The Stoddard County Commissioners began their weekly meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer for all county officials and farmers.
Jim Mayo, Emeritus Stars & Stripes Foundation Board Member and founder of the Stars & Stripes Museum, Jim Martin, Foundation Member, and Sue Tippen, Foundation Secretary/Treasurer.
"As a Vietnam veteran, retired educator, former Stars & Stripes National Museum President, Missouri Veterans' Hall of Fame Board member and Stars & Strips Region Foundation Facilitator, I can tell you that we are incredibly indebted to legislators, such as legislation sponsors Rep. Dave Griffith and Senator Jason Bean, Lt. Gov Kehoe, former legislator and current Director of Revenue Wayne Wallingford, Senators Steven Roberts, Holly Reeder and Bill Eigel, Representative Jamie Burger, John Voss, Herman Morse, Dale Wright, Rick Francis and so many others for their work over two and half years to get this so important legislation passed. And now, per the explicit original wishes and vision of our sponsors and advocates, it's up to us at the not-for-profit Stars & Stripes Historic Region Foundation and our public and private partners across the region to carry out that clear vision and mission, to whit:
"To promote, enhance, celebrate and encourage the inculcation of the awe-inspiring history, heritage an dgod given beauty of our nation's and Missouri's incomparable Stars & Stripes Historic Region," stated Jim Martin, The Stars & Stripes Historic Region Foundation.
"In the coming weeks we will be sitting down with the leadership in each of the 26 counties and the city of St. Louis as well as other public and private stakeholders in the region to explore how we can best partner with them to address this wonderful vision and mission, but additionally we are also working to put together partnerships with leading state institutions including, but not limited to MO Humanities Council, MO Tourism, MACVB, MO Tourism Commission, MO Historical Society, MO Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the MO Conservation Heritage Foundation," continued Martin.
The Foundation's commitment is to embrace and celebrate your identified and indelible history, heritage, culture and awe-inspiring natural beauty via strategic standard billboard signage, digital billboard signage, a strategic investment in Geofacing, securing a dedicated cohort of journalist, writers, media experts and advocates to create/write and disseminate content telling the stories of your citizens, your communities, your history and your incomparable portion of our God's creation. Along with our partners, we will work diligently with your to educate your citizens and their children on the indelible imperatives of individual, community and national commitment, service, and informed citizenship. Identity and aggressively and innovatively pursue the utilization of a growing number of regional and national public and private partners to secure every possible opportunity to enhance the infrastructure, attractions and institutions of your county by grant funding of infrastructure: roads, bridges, communications, power, etc.; grant and private investment funding of historical and cultural institution enhancement; grant and private investment funding re. the creation of resorts, institutions, transportation systems, etc.
What would the Stoddard County have as a commitment? The Commissioners will decide next Monday if they are willing to commit to giving $600 per quarter as well as identify/recruit passionate history/patriotism/education focused individual within county as Stars & Stripes County Liaison and Leadership Team Head; task this individual to recruit and coordinate a strong team within the county from leadership in the: education, journalism, business, government religious, first responder and law enforcement community to coordinate communication, identification of need, investment delivery, potential partners, etc; identify and secure an appropriate level of financial commitment from within the county to cement the partnership on a quarterly basis, identify and put in place an appropriate measurement system/determinator re. the quarterly functionality/"success" of the county's investment.
Josh Speakman, County Treasurer/Collector
LACTF Money came in this year at $50,000. We received $50,000 last year as well and have a total of $100,000 to spend," stated Josh Speakman, County Treasurer
Speakman did some research on the drainage ditches in Stoddard County. The ditches could be combined in the accounts. The commissioners will look into combining them in the future.
John Fisher, Southeast Diaper Bank
"I have a Proclamation for a Diaper Needs Awareness for Stoddard County plus 9 other counties we serve," stated Fisher. "September 18th thought September 24, 2023 is National Diaper Need Awareness Week."
The Proclamation states:
Whereas, diaper need, the condition of not being able to afford a sufficient supply of clean diapers to keep babies and toddlers clean, dry, and healthy, can adversely affect the health and well-being of children and their families; and
Whereas, national surveys and research studies report that nearly one in two families struggles with diaper need, and 48 percent o families delay changing a diaper to extend the available supply; and
Whereas, a daily or weekly supply of diapers is generally an eligibility requirement for babies and toddlers to participate in childcare programs and quality early-education programs that enable children to thrive and parents to work; and
Whereas, many parents struggling with diaper need report missing an average of five days of work each month due to an insufficient supply of diapers: and
Whereas, without enough diapers, babies and toddlers risk infections and health problems that may require medical attention resulting in medical costs, and parents may be prevented from accessing childcare needed to go to work or school, thereby destabilizing the family's economic prospects and well being; and
Whereas, the people of Stoddard County recognize that diaper need is a public health issue, and addressing diaper need can lead to economic opportunity for the state's families and communities and improved health for children, thus ensuring all children and families have access to the basic necessities required to thrive and reach their full potential; and
Whereas, Stoddard County is proud to be home to trusted community-based organizations including (list state diaper banks) that recognize the importance of diapers in ensuring health and providing economic stability for families and thus distribute diapers to families through various channels; and
Whereas, through their important work of addressing diaper need, diaper banks play a critical role in supporting families, improving infant health and well-being, and advancing our local and state economic growth; now
Therefore, I, Commissioner of Stoddard County, do hereby proclaim the week of September 18th through September 24th, 2023 as
NATIONAL DIAPER NEED AWARENESS WEEK
In Stoddard County, thank the aforementioned diaper banks, their staff, volunteers, and donors, for their courageous service during the crisis, and encourage the citizens of Stoddard County to donate generously to diaper banks, diaper drives, and support those organizations that collect and distribute diapers to families struggling with diaper need, so that all of Stoddard County children and families can thrive and reach their full potential.
"We as a Commission do support this for our region," commented Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis.
Motion to sign the Proclamation for Diaper Need Awareness Week made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart. All there voted yes and the motion passed.
Signed by Stoddard County Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis
Other Business
Commissioner Mathis stated that they received a Sunshine Law request from Oliver Law Firm for cell phone information and text information from August 27th 10:00 a.m. to the present, being September 1st. It was also stated that Carl Hefner, Stoddard County Sheriff also receive a copy of the Sunshine Law request. Cecil Weeks, Stoddard County Clerk stated during the meeting that he has a letter for the Commissioners to sign in regards to the Sunshine request.
Motion to sign off on the ARPA Contract between Stoddard County and city of Bell City for the monies that they have requested made by Commissioner Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Motion to accept the Minutes for August 28th made by Commissioner Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Motion to accept the Closed Session minutes for August 28th made by Commissioner Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Herman Morse, State Representative 151st District will have an Appreciation Dinner on Saturday night. He stopped in and gave away some tickets. This is not a fundraiser, but an appreciation dinner.
William Dowdy, Stoddard County Maintenance
The generator at the jail is out of the one year maintenance contract at this time. Dowdy has one company that he works with for the other generators. Southeast Services is the current company that has the maintenance agreement with the County.
Motion to add the Stoddard County Jail 500kw generator to the annual maintenance agreement with Southeast Services made by Commissioner Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Jarrell. Both voted yes and motion passed. Mr. Mathis had to leave early.
Motion to not go into closed session made by Commissioner Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Jarrell. Both voted yes and motion passed.
Motion to adjourn at noon made by Commissioner Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Jarrell. Both voted yes and motion passed.
