Branson's Mayor Not Quite As Honorable as this group (Sunshine Law Cartoon)
Prison sentences for politicians who blatantly disregard open government laws is one way we could abolish such activities.
We watch as local government officials bilk millions to fund their private ventures with tax funds while we put men in prison for stealing loaves of bread.
Jack Goodman Campaign Reports on Listening Tour - Branson Stop
“Jobs, Spending, Healthcare and Energy Taxes” big issues on Goodman’s “Listening for Solutions Tour”
(Mt. Vernon, Mo.) “I listened and our neighbors had plenty on their minds about what we need to do to fix what is broken with the federal government,” that was the way Republican 7th Congressional District candidate Jack Goodman summed up his 10 stop “Listening for Solutions Tour” that will be ongoing across the district during his grassroots campaign for Congress.
Goodman, a conservative state senator, stopped at Skaggs Hospital in Branson during the first two days of his tour designed to give local residents an opportunity to offer their suggestions and observations of what the federal government should and should not be doing -- or could do better.
“The people of this district clearly want to send to Congress a true conservative, a neighbor who gets it, who shares their anger, someone with a record of fixing what is broken. I am ready to serve the people of this district in that role as their next voice and vote in Congress,” said Goodman of Mt. Vernon.
Goodman said the three main issues mentioned by those attending the gatherings were out-of-control federal spending, opposition to a government take-over of health care that would cost us even more, put a bureaucrat between us and our doctors and cut Medicare for our seniors, and opposition to a new job-killing national energy tax known as Cap and Trade. There also was great frustration expressed that the federal government’s actions have actually slowed the recovery and the creation of sustainable private sector jobs.
Goodman said, “The people of southwest Missouri know our families are hurting. We need jobs now and the path to recovery begins by letting people keep more of what they earn. Spending is out-of-control. We need to pass a balanced budget amendment, enact the spending freeze and other fiscal responsibility reforms I have been advocating for months. On health care the people understand that real reform will lower health care costs. Real reform will expand coverage, not ration it. Real reform will not allow them to cut half-a-billion dollars from the Medicare program on which so many depend.”
In the state senate Goodman sponsored the Taxpayers Bill of Rights, the repeal of Missouri’s death tax, and helped win tax cuts for Missouri workers and seniors. He built a tough on crime record sponsoring and helping to pass Missouri’s Castle Doctrine, S.T.O.P. Meth Act, and a bill to allow for life sentences for those who sexually assault Missouri children. To make health care more affordable and available he won passage of the law allowing small businesses to come together to pool their buying power to lower insurance costs. He has been a staunch advocate for cutting waste, fraud and abuse in state government, protecting the unborn, making government more transparent and open to citizen inspection and supported balanced budgets that brought a billion new dollars to Missouri classrooms without a tax increase.
Goodman said, “I think it is far more important for me to listen to the people I serve—and seek to serve—than it is to be talking all the time. Our neighbors have great ideas. Now we need to implement that southwest Missouri common sense in Washington.”
The first part of Goodman’s “Listening for Solutions Tour” was held on March 9th and 10th while the Missouri General Assembly is on spring break.
Taney County Gets More Stimulus Cash
Taney County, Missouri, March 11, 2010: The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has formally announced that Taney County has been awarded a Public Building Energy Efficiency Retrofits grant through the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s (ARRA) Energize Missouri Communities in the amount of $174,999.00.
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) sought proposals during 2009 from eligible applicants that would reduce the energy use of cities and counties, have a positive impact on their budgets, and enhance the economic development in Missouri through job creation. Taney County was selected out of 86 applicants and received the award notice in a letter dated March 5th from DNR applauding the county’s initiative and offering congratulations on the development of a strong project that will result in improved energy savings and economic benefits for the citizens of our state.
Taney County Stimulus Coordinator, Ron Houseman stated “This particular grant has proved more labor intensive than any other grant awarded to Taney County during the past 12 months. This was a monumental undertaking involving Taney County, Hollister, Mark Twain, and Kirbyville Schools, Taney County Health, Western Taney County Fire, City of Branson, and the Taney County Airport.”
The effort to pursue energy grant funds came from an informational email sent through the National Association of Counties. Western Commissioner Jim Strafuss read the article, called Association Staff, researched the opportunity, and put together a county team to pursue the grant process. Commissioner Strafuss named Ms. Joan Chowning within the county department of economic development, Mrs. Jillian Rulon serving in the commission office and Mrs. Linda Gifford in county purchasing to the team. Later Mrs. Debbie Redford and Ms. Barbara Bohley were added as grant writers and Rod Finkle as engineer.
Commissioner Strafuss noted “The grant was multi-faceted and complicated; requiring numerous players (cities, schools, fire districts, etc), energy studies, energy recommendations, and was drawn out literally over several months.”
Commissioner Pennel said “He was tickled pink to see all the entities working together and all those that did the legwork”.
Commissioner Strahan stated “The entire team is to be commended for their hard work and diligence, with special thanks to Mrs. Jillian Rulon, Mrs. Debbie Redford and Ms.Joan Chowning.”
The grant was formally discussed, accepted and approved by the Taney County Commission on Thursday March 11th on behalf of all participating entities.
The Commission commented that this award is a great example of what cooperation, hard work, and perseverance can do.
Taney County Commission Audit Update
From the Taney County Commission Notes:
STATE AUDIT
Commissioner Strafuss informed citizens that the State Auditor’s office had contacted him with an estimate of $60,000.00 for an audit of one office. The Auditor’s office urged the County to create a list of particular concerns which the State could then use to estimate the cost of a possible audit.
Bob Schanz discussed the previous article in the Branson Trilakes News and the estimated audit cost amount in the article being incorrect. He stated the possible cost amount could be $100,000.00, and the cost being a worthy amount. He pointed out the following areas as being of particular concern: the County’s dwindling rainy-day fund, and the fact that it has been ten years since the County has been audited by the State. Mr. Schanz would request an audit of all departments.
Rick Findley agreed the $250,000.00 audit amount was an incorrect figure. He said the State suggested the County look to the current auditing company for aide, as the State is very busy. He also explained there are different audits which can be performed. He requested that Mr. Schanz create a specific list of concerns. The Commission and the County Clerk provided Mr. Schanz with a copy of the County’s recent audit.
Commissioner Strahan spoke regarding his ongoing request for a grand jury review of the County’s operations.
Commissioner Pennel spoke regarding the TIF payments in the Accounts Payable for the day.
Missouri Supreme Court Overturns Red Light Camera Ticket
Missouri Supreme Court Overturns Red Light Ticket
It's not uncommon for citizens to find their rights infringed upon by local government bodies but few have the audacity or the financial means to fight city hall all the way to the state Supreme Court as 30 year Missouri Highway Patrol veteran Adolph Belt Jr. did.
Noting the yellow light was too quick, Belt challenged a $100 ticket issued after his license plate was photographed by a red-light enforcement camera in Springfield, MO.
According to the Supreme Court's unanimous ruling, Springfield process for fighting the ticket is unconstitutional.
The court opinion, posted above, concluded the City of Springfield should have moved the case to a circuit court as opposed to the current administrative process.
It's not uncommon for citizens to find their rights infringed upon by local government bodies but few have the audacity or the financial means to fight city hall all the way to the state Supreme Court as 30 year Missouri Highway Patrol veteran Adolph Belt Jr. did.
Noting the yellow light was too quick, Belt challenged a $100 ticket issued after his license plate was photographed by a red-light enforcement camera in Springfield, MO.
According to the Supreme Court's unanimous ruling, Springfield process for fighting the ticket is unconstitutional.
The court opinion, posted above, concluded the City of Springfield should have moved the case to a circuit court as opposed to the current administrative process.
Branson Liquor Ordinance Continues to Prove Dismal Failure 14 of 44 Businesses Cited
Branson's foreign slave labor market is well protected under Presley's dismally failing liquor ordinance enacted at a cost of over $100,000 to taxpayers.
Over $50,000 was paid in attorney's fees to move liability from the person who commits the crime to the business owners that permit the serving of alcohol.
Instead of licensing individuals with a user fee, the current ordinance includes a massive spending increase to generate negative press against business's who serve alcohol.
While the Fed's eye Branson's thriving foreign labor market city leaders have continued to reject proposals to curb importation of slave labor - generally imported from Eastern Europe and a select few third-world countries.
Under Kansas City's liquor licensing program, servers are required to have a backround check, pay a small fee and take a short test. The general cost to the city to provide a license is under one dollar per person. Felons, illegal laborers and even fines owed to the city are flagged before a server can get licenseed.
In Branson this creates a problem. Protecting victims of the slave market could mean higher wages for Branson's legal workforce and the Mayor Raeanne Presley's personal business. Licensing efforts that would reduce city tax burdens and thwart Branson's thriving forced labor and prostitution industry were firmly rejected by Branson's mayor and board of aldeman.
Instead, the sting operations clearly indicate Branson's current efforts are a dismal failure. 14 of 44 businesses were cited for serving alcohol to minors during a recent sting operation:
--Ernie Biggs, 505 Branson Landing Blvd.;
--Chili's Bar & Grill, 1150 Branson Hills Pkwy.;
--Shorty Small's Dockside Bar, 7 N. Boardwalk;
--Texas Land & Cattle Steakhouse, 915 Branson Landing Blvd.;
--El Portal, 1305 W. Missouri 76;
--Fuddruckers, 1615 W. Missouri 76;
--Ruby Tuesday, 2206 W. Missouri 76;
--Elenita's Mexican Restaurant, 3522 Keeter St.;
--La Vera Cruz, 158 Pointe Royale;
--The Dawg House, 1117 Missouri 165;
--Shorty Small's, 3270 Yellow Ribbon Road;
--Buckingham's Restaurant, 2820 W. Missouri 76;
--Charlie's Steak Ribs & Ale, 3009 W. Missouri 76; and
--Starvin Marvin's, 3400 W. Missouri 76.
Over $50,000 was paid in attorney's fees to move liability from the person who commits the crime to the business owners that permit the serving of alcohol.
Instead of licensing individuals with a user fee, the current ordinance includes a massive spending increase to generate negative press against business's who serve alcohol.
While the Fed's eye Branson's thriving foreign labor market city leaders have continued to reject proposals to curb importation of slave labor - generally imported from Eastern Europe and a select few third-world countries.
Under Kansas City's liquor licensing program, servers are required to have a backround check, pay a small fee and take a short test. The general cost to the city to provide a license is under one dollar per person. Felons, illegal laborers and even fines owed to the city are flagged before a server can get licenseed.
In Branson this creates a problem. Protecting victims of the slave market could mean higher wages for Branson's legal workforce and the Mayor Raeanne Presley's personal business. Licensing efforts that would reduce city tax burdens and thwart Branson's thriving forced labor and prostitution industry were firmly rejected by Branson's mayor and board of aldeman.
Instead, the sting operations clearly indicate Branson's current efforts are a dismal failure. 14 of 44 businesses were cited for serving alcohol to minors during a recent sting operation:
--Ernie Biggs, 505 Branson Landing Blvd.;
--Chili's Bar & Grill, 1150 Branson Hills Pkwy.;
--Shorty Small's Dockside Bar, 7 N. Boardwalk;
--Texas Land & Cattle Steakhouse, 915 Branson Landing Blvd.;
--El Portal, 1305 W. Missouri 76;
--Fuddruckers, 1615 W. Missouri 76;
--Ruby Tuesday, 2206 W. Missouri 76;
--Elenita's Mexican Restaurant, 3522 Keeter St.;
--La Vera Cruz, 158 Pointe Royale;
--The Dawg House, 1117 Missouri 165;
--Shorty Small's, 3270 Yellow Ribbon Road;
--Buckingham's Restaurant, 2820 W. Missouri 76;
--Charlie's Steak Ribs & Ale, 3009 W. Missouri 76; and
--Starvin Marvin's, 3400 W. Missouri 76.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)