by Dennis Sharkey
Landmark reporter
It did not take long for now former Platte City Alderman Aaron Jung to find himself back in pubic service.
The Platte County Commission unanimously approved Jung's appointment as trustee to the Platte County Regional Sewer District board.
Jung recently resigned as an alderman for Platte City after he moved out of the city limits.
Jung's term on the sewer board will be for five years. He will replace Rebecca Rooney, whose term expired last spring.
Platte County Presiding Commissioner Betty Knight told The Landmark Rooney continued to serve in an interim role until a replacement could be found. Rooney has indicated to The Landmark that she would have liked to have been reappointed by the county commission.
“It was a surprise to me that someone had been appointed to take my place. I can’t fathom any complaint the commissioners would have about my work on the board, nor have they told me any. The commissioners have the right to choose who they want on these boards, it’s just political.”
Jung's appointment is effective immediately. The PCRSD meets again next this week.
In other actions at Thursday’s county commission meeting:
*The county assessor's office has rejected two bids for new vehicles. County Assessor Lisa Pope said her office was not satisfied with the one bid received but did admit that recent cuts to her office's budget by Jefferson City played a part in the decision.
Pope said her office will get by with the current vehicles for now but did not know when bids would be requested again. Last month Gov. Jay Nixon announced a 33 percent cut in county assessor's budgets.
*The Platte County Administration Building will participate in “Clean Out Your Files Day” to mark “America Recycles Day” on Nov. 15.
On Nov. 12 and 13, barrels will be provided for each department for dumping. All files will be counted to compare to other communities in a competition. Riverside is also participating.
*Numbers are up across the board for tourism in Platte County. Visitor's Bureau Director Cheryl Thorp gave a presentation. Year to date numbers compared to 2008 for visitors is up 66 percent. The number of meals eaten is up 16 percent. The number of room nights is up 72 percent and booked room rental revenues are up 74 percent. Adding in revenues for rental cars and retail the numbers are more than double of last year. Occupancy rates were at 64. 6 percent for the year. The national average is 56.6 percent.
*A public hearing will be held at 11 a.m. on Nov. 19 to amend the 2009 budget. |
