The first step in the possible removal of Ward I council member Veronica Burt was made at the Holden City Council’s regular meeting last Tuesday night when Ward II councilman Jim Nipko submitted a letter requesting that Burt be afforded a hearing to explain why she should not be removed from her council seat.
In his letter, Nipko stated that in his opinion, Burt is not adequately serving her constituents due to non-attendance at city council meetings.  “Ms. Burt has not attended any council or committee meetings since February 2008.  It is vital that all Holden constituents be adequately represented at each city council or committee meetings.”
Nipko cited Holden City Ordinances 21.1110 and 21.1120 which permit a request, in writing, for removal of a city council member.
Holden mayor Mike Wakeman suggested that the council send her a letter first asking for her to sign a letter of resignation.  If that could not be accomplished, then institute the hearing process.  The council agreed.
In other city council business, local attorney Karl Timmerman was named the new city prosecutor after competitive bids were reviewed at the meeting.  Timmerman was the successful bidder over three other submitters - Morgan Law Office of Warrensburg, Michael Branson Legal Services, also of Warrensburg and Natalie Peterson of Kingsville.
Timmerman’s bid included a flat rate of $1,200 per month and appeals if necessary at $100 per hour.
Nipko had nominated the incumbent Branson for the position while councilman Butch Shore seconded.  The motion was not carried as Shore abstained and councilmen Michael Zumwalt and Chad both cast no votes.  Zumwalt then nominated Timmerman while Manford seconded the nomination.  Timmerman received three votes - Manford, Zumwalt and Dorothy Wakeman - to one no (Nipko) and one abstention (Shore).
The council also  re-appointed Joe Willerth as the city attorney.
In another appointment, Ina Mae Fiscus was named by the council to serve on the planning & zoning commission.  According to Mayor Wakeman, there are still two positions vacant on the P&Z and also openings on the park and merit boards.
During the Holden Chamber of Commerce report by president Jo Ann Alpert, the council agreed to have the city serve as co-sponsors for another Battle of Holden Civil War reenactment  next year.  Alpert had told the council that the reenactors needed to know by the end of this month so there would be an opening on their calendar.
Mayor Wakeman said that the event was good for the community.  “If we can get cooperation to help sponsor the reenactment and keep city costs down, it’s a good thing,” he added.
Alpert had told the council that the reenactors had praised the City Lake site and the positive way they were treated during their time in Holden.
In her report, she also informed the council that this year’s Fall Fiesta, scheduled for September 11-13, will be highlighted by a B-2 Spirit flyover from Whiteman Air Force Base.  Serving as grand marshals for the annual parade will be the sesquicentennial history book committee.
Also during her report, Alpert informed the council that the previous Saturday’s Farmers’ Market had reached a peak of 26 vendors.
In other council business:
•The council decided to stay with their same city insurance carrier as they would not be able to get out of their contract without paying $10,000.  It was felt that their coverage and cost would be hard to duplicate elsewhere.
•A tax levy hearing is scheduled for August 26 at 6 p.m. at City Hall.
•A planning and zoning hearing on the rezoning of property at 500 E. Tenth Street to C-1 (commercial) will be held August 26 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.
•A resolution final reading was heard and passed to allow the city to make a lease/purchase of a culvert cleanout system with the Kansas State Bank of Manhattan, KS. 
•A resolution final reading was passed to allow the city to make an agreement with the Missouri Department of Transportation and the R-II School District to institute the Safe route to School sidewalk project.
•First reading were held on the 2008 property tax levy, conflict of interest ordinance and a cable TV franchise.
•The council agreed to institute a 90-day trial period for patrol officers of the Holden Police Department to use two surplus motorcycles purchased for $800 from the Kansas City PD.  The PD will write policies for the motorcycle’s use.




Duane Ottmar, president of Ottmar and Associates, Inc. and engineer for the new Kingsville water tower, was in attendance at the meeting of the Kingsville City Council last Tuesday night to answer questions from council members about the new tower.
“I am leaving you some information about the types of water towers you can purchase as well as a project manual; it has insurance requirements, prevailing wage information and technical specifications for the tank itself; your attorney needs to look at this.  Also your insurance carrier needs to see a copy to determine the needs of contractor insurance,” said Ottmar.
“We are ready for submission to the Department of Natural Resources and I am open to any questions you might have on the tower,” he added.
The council agreed to go ahead and submit the application for permit to DNR and Mayor Lloyd Stever questioned what steps would be involved in the process, asking if they can go ahead and request bids.  He was told by Ottmar that it would be better to wait on permit approval before requesting bids.
Ottmar then showed council members a set of drawings which showed the site behind Stahl that the city has title to.  He wasn’t sure how large the parcel of land was and Mayor Stever told him it was 156x94x112 feet.  He also showed a drawing that the contractor would use to determine where the new tower will be located.  He then gave the council two options on tanks; one being a modified stand pipe tank, which he said was an economical replacement for the existing one.  He explained how the system worked telling council members different temperatures can affect the water in some tanks.  “This tank is constantly circulating to keep the water fresh,” said Ottmar.  “This particular tank is 30 feet in diameter.”  Mayor Stever asked if there would be access from the top of the tower and Ottmar said there would as well as exterior and interior ladder systems in place.  He added a drain system is optional.
The second  option he gave to council members was that of glass-lined tank explaining that it was on a concrete base with piping running inside of a dry column.  It also had the same kind of circulation system as the first one.  He also recommended a flushing system where you can flush water without contaminating the entire tank.  Water supervisor Tony Lerda said they absolutely needed the flushing system in place on the new tower.
Ottmar went on to say the site would be surrounded by a chain link fence to keep trespassors out.  He also showed them where a new connection could be to connect to Johnson County Public Water Supply District #2, once the community settles on which tank they want.
There was some discussion on a new trunkline which would go across from north to south.  Lerda said they need to maximize the potential fire flows.  They talked about running another line under the railroad tracks and the problems they might encounter with that.
The bottom line, according to Ottmar, is that Kingsville’s old tank is “shot” and needs to be replaced.  A member made a motion to submit the construction permit and the motion passed.  Ottmar told the council work could begin in the fall and should be finished by the spring of next year on the new tower.
City attorney Natalie Peterson took a copy of the project to share with the insurance carrier for their feedback.  Mayor Stever questioned why the city needed to carry insurance on the contractor and Ottmar explained their insurance carrier would specify what kind of coverage the contractor needs to have.
Mayor Stever asked Lerda his opinion on the two different tanks and Lerda said, “The thing about a glass-lined tank is there is no maintenance on them, but if they fail, you just have to replace them.”
In reports, council members Ed Thomas and Herb Brockhaus said there were no building permits open at this time.  Brockhaus also told members about contacting KCP&L about a tree that needed trimming at the Sullivan place and hope they can do the job without charging the resident.
Mayor Stever also reported he contacted KCP&L to report a street light that was burnt out and the information needed to get it repaired.
Brockhaus went on to say in sewer operations, all was working fine.
Lerda added they would be laying new pipe on the following Monday in Kingsville.
In the city marshal report, Brian Hobbs told the council things had been quiet except for one incident.  “All the dogs we had picked up last month have been adopted out,” he said. “I picked up four dogs yesterday and have reports one is still running loose in town.”  Mayor Stever questioned Hobbs about the ongoing effort to clean up the city and Hobbs said some people are complying and others are not.  Mayor Stever said the city would offer to help those who need it saying, “I have a trailer available and would be happy to help anyone who needs it.”
In United Way news, Mayor Stever told members the Celebrity Waiter dinner will be held September 6.  “We will be buying a table and I will be calling all of you to buy tickets for the event.  United Way money goes to the recreation club,” said Stever.
In old business, Peterson told the council she is still working on the ordinance change which deals with the election of aldermen at large.
In other old business,  Mayor Stever read three bids received for the concrete work in front of the city hall.  After considering the bids, the council voted to accept the bid of Vanlander and Sons Concrete which was for $5,500 to do the sidewalk, driveway and handicap-accessible pads.  Council member Pastor John McRoy said he thought the company could begin work next week on the project.
In financial news, the council voted to set the new tax levy at .750 for the year.
In the absence of the city clerk, Sherry Johnson, Peterson read the minutes from last month’s meeting and they were approved by the council.  Mayor Stever read the financial report and the council voted to pay the bills for the month.  The mayor noted they had two cds coming due soon and they discussed the best way to invest the money.
 


   The subject of senior class trips was the hot topic of discussion at last Thursday evening’s regular meeting of the Kingsville School Board.
Many board members had comments on the subject as well as instructors Carol Link and Holly Bennett, who were in attendance.  Link wondered if, as teacher chaperones, they were covered by liability insurance in the event something happened.  Bennett confirmed that according to MNEA, teachers were covered on these class trips.
Fundraising and the inordinate amount of them was also discussed.  Board member Julie Stout said, “I think the senior trips are good for the students yet I understand the teachers’ concerns.”  Superintendent Kevin Coleman commented, “I don’t like all the fundraising and the focus on the trips, but some of our kids would never get these kinds of opportunities to travel without this trip.  I think they’re worthwhile and we’ve already got the sponsors lined up for this year’s trip.”  Board member Kristel Spies said she had some teachers call her with concerns about the trips.  “I see the trips as an opportunity for our kids but I don’t want our teachers to feel overburdened,” she stated.  Board president Martha Bush said she noticed some of the teachers were working exceptionally hard during the summer and their free time for these trips and that was very much appreciated.
Link questioned the board on the time teachers spent on fundraising and chaperoning the trips as it pertains to taking time away from what she feels is her primary purpose which is educating the students.  “Maybe we can compromise and limit trips to within a certain radius, or  put a cap on the trip,” she said.
The board discussed limiting the trips to a certain radius but felt it wouldn’t be fair to this year’s seniors who have worked for years to make money for their senior trip.
Board member Ed Barnett suggested leaving the trip as it is for this year and look at upcoming classes at a later date.  He made a motion to that effect and the motion carried.
In old business, Coleman gave board members a copy of the revised budget stating, “This copy reflects actual fund balances and is more accurate than the one adopted in June.  The biggest changes in expenses are for fuel and food,” said Coleman.  Bush noticed there was a 28 percent reserve balance and thought that was a good thing.  Coleman agreed with her but said Kingsville’s enrollment is up by 15 students compared to last year.  He said members would receive a modified version of the budget next month.
In other old business, Coleman told board members the tax rate hearing which was originally scheduled for August 14 has been rescheduled to August 21 at 7 p.m.
In other old business, Coleman gave board members a copy of the board’s goals for the school year.  “We want to share these with the staff and post them in the building.  They encompass finances, education and building welfare,” he said.
In transportation news, Coleman informed board members they have had to purchase shocks, new tires and batteries for some of the busses to get them roadworthy for the school year.  In maintenance news, he said there is still one small leak up by the office, but that is a great improvement over how the roof used to be.  He said they will be getting the leak repaired as soon as possible.  He also shared with board members that Ken Brannon will replace the existing radio antenna, which had been damaged in the wind, with a new one.  The antenna is used for radio communications, he added.
In enrollment news, Coleman reiterated the fact that they have approximately 15 new students and most of them are in the elementary school.
In elementary reports, principal Angela Helms said, “Our teachers are working hard on their rooms and curriculum and that is a very tedious job.  They are all very excited about the first day of school.”
In high school reports, principal Lorna Warren reported her teaching staff deserved a huge pat on the back for their hard work and said she was very proud of them.  She also shared with the board the ACT report she recently received comparing Kingsville students to the state averages on test scores.  The graph showed the number of local students who took the test, compared to the state numbers.  It broke down figures into categories of English, math, reading, science, composite.  An example of the results showed that students who graduated from Kingsville scored 92 percent in college English composition, compared to a 73 percent at the state level.  The tests help determine if students are equipped for college studies.
In superintendent news, Coleman told board members he was presenting them with an addendum to existing policies which covered pocket knives at school.  “There is currently nothing in place to address the issue and this  policy will do that,” stated Coleman.  The board voted to adopt the new policy.
It was mentioned that Meet the Teacher Night was Monday, August 18, from 5-6:30 p.m. with refreshments provided by the PTO at 6:30 in the multipurpose room.
In sports news, Coleman told board members Kingsville had 20 students who went out for softball; 12 for volleyball; and 13 for cross-country.
The board then voted to go into executive session and the regular meeting of the Kingsville Board of Education closed to reopen September 10 at 7 p.m.  


OBITUARIES


IRENE J. BEJA
Irene J. Beja, 78, Blairstown, MO, passed away Wednesday, August 13, 2008, at her residence.
Irene Josephine Meade was born June 26, 1930 in New York City, New York, the daughter of Albert Edward Meade and Elizabeth Ann Clarkson Meade.  She was united in marriage to Victor Beja in 1958 in New York City, where she resided for the majority of her life.  She had been an executive secretary for International Food & Fragrances for many years.  In 2006, she moved to Blairstown to be closer to family.
Survivors include two sisters, Rita Mahoney of East Stroudsburg, PA, and Monica Wall of Blairstown, MO; several nieces and nephews; great-nieces and great-nephews.  Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Victor, in 1974; both parents; two sisters; and one brother.
A private memorial service was held at Williams Funeral Chapel in Holden with Father Peter M. Savidge of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Holden officiating.
There will be a private interment in the Wall Cemetery, located near Blairstown, Missouri, at a later date.
Online condolences may be left at www.williamsfuneralchapel.net.


DALE “GENE” GUDDE
Dale “Gene” Gudde left this life on August 6, 2008.
He was the son of Edward Nickolas Gudde and Nora Mae (Hampton) Gudde, born July 2, 1944 in Holden, MO.
He had been a heavy machine operator and truck driver all his life, and was employed by Mail Contractors of America in Kansas City.
Preceding him in death were both parents; a brother, James E. Gudde; two sisters, Mary Catherine Visentin and Margaret Ann Bedsaul.
He is survived by one daughter, Monica Gudde; one grandson; and one great-grandson, of Tucson, AZ.
Cremation under the direction of Dickey Funeral Home, Garden City - Harrisonville, MO.
Graveside services will be published at a later date and will be held at Garden City Cemetery.


TERRY BRANDT HENNING
Terry Brandt Henning, 67, Chilhowee, died Wednesday, August 13, 2008 at his  home in Chilhowee, MO.
He was born July 3, 1941 in Bates City, MO the son of Louis “Broad” Henning and Josephine Hendrickson Henning.
On June 13, 1970, he married Jo Ann Henning in Bates City, MO.  She survives at the home.
Terry was employed by Allis Chalmer (AGCO) for 31 years and was a lifelong farmer. In 1961, Terry enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he served until 1967. Terry graduated from Odessa High School in 1959 and was a member of the Chilhowee Tractor Antique Tractor Club.  He was a member of the Chilhowee Baptist Church, Chilhowee, MO.
Survivors, in addition to his wife, are a son and wife, Mark and Mary Henning, Kansas City, KS, son and wife, Kirt Henning and KelLe Malkewitz, Poultney, Vermont; daughter and husband, Leah and John Raffiani, Warrensburg, MO; five grandchildren, Seth Henning, Kearney, MO, Jocelyn Raffiani, Lincoln, NE, Ean, Maggie and Landon Raffiani, Warrensburg, MO; brother, Ronald Henning, Bates City, MO; sister and husband, Ruth Ann and Jon Grote, Centerview, MO.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 16, 2008 at the Chilhowee Baptist Church with Pastor Matt Goodsell officiating.  Burial was in Carpenter Cemetery, Chilhowee, MO.  Military funeral honors were held at the cemetery in Chilhowee.
The family received friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday at the Ralph O. Jones Chapel.
Pallbearers were Robert Bursby, Bill Hoy, John Furrey, Mark Lacey, Ronnie Parker and Larry Kinchelor.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Chilhowee Baptist Church Building Fund.

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