Your Letters, October 14, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Sheehan a community builder
A few years ago, Mark Sheehan and Alonzo Weston organized an all-night basketball tournament at the YMCA. My son Mike was in town that weekend and we decided to make a surprise visit to help support the cause. It was clear to Mike and me that Mark and Alonzo cared about kids. I can honestly say that we were impressed with their commitment to helping some kids who needed good constructive activities as well as positive role models.
Recently, Mark was at it again, this time helping to organize the Blues Festival Downtown as part of the Tour of Missouri event. Not even the rain could put a damper on the enthusiasm of those who attended.
Whether he’s fighting for kids who need something to do, or adults who need something to do, Mark is a community builder. He looks for ways to bring us together — he’s fought to bring the Chiefs’ training camp here, just as he worked hard to help establish the Coleman Hawkins Jazz Society.
Mark, thanks for what you do. You are appreciated.
Martin T. Rucker
State Representative, District 29
St. Joseph
***
Higdon a leader, with integrity
Everyone’s attention is being focused on the economy of our country, counties, cities and personal finances. We are hearing about government bailouts, and what has been part of the problem leading to the economical failures. I, as well as many others, have not only heard but have seen firsthand the wasteful spending, not only in businesses but also with our tax dollars.
As former president of the Missouri Deputy Sheriffs’ Association, I had the opportunity to get to know Galen Higdon, as he served as vice president during my tenure. Galen, along with other board members, assisted me in not only stopping wasteful spending within the association, but helped to promote effective spending of our yearly budget.
I know the citizens of Buchanan County deserve a leader who will efficiently manage the county budget in a responsible and professional manner. I know Galen as an honest and forthright individual who will follow through when he tells you he is going to do something and can be held accountable for his actions. I have full faith that Galen’s leadership and integrity are a natural fit for a leadership position such as sheriff.
Now that I have moved to St. Joe since my time in Grundy County, it will be a privilege and honor for me to cast a vote for Republican sheriff candidate Galen Higdon in the Nov. 4 general election.
Mike Smith
Former president, Missouri Deputy Sheriffs’ Association
St. Joseph
This story has 7 comments. Click here to join in on the discussion.
Story Tools
Hyperlink Legend
E-mail story
Print friendly version
iPod friendly version
Today's Top Headlines
Youths fuel interest in local history exhibits
Welfare Board finds big savings
Professor digs deep to uncover Missouri’s past
Teacher, student among magazine's 'heroes'
Helping the needy
- More Headlines
- Recently Discussed
Martin Rucker is turning into quite the political hack. I am starting to become less and less impressed with him the more I hear him speak or rad what he's written. The guy has yet to pass even one piece of legislation during his tenure in Jeff City, but his ego would lead you to believe he's running our state house. I'm so proud of my representation down in Jeff City.
Posted by pops on October 14, 2008 at 7:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)Hmmm....I'm not sure how you could find fault with the letter from Mr. Rucker. Seems to me, it was a very positive letter, to highlight some things that are going well in a time when that rarely happens. Comments such as those by joetowner clearly indicate that you really CAN'T make some folks happy.
Posted by MichaelH on October 14, 2008 at 7:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)JoeTowner's comments come from a relatively recent history Mr. Rucker has displayed in the name of coy political games.
I can't say I've not been turned off by it as well, but knowing the Ruckers there is a part of me that says this guys is so sincere that we just don't know how to take him.
Hopefully that's what it is and not the fact that he is becoming a typical politician.
Posted by gr8fan on October 14, 2008 at 9:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)First, Mr. Rucker, it's Mike and I. Second, there "is" a problem with his letter. It's politics as usual in this world. Building up his partisan brethren with a letter, to beat out the opposite party incumbent. Politics at its best!
Posted by joetowner on October 14, 2008 at 4:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)the comments calling Barack Obama "Mr. President" recently were over the top by Rucker, he knows protocol and that was very inappropriate. He's just becoming more and more partisan and part oft he game, not part of any real solutions. Typical I guess of a community electing someone simply on name recognition passed on by his offsrping rather than any credentials. If Rucker's first race would have went to the more qualified candidate, Linden Black would be our State Representative right about now.
Posted by scrubnurse on October 14, 2008 at 5:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)joetowner and Gr8...........I sure didn't notice any negative comments when politicians from the other end of the state wrote letters supporting Schaaf (guess he couldn't get any locals to write one for him!). Oh yeah.......that IS the republican way.......just stay negative.....Guess we'll see in three more weeks how far it gets you!
Posted by joetowner on October 14, 2008 at 7:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)actually, polling shows Rob Schaaf doing fine. If State Rep Rob Schaaf called John McCain "Mr President" at a rally, I would find that equally disturbing and appaling. There are a lot of things you can fault Rob Schaaf for, however, being a partisan alter boy doesn't seem to be one of them. He just seems to be on a missive to rite healthcare in this state, whether he has to work with Democrats or Republicans to accomplish his goals.
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them.
Rules: We don't allow comments that degrade others on the basis of gender, race, class, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation or disability. Epithets, abusive language and obscene comments will not be tolerated... nor will defamation. Brief quotes are okay as long as the source is given. Blatent cutting and pasting is not acceptable.Robust, even heated debate we like. Straying off-topic or flaming, we don't. Please read our user agreement.
Requires free stjoenews.net registration.