Saturday, November 19, 2016
Joplin R-8 Board continues draining the swamp: Boyer out the door
During a closed session Monday, the Joplin R-8 Board of Education approved the resignation of Director of Early Childhood Education Amanda Boyer.
The board also approved the separation agreement, which called for the following:
- Boyer will receive a total of $15,200.91. She will be paid $6,716.67 this month, covering the time she was on administrative leave and then receive $8,484.24 in December. According to the agreement, Boyer will not be able to count any of the money toward her retirement.
-The district will pay its share of Boyer's health insurance through December 31.
-The district will provide Boyer with a neutral verification of employment.
-Boyer waives the right to any future legal action against the district and cannot make disparaging comments about the district relating to her departure.
-The district will not seek to have her license revoked and will not "refer the matter to the attorney general's office or other agency for review or to commence revocation proceedings."
Boyer and former Executive Director of Student Services Mark Barlass were given the options of resigning or being fired in October after they were stripped of their duties following an internal investigation.
No details of that investigation have been released, but sources close to administration tell the Turner Report the dismissals were at least in part related to activities that were shared by Boyer and Barlass and which took place on the taxpayers' time.
Boyer had been in the district since 2011.
With the resignations of Boyer and Barlass, the recent resignation of former Chief Operations Officer Tina Smith, the reassignment and subsequent resignation of Curriculum Director Sarah Stevens, and the retirement of Buildings Project Manager Mike Johnson, the only remaining links to the upper administration of Huff's days are CFO Paul Barr, Executive Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Jennifer Doshier, Communications Director Kelli Price, and former Executive Director of Secondary Instruction, now East Middle School Principal Jason Cravens.
***
The Turner Report/Inside Joplin blogs offer news and commentary that you will not find with any other local media source. Please consider supporting my efforts with a subscription or contribution, either using the PayPal buttons below or if you would prefer not to use PayPal or a credit card, send a check made out to Randy Turner to 2306 E. 8th, Apt. G, Joplin, MO 64801. Thanks for your consideration.
Friday, November 18, 2016
Missouri flags to be flown at half staff Saturday to honor fallen Kirksville soldier
Gov. Jay Nixon has ordered that the U.S. and Missouri flags at state buildings in all 114 counties and the City of St. Louis be flown at half-staff on Saturday, Nov. 19, to honor the bravery and sacrifice of Sergeant First Class Matthew C. Lewellen. Sergeant First Class Lewellen, age 27, of Kirksville, was a member of the United States Army Special Forces (Green Beret) who died on Nov. 4 while serving his country in support of Operation Inherent Resolve in Jafr, Jordan.
In addition, Gov. Nixon has ordered that the U.S. and Missouri flags at all state buildings in Adair County be flown at half-staff from Nov. 20 through Nov. 25. The funeral for Sergeant First Class Lewellen will be held on Nov. 19.
“We mourn the loss of this brave American soldier in defending our country and our freedoms,” Gov. Nixon said. “I ask that Missourians remember and honor the sacrifice of Sergeant First Class Lewellen when they see the lowered flags.”
Sergeant First Class Lewellen was assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group, Fort Campbell, Kentucky. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal (2 awards), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon (2 awards), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge (Basic), Special Forces Tab, Combat and Special Skill Badge Basic Marksmanship Qualification Badge (Bar, Weapon: Rifle, (Inscription: Rifle), Expert), and the Overseas Service Bar (2 awards).
McCaskill: The fight against earmarks isn't over
(From Sen. Claire McCaskill)Yesterday, just days after Donald Trump was elected with a promise to "drain the swamp," Republican leadership in the U.S. House held a closed-door meeting to try to bring back congressional earmarks.
Earmarks—provisions that send your tax dollars to Washington for politicians' pet projects—were temporarily banned in 2011 after I worked with colleagues in both parties to stop them. Republican Senator Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania and I are still working today to pass our bipartisan Earmark Elimination Act, which would make that ban permanent.Read my message to House GOP on Medium
I've always opposed earmarks. I've never requested an earmark.
And I won't let us go backwards.
That's why I called on House Leadership and our Missouri delegation to reject yesterday's vote. And while I was glad to see Speaker Ryan step up at the last minute to stop the vote, that earmark ban was almost overturned. Behind closed doors. Without any public debate. This fight isn't over. The Speaker has promised to revisit the issue early next year but I can't for the life of me figure out why they thought it was a good idea to begin with.
Congress is a more accountable and transparent institution for having gotten rid of earmarks—and the U.S. House leadership's attempt yesterday to bring them back without public discussion or a vote is unacceptable.
I have made rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse a cornerstone of my work in the Senate, and I'm not giving up now.
Learn more about my fight to improve government accountability and transparency at mccaskill.senate.gov/spending.
Billy Long: I am committed to giving diabetes the attention it deserves
Recently I was saddened to learn a buddy of mine, who I competed against regularly in bass fishing tournaments several years ago, had to have his leg amputated due to diabetes which had been diagnosed in June of 2000. He hadn't realized he had cut his foot, which later became infected. When the infection continued to spread, despite steps taken to stop the spreading, his doctor had no choice but to amputate his leg.
As of 2012, the American Diabetes Association reported that 9.3 percent of Americans have diabetes, which is over 29 million people, and each year 1.4 million people will be diagnosed. According to the Center for Disease Control, that percentage is much higher for people in southwest Missouri. Only one of the 10 counties in Missouri's 7th Congressional District is below the national average.
November marks National Diabetes Awareness month and it's my hope that during this month I not only raise awareness, but I also make sure Congress does the same. Diabetes is a serious condition that can't be taken lightly.
Just recently, the Joplin Globe reported on a story about a man who had been dealing with diabetes for 16 years. He had a scratch on his ankle that didn't seem to be going away. As time passed, it only grew worse. Finally, he went to Mercy Hyperbaric and Wound Care in Joplin to see if they could do anything. After six weeks of hyperbaric treatments, his wound was completely gone. Without this treatment, the end result might have been much different, possibly requiring the amputation of his foot. Diabetes has a number of additional effects on the body that need to be monitored.
In August I had the opportunity to talk with members of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, an organization dedicated to funding type 1 diabetes research. Additionally, I spoke with constituents and their families who shared their stories about living with type 1 diabetes. The stories once again confirmed to me that fighting for this cause, whether it be type 1 or type 2 diabetes, is so important.
Diabetes still remains the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. According to the American Diabetes Association, as of 2013, the cost of diabetes in the United States reached $245 billion. If you break it down even further, those with diabetes end up paying 2.3 times more on medical expenditures than those who are not diagnosed with diabetes.
This condition deserves far more attention than just one month of bringing awareness to the issue. As a Congressman, I will continue to stay committed to holding both myself and my colleagues accountable to making sure this issue gets the attention it deserves. I will also continue to travel all across Missouri's 7th District listening to stories and finding out new ways I can help those affected by this condition.
Greitens launches transition website
Governor-elect Eric Greitens launched his transition website, govelect.mo.gov this morning and encouraged Missourians with a desire to serve their state to apply.
"What we have earned is something sacred: the privilege to serve,” Governor-elect Eric Greitens said. “We are looking for the best and the brightest to join our mission to create more jobs, higher pay, safer streets, and better schools for Missouri."
Governor-elect Eric Greitens has selected his former Campaign Manager and current Senior Advisor, Austin Chambers, to oversee the transition. Additional members of the transition team will be announced in the coming days.
Those interested in serving Missouri should submit their resume, cover letter, and contact information through the website.
Cleaver: Bannon appointment undermines Trump's call to be a president for all
As we watch President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence begin their selection process of the next White House administration, one can only hope that the future cabinet is a representation of the interest and benefits of all Americans.
I must admit, I began to worry about that future the moment I heard President-elect Trump had appointed Stephen Bannon as White House Chief Strategist. Stephen Bannon’s ties to the White Nationalist movement have been noted and well documented. Bannon repeatedly pushed stories, while at the head of Breitbart News, that promoted anti-Semitism, xenophobia and racism. Reports also proclaim Bannon praised the alt-right as the “smarter version of old school racist skinheads.” Surely, this is not who Americans want as top advisor to the President.
I joined nearly 170 U.S. Representatives in writing a letter to President-elect Trump encouraging him to reconsider his appointment of Stephen Bannon. I strongly oppose this appointment as do many of my constituents in Missouri’s 5th District who called our office and voiced their disapproval. This appointment not only undermines Mr. Trump’s call to be the president for all, it sets an overall discriminatory tone for millions of Americans.
I hope President-elect Trump listens to the American people and is truly sincere about bridging the racial and ethnic divide that is currently brewing in America. No matter how rich, or how big of a media star, or how many people bow down to you, the manner in which you treat fellow human beings, in due course, defines who you really are.
Thursday, November 17, 2016
Former Harrison High band director sentenced to 15 years for sex with students
Kyle Smith, 28, Branson, resigned from his teaching position September 1, 2015, 11 days after school officials began looking into allegations that he had sex with students.
The Taney County Sheriff's Office arrested Smith in February since evidence indicated Smith had sex with a 16-year-old girl and a 14-year-old girl, both Harrison High School students, at his Branson home.
The Smith case was one of the more difficult occurrences for Superintendent Melinda Moss during her seven-year tenure at Harrison. A teacher in the school system came across information about Smith and an underage girl and contacted the state's Crimes Against Children unit and Moss.
When the police arrived at the high school campus the following day to investigate, the school district had brought in Little Rock lawyer Cody Kees and was conducting its own investigation. Both Smith and the girl denied that anything had happened.
Moss immediately removed Smith from classroom duties and he was never with students again, despite allegations that were made in a lawsuit filed in May by fired teacher Andrea Pandarvis.
Despite his removal from the classroom and later resignation, the Harrison Police made no arrests following their initial investigation. School officials continued conducting their own investigation and eventually Smith's victims told school officials what had happened in Branson and that led to Smith's arrest.
One of the victims provided Harrison detectives with a dress she had kept which had stains that matched Smith's DNA.
Smith was charged with sodomy and statutory rape in Taney County in February. A federal grand jury indicted Smith earlier this year, leading to today's sentence.
Agenda posted for Monday Joplin City Council meeting
COUNCIL AGENDA
November 21, 2016
6:00 P.M., Council Chambers
November 21, 2016
6:00 P.M., Council Chambers
1.
Call To Order
Invocation
Pledge of Allegiance of the United States of America
Pledge of Allegiance of the United States of America
2.
Roll Call
3.
Presentations
1.
Chase The Chill Proclamation
4.
Finalization Of Consent Agenda
5.
Reports And Communications
6.
Citizen Requests And Petitions
7.
Public Hearings
8.
Consent Agenda
1.
2.
Council Bill 2016-285
COUNCIL BILL NO. 2016-285 –AN ORDINANCE providing for the vacation of a 15-foot wide public utility easement located 20 feet south of 1365 Crest Drive in the City of Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri.
3.
COUNCIL BILL NO. 2016-286
AN ORDINANCE providing for the vacation of a public street right-of-way located 500 feet south of the intersection of Seventh Street and Northpark Lane, in the City of Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri.
4.
COUNCIL BILL NO. 2016-287
AN ORDINANCE amending Ordinance No. 2004-256, passed by the Council of the City of Joplin, Missouri, November 15, 2004, by removing from District R-1 and including in District R-3-PD property as described below and located on Pearl Avenue from 26th Street to 27th Street in the City of Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri.
5.
COUNCIL BILL NO.2016-288
AN ORDINANCE approving the voluntary annexation by the City of Joplin of property located 400 feet east of the intersection of 32nd Street and Schifferdecker Avenue in Newton County, Missouri.
6.
COUNCIL BILL NO.2016-289
AN ORDINANCE amending Ordinance No. 2004-256, passed by the Council of the City of Joplin, Missouri, November 15, 2004, by removing from District R-1 and including in District C-3 property as described below and located 400 feet east of the intersection of 32nd Street and Schifferdecker Avenue in the City of Joplin, Newton County, Missouri.
7.
COUNCIL BILL NO. 2016-379
AN ORDINANCE approving the Redevelopment Plans for properties known as the 200 Block Commons located at 215 S. Wall Ave. and 212 S. Joplin Ave.; by Common Based, LLC (Jeff and Carolina Neal) in accordance with the Redevelopment Plans as approved by the Joplin Redevelopment Corporation, Inc.; approving and authorizing the abatement of ad valorem real estate taxes on the improvements to properties located at 215 S. Wall Ave. and 212 S. Joplin Ave, Joplin, Missouri; taxes on the improvements to the real property will be abated at the rate of one hundred percent (100%) for ten(10) years, commencing January 1, 2017 and fifty (50%) for the following fifteen (15) years, ending after December 31, 2041; authorizing the City Manager to execute all instruments approved herein and any other instruments necessary to effectuate the intent of the Council as described herein upon recommendation of the City Attorney.
8.
COUNCIL BILL NO. 2016-525
AN ORDINANCE amending Section 42-35, Court costs and other fees, of Article II, Municipal Court, Division I, Generally, of Chapter 42, Courts, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Joplin to implement certain fee changes; and setting a date when this Ordinance shall become effective.
9.
Resolutions
1.
RESOLUTION NO. 2016-024
A RESOLUTION authorizing the City Manager to submit a resolution of support and application to the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission, Blueprint for Safer Roadways Program Agreement.
10.
Ordinances - Emergency
1.
COUNCIL BILL NO. 2016-153
AN ORDINANCE approving the contract with Bennett Inc, in the amount of One Hundred Eight Thousand Four Hundred Ninety DOLLARS and 50/100 ($108,490.00) for the Schifferdecker Bridge over Turkey Creek Clearing & Grubbing Project in the City of Joplin, Missouri; and containing an emergency clause.
2.
COUNCIL BILL NO. 2016-154
AN ORDINANCE approving an agreement for Anderson Engineering Inc. not to exceed One Hundred Seventy Three Thousand and no/100 Dollars ($173,000.00) for Continuing Engineering Services Associated with the 20th Street Improvements from Connecticut Avenue to Range Line Road Project and containing an emergency clause.
3.
COUNCIL BILL NO. 2016-156
AN ORDINANCE approving an agreement for Anderson Engineering Inc. not to exceed Two Hundred Thousand Two Hundred Fifty and no/100 Dollars ($200,250.00) for Continuing Engineering Services Associated with the Street, Sidewalk, Curb & Gutter, and Storm Water Projects in the Recovery Area and containing an emergency clause.
4.
COUNCIL BILL NO. 2016-380
AN ORDINANCE approving the contract by and between the City of Joplin and Jordan Disposal for the demolition of the structure(s) and clearing of lot area located at 1111 W. 12TH ST. in the City of Joplin, Missouri, for the amount of Two Thousand Two Hundred Ninety-nine and 00/100 Dollars (2,299.00); providing how the cost thereof shall be paid; how the assessment thereof shall be made; and containing an emergency clause.
5.
COUNCIL BILL NO. 2016-381
AN ORDINANCE approving the contract by and between the City of Joplin and Jordan Disposal for the demolition of the structure(s) and clearing of lot area located at 2311 W. 3RD ST. in the City of Joplin, Missouri, for the amount of Two Thousand Six Hundred Forty-nine and 00/100 Dollars (2,649.00); providing how the cost thereof shall be paid; how the assessment thereof shall be made; and containing an emergency clause.
6.
COUNCIL BILL NO. 2016-459
AN ORDINANCE approving a Program Services Contract by and between the State of Missouri, Department of Health and Senior Services, and the City of Joplin, Missouri, for a term commencing October 1, 2016 and running through September 30, 2017, for the amount of up to Thirty Two Thousand, Eight Hundred Seventy-Five Dollars and Sixty Two Cents ($32,875.62), to enable the Health Department to provide maternal and child health services to residents of Joplin, authorizing the City Manager to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin, Missouri; and containing an emergency clause.
7.
COUNCIL BILL NO. 2016-526
AN ORDINANCE amending the Annual Budget of the City of Joplin for the Fiscal Year 2016-2017 as adopted by Ordinance 2016-177 on October 17, 2016, to adjust appropriations and containing an emergency clause.
8.
COUNCIL BILL NO. 2016-617
AN ORDINANCE approving a Contract for Technical Support by and between the City of Joplin, Missouri and Motorola, Inc., dealing with a switch upgrade, customer support, maintenance, and technical support for the City’s Motorola Digital Radio System with the cost for the FY 2016-17 Budget of One-Million, Eight-Thousand and Three-Hundred Seventeen Dollars ($1,008,317.00). Beginning the FY 2017-18 Budget through FY 2022-23 Budget an annual cost of One Hundred Forty-Four Thousand, Two-Hundred Sixty-Six Dollars ($144,266.00); authorizing the City Manager to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin, Missouri; and containing an emergency clause.
11.
Ordinances - First Reading
1.
AMENDED COUNCIL BILL NO. 2016-014
AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A PLAN FOR AN INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT CONSISTING OF THE ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION, IMPROVEMENT AND EQUIPPING OF A FROZEN FOODS MANUFACTURING FACILITY; AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF JOPLIN, MISSOURI TO ISSUE ITS TAXABLE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT REVENUE BONDS IN A PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $44,250,000 TO FINANCE THE COSTS OF SUCH PROJECT; AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING CERTAIN DOCUMENTS; AND AUTHORIZING CERTAIN OTHER ACTIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THE ISSUANCE OF THE BONDS.
2.
COUNCIL BILL NO. 2016-155
AN ORDINANCE Approval of License Agreement by and between the City of Joplin and Alpha Air Center, LLC to conduct an Airshow at the Joplin Regional Airport.
3.
COUNCIL BILL NO. 2016-382
AN ORDINANCE adopting the 2016 City of Joplin Historic Preservation Plan Update.
12.
Ordinances - Second Reading And Third Reading
13.
Unfinished Business
14.
New Business
1.
NEWS FROM THE PIO
2.
CLOSED SESSION
Vote to go into closed session, which shall pertain to leasing, purchasing or sale of real estate by a public governmental body where public knowledge of the transaction might adversely affect the legal consideration therefore; and which shall pertain to the hiring, firing, disciplining, or promotion of an employee or particular employees of a governmental body involving personal information; more specifically for the purpose of evaluating certain Council employees; as set forth in Section 610.021(2) (3) RSMo, as amended, 2015. This meeting, record, and vote to be closed to the extent provided by law. The City Council shall adjourn at the end of the session.
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