1 00:00:05,839 --> 00:00:12,160 which I find really exciting. Uh I've been the mayor been the mayor here 2 00:00:10,000 --> 00:00:16,320 almost a year and this is our third meeting. Um one of the things that 3 00:00:14,240 --> 00:00:21,119 excites me the most is that when we have these we invite the county the county 4 00:00:18,880 --> 00:00:25,840 has been great to come and partner with us and it just makes our whole area 5 00:00:23,359 --> 00:00:30,800 better when we can do things together. So tonight we had had a request at the 6 00:00:28,400 --> 00:00:37,680 last town hall that we get together again before election time. We had 7 00:00:34,480 --> 00:00:42,239 several really tricky ballot initiatives going through this year and uh Miss K. 8 00:00:40,399 --> 00:00:47,520 McMerry is here and is going to help us with some information on some of that. 9 00:00:44,640 --> 00:00:52,640 Um, we have school board candidates from the Fair School District because we have 10 00:00:49,520 --> 00:00:56,800 several of them that will be running um, next Tuesday, I guess, is election day. 11 00:00:55,039 --> 00:01:01,199 And so, you'll get to hear from them and you'll get to hear from county. Uh, 12 00:00:59,039 --> 00:01:05,199 their election is not until November, but I think the sooner that we can get 13 00:01:02,800 --> 00:01:09,680 to know who's running and who they are, the better off we'll be. So, thank you 14 00:01:07,760 --> 00:01:14,960 for taking time to be here tonight and become more informed about our community 15 00:01:12,000 --> 00:01:18,880 and about our county. Um, we were going to start with candidates tonight, but 16 00:01:16,640 --> 00:01:22,799 Miss Kay has another engagement. So, I'm going to ask Miss K Mc Merry if she'll 17 00:01:21,200 --> 00:01:29,560 come up and she's going to talk to you about some of the ballot initiatives 18 00:01:24,720 --> 00:01:29,560 that we're going to be facing. Miss K. 19 00:01:35,360 --> 00:01:44,079 Some people say I don't. I'm Hale Bry. I have I've lived here pretty much all my 20 00:01:42,159 --> 00:01:49,759 life here. My dad was a ball teacher and I have 21 00:01:47,439 --> 00:01:55,920 been lobbying in Jefferson City now for 14 years. And I will tell you 22 00:01:52,240 --> 00:02:02,320 truthfully, this is the hardest year I've ever worked. So, um, tonight I want 23 00:02:00,560 --> 00:02:10,080 to address Senate Bill three. 24 00:02:05,680 --> 00:02:17,599 And if um Carol and Glenna did your job, most of you will have copies of that. If 25 00:02:13,440 --> 00:02:22,080 not, um I'll give you my phone number or my email, and you can certainly call me. 26 00:02:19,760 --> 00:02:29,879 I don't mind at all. So, I'm going to start this this way. 27 00:02:25,200 --> 00:02:29,879 When you vote for something unknown, 28 00:02:29,920 --> 00:02:38,720 Senate Bill 3 is just that. And let me tell you why. 29 00:02:36,000 --> 00:02:45,680 It is not out of the courts of Missouri yet. It is in the Cole County courts. 30 00:02:42,959 --> 00:02:52,560 Three two rep as a representative, a senator, and a citizen from Dixon, 31 00:02:49,280 --> 00:02:56,239 Missouri filed lawsuit in June 32 00:02:54,720 --> 00:03:01,120 2025 and said, "This bill is 33 00:02:58,800 --> 00:03:06,400 unconstitutional." And part of the reason for that is it 34 00:03:04,000 --> 00:03:11,599 had two different sections in the bill. Number one, it was funding and trying to 35 00:03:09,519 --> 00:03:20,480 keep the Kansas City Chiefs here in Missouri. And number two, it was at the 36 00:03:15,680 --> 00:03:27,680 same time asking to give tax breaks and what have you for other people such as 37 00:03:22,959 --> 00:03:31,040 ourselves or because I'm old. Um, and we need to, you know, we need to all think 38 00:03:29,440 --> 00:03:39,519 about those things and look at those things. I want to read the ballot. 39 00:03:35,760 --> 00:03:46,560 Shall the county Oregon exempt eligible taxpayers from certain tax increases on 40 00:03:43,120 --> 00:03:52,959 eligible taxpayers primary residents above the liability incurred during the 41 00:03:49,840 --> 00:03:58,239 initial credit year. You all understand that? 42 00:03:56,000 --> 00:04:02,560 It's about as clear as mud to a lot of people. 43 00:03:59,920 --> 00:04:08,080 And my objective uh has been basically to contact 44 00:04:05,519 --> 00:04:15,760 everybody I know from north of Kansas City to the Osho across to Cape Dorado. 45 00:04:13,040 --> 00:04:20,799 Uh all all the people I can contact here in this area and say they, you know, 46 00:04:18,880 --> 00:04:27,680 they're opposing it. They're not supporting this bill. It's your right as 47 00:04:24,080 --> 00:04:32,320 a taxpayer to do as you wish. But when we are affecting 48 00:04:30,240 --> 00:04:36,960 school districts, when we're affecting fire departments, 49 00:04:35,120 --> 00:04:43,520 the libraries, county governments, city government, 50 00:04:40,560 --> 00:04:49,199 um, and we're asking them to forfeit money. And then today, the 51 00:04:46,320 --> 00:04:55,440 developmentally disabled came out with a great big uh post about how it will 52 00:04:52,639 --> 00:05:00,080 affect them. So, there are a lot of unknowns about 53 00:04:57,759 --> 00:05:04,000 this bill, but I'll give you some figures. And I tried to do my research 54 00:05:02,560 --> 00:05:10,479 and those of you that have been privileged to get one of these um has 55 00:05:07,759 --> 00:05:16,400 all of the people that I have contacted or the newspaper articles that I've read 56 00:05:13,360 --> 00:05:21,680 or the TV stations or whatever. So, it's not like I really haven't gotten into 57 00:05:19,120 --> 00:05:26,400 this. Tanya may know more about this than I 58 00:05:23,600 --> 00:05:33,280 do, but here here are the estimated losses to the school 59 00:05:29,199 --> 00:05:36,280 should sit billf free pass $359,000 60 00:05:36,639 --> 00:05:43,759 per couch $157,000 61 00:05:42,240 --> 00:05:49,600 kosh 100,000 62 00:05:45,680 --> 00:05:53,919 Alton 340,000 and we're not talking about one time 63 00:05:51,759 --> 00:05:58,800 shot. Folks, we are talking about multiple years. 64 00:05:56,000 --> 00:06:03,840 So, it continues. That's a that's a real concern for 65 00:06:01,360 --> 00:06:10,160 anybody in this county because what it's going to cause is that funding will go 66 00:06:06,319 --> 00:06:14,319 stagnant and nine times out of 10 people are going to say, "Well, we've passed, 67 00:06:11,840 --> 00:06:17,600 you know, issues before and blah blah blah blah." Somebody said to me today, 68 00:06:15,840 --> 00:06:24,160 "Well, we were supposed to get a lot of money out of the lottery." 69 00:06:20,400 --> 00:06:28,720 I think maybe 2% is what education gets out of the lottery fund in the state of 70 00:06:26,000 --> 00:06:34,639 Missouri that we voted on years ago. That's pretty sad. 71 00:06:31,360 --> 00:06:41,520 At the last town hall meeting Tanya gave us I'm sorry. Tanya gave us 72 00:06:38,400 --> 00:06:46,880 what would happen if Senate Bill 2780 should pass. And that's another property 73 00:06:43,919 --> 00:06:55,960 tax bill. This one, the concern is you're taking the $2.75 74 00:06:50,400 --> 00:06:55,960 levy down to $220. 75 00:06:56,240 --> 00:07:08,479 That becomes about a 17- 19% um sales tax if we expand. So, House 76 00:07:06,240 --> 00:07:15,919 Bill 2780 for the four school districts here in 77 00:07:10,960 --> 00:07:19,400 the county would give us 2,500 or 2557 78 00:07:20,160 --> 00:07:28,240 uh estimated loss and that would be again per year. 79 00:07:26,000 --> 00:07:33,520 So, now if you can do the math, we're getting on up to about a half a million 80 00:07:30,639 --> 00:07:39,919 dollars. Another bill floating through uh the 81 00:07:36,880 --> 00:07:44,960 legislature and it is um it's on the Senate side. It was discussed briefly 82 00:07:42,160 --> 00:07:52,960 today and laid over will be the initiative to change uh from income tax 83 00:07:49,280 --> 00:07:56,240 to sales tax. And we all think well that sounds pretty 84 00:07:54,720 --> 00:08:01,759 big. Well, if you're paying 17 to 19% more 85 00:07:58,960 --> 00:08:08,560 for your haircut, for instance, as a little example, I figured up today I'd 86 00:08:04,479 --> 00:08:13,280 be paying about $36 a haircut. Some of you may say, "Oh, that won't be 87 00:08:10,240 --> 00:08:18,639 the case." There's facts and figures out coming out of Dent County 88 00:08:15,840 --> 00:08:22,800 showing that if you spend $100 at a grocery store, you're going to spend 89 00:08:19,759 --> 00:08:32,159 about $25 in taxes. So, those things are concerning. 90 00:08:26,720 --> 00:08:39,599 The total loss for the Alton Couch and Koskinon 91 00:08:34,080 --> 00:08:45,120 would be almost $3.6 million. Now, if you think about that, how many 92 00:08:42,240 --> 00:08:50,640 can really afford that? Not a school district in this county, 93 00:08:47,839 --> 00:08:55,279 nor anywhere else that I understand. from talking to people from North Kansas 94 00:08:52,720 --> 00:09:00,880 City down to Joplin to do the show to Wright County. Nobody could afford it 95 00:08:58,160 --> 00:09:03,880 and they know that. So 96 00:09:03,920 --> 00:09:15,040 on Tuesday we vote and you in your own hearts 97 00:09:10,480 --> 00:09:21,760 can determine how you want to vote. I can't tell you how to do that, 98 00:09:18,560 --> 00:09:27,360 but I do know that it's so important not just to this county, but to the state of 99 00:09:23,920 --> 00:09:32,000 Missouri. When a judge can demand that we 100 00:09:29,279 --> 00:09:39,600 97 counties in the state of Missouri have to vote 101 00:09:34,160 --> 00:09:45,760 for this issue on Tuesday. The rest of the counties are exempt 102 00:09:42,399 --> 00:09:49,839 pretty much. And if you, you know, having read a lot of that, you're going 103 00:09:47,360 --> 00:09:53,519 to be looking at places like Kansas City and Columbia where they're heavy 104 00:09:51,519 --> 00:10:00,880 Democrats. Uh, so just be aware, you know, I hope 105 00:09:56,800 --> 00:10:07,600 that you will uh consider your votes and I'll be anxious to to see the 106 00:10:03,360 --> 00:10:11,920 results next week. Um, I can briefly take questions, 107 00:10:09,440 --> 00:10:16,360 but I do have another obligation. This will be my fourth or fifth one today. 108 00:10:16,362 --> 00:10:19,600 [clears throat] >> Go ahead. 109 00:10:18,399 --> 00:10:22,600 » Just to be clear, >> yes. 110 00:10:22,720 --> 00:10:28,959 » I'm sorry. >> SB3 passed last year. 111 00:10:26,000 --> 00:10:33,360 » It did pass in the legislature, >> but now 112 00:10:31,920 --> 00:10:39,040 » the [clears throat] judge in Cole County has 113 00:10:34,880 --> 00:10:43,920 mandated that we will go back and revote Senate Bill three. 114 00:10:41,839 --> 00:10:51,920 because there's been so much controversy in the court challenge 115 00:10:47,200 --> 00:10:56,640 » and it's like 190 bill 190. It's very like Senate Bill 190. 116 00:10:54,560 --> 00:11:02,000 » Senate Bill 190. If you've not signed up yet, I'm going to tell I'm going to put 117 00:10:58,000 --> 00:11:09,279 a little plug in. On April 30th, if you were 62 years old and above, all right? 118 00:11:06,320 --> 00:11:16,720 and you own your own house, you have the opportunity to go to the courthouse and 119 00:11:12,240 --> 00:11:23,440 sign up for your credit there to freeze uh your taxes 120 00:11:19,279 --> 00:11:27,760 on your house and hopefully not do any work on it because if you do it'll 121 00:11:25,440 --> 00:11:31,519 increase again. But I'm just, you know, I'm trying to give you a little 122 00:11:29,040 --> 00:11:37,279 information here about that. Also, it's important. April the 30th is the other 123 00:11:33,920 --> 00:11:37,279 deadline for that. 124 00:11:42,800 --> 00:11:49,959 just your house. >> Sorry, Kathy. 125 00:11:50,399 --> 00:11:56,480 » I imagine they will be going after your farmland. 126 00:11:55,279 --> 00:12:01,560 » Mr. Hoba, >> what are the advantages? What are they? 127 00:12:03,519 --> 00:12:07,399 » Thank you. That is true. 128 00:12:14,800 --> 00:12:23,600 » Um, what David just said is true. It's similar to to 190, you know, and that's 129 00:12:22,079 --> 00:12:30,320 their intent and purpose, and they want you to believe that. And they also do 130 00:12:26,240 --> 00:12:37,600 not want you to think that um they are going to, as you said, blow 131 00:12:34,480 --> 00:12:42,240 smoke. That's not their intention to do that. And if you talk to any of the 132 00:12:40,079 --> 00:12:47,920 representatives or senators, that's probably what they're going to tell you. 133 00:12:44,079 --> 00:12:51,920 But um I've researched about tw 12 different organization 134 00:12:49,839 --> 00:12:55,680 organizations and probably most of you in this room have heard of the Missouri 135 00:12:53,440 --> 00:13:01,279 Schoolboard Association uh which is the state organization for 136 00:12:58,399 --> 00:13:04,920 education and believe me they're saying the same thing. 137 00:13:06,320 --> 00:13:14,240 Am I am I right understanding if you sign up for this place will be 138 00:13:10,880 --> 00:13:20,480 reassessed for that and you have to sign up every year you do have to sign up for 139 00:13:17,200 --> 00:13:26,839 190 every year the assessment I'm not sure David 140 00:13:23,839 --> 00:13:26,839 » automat 141 00:13:32,079 --> 00:13:36,880 $300 >> that could be very well true 142 00:13:42,079 --> 00:13:47,200 Anyway, I'll be happy to take questions if you 143 00:13:45,600 --> 00:13:52,480 have pencils and you want to write down my number, it's fine. I'm like a doctor. 144 00:13:49,839 --> 00:13:55,800 I'm on call all the time. >> Okay, Joy. 145 00:14:01,120 --> 00:14:09,920 » Vote or no? No means no in this in this instance. If 146 00:14:07,199 --> 00:14:14,040 you vote yes, you may be mad later on, but that's your choice. 147 00:14:14,160 --> 00:14:17,720 » Any other questions? 148 00:14:31,760 --> 00:14:39,880 cuz they won't confuse you. you know, you're fine. Having 149 00:14:41,760 --> 00:14:48,639 » I hope not. Having having been there for 14 years, I 150 00:14:46,800 --> 00:14:53,839 can tell you right now, it just goes up and down. Um, and if there are tax 151 00:14:51,920 --> 00:15:00,399 issues like we've got this year, we have 100 tax bills in the state of Missouri. 152 00:14:56,959 --> 00:15:03,360 Um, that could be heard at any point. And this is also the time of the year 153 00:15:02,079 --> 00:15:10,079 that they say, "Well, we're just going to put 270 and 1410 and and whatever 154 00:15:08,079 --> 00:15:14,240 together." And they'll expect you to understand all 155 00:15:12,160 --> 00:15:20,160 of that if some of it comes to a vote, which this is. They intentionally write 156 00:15:17,760 --> 00:15:25,440 ballots to where not very many people are going 157 00:15:22,639 --> 00:15:30,480 to understand unless you really research them. And I'm going out on land, but 158 00:15:29,040 --> 00:15:36,639 it's okay. have to retire again. 159 00:15:33,760 --> 00:15:43,865 » How did our state representative, our state senator? 160 00:15:39,839 --> 00:15:47,839 » Is he here? No. Um, [clears throat] Representative Elliott 161 00:15:45,120 --> 00:15:55,360 actually voted yes. He voted yes on uh Senate Bill 3. He 162 00:15:50,880 --> 00:16:04,320 voted yes on 278. So, he would uh be glad to put his two 163 00:16:00,160 --> 00:16:12,639 cents in, I'm sure. Senator Bean out of um the Southeast area. 164 00:16:08,160 --> 00:16:20,959 Oh, thank you. The Strawberry Barbecue um voted for Senate Bill Three. They 165 00:16:16,880 --> 00:16:28,000 have not um of course 2780 is still being heard in the Senate 166 00:16:23,600 --> 00:16:32,959 so they've not voted on that yet but um you know call them. 167 00:16:31,279 --> 00:16:37,199 You can look up their numbers pretty quick 168 00:16:35,199 --> 00:16:45,279 and if they won't talk to you just tell their legislative assistant exactly what 169 00:16:39,759 --> 00:16:50,759 you think and feel. My number 573 368 170 00:16:47,759 --> 00:16:50,759 9889. 171 00:16:51,199 --> 00:16:58,600 If you can't hear me, call the radio station. 172 00:16:54,399 --> 00:16:58,600 Just kidding. Thank you. 173 00:16:58,800 --> 00:17:04,079 Things we have going on with these Senate bills and have interest and 174 00:17:02,240 --> 00:17:09,600 there's several people around you that have done good research. So, if you have 175 00:17:06,959 --> 00:17:13,120 questions, I know Miss Debbie, will you raise your hand? And Debbie Sanchez does 176 00:17:11,199 --> 00:17:18,000 a lot of research and she has stuff on Facebook. Miss Tanya knows a lot also 177 00:17:15,520 --> 00:17:24,079 about these Senate bills. These not only affect our cities and our towns and our 178 00:17:20,880 --> 00:17:29,600 county, they affect the future of our people. And so please, please consider 179 00:17:26,720 --> 00:17:34,000 carefully when you vote. Um, moving right along here, I'd like to ask that 180 00:17:31,679 --> 00:17:37,559 the candidates for their school board come down, please. 181 00:17:37,679 --> 00:17:43,400 Sorry, >> we're going to start with them because 182 00:17:39,679 --> 00:17:43,400 it's a smaller group. 183 00:17:44,480 --> 00:17:51,160 I'm so thankful for everyone who came out tonight. It's great to see you. 184 00:17:54,960 --> 00:18:02,080 » I'm going to have Brent bring you the microphone and I'm going to ask that you 185 00:17:59,280 --> 00:18:07,000 each one introduce yourself and tell why you chose to run for third district 186 00:18:03,760 --> 00:18:07,000 school board. 187 00:18:13,280 --> 00:18:21,280 Hello everybody. My name is Don Edward. I am u school board for a lot of 188 00:18:19,760 --> 00:18:26,880 different reasons. First off, I have three kids in the school system. Um 189 00:18:24,080 --> 00:18:30,320 they're doing great overall, but as I've been analyzing the situation, and you 190 00:18:28,720 --> 00:18:36,559 got to keep in mind where I'm coming from. I come from a military background. 191 00:18:33,919 --> 00:18:44,400 Been in the army for 24 years. Had positions from platoon leader to 192 00:18:38,960 --> 00:18:50,720 battalion S3, battalion S2, led trained uh soldiers on battlefields in Iraq and 193 00:18:47,440 --> 00:18:56,400 Afghanistan like five times. Desert Storm. Okay. I know what it takes to be 194 00:18:53,840 --> 00:19:00,880 a leader. I also know how to analyze things properly. I also know how to 195 00:18:59,360 --> 00:19:06,720 dissect what it is that you're trying to gather 196 00:19:03,520 --> 00:19:09,919 the come with sound conclusions after you get all the facts of the 197 00:19:08,320 --> 00:19:13,840 situation then when you get those facts then you 198 00:19:11,440 --> 00:19:18,880 can make a solid recommendation so that's the kind of extra things I bring 199 00:19:15,600 --> 00:19:24,960 to play I've been in there for for eight years now um my kids will continue 200 00:19:22,240 --> 00:19:30,080 through the school system the as we are at the moment they sure liked it to be 201 00:19:27,440 --> 00:19:34,799 better than than what is what's going on Now um there are some issues that need 202 00:19:32,960 --> 00:19:38,880 to be addressed, things that need to be fixed but that's 203 00:19:36,960 --> 00:19:44,160 like that in every organization you know as we try to do better you know 204 00:19:41,679 --> 00:19:52,080 hopefully you learn from mistakes of the past hopefully you uh try to uh you know 205 00:19:49,039 --> 00:19:57,280 do better than what you did before um and you try to not disenfranchise anyone 206 00:19:55,440 --> 00:20:04,160 so in the process and that's the difficult thing the school board's got a 207 00:20:00,160 --> 00:20:09,840 very important job to help our students be 208 00:20:06,000 --> 00:20:14,400 healthy in all areas not just physical security which one of the things I was 209 00:20:12,559 --> 00:20:19,360 was a military policeman when I was in the army okay I also was an intel 210 00:20:16,640 --> 00:20:24,480 analyst DI and I was an armor officer through my 24 year span so so I 211 00:20:21,919 --> 00:20:29,360 understand what it takes for physical security side and there's a 212 00:20:27,280 --> 00:20:34,720 lot of value added that I can provide on that lane. The I also did a lot of 213 00:20:31,520 --> 00:20:40,320 training within the army so I could come from an outsiders perspective in and 214 00:20:37,280 --> 00:20:45,520 provide those data points so that we can make what we got going on here at there 215 00:20:43,200 --> 00:20:50,640 even better. So those are the kind of things that I bring to the table and and 216 00:20:48,159 --> 00:20:57,039 then some that's just a taste if you will. It's the first time I ever tried 217 00:20:54,240 --> 00:21:02,320 on any level of politics. politics was normally not in my bag. When I retired 218 00:20:59,520 --> 00:21:06,799 2014 and became a thing, I was like, well, hey, I'm just going to be retired 219 00:21:04,320 --> 00:21:11,120 and hang out and enjoy, you know, with my family and so forth and I'm dealing 220 00:21:08,559 --> 00:21:16,720 with that. But I also heard a calling that that uh I felt that I needed to 221 00:21:14,240 --> 00:21:19,840 fill and so uh so now I'm out of retirement. 222 00:21:18,320 --> 00:21:27,039 I was trying to get out of retirement a little bit and I would love to get your 223 00:21:22,559 --> 00:21:27,039 vote. Thank you very much. 224 00:21:27,744 --> 00:21:29,764 » [applause] 225 00:21:36,000 --> 00:21:43,200 » Hello, my name is Bill Hank. Excuse [clears throat] me, I'm a little dry. My 226 00:21:40,559 --> 00:21:49,280 allergies are acting up. I'm sure no one else has that problem. [clears throat] 227 00:21:45,039 --> 00:21:55,200 Uh I grew up just well out the couch community. went to cow school and uh I 228 00:21:52,159 --> 00:21:59,600 moved to the 30 years ago. I want to work for the railroad I guess and uh 229 00:21:57,919 --> 00:22:07,200 I've had three kids go through the school and some years ago I don't know I 230 00:22:02,720 --> 00:22:13,200 just decided that I might have a add my perspective to to the school board. U we 231 00:22:10,960 --> 00:22:19,520 we've had a lot of good people on there for years and I had no agenda or no uh 232 00:22:17,120 --> 00:22:26,159 big plan to make any changes. I just thought it just try to help. Uh there's 233 00:22:22,799 --> 00:22:30,480 always had a a good reputation statewide and not only not only locally people 234 00:22:28,080 --> 00:22:36,240 like to come here, they uh they like to send their kids to school here and we've 235 00:22:32,720 --> 00:22:40,000 got a lot of people that to to help the kids succeed. Uh we got a lot of good 236 00:22:38,720 --> 00:22:43,840 teachers. We've got very good administration. We got probably one of 237 00:22:41,520 --> 00:22:50,799 the best superintendents that that I would know of anywhere. Um, and uh, as 238 00:22:48,400 --> 00:22:56,480 far as I know, we we've we've made a lot of decisions 239 00:22:53,840 --> 00:23:04,159 that I think have uh, helped the community and helped the school grow and 240 00:23:00,000 --> 00:23:09,840 helped a lot of kids succeed. Uh, we we at board meetings we we had a lot 241 00:23:08,159 --> 00:23:15,520 of discussion probably I I talk too much. Most people 242 00:23:12,880 --> 00:23:20,480 will tell you that. Uh so we spend a lot of maybe a lot of time that maybe 243 00:23:18,880 --> 00:23:25,760 wouldn't uh we wouldn't necessarily need to to ask a lot of questions but uh we 244 00:23:23,919 --> 00:23:31,679 we we are very thoughtful in our deliberations. Uh everybody has a voice 245 00:23:28,320 --> 00:23:37,360 or set of voice. Uh no one person makes any decision on their own. So uh we may 246 00:23:34,720 --> 00:23:44,960 have differences opinion but generally we can come to consensus and and make 247 00:23:40,480 --> 00:23:51,360 decisions and uh everything is taken uh for the best of the district and for 248 00:23:47,760 --> 00:23:58,080 mainly for the kids in this district. So, I just appreciate your vote and I'll 249 00:23:54,640 --> 00:24:05,360 do my dead level best and continue to to make decisions with with every uh bit of 250 00:24:02,400 --> 00:24:10,320 information that that I can gather provided to us and appreciate your vote 251 00:24:09,039 --> 00:24:13,516 on Tuesday. >> ALL RIGHT. [applause] 252 00:24:14,960 --> 00:24:24,720 UH, MY NAME IS Mike Morris. Uh, been on the school board for probably about 15 253 00:24:20,159 --> 00:24:29,360 years now. My wife and I moved back in I think 1999 after living in the 254 00:24:26,720 --> 00:24:32,320 mountain home for about 20 years. I've worked for the railroad. I know I was 255 00:24:30,720 --> 00:24:36,640 going to be traveling for a long time and New York girls need to be in a 256 00:24:33,679 --> 00:24:43,679 smaller community. I graduated here in 80 and both my girls graduated here. My 257 00:24:41,520 --> 00:24:47,120 wife got on this 258 00:24:45,360 --> 00:24:53,760 help grading papers back at old elementary many years ago and she went 259 00:24:50,720 --> 00:24:57,200 back to college and ended up getting a job as secretary at elementary. A lot of 260 00:24:55,600 --> 00:25:04,400 your kids probably she's probably seen over her lifetime when she retired 261 00:25:00,240 --> 00:25:08,320 around the co time. Uh by far 262 00:25:06,559 --> 00:25:13,840 I think we have probably one of the best school districts around. I was fortunate 263 00:25:10,080 --> 00:25:17,600 enough for about 10 years to be on the Missouri School Board Association in 264 00:25:15,840 --> 00:25:24,880 Colombia and uh Mr. heard talk about that long 265 00:25:20,640 --> 00:25:31,120 ago. And I was a representative for the southern part of the state when all 266 00:25:26,799 --> 00:25:35,200 toward around Cape and uh 267 00:25:33,440 --> 00:25:40,080 a lot of people knew us there more or less to do our sports and stuff. 268 00:25:38,240 --> 00:25:45,600 But uh here several years ago, we started a farm and table program and I 269 00:25:42,960 --> 00:25:53,039 got a friend of mine to come up and uh we videotaped this and pieced it all 270 00:25:49,039 --> 00:25:57,520 together and I took it to Columbia and people were just amazed at what our 271 00:25:55,520 --> 00:26:03,440 students were doing down here. And we hear that no matter where we go as 272 00:26:00,559 --> 00:26:08,799 vacation free time or 273 00:26:05,279 --> 00:26:13,679 basketball football games, you know said your kids are the best kids in the 274 00:26:12,159 --> 00:26:18,400 public and uh you know we ought to be proud of 275 00:26:16,000 --> 00:26:23,039 that. We've had a lot of students graduate here and said, "Gosh, I would 276 00:26:20,720 --> 00:26:28,799 had Tony, what's Mrs. 277 00:26:26,480 --> 00:26:32,559 teacher that retired?" >> Miss McInness. 278 00:26:29,520 --> 00:26:36,520 » Miss McInness. If we wouldn't had her, I would never got through college. 279 00:26:37,200 --> 00:26:43,039 And we do spend a lot of time, like Bill said, 280 00:26:41,120 --> 00:26:46,799 » every month going through equipment and trying to get the best teacher. If we 281 00:26:44,480 --> 00:26:51,559 don't have it, we're going to some way to get it. And 282 00:26:52,000 --> 00:26:58,799 on what Bill said, we've been through at least 283 00:26:56,000 --> 00:27:02,720 four three or four superintendent and T spends a lot of hours on the road, a lot 284 00:27:00,880 --> 00:27:08,799 of hours on the phone and 285 00:27:06,080 --> 00:27:14,640 heard Mark and Mr. Morso went to the elementary school. They bring us 286 00:27:12,080 --> 00:27:18,720 all these camps every month for new teachers where we need where we're 287 00:27:15,840 --> 00:27:22,559 needed at. And it's it's a process and they go through a lot and they bring it 288 00:27:20,159 --> 00:27:26,400 to us and we'll sit there for hours trying to pick out whichever one of the 289 00:27:23,760 --> 00:27:31,919 things the best and it's I love every bit of it. My girls enjoy going to 290 00:27:29,760 --> 00:27:35,200 school here. My daughter has got into education. 291 00:27:33,600 --> 00:27:42,799 She's a fourth grade teacher at West Plains. Not where I want her to go, but 292 00:27:37,440 --> 00:27:47,520 you know, it's close to home. So, um I believe that uh we're on the right 293 00:27:45,360 --> 00:27:53,600 direction and we'll continue to get better. And I know there's a lot of good 294 00:27:50,559 --> 00:27:58,720 things in the works right now that uh we'll be putting out 295 00:27:55,840 --> 00:28:03,200 for the district and for our kids and moving forward. And 296 00:28:01,039 --> 00:28:09,440 if you have students that's moving up from junior high into high school, 297 00:28:06,080 --> 00:28:13,360 we offer a lot of classes online. get you have a social degree before you 298 00:28:11,360 --> 00:28:16,720 ever graduate from high school. So, that's something that's really big and 299 00:28:14,880 --> 00:28:20,880 it's really blossomed over the last several years. 300 00:28:18,880 --> 00:28:27,604 But I appreciate your vote on Tuesday. And if y'all ever have a question for 301 00:28:24,080 --> 00:28:29,624 the morning, welcome. [applause] 302 00:28:32,320 --> 00:28:43,039 My name is Jason Baker. I I'm a lifelong resident of there. I'm a 1997 graduate 303 00:28:38,320 --> 00:28:48,559 of there. I I currently have two daughters in school, one in 304 00:28:44,559 --> 00:28:52,720 preschool, one in fourth grade. I I work for the railroad for 27 years 305 00:28:50,720 --> 00:28:59,760 now. Been on volunteer fire department here and there for 25 years. 306 00:28:56,320 --> 00:29:04,320 And uh I've had a had a lot of people I've always had the a little bit of a 307 00:29:02,320 --> 00:29:10,320 idea of running for school board, but I had a lot of people come to me and ask 308 00:29:07,679 --> 00:29:15,840 me if I'd be interested. I this year I finally made the decision 309 00:29:12,559 --> 00:29:21,840 that I was going to do it. And the reasons being are well first of all 310 00:29:19,440 --> 00:29:25,120 everybody after I signed up for it I had a lot of people come to me and ask me 311 00:29:23,440 --> 00:29:30,320 well what's your agenda? You have an agenda. if you have, you know, something 312 00:29:27,120 --> 00:29:39,120 you're going to do. I don't I the only agenda I have is to help the best I can 313 00:29:35,279 --> 00:29:45,840 to continue their school being as good as it is in faith. That's I have no 314 00:29:42,159 --> 00:29:53,200 opposition that or agenda that I'm going after by running. 315 00:29:49,120 --> 00:29:59,520 I feel like we have a great school and anybody that's from there or surrounding 316 00:29:56,559 --> 00:30:05,760 communities knows about Bobcat pride and I have a lot of Bobcat pride. 317 00:30:03,120 --> 00:30:10,159 You can ask David over there. He knows and he may be against it but he knows 318 00:30:07,679 --> 00:30:15,039 about Bobcat Pride. One of our biggest rivals with him we have always had is 319 00:30:12,080 --> 00:30:23,440 all high school. [clears throat] But the other thing I like is that if 320 00:30:19,279 --> 00:30:27,760 either community has a problem, there's no podcast, comments, none of 321 00:30:25,760 --> 00:30:32,320 that. It we all come together. And that's what's great about living in 322 00:30:30,399 --> 00:30:37,279 rural communities is everybody comes together to help everybody out. And 323 00:30:35,440 --> 00:30:44,159 there's no place like we're accountable for doing that. But I uh 324 00:30:42,320 --> 00:30:50,720 like I said, I don't have any opposition that I'm running like agenda that I'm 325 00:30:46,080 --> 00:30:56,799 running for. I just want to be here to offer whatever I can to make help make 326 00:30:54,240 --> 00:31:01,760 improvements to help keep the best teachers to get the best 327 00:30:59,520 --> 00:31:06,159 teachers to draw people to want to be a Bobcat. 328 00:31:03,679 --> 00:31:12,066 and I'd really appreciate your vote next 329 00:31:07,840 --> 00:31:12,066 Tuesday. Thank you. [applause] 330 00:31:14,320 --> 00:31:22,080 Okay, I am still new and still learning. I probably didn't do that in the right 331 00:31:19,600 --> 00:31:25,279 order, but these gentlemen, there are there's three positions that are going 332 00:31:23,679 --> 00:31:30,399 to be filled. There's four gentlemen voting for it. So, if there's anyone 333 00:31:28,159 --> 00:31:34,399 that has questions, I'm sure you all would be glad to answer any questions 334 00:31:32,559 --> 00:31:38,240 directed. If you'd like to raise your hand and say who you have question for, 335 00:31:36,799 --> 00:31:41,240 I'm sure we'd be glad to take your questions. 336 00:31:41,279 --> 00:31:53,200 Anybody got any questions? Miss Jessica? >> Yeah, I have a question for um for those 337 00:31:50,240 --> 00:31:58,320 that are running. Um, do any of you have past situations where you have received 338 00:31:56,399 --> 00:32:02,919 any disciplinary action or been restricted from being at the school 339 00:31:59,919 --> 00:32:02,919 district? 340 00:32:03,120 --> 00:32:06,519 » No, I haven't. 341 00:32:06,559 --> 00:32:16,880 » No, I have not either. And uh, we I'll speak for Bill, too. I won't speak for 342 00:32:13,519 --> 00:32:22,640 Bill. I'll just here. Uh we've all got we both I 343 00:32:19,919 --> 00:32:27,279 know have gotten phone calls over the years 344 00:32:24,399 --> 00:32:32,159 and nobody's ever said they hadn't been able 345 00:32:30,000 --> 00:32:37,279 to get to the school or anything. The one the one thing that we have had in 346 00:32:34,240 --> 00:32:43,840 the past is we first got on was proper channels 347 00:32:42,240 --> 00:32:51,440 and a lot of people would call us. 348 00:32:47,120 --> 00:32:57,760 We redirected to Mark. I said if they had a problem with their child and then 349 00:32:54,720 --> 00:33:03,200 could get satisfaction there and that didn't satisfy 350 00:33:01,440 --> 00:33:07,679 but that's kind of that kind of got stuck there but that's kind of the way 351 00:33:04,480 --> 00:33:15,640 it's always the process has been there's been some situations that a lot of 352 00:33:10,240 --> 00:33:15,640 people were familiar with how to do this 353 00:33:15,840 --> 00:33:18,840 No, 354 00:33:20,720 --> 00:33:29,279 » I feel like this question is directed directly to me. That way I can expound 355 00:33:25,200 --> 00:33:34,480 on things. Okay, great. The uh short answer is yes. 356 00:33:31,360 --> 00:33:40,159 Okay. I had an opportunity to have an engagement 357 00:33:36,720 --> 00:33:44,799 after an event with the teacher. teacher wasn't doing anything wrong, but I had 358 00:33:42,880 --> 00:33:49,519 to go investigate cuz my daughter came up to me and she said, "Hey, I should 359 00:33:47,760 --> 00:33:56,080 have been in this positioning over here during this concert and uh that didn't 360 00:33:52,880 --> 00:34:00,559 happen." So, I was like, my wife Susan, if you know her, Susan, he uh don't do 361 00:33:58,880 --> 00:34:05,919 it. Don't do it. I was like, all I'm going to do is ask a question. So walk 362 00:34:03,039 --> 00:34:10,879 across, start engaging with the conversation with the teacher. The uh 363 00:34:09,200 --> 00:34:17,679 started doing an assessment of the situation, realized that the girl that 364 00:34:14,639 --> 00:34:24,079 had swapped spots was one that had been bullying my daughter and she uh 365 00:34:21,679 --> 00:34:28,079 was the problem. So I was like, well, I'm getting tired of these girls 366 00:34:25,760 --> 00:34:33,440 bullying my daughter. So needless to say, the uh teacher was loud out there. 367 00:34:32,079 --> 00:34:37,679 Teacher was like, "I'm not bullying in here." We're like, "Whoa, no, no, I 368 00:34:35,520 --> 00:34:42,480 didn't say that." The uh and then another teacher from 20 ft away started 369 00:34:39,679 --> 00:34:46,159 yelling across the room and she's yelling and my wife's yelling back 370 00:34:44,240 --> 00:34:50,079 yelling. Two times over. I was like, "Okay, well, 371 00:34:48,240 --> 00:34:54,720 hey, it's time to go." So, we took a walk. He uh tapped the old grade school 372 00:34:53,440 --> 00:34:58,320 principal on the shoulder. I said, "Hey, I'd like to talk to you on on uh 373 00:34:56,879 --> 00:35:03,599 Monday." Brought a couple of your teachers. He uh and he's like, "Okay, 374 00:35:01,440 --> 00:35:08,240 great." So, show up on Monday. Before I know it, I'm getting like plans for 375 00:35:06,000 --> 00:35:11,920 everything. And I was like, "Whoa." I go I go, "What are you talking about?" The 376 00:35:10,000 --> 00:35:17,280 uh I go, "All I was doing was trying to figure out what was going on here with 377 00:35:14,160 --> 00:35:23,680 my daughter and and now I'm the problem." Yeah. So, I found that when 378 00:35:20,720 --> 00:35:28,720 you ask questions, doesn't matter whether it's a hard question to a 379 00:35:25,520 --> 00:35:34,000 teacher or anybody else, you know, it comes back on me. He uh I'll take that 380 00:35:31,760 --> 00:35:38,320 hit all day long. He as far as that's concerned. So, I was trying to stick up 381 00:35:35,599 --> 00:35:44,560 for my daughter. The teacher had nothing to do with with the whole situation. 382 00:35:41,040 --> 00:35:50,640 Now, the other teacher misunderstood and was being pretty loud. the uh if people 383 00:35:48,160 --> 00:35:56,960 had one apologized to me about the situation 384 00:35:52,160 --> 00:36:01,119 or if took me serious on my dialogue on what happened on there then maybe 385 00:35:59,520 --> 00:36:05,119 something in the future wouldn't happen and I won't get into that I'll remind 386 00:36:02,960 --> 00:36:09,680 you the uh but you know there's a cause and effect to everything and if 387 00:36:06,960 --> 00:36:14,400 something doesn't get fixed with an individual then they get lost to 388 00:36:12,960 --> 00:36:19,280 something else and something else and before you know it could do something 389 00:36:16,480 --> 00:36:24,480 really bad. He uh had been getting into the physical security side and I said in 390 00:36:21,680 --> 00:36:31,520 my speech earlier, this is one of those cases. He uh things get fixed early on 391 00:36:29,359 --> 00:36:39,839 and it doesn't snowball out of control. So So yeah. Yeah, I got wrote up for 14 392 00:36:35,440 --> 00:36:47,359 months. Um went to go talk to the board. He that didn't didn't work out. the um 393 00:36:44,560 --> 00:36:53,680 nothing changed for that one. I wanted copy of the uh the video. They said that 394 00:36:51,599 --> 00:37:00,240 they had a copy of the video and when I asked for it, uh they didn't have a copy 395 00:36:56,400 --> 00:37:06,400 of the video because apparently you they determined that it wasn't on. So, we had 396 00:37:04,400 --> 00:37:10,720 a long conversation about that and other things going, "Oh, well, that's got to 397 00:37:08,400 --> 00:37:14,960 be fixed." I go, you're supposed to have video 24/7, 398 00:37:12,560 --> 00:37:18,720 7 days a week. Should be accessible. It should be 399 00:37:16,560 --> 00:37:24,400 working. The uh you should be able to see what's on the screen. I just noticed 400 00:37:21,599 --> 00:37:29,680 recently that they upgraded that the uh that's fantastic. That's, you know, if 401 00:37:27,440 --> 00:37:34,880 anything came out of all that very minimum, it was that now we have better 402 00:37:32,560 --> 00:37:38,960 video cameras than what we had before because that shouldn't be the case at 403 00:37:37,200 --> 00:37:42,560 all. That's kind of That's pretty dangerous for all of our kids and we 404 00:37:41,040 --> 00:37:47,440 want to make sure that we have a safe environment for all the kids here. We 405 00:37:45,520 --> 00:37:53,200 want to make sure that that all the administrators, the teachers, people 406 00:37:50,079 --> 00:37:58,800 working in a school, they are all doing what they should be doing is being 407 00:37:55,280 --> 00:38:07,200 strong mentors. They they are building up the kids, never tearing them down. 408 00:38:02,720 --> 00:38:12,800 Okay? Positive mentors. The uh and you don't have things in place as safety 409 00:38:09,359 --> 00:38:18,400 mechanisms, then that will never happen. So, so yeah, that long story short, 410 00:38:16,320 --> 00:38:24,240 that's basically happened. There was a couple other things that got tied in 411 00:38:20,640 --> 00:38:29,200 there. It got went in the wrong way and, you know, before the buses wake cuz they 412 00:38:26,320 --> 00:38:34,240 closed parking lot out front for like 45 minutes before, you know, you know, 30 413 00:38:32,079 --> 00:38:38,000 plus minutes before the bus shows up. So, like me and 10 other people, we went 414 00:38:36,240 --> 00:38:41,839 in the wrong way. I got busted. I stopped doing that. That was another 415 00:38:39,920 --> 00:38:46,960 thing. I took full responsibility for that. I'm just trying to get to my kids 416 00:38:44,480 --> 00:38:53,520 the time of man. Yeah. I didn't do that after that. The um And then there was 417 00:38:50,800 --> 00:38:57,760 one other thing too. The uh you know, you got little kids that are one and 418 00:38:55,520 --> 00:39:02,079 three years old. The uh and they forget homework. You get kind of like flustered 419 00:39:00,240 --> 00:39:05,760 a little bit. I got three kids with me and some of the kids come out. I go, 420 00:39:03,920 --> 00:39:09,200 "Hey, you got all your homework?" like we forgot something. I was like, "Okay, 421 00:39:07,520 --> 00:39:13,359 well, let's go in and get it." The uh So, I start walking in the door they 422 00:39:11,200 --> 00:39:18,000 came out of and pretty much everybody's out of school and so forth. And walking 423 00:39:16,160 --> 00:39:21,359 in and I get two steps in the security guard that's doing this job. I said, 424 00:39:20,079 --> 00:39:26,560 "Hey, you're not supposed to be in here this way." And I was like, "Oh, okay. 425 00:39:23,119 --> 00:39:30,560 Sorry." Then you go back around. So, so, uh, so I did that and then, you know, a 426 00:39:28,880 --> 00:39:36,000 few months down the line or maybe longer. I can't remember what the 427 00:39:31,920 --> 00:39:40,000 timeline was. Got flustered again and went back in with my kids. Like I said, 428 00:39:38,800 --> 00:39:44,960 they're talking about, you know, ones that are fourth, fourth grade or below 429 00:39:41,599 --> 00:39:50,160 and so forth. Got roam again for that. I wouldn't be going way in there. So, what 430 00:39:47,040 --> 00:39:53,680 I do, I just went the right way. And so, that way we 431 00:39:52,000 --> 00:39:59,040 could, you know, both of those time periods were after 432 00:39:56,560 --> 00:40:04,000 after pretty much everybody was out of the building the uh as far as everybody 433 00:40:01,760 --> 00:40:08,320 but you know I still took responsibility for that because I was wrong I shouldn't 434 00:40:06,560 --> 00:40:12,720 have walked in that particular door at that particular time and so forth. So, 435 00:40:10,800 --> 00:40:18,000 you know, as a disabled veteran, you know, one of the things that they gave 436 00:40:14,160 --> 00:40:24,960 me was 14 months not being able to participate in any of my kids events. 437 00:40:20,560 --> 00:40:29,520 Um, as for recreat with the time period, 14 months. Now, 438 00:40:27,440 --> 00:40:35,760 you guys can judge for yourself. Was that appropriate for the situations or 439 00:40:31,920 --> 00:40:42,079 not? It is, you know, pretty lengthy time. I miss two of my my kids award 440 00:40:38,400 --> 00:40:46,880 ceremonies. My to doing a payup job. Um, and as a dad, I couldn't be there for 441 00:40:44,400 --> 00:40:51,440 them at that moment any time. I couldn't even [clears throat] get access. And as 442 00:40:48,720 --> 00:40:55,839 a veteran in particular, disabled veteran, corn state law, I'm supposed to 443 00:40:53,760 --> 00:41:00,720 have full access to all the kids. And that that didn't that didn't happen. The 444 00:40:58,079 --> 00:41:06,400 uh but they stuck with, you know, that I accepted it. I did I complied to that 445 00:41:02,960 --> 00:41:11,520 whole time period. And now I'm back on the normal guy list, if you will. so I 446 00:41:09,200 --> 00:41:17,040 can do what everybody else does and so forth. The uh 447 00:41:14,319 --> 00:41:25,599 I'm just trying to figure out what I can do to better future person's situations. 448 00:41:21,359 --> 00:41:30,560 Um and I can give better by by learning and growing from that particular moment 449 00:41:27,680 --> 00:41:36,720 in time. And then also asking the hard questions to make sure that everything's 450 00:41:34,079 --> 00:41:40,400 being properly investigated on all angles. 451 00:41:38,319 --> 00:41:45,280 multiple witnesses, whatever it takes the uh to get an accurate picture and 452 00:41:43,280 --> 00:41:50,560 that accurate picture is presented to the board. Not powerful picture, not not 453 00:41:48,160 --> 00:41:56,480 too clear of the picture for your perspective or not, whatever, 454 00:41:53,200 --> 00:42:01,760 but but the full picture. The uh and so if people need to really get pushed away 455 00:41:59,040 --> 00:42:06,640 from their kids in this particular case, then so be it. Okay, for the time 456 00:42:03,680 --> 00:42:11,119 period. If it's a shorter time period, okay, that's fine, too. The uh if they 457 00:42:08,960 --> 00:42:14,640 did something so horrendous that they were banned for life, then you know, 458 00:42:12,560 --> 00:42:22,640 that's the way that it is. But at least the investigation part is done properly 459 00:42:18,560 --> 00:42:25,640 and it's done impartially. So, thank you. 460 00:42:26,480 --> 00:42:29,960 » Any more questions? 461 00:42:33,119 --> 00:42:37,400 your name for me. Slowly 462 00:42:37,599 --> 00:42:40,599 slowly 463 00:42:43,119 --> 00:42:54,359 » for him. B O T G T O R I F. I think I'm the only D on the roster there. 464 00:42:50,800 --> 00:42:54,359 » Bill Honeyut 465 00:42:54,640 --> 00:43:00,599 » Mike Horse Jason. 466 00:43:01,359 --> 00:43:05,079 Okay, any more questions? 467 00:43:05,969 --> 00:43:11,680 [clears throat] >> Kind of twofold here. So, first of all, 468 00:43:10,079 --> 00:43:16,079 some of you guys said what your agenda was. So, the ones that didn't, what are 469 00:43:13,920 --> 00:43:21,119 your agendas or do you have one? And then the second question would be to 470 00:43:17,599 --> 00:43:25,920 Dawn for what you just said. Um, so if you were involved in something with the 471 00:43:23,680 --> 00:43:29,680 other school board meeting members or potentially some of these that were in 472 00:43:27,599 --> 00:43:32,800 there in the past, are you going to be be able to if you get with them this 473 00:43:31,839 --> 00:43:36,240 time, are you going to be able to cooperate with them or are there hard 474 00:43:34,319 --> 00:43:39,960 feelings because of that situation or how is that going to work? 475 00:43:40,720 --> 00:43:47,440 » You just asked me if I'm a better man or not. He uh what's their question and so 476 00:43:45,920 --> 00:43:54,800 forth. You know, I was always taught right from 477 00:43:51,359 --> 00:43:58,560 wrong. You admit to your your mistakes and then you learn and you grow and you 478 00:43:56,480 --> 00:44:03,839 move forward and you don't drag anybody down along the way. The uh you know, 479 00:44:01,680 --> 00:44:10,480 although I felt that there's a lot of folks on myself that didn't have a voice 480 00:44:07,200 --> 00:44:15,920 on there, I'm trying to have a voice for the parents, for the kids, okay, for for 481 00:44:13,599 --> 00:44:20,800 everybody out there. The uh I don't have any problem. I've worked with with all 482 00:44:18,720 --> 00:44:27,280 kinds of different leaders in the army. The uh ones that I didn't agree with. 483 00:44:23,599 --> 00:44:33,839 The uh ones that I did um some harder softer than others. Overall, women, men, 484 00:44:30,880 --> 00:44:37,359 you know, doesn't matter the uh um you know, we're all green here. Just like 485 00:44:35,359 --> 00:44:43,599 when I was in the army, we're all green. Okay. We're all got the best interest of 486 00:44:40,400 --> 00:44:47,520 the kids at heart. Okay. If they don't, if no one has the best interest in the 487 00:44:45,680 --> 00:44:52,400 case 100%. Then we'll have a discussion about that, 488 00:44:49,520 --> 00:44:58,319 okay? As I try to roll them back into that those particular discussion points. 489 00:44:54,960 --> 00:45:03,599 But but I have no problem interacting and working. Matter of fact, a couple 490 00:45:00,160 --> 00:45:08,160 days ago, had a chance to work with superintendent 491 00:45:05,119 --> 00:45:12,480 Bill the uh on on a very important initiative that came out with the 492 00:45:09,760 --> 00:45:16,960 school. the uh the Chennow survey. I don't know if everybody saw that. At 493 00:45:14,079 --> 00:45:20,800 first I said I didn't see it, Tanya, but I didn't see it because my wife did it 494 00:45:18,560 --> 00:45:27,359 for us. The uh that's why I didn't see it. But but um you know, we had 700 495 00:45:24,480 --> 00:45:31,599 something families and 114 families filled out this for these forms to come 496 00:45:29,520 --> 00:45:36,880 up with these statistics as they were trying to figure out where we're at now 497 00:45:34,720 --> 00:45:40,800 and what we can do in the next two years. 498 00:45:38,079 --> 00:45:44,960 We had we had great discussions and there was like another board member with 499 00:45:42,160 --> 00:45:51,200 me and superintendent with me and and we we stepped forward from that situation 500 00:45:47,440 --> 00:45:58,000 which you know ended uh almost a year ago. So so you know it's been been a 501 00:45:54,720 --> 00:46:03,839 while. So and I didn't feel anything in either direction from anybody you know 502 00:46:01,200 --> 00:46:08,160 regardless of of past situations or whatever. They seem like folks that 503 00:46:06,000 --> 00:46:13,760 could say, "Oh yeah, this is that moment in time. You're back in the mix. 504 00:46:11,839 --> 00:46:17,760 Let's let's talk. Let's interact. Let's try to move forward. I'm getting 505 00:46:16,160 --> 00:46:21,920 whatever we need to get done for the kids." And that's why I was there. I 506 00:46:19,839 --> 00:46:25,280 wasn't there for publicity or anything. Matter of fact, I could have just curled 507 00:46:23,280 --> 00:46:31,839 up in a little ball for this whole situation and said, "I'm done. 508 00:46:28,400 --> 00:46:37,119 You know, I got PTSD, which I do 90% disabled, a few different categories. 509 00:46:34,240 --> 00:46:42,560 The uh this is why I don't hang out with crowds and don't 510 00:46:39,760 --> 00:46:50,000 interact with people because one thing or another is is a difficult situation 511 00:46:45,520 --> 00:46:56,240 for me. The uh but I'm finding myself able to handle that. the uh as was a 512 00:46:53,520 --> 00:47:00,800 couple days ago and actually throughout the whole school year I bumped into the 513 00:46:58,000 --> 00:47:08,000 superintendent and Donna through multiple avenues regardless where it was 514 00:47:04,000 --> 00:47:14,800 at doing some kind of charity type of work I say it like that the u um or 515 00:47:12,319 --> 00:47:20,800 within the school itself and so forth or maybe it's just a passing dialogue you 516 00:47:17,440 --> 00:47:26,000 know in the hallway or whatever and And I don't see, you know, I'm not I'm not 517 00:47:24,480 --> 00:47:31,599 feeling like I'm a victim or anything like that. The uh and I and I'm not 518 00:47:28,800 --> 00:47:37,440 trying to make anybody else a victim. I don't know to what I did. The uh and 519 00:47:34,640 --> 00:47:42,880 left the other stuff back behind. Uh, one thing that I would never tolerate is 520 00:47:39,760 --> 00:47:49,760 is anybody, I don't care if they're an adult or a child that bullies or 521 00:47:46,240 --> 00:47:54,560 harasses or talks down to at any of our kids. The that is totally unnecessary at 522 00:47:53,119 --> 00:48:01,280 any angle. It doesn't matter whether they get disciplinary actions or or just 523 00:47:59,040 --> 00:48:08,480 you know and it was it was a small case and point where 524 00:48:04,480 --> 00:48:13,440 my daughter's name was being broadcasted name was was wrong 525 00:48:11,119 --> 00:48:17,440 that individual and nothing happened. 526 00:48:16,000 --> 00:48:24,400 Okay. Well, that's a different discussion mind, but but once again, you 527 00:48:20,240 --> 00:48:32,079 know, we we we are the stewards for all of our kids, all of us. It takes all of 528 00:48:28,240 --> 00:48:36,319 us to band together and work forward for positive progress. And so hopefully I 529 00:48:34,000 --> 00:48:40,880 can do that. Well, I know I can do that with with any of the board members and 530 00:48:38,800 --> 00:48:45,839 the superintendent and high school principles and great school principles 531 00:48:42,640 --> 00:48:53,480 and anybody else. You know, It was a blip in time. It gets discussed as 532 00:48:48,079 --> 00:48:53,480 adults and we move past that. Okay. 533 00:48:56,000 --> 00:49:02,640 » I don't really I [clears throat] don't guess I have an agenda other than just 534 00:48:59,839 --> 00:49:09,520 continue to be as physically responsible as we can and uh with maybe things 535 00:49:06,880 --> 00:49:14,400 coming down from the state, maybe an unknown on the money. So, we're we're 536 00:49:12,480 --> 00:49:19,280 going to have to be fiscally responsible and One thing that I've always said, 537 00:49:17,200 --> 00:49:25,599 it's not some big epiphany or anything, but uh when a kid walks through that 538 00:49:21,839 --> 00:49:33,119 door, we all of us here, we've got differences, whether it be economic, 539 00:49:29,599 --> 00:49:38,640 run different social circles, uh different religious uh beliefs, 540 00:49:35,760 --> 00:49:43,200 different denominations, whatever, and any other number of other things that 541 00:49:40,800 --> 00:49:47,920 make us different. But I hope that at the school when a kid 542 00:49:46,000 --> 00:49:52,800 walks in the door that's all left on the outside and everybody's treated the same 543 00:49:51,280 --> 00:49:57,920 because every kid that comes through that door below deserves to be loved and 544 00:49:55,680 --> 00:50:03,520 deserves to have opportunities and we just need to do our best find the 545 00:50:00,319 --> 00:50:09,280 opportunities and help them realize the ones that maybe they need to take 546 00:50:05,200 --> 00:50:13,160 advantage of. So thanks. >> I don't have no agenda. 547 00:50:13,440 --> 00:50:21,440 I just believe that you know every child no matter what your 548 00:50:18,800 --> 00:50:27,760 ability is should have the best teachers possible 549 00:50:23,359 --> 00:50:30,775 to benefit and help you move forward as you're here. [snorts] 550 00:50:31,520 --> 00:50:37,640 There is a lot of unknowns coming down that we already 551 00:50:39,040 --> 00:50:42,200 move forward 552 00:50:44,720 --> 00:50:52,880 good way and we'll still be strong in the future. 553 00:50:49,920 --> 00:50:56,960 Thank you. Like I said a while ago, I coming into 554 00:50:54,960 --> 00:51:04,559 this, I don't have an agenda towards anything besides just doing the absolute 555 00:51:00,559 --> 00:51:10,559 best I can to continue with, in my opinion, there being a great school, 556 00:51:06,640 --> 00:51:16,079 great faculty, great kids, uh do everything in my ability to help 557 00:51:12,480 --> 00:51:22,400 continue with that. And like Mike and Bill said, they I've heard that too. 558 00:51:19,200 --> 00:51:28,160 Budget cuts coming and a lot of opposition and stuff to that'll 559 00:51:26,160 --> 00:51:34,319 have to be battled in the next 5 years probably. And if I'm lucky enough to get 560 00:51:31,680 --> 00:51:39,680 elected, I I'll face that with the best of my abilities 561 00:51:36,000 --> 00:51:43,839 and do what I can. >> Thank you, Julen. Because of time, we're 562 00:51:42,079 --> 00:51:48,720 going to move on to county. Thank you so much for being here. Thank you for 563 00:51:45,599 --> 00:51:48,720 talking. [applause] 564 00:51:54,880 --> 00:52:08,319 Good afternoon. Thank you. Uh for those of you that don't know me, I thank I'm 565 00:52:04,480 --> 00:52:16,960 commissioner David Stfield for County. I uh been at this job almost 5 years. 566 00:52:12,160 --> 00:52:23,200 I like to thank the city council, the mayor for the things that have happened 567 00:52:19,599 --> 00:52:28,160 there in the last year or so. This is pretty exciting. 568 00:52:25,359 --> 00:52:32,559 I know you all worked hard. So, I'll not keep you any longer and not 569 00:52:30,240 --> 00:52:35,680 brag on you anymore. You all have done a good job. These 570 00:52:33,920 --> 00:52:40,466 people have done a wonderful job. They they deserve 571 00:52:38,446 --> 00:52:40,466 [applause] 572 00:52:41,280 --> 00:52:48,640 And with that, I would like to have the uh 573 00:52:45,599 --> 00:52:56,640 candidates for the county positions to come down. And uh we will uh give you a 574 00:52:53,599 --> 00:53:01,160 chance to uh say who you are. And by the way, I am running again this year, 575 00:53:01,680 --> 00:53:08,480 presided commissioner. I am going to hand this mic to the 576 00:53:06,000 --> 00:53:12,200 judge. you can start it off. 577 00:53:12,960 --> 00:53:17,680 » My name is Harvey Allen. I'm an associate circuit judge here in Oregon 578 00:53:16,000 --> 00:53:20,079 County. And many of you know me. I grew up here. As a matter of fact, if you 579 00:53:18,720 --> 00:53:24,640 know the underwood property over here that we just cleared off about 50 years 580 00:53:22,640 --> 00:53:30,800 ago, you can sit see me riding a pony up on top of that hill. That's our family 581 00:53:26,640 --> 00:53:35,680 farm. Uh I grew up here, went to I and my five siblings all graduated high 582 00:53:33,440 --> 00:53:40,319 school. My son graduated from the high school. Uh went to college at Missouri 583 00:53:38,319 --> 00:53:44,559 State University in Springfield and law school at Kansas City. Moved back to 584 00:53:42,800 --> 00:53:48,640 Springfield and practiced law with a law firm there for 5 years. Had a chance to 585 00:53:47,040 --> 00:53:53,040 come back to the when Bill Hans got elected as judge and I took over his 586 00:53:51,040 --> 00:53:58,319 office where I worked in that office for 20 years before I became judge. I've now 587 00:53:55,599 --> 00:54:03,680 been the judge for 15 years. This is my starting my 16th year. I'm not that old, 588 00:54:01,520 --> 00:54:08,319 but I'm starting my 16th year as judge. I just I just calculated a while ago. I 589 00:54:05,760 --> 00:54:13,359 think I think this month is my 40th year as a lawyer. So I've been I've been 590 00:54:10,559 --> 00:54:19,520 doing that for a while. Um in my position I was city attorney there for 591 00:54:15,599 --> 00:54:24,640 for 14 years and then also the the suburb of Koskin for several years. Uh 592 00:54:22,480 --> 00:54:28,079 so did those things and even as my time as a judge I I handle pretty much 593 00:54:26,480 --> 00:54:33,440 anything. I laugh once in a while that I'll do a be doing a murder arignment 594 00:54:30,720 --> 00:54:38,160 and then I'll be doing an all dog run please within 5 minutes of each other. 595 00:54:35,839 --> 00:54:43,760 So someone asked me what do I do? I said I do just about everything. Uh we handle 596 00:54:40,800 --> 00:54:48,000 those. Um some of the things I'm very proud of is 597 00:54:45,599 --> 00:54:51,440 that I deal with the I'm also the juvenile judge here in Nor County. So I 598 00:54:49,839 --> 00:54:55,839 deal with juvenile issues. I'm just telling you that that's that's tough. 599 00:54:53,680 --> 00:54:59,440 Justin having been prosecuted, he knows that being judge along those cases is 600 00:54:58,000 --> 00:55:02,960 half the people think you're too easy and the other half think you're too hard 601 00:55:01,359 --> 00:55:07,280 and that's just that's just how it goes being judge or being prosecuted. Um I 602 00:55:05,680 --> 00:55:11,200 started the treatment court, drug treatment court here in Oregon County. 603 00:55:09,520 --> 00:55:15,520 uh that was something that the state was really wanting to encourage us to do and 604 00:55:13,520 --> 00:55:19,280 uh you know there's mixed mixed opinions about it when it got started but let me 605 00:55:17,440 --> 00:55:24,960 tell you there's nothing to to make your opinion very solid as when someone 606 00:55:22,240 --> 00:55:30,160 graduates from treatment court and they come and tell you that if you 607 00:55:27,520 --> 00:55:36,160 had not put me in jail on the day you put me in jail I would be dead 608 00:55:33,839 --> 00:55:40,400 that's moving to them and then when their 50-year-old dad comes over and 609 00:55:37,599 --> 00:55:44,880 gives you a hug and say you what that's 610 00:55:42,640 --> 00:55:50,079 why do that's why that's why I want to do this why it because I've served for 611 00:55:47,280 --> 00:55:54,319 many years Bob Neckman doing community events and uh improving our community is 612 00:55:52,400 --> 00:55:58,640 the biggest thing to me very important to me uh I have a lot of things to 613 00:55:56,480 --> 00:56:02,799 consider people often I've heard complaints about issues concerning 614 00:56:00,640 --> 00:56:08,079 things such as a bond bond that I issue for someone I have a very limited amount 615 00:56:06,079 --> 00:56:12,000 of discretion about that but I do have discussion 616 00:56:09,280 --> 00:56:15,760 Two things I have to consider is make sure the bonds appropriate to make sure 617 00:56:13,440 --> 00:56:21,200 they show up show up in court and to protect my community. I take that 618 00:56:19,520 --> 00:56:25,440 do everything I can to protect protect our community. So I'm very proud of the 619 00:56:23,200 --> 00:56:30,799 commissioners this year. They have uh uh been working to improve and increase the 620 00:56:27,680 --> 00:56:35,359 jail. Uh they have remodeled both the primary courtroom and also have uh 621 00:56:33,200 --> 00:56:39,440 created a new secondary courtroom for us that's been extremely [clears throat] 622 00:56:36,319 --> 00:56:45,680 useful. I had the honor of swearing in Mayor Donna uh in our new secondary 623 00:56:42,720 --> 00:56:50,319 courtroom recently and uh it's been very we've been using a lot. So that's been a 624 00:56:48,319 --> 00:56:53,920 great expenditure of money and to the courthouse uh improvements to the 625 00:56:52,240 --> 00:57:00,000 courtrooms for the first time I think in 40 years. So very much in any event uh 626 00:56:57,920 --> 00:57:05,689 I'm running for one more term with this and I will primary on that is August 627 00:57:02,160 --> 00:57:07,709 4th. I would appreciate your vote. [applause] 628 00:57:12,720 --> 00:57:19,760 » My name is Justin Nelson. I'm also running for associate circuit judge of 629 00:57:16,640 --> 00:57:25,680 Oregon County. Um I've been a lawyer now. This will be my 22nd year. I 630 00:57:22,480 --> 00:57:30,960 graduated 1997 with Jason Baker back there. Uh my parents of course both 631 00:57:28,480 --> 00:57:36,079 graduates here and there. My sister was a graduate there. So, long history 632 00:57:33,520 --> 00:57:39,520 there. I uh started out my first job out of law school was working as public 633 00:57:37,599 --> 00:57:44,000 defender. Uh so I represented the indigent folks, folks that did not uh 634 00:57:41,920 --> 00:57:48,559 have the funds to hire an attorney. So I be appointed to represent them. Uh later 635 00:57:46,400 --> 00:57:53,119 on ended up serving as prosecutor here in Oregon County and now in private 636 00:57:51,040 --> 00:57:58,319 practice principally doing a lot of family law issues, divorces, 637 00:57:55,359 --> 00:58:03,520 guardianships, uh things of that nature. What I would say originally attracted me 638 00:58:00,079 --> 00:58:09,200 to the practice of law was the idea of accountability and equal protection 639 00:58:06,319 --> 00:58:14,640 under law. And those are the values I would also bring to the bench to be sure 640 00:58:11,359 --> 00:58:20,640 that every case is fully heard, that every individual uh is respected, 641 00:58:17,599 --> 00:58:25,680 treated fairly without bias, without any type of favoritism. Uh to be sure that 642 00:58:23,280 --> 00:58:31,839 all all folks are afforded their equal access to the law. treated equally under 643 00:58:28,799 --> 00:58:37,520 the law and uh that's what my goal would be serving as your judge and uh I would 644 00:58:35,040 --> 00:58:42,685 appreciate your vote this August in the August Republican primary. Thank you. 645 00:58:40,665 --> 00:58:42,685 [applause] 646 00:58:43,280 --> 00:58:51,799 » You have any question to hold on to them just for a little bit. We'll go through 647 00:58:47,040 --> 00:58:51,799 these people and then we can act. 648 00:58:53,200 --> 00:58:58,559 » I'll go behind the podium but I'm not sure you can see me. I am not the 649 00:58:56,480 --> 00:59:03,119 tallest person in the world or the best speaker. Here we go. Good evening 650 00:59:01,440 --> 00:59:07,599 everyone and thank you for being here tonight and thank you for supporting all 651 00:59:05,280 --> 00:59:11,760 of our candidates. You're very lucky there's several here and they're all 652 00:59:09,760 --> 00:59:18,000 after your vote and want to work for you. I simply want to start by asking 653 00:59:15,280 --> 00:59:22,079 for your vote. My name is Crystal Hal and many of you may know me as a 654 00:59:19,839 --> 00:59:26,960 neighbor, a coworker, or just somebody that you see in the community. Some of 655 00:59:24,799 --> 00:59:33,200 you may have heard me on the radio a few years ago. If not, maybe Bob Beckman 656 00:59:30,240 --> 00:59:37,680 will give me a discount this year. I grew up believing in hard work and 657 00:59:35,359 --> 00:59:43,760 responsibility and taking care of the place that you call home. 658 00:59:40,400 --> 00:59:49,200 I studied contract law in college, but like led me back home to take care of my 659 00:59:46,240 --> 00:59:54,720 children. Along the way, I built a career centered on service and 660 00:59:51,839 --> 01:00:00,799 accountability, values that I hold here today. I spent 10 years at Aravac 661 00:59:58,319 --> 01:00:04,319 working in maintenance on software implementation 662 01:00:02,319 --> 01:00:09,920 and contract negotiations. 663 01:00:07,040 --> 01:00:15,040 This is where I learned how critical efficiency and accuracy are in the 664 01:00:12,319 --> 01:00:20,559 systems that we use today. In 2016, I joined the How County Circuit 665 01:00:18,559 --> 01:00:25,839 Clerk's Office. Over the last 10 years, I've worked in 666 01:00:22,960 --> 01:00:33,119 every aspect of the court system, and I've just completed my 36th jury trial, 667 01:00:30,400 --> 01:00:37,839 being a part of that, and it's very rewarding to be able to help justice 668 01:00:36,000 --> 01:00:43,680 move along. I've served two years as a region 9 669 01:00:40,799 --> 01:00:50,480 officer for the Missouri professional association of court 670 01:00:45,839 --> 01:00:55,920 clerks. This area of MOPAC is what we call it serves nine or 11 counties in 671 01:00:53,839 --> 01:01:01,040 our area. Through that work, I've helped train 672 01:00:58,079 --> 01:01:07,839 several other clerks in the 37th Circuit by sharing best practices and improving 673 01:01:04,480 --> 01:01:12,880 consistency across the state. Beyond the courthouse, I've also helped 674 01:01:10,079 --> 01:01:16,440 implement software improvements that have helped statewide. 675 01:01:16,480 --> 01:01:26,400 I currently serve on three focus groups. Those are for accounting, civil, and 676 01:01:23,520 --> 01:01:32,160 garnishments. These are new processes in our software. 677 01:01:28,400 --> 01:01:37,440 Um, as a select group of clerks, we help develop, implement, and process to 678 01:01:35,040 --> 01:01:42,319 strengthen those areas in our court system across Missouri. 679 01:01:40,160 --> 01:01:47,119 Our circuit recently received recognition for case processing. And 680 01:01:44,880 --> 01:01:53,280 while I'm proud of that work, I believe there's a lot more that we can do. That 681 01:01:50,319 --> 01:01:58,960 belief is why my slogan is your clerk, your neighbor, your voice. I'm not just 682 01:01:55,839 --> 01:02:04,240 someone who works in the court system. I live here. I raise my family here. And I 683 01:02:02,640 --> 01:02:10,319 understand the people in the needs of this community. My goal is simple. A 684 01:02:07,440 --> 01:02:15,280 court system that works efficiently, serves the people well, and reflects 685 01:02:12,880 --> 01:02:19,680 those that it represents. So tonight, I'll ask again for your vote. And I 686 01:02:17,599 --> 01:02:24,078 would be truly honored to earn your support. Thank you. [applause] 687 01:02:29,359 --> 01:02:40,000 THANK YOU. HI, good evening. My name is FA Reese and I'm from Alton, 688 01:02:35,680 --> 01:02:47,040 Missouri. And one of the things that I picked up on with the school board 689 01:02:42,480 --> 01:02:52,079 candidate was um how much he enjoyed the community and how the communities come 690 01:02:49,359 --> 01:02:57,599 together in such a big way. And that really made an impact on me. I guess it 691 01:02:54,319 --> 01:03:03,520 was the St. Jude's fundraising and for Alton it was like to me astronomical and 692 01:03:00,960 --> 01:03:07,839 then just any need they're there and it's the same here and all the 693 01:03:05,599 --> 01:03:14,400 communities and I'm from a small town too. I I recently moved up here about 694 01:03:10,640 --> 01:03:20,160 three years ago four and I think my favorite thing is getting to experience 695 01:03:16,960 --> 01:03:24,640 every season in one week. I'm like that's awesome. So it's like Missouri is 696 01:03:22,799 --> 01:03:29,359 telling you, hey, stick around if you don't like this. I'll show you in a 697 01:03:26,960 --> 01:03:35,680 moment. Anyway, I have signed up to run for the county clerk position. And I 698 01:03:33,839 --> 01:03:41,520 have a strong background in administration management. Um I was an 699 01:03:39,359 --> 01:03:48,240 office manager supervisor and traveled to seven states and covered 11 offices. 700 01:03:44,319 --> 01:03:51,440 So I am very acclimated to um handling paperwork 701 01:03:49,839 --> 01:03:59,760 um in public. I love to uh meet new people 702 01:03:55,440 --> 01:04:02,799 and help. I love to help. Um so that's why I'm running for the county clerk 703 01:04:02,274 --> 01:04:10,760 [laughter] background in all of that and would 704 01:04:06,079 --> 01:04:10,760 really appreciate your vote coming up. 705 01:04:12,099 --> 01:04:16,960 [applause] I do not want to go after those leaves. 706 01:04:15,200 --> 01:04:22,000 I'm just going to introduce myself. I'm Sandy Wheeler. I'm running for counter 707 01:04:18,880 --> 01:04:29,119 colle county collector. Um I currently work for the city of B. Um 708 01:04:26,000 --> 01:04:34,079 I just think that the county deserves someone that's respectful, someone 709 01:04:31,920 --> 01:04:38,319 that's dedicated, and that's basically it. I'm not going 710 01:04:35,599 --> 01:04:42,284 to hold you guys here much longer. Yeah. 711 01:04:40,264 --> 01:04:42,284 [applause] 712 01:04:43,599 --> 01:04:52,240 » Hello, my name's Wes Buckner. I've lived in Orange County. my entire life. I'm 713 01:04:49,280 --> 01:04:55,839 most generally from the Alton area. Uh grew up between Alton and there. My 714 01:04:54,319 --> 01:05:01,520 parents have had a place out there since I was just a little kid. And uh I've 715 01:04:58,960 --> 01:05:08,559 been on the city council now at Alton for 5 years. I've been on the Orton 716 01:05:03,760 --> 01:05:14,160 County recycling board for 3 years. Um, I enjoy doing work that serves the 717 01:05:11,119 --> 01:05:21,359 public that uh to try and help make our community better and stronger and I look 718 01:05:18,799 --> 01:05:26,720 forward to hoping to get to serve the community in the future. I've signed up 719 01:05:23,200 --> 01:05:32,010 to run as Oregon County Treasurer and I would appreciate your vote come 720 01:05:29,599 --> 01:05:34,030 August. Thank you. [applause] 721 01:05:36,400 --> 01:05:44,079 Hi, I'm Terry Williams. For you all who don't know me here, I'm from Bald. Um, 722 01:05:41,440 --> 01:05:49,359 I'm running for organics lecture. I'm not a speaker at all, but they said we 723 01:05:47,280 --> 01:05:55,359 needed to talk tonight, so I'm more of a work person. Get out there and get the 724 01:05:51,280 --> 01:05:59,920 job done. So, um, in August, I would appreciate your vote. Um, some people 725 01:05:58,319 --> 01:06:02,880 was brought to my attention today that said, "Is there anything that you would 726 01:06:01,200 --> 01:06:09,200 change? Is there anything you would do if you got in? Yes. Like I said, this 727 01:06:06,960 --> 01:06:14,799 person asked about being able to work through lunch hours. Yes, I agree. 728 01:06:12,240 --> 01:06:18,720 Personally, I own Southside Tire right now and all. I know most of you that 729 01:06:16,640 --> 01:06:25,280 know me from there know my husband Tom Williams. I've been there for 28 years. 730 01:06:23,200 --> 01:06:30,720 So, I've managed I've took care of all the book work on it. Got everything 731 01:06:28,000 --> 01:06:37,280 financially going. I've even took care of David a few times with some tickets 732 01:06:33,359 --> 01:06:43,440 through the years. Um, so yeah, that's how I get paid. So anyway, with all that 733 01:06:40,480 --> 01:06:49,599 said, I've got 27 years background of financial to be able to keep care of all 734 01:06:45,760 --> 01:06:55,359 that and everything. Um, managed it, managed the farm. So financially I would 735 01:06:53,119 --> 01:07:02,400 try to do my best to do everything that's capable to do for the county and 736 01:06:59,520 --> 01:07:08,799 I mean talking back about lunch hour. Yes we take off for lunch but I would 737 01:07:05,039 --> 01:07:13,440 agree if we had the office if I did I would rotate it to where somebody was 738 01:07:10,799 --> 01:07:17,200 there in the noon hour because a lot of times even if you're in the office you 739 01:07:15,760 --> 01:07:24,240 don't have time to go do your business and pay your taxes. So that is one thing 740 01:07:19,920 --> 01:07:29,256 that I would see if I was elected. So, but I appreciate your vote. Again, my 741 01:07:26,079 --> 01:07:31,276 name is Terry Williams. Thank you. [applause] 742 01:07:32,880 --> 01:07:41,520 » Hello, my name is Alana Hollis. I currently work at the DMV. So, some of 743 01:07:37,839 --> 01:07:48,079 y'all see me in there. I am running for county treasurer this year. 744 01:07:45,119 --> 01:07:53,440 don't really have an agenda. Just Linda is done a wonderful job and she's 745 01:07:50,400 --> 01:08:00,400 retiring. So I would like your vote and give me a chance to be the your 746 01:07:56,319 --> 01:08:08,319 treasurer instead of your DMV worker. But I also would 747 01:08:04,720 --> 01:08:16,960 like to say that I rode up here my whole life and this community means a lot and 748 01:08:12,079 --> 01:08:23,520 I would like to be able to help keep it local with the families and help the 749 01:08:20,560 --> 01:08:29,572 ones coming in to learn what is so great about our community. I'd appreciate your 750 01:08:26,400 --> 01:08:29,572 vote. [applause] 751 01:08:30,719 --> 01:08:39,199 » Hi, my name is Donna Morrison. I've grown up in Nordan County my whole life. 752 01:08:36,080 --> 01:08:43,199 I have worked in the courthouse for 10 years. I've worked for the county 753 01:08:41,120 --> 01:08:49,520 clerk's office for five and even the collector's office for five, which I in 754 01:08:45,679 --> 01:08:53,759 there right now. Um, I love doing the job. 755 01:08:51,759 --> 01:08:58,400 I'm not good at speaking, but I am good at taking your money. It's not a good 756 01:08:56,159 --> 01:09:01,920 thing, I know, but you kind of got to know what you're doing. It's pretty 757 01:08:59,679 --> 01:09:08,159 important. The collector is more than collecting money. You There's budget you 758 01:09:04,640 --> 01:09:12,319 keep up with. There's a report you have to balance out. It's not taking your 759 01:09:10,239 --> 01:09:18,159 money and you're done, which some people think that it's not. You got to balance 760 01:09:14,640 --> 01:09:22,960 out every month. But so, and as far as lunch hour, I do like my lunch hour. 761 01:09:20,480 --> 01:09:27,213 I'll be honest. So, I'd appreciate your vote. Thank you. [applause] 762 01:09:28,480 --> 01:09:37,839 » Hi, I'm Melissa Smith. I was raised here in Oregon County. I have married been 763 01:09:34,319 --> 01:09:42,799 married 34 going on 35 years. I've got three kids, one grandbaby. 764 01:09:40,480 --> 01:09:46,719 Um, I work at the courthouse. I'm in the prosecuting attorney's office. I take 765 01:09:45,359 --> 01:09:51,279 care of the bad chips and rest institution through office. 766 01:09:49,040 --> 01:09:55,600 So, what that means is just um when the money comes in from a defendant, I pay 767 01:09:53,440 --> 01:10:00,159 that out as quickly as possible. We do that once a month. It's at the end of 768 01:09:56,960 --> 01:10:05,148 the month. Um, I don't know what else to say. So, come 769 01:10:02,320 --> 01:10:09,760 vote August. >> [applause] 770 01:10:06,719 --> 01:10:15,199 » Thank you all. I believe there is 16 people running for uh seven offices this 771 01:10:12,960 --> 01:10:20,880 time. So there will be quite a few on the ballot and it is in the August and 772 01:10:18,159 --> 01:10:25,679 some will go on into November then. So right now if you have any questions for 773 01:10:23,840 --> 01:10:31,880 anybody. Yes ma'am. I have a general question. So 774 01:10:27,920 --> 01:10:31,880 all these people that just 775 01:10:33,840 --> 01:10:37,239 » Yes, it is. 776 01:10:41,360 --> 01:10:47,760 » I'd say we'll be out and about. >> What's that? 777 01:10:44,960 --> 01:10:55,360 » I'd say we'll be out and about fourth of July here at Clair Alton, things like 778 01:10:51,920 --> 01:11:00,560 that before the August primary. question. 779 01:10:58,320 --> 01:11:03,800 » Yes. >> Thank you. 780 01:11:04,880 --> 01:11:13,520 » Anybody else? >> I've got a question 781 01:11:09,920 --> 01:11:20,560 for the judge position. My question is to Mr. Nelson. 782 01:11:17,199 --> 01:11:25,760 Mr. Nelson, you know, this is a small county. Even being it's 783 01:11:23,199 --> 01:11:34,000 a small county. The judge job is a big big job. 784 01:11:29,920 --> 01:11:38,960 Do you believe that you possess the wherewithal and the knowhow to do that 785 01:11:36,880 --> 01:11:43,760 job? >> Well, I'm not sure how you define 786 01:11:40,719 --> 01:11:49,120 wherewithal, but as far as if you're talking about knowhow or experience, 787 01:11:46,560 --> 01:11:54,400 yes, [clears throat] I think I do. >> You care to explain? 788 01:11:52,400 --> 01:11:57,040 » Do I care to explain what? that you've got the knowhow 789 01:11:55,679 --> 01:12:00,400 » that I have the knowhow. >> Yeah. 790 01:11:58,480 --> 01:12:07,120 » Well, I've been an attorney now. This is going on year 22. Uh I've been 791 01:12:04,880 --> 01:12:13,600 essentially in every role that you can be in uh in the courthouse from public 792 01:12:10,880 --> 01:12:20,800 defender to private counsel to prosecutor. So, I I think I've been 793 01:12:17,600 --> 01:12:25,440 about everywhere in every county in court in South Central Missouri. Uh, 794 01:12:23,760 --> 01:12:31,920 I've seen multiple judges run courtrooms, so I I feel confident in my 795 01:12:29,280 --> 01:12:37,360 ability to do the job. Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. 796 01:12:34,960 --> 01:12:40,880 » All right. Anybody else? I'm going to give this back to the 797 01:12:38,560 --> 01:12:45,760 mayor. She's the lady that invited all of us and I want to thank her and we'll 798 01:12:43,920 --> 01:12:49,040 do it again sometime. >> Well, I want to thank all of you for 799 01:12:47,199 --> 01:12:54,719 coming and spending your time here with us this evening. It's so nice to put 800 01:12:51,440 --> 01:12:58,640 faces with names ballot for people to be able to speak and ask questions. It's 801 01:12:56,560 --> 01:13:02,960 great. And so, thank you again for coming and uh I hope we'll get to have 802 01:13:01,280 --> 01:13:08,000 another get together between now and the time August rolls around. And don't 803 01:13:05,199 --> 01:13:11,040 forget to go there folks and vote on Tuesday 804 01:13:09,520 --> 01:13:14,560 uh for the board meeting. And I was going to see is there anything I have my 805 01:13:12,960 --> 01:13:20,159 council here tonight. I'd like to thank them. They've been very patient uh with 806 01:13:17,520 --> 01:13:25,600 the new meeting times that we have and we're just always upset. [clears throat] 807 01:13:22,400 --> 01:13:28,960 Got Mark Bryant and Durk Schultz and Stephen Clark here tonight. Miss Janice 808 01:13:27,280 --> 01:13:32,800 is ill and couldn't be with us, but I truly appreciate them and all the work 809 01:13:30,560 --> 01:13:36,640 they're doing and the school for allowing us to meet here. Did anybody 810 01:13:34,800 --> 01:13:44,520 else do you have another question? Sir, >> I guess there's nobody here. 811 01:13:40,159 --> 01:13:44,520 » Do we have anyone here from special 812 01:14:11,120 --> 01:14:14,960 And you're you're asking about 813 01:14:23,920 --> 01:14:30,760 There he comes. Here he is. >> You want to come talk? 814 01:14:38,159 --> 01:14:41,640 » You're in the spotlight. 815 01:14:44,800 --> 01:14:48,199 Wild women 816 01:14:50,719 --> 01:14:59,679 or down below and hold up the mic. I've run for the 817 01:14:56,560 --> 01:15:05,600 I've run for county for about 15 years running on the fair special. And the 818 01:15:02,080 --> 01:15:11,120 reason I quit was because I didn't think since I was working on the railroad, I 819 01:15:08,080 --> 01:15:16,000 didn't have enough time to devote time for RV. 820 01:15:13,520 --> 01:15:22,239 And the last few years, our road just went downhill. We've had a lot of 821 01:15:19,600 --> 01:15:25,239 floods, a lot of rain, a lot of lot of problems. 822 01:15:26,719 --> 01:15:36,239 So if you want to complain, you got to get in and mix and complain. So that's 823 01:15:33,280 --> 01:15:39,760 where I'm at. There's some things that uh can be 824 01:15:38,159 --> 01:15:43,440 changed. I've not been in it long and it's been a 825 01:15:41,760 --> 01:15:50,239 long time. So I'm not really sure where our budget's at. So, 826 01:15:46,719 --> 01:15:54,000 uh, with fuel at $4 a gallon, we're probably going to see a lot of road 827 01:15:51,920 --> 01:15:58,800 crers and a lot of back and a lot of D trucks going up down the road. But 828 01:15:56,239 --> 01:16:04,640 there's a lot of waste material out there in the roads that can be used. Uh, 829 01:16:02,480 --> 01:16:11,120 one of my pet peeves is if you go down a gravel road, you'll see a big amount of 830 01:16:07,280 --> 01:16:16,800 gravel on the side of the road. Well, that is really good field to fix 831 01:16:14,080 --> 01:16:20,800 and crown our roads. And 832 01:16:18,400 --> 01:16:27,280 I'm not, you know, don't know anything about building roads. I spent 35 years 833 01:16:24,640 --> 01:16:30,640 running and doing maintenance on the railroad. 834 01:16:28,800 --> 01:16:34,960 So if it's an inch and a half out of 835 01:16:32,239 --> 01:16:40,800 deviation, you can ask Michael Wor and Jason Baker this. They get to stop while 836 01:16:37,760 --> 01:16:46,640 we fix it because that's out of service. And county roads don't matter if it's 2T 837 01:16:43,840 --> 01:16:53,120 deep. County roads are still in service. You either slow down or 838 01:16:49,360 --> 01:16:59,760 take your chances. So, I would like to try to help and 839 01:16:57,600 --> 01:17:05,800 might be able to, might not. No promises, but I'm there. 840 01:17:02,800 --> 01:17:05,800 Questions 841 01:17:06,719 --> 01:17:09,719 » really. 842 01:17:13,840 --> 01:17:16,840 Any 843 01:17:20,728 --> 01:17:22,748 [applause] 844 01:17:25,679 --> 01:17:29,000 other questions? 845 01:17:30,560 --> 01:17:39,800 » You want to talk to me? >> Sit down. 846 01:17:35,600 --> 01:17:39,800 » Have a commissioner talk to you. 847 01:17:40,640 --> 01:17:44,480 » Another room. Well, 848 01:17:42,960 --> 01:17:48,800 » there you go. >> You were commissioner 849 01:17:46,560 --> 01:17:53,640 » not too many years ago. >> You don't tell me that you were the road 850 01:17:50,640 --> 01:17:53,640 commissioner. 851 01:17:56,800 --> 01:18:02,719 » All right, I'll talk a little bit about the road tax. Uh, if anybody don't know 852 01:18:00,880 --> 01:18:06,239 me, I'm Jake Parker, Northern District Commissioner. 853 01:18:04,320 --> 01:18:10,000 Um, so >> we'll get into the road tax asset sales 854 01:18:08,480 --> 01:18:14,880 tax and basically it's going to be split 855 01:18:11,920 --> 01:18:21,760 between 75% go to the county, >> 25% go to all over there. 856 01:18:20,239 --> 01:18:27,920 » This will be split up between the municipalities by um basically 857 01:18:24,320 --> 01:18:32,080 population. If voted in, this will give fair road district somewhere around 858 01:18:30,000 --> 01:18:39,360 $91,000. >> It'll provide all around 26 $27,000 and 859 01:18:36,239 --> 01:18:44,239 cost around $8,000. >> So right now Fair Road special they get 860 01:18:41,760 --> 01:18:48,640 16% of revenue come in from the county plus they have a little bit of road tax. 861 01:18:47,199 --> 01:18:54,159 So what the county would do at that point is we would take them their road 862 01:18:50,640 --> 01:18:59,440 special from 16% to 20%. That would give their road special about 36 $37,000 863 01:18:57,360 --> 01:19:05,040 extra. >> This road tax is for materials only. And 864 01:19:02,880 --> 01:19:10,480 um it can't go to fuel, it can't go to trucks, labor, anything like that. This 865 01:19:07,280 --> 01:19:16,080 is for pores, concrete, asphalt, um gravel, clay. 866 01:19:12,719 --> 01:19:20,080 Um basically what this is is a way to rebuild infrastructure whose tax will go 867 01:19:18,159 --> 01:19:26,320 out in 5 years. >> Um it can even sunset in 5 years. It can 868 01:19:23,280 --> 01:19:30,480 either be voted back in. Um personally, I don't think that we'll be in a shape 869 01:19:28,000 --> 01:19:35,520 where we need it voted back in. We need a chance to rebuild infrastructure as 870 01:19:32,880 --> 01:19:38,719 current, you know, budgets right now, you you'll never be able to rebuild 871 01:19:37,040 --> 01:19:43,760 infrastructure. I mean, you're relying on FEMA and um 872 01:19:42,080 --> 01:19:46,960 » they're difficult to work with, to say the least, 873 01:19:45,040 --> 01:19:50,840 » but did that cover your questions? 874 01:19:51,120 --> 01:19:59,120 » So, a couple years ago, our county passed a internet sales tax called Tax. 875 01:19:58,320 --> 01:20:04,560 » Use tax, correct? >> That was in effect 876 01:20:01,600 --> 01:20:10,800 and put on the ballot. That money was intended to go into road 877 01:20:07,360 --> 01:20:17,239 » 40% going to road was all supposed to go. Well, the first year that that 878 01:20:13,440 --> 01:20:17,239 generated about $260,000 879 01:20:21,120 --> 01:20:28,560 a failed infrastructure is the reason why we need more money. I have 236 880 01:20:25,920 --> 01:20:33,440 corrid 46 low water crossings that are bad gravel roads that have been flat top 881 01:20:31,120 --> 01:20:39,880 with material on the sides of the roads. >> Wasn't building 882 01:20:35,920 --> 01:20:39,880 wasn't lost in a day either. 883 01:20:46,239 --> 01:20:54,920 » The sheriff's office. Correct. >> You're right. 884 01:20:50,480 --> 01:20:54,920 » Sheriff's got a lot of expense, too. 885 01:20:56,000 --> 01:21:02,560 trying to make the sheriff stand on his own. 886 01:21:00,320 --> 01:21:06,400 » It It's working now and you don't have to put this tax in. I'll continue to 887 01:21:04,320 --> 01:21:09,719 make it work. You're just not going to get your fixed 888 01:21:13,600 --> 01:21:17,000 when you got 889 01:21:19,920 --> 01:21:23,960 at the end of the year. 890 01:21:27,360 --> 01:21:35,159 Five years. This year we had two7 891 01:21:43,120 --> 01:21:50,040 billion. >> No. 892 01:21:47,040 --> 01:21:50,040 » True. 893 01:22:03,280 --> 01:22:09,480 We're going to pay for the jail. >> That's what we're paying right now. 894 01:22:10,080 --> 01:22:15,960 » $500,000. >> There was money in general to do that. 895 01:22:18,000 --> 01:22:25,000 » What are you going to do? what I want to do. 896 01:22:31,280 --> 01:22:38,600 » What good is money in the bank if you can't serve your people 897 01:22:46,320 --> 01:22:56,239 that >> I slow that down? Uh 898 01:22:52,560 --> 01:23:02,480 if you will uh think about it, uh this jail will uh generate between 160 and 899 01:22:59,520 --> 01:23:09,760 $200,000 a year because we won't be transporting inmates to West Plains, 900 01:23:06,800 --> 01:23:14,040 Don, Salem, >> right? That will add to 901 01:23:16,239 --> 01:23:23,000 » why because the sheriff will need the >> money 902 01:23:28,480 --> 01:23:32,120 you cannot have money. 903 01:23:34,719 --> 01:23:38,920 » We're trying to put that back in June. 904 01:23:39,440 --> 01:23:45,480 Okay. So, you're going to use tax money. 905 01:23:50,400 --> 01:23:53,639 » Yes, sir. 906 01:24:02,480 --> 01:24:06,360 » Y'all are going to slow down. 907 01:24:08,239 --> 01:24:16,120 Don't budget while you're at the time. 908 01:24:17,199 --> 01:24:20,600 I know exactly 909 01:24:20,719 --> 01:24:24,760 where my budget is right now. 910 01:24:26,400 --> 01:24:32,320 » So, so >> back up just a little bit. As long as we 911 01:24:30,400 --> 01:24:36,679 don't get any more natural disasters, I promise you the spending will slow down. 912 01:24:37,760 --> 01:24:43,120 Yeah. >> Did y'all apply for FEMA? 913 01:24:40,960 --> 01:24:47,639 » I don't know. >> I believe it was a FEMA project there. 914 01:24:48,960 --> 01:24:57,360 » This is an option to rebuild your That's 4 in of surface, 24T width, and 2 in of 915 01:24:54,639 --> 01:25:02,560 surface are paid for by FEMA. All the money that has left the county has went 916 01:24:59,760 --> 01:25:06,800 to repairing holes in roads, repairing wash outs in roads. We're not able to 917 01:25:04,960 --> 01:25:10,639 move water. We weren't able to move water. All our water was moving down the 918 01:25:08,960 --> 01:25:15,520 roads. When you had the 14 inches of rain, you have a natural disaster which 919 01:25:12,880 --> 01:25:21,360 was declared by FEMA. I personally worked all year last year without a dime 920 01:25:18,880 --> 01:25:27,360 on my own income to make sure this money comes back in for the county. You know, 921 01:25:25,120 --> 01:25:30,960 » money. >> It's already approved. Once the 922 01:25:29,280 --> 01:25:37,280 government comes back open, I've already got you remember a FEMA project called 923 01:25:33,679 --> 01:25:42,960 4855 when you were in office November of 2024 flood. You do remember 924 01:25:40,639 --> 01:25:47,440 that? Okay. So I I went back and regained all the lost income that you 925 01:25:44,880 --> 01:25:52,880 had. I already got paid for back county $333,000 926 01:25:49,360 --> 01:25:58,320 back to the county. FEMA project 4872 over $400,000 in tornado debris cleanup. 927 01:25:56,719 --> 01:26:03,440 That money has gone back to the county, already been approved. 4872, which would 928 01:26:01,199 --> 01:26:09,679 be your April flood, $1,700 something,000 has already been 929 01:26:06,880 --> 01:26:13,600 approved with an additional 200 or 101 miles of roads that are still up for 930 01:26:11,440 --> 01:26:18,719 approval. Estimated somewhere around $4.6 million that will come back into 931 01:26:16,000 --> 01:26:23,120 the county. As this sits right now, already approved through FEMA. All 932 01:26:20,880 --> 01:26:28,880 everything is done. The road department will have more money than it has ever 933 01:26:24,800 --> 01:26:32,880 had. general CD that we leverage which y'all are talking about the CD will be 934 01:26:31,040 --> 01:26:35,920 replaced and another one will be added. It's already in a minute since the 935 01:26:34,400 --> 01:26:38,639 county. >> Why do you need taxes? 936 01:26:37,360 --> 01:26:46,320 » Because we need to repair the infrastructure that everybody let go. 937 01:26:41,040 --> 01:26:50,159 236 corrid water crossings that were let allowed to go fix them all. 938 01:26:48,639 --> 01:26:53,600 » I'm going to fix them over a 5year sunset plan. Yes, sir. 939 01:26:51,920 --> 01:26:58,960 » So, what what happened to the money of the 940 01:26:55,600 --> 01:27:03,760 brand new purchase built back. >> The money went back into the tribe, but 941 01:27:00,719 --> 01:27:07,520 it was bought without purchase orders. >> They were picking back from county. 942 01:27:05,920 --> 01:27:10,719 » Yep. And both of them currently broke down right now. 943 01:27:08,719 --> 01:27:15,639 » So, what happened to the quart million from the sell off 944 01:27:15,760 --> 01:27:22,639 » to go into leases? I traded in a grater that was the um it was matter of fact, 945 01:27:20,719 --> 01:27:28,480 it was George's grater. Transmission was bad on it. didn't have warranty anymore. 946 01:27:26,639 --> 01:27:32,400 I have not bought any more graders since then and I'm not going to fix any. We're 947 01:27:30,960 --> 01:27:37,360 going to do with what we got right now. But if the grader's back, it's going to 948 01:27:34,000 --> 01:27:41,400 be prepared. >> Then the transition out 949 01:27:42,239 --> 01:27:49,719 you can talk. I know I would the Uion 950 01:27:52,880 --> 01:28:01,520 » that's that's going to the northern district 211 miles of rebuild 951 01:27:58,159 --> 01:28:06,800 all the money that the county had >> do what now 952 01:28:04,000 --> 01:28:10,639 » because I have 236 corrs that are bad that FEMA's not replacing 953 01:28:09,440 --> 01:28:14,800 you know they they wanted the documentation about repair records and 954 01:28:13,280 --> 01:28:19,840 maintenance records North County has zero. They do now. I can tell them 955 01:28:17,360 --> 01:28:25,120 whenever we replace, what date it was placed, when it gets fixed, every road 956 01:28:22,560 --> 01:28:30,400 has documentation, whole spreadsheet right now of every tube of grease is all 957 01:28:28,880 --> 01:28:35,800 come out there. You can more than welcome into the office and I'll show 958 01:28:32,560 --> 01:28:35,800 you everything. 959 01:28:36,000 --> 01:28:41,600 your time book surf. But have you ever went through a $4 million project 960 01:28:39,920 --> 01:28:46,679 looking at time books and somebody wrote down no details? It ain't possible. 961 01:28:47,679 --> 01:28:56,639 » It's in bad shape. By no means. >> So, so one thing I'd like to add to this 962 01:28:54,000 --> 01:29:01,920 and the reason why I kind of feel this tax sunset tax is important. It allows 963 01:29:00,159 --> 01:29:07,440 us to rebuild the infrastructure not only on the county level, fair special 964 01:29:04,080 --> 01:29:11,760 level, but in municipality levels, too. You know, I'll give you an example of 965 01:29:09,040 --> 01:29:15,040 how we're working there. Around $91,000 will come in there. You got a lot of 966 01:29:13,280 --> 01:29:18,960 water lines that are bad there right now. Well, this will allow you to come 967 01:29:16,960 --> 01:29:23,120 back and have asphalt and chat to fix your water lines. This would free up 968 01:29:21,040 --> 01:29:28,639 money for the municipalities to be able to come in and apply for grants. This 969 01:29:25,679 --> 01:29:32,800 tax money can hold money. 970 01:29:30,560 --> 01:29:37,199 What? >> I'm going to take entire county money 971 01:29:34,639 --> 01:29:42,880 and fix the entire county. 25% 972 01:29:38,800 --> 01:29:46,840 will be split to fair, kosh, and home road departments only. 973 01:29:51,360 --> 01:30:00,400 So, I do want to add that uh this tax probably wouldn't be so important if a 974 01:29:57,040 --> 01:30:05,440 2% sales tax on new vehicle purchases wasn't allowed to laps. You know, that 975 01:30:02,960 --> 01:30:10,480 brought in a good good amount of money into the county. Um that's no longer in 976 01:30:07,920 --> 01:30:15,360 a good place anymore and that certainly won't be voted back in. Um, I'm not a 977 01:30:13,040 --> 01:30:21,600 tax person myself, but I also say with $240,000, 978 01:30:16,960 --> 01:30:25,280 $260,000 in the fix 440 mi of road, it's not going to work. And it's clearly not 979 01:30:23,840 --> 01:30:30,800 going to work because y'all tried to make it work. You know, the roads are in 980 01:30:26,719 --> 01:30:35,199 bad shape. Anybody that can't deny that. The point moving forward is is how do we 981 01:30:33,120 --> 01:30:40,880 get past that? It's a short fiveyear tax. It falls off. 982 01:30:38,960 --> 01:30:45,199 We have a fiveyear plan. I'll certainly sit over here and show you to you down 983 01:30:42,480 --> 01:30:51,199 to the penny. Everything will be replaced in that 5 years. I I I don't 984 01:30:49,120 --> 01:30:54,159 care to have a half cent sales tax, but I know it's important. 985 01:30:52,480 --> 01:30:58,560 » Is it just north? >> No, it's for north to south. I can't do 986 01:30:56,960 --> 01:31:03,440 their special. They already have a road tax. That's why we're giving them the 4% 987 01:31:01,120 --> 01:31:09,120 of revenue that the county brings in. It'll put their special somewhere around 988 01:31:05,520 --> 01:31:12,000 almost $200,000 to work with. And that's a huge improvement from their 989 01:31:10,480 --> 01:31:15,120 especially. You know, they're down a brush cutter 990 01:31:13,520 --> 01:31:20,880 right now. They're operating a greater. Their roads are in just as bad a shape 991 01:31:16,719 --> 01:31:26,320 as ours are. You know, I can say that fuel at $4 a gallon and two degrees at 992 01:31:23,520 --> 01:31:31,600 $7 a gallon. It's tough to make. People want to see greater roads. I want to put 993 01:31:28,480 --> 01:31:36,080 greater roads, but then again, you got to keep it within, you know, your 994 01:31:33,360 --> 01:31:40,239 budget. So this year, my budget's exactly where it 995 01:31:38,159 --> 01:31:45,120 needs to be. Last year when I got in office, March tornadoes, April floods, 996 01:31:43,199 --> 01:31:51,199 and I inherited a flood project from you. It's a pre flood project, two flood 997 01:31:48,400 --> 01:31:55,199 projects, and a tornado project that they're all done. Everything's turned 998 01:31:53,440 --> 01:31:59,360 in. Literally waiting on the government to reopen so they can allocate money 999 01:31:57,520 --> 01:32:04,000 back into the county, which they've already had on one project completely 1000 01:32:01,199 --> 01:32:08,960 closed out. So when you say that the county is going broke, 1001 01:32:06,639 --> 01:32:14,159 you know, only thing has been spent out of general is $62,000 1002 01:32:11,760 --> 01:32:18,560 all year last year other than a jail project. And we didn't vote for a jail 1003 01:32:17,040 --> 01:32:22,560 project. That was previous administration. I think it's a great 1004 01:32:20,320 --> 01:32:29,520 deal and y'all should come up there and look into jail. Instead of 27 26 1005 01:32:25,760 --> 01:32:35,440 inmates, we bumped it up 34 inmates now. >> It's It's a good thing. It's a good 1006 01:32:32,560 --> 01:32:41,360 thing to see the county grow. Um, I will tell you that you can't do it with 1007 01:32:38,960 --> 01:32:47,199 pennies. >> You try. 1008 01:32:43,360 --> 01:32:47,199 » The other Yes, sir. 1009 01:32:50,239 --> 01:32:53,880 And the other thing 1010 01:32:55,600 --> 01:32:58,760 we're not 1011 01:33:06,000 --> 01:33:17,199 » the uh half cent sales tax if you buy $10,000 worth of taxable goods. That's a 1012 01:33:14,159 --> 01:33:21,239 pretty tall order if you think about it. It will cost you $50. 1013 01:33:22,080 --> 01:33:29,280 Now, the state will mandate on this Senate Bill three and whatever they're 1014 01:33:26,639 --> 01:33:33,520 wanting to do that we've been fighting so hard, they will mandate on your 1015 01:33:31,840 --> 01:33:40,800 property such significant more amount than that. 1016 01:33:37,120 --> 01:33:47,040 And if you spend $5,000 on this, it will cost you $25. 1017 01:33:43,600 --> 01:33:54,560 So if you live on a county road, $25 is not much. That's been an expense because 1018 01:33:50,000 --> 01:33:58,800 I've lived on one for 43 years. So any other questions? Jason, 1019 01:33:56,320 --> 01:34:04,159 » is this on the August or is this >> This is only April. 1020 01:34:00,800 --> 01:34:11,800 » Tuesday. Tuesday. >> So I just want to work at DMV. He 1021 01:34:08,080 --> 01:34:11,800 mentioned a 2% 1022 01:34:12,080 --> 01:34:19,520 tax that you're no longer getting for the general fund. That is for the 1023 01:34:17,840 --> 01:34:25,840 county. So if you buy a vehicle, you used to be 1024 01:34:23,120 --> 01:34:32,080 charged 8.225% 1025 01:34:28,000 --> 01:34:38,560 if you live in the city limits of Alton. pos has a little higher tax 1026 01:34:35,679 --> 01:34:44,960 because something was not put on the ballot like 12 years ago, maybe not 1027 01:34:42,320 --> 01:34:53,280 quite that long, we no longer get to collect the extra tax for the county or 1028 01:34:49,600 --> 01:35:01,760 the city limit. So now if we buy a vehicle from an individual or out of 1029 01:34:56,639 --> 01:35:06,000 state dealer, we only collect 4.225% and that goes to the state. That does 1030 01:35:03,760 --> 01:35:10,800 not go to the county, the city or nothing. 1031 01:35:07,679 --> 01:35:18,800 If you buy from a Missouri dealer, then we are allowed to collect the 4.225% 1032 01:35:14,159 --> 01:35:26,320 for the state, 2% for the county and their city tax is two. So then you get 1033 01:35:23,440 --> 01:35:31,840 back to your 8.225 if they live in the city limits. If they live in the county, 1034 01:35:28,560 --> 01:35:31,840 it's just 6.225. 1035 01:35:32,239 --> 01:35:42,239 That tax goes to the whole city and the whole county for them to spend however 1036 01:35:39,440 --> 01:35:47,840 they want. So they have to split that up between fire department, sheriff's 1037 01:35:45,199 --> 01:35:55,760 department, police department, ambulance, all of that. Where this tax 1038 01:35:50,960 --> 01:35:59,840 that they're asking for just goes to the road 1039 01:35:57,440 --> 01:36:05,600 » and sun, >> right? So you've lost a lot of I work 1040 01:36:03,760 --> 01:36:12,080 there daily. So when we seen that this was not going 1041 01:36:08,320 --> 01:36:16,480 to be we got an email three years ago, four years ago that we were no longer 1042 01:36:14,880 --> 01:36:24,000 going to be able to collect that sales tax. We went over to the courthouse and 1043 01:36:21,120 --> 01:36:27,840 asked them about it. They didn't realize that they were not going to get that 1044 01:36:25,920 --> 01:36:33,360 tax. Alton did not realize that they weren't 1045 01:36:31,360 --> 01:36:37,920 going to get it. there somehow knew about it and put it 1046 01:36:36,000 --> 01:36:45,600 on their ballot when they were supposed to. The people voted to keep it. So if 1047 01:36:42,560 --> 01:36:51,920 you live in fair city limits and you buy from an individual or out of state, you 1048 01:36:48,400 --> 01:36:58,719 are still being charged the 8.225 because you as a community 1049 01:36:54,800 --> 01:37:06,159 voted to keep it. So the county has lost a lot of money from that not being on 1050 01:37:01,440 --> 01:37:10,840 the ballot. So the last three years that has took a to maint. 1051 01:37:22,667 --> 01:37:24,687 [sighs and clears throat] 1052 01:37:30,719 --> 01:37:36,719 I think we're going to conclude now. Um, [clears throat] I appreciate you coming 1053 01:37:34,639 --> 01:37:40,719 out this evening. I appreciate you talking and visiting and we've learned a 1054 01:37:38,800 --> 01:37:45,280 lot here tonight and I think it's valuable to everyone. So hopefully we'll 1055 01:37:43,119 --> 01:37:52,400 see you again next time we have a town hall meeting and I wish everyone luck on 1056 01:37:49,199 --> 01:37:56,782 uh April the 7th and come out and vote. Thank you. 1057 01:37:54,762 --> 01:37:56,782 [applause]