Today's Feature
City Notes
Displeasure.
A letter expressing the
City’s displeasure with the performance of
Hunter Appraisals of Joplin has been sent to the
Missouri Department of Transportation, Right of
Way Division.
The firm was contracted by the
City to perform the appraisal for the acquisition
of land for a future Carthage Municipal Airport.
The letter was signed by Mayor Johnson as
approved by the City Council.
"We wish to inform you
that the services provided by this firm were
totally unacceptable," say the letter.
"As this firm is on
MoDot’s list of approved appraisers, it
implies an endorsement of their capabilities and
services. As to our experience, we can affirm
that this is a firm that we will not use again
and would caution other entities against
using," the letter concludes.
The Council is scheduled to
hear the first reading of a bill that would allow
a contract with R.J. Woods and Associates of
Nevada, Missouri during this evening’s
regular meeting. The contract amount is $6,000
and the appraisal is scheduled to be completed in
45 days.
Commentary
Martin "Bubs" Hohulin
State Representative, District 126
Another member
of the Legislature has run afoul of the law. Sen.
Jet Banks, a democrat from St. Louis has pled
guilty to felony tax evasion, but is refusing to
resign his office. This whole thing gets very
interesting from several angles.
First, the law is very clear in
Missouri; you cannot be found guilty of a felony
and be in the Legislature. However, it appears
that only the members of the House or Senate have
the authority to remove a member from office.
What that means is that unless
the members of the Senate vote to remove him, it
might be impossible to get him out. Now you
wonder why the vote to remove him wouldn’t
be unanimous.
For one thing, he is black and
for another, he is a democrat. Already the race
card has been played, that the charges are
racially motivated. When it comes to their own,
democrats in the Legislature are radically
protective. Look at the way they stood behind
former Speaker Bob Griffin even as he was headed
for federal prison.
We even saw it on the federal
level when they stood behind Pres. Clinton in the
face of overwhelming evidence.
Governor Mel Carnahan has been
very quiet on this situation. As the leading
democrat in the state, you would think he would
take charge and demand the resignation of Sen.
Banks.
All he has said is that we need
to wait and see what develops at the sentencing.
Think back a few years ago to when then Sec. Of
State, Judi Moriarty was convicted of a
MISDEMEANOR.
Carnahan immediately called for
her resignation and then called a Special Session
of the Legislature to impeach her. The difference
here is that Carnahan is running for the Senate
and can’t afford to alienate the Black vote
by calling for Banks’ resignation. What an
inspiring display of fearless leadership!
Of course, it may not be too
wise to get crossways with Sen. Banks.
Years ago one of his political
opponents was found dead and the case remains
unsolved to this day. In the meantime it looks as
if he plans to stay in the Senate. One of the
first bills he filed deals with taxes. How
fitting!
As usual, I can be reached at
House Post Office, State Capitol, Jefferson City,
MO 65101 or 1-800-878-7126, or
mhohulin@services.state.mo.us for your questions,
comments, or advice.
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