Marla Heckman, 52, is the new Fort Scott Presbyterian Village Executive Director.
Heckman is new to Fort Scott.
“My husband, John, was born in Fort Scott,” she said. ” We were planning on retiring and moving here someday. There was some property that was going up for sale close to our family, so we decided to change our plans and move back sooner.”
Heckman started on September 5, 2023, as the Executive Director, “overseeing this wonderful community. I am so excited to work with the amazing TEAM here,” she said.
She received her education from the University of Oklahoma and is a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator.
Heckman has 36 years in Healthcare-Independent Living, Assisted Living, Residential Care, Skilled Nursing, and Long-term Care.
“I served on the board for Care Providers Oklahoma, as well as, the Oklahoma State Department of Health Informal Dispute Resolution panel,” she said.
In her spare time she “loves spending time with family and friends.”
“I have never lived anywhere but Oklahoma, so I am excited to start some new hobbies, maybe gardening and having some chickens,” she said. “I look forward to being involved in the community and helping whenever possible.”
She has four children and 13 grandchildren.
Presbyterian Village, 2401 S. Horton, Fort Scott.
Heckman replaces Ginger Nance as the executive director.
NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR REGULAR
MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
CITY HALL COMMISSION ROOM – 123 SOUTH MAIN ST.
September 19, 2023 – 6:00 P.M.
I. Roll Call:
T. VanHoecke K. Harrington E. Woellhof M. Guns M. Wells
II. Pledge of Allegiance & Invocation: Led by M. Wells
III. Approval of Agenda:
IV. Consent Agenda:
A. Approval of Minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 5, 2023
B. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1344-A — $469,395.66
C. Request to Pay – Earles Engineering and Inspection – $36,194.50
1. Invoice #16789 – 2022 CDBG Sanitary Sewer Inspection – $23,194.50
2. Invoice #16784 – 21-303 – WWTP – System Design – Phase III – $13,000.00
D. Request to Pay – Stifel, Nicolaus & Co., Inc. – Financial Advisory Fee – General Obligation Bonds, Series 2023 – Issue Record #64784 – $12,312.50.
E. August Financials
F. Request to Approve Change Order No. 2 – 2022 CDBG Sanitary Sewer Project – Bennett, Inc. – Increase of $63,295.00
V. Public Comment: Sign up required. Comments on any topic not on agenda and limited to five (5) minutes per person, at the Commission’s discretion.
VI. Old Business:
A. Consideration to Accept USDA Rural Development Grant for $33,000.00 –
D. Bruner and Emily Diebolt – Storm Sirens
B. Consideration to Accept (2) Grants from Timken Foundation of Canton –
1. City of Fort Scott – Automated External Defibrillators – $13,500.00
2. Fort Scott Fire Department – UTV – $21,500.00
C. Consideration of MOU with Bourbon County Health In All Policies Task Force – Tabled until September 19, 2023, for response to request to have contract language amended. History: Tabled July 25, 2023, August 1, 2023, defeated motion on August 15, 2023.
D. Consideration of Resolution No. 13-2023 – Resolution and Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure – 1001 W. 2 nd St.
Tabled to September 19, 2023, for extension to gather more information.
E. Consideration of Resolution No. 12-2023 – Resolution and Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure – 1801 W. Wall St.
Tabled to September 19, 2023, for extension to gather information regarding owners and taxes being paid.
VII. Appearances:
A. Lake Fort Scott Residents – Potential lake improvements during low level
VIII. Public Hearing: 2023 Budget Amendment
IX. New Business:
A. Consideration of Purchase of new WILO mixer for bio basin from IPS Process Solutions for $25,244.35 – S. Flater
B. Consideration of Contractors’ Licensing Program – N. Nation
C. Consideration of Project Inspection – Sanitary Sewer Relocation for the Infantry Substation – J. Dickman
D. Consideration of Relocation and Reimbursement Agreement – Evergy – Fort Scott Infantry Substation Project – J. Dickman – Tabled from September 5, 2023
to propose a project inspection inclusion to Evergy.
X. Reports and Comments:
A. City Manager Comments:
B. Engineering Comments:
C. Commissioners Comments:
T. VanHoecke –
K. Harrington –
E. Woellhof –
M. Guns –
M. Wells –
D. City Attorney Comments:
XI. Adjournment:
NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR SPECIAL
MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
CITY HALL COMMISSION ROOM – 123 SOUTH MAIN ST.
September 14, 2023 – 6:00 P.M.
I. Roll Call:
T. VanHoecke K. Harrington E. Woellhof M. Guns M. Wells
II. Pledge of Allegiance & Invocation: T. Van Hoecke
III. Approval of Agenda:
IV: New Business:
A. Consideration of Bids for KDOT Sub-Area Road Extension & US-69 @ 20 th Street Repair – J. Dickman
B. Consideration of Proposal for Inspection for KDOT Sub-Area Road Extension & US-69 @ 20 th Street – J. Dickman
C. Consideration of Approval of (2) Beer Gardens for Fort Fest 2023 –
September 30, 2023 – Riverfront Park – B. Matkin or Cory Bryars
XI. Executive Session:
XII. Adjournment:
Governor Kelly Announces 27 Cities to Receive $22M for Highway Improvements
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced today that 27 cities across Kansas will receive a total of $22 million for projects to improve intersections and state highways extending through cities as part of the Kansas Department of Transportation’s City Connecting Link Improvement Program (CCLIP).
“My administration is committed to preserving and improving Kansas highways by investing transportation dollars in the projects where they can do the most good,” said Governor Kelly. “Thanks to our increasingly solid financial footing at the state and federal levels, Kansas is finding ways to solve problems and bring resources directly to communities across the state.”
KDOT was able to increase CCLIP funding for this selection cycle due to additional federal funds coming to Kansas as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation (BIL). The program will provide $5.1 million in state fiscal year 2025 and $16.9 million in state fiscal year 2026.
Both federal and state funds are designated for the CCLIP program. Local matching funds are required based on city population.
In total for this CCLIP cycle, KDOT received 60 applications requesting $53 million.
“Pooling resources is an excellent way for cities to maximize the benefits of additional funding for local transportation investments,” said Transportation Secretary Calvin Reed. “Investing in highways that also serve as city streets is a huge benefit to communities to improve safety and create a better environment for business activity.”
CCLIP projects can be submitted in three categories: Surface Preservation, which involves maintenance work such as resurfacing; Pavement Restoration, which includes full-depth pavement replacement and possibly drainage issues; and Geometric Improvement, which addresses turn lanes, intersection improvements, or modifications to lane configurations.
For the state fiscal year 2025, the city, category, and amount awarded CCLIP funds include:
Abilene – Surface Preservation, $400,000
Atchison – Surface Preservation, $400,000
Clay Center – Surface Preservation, $400,000
Colby – Surface Preservation, $400,000
Council Grove – Surface Preservation, $400,000
Emporia – Surface Preservation, $400,000
Harper – Surface Preservation, $400,000
Larned – Surface Preservation, $400,000
Leavenworth – Surface Restoration, $400,000
Lyons – Surface Preservation, $400,000
Stockton – Pavement Restoration, $700,000
Winfield – Surface Preservation, $400,000
For the fiscal year 2026, the city, category, and amount awarded CCLIP funds include:
When: September 20th, 2023, at 9:15 a.m. There will be a Reception for the Commander. Refreshments and light snacks will be available.
Where: Memorial Hall, 1 East Third Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701.
The General Public is encouraged to attend.
Daniel J. Seehafer was elected national commander of The American Legion on Aug. 31, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C., during the 104th national convention. Seehafer likes to say, “It’s personal,” when it comes to The American Legion’s mission of serving veterans and their families. He is continuing the theme of “Be the One,” to prevent veteran suicide.
An ordained minister from Wisconsin, he earned his American Legion eligibility through service in the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserve, where he served as a military chaplain. A member of American Legion Post 157 in Horicon, Wis., Seehafer served in a number of American Legion offices at every level, including national chaplain and commander of the Department of Wisconsin.
Born and raised in Merrill, Wis., he lettered in cross-country track while in high school and later received a bachelor’s degree in pastoral ministry from Concordia University and a Master of Divinity at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Ind.
Seehafer was installed as assistant pastor of St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Horicon in 1997 and continues to serve as administrative pastor of the church and its school. His American Legion post was recognized for “100 percent” and “All-Time High” in membership during his terms as commander and adjutant. Other honors include District Commander’s New Post Achievement Award, Silver Brigade, and Post 157 Legionnaire of the Year.
In 2023, Seehafer earned an Outstanding Heroism Award for administering the Heimlich maneuver to a choking victim at an American Legion dinner.
National Commander Seehafer and his wife, Stacey, who is a member of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 157, live in Beaver Dam, Wis. Dan’s son, Jacob, and daughter, Emma, are also members of the Post 157 family. Dan is the son of the late Lester Seehafer and Jean Sabatke.
Media Contact: Jessica Allison, Commander, American Legion Post #25. 620-224-4733, [email protected]
Mary Wyatt, 37, is the new Fort Scott Community Development Director, with an office located at City Hall.
City Manager Brad Matkin said that the city had a community development director four years ago and believes the position is important.
Fort Scott City Hall.
In her job, she will involved in projects for community venues such as the golf course, airport, Memorial Hall, Buck Run Community Center, Lake Fort Scott, LaRoche Stadium, and the Heathly Bourbon County Actions Team’s Downtown Arch Project.
Additionally, she will be working with Bourbon County Regional Economic Development and representing Fort Scott in Topeka, City Manager Matkin said.
“I sit on some event planning committee boards and volunteer for community events like the Gordon Parks Festival, and will be the facilitator for the city meetings of several advisory boards,” she said. “I research and apply for grant funding to make improvements to our community, I also assist our City Manager and Tourism Department on projects.”
“Her personality will be a great fit for not only our staff but with the citizens of Fort Scott,” Matkin said. “She is from Fort Scott and knows what the citizens want and need. She has goals set for herself and is a self-starter and that is very important in a position like this.”
She graduated from Fort Scott High School and Missouri State University with a bachelor’s in Health and Human Services
“I worked over a decade of my career at Medplans/Firstsource here in Fort Scott as a Claims Analyst, then promoted to Quality Analyst, four years of my career at Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott and Olathe Health as an Insurance Specialist, then promoted to Patient Access Supervisor,” she said. “Most recently my husband and I started our own business in June of 2022, Wyatt’s HVAC & Home Solutions, LLC.”
“Going back to school to get my college degree was where I found my passion and niche in public health and safety,” she said.
“My husband David and I have two children, ” she said. “Our son Daxton just turned 15 and is a freshman at Fort Scott High School, he plays soccer for the Fort Scott Tigers. Our daughter Alayna is 12 years old and is in 7th grade at Fort Scott Middle School and plays volleyball there.”
“My birthday is on Halloween, so I’m into all things spooky… Halloween, fall candles, scary movies, fall festivals, pumpkin patches, and Halloween costumes of course!” she said. “I’m also signing up to volunteer to help the Chamber of Commerce out with our Fall Festival here in town. I love to cook and bake, and I love crafting as well.”
Matkin said Wyatt stood out from the other candidates because she has dealt with the public, has been in management, and has experience working on saving time, money, and resources.
“I have a very strong and innate sense of empathy and compassion for all people of all backgrounds who are struggling, misunderstood, marginalized, and underrepresented,” she said.
She has lived in Fort Scott most of her life.
“That helps me to connect to and understand the needs of many different groups of people here,” she said. “This job entails a lot of meetings, research, number crunching, data, financial analysis, etc. that’s necessary to get the job done, but what gets me out of bed every day is my love and empathy for our community.”
“I also bring determination and perseverance to this position with the city and I’m not afraid of digging into hard work to get things accomplished. I come from a long line of blue-collar, salt of the earth, came up from nothing, earn-every-penny-we’ve-ever-had type of a family.”
“I have been on my own and working full-time since I was 17 years old, she said. “I haven’t had an easy life, I’ve had to work hard, fail, try again, fail, get up, and keep trying to accomplish my goals, but one thing about me, I never give up. I will never stop working towards making the City of Fort Scott a better place to live for our citizens. I will never throw in the towel, I will always get up every time I’m knocked down, and I will contribute everything I have in me in my time here with the city, to work towards a healthier and happier future for our community.”
Matkin decided not to fill the FS Human Resource Director position, instead spreading that out throughout the staff, “so the money from that position will fund the Community Development Director position. I will continue doing some of the delicate HR functions as well as my City Manager functions.”
The salary for the Fort Scott Community Development position is $52,500 – $70,000 range, he said.
Bourbon County residents now have additional access to transportation through the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas CareVan program.
The ride service officially will roll out on Sept. 15, with a van featuring an accessible wheelchair lift designed to enhance the mobility of individuals with disabilities. Plans call to increase the
number of vehicles as they become available.
The project is funded by the KDOT Public Transportation Program.
Ride services are available 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Monday through Thursday and from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Friday. Rides are scheduled by calling 833-228-7433. There is no charge to
patients for the service. Donations to the program are accepted.
“In rural communities, we understand that transportation is critical to an individual’s independence, so we do our best to get residents where they need to go,” says Dee Yount, CHC/SEK’s Transportation Program Manager. “We provide in-county trips to doctor’s
appointments, grocery shopping, work locations, social outings, and more, we want to remove the barriers that the lack of transportation can cause so our communities have every opportunity to thrive.”
Although CareVan provides rides to anyone in need of transportation services, Yount reminds potential riders that unlike an on-demand taxi service, reservations must be made and rides are
available on a first come, first served basis.
Riders who need additional support when traveling receive help from trained drivers who will escort riders with door-through-door service, Yount says. Dispatch and drivers are trained to provide more than just safe transportation, but positive social interactions and sense of community with each ride, Yount added. “Our mission is to provide our guests and the communities we serve with dignity, respect and compassion,” he says.
Ida Rae Davis, 82, of Fort Scott, passed away at her home Sunday evening, September 3, 2023. She was born July 13, 1941, in Junction City, Kansas, the daughter of Wilbur Joseph Staten and Elnore Belle (Hays) Staten. Ida married Raymond McIntosh and he preceded her in death. She later married Dave Davis who also preceded her in death.
Ida is survived by her children, Donald McIntosh, Daniel McIntosh, both of Fort Scott, David McIntosh, Buffalo, Kansas, and Cecil McIntosh, of Kansas; and three sisters, Judith Marie Staten, Patricia Sue Staten, both of Nathrop, Colorado, and Carolyn Ann McIntosh, of Hutchinson, Kansas; as well as numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Major General Kenneth Eugene Staten.
Following cremation, the family will hold private interment services at a later date. Services are under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces a Downtown Fall Fest late-night shopping event featuring horse-drawn hayrack rides, live music, drawings and more will take place Thursday, September 21st from 5 pm to 8 pm in the Downtown Historic District.
Stores will have festive offerings such as pumpkin snacks, hot cider, and a pumpkin passport to submit for a chance to win a Chamber Bucks gift certificate. Participating retailers include Angie Dawn’s Boutique, Barbed Wire and Roses Vintage Market, Bids & Dibs, Brickstreet BBQ, Flint + Fray, Hedgehog.INK! Bookstore, Iron Star Antiques & Such, Laree + Co, Museum of Creativity, Papa Don’s Pizza, Sunshine Boutique, The Artificers, and The Beauty Lounge.
Special activities planned by participating stores and Chamber include the following:
Horse-drawn hayrack rides will be offered complimentary by Steve and Marci Williams starting at the Depot parking lot at Wall and Scott Streets. The trailer holds 20-24 people at a time and each ride will take a 15-20 minute loop around Downtown.
The Fort Scott High School Orchestra will play from 6-7pm at the Lowell Milken Center Unsung Heroes Park.
Angie Dawn’s Boutique will have a “guess the number of candy corn” to win a $50 gift certificate.
Bids & Dibs will have a fall photo backdrop and sponsor a scarecrow art contest for children.
Brickstreet BBQ will have DJ Brown and The Bourbon County Revival performing live on their patio from 5pm-8pm.
Museum of Creativity will have a fall-themed cookie decoration table for $1 per person plus horse-drawn hayrack rides starting at the Depot across from the Chamber.
The Artificers will have hot spiced cider along with a drawing for a certificate to attend their “Harvest Pumpkin Class”.
The Wagon Roadies will be selling pumpkins at Wall and Main Streets.
The Chamber also announces a Scarecrow Contest is underway with the deadline to turn in entries of September 20th. Key Industries is sponsoring the contest with gift certificates for the top three individual or family entries, and the top business winner will receive one dozen logoed shirts and bragging rights for the year. More details on the contest may be found on the Chamber’s Facebook page or fortscott.com.
Downtown Fall Fest offers fun for all to get out and support local while taking in the season, finding some great deals, and seeing what’s new in apparel and holiday décor.
Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information.
