The City Commission will hold a Special Meeting tonight, November 13, 2023, 5:30PM at City Hall. It is anticipated to recess in Executive Session pursuant to the personnel matters of non-elected personnel exception in K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(1).
Do You Stink? by Carolyn Tucker
Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker
When I was a young girl, I thought the fragrance of ‘Evening in Paris‘ was absolutely lovely! Several years ago, I ordered the cobalt-blue bottle of this cologne from ebay just to remember the scent and enjoy the nostalgia. (However, it didn’t smell as good as I thought it did as a kid.) The sense of smell is a powerful instrument for bringing us pleasure or annoyance. I love the fragrance of an iris, but the scent of a skunk is a whole nother ballgame. I’ve been told by friends that my home has its own fragrance. I wasn’t aware of it because I’m used to it. But I know what they’re talking about, as I recall my piano teacher’s living room had the same certain smell every week.
Whether we realize it or not, Christ followers give off a pleasing or offensive scent everywhere we go. Like Pepe’ Le Pew, the “odor-able” French striped skunk, we may not realize we’re giving off a putrid odor that annoys people or causes them to run away from us. Pepe’ was used to his odor, and I think it’s possible that some believers can be so used to their harsh and overly-opinionated personality that they aren’t aware that they’re annoying and their persona stinks to high heaven. Apostle Paul admonishes us to, “Guard your speech. Forsake obscenities and worthless insults; these are nonsensical words that bring disgrace and are unnecessary” (Ephesians 5:4 TPT).
What’s your favorite fragrance? You can’t buy the following perfumes anywhere, but you can possess them in your heart and lavish them on people everyday: Compassion, Love, Hope, Encouragement, Kindness, Gentleness, Understanding, Patience, Goodness, and Empathy. These priceless fragrances display the character of Jesus Christ.
“Thanks be to God, Who in Christ always leads in triumph [as a trophy of Christ’s victory] and through me spreads and makes evident the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere” (2 Corinthians 2:14 AMP). Through the yielded lives of believers, we are to spread the fragrance of God wherever we go. We should live every day as fragrant love spreaders. (There’s more than enough manure spreaders out there.) Just a few positive words of encouragement spoken over a discouraged individual can change his/her outlook and give hope.
“But this beautiful treasure is contained in us — cracked pots made of earth and clay — so that the transcendent character of this power will be clearly seen as coming from God and not us” (2 Corinthians 4:7 VOICE). Believers must realize that anything good we do only comes from God’s power living in us. We owe it all to Jesus for making it possible to wear the fine fragrances of a renewed life in Him. Although we’re common/imperfect clay jars (created from dust/clay) we possess the fragrance of God in our heart. His sweet fragrance in us will naturally spill out on others as we practice loving on them.
Christ followers need to be aware of how we smell to others. What one person thinks smells good, another can think it stinks. I once worked with a very nice woman, but her cologne fragrance was horridly unpleasant to my nose. Obviously, she thought it was wonderful or she wouldn’t have chosen to wear it. But, to me, it smelled like toilet-bowl cleaner. We need to seriously reevaluate our spiritual fragrance choices to ensure that we’re a sweet and welcoming fragrance to others.
The Key: Don’t be like Pepe’ Le Pew and turn people off because you stink.
Ad: Fort Scott Community College – Level up your career!
Want to level up your career or need to take classes that transfer to a 4-year college? Enrollment is OPEN for the spring and summer semesters at Fort Scott Community College! Dive into a world of knowledge from the comfort of your home. Spring classes start on January 10. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to boost your skills and achieve your academic goals. Plus, did you know that most classes at FSCC transfer? Join us on the journey of learning! For more info, go to https://fortscott.edu/
Coping with Loss and Loneliness During the Holidays
By Clara Misenhelter
Southwind Extension District
The holiday season is here. It can be a joyous time, but not always or for everyone. For many, especially those feeling emotionally distant or those who have recently experienced a loss, it is a time of year that can leave us particularly vulnerable to feelings as we are pressured to “get in the holiday spirit.” While there is not any one best way to cope with these feelings, consider these tips for coping with loss and loneliness during the holidays:
- Accept your feelings. Give yourself permission to feel how you feel. Whatever you are feeling is appropriate.
- Do what feels right to you. Remember that you can opt out of a holiday event or tradition if it will be too much for you. Make a plan for comforting activities you can do instead. Consider asking someone to check in on you.
- Get support. Talk to loved ones about your needs. If you or someone you know is in crisis or seeking emotional support, call or text 988 to connect with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You can also chat with them online at 988lifeline.org.
One year ago, K-State Research and Extension hosted a webinar about coping with loss and loneliness during the holidays. To learn more about this topic, you can view the webinar recording online at ksre.k-state.edu/fcs/livingwellwed. You can also join Tara Solomon-Smith and me at the Iola Public Library on December 7th at 6:30 PM for a free program on coping with loss and loneliness during the holidays. For more information, please contact me at [email protected] or 620-365-2242.
Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Bourbon County Commission Agenda For November 13
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
November 13, 2023 5:30 p.m.
- Call Meeting to Order
- Flag Salute Followed by Prayer
- Approval of Consent Agenda
- Approval of Payroll Totaling $214,950.58
- Approval of Accounts Payable Totaling $248,178.11
- Approval of Minutes from 10/30/2023
- Public Comments
- Department Updates
- Public Works
- Lora Holdridge-Holiday Dinner
- Susan Walker, CFO
- Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(1)
- Financials
- Elected Official’s Longevity
- Teri Hulsey, EMS Director
- Justin Meeks
- Tax Sale
- Contracts
- MOU
- 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 theattorney-client relationship.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the 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.
U234 Board of Education Agenda for November 13
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
November 13, 2023 – 5:30 P.M.
PUBLIC AGENDA
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
- 10/09/2023 Regular Board Meeting
- 10/30/2023 Special Board Meeting
4.2 Financials-Cash Flow Report
4.3 Check Register
4.4 Payroll –October 20, 2023 – $1,669,587.26
4.5 Activity Fund accounts
4.6 USD 234 Gifts
4.7 FSHS Art Club Fundraising
4.8 FSHS Extended Trip Spring Break 2025
4.9 FSHS Swimming Fundraising
4.10 FSHS Wrestling Fundraising
4.11 FSHS Baseball Fundraising
5.0 Recognitions (Information/Discussion Item)
5.1 Student Recognition
5.2 Employee Recognition
6.0 Leadership Reports (Information/Discussion Item)
6.1 Superintendent’s Report
6.2 Assistant Superintendent’s Report
6.3 Special Education Director’s Report
6.4 Finance Director’s Report
7.0 Old Business
7.1 Enrollment of Nonresident Students Policy
7.2 Changing Method of Board of Education Method of Elections and Voting Plan (Discussion
Only)
8.0 New Business
8.1 Possible purchase of Property (Discussion Item)
Enter Executive Session – Preliminary discussion of the acquisition of property.
9.0 Public Forum
10.0 Other Business – Personnel Matters
10.1 Enter Executive Session – Personnel Matters (Action Item)
10.2 Exit Executive Session
10.3 Approval of Personnel Report (Action Item)
10.4. Enter Executive Session – Superintendent Evaluation
10.5 Exit Executive Session
11.0 Adjourn Meeting David Stewart, President
What’s Happening in Fort Scott November 10 Issue
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
…
2023 Fall Extravaganza is November 20: Shopping To Support the Swim Team
The annual 2023 Fall Extravaganza is Monday, November 20 from 5-8 p.m. at the Fort Scott Middle School. The event began in 2009.
“Fort Scott High School Swimming is sponsoring the event,” said Madeline Martin, the swim coach for both boys and girls teams.
“The purpose of the event is to help our swimmers raise money to attend the 2024 Summer Olympic Swim Trials as well as bring an opportunity to town to support local businesses.”
“We have 56 booth spaces this year, a few more than last year in addition to several new vendors,” Martin said.
On Facebook: https://fb.me/e/
Below is a list of vendors for the event:
About FSHS Swim Teams
“We have 11 boys coming out this year through our cooperative agreement with Frontenac and Pittsburg (school districts),” Martin said. “This girl’s season I am planning on 15+ girls from our COOP with Pittsburg, Frontenac, Arma, Colgan, and Humboldt ( school districts).”
The swim team practices from Monday-Friday in Pittsburg at the YMCA.
“Boys swimming has been active in Fort Scott since the winter of 2019 and then girl’s season began the spring of ’20 but was cut short due to COVID,” she said. “Angie Kemmerer began coaching the team and this will be my third year as swim coach.”
The money raised from booths at the Fall Extravaganza will allow the student-athletes to go to the Summer Olympics in Indianapolis, Indiana in June 2024.
“We are going to be spectators at the Summer Olympics,” she said. “The kids are excited to go watch some of their favorite athletes in person and watch a high-level competition in person.”
It’s Not Always About Numbers by Patty LaRoche
Author: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection
www.alittlefaithlift.com
AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Assoc.)
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10
Last week, I shared that I drove five hours to Iowa to sell my books at three different Christian bookstores over three days. Although I hoped to sell several, that did not happen, but God arranged for me to meet some extraordinary people who taught me much about serving and compassion.
I wrote about how on the first day, Francine, an employee, and I bonded. She, a tough, determined woman in her 70’s, demonstrated a work ethic I admired. You needed a box moved? She jumped in to help. Books located for a potential customer, phoning in a request? Francine scoured the store until she found the needed item. Crates loaded and taken to another store? In she came with her dolly. There wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do.
I asked Francine questions about her life. Tough. Growing up in poverty, she now works jobs for the three bookstores and as a security guard at night. She had to leave work early that day, she said, because she was making dinner for her church’s youth group that met once a week. “Would you like to speak to them?” she asked.
When I arrived at her small, country church at 6:30 that evening, I followed the noise into a cellar-type basement where six high schoolers were sitting around a table, laughing and visiting. Gee, I thought, no cell phones. I was thrilled by what I was witnessing. There was Francine, dishing out the stew she had prepared and directing her teens to the homemade cookies resting on the side counter.
Melissa, a teen, volunteered to pray, and a young man, sitting with his back to me, removed his hat. (I am old enough to be impressed.) The prayer was sweet and sincere.
We were directed upstairs to the sanctuary area. It was an old, yet proud, room with hardwood floors, plaster walls, an ancient piano, and this sign on the side wall. Attendance the previous Sunday: 10. Money collected: $101.00. Think about that. Some pastor, every week, prepares a sermon for 10 people. One of those 10 probably leads worship. But they continue, week after week, to do God’s work. Wow!
Francine was a huge part of this church’s survival. As it turned out, she also, for 27 years, had made cookies for the Blood Bank, and this, my final day “selling” my books in their third store, also was the beneficiary of her benevolence. She was the one who served cider and her cookies to patrons…the same patrons who avoided me at all costs. Still, she did her best. “I want you to meet our visiting author who has come all the way from Kansas,” she said, proudly. “I’ve bought five of her books, four as presents. I’m on Chapter five of her book, and it’s great.” I later told her that I needed to hire her as my agent.
We need more Christians like Francine, people who are willing to do whatever it takes to help others succeed. It wasn’t about numbers. Every single person she met deserved to be valued. I left Iowa, not with many book sales, but with clear understanding why I had gone there: to know that God wants my faith to grow. As usual, He worked in ways I never expected.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Nov. 10
There will be no JAIL REPORT TODAY as we observe Veterans Day. There will be one Monday, November 13, 2023.
Agenda of the Uniontown City Council for Nov. 14
The Uniontown City Council will meet at 7 p.m. on November 14 at city hall.
Attachments:
___ Jess Ervin ___ Danea Esslinger ___ Josh Hartman ___ Amber Kelly ___ Bradley Stewart
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS
CITIZENS REQUESTS
FINANCIAL REPORT
Charlene Bolinger – Financial reports
APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA
- Minutes of October 10, 2023 Regular Council Meeting
- Treasurers Report, Monthly Transaction Report & Accounts Payables
Motion by ____________, Second by ___________, Approved _______ to enter into executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel matters exception, KSA 4319(b)(1), in order to discuss performance and job duties of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at ______.
Superintendent: Bobby Rich
Codes Enforcement: Doug Coyan
Clerk Report: Sally Johnson
COUNCIL & COMMITTEE REPORTS
Councilman Ervin –
Councilwoman Esslinger –
Councilman Hartman –
Councilwoman Kelly –
Councilman Stewart–
Mayor Jurgensen –
OLD BUSINESS
Street project –
Mural Grant –
Placemaking Project –
Pond Project –
NEW BUSINESS
Council Pay Ordinance –
Procurement Policy –
ADJOURN Time ____________ Moved by ______________, 2nd ___________________, Approved ___________
Minutes of the Uniontown City Council on October 10
10, 2023 at Uniontown City Hall, was called to order at 7:00PM by Mayor Jurgensen. Council members present were Jess Ervin, Danea Esslinger, Josh Hartman, Amber Kelly, and Bradley Stewart. Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting were Danny Taylor, Codes Enforcement Officer Doug Coyan, City Treasurer Charlene Bolinger, and City Clerk Sally Johnson.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS
Region H Multi-Hazard, Multi-Jurisdictional Mitigation Plan – Clerk Johnson communicated with Bourbon County Emergency Management that we adopted resolution to continue in June, 2022, and sent updates to the city’s portion of the plan. There has been no acknowledgement of the communication. She will followup.
Motion by Hartman, Second by Ervin, Approved 5-0 to enter into executive session pursuant to data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of second parties matters exception, KSA 4319-(b)(4), in order to discuss economic development that pertains to private financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships, the open meeting to resume at 7:20, include Sally Johnson.
Open meeting resumed at 7:20PM. No action taken.
CITIZENS REQUEST
None
FINANCIAL REPORT
Treasurer Bolinger present the September 2023 Treasurer’s Report. Beginning Checking Account Balance for all funds was $385,053.49, Receipts $46,930.23, Transfers Out $3,026.00, Expenditures $33,645.50, Checking Account Closing Balance $395,312.22. Bank Statement Balance $404,186.79, including Checking Account Interest of $82.69, Outstanding Deposits $0, Outstanding Checks $8,874.57, Reconciled Balance $395,312.22. Water Utilities Certificates of Deposit $33,433.01, Sewer Utilities Certificate of Deposit $19,939.88, Gas Utilities Certificates of Deposit $33,710.66, Total All Funds, including Certificates of Deposit $482,395.77. Year-to-Date Interest in Checking Acct is $713.64, and Utility CDs $682.57 for a Total Year-to-Date Interest of $1,396.21. Also included the status of the Projects Checking Account for the month of September 2023, Beginning Balance $0, Receipts $0, Expenditures $0, Ending Balance $0. September Transfers from Sewer Utility Fund to Sewer Revolving Loan $1,402.00; from Water Utility Fund to GO Water Bond & Interest $1,624.00; for Total Transfers of $3,026.00. Net Income for the month of September $10,258.73, Year-to-Date Net Income $51,760.25. Budget vs Actual Water Fund YTD Revenue $90,189.41 (73.8%), Expenditures $84,841.97 (53.0%); Sewer Fund YTD Revenue $28,217.64 (76.5%), Expenditures $23,385.57 (56.8%); Gas Fund YTD Revenue $109,050.40 (69.6%), Expenditures $98,075.55 (43.6%); General Fund YTD Revenue $150,127.90 (100.2%), Expenditures $120,383.02 (65.0%); and Special Highway YTD Revenue $6,100.03 (81.8%), Expenditures $3,713.22 (31.8%). The October 2023 estimated payables in the amount of $35,838.69 were presented.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Ervin, Second by Hartman, Approved 5-0, to approve Consent Agenda as amended:
- Minutes of September 12, 2023 Regular Council Meeting
- Treasurer’s Report, Monthly Transaction Report & Accounts Payables
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
City Superintendent Rich on vacation.
Codes Enforcement Officer Coyan reported that he hasn’t seen any progress yet on 404 Washington, they have until December 1 to complete exterior. The dead tree at 505 Wall has been removed. 201 Fulton, 303 Third, 401 Sherman, 201 Franklin, 307 Washington, and 306 Washington grass/weeds were discussed. Coyan will talk to or send letters as needed. Clerk Johnson will get contact information for 201 Fulton and 201 Franklin for him. There are broken limbs hanging in a tree on the easement between 406 and 408 Fulton.
Clerk Johnson reported on the KRWA webinar she attended regarding Lead Service Line Inventory and workshop on Alcohol Beverage Control. She also handed out information on PFAS class action suit and Cybersecurity.
COUNCIL REPORT
Councilman Ervin – nothing
Councilwoman Esslinger – nothing
Councilman Hartman – nothing
Councilwoman Kelly – would like council salary put on agenda next month. Clerk Johnson is to present a draft ordinance on amount and regulations for council pay.
Councilman Stewart – nothing
Mayor Jurgensen – nothing
OLD BUSINESS
Electrical in Park – 30AMP outlets have been requested for use for food trucks not during an event.
Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0 to set the fee for use of 30AMP outlets at $15
Street project – contractor will be in town October 12 to visit with Rich about the project and plan to begin on October 13. Council asked to have procurement policy on next month’s agenda to review and amended, if needed.
Mural Grant – we have received the second payment from grant.
Placemaking Project – Blue Cross Blue Shield will be sending us the grant application that has to be filled out online. Multi-use of the court was discussed. Specs for the project for bid request was discussed. Johnson will draw up bid invitation, have reviewed,
and then sent out to area contractors.
Pond Project – signed contract has been received. We can request bids. They do not have to be sealed bids. Johnson will order the weed barrier needed. Weeds coming through current weed barrier was discussed. Johnson will ask Don George, KDWPT, what herbicide is acceptable.
NEW BUSINESS
Messaging System – council reviewed the information on several different systems and will not pursue at this time.
Moved by Ervin, Second by Hartman, Approved 5-0, to adjourn at 8:39PM