City commissioner censured

A city commissioner received a censure during the Fort Scott City Commission meeting Tuesday night.

Commissioners met with city attorney Jeff Deane and Fort Scott Human Resource Director Deb Needleman in an executive session to discuss non-elected personnel and attorney-client privilege information. The 20-minute session was extended five minutes.

When commissioners reopened the meeting, Commissioner Randy Nichols made a motion to censure Kevin “Skitch” Allen for creating a hostile working environment and placing the city at risk for liability.

Deane read the resolution, which Nichols said would be part of his motion. In the resolution, Deane cited the Kansas Act Against Discrimination (Kansas Statute 44-1001), the Age Discrimination Employment Act of 1967, and/or the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990.

The resolution states allegations were brought against Allen by a city employee. Those allegations were investigated by Deane and Needleman.

Allen was also notified and met with Deane and Needleman. According to Deane, Allen denied the allegations.

Deane said he also met with Mayor JoLynne Mitchell and Commission President Nichols.

The vote to censure Allen passed 3-1 with Nichols, Mitchell and Lindsey Watts voting yes and Kevin Allen and Pete Allen voting no.

More information will be provided in Saturday’s edition of the Tribune.