Fulton, Kingdom City meeting tonight

Oaths of office were be given to newly elected Fulton City Council members when they meet at 6:30 p.m. tonight.

All of the candidates ran unopposed in last week's municipal election. Those raising their hands and taking their oaths include Wayne Chailland, Rick Shiverdecker, Richard Vaughn and newbie to the council, Jeff Stone.

Stone replaces Lowe Cannell, who has represented the city's Second Ward since April 7, 2009.

Fulton Mayor LeRoy Benton said Cannell will be missed.

"Lowe was on the council when I was elected, six years ago now," he said. "Lowe has been an outstanding council person and has been a good leader on the council. He's done an extremely good job of being able to talk about issues. I've come to appreciate his work."

Benton said he's looking forward to working with Stone.

"I think Mr. Stone will be a good, articulate (member of the council)," he added.

The city plans to adopt a resolution to certify the election results. Chailland received 220 votes (first ward), Jeff Stone received 69 votes (second ward), Richard Vaughn received 137 votes (third ward) and Shiverdecker received 124 votes (fourth ward).

Before Cannell replacement steps in, however, the council will sign a formal letter to the Missouri State Highway and Transportation Commission requesting a speed reduction on state-operated Route C at the Tennyson Road intersection, the site of an early morning, three-car accident last week.

"The biggest thing is everyone's OK," Benton said.

The letter to MoDOT is Fulton City Council's way of formalizing their request, which was turned down after being verbalized at a February meeting with state officials. At that meeting, MoDOT representatives balked at lowering the speed limit, which is 50 miles per hour at that intersection.

"All we're doing again is formalizing," Benton said. "I expect to get a 'no.' But we're going through the steps."

The city has some events planned soon, including:

April 20: Fair Housing Seminar at city council chambers, 18 E. 4th St., Fulton. 6:30 p.m.

April 22: 17th Annual Clean Sweep. Register at 573-592-3190. Litter pickup event within the city or Stinson Creek Trail. T-shirts for first 200 preregistered participants. 9 a.m. at pavilion at Memorial Park, lunch at 11 a.m.

May 5: City employee picnic.

At Kingdom City

Kingdom City town officials will also meet today at 7 p.m., according to city Administrator Curt Warfield.

"We're starting to work toward some code work," he said Monday. "And we're working to establish our own police department."

Warfield said Callaway County Sheriff's deputies help with crime, but cannot enforce city ordinances.

"We need our own officers," Warfield added. " We're just kind of in research and development mode right now."

The city of Auxvasse also will meet tonight at 6:30 p.m. at 104 S. Main St.