For the first time in the history of the Joplin R-8 School District, large amounts of money are being poured into the race with none larger than the $13,400 Dr. J. Christopher Banwart contributed to his wife, candidate Lynda Banwart Tuesday, according to a 48-hour report filed today with the Missouri Ethics Commission.Mrs. Banwart's campaign committee was formed this week, after the 40-day-before election reports, so the 48-hour report is the first to be filed, but she also received $1,000 from the Joplin Progress Committee, according to the Committee's Ethics Commission filing.
Buying the election… What a hack!
ReplyDeleteDr. Banwart is as free as anyone to prove the adage that a fool and his money are soon parted, but what should concern people is that the Joplin Progress Committee, whose mission they claim is one dedicated to funding campaigns for those who might be qualified but without the means to run for office, gave Ms. Banwart $1000 knowing full well she'd be the best-funded candidate in the race.
ReplyDeleteIn other words, contrary to it's bogus idealism, the JPC is an attempt at legalized influence peddling. If Ms. Banwart wins, they'll be at her door reminding her of their "support" the first time she shows any sign of thinking for herself or acting in the interests of anyone other than them.
Rest assured all those whom they support will likewise hear from the JPC if they wander off the line they've drawn. If you want to elect people beholden to a group of the moneyed and their sycophantic boot lickers, by all means vote for those supported by the JPC.
Good for those JPC doesn't support, and for those they've endorsed but who won't take their dirty money.
I wont vote for any jpc backed candidate even if they are a good candidate. JPC needs to find some other way to rig the system because even Joplin voters can see thru their BS
ReplyDeletei'm still suffering from Mrs. Banwart's bond campaign. My taxes cost me a hell of a lot more than the price of a happy meal every week. That she has aligned herself with Huff tells me that she has either a lack of scruples or a lack of sense. I won't vote for her, no matter how much money her husband spends.
ReplyDeleteNo one in the Huff camp gets my vote. No one. I just got back from parent teacher conferences. I'm tired of the no books idea and so many of their teachers are leaving. Time to do some spring cleaning and get some new people on the board!!
ReplyDeleteIf she wanted to help the district she shouldve applied for that job as a professional fundraiser. That bond issue was good practice. She could take the strain off of us that she brought on us.
ReplyDeleteHow much of a person's soul does a 1,000 get? Not worth it to me.
ReplyDeleteI'll be thinking about all that money Dr. Banwart has to burn on foolishness the next time I'm in there. In fact, there won't be a next time. He's not the only game in town. Maybe if he has that much spare cash in his pocket he could lower his rates. No more "poor me" from the medical profession. He's living pretty well off other people's misery. And now trying to buy my child's education, which is wife compromised enough with the bond to build the Taj Mahal of the Midwest and all its 21st Century foollshness. Boo!!! No votes here.
ReplyDeleteThe kick backs must be enormous to spend that kind of money for a job that pays nothing.
ReplyDeleteLynda is a very good, decent, civic-minded person. She and her husband are both hard-working people who have donated much of their time and money to the community. Anything that she has done for the school district, she has done because she thought it would benefit the children. She didn't have any more control over how the bond money was spent than the rest of us. I am not a Huff supporter, and I would love to see a whole new Board - but I have no qualms about Lynda being elected. She would make choices to make the district better for the students, whether Dr. Huff liked it or not. I am saddened by the negativity on here towards her - she doesn't deserve this kind of press. Those of you making these comments clearly don't know her, and clearly haven't taken the time to talk with her about her ideas for the district. Shame on you for letting Mr. Turner dictate your beliefs instead of thinking for yourselves.
ReplyDeleteI, too, know and like Lynda, but she'll not have my support until and unless she returns the contribution from the JPC.
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