A couple of dozen people– including representatives from the offices of U.S. Senator Roy Blunt and Representative Emanuel Cleaver II and all three of the Saline County Commissioners– filled Nelson City Hall on Wednesday, May 23, to take in a dedication ceremony of the city’s new multi-functional outdoor warning siren.
After Travis Zimmerman, USDA Area Specialist from the office in Sedalia, read off the words on a plaque he presented to Nelson Mayor Gale Cornine, USDA Assistant to the State Director Tim Rickabaugh said the small town smartly took advantage of several resources and partnerships with agencies to get the job done.

Saline County Emergency Management Agency Director Tony Day says the town of 192 residents can do a lot with very little.

Mayor Cornine said he is grateful for all of the support from the county commission and others.

A grant from the USDA covered $11,900 of the $15,000 price tag for the siren.
After the ceremony, the voice part of the siren was activated for testing purposes. Cornine said the siren was sounded during the countywide test earlier this month.