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©2014 Serving Lamar, Golden City, Lockwood, Jasper, Sheldon, Mindenmines and Liberal for 144 years. Incorporating The Daily Democrat, Golden City Herald & Lockwood Luminary.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014
2 SECTIONS, 12 PAGES
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Lamar Democrat to be delivered to every household in Barton County
Melissa Little/Lamar Democrat On Friday, Feb. 14 the Tristatesmen's Barbershop Quartet stopped by the Lamar Democrat office to serenade editor Melody Metzger and present her with a long stem rose and card for Valentine's Day.
By MELODY METZGER Lamar Democrat The Lamar Democrat will do a complete saturation of every home in Barton County, as well as Lockwood, on Wednesday, Feb. 26. This is something that began back on December 25, 2013, with plans to do this at least every two months. The paper is excited to offer this to their readers, as well as prospective readers, and if any subscribers do not receive a paper, please feel free to contact me at 417-6825529, ext. 60. Also during this time there will be a subscription drive for new subscribers only. Be sure to look in the February 26 issue for prices. If anyone is interested in advertising, now is a great chance to get in on this special offering. The paper will literally go to several thousand households that otherwise might not receive the paper. If anyone is interested in advertising in this issue, please call Melissa at 417682-5529, ext. 62, before 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 24. The Lamar Democrat looks forward to offering this service to the public and any input would be appreciated. For more information call me, Melody, at 417-682-5529, ext. 60.
Hartzler listening post in Barton County, February 24 LAMAR-A representative from the office of Fourth District Congresswoman Vicki Hartzler will be in Lamar, Monday, Feb. 24, to meet with constituents and afford them the opportunity to discuss and share matters of importance to them. Staff member Cole Karr will host the meeting and report the topics discussed back to Congresswoman Hartzler. The listening post will be held at the Mary K. Finley Library, 10th and Cherry, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Listening posts are held throughout Missouri’s Fourth Congressional District.
INDEX
SECTION A Correspondents ........................ 2 Friends & Family ...................... 3 Friends & Family/School ......... 4 School......................................... 5 Sports ......................................... 6 SECTION B Records ...................................... 2 Records ...................................... 3 Legals.......................................... 4 Legals/Classifieds...................... 5 Sports/Area News ..................... 6
Safety in city park playgrounds main topic of council meeting By RICHARD COOPER Democrat staff writer
LAMAR-The park board met with the Lamar City Council, Monday night, to discuss ways of making the park’s playgrounds safer for children. In a well prepared presentation, Jennifer Ogden told the council that an insurance company representative has recommended placing a recessed foam surfacing around all rides and equipment in the park. Such padding is already used at Lamar’s West Elementary School. She said it may require grouping rides together for efficient use of the foam padding, but that could be done. The board has contacted Danny Little, whose many products have included Versa Court, although that product has now been sold off by Little. He offered to sell the park board 13,826 square feet of Poly Green Foam at a considerable discount to make the rides safer for use. The price quoted by Little was $107,151. The foam would be covered with artificial turf, which would blend in with the surrounding appearance of the park.
The council felt that bids should be sought so a comparison can be made with the discounted price. Parks and Recreation Director Marsha Doyle added that by seeking bids, it will allow the city to know how much money for the project must be allowed in the 2014-15 budget. Board member Shirley Bull brought some more flexibility into the discussion when she said the project could be completed in parts rather than all at the same time if need be. During the discussion, the problem of vandalism in the park was reviewed. Doyle and the board confirmed that it was a serious problem. Councilman Steve Gilkey strongly suggested to the board that it find ways of reducing the amount of vandalism taking place in the park. Aquatic Park attendance entered the discussion. “Weather directly influenced attendance,” Doyle said. She pointed out that 2012 was a very hot year, and pool attendance was up. Last summer was unseasonably cool, and attendance slumped by nearly 50 percent. She added that the state of the economy was also a likely negative factor in 2013, plus competition from a
new water park that opened in Joplin. She also stated that a new air furnace is certain to be on her budget request for 2014-15. The old equipment is beyond repair, she said. Vilela of Pittsburg, Kan. was the lowest of three bidders to demolish a house at 1700 Grand owned by Steve Tanner. The bid was $2,472. Tanner had fallen far behind in his allotted time to dispose of the structure, and the city will charge the cost to his taxes on the property. The council authorized Chief of Police Ron Hager to enter into an agreement with the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) to participate in the Missouri Highway Safety Program. This means MoDOT will compensate the city for any additional expenses, including overtime, for DWI patrols throughout the city. At the very end of the meeting, City Administrator Lynn Calton said a new bridge will be lifted by a crane and put in place at 18th and Gulf on Tuesday, Feb. 18. The task should be completed by the end of the day.
Barton County Rescue and Recovery Group to partnership with Lamar CB By MELODY METZGER Lamar Democrat
A good sized crowd was in attendance at the Lamar Community Betterment meeting held Wednesday, Feb. 12. Lamar CB meets at 12 noon on the second Wednesday of each month, at the Wolf Center. Individuals, as well as businesses, are encouraged to attend the meetings and become involved. Elaine Davis called the meeting to order, followed by approval of the minutes and treasurer’s reports. Following this, Davis introduced Lee Lake with the Barton County Rescue and Recovery Group. This group currently consists of 10 individuals that train continuously in order to assist law enforcement with not only dive recovery, but also land based search and rescue. Support through Extreme Sports out of Joplin is appreciated by the group; however, team members currently must purchase the bulk of the equipment with their own funds. The rescue and recovery group is currently in need of grants to purchase equipment. In order to qualify for many grants and additional funding, they must have a 501(c)3, which they currently do not. Four members of the group were present to ask the CB if they would be willing to let them partnership with them, so they could pursue further
support. The team currently holds various fundraising projects such as serving meals at the Barton County Chamber of Commerce’s 4th Thursday series, as well as providing finger print kits for children and sponsoring various sports tournaments. The group is currently in need of helmets, life vests and a trailer for their equipment. Lake stated that they had to hustle every day to raise money in order to provide manpower. Just this past year they assisted the Barton County Sheriff ’s Department, as well as the FBI. Lake mentioned that Larry Beatty would be writing the various grants once the CB voted to allow the group to come in under their guise. It was unanimously passed to pursue a partnership project with the search and rescue group, in order for them to be able to raise additional funding. New brochures that had been made for the CB were handed out to those attending. Several ideas and changes were discussed, with a decision to be made at the next meeting. Davis mentioned that work would soon begin on the project book state competition. Some of the avenues mentioned to be pursued included the city dog park and airport, Tools for Schools, the 10th Street Community Farmers’ Market and possibly the Barton County Community Fund. The
topic will merit further discussion at the next meeting, to be held Wednesday, March 12. Those attending gave various reports. Kathy Jenkins, representing AOK, reported that Al-Anon meetings are being held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, at the Mary K. Finley Library in Lamar and from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays, at the AOK corporate office, 208 W. 10th St. Jared Morey, also with AOK, reported that although they are still searching for new grants, that with help from the public, they are managing to stay afloat. He stated that with all the snow days, approximately 40 children have been fed each day and that after posting the need for meat on facebook, AOK received 40 pounds by the end of the day. Belinda Rutledge, who is in charge of the Backpack Snack Attack program, reported that they were currently feeding 104 students in Lamar, 25 in Liberal and 12 in Golden City. She reported that a $20,000 donation had been received in December of last year to help with the backpacks and that while the current weather hadn’t been conducive to volunteers assisting in putting them together, the children from AOK had stepped up and assisted them in order to make it all possible. Leisa Blanchard with Barton County Memorial Hospital re-
PROGRESS 2014
ported that an eye screening would be held May 1. This will be a free service, with help in obtaining future resources if necessary. Ginnie Keatts, representing the City of Lamar/ TATS, stated that TATS drivers had logged 4600 miles last month. She added that they were waiting on a new vehicle to be delivered that had been obtained through federal funding through MoDOT. Matthew Pennell, speaking on behalf of LGL, Inc., stated that thanks to a generous donation last year from the Finley Foundation, money is currently not an issue. He did mention that individuals ordering through Amazon should go to smile.amazon.com when they order and ½ of a percent will be donated to a charity of the donor’s choice. Lamar Community Betterment is on the list to benefit from the funding. Barbara McDaniel announced that the 10th Street Community Farmers’ Market would hold its first day on March 20. Davis explained that 4-H would be expanding the community gardens and will be presenting a program, “The Farm to You” at the local Head Start as part of their Invest An Acre project. With no further business the meeting adjourned to meet again at 12 noon on Wednesday, March 12, at the Wolf Center. All are encouraged to attend.
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P.O. Box 458 | 100 East 11 Street We want to know what progress your business made this past year. Lamar, Missouri 64759-0458 Phone: 417-682-5529 | Fax: 417-682-5595 Mail, email or fax your information and photos to be included in our special edition! info@lamardemocrat.com www.lamardemocrat.com Our progress form can be found on page 2B, as well as, at our office or you can just submit information on your business’ highlights over the past year. th