moliberty

city council meeting 6/14/10

Capitol Improvement TAX renewal NO or YES

MO sovereignty Bill stalled in Senate Committee

WHAT ??? have we really sunken so low that even the working girls are OK with taxes

Nothing else need be said

The cake never tasted so BITTER

Voters reject tax hike

reasons to say NO

Restaurant fees all over again

Traffic-light cameras increase accidents, foster poor driving

NORMAL scare tactics being applied

Springfield Residents Satisfied with the City

Springfield Residents Satisfied with the City

Armed officers raid home, hold mom, kids for 6 hours

So good it had to be repeated

one more laws to criminalize actions which harm NO one

Norr targets cell phone usage

Community Resiliency Conference

Paid professionals needed to lead

Fewer homes to be rehabilitated due to smaller grant

Prices too high for amount of food

1¢ Sales Tax

1¢ Sales Tax
for Police and Fire Pension System

Another smoking ban

Have you ever wondered how government can define a private business as a public place ? I've been on both sides of this issue as a smoker and now as a none smoker, however very rarely did I smoke while eating unless the waiting time to get food was quite long, normally I sat in the NO smoking section. The people can choose to eat out at places that allow smoking or they could get some investors together an open a none smoking restaurant.

Parkville could vote on smoking ban soon

Government Excess: Soon You Can Find Some of It Yourself

More cost coming our way

Hundreds of properties now in flood plain

Private meeting deserved protest

Private meeting deserved protest

King Tom ??

'The council makes its own rules,' mayor says

Going down the WRONG road again

White House Explores Aid for Auto Deal

Truth in advertising

Friends of the Garden, Inc

Only government could claim ownership to something that falls from the heavens freely

Greg Burris will hold a news conference at 2:30 p.m

More bailouts on the way

Sending mixed signals

Burris On Tackling the Pension Issue

Gateway Ethanol files for bankruptcy

Gateway Ethanol files for bankruptcy

Presidential decree, Executive Order 11110

Another federal grant coming our way

Follow up from a concern individual about the C.U. proposed rate increases

Business owner is out of business and work

"Letter to the editor:

OINK OINK !!!!!

Solutions to the police fire pension plan

Renovation, development butt heads in Bel-Ridge

Kristina Rasmussen on KSGF.

City stands firm in foreclosure case

From Agent "G"

MO-CPR Criticizes Municipal League's Intervention In Court Case

to curb obesity epidemic

to curb obesity epidemic

Businesses to rejoice with this announcement

Government run amok

Greg Burris Announced as New City Manager

Clinton Rallies Planned for Convention

thoughts on city council meeting

1/8¢ Transportation Tax Renewal

1/8¢ Transportation Tax Renewal

The Prince of earmarks brings home the pork

how to keep America moving

correcting the critics

Apology to law enforcement for the missed intent of this article

what good are metal detectors

1/8 cent sales tax

NTU press release

from our friends at the Heritage Foundation

How much do entitlements cost?

What is a bribe ??

City Chater section 2

The Council

Section 1 of the charter

The opinions which have been inserted are that of the author and not found in the city charter, and are based on the highlighted sections of the actual city charter and the actions of which the city council and city management has already taken in the governance of the city.

Incorporation; Form of Government; Powers; Zones

A City Charter

How in 'tarnation' did this come about

Restaurateurs will dispute inspection fee

Restaurateurs will dispute inspection fee

moliberty

city council meeting 6/14/10

Capitol Improvement TAX renewal NO or YES

MO sovereignty Bill stalled in Senate Committee

WHAT ??? have we really sunken so low that even the working girls are OK with taxes

Nothing else need be said

The cake never tasted so BITTER

Voters reject tax hike

reasons to say NO

Restaurant fees all over again

Traffic-light cameras increase accidents, foster poor driving

NORMAL scare tactics being applied

Springfield Residents Satisfied with the City

Springfield Residents Satisfied with the City

Armed officers raid home, hold mom, kids for 6 hours

So good it had to be repeated

one more laws to criminalize actions which harm NO one

Norr targets cell phone usage

Community Resiliency Conference

Paid professionals needed to lead

Fewer homes to be rehabilitated due to smaller grant

Prices too high for amount of food

1¢ Sales Tax

1¢ Sales Tax for Police and Fire Pension System

Another smoking ban

Parkville could vote on smoking ban soon

Government Excess: Soon You Can Find Some of It Yourself

More cost coming our way

Hundreds of properties now in flood plain

Private meeting deserved protest

Private meeting deserved protest

King Tom ??

'The council makes its own rules,' mayor says

Going down the WRONG road again

White House Explores Aid for Auto Deal

Truth in advertising

Friends of the Garden, Inc

Only government could claim ownership to something that falls from the heavens freely

Greg Burris will hold a news conference at 2:30 p.m

More bailouts on the way

Sending mixed signals

Burris On Tackling the Pension Issue

Gateway Ethanol files for bankruptcy

Gateway Ethanol files for bankruptcy

Presidential decree, Executive Order 11110

Another federal grant coming our way

Follow up from a concern individual about the C.U. proposed rate increases

Business owner is out of business and work

"Letter to the editor:

OINK OINK !!!!!

Solutions to the police fire pension plan

Renovation, development butt heads in Bel-Ridge

Kristina Rasmussen on KSGF.

City stands firm in foreclosure case

1¢ Sales Tax
for Police and Fire Pension System

Springfield city manager says "worst-case" plan will have to proceed.

Teens shouldn't talk on the phone while driving, he says.

February 3, 2009

To reach Bill Graham call 816-234-5906 or send e-mail to bgraham@kcstar.com.

Burlison made right decision to criticize pre-council gathering.

Meeting runs afoul of procedural rules.

Only a government entity can claim ownership of something which flows freely from the heavens, the ground, or under the ground. Water which falls from the sky should be able to be collected by rain barrels or retention ponds, or any other method excluding damning up water from flowing sources such as rivers, streams, and the like for uses in the future such as irrigation or domestic uses, but NOT in Utah.

Water Right Information

Discovery Center Free Day!

Burris On Tackling the Pension Issue

The owners of a troubled Pratt ethanol plant filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Sunday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Kansas.

Award Information

City stands firm in foreclosure case

Council warning to families guilty of neglect

Clinton Rallies Planned for Convention

Proposed 2009-2012 Projects

Eatery owners argue the new expense will harm them next year.

Springfield city manager says "worst-case" plan will have to proceed.

Teens shouldn't talk on the phone while driving, he says.

February 3, 2009

To reach Bill Graham call 816-234-5906 or send e-mail to bgraham@kcstar.com.

Burlison made right decision to criticize pre-council gathering.

Meeting runs afoul of procedural rules.

Water Right Information

Discovery Center Free Day!

Burris On Tackling the Pension Issue

The owners of a troubled Pratt ethanol plant filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Sunday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Kansas.

Award Information

City stands firm in foreclosure case

By KSPR News

Additional Elements Proposed to Fund Plan

city@springfieldmo.gov

Gov. Blunt Announces Springfield Awarded $1 Million Federal Grant to Update Emergency Operations Center

Man’s lawyers want judge to set action aside or drop fine to $50

By KSPR News

Additional Elements Proposed to Fund Plan

city@springfieldmo.gov

Gov. Blunt Announces Springfield Awarded $1 Million Federal Grant to Update Emergency Operations Center

Man’s lawyers want judge to set action aside or drop fine to $50

Official Ballot Language

By BILL GRAHAM

The Kansas City Star

BY BILL WILSON

The Wichita Eagle

Campbell Avenue Fully Re-opened

Department of Public Works

840 Boonville Ave., P.O. Box 8368, Springfield, MO 65801-8368
Phone: (417) 864-1900 • city@springfieldmo.gov

Greg Burris Announced as New City Manager

Department of Public Information

840 Boonville Ave., P.O. Box 8368, Springfield, MO 65801-8368
Phone: (417) 864-1010 • FAX: (417) 864-1114 • city@springfieldmo.gov

U.S. 65 – Widen to six lanes

James River Freeway and National Avenue interchange improvements

James River Freeway and Campbell Avenue interchange improvements (Phase I)

Interstate 44 and Kansas Expressway Interchange Improvements

Bike/Pedestrian and Transit Connectivity Projects

Kearney and National Intersection Improvements

Turn-Lane Improvements for Capacity and Safety

Major Roadway System Maintenance for Pavement and Bridges

Ozarks Traffic Intelligent Transportation System

Cost-Share projects

EPA Grant to Help Commercial Street Go Green

Section 2.1. Number and term

Section 1.1. Incorporation

Section 1.1.1. Extended corporate limits

Section 1.2. Form of government

Section 1.3. Powers of the city

Section 1.4. Zones

Section 1.5. Extended city limits

Official Ballot Language

By BILL GRAHAM

The Kansas City Star

BY BILL WILSON

The Wichita Eagle

840 Boonville Ave., P.O. Box 8368, Springfield, MO 65801-8368
Phone: (417) 864-1900 • city@springfieldmo.gov

840 Boonville Ave., P.O. Box 8368, Springfield, MO 65801-8368
Phone: (417) 864-1010 • FAX: (417) 864-1114 • city@springfieldmo.gov

Doug,

Our Voice

Revised: July 14, 2005

By RAQUEL RUTLEDGE
rrutledge@journalsentinel.com

Posted: Aug. 29, 2008

that Springfield City Utilities & their customers are asking

Doug,

Our Voice

Revised: July 14, 2005

By RAQUEL RUTLEDGErrutledge@journalsentinel.com

By RAQUEL RUTLEDGE
rrutledge@journalsentinel.com

2010-06-14T16:54:00.000-07:00

Opening prayer provided by Nick Ibarra with thoughts and prayers being extended to the family of Tom Finnie as his wife passed away recently.

Since there is a police/fire pension issue on the agenda the "first responders" are here in full force, I doubt if they are going to admit to their portion of the underfunding.

Swearing in of John D. Whittington to the airport board.

Springfield Catholic Lady Irish being recognised for winning MO state soccer championship. Resolution passed way to go ladies.

manager's report praising the disinformation being orchestrated for the passage of the CIP tax. Quarterly revenue down once more an with hiring freeze and budget cuts. City has found a source for all recycled glass to be hauled to KC to be used in fiberglass insulation, although we won't make any money it isn't going to cost us any money to be hauled away.
brick sidewalks being discussed and if these shall be retained, replaced, and/or repaired the city manager is going to create a "task force" to look into the subject. trees and which ones are going to be cut down in Fassnight Park is being discussed and of course the local media is being hammered for erroneous reporting. City manager covering his basis with the police/fire pension funding issue on "their" short funding and the portion that the city has short funded, however the amount lost in the pension plan because of the stock market debacle is clearly on the backs of the private sector taxpayers.

Councilman Burlison wants to know if the people are going to be told which trees are going to be cut down, it appears some of the trees are diseased and need to be removed. Yes the park belongs to the city and by fiat the taxpayer however we the people should not nor should we expect to be informed of the removal of trees in a city park.

Council Bill 2010-143

Budget for the city, the budget is balanced however we know this is compliant on the revenue guesstimating of MMD and city staff.

Council Bill 2010-144

No assessed increase in property values, this is a good thing as the economy is stagnant.

Council Bill 2010-145

Fees for services, of course this is being billed as services the city is providing to the people, however much of these are services that are being forced onto people such as inspecting restaurants, replacing stop signs that get knocked over, and inspecting tanker trucks that haul fuel oil in Springfield, never mind that the DOT has the authority and the mandate to do this. The city is NOT a recognised DOT compliant organization.
Fred Ellison gave a talk about us being taxed enough, city attorney Dan Wichmer tried to use the KS fire fighters case as an explanation except he clearly misrepresented the entire case, but we find this behavior to be the norm.

Council Bill 2010-151

AG requesting Community Improvement District (CID) to build on property at West Battlefield and Kansas Ave and Kansas Expressway. I'm unaware that AG pays property taxes since after all they are a religious institution. This CID (1/2) is supposed to disappear after 15 years or when the development is paid off. I believe the CID if it didn't generate enough revenue to pay for improvements the developer could just ask for an extension. This is a single owner CID who is requesting the right to have the same authority as the city to collect and make use of tax money at their convenience.
Councilman Bailes asked why the taxpayers and/or the city should be requested to fund improvements when in reality the vacant lot was sold at a cheaper rate then a developed lot.

Fred Ellison discussing how this is going to effect the functionality of Battlefield Road and Kansas Expressway and with the latest improvements to this intersection especially since the improvements were done not that long ago. Also why can't the developer just raise the cost of their products.

Council Lady Rushefsky sides with Mr. Ellison on his points of picking winners and losers, increased traffic on an intersection which is already burdened to the extreme and the single developer CID.

MMD was asked to respond to the points raised by Mr Ellison but from listening to this response the questions aren't being answered except to say CID's have gone to single owners, and she passed on the raising the price of products question. Lawyer for developer says it is a competitive issue which could hinder the retailer on their sales.

Council Bills 2010-146

Accepting the budget of the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau.

This is done via the sales tax being collected on motel/hotel rooms, various grants from state and private enterprise funds.

Council Bill 2010-147

Changing job titles and giving raises not based on any merit but by simply reclassifying jobs. There are 13 additions and 11 deletions. Speaker says the increase equates to $300.00.

Councilman Ibarra asking about the Botanical Garden being built with ARRA funds and a position being created for a person to be hired in this area. Shiela Maerz is unaware if this position to be paid out of stimulus dollars. Normally these types of positions are a burden to the taxpayer with local tax dollars and not federal tax dollars.

S.E.I.U. union stewart is disappointed that their employees are getting a little bit of a shaft by the elimination of the step pay scale, which gives an individual a raise simply because of tenure.

Fred Ellison asking about these reclassification and why police are not being required to work down there leave and/or vacation as this adds to the pension plan problem as this pads to the end salary for retirement benefits. The problem we have is not one person looked further enough ahead to see how this was going to impact the pension fund.

Council Bill 2010-148

Requesting 1/2 MILLION in grants to relocate railroad wye to ease traffic flow and help remove trains from the center city area.

Councilman Chiles asking about passenger rail possibility of the downtown area if this action occurs.

Ibarra would like to know if this is in the vicinity of Chestnut Expressway and I-44.

Council Bill ?

Requesting that C.U. accept the bid of KPMG for their auditing firm.

Council Bill 2010-107

The Walgreen issue, which is kind of caused by the state legislature.

District Manager of Walgreens says this is a demand of customers and as a retail outlet they will try to meet the needs of the customer and they will do so responsibly. This is a limited product run and will not sell individuals only cases.

Councilman Rush request they withdraw the ordinance Walgreens spokesperson declined. main issue is being able to purchase a beer, toothpaste, toothbrush, and a prescription.

Councillady Rushefsky ask about how many stores in SPFD (9 total) (8 with liquor license), Walgreen's nationwide are requesting a beer and wine permit for the stores that aren't allowed to sell this commodity. Wants to know if the employees have been trained to recognise a person that is drunk and if the employees know what the customer does after they leave the lot....."It isn't the concern of Walgreen's nor the employees to what occurs to any customer that leaves the lot"

Councilman Bailes request if there has been any police actions in the "other" stores parking lots or disturbances requiring police actions.

Councilman Stephens what type of training does the employees go through in order to sell beer and wine.

Councilman Ibarra turns Rush's comment into nil because this same sequence can be accomplished at any Wal-Mart in town.

store manager speaks and shows the outlay of the store vs the school and front door to front door would be over 300' based on the fact that the front doors of the school are NO longer used because of the traffic volume on Kearney. The door into the school is in the middle of a courtyard on the south of the building whereas the store entrance is in the far northeast corner of the building.

Chris Davis, director of prevention at the Community of the Ozarks discussing abuse of alcohol if it is readily available, increased sales creates higher crime such as DUI, domestic violence, abuse, and various other crimes. Removing the availability of alcohol will diminish this type of behavior

Councilman Stephens wants to know if the studies cited were in any way forgiving the poor parenting of the children to which the speaker said no

Councilman Burlison asked if banning alcohol was a smart way to go based on what transpired in the past with banning alcohol.

Councilman Bailes asked for any info on whether there is any relevant studies on dry counties in Arkansas.

Dr Blaine states statistics show that 7.1 BILLION anually is being spent in alcohol related treatment, a study based on AMA criteria.
This law we are discussing has been on the books since 1957, which states that alcohol sales can only occur 200' away. Greene county medical association, local sherriffs department and various other agencies are not in favor of changing this ordinance. 7% of the population accounts for over 60% of the sales, to which Councilman Stephens says we should discuss this with the people who are consuing not the retailer.

Principle of Robberson urging City Council to turn down this request, it appears from a comment of the principle that school children are allowed to leave school grounds to walk over to Walgreens unattended, it appears that others at the media table heard the same comment HUH...?

PTA president discussing the safety of the children, elevated vandalism at the school and the aspect of heavier foot traffic caused by all the drunken winos who will be walking on school property

David Brundrick(? sp) Pacific Institute Research & Evaluation says the higher the availability of alcohol the higher the requirements of police services because of DUI, domestic violence, assault and various other crimes being committed by heavy drinking.

Sharon Altoroa(? sp) Started neighborhood watch in area, husband in Iraq currently serving 3rd tour. Says Walgreens is great for the community, the neighbors could not make meeting because they don't have access to transportation to attend meeting. Perhaps public transit doesn't service this area need to ask C.U. about this. She is in favor of the ordinance and sees it as a convenience as do many of the neighbors, an perhaps a vocal minority is pushing an agenda.

Council discussion is set to begin and they will take up the issue of granting a permit, if this is defeated then the other which denies the permit passes.

Councilman Rush says that Walgreens is being not beneficial to the neighborhood and will vote against the bill

Councilman Compton says we are being asked to do something which is arbitrary and not against the law. This is it is said a poor neighborhood and supports the permit

Councillady Rushefsky voting NO says Walgreens is a 2 BILLION dollar profit empire and this one store does not need to pad that figure by selling wine and beer at this outlet.

2010-06-02T13:49:00.000-07:00

Could not get the charts to load up with this but anyone who is interested in viewing I can send them via e-mail.

Sequence of the Financial Progression of EverySpringfield Capital Improvement Project

1. A project is proposed for authorization by the Administration. A proposed budget cost accompanies the proposal

2. The project is approved by City Council

3. The project is initiated at the discretion of the City Manager. Managing the project throughout its history is the City Manager's responsibility.

4. Whenever a project is started, and C.I.P. money is spent:
•
The total spent in every 6 month period is reported in a semi-annual Capital Improvements Projects StatusReport
•
The total cost for completion of the project can be revised
•
The expected remaining cost for completion of the project can be calculated – but is not reported.
•
City charter allows the City Manager to adjust individual project budgets as needed.
•
The final cost of the project is recorded as the total amount spent to complete the project.

How Does Springfield Currently Categorize Its Capital Improvement Projects?

Projects are divided into the following groups :

•
Springfield-Branson Regional Airport (8 active projects)
•
Springfield Art Museum (1 completed project)
•
Fire Department (2 active projects)
•
Municipal Buildings, Grounds & Streetscapes (16active projects)
•
Public Parks (34 active projects)
•
Sanitary Sewerage System (20 active projects)
•
Solid Waste (8 active projects)
•
Storm Water Projects (26 active projects)
•
Street Projects (26 active projects)
•
Traffic Engineering (14 active projects)
•
P.W. Shared Cost Agreement (Greene Co) (1 active project)
Total = 156 active projects

How Have The Current C.I.P Funds Been Spent In The Past Few Years, And How Much Will It
Cost The Taxpayers To Finish All Active Unfinished Projects?

What has been spent by Springfield in fiscal years 20082009 for each c.i.p. category?

How much will it cost taxpayers to complete all the projects in each (red) category?

Do all the projects meet vital core-citizen need requirements?

The total cost of unfinished projects is$244,518,321!

The Administration KNOWS it can't finish ever started capital project within any single budget year. But they KNOW they can pick & choose which projects they WANT to work on.

What are their choices?

There are $45 million in the “Parks” and “Municipal Buildings” categories – that aren't in any vital “citizen needs” group.

So, what does City Hall threaten citizens with if they don't vote for renewal of the CIP tax? The on-going road projects and the sewer projects citizens need will bestopped in their tracks – It's like they are telling voters:

“Suffer the consequences, you ignorant voters for not letting your administration spend your money the way we always have” (Our way!)

Does the City's Capital spending have any further effectson its budgetary problems? The City's long-term debt obligation is steadily rising.

Springfield's spending is equivalent to an ordinary citizen using a credit card to buy big thing that can't be paid out of current income.

What does the City of Springfield do when it can't pay for everything out of current revenue? It
sells municipal bonds, and finances major capital items that are not covered by current revenue. Interest has to be paid on their long term debt obligations.

Just how much does the City of Springfield pay every year to service this long-term debt obligation?

Interest payment on the bonds due is virtually equal to the revenue generated by the ¼ cent CIP tax. This interest payment comes straight out of Operating Budget. The Operating Budget that can't afford to hire more police and firemen.

CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS:

•
The City of Springfield's Administration picks and chooses approved projects that will be started and completed.
•
With Council's approval, the Administration has spent great sums on citizens' non-core need projects in the recent past -- parks and streetscapes to name a few.
•
The City's overspending has generated a huge long term debt obligation.
•
The loss of revenue from repeal of the ¼ cent CIP tax can be balanced by cutting down spending on nonessential capital projects.
•
The Administration currently has no intention tomodify their Capital Improvement Project spending operations.
•
The only way Springfield citizens can keep the City from spending money that not covered by current revenue is to vote NO on the ¼ cent CIP tax renewal ballot. Essential projects WON'T have to be cut.
•
This economic downturn is a terrible time to continue spending taxpayer funds on the City's nice-but frivolous projects.

2009-05-06T12:14:00.000-07:00

This was taken from the Ron Paul website. Self Explanatory. We need to call all of them especially the so-called Republican Sen. Shields
http://www.dailypaul.com/node/91870
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MO sovereignty Bill stalled in Senate Committee. Update
Posted May 4th, 2009 by meekandmild
We want to see Missouri ’s own Sovereignty of States Resolution [HCR 13] passed. It’s already sailed through the House but is stuck in committee in the State Senate. We hope that our State Senators believe in the freedom of Missouri citizens to pass this resolution.”
UPDATE
Sen. Shields and ALL Republican and Democrat State Senators are blocking Rep. Jim Guest's sovereignty legislation; specifically HCR-13 (10th Amendment-State Sovereignty) and HB-361 (Federal Real ID Act of 2005).

Sen. Shields threatens a filibuster and will not allow these Bills to come out of the Rules Committee to the full Senate for a vote. The Senate has no right stopping this legislation to protect citizens of the state.

CALL THESE MEMBERS OF THE RULES COMMITTEE:

Kevin Engler, (R) Chairman - (573) 756-5572 kevin.engler@senate.mo.gov

Gary Nodler, (R) Vice-Chair - (573) 751-2306 gary_nodler@senate.mo.gov

Joan Bray - (D) (573) 751-2514 jbray@senate.mo.gov

Norma Champion - (R) (573) 751-2583 normachampion@senate.mo.gov

Timothy Green - (D) (573) 751-2420 timothy_green@senate.mo.gov

Charlie Shields - (R) (573) 751-9476 charlie_shields@senate.mo.gov

2009-04-08T16:43:00.000-07:00

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-prostitution-tax8-2009apr08,0,3766782.story

Never have visited one so I should be in favor of this since it does not impact me RIGHT ????

WRONG !!!! this isn't that far removed from some dingle headed legislator to proclaim that ALL sex is money induced (YES even in the confines of a marriage)thus we need taxation rights on any form of intercourse of a sexual nature.

First we have gun owners who believe the second amendment is about hunting, now we have a state that wants to tax a sexual business transaction between two private or three or more individuals. Whether it should be legal or not is NOT the issue here the FACT remains that Nevada creates a tourism source based on these houses being located in the state.

2009-02-27T18:09:00.000-08:00

There have been two letters written in response to the failure of the 1 cent sales tax proposal to shore up the police and fire pension fund that point a finger at the citizenry for either not understanding the proposal and the consequences if it didn't pass or for not being a caring and compassionate community, demonstrating disrespect for our fire and police forces. I want to assure Geoffrey Butler and James F. Miller that nothing could be further from the truth.

The Springfield News-Leader did a thorough and outstanding job informing the public on this issue. I attended every meeting at the newspaper held by Greg Burris, the citizen's group promoting the sales tax and a City Council representative, all in favor of the sales tax. I may not be the smartest person in attendance but it didn't take a rocket scientist to understand that the numbers were not accurate and the semantics used were just as misleading.

I want to assure Mr. Butler that his comments displayed blatant disrespect for the voters in the city of Springfield. Talking down to us and using bad grammar was downright rude and condescending. Living outside of Springfield does not entitle you to belittle our small town ways and values. Mr. Butler, if you feel so strongly about this issue and feel that we failed, I'm sure that Mr. Burris would welcome a check from you in support of this failed tax issue. He could plop it right into the fund and watch it grow, a percent here, a percent there ; it all adds up in the end.

Then you can have some "skin in the game."

Mr. Miller, insurance companies get their money one way or another. Again, I assure you the voters of Springfield were well informed and educated on this issue. ISO's were created for the purpose of creating a system to make money. If I were a police or fire person, I would not appreciate the comments alluding that because the sales tax didn't pass, this core group would not respond appropriately or in a timely manner. The individuals who work those aforementioned jobs made a choice just as you made a choice for your profession. We bear responsibility for choices.

I would like to remind Mr. Butler and Mr. Miller that the voters said no on Feb. 3 to the sales tax, sending a clear message demanding that the City Council and city manager become fiscally responsible. Until the three areas of the city - parks, City Utilities and City Council - learn to work together instead of independent of each other, there will be no financial resolution that is bankable. Any credit counselor will tell you that money problems are not fixed by more money ; it is fixed by managing what you have and utilizing better budget and spending options. We learn to live with "needs" not the "wants."

I stand by the work that the Springfield News-Leader performed on this issue and find their work stellar and unpretentious. The outcome of the vote does not dignify or justify all the criticisms that have been levied against them. Another slap in the face is from the city manager not accepting the vote and planning on placing it on the ballot again. As with a small child, no means no; and as with a small child, we will push and push to get our way.

It is very easy to criticize when you don't have "skin in the game." Move into the city limits then you will offer more than lip service to this issue.

J. Diane Richardson Springfield
J. Diane Richardson is a member of the News-Leader editorial advisory board. She lives in Springfield.

2009-02-06T18:31:00.000-08:00

Wes Johnson • News-Leader • February 4, 2009

Stung by tough economic times and mistrust of city leaders, Springfield voters narrowly rejected a one-cent sales tax to bolster the financially ailing police-fire pension fund Tuesday.

The pension sales tax -- which could have pumped an estimated $40 million a year into the fund for up to five years -- failed by fewer than 900 votes, according to final but unofficial results by the Greene County Clerk's office.

Had it passed, the tax would have gone into effect July 1 and would cost an extra dollar on a $100 purchase in Springfield.

At a gathering Tuesday night at the police and fire station on east Battlefield Road, City Manager Greg Burris said he would ask voters to reconsider the sales tax question, possibly in June or August.

And he said his "worst-case" budget plan -- which called for $5.7 million in cuts if the sales tax issue failed --will need to move ahead, even after a new council is elected in April.

"I won't change my budget recommendations based on who gets elected," Burris said. "The pension problem hasn't gone away."

Today, Burris plans to meet with his staff to figure out why voters rejected the sales tax and consider how the proposal might be "tweaked" ahead of another vote.

He said the pension fund's shortfall -- $197 million in December -- will continue to get worse because of the tax vote's failure, a sentiment echoed by Councilman Doug Burlison.

"My initial thought is that the price tag to fix this problem has just gone up, and gone up at an incredible rate," a visibly upset Burlison said. "I think, with all the problems the federal government is dealing with, that folks have equated this as being a local bailout. That's not a fair representation of the problem at all."

Mayor Tom Carlson said he thought getting a sales tax passed during the current economic recession "was going to be a challenge."

"The fact the vote came this close in this uncertain time is encouraging," he said.

Councilman Ralph Manley's voice cracked, and he wiped away a few tears, after the final results rolled in on a computer screen at the police-fire station on east Battlefield.

"I am very, very disappointed that only 17 percent of the people voted on this issue," Manley said. "In my own heart -- and I'm a successful businessman -- I knew this sales tax was the best way to get this done, and get it done quick."

City voter Charles Allen backed the sales tax because he wanted to show support for police officers and fire fighters.

"I'm retired myself," Allen said. "I know how much that pension would mean to them. These people deserve it. Nobody realizes the dangers they face. When the action starts, those people are out there putting their lives on the line for you."

He hoped voters would approve the tax, but indicated he wanted to see results with the new sales tax money.

"It's a shame we got in this situation," he said. "I hope they manage this thing right and give them what they deserve -- and give us what we deserve."

But Jay Rippee said the cost of a new sales tax was too much of a burden.

"With the economy's condition now, we shouldn't have a tax increase," Rippee said.

Asked if he felt the city successfully conveyed the need for the increase, Rippee said '"no."

"I don't think they gave us the reason for why it (the shortfall) happened in the first place," he said. "That was their fault and then we want to make it up now ..."

Judy Wilson said the city didn't do enough research before asking voters for a sales tax hike, and that earned a "no" vote from her.

She also felt the city resorted to "scare tactics" to sway voters by outlining budget cuts that could happen if the tax fails.

"I didn't like the scare tactics at all," she said. "A lot of older people my age are scared to death they're not going to have police protection if this fails. I don't think that's going to happen."

Fairelyn Bayless said she felt "really sorry for those guys" because of the losses in their pension fund.

"But I'm not going to vote for it unless I'm convinced all the money would go to the pension fund," she said. "I'm not sure it will."

Steven Reed, who formed an opposition group to the sales tax, said he thought the vote showed that "the city needs to start listening to its citizens."

A lot was riding on the outcome of Tuesday's vote, including the health of next year's city budget.

Burris has already presented a 17-point budget plan that would make deep cuts in some departments, extend a hiring freeze for 30 positions and possibly lay off some city employees.

It also eliminates all city financial support of nonprofit groups, and makes significant cuts in funding for the parks, public works and health departments.

How soon could the city legally put another sales tax issue on the ballot?

A Missouri Department of Revenue spokesman said June 2 would be the city's next opportunity to put the same sales tax proposal before Springfield voters.

However, Greene County Clerk Richard Struckhoff said the city potentially could seek a court order to get the question on the April 7 general election ballot.

Struckhoff said Jan. 27 was the filing deadline for the April 7 election. Only a court order could overrule that deadline, he said.

2009-01-31T14:00:00.000-08:00

Letter to the News-Leader Editor – for consideration:

Springfields’ Bond Rating scare

The newest “The sky will fall in if the citizens don’t approve our 1% tax proposal” line from our City Administration is that the City’s bond rating will go to pot, and it will be much more costly to carry out the capital project spending planned by the City.

People, the City Council and the Administration have a published 5-year capital program of items that they want to build that are projected to cost $1 billion dollars – just for construction costs. That’s ONE BILLION! Oh, yes, with that kind of spending, the City’s interest costs for all those projects will be drastically higher with any new and higher bond interest rate.

We have a Council and an Administration that really likes to spend on their Capital Improvement Projects. Spending when you have the money is fun. Spending, when you THINK you have the money, is the way to achieve certain bankruptcy.

Are all those Capital Improvement Projects really necessary? Does Springfield really need more park and greenway facilities and streetscapes now? Do we need to build more parking garages that cost more than they’re worth? How many dollars do we need to pump into “Downtown projects” to subsidize private developers? The City has shown no inclination to cut these projects in these tough times.

We, the taxpayers, are stuck with an Administration that has announced they will cut twenty-eight police positions as their first-round response to any “no” vote come February 3^rd. This does say quite a bit in defining the Administration’s priorities.

James R. Hornaday, Jr.

Springfield

2009-01-23T15:56:00.001-08:00

Friday, June 15, 2007
KC loses appeal on fire inspection fees
Kansas City Business Journal

Kansas City's attempt to charge businesses and multifamily dwellings for fire inspections is unconstitutional, the Missouri Court of Appeals ruled this week.

In a 3-0 decision Tuesday, the court affirmed a lower court's ruling that the city's ordinances to charge as much as $100 per inspection and certification of compliance violated Missouri's Hancock Amendment because they imposed fees without voters' approval.

Alan Holtkamp, assistant city attorney for Kansas City, said Friday that the city was unsure whether it would appeal the ruling.

The fire department continues to perform inspections, but they're paid for out of the city's general fund.

That's also how the inspections were paid for before 2003. At the time, city officials looked at ways to raise revenue to support the fire department's work and passed the ordinance to mandate the inspection fees.

The Building Owners and Managers Association of Greater Kansas City filed a lawsuit against the city in 2004 in Jackson County Circuit Court.

While that case was pending, the city amended its ordinances to require a fire inspection with a fee of as much $100 or give building owners the option to have private engineers do the inspection and pay the city $10 for an inspection certificate.

The circuit court ruled in favor of the BOMA and ordered the city to repay all fees collected under the ordinances.

BOMA President Scott Du Vall couldn't be reached for comment.

2009-01-18T19:54:00.000-08:00

Appeared in the Voices of the day column of the News Leader

Traffic-light cameras increase accidents, foster poor driving

Jason T. Umbarger • January 10, 2009

Numerous studies from academics, various departments of transportation, governments, insurance carriers and motorist advocacy groups clearly show the automated traffic camera systems present a threat to the safety of motorists.
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I was surprised to find in my research that the automated enforcement is not an effective means to bring about a decrease in accidents. The most effective ways to prevent the classic T-bone accident the cameras purportedly prevent are an increase in yellow light times and larger traffic signals. The surveillance of intersections actually brings about an increase in accidents. Traffic is safest when it is most predictable and consistent. Some drivers behave differently when they become aware they are being surveilled. As a result, numerous studies have demonstrated the placement of cameras correlates with an increase in rear-end collision accidents. At the same time, the majority of traffic camera citations are for red-light runners who enter the intersection 0.1 seconds or thereabouts after the light turns red. T-bone collisions adhere to a profile featuring accidents far later following the red light. The lights are thus ineffective at reducing T-bone collisions and actually cause injuries and property damage from rear-end collision accidents.

While any given municipality may have been fortunate enough to experience a decrease in accidents, I would urge a closer examination of the statistics. We should keep in mind accidents and fatalities nationwide are down as a result of improvements in automotive safety, a period of increased gas prices (thus lower traffic numbers) and recession-related decreases in driving. Correlation does not necessarily imply causation as many municipalities would have us believe, particularly in the wake of a sea of academic rigor contrary to the city's contention that automated enforcement in any way improves motorist safety.

The motorists of Missouri deserve better. Missouri motorists deserve the protection of trained professional police officers to issue citations in a safe, prudent and humane way. Our motorists simply cannot be made to suffer the replacement of our policemen with robo-enforcement.

Jason T. Umbarger, MBA, JD is an attorney and lives in Springfield.

2009-01-03T10:59:00.000-08:00

Once more local government is using the scare tactics of old to convince voters they must comply with governments wishes. Normally anytime a tax proposal is placed on the ballot city or state officials will be lining up to sing the "woes me song" that if this isn't done then "X" will not get completed or "Y" will not be hired. It has become evident over the past several years that Springfield has a crime problem, not an issue, but a problem, and yet we are still short police officers on the street.
We are going to see on the ballot a measure which will help bring the pension system back into financial reality with a 1% tax increase proposal, but instead of educating the public on why this is of the utmost importance the scare tactics of old are used to bring about compliance. Instead of leaving the people at the mercy of the criminals, how about we take cost cutting measures in other areas and actually put the protection of the people as the first priority.
Take wage reductions, eliminate some non essential services that the city currently provides, put in place a retirement system where the employee actually has to contribute money into it, unlike the current LAGERS system where there is NO contribution from the employee and a higher cost is passed onto the taxpayer.
The article in question states that Mr Burris has said that "if we are standing in a hole we must stop digging" if this is the case why are we NOT hiring additional police officers to protect the people from an escalating crime problem.
We all have the reasonable resources to form an opinion on whether this measure should be passed or not we don't need officials of government trying to FORCE the passage of this measure by scaring people into doing so.

2008-12-31T21:06:00.000-08:00

Knowing what I know about polls I know how easy it is to screw with the results simply in the manner of which the question is asked.

One question I would ask on this poll is did they interview 200 people from each area of town for this total of 800 or did they only call one zip code area ? Simply by manipulating the area of this poll you can skew the results quite easily.

Although nearly 80% of the respondents know of the pension shortfall I wonder what minuscule percentage actually has a grasp of understanding on why it occurred ?

If people vote NO for this tax measure you can be assured that the reason they voted NO is because the understanding that this could occur again quite easily, or they are opposed to paying for something which they have already paid for once. Why would anyone pay for the same thing twice and only receive it once, makes NO sense to me but then again I look at items with some common sense.

As for recycling efforts in the city what prevents these respondents from calling there waste hauler and requesting a recycle bin, or saving the items and placing them in city owned bins throughout the city. When city forces these waste haulers to provide these services many of these same people will probably complain that the monthly cost of trash removal is going to increase.

http://www.kspr.com/news/local/36924924.html

Story Created: Dec 31, 2008

Story Updated: Dec 31, 2008

Nearly eight in ten Springfieldians say they like the quality of life in their city, but there are plenty of things they'd like to see improved.

About 800 people were surveyed about the state of the city.

They said traffic flow, street upkeep and police protection were the biggest priorities for the next couple years.

Nearly 80% of people said they knew about the shortfall in the police and fire pension fund.

About one in four people said they were "very willing" to approve a sales-tax increase to replenish the fund.

A similar number said they would not vote for the tax hike.

City leaders say the results show the need to keep the public in the loop.

"Our goal is to make sure we educate people. What we find is when we educate groups of people, the vast majority say I had no idea, and I'm convinced," Springfield City Manager Greg Burris said.

Folks said they would like to see more recycling and energy conservation efforts in the city.

Springfield parks got high marks.

Overall, 66% of those surveyed said they were satisfied or very satisfied with city services.

2008-12-26T09:15:00.000-08:00

YOUR GOVERNMENT AT WORK
Armed officers raid home, hold mom, kids for 6 hours
Health department cops allege licensing issues over food co-op
Posted: December 17, 2008
11:20 pm Eastern

© 2008 WorldNetDaily

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=83865

Jacqueline and John Stowers

An Ohio family whose members have served their friends and neighbors with food cooperative services involving bulk and discount supplies has been targeted in a raid by armed law enforcement officers wearing black fatigues who forcibly rounded up the mom and 10 children and held them for six hours.

The raid prompted a complaint filed today on behalf of the family by the Center for Constitutional Law at the Buckeye Institute. It alleges authorities "made a haphazard unannounced entry into the property with guns drawn, as other officers surrounded the property, with guns drawn," then "confiscated the family's personal food supply, personal computers, and personal cell phones."

The complaint names the Ohio Department of Agriculture, the Lorain County General Health District and the state's attorney general. A spokeswoman at the Department of Agriculture said its officers were at the scene in an advisory role. A spokeswoman at the county health agency refused to comment except to explain it was a "licensing" issue regarding the family's Manna Storehouse.

An prosecutor assigned to handle the case declined to respond to WND requests for a comment.

It's not the first such case of authorities invading a home over issues involving the operations of food co-ops. WND reported several months ago when authorities in Pennsylvania demanded $4,000 in fines from a farmer who provided raw milk to friends and neighbors.

That case also was highlighted by a SWAT team-like raid on Mark Nolt's farm, when government agents confiscated tens of thousands of dollars worth of his products as well as pieces of machinery he used for his milk handling and sales.

John and Jacqueline Stowers, whose Ohio home was raided, explained their work in providing affordable, healthy foods to friends and neighbors in a video posted both on YouTube and on the Buckeye Institute's website.

The video also is embedded here: http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=83865

In the video, Jacqueline Stowers describes how she first started ordering bulk health foods for her own family, and gradually other families asked if they, also, could gain access to the food sources.

Then, about a year ago, the family had a conversation with county officials about licensing. The family asked questions but heard nothing further until the armed raid Dec. 1.

"We had a sheriff's department group of about 11-12, I don't know, 13 men come into our home. It was violent, it was belligerent, they didn't identify themselves," she stated.

She and 10 children were forcibly herded into a room and held there for at least six hours, she said.

"In the meantime we had people with guns inside and outside," she said.

The Buckeye Institute's Maurice Thompson said he took legal action in Lorain County Court of Common Pleas because of alleged violations of the Stowers' constitutional rights.

"The use of these police state tactics on a peaceful family is simply unacceptable," said Buckeye Institute President David Hansen. "Officers rushed into the Stowers' home with guns drawn and held the family – including 10 young children – captive for six hours. This outrageous case of bureaucratic overreach must be addressed."

The Buckeye Institute argues the core issue – the right to buy food directly from local farmers, distribute locally-grown food to neighbors and pool resources to purchase food in bulk – are rights that do not require a license.

"The Stowers' constitutional rights were violated over grass-fed cattle, free-range chickens and pesticide-free produce," said Thompson, the institute's Center of Constitutional Law director. "Ohioans do not need a government permission slip to run a family farm and co-op, and should not be subjected to raids when they do not have one. This legal action will ensure the ODA understands and respects Ohioans' rights."

The institute said licensure law enforcement is one thing, raids are another.

"The Buckeye Institute seeks an injunction against similar future raids, and a declaration that such licensure laws are unconstitutional as applied the Stowers and individuals like them," the institute said. "There has never been a complaint filed against Manna Storehouse or the Stowers related to the quality or healthfulness of the food distributed through the co-op."

Online bloggers raged over the situation.

"Agents began rifling through all of the family's possessions, a task that lasted hours and resulted in a complete upheaval of every private area in the home. Many items were taken that were not listed on the search warrant. The family was not permitted a phone call, and they were not told what crime they were being charged with. They were not read their rights. Over ten thousand dollars worth of food was taken, including the family's personal stock of food for the coming year," said one.

The complaint notes Manna Storehouse deals with wheat, flour, sugar, grass-fed beef, lamb, turkey and eggs from free range chickens, mostly coming from local farmers. The raid was based on an affidavit from Ohio Department of Agriculture agent William Lesho that "makes numerous conclusory and unsubstantiated claims," the complaint said.

The complaint states:
The affidavit does not indicate that the Stowers are dangerous.

The affidavit does not indicate … exigent circumstances … that would warrant using force.

The police knocked on the door, and Katie Stowers opened.

Police shoved Katie to the side and immediately entered the residence without first announcing (1) that they are police; or (2) the purpose of the visit.

During the raid, at least one, if not several police entered the home with guns drawn, and the Stowers home was surrounded by police who also had guns drawn.

Once having obtained entry… the lead officer … with his gun drawn, swiftly and immediately moved to the upstairs of the home, where he found eight small children."

The officer used physical force to get Jacqueline Stowers and her children down the stairs.

The officers held the Stowers family captive in their living room for in excess of six hours.

The complaint raises issues of unlawful search and seizure, taking of private property, due process and unlawful application of police power.

2008-12-23T18:33:00.000-08:00

Taken from the S~N~L and the author of this piece is spot on.

If the bailout of GM, Ford and Chrysler occurs (as I project it will) the Congress and administration will appoint a "car czar" to administer the Big Three. As you may recall, the government has taken over the lending institutions in the previous bailouts.

The United States began to slide down the slippery slope to socialism many years ago. The current depression/recession has only provided more grease at the bottom. We are now at a 100 mph slide into a totalitarian, Big Brother government. Yes, a large part of the problem is our government in their trade agreements, open borders policies, undeclared wars, foreign aid, the Patriot Act and other unconstitutional acts by our elected representatives. However, the major culprit is who you see every morning as you look in the mirror. Yes, you! Or us! We have met the enemy and they are us!

We, the people, are responsible for the mess we are in. We never voted. We voted strictly along Republicans or Democratic lines. We listened only to the "campaign bites" for years. We did not hold our elected officials feet to the fire. We allowed the republic to become a democracy. We allowed our government to drag us into numerous undeclared, thus unconstitutional wars since 1945. We allowed the so-called trade agreements and open borders to rob us of our jobs. We flocked to the "big box" stores to buy the cheap goods manufactured by slave labor in China or elsewhere. We have allowed the Federal Reserve to steal from us on a daily basis.

We, Americans, have for many years had a good ride, not taking responsibility for maintenance of the republic, too busy with our iPods, cell phones and football.

When in years to come, our grandchildren will ask Grandpa/Grandma "Why am I a slave?" Look them in the eye and tell them, "Well, I don't know, I just didn't get involved but I always felt somebody should do something. I do remember the Super Bowl of 2010, what a great game!"

John P. Fitts, Noel

2008-12-19T17:46:00.000-08:00

Mr Norr,

This might seem like a lunatic fringe element but how about we not criminalize talking on a cell phone while driving, but increase the penalties for being involved in an accident while using the phone. I have for years conducted business while driving by using the phone, of course I have a bluetooth headset and thus I'm not distracted, and I haven't had any accidents. The problem with this mentality is your trying to criminalize something which not everyone has a problem with. Punish the offenders who are distracted and causing accidents and not those who have NOT caused any accidents.

Chad Livengood • News-Leader • December 14, 2008

- Buzz up!

Several Missouri lawmakers want to rein in the use of a cell phone to converse or send text messages while driving during the 2009 legislative session.

Two bills introduced this month for the upcoming session tackle the problem. One seeks a ban from talking on a cell phone while driving altogether. The other would require a person to have a hands-free listening device, like a headset or Bluetooth wireless earpiece.

Rep. Charlie Norr, D-Springfield, is not convinced either bill could pass, but he wants to pursue legislation this year to at least ban teenagers from driving while talking on the phone.

"I guess there's a better chance of passing that than infringing on the rights of adults," Norr said of his proposal. "Driving is a full-time job. You have to pay attention every second."

Entering his second term in the House, Norr and the Democrats remain in the minority, which means the chances of getting his own legislation passed are slim. But with Democrat Jay Nixon in the governor's office, Norr is hopeful lawmakers will address the growing number of Missourians living without health insurance.

"We need to work on that to get people access to medical care," he said.

Republicans hold a 89-74 majority in the House.

Norr, Nixon and other Democrats view increasing the state's contribution toward Medicaid as an economic development tool. For every dollar the state spends on the entitlement program, the federal government matches it with $1.62, officials say.

"Why wouldn't we do that?" Norr asked.

Norr said an investment in Medicaid would create health care sector jobs and new tax revenues for the state, which officials say faces a projected $342 million mid-year budget deficit and possibly larger shortfalls in 2010.

At a minimum, Norr said, policymakers need to reform the amount of money the Medicaid system requires users to spend before qualifying for taxpayer-paid benefits. Norr said the amounts are often too burdensome for the working poor and disabled and should be lowered.

Like others in his party, Norr wants to re-examine tax credits going to subsidize the operations of large corporations and the ethanol industry.

Norr also has signed on as a co-sponsor of Springfield Rep. Sara Lampe's House Bill 71, which would require payday loan lenders to notify borrowers of their balance due every three months.

2008-12-05T17:53:00.001-08:00

Community Resiliency Conference

The Transitional Community

When: December 13^th 11am – 4:30pm

Where: Northwest Baptist Church, Springfield, MO

To find out more, please go to www.thestatesmen.org

This conference is to learn about transitioning communities to self-reliance, for discussing the needs and capabilities of business owners, prospective business owners, and citizens of the Springfield-Joplin area, and taking the first steps toward regional self-reliance. Subjects will include:

· To discuss issues pertaining to building community resilience in this area: local cottage industry, small business, small farms, farmer's markets, emergency preparation, community-based charities, and a robust trade network.

· To discuss the incubation of small business and local cottage industry including a support network where small businesses and prospective entrepreneurs can rely on each other for support against large competition and intrusive government regulation.

· What local products/materials are needed by local business to lower prices and as a hedge against rising costs of imports? (e.g. wool scour and processing)

· What local efforts are already working on these problems? What help do they need? What is missing?

· How does a new (or existing) business navigate the maze of regulations to comply with the law? (e.g. sales tax, business name and registration, special regulations on their product, zoning, health regulations, weights and measures, etc., etc.) How-To guides on these subjects might be invaluable. Who will write them? Who will maintain them? Where would they be published?

· What are the advantages of the barter economy for small business? The pitfalls? How do we make the local economy robust in the face of a possible inflationary spiral and/or significant drop in value of the dollar?

· How does the small, niche, business deal with labor regulations such as minimum wage which may make it prohibitive to hire labor?

There will be presentations on some of these issues, materials distributed by related local groups, discussion with and among participants on the most critical needs, time to meet other residents with similar concerns, and the conference will decide what steps need to be taken next.

2008-12-03T11:27:00.000-08:00

As a candidate for council myself I have similar and objectionable thoughts on this same issue. I do believe the Mayor as well as council be paid for the time they spend conducting the business of the city. I don't however want to see these positions become paid to the point that it becomes a career for people. If you pay just enough to compensate the individual for their time it will also require them to maintain the position they had before being elected. As it stands right now the city does not want the working class person to serve on council as they overload the docket and have meetings during hours of which only the business owner or a retired individual could make.

At issue is do we really want a paid Mayor which does nothing but the business of the city or do we continue with a ring master directing the circus ? A paid mayor would allow for the city manager staff to shrink which would free up money to pay members of council and the Mayor for the direction in which the city heads in.

At this present point I would hope that those running for council positions have the BEST interest of the people and the city as their highest regard and NOT some stepping stone in order to pad there pockets in some manner. As for me the city needs direction and spending its way into oblivion is not the direction we should be heading in, we need to bulk up on police and fire department personnel before the crime rate in this city goes even higher which will also ultimately have employers leaving the city.

In some aspects I agree with Jack Breesee, however I doubt I agree with him on the manner of which he was speaking as I do believe those that have concern for the city can do a professional job even without the pay incentive. The questions asked by our newest council members have been a breathe of fresh air and four new members along with a new mayor should gel nicely into the mix.

I chose not to follow through obtaining signatures to have myself placed on the ballot for mayor. After speaking to many people associated with both current and former city government, and given the way in which recent City Council meetings have been conducted, it is clear that a part-time, voluntary City Council and mayor are no longer adequate to the task facing them.

Our city needs not only management, but leadership as well. The leadership this city needs can only be provided by paid professionals dedicated to their jobs and accountable for their actions. The current system provides for only volunteers with sufficient resources to be elected to a largely ceremonial position. The current one-cent sales tax issue makes clear that the city manager position, however well-paid, is not able to address all of Springfield's issues singlehanded. To see any real progress in the area, the city charter must be updated for the 21st century.

Jack Breesee, Springfield

2008-12-03T09:58:00.000-08:00

The city is going to under the partnership of another government generated organization, the U.N.A., purchase homes in areas deemed undesirable by many so they can redevelop these homes and resell them. Of course the occupant is only purchasing the house not the property as they will remain in trust under the cities management and U.N.A. This means that property taxes will remain stagnant in these homes and those who live in them will be able to use the services the rest of us are paying for in terms of infrastructure, schools, and services.

Springfield won't be able to rehabilitate as many foreclosed homes as initially planned because a grant to fund the project came in much smaller than requested.

The city will purchase the properties, but the Urban Neighborhoods Alliance will manage the homes' rehabilitation and eventual sale.

City Planner Ralph Rognstad said the city applied for $2.8 million in federal grant money but received $1.5 million.

"We initially hoped to do 30 homes, but now we'll maybe be able to do 20 with this new amount," Rognstad said. "We hope they'll release the funds to us by the end of the year so we can get started."

The money will be used to buy and rehabilitate foreclosed homes in the north-central part of the city and then sell them to lower-income home buyers.

The money is part of a nationwide federal Housing and Urban Development effort to help slow the detrimental impact of home foreclosures on neighborhoods.

Rognstad said it's too early to know exactly how many foreclosed homes will be part of the program.

"It depends on how much we can acquire them for," he said. "We can't buy them unless they're at least 15 percent under their appraised value."

To make the houses more affordable to lower-income buyers, the land on which the homes sit will be placed in a tax-exempt "land trust" and leased at minimal cost to the homeowner for 99 years, renewable for another 99 years.

The homes would be available to people earning no more than 120 percent of Springfield's median income, which, for example, is $51,400 for a family of four.

People with higher incomes wouldn't be allowed to participate.

Springfield was competing with the rest of Missouri for a share of $42.6 million in federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program grants.

Rognstad said the state Office of Economic Development decided to reduce individual cities' grants so there would be more money to spread around the state.

http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200812030257/NEWS01/812030488

The portion highlighted is there because this is FEDERAL TAX DOLLARS and as such this money SHOULD NOT be dispersed as the government is in enough debt that they should NOT add into it further

2008-12-01T16:58:00.000-08:00

From the Springfield News Leader today;

http://www.news-leader.com/article/20081201/OPINIONS03/812010327/1006/OPINIONS

I am a middle school student and I am unhappy about the cost of school lunches. The prices keep going up and we are getting less and less food.

One slice of pizza costs $2. I can get an entire pizza at Little Caesar's for $5. There are about six slices of pizza in a Little Caesar's pizza . At school it would cost about $12 to by an entire pizza. A bag of chips is 80 cents. The same size at Wal-Mart is about 40 cents. Why is it that businesses that are selling for profit can sell food for less money than our schools who are supposed to be operating not for profit?

Tax money is paying the salaries of the people who are preparing and serving our lunches. Tax money also pays for the lunch room in which we eat our lunch. So the only real cost to the schools system is the actual food. I am sure the school system buys enough food to get a cheaper rate on the cost of the food. So why do they need to charge so much? Kids need lunch to keep them from being distracted from their schoolwork because they are hungry. I spend an average of $3 a day and I am still hungry.

Between the cost of the lunch and the size of the meal, how much money would it cost for a kid to not be hungry in school?

Shawn Cowden, Springfield

Mr Cowden is getting a life lesson at an early age as this is the cost of the entitlement mentality that comes with almost half the population getting low cost lunches. The private enterprises that he mentions in his piece are PRIVATE sector and as such must operate in a manner to turn a small profit on every item sold. School lunches on the other hand are sold to a limited number of individuals and many of these are at a reduced cost which means those who can afford full price will be subsidizing those who are benefitting from the system.

Shawn welcome to the REAL world and why it is that you should NOT allow politicians to use yur tax money to prop up people who refuse to work as hard as you do to get ahead.

2008-11-25T14:02:00.000-08:00

On February 3, 2009 citizens of Springfield will consider a new, one-cent sales tax for the sole purpose of funding the Police and Firefighters Pension System. The official language that will appear on the ballot is:

"Shall the City of Springfield impose a sales tax at a rate of one percent solely for the purpose of providing revenues for the Springfield Police and Firefighters Pension System with said tax to sunset upon the earlier of A) Five (5) years from the date of the commencement of collection of this tax or B) the Pension System fund reaching a fully-funded (100%) status as determined by an independent actuarial study conducted for the Pension System Board of Trustees?"

Instructions to voters: If you are in favor of the question, place an "X" in the box opposite "yes." If you are opposed to the question, place an "X" in the box opposite "No."

The measure is supported by the Police Officer’s & Firefighter’s Retirement System Board of Trustees, the Springfield Police Officers Association and Springfield Firefighters Local 152.

Tax payer be damn we want our pension system funded, no matter what we told you at those earlier meetings. I guess if I were one of them I might feel the same way.

Latest audit and actuarial information, through October 2008, shows that the Police and Fire Pension System is underfunded by $194 million for its future liability of $295 million.
The proposed 1-cent sales tax would generate about $40 million a year and would be dedicated exclusively to funding the pension system until it sunsets or the system reaches fully funded status.
The City of Springfield would increase its annual contribution rate by 1 percent while the tax is in effect, which would account for an additional $240,000 a year from the City’s General Fund. This would be achieved by additional budget reductions.

And hence here is the problem, NO guarantee that this 1% or the 28.88% is going to go into the fund, only the word of city manager Greg Burris. This money has been used for other purposes before so it wouldn't be a first for city to spend it in other areas.

The City would pledge at least $10 million in revenue from settlements anticipated with telecommunications companies that lost their lawsuit over back taxes owed to the City. This revenue would replace $10 million (in today's dollars) in underfunding by the City during four fiscal years to bring the City’s total contribution commitment up to date according to actuarial recommendations.

Let's see an ordinance voted on and approved for this before the determination is made. I believe council needs to "man up" NOW just in case a settlement is reached prior to the new council being seated.

Current Police and Fire employees who are part of the original system (active employees hired before July 1, 2006) would increase their pension contribution by an amount to be recommended by the plan’s actuary for 2010 and beyond.

Mandated

A recommendation is forthcoming on whether new Police and Fire employees should be placed into the statewide LAGERS pension system that covers all other City employees. If that were to occur, the City could close the locally self-funded pension plan to new employees and eventually negate any further future liability for the pension plan.

Except we could be dealing with the same problems in the LAGERS system as well. Wait till the people find out this pension system is funded 100% by the people.

City Manager Greg Burris offers an invitation to community and civic groups to make the sales tax presentation and answer their questions. Any group interested in scheduling a presentation can call 417-864-1006 or e-mail: city@springfieldmo.gov.

For more information, contact: City Manager Greg Burris, 864-1001; Deputy City Manager and Pension Board Chair Evelyn Honea, 864-1001; David Hall, Assistant Fire Chief and Pension Board member, 864-1530; Police Chief Lynn Rowe, 864-1782; or Louise Whall, Director of Public Information, 864-1010.

2008-11-23T17:50:00.000-08:00

A proposed smoking ban in Parkville is moving closer to a vote by the Board of Aldermen.

The ordinance that would prohibit tobacco smoking in all public places — including restaurants, bars and stores — could be decided at one of next month’s board meetings, said Mayor Gerry Richardson.

On Tuesday, a public meeting on the proposal drew about 40 residents to City Hall. About 60 percent of those who spoke favor the ban, and about 40 percent are opposed, Richardson said.

The board is divided, too, with some saying that existing bars and venues such as the American Legion hall downtown should have exemptions.

“I support a ban,” Richardson said. “I’m still undecided about whether we should have any exemptions, and if we do have them, how we decide what they should be.”

Most people he encounters favor the ban for health reasons, the mayor said.

But Ward 1 Alderwoman Deborah Butcher said many of her constituents oppose the smoking ban. That ward includes the downtown area.

“I think for a lot of them, they see it as too much government,” Butcher said. “They see it as a freedom of choice issue. We have 20 restaurants downtown and 16 of them are already non-smoking. I’m torn between the health issues and how my constituents in Ward 1 want me to vote.”

Some of the business owners, especially bar owners, believe the ban will drive customers away and drop their revenue, she said.

City officials are looking into possible ways to grant exemptions to existing businesses that want to allow smoking, Richardson said. But no clear-cut example of a similar ordinance that could withstand legal challenges has been located.

“We’re looking pretty hard to find something,” Butcher said.

2008-11-23T12:05:00.000-08:00

Government Excess: Soon You Can Find Some of It Yourself

Whether conservative or liberal, Republican or Democrat, few can argue with a straight face that there isn't massive waste when it comes to the federal government spending our taxpayer dollars.

But as we've noted on several occasions, the ability for voters to track how and where their hard-earned tax dollars are being spent is almost as difficult as a politician's ability to practice fiscal restraint. (We said almost.)

For example, did you know that according to the General Services Administration, the federal government subsidizes $300 billion in grants to some 30,000 organizations? As we pointed out last month, public data on those grants "is scattered across innumerable sources," making it difficult, if not impossible, to obtain.

Such lack of transparency often results in zero accountability for Congressional appropriators and the bureaucratic agencies that ultimately cut the checks.

Fortunately, taxpayers just scored a significant victory that will help to address this problem.

2008-11-17T22:50:00.000-08:00

This is the same mindset which says Houston, TX has the most polluted air in the nation. Driven through Houston thousands of times and you can see for miles, the air is crisp and breathable and clean. On a clear day which is most in Houston the color of the clouds and sky are spectacular.
Be prepared for smog sniffers up the tailpipes every two years, vapor recovery systems on gas pumps and a different formulation of gas which will cost us more at the pump. Tree City USA is overdeveloped in the downtown area and developments are being built with NO regard to vegetation.

At a meeting Dec. 4 in Jefferson City, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources will discuss the possibility of adding Springfield and neighboring areas to a short list of regions in the state where air quality is compromised.

Springfield would join St. Louis and Kansas City as air quality non-attainment areas under the plan to be discussed at the hearing in the Governor's Office Building. The designation could include Christian, Greene, Stone, Taney and Cedar counties.

The new ozone standard is an eight-hour average concentration of 75 parts per billion, according to a DNR news release.

Based on this revised standard, the state was required to evaluate areas for their compliance. Compliance with the standard is measured against a three-year average of monitoring data. Based on the 2005 to 2007 monitoring data, two distinct areas in southwest Missouri violate the 2008 eight-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard or NAAQS: Springfield and El Dorado Springs. However, the 2008 ozone season (April through October) was atypically mild. Based on preliminary data for the 2006-2008 ozone season, the Springfield area could remain within the acceptable standard. If more typical weather patterns return next year, the ozone levels may again increase.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has until March 12, 2010, to make final designations and the three-year period used to determine compliance will depend on the timing of designations.

2008-11-07T20:03:00.000-08:00

http://www.news-leader.com/article/20081107/NEWS01/811070376

Earl Jacobs recently got a letter from the city informing him his house might soon be included in a flood plain.

His house didn't move, but the flood plain boundary did.

"I was upset, said Jacobs, 84, who lives several hundred yards north of South Creek on Nettleton Avenue. "This place never floods."

Jacobs' home is among 340 parcels and 116 structures currently outside the Federal Emergency Management Agency's 100-year flood zone that will now be included in the revised flood area.

If there's a mortgage on any of those properties, the owners might be required by their lenders to obtain flood insurance -- a cost they currently don't have to pay.

And people who now find their homes or businesses in the new flood areas will have to disclose that fact to potential buyers if they ever put them up for sale.

City, Greene County and FEMA representatives will have a public meeting today to show FEMA's new flood insurance rate maps and talk about how they might impact property owners.

The public will have 90 days to review the maps and work with the city and FEMA to clarify any technical issues about the accuracy of the maps.

At today's meeting FEMA will have paper maps showing aerial views of the city, with the old and new flood boundaries overlaid on them.

The maps also can be viewed on the Web at www.springfieldmo.gov/floodplain.

The Web site lets viewers zoom in and out to see properties and flood zones.

The city recently sent out 1,100 letters to property owners living near creeks and flood areas alerting them to the new FEMA flood maps and inviting them to today's meeting.

Jim Wilkinson, who lives two houses down from Jacobs, said he got one of the city's letters, even though his home had never flooded.

"I've lived here 35 years," Wilkinson said. "One time the water got right up next to my property line but it didn't reach the house. They blamed it on a beaver dam that blocked the creek."

Like Jacobs, Wilkinson said he has paid off his home's mortgage, so he wouldn't be required to obtain any flood insurance, though he would have that option.

However, if he ever sold the house and the new owners obtained a mortgage, they likely would be required to buy flood insurance.

Wilkinson said the only water problems he's encountered resulted from a nearby nursing home.

During heavy rains water runs off the property, he said, and soaks his backyard -- even with a new city drainage culvert nearby.

Todd Wagner, stormwater engineer with the city of Springfield, said FEMA began revising its flood maps nationwide after the 1993 floods.

The city looked at FEMA's proposed maps in 1997 and 1998 and decided they they weren't accurate enough.

The city proposed doing its own flood-map survey for FEMA, at a cost of more than $100,000, and the agency agreed.

FEMA used the city's mapping efforts to update its flood insurance rate maps for the city.

They show the expected boundaries for 100-year and 500-year floods.

Properties in the 100-year flood zone are the ones that could be required to buy flood insurance.

2008-11-05T08:05:00.000-08:00

This is exactly why you beat Mr. Griggs a while back and this is the type of action that the people are looking for. So what your the lone ranger on many points of contention at this point, sometimes you have friends but in all many people are egging you on in private. Hi HO Silver and away

November 5, 2008

Springfield City Councilman Doug Burlison does not have the political savvy or polish of some other members of the city's governing body.

And for that, we're often thankful.

Burlison chided some council colleagues after five of them last week appeared to hold a private, short, secret meeting -- an apparent violation of the state Sunshine Law because five members amounts to a quorum of the nine-member council.

Using the sharp words "colluding ahead of time," Burlison said the hushed huddle happened prior to the Oct. 27 council meeting.

It surely didn't win him any popularity points with his council colleagues, but they need to not only hear him but heed him, too.

Most insulting is that the little pre-meeting was designed to try to stop a matter from being aired that many city residents had come to the chambers to hear discussed: a ban of guns in city parks.

Adding injury to that insult was that the huddle took place right on the council dais -- in front of a crowd of citizens waiting to hear the gun ban discussed.

The five huddling council members were Cindy Rushefsky, Dan Chiles, Mary Collette, John Wylie and Mayor Tom Carlson (who technically is a councilman, too).

At least some of them summoned City Attorney Dan Wichmer to join the group, asking how they could table the agenda item that would trigger the gun ban discussion: a list of legislative priorities for 2009.

Wichmer -- to his credit -- advised the group to stop speaking about the matter privately and to simply start the meeting, call for the legislative priorities to be tabled and explain why. Eventually, no discussion on the matter was held.

Burlison said the official meeting started late because of what he calls the "powwow." Records show the 7 p.m. meeting started at 7:04.29.

No, it wasn't a long huddle, but it shouldn't have happened.

Wichmer said no Sunshine violation occurred because only three of the five were discussing the tabling of the legislative priorities: Carlson, Rushefsky and Wylie. The other two talked about how many people in the audience were concerned about a pet issue.

Still, even if Wichmer's description of the separate discussions is accurate, the private talks had a common theme: the audience waiting to interact with council.

Too bad that never got to happen. We're glad that at least one member of the council recognizes that as a problem.

This editorial is the view of the News-Leader Editorial Board.

2008-10-30T19:37:00.000-07:00

Wes Johnson • News-Leader • October 29, 2008

Robert's Rules of Order went out the window during Monday's Springfield City Council meeting.

And City Attorney Dan Wichmer said his advice on how to deal with one particular vote was ignored by Mayor Tom Carlson.

"We pointed out they were free to take my advice or not, and they didn't," Wichmer said.

The drama began even before the meeting started, when a group of five council members appeared to meet with Wichmer in council chambers to talk about the list of legislative priorities for 2009.

The News-Leader lodged a complaint with City Clerk Brenda Cirtin, asking that the council conduct its business in open session.

Cirtin later did convey that request, but Wichmer said there was no problem because only three council members -- Cindy Rushefsky, Dan Chiles and John Wylie -- were involved.

That's not enough for a quorum, he said.

A council committee previously reviewed the priority list, but the full council saw it officially for the first time Monday night. The Finance and Administration Committee members are Gary Deaver, Ralph Manley, Denny Whayne and Doug Burlison.

Rushefsky said she wanted to know what mechanisms were available to table the legislative priority list, because she felt the council didn't have enough time to study them.

Two other council members -- Mary Collette and Dan Chiles -- seemed to be part of the informal discussion before the meeting began.

But Collette said she and Chiles were talking about a pet issue, not the legislative priorities.

Her colleagues weren't conducting city business out of public view, she said.

"I can understand how the public would get that," she said.

Councilman Doug Burlison said he thought the informal gathering was "less than appropriate."

"Do we need to take a vow of silence before we take our seats? No," he said. "But a majority of council colluding ahead of time, it at least gives the appearance to people that something's going on."

The council ran into difficulty later in open session after Rushefsky officially called to table the legislative priority list.

Her motion was seconded, but Wylie proposed an amendment that would remove two of the more controversial legislative priorities from the list. He wanted a ban on weapons in city parks and opposition to collective bargaining to be voted on at a later date.

That's when the council ran afoul of Robert's Rules.

"The council is bound by Robert's Rules," Wichmer said. "A motion to table an item is nondebatable. They had discussions about the motion to table, which we pointed out they couldn't do."

The mayor sidestepped the advice.

"I can do whatever I want," he told Wichmer. "The council makes its own rules."

Wichmer said the council can ignore Robert's Rules if it votes to suspend them.

"There was no vote to suspend the rules," he said.

The council ultimately voted to table the legislative priority list.

After the meeting, Rushefsky said she walked out with Wichmer and asked him "what's the foul if everybody agrees on the rules?"

"He said it could invalidate the vote," Rushefsky recalled. "But the bottom line is we did what we intended to do -- refer it back to council as a whole to talk about what our legislative priorities should be."

2008-10-28T18:38:00.000-07:00

By EDMUND L. ANDREWS and BILL VLASIC

Published: October 27, 2008

WASHINGTON — The Bush administration is examining a range of options for providing emergency financial help to spur a merger between General Motors and Chrysler, according to government officials.

People familiar with the discussions said the administration wanted to provide financial assistance to the deeply troubled Big Three Detroit automakers, possibly by using the Treasury Department’s wide-ranging authority under the $700 billion bailout program that Congress approved this month.

read article

2008-10-28T16:55:00.000-07:00

http://shiningcity.blogtownhall.com/2008/10/28/new_york_times_1999.thtml

One only need to click on this link to discover the truth behind the recent bailout package and how both political parties have played the public like a fine tuned fiddle. The article in question was written in 1999, this was in a year that William Clinton was president and the republicans controlled congress.
I will not speculate on whether Clinton would have signed any piece of legislation that would have protected the people from government in this regard, however in 2001, January to be exact the republican party controlled everything in Washington D.C.
It was in September that the nation was attacked, however by my accounting there was a little over 7 months that the finance committee could have made changes to this very liberal loaning policy which was going to eventually create chaos in the market place.
For years government has made a habit of spending money which hasn't even been printed yet and with this mindset lessor known entities of government could get the people hooked on performing the same trick.
Little were we aware of, that government would come to the rescue an bailout an industry that loaned money it did not have that was not backed with a viable asset or the asset was over inflated to begin with. Yes many in the private sector helped achieve this end which also benefited government with inflated property values on the tax roles.

It was a 360 degree rip off where few benefited and it left the majority on the hook....

2008-10-23T15:09:00.000-07:00

Why couldn't all the funds for this have been raised in the private sector and then the city/county parks board via taxation maintains and up keeps the facility.

to me

show details 4:33 PM (33 minutes ago)

At a “site dedication” and progress announcement today by the Friends of the Garden, Inc. and Springfield-Greene County Park Board, attendees were given updated financial information on the future Botanical Center in Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park.

To-date, approximately $1,372,942 has been raised for the $4.3 million project. With the most up-to-date costs as of this morning, news today from Parks Director Jodie Adams was positive for those involved with fundraising. “We’re almost there, and I couldn’t be more proud and appreciative of everyone here today,” said Adams. The project will be paid for in part by the 2006 voter-approved 1/4-cent sales tax for Parks.

“With just $256,338 left to raise, the Botanical Center will soon be a reality,” said Friends of the Gardens committee member Susan Boswell. “Our members’ efforts, along with all of the other groups involved, have put us so close to the finish line, and we just need that last push from community supporters.”

The Botanical Center adds another destination to Springfield’s mix of attractions. “When you’re looking at amenities for visitors who are searching for a destination for business or pleasure, having something like a state-of-the art Botanical Center is certainly a draw for our area,” said attendee Susan Wade with the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau. “As a National Geographic Adventure Top 50 Adventure Town and an Outdoor Life Top 200 Town for Outdoorsmen, Springfield has much to be proud of when it comes to the outdoors and nature.”

The news conference also allowed an opportunity to update outdoor enthusiasts on news that Richard Louv, known for coining the term “nature deficit disorder in children” in his book “Last Child in the Woods”, would be using Springfield as a test site for children and nature studies. Louv visited Springfield earlier this month, speaking to a crowd of hundreds about the growing body of research indicating that direct exposure to nature is essential for healthy childhood development and for the physical and emotional health of children and adults. Louv recognized Springfield as a leader in outdoor initiatives and education, and praised the Park Board and other organizations for their combined efforts in related infrastructure, collaborative partnerships, and skilled personnel.

To contribute to the Botanical Center, tax deductable contributions can be made payable to the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, 425 E. Trafficway, Springfield, Mo., 65806; with “Botanical Center Fund” in the memo line.

For more information, media contact: Bob Nelson, Public Information Administrator, (417) 874-2176.

2008-10-23T12:23:00.000-07:00

http://www.waterrights.utah.gov/wrinfo/default.asp

The Division of Water Rights is the state agency that regulates the appropriation and distribution of water in the state of Utah. It is an office of public record for information pertaining to water rights, excepting that related to water right ownership. The office of public record for water right ownership is the county recorder’s office for the county(ies) in which the water is diverted. All official and publicly accessible water right records are available in the Salt Lake City office or from this site. Region Offices outside Salt Lake City will also have copies of most records for the areas they administer.

The Utah pioneers, in the late 1840's, were the first Anglo-Saxons to practice irrigation on an extensive scale in the United States. Being a desert, Utah contained much more cultivable land than could be watered from the incoming mountain streams. The principle was established that those who first made beneficial use of water should be entitled to continued use in preference to those who came later. This fundamental principal was later sanctioned in law, and is known as the Doctrine of Prior Appropriation. This means those holding water rights with the earliest priority dates, and who have continued beneficial use of the water, have the right to water from a certain source before others with water rights having later priority dates.

In the early territorial days, rights to the use of public streams of water were acquired by physical diversion and application of water to beneficial use, or by legislative grant. A "county courts" water allocation system was enacted in 1852 and was in effect until 1880 when it was replaced by a statute providing for county water commissioners.

The Office of the State Engineer was created in 1897. The State Engineer is the chief water rights administrative officer. A complete "water code" was enacted in 1903 and was revised and reenacted in 1919. This law, with succeeding complete reenactments and amendments is presently in force mostly as Utah Code, Title 73. In 1963 the name of the Office of the State Engineer was changed to the Division of Water Rights with the State Engineer designated as the Director, but the public sometimes still refers to the Division as the State Engineer's Office.

All waters in Utah are public property. A “water right” is a right to divert (remove from its natural source) and beneficially use water. The defining elements of a typical water right will include:

A defined nature and extent of beneficial use;
A priority date;
A defined quantity of water allowed for diversion by flow rate (cfs) and/or by volume (acre-feet);
A specified point of diversion and source of water;
A specified place of beneficial use.

Rights for water diversion and use established prior to 1903 for surface water or prior to1935 for ground water can be established by filing a “diligence claim” with the Division. Such claims are subject to public notice and judicial review and may be barred by court decree in some areas of the state.

All other rights to the use of water in the State of Utah must be established through the appropriation process administered by the Division of Water Rights. The steps to this process for an “Application to Appropriate Water” are as follows:

An Application to Appropriate Water is filed with the Division.
The application is advertised and protests may be received and a hearing may be held.
The State Engineer renders a decision on the application based upon principles established in statute and by prior court decisions.
If the application is approved, the applicant is allowed a set period of time within which to develop the proposed diversion and use water. When the diversion and use are fully developed, the applicant retains the services of a professional engineer or land surveyor who files “proof” documentation with the Division showing the details of the development.
Upon verification of acceptably complete proof documentation, the State Engineer issues a Certificate of Appropriation, thus “perfecting” the water right.

Many areas of the state are administratively “closed” to new appropriations of water. In those areas, new diversions and uses of water are established by the modification of existing water rights. Such modifications are accomplished by the filing of “change applications.” These applications are filed and processed in a manner very similar to that described above for Applications to Appropriate Water.

Water appropriation issues in specific geographic areas of the state are often administered using policies and guidelines designed to address local conditions. These policies and guidelines are generally developed for all or part of a defined Drainage Basin.

2008-10-22T14:59:00.000-07:00

I attended the police and fire board meeting yesterday and Mr. Burris did as he said he was going to do RAISE TAXES. The company tasked with finding a solution was asked to only look in one direction 1% sales tax which according to the city management should generate $40 MILLION annually. It will require at minimum 6 years to fund the pension to a level that will become self sustaining.
I recommend that ALL Springfield residents get a tax exempt card from this additional 1% since residents have paid for this once already and through mismanagement and neglect we are having to fund it again.

Springfield City Manager Greg Burris will hold a news conference at 2:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 23, to discuss a proposal for addressing the funding shortfall in the City’s Police and Fire Pension System.

The news conference will take place in City Council Chambers in Historic City Hall. The news conference will feature the Powerpoint presentation that Burris will be showing to community groups, followed by questions and answers.

The news conference will include representatives from the Police Officer’s & Firefighter’s Retirement System Board of Trustees and the Police and Fire departments.

The news conference will air live on TV23, Mediacom Channel 23, and on the City’s Web site at: www.springfieldmo.gov/community/tv23/. The video and Powerpoint also will be linked afterward at www.springfieldmo.gov/cityconnect.

The Board of Trustees has established a new Web site with extensive background information about the pension system. This new section is located on the City Web site at: www.springfieldmo.gov/egov/boards/firepension/.

For more information, contact: Louise Whall, Director of Public Information, 864-1010.

2008-10-22T13:46:00.000-07:00

Struggling ethanol plants could get a boost from the U.S. Department of Agriculture according to Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer. He indicated that plants that have suffered sizable losses in corn futures could get relief in the form of the organization’s Rural Development Administration.

“Some plants are under pressure because they’ve been speculating on corn,” said Schafer after last week’s World Food Prize symposium in Des Moines, Iowa.

The secretary said the department wouldn’t buy or sell grain or cover trading losses, according to Des Moines Register. He says the money could come from the USDA’s Rural Development Administration which can provide up to $25 million in assistance to keep rural businesses operating.

http://stormwire.stormexchange.com/2008/10/usda-may-offer-assistance-to-reeling.html

http://stormwire.stormexchange.com/2008/10/officials-oppose-usda-ethanol-industry.html

http://www.clusterstock.com/2008/10/bailout-madness-ethanol-producers-line-up-for-government-dough

2008-10-20T08:03:00.001-07:00

It cost Springfield too much money to rescind the education tax for a weekend, but we can pay for people to staff and keep open the Discovery Center.

19 10 2008

I wanted to pass this along for an event tomorrow:

Discovery Center Free Family Fun Day

Sunday October 19th 1-5pm

Discovery Center & Midwest Dairy Association presents The “People Behind the Product Free Day”.

Bring a non-perishable food item as admission to donate to Ozarks Food Harvest.

Learn more about how dairy farmers care for their animals and protect the land while producing quality milk that is wholesome and nutritious. Listen to a Missouri dairy farmer talk more about dairy farming, animal care and land and water preservation. Speak with a registered dietitian about the importance of 3-A-Day of Dairy and how three daily servings of low-fat milk, cheese or yogurt helps build strong bones and healthy bodies. Other activities will include butter making and recipe demonstrations, as well as milk mustache photographs. Information on dairy farming and dairy nutrition, including recipe and nutrition tips, will be available to take home.

Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Questions check the website at www.discoverycenter.org or call at 862-9910.

2008-10-10T20:17:00.000-07:00

I just recently sent off an e-mail inviting Mr. Burris to address the group.

06OCT2008

City Manager Greg Burris wrote an op-ed piece for the Sunday News-Leader this week, an we're re-printing the article below. Mr. Burris will soon begin to "hit the road" with a presentation about the how and why the Police/Fire pension fund got into trouble and how he will propose turning the situation around. Burris wants to make his case in person whenever possible, and so he's asking community groups who would like to hear more about the situation to contact him. The contact info is in the piece below:

It's been a busy first few weeks in my new position as city manager, and I wanted to take this opportunity to let the community know what we're working on at the city.
First, I want to thank all the people, including our employees, who've been so welcoming and encouraging as I've launched into this new role. It's great to know how many people in the community are rooting for the city's success in both the challenges and aspirations we have for our community.
As promised, I've plunged immediately into working with all the various stakeholders to develop a solution for the underfunded police/fire pension system. The fact that the nation's financial markets fell into crisis during these past few weeks underscores both the necessity and urgency of dealing with this situation as quickly as possible.
I know that no solution will be successful unless we have support from all the constituencies immediately affected by it -- our Public Safety employees and their labor groups, all other city employees, the City Council -- before we ask for your support for a unified solution.
Before too much longer, we'll hit the road with a presentation to explain as succinctly as possible how we got to where we are; what needs to happen to turn the system around; and how we'll propose going about it. If you belong to a civic group, club, church organization or similar group and would like to schedule a presentation in the coming weeks, please call Kathy Hardt in the City Manager's Office at 864-1006 or send an e-mail to: city@springfieldmo.gov.

One of the main issues that remains to be resolved for a long-term solution is how to provide secure pension benefits to new police and fire employees. There are advantages and disadvantages to consider in maintaining the current police-fire pension system, which is relatively small and self-funded, versus moving new employees into the statewide retirement system called LAGERS that covers all of our other employees. To reach a conclusion on that, I've asked our Deputy City Manager Evelyn Honea to chair a group studying that very specific issue and make its recommendation.
A second new task force chaired by Human Resources Director Sheila Maerz will review and update the cities by which Springfield can benchmark itself on measures ranging from employee pay and productivity to the quality of services and amenities important to our community. We think we can learn from the best practices in relevant cities and set standards to which we will aspire.
Many of these types of priorities are appropriately set by the City Council members whom you elect to represent you. Our City Council members are very interested in discussing and updating their priorities and, as promised, we've started working on that. At a recent City Council lunch, we started off with an initial "blue-sky" brainstorming process to bring out all of the issues they'd like to tackle. They covered the gamut of infrastructure needs, defining our core services, making sure our future is sustainable through energy and resource conservation, streamlining our development process, preserving our neighborhoods and more.
Knowing that the resources of both City Council and staff are finite, we'll go back to that big list again on Oct. 28 to start honing down to a set of top priorities that we can focus on accomplishing within three to five years. This long-term strategic plan will provide a template for our budget process and resource allocation along with the core services that remain our strongest commitment.
It's been a busy start, as I knew it would be. I plan to keep you updated on a regular basis and encourage residents to watch for future postings on our CityConnect site at www.springfieldmo.gov. If you have particular questions or topics, you can drop us an e-mail on the Web site as well. I look forward to meeting many more of you in person, as well, at public meetings and events. Thank you again for your warm welcome.
Greg Burris - City Manager for Springfield.

posted by Mike Brothers, Public Information

2008-10-10T17:01:00.000-07:00

Gateway Ethanol LLC filed for reorganization protection, listing assets and debts of between $50 million and $100 million.

The case, before Judge Dale Somers, proceeds to a creditor's meeting at 11 a.m. Nov. 10 at U.S. Bankruptcy Court, 500 State Ave. in Kansas City, Kan.

In documents filed Sunday, Gateway lists Cargill's grain and dry divisions in Minneapolis, Minn., as its largest unsecured creditor, at $7.38 million.

Only one Wichita firm, Jeff Spencer & Associates, 10305 E. 19th North, is on that list, seventh at $50,049.66.

Numerous Wichita-area firms are listed as other creditors in the filing, including Allied Environmental Consultants, Delta Dental, Grant Thornton, Kansas Fire Equipment, Kennedy & Coe and Univar.

The filing comes two weeks after a Minnesota-based investment bank holding more than $63 million in debt on the plant asked to have it placed in emergency receivership, according to the Associated Press.

The request in late September by Dougherty Funding LLC noted that the plant has been shut down.

The lender claimed Gateway officials informed Dougherty that the company "only had enough cash to continue operations for approximately 'another week or so.' "

The $100 million plant began operating in late October 2007, with between 35 and 40 employees, the AP reported.

further complications in the ethanol industry

http://earth2tech.com/2008/09/30/the-credit-crunch-yet-another-pitfall-for-ethanol/

http://www.ethanol-lie.com/

http://ecoble.com/2008/09/26/the-tyranny-of-king-corn-part-1/

2008-09-28T10:09:00.000-07:00

On June 4, 1963, a virtually unknown Presidential decree, Executive Order 11110, was signed by President John Fitzgerald Kennedy with the intention to strip the Federal Reserve Bank of its power to loan money to the United States Federal Government at interest. With the stroke of a pen, President Kennedy declared that the privately owned Federal Reserve Bank would soon be out of business. This matter has been exhaustively researched by the Christian Common Law Institute through the Federal Register and Library of Congress, and the Institute has conclude that President Kennedy's Executive Order has never been repealed, amended, or superceded by any subsequent Executive Order. In simple terms, it is still valid.

When John Fitzgerald Kennedy, author of Profiles in Courage, signed this Order, it returned to the federal government, specifically to the Treasury Department, the Constitutional power to create and issue currency -- money -- without going through the privately owned Federal Reserve Bank. President Kennedy's Executive Order 11110 gave the Treasury Department the explicit authority: "to issue silver certificates against any silver bullion, silver, or standard silver dollars in the Treasury" [the full text is displayed below]. This means that for every ounce of silver in the U.S. Treasury's vault, the government could introduce new money into circulation based on the silver bullion physically held therein. As a result, more than $4 billion in United States Notes were brought into circulation in $2 and $5 denominations. Although $10 and $20 United States Notes were never circulated, they were being printed by the Treasury Department when Ke nnedy was assassinated.

Certainly it's obvious that President Kennedy knew that the Federal Reserve Notes being circulated as "legal currency" were contrary to the Constitution of the United States, which calls for issuance of "United States Notes" as interest-free and debt-free currency backed by silver reserves in the U.S. Treasury. Comparing a "Federal Reserve Note" issued from the private central bank of the United States (i.e., the Federal Reserve Bank a/k/a Federal Reserve System), with a "United States Note" from the U.S. Treasury (as issued by President Kennedy's Executive Order), the two almost look alike, except one says "Federal Reserve Note" on the top while the other says "United States Note". In addition, the Federal Reserve Note has a green seal and serial number while the United States Note has a red seal and serial number. Following President Kennedy's assassination on November 22, 1963, the United States Notes he had issued were immedi ately taken out of circulation, and Federal Reserve Notes continued to serve as the "legal currency" of the nation.

Kennedy knew that if the silver-backed United States Notes were widely circulated, they would eliminated the demand for Federal Reserve Notes. This is a simple matter of economics. USNs were backed by silver and FRNs were (still are) backed by nothing of intrinsic value. As a result of Executive Order 11110, the national debt would have prevented from reaching its current level (almost all of the $9 trillion in federal debt has been created since 1963). Executive Order 11110 also granted the U.S. Government the power to repay past debt without further borrowing from the privately owned Federal Reserve which charged both principle and interest and all new "money" it "created." Finally, Executive Order 11110 gave the U.S.A. the ability to create its own money backed by silver, again giving money real value.

Perhaps President Kennedy's assassination was a warning to future presidents not to interfere with the private Federal Reserve's control over the creation of money. For, with true courage, JFK had boldly challenged the two most successful vehicles that have ever been used to drive up debt: 1) war (i.e., the Vietnam war); and, 2) the creation of money by a privately owned central bank. His efforts to have all U.S. troops out of Vietnam by 1965 combined with Executive Order 11110 would have destroyed the profits and control of the private Federal Reserve Bank.

Executive Order 11110, the AMENDMENT of EXECUTIVE ORDER No. 10289, as amended RELATING to the PERFORMANCE of CERTAIN FUNCTIONS AFFECTING the DEPARTMENT of the TREASURY:

By virtue of the authority vested in me by section 301 of Title 3 of the United States Code, it is ordered as follows:

SECTION 1. Executive Order No. 10289 of September 19, 1951, as amended, is hereby further amended (a) By adding at the end of paragraph 1 thereof the following subparagraph (j): "(j) The authority vested in the President by paragraph (b) of section 43 of the Act of May 12, 1933, as amended (31 U.S.C. 821 (b)), to issue silver certificates against any silver bullion, silver, or standard silver dollars in the Treasury not then held for redemption of any outstanding silver certificates, to prescribe the denominations of such silver certificates, and to coin standard silver dollars and subsidiary silver currency for their redemption," and (b) By revoking subparagraphs (b) and (c) of paragraph 2 thereof.
SECTION 2. The amendment made by this Order shall not affect any act done, or any right accruing or accrued or any suit or proceeding had or commenced in any civil or criminal cause prior to the date of this Order but all such liabilities shall continue and may be enforced as if said amendments had not been made.
JOHN F. KENNEDY
THE WHITE HOUSE,
June 4, 1963

As said, Executive Order 11110 is still valid. According to Title 3, United States Code, Section 301 dated January 26, 1998: Executive Order (EO) 10289 dated Sept. 17, 1951, 16 F.R. 9499, was as amended by:

EO 10583, dated December 18, 1954, 19 F.R. 8725;
EO 10882 dated July 18, 1960, 25 F.R. 6869;
EO 11110 dated June 4, 1963, 28 F.R. 5605;
EO 11825 dated December 31, 1974, 40 F.R. 1003;
EO 12608 dated September 9, 1987, 52 F.R. 34617

The 1974 and 1987 amendments, added after Kennedy's 1963 amendment, did not change or alter any part of Kennedy's EO 11110. A search of Clinton's 1998 and 1999 EO's and Presidential Directives has shown no reference to any alterations, suspensions, or changes to EO 11110.

The Federal Reserve Bank, a.k.a Federal Reserve System, is a Private Corporation. Black's Law Dictionary defines the "Federal Reserve System" as: "Network of twelve central banks to which most national banks belong and to which state chartered banks may belong. Membership rules require investment of stock and minimum reserves." privately owned banks own the stock of the FED. This was explained in more detail in the case of Lewis v. United States, Federal Reporter, 2nd Series, Vol. 680, Pages 1239, 1241 (1982), where the court said: "Each Federal Reserve Bank is a separate corporation owned by commercial banks in its region. The stockholding commercial banks elect two-thirds of each Bank's nine member board of directors." In short, Federal Reserve Banks are locally controlled by their member banks.

Also, according to Black's Law Dictionary, these privately owned banks are "allowed" to issue money: "The Federal Reserve Act, created Federal Reserve banks which act as agents in maintaining money reserves, issuing money in the form of bank notes, lending money to banks, and supervising banks as administered by Federal Reserve Board (q.v.)." Thus the privately owned Federal Reserve (FED) banks are allowed to actually issue (create) the "money" we use.

In 1964, the House Committee on Banking and Currency, Subcommittee on Domestic Finance, at the second session of the 88th Congress, put out a study entitled Money Facts which contains a good description of what the FED is: "The Federal Reserve is a total moneymaking machine. It can issue money or checks. And it never has a problem of making its checks good because it can obtain the $5 and $10 bills necessary to cover its check simply by asking the Treasury Department's Bureau of Engraving to print them." Any one person or any closely knit group that has a lot of money has a lot of power. Imagine a group of people with the power to create money. Imagine the power these people would have. This is exactly what the privately owned FED is!

No man did more to expose the power of the FED than Louis T. McFadden, who was the Chairman of the House Banking Committee back in the 1930s. In describing the FED, he remarked in the Congressional Record, House pages 1295 and 1296 on June 10, 1932:

Mr. Chairman, we have in this country one of the most corrupt institutions the world has ever known. I refer to the Federal Reserve Board and the Federal reserve banks. The Federal Reserve Board, a Government Board, has cheated the Government of the United States and he people of the United States out of enough money to pay the national debt. The depredations and the iniquities of the Federal Reserve Board and the Federal reserve banks acting together have cost this country enough money to pay the national debt several times over. This evil institution has impoverished and ruined the people of the United States; has bankrupted itself, and has practically bankrupted our Government. It has done this through the maladministration of that law by which the Federal Reserve Board, and through the corrupt practices of the moneyed vultures who control it.

Some people think the Federal Reserve Banks are United States Government institutions. They are not Government institutions, departments, or agencies. They are private credit monopolies, which prey upon the people of the United States for the benefit of themselves and their foreign customers. Those 12 private credit monopolies were deceitfully placed upon this country by bankers who came here from Europe and who repaid us for our hospitality by undermining our American institutions.

The FED basically works like this: The government granted its power to create money to the FED banks. They create money, then loan it back to the government charging interest. The government levies income taxes to pay the interest on the debt. On this point, it's interesting to note that the Federal Reserve Act and the sixteenth amendment, which gave congress the power to collect income taxes, were both passed in 1913. The incredible power of the FED over the economy is universally admitted. Some people, especially in the banking and academic communities, support it. On the other hand, there are those like President John F. Kennedy, that have spoken out against it. His efforts were lauded about in Jim Marrs' 1990 book Crossfire:

Another overlooked aspect of Kennedy's attempt to reform American society involves money. Kennedy apparently reasoned that by returning to the constitution, which states that only Congress shall coin and regulate money, the soaring national debt could be reduced by not paying interest to the bankers of the Federal Reserve System, who print paper money then loan it to the government at interest. He moved in this area on June 4, 1963, by signing Executive Order 11110 which called for the issuance of $4,292,893,815 in United States Notes through the U.S. Treasury rather than the traditional Federal Reserve System. That same day, Kennedy signed a bill changing the backing of one and two dollar bills from silver to gold, adding strength to the weakened U.S. currency.

Kennedy's comptroller of the currency, James J. Saxon, had been at odds with the powerful Federal Reserve Board for some time, encouraging broader investment and lending powers for banks that were not part of the Federal Reserve system. Saxon also had decided that non-Reserve banks could underwrite general obligation bonds, again weakening the dominant Federal Reserve banks."

In a speech made to Columbia University on Nov. 12, 1963, ten days before his assassination, President John Fitzgerald Kennedy said: "The high office of the President has been used to foment a plot to destroy the American's freedom and before I leave office, I must inform the citizen of this plight." In this matter, John Fitzgerald Kennedy appears to be the subject of his own book... a true Profile of Courage. According to the Constitution of the United States, (Article 1 Section 8), only Congress has the authority to coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures. However, since 1913 this Article has been ignored by creation and existence of the Federal Reserve Act, which has given a private owned corporation the power and authority to "create" and coin the money of United States. The Federal Reserve is comprised of 12 private credit monopolies who have been giv en the authority to control the supply of the "Federal Reserve Notes," interest rates and all the other monetary and banking phenomena.

The way the Federal Reserve works is this: 12 private credit monopolies "create", (print), Federal Reserve Notes that are then "lent" to the American government. This is a circular affair in that the government grants the FED power to create the money, which the FED then loans back to the government, charging interests. The government levies income taxes to pay the interest on the debt. It is interesting to note that the Federal Reserve Act and the sixteenth amendment which gave congress the power to collect income taxes, were both passed in 1913. The Federal Reserve Notes are not backed by anything of "intrinsic" value. (i.e., gold or silver).

On June 4, 1963, President, John Fitzgerald Kennedy signed a Presidential decree, Executive Order 11110, which stripped the Federal Reserve Banking System of its power to loan money to the United States Federal Government at interest. This decree meant that for every ounce of silver in the U.S. Treasury's vault, the U.S. government could introduce new money into circulation based on the silver bullion physically held therein. As a result, more than $4 trillion in United States Notes were brought into circulation in $2 and $5 denominations. $10 and $20 United States Notes were never circulated but were being printed by the Treasury Department when Kennedy was assassinated. Kennedy knew that if the silver backed United States Notes were widely circulated, they would have eliminated the demand for Federal Reserve Notes. By giving the U.S. Treasury the Constitutional authority to coin U.S. money once again, EO 11110 would thus preven t the national debt from rising due to "usury" that the American people are charged for "borrowing" (i.e., using) FRN's.

Kennedy knew that, if Congress coined and regulated money, as the Constitution states, the national debt would be reduced by not paying interest to the 12 credit monopolies. This in itself would have allowed the American people freedom to freely use all the money they have earned, enabling the economy to grow. Now, Executive Order 11110 is still in effect, even though no U.S. President has had the courage to follow it. As Americans, it is our duty to question the Federal Reserve System and the power that we have given it by electing presidents that lack the courage of John Fitzgerald Kennedy.

More on JFK's Executive Order 11110: http://www.rense.com/general44/exec.htm

--
Semper Fi
Michael Fogelsanger
DeKalb County Libertarian Party
P.O. Box 551
Sycamore Il. 60178
Ph# 815-899-2351

2008-09-26T20:19:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. Matt Blunt today announced the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency awarded the City of Springfield $1 million to upgrade their Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

“Springfield managed emergency response operations for several ice storms, floods and tornado events since 2006 and was instrumental in setting up Hurricane Katrina and Gustav shelter operations for Gulf Coast residents seeking safety in Missouri. I am pleased this grant will provide the funding needed to construct a new state-of-the-art Emergency Operations Center,” Gov. Blunt said.

“Springfield is one of 22 communities nationwide that received the grant funding. A fully capable emergency operations center is essential to protecting our citizens lives in the midst of a disaster,” said Ron M. Reynolds, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) director.

“Experience has taught us that preparedness saves lives,” Congressman Roy Blunt said. “Greene County already has the experienced personnel, the advanced communications systems and technologies that can place first-responder where they matter most—rendering immediate aid during chaotic storms and emergencies.”

The Emergency Operations Center Grant was a nationwide competitive grant totaling $14.5 Million.

Since 2006, Greene County received federal disaster assistance for the March 2006 tornadoes, December 2006 and January 2007 winter storms, September 2007 flooding, December 2007 and March 2008 winter storms, the March and June 2008 flooding.

Under Gov. Blunt, the office of homeland security was redesigned and transformed to better protect our citizens. This action elevated the responsibility to the Department of Public Safety with the dedicated resources of the department including National Guard, Highway Patrol, Fire Marshal’s office, and State Emergency Management Agency to accomplish the Homeland Security mission.

Since the merge, the department has lead the effort in preparing for and responding to disasters, created Missouri’s first ever information analysis center (MIAC), drafted an Interoperability communication plan to ensure law enforcement and first responders can communicate during a disaster, implemented a new distribution formula for local government to receive homeland security grant funding, and employed regional homeland security committees across the state to encourage input from homeland security stakeholders.

With the governor’s direction Missouri’s Homeland Security effort is coordinated among federal, state and local communities and covers a multi-hazard, multi-threat spectrum of possible scenarios. The state’s unique geological features, such as the Missouri River, Mississippi River and New Madrid seismic fault, along with the state’s various military bases are identified as distinctive areas covered by the homeland security plan.

2008-09-26T08:36:00.000-07:00

Howdy everyone! Currently, the proposed rate increase that Southern Star Central has requested is under "suspension". Therefore, Tom and Fred, you were correct in your assertions at the last council meeting! And, C.U. - based upon some documentation that Joel Alexander provided to CFP - will be assessed some 40% more for their rate to get natural gas provided. The rate suspension is due to expire on Nov. 1, 2008; let's sit back and see if it does.

Questions:

1) how does C.U. know that the suspension will not be continued beyond Nov. 1, 2008? And, in fact, won't remain in force until the hearings are held in May, 2009 or later?

2) what insurances/assurances are in place to provide for C.U. customers actually receiving "refunds" for gas charges paid to C.U.? And, when will those refunds be made to the rate-payers? How will those refunds, if paid, be made, cash or a credit on future bills?

Naturally, I can think of many more questions. But, as I see this issue, it is like going down to the local gas station and paying $4.97 per gallon of gas this afternoon, because oil prices will be going up. As we all know, that is not the case! Oil prices are actually coming down. So, sometime in the future, let's say six months from now, I go back to the gas station where I made my purchase and ask them, "How much do you owe me for the gas I bought back in Sept.?", their reply, "...refund? What refund? That was the price then and that's what you were charged." Then, adding insult to injury, they respond, "I didn't have to pay the wholesaler any more for the gas you bought, but I thought I'd have to, so that's what I based my pricing on." And, "...since I'm the only station in town, you'll just have to live with that."

In the above example, the Attorney General would get involved (purportedly) and there would be an investigation. Who will provide the same level of oversight over C.U. at the local level? No one! Think about it. The current City Council members are, for the most part, not going to be around when the you know what hits the fan. Why? Because the bills for the increased gas rates won't show up until after they leave office. C.U. has stated that they will not bill the increased charges until Apr. '09, which means the charges will be due in May '09...after the rats have bailed from the 'sinking ship'! The newly elected council members, along with those remaining in office, will be faced with the problem. Of course, the C.U. customers are left "holding the bag" for the next three years...the term approved by current City Council for the rates to be effective!

The Mayor has "suggested" holding-off on a vote since two council members will not be present for the meeting on 9-29-08. In that event, the C.U. Annual Budget and Rate Increase will "pass" automatically pursuant to the City Charter provisions. Therefore, it is imperative that council vote on this issue at that meeting and either pass it or reject it!

Final Question: How can the citizens demand and require City Council to vote on this issue in an attempt to halt passage of the budget and rate increase? Should we discuss this question at the 9-27-09 meeting?

Would like to have your thoughts and input.

2008-09-24T07:58:00.000-07:00

I believe this is the very same town that the mayor was shot in by and individual who said the city governance had gone above and beyond reasonable. Requiring paved access to a B&B oversteps government common sense and legitimate government function. I believe this is the very reason why a heat index factor has now become the norm in a weather report. Asphalt and concrete with no surrounding greenery makes the area HOTTER

http://www.ktvo.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=192220

Business owner is out of business and work

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2008-09-14T17:50:00.000-07:00

Tom:

Today's front page love-in for Greg Burris gagged my maggot. Enough that I sat down this afternoon and composed the following for publication (assuming the editor has sufficient tolerance for a grump that doesn't think the citizens of Springfield need a love-in):

"Letter to the editor:

I am rather disappointed by Sunday’s News-Leader's front page attempt to generate a "Oh, isn't enthusiasm wonderful -- it can solve all the problems in the world" love-in event for Mr. Burris. Let's face it. He has a great financial future working for the city, when the insiders in the council hand-picked him to solve their problems. No mind that those problems were created by those same council members. They love their new-bought man. He knows already the solution is a whopping big sales tax increase. That's exactly what the current council members wanted. They don't want to admit that they could stop diverting tax money for funsy things that lose money. If the voters of Springfield agree to a tax increase, they are more than half way down the proverbial slope towards bankruptcy. It’s happening already to cities in California.

Let's face it. Springfield's financial problems will only be solved when the council members that created the mess and those that want to continue their profligate ways are voted out.

It will be interesting to see how Mr. Burris might retain his integrity and enthusiasm while serving the current council as city manager.

Railmet"

I have no idea as to whether this deserves to be on the MoLiCo website or not. Put it on at your discretion.

Jim Hornaday

2008-09-13T20:12:00.000-07:00

Recently a grant was awarded to our local area to help stem the tide on underage drinking. This was being portrayed as a grant which was secured by "prince of earmarks" Roy Blunt.
Then I goggled searched this grant to find it is a windfall of money from the feds to states and local areas to convince kids not to drink under the age of 21.

http://www.samhsa.gov/grants/2008/sp_08_004.aspx

Funding Mechanism:	Grant
Anticipated Total Available Funding:	$3.93 million
Anticipated Number of Awards:	Up to 80 grants
Anticipated Award Amount:	Up to $50,000 per year
Length of Project Period:	Up to 4 years

Proposed budgets cannot exceed $50,000 in total costs (direct and indirect) in any year of the proposed project. Annual continuation awards will depend on the availability of funds, grantee progress in meeting project goals and objectives, timely submission of required data and reports, and compliance with all terms and conditions of award. Applicants should be aware that funding for this program is not included in the FY 2009 President’s budget request, and funding beyond FY 2008 is not guaranteed. SAMHSA is allowing applicants to submit proposals for 3 additional budget years for planning purposes and for technical assistance in sustainability activities.

2008-09-13T08:33:00.000-07:00

If Mr. Burris truly believes that the citizenry should also have its say into the running of the city then he should take the following suggestions to heart and see how they can be implemented or at least explain why these suggestions are a bad idea.

Dear Mayor and Council Members:

I have written you previously expressing my concern about the ongoing daily cost of the underfunded Police and Fire Pension. This amount is about $ 26,000 per day, a total of about $ 9,750,000 per year after year for as long as this condition exists. The citizen taxpayers of Springfield cannot afford this unnecessary, wasteful situation.

The adversarial relationship that exists between City Council/Management and the Springfield Police Officers Association and the Firefighters Union is unnecessary and unacceptable. The commitments made by the citizens of Springfield to the public safety employees of this city need to be respected by City Council and the City Manager.

Changes made to the Police and Fire Pension Plan by Ordinance #5546 in May, 2006, which created a two-tier plan with reduced benefits for employees hired after June 1, 2006, should be repealed. These changes have created inequity and conflict between veteran employees and new hires, employee turnover, and as a result, increased training costs.

After reviewing a great volume of financial information, attending mutiple meetings with Council, pension board members, and city employee groups, I have come to the conclusion that we must take permanent, definitive action to solve the underfunded status of the Fire and Police Pension Fund. I believe that any proposal that includes providing funding to resolve this problem by even a temporary, dedicated sales tax must be carefully considered. The current economic situation with increasing inflation caused by rising fuel and food prices makes this a dangerous time in which to ask the citizens of Springfield to pay higher taxes. However, I also believe that if all the parties involved are willing to make a few concessions toward a clearly defined approach, then communicate honestly and effectively with the citizens of Springfield, that the citizens will support a permanent solution.

I believe that the following components will accomplish a permanent, long-term solution:

1) A 1% Sales tax proposal should be placed before voters. The proceeds of this tax should be placed directly into the Pension Fund immediately upon receipt from the State of Missouri. This dedicated sales tax should be for a period not to exceed three years.

2) Suspend the collection of the 1/4% Capital Improvement and 1/4% Parks and Recreation Sales Taxes during the three year period when the Pension Fund sales tax is in effect. This will reduce the impact on the taxpayers of Springfield.

3) Repeal Ordinance # 5546 which created the two-tier benefit plan.

4) The City of Springfield must guarantee that the full $ 6,500,000 of underpayments over the last three years will be paid before the 1% Sales Tax becomes effective.

5) The employer contributions to the plan (on a permanent basis) will be equal to or greater than the employee contributions, and will be made in a timely manner corresponding to the normal Federal, FICA, and State Witholding Tax deposit requirements.

6) The lump sum return of investment provisions of the plan will be modified to provide for the return of investment over a period of five to ten years dependent upon the age or circumstances of the recipient.

7) No increases in the benefits provided by the plan will be allowed if the plan is less than 100% funded.

The budget cuts required of all city departments in order to fund the $ 5,200,000 additional contribution to the Police and Fire Pension Fund is only a band-aid on a gapping wound. The changes to the plan made in 2006 were ill advised and not a permanent solution. We need to get the wound stitched closed so that true healing can begin.

Let's bring all involved parties together to achieve a permanent solution to this problem and trust the citizens of Springfield to support our efforts with their financial support.

Fred B. Ellison

Springfield, MO

2008-09-13T07:50:00.000-07:00

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/business/columnists.nsf/davidnicklaus/story/09F5492FA7FB4DC3862574C300090284?OpenDocument

Renovation, development butt heads in Bel-Ridge

David Nicklaus
[More columns]
[David's Biography]

By David Nicklaus

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

09/14/2008

A year ago, the Hood's store on Natural Bridge Road was an eyesore. The windows were boarded up, the roof leaked and the parking lot was full of potholes.

Mike Hood, the owner, candidly says the city of Bel-Ridge probably could have condemned the building years ago, or at least cited it for multiple code violations. But it didn't, and Hood launched a major renovation after buying the discount home-improvement store in January from his father, Ernest.

Three-quarters of the way into that $1 million project, Hood's has a new roof, new glass, a repaved parking lot and new bathrooms. A shop being built in one corner will cut countertop materials to customers' specifications.

Assuming he's right about the market for discounted cabinets and flooring, Hood's investment should assure the store of a long and prosperous future. But, three months into his renovations, Hood learned of a complication: A couple of years earlier, Bel-Ridge had approved a redevelopment plan for a 78-acre swath of the city. The developer, Clayco, can acquire property by eminent domain.

That means Hood, like owners of other businesses along Natural Bridge and the homes to the north, could have his property taken by force. A court proceeding would determine the property's market value, but Hood might not get back the money he's putting into the store. In all likelihood, he also wouldn't be compensated for what he sees as the store's potential.

Because of the store's size and visibility from Interstate 170, Hood thinks it could become the best performer in his family's 19-store chain. (He owns eight Hood's stores, his sister Jill Meyer owns four, and seven are part of the estate of his father, who died in August.)

The location also has sentimental value: It has been a Hood's for 25 years, and it's just a couple of miles from where Ernest Hood opened his first store in the 1950s.

Mike Hood has talked to Clayco officials, and he says he's not one to stand in the way of progress. "I wouldn't mind working with the fellows if I knew I could have a store here, or they would set me up in another location," Hood said. "But you can only get so far with them."

Matt Prickett, a development manager with Clayco, says the Bel-Ridge project is on hold because of the soft economy. It was envisioned as a major retail center, and retailers aren't in an expansion mode.

"The market is what it is," Prickett said.

Clayco has talked to Hood, he said, "but it's been awhile. To the extent we don't have anything going on, there's no need to talk to them."

As for the wisdom of

investing $1 million in a store that Clayco could buy and tear down, Prickett said he'd impart the same advice he gives to homeowners: "We encourage them to make the necessary investments to maintain the health and safety of their property."

Bevis Schock, a Clayton attorney who works with a group called Missouri Citizens for Property Rights, said he has heard stories like Hood's many times before. "It's tough to fight City Hall," he said. "When they decide they're going after your land, they're going to get it."

Schock's group didn't get enough signatures to place an anti-eminent-domain proposal on the November ballot, but it plans to try again. The more voters hear about property owners like Hood, who just wants to invest in his business without the threat of having it taken away, the more receptive they'll be to pleas for reform.

2008-09-10T17:32:00.001-07:00

Kristina Rasmussen from the National Taxpayers Union was a guest of Vince this morning as she discussed the MAP program here in MO and how( some ??) tax dollars are being appropriated.

September 10_Hour 2_What is the Missouri Accountability Portal

2008-08-29T17:40:00.000-07:00

This can just as easily happen here in Springfield unless we can change the city charter to prevent this type of scenario from happening.

I won't go into detail on his other "issues" but fining an individual for parking an *unlicensed* vehicle on private(what we call it)property is just a plain ABUSE of government

The City of Milwaukee is digging in its heels in its attempt to foreclose on the home of a man who failed to pay a fine for parking an unlicensed van in his parents’ driveway.

Foreclosure

Photo/Jeffrey Phelps

Among other health issues he's dealing with, Peter Tubic has had headaches dealing with his van, which is parked in his driveway without a license plates. He faces foreclosure on his home and is in a dispute with the city over citations he received for the van's lack of plates.

Nitty Gritty

City defends its foreclosure on a Milwaukee man's home originally stemming from the man's failure to pay a $50 fine for a parking-related zoning code violation.

Past Coverage

8/5/08: Barrett promises help after parking ticket foreclosure
8/3/08: Milwaukee man faces foreclosure because he didn’t pay parking fine

Forum

Your thoughts: Should the city be allowed to foreclose a home over a $50 parking violation?

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Data on Demand
Blow the Whistle

The city filed a response Thursday asking the judge to deny the request from Peter Tubic and his attorney to set aside the foreclosure or reduce his fine to the original $50.

"Giving special treatment out of sympathy to one property owner or waiving the statutory requirements of one property owner because his case was reported by the media, when there are dozens of others whose homes may have been foreclosed upon after personal difficulties, would destroy the integrity" of the foreclosure process, attorneys for the city wrote in their motion.

Tubic's case drew national attention after Public Investigator wrote about the story Aug. 3.

The city foreclosed on Tubic's $245,000 home on the southwest side in July after trying for years to collect the fine, which escalated to more than $2,600 and resulted in a tax lien.

Tubic admits to ignoring the many notices he received seeking payment but says he was emotionally unfit to deal with the situation.

The Social Security Administration has deemed Tubic mentally and physically disabled since 2001. He has a host of physical diseases and a personality disorder that limits his cognitive functioning, according to documents from the administration.

Tubic's attorney, Mike Gonring of Quarles & Brady, which is handling Tubic's case pro bono, said Tubic isn't looking for special treatment because the media covered his case.

"He has legitimate reasons," Gonring said. "This isn't a case of someone who didn't pay his mortgage. . . . He had a car without tags in his driveway. It's not like every other case."

Mayor Tom Barrett, who vowed to step in to ensure Tubic doesn't lose his home, did not return phone calls seeking comment on the issue Thursday.

A hearing is scheduled for Sept. 11. If the city retains ownership of the house, Tubic can remain there as a renter until the house is sold. After that, the new homeowners can decide if they want to continue renting out the house. Tubic can file a petition with the city to collect whatever money remains from the sale of the house after the city takes its cut.

2008-08-21T19:36:00.001-07:00

as it relates to the proposed seven hundred fifty-two million dollar Operating Budget and natural gas rate increase that will be presented to Springfield City Council, for consideration and approval, on September 15, 2008 for a first reading and public comment. The Council will then have a second reading, usually without benefit of any further public comment, and vote on the issue September 29, 2008.

Having attended the joint City Utility Board/City Council study session on Tuesday, August 19, 2008, and considering the input of those who spoke, I came away with a different understanding of the proposed rate increase issue and had some questions that needed to be asked and answered; however, City Council members were the only attendees afforded that opportunity.

Apparently, the members of City Council who were there (Doug Burlison was absent due to a migrain) let the opportunity slip away when it came to the most important question that should have been asked, "When it comes to the preliminary draft of this Annual Operating Budget, what is required and what is desired?"

In my household we struggle with that every month when it's time to do our budget. Quite frankly it just comes down to the 'needs' (required) and 'wants' (desired) and determining what needs must be dealt with, i.e. mortgage, utilities, phone, auto insurance, groceries, etc. and what wants must be delayed. With the ongoing rise in food and gas prices, most of the wants continue to be pushed back and delayed.

A simple guideline to follow, that most folks can understand, is: "When your outgo exceeds your income, your upkeep is your downfall." Violation of this principle, and the resultant financial hardships that follow, are clearly seen at the personal level, city of Springfield level, and even at the national and international level as it relates to finances, balanced budgets, and spending.

As I listened to the various speakers it became apparent that some of those who spoke had a real 'need' to have natural gas rates remain the same. Others who spoke in favor of the gas rate hike had personal reasons to 'want' the rate increase passed.

So as not to bore you and to keep this short: Ray Reynaud, former C.U. Chairman of The Board, indicated that the gas rate increase should be passed due to the ever increasing price for natural gas. When I checked the natural gas price yesterday, it was .0784 which is actually lower than what C.U. has had to pay in the past. And, based on the commodity futures price, there will only be a slight increase in natural gas prices through March, 2010; thereafter, the price continues downward through December, 2020. City Utilities merely needs to purchase natural gas on the futures market, rather than the options market, to take advantage of the lower prices.

The next speaker, Gene Malick, is a 70-year old, retired individual who lives on a fixed income. Like most people of moderate means he would like to see the natural gas rate increase denied. With the cost of food, fuel, taxes, insurance, and other 'needs', along with a 5.6% increase in wholesales prices, the negative economy, and City Council's "unwise spending", he wonders where the money is going to come from.

Then, there was Bill Smillie, the newly elected Chairman of the C.U. Cititizen's Advisory Council, owner of Smillie's IGA, and a resident of Springfield. Mr. Smillie, who lives in a total electric home on the upscale east side of Springfield, 'wants' to have the natural gas rate increase passed in the hope that City Utilities would then have the financial resources to extend the natural gas lines on the Eastern Loop to include his residential community.

Different people, different viewpoints. That's what makes this country great. When it comes to the proposed budget and natural gas rate increase City Council members, as well as the Mayor, have a tremendous, dual responsibility; to the citizen's of Springfield and the municipally-owned utility.

Citizen's of Springfield, who are City Utility customers, have a dual respnsibility also. They have the responsibility to themselves and their neighbors to hold City Council accountable for their decisions, and to see to it that City Council sends the proposed 2009 Annual Operating Budget back to the Board of Public Utilities and the staff at Springfield City Utilities, unapproved.

The entire proposed 2009 Annual Operating Budget is predicated on an Operating Plan based on anticipated income from utility rate increases, along with expansion, and approved by the Board of Public Utilities. That is wholly irresponsible. As business leaders, engaged in commerce and entrusted to operate the utility in a responsible manner, they betray the fiduciary trust of the citizens of Springfield by approving an operating plan that can't be achieved based on the utility's current income.

The Board of Public Utilities board members should require a reasonable and responsible operating plan limited to operations, maintenance, capital costs, labor costs, and fuel costs that currently exist, without basing income on anticipated growth. In other words, the 'needs' of the utility customer, related to safe delivery of electricity, natural gas, water, sewer, transportation and communication services. And, to provide those services at a cost that provides for a fair and reasonable profit that sustains the utility.

At this time, due to the economic uncertainty and higher cost of living that we are all experiencing, irrespective of income levels, the 'wants' of a privileged few must go on the back burner.

When the General Manager-CEO, department heads, and staff at Springfield City Utilities develop and present a revised Operating Plan, based on current income levels, modified to deal with current needs, to the Board of Public Utilities and the board approves such plan, then and thereafter, a proposed 2009 Annual Operating Budget should be presented to City Council for their review. Until such time, City Council should continue to 'table' any and all rate proposals and budgets submitted by the Board of Public Utilities for consideration and approval.

"To be" or "Not to Be" responsible and accountable. That's the question that must be truthfully answered by the Board of Public Utilities, City Council, and the customers of Springfield City Utilities. Not, should there be a natural gas rate increase spread over the next three years.

2008-08-20T14:03:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MO-CPR Criticizes Municipal League's Intervention In Court Case

ST. LOUIS, MO – August 19, 2008: The Missouri Municipal League filed papers Monday seeking to deprive Missouri voters of the opportunity to vote on a pair of constitutional amendments sponsored by Missouri Citizens for Property Rights. The amendments would end the abuse of eminent domain for private profit while allowing it for traditional uses like roads and utilities. They would also leave elected officials with other powers to clean up problem properties.

The Missouri Secretary of State ruled on August 5 that MO-CPR had turned in insufficient signatures in Congressional District 2 to qualify for the ballot. MO-CPR filed a lawsuit last week challenging the decision. The Missouri Municipal League, which represents 658 Missouri Cities, filed papers on Monday seeking to keep the MO-CPR amendments off the ballot.

The Municipal League’s filing prompted a rebuke from MO-CPR Chairman Ron Calzone. “It’s bad enough that some city officials have repeatedly trampled on their own constituents’ property rights for the benefit of politically connected private developers,” Calzone said. “Now they’re spending tax payer's money to go to court to deprive voters of the chance to vote on the practice. It’s despicable.”

“Nothing the Municipal League can add will change the fact that more than 200,000 Missouri voters have signed petitions asking to vote on this issue," Calzone added. "The Municipal League claims that eminent domain for private profit is good for the state’s economy, but we think that respect for property rights, the bulwark of all of our freedoms, is what's really good for Missouri. We just ask that the voters have a chance to choose.”

Bevis Schock, a member of the board of MO-CPR and a St. Louis civil rights attorney said he found the proposed intervention comical. "I wonder if the politicians who approved this legal action have considered how many residents of their cities signed our Petition?" he asked. "It is a sad day when government officials are so out of touch with the right of the people to own their property in peace, and so enamored with their own wisdom to decide which developers should run rough shod over people's homes and businesses, that they would take an action like this."

"The Municipal League should have entered this case on our side and encouraged the judge to grant the people a right to vote on this issue," Schock suggested.

"Voters should remember this when they go into the ballot box in November," Calzone added. "In addition to approving our amendments, voters should throw out the city officials who lack respect not only for their property rights, but for their right to vote as well."

Go to http://www.mo-cpr.org for this release and other information about the project.

Contact:
Ron Calzone, chairman
Missouri Citizens for Property Rights
33867 Highway E
Dixon, MO 65459

2008-08-18T18:51:00.000-07:00

Perhaps each fast food restaurant, each restaurant period should install a scale at the entrance and weigh each person to determine how much of a "fat tax" they should pay to provide for their long term care.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article4543279.ece

Jill Sherman, Whitehall Editor

Grossly overweight children may be taken from their families and put into care if Britain’s obesity epidemic continues to escalate, council chiefs said yesterday.

The Local Government Association argued that parents who allowed their children to eat too much could be as guilty of neglect as those who did not feed their children at all.

The association said that until now there had been only a few cases when social services had intervened in obesity cases. But it gave warning that local councils may have to take action much more often and, if necessary, put obese children on “at risk” registers or take them into care. It called for new guidelines to be drawn up to help authorities deal with the issue.

There have been some reported cases where children under 10 have weighed up to 14st (89kg) and a three-year-old has weighed 10st – putting them at a high risk of diabetes and heart disease. Only last week a 15-year-old girl in Wales was told by doctors that she could “drop dead at any moment” after tipping the scales at 33st.

David Rogers, the Local Government Association’s public health spokesman, said that by 2012 an estimated million children would be obese and by 2025 about a quarter of all boys would be grossly overweight.

“Councils are increasingly having to consider taking action where parents are putting children’s health in real danger,” he said. “As the obesity epidemic grows, these tricky cases will keep on cropping up. Councils would step in to deal with an undernourished and neglected child, so should a case with a morbidly obese child be different? If parents consistently place their children at risk through bad diet and lack of exercise, is it right that a council should step in to keep the child’s health under review?”

“The nation’s expanding waistline threatens to have a devastating impact on our public services. It’s a huge issue for public health, but it also risks placing an unprecedented amount of pressure on council services.”

The association called for a national debate on how much local authorities should intervene in obesity cases. As a basic minimum, social services or health visitors should talk to the families involved, give them advice and show them how to provide healthy meals. “But in the worst cases [the children] would need to be put on ‘at risk’ registers or taken into care.”

Last year Cumbria County Council put an eight-year old girl into care as she was dangerously overweight.

Anne Ridgway, of Cumbria Primary Care Trust, said that it was extremely rare for a child to be put into care just because of their weight. “Even then the care proceedings may well have been instigated because of related problems rather than exclusively because of their weight,” she said. Extreme cases of obesity could become a child protection issue because obesity “can have very serious consequences for a child’s health and the parental behaviour that leads to childhood obesity can be a form of neglect”.

Tam Fry, of the National Obesity Forum, said: “Children who are dangerously overweight should be brought into hospital, where they can be given 24-hour care for several weeks or months. But their parents should have access to them.”

The Conservative Party said that taking children into care was a serious step. Andrew Landsley, the Shadow Health Secretary, said that in many cases “it would be better to help the parents provide better nutrition for their child rather than break up the family”.

Deadly facts

— Councils are spending tens of thousands of pounds widening crematorium furnaces to deal with fatter corpses

— Standard coffins are between 16 and 20ins wide (40-50cm) but coffins twice that size are being ordered to fit larger bodies

— Lewisham Council has ordered a 44in cremator from America and is taking coffins from the Midlands. A furnace has just been installed at King’s Lynn, Norfolk, for coffins a metre wide and Blackburn is to buy a 42in cremator

— New ambulances have been introduced across Wales with special equipment for fat patients, including a winch and an extra wide strengthened stretcher

— Fire services are threatening to charge police or hospitals a fee if they are called in to move grossly overweight people out of dangerous buildings

— Many schools are having to adapt their furniture to cope with heavier, wider children. Each larger table and chair costs about £30

— It is estimated that nearly 2,000 people are too fat to work

2008-08-17T17:49:00.000-07:00

August 15, 2008

News Release

For Immediate Release

Campbell Avenue has fully re-opened in downtown Springfield as of today. The road was closed in April to make way for a variety of improvements and for construction of the College Station theater project, which is set to open later this fall.

The closure allowed City Utilities crews to replace a sanitary sewer line 12 feet below the street surface, as well as several other utility lines. The street was also closed so masonry work could be completed on the east side of the College Station complex, which will house a 14-screen movie theater run by Hollywood Theaters, and retail space.

A traffic calming measure has also been added on this section of Campbell. A “horizontal shift,” or slight bend in the road, between Olive and College streets will help slow speeds on the one-way street and make it more pedestrian-friendly.

The intersections at McDaniel and Olive streets are currently operating on a temporary three-way basis until new signal lights can be installed. Two lights at the Olive intersection will be replaced, while an entirely new signal will be installed at the Campbell and McDaniel intersection. Striping and the installation of new street and pedestrian lights are expected to be completed soon. These will not cause further closures.

The project saw some delays because of unusually rainy weather during the spring and early summer, and because of unexpected conditions underground once the work began, including abandoned utility lines that had to be removed before work could begin on new lines.

For more information, contact: Martin Gugel, Public Works Engineering, (417) 864-1020.

2008-08-14T18:52:00.000-07:00

http://www.telegram.com/article/20080809/NEWS/808090323/1008/

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Chemist allowed to go home, sans his lab

No extreme hazards found in basement workshop that alarmed authorities

By Priyanka Dayal TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

MARLBORO— Victor Deeb, the retired chemist who stored hundreds of chemicals in his house, was allowed to return home yesterday after authorities spent three days dismantling his basement laboratory.

None of the materials found at 81 Fremont St. posed a radiological or biological risk, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection. No mercury or poison was found. Some of the compounds are potentially explosive, but no more dangerous than typical household cleaning products.

All potentially hazardous materials were removed from the house, which the Deebs have owned since 1988. A cleanup company, contracted by DEP, is continuing to test the chemicals in a lab.

“Ultimately, they will be disposed of,” said DEP spokesman Joseph M. Ferson, who said the city’s Department of Public Works is making sure nothing seeped into the sewer lines.

Mr. Deeb declined to comment yesterday. Authorities say he has patents pending and had been using his basement as a science lab to conduct experiments, possibly for many years.

Firefighters found more than 1,500 vials, jars, cans, bottles and boxes in the basement Tuesday afternoon, after they responded to an unrelated fire in an air conditioner on the second floor of the home.

Vessels of chemicals were all over the furniture and the floor, authorities said. The ensuing investigation involved a state hazardous materials team, fire and police officials, health officials, environmental officials and code enforcement officials. The Deebs were told to stay in a hotel while the slew of officials investigated and emptied the basement.

Pamela A. Wilderman, Marlboro’s code enforcement officer, said Mr. Deeb was doing scientific research and development in a residential area, which is a violation of zoning laws.

“It is a residential home in a residential neighborhood,” she said. “This is Mr. Deeb’s hobby. He’s still got bunches of ideas. I think Mr. Deeb has crossed a line somewhere. This is not what we would consider to be a customary home occupation. … There are regulations about how much you’re supposed to have, how it’s detained, how it’s disposed of.”

Mr. Deeb’s home lab likely violated the regulations of many state and local departments, although officials have not yet announced any penalties.

“He’s been very cooperative,” Ms. Wilderman said. “I won’t be citing him for anything right at this moment.”

2008-08-13T18:43:00.000-07:00

August 12, 2008

News Release

For Immediate Release

The Springfield City Council is pleased to announce the selection of Greg Burris as Springfield’s 12th City Manager.

Burris, currently vice president of Administrative & Information Services at Missouri State University, will join the City effective Sept. 15, 2008.

The Council approved Burris’ appointment during a closed meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 12. Burris was one of the three finalists who participated in an extensive interview process last week with Council. He replaces Bob Cumley, who retired in May with 35 years of service to the City.

For the final vote, Councilman Doug Burlison made the motion to hire Burris and Councilman John Wylie seconded the motion. The vote was 8-1 in favor, with Councilwoman Cindy Rushefsky voting no.

“After more than 25 hours of interviews and deliberations, the Council believes Greg has the outstanding leadership qualities and best fulfills the characteristics that Council was seeking in a new City Manager,” Mayor Tom Carlson said.

His base salary will be $195,000 a year, which is in the midrange of the scale recommended by the compensation subcommittee of the City Manager Search Committee, plus benefits.

Mayor Pro Tem Gary Deaver expressed his appreciation on behalf of City Council to the Search Committee for their efforts in this process, including the compensation recommendations and the profile of characteristics sought in a new City Manager.

“We are extremely grateful to the committee members who represented a broad cross-section of community stakeholders and worked diligently to help Council reach the stage where we interviewed the three finalists,” said Deaver, who co-chaired the Search Committee. “We have the utmost respect for all three of the finalist candidates and offer our best wishes for success to Kent Myers and Larry Stevens.

“The Search Committee and the Search Firm used all of the public input to develop a profile focused on four areas: leadership, fiscal responsibility, community involvement and redevelopment/development skills,” Deaver added. “We are confident that Greg meets or exceeds all of these characteristics and has an enormous amount of energy and enthusiasm to quickly translate his skills into public administration.”

Ann Marie Baker, who co-chaired the Search Committee with Deaver, said she has looked forward to the day when the new City Manager would be announced.

“We anticipated bringing someone on board who could lead our City to future success,” said Baker, President of UMB Bank. “Little did we know that the months of activity would identify the top candidate as one of our fellow citizens, Greg Burris.

“Greg's considerable strengths include an engaged style of leadership, a commitment to strategic planning, and an energy level second to none,” she said. “I look forward to the days ahead as Greg steps into his new responsibilities and works with all stakeholders to bring our collective vision to reality. I have no doubt he has what it takes to tackle our opportunities and leverage our considerable strengths to the greater
success of our City.”

Burris, 46, accepted his first position at Missouri State upon graduation in 1983 with a degree in computer information systems. He received a number of promotions through the years and currently manages a division of about 350 employees. His current areas of responsibility include: Human Resources; Safety and Transportation; Facilities Management, including oversight of the JQH Arena construction; Campus Master Planning; Environmental Management; and Computer and Communications Services.

He has a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems and a master’s degree in business administration from Missouri State University.

“I’m extremely honored to be selected as City Manager and look forward to helping lead Springfield into the future. My experiences at Missouri State University have been incredibly positive and rewarding, and have prepared me to move into this role at the city,” Burris said. “My responsibilities at the University have paralleled many aspects of the City Manager’s duties, so I’m comfortable making this transition. With an extremely qualified and professional city staff, I have confidence we will be a successful team.”

His community service activities include serving on the boards of the Court Appointed Special Advocates, the Downtown Springfield Community Improvement District, Leadership Springfield and the Jordan Valley Advisory Committee. He also has volunteered to lead strategic planning and team-building workshops for non-profit boards and government entities including: Greene County, Urban Districts Alliance, Junior League of Springfield, the Doula Foundation and a number of others, including Kingsway United Methodist Church, where Burris attends and plays in its contemporary praise band.

Burris and his wife, Betsy, live in Springfield with their daughter, Tori, who attends the Central High School Middle Years Scholars Program.

For more information, contact: Mayor Tom Carlson, 864-7772; Mayor Pro Tem Gary Deaver, 866-6463; or Greg Burris, 836-5233.

2008-08-12T21:02:00.000-07:00

This is why in the pledge we say the following "and to the republic for which it stands". Just like the Ron Paul supporters were working within the rules of the convention system to overhaul the delegates it appears the supporters of Hilary Clinton could be poised to do the very same.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008 10:30 AM

By: Jim Meyers

Article Font Size

Supporters of Hillary Clinton are planning a number of rallies at the Democratic national convention in Denver to express their disappointment with the party’s presidential primary process.

The Denver Group, formed by two Clinton backers, has filmed a TV commercial and scheduled a large reception in Denver for August 26.

Another pro-Clinton group, 18 Million Voices, is organizing a march on that day in Denver “and nationwide to support Sen. Clinton and advocate for women’s rights worldwide,” according to its Web site.

Some of the Denver Group’s goals are at odds with those of the Democratic Party, The Hill newspaper reports. It wants an open convention, with Hillary’s name placed in nomination, as well as a genuine roll call vote with Clinton as a legitimate candidate instead of what it calls a “coronation” of Barack Obama.

Clinton backers in Denver will hold signs reading, “Denounce Nobama’s Coronation,” according to the Denver Post.

Heidi Li Feldman, co-founder of the Denver Group, said her organization has raised up to $40,000 and bought six print ads in addition to the TV commercial.

One print ad showed a picture of Franklin D. Roosevelt and asked, “Would Howard Dean and Nancy Pelosi have kept his name off the ballot?”

The ad pointed out that Roosevelt went into the 1932 Democratic convention short of the necessary delegates to sew up the nomination and won on the fourth ballot.

Marc Rubin, the other co-founder of the Denver Group, said there is “palpable anger” at the Democratic National Committee.

Hillary recently declared that Democrats must unite behind Obama and disclosed that she is in talks with the Obama camp and the DNC about her role and the role of her delegates, according to The Hill, which added:

“Clinton and many of her backers believe that, if there is a strategy of recognizing the New York senator’s delegates at the convention, it would be a cathartic experience and lead to a more unified Democratic Party.”

2008-08-11T20:25:00.000-07:00

The back patting session from M.S.U. was pretty tough getting through along with the back patting session from the council as well. I would have loved to see someone ask how much revenue could be generated out of those buildings if a private sector entity owned them instead of a university. I would also like to hear how much state and federal funding has gone into this project vs private sector cash. One dissenting voice spoke up on this issue and his main concern was the football team losing over one million annually. Granted this type of negative cash flow makes it incredibly hard for people to be able to afford going to college for an education. I guess my vision of someday having a nationally ranked football team here is a pipe dream.

Council by a 5-4 vote determined that they are in fear of their lives every time they do the business of the city. To be fair a motion was made to vote down this resolution and replace it with a resolution just placing metal detectors at the Busch building. This would have been a far superior move then the one that was approved tonight. That motion had every thing to do with the safety of city employees and I can appreciate that motion, however I believe the following vote shows that council members just have the inclination they are much more important then what they really are.

Hats off to Councilman Manley as he spoke with passion and clarified the common sense position quite well and deserved to be applauded after he was done speaking. Councilwoman Rushefsky made some good points on why metal detectors are installed in courthouse buildings but detested the idea of having to have them installed in the City Hall building. Councilman Burlison made the motion that the Busch building might be in need of security but detested the idea of an additional barrier between citizens and government officials. I can gladly say that Mayor Carlson gave a reasoned, and passionate address on why spending this money on these security measures would be wrong and he truly had the fiscal need to secure this funding instead of spending it on something which isn't needed nor do other governmental agencies spend money on these types of security measures.

It appears that Councilman Chiles is a little too passionate on the subject as he interjected mental illness, economic collapse, and his own gun ownership as reasons to be in favor of metal detectors. Mr Chile's also discussed an area of terrorism that I haven't read about yet, where people give kids weapons so they can attend city council meetings and thus the kid takes out the weapon and mows down the city council members. Dan a little decaf for the next meeting would be quite helpful. Councilwomen Collette spoke of the need to do something which is far superior to doing nothing. Councilmen Whayne was pretty incoherent with his want and need for metal detectors and councilmen Wylie actually scares me that he has sat on council for as long as he has. I won't give an opinion on Councilmen Deaver as he needs NO introduction.

After the vote I left as it was getting late and I was developing a migraine.

2008-08-09T20:58:00.000-07:00

1/8¢ Tax Renewal

Overview

Proposed Projects for 2009-2012

Chamber of Commerce Questions

Sales Tax Rate Comparison

Past Projects and Tax Background Info

Multimedia Resources

Project Map

Video Overview

Working with MoDOT, this project would design and construct two additional through lanes – for a total of six through lanes – in two phases from Battlefield Road to Sunshine Street and Sunshine Street to Chestnut Expressway.

A partnership among MoDOT, the City of Springfield and CoxHealth would use the “diverging diamond” model on National Avenue to reduce congestion and improve safety and construct an underpass under National to expedite access to the CoxHealth emergency department.

This project would add left-turn lanes and through lanes for traffic on Campbell under the James River Freeway. The project would complement improvements planned on Campbell in 2009 in conjunction with new retail development at the southeast corner of the interchange.

The City would partner with MoDOT on its highest priority project in District 8 to improve the I-44 and Kansas Expressway interchange with the region’s first “diverging diamond” interchange to alleviate congestion and improve safety. The City would make related improvements by relocating the existing Evergreen Street traffic signal approximately 600 feet to the south.

The referendum would provide funding to design and construct sidewalks or bike lanes to enhance intermodal connectivity with bus transit stops and Greenway trails for pedestrians, cyclists and bus riders.

Separate right-turn lanes would be provided for eastbound and northbound traffic and an additional through lane for southbound traffic. This project also would complete the widening of National Avenue between Kearney and Jean streets to match improvements recently completed north of Jean Street. The increased capacity is necessary for the high volume of large trucks that use the intersection.

Capacity would be increased at Glenstone Avenue and Battlefield Road by making the current southbound dual left-turn lanes longer and more accessible when traffic backs up in the through lanes. At Chestnut Expressway and Sherman Avenue, dual left-turn lanes are proposed for eastbound to northbound traffic to reduce backups, which extend into an eastbound through lane at peak times when motorists are going to Ozarks Technical Community College.

The main example of this would be preservation of the bridge at the Kansas Expressway Viaduct between Division and Atlantic streets.

Permanent variable message boards located along major roadways could display real-time traffic information and travel advisories and also provide for “Amber Alert” notifications. Intelligent transportation tools such as traffic sensors, traffic-monitoring cameras, and on-road traveler information would be installed to improve traffic management.

The City, MoDOT, Greene County and private developers may consider public/public or public/private cost-sharing strategies that promote economic development opportunities.

2008-08-07T16:02:00.000-07:00

July 29, 2008

News Release

For Immediate Release

Southwest Missouri Congressman Roy Blunt announced today that the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has selected a local Springfield project as the recipient of a major new grant. The project, part of Springfield’s Commercial Street Historic District continuing efforts to “go green,” will include $50,000 of technical assistance aimed at helping revitalize the area with the newest and most innovative green technologies available.

“Springfield has become a national leader in the use of Brownfields grants to revitalize old commercial and industrial sites for modern uses,” said Blunt. “This latest grant will bring a new emphasis to implementing green technologies for the purpose of revitalizing three structures on historic Commercial Street. It’s a great opportunity for Commercial Street, and an even better one for residents of the area.”

“The EPA will help develop a plan using environmental professionals to redesign the use of three structures for green building technologies and potential Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification,” said Springfield Brownfields Coordinator Olivia Hough. “There are companies anxious to take the lead on this promising new technology – and now they’ll have the means to do just that.”

The three structures identified as part of the Brownfield Sustainability Pilot are:

Buz Brewery, 505 West Commercial, a micro brewery, which was the original site of a gas station and later an awning company.
Juliette’s Day SPA, 233 East Commercial, the former site of Davis Appliance, which was also a gas station in the 1930s.
The Commercial Club, 299 East Commercial, which is an historic community building where the Commercial Club of Springfield meets, and preparing to undergo a major rehabilitation.

Hough said the three sites were assessed under the Brownfields program for potential hazardous substances, pollutants and contaminates. The grant will support the design of activities in the new buildings that may include materials recycling, green infrastructure design, energy efficiency, water conservation, renewable energy development and native landscaping.

Contact: Dan Wadlington; dan.wadlington@mail.house.gov; (417) 889-1800

2008-08-06T13:21:00.000-07:00

Successful societies and growing economies have always depended on efficient transportation. Witness the roads of the Roman Empire, the canals of the Ming Dynasty, the ships of the British Empire, and the railroads that connected the American frontier. The Interstate Highway System, which began to be developed in the United States more than 50 years ago, parallels those earlier achievements. It helped facilitate the tremendous economic growth of the post–World War II era.

read more of this article

2008-08-06T10:48:00.000-07:00

The critics(I won't name them by name but they know who they are)are using individual opinion to the critics(that would be anyone that doesn't side with the city on every item)and passing this information off as fact to their readers.

The main purpose of any advocacy group is to inform and educate the voters on the issues of which they feel impact them the greatest. I haven't heard any individual come out and say they that wanted the transportation tax defeated because the city wasn't using the money as intended, however that has been portrayed in blogs and some written media. There is no more nobler cause then standing up for what you believe in. With the passage of the 1/8 cent transportation tax the city is given more opportunity to make progress on a city that has yet to figure out how to get traffic moving consistently and to compensate for past development problems that have led to some nightmare traffic tie ups in this city of 150,000+.

Some members of the community who speak out on various issues important to them have been called constant critics of the city as if that label is a bad thing.

Had it not been for organizations such as ours the people would have never learned of the "Bridge to Nowhere", or why the national debt is almost 10 trillion dollars.

The next time someone wants to label you something whether it be adverse or not remember you are doing something that you feel is important and your actions at some point will benefit the community, Just ask critic Brenda Teeslink if the effort was worth it.

2008-08-05T15:39:00.000-07:00

Today my reply to Sarah Overstreet was printed in the S~N~L with the metal detector debate, you can also read it online at this link. As I was reading it from the paper I realized my intent to point out the absurd by being absurd would sorely be misinterpreted by many so I have written an official apology to every law enforcement officer who might read that article and think I was trying to say we have a problem with power hungry, over bearing police officers.

I have learned a valuable lesson upon reading this however as intent versus how it is taken could be construed quite differently depending upon who is reading the article. I still don't believe that metal detectors should be installed, but security measures for council chambers, the Busch building and the general public should be a high priority for all involved.

This letter is for the rank and file of the Springfield Police Department. Recently a letter I wrote concerning the metal detectors issue appeared in the Springfield News Leader as a rebuttal to a column from Sarah Overstreet. In this letter I was using the absurd to show how absurd this topic of discussion has gotten. I wrote the following comment to which I'm quoting directly from the article "I must, however, point out that our local police services have perpetrated more violent crime in the past month then any unseen bogeyman has since the city incorporated all those years ago. Just this example shows we are safer in council chambers then we are in our own vehicles with police officers around us".
I have nothing but the utmost respect for all of our law enforcement officers and even have a son getting ready to graduate with a criminal justice degree so how this reads versus how I wanted it to sound came out quite differently upon my reading the article in the paper. In this context I was trying to point out that just because there has been some questioned police procedures in the recent past both here and nationwide that this is no reason to require the citizen to have a personal security officer to protect them from police officers. We don't need at this point a private security firm with metal detectors installed in our public buildings because there has been no intent as of yet to be seen of violence occurring in our city council chambers or in the Busch building, besides we have an armed police officer standing outside council chambers to protect the average citizen and council members. I would imagine our police have the option of checking out an individual if they feel they are acting in a manner that could bring harm during a council meeting.

I apologize to anyone that thought I might be making a comment that the general public should be weary of our police forces just because of what has occurred here locally in the past few months.

Tom Martz
Chairman
Missouri Liberty Coalition

2008-08-04T09:18:00.000-07:00

It seems quite curious that just the other day we were just short of being labeled fruit cakes for telling the city employees and city council that metal detectors were not needed at the Busch building nor were they needed at City Hall.

Then my wondering eyes found this interesting article which leads me to believe the people of Republic should install metal detectors at all entrances to the city parks

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/MO_FORMER_ALDERMAN_SHOOTING_MOOL-?SITE=MOSPL&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Aug 4, 11:00 AM EDT

Former Republic alderman fatally shot

REPUBLIC, Mo. (AP) -- Police are investigating the fatal shooting of a former Republic alderman at a city park.

Police Chief Mark F. Lowe says 28-year-old Joshua Morris died in a Springfield hospital Sunday after suffering a single gunshot wound at J.R. Martin Park in Republic.

Lowe says Rachelle Hansen, Morris' former wife, was at the scene and is being questioned.

Police called the incident a "questionable death." A weapon was recovered from the scene.

Lowe says he believes it's the first shooting in Republic in six years.

Morris was a realtor and served as an alderman from 2005-2007.

Morris won re-election in 2007 but had to resign because he moved outside the ward he was to represent. Morris still served on the city's planning and zoning board.

click on the link for the rest of the story

2008-08-03T12:38:00.000-07:00

Last week I had an opinion editorial appear in the paper on the 1/8 cent sales tax where I had asked some questions of the voters and city staff. I have posted a link to the reply from the city right here.

You'll notice my questions aren't really answered in any means except in political fashion.

2008-08-02T20:56:00.000-07:00

For Immediate Release Jul 28, 2008
For Further Information, Contact:
Peter J. Sepp, Natasha Altamirano, (703) 683-5700
Taxpayer Group Provides Fiscal "Snapshots" of Leading Presidential, Vice Presidential Candidates

(Alexandria, Va.) -- As pundits weigh the pros and cons in the popularity contest that has come to be known as the "Veep Sweepstakes," the 362,000-member National Taxpayers Union (NTU) has prepared an objective look at the fiscal records of each of the leading Vice Presidential candidates.

"Based on the findings of research from NTU and our educational affiliate, the National Taxpayers Union Foundation (NTUF), it's clear that a majority of the leading contenders for the Vice Presidential nomination have a legislative history of supporting higher federal spending," NTU President Duane Parde said. "Many of the potential running mates have been among the worst scorers in NTU's annual Rating of Congress."

The fiscal "snapshot" of 16 possible VPs uses data from NTU's annual Rating of Congress, which assigns Members of Congress a "Taxpayer Score" based on every roll call vote affecting fiscal policy, and NTUF's BillTally, which calculates a "net annual agenda cost" for each Member of Congress based on individual sponsorships of legislation. Of all the candidates being considered for a VP slot on the national ticket:

* Only one -- New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D) -- produced a legislative agenda to reduce federal spending in his or her last term in Congress (for Richardson, the 104th Congress);
* No Republicans sponsored legislation in their most recent Congressional term that cumulatively would cut federal spending;
* Only one -- U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) -- received an "A" grade in the most recent Rating during which he or she served in Congress, and only four received "A" grades at all from 1992 to 2007;
* Six Democrats and one Independent being considered for the VP post got "F" grades in their most recent Ratings.

"Much of the election coverage to date has focused on the legislative records of the Presidential candidates, but those of potential VPs -- who will cast crucial tie-breaking votes in the Senate -- are likewise important," Parde concluded.

NTU also has provided fiscal "snapshots" of Presidential candidates Bob Barr, John McCain, and Barack Obama based on NTU Rates Congress, NTUF's BillTally, and NTUF's ongoing Presidential Candidate Cost Analysis project.

NTU is a nonpartisan, nonprofit citizen organization founded in 1969 to work for lower taxes, smaller government, and economic freedom at all levels. Note: For more election-related research and analysis, visit www.ntu.org.

-30-

Related Links:

* NTU's Fiscal "Snapshot" of the "Veep Sweepstakes"
* NTU's Fiscal "Snapshot" of the 2008 Presidential Race

2008-07-24T18:15:00.000-07:00

How much taxpayer money does the government spend each year on entitlement programs?

Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid alone cost $1.24 trillion (that’s $1,240,000,000,000) every year. And this number is spiraling upwards out of control.

Heritage Foundation experts have put this in perspective. They report that our spending on these three programs is equivalent to the entire Canadian economy—the 13th largest in the world.

They also produced a new “a la chart” graphic, which they sent to newspaper and magazine editors around the country to help get the word out about our runaway spending problem.

Unfortunately, liberals in Congress oppose attempts to curb even the growth of this massive spending.

Heritage budget expert Brian Riedl warns that “the coming entitlement spending tsunami is not going away. Every year of delay raises the eventual cost of reform by trillions of dollars. This is unconscionable. When the bill comes due, taxpayers will demand to know why Congress shirked their duty to confront this issue.”

2008-07-15T09:06:00.001-07:00

For your purvey Mr Deaver and Mr. Manley a bribe is defined as the following;

2.	anything given or serving to persuade or induce

You'll notice in this example the condition is to persuade or induce something to occur, if 30K of Mr. Low's money is used to move his project ahead of others then YES that can be defined as a BRIBE. If this project was already on the docket for work to occur then see my bold statement below

4.	to influence or corrupt by a bribe

You'll notice in this example it is to influence and once more I will state if the 30K of Mr. Low's is used to move his project ahead of others then YES Charlotte it can be considered a bribe. Once more if this project was already slated to be done then see the bwloe bold statement.

Both of you gentlemen are elected by the people to perform a duty of the electorate and by caveat the City of Springfield. When you both go on the attack as if your character was called into question because someone dare assume something under handed could be occurring you require people to question your integrity. This also calls into question if you were really listening to what was being said since the statement did not accuse either of you gentlemen or anyone on the council as taking this as a bribe or it even being portrayed as a bribe. The statement loosely pointed out that it could be CONCEIVED as one. There is a HUGE difference in the manner and fluctuation of the spoken word, perhaps listening would benefit you both greatly.

It is in your best interest not to attack an individual for a statement but to simply state the cash donation from Prime Inc will graciously be accepted to help offset the cost of this project as it has already been slated for construction

You gentlemen could learn much simply by listening to the words being said, ALL of the words being said and not just a couple of words which peeked your interest. As a business owner, home owner, and taxpayer in this community you owe this respect to those that are speaking

Tom Martz
Chairman
Missouri Liberty Coalition

2008-07-11T08:54:00.000-07:00

(1) Election of Mayor

One member of the City Council shall be known as the mayor who shall be elected to that office by the qualified voters of the city at large for a term of two years who shall serve until his successor shall be elected and qualified. Provisions of this Section shall apply at the next regular municipal election, at which time the mayor shall be elected for a term of two years and one General Councilmember for a term of four years. Thereafter at the next regular municipal election the mayor shall be elected for a term of two years, and at each regular municipal election there shall be elected two General Councilmembers and two Zone Councilmembers for terms of four years except at the Municipal election in 1981 the General Councilmembers shall be elected for a short term of two years. The mayor shall be prohibited from serving more than four consecutive terms as Mayor.

Approved by vote of the people April 1, 1986.

term limits were approved by the people to prevent a lifelong mayor, very smart.

(2) Number and Term

The Council shall consist of nine (9) members to be known as Councilwomen or Councilmen, each of whom shall be elected for a term of four (4) years and shall serve until his or her successor shall be elected and qualified. Reference to "Councilmember" as used throughout this Charter is intended to mean "Councilwoman" or "Councilman" depending upon the gender. Five Councilmembers known as General Councilmembers shall be elected by the qualified voters of the city at large. Four (4) of the Councilmembers to be elected shall reside respectively in Zones 1, 2, 3 and 4 and are to be known as Zone Councilmembers. Zone Councilmembers shall be elected by the qualified voters of the zone in which they reside.

General Councilmembers' seats or positions shall be individually designated by number or by letter or by other reasonable designation, and shall thereby be distinguished from one another for purposes of appointment and election.
Approved by vote of the people April 3, 1984.

no term limits here however the voters are able to remove via ballot box or petition process

(3) Running for Another Council Office - Limitation

No member of City Council may file for another City Council office, other than the office of mayor, if such other City Council office has a term overlapping the term of office that the member of council then holds, unless the member of council first gives written notice to the city clerk of intent to so file not later than 30 days prior to the date upon which one can first file for such other office. The giving of written notice of intention to file for such overlapping office shall constitute an irrevocable resignation of the office that the Councilmember then holds effective as of the date upon which the results of the general city election are certified for such other office. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Charter to the contrary, the office to be vacated by the irrevocable resignation shall be filled by the qualified voters for the balance of the term thereof at the same aforesaid general city election held after the notice of intent to file for the other office is given.
Approved by vote of the people February 5, 1985.

2008-07-07T10:42:00.000-07:00

The inhabitants of the City of Springfield, within the corporate limits as now established or as hereafter established in the manner provided by law, shall continue to be a municipal body politic and corporate in perpetuity, under the name of the "City of Springfield."

In addition to all that territory in the State of Missouri, County of Greene, included within the corporate limits of the City of Springfield, Missouri, as of November 5, 1985, there shall hereafter be included within the corporate limits of the City of Springfield, Missouri, additional territories in Greene County, Missouri, which extended city limits are not set out in this volume, but may be found set out in full in general ordinances which are on file in the office of the City Clerk.

Approved by vote of the people November 5, 1985.

The municipal government provided by this Charter shall be known as a "council-manager government." Pursuant to the provisions of this Charter and subject only to the limitations imposed by the state constitution and by this Charter, all powers of the city shall be vested in an elective council, hereinafter referred to as "the council," which shall enact local legislation, adopt budgets, determine policies, and appoint the city manager, who shall execute the laws and administer the government of the city.

The city shall have all powers of local self-government and home rule, and all powers possible for any city to have under the constitution and laws of Missouri, or those powers which the legislature would be competent to grant; except as prohibited by the constitution or laws of the state, the city may exercise all municipal powers, functions, rights, privileges and immunities of every name and nature whatsoever. Such powers shall be exercised in the manner prescribed in this Charter, or,if not prescribed herein, in such manner as may be prescribed by the council.

"This simple statement is why we the people of Springfield should be watching what our elected government leaders are doing. Simply stated if we the people don't determine if the power actually has been established to do something then the city can either intentionally or accidently acquire powers to which we the people haven't given them".

The enumeration of particular powers in this Charter is not exclusive of others, nor is it restrictive of general words or phrases granting powers, nor shall a grant or failure to grant power in this article impair a power granted in any other part of this Charter; and whether powers, objects or purposes are expressed conjunctively or disjunctively, they shall be construed so as to permit the council to exercise freely any one or more such powers.

"The city has enumerated powers granted to it by the voters of this city, however there are very few limitations within the charter as you'll see as we continue this process".
"As has been evident with the Jordan Valley Project the city can and will take every available means in the abuse of government".

The city is hereby divided into four zones, bounded and numbered as in the case of the postal zones existing in the City of Springfield at the time of the adoption of this Charter. Zone boundaries shall be established by ordinance following each decennial census. Zones shall comprise compact and contiguous territory, and contain, as nearly as possible, an equal number of inhabitants.

Editor's Note: Section 1.5 of this Charter, establishing the extended city limits of Springfield, was adopted by vote of the people at an election held November 8, 1955. The extended city limits are not set out in this volume, but may be found set out in full in general ordinances which are on file in the office of the City Clerk.

2008-07-05T21:04:00.001-07:00

The first item on the agenda is to educate people on what exactly a charter city is and why it was established in the first place. Springfield, MO is a charter city as has been duly voted on by the population at large long before I arrived here in town.

A charter city is a city in which the governing system is defined by the city's own charter document rather than by state, provincial, regional or national laws. In locations where city charters are allowed by law, a city can adopt or modify its organizing charter by a majority vote of its residents. A charter gives a city's residents the flexibility to choose any kind of government structure allowed by law.

A city organized under a charter may choose different systems, including the "strong mayor" or "city manager" forms of government, of which in Springfield we have the "city manager" form of government at this current point.

It is said at one point in the cities history that the "strong mayor" type of government was instituted at the charters passing, however fraud and abuse of this position convinced the people to change the form of government so an elected official didn't have so much power but an employee of the city.

A charter city may have some exemptions from some state or provincial laws, which varies entirely from region to region.

n Missouri, cities are classified into three types: Class 3, Class 4, and those under constitutional charters. A few older cities are incorporated under legislative charters (Carrollton, Chillicothe, LaGrange, Liberty, Miami, Missouri City, and Pleasant Hill) which are no longer allowed. The level at which they incorporate is determined by their population when they incorporate. They do not change if they gain or lose in population, unless a vote is held by the people. A municipality may incorporate as a Class 4 city if the population is between 500 and 2,999 (under 500, it must incorporate as a village - see list of villages in Missouri). It may incorporate as a Class 3 city if the population is between 3,000 and 29,999. There is more flexibility in government for Class 3 cities than Class 4.

Cities under constitution charters may operate under any form of municipal government if it is enacted in the city's charter.

Click on the following link to see which cities in MO operate under which form of government

2008-07-05T16:39:00.000-07:00

Many of you who read this blog have gotten accustomed to stories that relate to the abuses of government and those elected to serve in some sort of government capacity. In the next few months this blog will do something that may have never been done in this city which is to explain the city charter and why Springfield is different from cities without a charter.

The opinions of the charter are solely those of the writer and we will make sure you know what is factually written vs what is opinion about the written words. The charter is quite a compelling document but very few residents know of the meaning of this document, not that it surprises me since very few people have read or understand the written word of the Constitution of the United States. Not that it would make much of a difference since that document has been so bastardized by those in charge of the interpretation of such written word.

2008-07-02T08:14:00.000-07:00

http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080702/NEWS01/807020516/-1/newsfront2

Jaime Baranyai • News-Leader • July 2, 2008

Restaurant owners in Springfield are having trouble stomaching new costs the city will charge them next year and say they plan to fight the fees.

They'll have help from the Missouri Liberty Coalition, a local taxpayer advocacy organization.

"We want to see this most recent fee go away," Missouri Liberty Coalition Vice Chairman Travis Maddox said Tuesday afternoon at a gathering with restaurant owners. "It's really unnecessary."

The fees, designed in large part to cover the cost of restaurant inspections, will range from $100 to $325 a year, depending on the type of establishment and the food it prepares, according to Kevin Gipson, director of the Springfield-Greene County Health Department.

The annual fees, set to begin Jan. 1, come in the wake of city budget cuts. But the fees, which are expected to produce roughly $232,000, won't make up for the $467,000 that was slashed from the health department's budget, Gipson said.

Restaurant owners say they too are trying to cope with financial challenges -- and the fees will add to their burden.

Rep. Charlie Denison of Springfield attended Tuesday's gathering at Clary's and agreed the additional costs couldn't come at a worse time for restaurant owners.

"This is the wrong time to be hitting you with any kind of a tax, and that's exactly what this is," Denison said.

No one feels the pinch of the struggling economy like restaurant owners, said James Clary, who hosted the meeting at his restaurant on Battlefield Road.

Clary said business is down in the restaurant industry at a time when operating costs are high and heading higher.

"I'm not in favor of the fees, particularly in hard economic times," he said. "It's not the $325. It's just the fact that they took that action, and what are they going to do next."

It's an action Tom Martz doesn't think the city has authority to take based on his research of the city charter.

"I do not believe the city has a right to assess these fees on restaurant owners," said Martz, chairman of the Missouri Liberty Coalition.

City Councilwoman Mary Collette has said the fees are reasonable and noted that most cities in Missouri have had such fees for years.

"All it's doing is paying for the work that's already being done," she said during an earlier interview with the News-Leader.

Clary said he's frustrated because the city didn't allow enough public debate on the fees.

"They never sat down with us -- they never called us," he said.

John Sunny, a manager of Ziggie's Cafe on South National Avenue who spoke in opposition to the fees at a City Council meeting last month, echoed those sentiments.

"They had already made up their minds," he said.

Even if restaurant owners can't change council members' views, they hope to reverse the decision on the fees.

Martz, who encouraged restaurant owners to challenge the new costs, suggested some options.

Educating customers about the issue and encouraging them to sign a petition against the fees is one way. Civil disobedience is another, he said.

"All of you could refuse to pay the fees," Martz said.

A meeting with the health department also might work and seems to be the route restaurant owners first want to take.

Clary said he'd like to have another meeting with more restaurant owners, then try to sit down with the health department and talk about the issue.

He also expressed the need for independent restaurant owners to re-establish the Springfield Restaurant Owners Association and move to keep it active and growing.

Martz encouraged the idea.

"Business owners in this town have got to stick together," he said. "We are getting railroaded."

The Missouri Liberty Coalition reiterated that it would help restaurant owners fight the fees.

"You can beat city council, and we'll help," Martz said.

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