The Holden Image

Holden definitely is not Mayberry. However, new Holden Chief of Police Ed Bone is making every effort to ensure Holden comes as close as possible to the safety and security of the picturesque town of 1950’s television.

Bone began his duties with the Holden Police Department only two weeks ago, but since that time he has been brainstorming to come up with programs to make the citizens of Holden feel safer and more comfortable with the officers of the department.

According to Bone, the citizens have been very warm and cordial to him so far, which has only deepened his desire to perform well in the department. Bone, who has spent most of his law enforcement career with the Missouri State Highway Patrol has not worked as a city police officer since the mid 1970’s, but said his memory is quickly refreshing. “I’d kind of forgotten what being a city police officer is like,” Bone said. “I am enjoying it.”

It is no secret the Holden Police Department has had its share of weaknesses as well as strengths. However, if Bone is successful in his intentions with the department, the strengths of the entity will soon be very much on the forefront.

“We have good personnel. I have been very impressed with Captain Martin. He is a very knowledgeable and dedicated officer,” Bone said. “A weakness is that we have a lot of personnel who are fairly young in law enforcement... We have a lot of first-year officers who don’t have as much experience as a seasoned veteran.” Bone said he has been working various hours in order to be more visible and available to those newer officers.

Bone said he also thinks it is important to pay the officers better to cut down on turnover of personnel. “Our officers are supporting themselves,” Bone said. “They would like to make a decent living.”

In addition to the pay increases Bone said good leadership is a benefit he feels able to offer the staff. “We need to make people want to be here,” Bone said. According to Bone, he has received several phone calls from officers he has worked with in the past who want to come and work here because of their experiences with Bone, which would lead one to believe perhaps Bone does have the leadership skills it would take to solve issues within Holden’s police department.

Bone also hopes to improve community relations between Holden’s officers and the citizens. Drawing his inspiration from the Highway Patrol’s motto, “Gentlemen who enforce the law,” Bone said he intends to hold the officers to a strict code of conduct. Bone said he feels it is important for the officers to “get out into the community” and ensure the citizens feel comfortable with the officers and have confidence in them. “Most people meet an officer for the first time when he is pulling them over (for a traffic violation),” Bone said. “First impressions stick with people, and an opinion of the police department is formed.” He said he feels that if an officer is professional and courteous at all times, which includes never losing his or her temper, the citizens’ opinions and views of the police department will be more positive. Bone said in all his years as a law enforcement officer he has never lost his temper on the job, and he feels that is an important professional characteristic he expects to be carried on in Holden’s officers.

Bone’s plan for instilling this professionalism in new officers coming to the Holden Police Department is through field officer training, which not only orients new officers to appropriate procedures and department policy, but also gives them an example of what is expected of them in order to be a successful officer with the department.

Bone plans to require new officers with the department to participate in field officer training, which essentially is working hand-in-hand with a seasoned officer, for at least one month. Bone also said he hopes to be able to increase the department’s current policy for probationary period from six months to one year. “That would give myself and the assistant chief more time to evaluate personnel,” Bone said. “New officers won’t like it, but it is my personal belief.”

Bone stressed that Holden is not the “Mayberry” that it once was or is still believed by many to be. He said he feels it is important citizens lock their doors and even install security systems. “Home security is so important,” Bone said.

Under a new program being developed by Bone, the citizens of Holden will have quite a bit of assistance with that security. Bone said in the very near future, citizens will be able to notify the police department when they are going to be away from their home for a few days or longer and give the department an emergency number where they may be reached. The police department will then keep a checklist with the addresses of those who are out of town, and officers will be required to not only drive by the house, but get out of their patrol car and do a walk around and rattle doors at the home to see that they are secure.

In addition, the officers will be performing these security checks at local businesses. Bone also said he encourages citizens who need to make night deposits at the banks to notify the police department so that an officer may accompany them to the night drop or ATM.

Bone said he also feels it is important for the officers to have a presence at the schools. “They don’t necessarily need to be there to write tickets,” Bone said, “but, they need a presence there.” He said he feels an increased presence of the officers at the schools both when school is beginning and ending for the day and at the start and close of ball games, would alleviate traffic problems in those areas. Bone is also in favor of the re-instatement of the resource officer program at the schools, and has been meeting with school officials to work the program out. “I am totally in favor of the resource officer program,” Bone said. “We are just beginning to talk about it... It is something we will have to work through.”

In addition, Bone said he is going to check into curfew laws, and if Holden does not have a strict curfew law in place, he believes changes should be made to ensure juveniles are not out on the streets without adult supervision during late night hours committing crimes and getting into trouble.

In related plans, Bone intends to take a very proactive approach to Holden’s drug issues. In addition to training officers in all aspects of narcotics investigation, Bone said he will be working alongside the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department and Missouri State Highway Patrol to coordinate future drug raids.

Bone has already contacted the Sedalia Fire Department, who is the Haz-Mat team for Western Johnson County to ensure they will assist in the clean-up of meth labs in the area. “The clock is ticking for anyone in Holden with narcotics,” Bone warned. “We are going to take care of this problem and eliminate it.”

Bone, who retired from the Missouri State Highway Patrol three years ago, said he is looking forward to the challenges ahead of him with the Holden Police Department. “During my 35 years in law enforcement, I can safely say I have done every job associated with law enforcement from homicide investigation to helping a grandma get her cat out of a tree,” Bone said. “When I retired two-and-a-half or three years ago, I didn’t have to come back to work. I came back because I missed it... It’s in my blood. I intend to stay in law enforcement as long as I can.”

Bone and his wife, Gayle, currently reside in Sedalia. Bone said they are interested in renting a home in Holden to allow them time to build their “dream home” in the Holden area. He has said a number of times during merit board and city council interviews that he intends to be a very involved member of the Holden community, and so far, with the addition of policies that put the citizens’ safety first, Bone is well on his way to making a name for himself here.

“Anyone who wishes to call or stop by is always welcome, whether it be good or bad.” Bone said he, in fact, encourages citizen complaints to give the department an opportunity to grow. “That’s how you improve,” he said. “I believe the Holden community will be quite pleased with me once they get to know me.”

By Christi Stowe
News Editor

Billy Seaman of Holden Fastop is the recipient of the Holden Image Outstanding Customer Service Award for the month of February.

Seaman was born and raised in Holden and is the son of Juanita Hampton and Harry Seaman. He is a 1995 graduate of Holden High School and has worked at Fastop for over three years.

He was chosen by an anynomous customer who enjoys visiting with Seaman every morning. “He always greets you when you walk in the door, is very pleasant and friendly,” the customer said. “He is very efficient at his job and gets you in and out quickly without having to wait in line, which is important in the morning when you’re trying to get to work on time.” The customer said another outstanding thing about Seaman is that even when he’s not busy with a customer, he is often seen working around the store, cleaning or just doing what needs to be done to keep things looking nice.

Seaman works a lot of early morning shifts, sometimes coming in at 4:45 a.m.! Seaman said he enjoys the work and that even most of the drive-offs are by accident.

Seaman’s main duties are customer service, along with cleaning, stocking and keeping a professional looking store.

When asked what his favorite part of the job is, he says “Definitely, the customers. Getting to visit with everyone and share a laugh helps start the day off right.” He remembers one of his favorite customers, an older woman who came in every morning. “She was always really friendly and fun to talk with and brightened my day.”

Before working at Fastop, Seaman attended college for awhile and then cooked for several restaurants. His dream is to return to school and become a chef. In fact, he says his only hobby is cooking!

Seaman also hopes to someday travel to Guam to visit his sister who served in the military and now makes her home there.

He says this award was a nice surprise and caught him completely off-guard.

“I really appreciate this award and it did mean a lot to me to be recognized for outstanding service,” said Seaman.

By Dana Neubert
News Staff

In the past couple of decades, technology has seemed to touch everything around us, from the way we watch television to the way we make a telephone call. It is only natural for technological advancements to make their way to the agricultural industry as well, as has recently been seen with the new availability of online computer bidding at Kingsville Livestock Auction.

Since February 8, interested purchasers have been able to not only view and hear certain auctions at Kingsville Livestock Auction, but are able to bid on the animals and products presented in the sale ring.

“It is just part of our ongoing efforts to keep up with society,” Karen Roskop, of Kingsville Livestock explained. “People from other states usually send buyers (to the auctions), but they like to be able to look at the cattle for themselves... Now they can.”

The site, lmaauctions.com, has already proven to be useful to those interested in buying animals and products from the livestock auction, according to Roskop. “We’ve already had some people who bought online,” she said. “We’ve had good participation.”

Currently, the online bidding option is being offered for horse sales, which include the sale of horses, saddles, hay and other tack items. It is also available for Tuesday sales at the auction, which include the sale of all types of cattle. The first cow sale offered online was Saturday. According to Roskop, plans are in the works for online bidding during upcoming pig and sheep sales.

The process for becoming an approved online bidder with Kingsville Livestock Auction is simple. However, it is best to begin the online process of being approved two or three days before an upcoming sale, because bidders are required to be approved at least by the day before a sale in order to bid.

Interested persons would simply log onto the website and fill out a questionnaire, which creates a new user in the system. LMA Auctions then checks the individual’s credit history and emails the information back to Kingsville Livestock, who then assigns that person a bidder number, just as they would received at a live auction, as long as they are deemed to be credit worthy by their credit history.

Once approved to be an online bidder, that individual may choose just to watch the auctions or actually bid on the animals and items shown. The view on the computer screen is just as though the person was really at the auction. They are able to see everything in real time. Another feature useful to the bidders is the ability to ask the seller questions.

For instance, if five cattle are brought into the ring for sale, and four are solid black and one is black/white face, the online bidder can type on the computer and ask the seller, “Would you sell just the four black cows?”

The seller is then able to answer back in enough time for the online bidder to bid if they are interested.

“We are one of the first sale barns in the area to offer this,” Roskop said. “Other auctions are interested and looking at what we’re doing.”

Once animals and products are purchased through the online bidding process, all the buyer need do is come to Kingsville Livestock Auction and pick up their purchases and pay for them.

By Christi Stowe
News Editor

Members of the Holden PTO are continuing in their efforts to provide a much needed playground for students at Holden Elementary and Intermediate schools, according to information received from PTO president Bevy Fletchall.

With the addition of donations received from both local banks, only a small percentage of the total money needed for the project still remains to be raised. The PTO hopes to raise the remainder of the funds through several upcoming events.

March 4, the PTO is organizing an evening of dinner and games to be held at Holden Middle School. Dinner will be served at 5 p.m., and the “Anything Goes Games,” which have been coordinated by Coach Amy Morrison for exercise, entertainment and family fun, will begin at 6:30 p.m. Advance tickets are available at Farmers and Commercial Bank or parents may send money payable to Holden PTO in an envelope to the elementary or intermediate school with their child.

The cost of the evening of dinner and games is $4 in advance or $5 at the door, and the cost includes either a taco in a bag or potato bar with dessert and a drink. The Holden Locker donated 15 pounds of hamburger, and Country Meat Shoppe donated 20 pounds of hamburger to assist the PTO with the cost of organizing this event.

In addition, the PTO has been continuing to sell heavy duty yellow trash bags and pizza value cards. Other upcoming fundraising events for the PTO include pumping gas for tips at Holden Fastop on March 12, an aluminum can drop off at Pittsville PDQ and the annual spring carnival to be held April 9.

By Christi Stowe
News Editor

A petition was filed in Johnson County Circuit Court February 9 by former Holden Police Officer Shane Hutchison requesting a court review of the public appeal hearing held December 9, 2004 before the Holden Police Merit Board. The petition further requests a new hearing in the circuit court of the evidence in Hutchison’s case.

Hutchison was released from his duties as a City of Holden police officer November 12, 2004 after the city council voted to terminate his employment.

Hutchison then appealed his termination by requesting a hearing before the merit board, as was his right pursuant to Holden Municipal Codes.

A public hearing was held December 9 to decide the outcome of Hutchison’s case, during which Hutchison was represented by counsel, and the City of Holden was represented by attorney Doug Harris. Witnesses were called and interviewed for both sides.

After hearing testimony from Hutchison’s peers and supervisors with the Holden Police Department, merit board chairman Scotty Walker read a “finding of fact” statement in regards to Hutchison’s case and upheld his dismissal.

During the merit board hearing in question, several of Hutchison’s fellow officers with the Holden Police Department were brought forth as witnesses for the city. They were also cross-examined by Young.

In closing statements, Doug Harris, attorney on behalf of the city accused Hutchison of “turning his back on” the oath he took upon becoming a police officer by “utilizing his position for his own personal gain.”

Young accused witnesses for the city of being “jaded” and “looking at Hutchison through a kaleidoscope.” Young also alleged prejudice had been shown against Hutchison since his re-instatement after a prior rank demotion in the department.

Prior to the start of the hearing, Hutchison’s attorney, Mary Ellen Young, had requested merit board member Jim Sollars recuse himself from the proceedings on the basis that Sollars had written a letter to the editor in the Holden Image in which he made openly negative comments about Hutchison.

Sollars refused to recuse himself, stating “That happened when I was a council member in response to actions taking place at that time. We are here for another matter. It (previous matter) has no bearing on why we are here tonight (at the hearing).”

Merit board chairman Scotty Walker told young the merit board would not press the issue.

Sollars failure to recuse himself is, according to the petition filed with the Johnson County Circuit court, a portion of circumstances Hutchison’s attorney listed as “unlawful procedure.”

In addition, the petition calls former merit board member Chip Kluz “an ineligible member of the City of Holden Merit Board” on the basis that according to Holden’s Municipal Ordinances, no merit board member shall hold any other office or public employment with the City of Holden while they are a merit board member. Kluz was a member of the Holden Board of Public Works while also serving as a merit board member at the time of Hutchison’s trial, and was, according to the petition therefore in violation of Holden Municipal Laws.

Because city policies governing the merit board, if Sollars and Kluz had each voted to re-instate Hutchison, majority would have ruled, and due to the unanimous decision, Hutchison’s termination would have been upheld regardless. However, the petition alleges “Sollars’ opinion of the petitioner (Hutchison) poisoned the other merit board members.” The petition also says Sollars “had an agenda when he sat on the merit board that night, wanting petitioner (Hutchison) removed from the Holden Police Department whether there was good cause shown or not.” The petition further alleges Sollars “perceived the petitioner as being part of the problem that brought the City of Holden down in the eyes of the rest of the county, and he influenced other board members into that line of thinking.” Hutchison and his attorney, Timothy Flener, are requesting a new hearing on the merit that Sollars presence on the merit board “made the entire hearing in this matter suspect and rendered their decision arbitrary and capricious.”

Furthermore, the petition accuses the City of Holden did not allow Hutchison and Young to obtain “discovery.” In other words, it is alleged Young was denied files and/or paperwork possessed by the city that could be used in his defense. According to the law of discovery, the city would have been allowed 72 hours from Young’s request to furnish any items requested by her.

According to the petition, because of Young being denied appropriate discovery, she was severely prevented an adequate opportunity to discover the nature of the charges against Hutchison.

It is unclear at this time when Hutchison’s case will be heard in circuit court as a court date had not yet been assigned as of print time.

By Christi Stowe
News Editor