Water over the dam

FULL BORE 24/7 – The water pours over the Caplinger River Dam relentlessly 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Even so, Stockton Lake is still 12 ft. over normal pool, but it is dropping. The Corps of Engineers is releasing the water held back from the March 17 and March 31 downpours to get the lake ready in case more heavy rains hit.

Like many things in nature that are dangerous, the rushing water is a thing of beauty. Above the dam, the surface is relatively smooth with an occasional eddy giving mute testimony of the speed of the current. Then, just as the water is about to rush over the dam, it rises slightly to flow over the historical structure and in so doing bends the reflection of the trees on the east bank. Then the water dives into the pool below creating a churning, frothy mass of white bubbles as even the trapped air has trouble escaping. One thing is for sure – it is no place for man or beast. Fish, now that's another story. Fishermen are catching channel cats and a few walleye right in the swift current. Just take care not to fall in. Photo by Kimball Long

Council holds, calm, uneventful meeting

The El Dorado Springs City Council met Monday, May 5, for their regular meeting. After the roll call and pledge the council approved the minutes of the previous meeting with one correction. Councilman Floyd said that Mayor True had thanked him for his years as Mayor, not as councilman.

All councilmen were present: Mayor Brad True, mayor pro tem Jerrry Baldwin, and Councilmen Jerry Friar, Gene Floyd and Randy Bland. City Manager Bruce Rogers was present.

Bland asked where the city was purchasing gas since Leo Green had passed away. Rogers said that the city takes bids and buys from the lowest bidder. Rogers mentioned that the payment of $15,000 to Jack Ball was for engineering on the tunnel project.

Rogers responded to questions submitted by Mickey Williams. Williams was concerned about the any additional cost to the citizens of El Dorado Springs when the new lights are installed. He asked about the voltage and wattage of the lights being removed and the voltage and wattage on the lights that will be installed. Rogers said the electrical engineer did calculations based on a ten hour day and that the additional cost to the City will be about $7.50 per month.

Williams asked about the planters that are part of the CDBG Grant. He said he understood that the local garden club had declined to maintain them. He also wanted to know how much money was budgeted for them. Rogers said that he understood the garden club would fill and maintain them, but didn't want to be responsible for watering them. He said that the budget will be in the form of an allowance in the bid.

Williams questioned why the historic district sign at Hwy. 54 and 82 is left on during the day since the citizens were paying for the electricity. Rogers said that he had contacted Chamber of Commerce President Todd Leonard who said that the neon company that installed it said that turning the light on and off would shorten the life of the light and the transformer. Williams that an electrician he talked to said it would shorten the life of the light if it was left on all the time.

Williams then asked about the possibility that SCRG would ask the city to help fund the Office of Economic Development. He wanted to know if the city had checked with other cities about requirements for that type of job and if the city had researched the legality of spending public funds in that manner. Rogers said that since SCRG had not made that request, he had not authorized the city attorney to look into the matter.

When Williams complained about Mr. True's “new rules.” Rogers explained to him that there weren't any new rules. Floyd commented that Mayor True only outlined a system that would establish rules of conduct during the pubic forum. Floyd moved to have Rogers prepare an ordinance that would give the council a record of the method to control the public forum if necessary.

SCRG President Kimball Long told the council that the group had gotten word that their grant application had been approved and they would be receiving $40,000 to build a parking lot. SCRG is supposed to receive $30,000 towards the same project next year. Mayor True commented that the city could perform some of the dirt work and spread gravel on the lot.

Rogers introduced a written policy regarding open burning that Fire Chief Owen Elliott had prepared. Elliott indicated that he had included guidelines he uses verbally when advising people about open burning. He would like a written policy so there would be no misunderstandings. He said the Police Department would have the same guidelines for reference in any situation they might have to address.

Rogers informed the council that the Neosho Fire Department is selling a service truck under sealed bid on May 16. Elliott said he was interested in the truck and the equipment in it and would like to look at it. Elliott was told to do so. Floyd said that Elliott had years of experience and he trusted his opinion.

Long said that the SCRG was going to apply to the Missouri Humanities Council to host a Chautauqua event in June of 2009. The application process requires letters of support from local organizations and she requested one from the city. Money for the event, which is $4,500, will be raised through SCRG's fundraisers. Only three communities will be selected for the four-day event. Additionally the local community organizers are asked to provide lodging, transportation and meals for the actors, first aid, restrooms, security and an evacuation plan, liability insurance, licenses and permits, local publicity, ushers and cost share documentation. The council agreed to provide the letter of support.

The council approved a resolution adopting the Planning Commission recommendation on a conditional use permit for the automotive repair shop at 109 St. James. Rogers said the applicant has been in compliance for one year.

Rogers asked the council if they had thought about the request to allow more than two dogs. The council said it saw no reason to amend the ordinance for two dogs.

Rogers then mentioned the group of ladies from the apartment complex on Allison Road that complained that their electric bills varied to much from one another even though their lifestyles were similar. Rogers explained that one of the ladies meters had been under-read and that the difference had been made up at the next reading. He said that her meter had been changed for a new one. The ladies also asked for a level pay option. He said that that might be possible with the city's software and he would investigate further.

Rogers reported that the meeting on the Enhanced Enterprise Zone was well-attended and had gone well. He said they were ready to move ahead with the application and the appointments to the board.

Floyd said he had attended a SCRG advisory board meeting and that Frank Haynes had commented on the deteriorated condition of the sidewalk just north of the First Baptist Church. Floyd said he would like to see something done since the grant money was addressing the sidewalk to the north of downtown.

Floyd said he would like to know when the fire damaged H&R Block building might be taken down. He said he would like to respectfully suggest that it be done before the Picnic.

SCRG receives $40,000 Grant

Spring City Revitalization Group has been notified by the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development that their grant application has been approved and they will receive $40,000 to help build a parking lot to compliment the downtown revitalization now in progress.

A letter from Representative Ike Skelton from Missouri's 4th district stated, “Enclosed please find a notice I received from Rural Development announcing the approval of a grant of $40,000 for the Spring City Revitalization Group to build a parking lot in El Dorado Springs. I thought you might want to have this information for your files. If I can ever be of assistance to you in the future with any matter involving the federal government, please let me know. Very truly yours, Ike Skelton.”

The notice lists the purpose of the grant as using Rural Development funds to acquire and prepare an area for a downtown parking to support the revitalization of businesses in the downtown area.

The City of El Dorado Springs has pledged $35,000 to assist with the project.

Buy dog tags

Dog tags are now on sale and can be picked up at City Hall. Proof of current rabies vaccination from a licensed veterinarian is required at time of purchase. Prices are: $2 for male or spayed female and $3 for unsprayed female.

Bybee set for new trial in December

A second Vernon County trial for an El Dorado Springs man on charges alleging manslaughter and vehicular assault is scheduled in early December.

Steven Bybee, who's now 20, was convicted and sentenced to seven and five-year prison terms two years ago but a Western Missouri appellate court panel reversed the convictions, on a 2-1 vote, March 25, remanding the case to Vernon County circuit court. Judge James R. Bickel on Tuesday scheduled the new trial for Dec. 4-5. Courtesy of KNEM 97.5 Nevada

Wanted by Southwest Missouri Major Crimes Task Force

“Pharm Party” sponsors and pill pushers

Selling illegal street drugs and diverting prescription medications are serious crimes in Missouri. If you know someone who is selling or donating their prescription medicine to drug abusers and partygoers, we need your help. Introduce us to these drug dealers and help us save a child's life.

Report suspicious drug activities to 417/276-5133

Pharm Party arrests made by Southwest Missouri MCTF

On Friday, May 2, Cedar County Sheriff's deputies arrested John David Hill, 18, Stockton, on a Cedar County arrest warrant charging him with two counts of the class B Felony offense of Possession of a Controlled Substance With the Intent to Distribute and two counts of the class A Misdemeanor offense of Possession of Drug Para-phernalia.

These charges stemmed from the on-going “pharm party” investigations by the Southwest Missouri Major Crimes Task Force. Hill was processed at the Cedar County jail and released after posting a $25,000 bond with the court.

2008 Picnic July 17, 18, & 19

See additional stories and pictures in the Sun Newspaper

Call the Animal Control officer for adoption information on animals in the City Pound 876-2313

Pound Pets

Call the Animal Control Officer at 876-2312 for current animals available for adoption.

Due to imposition of City ordinances, all animals will be kept a maximum of 10-days before euthanazation.

Anyone interested in adoption of animals or making a donation for their care should contact the Animal Control Officer at 876-2313 before 3 p.m. weekdays.