Order your free e-book copy of Silver Lining in a Funnel Cloud

It is looking more and more like the new book Carthage Press Managing Editor John Hacker and I have been working on, tentatively titled 5:41: Five Years Later, will not be published until after the five-year anniversary, but for those who have yet to read my last book, Silver Lining in a Funnel Cloud, I am offering a one-week special.

No, I am not giving away the entire book for free, but those who send me their e-mail addresses will receive a free 100-page preview of the 532-page book. And you can feel free to forward it to anyone who might be interested in reading it. You can e-mail me at rturner229@hotmail.com

The preview tells the story of the May 22, 2011, Joplin Tornado, through the eyes of Joplin city leaders, including City Manager Mark Rohr, Mayor Mike Woolston, R-8 Superintendent C. J. Huff, and Assistant Superintendent Angie Besendorfer and details the steps those people and other leaders took in the days after the tornado, with all of the information thoroughly researched.

Details on the creation of CART (Citizens Advisory Recovery Team) and how Texas con artist David Wallace of Wallace Bajjali was invited into Joplin are revealed.

The preview also includes some information that did not make it into the final edition of the book, with most of that centering on former Missouri Southern State University President Bruce Speck.

The preview includes the following chapters:

1. May 22, 2011- The tornado experiences, in their own words, of Mark Rohr, C. J. Huff, and Assistant Superintendent Angie Besendorfer

2. Disaster Response- How Mark Rohr and C. J. Huff reacted to the tornado and their first dealings with the media

3. The Tornado Mayor- Mike Woolston's story, David Wallace learns about the tornado, Mark Rohr and Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce Director Rob O'Brian begin thinking of the city's future beyond tornado recovery

4. Silver Lining in a Funnel Cloud-  Angie Besendorfer's story, including her turbulent time as superintendent of the Reeds Spring School District, her arrival in Joplin, and her reaction at being passed over in favor of C. J. Huff

5. We Will Have School- C. J. Huff makes his famous declaration, first in front of his administrative team and a silent board of education, then to a national audience in an event that was purportedly for the "school family. Huff takes steps to control all media coverage, I return to tornado-stricken East Middle School and go into areas of Joplin that have been devastated by the disaster and return to my home to find a threatening message from Huff.

6. A Presidential Visit- Barack Obama and the Westboro Baptist Church arrive in Joplin for a memorial service one week after the tornado. Mark Rohr sets the city's sights on the future.

7. Bright Futures-  The teaching experiences that led C. J. Huff to create Bright Futures, what Angie Besendorfer really thought of Huff's pet project, the truth about Joplin's improved graduation rates

8. Finding Temporary Schools- Even as Angie Besendorfer is doing the work to make sure school opens on time, C. J. Huff is taking another approach, something he has never mentioned in any of his speeches. MODOT offers use of its building in Joplin, but not for the purpose of housing administration

9. Enter Wallace-Bajjali- The beginnings of what led to CART and the Joplin Progress Committee,  David Wallace arrives in Joplin. Mark Rohr and the Jane Cage-led CART stack the deck in Wallace's favor as a master developer is hired, the background of Wallace-Bajjali that they conveniently overlooked.

10. The $794 Million Plan- David Wallace reveals his plan for the City of Joplin, David Humphreys and his family step in to help the city and the school district, the tornado story of Bruce Speck.

Martucci, Dermott, Musser, Sloan to be sworn in Tuesday

The four Joplin R-8 Board of Education winners from the Tuesday, April 5, election, will be sworn in during a 7 p.m. meeting Tuesday at the Memorial Education Building.

Incumbent Jennifer Martucci and Sharrock Dermott were elected to three-year positions, Lori Musser to a two-year seat and Chris Sloan for one year.

The three board members who are leaving, Jasper County Commission appointees Sallie Beard, Ron Gatz, and Gary Nodler, will be recognized for their service.

The three were appointed to replace the three board members, Lane Roberts, Mike Landis, and Randy Steele, who resigned.

Prior to the meeting, the old board will meet at 6:45 p.m. to discuss the "hiring, firing, disciplining or promoting of particular employees," according to the agenda.

Meeting Agenda

A. Call to Order

1. Roll Call

B. Approval of Agenda - Action

C. Recognition of Service: 2015/16 BOE Members Sallie Beard, Ron Gatz, and Gary Nodler - (Dr. Ridder)

D. Swear in Board Members Elected April 5, 2016 - (Pat Waldo)

E. Board Organization Call to Order - (Dr. Ridder)
F. Election of BOE President - Action (Dr. Ridder)

G. Election of BOE Vice President - Action (BOE President)

H. Authorization of Checking Account Signatures - Action (Paul Barr)

I. Adjourn - Action

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House passes bill limiting time spent preparing for standardized tests

(From Rep. Mike Cierpiot, R-Lee's Summit)

Rep. David Wood presented and passed House Bill 1943 on the House Floor this week.This legislation allows school districts to set their yearly calendar without any limitations on days or hours as long as they meet a required 1044 hours throughout the year. Many districts feel that the prior regulations and requirements on school calendar years are too restrictive, this will allow districts to set up a calendar year that fits the needs of their communities and student schedules.

The second provision in House Bill 1943 limits school districts statewide testing or practice for the statewide tests to 2% of the calendar year. Too often, school districts spend a great portion of their year focusing on the statewide assessments instead of making sure students understand and learn the material they need to move on in school. By limiting the time spent focusing on statewide tests, we believe the teachers are able to encourage the students to learn the material instead of learning to take the test.

For more information on House Bill 1943, please visit: HB 1943 Elementary and Secondary Education

Billy Long: We need the fair tax

(From Seventh District Congressman Billy Long)

Earlier this month, President Obama tallied what some are calling a “major victory” when the U.S. Treasury announced new rule proposals, which resulted in the termination of U.S. drug maker Pfizer Inc. from finalizing a $160 billion acquisition agreement with Botox provider Allergan Plc. If carried out, the merger would have meant the largest tax inversion – relocating a corporation’s legal address overseas to avoid higher taxes – in history, and the movement of American jobs overseas.

On its surface, the administration’s rules may seem to have steered in the right direction. Agreeably, America’s tax code should not provide statutory incentive for companies looking to sidestep their taxes and move jobs elsewhere. However, federal intervention in these situations can be slippery-slopes toward economic burden.

In the case of Pfizer and Allergan, these health companies were blindsided by the administration after countless costly hours had been put into merging the two companies. Allergan CEO Brent Saunders divulged that, “It really looked like they did a very fine job of constructing a rule here – a temporary rule – to stop this deal, and obviously it was successful.” He added that “for the rules to be changed after the game has started to be played is a bit un-American.”

Seven other inversion deals worth more than $700 million in potential merger & acquisition firm compensation also face the threat of termination under the decision. Experts have predicted that blocking the mergers would cause future hurdles across the industry and leave less-diversified small firms facing the threat of financial misery. However, these ‘boutique’ firms are facing imminent financial turmoil in addition to future threats, as their stock values suffered immediately following the Treasury’s announcement.

Most importantly, inversions like these are indicative of a much bigger problem with our tax code: it is an onerous and complicated web that’s full of loopholes that breed issues like inversion. If we truly want to attack the root of the problem, we must comprehensively reform our tax code. It’s critical that corporations aren’t allowed to avoid paying-up by moving overseas, but America’s leaders can’t pretend to be shocked when they do so while being subjected to the highest corporate tax rates of any industrialized country. Furthermore, American companies that inverted previously have collectively stashed more than $2 trillion in foreign accounts, where it’ll likely stay due to these companies’ fear of having it overtaxed if it were brought back.

Still, taxpayers have every right to be livid with these companies for shirking the same civic responsibility families adhere to each April. From large corporations to small businesses, and from CEOs to Missouri families, Americans who pay their taxes with honesty deserve a simpler and more transparent system.

I have voted numerous times in Congress to cut spending and reduce tax burdens on middle-class workers. These votes mean progress, but we must balance our budget; cap the federal government's yearly spending to less than yearly income; and limit taxation of citizens above a fixed percentage of America's Gross Domestic Product. Also, American companies parking fortunes abroad doesn’t help our economy; we need new standards that will incentivize this money’s return to boost industries at home without the government overtaxing it.

The “Fair Tax,” which I have co-sponsored in every Congress since being elected, could provide much-needed solutions. This plan would replace income, business, and employment taxes with an at-the-counter consumption tax. Savings, investment, tax compliance, and economic freedom would prosper. Similarly, America’s industries investing less time and money navigating the IRS would attract more foreign business partners and incentivize companies to create jobs here rather than moving them abroad through inversion.

Former mayor elected to Joplin City Council as write-in candidate

(From the City of Joplin)

The County Clerks of Jasper and Newton Counties have certified Phil Stinnett as the winning write-in candidate for Zone 3 of the Joplin City Council with 125 votes. Jasper County certified 87 votes for Stinnett, and Newton County certified 38 votes for him. Stinnett served previously on the Council from 1998 to 2010 and served as Mayor from 2004 to 2006.

On Monday, April 11, the Joplin City Council will meet at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall for the purpose of receiving the official report of the April 5, 2016 General Election, administering the Oaths of Office of the newly elected Council Members, and electing the 2016-2018 Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem.

Outgoing Council members Morris Glaze, Dr. Benjamin Rosenberg and Bill Scearce will also be recognized for their years of service. Municipal Court Judge Chuck Brown will administer the Oath of Office to newly elected council members Melodee Colbert-Kean, Dan McCreary, Taylor Brown, Jim West, and Stinnett. Following this, the newly seated Council will elect a Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem.

A reception honoring the members of Council will conclude the evening.
For more information, contact the City Clerk at 624-0820, ext. 220.

R-8 Board hires Ridder for second year, does not renew four certified contracts

Interim superintendent Norm Ridder will return for another year.

The Joplin R-8 Board of Education voted unanimously during a closed session March 29 to bring Ridder back for a second year, which will include the implementation of the strategic plan and the hiring of a new superintendent.

Ridder was hired following the "retirement" of Superintendent C. J. Huff. He had just finished a successful one-year stint as interim superintendent at the Mehlville district near St. Louis. Ridder, along with Huff, was among the five finalists for the Missouri Commissioner of Education job that eventually went to Margaret Vandeven. Ridder was superintendent of the Springfield School District for nine years.

The Joplin board brought in Ridder for one year, but with the understanding that he might be here a second year to help provide a bridge to the next superintendent.

In other action, the board voted not to renew the contracts of four certified personnel- Judith Clarkson, Amanda Mehrens, Joshua Thompson, and Karlee Talent.

Musser: I look forward to serving our kids

(The following message was posted Tuesday night on successful Joplin R-8 Board of Education candidate Lori Musser's campaign Facebook page. Musser was elected to a two-year term.)

Thank you to all of those that supported me throughout this election.

It is an honor to be elected to the school board and I do not take it lightly. I look forward to serving our kids and this wonderful community. Lots of work to do and I will strive to make you proud.

Sloan: I will strive to make the school district better

(The following message was posted this morning by successful Joplin R-8 Board of Education candidate Chris Sloan on his campaign Facebook page. Sloan was elected to a one-year position.)

I wanted to say thank you to the community for the amazing support! 

I want to thank JNEA and JESP for your enthusiastic endorsements, and all the support from the people at Christ's Community United Methodist Church - Joplin, as well as the people I have been friends with over the years. 

I was humbled to know that 2,550 voters trusted me to represent them on the board. I will strive to make the School District better in my one year I have!!!!

Joplin city manager provides weekly update

Joplin City Manager Sam Anselm provided the following report to City Council members Friday.

Good afternoon, everyone. Please see below for this week’s update.

Key Meetings

-On Monday, I attended the monthly Chamber meeting with the mayor to give an update on various projects. Attached to this week’s update is the monthly report from President O’Brian on ED activities for the month of March.

-Later that afternoon, Parks Director Garrie, Assistant Director Bloomberg, and I met with representatives from the Blasters to talk about the upcoming season and the transition that will take place when they assume control of the facility in May.

-On Wednesday, Director Haase and I met to discuss next steps in light of the recent meeting with the state auditor’s office to give their follow-up review.

-This morning, I spent some time at South Middle School as a participant in their Career Day program for their eighth grade class, discussing my role in the community, the programs and services we offer, and different career opportunities in the field of local government.

-Earlier this afternoon, Planning Director Bolander, Assistant Director Robyn, and I met with representatives from the Urban Institute, to give feedback on the National Disaster Resilience Competition, which if you recall was a competition among communities affected by natural disasters from 2011-2013/14 to receive additional CDBG-DR dollars. We ultimately chose not to participate in the competition, but they wanted our feedback on the competition and the process anyway.

Miscellaneous

-In addition to the monthly economic development update from Rob, I’m also including our regular update from public works on the many projects they’re working on.

-Yesterday we extended an invitation to the office of U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx to come to Joplin for the opening/dedication of the overpass on 20th Street. We have asked for some time in August, the original anticipated date for completion of the project. We are still on track for an earlier completion date and would open the overpass for use prior to the dedication event, but considering that a significant portion of the project was paid for using DOT TIGER dollars, we thought it appropriate to extend the invitation. The request has been forwarded to their scheduling office to se if the secretary can attend.

-On Wednesday, Fire Station #5 was struck by lightning, which resulted in minor damage to some electronic equipment in the station. No one was injured and the repairs are being made, and we are working through Human Resources to keep our insurance carrier informed, should we need to file a claim. Thankfully no one was injured.

-As you may have read, new trash rates for Joplin residents became effective today. We are continuing to roll out information about how residents can sign up for the curbside recycling option if they want to participate, but we are looking at June 1 st for a kick-off of the curbside recycling program. A website will be up soon to allow residents to enroll online, but for now they can call 800-431-1507 or 800-627-1717 to sign up. Additional information provided by Republic Services will also be going out to households in the mail over the next couple of weeks.

-As I mentioned last week, the Use Tax Committee will meet on Thrusday, April 7th at 6:00 p.m. here at City Hall to start discussions about that issue. There are/were two House bills dealing with this issue submitted during this session. HB2809 would have prevented cities from collecting any sales taxes on titled equipment if they failed to adopt a use tax prior to the end of 2016, which could have resulted in an estimated loss of $2.5 million for Joplin. The hearing for that bill was scheduled for Tuesday of this week, but was cancelled. The other bill is HB2140, which if signed, would extend the deadline for cities to put the issue to voters from 2016 to 2019. That bill was voted out of the House and is now in the Senate. I will keep you posted on the progress of that bill. At this point we are proceeding as if our deadline to put the issue to voters is still 2016.

PSC sets intervention deadline for Empire District fuel adjustment charge change

(From the Public Service Commission)

The Empire District Electric Company (Empire) has filed a request with the Missouri Public Service Commission to adjust the fuel adjustment charge (FAC) on the bills of its electric customers.

Empire has made two filings. In its first filing (Case No. ER-2016-0253), Empire proposes to adjust the FAC to reflect fuel and purchased power costs for the six month period of September 2015 through February 2016. The second case is Empire’s true-up filing (Case No. EO-2016-0254). For a residential customer using 1,000 kWh (1,000 kilowatt-hours) of electricity a month, Empire states these two filings will result in the FAC decreasing by approximately $0.35 a month. The proposed change would take effect in June.

Applications to intervene and participate in these cases must be filed no later than April 18, 2016, with the Secretary of the Missouri Public Service Commission, P.O. Box 360, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102-0360, or by using the Commission’s Electronic Filing and Information System (EFIS) at www.psc.mo.gov .

Individual citizens wishing to comment should contact either the Office of the Public Counsel (Governor Office Building, 200 Madison Street, Suite 650, P.O. Box 2230, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102-2230, telephone (866) 922-2959, email opcservice@ded.mo.gov) or the Public Service Commission Staff (P.O. Box 360, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102, telephone 1-800-392-4211, email pscinfo@psc.mo.gov). The Office of the Public Counsel is a separate state agency that represents the general public in matters before the Commission.

The Empire District Electric Company serves approximately 150,300 electric customers in the Missouri counties of Barry, Barton, Cedar, Christian, Dade, Dallas, Greene, Hickory, Jasper, Lawrence, McDonald, Newton, Polk, St. Clair, Stone and Taney.