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Bourbon County Commission Agenda For March 16 Updated Location
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: March 16, 2021
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jim Harris Corrected: _______________
3rd District-Clifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Kendell Mason
MEETING WILL BE HELD IN CITY HALL COMMISSION ROOM. ANYONE ATTENDING THE MEETING WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR A MASK. MUST MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING.
Call to Order
- Flag Salute
- Approval of Minutes from previous meeting
- Eric Bailey – Road and Bridge Report
- Clint Anderson – Position Opening in Appraisers Office
- Shane Walker, Dave Bruner, Traci Reed – Moving Dispatch into Old Jail Area
- Lynne Oharah – Opening Courthouse
- Lynne Oharah – Blue Cross Blue Shield Grant Money
- Lynne Oharah – Eliminating Hiring Freeze
- County Counselor Comment
- Public Comment
- Commission Comment
Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson
March 12, 2021
Property Tax Liberation
The Senate and House passed Senate Bill (SB) 13 and sent it to the Governor’s desk. Each year as you pay your taxes, SB 13 will stop automatic property tax increases that are solely due to property valuation increases. It will stop the shell game of who raised your taxes; stop valuation increases as a result of normal maintenance on your property; allow county treasurers the option to setup payment plans on property taxes; and remove that property tax lid that hasn’t worked because of too many exemptions. I started working on this property tax legislation after hearing from many of you. It was a major undertaking. I used methodologies from my management and business experience with some major help from friends across the state. The results will help reign in out-of-control property tax increases and allow property owners to see why their taxes increased. It must be good legislation because many legislators are taking credit for it. That’s always a good sign. The Governor vetoed it last year. Surely, she won’t make that mistake two years in a row.
Freeze Property Tax For Some Seniors
The Senate Tax Committee heard a bill last week that would freeze property tax on low-income seniors and disabled veterans. Currently, the bill would freeze it for anyone over 65 years of age, making less than $50,000 a year, and lives in a house valued less than $350,000 a year. Kansas is taxing people out of their homes and out of the state. We have to find ways to stop the madness.
Unemployment
There are only a couple of weeks left of the regular 2021 session but there is much work to be completed. A major piece of legislation is dealing with the broken unemployment system. The Senate Commerce Committee will have hearings on this legislation all next week. It is an attempt to make the Governor fix the system and to shore up the unemployment funds that have been depleted because the Governor shut down businesses and paid hundreds of millions of dollars in fraudulent unemployment claims.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.
Caryn
Walk Kansas Sign Up
LOLLIPOP HOP & SHOP + SIDEWALK CHALK ART CONTEST!
Chamber Announces LOLLIPOP HOP & SHOP + SIDEWALK CHALK ART CONTEST!
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces a Lollipop Hop & Shop + Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest will take place Friday, March 19th through Sunday, March 21st. Most stores in the Downtown Historic District and several additional locations will be participating in the fun.
All ages are encouraged to take part in the Chalk Art Contest by making a display in the Downtown Historic District or at another participating store and post the art creation to the Chamber Facebook page “Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce” with the hashtag #fortscottshopart to be included in judging.
Customers are invited to shop local while viewing the chalk art. Most retailers will be offering complimentary lollipops, and many will also be offering drawings and promotions. Locations included in the event will have a Lollipop Hop & Shop poster in the window to show they are participating.
The participating retailers are: Angela Dawn’s Boutique, Barbed Wire and Roses Vintage Market, Bids & Dibs, Hedgehog.Ink book store, Iron Star Antiques & Such, Laree + Co, Star Emporium Downtown General store, Sunshine Boutique and Treasure Hunt Flea Market.
The Chamber encourages the community to shop local, express yourself through art for all ages, and join the Lollipop Hop & Shop + Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest starting Friday, March 19th thru Sunday, March 21st.
Contact the Chamber for more information at 620-223-3566.
Obituary of Joe Johnson
Joseph Edward Johnson, age 35, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, March 9, 2021, at his home in Ft. Scott.
He was born October 8, 1985, in Ft. Scott, the son of Sherrie Jean Johnson and Thomas Powell, Jr.
Joe had worked for ten years as a CNA.
He enjoyed fishing.
Survivors include his mother and step-mother, Sherrie Johnson and Paula Schweikhardt of Ft. Scott and his grandmother, Beverly Brind of Ft. Scott, his uncle, Steve Johnson and two aunts, Kelly Black and Twila Russell and his grandfather, Thomas Powell, Sr., of Ft. Scott.
He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Powell, Jr., his grandmother, Bea Powell and his cousin, Scott Felt.
There was cremation. A private family memorial service will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are under the direction 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.
THRAMS Antiques, A Picker Family
THRAMS Antiques has been open in Bronson for about four months and was started by women because of their hobbies that turned into a business.
“We pick up antiques and furniture in our spare time,” Mandie Ericson, one of the pickers said. “This is a hobby that we started several years back and used the extra room at the Bronson Locker (same building and same family) to display our unique finds. We take passion in finding rare collectible antiques that can be repurposed and used in homes.”
According to https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Picker,
a picker is an early bird who hunts swap meets, estate sales, thrift stores, etc, and scoops up the good deals – often for resale in antique shops or on eBay.
“All antiques have a story to tell, and they become more valuable over time,” she said. “It is our passion to make people happy and for people in our area to have the opportunity to shop for antiques and unique items.”
“We find things (to sell) through people selling on the marketplace and estate sales as well as people wanting us to buy from them directly,” said Mandie Ericson.
The antique storefront is adjacent to the Bronson Locker, 504 Clay Street.
“Helen Bolling is the owner of the Bronson Locker so we had room to open it in the old hardware building (adjacent to the Bronson Locker) and we think it’s a great addition to the town of Bronson,” said Mandie.
The name of the antique shop is THRAM’s Antiques, with the R for Rayma Ridge, recently added.
T is for Tyler Ericson, H is for Helen Bolling, R is for Rayma, A is for Amber Ericson, and M is for Mandie Ericson.
Helen and Mandie work at the Bronson Locker, while Amber Ericson, the main investor of the antique shop, is a 4th-grade teacher at Uniontown. Tyler Ericson is currently at Pittsburg State University pursuing her degree in elementary education and Rayma works in insurance, helps at the locker when she can and has her own disc jockey business.
“Helen is Amber’s mom and Mandie and Tyler are Amber’s daughters-in-law and Rayma is my sister,” Mandie said. “I basically manage the Bronson locker so we take care of the antique shop through the locker while Amber teaches at school.”
Mandie and Helen work at the antique shop during the day while Rayma and Tyler help on weekends and Amber helps after school and weekends, Mandie said.
The antique store will be open every weekend in March on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday from 12:30 to 3 p.m.
Contact Amber (call or text) 620-363-1159 to schedule an appointment or with any questions regarding the store, according to their Facebook page.
“Our family has been collecting antiques for several years and really enjoy it,” Mandie said. “We have very nice collectible items, household basics, as well as one-of-a-kind furniture for fantastic prices!”
Pioneer Harvest Fiesta Gears Up For 2021
Pioneer Harvest Fiesta (PHF) will have its monthly meeting on Thursday, 3-18-21, at 7:30 PM at the Yeager Building on the Bourbon County Fairgrounds.
Anyone interested in attending is welcome. PHF is looking for increasing its membership and active members to help with our activities. Using masks and social distancing is requested.
Monthly meetings are always on the third Thursday of each month at the Yeager Building. If someone would like to be kept informed but can’t make the meetings please let Jim Kemmerer know and you can be added to the email list. Jim Kemmerer can be reached at 620-224-2275 and [email protected].
Past PHF shirts and caps are still available. $4.00 each or two for $7.50.
As the weather warms up activities such as mowing the fairgrounds, planting and raising corn on the grounds, and building repair will become necessary. If anyone is interested in helping with these tasks (mowing on a nice day while listening to music is relaxing) please contact Jim Kemmerer.
PHF is looking for pictures and videos of past events. If anyone has some they would like to share and have posted to the PHF YouTube channel please provide to Jim Kemmerer.
Home phone-224-2275
Office: 913-317-8812 x117
Mobile: 816-898-8068
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports March 15
The Simple Trust of a Four-Year-Old
Keys to the Kingdom – Carolyn Tucker
I have three cute and funny granddaughters: Lydia Mae 6 years, Felicity 4, and Vivienne 2. When the girls sleep at night, they each have a favorite sleeping companion they like to hold. Recently, after spending the night with me, it came time for all the family to pack up their belongings and head back to Missouri. Well, Felicity couldn’t find Tigee anywhere and was rather distressed. This little orange-and-black tiger has seen better days as both of his arms are held on with safety pins. I assured Felicity that I would find him later, so she was brave and went home without him.
Sure enough, I accidentally found him a few days later hiding on Pappy’s side of the closet floor. I immediately called my daughter and she handed the phone to Felicity so I could tell her the good news of finding Tigee. I felt impressed to go the extra mile and tell her not to worry about him, that he would sleep with me so he would be happy. She said, “OK” in her tiny soft voice, and everything seemed fine. Case closed, no problem.
When I got in bed that night, I was all comfortable and looking forward to sawing logs. But my mind was pricked with the words of my own mouth when I remembered that I had promised Felicity that Tigee would sleep with me. So I got out of bed, went into Mariam’s bedroom and scooped up the ratty-looking “stuffy” and climbed back into bed. To be honest I felt kinda’ stupid, but I knew that keeping my word was more important than feeling stupid.
The next day, I called my daughter and asked her to tell Felicity that Tigee had slept with me. Her response was, “I know, she said she would.” This green-eyed four-year-old’s confident response is the subject of my column this week. Jesus spoke several times about children. Little children have absolute trust in their parents and grandparents. And that is what our heavenly Father wants us to do — trust Him to do what His Word says He will do. If my granddaughter trusted me (as a human) to do what I said I would do, how much more can we trust the Master Creator to keep His Word!
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:14 ESV). The honest humility of a young child consists of trust, vulnerability, and the need for help from a loving parent. Usually adults are to be the examples for children, but in this case Jesus instructs adults to come to Him like little children come to their parents.
As adult believers, Jesus tells us: “Do not be anxious for your life….Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? But if God so arrays the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more do so for you, O men of little faith? Do not be anxious then, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘With what shall we clothe ourselves?‘ …your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow…” (Matthew 6:25-34 NASB).
The Key: Trust in God like a four-year-old and you’ll be on the right track.
Pruning Trees and Shrubs Like a Pro
District Extension Agent, Horticulture
Southwind Extension District
111 S. Butler
Erie, KS 66733
Office: 620-244-3826
Cell: 620-496-8786
K-State’s Garden Hour – “Pruning Like a Pro”
The K-State Garden Hour – a popular online program featuring horticulture experts from across the state – will discuss tips for pruning trees and shrubs on Wednesday, March 17th from noon to 1 p.m.
Pruning is both an art and a science, which means there are many ways to do it correctly.
Every snip, clip, or cut can affect plants in different ways.
Learn how trees and shrubs respond to pruning so that you can prune like a pro.
Garden hour programs will continue two times a month through the summer.
To register and participate in the K-State Garden Hour, visit www.ksre-learn.com/KStateGardenHour-register
For more information, please contact Krista Harding, horticulture agent, at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.
Aging with Attitude Regional Expo
Aging with Attitude Regional Expo
Same great information, new format!
Providing inspiration and answers to questions to make the most of life!
9 to 12 p.m. Thursday, April 29, 2021
9 to 12 p.m. Friday, April 30, 2021
Register by April 23rd, at https://tinyurl.com/agingwithattitude2021
or by calling 620-625-8620 to receive connection link and details
Find us on Facebook
www.agingexpo.ksu.edu
Keynote Speaker:
Marci Penner, Kansas Sampler Foundation
Kansas Guidebook co-authors will take you on a pictorial journey of some of the lesser-known explorer attractions in southeast Kansas. Do you know why there is a sculpture of a deer on the courthouse lawn in Girard? Have you seen the Thomas Losey Memorial in the Columbus Cemetery? Have you seen the dinosaurs in Erie? We’ll tell you all about it!
Partial funding is provided by the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation, Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station, and Cooperative Extension Service
Kansas State University is committed to making its services, activities, and programs accessible to all participants. If you have special requirements due to a physical, vision, or hearing disability, contact Southeast K-State Research and Extension Center, 620-421-4826.
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Due to Covid-19, all sessions will be available in one, easy to access, virtual webinar.
Registration fee is waived for 2021!
Participants provided with sessions, incentives, and resources.
GOING VIRTUAL
Thursday, April 29th
9:00 am Telemedicine and You: Understanding New Healthcare Options
Shawna Wright, Clinical Psychologist/Associate Director, KU Center for Telemedicine
Living in a rural area can have healthcare challenges. The good news is, innovative care is here! This presentation will introduce and define telemedicine while assisting consumers in
understanding how telemedicine can be used as a quality and convenient health care resource.
10:00 am Fraud Awareness: Protecting Yourself from Scams
Matthew Chaplin, Bank Manager, Landmark National Bank
Participants will discuss general fraud while highlighting popular fraud schemes in detail. Join us in learning tips and tricks to avoid and protect yourself from fraud.
11:00 am Hemp Culture
Shelli Hornberger, Director of Operations
Lauren Gabriel, Admissions/Educator America’s Hemp Academy
A discussion on all things Hemp.
Topics will range from Cannabidiol and health to the past, current, and the future of Hemp. Learn the updates on what is going on in the industry, including agriculture, today.
Friday, April 30th
9:00 am Valuable Records and Advance Health Care Planning Conversation
Jessica Atherton, LMSW – Medical Social Worker, Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice
This session will discuss the important documents that need to be kept in a safe place and having a conversation with your loved ones to let them know where the forms are located.
Information on advance health care planning will also be presented to ensure you have the resources and tools to state your health care preferences in writing before a health crisis occurs.
10:00 am Smart Homes: How to Make Your Home Safer and More Efficient
Mike McLeod, Director of Emergency Services, Security and Radios CDL-Electric Co., Inc.
Keeping you and your home safe is easier now thanks to technology. Learn about monitoring cameras, security systems, smart locks, and medical alerts. These technologies can save money by improving the efficiency of your heating and cooling systems.
11:00 am
Keynote Speaker
Marci Penner, Kansas Sampler Foundation
Educational sponsors of this program include:
Angels Care Home Health; Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas; Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice; Integrity Home Care + Hospice; K-State Research and Extension, Southeast Area; Medicalodges, Fort Scott; Nancy Van Etten Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging; Southeast Kansas Library System
Partial funding is provided by the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation
Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.