Leadington aldermen meet with eye toward Christmas

Pictured left to right are Alderwoman Debbi Matthews and Aldermen Steve Kinsey and Dustin McKinney. McKinney is also serving as mayor pro tem. Not pictured: Alderman Andrew Young. Lisa Brotherton-Barnes

The Leadington Board of Aldermen meeting on Nov. 14 had a light agenda with an eye toward Christmas.  

No members of the public requested permission to address the board, and there were no ordinances to discuss.

Sitting City Attorney Larry Thompson revisited the topic of building inspection code enforcement ordinances. The aldermen decided there should be a deeper conversation held regarding the level of engagement by the board prior to the December meeting when independent contractor Don Hefner will be making a presentation.

An issue regarding Causey Road was moved for consideration at December’s meeting. 

The consideration regarding the marketing firm that had given a web presentation in October regarding implementing new retail strategies was postponed for December’s meeting.

Serving as mayor pro tem, Alderman Dustin McKinney read aloud an official election notice declaration. “The City of Leadington hereby gives notice of filing dates for candidates to file for the offices of Alderman, two-year terms, the City of Leadington, Missouri, for the April 2, 2024 election,” he said. “Filing begins on Dec. 5 at 8 a.m. and closes on Dec. 26 at 5 p.m. Candidates may file during all business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Leadington Municipal Building, 12 Weir St. Leadington.”

Candidate packets are available now at the city clerk’s office for the two open aldermen seats. 

Police Chief Jerry Hicks talked about mobile data terminals (MDT) for the police force. 

“911 Commission said we were allotted for four,” he said. “We did have three, and they provided us with the fourth one, but we need the SIM communications card for it to connect to the internet, and it’s $35 a month or $105 a quarter.” 

After a brief discussion, it was agreed to pay the fee and include it with the quarterly fees of $210 already paid to the 911 Commission for access to the Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System (MULES). MULES is a statewide computerized communications system designed to provide information to the law enforcement and criminal justice community in the state of Missouri.

Hicks also informed the board that the police department is planning to continue the Christmas giveaway. 

“We pull people over and say, ‘Here you go, Merry Christmas,’ and give them a gift card for gas or toys for the kids,” he said. “It’s kind of like a Secret Santa type of thing. Everything is donated – like the Pit Stop has already given over $500 worth of $10 gift cards and toys for the kids. Big Lots and the car dealerships give things for the dads in the cars – T-shirts and hats from Ford and Pettus. It’s a really good balance, and we will be keeping track of who got what and everything.”

Street Department Director Kenny Horton said the salt he ordered for winter road treatments should arrive this coming week.

“For the year, I’m getting 25 tons for $2,200,” he said. “I tried to get a smaller load, but it was going to be nearly the same price.”

The live Christmas tree approved for purchase at the October meeting will be delivered in the coming weeks. It will be planted in the greenway in front of Pharmax Pharmacy.

The Leadington Board of Aldermen meets the second Tuesday of each month at Leadington City Hall, 12 Weir Street.  The next meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Dec. 12 and is open to the public.

Lisa Brotherton-Barnes is a staff writer with the Daily Journal. She can be reached at lbarnes@dailyjournalonline.com.