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Letter to the Editor: Pete Allen
By the Book!
I have been preaching to city staff for the past 4 years, to do things “by the book”. That means using our written policies, ordinances, and procedures for accomplishing their stated duties with public funds. It is hard to do when the attitude perpetuated by our leaders is to “do whatever we want”.
Our past leaders have “done whatever they wanted” by ignoring ordinances, standards and procedures that have been put into place to protect the well-being, health and welfare of the citizens who fund the city. An example of this are the ordinances and statutes that require funds for user fees for our sewers and water to be used only for the purpose of funding the maintenance, operation, and replacement of those utilities. These ordinances and statutes are law and not up for discussion. Millions of dollars in Fort Scott have been “transferred” from our utility funds to other funds and never replaced. Therefore our utilities are in critical need of additional funding.
Doing it “by the book” was recently impressed upon our current leaders by the Kansas Department of Transportation with their direction on the repair of the water line break at 20th and 69. Our leaders decided they were going to do it their way and KDOT engineers said “NO”, you will do it by the book according to KDOT specifications and using KDOT approved materials! City leaders wanted to patch and repair to open the road to traffic, which is not an option in the state rule book but is an option in the Fort Scott city ordinance. City ordinances do not govern on a state highway.
I applaud KDOT for impressing upon the city that when we are using public funds, we use the book to govern our decisions. The “book” is the only thing that the taxpayers have to insure timely and quality work is being done. The goal of the government is to provide quality at the least possible cost. The “book” was written by experts in their field! Let’s use it!
HYPOCRITES WELCOME by Patty LaRoche
Author: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection
www.alittlefaithlift.com
AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Assoc.)
I would love to see that invitation on the marquis of every Christian church, wouldn’t you? Zig Ziglar tells of a time he invited a friend to go to church with him. The man answered, “Well, I’d like to go. But the church is so full of hypocrites.” Ziglar replied, “That’s okay. There’s always room for one more.”
Let’s face it. We all are sinners. If we were to appear before the local judge and charged with “talking the talk but not walking the walk,” we all would be behind bars. Even King David, called “a man after God’s own heart,” was confronted by the prophet Nathan about this very thing.
The story cannot be read without being furious at David. He is not content with being an adulterer. Once he finds out his bed-mate Bathsheba is pregnant, he sets in motion plans to lay paternal responsibility on her husband, Uriah. When that fails, David has Uriah killed. Desperate measures for a desperate man, yet he refuses to repent. We pick up the story in 2 Sam. 12:1-6 where God intervenes.
The Lord sent Nathan to David. When he came to him, he said, “There were two men in a certain town, one rich and the other poor. The rich man had a very large number of sheep and cattle, but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup and even slept in his arms. It was like a daughter to him.
“Now a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the ewe lamb that belonged to the poor man and prepared it for the one who had come to him.”
David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, “As surely as the Lord lives, the man who did this must die! He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity.”
David is clueless as to Nathan’s motive. I can only imagine how the king reacted when Nathan put his finger in the King’s face and announced, “You are the man!” He then reminds David of all God has done for him and explains the repercussions of his actions: This is what the Lord says: “Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight. You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.”
All of which came true, and all which contributed to David’s repentance.
Hypocrisy is the #1 excuse for people looking for a reason not to come to church…or to Jesus, yet it is a defense that is terribly flawed. As Josh McDowell and Don Stewart write in their book Answers to Tough Questions Skeptics Ask About the Christian Faith, “Christianity does not stand or fall on the way Christians have acted throughout history or are acting today. Christianity stands or falls on the person of Jesus, and Jesus was not a hypocrite. He lived consistently with what He taught, and at the end of His life He challenged those who had lived with Him night and day, for over three years, to point out any hypocrisy in Him. His disciples were silent, because there was none.”
Every one of us is a hypocrite. That’s because, as the Bible says, we are sinners. The next time someone calls you that, tell them that they are right. But also tell them that the only non-hypocrite to ever live died for your hypocrisy…and wants to do the same for them.
Bourbon County Coalition Meets Oct. 4 at Scottview Apartments
Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition will meet Wednesday, October 4, 1:00 p.m., in the Conference Room at the Scottview Apartments, 315 S. Scott.
General Membership Meeting Agenda
October 4, 2023
- Welcome:
- Member Introductions and Announcements:
- Program: Alisha Turner, Kansas Children’s Service League
- Open Forum: November 1 we will hear from Travis Wilcoxsen and Kathy Romero, Angel Care Home Health; and in December we will hear more about Maggie Young’s work with tobacco cessation.
- Adjournment: The next General Membership meeting will be November
FSHS Homecoming Candidates 2023
Ryker Felt and Connor Ball
2nd Row
Carsen Allen, Raveyn Kegler, MaKenzie Robertson, Jersee Wood, Keegan Yarick
Back Row
Jasper Allison, Cal Cosens, Cody Geiger, Casey Gomez, and Jericho Jones. Submitted photo.
Fall Homecoming Candidates at Fort Scott High School is next week
We will be crowning the King and Queen before our Football game with the Chanute Blue Comets and the Fort Scott High School Tigers at 6:30 PM
Obituary of Leola “Tilli” Miller
On September 27th, 2023, Leola “Tilli” Mae Miller, age 78, a resident of Fort Scott, Kansas, moved from the Earth to Heaven while at home after a long and difficult illness. She was surrounded by her family at the time of passing, knowing and feeling the love from each.
Tilli was born on May 21st, 1945, to Theo Melvin Thomas and Ida Louis Hanson in Fort Scott, Kansas. She grew up in the Hiattville area, attending grade school in Hiattville, Kansas, high school in Fort Scott, Kansas and eventually received an Associate of Arts degree from Fort Scott Community College, graduating with honors. This was accomplished while raising her four children, maintaining a job and being a housewife…she was a busy lady.
Although small in stature, she was strong and held the world on her shoulders several times throughout her life, always able to move forward.
She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, all of whom understood their importance to her in her life. Through hard times and wonderful times, she was able to raise her family and was very proud of her achievements.
She was highly intelligent, quick witted, and sometimes sharp with the tongue and quick with the switch, but she was the rock for her family…always prepared to support them, in any manner they needed.
In most photos she can be seen smiling or talking, she loved to do both. She loved life and lived it – too many memories and stories to tell. She had a passion for any and all animals, country life, and the outdoors. She was an amazing cook and loved to cook for her large family and review recipes in her library of cookbooks and should be considered the Pie Queen of Fort Scott.
She was, and always will be, admired and looked up to with love and appreciation. She will be missed greatly.
Her work effort was realized and admired throughout her life, most notable was employment with Nuss and Farmer Law firm in Fort Scott, the United States Postal service, and finally Mid-Continental Restoration from which she retired.
Although her married life was difficult, she finally met the love of her life, Gordon Lee Miller. They married in Littlefield, Texas on February 5th, 1993. Upon his retirement, they returned to rural Redfield, Kansas to live. He preceded her in death in 2007.
She is survived by a daughter, Trisa Diane Bolden of Fort Scott, three sons – Steven R. Mason and wife Kendell of Fort Scott; Kenneth (Mike) Mason and wife Jennifer of Uniontown, Kansas; Mitchell D. (Mason) Welch of Redfield, Kansas and a stepson, Mitch Miller. Surviving grandchildren are Candace Dietrich and husband Aaron, Tiffany Garrison and husband Chris, Blake Bolden (Cheyanne), Alex Mason and wife Holli, Ashton Nobles and spouse Sydney, Zach Mason and wife Megan, Jordan Mason, Paige Mason, Morgan Gonzales (Tim) and Augustus (Gus) Welch. Her family also consisted of 13 great-grandchildren, Adrianna, Mae, Ireland, Mya, Gwinevere, Lucy, Gunner, Markala, Paxton, Rory, Parker, Owen, and Ryan.
She was preceded in death by her parents Theo Melvin Thomas and Ida Louis (Hanson) Thomas, a brother James Thomas, and a grandson, Jacob Welch.
Funeral services will be conducted at the Cheney Witt Chapel at 10:30 AM Tuesday, October 3, 2023.
Visitation will begin at 9:30 AM until service time.
Burial will be at a later date.
Memorials in her name are suggested to Paws and Claws in Scott and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, PO Box 347, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
New Boutique Comes to Downtown Fort Scott
Susan Townley has been in the boutique business in the Overland Park and Olathe area near Kansas City for over five years.
She and her husband, Ed, own the former Country Cupboard Store at 12 N. Main, which they purchased from the Renard family.
They are been making the space their own since purchasing the building in December 2021 with sanding, painting, new lights, and some new carpet in areas. The antique wooden floors and ceiling tiles are features, along with some glass showcases.
Ed and Susan have done all the work themselves.
The name of the boutique is Be The Light.
“The name Be The Light is based on suicide awareness and on the Bible verse Matthew 5:14-16 which states – 14 ‘You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven,'” Susan said.
Her specialty is Tyler Candles, from Tyler, Texas, her hometown. But they also repurpose furniture and have lots of collectibles and vintage finds for sale.
“Going to Canton, Texas when young, the boutique world is not like anywhere else,” she said. “I wanted to bring it up here.”
“We see Fort Scott being a destination point, and believe the city is heading toward growth,” Susan said.
“We’ve collected three to four years for this move,” she said. They will also sell seasonal items and a little clothing.
“I’m from Texas and we make trips to Texas for markets looking for ideas and inspirations,” she said.
Be The Light will have its’ grand opening on November 2.
Then they will be a part of the Fort Scott Holiday Open House Shopping Event on November 9-11.
Following the Christmas Parade on November 30, they will have a spot for children to visit Santa in the store.
That parade starts the Christmas on the Bricks event weekend, Dec. 1-2.
The boutique will be open Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
The Townleys also own 11 N. Main, across the street, that they have rented out.
Be The Light has a Facebook page and an Instagram page.
The phone number is 913.406.2998.
Building Workforce Through Apprenticeship Grants
Governor Kelly Announces Recipients of More than $500K in Registered Apprenticeship Grants
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced a total of $528,478 has been awarded by the Kansas Department of Commerce to eight entities across the state for projects that will attract and retain employees and build the state workforce through registered apprenticeships.
“Last year, I created the Office of Registered Apprenticeship to dramatically scale up our state’s efforts to train Kansas workers with the skills needed to succeed in today’s modern economy,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Apprenticeships are a win for both workers and businesses, which is why my administration will continue to invest in them.”
The Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship received total funding requests of $3.3 million from 16 applicants. Applicants identified a variety of project needs related to registered apprenticeships, such as technical instruction, outreach, staffing, partnerships, and administrative costs. Awardees are required to provide a dollar-for-dollar match, and projects must be completed by September 30, 2024.
“Unions, higher education partners, and other economic development groups have accepted the challenge to modernize the registered apprenticeship ecosystem,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Benefits will be felt throughout the economy, with Kansas workers and their families being the biggest winners.”
Grant awardees include:
- Dodge City Economic Development Council received $45,000 for capacity building and direct business outreach
- Greater Kansas City Laborers Training, Joint Apprenticeship Training Council received $36,000 for a Spanish-speaking instructor
- Ironworkers Joint Apprenticeship & Training Trust in Wichita received $29,956 for training equipment including a forklift trainer
- Kansas Farm Bureau (statewide) received $90,000 for capacity building and direct business outreach
- Kansas State Council of SHRM (statewide) received $62,160 for capacity building and direct business outreach
- Plumbers and Pipefitters Training of Kansas, United Association 441 (UA441) in Wichita received $100,000 for HVAC training equipment, capacity building, and direct business outreach
- Topeka Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 226 (IBEW 226), in partnership with Hutchinson Community College, received $66,885 for training equipment and related technical instruction
- Wichita Electrical Industry Training Fund, IBEW 271 received $98,476 for capacity building and direct business outreach
“Registered apprenticeships give Kansas workers the skills and experience they need to compete in the modern economy,” Director of Apprenticeship and Internship Shonda Anderson said. “These grants will help connect those skilled workers with good-paying jobs in an increasing number of occupations.”
“This investment in our mission will empower us to provide additional training to our current apprentices as well as attract additional apprentices to our program,” UA441 Vice President John Clark said.
To learn more about the Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship, click here.
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Discuss Regional Transportation Priorities Oct. 12 at Iola
KDOT’s 2023 Local Consult meetings scheduled across Kansas in October
The Kansas Department of Transportation is hosting nine meetings across the state in October as part of the Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program (IKE) Local Consult process. KDOT holds Local Consult meetings every two years to discuss regional transportation project priorities with Kansans.
Attendees will have an opportunity to share their region’s transportation priorities, hear about investments being made in transportation in their area and learn about various grant funding programs available through KDOT.
These meetings are an important step in collecting public input for the IKE program – the state’s current 10-year transportation improvement program. They are open to all Kansans.
Local Consult locations, dates and times:
- Northeast Region (KDOT District 1) – Tuesday, Oct. 3, 9 a.m. – noon, Four Points by Sheraton in Manhattan.
- Southwest Region (KDOT District 6) – Wednesday, Oct. 4, 9 a.m. – noon, Clarion Inn in Garden City.
- South Central Region (KDOT District 5) – Thursday, Oct. 5., 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Merdian Center in Newton.
- Northwest Region (KDOT District 3) – Tuesday, Oct. 10, 9 a.m. – noon, Hilton Garden Inn in Hays.
- North Central Region (KDOT District 2) – Wednesday, Oct. 11, 9 a.m. – noon, Hilton Garden Inn in Salina.
- Southeast Region (KDOT District 4) – Thursday, Oct. 12, 9 a.m. – noon, Bowlus Fine Arts Center in Iola.
- KC Metro – Tuesday, Oct. 17, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m., Lenexa Hyatt Place Kansas City/Lenexa City Center in Lenexa.
- Wichita Metro – Wednesday, Oct. 18, 9 a.m. – noon, WSU Eugene M. Hughes Metropolitan Complex in Wichita.
- Virtual Meeting – Tuesday, Oct. 24, 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. For those unable to attend an in-person meeting, they may attend a virtual meeting on Zoom. Please register here https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMvf-uppjMsHdaOpjIXnRlJQV-xQrcEpb1A
More information about the Local Consult process is available online at: ike.ksdot.gov/local-consult-process.
U.S. Senator Roger Marshall on Mental Health
Wrap-Up: Senator Marshall Hosts Ag Mental Health Awareness Week
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marshall, M.D. led an Ag Mental Health Awareness Week. This campaign intended to bring attention to the signs a friend or loved one may be displaying when struggling with mental health and, throughout the week, highlighted resources that are available to farmers, ranchers, and our rural communities.
Working in agriculture presents unique challenges, often out of farmer’s or rancher’s control, and stressors that can contribute to poor mental health outcomes in rural Kansas communities. Senator Marshall’s campaign highlighted how Kansans can recognize someone in need of support and where to turn for help.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or contemplating suicide, 9-8-8 is the confidential Suicide & Crisis Lifeline that is available through text or call 24/7. The average wait time to be connected in Kansas is less than 21 seconds.
Below are some highlights from Senator Marshall’s campaign.
Hosted Mental Health Roundtables:
During the week, Senator Marshall hosted roundtable sessions in Wichita and Topeka to address meeting mental health needs for the agriculture communities throughout Kansas. Senator Marshall was joined by health care leaders from across the state, Kansas State Research and Extension professionals, the Kansas Farm Bureau, and the Kansas Farmers Union, among others.
Video PSA:
Senator Marshall released a public service announcement for his Ag Mental Health Awareness Campaign, which highlighted mental health trends in ag communities, how Kansans can recognize mental health warning signs, and where assistance can be found. You may click HERE or on the image below to watch.
Senator Marshall’s Ag Mental Health Campaign on Social Media:
Senator Marshall hosted a video conference with over 80 different groups across Kansas, including community health centers, farmers & ranchers, and agriculture groups, to discuss how everyone can come together for a week of action to spread awareness on mental health and discuss specific resources. Each group was asked to use the hashtag Ag Mental Health Awareness to unite everyone in their efforts.
The week of action was organized to highlight different aspects of mental health and resources. The week concluded with a resource graphic that was viewed and shared by over 1,000 people.
Fundraiser Dinner: Rebuilding Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church
