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Bourbon County Commission Agenda for Jan. 31
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Date: January 31, 2023
1st District–Nelson Blythe Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District–Jim Harris Corrected: _______________________
3rd District–Clifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk–Ashley Shelton
MEETING HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM BEGINNING AT 9:00AM
Call to Order
• Flag Salute
• Approval of Minutes
• Signatures for Accounts Payable
• Eric Bailey – Road & Bridge Report
• Eric Bailey – Executive Session KSA 75–4319(b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property
• Kathy – Executive Director of Area Agency on Aging
• Jeremiah Hill – County Roads
• Bill Martin – Vehicle Bids/Loans
• Coroner Cost–Sharing Agreement
• SEKRPC – Renewal
• Public Comment
• Commission Comment
Justifications for Executive Session:
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 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 security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures.
Attachment:
Chamber Announces Love Local & Chocolate Crawl Shopping Event
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces a Love Local Chocolate Crawl shopping event which will take place on Friday, February 10th and Saturday, February 11th. Most stores in the Downtown Historic District and several additional locations will be participating in the fun.
Customers are invited to shop local retailers while sampling a variety of chocolate treats along the way, and many will also be offering drawings and promotions. Locations included in the event will have a Chocolate Crawl poster and red and white balloons displayed at their entrance.
Each retailer will have a Love Local Bingo card that customers can fill out for a chance to win $100 Chamber Bucks!
The Chamber encourages the community to shop local, love local and join the Chocolate Crawl on February 10th and 11th to celebrate Valentine’s Day. “You can’t buy love, but you can buy local!”
Contact the Chamber for more information at 620-223-3566.
Submitted by:
Lindsay Madison, Executive Director, [email protected]
Emily Clayton, Communications & Events Coordinator, [email protected]
Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg becomes Dispensary of Hope site
Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg soon will become a Dispensary of Hope site, a pharmaceutical program that delivers critical medicine, at little to no cost, to the people who need it the most but can’t afford it.
“America’s most vulnerable are in the greatest need of healthcare solutions and typically lack access to a consistent and reliable source of medication,” says Chris Okeke, director of Pharmacy Services. “Our local community hospital will now be able to provide solutions to that problem.”
Since 2007, Dispensary of Hope has been providing eligible patients with medications and supplies needed to treat a wide range of chronic diseases and conditions. The program offers participants ordering and free weekly shipping.
“We are blessed to be able to provide these essential medicines to those in the community who may not have been able to receive them otherwise,” says Drew Talbott, hospital president. “This addition to our hospital aligns perfectly with our Mission of providing compassionate care, close to home.”
Those who are looking to benefit from the program will need to talk with their provider to get started.
To learn more about services offered at Ascension Via Christi, go to ascension.org/pittsburgKS.
###
About Ascension Via Christi
In Kansas, Ascension Via Christi operates seven hospitals and 75 other sites of care and employs nearly 6,400 associates. Across the state, Ascension Via Christi provided nearly $89 million in community benefit and care of persons living in poverty in fiscal year 2021. Serving Kansas for more than 135 years, Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension is the leading non-profit and Catholic health system in the U.S., operating more than 2,600 sites of care – including 145 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities – in 19 states and the District of Columbia. Visit www.ascension.org.
Jennifer Hawkins Selected As Bourbon County Clerk by Republican Party
Jennifer Hawkins, 34, was selected from a field of three persons to become the next Bourbon County Clerk last evening at a Republican Party Convention.
“We had three individuals contact the (Republican) party,” Mark McCoy, chairman, said.
He will forward Hawkins name to be approved to Governor Kelly today. Outgoing Bourbon County Clerk Ashley Shelton’s last day in February 3. Shelton resigned last week.
Today Hawkins is being sworn in as Bourbon County Deputy Clerk, then her first day as clerk is Feb. 6, she said.
Hawkins has worked for the county government for almost a decade.
“I have worked as the lead motor vehicle clerk in the treasurer’s office for five years, and as the office manager of the public works department for 4.5 years,” she said.
She has helped with accounts payable and payroll in the county clerks office as well.
“I have a working relationship with all the county offices and feel I can help move the county forward,” Hawkins said. “I want to do my part to see Bourbon County and Fort Scott succeed.”
With the loss of the two other office staff in the clerk’s office besides Shelton, “It will be rough until I can get some additional help hired,” she said
“I will be hiring two full time office staff, one will be deputy county clerk (who will also be the) accounts payable clerk,” she said. “One will be a front office clerk to assist Bourbon County residents by manning the switchboard and helping with licensing and hunting licenses.”
The staff will have to absorb a part time position, Hawkins said.
Hawkins said the county has “wonderful benefits to offer” including retirement, health insurance (including dental and vision), vacation and sick leave.
Hawkins was born and raised in Fort Scott, attending Fort Scott High School and Fort Scott Community College.
She has a 15- year-old daughter who attends Fort Scott High School and whose activities keep her “pretty busy with her school functions.”
Tim Shellenburger New Kansas Senator Representing Bourbon County
Another new face will be serving Bourbon County as the District 13 Kansas Senator.
On January 22, a Republican Convention was held in Columbus to select a new senator for District 13 replacing Richard Hilderbrand who resigned. Tim Shallenburger was selected.
“He is a former Kansas State Representative,” McCoy said. “Most recently he was the mayor of Baxter Springs.”
District 13 encompasses Bourbon, Crawford and Cherokee Counties.
Governor’s Council on Education Annual Report
Governor Kelly Receives 2022
Governor’s Council on Education Annual Report
TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly received the Governor’s Council on Education’s annual report, which includes a set of recommendations intended to improve educational outcomes for all Kansas students through increased collaboration between the business and education sectors. The Council’s recommended improvements are aimed at advancing early childhood education, increasing opportunities for workforce-bound high schoolers, improving post-secondary transitions for our students, and increasing coordination for technical education.
“I established the Council on Education not only because I believe that educating our children is one of the most important obligations of our elected leaders, but also because it’s one of the best economic investments we can make as a state,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “I’m proud of the work the Council has done these last four years searching for innovative ways to provide for our students, and I look forward to addressing their recommendations to ensure Kansas students have access to the best education in the country.”
The bipartisan group of stakeholders and policy experts spent 2022 traveling across the state to hear directly from educators and businesses about the most pressing issues shaping education in Kansas. Governor Kelly established the Governor’s Council on Education in 2019 to bring together education and business leaders to realize a shared vision of increased prosperity and look for ways to enhance early childhood education and develop partnerships to address workforce needs in Kansas.
“We are grateful to Governor Kelly for the opportunity to learn from and with extraordinary leaders who represent educators and businesses across Kansas. We are confident that the Council’s work will strengthen our state by aligning education with business and creating opportunities for all Kansans,” said Dr. Cynthia Lane and Dr. Fred Dierksen, Co-Chairs of Governor Kelly’s Council on Education.
The Council’s report can be found here.
Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition Meets Feb. 1
Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition
General Membership Meeting will be Feb. 1 at 1 p.m. in the conference room at Scottview Apartments, 315 S. Scott, Fort Scott.
Agenda
Welcome:
Member Introductions and Announcements:
Program: Melanie Wiles, Gentiva Hospice
Open Forum:
Adjournment: Next General Members
meeting will be March 1, at 1:00 p.m.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Jan. 27
Settling For Crumbs by Patty LaRoche
The disciples were annoyed. A Canaanite woman was crying out, begging Jesus to heal her demon-possessed daughter. Jesus said nothing, so his disciples told him to send her away; she was getting on their nerves. Read the story in Matthew 15:21-28.
Perhaps had she been from the right side of the tracks, things would have been different.
Instead of the compassionate Jesus siding with her, he said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” Not to her kind. For she was not Jewish. I picture the disciples smirking as Jesus let her know that she was not one of them.
The woman would not be turned away. Verse 25 says that she knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. Surely now he would be moved. Instead, he replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” Oh my gosh! Jesus called this desperate woman a dog. Surely there’s a misprint. The mother did not care how she was branded. She knew that Jesus was the only one who could heal her child. Her answer shows her humility.
“Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” That’s all it took. She knew Jesus as Lord. As Master. It was then he showed the side he needed all to see. “Woman,” he answered, “You have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.
At. That. Moment.
So what’s going on here? For one, Canaanites were hated by the Jews. Hundreds of years before, the nations warred against each other, and even though the Prince of Peace (Jesus) was now walking with the Jews, they wanted no part of their enemy. (Sounds a little like politics in the United States, don’t you think?)
Jesus’ followers had to be shocked. Had he lost his mind? No doubt, they loved it when he spoke condescendingly to the despairing mother. But when this woman, this “enemy,” honored the master, the tone changed. Surely they were confused.
Matthew writes this narrative to remind us that we all are equal, no matter our history, our ethnicity or our prejudices, and there’s a good chance some of us outspoken “Christians” might know about spirituality a lot less than others who don’t speak about their faith. As I write this, I am caught in the middle of a conflict between a “Christian” couple and a couple who profess no faith. I am siding with the latter.
My prayer warrior friends here in Mexico are doing likewise, as we have watched the church-going couple defame the integrity of our giving, generous, dedicated friends who have spent the last ten years serving the less fortunate. I have been asked to speak to the head of the organization who has bought into the lies of the one couple, but since my Spanish is limited (poor), I asked a precious Christian, bilingual friend to accompany me. She answered in length about her attempt to open the eyes of the one in charge, to no avail. According to her, others have done likewise. I will be no different.
The difficulty of this is for me not to judge the Christian couple without even offering them the crumbs of my faith by praying for them. Sometimes it’s easier just to judge…in which case, I am no different from the ones I’m criticizing.
Bourbon County Commission Reorganizes Some Positions
The following letter was presented at the Jan. 17 Bourbon County Commission meeting, detailing changes in some county positions.
FS Air Force Veteran Raymond Streeter Honored at K.U. Basketball Game Jan. 21
Raymond Streeter, 82, of Fort Scott, was recognized on January 21, 2023, during a Kansas University Men’s Basketball game, for his service in the Air Force.
Marnie Zimmerman, his daughter, sent an email to fortscott.biz telling of the event.
“I guess it is a program that KU has where they select a veteran and then honor them during a KU game,” she said. “It could be football, basketball, etc. My cousin, Dad’s niece, submitted an application for Dad to be considered for this. We had to submit his story about his service, and we also included that he graduated from KU and the ROTC program there, prior to going into pilot training for the Air Force.”
The event was “A great day for the family,” she said.
“Dad NEVER talked about his service in Viet Nam when we were growing up,” Zimmerman said. “As a matter of fact, I really didn’t know he had flown in Viet Nam, I always thought he was flew in the Korean war.”
“Dad was born and raised in Fort Scott, ” she said. “He lives here still. He served in the Vietnam War, and went on to complete his military service in the Air Force Reserves. He retired as a colonel.”
Some points in the career of Colonel Raymond L. Streeter, provided by Zimmerman:
•Kansas University Air Force ROTC graduate 1963
•Flew C141 cargo planes on supply staging missions from Travis Air Force Base in California to Viet Nam
•Flew F100 Super Sabre fighter jets while stationed at Phan Rang Air Force Base in Viet Nam
•Flew 67 combat missions in Viet Nam
•During a 20 year career in the Air Force Reserves flew the C124 and the C130, served as Chief of Command Control at Richards Gebaur Air Force Base and participated in the Individual Mobilization Augmentee Program with FEMA
•Air War College graduate
•Air Force Commendation Medal recipient
•Earned several medals and awards including the Senior Command Pilot Wings
Test Your Home for Radon This Winter
By Clara Wicoff
Southwind Extension District
Have you had your home tested for radon? According to Wichita State University, asking just this one question can reduce your whole family’s risk of cancer. The Kansas Radon Program reports that residential radon gas exposure is the top cause of lung cancer death for non-smokers. Radon is sometimes referred to as the “silent killer” because you can’t see it, smell it, or taste it.
One in four Kansas homes tests high for radon. The only way to know the radon level in your home is to test for it. According to the Kansas Radon Program, winter is an excellent time to test your home. You can obtain a radon test kit from any K-State Research and Extension office, including our Southwind District offices in Iola, Fort Scott, Erie, and Yates Center.
If you want to learn even more about radon, join us for an educational program on February 16th at 12 PM in our Iola office! The professionals from the Kansas Radon Program will be presenting on the dangers of radon exposure and how to test your home. This program is free, but registration is required at bit.ly/krpsek. A light meal will be provided.
For more information, please contact me at [email protected] or 620-365-2242. You can also learn more from the Kansas Radon Program at kansasradonprogr