Continue reading Southeast Kansas Library Newsletter April 2021
Return of License Renewal Deadlines
Governor Laura Kelly Signs Executive Order Allowing for Return of License Renewal Deadlines, Return to Normal
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today signed an executive order that gives licensing agencies flexibility to start reimposing license renewal deadlines and fees, marking another step in Kansas’ continued return to normal life following the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“When the pandemic began, my administration took steps right away to keep Kansans healthy and mitigate the spread of the virus by limiting the need for in-person contact to complete routine responsibilities like license renewal,” Governor Kelly said. “Through quick and efficient vaccine distribution, COVID-19 cases continue to decline in Kansas – and some of these measures are no longer needed. This executive order allowing for the reimposition of license renewal deadlines is another step in our return to normal.”
Executive Order #21-22 is effective immediately and remains in force until rescinded, or until May 28, 2021, whichever is earlier.
View E.O. #21-22 here.
St. Martin’s Academy Featured At Friday Night Free Concert
The Friday Night Free Concert will feature music will by the St. Martins Academy singers.
They will do a mixture of music from traditional, classic rock and hymns.
They will feature bag pipes in some of the numbers.
They performed for us last year and are a real favorite with our crowd, according to Ralph Carlson, the event coordinator.
The concert will be at 7 pm at 1st and Main at the Heritage Pavilsion. In the event of rain it will move to the Common Grounds Coffee Shop, 12 E. Wall
.
Come early and bring a lawn chair as seating is limited.
FS City Commission Special Meeting 5:30 p.m. Today
The City Commission will meet for a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 27th, 2021 at City Hall in the City Commission meeting room at 123 South Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. The City Commission will meet discuss the demolition bid of 10 N. National.
This meeting is open to the public.
Armstrong Pressure Washing: Business Follows Facination
Jeff Armstrong started his new business, Armstrong Pressure Washing LLC in the fall of 2020.
“I love my hometown,” he said. ” I see a real need to continue to help homeowners and businesses maintain and protect their properties. It lends itself to community pride and I think we need more of that.”
“This business also lends itself well to my somewhat OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)personality,” Armstrong said. “Over the last year, I found myself fascinated by pressure washing videos on Youtube. After months of research and educating myself, I took a bit of a leap.”
He bought a truck, built his own rig, and invested in proper equipment and chemicals.
“After a few jobs, it was clear that I really enjoyed the work,” he said. “It’s satisfying to see something restored to its original condition and to see a customer excited about a renewal of their home. I take a lot of pride in my work and being able to bring a house or business back to its former glory is extremely fulfilling.”
His service?
“I operate a residential and commercial pressure washing and soft washing business,” he said. “I specialize in house washes, roof washes, and surface cleanings such as sidewalks, porches, and driveways.”
Other services that are available include deck cleaning, fence washing, boat/Recreational Vehicle washing, fleet washing, and gutter brightening.
” I am now offering parking lot striping, as well as American Disabilities Act compliance and traffic flow designations, he said. “I am currently bidding striping work to begin this summer.”
“Often our home is one of our greatest financial investments, he said. ” We insure it, to protect it from major damage, but we sometimes don’t realize the everyday damage that occurs when houses and roofs are not properly maintained.”
” Driving around town it’s easy to see signs of damage caused by mold and algae,” Armstrong said. ” Roof stripes or dark streaks are called gloeocapsa magma, which is an airborne algae that is the most common type and it’s the easiest to spot. Those dark streaks look unsightly but they are actually eating the lime out of an asphalt shingle, which over time, can deteriorate a roof to the point of replacement.”
“It’s commonly understood that washing your car properly prevents the paint and clear coat finish from breaking down due to salt, and road materials but most people overlook the need to wash our homes,” he said.
“I wish it were as simple as just taking any old pressure washer and spraying it off, but pressure isn’t typically recommended for anything other than flat surfaces such as concrete,” he said. ” A proper house and roof wash requires the correct mixture of chemicals, and is actually applied with a low pressure or a soft wash system. I hope to continue to educate local homeowners about why this maintenance is so important. In the long run, it can save them thousands of dollars.”
For the majority of the jobs, he is the sole worker.
“However, on roof washing jobs there is the need for someone on the ground to protect surrounding vegetation from any overspray,” Armstrong said. “My wonderful daughter Kendal has assisted me on previous roof washes, and will likely help in the future.”
Contact info:
From the Pool to the Runway, FSHS Swim Team is Making a Splash!
Submitted by Coach Angie Kemmerer
The Fort Scott High School Girls Swim Team competed in Coffeyville on Thursday, April 22 and Monday, April 27.
At both meets the team finished 2nd behind Independence.
FSHS Boys Swimmer and Girls Team Manager Oliver Witt Represented the team at the Miss(ter) FSHS pageant on Saturday, April 24th and brought home the grand prize.
From the pool to the runway, FSHS Tigers are making a splash!
The results from Thursday’s meet were:
200 Medley Relay
“A” 2nd
“B” 3rd
200 Free
5th Emily Davenport
6th Annalyse Gilmore
200 IM
5th Annelise Hall
6th Ashley Smith
50 Free
2nd Ava Steier
5th Dawna Hudiburg
100 Fly
4th Maia Martin
100 Free
2nd Ava Steier
500 Free
2nd Kourtney Flynn
200 Free Relay
“A” 3rd
“B” 6th
100 Back
6th Kourtney Flynn
100 Breast
1st Annelise Hall
4th Ashley Smith
6th Dawna Hudiburg
400 Freestyle Relay
“A” 4th
The results from Monday’s meet:
200 Medley Relay: Both teams got a best time
“A” 2nd (Ava Steier, Ashley Smith, Alyssa Smith and Dawna Hudiburg)
“B” 5th (Rylan Mason, Emily Davenport, Maia Martin & Annalyse Gilmore)
200 Freestyle:
4th Alyssa Smith Best time
7th Emily Davenport
200 IM
3rd Ashley Smith Best time
6th Annalyse Gilmore Best time
50 Freestyle
2nd Ava Steier
4th Dawna Hudiburg
7th Rylan Mason Best time
Kourtney Flynn Best time
100 Butterfly
4th Maia Martin
100 Freestyle
3rd Ava Steier
5th Alyssa Smith Best Time
500 Freestyle
3rd Emily Davenport Best Time
4th Kourtney Flynn
200 Freestyle Relay
“A” 1st (Dawna Hudiburg, Alyssa Smith, Ashley Smith and Ava Steier) Best Time
100 Backstroke
4th Dawna Hudiburg Best time
9th annalyse Gilmore Best Time
100 Breast
1st Ashley Smith Best Time
7th Maia Martin Best Time
400 Freestyle Relay
“A” 5th (Rylan Mason, Maia Martin, Kourtney Flynn and Annalyse Gilmore)
Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson
April 23, 2021
Governor Vetoes Several Bills
The Governor vetoed a number of bills. Several of these were good bills that needed to pass into law. There will be an attempt to override the vetoes during Veto-Session, which starts May 3. A list of vetoed bills should be posted at
http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/year1/measures/reports/veto_fr/
Fairness in Women’s Sports
The Governor vetoed SB 55 that would have limited competition in women’s sports to biological females. The Governor’s veto entitles transgender athletes at the expense of biological female athletes. How can a talented high school woman athlete get a college scholarship competing against biological males? The Governor said this bill, “would harm our ability to attract and retain businesses.” Let’s be clear, she is talking about out-of-state multi-national corporations trying to force state policy that goes against Kansas values. The Governor is cowering to them. The legislature will try to override this veto but the votes will be close.
Protecting Elections
The Governor vetoed two election bills (HB 2183 and HB2332) that would strengthen the integrity of Kansas elections. One of her excuses was, “hundreds of major companies across the nation have made it abundantly clear that this kind of legislation is wrong.” Who does she represent? Definitely not Kansans when she is more worried about national corporations instead of the accuracy of Kansas elections. Our Governor is talking the national Democrat propaganda, instead representing Kansas. We will have the votes for a veto override on both of the bills if no legislator changes their vote.
2nd Amendment
The Governor vetoed two 2nd Amendment bills. HB 2089 would allow local school boards options to offer gun safety education. HB 2058 would lower the minimum age to conceal carry in Kansas from 21 to 18 years old. It also establishes reciprocity for persons 18 to 20 years of age that hold a concealed carry permit from another state. Can you believe the veto override will be more difficult on the firearm education bill, HB 2089? The Senate and House should have the votes on HB 2058. The House needs 5 Representatives to change their vote on HB 2089 to override the Governor’s veto.
Basic Civics and Finance Education
The Governor vetoed HB 2039, requiring students pass an exam with 60 questions from the naturalization tests administered by the U.S. Citizens and Immigration Services. It would enlighten our students on American civics. It would also require students in grades 10, 11, or 12 to pass a personal financial literacy course in order to graduate. The bar for a veto override will be higher on this bill – the bill passed with 25 yes and 13 no votes in the Senate and 72 to 51 in the House. The Senate needs 27 votes and the House 84 votes for a veto override. Hopefully, legislators who voted No will realize how important it is that students have basic civics and financial knowledge.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.
Caryn
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U.S. Senator Jerry Moran Weekly Newsletter
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Appointments Available April 29 for CHC/SEK Pfizer vaccine Clinic
On Thursday, April 29, individuals can receive a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination at the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas in Fort Scott. The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is the only approved vaccine for ages 16-17 with parental consent, and anyone age 18 and up.
The vaccination clinic at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd will be held from 2 PM-4 PM by appointment only. This is a two-dose vaccine that is given 21 days apart.
Individuals can request a vaccine appointment on the CHC/SEK website chcsek.org. Click the COVID Vaccine Request button. After selecting the “first dose” button, there is an option to select the Pfizer vaccine. CHC/SEK representatives will contact the recipients to schedule a date for the vaccine.
For those without web access, the health center has a toll-free number, 866-888-8650 and a second number for Spanish-speakers 620-240-8940 to make vaccination appointments.
As with all COVID-19 vaccines, there is no out-of-pocket costs to vaccine recipients.
Governor Laura Kelly Signs Budget, Removes Certain Provisos
~ HB 2007 includes significant funding to support vulnerable Kansans ~
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today signed House Bill 2007, the state budget for FY 2021 and FY 2022, which passed with bipartisan support. However, she line-item vetoed certain provisos resolved in existing legislation or that would be better addressed not in this budget but through better collaboration between agencies and stakeholders.
The following message is from Governor Laura Kelly regarding her signing of HB 2007, and her line-item vetoes:
“I want to thank the legislature for working together thoughtfully and expeditiously to pass this budget, which includes many enhancements to the work we began before the pandemic to restore funding through fiscally responsible tax and budget policy. There is still more work to be done, however, this budget includes significant funding to support some of the most vulnerable Kansans, including those in long-term care and those with intellectual disabilities. It also increases access to newborn screening, preventive mental health, and crisis services.
“While I support the majority of the provisions in this budget, there are items that have either been resolved in existing legislation or that would be better addressed not in this budget but through better collaboration between agencies and stakeholders. Other provisions tie funding mandates or prohibitions to blanket policies that should either be more narrowly tailored or independently vetted on their own merits through the regular legislative process.
“I look forward to working with the legislature to address the critical funding measures that must be passed during Omnibus. These include our constitutional obligation to adequately and equitably fund our K-12 public schools, salary increases for state employees, and restored funding for state agencies whose budgets were reduced as a precautionary measure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Therefore, pursuant to Article 2, Section 14(b) of the Constitution of the State of Kansas, I hereby return House Bill 2007 with my signature approving the bill, except for the items enumerated below.”
State Bank Commissioner—Per Diem Increase for Kansas Banking Board Members
Section 4(b) has been line-item vetoed in its entirety.
This section would increase the per diem for members of the state banking board from $35 to $100 for the 2021 fiscal year, which ends in less than 70 days. The legislature should study this issue over the interim and make recommendations applicable to all boards and commissions. These recommendations should consider the fiscal impact of potential increases.
Legislative Coordinating Council—Room 221-E
Sections 29(d) and 31(a) have been line-item vetoed in their entirety. Additionally, the following portion of section 30(a) has also been vetoed:
- Provided further, That notwithstanding the provisions of K.S.A. 75-3765a, and amendments thereto, or any other statute, expenditures shall be made by the above agency from the legislative coordinating council – operations account of the state general fund for fiscal year 2022 for the designation and identification of room 221-E of the state capitol building as a meditation room.
These sections would designate Room 221-E as the meditation room in the Statehouse. I support legislative efforts to provide a meditation space in one of the many rooms in the Capitol that remain unused for much of the year and are more convenient, more accessible, and closer to the public entrance.
Room 221-E, which is adjacent to the rest of the Governor’s Office and has been designated as part of the Governor’s Office space in the Statehouse, is currently being used by our constituent services team to provide critical assistance to Kansans on unemployment issues, proclamations, questions regarding legislative matters, and other inquiries.
Continue reading Governor Laura Kelly Signs Budget, Removes Certain Provisos
Timken Job Fair April 29-30
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FS City Commissioners Will Attend Fort Scott Forward April 27
There may be a majority of City Commissioners present at the Fort Scott Forward on Tuesday, April 27th, 2021 at 7:45 a.m. at the River Room Event Center. No City business will be conducted.