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FRIDAY, JULY 16, 2021
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TRENTON
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TRASH TALK Council Addresses Complaints Over Trash Removal Complaints concerning trash removal in the city of Trenton dominated the conversation at Monday evening’s Trenton City Council meeting, where representatives from the city’s contracted trash hauler were put on the defensive. Jim Watje, owner of Rapid Removal, which has the city contract for residential trash service, appeared at the meeting at the request of the council to address ongoing citizen concerns about their service. City employees have been taking complaints about the service for the past few months. Larry Huffstutter, a former member of the council who said he voted to enter into the contract with Rapid Removal, told those present that he recently was told that Rapid Removal would not pick up three pieces of old carpet he needed to dispose of at his residence. Huffstutter
Historic District Discussed The public had a chance to voice concerns about the establishment of an historic preservation district in Trenton during a hearing held Monday evening at city hall. Diane Lowrey, who was at the meeting representing the Historic Preservation Committee, reminded those in attendance that the ordinance that governs a historic preservation district has been in place for several years and the only action needed is to actually designate the historic area. She pointed out the historical significance of the “flatiron” buildings in Trenton and said the proposed boundaries moved outside the downtown area when the former John and Mary Sue McCullough house on Crowder Road (now owned by Tyler and Ashlen Busick) was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and it was found that a small house owned by Sarah and the late Tom [See HISTORIC, Page 6] then took the carpet to the Rapid Removal facility, arriving at 3:25 p.m. He said he allowed a Rapid Removal truck to go in front of him to be weighed and when he pulled onto the scale at 3:32 p.m., he was told it was too late - that the scale closes at 3:30 and the carpet could not be unloaded. He was told to come back the next morning, which he did, and was charged $50 to dump the three pieces of carpet. He said he complained and left his number to be called, but three weeks later, he has received no call
from the company. It was noted that the cost to drop off items at the transfer station is $49 for items that weigh 0 to 1,999 pounds and $62 per ton. Other complaints that were made public at the meeting included the trucks not picking up the trash at all or not on the right day as well as only picking up a portion of what was to be hauled away. The owner at one address on Normal Street indicated trash had not been picked up for four weeks. [See COUNCIL, Page 6]
BRIEFS United Way Membership
The Grundy County United Way is accepting applications for organizations that would benefit from funding. Requirements for membership include having a 501(c) (3) tax exemption number, assisting with the annual residential canvas and additional fundraising opportunities and having a representative present at seven of the nine monthly meetings held throughout the year. Applications for the 2021-22 fiscal year are due by Aug. 18. Those interested in applying should text Connie Hoffman at 660359-1792 or email her at choffman@trentonr9.k12.mo.us.
Summer Events Downtown
Main Street Trenton has multiple events planned for August. An ice cream social will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 10 at the Rock Barn, sponsored by Main Street Trenton and the Trenton Area Chamber of Commerce. The event, which will run from 5 to 7 p.m., will offer free ice cream and cupcakes to celebrate the Missouri Bicentennial. Donations will be taken at the event for the Trenton Police Department’s “Shop With A Cop” program. On Saturday, Aug. 28, the Five Points Festival will take place in downtown Trenton. The event will feature entertainment, performances, food, arts and crafts, tournaments, shopping, vendors and more. The event is free to the public and runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. In conjunction with the Five Points Festival, Art’s Alive will hold the ‘Art’s On The Line’ t-shirt decorating contest. Shirts decorated with Missouri Bicentennial themes will be available for viewing at the Five Points Festival. The t-shirt decorating contest is open to all and registration is $10 and includes a plain white, size XL t-shirt for decorating. People can register and pick up a shirt at Dynamic Tax and Accounting, the Trenton Middle School office or from Tricia Key at North Central Missouri College. Entrants into the contest are asked to only design the front of the shirt and must have decorated shirts returned by Friday, Aug. 27 for display at the festival. A $50 cash prize will be awarded for first place with second and third places receiving $25 and $15 respectively. For more information on the contest, persons may contact Dan Maxey at 636-399-5371.
Commission Meeting Monday
The Grundy County Commission will meet Monday, rather than Tuesday, next week. The commission will open the 2021 Board of Equalization at 9 a.m., but since there are no appointments, it will be closed immediately. The commission will also meet with Myers Township officials at 10 a.m. to discuss road conditions.
R-T Photo/Seth Herrold
17TH STREET BRIDGE COMPLETE It’s been a long time coming, but as of late Monday afternoon, the 17th Street Bridge is open to traffic, making it a little easier to travel across Trenton. Boone Construction of Columbia was the contractor for the bridge replacement project.
Back-To-School Event Planned Bright Futures Sets Event For August 12 Plans are taking shape for the Grundy County Back-to-School Event, which will be held Aug. 12. The event, hosted by
Bright Futures Trenton, is a free needs-based day that will help get students from across the county ready to begin the 2021-22 school year. Grundy County Schools participating include Trenton R-9, Grundy R-5, Laredo R-7 and Spickard R-2. School supplies, back-
packs and Pass the Pride (mascot clothing) will be available from noon to 6 p.m. at the First Christian Church in Trenton for Trenton students; from noon to 3 p.m. at the Grundy R-5 Elementary School in Humphreys for Grundy R-5 students; from noon until 4 p.m. at the
Laredo School for Laredo R-7 students; and from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Spickard School gym for students in the Spickard R2 District. Refreshments and a movie will be offered at Trenton Cinema from 2 to 5 p.m., and free clothing, [See FUTURES, Page 12]
Gallatin And Spickard Aldermen Meet Gallatin Looks Into LAGERS Program For City Employees The Gallatin and Spickard boards of aldermen held meetings Monday evening, with the Gallatin board discussing a new retirement program possibility and the Spickard aldermen discussing an issue with a lift pump station. Gallatin The Gallatin Board of Aldermen
took a step toward moving from the current retirement system for city employees to the LAGERS program during a meeting held Monday evening. According to information provided by City Clerk Hattie Rains, the board heard a presentation from representatives of the LAGERS retirement program, who discussed what changing from the current 401K plan to the LAGERS plan would mean for the city and its employees. If the city chooses to enter into LAGERS, a new payroll case study will be needed and
would take about one month. The city would then have 45 days to pass a resolution with an effective date. The resolution would be sent to LAGERS within 10 days for it become official. Following discussion, the board voted to move forward with the payroll case study. In other business, Police Chief Mark Richards gave a report on incidents investigated within the city in the past couple of weeks and the board voted to approve a fireworks display application from the Daviess [See SPICKARD, Page 7]
Area Boards Hold Monthly Meetings Princeton, Newtown And Laredo Meet This was a big week for area school boards, with the Laredo R-7, Princeton R-5 and Newtown-Harris R-2 all holding meetings. Laredo R-7 The Laredo R-7 Board of Education met Monday, setting the lunch prices for the 2021-22 school year and accepting a bid for the sale of a bus. According to information provided by the district, board members set the price for lunch at $2.70 and
breakfast will be $1.60. A bid of $501.50 was accepted from John Engleman for the sale of a bus. Board members approved MSBA policy updates as well as the student/faculty handbook for 2021-22 and the Emergency Management Plan for 2021-22. It was agreed to offer voluntary student accident insurance. The board reviewed the budget, received a summer maintenance update and learned that the audit is scheduled for Aug. 5. An executive session was held, with no announcement made. The board agreed to hold [See BOARDS, Page 7]
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SPORTS...............PAGE 2 AGRICULTURE....PAGE 3 OP/ED................PAGE 4 CALENDAR..........PAGE 5 TAX SALE.....PAGE 6 & 7 COMICS...............PAGE 8 CROSSWORDS.....PAGE 9 CLASSIFIEDS.....PAGE 10 AREA.................PAGE 12
