The Neosho Daily News from Neosho, Missouri • Page 1

VOL. 70, NO. 74 The Neosho Daily News NRnSHO. MIRSOURI. WRDNRSnAV APDIt in IO-JR Or ni NEOSHO, MISSOURI, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 1975 Phone 451-1520 Price Ten Cents Insurgents take Cambodia Marvin Patterson Rebbecca Hall Jack Cornett Rebecca Hall named mayor By Harlan Stark Mrs.

Rebbecca Hall was elected mayor of Neosho at the reorganization of the city council Tuesday night. Mrs. Hall is the first woman to hold the office of mayor in Neosho. She had been mayor pro tem and has presided frequently during the past year in the absences of then mayor R. A.

Haas. Henry Hierholzer was elected mayor pro tem. Two new members of the council were sworn in at Tuesday's meeting. Marvin Patterson was administered the oath as a new member for a full three-year term, and Jack G. Cornett was sworn in for the one- year unexpired term of Haas.

It was the second time in a week that Cornett had been sworn in as a council member. Last Tuesday at a special meeting of the council, he took the oath of office for a short-term appointment to the council. He was appointed by the council for the interim between the effective date of Haas' resignation, April 1, and last night's meeting. The "old" council conducted old business before adjourning sine die for reorganization of the "new" council. After the conclusion of this business, Coun.

oilman Richard Bush retired, Commencement date is set at Crowder Commencement at Crowder College has been set for 8 p.m. Saturday, May 3, in the college gymnasium, it was announced today. The principal speaker for commencement was not announced, pending confirmation of acceptance. If the weather permits, faculty and graduates will assemble at Newton Hall at 7:45 p.m. for the academic procession to the gymnasium.

If it is rainy, they will assemble in the gymnasium lobby. The annual commencement dinner will be held at 7:30 p.m. May 2 in the college cafeteria for graduates, faculty, and administrators as guests of the college. Participants may take a guest, and guest tickets are available at each in the college business office. Tickets should be purchased by April 29, officials said.

Final will be held at the college May 5 through 3. The annual trustees- administrators-faculty luncheon is scheduled for noon Thursday, May 8, in the cafeteria. Dates are set for senior rites SENECA -T Dates have been net for baccalaureate and jommencement services at Seneca High School, according to B. Nolan, principal. Baccalaureate will be held at p.m.

May 18 and com- nencement at 7:30 p.m. May 22, in the high school gym- lasium. Nolan said that speakers for he two events will be announced i'riday. weather Slight chance of a thunderstorm tonight, low in the 50s; wind southwest at 15 rnph; sunny Thursday, high around 80, probability of precipitation 20 per cent tonight. High Yesterday 75 Low Yesterday 53 8a.m.

Today 62 Noon Today 76 High Year Ago Today 65 Low Year Ago Today 32 new councilmen were sworn in, and the council organized. Business conducted by the old council consisted of second and third readings of ordinances rezoning property at 603 S. Lafayette from R-l to C-l and property at 300 and 302 S. Hamilton from R-3 to C-3. Both were approved by votes of 3-2 with Councilwoman Rebbecca Hall and Councilman Henry Hierholzer casting dissenting votes.

A bill for an ordinance to amend the city budget was approved 5-0. Steve Lampo, chairman of the recreation department's swimming pool committee, and Bil Crowe, recreation director, appeared before the new council to discuss the status of the municipal swimming pool and Top students are named at Neosho tod ay Lynn Anderson and Shelly McGee have been named valedictorian and salutatorian respectively of the class of 1975 at Neosho High School. The two young ladies were named this afternoon at the annual National Honor Society "tapping ceremony" held during fifth hour at the school. At the same time the top 20 of the graduating class were named and 26 seniors were named as Preston, Gale Prosser, Mary Colleen Richardson, Deborah Lea vanAlmen and Michael Leon Williams. At the assembly Susan Kenney gave the Pledge of Allegiance and Cindy Osborne offered the invocation.

Lea Ann Boatright gave and. membership qualifications and there were four short speeches on the qualifications for membership. Tim Garnett spoke on Lynn Anderson honorary members of the National Honor Society and 12 juniors were named active members of the honor group. Miss Anderson is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs.

Paul Anderson, Route 6, and Miss McGee is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert McGee, 810 South Wood. Others in the top 20, listed alphabetically are Lynda Ann Bigler, Peter Michael Boyt, Jeffrey Allen Carter, Donna Lee Dappert, Susan Kay Edmonson, Rebekah Lynn Frye, Timothy Allen Garnett, Linda Kathryn George, William Gregory Harding, Toni Inez Hood, Susan Marie Kenney, Margaret Roseanne Kissee, Sherry Jo Ledbetter, Lana Kay Marble, Gale Prosser, Mary Colleen Richardson, James Robert Shoemaker and Gregg Dewayne Ward. Juniors named to the National Honor Society as juniors are Kristy Ann Bell, Joe David Castleberry, Jeffrey Ed Cole, Martha Jan Coleman, Mark Alan Daugherty, Ronald Ray Hampton, Joe Malone Hardie, Shirley Jean Henry, Deanna Sue Martin, Mary Ann Millikin, Paul Milton Olive and Renee' Elizabeth Ross.

Seniors named to honorary membership are Ann Bigler, Gregory Lowell Bone, Peter Michael Boyt, Jeffrey Allen Carter, Nancy Louise Cole, Ted Earl Dahlstrom, Donna Lee Dappert, Mark Alan DeLaunay, Susan Kay Edmonson. Rebekah Lynn Frye, Gayle Lynn Greninger, Tammy Kay Hobbs, Debbie Faye Huffman, Scot Alan Jacobson, Don Richard Jordan, Margaret Roseanne Kissee, Connie Marie Lycan, Shelly Ann McGee, Lana Kay Marble, Joy Lynn Ortloff, Diana Marie Osborn, Ina Jane Shelly McGee Lynn Anderson spoke on Lin Lentz spoke on "Leadership" and Bob Shoemaker spoke on The senior class rank order was announced by Marion Bell, senior sponsor. Will name new member to school board The Neosho Board of Education will have two meetings on Thursday, one at 8:30 to name a new member of the board and the other at 4 p.m. to handle routine business. Board President Lewis Cole said the board will meet at 8:30 a.m.

to name a new member of the board to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Board Secretary Gary Higdon. Cole declined to release a list of possible candidates for the post saying, "We've got a list as long as your arm and we just couldn't list all of them." The new board member will fill the post until the April, 1976 election when one person will be named for a two-year term. The 4 p.m. meeting will be "routine" according to Cole. He said, "We will handle routine matters such as paying bills and salaries, hear reports and any announcements the superintendent might have to make." He said, "It will be just a short meeting." Then at 7 p.m.

Thursday the board members and their wives will be special guests at a dinner hosted by the high school home economics department. request assistance from the council in purchasing a bus to transport persons to the pool. Lampo told the council that, "because astronomical cost of even renovation of the present pool, the recreation board plans to satisfy some health standard requirements this summer at minimal cost." Crowe said that these changes include tearing off the roof of the dressing rooms to prevent rain runoff from entering the pool, some changes in wiring, and repair of a pump motor. He said the wiring has already been repaired and that the National Guard has agreed to assist in removing the dressing room roof. Crowe said, "I plan to have the swimming pool open this summer, even if I have to open the back gate and let them in that way." He said the architectural firm of Cornwell and McKinney had estimated it would cost $118,000 to renovate the present pool and that a new pool would cost about $270,000.

He said there are no funds now available for either renovation or a new pool. Crowe said the condition of the Continued To Page 12 Top students are named at Wheaton WHEATON Russell Courdin and Lee Beck have been named valedictorian and salutatorian respectively at Wheaton High School for the class of 1975. Courdin, who plans to continue his education at the University of Missouri at Rolla is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gene Coundin of rural Purdy.

He is president of the National Honor Society, a member of the Student Council and is active in athletics. Beck is vice president of the National Honor Society and is a member of the student council. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Beck of rural Purdy and plans to continue his education at the School of the Ozarks at Point Lookout.

Trash pickups at Wheaton to begin Saturday WHEATON Trash pick-ups will begin Saturday in Wheaton, according to Lee Roy Wells, contractor for the job. The trash will be picked up at homes only each Saturday and the fee will be $2.50 per month for each home. Wells said that the trash should be packed in boxes or sacks and placed near the street for convenient pickup. He also said that he hopes to be able to contact each resident personally before Saturday to explain the procedure. Bloodmobile to make visit here The American Red Cross Bloodmobile will make its regular visit to Neosho Thursday and Friday with a quota of 125 pints each day or 250 pints.

The unit will be at the Municipal Auditorium from 2-7 p.m. on Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday. Blood Program Chairman Henry Freund said that no appointment is necessary to give blood and that walk-in donors will be welcome.

The south side of Main Street will be reserved for parking by blood donors on the hours that the Bloodmobile is in operation. PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) Pochentong airport fell to the Khmer Rouge insurgents today after a day of fighting, according to field reports. The Phnom Penh government asked for an immediate cease-fire and offered to give up its authority, the International Committee of the Red Cross announced in Geneva. The field reports said a massive force of Communist-led rebels seized the civilian control tower in the early afternoon and by sundown had grabbed the airstrip, the rest of the airport and the military base. The airport is four miles west of the capital.

Rebels began shelling the center of Phnom Penh itself. A Red Cross spokesman said a message from Cambodia's leader, Gen. Sak Sutsakhan, was sent by telegram to Prince Norodom Sihanouk in Peking. Sihanouk, ousted from power in Cambodia in 1970, is titular leader of the insurgents. The spokesman said it contained "a request for an immediate cease-fire and a proposal for the transfer of government powers." Earlier reports on the airport fighting said some government fighter-bombers had taken off for the provinces to escape damage.

Field reports said advancing rebels reached an industrial area on the northern edge of the city and that defending troops and refugees flocked into the city. One high-ranking officer said four regiments of the Communist-led insurgents were assembled for the attack on the airfield four miles west of Phnom Penh. The insurgents already had cut the road between the field and the city by capturing the Pochentong market adjoining the airport. Cambodian army troops reported they also were putting up heavy resistance. Meanwhile, the Khmer Rouge moved their 105mm artillery to the southern outskirts of Phnom Penh and began shelling the central part of the city.

The government's territory around its beleaguered capital was steadily shrinking. The Communist-led insurgents moved their captured 105mm howitzers closer after driving the Wheaton board hears from the PTA WHEATON The Wheaton Board of Education held its regular monthly meeting Monday night at which time it received a list of seven recommendations from the Wheaton PTA. The PTA submitted a list of recommendations which call for the following: 1 Leave Wednesday night open since it is a church night. 2 Employ a full time music teacher for the school district. 3 Employ an art teacher for the school district.

4 Update the library to current standards. 5 Improve the playground at the elementary school. 6 Remodel the rest rooms at the high school. 7 Install a pay telephone at the high school, either inside the building or on the outside. The board took the recommendations under advisement, however did agree to go along with the Wednesday night recommendation effective May.

1. The board set teachers' salaries at the same as now in effect with a possible adjustment to come later when it is determined how much state aid is available. Showers may move Into state tonight KANSAS CITY (AP) Thundershowers spread through northeastern Missouri this morning, but sunny and warm weather was forecast for most of the day before a new round of showers moves into the state tonight. High temperatures today were expected to range from the 70s in most areas to the 60s in the northeast. The National Weather Service said cloudy to partly cloudy skies would prevail over Missouri tonight and Thursday, with a chance of thundershowers tonight across the state and Thursday in the east.

Lows tonight were expected to be in the 50s and highs Thursday in the 70s. Cambodian army from the town of Takhmau Tuesday, three miles south of Phnom Penh. Clouds of 'black smoke hung over the besieged city. Ten people were reported killed and 30 wounded in one area by the shelling. The population fled from the southern part of the city or huddled in bunkers as the bombardment increased.

Government forces north of the city were reported to have established a defense line about five miles up Highway 4. But the government positions there were reported under attack from after midnight until dawn. The east bank of the Mekong river across from Phnom Penh also was lost to the insurgents. The government radio broadcast orders for a 24-hour curfew beginning at noon. A line of armored personnel carriers was guarding the information ministry across the street from the Hotel Le Phnom.

The International Red Cross declared the hotel a security zone for noncombatants and raised a huge Red Cross flag over the building. It barred all weapons and armed combatants and said all persons given refuge would not be allowed to take part in any activity in connection with military operations. Three issues will face county voters on May 20 By Marian Stark Most Newton County voters will vote on three issues at a special election May 20. Elections have been set by the county court on six directors for the recently formed ambulance district, a proposal to increase road and bridge taxes, and a proposition to adopt county planning and zoning. All residents of the county will vote on the planning and zoning issue.

In the other two elections, parts of the county are excluded. The ambulance district includes all of Newton County except that part within the corporate limits of Joplin, and only residents of the area covered by the Newton County Highway Commission will vote on the road tax increase. The part of the county in the Joplin Special Road District will not vote on the levy. The county court today set the boundaries of the six director districts for the ambulance district election. Lloyd Paden, central Democratic chairman, and Harry E.

Hatcher, central Plans for area show are complete SENECA Plans are nearly complete for an area art show to be held May 3 at the Seneca High School under the sponsorship of the Seneca High School Art Club. Sponsor of the club is Harry Baker who said that invitations have been sent to 22 schools to participate. According to the plans the schools may take their works to the school anytime after April 26, but registration will not be held until May 3 between a.m. in the Seneca gymnasium lobby. Judging will begin at 9 a.m.

There will be a still life competition at 9:30 a.m. There is a $10 entry fee for the show which will be open to the public from 1-3 p.m. An awards ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. Each contestant may enter two original works in any media and points will be awarded on the basis of first, second and third prize. The school with the most points will be presented with a trophy.

The second place school will receive a plaque and third place an engraved certificate. Baker said it is hoped to make the show an annual event. Republican chairman, met with the court on the boundaries. The court also plans to reduce the number of precincts in the county. After today's meeting, both political chairmen were given copies' of proposed precinct changes to study and make recommendations to the court.

Ambulance districts were designated by number, with numbers being drawn from a hat. This was done to establish terms of directors. Two members will be elected for one year terms, two for two year terms, and two for three year terms at the election. After the initial election, all elections will be for three year terms. Districts have been established as follows: District 1 Hickory Grove, Seneca, Racine, Hornet, and Gregg precincts (except that part of Gregg in Joplin.) District 2 Reding, Thurman, Cave Springs, West Neosho, Belfast precincts and the villages outside Joplin in Staples Precinct.

District 3 Diamond, Pepsin, Ritchey, Wentworth, Berwick, Newtonia, Stark City, Fairview, and Stella precincts. District 4 Neosho precincts 3 and 4. District 5 Meeks, Capps, Boulder City, Aroma, North and South Granby, and East Neosho precincts. District Neosho precincts 1 and 2. At the May 20 election, directors for districts 1 and 4 will be elected to one year terms; directors for districts 2 and 5 for two year terms, and directors for districts 3 and 6 for three year terms.

The districts each contain approximately 5,000 residents. All voters will vote on all directors, but directors must be residents of the district they will represent. One candidate already has filed for a directorship. Jack Watson filed this morning as soon as the districts were established for director for District 5. The deadline for filing is April 30, and registration books will close April 23.

Voters in the county, excluding the Joplin Special Road District, also will have an opportunity to vote on an increase in the road and bridge tax levy from the present 35 cents per $100 assessed valuation to 70 cents. John Shonkwiler, chairman of the highway commission, said the increase is necessary if there is to be any real improvement in county roads. At present costs, he said, the road levy pays only for salaries and labor on road improvement and maintenance. Road materials for improvement or repair have been paid for from CART funds and revenue sharing funds. It was pointed out that costs have risen rapidly over the past three years.

Road oil, which cost nine cents a gallon three years ago, cost 30 cents last year and now costs 32 cents per gallon. The cost of rock has increased from $1.55 per ton to $2.30. A motor grader that cost $24,800 in 1970, costs $50,000 in 1975. Continued To Page 12 Will appeal court ruling on Senate JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) The Cole County Circuit Court decision that Missouri's 34 state Senate districts are unconstitutionally drawn will be appealed to the state Supreme Court, Secretary of State James C.

Kirkpatrick said today. "By unanimous vote the state Senate has requested that we appeal this decision," the state's chief election official said. "We agree this question should be decided by the state's highest court. Accordingly, we are today directing the attorney general's office, who represents us, to proceed with the appeal." Judge Byron Kinder ruled a week ago that the Senate districts are not compact and would have to be redrawn before the next state Senate election in 1976. He said the 1971 redistricting plan, challenged by the heirs of St.

Louis attorney Paul Preisler, was not in accordance with provisions of the state constitution. "Judge Kinder's decision, however, did not specify which districts fail to meet the constitutional requirement of compactness," Kirkpatrick noted. "Before a commission can redraw the districts, they need to know which ones are considered to be unsatisfactory and to what extent. "These questions can only be resolved by the Supreme Court," he added. CARVING IT UP Paden, left, and Harry E.

Hatcher study a map showing proposed changes in voting precincts in Newton County and discuss the proposal with Presiding Judge John Shonkwiler during a meeting of the two political party chairmen and the county court this morning. The party chairmen took exception to parts of the proposal, which would reduce the number of precincts from 31 to 21. Each was given a copy of the proposal for study by the Democratic and Republican committees, and are expected to make recommendations to the court later. (Daily News Photo) Visit the Red Cross Bloodmobile Thursday or Friday.