Every day when law enforcement officers pin on their badges, they make an extraordinary commitment to the American people: to rush toward danger regardless of the risk and to faithfully stand up for the rule of law. Across our neighborhoods, towns, and cities, they put themselves in harm’s way, hoping to return home safely to their families. On Peace Officers Memorial Day and during Police Week, we celebrate the remarkable courage of our law enforcement community and honor the fallen heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect their fellow Americans. 

   As a Nation, we expect a lot from our law enforcement officers. They save lives by keeping our roads, subways, and highways safe and responding to domestic violence incidents and natural disasters. We ask them to ensure public safety, build trust within our neighborhoods, and protect the well-being of our communities. Too often, they are also called upon to respond to mass shootings, drug overdoses, mental health crises, and more. Being a law enforcement officer is not just what they do; it is who they are.

  The same is true for their families, who sacrifice alongside these heroic Americans. It takes a special person to marry or be the child of a law enforcement officer — knowing the uncertainty as their loved one walks out the door and dreading the possibility of receiving that phone call.

   No memorial can ever fill the void left in the hearts of those who have lost a loved one in the line of duty. But their sacrifices in full service to their communities and to our Nation will never be forgotten. We will continue to honor their memories with actions that help keep our law enforcement officers and communities safe from harm. 

   When I took office at the height of the pandemic, State, local, Tribal, and territorial law enforcement budgets were shrinking. Some agencies were facing their lowest staffing levels in decades, undermining their ability to perform their jobs. That is why we provided crucial funding to help police departments build new training facilities, recruit new personnel, and give officers a raise. I also expanded benefits for first responders who were disabled in the line of duty and their families. And I signed laws improving officer wellness by expanding critical mental health resources to address the physical and emotional trauma that so many members of our law enforcement community experience.

   Meanwhile, I have taken steps to keep law enforcement officers safer on the job by signing the most sweeping gun safety law in nearly three decades. It helps keep more guns out of the hands of dangerous people, including by broadening restrictions on domestic abusers, which is critical because domestic violence calls can often turn deadly for police. This law also supports crisis interventions, including extreme risk protection orders, and provides a billion dollars to address the mental health crisis in America. We are also strengthening background checks for 18 to 20-year-olds trying to purchase guns, helping prosecutors crack down on illegal gun sales, and reining in ghost guns that police across the country are increasingly finding at crime scenes.

   As I have often said, when it comes to keeping our communities safe, the answer is not to defund the police. It is to fund them with the resources and training they need to protect and serve our communities and to build trust with the American public. My Safer America Plan calls on the Congress to invest in recruiting, hiring, and training more than 100,000 additional officers for effective, accountable community policing, consistent with the standards of my policing Executive Order. My plan also invests in programs that send social workers and other professionals to respond to calls that should not be the responsibility of law enforcement. And it invests $5 billion in proven crime-prevention strategies like community violence interruption. We must not accept the false choice between public safety and public trust; they are two sides of the same coin. 

   At the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C., there is a quote engraved on the wall that reads, “It is not how these officers died that made them heroes, it is how they lived.” Today, during this week, and year-round, we express our gratitude for the courageous women and men of our Nation’s law enforcement community. We honor the memory of the members who made the ultimate sacrifice and pray for their families. And we recommit ourselves to the sacred task of creating a safer and more just Nation for all Americans. 

   By a joint resolution approved October 1, 1962, as amended (76 Stat. 676), and by Public Law 103-322, as amended (36 U.S.C. 136-137), the President has been authorized and requested to designate May 15 of each year as “Peace Officers Memorial Day” and the week in which it falls as “Police Week.”

   NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 15, 2023, as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 14 through May 20, 2023, as Police Week. I call upon all Americans to observe these events with appropriate ceremonies and activities and salute our Nation’s brave law enforcement officers and remember their peace officer brothers and sisters who have given their last full measure of devotion in the line of duty. I also call on the Governors of the United States and its Territories, and appropriate officials of all units of government, to direct that the flag be flown at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day. I further encourage all Americans to display the flag at half-staff from their homes and businesses on that day.

   IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twelfth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-seventh.

JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

The Missouri Department of Revenue has announced the upcoming Request for Proposal (RFP) of the license office in Dexter, Missouri, located at 119 Vine Street, Dexter, MO 63841. Bids will start being accepted May 10, and must be submitted by May 23.

For a list of bid opportunities and bid response instructions, please visit Missouri’s statewide electronic procurement system, MissouriBUYS, at https://missouribuys.mo.gov/. Interested groups or individuals who wish to bid to operate the Dexter License Office must have an active Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) and must submit the proposal under the legal entity name for which the FEIN was assigned. The Missouri Department of Revenue, through the Office of Administration, is posting an RFP for the Dexter License Office contract, since the current contract is close to expiring. Interested bidders have approximately 10 business days to submit their proposal for the operation of the license office in the competitive bid process, as outlined in the RFP. A scheduled tour of the current location may be requested by emailing the procurement contact listed on MissouriBUYS.

Proposals will be evaluated on items as outlined in the RFP. All of the proposals will be evaluated by a review team at the Department of Revenue, and the proposal that scores best in the areas outlined in the RFP will be selected to operate the office.

Resources to Help Guide Potential Bidders:

Missouri License Office Locations - https://dor.mo.gov/license-office-locator/

Estimated Transactions and Processing Fees Collected at Missouri License Offices FY22 - https://dor.mo.gov/contact/documents/FY2022MVandDLEstimatedTransactionsandProces...

Recent Evaluations of Awarded Bids - https://dor.mo.gov/resources/purchasing/

License offices are operated by independent contractors and are overseen by the Missouri Department of Revenue. All license office contracts in Missouri are awarded through a competitive bid process.

A Proclamation on Honoring the Victims of the Tragedy in Allen, Texas

As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on May 6, 2023, in Allen, Texas, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, May 11, 2023. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-seventh.

JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

President of the United States of America

The Stoddard County Commissioners met on Monday, May 1, 2023.  Commissioner Carol Jarrell and Commissioner C.D. Stewart opened the meeting.  Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis was not available at the beginning of the meeting.  He did however attend near the end of the meeting.

John Grebing, Bootheel Regional Planning Commission ARPA Update

Grebing gave an update on the broadband/internet in the Stoddard County area utilizing the ARPA funds and CDGB grants.  They will be sending out bid notices to the newspapers soon.

Quarterly report has been filed on the ARPA Funds for Stoddard County.

Grebing passed out a SLFRF Compliance Report

City of Advance has requested to shift monies.  They made a formal request to transfer monies previously requested for a proposed annexation project to the Advance Municipal Sewer Infiltration and Inflo Project.  

"Our sewer situation is in immediate need of inspection and repairs, so as soon as these funds are authorized we plan to begin the project," stated the letter from Mayor Dan Seger.

City of Advance was approved for funding in the amount $874,000 to apply water/wastewater infrastructure to annex a portion of land.  

Transfer these funds over to the city of Advance.  Instead of utilizing these funds for the annexation of the property, they would like to use the monies to use for the Municipal Sewer Infiltration and Inflo Project.  

"Our sewer situation is in immediate need of inspection and repairs, so as soon as these funds are authorized we plan to begin the project," stated Dan Seger, Mayor of Advance.

Start the process on obtaining at $750,000 CDGB grant to use for the annexation of that said property.

"What is the estimated cost of this project?" asked Commissioner C.D. Stewart.  "Can we cut any of this monies so we can fund some other projects that do not have any funding at this time."

"It is about 1.2 million or so according to the project engineers, Smith & Co.," stated Mayor Seyer.

The city of Advance is using their ARPA funds they received to upgrade bathrooms in the city park according to Mayor Seyer.  They received about $265,000.

"The current system we have place can not maintain the new annexation infrastructure," stated Mayor Seyer. "If we do the annexation project now the current system will not be able to service those people.  There will be pipes going nowhere."

Commissioner Jarrell asked about the ARPA funds that the city of Advance received and what projected they were using that money for.  That amount was over $200,000, but the Mayor could not remember the exact cost and was unsure of how much the bathroom remodel would cost.  He stated they needed to get bids.  Jarrell asked if the money had been designated for anything else or if it could be applied to some of these projects.  Mayor Seyer stated yes that would be a possibility.

The Commissioners said they would talk with Presiding Commissioner when he comes to the meeting later today and that they would contact Mr. Seyer and Mr. Grebing.

Ford Crown Vic Update

Mayor of Puxico had a marshall come over and drive the vehicle.  They are interested in the vehicle.  The question is could it be donated or could it be purchased rather inexpensively.  Sheriff Carl Hefner said that the vehicle was not worth much, but still drivable.

Motion made to donate the Ford Crown Vic previously used by the EMA Director to the City of Puxico.  Seconded by C.D. Stewart.  Both voted yes. Motion passed.

Stoddard County IDA, Peter Coutavas

The original renter interested in the Bloomfield Medical building has decided not to rent the building.  IDA Director Peter said Matt Phillips may be interested in putting in a coffee shop.  Coutavas wanted to thank the Commissioners for getting the building ready for a renter.

Insurance by Alan Hedrick, Leavitt Group/CountyWide Insurance

Hedrick provided a couple of examples of policy and procedures for Sexual Harassment and Distracted Drivers.  The Earthquake insurance is good.  Cyber Security Insurance was also discussed.

Letting of Depository Bids for Banks

Bank of Advance, Southern Bank, First Midwest Bank, and First State Bank and Trust are the banks who submitted bids.

The County is currently with the Bank of Advance and receive about $300,000 a year in interest.

Mr. Josh Speakman, County Collector/Treasurer, made a spreadsheet showing all the information and rates by each bank.  He did believe that Bank of Advance did give the best bid.

Other Business

Motion to accepts the Bank of Advance for the Bank Depository for a period of 4 years made by Commissioner Jarrell.  Seconded by Stewart.  All three voted yes.  Motion passed.

Motion to accept the Adds and Abatements made by Commissioner Stewart.  Seconded by Jarrell. Both voted yes.  Motion passed.

Motion to appoint board members for Drainage Ditch #13 and #33. Motion passed.

Motion to accept the Meeting Minutes from Monday, April 26, 2023. Motion passed.

Motion to allow Alan Hedrick to purchase all of the toilets removed from the old jail at a cost of $15 each made by Commissioner Stewart.  Seconded by Commissioner Jarrell.  All three voted yes.  Motion passed.

The Commission meeting will be postponed from Monday, May 8, 2023 to Tuesday, May 9, 2023.

Meeting adjourned at 12:40 p.m. 

The Dexter Board of Aldermen passed multiple resolutions and the newly elected aldermen were sworn in at Monday’s meeting.

Terry Battles representing Ward I, Tim Aslin representing Ward II and Glen Robinson representing Ward II took the oath of office which was administered by city clerk Crystal Bishop. Tim Aslin was then elected president of the board of aldermen.

The first resolution passed allowed the city to join the county’s hazardous mitigation plan. This will allow the city access to hazardous mitigation funds for the city should a disaster occur. This allows the city administrator David Wyman to apply for a loan/grant with the State of Missouri. The loan/grant will be for the construction of lead service line inventory, lead service line replacement plan and lead service line replacement.

The aldermen then passed an ordinance for the purchase of outbuildings from Rosemary Ford. One building measures 30 feet x 100 feet and the second is 30 feet by 40 feet. The total cost of the purchase is $6,000.

Economic Development

Wyman delivered the Economic Development report due to Alisha Trammell being unable to attend the meeting. Wyman said the chamber golf scramble is May 12, the chamber luncheon is May 16 and the Farmers Market begins this Thursday at 4 p.m. at East Park.

There are two upcoming ribbon cuttings, the first at the Meadow on May 24 and the second at the Regional Healthcare on May 30.

City Administrator

Wyman is working on a city action plan so the city can apply for a U.S. Department of Transportation grant. This grant will assist with any projects related to transportation, such as the new cross walks being discussed near the schools.

Wyman has been in contact with engineers to do water/sewer testing in town. He said a facility plan for the new water plant must be sent to the state by the end of June. 

Wyman said the employee performance reviews for the city are being completed.

Other Business

The Dexter Police Department received a Bullet Proof Vest 50/50 grant. Five vests were purchased with the grant. A mini click it or ticket will be held May 22 through June 4.

Dexter Fire Chief Don Seymore said hydrant testing is completed. The fire department will have a list of needed repairs ready later this week.

Crews are still removing sludge from the east lagoon. The first cell has had sludge removed down to 112 inches and crews are working on the second cell. Overall the project is about 50 percent done.

Sewer pipes are being run to the new Gill Group building. Water is hooked up but the building is still using a temporary tank until the sewer can be hooked up.

El Cabrito was granted a temporary liquor license for the Grille It Up event in July. Greg Mathis was reappointed to the cemetery board, Larry Thompson and Tom Love were reappointed to the airport board, Marissa Mills, Chris Warren and Adam Sadler were reappointed to the parks and recreation board and the standing committees were appointed following some corrections. The corrections were not released.

Article and photo provided by Josh Ayers, Editor of the Dexter Statesman.