Lawmakers spend too much time on fraud.
A legislative committee was in Springfield on Wednesday looking for fraud in Medicaid.
Perhaps there is some to be found, but we suggest lawmakers are once again focusing on the wrong priorities when they talk about Medicaid. What they ought to be doing is figuring how they're going to remake the system. When the legislature slashed Medicaid two years ago to balance the state budget, they passed a bill that wipes out the current state system of state-funded indigent care by 2008. The plan, Gov. Matt Blunt and Republican legislators said, was to remake the system from scratch.
It stands to reason when the tenticles of government get intwined in areas which should be the private sector cost will definetly GO UP.
So what are they doing? They're still talking about fraud and abuse, which was their rallying cry when they made the cuts in the first place. In the meantime, real people are suffering. Children have lost their insurance. Disabled adults have quit their jobs to keep their Medicaid. We're about two years away from the system going away and we're nowhere closer to figuring out the plan to develop a sustainable Medicaid program.
If you look at the BUDGET for mediScare there wasn't a cut in cost or budget so how does the SNL proclaim there was one. Easy the electorate buys into it via the SOB stories we see on TV nightly.
The good news is that Blunt seems to understand the key issue. In an interview with the News-Leader editorial board recently, he decried the liberal myth that too many people in our system today don't have access to health care.
"Everybody has access," Blunt says. "It's the emergency room. We need to change that."
The irony, of course, is that was the Democratic criticism two years ago when he slashed the Medicaid rolls and forced too many folks to use the emergency room as their sole source of health care. That Blunt today understands that reality of our system speaks well for the potential reform of the Medicaid system, if only the governor and lawmakers can get past political hurdles and focus on the real issues.
Personally using the Emergency Room as my source of medical resourses isn't actually an intelligent idea. My pet ferret knows emergency room cost will skyrocket, so how come it is people with college degrees don't understand this?
Reforming Medicaid has little to do with fraud and abuse, and everything to do with determining sustainable levels of care that provide security for our state's residents who need it, but mostly as a transitional benefit, not a permanent state-provided health insurance system. The problem with the old system is that it grew out of control. Like other forms of welfare — from food stamps to public housing — it didn't provide the sort of flexibility that helps folks as they help themselves. Under the old way of thinking about welfare, services are provided until a certain income level is attained, and then they're cut off. That forces people who are still in poverty to choose between food and medicine, shelter or a better-paying job.
The new model of Medicaid, we believe, must include sliding scales of service that help those who need it most and charge co-pays — or slowly reduce services — for those who can afford it. The new model must reward those who improve their income by keeping services in place until folks have climbed out of poverty, rather than just cutting them off when an arbitrary new income level is reached. The new model must recognize the truth that Blunt realizes: sending folks to the emergency room is not a solution.
Remaking Medicaid should be about providing incentives for those who can help themselves and access to health care for those who can't.
It's time for state lawmakers to make real Medicaid reform a priority.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Teens are OK with drug tests
this will be interspirced with some of my commentary.
The News-Leader says that student drug testing is misguided and disturbing. So are the reasons it gave for opposing it. It cites the so-called failure of the DARE program as a reason not to test. That doesn’t mean this also will fail. If that educational program failed, then why insist on more? Why not attempt to curb drug use in a different way? Why not try a way that puts students in a position where taking a drug test will affect their extracurricular activities?
Since there are many ways to teach a student from private schools to home schooling I have no problem with this. After all going to government schools is voluntary not FORCED upon the citizenry.
If one student turns down drugs for fear of failing a drug test, then it does work. The purpose of student drug testing isn’t necessarily to catch students doing drugs. The purpose is to be a deterrent from doing drugs in the first place. It gives teens a solid reason to turn down the lure and pressure of drug use.
Once more government schooling is voluntary not FORCED!!
The News-Leader also cites personal freedoms as a reason not to test students. It’s not a disturbing trend, as it says. It’s a way to respond to drug problems in our schools. A good reason to test students is safety. It protects the student and those around them. But shouldn’t our society be used to measures that limit our personal freedom all in the name of safety? Speed limits, DUIs and underage driving laws restrict personal freedom all in the name of safety. Laws and decisions are made for our good. This decision isn’t out of the ordinary and isn’t misguided.
I'm not to complaint on the way the writer has decided to use safety as a means to limit personal freedoms. The Autobahn in Germany clearly shows that speed limits have nothing to do with safety. Many people die in auto accidents when they are complaint to the speed limit, obeying the law didn't save their lives.
DUI's don't tend to offer any safety either. Should I choose to go get drunk and drive it would be a RARE instance if I were to be stopped by the police.
I was driving at the age of 12, I still haven't been involved in an accident that has been my fault, hense the underage driving law protected NO ONE.
Drug testing isn’t intrusive or against the Constitution, as some say. The Supreme Court says this. It isn’t discriminatory either. Educators will say that participating in extracurricular activities isn’t a right, but a privilege. Those who want to participate need to submit to random drug tests. Drug testing isn’t punishment or discrimination. We shouldn’t view this as something negative, but helpful based on the current drug use by teens.
BAD argument!!! The SCOTUS also says that stealing ones property to give to a developer for economic gain to a community is constitutional as well.
I wonder if Mr Loomis would mind if Wal-Mart or any other retailor absconded with his property???? I would wager he would be complaining loudly.
However I still agree with random drug testing in the government school system since attendance is voluntary.
I offer my viewpoints based on personal experience. I am employed by the company who performed the drug tests on the Branson students and on the board members who approved it. I have given hundreds of drug tests to students.
Countless times a teen will tell me they don’t do drugs because they have so much to lose. More teens tell me they think it’s a good idea than those who complain about it. If they are the ones taking the tests and don’t mind, then why should the News-Leader mind?
Bill Loomis resides in Springfield and is a drug technician.
The News-Leader says that student drug testing is misguided and disturbing. So are the reasons it gave for opposing it. It cites the so-called failure of the DARE program as a reason not to test. That doesn’t mean this also will fail. If that educational program failed, then why insist on more? Why not attempt to curb drug use in a different way? Why not try a way that puts students in a position where taking a drug test will affect their extracurricular activities?
Since there are many ways to teach a student from private schools to home schooling I have no problem with this. After all going to government schools is voluntary not FORCED upon the citizenry.
If one student turns down drugs for fear of failing a drug test, then it does work. The purpose of student drug testing isn’t necessarily to catch students doing drugs. The purpose is to be a deterrent from doing drugs in the first place. It gives teens a solid reason to turn down the lure and pressure of drug use.
Once more government schooling is voluntary not FORCED!!
The News-Leader also cites personal freedoms as a reason not to test students. It’s not a disturbing trend, as it says. It’s a way to respond to drug problems in our schools. A good reason to test students is safety. It protects the student and those around them. But shouldn’t our society be used to measures that limit our personal freedom all in the name of safety? Speed limits, DUIs and underage driving laws restrict personal freedom all in the name of safety. Laws and decisions are made for our good. This decision isn’t out of the ordinary and isn’t misguided.
I'm not to complaint on the way the writer has decided to use safety as a means to limit personal freedoms. The Autobahn in Germany clearly shows that speed limits have nothing to do with safety. Many people die in auto accidents when they are complaint to the speed limit, obeying the law didn't save their lives.
DUI's don't tend to offer any safety either. Should I choose to go get drunk and drive it would be a RARE instance if I were to be stopped by the police.
I was driving at the age of 12, I still haven't been involved in an accident that has been my fault, hense the underage driving law protected NO ONE.
Drug testing isn’t intrusive or against the Constitution, as some say. The Supreme Court says this. It isn’t discriminatory either. Educators will say that participating in extracurricular activities isn’t a right, but a privilege. Those who want to participate need to submit to random drug tests. Drug testing isn’t punishment or discrimination. We shouldn’t view this as something negative, but helpful based on the current drug use by teens.
BAD argument!!! The SCOTUS also says that stealing ones property to give to a developer for economic gain to a community is constitutional as well.
I wonder if Mr Loomis would mind if Wal-Mart or any other retailor absconded with his property???? I would wager he would be complaining loudly.
However I still agree with random drug testing in the government school system since attendance is voluntary.
I offer my viewpoints based on personal experience. I am employed by the company who performed the drug tests on the Branson students and on the board members who approved it. I have given hundreds of drug tests to students.
Countless times a teen will tell me they don’t do drugs because they have so much to lose. More teens tell me they think it’s a good idea than those who complain about it. If they are the ones taking the tests and don’t mind, then why should the News-Leader mind?
Bill Loomis resides in Springfield and is a drug technician.
How have we allowed plundering of taxpayers' money go on?
could it possibly be that the citizenry has become complaint to what the mainstream politicians tell them??
could it be that when someone questions the expenditures of the elite elected officials they are BEATEN down by a news media organization for being a "MOONBAT"??
One only need to look in the mirror Ms. Sarah Overstreet and to where this article was printed to discover the answer.
Funny I thought the newspapers had INVESTIGATIVE REPORTERS, to write about this type of stuff.
KUDOS to Doug Burlison and the members of the Libertarian Party of Greene County for getting this subject on the forefront. Many thanks to the individual members of the police department, firefighters, and concerned citizens of Springfield.
There are two crimes I really can't understand:
a.) Serial killing. I've watched documentaries titled such as "The Mind of a Serial Killer." It's like I'm watching videos voiced in Farsi. Nothing computes.
b.) Embezzlement. I have to keep my bank account current (by subtraction, mostly), or My Good Friends Who Gave Me the Toaster to Sign Up With Their Bank will charge me a hefty fee for overdrawing.
So doesn't that beg the question, "How does someone in public life get away with it so easily, if the Gestapo at the bank are looking at every jot and tittle of my finances?"
Easy. In public life, sometimes no one's watching. The emperor has no clothes. No one wants to say anything, lest he or she be pilloried for pointing it out or suggesting we need CPAs, too.
Just a couple of examples — from the most current to the mists of history — where there were no checks and balances in southwest Missouri's past.
Some $1.2 million disappeared from the Springfield Municipal Court between Jan. 1, 2000, and June 13 of this year.
This is the court where we pay our fines for all the sins we commit, from driving transgressions to having our dogs roam at large. These tickets are not inexpensive. Look at the city's record of keeping watch of the money, and all you can do is get sick. The City Finance Department told News-Leader reporter Jenny Fillmer earlier this year that the city does not regularly check to make sure the money that gets deposited into city bank accounts balances against the money it collected.
What happened to the money, before and now? "It would be very difficult for us to know," the city's director of finance, Mary Mannix-Decker, told Fillmer. Again, since the city's Finance Department doesn't check the dough to see where it goes, they dunno. Why?
The official excuse the city has used is that it doesn't have the money to look after our money, even after a state audit showed in 2000 that "vulnerabilities" have existed in our Municipal Court for years.
And how long has this kind of thing been going on?
That would be a great game-show question.
At least since the late 1980s. That's when ex-Greene County Collector's Office employee Lois Long, former Collector Gene Wickliffe's head bookkeeper and cashier, took an estimated $94,000 from the office.
It seems like every few weeks, there's a new news release about a local embezzlement: a Springfield PTA treasurer, a children's basketball organization's treasurer, lawyers for private trusts, all kinds of bookkeeping burglary in private industry.
It's reprehensible when parents and supporters sweat buckets to plump up children's activities and someone steals it. It's gut-wrenching when crooks rob old people who think they're making investments that will take them through their lives. When employees are allowed to plunder from the taxpayers. Why have we let it go on so long?
Are we NUTS?
could it be that when someone questions the expenditures of the elite elected officials they are BEATEN down by a news media organization for being a "MOONBAT"??
One only need to look in the mirror Ms. Sarah Overstreet and to where this article was printed to discover the answer.
Funny I thought the newspapers had INVESTIGATIVE REPORTERS, to write about this type of stuff.
KUDOS to Doug Burlison and the members of the Libertarian Party of Greene County for getting this subject on the forefront. Many thanks to the individual members of the police department, firefighters, and concerned citizens of Springfield.
There are two crimes I really can't understand:
a.) Serial killing. I've watched documentaries titled such as "The Mind of a Serial Killer." It's like I'm watching videos voiced in Farsi. Nothing computes.
b.) Embezzlement. I have to keep my bank account current (by subtraction, mostly), or My Good Friends Who Gave Me the Toaster to Sign Up With Their Bank will charge me a hefty fee for overdrawing.
So doesn't that beg the question, "How does someone in public life get away with it so easily, if the Gestapo at the bank are looking at every jot and tittle of my finances?"
Easy. In public life, sometimes no one's watching. The emperor has no clothes. No one wants to say anything, lest he or she be pilloried for pointing it out or suggesting we need CPAs, too.
Just a couple of examples — from the most current to the mists of history — where there were no checks and balances in southwest Missouri's past.
Some $1.2 million disappeared from the Springfield Municipal Court between Jan. 1, 2000, and June 13 of this year.
This is the court where we pay our fines for all the sins we commit, from driving transgressions to having our dogs roam at large. These tickets are not inexpensive. Look at the city's record of keeping watch of the money, and all you can do is get sick. The City Finance Department told News-Leader reporter Jenny Fillmer earlier this year that the city does not regularly check to make sure the money that gets deposited into city bank accounts balances against the money it collected.
What happened to the money, before and now? "It would be very difficult for us to know," the city's director of finance, Mary Mannix-Decker, told Fillmer. Again, since the city's Finance Department doesn't check the dough to see where it goes, they dunno. Why?
The official excuse the city has used is that it doesn't have the money to look after our money, even after a state audit showed in 2000 that "vulnerabilities" have existed in our Municipal Court for years.
And how long has this kind of thing been going on?
That would be a great game-show question.
At least since the late 1980s. That's when ex-Greene County Collector's Office employee Lois Long, former Collector Gene Wickliffe's head bookkeeper and cashier, took an estimated $94,000 from the office.
It seems like every few weeks, there's a new news release about a local embezzlement: a Springfield PTA treasurer, a children's basketball organization's treasurer, lawyers for private trusts, all kinds of bookkeeping burglary in private industry.
It's reprehensible when parents and supporters sweat buckets to plump up children's activities and someone steals it. It's gut-wrenching when crooks rob old people who think they're making investments that will take them through their lives. When employees are allowed to plunder from the taxpayers. Why have we let it go on so long?
Are we NUTS?
Monday, August 07, 2006
U.N.?
for years most republicans tried to distance themselves from the U.N. for obvisous reasons. It is an organization which is hell bent on controlling the world. The democrats like this as it fits into the social agenda of which guides the party.
the party that baffled me to some extend was the complaince with the party leaders and the mainstream republicans. this notion however has subsided since I've come to the conclusion that the current administration is using the U.N. resolutions as the scapegoat for going into Iraq.
No longer can many mainstream republicans, nor can the party faithful object to the status of the U.N. after all they used it quite nicely to deflect some criticism with our current quagmire.
the light has been shown on the party of principle and we have learned they have none, which means the faithful that don't agree with the U.N. position should either not vote or vote third party right?? not a chance they will continue to support their party, since people like me are deemed conspiracy theorist. it isn't until its too late that we find out post like these were correct.
government, government schooling and a complaint media have dumbed down a whole generation and a half of the citizens. is it too late to retrieve "our" country from the ruins of which it is headed?? for my kids sake I hope so.
the party that baffled me to some extend was the complaince with the party leaders and the mainstream republicans. this notion however has subsided since I've come to the conclusion that the current administration is using the U.N. resolutions as the scapegoat for going into Iraq.
No longer can many mainstream republicans, nor can the party faithful object to the status of the U.N. after all they used it quite nicely to deflect some criticism with our current quagmire.
the light has been shown on the party of principle and we have learned they have none, which means the faithful that don't agree with the U.N. position should either not vote or vote third party right?? not a chance they will continue to support their party, since people like me are deemed conspiracy theorist. it isn't until its too late that we find out post like these were correct.
government, government schooling and a complaint media have dumbed down a whole generation and a half of the citizens. is it too late to retrieve "our" country from the ruins of which it is headed?? for my kids sake I hope so.
GIVE UP RIGHTS FOR THE "COMMON GOOD"?
Sound like anyone here in the local area??
Where people fear the government you have tyranny; where the government fears the people, you have liberty.
Politicians, bureaucrats and especially judges would have you believe that too much freedom will result in chaos. Therefore, we should gladly give up some of our RIGHTS for the good of the community. In other words, people acting in the name of the government, say we need more laws and more JURORS to enforce these laws -- even if we have to give up some RIGHTS in the process. They believe the more laws we have, the more control, thus a better society. This theory may sound good on paper, and apparently many of our leaders think this way, as evidenced by the thousands of new laws that are added to the books each year in this country. But, no matter how cleverly this Marxist argument is made, the hard fact is that whenever you give up a RIGHT you lose a "FREE CHOICE"!
This adds another control. Control's real name is BONDAGE! The logical conclusion would be, if giving up some RIGHTS produces a better society, then by giving up all RIGHTS we could produce a perfect society. We could chain everybody to a tree, for lack of TRUST. This may prevent crime, but it would destroy PRIVACY, which is the heartbeat of FREEDOM! It would also destroy TRUST which is the foundation for DIGNITY. Rather than giving up RIGHTS, we should be giving up wrongs! The opposite of control is not chaos. More laws do not make less criminals! We must give up wrongs, not rights, for a better society! William Pitt of the British House of Commons once proclaimed,
"Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human liberty; it is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves."
INALIENABLE, [UNALIENABLE] OR NATURAL RIGHTS!
NATURAL RIGHTS ARE THOSE RIGHTS such as LIFE (from conception), LIBERTY and the PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS eg. FREEDOM of RELIGION, SPEECH, LEARNING, TRAVEL, SELF-DEFENSE, ETC. Hence laws and statutes which violate NATURAL RIGHTS, though they may have the color of law, are not law but impostors! The U.S. Constitution was written to protect these NATURAL RIGHTS from being tampered with by legislators. * Further, our forefathers also wisely knew that the U.S. Constitution would be utterly worthless to restrain government legislators unless it was clearly understood that the people had the right to compel the government to keep within the Constitutional limits.
Where people fear the government you have tyranny; where the government fears the people, you have liberty.
Politicians, bureaucrats and especially judges would have you believe that too much freedom will result in chaos. Therefore, we should gladly give up some of our RIGHTS for the good of the community. In other words, people acting in the name of the government, say we need more laws and more JURORS to enforce these laws -- even if we have to give up some RIGHTS in the process. They believe the more laws we have, the more control, thus a better society. This theory may sound good on paper, and apparently many of our leaders think this way, as evidenced by the thousands of new laws that are added to the books each year in this country. But, no matter how cleverly this Marxist argument is made, the hard fact is that whenever you give up a RIGHT you lose a "FREE CHOICE"!
This adds another control. Control's real name is BONDAGE! The logical conclusion would be, if giving up some RIGHTS produces a better society, then by giving up all RIGHTS we could produce a perfect society. We could chain everybody to a tree, for lack of TRUST. This may prevent crime, but it would destroy PRIVACY, which is the heartbeat of FREEDOM! It would also destroy TRUST which is the foundation for DIGNITY. Rather than giving up RIGHTS, we should be giving up wrongs! The opposite of control is not chaos. More laws do not make less criminals! We must give up wrongs, not rights, for a better society! William Pitt of the British House of Commons once proclaimed,
"Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human liberty; it is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves."
INALIENABLE, [UNALIENABLE] OR NATURAL RIGHTS!
NATURAL RIGHTS ARE THOSE RIGHTS such as LIFE (from conception), LIBERTY and the PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS eg. FREEDOM of RELIGION, SPEECH, LEARNING, TRAVEL, SELF-DEFENSE, ETC. Hence laws and statutes which violate NATURAL RIGHTS, though they may have the color of law, are not law but impostors! The U.S. Constitution was written to protect these NATURAL RIGHTS from being tampered with by legislators. * Further, our forefathers also wisely knew that the U.S. Constitution would be utterly worthless to restrain government legislators unless it was clearly understood that the people had the right to compel the government to keep within the Constitutional limits.
take it for what you will!!!
A SUMMARY OF THE COMMUNIST MANIFESTO
The Communist Manifesto represents a misguided philosophy, which teaches the citizens to give up their RIGHTS for the sake of the "common good," but it always ends in a police state. This is called preventive justice. Control is the key concept. Read carefully:
1. Abolition of private property.
2. Heavy progressive income tax.
3. Abolition of all rights on inheritance.
4. Confiscation of property of all emigrants and rebels.
5. Central bank.
6. Government control of Communications & Transportation.
7. Government ownership of factories and agriculture.
8. Government control of labor.
9. Corporate farms, regional planning.
10. Government control of education.
Looks to me like our citizenry has allowed the federal government along with the willing accomplises sitting on the Supreme Court to achieve all 10.
We may not be living in a communist nation yet but every vehicle is in place for the allowance of the tranisition.
The Communist Manifesto represents a misguided philosophy, which teaches the citizens to give up their RIGHTS for the sake of the "common good," but it always ends in a police state. This is called preventive justice. Control is the key concept. Read carefully:
1. Abolition of private property.
2. Heavy progressive income tax.
3. Abolition of all rights on inheritance.
4. Confiscation of property of all emigrants and rebels.
5. Central bank.
6. Government control of Communications & Transportation.
7. Government ownership of factories and agriculture.
8. Government control of labor.
9. Corporate farms, regional planning.
10. Government control of education.
Looks to me like our citizenry has allowed the federal government along with the willing accomplises sitting on the Supreme Court to achieve all 10.
We may not be living in a communist nation yet but every vehicle is in place for the allowance of the tranisition.
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Vote yes on city/county parks tax(News-Leader take)
YES, folks this is the very same news forum jounalism which gave us the infamous WE DON'T NEED NO STINKING AUDIT.
Doug Burlison was made out to be a nut case with an axe to grind, the individual members of the Libertarian Party,with individual police officers, fire fighters, and concerned citizens of Springfield were told we were barking up the wrong tree. After all KPMG is such a world reknown auditing firm that the concept of mismanagement of funds was unthinkable.
Once again the SNL has decided to recommend that we the taxpayers allow a government entity to take even more of our hard earned money so the City of Springfield can achieve some status within the state.
The following links dispell the notion that somehow building all these extravagant venues is going to raise the revenue into the city coffers by people visiting the area. When something is built with taxpayer funds then continues to need taxpayer funds for maintenance and upkeep it is hardly a windfall for the citizenry. If parks are so needed and generate revenue why isn't the private sector stepping up to the plate to funds these MONEY making propositions?
Quite easy really they don't make money and the cost to maintain these properties isn't offset by any financial gain.
http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=2830
Growth demands need for parks improvement.
There are two simple reasons to support the Springfield/Greene County parks tax increase when you vote on Tuesday:
1. The parks board has been a good steward of your tax dollars.
2. If the city and county want to continue to have a world-class parks program as the area grows, then more revenue will be needed.
We believe both of those premises are true, and that's why we encourage voters to say yes to a quarter-cent sales tax increase for parks in Greene County.
The proposal, which will raise $50 million over five years, is a continuation of a long-term vision that was developed by citizens and has been supported by the community time and time again. Voting yes finishes improvements to Dickerson Park Zoo that were started with the last parks tax increase. Voting yes spends money on improved parks and aquatic facilities in the north (Doling Park and Grant Beach Park) and gets the ball rolling on a park and family center east of U.S. 65, a fast-growing and underserved corridor. Voting yes continues to improve sports complexes such as the Cooper Tennis Center that serve as an economic development engine, bringing millions of dollars to our city when families fill up hotel rooms and buy food and other goods in our community during trips to Springfield for soccer, softball or tennis competitions. Voting yes protects watersheds and brings about necessary improvements to historic parks such as Sequiota Park. Voting yes continues an efficient cooperation between the parks board and the Springfield Public Schools as taxpayers dollars create flexible green spaces that can be used by schoolchildren and taxpayers.
Voting yes fulfills the promise of a higher quality of life for our community.
There is a downside, of course, to higher taxes. If voters say yes, they will have created a permanent quarter-cent sales tax over the past 10 years. Eventually, these fractions of a cent add up. In Springfield, with its multitude of taxing districts, recently approved bond issues for a power plant and better schools, eventually the added taxes will create a burden for those on fixed incomes. Frankly, we hear the voices of some critics who wonder why we would continue to approve parks taxes in our community while saying no to higher law enforcement taxes or sitting idly by as our city struggles to find money for raises for police officers and firefighters.
But we believe it's important to see the bigger picture. Saying no to the parks tax will not magically free up some money in the general revenue accounts of the city. Quite the opposite. Better parks lure businesses to town and help others maintain quality employees. Better parks help pay for themselves by bringing visitors to town who help produce higher sales tax revenue. This year's sales tax collections in Springfield, for instance, increased by more than 8 percent as of March — more than triple last year's increase during the same time. This doesn't happen by accident.
Our city is growing because it's a wonderful place to live. The parks are a big part of that equation.
Tuesday's vote continues to fulfill a vision that citizens had long before some of us came to the Ozarks. It's a vision that sees a growing city and makes sure that we have a connection to all parts of the city through our parks and trails system. The brilliance of the plan is that with every yes vote, the parks board secures enough money to pay for the future improvements. That's important because some day, money might be tight and we will have to say no.
That's not the case today. The parks board has earned the trust of voters in Springfield and Greene County. It has a job to do to continue to make this a beautiful place to live.
Let's give it the money to do that job.
Vote yes on the local parks tax.
VOTE NO on all tax increases, bond measures, and vote out all incumbents. We demand accountability.
Tom Martz(libertarian)
candidate for the 139th
Doug Burlison was made out to be a nut case with an axe to grind, the individual members of the Libertarian Party,with individual police officers, fire fighters, and concerned citizens of Springfield were told we were barking up the wrong tree. After all KPMG is such a world reknown auditing firm that the concept of mismanagement of funds was unthinkable.
Once again the SNL has decided to recommend that we the taxpayers allow a government entity to take even more of our hard earned money so the City of Springfield can achieve some status within the state.
The following links dispell the notion that somehow building all these extravagant venues is going to raise the revenue into the city coffers by people visiting the area. When something is built with taxpayer funds then continues to need taxpayer funds for maintenance and upkeep it is hardly a windfall for the citizenry. If parks are so needed and generate revenue why isn't the private sector stepping up to the plate to funds these MONEY making propositions?
Quite easy really they don't make money and the cost to maintain these properties isn't offset by any financial gain.
http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=2830
Growth demands need for parks improvement.
There are two simple reasons to support the Springfield/Greene County parks tax increase when you vote on Tuesday:
1. The parks board has been a good steward of your tax dollars.
2. If the city and county want to continue to have a world-class parks program as the area grows, then more revenue will be needed.
We believe both of those premises are true, and that's why we encourage voters to say yes to a quarter-cent sales tax increase for parks in Greene County.
The proposal, which will raise $50 million over five years, is a continuation of a long-term vision that was developed by citizens and has been supported by the community time and time again. Voting yes finishes improvements to Dickerson Park Zoo that were started with the last parks tax increase. Voting yes spends money on improved parks and aquatic facilities in the north (Doling Park and Grant Beach Park) and gets the ball rolling on a park and family center east of U.S. 65, a fast-growing and underserved corridor. Voting yes continues to improve sports complexes such as the Cooper Tennis Center that serve as an economic development engine, bringing millions of dollars to our city when families fill up hotel rooms and buy food and other goods in our community during trips to Springfield for soccer, softball or tennis competitions. Voting yes protects watersheds and brings about necessary improvements to historic parks such as Sequiota Park. Voting yes continues an efficient cooperation between the parks board and the Springfield Public Schools as taxpayers dollars create flexible green spaces that can be used by schoolchildren and taxpayers.
Voting yes fulfills the promise of a higher quality of life for our community.
There is a downside, of course, to higher taxes. If voters say yes, they will have created a permanent quarter-cent sales tax over the past 10 years. Eventually, these fractions of a cent add up. In Springfield, with its multitude of taxing districts, recently approved bond issues for a power plant and better schools, eventually the added taxes will create a burden for those on fixed incomes. Frankly, we hear the voices of some critics who wonder why we would continue to approve parks taxes in our community while saying no to higher law enforcement taxes or sitting idly by as our city struggles to find money for raises for police officers and firefighters.
But we believe it's important to see the bigger picture. Saying no to the parks tax will not magically free up some money in the general revenue accounts of the city. Quite the opposite. Better parks lure businesses to town and help others maintain quality employees. Better parks help pay for themselves by bringing visitors to town who help produce higher sales tax revenue. This year's sales tax collections in Springfield, for instance, increased by more than 8 percent as of March — more than triple last year's increase during the same time. This doesn't happen by accident.
Our city is growing because it's a wonderful place to live. The parks are a big part of that equation.
Tuesday's vote continues to fulfill a vision that citizens had long before some of us came to the Ozarks. It's a vision that sees a growing city and makes sure that we have a connection to all parts of the city through our parks and trails system. The brilliance of the plan is that with every yes vote, the parks board secures enough money to pay for the future improvements. That's important because some day, money might be tight and we will have to say no.
That's not the case today. The parks board has earned the trust of voters in Springfield and Greene County. It has a job to do to continue to make this a beautiful place to live.
Let's give it the money to do that job.
Vote yes on the local parks tax.
VOTE NO on all tax increases, bond measures, and vote out all incumbents. We demand accountability.
Tom Martz(libertarian)
candidate for the 139th
Contractors group supports tax
This is a no brainer. An organization that receives fees from the very same people that are going to be bidding on these contracts for so called improvements only makes sense. The city has already proven it is NOT to be trusted with any funds let alone supplying them with MORE.
Sorry but if the citizenry of this area willingly bows over and allows this to happen then they deserve NO less representation then they get. Sometimes I wonder if the people in this area ACTUALLY pay attention to the matters at hand, or are they to busy trying to get little Johnny and Suzy to be world class athletes in a town not known for its athletic prowess.
The people of this area need to wake up and observe the people they place into office. We the people are being lied to, ripped off and NO ONE seems to care. Well I care and will carry that voice to Jeff City to stop the abuses of government. I am but one voice but together we can and will be HEARD.
The Board of Directors of Springfield Contractors Association encourages the citizens of Greene County to "vote yes, to continue your parks' success" and approve the proposed quarter-cent sales tax on Aug. 8 ballot.
The sales tax is expected to raise approximately $50 million over the next five years. These funds will be used to continue to improve existing parks and provide new parks in under-served areas of Greene County.
Besides the direct economic benefit a vibrant and comprehensive parks system provides by serving our citizens and attracting visitors, the $50 million spent to improve our quality of life will also turn over in our hands to deliver about $150 million in impact of dollars spent in our community.
Several necessary water quality projects have been designed into the overall parks plan. Improving our water quality with the same dollars we use to improve our parks is good use of taxpayer money.
The comprehensive details of the planned improvements are available at www.voteyesparks.com.
We encourage you to find the answers to any questions you might have and most important: Go vote yes on Aug. 8.
Sheryl Letterman, Springfield The author is the executive director of the Springfield Contractors Association
Make a break from politics as usual, support third party candidates and throw out the people that refuse to listen to the voice of the people.
Vote Libertarian
Tom Martz
candidate 139th district
Sorry but if the citizenry of this area willingly bows over and allows this to happen then they deserve NO less representation then they get. Sometimes I wonder if the people in this area ACTUALLY pay attention to the matters at hand, or are they to busy trying to get little Johnny and Suzy to be world class athletes in a town not known for its athletic prowess.
The people of this area need to wake up and observe the people they place into office. We the people are being lied to, ripped off and NO ONE seems to care. Well I care and will carry that voice to Jeff City to stop the abuses of government. I am but one voice but together we can and will be HEARD.
The Board of Directors of Springfield Contractors Association encourages the citizens of Greene County to "vote yes, to continue your parks' success" and approve the proposed quarter-cent sales tax on Aug. 8 ballot.
The sales tax is expected to raise approximately $50 million over the next five years. These funds will be used to continue to improve existing parks and provide new parks in under-served areas of Greene County.
Besides the direct economic benefit a vibrant and comprehensive parks system provides by serving our citizens and attracting visitors, the $50 million spent to improve our quality of life will also turn over in our hands to deliver about $150 million in impact of dollars spent in our community.
Several necessary water quality projects have been designed into the overall parks plan. Improving our water quality with the same dollars we use to improve our parks is good use of taxpayer money.
The comprehensive details of the planned improvements are available at www.voteyesparks.com.
We encourage you to find the answers to any questions you might have and most important: Go vote yes on Aug. 8.
Sheryl Letterman, Springfield The author is the executive director of the Springfield Contractors Association
Make a break from politics as usual, support third party candidates and throw out the people that refuse to listen to the voice of the people.
Vote Libertarian
Tom Martz
candidate 139th district
Saturday, August 05, 2006
the run off for the 139th
so lets see if I have this right. Shane Schoeller is a political insider, and has the support of Republican bigwigs Darrell and Dinette Proctor of Willard.
Karen Roark(Brad's mom)put her name on the ballot and NO one knows why except for maybe Karen. Both of these people were NO SHOWS @ the Families for Change political candidate forum.
My personal favorite is Joe Pyles. WHY because I met him at the above mentioned forum and he seems like a reasonable Republican. Yes he is the classic underdog just like I will be during the general election.
Personally having experience in politics is the reason why most people distrust government, and they should since past experience has proven not to be of any value.
I wonder if KY 3 will send out a reporter to cover me when I start walking door to door to introduce myself to the voters of this district. I'm not well known even to my neighbors, however that will change in the next few months as I am going to try to make inroads in an area well known for voting for the status quo of government.
One thing is for certain no matter how much the 3 republican candidates differ on the issues, they will walk in lockstep come election time. Some will say my tone is HARSH, however I live in REALITY and even the most social republican will walk in lockstep with the most conservative republican over 90% of the time, excluding one, Ron Paul, TX HoR district 14. A man with principles, charisma, and a firm understanding of the Constitution. Since I have started following politics this man has been my guiding light in times of dispair, and political mayhem.
#139 SCHOELLER: A TEST OF PARTY POWER
Some Republicans believe Shane Schoeller's success or failure Tuesday will be a test of how strong the party regulars remain in local politics. Privately, some G.O.P. insiders are just baffled about the candidacy of Karen Roark, Rep. Brad Roark's mother. When I asked one Republican resident in the #139th if she was qualified to be a lawmaker, he replied, "don't ask me that."
Many of the committee people in the 139th threw their support to Schoeller early on, and haven't even heard from Roark yet. "I've never even talked to her," said one party official. "She's made no effort to contact me."
The theory goes that Schoeller is stronger in the western end of the district, while Roark will perform better in the eastern part. "She obviously gets a lot just from the name. You see a lot of Brad's signs and a lot of her signs, real close to each other" says one Republican.
"I think Schoeller will pull it off in the end," says the #139th party official. "But it will be a real test to see if the party rank and file make a difference in picking and endorsing candidates anymore."
posted by David Catanese
Shane Schoeller Aims To End Roark Legacy
Republicans privately say this was supposed to be the year Shane Schoeller finally got his due, easily cruising to the G.O.P. nomination in the 139th legislative district.
But now Schoeller is locked in a 3-way primary race, where one of his opponents carries a popular political name in the district.
Schoeller is running against Karen Roark, Rep. Brad Roark's mother, and media consultant Joe Pyles.
I got to catch up with Schoeller today as he was going door-to-door in the 139th. Refreshingly, Schoeller wouldn't say anything even close to disparaging about either of his G.O.P. rivals. He seems not to hold a grudge or take anything for granted. Instead, he focused on issues and experience.
"The main difference is experience. I have it on the federal, state and local level," Schoeller said referring to his work for John Ashcroft, Kit Bond and both Matt and Roy Blunt.
"Karen Roark is running a good race. Joe Pyles is a nice man, very friendly," Schoeller said.
Schoeller said he spoke to Rep. Brad Roark about his mother running and said there were no hard feelings on either side. "I said to Brad, that's what's great about our country. Anybody can run," Schoeller recalled.
Just a note . . . I have contacted several top G.O.P. officials about ways to get in touch with Karen Roark to get her views. I have not received calls back yet. Any tips on how to get in touch with Ms. Roark would be greatly appreciated. Maybe I'm just bad at tracking down campaign sites?
Regarding Pyles, Schoeller said he believes he is more conservative than Pyles. "I think Joe may be a little more moderate than I am. I don't know if that's the message for this district. It's fairly conservative."
Here's Schoeller on the issues:
Medicaid Cuts - He'd vote to reinstate the MAWD program for working people with disabilities, but wouldn't say the Medicaid cuts went too far. "I think it is a smart investment to give the working disabled a chance to work. Anytime you have reforms, unfortunate things happen, I understand that."
Special Session - He'd only support a special session to reinstate Medicaid if it was held during the veto session so it wouldn't cost taxpayers any extra money.
Minimum Wage Hike - He said he'd only support a minimum wage hike as part of a larger package that would include tax breaks for businesses. "That's the only circumstance I'd support it," Schoeller said.
Stem Cell Amendment - He is against the stem cell initiative because he said it's a controversial proposal that destroys human life. "It's not a smart choice for Missouri. I certainly believe an embryo is a human life. Adult stem cells offer so much more results." What about embryos that are going to be discarded anyway? Schoeller is against using any type of embryos for research. "Once you do that, you hit a slippery slope. My position is firm on these issues."
License Fee Office Reform - This may be a touchy topic for Schoeller because his wife operates a fee office in Nixa. He said he does not yet have a position on Rep. Mark Wright's plan to change the way the offices are awarded and run. "I haven't taken a position, I'd have to see the details but so much has been mischaracterized about these license offices. Unfortunately it has become an issue, but for me it is already out there. My wife has one office in Nixa, but we didn't ask for it. We were approached about running it and I encouraged my wife to do it. People rarely ask me about it, most aren't interested in it."
Biggest Issue for #139 Voters - Iraq . . . You read it right, Iraq. Of all the issues Schoeller hears about, he said he gets the most questions, comments and concern about the war. As a potential state lawmaker, Schoeller obviously doesn't have much control over that issue, but he said that's what people want to talk about. "People have a lot of different opinions, but overall they want victory, a conclusion, some type of closure."
Here's his campaign website . . . http://www.electschoeller.com/
I appreciate the heads-up on it. As much as I googled and tried other searches, I couldn't find it.
Schoeller said while Roark has name identification, his biggest strength is organization. "I feel like I've done all the things necessary to win this race," Schoeller said. But he admits that getting people energized about voting in the middle of vacation season is difficult. "It's very hard in a primary. I hear people all the time say, 'When's that election again?,'" Schoeller said.
Of all the politicians he has worked for Schoeller said he's learned the most from his four years serving as a legislative aide to Rep. Roy Blunt. "He helped me set priorities and figure out what can and can't be done," Schoeller said. "I learned the most important thing is keeping your word to people. If you can't help them, you have to tell them that. It's better to tell them instead of telling them you'll look into it and you never get back to them. People will respect that," Schoeller said.
posted by David Catanese
Can Joe Pyles Pull An Upset in the 139th?
Can a candidate for a higher minimum wage, for the stem cell ballot initiative, supportive of restoring Medicaid cuts for the working disabled and revamping the license fee offices really win a northern Greene County G.O.P primary?
That's what Joe Pyles is trying to do in the 139th.
The Republican primary for the 139th legislative district includes three candidates, Shane Schoeller, Joe Pyles and Karen Roark. I couldn't find campaign websites for Schoeller or Roark, so Pyles gets the only web profile for now.
On his campaign website, Pyles tries to make the case that he's the only candidate in this race that is serious about representing the 139th. "I didn't move to the 139th to run for office or file on the last day. I am not part of any political machine," Pyles writes.
A Fair Grove resident, Pyles has served on the West Plains city council and fought in Operation Desert Storm. He's now a media consultant, so it's not surprising he has a website. He talks about bringing "political attention" to northern Greene County, by holding community meetings and town hall events. His list of issues include noting his "pro-life, anti-gun control" stands, but his positions on hot-button topics like Medicaid and stem cells do stand out above all. You certainly don't see those positions on the campaign websites of many Republicans running in southwest Missouri.
Still, he seems to reject the label of a "progressive or moderate." We gave him that label in a previous entry. And he's responded on his site. "The media tries to label Joe as a progressive, moderate. He just reminds you that he is just a human being that's offering his services to represent all parties, all views."
Pyles is attempting to reach out to moderate Republicans and even Democrats. He says he's chosen the Republican party because it best governs free enterprise, prevents government intervention and doesn't find ways to raise taxes. But Pyles promises he'll listen to Democratic ideas respectfully and work with the other side effectively.
Pyles also tries to take the populist approach when it comes to money, pledging that while he may be outraised and outspent, it won't matter. He says he has a "conservative budget" of $45,750 to spend on this race. On the donation part of the site, he recommends an $80 contribution for a primary victory . . . and a $110 contribution for a general election win.
I haven't seen any evidence of where this primary race stands, but insiders say Karen Roark will be the favorite just because of her name. That means if Pyles is able to pull off a win this primary night, it would be one of the big stories of election night.
Vote Libertarian,
change the face of politics
Tom Martz(L)
candidate for the 139th
Karen Roark(Brad's mom)put her name on the ballot and NO one knows why except for maybe Karen. Both of these people were NO SHOWS @ the Families for Change political candidate forum.
My personal favorite is Joe Pyles. WHY because I met him at the above mentioned forum and he seems like a reasonable Republican. Yes he is the classic underdog just like I will be during the general election.
Personally having experience in politics is the reason why most people distrust government, and they should since past experience has proven not to be of any value.
I wonder if KY 3 will send out a reporter to cover me when I start walking door to door to introduce myself to the voters of this district. I'm not well known even to my neighbors, however that will change in the next few months as I am going to try to make inroads in an area well known for voting for the status quo of government.
One thing is for certain no matter how much the 3 republican candidates differ on the issues, they will walk in lockstep come election time. Some will say my tone is HARSH, however I live in REALITY and even the most social republican will walk in lockstep with the most conservative republican over 90% of the time, excluding one, Ron Paul, TX HoR district 14. A man with principles, charisma, and a firm understanding of the Constitution. Since I have started following politics this man has been my guiding light in times of dispair, and political mayhem.
#139 SCHOELLER: A TEST OF PARTY POWER
Some Republicans believe Shane Schoeller's success or failure Tuesday will be a test of how strong the party regulars remain in local politics. Privately, some G.O.P. insiders are just baffled about the candidacy of Karen Roark, Rep. Brad Roark's mother. When I asked one Republican resident in the #139th if she was qualified to be a lawmaker, he replied, "don't ask me that."
Many of the committee people in the 139th threw their support to Schoeller early on, and haven't even heard from Roark yet. "I've never even talked to her," said one party official. "She's made no effort to contact me."
The theory goes that Schoeller is stronger in the western end of the district, while Roark will perform better in the eastern part. "She obviously gets a lot just from the name. You see a lot of Brad's signs and a lot of her signs, real close to each other" says one Republican.
"I think Schoeller will pull it off in the end," says the #139th party official. "But it will be a real test to see if the party rank and file make a difference in picking and endorsing candidates anymore."
posted by David Catanese
Shane Schoeller Aims To End Roark Legacy
Republicans privately say this was supposed to be the year Shane Schoeller finally got his due, easily cruising to the G.O.P. nomination in the 139th legislative district.
But now Schoeller is locked in a 3-way primary race, where one of his opponents carries a popular political name in the district.
Schoeller is running against Karen Roark, Rep. Brad Roark's mother, and media consultant Joe Pyles.
I got to catch up with Schoeller today as he was going door-to-door in the 139th. Refreshingly, Schoeller wouldn't say anything even close to disparaging about either of his G.O.P. rivals. He seems not to hold a grudge or take anything for granted. Instead, he focused on issues and experience.
"The main difference is experience. I have it on the federal, state and local level," Schoeller said referring to his work for John Ashcroft, Kit Bond and both Matt and Roy Blunt.
"Karen Roark is running a good race. Joe Pyles is a nice man, very friendly," Schoeller said.
Schoeller said he spoke to Rep. Brad Roark about his mother running and said there were no hard feelings on either side. "I said to Brad, that's what's great about our country. Anybody can run," Schoeller recalled.
Just a note . . . I have contacted several top G.O.P. officials about ways to get in touch with Karen Roark to get her views. I have not received calls back yet. Any tips on how to get in touch with Ms. Roark would be greatly appreciated. Maybe I'm just bad at tracking down campaign sites?
Regarding Pyles, Schoeller said he believes he is more conservative than Pyles. "I think Joe may be a little more moderate than I am. I don't know if that's the message for this district. It's fairly conservative."
Here's Schoeller on the issues:
Medicaid Cuts - He'd vote to reinstate the MAWD program for working people with disabilities, but wouldn't say the Medicaid cuts went too far. "I think it is a smart investment to give the working disabled a chance to work. Anytime you have reforms, unfortunate things happen, I understand that."
Special Session - He'd only support a special session to reinstate Medicaid if it was held during the veto session so it wouldn't cost taxpayers any extra money.
Minimum Wage Hike - He said he'd only support a minimum wage hike as part of a larger package that would include tax breaks for businesses. "That's the only circumstance I'd support it," Schoeller said.
Stem Cell Amendment - He is against the stem cell initiative because he said it's a controversial proposal that destroys human life. "It's not a smart choice for Missouri. I certainly believe an embryo is a human life. Adult stem cells offer so much more results." What about embryos that are going to be discarded anyway? Schoeller is against using any type of embryos for research. "Once you do that, you hit a slippery slope. My position is firm on these issues."
License Fee Office Reform - This may be a touchy topic for Schoeller because his wife operates a fee office in Nixa. He said he does not yet have a position on Rep. Mark Wright's plan to change the way the offices are awarded and run. "I haven't taken a position, I'd have to see the details but so much has been mischaracterized about these license offices. Unfortunately it has become an issue, but for me it is already out there. My wife has one office in Nixa, but we didn't ask for it. We were approached about running it and I encouraged my wife to do it. People rarely ask me about it, most aren't interested in it."
Biggest Issue for #139 Voters - Iraq . . . You read it right, Iraq. Of all the issues Schoeller hears about, he said he gets the most questions, comments and concern about the war. As a potential state lawmaker, Schoeller obviously doesn't have much control over that issue, but he said that's what people want to talk about. "People have a lot of different opinions, but overall they want victory, a conclusion, some type of closure."
Here's his campaign website . . . http://www.electschoeller.com/
I appreciate the heads-up on it. As much as I googled and tried other searches, I couldn't find it.
Schoeller said while Roark has name identification, his biggest strength is organization. "I feel like I've done all the things necessary to win this race," Schoeller said. But he admits that getting people energized about voting in the middle of vacation season is difficult. "It's very hard in a primary. I hear people all the time say, 'When's that election again?,'" Schoeller said.
Of all the politicians he has worked for Schoeller said he's learned the most from his four years serving as a legislative aide to Rep. Roy Blunt. "He helped me set priorities and figure out what can and can't be done," Schoeller said. "I learned the most important thing is keeping your word to people. If you can't help them, you have to tell them that. It's better to tell them instead of telling them you'll look into it and you never get back to them. People will respect that," Schoeller said.
posted by David Catanese
Can Joe Pyles Pull An Upset in the 139th?
Can a candidate for a higher minimum wage, for the stem cell ballot initiative, supportive of restoring Medicaid cuts for the working disabled and revamping the license fee offices really win a northern Greene County G.O.P primary?
That's what Joe Pyles is trying to do in the 139th.
The Republican primary for the 139th legislative district includes three candidates, Shane Schoeller, Joe Pyles and Karen Roark. I couldn't find campaign websites for Schoeller or Roark, so Pyles gets the only web profile for now.
On his campaign website, Pyles tries to make the case that he's the only candidate in this race that is serious about representing the 139th. "I didn't move to the 139th to run for office or file on the last day. I am not part of any political machine," Pyles writes.
A Fair Grove resident, Pyles has served on the West Plains city council and fought in Operation Desert Storm. He's now a media consultant, so it's not surprising he has a website. He talks about bringing "political attention" to northern Greene County, by holding community meetings and town hall events. His list of issues include noting his "pro-life, anti-gun control" stands, but his positions on hot-button topics like Medicaid and stem cells do stand out above all. You certainly don't see those positions on the campaign websites of many Republicans running in southwest Missouri.
Still, he seems to reject the label of a "progressive or moderate." We gave him that label in a previous entry. And he's responded on his site. "The media tries to label Joe as a progressive, moderate. He just reminds you that he is just a human being that's offering his services to represent all parties, all views."
Pyles is attempting to reach out to moderate Republicans and even Democrats. He says he's chosen the Republican party because it best governs free enterprise, prevents government intervention and doesn't find ways to raise taxes. But Pyles promises he'll listen to Democratic ideas respectfully and work with the other side effectively.
Pyles also tries to take the populist approach when it comes to money, pledging that while he may be outraised and outspent, it won't matter. He says he has a "conservative budget" of $45,750 to spend on this race. On the donation part of the site, he recommends an $80 contribution for a primary victory . . . and a $110 contribution for a general election win.
I haven't seen any evidence of where this primary race stands, but insiders say Karen Roark will be the favorite just because of her name. That means if Pyles is able to pull off a win this primary night, it would be one of the big stories of election night.
Vote Libertarian,
change the face of politics
Tom Martz(L)
candidate for the 139th
Stay out of our business
GAMBLING »
BRAVO Bill there really isn't to much I could add to this. Nice to see that others are picking up on the "fish wrapper" and there attempt at a nanny complex. This area is Christian central and most churches don't want gambling this close, it corrupts people you know!!
I seen corrupt politicians, business owners, people in general, and corrupt clergy, but don't ever call them out on it.
Again Bill you have your finger on the pulse of common sense thinking on this issue.
What does an editorial writer for the paper know about the needs or options of our community? "Find a way to ride the wave of success of Branson," were his words. Wake up to the facts. Branson Landing was built and continues to be built by taxpayer funding, i.e., Tax-Increment Financing.
The bills aren't in yet, the failure of anything in the Landing will bring the costs to a head. Who will end up paying? The taxpayers of Branson and Taney County.
Where did the money to fight our first venture to get gambling come from? A businessman who was afraid that the boat would take money away from his multiple ventures. That same person also fought to keep NASCAR from building a track in Hollister for the same reasons. Think about how many people that would have brought to the area!
Let's look at the facts. Rockaway Beach needs a break. Manufacturing isn't an option because of limited space.
The cost of the gambling boat will be paid 100 percent by the developer, not the taxpayers. More than 1,000 construction jobs to build the casino and 700 to 900 year-round jobs with benefits would be created. The tax money generated would benefit Rockaway Beach, Taney County and the state.
Lastly, bus tours come to Branson in droves, they stay in Branson for three days, leave and go to Tunica for the next two days. Why not keep it all here?
I can assure you that no one will be dragged kicking and screaming into the casino.
Mr. Editor, get your facts together before you try to tell us how to run our community.
Bill Petrovic, Rockaway Beach
BRAVO Bill there really isn't to much I could add to this. Nice to see that others are picking up on the "fish wrapper" and there attempt at a nanny complex. This area is Christian central and most churches don't want gambling this close, it corrupts people you know!!
I seen corrupt politicians, business owners, people in general, and corrupt clergy, but don't ever call them out on it.
Again Bill you have your finger on the pulse of common sense thinking on this issue.
What does an editorial writer for the paper know about the needs or options of our community? "Find a way to ride the wave of success of Branson," were his words. Wake up to the facts. Branson Landing was built and continues to be built by taxpayer funding, i.e., Tax-Increment Financing.
The bills aren't in yet, the failure of anything in the Landing will bring the costs to a head. Who will end up paying? The taxpayers of Branson and Taney County.
Where did the money to fight our first venture to get gambling come from? A businessman who was afraid that the boat would take money away from his multiple ventures. That same person also fought to keep NASCAR from building a track in Hollister for the same reasons. Think about how many people that would have brought to the area!
Let's look at the facts. Rockaway Beach needs a break. Manufacturing isn't an option because of limited space.
The cost of the gambling boat will be paid 100 percent by the developer, not the taxpayers. More than 1,000 construction jobs to build the casino and 700 to 900 year-round jobs with benefits would be created. The tax money generated would benefit Rockaway Beach, Taney County and the state.
Lastly, bus tours come to Branson in droves, they stay in Branson for three days, leave and go to Tunica for the next two days. Why not keep it all here?
I can assure you that no one will be dragged kicking and screaming into the casino.
Mr. Editor, get your facts together before you try to tell us how to run our community.
Bill Petrovic, Rockaway Beach
Friday, August 04, 2006
Approve fire district tax increase
It is the opinion of this candidate that if more houses are being constructed, more people moving into the area, more businesses moving into the area, that equates into more revenue into not only the fire district, but that of the police department and the schools.
For some reason this local area has a fire truck or two respond to every auto and/or truck accident even if the chance of fire is non existant. We have EMS/EMT and a host of other services that respond quite well to these types of accidents, why is a fire truck sent to a simple fender bender???
It would seem to me that the fire department should allocate its money to be an effective branch of civil government and stop playing politics. I grew up in an area about the size of Rogersville which had NO full time fire fighters nor did they have a large tax levy district to allot funds for new fire trucks and the like. My goodness what did they do when times were in need of fire equipment??? They approached the residents of Fayetteville, PA with the problem and had a fund raising campaign to purchase the equipment with cash so no loans were carried.
What happened to the days where instead of confiscating money via taxes the departments would approach the citizenry to finance a cash strapped entity? In this day an age 28% of the eligible voters will go to the polls of which 60%+ of that will inform the homeowners, business owners, that your cost are going up even though the case hasn't been made for more money.
Approve fire district tax increase
Logan-Rogersville has good plan for growth.
More people. More houses. More roads. More accidents. More fires.
To deal with burgeoning growth southeast of Springfield, the Logan-Rogersville Fire District is asking voters for a 12-cent property tax increase. We endorse their request.
Twice in the past few years the fire district has asked voters to approve a bond issue to help deal with growth in its three-county, 160-square-mile district, and both times voters said yes, but not by the supermajority needed to pass the bond issue. So fire district officials went to the citizens and asked for advice. They came up with a mill levy increase instead that will cost the owner of a $200,000 home about $45 a year. That seems like a lot of money for those folks who never have a fire or end up in a car accident.
But pick up the phone and dial 911 just once and you'll realize how important it is for firefighters to get to your home quickly.
That's what passing this tax increase will do: improve response times, particularly in the fastest growing area in Greene County.
The tax increase will fund 11 full-time firefighters and will allow the district to staff its busiest station — Station 2 on Blackman Road — 24 hours a day. That's the sort of protection homeowners in an urban area expect, and it's what Logan-Rogersville wants to provide.
Fire service takes care of one of our most basic government functions — safety — and it's why we wholeheartedly endorse this tax increase. As the area grows, we must pay for that growth sometimes by providing additional services. But there's a reward for our generosity. One of the benefits of improved fire coverage is decreased cost for homeowners insurance.
The Logan-Rogersville district has reduced their ISO rating to a 4, and that puts money right back in the pockets of taxpayers.
As calls for service increase, the only way to keep response times down is to increase personnel or build new stations. This will accomplish at least half the job by increasing paid staff and placing them at the busiest station.
Finally, the board of the fire district has spent its money wisely. Following the model of most fire districts in the Ozarks, Logan-Rogersville spends its money on paid personnel in the fire stations providing the day-to-day service to taxpayers. Money is not spent on bloated salaries for administrators. The district should be commended for that approach.
We urge citizens in the Logan-Rogersville Fire Protection District to vote yes on Proposition 1 on Tuesday.
For some reason this local area has a fire truck or two respond to every auto and/or truck accident even if the chance of fire is non existant. We have EMS/EMT and a host of other services that respond quite well to these types of accidents, why is a fire truck sent to a simple fender bender???
It would seem to me that the fire department should allocate its money to be an effective branch of civil government and stop playing politics. I grew up in an area about the size of Rogersville which had NO full time fire fighters nor did they have a large tax levy district to allot funds for new fire trucks and the like. My goodness what did they do when times were in need of fire equipment??? They approached the residents of Fayetteville, PA with the problem and had a fund raising campaign to purchase the equipment with cash so no loans were carried.
What happened to the days where instead of confiscating money via taxes the departments would approach the citizenry to finance a cash strapped entity? In this day an age 28% of the eligible voters will go to the polls of which 60%+ of that will inform the homeowners, business owners, that your cost are going up even though the case hasn't been made for more money.
Approve fire district tax increase
Logan-Rogersville has good plan for growth.
More people. More houses. More roads. More accidents. More fires.
To deal with burgeoning growth southeast of Springfield, the Logan-Rogersville Fire District is asking voters for a 12-cent property tax increase. We endorse their request.
Twice in the past few years the fire district has asked voters to approve a bond issue to help deal with growth in its three-county, 160-square-mile district, and both times voters said yes, but not by the supermajority needed to pass the bond issue. So fire district officials went to the citizens and asked for advice. They came up with a mill levy increase instead that will cost the owner of a $200,000 home about $45 a year. That seems like a lot of money for those folks who never have a fire or end up in a car accident.
But pick up the phone and dial 911 just once and you'll realize how important it is for firefighters to get to your home quickly.
That's what passing this tax increase will do: improve response times, particularly in the fastest growing area in Greene County.
The tax increase will fund 11 full-time firefighters and will allow the district to staff its busiest station — Station 2 on Blackman Road — 24 hours a day. That's the sort of protection homeowners in an urban area expect, and it's what Logan-Rogersville wants to provide.
Fire service takes care of one of our most basic government functions — safety — and it's why we wholeheartedly endorse this tax increase. As the area grows, we must pay for that growth sometimes by providing additional services. But there's a reward for our generosity. One of the benefits of improved fire coverage is decreased cost for homeowners insurance.
The Logan-Rogersville district has reduced their ISO rating to a 4, and that puts money right back in the pockets of taxpayers.
As calls for service increase, the only way to keep response times down is to increase personnel or build new stations. This will accomplish at least half the job by increasing paid staff and placing them at the busiest station.
Finally, the board of the fire district has spent its money wisely. Following the model of most fire districts in the Ozarks, Logan-Rogersville spends its money on paid personnel in the fire stations providing the day-to-day service to taxpayers. Money is not spent on bloated salaries for administrators. The district should be commended for that approach.
We urge citizens in the Logan-Rogersville Fire Protection District to vote yes on Proposition 1 on Tuesday.
Saturday, July 29, 2006
City to look at storage unit rules
Here's a wonderful idea to solve this problem. The company that supplies these containers can paint them with wonderful scenes from around the nation, which can blend into the landscape of the city of Springfield. The City Council will be happy so they can still continue to IGNORE the ordinance that they passed. The whiners that complain about the storage containers won't realize they are storage containers because they blend in with the landscape. The owner of the storage container company will have BEAUTIFUL containers which can have historic scenery painted on the sides or different places from around the country and (s)he can charge a little extra for the cost of the container beautification. All of this WITHOUT GOVERNMENT intervention, a proper Libertarian solution.
Permits to stop for six months, but staff say it will make little difference.
Jenny Fillmer
jfillmer@news-leader.com
The Springfield City Council voted Monday to stop issuing permits for on-site storage containers for the next six months, so it can review regulation of the units.
City staff members say the vote doesn't really change anything, because nobody ever asked for a permit in the first place, leaving thousands of the containers, on-site storage trailers and temporary storage units in the city out of compliance.
Containers the size of the trailer portion of a tractor-trailer rig often are placed near businesses to store extra merchandise on site, especially while stockpiling for the holiday season.
The permit suspension forces storage container owners who had neglected to obtain permits to either continue operating illegally or stop renting out units in the city.
But Mayor Tom Carlson said the six-month suspension isn't intended to put anyone out of business."If they're getting away with it, they're going to continue getting away with it."
Councilman Gary Deaver said widespread disregard for the law was why he asked the council to review it.
"Six years ago the council passed a law, but (no unit owners) have gone through the process and been approved," said Deaver.
Based on a consultant's recommendation, the council during its six-month review of the law also will consider environmental and aesthetic issues related to the containers, as well as how they affect neighboring property values.
The suspension rattled Brenda Teeslink, owner of Springfield-based Mobile Storage Solutions. Her company rents containers to local retailers.
"I don't have a problem with a study being done, but to say we can't rent trailers for six months, I might as well shut my doors," said Teeslink.
"Why do we need to stop us doing business for 180 days if you're just trying to determine if there's a detriment to the land values?" asked Teeslink.
Councilwoman Mary Collette pointed out a provision in the ordinance allowing for written appeal in certain instances. But neither council members nor city staff offered Teeslink additional guidance for operating her business legally during the next six months.
However, city staff said, unless someone files a complaint about a particular container, the city probably won't do anything about them.
"I don't know that we'd be enforcing (the law), because it would be hard to keep up," said city planning director Ralph Rognstad. "We don't have inspectors looking at every property every day."
Make your VOTE count.
VOTE third party candidates and scare the bejesus out of the monopoly parties
Tom Martz
candidate 139th district
Permits to stop for six months, but staff say it will make little difference.
Jenny Fillmer
jfillmer@news-leader.com
The Springfield City Council voted Monday to stop issuing permits for on-site storage containers for the next six months, so it can review regulation of the units.
City staff members say the vote doesn't really change anything, because nobody ever asked for a permit in the first place, leaving thousands of the containers, on-site storage trailers and temporary storage units in the city out of compliance.
Containers the size of the trailer portion of a tractor-trailer rig often are placed near businesses to store extra merchandise on site, especially while stockpiling for the holiday season.
The permit suspension forces storage container owners who had neglected to obtain permits to either continue operating illegally or stop renting out units in the city.
But Mayor Tom Carlson said the six-month suspension isn't intended to put anyone out of business."If they're getting away with it, they're going to continue getting away with it."
Councilman Gary Deaver said widespread disregard for the law was why he asked the council to review it.
"Six years ago the council passed a law, but (no unit owners) have gone through the process and been approved," said Deaver.
Based on a consultant's recommendation, the council during its six-month review of the law also will consider environmental and aesthetic issues related to the containers, as well as how they affect neighboring property values.
The suspension rattled Brenda Teeslink, owner of Springfield-based Mobile Storage Solutions. Her company rents containers to local retailers.
"I don't have a problem with a study being done, but to say we can't rent trailers for six months, I might as well shut my doors," said Teeslink.
"Why do we need to stop us doing business for 180 days if you're just trying to determine if there's a detriment to the land values?" asked Teeslink.
Councilwoman Mary Collette pointed out a provision in the ordinance allowing for written appeal in certain instances. But neither council members nor city staff offered Teeslink additional guidance for operating her business legally during the next six months.
However, city staff said, unless someone files a complaint about a particular container, the city probably won't do anything about them.
"I don't know that we'd be enforcing (the law), because it would be hard to keep up," said city planning director Ralph Rognstad. "We don't have inspectors looking at every property every day."
Make your VOTE count.
VOTE third party candidates and scare the bejesus out of the monopoly parties
Tom Martz
candidate 139th district
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Report: Missing court funds top $1 million
I wonder if our esteemed City Council still believes it is a waste of money for the citizens of Springfield to see the city get a REAL AUDIT.
I guess we should also demand a refund from KPMG since there auditing procedures didn't catch this missing cash. I wonder if KPMG also audits the Springfield Government School System as well?? After all our government school system misplaced over five million dollars a few years back, and when the voters said NO to a tax increase for the schools this five million was found hiding under a desk drawer some where in the administration office.
To those of you that don't believe the city should be audited, well if this was YOUR million dollars you want it back wouldn't you??
http://www.sbj.net/db/docs/municipalcourtreport.pdf
Report: Missing court funds top $1 million
Funds missing from SpringfieldÂ’s Municipal Court are now estimated at $1 million or more.
The new figure — more than double previous estimates — was announced this afternoon in a report released by the city manager’s office.
The report summarizes the cityÂ’s monthlong administrative investigation of the suspected embezzlement, which was discovered in mid-June.
The investigation included the services of a certified forensics examiner, who audited the courtÂ’s financial records dating from Jan. 1, 2000, to June 13 of this year. The new estimate comes from this examinerÂ’s findings. The city has now asked the examiner to expand the scope of the investigation to Jan. 1, 1997.
“The discredit this has caused, and will continue to cause the Court and the City of Springfield, is enormous,” the report reads. “It will be extremely difficult to repair the damage that has been caused from this incident, as well as mend the public trust.”
A criminal investigation, led by the Springfield Police Department, is ongoing, aided by the forensics examiner. A former court employee was arrested and released June 23 on suspicion of felony stealing. No charges have been filed.
To change the monolopy of American politics
VOTE LIBERTARIAN
Tom Martz
district 139 candidate
I guess we should also demand a refund from KPMG since there auditing procedures didn't catch this missing cash. I wonder if KPMG also audits the Springfield Government School System as well?? After all our government school system misplaced over five million dollars a few years back, and when the voters said NO to a tax increase for the schools this five million was found hiding under a desk drawer some where in the administration office.
To those of you that don't believe the city should be audited, well if this was YOUR million dollars you want it back wouldn't you??
http://www.sbj.net/db/docs/municipalcourtreport.pdf
Report: Missing court funds top $1 million
Funds missing from SpringfieldÂ’s Municipal Court are now estimated at $1 million or more.
The new figure — more than double previous estimates — was announced this afternoon in a report released by the city manager’s office.
The report summarizes the cityÂ’s monthlong administrative investigation of the suspected embezzlement, which was discovered in mid-June.
The investigation included the services of a certified forensics examiner, who audited the courtÂ’s financial records dating from Jan. 1, 2000, to June 13 of this year. The new estimate comes from this examinerÂ’s findings. The city has now asked the examiner to expand the scope of the investigation to Jan. 1, 1997.
“The discredit this has caused, and will continue to cause the Court and the City of Springfield, is enormous,” the report reads. “It will be extremely difficult to repair the damage that has been caused from this incident, as well as mend the public trust.”
A criminal investigation, led by the Springfield Police Department, is ongoing, aided by the forensics examiner. A former court employee was arrested and released June 23 on suspicion of felony stealing. No charges have been filed.
To change the monolopy of American politics
VOTE LIBERTARIAN
Tom Martz
district 139 candidate
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Candidate forum
Last night I and several other LP candidates attended a political forum for all candidates hosted by Families for Change, here in Springfield. All three parties were represented by different people in different districts. The web page for this group is www.familiesforchange.com. This group is comprised of concerned citizens that are fed up with the abuses of DFS(department of family services).
The meeting started with a prayer and then on to the introductions. All candidates were invited to participate in this forum, however many didn't show up. There were a few that allowed the moderator to know they couldn't attend the event, the others just blew off this organization of concerned parents.
The introductions seemed destined to pit republicans against democrats in a political bickering contest. Our very own Kevin Craig running in the 7th district against Roy Blunt brought out many failures of the so called conservative legislator.
GREAT JOB Kevin as I believe you woke up a few in attendance.
Many of those in attendance talked about their background and why they decided to run for public office, there were only 3 of us that informed the attendees that we weren't going to continue the bloated government theme.
MediScare was the first topic brought up and I was quite surprised how many in attendance were of the essence that they should be able to rely upon government services for their well being. This topic became a political hot potato(e)(thanks Dan) between the detractors of the two political parties NOW in POWER. The talks of funding cuts of the MediScare program were rampant. All one needs to do is look at the budget for that program over the past decade or two and you won't find any spending cuts. The Democrat hopefuls once again used the tried and true method of scaring our elderly without the facts to back up their claims, but then again the two major political parties have never had to prove anything since they are both destined to have POWER.
We did have one actual current representative on hand and that was Bob Dixon. Bob is a nice enough guy, and it seems his heart is in the right place, but he just like most republicans realize the only way to get re-elected is to bring the bacon back to your own congressional district. This is why many have become addicted to government services.
By the way Bob the states budget isn't balanced, technically you can say it is, however there is a 400 million dollar loan floating around in Jeff City which allowed for you to be able to make that comment last night. Call it a slight of hand, a technicality, or a lie either one you chose would be correct. You can't possibly balance a budget on BORROWED money.
There was one particular person at this event which brought back memories of Hillary to me. Yes he was brash, passionate, and a defender of government programs, but his demeanor will probably cost him the election. The trend of the evening was how some people have helped others since they got involved in the campaign process, I wonder why they don't do that even when they aren't running for political office??
All things being equal I learned much from my first foray into the political world and will use this knowledge to help me when I finally learn who my competition is going to be for the general election.
Vote Libertarian it's the only way to change the government of status quo.
Tom Martz
district 139 candidate
The meeting started with a prayer and then on to the introductions. All candidates were invited to participate in this forum, however many didn't show up. There were a few that allowed the moderator to know they couldn't attend the event, the others just blew off this organization of concerned parents.
The introductions seemed destined to pit republicans against democrats in a political bickering contest. Our very own Kevin Craig running in the 7th district against Roy Blunt brought out many failures of the so called conservative legislator.
GREAT JOB Kevin as I believe you woke up a few in attendance.
Many of those in attendance talked about their background and why they decided to run for public office, there were only 3 of us that informed the attendees that we weren't going to continue the bloated government theme.
MediScare was the first topic brought up and I was quite surprised how many in attendance were of the essence that they should be able to rely upon government services for their well being. This topic became a political hot potato(e)(thanks Dan) between the detractors of the two political parties NOW in POWER. The talks of funding cuts of the MediScare program were rampant. All one needs to do is look at the budget for that program over the past decade or two and you won't find any spending cuts. The Democrat hopefuls once again used the tried and true method of scaring our elderly without the facts to back up their claims, but then again the two major political parties have never had to prove anything since they are both destined to have POWER.
We did have one actual current representative on hand and that was Bob Dixon. Bob is a nice enough guy, and it seems his heart is in the right place, but he just like most republicans realize the only way to get re-elected is to bring the bacon back to your own congressional district. This is why many have become addicted to government services.
By the way Bob the states budget isn't balanced, technically you can say it is, however there is a 400 million dollar loan floating around in Jeff City which allowed for you to be able to make that comment last night. Call it a slight of hand, a technicality, or a lie either one you chose would be correct. You can't possibly balance a budget on BORROWED money.
There was one particular person at this event which brought back memories of Hillary to me. Yes he was brash, passionate, and a defender of government programs, but his demeanor will probably cost him the election. The trend of the evening was how some people have helped others since they got involved in the campaign process, I wonder why they don't do that even when they aren't running for political office??
All things being equal I learned much from my first foray into the political world and will use this knowledge to help me when I finally learn who my competition is going to be for the general election.
Vote Libertarian it's the only way to change the government of status quo.
Tom Martz
district 139 candidate
Monday, June 19, 2006
Congressman arranges national site for wife
And just how many of you have a National Park or bridge or a highway named in your honor? I would bet the answer is going to be a slim few of you even know of someone that has this honor.
Should this be a use of the taxpayer's dollars??
We expect this behavior from the democrats and now we seem to expect it from the republicans.
The differences between these political giants is miniscule and yet the talking heads would have you believe it is vast.
I'm sorry but wasteful spending stems the political scale of both right and left politicians, as well as political corruption!!
How do you get rid of these traits in the political class??
You start by not voting for anyone in either of the two political parties as power can and will corrupt and it has been shown to be so for years.
Vote Libertarian when possible and third party always.
APPROPRIATIONS: The move raises eyebrows among government watchdogs in the wake of the earmark debate.
BY MATT STEARNS
KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
WASHINGTON - Some guys give their wives jewelry or flowers. Ralph Regula gave his wife a national park.
Regula, a Republican congressman from Ohio, is a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee. In 2000, his subcommittee created the First Ladies National Historic Site in his district in Canton, Ohio.
Regula's wife, Mary, is the founding president of the nonprofit National First Ladies' Library, which operates the historic site for the National Park Service. She draws no salary.
The historic site is due to Mary Regula's inspiration, said John Debo, the superintendent of Cuyahoga Valley National Park, which includes the first ladies site.
Over the years, Ralph Regula's subcommittee has inserted more than $4.5 million in special ``earmarks'' for the first ladies site into federal spending bills. That includes $800,000 to buy a mansion that once belonged to President William McKinley and his wife and $2.5 million to help renovate a nearby bank building that his wife's group owns.
The practice of inserting earmarks into spending bills became controversial over the past year after a spate of publicity highlighted some particularly blatant examples, especially Alaskan Republican Rep. Don Young's $231 million ``bridge to nowhere.'' Lawmakers facing elections in November talked a lot about curbing the practice, but it continues.
Independent ethics watchdogs said the First Ladies National Historic Site was a particularly vivid example of how power worked in Washington, and they fear that Regula soon may be in position to up the ante dramatically. House Appropriations Chairman Jerry Lewis, R-Calif., is under federal investigation and has hired defense attorneys. If Lewis steps aside, Regula is a top contender to head the committee.
``I'd hope leaders who've made some public commitment to reining in earmarks would consider his full record before making him chairman,'' said Keith Ashdown, the vice president of Taxpayers for Common Sense, a nonpartisan group that monitors congressional spending.
Mary Regula's National First Ladies' Library group receives private donations in addition to federal money. Several corporations listed on its Web site as major donors are longtime supporters of Ralph Regula's political campaigns.
Among them: Timken Corp., a Canton, Ohio, manufacturer whose executives and political action committee collectively are the second-biggest donors to Regula's campaigns since 1989, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, another watchdog group that tracks money in politics.
A foundation associated with Timken gave $750,000 to help renovate the bank building and has donated more over the years, said Pat Krider, the executive director of the National First Ladies' Library.
Timken gained more than $200 million in federal payments from a law Ralph Regula sponsored that curbed dumping of underpriced foreign goods, according to a 2005 report by the Government Accountability Office, a congressional watchdog agency.
It's become common practice for big donors seeking to curry favor with lawmakers to circumvent the legal limits on campaign donations by giving large cash gifts to charities and nonprofit groups favored by the lawmakers and their families.
``It's a double bang for the buck,'' said Massie Ritsch, a spokesman for the Center for Responsive Politics. ``You win favor with the lawmaker and you get a tax write-off, which you don't get with a campaign contribution.''
The first ladies site consists of the Saxton mansion, where McKinley lived with his wife, Ida Saxton McKinley, in her girlhood home, and the bank building. Both have been meticulously restored. The site's mission is to preserve and interpret the role and history of America's first ladies, become a scholarship center for first lady research and preserve the Saxton home, according to the National Park Service.
Visits to the site since its official opening in 2002 average fewer than 10,000 a year, but the park's annual budget has grown to more than $1 million from about $600,000. Most national parks have faced tight budgets in recent years, and many have been forced to cut visitor services.
The first ladies site operates with a remarkable degree of autonomy from the National Park Service, even though the service pays about 70 percent of the site's operating costs. Mary Regula's group picks up the rest.
In fact, Mary Regula calls too many shots, charges the watchdog group Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility.
She used an acquaintance who had no formal training in historic preservation rather than Park Service professionals to oversee historic interpretation at the two buildings, Park Service officials said. She discouraged Park Service involvement in her plan to install an interactive exhibit, according to an e-mail obtained by PEER.
National First Ladies' Library Director Krider said Mary Regula ``is the driving force, has the vision'' and had pushed the Park Service to compromise when it wasn't used to doing so. Krider acknowledged that compromise hasn't always been easy.
It's easier when you're the wife of a congressman, responded Jeff Ruch, the executive director of PEER.
``On the one hand, you've got the National Park Service telling all its park units they're going to be subject to objective standards and strict economies, and then that doesn't apply to favored little units,'' he said. ``If you're running a park that gets hundreds of thousands of visitors and can barely make ends meet, you've got to wonder who's running the railroad.''
Should this be a use of the taxpayer's dollars??
We expect this behavior from the democrats and now we seem to expect it from the republicans.
The differences between these political giants is miniscule and yet the talking heads would have you believe it is vast.
I'm sorry but wasteful spending stems the political scale of both right and left politicians, as well as political corruption!!
How do you get rid of these traits in the political class??
You start by not voting for anyone in either of the two political parties as power can and will corrupt and it has been shown to be so for years.
Vote Libertarian when possible and third party always.
APPROPRIATIONS: The move raises eyebrows among government watchdogs in the wake of the earmark debate.
BY MATT STEARNS
KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
WASHINGTON - Some guys give their wives jewelry or flowers. Ralph Regula gave his wife a national park.
Regula, a Republican congressman from Ohio, is a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee. In 2000, his subcommittee created the First Ladies National Historic Site in his district in Canton, Ohio.
Regula's wife, Mary, is the founding president of the nonprofit National First Ladies' Library, which operates the historic site for the National Park Service. She draws no salary.
The historic site is due to Mary Regula's inspiration, said John Debo, the superintendent of Cuyahoga Valley National Park, which includes the first ladies site.
Over the years, Ralph Regula's subcommittee has inserted more than $4.5 million in special ``earmarks'' for the first ladies site into federal spending bills. That includes $800,000 to buy a mansion that once belonged to President William McKinley and his wife and $2.5 million to help renovate a nearby bank building that his wife's group owns.
The practice of inserting earmarks into spending bills became controversial over the past year after a spate of publicity highlighted some particularly blatant examples, especially Alaskan Republican Rep. Don Young's $231 million ``bridge to nowhere.'' Lawmakers facing elections in November talked a lot about curbing the practice, but it continues.
Independent ethics watchdogs said the First Ladies National Historic Site was a particularly vivid example of how power worked in Washington, and they fear that Regula soon may be in position to up the ante dramatically. House Appropriations Chairman Jerry Lewis, R-Calif., is under federal investigation and has hired defense attorneys. If Lewis steps aside, Regula is a top contender to head the committee.
``I'd hope leaders who've made some public commitment to reining in earmarks would consider his full record before making him chairman,'' said Keith Ashdown, the vice president of Taxpayers for Common Sense, a nonpartisan group that monitors congressional spending.
Mary Regula's National First Ladies' Library group receives private donations in addition to federal money. Several corporations listed on its Web site as major donors are longtime supporters of Ralph Regula's political campaigns.
Among them: Timken Corp., a Canton, Ohio, manufacturer whose executives and political action committee collectively are the second-biggest donors to Regula's campaigns since 1989, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, another watchdog group that tracks money in politics.
A foundation associated with Timken gave $750,000 to help renovate the bank building and has donated more over the years, said Pat Krider, the executive director of the National First Ladies' Library.
Timken gained more than $200 million in federal payments from a law Ralph Regula sponsored that curbed dumping of underpriced foreign goods, according to a 2005 report by the Government Accountability Office, a congressional watchdog agency.
It's become common practice for big donors seeking to curry favor with lawmakers to circumvent the legal limits on campaign donations by giving large cash gifts to charities and nonprofit groups favored by the lawmakers and their families.
``It's a double bang for the buck,'' said Massie Ritsch, a spokesman for the Center for Responsive Politics. ``You win favor with the lawmaker and you get a tax write-off, which you don't get with a campaign contribution.''
The first ladies site consists of the Saxton mansion, where McKinley lived with his wife, Ida Saxton McKinley, in her girlhood home, and the bank building. Both have been meticulously restored. The site's mission is to preserve and interpret the role and history of America's first ladies, become a scholarship center for first lady research and preserve the Saxton home, according to the National Park Service.
Visits to the site since its official opening in 2002 average fewer than 10,000 a year, but the park's annual budget has grown to more than $1 million from about $600,000. Most national parks have faced tight budgets in recent years, and many have been forced to cut visitor services.
The first ladies site operates with a remarkable degree of autonomy from the National Park Service, even though the service pays about 70 percent of the site's operating costs. Mary Regula's group picks up the rest.
In fact, Mary Regula calls too many shots, charges the watchdog group Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility.
She used an acquaintance who had no formal training in historic preservation rather than Park Service professionals to oversee historic interpretation at the two buildings, Park Service officials said. She discouraged Park Service involvement in her plan to install an interactive exhibit, according to an e-mail obtained by PEER.
National First Ladies' Library Director Krider said Mary Regula ``is the driving force, has the vision'' and had pushed the Park Service to compromise when it wasn't used to doing so. Krider acknowledged that compromise hasn't always been easy.
It's easier when you're the wife of a congressman, responded Jeff Ruch, the executive director of PEER.
``On the one hand, you've got the National Park Service telling all its park units they're going to be subject to objective standards and strict economies, and then that doesn't apply to favored little units,'' he said. ``If you're running a park that gets hundreds of thousands of visitors and can barely make ends meet, you've got to wonder who's running the railroad.''
Monday, June 12, 2006
Once more the "fish wrapper" misleads the public
Council needs compromise on pay
City police, firefighters also deserve increase.
What the Springfield City Council needs tonight is a peacemaker.
The city's relationship with its police officers and firefighters is deteriorating. Much of that responsibility lies with the public safety employees themselves for turning negotiations with the city over the pension plan deficit into a personal and nasty battle.
I personally can't blame the police officers or the firefighters for this SNAFU. The city leaders PROMISED and then renigged on it. Whose to blame? The City Whose at fault? The City Whose kissing the behinds of the city council? The Springfield News Leader who else!
We continue to believe that the steps the city has taken to fix the problem, from changing management of the board to reducing benefits for future officers and firefighters, are on the right track. So is the plan to contribute additional money to the pension fund — more than $500,000 in next year's budget.
Once you have lied and cheated people they find it hard to have faith in you again. Besides removing a member off of the pension management board and then replacing that person with a personal crony stems of distrust.
But if the council takes that money directly from the salaries of police and firefighters while giving the rest of its city employees raises, it will elevate the dispute to the point of no return. It's unnecessary and, frankly, it looks petty.
City employees seem to be doing quite well on the salary structure and since the average Joe and Jane Sixpack don't receive raises annually I think the city employees can forgo a few raises until the City(Springfield) gets its personal checkbook in order. Since the city seems to be running in the red I believe our city government personal should suck it up a bit and allow the city to become solvent. Promises made to the first responders years ago need to be taken care of first.
We understand the council's frustration with two employee groups who have been tough negotiators. But we also understand the reality of the situation.
The firefighters and police officers didn't create the pension problem. Some of it was plain, dumb luck. Some of it was bad planning on the city's part. There is no doubt the problem has to be fixed and the solution involves tough choices.
Misappropiation of funds is now considered plain, dumb luck. This is the understatement of the century
One of those choices should not be to give 3 percent raises to all city employees — including department heads, minus the police and fire chiefs — and exclude two groups of public safety employees. Doing that will create a morale problem and a recruitment problem that it might take years to recover from.
How about the department heads give up city supplied(taxpayer funded for the government educated amongst us)transportation. Forgo all raises until city obligations are met with those that they made PROMISES to.
We believe a compromise is in order.
The city has no choice but to make the extra contribution to the pension plan. But it must find other sources of money to allow at least some raises for all groups of city employees. Coming up with the extra money might not be as difficult as it seems.
Stop trying to make Springfield "the city of parks". get rid of the newly created consultant position which is a political payback.
Step one should be to reach out to firefighters and police officers and forge an agreement that they will stop with their plans to force an audit of city finances by State Auditor Claire McCaskill. Such an audit is likely to cost more than $100,000, and by state law, the city will have to come up with that money somewhere. Find a way to stop the audit and spend that amount of money — even if it comes from reserves — on raises.
When will you stop misleading the public? The audit is going to cost the city a maximum of $80,000.00 and that breaks down to $.53 for every man, woman, and child living within the city limits of Springfield. As it is right now the city spends almost $1400.00 per year for every man, woman, and child within the city. I'll take my chances on the $.53 option since it is MY $$$$$
Second, the city should decide to leave some of the already vacant police department positions unfilled and apply that money to raises for both police and firefighters. Reducing positions is not an idea we endorse lightly, but we believe that some positions can be lost on a temporary basis without the city losing service.
Are you kidding me we actually agree on something
Finally, the city should further examine changes it is making to various fees and determine whether those that have any connection to public safety can't possibly be raised to levels that better fund both the police and fire departments.
Once again we have a tax increase to pay off a debt because our city leaders have misappropiated money. I know your going to say a fee increase only affects those people that are required to pay the fee. Once enough money isn't raised the fees will be broadened to generate more revenue into the city coffers to pay for mismanagement of the PEOPLE'S $$$$
It seems counterintuitive that the city needs to raise one-time fees for sidewalk cafes by more than 400 percent, for instance, and yet DWI arrest fees are being dropped by $14.
A 400% increase will only move business out of the city, it won't create a bigger revenue stream. I sure hope these arrest fees are collected only after the person is found GUILTY
Singling out two groups of employees for no raises comes off as a punitive action that guarantees that the city and its police officers and firefighters will forever be embroiled in a battle of wills.
The city once more needs to follow through on PROMISES made to our first responders
It also creates a situation — unlike the change to future pension plan benefits — that could seriously affect the city's ability to recruit qualified employees in the future.
The city has made it's bed and now the taxpayers must pay for the city leaders ignorance, however it isn't only the city leaders, it's also the mind numb that continue to put the same people into office. Even when a member of City Council is replaced the position is just filled once more by a big government, big spender clone.
The council would be wise to find a compromise to this volatile situation. Take the first step and begin the process of healing the rift between city government and the men and women who protect its citizens.
I wonder when the News Leader is going to take the first step and correct the misrepresentations not only in this article but on many articles regarding the "city audit issue"
VOTE4MARTZ
district 139 candidate
City police, firefighters also deserve increase.
What the Springfield City Council needs tonight is a peacemaker.
The city's relationship with its police officers and firefighters is deteriorating. Much of that responsibility lies with the public safety employees themselves for turning negotiations with the city over the pension plan deficit into a personal and nasty battle.
I personally can't blame the police officers or the firefighters for this SNAFU. The city leaders PROMISED and then renigged on it. Whose to blame? The City Whose at fault? The City Whose kissing the behinds of the city council? The Springfield News Leader who else!
We continue to believe that the steps the city has taken to fix the problem, from changing management of the board to reducing benefits for future officers and firefighters, are on the right track. So is the plan to contribute additional money to the pension fund — more than $500,000 in next year's budget.
Once you have lied and cheated people they find it hard to have faith in you again. Besides removing a member off of the pension management board and then replacing that person with a personal crony stems of distrust.
But if the council takes that money directly from the salaries of police and firefighters while giving the rest of its city employees raises, it will elevate the dispute to the point of no return. It's unnecessary and, frankly, it looks petty.
City employees seem to be doing quite well on the salary structure and since the average Joe and Jane Sixpack don't receive raises annually I think the city employees can forgo a few raises until the City(Springfield) gets its personal checkbook in order. Since the city seems to be running in the red I believe our city government personal should suck it up a bit and allow the city to become solvent. Promises made to the first responders years ago need to be taken care of first.
We understand the council's frustration with two employee groups who have been tough negotiators. But we also understand the reality of the situation.
The firefighters and police officers didn't create the pension problem. Some of it was plain, dumb luck. Some of it was bad planning on the city's part. There is no doubt the problem has to be fixed and the solution involves tough choices.
Misappropiation of funds is now considered plain, dumb luck. This is the understatement of the century
One of those choices should not be to give 3 percent raises to all city employees — including department heads, minus the police and fire chiefs — and exclude two groups of public safety employees. Doing that will create a morale problem and a recruitment problem that it might take years to recover from.
How about the department heads give up city supplied(taxpayer funded for the government educated amongst us)transportation. Forgo all raises until city obligations are met with those that they made PROMISES to.
We believe a compromise is in order.
The city has no choice but to make the extra contribution to the pension plan. But it must find other sources of money to allow at least some raises for all groups of city employees. Coming up with the extra money might not be as difficult as it seems.
Stop trying to make Springfield "the city of parks". get rid of the newly created consultant position which is a political payback.
Step one should be to reach out to firefighters and police officers and forge an agreement that they will stop with their plans to force an audit of city finances by State Auditor Claire McCaskill. Such an audit is likely to cost more than $100,000, and by state law, the city will have to come up with that money somewhere. Find a way to stop the audit and spend that amount of money — even if it comes from reserves — on raises.
When will you stop misleading the public? The audit is going to cost the city a maximum of $80,000.00 and that breaks down to $.53 for every man, woman, and child living within the city limits of Springfield. As it is right now the city spends almost $1400.00 per year for every man, woman, and child within the city. I'll take my chances on the $.53 option since it is MY $$$$$
Second, the city should decide to leave some of the already vacant police department positions unfilled and apply that money to raises for both police and firefighters. Reducing positions is not an idea we endorse lightly, but we believe that some positions can be lost on a temporary basis without the city losing service.
Are you kidding me we actually agree on something
Finally, the city should further examine changes it is making to various fees and determine whether those that have any connection to public safety can't possibly be raised to levels that better fund both the police and fire departments.
Once again we have a tax increase to pay off a debt because our city leaders have misappropiated money. I know your going to say a fee increase only affects those people that are required to pay the fee. Once enough money isn't raised the fees will be broadened to generate more revenue into the city coffers to pay for mismanagement of the PEOPLE'S $$$$
It seems counterintuitive that the city needs to raise one-time fees for sidewalk cafes by more than 400 percent, for instance, and yet DWI arrest fees are being dropped by $14.
A 400% increase will only move business out of the city, it won't create a bigger revenue stream. I sure hope these arrest fees are collected only after the person is found GUILTY
Singling out two groups of employees for no raises comes off as a punitive action that guarantees that the city and its police officers and firefighters will forever be embroiled in a battle of wills.
The city once more needs to follow through on PROMISES made to our first responders
It also creates a situation — unlike the change to future pension plan benefits — that could seriously affect the city's ability to recruit qualified employees in the future.
The city has made it's bed and now the taxpayers must pay for the city leaders ignorance, however it isn't only the city leaders, it's also the mind numb that continue to put the same people into office. Even when a member of City Council is replaced the position is just filled once more by a big government, big spender clone.
The council would be wise to find a compromise to this volatile situation. Take the first step and begin the process of healing the rift between city government and the men and women who protect its citizens.
I wonder when the News Leader is going to take the first step and correct the misrepresentations not only in this article but on many articles regarding the "city audit issue"
VOTE4MARTZ
district 139 candidate
Sunday, June 11, 2006
an 8 step Libertarian Platform of my own making
I am a Libertarian Because... (This "creed" is posted on numerous political web-sites, mostly those of the republican and democratic party even though the mainstream party politicians no longer believe in it. I've added my own perspective based upon the belief of Libertarian principals
(#1) I BELIEVE the strength of our nation lies with the individual and that each person's dignity, freedom, ability and responsibility must be honored. (Individual freedoms must be safeguarded against the intrusions by modern technology, the corporation, and intrusive government. These freedoms are precious and should not be traded away for perceived economic benefit or an illusory sense of security.)
(#2) I BELIEVE in equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity for all, regardless of race, creed, sex, age or disability. (This is such an easy concept to follow, I don't however believe government should mandate this to every individaul in the dealings of everyday life)(Besides the first two words are the most important "I BELIEVE")
(#3) I BELIEVE free enterprise and encouraging individual initiative have brought this nation opportunity, economic growth and prosperity. (Let's distinguish that free enterprise and individual initiative are quite different from unfettered corporate power. Government safeguards in the marketplace are not incongruous with a robust economy.)
(#4) I BELIEVE government must practice fiscal responsibility and allow individuals to keep more of the money they earn. (The budget should be balanced, and the tax structures should work in harmony with the economy.)(I am a believer in the FairTax and see this as a means to strangle the powerbase from Washington DC back into the hands of the people.)
(#5) I BELIEVE the proper role of government is to provide for the people only those critical functions that cannot be performed by individuals or private organizations and that the best government is that which governs least. (If it's not in the Constitution, the federal government shouldn't be doing it.)
(#6) I BELIEVE the most effective, responsible and responsive government is government closest to the people. (Strong communities are the result of local support, but let's get the federal government out of these state and local issues.) (Remember a government large enough to give you everything you want is also large enough to take everything you have)
(#7) I BELIEVE Americans must retain the principles that have made us strong while developing new and innovative ideas to meet the challenges of changing times. (Let's just be cautious not to get lost in nostalgia. Sometimes "conservative" is translated into a reluctance to move forward.)
(#8) I BELIEVE Americans value and should preserve our national strength and pride while working to extend peace, freedom and human rights throughout the world. (Let's find positive ways of building alliances and strengthening world freedoms. Our foreign policy is frequently too focused on "enemies" and coercive measures to conform the world to our vision.)(I don't however believe our government should be using the taxpayers money to curry favor with a foreign government)
FINALLY, I believe the Libertarian Party is the only vehicle for translating these ideals into positive and successful principles of government. In the world's only productive REPRESENTATIVE REPUBLIC, the party which has aligned itself with the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and The Constitution stands ready to bring government back into the realm of Constitutional reality.
If you believe as I do and have noticed the other two parties only pay these types of thoughts lip service then it is time to change the course of government.
VOTE4MARTZ
state representative district 139
(#1) I BELIEVE the strength of our nation lies with the individual and that each person's dignity, freedom, ability and responsibility must be honored. (Individual freedoms must be safeguarded against the intrusions by modern technology, the corporation, and intrusive government. These freedoms are precious and should not be traded away for perceived economic benefit or an illusory sense of security.)
(#2) I BELIEVE in equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity for all, regardless of race, creed, sex, age or disability. (This is such an easy concept to follow, I don't however believe government should mandate this to every individaul in the dealings of everyday life)(Besides the first two words are the most important "I BELIEVE")
(#3) I BELIEVE free enterprise and encouraging individual initiative have brought this nation opportunity, economic growth and prosperity. (Let's distinguish that free enterprise and individual initiative are quite different from unfettered corporate power. Government safeguards in the marketplace are not incongruous with a robust economy.)
(#4) I BELIEVE government must practice fiscal responsibility and allow individuals to keep more of the money they earn. (The budget should be balanced, and the tax structures should work in harmony with the economy.)(I am a believer in the FairTax and see this as a means to strangle the powerbase from Washington DC back into the hands of the people.)
(#5) I BELIEVE the proper role of government is to provide for the people only those critical functions that cannot be performed by individuals or private organizations and that the best government is that which governs least. (If it's not in the Constitution, the federal government shouldn't be doing it.)
(#6) I BELIEVE the most effective, responsible and responsive government is government closest to the people. (Strong communities are the result of local support, but let's get the federal government out of these state and local issues.) (Remember a government large enough to give you everything you want is also large enough to take everything you have)
(#7) I BELIEVE Americans must retain the principles that have made us strong while developing new and innovative ideas to meet the challenges of changing times. (Let's just be cautious not to get lost in nostalgia. Sometimes "conservative" is translated into a reluctance to move forward.)
(#8) I BELIEVE Americans value and should preserve our national strength and pride while working to extend peace, freedom and human rights throughout the world. (Let's find positive ways of building alliances and strengthening world freedoms. Our foreign policy is frequently too focused on "enemies" and coercive measures to conform the world to our vision.)(I don't however believe our government should be using the taxpayers money to curry favor with a foreign government)
FINALLY, I believe the Libertarian Party is the only vehicle for translating these ideals into positive and successful principles of government. In the world's only productive REPRESENTATIVE REPUBLIC, the party which has aligned itself with the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and The Constitution stands ready to bring government back into the realm of Constitutional reality.
If you believe as I do and have noticed the other two parties only pay these types of thoughts lip service then it is time to change the course of government.
VOTE4MARTZ
state representative district 139
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
New London approves evictions in eminent domain dispute
This one issue will be my TOP priority when elected.
By Stephen Singer, Associated Press Writer | June 5, 2006
NEW LONDON, Conn. --City officials voted Monday night to begin eviction proceedings against residents who refuse to leave their riverfront homes, signaling the end may be near in an eminent domain dispute that reached the U.S. Supreme Court.
Article Tools
The City Council approved the action 5-2, authorizing the city attorney to take the necessary steps, including possible court action, to evict the remaining two families and obtain the properties. A lawyer for the families said they are considering continuing their battle with the city.
About 100 people packed the meeting room, a hallway and an adjacent room.
The small city has been trying for a decade to redevelop the once vibrant Fort Trumbull neighborhood along the Thames River. Seven homeowners challenged the city's plans to seize their properties and build a hotel, convention center and upscale condominiums, saying eminent domain can't be used to make way for private development.
But a 5-4 Supreme Court ruling last year upheld the city's right to take the homes. The court, however, said states were free to restrict eminent domain seizures, and many already have. A proposal to change Connecticut's law died in this year's state legislative session.
Since the Supreme Court ruling, all but two families have settled with the city and agreed to leave.
Michael Cristofaro, one of the Fort Trumbull holdouts, spoke out against the property seizures.
"Just give us back our deeds," Cristofaro said. "You are not being straight with us or the public. You are not listening to the general public."
Cristofaro singled out five of the seven council members who favor taking the property.
"You are a disgrace to the city, the state and the nation," he said.
One Fort Trumbull resident, William Von Winkle, agreed to a settlement with the city Monday, just minutes before the City Council meeting began, The Day of New London reported. The terms were not disclosed.
Scott Bullock, a lawyer for the Arlington, Va.-based Institute for Justice who represents the residents, said the homeowners can still fight the city. He said they'll be considering appeals to state government to ask that state funding for the development be pulled. He said they also may engage in civil disobedience.
"This is a civil rights struggle to save poor and working class people from eminent domain abuse," he said.
City Councilor Robert Perro supported the effort to remove the families. He said the issue has been through state agencies and three courts.
"This was a plan that was well thought out," he said. "The development of this peninsula needs to move forward."
But Charles Frink, one of the two councilors who opposed seizing the properties, criticized supporters, saying they should admit they made a mistake.
"I can't accept a possible reduction in taxes by having neighbors thrown out of their property," he said. "This is morally abhorrent to me. I refuse to profit from my neighbor's pain."
Gov. M. Jodi Rell had proposed letting the holdouts remain in their homes but giving the city the right of first refusal if the houses ever were sold.
New London Mayor Elizabeth Sabilia predicted before the meeting that Rell's proposal would not be approved.
"The balance of councilors are staying the course," said Sabilia, who also votes on the council.
The vote came five days after a deadline for settlements to be reached with the remaining property owners.
One local resident who spoke Monday night, Donald Harrington, was against Rell's plan.
"What right has she got to tell the city of New London what to do?" he asked.
The eviction process, which may include another court fight, could take a month to three months. But that's negligible in a land dispute that has been up and down the court system over several years.
"You know how some things take on a life of their own?" Sabilia said. "This thing is like a cat. It's taken on nine lives."
Bullock said he didn't think the city wants the publicity that will come with razing the homes.
"It would be a disaster, evicting Susette Kelo from that pink house that nearly everybody in the nation recognizes by now, when you've got a proposal from the governor on the table," he said.
Kelo, a 49-year-old nurse who bought her home in 1997, became the lead plaintiff in the court battle and has refused to sell, as has Cristofaro.
By Stephen Singer, Associated Press Writer | June 5, 2006
NEW LONDON, Conn. --City officials voted Monday night to begin eviction proceedings against residents who refuse to leave their riverfront homes, signaling the end may be near in an eminent domain dispute that reached the U.S. Supreme Court.
Article Tools
The City Council approved the action 5-2, authorizing the city attorney to take the necessary steps, including possible court action, to evict the remaining two families and obtain the properties. A lawyer for the families said they are considering continuing their battle with the city.
About 100 people packed the meeting room, a hallway and an adjacent room.
The small city has been trying for a decade to redevelop the once vibrant Fort Trumbull neighborhood along the Thames River. Seven homeowners challenged the city's plans to seize their properties and build a hotel, convention center and upscale condominiums, saying eminent domain can't be used to make way for private development.
But a 5-4 Supreme Court ruling last year upheld the city's right to take the homes. The court, however, said states were free to restrict eminent domain seizures, and many already have. A proposal to change Connecticut's law died in this year's state legislative session.
Since the Supreme Court ruling, all but two families have settled with the city and agreed to leave.
Michael Cristofaro, one of the Fort Trumbull holdouts, spoke out against the property seizures.
"Just give us back our deeds," Cristofaro said. "You are not being straight with us or the public. You are not listening to the general public."
Cristofaro singled out five of the seven council members who favor taking the property.
"You are a disgrace to the city, the state and the nation," he said.
One Fort Trumbull resident, William Von Winkle, agreed to a settlement with the city Monday, just minutes before the City Council meeting began, The Day of New London reported. The terms were not disclosed.
Scott Bullock, a lawyer for the Arlington, Va.-based Institute for Justice who represents the residents, said the homeowners can still fight the city. He said they'll be considering appeals to state government to ask that state funding for the development be pulled. He said they also may engage in civil disobedience.
"This is a civil rights struggle to save poor and working class people from eminent domain abuse," he said.
City Councilor Robert Perro supported the effort to remove the families. He said the issue has been through state agencies and three courts.
"This was a plan that was well thought out," he said. "The development of this peninsula needs to move forward."
But Charles Frink, one of the two councilors who opposed seizing the properties, criticized supporters, saying they should admit they made a mistake.
"I can't accept a possible reduction in taxes by having neighbors thrown out of their property," he said. "This is morally abhorrent to me. I refuse to profit from my neighbor's pain."
Gov. M. Jodi Rell had proposed letting the holdouts remain in their homes but giving the city the right of first refusal if the houses ever were sold.
New London Mayor Elizabeth Sabilia predicted before the meeting that Rell's proposal would not be approved.
"The balance of councilors are staying the course," said Sabilia, who also votes on the council.
The vote came five days after a deadline for settlements to be reached with the remaining property owners.
One local resident who spoke Monday night, Donald Harrington, was against Rell's plan.
"What right has she got to tell the city of New London what to do?" he asked.
The eviction process, which may include another court fight, could take a month to three months. But that's negligible in a land dispute that has been up and down the court system over several years.
"You know how some things take on a life of their own?" Sabilia said. "This thing is like a cat. It's taken on nine lives."
Bullock said he didn't think the city wants the publicity that will come with razing the homes.
"It would be a disaster, evicting Susette Kelo from that pink house that nearly everybody in the nation recognizes by now, when you've got a proposal from the governor on the table," he said.
Kelo, a 49-year-old nurse who bought her home in 1997, became the lead plaintiff in the court battle and has refused to sell, as has Cristofaro.
School board looks at another tax increase
I don't know when the voters of Springfield are going to wake up. Every time a tax increase is passed onto the taxpayer do you walk into your bosses office and request a pay raise in the same amount equilevant to all the increases?
As a business owner it is quite difficult to pass on these increases since in some regards you will lose more business by doing this. I don't know how long the American taxpayer is going to put up with constant revenue demands by local, state, and federal government branches. I'm beyond the point of tolerating them which is why I decided to run for political office so changes can be made.
We collected over 7000 signatures to have the city of Springfield audited, but the education system in this town is exempt from that audit. We only required 5000 verifiable city residents registered to vote to sign. I believe we have more than enough for Claire McCaskills office to certify this and start looking into the expenditures of this city to find out where 215 million dollars on an annual basis is going.
Of course some of the local media outlets are doing there best to misinform the people, but that is to be expected since they are all part of the same network which gave us a $100,000.00 street paved with bricks outside of a building owned by our very own Tommy Carlson. Can you say PRIVILEDGED TREATMENT? I would like to have my street repaired since it floods out when it rains, I won't hold my breathe.
The cost of this audit is going to be $.53 for every man, woman, and child residing within the city limits. It is costing us almost $1400.00 for every man, woman, and child to sit on our hands and do nothing.
It is time to change government and the taxpayers choice is
MARTZ4MISSOURI
candidate for the 139th district
Members want more money for 2006-07 budget.
By Cory de Vera
News-Leader
Voters shouldn't be surprised that their Springfield Public Schools taxes go up this year.
They did, after all, approve a $96.5 million bond issue, which will be paid with an 18-cent jump in the debt service rate.
Reliable Imports
But if the school board goes through with its current plans, the total increase could be as high as 25 cents per $100 of assessed property value. That's because members are considering using their authority to increase the operating tax 5 to 7 cents to balance the proposed 2006-07 budget.
In board discussions at public meetings last month, the plan drew little to no opposition.
Board member Bruce Renner said he supports the increase because it means the district will be able to add teachers, reducing class size.
"I really felt like we needed that," he said.
Other budget additions will include expanding pre-school programs, adding the A+ Program at Kickapoo and Hillcrest high schools, and training for a new curricular approach at Pipkin Middle School.
An increase of 5 to 7 cents on the operating tax rate would raise $1.6 million for the district and cost the owner of a $100,000 home between $9.50 and $13.30. Along with the 18-cent increase on the debt service tax rate, that same homeowner could see a jump of $47.50 over what he or she paid in school taxes on 2005's property tax bill.
Director of Financial Services Cherie Alderson told the News-Leader the increase is a possibility, but the board won't know whether it will need to invoke the increase until all the books are closed on the 2005-06 school year later this year. The board must pass the 2006-07 budget before July 1.
A DELAYED INCREASE
Voters actually did approve an operating tax rate of up to $3.14 cents in June 2004, when they approved a two-phase operating tax increase. The first phase was a 15-cent jump that went into effect on the 2004 tax bill. The second phase, a 10-cent hike, was authorized to go into effect on the 2005 tax bill.
But in August, 2005 the board learned that property assessments had grown faster than anticipated, and collecting that full increase would produce more revenue than they told taxpayers during the 2004 campaign.
They were anticipating collecting $6.2 million, but had they imposed the full 25-cent hike, they would have collected closer to $9.8 million. So instead of collecting the approved increase, they rolled the operating tax rate back to $3.
Now, Renner says, the district needs some of that rollback.
"I feel we are providing everything we promised voters at less than the amount they approved," he said. "Even at 5 to 7 cents more, that is less than they approved."
TRANSPORTATION
Resident Ann Grace came to a board meeting last summer to argue against last year's rollback. The fact that the rate is going up again does not bother her.
"I thought it was silly that they dropped it down," said Grace, who at the time headed a committee to raise money for unmet needs at Parkview High.
"I thought they had enough commitments that they really didn't need to go rolling it back."
Resident Mel Hall came to the board last summer to plead for a restoration of transportation. She said she's disappointed that the board still isn't considering it a priority.
"I have to drive my son to school, we can't afford to pay the fees," said Hall, the single mom of a student at Study Middle School.
"It's hard to find a place to park, and it is dangerous the way people fly through there. I don't see how the school system is so unconcerned about busing issues," she said.
Beginning with the 2002-03 school year, the district kicked more than 2,000 elementary and middle school children off buses when it changed eligibility for bus service from those living farther than one mile from school to those living farther than 1.5 miles from school. The move was expected to save $421,000 a year. If space is available, a family can pay to ride.
Renner said he is concerned about safety and a new transportation director is reviewing policies. Current policy, Renner said, considers mileage only, and in most cases does not make allowances for children who must cross major roads.
"I don't think anything will change by fall, but I think as the new director gets in there, he will see what he can do," said Renner.
As a business owner it is quite difficult to pass on these increases since in some regards you will lose more business by doing this. I don't know how long the American taxpayer is going to put up with constant revenue demands by local, state, and federal government branches. I'm beyond the point of tolerating them which is why I decided to run for political office so changes can be made.
We collected over 7000 signatures to have the city of Springfield audited, but the education system in this town is exempt from that audit. We only required 5000 verifiable city residents registered to vote to sign. I believe we have more than enough for Claire McCaskills office to certify this and start looking into the expenditures of this city to find out where 215 million dollars on an annual basis is going.
Of course some of the local media outlets are doing there best to misinform the people, but that is to be expected since they are all part of the same network which gave us a $100,000.00 street paved with bricks outside of a building owned by our very own Tommy Carlson. Can you say PRIVILEDGED TREATMENT? I would like to have my street repaired since it floods out when it rains, I won't hold my breathe.
The cost of this audit is going to be $.53 for every man, woman, and child residing within the city limits. It is costing us almost $1400.00 for every man, woman, and child to sit on our hands and do nothing.
It is time to change government and the taxpayers choice is
MARTZ4MISSOURI
candidate for the 139th district
Members want more money for 2006-07 budget.
By Cory de Vera
News-Leader
Voters shouldn't be surprised that their Springfield Public Schools taxes go up this year.
They did, after all, approve a $96.5 million bond issue, which will be paid with an 18-cent jump in the debt service rate.
Reliable Imports
But if the school board goes through with its current plans, the total increase could be as high as 25 cents per $100 of assessed property value. That's because members are considering using their authority to increase the operating tax 5 to 7 cents to balance the proposed 2006-07 budget.
In board discussions at public meetings last month, the plan drew little to no opposition.
Board member Bruce Renner said he supports the increase because it means the district will be able to add teachers, reducing class size.
"I really felt like we needed that," he said.
Other budget additions will include expanding pre-school programs, adding the A+ Program at Kickapoo and Hillcrest high schools, and training for a new curricular approach at Pipkin Middle School.
An increase of 5 to 7 cents on the operating tax rate would raise $1.6 million for the district and cost the owner of a $100,000 home between $9.50 and $13.30. Along with the 18-cent increase on the debt service tax rate, that same homeowner could see a jump of $47.50 over what he or she paid in school taxes on 2005's property tax bill.
Director of Financial Services Cherie Alderson told the News-Leader the increase is a possibility, but the board won't know whether it will need to invoke the increase until all the books are closed on the 2005-06 school year later this year. The board must pass the 2006-07 budget before July 1.
A DELAYED INCREASE
Voters actually did approve an operating tax rate of up to $3.14 cents in June 2004, when they approved a two-phase operating tax increase. The first phase was a 15-cent jump that went into effect on the 2004 tax bill. The second phase, a 10-cent hike, was authorized to go into effect on the 2005 tax bill.
But in August, 2005 the board learned that property assessments had grown faster than anticipated, and collecting that full increase would produce more revenue than they told taxpayers during the 2004 campaign.
They were anticipating collecting $6.2 million, but had they imposed the full 25-cent hike, they would have collected closer to $9.8 million. So instead of collecting the approved increase, they rolled the operating tax rate back to $3.
Now, Renner says, the district needs some of that rollback.
"I feel we are providing everything we promised voters at less than the amount they approved," he said. "Even at 5 to 7 cents more, that is less than they approved."
TRANSPORTATION
Resident Ann Grace came to a board meeting last summer to argue against last year's rollback. The fact that the rate is going up again does not bother her.
"I thought it was silly that they dropped it down," said Grace, who at the time headed a committee to raise money for unmet needs at Parkview High.
"I thought they had enough commitments that they really didn't need to go rolling it back."
Resident Mel Hall came to the board last summer to plead for a restoration of transportation. She said she's disappointed that the board still isn't considering it a priority.
"I have to drive my son to school, we can't afford to pay the fees," said Hall, the single mom of a student at Study Middle School.
"It's hard to find a place to park, and it is dangerous the way people fly through there. I don't see how the school system is so unconcerned about busing issues," she said.
Beginning with the 2002-03 school year, the district kicked more than 2,000 elementary and middle school children off buses when it changed eligibility for bus service from those living farther than one mile from school to those living farther than 1.5 miles from school. The move was expected to save $421,000 a year. If space is available, a family can pay to ride.
Renner said he is concerned about safety and a new transportation director is reviewing policies. Current policy, Renner said, considers mileage only, and in most cases does not make allowances for children who must cross major roads.
"I don't think anything will change by fall, but I think as the new director gets in there, he will see what he can do," said Renner.
Monday, June 05, 2006
Things that will always bother me
This is not meant to include all people into these groups, however in most cases the vast majority will fit the description.
like;
why do republicans still believe that the party is the party of smaller government
why democrats are determined to bring socialism to our way of life
why libertarians think it is OK to use government services(I don't care if your paying taxes)
how people can be offended at a piece of paper because it contains an essence of morality.
why there are no species of gay animals
why both political parties of power believe defending the Constitution of the US is optional
why do parents go out of there way to try to make there children wards of the state with problems that are mostly behavioral.(by today's definition). ie.. ADHD, ADD, Bipolar, Autism
before you jump to conclusions I have one son that can and would've been diagnosed as autistic, the other had been diagnosed ADHD. It is truly amazing what a change in diet and close parenting can do to alleviate these issues.
why people that complain of weight problems make frequent trips to the buffet line
why alcoholics and smokers are said to have an addiction. I've had problems with both but since have kicked both habits. It's called WILL POWER.
why people have children they can't afford
why parents can't teach there children to accept responsibility for their actions and why parent don't accept responsibility for how they raise the children.
why people get married only to get divorced if life becomes to hard. Yes long term marriages have had problems as well, they just get worked through.
why Rush thinks he's correct over 98% of the time, it's easy to do when you cover items that are already in your court.
why people of religion feel compelled to use government to create a perfect role model society.
how children born before the 70's managed to stay alive when government wasn't mandating everything.
why people think there vote belongs to either the democrats or republicans
why people will order the jumbo size burger and fries then order a diet coke/pepsi.
I have more of these but I would like to save some for later
VOTE4MARTZ
District 139 State Representative
like;
why do republicans still believe that the party is the party of smaller government
why democrats are determined to bring socialism to our way of life
why libertarians think it is OK to use government services(I don't care if your paying taxes)
how people can be offended at a piece of paper because it contains an essence of morality.
why there are no species of gay animals
why both political parties of power believe defending the Constitution of the US is optional
why do parents go out of there way to try to make there children wards of the state with problems that are mostly behavioral.(by today's definition). ie.. ADHD, ADD, Bipolar, Autism
before you jump to conclusions I have one son that can and would've been diagnosed as autistic, the other had been diagnosed ADHD. It is truly amazing what a change in diet and close parenting can do to alleviate these issues.
why people that complain of weight problems make frequent trips to the buffet line
why alcoholics and smokers are said to have an addiction. I've had problems with both but since have kicked both habits. It's called WILL POWER.
why people have children they can't afford
why parents can't teach there children to accept responsibility for their actions and why parent don't accept responsibility for how they raise the children.
why people get married only to get divorced if life becomes to hard. Yes long term marriages have had problems as well, they just get worked through.
why Rush thinks he's correct over 98% of the time, it's easy to do when you cover items that are already in your court.
why people of religion feel compelled to use government to create a perfect role model society.
how children born before the 70's managed to stay alive when government wasn't mandating everything.
why people think there vote belongs to either the democrats or republicans
why people will order the jumbo size burger and fries then order a diet coke/pepsi.
I have more of these but I would like to save some for later
VOTE4MARTZ
District 139 State Representative
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