Darrell Sammons and Mike Heenan were sworn in as city commissioners at the April 1st, 2008 meeting, joining other commissioners Reesa Brown, Twila Sander and Wayne Madison, as well as city manager Connie Conyac, and clerk Sandi Rogers. Recognition was given to Mayor Kim Thomas for all her years of service. An election for a new mayor was first on the agenda. Wayne Madison was nominated and duly approved by a vote of the other commissioners. The Oath of Office was then given to Madison by clerk Sandi Rogers.

The Board of Education of Stockton USD 2761 was pleased to announce that a contract for Superintendent of Schools had been offered and accepted by Mr. W. Luis Cass of Wallace, Nebr. This action was taken at a special meeting of the board on April 7, 2008.

Citizens of Rooks County were asked to help identify the “8 Wonders of Rooks County,” with the results to be announced June 18. The Stockton School District had recently received an anonymous donation to be used for technology purposes for the students.

Chris Sander, librarian for the Stockton Public Library, had applied for and received a network video relay system for hearing impaired. Frank and Carolyn Earl were pictured at the library as they demonstrated the new equipment.

The four candidates on the ballot for Stockton City Commission were featured with their answers to the Sentinel’s questions. City election was slated for Tuesday, April 1st. Also on the ballot was the question concerning extending a portion of the city sales tax collected to help fund the new water distribution project.

With spring in the air and the weather warming, local children were looking for a fun place to visit and play with their friends. This dream was about to become a reality for the children of Stockton. After receiving a donation from the City of Stockton, the Stockton P.A.R.K. Committee was excited to announce that construction was underway in the lower city park. Ground was broken at the park on March 15 for the new play area, which had been in the planning stages for over a year. Very excited P.A.R.K. committee members and their families, as well as other Stockton citizens present for the ceremony were: Kim Thomas, Mike Heenan, Char Heenan, Willardene Purdum, Harry Purdum, Michelle Storz, Diane Keirns, Virginia Bice, Darrell Sammons, MaryEllen Beck, Lujeana Howell, Doug Howell, Jessica Billinger, Dale Winklepleck, Jana Weidenhaft, Karen Reed, Dave Reed, Conniee Conyac and Chuck Williams. Children pictured were: MaKenzie Storz, Dillon Halton, Isaac Reed, Madalyn Billinger, Trenton Howell, Nate Billinger, Garrett Billinger, Shaelyn Griffin, Lexi Winklepleck, Logan Winklepleck, Cecelia Beck and MaKayla Reed.

In its regular bi-monthly meeting, the City of Stockton dispersed part of the Hansen grant it had received for baseball lights, swimming pool refurbishments and playground equipment. “The 7 Project” was held at the high school on March 5.

Blaine Baxter of Baxter’s Bait and Tackle of Stockton was the front page lead story, written by Mike Corn, in the Sunday, March 2 issue of The Hays Daily News. The story centered around Baxter’s 19-year-old business and the changes he has witnessed over the years.

On Saturday, Feb. 23, 2008, Steve and Stephanie Pfeifer, Miranda Williams, Irvin Earl, Heather Williams and Adam, Kevin and Dena States, Magnus and Ravin, Kay Mason and Dacota Starbuck went to Walmart in Hays to surprise Andy Williams and his friend, Frank Tenorio, and escort them back to a “Welcome Home” reception in Stockton. The men had just returned from a tour of duty in Iraq and “just happened to be” shopping in Walmart with Jed States and Heather Lewis at the time. The guys were paged on Walmart’s intercom and were totally surprised to find the large group of people there to greet them. A “motorcade” was formed to bring the men to Stockton, with American flags flying and a police escort, to the reception held for the men at the Assembly of God Annex.

SPC Andy Williams, a 2005 SHS graduate and son of Stephanie Pfeifer of Stockton, had returned from a tour of duty in Iraq. A surprise reception was planned for him on February 28, and everyone was invited. Andy was on leave and would be stationed at Fort Sill in Lawton, Okla.