With money tight, still no decision on turning over Killingsworth American Legion Building to city

The members of the American Legion Post # 307 in Ash Grove met at City Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 6, to discuss whether to hand over the building to the city, a topic of discussion held during their meeting on Sept. 1. During that meeting, a vote on the matter was tabled until the October meeting.
The situation
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Legion is no longer able to hold the fundraisers it normally holds to generate the revenue it uses to pay their expenses, such as utilities and insurance. During the meeting, it was brought up that it costs an average of $400 per month for the building’s utilities, but the Legion only has $1,100, less than the cost to turn the utilities on for three months. As such, they cannot currently meet at or use the Legion building.
Turning the building over to city discussed
During the meeting, Les Gardner, Ash Grove mayor, said the city of Ash Grove was prepared to take possession of the building and take responsibility for paying all expenses associated with it. The Legion could continue to use the building for meetings, functions, etc.; they would just have to schedule it with the city.
“That frees up $6,360 of hard cost … that the Legion group has to pay just to keep the doors open,” he said.
Some at the meeting opposed the idea. Paula Jenkins, who is related to Paul S. Killingsworth, for whom the building is named, said that she didn’t want the building to be turned over to the city. In a later interview, she stated she didn’t want the building turned over the to the city, not only because it was named for a family member, but also because of all the memories it had for her.
“That Legion was active for many, many years,” she said. Lots of activities were there. I can remember, even as a … girl growing up, the men put their uniforms on and conducted memorial services for years and years and years, but unfortunately, a lot of them are deceased now.”
Jenkins also said she came to the meeting under the impression that the building would be demolished.
“Whenever I first heard that there was going to be some changes, I was told that the building was going to be torn down,” she said, “and I did not want that to happen.”
Jenkins said this isn’t the first time the Legion has had financial difficulties. During the interview, she said that 10 years earlier, the Legion was then facing financial hardships and were unable to pay their utility bills. She said that a thrift store she was overseeing, as well as anonymous individuals who made private contributions, were able to raise the funds to keep the Legion afloat.
“We were able to get the utilities all turned back on, and they were up and running again,” she said.
Nancy Thee also objected to the Legion turning the building over to the city, stating she was concerned about what would happen to the building when a new mayor and city council were in place.
“It’s been here since 1917, and I think it should go on under the ownership of the Legion … because there is so much patriotism, loyalty and history connected with that place,” she said. “Someday, entirely different people sitting here to replace you, us, the townsmen, and the city will still own the building, and they can do whatever they want with it.”
Gardner said the whole point of the city taking ownership of the building was to help the Legion.
“The city is sitting in the background saying, ‘Hey, we’re here to help out … and help keep the Ash Grove Legion alive,’” he said.
Gardner also expressed frustration at what he said was misinformation being spread online about the city’s intentions towards the building, such as the city would turn the building into a parking lot.
“It is unfortunate that a lot of the public thinks this is gospel, when it could not even be close to the truth,” he said.
Gardner also expressed frustration at the lack of attendance at the meeting, especially by those who he said spread misinformation online but then didn’t show up when the meeting was held.
“It’s pathetic that the veterans,” he said, “or the community that have the audacity to post sh-t on Facebook, don’t have their as—s here. The only people who care about this thing are the people who are sitting in this room.”
He added, “People want to write these stupid things but don’t have the audacity to show up tonight.”
After further discussion, a vote on whether to turn the building over to the city was tabled until a date still to be determined.
Rifle Raffle
During the meeting, the Legion also voted to hold a raffle for a M & P Sport II .223 caliber rifle, valued at $752. Three hundred tickets, maximum, will be sold at $10 each, and the drawing for the rifle will be held at Eagle Outdoors on Tuesday, Dec. 15. Winners must be at least 18 and able to pass a required background check. The rifle can be seen at www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/mp-15-sport-ii. To purchase a ticket, text Cody Fry, legion commander, at (417) 861-0005.