Government, Kansas

Special Session By Senator Caryn Tyson

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Caryn Tyson

2021 Special-Session

“Actions speak louder than words.”  It was never more obvious than on the Senate floor, when conservatives defended our freedom against federal overreach of mandating COVID-19 vaccines. The legislature passed a bill that strengthens Kansas law regarding COVID-vaccines including religious and medical exemptions and unemployment.  Employers are required to accept these religious exemptions to Kansans who seek them.  Also, employers are required to accept requests for medical exemptions that include a doctor’s signature.  Unemployment benefits were not available to employees who lost or will lose their job due to not receiving COVID-19 shots, but now they are.

 

The 25th Special Session in Kansas began November 22, 2021 and ended the same day.  The day began with both the Senate and the House going directly to the floor to debate and work on legislation to block the federal vaccine mandates.  Both chambers passed legislation and a conference committee was called to work out differences.  The final legislation passed the Senate 24 to 11 and the House 77 to 34.  I voted Yes.  The Governor signed the bill into law.

 

It was the first time in Kansas history the Governor was forced to call a special session by a petition of 2/3 the legislators.  It was reported in an online newspaper that the Governor requested Democrats not sign the petition for a special session. Thankfully, Republicans heard the cry of Kansans and stood together signing the petition, 29 senators and 84 representatives and the Governor signed the legislation into law.

 

It is a victory for protecting Kansans liberties.

 

Contact Tracing

The Governor Kelly administration has been contact tracing, collecting data on a person who may have been in contact with an infected person.  Last year, they went as far as tracking Kansans movement of cellphones.  This is invasive and is another form of government overreach.

 

Because of the time constraints on special session, Contact Tracing and other topics were not discussed.  In fact, it was requested that we hold amendments to the COVID-19 mandates until regular session beginning January 10, 2022.  Myself and others respected the request and have legislation ready for next session.

 

There will be many important topics in the 2022 session.  Blocking overreaching government mandates, stopping Critical Race Theory (CRT) from being taught in our schools, government transparency, removing sales tax on food, elections,  and many other topics will be worked during next session.  You may follow the bills and watch meetings online at www.KSLegislature.org.

 

I hope that you are able to enjoy the holidays.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 

 

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.

Caryn

 

Government, Kansas

KDHE Statement on the Omicron Variant

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TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is continuing to monitor the COVID-19 variant Omicron. No confirmed cases have been identified in Kansas or the United States to date. This variant is new, and it is still unknown how transmissible or contagious this variant is. It is unclear how quickly it will spread, but it has been found in 17 countries already and we should assume that it is only a matter of time before it will be found in the United States. KDHE will continue to sequence positive COVID-19 samples to look for the Omicron variant.

With over 64% of the eligible population fully vaccinated, Kansas is more prepared for Omicron than previous variants. Experts continue to believe that the COVID-19 vaccine will continue to protect those who are vaccinated against severe disease and death. The COVID-19 vaccine is available for all individuals aged five years and over. The vaccine booster dose is available for all adults aged 18 and over. Boosters increase the strength of your antibody response, so even if the virus mutates, a boost makes it more likely that your antibodies can prevent you from getting sick or seriously ill, even with the new variant. If you are six months past your second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or two months past your J&J vaccine, get boosted now.

As we continue to learn more about the Omicron variant, taking steps to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus remains the same. Kansans should receive the COVID-19 vaccine or booster shot, wear a mask in public indoor settings, wash their hands frequently, physically distance from others as much as possible, stay home if they feel sick, and get tested if they have been exposed to COVID-19 disease or have symptoms.

Find the nearest vaccination clinic by visiting Vaccines.gov.

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Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda For Nov. 30

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Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

 

Date: November 30, 2021

1st District-Lynne Oharah                                                                Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jim Harris                                                                      Corrected: _______________________

3rd District-Clifton Beth                                                                              Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Ashley Shelton

 

   

MEETING HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM

 

Call to Order

 

  • Flag Salute
  • Approval of Minutes from previous meeting
  • Eric Bailey – Road and Bridge Report
  • Jody Hoener – BBCO Pathways Sign Placement
  • Sheriff’s Office – HVAC Bids
  • Kelly Sartorious – National Heritage Area
  • 30 X 30 Resolutions
  • December 28 Commission Meeting
  • County Counselor Comment

Executive Session – 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

  • Susan Bancroft, Finance Director Comment

Executive Session – 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

    • Public Comment
    • Elected Officials Comment
  • Commission Comment

There will be a joint meeting with City and County Commissioners at the Empress Event Center at 12:00 noon.  This meeting is open to the public but will not be viewable on YouTube.

 

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.

Bourbon County, Business

Bandera Stone to Open Showroom In Uniontown

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The Bandera Stone showroom storefront is located at 103 Third Street, on the north side of the square in Uniontown. Workers are currently working on the interior of the building, with a completion date in early 2022.

Don and Mary Pemberton, owners of Bandera Stone, Inc. are in the process of restoring and remodeling the storefront on the north side of Uniontown’s square.

The building is located at  103 Third Street.

Their business offers stone products for both interior and exterior, commercial and residential projects, all from local quarries.

Bandera Stone Inc. truck driver, “Bugs” George, left, with Don and Mary Pemberton, owners, with a stone that was recently delivered to the Cato School site, commemorating the National Register of Historic Places designation.  Mary described George as “driver extraordinaire.” Submitted photo.

“Bandera Stone quarries and fabricates natural limestone and sandstone: full depth veneer, thin-cut veneer, landscaping, pool coping, sills, caps, hearths, mantels, countertops, and other dimension stone products,” Mary Pemberton said.  “At our Bronson Quarry, we also have a crusher plant and provide a wide range of crushed stone products including road rock, ¾”, 1-1/8” and 2” clean, crusher run, ditch liner, and agriculture lime with a CCE in the mid to high 90’s.”

They offer a range of stone colors, with the product drawn from the several quarries in Kansas and Missouri that the Pemberton’s operate.

“We specialize in custom cutting each order using these unique stones,” she said.  “Our stone is shipped all across the country but primarily west of the Mississippi River.  Our biggest markets are in Montana, Idaho, Colorado, California, Tennessee, and more locally in the Kansas City area.”

“You can find our stone on projects throughout Bourbon County including the LaRoche Stadium and the Fort Scott Community College baseball fields, (Fort Scott’s)Heritage Park, the Fort Scott National Cemetery, Uniontown City Park, as well as numerous private residences,” she said.

One of Bandera Stone’s projects is Fort Scott’s City National Bank at Second and Scott Avenue. Taken from its website.

The business needed to relocate its office and wanted to combine it with a showroom to better display their stone products and enable customers to visualize options for their project, she said.

“We considered several options, including building new, but always liked the idea of restoring an older masonry building,” she said.  “We decided on Uniontown for the location and just began asking building owners if they would be interested in selling.  We were able to purchase the former café building, one of the few older structures left on the Uniontown square.”

They discovered their newly purchased building was in very poor structural condition.

“In October, we started a total gut-job remodel which included changing the flat roof to a gable roof as well as refacing two of the exterior walls which were extremely deteriorated,” she said. “Inside, absolutely everything will be new.  The front half of the interior is the showroom which will display a variety of our veneer and cut stone products installed as it would be on a residential project.  The back half of the interior contains restrooms, a conference room, file room, etc. ”

“We expect to have the remodeling completed in late January, barring delays with materials or contractors,” she said.  “In the spring, I hope to begin painting murals which will cover the brick exterior east wall.  Once the remodeling is finished and stone installed in the showroom we will have an open house so everyone can come and see.”

 

History Of Bandera Stone

“Don was a second-generation stone and brick mason so he had 15 plus years of masonry experience before founding Bandera Stone in 1988,” she said.  “We purchased the Bandera Quarry near Redfield and initially only supplied veneer stone.”

Within a few years, the Pemberton’s started a Bronson quarry that supplies Winterset Limestone, which has become the most popular and versatile stone they sell, she said.

Winterset Limestone from Bandera’s Bronson Quarry. Taken from their website.

They also bought the former school building in Redfield to expand into cut stone.

“Over the years we have continued to expand, adding quarries and buildings, and equipment at the cut stone mill, as we could afford it.  In Bourbon County, we now have our stone mill in Redfield, our primary quarry just east of Bronson, and soon to be our office and showroom in Uniontown.”

 

For more information call or text 620-223-3920  or email [email protected].

The website is www.banderastone.com

 

 

 

Opinion

The Red-Banded Sugar Bowl by Carolyn Hayward Tucker

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Carolyn Tucker. Submitted photo.

Keys to the Kingdom

 

My brother now has possession of Grandma Jennings’ Bavarian sugar bowl which has an intricate red band imprinted on a cream-colored background. During World War II, my Dad loved three women: his wife, his mother, and his mother-in-law. While fighting on the front lines in Germany he managed to have three beautiful sets of dishes shipped to the women he adored. We can only imagine the 75 years of life and love that sugar bowl has witnessed — if it could only talk!

In the Old Testament, a woman named Rahab had possession of a red rope. Before the two Israelite spies arrived at her home, she had placed her faith in the one true God. When the king of Jericho sent word for her to bring the spies to him, she hid them and sent the king’s men on a wild goose chase. Before the spies went to sleep that night, Rahab went up on the roof to talk with them.

The following is Rahab’s declaration of faith and trust in the living God: “I know the Lord has given you this land. We are all afraid of you. Everyone in the land is living in terror. For we have heard how the Lord made a dry path for you through the Red Sea when you left Egypt. And we know what you did to Sihon and Og, the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan River, whose people you completely destroyed. No wonder our hearts have melted in fear! No one has the courage to fight after hearing such things. For the Lord your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below.”

“Now swear to me by the Lord that you will be kind to me and my family since I have helped you. Give me some guarantee that when Jericho is conquered, you will let me live, along with my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all their families” (Joshua 2:9-13 NLT). The Israelite spies gave this promise: “We will be bound by the oath we have taken only if you follow these instructions. When we come into the land, you must leave this scarlet rope hanging from the window through which you let us down. And all your family members — your father, mother, brothers, and all your relatives — must be here inside the house“ (Joshua 2:17-18 NLT). In the fall of Jericho, the Lord did great wonders. Rahab and all her family were brought out in safety and lived among the Israelites. Never forget that one person can make a big difference…and that one is you.

Rahab’s red rope (and the promises kept by both parties) saved her and her family. The red blood of Jesus saves all who will declare their faith in Him. “At one time you were far away from God. But now you belong to Christ Jesus. He spilled His blood for you. That has brought you near to God” (Ephesians 2:13 NIRV). Our heavenly Father gave His only begotten Son to shed His red blood so that all could believe and have everlasting life. In addition, all believers can grab onto the red rope of Jesus and have an abundant life while living in the here and now. You can’t exhaust or imagine all the ways God extends His love, mercy, and favor to those who ask for it. Romans 5:10 NLT: “For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of His Son while we were still His enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of His Son.”

The Key: When you reach for the sugar bowl, thank God you’re in His sweet family through the blood of Jesus.

Bourbon County, K-State Extension

Low-Cost Tree and Shrub Seedlings Available December 1st

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Krista Harding
District Extension Agent, Horticulture
Southwind Extension District
111 S. Butler
Erie, KS 66733
Office: 620-244-3826
Cell: 620-496-8786

The Kansas Forest Service is offering low-cost conservation tree and shrub seedlings for purchase again this year. These seedlings are to be used in conservation plantings, such as home/livestock windbreaks, living snow fences, Christmas tree plantations, firewood lots, habitats for game birds and wildlife, barriers to reduce noise pollution, blocking ugly views, marking property lines and creating habitat for songbirds.

These plants are 1 or 2 years old, and their sizes vary from 5 to 18 inches, depending on species. Most of the trees are bare-root seedlings, however some are available as container-grown seedlings such as Ponderosa pine and Southwestern white pine. Some of the deciduous trees that are available include: bald cypress, black walnut, bur oak, cottonwood, hackberry, redbud, and sycamore. Shrubs available include American plum, chokecherry, lilac, and sand hill plum. This is not a complete listing of available trees and not all trees are recommended for this area.

The Kansas Forest Service also offers tree “bundles” for purchase. The Quail Bundle offers a variety of shrubs designed to attract quail, including American plum, fragrant sumac, golden current and chokecherry. It was created in cooperation with Quail Forever to provide excellent food and habitat for upland bird species in eastern Kansas.

Another popular favorite is the pollinator bundle. Designed to improve the habitat for a diverse array of pollinating insects, it primarily focuses on native bees, honey bees, butterflies and moths. This bundle is composed of seven species of shrubs and small trees – American plum, chokecherry, golden currant, false indigo, elderberry, buttonbush and eastern redbud.

Not certain what you would like to order? Then stop by the Extension office and pick up a brochure that has color pictures of various trees and shrubs at maturity. Orders for conservation trees are accepted December 1st through the first full week of May, with shipments beginning in March. However, I recommend that you order early to ensure availability of trees. Order forms and price sheets are available at the Southwind District Extension Office in Erie, Iola Fort Scott, and Yates Center or can be mailed or e-mailed.

Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension Agricultural agent assigned to Southwind District. She may be reached at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Government, Kansas

New KDHE Acting Secretary Announced

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Governor Laura Kelly Announces Janet Stanek as Secretary for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced Janet Stanek as the new Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). Stanek will serve in an acting capacity until the Kansas Senate confirms her as the new head of the agency. She had previously served as the Director of the State Employee Health Benefits Program (SEHBP).

“As we move to this next phase of the pandemic, from emergency response to steady state, it was important that we find a Secretary to oversee both the state’s COVID response and the many other services performed by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment,” Governor Kelly said. “With Janet’s decades of experience as well as the relationships she has built across the medical community in Kansas, I have no doubt that she will be able to step into this role immediately and continue the agency’s critical work.”

Prior to her role at SEHBP, Stanek spent more than 35 years in various healthcare leadership positions in Pennsylvania, western New York and Kansas, including 21 years of her career at Stormont Vail Health Topeka where she last served as chief operating officer and senior vice president. While with Stormont Vail, she oversaw a wide array of clinical and non-clinical functions and departments, as well as the strategic selection and rollout of a sophisticated electronic health record system across the region. Her most recent work involved focusing on population health, accountable care organization development and the transition to value-based care delivery.

“I’m honored to be selected by Governor Kelly to serve as the next Secretary for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment,” Stanek said. “Since the start of the pandemic, the agency has done a remarkable job helping lead the state’s response to this once-in-a-century crisis. I look forward to working with the entire KDHE team to build on their outstanding work.”

Stanek holds a graduate certificate in population health from Thomas Jefferson University, an MBA from Alfred University (NY) and a Bachelor of Science degree in health information management from the State University of New York Polytechnic Institute, Utica, New York. She is also a Fellow of  the American College of Healthcare Executives and the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, and is a Registered Health Information Administrator. Additionally, Stanek currently serves as the Chair of the Kansas Health Institute Board of Directors.

Fort Scott, Government

Watts Resigns As City Commissioner:Van Hoecke Appointed to Replace Her

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Unofficial minutes of  CITY OF FORT SCOTT

SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING

Minutes of November 24th, 2021 Special Meeting #27

Minutes are unapproved until the next meeting

A special meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held November 24th, 2021, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Commission Meeting Room, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas.

ROLL CALL:

Commissioners Kevin Allen, Pete Allen, Randy Nichols, and Lindsey Watts were present with Mayor Josh Jones presiding.

AUDIENCE IN ATTENDANCE: Tim Van Hoecke, Margie Brown, Rachel Thompson, Brad Matkin, and Mark McCoy. Matthew Wells and the City Manager candidate were connected via conference call.

CONSIDERATION:

  1. Accept resignation of City Commissioner – Lindsey Watts read a resignation letter stating that since you have to be live in the City limits to be a City Commissioner, and she has recently moved to the County, she is resigning as a Fort Scott City Commissioner effective November 24th, 2021. She thanked each and every citizen that voted for her and trusted her to make the right decisions at each meeting. She said that the last two years have been filled with turmoil and challenges, and that we need to make sure and move the City forward together. She stated that she hoped the Commission would take the top vote getter in the latest election and appoint him to take her position effective tonight. She thanked City staff for their work and the Interim City Manager for his efforts in moving the City forward.

The Commissioners all thanked her for her time on the City Commission and all she has contributed.

J. Jones moved to accept the resignation from Lindsey Watts as a City Commissioner effective November 24th, 2021. K. Allen seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED TO ACCEPT LINDSEY WATTS’ RESIGNATION AS A CITY COMMISSIONER EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 24TH, 2021.

J. Jones moved to appoint Tim Van Hoecke to fill her position as a City Commissioner effective November 24th, 2021. R. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED TO APPOINT TIM VAN HOECKE AS CITY COMMISSIONER EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 24TH, 2021.

City Clerk, Diane Clay, administered the Oath of Office to Mr. Van Hoecke.

Executive Session:

J. Jones moved that the City Commission recess into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing non-elected personnel in K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(1). The open meeting will resume in the Commission meeting room at City Hall at 6:18 p.m. seconded. All voted aye. This included the City Commission, Interim City Manager, Human Resource Director, Lindsey Watts, and Matthew Wells.

J. Jones moved that the City Commission come out of Executive Session at 6:18 p.m. K. Allen seconded. All voted aye.

Executive Session:

J. Jones moved that the City Commission recess into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing non-elected personnel in K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(1). The open meeting will resume in the Commission meeting room at City Hall at 6:33 p.m. K. Allen seconded. All voted aye. This included the City Commission, Interim City Manager, Human Resource Director, and Matthew Wells.

J. Jones moved that the City Commission come out of Executive Session at 6:33 p.m. K. Allen seconded. All voted aye.

Executive Session:

J. Jones moved that the City Commission recess into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing non-elected personnel in K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(1). The open meeting will resume in the Commission meeting room at City Hall at 6:43 p.m. R. Nichols seconded. All voted aye. This included the City Commission, Interim City Manager, Human Resource Director, and Matthew Wells.

J. Jones moved that the City Commission come out of Executive Session at 6:43 p.m. T. Van Hoecke seconded. All voted aye.

ADJOURNMENT:

J. Jones moved to adjourn the special meeting at 6:44 p.m. R. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.

ADJOURNED MEETING AT 6:44 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Diane K. Clay, M.M.C.,

City Clerk

Bourbon County

Bourbon County REDI Awards Local Communities Grants

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Robert Harrington. Submitted photo.

The Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc., REDI, Board of Directors and Economic Development Director Rob Harrington has given out $80,000 worth of Quality of Life Grants over the past few months.

These grants were all made possible by the Bourbon County Commission and the APEX Wind Farm PILOT.

REDI back in the summer was given $125,000 to begin awarding out to the communities and non-profits across the county for quality of life projects such as parks, ball field renovations, and walking trails.

So far every community in Bourbon County that has applied has been awarded of grant.
The City of Bronson was awarded $10,000 to help renovate the Bronson Ballfields.
The City of Uniontown was also awarded $10,000 to help repair the pond out by Uniontown Schools which several of the classes use for teaching and recreation for the community.
Redfield was awarded money to repair their ball fields, and the City of Fort Scott just recently received a check to help with their new bike trail at Gunn Park.
“These grants are to help communities build up recreational opportunities for their citizens so that it continues to be a great place to raise a family. We are excited to see so much great work being done with the PILOT money from APEX Energy,” said  Harrington.
“We will be awarding several more grants in the next month, and are looking forward to next year when we can hopefully expand the scope of the grant to include small infrastructure projects such as sidewalks, and ADA accessibility improvements,” he said.
The Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc. is a 501c-3 not-for-profit that oversees all of the economic development duties for the county and the City of Fort Scott.
If you would like to talk to Harrington about how you can help be a part of the work they are doing please feel free to email him at [email protected].  

—

Robert Harrington MPA MEDP
Director
Bourbon County REDI
200 S. Main Suite 200
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Office: 620-644-7967
cell: 620-215-0144

Bourbon County Local News