August 8, 2024, Camden County Commission meeting at 10:00 a.m.

I attended the August 8, 2024, Camden County Commission meeting at 10:00 a.m.

All commissioners were present.

Sorry for the delay in this article, but we just shipped our oldest daughter off to Mizzou as a freshman so we’ve been a bit busy. Mrs. Gadfly planned the whole move-in like it was the Normandy invasion and she is holding up surprisingly well. Since the girl was also my editor, readers can expect a sharp drop-off in writing quality for the blog. I’ll miss the constant arguments about where commas should go.

The only agenda item was Bid award – 240801 Assessment List Printing & Mailing.

The County Assessor, Marty McGuire, recommended that the Commission approve the $39,000 bid from EJ Rice Company. The other company had not included the cost of postage in their bid.

Marty also asked me to tell everyone that even though he ran unopposed in the recent primary election, he wanted to let the voters know that he appreciated their support.

Presiding Commissioner Skelton then brought up the recent primary elections.

Steve Dougan was elected as the Republican candidate for the 2^nd District Commissioner position. In Camden County, the over 80% Republican voting majority means that Dougan will be the next commissioner. Chris Edgar also won the Camden County Sheriff primary election.

Old Business.

Skelton also brought up the topic of automatic license plate readers. Skelton stated that they are prohibited in Camden County, but there is still a license plate reader installed in the county on the state right-of-way. Skelton said that when the State of Missouri got word that Commissioner Skelton intended to remove that license plate reader, the State contacted the county and informed them that if that happened, Skelton could be charged with destroying State property.

Skelton mentioned that it was just a misdemeanor, but since he is an elected official, he should probably obey the law.

After some investigation, Skelton discovered that the State of Missouri doesn’t own the property where the license plate reader was installed. In fact, the State of Missouri didn’t install the reader. The State of Missouri didn’t even pay for the license plate reader. Skelton’s research revealed that the money for the license plate reader came from the federal government to a company called Axon. (Axon is the same company that sells body cameras and tasers.)

According to Skelton, there was some sort of collaboration between the Missouri Department of Public Safety, Axon and Flock Safety. Skelton considered that the funds for the plate reader may have come from a Department of Homeland Security or Transportation grant. He summed up the situation by stating that the license plate reader was private property on a state right-of-way in prohibition of a county ordinance. Skelton promised that the county’s next step would be determined shortly.

As Presiding Commissioner Skelton spoke, I searched County Attorney Jeff Green’s face for any clues as to his thoughts on the matter.

His face was a blank slate. He sat behind the desk like an inscrutable Mandarin, betraying none of his inner thoughts or emotions.

His features frozen, like a doomed Greek hero who had locked eyes with Medusa.

And that was that.