Ash Grove swears in Davis as new police chief

Former Clair’s building on Hwy. 160 to reopen as convenience store, gas station in coming months
 
Ash Grove City Hall was near packed Monday evening for the February Ash Grove Board of Aldermen meeting. Many attendees were present solely to watch the installment of new AGPD Chief John Davis. Davis was sworn in by City Clerk Melissa Mau, which was followed by a pinning ceremony. Davis brings to the department more than three decades of policing experience, and was the last man standing after an exhaustive hiring process conducted by city officials and interim chief Greene County Sheriff Jim Arnott.

Liquor licenses
Also during the meeting, two city liquor licenses were granted by the board. The first was given to Karla Cox who will be opening a convenience store and gas station in the former Clair's location. Cox told the board she anticipated an opening date within the next 60-90 days.
The second license, also OK'd by a 4-0 aldermanic vote, went to David Muncy, who will be taking over Pennington's Supermarket. Starting Feb. 22 the store will operate under the moniker Muncy's, said Muncy himself who also spoke to the board regarding what will be his third grocery location.

Shine Inc. Car Show
Back for a second year, will be the Shine Inc. Car Show slated for Sunday, June 5, per organizer Aimee Gerla. Gerla was granted a request by the city to close most of downtown's Main Street during this year's event which will include live music.

Grant application green light
In other business, the board gave the go ahead to apply for a Department of Natural Resources grant which would partially or completely pay for a $62,500 Clean Water Engineering Survey. The grant would be entirely funded if Ash Grove meets the requirement of a "disadvantaged" community, which it does based on its average median income, according to engineer Richard MacMillan, who spoke on behalf of Algier, Martin and Associates.