By Annabeth Miller, SMT Editor
A requested and revised zoning revision from a city congregation was given unanimous approval Monday from the Dexter Board of Aldermen.
The board unanimously approved a “clean up” of zoning of property owned by First Baptist Church, which recently discovered some of its property was not zoned to fit current use.
David Fleming, facility manager at First Baptist Church, explained the zoning request to the aldermen. Fleming said not long after he joined the church staff, he learned some existing church property was not in alignment with existing city zoning regulations.
“We asked the Planning and Zoning Commission to re-zone all the existing property owned by First Baptist Church to C-2,” Fleming said. However, after hearing concerns from some of the neighbors and recommendations made by members of the zoning commission, the church has modified its request to rezone only the FBC property south of Castor Street to C-2 (Commercial).
Fleming said the church is hoping in the near future to construct a new drive-thru on the north side of the property next to Castor Street.
Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman Richard Hodder informed the aldermen the commission was in total agreement with the second – revised – request for rezoning.
The aldermen unanimously approved the ordinance amending the zoning.
“I would like to thank Mr. Hodder and the gentlemen from the Baptist Church for reconciling this in such a prompt, courteous manner,” Mayor Joe Weber said after the vote. “If all things that well we would be out of a job.”
City Attorney Bud Lawrence also commended Hodder for his work on the project.
The board agreed to discuss a proposed ordinance tabled earlier this month increasing the number of city liquor licenses to be issued by the city.
Aldermen discussed whether or not to increase the number of licenses available by one – to 11 total – or to go ahead and increase the number to allow for future growth and new businesses.
“I’ve been approached by someone,” Alderman Terry Battles said. “Somebody is supposedly looking at the old Jack’s, but if they can’t get a liquor license it won’t sell. The real estate company approached me.”
The ordinance to increase the number of licenses available to from 10 to 15 was passed, with only Alderman Jerry Corder voted against the change. The motion only makes the licenses available if requested.
In other business Monday evening:
- Received the monthly audit report from City Auditor Eddie Cato; he reported the Fire received a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for $28,033;
- Approved a liquor license and a Sunday sales license for Gary’s Quick Stop at 623 East Stoddard;
- Approved a Sunday sales license for USA Drug on North One Mile Road.
By Annabeth Miller, SMT Editor
It’s hard to imagine any news being as big as the Cardinals make it to the World Series. But there is, indeed, as the news was shared that Chief Al Banken will be stepping down from his 48 year position as the Dexter Fire Chief.
The veteran Dexter fire chief delivered some rather surprising and unexpected news at the end of the Dexter Board of Alderman meeting, leaving some at a loss for words.
“Mr. Mayor, there’s other news to talk about other than the Cardinals and the World Series, and I’m about to give you some,” Banken said. Banken announced that after 48 years of service to the City, he plans to retire in January 2012.
“I’ve been on the Fire Department about 48 years and a lot of good things have happened,” he said. “I am announcing my retirement on the date of Jan. 15, 2012. I will be happy to serve until that time.”
Banken's wife Betty and one of their three sons were with the chief at Monday night’s meeting. Son James from Cape Girardeau sat with his mother; sons Greg and Joe were unable to attend the meeting.
Mayor Joe Weber accepted Banken’s retirement, with praise for 48 years of service and all Banken has given the city.
“I think everybody in this audience tonight – as well as all the people in town - realize how much ‘blood and guts’ you’ve given it through the years,” Weber said. “We appreciate that. When you’re the tops – you’re the tops!”
The aldermen and many of the department heads offered their congratulations and thanks to Banken for his service to the community, his expertise and community spirit.
“You’re a true asset,” said Ward II Alderman Kent Essner.
JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri senators are returning to the state Capitol building as they continue working through a special legislative session focused on state economic development.
Senators were meeting Monday, and Senate President Pro Tem Rob Mayer of Dexter says the Senate plans to ask House members for a formal negotiating session over the economic development legislation.
The state House is not scheduled to meet Monday.
The Senate also plans to consider legislation abolishing state’s presidential primary election, currently set for February 2012. The primary remains on the books but lost much of its significance when the Missouri Republican Party decided to pick national convention delegates through a caucus process.
Special session measures awaiting the governor’s signature include SB1 sponsored by Sen. Jane Cunningham, R-Chesterfield. If approved, the measure would revise provisions addressing school employee-student communication in SB 54, also known as the Amy Hestir Student Protection Act, which was passed during the 2011 regular session. Under the bill, school districts would be required to submit a written policy regarding student-employee communication by March 1, 2012.
Each district must include its stance on the use of electronic media and the Internet, with the goal of preventing improper communications between students and public school employees.
Cunningham’s bill would take effect 90 days after the governor’s signature.
Another measure passed by the General Assembly is SB7, also sponsored by Mayer. This bill would establish the Missouri Science and Innovation Reinvestment Act, also known as MOSIRA. The legislation is designed to attract high-tech science and innovation companies to Missouri.
As with SB 1, SB 7 would take effect 90 days after the governor issues his stamp of approval. However, the bill states that it would take effect only after the passage of SB 8, also sponsored by Sen. Mayer.
“I opposed the Obama-Pelosi health care bill in its entirety, but this particular part of it is especially troublesome. The many different parts of this law are administered with taxpayer dollars, which should not be used to require insurers, hospitals or health care practitioners to provide abortion coverage or services,” Emerson said.
Emerson represents the Eighth Congressional District in Missouri, which includes Stoddard County and all of the Show-Me State’s Bootheel.
Emerson has been an outspoken critic of the Affordable Care Act, the health care overhaul that will largely go into effect in 2013 with mandates on every American to carry health insurance and a dramatic expansion of federal powers over health care.
“It’s all the more difficult to see this bad law being implemented because, like so many Americans, I want our system of health care to be the best in the world, led by professionals who devote their lives to serving patients. Instead, the focus in this law is on issues like a requirement that taxpayers foot the bill for administering plans which mandate insurance coverage for abortions,” Emerson said. “Quality, affordable health care is an important issue for every American, and this is not a place for a back-door attempt to compel public funding for abortions.”
The measure, H.R. 358, was approved by a majority vote in the U.S. House on Thursday and now moves on for consideration in the U.S. Senate.
SIKESTON - A portion of northbound I-55 between Sikeston and Cape Girardeau will be affected this weekend by road work.
As Missouri Department of Transportation crews work to repair the Route PP overpass over Interstate 55 in Scott County, northbound I-55 traffic will be impacted. All lanes of southbound I-55 will remain open. The work will repair the damage caused by a dump truck hitting the overpass on Sept. 27.
Beginning Friday, Oct. 14, weather permitting, northbound I-55 traffic will be reduced to one lane from mile marker 80 to 89 as crews begin preparatory work to replace the damaged girder. In addition, an 11-foot width restriction will be in place.
The Route PP overpass will close Friday at 5 p.m. That evening at approximately 10 p.m., both lanes of northbound I-55 will close and crews will begin to replace the damaged girder.
"We realize this will be an inconvenience and tried to minimize the impact as much as possible by scheduling the closure after the Scott City football game," said District Bridge Engineer Jeff Lambert. "Closing the northbound lanes is necessary to make this type of repair."
Northbound I-55 traffic will be detoured to Route 61 from Benton to Scott City.
As traffic volumes begin to increase, one lane of northbound I-55 will open on Saturday, Oct. 15, weather permitting. The northbound I-55 closure and detour to Route 61 will resume at 8 p.m. Oct. 15, as crews complete the girder replacement.
Repairs are expected to be completed on Sunday, Oct. 16, weather permitting.
Signs and warning devices will be in place. Motorists are urged to use extreme caution while traveling near the area.
For more information, please contact MoDOT at (573) 380-6342 or MoDOT's Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888 ASK MODOT (275-6636).
