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TRENTON
THURS., APRIL 25, 2024
REPUBLICAN-TIMES “GOD BLESS AMERICA”
Old Glory flying at Five Points
republican-times.com
16 PAGES
Established Sept. 4, 1864 - 160th Year - No. 34
City Faces NCMC Commencement Speakers Announced Setbacks to North Central Missouri College College in Wyoming, and nine as Alumna and former President of State Fair Community Planning Distinguished President of State Fair Community College in Sedalia, where she re(Part 2 of two) by Mark McLaughlin R-T Staff Writer In the second part of this series, split and extended because of the depth of the subject discussed in the last issue, focus on the City Wage/Merit/Years of Service schedule, and its failure on a 6-2 vote of the City Council is discussed. Prior to last week’s City Council meeting, the Finance Committee met to discuss the Scale and its implications. That discussion was animated on both sides both in favor, and opposed, and was ultimately sent to the full Council for deliberation. The scale tried to identify all city workers, their levels of responsibility, and where their work fit within the scale. Put forward to the council were these “grade levels”: Grade 25: Customer Service Representative; Clerk Grade 30: Animal Control Officer Grade 35: Water/Sewer Plant Operator-D; Communications officer, street worker, utility laborer, firefighter Grade 40: Accounts Payable Clerk, Accounts Receiveable Clerk, Mechanic, Asphalt Plant Operator. Grade 45: Chief Com[See City, Page 2]
College Dr. Joanna Anderson and Mike Poore, Chief Executive Officer of Mosaic Life Care, will give the commencement addresses at North Central Missouri College in Trenton on Saturday, May 4, 2024. Dr. Anderson will speak at the 9:00 am morning ceremony, and Mike Poore will be the 1:00 pm afternoon speaker. Both ceremonies will occur at the Ketcham Community Center on the NCMC campus near downtown Trenton. Dr. Joanna Anderson is proud to call North Central Missouri College, formerly Trenton Junior College, her alma mater and past employer. She served 36 years in community college leadership, including 21 at NCMC, six at Casper
tired in 2022. During her presidency, Dr. Anderson was a strong legislative advocate for SFCC and Missouri’s community colleges. She oversaw the completion of a new $10 million workforce innovation center, doubled residence life capacity for students, expanded health care and technical training programs at SFCC’s six campuses, guided the development of a bold strategic plan and a campus facilities master plan, added 12 athletic programs, and grew the college’s budget reserves to an all-time high. With a mantra of “students first,” her door was always open to students, and attending their many events was her biggest joy.
Dr. Joanna Anderson
Mike Poore
When Joanna Key graduated in 1976, TJC/NCMC had only one building, Geyer Hall. She earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture
and a doctorate in education from the University of Missouri in Columbia, and a master’s degree from [See NCMC, Page 7]
Trenton “911” Operators...Heavy Is the Head that Wears the Crown by Mark McLaughlin R-T Staff Writer I’m going to take a little editorial liberty with this story and write it, at least in part, in the third person. The original intent of this story was to do a “get to know you” feature as I have done since arriving here three months ago. But meeting Sacha Snuffer, Chief Communications Officer of the Trenton Police Department, had an effect on me that does not allow for a dispassionate narration of the facts. Snuffer leads a six person team of dispatchers (soon to become seven) that have what amounts to “overwatch” responsibility over the entire county 24-7-365. You will never get an automated response when you dial
“911”. Snuffer’s team includes Assistant Chief Communications Officer Amanda Floyd and communication officers Rebecca Burks, Linsey Barner, Darcy Saindon and George Jackson, with a future draft choice in training and coming on the roster shortly. To go in the communications center is like stepping into an “operations center” in an FBI Office, any NCIS series you watch on TV, or the CIC of a Naval vessel. It is dark in there, illuminated by numerous computer screens. The dispatchers have this job, in essence…They are your lifeline to help on absolutely the worst day of [See 911, Page 2]
Briefs... Democrats Choose Delegates
Grundy County Democrats met Tuesday, April 16 and elected delegates to attend the Congressional and State Conventions. Elected as delegates were Jackie Soptic and Glen Briggs. Alternate delegates are Dorothy Taul and Dan Dennis. Grundy County is allowed two delegates and alternates, based on the average vote in the last two Democratic Presidential Primaries. Those elected will represent Grundy County Democrats as delegates for President Biden, the only candidate who received the required number of votes in the county to be allotted delegates.
Spickard Alumni Celebration
Spickard R-2 Alumni Association will hold its 104th Year Banquet Celebration on Saturday, May 11 at the Spickard School gymnasium. A social will be held at 5 p.m. with the meal to be served at 6 p.m. This year’s banquet will be hosted by the Class of 1973 and will honor the 2024 Spickard R-2 District seniors, as well as the classes of 1974, 1969, 1964, 1959 and 1954. Those wishing to attend are asked to RSVP by April 30 to Ken Weaver at 660-654-1855 or Jim Gibson at 660-654-9007.
Key Club Fundraiser
The Trenton High School Key Club is again offering parents, grandparents and friends of THS Seniors an opportunity to recognize their achievement with their “Kiss the Seniors Goodbye” fundraiser. For only $6.00, you can send a 16 oz commemorative cup filled with Hershey kisses and your best wishes for a successful future. The “Kiss ‘Em Goodbye” cups will be delivered to seniors Friday, May 10 by Key Club members. To place an order, persons may contact Key Club sponsor, Kara Helmandollar, at 660-359-5966 or 660-6350596. The order form can also be found on the Trenton High School website (www.trentonr9.k12. mo.us) and the Trenton High School Key Club Facebook page. Your order will be electronically transmitted, and you will receive an invoice via email. Electronic invoices may be paid using debit or credit cards. Orders should be placed and paid for by Monday, May 6. Supplies are limited, so persons interested should order early.
Sacha Snuffer
R-IX Approves Bus Bid by Mark McLaughlin R-T Staff Writer During a special board meeting held Friday, April 19 at 7:30 a.m., the Trenton R-IX Board of Education approved a bus bid from First Student Company of Overland Park, KS, settling on a three-year contract after negotiation between First Student officials and R-IX Superintendent Daniel Gott. At issue were the quoted rates for school trips, transport of students to the technical center in Chillicothe, [See R-IX, Page 6]
City Council Approves Bills, Reorganizes The Trenton City Council met in open session on Monday, April 22, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. at city hall. The following officers and members were present: Mayor Jackie Soptic; Council members William Fisher, Glen Briggs, Calvin Brown, Marvin Humphreys, Timothy Meinecke, David Mlika, Duane Urich and John Dolan; City Attorney, Kenton Kinney; City Administrator, Ron Urton; Police Chief, Rex Ross and City Clerk, Cindy Simpson. The council approved the minutes of the April 8, 2024 meeting, along with
the payment of all duly obligated bills for the city. Reports were given by Councilmember Humphreys, Councilmember Urich, City Administrator Urton and Mayor Soptic. A citizen asked why the employees had no input on the merit/years of service. She felt the current department heads should have talked to their employees. After discussion, the [See Council, Page 6]