Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Minutes of Jan. 11

Leave a comment

January 11, 2021                                            Monday 10:00 am

 

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners, the County Counselor and the County Clerk present.

 

Jason Silvers with the Fort Scott Tribune was also present.

 

Lynne reported they were having the meeting due to receiving a KOMA complaint; the Attorney General issued an opinion on the complaint, the KOMA complaint included the following allegations… the Commissioners failed to “comply with the statutory requirements for recessing into an executive session, failure to include an attorney in an executive session held for “attorney client privilege”, improperly including a third party in two executive sessions held for consultation with an attorney; and holding an executive session for personnel matters of nonelected personnel that did not pertain to an identifiable employee.”  Justin Meeks said the County did have technical KOMA violations, he said the Commissioners need to include in their motions for an executive session the reason for the executive session, plus additional details for the session, include a K.S.A. when making a motion to go into executive session, the exact start and stop time of the session and make a motion when coming back into open session.  Justin said the Commissioners went into an executive session for windfarm discussion for attorney client privilege but should have gone in for proprietary information instead.  Justin reported that Nick Ruhl had already signed the consent order from the office of the Attorney General, Lynne signed during the Commission meeting, Jeff Fischer said he would have to review the consent order before signing; he said if Justin had shared this before the meeting, he could have reviewed it.  Jeff told Justin he saw this complaint for the first time in October/November timeframe, and at that time Justin said he would take care of this.  Jeff read a portion of the consent order and said he would not sign this. If the Commissioners participate in KOMA training, the $50 penalty for each Commissioner for the KOMA violation will be waived, (Justin suggested doing the KOMA training).

 

This is Jeff Fischer’s last Commission meeting as a Commissioner; he said he had enjoyed serving with this Commission, he said he admired Lynne for his work in preserving the taxpayers interest, and said it was nice to see he advocated for a reduction in the mill levy.  He told Clifton that he enjoyed working with him and appreciated his ability to quickly learn & get to the heart of an issue, he wished him the best.  Lynne said he appreciated the compliment and said it had been a trying time the past two years and said he has tried to save taxpayers money.  Jeff said he could count on him to make decisions for the taxpayers.

 

At 10:22, Clifton made a motion to go into a 10 minute executive session for KSA 75-4319(b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships, concerning medical, the Commissioners will meet in another location and reconvene in the Commission room at 10:32am, Jeff seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners, Jody Hoener and Justin Meeks).  At 10:32, Clifton made a motion to go back into open session, Lynne seconded and all approved, no action was taken.

 

Lynne asked that a 30 minute executive session be scheduled on the January 12th agenda for medical discussion.

 

At 10:33, Clifton made a motion to adjourn, Jeff seconded and all approved.

 

THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

(ss) Lynne Oharah, Chairman

(ss) Jim Harris, Commissioner

(ss) Clifton Beth, Commissioner

ATTEST:

Kendell Mason, Bourbon County Clerk

January 12, 2021, Approved Date

Opinion

Selfishness By Patty LaRoche

Leave a comment
Patty LaRoche

A priest, a doctor, and an engineer were waiting one morning for a particularly slow group of golfers.  The engineer fumed, “What’s with those guys? We’ve been waiting for fifteen minutes!”   The doctor chimed in, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen such inept golf!”   The priest, noticing a nearby green-keeper, greeted the worker. “Hello George, What’s wrong with that group ahead of us?  They’re rather slow, aren’t they?” The green-keeper replied, “Oh, yes. That’s a group of blind firemen. They lost their sight saving our clubhouse from a fire last year, so we always let them play for free anytime!” The group fell silent for a moment.
The priest said, “That’s so sad. I’ll say a special prayer for them tonight.”
The doctor added, “Good idea. I’ll contact my ophthalmologist colleague and see if there’s anything she can do for them.”
The engineer responded, “Why can’t they play at night?” 

I’ve met people like that, haven’t you? Empathy is not in their vocabulary. Correction: they appreciate empathy, but only when they are its recipient. Should they, however, be inconvenienced, a price will be paid. The same is true with forgiveness. My granddaughter, Montana, is here in Mazatlán, Mexico, in discipleship training. This past week, she shared that their group had focused on forgiveness. She made me smile with this observation: “Forgiveness is a gift.”

I’m not sure there is a better present than to forgive someone. Consider the eternal implications to not. (Jesus’ words, not mine): For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions. (Matt. 6:14-15) It’s one of the harshest warnings in Scripture.

I have known people who will not forgive, who hang on to their offense, who would rather spend eternity away from God than to humble themselves and deal with their pride. Fortunately, my Mazatlán friend, Debbie, is not one of them. We could have lost something precious, had she not forgiven me for what I wrote in an Email–implying that she was not trustworthy–that was accidentally forwarded to her a few years ago. I had written the words in frustration and became hysterical when I realized that she had read them. Immediately, I phoned her to apologize and ask her forgiveness. She had been deeply wounded by how I had both betrayed our friendship and disrespected her work.

Since I was teaching in Kansas at the time, I had to wait over two months–for spring break– until I could meet with her, face to face, to ask her forgiveness. She had every right to dismiss me, to judge me and decide that I was not worth her time. Her choice to give me another chance was a lesson that taught me much about how I want to live my life. Because Debbie knew that unforgiveness always leads to bitterness which keeps us living with a broken heart, she showed grace, and because of that, our friendship has become an elite bond we both cherish. Not a week goes by that we don’t spend time together. Last year, when Debbie and I were having lunch, I brought up how I wish I could take back those accusatory words, but my friend would have none of it. “That’s in the past. What we have now is the best.” We both are blessed beyond measure because Debbie was the bigger person.

Is there someone you need to forgive? Or would you rather harbor your power-in-payback resentment and hold to the lofty “over my dead body” mantra? I pray that you don’t see that to its literal ending.

Church news, Fort Scott

Pancake Feed, Auction and Bake Sale at First Southern Baptist Church Feb. 6

Leave a comment

 

JOIN US FOR OUR 3RD ANNUAL

ALL YOU CAN EAT PANCAKES (Regular & Gluten Free)

WITH A SERVING OF

GROUNDHOG FUNDRAISER,

SILENT AUCTION & BAKE SALE

Feb. 6, 2021, 8 a.m.- 2 p.m.

at First Southern Baptist Church

1818 South Main, Fort Scott, KS.

 

Children 7 and under FREE

8 to Adult $5.00 in advance

or

$6.00 at the door

purchase tickets at

Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce or

Contact Ida Ford 417-262-3948 or

Terri Williams 620-215-3202

Vera Norris 620-215-2066

**All proceeds go to the building fund

 

Government, Kansas

Child Welfare Settlement Agreement

Leave a comment

Federal Judge Approves Child Welfare Settlement Agreement

DCF looks forward to implementation and continued improvement

TOPEKA – Kansas Department for Children and Families Secretary Laura Howard today applauded the approval of the settlement agreement in the matter of M.B. and S.E., through their next friend KATHARYN MCINTYRE, et al., v. LAURA HOWARD, et al.

“I want to thank Judge Crabtree and the plaintiffs for making this a collaborative process,” Howard said. “We’ve already begun the heavy lifting required of us to address the provisions laid out in the agreement, we know we have much work ahead of us to reinforce our commitment to Kansas children by building an effective child welfare system.”

The class action lawsuit was filed in 2018 by Kansas Appleseed, Lori Burns-Bucklew, Children’s Rights and the National Center for Youth Law against the Governor, DCF, Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The Governor was later dismissed from the case.

The agreement outlines three categories of requirements for DCF focused on placement stability and access to mental health services. Categories include accountability reporting and implementation, practice improvements and outcomes. See the full list of requirements.

“We know these outcomes are achievable because we’ve already seen the positive results of the hard work DCF employees have put into these requirements,” Howard said. “I believe we can meet the timelines set forward in the agreement and ensure that Kansas isn’t caught up in never ending litigation.”

As part of the settlement work, DCF has already organized a statewide placement stability workgroup of partners and providers to identify and implement improvements. In addition, the agency will soon award a contract for Kansas Family Crisis Response and Support will allow DCF to offer crisis intervention services across the state.

The agency also has increased supports to relative and foster caregivers and will soon issue an RFP for innovations to support placement stability practice improvements included in the settlement agreement.

With these efforts, the rate of moves for children in care has reduced over the past 12 months.

Howard isn’t satisfied.

“We’ve made significant progress in slowing the number of foster youth who run away or don’t have a placement and end up in offices thanks to our enhanced special response team and by building a new child protection framework through new practice models like Team Decision Making and Family Finding. I am committed to seeing this work through until the requirements are completed and being transparent about our progress along the way.”

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Health Care

Buck Run Stream Advisory Rescinded

Leave a comment

Stream Advisory Rescinded for Buck Run Creek, located East of Scott Avenue and West of 69 Highway in Fort Scott, Kansas

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has rescinded the stream advisory for the Buck Run Creek, along the area East of Scott Avenue and West of 69 Highway in Fort Scott, Kansas. Water samples show no health risk associated with the creek. Water contact in the river is now deemed safe.

Fort Scott, Government

New FS City Manager Starts Feb. 1: Jeremy Frazier

Leave a comment
Jeremy Frazier. Submitted photo.

Jeremy  Frazier was selected by the Fort Scott City Commission in a unanimous vote to become the next city manager in January 2021.

 

He starts in that position next Monday, February 1.

 

He replaces Dave Martin, who retired in October 2020.

 

Frazier will bring new vision and ideas to the city, according to a January 21 Fort Scott City Commission press release.

To view the city’s press release:

Jeremy Frazier To Begin As Fort Scott City Manager on Feb. 1

 

“Jeremy brings to this position over a decade of public sector experience,” according to the press release.

 

Frazier has managed cities of various size towns of from 1,800 people to his most recent in El Reno, Oklahoma, population approximately 20,000 people, according to the release.

 

He will earn $115,000 per year plus benefits as the new city manager.

To view the entire contract:

FedEx Scan 2021-01-20_14-12-31(1)

 

The following is from an email interview with Frazier.

Why did you pursue your career? Was there someone who inspired you?

“I chose to pursue city management as a career because after graduating from college and landing a position with a great company, I found myself financially secure but unfulfilled and lacking passion within my organization.”
“So I put serious thought into what I enjoy, how I could serve others, and how I could create lasting changes in the lives of others. I knew that I felt a calling to public service but was unsure as to how best to execute it. After all, I knew very few public servants at the time.”
“Fortunately, I met some great public servants through the Oklahoma Municipal League such as Missy Dean and the City Management Association of Oklahoma which include Tim Rundel, Eric Benson, Jason Orr, and many others.”
“While the opportunity that I desired did not materialize immediately, I stayed close to the industry and received encouragement from various industry professionals for which I had great respect and admiration.”
“Finally,  a few years later, I was offered an opportunity to serve in a small community of 1,800. There the city manager felt it important that I learn every position and task from code enforcement to billing and collections and public works. At the time I did not appreciate these lessons as I thought I was hired to be more of an administrator, in my mind.”
“In hindsight, this was the best learning experience that I could have ever asked for and I’ve been hooked on public service every since, building upon my knowledge and skills with each community that I’ve served.”
“Now I look forward to bringing my passion for public service, skills, and knowledge to serve the community and residents of Fort Scott.”
What affiliations/community involvement interests you outside of your employment?
“I have served as a board of trustees appointee to a local university, worked closely with local volunteer organizations to perform community projects, served as a member of local civic organizations such as Toastmaster’s International and the Lions Club, and was active with local government organizations such as the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), Oklahoma Municipal League (OML) and the City Management Association of Oklahoma (CMAO).”
“I hope to be active in similar organizations in the state of Kansas. I might also find interest in local home building or restoration non-profits such as Habitat for Humanity and others.”
Frazier said he has been married “nearly 15 years to a wonderful woman and mother and I have two young boys.”
COVID-19, Government

Farm Loans Debt Collections Suspended

Leave a comment

USDA Temporarily Suspends Debt Collections, Foreclosures and Other Activities on Farm Loans for Several Thousand Distressed Borrowers Due to Coronavirus

 

Manhattan, Kansas, Jan. 27, 2021 – Due to the national public health emergency caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced the temporary suspension of past-due debt collections and foreclosures for distressed borrowers under the Farm Storage Facility Loan and the Direct Farm Loan programs administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA). USDA will temporarily suspend non-judicial foreclosures, debt offsets or wage garnishments, and referring foreclosures to the Department of Justice. USDA will work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to stop judicial foreclosures and evictions on accounts that were previously referred to the Department of Justice. Additionally, USDA has extended deadlines for producers to respond to loan servicing actions, including loan deferral consideration for financially distressed and delinquent borrowers. In addition, for the Guaranteed Loan program, flexibilities have been made available to lenders to assist in servicing their customers.

 

Today’s announcement by USDA expands previous actions undertaken by the Department to lessen financial hardship. According to USDA data, more than 12,000 borrowers—approximately 10% of all borrowers—are eligible for the relief announced today. Overall, FSA lends to more than 129,000 farmers, ranchers and producers.

 

“USDA and the Biden Administration are committed to bringing relief and support to farmers, ranchers and producers of all backgrounds and financial status, including by ensuring producers have access to temporary debt relief,” said Robert Bonnie, Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Secretary. “Not only is USDA suspending the pipeline of adverse actions that can lead to foreclosure and debt collection, we are also working with the Departments of Justice and Treasury to suspend any actions already referred to the applicable Agency. Additionally, we are evaluating ways to improve and address farm related debt with the intent to keep farmers on their farms earning living expenses, providing for emergency needs, and maintaining cash flow.”

 

The temporary suspension is in place until further notice and is expected to continue while the national COVID-19 disaster declaration is in place.

 

USDA’s Farm Service Agency provides several different loans for producers, which fall under two main categories:

 

  • Guaranteed loans are made and serviced by commercial lenders, such as banks, the Farm Credit System, credit unions and other non-traditional lenders. FSA guarantees the lender’s loan against loss, up to 95%.
  • Direct loans are made and serviced by FSA using funds from the federal government.

 

The most common loan types are Farm Ownership, Farm Operating and Farm Storage Facility Loans, with Microloans for each:

 

  • Farm Ownership: Helps producers purchase or enlarge a farm or ranch, construct a new or improve an existing farm or ranch building, pay closing costs and pay for soil and water conservation and protection.
  • Farm Operating: Helps producers purchase livestock and equipment and pay for minor real estate repairs and annual operating expenses.
  • Farm Storage Facility Loans are made directly to producers for the construction of cold or dry storage and includes handling equipment and mobile storage such as refrigerated trucks.
  • Microloans: Direct Farm Ownership, Operating Loans and Farm Storage Facility Loans have a shortened application process and reduced paperwork designed to meet the needs of smaller, non-traditional and niche-type operations.

 

Contact FSA

FSA encourages producers to contact their county office to discuss these programs and temporary changes to farm loan deadlines and the loan servicing options available. For Service Center contact information, visit farmers.gov/coronavirus. For servicing information, access farmers.gov.

 

 

 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender

 

Area News, Health Care

Nevada Hospital Receives First COVID 19 Vaccines For Phase 1B

Leave a comment

NRMC to Host Phase 1B Vaccine Clinics

Nevada Regional Medical Center (NRMC) has received their first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines for Phase 1B. Only individuals registered through waiting lists will be notified and scheduled for one of two upcoming mass vaccination clinics that will provide more than 500 individuals with their first dose of a two-part Moderna vaccine. Second doses will be given at follow-up clinics four weeks after the initial clinics. It is important to note that COVID-19 vaccination may only be done by appointment and walk-ins are not accepted.

As supplies continue to come in, NRMC will continue to reach out to those who have requested a vaccination. Anyone who believes they fall into one of the tiers in Phase 1B and wishes to be notified when an appointment for vaccination is available may call NRMC’s vaccine call center at (417) 448-2120 or visit the hospital’s website at www.nrmchealth.com to register online.

The vaccine call center is open 24/7 and staffed by live receptionists. In the interest of making scheduling as efficient as possible, NRMC requests that individuals register for the notification list only once as multiple requests are unnecessary and not helpful.

So who exactly is eligible right now? Here’s the breakdown:

Phase 1B – Tier 1: Protecting those who keep us safe and help during emergencies

• First Responders

• Non-Patient Facing Public Health Infrastructure

• Emergency Management and Public Works

• Emergency Services Sector

Phase 1B – Tier 2: Protecting those who are at increased risk for severe illness

• Anyone aged 65 and older

• Any adult with one or more of the following conditions: Cancer, Chronic Kidney Disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Intellectual and/or developmental disabilities such as Down Syndrome, Heart Conditions (such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies), Immunocompromised state from a solid organ transplant, Severe Obesity (BMI greater than 40), Pregnancy, Sickle Cell Disease, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

“Getting a vaccine to everyone that wants one is not going to be a fast process,” said NRMC Chief Executive Officer Steve Branstetter. “However, we are dedicated to not wasting any vaccine that we receive and ensuring the most efficient and safe vaccination process that we can for our community. We are as anxious as everyone else to start a new chapter in this story, where we defeat our antagonist, the virus.”

NRMC reminds readers to frequently check local media and the hospital’s Facebook page for updates on COVID-19 vaccines.

###

About Nevada Regional Medical Center
Serving a six-county area since 1937, Nevada Regional Medical Center is a 71-bed acute, intensive and skilled care hospital. Nevada Regional Medical Center has earned recognition as a respected regional medical center for its comprehensive health care services, skilled and caring employees and state-of-the-art medical technology. Staff represent more than a dozen medical specialties, including family practice, women’s services, neurology, urology, psychiatry, orthopedics, wound care services, and general, vascular, thoracic and oncological surgery. Additionally, consultation clinics are held regularly by specialists in oncology, pulmonology, podiatry, ear, nose, and throat and cardiology.

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Local Author Brian Allen: Book Idea Originated In History Club

2 Comments

Brian Allen works as a teacher’s aide in an automotive technology class at Fort Scott High School. Because of a special interest in history, Allen sponsors the high school history club that meets monthly.

He is also president of the Bourbon County Historical Preservation Association.

 

Because of this love of history and wanting to create interest in the students, he started telling stories of local murders during a period of the late 1800s in Bourbon County.

 

 

“I started researching stories for the high school kids in history club (at the school) and found that they liked a good murder mystery or story,” Allen said. ” I did 30 years’ worth of short stories and asked Fred Campbell (a  local historian) to proof-read it for me. When he finished he insisted that I have it published.”

 

 

“The name of the book is Murder and Mayhem, and covers Bourbon County murders that occurred between 1868 and 1898,” he said.

 

 

 

“I never thought about doing it, but (Campbell’s) enthusiasm pushed me to go ahead and look into it,” he said. “This is the first book I have had published, but I do have three more manuscripts completed and am working on a fourth.”

 

 

“It was published in December of 2020 and was printed by SeKan printing here in Fort Scott,” he said. “Don Banwart designed the cover, and I included a photo of the original courthouse on it. It took me about a year to write it as it was never my original intention to publish it. It is available at the Hedgehog Ink as well as the (Fort Scott) Chamber of Commerce.”

 

Hedgehog INK is a bookstore at 16 S. Main and the chamber is located at 231 E. Wall.

 

“My future books will be about World War 1, a second murder book, and other crime and punishment stories in Bourbon County,” he said.

 

 

Allen also volunteers as a member of the Fort Scott Street Advisory Committee.

 

 

He graduated from FSHS in 1985 and graduated from Fort Scott Community College.

 

Allen is married and has three children and four grandchildren.

 

 

 

Bourbon County Local News