Judge grants injunction canceling
Bates City election on Tuesday
by Betty S. Spaar
 Election canceled...Tuesday at Bates City. Above sign was displayed in the door glass at the back entrance of Bates City First Baptist Church Tuesday, notifying voters in the scheduled mayoral special election that the election was canceled Monday by order of Circuit Court Judge Dennis Rolf. Alleged irregularities in the process of calling and scheduling the special election were raised in a petition for injunction filed by newly elected mayor, Shawn Fox. Linda Niendick, county clerk, posted the notes at 5:30 a.m. Tuesday. photo by Bud Jones Bates City voters did not decide on who would be chosen as mayor on Tuesday, after Circuit Judge Dennis Rolf Monday issued an order granting the petition for injunction which canceled the special election.
After a hearing held at noon Monday in the Circuit Courtroom in Marshall, Rolf issued the order granting the petition for injunction.
The order says that after hearing evidence and arguments on Shawn Fox's petition for injunction against Linda Niendick, county clerk, the court found that the proclamation issued by Tammy Engen, city clerk of Bates City, did not comply with the requirements of Missouri Revised Statute 115.517.3.
The order from Rolf says "that there be an injunction preventing defendant, Linda Niendick, Lafayette County Clerk, from holding the special election on May 14, 2013, and until such time as the Proclamation and Notice are issued in accordance with state and local laws."
Niendick, represented by Julie Cahalane, assistant prosecuting attorney, Fox, represented by Robert Schnieders, attorney, and Diana Rickey, former mayor, represented by Brent Teichman, attorney, attended the Monday noon hearing before Rolf.
After the injunction order was issued, Niendick and two of the attorneys involved commented on the ruling. Read more in The Odessan.
| Bates City to hold special election
Bates City will hold a special election Tuesday, June 4, for mayor. See page 4A in the print edition for details. |
Aldermen table plans for election
on appointment of city collector
by Betty S. Spaar
Odessa Board of Aldermen at a Monday night meeting tabled the second reading of an ordinance which would have scheduled an August 5 special election asking voters to decide if the position of city collector should be appointed rather than elected.
First reading of the ordinance was approved at the April 22 meeting.
After a motion was made and seconded to approve the second reading, Jon Holmes, city administrator, addressed the issue.
The city administrator said, "I think we can accomplish this better by changes in the ordinances," adding, "Those changes will be brought to the board for approval."
Holmes suggested aldermen table the election issue, and aldermen agreed on a unanimous vote.
The resignation of Carla Crawford, who will have served as collector for 30 years when she retires on October 23, was accepted. Read more in The Odessan.
Reading aloud...from their journal entries about their own individual adventures with Humphrey the Hamster during his visits to their homes earlier this year were these three first grade students at McQuerry Elementary, Nathan Begemann, left, Samantha Hall and Drew Sallee. Students presented before the R-7 District Board of Education Monday night.
photo by Bud Jones
First graders "steal show" at Odessa R-7 Board meeting
by Bud Jones
Once again, at Monday night's monthly meeting of the Odessa R-7 Board of Education, it was the students presenting an "Academic Focus" report before the board that literally "stole the show."
On this occasion the presentation was all about the "One Book, One School" program undertaken during the 2012-13 school year by students and staff at McQuerry Elementary School.
The World, According to Humphrey was the title of the book utilized in the family literacy project, in which the entire student body, teachers and staff members, and parents of students enrolled at McQuerry became involved in what principal, Larry Hol, referred to as "one big book club."
Every student was provided with a copy of the book and given reading assignments, which were subsequently discussed in the classrooms.
Humphrey the Hamster was the main character, and all students during the school year had an opportunity to take a Humphrey home with them, with parents encouraged to involve Humphrey in family activities, and the student responsible for writing a journal about those adventures and their experiences with Humphrey.
On Monday night Hol introduced first grade teacher, Jackie Vochatzer, who introduced three of her students, Drew Sallee, Samantha Hall and Nathan Begemann, who took turns reading aloud from their journal record of Humphrey's visit in their respective homes. Read more in The Odessan.
 OHS Class of 2013...graduated 137 seniors May 9 at the University of Central Missouri Multipurpose Building in Warrensburg. Among that group was Rebecca Spoon, who seemed especially happy to be achieving the goal of graduation, as OHS principal, John McGraw, reads the name of the next senior to receive a diploma. photo by John Carmody |
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