Downtown quiet for now

The downtown streets have been quiet lately as the music has been shut off.

After hearing numerous complaints the City of Fort Scott and the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce has decided to turn off the music which was being played in the downtown streets. According to Cheryl Adamson, chairwoman of the downtown division of the FSACC, the music was shut off because downtown residents were unhappy with how early the music was played as well as the volume, saying it was too loud. She added another complaint was that the music was not suitable for shopping.

"We got enough that we felt like it was something we needed to stop," Adamson said.

Adamson said the music will be turned back on when the city and the chamber decide how they want Fort Scott to be perceived when tourists are in town. She added they will consider whether they want the city to be viewed as a city of history or if they want it to be centered around the Fort Scott National Historic Site.

"I know it is going to be difficult to please everyone," Adamson said.

Ideas for a direction have included advertising events such as the 4th of July, events at the FSNHS, Echoes of the Trail, and others. Adamson said the music would be tailored to the particular event with announcements periodically between songs. FSNHS Superintendent Betty Boyko suggested the playing of reveille in the morning, a bugle call at noon, and "Taps" in the evening.

"That's something that we think would be very unique to the downtown," Adamson said.

In hopes to gain more ideas, Adamson along with other members of the city and the FSACC traveled to Burlington Thursday. The City of Burlington completed it's own revitalization work and is now hosting an event for other cities to attend.

"We're hoping we can come back with some ideas and next week make a decision on our music and get that back up and running," Adamson said.

The downtown division will be meeting next week to come up with a policy for the operation of the music system. Adamson said they hope to announce their decision after the meeting.