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Caryn Tyson: Legislative Update Special Session June 2020
A Senator commented to me, “I don’t know how you do it. You keep working and working.” I didn’t have to think twice about my response. You, my constituents, are the reason I do it.
Legislators were called back to Topeka by the Governor for a special session because she vetoed the COVID-19 bill that passed by super majority in the House and Senate. There wasn’t a chance for a veto override because the bill passed the last day of the 2020 session. Everything starts over for a special session, including all the bills. This special session was over before it began.
The Governor met with some House and Senate leaders to cut a deal for a COVID-19 bill. It resulted in House Bill (HB) 2016. The bill was fast-tracked to the point of shutting down debate in the Senate. After passing the House and the Senate Judiciary Committee, the bill should have gone to the Senate Committee of the Whole for debate, when motions to amend would have been in order. However, after the Majority Leader made a motion to send the bill directly to a final vote, he made another procedural motion to Call the Question. If the Call the Question motion passes, it cuts off all debate and any opportunity to amend the bill. The Call the Question is rarely used and considered a nuclear option. The Call the Question motion passed on a vote of 19 Yes to 17 No. I voted No because there should have been debate and an opportunity to amend the bill. It was disappointing that a majority of senators would vote to shutdown debate. It was also disappointing that the Governor threatened to veto the bill if there were any amendments. A handful of Senators from both parties rejected the threat in an attempt to get better legislation. HB 2016 passed on a vote of 26 Yes to 12 No. I voted No.
COVID-19 legislation, HB 2016 had some good and some not so good legislation. Unfortunately, senators didn’t have an opportunity to amend the bill on the Senate floor. HB 2016 gives protection to some from frivolous COVID-19 lawsuits, while others do not get the same protection. For example, hospitals will have greater protection than nursing homes; universities will have greater protection than community colleges. The bill gives the State School Board authority to decide if schools open but not the local school boards. There are some counties that never had a case of COVID-19. Why wouldn’t we let the local school boards decide? The bill appears to protect privacy and restrict contact tracing, but then allows contact tracing by the Secretary of Kansas Health and Environment (KDHE) and local health officers. Many of you have been concerned about the Governor’s overreach in shutting down churches or how businesses and activities were selected for ‘essential’. HB 2016 would extend the Governor’s authority to September 15, allowing for winners and losers to be picked. Why September 15? When this question was asked, there wasn’t an answer. After September 15, the bill allows six of the State Finance Council members to extend the Governor’s authority until Jan 26th 2021. Why not put this check in before Sept 15? These are a few examples of items that could have been addressed.
Membership of the State Finance Council is defined in statute consisting of nine members: (1) the governor, (2) the president of the senate, (3) the speaker of the house, (4) the majority leader of the senate, (5) the minority leader of the senate, (6) the chairperson of the senate committee on ways and means, (7) the majority leader of the house, (8) the minority leader of the house, and (9) the chairperson of the house committee on appropriations. The governor shall be the chairperson and the secretary of administration shall be the secretary of the council but shall not be a voting member.
As you know, these are unique times. Kansans are facing hardships and uncertainty. The news is intense, unrelenting, and at times inconsistent. Check your sources and lead by example because these are the times that define us. It reminds me of a Dale Evens quote, “It’s the way you ride the trail that counts.” Stay safe and Godspeed.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.
Caryn
Vital Statistics Services Expands to Will Call Pickup
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announces that its Vital Statistics Office lobby, which has been closed due to COVID-19, will open for will call pick-ups only beginning June 15. The lobby continues to remain closed for walk-in services.
To order certificates eligible for Will Call pickup, visit our website www.kdheks.gov/vital. Select the type of certificate and then complete the ordering process under the Will Call section. You will be notified by email when your certificate is ready to be picked up.
Those customers using Will Call pickup are encouraged to wear a mask when entering Vital Statistics.
For more information, including other ordering options, please visit the KDHE website at www.kdheks.gov/vital.
Bourbon County Commission Agenda for June 16
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: June 16, 2020
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________
3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Kendell Mason
MEETING WILL BE HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM. MUST MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING.
9:00 – 9:45 Jim Harris
9:45 – 10:00 Lora Holdridge, 2021 Budget Hearing
10:00 – 10:05 Susan Bancroft, Indian Rd for Fort Scott Municipal Airport
10:15 – 10:30 Clint Anderson, Purchase of a Vehicle
Obituary of Yvette Nelson
Yvette Nelson, age 89, was born May 13, 1931, to the late Albert P. and Bonnie Dale Wilson and went home to be with the Lord Saturday, June 13, 2020, at West Ridge Assisted Living.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Bro. Gene Nelson; and brother, Albert “Sonny” Wilson.
She married Gene Nelson on March 20, 1951, in Arkansas. She worked for the Western Insurance Company and served alongside her husband as a pastor’s wife at Bethel Community Church and then Xenia Baptist Church for 27 years. She was a loving wife, devoted mother, faithful friend, and godly mentor who made a difference in every life she touched.
Survivors include three children, Richette Shireman and husband, Doug, Walnut, KS, Sandy Haas and husband, Ron, Birmingham, AL, and Rod Nelson and wife, Bev, Fort Scott, KS; 10 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, with one on the way, and sisters, Bonita Holman and Anita Davis
Pastor Thad Endicott will conduct graveside services at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 17 at the Uniontown Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Xenia Baptist Missions Fund 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.
Obituary Of Robert Piotrowski
Robert Paul “Pete” Piotrowski, age 89, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Saturday, June 13, 2020, at the Country Place Senior Living Facility in Ft. Scott, Kansas.
He was born August 8, 1930, in Ft. Scott, the son of George Francis Piotrowski and Margaret Chambers Piotrowski.
He attended St. Mary’s Catholic Grade School where he was taught by the nuns. He went on to Ft. Scott High School.
It was here that one of his high school coaches decided “Piotrowski” was just too long of a name to yell and he was given the nickname “Pete”. He graduated from Ft. Scott High School with the Class of 1948.
He joined the Army Reserve out of high school. Pete graduated from Ft. Scott Junior College in 1950. He received a teaching certificate and went on to teach at Hard Pan country school. In 1953, he was called into active duty, and was stationed in Germany. He was honorably discharged from the United States Army in 1955.
Following his service with the military, Pete married Lula Mae Groner on June 6, 1959, at St. Paul, Kansas.
Pete’s father, George, started the family business just before Pete joined the military. While overseas, Pete would send his paychecks home to help with the investment known as Sunflower Supply. Sunflower was a successful wholesale tobacco and candy company that was home to the Piotrowski family for over forty-five years.
In the 70’s, while still working the family business, Pete decided to take on a full-time rural mail carrier position. He hauled the mail for over thirty years. He was the mailman that always carried gum with him, kids on the route quickly learned this and would always meet him at the mailbox.
After retiring from hauling mail and selling the family business, Pete enjoyed his farm outside of town. He had a garden, fruit trees, some ponds for fishing and a place for all his family to hang out and call home. Pete and Lou turned into Wendy’s Restaurant and Donut Shop regulars where they would meet their good friends for many years.
Pete and Lou were active members of Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and volunteered regularly. Pete and Lou shared their Catholic faith with their family, and they loved to hear the St. Mary’s Children’s Choir sing at the masses.
Survivors include his three children, Patricia Lou West and husband, Terry, Robert Jason Piotrowski and wife, Julie and Mary Paula Younggren and husband, Mike, all of Ft. Scott; seven grandchildren, Chrystal West Cowan (Josh), Ashlee Piotrowski Ludwig (Taylor), Gregory Piotrowski, Kayla West Collins (JD), Heather Rickerson Chavis (Josh), Emilee Piotrowski (Zach), and Casey Rickerson Proctor (Travis); and twelve great-grandchildren, Emmah Ludwig, Raylee Cowan, Eli Ludwig, Laramee James, Jace Cowan, Cheyann Collins, Caroline Proctor, Hayes Collins, Jackson Proctor, Kaislee Brittain, Theodore Chavis, and Rother Collins with one more great-grandson on the way.
Pete’s wife, Lou, preceded him in death on January 22, 2018. He was also preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Bernard Francis Piotrowski, and a half-brother, George Alan Pirie.
Father Yancey Burgess will conduct the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 A.M. Thursday, June 18th at the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church.
Burial with military honors will follow in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.
The Rosary will be recited at 6:30 P.M. Wednesday evening at the Church.
Visitation will follow from 7:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the Church. Memorials are suggested to the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church or the St. Mary’s Catholic School 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.
Magic Is Part of the Summer Reading Program
Valetta Cannon, Fort Scott Public Library Youth Librarian & Assistant Director announces a magician performance as part of the summer reading program
The Fort Scott Public Library has released a pre-recorded performance by Magician Jeff Quinn as a part of the summer reading program.
“From June 13 until June 21, you may view the video performance, created just for our library,” Cannon said. “Jeff has even made a few interactive tricks and created his very own fairy tale, complete with its own trick! Be sure to let the library know if you enjoy his performance – they may hire him to come perform in person next year.”
To learn more about Jeff Quinn, visit his website.
Follow this link to the library’s website to view Jeff’s performance.
If you have not yet registered for the youth summer reading program and are interested in participating, click here to learn more.
SEK COVID 19 Update June 15
SEK Multi-County Health Departments
Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, and Woodson Counties
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
June 11, 2020
Allen County
| Current Positive Cases | 0 |
| Current Recovered Cases | 1 |
| Total Positives Since Testing | 2 |
| Deaths | 0 |
Anderson County
| Current Positive Cases | 1 |
| Current Recovered Cases | 1 |
| Total Positives Since Testing | 2 |
| Deaths | 0 |
Bourbon County
| Current Positive Cases | 0 |
| Presumptive Cases | 1-listed on KDHE website, tested negative |
| Current Recovered Cases | 7-includes presumptive case |
| Total Positives Since Testing | 7 |
| Deaths | 1 |
Woodson County
| Current Positive Cases | 0 |
| Current Recovered Cases | 6 |
| Total Positives Since Testing | 6 |
| Deaths | 0 |
Recovered cases are based on dates of onset of symptoms, not on day testing results are received.
Obituary of James Hill
James Otis Hill, age 80, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Saturday, June 13, 2020, at Medicalodge of Ft. Scott.
He was born January 23, 1940, in Ft. Scott, the son of Drexel and Ruth Roy Hill.
From a youth, he enjoyed playing games with the neighborhood kids and working on anything with a motor. He attended Ft. Scott public schools then Wichita electronic school.
He worked as a machinist in the U. S. Army while stationed in France.
Through the years he worked at MO-KAN Drive-In, Ft. Cablevision, Fox Theatre, and various other Ft. Scott businesses.
He loved animals, kids, seeing God’s country by car and with friends on many motorcycle trips. He also loved taking pictures.
James never met a stranger and loved to visit. James lived his entire life in Ft. Scott, being blessed to live at Medicalodge his last 3 years.
Thank you to Lynette Emmerson and the entire Medicalodge family for helping James feel at home.
Survivors include many cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by a sister, Charlotte, and his parents.
Graveside services will take place at 2:00 PM Monday, June 22nd, in the Barnesville Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to either Ronald McDonald House or Medicalodge Activity Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Ft. Scott, KS 66701.
Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Obituary of Glenn Isaac
Glenn Galen Isaac, 86, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died on Friday, June 12, 2020, at Country Place Assisted Living.
He was born to Glenn Charles Isaac and Thelma Charlaine Weathers Isaac in Kansas City, KS, on August 11, 1933.
Galen married Iva Jean Isaac, and they were blessed with six children. He later married Shirley Ann Isaac on March 22, 1985.
Galen graduated from Elsmore High School in 1951, where he was salutatorian of his class. After high school, he briefly worked in Ohio on a pipeline construction job before being drafted in 1956.
While in the Army, he served in Japan.
He spent most of his working career owning and operating his own trucking company. From 1987 to 1994, he served as an instructor in the Driver Transportation Program at FSCC. Then he moved to Texas to work with his eldest son in his cabinet building company. In 1999, he returned to Kansas to retire, but he occasionally helped his middle son with his landscaping business and transporting cars for Shephard Team Auto Plaza. He enjoyed driving the open highway and visiting with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Galen is survived by two sisters, Priscilla Sellers, Ft. Scott, and Miriam and Forest Tennant, West Covina, CA; five children, Steve and Kimberly (Isaac) Irby, Holiday Island, AR, Randall and Kelly (Isaac) Goss of Jasper, AR, Barry and Frankie Isaac, Pittsburg, KS, Mike and Tammy (Isaac) Townsend, Fort Scott, and Cody Isaac, Mission, KS; 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Galen was preceded in death by his father and mother, his brother Eldon Isaac, his wife Shirley Isaac, and one son Randall Isaac.
Private family burial will take place in Memory Gardens Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to Care to Share and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Fort Scott’s Swimming Pool Opens June 22, With Modifications
The hot days of June have many seeking ways to cool off.
The Fort Scott Aquatic Center is one option for cooling off.
However, because of the COVID 19 Pandemic, it has remained closed until staff worked on a plan to be able to open safely.
The center will open on June 22, Chasity Ware, the manager, said.
“With many days of the uncertainty of the COVID 19, a lot of research went into making a final decision to plan to open the facility, ” she said. “Once I had the facts of what we were capable of doing with restrictions placed upon us and then shared with the (Fort Scott) City Commissioners, their faith in me and my team of employees were given the go-ahead to open. Due to the many behind the scene hours to prepare the opening of the pool along with lifeguard training that had to be completed, we needed a little time. We also chose to wait until the phase-out plan per Gov. Kelly to help with even fewer restrictions.”
Precautions are in place
“The modifications will include but not limited to:
- some masks being worn,
- extra cleaning being provided,
- no lounge chairs issued this season (we ask patrons to bring in their own chairs),
- no 3 pm or 5 pm break will be provided,
- and only pre-packaged foods will be served out of the concession stands.
We will initially limit our patrons to 250 each day for the first few weeks to help with gatherings as well.”
“Also NO pool passes will be sold,” she said. ” We can’t guarantee our season and know so much has already been missed we just didn’t feel the passes were going to be effective. If we were to close, we can’t imagine the nightmare for the refund/credit.”
“NO ONE will be allowed to come in and sit to watch anyone swim without paying,” Ware said. “We have to count them as part of the capacity number.
And one last thing, NO FLOATATION DEVICES of any sort. No padded suits, no arm wings, no life jackets.”
“There will be NO SWIM LESSONS, she said.
“We want to remind everyone to please pay attention to their symptoms and their children’s,” Ware said. “Please don’t attend the pool if you are sick, running a fever or overall not feeling well. Help keep others safe.”
Daily rates
Daily admission rates will apply: 3-14 years old-are $2, 15-62 years old- $3 and 63 years old and older- $2.
The center currently has 29 employees between lifeguards, office/concession personnel and managers.
“This number could change as the future moves forwards,” Ware said.
Pool hours, close date
Pool hours are 1 pm-7 pm Monday through Saturday and 1 pm-6 pm on Sundays.
The date to close will be no later than August 9 due to college lifeguards returning to college the first weekend of August and school for Fort Scott USD #234 is anticipated to start Aug. 12, she said.
“This could change as well as we move forward.,” Ware said. “We pray we have no outbreaks or other issues but are prepared to make decisions as needed. “
NO private pool parties
“We are sorry to say at this time there will not be private pool parties available this pool season,” Ware said. “We need the extra time to clean the facility. “
The center’s phone number is 620-223-8142.
Ware is the Fort Scott Aquatic Center Manager, in her 9th season. She was employed by Mound City Pool seven years prior to joining Fort Scott.
She is a Certified Lifeguard Instructor.
“I certify lifeguards for the Fort Scott Aquatic Center, Nevada, Iola, Pleasanton, and LaCygne pools. I have been doing that for six seasons now,” she said.
Be on the Look-out for Garden Pests
District Extension Agent, Horticulture
Southwind Extension District
111 S. Butler
Erie, KS 66733
Office: 620-244-3826
Cell: 620-496-8786
This spring brought an increased interest in gardening. Now that the gardens are planted and things are beginning to grow, gardeners should be on the look-out for insect pests.
If you are having difficulty with insect, the first thing you need to do is determine exactly what insect pest you are dealing with. To figure this out, start by looking at the type of damage being caused to the plant.
Most pests that feed on vegetable plants have either chewing or sucking mouthparts which each produce different types of feeding damage. For example, insect pests with chewing mouthparts feed on leaves, stems, flowers, fruits and roots. They physically remove plant tissue while feeding. This type of pest will often leave physical evidence of their feeding as well – such as the tomato horn worm.
Insect pests with sucking mouthparts feed on plant juices causing stunting, wilting, leaf distortion and leaf yellowing. An example of this is aphids. They also leave behind physical evidence in the form of honeydew – a clear, sticky substance on plant surfaces.
Scouting plants for insects is an important part of gardening and should be done often. I know many gardeners browse through their plants every day and that is great! It is important to find insect pests as soon as possible. Inspect the top of the leaves as well as the underside of the leaves. The underside is where most insect pests will be found.
Once pests are found, again it is very important to get them correctly identified. Caterpillars, beetles and bugs can be removed from plants quickly and easily by handpicking and then placing them into a container of soapy water. Aphids and mites can actually be dislodged off of plants with a forceful spray of water.
Pesticides can also be used and those labeled for vegetable gardens work in one of two ways – they either kill insects on contact or act as stomach poisons. But again, you need to know what insect you are targeting before application of chemical control. Many times, at the first sight of a pest, gardeners get excited and search the cabinet for some type of product to use. This is not the best approach to take! Beneficial insects can be killed using this tactic.
Speaking of beneficial insects, they actually prey on other insects and mites. Examples include parasitic wasps, ladybird beetles and green lacewings. Beneficial insects can even be encouraged to remain in a garden area by planting specific plants to attract them. The plants need to be placed in or around the perimeter of the garden. Examples of plants include dill, fennel, coneflower, yarrow and garlic chives.
If gardeners do not want to used pesticides, there are other practices to keep insect pressure down in the garden. Healthy plants are less likely to be attacked by insects. Plants that receive too much or too little water are more susceptible to insect pests. The same is true for fertilizer use – too much or too little will cause problems. Keep weeds down too as weedy areas are just a good place for aphids, mites and leafhoppers to congregate.
As you scout for insects in the garden, if you come across one that you cannot identify, the Extension office can help! Insects can be brought into one of our four office locations or pictures can be e-mailed. Remember, it is very important to know what pest you are targeting before pesticides are used.
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.