Hartzler: Obama threat to veto SAFE Act is irresponsible

(From Fourth District Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler)

With Paris still reeling from the Islamic State massacre that claimed more than 120 innocent lives, other parts of Europe on alert for possible further acts of terrorism, the west African nation of Mali recovering from an Islamic State act of terrorism, and our State Department issuing a worldwide travel advisory for Americans, it is clear that terrorism remains a threat to people all over the globe. With this reality in mind, I believe the U.S. House was prudent in passing the American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act.

The SAFE Act places on hold the Syrian refugee resettlement program until the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence have the information needed to determine that any Syrian and Iraqi refugee coming to our shores is NOT a security threat. It requires security officials to certify that each refugee, before being admitted, has NO ties to the terrorism that is threatening countries around the globe.

This common sense legislation, passed overwhelmingly by the House with 47 Democrats in support, still requires Senate and White House approval. Given this fact, it is extremely disturbing and discomforting that Senate Democrat Leader Harry Reid has threatened a filibuster to prevent an up or down vote on this plan to protect our homeland. It is even more disturbing and even alarming that President Obama has vowed to veto this bill should it get to his desk.

This irresponsible action flies in the face of concerns expressed by the President’s own Homeland Security Secretary who has stated his department is unable to appropriately vet the individuals seeking to be allowed into our country. To open our doors to people, without first determining whether they might have ties to terrorism, is unwise and extremely troubling.

Our country has, for a long time, welcomed refugees and it is not the intention of the SAFE Act to turn away persecuted and oppressed people. Our country will continue support the Syrian refugees by continuing to send medicine, food, and supplies. To date, America has sent over $4.1 billion worth of aid to support them. This will continue. The SAFE Act does, however, address the reality of a high terror threat environment and allows U.S. authorities to do what is necessary to prevent terrorists from taking advantage of the good will and generosity of the American people to slip in and do our country harm. Failure to grasp the reality of the current situation and to embrace life-saving options is simply irresponsible. It is incumbent on Congress and the President to work together to protect our homeland and our citizens.

Reiboldt: It's time for photo voter ID

(From Rep. Bill Reiboldt, R-Neosho)

Missouri’s legislative process will begin this week with the pre-filing of bills for the 2016 session that will start in January. Though numerous bills may be filed, typically only a few will make their way through the House and Senate and on to the governor’s desk. Several pieces of legislation will be considered as priority. One such piece will focus on passing a voter’s photo identification law. Again, legislation will be proposed to create new voter photo ID requirements. Current Missouri law does not demand voters show a form of photo identification when casting their ballots at the polls, though Missouri does require voters to show some form of non-photo ID, such as a utility bill or a voter registration card.

Protecting the election process from potential fraud has always been a priority for Missouri lawmakers, and most believe that requiring a photo ID will benefit the integrity of that process. Proper identification is required for much of what we do. For example, if one uses a banking or financial institution or goes to a hospital or a healthcare provider, it is necessary to show proper identification. Even when writing a check for groceries, one is required to have proof of identity. Why should something as important as voting require any less? It only seems reasonable for voters to provide the same type of identification when casting their votes at the polls, verifying they are indeed whom they claim to be. Many are asking, then why has the issue of providing proper voter photo ID proven to be such a political “hot potato” across our nation.

Those against requiring stricter voting laws—laws that include photo identification—argue that the proposal is an attempt to disenfranchise voters who have a hard time securing the documents needed to get a photo ID. Many times the documents they will need include a birth certificate, a passport, or a valid unexpired driver’s license. Those individuals who have difficulty providing proper identification are oftentimes the elderly, the disabled, and some minority groups. Realizing that these are legitimate concerns and that if any cannot produce proper documentation (such as a birth certificate), some states, like Missouri, have exemptions in place or are endeavoring to get them there in order to allow those persons to work around their obstacles.

Because previous voter photo ID laws have been struck down by our state’s Supreme Court, this issue must now be taken to the voters in order to change the constitution to allow for a voter photo ID law. This can be accomplished in one of two ways, either with a legislative referendum or a petition initiative. There is now a petition initiative being circulated—and gathering signatures—with the intent of it being placed as a constitutional amendment on the 2016 ballot.

If approved by voters, this will pave the way for the legislature to develop the framework of a voter photo ID law.

Some claim that voter photo ID is not needed or that the expense does not justify the end. Unfortunately, overall public confidence in government (and especially at the federal level) is at a low point. Having a tool in effect, such as the voter photo ID law, can be one step in providing a greater sense of honesty in the voting process and helping to rebuild the citizenry’s faith in our voting system. As far as the amount of expense involved, it appears to be minimal.

The argument about showing a picture ID is not a new idea. Back in 2005, a 21-member bi-partisan commission on federal election reform advocated the use of a voter photo ID. This commission was co-chaired by former President Jimmy Carter and former Secretary of State James Baker. The commission “called voter identification one of the ‘five pillars’ that would ‘build confidence’ in the integrity of federal elections.” Only three of the 21 commission members were not in favor of photo identification. The report went on to say that “the right to vote is a vital component of US citizenship and all states should use their best effort to obtain proof of citizenship before registering voters.” The commission’s report also stated, “In close or disputed elections, and there are many, a small amount of fraud could make the margin of difference.”

Perhaps now is the time for Missouri to make changes to its voting system to help ensure that only votes from eligible individuals will be used to determine the outcome of our elections.

Bright Futures agreement, like its leadership, is a joke

The Joplin R-8 Board of Education made a wise move Tuesday night when it postponed a decision on allowing Bright Futures Joplin to become a separate entity from the school.

While the memorandum of understanding says the board will remain in control, a careful reading shows that Bright Futures Joplin would essentially be under the control of an unelected board of directors while continuing to have its top heavy administrative costs funded by R-8 taxpayers.

BFJ would also be allowed to continue using the school district logo and name while conducting its business.

And if the past is indicative, Bright Futures, by continuing to expand its reach will continue to siphon money that could be used for other educational purposes.

The memorandum gives BFJ total control over its mission, including all "activities and initiatives." Will the organization continue its recent practice of paying rent and utilities and costs that were never imagined when it was created in April 2010? Will it continue to spend big dollars on Operation College Bound, a lofty program designed to encourage elementary students to begin thinking about college, but one that has little value in comparison to making sure the quality of the education they receive puts them in the position to consider college.

The current legal document gives the board almost no control over the people who are hired by Bright Futures Joplin. The board would only have the right to "consult." Considering some of the excesses of the current leadership, it seems unwise to give up control over people who are seeking money using the logo and goodwill of the school district, especially to an advisory board that has shown support for the way BFJ is currently being operated.

Though they would no longer have any control over the BFJ employees, the memorandum requires R-8 superintendents  to help BFJ identify, locate and help solicit donors, enough to keep the amount of money going to BFJ increasing. If Bright Futures wants to be independent, wouldn't it make more sense to let its administrators raise their own money and let our superintendents run the school district?

Not only does Bright Futures Joplin want to make all of its own decisions without the superintendent's interference, but it also wants the taxpayers to pay 60 percent of the salaries for Director of Community Engagement Melissa Winston and Coordinator of Community Engagement Dale Peterson, but the duties that the district would pay for are exactly the same kind of nonsense that was a hallmark of the C. J. Huff era.

The duties include all of the buzzwords of the Huff Administration- coordinating, marketing, public relations, networking, "liaison with community stakeholders," and "service learning."

No wonder the board wanted to make changes in this proposal. It is a disaster.

Why is it that nearly every area school district has been able to get the concept and operation of Bright Futures right except the school district where the program started?

The R-8 Board of Education needs to toss out this proposal and begin reconsidering the whole concept of Bright Futures. Taxpayers do not need to pay for two full-time Bright Futures employees or even 60 percent of their salaries. We have seen that the volunteers, the people who are responsible for the successes Bright Futures has had, are willing to put in the work. It does not take two full-time employees to coordinate that work.

If the service learning and Operation College Bound programs are to continue, it makes far more sense and would save money to put those programs under the control of actual educators and pay stipends. Service learning programs were here long before Bright Futures and never required full-time employees to direct them.

And if the board does re-examine Bright Futures, it should also re-examine its connection with the national Bright Futures USA organization. Webb City, East Newton, and McDonald County severed ties with the national organization and none of those schools has cut services that help the children.

It is not the job of the Joplin R-8 Board of Education to build a legacy for a man it found so contemptible that it was willing to pay him for a year and a half and give him a $50,000 consulting fee just to push him out the door.

Kim Frencken: It's not too late to turn around school districts with low morale, high stress

Stress is on the rise while morale is dropping like the early winter temps. I am constantly scanning the internet for news stories and blogs, just to keep current outside of my little world. I also talk to several teachers from different districts. The ones that are content in their districts know someone in another district that is struggling. Why is there so much stress and why does morale continue to drop?

Years before I left Joplin R-8, I brought this up to administration. Morale was low. What could we do to boost it? I sincerely wanted to be part of the solution, several of us wanted to be the problem solvers. We wanted to help, but every effort was turned away. Administration was in denial. We didn't have a morale issue in Joplin. Everything. Was. Fine. You know what they say when a woman tells you she is fine? The word fine is a nice cover-up, but it doesn't get to the root of the problem and fix anything. It acts like a bandaid. Sometimes a bandaid is all you need, but in some cases, even the largest bandaid won't do the trick.

In some cases, administration thinks that offering a plastic mug or school t-shirt is all that is needed. Or, a pep talk and marching band at opening day. Or, maybe e-mails detailing a teacher's responsibilities and reminding them of their obligations. Truth is, teachers just want to be respected and treated professionally. That alone will boost morale.

I can only speak for myself and the teachers that I know, but respect and professionalism were in short supply. We were controlled by fear and intimidation. I know that there are some reading this that are skeptical. The ones that aren't a teacher or don't personally know a teacher. Controlled by fear and intimidation??? Yes. We weren't a bunch of renegades or mavericks. We were hard working, give-it-our-all teachers. We believed. We trusted. We were let down.

It isn't too late for things to turn around in Joplin or any other district that is struggling with low morale and high stress. Teachers are forgiving. They will often face opposition because they love helping kids. Listen, support, and respect. It isn't much, but it is a place to start and it will make all the difference.

(Former Joplin R-8 teacher Kim Frencken's writing can be found at her blog, Chocolate for the Teacher. The page provides links to her products for teachers on Teachers Pay Teachers, Teachwise, and Teacher's Notebook.)

Newsmakers video- Joplin City Clerk talks about upcoming municipal elections

Blunt blasts plan to allow Syrian refugees into United States

Flood warning for Joplin, Jasper County until 8:30 p.m.

(From the National Weather Service)

.A FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 830 PM CST FRIDAY FOR
CRAWFORD...BOURBON...CHEROKEE...DADE...CEDAR...VERNON...JASPER...
BARTON AND ST. CLAIR COUNTIES...

AT 212 PM CST...RAIN CONTINUES ACROSS THE WARNED AREA.  BETWEEN TWO
AND THREE INCHES OF RAIN HAS ALREADY FALLEN...WITH AN ADDITIONAL
INCH OF RAIN POSSIBLE THROUGH TONIGHT.

FLOODING HAS BEEN REPORTED IN SOME LOCATIONS....INCLUDING ALONG
LIGHTNING CREEK IN CHEROKEE COUNTY...ALONG ROUTE K IN BARTON
COUNTY...AND ALONG COON CREEK NEAR THE BARTON AND JASPER COUNTY
LINES.

CREEKS...STREAMS...AND LOW WATER CROSSINGS WILL BE ESPECIALLY
SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE DANGERS OF FLOODING THROUGH TONIGHT.

THIS WARNING INCLUDES BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING LOW WATER
CROSSINGS...

NORTH MAIN AND MURPHY BOULEVARD IN JOPLIN...
HIGHWAY 37 AT THE SPRING RIVER SOUTHWEST OF AVILLA...
HIGHWAY 7 AT LITTLE CHERRY CREEK NORTH OF COLUMBUS...
ROUTE K AT DRY WOOD CREEK EAST OF ARCADIA...
AND ROUTE JJ AT CENTER CREEK SOUTHEAST OF CARL JUNCTION.

SIGNIFICANT RISES CAN BE EXPECTED WITHIN THE SAC...OSAGE...AND
MARMATON RIVER BASINS...AS WELL AS ALONG TURNBACK CREEK...LIGHTNING
CREEK...AND THE SPRING RIVER.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FLOOD WARNING MEANS THAT FLOODING IS IMMINENT OR HAS BEEN REPORTED.
STREAM RISES WILL BE SLOW AND FLASH FLOODING IS NOT EXPECTED.
HOWEVER...ALL INTERESTED PARTIES SHOULD TAKE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS
IMMEDIATELY.

Flood warning issued for Newton, McDonald counties

(From the National Weather Service)

A FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 830 PM CST FRIDAY FOR
CHRISTIAN...WEBSTER...TANEY...NEWTON...MCDONALD...BARRY...GREENE...
STONE AND LAWRENCE COUNTIES...

AT 314 PM CST...RAIN CONTINUES ACROSS THE WARNED AREA.  UP TO THREE
INCHES OF RAIN HAS ALREADY FALLEN ACROSS THE AREA...AND ADDITIONAL
RAIN IS EXPECTED THROUGH TONIGHT.

FLOODING HAS BEEN REPORTED ALONG MISSOURI HIGHWAY 86 IN NEWTON
COUNTY...AND NEAR THE HEADWATERS OF THE SPRING RIVER IN LAWRENCE
COUNTY. SIGNIFICANT RISES HAVE OCCURRED OR ARE EXPECTED ALONG THE
JAMES...SPRING... AND ELK RIVERS...AND ALONG WILSONS CREEK...FLAT
CREEK...AND BIG AND LITTLE SUGAR CREEKS.

CREEKS...STREAMS...AND LOW WATER CROSSINGS WILL CONTINUE TO BE
ESPECIALLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE DANGERS OF FLOODING THROUGH THE NIGHT.

THIS WARNING INCLUDES BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING LOW WATER
CROSSINGS...

HIGHWAY 43 AT BUFFALO CREEK WEST OF ANDERSON...
BUSINESS HIGHWAY 60 JUST NORTH OF NEOSHO...
ROUTE CC WEST OF FAIR GROVE AT THE POMME DE TERRE RIVER...
HIGHWAY 13 AT RAILEY CREEK NEAR REEDS SPRING...
AND HIGHWAY 13 AT PINE RUN NORTHWEST OF GALENA.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FLOOD WARNING MEANS THAT FLOODING IS IMMINENT OR HAS BEEN REPORTED.
STREAM RISES WILL BE SLOW AND FLASH FLOODING IS NOT EXPECTED.
HOWEVER...ALL INTERESTED PARTIES SHOULD TAKE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS
IMMEDIATELY.

Billy Long: Obamacare did not make sense from the beginning

(From Seventh District Congressman Billy Long)

As you may have heard, the House of Representatives has recently been taking a close look at the failure of 12 of the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) health insurance Consumer Owned and Oriented Plans (CO-OPs). These closures mean that more than half of these health centers have now failed, and have cost American taxpayers $1.3 billion.

The original theory for COOPs, was that these non-profit health insurance companies would provide low cost coverage to individuals and small businesses. A total of 23 insurers were set up to the tune of $2.4 billion in government loans and they began enrolling patients - many of which had already lost coverage due to the ACA cancelling previous policies in 2013 and 2014.

In just 3 years, 13 have already failed, accounting for more than 800,000 people across 14 states that are now scrambling for coverage. The situation is even direr than that. Given that only one of the remaining 11 CO-OPs even made a profit last year and that the remaining 11 could also be in danger of closing, the number of uninsured patients is at great risk of getting even larger.

I've said repeatedly that this law simply did not make sense from the beginning because the numbers to pay for it just weren't adding up. The case of the failed CO-OPs is one of those glaring real-time examples of this budget imbalance. Many of the now closed CO-OPs say that their operations had barely received 12 percent of the total funds they needed from the federal government. These health insurance centers were originally touted to be self-sustaining without focusing on profits. However, this was due to an irresponsible reliance on Congress to continually allocate more and more money to the CO-OPs, which would have only added to the ACA's already irresponsible $1.2 trillion price tag.

Moreover, those running the centers were grossly underqualified and faced no requirement to have any experience running an insurance company before their involvement. In fact, CO-OPs were forbidden to have anyone affiliated with an existing health insurer on their boards. It seems that even the federal dollars that these centers did receive was being improperly managed. With all of this to consider, it looks like a failed business experiment on the backs of taxpayers.

Even worse, UnitedHealth Group threatened to pull out of the ACA this month after reporting that they had lost a shocking $425 million downgrade to its earnings forecast this year. The losses were almost all because of losses on ACA exchanges. They cited a costly risk pool that lacks younger and healthier enrollees that were expected to buy overpriced plans to subsidize others. This has already caused a major stock decline in the health market as a whole, and could prove an even more daunting future for the ACA than even just the COOPs show.

This system was broken from the beginning and must be replaced by one with true choice for the consumer, and that embraces competition. Most importantly, situations like this, where taxpayer money is thrown away on programs that never had a chance to begin with, should never occur. I will continue fighting to help stop this collapse, and enact real, patient-centered, reforms that are sustainable and fiscally responsible.

Wistrom, Republic Board: We don't want Joplin in Central Ozark Conference

The first hurdle in Joplin's attempt to join the Central Ozark Conference has been crossed, but some stiff opposition is waiting in the wings.

The move, which would save Joplin taxpayers money by eliminating some of the distance it is having to travel for away games with its current affiliation with the Ozark Conference, has some opposition among Central Ozark administrators and athletic directors because Joplin High School has 500 more students than Nixa, the next largest school in the conference.

A first vote moved the Joplin request forward. The conference superintendents will make a final decision in December.

Republic Superintendent Chance Wistrom, a Webb City native, and former teacher and coach in the Joplin and Carthage school districts, made his feelings clear at the November 19 board of education meeting:

Wistrom said the benefits of admitting Joplin would be that the large division of the COC would have ten schools in it, it would reduce travel times for western conference members and add another class six opponent.

However, Joplin is 40 percent larger than Republic and a number of other districts and has the potential for rapid growth as newly constructed residential areas fill with people.

The board agreed with Wistrom, and said they would prefer to block Joplin’s admission.
If Joplin's request is approved, the Eagles would join the COC's larger schools division, which includes Branson, Carl Junction, Neosho, Nixa, Ozark, Republic, Webb City, and Willard.

Currently, Joplin plays in the Ozark Conference with Camdenton, Glendale, Hillcrest, Kickapoo, Lebanon, Parkview, Rolla, Waynesville, and West Plains. Joplin is also the largest school in the Ozark Conference.

Check out these Black Friday and holiday sales links

Thanksgiving message and news about the Turner Report and my books

A happy Thanksgiving to those who read the Turner Report blogs. I am thankful that my readers have remained loyal over the years and I plan to keep working to live up to your faith.

November has been the best month for the Turner Report blogs and my writing since I decided two years ago this month to become a full-time writer and blogger.

Most of the money this month has come from sales of Silver Lining in a Funnel Cloud. Thanks for buying the book and for continuing to spread the word about it.

Thanks also to those who have subscribed to the Turner Report/Inside Joplin, renewed their subscriptions, or made contributions.

December 5 Book Signing in Carthage

I will have more information about this at the beginning of next week, but I will be joining other area authors at the Carthage Public Library Saturday, December 5, 10 a.m. to 12 noon for the annual
"Authors for the Holidays" event.

I will have copies of nearly all of my books. Since November 1, I have reduced the price locally for Silver Lining to $20. Anyone who buys Silver Lining can buy one of my other books for $5 off.

I will have a list of other authors who are participating in a few days. There is a rumor that the co-author of 5:41: Stories from the Joplin Tornado and Spirit of Hope, Carthage Press Managing Editor John Hacker, may be there.

Inside Joplin Obituaries passes 2,500 mark

Inside Joplin Obituaries, which started two years ago this month, published its 2,500th obituary two days ago. The blog has increased its readership to an average of 1,300 readers per day and recently had a day when 5,000 visited.

Inside Joplin sets new high marks

The Inside Joplin blog is now averaging 1,400 visitors daily and has more than 3,600 posts since it was launched in November 2013.

Turner Report reaches six million visitors

The Turner Report has now passed six million visitors with most of those coming in the last four and a half years since the Joplin Tornado. More than eight thousand visited the blog today. Again, thanks for those who have continued to support these blogs.

Order signed books for Christmas

Anyone who would like to order a signed copy of one of my books, either as a Christmas gift or for yourself can use the donation button below this post or send a check to 2306 E. 8th, Apt. G, Joplin, MO 64801. If you use the donation button, be sure to put the name(s) of the book or books in the message field.

The prices are listed below:

Silver Lining in a Funnel Cloud $20
5:41: Stories from the Joplin Tornado $20
Spirit of Hope: The Year After the Joplin Tornado $20
Let Teachers Teach $15
No Child Left Alive $15
Scars from the Tornado: One Year at East Middle School $15
The Turner Report $10
Newspaper Days $10
Small Town News $10

Subscriptions/Contributions

For those of you who appreciate the work that has been done on the Turner Report/Inside Joplin blogs, please consider taking a subscription at the PayPal buttons below or by sending the money to 2306 E. 8th, Apt. G, Joplin, MO 64801. Your contributions and subscriptions have enabled the Turner Report/Inside Joplin to continue to add to its coverage and will continue to do so. In other words, thanks readers, I can't do this without you.
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Flash flood watch issued for Joplin area, two to four inches of rain expected

(From the National Weather Service)

KSZ101-MOZ056>058-068>071-079>083-088>098-101>106-260315-
/O.CON.KSGF.FF.A.0013.151127T0000Z-151128T1200Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
CHEROKEE-MORGAN-MILLER-MARIES-HICKORY-CAMDEN-PULASKI-PHELPS-POLK-
DALLAS-LACLEDE-TEXAS-DENT-JASPER-DADE-GREENE-WEBSTER-WRIGHT-
NEWTON-LAWRENCE-CHRISTIAN-DOUGLAS-HOWELL-SHANNON-MCDONALD-BARRY-
STONE-TANEY-OZARK-OREGON-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...BAXTER SPRINGS...LOWELL...RIVERTON...
COLUMBUS...NEUTRAL...SHERWIN...STIPPVILLE...VERSAILLES...
ROCKY MOUNT...STOVER...LAURIE...AURORA SPRINGS...ELDON...
LAKE OZARK...VICHY...WEAUBLEAU...HERMITAGE...PITTSBURG...QUINCY...
WHEATLAND...CROSS TIMBERS...OSAGE BEACH...CAMDENTON...
DECATURVILLE...ROACH...VILLAGE OF FOUR SEASONS...
FORT LEONARD WOOD...LAQUEY...WAYNESVILLE...NORTHWYE...ROLLA...
BOLIVAR...BUFFALO...CHARITY...FOOSE...MARCH...PLAD...WINDYVILLE...
OLIVE...LYNCHBURG...LEBANON...PLATO...ROBY...BENDAVIS...HUGGINS...
LAKE SPRING...BANGERT...DARIEN...GLADDEN...HOWES...JADWIN...
SALEM...JOPLIN...CARTHAGE...GREENFIELD...LOCKWOOD...MEINERT...
SPRINGFIELD...MARSHFIELD...NORTHVIEW...SEYMOUR...ROGERSVILLE...
DAWSON...GRAFF...MOUNTAIN GROVE...DUNCAN...MANSFIELD...NEOSHO...
AURORA...MOUNT VERNON...MARIONVILLE...NIXA...CHRISTIAN CENTER...
OZARK...SELMORE...VANZANT...AVA...GOODHOPE...ROME...SQUIRES...
DOGWOOD...POMONA...POTTERSVILLE...SILOAM SPRINGS...SOUTH FORK...
WEST PLAINS...WHITE CHURCH...TERESITA...WINONA...BIRCH TREE...
MONTIER...ANDERSON...NOEL...GOODMAN...SOUTH WEST CITY...
PINEVILLE...ROCKY COMFORT...MONETT...MADRY...CASSVILLE...
KIMBERLING CITY...CRANE...ELSEY...INDIAN POINT...
SILVER DOLLAR CITY...BRANSON...HOLLISTER...KIRBYVILLE...
EDGEWATER BEACH...FORSYTH...OZARK BEACH...POWERSITE...WASOLA...
THAYER...ALTON...COUCH...GREER...THOMASVILLE...WILDERNESS
102 PM CST WED NOV 25 2015

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY EVENING
THROUGH LATE FRIDAY NIGHT...

HE FLASH FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES FOR

* PORTIONS OF SOUTHEAST KANSAS AND MISSOURI...INCLUDING THE
  FOLLOWING AREAS...IN SOUTHEAST KANSAS...CHEROKEE. IN
  MISSOURI...BARRY...CAMDEN...CHRISTIAN...DADE...DALLAS...DENT...
   DOUGLAS...GREENE...HICKORY...HOWELL...JASPER...LACLEDE...
  LAWRENCE...MARIES...MCDONALD...MILLER...MORGAN...NEWTON...
  OREGON...OZARK...PHELPS...POLK...PULASKI...SHANNON...STONE...
  TANEY...TEXAS...WEBSTER AND WRIGHT.

* FROM THURSDAY EVENING THROUGH LATE FRIDAY NIGHT

* WIDESPREAD RAINFALL AMOUNTS RANGING FROM TWO TO FOUR INCHES ARE
  EXPECTED ACROSS PORTIONS OF EXTREME SOUTHEASTERN KANSAS AND MUCH
  OF THE MISSOURI OZARKS.

* FLOODING OF SMALL STREAMS AND CREEKS IS EXPECTED. LARGER STEM
  RIVERS WILL ALSO EXPERIENCE RISES...AND POSSIBLY EVEN FLOOD IN
  SOME AREAS. MANY LOW WATER CROSSINGS MAY BECOME IMPASSABLE...
  ALONG WITH LOW LYING ROADWAYS THAT TYPICALLY EXPERIENCE FLASH
  FLOODING.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD
TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION
SHOULD FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS BE ISSUED.

Heavy rains, flooding expected in Lamar, Barton County

(From the National Weather Service)

...FLOODING EXPECTED THANKSGIVING EVENING THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT...

.A LARGE...SLOW MOVING STORM SYSTEM WILL AFFECT THE REGION
BEGINNING ON THANKSGIVING DAY. RAINFALL WILL BEGIN ACROSS EXTREME
SOUTHEASTERN KANSAS AND WESTERN MISSOURI EARLY IN THE DAY...
GRADUALLY SPREADING TO THE EAST DURING THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING.
RAIN WILL BE HEAVY AT TIMES THANKSGIVING NIGHT INTO FRIDAY NIGHT.
TWO TO FIVE INCHES OF RAIN IS EXPECTED...WITH LOCALLY HIGHER
AMOUNTS POSSIBLE ACROSS SOUTHERN MISSOURI.

FLOWS ON AREA CREEKS AND STREAMS ARE ELEVATED DUE TO HEAVY
RAINFALL RECEIVED LAST WEEK. IN ADDITION...VEGETATION HAS BECOME
INCREASINGLY DORMANT AND SOIL CONDITIONS REMAIN ABNORMALLY MOIST.
AS A RESULT...INCREASED RUNOFF FROM RAINFALL WILL LIKELY PRODUCE
FLOODING OF LOW WATER CROSSINGS AND OTHER FLOOD PRONE LOW LYING
AREAS. RIVER LEVELS WILL RISE...WITH MINOR FLOODING POSSIBLE
ACROSS SOUTHERN MISSOURI.

KSZ073-097-MOZ055-066-067-077-078-260315-
/O.EXA.KSGF.FF.A.0013.151127T0000Z-151128T1200Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BOURBON-CRAWFORD-BENTON-VERNON-ST. CLAIR-BARTON-CEDAR-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...FORT SCOTT...PAWNEE STATION...
CHICOPEE...LONE OAK...PITTSBURG...WARSAW...WHITAKERVILLE...
COLE CAMP...CROCKERVILLE...MORA...EDMONSON...LINCOLN...NEVADA...
TIFFIN...APPLETON CITY...JOHNSON CITY...KENOMA...LAMAR...
CEDAR SPRINGS...EL DORADO SPRINGS...FILLEY...ARNICA...
CAPLINGER MILLS...STOCKTON
102 PM CST WED NOV 25 2015

C. J. Huff: We'll twist FEMA's arm and they'll give us what we need

How did the Joplin R-8 School District reach the point where it is relying on the federal government to cover the massive overspending that took place during the construction of Joplin High School and East Middle School?

The attitude was already in place months before district voters, by a 45-vote margin, approved a $62 million bond issue, the largest in district history.

Huff explained his plans to East Middle School faculty and staff during a meeting in March 2012 in the library at the temporary warehouse school. The meeting (and I have a recording of it), is featured in a chapter of my book, Silver Lining in a Funnel Cloud: Greed, Corruption, and the Joplin Tornado. A portion is reprinted below:

As the date for the bond issue election neared, C. J. Huff had his technology department set up Skype meetings with the faculties at each of the district’s schools. Those meetings were designed not only to keep the staff informed about the issue, but also to make sure everyone knew the talking points.

The East Middle School faculty gathered in the library following school on a day in late March and waited for Huff’s presentation to begin.

He began by showing charts which broke down the bond issue, then explained, “The perception we’ve had to fight is that we have more money than we know what to do with and tens of millions of dollars in donations.”

Huff continued, “They’re asking, ‘Where’s the money?’ And as I explained to somebody today, I have no desire to go to jail, so I can promise you all of these funds are being spent where they are meant to be spent.”

Of the donations, Huff said, $1.7 million have been specifically earmarked for rebuilding.

The one thing he could not bring himself to do, he said, was to make the project smaller than it needed to be. “If I were to do anything other than bring forth the projects we’re proposing, I’d be doing a disservice to the kids and this community.”

The most important project was the rebuilding of Joplin High School, Huff said. “It is the crown jewel of the district. The last thing I want to do is to cut a ribbon in 2014 on a high school that is too small.”

Though the push was on to pass the entire $62 million package, Huff told the East staff what would happen if the bond issue failed. “All we would have left is $85.9 million from insurance. We couldn’t build back Joplin High School and Franklin Technical Center. If it failed, three of the four projects, the middle school and the elementary schools we could do. Joplin High School would have to be put on the back burner.”

I asked Huff what was being done to sell the issue to the voters. As a newspaper reporter in the 1970s through 1990s, I had covered successful bond issues which were nearly always driven by parent volunteers. As a teacher, I had even worked as publicity chairman for a successful bond issue drive for a new high school in nearby Diamond where I taught from 1999 to 2003.

That was being handled, Huff said. By this time, the committee, which was now headed by Lynda Banwart and businessman Logan Stanley, had been renamed the Vote Hope Committee, conjuring one of the most iconic photos of the post-tornado days when someone had seen the only letters left from the word “Joplin” in the sign in front of what was left of Joplin High School were “op” That person added the letters “H” and “E” and turned it into Hope High School. The name went viral almost immediately.

Huff made it clear he expected East Middle School staff to get the parents in line. “I’m a little concerned about the East Middle School parents.” Since the high school was the crown jewel of the building project and many of them would not have children attending the high school for two or even three years, they might not see the importance of the project, Huff said, especially since the insurance proceeds would allow a new East to be built anyway.

One question that was on the minds of East faculty was why the new East had to cost so much more than the old one. The East that had been torn down following the tornado had only been in service for two years and had some empty rooms because it had been designed to be ready for any increase in student population. It was a state-of-the-art building when it opened and surely things had not changed that much in so short a time.

Huff anticipated the question. “East will be bigger because we’re smarter now than we were a couple of years ago. There’s no shame in that.”

Much of the cost would be borne by FEMA, but some of the things Huff’s team had planned would cost more than FEMA was prepared to pay.

“We’ll do some arm twisting” Huff said, “and they just might pay for what we need.”

Huff is no longer superintendent, but the arm twisting will take place a week from today when district officials meet with FEMA.

Joplin R-8 and the $24 million gamble

When Joplin R-8 CFO Paul Barr announced a couple of months ago that the district's reserves had skyrocketed from 10 percent to 26 percent, you couldn't blame taxpayers for being skeptical.

As it turns out, that 26 percent total is based on the tissue-thin premise that the district is going to be totally reimbursed for all of the claims it has turned in to FEMA and SEMA on the building projects- including $24 million worth of what has been termed as "overages, errors and omissions."

"Overages, errors and omissions" is just what it sounds like- mistakes that were made on the local level, or things that were added to the original plans as the building projects were underway. At this point, the district is not guaranteed of receiving a penny, though that outcome is highly unlikely.

Barr told the R-8 Board of Education Tuesday night that district officials will meet with FEMA one week from today, Wednesday, December 2. "FEMA has allowed us to come up and explain our submittals so they have a full understanding of our claims."

Barr said the omissions on East Middle School are in the $8 million neighborhood, with $16 million for Joplin High School and Franklin Tech.

The session with FEMA will involve the district officials going over the differences between the items that were originally approved and the changes the district made without consulting the agency during the building process. "We're informing them of things we think they missed," Barr said.

All FEMA and SEMA claims have to be submitted by May, the board was told. "We plan to have everything submitted well ahead of time."

District officials were well aware that they were going to go beyond the FEMA specifications even before the 2012 bond issue passed. During a March 2012 meeting in the library at the warehouse that was being used as East Middle School, former Superintendent C. J. Huff, while explaining the bond issue to teachers and staff,, revealed the approach he was planning to take. That meeting (and I have a recording of it) is featured in my book, Silver Lining in a Funnel Cloud: Greed, Corruption, and the Joplin Tornado:

One question that was on the minds of East faculty was why the new East had to cost so much more than the old one. The East that had been torn down following the tornado had only been in service for two years and had some empty rooms because it had been designed to be ready for any increase in student population. It was a state-of-the-art building when it opened and surely things had not changed that much in so short a time.

Huff anticipated the question. “East will be bigger because we’re smarter now than we were a couple of years ago. There’s no shame in that.”

Much of the cost would be borne by FEMA, but some of the things Huff’s team had planned would cost more than FEMA was prepared to pay.

“We’ll do some arm twisting” Huff said, “and they just might pay for what we need.”

We will find out about that in the near future.

Audit- Hannibal Schools have problems, but still graded higher than Joplin

A state audit of the Hannibal School District, released earlier today, shows a district in a precarious financial situation, cited for numerous problems and still receiving a "good" score, compared to the "fair" score received by the Joplin R-8 School District in its recent state audit. The news release from State Auditor Nicole Galloway:

Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway presented the results of an audit of the Hannibal School District today. The report, delivered in the school library, indicated the financial condition of the district has declined and is approaching a "financially stressed" classification. In the meeting Galloway issued recommendations to improve the district's financial strength, including improvements to the district's debt issuance and bonding procedures.

The audit found the district used the same firm to serve as both financial advisor and bond underwriter on $17 million in general obligation bonds issued in 2014 and 2015 to refinance previous school construction and remodeling projects.

"There are competing interests when an organization hires the same firm to provide both financial advisor and underwriter services," Galloway said. "An underwriter's incentive is to have a higher interest rate on bonds to make them more attractive to investors, while the advisor should strive to keep the interest rate low to minimize borrowing costs for the district. For that reason, it's inappropriate for the district to use one firm for both purposes because it may result in higher interest rates, which lead to higher payments for the district, and, ultimately, the taxpayers."



Other recommendations included reviewing the district's early retirement incentive and adopting a bus replacement policy. The early retirement program was designed to encourage early retirement, but its effectiveness has not been measured and the Hannibal School Board members were not fully aware of the complete cost to the district. As of June 2014, the district owed approximately $1.1 million in early retirement incentives. Galloway also recommended the district implement a bus replacement policy to address the high number of old and high mileage buses owned by the district.

The audit also identified electronic data security weaknesses in the district's computer system. The district does not have adequate password requirements and some computers do not lock or shut down after a certain period of inactivity or a specified number of incorrect logon attempts. This can leave district records unprotected and susceptible to damage or theft.



The audit, which received an overall performance rating of "good," is available online at auditor.mo.gov.

Watch the Joplin R-8 Board of Education live at 7 p.m.

Tornado victim should be able to leave Joplin High School with his classmates

One folding chair was empty that day in May of 1997 as proud parents, friends, and community members shoehorned themselves into the Tabler Gymnasium in Jasper.

Having covered five or six graduations per year for nearly 20 years, the details of that day are no longer clear in my memory. I don't remember who the valedictorian and salutatorian were or what angle I used when I wrote my article on the ceremony.

The only thing I remember about the ceremony was the graduate who wasn't there.

Her name was Jessica Jo Lynn. Jessica was nine years old and a fourth grader at Jasper when she was killed in a house fire. I covered that story for the Lamar Democrat. Eight years later, I was working for a different newspaper and the name of Jessica Jo Lynn hadn't crossed my thoughts in years.

I had forgotten her...but her classmates never did.

Her name was mentioned in one of the speeches and I noticed a few tears among her classmates, who had continued their path to adulthood while Jessica's ended in fourth grade.

Children never forget their friends and including them in the important events of their life, like their high school graduation, is a wonderful way to keep them in their memories. It is also a way to let the families of those who left too early know that their loved one has not been forgotten.

Sometimes it is done through a mention by one of the speakers, I have attended graduations where seats, sometimes holding a cap and gown, are reserved for the former classmate.

This year will be the year that Zach Williams would have graduated from Joplin High School. His school days ended when he was only 12 years, 11 months, and three days old, less than a month from becoming a teenager, when he was killed May 22, 2011, in the Joplin Tornado.

I never knew Zach. He would have been one of my students in the 2011-2012 school year. I had seen him in the hallways, but I had never had a conversation with him. I learned quite a bit about him during the following year, as students brought his name up from time to time.

One eighth grade girl who talked to me felt his loss deeply. "The last time we talked; we got into an argument. It was over something silly. I don't even remember what it was then I heard he was missing after the tornado. I wish I could talk to him one more time. It was the last thing I said to him and it was something mean. And he was my friend. I wish he knew how I really felt."

I learned yesterday that there may be an obstacle to allowing the Joplin High School Class of 2016 to include Zach Williams in its graduation ceremony.I received a message from his mother Monday saying that she had been told that Zach would not be honored in any way at the ceremony because other students and teachers had died that day.

I certainly hope there was some misunderstanding, but thankfully, there is time to make sure that Zach is remembered in some way at what would have been his high school graduation. Whether that is done by school officials, parents and district patrons, or by those who knew Zach at East Middle School, does not matter, but Joplin High School is not too big that it cannot take the time to remember those who could not be there.

His classmates should be able to show Joplin that while the years pass and memories fade, Zach Williams, forever 12, will remain a member of the Joplin High School Class of 2016.

Proposed deal with Bright Futures is a nightmare for Joplin R-8 taxpayers

A memorandum of understanding that would separate Bright Futures Joplin from the Joplin R-8 School District appears to be a nightmare in the making and one that poses no benefits to taxpayers.

The memorandum, which was posted on the district website today, would send all donations directly to Bright Futures Joplin, which would then bank them with the Community Foundation of the Ozarks. While a good case can be made for that proposal, some of the other stipulations in the memorandum are clearly not in the interest of the taxpayers.

The district would continue to pay 60 percent of the salaries and benefits of Bright Futures Joplin's two full-time employees, Melissa Winston and Dale Peterson, who are listed respectively as director of community engagement and coordinator of community engagement. (Apparently when community engagement needs directing, Winston handles it and when it needs coordinating Peterson is in charge.)

The agreement would also require the school district to work with Bright Futures Joplin "creating a positive fundraising environment conducive to increasing levels of private support of the mission and priorities of BFJ activities," and would require the superintendent to "work in conjunction with the leadership of the BFJ Board and JS (Joplin Schools) staff to identify, cultivate, and solicit prospects for private gifts that benefit Joplin students."

The memorandum gives the Bright Futures Joplin Board the right to "consult"  with the district on the employment and ongoing evaluation of employees. The Board of Education would have the right to approve the membership of the Bright Futures Board.

The first steps toward implementing this agreement were taken November 11 when Winston filed papers with the Missouri Secretary of State's office registering Bright Futures Joplin as a non-profit. In addition to Winston, Bright Futures Advisory Board members Chris Sams, Christie Barnhart, and Sara Newman are listed as incorporators.

The memorandum is scheduled to come up at tonight's Board of Education meeting. If it is approved, it locks the district into a continuation of the worst of the excesses of former Superintendent C. J. Huff, including a bloated bureaucracy and directing nearly all private donations through the framework of Bright Futures Joplin.

Instead of allowing this not-for-profit to gain a permanent foothold in the Joplin R-8 School District, it is time to take a close look at the program, maintain the portions that have worked, eliminate the full-time staff members, and finally, once and for all, leave the name Bright Futures in the dark past where it belongs.

KOAM investigation: Seibert, three other council members voted to pay Woolston's legal fees

On the same day that State Auditor Nicole Galloway released a report showing how common Sunshine Law violations in governmental bodies, KOAM ran an investigative piece by veteran reporter Jordan Aubey which shows how much contempt the Joplin City Council and its attorney (who should know better) have for the concept of the public's right to know.

Aubey was looking into the request made by former City Councilman Mike Woolston that the city's taxpayers foot most of the $71,000 bill for attorney fees he racked up while fighting the attempt to remove him from the council.

As it turns out, City Attorney Peter Edwards did that one by phone, also...but he has no documentation of it and neither do any other city officials contacted by KOAM. The council rejected Woolston's request,but the City Clerk and City Attorney did not have any documentation of the vote.

Councilman Bill Scearce told KOAM that Mayor Mike Seibert, Mayor Pro Tem Morris Glaze, Miranda Lewis, and Ryan Stanley voted to pay Woolston's fees. Scearce, Ben Rosenberg, Melodee Colbert-Kean, and Gary Shaw did not vote for the motion.. One more vote and the taxpayers would have paid for Woolston's defense.

KOAM TV 7

Attorney general candidate to launch "Keep the Feds Off Our Farms" tour

(From the Kurt Schaefer campaign)

State Senator Kurt Schaefer, R-Columbia, today, has kicked off a "Keep The Feds Off Our Farms Tour" to highlight President Obama's federal overreach into Missouri farming practices. Schaefer will discuss the EPA's Waters of the United States rule as well as energy regulations that are harming rural Missouri families and food production.

"With the Obama Administration, it seems they have a rule, regulation or tax for everything we do,"
Schaefer said. "That's especially true for Missouri farmers and ranchers. We've seen Obama's agencies pass rules to regulate our streams and ditches, block children from helping on their family farms, and create energy policies that drive up the cost of food production and harm Missouri's farm families."

Schaefer, who practices environmental and agricultural law, has been a champion for Missouri family
farmers and ranchers during his time in the Missouri Senate.

"Missourians need an Attorney General who will fight for them, and not sit idly by while the federal
government encroaches into our farms, faith and families," Schaefer said. "My record is clear; I will
defend our common sense conservative values and be a champion for the Missouri way of life as our
Attorney General."

Tour stops this week include visits to Louisiana, Taylor, Canton and Boonville. Following Thanksgiving, Schaefer will host events in Lebanon, Mt. Vernon and Columbia, with more locations to be announced.

***

Graves: I told Nixon to keep Syrian refugees out of Missouri

(From Sixth District Congressman Sam Graves)

On Friday, November 13, 129 innocent people were slaughtered on the streets of Paris. This tragedy left the world in shock and reminds us that terrorism is still a real threat to democratic nations across the globe.

This attack comes as millions of people are fleeing Syria in order to escape the long and violent civil war in their country. Multiple nations, including the United States, had been opening their borders to offer shelter to these refugees. But soon after the attacks in Paris, we learned that one of the terrorists had entered into France by hiding among the refugees.

It is unfortunate that extremists have used the situation in Syria to breed a new generation of terrorists, but at this point we simply cannot let people into the U.S. without guaranteeing they pose no threat to our security. That is why I sent a letter to Governor Jay Nixon urging him to prohibit any Syrian refugees in our state.

Last week, I also voted in favor of legislation that would ensure refugees from Iraq or Syria are not admitted into the U.S. unless the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Director of National Intelligence have confirmed they are not a threat to our national security. Our security must take precedence over everything else at this point, and I will continue doing everything possible to keep extremists out of the United States.

Joplin city manager provides weekly update

(Joplin City Manager Sam Anselm provided the following update to Joplin City Council members Friday.)

Key Meetings 

-On Tuesday, Director Heatherly, Chief Furgerson, and I attended a Networking 101 event on the campus of MSSU sponsored by the Young Professionals Network, which helped students learn and practice the valuable skill of networking. Several representatives from area businesses and organizations were on hand as well, and they had a pretty good turnout for it.

-On Wednesday I attended the monthly Connect2Culture board meeting to get an update on their efforts with Memorial Hall and various arts initiatives. During the meeting, the board discussed the possibility of making a presentation to the City Council at our regular council meeting on December 7th, but once I get confirmation of their attendance I will let you know.

-Afterward, our parks department provided city employees with a lunch to say thank you for everyone’s hard work over the past year. I would like to recognize the efforts of our parks staff for the warm gesture on a cool Fall day, and I’d also like to thank those of you who were able to attend (and Councilman McCreary’s wife for providing some cookies, which I heard were delicious, because they went quickly!). I am very optimistic about the direction we are headed as an organization, as it is spontaneous, little events like this that make Joplin a great place to work.

Miscellaneous

-Attached is the update (the update is below this report at the link) provided by public works, along with a map of the snow routes for the upcoming winter season.

-Last week our parks and public works departments met to discuss options for fixing the sewer line at Memorial Hall. We were notified by the company that provided the temporary restroom trailers for past events that due to cold weather and unheated water lines, we cannot use the restrooms during winter months, especially January or February. So that may be an ideal time for us to make the sewer line repair, but we have every March weekend booked for events, so it will be important to make the repair before that time.

-Our finance department continues to work on the duplication of benefits and FEMA reimbursements. We have collected about 80% of the duplication of benefits proceeds, which I am told is a very good collection rate. And Director Haase is still on track to complete the FEMA reimbursements by the end of the calendar year, but that could be impacted by our regular yearly audit, so I will keep you posted as we get closer to December 31st. We actually have until May of 2016 to complete the reimbursements, but we should be finished well before that time.

 In the Pipeline

-On Monday, staff and I will be meeting with Councilman McCreary and Councilman Glaze to talk about our building permit process, at Councilman McCreary’s request. I’ll recap that meeting in next week’s report.

Reiboldt: Why I called for Gov. Nixon to reject Syrian refugees

(From Rep. Bill Reiboldt, R-Neosho)

Once again the holiday season is upon us and people are asking, “Where did this year go?” Yes, 2015 is rapidly winding down and this week we will be celebrating Thanksgiving Day, a holiday that is deeply rooted in our respect and appreciation for Divine guidance and favors that can include the perseverance and wisdom of our founding fathers and their work in the establishment of our nation. The United States is the greatest nation the world has ever known. Our nation, a constitutional republic, has stood the test of time, providing liberty and freedom to all its citizens. This Thanksgiving, let us truly be grateful for the country in which we are privileged to live and the efforts and sacrifice it took to make it what it is.

This past week, like most of the members of the Missouri General Assembly, I answered a multitude of calls and letters concerning the Syrian refugee crisis. These calls and letters didn’t come from hysterical or inhumane individuals, but from concerned Americans who truly love our nation. On Friday, November 13, Islamic terrorists attacked innocent people in Paris, France, killing 129 and injuring over 360. This most recent attack has fueled the debate as to whether we should accept refugees from Syria here in the U.S. At least 30 state governors have come out against allowing any of them to relocate within the borders of their states. Many of these governors have stated that they don’t trust that the Obama Administration can accurately check the background of them. Other elected officials are concerned that allowing Syrian refugees to relocate within the United States perhaps could leave our country very vulnerable to future terrorist attacks.

According to the State Department, since the Syrian civil war erupted in 2011, the U.S. federal government has admitted 2,184 refugees from that country. Of that number, 2,098 (96%) are Muslim, while only 53 (2.4%) are Christians. The other 33 individuals profess no religion or a religion other than Islam or Christianity. According to the Obama Administration, in 2016 they plan to bring into our country at least 10,000 refugees from Syria, and according to Secretary of State John Kerry, the U.S. will accept 85,000 refugees in 2016 and 100,000 in 2017. These refugees come from all around the world; however, most of them will be coming from Muslin countries. This raises very important questions to which all Americans need answers: Will these people from Muslim nations coming to America be willing to assimilate? Will they accept our government? Will they abide by our laws? Will they become a future problem to our nation similar to what is going on in Europe today? Still other questions must be asked: Why won’t Muslim nations take these refugees? Why won’t some of the very wealthy oil-rich Gulf states open their doors to those fleeing their country’s conflicts? What kind of a financial burden will this create for our nation and the individual states? We are approaching a national debt of $19 trillion in the U.S. and have difficulty taking care of our own citizens, so who will get short-changed? What about U.S. veterans who have sacrificed so much for the country and have been promised necessary care and benefits, yet are becoming victims of funding shortfalls? These are some of my concerns and this is why I have joined with the Speaker of the House and my colleagues in the House to urge Governor Nixon to refuse the relocation of any Syrian Muslim refugees into Missouri.

Of course, we realize the immigration and relocation of refugees is a responsibility of the federal government and ultimately the decision will be made by them. However, we must encourage all elected officials to speak up and put our country and our security as the number one priority. Seemingly there appears to be many difficult times ahead in this old troubled world. May we all remember that God is still in control and we all should ask for His blessings and His care upon our nation.

This Thanksgiving, may we all truly appreciate the gifts of freedom and liberty, realizing that they are given to us by God. I wish for everyone a very happy and a very safe Thanksgiving.

State auditor: The five most frequent Sunshine Law violations

Just one day after Andy Ostmeyer's investigation into the destruction of all of former City Manager Mark Rohr's e-mails by the City of Joplin, all of former President Bruce Speck's e-mails by Missouri Southern State University, and all of former Superintendent C. J. Huff's e-mails older than two years by the R-8 School District, the state auditor's office has released its report on how well governmental entities are following the Missouri Sunshine Law. As you read through State Auditor's Nicole Galloway's list of the five most frequent violations, you will see some of those that were cited by the auditor in its recent audits of the city and the school district.

The news release is printed below:

Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway has identified the five most common Sunshine Law violations found in Missouri government. The list was compiled from audit reports issued between January 2014 and June 2015, and includes problems related to a number of issues, including a lack of documentation of the reason for closing a meeting to the public; closing a meeting for reasons not allowed under the law; and inadequate policies on responding to requests for information from the public under the Missouri Sunshine Law.

"The Sunshine Law exists to ensure government operates with full accountability and transparency," Auditor Galloway said. "When government entities comply with the Sunshine Law, it allows citizens the opportunity to fully participate in the decisions that impact them at every level. It is my hope governments will use this report to improve their operations to be more accountable to the people of Missouri."

The top 5 most common violations are:

1. Closed meeting topics- Some issues discussed in closed meetings were not allowed by law.

2. Reasons for closed meetings- The reasons for closing a meeting and related votes were not adequately documented.

3. Meeting minutes- Minutes were not prepared for open meetings.

4. Public information policy- Policies were not in place to provide the public with access to documents and/or rates charged for providing information were inconsistent.

5. Review of minutes- Meeting minutes were not always approved in a timely manner.

The complete Sunshine Law Summary report is online here.

Auditor Galloway has also issued a summary report of audit follow-up reviews. The report includes information on government organizations the office conducted follow-up reviews on in 2015. Follow-up reports are generally conducted when an organization receives a performance rating of "poor," the lowest rating available.

The complete Follow-up Summary report is online here.

Former Joplin Globe reporter was first to tell the world of JFK's death

Today marks the 52nd anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. When that anniversary arrives each year, I reprint a column I first wrote nine years ago for the short-lived Joplin Daily. The newspaper's editor, John Hacker, asked me to write a weekly column  for the Daily. My first column, which was about the 15th anniversary of the death of Nancy Cruzan ran and was well-received, but the powers that be at GateHouse Media told Hacker they did not want to have a column from me in every paper, and arrogant as I have always been, I decided not to submit any more columns, including this one, which is about the death of a former Joplin Globe reporter whose claim to fame was that he was the first one to get the news of Kennedy's assassination out to the public.

"Get your Joplin Globe, five cents. Get your Joplin Globe five cents."

The job didn't pay much, but the country was in the midst of a depression, and every cent counted. Even more importantly for teenager Jud Dixon, it was his entry into the magical world of news.

That road took Jud from the Globe street sales to reporting jobs with the Globe and the Springfield Daily News to a seven-decade career in journalism that ended last month with his death at age 85 at his Dallas home.

Jud Dixon spent the last five decades of his life in the Dallas area, and it was there on Nov. 22, 1963, that the Joplin High School and Joplin Junior College graduate had a brush with history.

Jud was in charge of the United Press International (UPI) bureau in Dallas when he received word that President Kennedy had been assassinated during a political trip to the city. Within seconds, with the cool demeanor that characterized his entire reporting career, he sat behind his manual typewriter pounding out the story that no reporter ever wants to write, but at times like that, when people absolutely have to know what is going on, that’s when reporters must be at the top of their game.

"He was completely stone-faced, pouring it out of that typewriter," Jack Fallon, who was UPI’s Southwest Division editor at the time, told the Dallas Morning News. "Just by his presence, he kept everyone else around him calm."

Within moments, it was Jud Dixon’s version of the death of President John F. Kennedy that went out over the UPI wire to radio stations and television stations across the United States.

Though Jud Dixon’s coverage of that watershed moment in American history was what led his obituary, he perhaps did his greatest service to journalism and to the public after his retirement from UPI two decades ago.

Jud spent the next 18 years of his life as editor of the newsletter for the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas fighting for the public’s right to know.

When Jud retired for a second time, Freedom of Information director Tommy Thomason praised his years of service. "Jud’s a journalist’s journalist. His entire career has been committed to open government as the basis of solid reporting of the issues and events important to his readers."

Jud Dixon knew the importance of a free and unfettered press serving as the public’s representative. He knew that when the workings of government were open to the public that this country could survive anything from unpaved streets to official corruption to the death of a president.

City, school district destroyed key Joplin Tornado records

The City of Joplin and the Joplin R-8 School District have systematically destroyed important historical documents relating to the Joplin Tornado.

An investigative report by the Joplin Globe's Andy Ostmeyer, posted earlier this evening,  revealed that the City of Joplin no longer has any of former City Manager Mark Rohr's e-mails. The Joplin R-8 School District only has two years' worth of former Superintendent C. J. Huff's e-mails.

City Clerk Barbara Hogelin told the Globe e-mails are deleted 30 days after the employee leaves his or her position. Even without that policy, Rohr's e-mails would have been available. Current City Manager Sam Anselm told the Globe that Rohr printed out his e-mails and then deleted them. Apparently, the printouts went with Rohr when he left.

The school district only retains its records for two years.

From the Globe article:

The Missouri Secretary of State’s office has on its website numerous schedules that specify document retention rules, including email. One of those schedules is for municipalities, another is a general records retention schedule. Both state: “It is the responsibility of local government to effectively maintain and manage these records and to ensure the continued preservation of those records of essential evidence that have enduring and permanent value.”

A record is defined as any document, book, paper, photograph, map, sound recording or other material made or received in connection with the transaction of official business.

“The definition includes those records created, used and maintained in electronic form,” both schedules state.

The schedules do not make any provision for wholesale deletions of emails once an employee leaves a public body but instead indicate the decision about whether or not to keep an email record depends entirely on content.

For example, there are three categories of correspondence by public officials under the Secretary of State’s general records retention schedule, including emails. “General” correspondence pertains to routine matters involving existing policies and procedures and is to be kept for a minimum of one year. “Transitory” correspondence — that which has no documentary or legal value — can be deleted right away. Examples of “transitory” documents include holiday notices, reminders of charitable campaigns, upcoming events and unsolicited vendor solicitations. “Policy” correspondence, including emails that form the basis of policy or set important precedents in the operation of a government body, are to be kept permanently and transferred to microfilm for long-term archiving and preservation.

“This form of correspondence will come exclusively from elected officials, administrators, managers or supervisors,” according to the Secretary of State’s retention schedule.

Stephanie Fleming, spokesperson for Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander, said, “The retention schedule is legally binding.”

Taxpayers to pay for Joplin R-8 meeting of the minds

The late comedian Steve Allen was once host of a television program in which the great minds of history met and discussed issues from their times and from our time.

It was a fascinating idea for a program.

Imagine if Thomas Jefferson were to meet with Winston Churchill or Albert Einstein with Archimedes.

Or William Shakespeare and Mark Twain.

What stirring, intellectual conversations they could have.

Though those conversations will never take place on this plane, there are the rare occasions when great minds are tossed together.

And Joplin R-8 taxpayers made one such meeting of the minds a reality.

The bills scheduled to be approved by the Board of Education when it meets Tuesday include $489.08 for a double room at the Lodge of the Four Seasons during the Missouri Association of School Administrators conference for recently reassigned Director of Curriculum, Instruction, Testing, and Expensive Consultants Sarah Stevens and Executive Director of Elementary Education (straight from her command performance as principal of McKinley Elementary School) Jennifer Doshier.

Oh, the conversations those two must have had.

Steve Allen would be envious.

In another waste of taxpayer money, the board will approve spending $213.68 for Joplin Globe subscriptions.

The good news is this month's bills were not anywhere near as riddled with questionable expenditures as they have been the past several months.

Bright Futures expands snack pack program; more students need food

Less than a week before the Joplin R-8 Board of Education makes a decision on what to do with the Bright Futures program, director Melissa Winson has announced an expansion of the snack pack program.

The expansion was noted in the KSN report that accompanies this post.

From that report:

After years of going off what teachers and counselors saw as a need, Joplin Bright Futures now uses a new survey from the USDA to measure food security in the home.

"We got that data back, we were absolutely amazed that the need was double what our resources were," said Melissa Winston, Bright Futures Joplin Coordinator.

Bright Future representatives found a way to cut costs to now send every kid home with food.

"Trying to figure out how to cut costs, how can we bring in extra revenues, how can we just make sure that this is going to be sustainable," said Winston.

Administration says 61% of students in the Joplin School District are considered at risk.

Hartzler: We are sympathetic to refugees, but we can't take them at our own peril

(From Fourth District Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler)

In the wake of the terrorist attacks in France, the House took action this week to address the concerns of Americans who have questions about plans to bring thousands of Syrian refugees to the United States. The American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act of 2015, which I am pleased to co-sponsor, will prevent proposed Syrian or Iraqi refugees from entering our country until the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Director of the FBI, and the Director of National Intelligenceunanimously certify that the individual does NOT represent a security threat. You can get more information on the SAFE Act here.)

We are a compassionate nation and are sympathetic to the plight of those trying to escape terror in Syria and elsewhere in the Middle East, however until we can fully guarantee the safety of our citizens here at home I cannot support continuing to freely accept refugees from these unstable and war-torn countries. I support providing a safe refuge from the despicable acts perpetrated by these extremist groups, but we cannot and should not do so at our own peril.

America has a long history of providing safe haven for many of the world’s most vulnerable refugees. And, while our hearts go out to Syrians terrorized by the Islamic State, we must keep in mind that the terrorists have spoken of entering other countries while pretending to be refugees. In fact, authorities report at least one of the terrorists identified in the Paris attacks had claimed to be a refugee.

We must take all precautions to protect our homeland. As we continue to pray for France and the families whose loved ones were killed or injured in these savage attacks, America must move forward to provide safeguards to give the American people the assurances they want and deserve. They must feel confident their government is doing everything possible to prevent terrorists from coming to our country.

On a different note, November 21st, is National Adoption Day. National Adoption Day is a collective national effort to raise awareness of the more than 100,000 children in foster care, over 13,000 of which are in Missouri, waiting to find permanent, loving families. As a former state representative who helped write and pass two major adoption reform bills in Missouri, I am proud to be a strong advocate for pro-adoption legislation in Washington. You can check out nationaladoptionday.org for more information and to find out what you can do to get involved.

Last week, I also had the privilege of seeing firsthand the capabilities of one of our nation’s premiere weapons, the B-2 Stealth Bomber, based at our own Whiteman Air Force Base. I spent a day with airmen from the 509th Bomb Wing and the 131st Bomb Wing of the Missouri Air National Guard as they showed me what it takes to make this incredible plane fly. The B-2 can be launched from Missouri to any spot on the globe in a moment’s notice. I got to spend some time in the aircraft and its simulator to experience what the B-2 can do to keep us safe. The impressive work of the maintenance crews, the munitions crews, the pilots, and everyone else involved in B-2 operations is truly extraordinary. I am proud to represent them in Washington and thank them for the day and for all they do to keep us safe.

Finally, the holiday season is upon us with Americans joining loved ones to celebrate Thanksgiving Day and to thank God for the blessings we all enjoy living in this great nation. As we join family and friends this Thanksgiving for turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie, we must remember to give thanks to God and to pray for our men and women in uniform who protect us and keep our homeland safe. The brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces make sacrifices each day to preserve our freedoms and to allow us to enjoy God’s bounty. This Thanksgiving, as you gather with loved ones, may we remember to thank God for our bountiful blessings and ask Him to continue to protect and bless this great land..