HERMANN – More than 70 students from Gasconade County R-1 High School and St. George Catholic School last week received lessons in local government during the annual Gasconade County Government Day at the historic courthouse.

Hosted by Gasconade County officials and the county’s University of Missouri Extension Council, students were able to learn about the various functions of county government, watch a session of the Associate Circuit Court, watch county employees be recognized for years of service and enjoy a lunch prepared by the officeholders.

Gasconade County R-2 School District initially accepted the invitation to take part in Government Day, but opted out citing scheduling conflicts with student activities on campus. This year’s Government Day was held Wednesday, March 11. That’s a bit earlier than usual for the event, but it was the date the schools agreed upon, according to MU Extension officials.

The 72 students attending Government Day were divided into three groups, each learning about different aspects of local government on a rotating basis. The well-behaved groups of students were attentive during their visit to Associate Circuit Judge Ada Brehe-Krueger’s courtroom.

During visits to the various departments of county government, students were able to ask questions of the officeholders, as well as be grilled about their knowledge of local government. Several of the questions put to the members of the County Commission dealt with the process of property assessment and property taxes — a large topic of discussion in recent months among county government officials.

The students were not shy about asking questions, which was noted by Presiding Commissioner Tim Schulte, R-Hermann, who said this year’s group of students were much quicker to ask questions than were the students attending previous Government Day events.

The employee recognition portion of the event featured several workers and officeholders celebrating five to 40 years of service to county residents:

Those marking five years of service include County Coroner Jeff Arnold; County Assessor Julia Baker; Allison Grzeskowiak, deputy public administrator; Circuit Court Division 4 Clerk Misty Oetterer; Road Department Supervisor Todd Troyer and Emergency Management Agency Director Clyde Zelch.

Ten-year employees are Deputy Circuit Clerk and Deputy Recorder of Deeds Jessica Diebal; Deputy Circuit Clerk and Deputy Recorder of Deeds Carol Isaak and Prosecuting Attorney Felony Clerk Kimberly Birk.

Celebrating 20 years of service to the county is Sheriff Scott Eiler.

Honored for 35 years of service was Brian Wehmeyer of the Road Department.

Recognized for 40 years of service was County Collector Shawn Schlottach. The veteran collector is retiring from office March 31; Deputy Collector Glenda Schockley will be acting as interim collector until either the position is filled by a gubernatorial appointment or until a new collector is elected in November.

Several business and organizations in Gasconade County provided donations in support of Government Day: Legends Bank, The Maries County Bank, PSB Bank; Calvin’s Distributing; the VFW Auxiliary; Knights of Columbus; Owensville Walmart; First State Community Bank and Owensville Lions Club.