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Friday, July 5, 2019
TRENTON
REPUBLICAN-TIMES Established Sept. 4, 1864 - 155th Year - No. 87
Trenton, MO 64683
ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORT
Records Show Farmers Get Past Aid Package Limits off the backs of taxpayers while young and beginning farmers are priced out of the profession. This needs to end. The Department of Agriculture needs to re-evaluate its rules for awarding federal funds and conduct more thorough oversight of where it's funneling taxpayer dollars." USDA officials said they believe its rules are being followed and that procedures are in place to audit recipients. About 83 percent of the aid under the Market Facilitation Program has gone to soybean farmers because they've suffered most under China's retaliatory tariffs. The program sets a $125,000 cap in each of three categories of commodities: one for soybeans and other row crops, one for pork and dairy, and one for cherries and almonds. But each qualified family member or business partner gets their own $125,000 cap for each category. Farmers who produce both soybeans and hogs, for example, would have separate caps for each and could thus collect $250,000. But there are legal ways around those caps. USDA data show the biggest beneficiary has been DeLine Farms Partnership and two similarly named partnerships registered at the same address in Charleston, Missouri, that collected nearly $2.8 million. They're led by Donald DeLine and his wife, Lisa DeLine. Their attorney, Robert Serio, said the partnerships qualified legally and probably could have qualified for more if not for the caps. He said each partnership farms around 27,000
JULY REGULAR MEETINGS
Trenton R-9, Princeton R-5, Tri-County R-7
acres and is made up of eight or nine partners who all meet the "actively engaged" requirement. USDA spokesman Dave Warner said the department couldn't comment on the specifics of the DeLines' operations but that such a large claim was likely audited to ensure eligibility. At Peterson Farms in Loretto, Kentucky, eight members of the family partnership collected a total $863,560 for crops grown on over 15,000 acres, including wheat and corn used at the nearby Maker's Mark bourbon distillery. Co-owner Bernard Peterson said it didn't make up for all their losses at a time when it was already hard to be profitable. The $1.65 per bushel aid payments for soybeans fell well short of losses he estimated at $2 to $2.50 per bushel. "It's a big number but there are a big number of people directly depending on the success of our operation in the community," he said. The numerous ways around the caps mean that millions of subsidy dollars flow to "city slickers who are stretching the limits of the law," said Scott Faber, senior vice president of government affairs at the Environmental Working Group, which has criticized federal farm subsidy programs as biased toward big producers and promoting environmentally damaging farming practices. Urban dwellers might play only a small role in an operation See Aid, Page 10
BRIGHT FUTURES TRENTON
planned. Princeton R-5 The Princeton R-5 Board of Education will hold its regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, July 8 at the high school. Items on the announced agenda include a construction project update, student and staff handbooks, approval of the demolition bid for the Ballew Street property, discussion of facility and grounds equipment needs for 2019-20, approval of bids for bread, milk and fuel, administrative report and setting the tax rate hearing for Aug. 19. An executive session for personnel, records and real estate is also planned.
Ten Pages & 1 Insert
Commission To Meet The Grundy County Commission will hold its reguar weekly meeting on Tuesday, July 9 at the courthouse. The only item listed on the agenda thus far is a 10:30 a.m. meeting with Ambulance Supervisor Steve Tracy.
ED Committee Meets The Economic Development Committee of the Trenton City Council met on Tuesday night, discussing several items but taking no official action. The committee had a conference call with David Martin of Gilmore Bell to discuss financing options the city could make available for businesses that may want to locate in the community, including Tax Increment Financing, tax abatements and tax additions (formation of transportation and/or community improvement districts). It was decided to ask city attorney Tara Walker to draft changes to the city’s zoning ordinances to allow conditional use permits to be issued in residential zones where a bed and breakfast-type business is currently not permitted. The committee also heard updates from North Central Missouri Development Alliance Director Micah Landes and Trenton Main Street/Trenton Downtown Improvement Association Director Megan Derry.
P&Z, BOA Hearings The Planning and Zoning Commission and Board of Adjustments of the Trenton City Council held hearings on Monday night at city hall. On a 6-0 vote, members of the planning and zoning commission approved a conditional use permit request from Steve Merrin on behalf of John Hudson, who plans to have an Airbnb in a home Hudson and his wife plan to purchase from Merrin at 2105 Brookside Drive. According to Assistant City Clerk Tracy Maberry, the Hudsons, who currently reside in Nebraska, plan to reside at the home and would be renting out two of the bedrooms to shortterm visitors. The request goes on to the city council for final approval at its meeting on Monday night, July 8. On a 4-0 vote, the board of adjustments approved a variance request from Scott and Mackenzie Weldon to allow them to place a Type 2 electronic sign on property at 1212 E. Ninth St. The decision of the commission is final on this request and requires no more action.
Downtown Paint Party
Construction Tops Board Agendas Several area boards of education will be holding their regular monthly meetings next week. The Trenton R-9 Board of Education will meet in regular session at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 9 in the district office. Trenton R-9 Items on the announced agenda include discussions with representatives of George K. Baum and Ellison-Auxier Architects regarding the upcoming construction project, lunch prices, student activity accounts, grants, setting the tax rate hearing date and a report on summer school. An executive session for personnel is also
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Briefs...
$12 Billion To Help With Effects Of China Trade Dispute
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — When President Donald Trump's administration announced a $12 billion aid package for farmers struggling under the financial strain of his trade dispute with China, the payments were capped. But many large farming operations had no trouble finding legal ways around them, records provided to The Associated Press under the Freedom of Information Act show. The government paid nearly $2.8 million to a Missouri soybean operation registered as three entities at the same address. More than $900,000 went to five other farm businesses, in Indiana, Illinois, Tennessee and two in Texas. Three other farming operations collected more than $800,000 and 16 others collected over $700,000. Recipients defended the payouts, saying they didn't cover their losses from the trade war and they were legally entitled to them. Department of Agriculture rules let farms file claims for multiple family members or other partners who meet the department's definition of being "actively engaged in farming." But U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley, an Iowa Republican who has long fought for subsidy limits, and other critics say it's the latest example of how loopholes let large farms collect far more than the supposed caps. Grassley said in a statement to AP that some of the nation's largest farms are receiving huge subsidies "through underhanded legal tricks. They're getting richer
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Tri-County R-7 The Tri-County R-7 Board of Education will meet in regular session at 6 p.m. on Monday, July 8 in the superintendent’s office at the school in Jamesport. Items on the announced agenda include the superintendent’s report; approval of bids for milk, bread and fuel; a report on summer maintenance projects; approval of the employee and student handbooks; lunch prices; a certificate of deposit renewal; an MSBA policy update; a budget review; and setting Aug. 22 as the date for the tax rate hearing. An executive session for personnel is also planned.
Main Street Trenton-Trenton Downtown Improvement Association is sponsoring a “downtown paint party” on Thursday, July 11. The event will take place at 6 p.m. in the TDIA-owned building at 905 Main St. Trenton resident and Grundy R5 art instructor Trisha Sharp will lead the class, which will include creation of an old-time sign. Persons do not have to know a thing about painting to take part. The cost is $25 and includes the paint and supplies. Light snacks will also be provided, however, participants are asked to bring their own beverages. To make a reservation, persons can contact Megan Derry at 654-3716 or at director.mstrenton@gmail.com. The deadline to register is Saturday, July 6. ************* Trenton Band Boosters Ice Cream Social & Concert 8 p.m. on Friday, July 12 Sesquicentennial Park
Activities Planned Tuesday, Aug. 6
Second Annual Back To School Event Set Plans are being made for the second annual Bright Futures Trenton Community Back to School event, being held to benefit Trenton R-9 students and families who need assistance in meeting back to school needs. This is truly a community event with Bright Futures, Grundy County Health Department, local churches, organizations and individuals coming together to meet the needs of children in the community. A large planning team comprised of community members has announced that Tuesday, Aug. 6 is the date of this year’s event. Some changes and additions have been made this year, including extending the time for the events being held at Trenton High School. Activities begin at THS, where par-
ents can enroll their students online from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. By keeping these events open until 6 p.m., Bright Futures is hoping to accommodate working parents who may not be able to bring their students throughout the day. Computers will be available and R-9 staff will be present to assist in the enrollment process. Pass the Pride, a sharing of gently worn Trenton Bulldog apparel, will take place at THS as well as distribution of school supplies for Trenton R9 students in need. For the first time this year, local Boy Scouts have collected gently-used gym shoes and will make them available for elementary students at this location. Trenton Cinema is offering free popcorn and drinks from 2 to 6 p.m. for those families who are out and about for the events throughout the
day. The Grundy County Health Department will hold its annual school health fair, providing health screenings, sharing safety information and distributing school supplies to area students who participate. The screenings are scheduled from 4 to 7 p.m. at the First Christian Church and events being held there are open to all students in Grundy County. The First Christian Church will also host the First Assembly of God’s student hygiene products ministry, “Suds for Students,” which is an addition to this year’s back to school activities. The First Baptist Church will be hosting a clothing room. Families can come and select like-new clothing for their students’ back to school needs. Also at this location, Hodge Presbyterian Church will be providing new
What’s Inside...
National Weather Service Slight chances of thunderstorms throughout the weekend, ranging between 30 to 40 percent, with highs in the high 80s and lows in the 70s. The high at the Government Weather Station in Trenton was 93 on Monday and Tuesday, with Tuesday’s overnight low being 73. The high on Tuesday at the Government Weather Station at Spickard was 92, the low was 74.
shoes to students in need through their “New Soles for Bright Futures” ministry (the student receiving the shoes must be present). Local hair stylists are volunteering their time to provide free basic back to school haircuts from 4 to 7 p.m. The day will end at Moberly Park, where Trenton Hy-Vee is providing a cookout from 6 to 8 p.m. for participating families. A swim party at the Trenton Family Aquatic Center, sponsored by the Grundy County Health Department, will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. The cookout will feature hot dogs, chips, cookies and drinks and is open to all families who participate in the day’s events. Pool Party passes will be provided by the health department to any student in the county who participates in the health screenings at the First Christian Church, along
University Extension columnist Duane Daily writes about how the weather is affecting cattle feed in his column, “Hometown Boy,” which appears on page 3 of today’s RepublicanTimes.
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with his/her family. Last year over 160 backpacks with school supplies were provided to students and 190 students in Pre-K through 12th grade started the year with a new pair of shoes. What an impact this community made in the lives of so many students. Bright Futures Trenton is seeking volunteers to help throughout the day. Persons who would like to share their time to help meet the needs of local families are asked to contact Bright Futures Trenton Co-Coordinators Terri Critten (tcritten@trentonr9.k12.mo.us) or Lynn Griffin (legriffin 1987@gmail.com). Persons can also watch for specific volunteer requests on the Facebook page - Bright Futures Trenton.
What’s Inside Sports.............................page 2 Agriculture....................page 3 Op/Ed ............................page 4 Community ...................page 5 Calendars ......................page 5 Comics ...........................page 6 Dear Annie ....................page 7 Crosswords....................page 7 NASCAR .......................page 9