Cameron’s Costly Lease
In anticipation of major work and a long closure at city hall, Cameron City Council mulls over lease agreement || PAGE A2
LEADER CLINTON COUNT Y
Thursday, August 1, 2024 | Plattsburg • Lathrop • Gower • Cameron |
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BALLOT BOX
County offices to be decided in Tuesday’s election by brett adkison leader editor
Voters in Clinton County will head to the polls next week, and though it’s a primary election, they’ll decide two major offices at the Clinton County Courthouse.
Clinton County Sheriff Larry Fish (Republican) will be seeking his third term in office on Tuesday, August 6, but will face a challenge from A.J. Carrel (Republican), who previously worked at the sheriff’s
PLATTSBURG
Council OKs No Parking on S. Oak Street
department in Fish’s administration. Also on Tuesday’s GOP ticket, one-term incumbent First District Commissioner Jay Bettis will look for four more years at the courthouse, while fellow Republican Tyler Walock
will oppose Bettis in search for his first county-level office. Without a single Democrat running for county office Tuesday, the winners on the Republican ballot will likely go on to take office,
barring any kind of official write-in campaign. Several Republican officeholders—including coroner Lee Hanks, assessor Cindy Carter and Second District Commissioner Richard Riddell—will face
Missouri Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe visited the Missouri Veterans Home in Cameron on Thursday, July 25, to help honor a pair of local fundraisers--Amy Ford (left, with Gary Summers of the Veterans Assistance League) and Neva Woody (below)-who have made a major impact with their contributions to the home. Ford, through the annual Patriot Ride UTV gathering, has spearheaded efforts that have resulted in more than $160,000 in contributions to the home. Woody, through her organization Shoot Like a Girl, has helped raise more than $500,000 for the home. Shoot Like a Girl provides opportunities for women to participate in shooting sports while raising money for veterans. Lt. Gov. Kehoe, who toured the home Thursday, said the two women were inspiring through their contributions and the improvements they’ve made possible. See more on page A7 of this edition.
by brett adkison leader editor
brett adkison | the clinton county leader
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GOWER
Renaissance Art Studio in downtown Gower has created a space where artists of every age and discipline can flourish. (Pictured) Dee Brinnon (left) and Joy Shaver (center) work on their painting skills at the new studio, which is owned and operated by East Buchanan art teacher Kristin Meyer. contributed photo
THE LEADER Est. 1895
Winner of 100+ awards from the Missouri press assoc.
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VOLUNTEERS HONORED
New committee can look into historic designations
After two previous attempts to meet, the Plattsburg City Council was able to hold a special session meeting on Monday, July 29. One previous attempt to meet was postponed because they were unable to gather a quorum of members, while the second attempt was canceled after the passing of Ward I Alderman Larry Schussler. Plattsburg Mayor David Jett noted at the outset of the meeting that a Celebration of Life for Schussler, who passed away Monday, July 22, will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at Sailboat Cove at Smithville Lake. In order to have a quorum on Monday, Alderman Richard Stanley joined the meeting via an online video call. It was a light meeting, with just a handful of items. During public participation, just one resident, Jim Banks, spoke. He asked about the city’s grass height restriction, to which City Administrator Steve Garrett said it is limited to seven inches. Banks then asked about yards on Clay Avenue that aren’t within the regulation. Garrett responded that he has the information on those locations and that letters to those landowners would be going out the following day. Garrett gave a city administrator’s report, in which he said that the city is working with the Department of Natural Resources in relation to their agreement on improving the city sewer system. He said they’re in good shape there with the bond
competition in neither August’s Primary nor November’s General Election. Republican candidate Deanna Utz is unopposed in her bid for the GOP nomination for public administrator.
New studio helps local artists find their brush strokes This summer has been busy for the Renaissance Art Studio in downtown Gower. Hosting classes in a wide array of media, from clay to paint, oils to water colors—even quilting—the studio has attracted teachers and artists
of every skill level, including lifelong practitioners and young children getting their start. It’s nearly strange to think that this fresh, vibrant beginning was born from a conversation about endings. “About four years ago, my husband and I began thinking
about what I might do when I retire from teaching,” said East Buchanan art teacher Kristin Meyer, who owns and operates the studio. “We ended up purchasing a building in Gower and worked on renovations for three years to make it into my new art studio, Renais-
Close Look at Sheriff ’s Race
This Week’s Sheriff ’s Report
Honeycutt Media
Steve Tinnen talks with Sheriff Larry Fish and challenger AJ Carrel ahead of this Tuesday’s Primary Election.
See which calls for service came through the Clinton County Sheriff ’s Dispatch for the previous week.
by brett adkison leader editor
INSIDE One Section | 20 pages
Community.........A5 Sheriff................A3 Opinion..............A4 Legals..............A12
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102 e. Maple St. Plattsburg, Mo., 64477 (UPS 435580000) 816.539.2111 email: leader@clintoncountyleader.com
VOL. 129, NO. 41