When closing the doors to The Shiney Studio at 123 S. National Ave. in May, the owners posted a statement on the business’ website and also on social media. The statement accused courthouse employees of using courthouse security cameras to spy on co-owner DandeLyon Vredenburg, who is involved in a civil lawsuit brought by her ex-husband.
Vredenburg and Carl Repp, co-owners of The Shiney Studio, say the alleged activity is an invasion of their and their customers’ privacy.
Although Bourbon County Commissioners and the county counselor would not comment on specifics, courthouse officials have said the county has done no wrong. Providing copies of surveillance videos falls under the Kansas Open Records Act. In 2016, Repp and Vredenburg purchased the St. Andrews Episcopal Church building, which had been vacant for a number of years. Repp and Vredenburg renovated the church building into a yoga studio and wellness center. It also became home to other businesses and Repp’s residence.
According to a document provided by the county to the Tribune, attorneys representing Vrendeburg’s ex-spouse “anticipated that the county’s clearly visible security camera on the northeast corner of the courthouse roof, pointing east of the courthouse, where the yoga studio was located, could contain evidence relevant to the case.”
(Read more: Fort Scott Tribune)