Valley News August 9, 2018
www.grainvalleynews.com
Vol. 1, No. 8
FREE
Voters Give A Resounding “No” to Proposition A Missourians rejected a measure on August 7th which would have upheld the contested legislation making Missouri a “right to work” state. Missouri became a right-to-work state when the legislature passed Senate Bill 19 in 2017. This legislation directed that no person can be required to join a labor union or pay dues to a labor union as a condition of employment. The road for this bill to become law gained steam with the 2016 election of former Republican Governor Eric Greitens. He replaced sitting Democrat Jay Nixon, and
Nixon had opposed and vetoed a previous attempt to pass right-towork legislation in Missouri. Greitens election along with the Republican majority in both the Missouri Senate and House of Representatives led to the Show-Me -State becoming the 28th right-towork state in the union. The current issue was presented to voters as part of the referendum process in Missouri. With 37.7% of registered voters in Jackson County casting ballots, a resounding “no” was heard, with 70.58% of voters in Jackson County
voting against Proposition A. In addition to Proposition A, local voters cast primary ballots to narrow the field in a number of races. In Missouri Senate District 8, Mike Cierpiot defeated Leonard Hughes IV, a former Missouri House Representative, in the Republican primary. Cierpiot will face Democrat Hillary Shields of Lee’s Summit in the November election. Senate terms are four years. For the Missouri House District 32 seat, Democrat Janice Bill will face Republican Jeff Coleman. District 33
has been narrowed down to Republican Donna Pfautsch and Democrat Pat Williams. Other local House districts include District 20, in which Democrat Jessica Merrick will face Republican Bill Kidd, and District 53, in which voters will choose between Republican Glen Kolkmeyer and Democrat Connie Simmons. The general election will be held November 6, 2018.
Good News Church’s Gift Benefits District Students by Cory Unrein
Pastor Jason Williams and members of Valley Community Church pulled up to Prairie Branch Elementary on Wednesday, August 8th, hauling a trailer brimming with school supplies for the district’s Kindergarten students. For the second year, all incoming Kindergarteners at each of the four elementary schools in the Grain Valley School District will have their school supplies provided by the church. All items on each school’s supply list will be provided for Kindergarteners, except for student backpacks and lunch boxes. The church works with each individual school to coordinate the drop-off of supplies the first few weeks of August, enabling teachers to organize supplies in their classrooms well before the first day of school. Jolaina Lawler, a Kindergarten teacher for the past 13 years at Prairie Branch Elementary, and a total of 22 years in the district, was the first recipient of supplies on delivery day. As Williams unloaded case upon case of binders and facial tissue in her room, Lawler marveled at the supplies and praised the project. “We are just so thankful because there are a lot of families in the district who cannot afford to
purchase needed supplies. This starts everyone on an even playing field.” Lawler says the project benefits the teachers as well, as teachers often purchase many supplies from their own pockets. “It’s so helpful. It makes the kids so excited, which helps us as well.”
“We are just so thankful because there are a lot of families in the district who cannot afford to purchase needed supplies. This starts everyone on an even playing field.” Jolaina Lawler, teacher Prairie Branch Elementary
The church plans to continue the program as a part of their overall mission to serve the community. For more information on Valley Community Church and their annual school supply effort, visit http:// www.grainvalley.church.
Prairie Branch Elementary Kindergarten teacher Jolaina Lawler, receives supplies for all of her students through a program sponsored by Valley Community Church.
