Globe reporters Gurman, McCoy, follow the money trail

In today's edition, The Joplin Globe's statehouse reporter Sadie Gurman continued her work on tracking down the flow of lobbyist money to local legislators, weeding her way through the thick barriers that have been set up to keep the media and the public from knowing just how much each legislator is receiving.
Again, part of the value of the Globe's work is that Ms. Gurman is not only able to sift through the documents, but is also able to get our area senator and representatives' quotes on the record.
Today's article provides some beauties. Referring to caucus meetings with lobbyists, Marilyn Ruestman, R-Joplin, says, "We really all have similar interests, and we really should all form friendships. This is a vehicle to be together with people who share interests."
Ms. Ruestman may attend numerous caucus meetings (for which no legislator is credited on the lobbyist disclosure forms, only the caucus), but Sen. Gary Nodler, R-Joplin, and Rep. Ron Richard, R-Joplin, told Ms. Gurman they were usually too busy with committee meetings to attend them.
Ms. Gurman's article shows a list of caucuses to which local legislators belong and how much money each received in 2005, according to Missouri Ethics Commission documents.
Now this is reporting.
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The same can definitely be said for veteran investigative reporter Max McCoy's study in Sunday's Globe of travel expenditures for Joplin city officials. I am sure many readers shared the outrage I felt when I saw City Clerk Barbara Hogelin had $8,367 in travel in 2005, including book discussions in St. Paul, Minn., Chicago, Ill., Fairview, Ill., and two in Springfield, Ill. These discussions, for which taxpayers footed the bill, included discussions of Shakespeare's Henry V, designed to foster leadership skills.
My suggestion to Ms. Hogelin: Form a book discussion club in Joplin, invite city clerks from Jasper County and the surrounding area and hone your leadership skills on your own time.
McCoy's report featured information on everything from salaries to clothing and telephone allowances for city officials.