LEADER CLINTON COUNT Y
Thurs., July 6, 2023 |
Plattsburg, Lathrop and Gower, Mo.
INSIDE One Section | 12 pages
Champions
Looking back at the Plattsburg Tigers and their run to a district title on the baseball diamond. || PAGE A6
A Grumpy Friendship
$1.00 | “Covers Clinton County Like Dew ”
CITY OF PLATTSBURG
Council looks to soften need for massive rate hike by brett adkison leader editor
Residents in Plattsburg could soon see their utility rates on the rise, but city officials are hopeful they can find budget cuts to help offset the need for additional rev-
enues. The Plattsburg City Council met in a special session on Wednesday, June 28, at Plattsburg City Hall to pass the 2023-2024 budget. During the meeting, City Administrator Chase Waggoner warned
that the outlook isn’t rosy, as the city’s rates for natural gas haven’t kept up with the costs. He said that when the city went to a flex model for its gas rates, officials likely weren’t aggressive enough with the prices. Inflation hasn’t helped
WATER SHOOTOUT!
Keith “Grumpy” Felts was a man of many talents and interests, but perhaps no better talent than friendship. || PAGE A3
Community........A5 Opinion..............A4 Legals................A9 Sports................A6 Authorities with the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department, Plattsburg Police Department and other agencies were called to Ellis Elementary last week on a call of a rowdy group of summer school students ready for a water balloon fight! The cops did their best to hang with the students, but once again, the kids proved to be too much, winning the annual summer contest with ease. Here’s hoping all of the kids have a tremendous summer! brett adkison | the leader
Gower Days begins Friday
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VOL. 128, NO. 36
EAST BUCHANAN
Board OKs new budget, hears plan on levy vote leader reporter
Leibrandt Jewelry in Cameron first opened its doors on July 10, 1873. 150 years later, the store keeps going strong. || PAGE A12
Est. 1895
||Continued on A2
by jim bonebrake
150 Years in Business
THE LEADER
matters. Waggoner said in order to propose a balanced budget without cutting services, the city would need to increase its gas rates by upwards of 43 percent, water rates by
Residents in Gower are ready for three days of fun in the sun this week during the annual Gower Days Festival at the city park. The festival, which has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years, will last from Friday, July 7, through Sunday, July 9, and will include parades, games, contests, prizes, music, food and so much more! The festivities actually begin on Thursday, July 6, with a series of pageants begin-
ning at 6 p.m. at the Gower Christian Church AFC Building. The contests include Little Mr. and Miss Gower, Prince and Princess and the Queen Pageant. The winners of the pageants will be announced the following day, Friday, July 7, during the opening ceremonies at 5:30 p.m. in the park. The opening ceremonies will also include the national anthem by Christie Ottinger and honoring the 2023 Grand Marshal, ||Continued on A2
The East Buchanan Board of Education amended the district’s 2022-2023 budget for the year end, adopted its new budget for the 2023-2024 school year, and listened to a campaign strategy from Design Studio for the proposed middle school levy issue at its recent monthly meeting. In their presentation Monday, June 26, representatives from Design said the studio had held two additional meetings, one with staff and another with community members that attended to gather additional information to develop a campaign strategy for the board to consider. Superintendent Dr. John Newell told the board that district money can’t be used to either promote or oppose the proposed upcoming proposition. However, he said that ||Continued on A2
FINE SAYS GOODBYE
After 18 years with Lathrop R-II, including 12 years as the superintendent, Chris Fine has officially retired. A reception was held for Fine on Wednesday, June 28, with his final board meeting coming that night. (Above) Chris Fine (right) shakes hands with Board President Darrell Morgan, along with (left to right) Chris’s wife, Laura, sons, Brendan and Nathan, and daughter, Megan. (Not pictured: daughter, Maressa). brett adkison | the leader