2017 was a mixed year for Warren County. Communities were faced with tragedy and controversy, but also had cause for celebration and optimism.Mayor Murray Bruer

David Heiliger

Deaths of two mayorsTwo sitting mayors died within a week of each other in July. Murray Bruer, the mayor of Truesdale, was battling a relapse of cancer after being in remission. He died at his home July 1. He was 76 years old.Bruer was involved in regional economic development, and was a member of multiple groups that brought representatives from local governments and businesses together. He was committed to the idea that many groups could work together for the benefit of all.While Bruer was ill, the mayors of Warrenton and Wright City met in Truesdale to honor his contributions to the region. Just days after Bruer’s passing, Wright City Mayor David Heiliger suffered an unexpected heart attack and also passed away. He was only 50 years old.When Heiliger first entered office in 2010, the city’s leaders had been mired in bickering. With a sense of humor and a friendly demeanor, Heiliger brought city leadership together. He most recently was presiding over a major project to build a new city hall and adjacent baseball park.Both mayors were well-liked in their communities, and left a legacy in their offices that their successors have pledged to continue.

Flooding in May had the ball park in Marthasville underwater, along with much of southern Warren County. Other businesses along Highway 47 were impacted by the flood, but the town proper was unaffected.

Record photo/Cindy GladdenSpring floodingOver the period of a week at the beginning of May, Warren County experienced the worst flooding it has seen in two decades. Southern areas of the county were especially impacted after heavy rains that swelled the Missouri River to 12 feet above flood stage.Several businesses in and near Marthasville were hit by floodwaters, but the town proper was not affected. Access to the Highway 47 bridge across the river was cut off for several days.Communities unite against I-70 tollingThe threat of a proposal to turn Interstate 70 into a toll road loomed over the first half of the year, and Warren County businesses and local governments united in an effort to prevent that from happening.Tolling was proposed as a funding method for billions of dollars to rebuild the interstate, but opponents argued that a different solution needs to be found for Missouri’s underfunded highway system.In part, thanks to local efforts, the state budget resolution approved in May included a provision prohibiting any funds from being used to establish toll roads. The ban on tolling was introduced by House Rep. Bryan Spencer, whose district includes eastern Warren County. It was supported by Rep. Bart Korman, who represents western and southern Warren County.Spencer and Korman both serve on the House Budget Committee.

A digital rendering released by the city of Warrenton shows the potential layout of an indoor pool at a planned new aquatic center. The pool could include lap lanes, a lazy river and a children's area. Submitted image.

Voters approve pool bondWarrenton residents voted in August to allow the city to borrow up to $7.5 million to pay for a new aquatic center. It will replace the city’s current pool, which was built in 1989.A 7,000-square-foot indoor pool and 2,400-square-foot outdoor pool are planned at the facility, which will also have a party room for birthdays.The facility is under construction within Warrenton’s newest park, west of the intersection of Warrior Avenue and Highway 47. It is expected to be finished in 2018.

A drawing of the site was prepared by Bart Berneking Design of Troy. Names of more than 70 veterans who died in war since World War I will be listed on an 18-foot Missouri red granite wall. The site overlooks Interstate 70, the “Purple Heart Trail.” Submitted rendering. 

Tribute to Veterans MemorialAfter years of effort, a group dedicated to honoring Warren County veterans is achieving its goal of creating a monument to the county’s fallen soldiers.The site for the Tribute to Veterans Memorial is being prepared in Warrenton along Veterans Memorial Parkway. When complete, the memorial will feature a 6-foot-tall, 18-foot-long wall etched with the names of veterans who died in service.Fundraising is ongoing to pay for the many aspects of the memorial, which will include lighting, military flags and a bronze statue of the battlefield cross with the Gold Star mother and child, with surrounding green space and dedicated parking.Marthasville BicentennialThe city of Marthasville celebrated its 200th birthday in 2017 with a festival and other activities spread throughout the year.The city of Marthasville was founded in 1817 by Dr. John Young. He named the little town in honor of his wife. Famous pioneer Daniel Boone for a time lived in Marthasville and was originally buried there.Over the years, the town has been shaped by immigration, the coming of the railroad and numerous floods of the property. Today, Marthasville has a population of more than 1,100 residents.Marthasville disbands policeThe Marthasville Board of Aldermen disbanded the city’s police department and ended the employment of Chief Eugene Jenkins in May.Mayor David Lange said the “decision was reached after careful consideration of all of the ramifications of eliminating the city’s police department,” including that it would save the city money. He noted that the department only had officers on duty 60 hours per week, with the Warren County Sheriff’s Department providing law enforcement the rest of the time.The mayor and board faced significant backlash from residents who said they felt safer with police in town to respond to emergencies.Other staffing shakeups affected the city of Marthasville this year. The position of Public Works Director Brad Landwehr was terminated in a similar move around the same time as Jenkins’, quickly followed by the resignation of City Clerk Lisa Irwin.Dr. Gregg KlinginsmithNew superintendentSince Warren County R-III Superintendent Dr. Jim Chandler announced his retirement effective at the end of June 2017, the school district spent months searching for a replacement. In December, they found Dr. Gregg Klinginsmith.Himself a former assistant superintendent in Warren County, Klinginsmith said he will focus on retaining good teachers, strengthening partnerships with local businesses and continuing to improve the district’s performance rating.Klinginsmith will officially begin his duties July 1.Mall renovation, new interchangeThe city of Warrenton has seen promising results in a partnership with a private developer to rejuvenate the city’s defunct outlet mall. This year has brought signs of new life at the rebranded Shoppes at Warrenton mall, with several businesses opening doors there in the spring and summer.This fall, construction began on a Rural King farm and home store, one of the major promises of the mall redevelopment project.A related project city leaders believe will spur additional economic growth is the construction of a new Interstate 70 interchange just west of the mall. An overpass bridge, ramps and roundabouts providing access to the north and south outer roads, are being paid for with a city sales tax approved by Warrenton voters in 2016.

Wright City School Resource Officer Jeff Catron (left), Police Chief Matt Eskew (center) and Detective Chris Beard were among a team of officers at the Red, Wright and Blue Motorcycle Fest on Aug. 19. Wright City's first annual motorcycle festival was a fundraiser to support the purchase of a new police dog.

Record photo/Adam RollinsRed, Wright and BlueWright City hosted its first annual Red, Wright and Blue Motorcycle Festival this year at Cedar Lake Cellars Aug. 19. The festival was conceived as a way for the city to raise money for a new police dog.A large donation from the Ryan Griffin Memorial Foundation allowed the city’s police department to purchase the dog, and revenue collected from the fundraiser went toward training and equipment for the K-9 unit.From the outset, organizers said they planned for Red, Wright and Blue to become an annual event that could raise money for the police department or other city services. State Rep. Bryan Spencer, who introduced the idea for Red, Wright and Blue, said the 2018 festival could help raise money for new police vests.

Chuck Madinger of Innsbrook displays a collection of model trains for sale Oct. 14 at the Railroad Days train show at Rebecca Boone Elementary School. Madinger said he used to travel to train shows from Nebraska to Minnesota and still has a collection at home. Record photo/Adam Rollins.

Railroad DaysThe city of Truesdale hosted its first ever Railroad Days community festival in October. The event was organized and run by the Central Missouri Railroad Association and the city, in collaboration with a number of community partners. There was a model train show and swap meet in the Rebecca Boone Elementary School gym, along with vendors and activities spread through the school, Truesdale City Hall and a city-leased property along the railroad tracks through town.Organizers plan to make the event a yearly festival. The city for years has wanted to rebuild a train depot that once existed on Market Street, and use it as a historical museum. It was a dream that especially inspired late-Mayor Murray Bruer. Railroad Days is a way to draw attention to that objective, city leaders said.