Ike Skelton to appear on Face the Nation

Fourth District Congressman Ike Skelton, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, will be one of the guests on the CBS show Face the Nation Sunday morning.

TAMKO's Humphrey drops $10,000 into Schweich campaign

David Humphreys of TAMKO in Joplin, contributed $10,000 to Republican state auditor candidate Thomas Schweich, according to a 48-hour report filed Friday with the Missouri Ethics Commission.

Barbre may alternate with Tauscher

Allen Barbre, rumored to be heading to backup status for this week's Green Bay Packers game with Tampa Bay, may alternate with others on the offensive line, according to media sources:

Packers coach Mike McCarthy might be toying with the idea of playing Mark Tauscher and Chad Clifton but rotating in youngsters Allen Barbre and T.J. Lang for the thirtysomething veteran tackles during Sunday’s game at Tampa Bay, based on the coach’s cryptic comments following Friday’s practice.

Barbre is a former standout at Missouri Southern State University and East Newton High School.

Hartzler: Obama, Pelosi, Skelton not doing anything about jobs

In a news release issued today, Vicky Hartzler, a Republican challenger to Fourth District Congressman Ike Skelton, ripped Skelton and other top Democrats for their failure to reduce unemployment:

Former state representative Vicky Hartzler stated, "While President Barack Obama, Speaker Pelosi and Congressman Skelton remain focused on what government program to create next and figure out what new tax we have to pay, 190,000 jobs have been lost and our unemployment rate is now above 10%.
“The Obama administration promised that if they passed the stimulus bill unemployment would not rise above 8%. Now that Congressman Skelton’s ever bigger government and more massive debt plan has failed it is time for the right kind of change. Government has become the problem, not the solution, and we need less government, more accountability and lower taxes on working families and retirees.
“This is not an abstract economic argument, this is real and happening at the family tables of far too many people in America and in the Fourth Congressional District.”

Cleaver: Health care bill offers best choices possible

In his EC from DC report, Fifth District Congressman Emanuel Cleaver explains why he supports the House health care bill:

This weekend, something that has not happened in our nation’s history will finally come to fruition. After 50 years of promise, hundreds of previous bills, and nearly a solid year of committee hearings and negotiations, The U.S. House of Representatives will consider and vote on a bill that will make quality, affordable health insurance available to all Americans.

The bill is not perfect, but little if any legislation ever is. But, I believe it represents the best legislation possible at this time. This bill will expand coverage to 36 million Americans, many of whom live in Missouri’s Fifth District.

The bill will strengthen Medicare, introduce competition into the insurance market, extend young people’s ability to stay on their parents’ plans until they are 26, and expand our nation’s health care workforce. It will prohibit insurance companies from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions, close the Medicare Part D donut hole, and ensure mental health parity. In short, the benefits that it will bring to the Fifth District are many and varied but all result in lower costs and healthier citizens.

All three of our offices have taken calls on both sides for months, and the nation has seen the rhetoric get positively poisonous. Thousands rallied yesterday on around the Capitol building. Members of Congress, many colleagues I know to be kind and learned in person, stood yelling about death and killing, throwing and stomping on legislation in the shadow of the dome where so many difficult decisions have been made in our nation’s history.

The hyperbole and hysteria has been fanned. Some in our nation are scared that their benefits will be cut or they will lose the good care they currently have. There are legitimate worries. There are legitimate debates to be had. Please understand I do not mean “legitimate” to indicate only those debates favorable to my position. This piece of legislation is huge, its policies will be transformative and as a Member of Congress it is my responsibility to listen to all arguments, even those I do not agree with.

To be honest, I am more concerned that the vitriol and venom that some have injected into this important discussion have impaired two of our nations most fundamental qualities — a great ability to hear reason and a great willingness to help our neighbors. I think that this is the more realistic danger of this discourse. The damage done to our ability to conduct a civil dialogue may far outweigh any potential decrease in individual health benefits.

To be sure, our nation has had its fair share of heated and even violent debates. I am not trying to be Pollyannaish. However, in the world’s greatest democracy surely we do not have to stir hatred of the least among us to advance our own cause.

This is what I am hearing all too often in protests and phone calls: “I should not have to pay for THEM” and often, “It is not MY fault that THEY do not have health care”.

I believe that each individual is responsible for their own actions. However, that belief is not inconsistent with the also having a common obligation to one another as Americans and even more basically as human beings.

I am sorry that this conversation has boiled down to and US versus THEM matrix of decision making. It is simply not true that if we give those who cannot afford it a chance at good quality health care, it must necessarily lead to a reduction of benefits for those who enjoy their health care now.

The Constitution charges the federal government to provide for the general welfare of its people. This Congress is finally taking up an issue that both parties agree squarely threatens our common welfare. If we do not address rising health care costs now, the number of people who can afford health care will continue to decrease and the number of people taxpayers will need to support will increase. Additionally, our shared obligation to care for our seniors is threatened when health care costs raise over 10 percent a year for the Medicare program. It is simply unsustainable in very short order unless something changes.

There is a very clear and practical reason we must address health care costs now in a way that does more than just nibbles around the edges. It is rapidly becoming the largest single expenditure of the federal government. It currently costs the federal government $100 billion each year to cover the uninsured. That number is rising. Just as if your household was not making ends meet you would look to see where you were spending the most money, so too should the government.

There are two crises we are seeking to solve. 1) Too many Americans are unhealthy and dying because they do not have access to care or have been denied access to care. 2) Health care costs are eating up too much of the annual federal expenditures and unless something can be done to bring down costs, benefits will have to be cut.

I believe this bill will go a long way toward solving these crises.

For most of you, nothing will change in regards to your health care. Your doctor and insurance will stay the same and we hope that in a very short period of time you or your employer will see a decrease in your rates. For those with young adults in college or not yet on their own, they will be able to be on your insurance until they are 26. For those of you who are seniors, the dreaded coverage donut hole will be filled reducing your costs while maintaining your current benefits.

For those of you who do not have insurance, the days of using the emergency room as a primary care physician will come to an end. Just as state laws require drivers to have auto insurance to be on the road, you will be required to have health care coverage, which you can purchase through a national Exchange. There will be assistance for those premiums for those who cannot pay.

No American will be denied coverage because of a preexisting condition, nor can you be dropped from your coverage if you fall ill.

Ninety-six percent of Americans will be covered under this plan. The CBO projects that the bill will save $30 billion over the first 10 years. It has been endorsed by both the American Medical Association and the American Association of Retired Persons. It is a bill that I will be proud for history to judge.

We are getting lots of specific questions around these key provisions in the bill and I wanted to share some answers to a few of the most common.

Are Members of Congress exempt from this legislation?

I have to tell you, I have gotten this question a countless number of times. It seems that what most people are concerned with when they ask about this is whether or not Members of Congress are going to enroll in the public option.

I currently have insurance from Blue Cross/Blue Shield which was the plan I selected as part of my benefits, just as many of you do who work for companies that provide health care.

People who receive health insurance from their employer are not eligible to enter the Exchange under this legislation. However, bill has been changed to say that Members of Congress may enroll in the public option, if they so desire. We are the only group of citizens who currently have employer based insurance but have the opportunity to enroll in the public option. While not required, I imagine many will enroll. I will certainly look to see what it has to offer and who it compares to what I currently carry.

There is a perception that Members have “gold plated” health insurance. While it is certainly good, I am still fighting a 13 month battle over a claim that has been denied — just like many of you. My insurance is no different than that which is carried by hundreds of thousands of other federal employees.

Is this a slippery slope toward a government-run national health care system?

That isn’t going to happen with this bill. This bill is going to cover 36 million more Americans. The majority of those people are not going to enroll in the public option. They are going to enroll in private insurance, increasing private insurance participation by millions. I would say that all the people who oppose the public option because they suggest that it will lead to a government takeover of health care are themselves proof that it will not. Perhaps, in this case, distrust of government will guarantee the very thing that is feared will not happen.

A lot of our community’s seniors are concerned about the effect that this health care bill will have on their Medicare benefits. Can you explain how the bill will affect senior citizens?

The House bill will not cut basic Medicare benefits. The provisions aimed at cutting costs in Medicare are all targeted toward waste and fraud in the system. I will admit I had some concerns about these provisions in the first House bill, but in the new version, these provisions have been tightened to ensure that their impact falls on the intended targets and will not reduce Medicare benefits. In fact, this bill will improve Medicare. It will close the donut hole and lower costs for preventative services, as well as making the system more efficient and run more smoothly. I would never vote for any legislation that negatively affects seniors in our community.
Are House Democrats really making an effort to be bipartisan in this reform effort? Some have charged that they are unwilling to consider a Republican health care reform bill.

First of all, let me say that there is not really a Republican health care reform bill. They have only this week in a closed door process gotten together some ideas for a substitute amendment to HR 3962. Their amendment will not prohibit insurance companies from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions, nor will it make any great strides to cover almost all Americans. Many Republican amendments have been folded into the bill at the committee level and many of their statements to the public have been considered and the bill has been amended as such. That said, they are clearly part of the debate, as is their substitute amendment.

The CBO just released its assessment of the Republican substitute amendment and says would cut the deficit by $68 billion over ten years, less than the Democratic bill, which cuts the deficit $129 billion over the same time frame. The CBO also says the Republican plan would leave 52 million people uninsured in 2019, more than the 46 million uninsured today.
I will vote against the substitute amendment.

Does this bill pay for health care for illegal immigrants?

No. In fact, on page 267, in Section 347 of the bill it clearly states, “Nothing in this subtitle shall allow Federal payments for affordability credits on behalf of individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States.” I urge you to look it up for yourself. The full text of the bill is available here >>> http://docs.house.gov/rules/health/111_ahcaa.pdf

How does this bill treat abortion coverage?

The House bill explicitly states that no federal funds may be used for abortion coverage except in the cases of rape, incest, or when the life of the mother is endangered. Any person who chooses a plan that includes other kinds of abortion coverage will have to pay that part of their premium with their own private funds. No federal money is paying for abortions that are not already allowed to be covered by federal funds. Not all plans in the Exchange will cover abortion services for which federal funding is not allowed, and some may not cover any kind of abortion at all.

Now the top 10 things the bill will do:

1. REDUCES THE DEFICIT MORE—According to the CBO, the revised bill reduces the deficit by $30 billion over the first 10 years. (The original bill reduced the deficit by $6 billion over the first 10 years). The revised bill also continues to reduce the deficit over the second 10 years.

2. ENDS HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES’ BLANKET EXEMPTION FROM ANTI-TRUST LAWS—In order to open up health insurance markets to real competition, the revised bill ends insurers’ blanket exemption from anti-trust laws, bringing antitrust enforcement to the two most abusive practices of health insurers – price fixing and market allocation.

3. EXTENDS COVERAGE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE UP TO 27TH BIRTHDAY THROUGH PARENTS’ INSURANCE—The revised bill requires health plans to allow young people through age 26 to remain on their parents’ policy, at their parents’ choice.

4. CREATES A NEW, VOLUNTARY, PUBLIC LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE PROGRAM—The revised bill creates a long-term care insurance program to be financed by voluntary payroll deductions to provide benefits to adults who become functionally disabled. The measure provides a cash benefit to help individuals with community-based services.

5. EXEMPTS SMALL BUSINESSES WITH PAYROLLS BELOW $500,000 FROM
EMPLOYER MANDATE—The revised bill exempts a greater number of small businesses from the employer mandate – exempting 86% of all America’s businesses. Specifically, the bill exempts firms with payrolls up to $500,000 (instead of $250,000) from the mandate and provides only a graduated penalty for not offering coverage for firms with payrolls between $500,000 and $750,000 (instead of firms with payrolls between $250,000 and $400,000.)

6. LIMITS THE “HEALTH CARE SURCHARGE” TO MILLIONAIRES—Under the revised bill, only the wealthiest 0.3% of Americans would pay a surcharge on the portion of their income above $500,000 (instead of $280,000) for individuals and $1 million (instead of $350,000) for couples, in order to help make health insurance affordable for middle class families.

7. ADDRESSING GEOGRAPHIC VARIATIONS IN MEDICARE PAYMENTS/MOVING TO MEDICARE PAYMENTS REWARDING QUALITY AND COST-EFFECTIVENESS—The revised bill provides that the Institute of Medicine (IOM), through two studies, will make recommendations on how to fix the current Medicare reimbursement system, including addressing current geographic variations. Under the bill, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will implement the IOM recommendations on changes to Medicare payment systems unless disapproved by Congress

8. BEGINS CLOSING THE MEDICARE PART D DONUT HOLE IMMEDIATELY—The revised bill moves forward the effective date of reducing the donut hole by $500 and instituting a 50% discount for brand-name drugs in the donut hole, from January 1, 2011 to January 1, 2010. It also completes elimination of the donut hole by 2019 (instead of 2024).

9. IMMEDIATE HELP FOR THE UNINSURED (INTERIM HIGH-RISK POOL)—To fill the gap before the Exchange is available, the revised bill immediately creates an insurance program with financial assistance for those who have been uninsured for several months or denied a policy because of pre-existing conditions.

10. HHS NEGOTIATION OF DRUG PRICES—Under the revised bill, the Secretary of HHS is required to negotiate drug prices on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries.

Honoring our veterans

In her latest capitol report, Rep. Marilyn Ruestman, R-Joplin, pays tribute to our veterans:

Wednesday marks the 90th Veterans Day to honor those who have served and fought for our country in the armed services. We should all thank our veterans for the sacrifice they have given to protect our freedom and rights.

President Woodrow Wilson was the first to honor veterans with a holiday. He declared November 11, 1919, as “Armistice Day” to honor those who served in World War I.

In 1938, it became an official holiday in law and was described as “a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated.” In 1954, President Eisenhower signed a new law officially renaming the holiday “Veterans Day” to honor all veterans rather than just those from World War I.

As the wife and daughter of veterans, I have heard many stories of time served in the military during a war. The sacrifices my father and husband made were not small. This Wednesday, please thank a veteran. Please thank the families of those currently serving for their dedication to our nation as well. There are many resources to support our troops currently serving. Two very helpful websites are:
http://www.operationmilitarysupport.com and http://www.adoptaussoldier.org.

On this Veterans Day please be reminded of the bravery and dedication of all those who have served our country over the centuries and presently. It is a blessing to live in a nation where people are willing to give their lives to protect their neighbors. Because of these many strong men and women we are able to live, work, worship and speak freely.

Sealed documents: Jeff Smith jockeying for lighter sentence

Disgraced former Sen. Jeff Smith is jockeying for less time when he is sentenced Tuesday, Nov. 17, but none of us are going to be able to tell just what reasoning Smith and his lawyer are using in their efforts.

Following the same formula applied Thursday to the sentencing memorandum filed by former Rep. Steve Brown, D-St. Louis, Judge Carol Jackson sealed Smith's sentencing memorandum, which according to the docket, included 13 supplements.

Brown, of course, has become notorious since information about his guilty plea was first revealed, for his willingness to put the blame on dead colleague Artie Harris. From the Aug. 25 Turner Report:

Not knowing that his conversation was being overheard by the feds, Sen. Jeff Smith, who resigned his seat and pleaded guilty to two felony counts of obstruction of justice, tried to talk his co-conspirator, Rep. Steve Brown, into blaming everything on the late Artie Harris.

During a June 30 meeting at Starbuck's Cafe in Clayton, Smith told Brown, "Can you put it on Arnie?" Smith asked. "If you can just put it on Arnie." Arnie Harris, a key member of Jeff Smith's 2004 Congressional campaign, died shortly after being interviewed by the FEC about accusations, since proven to be factual, that Smith's campaign worked with Milton "Skip" Ohlsen on the direct mailing of attack literature against the eventual winner of the Democratic primary, Russ Carnahan.

Smith continued to take that cowardly approach during another meeting with Brown and 2004 campaign treasurer and co-conspirator Nick Adams June 30 at Smith's home, again with the FBI listening in.

Smith and Adams tag-teamed Brown to get him to lay the entire blame on Harris. Adams said, "I'm alive and Artie's dead. Can was emphasize this was Artie's deal?"

Smith added, "Artie would totally want us to throw him under the bus here."

Smith, not realizing his conversation was being monitored by an FBI wiretap June 1 confirmed his connection to an unsuccessful backdoor attempt to derail Russ Carnahan's successful primary bid for the House seat being vacated by Richard Gephardt:

"Did I know (Milton Ohlsen) was going to do something/" Smith told his co-conspirator, Rep. Steve Brown during the telephone conversation. "Yeah, I mean I thought he was going to do something. If I didn't think he was going to do something, hen I would have said to Artie (Harris) and Nick (Adams) don't waste your time talking to that guy."

"I vividly remember somebody being like well (Ohlsen) wants to do this, and I was like, well, f------ let him do it, sweet. And they're like, well, he's going to need the money to do it, he'll need to get it from your donors, and I said, like hopefully, my donors will give it to him."

The court documents indicate another conversation between Smith and Brown, this one face to face was also monitored. During that conversation, Smith talked about what evidence the FBI had against him "I don't think he (Ohlsen) taped any phone conversations with me. I mean, I pray he didn't. I may have had a phone conversation with him where I acknowledged what he was doing."

Smith then admitted he was fully aware of what Ohlsen was doing. "I'm assuming that I broke the law by having knowledge of what (Ohlsen) was going to do. I don't know how they could prove that."

Smith then told Brown to lie to investigators. "Don't do anything stupid," he said. "Stupid would be telling them that things that are happening in your brain."
Smith said when he was interviewed he would be "Ninety percent honest."

Judge seals Steve Brown sentencing memorandum

Former Rep. Steve Brown's plea for leniency in his sentencing can no longer be viewed by the public.

U. S. District Court Judge Carol E. Jackson approved a motion from Brown's attorney Thursday to seal the memorandum, which was first revealed in the Nov. 4 Turner Report. Apparently, the memorandum was a bit embarrassing for Brown, who resigned his Missouri House seat Aug. 25 after pleading guilty to felony election conspiracy charges.

The sentencing for Brown, a St. Louis Democrat and former assistant attorney general under Jay Nixon, is scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, in St. Louis.

The now-sealed document suggested Brown should receive a lighter sentence because he cooperated with the FBI to nail his co-conspirators former Sen. Jeff Smith, D-St. Louis, and Smith's treasurer in his unsuccessful 2004 race for Congress, Nick Adams:

He was not charged in a second conspiracy count (as were two other defendants) for the reason that at all times involving that count he was not a participant in any wrongful conduct but in fact was acting in cooperation with and at the direction of the
Federal Bureau of Investigation. When first interviewed by the FBI Agents concerning the circumstances relating to a cover up to thwart an inquiry being conducted by the Federal Election Commission, Mr. Brown was immediately forthright and completely
truthful. He realized that what he had done to help derail the review being conducted by the Federal Election Commission was unlawful and morally wrong as well.

Consequently, without hesitation he endeavored to remedy the situation as best he could by being candid and completely truthful with the agents. He also actively participated in cooperation with them in the furtherance of their investigation.

Brown offered recommendations on how he could serve the community better through pro bono work, though not as a lawyer since he has surrendered his license. He also noted that he had to resign from the House of Representatives and from a position as a trustee of Blackburn College:

When considering the aforementioned consequences taken together with the embarrassment and humiliation suffered by Mr. Brown by reason of the high profile of this matter, it seems that the Court’s duty to impose a sentence sufficient but not great
than necessary would be satisfied without incarceration.

Mr. Brown is 42 years old, married to Rebecca and they are the parents of two young children, ages 5 (Ben) 2 (Sarah). Until now, Mr. Brown, as well as his family has enjoyed an exemplary reputation in this community, both for their public service and
their charity. This has been strongly attested to by the volume and content of the letters the Court has received in support of Mr. Brown.

It is respectfully submitted and requested that Mr. Brown not be incarcerated. A sentence of probation with significant community service as its principal requirement would seem to satisfy the requirements of Title 18, Section 3553. Although he has no law license, a position (pro bono) with the Eastern Missouri Legal Services Office would benefit the community, as well as himself. Under such an arrangement Mr. Brown could assist staff lawyers, however, could not advise clients, could not appear in court or perform any other function ordinarily done by an attorney. This type of activity has been approved in the past for lawyers who have been disbarred and in fact has been encouraged.

Globe runs story of reporter accused of sex with 14-year-old girl

Though it is not on the homepage of the Joplin Globe website as of this writing, the Globe has posted an article on the arrest of one of its former reporters on a charge involving sex with a 14-year-old girl.

Reporter Jeff Lehr, quite properly, included Williams' connection with the Globe early and prominently in the story, referring to it again at the story's conclusion:

The second paragraph of the story features this information:

A criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Springfield charges Colby L. Williams, 24, who worked this summer as an intern at the Globe, with having sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl while in the Mediterranean country of Cyprus in 2007 with the missionary group Team Expansion of Louisville, Ky.

This information was included in the final paragraph:

Williams worked as an intern at the Globe for four weeks this summer and performed some freelance videography for the newspaper after the internship.

Star editorial: Restore campaign contribution limits

In an editorial published Thursday, the Kansas City Star recommended the restoration of campaign contribution limits:

Missouri moved into dangerous territory by lifting caps on donations. Big donors bring big expectations. Why put taxpayers at risk of favors going to deep-pocket contributors? Or put politicians at risk of appearing to favor those donors?

Reasonable caps on individual donors must be reinstituted to avoid even the appearance of benefits flowing to the highest bidder

.

GateHouse Media CEO: Cash flow stabilizing

In the news release detailing his company's third quarter results, GateHosue Media CEO Michael Reed noted that this company's cash flow and revenue trends are stabilizing. The news release is printed below:

GateHouse Media, Inc. (the "Company" or "GateHouse Media") (OTC Pink Sheets: GHSE) today reported financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2009.
The Company reported total revenues of $144.9 million, a decline of 15.0% versus prior year. As Adjusted Revenues were $143.5 million for the quarter, down 14.9% on a same-store basis versus the prior year quarter. The decline in same-store revenue was driven primarily by the print classified and local advertising categories, which were down 28.5% and 13.7%, respectively. Both categories continue to be impacted by the recession. Circulation revenue declined 3.6% in the quarter on a same-store basis.
In the quarter, reported operating and SG&A costs declined by $23.2 million or 16.3%. Same-store expenses declined by 15.2%, driven by compensation expense which declined 14.3%. Expense declines in the quarter reflect permanent cost reduction initiatives implemented primarily in the first half of the year. In addition, declines in newsprint pricing and consumption resulted in a 37.8% reduction in newsprint expense. Although newsprint prices have begun to increase, the Company anticipates it will continue to benefit from moderate newsprint prices and consumption declines during the remainder of the year.
Reported operating income for the third quarter was $14.0 million, a 44.2% increase from $9.7 million in the prior year. As Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $27.3 million, which was down 13.6% on a same-store basis from the prior year. As Adjusted EBITDA performance is improving as the Company realizes the full benefit of permanent cost reduction initiatives.
Levered Free Cash Flow for the third quarter was $11.1 million or $0.19 per share. This represents an 11.8% increase from $0.17 in the prior year, driven by lower interest expense and capital expenditures. Interest expense for the quarter was $15.7 million, down $5.9 million or 27.1% as compared to the prior year. The decline in interest expense was due primarily to lower LIBOR rates.
Non-cash compensation expense for Restricted Stock Grants in the third quarter was $0.7 million.
One-time costs and other non-cash expenses in the quarter were $0.9 million, and related primarily to reorganization and expense control initiatives introduced to realize permanent expense savings.
Commenting on GateHouse Media's results, Mike Reed, Chief Executive Officer, said, "While current economic conditions continue to present a challenging revenue environment, the permanent cost reduction initiatives we implemented this year resulted in higher EBITDA margins and increased levered free cash flow in the quarter.
"Revenue trends are showing signs of potential stabilization in terms of nominal dollars. Our total same-store revenue declined 14.9% in the third quarter, a slight improvement over 15.2% and 16.3% in the first and second quarters, respectively. September was our strongest month based on year-over-year revenue performance and we are encouraged that this trend may continue as we enter what has historically been our seasonally best quarter.
"Due to the cost initiatives put in place in the first half of the year, our As Adjusted EBITDA margin has improved each quarter, reaching 19.0% in the third quarter, compared to 16.6% and 6.7% in the first and second quarters, respectively. Solid As Adjusted EBITDA results, combined with lower interest expense and capital spending resulted in levered free cash flow of $0.19 per share in the third quarter compared to $0.16 per share in the second quarter and $0.17 last year.
"In addition to ongoing cost reduction initiatives, we continue to focus on strengthening our balance sheet, in particular, working capital and liquidity. During the third quarter, we were able to improve our short term liquidity position by retiring $16.0 million of short term debt at a discount."

GateHouse Media owns The Carthage Press, Neosho Daily News, Pittsburg Morning Sun and more than 300 newspapers across the United States.

Skelton opposes House health care bill

Some Democrats, including Fourth District Congressman Ike Skelton, oppose the House health care plan outlined this week by Speaker Nancy Pelosi:

“I oppose the creation of a government-run public insurance program and continue to have serious concerns about its unintended consequence for Missourians who have private insurance plans they like,” he said in a statement issued this week.

Mr. Skelton also expressed concerns that the bill would allow tax dollars to pay for abortions, a worry that led 40 Democrats to send a letter to House leaders urging them to tighten provisions to prevent federal money from paying to terminate pregnancies.

Former Joplin Globe reporter Colby Williams accused of sex with 14-year-old

A felony sex charge involving an underage girl has been filed against a reporter whose byline graced the Joplin Globe's newspaper through early August.

Documents filed in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri indicate Colby Williams, 24, Joplin, has been charged with coercion or enticement of a minor female. He was released on a personal recognizance bond and is scheduled to be arraigned Nov. 24 in Springfield.

On his online resume, Williams, a senior at Missouri Southern State University, calls himself a "freelance writer," who has worked for the Joplin Globe from May 2008 to the present. The resume also notes that Williams received the Good Citizen Award from the Daughters of the American Revolution in Salem, Ill., in 2004.

Williams' crime allegedly took place in 2007 in Cyprus, according to an affidavit written by Timothy F. Quinn, special agent for immigration and customs enforcement:
:

An investigation was initiated by the ICE Office of Investigations in St Louis, Missouri, in July, 2007, based upon a complaint filed with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The complaint alleged that while he was in Cyprus traveling with a missionary group, Colby L. Williams engaged in sexual acts with a fourteen year-old female. The missionary group, Team Expansion of Louisville, Kentucky, immediately arranged for Williams to return to the United States. The Security
Director of the organization, Jim Richter, traveled to Cyprus and took possession of certain personal items that had belonged to Williams, including a laptop computer and digital camera. Richter turned these items over to ICE agents at Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport on May 23, 2007.

An investigation was initiated by the ICE Office of Investigations in St Louis, Missouri, in July, 2007, based upon a complaint filed with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The complaint alleged that while he was in Cyprus traveling with a missionary group, Colby L. Williams engaged in sexual acts with a fourteen year-old female. The missionary group, Team Expansion of Louisville, Kentucky, immediately arranged for Williams to return to the United States. The Security
Director of the organization, Jim Richter, traveled to Cyprus and took possession of certain personal items that had belonged to Williams, including a laptop computer and digital camera. Richter turned these items over to ICE agents at Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport on May 23, 2007.

Richter supplied your Affiant with a written account of an internal interview conducted between himself, Colby Williams, and Glen Gibson, Vice President and Training Director for Team Expansion International Services. Williams admitted to Richter and Gibson that he had sexual contact with the then-fourteen year old victim, referred to herein as “Victim 1”. Williams also stated that he was aware of Victim 1’s age prior to any sexual contact that had taken place in Cyprus.

Colby Williams was interviewed by your Affiant and a Joplin, Missouri, Police Dept. Detective at his residence on July 28, 2008. During the course of that interview, Williams again admitted that while in Cyprus in 2007, he engaged in sexual acts with
Victim 1, (description was provided at this point of the sex acts). Williams stated that he knew her age to be fourteen when they met in Cyprus. Also at that time Williams signed a Consent to Search Computer/Electronic Equipment form for his Apple laptop computer, and other electronic items which had been turned over to ICE agents by Jim Richter. A subsequent forensic examination of that laptop computer revealed explicit sexual text conversation between Williams and Victim 1.

On October 1, 2008, Victim 1 was interviewed at a Child Advocacy Center in Tyler, Texas, about the events that had transpired in Cyprus in 2007. Victim 1 detailed in the videotaped interview how various sexual encounters with Colby Williams had
unfolded.

In August, 2009, your affiant spoke via telephone with Williams, and was told by Williams that he has been in the process of moving from his parents’ home in Sikeston, MO, back to Joplin to begin an internship with the Joplin Globe newspaper. The usual investigative means to locate an individual revealed only previous addresses for Williams. Internet research conducted on Williams in September, 2009, showed him to be listed on several web sites related to journalism and the Joplin Globe, and he was also listed on websites related to a group known as Mwangaza International, which is dedicated to helping refugees in war-torn areas of Africa.

***
(Randy Turner's new book, Newspaper Days, is available at Amazon.com.)

Blunt at House Call Conference: Republicans have better ideas

During a brief speech at the House Call Conference this morning, Seventh District Congressman Roy Blunt ripped into Democrat health care plans and said the Republicans are the ones with the better plan:

Obama condemns Fort Hood shooting rampage

President Barack Obama has issued a statement condemning the shooting spree at Fort Hood today, which left 12 dead and 31 injured:

"These are men and women who have made the selfless and courageous decision to risk, and at times, give their lives to protect the rest of us on a daily basis," the president said.

"It's difficult enough when we lose these brave Americans in battles overseas," he said. "It is horrifying that they should come under fire at an Army base on American soil."

Kinder issues statement on Fort Hood shooting

Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder issued the following statement concerning the shootings today at Fort Hood:

"Today, our nation mourns for those who have lost their lives in this senseless act of violence. At this hour, we know at least one Missourian, Keara Bono, 21, of Independence, was injured in the shootings.

“I offer my thoughts and prayers to Keara and her family, and to families of those who are dead and wounded.”

Cynthia Davis, a pistol-packing mama

In her latest column, Rep. Cynthia Davis, R-O-Fallon, addresses gun laws and lets the world know she now has a permit to pack heat.

Here I am at my St. Charles County Sheriff’s Department to pick up my permit. I paid $100 for the privilege of participating in my second amendment rights. I still would rather have a strong hero come to my rescue if in trouble. At least that’s the way it happens in the movies! Then again, I only like to watch movies with happy endings.

Going through the process was valuable and helpful in understanding our gun laws. One concern I have with the current law is that guns are prohibited in churches. This means there is no defense for the members if a criminal act is attempted or perpetrated. There is a provision in another section of Missouri statues allowing an override of this prohibition, but why should this section of the law exist it at all? This subjects churches to state laws in an area where the state should be silent. It’s as though the state does not consider churches capable of defining acceptable standards within their own jurisdiction.

Churches do not belong to the state. Therefore the state is overstepping its bounds by taking gun-possession decisions away from the churches. The state would do well to delete this issue for the same reason that we do not dictate what people can do in the privacy of their own homes. Most of us were taught as children that the church is God’s house. Just think how differently things may have turned out if it were not for a heroic woman with a gun at the New Life Church in Colorado.

When well motivated and properly trained people demonstrate personal responsibility to protect themselves against law-breakers, it saves costs of law enforcement and human suffering. The State of Vermont does not require a permit to carry a concealed gun. Former Vermont Representative, Fred Maslack, went a step further in 2000 by introducing House Bill 760 which encouraged residents to protect themselves against crime. Under his bill, adults who choose not to own a firearm would be required to register their names, addresses, Social Security Numbers, and driver's license numbers with the state. "There is a legitimate government interest in knowing who is prepared to defend the state should they be asked to do so," Maslack says. This bill did not pass.

I am not intending to introduce anything like this, nor do I know of any other states entertaining this idea, but it shows how other people in our country feel about the benefits of gun ownership and the importance of being able to protect the innocent.

When I was on the O’Fallon board of Aldermen I went through the Citizens Police Academy. During the classes the police officers emphasized the importance of the good guys staying in control at all times. I don’t like violence, yet I recognize that a strong defense is the best deterrent to violent behavior.

(Photo: Cynthia Davis is shown with her gun permit)

***
(Randy Turner's new book, Newspaper Days, is available at Amazon.com.)

Court filing: Steve Brown's aid to FBI should result in lighter sentence

In a memorandum filed Monday in U. S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, former Rep. Steve Brown, D-St. Louis, says he should receive a lighter sentence on his felony election conspiracy charge due to his work in helping the FBI nail his co-conspirator, Sen. Jeff Smith, D-St. Louis.

Brown's attorney notes that FBI officials could testify that Brown's help, resulted in "four other felony convictions that would have been difficult or unlikely..."

The court document notes that Brown's help with the FBI investigation began almost immediately:

He was not charged in a second conspiracy count (as were two other defendants) for the reason that at all times involving that count he was not a participant in any wrongful conduct but in fact was acting in cooperation with and at the direction of the
Federal Bureau of Investigation. When first interviewed by the FBI Agents concerning the circumstances relating to a cover up to thwart an inquiry being conducted by the Federal Election Commission, Mr. Brown was immediately forthright and completely
truthful. He realized that what he had done to help derail the review being conducted by the Federal Election Commission was unlawful and morally wrong as well.

Consequently, without hesitation he endeavored to remedy the situation as best he could by being candid and completely truthful with the agents. He also actively participated in cooperation with them in the furtherance of their investigation.

Brown offered recommendations on how he could serve the community better through pro bono work, though not as a lawyer since he has surrendered his license. He also noted that he had to resign from the House of Representatives and from a position as a trustee of Blackburn College:

When considering the aforementioned consequences taken together with the embarrassment and humiliation suffered by Mr. Brown by reason of the high profile of this matter, it seems that the Court’s duty to impose a sentence sufficient but not great
than necessary would be satisfied without incarceration.

Mr. Brown is 42 years old, married to Rebecca and they are the parents of two young children, ages 5 (Ben) 2 (Sarah). Until now, Mr. Brown, as well as his family has enjoyed an exemplary reputation in this community, both for their public service and
their charity. This has been strongly attested to by the volume and content of the letters the Court has received in support of Mr. Brown.

It is respectfully submitted and requested that Mr. Brown not be incarcerated. A sentence of probation with significant community service as its principal requirement would seem to satisfy the requirements of Title 18, Section 3553. Although he has no law license, a position (pro bono) with the Eastern Missouri Legal Services Office would benefit the community, as well as himself. Under such an arrangement Mr. Brown could assist staff lawyers, however, could not advise clients, could not appear in court or perform any other function ordinarily done by an attorney. This type of activity has been approved in the past for lawyers who have been disbarred and in fact has been encouraged

Brown is not the only defendant angling for a lighter sentence. As The Turner Report first noted on Oct. 27, Smith has also filed court documents disputing pre-sentencing recommendations, only his filing was sealed and is not open to public scrutiny:

In a sealed document filed today in U. S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Smith objected to the presentence investigation report. That would indicate the government is planning to recommend more prison time than Smith is wanting to serve.

Smith resigned from the Senate Aug. 25, the same day he pleaded guilty to the charges which involve running a smear campaign against Russ Carnahan, his opponent in the 2004 Congressional primary.

In a self-serving statement issued to his supporters that day, Smith softpedaled his actions, while concentrating heavily on his accomplishments in office.

Details revealed in court documents showed that Smith not only went along with a coverup of the activities of his operative, Milton Ohlsen during the primary campaign, but he also was willing to throw the blame on one of his former campaign aides who had died earlier. From the Aug. 25 Turner Report:

Not knowing that his conversation was being overheard by the feds, Sen. Jeff Smith, who resigned his seat and pleaded guilty to two felony counts of obstruction of justice, tried to talk his co-conspirator, Rep. Steve Brown, into blaming everything on the late Artie Harris.

During a June 30 meeting at Starbuck's Cafe in Clayton, Smith told Brown, "Can you put it on Arnie?" Smith asked. "If you can just put it on Arnie." Arnie Harris, a key member of Jeff Smith's 2004 Congressional campaign, died shortly after being interviewed by the FEC about accusations, since proven to be factual, that Smith's campaign worked with Milton "Skip" Ohlsen on the direct mailing of attack literature against the eventual winner of the Democratic primary, Russ Carnahan.

Smith continued to take that cowardly approach during another meeting with Brown and 2004 campaign treasurer and co-conspirator Nick Adams June 30 at Smith's home, again with the FBI listening in.

Smith and Adams tag-teamed Brown to get him to lay the entire blame on Harris. Adams said, "I'm alive and Artie's dead. Can was emphasize this was Artie's deal?"

Smith added, "Artie would totally want us to throw him under the bus here."

Smith's cover-up was detailed in other conversations that were monitored by the government, as noted in another Aug. 25 Turner Report post:

Smith, not realizing his conversation was being monitored by an FBI wiretap June 1 confirmed his connection to an unsuccessful backdoor attempt to derail Russ Carnahan's successful primary bid for the House seat being vacated by Richard Gephardt.

"Did I know (Milton Ohlsen) was going to do something/" Smith told his co-conspirator, Rep. Steve Brown during the telephone conversation. "Yeah, I mean I thought he was going to do something. If I didn't think he was going to do something, hen I would have said to Artie (Harris) and Nick (Adams) don't waste your time talking to that guy."

During that conversation, which was included in documents filed today in U. S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Smith acknowledged he knew Brown had paid Ohlsen money for the illegal mailing:

"I vividly remember somebody being like well (Ohlsen) wants to do this, and I was like, well, f------ let him do it, sweet. And they're like, well, he's going to need the money to do it, he'll need to get it from your donors, and I said, like hopefully, my donors will give it to him."

The court documents indicate another conversation between Smith and Brown, this one face to face was also monitored. During that conversation, Smith talked about what evidence the FBI had against him "I don't think he (Ohlsen) taped any phone conversations with me. I mean, I pray he didn't. I may have had a phone conversation with him where I acknowledged what he was doing."

Smith then admitted he was fully aware of what Ohlsen was doing. "I'm assuming that I broke the law by having knowledge of what (Ohlsen) was going to do. I don't know how they could prova that."

Smith then told Brown to lie to investigators. "Don't do anything stupid," he said. "Stupid would be telling them that things that are happening in your brain."

Smith said when he was interviewed he would be "Ninety percent honest."

Another co-conspirator, former campaign treasurer Nick Adams also filed sealed documents late last month disputing the recommendations of his pre-sentence investigation.

Sentencing for Brown, Smith, and Adams is scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, in St. Louis.

***

(Randy Turner's new book, Newspaper Days, is available at Amazon.com.)

Hartzler: Skelton must oppose abortion language in healthcare bill

In a news release issued Tuesday, Fourth District Republican Congressional candidate Vicky Hartzler said her Democratic opponent, Ike Skelton, should join opponents of "abortion language" in the new Democratic health care bill:

Hartzler made this demand of Skelton as a bipartisan coalition of pro-life Representatives presses for the right to propose a pro-life amendment to Nancy Pelosi’s 2,000-page bill for government-run health care.
After studying Pelosi’s new bill, pro-life groups and legislators are calling attention to language that would tear down longtime barriers to the use of taxpayer dollars for abortions.*
Hartzler said: “Congressman Bart Stupak and Congressman Joe Pitts are pressing the Speaker for a vote on their amendment to protect taxpayers from having our dollars used for abortions.
“I call on Congressman Skelton to join them without reservation, to insist that the House have the opportunity to debate and vote on this radical attempt to change federal policy, and to oppose any bill unless it is amended to respect the sanctity of life. We want you to help Congressmen Stupak and Pitts turn back this intolerable attempt to fund abortions in the Pelosi bill.
“This is an issue of our bedrock values. If I am elected to serve this district, I will vote for the sanctity of life every single time. Although he and I will continue to disagree on many issues, I expect the same of Congressman Skelton, that he will stand up for unborn children.”
Stupak is a Democrat of Michigan. Pitts is a Republican of Pennsylvania.

Report; Barbre may lose starting job

The Green Bay Gazette reports former Missouri Southern State University and East Newton High School lineman Allen Barbre may lose his starting position for the Packers' next game:

Third-year pro Allen Barbre has started every game this season at right tackle with mixed results. He didn’t give up a sack on Sunday but unofficially yielded six pressures. Tauscher, who was re-signed on Oct. 12 after nine months of rehabilitation following reconstructive knee surgery, also was active against the Vikings but, like Clifton, did not play.

That could change this week.

Whereas last week coach Mike McCarthy said he planned to start the week of practice with the same offensive line that finished the previous game, he was noncommittal on Monday.

“I’m going to see how Chad Clifton progresses through the week. I also want to see how Mark Tauscher progresses through the week,” McCarthy said.

Long: Election results show Americans rejected Obama

Seventh District Congressional candidate Billy Long says today's election results show American are rejecting Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi:

“Today Americans overwhelmingly rejected President Obama and Speaker Pelosi’s radical agenda—an agenda that obstructs economic freedom and increases the financial burden on future generations. These elections should send a shiver down the spines of more than a few career politicians in Washington who still think Americans are willing to put up with politics as usual. I congratulate Governor’s Elect McDonnell and Christie.”

Dwight Douglas: Forget the faculty vote, Bruce; keep doing what you're doing

You would think a 140 to 44 no-confidence vote would give any intelligent person the thought that something might be wrong at Missouri Southern State University.

Not when it's former Board of Governors Chairman Dwight Douglas and the policies University President Bruce Speck has been following have been his.

After the no-confidence vote, Douglas told Brennan Stebbins of the Chart, he was impressed with "Speck's lack of bitterness and resentment.

"I say hang in there and keep doing what you're doing."

***


(Randy Turner's new book, Newspaper Days, is available at Amazon.com.)

Nixon: Stage has been set for Missouri's economic rebound

In a message sent out today, Gov. Jay Nixon said Missouri is well-positioned for an economic rebound:

As we approach the one-year anniversary of my election as Governor, I wanted to take a moment to say "Thank You" yet again. It is a tremendous honor to serve the people of our great state. We are facing unprecedented economic challenges, but we have not wavered from the values we share.

Times are tough. Too many families are struggling to make ends meet, and unemployment remains unacceptably high. But know this: We are making progress. With your help, we've begun to set the stage for Missouri's economic rebound, and I believe the Show-Me State is well positioned to lead the national economic recovery and resurgence.

As Missouri families tighten their belts and make tough choices, state government must do the same. I am committed to keeping taxes low and getting the most out of every dollar.

The national economic downturn has had a dramatic impact on the state's budget. State revenue has fallen to about 10 percent below this time last year. But while these numbers pose real challenges, they didn't take us by surprise. Over the past year, we took an aggressive -- and fiscally conservative -- approach to managing our budget. We trimmed the budget early, reducing the overall size of our state workforce by about 1,700 positions. We shrank programs where necessary. And as a result, we've protected our top priorities of jobs, education and health care, and we've avoided the dire situations now playing out in other states.

Because of our bold actions, Missouri is gaining attention and respect from national economic experts. Just a few weeks ago, Fitch Ratings affirmed Missouri's excellent triple-A bond rating. That makes us one of only seven states -- and the only state in the Midwest -- to achieve triple-A status from all three rating firms.

In addition to balancing the budget while keeping taxes low, we have made strategic investments in creating jobs. During the last legislative session, I passed a comprehensive jobs bill that gave us better tools to recruit businesses. We created a small-business loan program to help emerging businesses grow. And we eliminated the franchise tax on more than 16,000 small businesses. These efforts are already beginning to pay off.

While we aggressively pursue new businesses and new investment, we can't forget the businesses that are already here. We want to reward and protect companies with deep roots in Missouri that also have the potential to grow and create jobs. That's what my new Missouri First initiative is all about. When the General Assembly returns in January, we will put forward a detailed legislative package to help existing Missouri businesses grow -- and create the jobs of tomorrow.

We also worked to ensure that Missouri workers have the skills necessary to compete in the 21st-century economy. As a first step, we worked to keep Missouri state colleges and universities affordable by freezing tuition. We also established the Caring for Missourians program which helps Missouri's colleges and universities train Missourians to meet the critical need for trained health care professionals. And earlier this year, put more than 7,000 youths to work in high-tech, green and other industries through an innovative summer employment program.

This responsible approach -- keeping taxes low, balancing the budget, investing strategically in job creation -- will help turn this economy around. There is still much work to be done, but we are positioning Missouri to lead the national economic recovery and resurgence.

None of this would have been possible without your support, so once again, thank you. It is truly an honor to serve Missouri as your Governor.

MSU president steps down

Missouri State University President Michael Nietzel has announced his intent to resign by Dec. 31, 2010.

Any bets Missouri State will interview more than one person before naming a replacement?

Blunt: H1NI vaccine should not be distributed to Guantanamo detainers during shortage

Seventh District Congressman Roy Blunt ripped into the Obama administration today for decisions that allowed Guantanamo detainees to receive H!N1 vaccinations when a shortage of the shots are available:

"President Obama called this pandemic a 'national emergency,' but the federal government continues to fail at one of its most basic responsibilities. And now the administration tells us 'no longer women and children first;' instead accused terrorists will be first in line for H1N1 vaccines," said Rep. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., said in a press release Monday.

Blunt noted that Missouri's Department of Health and Senior Services has only 28 percent of the H1N1 vaccine that it needs.

"It's outrageous that in Missouri, expectant mothers, children and others vulnerable to the H1N1 virus do not have access to the vaccine, and our tax dollars are funding vaccines for accused terrorists detained at Gitmo," Blunt said.

MSSU faculty has no confidence in Bruce Speck

The Missouri Southern State University faculty expressed its displeasure with President Bruce Speck today, casting 144 ballots for no-confidence. Only 44 full-time faculty members supported Speck.

Leon leaves Empire District Electric Board of Directors

Former Missouri Southern State University President Julio Leon will leave the Empire District Electric Company Board of Directors after reaching the mandatory retirement age, according to a company news release:

Randy Laney, chairman of the board of directors for The Empire District Electric Company, today announced that, after reaching the board`s mandatory retirement age, Dr. Julio S. Leon will retire from the board of directors on April 29, 2010. Herb Schmidt has been nominated to fill the board vacancy and will stand for election at the Company's annual meeting of stockholders in April 2010.

In making the announcement, Mr. Laney stated, "We thank Julio for his years of valuable contributions and counsel. During his tenure, Empire undertook the largest, comprehensive construction program in its 100-year history. As we welcome Herb, we are confident that his knowledge and expertise will be of great value to our board."

Dr. Leon of Joplin, Missouri, retired from the office of president of Missouri Southern State University in September 2007, after serving in that capacity for 25 years. He was first elected to the Empire board in 2001. Dr. Leon has been very active in the education community at the national level, having served as president of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, and on the boards of the American Governing Board Association and the American Council of Education.

Dr. Leon began his career at Missouri Southern State University in 1969 as an assistant professor of Business Administration. In 1973 he was promoted to associate professor and in 1976 to full professor and dean of the School of Business. He was appointed interim president of Missouri Southern in June 1982 and president in December 1982.

Dr. Leon, a native of Chile, received his undergraduate education in English from the Technical State University of Santiago, Chile; his MBA from North Texas State University; and his Doctorate in Business Administration from the University of Arkansas.

Schmidt is president of Con-way Truckload, Joplin, Missouri, where he oversees the day-to-day operations of the company, including sales, marketing, operations, recruiting, finance, safety, information technology, and maintenance. Schmidt began his career in the transportation industry with United Parcel Service in operations and industrial engineering. He joined
Con-way Truckload in 1984 as the director of safety. He has held the positions of vice president of administration, vice president of safety, senior vice president of operations, senior vice president of sales and marketing, and chief executive officer. Following the merger of CFI and Con-way, Schmidt was named president of the rebranded truckload unit.

Schmidt is a graduate of Missouri Southern State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in political science.

Faculty no-confidence vote on Speck set for today

The Missouri Southern State University faculty will hold a no-confidence vote today on President Bruce Speck.

The Joplin Globe's Derek Spellman and Greg Grisolano have a comprehensive look at the situation in today's edition.

And while I commend the Globe's stories from today and the Sunday edition, a complete look at the Bruce Speck situation needs to include how he arrived at Missouri Southern in the first place. If we are ever to get to the bottom of the current unrest at the university, the following questions need to be asked:

-Why was Julio Leon pushed out and who played what role in removing him from office?

-Why was then Board of Governors Chairman Dwight Douglas placed in charge of the committee searching for a replacement for Leon? Douglas' inclusion in that committee virtually guaranteed bias in the choice of candidates presented to the board.

-In what world is only one candidate actually interviewed for such an important position?

-Could the decision to interview only Bruce Speck have anything to do with the fact that he was the candidate Dwight Douglas wanted all the time

-Could Speck's choice have anything to do with the efforts Speck made to dismantle the international program at Austin Peay University?

The faculty problem with Speck is undeniably the big story of the moment, both for the Joplin Globe and for the university, but the decisions that brought Speck to Joplin are at the crux of the university's problems.

The problem has never been that Bruce Speck has not outlined his vision for Missouri Southern State University. He was not brought in to have a vision. He is obviously the Pinocchio in this situation.

It is time to directly ask the man pulling the strings, Dwight Douglas, exactly what his vision is for the university.

***

(Randy Turner's new book, Newspaper Days, is available at Amazon.com.)

Nodler accepts $61.14 in lobbyists' gifts in September

The two state senators who are in the running for Seventh District Congress took different approaches to lobbyists' gifts in September.

Gary Nodler accepted them; Jack Goodman didn't.

Documented posted today on the Missouri Ethics Commission website show Nodler, R-Joplin, accepted $61.14 worth of gifts, including $32 in tickets for a Missouri State football game and $10 for a meal from MSU lobbyist Paul K. Kincaid. Nodler's total of gifts for 2009 is $744.22.

Goodman has accepted $367.73.

Stevenson tops Joplin area representatives in lobbyists' gifts for September

Rep. Bryan "Big Gun" Stevenson, R-Webb City, collected more in lobbyists' gifts, $623.86 in September, than the other five legislators combined, according to documents posted today on the Missouri Ethics Commission website. Stevenson's total for the first nine months of 2009 is $1,978.80.

Stevenson's total included $320 from Catherine Barrie, Missouri Bar, for "continuing legal education deskboard and supplement," and $323.86 from lobbyist John Bardgett for "travel and hotel expenses."

As usual, when Bardgett is involved, it is impossible to tell just whom he is representing since he invariably lists his own lobbying company, John Bardgett & Associates as the interest he is representing. Bardgett spent $1,519.36 on legislators in September, with every last cent credited to his lobbying firm.

Bardgett's clients include Bank of America, Missouri Cable Telecommunications Association, Pinnacle Entertainment, the St. Louis Cardinals, and numerous other interests.

Two legislators, Marilyn Ruestman, R-Joplin, and Ed Emery, R-Lamar, accepted no gifts in September. Mrs Ruestman has $659.70 for 2009, while Emery has accepted $374.83 worth of gifts.

Speaker of the House Ron Richard, R-Joplin, added $51.75 to his total, bringing his 2009 number to $2,382.72.

Tom Flanigan, R-Carthage, had $48.23, with $563.07 for the year, while Rep. Kevin Wilson, R-Neosho, added $19.80 to bring his total to $514.27.

Lamar woes highlighted in New York Times article

The ongoing economic woes of the city of Lamar are featured in an article in today's New York Times, which includes quotes from City Administrator Lynn Calton and Mayor Keith Divine:

The manufacturing industry has shed hundreds of thousands of jobs during the recession as plants have closed or scaled back. Places such as the southwest Missouri city of Lamar, tucked amid endless fields of winter wheat and soybeans, have seen the cornerstones of their economies disappear, leaving a gap that even billions in roadwork and government aid cannot fill.

Lamar began feeling the recession ahead of the rest of the country, when the furniture-maker O'Sullivan Industries closed its doors in mid-2007, immediately leaving 700 workers unemployed and turning its factory into a million-square-foot vacancy.

That began what city manager Lynn Calton calls ''a slow death.'' Stores folded. A 50-year-old car dealership went under. One in 10 jobs disappeared last year. Everyone suffered, from the downtown florist to the dentist who cleaned the factory workers' teeth.

Even Mayor Keith Divine filed for unemployment when his furniture store went out of business. He now sells carpet and mattresses and says he hasn't seen evidence of the 650,000 jobs saved or created nationwide thanks to the $787 billion stimulus.

''What work? Where?'' Divine asks.

For the Obama administration, Lamar is as much a problem of expectations as it is of policy. For all the items contained in the stimulus, from tax cuts to road work to new schools, nothing could quickly replace what factory towns like Lamar had lost.

That's why the White House says it's unfair to judge the stimulus by the unemployment rate because no amount of stimulus was going to keep Lamar's unemployment rate from approaching 12 percent.

***

(Randy Turner's new book, Newspaper Days, is available at Amazon.com.)

Website updated but Branson newspaper still has no information about Pete Newman

The definition of news must be different in Branson than it is in the rest of the country.

Considering the national reputation of Kanakuk Kamps, the news that one of the people most associaed with the Christian sports camp, in fact, the man who was pretty much the face of the venture for the last several years, was charged with felony sex crimes involving underage male campers, would seem to be destined to be a front page staple for the local newspaper.

That has not been the case.

As I have noted in earlier posts, the Branson Daily News online edition has mentioned Pete Newman's arrest only once...several days after it had been reported by other media outlets, and has not had a word about it since.

That includes coverage of Thursday's hearing, in which Newman failed to show on time, and a warrant was issued for his arrest, and later after he came in 14 minutes late, bail was set at a higher amount and he spent several hours in lockup.

The Branson Daily News website has a link for "breaking news," but that page has been empty for a long time. When the content on the page was updated sometime yesterday or today, there was no mention of Pete Newman.

I would be interested in hearing from the publisher and editor just why this news story has been virtually ignored. Of course, that would require mentioning it in the newspaper, so I won't hold my breath waiting.

***

(Randy Turner's new book, Newspaper Days, is available at Amazon.com.)

Kansas City Democrat tops $13,000 in lobbyists' gifts

One of the strongest arguments for ethics reform in the Missouri Legislature is being provided by the man who will become Speaker of the House if the Democrats regain the majority in 2010.

Documents posted today on the Missouri Ethics Commission website show that Rep. Mike Talboy, D-Kansas City, added another $418.31 in lobbyists' gifts in September, increasing his total for the year to $13,139.15.

Talboy's total included $88 in the entertainment category, with the repetitive explanation "entertainment" from John Kristan Jones, lobbyist for Sprint Nextel on Sept. 20.

The same ruse of listing "entertainment" under the entertainment category, without specifying the kind of entertainment, was used by Drue Duncan, Pfizer lobbyist for $84 on Sept. 22. Duncan also provided meals worth $35.72, according to the Ethics Commission documents.

Events that were taking place at the Sprint Center in Talboy's home area on Sept. 20 and 22 were Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus and a hockey game between the New York Islanders and the Los Angeles Kings.

Lobbyist Thomas Holloway, Missouri State Medical Association, was specific about a $70 entertainment expense for the "Speaker's Golf Tournament."

Talboy's excesses have been accounted in prevoius Turner Report posts with all of them rehashed on an Oct. 1 post.

***

(Randy Turner's new book, Newspaper Days, is available at Amazon.com.)

Nexstar Broadcasting to announce third quarter results

Nexstar Broadcasting, owner/operator of KODE and KSNF in the Joplin market and KOLR and KSFX in the Springfield market, issued the following news release:

Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: NXST) announced today that it will report its 2009 third quarter financial results before the market opens on Wednesday, November 11, 2009. The Company will host a conference call and webcast at 10:00 a.m. ET that morning to review the results.

To access the conference call by telephone, interested parties may dial 703/639-1425 (domestic and international callers.) A replay will be available through November 16, 2009 by dialing 866/837-8032 (703/925-2474 for international callers) and entering access code (418750). Participants can also listen to a live webcast of the call through the Investor Relations section of Nexstar’s website at www.nexstar.tv. A webcast replay will be available for 60 days following the live event.

GateHouse Media shuts down another printing press

Bad memories returned for me when I read that Gatehouse Media has shut down the printing press at the Pontiac Daily Leader in Illinois and is forcing the newspaper to print at Peoria:

Beginning Monday the newspaper editions for Monday through Thursday and Saturday will be printed at the Peoria Journal Star.
The Leader and The Journal Star are both owned by GateHouse Media, Inc.
“Our press made its first run on Aug. 5, 1968,” Tom Hutson, publisher of The Daily Leader said. “As with all pieces of machinery, it has become antiquated in many ways. It was at the point where GateHouse had to make a decision on what to do about our press. Their decision was to have us printed on a daily basis by our sister paper.”

It was decisions like this, when they took place at The Carthage Press in the 1990s that started the disconnect the newspaper has with the community. GateHouse Media, then Liberty Group Publishing, eliminated jobs at The Press while building the bottom line at the Neosho Daliy News.

At the time, The Press had a thriving print business that included not only the newspaper itself, but the Webb City Sentinel, the WiseBuyer, and every high school newspaper in the area. It was also undeniably a stronger newspaper than the Daily. To this day, The Press' circulation has remained consistently greater than the Daily's.

GateHouse Media has a well-earned reputation for buying community newspapers, and then stripping "community" from them.