Behind the scenes, workers play a vital role

FORT SCOTT, Kan. -- The Public Works Department is quite often an unseen presence moving about Fort Scott, working long hours with little recognition.

According to Public Works Director Eric Bailey, this city department, made up of six separate divisions, performs a vast array of tasks from water distribution to street maintenance.

Because of the nature of their jobs, the public may not always be aware of the diligent work completed by the public works department, Public Works Street Supervisor Todd Farrell said.

One example of the hard work performed by the Public Works Department unbeknownst to most city residents occurred before, during and after the recent flooding that drowned streets and lawns in Fort Scott, Farrell said.

When the rain begins to fall, it is the street division of the Public Works Department that must jump into action, Bailey said. Street workers identify the problem flood areas and construct road barricades that keep residents out of harm's way. It is also the street crew that maintains the storm drains that ensure proper drainage of flood waters, Farrell said.

The Fourth of July Freedom Fest, which takes place at Gunn Park, was in danger of being ruined this past July. Gunn Park was drowning in flood waters just days before the event was to take place, Farrell said. The water had risen to the concession stand at Shelter House No. 3. Farrell said he and his team, including park supervisor Tony Fleeman and his crew, worked under the sun's heat for two days cleaning the park and readying it for the affair.

Bailey said that some people in town did not think that the park would be cleaned up in time for the Fourth of July event.

"There was some doubt by some people that we would even be able to have it (Freedom Fest)," Bailey said.

The city workers took only two days to complete the cleanup of debris on streets, playgrounds, in shelter houses and in restrooms because two days was all that stood between the beginning of the park clean-up and the Freedom Fest. The workers also had to fill in parts of the parking areas that had been washed away during the flood and sweep and wash the park roads, Farrell said.

Though the magnitude of the task was substantial, Farrell said that his workers remained positive. They wanted to do a good job, he said.

"The men were very willing to finish the work. They knew what needed to be done and they did it," Farrell said.

According to Farrell, the Public Works Department employees volunteer their free time at community events such as the Freedom Fest and the Back 2 School Block Party.

According to Bailey, cleanup through the town, in addition to the park cleanup after the flood, would not have been possible without the guidance and support of the different departmental supervisors.

"The supervisors did an excellent job of getting stuff done. They went above and beyond to make sure it (Freedom Fest) could happen," he said.

Farrell said that after his crew finished the park clean-up they helped set up stages, tents and barricades for the Freedom Fest.

Members of the Fort Scott Public Works department are already making plans for Halloween in the Park, an event that will take place Oct. 26-27, Bailey said.