Excelsior Springs Standard Archive

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July 18, 2008

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Fire, police projects are progressing

By ERIC COPELAND
Managing Editor

Improvements to the Excelsior Springs Police Department and the Excelsior Springs Fire Department are moving forward, after the Capital Improvements Authority voted unanimously Monday to start seeking bids and locking in prices.

Both facilities have been in need of repair for some time. In May, authority members chose a proposal from Innovative Designs that would fix problems with the stucco-like surface of the fire department. The surface, called EFIS, was relatively new when the station was built; since then, it's been determined that the climate in Missouri is not suited for EFIS, and allows water seepage. A lack of flashing on window ledges and at other spots also contributed to the problem.

Innovative Designs submitted the best proposal to repair the station, but no bids have been received yet. The money allocated by the authority for the project, $49,263, includes a contingency.

However, authority members -- as well as Public Works Director Chad Birdsong -- said that steel prices have been rising, and since some of the project uses metal it wouldn't be a bad idea to move as quickly as possible. Authority member Bob Gerdes made a motion to send the proposal on to the council for approval. "We've been through this several times," he noted.

With regard to the police station, the council won't be getting involved -- at least, not yet.

Next spring, the station will be 20 years old, and Police Chief John McGovern noted that it is showing significant wear. This is especially obvious downstairs, where the flood of 1993 caused some damage and opened the door for further damage.

McGovern noted that in addition to flooring, which the authority has discussed in the past, the staff lounge is not of a sufficient size to serve the department. Also, some renovations would help make the area in which officers fill out their reports more user-friendly.

A past cost estimate of $50,000 may or may not be enough to cover everything -- including new chairs that would cause less wear and tear on the flooring -- but McGovern said he was hesitant to contact vendors again until he had confirmation that the city was serious about making the improvements.

At questioning from the authority, he also noted that since the ramp was redone in front of the building, all leaks had stopped. This problem had prevented interior improvements several months ago.

Authority member Bob Ingle said that he wanted to make sure the renovations were done right and serve the proper purpose. The officers "need a nice place to work," he said, asking McGovern if the job could be done properly for the money involved.

McGovern said he thought it could. "There's no point in doing it if we're not doing it right," he said.

The authority plans to tour the police department at its August meeting. In other discussion, the authority talked about the future of the old fire station at the intersection of St. Louis and Dunbar avenues. The fire department had been using it for storage, but no longer has a need to do so, nor the ability to maintain it.

One option is to offer it to the Christmas Committee for storage. That idea, however, must go through the proper channels before anything is decided.

Rockin' Tiger Club will be restructured

By ERIC COPELAND
Managing Editor

By a one-vote margin, the Excelsior Springs Board of Education voted Monday night to reorganize the Rockin' Tiger Club.

Board President Bill Halberstadt was joined by board members Susan T. Edwards, Darren Marriott and John McGovern in endorsing the administration's recommendation to reduce the locations for the program, which provides supervision and activities for youngsters before and after school, from three to one.

The recommendation, which also included busing for kids who live in the Lewis and Elkhorn areas so they can utilize the Westview location, carries with it an anticipated cost to the district of about $6,500.

Vicky Goetz, who administers the program, said she hopes other changes in the program, including offering the club on more days and during more hours, help to offset that anticipated cost.

The other board members -- Jenny Cogburn, Roy Arnold and Jim McCullough -- favored keeping the program as it is for another year and hoping the other changes help to reduce the anticipated $40,000 shortfall that would otherwise have to be covered by the school district.

Both proposals, along with a third proposal that would have dropped the program at Elkhorn with no transportation provided to take those students to another school, included a $5 weekly increase in the fees paid by parents whose children participate in the program.

It was McCullough who made a motion to keep all three sites open, market the program and schedule quarterly reports from Goetz to the board; Cogburn seconded the motion, but before it came to a vote there was a spirited discussion.

Edwards pointed out that the program has had years to get going, and that she supported a single site for the Rockin' Tiger Club. Halberstadt added that he felt that the $40,000 subsidy for the program was, effectively, using taxpayers' money to babysit.

Cogburn noted that the program goes far beyond babysiting, a point Halberstadt -- who, like McCullough, said his own children had attended the club -- readily conceded.

Edwards agreed that it was a "wonderful program," but that it equaled a private service, paid for with public funds.
Cogburn said 23 additional students would make the program pay for itself.

Statistics supplied by the school district show that in 1996-97, the last year the club was offered at a single site, there were 130 kids attending.

The enrollment topped out at 167 during the 2000-01 school year, but has dropped steadily since the 2002-03 school year. In 2007-08, only 72 students participated. In 2007 alone, 23 students dropped out.

The restructuring supported by Halberstadt, McGovern, Marriott and Edwards has an extra cost for transportation, but that's nearly offset by the fee increase and overwhelmed by the savings involved with staffing just one site. The program will also stay open during in-services and at other times.

Four hurt in crash on I-35

Four people were injured in a six-car pile-up Thursday afternoon on Interstate 35 north of U.S. 69.

According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, Brandi L. Lewis, 22, Leavenworth, Kan., was slowing to turn into the median at 12:20 p.m. Thursday when a vehicle driven by Teresa M. Reed, 16, Kansas City, struck her from the rear. Reed's car was then hit by another car driven by Megan D. Williams, 18, Lathrop, and when another vehicle driven by Jordan N. Caviness, 21, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, tried to avoid the pile-up he hit Lewis's vehicle. In turn, Reed's car was hit by another vehicle driven by Richard A. Black, 43, Tyrone, Ga., and Albert J. Willinger, 32, Sandusky, Ohio, swerved to avoid the wreck and hit Caviness's car.

Reed sustained moderate injuries, while a passenger in her car, 8-year-old Riley J. Spaeth, Kansas City, had minor injuries. Lewis and a passenger in her car, 2-year-old Maranda V. Sharp, Rayville, also received minor injuries.

Everyone was wearing a seatbelt. All the vehicles were extensively damaged except for Black's, which had moderate damage.

Lewis was cited for improper turn.

Movies on the Lawn: "Top Gun"

Get ready to cheer on the good guys as the Elms and The Excelsior Springs Standard present "Top Gun" as our Friday night Movies on the Lawn selection.

The 1986 film about fighter pilots stars Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis, with supporting roles played by Val Kilmer and Anthony Edwards.

The movie starts at 9 p.m. on the back lawn at the Elms, 401 Regent Ave. There1s a $1 per person grounds fee; bring blankets or lawn chairs.

Concessions will be available.

ES Junior improves forensics skills at camp

Rebecca Broadbent, a junior at Excelsior Springs High School, recently attended the Pony Express Individual Event Workshop for improving her skills in Forensics, also known as Competitive Theatre.

The five day camp featured lectures and discussions in oral interpretation selection, cutting and performance.

Broadbent was successful throughout the week on practice activities, performances and quizzes. On the final day of the camp, she performed a monologue of a young woman who had been drawn in by a religious cult.

Broadbent will be competing this school year in the interscholastic competition in Forensics. She is a member of the Excelsior Springs High School Debate and Forensic Team and is coached by Dana Hale.

Guest minister to speak Sunday

Rev. Tim Smelcer of Sandusky, Ohio, will be the guest minister at 10:45 a.m. worship service at Woods Memorial Christian Church, located at 417 Concourse Ave., on Sunday, July 20.

Smelcer has been a guest speaker at the Tri-State Youth Camp at Lake Mauer this past week.

He serves as a youth pastor for the Faith Memorial Assembly of God Church in Ohio.

He is the son of Sherri and Bob Belland of Excelsior Springs and Terry and LaJuana Smelcer of Lawson.

Smelcer is also a 1992 graduate of Excelsior Springs High School. He is married with two daughters and a newborn son.

For more information, call the church office at (816) 630-2759.

American Legion holds raffle for baseball fund

The American Legion Post 236 is raising money for the Clyde Gustine American Legion Post 236 Baseball Fund. The raffle fundraiser kicks things off on Saturday, Aug. 30.

There will be weekly drawing for 10 weeks leading up to the spaghetti dinner on Saturday, Nov. 1.

The 10 weekly drawings will be held every week at the same time, 5 p.m., and location as the spaghetti dinner, 208 Veterans Memorial Dr.

A cash prize of $50 will be given each week.

Participants who win a weekly drawing will have their ticket placed back in the drawing for a chance to win another weekly drawing.

There is no limit to the number of times a person can win.

Wrapping up the raffle, the spaghetti dinner, from 5-7 p.m., will be free for raffle participants, $5.50 for adults and $2.50 for children under the age of 12.

The final drawing at the dinner will give away$75 for the first five tickets, $100 for tickets six through eight, $150 to ticket nine and the grand prize of $400 to the 10th ticket.

Participants do not need to be present to win.

For more information, contact Chuck Collier at (816) 848-4410 or the organization at (816) 630-7711.

ESHS Class of 1973 plans 35th reunion

The Excelsior Springs High School Class of 1973 is planning its 35th reunion and need help.

Any members of the ESHS Class of 1973 who would like to help plan the 35th reunion should come to a planning meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 31, El Maguey's restaurant, located 119 Crown Hill Rd. in Excelsior Springs.

For more information call Kathy Goode (816) 750-4532 or Collette King (816) 830-3753.

Hard work continues from Classic to Classic

By KIM SIMMONS
Standard Sports Editor

Although a week has passed since the Gregg Williams Tiger Golf Classic came to a close, hard work continues behind the scenes as organizers crunch all the numbers in search of the final earnings that will be given to the community. In fact, the Board of Directors for the Gregg Williams Foundation, Inc., is already asking folks in Excelsior to submit their requests or suggestions for use of the money raised from this year's event (Request for funding' forms can be found at greggwilliamsfoundation.org.).

Additionally, the selection committee for the Hall of Fame Banquet is already inviting nominations for next year's class of inductees (nomination forms will be available at the above website soon), and organizers for the Alumni Football Game are encouraging Tigers to contact classmates now in preparation for next year's game.

In other words, the work never ceases from year-to-year. One Classic ends and the next begins. And it is that kind of dedication that most excites Williams, the founder of the event for whom the Classic is named.

"Remember, it's important what we make of our moments." said Williams, who encourages everyone to consider this year's motto ('If you can, you should.') "If you can volunteer, you should. If you can give money, you should. If you can't volunteer, you could mentor. If you can't give money, then you could share ideas. Everyone who helps in some way is truly the pride of this community."

Bus barn has been slow in coming

It seems like nearly a year since the Excelsior Springs School District and others first started to address the need for a new transportation facility.

Maybe that's because it has been almost a year. More than 10 months ago, last September, Apple Bus attempted a deal that would have put a bus facility on the grounds of the former IGA SuperCenter building on N. Jesse James Road.

There were supporters and detractors, but ultimately city officials nixed the idea of putting a bus barn in the middle of what could soon be a bustling retail area.

All through last school year, buses were parked at several local schools and at other sites while a site deemed more suitable, along Marietta Street across from the Early Childhood Center, was identified. The land was owned by the city, but what at first seemed to be a relatively simple transfer was bogged down by various requirements.

Finally, the school district owns the land and plans to build a facility. However, Monday night the board rejected all bids and sent the architects back to the drawing board. It seems that the project, which was estimated at $400,000 to $500,000, was instead coming in with a price tag of $750,000 and up.

It should be just a matter of weeks -- no longer than a couple of months -- before the project is scaled back and rebid, and then before much longer we should start to see some site preparation and then, at long last, the actual building going up.

None of the delays were unwarranted, in our eyes. Still, it will be nice to again have a facility at which our bus drivers can park their buses when not in use.

And after all, what's another month of so? At least there's been some progress.

Excelsior Springs is full of hospitality

By BRIAN RICE
Publisher

Often I find myself writing on the character traits of the Character First program. I have found great insight and peace within the traits and know most of society's problems and conflicts could be avoided by practicing these traits.

Hospitality is one such trait that I have found in abundance since my return to Excelsior Springs. Our community is not wanting in good fellowship and celebrations. From the Elms Resort's recent 120th Anniversary to the Gregg Williams Foundation's Hall of Fame Banquet and Tiger Classic VIP Reception - this summer is packed with great social events and friendly gatherings.

Excelsior's warm hospitality is certainly a quality to be proud of and one that is quickly recognized to the casual tourist or new resident. Everywhere you turn, there is someone who is quick to reach out and help those in need.

We find these people in our churches, civic organizations, Chamber office, City Hall, Good Samaritan Center, Historical Museum and area businesses.

Hospitality is defined as, "Cheerfully sharing food, shelter, or conversation to benefit others." Below are five keys to building hospitality within your own life as defined in the Character First Bulletin:

First, greet others. Acknowledge others' presence, even if you do not have time for a lengthy conversation. Be aware of coworkers and acquaintances. Make eye contact, and give a pleasant greeting to those you see in the hall or break room. Strive to remember specific things about each person.

Second, share openly. Hospitality involves shared resources and experiences. Share your time, energy, and resources without calculating how you can benefit. Graciously receive generosity without protesting that the giver should not have done something for you.

Third, think ahead. Prepare yourself in order to benefit those you will meet every day. Before a customer or colleague arrives for an appointment, prepare to make them comfortable and to make appropriate use of their time. Consider what is important to the other person, and structure your time and presentation accordingly.

Fourth, invest freely. Hospitality has a price tag, whether you are taking someone to lunch or planning a dinner party. The sincerity of the gesture will depend on whether you see your time and money as a cost or an investment. Give others a break from the routine, and make relationships a high priority.

Fifth, initiate friendship. Each relationship brings unique responsibilities. Show kindness to everyone, select friends and advisors from among those whose good character recommends them, and faithfully care about those at home and work. Whatever your relationships, treat others with the respect and care you want to receive.

In today's rushed society, it is difficult to carve time out of your day to socialize with others or to sincerely become involved in their lives.

Hospitality helps an individual focus on others and overcome the tendency to avoid those with whom he or she feels less comfortable. Hospitality allows a person to appreciate others' experiences and learn how to interact with others. You benefit others as you genuinely share experiences and resources without expecting something in return.

Demonstrating structured hospitality provides an environment in which you can help others make real progress in life instead of just "hanging out."

Excelsior's spirit of hospitality continues throughout the summer. Plan to share in the fun by attending one of the Chamber's monthly lunches, or the upcoming BBQ on the River and Fly-In Aug.15 and 16, or this year's PRIDE festivities beginning Aug. 26.

I encourage everyone to make an extra effort to become more hospitable to your coworkers and family. Work these traits into your day-to-day routine and you may find the trait is contagious, and soon others around you may follow suit.