City clerk resigns, replacement to start Sept. 15

By Murray Bishoff  Special to the Cassville Democrat

The Purdy City Council spent its September monthly meeting revisiting old business, including its city clerk position, animal control and practice ammunition. 

Council members reviewed the loss of City Clerk Meranda Juarez, who took another job after two months. Sasha Gomez was expected to begin her duties as the new clerk on Sept. 15. 

In the absence of Alderwoman Heather Van Note and a clerk, Alderwoman Kathy Davis was tagged to take minutes for her “superior penmanship.” 

Discussion focused primarily on recurring animal control issues. Police Chief Jackie Lowe reported responding to two dog bites, neither serious, though one child required hospital attention. Of the 37 cases Lowe reported, 16 involved dogs. Several tickets were issued. 

“It’s the same people over and over again,” Lowe said. “I don’t know that the solution is. They’re fined and they keep doing it.” 

Public works foreman Kevin Cook reported he had been enlisted several times to help pursue elusive dogs. Lowe recounted one mastiff, described as quite friendly by Cook, who simply broke loose from any confinement. 

Fines levied by the Barry County Associate Circuit Court judge for dogs at large start at $50 and run to $500. 

Mayor Brian Bowers suggested asking the judge to impose community service at the dog pound as an additional penalty. Council members agreed to ask City Attorney Toni Hendricks to review the city ordinance on dogs to see if any other penalties were available. 

In a more serious incident, Lowe recounted an altercation at Adelita’s restaurant between parents over their children. Clifford Barker received a citation for alleged disorderly conduct. 

Council members approved the purchase of 1,000 rounds of practice ammunition and a similar quantity of critical duty ammunition through Mercer Equipment of Purdy. Lowe said the city’s supply of practice ammunition had been used up in semi-annual training sessions. He added officers have not had to use live ammunition in real situations, but that hollow point bullets are different from the practice shells with rounded ends, requiring alternative experience. 

Officer Russ Nichols, who has been off-duty since May following back surgery, has returned to light duty, Lowe said. It is not yet clear if he will be able to return to full-time service in October as hoped. 

For the public works department, Cook said water efficiency was back up to 82 percent after fixing a recent water leak. He planned for the fall clean-up on the week of Oct. 6. 

Council members also renewed the loan with First State Bank of Purdy used to pay off the police cruiser. Bowers said cities must renew such loans annually, rather than pay them down until finished. 

The next council meeting was scheduled for Oct. 8.