Sweeten Honored For Dedication To Community

Sally Carroll/McDonald County Press State Rep. Bill Lant, left, presents Pineville Mayor and County Emergency Management Agency Director Gregg Sweeten with a resolution honoring him for his dedication to community.
Sally Carroll/McDonald County Press State Rep. Bill Lant, left, presents Pineville Mayor and County Emergency Management Agency Director Gregg Sweeten with a resolution honoring him for his dedication to community.

When Pineville Mayor Gregg Sweeten got a call to help with a house fire in Noel on Saturday morning, he knew he would miss the official ribbon-cutting at the new Pineville Bike Park.

But the crew fighting the two-story log cabin house fire was tired and in desperate need of help, so Sweeten and another volunteer firefighter in town went to provide aid.

It's that kind of selfless leadership and dedication to community that lead to a special recognition Tuesday night at the Pineville City Council meeting.

State Rep. Bill Lant presented Sweeten with a resolution from the Missouri House of Representatives lauding his many accomplishments. Sweeten has served for more than 20 years as McDonald County Emergency Management Agency director, and has served as mayor, volunteer firefighter, McDonald County Historical Society member, Pineville Christian Church member, Republican Men's Club member and is a 30-year law enforcement officer, among other accomplishments.

Lant read the resolution, then gave Sweeten the framed gift. Lant said the honor is well deserved.

The presentation was met with a round of applause. Sweeten, who was caught by surprise, thanked all those in attendance.

During the regular part of the meeting, council members approved the bills in the amount of $123,459.28, which includes $77,000 for the new bike park and $12,000 for a culvert replacement near the Pineville ball park.

Public Works Director Chris Tinsley said the culvert will be replaced this Friday. Highway W will be closed for 12 hours, beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Tinsley said the work will commence, rain or shine.

In related business, Sweeten and council member Scott Dennis praised the Public Works crew in reducing water loss to only 5 percent.

Sweeten explained that, at one point, water loss had been up to 55 to 60 percent. Reducing it to 5 percent for several months has been a huge accomplishment.

"That is pretty impressive," Sweeten said.

In other business:

• The board heard a presentation from Nick Myers, certified public accountant, who recently completed an audit for the city. He said the city is in a "strong financial position" when considering assets versus liabilities.

• City Marshall Chris Owen asked for the purchase for additional ammunition for upcoming training. His proposal was approved.

• Members discussed adding restrooms, landscaping, lighting and other features to the new bike park. Progressive Bike Ramps President John Hunter, whose company designed and built the bike park, encouraged the city to reach out for additional help. Landscaping and other items will be added to the bike park, he said, with help from privately raised funds.

General News on 07/13/2017