Aug. 30, 2012 Volume 2 • Issue 41 75 cents Send your news to gladstonenews@npgco.com
Controlling the county’s crime rate Sheriff candidates talk about goals in EDC forum; Boydston, Vescovo face off again By Kevin M. Smith Clay County sheriff candidates sparred on crime prevention issues in a forum for the Clay County Economic Development Council on Aug. 20. Incumbent Sheriff Bob Boydston, D-Kansas City, pushed his child internet safety and illegal immigration campaigns. Meanwhile, former sheriff Paul Vescovo, R-Smithville, touted his experience and passion for the job and talked about proactive steps to prevent property and violent crimes.
Crime rate
Boydston admitted crime is up, especially property crimes like burglaries and violent crimes like murders. Last year, there was just one murder in the city of Gladstone, according to Boydston. So far this year there have been three murders in Gladstone, Boydston said. He said crime is “cyclical.” “It’s going to go up and down no matter what you do,” Boydston said. He said law enforcement’s reaction to crime trends, like illegal immigration, is important. Boydston said the sheriff’s department needs to persevere. “You just have to keep hitting the basics,” Boydston said, noting an 82 percent clearance rate on property crimes.
If OK’d by voters, court would appoint panel to write county constitution By Angie Anaya Borgedalen Paul Vescovo, former sheriff
Bob Boydston, incumbent sheriff
Ve s c ovo disagreed. “The national trend the past three years, crime is going down,” Vescovo said. He insisted that local law enforcement can have an impact on the crime rate. Vescovo proposed having a dedicated crime analyst track trends and find the root of the problems. He also pitched switching from the current 12-hour shifts for patrols to eight hour shifts with an overlapping, longer “power shift.”
911
The candidates agreed that 911 needs to be better funded, like through a mobile phone tax, and that Boydston’s initiative to consolidate 911 dispatch centers in the county is a good one.
“I realize that’s going to be a tough fight,” Vescovo said of getting a mobile tax for 911. “I know people hate taxes.” Sen. Luann Ridgeway, RSmithville, who is running for Clay County Eastern Commissioner, noted that such a tax has been put to a vote of the people at least twice statewide and failed.
Illegal immigration
Boydston said he believes illegal human trafficking could be occurring in Clay County, which he hopes to stifle with the new investigator hired specifically to
Just one day before they had to get the wording to the Clay County Election Board, county commissioners voted 2-1 to place a referendum on the Tuesday, Nov. 6, ballot asking voters for permission to take the first step in writing a new county constitution. Voting to put the issue to a vote were Eastern Commissioner Katee Porter and Western Commissioner Larry Larson. Presiding Commissioner Pam Mason voted no as she had promised last week when the issue surfaced. Mason called the move “sour grapes” by two lameduck commissioners. Both Porter and Larson are leaving the commission at the end of the year. “I don’t know why they’re doing this now,” Mason said. “Voters have already turned it down twice in the last 10 years.” Porter said this was the
perfect time to ask voters for another chance to reform county government because there is already an election and it will not cost one penny more to add this issue to the ballot. “The only people who call my request to place the constitutional question on the ballot ‘sour grapes’ are some of those who currently hold office,” Porter said. “They are afraid that if Clay County government is reformed they will lose their $60,000 plus a year jobs, plus benefits and retirement wherein they can do whatever they want without recourse.” Porter said in recent years, Clay County has had to force two auditors out of office for wrong doing and one turned out to be a felon. Porter was referring to former auditors Vic Hurlbert, Mason’s husband, and William Norris, who lied about his credentials and criminal record. CONSTITUTION/Page A3
SHERIFF/Page A3
TICKETS ON SALE
NOW!
816.781.4941
816.454.9660 816.628.6010
816.532.4444
Presented by Liberty Tribune Sponsored by Cosentino’s Price Chopper & Benton House
Thursday, November 8 • 7pm Liberty Community Center Performing Arts Theatre 1600 S. Withers Road, Liberty, MO 64068
RECIPES
TIPS
that will inspire you with world renowned chef
Steve Petusevsky
HOLIDAY MARKET Doors open at 4PM
Come early & bring your shopping lists for great gift and decorating ideas!
DOORS OPEN AT 4PM • SHOW BEGINS AT 7PM
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month and on Thursday, October 4, the Liberty Tribune, Gladstone Dispatch, The Kearney Courier and The Smithville Herald (Wednesday, October 3), a section of the publications will focus on breast cancer awareness. The sections will be printed on pink paper. A percentage of all advertising proceeds from this section will be donated to the local chapter of The American Cancer Society and Spelman Foundation. Deadline is September 26th.
$15 – General Admission seating.
Limited reserved seating available at $25 & $30
Presented by
Sponsored by
If you would like your photo returned, please include a selfaddressed stamped envelope.
ACTUAL PHOTO SIZE
Name
15 year survivor
Email photo rachel.chrisman@npgco.com
(Be sure to include name and how many years survivor or remembrance date of death.)
Order by phone 781-4941 or 389-6639
with credit card or purchase at Liberty Tribune office, 104 N. Main, Liberty, MO Monday - Friday 8am to 5pm
Included in this section will be a tribute to breast cancer survivors and also those who may have lost the battle. If you know someone or are yourself a breast cancer survivor, or would like to remember someone who valiantly fought this disease, we invite you to send their picture to be published in this section. The pictures will be black and white, listing the name, how many years survivor or date of passing.
Mail photo or drop off
Breast Cancer Survivor Liberty Tribune 104 N. Main, Liberty, MO 64068
Name of Survivor: _____________________________________ Number of Years Survivor:_____ Date of Passing: ________