Through the Years, Oct. 21
50 years ago
Oct. 27, 1976
— Hospital Gift From Auxiliary Room Beginning
Efforts of the South Barry County Hospital Auxiliary have resulted in presentation of a $1,000 gift to the local hospital unit. The gift came forth in the auxiliary meeting last week. Mrs. Betty Johnson, treasurer, made the presentation to Don Grant, administrator. The auxiliary’s intention is for the contribution to be applied to the purchase of an electric bed. Mrs. Signe Vollenweider, auxiliary president, said this “is the first step in our overall project of completely refurbishing a room in the hospital.” In about two years of operation, the auxiliary unit, through fundraisers including bake sales, cookbook sales, airplane rides at the airport dedication and bazaars, has scraped together the funds for this first major financial contribution of their history. In addition to regular business, the auxiliary heard a report on current swine flu clinics by representatives of the Missouri Division of Health. Also reported at the meeting were offspring volunteer efforts for the hospital, also fostered by the auxiliary. Included were hours of volunteer work since March 30 this year: Pink Ladies have 227 hours at the hospital; Candy Stripers have worked 835 hours; and overall the auxiliary has contributed over 800 hours to fundraising and administrative activities. Board of director reports, with each making emphasis on their area of responsibility, included: Helen McKelvy, Pink Ladies; Evangeline Huddleson, workshop; Hazel Edmondson, membership; Ruth Ann Barnes, Candy Stripers; Eva Lee, ways and means; Jeanne Roles, secretary; Margaret Henbest, gift cart; Gerry Hoover, projects; Bunny Carney, publicity; and Dorothy Miles, awards and Pink Lady co-chairman.
— 13,026 Eligible To Vote In Barry County Tuesday
Barry Countians, 13,026 in number, could go to the polls next Tuesday in the general election, according to County Clerk Howard Bounous. That’s the number of registered voters eligible at the October 6 deadline. If statewide estimates of 76% of the voters going to the polls November 2 are correct, this would put the county vote total at 9,900. The percentage of Missourians going to the polls comes from Secretary of State James Kirkpatrick. Kirkpatrick’s office this week said the state has 2,552,852 registered voters, with 1,950,000 of these expected to mark ballots next week. Bounous noted the increase in registered voters in Barry County was above the 10,800 on the books in April and the 12,000-plus eligible for the August primary. Voters using their right in the primary totaled 6,287 in the U.S. Senate races of both parties, which was just under the 50% figure for those eligible. Absentee voting in Barry County was noted at a brisk pace this week. As of Tuesday, a total of 674 requests had been received. Bounous noted the deadline for applications is 4 p.m. Friday. Deadline for ballot return is 4 p.m. Monday, November 1. Conducting the election will be 124 judges in 26 townships. There will be an additional 62 clerks, one to each two judges, assisting in distribution of ballots and counting. Election officials will be paid $27.30 each for the 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. duties. The day will actually be longer for most, since major counting and tabulation will follow closing of polls. A record voter turnout at the general election has been predicted by Secretary of State Kirkpatrick. Missouri’s chief election official announced there are 2,552,852 Missourians registered to vote and 1,950,000 of them are expected to mark ballots. The previous registration record since Missouri adopted statewide voter registration in 1973 was 2,395,070, set in the August 3 primary. The record turnout in a general election was established in 1960, when 1,934,422 Missourians marked ballots. Kirkpatrick said registration increased by 420,758 since the August 6, 1974, primary election — the first conducted under statewide registration requirements. This is a 20 percent increase in registration since mid-1974, and most of it came within the last six months. “We think Missourians may be saving their largest Bicentennial celebration for November 2,” Kirkpatrick said. He noted 311,753 more Missourians were registered since April 1976, when Kirkpatrick surveyed registration for the municipal, school and special district elections. Census Bureau statistics cited by Kirkpatrick estimate Missouri’s voting-age citizen population at 3,331,000. Young Missourians who have reached voting age since the last presidential election are estimated at 370,000. Secretary Kirkpatrick said his prediction of a record turnout was prompted by several factors. “We’re experiencing one of the largest automatic turnovers of incumbent officials in my memory. One of our U.S. Senators, five of our 10 congresspersons and 40 of 180 state legislators who would have faced re-election this year are not running. That contributes to some exciting contests on November 2,” he said. Kirkpatrick also credited the controversy over two constitutional amendments and a proposition for part of the reason he expects a big turnout. He added that he expects the anticipated closeness of the presidential race to be one more factor encouraging more people to vote. The prediction by Kirkpatrick will hold true if 76 percent of the registered voters mark ballots. This would be nearly 59 percent of the estimated voting-age population.
40 years ago
Oct. 29, 1986
— Rid R-4 Campus Of Stray Dogs
Cassville R-4 board of education took steps Thursday night to rid the campus of dogs, bought three bus units for December delivery, discussed possible change in tax levy and agreed to financing of the transportation units. Superintendent Dan Bailey, in public notices, said, “Any dog sighted on school premises during the school day will be picked up by the Cassville City Police Department.” Board president Don Stockton said it was not determined in the meeting who would bear costs of the program. City ordinances call for stray or troublesome dogs to be captured and held from three to five days. The city operates through Miekley-Cupps Veterinarian Clinic here. Charges are $12.50 per animal for boarding and disposing of same if that becomes necessary. Stockton said two youngsters were bitten on the campus last week. He said the dog involved had not been rabies vaccinated. The dog was being held for observation. In other business, the board accepted a bid from Vernon Bus Sales for three units to be delivered in December. Total cost was $71,000. The board also opened sealed bids on financing the bus units. Presented were Commerce Bank of Barry County at 7.5 percent and Boatmen’s National Bank at 5.8 percent. The board accepted Boatmen’s bid for purchase of units. Discussion by the board also covered a possible tax levy increase. Stockton said the board was not ready to discuss numbers on this issue. He said Bailey would present additional information in future sessions. The special meeting had members Stockton, Tom Cardin, John Anglum, John Sullivan, Dennis Ledgerwood and Steve Buchheit attending.
30 years ago
Oct. 23, 1996
— County officials continue to discuss intersection options
Discussions continued this week between county commissioners and state highway department officials about alternatives that could be employed to make the intersection of Highway 76-86 and Old Exeter Road less dangerous. The county held a hearing on the matter Oct. 1, which revealed strong public concerns about safety at the intersection. At the conclusion of the hearing, county officials pledged to continue pushing for improvements at the crossroads. Presiding Commissioner Cherry Warren said the commission intends to send a formal request to the highway commission concerning possible changes at the intersection. Specifics of the request have not been formulated. Area residents and county office holders said the most desirable action would be for the highway department to widen the ro