By Echo Menges
EDINA, Mo. — Local leaders and community members gathered Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, at the Knox County Community Center in Edina for the Northeast District Commissioners and Clerks Fall Meeting. The biannual event serves as an opportunity for county commissions and clerks to come together, network and share experiences.
Meeting locations rotate among counties in the region, giving each host county the chance to showcase local opportunities by featuring businesses through a vendor fair, serving locally prepared meals and offering door prizes to attendees.
The program opened with a welcome from Leslie Cardwell, Knox County presiding commissioner. The color guard was presented by Cyril A. Graham American Legion Post 261 and Knox County Memorial VFW Post 4822. Audrey Hamlin, Knox County recorder, and local vocalist Debbie Peters led the National Anthem, which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
The first speaker was Keith Gudehus. Following his remarks, Bryan Nichols and Sarah Graff spoke on behalf of U.S. Rep. Sam Graves. Kevin James presented Missouri Department of Transportation updates just before a midmorning break and prize drawings.
The schedule continued with Derek Weber of Northeast Missouri Regional Planning, Steve Hobbs, executive director of the Missouri Association of Counties (MAC), and Sean McGonigle of MAC, who discussed worker’s compensation.
The lunchtime meal, sponsored by Hawkins Harrison Insurance, featured smoked brisket and ham, garlic mashed potatoes, house salad and corn, tea and lemonade, and assorted filled cupcakes for dessert. The food was prepared by Clint and Angie Miller of Edina. Additional treats were provided by local businesses: fried pies from Bee Ridge Fried Pies of Knox City, fruit trays from Family Foods of Edina, cupcakes from IDK Restaurant of Baring, and coffee and tea from Jared’s Jams of Edina.
Following the meal, breakout sessions were held for commissioners and clerks.
Sponsors for the meeting included Hawkins Harrison Insurance, NE Mo. Coop, IMI Equipment, MACTO, Big Iron – Sullivan Auctioneers, Viebrock Sales, Howe Company, Cordelio Power and Sprocket Technologies.
Vendors included Hawkins Harrison Insurance, NE Mo. Cooperative Services Inc., Viebrock, Howe Company, Higginbotham Insurance, McClure Engineering, Big Iron – Sullivan Auctioneers, Klingner & Associates, Roland Machinery, MACTO, Missouri Farmers Care, Dust Solutions, The Farm Shop, Altorfer, Nextran Truck of Quincy, Ill., Martin Equipment, Top Notch Trailers, Burkholder Ag and Sprocket Technologies.
At the close of the day, commissioners expressed appreciation to everyone who contributed to the meeting. Special thanks were extended by local officials in charge of planning the event: Leslie Cardwell, presiding commissioner; John Greenley, eastern district commissioner; Bill Whiles, western district commissioner; and Marlene Spory, county clerk.
According to the Knox County Commissioners, every county in the region hosts the event every nine years.
