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Friday, December 27, 2019
TRENTON
REPUBLICAN-TIMES Established Sept. 4, 1864 - 156th Year - No. 34
Trenton, MO 64683
BRIGHT FUTURES
Bulldog Challenge
Event To Benefit Food Programs For the third year in a row, Bright Futures programs at Trenton and Gallatin will be the beneficiaries of the “Bulldog Challenge,” an event in which items will be collected to meet the basic needs of students in the Trenton R-9 and Gallatin R-5 school districts. This year’s challenge will take place at the Tuesday, Jan. 7 girls and boys varsity basketball games between the two schools, which will be taking place at Gallatin. Both towns will have backpacks at the game, where fans can bring
food donations that will be used for the seventh through 12th grade weekend food packs provided by each school. The backpacks will be located at the admission gate. In addition to food items, monetary donations will also be accepted. The food pack donation will also be the donor’s admission to the games, which tip off at 6 p.m. All gate receipts will go toward the Gallatin weekend food pack program as well, so See Challenge, Page 4
TRENTON REPUBLICAN-TIMES
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Ten Pages & 2 Inserts
Briefs... Tax Payment Drop Box Grundy County residents are reminded that a drop box is located outside the Grundy County Courthouse for the convenience of those who are paying their 2019 taxes. The secure drop box is located outside the north door of the courthouse, where payments can be made any time. Grundy County Collector/Treasurer Barb Harris said her office, located on the second floor of the courthouse, will be open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 30 and Tuesday, Dec. 31 to allow residents to pay their taxes. Tax payments that are mailed must have a Dec. 31 postmark to be considered paid on time.
Amendment On Agenda The Grundy County Commission is planning to amend the 2019 budget during its meeting set for Tuesday. The commission will meet with Jessica Burns of the Missouri Department of Transportation at 9 a.m. to discuss bridge inspections, followed by approving an amendment to the 2019 budget regarding the drug court federal grant received in October. The commission also plans to meet with Ambulance Director Steve Tracy at 10 a.m.
Filing Dates Are Announced The filing dates for the Aug. 4, 2020 primary election have been announced. Those wishing to file may do so from 8 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020 until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31. Those filing for the statewide offices of governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, sixth district U.S. representative and seventh district state representative may do so in the James C. Kirkpatrick State Information Center in the Ashcroft Building in Jefferson City. Those seeking the Grundy County offices of first district commissioner, second district commissioner, assessor, coroner, collector/treasurer, public administrator and sheriff may do so in the county clerk’s office, located on the second floor of the courthouse.
R-T Office Closing Early The Republican-Times newspaper will close early on Tuesday, Dec. 31 for the New Year’s holiday. The office will close at noon and also be closed on Jan. 1. The office will re-open at 8 a.m. on Jan. 2 for regular business hours.
2019 Year-End Review
Levies, New Superintendents Top Area News It was a busy 2019 in Trenton, Grundy County and the surrounding area. Here are just a few of the highlights from January to April, as documented by the Republican-Times. January The Western District Court of Appeals ruled against the Hickory Neighbors United, Inc. in its lawsuit to keep a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) from locating on property southwest of Trenton. The lawsuit is seeking a judicial review of a decision by the Missouri Clean Water Commission’s Administrative Hearing Commission to award an operating permit to Trenton Farms RE. The Missouri Supreme Court heard an appeal of the appeals court ruling in September, but has yet to announce a decision. The University Extension Council went before the Grundy County Commission, requesting additional funding from the county in its 201920 budget. Citing a cut in funding at the state level, the council requested $24,000 from the county, an increase of $4,000. State statute requires the county provide some funding for extension. The county eventually settled on a $20,000 expenditure for extension. The Trenton R-9 Board of Education voted to put a “no-tax” increase levy proposal on the April ballot, asking voters to approve continuation of a 90-cent levy to fund up to $7 million in building improvements. The levy vote received overwhelming support in April, allowing the district to construct a new performing arts center as well as make improvements at the high school, middle school and elementary school. A new concession stand is also being built at C.F. Russell Stadium. As part of the project, donations have been received from Troy and Cathy Smith ($25,000) and the Hoover Foundation ($125,000) to make upgrades to the performing arts center. The Trenton City Council overrode a veto by Mayor Dr. Nick McHargue, moving forward with hiring the firm of Gilmore and Bell to prepare documents for a $1.2 million loan the city was to receive for the new fire training facility. The city had already purchased the burn tower at a cost of $700,000, with the rest of the money to pay for development of the site. After approving Gilmore and Bell on a 4-2 vote, Dr. McHargue vetoed the vote, saying he was not happy with the additional cost to the city and that
the interest being paid by the city would be tax exempt to the lender. The council then voted 6-0 to override the veto. The loan was eventually approved by the council. Work has been done on the training center site and the burn trailer has been installed. Dr. Beverly Hooker officially retired from the Green Hills Head Start program after 32 years, including 21 as the program director. She was the subject of a story appearing in the Republican-Times. Seniors Morgan Axtell and Wayne Baxter were crowned the Grundy R5 homecoming queen and king on Jan. 17. Trustees approved a two-year extension of the contract for North Central Missouri College President Dr. Lenny Klaver, keeping him on board through 2023. His salary was set at $160,000 when trustees approved the 2019-20 college budget later in the year. It was announced that Dr. Molly Harp would be joining the staff of Wright Memorial Hospital. A resident of Hamilton, she began work with the Physicians’ Group in February. Mike Stegman was named superintendent of the Trenton R-9 School District, replacing Dan Wiebers, who would leave Trenton at the end of June to accept the superintendent’s job in Chillicothe. Stegman came to Trenton from the Cimmaron-Ensign Unified School District 102 in Kansas, where he had been superintendent since 2016. He received a three-year contract, with a staring salary of $110,000. The Grundy County Commission approved the 2019-20 budget, which showed a deficit of just over $502,000. Commissioners, who voted 2-1 to approve the budget, said they hoped to see that deficit shrink during the year. Expenditures included a 25cent per hour pay increase for employees and a 5.6 percent increase in health insurance costs as well as a 21.9 percent increase in worker’s compensation and an 8 percent increase in liability insurance. Don Sager cast the lone no vote. February Megan Derry of Trenton was named executive director of the Trenton Downtown Improvement Association. As part of her duties, she is also leading Trenton’s participation in the Missouri Main Street Connection program. The TDIA, during its annual meeting, re-elected Phil Hoffman, Dr. Lenny Klaver, Sarah
R-T Photo/Diane Lowrey
A public meeting held in March to revive arts in the community has resulted in “Art’s Alive,” an organization working to develop a schedule of arts programs for area residents. Dan Maxey is the Art’s Alive president.
investigate the cause of the blaze, which has yet to be determined. The chamber and license bureau eventually found a new home, relocating to 611 E. Ninth St. The NCMC Foundation recognized four individuals during the Pirates Ball. Honored as Distinguished Alumni were Allan Seidel, Arnie Arneson and Evelyn Trickel. Delores Kuttler was recognized as a lead contributor. March The Trenton R-9 Board of Education approved salary increases for the 2019-20 year that added $600 to the base of the salary schedule as well as a $50 increase to each column of the schedule, beginning at the master’s level and moving right. Non-certified staff received a 30-cent per hour increase to their salary schedule and both groups were allowed to move one step on their respective schedules for years of experience. Staff who have received 100 days of sick leave were also given permission to bank up to five days. The Trenton City Council said no to a proposal that would have allowed for the city to make a $2 million loan between two utility department funds to help pay for work needed at the wastewater plant. After several attempts to get the loan approved, the council decided not to move forward and, instead, is borrowing money to do the project as well as using certificates of participation TMU has available from past projects. The headworks project, which had originally been estimated to cost around $3 million, is now costing the city $3.981 million.
What’s Inside...
National Weather Service Rain is likely throughout the weekend with highs ranging from 60 on Saturday to the low 40s on Sunday and Monday. The lows are anticipated in the low to mid 30s. The high in Trenton on Monday, Dec. 23 was 59 while Tuesday’s high was 57. The high on Christmas Day was 63 and the overnight low was 43. There was no report from the Government Weather Station near Spickard.
Maloney and Bonita Price to its governing board, which was expanded from nine to 11 members. Sena Arnold and Michael Baugher were elected to fill those positions. Seniors Taylor Richman and Max McNabb were named the 2019 THS courtwarming queen and king. Named as THS Students of the Quarter for the Second Quarter were Sidney Lynch, senior; Halley Windsor, junior; Royce Jackson, sophomore; and Kaylor Farris, freshman. Pharon Pilgrim and Jamee Scearce were named the NCMC homecoming king and queen during events held on Feb. 4. Recognized as the family of the year was the Eaton family of Mound City. The Trenton R-9 Board of Education revised its 2018-19 school calendar due to weather, but delayed action on the 2019-20 calendar, which is based on attendance hours rather than days. It was recommended that hourly employees not on a 12-month contract be paid for days missed due to the weather. The board eventually agreed to change the payment method for those employees, who would receive their salary over a pay period similar to those on a 12-month contract. William Dow was hired as the new principal at Grundy R-5 Junior/Senior High School. Dow, who had served as principal in the Tina-Avalon District, began his duties on July 1. R.W. Keuhn and Phil Schlarb were announced as the Trenton Area Chamber of Commerce 2019 “Pillars of the Community” and were honored during the chamber’s annual meeting in March. Also honored were Modine Manufacturing and Sunnyview Nursing Home and Apartments, Business of the Year; and Green Hills Recreation Association, Organization of the Year. As part of the THS Senior Night basketball activities, the Chillicothe Hoops Tournament made a $10,000 donation to the Howie Lynch family to help with expenses incurred while Lynch was undergoing treatment for cancer. The money was raised from a tournament held earlier in the year. A fire on Feb. 18 destroyed buildings housing three downtown Trenton businesses, including the Trenton Area Chamber of Commerce/License Bureau. Scott Treadwell was owner of the buildings that housed This and That Pawn Shop and Antiques and the Cut and Curl Beauty Shop. The State Fire Marshal’s office was called in to
While it may be the Christmas holiday season, high school basketball continues at the NCMC Holiday Hoops. See page 2 of today’s Republican-Times for photos and recaps of games being played at the Ketcham Community Center.
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Kasey Bailey was named the new principal at Trenton High School, effective with the 2019-20 school year. Bailey had been assistant principal at THS as well as an eighth grade social studies instructor. Efforts to revive arts in the community got off to a good start with a public meeting at NCMC that drew more that 50 individuals. From that meeting, a new organization was formed, “Art’s Alive,” which has elected officers and board members and is in the planning stages of putting together a schedule of arts programs. Dan Maxey is president of the organization, which meets on the third Tuesday of each month. The NCMC Board approved an increase in tuition and fees for 2019-20. Credit hours were to go up between $2 and $4. Nursing fees were increased $100 per semester. For those living in the residence halls, board rates were increased 2 percent, however, room rates remained the same. April The Trenton Park Board adopted a deficit budget for the new year, beginning on May 1. The deficit was blamed on a projected drop in sales tax revenue. Linda Crooks was elected Trenton mayor, defeating incumbent Dr. Nick McHargue. Elected to the council were Glen Briggs, first ward; Danny Brewer, second ward; Cathie Smith, third ward; and John Dolan, fourth ward. Jack Derry won the open seat on the Trenton Township Board and voters in the Laredo R-7 School District approved continuation of a $1.40 See Year End, Page 4
What’s Inside Sports.............................page 2 Agriculture....................page 3 Opinion/Editorial .........page 4 Community ...................page 5 Calendars ......................page 5 Comics ...........................page 8 Crosswords....................page 7 Dear Annie ....................page 7 NASCAR .......................page 9