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About 50 students from area schools traveled to the county seat in Huntsville April 20 to experience first-hand how their local government works. American Government students from Huntsville and Cairo gathered at the Randolph County Justice Center in Huntsville and were given a tour. Students met the county officials at their offices and learned of their duties.
Students saw the “vault”, the records room kept by Mark Price, Recorder of Deeds. His office records real estate transactions, marriages and deaths, among other things. The vault houses all the records from the establishment of the county in 1829 to the present. Records are on acid-free paper and they are microfilmed and imaged. The original records, some bearing presidential signatures, according to Price, are on shelves of 400 books each protected by a fire suppression unit without water. Outside the office are computers where people can come look up recorded information. This is especially helpful to those doing genealogical work.
On the main level, students met Circuit Clerk Michelle Chapman and her staff. Chapman’s office handles information for cases that go to circuit court. This ranges from criminal cases to speeding tickets, probate, juvenile cases, fines and restitution. Students also visited the assessor and the county collector.
The most interesting part of the Justice Center visit for students was the courtroom. They were able to watch cases being handled in an actual court setting. Presiding over proceedings was Circuit Court Judge Mason Gebhardt.
While the Justice Center was interesting, many of the students found the next stop even more so. They traveled to the Westran Fire District main firehouse where they were given a tour of the facilities by Chief Tony Bell and Board Director Merl Riley. New this year were demonstrations of fire protection training in full emergency gear. Also giving presentations were Randolph County Ambulance personnel and Huntsville Chief of Police Chris Wertz. Lunch was served at the fire station, pizza provided by the Huntsville Rotary Club and served by members of the Randolph County Retired School personnel headed by Ginger Tipton and Shirley Amidei. A group of volunteers from the Randolph County Family and Community Education group, headed by Betty Mayo, also were on hand to serve. Randolph County Government Day was begun over 40 years ago by the Bazan-Bailey Post 6 American Legion of Moberly. Current Commander, Phyllis Campbell, attended April’s event. Government Day began as a field trip for high school civic students to meet the county elected officials and has grown in
the last few years. Generally, Higbee joins the event but was out for testing this year. Moberly High School took part in activities in years past but no longer participates.
the last few years. Generally, Higbee joins the event but was out for testing this year. Moberly High School took part in activities in years past but no longer participates.
With the reduced number of Legion volunteers in the past few years, Huntsville Rotary stepped in to serve as sponsor. Roy Morales, Huntsville Rotary member, serves as co-coordinator with Commander
Campbell. Government Day is normally held in September near Constitution Day, September 17, but was delayed by Covid this school year. Plans are to return to the September schedule for the next school year.
Campbell. Government Day is normally held in September near Constitution Day, September 17, but was delayed by Covid this school year. Plans are to return to the September schedule for the next school year.