Notes on select items of the consent agenda

of the November 10, Springfield City Council meeting

Some highlights:

First reading consent agenda bill 2008-341, adds changes to the Land Development Code of Springfield.

A new section (412) is proposed for adoption by the City Council to which developers might want to take note.

Why?

It could allow the city to apply an, at minimum, 30 foot easement to a prospective subdivision of a developer:

a). If a trail in the area the developer is looking to develop has been previously identified by the Springfield-Greene County Comprehensive Plan; and

b). Even if plans for a trail in that area have NOT been previously identified by the Springfield-Greene County Comprehensive Plan.

The bill will amend the Land Development Code, Article II, Subdivision Regulations in three new areas. Those areas are:

> Designed Trailhead
> Linear Park Trail
> Neighborhood Linear Park Connector

Look at the bill yourself by clicking on the link above to read how it could potentially effect the plans of subdivision developers over all, and don't worry, even though a potential, at minimum, 30 foot wide strip of city easement seems like a large swath of property to you, you can rest knowing that nothing controversial ever ends up on the consent agenda. I'm just making a mountain out of a molehill, no doubt.

Next:

COUNCIL BILLS 2008-345 and 346 will both amend Chapter 2, Section 2-92, of the Springfield City Code relating to salary rates and pay grades for various job titles within the City service by changing the authorized job positions for City of Springfield and/or Springfield-Greene County by deleting lesser paid positions/pay grades and adding higher paid positions/pay grades. There has been a trend lately, in the city, of accomplishing pay raises through deletion and addition of existing and non-existing positions. Just noting that.

There may be a perfectly plausible reason for these actions, I haven't had the opportunity to look into it yet, but some people in the community question if this isn't a way to give raises to city employees without acknowledging they are getting a raise. I think I know a little about this but would want to verify what I *think* I know before making a comment.

Notes on the November 10 City Council Agenda

First reading, Emergency and Second reading bills

The November 10 City Council Meeting Agenda is online.

The item suspected to draw the most attention from the public is:

Item 12. COUNCIL BILL 2008-339:

"A special ordinance calling an election on February 3, 2009 in the City of Springfield, Missouri, to submit to the qualified voters a question as to whether or not to institute a one-cent sales tax on retail sales within the City of Springfield, Missouri, for the purpose of providing revenues for the Springfield Police and Firefighters Pension System, providing for a sunset on the tax at the earlier of either the end of five years from the date of commencement of the tax or the Pension Fund reaching a fully-funded status, and declaring an emergency."

The bill has been declared an emergency but is not anticipated to be voted on Monday night, instead, it is listed as a first reading bill.

The proposed ballot language for the February election is:

"Shall the City of Springfield impose a sales tax at a rate of 1 percent solely for the purpose of providing revenues for the Springfield Police and Firefighters Pension System with said tax to sunset upon the earlier of A) Five (5) years from the date of the commencement of collection of this tax or B) the Pension System fund reaching a fully-funded (100%) status as determined by an independent actuarial study conducted for the Pension System Board of Trustees?”

There is one emergency bill on the November 10 agenda:

15. COUNCIL BILL 2008-340. (Carlson) A special ordinance authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to apply for and accept a Missouri Department of Economic Development Emergency Community Development Block Grant Fund grant for the purpose of acquiring, redeveloping and disposing of foreclosed/vacant properties, and to execute agreements and do all things necessary to carry out such grant; amending the budget provided for the Planning and Development Department of the City of Springfield, Missouri, for Fiscal Year 2008-2009 in the amount of $2,800,000.00; and declaring an emergency

Council will likely adopt the Internal Auditor's Policies and Procedures and approve the annual Audit Working Plan of April Lathrom. See Item 21. COUNCIL BILL 2008-322. If you would like more information on the Internal Auditor's Policies and Procedures, see Community Free Press (CFP) supplements to the print edition of October 22. There is also a summary update on page 4 of the October 22 editon of CFP.

Also up for vote tonight is COUNCIL BILL 2008-323, "a special ordinance authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to appropriate $165,000 from the level property tax fund balance to construct a public parking lot at Jefferson Avenue and Phelps Street."

Council is expected to approve the reappointments of 4 members of the City Utilities board, Patrick Platter; Lisa Officer; Mark McNay; and Tom Finnie. The vote was divided at Tuesday's Committee of the Whole meeting. Councilman Doug Burlison and Council woman Cindy Rushefsky cast nay votes regarding Mr. Finnie, citing him as the source of many problems the city faces today. The other three members up for reappointment were unanimously approved for recommendation to the City Council by the Committee of the Whole.

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Vince Jericho hosted pension discussion with pension board members

Local KSGF radio host Vincent David Jericho hosted a discussion about the Police and Firefighters' Pension System this morning.

Assistant Fire Chief and Firefighter representative to the Pension board David Hall; Ron Hoffman, appointed citizen representative of the board and longest serving member and; Ken Homan, retiree representative of the board, were on hand to give their experienced and knowledgeable input.

It's well worth a listen if you are interested in the pension plan issue.

I'd also like to remind you that there will be a 7 p.m. presentation of the proposed solution to the pension plan given by City Manager Greg Burris tonight at Big Momma's Coffee and Espresso Bar. The Missouri Liberty Coalition has scheduled the meeting and wants the public to know they are welcome! Get details here or here.

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Meeting Alert: City Manager to make pension presentation; take questions

Thursday night (November 6)

I got a phone call from Mr. Tom Martz asking if I would make the public aware that Springfield City Manager Greg Burris will be making an approximately 20 minute presentation on the city's plan to solve the police and fire pension system's funding problems.

After the presentation, Mr. Burris is expected to take questions from the attendees of the meeting.

The meeting is completely open to the public! Woo hoo!!!!

If you would like to attend the presentation and find out more about the city's plan to solve the pension system's issues. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at Big Momma's Coffee & Espresso Bar, 217 E. Commercial Street.

Be prepared to sip some superb drinks and savor some great eats. To view the menu and price list, click this link.

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Update on Baptist Press Election Series: "McCain & Obama: In Their Own Words"

I posted McCain & Obama: In Their Own Words from Baptist Press on October 18.

There is no commentary, it is simply Presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama's views on a variety of topics in their own words.

These are the links I provided with that posting, followed by links to new topics: McCain's speech to National Right to Life; Obama's speech to Planned Parenthood and; Obama and McCain on humanitarian crises, Darfur:

Barack Obama and John McCain on Roe v. Wade, abortion

McCain and Obama on Iraq

Obama & McCain on the Supreme Court, judicial philosophy

John McCain & Barack Obama on the energy crisis

Barack Obama & John McCain on immigration, border security

McCain, Obama on 'gay rights'

John McCain's speech to National Right to Life

Barack Obama's speech to Planned Parenthood

Barack Obama & John McCain on humanitarian crises, Darfur

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Obama wants to usher in "social, political and moral change" in America

Much has been made of the Chicago Public Radio discussion on "The Court and Civil Rights," from 2001, in which Barack Obama said:

"I think there was a tendency to lose track of the political and organizing activities on the ground that are able to bring about the coalitions of power through which you bring about redistributive change, and in some ways we still suffer from that."

"I'm not optimistic about bringing about major redistributive change through the courts, the institution just isn't structured that way....

"You start getting into all sorts of separation of powers issues, you know, in terms of the court monitoring or engaging in a process that essentially is administrative and takes a lot of time."

The court's just not very good at it and politically it's very hard to legitimatize opinions from the court in that regard. So, I mean, I think although you can craft theoretical justifications for it legally, you know, I think any three of us sitting here could come up with a rationale for bringing about economic change through the courts...."

Last Tuesday, I noted here that the way Obama said "courts," it just didn't sound like the end of the sentence. It wasn't the end of the sentence, however, I don't think knowing the end of the sentence particularly changes anything, at least not in my opinion but, for what it's worth, here is the rest of what he said, at that point in the discussion:

"...I think although you can craft theoretical justifications for it legally, you know, I think any three of us sitting here could come up with a rationale for bringing about economic change through the courts, I think that is a practical matter, our institutions just aren't really equipped to do it."

If anything, it continues the line of thinking that Obama feels the better place to make major redistributive change is through other means than the Supreme Court, you see, during the course of that discussion, Obama had also said:

"I think that if you look at the victories of and failures of the civil rights movement and its litigation strategy in the court, I think where it succeeded was to vest formal rights in previously dispossessed peoples so that I would now have the right to vote, I would now be able to sit at the lunch counter and order and, as long as I could pay for it, I'd be okay but, the Surpreme court never ventured into the issues of redistribution of wealth and sort of more basic issues of political and economic justice in the society and, to that extent, as radical as I think people tried to characterize the Warren Court, it wasn't that radical, it didn't break free from the essential constraints that were placed by the founding fathers in the constitution, at least as its been interpreted, and Warren Court interpreted in the same way, that generally the constitution is a charter of negative liberties, says what the states can't do to you, says what the federal government can't do to you but, it doesn't say what the state government must do on your behalf, and that hasn't shifted and one of the things that I think, the tragedies of the civil rights movement was because the civil rights movement became so court focused."

The statement does not change the fact that Obama seemed to feel, in 2001, that the civil rights movement and its litigation strategy was successful in vesting, as he said, "formal rights in previously dispossessed peoples," but he alluded to the civil rights movement as failing in causing the court to venture, he said, "into the issues of redistribution of wealth and sort of more basic issues of political and economic justice in the society," for that reason, he felt, "as radical as I think people tried to characterize the Warren Court, it wasn't that radical, it didn't break free from the essential constraints that were placed by the founding fathers in the constitution, at least as it's been interpreted."

I would note, Obama referred to the constraints the Warren Court failed to break as "essential" constraints, I think that is important and further provides focus to the fact that the panel was looking for ways to effect those "issues of redistribution of wealth and more basic issues of political and economic justice in the society," but, at least Obama, didn't feel that the courts were the best way to accomplish those changes.

One could certainly make an argument that by choice of the words "success" and "failure" and their implied application by Obama, that he tends to believe it would have been good, or a "success" if the Warren Court had ventured into the issues of redistribution of wealth and more basic issues of political and economic justice and that, since he later pointed out, the Warren Court generally interpreted the constitution as, "a charter of negative liberties" that says "what the states can't do to you," and "what the federal government can't do to you but, ... doesn't say what the state government or the federal government must do on your behalf," that Obama might have felt the state and federal government could be doing more on your behalf and, specifically, he might have felt it should be doing more in the areas of redistributive, political and economic justice, otherwise, why would he call the civil rights movement a failure in that regard, in regards to "bringing about economic change through the courts?"

That is what worries some people, and I believe rightly so, and it appears that it worried Obama and others on the panel of speakers also, but their concern or worry appeared to be dependent upon which side of the political ideological sphere the state and federal governments' social or moral change, through the courts, was represented.

I would also point out that later, Obama and other guests make clear they understand there is a difference between redistributive and distributive actions on the part of the court.

In a nutshell, in my opinion those on the panel were looking for and discussing what was the best way to effect social, political and even moral change in America and in Obama's opinion the Supreme Court didn't seem to have much of a track record of success in that regard.

A caller named Anna, who had been a community organizer and planned to go into labor organizing later asked the speakers, "to comment on why they [thought]," "one of the great tragedies of the civil rights movement was the focus on the courts and not enough on the community work." She could not remember who had made that comment but, it was Barack Obama who had made it and he replied:

"Well, as a former community organizer, this is Barack Obama, it's because organizing's hard. You know, litigation is hard but organizing is harder." Obama added, "You know, part of it is just that, you know, it's difficult to mobilize change at the local level so, that makes a lot of difference."

Gretchen Helfrich, the host of the Chicago Public Radio discussion seemed bent on undermining the reputation of the Supreme Court, calling into question its stability and noting that, as she put it, "[The court] doesn't accomplish stable social change because you always have the intervention of a not clearly predictable act." She kept bringing up Bush v Gore, a decision she clearly despised and disagreed with. Here's what she said: "I'm wondering if the court's position, at the time of Bush v Gore, and don't worry, we're not going there again, but I just want to say, one of the things people said was, 'the Court is this institution that has so much respect and authority and legitimacy so, it could use its institutional reputation to wade into this controversy and impose a solution,' possibly at the expense to that reputation, okay so, you all heard those arguments. My question is, how stable is that?"

Her answer came from Susan Bandes, Professor of law at DePaul University and the editor of the book, “The Passions of Law.” Bandes responded, "I think that we may have kind of a consensus here that the court can, perhaps, bring us a little bit ahead, you know, and act as a kind of a moral signpost in the distance but it can go too far ahead and, you know, we need the community organizers, we need Congress, you know, we need some kind of a dialog and a coalition in order for any kind of change to be at all lasting. I think it was Bickle, Peter Bickle, who has said the court is the least dangerous branch. Really all its got is its capital, it hasn't got the power over the purse, it hasn't got the power of the sword and we have to respect it or it loses everything."

Clearly, this "bird of a feather" panel, hoped and wished to effect social, political, economic and even moral change in America and the effect the civil rights movement played in the Supreme Court was a topic of discussion, as well as the Supreme Court in general, but much of the discussion was over the reach of the Supreme Court and how far it should go in the direction of, as Obama worded it, "economic change through the courts," but the discussion didn't stay focused only on economic change. That topic, the topic of Obama's admission of contradiction within the politically left sphere will likely be the topic of my next post. It pertains to the "moral" changes I kept throwing into this posting. There is a reason for that.

More to come on Obama's redistributive change

(and his admission of contridiction within the ranks of "the left")

When I posted "Recommended Reading 32: Obama and "redistributive change"," I asked a question and said I would try to listen to the entire radio program cited, myself, when I found the time. I did so and I was right in my suspicion.

Sometime tomorrow (excuse me, later today) or when I get a chance and am not so bleary eyed, I'll share some of what I found out.

G'night, or morning, however you care to look at it....to be continued.

Local Blogger/Photojournalist Posts Videos of Springfield's Haunted Sites

Eric The Wise has posted some videos of a couple of allegedly haunted places in Springfield at his blog, "Eric's Words Of Wisdom."

As a Happy Halloween wish, here are the links to those postings:

Pythian Castle Ghost Hunt 2005

Pythian Castle Ghost Hunt

A Blast From the Past (Clara Thompson Hall on the campus of Drury University).

Happy Halloween!

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Stolen Peephole Mystery Solved?

I don't normally publish the City's news releases at JackeHammer because any one who is really interested in the City's news releases can sign up to receive them in their own email box at the City's Web site.

The news release below is an exception to the rule because I'm thrilled that an alleged serial rapist has been arrested and charged but the release below also clears up a mystery.

Some time ago, the police department issued an alert that hotels and motels were reporting the exterior portion of door peepholes were coming up missing. Police asked that the public be alert and notify police if they had any information regarding missing peepholes. It was a strange request to me and to most of the people who commented to me about it. Now, it appears the missing peepholes, at least in some cases, might have been related to these crimes. Anyway, here's the city's news release in its entirety:

Over time, law enforcement has seen many helpful advances in the use of DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) as evidence, mostly due to the technological development of equipment used to gather DNA profiles. It is widely believed that DNA will continue to play an increasing role in the effort to bring suspects to justice. A recent case highlights this trend.

With information developed using DNA, the Springfield Police Department made an arrest Wednesday for a rape that happened in October of this year. After further investigation and interviews with the suspect, police now believe the same individual is responsible for at least five rapes that have occurred in Springfield since January of 2000.

Initially, just two assaults from January ‘07 and Mar ’08 appeared to share similar characteristics. The victims in each case reported similar details, however the suspect’s face was concealed in each incident. This combined with little recovered evidence left police few leads to follow, except for the fact that sometimes the victim’s front door was missing it’s peephole. At the time, at least 150 peepholes had been discovered missing at various locations throughout the city, so the police department issued an alert asking the public to be aware of the trend.

One more rape occurred in October ‘08 at 664 S. Kentwood. In this case, DNA evidence was seized from the crime scene.

Detectives checked the DNA sample against a statewide database and found it matched a DNA profile taken from an unsolved rape in Fulton, MO. This was the first solid piece of evidence that linked the rapist to more than one assault, but detectives still did not have a named suspect. Numerous persons of interest had been identified up to that point, however they had all been cleared through investigation.

After discovering the suspect had attacked a woman in Fulton, detectives matched their notes with details learned during that investigation. By combining the information and checking it against department resources, police were able to identify a possible suspect that could have been responsible for assaults in both cities.

Detectives identified a possible suspect and began performing surveillance. After recovering additional evidence, police took Bobbie Andrew McGhee of Springfield into custody on Wednesday morning. Later that day, detectives developed evidence that he was also responsible for two additional rapes, one from January ‘00 and the other, from July ’08.

McGhee, 46 years old, has since been charged with fifteen criminal counts including Forcible Rape, Forcible Sodomy and 1st Degree Burglary. There is no bond set for McGhee.

The following is a breakdown of incidents in which McGhee has been charged.
January 2000 - 1772 S. Glenstone – (Lamp Lighter Inn)
January 2007 - 1772 S. Glenstone – (Lamp Lighter Inn)
March 2008 - 2750 N. Glenstone (Hampton Inn)
July 2008 - 1364 E. McDaniel
October 2008 - 664 S. Kentwood

Police investigation is ongoing, and detectives are currently examining past unsolved sexual assaults to determine if any connection to McGhee exists. Anyone else with information about the incident is encouraged call 417-864-1810 or make an anonymous report at 417-869-TIPS (Crime Stoppers).

SPD Case Number: Assorted

Media Contact: Police Chief Lynn Rowe, phone: 417-864-1782; Release
authorized by: Major Kevin Routh

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Recommended Reading 32: Obama and "redistributive change"

plus a request....

Obama Camp Lashes Out at FOX News Over Coverage of 2001 Radio Interview

Excerpt:

"I think there was a tendency to lose track of the political and organizing activities on the ground that are able to bring about the coalitions of power through which you bring about redistributive change, and in some ways we still suffer from that." - Obama-2001

Fox News provides this link: Click here to hear the interview.

The interview ends like this:

"I'm not optimistic about bringing about major redistributive change through the courts, the institution just isn't structured that way....

"You start getting into all sorts of separation of powers issues, you know, in terms of the court monitoring or engaging in a process that essentially is administrative and takes a lot of time.

"The court's just not very good at it and politically it's very hard to legitimatize opinions from the court in that regard. So, I mean, I think although you can craft theoretical justifications for it legally, you know, I think any three of us sitting here could come up with a rationale for bringing about economic change through the courts...." -Obama, 2001, Chicago Public Radio-Odyssey

Below is the link to the original audio. I could not get it to load and it seemed to me the interview (as linked above) was cut off at the end, you know, the way he said "courts," didn't sound like the end of a sentence to me. If someone else can get the audio from the Chicago Public Radio Library to play, I would like to have verification if that was the end of the sentence or if what followed gave it a different context. As it is, it certainly sounds an alarm for me...I'm just not sure that was the end of the interview. I will try again later myself.

I know there are all kinds of pundits out there passing off half truths and misinformation, heck, even some of my favorite bloggers are engaging in a bit of it right now and it disappoints me but, as always, I want the whole truth and the whole context before I can feel confident that what I heard above, and you read above, is all there was to it. So, let's set aside partisan politics for a moment and see if we can find out if that was the end of the interview or not (and that said, I must say I am very suspicious of the intent of Barack Obama when it comes to wealth redistribution and I think there is enough to set off alarm bells as it is, but this seemed like a hanging sentence and I don't like hanging sentences).

Chicago Public Radio - Audio Library: Odyssey

January 18, 2001 Audio hosted by Gretchen Helfrich

The Court and Civil Rights
Susan Bandes – Professor of law at DePaul University and the editor of the book, “The Passions of Law”
Dennis Hutchinson – The William Rainey Harper professor in the college, senior lecturer in the law school and editor of the Supreme Court Review at the University of Chicago
Barack Obama – Illinois State Senator from 13th district and a senior lecturer in the law school at the University of Chicago

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Recommended Reading 31

The Albers Report: Obama Campaign Cuts Off Florida Station

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My Pastor

A dutiful servant

He preached a sermon titled "Some Things Are Not Negotiable," this morning. Us Christians ought to know what he's talking about, we ought to all have the same mind, considering we are to have the mind of Christ.

I don't believe for a minute that Christ is double minded.

My pastor reminded us that our morals should play a part in how we vote, "Some of you, you'd vote for the devil if he was a member of your party," he said.

He also said he was tired of hearing candidates, on both sides, talk about change. He doesn't believe either one of them will change much, but he is concerned about the direction of our country.

He even got a little angry as he repeated, "GOD can change things!"

Christians need to seek the will of God for every single position that is going to be filled in this election because God CAN change things and He has a clear will for our country and He has a clear choice between candidates. We should all be praying for guidance from God as we cast our votes. Prayer, as I was reminded in Sunday School this morning isn't just about talking to God, it's also about listening to God.

Let's listen, America because if we talk and we listen, God can make changes.

There really are some things that are not negotiable.

When I'm feeling punchy

...anything and everything can strike me as funny

So, excuse me but I got a kick out of this.

Public Information Director Louise Whall published a summary of City Manager Greg Burris' proposal for fixing the police/firefighters' pension plan at CityConnect.

I skimmed over it as I scrolled to the end of the entry, having been present at the news conference, I didn't feel the need to read it closely. That's when I read, at the end of the entry:

Watch the entire presentation now.

I laughed, sounded a bit like a command to me, at the moment. Like I said, I'm feeling tired and punchy, I think it's the weather.

Watch the entire presentation and watch it NOW!

No thank you, Louise, but it was very nice of you to offer. :)

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A thank you....

I have no idea who the people are who are rating JackeHammer so high at BlogNetNews.com » Missouri but I thank you. I no more than publish a post and the rating shoots up from nothing to 10, the highest rating rank.

It's a real encouragement, and believe me, we all need encouragement!

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Highlights of the October 27, City Council Meeting

Upcoming Council Meeting Agenda

Here are a few items which will be up for public hearing at the Council meeting this Monday night:

> Item 8. COUNCIL BILL 2008-321: A portion of Phelps Street, between Kansas Expressway and LaFontaine Avenue is being considered to be made a private street, at the Paul Mueller Company's request.

The purpose is to allow the company to create a secured parking area. Muellers would take over all care and maintenence of the street should the bill pass.

Geoffrey Butler will represent Muellers in the matter. There has been no opposition raised.

> Item 10. COUNCIL BILL 2008-322: A special ordinance adopting the Internal Auditor’s Policies and Procedures and approving the annual Audit Working Plan.

If you'd like to read a summary of the Internal Auditor's Policies and Procedures, click on the cover shot of the paper at the Community Free Press Web site and scroll to page 4, you can also read the entire policy paper by clicking this and scrolling down.

> Item 11. COUNCIL BILL 2008-323: Will authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to appropriate $165,000 from the level property tax fund to construct a public parking lot at Jefferson Avenue and Phelps Street and amend the budget in that amount, if passed.

The parking lot is intended to provide parking for patrons and employees of the Jordan Valley Community Health Center, Greene County and the Missouri Highway Patrol.

Resolutions, which citizens may address but which will, likely, be voted on at the meeting (resolutions only require one reading) are:

> Item 13. COUNCIL BILL 2008-324: "...consenting to and approving financing of The Industrial Development Authority of Greene County, Missouri for the Pregnancy Care Center, a Missouri nonprofit corporation, by providing for the issuance of Industrial Revenue Bonds in an amount not to exceed $1,700,000 to pay the costs of financing and reimbursing the costs of the acquisition and renovation of an office facility for the Pregnancy Care Center."

> Item 14. COUNCIL BILL 2008-325: "A resolution adopting the City of Springfield's Legislative Policy for 2009. (Recommended by the Finance and Administration Committee.)"

The city's legislative policy for 2009 was recommended by the Finance and Administration Committee with a vote of 3 ayes, 1 nay. Councilman Burlison did not support some of the more contentious legislative policies included and so, as a member of the Finance and Administration Committee, opposed it.

One of the contentious policies has been written about in the local news, it was a request made by the Parks Department to lobby for a ban on guns in open park spaces.

It is my understanding that there is to be a citizen speaking out against the potential gun ban at the meeting Monday night, at least that's a rumor I heard today.

As always, the second reading bills will be summarized and note made of the votes in the next issue of the Community Free Press.

To view the consent agenda bills, click this. Citizens wishing to speak to an item on the consent agenda must let City Clerk Brenda Cirtin know that they'd like an item removed from that agenda so that they might address it.

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KSGF ran the Palin Rally Live

Some are estimating over 15,000 and possibly up to 20,000 people attended Sarah Palin's rally at Bass Pro in Springfield, Missouri this morning, there should be a more firm estimate later.

There was no live, local television coverage of the event.

Vincent David Jericho ran the rally live and is supposed to link a podcast to the Sarah Palin speech later in the day. You can watch the KSGF Web site for that link.

UPDATE: I understand the podcast should be available at about 3:00 p.m. today.

UPDATE II: There are some great pictures of the rally available at the KSGF Web site too!

Police/Fire Pension Proposal to be Discussed Today; New Web Site Created

City Manager Greg Burris will hold a news conference today at 2:30. He will be discussing a proposal to address the growing shortfall in the Police/Firefighters' Pension system.

The news conference will air live on TV23. The video and Powerpoint will be linked at City Connect after the news conference.

The Pension Board has created a new Web site making available background information about the Police Officers' and Firefighters' Retirement system.

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Community Free Press Voter Guide Available

The new issue of the "Community Free Press" came online last night and I have it on good authority that copies will be at all the news stands by the end of the day.

This issue is a voter guide issue, meaning that some people, ahem, had to fight to get what they got into the paper this go around. ;)

I can only heap praise on the political director of the paper, Brian Brown. What an excellent job of getting information out to the people about candidates and issues!

Brown wrote (page 8):

"This voter’s guide is designed to be a resource for voters. We’ve compiled basic information about all the candidates here, and we have responses to our candidate questionnaire on our Web site, www.cfpmidweek.com. The responses are unedited, and we believe, give voters a central location to learn about the local and state politicians who responded.

In the six issues since the August 5 primary, we’ve covered nearly all of the contested races in Greene County. Those stories not covered in this issue can be found in our “issues archives” under the “More…” heading on our site."

Regarding City Council coverage, CFP looked at the 1/8-cent Transportation Sales Tax, who and how priorities were set for its usage within the Capital Improvement Program; provided a city finance update and; internal auditor update, pages 1 and 4 respectively.

On page 6:

"The Community Free Press contacted the heads of the Greene County Republican, Democrat, and Libertarian parties and offered them a chance to say why you should vote for their party."

Kara Hartfield took a look at how Halloween tradition has transformed over the years, find that article on page 1.

The letters' section was very interesting in this issue, relegated almost entirely to endorsement letters and letters from candidates, I found it interesting reading.

Bob Mace is "Opinion-8ed," as usual, and you can read about the Pizza House's relocation to Commercial Street on page 20:

"After a highly publicized controversy over being evicted, a Springfield institution will triumphantly return on Halloween.

Pizza House will re-open at its new location, 312 E. Commercial St., on October 31. Owner/manager Stacey Schneider said she is happy her business will become part of the Commercial Street community...."

I can't wait to pick up the print edition and curl up in a comfy chair.

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McCain & Obama: In Their Own Words from Baptist Press

"Baptist Press" is running a series of articles called, "In Their Own Words."

There is no commentary, it is simply Presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama's views on a variety of topics in their own words, they have done six of them so far and plan to continue.

Here are the links to the individual articles they have published so far from oldest to newest:

IN THEIR OWN WORDS: Barack Obama and John McCain on Roe v. Wade, abortion

IN THEIR OWN WORDS: McCain and Obama on Iraq

IN THEIR OWN WORDS: Obama & McCain on the Supreme Court, judicial philosophy

IN THEIR OWN WORDS: John McCain & Barack Obama on the energy crisis

IN THEIR OWN WORDS: Barack Obama & John McCain on immigration, border security

IN THEIR OWN WORDS: McCain, Obama on 'gay rights'

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Newborns in Need Always Needs your Help!

I received a newsletter from Newborns in Need (NIN) today.

For those interested, and those who might know someone else who is interested in volunteering to assist the local chapter of NIN, here is a notice straight from the newsletter:

Workday

"Each Saturday from 9-2, the Springfield Chapter has workday and we would like to invite you to come and participate.

Often there are layettes to pack, laundry to be done, clothing to be sorted and put away, deliveries to be assembled and delivered.

Sometimes student groups or church groups come to help, but there is always a variety of things to do.

Even though workday is from 9-2, feel free to come and go as you please or as your time allows. There are drinks in the refrigeration and you can bring your lunch.

Come and join us to serve God's tiniest children. Your help is needed."

Meetings for Week of October 13-October 19

I will update this list of meetings as meetings become known to me. - Jackie

Monday, October 13:

7:00 PM City Council Meeting Old City Hall, Council Chambers, 830 Boonville Contact: Brenda Cirtin, (417) 864-1650

Tuesday, October 14:

8:30 AM Library Board Buildings & Grounds Committee Midtown Carnegie Branch Library , 397 East Central 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 Special Council Meeting- Closed Session Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Brenda Cirtin, (417) 864-1650

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

3:00 PM Airport Board Technical Committee Springfield/Branson National Airport, Intermodal Facility, 5000 West Kearney Contact: Nanette Kirkey, (417) 869-0300

4:30 PM Partners in Education "Treasures of the City" Busch Municipal Building , 840 Boonville Contact: Mike Brothers, (417) 864-1119

5:00 PM Springfield Police Officers’ and Fire Fighters’ Retirement System Safeguard and Reporting Sub-Committee Busch Municipal Building, 2nd Floor West Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Davd Hall, (417) 864-1530

5:00 PM Sister Cities Association Busch Municipal Building, 2nd Floor East Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Sister City Office, (417) 864-1191

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

6:00 PM Sherman Avenue Project Area Committee Mr. Yen's Restaurant , 4117 South National Contact: Marti Fewell, (417) 864-1039

6:30 PM Bob Barr Presidential Campaign Support Meeting, Library Center, Story Hour Room, 4653 S. Cambell Contact: Keith Rodgers, (417)840-8942

Wednesday, October 15:

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

5:30 PM Mayor's Commission on Human Rights Missouri Career Center , 1514 South Glenstone Contact: Kathy Clancy, (417) 841-3350

Thursday, October 16:

8:00 AM Airport Board Springfield/Branson National Airport , 5000 West Kearney Contact: Nanette Kirkey, (417) 869-0300

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 Ozarks Transportation Organization Technical Planning Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Dan Rudge, (417) 864-1093

3:30 PM Tree City USA Citizen Advisory Committee Busch Municipal Building, 2nd Floor West Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Alan Moore, (417) 864-1135

6:00 PM Campaign Meeting for Constitution Party Candidate Travis Maddox, Planet Sub, 3050 S. National Avenue.

Friday, October 17:

Disclosure: Some of the meeting information provided here was copied and pasted from the City of Springfield's weekly meeting schedule. I should note they are the source of city meeting information.


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

Information on political meetings sought

I am trying to let people know when they have a campaign meeting or political information meeting of any kind to let me know and I will post meeting times and schedules here, at JackeHammer, in the hopes of being a one stop shop for political meetings in Springfield. I don't see anyone else offering this service to the community and I think it would be a valuable service.

I will be happy to post meetings, regardless of political affilitation, to this blog so that the public may become aware of them and can choose which meetings they might be interested in attending.

Update: You may email with meeting information at JMltnMO@aol.com, be sure to include the date, time, location, address and, if possible, a contact name and number for people who would like more information about your meeting event or organization.

Recommended Reading 30

News-Leader.com News From The Associated Press:

"All that money you've lost _ where did it go?"


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Christians: We're all God's Children

Liberal and conservative, alike

Earlier today, I noticed that a fellow Christian sister who I have a lot of respect for and have learned from, had posted something that, at first glance, I couldn't bring myself to read. It made me uncomfortable.

This evening, I forced myself to read it as I found myself considering blogging about how I couldn't read it and I realized how ridiculous that was, how can I post about something I didn't read?

What made me so uncomfortable that I didn't want to read the post initially? Very simple. It was her announcement that:

"...since I do not have any mountains nearby, I am more than happy to shout the news here, if you want to call it that, that I am a socialist."

I was glad I forced myself to read it. I can respect The Rogue Angel, as she proudly cries from, as she titled the post, "The Top Of My Mountain."

That's not to say that I agree completely with Angel, but I can understand where she's coming from. I agreed with her sentiment when she wrote:

"I think it is wonderful that I live in a country that wants to ensure that all children have a safe place to live with electricity and clean running water,"

I'm just not sure that I agree that it is necessary for the government to take quite the active role it takes in accomplishing the goals she listed, and there were more.

Angel wrote:

"For not one minute, do I believe we can just chuck all that on the "church" either ... because "we" are the church. We make up the Body of Christ. And, as a member of that "Body" ... I am more than happy for my tax dollars to go to programs that help people. That help children. That help the elderly. That help the poor. That help "the least of these.""

She is right, we, Christians, are the church...but not America, not the government.

In some ways I agree with her because I believe the church, Christians, have done an abysmal job in helping the poor and "the least of these," but I also think it might be worth considering that there are ways to help the poor and "the least of these" without delegating our Christian duties to the government, and I understand also that she likely meant she's comfortable, as a Christian, with our government taking these actions, using her Christian tax money to meet the needs of the poor among us.

I question, by the church, individual Christians, giving over that responsibility to the government are we really doing what Christ has called us to do? Would we, the church, be more able to help the poor and "the least of these" if the government wasn't taking our money from us and then redistributing it to others in need, others of their choice? (And, I also do not mean to imply that all Christians give over their responsibility to the government but, I have no doubt that some feel they don't have to help the poor because the government will take care of it, or some may even assist the poor with getting government assistance as a way of "helping" the poor, themselves.)

Those are the questions I ask. I ask myself if Christ wants Christians, even some of them, to delegate the duty they are bound to, to the government so that they don't, personally, have to take that responsibility?

The government making choices for us about what charities we give our money to prevents all of us from having more money with which to act on our own, with which to make personal decisions.

I'm not saying, either, I'm ready to throw the baby out with the bath water, so to speak.

I'm not such a staunch conservative that I think every government safety-net program should be done away with completely. In part, because I believe the Bible is true all the way through, and scripture tells us that the poor will always be with us. I'm not a heartless individual.

There are nagging questions that trouble me, however:

Should the church, we Christians, expect others who are not Christians and, therefore, not a part of the church, to be our brothers keepers?

Should people have their individual choices taken away so that the government can be in the business of taking care of all of our needs or should it be a lesser contribution on the part of the government with more of the responsibility being on the shoulders of the Christian who has taken that cross to bear? (I'm hearing the cries of "humanity," that it is as much a "humanity" issue as a Christian issue, but that doesn't change the question, substitute the word Christian for humanitarian.)

Now, I think it is very unfortunate that Angel ran across a blog written by a person who is a flame throwing, name caller, rather than a compassionate and respectful person willing to listen and hear, willing to respect another's opinion, but I have a little beef of my own. It didn't come from Angel, who I really have come to respect and feel I can allow a good measure of trust, rather it came from a comment in the comment section of her blog entry:

"You ever wonder how someone can be pro-life, but then doesn't want to feed that life after it is born? It really confuses me!"

I do not believe for one minute that it is true that people who are "pro-life" do not want to feed a life after it is born. I will give the commentator the benefit of the doubt that she really believed what she wrote and wasn't intentionally misrepresenting pro-lifers but, it's always best to let the people explain themselves, rather than do it for them. I'm not very liberal, I'm more conservative so, I'd never dream of trying to speak for a liberal, shucks, I don't even try to speak for other conservatives, there are many of them with whom I disagree, too.

Many people who are pro-life are also pro-active in insuring that babies who are born, rather than aborted, are fed, clothed, cared for and loved. I have been blessed by meeting such a Christian-founded group and interacting with them. Not only does Newborns In Need (NIN) provide needed items to newborns but they continue to clothe and assist the child for YEARS and other Christians and non-Christians, alike, including children, are offered an opportunity to serve and help the poor and "the least of these" through their organization. It is a win/win. NIN actually even assists the elderly by giving them service opportunities. They assist home schooled children by allowing them service opportunities and they are a national organization.

Pro-life individuals also act to assist in the individual lives of children. For instance, Senator John and Cindy McCain adopted a child and brought her home with them, doesn't that qualify a pro-lifer as, "wanting to feed a life after it is born?"

So, I just wish everyone, from both sides of political ideology, could be respectful of each other. It is a two-way street.

The ideological question for me is: Could Newborns In Need, for instance, and for the sake of discussion, be receiving higher donation amounts and be able to assist even more babies and children if the government didn't require potential donors, the church, Christians, "humanitarians," to give them money to redistribute for us? I doubt we'll ever know the answer to that question but, I do think there should be respect for the good intentions of some people who believe government distribution is the only way these vital needs will be met. Others don't believe that, others believe the government should stay out of the business of making our charitable choices for us and that viewpoint is deserving of respect, as well. It is possible to be a good, Godly and giving person with well intended motives in either case.

Until we recognize and respect good intentions and understand we all really seek the same goal and the same outcome while disagreeing on the way to achieve those goals, there can be no dialog, no consensus, no middle ground or cooperation. Consider that we hear during every election cycle that this candidate will offer bi-partisan solutions, or that candidate will offer bi-partisan solutions, as though we all recognize that is what it will take to make progress, to find solutions. If we recognize it, then we should try to observe it. I wish we'd walk the walk.

Note, if interested: To locate the Newborns In Need chapter near you, click HERE.

Our local Springfield Chapter's Web site is HERE.

Tell Judy I sent you and send my love! She's one awesome lady!

New Community Free Press - October 8, issue

Okay, while I do not yet have a print copy of the new issue of the Community Free Press, myself, I know it's out there because I can read it online, and so can you.

On the election front, Brian Brown has presented articles on the following candidates:

> Jim Lee vs Steve Helms for Circuit Clerk
> Jim Arnott vs Mike Ramon for Greene County Sheriff
> Janet Adams vs Shane Schoeller for 139th district

The Council Notes column discussed the topics of Hammons deal with the city and Council's comments regarding City Utilities budget and gas rate increases.

There are also short informational pieces regarding Wylie and Rushefsky's Town Hall meeting; Park Central Square's Streetscape project and; the Pension Plan.

Available online only, in supplementals to the print edition, you can follow the money trail of the proceeds the city received from the Hammon's purchase of the former arena site and car park and there is a Council Notes "lunch special," along with other Council Notes related information.

Kelsey Garman explored the question: "Who are Evangelical Christians?" in "American’s View of Evangelical Christians," on page 10. Garman discovered, "About 55 percent of those who describe themselves as evangelicals believe they are misunderstood and unfairly described by the news media."

Managing Editor Mert Seaton, page 11, touted the retail and service related businesses operating out of the Battlefield Mall today in, "Doing it All...at Battlefield Mall."

...And, of the 6 people asked, "Should the government spend $700 billion to bail out struggling financial institutions?" Only one person said, yes.

There's lots, lots more. Pick up your copy today or read it online!

Biden Rally Today

Gates open at Jordan Valley Park at 9:30 this morning in preparation for Democrat Vice President Candidate Joe Biden's rally at 11:30 a.m. The rally is open to the public, at large.

Parking will be available at Mediacom Ice Park but the lot is expected to fill up quickly. Free parking will also be available at the Heer's and College Station Car Parks. For a fee of $5, parking will be available at Jordan Valley Car Park.

Plan to do a little walking (wear comfortable shoes) if you want to attend the rally and don't expect to find any other areas in which to park.

Source: Springfield News-Leader

I'll bet you didn't know....

On this day in 1849, The New York Daily Tribune published Edgar Allan Poe's last poem, "Annabel Lee."

That poem is probably my favorite Edgar Allan Poe poem, read it by clicking on the link.

In fact, I once named a kitten after "Annabel Lee."

It's a very interesting story, too. Poe had died two days before it was published and the story, linked, outlines the rumors and "conspiracy theories" surrounding his death. Yes, conspiracy theories appear to have existed in 1849. :)

National Rifle Association to Endorse McCain for President

Slights one of its own board members

The Greene County Libertarian Party has issued the following press release:

The National Rifle Association will be endorsing Republican candidate John McCain tomorrow, but that organization will not endorse more-qualified Second Amendment-supporting third-party candidates unless they are already in office.

Mike Ferguson, National Field Director for the Bob Barr for President campaign, will be attending the press conference along with Libertarian candidate for Lieutenant Governor, Teddy Fleck - who is cancelling his NRA membership over this issue - as well as Springfield Councilman Doug Burlison, who voted against a concealed-carry in city parks proposal.

Ferguson said: "The right to keep and bear arms is a civil right, not just a Constitutional right.

"It is tragic that a few in the leadership of the NRA have chosen to sell our their principles - and their members - by endorsing a candidate who has a track record of opposing one of our most cherished and important rights.

Looking at John McCain's record on gun issues shows that he is no conservative or an agent of change. His 30 years in Washington proves that he is the problem.

"The members of the NRA have been let down. Fortunately, they have a viable, credible choice from within their own ranks. Congressman Bob Barr has a lifetime "A+" rating from the NRA (as opposed to McCain's "C+") and he, to this day, serves on the NRA's Board of Directors.

"The members of the NRA - the real heart and soul of the organization - have been let down by their leadership. Fortunately, they can still have a real impact on this election by voting for the only candidate who stands up for all of our Constitutional rights, including the 2nd Amendment, Bob Barr. Holding to our principles is showing John McCain, Barak Obama, both of the other two major parties and the NRA that we will not allow anyone to threaten the right to self-defense in America.

"Bob Barr represents the interests of the rank and file of the National Rifle Association. John McCain does not, regardless of what a few of their leaders say. The only principled vote for anyone who values their Second Amendment rights is a vote for Bob Barr for President.

"Fleck, a Springfield resident, was also concerned about the message this decision sends: "The average American concerned about Second Amendment rights - and incumbents or aspiring candidates who take these rights seriously - are not well-served by this arbitrary exclusion", Fleck said. He also said he will be cancelling his NRA membership, and will no longer support their cause.

Ferguson, Fleck, and Burlison will be at the press conference tomorrow, scheduled for 11:15 AM, at the University Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, 333 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway.

Contacts:

Mike Ferguson - (816)695-1425 mike@bobbarr2008.com

Teddy Fleck - teddyfleck@yahoo.com

Keith Rodgers - (417)840-8942 libertarian@intergate.com

~Thursday Meetings~

Watch for updates

There are a couple of meetings I know about tomorrow (Thursday, October 9).

If I know about them, I like to post them. - Jackie

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At 11:30 the Greene County Republican Women will meet for lunch at the Price Cutter Diner on East Battlefield, the program will start at 12:00.

Proponents both for and against the non partisan court plan will be sharing their thoughts about the drawbacks/benefits of the issue. State Representative Bryan Stevenson and local attorney Chip Sheppard are the speakers.

State Coordinator of Women for McCain Sharon Barnes will also be attending as a speaker regarding the McCain campaign.

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

Then, at 7:00 p.m. the Missouri Liberty Coalition will be meeting at Big Momma's Coffee & Espresso Bar on Commercial Street.

They plan to discuss some of the amendments on the State ballot and the upcoming City Council agenda.

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

Update: I'm supposed to be getting some information about another Thursday meeting from the Libertarian Party, the meeting will take place at 11:30 a.m. In the meantime, I want to share these meeting times from The Libertarian Guy (tm) regarding the Bob Barr campaign supporters' meeting schedule throughout the month of October, all the meetings are at the Library Center, 4653 S. Campbell, Springfield, MO:

October 14th..............Story Hour Room......6:30-8:30 p.m.
October 21st..............Harrison Room..........6:30-8:30 p.m.
October 28th..............Grafton Room............6:30-8:30 p.m.

In other words, every Tuesday throughout the rest of the month.

McCain/Obama Debate

Just opening a thread to see if anyone wants to share their thoughts about the debate.

Rasmussen today

Rasmussen Reports™ has Obama at 50 percent and McCain at 47 percent in Missouri today. Ralph Nader and Bob Barr share one percent, with two percent undecided.

Rasmussen claims Obama has steadily gained on McCain, in Missouri, since the Lehman Brothers collapse, prior to that he held a 6 percentage point lead over Obama.

The report also noted McCain is viewed favorably by more Missourian voters than Obama, but only by one percentage point.

You can read the whole report by clicking on the link above.

Public Meeting: Topics: earnings tax; judicial selection process

In a comment on the last post:

The Libertarian Guy (tm) said...

Unrelated, but pertinent:

Americans for Prosperity and the Show-Me Institute, will be hosting a public meeting tonight, Monday, October 6, at 7 PM at Fire Station #1, 720 E. Grand.

Topics will include an introduction to Americans for Prosperity, the earnings tax, and a brief presentation on the judicial selection process being considered for Greene County.

Thought I'd pass it along on the main page as a service to those interested in attending.

Thanks Lib guy!

Michael Goodart interview available; CFP looks at Goodart and Lampe

The Albers Report posted an interview with Michael Goodart on October 2. Goodart is running for State Representative in the 138th district. He is running as a Republican.

Read the interview here.

In the September 24 issue of the "Community Free Press," Brian Brown took a look at Goodart and his Democrat opponent, Sara Lampe in, "Center City District Features Goodart vs. Lampe," page 3.

Candidate Web site links:

Elect Michael Goodart for State Representative District 138

Sara Lampe.com Missouri State Representative 138th District

The Culpability Diversion: The Fannie Mae; Freddie Mac Crises

and drawing parallels to the Springfield Police/Fire Pension Crisis

Snopes.com has the low down on the credit crisis, at least from the sub-prime mortgage perspective. Understanding that people who find themselves in messes like to fully understand how they got in the mess they are in, snopes verified that two articles recreated and circulated by email are true.

One of the articles, written by Steven A. Holmes and published in the "New York Times" in 1999, was titled: "Fannie Mae Eases Credit to Aid Mortgage Lending," the other, also a "New York Times" article, written by Stephen Labaton was published in September, 2003, and titled: "New Agency Proposed to Oversee Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae ."

Both are eye opening, if you really want to know how we got here today, with $700 billion dollars, by any name, still being a bail-out. I'd recommend the snopes link, it is a very easily understood summary.

Representative Roy Blunt insists it is not a bailout. He said American taxpayers are "investing in their future."

In other news, the City of Springfield is still working, through its new City Manager, to find a feasible solution to our local police and fire fighter pension plan crisis. The sentiment among some of the local press seems to be that citizens should not finger point or try to place blame regarding how the pension plan ended up underfunded by $140 million dollars, or only funded by 50 percent. With blindfolded determination, some believe understanding the past will only start a "potentially paralyzing round of finger pointing," leaving one to believe if residents understand how our pension plan got into such a mess it will only serve to keep us from looking forward to a solution. Perhaps they are waiting for the Associated Press to issue a report for them (or another local paper).

"Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it." - George Santayana

"We are made wise not by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our future." - George Bernard Shaw

"History is a race between education and catastrophe." - H. G. Wells

"History is more or less bunk." - Henry Ford

"History is merely a list of surprises. It can only prepare us to be surprised yet again." - Kurt Vonnegut

"History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again." - Maya Angelou

"Few will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation." - Robert F. Kennedy

Have a pleasant weekend.

I'll bet you didn't know...

...On this day in 1535 the first complete English Bible was printed....

Palin/Biden Debate

Bosniacs???

Springfield News-Leader Editor Should Run for Missouri Governor

His opinions more authoritative than Governor Blunt's opinions

In, Prosecutors wrong to use intimidation tactic "Springfield News-Leader"

Governor Matt Blunt raised some legitimate issues regarding KMOV's report that St. Louis area law enforcement officials should be careful in their use of language.

"Law enforcement officials are entrusted with extraordinary powers. They must be careful with their language. When they suggest that statements made in opposition to a candidate could be a violation of the law and that they will be prepared to respond then they are intimidating voters and chilling political discussion."

He also chastised the News-Leader for overlooking, "completely the assault on free speech in St. Louis City and St. Louis County."

The News-Leader's only response?

"Editor's note: Despite our questions raised about the propriety of the governor's office making partisan statements,* the office confirmed the above statement was also prepared by the governor's staff for delivery to the News-Leader."

I've got a problem with the News-Leader's Editor when he insinuates that because the authoritative (sic) editorial board has raised questions about the "propriety" of the governor's office "making partisan statements," (a matter of opinion) the governor should not comment on issues which impact residents of Missouri.

Blunt gave his reasons for holding the opinion that this is an issue effecting the State of Missouri in the first paragraph of his statement, linked above:

"The security of constitutional rights and the integrity of law enforcement are essential parts of my oath to uphold the laws and constitution. I recently issued a statement condemning outrageous tactics by St. Louis area law enforcement precisely because the issues are civic and public and not political in nature."*

Dang, if I'm not CONSTANTLY forgetting that the opinions of the News-Leader's editorial board and editorial page editors are much more authoritative and directive than the Governor of the State of Missouri and that when the News-Leader questions an action of the Governor, the Governor needs to sit down and shut up.

What is wrong with me!?

*emphasis mine

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Today would have marked my Mom's 73rd birthday (she passed away April 4, 2008).

Naturally, I miss her. I still have ribbons collected off of the flower arrangements from the funeral in my living room. They were placed in milk glass vases she gave me years ago.

I was thinking about what I would have been doing if she were here, today. No doubt I'd be preparing to throw a very intimate party for her in my home, often only with she, my husband and myself. We'd be having her standard choice of fried chicken legs, mashed potatoes and gravy, whatever vegetable she wanted, and birthday cake.

My house is small, it has no room for a real dining table but at least on this occasion every year I would clean up the picnic table, cover it with a pretty tablecloth and set it in the middle of the living room floor. We'd gather around and share and it was special.

Happy Birthday, Mom...and hellooooooooo birdie!

City Council and Mayor Candidates as of September 26

The Springfield News-Leader published the list of names of those who had picked up petitions to run for the City Council and Mayor as of Friday, September 26:

Candidates for city positions

People who have taken out petitions to run as of Friday:

General A
Robert Stephens
Tom Martz
Jeff Paul

General B
Frank Howey
Scott Bailes
Fred Ellison
Jason Lillard

Zone 1
Denny Whayne
Nick Ibarra
Cameron Eaton

Zone 4
Scott Bailes

Mayor
James O'Neal
Sandra Queen Noble
Christopher Donegan
Derek White
Jack Bresee

(Thanks, Wes!)

Oops, forgot to remind you......

...The new issue of the Community Free Press came out on Wednesday and I didn't get a chance to tell you!

Managing Editor Mert Seaton took the above the fold cover article with his introduction to Springfield's new city manager, Greg Burris. According to the article, Burris' dream job is to be a professional golfer by day and a musician in the evenings. Seaton wrote:

"Burris played music in Springfield for 10 years with some of the best local musicians. He also is an alternative rock fan who owns every dada CD including the bootleg."

As usual, different candidates have different ideas about the best way to run a campaign. I noted in Brian Brown's article "Candidate Questions Opponent's Motive," that most of Public administrator candidate Laura Fabro's time was spent in dissing the qualifications of her opponent, David Yancey. Yancey spoke about his own experience, failing to even mention Fabro.

...and Brian Brown was a busy writer this issue. He also covered the campaigns of Ronald D. Day and Representative Charlie Norr as they battle it out to represent Springfield's 137th district; the 138th district candidates, Michael Goodart (a knowledgeable and avid supporter of the FairTax) and Sara Lampe, Lampe talked about her past record as a legislator. There's more of Brian Brown's work in the current issue...geesh, he's a productive kinda guy!

The City Council Notes column offered some information on the topics of CU's budget rate increases, the new city manager's compensation as compared to former city manager Bob Cumley and further information about Drury University's contractual agreement with the City to compensate two police officers for working full time at Drury campus and managing a police substation there.

Big surprise to me, "Fat Jack" of Fat Jack's Erratic Rants blog had a "blog speak" column in the current issue.

Cutting edge Bob Mace's column "The Edge" is now accompanied by an occasional shorter piece written by Mace called "Straight Edge," less wordy but every bit as entertaining and thought provoking as his original, longer column.

In the "Faith in the Ozarks" section, Kelsey Garman contributed some interesting statistics on why young adults leave church, read it on page 9. In the "Maturity Matters" section, Garman tugged at my heart strings in a short piece titled, "When Bad Things Happen to Old People."

That's only a taste, there is a lot more to read in the Community Free Press. Read more about the articles I touched on and then, be sure and catch the Business section, the Arts & Entertainment section, and Mert's infamous Sports column.

There is also additional information at the CFP Web site, click on supplementals to the print edition, you'll find the link right under the cover shot of this issue. To read the paper online, click on the cover shot.

Shake it up, baby...

Interest in running for City Council seats, high

According to the Springfield News-Leader, Eight people have picked up petitions for council and mayor spots so far.

Councilman Denny Whayne has picked up a petition to seek re-election for his Zone 1 seat.

Nicholas Ibarra intends to run for the Zone 1 seat, as well. He has indicated he plans to pick up his petition this afternoon, I thought I'd note it because since he hadn't picked up his petition yet he wasn't mentioned in the News-Leader article.

Seats up for election are:

> Mayor, held by Tom Carlson
> General Seat A, held by Councilwoman Mary Collette
> General Seat B, held by Mayor Pro Tem Gary Deaver
> Zone 1, held by Councilman Denny Whayne
> Zone 4, held by Councilman John Wylie

Zone candidates are required to submit 100 registered voter signatures from those within that Zone. General candidates must submit 200 registered voter signatures from those who live within the city limits.

Petitions can only be picked up at the City Clerk's office, in the Busch Municipal building.

Filing dates for the election are October 7 - November 18.

For more information, contact City Clerk Brenda Cirtin's office.

All the Mayor's Horses

What will it take to fully fund the police/fire pension plan and should we consider the recommendations of the Pension Board?

I'm troubled by much of what I see being written about the police and fire fighters' pension plan. Rather, I should say, not only am I troubled about much of what I see written, I'm also very troubled about what I do not see being written.

The City of Springfield has a pension board. According to Assistant Fire Chief and Pension Board Trustee David Hall, all members of the Pension Board are Trustees. So, what is a trustee?

1 a: one to whom something is entrusted

2 a: a natural or legal person to whom property is legally committed to be administered for the benefit of a beneficiary (as a person or a charitable organization)

Here's what Hall said about Trustees of the Pension Board:

"All members of the board are considered trustees of the plan, which means that we have a special obligation to the plan, where my only concern can be about the plan.

I think, at times, that’s where some people may misunderstand, because I may be a fire chief for the department and, obviously, I have concerns for our staffing, but when I’m sitting in a pension board meeting the only thing I can look at is, is the fund being taken care of? Are we going to be able to pay the benefits that we are obligated to, because I’m acting as the representative of the individual in the plan, so, even though one role of my life is the assistant fire chief, I might not like the idea of the city having to cut its budget but, at the same time, as a trustee, my only concern is that they have to fund the system. It’s just one of those things."

I have to wonder if the new city manager and the City Council value the resource they have in the pension board and in pension board trustee David Hall. As usual, due to word constraints, when I wrote, "Pensions Remain Top Council Priority," for CFP's September 10 issue, I wasn't able to pass along everything Hall told me, here is some further information Hall passed along that I was unable to include:

"I’ve read every single minute from the pension board since it was established in 1946, every single one of them, because I really needed that full view of what happened. I’ve read all the actuarial reports, even those from back in the 40s and 50s and tried to get every document that I can get, that I can view.

I read and I’ve spent hours and hours because it’s information that we really need to know and be able to pass on to new trustees as they come on, as part of their education about cases that we’ve won or lost and so, that tells us what we can and can’t do on future ones.

It’s been extremely beneficial to me. It’s been a great learning experience and my big thing is, I hope I can communicate it well to the community so they understand it because, I feel comfortable, once they’re informed they’ll make a good decision. I think it (their decision) will agree with my assessment but either way, at least they’re making an informed decision. Our goal: for them to be educated and make a decision."

Hall's complete presentation can be viewed, here.

What I find troubling is that, instead of seeing discussion about the recommendations the pension board came up with to fix the problem and to keep the pension plan from getting in the same trouble later on, what I see are people who have spent far less time studying the issue coming up with other ideas. See: this, this, this, and this. While I note Burris is meeting with representatives of the Springfield Police Officers Association and Firefighters Local 152 and, according to the last New-Leader link, Burris found the discussions "encouraging," I'm still not seeing anything to suggest that the pension board's recommendations are being seriously considered.

What were the pension board's recommendations? Again, see the September 10 issue of CFP:

"At the top of the list of recommendations Hall made for dealing with the pension plan was a sales tax of at least 1/2 to 1 percent, depending on how long the community wants to pay the tax. At 1/2 percent it could take eight to 16 years. At 1 percent it would take just over three years to fund the plan to 90 percent. The board supports the tax being “sunsetted” when the plan is 90 percent funded.

Further recommendations were: a commitment from the city to contribute at least 28.88 percent as long as the tax is in place; after the tax ends, the city make the actuarial required contribution for all future years; a portion of all future cell phone settlements should be directed into the plan; reductions in the general fund should be revised to a level that does not impact services; and the city, Hall said, needs to review the disability process by making reasonable accommodations to retain injured employees."

Now, I don't have a problem with other people, the city manager, the News-Leader, the public at large, offering to come up with other recommendations or suggestions that might help to fix the serious gap we have between the amount of money in the pension plan and the amount it would take for the plan to be fully funded, but I'm troubled that no one is discussing the recommendations, at least in public, that were made by the very board entrusted to oversee, protect and keep viable the plan. I should also remind readers that those who sit on the pension board are approved by the City Council and there is a City Council member who sits as a non-voting member on the board.

Who are the current members of the board?

Current Pension Board Members

Voting Members
> Collin Quigley: city manager’s appointee
> Mary Mannix-Decker: city finance director
> Sheila Maerz: city human resource director
> Ken Homan: citizen representative
> Beau Barrett: citizen representative
> Steven Fenner: citizen representative
> Jim Edwards: police representative
> Jim McCulloch: police representative
> David Carter: fire representative
> David Hall: fire representative
> Ron Hoffman: retiree representative

Non-Voting members
> Cindy Rushefsky: City Council representative
> Dan Wichmer: city attorney
> Shelley Smith: board secretary

Source: Pension Board Trustee David Hall (See: Supplements to the Community Free Press)

Another thing that troubles me about the discussion surrounding the pension plan is the reluctance to fully explore how the plan got into its current state.

There seems to be fear about finger pointing to the extent that, in my view, it threatens complete understanding of the issue. Everyone knows that the first step to solving a problem is admitting you have one, it seems common sense to me that unless one has a complete understanding about how and why a problem has occurred one can't fully address it.

If we are so afraid of finding out what went wrong that we disallow ourselves the opportunity to fully understand how the problem occurred, then how can the City leaders have the vision to make sure safeguards are put into place to ensure those problems won't return at some future date, after the plan has been adequately funded again?

"....The plan is in trouble, in some part, because its limited pool of money, or assets, cannot make enough money to keep it solvent.

That has put every official and taxpayer in Springfield in worry mode, and started a potentially paralyzing round of finger-pointing." -Springfield News-Leader

Potentially paralyzing finger-pointing? Perhaps, for a time, but it's necessary to understand the problem, without understanding it, the city manager and all the Mayor's horses and all the Mayor's men can't put the pension plan back together again.

Fortunately, much can be understood about how the plan got into the state it is in today.

That vast wealth of study David Hall has done on behalf , and as a trustee, of the pension board, to ensure future pension board members can understand the past and have vision for the future is available, and he has been very willing and accommodating in sharing that information with the city manager's office, the City Council and the public at large. He shared it with CFP some time ago. In "Budget Discussions Meet Objective," the May 21 issue of CFP, Hall provided this information to readers:

Pension Plan Contribution Rate Increase Drivers

> Investment underperformance
> Payroll not increasing at the expected rate
> City not contributing required amount (Net Pension Obligation)
> Higher average salaries than expected at retirement

> Retirees living longer
> More disabilities than expected

> Changes to meet new accounting standards
> Changes in assumptions

Source: Police Officers’ and Fire Fighters’ Retirement System Trustee, David Hall

Assumption Changes Affecting Police/Fire Pension Plan Contribution Rate

> Lowering of expected return on investments
> Lowering of expected increase in payroll
> Inclusion of an offset for payouts
> Increase in number of steps in pay plan
> Change in mortality rates
> Increase of the expected disability rates
> Reduction in expected turnover rates

Source: Police Officers’ and Fire Fighters’ Retirement System Trustee, David Hall

There is no reason to fear finding out how the pension plan got into its current state. In fact, we MUST understand how the pension plan got into the underfunded state it is in if we are to ensure it will not return there again some day.

Finger pointing is a characterization, a characterization that begs us to ignore the causes of the problem, a characterization that begs us to rise above pettiness. Unfortunately, unless we get down into the dirt and find out all the root causes of the pension plan's underfunding and how it got to it's current state our community will never be able to come up with permanent and sustainable solutions.

I think it a much more scary prospect to ignore the truth than to face it. Of course, facing the truth and allowing blame to be pointed in the appropriate directions may cause some people to think in terms of accountability.

Is accountability a bad thing?

IMPORTANT NEWS ALERT!!!

THIS Just in from the Springfield News-Leader

Be sure and notify all your friends!

(chuckle)

But seriously folks, make fun of the News-Leader's choice of an "Our Voice" editorial all you want, at a cost of $2,500 per replacement pole, get a stake.

Try Habitat for Humanity Restore on South Scenic for cheap material for sign stakes. I have also found the large paint stir sticks to make excellent stakes and they're very affordable. They work great with a staple gun.

Wanna save on your utility bill? Seems to me this would be one simple way to keep costs down.

My apologies for not alerting readers

I should have posted about the Town Hall meeting held by Council members Wylie and Rushefsky tonight. I don't expect I have that huge a readership, but maybe a few more people might have read about it and attended if I had posted a notice about it before hand.

There were an equal number of citizens and City officials attending.

8 citizens

8 City officials

...and I thought last year's turn out of about 50 people was a poor turn out....

Oh, well. There's always next year.

Redneck Joke Alert!

'MARIJUANA FILLED FIREWOOD'

'Hello, is this the Sheriff's Office?'

'Yes. What can I do for you?'

'I'm calling to report 'bout my neighbor Virgil Smith...He's hidin' marijuana inside his firewood! Don't quite know how he gets it inside them logs, but he's hidin' it there..'

'Thank you very much for the call, sir.'

The next day, twelve Sheriff's Deputies descend on Virgil's house. They search the shed where the firewood is kept.

Using axes, they bust open every piece of wood, but find no marijuana. They sneer at Virgil and leave.

Shortly, the phone rings at Virgil's house.

'Hey, Virgil! This here's Floyd....Did the Sheriff come?'

'Yeah!'

'Did they chop your firewood?'

'Yep!'

'Happy Birthday, buddy!'

(Rednecks know how to git-R-dun). ---author unknown

Interview with Circuit Clerk Candidate Jim Lee posted on the Web

Local blogger Jack, over at Fat Jack's Erratic Rants, did an interview with Jim Lee, local Democrat candidate for Circuit Clerk.

It looks to me that Republican incumbent Steve Helms will have his work cut out for him, that is, if voters learn about Jim Lee, especially in light of so many complaints about our court system in recent weeks (see the Brian Brown series in CFP, "Justice Delayed," July 2, July 16, and July 30 issues) Certainly, the Clerk's office plays a vital role in how efficiently and smoothly things run in our court system. I was really impressed with the answers Lee provided to Jack's questions.

Jack observed:

"We have all heard stories about the backed-up court system and if the stories are true that the current office of the Circuit Clerk's is not working properly, then that will only serve to exacerbate the problem....

"In typical Lee fashion, his down-to-Earth perspective and attitude is exemplified in his quote: "I work hard, I work honest, and I don’t try to kid anyone."

If you want to know more about the candidate running against Helms in the Circuit Clerk race, I'd recommend Jack's blog. Great questions, great answers.

It should probably be noted that Helms was not voted into his position. He was appointed by Governor Matt Blunt when the previous Clerk, Mike Carr, took an early retirement.

"With 97 percent of precincts reporting, Helms took more than 43 percent of votes cast in the Republican primary." - Springfield News-Leader.

Never Forget

What happened the morning of September 11, 2001?

Turn up your speakers.