The Leader • 6-20-24

LINTON COUNTY

Commission Approves Lathrop Meat Processing Plant

Clark and Second District

Clinton County Presiding Commissioner Patrick

The Clinton County Commissioners approved a request from Murphy Land and Cattle last week for rezoning and permitting that will allow for construction of a beef processing plant east of Lathrop, but not before easing some of the restrictions that had been recommended by the county’s zoning board.

Cameron City Hall closed as crews test for mold content

Cameron City Hall was dark late Monday afternoon. Attendees would normally be filing in for a city council meeting but this Monday only a worker from JR Roofing was on site.

The meeting had been moved to the public safety building, fittingly, out of health concerns over mold developed after years of a leaking roof. Concerns were raised last week when it came to light that those roof leaks and other challenges faced by the 23-year-old building had become dangerously unhealthy.

Monday evening at council, in his report, City Manager Steve Rasmussen addressed concerns over the building and plans to ultimately repair it.

“If we find out that the building is completely safe (after test results are returned), we can move back into the building next week and then we’ll have a month or two to put out the bids to fix the building,” said Rasmussen. “On the other hand, if it does not appear safe to move into that building, we are talking about moving into a more semi-permanent location. That would perhaps be three construction trailers across the street on the south side of city hall in the parking lot.”

City

as

test for mold in the building and city leaders decide how to proceed should city hall be shut down for an extended period of time.

Commissioner Richard Riddell voted Thursday, June 13, to approve the industrial rezoning and special use permit for about 45 acres of land located on 248th Street near Interstate 35. The land

is located approximately half a mile south of the intersection of 116 Highway and I-35, and about two miles east of the town of Lathrop.

Once fully operational, the proposed plant could process upwards of 40 head

of cattle each day while creating more than 50 new jobs.

First District Commissioner Jay Bettis was unable to attend the meeting.

A week earlier, the county’s zoning board approved similar recommenda-

tions to the commissioners in front of a packed crowd at the Clinton County Courthouse in Plattsburg. The board also recommended restrictions on the special use permit, including: a limit of

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Historical Society hosts Juneteenth celebration

Clinton County’s newest celebration of freedom continues to grow, as the lawn at the Riley-Carmack Museum in Plattsburg was packed Saturday for the Clinton County Historical Society’s Juneteenth Celebration. The afternoon included great food, fellowship, jazz music and talks with multiple speakers, including presentations from members of the KC Buffalo Soldiers (right). Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in the United States and was officially recognized as a federal holiday beginning in 2021. brett adkison | the leader

CAMERON R-1 SCHOOLS

Battle Over Questionable Books Continues

by jamey honeycutt leader publisher

The Cameron R-I Board of Education chamber was packed to capacity Tuesday night, and despite numerous policy changes and budget discussions, the most anticipated item on the agenda was the communications portion, when citizens and teachers got to square off over library policy in the district.

For opponents of the filthy language, violent and perverse sexual behavior, the changes are coming far too slowly. As far as some teachers and staff are concerned, they feel betrayed by Superintendent Matt Robinson for allegedly ignoring their requests to reconsider some books. By limiting their input in the process as promised, many see the restriction poli-

The City of gower has set its financial sights on the 2024-2024 fiscal year, as the current year comes to a close.

cies as promoting misogyny and racism.

The conversation began with Heath Gilbert and Dan Landi addressing the board with their quarterly review of the book policy. The district has limited discussion on the topic to once every three months and this week’s meeting marked the first discussion since the Missouri Librarians Association penned

which calls for service came

an open letter to the Cameron R-1 School Board strongly suggesting they let librarians decide what content should be in local libraries. First up, Gilbert spoke of the court case Bethel v. Frazier, where it was determined that it was the obligation of the school to protect students from sexual innuendo. Gilbert questioned why the

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CLINTON COUNTY

Cameron

Hall is currently closed

crews

With city hall closed, work is currently split between several locations, with utility payments and most questions being fielded by staff at the former utility office across the street when heat is not excessive.

Councilman John Feighert made sure to stress staff safety with the city manager.

“I just want to make sure that we keep the staff safe,” Feighert said. “Whatever you have to do to keep them (safe). Mold is not a good thing.”

Cameronites have offered up space to the city but that also has its challenges.

“I have received numerous calls from people who rent property around the city who would like to see if we could move into their spaces,” said the city manager. “The difficulty with that is that we are then in a lot of different places where we still don’t have the necessary access and connectivity.”

Moving into temporary trailers on site seems to be the most agreeable solution if workers are displaced for a long period of time.

The engineering firm PST, representing the city, is conducting the site assessment for mold and measuring its possible health effects on workers and the public at large.

When asked by Mayor Becky Curtis when those results are most likely expected, PST representative Frank Comer (in a conference call) acknowledged the council’s frustration with the delay in test results. “We are basically at the mercy of the mold testing companies,” said Comer, but he expects results by no later than Thursday.

How the building came to be

uninhabitable is still in question but it is looking like the decay began over a decade ago.

During the manager’s report, Rasmussen disclosed a roof study that was subsequently dated 2011. In the opinion of city staff, the conditions of the roof at the time of the report were “not a good report.”

The Clinton County Leader requested a copy of the report verbally and in writing, and received it within hours of the request. As of deadline, three documents were obtained outlining concern over the condition of the roof.

First, a full facility condition report was filed by George Butler Associates, Inc., on November 19, 2009, just eight years after the new city hall was completed. In that twelve page document, submitted to former City Manager Mark Gaugh, it was pointed out that drainage was “inadequate” and a puncture tear was discovered in the roof membrane. There were no “weep holes” present in the CMU wall of the roof and open joints where the caulk had pulled away from the bricks. During that report it was recommended that the roof undergo an annual inspection for storm damage and other wear and tear. It is unclear at this time what, if any, action was taken. The Clinton County Leader has submitted a list of questions for Steve Rasmussen based on these findings.

A request was made by Mark Gaugh on June 23, 2011, in writing to Versico, Incorporated, asking for information regarding a warranty on the roof. In the letter it was suggested that the warranty expiration was 11/28/11, or ten years after installation. At the time of the certified letter, there were still five months left on the warranty. It is not clear at this time if there was any follow up after the letter was sent but more information had been requested.

Three years later, in April of

2014, City Manager Gaugh commissioned a second engineering survey of the roof which revealed more of the same, including “lots of water damage” above the council chambers, water damage and mildew, instances of water not having a path to escape, no weep holes, flashing not properly installed and extensive freeze-thaw damage. It is unclear if anything was done with that information.

During the call with the engineer for PST, Frank Comer mentioned that representatives from JR Roofing were currently assessing the roof. A solution will need to be agreed upon before repairs can begin and that solution could be quite expensive. In 2009, replacement of the roof was estimated at almost $90,000, according to George Butler and Associates.

Residents are questioning how the condition of Cameron City Hall has deteriorated so quickly and what is being done about it. The current building was constructed in 2001 by Copeland Construction with Hart, Freeland and Roberts as the architect.

Social media has been abuzz with finger-pointing and criticism of the city manager and both present and previous council members and mayors. Mud-slinging aside, Cameron City Hall will remain closed until it is deemed healthy. City hall was scheduled to be closed on Wednesday anyway for Juneteenth.

If the current closure is a prolonged experience, the back-up plan for now is trailers across the street to house workers and take payments.

Regardless of how city hall is fixed, the only certainty is that the price tag will be steep, and while it is uncertain where the blame for the damage falls, there is no need to guess who will foot the bill— Cameron taxpayers.

Gower City Council OKs New Budget

The Gower City Council held two meetings Monday, June 10, with the first to approve the new fiscal budget for the 2024-2025 year. This hearing lasted just a few minutes, with the council voting 3-0 to approve the new budget. Alderman Randy Jameson was not present for either meeting.

The new budget showed income for the city of $1,860,146 and expected expenses of $1,752,499, leaving a surplus of $107,647.00.

During the normal monthly, after receiving updates on the SS4A and MoDOT Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grants, as well as reviewing the Vision Zero Resolution, the council took up action on the sewer rate study that City administrator Carroll Fisher crafted.

Fisher provided possible increases of three, three-and-a-half, four and five percent, also providing the council with the projected additional revenues for the operation.

The five-percent increase would up each user’s bill using the minimum water usage, costing $19.49 monthly, and each additional unit used costing $13.11. The council voted 3-0 to approve this rate increase. After some debate regarding when to implement this increase, the council settled on the July water meter readings.

During old business, the council was informed that the work on the new sidewalk along Railroad had gained a little speed and was recently finished. Now the city is waiting on handrails to be delivered and installed. Depending on when those are delivered, the project may be completed prior to Gower Days in July.

The council also got updates on the Gregory drainage project, which is nearly finished. The city is waiting to see during additional rains if the street can be started or if additional work needs to be done first.

Mayor Ken Pike also stated security cameras would be installed in City Park and they were expected to be completed by June 13.

He also praised the work and support of Trevor Tutt, executive director of Mo-KAN Regional, stating that Gower was the first community in the country to complete their Vision Zero Plan, and is waiting on MoDOT for final approval of the plan. The committee was composed of seven Gower residents and four MO-KAN staff. Alderman Paul Pottier thanked all the members of this Committee. MO-KAN staff included Tutt, Evan Banks (transportation planner), Lily Clajus (GSI Specialist for MO-KAN), and Jose Rodriguez (MoDOT area engineer). The Gower citizens on this committee included, Mayor Ken Pike, Alderman Paul Pottier, Police Chief Adam Hill, Jessica Roe Gower Fire Protection District, Amy Adams East Buchanan School District, Lindee Horn East Buchanan School District, and Jessie Fisher Youth Pastor at Frazier Baptist Church and East Buchanan Board of Education Member. Keep an eye on future Leader editions for a more in depth story regarding the Vison Zero Safety action Plan for the City of Gower. Under new business, the council voted to approve liquor licenses for four businesses in Gower: Custom Convenience (Kwik Korner), Dolgencorp (Dollar General), El 7 Agaves and RIB’s Lounge.

Clinton County Sheriff’s Dept.’s Weekly Calls for Service

Friday, June 7

5:23 a.m.: Suspicious activity (not in progress) on W. Maple in Plattsburg.

10:06 a.m.: Medical call on Kay Drive in Lathrop.

12:30 p.m.: Vehicle crash on W. Clay Avenue in Plattsburg.

4:30 p.m.: Disturbance in progress on NW 169 Highway in Gower.

5:07 p.m.: Careless and imprudent driver on I-35 in Clinton County.

5:10 p.m.: Vehicle crash on Pine Street in Lathrop.

6:58 p.m.: Medical call on SE 240th Street in Lathrop.

7:13 p.m.: Structure fire on NW VV Highway in Gower.

7:42 p.m.: Trespassing (not in progress) on SE Atchison in Lathrop.

8:01 p.m.: Vehicle crash on C Highway in Clinton County.

9:40 p.m.: Natural cover fire on South Street in Lathrop.

Saturday, June 8

12:50 a.m.: Medical call on N. Cedar in Plattsburg.

2:29 a.m.: Medical call on W. Fairway Drive in Plattsburg. 3:19 a.m.: Medical call on SE 240th Street in Lathrop. 9:21 a.m.: Careless and imprudent driver on I-35 in Clinton County.

9:47 a.m.: Suspicious vehicle (in progress) on SW Michelle in Trimble.

10:05 a.m.: Careless and imprudent driver on 116 Highway in Lathrop.

11:19 a.m.: Medical call on 33 Highway in Osborn.

11:21 a.m.: Medical call on Pine street in Lathrop.

11:43 a.m.: Vehicle crash on I-35 in Clinton County.

12:29 p.m.: Suspicious activity in progress on W. Clay Avenue in Plattsburg.

2:57 p.m.: Suspicious vehicle in progress on NE H Highway in Turney.

4:19 p.m.: Careless and imprudent driver on 69 Highway in Cameron.

4:59 p.m.: Trespassing in progress on Lincoln in Gower.

6:02 p.m.: Suspicious person

(in progress) on NW N Highway in Hemple.

7:30 p.m.: Medical call on S. Prestige Drive in Holt.

8:59 p.m.: Medical call on W. Frost in Plattsburg.

9:01 p.m.: Structure fire on Old BB Highway in Clinton County.

9:30 p.m.: Suspicious person in progress on SW 212th Street in Trimble.

11:44 p.m.: Domestic in progress on North Street in Lathrop.

Sunday, June 9

12:45 a.m.: Domestic in progress on SW 69 Highway in Cameron.

6:14 a.m.: Medical call on 169 Highway in Plattsburg.

12:16 p.m.: Medical call on Ridge in Plattsburg.

1:23 p.m.: Medical call on Old Cannonball Road in Holt.

2:29 p.m.: Medical call on 116 Highway in Plattsburg.

6:53 p.m.: Domestic (not in progress) on N. Port Arthur in Trimble.

7:06 p.m.: Careless and imprudent driver on I-35 in Clinton County.

8:35 p.m.: Medical call on Highway M in Lawson.

9:57 p.m.: Medical call on Pine street in Lathrop.

10:29 p.m.: Medical call on Harrington in Gower.

Monday, June 10

4:06 a.m.: Medical call on Santa Fe in Gower.

4:10 p.m.: Careless and imprudent driver on I-35 in Clinton County.

4:45 p.m.: Careless and imprudent driver on C Highway in Plattsburg.

5:09 p.m.: Suspicious vehicle in progress on NE Country Hill Parkway in Cameron.

Tuesday, June 11

3:16 a.m.: Medical call on S. Main Street in Plattsburg.

7:18 a.m.: Medical call on 169 Highway in Gower.

2:09 p.m.: Vehicle crash on W. Clay Avenue in Plattsburg.

3:03 p.m.: Careless and im-

FROM THE PASTOR

prudent driver on 69 Highway in Lawson.

3:17 p.m.: Medical call on Centennial Place in Lathrop.

4:31 p.m.: Medical call on 116 Highway in Plattsburg.

6:54 p.m.: Medical call on SE Piute in Lathrop.

7:52 p.m.: Medical call on 116 Highway in Plattsburg.

8:37 p.m.: Careless and imprudent driver on I-35 in Clinton County.

Wednesday, June 12

4:02 a.m.: Medical call on SE 202nd Street in Holt.

8:01 a.m.: Trespassing in progress on Lakeview in Plattsburg.

8:41 a.m.: Medical call on 240th Street in Clinton County.

1:35 p.m.: Medical call on 116 Highway in Plattsburg.

5:14 p.m.: Medical call on SE Pennsylvania in Lathrop.

6:51 p.m.: Medical call on 116 Highway in Plattsburg.

11:46 p.m.: Domestic in progress on S. Birch in Clinton County.

Thursday, June 13

1:27 a.m.: Suspicious activity in progress on SE Shawnee Drive in Lathrop.

8:00 a.m.: Trespassing in progress on Bacon in Cameron.

8:37 a.m.: Medical call on Parkview in Lathrop.

1:16 p.m.: Disturbance in progress on Second Street in Trimble.

1:30 p.m.: Careless and imprudent driver on 169 Highway in Clinton County.

3:41 p.m.: Careless and imprudent driver on I-35 in Clinton County.

4:21 p.m.: Careless and imprudent driver on 116 Highway in Plattsburg.

4:27 p.m.: Medical call on W. Maple in Plattsburg.

7:40 p.m.: Stealing (not in progress) on SE Navajo in Lathrop.

8:13 p.m.: Careless and imprudent driver on SE Freeway Farms Drive in Holt.

8:49 p.m.: Medical call on SE Freeway Farms in Holt.

Enjoying the Fragrances of Our Salvation

By Rev. Mark Goucher

Prince

[B]e imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1-2 I hope you are enjoying the wonderful smells of summer. I love the smell of freshly mown hay. Perhaps you are enjoying the smells coming from your rose gar-

den. Barbecue grills give off wonderful aromas. A late afternoon gentle rain brings a new, fresh, clean smell as you sit on the front porch taking it in. These are but a few of the fragrances we enjoy this time of year. However, we might not think of Jesus suffering and death on the cross on Good Friday as a pleasing fragrance. But that is the point of the text in Ephesians 5. The death of Jesus is a beautiful gift and fragrant

offering for our sake and for the covering of our sins. Jesus was the perfect sacrifice that fulfilled once and for all the need for tabernacle/ temple sacrifices (Exodus 29:41; Leviticus 1), making forgiveness of sins possible for you and for me. It is the nature of God to cure us with the illness itself. From the hatred of the murderous crowd crying out “crucify Him,” comes the death of Jesus. Out of the death of Jesus, the Son

of God, comes God’s great love of forgiveness of all your sins. The chief way to imitate God as His beloved children is to forgive others and to love others in a sacrificial way just as Jesus first loves and forgives you by His perfect sacrifice for you. And from Jesus’ death comes life as Jesus’ resurrection on that Easter morning is proof of His victory for you over your enemies of sin, death and the devil.

Like the Ephesians,

we are confronted every day by a world rebelling against God’s way in the ways mentioned in Chapter 5. In our struggle against temptations, we can rely on the Gospel promises of God’s Word and the work of the Holy Spirit to bring and keep us in the one true faith in Jesus, our Lord and Savior, walking in love as Jesus loved us. While the fragrances of summer surround us, remember the wonderful fragrant offering

of Jesus’ sacrificial death and the promise of Jesus’ resurrection to life for us all. Dear Jesus, thank You for Your fragrant offering and sacrifice to God for us that by grace through faith in Jesus we now walk in love, as Jesus loved us and gave Himself up for us.

The Peace and Love of Jesus Our Lord and Savior Abide with You, Rev. Mark Goucher, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church

Tina Livestock Market.qxp_Tina Livestock Auction

of Peace Lutheran Church

Time

to take book battle seriously

The situation with filthy books in the Cameron R-I School District libraries reached critical mass Tuesday night. The teachers have started to push back against school board policies created to limit access to, or remove, books that violate Missouri statutes against vulgar content in public schools.

Last week, it was the Missouri Librarians Association trying to bully our school board to promote the LGBTQ+ agenda. This week, some teachers took their turn claiming to know better than you what your children should read. Tuesday night, their venom was not directed at the usual suspects, but at their own boss, Superintendent Matt Robinson.

As three different teachers addressed the board and patrons in attendance, each accused the superintendent of being less than honest with them, not following up on promises to involve teachers more in the process, and of ignoring their requests for an appeals process for books deemed inappropriate.

The common drumbeat was that, by restricting access to books with the most filthy words and acts, the district was somehow promoting misogyny, racism and intolerance.

I swear, if I heard diversity and inclusion one more time I was going to invoke the name of Rush Limbaugh to cleanse the leftist demons from the chamber. Folks, it has gotten bad, and it is officially time to panic. Rural Missouri has lost the education system to the woke, and it has a foothold in Cameron, Missouri. At least it will if this school board stops listening to the good and decent people of the district who say ENOUGH!

Now I get it, some of the antics perpetrated by Landi and Gilbert early on turned a lot of you off at first. But their facts were not wrong. There are a bunch of filthy books and I have read some of them (look up “The Bluest Eye” for an example but be prepared to be disgusted).

There is apparently an agenda among certain staff to degrade the moral barometer of our children by allowing indoctrination into the worst kind of sexual deviance and violence imaginable. While I believe there are many teachers and staff who disagree with this immoral movement, they are scared of being attacked if they support the restrictions. Society does not seem to “tolerate” Christian conservatives and some teachers are stuck between solidarity with their fellow educators and their Judeo-Christian values.

It’s a tough spot for everyone.

I watched a father and daughter cover their ears and leave the school board chamber when Heath Gilbert began reading from a school library book that your taxes paid for. It was horrific and I DARE any teacher to attempt to validate the educational or social value of the incest passage that he read. I will happily supply the space in the newspaper for you to explain the use of such filth in your curriculum.

It is true, I do have a history of trusting those on the school board stretching back to the early 2000s. I believe most of them have the best interests of the district at

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OPINIONS

Remembering Skip on Father’s Day

You know you’re growin’ older when... You have dialed a rotary phone (that didn’t have an answering machine), recorded a song that you loved off a transistor radio onto a tape recorder, watched a black and white TV (with fewer than 10 channels) that had foil on the rabbit ear antennas, taken a long walk without counting the steps, and eaten food that you didn’t take a picture of.

* * * *

The first celebration of Father’s Day was June 19, 1910, at the Spokane YMCA. Sonora Smart Dodd was responsible for the inspiration of making that day one of significance. Her father, William Jackson Smart, was a Civil War veteran and a single parent who raised six children.

On Sept. 5, 1949, is when the Father’s Day celebration began in the Tinnen household when Franc E. (Shewey) Tinnen gave birth to Jerald David Tinnen. More Father’s Day celebrations ensued with my birth January 10, 1951, and then Gregory

Allen Tinnen, May 4, 1953.

Jerald Winston (Skip) Tinnen joined in the celebration of three youngsters who would soon learn the value of being truly ‘blessed’ at our birth.

The job of being a father was embraced from the start, as he guided our family from the beginning in Maysville, Missouri, where he managed a Ford tractor and implement dealership. Not much to remember when living in Maysville other than our special trips to see Grandpa Brown a few doors down from our house across the street from Maysville High School. He was the owner of Brown Lumber Company and always wanted to treat us with bags of M&M’s if we could get into a sprinters’ starting line position.

As a result, we ate too many M&M’s, Franc E. would tell you.

One winter night, Skip provided us with sled rides down the street in front of our house. Traffic was non-existent due to the snowstorm and lateness of the night. He continued to provide rides until we all were frozen.

We moved from Maysville

to Plattsburg, where he joined his father H.O. Tinnen in the Ford Dealership H.O. started in 1935. Car sales were not Skip’s cup of tea, so he started his own school bus contracting business in 1963. His leadership and charisma helped found the Missouri School Bus Association, where he served as president. Later he was named the president of the National School Bus Association.

He provided us with a large home on six acres on the south edge of Plattsburg’s city limits

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

on Birch Avenue. It proved to be the home of Tinnen Bus Company, where it grew to be a summer home for 80 school buses as part of the many contracts he had been awarded. Skip had found his cup of tea and then some.

However, he was not fond of the travel required as part of his position as president of the National School Bus Association. Airplane flights to New York, California and Alaska were not enjoyed. Even though he had

School Districts Obligated to Protect Kids

I write this in preparation of the Cameron school board meeting scheduled for June 18. I would like to address the ongoing fight over the sexually explicit books and the district’s obligation to protect the students from that content. In our local schools, we see them acting on their obligation to protect the students. A look at the district’s policies and the student handbook shows examples of this obligation. In Cameron, we have policies which establish random drug testing procedures and guidelines for the searching of controlled substances. Policy even gives the district the power to test students who show articulable symptoms of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The district has an obligation to protect students from drugs and

alcohol and has created policies to protect them. The obligation to protect students also applies to speech. The schools are obligated to protect students from vulgar and indecent language and images. An examination of Cameron school district policy and the student handbooks will show that students are prohibited from using vulgar language at school. They are not permitted to wear articles of clothing or even display bumper stickers on their vehicles which have graphic images or vulgar language.

Other policies support my obligation-to-protect claim.

The agenda for Tuesday night’s board meeting includes an extensive list of new policies. Among those policies you will find I-175-P. That policy is titled

Distribution of Non-Curricular Student Publications.

This policy outlines that any non-curricular student publications are subject to approval by the district. It also details what isn’t allowed and would be rejected. Any publications which are obscene to minors, libelous, are pervasively indecent, vulgar or promotes products or services prohibited to minors by law aren’t permitted. Language which injures or harasses others based on criteria such as race, religion or ethnic origin is also strongly prohibited. A student could be punished for violating this policy and disturbing any of this type of content.

If students are prohibited from distributing such publications, why isn’t the school likewise prohibited from providing

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

non-curricular library books that provide explicit descriptions of deviant sex acts? Why aren’t they prohibited from providing books with descriptions of incestuous acts and molestation. One book, The Bluest Eye, provides explicit details as a man rapes and impregnates his 11-year-old daughter. It’s abhorrent and difficult to read. What is the literary value for minors in those books? Why doesn’t the Cameron school district have an obligation to protect students from the vile and explicit books? I contend they do; these books have no business being made available to minors in a public school library. It is past time the school board pass policy to protect our kids by restricting these books. Heath Gilbert Cameron, Mo

Two Quotes, One President, Clear Picture

Dear Editor,

I can safely say that in the past week I have not had to deal with the “shark scare” that was presented to us last week by a presidential candidate. Now I must progress to something more interesting and a lot less comical.

These two quotes jumped out of nowhere and this might be the time to share them, considering the condition of politics (or whatever it has become) today. Both originate from the same individual.

“If this country ever falls into the grasp of a totalitarian

dictator, it is not likely to come through a Communist revolution. It will come because those who profess to believe in freedom are willing to sell their fellow citizens into serfdom for a mess of pottage in the form of political favors from the very radicals who change our form of government. This is exactly what happened in Germany. It is the most dangerous threat to the American way of life in our own country today.”

“Remember, always give your best. Never get discouraged. Never be petty. Always remember, others may hate you.

THE CLINTON COUNTY LEADER

Jamey & D’Anna Honeycutt

Publisher Emeritus Steve Tinnen

But those who hate you don’t win unless you hate them. And then you destroy yourself.”

The key to the first quote is the word freedom. Any singleparty movement, like we have been experiencing for the last several decades in our United States, always promotes the word freedom. When the single party takes over, freedom is the first casualty.

The second quote mentions pettiness and hate. A person exhibiting pettiness and hatre is destroyed. Any semblance of dignity or morality evaporates when pettiness and hate speech

become the norm. Sadly, this, too, has become the norm for the one-party government movement in this country.

Sorry, I forgot to give the attributes to the quotes. Both are from my president, Richard M. Nixon. He was a flawed individual, but aren’t we all? President Nixon presided over several very good programs and got us out of Southeast Asia (even if it was with our tail between our legs).

Yours, Richard

Mo.

Canaday Lathrop,

JAMEY HONEYCUTT LEADER PUBLISHER

Steve Tinnen with his father, Skip, on the golf course.

Rico’s Long Walk Takes Him Through Clinton County

b

The sun was setting over the Little Platte River on Saturday evening when I pulled into the country driveway and saw Rico in the yard with his tent and hand cart.

I had been running rock through a crusher at the Lathrop Antique Show with my father all day, and shortly after settling in at home, a friend of mine called. “Brett, there’s a man at my front door. He wants to sleep in my yard tonight. He said he’s walking around the world.” The implication was immediately clear— You’re the newspaperman, you might be interested in this, but also, Please check

this guy out and make sure he isn’t an axe murderer.

So I grabbed two bottles of water, jumped into the truck and drove west out of Lathrop.

As I pulled into the drive, the man hobbled up to my Dodge and gave a tired wave of his hand. He had dark hair with gray mixed in, not yet over the hill but certainly eyeing the top. He favored his right leg where a brace was strapped around his knee cap. I offered him the water and the tailgate, and he took both with a sense of relief. In return, he gave me his story.

Rico lives in Germany, and in 2015, he and his girlfriend parted ways. He took it as an opportunity to do

something wild. So he headed off on foot through Central Europe, heading across the Middle East and India, down the chain of islands to Australia and New Zealand. For his North American leg, he began in Vancouver, walked southeast into Big Sky country, across the Rockies and the wheat fields of Kansas, before making it to the Show-Me State just days earlier.

Now, this hasn’t been all at once. Rico works for a living, then uses his ample vacation time to tackle his quest, picking up where he previously left off. He’s able to do some of his work away from home, too. The pandemic threw a big wrench into his efforts, but couldn’t

keep him from his goal.

In Kansas, his knee began to bother him. He had it checked and nothing was torn. He could have laid up a while and healed but he put his head down and kept logging miles. He used crutches for a stint.

My friend welcomed him, and Rico took a quick bath. She prepared a small dinner and we sat there a good while, talking about everything he had seen and the cultures he had witnessed. He gushed over the kindness in people, the way they’ve embraced him and his journey. His English was excellent and only a few times did we have to decipher what the other was saying.

Missouris Shoal DAR Chapter swears

The Missouris Shoal DAR Chapter conducted their monthly meeting on Tuesday, June 11, at the First Christian Church in Lathrop. Sharon Martin and Anne Wolfe were the hostesses.

Chaplain Lana Wright gave the blessing. Regent Carmen Stoneking called the meeting to order at 1:35 p.m. and welcomed members, along with guest Jerre Robertson (Alexander Doniphan Chapter), which was followed by the Ritual.

Prior to the program, Chaplain Lana Wright and Membership Chair Margaret Stevens had new member Margaret Hubbard take the Oath of Membership to join the chapter. Regent Stoneking presented her with flowers.

Regent Stoneking presented two Community Service Honorees with a plaque, Kay Peca and Judy Wright, for their many hours of volunteerism throughout their communities. Kay Peca presented Regent Stoneking with a card (monetary gift)

and flowers for her great service as regent from 2022 to 2024.

Melissa Vazanno gave the program on the American Revolution and the Green Mountain Boys. Lana Wright gave the President General’s Message, which is to keep serving and remember “Celebrate Stars and Stripes Forever!” Lana also reported that June is PTSD Awareness Month.

Some important upcoming dates for the chapter were shared, including: June 14 – Flag retirement ceremony at Gower Convalescent Center; June 18-28 –American Revolution Traveling Exhibit at Midwest Genealogy Center in Independence; July 4 – Cameron Fourth of July Parade; July 24 – Program on the preservation of headstones at Mt. Mora in St. Joseph; July 27 – DAR Leadership Workshop; August 21 – Field Trip to Kansas VA Medical Center; September 20 –Midwest District Meeting in Raytown; October 8 – Tree

special concerns?

There was a bittersweet feeling as I pulled onto 116 Highway and headed home. It’s strange enjoy your time with someone knowing all the while you won’t see them again. The next morning, my father and I were back to crushing rock at the showgrounds. I had already recounted the story to Dad when I noticed a familiar figure coming down the path. Rico and I greeted each other like old friends and I was happy at his arrival. Introductions were made and he was fast buddies with everyone at Crusher Camp. They all had many of the same questions I’d had the evening before. He rested a while and

planting at Lathrop Antique Showgrounds; April 2025 –Missouri State Conference.

Judy Wright reported that Pat Daniels of Bethel Cemetery will be ready in the fall for the chapter’s preservation help.

Jerre Robertson performed the installation of the

Call our Dispatch Center 816-539-2156 with your request. Follow us on Facebook for news, local alerts and updates.

we offered lunch, but with only so much sunshine in the day, he was soon back to his travels. He planned to walk to Holt, over to Lawson, and then on to Richmond. No telling how far he made it before nightfall. Rico’s genuine appreciation was refreshing—the way he gave a slight prayer over his dinner, or how the weight of his journey fell off him each time he took a seat. He didn’t just appreciate the help; he appreciated the person who offered it, and that they were each a small part in his long walk home. If you’d like to see more about Rico and his quest to circle the world on foot, you can search for Rico’s Long Walk on Facebook.

new officers who were present. That includes: Regent – Melissa Vazzano; Vice Regent – Lana Wright; Recording Secretary – Kay Peca; Corresponding Secretary – Judy Wright; Treasurer –Janice Ainsworth; Historian – Carmen Stoneking. The meeting was ad-

Notice To Clinton County Residents

816-632-3396

816-288-1510

edrileyconstruction@gmail.com

journed. The next regular meeting will be held in September.

Based on minutes provided by Kay Peca, Recording Secretary.

(Left, left to right) Chapter Membership Chair Margaret Stevens, Chaplain Lana Wright, new member Margaret Hubbard and Regent Carmen Stoneking. (Right) Judt Wright and Kay Peca were presented with Community Service Awards for their dedication.

40 red meat animals processed daily; a limit of 40 red meat animals held on site daily; operational hours between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday; the waste lagoon to be built and serviced to DNR standards and cleaned within a maximum of 365 days; physical processing waste removed each operating day; the waste lagoon to utilize aeration; stored grease to be removed from the plant within a maximum of 90 days; on-site water storage tanked to be filled at night to avoid water pressure issues.

However, the rezoning and special use permit approved by the commissioners Thursday rolled back some of those regulations, primarily to account for emergency situations in which the plant would be inoperable. In such circumstances, as outlined by the special use permit approved by the commissioners, the company must log the emergency situation, after which they can process no more than an average of 40 head each day until they are caught up, and physical waste can remain on site for no longer than six days. The commissioners also eased the removal of physical processing waste back to 72 hours during normal operations, and did away with the cap on the number of cattle that can be stored at the site ahead of processing. In addition to the land that was rezoned, Murphy Land and Cattle owns more than 130 acres of agricultural land to the immediate south of the location.

“We’ve got farmers all over this county that are going to have more than 40 head on their farms,” said Presiding Commissioner Clark as he recommended nixing the storage limit. “Just like you guys said, you have 130some acres that you can put them on.”

As far as production, Jason Lehtinen, the project manager for Murphy Land and Cattle, said Thursday that the equipment they’re purchasing and the facility they are designing are both geared toward the expecta-

tion of processing 40 head each day. Therefore, he said it would be hard for them to suddenly up production to 60 head daily, but they could likely process a limited number above the 40-head limit in emergency situations to get caught up.

Also, the commissioners approved the special use permit without the zoning board’s recommendation that aeration treatment be utilized in the waste lagoon. The thought was that, by requiring aeration, it would lock the company into this form of treatment, even if better technology was to come along afterward.

Earlier in the meeting, Commissioner Clark asked about the possibility of pollution seeping out of the waste lagoon and into the ground water, to which Lehtinen responded that it will be compliant with DNR regulations, there will be a membrane layer underneath to keep the waste from reaching the soil or creeks, and the company intends on using the waste as a fertilizer.

In answering questions from the commissioners, Lehtinen also said that they expect to house some cattle overnight, with owners dropping them off in the afternoon to be processed in the morning, but all cattle brought to the location will be there strictly for the purpose of being processed.

While speaking to the zoning board the previous week, representatives of the company said 10 to 20 percent of the plant’s processing capacity will be used for their own cattle, while the rest will be used to service local farmers. They expect to begin slowly and work their way up toward processing 40 head on a daily basis. The facility could be open between 12 and 18 months from now. The company also expects to open a retail store and restaurant at a different location, on 116 Highway between Lathrop and Polo, from which they will sell their product locally.

With the company owning around 8,000 acres of farmland, they also anticipate composting and using much of the waste from the process center as fertilizer.

Masonic Lodge Raising Funds

The Plattsburg Masonic Lodge is looking once again to make a major impact in the lives of local students.

The lodge will again run its Tiger Paws Campaign to raise money for the Clinton County RIII School District and Plattsburg Head Start. The lodge teams with the Masonic Home of Missouri, which matches each dollar raised with an addition two dollars. Last

Community members have organized a two-mile walk ALS fundraiser for former Clinton County Middle School Principal Angie Courtney.

The walk will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 29, at Perkins Park in Plattsburg. All proceeds from the tickets sold will go toward assisting Mrs. Courtney’s family with medical expenses and other necessary requirements. Participants will receive a complimentary shirt. There will also be food trucks and vendors set up for lunch.

For more information and ticket prices, visit the event’s page on Facebook.

year alone, the Plattsburg Masonic Lodge was able to donate more than $29,000 to the school district and $2,400 to Head Start.

The campaign will last through the month of

June. All funds are used to directly benefit

(812) 449-1702.

Plattsburg Senior Center Menu

Wednesday, June 19

Hot roast beef sandwich, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, peaches, June birthday cake.

Thursday, June 20

Chef’s salad with meats, vegetables, cheese and egg, tomato salad, apricots, crackers.

Friday, June 21

Sloppy joe on bun, potato wedges, corn, mixed fruit.

Monday, June 24

Salisbury steak, mashed

potatoes and gravy, green beans, pears, wheat bread.

Tuesday, June 25

Baked potato bar with meats and cheese, broccoli, peaches, wheat bread.

Wednesday, June 26

Swiss steak, buttered beets, carrots, applesauce, wheat bread.

Thursday, June 27

Chicken and rice, cauliflower, corn, mandarin oranges, wheat bread.

Extension to host Small Farm Day

Do you want to own goats? How do you feel about backyard chickens? Maybe you’d like to start your own beehives. Or are plants your love? If any of these things are true, mark your calendar Saturday, June 29. That’s when Clinton County University of Missouri Extension Council is hosting its third annual Small Farm Day at the 4-H Youth Building and livestock pavilion at 251 E. Hwy. 116 in Plattsburg. Admission is free.

The event runs from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Margaret Chamas, co-owner of Storm Dancer Farm in Smithville, will talk about the care and feeding of dairy goats. Jim Humphrey, MU Extension livestock field specialist, will answer your questions about meat goats and sheep. Backyard chickens are the topic for a speaker to be determined. Lathrop beekeeper Trevor Angle will get you started on the art and science of raising bees. For plant people, the Clinton County Master Gardeners will offer tours of a recently completed grow barn that is outfitted as a year-round facility to start and grow plants. The Master Gardeners also have raised beds to show off. Todd Higgins, MU Extension field specialist in horticulture, will give a program entitled “Plants that Bees and Butterflies Love.”

Each program will last one hour with plenty of time for questions. Refreshments will be available. Most of the presentations are indoors, so the event will happen rain or shine. Pre-registration is requested but not necessary. For more information and a schedule of the presentations, call 816649-8579. Or register online: https://extension. missouri.edu/events/clinton-county-small-farmday-0

East Buchanan Elementary Fourth Quarter Honor Roll

Gold Honor Roll

3rd Grade: Caroline Connett, JaeLynn Gregory, Maverick Hall, Aaron Mercer, Ava Mull, Ellie Patterson, Mary George, Taryn Craft, Bowen Graham, Silas Groves, Sawyer Harper, Korbin Kendall, Pierce Mann, Molli Martin, Hadley McIntire, Autumn Utz, Cole Hughes, Eivin Chambers, Vanessa Dixon, Olivia Newell, Jace Sprague, Wren Utz

4th Grade: Eva Allen, Colin Crump, Charlie Curp, Elizabeth Houghton, Liam Jennings, Josie Kriley, Kyle Pickett, Beckham Porter, Danni Riggs, Emma Selvage, Kavender Smith, Joseph Taber, Blake Taylor, Myia Vasut, Crosby Barker, Charlotte Edwards, Lincoln House, Mary-Lou Maus, Quinn Rhoad, Annabelle Rust, Hadley Snyder, Brenton Jackson, Miylhuv Johnson, Harper Mason, Hugh Mink, Maverick Oswald, Clayton Roach, Kooper Simon, Josie Skeeba, Holly Watson, Creed Roe

Local College Students Earn Honors

• Congratulations to the following local college students who have been named to the 2024 University of Missouri-Columbia Spring Dean’s List.

Cameron: Senior Carson

For undergraduate students, criteria include enrollment in at least 12 credit hours during the spring semester and at least a 3.50 grade point average (on a 4.00 scale).

Lawson.

5th Grade: Leah DeLong, Harper England, Logan Hetrick, Abriana Martin, Emma O’Brien, Jolene Perez, Lane Roach, Harvey Schwarz, Alexzander Tanguay, Corbin West, Franklin Bryan, Braleyn Cline, Kaiden Daicy, Kellen Elms, Alee King, Presley Lewis, Matthew O’Donnell, Maren Elms, Lidia Fantasma, Emma George, Landon Graham, Kalvin Guthals, Mason Matchett, Ethan Newell, Kinley Parker, Ella Pflugradt, Cooper Schilling, Micah Whitt, Beau Williams

Eshenroder, senior Brianna Filley, senior Jada Rowe, sophomore Thomas Robinson, sophomore Claire Wenck.

Gower: Junior Logan Taylor.

Lathrop: Sophomore David Farr.

Plattsburg: Senior Coby

Blue Honor Roll 3rd Grade: Logan Zwick, Payton Coe, Anna Knight, Bailey Marks, Hank Utz, Ryder Boswell, Gunner Jago, Declan McDowell, Conner Christopher, Barrett Georges, Emma Money, Stetson Epperson, Isaiah Routon, Rita Schneider, JR Antle, Emily Faulkner, Renly Gonzalez, Ariah Green, Jerick Mangelsdorf, Joshua O’Donnell, Jace Wharton 4th Grade: Houston Ambrozi, Kinzley Smith, Jaxson Campbell, Carson Croney, Erma Evans, Justin Franke, Ella Pederson, Zay Phelps, Preslie Wilson, Abbey Dixon, Kayden Harrison, Kohen Howard, McKena Riley, Bentley Olivares 5th Grade: Remington Georges, Liam House, Joshua Paxton, Colton Pederson, Grasyn Pryor, Rylan Ragan, Colton Salyer, Elaina Bailey, Jumah Bivines, Sy Bruce, Vincent Butterworth, Adalyn Erich, Tanner Grier, Liam Hodge-Cox, Caitlyn Hughes, Austin Inman, Malakyi Storm, Zaivian Baxter, Kruze Brown, Alayna Norris, Layla Otto, Brandon Paxton, Tel Redman, Levi Sutton

Aebersold, senior Kaylie Dow, senior Grace Liles, senior Sean Moser, senior Sylvia Schroeder.

Trimble: Senior Nathaniel Kerhsaw, senior Benjamin Kershaw, senior Amelia Schneider.

• Each semester, students at Missouri State University in Springfield who attain academic excellence are named to the Dean’s List.

More than 4,800 students were named to the spring 2024 dean’s list. These local students made the list: Emily Edwards from Cameron; Eli LaFleur from Lawson; Hadley Berry from Cameron; Allison Bethmann from Gower; Lindsey Bethmann from Gower; Bailey Busby from Lawson; Breanna Gilzean from Lathrop; Ashtynn Gray from Holt; Delaney McPheeters from Lawson; Maycee Nichols from Turney; Audrey Smith from Lathrop; Katie Rooney from Cameron; Rylan Cress from Lawson; Jocee Greathouse from Lawson; Chloe Hollon from Lawson; Eli Kessler from Lawson, Cameron Siebert from

• More than 10,600 Iowa State University students have been recognized for outstanding academic achievement by being named to the spring semester 2024 Dean’s List. Students named to the Dean’s List must earn a grade point average of at least 3.50 on a 4.00 scale while carrying a minimum of 12 credit hours of graded course work.

Congratulations to Evan Schneider, a fourthyear mechanical engineering major from Trimble, for being named to the Dean’s List.

• Area residents were among more than 1,750 individuals who met graduate requirements and were eligible to participate in the University of Central Missouri’s (UCM) 2024 Spring Commencement exercises held on May 3 and 4 in the

Busby Earns Scholarship

Congratulations to recent East Buchanan graduate Gage Busby, who was one of two students out of hundreds to earn a $500 scholarship from the Twelve Courts of Christmas, the nation’s largest basketball shootout in Kansas City. Busby will attend Missouri Western in the fall and plans to major in biology/physical therapy. At East Buchanan, Gage has been active in the Student Council, National Honor Society, FBLA, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. He participated in basketball, football, baseball and track, serving as quarterback and captain on the football team and captain of the Basketball team.

• In office only, NO remote work. Must know or be able and willing to learn basic data entry.

• NOT required for position – but always a bonus – is a working knowledge of publishing or graphics programs - InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, QuarkExpress, etc.

• Great opportunity for someone looking to build a career with hands on training and paid experience but without the high cost of college tuition.

• MUST be organized, willing to work and have good phone, communication, customer service and computer skills.

• 20-28 hours per week. More if skills and desire allow.

• Pay is based on skill, ability to learn and work load. Position based out of Trenton office represents all locations in Plattsburg, Cameron and Trenton Equal Opportunity Employer

PHONE

Email Resume and Cover Letter to dlh@honeycuttmedia.net

Mail to P.O. Box 548, Trenton, MO 64683 or Stop by 122 E. 8th Street in Trenton

Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center. Students who completed their degree requirements by the end of the spring semester were eligible to participate in ceremonies that marked more than 153 years of “Education for Service” at UCM. Congratulations to Jared Griesinger of Cameron, Mo., and Jackson Meyer of Gower, Mo., for meeting degree requirements. Meyer earned Summa Cum Laude honors with a GPA over 3.85.

The following local UCM students were named to the 4.0 GPA Dean’s List: Madelyn Mallon of Holt, Gracie Arth of Cameron, Jackson Meyer of Gower, Quincy Meyer of Gower, Brooke Eastvold of Lathrop, and Jacob Noll of Lathrop. Jared Griesinger of Cameron earned a spot of the 3.5-3.99 GPA Dean’s List.

There is a FREE Dinner on Broadway this Monday, June 24, at 5:30 p.m. located in the Susan L. Hageman Memorial Kitchen at 301 W. Broadway St. in Plattsburg. All are welcome. Free Dinner on Broadway is provided every fourth Monday of the month.

Plattsburg baseball athletes earn All-State recognition

Cameron R-1 School

Cameron School District would ignore its own legal counsel to go out of its way to maintain sexually explicit books on library shelves.

Gilbert then brought up a conflict in district policy. “In Cameron, students are prohibited from wearing clothing with vulgar language to protect other students from that vulgar language. Why doesn’t that obligation extend to the books you provide those same students?” asked Gilbert.

Gilbert again questioned why the district is not moving more quickly to eradicate, or at least greatly restrict, access to such “adult content.”

ads 5/2/24 2:26 PM Page 54

Second to speak was Dan Landi, who acknowledged that the board has restricted access to some graphic books and thanked them for that. Then he questioned why their efforts had not been more thorough. “Are you going into the libraries and looking for these books proactively? No, you are not. Are you allowing parents, concerned citizens,

Board, Continued from Page A1

to go in and purge the libraries? No, you are not,” said Landi. “If you don’t want to do it, although it is your fault these books are here, then you should at least let us do it.”

Landi continued, “Where there is a will, there is a way, and there has not been a ‘will’ in a long, long time, and that’s a problem.”

Landi insisted that it feels like an “us versus them” situation. “We feel we are the concerned citizens and concerned parents that are trying to protect our kids. You may be concerned and you may be parents, but you are not doing anything to protect the children.”

Landi also bemoaned the lack of support from clergy in the area, specifically former board president Dan Kerchner, who was president of the school board and a pastor, and was approached to help and he refused to act.

“We wanted transparency and accountability, and what did (the board) do? You gave us a three-month moratorium on topics we can discuss. You stifled our First Amend-

ment rights!”

After speaking, both Landi and Gilbert received a small round of applause from several members of the audience.

Next, three teachers addressed the school board with their concerns over book policies they deem misogynistic and racist. In their opinion, restricting the graphic content of any books would be damaging to the children of the district. All three questioned the motives of the restrictions and expressed a feeling of betrayal after being led to believe they would be more involved in the process.

First to speak on behalf of the teachers was Eden Beasley, who immediately questioned a policy where parents have a say in their children’s reading material.

“My first concern is that we even have this policy at all, and parents can restrict what their individual student reads” said Beasley. “My second concern is that administrators are not being transparent with teachers after the first five books were

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

East Buchanan C-1 School District

New East Buchanan K-12 Middle School

Bid Package #4 – General Trades

Project Location – 500 S. 4th Street Gower, MO 64454

PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY

Al J. Mueller Construction Attention: Cody Arrowood Carrowood@aljmueller.com & Incite Design Studios Attention: Josh Conard joshc@incitedesignstudio.com July 2nd, 2024, 2:00 PM CST INSTRUCTIONS TO BIDDERS

The East Buchanan C-1 School District has secured funding for the design and construction of a new middle school in Gower, Missouri. Incite Design Studios (iDS) has been awarded the design contract and Al J. Mueller Construction has been awarded the Construction Manager at Risk contract for the project. Mass grading packages have been awarded at this time and the work is currently in progress. The pre-cast structures and pre-engineered metal building contracts have also been awarded at this time. Al J. Mueller Construction is currently accepting bids for Bid Package #4 – General Trades which includes all scopes minus mass grading, pre-cast building structures, pre-engineered metal buildings and concrete.

• Proposals must be emailed to Al J. Mueller Construction (Carrowood@aljjmueller.com) and Incite Design Studios (joshc@incitedesignstudio.com) on or before July 2nd, 2024 at 2:00 PM CST. •Proposals will be read aloud at East Buchanan High School on July 2nd, 2024, at 4:00 PM CST. Address: 100 Smith Street. Gower, MO. 64454

• Questions, Substitution Requests and RFI’s must be for mally submitted via email NLT June 20th, 2024

Prebid (Virtual) Meeting Information Date: June 18th 2024 Time: 3:00 PM CST Microsoft Teams Meeting ID: 287 656 074 091 Microsoft Teams Passcode: bq2qMW Microsoft Teams Link: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetupjoin/19%3ameeting_YjY3NmViOTMtZDUyNi00NDY0LWJkNDYtMmQxMDY3ZmQyY TA5%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%221b209ace-f1fd-49dc-92170df72f38cdd1%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22c307e541-192d-4c83-9309fee25b210094%22%7d Bid Documents

1. Request for Proposal Bid Package #4 – General Trades (6-11-2024)

2. Bid Package #4 –

restricted by the book review committee.”

No communication of those restrictions was sent out to teachers from administration.

“If teachers are not aware of restrictions, the decisions of the district administrators are opening the door for teachers to be ridiculed and reprimanded for decisions they have no part in,” the teacher said.

Beasley continued to describe how she and her colleagues felt after meeting to discuss the policy. “My colleagues and I were lied to at our March meeting. This does not make me feel valued as an employee. It is clear from this interaction that my education and training are not respected.” Mrs. Beasley concluded her statement by saying, “I would also like to request that (an) appeals process be put into place to those with credible concerns about the restrictions, and requests that restrictions be reconsidered.”

Second to address the meeting was Jennifer Reents-Dickkut, also a teacher with the district. Mrs. Reents-Dickkut was concerned with what the policy will do to diversity and inclusion of students.

“The results of the book review policy clearly appear to be misogynistic, racist and show a clear lack of empathy to issues many parents, students and teachers and staff expected the board and district administrators to act with transparency and stand up for diversity,” said Reents-Dickkut, “At this point, all the policy has developed as is a division within the school district causing anger, frustration, disagreements and often feeling misled.”

Mrs. Reents-Dickkut insisted that there is growing

learned to fly an airplane, the flights would need to end.

And he put an end to the flights when he announced one late November night in 1968 at supper that he had sold the bus company and purchased The Plattsburg Leader.

To say it was shocking news would be an understatement. Dave was a sophomore at Westminster College, Fulton. I was a se-

pushback within the community. “Teachers, faculty, students and many families have been shocked to learn that the books being restricted are put in the closet,” she added.

Clearly, Reents-Dickkut considers the policies a weapon against certain students. “Based on the policies targeting content today, this policy and inflammation of this policy is creating a lack of diversity,” insisted Reents-Dickkut, “Promoting misogynistic views targeting LBGTQ issues, showing a disregard with the complete lack of empathy to mental health and socioeconomic topics. We implore you to consider drowning out the narcissism by bringing back empathy and diversity to all.”

The final teacher to address the group was Hanna Piatt, who began by explaining her passion for literature. “I also teach the Advanced Placement literature and composition class. This is a program I’m very passionate about because it helps students open their minds to new ideas and concepts and ways of looking at literature.

I am given the opportunity to push students to relate to the human experience and how the author has given authentic looks into diverse opinions and backgrounds for a book to be on the AP list. This means that it has very complex concepts with creating a true human experience using literary elements and devices.

“Students are challenged with higher level thinking as they write true literary arguments to justify their interpretation.” Mrs. Piatt continued the explanation. “They are even scored on their ability to eliminate their interpretation by situat-

Continued

nior at PHS and Greg was a sophomore. The direction in our life was about to change, and as history would confirm, it was a change for the better.

Speaking of better, one place he and I got to know each other better was on the golf course. When we were growing up, he would seek refuge at the Plattsburg Country Club, playing nine or 18 holes on the ninehole sand green golf course.

ing it within a broader context. Which means they are relating it to the human experience and books are one of the best ways to reach this now.

“The last list of books that were deemed restricted had a few of the AP books on there. Which takes away from my program and the students and their parents ability to choose what they want to read, as well as creating an uncomfortable relationship between myself and the AP program.”

“We were given no information about the reconsideration until May 21, when Dr. Robinson emailed to let us know that the decision of the book committee reached the final (stage) and the request would not be taken to the board. A request to help us continue to teach and give our students engaging texts would be a creative policy that allows us to appeal a restricted book or possibly banned.

“If we have a policy that can place a book on the restricted list and the book is not taken in its truest form, then we should be given the chance to combat that to ensure that our voices are still heard and we are still respected as professionals within the district.” All three teachers speaking out against the policies received applause, as well. At the end of the exchange, both sides remained far apart in their interpretation of the policy and its implementation. It was unclear if any of the board members were moved by either side of the discussion. However, this topic is sure to dominate the discussion at least once every three months, as long as the battle lines remain drawn.

Later, I had the luxury of playing hundreds of rounds of golf with him. Most were just going to different courses and enjoying a day at the golf course. Other times, I joined in partnership with him to compete in the Spelman Golf Classic, a fundraising event for the Spelman Hospital Foundation, where he served as chairman for several years. When lung cancer took away his playing days, we traveled to Loch Lloyd to watch the Senior Tour golf professionals. Once again, just a great time to be together on a golf course and on the rides to and back home.

Skip was my father, and just as important, he was a best friend. I was fortunate to celebrate decades of Father’s Days with him. He passed away Jan 13, 2001. His earthly journey is over, but he continues to live in my heart every day.

Happy Father’s Day, Skip!

Hunter Risch - Second Team All-State Senior Pitcher

Steve Tinnen,

Keegan Gudde - Second Team All-State Sophomore Outfielder

Braden Brown - Honorable Mention All-State Senior Infielder

AGRICULTURE

See Consumer Oil & Supply for your One Stop Shop for Muck and Lacrosse boots and gloves. Consumer Oil & Supply, 614 Harris Ave., 359-2258

PUBLIC NOTICES

Because The People Must Know

Buying standing walnut, oak & cottonwood timber. Cash or on shares. Call Mike at 816-248-3091

VEHICLE FOR SALE VIA SEALED BIDS

Gravel, sand, top soil, mulch, river rock, boulders-Turney Mini Quarry 816248-2523.

PAYING $75/ACRE FOR RENTAL PASTURE. Will consider any size and location. 816-288-9060

TRUSTEE’S SALE

IN RE: Clark Montgomery and Nora Montgomery, husband and wife Trustee’s Sale: For default in payment of debt and performance of obligation secured by Deed of Trust executed by Clark Montgomery and Nora Montgomery, husband and wife dated September 24, 2021 and recorded in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds of Clinton County, Missouri as Instrument Number: 202103726 the undersigned Successor Trustee, at the request of the legal holder of said Note will on Monday, June 24, 2024 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., (at the specific time of 12:50 PM), at the West Front Door of the Court House, City of Plattsburg, County of Clinton, State of Missouri, sell at public vendue to the highest bidder for cash the following described real estate, described in said Deed of Trust, and situated in Clinton County, State of Missouri, to wit: LOT 133, IN SOUTH CAMERON, AN ADDITION TO THE CITY OF CAMERON, CLINTON COUNTY, MISSOURI. to satisfy said debt and cost.

MILLSAP & SINGER, P.C., Successor Trustee 612 Spirit Drive St. Louis, MO 63005 (636) 537-0110 File No: 221939.062424.444832 FC

NOTICE

Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. §1692c(b), no information concerning the collection of this debt may be given without the prior consent of the consumer given directly to the debt collector or the express permission of a court of competent jurisdiction. The debt collector is attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. PUBLISH ON: May 30, 2024 06/06/2024, 06/13/2024, 06/20/2024 (5/30, 6/6, 6/13, 6/20/24)

INVITATION TO BID

NE 272ND ST. BRIDGE REPLACEMENT

The Clinton County Public Administrator is selling a 2013 Nissan four door, through the process of private, sealed bids. Please mail any potential bids for the said vehicle to the attorney for the Public Administrator, Kim Brown, Attorney at Law, LLC, 1803 N. Walnut, P.O. Box 77, Cameron, Missouri 64429. Bids need to be sealed and notarized. Vehicle available to be seen by appointment only. Contact the Clinton County Public Administrator at 816-592-0177. Appointments available from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, beginning June 6, 2024, and ending June 26, 2024. If you intend to send any bids for the vehicle, please have them mailed to attorney Kim Brown, no later than June 26th, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. (5/30, 6/6, 6/13, 6/20/24)

PUBLIC NOTICE REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR FACILITIES ASSESSMENT

The Lathrop R-II School District is requesting Statements of Qualifications for an Architectural firm for assessment of existing facilities for their district in Lathrop, Missouri. The School District is in Clinton County.

Companies interested in submitting qualifications should contact the District Superintendent, Dr. Adam Willard, at 816710-6110 or adam.willard@lathropschools.com for a formal copy of the Request for Qualifications. Submissions will be due no later than 3:00 p.m. on June 25, 2024, in the District Central Office located at 700 East Street, Lathrop, Missouri 64465.

The School District reserves the right to reject any or all submittals and to waive any informality and irregularity in the qualifications and to select the firm that is in the best interest of the District and in compliance with the terms set herein. The Lathrop R-II School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer and invites the submission of proposals from minority- and women-owned firms.

(6/6, 6/13)

For Sale: One grass fed beef. Sold by hanging weight. Call 66o-645-2269

Kingsville Livestock Auction. Located 45 miles SE of Kansas City, MO. On 58 Hwy. East of Modern. 816.597.3331. www.kingsvillelivestock.com fwda

FOR RENT

Sunnyview Apartments is taking applications for single & double apartments. Sunnyview is a residential care facility for the elderly. We provide qualified staff to administer medications, provide three meals a day and offer minimal assistance with the activities of daily living. Now accepting Medicaid. For more information contact Cassandra Brewer at 660-359-5647.

For rent: Hale, Mo. One 1br apt and one studio apt. NO PETS, first month rent and deposit required, Appliances and utilities furnished. Ideal for someone on a fixed income. Immideate possession, background check required. Please call 660-645-2269

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: “All rental prop-

Public Meeting

Sealed bids for the Proposal for the Construction of Clinton County Bridge #14500021 will be received at: Clinton County Commission , 207 N. Main St , Plattsburg, MO 64477 , until 10:00 A.M. (prevailing local time) on the 11th day of July , 2024 , at the office of the Clinton County Courthouse , and at that time will be publicly opened and read. All bids shall be submitted as a Hard Copy.

The proposed work includes:

Construction of a 91-foot long, prestressed concrete NU-Girder span bridge with minor road work, erosion control and guardrail installation in accordance with plans and specifications.

A digital copy of the plans and specifications may be purchased through the office of Great River Engineering (GRE), at 2826 S. Ingram Mill, Springfield, MO 65804 (417-886-7171) upon payment of $75.00, which is not refundable. All bidders must purchase plans through Great River Engineering, Inc. and be on the planholder list in order to bid the project.

This contract requires payment of the prevailing hourly rate of wages for each craft or type of work required to execute the contract as determined by the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, and requires adherence to a schedule of minimum wages as determined by the United States Department of Labor. For work performed anywhere on this project, the contractor and the contractor’s subcontractors shall pay the higher of these two applicable wage rates. The applicable state wage rates for this contract are detailed in “Annual Wage Order 31”, that is attached to this bidding document. The applicable federal wage rates for this contract are the effective Davis-Bacon federal wage rates posted the tenth day before the bid opening date and can be found at: https://sam.gov/content/wage-determinations. These supplemental bidding documents have important legal consequences. It shall be conclusively presumed that they are in the bidder’s possession, and they have been reviewed and used by the bidder in the preparation of any bid submitted on this project.

The Clinton County Commission hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, ancestry, or national origin in consideration for an award.

All bidders must be on MoDOT’s Qualified Contractor List per Section 102.2 of the current version of the Missouri Standard Specifications for Highway Construction. The contractor questionnaire must be on file 7 days prior to bid opening.

Contractors and sub-contractors who sign a contract to work on public works projects shall provide a 10 Hour OSHA construction safety program, or similar program approved by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, to be completed by their on-site employees within sixty (60) days of beginning work on the construction project.

A certified cashier’s check or a bid bond in the amount of 5% shall be submitted with each proposal.

The Clinton County Commission reserves the right to reject any or all bids.

The project will be awarded to the lowest, responsive, responsible bidder. The DBE Goal for this project is 3% .

No 2nd tier subcontracting will be allowed on this project.

Clinton County Commission

erty advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which make it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.”

"We will not knowingly accept any advertising for rental property which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis."

REAL ESTATE

FOR SALE: Home in Spickard, MO. 3 bed 1 bath. Has older two car garage. No heat or air. Older move in ready home. No title Insurance. Serious inquires only. Please call 660-748-3339

PUBLISHER'S NOTE: "All property advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which make it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.”

The Trimble Planning & Zoning Commission will hold a public meeting on June 27th, 2024 @ 7:00 pm at the Trimble Community Center located at 101 S Fourth ST. Trimble MO 64492. The meeting is opened for comment and discussion on the proposed residential development and re-zoning of a parcel of property located within the city limits of Trimble, MO. The parcel of land is located along Highway F and Us Highway 169 and is owned by Timberland Properties, INC and Flash Tech Communications, INC. Randy Robb President.

(6/20/24)

"We will not knowingly accept any advertising for property which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all advertised property is available on an equal opportunity basis."

FOR SALE

Garden Headquarters! Garden seeds, assorted garden tools, best prices in town. Trenton Hardware, 901 Main, Trenton. 660-3593660.

IN THE 43RD JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, CLINTON COUNTY, MISSOURI PROBATE DIVISION Case Number: 24CN-PR00046

In the Estate of ROGER E FENN, Deceased. Notice of Letters Testamentary Granted (Independent Administration)

To All Persons Interested in the Estate of ROGER E FENN, Decedent:

On May 23,2024, the last will of Decedent having been admitted to probate, the following individual was appointed the personal representative of the estate of ROGER E FENN, decedent, by the Probate Division of the Circuit Court of CLINTON COUNTY Missouri. The personal representative may administer the estate independently without adjudication, order, or direction of the Probate Division of the Circuit Court, unless a petition for supervised administration is made to and granted by the court.

The name, business address and phone number of the personal representative is:

SYLVIA M FENN, 605 S. CHESTNUT STREET , CAMERON, MO 64429

The personal representative's attorney's name, business address and phone number is: PAUL STEVEN WILSON 421 W BROADWAY, SUITE 200, COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA 51503 (712)322-6000

All creditors of said decedent are notified to file claims in court within six months from the date of the first publication of this notice or if a copy of this notice was mailed to, or served upon, such creditor by the personal representative, then within two months from the date it was mailed or served, whichever is later, or be forever barred to the fullest extent permissible by law. Such six-month period and such two-month period do not extend the limitation period that would bar claims one year after the decedent's death, as provided in Section 473.444, RSMo, or any other applicable limitation periods. Nothing in Section 473.033, RSMo, shall be construed to bar any action against a decedent's liability insurance carrier through a defendant ad litem pursuant to Section 537 .021, RSMo.

Date of the decedent's death: 25-MAY-2023

Date of first publication: 5/30/24

Shelter Insurance –Cale Gondringer 1601 E 9th St., Suite D. 660-3594100. LIFE * HOME * AUTO * FARM * BUSINESS. We’re your shield. We’re your shelter.ShelterInsurance.com Tdtf North Central Missouri College is seeking a Residential Life Coordinator/Assistant Women's Softball Coach. This is a fulltime position with benefits included. Interested applicants should visit www.ncmissouri.edu /jobs for more information and how to apply or call 660357-6203. NCMC is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

Help Wanted: Home Visitor, Caldwell County Head Start. This position is responsible for planning home-based learning experiences that focus on promoting high-quality early learning in the home. Full-Time with the following benefits: 4-day work week, Dental/Health/Life insurance, Retirement, LifeFlight, Sick Leave, Paid tuition to NCMC. This position is responsible for the supervision of center staff and volunteers. As well as planning, monitoring, and managing the facility’s daily program, social services, and family engagement activities. Visit http://www.greenhillsheadstart.org for job description and application or call 660-359-2214. E.O.I. NOTICES THE PEOPLE’S CO-OP 1736 East 9th St. 359-3313. Premium Diesel, Gas, 10% Ethanol –CENEX. 83 years of service & experience. MR. TIRE Mastercraft and Yokohama tires.

Replacement Parts; Accessories; Chemicals; Tool & equipment. www.tlauto supply.com

Carquest Auto

Parts T & L Auto Supply, Inc., 1823 East 9th, Trenton, 359-2268, tlautosupply.com Monday-Friday, 7-5, Saturday, 7:30-12. CRP Grass seeding and management. Experienced life long grass farmer. Ray Schwarz 816-2234712 --------------------------JAMESPORT LUMBER - Full Service Lumberyard. We also sell Trusses/ metal/ rebar/concrete blocks. New Hardware Department • Gift Certificates and Delivery Available • Free Estimates. 32089 St. Hwy 6, Jamesport, 660-684-6404

/s/ Deana Morton Clerk

Receipt of this notice by mail should not be construed by the recipient to indicate that the recipient necessarily has a beneficial interest in the estate. The nature and extent of any person's interest, if any, can be determined from the files and records of this estate in the Probate Division of the above referenced Circuit Court. (5/30, 6/6, 6/13, 6/20/24)

*SEAMLESS GUTTERING* We are ready to replace your old gutters with new seamless aluminum gutters! MOORE’S CONSTRUCTION & WOODWORK, INC. 359-5477. 52 Years Experience.

heart. I really mean that, but if they continue to bend to the will of the far-left among their teachers and librarians, they will be responsible for the death of this district. You can see some are already turning on their superintendent because he is not willing to allow them carte blanche. That venom can be directed at you if you don’t “comply.”

I have seen where declining student populations in some districts are resulting in serious revenue shortfalls. You see, funding is based on the number of students in the district, and when parents start voting with their feet, districts end up on the short end of the stick.

If parents opt to start pulling their students out of the

district for religious or moral reasons, we will begin to see the district shrink, and the only way to make up the gap will be to increase the levy.

And what about my rights or the rights of kids who are deeply troubled by the culture and the materials being foisted on them by misguided teachers in the name of inclusion or diversity?

What about my diversity of thought where I don’t want to see that filth?

Maybe some of the teachers that spoke need to look up the definition of tolerance and start tolerating community beliefs and opinions.

Alas, there is no tolerance for decent values in our society anymore. I would have lost a bet if someone had wagered that the Cameron

Cameron Council Appoints Members to City Boards

by jamey honeycutt leader publisher

The Cameron City Council met in regular session Monday, June 17, in the Public Safety Building due to ongoing mold testing at Cameron City Hall that has all operations shuttered until the building is deemed safe. More information can be found in a nearby article.

After approving the consent agenda (which included approving liquor licenses for Nelle’s Country Restaurant, Jonez Travel Plaza and TrexMart #15), appointments were made to the Park Board. Matt Vaughn, Matt Arndt, Julie Ausmus and Kristin Bates were appointed unanimously.

Next, recommendations for Planning and Zoning Board appointments were made, with Mike O’Donnell and Paul Turner being nominated. Both will be voted on at the next scheduled council meeting.

After the city manager’s report, primarily on the condition of city hall, the council took up one piece of unfinished business and addressed two items of new business.

In old business, there was a second and final reading of a bill reclassifying a property owned by Christopher and Tanya Graham as single-family residential from agricultural use. The bill was approved 5-0.

In new business, an ordinance was considered establishing a mutual aid agreement with the Missouri Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Chief

Dan Miller spoke favorably of the agreement before it was passed along on a final reading, 5-0.

The council also approved 5-0 an ordinance establishing regulations for businesses offering a “sidewalk cafe” as part of their business.

The next Cameron City Council meeting will be July 1, 2024. The location is to be determined.

School District would allow pornographic and homoerotic texts in school libraries, but I am here to say they have. It is not hyperbole.

I believe the members of the school board are good people but they cannot say that they are against filth in our schools if they allow this practice moving forward.

It is time for them to stand up for morality and their patrons and say ENOUGH. Please continue and side with their attempts to at least restrict access to the most vile of the texts.

And where are the pastors in Cameron? Why are they silent? I challenge them to read any of these passages to their congregations on Sunday. They won’t because it is an abomination, but yet they

are absent when it comes to their school-aged flock. We question why youth are turning away from the church; maybe we have turned away from them by not coming to their aid when they are the most vulnerable.

Shameful.

I know this is going to ruffle some feathers but we are dangerously close to losing the schools here in rural Missouri and that is one thing I thought I would never see. I know that many think they are staying safe by saying nothing and not exposing themselves to criticism but not acting is an act--one of cowardice.

I refuse to be silent. Will you speak up with me, or am I beating this drum alone?

The Third Annual BBQ Bash benefiting Cameron Main Street and the Food Pantry was a huge success this past weekend, raising $5,600 for the two great causes. The event was held at 3rd Street Fusion. Over 250 meals were served in support of the Food Pantry and Main Street.

Liberty Hospital Primary Care

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46th Annual Lathrop Antique Car, Tractor and Engine Show