LEADER CLINTON COUNT Y
Thurs., April 11, 2024 |
INSIDE
One Section | 12 pages
Big Donation in Lathrop Thanks to the Lathrop and Missouri Masons, school backpack programs receives $36K. || PAGE A6
Making a Big Difference
Plattsburg, Lathrop and Gower, Mo.
$1.00 | “Covers Clinton County Like Dew ”
CITY OF PLATTSBURG
Tensions remain as new councilmen sworn in by brett adkison leader editor
The City of Plattsburg ushered in a new era on Monday evening. Two new members of the Plattsburg City Council were sworn in on Monday,
April 8. That includes firstterm Mayor David Jett, who defeated incumbent outgoing Mayor James Kennedy (and a second challenger, Ricky Volkmann) last Tuesday in the 2024 Municipal Election.
Larry Schussler—who previously served on the council and earned another stint by defeating John Mirosh at the polls—was also sworn in to represent Ward I. Incumbent Ward III
Alderman Scott Gordee was also sworn in Monday after defeating Travis Brooks and Josh Tulley in the election, and Ward II Alderman Richard Stanley (who was initially appointed to the seat and ran unop-
ASHCROFT VISITS
Spirit Month at Plattsburg High School results in major benefits to the community. || PAGE A5
Community........A5 Opinion..............A4 Legals..............A10 Sports................A7 Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft was in Plattsburg last Friday, April 5, for a campaign event at Lucila’s On Main. Ashcroft, who has been the Secretary of State since 2017, is running for governor this year on the Republican ticket. (Above) Secretary Ashcroft visits with newly-elected Plattsburg Mayor David Jett and his wife, Susan Jett, Friday in Plattsburg. brett adkison | the leader
CLINTON COUNTY ZONING
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VOL. 129, NO. 25
PARKS
Big upgrades at Lathrop’s youth ball fields in 2024 leader editor
See what calls for service the Clinton County Sheriff ’s Department recently fielded through dispatch. || PAGE A3
Est. 1895
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by brett adkison
Sheriff ’s Calls for Service
THE LEADER
posed in the election) was seated for his first full term in office. In another bit of change, it was the first Plattsburg City Council meeting for Steve Gar-
Board considers plans for growth by jim bonebrake leader reporter
With a light agenda Thursday, April 4, the Clinton County Planning and Zoning Commission spent a significant amount of time discussing potential concepts to better shepherd growth in the county while maintaining its rural and agricultural environment. During the only public hearing Thursday, Joseph and Jennifer Kush applied for a minor subdivision of a 10-acre tract
from a 102-acre parcel. They also asked to have the smaller tract rezoned from Ag-A to Ag-B. The property is located on the south side of S.E. Cavender Rd., east of W Highway and west of S.E. Hilltop Road in rural Lathrop. There were twenty-two certified letters mailed to adjacent property owners, with only one attending the hearing. That person was in favor of Kush’s request. ||Continued on A2
Those heading out to the ballpark in Lathrop this summer will notice some key improvements throughout the facility. Through a major grant and some additional funds from the city, the Lathrop Park Board is making sweeping upgrades at Ingram Park, located on the west side of town on Elm Street. That includes drainage work, new bleachers, repairs to the dugouts and fencing, and more. “Our park board is almost entirely new members this year, and we are really proud of how we’ve been able to work together to get these projects moving pretty quickly,” said Lathrop Park Board President Kendra Gagnon. “We have one of the lowest park taxes in the area; we operate all three parks— the ball fields, city park and soccer fields—on about $36,000 a year. Unfortunately, that doesn’t go very far these days, so it’s really enough ||Continued on A2
OFF TO THE RACES
Lathrop hosted its annual Brant Downey Invitational track meet last Thursday at LHS. The East Buchanan boys team continued to make their case as the best Class 2 program in the state, easily winning the team title. (Left) East Buchanan senior Aidan Hensley runs his leg for the Bulldogs’ stellar 4x800M relay. (Right) Lathrop athlete Brody Spear helps lead the pack in the hurdles. brett adkison | the leader