Members discuss new website, adventures of Knox the dog

By Murray Bishoff Special to the Cassville Democrat

The Purdy City Council addressed infrastructure issues and dog challenges at its Nov. 12 meeting. 

Kevin Cook, public works foreman, reported the last of the KSB pumps at the west lift station, formerly the west lagoon, had failed. Earlier in the year, the city replaced the backup pump at the east lagoon which sends effluent to Monett for treatment. The west lift station, he explained, has two pumps that alternate sending effluent across town. The old pump seized up and was expected to cost up to $9,000 to repair. 

Council members approved Cook’s recommendation to buy an Oma pump for $12,143.47. Replacement will give the city all four pumps with less than a year’s wear on them. 

Cook also asked the council to replace the solid steel door on the chlorine room by the city’s main well. He recounted working for up to 15 minutes to open it. After around 30 years of use, the door had become so corroded from the chlorine fumes that the inside had rusted in two. Council members approved spending $1,100 for a replacement with a crash bar. 

Cook reported water efficiency had dropped to 71 percent. He had no explanation and was looking for a source. 

Finding themselves in need of upgrading two office computers that would no longer update, staff requested replacements. The council authorized spending $1,500 from Dell Computers to acquire the latest models comparable to what is presently in use. 

Police Chief Jackie Lowe reported little activity during the past month. He assisted with a 2-year-old who had wandered out of a modular home outside the city limits. Deputies from the Barry County Sheriff’s office responded and dealt with the parent, who “got mouthy with officers.” Deputies answered several other calls while Lowe was off duty. Lowe wrote letters to eight property owners over property maintenance issues.

A comment about reduced dog issues led into a discussion of Knox, a mastiff dog who has come up in several monthly discussions about dogs in town. Due to his size, Knox, described by Lowe as “a good dog,” is apparently unconfinable and can overcome any restraint placed on him and hop a fence. During the past month, Knox decided to follow a jogger who passed his house completely around the Purdy perimeter. By the time Lowe reached them, the chief said Knox’s tongue was dragging after his long jaunt. 

On another day, Cook reported he went to the school in the morning and found Knox sitting peacefully next to the principal, watching the children unload from buses. On other occasions, Cook said he has found Knox out wandering, and hailed the dog, who jumped right into Cook’s truck for a ride home. There have been no complaints about Knox’s behavior, other than his roaming. 

Council members agreed to again participate in the annual city Christmas parade on Dec. 6. They agreed to seek a driver for the city dump truck so that they and their children could throw candy from the back. Clerk Sasha Gomez agreed to participate as well. 

Cook reported the new owner of the old filling station on the south side of the intersection with Hwy. C and South Business Hwy. 37 asked if he could clean out the ditch by the road, lying in the city right-of-way. Cook said the property owner wants to line the ditch with riprap for better runoff of stormwater. The city cleaned out the ditch several years ago after a crew from the Missouri Department of Transportation deepened it. Council members had no issue with the proposal, as long as the ditch still drained. 

Gomez announced filings would begin on Dec. 9 for the April 7, 2026 municipal election. Incumbents whose terms will expire include Heath Postlewait in the East Ward and Heather Van Note in the West Ward. Both indicated they will likely run again. 

Gomez anticipated the company updating the city’s code book would add ordinances passed since the last upgrade sometime in December. Van Note reported she spoke to a Monett vendor who built the city website for Pierce City about creating one for Purdy, which would enable the city to have a more professional online presence rather than simply using Facebook. Council members encouraged her to proceed. 

Bills totaling $39,514.94 were paid. The next council meeting was scheduled for Dec. 10.