At one time, the Taco Palace, long a fixture in Lamar, was located on the north side of the square just a couple of doors down from the Lamar Democrat's old location. At that time, the eating establishment was owned by Kirk Davisson.
Davisson, Sheldon, has recently run afoul of the law, according to articles that have run in the Nevada Daily Mail. In early February, Davisson was arrested in Bates County after Butler police officers found a camera in a tanning booth at a salon he operated.
After he was freed on $30,000 bond, he was arrested in Platte County on a Vernon County warrant on felony charges of receiving stolen property and invasion of privacy.
Saturday, March 04, 2006
Blunt's brother again gives nothing to legislators
For effectiveness in lobbying, you sure can't beat the record of Andrew Blunt, Missouri Governor Matt Blunt's younger brother.
In his disclosure form for January, posted this week on the Missouri Ethics Commission website, Blunt continued his streak of not paying for any meals, entertainment, or anything else for our senators and representatives.
Blunt did not have any expenditures through all of calendar year 2005. So why in the world are some high-powered special interests flocking to Blunt to have him serve as their lobbyist?
Maybe it's somebody the lobbyist knows.
In his disclosure form for January, posted this week on the Missouri Ethics Commission website, Blunt continued his streak of not paying for any meals, entertainment, or anything else for our senators and representatives.
Blunt did not have any expenditures through all of calendar year 2005. So why in the world are some high-powered special interests flocking to Blunt to have him serve as their lobbyist?
Maybe it's somebody the lobbyist knows.
Friday, March 03, 2006
Fiscal conservative transgender Republican facing Blunt
All right, feel free to call me prejudiced, behind the times, or any other name you want to call me, but Roy Blunt is not going to be defeated by the type of candidate described in the headline to this story.
According to to an article in today's Springfield News-Leader, that is exactly the kind of candidate who has filed to face Seventh District Congressman Roy Blunt in the GOP primary.
Mitchell Potts has been living as a woman for the past two years and is asking to have his/her female name "Midge" placed on the ballot.
Though the candidate appears to be more interested in traditional political issues, I am not anticipating that bedrock conservative southwest Missouri Republicans are going to abandon Roy Blunt in favor of anyone. And the Seventh District is not going to be electing transgender candidates at any time in the near future.
According to to an article in today's Springfield News-Leader, that is exactly the kind of candidate who has filed to face Seventh District Congressman Roy Blunt in the GOP primary.
Mitchell Potts has been living as a woman for the past two years and is asking to have his/her female name "Midge" placed on the ballot.
Though the candidate appears to be more interested in traditional political issues, I am not anticipating that bedrock conservative southwest Missouri Republicans are going to abandon Roy Blunt in favor of anyone. And the Seventh District is not going to be electing transgender candidates at any time in the near future.
Shields enters Alford plea
Former Southwest City Clerk Dehonna Shields entered an Alford plea on one count of stealing money, according to an article in the Thursday Neosho Daily News. Three counts of forgery and an additional stealing charge were dropped as part of a plea agreement.
Ms. Shields, 27, was placed on probation for five years. Under an Alford plea, a defendant does not admit guilt, but acknowledges the prosecution has enough evidence to get a conviction.
The missing money was uncovered during a state audit.
Ms. Shields, 27, was placed on probation for five years. Under an Alford plea, a defendant does not admit guilt, but acknowledges the prosecution has enough evidence to get a conviction.
The missing money was uncovered during a state audit.
Barton County circuit clerk to retire
Perhaps retire is not the right word, since I am sure Barton County Circuit Clerk Jerry Moyer does not plan on doing that, but just the same, I was sorry to read in this week's Lamar Democrat that Moyer will not seek another term after serving as circuit clerk for 24 years.
For those who like to cast blame for anything that happens, you can give Jerry a share for all of the digging I like to do in public records. Jerry took a considerable amount of time in 1983 teaching me just records were available, including some I would never have dreamed of looking for, when he was just beginning his tenure, and I had only recently returned to the Democrat as news editor.
He was extremely patient in dealing with my many questions and that patience never wavered during the 17 years I worked with him before becoming a teacher.
Good luck, Jerry.
For those who like to cast blame for anything that happens, you can give Jerry a share for all of the digging I like to do in public records. Jerry took a considerable amount of time in 1983 teaching me just records were available, including some I would never have dreamed of looking for, when he was just beginning his tenure, and I had only recently returned to the Democrat as news editor.
He was extremely patient in dealing with my many questions and that patience never wavered during the 17 years I worked with him before becoming a teacher.
Good luck, Jerry.
They still don't understand the problem
An article by Joplin Globe reporter Sadie Gurman explores bills that would limit some lobbying practices in the state. The publicity given by news outlets to lobbying scandals across the U. S. guaranteed legislation would be filed here since politicians can tell a winning proposition when they see one.
Ms. Gurman's article was most enjoyable when she quotes local legislators who piously note their votes can't be bought for a sandwich. I am not going to suggest they are being dishonest. I am sure they firmly believe what they say.
The problem is a combination of lobbyists having access that normal everyday citizens do not have and then combining that with little (and some not so little) gifts here and there.
The simplest way to handle it would be to ban lobbyists' gifts completely, which has been proposed. Lobbyists would still have the opportunity to meet with legislators and get their points across. They would still have the major advantage of proximity since most of them have Jefferson City offices. If these were eliminated, it would eliminate the farce of some lobbyists establishing puppet organizations and claiming their expenses are for those while they are spending incredible amounts for special interests who do not want the amount they are spending to be known.
There will always be those who claim that full disclosure of gifts is even better, but it is not. There are few media outlets, the Globe included, who spend much time examining lobbyist disclosure forms, and members of the public, for the most part, do not have the time or the inclination to do so.
Eliminate lobbyists' gifts and you will take a big step toward reforming faith in government.
Ms. Gurman's article was most enjoyable when she quotes local legislators who piously note their votes can't be bought for a sandwich. I am not going to suggest they are being dishonest. I am sure they firmly believe what they say.
The problem is a combination of lobbyists having access that normal everyday citizens do not have and then combining that with little (and some not so little) gifts here and there.
The simplest way to handle it would be to ban lobbyists' gifts completely, which has been proposed. Lobbyists would still have the opportunity to meet with legislators and get their points across. They would still have the major advantage of proximity since most of them have Jefferson City offices. If these were eliminated, it would eliminate the farce of some lobbyists establishing puppet organizations and claiming their expenses are for those while they are spending incredible amounts for special interests who do not want the amount they are spending to be known.
There will always be those who claim that full disclosure of gifts is even better, but it is not. There are few media outlets, the Globe included, who spend much time examining lobbyist disclosure forms, and members of the public, for the most part, do not have the time or the inclination to do so.
Eliminate lobbyists' gifts and you will take a big step toward reforming faith in government.
Lower expectations yield benefits for Nexstar
Leave it to the stock market to provide a story like this.
Nexstar Broadcasting, owner of KSNF in Joplin and de facto owner of KODE, announced Thursday that net revenues were down 12.8 percent in the fourth quarter and eight percent for 2005, but since the final figures were higher than company officials had predicted, Nexstar's stock price increased another 12 cents, closing at $4.26 Thursday.
In a news release, CEO Perry Sook blamed a decrease in political advertising and put a positive spin on the decreased revenues, saying non-political revenues were up 0.8 percent.
And, of course, everything will come up roses in 2006 now that the retransmission deals are in place, Sook indicated.
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Pre-trial hearing set in former Seneca principal's lawsuit
A pre-trial conference in former Seneca Elementary Principal Ann Laudwig's breach of contract lawsuit against the R-7 School District is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. Wednesday, March 15, in Newton County Circuit Court.
Ms. Laudwig's lawsuit was filed Dec. 30.
Ms. Laudwig's lawsuit was filed Dec. 30.
Protesters set for McCaskill appearance
The Joplin Globe reports Republican protesters will be at the Joplin Library today to greet State Auditor Claire McCaskill when she comes to the city for a stop on her U. S. Senate campaign tour.
While they have every right to do that, I wish that Republicans would let Mrs. McCaskill come and speak to supporters without protesters, just as I wish Democrats would not have any protesters when Jim Talent comes to town. People should have the opportunity to listen to the speakers without distractions.
I noticed one of the speakers for the "family values" gathering will be R. L. Beasley, who used to have a conservative radio program on one of the local stations. While I have nothing against Mr. Beasley and have only talked with him a couple of times eight or nine years ago, it is hard to forget that Terry Reed used Beasley's program to announce his frivolous lawsuit against me, the Carthage Press, the Kansas City Star, Jasper County commissioners, Rep. T. Mark Elliott and a few others in 1998.
It seems like that happened in a different lifetime.
While they have every right to do that, I wish that Republicans would let Mrs. McCaskill come and speak to supporters without protesters, just as I wish Democrats would not have any protesters when Jim Talent comes to town. People should have the opportunity to listen to the speakers without distractions.
I noticed one of the speakers for the "family values" gathering will be R. L. Beasley, who used to have a conservative radio program on one of the local stations. While I have nothing against Mr. Beasley and have only talked with him a couple of times eight or nine years ago, it is hard to forget that Terry Reed used Beasley's program to announce his frivolous lawsuit against me, the Carthage Press, the Kansas City Star, Jasper County commissioners, Rep. T. Mark Elliott and a few others in 1998.
It seems like that happened in a different lifetime.
Nexstar Broadcasting stock rebounds slightly
Two days ago, an 11-cent drop in Nexstar Broadcasting's stock was noted in this blog.
During the past 48 hours, the company has bounced back to pick up 10 cents of that total and was selling for $4.12 per share.
It's still a far cry from the $10 plus it sold for just a little over a year ago, but at least for the moment it is headed in the right direction.
During the past 48 hours, the company has bounced back to pick up 10 cents of that total and was selling for $4.12 per share.
It's still a far cry from the $10 plus it sold for just a little over a year ago, but at least for the moment it is headed in the right direction.
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