Downtown development was one of the leading topics
of discussion at the regular meeting of the Holden Chamber of Commerce
held last Thursday morning at the Harmony House Restaurant.
It was reported that local resident Betty Kirby has volunteered to give
free consultations to downtown businesses on how to revitalize the appearance
of their buildings.
With a varied background in interior and architectural design, Kirby
is willing to help any business that desires to “bring out the
nostalgic charm of the architecture of Holden’s downtown.”
In other reports to the chamber, Holden R-3 District Superintendent
Scott Slava told the group that because of the growth in number of third-graders,
another class at the intermediate school will be added. He also informed
the chamber of work going on in achieving academic excellence and updating
the district’s website.
Wilkinson Pharmacy manager Tim Moore was introduced to the chamber and
he explained the company’s philosophy to the body’s members.
Moore also reported that the company was looking for a full-time manager
of the Holden store.
In the history book committee report, Sandy Roberts explained that the
committee would receive training on how to publish the book which will
come out in August 2007 in time for the Holden 2008 Sesquicentennial.
The instruction will be provided by Bell Books Publishers.
Chamber president Sam Raber and Hugh Ward praised the Integrity Correctional
Center’s work in rehabilitation. This report followed a recent
tour of the institution by chamber members.
Whiteman AFB Community Council representative Bill Dryer reported on
that organization’s activities. 509th Mission Support Squadron
commander, Lt. Col. Lindsay Borg, brought reports from the 509th Bomb
Wing, the 442nd Fighter Wing and the Army National Guard commanders.
Included in the reports were the fact that more than 90 personnel were
deployed to hurricane Katrina assistance. Most of those individuals
are from the services squadron.
By Steve Sullins
Editor
Holden
water bills will soon be slightly higher as the Board of Public Works
voted unanimously to increase the rate for water by 10 percent. The
increase will be reflected in the November 15 bill.
The action, taken at the regular meeting held last week, will offset
the more than two percent overall budget deficit reported and discussed
in a meeting held last summer. According to Tony Lerda, O&M Enterprises,
“The 10 percent increase is not on the total water bill, but
only on the water portion.”
The budget deficit takes into account not only water, but sewer and
other operating expenses as well. Lerda stated that water was the
part that needed the income.
At the meeting, board member Jim McDaniel made the motion to raise
the rate stating that operating costs have changed dramatically since
the public hearing discussing the overall two percent increase.
Lerda said that fuel and chemical costs, transportation, pipe prices
and other inflationary costs went into the need for the increase.
Last year on a national level, overall industry-wide increases (water
and sewer combined) averaged approximately seven percent.
In other board business, it was reported that rip-rap at the lagoon
is too low and that O&M would work with the engineer to resolve
the problem.
It was also discussed that a need existed to seed and mulch and construct
a new chain link fence around the front of the lagoon entrance. A
motion was made and passed allowing O&M to seek a second bid for
the job.
James Neal questioned the duck blind increases at the Holden city
lake which went from $35-$500. He indicated he didn’t believe
local hunters will want to pay that much. According to the minutes,
that ordinance is scheduled to go before the city ccouncil. A list
of past bidders will be sent to Neal so that he can perhaps form a
group to share the rental cost.
By Steve Sullins
Editor
Funeral
services for longtime Holden dentist, Dr. James S. “Doc”
Garrett, 73, were held on Tuesday, October 11 at Williams Funeral
Chapel in Holden.
After graduating from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School
of Dentistry in May of 1961, Garrett opened a dental practice in Holden
from August of 1961 to November of 1991. He was a member of the American
Dental Association and the Kansas City Dental Association.
Garrett was a member and past president of the Houn’ Dawg Shrine
Club, an avid trapshooter, being a lifetime member and past president
of the Missouri State Trapshooters Association, a member and past
president of the Holden Gun Club, a member of the Holden Masonic Lodge,
Ararat Shrine Temple in Kansas City and the American Legion.
He also served in the United States Army during the Korean War and
was active in the Army Reserves for 20 years as commander, retiring
in 1991 at the rank of colonel.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions go toward
the purchase of a granite memorial sitting bench at the Cass Medical
Center Foundation Garden.
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HHS Homecoming Activities Scheduled
It’s homecoming time at Holden High School with this year’s
theme to be “Raidin’ Our Way To Victory.”
The celebration will begin this evening, Thursday, at the football field,
after the Sherwood vs Lady Eagle volleyball game at approximately 7:30
p.m.
Cemetery Walk Set
For October 23
The First Annual Holden Cemetery Walk is scheduled for Sunday, October
23 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Holden Cemetery.
The event, sponsored by Ben Cast and Son-Wood Funeral Home in Holden,
will highlight the lives of prominent individuals who had a significant
impact on the local community. According to coordinator Lori Evans,
plans call for individuals to be dressed in period costumes as they
tell the story of the individual next to their tombstone. Transportation
will be available for those who would prefer not to walk through the
tour. Donations will be accepted to benefit the local cemetery association.
Medical
Clinic To Celebrate First Year
The Western Johnson County Medical Clinic will mark its first birthday
with a celebration open to everybody from ll:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.,
Friday at the clinic in Kingsville.
According to Debbie Robledo, clinic office manager, there will be
a free barbeque lunch catered by Bates City Barbeque and she hopes
everyone will help them celebrate the anniversary of their first year
of operation.
The clinic was the brainchild of Steve Flick, president of Flick Seed
Company of Kingsville, who saw the need for full-time local medical
care.
It came into being with the help of the cities of Kingsville and Holden,
the Holden Chamber of Commerce and Farmers & Commercial Bank.
The medical facility is currently staffed by Dr. Christopher Maxwell
and Kristi Smith, Family Nurse Practicioner.
“We’re really thrilled we can share our birthday celebration
with the whole Johnson County community,” Robledo continued.
“We appreciate all the support the area has given to us.”
The
Holden Image recently announced the assignment of Liz Johnson as the
new director of photography for the newspaper.
Johnson’s hiring was effective October 7 and she will oversee
the newspaper’s photography division.
The owner of Little House Photography & Framing of Holden, Johnson
has an extensive background in photography. She was a portrait artist
for Miller’s Professional Imaging for two years and worked as
a studio manager for Bishop’s Photography Studio for seven years.
Both businesses are located in Pittsburg, KS.
She was also the studio manager for Studio Image in Trenton, MO, just
prior to starting her own business. Johnson has also taught physical
education at Trenton Elementary School.
The photographer attended high school at Louisburg, KS, and McHenry,
IL. She spent her college years at North Central College, Naperville,
IL; Pittsburg State University and Missouri Southern University, Joplin.
Married to Rich Johnson, a Holden High School teacher and head football
coach, they have one child, Hailey, ll, a sixth-grader at HMS.
Glen Ralston of M&G Photography will continue to contribute sports
pictures to the Image.
By Steve Sullins
Editor
John
Spaar, grandson of the late W. L. Simpson who published the Holden
Progress from 1944-77, presided at the 139th annual Missouri Press
Association convention held recently at the Lodge of the Four Seasons
at Osage Beach.
Spaar, currently the co-publisher of the Odessan and Focus on Oak
Grove, is the third generation of his family to serve as MPA president.
This is only the second time that has happened in MPA history.
His grandfather was president in 1957 and his mother, Betty Simpson
Spaar, a 1950 Holden High School graduate, was president in 1988.
She has owned The Odessan since 1960 and 10 years ago with her two
sons, founded Focus on Oak Grove.
The MPA president’s daughter Ellen who was celebrating her 13th
birthday, led the conventioneers in singing “God Bless America.”
Also in attendance at the meeting were Norm Stewart, former University
of Missouri Tiger basketball coach, and Dr. Elston Floyd, president
of MU, Columbia.
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