50 years ago

Aug. 11, 1976

— Exeter Schools Open Despite Storm Damage

Despite the loss of 40% of the elementary school root, Exeter will start classes Monday, according to Superintendent John Black. Strong winds that went through the area Saturday afternoon lifted a large section of the classroom building and deposited it in the lawn. Resulting damage to classrooms by downpours of water was fairly extensive the superintendent said. How-ever, cleanup operations were being rushed, and other spaces would be used for classes at the school start. Exeter also will not have a new building ready for the start of school due to delay of materials. The new structure is now scheduled to be finished by September 1. For the opening, busses will run the same rounds and schedules as last year. Lunch will also be served opening day. Assignment of faculty to the district campus includes the following: Joyce E. Anderson, first; Dean Brooks, second; Sherry Ware, third; Eunice Brooks, fourth; Mildred Wilson, fifth; Mildred C. Luger, sixth; Dennis West, seventh; William Beaman, eighth, Sam Knight, physical education; Nola McMillen, home economics-science; Emma Jan Cameron, music; Stephen Cook, math and science, David Gilcrease, social studies; Rita Sigrist, kindergarten and remedial reading and Marilyn Pierce, business; Dorothy Yocum, teacher aide. Administrators include Marvin Henningson, high school principal and Sammy Hud-son, elementary principal. Black noted student insurance would be available through the school this year as a convenience to the pupil and district patrons. 

— City Unhappy With Phone Company Cut-Back Plan

The City of Cassville might be headed toward a confrontation with a utility company serving this area. Mayor Bill LeCompte acknowledged this week that Continental Telephone Co. had requested time on the September meeting agenda to discuss proposed cut-backs of personnel in the Cassville office. Mayor LeCompte said he and alderman Bill Hailey had both been contacted by company officials concerning a possible reduction of personnel here and handling of Continental business out of a regional office in Branson. City officials are in the process of obtaining more information on the proposal from company officials in Wentzville, Mo. However, there is a certain ring to the opinion of those city officials contacted this week that they “don’t appreciate the situation.” From the initial conversations, Continental plans reductions in office and maintenance personnel in the Cassville offices possibly as early as October 15. The plan would leave only a skeleton force here that would handle minor problems with major services coming out of Branson, 60 miles away. A company official from Branson informed employees of the Cassville office Friday of the pending change. Included was an indication by September 1 of whether they would accept transfers or terminate company employment. Mayor LeCompte said this week he did not think it was right for an important utility such as the telephone company to even consider cut-backs in one of the fastest growing areas of the state. “Our people expect and deserve better consideration than they are getting from Continental,” he said. LeCompte said he had been contacted by a number of people who were removing or reducing their telephone service due to rate increases and reductions in services. Most important among these is the removal of Extended Area Service to the Shell Knob area. Leaders in the lake community also acknowledge there is considerable dissatisfaction in that area concerning all calls outside the local exchange being toll charges. Both LeCompte and Hailey said they intended to contact proper Continental officials for additional information about the coming meeting. “In fact,” they said, we might not even wait that long before we start an official complaint process against the company through the proper channels. Continental has effected two rate increases through the Missouri Public Service Commission within the past year. They have also reduced the service area which was available on a toll free basis through revisions of the EAS contacts that date back to the time of Missouri State Telephone Co. owning and up-dating facilities here. Continental purchased the area plant from MSTC. Continental serves the communities of Cassville, Exeter, Washburn, Seligman, Jenkins, Golden, Eagle Rock, Mano and Shell Knob. When the company divided EAS charges at the suggestion of the Missouri PSC, petitions were drawn asking for an election, which were approved by the state agency. In a post card survey, little understood by many, Shell Knob was dropped from the service area available on a direct-dial, no-cost basis. The other communities are still accessible by Cassville patrons, cost free. 

— Central Lake Business Area Continues Growth 

Business growths in the Shell Knob area have been noted by officials there. Included in the additions to the central Table Rock Lake community are the following: Mr. and Mrs. Bob Baker have sold their drive-in on Highway 39 to Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Sherfy, who are also leasing the King’s Harbor Restaurant. A new building, constructed in Bridgeway Plaza by Mr. and Mrs. Herb McMul-len, will serve as a real estate office for the couple. Mrs. McMullen holds a broker’s license and he a salesman certificate. The structure follows design of other businesses in the development. Mr. and Mrs. U. S. Blankenship have also opened a new antique shop in the Plaza business area. Mr. and Mrs. Swofford are doing business in their Open Door building on Highway 39. A new fruit and vegetable business, operated by Mr. and Mrs. James Wright is also open on Highway 39.

40 years ago

Aug. 20, 1986

— Chamber Starts Selecting Directors

Cassville Chamber of Commerce directors in session Tuesday started the process that will name four new members to the board before the new year begins. President Chip Kammerlohr named himself, Dick Moger and Chip Lawson to a nomination committee. The committee will report to the September meeting with eight candidates. Ballots will go out to members in October, said Ella Frost, secretary. Terms expire this year on the board for Don Cupps, Bob Mitchell, Gary Fields and Byron Tucker. When replacements are named, the four new directors will join eight hold-overs in choosing a slate of officers that begin terms with the annual membership meeting in January. Hold-over directors include: John Anglum, Kammerlohr, Dr. Carolyn Hunter, Lawson, Debbie Workman, Jim LeCompte, Moger and Joe Preddy. Regular agenda business of the meeting included committee reports. Jack Nickols reported dates for the September Trout Derby in Roaring River State Park would be September 6-7 as a joint venture of the park concessionaire and C of C. Cash prizes will be awarded for tagged trout catches. Joy Chappell said merchant committee activities would include welcoming new Cassville teachers August 25. Also on the merchant’s schedule is a sidewalk sale August 29-30 and a meeting of the committee September 2 at Taggart’s Medicine Shop. Moger reported on last week’s successful completion of the second annual Hillbilly Golf Tournament. During the event the C of C hosted corporate representatives from participating industries in a two-day tournament on the Cassville course. Coordinated by the industrial relations committee headed by Moger and industrial group cochaired by Anglum and Mitchell, other committee participants were John Miller, Dennis Ledgerwood and Bob Allen. Agriculture chairman Ron Miller reported on successful combination of the Fescue Capital USA Festival and Barry County Youth Livestock Show. Membership chair Workman said the membership list grew by one this month with the addition of Cassville Carpet and Linoleum.

— AF BASIC

Airman Kenneth R. Burge, son of Mr. and Mrs. Dennis R. Burge of Purdy, has graduated from Air Force basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. During the six weeks of training the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization and customs and received special training in human relations. In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force. The airman is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Phillip E. Brit-tenham of rural Monett.

— CAPTAIN BURRELL GAINS BOSTION U MASTERS

Capt. Gordon F. Burrill, son of Glenice E. Burrill of Reno, Nevada, has earned a master’s degree from Boston University. Burrill has completed college studies through participation in the U.S. Air Force off-duty education program. The program has the Air Force paying 75 percent tuition for active duty Air Force members and 90 percent tuition for career noncommissioned officers with less than 14 years military service. He is chief of communications electronics maintenance in West Germany, with the 2063rd Information Systems Squadron.

The captain’s wife, Terry, is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Breese of Exeter.

30 years ago

Aug. 14, 1996

— Eagle Rock-Golden-Mano fire district moves forward 

Property owners in the Eagle Rock, Golden and Mano communities voted last Tuesday to create a levy-supported fire protection district – a move that Fire Chief Robert Rizman describes as a “great step” towards improving fire service in the area. Rizman adds that while the vote marks the first step, the district now has a lot of rungs on the ladder left to climb. One of the first tasks before the newly elected board of directors is to work on improving the district’s ISO rating. ISO is the anacronym for Insurance Services Office, which establishes criteria a fire department must meet to qauli-fy for different fire protection classifications or ratings. ISO ratings determine what insurance companies will charge for fire insurance in various communities. The higher the rating, the higher the rate. Currently, the Eagle Rock-Golden-Mano fire department has a “9” rating. (A “10” rating is zero fire protection.) Board members Cliff Mitchell, Norm Hillyer, Richard Penfield, Oscar Wade and Corky Nelson hope to raise the rating to at least an “8” and hopefully a “7” “An increased rating could save property owners anywhere from $100 to $400 a year depending on their property value,” Rizman said. “This tax (levy to support the district) is one that can put money back in their pocket.” Hillyer said ISO ratings can be improved by updating equipment, a task that was hard to accomplish as a dues-supported association. Since the late 1970s, when the district was formed, fire fighters depended on members to pay annual dues in return for fire protection. Annual dues were $40 per piece of property. According to Rizman, membership fluctuated between 600 and 900 in a 128-square-mile area that contains 2,200 parcels of property. He said each year it was a big task to collect the dues, and without knowing the exact amount that would be collected, it was impossible to set a yearly budget. He said those who did not pay their dues still expected fire protection in an emergency. “By going to a tax-supported district, everybody will be paying their fair share,” said Rizman. Because the county assessor’s office is in the process of calculating the district’s assessed valuation, tax-generated revenue figures are unavailable. The assessor’s office said they are currently in the process of coding district property into the computer. The assessed valuation figures will need to be turned into the county collector’s office by Sept. 15 if the district wants to collect taxes in 1996. Once the valuation is complete, board members can predict what a 30 cent levy will generate in revenue for the district. Then short-and long-term budgets can be set. The board, which will meet next week to be sworn in, is currently working with its attorney to make sure the fire protection district complies with the 68 pages of state and federal laws governing its actions. “There are now laws we must follow as a district,” Rizman said. “It’s no longer the good ole boy handshake theory. Now it’s by law.” “We want to do it right and give the people the best value for their dollar.” The Eagle Rock-Golden-Mano fire department maintains four fire houses and is currently supported by 38 volunteer fire fighters. Rizman said department equipment includes four engines, one rescue truck, one medical unit, two brush trucks and two tankers. He added that the newest piece of equipment is 17 years old and the oldest is 33 to 34 years old. “We can operate with what we have but it’s costly to maintain,” Rizman said. The district plans to focus on purchasing new hand tools, fire hoses and fire nozzles first. Rizman said buying new fire trucks would be something the district would look at “some time down the line.” Tax money will also be spent on training for volunteer firemen. Rizman concludes that the key to a good fire protection district is its volunteers. In the first six months of 1996, Eagle Rock-Golden-Mano firefighters have put in a total of 1,729 hours, including: 239 hours on medical calls; 353 hours on fire calls; 134 hours on service calls; 155 hours on motor vehicle accidents; 202 hours on training; 460 hours on maintenance of equipment; and 186 hours on cleaning the fire houses and equipment.

— Drug and alcohol offenders contribute to DARE program

The Barry County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has come up with an innovative way of contributing to the Cassville and Barry County DARE programs. Since February of this year several first and second time driving while intoxicated and misdemeanor possession of marijuana offenders have paid more than $7,000 in contributions to the drug awareness programs. The contributions are made in lieu of a fine. According to Barry County Treasurer Lois Lowe, the county program, which is directed by Dana Kammerlohr, has received a total of $4,185. Cassville City Clerk Vicki McCune said the city program, lead by Public Education Officer Lonnie McCullough, has received $3,191.50. Barry County Associate Circuit Court Judge Mike Garrett said the contributions are recommended by the prosecuting attorney and are “usually done where the defendant is placed on probation.” He added there are several counties in the state that order offenders to contribute to drug awareness programs. Garrett said the contribution becomes a part of the probation. If the money isn’t paid, it is considered a probation violation, and the offender can be sentenced to jail time and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine. “I think contributions made to the DARE program from alcohol related offenses are appropriate,” Garrett said. “These are the people who should be supporting drug and alcohol abuse education programs.” Garrett said that there are obviously some cases where the alcohol-related offense has caused injury or property damage. In these cases, DARE contributions wouldn’t be appropriate. “The purpose of the program is not to collect money, but to discourage young people from alcohol and drug abuse,” Garrett said. “We’ll know how successful the program is over a term of years, not months.” Barry County Prosecuting Attorney David Cole said he was approached by McCullough about the contributions. “Lonnie came to see me and asked why we don’t do this to give the DARE program some money,” Cole said. “That’s how it got started.” “What I like about it is that these people are out here violating drug and alcohol laws, and to let them assist DARE officers in educating the youth, sort of seems like poetic justice,” Cole said. Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Stephen Hemphill said the contributions range from $100 to $1,500. He added that with the new program, the defendant, not only pays court costs, but also makes the contribution, which is generally equal to or in excess of a fine.