2014 Fair Guide Inside!
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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, JULY 30, 2014
2 SECTIONS, 20 PAGES
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Lamar Democrat
East outer road is closed at First Street
The east outer road at First Street in Lamar closed Tuesday, July 29 and will last through mid-November, Lamar Democrat/Melissa Little the Missouri Department of A record 505 children viewed The Lego Movie on Wednesday, July 23, at the Plaza Theatre. This picture was taken at Transportation said. The road the 1:15 p.m. showing. There are three more summer movies this season, with showings at 1:15 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. see ROAD, page 2A
City and county will share internet provider when needed LAMAR-An outage of AT&T internet service on July 17 has resulted in an agreement between the city and the Barton County Commission to share as a backup an internet provider that is still connected with the county courthouse. Originally known as Tiadon, the second internet service in the courthouse goes under the name Net Vision Communications. The agreement was reached during discussions between the commission and Dave Stout on July 21. Stout is an internet and telephone technician who serves both the county and city governments. The city would pay all expenses incurred in switching over to the courthouse’s second internet service.
City Council rejects street barn bids, will try again LAMAR-The Lamar City Council had budgeted $175,000 for a new street barn to be located north of Sixth Street near the north substation, but when the three bids received were opened, none was even close to that figure. The lowest bid was $222,000, which would have started see COUNCIL, page 2A
INDEX
SECTION A Correspondent........................... 2 Friends & Family....................... 3 4-H.............................................. 4 Golden Harvest Days Baby Show.... 5 Golden Harvest Days................ 6 Golden Harvest Days................ 7 Friends & Family....................... 8 Golden Harvest Days Quilt...... 9 Met/Ortho................................ 10 SECTION B Records....................................... 2 Agriculture................................. 3 Records....................................... 4 Legals........................................... 5 Legals........................................... 6 Liberal News.............................. 7 Records/Legals........................... 8 Legals/Classifieds....................... 9 Accident.................................... 10
Founder of Missouri Liberty Project addresses senior citizens By RICHARD COOPER Democrat staff writer
LAMAR-The U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision in the Hobby Lobby case was a landmark decision that struck a powerful blow in favor of religious liberty. That was the message that Joshua Hawley brought to a luncheon meeting at the Barton County Senior Citizens Center on July 24. Hawley is a constitutional lawyer at the University of Missouri School of Law and founder of the Missouri Liberty Project. The Missouri Liberty Project is a coalition of Missouri citizens dedicated to protecting religious liberty and reducing the size of the federal government. It is a foe of the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare. Hawley said the Obama administration has contended that for-profit businesses (Hobby Lobby is one.) must surrender their constitutional right of religious liberty protection. Hobby Lobby chal-
lenged that contention, based on the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), which provides that any federal law that “substantially burdens” a person’s free exercise of religion must be supported by a “compelling governmental interest” that is pursued by the “least restrictive means.” Hobby Lobby specifically based its case on the administration’s rule directing employers to pay for abortion-inducing drugs as part of their employee health coverage. Based on the court’s 5-4 decision, business owners may now challenge any regulation that they believe “substantially burdens” their faith convictions. Hawley said the history of constitutional protection of religious liberty has held that government should stay out of religion. The administration with its secular approach to government has violated that protection. He added that he feels the administration’s goal is establishing a social democracy similar to that found in
western Europe. A member of the audience raised a question about a Democrat plan attacking the Hobby Lobby decision. “How could this come about, since the decision came from the U.S. Supreme Court?” the questioner asked. Hawley responded that it could happen if the law the decision was based Lamar Democrat/Richard Cooper on (the Religious Joshua Hawley of Columbia urged Freedom Resto- protecting our religious liberty during ration Act) was a luncheon stop at the Barton County changed. Senate Senior Center, July 24. Majority Leader Harry Reid has put together such a bill to cre- professor at the University of ate a change. Missouri School of Law. He is “We must ban together to a native of Lexington and they protect our religious liberty,” reside in Columbia. Hawley said, adding, “This in- His Lamar appearance was cludes restoring religious lib- one of a number of speakerty to our military as well.” ing engagements being made Hawley’s wife, Erin, is also a across southwest Missouri.
Trula Cain Memorial Dog Park dedicated
Lamar Democrat/Melody Metzger A good size crowd attended the ribbon cutting for the Trula Cain Memorial Dog Park, held by the Barton County Chamber of Commerce on Monday, July 21. Right, daughters Karen Simmons and Marilyn Selvey, along with Max Simmons, were present for the grand opening of the Trula Cain Memorial Dog Park on Monday, July 21. By MELODY METZGER Lamar Democrat The Trula Cain Memorial Dog Park held its grand opening at 10 a.m. on Monday, July 21, at the Lamar City Park. Going south on Walnut, turn right on the roadway just past the railroad tracks and travel past the two ball fields, before coming to the dog park. There are future plans to expand the dog park to an adjoining space. The park has been paid for by local contributions from area businesses and individuals. Many people worked together to make the dog park possible and several were present for the grand opening, complete with refreshments and dog treats. Those working towards the reality of the dog park were Gene W. Grounds, who was working towards and has since
earned his Eagle Scout ranking, the Barton County Memorial Hospital Pet Therapy Program, TLC Bows/Jacqui Crockett, Walmart, the City of Lamar and Boy Scout Troop No. 207. Grounds was not able to attend the ceremony as he had other business that needed taken care of. He was hoping to be able to return in time for the ceremony, but did not make it, so was there in spirit instead. The dog park comes complete with a place to sit, a water spigot with a bowl
underneath and a tree that has been planted, to hopefully one day produce shade. The adjoining lot has been fitted with a spigot, as well as a tree for future use. The trees were donated by the Boy Scouts and goodies were given away to dog owners, made possible by Walmart. Contributors can be named to a blue category, as well as red, yellow and canine friends. Those contributing $100, see PARK, page 2A