October 3, 2013 Volume 3 • Issue 47 75 cents Send community news to gladstonenews@npgco.com
County constitution stays on Nov. 5 ballot
Mark Tomes accepts congratulations after being named the grand marshal of the 2013 Gladfest parade during the September lunch of the Gladstone Area Chamber of Commerce.
County commissioners taking fight against constitution vote to state supreme court By Ryne Dittmer
Amy Neal/ Staff Photo
Parade marshal a hard-working friend to all
Friday, Oct. 4 — 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5 — 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6 — noon to 5 p.m.
this festival guide is a supplement to the oct. 3, 2013, gladstone dispatch
Mark Tomes selected as face of Gladfest 34
By Amy Neal When Mark Tomes was picked to be the grand marshal of the Gladfest 34 parade, he really couldn’t refuse. Friends, family and business associates agree, he’s a man who can’t say “no.” His willingness to lend a hand in the community he has called home
for more than 50 years and done business in for more than 20 largely influenced his selection as parade marshal. “This year’s winner truly embodies the spirit of community and is always glad to help with any project, no matter how large or MARSHAL/Page A4
Gladfest 34 “It’s Time to Explore” is the theme of the 34th annual Gladfest. Activities will take place Friday to Sunday, Oct. 4 to 6, in Gladstone’s city center. Read all about this year’s lineup in the festival guide in this week’s Gladstone Dispatch.
According to a judge’s order, the public vote on the proposed Clay County constitution will continue as scheduled Tuesday, Nov. 5. Judge Roger Prokes of the 4th Judicial Circuit Court in Nodaway County issued the order Sept. 25 staying proceedings on the litigation filed by Clay County Commissioners Pam Mason, Luann Ridgeway and Gene Owen against the constitution until after the election is held. Prokes found multiple counts of the commissioners’ petition were not “ripe for adjudication,” meaning a declaratory judgment from the court on the provisions and effects of the constitution could not be made unless the document was adopted by voters. Prokes also determined the Missouri Constitution guaranteed the right of Clay County residents to vote on the proposed constitution. The order did state that the court could hear the commissioners’ claims against the constitution after the Nov. 5 election, if the constitution is passed. During a hearing Sept. 19, Prokes ruled the ballot language of the proposed
constitution should be changed to read “Shall Clay County adopt the proposed county constitution drafted by the Clay County Constitution Commission which was authorized by the Nov 6, 2012 election.” The Sept. 25 order allows the Clay County Board of Elections to keep the constitution issue on the ballot. “It is ordered that the defendant Election Board of Clay County proceed with the necessary steps to place the adoption of the proposed Clay County Constitution on the ballot for the general election on Nov. 5, 2013, pursuant to this Court’s Order revising the language of the ballot; and that all further proceedings in this matter are stayed until after the general election on Nov. 5, 2013,” the order stated. Jeremy Root, attorney for the Clay County commissioners, said he was not surprised Prokes mandated the ballot language be changed, but Root disagreed with the judge’s decision regarding the other challenges. “We believe he’s wrong about the ripeness issue and are concerned that if Constitution/Page A11
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