Former Barnard Resident, Robert Mahlon Griffeth, Passes

Robert (Bob) Mahlon Griffeth, 87, died Thursday April 12, 2012. He was born July 9, 1924 to Albert W. and Gladys Griffeth in Barnard, KS.

He is survived by wife, Miola; children, Linda (Mike) Richard, Miltonvale; Peggy (Calvin) Bohnert, Robin (Deb) and Bill (Melanie) Griffeth, Jewell; 9 Grandchildren: Casey (Krystal) Richard, A.J. (Tiffany) Richard, Josh (Krista) Bohnert, Marla (Jeff) Koops, Tracy Bohnert, Chad (Alyssa) Griffeth, Sarah (Doug) Spencer, Kelly (Teresa Griffeth, and Eric Griffeth; 6 great-granchildren: Boone and Case Richard, Isaac and Eli Koops, Owen Spencer, and Wadyn Griffeth; 2 step great-granchildren: Hannah and Tyler Jackson; sisters-in-law: Ouida Griffeth and Dorothy (Bill) Elliot; nephews Glen (Pam) Griffeth and Steve (Judy)Elliot, plus a host of relatives and friends.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, brother Bill Griffeth, and sister Jean Shaffer.

Bob was a born farmer which consumed his entire life. He felt he was doing his part in keeping Good's earth productive.

Pastimes for Bob were "wheeling and dealing" whether that be cars, motor homes, or farm machinery; camping and traveling to all states except one with Miola; and enjoying the smiles and antics of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Monday, April 16 at the Jewell Trinity Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for memorials to the Jewell Trinity United Methodist Church in care of Kleppinger Funeral Home, 409 Broadway, Jewell, KS 66949.

Barnard Readership

Every so often, I like to print the countries/provinces where the Barnard Banter is read.  Thank you for your support.

The Barnard Banter is read in:

United States
Russia
Germany
Sweden
India
Puerto Rico
Australia
Czech Republic
United Kingdom
Latvia
Malaysia
Taiwan aka Republic of China
Hong Kong
Venezuela
France
Indonesia
Columbia
Canada
Ukraine
Bulgaria
Cote d'Ivoire (The Ivory Coast)
Italy
Brazil
Tunisia
Egypt

Sky Over Barnard submitted by Shawn Gibson

This is a western view of the sky taken from between the Barnard Community Building and City Hall on April 2nd.  Photo by Shawn Gibson.

Barnard Methodist Church Bell Tower Gets Reinforcement

On Good Friday, the United Methodist Church bell tower received some structural reinforcement.  In visiting with the construction crew on site, I learned that the bell was actually still hanging in the tower.  With this reinforcement, hopefully the bell's ring will once again be heard.

The Historic Barnard Water Tower Receives Visitors on Friday, April 6th

The Barnard water tower received a great deal of attention today from a varied group of people there to determine its future.  In attendance were Patrick Zollner, Division Director of Cultural Resources for the Kansas State Historical Society;  Kim Gant, Review and Compliance Coordinator for the KSHS; Travis Zirkle of Barnard, Incorporated; Joan Nothern, Board Member of the Kansas Preservation Alliance and the Glasco Foundation; Doug McKinney, Executive Director of the North Central Regional Planning Commission; John Cashatt of Schwab-Eaton Civil Engineering; Barb Rathbun, City Clerk of Barnard; and Nancy Houghton of the Barnard city council.

Travis Zirkle of Barnard, Incorporated had contacted Patrick Zollner to arrange for a site visit to the Barnard water tower.  The fate of the current historic WPA built Art Deco water tower has been uncertain since the city embarked on a project to build a new standpipe that would require the demolition of the current landmark tower.

The group in attendance represented those that want to see the old tower preserved after the new one is constructed, those that want the landmark tower torn down, and those that must review the project and make the decision.

There was a great deal of discussion.  Though there wasn’t agreement on what the outcome would be, there was an enormous amount of information shared and genuine communication between the different organizations present.  John Cashatt of Schwab-Eaton did dispute that any concrete could make it to neighboring properties by falling off the tower.

Recently, Barnard, Incorporated made a request to the Kansas State Historical Society and HUD to be a consulting party involved in the project under the Section 106 process.  The Section 106 process is used to review all federally funded or permitted projects for their impact on cultural resources.  The grant that was approved for the new water standpipe project is funded by federal dollars.  The remaining $108,000 is the responsibility of the City of Barnard.  Bonds are being sold to meet that obligation.

Notice of Annual Meeting (Salt Creek Watershed)

The 51st annual meeting of the Salt Creek Watershed Jt. Dist. #46 will be held at the Salt Creek Watershed #46 District office in Barnard, Kansas, on Tuesday April 17th, 2012, at 7:00 P.M.

An election will be held for three Directors for a term of three years.

We welcome all Salt Creek residents and other interested parties to the meeting.

Bill Brown, President
Steve Simmons, Secretary

Barnard City Council Agenda and Financial Reports April 2, 2012