 Serving Excelsior Springs since 1889
|
|
July 15, 2008
|
Community News | Sports | Opinion | Close Window
Board rejects all bus barn bids
By ERIC COPELAND
Managing Editor
 The Excelsior Springs Board of Education sent architectural firm Williams, Spurgeon, Kuhl & Freshnock back to the drawing board Monday night.
The lowest base bid for a new transportation facility came in at $741,000, nearly twice the anticipated cost of $400,000 to $500,000. At the recommendation of John Lacy, Deputy Superintendent with the Excelsior Springs School District, the board voted 7-0 to reject all the bids and rebid the project with some changes.
Rick Kuhl, of WSKF, said while none of the bidders attached any exact costs to components of the project, he estimated that the actual building constituted about $250,000 to $300,000 of the overall cost; the rest of the price tag is likely tied to site preparation.
"We have worked with Apple Bus (the school district's transportation provider) to create a good facility, and maybe even a little above that -- 'more than adequate,' you might say," Kuhl explained.
However, he pointed out that the project included some infrastructure and future planning that don't necessarily have to be tied to this building at this time.
Kuhl said there were opportunities to trim down the project in hopes of getting more reasonable bids. Among them was a reduction in parkcar spaces down to 28 of each.
Kuhl and Lacy said that the smaller lot should still serve its purpose, as there are 26 bus routes and three or four spare buses. However, some of the Elkhorn route drivers park their buses at home.
During the summer, when all the buses will be parked at the facility, there will be more space because the drivers won't need spaces for their cars.
In addition, Kuhl and Jason Zimmerman, also of WSKF, said the total site could be scaled back from the original 1.7-acre footprint to about two-thirds of that size, and the parking lot can be shifted to a more diagonal design. These changes lessen the impact of stormwater runoff and thereby reduces the cost involved in addressing stormwater.
Also on the chopping block was a mezzanine area, which Lacy estimated carries a cost of $70,000; taking it out of the plan also reduces the height of the building, which could affect costs as well.
In addition, the board instructed WSKF to reduce the number of bays provided for service, washing and other purposes from three to two, though a third bay could be added at a later date, after the facility is finished.
However, the board was divided over two of the suggestions offered by Kuhl and Lacy. A few board members were willing to consider a wood structure rather than a steel one, but board members Jim McCullough and Jenny Cogburn in particular spoke up to say that for the amount of money slated to be spent, they thought a metal building was the better buy.
There was more discussion about a proposal to reduce the number of access points for the site, which is across Marietta Street from the Early Childhood Center, from two to one. While board member Susan Edwards said she felt a single access point for entering and exiting the parking lot was sufficient, other board members wanted to keep the two entrances --or at least use the single access point as a bid alternate.
The rebid could add about seven weeks to the project.
Troupe premieres show before Scotland trip
Local and Kansas City theatre lovers will have the chance to get a "sneak peek" at a show that will be performed at the International Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland, next month. The Excelsior Springs High School's production of "Property Rites" will premiere at the ESHS Performing Arts Center, 612 Tiger Dr., at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 19, followed by an ice cream social with the cast and crew.
"We wanted to give all of the people in the community who have supported these students the first chance to see our production," said ESHS theatre director Rebecca Browning. "And, we thought everyone would enjoy ice cream and meeting the students who will be representing our community on an international level."
Tickets for the local show, including the ice cream sundae bar, are $7 for adults and $5 for students and are available at the office of The Excelsior Springs Standard, Brown's Prescription Drugs, from any ESHS student involved in the production, or at the door.
The high school troupe has also been invited to perform their short play at the Kansas City Fringe Festival on July 23, 25, and 26. Excelsior Springs is the only high school participating in the theatrical category of the festival. Those shows will perform at Chakra in the West Bottoms at 1308 W. 11th Street in Kansas City, MO. Show times are 8 p.m. for the first two performances and 6:30 p.m. for the Saturday show. Tickets are $7, and the troupe will receive a large portion of all ticket sales. For more info, visit www.KCFringe.org.
The short play, written by Alan Haehnel, revolves around Kyle MacManus, who has invested millions in a high-tech work of art -- human-like sculptures programmed to move and speak. But just when Kyle is about to sell the sculpture, it malfunctions. Violence ensues when Kyle attempts to recover his investment.
In addition to the cast, listed on page 1, students also making the trip include Assistant Director Xavi Robles, Stage Manager Katie Cazzell, and Costume Designer Rachel Cline. The group will be chaperoned by ESHS Theater Director Rebecca Browning, ESHS Music Director Tim Harlan, and Composer/Sound Designer Kurt Browning.
"The students are really putting all the energy they have into our rehearsals," said Browning. "This show requires perfect timing and superior acting. They will make our community proud in Scotland."
From a group of nearly 600 high school drama departments nationwide nominated by theater professionals and college faculty, only 42 were invited to represent the United States at the International Fringe Festival in Edinburgh.
Students have been working diligently, rehearsing the show and continuing to garner sponsors to help pay for their trip.
Besides their numerous fundraising events, they have also received donations from: Gregg Williams Foundation, Bank Midwest, Beacon Tire, Ruth King's Fashions, Alterations & Custom Sewing, Brown's Pharmacy, Dr. Scott Craven, Red Cross Pharmacy, State Farm Insurance/David Martin, ES Kiwanis, ES Community Theatre, and Denise & Martin Siegel. Donations are still being accepted through the Excelsior Springs Education Foundation at the Excelsior Springs School District.
Wealth Springs to cut ribbon
The Excelsior Springs Area Chamber of Commerce has announced a ribbon-cutting and grand opening this week at Wealth Springs/Case & Associates' new location at 118 Spring St.
The event will be held from 4-6 p.m. today.
Business owner Ann Case has been guiding local residents' investments for years, but purchased the building last year and recently opened in the new location.
P&Z meeting is cancelled
The Excelsior Springs Planning & Zoning Commission has cancelled its August meeting due to a lack of business to conduct.
The meeting is normally held the third Wednesday of the month. The next one will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19, in the council chambers at the Hall of Waters, 201 E. Broadway.
Orrick man faces rape charges
A 22-year-old Orrick man is to be arraigned today on felony rape and burglary charges.
According to a report by Dennis Sharkey in the Richmond Daily News, Tyler D. Messer allegedly broke into the home of and raped the victim last Tuesday morning. The victim is Messer's neighbor, and also a relative of one of Messer's ex-girlfriends.
Messer was being held by the Ray County Sheriff's Department on a cash-only bond of $100,000, with no 10 percent allowed.
|
Back to Top | Close Window
Christmas in July raises over 40,000 pounds of food
The Good Samaritan Center's Christmas in July fundraiser to help stock its pantry was a success this year, raising over 40,000 pounds of food.
According to Good Samaritan Center's Executive Director Bob Gerdes, the actual goal was 16,000 pounds. Prayers, songs and words of thanks and praise were shared at the Christmas in July rally Saturday morning. Supporters marched up and down Broadway holding signs with statistics to raise awareness of the community's needs.
Good Samaritan Drama Camp begins next week
The Good Samaritan Center's Summer Drama Camp begins Monday, July 21. The camp will be from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m., Monday-Friday at the center, located the 108 S. Thompson Ave.
The camp is open to children in grades first through fifth, and includes a daily lunch, art/craft projects, drama games, mini music lessons, script writing and scene creating.
On Friday, Aug. 1, there will be a final performance for friends and families of camp participants to enjoy.
Campers will also be able to earn Good Behavior Tickets that can be used to purchase items at the "Friday Fun Store."
There is a $5 registration fee. To help with registration costs, the center is offering scholarships to attend the drama camp.
For more information about the camp or scholarships to the camp, call the center at 630-2718.
Registration forms can be picked-up at the center.
For more information about other center activities, visit its web site at www.goodsamaritancenter.com.
BPW discusses equal rights
The Excelsior Springs Business and Professional Women met on Tuesday, June 24, for a regular business meeting.
Three new officers were announced at the meeting.
Courtney Cole was named president, Sheila Miller was named treasurer and Sandra Clay was named secretary.
Other officers are Carolyn Schutte, vice-president, and Mary Joyce Titus, historian.
Excelsior Springs graduate Emily Huetten was awarded a Scholarship for $300 during May.
A BPW display at the Excelsior Springs Museum and Archives will be available this fall.
Members are presently putting together items for display and encouraging former members to help by donating photos or items that represent the organization's local history.
BPW will be celebrating its 70th Anniversary in February of 2009.
Courtney Cole provided a program on the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). The presentation "ERA --Unfinished Business" was shown. The film was made by Missouri BPW members to help educate the public concerning ERA and encourage ratification.
Excelsior Springs BPW members will join other locals in writing letters to Missouri representatives asking for their support of the resolution.
For more information about their next meeting contact Sonya Morgan at (816) 630-8480.
|
Back to Top | Close Window
Golf Classic fills entire day with support for Tigers
By KIM SIMMONS
Standard Sports Editor
"It was spectacular! I can't wait to hear the numbers."
Those words express the excitement of Gregg Williams (Tiger alumnus and current coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars), who has now left town after hosting another successful Tiger Golf Classic.
"From what I hear, this year's tournament set records," he continued. "We had 324 golfers, and I believe it was one of our biggest (tournaments) of all time."
As golfers hit the links last Friday morning the Excelsior Springs Golf Course became filled with the smell of barbecue and the sounds of distant cheers as players made exciting shots. The picture of a community filled with camaraderie emerged through the laughter, smiles and hugs observed throughout the day. The proceeds from the annual benefit are given back to the youth of Excelsior, and Williams is thrilled about the community's support of each year's endeavor.
"Each year every event gets better," he said. "It's exciting to see the smiles and pride that people put into every single thing we do. It's great to see so many people becoming involved and feeling good about their community."
Winners of the golf tournament are as follows: A FLIGHT - (1st Place) Derck Willimetz, Doug Parker, Steve Zimmerman and Jeff Zimmerman/54; (2nd Place) Jack Talley, Danny Cline, Steve Terrell and Mallory Crossland/55 and (3rd Place) Talley, Crossland, Cline and E.J. Pfister/57; B FLIGHT - (1st Place) Jake Hemmerling, Josh Thomas, Jeff Bigler and Glen Kessler/63 win w/3 on #11; (2nd Place) Mike Pederson, Kent McAfee, Brad Church and Trent Ackerman/63 win w/4 on #1 and (3rd Place) Jeff Palmer, Mike Sturdivant, Paul Watson and Bret Bailey/63 win w/4 on 18 and C FLIGHT - (1st Place) John Talley, Dennis Robinson, Gary Batson and Joe Hayes/68 win w/3 on #2; (2nd Place) Chris Wetzel, Clay Vassmer, Jason Wetzel and Chad Bishop/68 win w/4 on #1 and (3rd Place) Roger Siegel, David Stalder, Tim Marshall and Chad Lang/68 win w/4 on #15.
Watch the Standard for more photos of the golf tournament, along with shots from the community picnic, alumni game and closing ceremonies.
|
Back to Top | Close Window
Signs of strength, but we need more
Despite the economic slowdown, we can see some signs of financial strength around town.
Now we just need more.
Late last week, workers began assembling the walls of our new Walgreens drugstore. Another pharmacy, Red Cross Pharmacy, is getting ready to construct a new building with a drive-through. And one of the businesses displaced by Walgreens, EZ Quick Lube, is getting a new home, too; site work has begun on the property the lube shop will share with EZ Laundrymat, between Rod's Hallmark and Mid-Continent Public Library.
And don't forget the expansion of Excelsior Springs Medical Center, which is moving forward at considerable speed. In addition, there's progress at the former DeNovus building, where EXT Plastics is moving in.
This week, there should be even more signs of growth. We're told that the groundbreaking for Waffle House, which was expected way back in fall 2007, will happen mid-week.
But we need more -- not just in Excelsior Springs, but everywhere. We understand the hesitance shown by investors and speculators, who are hedging their bets until more is known about the economic future. Unfortunately, that feeds into the bearish side of the market, and contributes further to the slowdown.
A number of other construction projects are either on hold or off the board. We're told CVS Pharmacy is a no-go, and while A&W pulled out of a proposed Long John Silver's combo, at one time LJS was still on board.
Developers in our community hint that other commercial deals are on the verge of a breakthrough. We hope they1re right -- the economy could use the help.
Out of the frying pan...into the fire
By ERIC COPELAND
Managing Editor
It wasn't the worst news ever, but it certainly isn1t in the top 10 for good news, either.
Last Friday when I got home for lunch, my wife was on the phone with our friend, Yvonne. Yvonne was calling from her mother-in-law's house because she and her husband, Brad, had been evacuated from their home.
You see, Brad and Yvonne make their home in Paradise, Calif. You might have heard or read that Paradise is one of those towns where firefighters have been frantically trying to stop the spread of flames that have been burning since a dry lightning storm in mid-June.
Yvonne had left us a message on our answering machine Thursday, letting us know that they were at least temporarily displaced by the fire. So the phone call Friday was no surprise.
In fact, she told us a few weeks ago that the smoke was pretty bad. She described it as being downwind from a campfire that you just can't avoid. Then, she updated us by saying that the ash was falling in Paradise like snow.
Today, I see that the fire is more than half contained, and that many Paradise residents are returning home. We haven't heard the latest from Yvonne yet, and I've decided to let her contact us when she has a few moments to spare, rather than bothering her when I'm sure she's quite busy.
I can't even imagine what Californians are going through. I've seen floods -- regular and flash -- and I've been through my share of tornado scares. But fire is something I haven't experienced.
Of course, that will all change in a few weeks. You may also remember that my family has a trip to Paradise scheduled, and we're not about to change those plans. We've got a tentative alternative set up, just in case things take a turn for the worse and Yvonne and Brad are unable to host us at their house. And our last couple of days on the West Coast were going to be spent in a hotel room in San Mateo, anyway.
But we've been planning this trip, and promising a visit, for far too long to abandon our little getaway now.
Of course, I hope the fires are contained and/or extinguished by the time we head that way, and not just for our sakes. A lot of good people stand to lose their homes, their pets, their livelihoods and whatever else due to these flames. If I had my way, I'd send them one of these torrential downpours such as the rain we had Saturday, because I can't imagine that a good dousing wouldn't at least help the firefighting efforts out there.
Wildfires are nothing new to Californians, of course, though this year's seem to be worse than usual. Still, over the years I've seen video footage of these fires and always considered them to be one of those West Coast hazards, like earthquakes along the San Andreas Fault or those mudslides they sometimes have further south.
But now that it's someone I know and love who's potentially in harm's way, the picture is different. I'll be more sympathetic in the future.
|
Back to Top | Close Window
|
