Addressing City Hall Move Cameron Mayor Becky Curtis addresses the public’s concerns with move to Bank Midwest || PAGE A7
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Thursday, August 8, 2024 | Plattsburg • Lathrop • Gower • Cameron |
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2024 PRIMARY ELECTION
Carrel, Walock unseat GOP courthouse incumbents by brett adkison leader editor
A new man will be leading the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department after the turn of the year. A.J. Carrel emerged victorious in his Republican challenge to incumbent Clinton County Sher-
iff Larry Fish, winning the office 1,885-1,441 (56.67 percent to 43.33 percent) in the Primary Election on Tuesday, August 6. With no candidates on the Democrat ticket, Carrel is expected to take office in January. The results are unofficial until they are finalized
by the county. Fish first came into office in 2016 as part of a GOP wave that finally cracked Clinton County’s solid blue exterior, defeating Democrat incumbent Porter Hensen in a tight race. Fish won a second term in 2020, serving eight years in the
position. Carrel is no stranger to the sheriff’s department, having previously worked for Clinton County. That included time with Fish’s administration, during which Carrel served as a captain and then the chief deputy. The sheriff’s office
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isn’t the only place in the courthouse that will see a major change in 2025. Republican challenger Tyler Walock was able to unseat incumbent Republican First District Commissioner Jay Bettis, 1,028-865 (54.31 percent to 45.69 percent). Bettis—along with
fellow Republican, Second District Commissioner Richard Riddell—was first elected to the office in 2020. Riddell was also up for reelection this year, but was among several Republicans on Tuesday that had no primary competition, and for
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CITY OF PLATTSBURG
Joe Harris appointed as new alderman by brett adkison leader editor
Facing an unexpected vacancy on the Plattsburg City Council after the tragic passing of Ward I Alderman Larry Schussler, Mayor David Jett turned to one of the community’s most well known and respected members Monday. Mayor Jett appointed Joe Harris, Jr., to the seat Monday, August 5, which was met with unanimous approval by the council. And though the special session meeting was sparsely attended, the appointment drew a solid round of applause from most in attendance. “I know that I’m called to be a servant,” said Harris, a lifelong Plattsburg resident who has owned and operated Joe’s Fitness for 25 years. “I love my community and I see that there are some changes that need to be made for the best. I’m willing to work hard to get these changes made.” Harris added that his father, the late Everett Joe Harris, Sr., served on the council for a number of years, and Joe feels he has an obligation to carry out his father’s dream and duties to both the ward and the community. Mayor Jett said that, prior to making the appointment, he spoke with Schussler’s son, Larry, Jr., who was enthusiastic about Harris filling out his father’s term in office. “I’ve talked to many people in the community and he was the first person on their list,” Jett said of Harris. “Being a business owner here in Plattsburg, being a lifelong resident of Ward I, his father being on the board way back. All of that and being a leader in his church. It just shows what we want on our council so we can promote Plattsburg and move the city forward.”
The Lathrop Mules football program held its Backyard Brawl last week, hosting teams from throughout the region for a series of scrimmages ahead of the 2024 season. Opening night is creeping closer; preseason jamborees are scheduled for August 23, while season openers will take place a week later on August 30. (Above) Returning All-MEC senior Hudson Lodder carries the ball for Cameron in a scrimmage against Hamilton last week. (Right) Lathrop’s Brody Spear (red) and Dylan Franklin look for an opening against Polo.
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CAMERON COUNCIL
Zoning concerns, next budget headline meeting Concerns over a zoning change brought out comments during public participation at the Cameron City Council meeting Monday night.
First, Tina McDowell addressed the council with a complaint regarding treatment by Animal Control officer Kathy Turner. McDowell was concerned that Animal Control had not properly followed up with
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her regarding a warning for her dogs “barking 24/7” and McDowell even questioned if that was a valid law on the books. City Manager Steve Rasmussen pointed out that Turner’s supervisor had contacted Mrs. McDowell
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Community.........A5 Sheriff................A3 Opinion..............A4 Legals..............A8
and implied that the matter was closed. Jim O’Connor, broker/partner of the O’ConnorAgency-United Country Real Estate, also spoke during public participation, with concerns
over a proposed zoning change for a property owned by the Methodist Church. Those concerns were later addressed when Economic Development Director Lance Rains assured O’Connor that changing
Masons Donate to Students
This Week’s Sheriff ’s Report
The Plattsburg Masonic Lodge, with help from state lodge, donate more than $40k to local students.
See which calls for service came through the Clinton County Sheriff ’s Dispatch for the previous week.
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the zoning on the church property to neighborhood/ community use was not in perpetuity. “If the church no longer owns the property, the neighborhood/community (special use/event) des||Continued on A7
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VOL. 129, NO. 42