 Johnson County
residents who received damage to personal property in the recent
storms that is not covered by insurance may still be able to get
some assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
FEMA has established a disaster application telephone number for Missouri citizens
or businesses impacted by the March 11-13 severe weather.
“Any Missouri citizen or business that sustained March 11-13 storm-related
damages may call 1-800-621-3362 or 1-800-462-7585 for speech and
hearing impaired, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., seven days a week,” said
Governor Matt Blunt.
Thomas Costello has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer
for federal recovery operations in Missouri. “Calling the 800 number is the critical first
step of the recovery process,” Costello said. “People should
not prejudge their potential eligibility. If they suffered damage, they
should call.”
In addition to the FEMA call, Karen Eagleson, Johnson County emergency management
director has requested that anyone who has storm-related damage to call her office
at (660) 747-2666 in Warrensburg.
“It’s very important that these calls are made,” Eagleson explained. “A
lot of people don’t understand that they may be able to get assistance
for damage that isn’t covered by their insurance policies. If it’s
personal property and their is hail or wind damage - any storm damage - please
call.”
Assistance may include: temporary housing or repairs, low
interest loans to homeowners, renters and business owners, and
grants for individuals and families.
When applying for disaster assistance have the following available: Social
security number (including spouse), address and zip code of the
damaged property, directions to the damaged home or property, and
daytime telephone numbers.
By Steve Sullins
Editor
After
months of discussion, research and many motions to be tabled an
ordinance amending fees and regulations covering duck hunting at
the City Lake was passed at the regular meeting of the City Council
held last Tuesday at City Hall.
The new ordinance states that a duck blind permit may be obtained
by at least four, but not more than 12 persons joining together
and making application. As before, the applications will
be randomly selected. The successful applicants will then
be randomly assigned to designated blind locations.
The new fee rates will be $20 per hunter, in addition to a $100
blind deposit per permit. That deposit will be forfeited
to the City’s Board of Public Works if the blind is not removed
within 30 days after the close of fowl season.
The new rules permit up to four names of persons to be designated
as custodians of the blind and the remaining names on the permit
known as guest hunters. Guest hunters must be in the presence
of one of the permit custodians during hunts. No person
shall hunt out of any blind unless at least one permit custodian
of that blind is present.
In executive session, the council took up the matter of defunct
roofing contractor, Dragon Lady, not paying workers prevailing
wage on the recent roofing job at City Hall. Since the city
is ultimately responsible for projects adhering to state labor
laws, the council voted to pay the remaining payment on the contract
directly to the workers. According to Mayor Terry Hedglin,
a sum slightly in excess of $10,000 was paid. $10,500 was
owed Dragon Lady to close out the contract.
Also in executive session, Thomas Wehr was hired as a city police
officer.
In other business, the council authorized the Holden Fire Department
to apply for a $37,000 grant from the Federal Emergency Management
Agency to purchase replacement air packs. Assistant chief
Larry Miller stated that it was a five percent grant, so the city’s
portion would be $1,700.
The City Council passed a recommendation made by councilman Chad
Manford to adopt a procedure to obtain permission for street closures. The
procedure consists of a packet showing the applicant all they have to
accomplish to have their recommendation considered. Prior
to this time, the city had not had a definite procedure.
Opening of bids for janitorial services in city buildings was tabled
due to the absence of councilwoman Brenda Stumpff. Also,
a resolution giving Mayor Hedglin the permission to enter into
a contract with MGCC LLC of Warrensburg, to replace the water plant’s
ceiling will be put on next month’s agenda. The company’s
bid was $4,900, one-half to one-fourth, of earlier estimates.
Councilman Brent Brown also reported that the block grant providing
funds for the Board of Public Works had been officially closed
out. That leaves the city free to apply for another.
City Clerk Sheila Spies told the council that the estimated completion
date for the handicap accessible construction at City Hall is April
1, if the new doors are received in time.
In the communications section, Trina Wright of TeenServe distributed
pamphlets and addressed the council concerning the upcoming workcamp
in July. She stated that 300-500 teenagers will gather in
Pleasant Hill and perform needed repairs on houses in a 25-mile
radius. She reported that there were already six or seven
Holden houses on the list.
She stated that the deadline for signing-up a house is April 1,
and that anyone who wanted work done on their house should call
(816) 540-2406. Volunteering and donations can be accomplished
at the same number.
Manford also reported that a Police Committee would be held Monday
at 6 p.m. at City Hall.
By Steve Sullins
Editor
Churches
from the Holden, Kingsville and Centerview areas pooled their
talent and resources last week to present the evangelistic production
of Heaven’s Gates & Hell’s Flames at
Holden High School.
Churches participating in the production were First Baptist Church
of Holden, Forward Community Church, Enon Baptist Church, Kingsville
Baptist Church, Centerview Baptist Church and Elm Springs Baptist
Church.
The production company of Reality Outreach Ministries, the play’s
producers, orientates all local cast and crew members on the Friday
evening before the productions. Cast and crews of approximately
65 people practice all day Saturday and again on Sunday afternoon,
with performances beginning Sunday evening through Tuesday evenings.
Sunday night was cancelled due to tornado warnings, but the performances
still drew a crowd of 600 for the two nights. According
to Holden church officials, 153 decisions to “serve the Lord” were
made during the two nights.
The play asks the question, “Where
will you be when reality strikes?” The performance
was a real-life drama showing the decision people must make in
life that will affect where they will spend eternity.
Reality Outreach Ministries travel into 32 countries world-wide
to direct this evangelistic production.
By Steve Sullins
Editor
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Because
of his tireless efforts to make the Western Johnson County Medical
Clinic a reality, Kingsville businessman Steve Flick, president
of Flick Seed Company, will receive the 2006 Kansas City Spirit
Award in ceremonies to be held May 3 at the Hyatt Regency Crown
Center ballroom.
Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the spirit award recognizes volunteers who
exemplify the spirit that motivated William Gillis in his quest to make Kansas
City a better place to live.
Award officials stated that the award recognized a diverse group of individuals
who have shared their time and talent unselfishly for the good of others and
the Kansas City community.
Upon notification of the award, Flick stated, “I’m very flattered,
but I want to share this with all the employees of the Western Johnson County
Medical Clinic and all the people involved in its formulation.”
He explained that the clinic’s mission is to provide affordable and accessible
health care to the people of Western Johnson County and he’s looking forward
to growing.
“We want to grow, but not with profit as a motive,” Flick explained. “Our
goal is to bring qualified medical people to this rural area for the benefit
of the people.”
According to Flick, the clinic is looking forward to January 2007 when they are
projecting having a full-time doctor on staff. At the present, there is
a full-time nurse practitioner in Kristin Smith, and a part time doctor.
Flick also gave great credit to the board of directors of the Rural Healthcare
Foundation of Western Johnson County, who work with the clinic to secure funding
for equipment. He had great praise for the president Dr. Lynn Hawley who
he said is doing a wonderful job. The other directors who make up the foundation
are Kingsville Mayor Lloyd Stevers; Dwight Anstine, senior vice-president of
Farmers & Commercial Bank; Debbie Robledo, clinic office manager; and Flick.
By Steve Sullins
Editor
“New
programs are on tap for the HOPE Coalition,” executive director
John Roberts told members of the board at an informational meeting
held last Monday night.
“As a result of its strategic planning sessions and desire
to incorporate new programs into its next Neighborhood Assistance
Program (NAP) application, HOPE has proposed adding three new programs
including health and immunization
clinic and screenings; early childhood development screenings; and a revamped
job referral program,” said Roberts.
Roberts has spoken to several experts in these areas to learn if HOPE may partner
with them to begin the new programs.
In other education business, Roberts told board members that HOPE has given six
Tests of Adult Basic Education (TABE) since the last meeting. “GED
testing was a goal on our last NAP application and will remain one on our next
application, so the testing is important,” added Roberts.
In financial business, Roberts reported that treasurer Dorothy Salsman has been
a big help in structuring a preliminary budget for 2006. He stated normally
this would have been done before the start of 2006, but was delayed due to the
loss of data when their computer hard drive went down.
In other financial business Roberts told board members that HOPE has been awarded
$6,100 in United Way Funding and urged all members to take part in Johnson County
United Way fundraising efforts.
In Community Service Center (CSC) business, Roberts reported Pat Talley
assumed the position of interim coordinator for the Clothes Closet two weeks
ago. She took the position after the resignation of Patricia Williams. “We
are happy to be working with Pat again and everything has gone well to date,” Roberts
said. He also mentioned the need for the board to meet in executive session
so they can discuss a salary plan for Talley. The board members will meet
in executive session on Monday, March 20, at 5:30 p.m.
In Community Activity Center (CAC) business, it was reported by Roberts that
they are having a problem with the floor in the building. “A shift
in the floor has resulted in the buckling and displacement of floor tiles. The
suggestion I received from a flooring expert was to anchor the floor at
the east end and monitor the results,” stated Roberts. Board members
discussed the issue and the fee involved but could not vote because they did
not have a quorum.
Roberts also reported that the CAC volunteer directors have expressed a desire
to gravel the area in the rear of the building. They received an estimate
that it would take about 12-15 loads of gravel at a cost of approximately $160
per load. The directors felt this was needed because of parking overflow
and would be a good gesture toward the community, according to Roberts. They
believed they would have the money for this project. However, this issue
has been put on hold since the flooring problem and unknown repair costs arose.
In other CAC business, April 4 will mark the first election held at the building. “We
look forward to hosting the event and are grateful to all of those associated
with the CAC for altering schedules and helping to make this happen,” stated
Roberts.
The informational meeting was closed and the regular meeting of the board
will
reopen on April 10.
By Dana Neubert
News Staff
TeenServe
is coming to the community. Applications
are still being accepted and the deadline for those
applications is April 1.
A group of 300-400 teens and adult leaders will come to the Pleasant
Hill, Kingsville and Holden area and spend a work camp week cleaning up property,
winterizing homes or doing minor repairs for the elderly, disabled or those
who cannot afford to have the work done themselves.
Currently there are approximately seven applications for the Holden
area and the group is hoping to get the word out and sign up more
homes.
They will be having a TeenServe Community kick-off event on that
day and people are welcome to apply at the event or simply call
540-2406.
The kick-off will be held at the Pleasant Hill Memorial Building
and the schedule of events is as follows: 7-10 a.m., a pancake
breakfast hosted by the Lions Club; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.,
create and take shop featuring sponsor a bear (create a stuffed
bear), beaded jewelry, and kids’ crafts, snack shop, face
painting, kids’ games and clown visit. At noon, the
Easter Bunny will pay a visit and 2 p.m., Phil and Pam Morgan (the
gospel couple as seen on Oprah, Pat Robertson, and Montel Williams
will be there) in concert. From 5-7 p.m., there will
be a spaghetti dinner hosted by Boy Scout and Cub Scout Troop/Pack
300. A youth rally featuring Barjudah live in concert will
be from 8-10 p.m. Ongoing all day: bake sale sponsored
by the Girl Scouts and Lioness Club and a silent auction sponsored
by the caring citizens of the community. On April 8 at 1
p.m. there will be a benefit auction at Pleasant Hill Storage (next
to Henley Meadows). They need gently used furniture, tools,
toys, household goods, lawn equipment, fishing gear, antiques,
and other miscellaneous items. Make arrangements for drop
off or pick up by calling 540-4373, 797-6048, 540-3658, or 540-3408. April
22 at 7 p.m. is a gospel concert at Pleasant Hill United Methodist
Church. On May 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., they will be car-hopping
at Sonic at Pleasant Hill. All profits and tips are donated
to TeenServe. Come hungry and tip well!
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