There will be a Special Meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 9th, 2020. This meeting will be held to consider an extension of the bid date for the City’s property insurance which is currently out for bid. It is anticipated the City Commission will adjourn in Executive Session after this item to discuss non-elected personnel.
This meeting will be held at 123 S. Main Street in the City Commission meeting room. This meeting will be broadcast on the City’s You tube channel. This meeting is open to the public.
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has amended its travel quarantine list to remove Aruba. Aruba was previously added September 24; however, its rates have decreased over the last two weeks.
A comprehensive list of those individuals needing to quarantine for 14 days includes visitors and Kansans who have:
Attendance at any out-of-state mass gatherings of 500 or more where individuals do not socially distance (6 feet) and wear a mask.
Been on a cruise ship or river cruise on or after March 15.
Mass gatherings are defined as any event or convening that brings together 500 or more persons in a single room or space at the same time such as an auditorium, stadium, arena, large conference room, meeting hall, theater or any other confined indoor or outdoor space. This includes parades, fairs and festivals. Mass gatherings does not include normal operations of airports, bus and train stations, medical facilities, libraries, shopping malls and centers, or other spaces where 500 or more persons may be in transit. It also does not include typical office environments, schools, restaurants, factories or retail/grocery stores where large numbers of people are present, but it is unusual for them to be within 6 feet of one another for more than 10 minutes.
“If you are choosing to travel or attend mass gathering events, please know that there are inherent risks,” Dr. Lee Norman, KDHE Secretary, said. “Be sure to wear masks, practice social distancing and use proper hand hygiene. And, if you’re not feeling well, stay home!”
Bronson, Fort Scott, Fulton, Mapleton, Redfield and Uniontown all benefit from the upcoming proposed 1-percent sales tax that will be on the Nov. 3 Bourbon County Ballot.
In fact, if the proposal fails to renew (the sales tax has been in place for years), cities will have to make hard decisions concerning services they can provide their communities, according to authorities.
Several community officials have responded with what the possible impact on their communities will be.
“If a no vote prevails, each entity receiving this sales tax would have troubling decisions that would set our communities back even further,” Fort Scott’s Financial Director Susan Bancroft said. “Some communities may be forced to raise property taxes to cover lost revenue and some may face having to make the decision to unincorporate.”
“Citizens may ask why a sales tax rather than a property tax,” Bancroft said. ” Local residents and nonresident consumers buying in Bourbon County share in the revenue generated from a sales tax. Essentially, visiting consumers help financially support improvements in our communities versus a property tax solely coming from Bourbon County residents.’
“Currently, The City of Fort Scott generates roughly $750,000 per year from the 1% sales tax,” Bancroft said. “Approximately 67% ($500,000) of the sales tax is used for the street department for operations and basic maintenance to our city streets.”
“Additionally, 20% of the sales tax supports any capital improvements needed for parks, public safety, recreational facilities and public buildings,” she said. “The remaining 13% of the sales tax supports general fund operations for things such as: public parks, municipal airport, Woodland Hills Golf Course, aquatic center, Buck Run Community Center and public safety.”
FS Commission Recent Change: 90% Will Go To Streets
“At the October 6th commission meeting, the (Fort Scott)City Commission made a bold decision to change their current allocations of the 1% countywide sales tax to the street department,” Bancroft said. “The current 67% will increase to 90%, and will be dedicated to the street department for operations and maintenance if the sales tax passes on November 3rd. The remaining 10% will be used to continue to fund public parks, public buildings, recreational facilities, and public safety.”
Graphic provided by Susan Bancroft.
Bronson, Fulton, Mapleton, Redfield and Uniontown use the portion of their sales tax to support general operations and are a significant part of their budgets, Bancroft said.
Bancroft broke down the following percentages for how much the countywide sales tax generates in each entity as a percentage of total revenue received:
Bourbon County 35%
Bronson 18%
Fort Scott 11%
Mapleton 29%
Redfield 27%
Uniontown 14%
“I encourage the citizens of Bourbon County to research the facts to understand the impact this vote could make on our county. The proposed sales tax is not a new sales tax. This sales tax is simply renewing the current sales tax in place, and for all entities, it is to support the day to day activities that keep our communities running.” Bancroft stated.
Bronson
“The City of Bronson relies on the countywide sales tax to supplement our general fund to reduce the burden on property taxpayers,” according to Bronson City Clerk Ellen Harper. “Our general fund pays, in full or in part, expenses for general operations of the city wages, liability insurance, street maintenance, community center, library and parks. We would lose over $25,000 a year, which may not seem like much, but for a small city it would be detrimental to our finances. An estimated loss of 18% revenue would mean an approximate increase of 43 mills if it were to be added to property taxes. We couldn’t put that kind of burden on our citizens. So many services and benefits would have to be cut.”
Uniontown
“The City of Uniontown receives approximately $22,000 annually from this tax,” Uniontown City Clerk Sally Johnson said. “These funds are deposited to the general fund to help fund our public services to our community. These funds have not been earmarked for specific projects but have been used to fund a portion of patch material for city streets, culverts, ditch repairs, street lighting, signal light at Hwy. 3 intersection, help maintain the community center and much more. The City of Uniontown would like for citizens to consider renewing this tax so we can continue to provide services to our community.”
Fort Scott
Fort Scott’s Finance Director Bancroft states “The City of Fort Scott depends heavily on the countywide sales tax. If the sales tax does not pass, the impact will be greater than the $750,000 generally generated from the sales tax. The $750,000 of sales tax will be lost revenue and an additional $500,000 will need to be cut from other areas to continue to supply the same essential operations and maintenance in the street department. This equates to 1.2 million dollars that would need to be cut if the countywide sales tax does not pass. Areas that would be affected are public safety, parks, economic development, recreational facilities, aquatic center and staffing.”
Susan Bancroft is the Fort Scott Finance Director. Submitted photo.
Fulton
“Without the allocation of funds to the City of Fulton that are obtained through this sales tax, we would be cutting our yearly general fund in half,” Misty Adams, Mayor of Fulton said. “This would not be operable for our small town. The loss of revenue would be a huge loss and devastation for our small town and many other small rural communities. We would be operating in the red by year-end and be seeking assistance from our county commissioners. Without the passing of the 1% sale tax, we residents would see an increase in our property taxes and for some, this would create a financial hardship. Many small rural towns are housed by retirees who are budgeting their monthly expenses and are on fixed income, so increase in expenses is not what we are looking to do.”
The sales tax will appear on the Bourbon County November 3, 2020 ballot, as follows (taken from the county’s website):
Shall the following be adopted?
Shall Bourbon County, Kansas, levy (renew) a one percent countywide retailers’ sales tax to take effect on July 1, 2021, and expire on June 30, 2031, with the allocated shares pursuant to K.S.A. 2019 Supp. 12-192 to be used as follows: (1) to Bourbon County, for the purpose of maintenance and construction of hard surface roads, and (2) to each city located in Bourbon County, for the purpose of providing funding for public services?
To vote in favor of any question submitted upon the ballot, darken
the oval to the left of the word “YES”; to vote against it, darken
Thursday. October 8. American Legion Auxiliary Unit 25 meets at 6 pm in Fort Scott’s Memorial Hall. The meeting is open to members and guests and prospective members who are eligible to join the American Legion Auxiliary. Call American Legion Fort Scott Unit 25 President Sylvia Norris at 620.215.1688 for more information about joining the American Legion Auxiliary.
Thursday. October 8. American Legion Post 25 Color Guard meets at 7 pm in Fort Scott’s Memorial Hall. The meeting is open to members and guests and prospective members who are eligible to join the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary or Sons of the American Legion. Call Color Guard Commander Darrell Spencer at 620-224-6720 for more information about joining the American Legion Post 25 Color Guard.
Saturday. October 10. Breakfast on the Bricks by the Fort Scott American Legion Color Guard starts at 8 am
All members, prospective members and guests are invited to American Legion meetings.
Any female who has or had a family member in military service can join the American Legion Auxiliary. This includes those parents, grandparents, siblings and children who served our nation.
Your Fort Scott American Legion Post 25 has been also busy in the last week providing services to our community.
Attached are photographs of the recent Breakfast on the Bricks hosted by the Fort Scott American Legion Auxiliary Unit 25. Shown in the photo are Auxiliary Members Mary Jean Hart, Linda Beltz and Michelle Lyon and Legionnaire Ron Beltz.
A photograph of three American Legion Chapter 25 Riders preparing for an escort of Navy Veteran Norman Gideon to the National Cemetery. Shown are Riders Darell “pup” Spencer, Myra “Sassy” Jowers and Jake “Blue Duck” Campbell.
A special thanks to Sheriff Bill Martin for arranging a police escort for Veteran Norman Gideon from the southern Bourbon County line to the National Cemetery
A photograph of two American Legion bulletin boards placed at the Fort Scott VA Clinic. The bulletin boards were provided by the Fort Scott American Legion Auxiliary Unit 25. Legionnaire Bob Matthews and Auxiliary member Tanya Lowe installed the bulletin board.
All photographs courtesy of Fort Scott American Legion Post Commander Carl Jowers.
KS Dept. of Health and Environment Guidance for Celebrating Halloween, September 2020
This document outlines guidance and considerations for celebrating Halloween during the COVID-19 pandemic. As typical Halloween celebrations do not allow for minimizing contact with non-household members, it is important to plan early and identify safer alternatives. Refer also to any specific city or county guidance in your community which may be more restrictive than what is outlined below.
Halloween Activities Not Recommended
• Gatherings, events, or parties with non-household members
• Carnivals, festivals, live entertainment, and haunted house attractions
• Door to door trick or treating – It is very difficult to maintain proper social distancing on porches and at front doors, ensure everyone (trick or treaters and residents of homes being visited) are properly wearing face coverings, and because food sharing is risky.
• “Trunk or treating” – It is difficult to avoid crowding and sharing food at such events.
• Traveling to a rural fall festival that is not in your community if you live in an area with community spread of COVID-19.
Recommended
• Online parties or contests (e.g., costume contests, pumpkin carving)
• Car parades
o Drive by events or contests where individuals dress up or decorate vehicles and drive by judges that are appropriately physically distanced
o Drive through events where individuals remain in vehicles and drive through an area with Halloween displays
o Drive in events where individuals receive a treat bag (with commercially packaged, non-perishable treats) or take away item from an organizer while the participants remain in their vehicle
• Halloween movie nights at drive in theaters
• Halloween themed meals at outdoor restaurants, complying with restaurant protocol
• Halloween themed art installations at an outdoor museum, complying with museum protocol
• Dressing up homes and yards with Halloween themed decorations
Personal Protection Measures
Regardless of how you celebrate, there are important recommendations for how to keep yourself and your household members safe.
• Correctly wear a cloth face covering to prevent disease spread when outside your home and around others who are not part of your household.
• Avoid confined spaces, including indoor spaces that don’t allow for easy distancing of at least 6-feet between you and others.
• Practice physical distancing – place at least 6-feet between yourself and other people who are not part of your household.
• Practice routine hand hygiene – wash your hands often, for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Clean frequently touched items regularly.
Safer Trick or Treating and “Trunk or Treating”
Although KDHE does not recommend trick or treating or “Trunk or Treat” events as ways to celebrate Halloween, there are some recommendations and guidance to consider if you make these choices for yourself or members of your household.
• Correctly wear a cloth face covering to prevent disease spread when outside your home.
o Incorporate face coverings into costumes.
o Face coverings should not be worn by children younger than 2 years old, anyone who has trouble breathing, and anyone who is otherwise unable to remove their cloth face covering without assistance.
• Carry hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol and use at regular intervals while outside your home.
• Consider carrying sanitizing wipes to disinfect candy or other items accepted from homes. Or, sanitize items individually when you get home before consumption. Remember to also examine treats for choking hazards or tampering before eating them.
• Accept only commercially packaged, non-perishable items.
• Practice physical distancing.
o Always leave at least 6-feet of space between yourself and people not in your household.
o Do not crowd sidewalks, driveways, or porches.
o Wait until a porch or doorway is empty before approaching a home.
o Move aside on sidewalks and driveways to allow space between yourself and other trick or treaters.
o Keep a safe distance from cars – do not walk in the street.
• For “Trunk or Treat” events, follow all guidelines above while also considering:
o Maintain at least 6-feet of distance between yourself and other attendees as you walk around.
o Wait for others to depart a car/trunk before approaching. Do not congregate at a car/trunk with other attendees unless they are members of your household.
Guidance for Homes Accepting Trick or Treaters
• When answering the door or coming into contact with trick or treaters, correctly wear a cloth face covering.
• Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds at regular intervals; hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol can be substituted if soap and water are not available.
• Regularly clean and sanitize frequently touched items such as door handles, door bells, and door knockers. Consider having sanitizing wipes by the door for quick access between trick or treaters.
• Distribute only commercially produced, non-perishable items to trick or treaters.
• Do not use “grab bowls”, where trick or treaters reach into a communal bowl to retrieve candy.
• Practice one-way trick or treating
o Consider spacing items 6-feet apart on your porch, in your yard or on a table in your driveway with a sign advising trick or treaters to “Take 1”. Watch from a safe distance and replenish items as needed.
o Alternatively, make individual goodie bags for trick or treaters to pick up as they walk by. If your home has a fence, consider hanging individual goodie bags on the fence for trick or treaters to take as they walk by.
• For “Trunk or Treat” events, also consider:
o Participating cars should be parked at least 6-feet apart.
o Make individual goodie bags and place them in your trunk so they are not touching. Maintain a distance of at least 6-feet from other attendees and replenish bags or items as needed.
o Carry hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol and use at regular intervals.
o Sanitize high-touch areas at regular intervals. Consider having sanitizing wipes on hand.
Halloween Parties
Although KDHE does not recommend hosting or attending parties as a way to celebrate Halloween, there are some recommendations and guidance to consider if you make this choice for yourself or members of your household.
• Remind potential guests who are sick or waiting on results of a COVID-19 test to stay home.
• Host activities with only people from your local area as much as possible.
• Correctly wear a cloth face covering around others who are not part of your household.
• Practice routine hand hygiene – wash your hands often, for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Consider only hosting or attending parties hosted in large, outdoor spaces that allow for physical distancing of at least 6-feet between attendees. If an event must be hosted indoors, make sure the space is well-ventilated (for example, open windows and doors).
• Maintain at least 6-feet between yourself and people who are not members of your household, especially when cloth face coverings are removed for eating and drinking.
• When setting up tables and chairs, create individual seating areas of various sizes spaced 6-feet apart to be utilized by individual family or household units. Encourage guests to sit only with those who are members of their household, especially for eating and drinking when cloth face coverings will be removed.
• Avoid activities that require guests to be in close contact or to share items, such as games or food.
• Encourage guests to bring their own food and drinks.
• Limit people going in and out of areas where food is being prepared, such as kitchens or grills.
• Clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces and any shared items between use when feasible.
General Halloween Health and Safety Tips
In addition to modifications to Halloween activities to reduce the spread of COVID-19, remember the following general Halloween health and safety tips to keep you and members of your household safe.
• Avoid trick or treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.
• Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.
• Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them.
• Hold a flashlight while trick or treating to help you see and others see you.
• Walk, don’t run, from house to house.
• Look both ways before crossing the street. Use crosswalks whenever possible.
• Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible. Avoid walking in streets and roadways. If there is no sidewalk, walk along the far edge of the road facing traffic in order to stay safe.
• Wear well-fitting costumes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls.
• Eat only commercially produced, non-perishable treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.
• Do not enter homes unless you are with a trusted adult.
• Only visit well-lit homes.
• Never accept rides from strangers.
• Never walk near candles or luminaries. Wear flame-resistant costumes.
References
1. Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Guidance for Celebrating Halloween. Retrieved September 2020 from http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/coronavirus/docs/community/GuidanceHalloween.pdf.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Halloween Health and Safety Tips. Retrieved September 2020 from https://www.cdc.gov/family/halloween/index.htm.
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Personal and Social Activities. Retrieved September 2020 from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/personal-social-activities.html#gatherings.
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Holiday Celebrations. Retrieved September 2020 from
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html.
On October 7, 2020, Mary “Rosalie” Martin returned to her heavenly home at age 87 after a valiant battle with a long illness.
Rosalie was born to the late Frederick and Caroline Karleskint in Fort Scott, KS on May 2, 1933. She was blessed to be part of a large and loving family with her twelve siblings.
Many knew Rosalie as Rose or Rosie, which was a fitting name for a woman who loved flowers as she did. The surest way to put a smile on Rosie’s face was with a bouquet. Along with being a gardener, Rosalie learned to play the piano as an adult and was an avid reader throughout her life.
She will be remembered for her blue eyes that shone even brighter when she smiled, her elegant style and her queenly bearing.
Rosalie married Raymond Cannon in 1954. Raymond proceeded her in death in 1957. She entered the workforce after being widowed at an early age. She worked as a housekeeper for Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church while raising two daughters Karen (Rex) Hall and Alice (Larry) Maffett. She played the role of mother and father in a time when that was not common. Despite these struggles, she provided an indelible example of self-reliance, fortitude and grace in the face of adversity.
Rosalie married Colonel James “Jim” Martin on May 23, 1967, in Fort Scott, KS. Through this union, she gained a son, Larry (Debra) Martin and a daughter, Joyce (Ken) Johnson. Rosalie and Jim expanded their family with the addition of sons Bryan (Jan) Martin and Brad (Angie) Martin. Her legacy of love has grown to include ten grandchild and fifteen great-grandchildren.
Rosalie supported Jim’s business ventures throughout their 53 years of marriage. She was a home-maker, the business bookkeeper and, when necessity called, the occasional ranch hand.
Rosalie was a woman of deep faith and a beloved member of the Apostolic Pentecostal Church, Fort Scott, KS. It was through her love of God Sister Rosalie demonstrated the message of Ephesians 4:29. Rosalie often remarked at how blessed she was to share her life with a man who treasured her such as Jim did. And in his Rose, Jim found a woman spoke of in Proverbs 31:10-13.
Rosalie is survived by her beloved husband, Jim; her children; grandchildren; and great-grandchild; her siblings Alice Murray, Patricia Hobbs, Marjorie Cook and Tom Karleskint; as well as many other loved ones both near and far.
She is preceded in death by her siblings Rita Godwin, Esther DeLange, Leo James Karleskint, Joan Greenfield, Carol Karleskint, William “Doc” Karleskint, Betty Young, and Ruth Umlauf.
Rev. Rod Hillhouse will conduct funeral services at 10:30 A.M. Monday, October 12th at the Apostolic Pentecostal Church in Ft. Scott.
Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 2 to 5 P.M. Sunday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to the Apostolic Pentecostal Church or the Leukemia Society and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Hope Elaine Holeman, age 94, resident of Parsons, KS, formerly of Bronson, KS, died Monday, October 5, 2020, at the Labette Health Center in Parsons. She was born on November 13, 1925, in Iola, KS, the daughter of Olin and Florence Hicks Burtch. They moved to Bronson in 1941. She obtained her teaching degree from Kansas University after beginning at Baldwin College. She taught high school for several years. Hope married Colwell Holeman in August of 1950. She played the piano her entire life. She also enjoyed crossword puzzles. After retirement from the farm, she and Colwell would travel to the Rio Grande Valley of south Texas in the cold winter months to spend time with friends and family. She was a member of the Bronson United Methodist Church.
Survivors include 2 sons, Bob Holeman, Parsons, KS, and Bill Holeman (Lora) Bronson, KS; seven grandchildren, Justin Holeman (Jamie), William Holeman, Jessica Laforge (Jordan), Joshua Holeman (Yuli), Joel Holeman (Crystal), Andrew Holeman, and Adrienne Holeman; and eight great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband Colwell; a daughter Mary Margaret Holeman; and a brother, Robert Burtch.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, October 10th, at the Bronson Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the Bronson United Methodist Church and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
