Silver Dollar City announces half a billion dollar development plan

(From Silver Dollar City)

Silver Dollar City, America’s #1 Theme Park, today announced plans to invest half a billion dollars over the next decade on the construction of new family adventures, including the development of 1,200 acres adjacent to the Ozark Mountain theme park. 

The strategic plan represents the largest investment in the company’s 65-year history and begins with the debut of the Silver Dollar City Resort, the first theme park resort in America’s Heartland.

Additional resort details will be provided in the coming months regarding guest amenities, park privileges, room types, and group meeting spaces.

(According to Silver Dollar City's website, the resort will feature 262 guest rooms, 17,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space, indoor and outdoor pools, a full-service restaurant and seamless access to Silver Dollar City parks.)

Agenda posted for Joplin City Council meeting

 JOPLIN CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2024
5th FLOOR COUNCIL CHAMBERS
602 S. MAIN ST. JOPLIN MO
6:00 P.M.

1.

Call to Order

Invocation
Pledge of Allegiance of the United States of America

2.

Roll Call

3.

Presentations

1.

ARPA and Other Grants Update

Documents:

1. ARPA Council Update 10.21.24_Final.pdf

4.

Finalization of Consent Agenda

5.

Reports and Communications

1.

News from the Public Information Office

6.

Citizen Requests and Petitions

1.

Jennifer Shotwell requested to speak on Update from the Area Agency on Aging, Region X-Joplin Senior Center

2.

Chad Stebbins Requested to speak on Joplin Memorial Hall

3.

Emily Frankoski requested to speak on representing the Board of Directors of Connect2Culture and providing a statement on Memorial Hall.

7.

Public Hearings

8.

Consent Agenda

1.

Minutes of the October 7, 2024, City Council Meeting

Documents:

1. Oct. 7, 2024 minutes.pdf

2.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2024-003

 AN ORDINANCE approving and authorizing the City of Joplin to enter into an Agreement with the Industrial Development Authority of the City of Joplin (JIDA), for the City to loan $1,150,000.00 to the JIDA for the purchase of approximately 330 acres of land adjacent to the City to be utilized as an industrial park; and, authorizing the City Manager to execute said Agreement by and on behalf of the City of Joplin, Missouri.

Documents:

1. CB2024-003.pdf

3.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2024-133

AN ORDINANCE approving a consultation agreement with Burns and McDonnell Engineering Company, Inc. in the not to exceed amount of Two Hundred and Fifty-Six Thousand and 00/100 DOLLARS ($256,000.00) for engineering services associated with the REO Grant Project and authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin; and setting a date when this Ordinance shall become effective.

Documents:

1. CB2024-133.pdf

4.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2024-146

AN ORDINANCE approving an agreement with Schuber Mitchell to provide sanitary sewer to property located at 2206 Crow Rd., authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin; and setting a date when this Ordinance shall become effective.

 

 

Documents:

1. CB2024-146.pdf

5.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2024-147

AN ORDINANCE approving an agreement with Coretex Enterprises to provide sanitary sewer to property located at 5130 Birdsong Rd, authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin; and setting a date when this Ordinance shall become effective.

Documents:

1. CB2024-147.pdf

6.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2024-283

AN ORDINANCE amending Ordinance No. 2022-274, passed by the Council of the City of Joplin, Missouri, August 1, 2022, by removing from District C-1 (Neighborhood Commercial) and including in District R-2 (Two-Family Residential) property as described below and located at 630 S Porter Ave.

 

Documents:

1. CB2024-283.pdf

7.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2024-289

AN ORDINANCE approving an Agreement between the City of Joplin, Missouri, and Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission which will provide FHWA Metropolitan Planning Assistance and FTA Section 5303 assistance, hereafter known as Consolidated Planning Funds, from November 1, 2024, through October 31, 2025, in accordance with the rules of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) under 49 U.S.C. Section 5303 and 23 U.S. Code Sections 104(F) and 134 to conduct comprehensive and transportation planning programs, as the City of Joplin has been designated to conduct transportation planning programs for the Joplin Area Transportation Study Organization; authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute said Agreement for the City; and setting a date when this Ordinance shall become effective.

Documents:

1. CB2024-289.pdf

8.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2024-402

AN ORDINANCE approving an Agreement between the City of Joplin, Missouri, and the Economic Security Corporation that pertains to 2024 CDBG public service grant funds; authorizing the City Manager to execute same on behalf of the City.

Documents:

1. CB2024-402.pdf

9.

Resolutions

1.

RESOLUTION NO. 2024-018

A RESOLUTION approving the Joplin-Jasper County Emergency Management plan as revised in 2024.

Documents:

1. RS2024-018 Index and Plan.pdf
2. RS2024-018 Annex A-I.pdf
3. RS2024-018 Annex J-R.pdf
4. Emergency contacts at a glance.pdf
5. Resolution 2024-Joplin Jasper County Emergency Management plan approval.pdf
6. 2024-018 - Summary Sheet.pdf

10.

Ordinances - Emergency

1.

COUNCIL BILL NO 2024-139

AN ORDINANCE approving an agreement with D&E Plumbing & Heating Inc. in the amount of Seven million, nine hundred twenty-one thousand, seven hundred ninety and 60/100 DOLLARS ($7,921,790.60) for Joplin ARPA Group A Project and authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin and containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

1. CB 2024-139 SUMMARY ARPA Group A (2).pdf
2. CB 2024-139 ARPA Group A Ordinance.pdf
3. CB 2024-139 2024-10-14_WTRS_Group A Bid Tab Summary ARPA Group A.pdf
4. CB 2024-139 Contractor Agreement ARPA GROUP A.pdf
5. CB 2024-139 ARPA Group A Map.pdf
6. CB 2024-139 Recommendation for Award - Group A ARPA.pdf

2.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2024-372

AN ORDINANCE approving the contract by and between the City of Joplin and Freeman Landworx LLC for the demolition of the structure(s) and clearing of a lot located at 1016 W 19 TH St. in the City of Joplin, Missouri, for Six Thousand One Hundred Five dollars ($6,105.00); providing how the cost thereof shall be paid; how the assessment thereof shall be made; and containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

1. CB 2024 - 372 - 1016 W 19th St.Summary (GREEN).pdf
2. 1016 W 19TH ST-10072024171824.pdf
3. Presentation 1016 W 19TH ST.pdf
4. CB 2024- 372 1016 W 19TH St..docx.pdf

3.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2024-373

AN ORDINANCE approving the contract by and between the City of Joplin and Big Johns for the demolition of the structure(s) and clearing of a lot located at 124 N Maple Ave. in the City of Joplin, Missouri, for Four Thousand One Hundred Two dollars ($4,102.00); providing how the cost thereof shall be paid; how the assessment thereof shall be made; and containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

1. COUNCIL BILL NO 2024 - 373 Summary..pdf
2. COUNCIL BILL NO 2024 373 Bid.pdf
3. COUNCIL BILL NO 2024-373 Presentation.pdf
4. COUNCIL BILL NO 2024-373 Bill.pdf

4.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2024-455

AN ORDINANCE    approving an Agreement by and between the Joplin Humane Society, Inc., and the City of Joplin, Missouri, providing for animal sheltering services for the city animal control program, authorizing the City Manager to execute said Agreement by and on behalf of the City of Joplin, Missouri; and containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

1. CB2024-455-Summary Sheet.pdf
2. CB2024-455-Council Bill.pdf
3. CB2024-455- Supplemental Item Contract.pdf
4. CB2024-455 Supplemental Document Redline Contract.pdf

5.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2024-456

AN ORDINANCE    amending Chapter 18, Animals, of the Joplin City Code by amending certain fees found in Section 18-144; and, containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

1. CB2024-456-Summary Sheet.pdf
2. CB2024-456-Council Bill.pdf

6.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2024-457

AN ORDINANCE    approving a Program Services Contract by and between the State of Missouri, Department of Health and Senior Services, and the City of Joplin, Missouri, for a term commencing October 1, 2024 and running through September 30, 2025, for the amount of up to Thirty Four Thousand, Eight Hundred Ninety Dollars and one Cents ($34,890.01), to enable the Health Department to provide maternal child health services to residents of Joplin, authorizing the City Manager to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin, Missouri; and containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

1. CB2024-457-Summary Sheet.pdf
2. CB2024-457-Council Bill.pdf
3. CB2024-457-Supplemental Item Contract.pdf

7.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2024-511

AN ORDINANCE    approving a Renewal Agreement by and between the City of Joplin and Symetra to provide life insurance coverage for City employees on behalf of the employer, the City of Joplin; authorizing the City Manager to execute said Contract by and on behalf of the City of Joplin; and containing an emergency clause.    

Documents:

1. CB 2024-511 Summary Life Insurance Renewal Agreement.pdf
2. CB 2024-511 Ordinance Life Insurance Renewal Agreement.pdf
3. CB 2024-511 Exhibit A Life Insurance Agreement.pdf

8.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2024-512

AN ORDINANCE    approving a Renewal Agreement by and between the City of Joplin and Eye Med to provide vision insurance coverage for City employees on behalf of the employer, the City of Joplin; authorizing the City Manager to execute said Contract by and on behalf of the City of Joplin; and containing an emergency clause.        

Documents:

1. CB 2024-512 Summary Vision Insurance Renewal Agreement.pdf
2. CB 2024-512 Ordinance Vision Insurance Renewal Agreement.pdf
3. CB 2024-512 Exhibit A Vision Insurance Renewal.pdf

9.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2024-513

AN ORDINANCE    adopting an updated step pay plan by reference the City Salary Administration Plan; establishing the annual salary of certain Classified and Unclassified positions for Fiscal Year 2024-2025; adopting wage adjustments for certain City Council Employees and, containing an emergency clause.  

Documents:

1. CB 2024-513 Summary Updated Salary Administration Plan Effective November 1 2024.pdf
2. CB 2024-513 Ordinance Adopting Updated Step Pay Plan and Wage Adjustments.pdf
3. CB 2024-513 Exhibit A Salary Administration Plan for Unclassified and Classified.pdf

10.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2024-514

AN ORDINANCE    amending the Annual Budget of the City of Joplin for the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 as adopted by Ordinance 2023-158 on October 16, 2023, to adjust appropriations and containing an emergency clause.    

Documents:

1. CB 2024-514 Summary Budget Amendment FY 2024.pdf
2. CB 2024-514 Budget Amendment Ordinance FY2024.pdf
3. CB 2024-514 Schedule A Budget Amendment.pdf

11.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2024-515

AN ORDINANCE    providing for the Budget of the City of Joplin for the period from November 1, 2024 to October 31, 2025, estimating the revenues for said period and appropriating for the purposes stated the sums set forth therein; and containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

1. CB 2024-515 Summary Budget Adoption FY 2025.pdf
2. CB 2024-515 Budget Adoption Ordinance.pdf
3. CB 2024-515 Budget Summary FY 2025.pdf
4. CB 2024-515 Summary of Governmental and Proprietary Funds FY2025.pdf
5. CB 2024-515 Budget Reconciliation Proposed to Adopted.pdf

12.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2024-518

AN ORDINANCE    adding an additional paid leave day for wellness and amending the Annual Budget of the City of Joplin for the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 as adopted on October 21, 2024, to adjust appropriations and containing an emergency clause.    

Documents:

1. CB 2024-518 Summary Additional Wellness Holiday.pdf
2. CB 2024-518 Additional Wellness Holiday Ordinance.pdf
3. CB 2024-518 Schedule A 2025 Budget Amendment.pdf

11.

Ordinances - First Reading

1.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2024-004

AN ORDINANCE    approving the Real Estate Contract by and between the City of Joplin, Missouri, a Municipal Corporation, and Vita Nova Village, for the sale of one parcel located at 1201 S. Byers Avenue,  Joplin, Missouri, and authorizing the City Manager to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin.    

Documents:

1. Summary-RE contract Vita Nova CB2024-004-10112024162949.pdf

2.

COUNCIL BILL NO 2024-137

AN ORDINANCE approving the issuance of a Purchase Order to Brentwood Industries, Inc., in the amount of Four Million Four Hundred Ninety Thousand Eight Hundred Seventy-Four and 00/100 DOLLARS ($4,490,874.00) for the purchase, delivery and installation oversight of Trickling Filter Media for (2) West Towers and (2) East Towers at Turkey Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility; and, setting a date when this ordinance shall become effective.

Documents:

1. 2024-137 Summary Sheet (4) (1).pdf
2. CB2024-137 Trickling Filter Media PO Ordinance (2) (1).pdf
3. TOB (2) (1).pdf
4. Turkey Creek WWTP Trickling Filter Media Purchace Agreement with Brentwood (1).pdf
5. Brentwood Proposal Exhibit B (1) (1).pdf
6. RFP T Crk Trickling Filter Media 08 05 2024 Exhibit A (1).pdf

3.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2024-517

AN ORDINANCE    authorizing the City of Joplin to enter into an Economic Development Services Agreement with the Joplin Regional Alliance for Healthcare and Health Science (JRAH) for the purpose of fostering healthcare and health-related business growth and economic development; and, authorizing the City Manager to execute said Agreement by and on behalf of the City of Joplin, Missouri.     

Documents:

1. CB 2024-517 Summary JRAH Economic Develoment Agreement.pdf
2. CB 2024-517 Ordinance JRAH Funding Agreement.pdf
3. CB 2024-517 Exhibit A JRAH Public Service Agreement Final.pdf

4.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2024-623

AN ORDINANCE authorizing the City of Joplin, Missouri, to enter into a Purchase Order with Minuteman Press, a Missouri Corporation of Chesterfield, Missouri, for printing the 2024 Joplin History Guide in the of Eighteen Thousand Two Hundred and Ninety dollars ($18,290.00) and authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute the same on behalf of the City of Joplin.

Documents:

1. SUMMARY CB2024-623 CVB History Guide Printing.pdf
2. ORDINANCE CB2024-623 CVB History Guide Printing.pdf
3. 2024-RFP-22 History Guide Printing.pdf
4. Bid Form 2024-RFP-22 History Guide Printing TABULATION.pdf

5.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2024-625

AN ORDINANCE    approving a Contract by and between the City of Joplin and Satterlee Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, in the amount of Four Hundred and Thirty-Nine Thousand Three Hundred Five Dollars and No Cents ($439,305.00) for the Joplin Historical and Mineral Museum HVAC upgrades; authorizing the City Manager to execute said Contract by and on behalf of the City of Joplin.

Documents:

1. 2024-625 Summary.pdf
2. Agreement 2024 - Local Funds.pdf
3. COUNCIL BILL NO.2024-625 Joplin Historical and Mineral Museum HVAC Upgrades.pdf
4. Joplin Museum HVAC 2024 RFP.pdf

12.

Ordinances - Second Reading and Third Reading

1.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2024-140

AN ORDINANCE approving the City of Joplin to enter into an agreement with Hartman & Company, Inc. in the amount of One Million Six Hundred Thirty-Two Thousand Seven Hundred Seventeen and 50/100 Dollars ($1,632,717.50) for the construction of the Tin Cup Trail Project; authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin; amending the Annual Budget of the City of Joplin for the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 as adopted by Ordinance 2023-158 on October 16, 2023; and, setting a date when this Ordinance shall become effective.

Documents:

1. CB2024-140.pdf

2.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2024-141

AN ORDINANCE approving the City of Joplin to enter into an agreement with Elements Construction Concepts in the amount of One Million Six Hundred Sixty-Five Thousand Six Hundred Ninety-Eight and 00/100 Dollars ($1,665,698.00) for the construction of the Tin Cup Bridge Project; authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin; amending the Annual Budget of the City of Joplin for the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 as adopted by Ordinance 2023-158 on October 16, 2023; and, setting a date when this Ordinance shall become effective.

Documents:

1. CB2024-141.pdf

13.

Unfinished Business

14.

New Business

1.

Confirm Boards and Commissions Appointments

Democrat Lucas Kunce outraises Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley

By Jason Hancock

Missouri Independent

Democrat Lucas Kunce reported raising $7.6 million over the last three months, more than doubling the amount raised by Republican U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley over the same period.

Hawley, who is seeking his second term in the Senate, reported raising $3 million. An independent political action committee supporting his re-election, Show Me Strong, raised a little under $1 million.

 

But Hawley ended the quarter with more cash on hand than his Democratic rival, finishing September with $2.6 million for the campaign’s homestretch compared with $1.5 million for Kunce.

Jared Young, who successfully petitioned to form the Better Party for his Senate run, raised $14,860.

Every public poll of the race has shown Hawley in the lead, with most putting the Republican up by double digits. And Missouri hasn’t elected a Democrat to statewide office since 2018.

But Kunce has consistently outraised Hawley, and as the campaign enters its final weeks, he’s continued to go toe-to-toe with in television ad spending. Since the August primary, Kunce’s campaign has spent $6 million on TV ads hammering the Republican and trumpeting Kunce’s populist message.

Hawley’s campaign has spent $3.9 million on ads during that time, with Show Me Strong chipping in roughly $1.9 million.

Tuesday’s disclosure reports filed with the Federal Election Commission also reveal Hawley’s campaign more than doubled its spending on private jet travel, with nearly $140,000 worth of expenditures on chartered flights since the beginning of August.

That compares to $132,000 during the first six months of the year.

 

Hawley made criticism of former U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill’s use of private planes to travel the state a key attack line during his successful 2018 campaign, arguing it demonstrated the Democratic incumbent was out of touch with her constituents.

The criticism was turned back on him when he was recorded earlier this month boarding a Gulfstream IV SP to hopscotch the state for campaign rallies with Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker.

His latest disclosure form shows eight expenditures for chartered flights, including nearly $30,000 on Sept. 19.

Kunce and Hawley are scheduled to debate Oct 31 on Missouri Nexstar stations, including KTVI/KPLR-St. Louis, WDAF-Kansas City, KRBK-Springfield and KSN-Joplin and their digital platforms.

Carthage man pleads guilty to statutory sodomy, sentencing scheduled

A 3 p.m. January 6 sentencing hearing in Newton County Circuit Court has been scheduled for Garret Charles Peirsol (DOB 1984), Carthage, who pleaded guilty to statutory sodomy Tuesday. The case involved a Neosho child.

Peirsol's case had been scheduled to go to trial in April in McDonald County Circuit Court where it had been moved on a change of venue.

Online court documents indicate Peirsol's crime took place in 2019.

The case was investigated by the Neosho Police Department.

Hearing held for former Carthage parks director in stealing, money laundering case

Former Carthage Parks Director Mark Peterson was back in court for a pre-trial conference October 7 on three counts of stealing and two counts of money laundering.

Jasper County Circuit Court online records indicate Peterson was represented by attorney Brian Glades while the state was represented by Assistant Attorney General Michael Schaefer.

The next hearing, either for pretrial motions or for a change of plea is scheduled for 9 a.m. January 22.

A pre-trial conference for a misdemeanor leaving the scene of an accident charge against Peterson is scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday.

More information about the charges against Peterson can be found at the links below:

The Turner Report: Former Carthage Parks Director charged with stealing $142,000, money laundering (rturner229.blogspot.com)

The Turner Report: Former Carthage parks director charged with leaving the scene after accident in bar parking lot (rturner229.blogspot.com)

Attorney for City of Carthage, Cossey, Snow asks judge to dismiss Dagnan lawsuit

The Kansas City attorney representing the city of Carthage and council members Tiffany Cossey and Alan Snow filed a response today in Jasper County Circuit Court to former City Administrator Greg Dagnan's amended petition in his lawsuit against them.

Attorney Matthew Justin Gist of the firm of Ensz and Jester P. C. asked Judge David A. Cole to dismiss the case, claiming part of the petition is barred by the doctrine of sovereign immunity, that Missouri law does not allow plaintiffs to seek punitive damages against cities and that Dagnan "failed to state a claim upon which relief may be granted."

The response also questioned Dagnan's claim that the firing caused him emotional distress.

To the extent Plaintiff is making claim for emotional distress, Defendant City affirmatively pleads that Plaintiff’s alleged injuries are not medically diagnosable or attributable to the allegations made in his Second Amended Petition. Defendant affirmatively pleads that any emotional distress suffered by Plaintiff is attributable to other stressors in his life as referenced in his pleadings.

Cossey and Snow are the only remaining council members on the defendant list. Dagnan did not list the other council members as defendants in the amended petition.

Carthage Citizens United is also listed as a defendant for part of the lawsuit and filed a motion to dismiss Tuesday. 

The Turner Report: Court filing: Carthage Citizens United never worked to have Greg Dagnan fired (rturner229.blogspot.com)

Gist also filed a motion for a partial summary judgment today.

Joplin man pleads guilty to federal weapons charge

During a hearing this morning in U. S. District Court in Springfield, Tanner Enochs, 30, Joplin, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Judge David P. Rush ordered a presentence investigation. No date has been set for the sentencing.

Enochs was initially arrested May 17, 2023 by the Joplin Police Department following a pursuit that began with Enochs on a motorcycle and later continued on foot until he was captured with a stolen gun in a holster.

Information from the probable cause affidavit in the federal case can be found at the link below:

The Turner Report: Change of plea hearing set for Joplin man on federal weapons charge (rturner229.blogspot.com)

Carthage R-9 Board discusses legal matters, accepts high school French teacher's resignation in closed session

(From the Carthage R-9 School District)

The Carthage R-9 Board of Education met in special session on Friday, October 11, 2024, 12:00 pm, at Carthage R-9 District Administration Office. 

Present were board members Jeff Jones, Niki Cloud, Lora Phelps, Maria Sanchez, and Mark Westhoff. Ryan Collier and Patrick Scott attended via Zoom.

 

The board members approved the agenda and adjourned to closed session to discuss legal and personnel matters in compliance with Section 610.021 (1) and (3) of the Revised Statutes of Missouri. 

In closed session the Board approved the following personnel actions: 

Certified Resignation: Rachel Beckett, French Teacher, Carthage High School

Court filing: Carthage Citizens United never worked to have Greg Dagnan fired

In a motion to dismiss filed Monday in Jasper County Circuit Court, attorney William Lasley representing Carthage Citizens United, claims the group never worked to have former City Administrator Greg Dagnan fired.

Dagnan is suing the City of Carthage, City Council members Tiffany Cossey and Alan Snow and Carthage Citizens United for wrongful dismissal.

The judge dismissed Carthage Citizens United as a defendant on the original petition, but an amended petition was filed October 1 dismissing all council members except Cossey and Snow as defendants and restoring Carthage Citizens United to the defendant list. Dagnan alleges the organization interfered with his contract with the city and his attempts to battle corruption in the city.

Carthage Citizens United formed in 2023 and aggressively began fund raising efforts to replace council members with new members who would carry out the organization's bidding of firing Mr. Dagnan.

That's just not the case, Lasley said.

Assuming this allegation to be true (which it isn't), Carthage Citizens United would have every right to do this. Political action committees merely allow people of average means to pool their funds and create a stronger and more impactful voice than each would have as individuals.

The statutory purpose of such committees as described in R.S.Mo 130.011 (7) is to "influence and attempt to influence the action of voters for or against candidates or ballot measures."

Even if Carthage Citizens United had advertised an intention to use the council to legally rid Carthage of Mr. Dagnan, it had every right to do so.

Some of the citizens of average means who support Carthage Citizens United were listed as contributors in the committee's quarterly disclosure report filed today with the Missouri Ethics Commission.

The report shows the committee raised $2,900 over the past three months, spent $4,672.95 and had $3,129.25 in the bank.

Those contributing during the reporting period were the following:

William Putnam $200

Alexander Boyer $200

Debbie Smallwood $200

Mark Peterson $200

Betsy Flanigan $200

William Lasley $200

George Goff $500

Jack Crusa $200

Julia Scott $200

Jimmy Grimes $200

Heather Collier $200

Danny Lambeth $200

Mary Beimdiek $200

Of the $4,672.95 spent by the committee, $4,660 went to Lasley's law firm, Flanigan, Lasley & Moore LLP for legal expenses.