LEADER CLINTON COUNT Y
Plattsburg, Lathrop and Gower, Mo.
Thurs., April 6, 2023 |
$1.00 | “Covers Clinton County Like Dew ”
GOWER
Election will decide whether to move EBMS
INSIDE One Section | 16 pages
Tax levy would fund new school building in Gower
by brett adkison leader editor
After consulting with its patrons, the East Buchanan C-1 School District is poised to make history and move its middle school from Easton to Gower, but voters
ELECTION
Lathrop street tax passes
will have the final say this August. In a letter from Superintendent Dr. John Newell on Monday, March 27, the district announced its intention to place a proposed levy increase on the August ballot to fund the construction of a
new middle school in Gower. The school board intends to finalize the ballot language and the exact levy amount when it meets again on April 17. Dr. Newell explained to The Leader that the district intends to
use a lease-purchase format to fund the construction. He said with the district’s current funding, it would only be able to borrow approximately $4 million – well short of the $13 million to $15 million that ||Continued on A2
LIVING HISTORY
Voters sign off on marijuana sales taxes
Get a comprehensive look at what went on in law enforcement the previous week throughout Clinton County. || PAGE A3
leader editor
More than 1,700 Clinton Countians hit the polls Tuesday to help decide school and city leadership and important tax issues throughout the area. Sales taxes on the recreational purchase of marijuana gained widespread support, with the county’s proposed three-percent tax passing 1,252 to 465, according to the unofficial results. Gower’s marijuana tax passed 120-34 (Clinton and Buchanan County vote totals) and Plattsburg’s marijuana tax passed 155-42. While Lathrop didn’t put forward a marijuana tax, the municipality did propose a one-percent sales tax to fund street improvements on Tuesday, which passed 152-62. The Clinton County R-III School District in Plattsburg had five people contending for three seats on Tuesday, with Greg Harris (208 votes), Katie Arnold (195 votes) and John Thiessen (188 votes) getting
EBES students shine in annual wax museum of famous Missourians Students at East Buchanan Elementary School in Gower blended history with a little bit of fun on Friday, March 31, with the annual wax museum of famous Missourians. From sports to science, military service to literature, the wide range of portrayals showed how important the Show-Me State has been to the world. (Above) Corbin West as General John J. Pershing. (Left) Liam Hodge-Cox as author Mark Twain. brett adkison | the leader
||Continued on A2
Gower Fire Depart. celebrates 30th anniversary On Saturday, April 1, the Gower Fire Protection District celebrated its 30th anniversary with a reunion for former volunteers and an open house for the gen-
eral public. Established in 1993 by former fire chief Sam Thompson and 11 volunteers with four trucks, the district began as an association where property owners subscribed for the
service. The district has grown, moving into its current station off 169 Highway in Gower and expanding to today’s fleet of three trucks, two brush trucks, one rescue truck and one
Community........A3 Opinion..............A4 Legals......A14,A15 Sports...............A6
THE LEADER Est. 1895
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GOWER
leader reporter
It’s been another historic year for FFA’ers in the area. See what the chapters Lathrop, Plattsburg and East Buchanan have been doing. || PAGE A8
Sheriff ’s Report
by brett adkison
by jim bonebrake
Clinton County FFA Section
command vehicle. There are currently 23 firefighters and a three-member diving rescue and recovery team. It was also where the first night exercise drill was held for emergency management in the state of
Missouri. Thompson credits former Trimble Fire Chief Mike Shryock with giving him guidance and information to begin the journey. Thompson served the dis||Continued on A2
102 e. Maple St. Plattsburg, Mo., 64477 (UPS 435580000) 816.539.2111 email: leader@clintoncountyleader.com
VOL. 128, NO. 23