LEADER CLINTON COUNT Y
Thurs., July 13, 2023 |
PLATTSBURG
City looks at major utility rate increases
Plattsburg, Lathrop and Gower, Mo.
$1.00 | “Covers Clinton County Like Dew ”
HAPPY DAYS IN GOWER
St. Ann Catholic Church in Plattsburg is in the midst of a major renovation to restore its beauty. || PAGE A3
leader editor
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One Section | 12 pages
Work Ongoing at St. Ann’s
by brett adkison
As the City of Plattsburg enters a new fiscal year, city leaders find themselves at a financial crossroads. Last month, the Plattsburg City Council approved its budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year ahead of its June 30 deadline. But, facing the need for increased revenues or decreased expenditures, the council did so with the intention of approving an amendment to the budget in July. As part of his budget proposal, Plattsburg City Administrator Chase Waggoner put forward a proposed 43-percent rate increase for natural gas and increases between 25 and 30 percent for water and sewer rates. The council had been scheduled to meet Monday, July 10, but the meeting had to be postponed to Monday, July 24. Waggoner said this week that the consumer price index has increased 21 percent over the last five years, but the city hasn’t passed along any gas rate increases in that same span. He said previous city leaders likely wanted to keep bills down for the residents, but to do so, the city has had to eat those cost increases.
INSIDE
Weekly Sheriff ’s Dept. Report See what activity the Clinton County Sheriff ’s Department handled last week. || PAGE A12
Aces land at the Country Club A trio of golfers have found the sweet spot in recent weeks, draining holes-in-one at the Plattsburg Country Club. || PAGE A8
Smiles abound at annual Gower Days There are few things better than good friends, fun, music and cool temperatures all coming together in July, and the annual Gower Days festival proved just that over the weekend, as hundreds turned out for the three-day party at Gower City Park. For more photo coverage of the event, see pages A6 and A7! (Above, left to right) The 2023 Gower Days pageant winners: Prince Brenton Jackson, Little Miss Gower Isabel Ebling, Queen Naomi Tiller and Princess Holly Watson. (Right) The 2023 Gower Days Parade Grand Marshal, Mayor Ken Pike. brett adkison | the leader
Green celebrates 102nd Birthday
Community........A5 Opinion..............A4 Legals..............A10 Gower Days.......A6
THE LEADER Est. 1895
COUNTY ZONING
Board holds July public hearings by jim bonebrake leader reporter
Congratulations to Merle Green, who - along with his wife, Millie (couple bottom right) and dozens of family and friends - celebrated his 102nd birthday on Tuesday, July 4. Yes, the three-war veteran was born on Independence Day. The family celebrated the milestone at the Lathrop Antique Showgrounds. For more photos from the Fourth, see page A12. brett adkison | the leader
The Clinton County Planning and Zoning Commission held three public hearings on Thursday, July 6. The first hearing was a request by Ashton and Sidney Shelton of Polo, Mo., who applied to the zoning office for a minor subdivision of a 21.14-acre parcel into two lots measuring five ||Continued on A2
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VOL. 128, NO. 37