Only days after his resignation was accepted by the Holden City Council Mike Wakeman was appointed by the council to fill his own unexpired mayoral term until the April election.

The appointment, which was unanimous with the exception of one abstention by council person Dorothy Wakeman, took place at a special session of the council held Saturday morning at City Hall.  Mayor pro-tem Butch Shore stated that Wakeman would be sworn in at the next regular session of the council which will be held September 11 at 7 p.m.  also at City Hall.

Wakeman had tendered his resignation letter July 20 after receiving a letter from the Missouri Attorney General’s office requesting the resignation due to the nepotism provision of Article VII, Section 6 of the Missouri Constitution.

The letter from the AGs office stated that their office had been appointed special prosecutor concerning a report from the Missouri Ethics Commission which stated that Wakeman had appointed his brother-in-law Larry Miller to the position of fire chief and street superintendent in Holden.

Miller has served as street superintendent for the past 14 years and has been the superintendent under the leadership of four mayors prior to Wakeman.  Miller was the assistant fire chief when appointed to the chief’s position and has previously served as the chief for seven years. 

Contained within the AGs letter was a statement which said that if Wakeman did not resign his office the AG would be forced to file a quo warranto action in Circuit Court to remove him from the office.

After receiving Wakeman’s resignation letter, members of the council in special session July 25 urged Wakeman to reconsider resigning.  The mayor agreed to wait until the August 14 regular meeting to give the council his decision.  At that meeting he affirmed his decision to resign.

Under the leadership of Shore, the council passed an ordinance which allowed the city to not have to stage a costly special election due to the vacating of the mayors office within six months.  They also passed an ordinance which states that city department heads do not have to be reappointed every year, but may stay in their position until they resign or until the city council terminates the appointment.

The council also reappointed Larry Miller to the position of fire chief.  He had stepped down after the ethics commission report.

After the Saturday morning appointment, council member and local attorney Karl Timmerman stated its time that the AGs office take a “long hard look at the spirit of the law as opposed to the letter of the law.” 

He continued, “There was certainly no culpable intent on Mike’s (Wakeman) part to derive any gain from appointing the right man in the right job.  There is nothing in the city’s statues which preclude us from appointing him to fill the term until the next regular election.  This is the person the citizens voted for and want as their mayor.”

Timmerman also said that it’s unfortunate with all the pressing business the city needs to deal with such as the comprehensive plan and getting a city manager onboard, that they had to deal with this situation for the past month.

Also at the special session Saturday, the council set the city’s tax levy rate at $.8414 which is the same as the past two years.  The levy is broken down into $.7228 general fund and $.1186 debt service fund.

In other business at last Tuesday’s regular meeting, the council passed the final reading of an ordinance to enter into a contract for a plat map for the city’s business park and to also contract for a comprehensive plan.

The council also approved Holden Elementary School teacher Bev Chaney as a new member of the city’s planning and zoning commission. 

By Steve Sullins
Editor

 

Alexandria Smithson, 11-year-old daughter of Scott and Jennifer Smithson, Holden, recently participated in the National American Miss Pageant.  The competition took place at the Hyatt Union Station in St. Louis, MO.   Alexandria was selected as a state finalist by sending in her application.

The pageant consisted of four categories; formal wear, interview, introduction and community involvement.  The introduction requires the girls to stand in front of the room of judges, parents, and fellow competitors to give their name, hometown and future ambition.  Alexandria told the audience that she enjoyed horseback riding, school and fishing.  She also would like to be a fashion designer.  Community involvement required the girls to donate a book or bear.  The books and bears donated were given to charitable organizations.  More than 1,000 items were donated during the weekend.

All of the contestants received a copy of the program book.  The book contains pictures of all the state finalists from the small princesses up through the oldest teens.  Each girl has her picture displayed, with her hometown and sponsors.  Alexandria and her family appreciate all of the local businesses, family and friends who were able to sponsor her or buy advertisements of well wishes.  Alexandria achieved the State Ambassador level in advertising.  She received a crown, State Ambassador banner, trophy and two premium prizes and was also only one of two girls in her age division to accomplish this title.

All 100 contestants performed a dance number to Hannah Montana’s “Just Like You.”

Alexandria received a Spirit of America trophy for her participation in many categories.  The categories were assigned a point level and she earned enough points to qualify for the red, white and blue star-covered trophy.  Alexandria received the first runner-up trophy for her picture collage in the art contest.

All of her family and friends are truly proud of her and her accomplishments during the weekend, according to her mother Jennifer.  “Whether it was helping someone else get ready or graciously signing an autograph book or standing in front of a room full of people, she showed true courage and character.  This experience has taught her new things about herself and new skills in communication and self-confidence,” said Jennifer.

She went on to say, “Alexandria enjoyed this experience and would like to thank all of those who helped make this trip possible for her.  God bless each and every one of you who are willing to invest in her and her future.”

 

Speaking to the Holden City Council during their regular meeting last week, Holden Sesquicentennial Celebration co-chairperson Karen Christianson reported on tentative plans for events to be held throughout next year.

The city of Holden will celebrate its 150th birthday during 2008 and according to Christianson, there are activities planned for each month of the year.

“Some of the events are firmed-up,” explained Christianson.  “But others are only tentative at this point.”

Events planned for next year include:

January - Chairperson Christianson is working with Holden High School to possibly schedule a fashion show involving the HHS drama club.  The event and date of January 19 is only tentative at this point.

February  - Rita Davis is in charge of setting up an old fashioned pie sale and valentine dance.  It is scheduled for February 9 with a location to be determined later.

March - The Knights of Columbus from St. Patrick’s Church and Pat Zvacek are planning a corned beef and cabbage dinner and vintage hat contest.  Zvacek stated that prizes will be awarded in several different hat categories.

April - One of the centerpieces of the year’s activities will be a “grand” Civil War re-enactment scheduled to take place the weekend of April 19-20.  The extravaganza is being arranged by Jo Ann Nolan and will take place at the Holden City Lake.

May - A hog roast and old-time fishing derby using cane poles is scheduled for May 10.  Heading up the event is John Silverthorn.

June - Still in the planning stages is an old time tent revival and picnic.  Sharon Briscoe is presently consulting with local churches on the possibility of staging the event.

July - Also in the tentative stages is a baseball game and ice cream social being chaired by Jenny Sollars and Bill Lewis.  There has been no date or location set as yet.

August - Dwight Anstine is chairing  the preparations for an antique farm equipment show to be staged in the month of August.  Further details on this event will be released at a later date.

September -    Another highlight of the year’s celebration will be the annual Fall Fiesta scheduled for September 13-15.  During the fair, Adrian Phelps is coordinating efforts to place a time capsule at the Hallar Building.
October -    Sesquicenten--nial celebration co-chairperson Jill Farnsworth is also scheduling a Sadie Hawkins Dance to be held October 25 at the Hallar Building.

November - On November 15, the city of Holden will salute its veterans.  Sam Raber and Christianson, along with the local American Legion and VFW posts, will sponsor a USO show with the Vintage Memoirs on hand to provide entertainment.  The event will be held November 15 at the high school.

December - In the last month of the celebration year, Sollars, Cindy Reynolds and Sharon Manford will arrange a Christmas home tour.  The tour has been scheduled for December 7.

According to Christianson, the year’s worth of celebration will have a price tag of between $25-30,000.  She said that sponsorship forms will be coming out this week so citizens can pledge any amount up to $2,500 to help sponsor the year-long extravaganza.  They will be available at local businesses.

The co-chairperson also stated that there was a need for people to volunteer to help with the events.  Those interested should call Christianson at (816) 616-4176 or Farnsworth at the Bank of Holden.

By Steve Sullins
Editor