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Friday, July 31, 2020
REPUBLICAN-TIMES TRENTON
Trenton, MO 64683
75¢
per copy 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 - 156th Year - No. 94
TRENTON CITY COUNCIL
2020 NCM FAIR Swine, Rabbits and Poultry
Go-Ahead Given For Delayed Purchases
Trash Service Concerns Addressed Residents of Trenton, who can provide proper proof of residency, will be allowed to dispose of bulky items at no cost at the Rapid Removal transfer site in north Trenton following an agreement reached at Monday night’s Trenton City Council meeting. Owner Jim Watje and his attorney, Brad Grill, met with the council to address complaints the city has received from residents regarding trash service. City Attorney Tara Walker, on behalf of the council, had sent a letter to Rapid Removal addressing the customer concerns, which included not picking up bulky items being left at curbside, charging customers for bringing those items to Rapid Removal and liquid leaking from trash trucks. The letter asked that a representative be present at Monday night’s meeting to discuss the concerns. Watje said that due to the COVID-19 pandemic Rapid Removal had made the decision to change its pickup procedures for the health and safety of its employees. The changes included tem-
porarily suspending pickup of bulky items as well as asking customers to bag all trash for disposal. Watje distributed photos taken along several routes throughout the city, showing trash scattered at the pickup sites and not being bagged or placed in containers. City ordinance does require trash be placed in a container for pickup. The company did not announce to the media that it had made changes to its pickup policy, although TMU Comptroller Rosetta Marsh said a notice had been placed on the city website. Under the city contract, one bulky item (such as a couch, recliner, etc.) that weighs 150 pounds or less can be picked up at curbside at no cost to the customer. Because of the suspended pickup service, customers have been taking those items to Rapid Removal, but were being charged a fee. Watje said the charge was being made due to not being able to identify whether or not those bringing items are actually city residents. In addition, persons were bringing several items for disposal
NORTH CENTRAL MISSOURI COLLEGE
17tth Street Bridge Wo ork Trenton City Administrator Ron Urton has issued a written statement regarding work on the 17th Street Bridge project. According to Urton, the contractor for the project, Boone Construction, is claiming the company encountered rip rap or rock debris at one location during excavation for the foundations. The contractor, the city and the project engineer, Olsson and Associates, are in discussions as how to resolve the issue at the location and keep the project moving forward. He said the city is also working with the contractor to ensure the work in other areas of the project is progressing.
rather than just the one as allowed in the contract. Council members suggested, and Watje agreed, that persons taking a bulky item for disposal provide proof of city residency, such as a driver’s license and/or utility bill. As provided by the contract, only one bulky item would be allowed for disposal at no cost each week. If more than one item is brought for disposal, the customer would be charged for the additional items. Watje said that Rapid Removal is also trying to address the truck leakage situation, noting that water gets into the
GRUNDY COUNTY COMMISSION
students will be required to wear masks and although they will not be required, they will be encouraged. It was stressed the plan is a living document and will likely change as conditions change. NCMC President Dr. Lenny Klaver said the plan is not going to absolutely stop the virus on campus. “We can’t stop it, but we can reduce the risk,” he said. In another COVID-19-related area of business, the board voted to apply for CARES Act funding through Grundy County. That application, due by Aug. 1, will be for $89,000 to be used for hardware, laptops for staff members and some funding for COVID-19 testing. Trustees approved several personnel items, including the employment of Erin Gardner of St. Joseph as the full-time associate director of admissions. She will be paid $42,500 annually See NCMC, Page 3
division of the Missouri Secretary of State. Commission members met with Seventh District State Rep. Rusty Black to discuss legislation from the last session. Among the items discussed were MoDOT resurfacing, possible re-districting, prisoner per diem, voter regulations, rural broadband access and overall economic vitality in the region. FEMA issues were discussed with the road and bridge department meeting with Shannon Howe of Howe Engineering to evaluate a FEMA site located on SE 63rd Ave. The site involves the re-
Trren ton n R-9 Regiistrattion Information has been announced regarding the 202021 registration process for current and new students in the Trenton R-9 School District. Returning students may begin enrolling on Monday, Aug. 3 via the Trenton R-9 Parent Portal. Parents/guardians can log-in and select the registration tile to begin the process. A link to the Parent Portal can be found on the school website, www.trentonr9.k12.mo.us. Parents/guardians who cannot access the Parent Portal are asked to contact the respective school in which their child will be enrolling (Rissler, 359-2228; Trenton Middle School, 359-4328; Trenton High School, 3592291). New student registration will be done in person from Aug. 10 to Aug. 20. Appointments are required and can be made by contacting their respective school at the telephone numbers listed above.
The Trenton R-9 School District will hold a public tax rate hearing on Tuesday, Aug. 11, prior to the regular meeting of the board of education. The hearing is at 5:25 p.m. in the Trenton High School Commons. The district will be setting its levy at $4.4135 on the $100 assessed valuation, which is $.2865 cents higher than a year ago due to a drop in the district’s assessed valuation. The levy is anticipated to generate $3,360,699. The levy includes 90 cents for the debt service levy, which is used to pay off bonds associated with the new construction project now under way at the high school/middle school complex, Rissler Elementary School and C.F. Russell Stadium.
Bllood Drrive Att Ga alt The Community Blood Center will hold a blood drive in Galt on Tuesday, Aug. 4. The drive will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Galt Lions Hall and is being sponsored by the Galt Baptist Church. Walk-ins are welcome, however appointments can be made by contacting Martha Jackson at 660-673-6527 or going online to esavealifenow.org. Those donating will receive a Mr. Rogers’ “It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” shirt. ********** 2020 NCM FAIR LIVESTOCK SHOWS at Livestock Pavillion - 4 p.m. Friday, July 31 - Sheep Saturday, Aug. 1 - Beef Cattle
See County, Page 3
National Weather Service
Partly sunny this weekend with highs in the 80s and lows in the upper 50s. There is a slight chance of rain on Sunday night before skies become sunny on Monday. Trenton’s high on Monday, July 27 was 86. The high on Tuesday was 90 and Wednesday’s high was 83, with a low of 71. A total of .86 of an inch of rain was recorded during this period. There was no report from the Government Weather Station near Spickard.
The Grundy County Clerk’s Office will be open on Saturday for those who wish to vote absentee in the Aug. 4 Primary Election. County Clerk Betty Spickard said the office will be open from 8 a.m. until noon for those who wish to vote. Absentee ballots can be cast until 5 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 3.
R -9 Tax Le evy He earing Se et
Township Board Changes Made
fice by Aug. 1. The commission gave its approval for changes that were recently made in the roles of those elected to the Myers Township board. All of those affected were elected to positions, however, according to Ray, their offices have changed due to the health of one member. Shelly Cunningham, formerly serving as clerk, is now a trustee and replaces Jake Batson, who is now serving as a board member with Darrel Cunningham, who will continue to serve as board president. Carrie Wyrick, formerly a board member, is now the clerk. The process was completed under the advisement of the elections
See City, Page 3
Clerk’s Office e Ope en
CARES Act Distribution Formula Gets Approval During a meeting on Tuesday, the Grundy County Commission approved a funding formula for distribution of CARES Act funding and approved changes in the roles of those elected to positions in Myers Township. Presiding Commissioner Phil Ray said the formula for distribution of CARES Act funding will use percentages of assessed valuation for distribution to taxing entities within Grundy County. Any funds not distributed in the initial disbursement will be combined for a second round of distribution to entities on an as-needed basis. Intergovernmental agreements are due to the Grundy County Clerk’s of-
trash and does leak on occasion. He said that some of the truck drain plugs have been loose in the past and are now checked on a daily basis. The council voted to give the goahead for the police department to purchase a 2020 all-wheel drive vehicle to replace a police car with 109,000 of service miles. The car purchase had been included in the 2020-21 budget, but was put on hold after city officials were asked to delay making any large cost purchases until city tax receipts
Briefs...
Personnel Approved
Procedures Outlined For Return To Classes North Central Missouri College trustees reviewed a “Return to Fall Plan” during a meeting on Tuesday evening that also saw the board hire a new associate director of admissions. The “Return to Fall Plan” was developed with input from college employees and the Grundy County Health Department as well as following guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control. The plan calls for the entire campus, including all sites, to be open to the public initially, although it is understood that some buildings will have limited availability and slower responses. The policy covers students, staff, how to reduce the risk of transmission, travel restrictions, a plan for exposure (infected, suspected infected, close contacts to confirmed or probable cases) and continued monitoring. Phase Three will involve the return to normal operations when possible. Procedures are also in place for safe operation of the Ketcham Community Center and the residence halls. A discussion was held on whether or not
The North Central Missouri Fair Swine Show drew a large number of exhibitors on Thursday evening at the livestock arena. There were 158 entries in the show, up from 149 at the 2019 event. The show included 11 pee wee exhibitors, with three of those being age four and under and eight ages five and over. It was a great day for Chillicothe resident Jaiden Rodenberg, who exhibited the supreme champion market animal, the supreme champion gilt and won the showmanship award for exhibitors age 11 to 14. Other winners on the day were Cass Kleeman of Braymer, who exhibited the supreme champion boar, Macie Rodenberg of Chillicothe, who was the showmanship award for ages 8 to 10, and Dawsyn Lightner of Chillicothe, who was the senior (ages 15 and over) showmanship award winner. Reserve champion honors went to Ada Fox of Galt, market animal; Carlie Kleeman of Braymer, boar; and Blane Heussner of Tina, gilt. The breed champions for the show were as follows: Boars Berkshire - Graydee Rains of Gallatin, champion, Johannes Oaks of Newtown, reserve; Duroc - Timothy Summers of Chillicothe, champion, Seth Summers of Chillicothe, reserve; Spotted Maggie Horton of Chillicothe, champion, Carson Rhodes of Chillicothe, reserve; Yorkshire - Cass Kleeman, champion, Leanna Smith, reserve; Crossbred - Carlie Kleeman, champion, Chase Bowen of Hamilton, reserve. Gilts Berkshire - Emma Whitlock of Milan, champion, Chase Bowen, reserve; Chester White - Haley Kidd of Trenton, champion, Blane Heussner, reserve; Duroc Jaxon Lollar of Chillicothe, champion, Maci Johnson of Chillicothe, reserve; Hampshire - Maci Johnson, champion, Chase Bowen, reserve; Hereford - Jenna Rains of Gallatin, champion, Trent Peniston of Chillicothe, reserve; Landrace - Kaitlyn Bird of Gallatin, champion; Poland China - Macie Rodenberg, Chillicothe, champion, Haley Kidd, reserve; Spotted - Jaxon Lollar, champion, Kaitlyn Bird, reserve; Yorkshire Blane Heussner, champion, Jaiden Rodenberg, reserve; Crossbred - Jaiden Rodenberg, champion, Dawsyn Lightner, reserve. Market Animals Boars, Berkshire - Warren Meservey of Trenton, champion; Duroc - Seth Summers, champion; Hampshire - Colby Gillespie, champion; Hereford - Grant Oaks, Newtown, See Fair, Page 3
What’s Inside... Freshman players will have an impact on the 2020 edition of the Trenton High School foootball team. See page 2 of today’s Republican-Times for comments from Coach Kevin Hixson about the first-year players.
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PARTLY SUNNY
Livestock Judging Begins
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What’s Inside
Sports.............................page 2 Local News.............page 3 & 7 Opinion/Editorial .........page 4 Community ...................page 5 Agriculture....................page 6 Comics ...........................page 7 Crosswords....................page 8 Dear Annie...................page 11 NASCAR .....................page 11