Monday, February 24, 2025
Why it is needed: 1/2 cent sales tax on the April ballot
Mid America Live sat down with Butler city Administrator Corey Snead and Fire Chief Jason Bennett to get the inside scoop regarding a proposed 1/2 cent tax increase on the April ballot which if passed, would help offset surging fire department operation costs
"First, I know putting this on the ballot isn't an easy decision" Snead voiced "it's something we desperately need not only regarding the safety of our firefighters, but the entire community as well."
His sentiments were echoed throughout our conversation however, reality is what it is- the Butler fire department ran over 500 calls last year and likely will be more in '25 as the trend has been a 5 to 10 percent increase each year. This means overall operating costs could easily double in the next decade if not sooner as prices for fuel, insurance and other are bound to go up as well.
Chief Bennett pointed out that besides the number of calls for fires and accidents going up, there is an ever growing number of calls for medical related issues, such as lift assists. Out of the calls last year, nearly 200 were medically related in the form of assistance to ambulance services, with a good percentage of those outside Butler city limits.
"We would never turn down anybody who needs help" said Bennett "But it simply means we are more busy, and that simply costs more." Years back, the department might run 1 to 2 calls a week but now, it's more like 10-15 average and aging equipment adds to the mix.
The Butler tanker truck, for example, is 35 years old and is a converted milk hauler that only holds about 1,000 gallons, among other limitations. Having a truck that could transport 2,000 gallons or more would be of great benefit, as now larger tankers are summoned from Adrian and Rich Hill on a fairly regular basis.
"And we need to hire at least one qualified person to help with daytime calls and duties" added Bennett as he explained that even as Butler is a paid volunteer department, most firefighters are at work during the day leaving him and Captain Jason Wix to run calls as mentioned previously but add to that, standby any time a medical helicopter lands at Bates County Memorial Hospital.
"Inspections too" said Bennett as he added to the list "We have a backlog of building inspections and it would help greatly to have one more person to help with that." Getting inspections caught up could be of benefit to the ISO rating as well.
Another need is newer turnout gear for fire personnel, as like mechanical equipment wears out, over time the material becomes ineffective in resisting heat, which can pose a danger to firefighters according to Chief Bennett. In some cases, it would be beneficial to have extra gear when calls come back to back, which they sometimes do.
As our conversation wound down, it was also noted that not only would those in the Butler fire protection district would pay the tax, but thousands each week who travel through Butler as well- which would help offset costs associated to responding to accidents and medical calls related to those who pass through our area.
The additional revenue from the tax would be about $300,000 yearly which as of now would "go a long way towards offsetting current expenses as well as better prepare us for the future" added Snead.
MILK TRUCK TANKER This 35 year old converted milk hauler serves as a water tanker for the Butler fire department and besides its age, capacity is only about 1,000 gallons whereas 2,500 or more would be quite beneficial especially when fighting fires in rural areas. The passage of the 1/2 cent sales tax in April (which amounts to an additional 37 cents per $100 spent) would include replacement of this truck which in turn would allow for greatly enhanced firefighting capability for Butler Fire and less reliance on neighboring departments.
Obituary - John (Jack) Robert Licht
John (Jack) Robert Licht, 81, passed away on January 29, 2025, in Harrisonville, Missouri. Born on March 5, 1943, Jack was a man of strong character, known for his stubbornness, dedication to his Christian faith, and immense love for football. He was a charming family man, deeply loved by those around him. Jack had a diverse career, working in mobile home finance, working for the City of Harrisonville as a codes enforcer, and lastly working as a car porter. His work ethic and charismatic personality left a lasting impression on both colleagues and clients.
Jack was a true football fanatic, spending much of his free time watching games. He also enjoyed fishing, washing his car, watching old westerns, tanning, rock crawling, and driving around to take in various sights. Going to the lake was among his favorite activities, providing him with many cherished moments of tranquility and joy.
John is survived by his sons, David J. Licht-Miller (5 children), John R. Licht Jr. (Dylan L.,Savannah L.), Jarrod R. Licht, Jim R. Licht (Parker L.), and his daughter, Jennifer S. Licht. He was a proud grandfather to Emily S. Licht (Abigal M.), who also served as his caretaker, and a great-grandfather to Mckenna J. Rushly. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Kathleen Lea Licht, his mother, Mary C. Vella, his father, Joseph H. Licht, and his grandchild, Jesse D. Licht.
In accordance with Jack's wishes, he was cremated without a celebration of life as he didn’t want anyone to fuss over him. He left behind a legacy of love, dedication, and memorable moments with his loved ones.
-Courtesy Stonegate Crematorium
Obituary - Jack A. Healey
Graveside services for Jack A. Healey of Butler, Missouri will be 2 p.m. Monday, February 24, 2025 at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Butler. Funeral arrangements under the direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.
Jack A. Healey, age 83 of Butler, Missouri died Saturday, February 22, 2025 at Medicalodge of Butler. He was born March 24, 1941 to Howard W. and Ada Mae Holmes Healey in Moberly, Missouri.
Jack is survived by his wife, Samela Healey of Butler, Missouri; five sons, Jimmy Healey and wife Marcia of McLouth, Kansas, Bob Healey of Butler, Missouri, Troye Healey and wife Amy of Pine Island, Minnesota, Chuck Healey and companion Cathy of Blue Earth, Minnesota and Jack Healey and wife Angela of Missouri; three daughters, Tammy Collins Healey of Maple Grove, Missouri, Tonya Parnell and husband Paul of Walnut Grove, Missouri and Misty and Bradley Thornton of Stockton, Missouri; and a legacy of 24 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Sue Healey; and six siblings.
Bates County real estate transfers and marriage licenses
Thurman, Robin to Thurman, Robin Str 15-40-31
Ferguson, Carl to Ferguson & Sons Land, LLC Lt 8 Quail Run Acres (Phase II)
Ferguson, Carl to Ferguson & Sons Land, LLC Lt 5 Quail Run Acres (Phase II)
Ferguson, Carl L. to Ferguson & Sons Land, LLC Str 25-42-32
Ferguson, Carl L. to Ferguson & Sons Land, LLC Str 24-42-32 //Se
Ferguson, Carl to Ferguson & Sons Land, LLC Str 27-42-32
Ferguson, Carl to Ferguson & Sons Land LLC Str 14-42-31 //Sw
Ferguson, Carl to Ferguson & Sons Land LLC Str 22-42-31 //Ne
Ferguson, Carl to Ferguson & Sons Land LLC Lt 2 Westview Subdiv Final Plat P4/65+
Herrell, Jacob to Colburn, Wyatt L Str 20-40-31 //Nw
Bennett, Jason to Mcquay, Thomas Lt 5 Bl 1 Wyatt's First Addn
Sears, Matthew to Sears Rentals Of Bates County, LLC Str 33-42-31 //Sw
Bearce, Elvin L to Bearce, Shirley L Bl 14 William's First, Ext. Of Addn
Green, Gary M to Vick, Jeffrey H Lt 173 Town Company's First Addn
Clifton, Timothy E. to WR Land Company, LLC Str 7-39-33
Betts, Bruce to Eastwood, Timothy Str 9-42-33 //Sw
Park West Estates, L.P. to Perez, Branden Lt 10 Bl C Park West Re-Plat #1 P4/61
Regers, Douglas to Mcfrederick, Peyton Lt 1 Bl 1 Standish's Second Addn+
3rd Street Lofts LLC to Johnson, Wanda A Lt 173 Town Company's First Addn
Smith's Properties, LLC to Ketron, Chelsey Lt 4 Bl 24 West Side Addn
Nissen, Hunter to Ackerman, Bryce Lt 2 Bl 10 William's Addn+
Ronald & Debra Mawson Family Trust 05-03-2022 to JLWillerton Holdings, LLC Str 9-42-31 //Sw
Gentry, Ashley Marie to Gentry, Jack Logan Lt 5 Bl 10 William's Addn
Wiedenmann, Jerry G. Jr to Bates County Commission Str 12-42-33 //Nw
West, Susan to Parrish, Scott Lt 57 Country South
Marriage License
Lybarger, Nathan Andrew and Moreland, Kaley Gail
The Museum Minute: 1/2 billion bushels
Herrman’s Historical Happenings week of February 26
1881 Bates Co is second in the state in corn production with a total of 5,441,503 bushels, which came from 130,000 acres in the county.
1882 Coal Inspector Wolfe says the entire county seems to be underlaid with at least a 3 foot vein of coal.
1914 Virtually all activity has ceased in Bates Co because of the blizzard. Train service just today was beginning to go through.
1920 Manager Fisk on the southwest corner of the Butler square, has covered his opera house with hundreds of large electric lights.
1926 The city of Butler's new 260 HP engine at the light plant is installed and given a trial run tonight. It works.
1943 The Border Banner newspaper in Amsterdam prints a letter from Gordon Renfrow stating the need for the Amsterdam school to be replaced.
1945 Mrs. R.L. Northup speaks to a gathering in Rich Hill, stating the need for a library and community center that would be the only one of its kind up and down 71 highway.
2000 Butler, which for many years has had higher gasoline prices than neighboring towns, currently is a bit cheaper, running $1.37 to $1.39.
What’s Up by LeRoy Cook
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Last weekend was like being released from a prison, as airplanes again took to the skies after being locked away in the deep freeze. It wasn’t just cold, it was sub-zero cold after the eight-inch snowfall. The airport hadn’t seen that much snow depth for many years.
I had continuous conversations with non-flyers about flying in the cold, to which I just muttered “Not" most of the time. For those desiring explanation, I related the difficulty of getting air-cooled engines to start in single digit temperatures. One basically has three choices: putting the plane in a heated hangar, of maybe 50 degrees, or applying heat to the engine, like with a oilpan or block heating element, or trying a cold start, which risks damage to bearings and cylinder walls, if not an intake fire. Mostly, we just deferred flying until it warmed up.
At the week’s end, we saw a Piper Archer and a Cessna Skylane landing on our plowed runway, and CFI Delaney Rindal had her Cessna 150s pulled out. The city street plows took excellent care of getting the field open, but this was enough snow to take up ramp space just to store the piles of pushed snow. And there was some re-drifting that reduced the taxiway and runway width.
The month’s spate of nationwide aviation accidents generated some ill-considered news coverage, always a risk when there’s not a lot of other happenings to take up airtime. The fact is, none of the spectacular tragedies had any relation to each other. It was just coincidental that a nighttime mid-air in D. C. and a departing Learjet crash followed each other, and the Navy losing an F-18 Growler at San Diego and a couple of lightplanes colliding in Phoenix were entirely unrelated. The Toronto CJ flip-over was simply the result of a broken-off maingear. In each case, it’ll take months of investigations to determine causes.
Last week, Southwest Airlines announced the first-ever layoffs in its storied history, a 15% reduction in its workforce. Most airlines have seen some overcapacity after going on a hiring binge last year, so LUV is no different from the other carriers. The cancellations and delays of this winter haven’t helped the airlines’ profit margins.
This Saturday marks another opportunity for the Fliars Club to assemble for a breakfast sojourn. If interested, gather on the Butler ramp at 0730 hours and see if there’s interest. I don’t have a plane to fly anymore, but I’m there in spirit.
The previous column asked if anyone knows the WW-II fighter plane that was flown by the most “Aces.” It turns out to be the Grumman Hellcat, which arrived in the Pacific theater to thwart the Japanese Zeros. Now, for this week, what is the minimum visibility requirement for a helicopter pilot to fly without an instrument clearance? You can send your answers to kochhaus1@gmail.com.
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