Click below:
Candidates Meet Public July 28
A candidate meet-and-greet event was organized for citizens to meet some candidates for the upcoming election.
The event was held on July 28 at The Boiler Room Brewhaus, at the corner of National Avenue and Wall Street in downtown Fort Scott.
Bob Hamilton, candidate for US Senate; Clifton Beth, candidate for Bourbon County Commission District 3, and Jim Harris, District 2 County Commissioner candidate met with the public.
Approximately 25 attended, according to Josh Jones, who submitted the photo and information.
From left to right are Bob Hamilton, Josh Jones, Gil Beerbower, and Jim Harris.
American Legion Post 25 Scuttlebutt
Bourbon County Voting
Advance voting at the Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National Avenue continues until noon, August 3.
The hours of the county clerk’s office are 8:30 a.m.-4:30 pm. There is a plexiglass barrier between the voter and poll worker and employees are sanitizing after each voter, Bourbon County Clerk Kendell Mason said.
“Masks are not required, but we strongly encourage people to wear them to help keep everyone safe,” Mason said.” Masks and hand sanitizer will be available at all polling places.”
For more information on voting or to check your voting location, go to http://www.bourboncountyks.org/county-clerk-election/
Membership
The 2021 membership cards have arrived. Any member desiring to pay their 2021 dues can pay them at our meeting on Monday or go online to www.legion.org and follow the prompts to renew. Dues are still $40 per year.
Members have also received renewal notifications in the mail. You can also mail in your renewals as well.
Upcoming Events
July 31 – August 2. Department Convention at the Ramada Hotel. The Department Convention is open to all Legionnaires. More information on the Department Convention can be found at https://ksamlegion.org/
August 3. American Legion Post 25 general membership meeting at 7 pm in Memorial Hall. Our regular Post meet and greet starts at 6:30 pm. Sons of the American Legion (SONS) Squadron 25 members also meet concurrently with the American Legion.
August 4. Primary voting in Bourbon County.
August 13. American Legion Auxiliary Unit 25 meets at 600 pm in Memorial Hall.
August 13. American Legion Post 25 Color Guard meets at 730 pm in Memorial Hall. All Post 25 Legion family members are invited to join the Post 25 Color Guard. This includes Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion Squadron members.
Do not hesitate to contact me or any Officer with any suggestions to improve Fort Scott American Legion Post 25.
Carl Jowers. Post 25 Commander.
620-215-1688/[email protected]
The Fort Scott Police Department Daily Reports July 28-29
Click below:
FS Design Review Board Meets Aug. 5
The Design Review Board will meet on Wednesday, August 5th, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. at the City Hall Commission Meeting room at 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. This meeting will be held to discuss a Certificate of Appropriateness for a sign at 19 S. National and a Certificate of Appropriateness for signage in the downtown area for the walking trail and any others matters to be brought before the Board. This meeting is open to the public.
This meeting will be made available via the City’s you tube channel at City of Fort Scott.
FS Street Advisory Board Meets Aug. 6
The Street Advisory Board will meet on Thursday, August 6th, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. at the City Commission Meeting Room at 123 S. Main Street.
This meeting will be made available via the City’s you tube channel at City of Fort Scott.
KDA Releases Custom Rates Survey
MANHATTAN, Kansas — The Kansas Department of Agriculture in cooperation with the Kansas State University Land Use Survey Program has published the 2020 Custom Rates Survey, a summary of rates paid for custom work. The survey and report are released on a biennial basis.
The report details the average rates paid by Kansas farmers and ranchers for custom work performed on their operation in 2020. Rates reflect fair market value for custom services either rendered or hired and can be used by Kansas farmers and ranchers as they make decisions about rate charges.
“We view the Kansas Custom Rates Survey as a very valuable tool for farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses to access as they enter into new and negotiate existing contracts and agriculture service arrangements,” said Secretary Mike Beam. “KDA works to provide support and assistance to help make Kansas agriculture more successful, and we are pleased to partner with K-State to publish this biennial survey.”
Last published in 2018, the new report indicates average custom rates have increased; it also includes historical tables and graphs which show results from previous surveys. Prices in the report should not be regarded as official or established rates.
For more complete information and access to the report, please visit the KDA website at www.agriculture.ks.gov/AgStatistics or contact KDA economist Peter Oppelt at 785-564-6726 or [email protected].
Jeff Fischer: Candidate for Bourbon County Commissioner, Advance Voting Has Begun
Advance voting at the Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National Avenue continues until noon, August 3.
The hours of the county clerk’s office are 8:30 a.m.-4:30 pm. There is a plexiglass barrier between the voter and poll worker and employees are sanitizing after each voter, Bourbon County Clerk Kendell Mason said.
“Masks are not required, but we strongly encourage people to wear them to help keep everyone safe,” Mason said.” Masks and hand sanitizer will be available at all polling places.”
To view the Chamber of Commerce Candidate Forum on July 20, click here: https://fortscott.biz/news/view-the-candidate-forum-last-night-here
This is part of a series of features on the candidates running for offices in Bourbon County. The Bourbon County Primary Election will be held, Tuesday, August 4, 2020.
Name:
Jeff Fischer
What position you are running for:
County Commissioner 2nd District
Age:
59 Years
Education:
Bachelors of Science in Civil Engineering
Masters of Science Civil Engineering
Post Graduate Studies Civil Engineering
Experience:
3.5 years of experience in the role of Commissioner
10 years of leading corporate and collegiate learning experiences
20 years of construction engineering experience
What skills do you bring to the position if elected or re-elected?
If my constituents re-elect me to serve again as their commissioner I bring the skills from the past as outlined in my educational background: Professional Civil Engineer, Experience with heavy construction, Experience speaking to large audiences on a wide range of topics from the medical service sector to roads and bridge rehabilitation. I am a skilled researcher and seek to understand complex issues by drawing from a broad band of knowledge, before narrowing down to reaching a decision for the good of the present with a look to future growth and development. I have the skills of a pastor who nurtures the flock in my pastoral duties in my church. As a leader in the ministerial community I have gained the skill of listening and the skill of humbling myself. I learn from my mistakes. I seek input from others and try to make amends for wrongs foolishly committed. I have a genuine love for the future growth of Fort Scott and Bourbon County. My public speaking skills at local, regional, state and national levels are a valued asset to our community. I can represent Bourbon County in the Committee meetings across the globe, if necessary, to gain access to outsiders planning to locate their businesses in rural America. I am skilled at financial planning and can assist in helping department heads when they seek guidance in yearly budgets. I have a unique skill in historical memories of Fort Scott, remembering what our great-grand parents envisioned for us and dreamed for our children. My skills are varied, yes, through years of formal education and also life experiences. My constituents afforded me an opportunity to serve Bourbon County four years ago. Thank you for your vote of confidence in 2016. Please review what the commission as a body has accomplished. I humbly ask your forgiveness for my stumbles. I seek the chance to continue in service to the community we all love.
What is your priority on day one?
- Listen carefully.
- Secure additional anchor tenants to realize the capacity and benefits of the Medical Mall concept.
- Develop and implement a strategic plan for county infrastructure.
Gordon Parks Annual Celebration Cancelled Due to COVID-19
To ensure the health and safety of our visitors, students, and community with these uncertain times of Covid-19, the Annual Gordon Parks Celebration has been cancelled for this year.
We have rescheduled the event for October 2021.
This was a very hard decision to make as we were looking forward to this year’s celebration, but the health and safety of everyone is our top priority.
We are already making plans for next year’s celebration to be even better, so please save the dates of October 7 -9, 2021.
We would like thank all of our donors and supporters for their support and patience during these challenging times.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions, 620-223-2700 ext. 5850or email [email protected].
Coronavirus Relief Fund Approved
State Finance Council Approves $254 Million of the Coronavirus Relief Fund
TOPEKA – Today, the State Finance Council (SFC) unanimously approved the public health, education and economic development proposals recommended by the Executive Committee of the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Taskforce for a total of $254,444,911.
“I want to thank the State Finance Council for approving these funds that will provide aid to Kansans who need it the most, help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and accelerate our economic recovery,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “Both rural and urban areas of our state will benefit from these dollars.”
Executive Committee Chair Lyle Butler presented the round 2 proposals, which were crafted by the SPARK Taskforce with help from state agency working groups for the following amounts:
| Public Health | $100,909,138 |
| Economic Development | $78,600,000 |
| Education | $74,935,773 |
| Connectivity | $60,000,000 |
“SPARK identified public health, education, economic development, and connectivity as the top priorities for supporting the recovery of the state,” said Lyle Butler. “I want to thank SFC for their support addressing our most pressing needs.”
The SFC will reconsider the Connectivity proposals following the Legislative Budget Committee meeting on August 3, where stakeholders will have the opportunity to provide more input on the proposals.
“We’re committed to making the best investments possible, being accountable to Kansans and operating with the urgency necessary to utilize these funds by the December 30 deadline,” said Recovery Office Executive Director Julie Lorenz. “We look forward to working with SPARK members, legislators and Kansans to ensure that happens.”
This is the second major allocation of the $1,034,052,049 the State received through the Coronavirus Relief Fund. Previously, $400 million was allocated to Kansas counties.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports July 30
U234 BOE Minutes of July 27
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met in the Fort Scott Middle School Commons on Monday, July 27, for a special meeting.
President David Stewart opened the meeting. Gina Shelton, Business Manager, presented budget workshop information. Board members approved the 2020-21 Negotiated Agreement and the Coronavirus Relief Fund Memorandum of Understanding.
The board went into executive session to discuss personnel matters for nonelected personnel and returned to open meeting.
The board approved the following employment matters:
A. Resignation of Jessica Reichard, Winfield Scott paraprofessional, effective at the end of the 2019-20 school year
B. Employment of Hannah Dunn as a central office accounts payable/secretary for the 2020-21 school year
Superintendent Ted Hessong discussed the 2020-21 school year. Administrators from individual buildings presented learning options. The board approved September 9, 2020, as a start day for school with teachers reporting on August 14, 2020.
The board adjourned.