Serving Lamar, Golden City, Lockwood, Jasper, Sheldon, Mindenmines and Liberal for 145 years. Incorporating The Daily Democrat, Golden City Herald & Lockwood Luminary.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015
2 SECTIONS, 12 PAGES
Search is on for Century Farms in southwest Missouri
SPRINGFIELD-If your farm has been in your family since December 31, 1915, you can apply to have it recognized as a Missouri Century Farm. To qualify, farms must meet the following guidelines. The same family must have owned the farm for 100 consecutive years. The line of ownership from the original settler or buyer may be through children, grandchildren, siblings, and nephews or nieces, including through marriage
Melody Metzger/Lamar Democrat A festive group of Red Hat ladies joined together on Thursday, March 12, at the Barton County Senior Center in Lamar. Pictured are, left to right, Sue Forrester, Loeta Thompson, Maxine Chesnut, Maxine Rakestraw, Robbie King, Dorothy Roberts and Margaret Wattenbarger. Center administrator Stormy Cuba had the tables decorated in a St. Patrick's Day theme. Following lunch, a rousing game of Mexican Train dominoes was scheduled, as well as much merriment by the ladies.
see CENTURY, page 2A
Commission opens bids for GIS mapping system By RICHARD COOPER Democrat staff writer
LAMAR-Another step toward purchase of a much needed Geographical Information System (GIS) was taken by the Barton County Commission at its March 9 meeting. Six bids were opened, five from in-state vendors and one from Illinois. The bid amounts varied widely, from as low as $32,500 to over $100,000. Presiding Commissioner Mike Davis said the bids will have to be carefully studied to determine if they are bidding on the same type of equipment. When acquired, the mapping system will be stored in the office of Assessor Ivan Frieden. A meeting has been set for 1:30 p.m., March 16, in the commission chamber for extended discussion and comparison of products. Since other entities of Barton County government, including school districts, will be using the equipment, several meetings, including representatives from the entities, are likely. It is altogether possible that some of the bidders may be summoned for demonstrations. Davis said he hoped a decision on the overall best bid could be reached by the first of April.
BCMH Board votes to re-appoint physicians The Barton County Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees meeting on February 23 was called to order by Chairperson Karen Wegener. Other members present were Tom Shaw and Jill Purinton. Also in attendance were Wendy Duvall, CEO; Marlys Buckner, director of nursing; Eden Ogden, director quality/risk management and Sheila Heckmaster, director of human resources. Guests were Dr. Hopkins, chief of medical staff and Eva Davis. The January 19 and 23 minutes were approved as written. Duvall stated that any information concerning the property tax levy issue, released by the facility, has to be approved by the board. A change is being made in the way contractual deduction calculations are done and Duvall explained that
calculations would be figured off of gross charges, with Medicare and Medicaid being combined into one entry, instead of two separate line items on the income statement. “Overall, January was a decent month,” said Duvall, “We had a loss of $31,000 for the month and $31,000 year to date. Duvall reported that a bond payment had been made in February and that monthly payments have been recalculated to capture all unpaid past amounts and will be caught up by June, in order for the July principal and interest payments to be made to bond holders without utilization of the reserve monies. The clinics were reported to have done well in January and Duvall said that they have idensee BOARD, page 4A
INDEX
SECTION A Correspondent........................... 2 Friends & Family....................... 3 Friends & Family....................... 4 School.......................................... 5 Sports.......................................... 6 SECTION B Area News.................................. 2 Records....................................... 3 Records/Legals........................... 4 Legals/Classifieds....................... 5 Fugate.......................................... 6
Voters will be going to the polls on April 7 and one of the decisions they must make is whether or not to raise Barton County Memorial Hospital's property tax levy. The following are facts concerning the issue: The property tax levy for 2015 is $0.1083/$100 taxable property valuation. BCMH has never asked for a levy higher than set by the state and the hospital has a projected property tax revenue for 2015 of $186,424. The requested additional property tax levy is $0.3249/$100 taxable proper-
Projects chosen for CB Project Book By MELODY METZGER Lamar Democrat
Lamar Community Betterment met at 12 noon on Wednesday, March 11, at the Wolf Building. President Ron Hager called the meeting to order, followed by approval of last month's minutes. The treasurer's report was given by Ginnie Keatts, who reported that several donations had been received for T.A.T.S., with around $900 being turned over to the city. She also stated that the match for the CB grant had been made
for the year. Hager reported that the Gilkey Building is no more and that if the lot had not already been seeded, it would be soon. John Adams stated that the paperwork for Affordable Equity Partners would be resubmitted this December, with hopes that the senior apartments will eventually become a reality. In a discussion concerning the CB Project Book, it was noted that Ed Moore with the Lamar Free Fair had been contacted regarding entry in the book and that he would be more than hap-
Public invited to judge Clarification online interior design competition In the March 11 edition of the Democrat, it was reported that building principals for the 2015-16 school year were unanimously re-employed by the R-I Board of Education. That is correct as all principals were re-employed. However, for the high school principal, the vote was 6 to 1. Eby Mooney cast the negative vote.
Facts concerning Barton County Memorial Hospital property tax levy
“If you enjoy looking through or all of the categories. interior design magazines, this “These are real rooms for is for you,” says Jane Moyer, real people with real budgets,” owner of Decorating Den In- says Moyer. “This is a great teriors in Lamar. “You can be opportunity for people to get part of the online judging of some inspiration and ideas for an International a decorating projDream Room ect they’ve been competition. Last considering for "...You’ll see year we had more their own home. than 25,000 votes three rooms some of these The from around the with the highest world.” rooms in national number of votes The voting site will get People’s magazines in Choice Awards is www.drvoting. decoratingden. at our company’s the months com and is open national conferfor everyone from ence to be held in ahead.” March 20 through Jacksonville, Fla. April 11. There in May. You’ll see are before and after photos, some of these rooms in nawith brief descriptions of each tional magazines in the months makeover. The categories are: ahead.” Bathrooms, bedrooms, chil- The room makeovers have dren’s rooms, commercial, din- been designed and furnished ing rooms, family rooms, home by design professionals from offices, kitchens, living rooms, Decorating Den Interiors, window treatments, outdoor North America’s largest home spaces and miscellaneous. Visi- furnishings and interior design tors to the site can vote in any franchise company.
py to be included. Hager will get him the forms necessary to get started. It was determined that the other four projects would be AOK, the 1st Street Overpass, BCMH's Health Fair and the Lamar R-1 School remodel. This makes a total of five projects to be included in the book. Elaine Davis said that the youth would have entries for Media Smart and the city park restroom renovation project they are currently working on. Hager stated that he had contacted Jason Stewart with MoDOT regarding whether CB
ty valuation. The total property tax levy in 2016, if approved by voters of Barton County, would be $0.4332/$100 taxable property valuation. The additional property tax revenue this increase will generate is $559.272. The total property tax revenue based on 2015 property valuations is $745,696. In 2014, BCMH's cost to provide healthcare services to the uninsured was $1,632,025. Anyone wishing to have someone from the hospital come speak to their employees or group should call Amy Neher at 417-681-5107.
could be put in agreement with MoDOT, rather than the city, in regards to a Lamar sign. Stewart apologized for “dropping the ball” on the decision and said that he would get back to Hager as soon as possible. Alternate sights for the sign were discussed. It was noted that nominations for the youth and adult MCB awards would need to be decided, followed by suggestions from the group. A decision should be made at the next CB see PROJECT, page 4A
St. Mary's Catholic Church to serve annual fish fry St. Mary's Catholic Church will hold its annual fish fry on Friday, March 27, at Lamar Memorial Hall. Serving will be from 5:30 p.m. to ? A menu of fish, fried potatoes and onions, pinto beans, macaroni and cheese, coleslaw, hush puppies, cornbread, drink and dessert will be available at $8 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Takeout orders are also available by calling 417-6824959 or 417-682-2007 by 4
p.m. on March 27. Call in takeouts may be picked up at the north basement door, beginning at 5 p.m. Walk-in takeout orders will also be available at the front door. All proceeds go to benefit Lamar St. Mary's Catholic Church fundraising for summer camps for youth, SMYL (St. Mary's Youth Lamar) and other church related events. Bring your family and friends and enjoy some good home cooking.
The Lamar Saddle Club will serve an appreciation lunch of hotdogs and chips on Saturday, March 28, 12 noon to 5 p.m., at the saddle club grounds. A Coggins Clinic will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., at a cost of $15. Cody Scheets Farrier Service will be
available at $50 a horse. The cost is minimal for anyone wanting to become a member of the saddle club. A family membership is $20 per year, with an individual membership of $10. Bring your horse to ride. Everyone is welcome to come out and enjoy the day.
Lamar Saddle Club to serve appreciation lunch