JackeHammer

A TENTATIVE EFFORT IN OCTOBER, 2011

2011-10-24T08:59:00.000-05:00

Life at the moment

If life were ideal, if my faith and joy were as consistently healthy as they should be, each day I would thank God for allowing me to awake and enjoy a new day. Unfortunately, little stresses preclude me from waking up in a joy-filled stupor every morning. Maybe today is one of those less than joy-filled days. Maybe today doesn’t have to remain such, but maybe it isn’t quite as joyous as it could be.

I’ve been recuperating from a case of pneumonia so bad it nearly killed me. I’ve been recuperating from coding and being resuscitated in a step-down hospital after having two grand maul seizures from a premature, and unnecessary medication withdrawal because doctors orders either didn’t arrive with me or were displaced. As always, and as we all do, I’ve learned a few things about myself, about others, about human nature, about important things, and less important things, about life, and about friendship simply because I have had the experiences I have had.

Today, my husband and I are frantically, sometimes joyfully, sometimes painfully, always flexibly, running down a path we wouldn’t likely have been traveling if we hadn’t decided to take the more scenic route and not duke it out in a foreclosure fisticuff in these grand and united States of America, and we are in a state, aren’t we? (< the lower case “u” was what we commonly call “creative license” around here).

Recently a friend of mine at my church (hi Christi!) gave her testimony, in part to remind all of us in the family that none of us are alone, that other people have gone through the same things we have gone through, and that we can lean on others and be leaned on by others. I agree, as a general rule, we can encourage and pull each other through bad times because we’ve all had some of the same experiences.

Sometimes, however, and I don’t say this because I am arrogant and think what my husband I went through is so special no one can understand it, but sometimes we do feel sort of alone, don’t we? Sometimes there simply is not anyone in our immediate church family who can fully relate to or understand our specific circumstances. They can support, they can encourage, and most importantly they can help us grow in faith by sharing their own faith building experiences with us, but what I guess I am trying to articulate is that sometimes, in the darkest hours of our understanding (or misunderstanding) what if God, maybe, doesn’t want us turning to anyone else but Him, and Him alone? What if He wants us to fall into His arms and not the arms of a friend? I suspect there will be times like that too, I’ve had them.

Our church family was an immense help and support to my husband and I throughout the entire experience we had. I can tell you they did everything right in the way they were there for us. Our church family is still a tremendous encouragement to us today. I have confidence and faith that they will always be a tremendous support to us any time we need them because they have well-proven themselves to be faithful to serve and care for their extended family. I think we should be aware, however, that God may use times of seeming darkness to force us to turn from others and recognize from whence our help comes (Psalm 121:1-2).

It might be bitter but necessary medicine to, in the depths of a Christian’s loneliness and seeming despair, recognize there is but one friend who can truly satisfy every emotional and spiritual need we have, and that friend, of course, is our mediator, Jesus, the risen Savior of the world (John 6:35).

Maybe something I should share about the experience Larry and I suffered, in order to encourage others, is this acknowledgement and acceptance that the One (as Christians) we need the most is God and sometimes only He can give us the complete and compassionate understanding we seek because only He fully knows us as intimately as we yearn to be known. Don’t misunderstand me, either. I’m not saying Christi was wrong. Christi is exactly right. We are not alone. We do have each other to support one another. We do have each other to encourage each other. We can reach out to one another and should reach out to one another in love, compassion and care and there will be times when we can completely understand what someone else is going through. I guess something extra I am trying to express is that it’s also true that there may be circumstances others cannot fully and completely understand, but the great news is that you are still not alone and you still do not have to go through any circumstance alone, even if no other person you know has had the same experience because, if you are a Christian, you have the very best friend to lean on ever. Never forget He is there, even when you cannot speak, He is there, interceding for you (Romans 8:26).

Remember how I mentioned my husband and I are always running "flexibly" on our new life path? That’s true because our means are limited, and it is by the grace of God and a friend that, for today, I have access to write on the internet. That may last a very long time, it may last a month, it may last a day, hey, to be honest, I could no longer have internet access from home this afternoon, and so that’s what I mean about being flexible. I have to be okay with that. I have to enjoy what I have at any given moment and be willing to just shrug my shoulders if it walks out the door this afternoon. In other words, I have to just deal with it. What? Well, okay, that isn’t entirely true. That is only true if I choose to stay where I am and continue to live in these circumstances and do nothing to change these circumstances. It is only true if life is static rather than unfettered. It is unbelievable the freedom we have if we really cared to grasp it, isn’t it? We only think we have no choice or, at times, no hope because we allow ourselves to believe it is true, not because it is true.

Anyway, check back here sometime if you want. Why you’d want to I cannot say, but maybe I’ll be around sometimes this winter when there isn’t so much to do in the garden, and maybe I’ll share some more thoughts and tell you about whatever farm projects Larry and I are in the middle of any given day. No promises mind you.

One of the things I am considering is creating a new Web log more suited to my life today. If I decide to do that at some point I will leave the new link here.

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Springfield's Strategic Planning Link

2011-06-24T09:32:00.000-05:00

Springfield, Missouri Strategic Plan

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Collective Bargaining "Unit?"

2011-05-10T10:43:00.000-05:00

Did a Local Springfield News Paper Article Display an Agenda?

In the Springfield News-Leader article today, "Teachers will vote on contract," first the article reports that Springfield's public school teachers will be voting to approve or reject a contract reached through collective bargaining. The contract will solidify terms and procedures related to wage and benefit increases along with other conditions of employment.

Historically, such an article would have identified the National Education Association (NEA) and the Springfield National Education Association (SNEA) as teachers' unions, but what I observed was that the term "union" was omitted throughout the entire article and not mentioned in any of the sidebar information shared at the News-Leader site. On some occasions in the article, whenever one might have expected to see the word "union," it was replaced by the word "unit" and although the article begins announcing the contract was reached through "collective" bargaining, later, when identified, the "unit" was referred to as simply the "bargaining unit," rather than the collective bargaining unit.

These observations give rise to some questions we should ponder:

Why do you suppose the writer of the article or the editing staff of the News-Leader chose not to identify the National Education Association or the Springfield National Education Association as the unions that they are?

Did the News-Leader writer or editorial staff want to obscure the fact that these are teachers' unions because of recent controversial national union news?

Would such a seemingly careful omission of the term "union" imply whoever is responsible would like to see this action on the part of the SNEA fly under the local radar rather than command any controversial reaction?

Ask yourself those questions, and after you ask them you can judge for yourself whether there is a potential media agenda involved. I just wanted you to think about it beyond the surface.

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MO Director of Agriculture Hagler: Springfield is “the Hot-Bed of Garden Activity” for the State of Missouri and this Region

2011-04-17T20:31:00.001-05:00

Agri Director Praises Springfield’s Well Fed Neighbor Alliance for Inspirational Vision

Springfield, MO - It seemed odd to see almost no notice on the part of Springfield’s local news media when our State Director of Agriculture, Dr. John Hagler, showed up to honor both local citizens and non-profit success in their own city. However, that pretty much sums up what happened when Dr. Hagler honored Springfield and members of Well Fed Neighbor Alliance (WFNA) Galen Chadwick and Aubree Taylor, among others, at the Midtown School Garden near Cox North on Thursday morning.

Springfield’s 1,000 Garden Project’s creator Chadwick, and Director Aubree Taylor were honored that the name of Missouri’s 10,000 Garden Challenge was inspired by WFNA’s 1,000 Garden Project.

Hagler wanted to kick off Missouri’s 10,000 Garden Challenge at the site of the Midtown School Garden in Springfield because he considers Springfield the State leader of the “grow local” food drive.

“We have a whole staff who has just been dying for the opportunity to sink their hands into the type of initiative that could promote this very important effort all across this state, and when they stood there and heard the story of Ruell and Galen and Melissa and Aubree and all the people, what they’ve done, starting off with their 1,000 Gardens…we made a commitment to each other that we would start working together slowly but surely to take that kernel of seed of an idea and see if we could plant it ourselves for a greater effort across this State and we did that,” Hagler said. He credited Governor Nixon with stepping up to the plate to start the 10,000 Garden Challenge.

The President of WFNA, LTD Ruell Chappell had indicated an interest on the part of the MO Dept. of Agriculture in securing a local food supply and rebuilding a sustainable local economy in a comment at JackeHammer back in September of 2009. Chappell had just attended an Urban Garden Task Force Meeting in Springfield.

“I will be the first to cheer our city if the right of the people to grow, own and do as they will with their food is upheld!!” Chappell wrote. “This thinking is in line with a new focus that can help secure our local food supply and rebuild a sustainable local economy. Springfield can be the first city in the Nation to go this far! The MO. Dept. of Ag is extremely interested,” he wrote.

Chadwick and Taylor had served on that Urban Garden Task Force Chappell wrote about. So had Director of Springfield Urban Agriculture Coalition (SUAC) Melissa Millsap. Millsap was instrumental in establishing the Midtown School Garden, along with Project Coordinator Lucy Howell. The school garden is a pilot project intended to be the first of ten school gardens SAC would like to install this year.

Millsap seemed as interested in building sustainable community as she is in a locally sustainable food supply.

“It’s (Midtown School Garden) not just a school garden, it’s a community, and a school garden. That’s the way it needs (to be) in order for sustainability,” Millsap said.

She said the cafeteria is not currently utilizing the food produced in the school garden, but it is getting into the mouths of the children. The kids are taking some of the fresh produce home with them, and it is making its way into the classroom. Middle schoolers are even cooking with the vegetables in their home economics classes, Millsap said.

“We’re not trying to push too hard (to get the food into the cafeteria) because I think that once people see how successful this program is, how much the kids enjoy this food, it’s just going to be a natural thing that takes place, and of course we’re supportive of that…. I think time will tell and people will adopt it,” she said.

As Ruell Chappell introduced Dr. Hagler Thursday, he noted the importance of fresh produce in the lives of children.

“The children that we are raising today may not live as long as we do because of obesity and the litany of things that result from that,” Chappell said. “It is important that we grow and we feed our children good food. It produces economic opportunity (and) jobs.”

Millsap identified some of the main partners of the Midtown School Garden as: Cox North, Caring Communities, Drury University, Midtown Neighborhood, the YMCA, and Childhood Obesity Action Group.

For Hagler’s part, if the local media in Springfield is suddenly averse to giving credit to WFNA members, he appeared unaffected by that aversion.

“It is an honor to be here in Springfield which is the hot-bed of garden activity for this state and, in fact, this region,” Dr. Hagler said. “You know Galen, Ruell, Aubree, Melissa and all the Councilmen and school folks that have gathered here today, I can tell you this,” he said, “I fully expect in one capacity or another to be standing here in a couple of years…and we won’t recognize what we’ve built because it will be that successful.”

Earlier in the morning when Hagler was making his point that everyone is vested in agriculture he had quipped his favorite statistic was that 4 out of 4 people eat.

“Everyone has a stake in agriculture. It is this state’s number 1 economic driver…it is something that each and every child, each and every family, each and every school, each church and each community can set root in, take a part in, and can build the future for tomorrow for our State, our cities and our country,” Hagler said.

If you would like to take the 10,000 Garden Challenge you can register at agrimissouri.com and enter for a chance to win a $500 gift certificate from Tractor Supply Company.

If you would like to view the three part video series of this event, go to wellfedneighbor.com and click on "community activity."

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Disclosure: Jackie Melton is a member of the WFNA and is a caretaker of a Gateway Farm

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EARS TO HEAR

2011-03-31T23:02:00.000-05:00

Chamomile tea

distraction

value

At some point

the value stirs its way

toward attention

1975

Harrison, Arkansas

old-timers on green park benches

set upon even greener grass

Small hills of cedar shavings

nestled

at their feet

Old-timers

whittling away more than time

Earthquakes-Tsunamis-Tornados

-Hurricanes-Floods-Fires

roads split well in two

causes and clauses and bears, oh my

Pause to look at

Old-timers

1975

stories among the wood

stories among the shavings

Could you hear?

Could you stop to hear?

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A Single JackeHammer City Council Endorsement

2011-03-30T07:17:00.000-05:00

Endorsing a political candidate, especially a Springfield City Council candidate, is an action you will rarely see coming from this particular contributor of JackeHammer, however, unapologetically, I offer my endorsement of Fred B. Ellison for Springfield City Council.

Fred Ellison, who is running for a general City Council seat (which means every Springfield citizen has an opportunity to cast a vote for him, regardless of the zone in which the citizen lives) is the real deal. He genuinely cares about representing the citizens of Springfield through a true understanding of the facts and details surrounding each item on each agenda of the City of Springfield. Ellison understands the process, and as a personal friend of Fred's (as disclosure) and as a previous free lance writer who covered the Springfield City Council for almost two years, I can tell you he DOES understand the issues. If you are a Springfield voter who wants a compassionate, listening representative sitting on your City Council, one who can explain the Council process and would take the time to discuss important issues with you, you could do no better than Fred Ellison.

Since I have moved out of the city limits of Springfield I cannot vote for Fred. I need you!

I would really appreciate your vote for Fred Ellison on April 5.

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"Grace"

2011-03-24T08:29:00.000-05:00

I was in dire need of some grace this morning. I found this quote which I liked:

"The Christian graces are like perfumes, the more they are pressed, the sweeter they smell; like stars that shine brightest in the dark; like trees which, the more they are shaken, the deeper root they take, and the more fruit they bear." -- Beaumont.

I trust God will give me the grace I seek to make it through this day. I know He'll provide anecdotes for me to tell in my Sunday School class this week, that's for sure. Praise Him that He cares, praise Him that He wants to teach me. -- Now, I'm off to work.

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Winnowing Spirit

2011-03-15T23:37:00.000-05:00

You are lost because

it is quiet

There is no sound

only still air

There is no rustling of leaves

no ripple of the water

The tree has not fallen, and

has borne no witness

You are lost because

it is pitch

black overtakes the light

white noise bears no beacon

There is no siren, no alarm, no psalm

to shepherd the maze

Lost life

No spirit left to salt and season

No spirit left

to shelter from impending chaos

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Tea Party versus "Union Thugs" at Indiana Statehouse

2011-02-28T09:04:00.003-06:00

An After-Action Report

Tish Cooper has a great guest post over at "Ancient Warrior" today.

It is a first hand, eyewitness, activist account of a tea party member standing ground with about 50-70 other tea party members at her statehouse in Indiana (with introduction by Greg at "Warrior").

As they stood against what Cooper pegged "Democrat Fleehadists," it wasn't a day without drama: read how two brave tea party members stood firm as a truck was presumed to be the same one which had twice earlier doused tea party members by running through a mud puddle.

It is your first recommended reading of 2011.

Here is the link to the Associated Press article, published in the "Springfield News-Leader," regarding the tea party versus union protests at the Missouri Statehouse in Jefferson City

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God's Love 2

2011-02-26T21:47:00.000-06:00

Another "Hosea" Song
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Vincent David Jericho's Radio Show

2011-02-14T23:18:00.000-06:00

I still get a lot of "hits" at JackeHammer from people who are looking for Vincent David Jericho. I didn't know until recently that the link I had previously provided was no longer current. So, if you're looking for Vince and can't find him there is a new listing under "Links" in the side bar of this blog, just look for Crossing the World.

His new Web site address is:

http://www.crossing-the-world.com/, and he does a show from 7-11pm every week night. I watched the last thirty minutes or so of his show tonight. It was nice to see his shiny face and hear the voice of my old friend again. :)

Galen Chadwick of the Well-Fed Neighbor Alliance is on Vince's show every Wednesday night for those of you who'd like to check that out as well.

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Just an Old Favorite

2011-02-13T16:09:00.000-06:00

Something Fine

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Guinea Feathers

2011-02-06T19:50:00.000-06:00

You brought me a guinea feather from the barn.

I said, "...a guinea feather...."

You know, and you knew, grandma and I used to guinea egg hunt
on the Phillips' farm in Bergman.

Funny, I was busy googling for my cousin Mark
when you brought that
speckled and fading feather.

I found him on the front porch with his dachsund.

I found him at a familly reunion with grandma and grandpa,
Annabeth in the background,
full 2-D

Mark and I used to walk barefoot to Crooked Creek
(back when kids could be loosed for the day with no fear)
back in those Arkansas summer days.

Later, I would sit on the banks of Crooked Creek alone
my notebook and pen in hand, a Saul Bellow book for my companion,
the rocks a cold barren gray, the shade under
the bower, deep.

Once Debbie was there with me
once Gabriel
once a whole creative writing class, and Dee Dee,
Dee Dee was the algae queen that day.

Those days were green and golden, and I was sad, and
didn't even know I had nothing to be sad about.

Memories seem like guinea feathers,
all speckled and fading.

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God's Love

2011-02-03T22:25:00.000-06:00

A Hosea Song

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Food & Ag Freedom Discussion Held

2011-01-23T15:19:00.008-06:00

SPRINGFIELD - On Tuesday of last week (1-18) about 200 people met at the Springfield Livestock Marketing Center for a discussion about Food and Agriculture Freedom. The discussion was sponsored by Greater Ozarks Property Rights Congress, Lawrence County Chapter. The speaker who led the discussion was Doreen Hannes. Hannes authors the Web log "Truth Farmer." She has been described on the Internet as an agriculture expert, but by way of introduction, following is what the flyer passed out at the meeting said about Hannes:

"Doreen Hannes has been a full time volunteer advocate for independent agriculture since 2005 and is a well-respected leader in the national movement to halt the National Animal Identification System, now known as ADT (Animal Disease Traceability). Doreen has written extensively on the topic of NAIS as well as authored and co-authored several white papers on NAIS and other topics affecting the consolidation of agriculture."

The main topic of the discussion last Tuesday, however, was House Resolution 2751. President Obama signed that resolution into law on January 4, after the Senate passed it as the "FDA Food Safety Modernization Act" on December 19, 2010.

Now, most of us take the responsibility to feed our families very seriously. It's interesting that few of us spend much time pondering the laws which govern our ability to feed ourselves. When it comes to an issue so vital as whether we will have the potential to feed ourselves in the future, we owe it to ourselves and our families to educate ourselves about the affects of this law on food freedom in our local areas, our state, nation and broader global human family.

While I could extensively quote Doreen Hannes and her comments regarding H.R. 2751, the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, (or Public Law No. 111-353) I am somewhat reluctant to do so because I haven't had much opportunity to look at the Act myself. I don't, and I don't want the readers of JackeHammer, to leave the responsibility of understanding and analysing what this law will mean to us and our families in the future to someone we do not know, but I will say, based on what Hannes discussed, I am somewhat alarmed by what I have heard and have printed out the 119 page law so that I may scrutinize it at my leisure later. That is what I hope to inspire YOU to do. Then, maybe after you have looked at it Section by 405 sections you can share your thoughts here, in the comment section and we can continue the discussion here.

Hannes believes the law will have a devastating effect on local farmers. She said the law puts us under a method of good agricultural practices that, "...will put virtually everybody out of the agriculture business....It's nothing less than a recipe for global famine," she said. Hannes also believes, along with a growing number of people, the best way to meet the needs of our families is through our own local communities.

The Well-Fed Neighbor Alliance, (WFNA) which has been actively involved in local food issues in and around the Springfield area, thinks the best way to ensure the safety and security of our food supply is to further localize it. WFNA even pushes the idea that people should know their farmer personally, visit his or her farm of choice, and gain an intimate knowledge of the growing and processing of their own food.

WFNA has been working to establish a farmer's cooperative in our local region. The FDA Food Modernization Act will effect that cooperative if the Alliance's dreams come to fruition. "The WFNA Cooperative would have to comply (with the Food Modernization Act) so is very much effected (by it)," Eric Vought said. Vought is an author of "The County Restoration Handbook," a project of the Well Fed Neighbor Alliance Hosted by The Statesmen for our Constitutional Republic.

Many of the people in the crowd at the meeting were interested in how they could take action in opposition to the new law. Termed-out State Representative Mark Wright was in attendance and offered some options:

1. De-fund the bill through the U.S. House of Representatives
2. A lawsuit could be filed by farmers who have standing to do so
3. File a state bill opting Missouri out statutorily.
4. Missouri citizens could pass either a statutory or constitutional initiative petition on the ballot.

It is a matter of interest that the majority of recent wide-spread food borne illness outbreaks, thought to have been the inspiration behind this Act, had their origins among the large farming industry, already highly regulated, but some argue under-enforced.

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Jackie Melton is a member of the WFNA and a caretaker of a WFNA "Gateway Farm"

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I'm Still Alive

2010-06-24T14:32:00.002-05:00

...and I miss having the ability to blog regularly. I'll be back around someday, just wait.

Springfield City Council DOES Have Input on State and Federal Legislation

2010-03-10T14:30:00.003-06:00

At least as long as they retain the service of state and federal lobbyist(s) and Council communicates with legislators

A lot of commentators at the News-Leader's Web site, including the editorial board of the News-Leader itself, are spending time today complaining about a discussion that took place at the City Council meeting on Monday.

The News-Leader editorial board complained that 40 minutes were spent on a topic of discussion that has little to do with Council responsibilities. Commentators chided Councilman Ibarra particularly, and the whole Council in general for wasting time. Most of the commentators are claiming the Council has no input on federal legislation.

This might be a good time to remind the public that the City Council has had paid lobbyists in the past, and may have paid lobbyists today who are tasked with lobbying state and federal governments. Every year the City Council updates and approves a list of your municipality's legislative priorities. The City Council has, and likely still is, using taxpayer funding to pay lobbyists to appeal to state and federal legislators regarding the interests of the City of Springfield, or at least its City officials.

It would be a fallacy to make the claim that our City Council doesn't have any input on state or federal legislation.

Apparently, the City's new legislative priority list for 2010 has not yet been added to the site map at the City's Web site. In 2009, the priority list was introduced, in part, with these words, "The following legislative priorities are established for the 2009 Session of the Missouri General Assembly: Environment and Quality of Life; Economic Development; Finance and Taxation; Municipal Administration and Intergovernmental Relations."

In 2009, I was present at the Finance and Administration Committee meeting when legislative priorities were first discussed. A reduction in the number of lobbyists Springfield retained, due to budget restraints, was also discussed and Springfield's City attorney Dan Wichmer, recommended Springfield not reduce them to zero. I can't remember for sure if Springfield retained one or two (and they called them both state and federal) lobbyists in 2009. I have inquired with the Springfield Public Information Office as to how many lobbyists the City of Springfield is retaining this year, if any. I will update this post when I receive the answer to that query.

In 2006 The Missouri Municipal League (MML) was listed as the client of 3 state lobbyists. In 2007, MML was listed as the client of 2 state lobbyists. The City of Springfield is a member of the Missouri Municipal League (see: National Institute on Money in State Politics). The MML is another way Missouri City Councils and/or City officials have sway over state legislators/legislation.

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Springfield City Council: Playing Politics with Resolutions?

2010-03-10T09:17:00.003-06:00

The moment will have passed by the time I will have a chance to do the topic justice but, let me just make a couple of points regarding current City events.

On Monday night, the Mayor pulled a resolution from the City Council agenda which would have alerted the public and state legislators that the City Council was opposed to the state version of the FairTax.

It isn't unprecedented for the Springfield City Council to pass such resolutions and it isn't unprecedented for the County Commission to join the City Council in a "joint resolution" but, that isn't the point.

I'm beginning to wonder if we do not have a resolution happy Mayor on our hands.

In a newspaper article today, I have read the Mayor is "drafting" a new resolution before the Council to "scold" A T & T for recovering the costs of a settlement made to the City of Springfield.

It wouldn't seem so ridiculous to me if I didn't believe that if the City had an opportunity to cite two state statutes which allowed the City the right to recover the cost of resurfacing City streets (for instance) through some "back door" tax (sic), the City wouldn't jump all over it. I firmly believe if the City could do it and say, "According to state statute we have a right and we are doing nothing wrong," they would add such a fee in a heart beat. And, ironically, the Mayor opposes A T & T (a corporation) reimbursing its costs while losing $63,000 in taxpayer funds due to the City's Council authorized choice to place the CIP sales tax renewal election on a June ballot rather than on the April ballot that was already scheduled.

Add to the above the fact that, when all is said and done, I can clearly discern a principle of the FairTax hidden in the article I read this morning exposing all this silliness. Corporations do not pay taxes, people pay taxes. So, the City taxes A T & T and A T & T, in turn, adds a fee to its customers' bills to recover the taxes with which the City has charged it. It's a very simple lesson and O'Neal, if he had thought it through, might have realized his opposition to what A T & T is doing draws him closer to the FairTax philosophy. Irony abounds.

In the meantime, how seriously should we take Springfield City Council resolutions in the future? Are the resolutions the Mayor is proposing representative of mere political preference or are they resolutions meant to champion a principle which is representative of the view of the constituents Council members are meant to represent? I hope Council resolutions don't end up meaning less because they are based on politics rather than principles and on personal preference rather than right and wrong. Perhaps we should call for a resolution to cease frivolous resolutions.

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Municipal Government and Greene County Commission Combined Meeting Calendar: March 8 - March 12, 2010

2010-03-08T08:48:00.003-06:00

Notes: Greene County Commission meetings are color coded blue, City meetings are color coded red. In the case of County meetings, all meetings are held at 933 N. Robberson unless otherwise noted.

Monday, 3/8/2010

7:30 AM - County - Reclaiming Futures - Location: Fountain Plaza Room, Cox, 1423 N. Jefferson, Springfield

8:00 AM - County - Administrative and Department Functions

8:30 AM - County - Administrative Meeting – Commissioners, Highway Administrator, et al - Location: 2065 N. Clifton, Springfield - Agenda: Driving tour of county roads and bridges

8:30 AM - City- Library Board Programs/Services/Technology Committee Library Center , 4653 South Campbell Contact: Debbie Eckert, (417) 883-5366

9:00 AM - County - Senior Citizens Services Fund Board

1:00 PM - County - Administrative and Department Functions

1:30 PM - County - Officeholders Meeting - Location: Historic Courthouse, Room 212, 940 Boonville, Springfield

4:30 PM - County - Greene County Historic Sites Board

6:30 PM - City - City Council Meeting Old City Hall, Council Chambers, 830 Boonville Contact: Brenda Cirtin, (417) 864-1650 (agenda)

Tuesday, 3/9/2010

8:00 AM - City - Library Board Buildings & Grounds Committee Kirkpatrick, Phillips, & Miller, CPA's , 2003 E. Sunshine Contact: Debbie Eckert, (417) 883-5366

8:00 AM - City - Workforce Council of Local Elected Officials Missouri Career Center , 1514 South Glenstone Contact: Karen Dowdy, (417) 887-4343

8:00 AM - County - Administrative and Department Functions

8:30 AM - County - Daily Briefing with County Administrator

9:00 AM - County - Board of Equalization - Location: Historic Courthouse, Room 113, 940 Boonville, Springfield

9:00 AM - City - Board of Equalization Greene County, Room 113, 940 North Boonville Contact: Richard Struckhoff, (417) 868-4055

9:30 AM- County - Board of Zoning Adjustment - Location: Historic Courthouse, Room 212, 940 Boonville, Springfield

12:00 PM - City - Cancelled - Council Lunch Contact: Brenda Cirtin, (417) 864-1650

1:00 PM - County - Administrative and Department Functions

1:30 PM - County - State-wide Storm Siren Drill

2:00 PM - City - Administrative Review Busch Municipal Building, Room 285, 840 Boonville Contact: Daniel Neal, (417) 864-1036

5:00 PM - City - Watershed Committee Watershed Offices , 320 North Main Contact: Loring Bullard, (417) 866-1127

5:30 PM - City - Sherman Avenue Project Area Committee Busch Municipal Building, 2nd Floor West Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Marti Fewell, (417) 864-1039

6:00 PM - City - Mayor's Commission on Human Rights Busch Municipal Building, 1st Floor Conf. Rm, 840 Boonville Contact: Bob Hosmer, (417) 864-1834

Wednesday, 3/10/2010

8:00 AM - City - Downtown Springfield Community Improvement District Board of Directors Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Barb Baker, (417) 831-6200

8:00 AM - County - Administrative and Department Functions

9:00 AM - County - Daily Briefing with County Administrator

1:00 PM - County - Administrative and Department Functions

6:00 PM - City - Police Fire Pension Fund Citizens Task Force Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Sharon Smith, (417) 864-1004

6:00 PM - City - Springfield Police Officers' and Firefighters' Retirement System Board of Trustees Fire Station No.1 , 720 E. Grand Contact: Nikki White, (417) 569-6282

Thursday, 3/11/2010

8:00 AM - County - Administrative and Department Functions

8:30 AM - City - Springfield Police Officers' and Firefighters' Retirement System Board of Trustees Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Nikki White, (417) 569-6282

9:00 AM - County - Daily Briefing with County Administrator

1:00 PM - County - Administrative and Department Functions

6:00 PM - City - Art Museum Board of Directors Art Museum , 1111 East Brookside Contact: Jerry Berger, (417) 837-5700

Friday, 3/12/2010

12:00 PM - City - Public Health Planning Committee - Healthy Lifestyles Subcommittee Doling Family Center , 1423 W. Atlantic Contact: Carmen Parker-Bradshaw, (417) 864-1573

12:15 PM - City - Public Health Planning Committee - Access to Health Subcommittee Doling Family Center , 1423 W. Atlantic Contact: Carmen Parker-Bradshaw, (417) 864-1573

Sources: City of Springfield and Greene County Public Information Offices (With reformatting)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Springfield, We Have a Problem

2010-03-04T14:27:00.004-06:00

Internal Auditor Position Should be Filled As Soon as Possible and Practical

If City Manager Greg Burris or City Clerk Brenda Cirtin announced today they would be retiring next week, how much time do you believe would pass before the City Council was discussing how they would go about filling the vacant positions?

Why does it seem the City Council's Internal Auditor position is and has been treated as though it is an unimportant, backburner issue? Because, I propose it has been.

I am fully aware that Ms. Lathrom's passing only occurred one week ago this evening, and I do not mean to sound callous but, I am aware that Ms. Lathrom had been on medical leave for many months prior to her passing, and the internal auditor position, although apparently not as *sexy* as the City Manager position, is an extremely important municipal government position.

I first started writing about the internal auditor position when I was still the City Council/City Government "beat writer" for the "Community Free Press." It's been obvious from the outset that the position simply is not valued in the same way the positions of City Manager and City Clerk are valued and yet, the internal auditor position is one of only three positions whose inhabitor answers directly to the City Council and who the City Council is tasked to hire and fire.

While today's Mayor and City Council look with ingenuity (sic) to a future appointment of a Citizens' Sales Tax Oversight Committee, I wonder when they will fill what I have advocated (in my own way) as a vitally important position within City government that has, in it's very short history, been consistently given only minimal thought and value. Such a position, if utilized properly would make a Citizens Sales Tax Oversight Committee a silly and unnecessary prospect.

Before Lathrom was hired, back in January, 2008, there didn't appear to be much consensus among City Council members as to the potential value of an internal auditor. Councilman Doug Burlison said, "This proposed position (internal auditor) is, in fact, the key to any reforms that City Council may enact in response to the audit." But, then Mayor Tom Carlson, in his State of the City Report, said about the position, "(State Auditors) talked about an internal auditor, and we're going to have one of those, and so, I hope everybody's happy, but it's not that big a deal." (Community Free Press Archive edition June 18, 2008, page 1 article, "City Manager vs. Internal Auditor")

Why is it important?

A March 4, "Springfield News-Leader" "Our Voice" editorial column pointed out the City will lose $63,000 in taxpayer money by holding the CIP tax renewal election in June rather than including it in a legally mandated, already existing, April election. The editorial also pointed out that by skipping over the mandated April, 2010 election and opting to put the measure on a June ballot, it will cost OTC an extra (estimated) $32,000 because they are on the ballot alone.

City leaders gave the "News-Leader" a few reasons for holding the election in June rather than April but, admitted they could have prepared for it and put it on the April ballot if they had chosen to do so. In other words, they could have saved the taxpayer and Ozarks Technical Community College about $95,000 in combined funds.

Apparently, Mayor O'Neal didn't know putting the CIP sales tax question on a June ballot was going to cost the City taxpayers $63,000 more than if they had scheduled it for the April ballot. That alone is, to borrow a phrase from KSGF's old radio talk show host Vincent David Jericho, asinine stupidy...how could the Mayor not know that!? Why wasn't he told!? Would an internal auditor have made a difference? I'd like to think so, IF that internal auditor was valued, with his or her services properly utilized.

I hate to keep repeating the same information but, people! In Section 2.15 of the City Charter it describes the "Investigator," or Council's internal auditor:

"The council may appoint an investigator who shall serve for such term as the council may prescribe. He shall be a certified public accountant or a person specially trained and experienced in governmental or business investigation or administration. His duty shall be to keep the council informed as to the work performed, methods, and financial affairs of the city. He shall not be responsible for the keeping of accounts. He shall make such investigations of the work of all departments of the city and such reports to the council as it shall require. He shall make such other investigations as the council may direct. He shall have access to all books and records of all departments of the city. If the council desires, he shall certify to the correctness of any or all financial reports before the same shall be regarded as official."

After April Lathrom was hired, she wrote her own Policies and Procedures. They were adopted by the City Council on November 10, 2008, (see Council Bill 2008-322/Special Ordinance number 25510) but, even as late as March of last year (2009), then Council candidate Nick Ibarra questioned the efficacy and transparency of the internal auditor's position, and also in March, 2009, Councilman Burlison said, "...we do not interact with April enough, however, that is an issue I'd rather attack with 4 or 5 fresh faces. I'm not suggesting that there is any kind of communication problem, I just feel like we are not doing enough of it. If I was April, I think I would want more contact with my bosses, as well."

Today, I heard from Chair of the Finance and Administration Committee Dan Chiles. The Finance and Administration Committee is the Council Committee that was tasked with oversight of the internal auditor. Chiles seems to still have a bit of appreciation for the position that no one, to date, other than the occupant of the position, has taken very seriously at all, that is if we judge by actions instead of words.

"We haven't talked about a replacement for April. There is a hiring freeze, but I will make the case to hire an internal auditor," Chiles wrote in an email response to my query. "We promised the voters we would create and fill that position, so that is what we should do."

I would suggest to the Springfield City Council that you consider the position not as merely something you promised the voters but, rather as an invaluable and essential asset that you cannot function well without. You wouldn't try to do your job without a City Manager. You wouldn't try to do your job without a City Clerk. Why do you undervalue the essential job of the internal auditor?

The internal auditor in Kansas City, Missouri is known as the "City Auditor." His name is Gary White and he has his own Web page.

"Our goal is to conduct audits that answer questions that matter to people outside of City Hall; that enable the city to reduce, avoid or recover costs; and to alert city officials to potential problems that could undermine the public’s trust in City government," the Web page boasts, among other things.

Just including and since November of 2009, KC's City Auditor has filed two audit reports and two survey memos on his Web site. The documents are available to the public and include: Resolution Tracking, This audit was conducted in order to determine whether city staff are implementing resolutions adopted by the City Council; E-Service Systems Security, This audit was conducted in order to determine the security of the City's e-service systems; Fiscal Year 2010 Second Quarter Citizen Satisfaction Survey Results, This memo reports the second quarter results of the Fiscal Year 2010 Citizen Satisfaction Survey and; Fiscal Year 2010 Third Quarter Citizen Satisfaction Survey Results, This memo reports the third quarter results of the Fiscal Year 2010 Citizen Satisfaction Survey.

The Springfield City Council, if it ever decides to take the "investigator" or internal auditor position seriously, will have an invaluable oversight tool for assessing the operations of Springfield City government but, on this account, I'm afraid their eyes will continue to be wide shut.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Vincent David Jericho Back on the Air

2010-02-28T22:04:00.003-06:00

Well, sorta. Jericho to be live on the net

If you'd like to hear/see Vincent David Jericho, click on this Web site and scroll down the page until you see the "Watch/Listen Online" button. It's pretty self explanatory. He'll be "on" from 7 AM - 11 AM beginning Monday March 1.

Good luck and blessings to him and on him.

Note: "Jericho Only" has been added to my list of links in the right hand column.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Municipal Government and Greene County Commission Combined Meeting Calendar: March 1 - March 5, 2010

2010-02-28T21:23:00.004-06:00

Revised:

Notes: Greene County Commission meetings are color coded blue, City meetings are color coded red. In the case of County meetings, all meetings are held at 933 N. Robberson unless otherwise noted.

Monday, 3/1/2010

No - City - Meetings Scheduled

7:30 AM - County - Meeting – Commissioners, Republic Mayor, and Mayor Pro-Tem -Location: Hemingway’s, 2011 S. Campbell, Springfield - Agenda: Partnership Review

8:00 AM - County - Administrative and Department Functions

8:30 AM - County - Daily Briefing with County Administrator

9:30 AM - County - Commission Session* - Location: Historic Courthouse, Room 212, 940 Boonville, Springfield

1:00 PM - County - Administrative and Department Functions

Tuesday, 3/2/2010

8:00 AM - City - Mayor's Commission for Children Executive Committee Community Foundation , 425 E. Trafficway Contact: Denise Bredfeldt, (417) 864-1656

8:00 AM - County - Administrative and Department Functions

9:00 AM - County - Daily Briefing with County Administrator

10:00 AM - County - City and County Management Meeting - Agenda: Issues of Mutual Concern

12:00 PM - City - Council Lunch Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Anita Climer, (417) 864-1654

1:00 PM - County - Administrative and Department Functions

1:30 PM - City - Board of Adjustment Old City Hall, Council Chambers, 830 Boonville Contact: Matt Schaefer, (417) 864-1100

2:00 PM - City - Administrative Review Busch Municipal Building, Room 285, 840 Boonville Contact: Daniel Neal, (417) 864-1036

6:00 PM - City - Citizens Advisory Committee for Community Development Midtown Carnegie Branch Library , 397 East Central Contact: Vern Morgan, (417) 864-1844

Wednesday, 3/3/2010

7:30 AM - County - Future of Water - Location: Panera, 500 S. National, Springfield

8:00 AM - County - Administrative and Department Functions

8:00 AM - City - Workforce Investment Board Missouri Career Center , 1514 South Glenstone Contact: Karen Dowdy, (417) 887-4343

9:00 AM - City - Ozark Region Leadership Team Missouri Career Center , 1514 South Glenstone Contact: Karen Dowdy, (417) 887-4343

9:00 AM - County - Daily Briefing with County Administrator

12:00 PM - City - Environmental Advisory Board Health Department, Basement Conference Room, 227 E. Chestnut Expressway Contact: Karen McKinnis, (417) 864-1623

1:00 PM - County - Administrative and Department Functions

5:30 PM - City - Landmarks Board Old City Hall, Council Chambers, 830 Boonville Contact: Daniel Neal, (417) 864-1036

6:00 PM - City - Police Fire Pension Fund Citizens Task Force Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Sharon Smith, (417) 864-1004

Thursday, 3/4/2010

7:30 AM - County - Good Morning Springfield - Location: 425 Downtown, 425 W. Walnut, Springfield

8:00 AM - County - Administrative and Department Functions

9:00 AM - County - Board of Zoning Adjustment Study Session

9:30 AM - County - Daily Briefing with County Administrator

12:00 PM - City - City Council Public Involvement Committee Busch Municipal Building, 5th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Brenda Lewellen, (417) 864-1442

1:00 PM Revised - County - Instead of: Administrative and Department Functions a revision was made. The 1:00 PM meeting will be: Meeting – Commissioners, Danette Proctor - Agenda: 9-1-1 Update

5:15 PM - City - City Council Special Meeting - Closed Session Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Brenda Cirtin, (417) 864-1650

5:30 PM - City - Building Trades Certification and Examination Board Busch Municipal Building, 1st Floor Conf. Rm, 840 Boonville Contact: Merleene Knapton, (417) 864-1059

6:30 PM - City - Planning and Zoning Commission Old City Hall, Council Chambers, 830 Boonville Contact: Mike MacPherson, (417) 864-1831

Friday, 3/5/2010

7:30 AM - City - Economic Development Planning Committee Chamber of Commerce , 202 John Q. Hammons Parkway Contact: Kasey Gillham, (417) 887-8826

7:30 AM - City- Watershed Committee Midtown Carnegie Branch Library , 397 East Central Contact: Loring Bullard, (417) 866-1127

8:00 AM - County - Administrative and Department Functions

9:00 AM - County - Daily Briefing with County Administrator

10:00 AM - County - Watershed Committee of the Ozarks Sponsors Meeting -Location: Midtown Carnegie Library, 397 Central, Springfield

1:00 PM - County - Administrative and Department Functions

--------------------------------------------

*March 1, Greene County Commission Session Agenda (9:30 AM)

1. Prayer - Jeff Reinold

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Missouri Bicycle Federation Award - Bruce Adib-yazdi, Terry Whaley

4. Resolution Supporting Passenger Rail Service

5. Appoint Mr. David Hall to the 9-1-1 Advisory Board

6. Public Hearing on Setting Speed Limits for Public School Zones (1 of 3) - Joel Keller
> FR 135, from FR 170 (Republic Road) to Ellison Street
> FR 151, from Springfield City Limits to approximately 900’ north of FR 96 (Lyons Road)
> FR 193, from Missouri Route YY south to FR 132

7. County Administrator Report - Tim Smith

8. Budget Officer’s Report - Jeff Reinold

9. Information Office Report - Jenny Edwards

10. Highway Department Report - Dan Smith

11. Emergency Management Report - Ryan Nicholls

12. Resource Management Report - Chris Coulter
> Building Regulations Office Report - Dave O’Dell
> Planning and Zoning Office Report - Kent Morris

Sources: Springfield and Greene County Public Information Offices (Calendar and agenda re-formatted for ease of use)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Last Chance to Fill out Springfield's Online "Listening Tour" Survey

2010-02-27T12:45:00.001-06:00

Many of you know the City Manager and/or other Springfield City staff members have been on, what they call, a "Listening Tour." Well, I don't know how attentively they listen but, if you don't take the survey at all (or haven't attended one of their presentations) then, you can rest assured, they will NOT be listening to you.

The online survey ends tomorrow so this is your final call to click on this link and take the Springfield "Listening Tour" Survey.

If you take the survey, later, when some smart aleck jerk asks you if you have contributed to the process, as though you have no right to an opinion about it if you haven't, you can say, "HEY, you smart aleck jerk! I took the online listening tour survey, did you????" and you will be righteously justified to complain, or praise, the direction in which the City of Springfield is heading.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Springfield City Council's Internal Auditor Loses Battle with Cancer

2010-02-26T16:10:00.001-06:00

The Springfield Public Information Office released the news today that the City Council's Internal Auditor April Lathrom passed away on Thursday evening, after a battle with an aggressive form of cancer.

Lathrom was hired after the State Auditor's office completed an audit of the City of Springfield, and one of the key recommendations was that the City Council hire an internal auditor as described in Section 2.15 of the City Charter.

From the City's News-Release:

“April wanted to thank all the employees of the City of Springfield that provided support and prayers,” Grant Lathrom said. “The availability of the City’s Care Leave Program allowed her to maintain her benefits eligibility during her fight and she was very grateful for their generosity. April believed the City’s support, which allowed her to participate in clinical trials in the last six months, provided her additional quality time with her family.”

Lathrom was 36 years old.

"JackeHammer" wishes to express our condolences to all those who loved and were touched by the life of Ms. Lathrom.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Springfield Mayor's Pattern of Inappropriate Emails is Troubling

2010-02-25T13:27:00.003-06:00

He says he'll stop. Read his previously unpublished apology to a Springfield resident.

Springfield, Missouri -- Apparently, Mayor Jim O'Neal knows an elected official's public image is one of importance. When I interviewed him by email during his run for Mayor in March 2009, in one of his answers, then, candidate Jim O'Neal wrote, "Here's something I learned from my work with the trucking industries efforts to enhance its image. It explains the role of image and why we should, w(he)ther we're truck drivers or politicians, be concerned about it. "Public image shapes public opinion which shapes public policy.""

Even during his campaign for Mayor, O'Neal appears to have had the perception that he was a victim of public or private attack. He wrote in answer to another question, "I have been recently and frequently the victim of attacks designed to incorrectly describe or attribute my allegiance or affiliation." He did not elaborate from where these frequent attacks sprang.

When O'Neal was campaigning for Mayor he emailed his supporters to ask them to write letters to the editor of the Springfield News-Leader in support of his election as Mayor. Again, O'Neal had perceived attacks from others, including frequent columnist for the News-Leader Ryan Cooper.

"It seems I am running against Mr. Cooper not Mr. Donegan, as he seemingly can’t speak for himself. I couldn’t find much in this article as to why Mr. Donegan would lead our city or his qualifications to be mayor; he simply attacks me in ways that are designed to stir up discontent," O'Neal told supporters in the email. Later in the email, he wrote, "Please mention in your letter about your support of the capital improvements tax and our support for citizens input and citizen task forces to develop solutions to community issues such as the pension problem. This organized, overexposed, vocal but small group wants to take away your right to vote on issues regarding the CIP, (Capital Improvement Program) parks and other issues designed to keep Springfield moving forward. The only way taxes can be changed are by a vote of you the citizens. These people don’t like that because the vast majority of people are voting for the CIP program, a program they want to kill....The last thing they want is for a broad based diverse group of citizens to have a voice in solving the problem. They‘ve already made up their mind and the public be damned."

While, in the above excerpt, O'Neal did not mention the Save Our Springfield Citizen Coalition (SOS) by name, SOS had proposed the City Council simply allow the CIP tax to sunset rather than approve its placement on the ballot for voters' potential extention in 2010. The current CIP tax is scheduled to sunset if the voters do not renew the tax. SOS favored letting the CIP tax expire as a part of their underfunded police and fire pension solution option.

On February 22, at a City Council meeting, Tom Martz read, as far as I know, the most recent inappropriate O'Neal email. Martz said the reading would be "uncomfortable." Martz was correct. It was certainly uncomfortable, especially when one considers it will air over and over again on the City of Springfield's dedicated cable television station and be archived online for a very long time at "CityView."

But, that said, it would not be appropriate to call the Martz address undeserved. As mentioned at the meeting, the inappropriate email Mayor O'Neal sent to Jim Hornaday was not the first inappropriate email the Mayor had sent to individuals who, much like the City Council, volunteer their time and energy for no fee (and no free lunch) to, as a result, reap the same sort of criticism the public, at large, has been known to hurl at the Council for all its well-intentioned effort. To be sure, when one enters the public forum, one is fair game for both criticism and praise. It is not without its advantages and disadvantages.

At any rate, it's all a matter of opinion whether Mayor O'Neal is or should feel warranted in accusing others of attack, my interest, as usual, was in preserving the information necessary for readers to form an opinion on the matter, not some spiteful attempt at exposing O'Neal. O'Neal has already been exposed and has already admitted the emails were inappropriate and apologized for sending, at least, the email to Mr. Hornaday.

So, without further ado, entered here, below, is the email from Mr. Hornaday to Mayor O'Neal, the email response from the Mayor to Mr. Hornaday, Mr. Hornaday's follow-up response after hearing back from the Mayor, and additionally, there is an apology from Mayor O'Neal which was not included in the documents made available at the News-Leader as a part of journalist Kary Booher's coverage of the issue, and has not, to my knowledge been published elsewhere.

Mr. Hornaday received the apology from Mayor O'Neal on Monday, February 22, 2010, about 25 minutes prior to Monday night's Council meeting, at which Tom Martz spoke.

--------------------------------------

From: James Hornaday Jr. [mailto:railmet@sbcglobal.net]
Sent: Sunday, February 14, 2010 12:17 PM
To: Council
Cc: Burris, Greg
Subject: Something I wrote as a comment in the SNL's web news response - - that I'd like to send you directly

I suppose it is a positive thing that our mayor and council are concerned about Mr. McGowan's latest setback in his search for financing any rebuilding of the Heers building. It is natural that the city council and administration have to DO something. The citizens are not as close to the details, and are largely in the dark. We sit in that dark, and sort of wonder just what's happening. So, I put the following in the SNL's reader responsesection. In case you don't peruse the SNL's web, I wanted you to know first-hand what I entered.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"In our prior City administrations, whenever the mayor's good buddies came into a financial trap, they'd work out a quiet little deal where the CITY would ease the burden and take another bite of the dead apple.
OK, we have a new mayor. He's huddled with McGowan. He's got a 'plan' he says just might work. All it needs for support is support from the rest of Council.

Hmmmmmm? Maybe our new Mayor would care to tell the citizens of Springfield how he plans to steam out the wrinkles in McGowan's latest version of "The federal government won't give me any money to rebuild the Heers building? ? ? ?"

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

You collectively have the power to do something right, but you also have the capability for wasting MORE taxpayer money. We taxpayers are waiting to see what you intend to do with this problem.
Jim HornadaySpringfield MO

--------------end---------------

Subject: your vicious attack
From: Jim O'NealTo: 'railmet@sbcglobal.net'
Cc: Council; Burris, Greg; Cirtin, Brenda; Cotter, Anita Murphy
Sent: Tuesday, February 16, 2010 4:27 PM

Mr. Hornaday:
Why do you attack me so viciously? For a senior citizen, you’re woefully immature. Why don’t you grow up while you still have time? You’ve evidenced again today that you haven’t the slightest idea of what you are talking about. Everything you wrote was inaccurate, snide, and just plain ignorant. I have only met Mr. McGowan on three occasions: Once last summer on the square at a press conference for his announcement of HUD financing. I met his family, talked to him for a total of 5 minutes and we went our separate ways.
The second time was on Jan 21st in a meeting of his and city staff as they updated us on progress of his financing; a meeting that I simply listened to for less than 30 minutes without comment, and then again in a casual, informal, impromptu encounter last Thursday for a total of about 10 minutes. He simply said he had made progress in obtaining additional financing since he updated staff on the 21st, that he was confident in getting the project moving ahead and thought he might break ground by June. That is a great thing for our community even though you either can’t or won’t admit it. This is an issue this council inherited and we will do our best to see it succeed, if at all possible, and in a manner that benefits this city and its citizens. There are no guarantees, but we will do the best we can. I believe Mr. McGowan will get this done, but he may not. But you don’t have a blessed clue about the how, why and what it takes. Where do you get your facts? There are none at all in your web diatribe. Since the first time I met you, most every thing I’ve ever heard you say is biased, prejudiced, and grossly inaccurate, not to mention mean spirited, hateful, and vile. I have done nothing to deserve your scorn, yet you feel you have the right to slander me and others with wonton disregard for fact or civility. I do not know how you got to be such a bitter old man, but God forbid I live long enough to suffer your fate.
And you want me to appoint YOU to a committee of citizens who will require a modicum of intelligence, cooperation, analysis, and even the slightest decorum? Don’t hold your breath. If you can’t communicate without venomous spew, don’t expect me to listen without rebuttal. I’ll gladly debate you in any public forum any day of the week and expose your misconceptions, falsehoods, and lack of knowledge about city finance and you will be further revealed as a self centered, close minded miscreant with total disregard for truth or any thing that doesn’t line up with your warped philosophies. “Better to remain silent and appear a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.” Abraham Lincoln

My very best personal regards,

Jim O'Neal
President
O & S Trucking, Inc.
3769 E. Evergreen
Springfield, MO 65803
417-829-xxxxx-766-2xx8 cell

Please consider the Environment before printing this email.

-------------------end------------------

Subject: Resolution of concerns
Thu, February 18, 2010 8:35:43 AM
From: James Hornaday Jr. railmet@sbcglobal.net
To: Jim O'Neal citycouncil@springfieldmo.gov
Cc: Council council@springfieldmo.gov; Greg Burris gburris@springfieldmo.gov

Mayor O’Neal:

I am sorry I seem to have generated this attack response from you. You seem to be easily irritated. Your stated desire to avoid achieving my aged ‘warped philosophies’ fate may be not reached if you pop off with a stroke or a heart attack.

It is interesting that you believe “most every thing I’ve ever heard you say is biased, prejudiced, and grossly inaccurate, not to mention mean spirited, hateful, and vile.” That is a quite all-encompassing statement. I wonder if you have forgotten the email I sent to the city on December 31st.

Dear Mr. Mayor O'Neal, Mr. Burris, and Council people:

You are all handling a most difficult job in managing the city. There are many aspects to understanding what has happened to the city in the recent past, and many of you could be fairly new in handling these responsibilities. As an interested citizen and a taxpayer, I share your concern that the city be run in as efficient a manner as possible.

If you know me at all, you will remember that I have been concerned about the city's financial matters, and that I have voluntarily dug into the city's published CAFR reports to at least partially understand how the city developed its current debt load.

After extracting debt data from the City's 2000 through 2009 CAFR's, I have generated a simple EXCEL file that at least partially explains (to me) the history of Springfield's debt history. I would like to share this with you. It may assist you in your future deliberations.

I recognize there were two major time periods when the long term debt and the city's total liabilities went up drastically. The first period was when bonds were sold to finance a number of park projects and downtown development. The second period was when additional bonds were sold were sold for construction of the Midfield Airport. Both those activities have essentially been completed. The two series of sales of bonds piled on the debt.

I believe the combined Council and Administration's efforts to economize during this recession have been effective. I think most people in Springfield recognize how operating expenditures have been properly adjusted to meet declining revenue, without causing undue strain on general operations. The fact that Springfield's debt load has been simultaneously reduced has not been equally recognized.

A third thing that has not been universally recognized is that the principal and interest payments the city makes every year on its existing debt is a heavy load on the City's operating budget. Most homeowners recognize the fact that their monthly mortgage payments must be paid out of current income. It doesn't make much long-term sense when money is tight to buy a bunch of 'stuff' with a near maxed-out credit card, or to use a cash advance from the same card to pay the mortgage.

Your financial actions in managing the past year's money crunch have been quite credible. I hope you (collectively) can continue running the City within your income, and that you don't initiate any big new expensive capital improvement programs that would add more debt.

Sincerely, Jim Hornaday
4470 S. Pxxx Ave.
Springfield MO 65810

I really intended that message to be a compliment to the way you and the city had handled the CIP budget in recent tight times. Possibly you didn’t think the message was sufficiently complimentary. Maybe you consider every public comment from any individual about your civic activities must be completely and totally complimentary. I really can’t read your mind on how you might view this situation. At best, I would venture the opinion that you could be just a wee bit inconsistent in your judgments.

Now, let’s look at the presumed lack of facts that you ascribe to my February 14th’s email’s “total disregard for truth”:

> Is it an urban myth or a fact that prior (not current) city administrations made commitments with the various owners of the Heers building that have cost the city more than anyone expected? You tell me whether that is a fact or not.

> Is it factual or not that Mr. McGowan announced he was unable to arrange any HUD financing for renovation of the Heers building?

> Did or did not the Springfield News-Leader properly report that you met with Mr. McGowan after his announcement of failure to achieve any HUD commitment for financing, and it was further reported that he had requested an extension of his requirement for starting his renovation work?

> Did or did you not make statements in the News-Leader’s story that you had some ‘ideas’ that might resolve this apparent delay in the building’s renovation, and that you wanted to discuss this new possibility with the rest of City Council?

City Council is not the only group of people in the city that would like to know what you might be proposing. I imagine everyone will be told when the issue comes up for Council discussion. Fair enough!

In the meantime, with our limited knowledge and the remembrance that prior administrations did not serve the citizens too well in situations like this, we wonder:

> Are you proposing another time extension for start-up of the renovation?

> Could your proposal require more city money to be invested in the project so that Mr. McGowan’s capital would be enhanced to the point that HUD would approve his major capital loan? Or,

> Might your proposal be something beyond our imaginings?

I do not expect this letter will change your personal opinions of my character one bit. I had a premonition that even before I wrote my February 14th email that you were intending to veto any application I might make for serving on any volunteer city committee. Your last email merely confirmed the thought.

I hope you can live with your easily aroused anger. As mayor, you will be confronted in many situations where other people will disagree with your opinions. Being Mayor is not the same as being owner/president of O & S Trucking, where you can fire anybody in the organization any time you perceive you have been insulted. Citizens in Springfield do have legitimate questions. We just would like to know what you are proposing.

Sincerely,
James R. Hornaday Jr.
Springfield MO 65810

------------------------end--------------------------

From: "Oneal, Jim" joneal@springfieldmo.gov
To: "railmet@sbcglobal.net" railmet@sbcglobal.net
Sent: Mon, February 22, 2010 6:04:54 PM
Subject: apology

Mr. Hornaday,

Please accept my sincere apology for my unwarranted response. You do have a caustic way about you, but that might be just a bit of spice in your character. I do in fact recall the positive message and I do appreciate it. You asked me four questions at the end of your response today about my allegation of your total dis-regard of the truth.

In item one: It is an urban myth. The city's previous administrations did however, "dodge a bullet" by divesting their (our) ownership of the building. My understanding is we have incurred about $250,000 of closing costs in the transactions. We have no obligation to purchase the building if Mr. McGowan does not succeed.

Item two: It is not factual. Mr. McGowan does in fact have a loan guarantee commitment from HUD. He must fulfill the terms of the commitment. The recent reports he has missed a deadline do not kill the deal. My understanding is it only obligates him to get a new appraisal, at his expense. The other sources of money, both public and private are nearly all arranged. However, I don't know if he'll get the deal done. It is complex and this is a terrible economy. Springfield's continued role in this is in fact rather limited. It is his project to get done or not.

Item three: If the News-Leader reported Mr. McGowan asked me personally for any sort of extension, that would be totally inaccurate. Any extension, frankly would not be mine to give. As I tried to explain in my poor response to you, the meeting reported was a casual, unplanned 10 minute visit at the Farmer's Gastropub, where he had just come from a planning meeting downtown. I was having dinner with my family. He actually spoke more to my daughter in law than me. He did say he was excited and had nearly everything in place for what he hopes is a groundbreaking in June. I wished him well.

Item four: I never said anything to indicate I have, as you referred to in your web blog, "A plan." I have no idea where that comes from. I have asked the City staff to prepare an update for council within thirty days. I hope that demonstrates fiduciary commitment, because that is why I asked for it. I did say something to the effect that this is a complex arrangement and his group may come up with some alternatives if portions of his financing arrangements don't materialize as he plans. The city staff can offer ideas as well. But I do not now nor have I ever said "I have a plan." Mr. McGowan has to make this happen.

I guess their is a larger lesson here. I will react more appropriately and all I ask from you is before you blog something like you did above, why don't we talk, have coffee? I have nothing to hide and while we might not agree on everything I'm sure we'll both be the better for it and learn rather than burn. You have my cell number. It is at the bottom of my previous e-mail fromO & S.
Again, I do apologize and will show more respect in the future.

Jim O'Neal
Mayor
City of Springfield Missouri

------------end------------

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Recommended Viewing: Mayor O'Neal & Councilman Dan Chiles at the Lawn and Garden Show

2010-02-24T21:33:00.001-06:00

A Conversation With Mayor O'Neal - Well Fed Neighbor
A short conversation with Mayor James O'Neal at The Home and Garden Show, in which he expresses support for The Well-Fed Neighbor Alliance, the local food movement and chickens in the city. - by Dale Wayne Jackson

Conversation with Councilman Dan Chiles - Well Fed Neighbor
Dan speaks about the importance of the local food movement in terms of personal health and alternative energy solutions. - by Dale Wayne Jackson

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Municipal Government and Greene County Commission Combined Meeting Calendar: February 22 - February 26, 2010

2010-02-22T11:33:00.004-06:00

Notes: Greene County Commission meetings are color coded blue, City meetings are color coded red. In the case of County meetings, all meetings are held at 933 N. Robberson unless otherwise noted. (Sorry for the late posting. I didn't receive the City calendar from the public information office until Monday morning, then had to re-format.)

Monday, 2/22/2010

8:00 AM - City - Global Perspective & Diversity Sub-Committee Busch Municipal Building, 1st Floor Conf. Rm, 840 Boonville Contact: Anita Cotter, (417) 864-1651

8:30 AM - County - Administrative Meeting – Commissioners, Highway Administrator - Location: 2065 N. Clifton, Springfield - Agenda: Driving tour of county roads and bridges

1:00 PM - County - Administrative and Department Functions

1:30 PM - County - Industrial Development Authority

2:45 PM - City - Board of Public Utilities Plans & Policy City Utilities, C. Frank Knox Board Room, 301 East Central Contact: Gayla Jones, (417) 831-8311

3:00 PM - City - Board of Public Utilities City Utilities, C. Frank Knox Board Room, 301 East Central Contact: Gayla Jones, (417) 831-8311

6:30 PM - City - City Council Meeting Old City Hall, Council Chambers, 830 Boonville Contact: Brenda Cirtin, (417) 864-1650 (agenda)

Tuesday, 2/23/2010

8:00 AM - City - Mayor's Commission for Children Midtown Carnegie Branch Library , 397 East Central Contact: Denise Bredfeldt, (417) 864-1656

8:00 AM - County - Administrative and Department Functions

9:00 AM - County - Daily Briefing with County Administrator

10:30 AM - County - District O Solid Waste Management Meeting - Location: Historic Courthouse, Room 309, 940 Boonville, Springfield

12:00 PM - City - Council Lunch* Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Anita Climer, (417) 864-1654

1:00 PM - County - Administrative and Department Functions

2:00 PM - City - Administrative Review Busch Municipal Building, Room 285, 840 Boonville Contact: Daniel Neal, (417) 864-1036

3:00 PM - City - Airport Board Public Relations Committee Springfield/Branson National Airport, Airport Board Room, 2300 North Airport Boulevard Suite 100 Contact: Terri Winchester, (417) 868-0500

3:30 PM (or immediately following Airport Board P/R Committee Meeting) - City - Airport Board Economic Committee Springfield/Branson National Airport, Airport Board Room, 2300 North Airport Boulevard Suite 100 Contact: Terri Winchester, (417) 868-0500

3:30 PM - City - Traffic Advisory Board Busch Municipal Building, Traffic Eng.1st Floor Conference Rm, 840 Boonville Contact: Jenny Turner, (417) 864-1980

Wednesday, 2/24/2010

8:00 AM - County - Administrative and Department Functions

8:30 AM - City - Workforce Investment Board - Joint Meeting of Planning & Oversight Committee and Marketing Committee Missouri Career Center , 1514 South Glenstone Contact: Karen Dowdy, (417) 887-4343

9:00 AM - County - Closed Meeting Pursuant to RSMo 610.021 (1)

12:00 PM - County - Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative - Location: Emergency Management Media Room, 833 Boonville, Springfield

12:00 PM - City - City Council Community Involvement Committee Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Lisa Harley, (417) 864-1443

1:00 PM - County - Administrative and Department Functions

6:00 PM - City - Police Fire Pension Fund Citizens Task Force Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Sharon Smith, (417) 864-1004

Thursday, 2/25/2010

8:00 AM - City - Airport Board Springfield/Branson National Airport, Airport Board Room, 2300 North Airport Boulevard Suite 100 Contact: Terri Winchester, (417) 868-0500

8:00 AM - County - Good Community - Location: Chamber of Commerce, 202 John Q. Hammons Pkwy, Springfield

9:30 AM - County - Meeting – Commissioners, Sheriff - Location: Jail Training Room, 1000 Boonville, Springfield - Agenda: Department Operations

1:00 PM - County - Administrative and Department Functions

2:00 PM - County - Meeting – Officeholders

3:30 PM - City - Jordan Valley Advisory Committee Busch Municipal Building, 1st Floor Conf. Rm, 840 Boonville Contact: Olivia Hough, (417) 864-1092

6:30 PM - County - Greene County Mayors Association - Location: Battlefield City Hall, 5434 Tower Drive, Battlefield

Friday, 2/26/2010

8:00 AM - County - Administrative and Department Functions

9:00 AM - County - Meeting – Commissioners, Management Team - Agenda: Department Reports

1:00 PM - County - Administrative and Department Functions

- City - No Meetings Scheduled

--------------------------------------------

*Tentative February 23, City Council Lunch Agenda

1. Follow-up to City Council Meeting held on Monday, February 22, 2010

2. Recommended ¼ Cent Sales Tax Capital Projects - Ralph Rognstad & Marc Thornsberry

3. Any and all matters to come before City Council

Sources: Springfield Public Information and Greene County Public Information Offices

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BREAKING: Lawrence Halprin-designed Park Central Square added to the National Register of Historic Places

2010-02-19T13:51:00.004-06:00

The Cultural Landscape Foundation (TCLF) issued a press release February 17, 2010, to announce the addition of Park Central Square to the National Register of Historic Places.

According to TCLF, Springfield is now the location of the first work by landcape architect designer Lawrence Halprin to be added to the National Register. The designation was made official by Director of the National Park Service Jon Jarvis on February 5, 2010.

"This followed a decision on January 25, 2010, by Ms. Carol Shull, the Acting Keeper of the National Register of Historic Places, to approve the boundary expansion of the Springfield Public Square historic district to include Park Central Square," the press release stated.

Founder and President of TCLF Charles A. Birnbaum indicated Director of the Missouri State Historic Preservation Office Mark Miles notified him of the designation. It was the Missouri State Historic Preservation Office which prepared and submitted the National Register nomination to the National Park Service.

"This is great news for Springfield and for Mr. Halprin’s legacy. The city should be touting their progressiveness, possessing the first, nationally designated landscape on the National Register of Historic Places by Mr. Halprin," Birnbaum wrote in an email.

From the news release:

The addition of Park Central Square to the National Register is an important milestone in recognizing the important legacy of modernist landscape architecture and the career of Lawrence Halprin,” said TCLF president Charles A. Birnbaum. “This is significant since only two years ago the Square was headed for destruction.”

Birnbaum was also happy to announce the launch of an oral history project with Mr. Halprin. He indicated the project had been in development for almost seven years. So, if you'd like more information about the famous landscape architect and designer of Park Central Square, click here.

Although the Springfield News-Leader has been reporting there have been some behind the scenes discussions about the interior design renovations of Park Central Square between Springfield City staff and owner of the Heer's building Kevin McGowan, Springfield Director of Public Information Louise Whall said there is not a complete design available.

"The goal is to adapt as many of the original principles as possible into the new design, taking into account the amount of funding available and the need to respect the specific Halprin design elements that contribute to the historical character recognized by the state Historic Preservation Office," Whall wrote in an email.

Whall listed the major goals of renovation to the inner perimeter of the Halprin designed square:

* Taking down the concrete retaining walls that surround the inner perimeter and were not part of Halprin's original design. This would be to improve both accessibility and aesthetics. The retaining walls pose both literal and figurative barriers.

* Rehabbing the gazebo to address structural needs like replacing rotting wood, while maintaining the Halprin design concept

* Rehabbing the fountain, which needs major repairs to its internal waterworks

* Increasing lighting for aesthetic and security reasons
* Adding more built-in electrical capacity to improve its functionality for hosting events in terms of setting up sound and/or lighting systems.

Note: A big THANK YOU to Neva Schroder for calling this important news to the attention of "JackeHammer." JackeHammer wrote extensively about the issue of Halprin's Park Central Square when a local architectural firm announced a design concept which would have destroyed the integrity of the original Halprin design.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Springfield Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Moved to Busch Building

2010-02-18T14:51:00.002-06:00

Due to an out of order elevator at the Historic City Hall building, the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting scheduled for Thursday, February 18, at 6:30 PM has been moved from Council Chambers at 830 Boonville to the Busch Building at 840 Boonville.

In a news release, Department of Public Information Special Projects Coordinator Mike Brothers directs those who wish to attend the meeting:

"Those attending the Commission meeting should enter the Busch Building through the main doors on the east side of the building. Security will remain the same as with Commission meetings in City Hall. Visitors will need to check in with security in order to gain access to the elevator to the fourth floor."

Though I did not note the news release specifically indicating the meeting will be in the 4th floor conference room, since there is an indication attendees will need to access the elevator to the fourth floor, it's probably safe to assume the meeting will be held in the fourth floor conference room at the Busch building.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Greene County Commission Meeting Revisions

2010-02-16T14:17:00.000-06:00

Two Greene County Commission meetings originally scheduled for this evening at 6:30 PM and 7:00 PM have been removed from the original calendar and a Thursday closed meeting has been added.

Cancelled: The 6:30 PM Planning & Zoning Board Study Session was removed.

Cancelled: The 7:00 PM Planning & Zoning Public Hearing was removed.

Added: A closed meeting was added for 8:30 AM Thursday, February 18. The meeting is closed pursuent to RSMo 610.021(1).

-----------------------------

Source: Greene County Public Information Officer Jenny Fillmer Edwards

"JackeHammer" Observes 5th Anniversary

2010-02-14T19:54:00.002-06:00

This month and year mark "JackeHammer's" fifth anniversary!

Since my first dream was to be a poet, and live a hermit's life in a little white house with a white picket fence and a few chickens in the back yard, I have decided to commemorate the anniversary of "JackeHammer" by providing selections and links to the 13 original poems I have published here over the last 5 years.

2005:

Saturday, July 16, 2005

SMOOTH

It is a man who turns
his breast to me, not pure.

It is a song, a whispering
song
sweet
until I open its envelope
inside
the smooth milk
which left his
hand.
I resealed it, careful
so the
milk
could not drip out

I took a sandwich of honey
and butter
to Daye's Park
I lie there, each blade of grass
tickling my skin

In my mind I
whisper that song,
the song in the envelope
which sits like milk
smooth
not pure

Posted by Jackie Melton at 11:55 AM

JackeHammer: Touching the Dirt Softly

JackeHammer: Sun in Rain

2006:

JackeHammer: Sweet and Bitter

JackeHammer: Carissa, at the Church Carnival

2007:

JackeHammer: Poem inspired by a blogger

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Rhythm of Tender

I didn't know how tender
the word
like a silent bubble shining in sun
blown from the hand of a child

I didn't know how tender
the touch
like a sable brush laden with lacquer
stroking heirloom wood

I didn't know how tender
the finger
tapping like a dancer in black shoes
keeping rhythm with word, with touch

rhythm of thought
rhythm of God

Posted by Jackie Melton at 7:35 PM

JackeHammer: Miles from home

JackeHammer: Bitter cold

2008:

Monday, November 17, 2008

Learning Death

I see you walking in your kitchen
favoring your hip, each step like a great rocking
row boat

Tomorrow
Will it be tomorrow?
The bulldozer will come to level the house
where your nine children ran to play?

Long gone the kitchen table we sat at talking gardens
and life choices

sorting baby clothes found at garage sales
while frozen clothes hung clean in the icy outside cold where
the birds sat in the summer, in the summer

Chickens, stumps and horses
axes, barbed wire and pretty dresses made from feed sacks
hams and pies and poker
and laughter
loud, rude, roaring laughter

Death of dogs, death of grandpas, grandmas, mothers

learning death from the outside
looking through its windows

inside
we still see you, see all of you

in life

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Update: An animation

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Posted by Jackie Melton at 2:20 AM

JackeHammer: Blindly Watching

JackeHammer: I was fifteen

JackeHammer: Remember Spike

2009:

None

2010:

Not yet....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Municipal Government and Greene County Commission Combined Meeting Calendar: February 15 - February 19, 2010

2010-02-13T13:05:00.005-06:00

Notes: Greene County Commission meetings are color coded blue, City meetings are color coded red. In the case of County meetings, all meetings are held at 933 N. Robberson unless otherwise noted.

Monday, 2/15/2010

Holiday - City - City Offices Closed

COUNTY OFFICES CLOSED – Washington’s Birthday

Tuesday, 2/16/2010

8:00 AM - County - Administrative and Department Functions

8:30 AM - County - Daily Briefing with County Administrator

11:30 AM - City - City Council Special Meeting - Closed Session Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Brenda Cirtin, (417) 864-1650

12:00 PM (or immediately following Special Council Meeting) - City - Council Lunch* Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Anita Climer, (417) 864-1654

1:00 PM - County - Officeholders, Department Heads - Location: Historic Courthouse, Room 212, 940 Boonville, Springfield - Agenda: Workers Compensation Laws and Procedures

2:00 PM - City - Administrative Review Busch Municipal Building, Room 285, 840 Boonville Contact: Daniel Neal, (417) 864-1036

3:30 PM - City - Library Board - Joint Meeting with Library Foundation Board Library Center , 4653 South Campbell Contact: Debbie Eckert, (417) 883-5366

4:00 PM - City - Library Board Library Center , 4653 South Campbell Contact: Debbie Eckert, (417) 883-5366

5:30 PM - City - Cable Television Advisory Commission Midtown Carnegie Branch Library , 397 East Central Contact: Nancy Yendes, (417) 864-1645

Cancelled 2-16-10 - 6:30 PM - County - Planning & Zoning Board Study Session - Location: Historic Courthouse, Room 309, 940 Boonville, Springfield

Cancelled 2-16-10 - 7:00 PM - County - Planning & Zoning Board Public Hearing - Location: Historic Courthouse, Room 212, 940 Boonville, Springfield

Wednesday, 2/17/2010

8:00 AM - County - Administrative and Department Functions

12:00 PM - City - Strategic Plan Public Health Chapter Committee Jordan Valley Health Center, Rooms 2 & 3, 618 N. Benton Contact: Kristina Rosewell, (417) 862-8962

1:00 PM - County - Administrative and Department Functions

3:00 PM - City - E-911 Advisory Board Greene County, Commission's Conference Room, 933 North Robberson Contact: Debbie Moore, (417) 864-1719

5:30 PM - City - Landmarks Board Old City Hall, Council Chambers, 830 Boonville Contact: Daniel Neal, (417) 864-1036

5:30 PM - City - Mayor's Commission on Human Rights Midtown Carnegie Branch Library , 397 East Central Contact: Bob Hosmer, (417) 864-1834

Thursday, 2/18/2010

8:00 AM - City - Public Building Corporation Busch Municipal Building, 1st Floor Conf. Rm, 840 Boonville Contact: Mary Mannix, (417) 864-1625

8:00 AM - City - Springfield Convention & Visitor's Bureau Board of Directors Jordan Valley Park , 815 E. St. Louis St. Contact: Tracy Kimberlin, (417) 881-5300

8:00 AM - County - Administrative and Department Functions

Added 2-16-10: 8:30 AM - County - Closed Meeting Pursuant to RSMo 610.021(1)

9:00 AM - County - Daily Briefing with County Administrator

12:00 PM - County - Ozark Transportation Organization - Location: Busch Building, 4th Floor Conf. Room, 840 Boonville, Springfield

12:00 PM - City - Ozarks Transportation Organization Board of Directors Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Tim Conklin, (417) 836-5482

1:00 PM - County - Administrative and Department Functions

6:30 PM - City - Planning and Zoning Commission This meeting was moved to the Busch Building fourth floor conference room due to an elevator problem at old City Hall. The news came through a Public Information Office news release dated February 18, 2010. Contact: Mike MacPherson, (417) 864-1831

Friday, 2/19/2010

8:00 AM - County - Administrative and Department Functions

8:30 AM - County - Financial Advisory Board - Agenda: Review of County Finances

9:30 AM - City - Public Housing Authority Madison Towers, Northeast Meeting Room, 421 West Madison Contact: Jo Danderson, (417) 866-4329

10:00 AM - County - Daily Briefing with County Administrator

12:00 PM - County - Lunch with Building Operations Employees - Location: Cook’s Kettle, 200 W. Commercial St., Springfield

12:00 PM - City - City Council Plans & Policies Committee Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Lisa Harley, (417) 864-1443

1:00 PM - County - Administrative and Department Functions

2:00 PM - County - Closed Meeting Pursuant to RSMo 610.021 (2)

-------------------------------------------------------

*Tentative City Council Lunch Agenda

1. Jordan Valley Advisory Committee Update of West Meadows Cleanup and the Quarry - Olivia Hough

2. Any and all matters to come before City Council

---------------------------------------------------------

Sources: Springfield and Greene County Public Information Offices (re-formatted)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

About the City Manager's "Listening Tour"

2010-02-08T16:00:00.001-06:00

I've been asked at least a couple of times about Springfield City Manager Greg Burris' schedule for a "Listening Tour."

There is no published schedule. What is being offered is an opportunity for any community or civic organization to schedule a Listening Tour meeting through Executive Assistant Kathy Hardt at 864-1006 or via email at khardt@springfieldmo.gov.

Individual citizens may answer the same survey questions that Mr. Burris is asking when he visits with community or civic organizations, and the Web site the City has provided for such input, according to news releases, does not relay the source of the input except by region (unless you choose to identify yourself).

If you would like to answer the survey questions, you may follow this link, "QuestionPro Survey - Listening Tour."

These are the survey questions:

What do you value most about the Springfield area?
What would you most like to change about the Springfield area?
What is your vision for the Springfield area in the Year 2030?
How can you help us get there?

The survey also gives you an opportunity to make additional comments about Springfield's long range planning process and to provide your email address should you wish to be notified when further information becomes available regarding strategic planning.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dr. Richard Land: Super Bowl anti-abortion ad to confront, "the country with the undeniable humanity of each unborn child"

2010-02-06T12:55:00.004-06:00

Dr. Richard Land of "The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) of the Southern Baptist Convention," has written a compelling article regarding the "Focus on the Family" commercial CBS will air during the Super Bowl on Sunday.

Land explained the commercial being criticized by numerous "pro-choice" groups tells the story of Tim Tebow and his mother:

"In 1987, Tim’s future parents, Bob and Pam Tebow, were in the Philippines on a mission trip. During the trip, Pam fell into a coma from amoebic dysentery and was administered several strong medications to treat her potentially life threatening illness. Later, doctors, worried about consequent severe damage to the baby she was carrying, strongly urged Pam to abort her fifth child. She declined their medical advice and gave birth to a perfectly healthy baby boy, Tim Tebow, on Aug. 14, 1987. Pam cited her strong pro-life Christian beliefs for her decision to have her baby over the doctor’s objections."

Land feels the reason pro-choice groups are protesting the ad, and have asked CBS to pull it, is because the ad puts a human face to unborn children, "It confronts people across the nation with the fact that every “problem pregnancy” involves not just a pregnant mother, but also a real, live unborn human being," he wrote.

Land compared Tebow's story to Harriet Beecher Stowe's book, "Uncle Tom's Cabin," which, he wrote, "...put a human face on the 3 million slaves in America, thus hastening their liberation." He feels Tebow's story has the potential to put such a human face on the hundreds of thousands of babies aborted every year.

Land indicated, of the 14,000 anti-abortion advocates who attended a recent protest in Houston, Texas, 80 percent of them were under 30 years of age. According to Land, they carried signs that read, "We survived Roe--Roe won't survive us!" Land thinks it is indicative of a turning of the tides in America, and there is more consensus against abortion today than for it.

"The “pro-choice” movement knows they are losing and that ultrasound machines and commercials like the Tebows’ are confronting the country with the undeniable humanity of each unborn child," Land wrote as he charged "pro-choicers" to pay for their own ads countering ads such as the Tebow's, rather than seeking censorship of such advertisements.

"...they should pay their money and make their case. I suspect they know they don’t have such arguments and so they descend to the tactic of seeking to silence the arguments of their opponents."

In 2006, a total of 846,181 abortions were reported to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Read the entire ERLC article here.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Municipal Government and Greene County Commission Combined Meeting Calendar: February 8 - February 12, 2010

2010-02-05T18:33:00.005-06:00

I'm trying something a little different on the weekly calendar. I've combined the City calendar with the Greene County Commission calendar. County is color coded blue, City is color coded red. In the case of County meetings, all meetings are held at 933 N. Robberson unless otherwise noted. Let me know what you think, if you like the new calendar or hate it. - Jackie

Monday, 2/8/2010

8:30 AM - County - Administrative Meeting – Commissioners, Highway Administrator, et al -Location: 2065 N. Clifton Ave., Springfield

9:15 AM - County - Closed Meeting Pursuant to RSMo 610.021 (2) - Location: 2065 N. Clifton Ave., Springfield

10:45 AM - County - Board of Zoning Adjustment Study Session

11:30 AM - County - Meeting – Commissioners, Joclynn Brown - Agenda: Resolution for OTC’s Training for Tomorrow Grant

11:30 AM - City - Workforce Investment Board Executive Committee Missouri Career Center , 1514 South Glenstone Contact: Karen Dowdy, (417) 887-4343

1:00 PM - County - Administrative and Department Functions

4:00 PM - County - Greene County Historic Sites Board

6:30 PM - City - City Council Meeting Old City Hall, Council Chambers, 830 Boonville Contact: Brenda Cirtin, (417) 864-1650 (see: agenda)

Tuesday, 2/9/2010

8:00 AM - City - Downtown Springfield Community Improvement District Parking Committee Jack Ball Architects , 444 S. Campbell Contact: Barb Baker, (417) 831-6200

8:00 AM - County - Administrative and Department Functions 8:30 AM - County - Daily Briefing with County Administrator

8:30 AM - City - Library Board Buildings & Grounds Committee Kirkpatrick, Phillips, & Miller CPA's , 2003 E. Sunshine Contact: Debbie Eckert, (417) 883-5366

9:00 AM - City - Board of Equalization Greene County, Room 113, 940 North Boonville Contact: Richard Struckhoff, (417) 868-4055

9:00 AM - County - Board of Equalization - Location: Historic Courthouse, Room 113, 940 Boonville, Springfield

9:30 AM - County - Board of Zoning Adjustment Public Hearing - Location: Historic Courthouse, Room 212, 940 Boonville, Springfield

12:00 PM - City - Council Lunch* Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Anita Climer, (417) 864-1654

1:00 PM - County - Administrative and Department Functions

2:00 PM - City - Administrative Review Busch Municipal Building, Room 285, 840 Boonville Contact: Daniel Neal, (417) 864-1036

6:00 PM - City - Citizens Advisory Committee for Community Development Public Hearing Old City Hall, Council Chambers, 830 Boonville Contact: Vern Morgan, (417) 864-1844

Wednesday, 2/10/2010

7:00 AM - County - Planning & Zoning Board Study Session - Location: Historic Courthouse, Room 212, 940 Boonville, Springfield

8:00 AM - County - Administrative and Department Functions

8:00 AM - City - Downtown Springfield Community Improvement District Board of Directors Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Barb Baker, (417) 831-6200

8:30 AM - City - Library Board Programs/Services/Technology Committee Library Center , 4653 South Campbell Contact: Debbie Eckert, (417) 883-5366

9:00 AM - County - Daily Briefing with County Administrator

1:00 PM - County - Administrative and Department Functions

5:30 PM - City - Sherman Avenue Project Area Committee Busch Municipal Building, 2nd Floor West Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Marti Fewell, (417) 864-1039

Thursday, 2/11/2010

8:00 AM - County - Administrative and Department Functions

8:30 AM - City - Springfield Police Officers' and Firefighters' Retirement System Board of Trustees Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Nikki White, (417) 569-6282

9:00 AM - County - Daily Briefing with County Administrator

9:30 AM - County - Quarterly Facilities Review - Location: Walking tour of Greene County campus facilities

12:00 PM - County - Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee

12:00 PM - City - City Council Public Involvement Committee Busch Municipal Building, 5th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Brenda Lewellen, (417) 864-1442

1:00 PM - County - Administrative and Department Functions

1:30 PM - County - Meeting – Commissioners, Jeff Reinold - Agenda: Springfield Enhanced Enterprise Zone

3:30 PM - City - Tree City USA Citizen's Advisory Committee Busch Municipal Building, 2nd Floor East Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Benjamin Kellner, (417) 864-1178

Friday, 2/12/2010

8:30 AM - City - Springfield/Greene County Park Board Mediacom Ice Park , 625 E. Trafficway Contact: Jodie Adams, (417) 864-1049

9:00 AM - City - Commercial Street Community Improvement District Busch Municipal Building, 2nd Floor West Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Donnie Rodgers, (417) 880-3435

COUNTY OFFICES CLOSED – Lincoln Day

------------------------------------------------------

*Tentative February 9, Council Lunch Agenda

1. Follow up to City Council meeting held on February 8, 2010

2. Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) ¼ Cent Tax Renewal - Ralph Rognstad and Marc Thornsberry

3. Any and all matters to come before City Council

-------------------------------------------------------

Sources: City of Springfield Public Information Office; Greene County Public Information Officer (Re-formatted)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

February 8, Springfield City Council Agenda

2010-02-04T10:38:00.000-06:00

The February 8, City Council agenda is online.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

...But, But, Mom said Don't Play with your Food!

2010-02-03T14:43:00.002-06:00

This morning someone sent me an email with a link to a video of an asian man playing "Whispering Hope" on a green leaf.

That email inspired me to go looking at musical instruments which could be created from vegetables. Here are the results of my YouTube excursion. I'm glad these folks didn't listen to their Moms when they said, "Don't play with your food!"

A Watermelon Ocarina

A Cucumber Trumpet

A Big Broccoli Ocarina

A Cabbage Slide Flute

A Grand Finale: The Vegetable Orchestra

But, I'll leave you with this: A Carrot Violin ....

...and this: How to Make a Carrot Ocarina

-------------------------------------

Cross posted at "Well Fed Neighbor"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ruell Chappell: Standing Under the Missouri Restoration Party Banner

2010-02-02T19:22:00.003-06:00

Announced for Democrat Incumbent Sara Lampe's Seat; Nick Sibley: "Love is Like Cornbread"

Springfield, Missouri - The Well-Fed Neighbor Alliance (WFNA) introduced the Missouri Restoration Tour (and party) at the Gilloiz Theater on Saturday, January 30, 2010. The introduction is important because it is the party banner WFNA hopes to see many candidates consider as those candidates contemplate running for local, state and even federal offices in the future.

In fact, WFNA co-founder Ruell Chappell, who originally announced his intentions to run for Missouri's 138th District against Sara Lampe at a WFNA meeting on October 14, 2009, is now "standing" under the Missouri Restoration Party banner. Originally, Chappell had indicated he would run as an independent.

"My plan is to stand for election in the 138th. I'm not running from or for anything." Chappell wrote in an email. "It is because I know politics to be nothing more than distraction, producing no real plan or leadership to solve our food security and economic issues, that I'm inclined to campaign."

Chappell informed the crowd at the Gilloiz he would not be just another politician. After spending time with many politicians promoting the WFNA and WFN Farmers' Cooperative, he said most realize the sad fact that Missourians are no longer in a position to feed themselves.

"Behind the scenes, the people in power know that we are sadly lacking in food security," Chappell said.

"I will represent the Missouri Restoration Party, dedicated to local food security, a vibrant sustainable local economy, and a reduction in our local carbon footprint."

Both Chappell and WFNA co-founder Galen Chadwick want to see Missouri become food and energy sovereign.

"We are all about food and jobs and the right of everyone to be who they are," Chappell said.

After spending some time telling the audience about the Well-Fed Neighbor Alliance, and showing a short WFNA film about the agricultural history of Missouri, one of the bands Chappell plays with entertained the crowd for about an hour.

Nick and Ruell and Ned The Band, Chappell said, have been working on some new songs about food. The band hadn't had time to rehearse Nick's new food song much but, "lack of rehearsal builds character," said band member Ned Wilkinson. The song, along with every other song performed that night, gets rave reviews from JackeHammer's attending reporter and that reporter's sometimes consultant, Fred Ellison.

Fred and his wife Janice, who are active with the Grant Beach Neighborhood Association (GBNA), and also members of the WFNA, were in attendance to provide information about how GBNA is partnering with WFNA on some upcoming projects and events. The Ellisons hope to provide a sort of template to other neighborhood associations on how they can partner with the WFNA too but, back to the music (or lyrics)....

Nick's "food song" went something like this:

Love is like cornbread, it's better when it's hot.
Love is like cornbread, it crumbles when it's not....

Makin' it is half the fun...12 - 15 minutes and it's done....

The cornbread song is sure to be a favorite (of course, it loses something when not accompanied by music) as the Missouri Restoration Tour continues on its way. The plan is for the tour to hit the 27 counties which make up the Well-Fed Neighbor Farmers' Cooperative.

"We have to go back to making things right one city, one county, one state at a time. The only way we can make the United States strong again is by growing food locally everywhere. We want Springfield to be a template for the country," Chappell said. "Food and Jobs are, and always will be, my vision, my plan, and my end-game. I will owe allegiance to no party, religion or belief system, other than the Missouri Restoration Party, regardless of how the requirements are met to get on the ballot."

The other big news of the night included the announcement that past Lieutenant Governor Joe Maxwell, who has been instrumental in forming food coops in other areas of the state and country wants to serve as the WFNA's Chief Counsel.

Maxwell could not be at the Gilloiz on January 30, due to weather conditions but, Ruell Chappell was proud to quote him from a phone conversation he had had with Maxwell earlier in the day.

"I am excited that Ruell and Galen have asked me to be part of their team as we work together to launch the first step in securing our food system--organizing (a) new farm to table food cooperative which will be responsible for connecting the consumer to their farm family, verifying and tracing their products from farm to table," Maxwell had said.

Hey, didn't I try to tell you to be there? I'm so sorry if you missed it because, having missed it, you also missed picking up some Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. Baker Creek was giving the heirloom seeds away after the show. You also missed mingling with some other great people involved with the WFNA, including the City of Springfield's Director of Planning & Development, Ralph Rognstad.

Rognstad didn't exactly agree with some of Chappell's comments about the Urban Garden Task Force process the City was a part of in 2009. I thought Chappell exaggerated the role WFNA's Galen Chadwick played in some of the situations he cited, Rognstad simply thought Chappell was wrong but, he appeared to be somewhat good natured about it.

"It's his story," Rognstad said. "It sounds good, it's just wrong." Rognstad did not say where he believed Chappell had erred.

At a recent Springfield City Council meeting, Council bill 2010-006 was read. The amendment intends, "to clarify the requirements for Community Gardens for operation of mechanical equipment and parking and to exempt park land and community gardens from the requirements for bufferyards." A motion was made to remove a section of the amendment which changed the machine operating hours to operating hours, period. Councilmen Nick Ibarra and Dan Chiles voted in favor of a revision to the amendment but, it failed when the other seven Council members voted against the revision. The bill is scheduled to be voted upon at the next Council meeting, on February 8.

-------------------------------

Cross posted at "Well-Fed Neighbor"

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SATURDAY NIGHT!

2010-01-28T11:15:00.003-06:00

...Don't be all dressed up with no place to go when you could be attending:

The Missouri Restoration Tour...

...featuring "The Golden Age Band," "Nick and Ruell and Ned The Band," and other surprise musical guests!

(Click here for more information!)

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City Should Honor Original Council Pledges

2010-01-27T17:18:00.002-06:00

Provide Additional Funding Contribution to the Pension Plan from a Different Source if Legal Opinion Demands it

The "Springfield News-Leader" reported January 27, City Manager Greg Burris is suggesting part of the A T & T telecom settlement money be used to pay a 2.77 percentage point difference to the Tier I police and fire pension plan to take responsibility for decreased employee contributions to the Tier I plan, a result of the plan being shut down to new hires in 2006.

According to the report, the pension board agreed to pay an "Additional Funding Contribution" to support a benefit "enhancement" in 2000. The enhancement allows Tier I police and firefighters to accrue maximum benefits at an accelerated rate, the report stated.

The issue might be considered to be raised fairly since, in 2000, the pension board would have no way of knowing Tier I would be closed in 2006, reducing the additional employee funding contribution to the plan.

I can understand, on one hand, why Burris would feel the City has some responsibility to contribute to the percentage point shortfall under the outlined circumstances but, by offering as one option, A T & T settlement funds as the means of covering the 2.77 percent, when the City Council has already pledged to put the entire settlement amount (and any other telecom settlement proceeds) into the pension plan anyway, could be considered to cut contributions by 2.77 percent, rather than take responsibility for them.

If the City wants to take responsibility for 2.77 percent on behalf of Tier 1-covered employees, then the difference should be paid through a funding source not already pledged to benefit the fund. Using funds already earmarked for the pension plan in the first place could be perceived as just a shell game, rather than a real contribution. One hand takes away, the other hand puts it back, and the 2.77 percent the employees would have contributed is lost in the shuffle, it would simply go away.

Of course, that's just my opinion, which is what the News-Leader reported about Burris' thoughts, that it's just his opinion the City should take responsibility for paying a portion of the additional funding contribution.

The paper reported Burris wants to wait and allow the Citizens' Sales Tax Oversight Committee to offer an opinion before the City Council makes a final decision about it.

The City began soliciting applicants for the Tax Oversight Committee on January 26, 2010. The deadline for turning in applications is 5 p.m., Feb. 9.

But, getting back to the original topic, in another way, it doesn't seem a fair question whether the City should be responsible for a portion of Tier I's "Additional Funding Contribution." While Tier I might not have known in 2000 that in 2006 Tier II would be created and Tier I would be closed, the time for this question would have been better suited to have been raised in 2006, or at least in 2009, when City Council stated at line 182 of resolution #9714 (passed on September 10, 2009 at a public meeting),

"If the tax passes ... The Additional Funding Contribution (AFC) portion of their (police and fire Tier I employees) contribution, as determined by the actuary's experience study, will continue in perpetuity; the additional contribution will sunset when the tax sunsets."

If the City chooses to label a portion of the A T & T settlement money as satisfying 2.77 percent of the additional funding contribution, it will take that much longer for the 3/4-cent pension sales tax to satisfy the pension shortfall and could potentially increase the number of requested extensions of that sales tax.

The News-Leader's Editorial Board also opined, in the January 27, "Our Voice" column, residents should be keeping an eye on the pension issue and that the News-Leader will try to seek answers as to why the City Manager would recommend the Council contribute millions more into the Tier 1 plan, money police and firefighters had already agreed to pay themselves.

One scenario (I'm just supposing) might be that Burris thinks there is a possiblity that if there is a legal challenge brought by the police and fire association/union attorney concerning this additional funding contribution, a judge might rule against the City, ruling the City should contribute the difference. In that case, Burris might want to play it safe and label part of the A T & T settlement money as payment of the 2.77 percent to protect himself and City staff from having to come up with an additional $5 + million in the future.

Certainly, the City manager could be considered crazy for recommending the Council pay a contribution police and fire employees have already agreed to pay but, is he? If he really thought the City could lose in a law suit against them, he might just be (in a self-serving way) "crazy like a fox" because, by recommending, as an option, mind you, part of the A T & T telecom settlement money be labeled as payment of the additional funding contribution, he and other City staff members wouldn't be scrambling to come up with the contribution through potential budget cuts later.

Think about it. The contribution(s), if payment is required from the City rather than Tier I employees, are going to come out of the tax payer's pocket regardless of when and how. Burris could be thinking, 'So, why not make it less painful for me and the City staff responsible for balancing a budget every year?' With a simple slight of hand it could appear $5 + million has been compensated in the fund. The reality is, if it is done using A T & T settlement funds, and the City manager gives up before there is even a legal challenge filed, it is crazy but, it would make his job easier. We need to know, for certain, the motivation for such a recommendation because, the difference is, by using that option, the responsibility is transferred from the collective shoulders of those police and fire employees who benefit from Tier I, and to the shoulders of the tax payer .

Regarding the potential legal question, in my opinion, since there was no objection to the additional funding contribution in 2006, when Tier II was created and Tier I was closed, then that ship should be considered as having sailed but, if there is still a question? There was even a very recent, second chance for police and fire Tier I beneficiaries to object to paying the additional funding contribution. The chance even occurred at a time the pension board, and many police and fire department employees, were fully focused on the pension plan and a highly touted sales tax remedy to its shortfall. You see, in 2009, when Tier I beneficiaries' responsibility to pay the additional funding contribution was reinforced by the passage of Council resolution #9714 in a very public meeting, Tier I employees, again, failed to object to taking responsibility for that contribution.

We really do have to wonder why Burris is offering an opinion that appears to concede this challenge before a challenge has even officially been filed (if it ever gets filed) a position the News-Leader reported was even in opposition to his own legal councel's opinion....

Experience might have been useful? (I'm just askin'...)

Where IS Vincent David Jericho when a girl needs him!? ;)

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Well-Fed Neighbor Alliance to Introduce The Missouri Restoration Tour

2010-01-26T11:15:00.005-06:00

WFNA Co-Founder Ruell Chappell issued the following news release announcing the upcoming debut of "The Missouri Restoration Tour," featuring "The Golden Age Band" -

“The Missouri Restoration Tour”

Introduction

This Saturday, January 30, Gillioz theater, 7pm

> Doors open at 6pm, Presentations in the entryway, Tickets $10.00 at the door

Saturday, Jan 30, 7pm at the beautiful Gillioz theater in downtown Springfield, The Well-Fed Neighbor Alliance will present an introduction to The Missouri Restoration Tour! The Missouri Restoration Tour is currently being designed to educate residents of our 27 County Food-Shed to the fact that we can’t feed ourselves, recruit farmers, producers, processors, and merchants to the need and the economic opportunity, identify supply and demand for the Well-Fed Neighbor Farmers’ Coop, introduce the County Sustainability handbook, and, ultimately, re-localize food production and a vibrant sustainable economy.

The Missouri Restoration Tour Debut will include a live music / multi-media presentation in three parts. Part 1, Missouri’s Golden Age (1890-1914); Part 2, Today ( Our current condition); and Part 3, A Restored Missouri secure in its food and economy.

Musician guests will include Ruell Chappell, Nick and Ruell and Ned the Band and, surprise guests.

Doors will open at 6pm. Tickets are $10.00 and available at the door the night of the event.

In addition to the Tour introduction there will be a host of Local Food, Energy and Sustainability exhibits in the entryway, and a status report on the Following:

> The Well-Fed Neighbor Alliances’ 1000 Garden’s project going State-Wide!
> The County Sustainability Handbook!
> The Well-Fed Neighbor Alliance 501c3 and envisioned programs
> The Well-Fed Neighbor Alliance Community Outreach
> The Mom’s For Local Food …… Lunch Box rebellion
> Status in Jefferson City
> The birth of the Missouri Restoration Party

And the latest and most exciting news……..

>The formation of the Well-Fed Neighbor Farmers’ Coop with the aid of Joe Maxwell ( Former Lt. Governor of Missouri, the WFNA’s General Counsel, and creator of a number of successful sustainable local coops nationwide) and Russ Kremer ( coop builder of “Fresh” fame). The WFN Farmers’ Coop is key to economic sustainability and the model through which small local producer products will find their way to local processors and, ultimately, local merchants!

Don’t miss the opportunity to be at this historic event!

The Well-Fed Neighbor Alliance is dedicated to Local Food and Local Jobs; the re-localization of our food supply and a vibrant, sustainable economy!

Ruell Chappell

PresidentRCM, Inc
Co-Founder Well-Fed Neighbor Alliance

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City of Springfield Weekly Calendar: January 25-January 29, 2010

2010-01-25T11:16:00.002-06:00

Monday, 1/25/2010

10:30 AM Springfield/Greene County Park Board Finance Committee Park Board Offices , 1923 North Weller Contact: Jodie Adams, (417) 864-1049

6:30 PM City Council Meeting Old City Hall, Council Chambers, 830 Boonville Contact: Brenda Cirtin, (417) 864-1650 (agenda)

Tuesday, 1/26/2010

8:00 AM Mayor's Commission for Children Midtown Carnegie Branch Library , 397 East Central Contact: Denise Bredfeldt, (417) 864-1656

10:30 AM Solid Waste Management District Region O Executive Board Greene County, Room 309, 940 North Boonville Contact: Ronda Gulley, (417) 868-4197

12:00 PM Cancelled Council Lunch Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Anita Climer, (417) 864-1654

2:30 PM Traffic Advisory Board Pedestrian & Bicycle Subcommittee Busch Municipal Building, Traffic Eng.1st Floor Conference Rm, 840 Boonville Contact: David Hutchison, (417) 864-1971

3:30 PM Traffic Advisory Board Busch Municipal Building, Traffic Eng.1st Floor Conference Rm, 840 Boonville Contact: Jenny Turner, (417) 864-1980

4:00 PM Urban District Alliance Downtown Forum (residents, business owners, property owners, employees, patrons, and students interested in downtown are invited by the Urban Districts Alliance) Missouri State University Alumni Center, 300 S. Jefferson Contact: the office of Urban District Alliance 831-6200

6:00 PM Citizens Advisory Committee for Community Development Midtown Carnegie Branch Library , 397 East Central Contact: Vern Morgan, (417) 864-1844

Wednesday, 1/27/2010

No Meetings Scheduled

Thursday, 1/28/2010

3:00 PM Board of Public Utilities City Utilities, C. Frank Knox Board Room, 301 East Central Contact: Gayla Jones, (417) 831-8311

3:30 PM Jordan Valley Advisory Committee Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Olivia Hough, (417) 864-1092

Friday, 1/29/2010

No Meetings Scheduled

Sources: City of Springfield Public Information Office; Springfield News-Leader (reformatting for ease of use)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

January 25 City Council Meeting

2010-01-21T18:26:00.000-06:00

The agenda is now available for the next Springfield City Council meeting.

Click here.

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Yosemite Sam as Educator...

2010-01-19T08:40:00.000-06:00

Some people just don't know how to throw a proper hissy fit.

(winkety wink)

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City of Springfield Weekly Calendar: January 18 - January 22, 2010

2010-01-18T09:39:00.002-06:00

Monday, 1/18/2010

Holiday - City Offices Closed

Tuesday, 1/19/2010

9:00 AM Springfield Police Officers' and Firefighters' Retirement System Board of Trustees Busch Municipal Building, Room L45, 840 Boonville Contact: Nikki White, (417) 569-6282

12:00 PM Council Lunch* Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Anita Climer, (417) 864-1654

12:00 PM Library Board Retreat Republic Branch Library , 921 N. Lindsey, Republic Contact: Debbie Eckert, (417) 883-5366

4:00 PM Library Board Republic Branch Library , 921 N. Lindsey, Republic Contact: Debbie Eckert, (417) 883-5366

Wednesday, 1/20/2010

8:30 AM Workforce Investment Board Planning & Oversight Committee Missouri Career Center , 1514 South Glenstone Contact: Karen Dowdy, (417) 887-4343

1:30 PM Ozarks Transportation Organization Technical Planning Missouri State University, Plaster Student Union Contact: Tim Conklin, (417) 836-5482

3:00 PM Cancelled E-911 Advisory Board Greene County, Commission's Conference Room, 940 North Boonville Contact: Debbie Moore, (417) 864-1719

5:30 PM Landmarks Board Old City Hall, Council Chambers, 830 Boonville Contact: Daniel Neal, (417) 864-1036

Thursday, 1/21/2010

8:00 AM Airport Board Springfield/Branson National Airport , 2300 North Airport Boulevard Suite 100 Contact: Terri Winchester, (417) 868-0500

8:00 AM Springfield Convention & Visitor's Bureau Board of Directors Jordan Valley Park , 815 E. St. Louis St. Contact: Tracy Kimberlin, (417) 881-5300

12:00 PM City Council Plans & Policies Committee Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Lisa Harley, (417) 864-1443

3:30 PM Tree City USA Citizen Advisory Committee Busch Municipal Building, 2nd Floor East Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Benjamin Kellner, (417) 864-1178

6:30 PM Planning and Zoning Commission Old City Hall, Council Chambers, 830 Boonville Contact: Mike MacPherson, (417) 864-1831

Friday, 1/22/2010

No Meetings Scheduled

-----------------------------------------------

*Tentative City Council Lunch Agenda

1. Street Connectivity Policy Review - Ralph Rognstad

2. Any and all matters to come before City Council

Source: Public Information Office (with some reformatting for ease of use)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well-Fed Neighbor Alliance Activists Meet at New Office

2010-01-16T14:25:00.004-06:00

Group reports exciting developments and interesting liasons; 1,000 Gardens Project could go statewide

Springfield, MO - A dozen "Well Fed Neighbor Alliance" (WFNA) activists, including this blogger's husband, gathered for the first time in a conference room where "Hummert International" is setting up shop.

Darrel Sparkman, one of WFNA's 255 (current) members, has supplied WFNA with two office spaces, a reception area, and use of the conference room the group met in on January 15.

Sparkman is general manager of "Hummert International" and "Springfield Seed & Supply," they just moved into the 615 N. Glenstone Avenue location, themselves. The building previously housed "Ozark Food Harvest."

Sparkman said "Hummert International" bought out "Springfield Seed Company" and kept it as a retail outlet in Springfield.

"We sell (horticultural products) to retail and wholesale accounts in the immediate 4 state area, plus all over the United States and overseas," Sparkman said.

Sparkman was quick to tell his fellow WFNA members he has "no expectations" of the group. He said he likes what WFNA is doing and was glad to help by offering the space, "It was the least I could do," Sparkman said. He did, however, express interest in WFNA volunteers planting a garden on the east side of the Hummert building.

Galen Chadwick, co-founder of WFNA, reported he and fellow co-founder Ruell Chappell had met with Missouri Director of Agriculture Jon Hagler and his assistant, Marketing Specialist Tony Anderson, on January 14. According to Chadwick, Hagler has expressed a strong desire to see WFNA's 1,000 Gardens Project go statewide.

Larry Melton talked about involving neighborhood associations through organizing neighborhood clean up days. It was suggested coupons for up to 5 packages of Hummert International's open-pollinated vegetable seed be given to those who disposed of yard waste during the neighborhood clean ups, to encourage gardening in the Springfield community. The coupons would be redeemable at Hummert's store. WFNA volunteers would package the garden seed for distribution on behalf of WFNA and Hummert.

"We're dirt under the fingernails kind of people," Chadwick said. "This is how we get things done."

Aubree Taylor, who heads up the "1,000 Gardens Project" in Springfield, (visit here and here) reported, among other things, she has been working with Shelley Vaugine to try to establish a Well-Fed/Grant Beach Community Garden. Taylor said Vaugine was formerly a librarian and is also working with Taylor on a tool and book lending library.

Taylor is also planning a 1,000 Gardens Earth Day event at Weaver Elementary School for April 23.

Another project of Chadwick and Chappell has been the development of a Food Policy Coalition. According to Chadwick, the plan which the Food Policy Coalition is drafting, "will highlight urban agriculture models and goals, outline food security restoration, and offer a timeline for energy descent from imported fossil fuels."

Chadwick was also pleased to announce John Ikerd is advising the coalition. Ikerd is the author of: "Sustainable Capitalism," Kumarian Press; "A Return to Common Sense," R.T. Edwards; "Small Farms are Real Farms," Acres USA and; "Crisis and Opportunity: Sustainability in American Agriculture," University of Nebraska Press.

It seemed each of the 12 activists who were present had a wealth of news to share. For instance, Mark Hay, of "Sammy's Window," announced "The Kitchen" is interested in WFNA's assistance with their garden, and that the "Victory Mission" has expressed an interest in assistance with future green house projects. Hay said Hummert International is also interested in teaming up with Victory Mission on future green house projects. Hummert offers a wide variety of green house products for sale.

Hay directed "JackeHammer" to the Sammy's Window FaceBook description for information about that organization, "Sammy’s Window is a not-for-profit organization whose purpose is to help foster children enter the foster system with some sense of dignity, and to help foster parents with the transition." (Learn more about the mission of Sammy's Window and how to help at their FaceBook page.)

WFNA has booked the Gilloiz Theater for a January 30 event. WFNA's Ruell Chappell will provide musical entertainment (to be announced). There will be a $10 charge which will go toward paying for the venue. There was a discussion about collecting canned goods and clothing, to be distributed by Sammy's Window, and gardening books and tools at the event. Chadwick said WFNA members could also decorate and share 8 to 10 tables to promote ventures in which they may be involved or display products they have to sell.

---------------------------------------------

Disclosure: Jackie Melton is a member of the Well-Fed Neighbor Alliance

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Can you put a price tag on nostalgia?

2010-01-13T12:27:00.001-06:00

It might depend on who you ask and who is making the purchase.

Click this to read Matthew Siegmann's History of Heer's Department Store

Click here to listen to Petula Clark perform "Downtown" on The Ed Sullivan Show

Ahhh, who doesn't love nostalgia?

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City of Springfield Weekly Calendar: January 11-January 15

2010-01-11T09:43:00.003-06:00

Monday, 1/11/2010

8:30 AM Library Board Programs/Services/Technology Committee Library Center , 4653 South Campbell Contact: Debbie Eckert, (417) 883-5366

12:00 PM Cancelled Partnership Industrial Center West Administrative Council Contact: Ryan Mooney, (417) 862-5567

6:30 PM City Council Meeting Old City Hall, Council Chambers, 830 Boonville Contact: Brenda Cirtin, (417) 864-1650 (agenda)

Tuesday, 1/12/2010

8:30 AM Library Board Buildings & Grounds Committee Kirkpatrick, Phillips, & Miller, CPA's , 2003 E. Sunshine Contact: Debbie Eckert, (417) 883-5366

9:00 AM Board of Equalization Greene County, Room 113, 940 North Boonville Contact: Richard Struckhoff, (417) 868-4055

12:00 PM Council Lunch* Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Anita Climer, (417) 864-1654

5:00 PM Watershed Work Session Watershed Offices , 320 North Main Contact: Loring Bullard, (417) 866-1127

5:30 PM Sherman Avenue Project Area Committee Busch Municipal Building, 2nd Floor West Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Marti Fewell, (417) 864-1039

6:00 PM Mayor's Commission on Human Rights Busch Municipal Building, 1st Floor Conf. Rm, 840 Boonville Contact: Bob Hosmer, (417) 864-1834

Wednesday, 1/13/2010

8:00 AM Downtown Springfield Community Improvement District Board of Directors Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Barb Baker, (417) 831-6200

Thursday, 1/14/2010

8:30 AM Police Officers' and Fire Fighters' Retirement System Board of Trustees Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Kenneth Homan, (417) 883-3838

8:30 AM Workforce Investment Board Youth Council Missouri Career Center , 1514 South Glenstone Contact: Karen Dowdy, (417) 887-4343

6:00 PM Art Museum Board of Directors Art Museum , 1111 East Brookside Contact: Jerry Berger, (417) 837-5700

Friday, 1/15/2010

9:30 AM Cancelled Public Housing Authority Contact: Tom Barnett, (417) 866-4329

12:00 PM City Council Community Involvement Committee Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Lisa Harley, (417) 864-1443

-------------------------------------------------

*Tentative Jan. 12, City Council Lunch Agenda

1. Follow-up to City Council Meeting held on Monday, January 11, 2010

2. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Mapping Update - Nick Heatherly

3. Any and all matters to come before City Council

Source: City of Springfield Public Information Office

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

City of Springfield Weekly Calendar: January 4-8, 2010

2010-01-04T11:11:00.004-06:00

Monday, 1/4/2010

No Meetings Scheduled

Tuesday, 1/5/2010

8:00 AM Mayor's Commission for Children Executive Committee Community Foundation , 425 E. Trafficway Contact: Denise Bredfeldt, (417) 864-1656

11:45 AM Special City Council Meeting* Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Brenda Cirtin, (417) 864-1650

12:00 PM (or immediately following the Special City Council Meeting) Council Lunch** Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Anita Climer, (417) 864-1654

1:30 PM Board of Adjustment Old City Hall, Council Chambers, 830 Boonville Contact: Matt Schaefer, (417) 864-1100

Wednesday, 1/6/2010

8:00 AM Workforce Investment Board Marketing Committee Missouri Career Center , 1514 South Glenstone Contact: Karen Dowdy, (417) 887-4343

5:30 PM Landmarks Board Old City Hall, Council Chambers, 830 Boonville Contact: Daniel Neal, (417) 864-1036

Thursday, 1/7/2010

5:30 PM Building Trades Certification and Examination Board Busch Municipal Building, 1st Floor Conf. Rm, 840 Boonville Contact: Nick Heatherly, (417) 864-1059

6:30 PM Planning and Zoning Commission Old City Hall, Council Chambers, 830 Boonville Contact: Mike MacPherson, (417) 864-1831

Friday, 1/8/2010

8:30 AM Springfield/Greene County Park Board Park Board Offices , 1923 North Weller Contact: Jodie Adams, (417) 864-1049

9:00 AM Commercial Street Community Improvement District Busch Municipal Building, 2nd Floor West Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Donnie Rodgers, (417) 880-3435

*Special January 5, 11:45 AM City Council meeting Agenda:

1. ROLL CALL.

2. FIRST READING BILLS. CITIZENS MAY SPEAK. NOT ANTICIPATED TO BE VOTED ON.

3. COUNCIL BILL 2010-001 (O'Neal)A special ordinance authorizing the issuance of not to exceed $13,000,000 principal amount of special obligation bonds (State of Missouri - Direct Loan Program - ARRA) series 2010 of the City of Springfield, Missouri, for the purpose of extending and improving the City's sewerage system; prescribing the form and details of the bonds and the agreements made by the City to facilitate and protect their payment and prescribing other related matters.

4. NEW BUSINESS

Budget Cuts - Greg Burris

5. ANY AND ALL MATTERS WHICH FALL WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE COUNCIL.

6. ADJOURN.

Note: Springfield City Clerk Brenda Cirtin indicated the Council wouldn't be taking action on Council bill 2010-001, and the public hearing will be continued to the regular January 11, City Council meeting. After hearing from the public the Council will likely vote.

"Just wanted Council to have plenty of time to review it, as it is ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) money," Cirtin wrote in an email.

**City Council Tentative January 5, Lunch Agenda:

1. Citizen's Advisory Committee for Community Development (CACCD) - Vern Morgan

2. Continued Q & A regarding City Manager's Proposed 2nd Quarter Budget Cuts - Greg Burris

3. Any and all matters to come before City Council

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Sources: City of Springfield Public Information Office and City Clerk Brenda Cirtin

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HAPPY 2010!

2010-01-01T11:20:00.002-06:00

I was just thinking, I hope 2010 is a better year for my husband and I than 2009 was...BUT only for a minute.

How could God possibly top the miracles he performed in our lives last year in the new year!?

While 2009 left some things to be desired, I AM alive!

I can't wait to find out what God has planned for 2010.

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Jericho's Wife Reaches out to Supportive Fans on Facebook

2009-12-31T10:38:00.002-06:00

While the dust settles after the departure of Vincent David Jericho, his loyal listeners, friends, and fans are restless.

On Wednesday I received an invitation to join a new Facebook group called, "Defense of Vince." The group, so far, boasts 57 members. There are no upcoming events listed and there have been no discussions started.

Vince's wife Denise Jericho did, however, post a statement on the group's "wall" concerning why Vince was "fired and is silent." This is what she wrote:

"For all out there wanting to understand what has happened an(d) why Vince was fired and is silent. I can tell you that it was for not failings on his part. Understand that right now we are trying to sort out things out. This has been a very difficult month. The goings on did not start on the 28th of December, so there is... much to sort thru. We appreciate all your prayers and words of encouragement. You have no idea what it does for Vince and I to see everyone reaching out like this and I for one am truly grateful."

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Police and Fire Associations Finally Consider Compromise

2009-12-30T11:26:00.002-06:00

It was good to see police and fire willing to consider compromise in the makeup of the pension board, as indicated in today's "Springfield News-Leader" article:

"The police and fire associations initially objected to the reduction in employee representation on the board but struck a tentative compromise during meetings with city leaders with the inclusion of the non-voting alternates."

Something that bothered me during the Police and Fire Pension Task Force's discussions was the unwillingness of the police and fire associations to even consider any compromise or concession to their pension plan's benefits.

I think everyone was well aware that the City and its residents should honor promises made in the past regarding benefits but, that wouldn't have stopped the associations from voluntarily offering compromise for the good of the City. The only thing they offered was the threat of a lawsuit every time the subject of change to benefits was even broached, and to be clear, that was their right.

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Vincent David Jericho: No Longer Hosting KSGF's Morning Show

2009-12-29T12:28:00.002-06:00

My first tip that Vincent David Jericho is no longer going to be hosting the morning show for KSGF came when a friend of mine told me all references to Vince had been wiped clean from KSGF's Web site.

This morning I received an email from another friend telling me Jericho's producer Kortni Williams said that as of yesterday afternoon Vince no longer worked for KSGF.

A few moments ago, Williams confirmed it via email:

Jackie,

Vince is no longer with Journal Broadcast Group and KSGF. It’s a personnel matter and our policy prohibits me from discussing this any further.

Kortni

I inquired as to whether Vince would be contractually prohibited from communicating with me about the circumstances surrounding his departure. Williams was not aware of any contract and stated that she, herself, is not under contract.

I have offered Jericho an opportunity to contact me and discuss what happened to cause his departure from the station. I hope he will take me up on that offer as I know many people would like to know why their favorite local radio talk show host has left.

I believe Jericho paved the way for real dialog about local issues in Springfield. In particular, he opened the door for discussion about our local government and local politics.

Prior to Jericho, many (if not all) residents of Springfield were afraid to publicly question or criticize local government leaders. Whether this was justified or not is not the issue, I believe it is a fact that residents of Springfield feared repercussion if they questioned or exposed policy and behind the scenes action accepted and performed by the Springfield City Council and City staff.

Jericho voraciously and fearlessly questioned and on occasion attacked the actions of City government powers that be and was still standing at the end of the day...that is, until yesterday afternoon...

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Just a Simple...

2009-12-24T12:17:00.003-06:00

...MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

I don't have any you tube videos to post this year, no poems or pictures of Christmas lights however, I do have the miracle of life, something so fragile....

Be thankful to God for his great love.

If you are reading this you are blessed, you have a life. You are a miracle.

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MO Blogger Calls on Tea Partiers to do More than just Visit Washington for a Day

2009-12-22T10:23:00.000-06:00

"Ancient_Warrior's Ancient_Battles" author Greg asks demonstrators to stay.

"Marching up there for a day only to be ignored is not enough!"

City of Springfield Weekly Calendar: December 21-December 25, 2009

2009-12-21T10:07:00.002-06:00

Monday, 12/21/2009

No Meetings Scheduled

Tuesday, 12/22/2009

3:00 PM Administrative Review Busch Municipal Building, Room 285, 840 Boonville Contact: Daniel Neal, (417) 864-1036

Wednesday, 12/23/2009

Update: 12:00 PM Closed Meeting: City Council, Busch Municipal Building, 4th floor conference room

Thursday, 12/24/2009

No Meetings Scheduled

Friday, 12/25/2009

City offices closed.

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Update on "Nuisance, Nuisance Everywhere"

2009-12-19T13:45:00.001-06:00

In a previous entry, I mentioned, City Clerk Brenda Cirtin wrote in an email to "JackeHammer" that Director of Building Development Services (BDS) Nick Heatherly, indicated BDS has "posted" Veterans Coming Home for a code violation (See Springfield Municipal Code Sections 74-391 and 74-392), and was awaiting his reply about when it was posted and the nature of the violation.

I'd also noted City Attorney Dan Wichmer had stated in an email, "In Feb of this year, BDS sent him a letter advising of purported improper uses. This letter was in addition to a letter from HHS (Health & Human Services) stating that their inspection to be sure that he was complying with his stated uses for the building per his application to acquire the building revealed that he was not in complete compliance with his stated uses."

When I did hear back from Cirtin regarding the violation BDS had posted, she wrote, "According to Nick, the property was posted on May 5, 2008, with a “Do Not Occupy” as they did not have a C of O (Certificate of Occupancy) to occupy the structure." Later, when asked if they had acquired a C of O after being posted, the City Clerk referred my questions to Nick Heatherly to answer. Heatherly responded, "August 11, 2008 a C of O was issued for a “Business Office” use." When asked if Veterans Coming Home was attempting to "occupy" the facility before the issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy, Heatherly wrote, "They were in the process of setting up their office prior to the issuance of the C of O." So, my thought on all of that is this: It's up to the reader to decide whether "setting up" an office prior to use qualifies as "occupancy" or not and warrants an official posting of violation.

Regarding Wichmer's mention of a February letter, I was never provided a copy of a February letter and I did not ask for a copy of it...follow up for another day. Wichmer did not note what the "purported improper uses" were but, the fact they were "purported" rather than proven is a clue that the February letter was not an official "posting" by the City of ordinance violations.

Regarding Wichmer's other remark about Health and Human Services "stating that their inspection to be sure that he was complying with his stated uses for the building per his application to acquire the building revealed that he was not in complete compliance with his stated uses(?)" Well, Rice acquired the building from the Federal government, not the City, and I think it's fairly plain that had it been up to the City, Rice would never have been awarded the building in the first place. Further, I'm not sure of the process for complaint a City government is required to follow if an organization is not complying with stated uses when acquiring surplus property through the Federal government but, I'd assume a local City government would have to go through Federal channels to file a complaint. Action taken in that regard, it seems to me, would more likely have to come from the Federal government. Now, that is not to say the City cannot mandate Veterans Coming Home abide by City ordinance pertaining to the facility's zoning but, the City needs to prove there are violations of City ordinance before making a statement that, it appears, many perceived as a veiled threat that the City was preparing to shut the facility down for a year for non-compliance.

The whole thing seems to have been another "scratching-your- head- in-bewilderment-moment," compliments of the Springfield City Attorney's office, and then sensationalized by the Reverend Larry Rice through the pages of our local news paper. However, that said, I still feel it was important that the "Springfield News-Leader" reported on the issue for the very reason I stated in my original entry on the subject:

"...it all seems much ado about nothing for the moment (unless one considers how unhappy some City staff and some members of the City Council were at the time Rice was awarded the building...and unless one has a suspicious mind that the City is setting the stage for going after Rice on a trumped up code violation while it appears to ignore code violations of others it finds less unsavory....)"

Regarding the call I placed to Rice. If he has tried to return the call, I missed it. I've had to be out of the house for appointments the last two days after placing the call and my answering machine is not currently functional.

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Nuisance, Nuisance, Everywhere

2009-12-16T16:25:00.004-06:00

"Though Police Chief Lynn Rowe said City Council had come up with the (nuisance) ordinance in order to deal with specific nuisance properties, Council was also reluctant to deprive people of their property without due process." - Community Free Press, DEC. 17, 2008 - JAN. 13, 2009 issue

In light of today's "Springfield News-Leader" article regarding City Attorney Dan Wichmer's letter and Reverend Rice's response concerning neighbors' allegations of misuse of the property at 806 N. Jefferson, or Veterans Coming Home, I felt the article I wrote for the "Community Free Press" regarding similar allegations might shed a bit of light on what the City is able to do or not do in the case of allegations of nuisance properties. Readers will find that CFP article below this entry. (And I have to wonder if neighbors of Veterans Coming Home are being made aware of how little the City can actually do to enforce the nuisance ordinance)

In the letter City Attorney Dan Wichmer wrote to Reverend Larry Rice, Wichmer referenced Springfield City Code sections 74-391 and 74-392. Wichmer noted, "Under these code sections, any property harboring a nuisance could be subject to closure for up to 1 year."

Wichmer then "strongly encourage(d)" Reverend Rice to stop activities not permitted and take action to eliminate activities which were a nuisance to businesses in the area. Wichmer wrote, "Failure to take corrective action will force the City to take action to abate the nuisance."

In the article attached readers will note, "According to City Attorney Dan Wichmer, as long as a landlord is working with the police department and there are no convictions, there is little the city can do under the ordinance."

The nuisance ordinance is very specific in describing the process by which the City of Springfield may close a property. One of the City's other options (under City Code) is to shut off utilities to that property for up to 1 year. The City really can't just go around closing properties based on neighbors' complaints, there is much more to it than that. For instance, before closing a property can even be considered notice has to be given and it must be given in very specific manner.

"JackeHammer" asked City Attorney Wichmer if there had been any notice of:

"...the illegal use, manufacture, keeping or selling of controlled substances" on the premises, and whether there have been any convictions related to "...the illegal use, manufacture, keeping or selling of controlled substances," (City code 74-391) where the initial arrest of a convict originated from the address 806 N. Jefferson Avenue, Springfield, Missouri

OR for:

"...the commission of crimes, ordinance violations, or acts done, permitted, allowed or continued to the damage or injury of any inhabitants of the city," and whether there have been any convictions related to "...the commission of crimes, ordinance violations, or acts done, permitted, allowed or continued to the damage or injury of any inhabitants of the city" involving an initial arrest of the convict from 806 N. Jefferson Avenue, Springfield, Missouri (City code 74-392)

BY: "The chief of police or his designee," (City code 74-391) OR "The chief of police or director of health or other head of a department charged with ordinance or code enforcement or their respective designees?" (City code 74-392)

"No." City Attorney Dan Wichmer wrote in an email response. "My letter merely referenced the fact that if we found and proved violations that originated from 806 N. Jefferson, we would treat (it) as any other nuisance property and use all tools available. We are not, to my knowledge, anywhere near sending any sort of nuisance notice."

Later in the day, when questioned about why he sent the letter at this time, Wichmer wrote, "In Feb of this year, BDS (Building Development Services) sent him a letter advising of purported improper uses. This letter was in addition to a letter from HHS (Health & Human Services) stating that their inspection to be sure that he was complying with his stated uses for the building per his application to acquire the building revealed that he was not in complete compliance with his stated uses."

City Clerk Brenda Cirtin wrote in an email to JackeHammer that Director of Building Development Services Nick Heatherly, indicated BDS has "posted" Veterans Coming Home for a code violation. She is awaiting his reply about when it was posted and the nature of the violation, "I asked him when and what the violation was, but haven’t heard back yet," she wrote.

Wichmer said the reason he sent the letter is because Rice's local representatives had stated Rice wanted to know if there were any issues, "When he opened the center, Rev. Rice, through his local reps, stated he wanted to be a good neighbor (especially in light of the incidents he had at the Free Store, his facility near Jeff City and the stabbing in St. Louis) so if we had issues, please let him know," Wichmer wrote.

According to Wichmer, the letter was sent out 2 weeks ago. Indeed, it is dated November 23, 2009. Wichmer indicated Ron Moore, New Life Evangelical Center's on site manager and Dan Boyle, Rice's attorney, were very cordial in their responses, with Boyle stating, "he would make sure there was follow up on their (Veterans Coming Home) end." Wichmer indicated that because he had received such a cordial response from them, he thought the issue was behind him and being handled.

"He (Boyle) told me in the future to just call him or NLEC’s business manager if we received further complaints. I thought that ended the matter. That is why I stated that Rice was merely grandstanding yesterday," Wichmer wrote.

At any rate, it all seems much ado about nothing for the moment (unless one considers how unhappy some City staff and some members of the City Council were at the time Rice was awarded the building...and unless one has a suspicious mind that the City is setting the stage for going after Rice on a trumped up code violation while it appears to ignore code violations of others it finds less unsavory....)

JackeHammer has placed a call to the Reverend Larry Rice for comment and is awaiting his response.

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From the DEC. 17, 2008 - JAN. 13, 2009 issue of the "Community Free Press:"

"West Central WOES
Area developers’ cries for help reach a high level of frustration."

By Jackie Melton
CFP Contributor

At a recent meeting at the Busch Municipal Building,tempers and accusations sometimes flared over vandalism, theft, drug use, and whether the city’s nuisance ordinance can be used to remedy recurring problems in Springfield’s West Central neighborhood. One thing was made clear by the attending city officials: there are not going to be any quick fixes to neighborhood crime in West Central or any other neighborhood in Springfield.

Carol Nachbar, a real estate investor and redeveloper who owns property in the area was frustrated over what she perceived as non-enforcement of the city’s nuisance ordinance.

Though Police Chief Lynn Rowe said City Council had come up with the ordinance in order to deal with specific nuisance properties, Council was also reluctant to deprive people of their property without due process.

“We can’t take a whole complex with just one violating apartment unit,” Rowe said. “If they’re [owners/managers] dealing with the issue, then that precludes using the nuisance ordinance to take that property.”

Due process is what has Nachbar and other West Central investors and homeowners asking questions. Nachbar balked when told that, without convictions of crime, the nuisance ordinance could not be enforced.

“These people are out there causing all this havoc and this chaos,” Nachbar said. “The police put them in their cars and they handcuff them and then, 15 minutes later, they let them back out of the police car. That’s the problem, they are not arrested in the first place.”

The Windermere Apartments, 1055 W. Walnut St., is at the center of the debate among West Central residents and property owners. Nachbar claims problems originating at the property are interfering with her ability to lease a neighboring property she owns.

According to the city Web site, the business license for 1055 W.Walnut is issued to Shorty’s Holding, LLC. The address for the owner is also the same address issued to Cars 4 U, a car lot on Compton Street owned by Kendall Hancock. Hancock could not be reached for comment, but a woman at Cars 4 U, who identified herself as only Angela, said she was the manager of Shorty’s Holding, LLC.

“I’m the manager and we don’t have a comment,” she said.

According to City Attorney Dan Wichmer, as long as a landlord is working with the police department and there are no convictions, there is little the city can do under the ordinance.

“I can assure you that I take you seriously, but you sitting there, indicating that I’m not doing anything, isn’t going to make me a whole lot happier dealing with you,” Wichmer said to Nachbar at the meeting. “I’ve pulled your properties, you’ve had disturbances, and you’ve had complaints. Do I shut your properties down?”

Rowe explained his department is following procedure and doing what they can under the law.
“Sometimes there’s enough [evidence] to pursue it and if there is, they go to jail every time, even though it is a revolving door and they go right back out,” Rowe said.

Another local developer and investor, David Rhodes, said, in the past, when there was more police presence crime had disappeared.

“If this issue serves one purpose, I hope it is that it will get more police on the street,” Rhodes said.

Jack Pugh, Rhodes partner in “B’s” Renaissance Renovations, LLC, identified himself and Nachbar as two of the top investors in the West Central area. Pugh lives in a home on Walnut Street that he and his wife remodeled with the intention of retiring there. His wife has since moved out, and they have purchased a new retirement home in Greenfield.

“After the two attempted murders at the rental operations next door, and our neighbor who was stabbed and left to die on our front steps by two thugs who felt they had a right to own his bicycle, she just gave up,” Pugh said. “It was just too close. She didn’t work all her life to have to live in fear.”

Pugh talked about several contractors and residents who have been victims of theft. Later, as he steered his car down Pershing Street, where he has redeveloped and assisted others in redevelopment of several properties, he pointed to his “crown jewel.”

“A young family bought that a year ago and now they’re moving out. They’ve been broken into four times,” Pugh said. “They’ve just given up.”

Suggestions offered by city officials for dealing with the nuisance properties didn’t offer any overnight solutions. Beyond continuing to file police reports, working with their Police Area Representative officer, or taking the personal initiative to sue a nuisance property owner in civil court, one of the few other suggestions was that residents become more involved in their neighborhood associations. It was suggested they start a “Neighborhood Team”program.

“Neighborhood Teams can set priorities and then we all work together,” Rowe said.

Jack Pugh had little faith that forming a Neighborhood Team was the answer.

“It’s attacking the problem at the wrong end.” Pugh said. “If we had a Neighborhood Team in place reporting on the Windermere Apartments, would anything have been done differently at this point? Would it have helped to have had 120 calls this year instead of 100? The answer is no. It’s the policies that the Neighborhood Team has to work under that are the problem.”

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What is a Public Nuisance?

“Any place that is used for the commission of crimes, ordinance violations,or acts done, permitted, allowed or continued to the damage or injury of any of the inhabitants of the city after notice is given and the place continues to be used for the commission of crimes, ordinance violations, or acts done, permitted, allowed or continued to the damage or injury of any inhabitants of the city is a public nuisance.”

Source: Section 74-392.A, General Ordinance Number 5465 (Springfield’s nuisance ordinance)

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Local Food Support/Industrial Hemp Among Springfield City Council Legislative Priorities

2009-12-15T14:37:00.005-06:00

Springfield, MO - At the December 14, Springfield City Council meeting, a bill to adopt the bullet-point and sub-point legislative priorities of the City was approved. According to the City's summary of the Council meeting,

"Councilman Stephens made a motion to adopt Exhibit A, which summarizes the top priorities, while remanding the rest of the package back to Plans & Policies to review some of the language of the full policy."

Exhibit A included these topics: Maintain local control and avoid unfunded mandates; Red-light cameras and efficient traffic enforcement; Protect the natural environment and; Economic development and fighting poverty.

"Well-Fed Neighbor" readers will be interested to know, included in the language remanded back to the Plans and Policies Committee as the last entry in the category, "Economic Development and Fighting Poverty" are the words, "Support development of a stronger local food supply."

The language, which, again, will be reviewed by the Plans & Policies Committee, regarding support for the development of a stronger local food supply reads:

"Support local food

Local agriculture is key to providing a safe, secure, and reliable food supply for the citizens of Missouri.

We support farmers in our city limits and farmers nearby and we encourage legislation that will provide a stronger local food supply and remove barriers to the development of local food supplies or eliminate legislation that provides barriers."

Also of interest to "Well-Fed Neighbors" should be the information found in Tuesday's "Springfield News-Leader." Reporter Kary Booher recapped the Council meeting, reporting the City Council, "kicked back the body of the text -- including a suggestion for the state to remove restrictions on hemp in order to create new industries."

The language regarding the removal of restrictions on growing hemp, also remanded to be reviewed by the Plans & Policies Committee, read:

"Enhance The Economy By Removing Restrictions On Hemp to Create New Industries:

With the stroke of the pen, Missouri could create several new industries overnight. Agriculture, textiles, construction, alternative fuels, and many other areas would see an immediate boon in their markets. The cost of this type of government "investment" would be zero dollars. In fact, the savings that this could generate would be able to fund critical needs in other areas."

Support for a local food supply was proposed by Councilman Dan Chiles.

The proposal regarding removal of restrictions on growing hemp was brought by Councilman Doug Burlison.

For more information about what the Springfield City Council will be lobbying state and federal legislators about in 2010, and to read the bill, click here. If you would like to watch a video of the City Council meeting, it is available at "CityView."

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City of Springfield Weekly Calendar: December 14-18

2009-12-13T13:19:00.002-06:00

Monday, 12/14/2009

3:30 PM Springfield/Greene County Park Board Golf Committee Park Board Offices , 1923 North Weller Contact: Jodie Adams, (417) 864-1049

6:30 PM City Council Meeting Old City Hall, Council Chambers, 830 Boonville Contact: Brenda Cirtin, (417) 864-1650 (Agenda)

Tuesday, 12/15/2009

10:30 AM Solid Waste Management District Region O Executive Board Cook's Kettle Restaurant , 1715 N. Boonville Contact: Ronda Gulley, (417) 868-4197

12:00 PM Council Lunch Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Anita Climer, (417) 864-1654 (tentative agenda attached)

1:30 PM Board of Adjustment Old City Hall, Council Chambers, 830 Boonville Contact: Matt Schaefer, (417) 864-1100

Cancelled 3:00 PM Administrative Review Busch Municipal Building, Room 285, 840 Boonville Contact: Daniel Neal, (417) 864-1036

3:00 PM Airport Board Public Relations Committee Springfield/Branson National Airport , 2300 North Airport Boulevard Suite 100 Contact: Terri Winchester, (417) 868-0500

3:30 PM Library Board Finance/Personnel Committee Library Center , 4653 South Campbell Contact: Debbie Eckert, (417) 883-5366

4:00 PM Library Board Library Center , 4653 South Campbell Contact: Debbie Eckert, (417) 883-5366

6:00 PM Mayor's Commission on Human Rights Busch Municipal Building, 1st Floor Conf. Rm, 840 Boonville Contact: Bob Hosmer, (417) 864-1834

Wednesday, 12/16/2009

12:00 PM City Council Community Involvement Committee Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Lisa Harley, (417) 864-1443

Cancelled 3:00 PM E-911 Advisory Board Greene County, Commission's Conference Room, 940 North Boonville Contact: Debbie Moore, (417) 864-1719

5:30 PM Landmarks Board Old City Hall, Council Chambers, 830 Boonville Contact: Daniel Neal, (417) 864-1036

Thursday, 12/17/2009

8:00 AM Airport Board Springfield/Branson National Airport , 2300 North Airport Boulevard Suite 100 Contact: Terri Winchester, (417) 868-0500

8:00 AM Enhanced Enterprise Zone Board of Directors Busch Municipal Building, 2nd Floor West Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Matthew Schaeffer, (417) 864-1198

8:00 AM Springfield Convention & Visitor's Bureau Board of Directors Ozark Empire Fairgrounds , 3001 N. Grant Avenue Contact: Tracy Kimberlin, (417) 881-5300

8:30 AM Library Board - Public Building Corporation Board of Trustees Library Center , 4653 South Campbell Contact: Debbie Eckert, (417) 883-5366

8:30 AM Springfield Police Officers' & Fire Fighters' Retirement System Board of Trustees Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Nikki White, (417) 864-1515

11:30 AM City Council Plans & Policies Committee Busch Municipal Building, 2nd Floor West Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Lisa Harley, (417) 864-1443

12:00 PM Ozarks Transportation Organization Board of Directors Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Tim Conklin, (417) 836-5482

3:30 PM Tree City USA Citizen Advisory Committee Busch Municipal Building, 2nd Floor East Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Benjamin Kellner, (417) 864-1178

Friday, 12/18/2009

9:30 AM Public Housing Authority Madison Towers, Northeast Meeting Room, 421 West Madison Contact: Tom Barnett, (417) 866-4329

12:00 PM City Council Finance and Administration Committee Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Lisa Harley, (417) 864-1443

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City Council Lunch Agenda (tentative) for Dec. 15, 2009

1. Follow up to City Council meeting held on December 14, 2009

2. Annual KPMG Audit Report - Michele Stromp & Cassie Meschke from KPMG

3. Any and all matters to come before City Council

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City Council Agenda for December 14, 2009

2009-12-10T13:27:00.000-06:00

The upcoming City Council meeting agenda is now available online.

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I'M HOME!!!!

2009-12-05T11:44:00.003-06:00

I nearly died but as Momma Twoop wrote below, God decided to perform a miracle in my life and I'm back!

I have a list of article and report ideas I prepared at the hospital and I WILL be chipping away at it as time goes on but, for the time being I am still a bit weak.

I think I spent the last two weeks at Select Services Specialty Hospital but, all in all I have been in hospital over a month fighting an antibiotic resistant strain of pneumonia. There are wonderful employees at Select. Too many to thank individually but, I will just say that I walked away from there feeling I had new friends. Wonderful bunch of f0lks.

I also have many friends and family [including church family] members to thank for all their prayers, visits and attention, which I know will even be ongoing as I work to rebuild my strength after being bedridden for so long. I cannot tell you what a new appreciation I have for the people who God saw fit to connect me with in this life. I don't believe we ever meet anyone by accident, there is always a reason why someone, even a sales clerk, steps into our lives.

I have a renewed love for my husband who had to struggle on the emotional roller coaster of not knowing whether his wife would live or die, was advised to call in family so that they could make their final goodbyes at one point but, managed somehow to be the best support to me I could have ever asked for and could have ever imagined he was capable of.

A special thanks to Vince Jericho of KSGF for repeatedly praying and calling for prayer from his listeners on my behalf.

A special thanks to Fred and Janice Ellison for their unwavering and time consuming support, to Tom Martz for his friendship and support, to Galen Chadwick of the Well Fed Neighbor Alliance, who regularly visited me and, I understand, has a lot of work for me to do, Dan and Alice [I have your radio] to Momma Twoop for her phone calls and the beautiful snowflakes and notes she and her children sent me, and a special thanks to Dwain and Sharon Ege...they know why. Loads of love and appreciation to my brother, sis in law and nephew and my dad, step mom, stepsister and brother in law. Thanks to Dale Johnson for stealing Wes' papers for me and bringing me a News-Leader every day toward the end of my stay. There are too many people for me to list them all individually, I hope I haven't missed anyone and that everyone will understand this is mainly meant to be an all encompassing, great big thank you to all those who have supported me, sometimes I don't even know when or how.

I will more than likely revisit this topic at a later date, I know there is more to say but, hopefully I hit the majority of people who have been so much help and such a support to me.

[Looks like someone hijacked my twitter acct.]

Let us give thanks....

2009-11-25T09:58:00.002-06:00

Do you believe in miracles? I do, and I think I, and a few others, have witnessed one recently.

My last post, my only post in ages, was a prayer for my friend Jackie. She was at death's door, literally. I posted that prayer, repeated it too many times to count through the day, layed my soul bare for our Lord as I cried and pleaded for His Mercy on my friend. I know there were many, many others who were doing the same thing, too.

Later that evening, unexpectedly, Jackie took a turn for the better. She went from being a lady the doctor didn't expect to survive through the night to one who woke up, began interracting with those around her, registering voluntary movements along with voiced complaints like "Ouch!" when she didn't like whatever poking or prodding was being done her, to the full-of-life lady who is today, at this very moment, sitting up, smiling, communicating and reading her get well cards.

God is good, full of grace and mercy. Do not doubt it.

A friend recently said there is no better way to begin Thansgiving week than with the news of this unexpected turn-around. I couldn't agree more! This Thanksgiving is extremely special and I, along with everyone else who Jackie has touched, am extremely thankful.

Welcome back, Sis, may you keep progressing in your recovery and come home to all of us who love you soon.

For Jackie

2009-11-22T09:56:00.002-06:00

Dear Lord,

You know Jackie so much better than I do. You know her sickness and the burden she carries. You also know her heart.

Lord, I ask you to be with her now, working in her life. Let your will be done in her life. Lord, I pray for Jackie because your Word says I should pray for her healing. I am desperate for her to be healed and returned to me, to be a part of my life. I need her, Lord, please forgive my selfishness for wanting to keep her here if that is not your will.

I believe you hear this earnest prayer from my heart and that it is powerful because of your promise. I have faith in you to heal my friend, but I also trust in the plan you have for her life.

Lord, I don't always understand your ways and why Jackie has to suffer, but I trust you. Please, Lord, look with mercy and grace toward her. Nourish her spirit and soul in this time of suffering and comfort her with your presence. Comfort those close to her now, Lord, and ease their hurt.

Let them know you are there with them through this difficulty. And may you be glorified in Jackie's life and also in mine.

Amen

City of Springfield Weekly Calendar: October 19-October 23

2009-10-19T08:22:00.003-05:00

Monday, 10/19/2009

12:00 PM Library Board Finance/Personnel Committee Library Center , 4653 South Campbell Contact: Debbie Eckert, (417) 883-5366

6:30 PM Town Hall Meeting [on Community Improvement Districts] Hosted by Councilmen Nicholas Ibarra, Doug Burlison and State Representative Eric Burlison Brentwood Library , 2214 Brentwood Boulevard Contact: Brenda Cirtin, (417) 864-1650

Tuesday, 10/20/2009

12:00 PM *Council Lunch Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Anita Climer, (417) 864-1654 [Jackie's note: The Public Information Office announced last week, the City's cable T.V. station, CityView, will be airing City Council lunch meetings. You will find a link for CityView's Web site in the sidebar of "JackeHammer," under Springfield's TV23].

3:00 PM Airport Board Administrative Committee Springfield/Branson National Airport , 2300 North Airport Boulevard Suite 100 Contact: Terri Winchester, (417) 868-0500

4:00 PM Library Board Ash Grove Branch Library , 101 E. Main Street, Ash Grove Contact: Debbie Eckert, (417) 883-5366

6:00 PM Police Fire Pension Fund Citizens Task Force Sub-Committee Busch Municipal Building, 2nd Floor East Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Brenda Cirtin, (417) 864-1650

Wednesday, 10/21/2009

3:00 PM E-911 Advisory Board Greene County, Commission's Conference Room, 940 North Boonville Contact: Debbie Moore, (417) 864-1719

5:30 PM Mayor's Commission on Human Rights Missouri Career Center , 1514 South Glenstone Contact: Bob Hosmer, (417) 864-1834

6:30 PM Commercial Street Task Force Busch Municipal Building, Fire Station No.1, 720 East Grand Contact: Anita Climer, (417) 864-1654

Thursday, 10/22/2009

8:00 AM Airport Board Springfield/Branson National Airport , 2300 North Airport Boulevard Suite 100 Contact: Terri Winchester, (417) 868-0500

7:00 PM Planning and Zoning Commission Old City Hall, Council Chambers, 830 Boonville Contact: Mike MacPherson, (417) 864-1831

Friday, 10/23/2009

9:00 AM Commercial Street Community Improvement District Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Donnie Rodgers, (417) 880-3435

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October 20, City Council Lunch - TENTATIVE AGENDA

1. Continued discussion of Council Bill 2009-253 (Police Fire Pension Board)

2. Any and all matters to come before City Council

Source: City of Springfield Public Information Office (Reformatted)

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Associated Press should have Identified the Source of Information used to Insinuate Treasurer Clint Zweifel is Hypocritical or Broke State Law

2009-10-17T11:25:00.007-05:00

State Treasurer Zweifel, a Democrat, also serves as the chair of Missouri's Housing Commission (MHC)

An "Associated Press" article in Saturday's "Springfield News-Leader," declares:

Treasurer accepts cash from developer
Zweifel backed new ethics rules requiring conflict disclosure

What the AP article tells you is that Zweifel supported state law mandating individual MHC members should disclose potential conflicts of interest, and then recuse themselves from the decision making which could be affected by such conflicts.

Then, as if disconnected from Zweifel's backing of the requirement that conflicts should be disclosed by members, the AP reported that Zwiefel accepted campaign contributions from people who had applied for tax credits which would be awarded by the commission on which he serves.

The kicker comes in the last paragraph of the article, when the AP states that Zweifel told "the newspaper" that lawmakers need to make a decision regarding whether elected officials, who under our current system depend on contributions to run their campaigns, should be prohibited from accepting campaign contributions if they serve on commissions awarding tax credits. Zweifel believes, according to the AP report, that policy should be consistent across the board for those who serve on commissions with a potential to judge who should receive tax credit awards.

What troubles me is that the report does not state how the AP or "newspaper" received the information and/or whether Zweifel was the one to disclose it. Also unnoted is whether Zweifel continued to be involved in any decision making regarding tax credits involving the named campaign contributors after the contributions were received. If Zweifel reported the conflict and recused himself from making a decision regarding the award of tax credits by the commission, he has followed the law he backed, which apparently, at this time, does not prohibit commissioners who deal in awarding tax credits from accepting campaign contributions from people who have applied to receive those tax credits.

The AP might have sensationalized it in their headline, in my view, casting aspersion on Zweifel rather than the system and process, or the lawmakers who define it. Zweifel is right in calling on lawmakers to make a decision about whether those who serve on tax credit awarding commissions should be allowed to accept campaign contributions. If they are not prohibited from doing so, which appears to be the case, then why did the AP set it up to insinuate Zweifel is doing some kind of shady, under the table sort of transaction with someone who might benefit from the current system? Where's the problem if Zweifel disclosed the conflict and recused himself from decision making?

On the other hand, if Zweifel did not disclose the conflict and did not recuse himself from decision making regarding the award of tax credits after he had received campaign contributions from applicants, it certainly would be a problem for Zweifel but, the AP simply doesn't give us enough information to support the insinuation they appear to be making.

Poor reporting all around, if you ask me. It raises far more questions than it answers.

Some people believe the issue of Missouri Housing Commission tax credits is even more complicated.

In an October 14 article, AP reporter David Lieb revealed two residents of St. Louis have filed suit, questioning the state constitutionality of the tax credits currently being awarded to private developers for large redevelopment projects. The suit also questions the constitutionality of recent expansions of topics under the law, reaching, the suit charges, past the original intent of such tax credit awards.

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BREAKING: Ruell Chappell Plans to Challenge Sara Lampe for the 138th District

2009-10-15T08:44:00.002-05:00

Chappell announced his intentions at a Well-Fed Neighbor/Well-Fed Neighbor Farmers' Cooperative meeting on October 14

Springfield, MO - Ruell Chappell wants to unseat incumbent Sara Lampe in a run for the 138th district. Chappell said he will run on much the same platform that is resonating among farmers, growers, and sustainability advocates across 27 southwest Missouri counties. That message is the simple message of food and jobs delivered by the "Well-Fed Neighbor Alliance" (WFNA). Chappell is a co-regional coordinator of the WFNA, but you might remember him better as a member of the "Ozark Mountain Daredevils."

"I'm in it to win. It's a natural next step for our cause," Chappell told "JackeHammer" after the meeting. "There's not a person in this town who wouldn't agree we need a better economy."

Chappell believes the way to grow the economy in Missouri, is to produce, buy, and compete in the local market with local grown food, creating more local jobs. As a result, he says, that local money stays in our local economy.

"Everyone else is status quo," Chappell said. He wants to be pro-active in stimulating the economy, rather than waiting for the economy to turn around, which is what he thinks is the current stance of "status quo" politicians.

"If we want an economy, we have to make it," he said. "Local food will secure a local economy."

Chappell said he plans to run as an independent.

Sara Lampe, a Democrat, has been the 138th district representative since 2004.

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Missouri State Rep. Burlison and Springfield City Councilmen Ibarra and Burlison to Hold Town-Hall Meeting Discussing Community Improvement Districts

2009-10-14T12:10:00.003-05:00

A City news-release was generated to announce Councilmen Nick Ibarra and Doug Burlison, along with State Rep. Eric Burlison, "will co-host a Town Hall meeting focusing on the topic of Community Improvement Districts [CIDs] on Monday, Oct. 19."

The meeting, which will be held at the Brentwood Library, is open to the public. Doors open at 6 PM with the meeting scheduled to start at 6:30.

From the news-release:

Rep. Burlison, R-136, will open the forum with background on the state's role in CIDs, followed by Councilmen Ibarra and Burlison discussing the City of Springfield's involvement in CIDs....

The Councilmen will discuss proposals for signage notifying patrons at locations where CIDs are in effect in Springfield and Rep. Burlison will talk about ideas he is considering for CIDs at the state level.

There will also be a question and answer session at the end of the meeting.

The news-release advises, if you have questions about the meeting, you should contact Zone 1 Councilman Nick Ibarra at 773-9441.

The City also provided a link where you can find more information about the CIDs in Springfield.

The Brentwood Library is located at 2214 Brentwood Blvd.

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Springfield Should have Limited Focus to Passing Pension Sales Tax in November

2009-10-12T10:10:00.007-05:00

Attempt to stage November's ballot language to enable the city to influence a future sales tax repeal vote may threaten passage of pension sales tax next month

Springfield, MO - There has been repeated reference made by City attorney Dan Wichmer that state statute restricts and limits what the city may, or may not, include in the ballot language of a sales-tax initiative to fund the police and fire pension plan. What is interesting are the deviations from the ballot form RsMo 94.579 has indicated the city must "for the most part" follow. Why oh, why, do they chose the deviations they choose? (Well, keep reading.)

RsMO 94.579 states:

The ballot of submission for the tax authorized in this section shall be in substantially the following form:

Shall ...... (insert the name of the city) impose a sales tax at a rate of ...... (up to one) percent, solely for the purpose of providing revenues for the operation of public safety departments of the city?

Other than a yes box, a no box, and some voter instruction, that's it...the end.

Had the City of Springfield, and its City Council, which approved the City of Springfield's official ballot language on August 24, stopped with the first part of the paragraph, which reads:

“Shall the City of Springfield impose a sales tax at a rate of three-quarter of one percent (3/4-cent) solely for the purpose of providing revenues for the Springfield Police Officers’ and Firefighters’ Pension System,"

...my yes vote would have been secure but, they didn't stop there, instead, they added:

"with said tax to sunset upon 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?”

With that, and a heavy heart, my no vote was secured, instead. A heavy heart because I do recognize the importance of the tax being passed, it is the reason I voted in support of the failed February pension sales tax of 1 percent.

The ballot language has been troublesome for many citizens, and personally, I think if public confusion rises to the level the City Manager feels it is necessary and appropriate to initiate passage of a City Council resolution clarifying the language, then there is an obvious and very real problem with it (see: Council Bill 2009-254, purpose and explanation).

The reason the second half of the ballot is troublesome to me rests in its potential to make me a liar in 2014, should I wish to make the decision to repeal the tax.

By voting yes on "question 1," I would not only be approving the 3/4-cent sales tax to fund the pension plan but, in my view, I would, in essence, be endorsing funding the pension plan to a 100 percent funded ratio before I would vote to repeal the tax.

Since I do not believe that full funding is either necessary to reach the city's goal, and question whether it is the best funded ratio by which the city could reach their goals, I am uncomfortable with endorsing a 100 percent funding of the plan.

A couple of things stop me from committing to endorsing paying the sales tax until the pension plan is funded at 100 percent.

1. The city is under no threat of the state withholding sales tax revenue to fund the pension plan, so long as the pension plan is funded at a 60 percent or higher ratio.

2. Milliman actuaries recommended the funded ratio which would best reach the city's long term goals as 90 percent, when they performed a study prior to the failed February vote.

"Under both 6 percent and 7.5 percent [investment return] scenarios, funding to the 100 percent target appears to overshoot the desired results long term," the Milliman actuaries advised. "The 90 percent target scenarios seem to better match the desired long term outcomes." - Nov. 19, 2008 issue, "Community Free Press," page 2)

I also resent what I perceive as an effort, on the city's part, to set up language today which will more than likely be used to coerce or guilt the public into approving it again, five years from now.

If I can be even clearer: I planned to vote in support of a 3/4-cent sales tax to fund the police/fire pension plan but, because, instead of placing a straight-forward and focused question before me, the city wrote language with an eye toward influencing my vote in five years, I will be unable to vote in support of the over-all question. I hope they have not ensured this sales tax initiative's failure.

They lost my affirmative vote by over-reaching what should have been the clear-cut objective of simply passing THIS sales tax initiative on THIS day (November 3).

It truly was a yes vote that was the City's to lose.

Disclaimer: I have not written this post to try to influence the vote of any other Springfield resident. I simply cannot, in good conscience, support the ballot language of "question 1," as it was crafted.

Related: "Law sought to give Springfield voters voice in funding choice" - Source: "News-Leader.com"

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City of Springfield Weekly Calendar: Oct. 12-Oct. 16

2009-10-11T23:38:00.003-05:00

Monday, 10/12/2009

12:00 PM Partnership Industrial Center West Administrative Council Chamber of Commerce , 202 John Q. Hammons Parkway Contact: Greg Williams, (417) 862-5567

6:30 PM City Council Meeting Old City Hall, Council Chambers, 830 Boonville Contact: Brenda Cirtin, (417) 864-1650

Tuesday, 10/13/2009

8:30 AM Library Board Buildings & Grounds Committee Kirkpatrick, Phillips, & Miller CPAs , 2003 E. Sunshine Contact: Debbie Eckert, (417) 883-5366

9:00 AM Board of Equalization Greene County, Room 113, 940 North Boonville Contact: Richard Struckhoff, (417) 868-4055

12:00 PM Council Lunch* Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Anita Climer, (417) 864-1654

2:00 PM Administrative Review Busch Municipal Building, Room 285, 840 Boonville Contact: Daniel Neal, (417) 864-1036

5:00 PM Watershed Work Session Watershed Offices , 320 North Main Contact: Loring Bullard, (417) 866-1127

5:30 PM Sherman Avenue Project Area Committee Busch Municipal Building, 2nd Floor West Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Marti Fewell, (417) 864-1039

Cancelled due to lack of a quorum - 6:00 PM Police Fire Pension Fund Citizens Task Force Subcommittee Busch Municipal Building, 2nd Floor East Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Brenda Cirtin, (417) 864-1650

Wednesday, 10/14/2009

8:00 AM Downtown Springfield Community Improvement District Board of Directors Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Barb Baker, (417) 831-6200

Cancelled 8:00 AM Workforce Investment Board Marketing Committee Missouri Career Center , 1514 South Glenstone Contact: Karen Dowdy, (417) 887-4343

(Added 10/13) 5:00 PM Special City Council meeting (closed for real estate and litigation) Busch Building 4th floor conference room.

5:30 PM Landmarks Board Old City Hall, Council Chambers, 830 Boonville Contact: Daniel Neal, (417) 864-1036

6:00 PM Commercial Street Task Force Fire Station Number 1, Community Room, 720 East Grand Contact: Anita Climer, (417) 864-1654

Thursday, 10/15/2009

8:00 AM Springfield Convention & Visitor's Bureau Board of Directors Jordan Valley Park , 411 North Sherman Parkway Contact: Tracy Kimberlin, (417) 881-5300

12:00 PM Ozarks Transportation Organization Board of Directors Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Tim Conklin, (417) 836-5482

3:30 PM Tree City USA Citizen Advisory Committee Busch Municipal Building, 2nd Floor West Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Benjamin Kellner, (417) 864-1178

Friday, 10/16/2009

9:30 AM Public Housing Authority Madison Towers, Northeast Meeting Room, 421 West Madison Contact: Tom Barnett, (417) 866-4329

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*October 13, City Council Lunch Tentative Agenda

1. Follow up to City Council meeting held on October 12, 2009

2. Update on status of Wonders of Wildlife

3. Any and all matters to come before City Council

Source: City of Springfield Public Information Office (Reformatted)

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P & Z to Refer Urban Garden Text Amendment to City Council

2009-10-09T14:56:00.002-05:00

and what's "JackeHammer's" opinion regarding the amendment?

Thursday night, as readers of "JackeHammer" know, the Planning and Zoning Commission (P & Z) held a public hearing regarding the proposed text amendment that was unanimously recommended to them by the urban garden task force.

The P & Z Commission, in turn, unanimously voted to recommend that text amendment for consideration by the Springfield City Council at Thursday night's meeting. P & Z anticipates the proposed text amendment will be presented to the Council for first reading and public hearing on October 26.

Having stayed up to date on the issue and having reported on it extensively as the process has unfolded, I figured some of my readers would like to know my opinion on the proposed text amendment. I am allowed to have an opinion, you know? ;)

When I got home last night and looked at some of my favorite news links, I noticed that the "Show-Me Institute's" official blog, "Show-Me Daily," had weighed in on Springfield's urban garden issue. Since I had an exchange with Show-Me blogger Sarah Brodsky, in which my opinion on the amendment was outlined, I would refer you to that Brodsky entry and the comment section where my opinion was expressed. I also would refer you there because I thought the exchange between Brodsky and myself was interesting and she brings yet another opinion to the issue.

If you have any comments, please address them here, I might not, immediately, see them if posted at "Show-Me Daily," though I will try to check in periodically.

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P & Z to Hear from Public on Urban Garden Task Force Recommendations Tonight

2009-10-08T15:59:00.002-05:00

As written about in this previous "JackeHammer" (JH) entry, the Planning and Zoning Commission (P & Z) will take public comment tonight as they review and discuss the Urban Garden Task Force's recommendation.

Here's a recap of some of the details from the earlier JH posting. You might find the information useful if you want to address the Commission tonight:

The Urban Garden Task Force voted unanimously to recommend a City staff prepared, proposed text amendment to the Planning and Zoning Commission (P & Z) for consideration when the task force met on September 22. The task force's approval came with one section change, reflected at Section 5-3002 (E) of the recommended amendment.

Rather than restricting hours of operation from sunrise to sunset as the draft had specified, the proposed section was changed to allow operation from 1/2 hour before sunrise until 1/2 hour after sunset. One other change to the same section allows gasoline powered equipment to operate on the same schedule. The draft text amendment originally allowed mechanical, gas and electric equipment use only from the hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Under the proposed amendment, "Personal Gardens" and "Community Gardens" will be allowed in any and all zoning districts in Springfield. Neither will be allowed to sell produce to the public on-site.

Other than the prohibition of on-site sales, personal gardens can be cited under the nuisance ordinance of City Code for the same things for which all City residents may be cited, such as odor, noise, high weeds, grass, etc. There were no additional restrictions applied to personal gardens.

Community gardens face a few more restrictions. The owner or proprietor of the property will be required to file an application with the Director of Building Development Services but, not without reason, considering they have more potential to be a source of complaint to the neighborhoods where they will be tended than personal gardens tended by a single property owner or family. There will also be a no to minimal-cost permit required.

The proposed restrictions on Community gardens apply to: Accessory structures (not to exceed 40 percent of the lot area); placement of accessory structures; hours of operation; signage; storm water, sediment and erosion; odor emissions; high weeds and grass; compost and material storage areas; lighting; noise; vision obstruction; and parking (if cultivated area exceeds 1 acre in size).Commercial gardens and Farmers' Markets were also defined and regulated under the proposed amendment....

The P & Zoning public hearing will be held on Thursday, October 8, at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.

If the P & Z Commission approves the Urban Garden Task Force's report and attached amendment, the Commission anticipates the City Council will hear first reading of a bill seeking their approval of the text amendment, and take public comment at their October 26 meeting. That would mean the Council would likely vote on the ordinance on November 9, after second reading of the bill.

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Police and Fire Pension Fund Year-End Report Released

2009-10-07T15:28:00.001-05:00

The year end actuarial valuation report for the Police and Fire Pension Fund has been released.

A City of Springfield News Release states, in part:

As of June 30, 2009, the plan's market-value funded ratio is 35.5 percent.

"The Plan's funded status is steadily and significantly eroding," the report states, suggesting that the funded status would be improved by increased contributions, improved investment returns, reduction in future benefit liabilities or a combination.

Read the entire report here.

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Approval of $50 Million Springfield Public School Initiative does not Guarantee Federal Stimulus Funds

2009-10-07T12:38:00.004-05:00

Last night, I read with interest Brian Brown's article, "Pay longer, build now," regarding the $50 million bond initiative the Springfield Public School Board seeks the tax-payer to approve in the upcoming November election. The article can be found in the October 7, issue of the "Community Free Press (CFP)."

In the column, Brown wrote, "The $50 million bond issue will utilize $5 million to $7 million in federal stimulus money to fund a number of construction and air-conditioning projects in the district."

You see, what was unclear in Brown's article in CFP, was whether the federal stimulus money had been applied for and is guaranteed if the voters approve an extension of the previously, voter-approved tax levy.

Brown pointed out in the article that voter approval of the November bond initiative will extend the 2006 debt-service levy by four years, or until 2030. The debt-service levy, otherwise, is anticipated to be paid off in 2026.

Superintendent of Springfield R-12, Norm Ridder told Brown for the article in CFP, "The community has to pass the bond initiative for us to get the stimulus money." Ridder also indicated the board hadn't really planned to seek a bond initiative in 2009, "The board was not going to go for any kind of initiative this year, but then there was a stimulus package that came forward from the federal government."

Having just written an opinion piece at "JackeHammer," in response to Springfield School Board president Gerry Lee's recent "Voice of the Day" column in the "Springfield News-Leader," and having been the recipient of a response to that opinion piece, in the comment section of that entry, by Springfield Public Schools Community Relations Manager Teresa Bledsoe, I decided to call her with some questions.

I inquired as to whether the SPS Board, or its representative(s), had applied for federal stimulus money related to the bond initiative which will be on the ballot in November.

"We have to approve a bond issue before we can apply," Bledsoe said.

According to Bledsoe, there were $149 million in federal stimulus funds available in the Qualified School Construction Bond Program in 2009 and another $141 million will be available in 2010.

SPS does not qualify for application for those federal funds unless a bond initiative is passed within a certain time frame. Existing bond initiatives do not qualify Springfield to apply for the stimulus funds held in the Qualified School Construction Bond Program.

When asked if there was any guarantee that SPS would be awarded the $5 - $7 million Brown's article claims the bond issue will utilize, Bledsoe referred me to the confidence of the SPS Board's financial advisor George K. Baum.

"He feels fairly confident that we would receive at least $5 million," Bledsoe said.

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Trunk or Treating???

2009-10-06T12:32:00.000-05:00

If you will be participating in a "Trunk or Treat" this year, like I will be, here's a great site with pictures and links to other sites to help you get your creative juices flowing.

Trunk or Treat Decorating

Enjoy!

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Tit for Tat on School District Numbers

2009-10-05T10:53:00.004-05:00

Opinion

Since I posted a link to Tom Gargus' "Voice of the Day" column, "Numbers don't back district's claims," as a recommended reading the day it came out in the "Springfield News-Leader," I feel I should also post President of the Springfield School Board Gerry Lee's response, "Numbers don't add up in criticism of district," of the same source. But, I have to tell you, since we all know numbers can be manipulated to make certain points, and since Tom Gargus spent over $100 in Sunshine Law requests and, more than likely, considerable time researching and analyzing the results of those requests, along with information available at the School District's Web site [according to the News-Leader], I think it might have been appropriate for Mr. Lee to explain why Gargus' numbers were wrong, instead of an equally appropriate exploration and interpretation.

Lee could have made his point in a more humble and respectful manner than he did, and Gargus, after spending considerable money and time in researching and analyzing the issue, was deserving of a more respectful attitude.

For instance, why would enrollment data present a more accurate picture than actual attendance data? Mr. Lee accuses Mr. Gargus of being deceitful for applying attendance data, but offers no explanation about why the use of attendance data offers an "inaccurate" and "deceitful picture," whereas Lee's choice of enrollment data would offer an accurate one.

I felt the president seemed to accuse, or imply that Mr. Gargus was intentionally providing misinformation, being purposely deceptive and simplistic.

I seem to remember, when the bond was passed for air-conditioning the schools, there was talk about all the schools being air-conditioned. My memory is certainly not perfect, but that is the way I remember it. I don't remember it as being a promise to air-condition a certain number of schools, rather I remember it as being a promise to air-condition all the schools. Now, if that isn't the case, I'll be happy to correct myself. I'm not posting such a comment as intentional misinformation, or a deception of the facts.

I'm not sure that Mr. Lee could have been more condescending and accusatory than he was in his rebuttal of Gargus' column. I can understand that Lee might have taken Gargus' accusations personally, however, they were not a personal attack on a person, they were, after monetary expense and sacrifice of time, an editorial commentary of Mr. Gargus' understanding of the issue. An issue, I might add, that involved considerable expenditure of tax-payer dollars.

I'm simply saying Mr. Lee's response could have been much more tactful and presented a better educational opportunity for all readers of the paper in the process, instead of seeming so adversarial and defensive.

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City of Springfield Weekly Calendar: Oct.5-9

2009-10-05T09:36:00.003-05:00

Monday, 10/5/2009

8:30 AM Library Board Programs/Services/Technology Committee Library Center , 4653 South Campbell Contact: Debbie Eckert, (417) 883-5366

Tuesday, 10/6/2009

8:00 AM Mayor's Commission for Children Community Foundation , 425 E. Trafficway Contact: Denise Bredfeldt, (417) 864-1656

12:00 PM [Please Note Location Change] *Council Lunch Missouri Hotel, Lobby, 420 E. Commercial Street Contact: Anita Climer, (417) 864-1654

1:00 PM Police Civilian Review Board Busch Municipal Building, 2nd Floor West Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Francene Marchant, (417) 864-1791

1:30 PM Board of Adjustment Old City Hall, Council Chambers, 830 Boonville Contact: Matt Schaefer, (417) 864-1100

2:30 PM Administrative Review Busch Municipal Building, Room 285, 840 Boonville Contact: Daniel Neal, (417) 864-1036

5:15 PM Environmental Advisory Board Springfield/Greene County Health Department, Basement Conference Room, 227 E. Chestnut Exp. Contact: Karen McKinnis, (417) 864-1623

6:00 PM Police Fire Pension Fund Citizens Task Force Subcommittee Busch Municipal Building, 2nd Floor East Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Brenda Cirtin, (417) 864-1650

Wednesday, 10/7/2009

5:30 PM Commercial Street Task Force Midtown Carnegie Branch Library, Basement Conference Room, 397 East Central Contact: Anita Climer, (417) 864-1654

Thursday, 10/8/2009

8:30 AM Police and Fire Pension Review Committee Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Evelyn Honea, (417) 864-1002

5:30 PM Building Trades Certification and Examination Board Busch Municipal Building, 1st Floor Conf. Rm, 840 Boonville Contact: Nick Heatherly, (417) 864-1059

6:00 PM Art Museum Board of Directors Art Museum , 1111 East Brookside Contact: Jerry Berger, (417) 837-5700

6:30 PM Planning and Zoning Commission Old City Hall, Council Chambers, 830 Boonville Contact: Mike MacPherson, (417) 864-1831

Friday, 10/9/2009

8:30 AM Springfield/Greene County Park Board Dickerson Park Zoo , 1401 W. Norton Road Contact: Jodie Adams, (417) 864-1049

12:00 PM City Council Finance and Administration Committee Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Lisa Harley, (417) 864-1443

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*TENTATIVE COUNCIL LUNCH AGENDA [Please note the Council lunch will be held in the Missouri Hotel Lobby located at 420 E. Commercial Street on Tuesday, rather than at the Busch building]

1. "Tuesdays with The Kitchen" Presentation of Programs & Campus Tour - Lisa Hamaker

2. Any and all matters to come before City Council

Source: City of Springfield Public Information Office [with format editing]

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Sunday Reading: Dr. Charles Stanley on Addressing and Confronting Conflict Wisely

2009-10-03T20:40:00.003-05:00

Because everybody faces conflict

"Addressing Conflict Wisely" - "In Touch Ministries" - Dr. Charles Stanley 2009

Further reading: "Confronting Conflict," source: "Life Principles Notes" by Dr. Charles Stanley (pdf)

Note: This post is intended to be a resource for Christians but, others may find it interesting and helpful too.

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More Garden News: Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park Leases Almost a Third of Available Garden Plots

2009-10-02T10:57:00.004-05:00

According to an article in the Friday edition of the "Springfield News-Leader," the Springfield-Greene County Parks Department has leased 19 of the 60 garden plots it is making available to the public since kicking off the pilot program last month.

The 8 x 16 and 16 x 16 plots may be leased for $25 and $40 on an annual basis, respectively. Those signing up will have an option to renew their lease annually.

News-Leader reporter Wes Johnson laid out the particulars:

The Park Board provides soil, fencing, water access and a sign for each plot.

All food grown is the property of the plot's renter. Each participant is responsible for maintaining weed control, providing all seeds and other equipment required to grow a garden and removing debris at the end of the growing season.

"The goal of the new Urban Gardens program is to offer a space for people to grow fruits, vegetables or flowers, who otherwise don't immediately have the space available in their own backyard," said Parks Director Jodie Adams.

"They will also offer an opportunity for youth field trips to see and participate in a working garden, along with generally providing fellowship with others and recreational, exercise and therapeutic benefits to our community."

An urban garden program guide and application is available directly on the Park Board's Web site at www.parkboard.org.

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P & Z Commission to Hold Public Hearing on Proposed Urban Garden Text Amendment

2009-10-02T01:30:00.002-05:00

Task force members prompt Springfield City Council to adopt a resolution to support a policy of food, urban agricultural and energy sustainability

The Urban Garden Task Force voted unanimously to recommend a City staff prepared, proposed text amendment to the Planning and Zoning Commission (P & Z) for consideration when the task force met on September 22. The task force's approval came with one section change, reflected at Section 5-3002 (E) of the recommended amendment.

Rather than restricting hours of operation from sunrise to sunset as the draft had specified, the proposed section was changed to allow operation from 1/2 hour before sunrise until 1/2 hour after sunset. One other change to the same section allows gasoline powered equipment to operate on the same schedule. The draft text amendment originally allowed mechanical, gas and electric equipment use only from the hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Under the proposed amendment, "Personal Gardens" and "Community Gardens" will be allowed in any and all zoning districts in Springfield. Neither will be allowed to sell produce to the public on-site.

Other than the prohibition of on-site sales, personal gardens can be cited under the nuisance ordinance of City Code for the same things for which all City residents may be cited, such as odor, noise, high weeds, grass, etc. There were no additional restrictions applied to personal gardens.

Community gardens face a few more restrictions. The owner or proprietor of the property will be required to file an application with the Director of Building Development Services but, not without reason, considering they have more potential to be a source of complaint to the neighborhoods where they will be tended than personal gardens tended by a single property owner or family. There will also be a no to minimal-cost permit required.

The proposed restrictions on Community gardens apply to: Accessory structures (not to exceed 40 percent of the lot area); placement of accessory structures; hours of operation; signage; storm water, sediment and erosion; odor emissions; high weeds and grass; compost and material storage areas; lighting; noise; vision obstruction; and parking (if cultivated area exceeds 1 acre in size).

Commercial gardens and Farmers' Markets were also defined and regulated under the proposed amendment.

Task force member Galen Chadwick took the advise of Jack Wheeler, the chair of the task force, and prepared a letter to attach to the proposed amendment for the City Council to consider.

In his letter to the City Council, Chadwick made a plea for local food sustainability.

"The food consumed by the citizens of the Springfield Economic Area, an amount in excess of 1,100 tons of food per day, is shipped and trucked to us along a fragile and globalized supply line," Chadwick wrote. "Should this delivery system be disrupted for any reason, supermarket shelves will empty within hours. The average household has roughly three days worth of food on hand. Given that less than 5% of our food is grown within the state, or within a thousand miles beyond our borders, the result of a significant disruption will be catastrophic."

Chadwick, a regional co-coordinator of the "Well-Fed Neighbor Alliance" (WFNA), proposed the City Council should consider supporting or initiating a "Food Policy Council," to create, develop and implement citywide food policy regulation.

The WFNA is a member of the Healthy Youth Partnership, a non-profit organization in St. Louis working to develop a "just and sustainable local food system" under the direction of Maggie Menefree and University of Missouri Community Food Systems director Dr. Mary Hendrickson.

Chadwick and fellow WFNA regional coordinator Ruell Chappell have been working to form the Well-Fed Neighbor Farmers' Co-op, in conjunction with area supermarkets.

Chadwick indicated the WFNA could assist the Council, if they are interested in forming a Food Policy Council.

"Should the City Council be interested in this proposal, the WFNA will arrange an informal exploratory session along with Dr. Hendrickson, regional foods experts, and other key academic and WFNA executive leaders," Chadwick wrote, before supplying Council members with contact information.

He listed potential partners in the food council as: Faith based groups, concerned individuals, farmers, community gardens, food producers, cooks, local and state governments, schools and colleges, health and nutrition experts, food advocates, food distributors, farmers' markets, and food banks/food pantries.

A second Urban Garden Task Force letter, signed by four members of the task force, supported "the concept of establishing the "Food Policy Council" as a part of the non-profit community."

"We are asking City Council to adopt a resolution to support a policy of food, urban agricultural and energy sustainability."

The four members who signed the letter endorsing the Food Policy Council and the establishment of the WFNA as a step toward their shared goal were: Earl Slavens, Urban Garden Task Force member; Chairman of the Friends of the Victory Gardens at Grand Oak Mission Gary Schafer; Melissa Millsap, Urban Roots Farm; and Curt Millsap, Millsap Farm CSA.

If this issue is of interest to you, the Planning and Zoning Commission will take public comment on Thursday, October 8, at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.

If the P & Z Commission approves the Urban Garden Task Force's report and attached amendment, the Commission anticipates the City Council will hear first reading of a bill seeking their approval of the text amendment, and take public comment at their October 26 meeting. That would mean the Council would likely vote on the ordinance on November 9, after second reading of the bill.

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City of Springfield Weekly Calendar: Sept. 28-Oct. 2

2009-09-28T15:00:00.006-05:00

Update, addition to Wednesday's meeting schedule and (new change as of Wednesday morning) the Springfield Police Officers' and Fire Fighters' Retirement System Board of Trustees will meet in the Community Room of Fire Station #1 at 720 E. Grand instead of at the Busch building as originally planned.

Monday, 9/28/2009

No Meetings Scheduled

Tuesday, 9/29/2009

12:00 PM Council Lunch* Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Anita Climer, (417) 864-1654 (or immediately following Council Lunch)

12:30 PM (or immediately following Council Lunch) Special Council Meeting Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Anita Climer, (417) 864-1654

2:30 PM Administrative Review Busch Municipal Building, Room 285, 840 Boonville Contact: Daniel Neal, (417) 864-1036

6:00 PM Mayor's Commission on Human Rights Busch Municipal Building, Room L45, 840 Boonville Contact: Bob Hosmer, (417) 864-1834

6:00 PM Police Fire Pension Fund Citizens Task Force Subcommittee Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Brenda Cirtin, (417) 864-1650

Wednesday, 9/30/2009 (revised)

12:00 PM City Council Plans & Policies Committee Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Lisa Harley, (417) 864-1443

5:30 PM Landmarks Board Old City Hall, Council Chambers, 830 Boonville Contact: Daniel Neal, (417) 864-1036

Cancelled 6:30 PM Commercial Street Task Force Busch Municipal Building, Room L45, 840 Boonville Contact: Anita Climer, (417) 864-1654

Addition: 6:30 PM Springfield Police Officers' and Firefighters Retirement System Board of Trustees Community Room of Fire Station #1 at 720 E. Grand

Thursday, 10/1/2009

5:00 PM Building Trades Certification and Examination Board Busch Municipal Building, 1st Floor Conf. Rm, 840 Boonville Contact: Nick Heatherly, (417) 864-1059

Friday, 10/2/2009

7:30 AM Watershed Committee Midtown Carnegie Branch Library , 397 East Central Contact: Loring Bullard, (417) 866-1127

9:00 AM Commercial Street Community Improvement District Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Donnie Rodgers, (417) 880-3435

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*TENTATIVE CITY COUNCIL LUNCH AGENDA

1. General Council Discussion

2. Any and all matters to come before City Council

3. Adjourn to Special Closed Session Council Meeting

Source: City of Springfield Public Information Office

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