Holden mayor Make Wakeman’s bid to have Attorney General Jay Nixon’s nepotism case against him dismissed failed Friday, as Judge Jacqueline Cook of the 17th Judicial Circuit Court in Warrensburg, ruled for the state and against Wakeman’s motion to dismiss the Quo Warranto action.

She had been given the case during circiut court sessions last Monday morning.

In her ruling, Judge Cook stated, “The court finds that respondent (Wakeman) forfeited his office through his conduct, should be ousted from office, and .... is precluded from serving either through election or appointment the unexpired portion of the term for which he was elected.”

She continued, “Based upon the court’s findings, the motion to dismiss (filed by Wakeman’s attorney Karl Timmerman) is denied as well as the request for stay pendent lite.  However the court notes that should respondent seek to appeal this court’s decision, he is entitled to a stay pending appeal...”

In an interview with the mayor’s attorney Timmerman, Monday, he stated that their plans are to appeal either to the state’s Appeal’s Court for the Western District, or the Missouri Supreme Court.  “Mike (Wakeman) has 30 days before Judge Cook’s order becomes final, and then he has 10 more days to appeal the decision.  During the meantime, he will remain as the Holden mayor.”

“Whatever happens in the appeals portion of this case, it will be good to raise the issue of how nepotism laws should apply in small-town situations where there are a limited amount of people as well as a limited number who are willing to serve,” Timmerman continued.  “Mike appointed Larry Miller to the position of fire chief because he was the best qualified and no one else was willing to serve in that position.  By taking this case forward maybe we can give small-town mayors guidance on what is appropriate and how to deal with these kinds of situations.”

The AG had sent a letter to Wakeman last summer demanding his resignation or he would take court action for appointing his brother-in-law Miller to the position of fire chief.  Wakeman submitted his resignation to the Holden City Council, but was reappointed to fill the empty position by the council until the April election.  Nixon then filed the Quo Warranto action to have him ousted in the Warrensburg court.

By Steve Sullins
Editor



The future of the Holden R-III School District’s leadership picture became clear earlier this week as the district’s school board hired Michael Dean Ringen to be the new district’s superintendent.

Ringen, whose contract becomes effective July 1, 2008, comes to Holden from Lincoln, MO, where he has held the district superintendent’s position there since 2002.  He was selected from a pool of 31 applicants which were narrowed to seven.  The Holden board interviewed those seven and chose Ringen to succeed Scott Slava who died in July.

Presently occupying the position is Dr. Bob Watkins who will remain the interim co-superintendent until December 31 when Dr. Paul James will lead the district until Ringen takes over July 1, 2008.

Prior to becoming the Lincoln R-2 District’s head man, Ringen was the high school/junior high principal at Lincoln from 1999-2002.  For the eight previous years he was a classroom teacher, A+ coordinator and coach in the Knob School District.  The 48-year-old career educator also was a classroom teacher and coach at Lincoln, Hamilton, MO, and Rock Port, MO since becoming a teacher in 1981.

Ringen received his bachelor of arts degree in education and science from Tarkio College in 1981 and a masters degree in secondary school administration from William Woods University in 2000.  In 2003, the new superintendent received a specialist degree in superintendency from the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg.

He has been married to his wife Merri, also a career educator, for 26 years.  They have two grown sons, Aaron, 25, and Shane, 22, who are both teachers and a daughter Emily, who is 20 years old and a sophomore at Central Methodist University.

According to Ringen, “Our immediate family is very important to my wife and me, as well as our faith.  They are the ultimate priorities in our lives.”

The new superintendent says he enjoys working outdoors, playing golf, pheasant hunting, taking fishing trips to Canada and playing with his labrador retrievers.

By Steve Sullins
Editor



The Holden R-III School Board accepted the retirement applications from two career-long educators in the Holden school system at their regular meeting’s executive session held Thursday night in the intermediate school library.

With effective dates of July 1, 2008, elementary school principal Robyn Sisk and middle school principal Gregg Montgomery will leave their posts with a combined 60 years of educator experience in the Holden School District.

Sisk began her career with the district 31 years ago as a third grade teacher in the elementary school.  She taught there for six years then spent three years as the kindergarten through eighth-grade gifted program.  The last 22 years she has been the elementary principal.

“I love my job,” explained Sisk.  “I’m not tired or burnt out, but I feel I’ve reached the age when it’s time to move on the the next phase of my life.  There are some places I would like to travel to, especially the northeastern states in the fall to see the leaves turning.  It’s with mixed feelings that I leave because I’ve worked with wonderful people.  I’ll miss the students, staff and parents.”

Montgomery was a teacher at Holden Middle School and Holden High School for 11 years before taking over as principal of the middle school where he has been for the past 18 years.

Montgomery states that he’s ready for a change and a new career.  “I’ve been in school in one form or another for 45 years,” he said.  “I feel it’s good to have change, both for myself and for the school as well.”

He continued, “I really appreciate John Kammeyer giving me the chance to work in this district and also Bob Hoffman and Bill Ramey who were instrumental in my selection as principal.”

Other personnel actions taking place in the executive session included several hirings.  Those hired were Angie Castaneda, part-time Day Plus assistant; Chris Thompson, 2008-2009 boys’ soccer coach; Stacey McCune, high school assistant softball coach; and Heather Swanson, high school secretary.

By Steve Sullins
Editor


   The Holden High School boys’ varsity basketball team would probably like to play somebody besides the Higginsville Huskers as the boys from Holden lost their second straight to the talented team from the north.

The Eagles had just been defeated by Higginsville, 58-31, in the semifinal game of the Husker Classic and in their rematch Friday night at the HHS gym, they again succumbed by a score of 65-47.

The Huskers who look like they might go deep into the post-season, threw up an active and stifling zone defense that made Holden work for the shots they got.  Higginsville paid particular attention to the Eagles’ two three-point specialists Travis Wescott and Andrew Sanderson and held them to 12 and 14 points respectively in the contest.

In the first quarter, the Eagles came out well and attacked the Huskers’ zone, but Higginsville got hot from behind the arc in the latter part of the first quarter and the beginning of the second period draining seven three-pointers.  Holden found themselves in a deep hole and climbing out against a tough team like the Huskers was definitely challenging.

By the end of the first half, the Eagles were down by 19 and fell to a 24-point deficit by the end of the third stanza.  Holden outscored the Huskers 25-19 in the final period, but lost the tilt by 18.

Head coach Dale Wescott still believes in the challenging schedule his team has this year.  “Playing these tough teams in the early part of the season is just going to make us better at the end,” he explained.

“In the game tonight, we missed a lot of shots both inside and outside,” Coach Wescott stated.  “In the second half we attacked a little better, but we’re going to have to make our shots when we get the looks especially against a team like Higginsville.  They’re a good team, but it will make us better down the road.”

Leading the way in scoring for the Eagles was Sanderson who scored 12 and recorded two steals.  Wescott tallied 12 and pulled down 5 rebounds.  Other scorers included:  Zak Anstine, eight points; Bryce Evans, four points and five rebounds; Deron Binkley, four points, six rebounds and two steals; Mike Garten, two points; and Trevor Yancey, three points and two steals.

Next regularly scheduled game for the Eagles will be December 29 at the State Fair Community College Holiday Shootout in Sedalia.

By Steve Sullins
Editor


OBITUARIES

BOBBY GENE (BOB) BASS
Bob Bass, age 69, passed away Monday, December 10, 2007, at Jefferson Care Center, Lee’s Summit, MO.

Bob was born on January 8, 1938, in Sedalia, Missouri.  He was united in marriage to Ellen Ann Marcum on March 24, 1961.

Bob is survived by his wife, Ann Bass; and his four children and their spouses, Rob and Lisa Bass, Terry and Dee Bass, Robin and Jeff Wade, and Christopher Dwinells and Dani Gooden.  He is also survived by 12 grandchildren: Joni and Jordan Bass; Amber Loulos and Mason Bass; Jeffery, Michael, Katelyn, and Logan Wade; Darrian Gooden, Andrew and Brent Rehkop, and Jackie Dwinells.  Also surviving are his brother and sister-in-law, Raymond and Betsy Bass; niece and nephew Vicky Sherry and Rick Bass.

Memorial services were held on Saturday, December 15, 2007 at Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church in Lee’s Summit.

Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Hospice.

DON HOUGH
Don Hough, 86, Holden, MO, passed away Monday, December 10, 2007 at his residence.

Don was born October 4, 1921 in Archie, MO, the youngest of 14 children, to Henry Ezra Hough and Emma Von Rohr Hough.  He moved to the Holden area with his family during his teen years and graduated from Holden High School.  He married Frances (McClain) on February 5, 1944 in Mission, Kansas.

Don farmed for many years and raised cattle.  He also sheared sheep and was known for his carpentry work.  He enjoyed listening to bluegrass music and those little Sunday trips.

Survivors include his wife, Frances; a daughter, DeAnn Livingston; and a son, Mike Hough, both of Holden; a sister, Iscie Warner of Lee’s Summit; a brother, Norman Hough and his wife, Mary Ann of Phoenix, Arizona; two grandchildren, Russ Hough of Holden and Jamey Hough of Lee’s Summit; and also numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by 11 brothers and sisters.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 14, 2007 at Williams Funeral Chapel in Holden with Reverend George Hecker and Reverend Atticus Dyer of Magnolia Baptist Church officiating.  Visitation was held Friday at Williams Funeral Chapel, one hour prior to service time.

Pallbearers were Bill Briscoe, Aaron Burden, Jamie Dale Middlesworth, Tom Haun, Allen Parks, Russell Sechrest and Destry Hough.

Honorary pallbearers were Reed Hough, Maurice Parks, Willard “Buck” Brown, Paul Wiseman, Arthur Haun and Charley Tilden.

Interment followed the services at Pisgah Cemetery located southeast of Holden.

Memorial contributions may be left to the Magnolia Baptist Church.

Online condolences may be left at www.williamsfuneralchapel.net.

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