Money matters lead the news on this date: Poplar Bluff celebrates its thriftiness in 1924, and the county fire district passes a controversial tax levy reduction in 1974.
100 years ago
May 15, 1924
• The city of Poplar Bluff spent less per capita in 1923 than 1922. City clerk records revealed Poplar Bluff’s operating costs were $35,447.55 for 1923, and divided by its population of 8,100 this means the city spent $4.38 per capita. This is 11 cents less per person than in 1922. The city is also chipping away at a $100,000 debt and reported increased revenue in 1923.
For contrast, Springfield’s operating cost is over a million dollars and around $29 per capita last year.
• The Poplar Bluff High School board president K.C. Johnson will be absent at the Class of 1924 graduation because he missed his train. Since he is stranded in St. Louis for the near future, John H. Wolpers will present 42 students with their diplomas tomorrow night.
75 years ago
May 15, 1949 — No issues available.
50 years ago
May 15, 1974
• The Butler County Fire Protection District voted last night to slash its tax levy in half, but not everyone is happy with the decision.
The change was proposed by board members Louis Kalkbrenner and Harry Templemire. It cuts the former tax of 24 cents per $100 of property valuation down to 12 cents, bringing the district’s revenue down from $75,000 to $40,000.
Board President Larry Hendrickson opposed the reduction, saying, “We can’t build nothing (fire stations) with 12 cents.”
Hendrickson hoped voters would replace Kalkbrenner in the next election, he added. Kalkbrenner was named to the board by the circuit judge after William H. Bloodworth resigned.
Templemire was elected to the board in the April election with the support of the Butler County Citizens for Fair Taxation, who oppose the fire district because they believe they see no benefit for the taxes they pay to it.