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Serving Callaway County communities since 1875. www.fultonsun.com Saturday, July 04, 2009
Front Page Local News U.S. & World Sports Health News Financial News AP Video Archives Classified Ads MoDeals Place an Ad Photo Gallery Dear Abby Lottery Local Links General Info Contact Us Home Delivery News Tribune California Democrat	Posted: Thursday, Sep 25, 2003 - 12:10:26 am CDT Email this story Printer friendly version Ferry project secures Callaway and Osage landings By COLIN E. SUCHLAND The Fulton Sun Seen here is a view from the wooded banks of Callaway County across the Missouri River to Osage County near the town of Chamois. A city park will serve as landing site for a proposed ferry service. (Alex Hawkey photo)   CHAMOIS, Mo. - With approval of the city council here, planners behind a proposed Missouri River ferry have secured landings on both sides of the Big Muddy. By a unanimous vote and despite some local opposition, the council granted use of a portion of the city's riverfront park as a parking lot and landing site in Osage County. Agreements regarding a Callaway County landing were reached earlier. "The majority of the people that came to me are in favor of it," said Chamois councilwoman Karla Maxwell, though she expressed reservations about harm that may come to the park in this town of about 450 people. The Chamois Industrial Development Corp. is behind efforts to create a ferry service, which would be the only of its kind on the Missouri River in this state. The group promised to seek funds for park beautification as part of its continuing efforts. "It helped to know that our park won't be completely destroyed," Maxwell said. Original aims would have placed the river crossing a few miles east of Chamois, rather than in the town itself. Inability to reach agreements with Callaway County landowners forced the proposed landing downstream from the Mokane area. The ferry service access now is expected to connect to County Road 467. From there, travelers could reach Highway 94. "Now that we know where we're going to be, the next step is getting the money," CIDC grant writer Judy Miller told The Fulton Sun on Tuesday. "We have a lot ahead of us." The ferry would be capable of transporting everything from pedestrians to commercial trucks across the river in just minutes, avoiding the 45-minute trip from Chamois to the nearest Missouri River bridge in Jefferson City. Estimates have placed project costs at about $900,000, but savings may come with the purchase of a used tugboat. "We've spotted a ferry in Dorena, and ... that could really jump-start our efforts," said Rob Schollmeyer, a CIDC member and Osage County judge. A CIDC team will inspect the tug, which has been in service on the Mississippi River near New Madrid. Schollmeyer said the craft may need engine work. Grants are key to the success of the ferry project, and CIDC has hopes to secure several. The ferry service would operate on an at-cost basis underneath CIDC's supervision. Proponents believe the ferry would draw travelers from Interstate 70 looking for a more scenic route along the river. With proximity to the Katy Trail, the ferry also may attract tourists to Chamois. "The pieces of the puzzle seem to be coming together for us," but "this is just a step in the process. We have a long road ahead of us," Schollmeyer said.
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