The Holden Image

Laura Brillhart, an employee of Walker's Variety Store, is the recipient of the Holden Image Customer Service Award for the month of March.

Brillhart, who has worked at Walker's for the past ten years, is responsible for assisting customers in the store to find and purchase items. She said she feels it is important to make each and every customer smile and feel welcome when they are in the store and added that helping the customers is a favorite aspect of her job.

The individual who nominated Brillhart said she has always felt welcome in the store and enjoys shopping there because of Brillhart and other friendly, helpful staff members. She always smiles when I come in and treats me like I am a valued friend, the customer said. I have never come into the store when Laura has not said hello to me and been there to help me find exactly what I needed.

Brillhart said she holds good customer service as a high priority in her day-to-day work responsibilities.

It 's important to make sure they 've found what they needed and know we want them to come back, Brillhart said of the importance of good customer service. If a customer doesn 't find what they need or feel wanted, they won 't come back.

Brillhart said she was very surprised by the nomination for the customer service award. I felt very surprised, Brillhart commented. I would like to say ˜thank you very much ' to the customer who nominated me.

Brillhart, who lives in Holden with her husband, Phil, was notified of the award in a surprise visit by Holden Image staff Monday, who gave her a flower arrangement and plaque to put on display in the store.

By Christi Stowe
News Editor

Applications received for the position of HOPE executive director were discussed during the regular monthly meeting of the HOPE Coalition last Tuesday night.

According to HOPE President Bob Mickey, one applicant has expressed an interest in the job. Mickey said he and the executive director search committee will set up an interview with the applicant and report back to the board on their findings.

There have also been a few other people who have shown interest in the position but have not yet turned in a resume, said Mickey. We are hopeful we will get more applicants to choose from.

In other business, Mickey reported that there have been several new donors through NAP (Neighborhood Assistance Program). Some of the donors have been featured in the Holden Image in acknowledgment of their charitable gifts. Mickey and board member Patricia Williams have been sending in the necessary paperwork for the donors to receive their tax certificates to use during this tax season. According to Mickey there is still $80,000 available in NAP credits.

Mickey also reminded the group that they have filled out a form for an extension of the NAP program. Secretary Charlotte Timmons stated that the extension should last for an additional year.

We have been working on the NAP budget revision, and can send the new budget in at the same time we send in the extension forms, Timmons said.

Williams shared with the board a proposal from electrician Phil Tevis outlining the cost of his services to remove and replace the lighting fixtures in the Community Service Center (CSC). The board discussed the bid and problems with existing lighting. Williams noted, There is not any wiring or lighting in the back half of the building right now.

The board agreed to form a committee to do a walk-through of the building with Tevis and identify the problems they are facing. The committee will consist of Mickey, Scotty Walker, Rick Morris and Sam Salsman.

As a means of saving money the board discussed the possibility of completing the removal of the existing fixtures themselves, instead of contracting out the job. Mickey suggested the board discuss the idea at a later meeting after the committee members have had a chance to tour the building.

Walker asked the board if they had ever considered putting the building up for sale, because of its age and the problems that exist.

It has never been put on the market, although we have talked about it before, said Williams.

The board discussed the option of listing the building with a realtor but tabled any decision until the value of the property, especially the land, could be determined.

Board members discussed advertising the decorative parts of the fixtures inside the building, and mentioned they might be of value to collectors.

In other business, the CSC monthly report was given by office manager Crystal Harper. One item mentioned in the report was the purchase of new volleyball nets for the Community Activity Center (CAC), as requested by CAC volunteer board member Rusty Hartwell. Williams explained the need for the extra nets and confirmed there is money in the NAP budget for the purchase of the nets. The request received approval from the board.

In other CAC business, Hartwell informed the board there is a large crack in the cement block bridge spanning the balcony. He added, the crack is getting wider and there is obvious movement.

Walker suggested the board get an engineer to take a look at it and make a decision after the inspection. Williams added she will obtain the name of a structural engineer and present it to the board members for approval. The board agreed to move forward on this issue.

Past concerns from the CAC board involve the maintenance of utility units on the roof of the building. There is no safe way to reach the units, Mickey reminded the board.

After studying blueprints for the CAC building, Mickey said it was determined that it was not a good idea to put in a hatch to reach the roof, due to weather and leaking.

Instead, our best choice may be installing a ladder on the outside of the building which stops eight feet above the ground and has a cage and lock to prevent unauthorized personnel from climbing the ladder, said Mickey. No decision was reached by the board on this matter.

In other action, Timmons told the group she thought the volunteer board at the CAC had done a fantastic job of running the building and suggested the HOPE board send thank-you notes to them.

Mickey agreed with Timmons. They continue to make payments each month toward the CAC building note from profits made at different events hosted by the CAC, he said. It has turned into a profitable venture and I am very pleased at the way things are being organized there.

A United Way update was given by Timmons, who noted HOPE will receive $7,000 this year from them. According to Timmons, HOPE has received that amount from United Way in the past, as well.

The United Way Board of Directors would like to have someone from HOPE serve on their board, Timmons said. I have spoken with Aline Kirchhoff about this, and she will check into it to see what is required of a board member.

In other business, Harper submitted an outline of a letter she prepared, to be sent to prospective members of HOPE. The letter will be sent to all past members and to potential members.

There were several clarifications and additions made to the letter and it was approved by the board.

Harper also shared with the board a copy of the new rules of conduct for volunteers which met with board approval.

In other discussion, Mickey asked if the board still owed money to the contractor on the roof repairs at the CSC.

We still owe $700 to the contractor, and he has about two more days of work left to finish the project, Williams said. We also still owe Heiman 's Farm and Home for materials.

A partial payment of $1,750 has already been made to Steve Dean Construction, added Williams.

In other expenditures, Kirchhoff told the board that the current vacuum used to clean the CSC is not sufficient to keep the center clean. She suggested checking with an individual who rebuilds vacuums to see if he had any heavy duty models available. All were in agreement that this should be done.

All monthly reports were presented and approved by the board. The meeting was adjourned, to reconvene on Tuesday, April 5 in regular session.

by Dana Neubert
Staff Writer

The purchase of an additional ambulance was approved during the regular meeting of the Johnson County Ambulance District Board of Directors March 10.

The ambulance, a 2005 model, was purchased from Wheeled Coached at a price of $85,500. A special light package will be added to the model, bringing the total purchase price to around $89,000. Other bids were received from Foster Coach and Osage Ambulance at $101,734 and $95,480 respectively.

In other expenditures, the purchase of a Zoll M-Series Multi-Pro Plus defibrillator and on-board ambulance computers and software was approved unanimously by the board. The new monitor was purchased at a cost of $18,839.

The new computers and software, which includes seven Panasonic Toughbook 18 Touchscreen PC version Pentium M733 computers, seven small printers, seven remote units, one data station, data support and on-site training were purchased at a cost of $33,665. Data support and software will be provided by Sweet-Field Data.

In related business, Melinda Monn presented a billing update for the board's review. According to Monn, since the district 's inception, a total of $2,877,409 has been billed out for ambulance services. Mandatory insurance adjustments have been $622,043, and $1,173,175 has been received on accounts. A total of $283,282 is in collection activity for non-payment, and a balance of $515,627 remains to be received.

Monn noted, currently the total collection rate for the district is 59 percent, and with access to a new website through Tricare, the remaining balances will be filed.

In related business, a five-step pay proposal was presented to the board for consideration. Discussion followed. However, the board requested that revisions be made to the proposal prior to action. No action was taken in regards to the proposal at that time.

In other business, the zone report indicated the district ran a total of 381 calls in the month of February as compared to 280 in February 2004. In Zone 5 (City of Warrensburg), a little over 62 percent of the calls were made. Zone 2, which includes Holden, made up nearly 14 percent, and zones 1,3 and 4, which include northwest Johnson County, southeast Johnson County and northeast Johnson County (Knob Noster area), made up the remainder of the district 's medical calls in February 2005.

In other action, an update on Worker 's Compensation was reviewed by the board. A number of board members expressed concern that the district 's premium under the program increased to $92,223. Various options were discussed. The district 's insurance company recommended the district initiate a strength-training program for employees in an effort to reduce claims. In related business, board member Earl Neal suggested the district purchase exercise equipment for ambulance district employees. Ron Fitterling and Gene Strate moved Neal bring back more information for the board 's consideration. The motion received approval by the board.

In personnel related action, the board approved a policy manual to be adopted by the district. In addition, an amendment of the district 's sick and injury leave policy was discussed an approved by the board. The policy states that in order to qualify for sick or injury leave an employee must be a full-time employee of the district, and any employee found to abuse sick leave of falsify a need for sick leave will be disciplined up to and including termination.

In building projects, an update of work at ambulance district houses 1-3 was given. According to information in the update, generators at all three houses are in full operation. Gravel work at Houses 1 and 3 is complete, and a holding tank is expected to be installed at House 1 in the very near future. A sign at House 1 was discussed. However, the board postponed making a decision on the matter until the next board meeting when more specific information is expected to be available.

The board adjourned after a closed session in which personnel and real estate issues were discussed and will return for a regular meeting Thursday, April 14 at 7 p.m.

By Christi Stowe
News Editor

Much needed repairs on Kingsville's school buses are now complete, according to information presented by Superintendent Kevin Coleman during the regular meeting of the Kingsville R-1 Board of Education March 10.

School bus repairs were first discussed during the board 's regular meeting in January, when Coleman noted a number of repairs were needed for the buses this year that had not been necessary in years past. Coleman had suggested perhaps the purchase of a new bus for the district may be in order due to increasing repairs and age of the district 's bus fleet.

The board tabled bids for new school buses in February after four bids were received, but not discussed at length.

In other business, the summer school program received the board 's unanimous approval. The program will take place from May 26 until June 9 and will include 10 full class days instead of 20 half class days, which has been the structure in the past. John Griffith will serve as the district 's summer school director. In related business, the school calendar for the 2005-2006 school year was also approved.

Chris Short, of the district 's science department presented a report on behalf of the district's salary committee. Short asked the board to approve the committee 's recommendations for a sick leave pool and a salary increase for the base pay of certified staff. No action was taken at this time.

Kingsville High School Principal Lorna Warren reported attendance at the school increased to 96 percent over the past month. Elementary School Principal John Griffith also reported on attendance and noted the Read Across America program at the school was very successful this year with 93 individuals signed up to attend. Griffith also told the board the elementary school 's grandparents ' lunch has been rescheduled for April 8.

The board adjourned after a short closed session to discuss personnel and students. The board will reconvene at 7 p.m. on April 14.

By Christi Stowe
News Editor

Citizens disappointed by the closing of Redbeard's Treasure Chest, formerly located in the old Lloyd's building, need not be disappointed any longer. the well-liked business re-opened Wednesday in the building adjacent to Murphy 's Barber Shop on Second Street in Holden.

The business, which sells collectibles, antiques and other unique items is a miniature version of the original Redbeard's.

We retired and got bored, the business's owner Joel Duncan said of he and his wife, Pam's decision to open the business. We wanted something to do.

Duncan said he and Pam are avid collectors who enjoy finding unique and valuable items. However, Redbeard 's is far from being a junk store. Duncan said he is a careful buyer and collector who does not intend to clutter his store with items that will sit and gather dust. I don't want to put stuff in here I can't sell, Duncan said. I 'd like to think everything in here would appeal to someone.

For example, Duncan currently has an antique lamp in the store with a price tag in the $200 range. A similar version of the unique item is currently listed on e-bay with bids in excess of $1,000. Other items include Disney collectibles, antiques, new and old knives, guitars and amplifiers and VHS and DVD movies.

Duncan, who also runs a recording studio at his home, said he intends to use the business as a hub of sorts to incorporate all of the businesses he enjoys. Customers of the recording studio will be able to come into the store to schedule appointments for recording sessions. In addition, Duncan hopes to be able to provide an e-bay listing service through the store in which customers may bring in items they wish to list on e-bay and Duncan will list and sell them for the customer. Bi-monthly auctions are also planned, which Duncan hopes to be able to hold at the HOPE Center.

It's nice to be back here in town, Duncan said, and, it's nice to be back in the business.
Redbeard's Treasure Chest is open Wednesday through Friday from noon until 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

By Christi Stowe
News Editor