Missouri Governor Matt Blunt continued his "to the winner goes the spoils' philosophy this week with the appointment of a new panel to recommend ways to restructure and eliminate state government programs.
An Associated Press article Thursday indicated that committee consists mostly of people who donated to Blunt's campaign. The article cited Missouri Ethics Commission records that showed committee members' households donated 25 times as much money to Republicans as they did to Democrats.
Among the Blunt loyalists appointed to the committee were:
-Ray Wagner, husband of Missouri Republican Party Chairwoman Ann Wagner
-Jerry Hunter, president of the Missouri chapter of the Republican National Lawyers Association
-Charles Kruse, former state Agriculture Department director and current Missouri Farm Bureau president
-Warren Erdman, former chief of staff to Senator Kit Bond
-Steven Bradford, who holds a Democratic spot on the Missouri Conservation Commission, but who has contributed to both parties in the past.
As expected, Democratic Party spokesman Jack Cardetti was not thrilled with Blunt's idea of reforming government. "Taxpayers should be insulted that Governor Blunt's rewarding contributors under the guise of reforming government."
Other committee members, according to the AP article include Lt. Governor Peter Kinder, a Republican, and a number of representatives from big business and media. The only representative from this area is Joplin Chamber of Commerce President Rob O'Brian.
Friday, March 04, 2005
Randy Hance will stay behind bars.
U. S. District Court Judge Richard Dorr ruled today that the former McDonald County deputy and Seneca police officer will continue to be held without bond while awaiting an April trial on a federal weapons charge.
Dorr said that evidence he had reviewed offered "clear and convincing evidence that the release of defendant would pose a serious risk that he would obstruct or attempt to obstruct justice, or threaten, injure or intimidate, or attempt to threaten, injure or intimidate a prospective witness."
Government attorneys had presented the judge with letters discovered at his home and a tape of recorded phone messages recovered from the answering machine of his estranged wife Connie Hance, according to the court ruling.
"At the hearing, the government presented evidence that Defendant had been subject to a number of protective orders and was currently subject to a court order to have no contact with his ex-wife Connie Hance. The government also elicited testimony that Defendant was seen on Mrs. Hance's property making obscene gestures and throwing trash onto her property," according to the ruling.
The tapes left on Mrs. Hance's answering machine, according to the ruling, ranged from "benign requests regarding defendant's children to vulgar statements and insults directed toward Mrs. Hance, to threats to Mrs. Hance's boyfriend, to direct threats on Mrs. Hance herself."
On one message, according to the ruling, Hance said he wanted a meeting with Mrs. Hance's boyfriend to "settle this deal once and for all...whoever walks away, walks away, whoever don't, don't." Hance also said that the boyfriend "knows he's gonna get hurt...he's gonna get hurt bad, and I mean bad."
Hance then referred to his wife by a number of derogatory terms, according to the ruling, then told her, "If you try to keep my kids away from me I'll hang you from an (expletive deleted) tree. And they will never find you until the (expletive deleted) buzzards are circling." He gave a deadline of nine days after the beginning of deer season for something to happen.
Hance's hearing featured testimony from Jeff Sutherland, McDonald County deputy sheriff, that Mrs. Hance called 911 nine days after the beginning of deer season. She said Hance was trying to break into her home. Hance was arrested by Officer David Cuckavic, who discovered a loaded .40 caliber Beretta pistol and a loaded pump .12 gauge Pup shotgun in Hance's vehicle. Sutherland also testified that Hance tried to kill himself after his arrest.
Government witnesses continued to paint a portrait of Hance as a dangerous man who is out of control. ATF agent Dan Fridley said he was aware of another incident between Hance and his wife in which Hance "put a gun to Mrs. Hance's head and threatened her." She did not press charges because Hance was running for McDonald County sheriff at that time and she thought the charge would hurt his chances of winning.
For the defense, Missouri Probation and Parole officer David Bunch testified that he had given Hance permission to possess firearms and that Hance had previously told the McDonald County prosecuting attorney and Missouri attorney general's office that Sutherland had tried to plant evidence in his car.
Witnesses Sharon Kimbrough and Jeff Hance testified that the problems Randy Hance was having were due to marital bickering and a vendetta by Sutherland. Licensed professional counselor Paula Sivils said the chances of Hance hurting his wife would be "decreased" with treatment and that writing the angry, obscene letters he had directed toward his wife may help him "diffuse anger." She said she would be willing to help him if he were released.
Other letters and threats allegedly written by Hance were filed later with the court. Information from those letters was featured earlier in The Turner Report.
***
A tried and true tradition of the media, both print and broadcast, is taking a major story and localizing it.
Reporter Christina Bryant did that in the latest edition of Pittsburg State University's newspaper, The Collegio. Ms. Bryant has an interview with PSU student Mike Carroll, whose cubmaster during his scouting days was a man named Dennis Rader...better known now as the man arrested in connection with the BTK killings.
The story can be found at www.psucollegio.com/news885184.html?mkey=1648597
U. S. District Court Judge Richard Dorr ruled today that the former McDonald County deputy and Seneca police officer will continue to be held without bond while awaiting an April trial on a federal weapons charge.
Dorr said that evidence he had reviewed offered "clear and convincing evidence that the release of defendant would pose a serious risk that he would obstruct or attempt to obstruct justice, or threaten, injure or intimidate, or attempt to threaten, injure or intimidate a prospective witness."
Government attorneys had presented the judge with letters discovered at his home and a tape of recorded phone messages recovered from the answering machine of his estranged wife Connie Hance, according to the court ruling.
"At the hearing, the government presented evidence that Defendant had been subject to a number of protective orders and was currently subject to a court order to have no contact with his ex-wife Connie Hance. The government also elicited testimony that Defendant was seen on Mrs. Hance's property making obscene gestures and throwing trash onto her property," according to the ruling.
The tapes left on Mrs. Hance's answering machine, according to the ruling, ranged from "benign requests regarding defendant's children to vulgar statements and insults directed toward Mrs. Hance, to threats to Mrs. Hance's boyfriend, to direct threats on Mrs. Hance herself."
On one message, according to the ruling, Hance said he wanted a meeting with Mrs. Hance's boyfriend to "settle this deal once and for all...whoever walks away, walks away, whoever don't, don't." Hance also said that the boyfriend "knows he's gonna get hurt...he's gonna get hurt bad, and I mean bad."
Hance then referred to his wife by a number of derogatory terms, according to the ruling, then told her, "If you try to keep my kids away from me I'll hang you from an (expletive deleted) tree. And they will never find you until the (expletive deleted) buzzards are circling." He gave a deadline of nine days after the beginning of deer season for something to happen.
Hance's hearing featured testimony from Jeff Sutherland, McDonald County deputy sheriff, that Mrs. Hance called 911 nine days after the beginning of deer season. She said Hance was trying to break into her home. Hance was arrested by Officer David Cuckavic, who discovered a loaded .40 caliber Beretta pistol and a loaded pump .12 gauge Pup shotgun in Hance's vehicle. Sutherland also testified that Hance tried to kill himself after his arrest.
Government witnesses continued to paint a portrait of Hance as a dangerous man who is out of control. ATF agent Dan Fridley said he was aware of another incident between Hance and his wife in which Hance "put a gun to Mrs. Hance's head and threatened her." She did not press charges because Hance was running for McDonald County sheriff at that time and she thought the charge would hurt his chances of winning.
For the defense, Missouri Probation and Parole officer David Bunch testified that he had given Hance permission to possess firearms and that Hance had previously told the McDonald County prosecuting attorney and Missouri attorney general's office that Sutherland had tried to plant evidence in his car.
Witnesses Sharon Kimbrough and Jeff Hance testified that the problems Randy Hance was having were due to marital bickering and a vendetta by Sutherland. Licensed professional counselor Paula Sivils said the chances of Hance hurting his wife would be "decreased" with treatment and that writing the angry, obscene letters he had directed toward his wife may help him "diffuse anger." She said she would be willing to help him if he were released.
Other letters and threats allegedly written by Hance were filed later with the court. Information from those letters was featured earlier in The Turner Report.
***
A tried and true tradition of the media, both print and broadcast, is taking a major story and localizing it.
Reporter Christina Bryant did that in the latest edition of Pittsburg State University's newspaper, The Collegio. Ms. Bryant has an interview with PSU student Mike Carroll, whose cubmaster during his scouting days was a man named Dennis Rader...better known now as the man arrested in connection with the BTK killings.
The story can be found at www.psucollegio.com/news885184.html?mkey=1648597
La-Z-Boy is making profits, but workers at the Neosho plant won't be seeing any extra money because of it.
Workers received notices from management recently that their annual cost-of-living pay increases, which normally kick in on March 1, would not be coming this year.
The notice read as follows:
"Through the first three quarters of this year, we have seen steady improvements in our sales results. While this is a positive trend, our cost of production continues to be higher than last year primarily as a result of continued increases in raw material pricing. We have seen increases in hot rolled steel up more than 100 percent over last year. Plywood prices have continued to increase as well. All this combined has led to a less than acceptable financial performance for the Residential division this fiscal year.
"With high energy prices, rising interest rates, and a weakened dollar, we find it necessary to initiate a number of measures to improve our financial performance. We must make every effort to deliver the highest possible performance for the remainder of the fiscal year and improve from that level as we head into next year. In order to keep growing as a company, we must differentiate ourselves from our foreign competition so that our customers will understand the difference between our products and theirs.
"As an example, we have eliminated the summer shutdown in order to deliver product every week. As another example, we are now using leather cut and sewn product which enables us to be price competitive at certain price points. And another example is the transition we are going to make to cellular manufacturing (additional information will be coming in the near future). All of these things will reduce costs, improve delivery, improve quality, and will ultimately position our company to remain a growing company for the future.
"Even with these changes, it is necessary in the short term to make other tough decisions in an effort to improve our current financial performance. As such, we have decided to postpone all salary and hourly wage increases for this year. I would like to challenge each of you to do what you can to improve our overall performance and we will continue to look for new ways to improve our operations. As we improve our results, we will consider salary and hourly wage increases at that time.
"I know I can count on all of you to do your part in finding ways to be more productive and reduce costs. I am confident that taking these necessary and proactive steps will insure our near-term and future success."
The notice was signed by John Kellogg, plant vice president. It might be added that Kellogg did not deliver the message in person, as he has done with good news in the past.
That appears to be way industry and big business are headed these days. Instead of rewarding employees for working hard and making the company a profit, you tell them they will receive no extra pay or benefits unless they work even harder and make the company more money.
Of course, by that time operations may be ready to go in China and there will be no more need for workers at La-Z-Boy Neosho.
Workers received notices from management recently that their annual cost-of-living pay increases, which normally kick in on March 1, would not be coming this year.
The notice read as follows:
"Through the first three quarters of this year, we have seen steady improvements in our sales results. While this is a positive trend, our cost of production continues to be higher than last year primarily as a result of continued increases in raw material pricing. We have seen increases in hot rolled steel up more than 100 percent over last year. Plywood prices have continued to increase as well. All this combined has led to a less than acceptable financial performance for the Residential division this fiscal year.
"With high energy prices, rising interest rates, and a weakened dollar, we find it necessary to initiate a number of measures to improve our financial performance. We must make every effort to deliver the highest possible performance for the remainder of the fiscal year and improve from that level as we head into next year. In order to keep growing as a company, we must differentiate ourselves from our foreign competition so that our customers will understand the difference between our products and theirs.
"As an example, we have eliminated the summer shutdown in order to deliver product every week. As another example, we are now using leather cut and sewn product which enables us to be price competitive at certain price points. And another example is the transition we are going to make to cellular manufacturing (additional information will be coming in the near future). All of these things will reduce costs, improve delivery, improve quality, and will ultimately position our company to remain a growing company for the future.
"Even with these changes, it is necessary in the short term to make other tough decisions in an effort to improve our current financial performance. As such, we have decided to postpone all salary and hourly wage increases for this year. I would like to challenge each of you to do what you can to improve our overall performance and we will continue to look for new ways to improve our operations. As we improve our results, we will consider salary and hourly wage increases at that time.
"I know I can count on all of you to do your part in finding ways to be more productive and reduce costs. I am confident that taking these necessary and proactive steps will insure our near-term and future success."
The notice was signed by John Kellogg, plant vice president. It might be added that Kellogg did not deliver the message in person, as he has done with good news in the past.
That appears to be way industry and big business are headed these days. Instead of rewarding employees for working hard and making the company a profit, you tell them they will receive no extra pay or benefits unless they work even harder and make the company more money.
Of course, by that time operations may be ready to go in China and there will be no more need for workers at La-Z-Boy Neosho.
Thursday, March 03, 2005
American government, whether at the national, state, or local level is notorious for commissioning studies, unveiling them to much fanfare, then letting them sit on a shelf gathering dust.
These studies often reveal problems in government or society that if left unchecked can do considerable damage.
State audits often are treated the same way as these studies.
Last month, the Missouri state auditor released a report which should have made Missourians demand action to protect the integrity of our law enforcement agencies. Unfortunately, the media has not lived up to their watchdog role and has given this audit little, if any, publicity.
Auditor Claire McCaskill's report on the Peace Officer Standards and Training Program (POST) showed several problems with the way disciplined police officers are treated.
The report was a top of the news story on KOAM, but as far as I could tell, was virtually untouched by the remainder of the local media, with the exception of The Joplin Globe, which devoted one paragraph to it on an inside page.
The audit said local law enforcement agencies, for the most part, are not following a state regulation which requires them to notify the director of public safety when an officer is fired. "Audit tests show this is not being done on a consistent basis," the report read.
The law also requires the top officer at agencies to notify POST when it is has reasonable grounds to believe one of their officers is going to be disciplined. "Our tests also found that this notification requirement was not consistently followed."
The report continues, "Officials have taken only limited action regarding local law enforcement agencies' violation of statutes and have not developed written policies regarding action to be taken when agencies do not comply with state law."
The requirement that officers continue training is also not being adequately ensured, according to the audit.
A major problem uncovered by the report is that POST officials "do not perform periodic criminal history background checks on active peace officers. Therefore, POST is not aware of some criminal activity that occurred after the officers' initial application for training."
After the state auditor's office asked the Missouri State Highway Patrol to perform criminal background checks on 18,000 currently licensed and eligible to work officers, the Patrol identified "480 open and closed criminal offenses on their records for these officers."
After the auditor's office eliminated offenses that were more than 10 years old, cases in which charges were dropped, and cases in which the officers were acquitted, there were still 92 open and closed criminal offenses left to be reviewed, according to the report. As of Sept. 24, it added, "POST was not aware of nine of 49 open offense crimes, and 13 of 42 closed offense crimes."
Presently, the report said, state law prevents POST from giving officers' employment history to a prospective employer. "To help ensure local law enforcement agencies access to previous peace officer employment," the report recommended, "POST officials should be allowed to inform prospective employers of past employment."
POST is not doing a proper job of following up on complaints of violations by police officers, according to the audit. They learn of violations from phone calls from private citizens and law enforcement officials, media reports and departure forms submitted by law enforcement agencies.
The audit showed that:
-POST personnel do not document receipt of some complaints.
-POST does not categorize complaints by degree of severity.
-POST's tracking system is inadequate.
-Investigations are not completed in a timely manner.
-POST does not have written guidelines regarding discipline.
Most law enforcement officers are top level and deserve all of the support we can give them, but by not making sure that the bad apples are removed from the bunch, the good ones end up being tarred with the same brush.
This is a report that demands follow-up action and one of the best ways to ensure that follow-up action takes place is for the media to jump all over it and do its own investigations on what happens with disciplined police officers and how local agencies treat these situations.
Of course, many people will tell the media they can't comment on these matters because they are not allowed to by law. The media should not let them get away with that.
It probably doesn't matter, because it does not appear that any follow-up stories are in the works.
These studies often reveal problems in government or society that if left unchecked can do considerable damage.
State audits often are treated the same way as these studies.
Last month, the Missouri state auditor released a report which should have made Missourians demand action to protect the integrity of our law enforcement agencies. Unfortunately, the media has not lived up to their watchdog role and has given this audit little, if any, publicity.
Auditor Claire McCaskill's report on the Peace Officer Standards and Training Program (POST) showed several problems with the way disciplined police officers are treated.
The report was a top of the news story on KOAM, but as far as I could tell, was virtually untouched by the remainder of the local media, with the exception of The Joplin Globe, which devoted one paragraph to it on an inside page.
The audit said local law enforcement agencies, for the most part, are not following a state regulation which requires them to notify the director of public safety when an officer is fired. "Audit tests show this is not being done on a consistent basis," the report read.
The law also requires the top officer at agencies to notify POST when it is has reasonable grounds to believe one of their officers is going to be disciplined. "Our tests also found that this notification requirement was not consistently followed."
The report continues, "Officials have taken only limited action regarding local law enforcement agencies' violation of statutes and have not developed written policies regarding action to be taken when agencies do not comply with state law."
The requirement that officers continue training is also not being adequately ensured, according to the audit.
A major problem uncovered by the report is that POST officials "do not perform periodic criminal history background checks on active peace officers. Therefore, POST is not aware of some criminal activity that occurred after the officers' initial application for training."
After the state auditor's office asked the Missouri State Highway Patrol to perform criminal background checks on 18,000 currently licensed and eligible to work officers, the Patrol identified "480 open and closed criminal offenses on their records for these officers."
After the auditor's office eliminated offenses that were more than 10 years old, cases in which charges were dropped, and cases in which the officers were acquitted, there were still 92 open and closed criminal offenses left to be reviewed, according to the report. As of Sept. 24, it added, "POST was not aware of nine of 49 open offense crimes, and 13 of 42 closed offense crimes."
Presently, the report said, state law prevents POST from giving officers' employment history to a prospective employer. "To help ensure local law enforcement agencies access to previous peace officer employment," the report recommended, "POST officials should be allowed to inform prospective employers of past employment."
POST is not doing a proper job of following up on complaints of violations by police officers, according to the audit. They learn of violations from phone calls from private citizens and law enforcement officials, media reports and departure forms submitted by law enforcement agencies.
The audit showed that:
-POST personnel do not document receipt of some complaints.
-POST does not categorize complaints by degree of severity.
-POST's tracking system is inadequate.
-Investigations are not completed in a timely manner.
-POST does not have written guidelines regarding discipline.
Most law enforcement officers are top level and deserve all of the support we can give them, but by not making sure that the bad apples are removed from the bunch, the good ones end up being tarred with the same brush.
This is a report that demands follow-up action and one of the best ways to ensure that follow-up action takes place is for the media to jump all over it and do its own investigations on what happens with disciplined police officers and how local agencies treat these situations.
Of course, many people will tell the media they can't comment on these matters because they are not allowed to by law. The media should not let them get away with that.
It probably doesn't matter, because it does not appear that any follow-up stories are in the works.
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
It started with a request for the Missouri Ethics Commission to investigate the awarding of a license office contract to former State Representative Bubs Hohulin, now the Missouri Democratic party is taking things one step further.
The Jefferson City News-Tribune reported today that the Democrats have asked the U. S. Justice Department to investigate Governor Matt Blunt's awarding of license bureau contracts to a number of people connected to U. S. Attorney Todd Graves...the man who investigates wrongdoing in Missouri state government.
Among those receiving contracts, the article said, are the wife and brother-in-law of Graves, contracts that most definitely pose a conflict of interest, according to Corey Dillon, the Democratic Party executive state director. "This raises serious ethical and legal questions concerning Mr. Graves' ability to perform his job, which includes investigating and prosecuting public corruption in federal, state, and local government," Dillon said.
The complaint also points out that offices were awarded to two staff members of Rep. Sam Graves, R-Mo., Todd Graves' brother.
Democratic Party spokesman Jack Cardetti said, "Common sense says this wouldn't even cross the mind of someone with a shred of integrity."
Of course, the Republicans didn't take the criticism lying down. Blunt's spokesman Spence Jackson told the News-Tribune, "This is just today's installment of the Democratic Party leadership's mindless, automatic, negative opposition. The people that we have named to run these offices are fine, upstanding people."
Another Blunt spokesman, Paul Sloca said, "The Democrats for years abused the fee office system and it's hypocritical for them to play politics with this issue and file a complaint."
Sloca told the News-Tribune that Blunt is confident there are no ethical problems because the people he chooses to operate the fee offices are "contractors not state employees."
So, it appears that the new governor is saying, "you did it so we can do it, too," and "it's not unethical as long as you read the fine print." As far as Governor Blunt is concerned, it's big business as usual.
I read several articles before the election comparing Matt Blunt to former Missouri Governor Kit Bond, who was the youngest man to ever serve in the state's highest office. Well, to paraphrase Lloyd Bentsen's famous putdown of Dan Quayle, "I remember Kit Bond and you, sir, are no Kit Bond."
With the ineptness which has characterized the first few months of our new governor, he reminds me a lot more of Joe Teasdale and Bob Holden.
The Jefferson City News-Tribune reported today that the Democrats have asked the U. S. Justice Department to investigate Governor Matt Blunt's awarding of license bureau contracts to a number of people connected to U. S. Attorney Todd Graves...the man who investigates wrongdoing in Missouri state government.
Among those receiving contracts, the article said, are the wife and brother-in-law of Graves, contracts that most definitely pose a conflict of interest, according to Corey Dillon, the Democratic Party executive state director. "This raises serious ethical and legal questions concerning Mr. Graves' ability to perform his job, which includes investigating and prosecuting public corruption in federal, state, and local government," Dillon said.
The complaint also points out that offices were awarded to two staff members of Rep. Sam Graves, R-Mo., Todd Graves' brother.
Democratic Party spokesman Jack Cardetti said, "Common sense says this wouldn't even cross the mind of someone with a shred of integrity."
Of course, the Republicans didn't take the criticism lying down. Blunt's spokesman Spence Jackson told the News-Tribune, "This is just today's installment of the Democratic Party leadership's mindless, automatic, negative opposition. The people that we have named to run these offices are fine, upstanding people."
Another Blunt spokesman, Paul Sloca said, "The Democrats for years abused the fee office system and it's hypocritical for them to play politics with this issue and file a complaint."
Sloca told the News-Tribune that Blunt is confident there are no ethical problems because the people he chooses to operate the fee offices are "contractors not state employees."
So, it appears that the new governor is saying, "you did it so we can do it, too," and "it's not unethical as long as you read the fine print." As far as Governor Blunt is concerned, it's big business as usual.
I read several articles before the election comparing Matt Blunt to former Missouri Governor Kit Bond, who was the youngest man to ever serve in the state's highest office. Well, to paraphrase Lloyd Bentsen's famous putdown of Dan Quayle, "I remember Kit Bond and you, sir, are no Kit Bond."
With the ineptness which has characterized the first few months of our new governor, he reminds me a lot more of Joe Teasdale and Bob Holden.
A proposed drug testing program for the Diamond R-4 School District is scheduled to be presented at the Thursday, March 10, Board of Education meeting, but the students who will undergo tests first have apparently already been chosen.
The minutes of the Feb. 10 board meeting on www.diamondwildcats.org indicate the district has drug test kits and they will be used "for members of the cooking team and FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes members."
Taxpayers don't need to worry about their money being spent on testing such known desperadoes as Christian athletes and barbecuers. "Three churches will cover the costs for these tests," according to the minutes. No mention was made of how much money the churches were contributing to the cause.
***
In its Thursday morning edition, the Globe's editorial writer says that the idea proposed by State Sen. Gary Nodler, R-Joplin, and other senators to push a constitutional amendment to keep judges from having any power over school funding.
As usual, the specter of the late U. S. District Court Judge Russell Clark's decision to funnel state money into desegregation efforts in Kansas City and St. Louis was cited. I will agree that Judge Clark overstepped his bounds. Students in outstate school districts were deprived while Kansas City was able to build Taj Mahals and set up giant mock United Nations arrangements and fencing teams in an unsuccessful effort to equalize the schools. But I have little faith in the ability of state legislators to do any better. Most judges would not dream of taking the radical steps taken by Judge Clark. And without a check on their power, I hate to think of what shenanigans some of our self-serving legislators could come up with to better serve the people who pour money into their campaigns rather than the children of this state.
The Globe ended up saying the legislature should think about it carefully. Wow, now that is really taking a stand. The Globe should be able to take a look at the issue and take a stand on it.
The Globe concludes its editorial by saying, "But given the court's potential role in fashioning a new public education funding formula and the fact that putting together any plan under the pressure of a judge-determined time restriction could lead to more problems, legislators should give the amendment serious discussion and hearty debate."
The next editorial will probably suggest "But given the problems with our youth and the fact that putting together any plan to combat drug abuse could lead to more problems, the Diamond R-4 Board of Education should give testing Christian athletes and barbecuers serious discussion and hearty debate."
Or "But given the problems with 59-year-old serial killers in Wichita, Kansas, authorities should give putting the BTK killer on trial serious discussion and hearty debate."
Or to misquote Mel Brooks, "Let's give the Globe a laurel and hearty handshake." That last reference, of course, is a tribute to two gentlemen who very easily could write that kind of editorial.
The minutes of the Feb. 10 board meeting on www.diamondwildcats.org indicate the district has drug test kits and they will be used "for members of the cooking team and FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes members."
Taxpayers don't need to worry about their money being spent on testing such known desperadoes as Christian athletes and barbecuers. "Three churches will cover the costs for these tests," according to the minutes. No mention was made of how much money the churches were contributing to the cause.
***
In its Thursday morning edition, the Globe's editorial writer says that the idea proposed by State Sen. Gary Nodler, R-Joplin, and other senators to push a constitutional amendment to keep judges from having any power over school funding.
As usual, the specter of the late U. S. District Court Judge Russell Clark's decision to funnel state money into desegregation efforts in Kansas City and St. Louis was cited. I will agree that Judge Clark overstepped his bounds. Students in outstate school districts were deprived while Kansas City was able to build Taj Mahals and set up giant mock United Nations arrangements and fencing teams in an unsuccessful effort to equalize the schools. But I have little faith in the ability of state legislators to do any better. Most judges would not dream of taking the radical steps taken by Judge Clark. And without a check on their power, I hate to think of what shenanigans some of our self-serving legislators could come up with to better serve the people who pour money into their campaigns rather than the children of this state.
The Globe ended up saying the legislature should think about it carefully. Wow, now that is really taking a stand. The Globe should be able to take a look at the issue and take a stand on it.
The Globe concludes its editorial by saying, "But given the court's potential role in fashioning a new public education funding formula and the fact that putting together any plan under the pressure of a judge-determined time restriction could lead to more problems, legislators should give the amendment serious discussion and hearty debate."
The next editorial will probably suggest "But given the problems with our youth and the fact that putting together any plan to combat drug abuse could lead to more problems, the Diamond R-4 Board of Education should give testing Christian athletes and barbecuers serious discussion and hearty debate."
Or "But given the problems with 59-year-old serial killers in Wichita, Kansas, authorities should give putting the BTK killer on trial serious discussion and hearty debate."
Or to misquote Mel Brooks, "Let's give the Globe a laurel and hearty handshake." That last reference, of course, is a tribute to two gentlemen who very easily could write that kind of editorial.
One of the biggest stories in Joplin education this year has been the creation of Jet 14, the Joplin R-8 School District television station. Former KODE sports anchor Bruce VonderHaar has been working with Joplin High School students to prepare for the station's debut, which took place yesterday.
This is something that very few school districts have, and obviously, Joplin is the only one in this area to have its own television station.
The station can be seen on Channel 14 on Cable One.
Perhaps that explains why the launching of Jet 14, obviously a legitimate news story, was only covered by KOAM, while KODE and KSNF, still in the midst of their feud with Cable One, did not provide any publicity whatsoever.
This wasn't a slam at the school system by the Nexstar stations. While I was at the Joplin Chamber of Commerce reception for Golden Apple nominees at Memorial Hall Tuesday night, I saw a KSN cameraman.
It is a continuation of the same kind of lack of news judgment in favor of petty personal considerations that have plagued the Nexstar stations since this battle with Cable One began late last year.
The situation has been pointed out time and again in The Turner Report. When Cable One refused to knuckle under and pay for retransmission rights to KODE and KSNF programming, pro-satellite dish statements became a staple on the local newscasts. A staged protest of Cable One, fomented by the Echostar people turned into a featured news event, without mentioning the nature of the event's origin, of course.
On one evening, while KOAM opened with a local news story, KSNF and KODE News Director Larry Young delayed the beginning of the 6 p.m. news for a Nexstar-ordered editorial ripping into the cable companies. Later, Young served as the local host (more of a Pinocchio to Duane Lammers' Geppetto) for a 30-minute infomercial for Nexstar and, of course, anti Cox and Cable One.
Nexstar officials have shown no regard whatsoever for journalistic principles. Of course, they have every right to broadcast this type of programming. They, too, are covered by the First Amendment, but when they drag the news director onto their self-serving programming and have it pitched by their newsanchors, it is a slap in the face to all of the hard-working men and women who put out their newscasts every day.
They deserve better than that.
***
The Missouri Supreme Court Tuesday handed down a decision backing a Jasper County jury's conviction of a Springfield drunk driver. Chad Madorie, 31, had claimed the state had not proven that it was him, and not a friend of his who was with him in the car, who was driving when his car went into a ditch. Madorie was sentenced to three years in prison as a persistent offender.
According to court records, Officer James Kelly of the Joplin Police Department was sent to an accident scene around 1 a.m. on Sept. 8, 2000. Kelly saw a 1994 Mazda Protege in the ditch, facing the road with its nose "kind of pointing straight up.'Another officer was already there, talking to Kevin Dunn, who allegedly was a passenger in the car.
Kelly saw Madorie standing off to the side and noticed that he was not steady of his feet and was "stumbling from time to time." Madorie told Kelly he had been driving north on Main when he saw his friend, Dunn, and tried to stop to give him a ride but ran into the ditch while doing so. Madorie said he had been drinking "a little bit" earlier.Kelly gave Madorie three sobriety tests, all of which Madorie failed. When they reached the police station, Kelly read Madorie his Miranda rights and the implied consent law and Madorie consented to a breathalyzer test.After the breathalyzer had been administered, Madorie told Kelly he knew he was drunk and knew he had been driving but Kelly hadn't seen the keys in the ignition so he knew he would get out of it with the help of a lawyer.A Jasper County jury found Madorie guilty after deliberating for 14 minutes on May 13, 2003. He was sentenced to three years in prison.Madorie, whose appeal was being funded by the taxpayers after he successfully appealed to the courts to file asa pauper, said his statements should not have been admitted since there was no evidence that any crime had been committed. No one had seen him behind the wheel, no one had seen him driving drunk, and Dunn, who was also at the scene was sober and could just as easily have been driving.
The Supreme Court decision said, "The facts corroborating Madorie's statements are sufficient to establish that someone operated the motor vehicle while intoxicated. His statement that he was driving before going into the ditch was corroborated by the fact that, when the first officer arrived on the scene 15 minutes after the accident, a vehicle registered to Madorie was in the ditch with its nose pointing toward the roadway and Madorie was standing next to it."
The court also noted Madorie's "watery and bloodshot eyes," and failing three sobriety tests.
This is something that very few school districts have, and obviously, Joplin is the only one in this area to have its own television station.
The station can be seen on Channel 14 on Cable One.
Perhaps that explains why the launching of Jet 14, obviously a legitimate news story, was only covered by KOAM, while KODE and KSNF, still in the midst of their feud with Cable One, did not provide any publicity whatsoever.
This wasn't a slam at the school system by the Nexstar stations. While I was at the Joplin Chamber of Commerce reception for Golden Apple nominees at Memorial Hall Tuesday night, I saw a KSN cameraman.
It is a continuation of the same kind of lack of news judgment in favor of petty personal considerations that have plagued the Nexstar stations since this battle with Cable One began late last year.
The situation has been pointed out time and again in The Turner Report. When Cable One refused to knuckle under and pay for retransmission rights to KODE and KSNF programming, pro-satellite dish statements became a staple on the local newscasts. A staged protest of Cable One, fomented by the Echostar people turned into a featured news event, without mentioning the nature of the event's origin, of course.
On one evening, while KOAM opened with a local news story, KSNF and KODE News Director Larry Young delayed the beginning of the 6 p.m. news for a Nexstar-ordered editorial ripping into the cable companies. Later, Young served as the local host (more of a Pinocchio to Duane Lammers' Geppetto) for a 30-minute infomercial for Nexstar and, of course, anti Cox and Cable One.
Nexstar officials have shown no regard whatsoever for journalistic principles. Of course, they have every right to broadcast this type of programming. They, too, are covered by the First Amendment, but when they drag the news director onto their self-serving programming and have it pitched by their newsanchors, it is a slap in the face to all of the hard-working men and women who put out their newscasts every day.
They deserve better than that.
***
The Missouri Supreme Court Tuesday handed down a decision backing a Jasper County jury's conviction of a Springfield drunk driver. Chad Madorie, 31, had claimed the state had not proven that it was him, and not a friend of his who was with him in the car, who was driving when his car went into a ditch. Madorie was sentenced to three years in prison as a persistent offender.
According to court records, Officer James Kelly of the Joplin Police Department was sent to an accident scene around 1 a.m. on Sept. 8, 2000. Kelly saw a 1994 Mazda Protege in the ditch, facing the road with its nose "kind of pointing straight up.'Another officer was already there, talking to Kevin Dunn, who allegedly was a passenger in the car.
Kelly saw Madorie standing off to the side and noticed that he was not steady of his feet and was "stumbling from time to time." Madorie told Kelly he had been driving north on Main when he saw his friend, Dunn, and tried to stop to give him a ride but ran into the ditch while doing so. Madorie said he had been drinking "a little bit" earlier.Kelly gave Madorie three sobriety tests, all of which Madorie failed. When they reached the police station, Kelly read Madorie his Miranda rights and the implied consent law and Madorie consented to a breathalyzer test.After the breathalyzer had been administered, Madorie told Kelly he knew he was drunk and knew he had been driving but Kelly hadn't seen the keys in the ignition so he knew he would get out of it with the help of a lawyer.A Jasper County jury found Madorie guilty after deliberating for 14 minutes on May 13, 2003. He was sentenced to three years in prison.Madorie, whose appeal was being funded by the taxpayers after he successfully appealed to the courts to file asa pauper, said his statements should not have been admitted since there was no evidence that any crime had been committed. No one had seen him behind the wheel, no one had seen him driving drunk, and Dunn, who was also at the scene was sober and could just as easily have been driving.
The Supreme Court decision said, "The facts corroborating Madorie's statements are sufficient to establish that someone operated the motor vehicle while intoxicated. His statement that he was driving before going into the ditch was corroborated by the fact that, when the first officer arrived on the scene 15 minutes after the accident, a vehicle registered to Madorie was in the ditch with its nose pointing toward the roadway and Madorie was standing next to it."
The court also noted Madorie's "watery and bloodshot eyes," and failing three sobriety tests.
Schreiber Foods, the Green Bay, Wis., based company that operates a plant in Carthage, announced Tuesday it would close its plant in north St. Louis this summer, according to the St. Louis Business Journal.
Company officials cited the high costs of raw material, transportation, labor, and benefits. Approximately 220 workers will lose their jobs.
***
Infinity Broadcasting announced today it would begin streaming Internet broadcasts of 11 of its top newstalk stations including KMOX in St. Louis and WBBM in Chicago beginning March 14.
***
Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, chairman of the U. S. Senate Commerce Committee, announced Tuesday he planned to bring cable television under the same indecency restrictions as broadcasters
"I think we can put restrictions on cable, and I intend to tell them that," Stevens said at the National Association of Broadcasters' annual state leadership conference, according to Broadcasting & Cable and the Multichannel News.
Company officials cited the high costs of raw material, transportation, labor, and benefits. Approximately 220 workers will lose their jobs.
***
Infinity Broadcasting announced today it would begin streaming Internet broadcasts of 11 of its top newstalk stations including KMOX in St. Louis and WBBM in Chicago beginning March 14.
***
Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, chairman of the U. S. Senate Commerce Committee, announced Tuesday he planned to bring cable television under the same indecency restrictions as broadcasters
"I think we can put restrictions on cable, and I intend to tell them that," Stevens said at the National Association of Broadcasters' annual state leadership conference, according to Broadcasting & Cable and the Multichannel News.
Former Newton County Sheriff Ron Doerge has one less lawsuit to worry about.
U. S. District Judge Dean Whipple dismissed former prisoner Donald R. Allen's lawsuit against Doerge today.
"Allen alleges that defendants violated his constitutional rights by denying him medical care through their refusal to provide him with medication for his emphysema," Whipple wrote in his decision. "As the defendants correctly note, however, at no time has (Allen) offered verifying medical evidence to establish the detrimental effect of delay in medical treatment. Under these facts, defendants' motion for summary judgment must be granted."
Allen was in the Newton County Jail from Jan. 19, 2000, to Feb. 10, 2000, when he was released into the state prison system In his lawsuit, he said he was denied medical treatment during his stay in the county jail.
Judge Whipple's decision noted, "At his deposition, Allen admitted that no physician or other expert had concluded that the alleged lack of medication caused additional damage to his lungs."
U. S. District Judge Dean Whipple dismissed former prisoner Donald R. Allen's lawsuit against Doerge today.
"Allen alleges that defendants violated his constitutional rights by denying him medical care through their refusal to provide him with medication for his emphysema," Whipple wrote in his decision. "As the defendants correctly note, however, at no time has (Allen) offered verifying medical evidence to establish the detrimental effect of delay in medical treatment. Under these facts, defendants' motion for summary judgment must be granted."
Allen was in the Newton County Jail from Jan. 19, 2000, to Feb. 10, 2000, when he was released into the state prison system In his lawsuit, he said he was denied medical treatment during his stay in the county jail.
Judge Whipple's decision noted, "At his deposition, Allen admitted that no physician or other expert had concluded that the alleged lack of medication caused additional damage to his lungs."
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
Unfortunately, the item I ran earlier in The Turner Report about the change of 103.5 from an oldies format to country apparently took place today.
Apparently, some radio executives believe that the only kind of radio stations needed in this area are ones that play country music.
***
Liberty Group Publishing, owner of The Carthage Press, Neosho Daily News, Neosho Post, and The Big Nickel announced Monday that it had entered into a $330 million credit agreement with a financial syndicate led by Wells Fargo.
Of course, readers of The Turner Report knew several weeks ago that was going to happen.
A company news release said Liberty initially borrowed $4 million principal amount of revolving credit loans and $100 million principal amount of the term Loan B. Part of that money was used to pay off the company's existing debt.
Before Wells Fargo agreed to the refinancing arrangement, Liberty had been looking to sell, but its enormous debt was a detriment. The new credit arrangement will give Liberty seven years to reduce its debt and to increase its cash flow.
***
Leggett & Platt, the Carthage-based Fortune 500 company, will be featured at the Raymond James 26th annual Institutional Investors Conference in Orlando, Fla., Monday, March 7, according to PR Newswire.
Chairman of the Board and CEO Felix E. Wright will speak to the investment community at 7:40 a.m. central time.
***
The Federated-May merger announced Monday may affect many shopping mall companies adversely, but not CBL & Associates, owners of Northpark Mall in Joplin, according to today's Los Angeles Times.
Only one percent of CBL malls have both stores, the article said.
Apparently, some radio executives believe that the only kind of radio stations needed in this area are ones that play country music.
***
Liberty Group Publishing, owner of The Carthage Press, Neosho Daily News, Neosho Post, and The Big Nickel announced Monday that it had entered into a $330 million credit agreement with a financial syndicate led by Wells Fargo.
Of course, readers of The Turner Report knew several weeks ago that was going to happen.
A company news release said Liberty initially borrowed $4 million principal amount of revolving credit loans and $100 million principal amount of the term Loan B. Part of that money was used to pay off the company's existing debt.
Before Wells Fargo agreed to the refinancing arrangement, Liberty had been looking to sell, but its enormous debt was a detriment. The new credit arrangement will give Liberty seven years to reduce its debt and to increase its cash flow.
***
Leggett & Platt, the Carthage-based Fortune 500 company, will be featured at the Raymond James 26th annual Institutional Investors Conference in Orlando, Fla., Monday, March 7, according to PR Newswire.
Chairman of the Board and CEO Felix E. Wright will speak to the investment community at 7:40 a.m. central time.
***
The Federated-May merger announced Monday may affect many shopping mall companies adversely, but not CBL & Associates, owners of Northpark Mall in Joplin, according to today's Los Angeles Times.
Only one percent of CBL malls have both stores, the article said.
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