The Holden R-III School District board members voted unanimously in their regular meeting Monday night to set the 2008-2009 tax rate levy at $4.38 per $100 of assessed valuation.
The total represents an operating levy of $3.71 and a debt service figure of $.67.  This is the first time the board has not instituted a voluntary rollback of the voter-approved level of $3.75 since 2001, but due to price increases in several areas and budgeted deficit spending for the most recent two years, the district and board felt it was time to discontinue the rollback.
The figure of $4.38 is still lower than many neighboring districts including Chilhowee, Lone Jack, Leeton, Warrensburg and Kingsville.
During the meeting, district superintendent Mike Ringen told the board that the community has appreciated the board’s efforts over the past several years with the rollbacks.  “You’ve proven that you have been good stewards of the patrons’ money and I know you have made every effort to keep the levy as low as possible for as long as you could.”
Board president Jeff Miller stated that the board has demonstrated “over and over doing what  was best for the children.  Once again I feel we are doing that.”
According to the district’s figures, the rate change should result in a $76 per year tax increase for a person with a $100,000 home.
In another area, the superintendent informed the board that construction was proceeding on the bus drive and parking lots and hopefully would be completed soon.  He said that the inside was complete and rooms, including the new science rooms, were ready for use.
“We’re ready to start the year,” Ringen continued.  “I have been very impressed with the attitudes of our staff and teachers.  This has been a short summer and I’m really pleased with how they have handled the situation.”
Also during the regular meeting, the board set the 2009 graduation date for May 17 at 2 p.m.
Reports were given by Robyn Sisk, early childhood; Donna Fizer, curriculum and instruction; and Larry Arnone, auxiliary services.
Arnone praised his custodial and maintenance personnel for the amount of work they completed during the shortened summer period.
By Steve Sullins
Editor



Incoming Holden R-III School District superintendent Mike Ringen met Holden Chamber of Commerce members at their regular monthly  meeting Thursday morning at Strate’s Drive Inn.
He briefed the members on construction progress saying they will be ready for the first day of school as the building phase is basically complete. The asphalt on the bus drive is finished, and the plan is that the parking lots will be finished   as soon as possible.
Ringen said they have several new administrators in the buildings and all will be ready to go for August 14.
According to Dennis Mason of the community betterment committee, city signs are still a work in progress. Mason explained that the street improvement progress was primary as a step toward realizing the city’s comprehensive plan. The water department is working on main replacement and repairing trunk lines. Water treatment has several new regulations they are in the process of studying to bring the city into compliance. Mason said storm water control was very important as a step toward realizing the city’s compliance with a comprehensive plan.
Pat Zvacek reported the Fall Fiesta plans are set and ready to go. She said they should have a great parade this year. The Grand Marshall for the parade is the History Book Committee. Since this is the sesquicentennial fall fiesta, and the committee was responsible for compiling the record of Holden’s history, they will be honored. Zvacek said this will be an especially active event because it is an election year and politicians will be available to meet the public.
Linda Frazier reported the chamber annual rodeo was a success, having made a total profit of $5,875.
Jo Ann Alpert reported the Farmer’s Market is having a record breaking year, with 26 vendors. She said it is “growing like crazy.”
The August sesquicentennial event will be the antique tractor show on August 16. It will be located in the parking lot behind the old F&C Bank. Anyone who wants to display old tools or machinery is invited.
Bill Dryer reported that Holden’s Whiteman Air Force Base liaison Lisa Moser has been reassigned to the Pentagon and will be replaced by Daniel Manual. The mission support squadron has become the 72nd Test Evaluation squadron. Dryer said that squadron personnel are grateful for all that Holden does.
The next  Chamber After Hours will be Monday August 18 at 5:30 p.m. at Tiger Jack’s, hosted by Chuck Owings.
The next regular chamber meeting is Thursday September 4 at 7 a.m. at Strate’s Drive Inn.
By Terri Vinck
Staff Writer



While other young men his age spent their summer playing ball or swimming, Charles Gatson, 16, embarked on the trip of a lifetime.
Gatson was an ambassador for the People to People program which promotes world peace and understanding among different nations of the world.
He left June 19 and traveled to Greece and Italy, returning home July 8.  His favorite part of the journey was the stop at Pompeii because of all of the history uncovered there.  “The people were very technologically advanced for their time with a gutter system and running water; a lot of planning went into that city,” said Gatson.
“Ancient Italians never tried to excavate or explore Pompeii due to their fear of  Vulcan, the God of fire.  There is just so much history there, it was fascinating,” stated Gatson.
There was a total of 47 people in Gatson’s party including four leaders and one tour guide.  A typical day included several activities, sightseeing and stops along the way for meals.  The group stayed  in hotels along the journey.  They landed first in Athens after a 19-hour flight and Gatson said the Greek language was just a little more than he could understand.  “I took some Latin and Italian in preparation for my trip, so I wouldn’t be totally out of my element,” he added.  “In fact, in my little group of buddies, I became the translator for everyone.”
After the day’s activities, the group enjoyed some free time in which they were encouraged to write down the day’s experiences in their journals or send postcards home.  Gatson called home only one time during his trip.
Another highlight of the trip was the visit to Crete which, according to Gatson, was beautiful country.  “There is a lot of mythology and it was very mysterious way back when,” said Gatson.  “I found I preferred the islands to the mainlands on the trip.”
“Athens is a really huge city,” he stated.  “And the temperatures there were in the upper 90s; very hot.  They use the metric system there so it was a little bit difficult converting everything, but I got along alright.”
Gatson also spoke of his visit to the Vatican and said there were a lot of tourists there.  “There was beautiful artwork there and we got to meet an ex-captain of the Swiss Guard and found out some of the inner workings of the Guard and some history behind it.  Only Swiss citizens can be members of the Swiss Guard; the Swiss are notorious for their neutrality but do know how to fight when necessary.  All of their citizens must serve a minimum of two years in the Swiss military, whether they are male or female.  I was also impressed with a large brass sphere in the courtyard of the Vatican; it was modern art and very cool,” Gatson stated.
He explained they had an intercom on their shuttle bus and a native tour guide to describe the day’s activities.
Another favorite memory of his trip was the Palace Knossos in Crete because of its feeling of history.   The group got to visit an original throne room there in the palace.  He explained there was a lot of reconstruction going on there because the original woodwork had rotted away.  Some of the ancient peoples enjoyed watching acrobats do bulldancing, he added, which is where they grab the horns of the bull, do a handstand on its back and land behind the bull at a safe distance, on their feet.
Gatson went on to talk about their stop in Rome at the Catacombs, which housed the bodies of a lot of popes.  “You could actually feel a fear of the dead by the time you came out; the tension was tangible,” Gatson added.
He said “If I could use one word to describe the entire journey, it would be well-rounded.  It was a great experience and I really enjoyed it; it was a very valuable experience as well.  I would encourage people, if they get the chance, to go on People to People programs; it’s a wonderful opportunity.  People to People is a life-changing experience.”
Gatson is the son of Mike and Laura Gatson, Centerview.  He is homeschooled, a member of Crest Ridge Marching Band, active in St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, is an Eagle Scout in Troop #304 and a warrior in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say.
By Dana Neubert
Staff Writer
  

Holden resident and American Red Cross volunteer Donna Terry has just returned from Edcouch, Texas where she served people who were affected by Hurricane Dolly.
Terry drives an emergency response vehicle (ERV) for the Red Cross and helps serve meals to those in need due to disasters.
“In a two-week period, we served 110,000 meals out of my kitchen alone,” said Terry.  “The Southern Baptist men there cooked the meals and we served them to the hungry.”
The temperature in Texas this time of year averages 107 degrees, according to Terry, but that did little to deter the volunteers of the Red Cross.  “It is so rewarding to help these people,” Terry stated.  “One only needs to have compassion, caring and the desire to help to make a difference in these people’s lives.”
From  Edcouch Terry traveled to Houston in preparation for Hurricane Eduardo, but that storm did not cause the damage that was predicted so she was released to come home for a well-deserved rest.
Terry first volunteered for the Red Cross when she saw an advertisement on television asking for help with Hurricane Katrina in 2005.  “I just called the Kansas City office and offered my services.  I was given some basic training but learned a lot on the job at that first one,” said Terry.  “Later I was given training in food handling, driving the ERV, logistics, CPR and AED.”
Terry is impressed with the donations given to the Red Cross which makes all their work possible and encourages people to continue to donate and also to volunteer at their local Red Cross office. 
“Your duties may be as simple as answering phones or actually going out to disaster scenes, whatever you are available to do,” Terry stated.  “We certainly couldn’t do the work we are doing if it wasn’t for the volunteers.  We wouldn’t be able to help people deal with the things they are going through without kind, caring people helping out.”
Everything that the Red Cross uses at disaster scenes is donated, according to Terry.  She encourages the public to continue to volunteer and contribute to the Red Cross and added without everyone’s kindness and generosity, they couldn’t help people when they need it most.
By Dana Neubert
Staff Writer



OBITUARIES

JERRY B. KRAUS
Jerry B. Kraus, 68, of Holden, MO, passed away August 4, 2008 in Warrensburg.
He was born May 29, 1940 in Rexburg, Idaho to Henry Kraus and Bonnie Barr.
Graveside services were held Friday, August 8, 2008 at noon at Floral Hills Cemetery.
Fond memories and condolences for the family may be left at www.dwnewcomers.com.  Arrangements were under the direction of D.W. Newcomer’s Sons Floral Hills Chapel, 7000 Blue Ridge Blvd., KCMO, 64133.


MILO A. SHAFER
Milo A. Shafer, 72, of Holden, Missouri, passed away August 7, 2008 at Holden Manor Care Center.
Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, August 15, 2008 at Maple Hill Cemetery, Kansas City, Kansas.  Visitation will be from noon until 1 p.m. Friday, at the Maple Hill Funeral Home, 34th and Shawnee Dr., Kansas City, KS.
Milo was born in Kansas City, MO.  He was a taxi driver for many years.
Survivors include three sons, Kenneth Shafer, Holden, MO, Darrell Shafer, Obieo, FL, and Bill Shafer, Tulsa, OK; half-brother, Donald Dean Shafer; and three grandchildren.
Arrangements are under the direction of Maple Hill Funeral Home.


BOBBY J. WILSON
Bobby J. Wilson, 61, Bates City, Missouri, died Tuesday, August 5, 2008 at the Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence, Missouri.
He was born September 21, 1946 in Independence, Missouri, the son of Wando Wilson and Mary Louise York Wilson.
On March 27, 1976, he married Dorothy A. Ford in Bates City, MO.  She survives at the home.
Bob worked as a machinist for the S&K Wood Products manufacturing plant in Lexington, MO.  He also was a mechanic for Oak Grove Auto Repair in Oak Grove.  He graduated from William Chrisman High School in 1964.  Bob was an Eagle Scout and a warrior in the tribe of Mic-O-Say with the additional responsibility of a Tom-Tom Beater.
Survivors in addition to his wife are a son, Stephen Bunner, Lincoln, MO; two daughters and husband, Sandra L and Darrel Fender, Odessa, Samantha Bunner, Oak Grove, MO; 10 grandchildren; sister, Sarah and Vernon Waterman, Holden, MO.
Preceding him in death were his parents, and a sister, Wanda Miller.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 9, 2008 at the Ralph O. Jones Chapel with Mr. John Majors officiating.  Burial was in Odessa Cemetery, Odessa, MO.
The family received friends from 7-8:30 p.m. Friday at the Ralph O. Jones Chapel.
Pallbearers were Mike Plachte, Al Edwards III, Al Edwards IV, Jim Richards, Richard Banes and Chris Ford.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association

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