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Mosby, Mo. — Dozens of residents packed into Mosby City Hall on May 22, 2025, expressing concerns for over an hour regarding a proposed expansion of Ideker Mining’s underground rock quarry. While the company contended that the expansion would be safe and closely regulated, residents from Mosby and nearby unincorporated areas responded with accounts of property damage, health effects, and a perceived absence of benefits to the city.
John Mullane, the attorney representing Ideker Mining and landowner David Rhodus, opened the meeting with a formal presentation. He explained the company seeks to expand its underground mining operations northward and emphasized that blasting would continue under approximately 60 feet of rock and soil. He noted that the blasting is monitored by a third-party seismograph and said the highest recorded blast on May 6 still fell “under the legal threshold” for ground vibration.
Renee Rhodus, who leases her land to Ideker, spoke in favor of the project. “If there was anything that was going to happen, I would be the first one to know,” she said. “I’ve never had anything fall off the walls. I’ve not had any cracked Sheetrock. My foundation is not cracked.” She added that Ideker notifies her before each blast and that the monitoring equipment was installed at her request.
David Rhodus, who owns the property proposed for further annexation, addressed the crowd, explaining that his family had farmed the land for over a century and that quarrying is now part of making a living. “The framework of making a living off the farm has changed,” he said. “Fifty years from now, it’ll be totally different, but I guarantee you, we’ll still be on the land.”
Despite those assurances, public comments were dominated by opposition. Many residents expressed fear and frustration, particularly those living on or near Cameron Road, where blasting, dust, truck traffic, and road conditions have been a growing concern.
Samantha Aldana, a resident of Mosby, said she already hears the blasting and fears the impacts will worsen. “My kids don’t like it. It’s a scary thing. My animals don’t like it. I think the progression of this could cause way more damage than what is being said right now.”
Pam Smith, a resident of 136th Street, told the council, “That home is going to take care of me when I can’t take care of myself. What am I going to do when our property values go down?” She said she had already spent $7,000 on foundation repairs, and added that other people in the community near the quarry had spent much more.
Residents also challenged the council over how tax revenue is being used. Renee Rhodus, who agreed that Cameron Road was severely damaged, asked, “Where is all the revenue going from all of these businesses?” referencing the asphalt plant, quarry, Porter’s Lumber, and Pour Boy’s gas station. “I haven’t seen any improvements anywhere to the town, to the roads, to anything.”
City officials responded that a large portion of tax revenue had been used to fund a Kansas City water line, which they had been working on for years due to DNR pressure. “We paid for that with tax dollars,” one council member said, “and after that, we’re going to have some money to do roads.”
Still, many residents questioned whether Mosby was benefiting at all. Dave McClaskey, of the Cameron Road Neighborhood Association, said, “I don’t see how this mine is benefiting Mosby.” He pointed out that commercial developers have turned down opportunities in the area due to concerns about seismic activity and dust.
Several speakers, including Dylan Obesen and Susie Phillips, described the emotional and physical toll the mining has taken on their families. Obesen said he received a letter about the quarry moving in front of his home just months after buying the property. “That wrecked my life for a good year,” he said. “The blasting is significant. My kids hate it. It’s very disruptive.”
Phillips, who built her retirement home near the expansion area, described cracked sheetrock, a damaged foundation, and terrified grandchildren. “They hide in the afternoon. They’ve got to leave,” she said. “You wouldn’t want your grandkids scared at your house, would you?”
Residents also brought up safety issues related to quarry truck traffic. Janette Thomas recalled a double tire blowout caused by potholes and said gravel trucks fly down the road without stopping. “Somebody is going to end up killed right there,” she warned. “They don’t even stop at the stop sign when they get to 69 Highway,” she added.
Other concerns included unreported sinkholes due to underground activity, air quality, regulatory gaps, and fears that Ideker will continue to expand north and attempt to buy out more homeowners. Some questioned whether Mosby has the resources to oversee the scale of industrial activity taking place within its limits.
City officials reiterated that no vote would be taken during the meeting. “We’re here to listen,” said Mosby Mayor Harlin Clements. “We’re not making a decision tonight.”
Chris McClaskey summarized the frustration many expressed: “Nobody informed us. Nobody considered us. Now it’s happening again… We feel like no one is listening to us.”
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