis, Robert Nelson, Josh Jones and Chad McKinnis.

 

Fort Scott City Commissioners,  vote for three or less:

Joshua Baseley, Edwin Woelhof, Janice Allen, Harold Pete Allen, Tracy Dancer, Margaret Cummings, Matthew Wells, Dyllon Olson, Barbara Ann Rawlins.

 

No candidates have filed for the city councils of Mapleton and Fulton, and none for the mayor of Fulton

Filing to run for the Bronson City Council is Michael Stewart; for the Redfield City Council is L.D. Morrison and Brandy Corriston and for the Uniontown City Council is Danae Esslinger.

 

For the USD 234 Board of Education (Fort Scott Schooll District), vote for one of the following:

Position 1: James Wood, Joe Wimmer, Scott Center

Position 2: Mike Miles

Position 3: Robert Harrington, Aaron Judy, Doug Hurd

At Large: Payton Coyan, Stewart Gulager.

For the USD 235 Board of Education (Uniontown School District), vote for one of the following:

Position 1: Troy Couchman

Position 2: Rhonda Hoener

Position 3: Seth Martin, Kolby Stock

At Large: Matt Kelly, Josh Hartman

Southwind Extension District, vote for two of the following:

Deb Lust, Trent Johnson

The following are the questions that will be on the ballot, for the Uniontown School District, USD 235

Proposition No. 1:

Shall the following be adopted?

Shall Unified School District No. 235, Bourbon County, Kansas (Uniontown), issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $5,635,000, to pay the costs to construct, furnish and equip renovations, improvements, and additions to District facilities, including but not limited to:  (a) Pre-K classroom/storm shelter, student support offices, music room, and secure entrance at West Bourbon Elementary School; (b) 6th grade classrooms, student support offices, tech office, multipurpose classroom/storm shelter, and fire alarm system at the Uniontown Junior/Senior High School; and (c) all other necessary improvements related to it (collectively the “Project”), and to pay costs of issuance and interest on said general obligation bonds during construction of the Project; all pursuant to the provisions of K.S.A. 10-101 et seq., K.S.A. 25-2018(f), K.S.A. 72‑5457, and K.S.A. 72-5458 et seq.?

To vote in favor of Proposition No. 1 submitted on this ballot, completely darken the oval to the left of the word “Yes” on the paper ballot.  To vote against it, completely darken the oval to the left of the word “No” on the paper ballot.

Proposition No. 2:

Shall the following be adopted?

Shall Unified School District No. 235, Bourbon County, Kansas (Uniontown), issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $3,485,000, to pay the costs to construct, furnish and equip an Ag-Science Classroom, Metals Shop, and Construction Science Shop at the Uniontown Junior/Senior High School, and all other necessary improvements related to it (collectively the “Project”), and to pay costs of issuance and interest on said general obligation bonds during construction of the Project; all pursuant to the provisions of K.S.A. 10-101 et seq., K.S.A. 25-2018(f), K.S.A. 72‑5457, and K.S.A. 72-5458 et seq.?

To vote in favor of Proposition No. 2 submitted on this ballot, completely darken the oval to the left of the word “Yes” on the paper ballot.  To vote against it, completely darken the oval to the left of the word “No” on the paper ballot.

Residents living in the City of Fort Scott vote at the following locations:

1st Ward-Community Christian Church

2nd Ward-Grace Baptist Church

3rd Ward-Grace Baptist Church

4th Ward-Grace Baptist Church

5th Ward-Community Christian Church

6th Ward-Community Christian Church

7th Ward-Grace Baptist Church

 

Residents living in the County vote at the following locations:

 

Drywood-Grace Baptist Church

Franklin-Mapleton Community Building

Freedom-Fulton Community Building

East Marion-Uniontown City Hall

West Marion-Bronson Community Building

Marmaton– Redfield Community Center

Millcreek – Redfield Community Center

Osage-Fulton Community Building

Pawnee– Redfield Community Center

North Scott-Community Christian Church

South Scott-Grace Baptist Church

Timberhill-Mapleton Community Building

Walnut-Uniontown City Hall

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fort Scott Community College, Government

FSCC Trustees Meet in a Special Meeting on Oct. 30

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The Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting on Monday, October 30, 2023 in Cleaver-Burris-Boileau Hall at 5:00 pm.  The board will immediately adjourn to executive session to discuss personnel matters of nonelected personnel regarding administrative contracts and organizational structure and for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship as it relates to real estate negotiations.  No action is expected to follow.

 

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas

Low-dose CT lung cancer screenings available at CHC/SEK

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Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas at 2322 S. Main,  Fort Scott.

The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) is helping identify lung cancer in its earliest stages through low-dose CT lung cancer screenings in its Fort Scott and Pittsburg locations.

With a physician’s order, individuals 50-80 years old who currently smoke, or formerly smoked one pack per day for 20 years or two packs per day for 10 years, and who have smoked within
the last 15 years, can receive a noninvasive and inexpensive lung cancer screening.

“Low-dose CT lung cancer screenings are effective, noninvasive, and inexpensive,” says Kimberly Wass, RT, (R). “It only takes a few minutes, causes no discomfort, and exposes you to
a small amount of radiation, the images obtained give us a detailed picture of the patient’s lungs and chest.”

CT scanners combine a series of X-ray images taken from different angles around your body and use computer processing to create cross-sectional images (slices) inside your body. CT scan
images provide more-detailed information than plain X-rays do. The images can help diagnose lung cancer in its earliest and most treatable stages.

In the United States, lung cancer accounts for approximately one-fourth of cancer related deaths because many patients are diagnosed with advanced stages of the disease when treatment options are limited.
According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, tobacco use is still one of the leading causes of preventable death, disease, and disability in the state. Almost one in four
(24.6%) Kansas adults (18 years and older) use tobacco and many chronic conditions related to tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke.
https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/lung-cancer/saved-by-the- scan/quiz

CHC/SEK Can Help When Quitting Tobacco
CHC/SEK can assist you towards stopping your use of tobacco products. Our team of counselors, healthcare professionals, and peer support can provide individual counseling, group
counseling, nicotine replacement therapy, and other resources to help you along your journey.

For medically qualified patients, nicotine replacements such as gum, patches, and lozenges can help you stop using tobacco products. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) works by supplying
the body with small doses of nicotine without the harmful chemicals found in tobacco. NRT helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms associated with stopping the use of tobacco
such as smoking, vaping, and chewing.

At CHC/SEK, we encourage our patients to use KanQuit, a free service for all Kansans that provides counseling, support, and other resources to help you stop using tobacco. KanQuit
provides coaching over the phone or online, text messaging, email support, and quit medication (nicotine patches, gum, or lozenges) to those that qualify.

• The Quitline is free. The cost is paid by your public health department, health plan, or employer.
• Quitline is based on proven strategies. KanQuit has already helped more than 1.5 million people in their quit journey.
• The Quitline is self-paced and customized for each person. You decide the details of your plan such as how often you speak with a quit coach and whether you use quit medications.
• The Quitline is staffed by trained coaches, all of whom have completed rigorous Tobacco Treatment Specialist training.
Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) or visit KSquit.org to get started today.

Art, Bourbon County, Entertainment, Fort Scott

Voices From the Grave: Inaugural Launch of Bourbon County Community Theater

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The newly formed Bourbon County Community Theatre is comprised of 16 members of all ages.

“Everyone and anyone is welcome to join,” said Tyler Parker, a member of the group.

“Our board of directors is made up of 10 individuals,” he said.  “This includes Matthew Wells, Melissa Guns, Angie Bin, Katie Wells, Rene Ludeman, Alex Chesney, Whitley Chesney, Delynn Abati, Sandra Abati, and myself.”

They have created the Voices From the Grave event this Saturday at Riverfront Park.

Tickets can be purchased through Friday from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, 231 E. Wall. Tours will run every 10 minutes from 6-9 p.m. Cost for the event: adults $10, students $7. Parents must accompany children under the age of 14.

Actors will present a short script describing a scene or “vignette” based on a story of murder or mayhem in Fort Scott’s history, according to a press release from the group.

Guests will be escorted through the park to visit each vignette and hear the story.

Leaders will be costumed “characters” who guide visitors from vignette to vignette.

“We tasked Angie Bin’s (Fort Scott High School’s Drama teacher) advanced drama students to research and write scripts about interesting deaths in Fort Scott and the surrounding Bourbon County area. It was a fun and educational task the students were excited about.”

“The actors are all volunteers, who will be receiving the script before the event to memorize and will meet the day of the event to set up their vignettes and go over some simple blocking,”he said.

Each vignette has 1 to 4 actors and is three minutes in duration.

“We are excited about hosting our inaugural fundraising event for our non-profit,” Parker said. “Funds raised from this event will go towards our next production.”

Obituary

Obituary of Sandra Riley

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Sandra Lee Riley, also known as Sandi, passed away on October 20, 2023, at the age of 81 in Kansas City, Missouri. She was born in Oklahoma in 1942 to Charles and Mabel Bevis.  Sandi traveled extensively as a child due to her father’s military service.  She carried this love of travel throughout her life.

 

Sandi is survived by her son, Shawn Riley, daughter-in-law, Laine Riley, and her granddaughters, Morgan Larrison and Jordan Riley.   Sandi is survived by her daughter, Deborah Hulsey, and grandsons Alexander, Evan, Cian, and Soren Hulsey. In addition, Sandi is survived by her brother, Larry Bevis. as well as many friends who will also miss her strength, wit, and compassion.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 56 years, Dr. Ron Riley, her parents, and her brother, John Bevis.

 

Sandi had a commitment to community service and dedicated much of her time to volunteer work. She actively participated in various organizations, including Girl Scouts, Salvation Army, Daughters of the American Revolution, Red Hats, Women’s Education Scholarship Fund, and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Sandi was also an active member of Country Club Christian Church, where she and Ron enjoyed their Sunday School Class for many years.

 

In her spare time, Sandi enjoyed pursuing her hobbies. She was an avid painter, seamstress, and baker.  Sandi loved westerns, especially John Wayne movies and the show Yellowstone.  Sandi’s love of history was passed down through the generations and her knowledge was extensive. She is loved by many and will be missed by all.

 

Private family graveside services will be held in the U. S. National Cemetery, Fort Scott, Kansas

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Rinehart Fund (Undergraduate endodontics) at UMKC – School of Dentistry and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

 

Entertainment, Food, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Youth

Children’s Halloween Parade This Saturday at 10 a.m. in Downtown Fort Scott

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Halloween Parade

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces this year’s Halloween Parade will be held Saturday, October 28th at 11:00 a.m. in Downtown Fort Scott.

Prior to the parade, starting at 10:00 a.m., there will be special activities including pictures with a spooktacular backdrop at the City Scales building on North Main and face painting by Fort Scott High School Thespians.

The parade trick-or-treats merchants along Main Street, starting at La Hacienda, south to 2nd Street, crossing the street then heading north back to Skubitz Plaza. Any businesses or organizations in the community not located along Main Street are also welcome to set up a table on the sidewalk providing treats, coupons, or other handouts for kids. Children are encouraged to bring a sack or bag to collect treats along the parade route.

Following the parade, a free slice of Papa Don’s pizza and a drink will be served to kids in costumes.

The Chamber is currently seeking sponsors and donations for the pizza lunch following the parade.

Contact the Chamber if interested at 620-223-3566
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Fort Scott National Historic Site

The Fort is Hosting the Chamber of Commerce Coffee on Oct. 26

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ANNOUNCING THIS WEEK’S
CHAMBER COFFEE
Join us for Chamber Coffee hosted by

Fort Scott National Historic Site

Thursday, October 26th

8am

1 Old Fort Blvd

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee this Thursday, October 26th at 8 a.m. hosted by Fort Scott National Historic Site, located at 1 Old Fort Blvd. The Chamber Coffee will be in the park’s Theater on the second floor of the Infantry Barracks just west, to the left, of the Visitor Center. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be provided by The Friends of Fort Scott.

 

Fort Scott National Historic Site will be promoting the 42nd annual Candlelight Tour. The tour centers around peace on the frontier with five stops around the site. The entire tour is outside this year, so they encourage visitors to dress for the weather. Tickets go on sale November 1st, Friday tours 6:30-9pm and Saturday tours 5-9pm. Tours start every 15 minutes and last approximately 1 hour. Tickets are $8.00 per person and children 5 and under are free. Contact Fort Scott National Historic Site at 620.223.0310 for more information.

 

Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information.

 

Click here for their Facebook Page!

We hope to see you there!
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members
shown below!
FORT SCOTT AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
620-223-3566
Facebook  Twitter
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

Bourbon County Local News