Police Clerk Saved Children's Lives By Teaching Their Mother How To Install A Car Seat, Grandmother Says

When any worker receives a personal letter of gratitude for a job done well, it’s a good day. Melissa Stadt, Clerk Typist with Camdenton Police department, had such a good day recently. A citizen singled her out for conscientious work in a letter to Police Chief Laura Wright. That letter generated a commendation from Chief Wright. In the letter to Chief Wright, Ronda Shoemaker credited Clerk Stadt “with saving the life of her two grandchildren” during a serious car accident after teaching the children’s mother to install the seats properly.

Fifteen years ago, Camdenton PD initiated a child safety seat program designed to help parents use child safety seats properly and provide seats without charge to those in need. In October 2016, the police department inspected 11 seats and issued 2, data provided monthly when Chief Wright reports to Camdenton’s Board of Alderman (BOA). Over the life of the Child Safety Seat program, Camdenton has checked 618 seat installations and given 515 seats to families in need of them.

Chief Wright’s report for the meeting on November 15 also included Stadt’s commendation. In the Chief’s letter to Stadt, she stated Stadt has been a valued member of the child safety seat team since its inception in 2002. Currently, Mrs. Stadt serves as child seat instructor and has since 2005. She also writes grants to secure funds from MODOT for child safety seats and is the program coordinator locally and for District V.

Camdenton’s PD also saw the return on a 2013 investment when the department partnered with Camden County Developmental Disability Resources (CCDDR) and the Lake Area Industries, Inc. (LAI), a Camdenton Sheltered Workshop. LAI called the police in behalf of a shelter member who was in pain. Working through CCDDR and State ordinances, police investigated and filed charges. The result of that investigation and medical intervention saved Rusty. His story is now being told with a video on CCDDR’s Facebook page.

Camdenton Plans for a Better Return on Its Investments

Item 11-A was discussed and supported by the BOA on November 15. It would finish streets and bring roadways up to City standards in two subdivisions: Shadow Oaks and Poplar. The City owns three lots in this area through an agreement related to a Neighborhood Improvement District (NID) on Clint Avenue and Hazelwood Terrace. The value of these lots would improve if the streets were finished sooner rather than later as originally planned.

The BOA had agreed to this work in principle and would pay for it by saving Special District R funds to complete the work in four years. City Staff recommended a modification to that plan. Camdenton would complete the work now using City Transportation Funds and pay itself back with Special District R funds as they come in annually. As engineering studies are complete and the cost of finishing the streets will likely increase in four years, completing the work now will provide a better return on the City’s investment.

With the BOA’s support, the project could go through the bidding process in early 2017.

Return on a Second-Reading Delay for City Fire Code

Alderman Steve Eden shared his reservations about the changes to City ordinances related to the fire department after the City entered into an interdepartmental agreement for emergency and fire protection with Mid-County Fire Protection District (MCFPD). Mr. Eden’s specific concern was preserving the Fire Chief as a position with the City even if that person is identified and empowered by MCFPD. Eden believes retaining the position and endorsing MCFPD’S choice will facilitate the Fire Chief and department’s abilities to uphold City ordinances related to fire suppression, fire investigation, and code enforcement.

Fire Chief Frandsen who was present for the meeting, City Administrator Hancock, and City Attorney Phil Morgan had no objections to Alderman Eden’s editing even though they believed the original revisions still granted legal authority to a Fire Chief under an interdepartmental agreement. The BOA unanimously passed ordinance changes as amended by Eden.