Cathy May, Contributing Writer

It felt like the end of an era at the December 11 Holton Town Board meeting. It was the final meeting for current town board members Robert Furst, Wilma Myers and Ron Palmer and for Peggy Furst, who has been filling in as clerk-treasurer.

Larry Eaton, who is stepping down as the Holton town attorney said, “I would like to express my appreciation to the town board and I am proud of all your accomplishments. You are all to be congratulated. Holton has made great leaps forward. I wish the new board well.”

Ron Palmer, who was elected to the first town board when it first became incorporated, gave out plaques to Robert Furst, Wilma Myers, Jim Adkins, Peggy Furst, Wilbur Myers, Larry Eaton and Billey Moore. The plaques stated, “In appreciation of all your hard work and dedication to the Town of Holton.”

Wilma Myers reminisced about the beginning of the town board. “Ted Tolbert fought to get the town incorporated. He sent a letter to the press every week.”

The Town of Holton was incorporated in 1972. According to the Ripley County Clerk’s files, the first elected board members were Ron Palmer, Ted Tolbert and Junior Meisberger. The first town clerk was Betty Sue Baugh. Others elected to the board throughout the years were Joe Ritchie, Vicki Cornett, Ron Dunaway, Lila Pickett, Robert Furst, Wilma Myers and Ralph Pickett. Velma Stickelman was elected as clerk-treasurer for many years.

The cost for the town’s election this year was $7,000. From now on the town board will run in the general election. The 2007 candidates were only elected for a one-year term until that time. Newly elected board member Paul Hughes said the new board will meet on the second Thursday night at 7:00 p.m.

Toby Hunter recently finished another painting for the town. It is an angel surrounded by an American flag. The mural is in the community room of the Holton Community Building.

The financials were approved. There is $111,141.68 in the general account, $27,168.62 and $44,234.76 in the two sewer accounts. The auditor suggested the Riverboat Funds be invested in a CD. Twenty-five thousand dollars will be put into a 6-month CD.

The privacy fence around the Holton Community Building has been completed. There have been two new culverts installed on West Versailles Street. All road cracks have been sealed by Dave O’Mara, Inc. The new playground equipment has been ordered. The town is still waiting on a state permit to build the shelter house.

All three town board members were present at the meeting: Robert Furst, Wilma Myers, and Ron Palmer. Peggy Furst was present to advise the board. The next regular meeting of the Holton Town Board will be Thursday, January 10 at 7:00 p.m. at the Holton Community Building.

CATHY MAY PHOTO Pictured from left are: Ron Palmer, Jim Adkins, Billey Moore, Wilma Myers, Wilbur Myers, Peggy Furst, Bob Furst. The members were honored at their last board meeting December 11 with plaques thanking them for their years of service to the community.