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Friday, August 7, 2020
REPUBLICAN-TIMES TRENTON
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Established Sept. 4, 1864 - 156th Year - No. 96
Trenton, MO 64683
PRIMARY ELECTION
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12 Pages & 1 Insert
Chumbley Wins Three-Way Race
County Elects New Commissioner Grundy County will have a new commissioner representing the second district as Republican Brad Chumbley defeated two other candidates, including the incumbent, during Tuesday’s Primary Election. A total of 1,858 persons, representing 37 percent of the registered voters in the county, cast ballots. Chumbley won the second district commission seat with 442 votes. Incumbent Joe Brinser finished with 296 votes while Martha Roberts received 245 votes. Chumbley won four of the district’s five voting precincts - Laredo, 25 (Brinser, 18, Roberts, 24); Spickard, 41 (Brinser 19, Roberts 15); NCMC, 168 (Brinser, 72; Roberts, 78); and First Christian Church, 136 (Brinser 90; Roberts, 81). Brinser captured one vot-
ing precinct, 63 at Galt (Chumbley 40; Roberts, 24); and the absentees, 34 (Chumbley 32; Roberts 34). Because there was no Democrat candidate, Chumbley will face no opposition on the November ballot and will assume his new duties on Jan. 1. There were no other contested county races on the Republican ticket, with incumbents First District Commissioner Don Sager, Sheriff Rodney Herring, Collector/Treasurer Barbara Harris and Public Administrator Jill Eaton all being re-elected. There are no Democrat candidates on the November ballot. All terms begin on Jan. 1 with the exception of Mrs. Harris, whose new term doesn’t start until April 2021. Nathanial Curtis was the lone Republican candidate for assessor and will
have no opposition for the November General Election. He will replace Kathy Veatch, who is retiring. He will assume his duties on Sept. 1, 2021. Constitutional Amendment 2, which expands Medicaid in Missouri, was defeated by Grundy County voters. There were 537 in favor and 1,544 against. The measure was approved statewide. Seventh District State Rep. Rusty Black, R-Chillicothe, received 1,726 votes in Grundy County as the only GOP candidate. Districtwide, Black received 6,536 votes. He has no opposition in November. Sixth District U.S. Congressman Sam Graves was the Republican favorite for another term in Grundy County as well as the rest of the district. Graves received 1,493 votes in the
county while his opponent, Chris Ryan, collected 348 votes. On the Democrat side, Ramona Farris received 93 votes to win the county race against four other candidates - Gena Rose, 38; Henry Martin, 37; Charles West, 36; and Donald Robert Sartain, 5. Ms. Farris will face Graves in the November election along with Libertarian Jim Higgins. Grundy County results for statewide office included: Republican Governor - Mike Parson, 1,069; Saundra McDowell, 468; James W. (Jim) Neely, 291; and Raleigh Ritter, 30. Lieutenant Governor - Mike Kehoe, See Election, Page 7
Photos Courtesy of Trenton R-9 Schoo Director of Supportive Services Kris Ockenfelsl
With classes in the Trenton R-9 School District scheduled to start in just over two weeks, renovation work at the S.M. Rissler Elementary School is being completed. Pictured above is the entrway restructuring project, which includes a waiting area for visitors wanting to enter the school, at right, and a new work room for teachers and staff, at left. Renovation of the high school/middle school media center is also near completion while the new concession area/restroom facilities at C.F. Russell Stadium are finished. Construction of the new performing arts center at the high school/middle school campus is anticipated to be completed in early 2021.
TRENTON CITY COUNCIL
Briefs...
Administrative Committee
Mowing Charges, Liens Addressed At Meeting The Administrative Committee of the Trenton City Council met on Tuesday night, approving several recommendations to be made to the council. According to City Administrator Ron Urton, the committee will recommend the city continue to mow vacant lots while also continuing to contact absentee owners. City staff will investigate the possibility of assigning a special tax/fee to property that could be collected at the county tax sale. The committee will also recommend establishing a policy regarding the release of liens the city has on demolition properties on which purchase is sought, setting the fee at 10 percent of the lien or $500, whichever is greater. The city will investigate the possibility of restricting immediate family members from purchasing the property for the new lien fee.
NORTH 65 CENTER
County Commissiion Agen nda
Members will recommend the city send letters to landlords, explaining the fee Rapid Removal would charge for a “clean out.” Urton said Rapid Removal has agreed to waive the delivery/pickup fee and instead would just charge a tonnage fee. The committee discussed having matching polo shirts for city council members that would include their name and the city logo as well as members using “tablets” for city meetings rather than paper council packets. There was also discussion regarding council member emails. No action was taken. Present at the meeting were committee members David Mlika, Glen Briggs and Danny Brewer; council members Duane Urich and Marvin Humphreys; Mayor Linda Crooks; City Clerk Cindy Simpson; and Urton.
Guidelines To Be Reviewed As Needed
Daytime Activities Back The North 65 Center has announced resumption of several daytime activities that had been put on hold since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Beginning this week, activities such as cards, line dancing, pool and walking are being held throughout the
week. A “light and lively” exercise group has also been added to the Monday schedule. Administrator Karen Otto said a list of the dates and times the daytime activities are being held, along with guidelines that are to be followed, is available by calling center during business hours, 359-3058.
At this time, no evening activities are being planned. Congregate meals continue to be served at the North 65 Center from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, with social distancing guidelines being followed. A limit of 60 persons inside at any one time remains in place.
National Weather Service
There’s a slight chance of rain on Friday night and Saturday morning with highs on Saturday and Sunday around 90. Skies will be partly to mostly cloudy with lows in the low 70s. Trenton recorded a high on Monday, Aug. 3 of 80 with Tuesday’s high hitting 76. The high on Wednesday was 79, with a low of 56. The high on Wednesday at the Government Weather Station near Spickard was 76 with a low of 58.
The Grundy County Commission will meet in regular session on Tuesday, Aug. 11 at the courthouse. Items on the announced agenda include a road and bridge update at 8:30 a.m., followed by acceptance of Coronavirus Relief Funds applications at 9 a.m. and consideration of the Missouri Ethics Commission Code of Ethics ordinance at 9:30. The commission will hear a report on the county ambulance service at 10 a.m. and a report from the Grundy County Health Department at 10:30 a.m. A discussion of the county website will take place at 11 a.m.
Tre enton R-9 Bo oard Me eeting The Trenton R-9 Board of Education will meet in regular session at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 13 in the Trenton High School Commons. Persons attending are asked to wear a mask in the building, with masks to be provided. A tax levy hearing will be held at 5:15 p.m., prior to the meeting. Items on the meeting agenda include lunch prices, a change in the 2020-21 school calendar, the 2020 state plan for special education and local compliance plan, a memorandum of understanding with Green Hills Head Start, the conflict of interest ordinance, early graduation and part-time attendance requests, the annual secretary of the board report, discussion of the graduation date, a contract with Wright Memorial Hospital for occupational and physical therapy services, a construction update, back to school activities/reopening, a safety report, the fall MSBA meeting, grants, board training and principal reports. An executive session for personnel is also planned.
Grrundy R-5 Board To Meet The Grundy R-5 Board of Education will meet in regular session at 5:15 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 13 at the high school in Galt. A tax rate levy will preceed the meeting. Items on the agenda include an audit report, a COVID19 report, a maintenance update and walk-through, administrator reports and approval of free and reduced lunch eligibility, the special education compliance model, bus routes, handbooks and the annual secretary of board report. An executive session for personnel is also planned.
What’s Inside... The Trenton Quarterback Club is holding a fundraiser on Aug. 15 to help pay for new football jerseys and helmets. See page 2 of today’s Republican-Times for information about the event.
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COURT SYSTEM Communication Now Includes E-Mail
Potential Jurors Have New Contact Procedure If you get a notice that you’re on the jury list, a new Missouri jury system is making it easier for you to communicate with the circuit clerk’s office. Beginning this month, prospective jurors in Grundy County can choose to communicate with the court by text or email as the court implements the new Show-Me- Jury system. Grundy County Circuit Clerk Becky Stanturf said her office will mail new Show-Me Jury questionnaires early this month for jury service beginning Sept. 1. The questionnaires require a response and the new system gives you several options. “A big benefit to the public will be the ease of contacting and communicating with the courts and, in particular, the jury supervisor’s office,” said Ms. Stanturf. “Although Show-Me-Jury is not completely paperless, it allows our potential jurors to do more online and choose how they want the court to let them know if they have been excused or disqualified from serving.” Here’s how the Show-MeJury system works: the circuit court will continue, as it always has, to send a jury questionnaire through the postal service. When potential jurors receive the questionnaire, they can now go online at www.courts.mo.gov/ejuror to complete their juror qualification forms. The online questionnaire lets them choose their preferred method of communication with the court - whether by postal service, email or even text message. Potential jurors who believe they are not qualified for jury service under state law can follow the online instructions to submit their necessary documentation electronically. Potential jurors who don’t have access to a computer or who prefer to communicate information electronically can call the clerk’s office to request paper copies of the questionnaire. Missouri courts do not require anyone to provide confidential information over the telephone or by email. The Show-Me-Jury system is designed to give citizens a choice on how they want to communicate with their local courts about potential jury service. Any telephone call or email threatening the recipient with fines or jail time for failing to comply are fraudulent, are in no way connected with the Missouri courts and should be reported to local law enforcement officials. “Juries are a hallmark of the American justice system and See Court, Page 7
What’s Inside
Sports/NASCAR...........page 2 Across Missouri ............page 3 Opinion/Editorial .........page 4 Community ...................page 5 Agriculture....................page 6 Local News ....................page 7 Comics ...........................page 8 Dear Annie ....................page 9 Crosswords....................page 9