Life Of Jason

The Arbitron radio ratings for Springfield have been released.

This is comparing the Spring 2007 ratings to the Fall 2007 ratings. KTTS remained number one again (they’re like the 800 lb. gorilla of Springfield radio) and while they didn’t double the ratings of the #2 station KGBX they came close. KGBX is the only music station other than KTTS to show significant gain although KKLH (104.7 The Cave) showed a slight gain.

The largest three talk radio signals all showed significant gains. 560AM KWTO, Jock 98.7 and KSGF all had much stronger showings with Jock 98.7 more than doubling their previous rating.

KTOZ (Alice 95.5) took a huge dive. Power 96.5, KZRQ, KOSP (Star 105.1) and KXUS (US 97) all showed significant decreases.

Now, if you want to compare Fall 2006 to Fall 2007, it’s a little different. KTTS is still way up. KOMG (Bass Country), US 97, The Cave and Jock 98.7 show good increases. KZRQ is significantly down (more than half their Fall 2006 rating.) KXTR and Q102 took a significant drops as well from Fall 2006 to Fall 2007.

Press release from the city regarding a plan to lower speed limits in residential areas:

The City of Springfield is starting a community-input process to gather opinions on a proposal to reduce the speed limits in neighborhoods to 25 mph across the city.

The public is invited to offer input in several ways.  

• There is a short survey available on the City Web site: springfieldmo.gov.
  

• A Community Forum is set up on the Web site in which citizens can post questions or comments that will be addressed by City staff. The Forum address is: springfieldmo.gov/forum.
  

• Citizens also can submit written comments to: City of Springfield/Traffic Engineering, P.O. Box 8368, Springfield, Mo., 65801, Attn: 25 mph speed limit.
  

• Citizens may speak with one of the Traffic Engineering staff members about the proposed change in local street speed limit by calling 864-1980.
  

City staff is forwarding information about the proposal to the parents of all Springfield Public Schools elementary students. The Traffic Advisory Board and PTA groups have expressed support for the proposal. A copy of the flyer is available for download under the “Traffic Issues” board on the Community Forum Web site: springfieldmo.gov/forum.

Information gained through the community-input process will be provided to City Council for their consideration of the speed limit reduction proposal in February.

Thanks to Matt Lemmon for the piece in Go Magazine.  I appreciate you thinking about me!

I’ve had one open comment and a few e-mails asking for my thoughts on the State of the Union.  My basic thoughts were that it was pretty much the same old, same old that we’ve come to expect from Bush.  Grandiose plans along with the requisite war on terror references.  Instead of a long, drawn out analysis I’m going to just hit a few of the parts of the SOTU.

Be warned there will likely be some sarcasm and cynicism on display in this thread.

“All of us were sent to Washington to carry out the people’s business. That is the purpose of this body. It is the meaning of our oath. It remains our charge to keep.”  Yeah, we sent them there to carry out our business…is the purpose of the body…it would be nice if they started.

“Let us show them that Republicans and Democrats can compete for votes and cooperate for results at the same time.”  Versus the last few years when they weren’t competing for votes yet didn’t cooperate on much of anything?

“America has added jobs for a record 52 straight months, but jobs are now growing at a slower pace. Wages are up, but so are prices for food and gas. Exports are rising, but the housing market has declined. At kitchen tables across our country, there is a concern about our economic future.”   It’s interesting to note the kinds of jobs that were created…more jobs flipping burgers and more jobs that someone has to work two or three of them to support a family in any decent manner.  Wages aren’t up THAT much.  “Declined” is a really nice word to try and make it appear it’s a gentle slide rather than a run down Space Mountain.

He’s right that right now around kitchen tables there’s concern about our economic future.  That would be dad sitting in front of a mountain of credit card bills while a house full of expensive toys his family really didn’t NEED are collecting dust.   It would be easy to try and pin our economic problems all on Bush or the Democrats in Congress (and their opponents often do) but Americans themselves have to shoulder some responsibility for the current situation.  If we weren’t all so eager to rush into debt we wouldn’t have situations where we all can’t pay our bills.  It’s a societal issue that the folks in DC can’t correct if the rest of us don’t want to try and correct it.

“The temptation will be to load up the [tax rebate] bill. That would delay it or derail it, and neither option is acceptable.”  They’re politicians.  They can’t help themselves.

“Unless Congress acts, most of the tax relief we’ve delivered over the past seven years will be taken away. Some in Washington argue that letting tax relief expire is not a tax increase. Try explaining that to 116 million American taxpayers who would see their taxes rise by an average of $1,800. Others have said they would personally be happy to pay higher taxes. I welcome their enthusiasm. I’m pleased to report that the IRS accepts both checks and money orders.”  First, the check and money order line was a good one.  Whatever speechwriter came up with it deserves a better job than working for Bush.   Now, as for the tax relief expiring it IS a tax increase.  You pay more in taxes so therefore it’s an increase.  Spin it all you want to spin it but at the end of the day you’re giving more to the government than you are now and that is an increase.  The middle class and lower class cannot afford more taxes right now.   Liberals and Democrats that want to raise taxes “on the rich” can feel free to do so but the first step is making sure the lower taxes being paid by the less than rich is kept in place.  If you raise taxes on the middle and lower class by allowing the current relief to expire then you’re just lying when you say you only want to raise taxes “on the rich.”

“If any bill raises taxes reaches my desk, I will veto it.”  Read my lips…oh…wait….wrong President Bush.

“I will issue an executive order that directs federal agencies to ignore any future earmark that is not voted on by Congress. If these items are truly worth funding, Congress should debate them in the open and hold a public vote.”  Absolutely right.  It’s common sense.   That, of course, means there is no chance of that really lasting long in Washington DC.

“We share a common goal: making health care more affordable and accessible for all Americans. The best way to achieve that goal is by expanding consumer choice, not government control.”  Exactly right.  The last thing we need is another bloated government program that will eventually be filled with inefficiency and waste.  However, I doubt the insurance companies will provide more choice to consumers that is more affordable.  So something needs done on the governmental level.  I don’t know if the tax code changes to stop penalizing people who get insurance through places other than employers will do the trick.

“With all these steps, we will help ensure that decisions about your medical care are made in the privacy of your doctor’s office — not in the halls of Congress.”  Wait…where’s the part that says “or in the office of a middle manager at your insurance company?”

“Members of Congress: The No Child Left Behind Act is a bipartisan achievement. It is succeeding.”  HA HA HA HA HA HA breathe breathe breathe HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

 ”I ask you to support a new $300 million program called Pell Grants for Kids. We have seen how Pell Grants help low-income college students realize their full potential. Together, we’ve expanded the size and reach of these grants. Now let us apply that same spirit to help liberate poor children trapped in failing public schools.”  Absolutely we need to find a way to get poor children out of failing public schools.  Unfortunately, with teacher’s unions wielding the power they have inside one of our two parties it’s unlikely we’ll ever find a bipartisan plan to overhaul the public school system.  There needs to be more accountability on the local level as well so that if the problem is incompetence in the classroom or in the administration it can be corrected quickly.  We also need to find ways to improve public schools for poor children as well for those that can’t “be liberated.”  (Why the military reference?)

 ”The United States is committed to strengthening our energy security and confronting global climate change. And the best way to meet these goals is for America to continue leading the way toward the development of cleaner and more energy-efficient technology.”  Continue?  You mean, we’ve started?

“On matters of life and science, we must trust in the innovative spirit of medical researchers and empower them to discover new treatments while respecting moral boundaries. In November, we witnessed a landmark achievement when scientists discovered a way to reprogram adult skin cells to act like embryonic stem cells. This breakthrough has the potential to move us beyond the divisive debates of the past by extending the frontiers of medicine without the destruction of human life.  So we’re expanding funding for this type of ethical medical research. And as we explore promising avenues of research, we must also ensure that all life is treated with the dignity it deserves. And so I call on Congress to pass legislation that bans unethical practices such as the buying, selling, patenting, or cloning of human life.”  I agree with this.  As long as one side of the debate focuses only on embryonic cells without considering the alternatives the debate will continue to stay stalemated (until a Democrat President gets a Democrat house and senate and therefore anyone with conservative views will be excluded from anything and embryonic stem cell research explodes in size.)

“They are worthy of confirmation, and the Senate should give each of them a prompt up-or-down vote.”  Darn right they should.  Just like Clinton’s should have.  Both sides play these kinds of games we should ALL be sick of it.  Vote on the nominees and take a stand one way or the other.

“Yet we also need to acknowledge that we will never fully secure our border until we create a lawful way for foreign workers to come here and support our economy.”  We already have one, Mr. President.

“Illegal immigration is complicated, but it can be resolved.”  Um…it’s not.  You just enforce the laws already on the books.

“Blah blah blah Iraq blah blah blah 9/11 blah blah blah Iran.” I kept waiting for something new regarding the “war on terror” but there really wasn’t anything new.  There was a whole lot of nothing new.

” America is leading the fight against disease. With your help, we’re working to cut by half the number of malaria-related deaths in 15 African nations. And our Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief is treating 1.4 million people. We can bring healing and hope to many more. So I ask you to maintain the principles that have changed behavior and made this program a success. And I call on you to double our initial commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS by approving an additional $30 billion over the next five years.”   How about leading a fight against disease in the US?  How about working to find a cause for autism, Mr. President?  Oh wait…because my son won’t die from it you don’t care?  How about the costs that go into housing, feeding, clothing and giving him therapy for the rest of his life?  What about that economic impact?  How about you take some of that $30 billion for AIDS and put it into autism research to help the millions of American families effected by that?

When I hear Bush talk like that it makes me almost want to spit.  Health care at home is screwed up and he wants to promote it other places.  I’m not saying we shouldn’t help but we need to get our own house in order when it comes to disease and right now we don’t have it.

 ”Our military families also sacrifice for America. They endure sleepless nights and the daily struggle of providing for children while a loved one is serving far from home. We have a responsibility to provide for them. So I ask you to join me in expanding their access to child care, creating new hiring preferences for military spouses across the federal government, and allowing our troops to transfer their unused education benefits to their spouses or children.”  I have zero problem with this as long as those military spouses are held to accountability for job performance.

“And so long as we continue to trust the people, our nation will prosper, our liberty will be secure, and the state of our Union will remain strong.”  Politicians trust the people?  The ones in DC have a funny way of showing it.

Yeah…there was a lot of cynicism in that post.  I guess my discontent with the way things are run in DC and the state of our government is coming through.  We need real change in the next election and I really hope we can find a way to make it happen.

6:25pm…A lot of folks milling around after the public meeting. Jackie Melton of the Community Free Press and JackeHammer is here. Ralph Manley’s making the rounds shaking hands of those he didn’t shake before the first meeting started. Louise Whall, city Public Information Officer, is making sure the television media in attendance (namely, Joanna Small of KSPR) has the info they need.

6:31pm…Councilman John Wylie appears.

6:38pm…We sympathize with Joanna Small of KSPR having to do her live shot outside in when the wind was blowing so hard. As tiny as she is I’m surprised she didn’t blow away! Other media debate beating up KSPR producer Ron Davis on Joanna’s behalf. We realize that Christine Daues would probably come to his defense and beat us all up so we drop the idea.

6:44pm…Doug Burlison shows up with a smile on his face.

6:51pm…I’m handed a copy of the City of Springfield Action Plan in Response to State Audit. I’m informed the electronic version will be posted shortly. (I’ll link to it here when it’s available.)

6:55pm…The Action Plan looks very good. A lot of steps already taken. This is a good move by the city to help rebuild confidence that may have slipped in the minds of some after the release of the audit.

6:59pm…Mayor Carlson isn’t here tonight and is scheduled to miss the next couple meetings. Mary Collette makes it although she has her cough medicine at her side. She looks like she doesn’t feel well but she said she “felt like she had to be here for the meeting.”

7:00pm…Mayor Pro Tem Deaver calls the meeting to order. The prayer, the pledge, the roll, approval of minutes.

7:01pm…Mayor Pro Tem Deaver asks if the council members want anything removed from the consent agenda. Public input. Consent agenda passes 8-0.

7:03pm…Mayor Pro Tem Deaver informs those in attendance if they wish to speak on one of the issues before council they need to fill out a sheet and give it to City Clerk Brenda Cirtin.

7:03pm…City Manager Bob Cumley answers questions from previous meetings. They have finalized the action plan response which was handed to council. SEE THAT ACTION PLAN BY CLICKING HERE. He praised Evelyn Honea for her work in the report. Cumley said 25 of the items have been completed and 27 are in progress. Cumley said that a staff committee is working on other changes regarding accounting procedures and cash handling and will be bringing a recommendation to council.

Cumley commented on the police/fire pension issue. He recommended they contract with an outside actuary to do a comprehensive audit of the pension system and present that audit to city council. They would like to have someone in place sometime in the Spring to present a fresh set of eyes to the process.

Regarding annual budget Cumley said they will spend more time on budget issues than in the past due to budget constraints and to make sure taxpayer funds are spent in the wisest way possible. Mayor Pro Tem Deaver said he appreciated the extra time to look at budget items.

Councilman Dan Chiles asked about the second actuary and if that person would be free to bring up alternatives for the system. Cumley answered he hopes that person would provide options and recommendations.

Councilman Chiles asked about sales tax in the final quarter. Cumley said sales tax is down one percent when it was projected to be up three percent so the city is facing a four percent deficit versus projections.

Cindy Rushefsky asked about the actuary and if the one we’re currently using doesn’t have the freedom to make recommendations. Cumley said that he didn’t feel it would be comfortable for the current actuary to make these comments to the people to whom they report. Rushefsky said that the issue is that people know the problems but aren’t ready to make the tough decisions and that a second actuary won’t make that much different.

“The real issues need to be deal with here, my Council.” Cumley agreed. Mayor Pro Tem Deaver said that our current actuary suggested they bring in a second, outside, independent actuary to address some issues.

7:13pm…Council Bill 2008-26. Rezoning of 4400-4600 blocks of West Division from Greene County M-1 district to HM (Heavy Manufacturing) and an Airport Overlay district. Public hearing was closed and the vote will be at the next meeting.

7:14pm…Council Bill 2008-27. The city’s involvement in the Partnership for Sustainability including a $20,000 contribution. Emily Fox (of Discovery Center) was asked by City Manager Cumley to talk about the organization because she is the co-chair of the Partnership. She said MSU, OTC and Evangel, Springfield R-12 School District, Cox, St. Johns, Discovery Center, CU, Greene County and others are contributing as members to the partnership. She said the mission is to determine how our community can become a leader in sustainability.

“There’s no reason why Springfield and Greene County area can’t be a leader.”

What they plan to do is co-ordinate and serve as a sustainability resource for organizations throughout the region and use a GAP analysis to set up goals for the region. She said the group will be using the expertise already in this region to help develop the partnership. They hope to provide a web based tool for all groups in the region so there is a clearinghouse for all the information and expertise. They want to offer sources for networking for institutions and homeowners and small business owners.

The money will be used for operational purposes because “this is a huge endeavor.” She said because of the size of the project it’s necessary to hire someone to oversee the project. This person could also conduct seminars.

Councilwoman Collette said that she thinks it’s a tremendous effort and she’s pleased to see our community doing this. She asked about City Utilities and wanted to know if this was equally funding. Ms. Fox said that not all groups were putting in $20,000 equally the first year. Councilwoman Collette asked the total if the city contributed $20,000 and Ms. Fox said $100,000. Councilwoman Collette said that City Utilities was already working on things to help develop sustainability and asked if this group will help CU develop more approaches to help that grow. Ms. Fox said yes and that this group will work with everyone to help people change their habits with practical tools and education.

Councilwoman Collette thanked Ms. Fox for her effort. Ms. Fox talked about the Discovery Center and how their green building has changed the way they do business.

Mayor Pro Tem Deaver said that Springfield should recognize the savings that can come with different lighting and how new technologies can make operating more efficient.

Councilwoman Rushefsky asked how much City Utilities is putting in and Ms. Fox answered City Utilities is putting in $20,000. Councilwoman Rushefsky asked if this would be an annual contribution and Ms. Fox said she didn’t know but that she anticipated it could be a three year contribution. She hopes in the future that more groups would participate and contribute but she didn’t know at this time. Councilwoman Rushefsky asked if the information is already available to people in Springfield. Ms. Fox said that to keep from duplicating efforts they are going to create an information clearinghouse and that one of the main parts of this group is going to be stopping duplication.

Councilman Chiles asked if sustainability is “living within our own means.” He asked “if it’s fair to say that if you do this it will reduce waste and keep money in Springfield.” Ms. Fox said yes. “Is there any doubt in your mind that this $20,000 investment will be returned to us many times over if we reduce” coal and other fuels and renewable items. Ms. Fox said “of course it will.” She said she already sees it with the Discovery Center and how it operates.

Councilman Whayne asked the city manager if the money was coming from the general fund and City Manager Cumley answered yes.

Councilman Wylie commented on the educational aspects of the program and praised the Discovery Center.

Councilman Burlison asked about Ms. Fox’s experience with the green building at the Discovery Center and health concerns. “One of the outcomes we would want to see from this is reduced health care costs by the participants” and asked if Ms. Fox has noticed anything at the center. Ms. Fox said that she’s noticed effects. She said the filter system is a healthier system and the fact more natural sunlight is used in the building enhances the moods of the staff. “It’s different than working in a dark hole.” She said the health and well-being encompasses many different things.

Councilman Manley wanted to commend Ms. Fox for her leadership on this issue and said “the best is yet to be!”

Will be voted on in two weeks.

7:34pm…Council Bill 2008-028. Sale of property involving the Arena Site deal. Councilman Manley wanted to amend by adding in section 3 a passage on declaring an emergency due to tax service. Amendment passes on voice vote. Mary Lilly Smith addressed council on the issue. The developement agreement between the city and John Q. Hammons properties is very similar to the previously approved agreement. The deal is for $7 million and closes by September 2008 and will require a national hotel change with a national reservation and national point system. Construction will complete within 24 months of the agreement including a link between the car park and the Springfield Expo center. This will include adding 15,000 square feet of meeting space and improving acoustics in the expo center. They will also be finishing out a kitchen space. Hammons will also include any improvements like sewer extensions.

There are other conditions attached to the agreement including receiving all necessary land use approval, close on sale of property to Opus for BKD building, bond obligations need to be released and development incentives have to be approved. Tax abatement will be provided on the land. John Q. Hammons’ operating control of the Expo center in increased by 20 years and there are four 5-year options.

Three changes from the term sheet agreed to by city staff. “Mr. Hammons would purchase land by September 30, 2008 and start construction by September 30, 2008. ” The amendment says he will begin construction begin 60 days after closing. The term sheet called for Embassy Suites hotel and Hammons asked to the option to consider other providers. The city set as the benchmark the Embassy Suites in Northwest Arkansas. “In his professional opinion if there is a product better for us than Embassy Suites he can proceed with that.” The term sheet said that he would provide portable warming ovens and dish washing equipment. In lieu of that he will provide food for the Expo center from the hotel’s kitchen area and use portable warming units already in use by the hotel.

Councilman Manley commended Ms. Smith on her efforts and her staff doing a first class job in a complex situation.

Councilwoman Collette said she wanted to compliment Ms. Smith and her staff at finding a solution to help keep BKD in downtown and build a hotel that connects to the Expo center and adds to its functionality. “It feels like we’ve gotten everything we’ve needed.” She asked about plumbing in the kitchen and Ms. Smith said plumbing in the kitchen wasn’t included. (Blogger’s note: No plumbing in the kitchen? How would you use dishwashers?)

Ms. Smith said it’s a testament to the developers that they were able to come together and find something to develop for everyone.

Mayor Pro Tem talked about how this council and the previous council have lived with this situation since it was originally going to be a location for Missouri State to build a new arena. “It’s a relief to his council member that we’re not going in the arena business.” He asked about incentives and if they’re the same as offered to other developers on this site and Ms. Smith said yes.

Scott Tarwater of John Q. Hammons’ organization spoke to talk about the costs. He said it was a sixty million dollar plus project. Mayor Pro Tem talked about how the car park is going to be a spark for sixty million dollars worth of development. Mr. Tarwater said that the parking garage was the catalyst and that the project would not be happening without the foresight of the council.

Vote in two weeks.

7:52pm…Council Bill 2008-017. Adopting the Capital Improvement Program. Councilman Burlison spoke on the concerns he raised two weeks prior and what he has discovered about a tricycle park. He found out the land was donated to the city with a caveat that it be used for young children. He doesn’t feel it needs to be removed.

Councilwoman Rushefsky wanted to address the issue. She said the Mayor’s Commission on Children has an interest in giving children a healthy start and a safe place to play and that this project does that. She says the expenditure is critical and if we want to talk about sustainability and that sustainability of our children is critical. She spoke about how children not learning healthy habits will harm them as adults. She shared information about health issues regarding children.

Councilman Manley said that the parks are one of the things that makes this city a great place which to live and play. He commended the Park Board for their efforts and how they provide a service to fit the needs of the citizens of the community.

Councilman Wylie addressed a letter given to Council by a local citizen who is a pediatric nurse and supporting the tricycle park. “Allow the same safety for our children we would give to our dogs.” The letter said the park would be open to children not yet in school and without access to parks connected to community schools. Councilman Wylie reiterated that a lot of these items were approved by the voters and city entities have to spend the funds in the manner given by the voters.

He said the CIP also gives an overview and status report on the improvements to community like sidewalks, intersections, storm water drains and other community improvements.

Councilman Chiles said this was a good process for him as a new member of council to understand the process. He said that only $60 million was new projects while the rest of the $576 million is ongoing projects like the airport or storm sewer improvements. He said this is just a way to throw light on ways the city is making a better future for our children.

Councilman Burlison expressed his thanks to the other council members for allowing the second look at the items on the CIP. He said he couldn’t find any waste in the document but appreciated the fact the time was taken to make sure.

8:08pm…Alice Reinbolt speaks on the issue. She said that living within our means is wonderful and a Springfield trait. She said her problem with the CIP is that she thinks it’s just a portion of the budget for Springfield and the amount considering the state of the economy is abnormally high.

One of the items she was commenting on was having a one stop shop for Planning and Zoning. She wonders if there is a way to reorganize current buildings so that a new building doesn’t need to be built to handle planning and zoning.

She took issue with parks and seven new parks. She said that she understands kids need to get out but “there are such a thing as parenting skills.” (Blogger’s note: so apparently if you have a fat kid you have bad parenting skills…)

She said she wants council to look over the issue carefully.

Councilwoman Collette thanked her for her comments and that they shared some of her concerns. She reminded the speaker that some of the projects receive grants and donations but that they have to be included in the CIP so the project can be completed so the money doesn’t come out of general revenue. Councilwoman Collette spoke about how parks and other items contribute to making this community viable to businesses and having a higher quality of life than if we had nothing but good streets and nothing else.

The speaker said she understands some of the money is coming in from grants and foundations but that given our economic situation in our country that these funds will reduce significantly. She claimed that her neighbors had the same feelings as she did on the issue.

Councilman Wylie addressed the speaker and thanked her for her phone call about the issue. He asked if she had a chance to speak with Jodie Adams of the Park Board about her concerns. She said that she hasn’t done that and Councilman Wylie said that he knows Ms. Adams would be happy to do so.

Councilman Burlison commented that he wanted to reiterate to the speaker that her time wasn’t wasted going online and looking at the information. He said that comments like hers are valued and appreciated.

Public hearing is closed the CIP passes 8-0.

8:19pm…Council Bill 2008-029. Extending the administrative delay on the storage containers ordinance. The new draft is being prepared for the committee. Councilman Chiles asked city staff if this will be the last delay. Staff answered they hoped it would be. Councilman Chiles then asked what happens next in the process. Answer was that after it’s drawn up it goes to planning and zoning for public hearing and then city council for public hearing. Mayor Pro Tem Deaver said that he and Councilwoman Collette have been working on it and that he feels they’ve created a better product that is going to meet the needs of the city in a better way than the previous bill.

Councilman Burlison said this moratorium is worthy of extension and that what is on the books now is “very egregious” and that the delay in moving forward with something new to replace it is worth the time.

Councilwoman Collette said she feels they won’t need anything close to the 180 days they’re requesting.

Bill passes 8-0.

8:23pm…Council Bill 2008-030. Addendum accepting property from City Utilties into the Springfield Park Board System. Jodie Adams of the Park Board said this addendum adds access points to the south shore of Lake Springfield including a trail entrance and fishing area. They have the north side up and running and now they’re ready to add the south side.

Councilwoman Collette wanted to point out the community that part of our parks play a dual role as part of the storm water system.

Councilman Wylie wanted to point out there is more than one entity that is involved with this and asked if they had anything they could post to show those in attendance what land is being added to the system. (Click the link in the council bill to see the pictures. Basically, it’s the land between the power plant and the lake, the boat launch that is already in operation by Highway 65 where it crosses the lake area and the old Highway 65 bridge that is part of the Ozark Greenways.

Councilman Manley said that he gets overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of the Springfield Greene County Park Board. He praised the vision they have for these projects and how they work with other groups like City Utilities to accomplish these projects.

8:32pm…Andy Dalton addresses council on this issue. He wanted to remind the Council and the city that these facilities were built with money from the conservation fund and part of the community assistance fund. He said they have been used and maintained by City Utilities and Missouri Department of Conservation. He said this is excellent and should be done. The 8 cent tax that citizens pay for the Conservation Department have come back to Springfield. Mayor Pro Tem Deaver thanked him for providing the information. Bill passes 8-0.

8:34pm…Council Bill 2008-001. Rezoning land on South Glenstone. Passes 8-0.

8:35pm…Council Bill 2008-002. Changing a heavy manufacturing district to center city district. Councilman Manley was excited to see the redevelopment of an old warehouse into condos. Councilman Whayne commented that there will also be improvements in the intersection of Chestnut and National to make it more viable for traffic. Bill passes 8-0.

8:37pm…Council Bill 2008-003. Rezoning land on East Sunshine from single family district to general retail. (This is the strip of land across Sunshine @ National from St. John’s Hospital.) Councilwoman Rushefsky said she was troubled by the bill. She said that she has real concerns and even though the developer has gone out of his way to address concerns of the neighbors. She feels the original zoning is appropriate because it’s an older neighborhood that is working hard to maintain it’s identity. She says it could be a good vital neighborhood. She understands it would be unrealistic to keep the land vacant.

She said there is a diversion of traffic because of people trying to avoid that intersection even with improvements that have been made there. That’s the first problem…the second is related to the nature of that intersection. That problem is that emergency vehicles will be coming through there and causing people to get out of the way of emergency vehicles. She thinks it’s a hazard and a problem.

(Blogger’s note: You’re going to have traffic anywhere. If those were single family homes, it would be hard to get people to live there with all the heavy traffic on Sunshine. The buildings that surround it on Sunshine is business. We would be worse off not letting this be developed for businesses and bringing in the tax dollars from it. There is ample enough space from the houses behind the property to the property line so that no one is going to have a house right against the new development. It’s time to develop this vacant plot of land. I’m sorry to see Councilwoman Rushefsky again appearing to stand in the way of economic development. She may not be but it always seems that way.)

Councilman Whayne asked about letters of complain from surrounding residents. Councilman Manley said that the lot’s been vacant for a long time and that homes in that area were either demolished or moved away from that area. He said the developer of that land could make terrific use of that land with a general retail that doesn’t impose more traffic than what’s already there.

Councilman Chiles said that this might serve the neighbors to walk or travel short distances to help eliminate environmental factors. This is really a green decision to put business at an already busy intersection that could provide enhancements to the surrounding neighbors.

Mayor Pro Tem Deaver said that this zoning change was because they were acquiring a small house but the rest of the land was already zoned commercial. Bill passes 7-1 with Councilwoman Rushefsky voting no.

8:47pm…Council Bill 2007-004. Authorizing a “use permit” for a wholesale sales and distribution facility in a Highway Commercial District at 3720 West Chestnut Expressway. Councilman Whayne talked about a hearing that was held to address this issue. He was disappointed that only seven of the fifty one residents surrounding the area attended the meeting with the developer.

“This developer is bending over backwards to satisfy some of the needs of the neighborhood.”

Councilman Whayne said he reminded residents the developer met all the requirements for a use permit but that he was going the extra mile to be a good neighbor.  He said the concerns were lights at four in the morning when a truck comes in and Councilman Whayne said he told the person “you should be asleep at that time.”  (Laughter ensued.)   The developer agreed to add shrubbery to help block the lights.

Councilwoman Collette complimented the developer and said this is a good development for this property.    She said that it might be a good idea in the case of notifications that in the future the developer provide the letters to staff and have them mail it out so to prove the letters were sent.  Staff said that could be done.

Mayor Pro Tem Deaver said that when they took testimony that the 350 feet between the development and the surrounding homes was a huge buffer area already but was pleased to see the extra measures used by the developer.   He gave the developer the “above and beyond award” for the month.  Bill passes 8-0.

8:54pm…Council Bill 2008-005.   Bill passes 8-0.

8:55pm…Council Bill 2008-009.  Special ordinance accepting a donation of land from the Springfield R-12 school district where the Springfield Skatepark is currently located.  Councilman Whayne said he thought this was bought for a dollar.  Mayor Pro Tem says that this bill is a straight donation with the caveat the land be used for park purposes.

Councilman Burlison asked “contingent upon receiving a deed” and asked about the status.  Jodie Adams of the Park Board said they are waiting for the deed.  She said they must post it for a short time after approval before it can be donated.  Ms. Adams said that she thinks it’s official on February 11, 2008.  Bill passes 8-0.

8:58pm…Council Bill 2008-015.   Final Development plan at 1935 South Campbell.  Bill passes 8-0.

8:59pm…Council Bill 2008-012.   Allows more flexibility for the Community Development Block Grant program in regards to historic buildings.  Councilwoman Collette asked to have this brought off the consent agenda to highlight this because she felt it’s really a good deal and the staff has done a good job to formulate this deal.  She said it could be a big time saver.  Bill passes 8-0.

9:01pm…Mayor Pro Tem made one final comment about the drop-in meeting regarding the City Manager search.  He thanked Council members who attended and the majority of the search committee for showing up.  He said attendance was “disappointing” and he hopes people take advantage of other meetings around the community.

9:02pm…Microsoft live search maps are now being used in displays for planning and zoning presentations to Council to give better views of land being rezoned.

9:03pm…Councilman Wylie complimented staff on the update regarding city’s response to the audit.

9:04pm…Councilman Chiles asked if they could make links to the live search maps on the agenda for council and the staff didn’t think that was possible.   Councilman Chiles said he would like to see this done.

9:05pm…Meeting adjourns.

5:30pm…we’re live in the Springfield City Council chambers for a public meeting regarding the new City Manager. A variety of members of the committee are here and two members of the public are here along with a few media types.

Initial thoughts: Tim Rosenbury’s glasses remind me of Harry Potter; Nancy Riggs has really cool hair; Wes Pratt’s mannerisms reminds me of Randy Jackson’s in a good way and committee members outnumber the rest of us by a 4 to 1 margin.

5:34pm…Gary Deaver is waiting to see if more people show up to the meeting.

5:35pm…Ralph Manley pats me on the shoulder with a kind word. I guess there’s no hard feelings from my op-ed piece in the News Leader last week.

5:36pm…Councilman Deaver calls the meeting to order and reminds everyone that the committee will be here until about 6:45pm if people want to show up and express their view.

5:37pm…Councilman Deaver updates about the committee progress. He says many of the committee members have sounded off on the difficulty of finding someone to run a city of our size. “We need to look for someone who has experience with a city that’s growing versus a city in decline.” Several meetings have been held with city staff groups about these issues.

I notice committee member David Rolling looks like actor Kevin Tighe. (The guy who owned the bar Patrick Swayze worked at in Roadhouse.)

Mayor Pro Tem Deaver said that once the committee sets up the key attributes they feel are most important they will list them on the website so the public can rank them and let the committee hear their views.

5:41pm…Councilman Deaver opens it up to the public that’s there. The first response was from a man who said he has confidence in the people who are on the committee and he was interested in learning more about the process that has happened to this point. He said it was an interesting time and part of the changes in Springfield like a new school superintendent and new University presidents. He said it was an exciting time and Mayor Pro Tem Deaver agreed and mentioned some of the things that are happening like the College Station project coming out of the ground (which I passed on the way to the meeting and it’s looking good.) He talked about the arena site and finalizing things at the meeting tonight regarding changes to the arena deal.

Mayor Pro Tem said that the internal auditor “will be another calling card to attract a quality city manager. Springfield is set to go to the next level.” “We have a really good process in place.”

5:44pm…Deaver said that City Manager Bob Cumley’s departure date in June 2008 not a drop dead date to get someone in place but rather that he wants to make sure the process is done right.

5:45pm…The ratio of committee members to public (including media) is down to 2 to 1.

5:46pm…Deaver says that many of the staff have turned in the forms also available on the website about what they want to see in the new manager. He said that his phone number is in the phone book if people want to share their views and there have been a lot of good suggestions made to this point.

5:47pm…Bob Horton praised the city for the openness of this process.

5:49pm…Roseann Bentley said the important thing was the ability to reach out and partner with others and that we have to think regionally about Southwest Missouri as the Queen City of the Ozarks.

5:50pm…Councilman Dan Chiles shows up with yet another snazzy looking tie.

5:51pm…Deaver said to Jack Stack that Mr. Stack said we should go into the communities of final candidates and ask people in that community about how involved they really were in their community. Mr. Stack agreed and said that going there and checking it out makes a bigger difference than just calling people on the phone.

5:52pm …Wes Pratt said that whoever is the final candidate needs to work with a diverse community. He said specifically that he’s not talking about just racial diversity but all kinds of diversity. He said the feedback he’s getting is that Springfield is not welcoming to diverse populations and that the feeling of being welcoming starts from the top. He said that he moved back to Springfield to get involved in the local fabric and that he’s been very welcomed and that Springfield is welcoming but that some perceive that is not the case.

5:54pm…Tim Rosenbury was asked about talking with people who left Springfield and want to return about their perspectives regarding what they miss about Springfield. Mayor Pro-Tem Deaver recognized the council members present..Ralph Manley, Cindy Rushefsky, Denny Whayne and Dan Chiles. He also said that Mary Collette wasn’t feeling well and not here because of that. (Get well soon, Mary…take a Tylenol and get to council tonight!!)

5:56pm…Deaver says that honesty and integrity were some of the top attributes mentioned.

5:57pm…Ann Marie Baker, co-chair, is introduced and given a chance to speak. She said that they want to do things to separate them from the other Springfields in the United States and widen the net for our candidates.

David Rolling said that “we want to portray the capacity of this area and the city of Springfield.” “We can not only resume the exceptional potential but take on the challenges that we face today.” (Blogger’s note: RESUME the potential? I didn’t know our potential was stunted…I see potential all over this community. I’m guessing that was just a bad word choice on Mr. Rolling’s part.)

5:59pm…Matt Schelhing talks about selective they are going to be during the process to make the best recommendation possible to City Council.

Nancy Riggs talked about the subcommittee to find a search organization to bring us candidates. She said they want to find someone that will look beyond the candidates just looking for a better opportunity and find someone who was here and wants to come back or who is happy where they are but could be brought here to bring new life into the position.

6:00pm…Mayor Pro Tem Deaver said he hoped this meeting shows the variety of experiences in the community that are contributing to this effort. He was asked a question about if the committee had a time line to hire someone and the answer was they didn’t want to create an artificial time line based on City Manager’s Cumley’s departure.

6:02pm…The subcommittee on the city manager’s job description is progressing and the key thing was the “intangibles of what we want our manager to be…the leadership skills, to be an articulate spokesman for our community, someone of high integrity and high ethical behavior…things beyond the mundane job description of their duties.”

6:03pm…Mayor Pro Tem Deaver said that all of this is just the first step of the committee. After these projects are done they will all move as a group toward screening candidates and narrowing down the list to three to five candidates they will invite to the community.

6:04pm…Councilman Ralph Manley said he was excited to see all the distinguished members here to contribute to the community. He said in addition to what has been mentioned is that people skills is very important and should be added to what’s being searched for in the new manager.

6:05pm…Councilman Whayne was given the chance to speak and he said that the representatives of the different committees have covered much of what he would say but that he agreed with Ralph that people skills is very important to whomever is going to get the job. “How much they’re engaged in the city where they are…where they come from…will say how much they’re engaged in the city here.”

6:07pm…Councilwoman Rushefsky wants to “turn it around just a little bit.” “I know that this community and especially you [Mayor Pro Tem Deaver] have gone out of your way to make this open.” “There are a lot of people out there who want to complain, who want to throw in their two cents” but they won’t show up to these meetings. She expressed disappointment that there were very few citizens at this meeting and that “all of these benches should be filled.”

“Where are you? What do you have to say? Why aren’t you here?”

6:09pm…Mayor Pro Tem Deaver said that e-mails and comments from the public have given a lot of good questions along with city staff groups that have contributed information to the process.

6:10pm…Roseann Bentley asked if there was a place on the internet that could be created for people to leave comments. Mayor Pro Tem Deaver said there was already a place on the website for people to leave their comments about what the committee should be looking for and that later they will list all the key attributes on the website and get citizens to rank their top five and then use those as a guide from the community about what they should be looking to find.

6:11pm…Bob Horton said he wanted to echo Councilwoman Rushefsky’s comments. He said that what is being done talking to city staff is good but that the input of other citizens is so important. He said the committee needs to make sure that voice is heard. However, the public hasn’t taken this opportunity to express themselves and that the committee needs to find other ways to get citizen input.

“However, we can’t read people’s minds. There’s no way for us to know that unless people make their feelings known.”

He asked Evelyn Honea if she could think of the three city managers she’s worked under and if she could pick and choose qualities of each of them what would it be. Mr. Deaver then interrupted to give Ms. Honea a chance to gather her thoughts.

6:14pm…Alice Reinholt, resident of a year. She said she chose to come here and by coming to city council meetings she’s been able to see some of the workings of the city. She said the primary attribute of the city manager would be to look at the situation with new eyes. “This may require someone who is not from Springfield…ideally it would be someone who is familiar with Springfield but has gone elsewhere to get experience as a city manager.” She was asked why she moved here and she said she lived in St. Louis but the taxes were just so high it drove her away.

“The only thing that made me think twice about moving here was looking at crime statistics on the internet.”

Mayor Pro Tem Deaver asked now that she was here how she felt about the crime rate.

“Normally I feel safe walking in her own neighborhood at night. Like any city, there are areas where I wouldn’t be alone by myself at night and I’m getting to know those areas.”

She drew a laugh when she said she’s also learning which parts of our community the thunderstorms usually hit.

6:18pm…David Agee said that he spoke to a person who moved here only a year ago and he said that his perception was that power in this town were people who always lived here and that people who left here bring back different perspectives.

6:20pm…Evelyn Honea said the first thing she would want and has seen in all three is a passion for public service. The second is to gain the respect of whom they work. To reach out and gain the respect of the employees under them. She said she agrees with all the other things but that the top two are passion for public service and ability to get respect of staff.

6:22pm…Mayor Pro Tem Deaver brings the official portion of the meeting to a close but invites the community who may want to comment to come in and talk to the committee members who will be in attendance until the start of the City Council meeting.  He reminded people they can give input via the City’s website.

Don’t forget…tonight the public meeting of the City Manager search committee is at 5:30pm in the council chambers followed by the regular City Council meeting at 7!  Be there or be square!

I’ve been watching a lot of the various local blogs talking about their candidates for the upcoming Presidential primary.  I’ve seen good discussions, I’ve seen slanted discussions and in some cases borderline intolerance of other views.  I’ve seen love, I’ve seen hate and I’ve seen a lot of indifference as many people say they’re not excited about any of the candidates but they had to choose one because election time is drawing near.

I’ve been thinking about the primary and who I wanted to vote for in the Republican primary.  I’ve seen things I like about some candidates but none that really makes me want to run out and say “that’s my guy!”  I supported John McCain in 2000 and I seemed to be leaning his way as time ticked away to the primary.   Then today I saw Larry at Simple Thoughts posted his endorsement of John McCain and it really seemed to make up my mind.

Then I had a thought…this primary is about the fall.  About the candidates running this fall of which one will end up in the White House and with the way the political game is spinning will have virtually unchecked power for four years since their party will hold both houses of Congress.   That’s when it hit me…I need to vote in the primary for who I feel is the candidate that will be the best option come fall when you have to pick between one of two for the White House.

That’s why on Super Tuesday I’ll be casting a vote for Barack Obama.

I’m sure right now all the Republicans who read this blog are going ballistic and will likely start the tired “you’re a liberal” rhetoric that sways no one and makes them look like a one-track pony from the Limbaugh stable.  The Democrats are screaming that someone who’s not been traditionally a Democrat is going to pee in their pool.  To both of those extremes I say you’re the reasons I’m casting this vote.

The Republicans have spent the last four years running away from their conservative ideals and turning their backs on those who believe in conservative values like small government and personal responsibility.   George W. Bush has spent more time trying to shore up a shaky legacy than going out and actually doing things to help American families like finding ways to make health care more affordable in the private sector.  (If you don’t want the government to do it, fine, Mr. President.  That doesn’t mean the system’s not broken and that middle income American families don’t need the help.)  I think Bush’s stances regarding keeping the country safe from terrorists is better than the Democrats have brought to the table but Bush has far overreached on programs that include domestic spying on citizens.  In their zeal to “keep us safe” they opened the door for their political opposition to use those same tactics and I’m sure that’s not what the Bush administration had in mind.

With that in place, it’s very likely that any Republican nominee will have an uphill battle come November because no matter who they are the mainstream media will keep linking them to Bush.  I’m not one to say there’s institutional liberal bias in the media but there is an inherent bias in the reporters who cover the election campaign and they can’t help but be biased in what they do.  It may not be an active bias where they sit there and say they’re going to slant the stories but as human beings we tend to use different words when we’re thinking positive about someone versus negative about someone.   The bias will be in the story tones and we’ll see more stories with a negative tone about the Republican nominee than we will about the Democratic nominee.  (I know that the liberals reading this will deny that this is the case but if you look at the history of where reporters donate their money it’s overwhelming for liberal and Democratic candidates.  The money’s where their mouth is.)

So knowing that in November it’s likely a Democrat will win the White House I have to ask myself if I want to be in a place where I had no say in who that Democrat is going to be.  Why should I lose out on the chance to see the Democrat that I think is the best (or, at least, the lesser of the evils) in the White House?   I’m likely not going to agree with them very much on the issues but if we are going to have a change in the White House then I’d want to see two things:  First, real change and second, a Democrat that would at least acknowledge good ideas and listen to the other side.  I can’t think of the last time a President would actually listen to their opposition and their views even if they didn’t support any of them.  It’s been a war of demonization and telling everyone how the other side is evil and wants to just destroy you while at the same time looking for ways to enrich themselves and consolidate more power.

Demonization, attempts to destroy others, chasing more power…all hallmarks of Hillary Clinton.

Smearing of Republicans and holding them up as evil creatures was the basis of the Bill Clinton campaign and the Clinton Presidency.  Remember Hillary crying about the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy?   Hillary and President Clinton gained their status by feeding on the hate of the far left toward anyone with conservative values and by playing those in the middle against the Republicans by trying to present them as people aimed at taking away freedoms.   They were focused on power and the way to get it was by making people hate their opposition.

Why did Hillary run for Senate in New York instead of Arkansas?   Which state do you think has more power on the national stage?

Hillary Clinton represents and is still exercising the values of politics that helped cause the giant divide in this country.  I see many Hillary supporters that seem to be fueled by hate of those with conservative values or anyone who isn’t endorsing the far-left political agenda.   Then those supporters use the same tactics of their candidate in going after the people personally who are not supporting Hillary.  It causes more division within the country when we’re reaching a point of real division.  People are refusing to even sit down and talk to someone who isn’t of their political persuasion instead of realizing there are a lot of things that bring us together.  When someone can’t sit down for dinner with someone else because they’re of a different political view this country is in real trouble.  We’re there.

Barack Obama is the only Democratic party candidate who at least is willing to acknowledge that Republicans and conservatives have done some good for the country.  While he obviously disagrees with the way conservatives want to solve our current problems he recognizes that his opposition can bring good ideas to the table and is willing to discuss the whole of the issues.   Obama at least seems to be open to the idea that a good idea will come from those who do not have a “D” next to their names on the political roll.  Clinton doesn’t do that.  Edwards doesn’t do that.

So asking myself what I should do with my vote it became clear that I need to cast a vote for the likely winner come November (the Democrat) and that I should vote for someone who actually does seem to believe in change and believe in making America better by trying to heal rifts instead of just trying to grow the ones that are already there.  In that case, the only choice is Barack Obama.

I’m not committing to Obama in the fall.   If McCain’s the Republican nominee I’ll likely vote for him.  I’m not committing to the fall just yet.  I’m just saying that for now as I look to the fall I want to have options between two candidates that I feel are aimed at making America better and the only way to do that is to cast a vote for Barack Obama.  I’d encourage anyone who is planning to vote in the Democratic primary or independents on the fence to take a step in favor of someone in the Democratic party who is not just out to demonize the Republicans and vote Obama.

After watching Larry @ Simple Thoughts of a Complex Mind post his endorsement in the primary races today, I decided that I needed to make up my mind as to who will get my vote on Super Tuesday. I’ve made up my mind and I’m working on the blog to back it up and will be posting it tonight.

I think my choice is going to surprise many but it’s really what I feel is the best thing to do for the future of Missouri and for the United States.

A friend referred me to a site that he said was Republican leaning but had an interesting post calling for an investigation into State Auditor Susan Montee’s audit of St. Peters. (EDIT:  Click “audit of St. Peters” to see the post.  Thanks to Jim @ Busplunge for pointing out it was hard to see where that link was in the blog.)  I’m not sure the evidence presented is compelling enough to declare bias or a deliberate avoidance of facts on Ms. Montee’s case but it does raise some interesting questions.

In light of some Springfield area residents who have questioned the audit of the city and Montee’s impartiality it’s interesting to see another resident in another part of the state with questions about the State Auditor.