REPUBLICAN-TIMES
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TRENTON
Trenton, MO 64683
Friday, September 14, 2018 75¢
per copy
Check out the Republican-Times on the Internet: www.republican-times.com ©W.B. Rogers Printing Co., Inc.
Sixteen Pages - 2 Sections - 1 Insert
Established Sept. 4, 1864 - 155th Year - No. 4
2018 THS Homecoming Briefs...
Future Construction Projects Considered
TRENTON R-9 BOARD
Architecture RFQs Sought
Construction of a performing arts center and renovation work are among future projects being considered by the Trenton R-9 School Board, which on Tuesday night voted to seek a request for qualification for architectural services. On a vote of 7-0, board members agreed to seek the RFQ, which would be due at the district office no later than 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 3. Seeking the RFQ does not commit the board to any project, however, if members vote to accept one of the bids after they are received, the firm chosen would be asked to come up with designs that would include four projects, including construction of a performing arts center, which would connect the TMS/THS complex to the music building, as well as renovation work in the Rissler School office, the C.F. Russell Stadium restroom/concession stand/locker room and the TMS/THS Library/Media Center. Superintendent Dan Wiebers noted that all four projects would address one of the goals the district has in its Comprehensive School Improvement Plan of providing and maintaining appropriate instructional resources, support services and function, and safe facilities. During the August board meeting, Wiebers told members that the district would be eligible for a no-tax increase levy vote in 2019, when bonds are paid off for the middle school project.
Park Board OKs Bids
If the board chooses to move ahead, voters would be asked as early as April 2019 to continue the current debt service levy of 90 cents, with those funds being used to pay for projects under consideration. A 4/7ths majority would be needed for such an issue to be approved. Wiebers estimated around $6 to $7 million would be available if voters would agree to continue the levy. The board reviewed, then approved, the board of education goals, which is done on a yearly basis as part of the CSIP Plan revision. There are five goals on the list, which did not change from last year. The goals include develop and enhance quality programs to improve performance an enable students to meet their personal, academic and career goals; recruit, attract, develop and retain highly qualified staff; provide and maintain appropriate instructional resources, support services and function, and safe facilities; promote, facilitate and enhance parent, student and community involvement; and govern the local education agency (R-9 School District) in an efficient and effective manner. The board was told about four scholarships being made available to THS seniors this year, including the Foundation Trust of THS Schol-
See R-9, Page 8
Boards Have Busy Agendas
AREA BOE MEETINGS Bids, reports and certificates of deposit topped agendas for meetings this week of the Grundy R-5, Pleasant View R6, Laredo R-7, Princeton R-5, Tri-County R-7 and NewtownHarris R-d boards of education. Grundy R-5 The Grundy R-5 Board of Education held a special meeting on Wednesday after cancelling the regular monthly meeting due to a lack of business. According to information provided by Superintendent Rob Deaver, the board approved the monthly bills and transfer of funds. The date for
Action Taken On Several Items
the next board meeting was set for 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 17 at the high school in Galt. Pleasant View R-6 Gym rental and updates were among items addressed by the Pleasant View R-6 Board of Education at its meeting on Tuesday night. According to information provided by Superintendent Rebecca Steinhoff, the board voted to increase rental of the school gym to $200 for in-district residents and $250 for out-of-district residents. The action was taken following discussion of building projects, which included new air conditioning and replacement
National Weather Service
Sunny skies and warm temperatures are expected through the weekend with highs in the mid to upper 80s and lows in the mid 60s. The high on Monday at the Government Weather Station at Trenton was 82, Tuesday’s high was 85 and Wednesday’s high was 85, the low was 60. The high on Wednesday at the Government Weather Station near Spickard was 80, the low was 63.
of sound boards in the gym. Resurfacing of the courtyard area was also discussed, but no action was taken. Approval was given to the local compliance plan as well as field trip to the Kansas City Zoo on May 1 for first and second grade students. The board had a second reading of an MSBA policy and discussed, but took no action, on accepting debit/credit cards. Mrs. Steinhoff gave an enrollment report, which showed the number of students in grades K-8 (96) up by two over a year ago. There are two
See Boards, Page 8
The Trenton Park Board voted to accept bids for two play structures that are being replaced by new equipment in the city park system during a special meeting held on Thursday morning. Park Superintendent Jason Shuler said two bids were submitted for the structure at Moberly Park, with the board accepting the high bid of $2,100 submitted by the Galt Fair Association. Seth Cox submitted the only bid for the structure at Gladys Grimes Park, which was for $200. Shuler said the successful bidders will have two weeks from Thursday to remove the structures from the parks.
Chamber Luncheon
Nestle Plant Manager Andy Darley will be the guest speaker at the Trenton Area Chamber of Commerce quarterly luncheon on Wednesday, Sept. 26. The luncheon will be at the Riverside Country Club, beginning at noon. The cost is $10 for chamber members and $11 for non-members. Reservations are requested and may be made by calling the chamber office at 3594324 or emailing the office at trentonchamber2@att.net.
Commission Agenda
The Grundy County Commission will meet in regular session Tuesday at the courthouse. Items on the announced agenda is a 10 a.m. meeting with Ambulance Director Steve Tracy.
Bright Futures T-Shirts
Bright Futures Trenton is selling t-shirts to promote community awareness of the program that brings together the school and community to meet the needs of students in the Trenton R-9 School District. The orange t-shirts say “Every Child Needs a Champion” on the front and have the Bright Futures logo on the back. Shirts are $15 payable to Bright Futures Trenton and orders are due Friday, Sept. 21. Payment can be sent by cash or check to Leslie Woodard at Rissler Elementary School, dropped off at American Family Insurance or left with Jessica Spurgeon in the Trenton High School office. Those ordering are asked to add the name of the person ordering as a note in the memo section of the check. Bright Futures will make a small profit from the sales and will use the proceeds to help meet student needs. The link to the order form is available on the Bright Futures Trenton Facebook page, as well as on the Trenton Republican-Times website, www.republican-times.com and the R-T Facebook page. **********
This Weekend...
SATURDAY Jailhouse Poker Run Old County Jail Registration at 11 a.m., Ride at Noon.
On The Field...
Trenton Rotary Fish Fry Trenton Rock Barn 5 to 7 p.m.
THS and TMS sports teams have been busy this week both at home and on the road. See pages 2 & 3 of today’s Republican-Times for results involving football, softball, volleyball, golf and tennis.
SUNNY & WARM
Trenton Republican-Times
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CITY COUNCIL 10% Suggested
Mayor Suggests Rate Decrease
Members of the Trenton City Council’s Utility Committee will consider a request from Mayor Dr. Nick McHargue to reduce electric rates following a discussion at Monday night’s council meeting. Citing financial data from Trenton Municipal Utilities, Dr. McHargue asked for a 10 percent reduction in electric rates beginning with the next bill and then look at reducing those rates another 5 percent the next month. Based on current rates, a 10 percent reduction would result in approximately $900,000 less in monthly revenues received in the electric department. The mayor quoted figures showing $3.5 million in the electric department’s unrestricted fund while the wastewater department’s unrestricted fund is showing $3 million. The water department fund, according to Dr. McHargue, is at $2.2 million. TMU Comptroller Rosetta Marsh noted that the utility is required to keep certain balances available to cover bond indebtedness, which is the reason for the large amount in the water and wastewater department. The city currently has around $13 million of bond indebtedness for water and wastewater projects and a rate study done by the city a few years ago indicated the city’s need to increase those rates to meet the bond requirements. As for the electric department, Mrs. Marsh noted the $3.5 million represents around five months of operating expenses, adding that
See Trenton, Page 8
What’s Inside
Sports...............Sec. 1, page 2-3 Op/Ed ..................Sec. 1, page 4 Community .........Sec. 1, page 5 Agriculture ..........Sec. 1, page 6 Dear Annie ..........Sec. 1, page 9 Crosswords .........Sec. 1, page 9 NASCAR ............Sec. 2, page 1 Alumni.............Sec. 2, page 2-3 Comics ................Sec. 2, page 4