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Uniontown Council Special Meeting Minutes of November 27
The Special Council Meeting on November 27, 2023 at Uniontown City Hall, was called to order at 6:00PM by Mayor Jurgensen. Council members present were Danea Esslinger, Josh Hartman, Amber Kelly, and Brad Stewart. Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting was City Clerk Sally Johnson.
Discuss ordinance regulating council pay – review and discussion of the draft ordinance presented.
Motion by Hartman, Second by Kelly, Approved 4-0 to adopt amended Ordinance No. 203, an ordinance establishing compensation for members of the governing body of the city of Uniontown, Kansas.
Motion by Hartman, Second by Kelly, Approved 4-0 to enter into executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel matters exception, KSA 4319(b)(1), in order to discuss performance, job duties, and benefits of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at 7:40PM
Clerk Johnson called in at 7:30PM. Open meeting resumed at 7:40PM. Council asked Clerk Johnson to gather information about health insurance coverages/plans and costs from KMIT, Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, and Kansas Rural Water Association.
Motion by Hartman, Second by Kelly, Approved 4-0 to table insurance benefit discussion until December 12, 2023 meeting
Moved by Hartman, Second by Kelly, Approved 4-0,
Deadline for Community Christmas Lighting Contest is Tomorrow, Dec. 5
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FSCC announces ABE/GED orientation schedule
FSCC announces ABE/GED orientation schedule
For those intending to enroll in Fort Scott Community College’s ABE/GED (Adult Basic Education/General Education Development) program next semester, orientation is required, noted Aubrey Duft, program coordinator, who also released the tentative orientation schedule.
GED classes, Duft said, are geared toward preparation for the GED test, which includes math, science, social studies and reasoning through language arts.
“In order for students to start with me, they will need to complete an orientation,” Duft said. “During orientation, we fill out the required paperwork, take a pre-assessment in reading and math, discuss a general overview of classes and the GED test, and discuss short- and long-term goals.”
Students ages 16 or older meet the requirements, but, for those younger than 18, a compulsory exemption form is required.
A material fee of $35 is due the week of orientation. GED-testing fees are paid separately at the time of registration for the exam. Students need to know their Social Security numbers and present a photo ID (if they have one).
Class times are from 9 to 11 a.m. or 1 to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday with platforms available for distant learning.
“I can work around schedules if needed,” Duft said.
Following are the tentative dates for spring 2024 orientation sessions: Jan. 9-11, Jan. 23-25, Feb. 6-8, Feb. 20-22, March 5-7, March 19-21, April 2-4, April 16-18, April 30-May 2, May 14-16 and May 28-30.
The ABE program is not limited to GED classes, Duft said.
“If a student already has a high school diploma or credential, but needs to improve basic skills in reading and math, I can help with that,” she said. “In January, I also began teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) students, so I have ESL classes available as well.”
For more information, contact Duft at (620) 223-2700, ext. 4400, or email her at [email protected]. Her office is located in the FSCC library in Bailey Hall.
FSNHS Candlelight Tour: A History Immersion
The 42nd Annual Fort Scott National Historic Site Candlelight Tour, December 1 and 2 was entitled Glowing Heartbeats of History.
The vignettes of local history focused on the physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual health of the soldiers and local townspeople.
The temperatures in the 40s and damp weather did not stop people from attending the tour this year.
1,000 candle lanterns illuminated the site with a peaceful ambiance and reenactors helped bring 1860s history alive at the fort.
During the tour, participants were immersed in ways people have historically been provided the opportunity to be well, despite their circumstances, according to a press release from the fort.
The Fort Scott High School Drama Club wrote the scene at the hospital tent for the tour, the other vignettes were written by the FSNHS staff, Carl Brenner, Program Manager for Interpretation and Resource Management said.
About the Fort
From November 1-March 31, Fort Scott National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service, will be open for its winter hours of operation.
The site exhibit areas and visitor center are open daily from 8:30 am-4:30 pm.
The park grounds are open daily from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset.
For more information about Fort Scott National Historic Site programs or to become involved in the candlelight tour, or other activities, please contact the park at 620-223-0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc.
CASA, Advocating for Children In the Courts, Needs Your Support
Bourbon County CASA, founded in Bourbon County in May 1990, provides trained community volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children involved in the Court system. Our mission is to advocate for children involved in the Bourbon County Court system, to secure a safe, nurturing environment for them, to increase community awareness and responsiveness to the needs of those children, and to provide objective information to the Court.
We currently have 20 volunteers and are assigned to 24 children here in Bourbon County.
Volunteers work tirelessly on behalf of their assigned child, relentlessly advocating for them, and providing the Court with the child’s perspective, wants, and wishes. They accomplish this by meeting with their assigned child regularly, contacting all involved parties in a child’s life, and advocating for their child through a written report to the Court making recommendations on what they believe to be in the child’s best interest.
Our program is always in need of additional volunteers and financial support to continue our mission. We are responsible for 60% of our budget to be raised locally through community support.
This year’s fundraiser “Change a Child’s Story” is held Friday, December 8 at the home of Mitch and Colleen Quick. Reservations can be made through today, via email to [email protected].
2023 Christmas Parade Winners
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce would like to thank all who attended or participated in the 2023 Christmas Parade held Thursday, November 30th in the Downtown Historic District.
The theme was “A Candy Land Christmas” and many of the entries did an exceptional job of coordinating with the theme.
The parade was sponsored by Briggs of Fort Scott.
The panel of judges selected the following winners out of fifty-four entries: 1st place as Extrusions, Inc., 2nd place as Fort Scott FFA, and 3rd place as Carhelp/Washateria.
The contribution of many is what makes events like the Christmas parade successful. The Chamber is sincerely appreciative of all who volunteered, announced, judged, and otherwise had a part in the parade.
Contact the Chamber for more information at 620-223-3566.
Open discussion and planning are core to Older Drivers Safety Awareness Week
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Industrial Hemp Advisory Board Virtual Meeting December 20
MANHATTAN, Kansas — The Kansas Department of Agriculture’s Industrial Hemp Advisory Board will hold its annual board meeting at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 20, 2023. The meeting will be held virtually via Zoom. The meeting will provide an update on hemp production in Kansas.
The meeting is a scheduled board meeting and is open to the public. Anyone desiring to attend via video conference must pre-register to be provided with a video link. For information about the meeting, including how to listen to the meeting via Zoom, please go to the Industrial Hemp page of the KDA website at https://agriculture.ks.gov/
Persons who require special accommodations must make their needs known at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.
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WHO: KDA Industrial Hemp Advisory Board
WHAT: Annual board meeting
WHEN: 1:30 p.m. on December 20, 2023
WHERE: Virtually, via Zoom
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Industrial Hemp Advisory Board Virtual Meeting December 20
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Agenda for the Bourbon County Commission on December 4
Bourbon County Courthouse
210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800
Fax: 620-223-5832
Bourbon County, Kansas
Nelson Blythe
1st District Commissioner
Jim Harris, Chairman
2nd District Commissioner
Clifton Beth
3rd District Commissioner
Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.
Fort Scott, KS 66701
December 4, 2023 5:30 p.m.
- Call Meeting to Order
- Flag Salute Followed by Prayer
- Approval of Consent Agenda
- Approval of Payroll Totaling 287,844.75
- Approval of Accounts Payable Totaling $430,050.06
- Approval of Minutes from 11/27/2023
- Public Comments
- Vance Eden-Letter of Support for USD 235 Grant
- Department Updates
- Public Works
- Mary Pemberton- Solar Agreements
- Susan Walker, CFO-Budget Amendment
- Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk-Appointment of Marmaton Township Treasurer
- Justin Meeks, County Counselor
- Executive Session KSA 75-4319 (b)(2)
- Executive Session KSA 75-4319 (b)(2)
- Commission Comments
- Adjourn Meeting
Executive Session Justifications:
KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the
attorney-client relationship.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with representative(s) of the body or agency.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual proprietorships
KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports December 4
What Are You Yuckin’ At? by Carolyn Tucker
Keys to the Kingdom
By Carolyn Tucker
My good friend, Ralph, shared a funny story about his young neighbor boy. Many years ago, this cute little guy was about three years of age and he couldn’t speak very clearly. One day, Ralph was over there visiting and the youngster noticed that Ralph was looking at him. Somewhat annoyed, he bluntly asked, “What are you yuckin’ at?”
Jesus knows that mankind tends to be judgmental and critical of others, and this sets a bad example for all who identify as Christ followers. We simply are not to judge another person. “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults — unless, of course, you want the same treatment” (Matthew 7:1 MSG). For one reason, we don’t have all the required information to make a proper judgment. One of Elvis’ best songs (in my opinion) has the following lyrics: “Yah, before you abuse, criticize, and accuse, walk a mile in my shoes.“ The only person a believer is to judge is himself/herself. But oftentimes we’d rather judge others because, when we inspect our own heart, we may find jealousy, a lack of love, and pride — ouch!
God intends for us to treat one another’s background story with the same kind of love, respect, and mercy as He has shown us. Everyone needs compassion, mercy, and forgiveness. We need to remember that the past failures of a redeemed individual are gone in the eyes of God. So let it be gone in our eyes too. “The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear Him. For He knows how weak we are; He remembers we are only dust” (Psalm 103:8-10,12-14 NLT). If Jesus forgives and forgets sins, then we should too. Everyone’s journey is full of twists and turns, highs and lows, and it’s personal and confidential between the individual and their Savior.
Sometimes the decision to follow Christ begins in the gutter. In the Book of John, we find that the religious scholars and Pharisees had brought to Jesus a woman who’d been caught in the act of adultery. They said that the Law gives orders to stone her to death and they asked what Jesus had to say. He responded that the sinless one among them could throw the first stone. After hearing Jesus’ wise statement, they all walked away. When they inspected their heart and judged themselves, they discovered they weren’t as righteous as they had thought. Jesus came to change rules and lives by His love and His blood. “Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, ’Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?’ ’No, Lord,’ she said. And Jesus said, ’Neither do I. Go and sin no more’” (John 8:10-11 NLT).
God is awesome, holy, perfect, and to be revered. Yet, He forgives and forgets our sins, failures, and shortcomings. So who do we think we are to not do the same with our friends and family? If God can, that means we must. Rather than judge, let’s be a reflection of mercy and lend a helping hand, a loving heart, and a warm smile.
The Key: God’s work of art is a constant work of heart in all believers.