The possibility of rezoning the parcel of land located at Tenth and Clay Streets is back on the table as owner Dusty Anstine has requested to recllassify the R-1 property to R-2, which would allow single-family dwellings and duplexes.
The first step of the process will be a public hearing which is set for June 30 at 6:30 p.m. before the city’s planning and zoning commission at the Holden City Hall, 101 W. Third Street.  Public comment will be heard by the commission at that time.
Anstine and builder Scott Adams of SJA Inc., had  recently been rejected by the City Council  in their bid to re-zone the land R-3 which would allow for multi-family dwellings of four-plexes or larger.  Adams had scaled back his original plans of building five four-plexes to six duplexes after facing stiff opposition from neighboring homeowners.  The duplexes would not require the already-rejected R-3 classification.
According to owner Dusty Anstine, “I’ve been trying to work with the local homeowners in the area to see if we could get together to get something good on that property.  If we can get the property rezoned to R-2 it will give me a better platform to sell or develop.”
In favor of the re-zoning and development of the land is Holden mayor Mike Wakeman who said, “I support the property used for development because I feel it’s what’s best for the city as a whole.  I don’t even feel that the development would be detrimental to the neighborhood after looking at the plans for six duplexes.  I was a little concerned with the possibility of the five four-plexes plan, but I feel the new plan would be good for the area.”
Adams stated that he would still be interested in developing the six duplex plan.
By Steve Sullins
Editor


The financial services firm Edward Jones has hired Bill Lewis Jr as the financial advisor to open Edward Jones' first branch office in Holden.
Lewis said he is excited to be opening a new office for a firm that has built a reputation on serving individual investors.
"Edward Jones is the largest financial services firm in the nation in terms of offices, but it maintains its commitment to individuals," Lewis said. "I have been impressed with the interest the firm's headquarters in St. Louis has shown in this new office. Holden, and the investors who live here, are very important to the firm, and I really like that."
Edward Jones provides financial services for individual investors in the United States and, through its affiliates, in Canada and the United Kingdom. Every aspect of the firm's business, from the types of investment options offered to the location of branch offices, is designed to cater to individual investors in the communities in which they live and work. The firm's 10,000-plus financial advisors work directly with more than 7 million clients to understand their personal goals -- from college savings to retirement -- and create long-term investment strategies that emphasize a well-balanced portfolio and a buy-and-hold strategy. Edward Jones embraces the importance of building long-term, face-to-face relationships with clients, helping them to understand and make sense of the investment options available today.
Edward Jones is headquartered in St. Louis. The Edward Jones interactive Web site is located at www.edwardjones.com, and its recruiting Web site is www.careers.edwardjones.com. It is a member SIPC.



New owners have taken over the reins of Holden’s only locker plant.  Tom and Carey Gilbert have opened Gilbert Meat Locker, located at 100 N. Main in downtown Holden.
The Gilberts hail from Drexel but are planning to relocate to Holden when they can get their home sold.  Right now they are making the daily commute six days a week as the locker plant is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon.
Services and products they offer include slaughtering, custom processing, deer processing, retail sales of meat and other items.  For instance, they sell beef, pork, cheese, frog legs, blackberries, potatoes, mountain oysters and other things.  Carey said, “If we don’t have it, ask us for it and we can probably get it, whatever it may be.”
The Gilbert Meat Locker is a family affair as two of their five children help out in the business.  Steven, 19, helps his father in all aspects of the business and Faith, who is younger, likes to work with the books, according to her mother.
Tom brings a lot of experience in the meat cutting, butchering and processing business with him to Holden as he spent 15 years in the field at different locations.  “I retired from this field in 1985 and went to work for Lafarge, which is like a redi-mix industry.  I learned a lot working there such as setting a budget, customer relations and financial training.  I had always wanted to own my own locker plant and when this opportunity came up, we couldn’t pass it up,” said Tom.
“We are excited to be here in Holden,” said Carey.  “We have been welcomed with open arms by so many in this community; the response to our opening the business has been fantastic.  We’ve had offers of help from so many people here, it’s been wonderful.”
Carey brings her own experience to the business as she used to work retail in a grocery store where she worked in the meat department and learned how to give great customer service there also.
The Gilberts opened the doors on May 8, and are now trying to get the word out in Holden and the surrounding communities that they are open and ready for business and to help their customers in any way they can.
“We think we have opened a very nice place here.  It’s very clean, we’ve done a lot of cleaning, painting and hauling trash to make it a good environment for people to do business in,” said Carey.
“All of our meats are quality cuts,” said Tom.  “We offer good quality and a good product at a good price.  Most meat markets charge extra for tenderizing, double wrapping and double grinding.  We do all that for one price.  We are kind of like an old-style shop where quality is the most important thing.”
The Gilberts plan to have a grand opening at the locker plant on June 21 and will feature a smoked hog which was donated by one of their customers.  “We encourage everyone to stop by and meet us, visit a little and enjoy some wonderful smoked meat,” said Carey.
“If anyone is interested in using our service, they can simply give us a call and tell us when it would be convenient for them to bring in their animals.  Our phone number is 732-6431 and we are here six days a week.  We slaughter Monday through Friday and sell retail on Saturday until noon,” said Tom.
The Gilberts have three other children; Kevin, 24; Jordan, 14; and Brandon, 12; they also have a granddaughter, Jo Jo, who is two years old.
Tom says he can see Steven and Faith carrying on the family business as they grow up.  “Even if they decide to do something else as a career, the lessons they learn here about finances, business and customer service will serve them well in whatever they choose to do,” said Tom.
Tom began in the industry when he was 12 years old, grinding hamburger, and has finally achieved his dream of owning his own locker plant.
In their spare time, they enjoy fishing, reading, gardening, working in the yard and hope to one day own a Harley again.
“Come on out and see us at our grand opening or anytime,” said Carey.  “We will have free gifts the day of our grand opening including pens, magnets, and coffee cups.  You’ll find a nice, clean place to do business in, so come on in and look around and see what we have to offer.”
By Dana Neubert
Staff Writer

Holden Middle School presented awards at the eighth grade celebration held May 29, 2008.
Emily Quick, daughter of Siebert and Marise Quick, and Lane Adams, son of Cary and Tonya Adams, were announced as recipients of the 54th annual Citizenship Awards at the school program.  Quick and Adams were selected by faculty and staff for their positive influences on classmates and for their extraordinary citizenship qualities.   The students were presented engraved plaques and another plaque will be displayed permanently in the school.  The Citizenship Awards have been presented annually since 1954.
Runners-up for the award were Kaylee Kephart, daughter of Don and Julie Kephart, and Thomas Clark, son of Tom and Veronica Clark.
The President’s Award for Educational Excellence is given to students who have demonstrated academic success in the classroom.  To be eligible for this award, students must have maintained an “A-” average throughout sixth, seventh and eighth grades.  They must have scored in the 85th percentile or above on a standardized achievement test in reading or math, or be on the proficient or advanced level on the state MAP test.  Those receiving the President’s Award were Lane Adams, Bethany Cleveland, Thomas Clark, Garrett Crabtree, Jillian Crowe, Bailey Hoffman, Hayden Jennings, Kaylee Kephart, Brandon Main, Sierra Roofener, Mackenzie Schuette, Kyle Spencer, Isaiah Stark, Jessica Stever, Eric Stout, and Sarah Timmer.
Students who received academic excellence awards were as follows: science - Lane Adams, Ryan Anderson, Pam Burgard, Thomas Clark, Bethany Cleveland, Crystal Corlew, Garrett Crabtree, Jessica Freeman, Selena Gochenour, Stephen Guardalabene, Bailey Hoffman, Jacey Hudson, Hayden Jennings, Kaylee Kephart, Brandon Main, Spencer O’Neil, Stetson Phillips, Emily Quick, Sierra Roofener, Isaiah Stark, Jessica Stever, Eric Stout, Sarah Timmer, Zachary Turner, Austin Van Meter, Corey Wagoner, Tyler Warren and Chase West; math - Lane Adams, Thomas Clark, Bethany Cleveland, Jill Crowe, Brandy Green, Bailey Hoffman, Colton Irwin, Hayden Jennings, Kara Kats, Kaylee Kephart, Jeannie Locascio, Brandon Main, Stetson Phillips, Mackenzie Schuette, Kyle Spencer, Isaiah Stark, Jessica Stever, Eric Stout, and Krystal Watson; history - Lane Adams, Bailey Hoffman, Mackenzie Schuette, Kyle Spencer, Isaiah Stark, Chase West; literature and reading - Lane Adams, Ryan Anderson, Thomas Clark, Bethany Cleveland, Crystal Corlew, Jill Crowe, Trever Glynn, Brandy Green, Bailey Hoffman, Jacey Hudson, Kara Kats, Brandon Main, Sierra Roofener, Mackenzie Schuette, Michael Sechrest, Kyle Spencer, Jessica Tapia, Sarah Timmer, Tyler Warren and Chase West; language arts - Lane Adams, Glenn Chamberlain, Thomas Clark, Beth Cleveland, Crystal Corlew, Jill Crowe, Jessica Freeman, Trever Glynn, Bailey Hoffman, Hayden Jennings, Kaylee Kephart, Brandon Main, Stetson Phillips, Mackenzie Schuette, Kyle Spencer, Isaiah Stark, Jessica Stever, Eric Stout, Jessica Tapia, Alex Thomas, Sarah Timmer, Krystal Watson and Chase West; Spanish - Kara Kats, Brandon Main, Sierra Roofener, Isaiah Stark, Phoenix Vankirk, Tyler Warren and Sarah Timmer; physical education - Lane Adams, Ryan Anderson, Seth Beard, Abby Bryant, Jacob Bryant, Elan Buckley, Nick Burden, Heidi Clark, Bethany Cleveland, Garrett Crabtree, Jillian Crowe, Katie Elder, Jacob Giffin, Selena Gochenour, Mitchell Jasper, Hayden Jennings, Kara Kats, Logan Keating, Kaylee Kephart, Jeannie Locascio, J.C. McLennan, Jason Meyer, Skyler Miller, Nick Moore, Malcolm Perkins, Stetson Phillips, Emily Quick, Brian Register, Sierra Roofener, Greg Russell, Ashley Shearer, Nick Slover, Chance Stark, Isaiah Stark, Eric Stout, Jacquelen Sullins, Sarah Timmer, Phoenix Vankirk, Tyler Warren, Krystal Watson and Brandon Winkler; band - Ricky Adams, Thomas Clark, Alyssa Russell, Eric Stout and Zach Turner; computer applications - Lane Adams, Ryan Anderson, Glenn Chamberlain, Heidi Clark, Beth Cleveland, Garrett Crabtree, Jill Crowe, Jessica Freeman, Selena Gochenour, Bailey Hoffman, Kara Kats, Kaylee Kephart, Taylor Koehn, Jeannie Locascio, Brandon Main, Noah Pierce, Mackenzie Schuette, Kyle Spencer, Isaiah Stark, Jessica Stever and Tyler Warren; choir - Lane Adams, Lenora Andree, Abby Bryant, Pam Burgard, Garrett Crabtree, Jill Crowe, Nik Custer, Katie Elder, Jessica Freeman, Stayshia Garrett, Brittney Gerth, Brandy Green, Keith Henke, Hailey Johnson, Johnathon McAninch, Bailey Pemberton, Jeremy Rogers, Mackenzie Schuette, Jacquelen Sullins, Jessica Tapia, Austin Van Meter, Krystal Watson, Chase West and Brandon Winkler; art - Ryan Anderson, Jake Giffin, Bailey Hoffman, Kara Kats, Logan Keating, Kaylee Kephart, Spencer O’Neil, Michael Sechrest, Sarah Timmer, Corey Wagoner and Tyler Warren.
Students who achieved perfect attendance for the 2007-2008 school year were: Brandy Green, Johnathon McAninch, Jacquelen Sullins and Austin Van Meter; students who missed less than half a day during the year were: Ryan Anderson, Keith Baker, Bailey Hoffman, Noah Pierce, Nick Slover, Eric Stout and Corey Wagoner.
The Student Ambassador program includes students chosen by the faculty and staff to assist new students and presenters for Career Day.  These students are recognized for representing their school and the student body in a positive and responsible manner. They deserve a big thanks for all their dedication and help throughout the year - Ben Brumble, Abby Bryant, Glenn Chamberlain, Stetson Phillips, Emily Quick, Jacquelen Sullins and Chase West.
Physical education students of the year were Ryan Anderson and Kaylee Kephart.
Students receiving awards at the Crest Ridge Art Contest were: Bailey Hoffman, second place, design; Kaylee Kephart, third place, design; and Spencer O’Neil, second place, design.