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Officials In Lake Ozark Expect Large Resident Turnout In Tuesday’s Board Of Alderman Meeting

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A larger than usual crowd is expected at Lake Ozark for tonight’s Board Meeting, as division continues between the Board and newly elected Mayor Dennis Newberry.

I have rumors saying that the Mayor is going to stuff the room full of people to scold the board, on our spending $22,000 to acquire the individual (Harrison Fry) for the Administrative position” says Mayor Pro Tem Pat Thompson, “I’m a little considered with what some of the residents will have to say. But then on the other hand, I am sure the Mayor will be concerned if the people are here supporting us. All you can do is sit and listen, and hope for the best.”

Mayor Pro Tem Pat Thompson tell KRMS News the Board is willing to work with the new Mayor, but some members don’t think Newberry wants to work with them “Mr. Newberry is new to politics. I’ve never seen him at a board meeting, I’ve never seen him on a commission, I’ve never seen him on a committee, I’m sure he doesn’t know all the statutes all the ordinances.”

Alderman Vernon Jaycox called a special session last week to discuss an already established personnel transition, but the new mayor wouldn’t take part “I just wish we could all work together. When we work together, we’re working for the residents of Lake Ozark. We’re not working for us.”

Tonight’s meeting begins at 6 pm at Lake Ozark City Hall.

Thompson says the public comment period will be early on.

BOA 7-27-21-compressed

Camden Sheriff Talks Tax Increase On Upcoming August Ballot

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Sheriff Tony Helms

We’re a week away from learning whether or not much of the Lake Area wants to raise taxes for the Camden County Sheriff’s Office.

A one-quarter-cent sales tax increase is on the ballot for August 3rd.

“Right now we have officers we losing…making only like $32,000 as the top pay for Camden County. And I have jailers and dispatchers who are only making $14 an hour” Says Sheriff Tony Helms, “the lowest paying county we could find is Pulaski, which pays $15.75 an hour…and they just past a tax so they may be going up too, I don’t know.”

He tells KRMS News the only way to get money for raises, more deputies and their equipment is to raise the county’s sales tax “well everybody’s heard it, everybody’s aware of it OH my gosh we’re up 60% in our sales tax! Well, let me tell you what comes with a 60% increase in sales tax….60% more calls, 60% more people are here.”

Helms also says he wants to give raises to the deputies he does have “the raises will keep people here. Right now we’re losing people to other counties! Every county virtually around us pays more than we do.”

Sheriff Helms was interviewed by Christian Blood on the KRMS Morning Magazine.

Concerned Women For America’s Alissa Johnson To Speak Tuesday In Camdenton

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Two kids with tablet computer in a dark room. Protection of children against content from the internet concept

Officials with Concerned Women for America (CWA) of Missouri will be hosting a special guest in Camdenton this Tuesday.

CWA of Missouri Legislative Liaison Alissa Johnson is expected to speak at the Key Gathering Place on the Protect Young Minds Online Act.

Johnson says that over forty years ago, lawmakers created a Missouri statute that would make furnishing pornographic material to minors a Class A misdemeanor.

However, that statute does not include the internet.

With so many minors are accessing pornography through their computers and cell phones, Johnson says that statue needs an update.

The event will take place starting at 6:30PM.

 

More about the event:

If you live in or around Camdenton, Missouri, Concerned Women for America (CWA) of Missouri invites you to come to hear CWA of Missouri Legislative Liaison, Alissa Johnson, speak on the Protect Young Minds Online Act (PYMOA), Tuesday, July 27 in Camdenton, Missouri.

The Missouri State Capitol in advocating for the passage of PYMOA – legislation that will require internet service providers in the state to add a filter to protect children from viewing pornography/obscenity online. This legislation is the first and only of its kind and has been vetted and supported by the National Center on Sexual Exploitation.

More than forty years ago, Missouri lawmakers created a Missouri statute that would make furnishing pornographic material to minors a Class A misdemeanor. The statute has never been updated to include the internet. Presently, minors are accessing pornography/obscenity via the internet on their cell phones, home computers, friends’ laptops/tablets, etc. The PYMOA will be a partial remedy for that.

According to the testimony of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners in Missouri, they are finding that over 40 percent of perpetrators who assault minor children are minor children themselves – ages 10-14. These assaults by children are attributed to the acting out of what they have observed while watching online pornography.

We Need You! This is the third year that PYMOA has been filed, and movement for its passage made in the Missouri General Assembly. Each year that the PYMOA is not passed, the problem grows exponentially. It will take an active, grassroots outcry to motivate elected members of the General Assembly to pass this bill.

Meeting Details:
When: Tuesday, July 27 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Key Gathering Place, 1163 Business MO 5, Camdenton, MO 65020
Who: The general public is invited to attend this free event. Men, women, and teens are welcome to attend.

About Alissa Johnson
Alissa Johnson is a member of the CWA of Missouri leadership team. Her duties as a Legislative Liaison include meeting with legislators in both chambers of the Missouri General Assembly to discuss legislation, testify at legislative hearings, pray for and encourage legislators, as well as participate in activities designed to educate lawmakers and communities statewide on important legislation.

We hope to see you there.

Bev Ehlen
State Director

Lake Ozark Board Of Alderman Have Disagreement With Mayor Dennis Newberry

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There’s division between the Lake Ozark Board of Aldermen and Mayor Dennis Newberry.

At issue is the transition from current City Administrator Dave Van Dee and Assistant City Administrator Harrison Fry, who was hired a year ago in preparation for the change.

“He has refused to bring Harrison’s name up, to fill that position” says Lake Ozark Alderman Vernon Jaycox, “and everyone at the city hall, every department head….everybody loves him (Harrison) to death.”

Alderman Jaycox tells KRMS News the Mayor will present a candidate to the board for their approval, but that has not happened “I called, myself as an Alderman, for a special session to talk about his thoughts, theories and things….but he refused to attend the executive session. I thought that was not becoming of the Mayor. With all my experience, I felt like he let us down.”

Jaycox says Newberry wants to re-open the search for a successor to Van Dee, who’s retiring at the end of October, and that Newberry will consider Fry as a successor…but only along with other candidates, after posting an ad on a website designed to hire public officials.

New Director Of Health And Senior Services Announced For Missouri

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Missouri now has a new director at the Department of Health and Senior Services.

“The DHS director, has always had a critical and important position in the State of Missouri. The position is tasked with protecting the health and well being of Missourians” says Governor Mike Parson, “after interviewing multiple highly qualified candidates, we narrowed the search to a couple of finalists. I am announced, Don Kauerauf, as the new director of the DHSS.”

Donald Kauerauf will replace Dr. Randal Williams, who resigned in April.

Kauerauf previously served in multiple roles in Illinois, including Assistant Director of the Department of Public Health and the Chair of the Terrorism Task Force.

 

***Additional Info:

(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) – Today during a press conference at the State Capitol, Governor Mike Parson announced that he has selected Donald G. Kauerauf to be the next Director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, effective September 1, 2021.

“We are excited to welcome Don to Missouri and look forward to the great work he is sure to accomplish in service to all Missourians,” Governor Parson said. “Don is no stranger to state government and has more than 30 years of experience in public health and emergency management with the state of Illinois. It is obvious that he has a firm grasp on public health issues and the COVID-19 crisis, and we are confident in his ability to lead DHSS.”

Mr. Kauerauf served as the Assistant Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health from 2016 until his retirement in 2018. More recently, he was selected to Chair the Illinois Terrorism Task Force and has served in that capacity throughout the COVID-19 crisis. In his position as Chair of the Terrorism Task Force, Mr. Kauerauf also served as Deputy to the Illinois Governor’s Homeland Security Advisor and Policy Advisor to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Director.

Mr. Kauerauf has more than 30 years of experience in state government and has served in various senior leadership positions in public health and emergency management. During his time with the Illinois Department of Public Health, he developed a statewide structure to improve communication between the Department and local public health agencies and directed the development and implementation of the nation’s first statewide pandemic influenza exercise, among other accomplishments.

“It is an honor to be appointed by the Governor as the new Director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services,” Mr. Kauerauf said. “I’m looking forward to working with public health agencies, healthcare providers, and communities to build upon the great work that has been initiated in Missouri to address the current COVID-19 situation. At the same time, I’ll work to make available critical preventative programs and services to increase the health and safety of all Missourians.”

Mr. Kauerauf holds a Bachelor of Science in occupational safety and health from Illinois State University.

Lake Ozark Mayor Gets Salary Garnished After Promising It To LOPD

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Promised funds to the Lake Ozark Police Department may be in jeopardy, after a garnishment is issued on Mayor Dennis Newberry’s salary.

According to CaseNet, the garnishment was filed in Miller County for just over $3,800 dollars to the collection agency “Consumer Adjustment Company.”

The mayor had previously promised that his salary would be donated to the Police Department to help with their ongoing needs, which may be even more important with the threat of Biker Gang retaliation from the recent shooting on the Bagnell Dam Strip.

CaseNet does not show that the garnishment has been satisfied, therefore it’s expected to be going into effect immediately.

NextSite Expansion Program Gaining Steam With Other Cities Involved

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Photo by Tony Stoddard on Unsplash

Lake Ozark wants to attract more business to the city, and the board of aldermen are signing off on an agreement with a company that does that.

“NextSite is a company that specializes in commercial recruitment and data analytics. Basically they take the information collected through cell phone towers, about who’s driving through our community…where they are going and what they are doing…and they use that to create a market profile” says Lake Ozark Community Development Director Harrison Fry.

He tells KRMS News the agreement is coming through the Lake of the Ozarks Economic Development Council and the cost has been reduced for each city, but it was reduced thanks to Ameren Missouri’s involvement “originally the cost to bring them down here was astronomical, but Ameren was able to bring that down to $30,000 lake wide…and with the $10,000 agreement from LORDEC, that brought the cost down to only $2,850 per city.

Other cities in the Lake Area are also coming on board with the plan to bring more businesses to Lake of the Ozarks, including Osage Beach, Camdenton, Eldon and Versailles “Sunrise Beach and Laurie over on the west side, they’re continuing to review the proposal…there is a lot of interest over there.”

Sunrise Beach and Laurie are reviewing the NextSite opportunity and we’ll pass along the latest details when they arise on News / Talk KRMS.

 

****Additional Info:

For Immediate Release

The City of Lake Ozark has endorsed a plan that could help the community market itself to potential new businesses and industries.

The board of aldermen recently signed off on an agreement with NextSite through the Lake of the Ozarks Regional Economic Development Council (LOREDC) to provide analytical data and business recruitment. NextSite is a commercial development advisory firm specializing in identifying and connecting opportunities to developers, tenant reps and end-users to affect positive change in communities across the U.S.

LOREDC and Ameren Missouri have been working for several months to secure an agreement with NextSite so communities in the lake area – including Lake Ozark – can have access to data and services that could help in business recruitment. Now, the various lake communities are being asked to support the project with financial support of $2,850 each.

If the NextSite marketing program is the direct cause of a project for any of the cities, the cities will provide a Success Fee that would be determined as part of the specific agreement with the city.

Total cost of the NextSite services is $30,000 a year for three years, and LOREDC has agreed to pay the first $10,000 each year.

The cities of Lake Ozark, Osage Beach, Camdenton, Eldon, Laurie, Sunrise Beach and Versailles are being asked to participate over the next three years.

Assistant City Administrator Harrison Fry explained that NextSite gathers shopping data based on cell tower use, by mapping customer shopping habits and other types of customer information to develop recruiting plans.

Alderman Dennis Klautzer said he sees NextStep as a headhunter company for businesses.

“This is getting more and more common in the business world, finding businesses for communities,” he noted.

 

Benefits

  • At least one on-site meeting with a NextSite staff member to discuss the city’s goals and available development sites and available buildings suitable for commercial, office or institutional tenants.
  • Access to the full LOREDC study data and each city’s data.
  • The opportunity to have special business segment, district or site studies conducted by NextSite.
  • The city’s properties and sites will be included in NextSite’s full national marketing program including the trade show schedule and targeted marketing programs aimed at suitable commercial, office and institutional users.
  • The city and LOREDC will receive status reports from NextSite on a regular basis recapping the marketing activity that is included on the city’s sites.

Once NextSite completes the market analysis phase, identifies realistic opportunity targets and creates the marketing overview for Lake of the Ozarks market, it begins the proactive recruitment of developers, tenant reps and retailers. Using its extensive contact database and relationships throughout the commercial real estate and retail industry, NextSite connects the opportunities to decision makers with the goal of generating interest that results in market drives from these real estate professionals.

According to NextSite, the company has connected and supported more than 20 million square feet of commercial development projects resulting in more than $4.1 billion in capital investment.

 

The cost

NextSite will provide research, marketing and recruitment services for participating communities in the lake area. A development that is considered procured by NextSite when the retailer/restaurant opens for business at which time fees are due from the city to NextSite.

The fee structure is as follows:

  • Restaurants — $4,500 per location
  • Single or multi-tenant development of less than 10,000 square feet — $7,500 per development
  • Multi-tenant development or single tenant retailer between 10,001—and 50,000 square feet — $15,000.
  • Multi-tenant development or single tenant retailer between 50,001 and 100,000 square feet — $20,000 per development.

Development or single tenant retailer of 100,000 square feet — $30,000 per location.

Multi-family, single-family, townhomes, senior housing development, hotel, movie theater or hospital — $25,000 per location if the developer is introduced to the market by NextSite.

City Of Lake Ozark Endorses NextSite Plans From LOREDC & Ameren

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The city of Lake Ozark is endorsing a plan to help the area market itself to new businesses and other industries.

The board of alderman recently signing off on an agreement with NextSite through the Lake of the Ozarks Regional Economic Development Council, which will provide critical analytical data and business recruitment procedures.

Both LOREDC and Ameren Missouri have been working on bringing NextSite to the lake, but in order to do that, they need a total of $2,850 from each city.

NextSite services costs around $30,000 a year, for three years, and LOREDC has agreed to pay the first $10,000 each year.

The cities of Lake Ozark, Osage Beach, Camdenton, Laurie, Sunrise Beach, Eldon and Versailles are being to join the next three years.

NextSite gathers shopping data based on cell tower use, by following consumer shopping habits and develop recruiting plans.

 

***More info:

For Immediate Release

The City of Lake Ozark has endorsed a plan that could help the community market itself to potential new businesses and industries.

The board of aldermen recently signed off on an agreement with NextSite through the Lake of the Ozarks Regional Economic Development Council (LOREDC) to provide analytical data and business recruitment. NextSite is a commercial development advisory firm specializing in identifying and connecting opportunities to developers, tenant reps and end-users to affect positive change in communities across the U.S.

LOREDC and Ameren Missouri have been working for several months to secure an agreement with NextSite so communities in the lake area – including Lake Ozark – can have access to data and services that could help in business recruitment. Now, the various lake communities are being asked to support the project with financial support of $2,850 each.

If the NextSite marketing program is the direct cause of a project for any of the cities, the cities will provide a Success Fee that would be determined as part of the specific agreement with the city.

Total cost of the NextSite services is $30,000 a year for three years, and LOREDC has agreed to pay the first $10,000 each year.

The cities of Lake Ozark, Osage Beach, Camdenton, Eldon, Laurie, Sunrise Beach and Versailles are being asked to participate over the next three years.

Assistant City Administrator Harrison Fry explained that NextSite gathers shopping data based on cell tower use, by mapping customer shopping habits and other types of customer information to develop recruiting plans.

Alderman Dennis Klautzer said he sees NextStep as a headhunter company for businesses.

“This is getting more and more common in the business world, finding businesses for communities,” he noted.

 

Benefits

  • At least one on-site meeting with a NextSite staff member to discuss the city’s goals and available development sites and available buildings suitable for commercial, office or institutional tenants.
  • Access to the full LOREDC study data and each city’s data.
  • The opportunity to have special business segment, district or site studies conducted by NextSite.
  • The city’s properties and sites will be included in NextSite’s full national marketing program including the trade show schedule and targeted marketing programs aimed at suitable commercial, office and institutional users.
  • The city and LOREDC will receive status reports from NextSite on a regular basis recapping the marketing activity that is included on the city’s sites.

Once NextSite completes the market analysis phase, identifies realistic opportunity targets and creates the marketing overview for Lake of the Ozarks market, it begins the proactive recruitment of developers, tenant reps and retailers. Using its extensive contact database and relationships throughout the commercial real estate and retail industry, NextSite connects the opportunities to decision makers with the goal of generating interest that results in market drives from these real estate professionals.

According to NextSite, the company has connected and supported more than 20 million square feet of commercial development projects resulting in more than $4.1 billion in capital investment.

 

The cost

NextSite will provide research, marketing and recruitment services for participating communities in the lake area. A development that is considered procured by NextSite when the retailer/restaurant opens for business at which time fees are due from the city to NextSite.

The fee structure is as follows:

  • Restaurants — $4,500 per location
  • Single or multi-tenant development of less than 10,000 square feet — $7,500 per development
  • Multi-tenant development or single tenant retailer between 10,001—and 50,000 square feet — $15,000.
  • Multi-tenant development or single tenant retailer between 50,001 and 100,000 square feet — $20,000 per development.

Development or single tenant retailer of 100,000 square feet — $30,000 per location.

Multi-family, single-family, townhomes, senior housing development, hotel, movie theater or hospital — $25,000 per location if the developer is introduced to the market by NextSite.

Hartzler Sends Letter To DC Demanding Answers On January 6th Protest Arrests

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A representative of the Lake area is sending a letter, requesting information on possible wrongful detainment for those involved in the January 6th elections protest in Washington DC.

In the letter, Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler of Missouri’s 4th District requests that Attorney General Merrick Garland and Federal Bureau of Prisons Director Michael Carvajal send her information on the arrests of those who breached the US Capitol Building.

Hartzler writes that many of the charges against some of the individuals “hardly warranted the use of solitary confinement” and that the “politically motivated arrests” may result in physiological and psychological after affects to these individuals.

 

***Info below:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland and Federal Bureau of Prisons Director Michael Carvajal requesting information regarding possible wrongful forms of detainment, including solitary confinement, of individuals who breached the United States Capitol Building on January 6, 2021.

In the letter, Hartzler wrote: “Given the harmful physiological and psychological effects of restrictive housing, also known as solitary confinement, recent reports on the use of solitary confinement for dozens of the pretrial defendants is alarming. The charges against these individuals do not warrant the use of solitary confinement, a treatment reserved for the most violent of criminals, and suggests that this elevated treatment is politically motivated and warrants answers.”

This ongoing development has been documented at length in Politico and the Washington Examiner. View the official letter here and below.

Dear Attorney General Garland and Director Carvajal,

I am writing to inquire about reports in the media regarding the use of solitary confinement and personal rights violations against those detained following the January 6, 2021 breach of the U.S. Capitol. While we can all agree that the breach of the Capitol is inexcusable and those responsible for breaking the law must be held accountable, reports of this excessive and harsh treatment is highly concerning. The U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice no matter the circumstance of the crime. This mission highlights the right of every American to be treated innocent until proven guilty.

As many of the defendants still being detained are classified as pretrial defendants, their treatment while being detained must reflect the presumption of innocence and strictly abide by the DOJ Federal Bureau of Prison’s (BOP) regulations. For example, Title 18 U.S.C. § 3142(i)(2) states that pretrial inmates are to be housed separately, “to the extent practicable, from persons awaiting or serving sentences or being held in custody pending appeal. This housing is to be accomplished while imposing the least restrictive constraints consistent with security needs and following sound correctional judgment.” While pretrial individuals may be housed separately, this regulation should not invoke the use of solitary confinement unless otherwise determined based on safety and need.

Additionally, pretrial defendants are afforded certain rights over convicted inmates, including not being required to work and having access to religious programs without the presence of convicted inmates. While individual institutions under the BOP’s jurisdiction may make the decision to restrict pretrial inmates, these decisions must be based on a screening process to identify seriously ill, violent, aggressive, escape risk, or high-profile inmates who require closer supervision.

Given the harmful physiological and psychological effects of restrictive housing, also known as solitary confinement, recent reports on the use of solitary confinement for dozens of the pretrial defendants is alarming. The charges against these individuals do not warrant the use of solitary confinement, a treatment reserved for the most violent of criminals, and suggests that this elevated treatment is politically motivated and warrants answers. That is why I respectfully request a briefing on the following questions by July 28, 2021:

  1. How many individuals are incarcerated for allegedly committing crimes associated with the January 6, 2021 Capitol breach?
  2. How many of these individuals have been released on bail?
  3. How many of these individuals have been released on their own recognizance or without being required to post bond?
  4. How many of these individuals were offered deferred resolution agreements?
  5. How many of these individuals are or were placed in solitary confinement?
  6. What were the deciding factors for sending pretrial defendants to solitary confinement?
  7. What was the average amount of consecutive days such individuals were in solitary confinement?
  8. Were there opportunities for the defendants to access religious services or have visitors?
 All Americans deserve to be treated fairly and impartially. We expect the Department is serving justice equitably to all defendants regardless of the political sensitivities surrounding an individual’s arrest or surrender.

Thank you for carrying out the mission of the DOJ and I look forward to discussing these questions further.

Sincerely,

Vicky Hartzler
Member of Congress

No Immediate Asbestos Risk At Camden County Courthouse – Removal Is Recommended

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The Camden County Commission is reporting there’s no asbestos risk in the Hugh Phillips Annex of the County Courthouse.

The Missouri DNR now says the building’s in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations after a previous inspection done earlier this year.

“The was a different between the inspection done by Mr. Rick Bryant and the inspection that I did” says environmental specialist Roderick Manuzon with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

He tells KRMS News his inspection centered around whether or not previous renovations of the building released asbestos “previously they renovated the facility. The removed some carpet and added some walls, they also renovated some toilets. So those were the things that I checked.”

The Bryant inspection did find asbestos in the building, but Manuzon says those areas were not affected by the renovations.

“I think we were there three different times, found 11 areas that contained asbestos…but these were non-friable asbestos, meaning they do not have to be removed” says Inspector Rick Bryant.

He tells KRMS News he did recommend they remove it none-the-less “when you have asbestos present, there’s always a risk. There’s not necessarily, as I explained to everyone involved, an immediate risk for everyone involved…because it’s in basement and it’s non-friable. But it’s absolutely IMPERATIVE that people understand they’re NOT to disturb it. You can’t hit it, bang it…you can’t make it friable!”

The estimated cost of removing the non-friable asbestos is around $6-thousand dollars, according to Bryant.

Secretary Of State Snaps Back At “For The People” Voting Act – Calls It “Unconstitutional”

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Sec. of State Ashcroft

Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill remain divided on the ‘For The People’ voting act.

“It is what I call the “Swamp Trifecta”, it is unmanageable, it is immoral and it is unconstitutional” says Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft.

He tells KRMS what he’ll do if HR 1 passes through Congress and is then signed by Joe Biden “I’m going to do 2 things…1, I’m going to court because it’s unconstitutional and it doesn’t count, and 2…we’re going to tell Nancy Pelosi to “Pound Sand.””

Secretary Ashcroft says government officials only have the powers given to them in the U-S Constitution.

He also says an unconstitutional law is not really a law.

Jay Ashcroft was interviewed by Christian Blood on the KRMS Morning Magazine.

State Rep Dr. Lisa Thomas To Hold Townhall Meeting On Friday

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A State Representative for much of the Lake Area’s holding a town hall meeting Friday.

“At Osage Beach City hall….this will be from noon until 1:30pm. It’s open to vacationers, business owners, residents and more” says State Rep Lisa Thomas.

She tells KRMS News she wants to keep the attendance limited to those living in the 124th Legislative District “we’re going to talk about a number of topics, including boat and watercraft issues, dock issues, seawall and erosion issues, no-wake cove issues, anchor issues…so on.”

Thomas says there will be the expected ‘other’ category as the discussion proceeds Friday afternoon.

Thomas represents portions of Camden and Miller counties in the 124th District, previously held by Rocky Miller.

Representative Thomas was interviewed by Guy Wehman on The Ozarks This Morning on News / Talk KRMS.

Dock Bill Officially Signed Into Law

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New rules concerning docks and vessels on Lake of the Ozarks after Governor Mike Parson signed several bills.

It’s now unlawful for a vessel within 100 feet of a permitted dock to anchor in a way that obstructs the ingress and egress of watercraft to the dock.

It’s also unlawful to secure a vessel or enter a private permitted dock unless authorized by the dock permit holder.

Out on the water, the act prohibits the obstruction of normal, flowing traffic on Missouri waters.

And a requirement’s been waived that said boat dealers have to sell at least six vessels or vessel trailers per year to be recognized as a boat dealer, but the dealer has to be a licensed custom boat manufacturer that makes vessels for biological and other scientific research.

 

Info about the bill:

HCS/SCS/SB 49 – This act modifies provisions relating to public safety.

BOAT DEALERS (Section 301.550)

This act waives the requirement that an entity must sell at least 6 vessels or vessel trailers in a calendar year in order to qualify as a boat dealer, provided the entity is a licensed boat manufacturer that custom manufactures boats for use with biological research and management equipment for fisheries, or for use with scientific sampling and for geological or chemistry purposes.

These provisions are identical to HB 1266 (2021).

PERMANENT VESSEL REGISTRATION (Section 306.030)

This act provides that vessels may be issued a permanent certificate of number upon payment of 3 times the amount required for a 3-year certificate of number and 3 times any processing fee applicable to a 3-year certificate of number. Permanent certificates of number shall not be transferred to any other person or vessel, or displayed on any vessel other than the vessel for which it was issued, and shall continue in force and effect until terminated or discontinued as provided by law. (Section 306.030.6)

These provisions are identical to provisions in HCS/SS/SCS/SB 4 (2021), provisions in HCS/SB 38 (2021), and provisions in HCS/SS/SB 46 (2021), and similar to HB 579 (2021).

PERMITTED BOAT DOCKS, AND OBSTRUCTIONS CAUSED BY VESSELS (Section 306.221)

This act prohibits vessels positioned within 100 feet of a permitted boat dock from being anchored in a manner that obstructs ingress or egress of watercraft to or from the dock, unless authorized by the boat dock permit holder. The act also provides that no person shall secure a vessel to or enter upon a private permitted boat dock unless authorized to do so by the boat dock permit holder, or as specified in the act. A violation of these provisions shall be an infraction.

This act also specifies that operating or positioning a vessel in a manner that obstructs or impedes the normal flow of traffic on the waters of this state shall be an infraction, rather than a Class C misdemeanor for a first offense or a Class B misdemeanor for a second or subsequent offense.

These provisions are similar to HB 871 (2021).

NEW MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY INSPECTIONS (Section 307.380)

This act exempts new motor vehicles from the requirement that motor vehicles receive a safety inspection immediately prior to their sale regardless of any current certificate of inspection and approval.

These provisions are identical to provisions in the truly agreed to and finally passed SS#2/HB 661 (2021), provisions in SCS/HB 578 (2021), provisions in HCS/SS/SCS/SB 4 (2021), provisions in HCS/SB 38 (2021), provisions in HCS/SS/SB 46 (2021), provisions in HCS/SS/SB 89 (2021), and HB 687 (2021).

MISSOURI CYBERSECURITY ACT (Section 650.125)

This act establishes the “Missouri Cybersecurity Commission” within the Department of Public Safety for the purpose of identifying risk to state and critical infrastructure with regard to cyber attacks. The commission shall be funded by appropriation, and any expenditure constituting more than 10% of the commission’s annual appropriation shall be based on a competitive bid process. The commission shall advise the Governor on the state of cybersecurity in the state, obtain data from certain public entities specified in the act, and make recommendations to reduce the state’s risk of cyber attack. The commission shall present an annual report to the Governor by December 31st of each year, which shall be held confidential.

These provisions are identical to provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 1204 (2021).

 

More details:

(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) – By the end of today, Governor Mike Parson will have signed 13 remaining pieces of legislation into law, concluding bill singings for the 2021 legislative session.

SB 26 – Public Safety

Modifies several provisions related to public safety, including providing taxpayers with the ability to obtain injunctive relief if a local government decreases its police department’s budget by a prescribed amount and creating additional protections for law enforcement officers.

Additionally, this bill modifies provisions related to jail time credit for criminals prior to conviction and allows a defendant’s behavior during that same period to be considered in sentencing proceedings.

SB 49 – Public Safety

Modifies several provisions related to public safety, including establishing new watercraft and waterway regulations and eliminating safety inspections for new vehicles.

SB 53 – Public Safety

Modifies several provisions related to public safety, including clarifying the Raise the Age statute, increasing the penalty for doxing a first responder or law enforcement officer, modifying the residency requirement for Kansas City law enforcement officers to assist with recruitment efforts, and creating a judicial procedure that provides a pathway for a prosecuting attorney to correct a miscarriage of justice resulting from a wrongful conviction.

The bill also allows prosecutors to use a witness or victim statement when a defendant engaged in wrongful conduct that prevented the witness or victim from being available to testify in a criminal proceeding.

HB 69 – Certain Metals

Modifies record keeping requirements for purchasers of gold, silver, or platinum to reduce theft.

HB 72 – Awareness and Monument Designations

Establishes Law Enforcement Appreciation Day as the first Friday in May, creates Pioneering Black Women’s Day on March 26th, and establishes The Gateway Arch as Missouri’s official state monument.

SB 120 – Military Affairs

Ensures National Guard service members are granted interviews for state government positions, promotes awareness of the state’s resources that are available for veterans, and creates the Purple Star Campus for K-12 schools.

HB 297 – Higher Education

Expands the available uses of 529 education savings plans, requires Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to create a state plan for Career and Technical Education, and allows college student-athletes to earn compensation for their name, image, or likeness.

HB 349 – Empowerment Scholarship Accounts

Creates Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESAs) that will offer scholarships to qualifying students to attend a K-12 school that is outside of their current school district.

SB 86 – Public Funds

Prohibits the contribution or expenditure of public funds for a variety of political causes and updates provisions related to ESAs.

HB 369 – Land Management

Provides additional liability protections for Missouri landowners.

HB 432 – Relating to the Protection of Vulnerable Persons

Makes statutory changes to implement the Office of Childhood, clarifies wage requirements for sheltered workshops, and establishes a right to unpaid leave for victims of domestic or sexual violence and their caregivers.

SB 520 – Memorial Highways

Establishes numerous memorial highways throughout the state.

HB 557 – Relating to the Protection of Children

Establishes minimum reporting requirements for license-exempt residential care facilities in an effort to ensure the safety and well-being of children and requires background checks for all facility and agency workers who have contact with children.

 

Lake Ozark Police Working On Securing Speed Trailer Thanks To Fundraising Efforts

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It’s a busy summer in Lake of the Ozarks, and one city wants some drivers to slow down.

An Alderman in Lake Ozark says he’s been noticing some high-speed traffic in residential areas since May, and now a mobile speed trailer is one the way.

The units can log the number of cars passing by and it’ll show you how fast you’re going as you pass by the posted speed limit.

The speed trailer was set up recently on Welsh Road on The North Shore and it found 5-thousand cars passing by over a one-week period.

On Monday the unit was set up on Oak Ridge Road.

The reported cost of the demo unit for sale is $10-thousand dollars, a total the city thinks will be met thanks to fundraising.

 

***More info:

For Immediate Release

7/13/2021

 

Speeding on City of Lake Ozark streets – as it is around most of the Lake of the Ozarks — is a constant problem. Posted speed limits are often ignored, posing potentially dangerous situations.

But a Lake Ozark alderman is doing something about it.

Matt Wright, voted into office in April, noticed several cars speeding on Valley Road during the Magic Dragon Street Meet Nationals car show in early May. Valley Drive is often used as an alternate route when Bagnell Dam Blvd. is closed for special events. Wright is also a resident on School Road where he’s developing a cluster of tiny homes. Again, he observed motorists speeding, especially when they realize the street is a dead-end street – even though it’s posted as such.

Wright approached Police Chief Gary Launderville about a portable speed trailer that monitors the speed of approaching vehicles and is used as a deterrent to speeding. The chief said buying a unit – which costs between $7,000 and $15,000 – was well beyond the LOPD’s budget.

“Wright took it upon himself to begin a fundraising campaign,” Launderville said.

It’s the intent at this point to buy the speed trailer because of Wright’s fundraising efforts.

After contacts with a speed trailer company, the LOPD discovered a demonstator unit was available for use with the possibility of buying it after a month.

To date, Wright has raised more than $5,000 toward a discounted price of just shy of $10,000. The trailer collects various data including speeds, traffic counts, and more.

The speed trailer was set up on Welsh Road on The North Shore the first week and recorded more than 5,000 vehicles. As of Monday, July 9, the trailer was on Oak Ridge Road. It will be moved to various locations as needed.

“We’ve received a lot of positive feedback from the neighborhoods,” Launderville noted.

Anyone interested in making a donation can do so to the Lake Ozark Police Benevolent Association and drop a check off at the LOPD, 3162 Bagnell Dam Blvd.; or through PayPal, Venmo, check or cash. For PayPal, visit paypal.me/lopbal; for Venmo, search @LakeOzarkPolice-Benevolent.

 

Gas Tax Bill Expected To Be Signed By Governor Parson Today

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For the first time since 1996, Missouri’s gas tax is about to go up.

Missouri Governor Mike Parson will sign a bill Tuesday that’ll increase one of the lowest gas-tax-rates in the country.

Missouri has a 17-cent-per-gallon gas tax right now, but starting in October two-and-a-half more cents will be added.

And more increases will follow.

Each year through 2025, another two-and-a-half cents will be added until the gas tax reaches a total of 29.5 cents per gallon.

Missourians have turned down gas-tax increases in Missouri three times over the last two decades, but Governor Parson says the money’s needed for roads and infrastructure.

 

***Below is some older information regarding the bill and what it would do when signed.

JEFFERSON CITY — A broad coalition of transportation stakeholders, including the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Missouri AFL-CIO, has released a new study analyzing the economic impacts of a proposed transportation investment bill. The study was completed by Economic Leadership, LLC.

Missouri has long had one of the lowest average gasoline taxes in the nation and it has been about 25 years since the state gasoline tax was increased. Additionally, Missouri has consistently ranked in the bottom half of states in terms of roads in poor condition and bridges that are deemed structurally insufficient. Estimates suggest that Missouri currently underfunds its transportation system by more than $825 million annually. In light of this critical need, more than 250 Missouri businesses and individuals have signed on to a letter urging the legislature to act.

The proposed legislation, Senate Bill 262, would generate about $500 million per year and direct these funds to address the infrastructure backlog.

The report addresses two main benefits that can be anticipated and measured from transportation improvements. The first benefit is the increase in economic activity in the construction sector spurred by the new gas tax revenue. These construction jobs are often stable, higher wage jobs. The spending of these higher wages can produce ripple effects throughout the economy. The second benefit measured in the report is cost savings to Missouri drivers from the improved quality of roads and bridges.

Together the annual benefits to drivers and infrastructure construction investment could result in the generation of over $1.8 billion in sales in Missouri’s economy. This would also create an overall increase of $722 million in earnings across the state and more than 17,000 jobs every year.

“It’s frustrating to see Missouri roads crumble while we send our workers to other states to build other states’ transportation projects,” said Jake Hummel, president of the Missouri AFL-CIO. “Investment in our infrastructure will increase safety for all Missourians and create and sustain good jobs. “We have the opportunity to make much needed improvements to our state’s roads while employing an additional 17,000 Missourians.”

 “The current state of our transportation system is unacceptable. More than $800 million in unfunded repairs, 45th in revenue per mile, over 2,00 deficient bridges – these numbers speak for themselves. But so do the numbers in this economic analysis,” said Daniel P. Mehan, Missouri Chamber President and CEO. “We can address serious safety and competitiveness issues while generating nearly $2 billion in additional economic activity in our state each year.”

For a complete copy of the study, click here.

Democrat JD Leathers Announces Run For 4th Congressional Seat

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We now know the name of the Democrat looking to run against several Republicans, all vying for the 4th Congressional District seat being vacated by Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler.

Former Farmer J.D. Leathers of Cass County is announcing his intentions to run for the seat.

Previously Leathers was working as a Traffic Commissioner in the city of Webster Groves, as well as a Public Policy Advisor for the city of Brentwood, both suburbs in St. Louis.

Hartzler has represented this district, which makes up most of the Lake Area, since 2010.

Final Lake Ozark Comprehensive Plan Meeting Scheduled For Later This Month

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Later this month, the last of three focus sessions on a Comprehensive Plan for Lake Ozark will be happening at Willmore Lodge Thursday, July 22, 202

The meeting will be open to those who live in the city limits and also to those who own businesses and property in Lake Ozark.

The Comprehensive Plan is a document that lays out the future for the city in areas like economic development and quality of life.

The next update to the Comprehensive Plan will be the first since 2006.

 

Additional info:

City of Lake Ozark - Press Release 07092021
 City of Lake Ozark Comprehesive Plan Agenda 07092021

 

Congresswoman Hartzler Snaps Back At “Door-To-Door” COVID Campaign

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One elected official representing part of the Lake Area in the U-S House is reacting to a White house plan to send Federal officials on a ‘door-to-door’ campaign to push COVID shots.

“I think that’s inappropriate. The vaccine is out, people know it’s available and they should have the option to go and receive it if they want. But if they don’t, they shouldn’t be hounded by Government agents at their front door” says Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler, “I think everybody should know by now that if they want it, they can get it, and I think it’s a waste of money to spend towards sending Government agents door-to-door.”

She tells KRMS News more than $1 billion dollars have already been spent by Democrats to promote the COVID shots manufactured by Pfizer, Maderna and Johnson and Johnson “there was even money in some of the Democrat’s COVID packages, over $1 Billion dollars, to help promote people receiving the vaccination and advertising that. So we’ve already spent a billion dollars on that!”

Hartzler also says the U-S is now seeing record numbers of people coming into the country from Mexico and the Americas after the Biden Administration rolled back many of President Donald Trump’s border policies.

Hartzler was a guest on the KRMS Morning Magazine.

Governor Parson Announces New Members Of Citizens Commission On Redistricting

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Two legislative bodies in Missouri now have 40 new members and they’ll each be charged with possible redistricting measures for the state moving forward.

The new members came from a pool of nominees that were submitted to Governor Mike Parson after the 2020 Census was complete and official.

Governor Parson made the selections, with a Republican and a Democrat being named to each Congressional District in the State.

The names come from both the Senate and House Independent Bipartisan Citizens Commission.

The first meeting of the new commissions is set for August 10 and they’ll have five months to submit their redistricting plans to the Secretary of State’s Office and Elections Division.

 

***Additional Info:

(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) – Today, Governor Mike Parson announced 40 appointments to the House and Senate Independent Bipartisan Citizens Commissions.

On April 26, 2021, the United States Census Bureau delivered the 2020 Census Apportionment Results to the President of the United States. Consistent with the Missouri Constitution, this started the 60-day window for the Democrat and Republican state and congressional district committees to meet and submit nominees for Governor Parson’s consideration.  

The list of nominees for the House commission was submitted as required by Article III, Section 3 of the Missouri Constitution, and the list of nominees for the Senate commission was submitted as required by Article III, Section 7 of the Missouri Constitution.

Pursuant to the same provisions of the Missouri Constitution, the Governor fulfills his legal duty by making the aforementioned appointments within 30 days after of the submission of the nominees. 

Independent Bipartisan Commissions are tasked with redistricting Missouri’s legislative maps. The appointees and their political party affiliation are as follows:

Senate Independent Bipartisan Citizens Commission:

1st Congressional District

  • Maryann Manion (R)
  • Farrakhan Shegog (D)

2nd Congressional District

  • Gary Grewe (R)
  • Nicole Greer (D)

3rd Congressional District

  • Jim Berberich (R)
  • Mike Frame (D)

4th Congressional District

  • Lowell Pearson (R)
  • Kevin Rusnak (D)

5th Congressional District

  • Kay Hoflander (R)
  • Andrea Flinders (D)

6th Congressional District

  • Aaron Baker (R)
  • Joni Wickham (D)

7th Congressional District

  • Chris Slinkard (R)
  • Randy Alberhasky (D)

8th Congressional District

  • Leann Green (R)
  • Leamon Asher (D)

Statewide

  • Mark Ellinger (R)
  • Joseph S. Passanise (R)
  • Matt Dameron (D)
  • Susan Montee (D)

 

House Independent Bipartisan Citizens Commission:

1st Congressional District

  • Jerry Hunter (R)
  • Keena Smith (D)

2nd Congressional District

  • Matt Maher (R)
  • Harvey Ferdman (D)

3rd Congressional District

  • Jonathan Ratliff (R)
  • Mark Schaeperkoetter (D)

4th Congressional District

  • Daniel Wilson (R)
  • Jason Ludwig (D)

5th Congressional District

  • Vicki Riley (R)
  • Melissa Patterson Hazley (D)

6th Congressional District

  • James Thomas III (R)
  • Penny Adams (D)

7th Congressional District

  • Alan Griffin (R)
  • Laura Cox (D)

8th Congressional District

  • Becky Leonard (R)
  • Michael Moroni (D)

Statewide

  • Pat Thomas (R)
  • Curtis Jared (R)
  • Rick Shang (D)
  • Kay Mills (D)

Fifteen days after the final appointments to the commissions are made, excluding Sundays and state holidays, the commissions will have their first meeting at the State Capitol. The date of the first commission meetings is scheduled for Tuesday, August 10, 2021.

Once the final appointments are official, commissions will have five months to submit a plan to the Secretary of State’s office, Elections Division, and six months to file a final statement, which must be approved by seven-tenths of the commissioners.

For additional information or questions about the work of the House and Senate Independent Bipartisan Citizens Commissions, please click here. 

Lake Ozark To Move Forward After Sewer Spill More Than A Decade Ago

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Lake Ozark can now move on after a sewer spill in the city more than a decade ago.

“In approximately late 2006, early 2007, DNR was getting a report about a spill that was emanating from one of Lake Ozark’s lift stations. And not just one report, numerous reports. This was coming from people driving by and seeing it” says Lake Ozark City Administrator Dave Van Dee.

He tells KRMS News the city is now released from a consent judgment after numerous repairs and upgrades were made to the sewer system “starting with the installation of monitoring equipment on everyone one of our lift stations. And that includes if we add a new station, we have to include a monitoring station.”

Van Dee says the repairs cost $3 million dollars and out of that total the city borrowed $200-thousand dollars.

Lake Ozark was also fined a total of $80-thousand dollars by the Missouri DNR and Federal EPA after 10-thousand to 15-thousand gallons of raw sewage poured into Lake of the Ozarks.

 

**More info:

 

For Immediate Release

7/9/2021

 

It’s been a long, sometimes challenging road to recovery, but the City of Lake Ozark has been released from a consent judgment resulting from a significant sewage spill more than a dozen years ago.

City officials were notified June 24 that a Satisfaction of Judgment had been filed with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources announcing that DNR would be closing its enforcement case.

“The past 13 years have required a lot of difficult work on the part of our staff, citizens and board of aldermen,” City Administrator Dave Van Dee said. “This resolution finally puts to bed the dark cloud that was hanging over Lake Ozark for so long, and we can now begin looking to the future.”

It all started in early September 2007 when the DNR was alerted by an individual that raw sewage was flowing into the lake. The DNR discovered that a lift station on Horseshoe Bend Parkway had failed and was allowing between 10,000 and 15,000 gallons of raw sewage to flow into the lake.

The DNR notified the city of the bypass and the city responded and stopped the flow but failed to conduct no clean up and provided no written notification of the bypass.

 

Finishes touches

The city has between 300 and 400 grinder pumps and lift stations that serve the community. All of those had to be upgraded or replaced to meet a subsequent court order.

Then-Mayor Johnny Franzeskos and the board of aldermen took immediate action to mitigate the situation. McClure Engineering was hired to design and upgrade the system at a cost of about $3 million. Of that total, the city only borrowed $200,000 which was paid in full and ultimately impacted the city’s sewer budget.

“It was an awesome and sometimes arduous task,” Van Dee said. “The DNR and McClure Engineering worked together to guide us through the process. Two mayors, multiple aldermen and our staff were involved over the years and their quick action on various ordinances and work orders helped expedite the projects.”

Over the following decade, the city worked to make the mandated improvements, doing some of the work internally. Improvements include:

  • Rehabilitation of nine lift stations
  • Replaced hundreds of grinder pumps and control panels
  • Cleaned and CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) inspected the gravity flow sewer system
  • Re-lined and sealed several lift station wet wells and manholes
  • Installed remote monitors which alert Public Works staff via text message of any failure within the system

 

Final piece

The final piece of the puzzle was the upgrade of Twin Oaks Lift Station on Twin Oak Drive, which was completed to the satisfaction of city officials and the DNR only recently. Its completion was delayed for about two years because the city could not obtain the needed easements from lift station neighbors. Eventually, the DNR, McClure Engineering and the public works staff designed an alternate way to access the lift station.

“It’s taken quite a while, but now we have a wastewater system in place that has the capacity to handle our anticipated growth,” Van Dee noted.

 

Background

A year after the spill was reported, the public works director – who had been fired as a direct result of the mishap – pled guilty to failing to report the discharge of pollutants into the lake and was sentenced in U.S. District Court to three years of probation. The court also ordered the fired employee to pay a $5,000 fine.

In a separate but related case, the City of Lake Ozark plead guilty to repeatedly discharging raw, untreated sewage from several sewage collection stations directly into the Lake of the Ozarks. The discharges were from sewage overflows resulting from faulty equipment. The city was fined $50,000 by the DNR and $30,000 by the Environmental Protection Agency.

As part of the judgment, the city agreed to upgrade and maintain its wastewater treatment system and to report any and all bypasses from its treatment system and lift stations as required by the state.

Representative Luetkemeyer Calls Out Origins Of COVID 19

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Health officials say cases of COVID are increasing in the Lake Area and parts of Missouri, but one elected official in the U-S House is wondering where the virus came from.

“I think it does matter….and I think it’s being lost in the shuffle on purpose” says Missouri Rep Blaine Luetkemeyer.

He tells KRMS News he was on a COVID Committee for about a year, and he was pushing the director to investigate where COVID-19 came from “he refused to do that, and as a result we never really got into it.”

Luetkemeyer says evidence over the last several months shows COVID-19 likely came from a lab as opposed to animals.

He says some of the evidence comes from scientific research of the virus and also from some people who have defected from China.

Congressman Luetkemeyer was interviewed by Christian Blood on the KRMS Morning Magazine.

 

***More from Blaine’s Bulletin:

To say a lot has changed since the very beginning of the pandemic when reports of a mystery virus started affecting people in Wuhan, China began would be an understatement of epic proportion. The coronavirus shut down nearly the entire world and caused billions of people to live in fear of a virus we knew very little about. And while the world struggled to handle this virus that has since claimed 3.8 million lives, China continued to mislead other countries about the severity and reality of the situation. Who knows how many lives could have been saved had they been open and honest about COVID-19? But instead of acting in the best interest of mankind, they did everything in their power to conceal the origins and spread of the virus. The Chinese government led propaganda campaigns to try and blame the virus on other countries, ours included. They expelled American journalists who were looking for answers from their country. They silenced whistleblowers, researchers and physicians. One of the first Chinese scientists to speak openly about the virus was jailed and later died. China must be held accountable for its deceit, recklessness, and disregard for the entire world, and many of my colleagues and I are calling for action.

In some ways it seems like a decade ago when President Trump restricted travel from China followed by his decision to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO). At the time, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) was downplaying the threat and very few cases had come to the U.S. The WHO refused to adequately investigate and enabled China’s coverup as a virus – that more and more evidence suggests leaked from a lab in their country – spread across the world taking millions of innocent lives. The decision to stop sending U.S. taxpayer dollars to the organization that was no longer serving our country, or the world for that matter, and helped the CCP keep the origins of the virus a secret was a no-brainer. Why pay someone millions to undermine us? Unfortunately, despite the fact that the WHO continues to pander to the CCP, President Biden immediately rejoined the WHO once he took office as part of his commitment to undo as many Trump Administration actions he could, regardless of the consequences.

A year ago, suggestions that the virus came from anything other than a bat were scoffed at and suggestions of Chinese accountability were deemed racist. Last year, as a member of the Select Committee on the Coronavirus Crises last year I made repeated requests for the committee to investigate the origin of the virus and call China to account. The Chairman of the Committee actually said that was not within our jurisdiction. Seriously, the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus refused to investigate the origins of the Coronavirus. Shortly after that, the committee held a hearing voting by mail…

Now, report after report are forcing even the most reluctant among us to pay attention. American intelligence sources have recently reported that three researchers in the Wuhan Institute of Virology were hospitalized in November 2019, an entire month before the Chinese government publicly reported the existence of COVID-19. Millions of families across the world lost loved ones, the economies of nearly every country were brought to a standstill, countless children are now a year behind in their education, and we still have not received any viable explanations from the CCP on the virus’s origin.  China’s complete lack of transparency is nothing new, but this time it has affected the entire world. Last month, House Republicans sent a letter to Speaker Pelosi urging her to join us in our calls for an investigation into the CCP’s handling of the COVID-19 crisis and to bring this matter before the appropriate committees in Congress. The evidence continues to mount against the wet market theory, but the WHO is maintaining what appears to be its “China First” policy. This is a great opportunity for all members of Congress and the Administration to join an effort that only helps America. As the people elected to represent the American people – and only the American people – agreement of factfinding and Chinese accountability should be effortless. Many of my colleagues and I are ready to work with intelligence officials to finally get some concrete facts and force China to answer for their actions. All we need are willing partners in the Speaker’s chair and the White House.

Camdenton To Hold Public Hearing For Water Rate Increase

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A water rate increase of 25 cents will be a main topic of discussion at an upcoming Public Hearing for the City of Camdenton.

“The purpose of this public hearing is to hear comments on adjusting the water rates in the city of Camdenton” says Mayor John McNabb.

Speaking at their recent board of alderman meeting McNabb says he would like to see a change in the way the city handles water rate changes “I would just say….my position has always been, that I’d like to see us visit these on a regular basis….so that we can make small adjustments, rather than putting it off for several years.”

The meeting is set to take place on August 3rd at 6PM and all residents who have city water are encouraged to attend.

Cocktails To Go Remain Permanent Fixture After Bill Signed Into Law

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If you own a restaurant in Lake of the Ozarks, you can now sell cocktails to go permanently.

Governor Mike Parson signed a bill into law Wednesday that allows to-go alcohol to be sold with food as long as it’s in a tamper-proof container.

The new law also changes the hours alcohol can be sold on Sunday.

Restaurant owners will now be able to sell alcohol by the drink from 6 am to 1:30 am, which matches the other days of the week.

Missouri Governor Pushes Back On “Door-To-Door” COVID 19 Vaccine Strategy From White House

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In the future, you may find mobile COVID-19 vaccination clinics at festivals, churches and other Lake Area events.

It’s part of a Biden Administration plan to increase participation in the COVID shots.

The campaign will also include ‘door-to-door’ visits in numerous neighborhoods to encourage people to take the shot.

The vaccination campaign could appear where you work or maybe at your primary care doctor’s office.

Right now, around 32-percent of Camden County has taken one of the COVID formulas. Numbers show vaccination rates of around 21-percent in Miller County and just over 26-percent in Morgan County.

Governor Mike Parson says on Facebook he’s told Missouri health officials to advise the Fed that going door-to-door to solicit COVID vaccines won’t be effective or welcomed.

Parson acknowledges that he and his wife have taken the shot and that options for the vaccine are convenient and abundant for those 12 and up who may want it.

COVID 19 Protection Bill Signed Into Law

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Starting August 28th of this year, healthcare providers, manufacturers and businesses in Missouri will have protection against COVID-19 liability.

“The last thing we need to do, is punish anyone for trying to help in a crisis…during the middle of a pandemic” says Governor Mike Parson.

Parson signed the bill into Wednesday morning from the state capitol after thousands of COVID-19-related lawsuits have been filed around Missouri.

Missouri State Senator Tony Luetkmeyer stood next to Governor Mike Parson during one of several signing ceremonies around the state Wednesday “Our small businesses are the backbone of our economy here in the State of Missouri. One of the critically important things is to protect those businesses from frivolous lawsuits, making sure they feel comfortable and confident in re-opening this economy and getting people back to work. That is so important.”

Other areas Luetkmeyer says will need protection include education, churches and frontline healthcare workers.

The Governor’s been supporting the legislation since late 2020 and he also talked about the need for the ‘COVID Protection Bill’ during his State of the State address earlier this year.

Senate Bill 51 passed the Missouri Senate in February.

Dock Bill Awaiting Signature From Governor Parson

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A bill sitting on Governor Parson’s desk could change laws about docks at the Lake of the Ozarks.

SB49 or the Dock Bill, prohibits boats within 100 feet of a permitted dock from being anchored in a way that obstructs the ingress and egress of watercraft too and from said dock, unless authorized by the dock owner.

Violations of these rules would result in an infraction.

Another rule in the bill prohibits boaters from obstructing the normal flow of traffic on the water.

Doing so would result in a class C or B misdemeanor.

The bill is sponsored by Senator Justin Brown, who represents District 16 including Camden and Pulaski counties.

If signed, the new laws would go into effect in August.

Camdenton Is The Latest To Get In On The Fireworks Show For Bagnell Dam 90th Birthday

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More fireworks will be happening in the Lake Area later this summer.

The Camdenton Board of Alderman now has request from the Best Dam Birthday Bash Planning Committee money to help pay for an August 10th fireworks display.

It’s part of the Best Dam Birthday Bash celebration during Missouri’s Bicentennial festivities.

The planning committee is requesting $35-hundred dollars from the city for the Best Dam Fireworks Display set to happen at nine different locations.

Lagina Fitzpatrick Named Executive Director For TCLA

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Lagina Fitzpatrick is the Executive Director of the Lake of the Ozarks Tri-County Lodging Association.

The announcement was made at the association’s June meeting.

Prior to being named Executive Director, Fitzpatrick had been the interim director since December.

She also served as Director of Sales at TCLA from 2010 through 2020.

TCLA says its mission is to promote tourism in Lake of the Ozarks.

 

More info:

Lake of the Ozarks, MO – During it’s June meeting, the Tri-County Lodging Association Board of Directors, representing and acting on behalf of the Lake of the Ozarks Area Business Districts of Camden, Miller and Morgan Counties, named Lagina Fitzpatrick Executive Director of Lake of the Ozarks Tri-County Lodging Association (TCLA).
Prior to being named Executive Director of TCLA, Fitzpatrick served as the Director of Sales for Tri-County Lodging Association from 2010 to 2020 and most recently as TCLA’s Interim Director since December 2020.
“I am honored that the TCLA Board of Directors has entrusted me with this role and I am excited to keep the Lake of the Ozarks’ tourism and marketing efforts moving forward during these ever-changing and challenging times,” says Fitzpatrick.
“I came to the Lake 34 years ago for a 12-week internship and never thought a ’12-week stint’ would turn into a 34-year passion,” Fitzpatrick concludes.
The Tri-County Lodging Association, whose mission is to promote Central Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks as Mid-America’s premier vacation destination, group, golf and outdoors destination was formed in 1993 to fulfill the marketing and operational duties of the Lake of the Ozarks Area Business Districts of Camden, Miller and Morgan Counties. The business districts are funded through a lodging tax placed on overnight visitors staying in lodging facilities throughout the three-county area surrounding the Lake of the Ozarks. These funds are used to market the entire Lake area. As a result of these promotional efforts, Central Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks typically hosts approximately 5 million visitors annually, though in 2020 the number of Lake-area vacationers increased significantly.
“We are extremely fortunate and proud to have Lagina as our Executive Director,” says Sue Pierce, chairman of the Tri-County Lodging Association. “Throughout Lagina‘s impressive career, she has always been an effective leader, demonstrating enthusiasm and passion for the Lake of the Ozarks.”
“During Lagina‘s 34-plus years of tourism marketing experience at the Lake, she has routinely been recognized by her peers for her dedication and accomplishments,” says Pierce. “She is a respected ambassador for the Lake of the Ozarks, working tirelessly to promote our destination to our many visitors.”
Fitzpatrick has received multiple honors throughout her career, including the prestigious Missouri Division of Tourism Ambassador Award, the Missouri Travel Alliance Service Award, the Sam Gilmer Supplier Award from the Society of Government Meeting Professionals (SGMP), has twice received the SGMP Chapter Supplier of the Year Award and also received the SGMP President’s Award.
Tri-County Lodging Association represents all overnight lodging properties located throughout the Lake area, including full-service resorts, family-owned resorts, vacation rental homes and condominiums, bed and breakfasts, hotels and motels and campgrounds and RV parks. For more information about the Tri-County Lodging Association’s operations and meeting schedule, please visit www.Tri-CountyLodging.com.
For year-round attractions, activities and events at Central Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks, visit www.FunLake.com.

Medicaid Bill Approved By Missouri Lawmakers – Budget Balanced

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Missouri Lawmakers are passing a bill to renew the critical Medicaid funding hours before a deadline set by Governor Mike Parson.

The house voting 140 to 13 in favor of extending a tax on hospitals, nursing homes and other medical groups that was set to expire this coming September.

That tax is used as leverage in bringing in billions in federal Medicaid funding.

Governor Parson threatened $722 million in budget cuts if lawmakers failed to pass the bill renewing the tax by today.

Typically, this bill passes with no issue, but this year a number of lawmakers tried blocking the bill to have funding for Planned Parenthood removed.

However, that effort failed and the bill on the Governor’s desk does not block the money.

 

***More information on this and other budget items:

(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) – Today, Governor Mike Parson signed Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) state operating budget bills that invest in critical infrastructure projects, support stronger communities, fund workforce development priorities, and increase pre-pandemic K-12 and higher education spending levels.

“When the 2021 legislative session began, Missouri was still experiencing some of the hardest days of the global COVID-19 pandemic, which affected every state agency and Missourian,” Governor Parson said. “Yet, the Missouri General Assembly stayed the course and delivered a balanced budget that responsibly allocates taxpayers’ hard-earned money.”

The Missouri FY22 state budget is approximately $35.6 billion, including $10.5 billion in general revenue. Additionally, Governor Parson issued 26 line-item vetoes, totaling nearly $115 million. To view the complete list of budget vetoes, click here.

“Missouri’s financial situation is vastly different from what we faced in 2020, and we applaud the General Assembly for recognizing this historic opportunity to make critical investments in the future of our state,” Governor Parson said.

Key investments in infrastructure projects keep the state moving forward and have helped establish Missouri as a top destination for business expansion. Improving Missouri’s infrastructure will continue to remain a top priority for Governor Parson and his administration. The FY22 budget bills include:

  • $154.4 million for State Road Fund construction projects.
  • $60.2 million in bonding authority for state park improvement projects.
  • $21 million for maintenance and repair projects at State Highway Patrol facilities.
  • $15 million for low-volume road maintenance and repair.
  • $10 million to increase broadband access in underserved areas.
  • $6.3 million for port capital improvement projects.

Governor Parson understands that education and workforce development initiatives must work hand-in-hand to prepare Missouri’s next generations for the demands of the future. The FY22 budget will provide more Missourians with the education and training necessary to develop a skilled workforce by investing:

  • $252.7 million and 121 staff from various state agencies to support the newly created Office of Childhood.
  • $20.2 million over FY22 spending levels to four-year institutions of higher education.
  • $13.2 million to support the A+ Schools Scholarship Program.
  • $10 million for community colleges.
  • $8.5 million to fully fund the foundation formula.
  • $8.4 million for early childhood special education programs.
  • $3.9 million to support the Bright Flight program.
  • $2.7 million to support the Fast-Track Workforce Incentive Grant Program.
  • $2 million for State Technical College.
  • $2 million to grow Missouri’s new and emerging high-tech industry.
  • $750,000 for 12,000 additional students to take the ACT Work Keys and Career Readiness Assessment.
  • $200,000 for the Main Street Program.

During the 2021 State of the State Address, Governor Parson called on lawmakers to fund projects that strengthen the health and safety of communities all across the state. The FY22 budget will make real progress in strengthening communities by allocating:

  • $166.3 million to increase development disability service provider rates.
  • $15 million to establish six new crisis stabilization centers and further support existing ones.
  • $8.3 million to expand the Behavioral Healthcare Home Program.
  • $5.3 million for 50 additional Community Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Liaisons.
  • $3.6 million and 53 staff members to address waitlists in Missouri’s Public Defender system.
  • $1 million in grants for violent crime prevention, community engagement, and law enforcement mental health support.
  • $21.5 million to recruit and retain quality Department of Corrections employees.
  • $6 million for county jail reimbursements.
  • $2.5 million to further support recidivism reduction programs.
  • $2.6 million and 11 State Highway Patrol Troopers to assist in violent crime investigations across the state.
  • $1.1 million for the Operation Legend Grant Program.
  • $1 million for the state’s witness protection fund.
  • $575,000 to provide grant funding for law enforcement officer safety equipment.

“We applaud the work of the General Assembly for not only a balanced budget but for renewing the Federal Reimbursement Allowances program,” Governor Parson said. “With billions of dollars in jeopardy and millions of livelihoods at stake, the majority of legislators put narrow political interests aside and passed an FRA renewal bill that protects Missouri’s most vulnerable populations and builds on our pro-life principles. Without their efforts, we would be announcing unprecedented budget restrictions rather than these historic investments. To all those who helped get FRA across the finish line: we appreciate your work.”

To view the FY 2022 state operating budget bills, click here.

New Law Allows Missouri To Collect Sales And Use Tax On Out Of State Retailers

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In the future, Lake of the Ozarks will be able to collect sales and use tax on goods sold by out-of-state retailers.

Governor Mike Parson is signing into law Wayfair legislation that’s designed to protect brick and mortar retailers around the Show Me State.

“It’s a big deal for the State of Missouri and it’s a big deal for our small businesses” says Governor Parson, “this is especially true right now with all we’ve been through in this crisis this past 15-16 months….if there was ever a time to get it done and do it right, now was the time. If we want our state population to grow and we want people to be here….these are the things we have to do to be a business friendly state. “

Governor Parson signed two House bills into law Wednesday morning at the State Capitol.

Beginning January 1, 2023, the Missouri Department of Revenue will begin collecting sales and use tax on out-of-state businesses that sell more than $100-thousand dollars in tangible goods on an annual basis.

Governor Parson says the new law is a long-time coming.

 

***Additional info:

(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) – Today, during a ceremony at the State Capitol, Governor Mike Parson signed SB 153 & 97 into law, allowing Missouri and local jurisdictions to collect an online use tax that will help protect Missouri’s brick and mortar businesses.

“Passing Wayfair legislation has been a top priority of my administration, and we are happy to be signing this critical legislation into law today,” Governor Parson said. “This law will help even the playing field between Missouri small businesses and large out-of-state retailers. With more than 570,000 small businesses in the state of Missouri, it is time that we establish a 21st century tax code that benefits our Main Street businesses rather than companies that don’t invest in our communities or employ our citizens.”

In 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc. allowed states to adopt rules to collect sales and use taxes from business not physically located in their state but who sell and deliver products into the state.

SB 153 & 97 will allow Missouri and local jurisdictions to collect a use tax from online retailers who sell and deliver more than $100,000 in tangible goods to consumers in the state annually.

Collection and remittance obligations will begin on January 1, 2023. Sales and uses taxes cannot be retroactive and will be collected by the Missouri Department of Revenue. Following 49 other states and Washington D.C., Missouri will be the final state to implement an economic nexus law since the Supreme Court’s decision in 2018.

Currently, Missouri businesses lose sales because out-of-state, online retailers are not subject to the same state sales tax laws that local businesses are. The current system also burdens Missouri businesses because they are required to remit sales and use taxes to other states, but out-of-state businesses selling to Missourians do not.

“This legislation is many years in the making and long overdue in the state of Missouri,” Governor Parson said. “This is a big win for our state and our small businesses, and we appreciate Senator Koenig and Representative Eggleston for prioritizing this legislation and working tirelessly to find agreement and get it passed.”

For more information on SB 153 & 97, click here.

Governor Parson Signs In New Laws Including Changes To The State Lottery System

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Governor Mike Parson is signing four bills into law.

One of the new laws expands the definition of stalking to include social media activity while also giving parents and guardians the ability to appeal child placement decisions.

Another bill now law in Missouri creates an Economic Distress Zone Fund that brings in money for non-profits focusing on high-crime areas in the state.

Two other bills signed by the Governor create a $10 million dollar tax credit for renovating buildings in the Capitol Complex and prevent the Lottery Commission from publishing the names of winners without written consent.

Finally, the newest bill signed into law deals with internet sales tax.

 

***Additional Info:

Governor Parson Signs Four Bills Into Law 

(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) – This afternoon, Governor Mike Parson signed four additional bills into law.

SB 36 – Capitol Complex Tax Credit: 

Creates a $10 million tax credit to be used for rehabilitation or renovation of buildings in the Capitol Complex.

SB 57 – Funding for Criminal Behavior Deterrence: 

Creates the Economic Distress Zone Fund which provides funding to nonprofits that focus on deterring crime in high crime areas of the state. It also creates the Critical Incident Stress Management Program to assist officers with stress and trauma.

HB 402 – Relating to Lottery Winners:

Prohibits the Lottery Commission from publishing a winner’s name unless they have written permission from the winner.

SB 71 – Civil Proceedings:

Allows parents, guardians, and juvenile officers to appeal child placement decisions, allows modifications to custody agreements to include grandparent’s visitation rights, and modifies the definition of stalking to include newer technologies like social media.

SB 71 also allows courts to grant protective orders to prevent someone from committing or threatening abuse against a pet and allows protection orders to be extended up to ten years under certain conditions.

 

Also:

 

Governor Parson Signs SB 153, Internet Tax Revenue

Passage of Wayfair Legislation Removes Unfair Advantage Over Missouri Local Businesses

 

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Municipal League (MML) applauds the signing today by Governor Parson of Missouri’s SB 153, regarding the capturing of internet tax revenue from out-of-state sellers. Known as the Wayfair legislation, SB 153 allows cities and businesses in their community to level the playing field with out-of-state vendors by closing the loophole where businesses outside of Missouri were avoiding local state use taxes.

“This is a big win for Missouri cities, their residents and local businesses,” said Chuck Caverly, council member for the city of Maryland Heights and MML president. “The unfair advantage out-of-state vendors had is now fixed. They will simply pay the same level of taxes that our local businesses have been paying for decades, and that money goes directly to critical services such as first responders, street repair, park maintenance and so much more.”

 

MML thanks Senator Andrew Koenig (R-15), Representative J. Eggleston (R-2), Senator Sandy Crawford (R-28), Representative Bill Falkner (R-10) and Representative Jeff Porter (R-42)  for their tireless work to craft this important bill. MML also thanks city officials for their diligence in bringing this issue before their legislators and community.­­

“When we share a common goal we can accomplish great things,” said Caverly. “This is a perfect example of protecting our brick-and-mortar businesses and our communities.”

 

Under the provisions, municipalities still need to have a use tax approved by local voters for the tax to be collected in their community. Another helpful piece of SB 153 is a simplification of ballot language for local use tax propositions.

The Missouri Municipal League provides a united voice for municipalities across Missouri. Founded in 1934, MML now serves more than 640 municipalities with training, resources and legislative advocacy for local government success. Learn more at www.mocities.com.

Camdenton Wins Worker Safety Award For 14th Time

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For the 14th time the City of Camdenton is getting recognition for keeping city workers safe over a one-year period.

“We do a lot of work….whether it’s going up and down lift stations, whether it’s installing a water line…and obviously our police officers and things they do on a daily basis. It’s a tribute to them, that they have made the commitment to work safely” says City Administrator Jeff Hooker, “we want our workers to be safe, we want them to go home every night to their families like anyone else that works in any other industry or job.”

He tells KRMS News the President’s Club for Safety hands out the Michael D. Cummins Award for most improved loss ratio over the past five years “this is the 14th year that the city has received this award from the President’s Club for Safety, for basically not filing any claims in the period of one year.”

During that five-year-period, Camdenton reduced its loss ratio from 166% to 4%.

Work Comp Safety Awards

Lake Ozark Adds New Board Members – Moves Towards Final Comprehensive Plan Meeting

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Lake Ozark now has a full Board of Aldermen after some departures since the April elections in the Lake Area.

“A few weeks after the election we had one alderman that had a change in his position due to a person situation that made him no longer a resident of the city, so he was able to resign and the board was able to appoint Bert Westbrook to his position” says Assistant City Administrator Harrison Fry.

He tells KRMS News Westbrook replaces Dale Hicks.

Vernon Jaycox was voted out of the board, but he’s now back to replace Mark Maples, who also moved after having been voted into office in 2020.

The remaining members of the Lake Ozark Board of Aldermen are Matt Wright, Judy Neels, Pat Thompson and Dennis Klautzer.

Mayor Dennis Newberry was elected as Mayor in April.

In other news for the city, only one focus session remains on the Comprehensive Plan.

The second of three sessions was held Wednesday night at Willmore Lodge.

“A lot of folks were interested in learning more about the way we maintain our current infrastructure…we’re hoping to have follow up conversations with those folks about that, as they make themselves available” Says Fry.

The Comprehensive Plan for the city has remained unchanged since 2006.

 

**Additional info:

The City of Lake Ozark now has a full board of aldermen.

The city lost two aldermen after they relocated out of the community in the last two months, so their positions had to be filled by appointment until the end of their terms. Those resignations left the board with only four aldermen.

Bert Westbrook was sworn into office at the June 8 regular meeting to fill the Ward 2 vacancy created when Dale Hicks resigned. Hicks defeated incumbent Larry Giampa April 6. This term expires April 2023.

Vernon Jaycox was sworn into office at the June 22 meeting to fill the Ward 3 vacancy left after Mark Maples resigned recently. Jaycox was the incumbent Ward 3 alderman until losing to Matt Wright April 6. This term expires April 2022.

 

Nancy Masterson Named MO School Board Association President

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The Missouri School Board Association has a new President, and she’s a familiar fixture at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Nancy Masterson is being appointed to the top spot after serving the previous year as President-Elect.

The election follows her nearly 22 years of service at the Camdenton R-3 School district.

Speaking at the MSBA Igniting Great Ideas summit held earlier this month in Springfield, Masterson says quote: “There’s a lot to look of work to do, the year ahead looks challenging and we must be persistent, well-informed, yet professional, kind and unshakable for our students.”

Masterson says her years at Camdenton R-3 schools will help guide the non-for-profit school board towards helping students all across the Show Me State.

There Are Now Five People Serving On The Sunrise Beach Fire District Board

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It’s officially a five-person Board of Directors for the Sunrise Beach Fire Protection District.

“The vacancy was full with John Suellentrop….John was appointed to the position and he will remain in that position until the April 2022 municipal elections” says Fire Chief Joseph LaPlant with the Sunrise Beach Fire Protection District.

He tells KRMS News John Suellentrop is returning to the fire protection district “John’s been involved with the fire district since it was a volunteer fire department back in the early 80s and actually served as Fire Chief until his retirement in early 2012.”

At Monday’s meeting the Board also approved moving the district’s fire boat to Hi-Way Cove Marina.

Chief LaPlant was interviewed by Christian Blood on the KRMS Morning Magazine.

New Executive Director Named For Council Of Local Governments

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Elected officers and Board Members of the Lake of the Ozarks Council of Local Governments are now in place.

LOCLG now has a new Executive Director moving forward.

Chairman Tom Wright introduced Brian Yansen to the position at the annual meeting Monday.

Elected Officers include Vice-Chairman John Olivarri and Joyce Chorpening.

Elected Board Members include Mayor Jeff Davis of Linn Creek, Mayor Holley Drake of Iberia and City Planner Roger Corbin of Sunrise Beach.

LOCLG Leadership Transisition Press Release

MO Senator Blunt Speaks Out About Deadlocked Bill On Voting

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A Missouri U-S Senator is talking about the GOP’s position on a Democrat voting bill deadlocked 50-50 along party lines.

“And this is a bill full of things that people don’t want to do, but more importantly…it’s built on a foundation that people think is faulty” says Missouri U-S Senator Roy Blunt.

Democrats say the 800-plus page bill is necessary to protect democracy “This bill isn’t about more Democracy….it’s about more Democrats.”

Senator Blunt has announced his plans to retire at the end of this term and numerous candidates are lining up to fill the soon-to-be vacated seat in the U-S Senate.

 

Additional Info:

WASHINGTON – At the Republican leadership press conference today, U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.), the top Republican on the U.S. Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, said that Democrats’ misguided, 800+ page election legislation is packed with policies that are widely unpopular and will weaken our nation’s election system.

Following Are Blunt’s Remarks:

 “I think when Democrats started this effort, they thought they were going to be able to have this debate about, ‘are you for a bill that would protect democracy?’ The problem was that was several months ago, and many people actually that read the bill or managed to read a story about the bill or they were polled about the bill. And this is a bill full of things that people don’t want to do. But, most importantly, it’s built on a foundation that people think is faulty.

 “The best place to solve most problems is not Washington, D.C. Our friends on the other side think the best place to solve every problem is Washington, D.C. We have a system where the diversity of the system is one of the great strengths of the system. [It’s] hard to subvert American democracy when there are different systems in every state. Every state has developed an election process that works for them.

 “This bill is not about more democracy. It’s about more Democrats. And the federal government doesn’t need to pass a bill that, for 20 years, has been the goal of Democrats in Washington. Every time they get in the majority, they pass H.R.1 or try to pass S.1. And once people figure out what they’re really trying to do, it’s not hard to be opposed to what they’re trying to do.”

Parson Calls For Special Session To Deal With FRA Extension

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Missouri Governor Mike Parson’s calling for a Special Session in the state capitol to focus on extending Federal Reimbursement Allowances after warning Missourians about financial consequences if nothing’s done before July 1st.

“The FRA program reduces the burden of the Missouri Healthnet expenses on the state budget and maximizes federal dollars coming into the state.”

Governor Parson announced the special session Tuesday and it’s set to begin Wednesday at noon.

Parson’s office is reporting the Special Session will focus specifically on extending the expiration of reimbursement allowances for ambulance service, nursing facilities, and the pharmacy tax.

We’ll be following the special session and we’ll pass along the latest details on News / Talk KRMS.

 

***More info:

 

Governor Parson Calls Special Session to Address Funding for MO HealthNet Program

(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) – Today, Governor Mike Parson announced a special session beginning Wednesday, June 23 at 12:00 p.m., to focus on extending the Federal Reimbursement Allowances (FRA) and related allowances, taxes, and assessments necessary for funding MO HealthNet before cost-savings measures are needed on July 1.

“After laying out the grim reality of our state’s financial future if FRA is not extended, I believe legislators have now agreed to a compromise that will end this stalemate, so today I am announcing a special session to begin tomorrow at noon,” Governor Parson said. “We appreciate the continued efforts of House and Senate leadership to work with us towards a solution, and we are thankful that we are now in a position that warrants a call to special session.”

“Let me be clear, now is a time that demands leadership among legislators and not an opportunity to play games with billions of dollars and millions of livelihoods in pursuit of narrow political interests,” Governor Parson said.

FRA is a program that spans multiple decades and was born from a public-private partnership between Missouri hospitals and state government to support the MO HealthNet program. The FRA provides funding to various health care providers across the state, including hospitals, pharmacies, mental health facilities, nursing facilities, emergency medical service providers, and others.

The Fiscal Year 2022 operating budget includes estimated revenue from the FRA program and other allowances, taxes, and assessments to fund primary components of the MO HealthNet program. Failure to extend these programs would cost the state of Missouri an estimated $591 million in FY22 and $788 million in FY23. Payments from the MO HealthNet program would also be reduced by $1.52 billion in FY22 and $2 billion in FY23 if these programs are not extended.

Allowing the FRA program and other allowances to expire would require the state to take immediate cost-savings measures, including rate decreases, elimination of non-mandatory programs, changes to fee schedules, and budget restrictions and vetoes.

“The FRA program reduces the burden of MO HealthNet expenditures on the state budget and maximizes federal dollars coming to Missouri, and House and Senate leadership and Missourians know the detrimental consequences if FRA is not extended,” Governor Parson said. “It is unacceptable to jeopardize critical investments in priorities like education, workforce development, and infrastructure, and we must get this done quickly to protect Missourians and continue investing in Missouri’s future generations.”

The special session will focus on extending certain allowances, taxes, and assessments that fund the MO HealthNet program. Specifically, Governor Parson’s special session call is to:

  • Extend the expiration of the ground ambulance service reimbursement allowance
  • Extend the expiration of the nursing facility reimbursement allowance
  • Extend the expiration of the Medicaid managed care organization reimbursement allowance
  • Extend the expiration of the FRA program
  • Extend the expiration of the pharmacy tax
  • Extend the expiration of the intermediate care facility for the intellectually disabled assessment
  • Prohibit abortifacient drugs and devices
  • Prohibits funding for abortion facilities under the Uninsured Women’s Health Program
  • Allow the Senate to consider appointments that require the advice and consent of the Senate

The special session proclamation will be uploaded to Governor Parson‘s website once it is available.

2nd Of 3 Listening Sessions For LO Comprehensive Plan Tonight At Willmore Lodge

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The second of three focus sessions on the Comprehensive Plan for Lake Ozark is happening Wednesday night (tonight).

“This is the document that gives direction to the city as far as growth and growth based decisions go, over the next 5 to 10, even 15 years” says Harrison Fry, Assistant City Administrator in Lake Ozark, “this is not the plan we use to talk about fixing the pot holes on your street necessarily, this is the plan that we use to talk about which parts of town do we want to see become more commercialized…which part of town we want to stay residential, how do we build our infrastructure in a thoughtful way…that sort of thing.”

He tells KRMS News the Comprehensive Plan for the city hasn’t been updated since 2006.

The meeting is open to those living in Lake Ozark and also to those who own property or a business within the city limits.

Fry says the first of the three focus sessions drew in about a dozen people.

Wednesday’s (Tonight’s) session is happening at 6pm at Willmore Lodge.

The final focus session will happen July 22nd.

Governor Parson Looks Towards Decision On FRA At Noon Tuesday

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Missouri Governor Mike Parson is expecting the General Assembly to have Federal Reimbursement Allowances extended by noon Tuesday (today.)

“Failure to extend these programs would cost the State of Missouri, an estimated $591 million dollars in the Fiscal year 2022 and $788 million dollars in the Fiscal year 2023” says Governor Parson.

Parson also says payments from the Missouri HealthNet program would be reduced by $1.52 billion dollars this year, and by $2 billion dollars next year.

Parson also says if the FRA is not extended, the state budget passed in May for Fiscal Year 2022 would no longer be in step with Missouri’s financial reality.

We’ll be following today’s developments and we’ll pass along more details as soon as possible on News / Talk KRMS.

Camden Sheriff Requesting Sales Tax Increase For More Deputies

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Sheriff Tony Helms

Sales tax revenue in the Lake Area is up, according to the Camden County Commission.

But the Sheriff’s Office needs more deputies, and just because sales tax revenue is up doesn’t mean more deputies can be hired with the money “I have to compete for this money, I just can’t get it because it’s there…if that makes sense” says Sheriff Tony Helms. He tells KRMS News he is proposing a quarter-cent sales tax increase “We’re kinda behind the curve. We need at least 10 more people, not just deputies…but an Animal Control officer and a civil process server. I just can’t stress enough….I don’t have enough people.”

Helms says summer’s not yet halfway over, but his department’s already feeling the pinch “I have burned up half of the department’s overtime, I’ve got to have more money. I just don’t have the people, so we’re scheduling people to come in on their off days…to work short 8 hour shifts, which is because we work 12 hours shifts regularly.”

Sheriff Helms says another problem he’s facing is the loss of some law enforcement personnel to higher pay checks in other jurisdictions.

Helms says Lake Area voters will decide in August on his proposed quarter-cent sales tax increase “this would be able to supply us with 10 more officers, all the raises and the following year it would allow us to give dispatch and the jailers a raise.”

2nd Lake Ozark Comprehensive Plan Meeting Coming This Wednesday

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The second of three public focus sessions on updating the Comprehensive Plan for Lake Ozark is happening next Wednesday, and you’re invited to come.

Officials say the first meeting drew around two dozen people who wanted to know more about Lake Ozark’s future plans for economic development and future infrastructure.

It’s open to Lake Ozark residents, property owners and business owners in Lake Ozark.

The meeting’s happening at 6 o’clock Wednesday night at Willmore Lodge.

 

***Additional Info:

For Immediate Release

6/14/2021

 

The City of Lake Ozark has issued a special invitation to its residents and business owners to help shape the future of the community.

The second of three public Focus Sessions on updating the city’s Comprehensive Plan will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 23, at Willmore Lodge, 1 Willmore Lane, Lake Ozark.

Housing and infrastructure are on the agenda. The final session will be held July 22.

The turnout at the first Focus Session in May drew about two dozen individuals to discuss economic development and quality of life, creating a useful dialogue that city staff and plan developer Lake of the Ozarks Council of Local Governments will use in developing the new Comp Plan.

Focus Sessions are open to residents, property owners and business owners in City of Lake Ozark.

The plan, which is a long-term guide for the community, hasn’t been updated since 2006. While the city’s economic base and infrastructure have evolved in the last decade, the city’s master development plan has remained unchanged for some 15 years.

Citizen participation is highly encouraged to develop a comprehensive plan which will guide the City of Lake Ozark in decision making for future development that suits both City of Lake Ozark and the community.

“The plan gives the city a vision as to how it wants development in the future,” LOCOLG Executive Director Linda Connor explained when the board voted last year to move ahead with the process. “We want to make sure we put in the plan what the city wants to look like in the next 10-15 years.”

An updated Comprehensive Plan is important when the city applies for state and federal funds.

“A new Comprehensive Plan will serve as the guiding force for the city as we continue to grow in the near future,” Fry said. “This document will provide a rationale for decision-making for our boards and commissions and will also show the world what the priorities and direction are for the City of Lake Ozark.”

Anyone who has questions pertaining to the focus session can contact the Lake of the Ozarks Council of Local Governments at 573-346-5692 or email matt.kostelnik@loclg.org.

Battle Over 2nd Amendment Rights Underway Between Feds And MO

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Missouri and the Federal Government are going head-to-head on gun law enforcement.

The Justice Department wrote Missouri to say the state went too far with the Second Amendment Preservation Act.

But Governor Mike Parson and Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt wrote back to say they will enforce the new state law at all costs.

Under the new law signed by Parson last Saturday, a person or entity that infringes on the Second Amendment would face a $50-thousand dollar fine for each occurrence.

 

***Additional info:

Attorney General Schmitt, Governor Parson Send Letter to Biden DOJ, Fighting Federal Encroachment on Missourians’ Second Amendment Rights

Jun 17, 2021, 14:15 PM by AG Schmitt
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt and Governor Mike Parson today sent a letter to President Biden’s Department of Justice fighting back against potential federal overreach and encroachment on Missourians’ Second Amendment rights.
The full letter can be found here: https://ago.mo.gov/docs/default-source/press-releases/2021-6-17-ltr-boynton.pdf?sfvrsn=ae1b68e_2

“Missourians’ and Americans’ Second Amendment rights are enshrined in the Constitution – I will defend those rights at every turn,” said Attorney General Schmitt. “Our letter to Biden’s Department of Justice sends a clear message: we will fight any attempts from the federal government to encroach on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.”

“The Second Amendment Preservation Act is about protecting law-abiding Missourians against government overreach and unconstitutional federal mandates,” Governor Parson said. “We will reject any attempt by the federal government to circumvent the fundamental right Missourians have to keep and bear arms to protect themselves and their property. Throughout my career, I have always stood for the Constitution and our Second Amendment rights, and that will not change today or any day.”

The letter, which is in response to the Department of Justice’s Wednesday letter to both the Attorney General and the Governor on the recently passed and signed Second Amendment Preservation Act, begins with, “Your letter purporting to ask for clarification of this important legislation, which was purposefully leaked to the news media, is riddled with a misunderstanding of the law and falsehoods. We will not stand by while the federal government tries to tell Missourians how to live our lives. Missouri is not attempting to nullify federal law. Instead, Missouri is defending its people from federal government overreach by prohibiting state and local law enforcement agencies from being used by the federal government to infringe Missourians’ right to keep and bear arms.”

The letter argues that, under the Second and Tenth Amendments, the right to keep and bear arms is inalienable, and that Missouri has the right to refuse to enforce unconstitutional infringements by the federal government. The letter states, “Likewise, the Tenth Amendment directly limits the Federal Government’s ability to shift the balance of power within the federal system away from the States… the State of Missouri has every right under our system of government and the Tenth Amendment to place limitations on what state and local officials may do.”

The letter also notes the Department of Justice’s June 16 letter conflicts with their own policy toward “sanctuary cities,” stating, “On his first day in office, President Biden rescinded President Trump’s executive order that prohibited federal grant awards to sanctuary jurisdictions that refused to cooperate with the federal government to enforcement immigration laws. In April, the Office of Justice Programs reportedly repealed the Department of Justice’s policy that required recipients of a law enforcement grant to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as a condition of their funding… President Biden and the Department of Justice have decided to reward states and cities that refuse to cooperate with enforcing constitutional immigration laws that protect our citizens against foreign threats, but now they attack Missouri for refusing to cooperate with enforcing unconstitutional gun confiscation laws that put our citizens in danger and degrade their rights.”

The letter ends with, “We will fight tooth and nail to defend the right to keep and bear arms protected by the Second Amendment, Article I, § 23 of the Missouri Constitution, and the Second Amendment Preservation Act.  And we will not tolerate any attempt by the federal government to deprive Missourians of this critical civil right.”

Farm Bureau Backing Two Bills On Capitol Hill Pushing For More Transparency

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The Missouri Farm Bureau’s backing two bills on Capitol Hill in hopes for more transparency between meatpackers and livestock producers.

“We’re seeing historic prices, really….in many ways…for boxed beef. But those historic prices or near historic prices, aren’t translating all the way down through the supply chain” says Missouri Farm Bureau President Garret Hawkins.

He tells KRMS News the two bills the Farm Bureau’s backing have bi-partisan support in both houses of Congress “there is! Which is telling, right? In today’s climate where bi-partisanship can be hard to find sometimes….we see bi-partisan support on this, at least at this early stage oft forcing the discussion forward and putting out possible legislative solutions.”

Optimizing the Cattle Act is in the U-S House, and The Cattle Market Transparency Act is in the U-S Senate.

Hawkins says the House version is pushing to get better transparency in pricing “and it was introduced by Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler and Congressman Emmanuel Cleaver.”

Hawkins was interviewed by Christian Blood on the KRMS morning Magazine.

 

Additional info:

Turn up the Heat: Cattle Markets Need Transparency

By Garrett Hawkins

As livestock producers, we strive to care for our animals and raise a wholesome product for our family, friends and neighbors. In return, we want a fair price for our livestock, which is increasingly difficult these days.

Last spring, the COVID-19 virus crippled the meat and poultry supply chain. The fallout from disruptions in processing and transportation fell squarely on the shoulders of livestock producers. A few dominant meatpackers certainly seemed to put the squeeze on farmers and ranchers while making record profits. Notably, four major packers control more than 80 percent of today’s U.S. beef packing industry.

An August 2019 fire at a processing facility in Holcomb, Kansas, and disruptions during the pandemic reignited long-standing concerns about transparency in cattle markets. In recent months, the dramatic spread between the price producers are receiving for fed cattle and the price packers are charging for wholesale boxed beef going into the supply chain has further fanned the flames of frustration among farmers, ranchers and feeders. The end result squeezes the pocketbook of both consumers and producers.

In late May through early June this year, packers were making a profit in excess of $1,100 per head while cattle feeders were struggling to break even. At the same time a year ago, the same packers were making upwards of $1,100 per head while cattle producers netted losses of over $300 per head. Keep in mind, packers were raking in these profits on cattle they had owned for less than seven days.

To address concerns of competitive imbalance, U.S. Representatives Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.) and Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) recently introduced the Optimizing the Cattle Market Act. Currently, the price for the vast majority of cattle sold is based on less than 20 percent of the cattle that are actually traded on the negotiated spot cash market. This results in limited price information to establish the base price for formula contracts and forces producers to be price takers instead of price makers. The Hartzler and Cleaver bill would establish regional mandatory minimum thresholds of negotiated cash trades in cattle marketing while allowing for flexibility across regions.

The bill would also require USDA to create a Beef Contracts Library to catalog marketing contracts between packers and their feeders while protecting producer confidentiality. Much of the lack of fluidity in the fed cattle market is due to opaque terms imposed by packers. More price transparency will help level the playing field for family farmers and ranchers.

Finally, the bill would require packers to report each day the number of cattle scheduled to be delivered for slaughter over the following 14 days. Cattle producers could use this information to project packers’ needs and better plan their marketing decisions.

The Optimizing the Cattle Market Act, along with The Cattle Market Transparency Act introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senators Fischer (R-Neb.) and Wyden (D-Ore.), aim to improve transparency in the cattle market. Farm Bureau supports this commonsense approach and is urging congressional lawmakers to get on board as cosponsors.

The time for action is now. Next time you’re grilling your favorite piece of meat, remember to take a minute to call or email your members of Congress and ask them to back these bills. We need lawmakers to turn up the heat.

Juneteenth Now A National Holiday – Some GOV Offices Will Be Closed

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A number of state and federal Government offices will be closed today in observance of tomorrow’s new national holiday, Juneteenth.

Some courts are also closing in various counties across the state.

President Biden signed the holiday into law yesterday (Thursday), which sent States scrambling to prepare for the new national holiday.

The holiday recognizes the end of slavery in the United States.

The Emancipation Proclamation freed the slaves in the South in 1863, but it wasn’t enforced in certain areas until 1865.

Former State Senator Ed Emery Announces Run For Hartzler’s Seat

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The Lake Area can expect a new representative in the U-S House with the announcement Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler plans to run for the U-S Senate.

That future rep in the U-S house might be a former Republican state senator.

71-year-old Ed Emery of Lamar is the first candidate to announce he’ll be running for the U-S House for Missouri’s 4th Congressional District.

Lamar was elected to the state senate in 2012 and he served there until the beginning of this year.

Prior to serving in the state senate, Lamar also served as a state representative.

Camden Commissioner Speaks About New MO Preservation Act Bill

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The Second Amendment Preservation Act is now law in Missouri, but a Camden County Commissioner has concerns about some other amendments to the U-S Constitution.

“Specifically the 1st Amendment and the 4th Amendment, that’s what we really need to work on here” says First District Commissioner James Gohagan, “we took the first step in Camden County in asserting the rights of the 2nd Amendment and on my honor, all other Amendments will be upheld as well.”

He tells KRMS News Camden County already had a Second Amendment protective ordinance in place “in the beginning it was kinda looked at like a radical thing…but the public definitely showed up for those meetings where we were going to discuss it, and it went pretty well according to plan after that.”

Gohagan says the Camden County ordinance to protect Second amendment rights calls for a $1-thousand dollar fine for anyone infringing on the right to bear arms in Camden County.

Under the Second Amendment Preservation Act signed by Governor Mike Parson Saturday, the same violation would cost $50-thousand dollars for each violation.

Gohagan was interviewed by Christian Blood on the KRMS Morning Magazine.

2ND Amendment Preservation Act Is Now Law In Missouri

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The Second Amendment Preservation Act is now law in the State of Missouri.

At Saturday’s signing in Lee Summit, Governor Mike Parson used Kamala Harris as an example of why signing the bill into law is necessary “you’ve had the Vice President of the United States, back when she was running for President if you remember this….and any particular weapon she decides that she didn’t like, she was going to come to your door and take it away. Well, not in Missouri she’s not!”

Under the new bill, it would be unlawful for any person or entity to deprive a Missouri citizen of their right to bear arms “when the Federal Government seems to want to tell us what we can do, it’s suppose to be the opposite of that. We’re the ones who are representing the people of the United States of America, we are! And trust me, the states are the firewall to the Federal Government!”

During the signing ceremony, Parson said law enforcement’s ability to assist federal officials in other situations will not change.

But the bill does make it illegal for any person or entity to knowingly deprive the people of Missouri of their right to bear arms.

If it does happen, the person or entity will be held liable and each occurrence would result in a $50-thousand dollar fine.

Read more on the signing:

(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) – Today, Governor Mike Parson signed HB 85 into law, establishing the Second Amendment Preservation Act in Missouri.

“Throughout my law enforcement career and now as Governor of the state of Missouri, I have and always will stand for the Constitution and our Second Amendment rights,” Governor Parson said. “This legislation today draws a line in the sand and demonstrates our commitment to reject any attempt by the federal government to circumvent the fundamental right Missourians have to keep and bear arms to protect themselves and their property.”

HB 85 prohibits state and local cooperation with federal officials that attempt to enforce any laws, rules, orders, or actions that violate the Second Amendment rights of Missourians. These protections against federal overreach are triggered if federal officials attempt to violate the state or federal constitution.

Additionally, the bill is an acknowledgment that the right to keep and bear arms is fundamental and inalienable, and that the nation’s federalist constitutional structure limits the federal government’s authority over states.

Under HB 85, any person or entity who knowingly deprives Missouri citizens of their right to bear arms – as protected by state and federal constitutions – will be liable for redress and monetary damages of $50,000 per occurrence. Local law enforcement’s ability to assist federal officials in other instances remains unchanged under this legislation.

“HB 85 puts those in Washington D.C. on notice that here in Missouri we support responsible, law-abiding gun owners, and that we oppose government overreach and any unlawful efforts to limit our access to firearms,” Governor Parson said.

For more information on HB 85, click here.

Representative Luetkemeyer Will Not Run For Open Senate Seat

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While U-S Missouri Representative Hartzler’s announcing she will run for the U-S Senate, A Lake Area Representative in the U-S House will not.

“I have no interest in going to the Senate. It would be an honor to go over there as well, but I’m happy where I am at. I love the job, love the district. I hope to continue to serve in this capacity for as long as the electorate will have me” says Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer, who represents the 3rd Congressional District in Missouri.

He tells KRMS News the seniority he has right now in the U-S House gives him the chance to chair several different committees if Republicans gain the majority again in 2022.

Congressman Luetkemeyer has represented the 13 counties that make up the 3rd Congressional District in Missouri since 2009.

Luetkemeyer says a big issue he’s working on right now is the currently labor shortage, as there are lots of jobs available, but few applicants who want them “and then you have the $300 unemployment check and the stimulus checks, which are disincentivizing people to go to work.”

Luetkemeyer tells KRMS News he thinks those small businesses and entrepreneurs are driving the economy right now.

But some of those businesses can’t operate with the same hours they used to because they don’t have enough employees.

Luetkemeyer says a report this week from the U-S Department of Labor showed 9-point-3 million jobs available across the country in April, and that was an increase of about one million more jobs that were open in March.

Hartzler Officially Running For Senate Seat With Others

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Add another name to the list of candidates set to run for the Missouri U-S Senate seat soon to open with the retirement of Roy Blunt.

And this one represents part of the Lake Area in the U-S house of Representatives.

Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler has represented Missouri’s 4th Congressional District since 2010.

She’ll be going up against Attorney General Eric Schmitt, former Missouri Governor Eric Greitens and St. Louis attorney Mark McCloskey, among others.

Hartzler just finished a four-part video series highlighting what she calls Chinese threats to the United States.

 

Things you probably want to know about:

Vicky Hartzler Announces Campaign for U.S. Senate in Lee’s Summit
Hartzler: “Our security, our freedom, and our future are at stake…We must stand strong for what is right. We must not give up, nor back down. In Missouri, we must lead the charge.”

Lee’s Summit, Mo. – In front of campaign supporters this morning Vicky Hartzler announced her campaign for U.S. Senate in 2022. Hartzler’s family joined her at the announcement held at Frontier Justice in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.

“We must defend this nation, against both foreign and domestic threats. We must stand strong for what is right. We must not give up, nor back down. In Missouri, we must lead the charge,” Hartzler said. “I am running for the United States Senate to fight for Missourians and our values, to protect our freedoms, and to preserve America’s greatness.”

The Hartzler for Senate campaign also released a video to accompany the announcement and campaign’s launch.

The announcement took place near Missouri’s 4th Congressional District, where Congresswoman Hartzler has served Missourians since 2010. Hartzler currently serves on the House Agriculture Committee and the House Armed Services Committee, where she is the Ranking Member on the Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee. In this role Hartzler is responsible for ensuring the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, National Guard, and Reserves have the tactical assets and equipment they need to protect themselves and our country.

“Missourians deserve more than rhetoric,” Hartzler said. “They deserve results and, working with and for the people of my district, that’s what I have delivered in the House, and that’s what I’ll do in the Senate.”

During her remarks Hartzler reaffirmed her beliefs in personal and economic freedom, and vision for an American future filled with the promise of greater freedom, opportunity, and achievement. Hartzler noted she is one of only two members of Congress from Missouri (and only Senate candidate) to have voted in support of President Trump over 95% of the time, helping him cut taxes and senseless regulations, grow jobs and opportunity for all.

“I am unafraid to proclaim my faith, my belief in freedom, personal responsibility, the rule of law, my unwavering support for our commonsense conservative views and values, and to work passionately for what will make America great once again,” Hartzler said.

For more information on the Hartzler for Senate campaign, please visit VickyHartzler.com.

Governor Parson To Sign A Bill On 2nd Amendment Preservation

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Governor Mike Parson is set to sign a bill that would establish the Second Amendment Preservation Act in Missouri.

The office of the governor says the signing will happen Saturday in Lee’s Summit.

You can stream the signing on Governor Parson’s Facebook page beginning at 2pm.

Camden and Miller Counties have written ordinances making those counties gun sanctuaries.

Extra stuff:

Governor Parson to Sign HB 85

(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) – On Saturday, June 12 at 2 p.m., Governor Mike Parson will sign HB 85 into law, establishing the Second Amendment Preservation Act in the state of Missouri. The signing will take place during a ceremony at Frontier Justice in Lee’s Summit.

Compromise Helps To Secure Path For Food Trucks In Lake Ozark

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black and brown food trailer

Photo by Alex Motoc on Unsplash

The saga involving Food Trucks in Lake Ozarks continues, as the city gets closer to striking a deal between business leaders and the community.

The Board of Aldermen recently approved first reading of an ordinance on June 8, which now allows food trucks within the city limits — but not on The Strip.

Officials say not allowing them on The Strip was a compromise to protect established brick and mortar businesses, and that was stressed repeatedly during the previous meeting.

A second reading on the ordinance is expected at the June 22 board meeting.

More details on the requirements for Food Trucks can be found below:

 

For Immediate Release

6/8/2021

 

Food trucks are likely coming to the City of Lake Ozark.

The Lake Ozark Board of Aldermen approved first reading of an ordinance June 8 that allows food trucks within the city limits — but not on The Strip. In doing so, the board accepted a recommendation from the Planning & Zoning Commission which passed a proposed ordinance on to the board with some minor changes.

Second reading is expected at the June 22 board meeting.

The ordinance specifically prohibits food trucks in a C-1 district, which encompasses only The Strip. It does allow them, however, in the C-1 district if the truck is part of a special event and with permission of the property owner and special event organizer. The C-1 district is from Bagnell Dam to just past the Lake Ozark Christian Church, again encompassing the businesses on The Strip. Food trucks are not allowed on public property anywhere within the city limits.

Not allowing them on The Strip, as a way to protect established, brick and mortar businesses, was stressed repeatedly during the meeting.

“I don’t think anyone on this board or the P&Z has ever really considered that C-1 is the place for any of those vendors,” Mayor Dennis Newberry said. “I wouldn’t support that or you risk our brick and mortar businesses going away.”

The board spent more than 30 minutes discussing the proposed ordinance, making sure the language protected existing businesses but also supported food trucks and new businesses in Lake Ozark.

Larry Giampa, a business owner on The Strip and former alderman, shared his concern that food trucks would be allowed on The Strip in competition with his and other food-based businesses.

“I pay taxes 365 days a year, not like somebody who comes here 15 days a year,” he said. “Food trucks would hurt us. I hope the board looks closely at this.”

He was assured by the mayor, board members and staff that food trucks would not be allowed on The Strip.

A food truck is defined as a licensed, motorized vehicle that includes a self-contained or attached trailer in which food is prepared, processed or stored and the vehicle is used to sell and dispense food to the general public.

Food trucks, also referred to as mobile food vendors, would also be allowed in C-2 General Commercial, Lakefront Mixed Use and M-1 Light Industrial districts.

The prospects of food trucks in Lake Ozark emerged earlier this spring when local residents and food truck owners approached city officials to share their interest in having the mobile food vehicles become part of the business climate here. As they noted, Lake Ozark is the only lake-based community that does not allow food trucks. That’s largely because city officials have wanted to protect restaurants on The Strip which are the primary source for sales tax revenue for the city.

However, city staff and the P&Z Commission saw the need for food trucks and developed a draft ordinance after doing some research and meeting with food truck owners. The P&Z met June 2 to consider and refine the draft ordinance before its recommendation to the board of aldermen.

Konni Young, a food truck vendor, told the P&Z Commission that “it’s a wonderful thing to be part of a community that really wants you there, and that’s the case with Osage Beach and Camdenton. We want to be part of Lake Ozark as well.”

Young was among food truck owner/operators who met with city officials to develop the ordinance.

 

Highlights

  • A food truck cannot park in one location for more than 12 hours in any 24-hour period unless part of an approved special event. In that case, the vehicle can be parked in one location but for only the duration of the special event permit.
  • A food truck cannot operate within 150 feet of the main entrance of a licensed business in a permitted district that sells food or beverages to the public unless the business owner or authorized representative gives written permission.
  • A food truck cannot operate within 500 feet of a licensed special event without the permission of the holder of the special event permit.
  • A food truck cannot operate on any public land, right-of-way or leased parking space unless it is part of an approved special event and the holder of the special event permit approves.
  • A food truck vendor must have a sales tax certificate, property use consent letter, proof of health department compliance, inspection reports, vehicle registration and proof of insurance. A vendor permit would not be issued at city hall until all of the paperwork is provided.
  • A food truck owner must provide a sanitation plan that provides for disposal of grease and other liquids and solids.
  • Any person engaged in food truck operation must provide for trash and recycling containers for use by their patrons and must keep the area around the food truck clean within 25 feet.
  • A food truck would have the same business license as a regular business.

“We’re simply asking food trucks to be held to the same standards as other businesses in town,” Harrison Fry, assistant city administrator and community development director said.

 

Blunt Pushes Rural Bridge Bill To Help States Like Missouri

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Missouri Senator Roy Blunt is pushing a bill on Capitol Hill aiming to maintain and upgrade rural bridges across the Show Me State.

Blunt says the Support for Community Bridges Act would allocate more dedicated funds for bridge repair to states with more off-system bridges in poor condition.

Off-system bridges are not on the federal highway system and are often left out of federal support, putting further strain on local budgets.

Approximately 58% of Missouri’s 24,500 bridges are off-system, and many of these bridges are located in rural areas and around Lake of the Ozarks.

 

***Read more:

 

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (Mo.) and Bob Casey (Pa.) announced that they have introduced the Support for Community Bridges Act. The bipartisan bill would allocate more dedicated funds for bridge repair to states with more off-system bridges in poor condition. Off-system bridges are not on the federal highway system and are often left out of federal support, putting further strain on local budgets. Approximately 58% of Missouri’s 24,500 bridges are off-system, and many of these bridges are located in rural areas.

 “Repairing and upgrading our transportation network is especially important here in Missouri, where location is one of our biggest competitive advantages,” said Blunt. “I’m proud to join Senator Casey in introducing this bill to provide much-needed support to off-system bridges throughout Missouri, especially in our rural communities. This bill will ensure state and local governments get additional resources to modernize their infrastructure and create a stronger foundation for economic growth.”

 “The safety and quality of our Nation’s roads and bridges is paramount, which is why Senator Blunt and I are committed to ensuring dedicated federal set-aside funding to repair off-system bridges,” said Casey. “This legislation will provide a much-needed funding increase for bridge maintenance and help local governments get back on their feet after the financial challenges of the pandemic.”

 Based on last year’s funding levels, off-system bridges would receive roughly $1.2 billion under this proposal, up from roughly $776 million, which comes from a combination of highway trust fund and general treasury funds that go to the highway aid program through congressional appropriations. As federal investment in infrastructure increases, so would the amount for off-system bridges.

 Click here to read the bill.

Missouri Abortion Law Struck Down By Court Of Appeals

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A federal appeals court is stopping Missouri from stopping abortions at or after eight weeks of pregnancy.

The sweeping state legislation would also prevent abortions because a fetus has Down Syndrome.

The ruling came down Wednesday from the 8th U-S Circuit Court of Appeals after a lawsuit was filed by Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union.

Republican Attorney General Eric Schmitt says Wednesday’s ruling sets the stage for a review by the U-S Supreme Court.

Lake US Rep Vicky Hartzler Looks At Possible Senate Run

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Lake Area US House Representative Vicky Hartzler could be hinting at a run for the Senate Seat being vacated by Roy Blunt.

Hartzler’s campaign says they’ll be holding a special press conference at a shooting range near Kansas City next Thursday.

Hartlzer has been serving the Lake Area since 2011 and was recently re-elected for another term.

If she joins, she’ll face competition from former Governor Eric Greitens, Attorney General Eric Schmitt and St. Louis Lawyer Mark McCloskey, whose popularity grew after he confronted protestors when they entered his private property.

Inspection Shows Camden County Commission Building Has Asbestos

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An inspection of the Camden County Commission Building is now complete, and the inspector involved is reporting asbestos in some parts of the building.

The report shows licensed building inspector Rick Bryant took 52 samples around the building “And out of those 52 samples, 11 came back with what we would refer to is asbestos containing material. That was about 20% and that’s not unusual if you look for it and you know what you’re looking for” says Bryant.

Bryant tells KRMS News he will not be the one who removes the asbestos that’s been crushed or pulverized, which might end up in the air.

He says other asbestos found during the inspection might be left in place because it’s not likely to get into the air, where people might breathe in toxic particles.

The inspection of the Camden County Commission Building took place in April and May at a cost of $35-hundred dollars.

 

Local Highway Patrol Trooper Promoted To Sergeant

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The Missouri State Highway Patrol is announcing a promotion in Troop F, which includes Lake of the Ozarks.

Corporal Shawn Brazas is now a sergeant and also the supervisor for Zone 10.

Brazas joined the ‘Patrol in 2008 as a member of the 87th recruiting class.

He grew up in Rochester, New York and he graduated from Harding University in Arkansas with a Bachelor’s Degree in criminal justice.

 

*****More info………

 

Captain Corey J. Schoeneberg, commanding officer of Troop F, announces the following promotion effective June 1, 2021.
Corporal Shawn Brazas was promoted to sergeant and designated the zone supervisor of Zone 10, which serves Boone County.

Brazas joined the Patrol in January 2008, as a member of the 87th Recruit Class. Upon graduating from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy, he was assigned to Troop F, Zone 8, Callaway County. On February 1, 2019, Brazas was promoted to corporal and transferred to Zone 10, Boone County.

Sergeant Brazas grew up on Rochester, NY. In 2003, he graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas Institute of Rochester in Rochester, NY. Brazas attended Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas. In 2007, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice.

Sergeant Brazas is married to Jacquelyn (Fredendall) and they have two sons, Luke and Beau.

A photo is available with this news release and on the Patrol’s website.

Hartzler Releases Part 3 of 4 In China Series Videos

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Missouri U-S Representative Vicky Hartzler’s released the third of four videos covering Chinese threats to the United States.

The newest video focuses on how China is infiltrating U-S education.

“China has position education centers all across America. What are they called? Confucius institutes. Since 2004, the Chinese Government has sponsored Confucius Institutes on college and university campuses across the world.”

Congresswoman Hartzler, who’s district represents the Lake of the Ozarks, says China is also stealing U-S intellectual property and spying on U-S interests.

You can see the video at Vicky Hartzler’s at her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0uNpz4rNmV52Kzi-afJQ4g

The first two videos highlight China’s military and economic threats to the United States.

Lake Ozark Still Mulling Decision On Zoom Communications

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The City of Lake Ozark will wait awhile longer to figure out if future meetings can be held electronically.

An ordinance was created last year that allowed the Board of aldermen to attend meetings via Zoom, but that ordinance has expired.

A decision on whether or not to continue to allow digital participation for city officials has been delayed twice in May.

That previous ordinance allowing Zoom participation expired March 31st.

Governor Parson Appoints Judge Robin Ransom To MO Supreme Court

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The Missouri Supreme Court has a new judge this morning.

Governor Mike Parson announcing his choice to replace retiring judge Laura Denvir Stith.

“I am proud and honored to name Judge Robin Ransom as the newest member to Missouri’s highest court” says Governor Parson at the State Capitol on Monday.

Judge Ransom was appointed to serve on the Eastern District Court of Appeals by Governor Parson in 2019 “I would love to thank Governor Parson for making the selection, I am very honored, appreciative and humbled by his selecting me to be the next judge on the Missouri Supreme Court” says Ransom during the conference.

Before that appointment, Judge Ransom was a Circuit Judge for the City of St. Louis by Governor Matt Blunt in 2008.

 

****Additional Info****

Governor Parson Appoints the Honorable Robin Ransom as Next Missouri Supreme Court Judge

(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) – Governor Mike Parson has appointed the Honorable Robin Ransom as the next Judge of the Supreme Court of Missouri. She will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of the Honorable Laura Denvir Stith in early March.

“Appointing a judge to the Supreme Court of Missouri is an important duty that I do not take lightly. I am proud and honored to name Judge Robin Ransom as the newest member of the state’s highest court,” Governor Parson said. “Judge Ransom will add valuable experience, perspective, and balance to the court. I have high confidence that she will continue to be a fair enforcer of the law, faithfully interpret the law as written, and reasonably consider decisions made at the trial and appellate level in her own evaluation.”

“The Supreme Court of Missouri serves an essential role in maintaining our system of justice, upholding the law, and protecting both the Missouri and the United States Constitutions, and I greatly appreciate the work of the judicial commission in submitting such a strong panel of qualified candidates,” Governor Parson continued.

Judge Ransom was appointed to serve on the Eastern District Court of Appeals by Governor Parson in 2019. Before serving on the appellate bench, Judge Ransom was appointed as a Circuit Judge for the City of St. Louis by Governor Matt Blunt in 2008. Prior to her appointment to the bench, Judge Ransom served for six years as a Family Court Commissioner in the City of St. Louis. She also previously served in the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office as well as the St. Louis County Public Defender’s Office.

Judge Ransom holds a law degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law and an undergraduate degree in political science and sociology from Douglass Residential College-Rutgers University.

City Of Lake Ozark To Update Area Comprehension Plan

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For the first time in over a decade, the City of Lake Ozark will be updating its comprehensive plan.

Community Development Director Harrison Fry says several focus sessions are coming up that’ll help shape a document that hasn’t been updated since 2006.

The first of four focus sessions is coming up on Thursday at Willmore Lodge, in Lake Ozark.

The remaining focus sessions are scheduled for June and July.

The city is encouraging both residents and business owners in Lake Ozark to attend.

The topics for discussion will include Quality of Life, Economic Development, Housing and Infrastructure.

 

***Additional Info***

 

The first in a series of public Focus Sessions on the City of Lake Ozark Comprehensive Plan update will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 27, at Willmore Lodge, 1 Willmore Lane, Lake Ozark.

Additional sessions will be held in June and July.

Focus Sessions are open to residents, property owners and business owners in City of Lake Ozark. The Lake of the Ozarks Council of Local Governments is spearheading the Comp Plan update and is hosting the public meetings.

Topics to be discussed are Quality of Life, Economic Development, Housing and Future Land Use and Infrastructure.

The plan, which is long-term guide for the community, hasn’t been updated since 2006. While the city’s economic base and infrastructure have evolved in the last decade, the city’s master development plan has remained unchanged for some 15 years.

Citizen participation is highly encouraged to develop a comprehensive plan which will guide the City of Lake Ozark in decision making for future development that suits both City of Lake Ozark and the community.

“A new Comprehensive Plan will serve as the guiding force for the city as we continue to grow in the near future,” Fry said. “This document will provide a rationale for decision-making for our boards and commissions and will also show the world what the priorities and direction are for the City of Lake Ozark.”

Anyone who has questions pertaining to the focus session can contact the Lake of the Ozarks Council of Local Governments at 573-346-5692 or email matt.kostelnik@loclg.org.

 

Governor Parson To Announce New Missouri Supreme Court Judge Monday Afternoon

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The Missouri Supreme Court has a new judge on the way and Governor Mike Parson will announce his selection this afternoon.

A press conference is scheduled for 4:30 and we’ll be following the announcement live from Jeff City.

Governor Parson has chosen one name from a panel of candidates submitted by the Appellate Judicial Commission.

The vacancy to be filled comes after the retirement of Judge Laura Denvir Stith.

Lake Representative Vicky Hartzler Calls Out China In New Video Series

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A Missouri Representative in the U-S House  is now making videos about what she calls threats to the U-S from China.

Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler has released the second part of the series, ‘The Threat of China.’

Hartzler says the four-part video series outlines military and economic threats posed by China to the U-S and also human rights violations by the Chinese Communist Party.

Hartzler represents Missouri’s 4th Congressional District which covers the Lake of the Ozarks.

 

***Additional Info***

WASHINGTON, DC—Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-04), a Commissioner of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) and a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, launched her four-part video series today entitled, “The Threat of China”, which provides a current glimpse of the growing Chinese threat to America and what our nation must do to combat their rise in the 21st century.

“The growing threat of China is much larger than many Americans realize, warranting the need for our nation’s leaders to stand up, speak out, and educate the public on the extent of these dangers,” Hartzler said. “It is my hope that this series will become an informative resource for all Americans as China’s increased relevance requires disciplined action by the United States in the near future and beyond.”

This four-part campaign outlines the military threats, economic threats, malign influence, and human rights abuses done by the Chinese Communist Party, and will be viewable on Rep. Hartzler’s House website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube pages. New installments will be released weekly.

Episode one, highlighting China’s military threats, is available to watch now.

Constituents of Missouri’s Fourth Congressional District are encouraged to engage with these videos, submitting questions and comments which will be answered in the final installment of the series.

Rep. Hartzler, along with her CECC colleagues, were collectively sanctioned by the Chinese government for their efforts advocating against China’s human rights abuses.

 

Conservative Advocacy Group Fights To Get Gas Tax Vote On The 2022 Ballot

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Missouri plans to increase its gas tax from 17cents to almost 30 cents over the next five years.

But one conservative advocacy group says a referendum process is planned that might give you a say in that.

“So there’s a little bit to that process right now….but once it’s certified, to get it to the voters of Missouri we would have to get the signatures of them that they want this to go on the ballot” says Jeremy Cady, State Director of Americans For Prosperity, “we would need to turn in 107,000 signatures by Mid-August to get this placed on the ballot.”

He tells KRMS News Missouri voters turned down a ten-cent gas tax increase in 2018 because the Hancock Amendment gave them the right to do so.

But this time Cady thinks lawmakers are trying to sidestep the amendment and your vote “and they’re doing that by doing the 2 1/2 cents over five years, and so we think that’s a little bit disingenuous.”

Cady says if the planned 12-and-a-half cent gas tax increase had been proposed all at once, the Hancock Amendment would have kicked in.

He also says a gas tax increase would be nothing more than a band-aid, given the number of electric cars and trucks on the road.

Supporters of the gas tax increase say the money’s needed for road repairs.

But Missouri has not voted in favor of this kind of tax since 1996.

Bill Moves To Stop Lawsuits Against Businesses Involving COVID 19 Making Progress

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Missouri Governor Mike Parson could soon see a bill on his desk that would stop lawsuits against businesses accused of exposing people to COVID-19.

State Senator Tony Luetkemyer is sponsoring the bill that now needs only final approval from the Missouri House.

The Missouri Chamber of Commerce says more than 58-hundred COVID-related complaints have been filed around the nation, and they’re concerned that number will rise as trial attorneys recruit plaintiffs who think they were infected by a given business.

The Chamber says all but one of the Missouri’s neighboring states have passed some kind of legislative protection against these lawsuits.

Governor Parson Announces Impressive Jobs Numbers For The Show Me State

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Governor Mike Parson has some numbers on the Missouri economy.

Those include a COVID-19 job-loss-recovery of 70-percent and a current unemployment rate of 4.2-percent.

“We are now 1st in the nation for Small Business wage growth. We are 2nd for the lowest change in employment rate, year over year. We are 2nd in the nation for apprenticeships. We are 4th in the nation for new manufacturing facilities” says Governor Parson.

He also says Missouri is 7th in the U-S in migration and 10th in the nation in new business expansion, all because of they way the state has handled everything from working, building and COVID 19 “we have taken a balanced approach to how we dealt with the crisis, and everything we did prior to the crisis. That’s why we are at where we are today.”

Earlier this week Parson announced all COVID-19-related unemployment programs will end June 12th.

Discussions Continue With City Of Lebanon And Laclede Electric

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The City of Lebanon and Laclede Electric Cooperative are talking about unifying electric service in the city.

“Many streets we have power poles and power lines in the same area. One is owned by the city, the other by the Co-op” says City Administrator Michael Shoemaker, “it just makes sense to have a conversation about….are we doing what’s best for our customers?”

He tells KRMS News current city employees working in electric service won’t be affected “Laclede Electric readily agreed there would be zero job losses in this, so we’re going to make sure our team is taken care of no matter what direction this heads.”

Shoemaker says the talks are in the early stages and he has does not have a time frame for how long they’ll take or on what the outcome will be.

Shoemaker was interviewed by Christian Blood on the KRMS Morning Magazine.

More Federal Money Is Coming For Camden County

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Camden County’s been notified by the Fed there’s money coming in the near future from the American Rescue Plan of 2021.

“Camden County is going to get a Ball Park $9 Million dollars from the Department of the Treasury to handle this ongoing health crisis that we have” says Presiding Camden County Commissioner Greg Hasty ,“since we received a direct guidance earlier this week, by e-mail from the Federal Government, I am anticipating that since they’re sending that out that sometime in the very near future we will be receiving those funds.”

He tells KRMS News guidelines for spending that money have been given to the Commission, and they’ll have a limited time to spend it “we’re going to have to be looking at water or sewer projects, or bridge projects…things that are “shovel ready” that are ready to go and we can spend money in those areas.”

Hasty says broadband infrastructure is also an area where some of the money can be spent.

He says the money has yet to arrive.

Governor Parson Ends Extended Federal Unemployment Benefit Participation

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The extended unemployment benefits in Missouri are officially coming to an end in June as a statewide labor shortage continues.

“Despite our economy’s strong comeback, many business owners and employers across the state are still struggling. Not because of COVID 19, but because they can’t find people to fill the jobs” says Governor Mike Parson during a briefing on Tuesday, “to help address this labor shortage, I have directed the Missouri Department of Labor to end participation in all Federal Pandemic related unemployment benefits….effective Saturday June the 12th.”

He says these programs were only meant to be temporary “it’s time that we end these programs, that have incentivized people to stay out of the workforce. This is an important step towards returning to normalcy and strengthening our economy. While these federal benefits providing necessary financial assistance during the height of COVID 19, they were only meant to be temporary. Continuing these programs would only worsen the workforce issues we’re currently facing.”

The benefits for regular pre-pandemic unemployment benefits will remain available after June 12th.

 

****Additional Details***

Governor Parson Announces Missouri to End All Federal Pandemic-Related Unemployment Benefits

(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) – In order to address workforce shortages across the state, Governor Mike Parson today directed the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DOLIR) to notify the U.S. Department of Labor that Missouri will end participation in all federal pandemic-related unemployment insurance programs effective Saturday, June 12 at 11:59 p.m.

“From conversations with business owners across the state, we know that they are struggling not because of COVID-19 but because of labor shortages resulting from these excessive federal unemployment programs,” Governor Parson said. “While these benefits provided supplementary financial assistance during the height of COVID-19, they were intended to be temporary, and their continuation has instead worsened the workforce issues we are facing. It’s time that we end these programs that have ultimately incentivized people to stay out of the workforce.”

“As I travel the state, from Sarcoxie to Hannibal and all points in between, over-arching concerns from business owners is the shortage of employees,” Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe said. “Across every industry, businesses cannot compete against federal largesse. Our economy is built upon an active and vibrant workforce, and we should be cultivating job-creation and employment rather than inhibiting them. The jobs exist and the demand exists, and I applaud the governor for taking this bold and decisive action.”

The termination announced today applies to the following programs:

  • Pandemic Unemployment Assistance;
  • Emergency Unemployment Relief for Government Entities and Nonprofit Organizations;
  • Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation;
  • Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation;
  • 100 Percent Reimbursement of Short-Time Compensation Benefit Costs Paid Under State Law; and
  • Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation.

“We know that one of the last remaining hurdles to full economic recovery is addressing this labor shortage. Even with unemployment at only 4.2 percent, there are still 221,266 known job postings across the state,” Governor Parson said. “The solution to close this gap is not the excessive spending of taxpayer dollars by the federal government, but rather getting people back to work and to a sense of normalcy for themselves and their families. Today’s action ensures that we will fill existing jobs as well as the thousands of new jobs coming to our state as businesses continue to invest and expand in Missouri.”

In a letter to the U.S. Department of Labor, Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations Director Anna Hui gave notice of Missouri’s intention to terminate all federal pandemic-related unemployment programs. To view the letter, see attachment.

“During the last recession in 2008, the federal government contributed $25 per week to supplement state unemployment benefits. During the latest economic downturn, Washington poured in $600 per week in addition to Missouri’s weekly benefit of up to $320,” said Director Hui.

“Even after the original $600 supplement expired, it was replaced by a federal supplement that provides an extra $300 per week on top of Missouri’s existing state benefit, meaning thousands of claimants continue to receive $620 per week or more,” Director Hui continued. “The unemployment system is designed to provide a temporary safety net as workers look to reenter the job market. Leaving the level of benefits artificially high would prevent a return to full employment in our state.”

Today’s action follows steps taken last July to require claimants to again conduct weekly work searches in order to be eligible for unemployment benefits. This work search requirement had originally been waived in March of 2020 as part of an agreement with the federal government to receive funds under the CARES Act.

Under Missouri’s law, claimants are required to perform and report three work search activities per week. Qualified work search activities include filing an application (online or in-person) with an employer or through job posting sites or attending a job fair, job interview, reemployment service, or skills workshop.

Missouri Job Centers are available to assist unemployed workers with these requirements by providing customized job searches through jobs.mo.gov , job fairs, Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) appointments, workshops, and other training programs. Employers are encouraged to post job openings on MoJobs. For more information about services available through the Missouri Job Centers, visit jobs.mo.gov.

For questions regarding Missouri unemployment, please utilize the Division Employment Security’s virtual assistant at labor.mo.gov and visit labor.mo.gov/coronavirus.

2021-5-11 Dir Hui to USDOL - Termination of Program Agreement

Final Week Of Legislative Session Underway In Jefferson City

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They’re headed down the home stretch of the legislative session in Jeff City.

One lawmaker says anything can happen between now and Friday.

“We could walk out of here with a budget that I think really did a lot of good and some school choice stuff, and some infrastructure and a whole host of other things” says State Senate Majority Floor Leader Caleb Rowden of Columbia.

A Democrat in the state Senate’s looking at other areas as Friday’s deadline closes in.

“Talking about billions of dollars that the state needs to adequately to run healthcare in the state. I don’t know anything that’s more important than that” says Minority Floor Leader John Rizzo of Kansas City.

The first regular session of the 101st General Assembly closes at 6 pm Friday night.

Lawmakers finished the budget for Fiscal Year 2022 last week.

Longtime Lake Ozark City Administrator Dave Van Dee Retires

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The City of Lake Ozark will soon be looking for another City Administrator.

Dave Van Dee is announcing his retirement after 12 years with the city.

He offered a letter of resignation to the mayor and board of aldermen at the end of April.

Van Dee previously served as City Administrator in Hiawatha, Iowa and also served in Iowa communities of Dyersville and Waterloo.

***Press Release***

After 37 years in public office, Lake Ozark City Administrator Dave Van Dee is retiring from public service.

Van Dee, who has been with Lake Ozark 12 years, announced his resignation and retirement in a letter to the mayor and board of aldermen April 28. His resignation is effective Oct. 29.

“I have enjoyed my tenure in public service and more specifically my time serving as the city administrator for the City of Lake Ozark,” he said in his letter of resignation. “It has been a unique experience.”

Van Dee moved here from Hiawatha, Iowa, where he was city administrator. He also served the Iowa communities of Dyersville and Waterloo having started his career in city government in 1984.

“I have made an effort to develop Lake Ozark organizationally to accommodate the growth I am confident the city will experience in the future,” he added. “I am leaving the city on a path that will provide for growth in utility infrastructure as the city will soon become debt free in both the water and sewer funds.”

Van Dee was also instrumental in starting the city on a path to resolve its need for improved streets, especially Bagnell Dam Blvd. and The Strip. Two significant ballot issues were approved in the last year that ultimately will help finance construction projects.

He lauded the support and vision of the boards of aldermen he has served over the last dozen years as the city has moved from a contentious environment to one that is united for the betterment of Lake Ozark.

“With the assistance of prior and current board members, and current and former city staff, the city now has a solid financial foundation upon which to build while maintaining and growing the community. I am confident the city has a bright future as it has a well-qualified and dedicated group of employees,” he offered. “It has been an honor to serve the city of Lake Ozark.”

If it is the desire of the board of aldermen, Van Dee said he will assist in the transition and in securing someone to fill his position.

 

Sunrise Beach Resident Launches Recall Effort For SBFPD Board Member Bob Heman

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There’s a recall effort right now in Sunrise Beach.

“Right now we’re trying to get director Bob Hemen recalled from the Sunrise Beach Fire Protection District” says Stephanie Kerhbiel of Sunrise Beach, who’s the one putting the recall petition together “we have a few petitions out at a number of local business and we will be starting a door knocking campaign as time goes on.”

She tells KRMS News the Sunrise Beach Fire Protection District can’t function with Hemen sitting on the Board “He’s putting not only the lives of the Firefighters at risk, but also the lives of the community at risk…by failing to approve the budget. Right now we have no operating budget, so we can’t move forward with getting the equipment or the improvements we need, that was laid out in the 5 year plan by Fire Chief Joseph LaPlant.”

Kerhbiel says the goal of the petition is to get the recall on the November ballot and around 790 signatures are needed to do it.

KRMS News has reached out to board member Bob Hemen and he has agreed to a future interview.

We’ll feature that discussion as soon as possible.

Kerhbiel was interviewed on the KRMS Morning Magazine.

City Of Lake Ozark Receives Clean Bill Of Financial Health At Latest BOA Meeting.

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The City of Lake Ozark has a clean bill of financial health for fiscal year 2020.

Lindsay Graves of Graves and Associates presented her findings at the end of April.

The report shows the city has four to six months of operating budget funds available.

Dale Hicks has now been sworn into office as Alderman of Ward 2 – he was unavailable when other elected officials were sworn in April 13th.

 

***Press Release***

For Immediate Release

5/4/2021

 

The City of Lake Ozark has received a clean bill of financial health for the fiscal year 2020.

Lindsay Graves, CPA, of Graves and Associates, presented the annual audit during the regular board meeting April 27.

She noted that the city had sound accounting and financial practices and meets most recommendations for communities of Lake Ozark’s size. One of the most important objectives which the city meets is having between four and six months of operating budget funds available in the various accounts.

She also commented that 2020 was “a good year” for the city financially despite the challenges communities and residents faced last year.

For a detailed look at the 2020 audit on the city’s website, click on https://bit.ly/3eYudw6.

 

Appointments

The board of aldermen also approved Mayor Dennis Newberry’s scheduled appointments to various committees as follows:

  • Planning & Zoning

Reappointed Margaret Davis and Mark Maples.

  • Utility Commission

Reappointed Mike Kolar, Dave Gardiner, Kristina Malloy, Ethan Shackleford, Pat Thompson, Dennis Klautzer, and Keith Vance to fill a vacancy.

  • Budget Committee

Appointed Joseph Gibbs, Chris Wagner and Matt Wright.

  • Joint Sewer Board

Appointed Dale Hicks.

The board also approved the reappointment of several staff members as follows:

Kathy Vance, city clerk

Gary Launderville, chief of police

Karen Hughes, treasurer

Trisha Kane, collector

Christopher Rohrer, city attorney/city prosecutor

Richelle Christensen, municipal judge.

 

Other business

  • City Clerk Kathy Vance also administered the oath of office to Ward 2 Alderman Dale Hicks who was not available when the other elected officials were sworn in April 13.
  • The board discussed possible solutions to trash dumpsters being located on the sidewalks or in public view on The Strip. The challenging topography surrounding Bagnell Dam Blvd. (The Strip) does not allow dumpsters to be placed behind most businesses.

Camden County Commission Protest Planned For Saturday Afternoon

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There’s a protest against the Camden County Commission scheduled for Saturday afternoon in the Camdenton Square.

“So this protest is about raising awareness, letting people know what’s going on…in case they haven’t heard yet…and hopefully educate people on some of the issues” says Neal Gist, organizer of the planned protest.

He tells KRMS News Commissioners Greg Hasty and Don Williams are the main focus of the protest, but he offers support for newly elected commissioner James Gohagan.

Gist says he thinks there’s corruption happening on the commission, and he says the reasons for the gathering include what he calls a misuse of public funds, favoritism and the illegal banning of some Camden County residents from county property.

He also agrees that social media is driving public opinion more and more these days “but at the same time now, we have this ability to stay in touch with people who are acquaintances who have helpful information and pretty much everyone can shoot video on their phone, so many times were able to just go directly to the source most of the time.”

KRMS News has reached out to Commissioners Hasty and Williams for comment.

We’ll pass along more details on this developing story here on KRMS.

Camden County Commission To Meet Tuesday For Jam-Packed Session

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The Camden County Commission will be meeting this morning for a jam-packed session.

Some of the items on their agenda include a bid appraisal, a bail bonds agreement for the Sheriff, a tax sale publication discussion, a certified copy of order and a closed session.

The meeting will start at 10AM, however it’s expected to continue through 1PM with a discussion on the Macks Creek water district.

It takes place at the old courthouse and it’s open to the public.

You can read the full agenda below.

AGENDA(21)

Camdenton Board Of Alderman Set To Meet Tonight At 6PM

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The Camdenton Board of Alderman meet this evening.

Items on their agenda include the swearing in of some newly elected officials, additional ordinances for the continued work on the Airport’s runway, a new liquor license for a local Mexican restaurant and selecting a new President of the board.

The meeting starts at 6PM at City Hall….it is open to the public and will be streamed live on Facebook.

You can view that agenda here: https://towncloud.io/go/camdenton-mo/agendas/206

Missouri 101st General Assembly Must Finish The 2022 State Budget By Friday

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State lawmakers have until Friday to turn in Missouri’s Fiscal Year 2022 operating budget.

It’s due by 6 pm to the desk of Governor Mike Parson.

“Obviously being in the Minority, we play a lot more defense, but we’re ready to work with the Majority” says Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo, a Democrat from Kansas City.

In addition to the operating budget, Medicaid expansion is another topic being discussed.

But one lawmaker says money’s always going into Medicaid without the expansion.

“We’ve added a considerable amount of money to the Medicaid budget, without the expansion” says Republican State Senator Dan Hegeman.

We’re now less than two weeks away from the end of the first regular session of the 101st General Assembly.

Camden County 1st District Commissioner James Gohagan Reacts To HR Recommendations

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One of three Camden County Commissioners is reacting to recommendations made by an independent HR firm after an altercation in January.

“I don’t agree with the findings” says First District Commissioner James Gohagan, “the audio alone has the public outraged! You can hear what happened on that audio…it was definitely contentious…it was definitely inappropriate.”

He tells KRMS News an attorney with the firm told him it seemed likely other people were involved in the staging of the argument, but it’s unclear who that was “here’s what she said to me…quote “If we didn’t have any other players, I think it would be stronger. If it was just those two acting a lone, nobody else got involved…I think were I see kinda a balancing act, that there were others that facilitate, or failed to deescalate, or some combination of both.”” 

Gohagan says he has filed charges against two county workers, both of which have been on paid leave since January.

This is a developing story and we’ll pass along more details as they become available here on KRMS.

Below is a copy of a press release sent out by Camden County Presiding Commissioner Greg Hasty and 2nd District Commissioner Don Williams.

 

Camden County Commission

Press Release

The results of the independent investigation by Jackson Lewis P.C. regarding the January 7, argument that took place between maintenance employees and 1st District Commissioner James Gohagan, were presented to the Camden County Commission on Monday, April 26, 2021, by Camden County Human Resources.

The firm of Jackson Lewis P.C. is an independent professional firm specializing in Human Resources investigations. and were contracted by Camden County through the sealed bid process.  They collected evidence and interviewed everyone involved.

As usual, the reality of situation is far from the fabrications created on Facebook. This situation was triggered by social media posts from a small group of individuals, for political purposes. These Facebook posts are not based in truth. The truth is, no one was surrounded by ten maintenance employees (there are only five maintenance employees and only two were involved in the argument), no one was ever being “held hostage”, there was no physical assault, there was no conspiracy, and no crimes were committed.  It was merely a disagreement.

In closed session, the recommendation of Jackson Lewis P.C. was discussed and was for a 5-day suspension, without pay for the two maintenance employees involved, and for conflict resolution training for the members of the commission.  Commissioner Gohagan revealed that he had already spoken with Jackson Lewis P.C., and that he therefore had prior knowledge of their findings.  He then refused to undergo any training.  He left the meeting, breaking a door in the process, cursing, and was not present for any votes.

Commissioner Don Williams made a motion to accept the recommendations of the independent investigation. Presiding Commissioner Greg Hasty Seconded the motion. The vote among the remaining commissioners was unanimous in favor of accepting the recommendations of Jackson Lewis P.C.

Commissioner Williams made a motion to authorize the HR Administrator to set up the Commission training regarding conflict resolution and to invite all elected officials to participate if they wish. Presiding Commissioner Hasty seconded the motion. Commissioner Gohagen was not present for this vote. The motion then passed by unanimous vote of the remaining members of the commission.

Much has been stated on social media regarding this incident without any knowledge of ALL of the facts. The independent professional firm doing this investigation are experts in their field. They had access to ALL of the facts, and the testimony of everyone involved. This investigation was professionally done, in accordance with state and federal law. The commission has accepted their findings, and will implement their recommendations.

The employees involved are aware of the results and recommendations, and are reviewing their legal options.

We are hoping this matter can now be put behind us and we can move forward serving the citizens of Camden County in a positive manner.

Camden Sheriff Tony Helms Requests Quarter Cent Sales Tax Increase For Deputies

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The Sheriff of Camden County wants to pay his deputies more money, and Lake Area voters will be deciding on that in August.

“If my good citizens choose to pass this tax, it’s one quarter of one percent, about a $1 per $1000 so if you buy a new car for $10,000…you’ll pay $10 extra” says Sheriff Tony Helms.

He tells KRMS News right now it’s easy for a Camden County Sheriff’s Deputy to find a better paycheck in another jurisdiction “why would a deputy want to work for me for $31 or $32 thousand, when he can go across the street for $36! So, we’re trying to get that up, we are trying to start our deputies at $42,000 a year. Right now they’re making about $31,000.”

Sheriff elms tells KRMS News he’s losing deputies to other jurisdictions for a higher salary at a time when calls for help are increasing “you gotta have money to give money. It’s not a thing that the commission just won’t do, they can’t if they don’t have the money.”

Lake Area voters will decide on the quarter-cent sales tax increase August 3rd.

Helms was interviewed on the KRMS Morning Magazine.

Camden County Workers To Get 5 Days Off Without Pay Following Altercation 3 Months Ago

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Two Camden County Workers involved in an argument with newly elected First District Commissioner James Gohagan will be keeping their jobs.

At a Closed Session meeting on Monday, the County Commission heard the findings of the independent H.R. firm Jackson Lewis PC.

The county says, in a release, the firm found fault on both sides of the argument.

The firms recommending that County employees Melvin Miller and Dean Duran get five days off work with no pay for their role in the argument January 7th.

The two employees have been on paid leave since then.

County Commissioners Greg Hasty and Don Williams voted to accept the recommendations.

Commissioner Gohagan declined to vote on whether or not to accept the recommendations.

Lake Representative Vicky Hartzler Responds To Joe Biden’s Address To Congress

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A U-S Representative from the Lake Area is responding to Joe Biden’s joint address to Congress Wednesday night.

Missouri Congresswoman Vicki Hartzler says Biden’s time in office has closed school’s for children while opening U-S borders to illegal immigration.

Hartzler also says gas prices are going up and jobs are being lost due to the cancellation of the Keystone Pipeline.

Hartzler also adds Biden is taking undue credit for COVID-19 vaccines.

 

***Press Release***

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-04) issued the following statement regarding this evening’s joint address to Congress by President Biden:

“This evening, President Biden addressed Congress regarding the first 100 days of his administration. But in his speech, he failed to understand the gravity in which his partisan proposals have been a detriment to the American people — while also taking undue credit for a coronavirus vaccine he inherited from the previous administration’s unprecedented efforts.

During his time in the White House, his administration closed our children’s schools while opening our borders to illegal immigration, raised gas prices by cancelling the Keystone Pipeline which employed thousands, proposed tax increases which would result in one million jobs lost for hardworking Americans, and attacked our institutions with plans to pack the Supreme Court.

To call this platform a disappointment would be an understatement.

America is the land of freedom and opportunity — not of big government and restrictive mandates. I implore President Biden to spend his remaining term in office working for the American people by  providing real solutions to the crisis on the border and resisting the urge to dramatically reshape and damage our nation with the socialist policies from the far-left of his party.”

Residents Across The Ozarks Are Reacting To The Possible Raise Of The Gas Tax

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Residents across the Ozarks are reacting to a bill that’s moving through Jefferson City, aiming to increase the Gas Tax for the first time in 25 years.

“It’s ridiculous!” says one woman. One man says “you can’t plan for it, you wake up and there it is” while another man says “I don’t want no taxes…but if you gotta pay them, then you gotta pay them.”

The proposal up for consideration would raise the state’s gas tax 2.5 cents per gallon, every year for the next four years.

That would generate a total of $450 million dollars for the state’s road and bridge departments, with an option to get a yearly rebate of the tax money you spend on fuel.

Speaking with our news partner KY 3 TV, Ozarks Transportation Organization Director Sara Fields says their biggest issue has been keeping up with the change in inflation “Between inflation and increased efficiency in fuel economies, we just don’t have spending power that we once did. Our big issue is that the fuel tax hasn’t kept up with the inflation. We don’t want a big money influx, we just want to keep up with what we have been able to do in the past.”

While the bill has passed a committee in the House and passed in the Missouri Senate, the legislative session only has 2 weeks left before recess and a final vote on the bill has not been scheduled as of yet.

State Senators Are Looking At Bills Related To The 2nd Amendment

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black semi automatic pistol on black textile

Photo by Thomas Def on Unsplash

State Senators in Jeff City are talking about the Second Amendment to the U-S Constitution.

Senator Eric Burlison of Battlefield brought Senate Bill 39 to the floor of the Missouri Senate, his proposal would create the Second Amendment Preservation Act “Governments too often turn to tyranny and they attack individual rights, when their Governments grow to large. This results in the loss of individual rights and lives.”

Supporters say their idea comes because of executive actions from Washington, D.C.

Senator Karla May of St. Louis mentions she does not see the need for this legislation “I think that we take an unrealistic look to the 2nd Amendment. And I really think this is a solution, in search of a problem.”

Senate Bill 39 has been laid over for future consideration.

Next up for lawmakers will be the operating budget for Missouri’s next fiscal year. By law, the budget has to be complete by 6 p.m. on Friday, May 7. Fiscal Year 2022 will start on July 1.

Missouri To Keep Eight Seats In US House After US Census Shows 2.8% Population Growth

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The Lake Area and Missouri can expect the same number of seats in the U-S House of Representatives after the Census Bureau released numbers Monday.

The report says the Show Me State grew in population by 2-point-eight-percent over the last decade.

That means there are now over 160-thousand more people in Missouri than there was 10 years ago.

With a total of just over 6-million people in the state, Missouri will retain its eight seats in the U-S House.

Caleb Cunningham Officially Set As Camden County Prosecutor

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There is now a permanent prosecutor in Camden County.

Caleb Cunningham’s getting the nod from the office of Governor Mike Parson ,“The Governor makes his decision and makes his appointments, and their team called me and let me know I was fortunate enough to win” says Cunningham, “It’s a complicated process. They have significant background check and a 200 questionnaire that you have to fill out…that they obviously follow up on and investigate you.”

Before Friday, Cunningham had been serving as the interim prosecutor for Camden County since Heather Miller left the position “I’ve been the interim since she vacated. I’ve been acting that way since the end of February, but now that I got the full time appointment, whenever the Governor’s proclamation takes affect, I’ll be the elected prosecutor until the next election.”

The Camden County Prosecutor job opened up when Heather Miller was appointed Associate Circuit Judge for the 26th Judicial Circuit.

Miller moved into that position after the election of Aaron Koeppen to Circuit Judge.

 

***Press Release***

Governor Parson Appoints James Caleb Cunningham as Camden County Prosecuting Attorney 

(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) – Today, Governor Mike Parson appointed James Caleb Cunningham as Camden County Prosecuting Attorney. He will fill the vacancy created by the appointment of Heather Miller to Associate Circuit Judge in the 26th Judicial Circuit.

Mr. Cunningham, of Camdenton, currently serves as an assistant prosecuting attorney for Camden County. He holds a bachelor’s degree in communication and information sciences from the University of Alabama and a Juris Doctor from the University of Alabama School of Law.

Mark McCloskey Indicates A Possible Run For Roy Blunt’s US Senate Seat

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Daniel Shular/Twitter

The St. Louis attorney who gained national attention for brandishing a firearm at a group of protestors, who were illegally entering his private residence, is now considering a run for public office.

In an interview with Politico, Mark McCloskey indicated that he is considering a run for the US Senate Seat that’s being vacated by Republican Roy Blunt, who is not seeking re-election.

McCloskey says he can “confirm it’s a consideration” but he has yet to release a timetable for making his decision about running.

Several others are considering a run for the seat, including former Republican Missouri Governor Eric Greitens and Attorney General Eric Schmitt.

Existing COVID Mandates Continue To Drop Across The Ozarks And People Are Reacting

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COVID-19 restrictions and mandates are falling back around Missouri and the Lake Area, and Ozarks This Morning host Guy Wehman is asking residents and visitors what they think about masks no longer being required in the Camdenton R-3 School District.

One man says it’s a personal preference: “I think that they should just open it up….if you want to wear a mask, wear a mask…if you don’t, then don’t”

Another man believes the masks were hindering kids from learning: “Uh, it’s kind of a double edged sword. One, the masks? Getting rid of them well allow them (Camdenton School Children) will actually allow them to focus more on their class…rather than wearing the mask and breathing through it and everything.”

Two ladies say it’s really a personal choice, it shouldn’t be the Government’s requirement: “I think the Government doesn’t need to tell us how to take care of themselves. I think that’s what America is all about….the Government not up in everything”….”Isn’t it? I think we’re forgetting that!”

Two new members of the school board were sworn into office April 12th, those two members include new president Gail Griswold and Brian Butts.

Two Bills In Jefferson City Aim To Protect People And Police Against Violent Protestors

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Two bills some lawmakers say would protect people and police against violent protestors could pass in Missouri this month.

The two bills would expand penalties for protestors who block traffic or vandalize monuments or property.

One of the bills also stops some cities from decreasing their law enforcement budgets by more than 12-percent relative to proposed budgets in other departments, a move some see as a response to the ‘defund police’ movement in other parts of the U-S.

Both bills now wait for action in the state legislature.

Political Activist Nathan Rinne Shares More About New Federal Lawsuit Against Camden County Commission

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A Federal lawsuit’s now filed by a Lake Area man against the Camden County Commission.

Nathan Rinne says he’s filed the lawsuit because he got a letter in March from the Commission saying he’s banned from county property for a year without due process.

“It doesn’t site any state statute, it doesn’t site any incidents…it’s not specific at all, and that’s a problem” says Rinne, “I didn’t have a hearing, I didn’t have an opportunity to plead my case…Nobody said come to court, we’re going to question you or get your side of the story…There was none of that.”

Rinne tells KRMS News he thinks getting banned is retaliation from the Commission because they don’t like his posts on Facebook “social media? I’ve definitely been outspoken about the Commission. That’s what it boils down too….I mean there are videos of Presiding Commissioner Hasty mentioning me and Facebook.”

Rinne says there’s some irony in the Commission’s decision “the hilarious part is the commission passed an ordinance, that was the last meeting I was at in fact, but they passed an ordinance saying that they respect and uphold the first amendment. So, this is a violation of my free speech as well as due process.”

KRMS has been told the Camden County Commission cannot comment on the pending Federal Lawsuit filed by Rinne.

We’ll pass along more details as they become available here on News / Talk KRMS.

Former Camden Commission Candidate Nathan Rinne Sues County In Federal Court Over Banning

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A Camden County resident who challenged Commissioner Don Williams in the 2020 Election is now suing the County in Federal Court.

Nathan Rinne says the County has banned him from entering the courthouse, commission office or the public library, and the decision by the commission he says is unconstitutional.

Rinne says his involvement as a concerned citizen, frequently calling out the county Government in person or on videos posted to Facebook is likely the cause, however he claims he’s broken no laws.

The lawsuit is claiming that the county’s ban comes under a false pretense, that he displayed “disruptive and harassment conduct.”

Rinne was the first to discover issues involving what’s being dubbed “Gravel Gate”, which has led to an investigation by the Highway Patrol.

Missouri House Committee On Redistricting To Hear Testimony From Lake Residents Today

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A Missouri House committee on congressional redistricting will hear public testimony today (Thursday) from Lake Area residents who live in Missouri’s Fourth Congressional District.

Both in person and written testimony will be taken from the 24-county district, which includes all of the Lake of the Ozarks as well as Fort Leonard Wood, Columbia, Sedalia and Whiteman Air Force Base.

The committee is looking for information about the district’s characteristics, both positive and negative.

Republican Congresswoman Vicky Hartlzer currently represents that district and has done so since 2011.

Camden County Presiding Commissioner Says Gravel Parking Lot Cost Taxpayers Nothing

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Photo By Lake Resident Jerry Palmer

A gravel parking lot in Camden County is the target of criticism on social media, but the Presiding Commissioner is defending work done to the property that he says cost taxpayers nothing.

“Basically what they’re saying is we are wasting county taxpayer dollars with this parking lot, but the reality is what we’ve created…at very minimal cost…a valuable piece of property for the residents and citizens of Camden County” says Presiding Commissioner Greg Hasty.

He tells KRMS News that new parking lot across the street from the Ozarks Amphitheater is ready right now to help out with parking for this week’s event.

Hasty also says each car that arrives in the Lake Area for the weekend is worth around a thousand dollars.

The parking lot offers 200 parking spaces, and that could mean close to a quarter-million dollars for Camden County each time it’s filled up.

Hasty will appear as a guest during the KRMS Morning Magazine on Wednesday at 9 o’clock.

Camden County Prosecutor Explains Issues With Federal ATF

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black semi automatic pistol on black textile

Photo by Thomas Def on Unsplash

The interim prosecutor in Camden County is aware of the ATF announcing it will not assist the county after an ordinance to preserve the 2nd Amendment was passed.

“In the past we’ve worked very closely with them. They have access to resources and specializations that we don’t have locally. Right now, they’re just not providing those resources to us and if they do, they’re very selective on what they will or will not do” says Iterim Camden County Prosecutor Caleb Cunningham.

He gives KRMS News an example of how the ATF’s decision could affect the future of Lake Area public safety “we had a very recent case where there was an IED, an improvised explosive device…it may have been a hand grenade. Usually we call the ATF with something like that, but this time we weren’t able to. This is clearly outside of our expertise to deal with and it use to be we’d rely on the ATF for that, but they’re simply not there anymore.”

Cunningham says in that case the Missouri State Highway Patrol was able to step in for assistance on that case.

He also says the coming season of tourism means lake area local law enforcement is significantly outnumbered “we’ve used our federal partners in the past for law enforcement issues, as you know with out Summer Tourism season we’re greatly outnumbered. But, until they make their decision on what they’re going to do…they’re simply not there. That’s part of the puzzle piece of law enforcement that’s missing now.”

Cunningham says ordinances passed in other parts of Missouri might be a bigger concern for the Fed than ours “all these ordinances are different and I think it’s Newton county specifically that has authorized they would be arrested for even being there, so I think that the ATF’s position was to “take a step back” and not assist ANY of these counties, until they’ve consulted with their legal team.”

Miller and Benton Counties have also passed ordinances to protect gun rights that were similar to Camden County’s.

Lake Area Representative Luetkemeyer Concerned Over Biden Gun Actions

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Executive actions taken by Joe Biden have one Lake Area U-S Representative concerned.

Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer thinks taking gun from someone because of a mental health issue has to be done through a process “to have an arbitrary individual off the street, or even a family member, to say something and cause those guns to be taken away without due process is WRONG.”

Luetkemeyer tells KRMS News he thinks Biden is trying to infringe upon your right now own a gun in the U-S “you have to have due process, that’s the secret to all of these things that these folks want to do. They just want to arbitrarily allow law enforcement, or whomever, to go in and do whatever they are trying to impose. Whether that be taking away guns or trying to institutionalize somebody.”

He also says there’s a socialist agenda going on and the U-S Constitution is an obstacle for some who support it “the crutch of the problem is the media protects these people, it empowers these people. The Media is as much to blame here as the far left, because they’re empowering the far left with what they do and what they don’t do.”

Luetkemeyer was interviewed by Christian Blood on the KRMS Morning Magazine.

 

****Additional info:

 

Luetkemeyer on President Biden’s Unlawful Executive Order to Violate Second Amendment Rights

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) released the following statement regarding President Joe Biden’s executive order to infringe on law-abiding Americans’ rights to possess firearms.

 

“Villainizing and defunding the police, completely ignoring border security, and now infringing on Americans’ ability to defend ourselves without any chance of preventing crime. This reckless agenda may satisfy the political left, but it continues to threaten the livelihoods of people in Missouri and around the country. Our Founding Fathers felt the right to bear arms was so important they made it the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution. Today’s announcement from the Biden Administration is yet another reminder that they view our founding principles and documents as nothing more than an inconvenience they will simply ignore when they don’t fit their narrative.”

Newly Elected Candidates For Camdenton School Board Are Ready To Get To Work

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On Monday, there will be two new members of the school board in the Camdenton R-3 School District.

One of those new members is Gail Griswold “about a year ago I went to a school board meeting, and students were complaining about classes being cut, issues with the budget and they weren’t being heard. I just noticed a real big disconnect between the school board and the community.”

Griswold tells KRMS News the first area she wants to work on is finances in Camdenton R-3 “we do annual audits that are required for a political subdivision, for the state to come in and really look at our procedures…even the one that we get annually says we have issues with our procedures, so I think that would be a good start.”

Griswold says she’s also concerned about the pay scale for entry-level employees in the Camdenton school district and also a policy forcing kids to wear masks at times during the school day “I spoke about that a lot during my campaign…it’s a big deal for me. You can get a job at Wal-Mart right now for $11 dollars an hour pushing carts, but an entry-level job as a custodian at the district is less than that. So, I think we need to understand our market.”

Brian Butts is the other new member of the Camdenton school board.

Missouri Senate Joins Governor Parson In Saying No To Vaccine Passports

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Missouri Governor Mike Parson is on record saying he does not support vaccine passports, and now the state Senate sending a similar message.

On Wednesday, a bill was passed by a vote of 26-7 to ban the idea that you need a COVID-19 shot to take public transportation, shop, take a taxi or fly.

The bill now heads to the State House of Representatives for consideration.

According to the state health department, cases of COVID-19 are dropping in Missouri.

For the week of March 29th, 21-hundred cases of COVID were recorded, and that was down 3-percent from the week before.

ATF Strikes Back Against Lake Area 2nd Amendment Ordinances

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black semi automatic pistol on black textile

Photo by Thomas Def on Unsplash

One elected official in the Lake Area says the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms will not service Camden County, and possibly others that have passed Second Amendment ordinances since President Trump left the White House.

Camden County Commissioner James Gohagan confirms the news “according to the Prosecutor (Caleb Cunningham) he’s tried to get them to work with him on certain cases, they have refused specifically citing the 2nd Amendment ordinances…they will not service Camden County.”

Commissioner Gohagan says they’re also telling Sheriff Tony Helms they will not assist the County Sheriff’s office either.

A few counties in the Lake Area, including Miller and Benton, have passed ordinances that aim to guarantee gun rights will not be infringed upon at the local, state and Federal level.

This is a developing story and we’ll pass along more details as they become available here on News / Talk KRMS.