By MICHAEL FREEMAN (WARRENSBURG, Mo., digitalBURG) – Judge James Hall accepted his appointment by the City Council Monday to serve as municipal judge.

Hall was sworn in and then addressed the council, commending the service of the city officials.

“The city’s cooperation among all aspects is beyond description,” he said. “I want to thank you for the appointment. I’ll try to make sure that you’re proud of me for representing the city as municipal judge.”

In other business, the council suspended the city’s open container ordinance to accommodate a concert near the Johnson County Courthouse downtown. The Nace Brothers are scheduled to perform from 7 to 9 p.m. Oct. 11at the corner of East Market and Holden streets.

The council approved the application from Warrensburg Parks for the 21^st Century to allow open containers of alcohol during the concert. The Police Department is supplying the organization with an amplified noise permit, which stipulates the sound must be kept at a reasonable level.

The concert planners took into consideration the nearby homes as well.

“We’ll direct the amplified music to the vacant building and south on Holden,” said Jason Elkins of Warrensburg Main Street.

Warrensburg Main Street will host a beer garden for the event. Much like the Pine Street ribbon cutting ceremony, wristbands will be utilized to ensure there are no issues with underage drinking.

The Warrensburg Professional Firefighter Union Local 3923 handed out pink T-shirts to the council in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. President Bryan Wilson said the local firefighters have been designing and selling the shirts for the last few years to raise money for breast cancer.

“We’re almost sold out already,” Wilson said. “We will place another order after homecoming weekend.”

T-shirts are $15, and are available in pink, or blue with a pink emblem. Proceeds go to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

The council entered into an agreement Monday night with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Johnson County, which allows the organization to continue to use the building located at 608 N. College St. The building, known as the Barnett House, is owned by the city but maintained by Big Brothers Big Sisters.

The agreement states that Big Brothers Big Sisters is not obligated to pay rent, and the city will pay for water and sewer utilities. The city will also make any repairs to the building necessary to protect the foundation.

In exchange for these provisions, Big Brothers Big Sisters must continue to provide Johnson County with its child mentoring services. Under the agreement, Big Brothers Big Sisters must also agree to work with local organizations to produce events that will promote Johnson County, and submit a quarterly report to the city.

 

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