Springfield City Council Monday Night

21 02 2008

A reminder that Monday night’s Springfield City Council meeting will have a lot of items on the agenda that would normally not be open to public comment but due to the ice storm during the last meeting the public comment time was extended to this upcoming meeting.  This includes the 25 mile per hour speed limit reduction, salary level for the new city auditor and a host of zoning issues.  So if you wanted to sound off on those items and couldn’t slide in last time here’s your chance to speak!

In addition, there is Council Bill 2008-056:

 A special ordinance authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to execute on behalf of the City, a development agreement between the City of Springfield, Missouri, and 910 Springfield, L.L.C. for the development of an office building; the provision of parking rights in an existing car park facility; the provision of tax incentives; authorizing the execution of documents and the taking of actions consistent therewith; and declaring an emergency.

In case you don’t know the identity of “910 Springfield LLC” it’s the name given to the BKD building project by Opus Development.  Even though the deal was mostly between Opus and John Q. Hammons, there are parts of it that pertain to the city in the Arena Site deal and that’s what will be taken up and discussed.  It is only a first reading and is not scheduled for a vote.  It’s being declared an “emergency” because this way it could be amended before the second reading.

Also, Council Bill 2008-057 is a move to put in place an auditor’s recommendation for a separate account at the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau for miscellaneous expenses.


Comments : 4 Comments »

Categories : 910 springfield llc, agenda, bkd development, city council, springfield

Wand You!

20 02 2008

Sarah Overstreet wrote a column for today’s Springfield News-Leader titled “Fortress Springfield.”  The gist of the column was that in light of the attack in Kirkwood, Missouri it might be a good move to get metal detectors put in place for anyone attending a Springfield City Council meeting.

It’s a sticky situation because we’re talking about adding a level of inconvienience on the off-chance that someone will decide to do the unthinkable and open fire at a Council meeting.  The likelyhood that someone would walk into the chamber and start shooting is negligible.  You would probably have a better chance of being struck by lightning in the parking lot than someone coming to Council and being gunned down.  Still…it’s not a zero percent chance and one that can be prevented with the extra step of a metal detector.

I hate metal detectors.  They’re a pain in the rear at the airport and don’t even get me started on the TSA.   I certainly would not want to get searched and have to dump things into trays for a metal detector when I go to Council meetings.  If I was thinking about only how I feel regarding metal detectors then I’d be on the bandwagon that it’s not necessary.  However, I can’t look past the dead at Kirkwood.  I have to sit back and realize that violence against our council is a viable possibility.

Now, let me state again, I think the chances are low.  Despite the hate that some in our community continually express against Mayor Carlson and some council members I don’t see any of them going beyond insults and anonymous snide comments.  However, it only takes one person to decide they have to do something to make a tragedy a reality.   Whether you like them or not, the members of our city council are willingly putting themselves in a position to receive harsh criticism and attacks from people because of the decisions they make.   Yes, they choose to run for that position but that doesn’t mean we as citizens don’t have at the very least a moral responsibility to provide them with some protection during their times of service.  A metal detector would be only a small price to pay to give a measure of safety and security to the Council members, the staff and the citizens attending those meetings.

Now, I know if someone really wanted to take out a council member they could just find them in town somewhere and do it.  A metal detector isn’t going to provide all encompassing protection.  Still, it’s a good step and unfortunately our society today is to the point where it needs to be seriously considered if not implimented.

Councilman Doug Burlison said “In the case of city council meetings, I believe that we should keep the process as open as possible, thus providing a ‘release valve’ for public frustrations that can, over years, build up into potentially dangerous attitudes.”  I agree with the sentiment that Council meetings should be a release valve for public frustrations.  However, I think of recent situations involving some zoning issues that have created many heated attitudes and comments which haven’t abated because the results from those ventings have not gone in their favor.   How long until that “release valve” just doesn’t work anymore and someone feels they need to go further?

Councilman Burlison also said “I honestly believe that a large part of our modern-day crime epidemic would vanish if the Second Amendment to the Constitution was respected as the practical law of the land.”  Councilman, I agree with you.  Unfortunately, it isn’t respected as that by many people and we can’t operate as if that is the case.

Perhaps a hand-held wand that could be used to search each person would be sufficient to do the job.   It’s something that should at least be investigated.


Comments : 1 Comment »

Categories : city council, sarah overstreet, security, springfield, springfield news-leader

Michelle Obama Clarifies Her Statement

20 02 2008

Michelle Obama made a statement today to clarify to her Saturday comments that”for the first time in my adult life, I am really proud of my country, because it feels like hope is making a comeback… not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change.”

“What I was clearly talking about is that I am proud in how Americans are engaging in the political process,” Michelle Obama told CNN affiliate WJAR after a campaign event in Providence, Rhode Island. “I mean everyone has said what I said, in that we haven’t seen these record numbers of turnouts, people who are paying attention, going to rallies, watching debates.  For the first time in my lifetime I am seeing people rolling up their sleeves in way that I haven’t seen and really trying to figure this out, and that’s the source of pride I was talking about.”

While that certainly makes more sense than what she said on Saturday, I’m not sure I can completely agree with it.  The Presidential election of 1992 between Bill Clinton, Ross Perot and President George Bush, Sr. had significant turnout among new voters (mostly for Clinton and Perot.)   I can agree with her that in terms of sheer numbers there’s been more this time around but I think if you want to talk about involvement and pride in people taking a part in the political process you have to consider the election of 1992.

Now, I know that because of who her husband’s opponent is for the Democratic nomination she really can’t say good things about the election of 1992. :)   Still, to me, it was a good point to take pride in our electoral system because a third party candidate made a viable run for the White House.  It showed that a strong third party candidate could make a run in a national election.   With our country staunchly divided with political parties that seem to cater to the extremes of their wings a strong third party candidate could make a Perot-like run.   I think we need it. :)


Comments : 1 Comment »

Categories : barack obama, michelle obama, politics

A Fun Post

19 02 2008

A lot of heavy political posts lately so here’s a post with some fun cartoons.  The first three are safe for work although they can be addictive!  The last two have some profanity in them so be aware before viewing.

Magical Trevor

CSI: Pie Ami

The Ultimate Showdown Of Ultimate Destiny

Squirrel Songs by Foamy the Squirrel ** Some Profanity **

The Amityville Toaster (with Foamy the Squirrel) ** Some Profanity **


Comments : 2 Comments »

Categories : csi, foamy the squirrel, magical trevor, ultimate showdown of ultimate destiny, weebl and bob

Rejected Marriage Proposal at NBA Game On TV

19 02 2008

If this isn’t fake, I feel really bad for this guy.  If you’re going to do this you need to make darn sure she’s going to say yes ahead of time.

Note at the end someone in the crowd gave the guy a beer.


Comments : 3 Comments »

Categories : nba, rejection, wedding proposal

I Really Hope Michelle Obama Didn’t Really Mean What She Said

18 02 2008

Michelle Obama made this statement Saturday night:

“What we have learned over this year is that hope is making a comeback. It is making a comeback. And let me tell you something — for the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country. And not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change. And I have been desperate to see our country moving in that direction and just not feeling so alone in my frustration and disappointment. I’ve seen people who are hungry to be unified around some basic common issues, and it’s made me proud.”

I really Michelle Obama she didn’t mean what she said in this statement. If she did, then she would be an embarrassment to this nation as the First Lady.

Yes, I mean that it would be an embarrassment because when I heard her statement the first thought that came to mind was how this nation came together to support the families of the firefighters and the police officers lost in the 9/11 attacks in New York. People came together across all political, racial and socio-economic lines to help the families of those brave men and women who died trying to save others trapped in the towers after the horrific attacks. If you cannot be really proud of this country when you see something like that then there is something seriously wrong with the way you look at the world. If you are that jaded that you cannot be moved by the country showing its heart in that manner then your views on this country need to be called into serious question.

If you didn’t think this country had hope at that point you’re foolish. We can’t look now through the filter of time to see what happened afterward and say that it wasn’t a time of hope and coming together for this country. At the time this happened Americans were united behind those families who lost their loved ones and our soldiers who were going to Afghanistan to remove the regime that helped kill over 3,000 of our citizens. If Michelle Obama wasn’t proud of our country at that time then something is seriously wrong with her and it makes you question the advice she’s giving to her husband. (Wikipedia says that she’s “perceived as Barack’s closest advisor.“)

Now, I know what people defending her will say about this…”she was talking about the political arena and not America in general”…but that’s not what she said in her statement. She didn’t say she was only talking about politics. She said it was the first time in her adult life. She was born in 1964 so that would mean she hit adulthood in 1982. Are we to honestly believe that in the 26 years since she’s been an adult people coming together to hope behind her husband and “be unified” is the first time she’s been proud of America? If you’re a strident anti-Bush hater and cannot give any positive notion to anything that is connected to President Bush then look at the outpouring of support from Americans after the Tsunami disaster of 2004. She wasn’t really proud of America then?

Regardless of your political affiliation it’s absurd to say that in the last 26 years the American people have done nothing to make someone really proud of this country and calls into question the statement maker’s judgment of the United States and it’s citizens. Right now, that person is Michelle Obama.

To those reading this who might want to support Michelle Obama in this I really would like you to first say if you agree with her that in the last 26 years there hasn’t been anything to draw more pride in our country than people wanting change in Washington and then if you agree tell me why because I just don’t see how you can look at the responses to 9/11 and the Tsunami disaster and say what she said is a cause of more pride in US citizens than either of those two items I mentioned.


Comments : 27 Comments »

Categories : barack obama, michelle obama, politics, presidential election

Dan Chiles on the Square

18 02 2008

I ran into Councilman Dan Chiles and asked him why saving the fountain wasn’t enough to really represent the Halprin design in a redesign.  He told me that the fountain was Halprin as was the structure at the other end but that the walls surrounding the square…the chief irritant of many around the square…was not part of Halprin’s original design!  As Councilman Chiles understood things the walls were added when the street surrounding the square was improved.  Remove those walls and you have much better access to the square itself.

Now I think I could get on board with renovating the Halprin design instead of just bulldozing and starting from scratch.  If we take out the walls around the square and perhaps smooth the access to the square it could be a compromise that works for everyone and even keeps the developer of the Heer’s Tower happy.


Comments : 1 Comment »

Categories : dan chiles, lawrence halprin, springfield, square

Bill Clinton Lashes Back At Pro-Life Students

18 02 2008

Bill Clinton lashed back at some students at Franciscan University for their holding up signs opposing Hillary Clinton’s positions on abortion.

If you can’t make it out, the former President is saying: “Tell the truth, tell the truth, If you were really pro-life, if you were really pro-life, you would want to put every doctor and every mother as an accessory to murder in prison. And you won’t say you wanna do that because you know, that you wouldn’t have a lick of political support. Now, the issue is who, the issue is, you can’t name me anybody presently in politics that did more to introduce policies that reduce the number of real abortions instead of the hot air putting out to tear people up and make votes by dividing America. This is not your rally. I heard you.”

Now, I don’t agree with former President Clinton on his position or his implied statement that no one’s done more to reduce abortions than himself or Hillary.  I won’t even get started on the dividing America statement because outside of the most partisan Clinton supporters everyone acknowledges that they’ve done as much divisive political rhetoric as anyone else in the political game today.  (”Vast right wing conspiracy” anyone?)

What I do like is him going toe to toe with the protesters.  I know he’s taken heat from some corners for being combative and direct with some people but I think it’s refreshing to see someone just go at it with critics like this.  There’s enough fine tuning of messages and putting every public comment through a focus-group created filter that it gets tiring and counter-productive to real political discourse.  Let former President Clinton lash out at critics (as long as they have the chance to fire back, of course.)

I also agree with him that it wasn’t their rally and to disrupt the rally itself was out of line.  There are places to protest and make their opinion known and voice heard without having to disrupt the actual rally itself.  I’m sure when someone does this to McCain this fall (and someone will) that this group will likely be irate that someone dared to interrupt McCain with pro-abortion rhetoric.  Sometimes I really think college students possess passion without foresight.  They don’t see how their actions might cause ripples down the line for their group in a way they don’t like.  Kind of like when the Bush administration pushed to get spy powers for the Executive Branch that they wouldn’t want their opponents to have when they recapture the White House.


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Categories : Uncategorized

Springfield Gets Trashy Again

18 02 2008

I wrote back in November about a Supreme Court ruling that allowed municipalities to force trash haulers to dispose of collected trash in that municipality’s landfills thus bringing more revenue into the city.   As I said back then, it’s a situation where companies are not going to just roll over and eat the additional cost but rather pass it on to you and I in our bills every month (or in the case of Karmann Refuse Service, my trash hauler, every quarter.)

Well, the Citizen’s Committee on Sustainable Solid Waste Management is scheduled to meet this Wednesday at 4:30 in the 4th floor conference room of the Busch Municipal Building.  The city’s calendar of events doesn’t say that it’s open to the public but I don’t see where they could reasonably deny a citizen who wants to be there to make their voice heard on this issue and make sure that city residents won’t end up with much higher trash bills.   If you want more information you can call Anita Climer at 864-1654 (but don’t call today because it’s a holiday and the office is closed.)


Comments : 1 Comment »

Categories : city council, solid waste management, springfield, trash

Blogaroni Awards Location And Time Set

18 02 2008

The Springfield Blogger’s Association Awards … the Blogaronis … will be given out on Thursday, February 28th at 7:30 at Panera Bread, 500 S. National (near Missouri State.) I don’t know if Larry (of Simple Thoughts of a Complex Mind) is going to be the Master of Ceremonies but if he needs a celebrity to do it, Vincent David Jericho, Ron Davis, Michelle Sherwood, Emily Rittman, Dave Snider or any of the KSPR Weather Guys are bloggers and famous celebrities too. Maybe we could have Emily or Michelle be the model who gives the awards to people and we can get some business to donate the gown in return for their publishing a picture of it on their blog.

Better yet…let’s get Joe and Christine Daues to do it. They could start out the night by saying “it’s so nice to have so many of you in one room who pick apart every newscast and point out every single one of our on-air flubs and flaws. We bought you a special beverage just for this celebratory occasion. OK, all together…drink very deeply…”

Anyway, I hope to have you all come out and enjoy this blog being shut out of any awards and my celebratory dance over the fallen Chris Brewer when he realizes he owes me dinner because I was shut out. If you’re not a local blogger, you can still show up if you’re a fan of local blogs. I know that I’d love to meet the two people who seem to be reading this page. You can see Jim Lee in person and marvel at how he doesn’t look a day over 82.


Comments : 5 Comments »

Categories : blogaroni, local blog, springfield

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