The Holden Sesquicentennial Committee will welcome Civil War reenactors and enthusiasts from throughout Missouri and adjoining states to celebrate Holden’s 150th anniversary at a Civil War Battle of Holden reenactment to be held at the Holden City Lake on May 3-4.
Festivities begin on May 3 with registration opening at 8 a.m. at the lake gate entrance.  Take SW 1521 Road off of 58 Highway and it will take you directly to the correct lake entrance.  For more information or to see a map of the lake, visit www.cityofholden.com, then click on the link for reenactment to see details.  There will be plenty of parking, according to event chairperson Jo Ann Alpert, and the Boy Scout troops will help people park their vehicles.
Both Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sutlers row will be open and concessions will also be open featuring some modern foods and some old-fashioned food vendors. On Saturday at 9 a.m., the camps are open to the public; at 10:30 a.m. will be a ladies tea/fashion show at The Ladies Parlor; 1 p.m., Battle; 8-10 p.m. dance at the large tent; after dance, night artillery demonstration; 12 p.m. quiet period observed.
On Sunday at 9 a.m. the camps are open to the public; 10 a.m. church services at large tent; 1 p.m., Battle; concessions and Sutlers row open until 5 p.m.
The event is being hosted by Missouri Second Artillery.   C.S. Mo Second Artillery is a Confederate artillery unit commanded by Colonel Michael Roderman of Licking, MO.  The colonel and his wife, Barb, have been reenacting for approximately 15 years.  Michael is a member of The Sons of Confederate Veterans, past president of the Missouri Civil War Reenactor Association (MCWRA) and vice president of The Friends of Fort Davidson, a Pilot Knob, MO based organization that helps to raise funds to support the Battle of Pilot Knob, Ford Davidson.  Barb is also very active in the above mentioned organizations.  The Mo. Second is comprised of families from around the South Central part of Missouri.  The unit attends approximately eight to 10 reenactments each year and has hosted many events in the past few years.  Barb is responsible for coordinating the Sutlers and other vendors who attend these events, as well as orchestrating the ladies’ tea and fashion show.  Sutlers are period correct merchants who, just like during the war, provided food, clothing and other supplies to the North and the South.  They are a very important part of the reenacting community, and both the general public and reenactors enjoy browsing and shopping at their stores.  There will also be period and modern food vendors on site both days to satisfy anyone’s appetite.
The camps will open to the public at 9 a.m. both days.  The public is invited to tour the camps and visit with reenactors, but please remember these are their  homes for the weekend, so please do not enter the tents unless invited. 
There will be entertainment for young and old alike and one might just learn something about Missouri’s role in the war.
One of the entertainers scheduled to be on hand both days is Bob Welch.  Welch plays guitar and banjo and sings songs of the Civil War period.  His performances, a combination of music, history and storytelling, have been enthusiastically received at Civil War reenactments, schools, libraries, fairs, museums and senior care facilities across the USA, including Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Virginia and Gettysburg, PA.
Also performing for the dance will be Don Henson and Amy Millstead, with help from Welch.  “It should be a fun time for all,” said Alpert.  “We started getting all this in motion two years ago getting on the reenactors’ calendar.  They were attracted by the fact that we have 600-plus acres on which they can perform and have room to camp and reenact the battles.  They are sanctioned by the state of Missouri and right now we have 200 reenactors confirmed who are coming and could have close to 500 if the weather is nice.”
“I would encourage all families and citizens to come out and enjoy the battles, the entertainment, the shopping, the food and the night artillery demonstration.  It’s free to everyone, so just come out and enjoy all the festivities.  We have a large tent which was provided by the Knights of Columbus and you may sit on bales of hay.  Of course, we encourage you to bring lawn chairs and blankets to sit on, too, and spend the day and evening with us,” stated Alpert.
By Dana Neubert
News Staff



The board of directors of HOPE Coalition officially voted Danny Crews in as executive director at their regular meeting held last Thursday morning.
Crews was acting as interim director until a quorum of the board could make his appointment official, according to board president Bob Mickey.  After the appointment, Crews gave the executive director’s report to the board for the month.
In financial news, Crews reported as of April 10, the Community Activity Center (CAC) note was paid in full.  Mickey reminded the board they still had a note at the bank,  for which they borrowed money to purchase the house they made into a parking lot for their buildings.
In continuing education news, Crews told the board  that board member Gerry Pierce has been making plans for starting the GED classes soon.  “He has contacted State Fair Community College to work out the instructor’s fees,” said Crews.  “Holden High School students have been helping clear out the computer lab; Gerry thinks they could use two more tables for the classes.  Is this something the board has any thoughts on?”  After some discussion from the board, it was decided to use existing tables that were housed in other rooms at the Community Service Center (CSC).
In other CAC news, Crews told board members that once again the CAC was utilized as a community voting site.  He stated there were some issues with the tarps and the thermostat, but they were resolved and everything else went well.
In other financial news, it was reported by Crews that Westbrook and Company conducted the annual HOPE audit on March 31.  “No major findings or issues were found and I should have the official report by the next meeting,” stated Crews.  He told the board all of Westbrook’s questions were answered by himself or board members Dorothy Salsman, Jennifer Loos, office manager Gayla Morris, and past executive director John Roberts.
In memorial news, Crews again brought to the board’s attention the issue of a memorial for the late Rusty Hartwell.  The board discussed a flag pole with a plaque at the CAC in Rusty’s memory, but board member Scotty Walker asked for time to think about the issue before making a decision.  The board agreed to revisit the issue next month.  In the meantime, Roberts will check on prices for the flag pole and plaque and report back to the board.
In other board business, Crews addressed the issue Roberts had brought up in the past about a lack of a quorum at the board meetings.  “We are having a difficult time getting a quorum to attend the meetings and therefore can’t vote on any issues,” said Roberts.  He gave several suggestions including adding another board member to help to prevent this from happening in the future; issuing a formal letter to all board members, pointing out the problem and asking if they really have the time to devote to the board; putting an attendance policy in the bylaws and enforcing it; sending communications to board members prior to the meetings as a reminder; or changing the time the board meets, which is currently at 6:45 a.m., the third Thursday of the month.  Roberts agreed to send each member a summary of the bylaws and look into the procedure for changing the bylaws to include an attendance policy, at Mickey’s request.
In Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) news, Crews reported the quarterly NAP will be submitted within the next few days.  “Three NAP donations have not yet been processed.  We will need to submit a request to amend  the NAP project before the month’s end.  Jen is working a projected CAC budget for 2008.  We will need Dorothy to help with the revised NAP budget,” Crews said.
In insurance news, Crews asked board members about workman’s compensation insurance.  Roberts has asked an agent in town if HOPE is required to carry the coverage.  The board discussed the issue and Mickey asked Crews to speak with several agents in town and get estimates on their rates. 
In the CAC activities director’s report Loos told board members Kyle Crews will be working at the CAC this summer in her absence.  Some of the things he will be working on include open gyms, girls’ high school shootout, possible three versus three basketball tournament, yoga classes, parents’ night out, adult leagues, adult open gyms, and UCM basketball satellite camp.
In other CAC news, Loos asked the board to vote on the rental agreement she gave them at last month’s meeting.  The board voted to approve the rental agreement as written by Loos for the Fall Fiesta and general fees for the public.
In miscellaneous news from the CAC, Loos reported a healthy eating class is being held at the CAC currently.  She has new internet service at the CAC and is very happy with it.   The CAC has a new website which is http://holdencac.embarqspace.com and Loos said it will be very useful this summer to get appropriate contact numbers out to the public and to inform them of upcoming activities. 
Loos also reported the 2008 CAC budget is complete and has been sent to Crews and Salsman.
The regular session of the HOPE Coalition closed and board members voted to go into executive session.
By Dana Neubert
News Staff


Long-time Holden High School assistant principal and A+ coordinator Nancy Daniel has been named the new principal for Lexington High School.
She submitted her resignation from HHS last week which was accepted in a special R-III School Board closed meeting Friday at the district’s central office.  She will leave her duties at Holden after her contract expires June 11 and will assume her new position at Lexington August 1.
In her letter of resignation, Daniel expressed regret at leaving the Holden School District, but anticipation as well in being able to advance her career in school administration.
“In many ways I am saddened, as I have served for eight years in this school and community,” she related.  “Over that time, I have established many bonds which made the decision to move difficult.  Nonetheless, there is an equally strong reason why I must be moving onward.”
She also stated that there were personal reasons involved - being able to move closer to her daughters and grandchildren.
She concluded, “I leave with only the highest regard for my colleagues, the students and the community of Holden.  I will carry many fine memories with me.”



Even though there was only one candidate who filed in the mayor and four Holden City Council seat elections April 8, a full council including the mayor were sworn in at the regular meeting of the Holden City Council held last Tuesday night at City Hall.
Mike Zumwalt, in Holden’s Ward 4, was the only individual to file for reelection, and he was put back into office running without opposition.  All other city elections were decided by write-in votes.
Leading the way was Mike Wakeman, who decided not to run again, but was nevertheless elected by the city’s citizens with 99 write-in votes.  He far outdistanced Tamara Taylor who was written in 15 times and Michael Freer, 13.  Several other individuals received from one to three votes.  A total of 142 write-in votes were cast in the mayor’s race.
Re-claiming their previously held seats through write-in voting were Butch Shore in Ward 2 and Jim Robison in Ward 3.  New to the council was Ernie Taylor, who polled eight write-in votes in Ward 1.
After being seated, the Mayor Wakeman said, because of the lateness of sifting through the write-in process, that he had not completed a slate of boards and citizens’ committees appointments.  He did say that since many of the councilmen were the same as last term he didn’t anticipate too many changes in assignments.
The new council did approve councilman Butch Shore as the mayor pro tem.
By Steve Sullins
Editor



Prior to swearing in new members and seating the new council, the old Holden City Council met and  agreed to table a decision until next month on whether to rezone the parcel of land at 10th and Clay Streets as R-3.
The R-3 designation would allow developer Scott Adams of SJA Inc. to build five four-plexes on the property.
The proposition was met with opposition from a concerned citizens group whose spokeswoman Cricket Hough  asked that the council not grant the rezoning.
Holden’s Planning and Zoning Committee had previously met and voted three to one with one abstention to approve the rezoning application by owners Dwight and Dusty Anstine and SJA Inc.
Mayor Mike Wakeman explained to the citizens’ group that P & Z approval simply meant that it is feasible to rezone to R-3.  The city council still has to approve the builder’s plan.
In her address to the council, Hough outlined several concerns the group of citizens had if the land was rezoned and Adams built the properties.  They were concerned about traffic congestion in the area which is a thoroughfare to reach Holden schools and the eastern business district.  They were also concerned of so many units being a burden on an already aged water and sewer system; and safety of residents in the area.
Another area of concern to the group was that if the units were going to be rented for a minimum of $750 per month, would there be enough people to pay that much.  They felt if there weren’t, the unites might be converted to low income housing in order to fill the living spaces.  They also were concerned of children of 20 units being so close to a highway.
Speaking for his company, Adams told the council that he has been in business since 1993 and that the project would be worthwhile for the Holden community which needs more rental housing.
He explained that this would be a $1.8 million investment on his part and the minimum rental would be $750 per month.  “This is not a low-income project,” he stressed.
He said he was very aware of the citizens’ concerns and was a conscientious builder.  “I take care of what I build,” Adams stated.a  “I’ve always been a good neighbor.  Look at my other properties in Warrensburg, Richmond and Buckner.  I feel that Holden would benefit from this housing.”
Adams also explained that he had talked to O&M Enterprises and was assured by Tony Lerda that existing sewer and water facilities were adequate.  He also said that he was aware of Holden’s storm water laws and would make sure that the property fell within the law.
After the discussions, councilman Mike Zumwalt made a motion to table the matter until they could investigate the citizens’ concerns.  Mayor Wakeman agreed and said that the matter would be brought up again  in the next meeting.
In a final area of unfinished business by the old council, Gary Brown of rural Johnson County was named the Holden building commissioner.  His primary job will be to oversee hearings concerning dangerous buildings and submit written findings.
By Steve Sullins
Editor




One of the first orders of business for Holden’s newly- seated City Council last Tuesday night was the approval of a task that is “near and dear” to many Holden citizens - the repairing and repaving of South Clay Street.
According to street commissioner Larry Miller, Johnson County agreed to provide equipment and manpower to complete the repaving if the city of Holden would pay for materials.  The council approved approximately $42,000 to provide the materials which the county says needs to be accomplished soon - as early as May.
Plans call for work to be done from 10th Street to Eagle Drive and will include widening Clay Street from just south of Highway 58 to 14th Street.
Miller said that crews will till four inches of the old street and add six inches of new rock on top of that.  They will inject asphalt oil into the new and old streets with the tiller and then put a double chip seal on top.
Miller added that this offer from the county was a one-time shot and if the city had to provide equipment and manpower it would cost from $30,000 to $50,000 more.
In a related street matter, the council approved the purchase of a new street sweeper attachment for the cost of $5,015.  Miller said that this is the existing sweeper has been fixed recently for $2,500 and would cost the same amount to fix again. 
In other council business, the group accepted the resignation of Holden police sergeant Gene Parker and approved his request to be placed on reserve officer status.
With assistant chief Rick Martin incapacitated due to injury and Parker’s resignation, Holden Mayor Mike Wakeman said the department is getting low on full-time officers.  He said the merit board would be meeting soon to interview an individual who potentially could be a full-time officer, but he charged the council to review the officers’ salary structure and think about raising it to become competitive with other departments in the area.
In a related item, the council approved the purchase of two tasers with related equipment so that all officers on duty could have one in their possession.  Right now, the department only has one and it needs repair.  The cost of $2,229.51 will provide that repair as well as the two new pieces of equipment including holsters and cartridges.
Wakeman stated that studies show that there are far less injuries to police officers when they do not have to fight.  Tasers many times will allow the officer to incapacitate his prisoner without having to fight.
In a final item, the new council awarded a pest control contract to Holden business Cowell Exterminating and Pest Control.  The previous contractor, Copeland Pest Control, had gone out of business due to the death of the owner.  Cowell will manage the exterminating in both the City Hall and Police Department for $130 per month.
Before adjourning the meeting, the council also set May 17 as city-wide cleanup day.  Pickups will begin at 7 a.m. and continue until finished.
By Steve Sullins
Editor