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CORRECTION: Last night's update on the canvass of the primary election erroneously referred to District 1 county commission candidate Lyle "Pete" Owenby as "incumbent". We apologize for the confusion.
FORT SCOTT — The Bourbon County Commission voted Monday night to vacate the chairman's position and elected Commissioner Gregg Motley to lead the board, minutes after Commissioner David Beerbower resigned as vice chairman and asked Chairman Samuel Tran to step aside. Commissioner Joe Allen was elected vice chairman.
Calls for Tran to give up the chairmanship began during public comment, when local business owner Josh Jones asked him to step down.
"I come today after watching last meeting, Chairman Tran, how it unfolded and how everything, and I watched you over last year," Jones said. "I just don't think you're fit for chair."
Jones said the chairman's job was to keep meetings orderly and that meetings had been "out of control." Jones said he was in Allen's district, and asked Allen to make a motion to replace Tran if Tran declined to step down.
"I mean, I don't know you. Seem like a good guy, but I just don't think you're the right man for this," Jones said.
The meeting Jones referred to, held Aug. 10, included a heated exchange over a proposal by Beerbower to create a courthouse maintenance supervisor position. Beerbower said the commission's part-time executive assistant, Laura Krom, should not have supervisory authority over maintenance staff.
Beerbower's resignation came near the end of the meeting, when he read a prepared statement. He said the roles of chairman and vice chairman had "become confused with command and control, rather than one of guidance and leadership."
"Leadership is not a title. Leadership is stewardship," Beerbower said.
Beerbower, who represents District 2 and previously served as chairman, said the citizens of Bourbon County elected a five-member governing body and that authority rests with the commission acting collectively. He said the chairman and vice chairman have no additional authority over the board beyond conducting meetings and performing some administrative duties.
"We see this when discussions become centered on 'I' instead of 'we.' We see it when references are made to 'my team' rather than acknowledging the board as a whole," Beerbower said. "Such language may seem insignificant, but words reflect mindset."
Beerbower cited the books "Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win," "Team of Teams" and "The 48 Laws of Power" in his remarks. He said the principles of the latter "become dangerous when weaponized."
"When power is pursued for its own sake, transparency suffers. When perception matters more than truth, public trust erodes," Beerbower said.
Beerbower said he was stepping aside from the vice chairman role because he believes leadership positions should periodically change hands. He then asked Tran to do the same.
"Therefore, I respectfully call upon the chairman to consider following the same example and allow another commissioner the opportunity to lead," Beerbower said. "This is not a criticism of service, but an affirmation of a principle: Leadership renewal strengthens public institutions."
Motley then asked Tran directly whether he would step down and allow the commission to vote on new leadership. Tran said no.
"Not tonight," Tran said. "I made a promise to some people. It wasn't a position that I sought, but it was a position that was given."
Tran said he agreed with what Beerbower said and had read the same books, but that leading in the military and leading in civilian life are different. He said he did not recall ever dictating anything from the chairman's position.
"I'm the lightning rod right now and I understand that and I own that," Tran said. "So I own the stuff that's happening."
Tran said passionate disagreements had occurred under past chairmen, including Beerbower, and would likely continue under whoever held the position next. He said he had four months left in his term and intended to finish it.
Motley then made a motion to vacate the chairman's position and hold an election for chairman and vice chairman that evening, with Acting County Clerk Michael Hoyt conducting the election. Allen seconded.
The motion passed 3-2, with Tran and Commissioner Mika Milburn-Kee voting against.
Allen nominated Motley for chairman, and Beerbower seconded. Motley was elected on a 3-2 vote, with Tran and Milburn-Kee dissenting.
Motley then nominated Allen for vice chairman, with Beerbower seconding. Allen was elected unanimously.
Motley, who represents District 4, took over as chairman immediately. His first action was a motion to table the remaining agenda items after Tran noted the meeting had reached 8:30 p.m.
Motley said the items would be taken up at the next available meeting, which he said would be in two weeks. The August 24 meeting is slated to focus exclusively on the 2027 county budget.
Before adjourning, the commission approved Resolution 27-26, finalizing the results of the Aug. 4 primary election following a canvass completed shortly before the meeting began. Milburn-Kee abstained, saying she wanted to review the resolution before voting.
Before the commission adjourned, Tran said he appreciated the opportunity to serve as chairman.
"It's been fun. It's been real, but that's about it," Tran said. "I have no hard feelings against anybody. It is the nature of this beast and it is a beast."
Minutes later, after the meeting adjourned and with microphones still live on the county's YouTube recording, Tran could be heard speaking to Milburn-Kee.
"It is what it is. Life is the way it is. Karma has a way of coming back," Tran said.
Tran will remain on the commission as the District 1 representative until his term expires in January.
Beebower's prepared statement, as well as a link to a video of the August 10 debate mentioned above, are linked below.
Debate over proposed Courthouse Building Maintenance Supervisor - 8/10/26
