Billy Long talks trade deal with Japanese prime minister

When President Donald Trump needs some diplomacy done, one of those he calls on could be Seventh District Congressman Billy Long.

At least that is the impression Long gave when talking to media following a meeting he and other members of Congress had with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe earlier today in Tokyo.

From the Japan Times report:

Billy Long, a Republican representative from Missouri, told reporters after the meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office that he had discussed trade with Abe and felt confident the countries will hammer out a bilateral trade deal.

“President Trump and Prime Minister Abe really built a good relationship on the golf course, so I think you’ll see a trade deal coming,” Long said, adding that he gave Abe a set of golf balls to replace any that might have been lost in Florida.

According to the White House, Trump asked Long in a meeting with lawmakers on Thursday last week to give his regards to Abe, praising the prime minister’s golf game and calling him “a fabulous guy.”

Hundreds gather in Kansas City to protest against Trump

Turner Report exclusive- transcripts from Billy Long's town hall meetings since 2011

He hasn't had any.

McCaskill: Trump immigrant ban is a potent recruiting tool for terrorists

(From Sen. Claire McCaskill)

President Trump’s ban on immigrants and travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries – and refugees from anywhere – is making our country less safe and has compromised our most sacred values.

This ban has handed a potent recruiting tool to international terrorists by communicating that America is at war with Muslims. And in addition to refugees, it’s threatened to leave behind even those people who put their lives and the lives of their families at risk to help American military servicemembers in war zones. It’s appalling.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against this discriminatory order, but we cannot, and I will not, stop fighting the ban until it’s gone for good. I’m joining my colleagues in the Senate to demand President Trump rescind this ban, but we need you to speak out with us:

Please, add your name right now to join me, my colleagues in the Senate and Americans across the country to demand President Trump rescind his discriminatory ban on refugees and immigrants from Muslim countries.

The notion that our government would prioritize one religion for admittance to our nation flies in the face of our sacred, founding values of liberty and freedom of religion.

As the top-ranking Democrat on the Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee, I’ll keep fighting until we fix this horrible wrong that’s making our country less safe every day it’s on the books. And I urge you to keep calling the White House, writing letters and emails, and marching – keep using your voice to speak out for what’s right.

Agenda posted for Tuesday Joplin City Council meeting

COUNCIL AGENDA
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
6:00 P.M., Council Chambers

1.

Call To Order

Invocation
Pledge of Allegiance of the United States of America

2.

Roll Call

3.

Presentations

4.

Finalization Of Consent Agenda

5.

Reports And Communications

1.

Semiannual Report Of The Capital Improvement Sales Tax Oversight Committee. Chris Churchwell, Chairman

6.

Citizen Requests And Petitions

7.

Public Hearings

8.

Consent Agenda

1.

Minutes Of The February 6, 2017 Joplin City Council Meeting

Documents:

1. A.PDF

9.

Resolutions

1.

RESOLUTION NO. 2017-004

A RESOLUTION, if approved, would authorize a contract between the City of Joplin and the Missouri Department of Transportation for the acceptance and expenditure of grant funds.  DWI Unit, Hazardous Moving Violations Enforcement, and DWI Enforcement in the amount of One Hundred Forty-Nine Thousand, Seven Hundred Twenty-One Dollars and Twenty-Five Cents ($149,721.25); authorizing the City Manager to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin, Missouri. 

Documents:

1. AGENDA ITEM 2017-004_COJ AND MODOT.PDF
2. RESOLUTION NO 2017-004_ MODOT GRANTS.PDF
3. 1195CITYAUTHORIZATIONFORM.PDF
4. DWI FT GRANTAPPLICATION.PDF
5. DWI SAT GRANTAPPLICATION.PDF
6. HMV GRANTAPPLICATION.PDF

10.

Ordinances - Emergency

1.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2017-109

AN ORDINANCE approving the contract with Rosetta Construction L.L.C. in the amount of Eight Hundred Seventy-Two Thousand, Five Hundred Thirty DOLLARS and 50/100 ($872,530.50) for the Eastmorland Public Sewer Line Replacement Project in the City of Joplin, Missouri; providing how the cost shall be made and levied; and containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

1. SUMMARY SHEET EASTMORLAND PUBLIC SEWER LINE REPLACEMENT_2017-CCC.PDF
2. PROJECT MAP.PDF
3. BID TAB FORM- EASTMORLAND.PDF
4. CB-EASTMORLAND PUBLIC SEWER LINE REPLACEMENT_2017-CCC.PDF

2.

COUNCIL BILL 2017-110

AN ORDINANCE approving the contract with Hunter Chase Construction, in the amount of Two Hundred Fifty-Nine Thousand Five Hundred Twenty DOLLARS and 00/100 ($259,520.00) for the 4th & School Storm Drainage Improvements Phase I in the City of Joplin, Missouri; and containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

1. TSO612-PHASE I- SUMMARYSHEET CONSTRUCTION-CB2017.PDF
2. MAP - 4TH- SCHOOL.PDF
3. BID TAB FORM.PDF
4. 4TH SCHOOL CB 2017-110.PDF

3.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2017-111

AN ORDINANCE approving Work Authorization with Allgeier Martin & Associates Inc. in the not to exceed amount of Forty-Five Thousand Four Hundred Twenty Four and No/100 Dollars ($45,424.00) for engineering services associated Trickling Filter Design and Bidding for the Shoal Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility and containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

1. CB 2017-111_SUMMARY SHEET TRICKLING FILTER.PDF
2. WAA AMA-OC-003 2-10-2017.PDF
3. CB 2017-111.PDF

4.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2017-113

AN ORDINANCE approving the City of Joplin to enter into a contract with Rosetta Construction, LLC in the amount of $15,572 (Fifteen Thousand Five Hundred Seventy Two and 0/100 Dollars) for the Crossroads Phase II Clearing project and authorizing the Director of Public Works to execute said Agreement; and containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

1. SUMMARY SHEET- CR PHII CLEARING 2017-113.PDF
2. LOCATION MAP.PDF
3. CROSSROADS PHII - CLEARING BID TAB.PDF
4. CROSSROADS II ROSETTA CONTRACT.PDF
5. COUNCIL BILL - CR PHII CLEARING.PDF

5.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2017-114

AN ORDINANCE approving the City of Joplin to enter into an agreement with Empire District Electric Company in the amount of $50,129.67 (Fifty Thousand One Hundred Twenty Nine and 67/100 Dollars) for the removal of street lights along Main Street from 15th to 32nd Street and authorizing the Director of Public Works to execute said Agreement; and containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

1. SUMMARY EMPIRE MAIN ST IMP.PDF
2. EMPIRE AGREEMENT.PDF
3. CB EMPIRE MAIN ST. IMPROVEMENT.PDF

11.

Ordinances - First Reading

12.

Ordinances - Second Reading And Third Reading

1.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2016-290

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-1-PD property as described below and located 2915 East 17th Street in the City of Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri.

Documents:

1. CB 2016-290 MINUTES.PDF
2. CB 2016-290 STAFF.PDF
3. CB 2016-290 SUMMARY.PDF
4. CB 2016-290.PDF

13.

Unfinished Business

14.

New Business

1.

Appointments And Reappointments To Boards And Commissions

2.

News From The PIO

Jane, Seligman men sentenced in federal court for gun thefts

(From the U. S. Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas)

Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Jeremy Rusher, age 39 of Seligman, Missouri and Cory Rusher, age 29 of Jane, Missouri, were sentenced on one count each of Aiding and Abetting the Theft of Firearms from a Federal Firearms Licensee. Jeremy Rusher was sentenced to120 months in federal prison, three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $2,650 fine. Cory Rusher was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison, three years of supervised release and ordered to pay a $2,650 fine. The defendants were ordered to pay $1,250 restitution jointly and severally. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearings in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.

According to court records, on July 11, 2016, officers with the Pea Ridge Police Department responded to a reported burglary of a business that is a registered Federal Firearms Licensee. The manager of the business was able to provide surveillance of the break-in to officers who were able to get a clear description of Cory Rusher taking five firearms from the business. The surveillance footage from earlier in the day showed Cory Rusher, Jeremy Rusher and a female walking around and looking in the store for an extended period of time. They pawned an item while in the store, and Cory was seen wearing the same shirt he was wearing during the burglary. On July 13, investigators located Jeremy Rusher inside of a trailer and made contact with him. Officers observed two firearms inside the trailer that matched the description of and were later confirmed to be two of the firearms stolen in the burglary. After being advised of and waiving his Miranda rights, Jeremy Rusher admitted to knowing about the stolen guns. Multiple witnesses, including Cory Rusher confirmed his assistance during the burglary. Cory was also located, and after being advised of and waiving his Miranda rights, admitted to being involved in the burglary and assisted officers in locating the remainder of the stolen guns.

Jeremy and Cory Rusher were each named in a federal indictment in August, 2016, and each pleaded guilty in October, 2016.

This is another case prosecuted as a part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative, which is aimed at reducing gun and gang violence, deterring illegal possession of firearms and improving the safety of residents in the Western District of Arkansas. Participants in the initiative include federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

This case was investigated by Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Pea Ridge Police Department, United States Marshal Service, and the Joplin, Missouri SWAT Team. Assistant United States Attorney’s David Harris and Denis Dean prosecuted the case for the United States.

Hartzler introduces legislation to reform FEMA

(From Fourth District Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.) this week introduced, H.R. 1117, the FEMA Relief Improvement Act (FRIA), a bill to foster more open communications between the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) disaster response operations and those communities struggling with the aftermath of a major disaster by providing more transparency, increased consistency, and ultimately, better assistance during the recovery phase.

Following a major disaster, like the recent tornadoes in Louisiana or the flooding in Missouri in 2015 and 2013, people need accurate information regarding recovery efforts and where to turn for help,” Hartzler stated. “Though FEMA was there to assist after such disasters, many Missourians were left in the dark when it came to things like the status of their applications and grants, what was being done to help, and which agency or person they should speak with at any given time.”

Stemming from concerns raised about FEMA’s response to the record-setting flood in 2013 in southern Missouri, Hartzler’s bill makes sure FEMA is providing the information and assistance needed to our communities during its response to a major disaster.

“FRIA will make sure that not only Missourians, but all Americans going through an emergency, know what is going on and are confident that relief is on its way,” Hartzler said of the bill.

Using lessons learned from previous recoveries, the FEMA Relief Improvement Act requires FEMA to implement processes to provide consistent guidance for disaster relief, maintain accurate and appropriate records of recovery efforts, and use the technology available to best disseminate information to those affected.

Three arrested in August at Carthage hotel indicted on federal drug charges

A federal grand jury indictment against three people charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute was unsealed today in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.

The indictment stems from arrests made August 31 at a Carthage hotel by the Ozarks Area Drug Enforcement Team.

A detention hearing is scheduled 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in Springfield for Justine McCaffrey, 29, Monett. Also indicted were Charlie Crow, 39, Monett, and Matthew Winfrey, 39, Aurora.

The original news release from the Ozarks Area Drug Enforcement Team is printed below:

On 08/31/2016 ODET detectives conducted a narcotics investigation at a local hotel in Carthage Mo. that led to the arrest of three suspects and the seizure of 400 grams of suspected methamphetamine worth a street value of $40,000.

The suspects were identified as Charlie Crow from Monett MO, Matthew Winfrey from Aurora Mo and Justine McCaffrey of Monett.

Crow and Winfrey were wanted on multiple felony warrants and all three suspects are facing distribution charges through the Jasper County Prosecutor's Office.

ODET detectives have seized approximately 1,350 grams of meth for the month of August with an estimated street value of $135,000.

ODET Detectives continue to fight to dismantle large scale drug trafficking organizations that are supplying meth to Barry, Barton, Jasper and McDonald Counties.

McCaffrey, Crow, and Winfrey, are still facing charges in Jasper County Circuit Court.

Billy Long: Providing for our military is the right thing to do

(From Seventh District Congressman Billy Long)

One of my primary responsibilities as a Congressman, and something I am very honored to do, is to make sure that the men and women who serve our country are taken care of and get the care and treatment they deserve. Last December, I voted in favor of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2017. This legislation funds the critical programs in the Department of Defense to ensure the military has the strength it needs to carry out its mission of protecting our country.

The NDAA provides $619 billion for national defense, which is $9 billion more than President Obama’s budget request. The additional $9 billion will help close the readiness gap, which will stop the drawdown of the military, rebuild our military and make sure that our troops have the most up-to-date resources and tools when carrying out missions.

Not only does the NDAA go above and beyond what former President Obama requested, it continues to prohibit transferring of Guantanamo Bay detainees to American soil and helps combat sexual assault in the military. Finally, this piece of legislation gives our troops a pay raise, something that was long overdue.

My first priority is making sure that that my constituents are safe, and by voting in favor of this bill, I am reassured it will accomplish just that. Not only does this legislation help our men and women in uniform, but it ensures those who do not serve are also taken care of.

With significant bipartisan support, the NDAA passed the House by a vote of 375-14, the Senate by a vote of 92-7 and signed into law by the President.

With so much talk about gridlock in Washington, there are still many issues my colleagues and I can work with each other on, and that includes making sure our military has the resources it needs to protect our country.

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