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• R-80 hands out 3 percent pay raises, basketball coaches hired
• Sewer system mapping a must, says DNR
• Focus of primary on sheriff, commissioner races and sales tax
• Discussion continues on health issues with annex
• Nationals-bound Phennicie, 13, enjoys beating the boys in motocross
• Vandal leaves mark all over Salem
Steelman talks politics around the kitchen table
by Dwayne McClellan
Staff Writer
newsstaff@earthlink.net
Sarah Steelman, Republican candidate for governor, brought her message of making government accountable to the people and spending taxpayers money wisely to Salem July 21.
Steelman, who was in Texas County earlier in the day, said it's time to make government more responsible to the people, develop measures where tax dollars are spent wisely and look at all economic issues when studying taxes.
"We need to take government back to the people," Steelman said. "Everyone should have a seat at the table of Missouri government. It's the people of the state, not the special interest groups, who government should be responsible to."
The home of John and Cynthia DeNoon was host that evening to what Steelman called her statewide "Kitchen Table Tour." Steelman talked about issues such as energy costs, illegal immigration and taxes to a crowd of nearly 50 people.
Steelman said the name of the tour, which has taken her all over Missouri, came from her past. She said when she was growing up her family and friends and neighbors would sit around a table and talk politics. Absolutely nothing was off limits, and it didn't matter whether a person was a Democrat, Republican, Independent or even belonged to a party. At that table everyone belonged.
That tradition continued when she married her husband, David Steelman.
Steelman discussed the rising costs of energy, initiatives she says will ease the burden on Missouri families, illegal immigration, protection of life on all levels, ethic reforms so officials answer to the people, not special interest groups, and government mandates to lower energy and food costs.
"I would like to repeal the ethanol mandate," Steelman said. "This would never work in a free market, we need to let the free market bring down the price of energy and food."
Steelman said the state needs to look at alternative fuels, but must do so responsibly. She also fielded concerns that the ethanol mandate can be harmful to the environment as well as a hindrance for the economy.
Steelman said she favors some sort of a tax relief and would like a comprehensive review of all state taxes to make sure they are fair. She hinted that it might not be a bad idea to develop a system to replace the individual income tax.
"Some states without this tax are really growing," Steelman said. "We have a lot of families who are hurting. I feel if we can keep more money in people's pockets, not the government's pockets, then we'll be better economically. I think we need to look at the economic factor when reviewing our taxes."
Steelman also favored "meaningful fines" to companies who hire illegal workers and ethics reforms to take away the sweetheart and pork deals in government.
"I don't think there is a lot of respect for your tax dollars," Steelman said. "You need a governor who will balance a budget and take care of your tax dollars."
Steelman is one of four Republican candidates for Governor who is seeking the party nomination in the August 5 primary election.
She is facing Kenny Hulshof, Columbia; Scott Long, Mountain View; and Jennie Lee (Jen) Schwartze, Jackson.
The winner will face the Democrat and Libertarian primary winners in November.
Democrats on the ballot next month are: Jay Nixon, Jefferson City, current attorney general; and Daniel Carroll, Shelbina.
The lone Libertarian on the ballot is Andrew W. Finkenstadt, St. Charles.
Steelman was also recently featured in the July 18 edition of The Wall Street Journal.
The story is about Steelman's reform campaign against wasteful spending, ethics reform, and political favors that she says has led Republicans away from small government principals and outraged conservative voters. It also talks about wanting government to be more open to the public and how she as state treasurer has implemented measures against waste and for improved ethics.
The story tells how her reform campaign and self-dealing is threatening the entrenched status quo, causing her own party to rise against her. But yet, she continues to make ethics reform the centerpiece of her campaign.
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R-80 hands out 3 percent pay raises, basketball coaches hired
By Brenda Jessen
Staff Writer
newsstaff@earthlink.net
Salem R-80 faculty and staff will see a three percent pay increase for the new school year, two board members were appointed and girls and boys basketball coaches have been hired.
The R-80 Board of Education approved an increase in the base teacher's salary by $800 -- to $30,000 a year -- raised faculty pay by $550 per step on the pay scale and increased non-certified staff pay by three percent during the July 17 regular board meeting.
Superintendent Steve Bryant said the district is in sound financial condition, and the district needs to stay competitive in teacher salaries to maintain quality faculty and staff. He said the pay increase would add about $200,000 to the annual budget. Bryant said the district will receive about $183,000 in new money this year through the state funding formula.
• SHS Coach Phillip Karr will take over as the high school head boys basketball coach, replacing Travis Wrightsman, who recently resigned to accept a position in Indiana.
Assistant SHS girls basketball coach Kim Brand will replace Karr as girls head basketball coach, and Tana Kettner will serve as assistant girls basketball coach.
The board also approved David Beeson to serves as the boys ninth grade basketball coach and Lisa Jones for an elementary teaching position. Other faculty assignments reported include: Krystal LaRue from Lower Elementary second grade to Upper Elementary Special Ed, and Karr from senior high and junior high alternative to senior high physical education and weight training.
• Two new board members were sworn-in replacing A.J. Seay and Greg Stephens, who resigned and moved out of the district.
New board members include Joe Howard and Chris Heavin. Both will serve until the April election, when two, three-year board seats and one two-year seat will be up for election.
• School open house is set for 5:30-7:30 p.m. Aug. 11 for the junior and senior high and Aug. 12 for the lower and upper elementary.
• Bryant reported that the district's tuition cost is expected to increase by about $300 to $6,260 for this school year. Bryant was authorized to send out notice of the new rates to the rural schools when exact rates are determined.
Bids
The board accepted the sole fuel bid from MFA Oil for $4.21 for #1 diesel and $4.18 for #2 diesel (escalating-de-escalating price), Ferrell Gas at $2.06 for stationary transport propane and $2.199 for bobtail propane, guaranteed price.
Interstate was the successful low bidder for bread supplies with prices locked in, and Hiland was the low bidder for milk and juice products. Bids on pest control were tabled until next month.
The board approved the resignation of bus driver Rebecca Stokes; added Chad Smith to the list of substitutes; looked at program evaluations on board policies, foodservice, finances and a board of education conflict of interest policy required by the Missouri Ethics Commission, approved a non-resident student and a list of surplus property to be listed on the district's website, www.salem.k12.mo.us.
The district's tax rate hearing, budget hearing and regular meeting are set for 6 p.m. Aug. 21.
Reports
Bryant reported that the school finance litigation has been extended to Sept. 15 for trial.
He reported that roof work at the lower elementary is finished and lightning is thought to have damaged the sidewalk and bells at the Upper Elementary. The damage has been reported to the insurance company and repairs should be done before school starts.
The former administrative office building is being renovated for the alternative program.
The district's bus fleet passed inspection with 100 percent approval rate, and the district received an Asthma Grant to assist the school nurse.
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Sewer system mapping a must, says DNR
By Brenda Jessen
Staff Writer
newsstaff@earthlink.net
The city's sanitary sewer system will undergo an extensive mapping process in the future to meet permit requirements from the Department of Natural Resources.
Jeff Meadows, C.M. Archer Engineers representative, St. James, gave a lengthy presentation during the July 21 aldermanic meeting regarding details of the work that would help the city eliminate infiltration of the system.
The city's current permit is expiring and the city must meet a Schedule of Compliance for Capacity, Operations and Management of the system and submit it to DNR by October of this year. A schedule of improvements must be submitted to DNR by August of 2009.
Cost of the mapping by Archer Engineers for the first watershed phase is expected to be about $77,350, including testing for infiltration. Mapping for watersheds two and three will cost an additional $38,000.
Meadows said the engineering company would use GPS equipment to map the city's entire sewer system, including locating all manholes. Mapping and improvements will be done in three sections involving the city's three separate watersheds, starting in the Franklin Avenue and Rt. J area.
Meadows said the plan of improvements will help the city avoid future fines and costly mandates from DNR and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Aldermen will consider contract costs for the mapping at the next meeting.
Hearings
Aldermen heard reports from Bonebrake-McMurtrey Foundation Trustee Libby Sanders, Director of the Bonebrake Center of Nature and History.
Sanders read a statement from the board of trustees regarding their opposition to proposed sewer work on Bonebrake Center property.
Sanders said the board of trustees supports improving the sewer system in the city. Sanders said the Bonebrake Center property has endured repeated damages to plantings during past years, with extensive damage done in 1999. A detailed description of the damages was given to the city after the incident.
"The details of the damages have never been discussed with us. We have only had one offer for some seed for the hillside and one large tree that was backed over and then removed. We deemed the offer incomplete because we felt both the total damages to the property and easements needed to be addressed simultaneously," Sanders said, reading a written statement to aldermen.
Sanders said that for the protection of all concerned, the city must secure easements for all sewer and water lines on the Bonebrake Center property and address the 1999 damages.
No further action was taken.
• Aldermen heard a request from new city resident Laurie Walker, 712 North Pershing Ave., regarding nuisances at her neighbors. She requested that action be taken regarding nuisance violations of unsanitary conditions at her neighbor's home, including odor and pollution from a dog pen and unsanitary conditions and debris on the front porch.
Walker presented photographs of the home and dog pen and reported unsanitary living conditions for the dog. She said the neighbor was in violation of several sections of the city's nuisance ordinance.
"If this isn't in violation of some of the city's ordinances then we need to revise the ordinances," Alderman Jim McDaniels said after looking at the photos.
Nuisance/Code Officer Rick Raw said he had not found any nuisance ordinance violations when he visited the home Monday. Walker said some improvements had been made by the homeowners by the time Raw visited the property.
Other Action
Aldermen approved:
•$200,000 in adjustments to the 2007-2008 budget recommended by City Clerk Mary Happel. These were line item adjustments necessary in the Capital Improvements, Special Revenue and Trust and Agency Funds to close out last year's budget;
•An ordinance authorizingng the mayor to execute an agreement with Waste Corporation of Missouri for collection and disposal of residential and commercial solid waste;
•A policy change on work orders that allows licensed electricians or plumbers to authorize and sign work orders for utility connection and disconnection with a written letter from property owners and providing the last four digits of their driver's license;
•Permission for the City Attorney and mayor to attend the Missouri Municipal league Conference Sept. 7-11 in Springfield. Cost is $185 each.
Reports
The mayor reported that the city's Cedar Grove Cemetery sustained vandalism recently when five stones were overturned. He said the incident has been reported to police.
Brown reported that the city's June sales tax revenue increased from last year to $104,388.77 and the Capital Improvement Sales Tax revenue was $52,194.48 for June. The City CART tax revenue was $16,446.68.
The mayor reported that representatives from Pierce paving company would be in Salem Tuesday to look at streets to be paved. Cost is $70 a ton. The first streets to be paved include Hawkins, Dale and Beasley. Total cost is expected to be about $314,000.
Brown said some streets that need only minor improvement will be seal coated.
The mayor said crews will begin tree trimming today (Tuesday) along three-phase power lines on Center and Carty streets.
Brown said 54 people participated in Saturday's recycling effort. He said he has applied for a grant to fund a recycling trailer and labor during recycling days.
McDaniels reported that additional bridges are needed at the City Park, dead limbs, ditch renovation and weeding is needed at the City Park and roadside park on Hwy. 19 north and drop boxes needed on Carty and Hawkins to assist with drainage there.
He said a date needed to be set to meet with contractors to discuss concrete bids and chat needs to be hauled to a driveway on Westwood Drive.
McDaniels also recommended that weeding needs to be done on East Center at the electric department shed, brush needs to be picked up around town and signs repaired on Roosevelt.
Alderman Jim Jackson reported that improvements are needed at the trailer court on Center Street.
Alderman Kenneth Nash reported that lights are still being left on at Al Brown Fields and at the City Park tennis courts and restrooms need to be cleaned regularly at the park. He recommended that a timer be installed on the lights.
Alderman Bill Riley asked about a recent tree trimming project at 906 East Hawkins St.
The mayor said only one limb was removed because it was in the power line. He said any additional trimming would be the responsibility of the property owner.
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Focus of primary on sheriff, commissioner races and sales tax
by Dwayne McClellan
Staff Writer
newsstaff@earthlink.net
The August 5 primary will determine the Dent County Sheriff's position for the next four years and finalize the November race for Dent County's Second District County Commissioner.
The ballot also includes a city of Salem sales tax issue, as well as state races.
Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the county's eight precincts. Absentee voting is ongoing and will continue through the end of the business day Aug. 4. The county clerk's office will be open 8 a.m. to noon Aug. 2 for absentee voting. County Clerk Angie Curley said there have been 110 absentee votes cast as of Monday.
"The last day to request an absentee ballot and for us to mail a ballot out is July 30," Curley said.
• The sheriff's primary race features Democrats Bob Wofford, the incumbent, and challenger Rick Stallings. Wofford has been sheriff since Jan. 1, 1993. This is the third time Stallings has sought the position.
Since there are no Republican candidates, the winner of the Democrat primary will be the sheriff effective Jan. 1, 2009.
• A second big race is for county commissioner from District II.
Incumbent Democrat J.J. Tune faces Gary D. Howard and Greg Williams for the Democratic Party nomination. Gary Larson, Gary Polk and Ray Scheidemantel make up the Republican Party field.
The two party winners will face in the November General Election.
• A half-cent sales tax to fund parks and recreation and storm-water control is also on the ballot. Aldermen voted in May to put the issue on the ballot. It needs a simple majority for passage.
The sales tax would bring in an estimated $505,000 a year. The tax would be collected on all retail sales, including food.
Mayor Gary Brown said it was first thought that food sales would be exempt, but according to the Missouri Department of Revenue, food would be taxed based on the city's charter.
Other races:
• There is no party competition for District I County Commissioner in the primary election. The November election will feature three men running from three parties. The fall's race will feature Bobby Simpson, Democrat, incumbent; Republican Dennis Purcell and Independent candidate Don Harris.
• There is no party competition in the primary for 150th District State Representative. Incumbent Jason Smith, Republican, will face Democrat challenger James Ellis in November.
• There is no party competition, so Gina White, Democrat, and Jeff Elmer, Republican, will be on the November ballot for county coroner. Incumbent Eddie Wilson did not file for re-election.
• In the public administrator's primary race, incumbent Larry Edwards, Republican, and Odie Mae (Henderson) Crim, Democrat, have no competition and will face each other in November.
• In the assessor's race, Brenda Bell, incumbent Democrat, will be challenged in November by Republican Jamie Homeyer.
• Democrat and incumbent surveyor Craig Ruble is unopposed for re-election.
• In the primary eection, Democrats and Republicans will choose party representatives for governor, lieutenant governor, treasurer, attorney general and U.S representative.
Dent County resident Paul Douglas Sims is on the Democrat ballot for lieutenant governor.
• Dent County will also elect party committeemen and committeewomen.
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Discussion continues on health issues with annex
Dent County Commissioners discussed proposals to study environmental issues at the Judicial Building Annex and heard an update on the countywide rural addressing project during the past two meetings.
On July 17, commissioners signed an agreement with Anderson Associates, Rolla, to design ADA compliant entrance and bathrooms in the Judicial Building Annex at a cost of $2,000. Any cost above $2,000 would have to be approved by the commission.
The agreement also calls for $550 to perform an environmental inspection with a summary report for the Judicial Building Annex.
In the July 21 meeting, commissioners were given a letter from Prosecuting Attorney Jessica Sparks regarding a no-cost inspection and a report from a state agency regarding what she calls "serious health concerns involved with the building."
Sparks recommended the county contact the State of Missouri Bureau of Environmental Epidmiology, Indoor Air Quality Assessment office. She said they are aware of the current situation with the building and have the extensive experience and expertise in the public health issues and in building rehabs. She said the county just needs to send them a letter inviting them to inspect the building and provide them with a county contact person.
The commissioners took no action.
Commissioners J.J. Tune and Bobby Simpson said the county had already signed a contract with Anderson Associates to perform an environmental study and couldn't go back on that deal.
Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he would like to personally talk to the company to see what it had to offer, but didn't believe there was any serious health issues with the new building.
Commissioners said they would not take any action until receiving the report from Anderson & Associates.
Skiles also gave an update on the Rural Addressing project. He said those with post office box addresses would be notified this week of their new address. The remaining addresses are in Kansas City pending approval by post office officials.
"Susan Cunningham (Spatial Data Research) will be at our meeting 10 a.m. July 28 to give us an update," Skiles said.
The rural addressing coordinator, the Salem Telecommunications Community Resource Center, will be receiving training today and Wednesday for their job once the project is completed.
Road reports
In District I, Simpson said grading is being done and materials are being hauled to county road 6090 and ditch work is ongoing on roads 6350,6303, 4220 and 5150. Crews are also repairing road 5390 as part of the FEMA projects where flood damaged roads are being repaired. Culverts are being put in.
In District II, Tune said crews are hauling materials to and repairing damage on road 5320 in the Boss area, grading on road 3200,2070 and 2083.
Other news
• Clyde Dent, Helen Miller, Doug Dent, Jim Cotner and Carl Wilkerson Thursday discussed the crossing at Dent Ford and how it's difficult to get to the cemetery. There was a discussion on short- and long-term solutions, grants, funds and bridges.
• Sheriff Bob Wofford and Deputy Sheriff Wayne Becker discussed a $650 donation from Joe Webber for first aid kits. The money will be placed in the Law Enforcement fund.
• Wofford discussed plumbing and air conditioning issues in the jail. He has a $15,000 estimate to repair all the plumbing. It would take about $4,800 to repair one-third of the problems. This would include four double lavatories, flush valves and two double showers. This would be paid out of the building and grounds budget in general revenue.
• Lou Trombley presented a $450 check to the commission to repair chip-and-seal damage to county road 6150. A truck hauling heavy equipment recently damaged the road leading into a subdivision he is building. He said the money would be subtracted from his bill with the company.
• Skiles discussed the Region I Homeland Security meeting he attended Thursday, including grant funds that are available for supplies and measures to get those supplies to where they are needed,
• Skiles also reported on emergency management training programs scheduled for 8 a.m to 2 p.m. Aug. 12 at the Meramec Regional Planning Commission and a tabletop training program on the Pandemic Flu 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept, 29 at MRPC in St. James.
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Nationals-bound Phennicie, 13, enjoys beating the boys in motocross
by Dwayne McClellan
Staff Writer
newsstaff@earthlink.net
Natalie Phennicie, 13, has encountered several obstacles as a dirt bike racer on her way to national motocross competition.
Last summer in a dirt bike accident she suffered a collapsed lung, broken ribs and had a chest tube in her. She spent a week in a hospital. Before that it was a broken collarbone. She's also had a concussion.
But that hasn't stopped her. Neither has being involved in a sport that is traditionally male dominated. Going up against boys and men just makes her work harder.
"The best part is when I beat the boys," she said. "It's kind of funny to see how they act when a girl beats them. I've seen them punch their gas tank and get mad."
Phennicie's eight-year-old dream is coming true later this month.
The freshman at Salem Junior High and 2008 Oak Hill R-I valedictorian will be participating in the 27th annual Air Natiques/AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships at Loretta Lynn's Ranch in Tennessee, July 28-Aug.2.
She will be one of 40 girls from across the nation in the girls 9-13 year-old class, riding her modified Suzuki RM85.
"I've been counting the days down," Phennicie said. "It's something that I've always wanted to do."
Her dream started when she was five. While they lived in Maryland, Phennicie became interested in motocross. Her family's real estate agent had two boys who raced. She went, watched and became hooked.
"I begged and begged my mom to let me do it," Phennicie said. "But she told me I was supposed to play with Barbie dolls."
Julie Strebe said after her daughter continued to ask and beg, she gave in. But not only did her daughter race, so did mother and Phennicie's brothers and sisters.
Phennicie started riding 50 cc bikes, moving up to 65s and now races 85s. She also races a 250cc four-stroke, but has been concentrating solely on her 85 as she prepares for the nationals. She also races in memory of her brother, Ryan, who died Nov. 11. 2003, when she was eight.
She races with the number 740 on her plates in memory of him, as that was his race number when he raced motocross.
She's participated in many competitions in state and out of state. Her father, John Strebe, has a dirt track at their Dent County home, and she practices on that and in other communities.
Last June her career took a big hit when she was injured and spent time in a hospital. She was well on her way to qualifying for national competition when the wreck occurred.
In the hospital she watched motocross videos and tapes and talked motocross. Two weeks after the injury, she was ready to get back on her bike.
"It just felt weird, it didn't feel normal not to be racing," Phennicie said.
Julie Strebe said as the family was taking Natalie home from the hospital, she was begging to get back on a bike.
"She said if we let her on her bike she would go slow, but we knew better," her father said.
"I can remember the doctor saying: "No bikes, no bikes," Julie said.
But in September Natalie was back on the motocross circuit. She finished third at Cabool in the men's division and has not skipped a beat.
Julie said she watched that first race with her hands over her eyes.
"I really wasn't nervous," Phennicie said. "I think I was more excited than anything. This was my first race since the accident. I really try to stay calm during a race."
This year she has continued racing and qualified for the national competition at events in Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas and Illinois.
At the nationals, the track is built on a section of Loretta Lynn's Ranch and campground in Hurricane Mills. The course contains a variety of jumps, corners and other obstacles to test the skills and stamina of the racers.
"The amateur nationals is the event every motocross racer in the country wants to compete in," said event director Tim Cotter. "A win at the nationals can serve as a springboard to a lucrative professional motocross career."
Phennicie and her family already have three national sponsors, Answer Racing, Pro Taper and Gary Bailey MX School, helping her get to and from the races. Several Dent County businesses are also helping her and her family get to the nationals.
The family is also hosting yard sales and other fundraisers. Donations are being sought through collection cans in the area.
"It's really nice how local people are helping her," Julie Strebe said. "We've only been here two years, but the community has really accepted us."
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Vandal leaves mark all over Salem
By Brenda Jessen
Staff Writer
newsstaff@earthlink.net
A 15-year-old Salem boy has been turned over to juvenile authorities for his alleged involvement in several recent building vandalisms around town.
Police Chief Clifford Jadwin said the property damage includes spray painting and chalk drawings on several buildings.
Vandals damaged property at the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center building, the Visitors Center/Salem Area Chamber of Commerce building, Carolyn's Discount Groceries, the Dent County Fire Protection District's propane tanks, Pratt Mitchell & Company and other upper brick walls downtown, a commercial building on Pershing Avenue and another on Third Street, Carl Hale Real Estate building sign, mailboxes, a bridge and some signs around town.
Jadwin said most of the vandalism had to have been done by climbing onto the roof of the buildings, since most of the graffiti is along the top of the buildings.
Total damage estimates are not yet known.
Some of the building owners said they would like to see those responsible for the damage be required to manually make the repairs.
"I think it would be appropriate for the person who damaged the property to be required to do community service work and repair or paint the damaged buildings," Dent County Fire Protection District Chief Brad Nash said.
Other property owners said appropriate punishment for the vandal or vandals should include supervised tasks such as picking up trash in the community.
ONCRC Director Jerry Craig said vandalism at the ONCRC was done on more than one occasion.
Craig said this type of property damage and trespassing by vandals is expensive to repair and reflects a bad image of the community.
Jadwin said the vandalisms were done during the past few weeks. It's not yet known if other persons were involved.
• The police chief said police also are investigating a recent burglary at the Coffman storage building on Fifth Street.
Jadwin said burglars apparently entered the building through the roof and took 1,500 feet of copper wire valued at about $1,100.
No arrests have been made.
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