 Local Holden
attorney Karl Timmerman defeated Johnson County prosecutor Mary
Ann Young in the race for Associate Circuit Judge Associate Division
by the razor-thin margin of 79 votes out of approximately 2,400
cast in the Tuesday Republican primary election.
Timmerman, with 51.64 percent of the tally, received 1,246
votes to Young’s 1,167 or 48.36 percent in the race that
only attracted slightly over 16 percent of registered voters. He
will now face Democrat Sue Dodson in the November 7 general election. Dodson
ran unopposed on the Democratic ballot.
In another nailbiter on the Republican ticket, Teresa A. Collins
outlasted Alice Mistler in the race for Johnson County auditor. Collins
received 1,217 votes to Mistler’s 1,151. Collins
will square off against C. Kay Dolan, who ran unopposed on the
Democratic ballot.
In the only other opposed Johnson County Republican race, Lynn
Stoppy Brackin easily defeated her opponent Thomas K. Hendrix,
Jr. for the Johnson County prosecuting attorney slot. Brackin
received 1,297 votes to Hendrix’s 995. Stoppy Brackin
will face Democrat Monica Penrose in the November contest. Penrose
also ran unopposed.
In the only other opposed local or county race on the
Democratic ballot, Frances Elkins defeated Rosemary E. Love for
the position of North Holden Committeewoman.
In the Johnson County question of whether to impose a sales tax
upon adult cabarets of five percent for a period of four years,
county voters overwhelming approved the question by a 2,677 to
1,245 vote. The taxes will be used for the purpose of investigating
the background of the employees of such businesses and for the
general law enforcement use of the sheriff’s office.
In a first for Johnson County voters, the new touch-screen voting
machines were used. Voters were given the choice of using
the new machines or the standard paper ballot.
By Steve Sullins
Editor
One of the
major priorities of the year for Holden’s Board
of Public Works will have to wait a little longer as bidders
for repairing and painting the south water tower were given an
additional 10 days to submit their bids.
According to Holden’s water superintendent Tony Lerda,
confusing language in the bid specifications brought on the extension. “Some
line items of the original specifications had been completed
, so we had just lined-out those projects. We had calls
from some contractors confused about what the specs actually
called for, so we are sending a letter to all bidders with the
items out and the language re-worked.”
Lerda stated that the contractors will have 10 days from receipt
of the new letter to submit their bids.
The superintendent also advised the board that the change order
allowing the city to spend approximately $35,000 of the remaining
State Revolving Fund (SRF) monies to install rip rap at the city’s
wastewater lagoon had not been approved by the state’s
Department of Natural Resources. The project will proceed
when they receive approval.
The project calls for the rip rap and landscaping to be installed
to cut down on erosion and control weeds around the berm at the
lagoon.
In the board’s financial report, it was noted that for
the second month in a row, the city’s water accountability
was down to 83 percent - some 10 percent lower than normal.
Lerda explained that there had been a leaking fire hydrant that
was discovered and repaired which could have contributed to some
of the loss of water, but he didn’t know of any other leaks
that would explain the shortage. He did state that possibly
the city is using water on projects and not reporting it or the
fire department may be having practices.”
Board member Cecil Bloss suggested that the superintendent inquire
of the city to find out if they have any answers about the low
percentages.
Lerda also said he would check all the big older meters since
their accuracy reduces after approximately 10 years.
The board was also informed by the superintendent that new wastewater
regulations which will be taking effect in 2008 will be considerably
more stringent. The tougher regulations stem from the state’s
desire to make all waterways in Missouri “fishable/swimmable.”
The state had sued the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
saying the regulations went too far, but lost that court battle.
According to Lerda, there will be a lot more testing at a lot
higher cost when the new permit comes up for renewal in 2008. He
also said he is working on alternative plans with the engineer
to look at new processes to achieve the state’s goal.
In a piece of good news, it was reported that the water department
is selling more permits for the city lake. The superintendent
explained that they have an individual at the lake each weekend
checking use permits and it seems to be working.
In a final item, an orientation for board members and city council
members will be held September 19 at 7 p.m.
“What I want to do is make this orientation educational in nature - to
let the members know what we’re really dealing with here,” Lerda
said.
By Steve Sullins
Editor
Donald Pierce
has only worked at Lloyd’s Foods for less
than a year, but his friendliness and helpfulness has been noticed
to such a degree that he was chosen to receive the Holden Image
Customer Service Award for this month.
Pierce, who performs sacking and carry-out duties at Lloyd’s,
figured he would like working for the store, as “I’ve
dealt with people all my life. I knew this job would give
me that opportunity as well.”
He says he also likes the added benefit of being able to be outside
some of the time.”
Like many people who receive this award for service to others,
Pierce says he feels that if he treat others thy way he’d
like to be treated that will make it possible to get along with
most people.
His background is far from working in a grocery store, but the
one constant he states is that he performed service work and
interacted with people in almost all of his positions. Pierce
has experience in construction, driving a truck and for many
years worked in a grain elevator in his hometown of Armstrong,
MO.
He and his wife Joan have two girls, Debbra and Dianna, five
grandchildren and five great grandchildren. The family
moved to Holden in 1971.
According to assistant Lloyd’s manager Bill More, “Don
is a good worker and very friendly with customers. He
is a conscientious worker. He’s up front with the
customers and that’s a positive for the store. He
really cares about doing a good job and he cares about helping
the customers.”
Owner Alan Lloyd struck much the same tone, “Don is just
great with customers. He’s helpful and very friendly. I
like to think he’s a good ambassador for Lloyd’s. His
friendliness and helpfulness keeps customers coming back. We
love having him here.”
A real “people person,” Pierce says that one of the
good things about working for Lloyd’s is he gets to see
a lot of his friends. When he was working in construction
in Kansas City area he left before light and got back after dark
- not giving him time to interact with the people he likes.
It would seem that his working at Lloyd’s is good for the
store, good for the customers and good for him as well.
By Steve Sullins
Editor
Gov. Matt
Blunt announced Monday that a $210,000 Community Development
Block Grant by the Missouri Department of Economic Development
will help the city of Centerview with infrastructure needs to
assist in the development of Missouri Bioenergy Fuels, LLC.
”Helping Missouri’s smaller communities make infrastructure improvements
that eliminate risks to our families and the environment are of utmost priority
to the state,” Blunt said. “Through the Community Development Grant
Program, the state helps local officials obtain the resources they need to properly
meet the basic needs of Missouri families and businesses.”
Missouri Bioenergy Fuels, LLC is a start-up company located in Johnson County.
The company will manufacture energy pellets for use in pellet stoves. The company
hopes to create 21 full-time jobs within two years. The block grant will be used
for construction of a street.
According to Steve Flick, owner of Missouri Bioenergy Fuels, LLC, “We are
looking forward to working with the CBDG folks with the State of Missouri and
implementing this project to its completion. We expect this to bring more
economic opportunity to the city of Centerview in the way of jobs.”
Funds will be released to the county as certain requirements set forth by the
program are met. The CDBG program provides economic development grants and loan
funds to cities with a population under 50,000 and counties under 200,000 to
assist in the location, expansion or retention of a business.
|
|
It wasn’t
unanimous, but it wasn’t far from it as
the Holden-area Chamber of Commerce voted to tear down their old
building located at 100 E. Second Street and build a new one.
The vote, taken at the regular monthly meeting of the chamber held
last Thursday at the Harmony House Restaurant, showed 13 members
in favor of building a new building which is estimated at costing
a minimum of $70,000 on the present site. Two members favored spending
about $30,000 to renovate the present building and rent it out,
while one vote was cast for selling the building.
Chamber president Dennis Mason had sent a letter to all chamber
of commerce members in June giving them four options. The
options in the letter included building a new building, renovating
the existing structure, selling the building and doing nothing.
In his letter, he stated, “As you know, the chamber building
was purchased several years ago with a dream that it would be an
attractive office for newcomers to get information on our community;
for volunteers to man; or for some small business to rent.
“Over the years it has been rented, volunteers have manned the office
and not much maintenance has been put into the building.”
Mason also stated that, “As we discuss renovating the downtown
area, it is only fitting to have our own building as a prime example
of what we expect - at this time it is not a very good example.”
During a discussion period at Thursday’s meeting, Adrian
Phelps of the chamber’s building committee introduced the
subject saying, “We’ve talked about doing something
for a long time. It’s time now to take action.”
When a member explained to the chamber that there were not
sufficient funds to build a new building, Dwight Anstine replied, “Just because
we vote to build a new building, it doesn’t mean we start
construction tomorrow. It means that we have made a commitment. Today’s
vote gives us a direction.”
Sam Raber took an optimistic tone, “We raised $300,000 from
donations to build a new library. I have confidence we can
do the same for the chamber building.”
Phelps continued on a positive note, “The building reflects
the chamber. If we’re not doing anything there in its
present state, it reflects badly on the the community.”
In the Whiteman Air Force Base report, Bill Dryer introduced Lt.
Col. Lisa Moshier, 509th Mission Support Squadron commander. Colonel
Moshier will take over the duties of liaison to Holden.
Dryer also reported on activities of the 509th Bomb Wing, 442nd
Fighter Wing and the Army National Guard, all stationed at Whiteman.
Chamber vice-president Jenny Sollars reported to the gathering
that the after hours events have been “very successful.” The
reported that the next meeting will be August 14 from 5:30 to 7
p.m. at Godfather’s Pizza.
During the history book report, Raber explained that the deadlines
were fast approaching for the submission of articles.
The meeting was concluded with the introduction of Teresa A. Collins
who is running for Johnson County auditor.
By Steve Sullins
Editor
Finishing touches
were put on the software that was installed
in the new Micro-Comm panels that replaced the old telemetry system
at the Public Water Supply District No. 2 according to a report
at the district’s regular monthly meeting held recently.
The new computerized system will allow display of water levels
in towers as well as pump status and warning system on a computerized,
instead of the old gauge, system.
The board also viewed the new laptop computer with the software
that operates the entire system from any location. They were
shown how easy it is to run the district pumps and towers with
the use of the computer. In the event of a water leak, the
pumps may be shut down and turned back on without going to the
office which, according to the district, will save valuable time. The
laptop will be in possession of the person who has weekend duty
so he may monitor the district.
In other district business, Ozark Applicators, winning bidder of
the water towers repainting project, has scheduled the second week
of August to start painting. The north tower will be the
first to be painted.
In another old business item, the board agreed to accept the bid
of Midway Ford for the purchase of the district’s new truck. The
district will purchase a 2007 F250 Ford pickup from Midway at the
price of $26,229. The other bidder, Warrensburg Ford, offered
a 2006 F250 for $26,431.
In the manager’s report, district manager Ron Brockhaus reported
that the district is currently working on installing a water line
at a new subdivision, Conestoga Crossing. The development
is north and west of the junction of Highway 131 and US 50 Highway.
He also explained that the district had received a quote from Goodyear
for tires for the trucks that would be in effect for the entire
year. The board agreed with Brockhaus that the price is reasonable
and a program with Goodyear would be implemented.
Brockhaus told the board that one of the trucks had a spark plug
blow out and the price to repair the vehicle is very expensive
and common in the vehicles the district has. To solve the
problem, he purchased a kit for $195 in case there are more instances.
Angelia D.
Lockridge, 42, from Independence, MO, died in her segregation cell
last Wednesday morning at the Integrity Correctional Center east
of Holden.
In an incident report completed by the Johnson County Sheriff’s
Department, Lockridge was pronounced dead by assistant coroner
Steve Brace and transported to the Jackson County medical examiner
for autopsy.
According to the report, Sheriff’s deputy Kenneth Raub arrived
at ICC at approximately 7:48 a.m. and noted that the ambulance
was already at the jail. Ambulance personnel Robin Maddox
and Carmen Coose were packing up their materials and informed the
deputy that the inmate was already dead. Maddox told Raub
that when they arrived Lockridge was lying on her right side on
the bed. Due to the signs of lividity on her body and no
vital signs, they deemed she was already deceased.
According to the ICC shift commander Capt. Joseph Burns, Lockridge
was last seen moving on video at approximately 5:30 a.m. The
commander informed Raub that Lockridge was found at approximately
7:22 a.m. by officer Sandra J. Hinck who called in the medical
emergency.
According to the nurse administrator, Angela M. Thomas, Lockridge
had a history of seizure disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease,
obesity and unspecified personality disorder. Thomas also
informed the deputy the inmate was taking two anti-seizure
medications.
The death is also being investigated by the Independence Police
Department who had originally brought Lockridge to ICC.
In an unrelated incident at ICC, according to a release from the
Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, inmate Christopher D. Williams,
Jr., was charged in the recent beating of corrections officer Wayne
Norris.
Norris told Johnson County Sheriff’s Deputy Chris Johnson
that the alleged incident occurred at about 5:20 a.m. July
29 when he was picking up a breakfast tray in Williams’ segregation
cell.
By Steve Sullins
Editor
|