 The Holden Police merit board met on Wednesday, March 28, to hear Officer Lisa Ambrusko’s appeal of a two-day suspension. After more than two hours of testimony and deliberation, the board reversed the suspension stating the police department had not met its burden of proof.
The events leading to the suspension were recounted in testimony from Major Richard Martin and Sergeant Gene Parker. Ambrusko’s attorney, Richard Helfand, elicited a detailed account of the events first from Major Martin and then from Sergeant Parker.
On January 19, officer Ambrusko was given written counseling stemming from an incident that occurred on December 27, 2006. Upon the conclusion of the counseling, Ambrusko attempted to write a statement on the counseling document. Sergeant Parker told her to stop writing on the document. She continued and Sergeant Parker ordered her to stop writing. He said if she wished to make a statement there were other means available. She complied.
He then ordered her to sign the counseling document. She complied with his order. On January 24, Officer Ambrusko went to Parker’s office and requested to speak with him. In the office, she told him it was inappropriate of him to order her to sign the document. According to his testimony, Sergeant Parker considered Ambrusko guilty of insubordination. He passed his concern to his supervisor, Major Martin, who concurred and sent the issue to then Chief Ed Bone.
On Feb 28, 2007 officer Ambrusko received a written notice of a two-day suspension from then Chief Bone. The suspension was witnessed by Major Martin and Sergeant Parker.
Mr. Helfand asked Sergeant Parker if there was any policy in the Holden Police Department that mandates an officer cannot write on a counseling document. Parker answered there was not. Helfand then asked Sergeant Parker if he chose to create the policy by ordering her not to write on the document. Mr. Helfand pointed out that the Sergeant’s superior, Major Martin had previously testified he would have no problem if someone wanted to write on the counseling document.
Next, he asked the sergeant if there was a policy that states an officer must sign the counseling document. Parker replied there was not. Again, the Sergeant’s superior Major Martin had previously testified he did not care if the document was signed. Board member Ernie Taylor asked Sergeant Parker, "Did you order her to sign the paper?" Parker answered "Yes." Taylor asked, "Do you have the authority to order her to sign the paper? Parker answered, "Yes." Parker’s supervisor, Major Martin had stated in earlier testimony that he did not care if the document was signed.
Merit board chairman Oren Henry asked Sergeant Parker if he had ever had any personnel training. He replied he had not.
Officer Ambrusko testified briefly before the board when asked why she refused to sign the document, she stated quietly that it was not appropriate.
Oren Henry announced the board’s decision. "We have a unanimous vote to reverse the suspension. We felt the burden of proof was not met, based on the evidence as presented."
By Terry Vinck
News Staff
During a special meeting of the Holden R-III District School Board held Monday night in the high school library, members decided to wait until their regular meeting next Monday before accepting a bid for the renovation and construction of the high school.
Low bidder R. L. Phillips Construction of Lee’s Summit was still approximately $49,000 over the $5 million cap that the district has to work with, according to district superintendent Scott Slava. That figure includes leaving in the $35,000 for the parking lots at the elementary and intermediate schools.
It does delete some items including demolition and reconstruction of the music room and demolition and reconstruction of office and workroom within the library.
Board member Mike Watterson made the motion for Slava to ask the architects to re-negotiate with R. L. Phillips to see if they could take some of the cost out of their bid. Sam A. Winn and Associates representative Wade Lininger said he would do that and return at the regular meeting Monday with the construction company’s answer.
By Steve Sullins
Editor
Johnson County Sheriff Chuck Heiss announced the arrest of four area individuals for numerous recent burglaries in Johnson County including the Kingsville Fastop robbery that took place in February.
According to the sheriff’s office, during the four-month investigation into the burglaries, several leads were developed in the burglaries that have occurred in Holden. Those leads have been turned over to the Holden Police Department for follow-up at their request.
Those individuals arrested include the following David B. Noland, 25, from Warrnesburg; Sherri L. Wilmot, 36-years-old also from Warrensburg; Andrew P. Fields, 26-years-old from Harrisonville; and 22-year old Michael J. Groom of Kingsville.
The sheriff’s department reported that they were able to clear three residential burglaries, one of which was completed while an elderly resident was home. The resident was covered up and held down while the burglary took place.
Eight commercial burglaries were also cleared during the investigation, including one in the city of Kingsville and one in the city of Warrensburg.
These commercial burglaries include cases where ATMs, large amounts of cash and electronics were taken from the businesses.
Numerous charges have been and will be filed with the Johnson County Prosecutors Office in reference to the arrests.
By Steve Sullins
Editor
The Holden R-III School Board decided to move forward with their legal representation in ascertaining the amount the district should receive each year from the Associated Electric Cooperative Inc. power plant located north of Holden at a special meeting Monday night.
Superintendent Scott Slava stated that he had received a letter from the Johnson County Commissioners stating their intent to send the December 2006 payment in December 2007. Then, they stated, they would distribute the next payment on or about February 1, 2008. “Thereafter, beginning in February 2009, the county will make payments each year as grant funds are received from AECI.
The problem, according to Slava, is the amount of the payments. The county clerk, Gilbert Powers, has figured the payments to be approximately $42,000, while the district feels that the called-for comparison of tax levies would give them approximately $88,500.
The superintendent met with former commissioners Ray Fitterling and Bob Banes who were original signers of the order to distribute the funds annually. According to Slava, it was their understanding at the time that the district’s share would be approximately $88,000.
When this fact was shared with the present commissioners, they said they would have a meeting with all entities to “re-figure the amounts.”
Slava stated that he didn’t want them refigured, but he wanted the district to get what was originally intended. He also shared with the board that the former commissioners asked the Johnson County Collector of Revenue Ruthane Small to figure the amounts. Her figures coincided with the district’s and the former commissioners.
The board was in agreement with Slava’s suggestion to continue pursuing legal action to receive the funds owed to them by the county commissioners.
“I’m pleased with what you have done in this matter,” board member Pat Zvacek stated. “You’ve done well and we need to continue to pursue this matter. I remember the number that was owed us and my opinion is to go forth (through legal means).”
Slava thanked the board and said he would contact the commissioners Tuesday with their recommendation.
“I think we’ve exhausted all our resources (to receive what we’re due). It’s time to move forward.”
By Steve Sullins
Editor
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OBITUARIES
ROBERT R. THURMAN
Robert R. Thurman, 83, of Holden, Missouri, passed away Monday, March 26, 2007 at his home.
He was born Wednesday, May 23, 1923 in Kingsville, Missouri the son of John T. Thurman and Hilda Charlotte Koch Thurman.
Robert was a 1941 Kingsville High School graduate and was a United States Army Veteran of World War II serving in the Pacific Theater of Operations and including the occupation of Japan.
He was employed by the Missouri Pacific Railroad as a telegrapher at different depots and was the last telegrapher at the Holden Depot. Before he retired from the railroad, he was the last traveling agent for the Union Pacific Railroad between Lee’s Summit and Knob Noster. He retired in 1983.
Robert was a member at First Christian Church in Holden, member of Holden Masonic Lodge No. 262, Ararat Shrine in Kansas City, former member of the Houn Dawg Shrine Club in Johnson County, life member of the Holden Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post No. 5844. He had been a Holden city councilman.
On November 26, 1946 in Kansas City, Missouri, he married Virginia Stafford. She survives at their home.
Also surviving are two daughters, Candy Hough and husband Reed, Holden, and Melinda Buchan, Greenwood, MO; a son Greg Thurman and fiancee Carla Henry, Franklin, Tennessee; a brother, Virgil Thurman and wife Norma, Raytown; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a step-sister Mary O. Hedrick in 1975.
Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 29, 2007 at Williams Funeral Chapel in Holden with Reverend Rick Morris officiating. Burial followed in the Holden Cemetery.
There was no formal visitation but friends were welcome to call at Williams Funeral Chapel in Holden after 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 28, 2007 and until service time on Thursday.
Pallbearers were Reed Hough, Destry Hough, Rob Hough, Mike Thurman, Josh Thurman, Sam Hough, Bob Mickey and Dale Koch.
Honorary pallbearers were Mike Hough, Virgil Thurman, Dave Coates, Alfred King, Jim Thurman, Crystal Wiskur and Colby Wiskur.
Memorials are suggested to First Christian Church or Johnson County Hospice. These may be left at the Chapel.
Arrangements were under the direction of Williams Funeral Chapel.
MATTHEW C. RAINES
Matthew C. Raines, 34, of Centerview, Missouri, was born Monday, June 12, 1972 in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Curtis E. and Donna Ruth (Coy) Raines. He departed this life Wednesday March 28, 2007 as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident near his home.
Matthew was a 1990 graduate of Crest Ridge High School in Centerview. He was a partner in Gustin & Son Foundation, where he had worked closely with his step-father for 15 years. He was a member of the Pleasant Valley Baptist Church.
Matthew now belongs to our Lord Jesus Christ. He was a loving son and a wonderful father whom we have lost too soon. He will be greatly missed by all of his family, until we meet again in heaven.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, James E. and Edith L. Raines.
He is survived by his son, Mastin William Raines, Centerview; mother and step-father, Donna and Mark Gustin, Centerview; father, Curtis Raines; and half-brother, Alexander Raines, both of Independence, Missouri; grandparents, Leonard and Nancy Coy, Independence, Missouri; great uncle and aunt, Keith and Sally Raines, Centerview; 10 other uncles; nine aunts, 24 cousins; and 11 second cousins.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 1, 2007 at the Stanley-Dickey Funeral Home, 203 N. Armstrong, Pleasant Hill, MO 64080. Pastor Lindy Read officiated. Burial was in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Curtis Raines, Edward Clary, Jr., Jim Coy, Russell Coy, Donald Maudlin, Robert Smith and Jeff Thompson.
Visitation was held from 5-8 p.m. Saturday, March 31, 2007 at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Mastin William Raines Educational Fund in care of the First National Bank of Lee’s Summit, 609 NE State Route 291, Lee’s Summit, MO 64086.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.stanley-dickeyfuneralhome.com.
CLEO FITTERLING
Cleo Francis Fitterling, 91, of Warrensburg, formerly of Chilhowee, MO, passed away Friday, March 30, 2007 at the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg where he had lived since 2004.
He was born north of Centerview, MO on Saturday, December 4, 1915 the son of M.D. Fitterling and Lydia Brand Fitterling.
Cleo graduated high school from Training High, part of then Central Missouri State Teacher’s College. He returned to CMSTC (now UCM) for agricultural training on the GI Bill after serving in the U.S. Army.
He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the European Theater of Operations under General George Patton’s famous Third Army. Cleo participated in the D-Day landing at Normandy. His service is honored by a plaque near the landing site.
On May 7, 1939 in Breckenridge, MO, he married Louise Hudson. In 1946, Cleo and Louise bought a farm a mile north of Chilhowee, MO which he farmed until late in life. In 1956, they moved the family to a home on Highway 2 in Chilhowee. Cleo also worked for Westinghouse in Kansas City and prior to enlisting in the Army in 1943, he worked in the aerospace industry for Aerojet-General in Sacramento, CA.
Cleo was active in civic affairs. He helped to form the Chilhowee Chapter of the American Legion and the annual Chilhowee Fair. He worked to bring the Johnson County Bookmobile to Chilhowee and to create the senior citizen housing complex on Ohio Street. Cleo served on the Johnson County Cooperative Extension Advisory Council.
He was preceded in death by his wife Louise on November 10, 1996; a sister, Melmae Lea Higgins; a brother, M.D. Fitterling, Jr.; and a nephew, Larry Fitterling.
Cleo will be remembered as an avid hunter, fisherman and storyteller. He loved the land and he loved to travel.
Survivors include his two daughters, spouses, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; Bonnie (Fitterling) and Bill Braun of Laurel, Maryland; their son and family Joel, Kristen, Brandon and Megan Braun of Urbana, Maryland; daughter Jennifer Braun and Matthew Johnson of Chaska, Minnesota; Cindy (Fitterling) and her husband Mark Manford of Holden, MO; their sons, and families, Joe and Melissa Manford, Sanoma and Destiny, of Belton, MO; Justin and Jennifer Manford of Houston, Texas. Other close family includes sister-in-law, Louise (Lowry) Fitterling, nieces and nephews: Jane (Higgins) Cooper and family; Rodney Higgins and family; Nancy (Fitterling) Stockton and family; Kevin Fitterling and family and a special friend Bernice Stoll of Chilhowee.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, April 13, 2007 at Williams Funeral Chapel in Holden with Reverend Dave Mifflin officiating. Burial will follow in the Sunset Hill Cemetery in Warrensburg with full military honors by Holden Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post No. 5844 and Munday-Hancock Post No. 90 of the American Legion, Holden.
Pallbearers will be Bill Braun, Mark Manford, Joel Braun, Jennifer Braun, Joe Manford and Justin Manford.
The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. Friday, April 13, 2007 at Williams Funeral Chapel in Holden prior to funeral services.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Veterans Assistance League, the Survival Adult Abuse Center or Johnson County Hospice. These may be left at the Chapel.
GERALDINE E. SCHRIMSHER
Geraldine E. Schrimsher, 97, of Holden, died Monday, April 2, 2007 at Lee’s Summit Hospital in Lee’s Summit, MO.
Funeral arrangements will be announced by Williams Funeral Chapel in Holden. |