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Friday, November 16, 2018
REPUBLICAN-TIMES TRENTON
Trenton, MO 64683
Check out the Republican-Times on the Internet: www.republican-times.com ©W.B. Rogers Printing Co., Inc.
Twelve Pages & 1 Insert
Established Sept. 4, 1864 - 155th Year - No. 22
TRENTON CITY COUNCIL
placement of the new plant. Two cranes would be used on the first day at a cost of $2,500 each for eight hours. The cost for day two and beyond would be $250 per hour along with $150 per day for crew to operate the cranes. Street Supervisor Martin Schieb anticipates the work to take around three days. The council also accepted a bid from Hammel Scale for truck scales at the plant The $48,570 bid was the lowest of three received. The council also agreed to sell four motors from the old plant to Jared Lamma at a cost of $1,050. Lamma has already received the bid for the scrap metal from the old plant. The council approved several ordinances, including: • a one-year agreement with Danny Stevens to rent a portion of the large hangar at the Trenton Municipal Airport at a cost of $325 per month. After one year, the agreement would continue on a month-bymonth basis until 30 days written notice is given by either party. (Vote 7-1; Lou Fisher voted no). • an agreement with Customized Environmental Solutions of West Des Moines, IA for the removal, transportation and disposal of lime sludge at the city’s water treatment plant at a cost of $43.39 per dry ton up to 1,500 tons; $41.50 per dry ton over 1,501 tons. The contract runs through April 30, 2019. (Vote 8-0). • an agreement with Independent Electric Machinery Company of Kansas City, KS for appraisal testing services and maintenance on the city’s switchgear substation equipment at a cost of $10,735. (Vote 8-0).
AREA SCHOOL BOARDS
TRENTON R-9 Construction Update
Briefs...
Facility Purchase Approved
Fire Training Efforts Moving Forward The Trenton City Council addressed several items during a meeting on Tuesday night at city hall, including issues involving development of a fire training facility on city-owned property behind the fire station. The council formally approved purchase of a fire training tower from American Fire Training Systems of Lockport, IL. The five five-level, 1,690 square foot module tower is being purchased at a cost of $722,860. The council agreed to a seek financing through Community Leasing Partners, contingent upon final terms of the agreement. The Manhattan, KS firm, which is also financing the city’s recent fire truck purchase, had submitted a proposal to finance up to $1.179 million of the project, which has been estimated at around $1.3 million with the tower purchase, site preparation and other work. The proposal had a fixed rate over a 20-year period. Fire Chief Brandon Gibler said that in visiting with the firm, the possibility exists that additional funding can be secured at a fixed rate and that the agreement could be extended out, which he hopes to confirm and bring back to the council for its final approval. Gibler said it was possible the rate could even be lowered. Gibler would like to be able to pay for the project over a 24to 25-year period. The loan would be paid back through funds the city receives from the fire tax approved by voters in 2017. Bids regarding the city’s new asphalt plant were also approved. The council accepted the lone bid from Dille Crane Service to help with
75¢ per copy
Light Commission Agenda
Summer School Success
The Grundy County Commission will hold its regular weekly meeting Tuesday at the courthouse. The only item listed on the announced agenda is a 10 a.m. meeting with Ambulance Director Steve Tracy.
• accepting and approving 32.999 feet of Riverside Drive and the cul-de-sac located at the end of the drive, including dedication for public use. (Vote 8-0). An ordinance regarding changes in the city’s building permit ordinance addressing mobile homes was defeated on a 0-8 vote. This came after the council heard from individuals who operate mobile home parks within the city limits, who felt the permit fee was unfair as well as the requirement to have mobile homes inspected prior to being placed within the city limits. Lindsay and Danny Stevens noted that the homes they purchase are inspected by the city once they are placed in the mobile home park as well as being inspected every time occupancy changes, which is already required by ordinance. Fisher, who said he asked if the city had such an ordinance, said he wanted to make sure that the city was protected from having “junk trailers” being brought into the city for rental purposes. Approval was given for the council to accept property at 111 W. 11th St. being conveyed to the city by the owner, Tammy Posey. The city would be responsible for paying back taxes of just over $1,000 as well as the closing costs to obtain the property. The council had already approved the property for demolition, with that work to be paid for by the city. Building Inspector Donnie Vandevender said money for the costs would come from the city’s 2018-19 demolition fund. The mayor asked for sugSee Council, Page 7
R-T Thanksgiving Deadlines With the Republican-Times office being closed on Nov. 22 and 23 for the Thanksgiving holiday, news and advertising deadlines for the Friday, Nov. 23 newspaper have been changed. The Nov. 23 edition will be published on Wednesday, Nov. 21 due to the Thanksgiving holiday. News to be included in the Nov. 23 edition must be received at the newspaper office no later than 8 a.m. on the 21st. Advertising for the Nov. 23 edition must be submitted to the Republican-Times office no later than 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 20.
personnel with no action taken. The next meeting of the board is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 11. Laredo R-7 The Laredo R-7 Board of Education will have two vacancies to fill in the 2019 board election on April 2 with the three-year terms of Sheila Thompson and Kristi Urich expiring. The filing dates were set by the board at Monday night’s meeting and will be from 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 11 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 15. Interested persons can file in the school office during regular business hours. The office will be closed at 1 p.m. on Dec. 21 for the Christmas break and will reopen at 8 a.m. on Jan. 7. The board set Monday, May 6 as the eighth grade graduation date and approved Friday, April 26 for the eighth grade trip. Approval was given to a request for students to attend a Christmas movie on Dec. 21. The winter dance for students in grades five through eight
Another successful summer school program was held in the Trenton R-9 School District, according to information presented to board members during a meeting on Tuesday night. Superintendent Dan Wiebers said that 348 students participated in the 2018 program, with average daily attendance at 92.9 percent. The students received 161 hours of instruction/program participation through the “Summer Journey Program” provided by Catapult Learning. Results from surveys completed by 201 parents showed 90 percent recommending “Summer Journey’ to other parents desiring quality summer programing. All 17 district staff surveys completed indicated a positive experience with the program and recommended using it again. It was noted that the R-9 District would receive around $90,000 after all expenses for the program are paid, including around $100,000 for staff salaries. E’Lisha Gass, who served as the summer school administrator, said she would recommend the program be used again. She said she has retired as the summer school administrator after this past year, having served in that role for several years as well as teaching summer classes. The board heard an update regarding a possible district building project being considered by the board. Wiebers said that an agreement is being negotiated between the district and Ellison-Auxier Architects and that representatives of the firm have met with R-9 patrons and staff regarding ideas for projects the board might consider. Wiebers said that the firm is currently narrowing the list of suggested projects to a list of projects which the district could afford if a levy were to be approved. He said that he anticipates bringing sample ballot language to the January board meeting for consideration. The board is looking at a “no tax increase” project to place before voters to make improvements to school facilities. The middle school and elementary school projects currently being funded by a 90-cent levy will be paid off next year, with the levy being eliminated unless voters choose to extend it for use in other building projects. Four possible projects have been suggested, including enclosing the open area between the high school/middle school complex and the music building, including a performing arts facility; improvements to the middle/school high school media center; and improvements at C.F. Russell Stadium. In other business, the board: • set the filing dates for per-
See Boards, Page 7
See R-9, Page 7
Thanksgiving Dinner Set The Union (Coon Creek) Baptist Church will hold its annual public free Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, Nov. 22. As occurs each year, persons will be able to go to the church and enjoy a meal of turkey, homemade noodles and all the fixings, beginning at 11:30 a.m. Members of the church, along with local and area volunteers, prepare and serve the meal at the church to members of the community. The meal is offered free of charge, however, donations are accepted to help with costs in providing the food. Homebound residents who are unable to get to the church can have a meal delivered to them. Persons wanting to have a meal delivered or who would want to volunteer for meal delivery are asked to call Dianna Crawford at 660-359-3094 or 635-0760 (if no answer, leave a message). Messages can also be left at the church, 789-2246.
Bloodmobile At Trenton The Community Blood Center will bring its bloodmobile to Trenton on Monday, Nov. 26. The bloodmobile will be held from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the North 65 Center. The Trenton High School FCCLA is sponsoring the visit. Appointments can be made online at esavealifenow.org, clicking the “Schedule an Appointment” icon and entering the sponsor code “trenton.” FCCLA Margaret Moullenhour can be contacted at 3592291 for more information.
Pizza With The Police The Trenton Police Department will host its first-ever “Pizza with the Police” program on Tuesday, Nov. 27 at Royal Inn Pizza. The event will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. and offers an opportunity for citizens to meet and visit with members of the Trenton Police Department. Citizens are encouraged to attend and ask questions about the department, special programs or law enforcement in general.
Grundy R-5, Pleasant View R-6, Laredo R-7, Princeton R-5, Newtown-Harris
Grundy R-5 Superintendent Plans To Retire An administrator’s retirement was announced and filing dates were set by area boards of education during meetings this week at Grundy R-5, Pleasant View R-6, Laredo R-7, Princeton R-5 and Newtown-Harris. Grundy R-5 Grundy R-5 Superintendent Rob Deaver announced his retirement at the end of the current school year during Wednesday’s meeting of the Grundy R5 Board of Education at Galt. Deaver has served 14 years as superintendent in the R-5 District, where he also taught science for 12 years. He has also served as high school principal in the Braymer C-4 School District as well as one year as superintendent in the Pleasant View R-6 School District. The board set the filing dates for the April 2 board election for Tuesday, Dec. 11 to Tuesday, Jan. 15. Interested patrons can sign up in the superintendent’s office at the high school in Galt during regular business hours. The three-year terms of Randy Radcliff and Danny Berry will be expiring and there will also be a one-year unexpired term
to fill. In other business, the board approved the purchase of extended liability insurance coverage through MUSIC as well as several new policies and updates. It was announced that average daily attendance at the elementary school is 96.83 percent while the junior/senior high school attendance rate is 96.94 percent. The board received updates on sophomore and junior class testing and was told that the elementary school Christmas program would be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 10 at the school in Humphreys. Recognition was also given to several students receiving elementary student of the month, FFA and junior high basketball honors. Following an executive session, the board approved an early graduation request from a student. The next board meeting will be held at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 12 at the high school in Galt. Pleasant View R-6 Several bids were approved by the Pleasant View R-6 Board of Education
at its meeting on Tuesday night. Jim Norris will be painting the school gymnasium during the Christmas break while Moore’s Woodworking will install new guttering on the school building. Luke Gibson and Damien Little will construct and install sound boards in the gymnasium. OSBA was approved as the school’s health insurance provider beginning in January. The board heard updates regarding the early childhood special education program, which has received 100 percent on the special education review for both the compliance and financial components. A second reading on policy updates was also held. Superintendent Rebecca Steinhoff reported on several upcoming events, including a Veterans Day program and luncheon on Friday, Nov. 16. There will be an early-out on Tuesday, Nov. 20 for the Thanksgiving holiday with no classes scheduled for Nov. 21, 22 and 23. The school’s Christmas program will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 14. An executive session was held for
National Weather Service Expect highs in the mid 30s and low 40s over the weekend and into the first part of next week with a chance of snow on Saturday. Lows will be in the 20s. The high on Monday at the Government Weather Station at Trenton was 27 (with a trace of snow), Tuesday’s high was 31, Wednesday’s high was 38 and the overnight low was 16. Wednesday’s high at the Government Weather Station near Spickard was 39, the low was 19.
What’s Inside... The NCMC men’s and women’s basketball teams hosted Southwestern Iowa CC in a pair of games on Tuesday night. See page 2 of today’s Republican-Times for a recap and photos from the two games played at the KCC.
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What’s Inside Sports ............................pages 2 Local News..............page 3 & 7 Opinion/Editorial ............page 4 Community .....................page 5 Agriculture......................page 6 Comics ............................page 8 Dear Annie......................page 9 Crosswords .....................page 9 NASCAR ......................page 11