CAMDENTON, Mo. — After spirited opposition rose against a change to the name of Camdenton’s airport in October, the city board of aldermen has opted to add the word “memorial” back into the name.
During the Board of Alderman meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2014, Mayor John McNabb stated that Camdenton’s officials are elected to serve and should listen to the people. Most of those attending and speaking during the last three alderman meetings have strongly opposed the loss of the word “memorial” in the airport’s new name (it had been changed from “Camdenton Memorial Airport” to “Camdenton Lake of the Ozarks Regional Airport”). Other aldermen agreed with McNabb, and the city now plans to change the airport name again, to reflect those citizens’ concerns.
However, the final wording and word order recommendation will not be known until the next board meeting because Alderman Sandy Osborn asked that the recommendation for another change to the airport’s name be returned to the Airport Advisory Board, this time with a mandate to use the word “memorial” in the name provided to the FAA. Osborn has argued since the saga began that Camdenton’s aldermen created the Airport Advisory Board and should respect advice coming from advisors.
Camdenton’s aldermen did just at the Nov. 18 meeting when they directed the Airport Advisory Board to reconsider the name change in light of sentiments expressed by speakers, but at that time, the aldermen did not specify that the advisors should return the word “memorial” to the airport’s name, and they did not. The advisors recommended the following name: Camdenton Lake of the Ozarks Regional Airport at Veterans’ Memorial Field. But that name was unacceptable to speakers in attendance on Dec. 2.
Mr. and Mrs. Joe Terry with the Lake of the Ozarks Marine Corps League, Mr. and Mrs. Max Fisher, and Mr. Lance Kellogg, Commander of the local VFW spoke against the Advisory Board’s latest recommendation. Each believes that “memorial” should be prominent in the airport’s name, not just in a name for the airfield.
Boosting Police Salaries
In other business, the Aldermen passed Resolution 1427 unanimously. In an effort to attract the most competitive police officers and retain them, Resolution 1427 will raise the starting salary for officers and reduce the time required to reach Police Officer II status, a promotion that is not automatic, but unattainable before many starting officers seek employment with other departments for better pay. Chief Walker noted that progress toward promotion is no less rigorous, but that the progress can now be made in a shorter time frame than before the Resolution was adopted. The Chief also thanked the Board for adopting the resolution.
One police officer currently employed will be adversely affected by this resolution. This officer will be moved back one step on the salary schedule in order to insure that all officers are paid equitably according to Resolution 1427.
The Board also considered new technology that will allow attendees to see the documents that the Board has during their deliberations. This technology will have the added benefit of being useful for other meetings such as Planning and Zoning or when consultants present proposals for the City.
A large screen will be added above the raised dais where the board sits. Another will be placed at the back of the room so that the board can see the same information in the same format. The original recommendation called for five 24-inch monitors to replace the Aldermen’s laptops in need of replacement. Most board members prefer to retain laptops purchased for them by the city instead of sharing a monitor, and they directed city Administrator Hancock and City Clerk Kingston to update the technology according to best practices for such technology and considering the board’s advice.
