Coffee spotlights two firms

Those attending Thursday's Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Coffee learned about work being done by two local organizations.

Local Realtor Barbara Doherty Woodward, owner of Meadowlark Realty, and Susan Porter of Fort Scott Welcome, hosted the gathering at the home of Glen Pearson, located just west of town. Both women told attendees about the services they provide in the community.

Woodward, a Fort Scott native who has worked in real estate for more than 25 years, said although she didn't plan it, hosting the chamber coffee Thursday occurred exactly one year after the date she opened her real estate company.

"So it's an anniversary for me," she announced to applause.

Woodward's agency handles residential, commercial and agricultural listings. She works with sellers who want to list their property, as well as buyers who want one agent to help them find the right property.

Woodward said she currently has "a lot of listings and contracts pending." She added the agency is growing and she is seeking real estate agents for the firm.

Woodward said she is currently running the agency out of her home on South Crawford Street, but she hopes to eventually relocate to the historic downtown area as she is interested in preservation of that area.

Porter said she provides a free welcome service for new businesses, as well as firms that have returned to the area. The service includes a welcome basket stuffed full of items such as gifts, coupons, community information, brochures and gift certificates provided by local sponsors.

Porter said the basket is usually popular.

"That's the icing on the cake when welcoming newcomers," she said.

Porter said she is always pleased to inform people who are new to the area of everything Fort Scott has to offer.

"I think Fort Scott is on the brink of greatness," she said.

Pearson's home is currently for sale and listed through Woodward's agency. Those attending were able to tour the 4,200-square-foot brick abode, which is situated on 10 acres on 205th Street west of town. Woodward said the asking price has recently been reduced to $220,000.

Woodward can be reached at (620) 224-2444, 224-0841, or by email at meadowlarkrealty@att.net. Porter can be reached at 223-6521, 215-0399, or fortscottwelcome@yahoo.com.

Other announcements made at the coffee included:

* City Manager Dave Martin said there has been talk recently of bringing back the Clean Sweep program, a volunteer effort that in past years has been centered around cleaning up trash and debris throughout the community. A meeting is planned for Sept. 15 in the old city commission meeting room at Memorial Hall to discuss the initiative.

* Fort Scott Fire Chief Paul Ballou commented on his recent appointment by the Bourbon County Commission to serve as interim emergency manager for the county. Ballou said current emergency manager Keith Jeffers' departure will be a "big loss to the county." The focus of the office is about "planning ahead for any type of disaster," Ballou said.

"It's a big job, but I think I can do it until we get someone else in there," he said.

* Craig Campbell with the Good Neighbor Action Team said the team is looking for recruits to work on homes in order to get projects done faster. The initiative involves repairs or improvements to the homes of eligible local residents. Campbell said GNAT would partner with the Clean Sweep program to help continue to make Fort Scott a "curb appeal town."

Martin applauded the GNAT committee which he said is "building relationships with people."

"They do great work," he said.

* Local State Farm agent Kale Nelson said the insurance company will host a promotion on Sept. 15 called Celebrate My Drive, which will include events across the U.S. and Canada that promote safe teen driving.

"A growing cause of death is the use of social media while driving," he said.