 The Holden
City Council voted 4-2 to submit in ordinance form a zoning change
from residential to commercial for a 10-acre parcel of land adjacent
to East Highway 58 at the regular meeting of the council last
Tuesday night.
Previously owned by Bill Faust, the zoning change is being sought
by developer Robert Todaro in order to construct a retail shopping
area.
The two council members voting no were Veronica Burt and Mike
Zumwalt. Not in attendance at the meeting were Christi
Stowe and Brenda Stumpff.
According to Holden Mayor Mike Wakeman, there will likely be
a special meeting of the council Tuesday, January 4 in order
to have the ordinance’s first reading. That will
be followed by the second reading at the regular January meeting
the following Thursday.
“The developer is very anxious to get this project going,” stated
the mayor in an interview after the meeting. “He has told me he
wants to break ground in January.”
Several residents who live in the area of the proposed strip
mall voiced their opposition to the zoning change. Dennis
Pine, who lives on 10th street (E. Hwy. 58) stated that there
is too much traffic in the area now and this would just make
it worse. He also said that developing in that area would
cause additional problems with drainage.
Another nearby resident, Zachary Cooper, wanted to know who was
going to pay for the sidewalks for pedestrians walking in the
area. He was concerned there would be a safety issue if
the shopping area was built.
Councilman Butch Shore interjected that sidewalk issues is an
ongoing problem and will have to be dealt with.
Mayor Wakeman said he believes sidewalks were necessary but said
property owners would not be responsible for paying for them. He
added that most likely a grant would have to be obtained for
the project.
The preliminary plan calls for a four-phase development process
with the first phase including an automobile entrance to the
property off of Highway 58. The first structure to be built
on the site will be a 4,800 square foot building in the southeast
corner of the tract. The building would be doubled in size
in the proposed phase two.
By Steve Sullins
Editor
Holden-area
diners will no longer have to leave town for oriental food early
next spring, as a Chinese restaurant will be located in the store
that was recently vacated by Hometown Carpets in the East Holden
Shopping Plaza.
According to State Farm agent and shopping center owner
Bobby Hoffman, “The lease has been signed, and we’re
expecting the restaurant to be open in late February or early
March. The owner, He Yu Chin, has told me he will have
a crew in town sometime after Christmas to start the renovations
on the building. Although many of the details are still sketchy,
the last I heard, the new restaurant will be named China King.”
Chin and his brother own a Chinese restaurant in Ashland and
their sister is the proprietor of another Chinese restaurant
in Tipton.
After hearing the news, Holden-area Chamber of Commerce president
Dennis Mason felt it was good news. “I’m very
happy to see another business going into the shopping center
after Hometown Carpets relocated to the Highway 50 area. Adding
new businesses like this is very beneficial to the economic growth
of Holden.”
He continued, “I know Chinese food is very popular and
I feel that our city is an excellent location to have one. I
have every confidence that the area will enjoy the restaurant
and the owners will do very well here.”
By Steve Sullins
Editor
David Miller
of the Western Johnson County Fire District came before the Holden
City Council last week seeking information on the possibility
of purchasing a parcel of land in the Holden Industrial Park
to construct a new fire station.
Miller stated that the site would be a “good” place
to have a station as it gave easy access to both Highways 58
and 131.
The mayor and council were positive on the issue and said they
would give the proposal to the economic development committee
to look into pricing and formulate a plan.
In other business, the city received their annual audit report
from John Gillum of Gillum and Gillum, CPA, LLC. The firm
gave the city’s finances a “clean or unqualified
opinion.”
The auditor’s report stated that, “In our opinion,
the financial statements referred to present fairly in all material
respects the respective financial position.”
The firm made some suggestions, but termed the report as having
no significant weaknesses or significant findings.
Resolutions and Ordinances
Bill #11-04-07: The council passed an ordinance to make
Eagle Drive, between Main Street and Clay Street no parking on
both sides of the street. Parking will not be allowed
from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Bill #11-05-07: The council passed a new vehicle light
regulation that simply brings the city’s codes in compliance
with state statutes. Violation of the ordinance would
constitute a misdemeanor offense.
Bill #11-07-07: In the issue of abandoning 13th Street
between Main and Market was tabled once again. It was reported
that the city has not received proper paperwork from Aquila.
Resolution #R7-07: Council members agreed to approve the
transfer of the city’s cable franchise from Falcon Cablevision
to Rapid Communications. Rapid is purchasing Falcon’s
assets.
Council members also approved support of a grant being submitted
by the Holdlen R-III School District to build sidewalks in the
South sections of Holden for children walking to and from school. Affected
streets would be from Ninth to 19th Streets, Eagle Drive, and
Clay to Market
By Steve Sullins
Editor
Kingville
Superintendent Kevin Coleman addressed the board of education
concerning an insurance consortium at the board’s
regular meeting held last Thursday night.
The district, Coleman reminded the board, had been investigating
joining a new insurance consortium where many schools would be
a part of the program in hopes of obtaining lower rates for the
district’s insurance.
However, after weighing all the facts and discovering the consortium
would raise their rates initially, the board requested Coleman
look into other options for the insurance coverage. Coleman
reported he has been working with Dan Gandt to find the lowest
rates possible for good coverage.
“Dan found that Humana offered slightly lower rates, which also offers
no deductible on prescriptions. Insurance premiums would be $392 instead
of $429,” said Coleman. This would be a big savings over their
current carrier which is Blue Cross/ Blue Shield.
“We also found that the biggest percent of our employees would be able
to keep their current physicians and Humana cannot exclude pre-existing conditions,” added
Coleman.
The board discussed the options and then asked Coleman for his
recommendation. He stated he thought Humana would be their
best option at this point and the board voted to accept Humana
as their new insurance carrier.
In other news, seniors Lynn Andreas and Mitch Hunter attended
the meeting to provide the board with an outline of the seniors’ planned
senior trip next May. They plan to travel to Florida for
their trip. They explained about the sponsors who would
be accompanying them and expressed their desire to visit Seaworld
and take surfing lessons. There would be 12 seniors participating
in the trip. The board approved their request to go to
Florida.
In old business, Coleman shared with the board a preliminary
report from Mid-America Facility Solutions. “They
are in the process of analyzing our heating and air conditioning
units, and lighting,” said Coleman. Some of their
recommendations include doubling the size of the locker rooms
and putting a weight room in; and possibly turning the
shop building into two new classrooms and building a new vo-ag
building.
“To get these projects on the April ballot, we must meet the deadline
of January 16,” said Coleman. The board discussed the recommendations
and agreed they would probably “have to do a little at a time” on
the renovations.
In budget news, Coleman reported two areas which have been adjusted
from the original budget. In the area of career ladder,
the figures have been lowered from the preliminary budget and
for maintenance, the numbers are higher than first anticipated.
In transportation news, Coleman announced he had named a committee
consisting of Ed Barnett and Art Worsley to look over the bids
received on new busses for the district. Barnett and Worsley
discussed their opinions after researching the motors, etc. of
the busses and recommended purchasing a bus from Midwest Bus
Company. The board agreed to accept a bid from Midwest
Bus Company for $50,839 and will take delivery of the new bus
in April.
In other transportation news, at the request of the board, Coleman
had investigated contracting their bus service to Apple Company
of Cleveland, Missouri. After discussion of the facts,
it was determined contracting would not be in the best interest
of the district at this time and the matter was tabled.
In staff news, Coleman invited the board to the staff appreciation
lunch which was held Wednesday, December 20 at Galle’s
Smokehouse and Grill.
In the elementary principal’s report, John Griffith reported
on attendance for the month of November. He also stated
the elementary Christmas concert was held on December 17. Board
president Martha Bush attended the event and said, “The
students were well-behaved and the program was well-organized.”
Griffith went on to say the second round of Star math tests were
taken the week of December 11. He added the last day of
school for students is December 19.
In high school reports, principal Lorna Warren reported a 96.53
percent attendance level for the past month. She also told
the board the housing class, along with the assistance of Mrs.
Love, is in the process of building gingerbread houses. They
will be on display in the library window next week, according
to Warren.
Warren also reported the fall athletic banquet was held on November
17 and many of the students were recognized for their accomplishments. Also,
Laura Andreas received second place honors in the all-district
band.
By Dana Neubert
News Staff
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County Taxes
Due By December 31
Johnson County Collector Ruthane Small reminds Johnson County taxpayers
that real estate and personal property taxes are due by December
31. The office will be open Monday though Friday from 8:30
a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
December 31 is on Sunday this year and Missouri law makes no provisions
for extensions in this event. The office will be open on
Saturday, December 30, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Additionally,
for taxpayers’ convenience, there is a drop box on the east
front steps of the courthouse for tax payments.
Taxpayers are encouraged to verify that all property is listed
correctly and to review the commonly-asked questions listed on
the back of the tax statements. If a tax bill has not been
received and real estate or personal property is owned, call the
office at (660) 747-5531 for assistance.
Corrigan
Family Shares The Spirt
The Don and Sonya Corrigan family hosted their fourth annual
community pancake breakfast fundraiser at the Hallar Community
Building Saturday, December 9. This year’s benefit
raised more than $600 and the money was presented to the Holden
Parent Teacher Organization to be used for the school’s technological
needs.
Adults and children alike enjoyed the local entertainers while
eating their hotcakes and sausage.
Guests also had the opportunity to get their pictures taken with
Santa and share their Christmas wish lists.
Performers included the Vern Lloyd Band, Mooses Davidson’s
kindergarten class, the Holden High School Concert Choir, Spirit
Express with Lori Kayser, and The New Life Praise Band.
This event is held every year during the holiday season to benefit
a local children’s organization. The Corrigans are
very grateful to those who donate each year to make the event a
success including Lloyd’s Foods, Sonic, Fastop, American
Family Insurance, Ted Guinn, Jerry and Frances Stogsdill, Holden
Locker and the First United Methodist Church.
This year’s additional volunteers included PTO members, students
and the HHS Octagon Club.
Plans Kops For
Kids
The Holden Police Department will be sponsoring Kops For Kids this year on Sunday,
Dec. 17.
Families who have children ages infant to 12 may apply at the Holden Police Department
or city hall. If you have questions, please call the department at 850-4154 or
city hall, 732-4811.
The spirit
of Christmas is alive and well in Kingsville just as it has been
since the early 1950’s.
In a time when some communities lose touch with old holiday traditions, just
the opposite has transpired in the small community just five miles west of Holden.
Monday night, Santa Claus visited Kingsville. However, there were no lines and
no celebrations downtown. In Kingsville when Santa visits, he knocks on every
door in town, leaving treats for all the residents, young and old alike.
According to Mayor Lloyd Stever, baskets filled with apples, oranges, peanuts,
orange slices and peanut clusters were purchased by the city and distributed
by Santa.
The annual tradition began in a small way in the early 50’s through the
effort of a local family. “We asked our children who were five and six
years old at the time what they wanted for Christmas. They told us they wanted
to deliver gifts to elderly people in the community and that’s how it started,” said
a representative of that family.
The effort grew every year until the family joined efforts with the city to spread
the Christmas spirit to everyone in the community.
And the effort is something local citizens appreciate and look forward to each
year.
“It brings the community together. Even the older people look forward to
seeing Santa Claus. This year, Santa will deliver approximately 200 baskets to
the community,” said Stever.
By Rusty Hartwell
Publisher
Libraries To Offer
Four New Databases
All branches of Trails Regional Library now offer four new databases from Facts
on File on their website. The four new databases are: American Indian History
Online, African-American History Online, American Women’s History Online,
and Science Online.
The databases include access to years of culture and history through events and
topic entries, biographies, images, maps and charts, legends, primary sources
and timeline entries. This service is provided is free.
Lisa Stoyko
is ready for Christmas ten times over. From the outside, red lights
completely outline the house, green lights illuminate the ground
cover, and each front window frames a tree. You’d
suspect the house was built to be decorated for the holidays and
you would be correct. Lisa loves decorating her house for Christmas
so much that when she and husband Eric built their home six years
ago they had extra outside plugs installed just for Christmas lighting.
Once inside, you delight at all the small touches, like the whimsical
snowman on a sled perched by the front door and the small Santa
at the living room entrance. But it is the trees that make the
statement and carry the message of good cheer. Lisa loves her Christmas
trees.
First there is the main family tree next to the fireplace, a picture
book setting; it could be a Christmas card all by itself. It is
Lisa’s Winnie the Pooh tree, nine feet tall, with every decoration
from the A.A.Milne characters. Lisa said her mother buys her the
Hallmark Winnie the Pooh ornaments every year as her Christmas
gift and she picks up other pieces wherever she can find them.
One year they were in Columbus, Ohio and she found a store with
an after-Christmas sale of all things Pooh. She admitted, "I
just went crazy."
There are already presents stacked neatly under the tree. Four-year-old
Savannah and three-year-old Lily are eager to show off the Pooh
tree. They point out their favorite ornaments and the presents
they wrapped themselves. They demonstrate the Pooh snow globe that
opens out and depicts a Christmas scene in Pooh’s treehouse.
There are three Pooh stockings hung from the mantel - one for Savannah,
one for Lily, and one for Garrett, four months old.
The girls are reflections of each other in their matching tops
embellished with sparkling Christmas trees. They each wear bows
with jingle bells in their hair. The refrigerator displays a Santa
whose beard grows thicker with cotton balls as each day passes
and Christmas approaches. When Santa has a full beard, Christmas
is here!
Standing at a window, the girls proudly point out past the deck
to their playhouse which is adorned with small red lights to match
the lighting of the main house. Two trees sparkle in the playhouse
windows, each decorated with Savannah and Lily’s own handiwork,
all their homemade ornaments.
The dining room has an elegant tree done in gold and burgundy which
Lisa calls her fancy tree. Presents with shining foil wrappings
wait under the branches. In the family room, another burgundy and
gold tree revolves, sending sparkles of light across partitioned
frames with pictures of the girls. Lisa says she’ll be rearranging
the selection when Garrett’s formal pictures join his sisters’.
The girls lead the way upstairs like two merry elves, past a stair
rail draped with red bowed green garland. A cluster of three small
trees adorned simply in golden lights sits above the front entrance
with a welcoming glow.
Upstairs, the window of the children’s playroom frames a
tree ornamented in pink. The girls’ first ornaments as well
as small framed pictures of them hang from the branches. Lisa has
no ornaments left from her own childhood but she is building a
tradition for the girls as they remember their first ornaments
each year. One pink glass ball is labeled "princess".
It could be called the princess tree. There is a small Pooh tree
with tiny ornaments perched on the bathroom vanity. In his nursery,
Garrett has his very own small tree, glowing with blue lights and
baby’s first ornaments.
Lisa starts decorating the first week in November and she and Eric
have their territories. Lisa decorates the inside and he is in
charge of the outside. Lisa says Eric sometimes procrastinates
but she motivates him by asking what would be better, balmy warm
weather or zero degrees and ice. Make hay while the sun shines
can translate to hang lights while the weather is wacky warm. But
if cornered about the chore, Eric admits he likes to do it. Then
he adds, "Anything to make her happy," and laughs. Lisa
says she usually has the whole inside done before he starts on
the outside.
Lisa, her sister and their mother will spend one day "baking
their hearts out". They get together every year and create
all manner of Christmas goodies. The selections may vary but one
item is certain to appear, her grandmother’s sugar cookies.
They always end the day wondering what they will do with all their
handiwork, but somehow, each creation finds a home, either in the
family or given away.
They have Eric’s family over for dinner on Christmas Eve
and they go to Lisa’s family on Christmas day. She plans
to make a sweet potato casserole for the first time. "My mom
came up with it at Thanksgiving and there were three people who
wouldn’t touch sweet potatoes and they loved it, so I am
making that." She makes beef brisket from a recipe she found
at Lloyd’s that her family loves. There will also be escalloped
potatoes, seven-layer salad, some kind of cobbler and "lots
of other goodies."
After they open gifts, they’ll go to her parents and have
a special treat, Krispy Kreme doughnuts, the girls’ favorite.
What is Garrett getting for Christmas? He’ll need something
for his opening the present picture and Lisa has something for
him from Mommy and Daddy, but that’s still a secret. Although
Lisa begins her Christmas shopping the day after Thanksgiving,
she does take advantage of after-Christmas sales for her ornaments
and wrapping.
The hardest part is taking it all down. Not because of the work
involved, but because it’s gone until next year. She waits
until the Plaza lights go out, and then it takes about a week to
put it all away. She stores the decorations in a closet under the
stairs and the large trees go out to the garage. Eric jokes that
when she retires she’ll go to Disneyland and set up their
Christmas.
Lisa looks at the girls and says, "We try to teach them the
meaning of it all." She asks Lily and Savannah why we celebrate
Christmas. They answer, "Because it’s Jesus’ birthday." She
asks, "And why do we give gifts?" They chorus, "To
show our love!" That’s why Lisa and Eric work so hard
to give their family and neighbors the joy of their Christmas spirit.
And it shows ten times over.
By Terri Vinck
New Staff
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