5
K RUN
Come participate in the Madison Lion’s 5K Run/Walk in Scenic Amish Country. The walk will take place on Saturday, May 18, beginning at 10:30 a.m. There is a $20 entry fee. Register with Richard Milhollin at 573-4730593 or email richard.milhollin@ gmail.com Entry fees are due by May 11. Proceeds from the race/ walk to go towards much needed lighting for the veterans flag pole. For additional information on this 5K see the advertisement located on page 5.
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The oldest continuous newspaper in Monroe County, Since 1867
Thursday, May 9, 2013
(USPS 359-260) Vol. 146, Number 19 Paris, MO 65275 • 14 Pages • 1 Section • 50 cents
Sequester can affect small towns through services and program cuts
U. S. Post Office Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive Saturday, May 11 Postal carriers will be collecting donations of nonperishable food Saturday, May 11, for distribution to the poor. People wishing to donate are asked to put the items in a sturdy bag at their residential mailbox for pickup by letter carriers. Organizers ask that no glass containers be donated. The annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive “provides assistance to the millions of Americans who are struggling to put food on their tables every day.”
PARIS CITY WIDE GARAGE SALES
The City of Paris City Wide Garage Sales will take place on Friday, May 10 and Saturday, May 11. Maps can be picked up Thursday p.m., at various city locations.
MADISON GARAGE SALES MAY 25
Madison and area all town garage sale will be held on Saturday, May 25. To get your name on the map you need to leave your list with your name, address, phone number and list of items at Becky’s Restaurant, 660291-8259, call Cindy Hultz 660676-5797 or with Carol at the Community Center (2 – 5 p.m., Monday-Friday) 660-291-5478 or call Carol’s cell 660-651-6765. The deadline for getting the list in is Friday, May 17.
PARIS R-II SPRING ATHLETIC BANQUET
will be held on Tuesday, May 14, at 6:30 p.m. at the High School Gymnasium. Cake and ice cream will be provided.
MONROE COUNTY GARDENERS CHANGE MEETING DATE
Tara Sheffield, her staff and the Paris Senior Citizen’s Center will absorb Sequester cuts. APPEAL PHOTO
By Monroe County Appeal intern and University of Missouri Journalism Senior Jared Grafman Two months after across-the-board budget cuts took effect throughout the nation, local organizations have adapt-
ed accordingly. The federal sequester took effect March 1 as part of an effort by the U.S. Congress to manage and reduce the nation’s deficit. These reductions hit several organizations in Paris, and Monroe County, includ-
New R-II Board of Education President Glenda Miller called the regular board meeting to order at 6:18 p.m. All seven members answered roll call. The board members unanimously approved the consent agenda including financial statement and bills presented for payment; minutes of the March 19, Regular Board Meeting; transfer of funds (Fund 1 to Fund 2: $79,911.25, Fund 3 to Fund 1: $300.00); attendance report; transportation report; and substitute teacher. Concrete: Gary Barbee addressed the board about the concrete in front of the High School. The board members accepted the proposal from A Civil Group to look at the concrete at the High School. Athletic Budget: The board members unanimously approved the ath-
letic budget for 2013-14 as presented by Athletic Director Wade Billington. Extra Duty Salary Schedule: The extra duty salary schedule was increased as presented. Graduation Cords: The board members came to a consensus that they will only allow school sponsored events to have cords at graduation. CTA Salary and Welfare Committee: Brandy Forsyth presented to the board members the recommendations from CTA regarding salary schedules. A motion was made, seconded and passed unanimously to approve the certified salary changes for 2013-14 school year as presented, including steps and across movement allowed on the certified salary schedule, and raising the minimum insurance benefit for all fully eligible employees to be equal
u See SEQUESTOR on page A8
R-II Board of Education approves salary changes
to the HSA premium of $419. A motion was made, seconded and passed unanimously to approve the non-certified salary changes for 201314 school year as presented, including a raise to bus driver activities to $10/ hour, a 2% increase to their salary and $200 insurance benefit for all aides and paras for health insurance. A motion was made, seconded and passed unanimously to raise the minimum board paid insurance benefit to match the premium of the HSA plan for the 2013-14 school year for all employees that are eligible for full benefits. Lunch Prices: Lunch and breakfast prices were increased by $.05 for the
u See EDUCATION on page A7
ROTARY HOSTS AUDRAIN MEDICAL CENTER PRESIDENT
Monroe County Gardeners will be meeting on Thursday, May 16. It has been changed from Monday, May 13. Hamburger cookout is planned everyone is to bring a side dish. Meet at Lois Spencers, at 4:30 p.m. Plant exchange is planned everyone is to bring a plant and tell about it.
TPNB BAKED FOOD SALE MAY 10
The Paris National Bank will have a fundraising Baked Food Sale, on Friday, May 10, in the bank lobby, starting at 9 a.m.
ing the North East Community Action Corporation, the Paris Senior Center and the Monroe County Health Department. NECAC received just over 5 percent cuts to its program funds because of the Sequester, public relations officer Brent Engel said. But NECAC had already planned for 25 percent cuts to its fiscal year budget, before the sequester had even been announced, and adjusted pretty smoothly. “We’re not by any means flush, but we expected and prepared for budget cuts well ahead of the sequester,” Engel said. “One program we expect that will be hit, in June, is energy assistance to pay utility bills. It would have been hit already, but the winter money had run out by March.” Engel said that the budget for the energy assistance program will be at a reduced level when it sets in for the summer. The Monroe County Health Department took a cut from state funds to the tune of approximately nine percent of its budget for Local Aid to Public Health, Director Paula Delaney said. The department’s monthly budget fell for that program, from $2800 to $2000, for six months. “We’re a small county, so it hasn’t affected us too greatly yet,” Delaney said. “But it’s only a matter of time before we’ll have to cut services or lay off staff.” “Personnel expenses and staff salaries consume 75 percent of the Health
AMC President David Neuendorf, left, a guest of Rotarian Chuck Brazeale, addressed the Paris Rotary Club on Thursday, May 2. Neuendorf explained to the Rotarians that SSM Health Care and 88-bed Audrain Medical Center, in Mexico, have signed an agreement for SSM to own and operate the medical center and its nine MedChoice rural clinics that started April l.
SSM will also form a Mid-Missouri Region because of the proximity of the medical center and its clinics to St. Mary’s Health Center, in Jefferson City. Brent VanConia, president of St. Mary’s Health Center, will become interim president of SSM’s Mid-Missouri Region. “Bringing Audrain Medical Center into the SSM Health Care system and forming a Mid-Missouri Region will allow SSM to extend its health ministry to a new part of Missouri,” said William P. Thompson, SSM’s president and chief executive officer. “Audrain Medical Center recognizes the advantage of being part of a larger organization that is committed to continuing to serve the local community and they share a similar mission, vision and values.” A partnership with a larger health-care system provides the regional hospital’s patients access to a network of specialty physicians and support services. It also benefits from the expertise of a national, quality award-winning organization in an era of rapid industry and regulatory change. Audrain Medical Center is about 50 miles from St. Mary’s Health Center, a member of SSM Health Care. The acute-care hospital has more than 500 employees and 40 active physicians.
u See ROTARY on page A3