Happy Father's Day!
"A father carries pictures where his money used to be."
~Author Unknown
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 2014 Visit Our Website For Breaking News Updates, Obituaries & Events www.lamardemocrat.com
Show Your Honor & Pride On Flag Day This Saturday, June 14!
Commission purchases new 911 equipment By RICHARD COOPER Democrat staff writer
LAMAR-The Barton County Commission opened bids on new 911 equipment, June 2, listened to technical advice on the nature of the three bids, and delayed a decision until the commission meeting of June 9. After careful deliberation, the contract for purchase and installation of the equipment was awarded to A & W Communications of Eolia, Missouri. The winning bid included all 911 equipment, four headsets, and the wireless equipment that accompanies the headsets. The total bid of $104,663 was $72,000 less than the next lowest bid. When A & W Communications was notified by telephone that it see EQUIPMENT, page 5A
Make reservations now for “Much Ado About Death” Make your reservations now for “Much Ado About Death”, a dinner theatre with two one-act plays that will be presented on June 12-14, 6:30 p.m., at Lamar Memorial Hall. The first play is written by one of LCT's own and is being premiered for the first time. It's called “A Last Supper?” and the second one-act is a hilarious look at what happens when death comes calling at an insane asylum... and gets the wrong person. The menu includes “fowl play” (chicken), gallows green beans, scalped potatoes and death by chocolate. Tickets for the evening are only $15 each or two for $25. It's dinner and entertainment for the evening, but those wishing to attend must reserve their place by Sunday, June 8, or they don't get to partake of the delicious meal. Tickets can be reserved by stopping at the Barton County Chamber of Commerce office on the north side of the Lamar square or by calling 318-59-STAGE. Show only tickets, with no dinner, will be available at the door for $5. They hope to see you there.
INDEX
SECTION A Correspondents......................... 2 Friends & Family....................... 3 Father's Day................................ 4 School.......................................... 5 Sports.......................................... 6 SECTION B Area News.................................. 2 Records....................................... 3 Records....................................... 4 Legals/Classifieds....................... 5 Area News.................................. 6
2 SECTIONS, 12 PAGES
Metropolitan National Bank teammates wear jeans to raise $340 for good cause Metropolitan National Bank teammates recently wore jeans for a good cause, donating $340 to the local Search and Rescue Team, funded through the Lamar Community Betterment Council. Teammates raised the funds by donating money every Friday for the ability to wear jeans to work. The team also volunteered 10 hours to the organization. The $340 donation from Metropolitan National Bank will be used by the Lamar Community Betterment Search and Rescue Team for education and to help expand their training services. “At Metropolitan Nation-
Metropolitan National Bank presented jean money with a check of $340 to the Lamar Community Betterment Council. Pictured are, left, Kyle Morey, loan officer, with Elaine Davis of the Lamar Community Betterment Council.
al Bank, our teammates are committed to serving Barton County through community outreach. The jeans fund is a fun way for teammates to rally support for local causes,” said Kyle Morey, loan officer at Metropolitan National Bank. “We are extremely proud to support the Lamar Community Betterment Search and Rescue Team.” Jeans for a cause is just one of many ways Metropolitan National Bank works to give back to the local community. “We continually seek opportunities to positively impact the city of Lamar, and are proud of the community for which we serve,” said Morey.
Barton County Elks Lodge provides free movie for area school children during Youth Week For the eighth consecutive year, the Barton County Elks Lodge No. 2800 has provided free show passes to the Lamar Plaza Theatre, for area school children ages K-8! This event has become a special part of the area schools' year end activities. The event is a welcome break from the normal everyday regime of school and equally marks the end of another year in the minds of the children. The Elks Lodge would like to mention that this would not be possible without the support of a growing number of faculty and staff at each school involved and personally extend their gratitude to all persons who help make this event available for the children. This year's attending schools were Lamar, kindergarten through eighth grade, with 911 children participating; Jasper, kindergar-
ten through sixth grade with 100 children participating; Stockton third, fourth and fifth grades, with 72 children participating; Greenfield, kindergarten through fifth grades, with 105 children participating; Bronaugh, kindergarten through sixth grades 74 children participating and Liberal, kindergarten through sixth grades, with 210 children participating, making a total of
The Four State Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) will host a World War I program at Memorial Hall in Lamar on Tuesday, June 17, 7 p.m. Beth Bazal, an interpretive specialist from the Missouri State Parks, will provide an informative and historical perspective on what impact World War I had on Captain Harry S. Truman and how it affected his future decisions as the 33rd president. Shannon Kelly, a studied World War I historian, will add realism to routine of life in the trenches for the American sol-
dier and gave a historical over- mitments to currently serving, of the uniformed services and view of Truman's Battery D of retired and former members their families. the 129th Field Artillery Battalion. A display of World War I field uniform equipment and art memorabilia from the period will also be part of the program. Everyone in the Lamar community with an interest in President Truman and World War I history is invited to attend. Light refreshments will be served after the program. MOAA is a non-profit veterans association promoting patriotism and maintaining a strong national defense, ensuring that the nation keep its com-
Barton County Elks Lodge No. 2800 Youth Activities Director Ryan Fullerton, left, presents a check in the amount of $2,000 from the lodge to provide a free movie for area school children during Youth Week. Graciously accepting the check is Scott Kelley with the Lamar Plaza Theatre.
1,472 children in attendance. The Elks is a nationally chartered non-profit organization dedicated to charitable causes. School officials or faculty who wish to participate in the 2014-
2015 Youth Week movie should contact Ryan Fullerton (youth activities director) at (417) 850-7159 or contact the Barton County Elks Lodge at (417) 682-6800.
World War I program to be held at Memorial Hall
Reed girls to hold book signing
Budget Committee tackles 2014-15 city budget By RICHARD COOPER Democrat staff writer
LAMAR-The various department heads have submitted their proposed 2014-15 budgets to City Administrator Lynn Calton. City Clerk Traci Cox has combined them into a comprehensive proposed city budget for 2014-15. Now, the Public Expenditures (Budget) Com-
mittee has the responsibility of reviewing the 42-page document to be certain that the city is living within its means. That review process began June 6 in a two-and-one-half hour work session in the council chamber of Lamar City Hall. Committee Chairman Steve Gilkey walked the four-member committee, see BUDGET, page 3A
The Georgia Reed girls are back in town and just in time for Father's Day! Olivia and Chloe Reed will hold their second annual book signing of Grandpa Ben's book, “Truth With Stretch Marks” at Tractors BBQ and Grill on Thursday, June 12, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. All proceeds go to their Daddy's, Brad Reed's Memorial Scholarship Fund.
New water and sewer rates approved for Golden City GOLDEN CITY-Following a public hearing, the Golden City Board of Aldermen unanimously adopted new water and sewer rates at its meeting of June 2. Water customers who use 1,000 gallons or less will see their rates lowered. Those who use more than 1,000 gallons will pay $3.50 for every 1,000 gallon increment. Sewer rates will be lowered for customers using 1,000 gallons or less. Consumption over 1,000 gallons will draw a charge of $4.75 for each 1,000 gallons. The vote was 4-0 to change the new rates. Two members of the board, Bill Friesenborg and Mark Palmer, were absent.
Kenneth Chappell has been appointed as the city’s emergency management director. Public Works Director Greg Lowe will assume the added responsibility of assistant emergency management director. Both positions are voluntary without pay. The future maintenance of the IOOF Cemetery became a topic for discussion when the board was told by Gene Fanning that the IOOF Lodge in Golden City has been disbanded. Fanning requested that the city consider assuming responsibility for the four-acre cemetery, which has approximately 1,200 burial lots still to
be filled. Following a period of discussion, the matter was tabled until the next board meeting on July 7. Mayor Henry Lopez told the board that he has been negotiating with Metropolitan National Bank of Golden City about an exchange of properties. Metropolitan has suggested constructing a new building on city-owned property at 403 Main. In exchange, the current bank building at 523 Main would be turned over to the city. The board gave unanimous approval to the exchange and authorized Lopez to sign all necessary papers. The unused tennis courts in
the East Park will be converted into a basketball court. Two commercial grade basketball goals will be installed along with a set of metal bleachers. Several residents were present at the meeting to complain about a residence in the 700 block of Mill Street. It has considerable trash in the yard, several dogs are running loose, and vulgar language emanates from the residence at all hours of the day and night. Mayor Lopez will write a letter demanding that all offensive conditions at the property be corrected. If not complied with, the matter will be turned over to the city attorney for prosecution.