​​Weston • Platte County • Missouri

- County Treasurer Resigns​

The Weston Chronicle

Cont. in 'news' tab

Rob Willard is resigning his position as County Treasurer effective March 31st. Willard is joining a law firm in Kansas City’s Crossroads District. 
“It is an extraordinary opportunity at an unexpected time,” Willard said. “My wife is three years removed from her last cancer treatment but the aftereffects of treatment have taken a substantial toll. Both of my kids will be teenagers in two weeks. Balancing my time between doctor’s appointments, being a personal Uber driver for my kids, being the County Treasurer, and maintaining a part time law practice, has all added up. I have reached a crossroads and I’ve chosen my family.”
Willard was elected County Treasurer in 2012 and re-elected three times. The twelve years Willard presided over the Treasurer’s Office saw both the Great Recession and the Pandemic. Yet, at the same time, Willard and his staff successfully fought to restore funding for domestic violence shelters and managed an investment portfolio that broke records for interest earned.
According to state law, the County Commission will name an interim County Treasurer until the Governor appoints a permanent replacement.
“When I walked up the steps of the courthouse 22 years ago to report on my first day as an intern in the prosecutor’s office, I could not have imagined that so much of my life would be spent on the courthouse square and so many important life events would happen while I was working in the courthouse or the administration building,” Willard reflected. 
“I married the love of my life and became a father. I lost both of my parents and my older sister,” Willard said. “There are marks on the walls of my office charting my kids’ growth. I’m sure the wall will be painted over after I leave but the memories won’t be erased.”

Weston Museum Open House,

March 8-9​

- Platte County Commission Sued​

Inclement weather, snow, ice and historically cold temperatures , have forced several school closures at West Platte.  Superintendent Brock Dover explained that the District has built in an additional 100 hours above the Missouri required minimum needed.  
Even with having missed more than a week so far in 2025 the District still has 33 hours above the State requirement of 1044 hours.  Dover explained the “no make-up” days during his report to the School Board at the regular February Board meeting.
Dover also reported initial cost estimates for near term school facilities upgrades and repairs.  Specific items include:
HVAC replacement at high school Gym - $433,06;
HVAC Multizone replacement for High School and Elementary - $414,033;
Address Water Intrusion on Flex Room Ceiling Cap - the Flex Room is under the Elementary School playground and the ceiling has developed leaks - cost estimate has been delayed  because inclement weather has prevented inspection’
Install and Integrate whole school cruses alert platform - $155,000;
Apply Classroom Security Laminate - $30,000;
Address Roof over Biology and Band Classrooms - $165,000 to $348,000;
Run Electrical Conduit and Integrate I.R. with generator - $35,000;
Cafeteria Waterline Replacement - $30,000;

Elementary School Reconfiguration (includes an office for Assistant Principal and some security improvements - $245,000;
Two items for Improvements for the Performing Arts Center (PAC) - Front Stage House Lights - $24,000 and Microphone System - $40,000;
Two items with plans in progress - (1) Whole School Generator System, and (2) Walking Trail Drainage.
The Board voted 7-0 to make minor Budget Amendments for Funds 10, 20 and 40.  Other items under New Business include approval for Technology Bods, RFP for Athletic Trainer, and RFP for K-5 Science Materials and Resources.
The Board received Administrative Reports from Director of Athletics, Director of Special Services, Elementary Principal, Middle School Principal, High School Principal, and Superintendent.

Andrew Schneider, Director of Athletics, reported on recent activities and upcoming events.  He informed the Board that West Platte had received complimentary letters from MSHSAA officials, the most recent thanking the school officials for keeping the crowd off the floor near the end of the February 7 boys basketball.  West Platte scored the winning basket with time expiring.  The officials determined that the game actually had 01.2 seconds remaining which allowed Lawson to attempt  a half court try.
The District wrestling tournament was held February 21 and 22 at Lathrop and District Basketball Tournaments will be held the week of February 24 at East Buchanan in Gower.  
The boys first game is scheduled for 6:00 pm Monday against North Platte with the winner advancing to play top seed East Buchanan at 6:00 pm Wednesday.  
The girl’s game is Tuesday at 7:00 pm, also in Gower, against KIPP KC Legacy with the winner advancing to play Lathrop on Thursday at 7:00 pm.

Brittany Delameter, Director of Special Services. reported on home visits, meetings, upcoming events and Parents as Teachers (PAT).  In her report Bess DeLoux, Elementary Principal, talked about “Spotlight on Care Team” which was formed to address individual student concerns.

Mitch Giger, Middle School Principal, reported on Science Fair, 17 students in KCI All Conference Choir, and MS Scholar Bowl.  Dr John Kruse, High School Principal, gave CSIP update, KCI All Conference Choir, 5th Annual Science Fair, FBLA Districts and the Spring Play, “A Play About a Dragon”, which will be held on March 7 and 8.
Brock Dover, Superintendent, provided the School Board the District’s monthly financial report.

- Superintendent Explains

“No Make-Up Days”​

A Platte County Judge will soon decide if the County Commissioners can ignore the will of voters, who passed a Children’s Services Tax Fund issue in the November Election.
Greg Plumb and Tara Bennett are listed in the February 19 filing as voters who voted in favor of the Children’s Services Tax. The lawsuit, filed by Stinson LLP attorneys Emily Carney, Kansas City, and Charles William Hatfield, of Jefferson City, asks the court to require the Platte County Commissioners to perform their ministerial acts in the matter. 
At this time, the hearing is expected to be before April 1.
The suit says the Platte County citizens and qualified voters have a clear, unconditional legal right to have the Children’s Services Tax collected.
It notes that the Commissioners were opposed to the tax and refused to place it on the ballot, even after an initiative petition gathered enough signatures to do so. The proponents of the fund had to take them to court to have it placed on the ballot.
In November, the issue passed with 56.46 percent in favor. The Commissioners then said the vote did not require them to levy the tax or appoint a board because the state law says the Commission “may” levy the tax.
Proponents of the tax charge that “The use of ‘may’ at the beginning of Section 67.1775 simply identifies the preconditions for a County to have authority to levy a Children’s Services Tax. “It does not vest Commission Respondents with discretion to do what they want after a vote of the people.” The section goes on to set out what happens after the vote, using the word “shall” in every other case.
The suit asks the court to:
• Compel the Commissioners to acknowledge the vote of the people.
• Instruct the Department of Revenue to Collect the Children’s Services Tax
• Appoint a nine-member board to administer the funds generated by the Children’s Services Tax.
Second Commissioner Joe Vanover said later, “The radical left only cares about raising taxes and advancing their woke agenda.  Instead of helping children, they are wasting money on lawyers.  Groups like Beacon Mental Health and Feed Northland Kids are supposed to be charities, but they diverted thousands for a political campaign last election.  It is disgusting when so-called charities raise money for children but spend it on lawsuits and politics.”

Mr. Plumb responded: “Radical left - only 27,588 Platte County voters voted for Harris, while 32,006 voters voted for the sales tax, so some folks who voted for Trump voted for this tax
Woke agenda - when did helping children become a “woke” thing?
Wasting money on lawyers - when the elected county officials refuse to put an issue on the ballot to let the citizens vote, you have to hire lawyers, while the Commission and other parties have lawyers paid by our tax dollars
Supposed to be charities - these are charities according to the federal government and the State of Missouri. They are allowed to raise funds.
Spend on lawsuits & politics - Who made this issue political?  Why did a super PAC for Republicans spend money in Platte County on a local issue?  Where was the Democratic party, if this was political?

Whether you just visited the museum during the past fall, or you never have done so, you are invited to the museum’s open house for the all Weston-are residents (and others interested in learning more about the museum) Saturday, March 8, and Sunday, 
March 9, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Every year, the Weston Historical Museum is closed mid-December until mid-March. The museum reopens to the public March 12, 11 a.m.

Open house gives a peek behind-the-scenes
Bring your family and enjoy the behind-the-scenes look at displays and museum files, free refreshments, gifts, a scavenger hunt for young children and more. Museum staff will offer to take photos of you for the museum photo archives—making you part of Weston’s 2025 history. This free event is open to all Weston residents and others who want to learn more about the museum. 

Museum membership has its perks—and some perks are new
When you join the Weston Historical Museum, you receive various exclusive perks to add to your membership experience. In addition to receiving Museum Musings, the quarterly museum journal, in 2025 adult members will be invited to “History Happy Hour” events, held several times per year. During the free events, members can visit a different home or building in Weston to enjoy refreshments, socialize with other members, and learn fascinating history lessons about our historic community. 

If you›re not a member, this is the perfect year to join for as little as $20. Visit www.westonhistoricalmuseum.org to sign up for your membership.  

For all of our news in full, please see this week's print and/or e-edition of the Weston Chronicle

​  News