9-17-14 Lamar Democrat

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Lamar, Liberal & Lockwood Homecoming Info Inside!

©2014 Serving Lamar, Golden City, Lockwood, Jasper, Sheldon, Mindenmines and Liberal for 144 years. Incorporating The Daily Democrat, Golden City Herald & Lockwood Luminary.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014 Visit Our Website For Breaking News Updates, Obituaries & Events www.lamardemocrat.com

Approval of Right to Farm Amendment sustained by recount By RICHARD COOPER Democrat staff writer JEFFERSON CITY-On Monday morning, Secretary of State Jason Kander certified as official the statewide see FARM, page 2A

Barton County Electric Co-op has new CEO LAMAR-The Barton County Electric Cooperative Board of Directors has appointed Beverly Ramseyer as interim CEO/General Manager following the resignation of Bobbi Jeffries from that position. The change became efsee ELECTRIC, page 2A

Car, truck and tractor show planned during Prairie Days LIBERAL-A car, truck and tractor show is planned during Liberal's Prairie Days on Saturday, Sept. 20. The show will be held in the South City Park, at the south end of Main St. There is no registration fee for the show. Participants can show up and register. There will be a $50 drawing each hour for those entering and the final drawing will be $100 for show entries. The first 30 people to register the day of the show will receive a $5 food coupon good at food vendors at the Prairie Day festival. Several from the Joplin area plan to attend the show, with the event being sponsored by Henegar Garage in Liberal. Those entering the show may enter their car, truck or tractor in the parade at 5 p.m. Anyone wanting to participate should just be at the North City Park before 5 p.m., to get in the lineup. This will be a fun show with no judging. For information call Dean McKibben at 417-214-2700.

INDEX

SECTION A Correspondents......................... 2 Friends & Family....................... 3 Friends & Family....................... 4 Gatherings.................................. 5 School.......................................... 6 School.......................................... 7 Sports.......................................... 8 SECTION B Area News.................................. 2 Area News.................................. 3 Records....................................... 4 Records/Legals........................... 5 Legals........................................... 6 Classifieds................................... 7 Area News.................................. 8

2 SECTIONS, 16 PAGES

Appreciative crowd attends T.A.T.S. 20-year reception LAMAR-Everyone in the crowd that participated in Friday’s reception honoring the Truman Area Transportation Service (T.A.T.S.) for 20 years of service had the same assessment of the heavily used taxi service, it’s the most valuable and popular service to the public offered by the city of Lamar. Director for all 20 years has been Ron Hager, who wears many hats for the city of Lamar. In addition to T.A.T.S. director, he serves as chief of police and assistant city administrator. Unofficially, he serves as personnel director for people in city employment and outside of city employment. The latter is largely connected with keeping T.A.T.S. customers happy. He says only one complaint has ever been received from a T.A.T.S. rider. That was critical of the vehicle driver because he didn’t smile enough. When asked his most memorable experience during the 20 years of T.A.T.S., Hager couldn’t cite a specific incident. He simply responded that it was the good feeling he gets from the customers who use the service. From time to time, riders are asked to complete surveys about the service they receive. Here are a few of them. About the drivers, “All are very kind and helpful. They even help bring packages and bags to my door. We are both grateful for this service.” About the condi-

tion of the vehicles in use, “All are very very clean.” Overall rating of the experience with the service, “Excellent.” A comment, “Couldn’t do without the service you provide at an affordable price. My son is disabled and I am a senior. What you do is wonderful. Hope you will continue.” Hager says that is virtually assured. Funding comes from so many sources, including matching grants, donations, and fares. The city contributes only a small amount to fill out the annual budget. It has become a part of life in Lamar. Hager also becomes a fund raiser for the service. At every city festival, such as Truman Day and Wyatt Earp day, he operates a food stand at the corner of Gulf and 10th, selling hamburgers and brats. He says he averages raising about $2,000 per year. Also with T.A.T.S. for all 20 years is Ginnie Keatts, who has served as secretary and

LOCKWOOD-September Days will return to Lockwood on Saturday, Sept. 20! Activities begin at 7 a.m., with breakfast being served at the American Legion Hall. The Dade County Health Department will host a color run beginning at 8:30 a.m., with check-in at 8 a.m., at the city park. A parade down Main Street at 10 a.m. will kickoff the rest of the day's festivities. School clubs, local churches and other civic organizations will be providing games and carnival-style food from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. From bounce houses to dunk tanks, cotton candy to funnel cakes, there will be something for everyone in the family! The main stage in the Arvest Bank parking lot will be the home of the baby show (10:30 a.m. with registration at 9:30 a.m., prior to the parade), recognition of firefighters, a fashion show, awards and musical entertainment from Stefanie Rae, Jarrod 'Hank' Wilhelm and Jared Hicks. Make sure to visit their 40 vendor booths, as they offer up unique creations and products from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Plan on sticking around for lunch; the United Methodist Church Youth is hosting a fish fry (next to the Legion Hall) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the firefighters will be offering

hamburgers, hot dogs and brats inside the American Legion Hall. The Busy Bee 4-H Club will host a Small Animal Show in the American Legion lot for ages 5-18, with check-in at 8 a.m. Entry forms and rules are available at www.lockwoodseptemberdays.com. Other activities include the Fred Lemons Memorial Car Show, sponsored by the Lockwood Chamber of Commerce, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., on Main Street; the Stash Sisters Sewciety Quilt Show in the Crossing on Main Street, across from Easson's, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (bring your quilts in on Friday) and a photography contest sponsored by the Lockwood Community Foundation, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the Arvest Bank lobby (entry forms and rules are on the September Days website and submissions are due by September 17). More information on all September Days activities is available at www.lockwoodseptemberdays.com and any questions can be sent to the Lockwood Optimist Club at info@lockwoodseptemberdays.com. They're looking forward to an exciting event and hope to see you and your family there!

LIBERAL-The 58th annual Prairie Days Festival will be held Friday and Saturday, Sept. 19 and 20. The Liberal Area Civic Group has been busy making plans for the festival.

Events being held include the draft horse pull to be held Friday at 7 p.m., in the North City Park. There will be cash prizes donated by area mersee LIBERAL, page 4A

By RICHARD COOPER Democrat staff writer

Lamar Democrat/Richard Cooper The two who have been with the Truman Area Transportation Service (T.A.T.S.) since its inception 20 years ago, Service Coordinator Ginnie Keatts and Director Ron Hager. Also during that 20 years have been dozens of dedicated drivers. Left, the first dollar earned by T.A.T.S. on September 13, 1994.

service coordinator. On one occasion, a rider came into the police department front office saying he wanted to see the face behind the pleasant voice when he called 417-682-5542 to make

a reservation. T.A.T.S. is exceedingly popular, very inexpensive, and likely to be around for many years to come.

Community Betterment judges visit Lamar

September Days to be held September 20

Come on out for Liberal Prairie Days

P.O. Box 12 | 100 East 11th Street Lamar, Missouri 64759 Phone: 417-682-5529 | Fax: 417-682-5595 info@lamardemocrat.com www.lamardemocrat.com

Email or bring by your photos from the fair this year! Be sure to identify the people in the photo and who took the photo when submitting.

dy Metzger Lamar Democrat/Melo e Jason dg ju t Bettermen ity un m m Co ri r his youth Missou s Tony Morgan fo ize gn co re , ht rig Ray, leadership. four weeks, in order to empower them as they learn how By MELODY METZGER to fight hunger. A greenhouse Lamar Democrat is located inside of the building and youth are able to grow The Missouri Community their own plants. The program Betterment (MCB) judges vis- culminated with a visit to the ited Lamar on Tuesday, Sept. 9, Winslow farm, where the stufor the annual awards compe- dents received hands on expetition. During the judge's visit rience. Morgan then went on to Lamar had the opportunity explain that a community garto showcase local community den extension had occurred at projects that had been accom- Lamar Enterprise, due to these plished since the last awards “handicapable” individuals competition. wanting to gain more knowlLamar CB President Ron edge when it came to growing Hager led all in the Pledge of their own produce. Morgan Allegiance, followed by the also pointed out that the volpresentation of youth and adult unteers for this project ranged leadership awards. CB judges from eight years old to 75. Jason Ray and Jane Ballard recNeher spoke on Cooking ognized Marilyn Selvey with Matters next, explaining that a the adult leadership award and workshop had been presented Tony Morgan was recognized to the employees at Lamar Enfor his youth leadership. terprise, teaching how to have Elaine Davis then explained a healthy meal on a $10 budget. that the 4-H Youth program This national program is in its consisted of 15 Teen Leaders first year at Lamar. and that the MOHOCOLA Lamar City Administrator program centered around al- Lynn Calton gave his presenleviating hunger, as well as the tation on the Lamar Municineeds of the community. Rep- pal Airport runway expansion resenting the group were Nate project that began in 2000 and Cable, Morgan and Jackie Ne- culminated in 2013. The origiher. nal runway is 2900 feet, with Cable explained the program, the new one of 4000 feet be“From the Farm to You”, stating ing constructed from concrete, that the youth work with Head as it is a much more durable Start students once a week for see BETTERMENT, page 3A

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