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Friday, October 11, 2019
TRENTON
REPUBLICAN-TIMES
75¢ per copy Check out the Republican-Times on the Internet: www.republican-times.com ©W.B. Rogers Printing Co., Inc.
Established Sept. 4, 1864 - 156th Year - No. 12
Trenton, MO 64683
TRENTON PARK BOARD
Twelve Pages & 1 Insert R-9 SCHOOL BOARD Construction Update
2019 Pool Season Update Given
GHRA Asks For Agreement Changes Representatives of the Green Hills Recreation Association were at a meeting of the Trenton Park Board on Wednesday, seeking some changes in the agreement between the two entities. Cara McClellan spoke to the board about the current agreement involving ball field usage during the summer ball season. At this time, the non-profit GHRA pays $25 per game for games played on Johnson, Griffin and Burleigh Grimes fields with no charge for games played at either of the two fields at Moberly Park or at the t-ball field at Van Meter Park. The other part of the agreement includes the park board paying the GHRA $35 per night to operate the concession stands at the ball fields. At the end of the 2019 season, the GHRA had paid $1,800 in field
fees. With the amount owed to the GHRA for operation of the concession stands, the park department actually ended up owing the GHRA $650. It was noted that the GHRA is the only organization within the Harrison County League, in which Trenton competes, that pays a fee in addition to taxes to use the fields. In response to a question from Park Board member Curtis Crawford, Taya Ray shared some statistics, including that 25 teams comprised of 275 athletes and 65 coaches played for the GHRA in the 2019 season, a number that has stayed pretty consistent since 2017. A larger number, 34 teams representing 352 athletes, was involved in 2016, the first year of the GHRA’s existence. Since 2016, 1,163 youth have been in-
GRUNDY COUNTY SALARY COMMISSION
volved in the organization’s summer ball program. GHRA representatives discussed the economic impact the program has since each team plays at least six home games, bringing teams to Trenton from Princeton, Jamesport, Mercer, Pattonsburg, Gilman City, Galt, Cainsville, Ridgeway, Eagleville, Bethany, Winston and Leon, IA. What the GHRA proposed to the park board on Wednesday is that the entity pay the $25 per field per night, rather than per game, since there are often multiple games per night on the field. In addition, the GHRA would like to end its agreement to operate the concession stands because it is difficult to find parents to run them. It was also mentioned there could be some improvement in the offerings for the con-
TRENTON R-9 SCHOOL DISTRICT
Columbus Day Closings
ett, Grundy County Coroner Dewayne Slater and Grundy County Public Administrator Jill Eaton. Those voting “no” were Mrs. Spickard, Grundy County Presiding Commissioner Phil Ray, Grundy County Associate Commissioners Joe Brinser and Don Sager, Grundy County Collector-Treasurer Barb Harris and Grundy County Assessor Kathy Veatch. Following that vote, Mrs. Eaton made a motion that all elected officials receive a 1 percent cost of living increase. Herring seconded the motion, which was approved on a 7-3 vote. Those voting in favor were Ray, Mrs. Harris, Slater, Mrs. Veatch, Puckett, Mrs. Eaton and Herring. Those voting against the motion were Mrs. Spickard, Sager and Brinser.
No Classes On Oct. 18, 21
ing place from 2 to 7 p.m. Parents of TMS students are asked to stop by the office to pick up their student’s first quarter report cards prior to meeting with their teachers. Grade cards not picked up during conferences will be mailed out on Tuesday, Oct. 22. At THS, conferences will also be held from 2 to 7 p.m. and parents will be able to pick up grade cards in the office. In addition to meeting with teachers, parents will also have the opportunity to attend sessions on various topics. They
AREA SCHOOL BOARDS
include a general Q&A on APlus scholarships, vo-tech, dual credit and weighted classes at 4:30 p.m.; a senior parent meeting and Financial Aid Night at 5:30 p.m. (a representative from North Central Missouri College will be available to help with FAFSA applications); and information on technology and the Google classroom at 6:30 p.m. All sessions will be held in the media center. There will be no classes on Friday, Oct. 18 or Monday, Oct. 21.
curement plan and code of conduct for the food service program as well as approved MSBA Policy 2019B after its third reading. Several car seats and a utility sink were declared surplus property. Mrs. Steinhoff reported on several upcoming events, including the start of the seventh and eighth grade basketball season on Oct. 14 with games See Boards, Page 4
The ninth annual Fields of Faith event will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 16, featuring Penney High School alumnus Kellen Overstreet. The event will get under way at 6 p.m. at C.F. Russell Stadium with free food, fellowship and tailgate games, followed by the main event at 7 p.m. The evening will conclude with testimonies and encouragement from local and area students who will challenge other students to put their faith in Christ into action. Following a standout athletic career at Penney High School, Overstreet played football for the University of Wyoming Cowboys. He is currently a football coach for the Maryville Spoofhounds. Students in grades seven through 12 and college are encouraged to participate and the event is open to anyone in the community who would like to attend. Children in sixth grade and under are welcome if accompanied by an adult. For more information persons can contact Kasey Bailey at kbailey@trentonr9.k12.mo.us. Droppin
National Weather Service Temperatures are going to drop this week with a high on Saturday of 57 and lows falling into the mid 30s over the weekend. The high on Monday, Oct. 7 was 74, Tuesday’s high was 72 and Wednesday’s high was 62, the low was 50, with .16 of an inch of rain recorded. The high on Wednesday at the Government Weather Station near Spickard was 61, the low was 52 and .66 of an inch of rain fell.
An administrator has been appointed for the Sunnyview Nursing Home and Apartments, following a meeting of the Grundy County Nursing Home District Board of Directors on Monday. Jerry Doerhoff, LNHA (licensed nursing home administrator) was appointed to the position at a salary of $85,000. Doerhoff had previously served as administrator at the Grand River Health Care in Chillicothe. He will begin his duties on Oct. 16. An open house is planned for 3 p.m. on Friday in recognition of current administrator Donita Youtsey, whose last day will be on Monday, Oct. 14. Mrs. Youtsey has been administrator the past 11 years. The board will hold its regular montlly meeting at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 15 in the conference room of the nursing home. Items on the agenda include discussion of energy improvement projects and financing and the administrator’s and RCF reports. An executive session for personnel and legal matters is also planned.
Fields Of Faith Is Oct. 16
Pleasant View R-6
school election. He will be sworn in at the Nov. 14 meeting. The board approved a change in policy related to the donation of leave days to other employees. Employees can now donate a maximum of six leave days per calendar year to another who is out of leave days. In the past, only two days per calendar year were allowed. The board approved the pro-
Agenda Set For Commission
Sunnyview Administrator
Thomas To Fill Board Term The Pleasant View R-6 Board of Education selected a new member during a meeting on Tuesday night. According to information provided by R-6 Superintendent Rebecca Steinhoff, the board approved an application from Ben Thomas to become the newest member of the R-6 Board. Thomas will fill the term of Jill Reeter, who resigned earlier this year, and will serve until the April 2020
Several offices and businesses have announced their plans to close on Monday, Oct. 14 in observance of the Columbus Day holiday. Closed will be the Trenton City Hall/TMU (no city council meeting), Grundy County Courthouse, the Grundy County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Trenton Area Chamber of Commerce/License Bureau, the Grundy County-Jewett Norris Library, the Grundy County Health Department, the North Missouri Children’s Advocacy Center, Green Hills Regional Planning Commission (the Career Center will also be closed), Community Action Partnership of North Central Missouri, Farmers Bank of Northern Missouri, Farmers State Bank, Citizens Bank and Trust, US Bank and BTC Bank. The Trenton Post Office will be closed on Monday and there will be no mail delivery or box mail. The Republican-Times office will open on Monday for regular business hours, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The Grundy County Commission will meet in regular session Tuesday at the courthouse. The group is scheduled to meet with Ambulance Director Steve Tracy at 10 a.m., and will travel to the Grundy County Opportunity Center during the morning to attend an open house.
Parent-Teacher Conferences Set For Thursday, Oct. 17 Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held in the Trenton R9 School District on Thursday, Oct. 17. Classes will be dismissed early on that day, with Rissler Elementary School being dismissed at 12:55 p.m. and Trenton Middle School/Trenton High School being dismissed at 1:07 p.m. At Rissler, teachers have scheduled conferences with parents. Grade cards will be sent home prior to the conferences. At TMS, conferences will be first-come, first-serve, tak-
See Park, Page 4
Briefs...
Two Votes Taken
Elected Officials Approved For Cost Of Living Raise The Grundy County Salary Commission met on Tuesday morning, taking two votes before approving a 1 percent cost of living increase for elected officials. According to Grundy County Clerk Betty Spickard, the first vote was 6-4 against a motion made by Grundy County Sheriff Rodney Herring, which would have raised the annual salaries of elected officials by $2,000 with the exception of the sheriff’s position, which would have received a $6,000 increase. In making the motion, Herring cited language in Missouri Statute 50.327. That motion was seconded by Grundy County Prosecuting Attorney Kelly Puckett and failed after receiving only four “yes” votes, which were cast by Herring, Puck-
cession stand. GHRA representatives also suggested that the park board keep the $650 owed to the GHRA for the 2019 season and use it to improve the Lower Moberly Field, which has a drainage issue. The park board was without a quorum on Wednesday and didn’t take any votes, but Board President Duane Helmandollar said the board is currently looking at all costs and fees within the park system and while the board was not prepared to make any decisions at this time, the proposal will be considered. Also meeting with the park board was Alexis Whitney, who has served as manager of the Trenton Family Aquatic
What’s Inside... THS will be sending two golfers to the Class 1 Sectional Tournament at Kirksville on Monday. See page 3 of today’s Republican-Times to learn more about Maci Henson’s and Oakley Madden’s district tournament performances.
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DROPPING TEMPS
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Board OKs Grant Requests Grant requests were approved and a construction update was given during a meeting of the Trenton R-9 Board of Education on Tuesday night. In the only action taken in open session by the board, two grant applications were approved for submission. Fifth grade teacher Christy Gibler is asking the GEC Foundation for $500 to purchase grade-level reading books for the fifth grade reading library while kindergarten teacher Debbie Young is requesting $498.70 from the Missouri State Teachers Association to purchase books and items for student activities associated with the books. No local match is required for either grant. The vote on the GEC match was 4-0 with Brandon Gibler abstaining and Doug Franklin, Corey Leeper, Marci Cutsinger and Cliff Roeder voting in favor. Dorothy Taul and Dr. David Whitaker were absent. The vote on the MSTA grant was 5-0. Dennis Gutshall, who is serving as project manager for the construction work at the middle school/high school campus, Rissler School and C.F. Russell Stadium, said that initial dirt work is under way, with the dirt excavator to be at the performing arts center on Wednesday. He said a 30-inch layer of dirt will be removed, which will then be replaced with “approved fill.” The Internet and intercom system to the ag/art and music buildings is being rerouted, with the wiring to be placed underground. Production of the precast panels for the performing arts center will begin in December, with installation scheduled in late January or early February, depending on the weather. The original high school sewer line is also scheduled for replacement to avoid any issues in the future. Gutshall also said that work on the concession stand at the stadium will begin on Oct. 22 and it is hoped the footings and floorings can be in place before winter. The board heard reports from Director of Special Services Tara Hoffman regarding the R-9 Special Education Program as well as the Assessment/Testing Program. She noted that ACT testing for juniors will take place on Feb. 25 while MAP testing will be conducted from April 21 to May 1. It was announced that parent-teacher conferences would be held on Thursday, Oct. 17 with no classes being held on Oct. 18 and Oct. 21. Following an executive session, the board voted to accept the resignation of Kelli Griffith as colorguard coach. Molly Norman was approved as a substitute.
What’s Inside Sports .....................page 2 & 3 Local News...........page 4 & 10 Community ...................page 5 Calendars ......................page 5 Agriculture....................page 6 Comics ...........................page 7 Dear Annie ....................page 8 Crosswords....................page 8 Classifieds ............page 9 & 10