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Scene stealing with style
Eagles sizing up in the trenches
Monett’s Stephanie Schumacher performs in “All Shook Up: The Music of Elvis Presley”
Pierce City linemen positions being filled
The Monett Times Your Hometown Area Newspaper
Wednesday, August 4, 2021
PAY INCREASE
Who: Verona employees What: First raise since 2019 When: Effective next pay period
Verona considers salary increases Police chief, city clerk, public works foreman get raises BY MIKE GERVAIS
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Sales tax receipts generally up despite dips Lower Monett totals show decrease in pandemic surge BY MURRAY BISHOFF, SENIOR CONTRIBUTOR
times-news@monett-times.com
Sales tax revenues to bicounty cities and counties continued their upward surge in July.
SALES TAX REVENUES IN JULY
Combined bi-county tally: Up 10 percent City trends: Major towns all up except for Monett County differences: Bigger gains in LawCo
Some cities, like Monett, showed slight slippage from col-
lections a year ago, while others, notably the other bigger towns, especially those in Lawrence County, saw big gains. Monett’s two sales taxes supporting the city’s general fund generated $200,191.57 in July, down $3,433.47 from last July. It was the third drop in 2021, compared to 2020, but the dips have had little impact on the city’s budget situation. Four
months into the city’s current fiscal year, general fund income has hit $781,942.68, up 5 percent from last year’s pace. So far in 2021, Monett’s general fund has received $1,304,579.32, up nearly $60,000 from a year ago, the highest July total on record. Ten years ago, the sum had not yet topped $1 million. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
Preparing for the Ozark Empire Fair
mgnews@monett-times.com
Verona’s three city employees, City Clerk Laura Hazelwood, Police Chief Jereimy Allen and Public Works Supervisor Rick Wright, have each received raises for the first time since 2019. Verona Mayor Joseph Heck said the city allocated a total of $3 for raises for its three employees when it approved its 2021-2022 budget. Council member Mike Haynes made a motion that was seconded by Council member Susanne Angel to approve a $1 raise for each staff member. That vote failed 3-2, with Heck – who only votes in the event of a tied vote – council member Rodney Bogart and council member Amy Spears voting against. “I just think that a person who puts their life on the line deserves a little more,” Spears said. Spears proposed offering Allen a $1.50 per hour raise and a $0.75 per hour raise for Hazelwood and Wright. Bogart countered with a proposal to provide a $1.25 per hour raise to Allen, a $1 per hour raise for Hazelwood and a $0.75 per hour raise for Wright. That motion was seconded by Angel and approved 3-1, with Haynes voting against. With the raises, Allen will be earning $15.25 per hour, Hazelwood will be making $14.25 an hour and Wright will be making $15 an hour. The Verona City Council also adjusted its billing for city sewer services. Bogart recommended the city change its policy on when the city notifies residents of potential water shut-off due to delinquent sewer bills. Currently, residents receive a CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
Area livestock exhibitors gathered Thursday in Springfield for the opening of the Ozark Empire Fair, anticipating breed competitions on Friday and the open show on Saturday. Clayton Clark, with Ozark Ranch in Verona, prepared to show his black headed Dorper, a South African hair sheep, among the 17 head he and his sister Ella planned to show in the 4-H and open sheep shows on July 30. The Clarks are members of the Solid Rock 4-H Club in Verona. Murray Bishoff/times-news@monett-times.com
Fitzpatrick launches campaign for State Auditor
Barry County native, State Treasurer takes aim at new state post Scott Fitzpatrick has launched his campaign for Missouri State Auditor, highlighting his track record as a job creator, conservative watchdog, and a next-generation leader.
The campaign issued a video announcement available at www.scottfitzpatrick.com. “Missouri needs an auditor that will be a conservative watchdog for taxpayers,” Fitzpatrick said. The current State Treasurer, Fitzpatrick pledges to bring a new generation of leadership to the Auditor’s office. “Missourians are tired of politicians who use the Auditor’s office to target their political opponents for their own gain,” he said.
Who: Purdy School District What: First Day of School When: Tuesday, Aug. 24
Purdy plans for upgrades BY MIKE GERVAIS mgnews@monett-times.com
Vol. 114, No. 8 ©2021 The Monett Times
Purdy schools are preparing for the 2021-2022 school year and making some changes under the leadership of new Superintendent Travis Graham, who began work at the beginning of July. Graham said that since summer school ended, school staff have been busy with summer clean-up, and he has identified several maintenance projects he would like to see tackled. Graham said there are two air conditioner units in the gym that each run on four compressors. He said each unit is currently operating on three compressors and he hopes to have
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Annual Wheaton BBQ slated
BACK TO SCHOOL
School board adjusts meeting dates
“Liberals have been in charge of the Auditor’s office for basically two decades. It’s time for a conservative watchdog with a proven record of protecting Missouri taxpayers.” A press release from the campaign said Fitzpatrick understands the impact Missouri’s growing government has on working families and businesses. As a teenager, he started his own company, MariCorp U.S., a Shell Knob-based marine
those units repaired for about $52,000 each next spring. Graham also said he would like to look into updating the school’s interior and exterior cameras. Graham also said that as he gets comfortable as the superintendent, one of his goals will be to review the school district’s short-term and long-term goals and review the school budget to see if anything can be done to increase teacher salaries. The Purdy Board of Education also approved a request from Graham to change its monthly meeting date from the third Monday of each month to the third Thursday of each month. “We have a lot of Mondays when we are not in session, but we don’t have any Thursdays CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
Mark calendars for Aug. 28th BY MELONIE ROBERTS reporter@monett-times.com
The 63rd annual Wheaton BBQ, hosted by the Wheaton Volunteer Fire Department, kicks off at 11 a.m. on Aug. 28 with the Wheaton Street Machines Show and Shine Car Event, and the Spud McCracken Memorial Horseshoe Tournament. Food service begins at 11:30 a.m. with the fire department’s traditional barbecue chicken half, baked potato, baked beans, bread and a beverage, available at a cost of $6 for adults and $3 for children. Also available will be a homemade pulled pork sandwich and baked beans, at a cost of $5.
WHEATON BBQ
When: Aug. 28 What: Day of rides, games, crafts, music, food and more Why: Benefits Wheaton Volunteer Fire Department
In addition, guests may visit the Firemen’s Ice Cream Stand or purchase a slice of homemade pie, provided by the Wheaton United Methodist Women. The Wheaton Depot Museum will have a soda concession, and Mike’s Amusements will have a concession trailer on site. Arts and craft vendors will be on site throughout the day. Free children’s carnival rides, courtesy of Party Station and made possible through various business sponsor-
ships, begin at 1 p.m. and continue until 8 p.m. The Wheaton FFA Petting Zoo will also be available for youngsters to get acquainted with farm animals. Wheels of Freedom will also offer Monster Truck Rides, courtesy of Jason and Melissa Bonnow. A silent auction, featuring more than 40 items, will also take place this year. Musical entertainment begins at 1 p.m. with the Sugar Mountain Band, followed by Chigger Creek Band at 2:15 p.m. The 211 Band takes the stage at 4 p.m., followed by Lucas Gates at 6 p.m. The duck race, which caps off the evening’s activities at 8 p.m., will offer a total of $1,000 in prizes this year. CONTINUED ON PAGE 5