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SALUTE THE HOLTON INSIDE HOLTON, KANSAS All-County Hometown of Football Leroy Blocker Team named! Holton Recorder subscriber for 21 years. RECORDERServing the Jackson County Community for 148 years See page 7. Volume 148, Issue 98 HOLTON, KANSAS • Wednesday, December 9, 2015 14 Pages $1.00 City approves bid for sewer repairs By Brian Sanders construction. Holton City Manager A Kansas City-area utility con- Bret Bauer confirmed Havens’ work struction company will perform the on the utility extension to the new first phase of work on the City of Walmart, adding that the construction Holton’s sewer line improvement company was “easy to work with” project, although the Holton City and “did a good quality job.” Commission expressed misgivings Carlson Utility, on the other hand, that the company selected to do the was a company that Ashcraft said he job wasn’t local. knew nothing about, while he was During the commission’s regu- familiar with Haug’s work. Ashcraft lar meeting on Monday evening, also said that he did not have any commissioners unanimously ap- contact with Carlson to answer ques- proved a bid of $138,544 from Ha- tions about the work, while Haug and vens Construction of Liberty, Mo., Havens both “asked questions about for more than 180 feet of sewer point it.” repairs in the city, after noting that The first phase of the project will a Holton firm, Haug Construction cover seven point repairs, including Company, had also submitted a bid the construction of a new manhole on the project. “on what used to be the old south Haug’s bid for the sewer line work interceptor line,” Ashcraft said. The was $160,471.80, commissioners new manhole was listed in the bid noted. Carlson Utility L.L.C. of To- specifications as an optional part of peka had also bid $185,160 on the the work, but he noted that it would project. be placed “along a stretch of terrain At one point, commissioners, ex- where we can’t reach another man- pressing a desire to keep the work hole with our sewer machine.” — and the cash expenditure — lo- “This would be the addition of a cal, considered spending the extra manhole to make it accessible to get $22,000 to go with Haug, but eventu- from manhole to manhole down there ally decided to go with Havens’ bid. if we have to,” he added. “I’m a little bit torn, because I’d The other point repairs, Ashcraft like to stay local,” Commissioner Er- said, are in places “where maybe Who wears a big red suit and says, “Ho, ho, ho” to everyone? “Must Be Santa,” according to the title of one of seven songs per- ich Campbell said. “But the taxpay- the line is collapsing or had a void formed by kindergartners at Holton’s Colorado Elementary School during the class’ Christmas concert on Tuesday evening in the ers gave us this money, and I have to in the line” — or as Commissioner Holton High School auditorium. Colorado’s first and second grade students will hold their Christmas concerts on Thursday evening insist on us being good stewards of Tim Morris put it, “we’re doing the in the HHS auditorium, starting with the first grade at 6:30 p.m. Photo by Brian Sanders that money.” worst first.” When the work is done, Holton Water and Sewer Superin- Ashcraft said the city will be able to tendent Dennis Ashcraft said the bid “slipline” the repaired sewer lines, approved on Monday represented rehabilitating the lines from inside Second AmeriCorps team to arrive after the New Year only one phase of the sewer line im- without having to dig them up and By Brian Sanders said. a commitment to serve their com- four different locations,” he said. provement project, the goal of which replace them. Not long after the AmeriCorps “They’ll be doing a lot of the munity, develop practical skills and “This group that’s here now is either is replacing clay tile city sewer lines Morris expressed disappointment team that’s currently staying in same things that the young people put forward a year of hard work “to going to Arizona or Texas for its next that are more than 100 years old and that “better information” on the com- Holton has left for its next work here have been doing,” Bishop told make the nation stronger,” according assignment.” starting to fall apart in some areas. panies and their bids was not given area, another team will be arriving to commissioners. “There’s all kinds to AmeriCorps. Commissioners told Bishop they Each phase, Ashcraft noted, will have to the commission, but the main issue take its place, the Holton City Com- of things they do in the community. The AmeriCorps team came to would like to meet with AmeriCorps its own bidding process. with the bids was the dollar difference mission learned on Monday. We’ve been blessed to have them, Holton via a grant sought by Home- team members presently in Holton to “It’s going to be an ongoing proj- between Havens’ bid and Haug’s bid. Tom Bishop, president and CEO and we hope the next group will be stead to have participants in the express appreciation for their service ect, with probably no end in sight,” “We can’t look at the bid now and of Holton’s Homestead Affordable just as good.” program perform community ser- here before they leave for their next he said. “Our goal is to get 100 years ask Haug to rebid it… We need to Housing, told commissioners that an- AmeriCorps NCCC members vice tasks, such as helping senior assignment. Bishop said he would out of these projects, once we finish go with the low bid, unfortunately,” other team from AmeriCorps NCCC are young men and women, 18 to citizens get moved into the Prairie also arrange to have members of them and get them lined.” Commissioner Twila White said be- (National Civilian Community 24 years old, representing a wide View Senior Residences complex at the next team attend a commission That said, Ashcraft told commis- fore seconding a motion made by Corps) will be arriving in Holton in variety of socio-economic, cul- the south edge of the city or building meeting after they arrive. sioners that Havens had recently Commissioner Dan Brenner to ap- early January for a three-month stay. tural, geographic and educational boat ramps at Banner Creek Reser- In other business on Monday, com- worked with the city on water and prove Havens’ bid. A team of 11 AmeriCorps volunteers backgrounds, it was reported. Team voir, Bishop noted. missioners approved an ordinance sewer line extensions to the new currently in Holton are scheduled members earn their place on an “Each of these young people have Walmart store that is currently under Continued to Page 14 to leave on Friday, Dec. 18, Bishop NCCC team through demonstrating committed a year, but they serve in Continued to Page 9 Early morning sales planned for Friday Hunny Mae Kids opens on Square By Brian Sanders “We have enough businesses par- recognized this year as Small Busi- By Ali Holcomb people.” “By the end of December, we Businesses around Holton’s Town ticipating that it’s worthwhile,” Ko- ness Saturday. Some of those stores, Offering affordable clothing, The couple is familiar with Jack- plan to have a lot of brand new Square who noted good business on ger said. “We’ve done it before when however, still did good business de- shoes, accessories and toys for kids son County, as they have family merchandise,” she said. “We will Small Business Saturday despite bad there were only three stores participat- spite wintry conditions that kept many of all ages, Hunny Mae Kids has who live in the area. also have a small line of women’s weather are looking forward to even ing, but business was still good. It’s people home. recently opened on the north side “We’ve always loved it up here,” clothing available.” more business with Friday’s Early just that with only three stores, some- “It was really nasty out,” McCrory of the Holton Square. she said. “So when we found out In addition to clothing and ac- Morning Sales, one of the highlights times the amount of money coming in said. “But I was pretty busy that af- Charity and Josh Payne of Tope- this building was available to rent, cessories, daily essential items for of the holiday shopping season on the doesn’t outweigh the overhead.” ternoon, from lunchtime on. It was ka opened the new and gently used we had to check it out. I’ve really moms and babies, such as cloth and Square. Candi McCrory of Heart to Home pretty packed in here.” clothing and consignment store wanted to open a store for the past disposable diapers, wipes, lotions, Twelve businesses are taking part Gifts and Décor said that if last year’s One business that participated in last month at 106 W. 5th St. in the 10 years.” bibs, soaps and bottles, are offered. in the annual early morning shopping Early Friday Sales was any indication, Small Business Saturday that won’t building previously occupied by The store was open in time for Some of the children’s brands event, and with a better weather pic- the “overhead” won’t be a concern. be taking part in the Early Friday Lee’s Flower & Gift Shop. November’s Second Saturday currently offered at the shop in- ture in sight, business owners have “Last year, I had people waiting at Sales, however, is expressions, whose “My main goal is to be a blessing event.

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