 Plans for
a new retail strip mall were cleared to move ahead last Tuesday
night, as the Holden City Council voted 4-3 to rezone a parcel
of land located in the 600 block of East 10th Street from residential
to commercial.
The rezoning has been sought by developer Robert Todaro who plans
to construct a new retail shopping area in four phases in the
parcel of land adjacent to Orscheln Farm and Home. It
will be across Highway 58 from the Eagle Crest subdivision
and the new F & C Bank, which is under construction.
Voting for the rezoning were council members Butch Shore, Dorothy
Wakeman, Jim Robison and Brenda Stumpff. Voting no were
Veronica Burt, Mike Zumwalt and Chad Manford.
Opposition had been raised by residents who live in the area
of the proposed development pointing at traffic, safety and drainage
issues.
After the vote, Holden mayor Mike Wakeman explained that Todaro
needs to address the issues of concern with the city engineer
before his final plat will be approved and work can begin on
the project.
In another area of business at the council’s regular meeting,
a bid was accepted in the amount of $1,395 from Scott’s
Signs to erect a sign at the city’s industrial park. The
area is in the midst of a “facelift” as the old fenceline
and trees have been removed on the south side of the park facing
Highway 58.
“I feel that this is a first step in getting the industrial park noticed,” stated
Mayor Wakeman.
In a related issue, the council decided to turn over the job
of getting a final plat prepared for the industrial park. The
mayor explained that there has been a preliminary plat design
for several years, but it has never been moved forward to its
final stage.
He further said that the Johnson County Economic Development
Corporation and the state of Missouri have suggested that the
city move forward on the final plat design and then obtain an
appraisal of the property to get an idea of how much it’s
worth.
Councilman Shore said he had been in contact with the people
that had worked on the preliminary plat and stated that they
could prepare a final plat for a small amount. He continued
to explain that the city would have to decide what they want
the final plat to look like.
Also during the mayor’s communications, discussion was
held on the possibility of changing the fee structure of other
agencies using the Hallar Building for their functions.
At present, the big room is provided at no charge for not-for-profit
groups and other groups pay a fee of $25 per hour to a maximum
of $100. It was decided since much of the clean-up and
maintenance falls into the hands of the city, not-for-profit
would continue to have free access, but would be assessed a $50
deposit, which would be returned if the room is returned in the
same condition as before their function. The fee structure
for the other groups would stay the same.
It was further decided that the small room, which had been provided
free of charge, would be rented for a flat $25 per function.
A discussion of pay raises was tabled until the February meeting
because there is presently a ruling coming from the state’s
attorney general on the “171 rule” concerning payment
to firefighters and police officers. The pay raise issue
will be revisited in the next meeting.
In committee reports, the fire department was given approval
to apply for a $3,000 matching grant for pagers and leather firefighter
boots. If approved, the city would only have to pay $1,500.
The mayor also reminded businesses that city licenses were due
January 1. After January 31, they will have to pay a penalty
in addition to the license fee.
In a final item, councilman Robison stated that the Missouri
Department of Resources would hold a public forum February 12
at the Hallar Building. He further explained that homeowners
might be able to obtain free weatherization for their homes. The
forum will provide homeowners with the information necessary
to begin the qualification process.
By Steve Sullins
Editor
Kaitlin
Keating of Wilkinson Drug was surprised by employees of the Holden
Image with a plaque and a bouquet of flowers in honor of being
selected as the Customer Service Award winner for December.
Keating has worked at the drug store for three years, starting
when she was a junior in high school. She worked part-time while in high
school and after graduating in 2006 became full-time.
She works as a customer service representative and a photo technician. Her
job duties include maintaining the photo shop, running the cash register and
assisting customers with their questions and purchases.
“I love the people, everyone I work with is great as well
as the customers who come in to the store,” said Keating.
She began her career at the drug store when Mike Levy owned the store
and she was hired to work as a photo technician. When Wilkinson took
over she was given expanded duties which include customer service.
Her future plans include staying at the pharmacy because she loves it
so much. “I want to eventually work in the pharmacy itself and
already have my pharmacy technician’s license,” she added.
She was very excited to receive the customer service award and said, “How
neat, I’m really surprised; this is really an honor to have the award,
I can’t wait to call my mom.”
Keating lives in Holden and enjoys spending her spare time outdoors
with her boyfriend Chad Purl. She also enjoys fishing and going shopping
with her mom.
Her supervisor, Marie Agcopra, had many good things to say about her. “Kaitlin's
very dependable, she really knows her job. I rely on her a lot, she’s
a very good worker. She does it all, the photo shop and the register.”
The citizen who nominated Keating said she was very impressed
by the way she handles customers, especially older people. “She’s
very patient and helpful to everyone, she really takes her time to help people. She’s
always pleasant and friendly and willing to help in whatever way she can,” said
the citizen.
By Dana Neubert
News Staff
A meeting
has been scheduled January 25 at 1:30 p.m. by the Johnson County
Commissioners to listen to a proposal from Kareem Mohammed to
build a housing development and “halfway
complex” for convicted sex-offenders north of Holden near
State Highway 131.
According to western commissioner Destry Hough, the exact location
is not known, but the complex is slated to house between 200
and 400 individuals.
The meeting will be held in the county commissioners office in
the Johnson County Courthouse in Warrensburg.
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A representative
from Mid-America Facility Solutions gave a presentation about his
company’s findings to the Kingsville School Board
at their regular meeting held last Wednesday night.
The board was given a budgeting tool to help them decide and prioritize
items that need immediate attention and action concerning their
school buildings and grounds.
The representative went over each item individually and explained
them to the board. Some areas he talked about included cameras
and security, lighting upgrading, adding air conditioning units,
energy management system, wiring updates, gym floor, basketball
goals, roof repairs, driveway improvements and restroom renovations.
After the presentation, the board discussed some of the issues
and the costs associated with them. They made a decision
to hold a special meeting to prioritize needed work on the school.
Superintendent Kevin Coleman explained to the board about obtaining
a no-tax-increase bond issue on the April ballot to help make some
of the improvements suggested. Board member Kristel Spies
moved to have the bond issue put on the April ballot and the motion
was seconded and approved by the board.
In new business, the board heard from library media specialist
Angela Love in a report on the library and some issues they are
facing. One of these issues was the fact there is a need
to increase the space allotted to the library. The Standards
for Missouri School Library Media Centers, updated July, 2005,
state that a school with a population under 300 must have a minimum
of 1,800 square feet. Kingsville currently lacks 772 square
feet by minimum state standards. “Additionally, the
library media center cannot currently seat the required number
of students, which is 38 at this time, or two average classes,” added
Love. The board agreed to consider this problem in their
special meeting.
Love also told the board she has been serving on a statewide committee
this year that has allowed the Kingsville R-I media center the
opportunity to receive 181 high school titles, totaling $2,877.37
in free books.
In open forum, the board entertained a presentation from Holly
Bennett, journalism instructor, who brought with her three students
who work with her on the school newspaper. Bennett explained
the paper was truly a student paper as it was written and edited
by students. “I am very proud of these students; they
do a great job with the paper,” Bennett said. She also
thanked the board for their support and their time.
In old business, Coleman questioned board members on whether they
had received their new insurance cards yet, and most had. He
said they have had only a couple of instances of conflicts
on providers with the new insurance company.
In high school reports, principal Lorna Warren reported attendance
was at 96.62 percent for the semester for the high school.
She also reported Charlene Atkins won the MCTM Outstanding Teacher
of Secondary Mathematics Award. The board was impressed
by this accomplishment, according to members, and voted to award
Atkins a gift certificate or some other acknowledgment in recognition
of her achievement.
In other high school business, Warren told the board the junior
class will be having an alumni basketball tournament and taco supper
on January 27. The dinner is $5 for taco salad, dessert and
drink. It will be from 4:30-6:30 p.m. The basketball
game begins at 6 p.m. There is a $2 admission fee.
In a final high school note Warren said, “Homecoming is February
2, and there will be no dance. There will be a bonfire on
February 1 with hotdogs and activities including the drumline and
cheerleaders.”
In technology news, Al West reported to the board several good
computers (laptops) have been given to the district and are set
up in the sixth grade room. He also said there are projectors
mounted throughout the buildings. He went on to update the
board on new software programs the district is implementing. Coleman
said, “I would like Mr. West to know how much we appreciate
all of his efforts in the technology area. He does a wonderful
job for us; the technology we enjoy here at Kingsville is a testament
to his skills.”
In new business, Spies gave a report to the board on the state
of the cafeteria’s offerings for the students. She
reported Kingsville is meeting the recommended daily allowance
but there is not much variety in the menu. She gave website
information where one can go to get menu ideas and help with analysis. Coleman
took her report and will take it under advisement with the head
cook.
By Dana Neubert
News Staff
The HOPE Coalition
received $47,000 in Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) donations
during the month of December, HOPE Executive Director John Roberts
told the board in regular session last Monday night. “The
donations helped put us in a good financial condition for the current
fiscal year and we expect more in
the next quarter,” said Roberts.
In other NAP business, Roberts reported to the board all information
required for closing out their last NAP project which ended June
30, 2006, has been sent to the state. He went on to say
they anticipate no problems with approval of the project.
In other financial business, the board was informed that several
reports have been completed and are now ready for the board’s
inspection. “These reports include July 1, 2003 - June
30, 2006 NAP project, financial statements, together with auditor’s
report for year ending December 31, 2005, report to management
for year ending December 31, 2005, required communications, financial
statements, 2005 and form 990 for fiscal year 2005,” Roberts
stated. Copies of these reports were available for the board’s
inspection.
In old business, it was reported by Roberts that all bookkeeping
records have been transferred to a central system. The Community
Activity Center (CAC) checkbook, recent bills and deposits are
now at the HOPE central office. From this point forward,
they will be consolidated into a single bookkeeping system as directed
in HOPE’s last two audits, according to Roberts. A
meeting of CAC volunteer board members is planned to discuss this
issue, he added.
In a follow-up report, Roberts told the board a memorandum had
been received from the SHARE Network Access Point program which
is a job referral program. The purpose of the program is
to help unemployed and underemployed people receive job search
services under the Missouri SHARE Network, Roberts went on to say. “In
the agreement, Access Point agrees to host a publicly accessible
SHARE Network Access Point consisting of a computer with Internet
access and a workforce system trained operator, help jobseekers
at least eight hours per week, publicize jobseeker services to
the community, send an operator to at least 12 hours of initial
training, among other things,” said Roberts.
In Community Activity Center (CSC) news, Roberts reported an assistant
with the Clothes Closet program is no longer employed by the CSC
and his departure has left a void in the program. In an
effort to make the situation easier for coordinator Melody
Nalls, containers to place the clothes in were suggested for purchase
by Roberts. The board approved the expenditure of $262.50
to purchase the containers in a unanimous vote.
In new business, the board was informed there has been some interest
in the rental property owned by the CSC. The board discussed
the lease agreement and decided to require $340 per month, plus
a $340 deposit to potential renters.
In new CAC business, Roberts told the board HOPE was approached
about having a casino night at the CAC building. Roberts
asked the board’s opinion on this issue and after discussion,
it was decided a policy needed to be written outlining specifications
for such activities. Roberts agreed to compile a list of
requirements for the policy.
In other CAC business, Susan Jennings, volunteer board member of
the CAC, reported on current and upcoming sports activities at
the center.
By Dana Neubert
News Staff
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