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The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Sept. 30
Diehl, Banwart, Bolton Celebrate 70 Years In Business
Phillips CPA, Leon Chesnut, Vicky Mueller, Jamie Pollmeier, Matthew Keys, Daryl Eagon CPA, Jim Banwart Jr CPA, and Terry Sercer CPA. Submitted photo.
Not many businesses can claim to be still providing services in their community after 70 years.
But Diehl, Banwart, Bolton CPA’s PA has been serving southeast Kansas since 1949.
Through the years the certified public accountant firm has seen many changes in business, Jim Banwart Jr. said.
Banwart is a partner in the business.
When Jim, Sr. applied to work for John Diehl in 1963, “John was excited to show him their new copier—a dry paper copier, a great improvement over what had been available previously,” Banwart said.
“In 1966, the firm became the first accounting firm in Southeast Kansas to install what was in those days a room-sized, punch card computer to be able to offer computing services,” Banwart said.
“Larry Dixon was the first programmer at the firm, and in 1971, James Regan arrived to become the IT officer at the firm. He was joined by Don Casida, Allen Ward and numerous other programmers over the years,” he said.
“In 2000, the firm became one of the first accounting firms to post compilations to the web for client viewing. In 2017, we converted from our own inhouse general ledger software to a cloud-based software. The firm continues to stay on the cutting edge of technology,” Banwart said.
John Diehl Starts Is All
“In 1948, following his service as a United States Marine pilot in World War II, John E. Diehl came to Fort Scott to work for the Winchell Manufacturing Company, bringing with him his young wife, Ina Mae,” he said.
Diehl then opened an accounting office for Senderson, Little and LaChelle, a Kansas City firm.
In 1949, Diehl purchased the business and renamed it John E. Diehl and Company.
Maurice Fletcher joined the firm and it became Diehl and Fletcher.
“The company was located in several buildings in what is now the downtown historic district,” Banwart said. “In 1974, the shareholders purchased the Milrose Block at Wall and National where they continue today.”
In the fall of 1963, James L. Banwart joined Diehl and Fletcher. followed by Mark Bolton joining the firm in 1973. Jim Banwart Jr. joined in 1991, according to the firm’s website.
In 1976, the firm became Diehl, Banwart, Bolton, CPA’s.
“Mr. Diehl died in 2017 at age 99, having retired some years earlier,” Banwart said. “He was a much-involved member of the community and a much loved and respected employer and partner.”
Currently, there are nine Certified Public Accountants at the firm- Jim Banwart Sr, Mark Bolton, Randall Phillips, Daryl Eagon, Donna Banwart, Jim Banwart Jr, Terry Sercer, Carol Hill and Amanda Lancaster.
There are two IT people, Jim Regan and Tawny Pool.
“James Regan, the long-time information technology officer, joined the firm in 1971,” Banwart said.
In addition, there are ten more experienced accountants and a number of support staff, he said.
The business started in Fort Scott, then branched out to Pittsburg and Girard.
Services offered at the business:
-Business design and development
– Municipal and commercial auditing
– Preparation of monthly compilation reports
– Payroll processing
– Estate planning and estate tax services
– Income tax planning and income tax services
-Retirement and succession planning
– Software training and support
Future
“The future is bright,” Banwart said. “As talented young people stay and return to Southeast Kansas, Diehl Banwart Bolton will continue to support entrepreneurs in their business endeavors.”
The firm currently has business clients in virtually every state in the country, he said.
“Technology has made it possible to communicate and advise people regardless of where they are located and our expertise continues to help them succeed in their businesses,” he said.
The Fort Scott Police Department Daily Reports Sept. 27-29
Click below:
Grief Support Offered Oct. 2
The next Cheney Witt Chapel grief support luncheon will be Wednesday, October 2nd, at noon.
Anyone dealing with a loss is encouraged to come and bring a friend.
Cheney Witt Chapel will provide lunch at the Carriage House, 301 S. Main.
Call us at 223-1186 if questions.
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Fort Scott City Commission Minutes of Sept. 17
CITY OF FORT SCOTT
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
Minutes of September 17th, 2019 Regular Meeting #17
The regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held September 17th, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Commission Room, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas.
ROLL CALL:
Commissioners Adamson, Mitchell and Nichols were present with Commissioner Bartelsmeyer presiding. Mayor Parker was absent.
INVOCATION: Robert Uhler, Community Development Director, said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City, our Government and City officials.
AUDIENCE IN ATTENDANCE: Robert Uhler, Lindsay Watts, Deb McCoy, Clayton Miller, Travis Shelton, Deb Needleman, Dave Bruner, Kate Sweetser, Patrick Dobyns, Josh Jones, Brian Allen, Kirk Sharp, Shirley Graham, Grace Sweat, Michael Hoyt, Mert Barrows, and representing the press, Jason Silvers of the Fort Scott Tribune.
PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS: Laura Ingalls Wilder Proclamation – Cindy Bartelsmeyer, President of the Commission, read a Proclamation which proclaims August 21, 2020 and every August 21st thereafter to be “Laura Ingalls Wilder Day” in Fort Scott.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND APPROPRIATIONS/CONSENT AGENDA:
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Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of September 3rd, 2019.
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Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1246-A totaling $260,336.14.
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Certificate of Appropriateness – Sign at 120 E. Wall – Stutesman Action Realty
Mitchell moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Adamson seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED CONSENT AGENDA.
APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:
-
APPEARANCE: Kirk Sharp and Mert Barrows, Fort Scott Community College – Request to close 1000 block of Main Street – September 21st, 2019 in conjunction with 100th Anniversary of FSCC – Kirk said that he had two requests tonight. The first request is for the Gordon Parks Celebration which will be held on October 3rd through October 5th. This year’s celebration dinner will be held at the River Room which they are very excited about. Peerless Products is helping sponsor this event. They are honoring some of the original cast members: Karole Graham, Stephen Perry and S. Pearl Sharp who were part of The Learning Tree which was filmed in Fort Scott. He requested the north section of Oak Street directly in front of the River Room and the direct east area of the River Room on National be closed off to ensure for ample parking.
Mitchell moved to approve the street closing of the north section of Oak Street in front of the River Room and the direct east area of the River Room on National (parking area) be closed off for parking for this event. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.
approved the street closing of the north section of Oak Street in front of the River Room and the direct east area of the River Room on National (Parking area) be closed off for parking for this event.
His next request is for the 100th year Centennial Celebration which is held this Friday, September 20th, 2019 at the River Room. He asked for handicapped parking on the north section of the alley on Oak Street in front of the River Room. On Saturday, September 21st, they would like to have Main Street blocked from the 900 block to the 1000 block so they can have their tailgate party and activities. This would be from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. that date. Also, they would like to have Scott Street blocked off behind the High School from the 900 block to the 1200 block where the practice field is. There will be two Blackhawk helicopters that will be doing a flyover during the game. This would be from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Commissioner Bartelsmeyer asked if the College had handicapped signage. City Manager said that the City will work with them on signage.
Bartelsmeyer moved to approve the closing of the streets on September 20 and September 21st. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED THE CLOSING OF THE NORTH SECTION OF THE ALLEY ON OAK STREET IN FRONT OF THE RIVER ROOM. APPROVED THE BLOCKING OF MAIN STREET FROM THE 900 TO 1000 BLOCK FROM 1:00 P.M. TO 7:00 P.M. FOR THEIR TAILGATING PARTY. APPROVED TO CLOSE SCOTT STREET BEHIND THE HIGH SCHOOL FROM THE 900 BLOCK TO THE 1200 BLOCK WHERE THE PRACTICE FIELD IS FOR THE LANDING OF THE BLACKHAWK HELICOPTERS.
B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute
limit per citizen)
Kate Sweetser – Thanked the Commission for reading the Laura Ingalls Wilder Proclamation. She has some fanatical fans that are coming to Fort Scott and this might attract more.
She also asked about a parking issue in front of her house at 1012 S. National. Parking in front of her house is affected when activities are held at the stadium or the High School. She requested that the City block her driveway with cones when events are held. She would prefer it be blocked with cones rather than people parking and blocking her driveway or parking in her driveway.
City Manager said he would look into this.
Pat Dobyns – City Manager informed him before he began speaking that if he was going to talk about a personnel matter that the Commission has nothing to do with personnel. That is his responsibility. If it is a personnel matter, he asked him not to make any comments and he would gladly meet with him at a later date, tomorrow or whenever, but they have no bearing on personnel matters. With that said, you have three minutes.
Mr. Dobyns said he would contact the City Manager. He said he doesn’t like public speaking and will contact Dave.
Michael Hoyt – Mr. Hoyt remarked that he had read about the reporting of the situation on the attack on Mr. Magee. An issue was brought up that he tried to bring up one time here but ran out of his three minutes. The issue is the person who has dialed 911 and received the wrong operator. He did some research on that and he dialed 911 and received the Fort Scott 911 operator on his phone and was told that they don’t handle Arizona and disconnected the call. He called T-Mobile and in the profile for each phone there is an E911 that says where you are covered. When you’re traveling, how can you be assured you will reach the local 911 operator? He said he travels frequently from here to Pittsburg with his elderly mother and he doesn’t need the 911 operator in Pittsburg. T-Mobile could not give him an answer. He asked if there was a 911 expert at the City that could give him advice on this.
City Manager said that Paul Ballou is the 911 person for the City.
Mr. Hoyt said that if he is traveling he wants to ensure that his phone will connect to the correct 911 operator.
Commissioner Mitchell said that if you’re traveling all over the United States, there is no way the City of Fort Scott could answer that call. Your cell phone will ping off of where you’re traveling close to.
Mr. Hoyt said that he is fine with that but that doesn’t seem to be the way it works.
Dave Bruner said that Dispatch can ping your phone and find your location. When you call 911, your location pops up on their screen.
Mr. Hoyt asked why the young lady or whoever was on the scene at Mr. Magee’s situation not get the Fort Scott 911 operator.
Dave Bruner said he didn’t know but he will find out about that call from the Dispatch Supervisor.
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PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
CONSIDERATION:
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Consideration of 4 way stop at 6th & Margrave – Travis Shelton, Chief of Police, informed the Commission that last Spring there were some concerned citizens came to a Commission meeting about installing a four way stop sign at 6th and Margrave. Due to public concern and support from the U.S.D. 234 Transportation Director, he asked for permission to place four way stop signs at this location. New signs will be placed at the west side of Margrave and the east side of Margrave. There was some concern regarding trains and congestion but his department will monitor that.
Nichols moved to approve a four way stop at 6th and Margrave. Adamson seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED TO INSTALL FOUR WAY STOP SIGNS AT 6TH AND MARGRAVE.
COMMISSION/STAFF:
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Director Updates: None
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City Commission:
Bartelsmeyer – Nothing to report.
Mitchell – Nothing to report.
Nichols – Nothing to report.
Adamson – Thanked Kate Sweetser for her hard work in researching Fort Scott and keeping history alive.
Parker – Not present.
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City Manager:
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City Manager said that he informed the Commission at the last meeting that an ordinance prohibiting smoking and alcohol be put in place at the historical downtown parks. He said that this situation has corrected itself and the ordinances are not needed at this time.
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Lake Advisory Committee – City Manager said that there are a lot of good applicants and more time is needed to review these.
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Fort Scott Booster Club – City Manager said that the Booster Club wants to close off the parking lot by the Aquatic Center on Friday, September 27th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for a fundraiser which is a hamburger and hotdog tailgate party.
Adamson made a motion to approve the parking lot by the Aquatic Center be closed off from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 27th, 2019 for the Booster Club fundraising tailgate party. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.
approved the parking lot by the Aquatic Center be closed off from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 27th, 2019 for the Booster Club tailgate fundraising party.
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Quiet Zone Update – City Manager said that he has had a couple of people call and inquire about the Quiet Zone. They questioned why it wasn’t moving forward. In 2014, the City Commission moved forward with the design of the Quiet Zone on Wall Street. There was a hotel coming to town and they really needed the Quiet Zone at this location or they would not have come to town. The Quiet Zone on Wall Street cost around $800,000 and that is without right of way land purchases. The quiet zone at 6th Street would require that more property be purchased for right of way. East National quiet zone would require even more right of way purchases. At 6th Street, the traffic signal would need replaced. K.D.O.T. said that it would cost approximately $1,000,000 to replace. K.D.O.T. has no funds for this project. You cannot go to the other end and start and have to go forward in the sequence of lights. This project is on hold until K.D.O.T. can help contribute to the lighting at 6th Street.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mitchell moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:24 p.m. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.
ADJOURNED MEETING AT 6:24 P.M.
The next regularly scheduled meeting is to be held on October 1st, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.
RECORDED BY:
DIANE K. CLAY
CITY CLERK
Fort Scott City Commission Agenda for Oct. 1
Fort Scott City Commission meets Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 6 p.m. at city hall, 123 Main.
I. ROLL CALL:
ADAMSON BARTELSMEYER MITCHELL NICHOLS PARKER
II. FLAG SALUTE
III. INVOCATION: Pastor Paul G. Rooks, Grace Baptist Tabernacle
IV. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS:
Recognition of Bobbi Kemna – Second Annual Art in the Yard Event
Healthcare Recognition
V. CONSENT AGENDA:
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Approval of Minutes of the regular meeting of September 17th, 2019.
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Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1247-A totaling $1,612,495.39.
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Parade Permit – Pioneer Harvest Fiesta – October 17th, 2019
VII. APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:
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APPEARANCE:
Penny Pollock Barnes – Tri-Yak-A-Thon – Gunn Park – October 12th, 2019
B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute limit per citizen)
C. PUBLIC HEARINGS/COMMENTS:
6:00 p.m. Public Hearing – CDBG Application to apply for Fire Department Ladder Truck
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Approval of Resolution 20-2019 Certifying Legal Authority to apply for the 2020 Kansas Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program from the Kansas Department of Commerce and Authorizing the Mayor/Commissioner to sign and submit such an application.
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Approval of Resolution 21-2019 Assuring the Kansas Department of Commerce that funds will be continually provided for the operation and maintenance of improvements to the fire truck to be financed with Community Development Block Grant Funds.
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Approval of other required documents to submit the application
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Approval for Administrative Agreement for SEKRPC to administrate the grant if awarded.
VIII. CONSIDERATION:
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Purchase of Replacement Vehicles – Police Department (One administrative vehicle – One Lake Patrol truck)
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AWOS Grant – (Replace existing A.W.O.S. system at Fort Scott Municipal Airport through a KDOT grant that was approved)
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Consideration of approval to obtain bids for a machine shed at the Fort Scott Municipal Airport
IX. COMMENTS:
- Director Updates: Robert Uhler
Rhonda Dunn – Sales Tax Update
- Commission:
- City Manager:
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
I MOVE THAT THE CITY COMMISSION RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE
SESSION FOR ________________________________ IN ORDER TO
(see below justification)
DISCUSS ______________________________________. THE
EXECUTIVE SESSION WILL BE ___________ MINUTES AND THE OPEN
MEETING TO RESUME AT ________________.
Justifications for Executive Sessions:
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Personnel matters of non-elected personnel
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Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship
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Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative or representatives of the body or agency
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Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships
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Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property
X. MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT: ROLL CALL
Friday Night Free Concert: The Prairie Sunflowers
The Prairie Sunflowers, a group of mostly local ladies, will perform on Friday, October 4th, at the Friday night concert.
The concert begins at 7:00 PM at the downtown Heritage Pavilion.
This group performs gospel, bluegrass, and standards.
The Sunflowers consist of dulcimers, a fiddle, an autoharp, and a guitar. Their music is fun to listen to and very enjoyable. This will prove to be a good concert.
Members of the group include Sandy Hemphill, Marilyn Adcock, Jean Strader, Joyce Love, Diane Spencer, all from Fort Scott, and Charlena Burns from Mound City, and Chery Nelson from Columbus.
In addition to the Prairie Sunflower group, the Woods family, from Prescott, will perform. Kevin, Kathy, and Leia Wood will sing some gospel and some country standards. Sometimes Nevaeh, Leia’s daughter, age 3, sings with the family. This is sure to be a very good concert! Don’t miss it!
Please bring lawn chairs because there is limited seating.
The Bottom Line by Jimmy Tucker
Have You Been to the Woodshed?
My godly parents believed in the saying, “spare the rod, spoil the child.” My parents must have loved me a lot because I sure wasn’t spoiled.
Believers are the children of God, so we should be thankful when our heavenly Father disciplines us. The Bible compares this to how we discipline our own children. As parents, we have a responsibility to train them in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6). If we don’t step up to the plate and accept this assignment, we’ll have an undisciplined and untrained child who will grow up to be an adult with these same characteristics.
As born-again Christians, we should accept God’s discipline with joy and quickly make the changes required to become more like the Master. God will always let you know if you’ve done something that displeases Him, and that is your warning light to make the situation right. God’s discipline can be severe and very unpleasant. We tend to ignore Him at first and harden our heart against the pangs of conscience. We need to learn to listen to His voice and obey in order to avoid severe correction.
In Daniel Chapter 4, there’s an amazing Old Testament account of God’s severity. Because of the sin of pride, the King of Babylon spent seven years out behind the woodshed. Daniel 4:29,30 NKJV: “…He (King Nebuchadnezzar) was walking about the royal palace of Babylon. The king spoke, saying, ‘Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?’” The very same hour he spoke those prideful words, God took away his sanity and he was driven from society. He ate grass like a cow and was drenched with the dew of heaven. He lived this way until his hair was as long as eagles’ feathers and his nails were like birds’ claws.
When his sanity returned, he was restored as ruler of his kingdom with even greater honor than before. Nebuchadnezzar praised, glorified, and honored the King of kings. It’s astonishing what a radical trip to the woodshed can do for a person. Nebuchadnezzar finally admitted that God’s acts are just and true, and that He is able to humble the proud. The king of Babylon should have humbled himself, thereby avoiding such a severe correction.
The Bible tells believers to examine and judge themselves. “But if we would examine ourselves, we would not be judged by God in this way. Yet when we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned along with the world” (1 Corinthians 11:31,32 NLT). If we stubbornly continue in disobedience, the consequences will be severe. Because God loves us, He will discipline us in order to turn our heart back to Him.
The Bottom Line: Humble yourself and obey, or you just might find yourself eating grass behind the woodshed.
Pastor Jimmy Tucker
(620) 223-1483
Diamond Community Church
2591 Jayhawk Road
Fort Scott, KS
Worship 10:45 a.m.
Energy Expo Oct. 2 in Manhattan
Kansas Energy Efficiency Expo planned in Manhattan on October 2
What: Discover how to save energy and money by making your home more efficient. Demonstrations, displays, drawings, giveaways, activities for the kids and live music add to the fun! There will be something for all ages at this free event.
When: Wednesday, October 2, 2019 from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Where: Blue Earth Plaza, Manhattan, KS
Background: In observance of the 4th annual Energy Efficiency Day, the Kansas Corporation Commission and the Kansas Energy Program are partnering for a fun outdoor event focused on energy efficiency. The event is sponsored in part by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.
Numerous vendors will be on hand with demonstrations, displays and giveaways. There will be live music on the plaza by Chappie, a local Manhattan favorite. Food will be available for purchase. (See attached flyer)
St. Martin’s Academy Sept. Newsletter
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Get Up and Go by Pastor James Collins
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16
“You look very familiar to me. Do I know you?” he asked.
“I don’t think so.” I replied. “That will be $5.”
Last year, my family volunteered in the 4H building at the county fair. We sold concessions to fundraise for 4H. My wife and kids worked in the kitchen. My job was to run the cash register. The man handed me $10 and I gave him $5 back.
“You really look familiar. Didn’t I see you last night at the brewhouse?”
“No.”
“The brewhouse has got the best beer, and now you can get liquor by the drink there.”
About that time, a young woman walked up to pay for her hamburger. The man stepped aside and stood there. He stared at her.
“Wow! She’s hot.” he said as she walked away. He continued expressing how good looking he believed she was with several vulgar words. As he stood there talking to me, he dropped five or ten more cuss words.
“Are you sure I don’t know you from somewhere?”
“No.”
“I can’t get over how familiar you look. What do you do for a living?”
“I’m a Baptist preacher. I’m the pastor at First Southern Baptist Church here in Fort Scott.”
I cannot describe the color his face turned at that moment.
He spit, sputtered, and finally said, “Oh, I’m sorry. I read your newspaper column every week. I’m a Baptist too. I’ve even been to your church once or twice. I just don’t go like I ought to.”
There’s a lot of that going around. According to a Pew Research Study, tomorrow morning in America, 70 percent of all those who profess the name of Jesus will not be in church. The same poll found that almost half (46 percent) said the reason they don’t go to church is because they practice their faith in some other way. They believe, as one man once told me, “I don’t have to go to church to be a part of the universal church.”
It is impossible to be a part of the universal church without being part of a local church. To think so, doesn’t make sense. You can’t be part of Kiwanis International without also being a member of a local chapter. You can’t be part of the universal human family without first being a part of a small immediate family.
Every letter in the New Testament was written to Christians in local churches. The phrase “one another” is mentioned 59 times in the New Testament. Fifty-nine times, the Bible gives us a command that we can’t obey without turning to another member of the church and demonstrating the love of God. It is impossible to “one another” by yourself. It is impossible to “one another” in your heart.
The point is: Christianity is not a choose-your-own-path religion. God says you need to go to church. Find a Bible believing church. Then, in the morning, get up and go.
James Collins is pastor of Fort Scott’s First Southern Baptist Church. He can be reached by phone at (620) 223-2986 or by email at [email protected].