A young Dexter woman was honored this week by the Dexter Board of Aldermen and the local police department.
Tasha Rodgers was honored by the Board and Police Chief Sammy Stone for assistance to an officer at an incident earlier this year. Rodgers is a senior at Dexter High School.
“There are so many times in the world when things go wrong, that people will just turn and walk away or look at a situation and say ‘I need to do something but I don’t want to get involved’ so they walk away,” said Police Chief Sammy Stone during the presentation. “Then you those who say ‘I’m going to help, I’m going to do what I need to do regardless’.”
Rodgers was presented with the Chief’s Award, the first-of-its kind award to recognize a civilian citizen for assistance and support given to the local police.
The presentation was made at the conclusion of the Board of Aldermen with all the aldermen and city officials in attendance.
City Clerk Crystal Bishop reported that filing for 2012 municipal office will open on Tuesday, Dec. 13.
In other business, the board conducted a public hearing on the rezoning of two separate pieces of property in Ward III. No one appeared during the public hearing regarding the rezoning of 234 McCormick and 304 McCormick from “unzoned” to R-1, single-family residence.
Planning and Zoning director Richard Hodder reported both rezoning requests were approved in October by the city Planning and Zoning Commission last month. Aldermen unanimously approved two separate ordinances officially changing the zoning status of the properties.
City Economic Developer Janet Coleman reported that the Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event will be held at the chamber offices on 5-630 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 13.
Chief Stone also announced the Police Department will host an Open House at the new renovated Dexter Police Headquarters from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., this Saturday, Dec. 10. The public is invited to attend.
Ordinances
- Ordinance No. 4660 – rezoning 234 McCormick Street; approved unanimously
- Ordinance No. 4661 – rezoning 302 McCormick Street; approved unanimously
- Ordinance No. 4662 – disbursements; approved unanimously
Wappapello Lake – The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers at Wappapello Lake will begin annual winter drawdown from recreation pool to conservation pool beginning Dec. 15.
In accordance with the water control plan, the pool is drawn down 5 feet, from 359.74 feet relevant to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD) to 354.74 feet NGVD.
During conservation pool, boaters are urged to use caution when on the lake. Mud flats and tree stumps may be exposed or are just under the water surface.
To aid in navigation, the old St. Francis River channel is marked with red and white vertically striped buoys from Wappapello Dam to Chaonia Landing. Between Chaonia Landing and Sulphur Springs, there are nine “arrow” signs which help direct boaters in the direction of the river channel.
Conservation pool lasts until late March, which allows for additional storage of winter and spring precipitation/
Beginning in late March 2012, the lake level will begin transition to recreation pool targeted for early May. The Periodic Inspection of the dam, gatehouse and other flood related structures at Wappapello Lake is scheduled for early March 2012, if funding permits.
For this inspection the lake level will be lowered approximately 6-10 inches below winter pool for a 3-5 day period.
Persons with permitted floating duck blinds on the lake are also reminded to keep a watch on water levels, especially in coves or other shallow areas. Blinds are to be removed from the lake or moored in designated storage coves no later than Jan. 18, 2012.
Persons with questions concerning the annual winter drawdown or other topics, may contact the Wappapello Lake Project Office at (573) 222-8562..
Link Of Interest
Wappapello Lake Corps of Engineers
Photo Above: The Spillway at Lake Wappapello. (SMT File Photo).
Based on National Weather Service forecasts of unseasonably high river levels and more to come, Maj. Gen. John Peabody, Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Mississippi Valley Division, has directed an orderly shutdown of the Birds Point-New Madrid project area.
Further, he has ordered the installation of a Hesco Barrier at the upper crevasse to temporarily bring the system to a 55 ft level of protection (on Cairo gage) for the BPNM Floodway. Construction in this region usually stops between December and May due to adverse weather conditions. The Corps' Memphis District projects construction of this interim measure will take approximately 10 good weather days to complete and work will begin in 48 hours when weather and ground conditions improve.
A HESCO bastion is a large collapsible wire mesh container with heavy duty fabric liners filled with sand. The HESCO bastions and related work can be done around the clock and are not as dependent upon favorable weather conditions.
"Weather conditions continue to hamper our ability to achieve our revised target of 55 feet using normal levee construction techniques," Col. Vernie Reichling, commander of the Corps' Memphis District said. "The orderly shutdown will commence using supplies and equipment that have been pre-positioned which will allow us to reach a 55-foot level of protection with temporary construction methods."
Citizens in the area are urged to stay in touch with their local authorities, and closely monitor river forecasts from the National Weather Service and additional information from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. They should be prepared to take whatever measures they believe are necessary to safeguard their lives and property.
"The Corps' number one priority is and remains public safety," Col. Reichling said.
A public hearing is on the agenda for Monday evening’s meeting of the Dexter Board of Aldermen.
A public hearing will be opened for input concerning the rezoning of two properties on McCormick Street in Dexter. The properties are at 234 McCormick and 304 McCormick. A request has been submitted to change both properties from unzoned to R-1, Single Family Residential. Both properties are in Dexter’s third ward.
Other agenda items include reports from the department heads, city attorney’s report and committee reports.
The gavel will sound at 7 p.m. to begin the meeting. This is the only aldermanic meeting during December. Aldermen agreed at the last meeting to forego the second meeting in December due to the holidays.
The Board of Aldermen meets in the Dexter Municipal Building at 119 Vine Street.
WHAT'S HAPPENING
- What: Dexter Board of Alderman meeting
- When: Monday, Dec. 5
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Where: Municipal Building on Vine Street
By Annabeth Miller, SMT Editor
JEFFERSON CITY — The new set of state legislative maps released this week have left politicians abuzz throughout the ShowMe State, and may paint a new political picture in many parts of Missouri.
The Missouri Appellate Apportionment Commission has filed new state Senate and House of Representatives redistricting plans and maps with the Missouri Secretary of State.
The Supreme Court of Missouri as prescribed by the state constitution appointed the Commission when bipartisan citizen apportionment commissions failed to reach agreement on new district lines in September. The state constitution gave the six appellate court judges 90 days to complete the task.
The new district boundaries could change the complexion in Southeast Missouri, where the 25th Senatorial District’s western border is the county line between Stoddard and Butler counties. The 25th district will include Stoddard, Dunklin, Pemiscot, New Madrid, Mississippi, Scott, Bollinger and Wayne counties.
The 33rd District will now include Butler, Ripley, Carter, Oregon, Shannon, Dent, Texas, Howell and Ozark.
Dexter’s Republican Senate President Pro Tem Rob Mayer, who currently represents the 25th District, cannot seek re-election due to term limits. Rep. Billy Pat Wright, R-Dexter, and Rep. Terry Swinger, D-Caruthersville, are now two of the district's announced candidates. Both cannot seek re-election to the House due to term limits.
Joining them is Rep. Ellen Brandom, R-Sikeston, who had planned to become a candidate for in the 27th Senatorial District, Brandom’s part of Scott County is now in the 25th District, and she has announced that she will run for that seat.
The new 33rd District will include Poplar Bluff and West Plains.
Doug Libla of Poplar Bluff announced earlier this year he would be a candidate for the State Senate in the old 25th district. He is said to be a candidate with Rep. Ward Franz from Howell County, State Rep. Don Wells of Texas County and Jason Smith of Dent County.
The 151st District returns to being a Stoddard County district with an added slice of western Scott County. No candidate from either party has announced their intention to seek the 151st district spot in the Missouri House of Representatives.
Republicans currently hold at 26-8 majority over Democrats in the State Senate. House Republicans hold at 106-57 majority over Democrats.
Six judges sat on the panel responsible for the new House and Senate maps. Serving on the commission were three judges appointed by Democrat governors – Lisa White Hardwich from the Western District, Robert G. Dowd Jr. from the Eastern District and Nancy Steffen Rahmeyer from the Southern District. The other three members were appointed by a Republican governor – Don E. Burrell Jr., from the Southern District, Roy L. Richter from the Eastern District and James E. Welsh from the Western District.
All six judges on the panel signed off on the two legislative district maps.
The districts take effect for primary and general elections next year. Candidate filing for election to the new districts begins February 28, 2012.
Redistricting occurs every ten years following the census. Based on the 2010 Census, Missouri’s resident population increased by 7% to 5,988,927. This increase, combined with regional population shifts, required significant changes in the state’s 34 current Senate districts and 163 current House districts to meet the constitutional requirement that district be as equal in population as practicable.
This is only the second time in state history that a judicial panel has redistricted both chambers of the General Assembly.
