Saturday, November 7, 2009
Who is behind
anti-levy group?
Who are these guys? Why pick on St. Joseph's school district? Why St. Joseph? Jeff Roe, of Axiom Strategies, spokesman for the school levy opposition, said, "We'll see you in five years." Sounds like an ongoing threat! Of course, Jeff Roe is known for his nasty political tricks. A paid political hatchet man - who is paying Jeff Roe? Why St. Joseph?
Who are the guys behind this? People are angry! Calling our unpaid school board members clowns. Telling false information, like the school levy would raise your taxes $1,200 (while all taxes - school, city, county, library, etc., would be $1,200 on a $100,000 house). Harassing people with robocalls for days at a time.
Platte County R-I School District's $6 million bond issue passed with 57 percent. Independence's $85 million bond issue passed with 68 percent. Center School District in south Kansas City approved a $6.5 million bond issue with 77 percent. Stewartsville School District's $750,000 issue passed. Mound City R-I's bond issue and Rock Port R-II's bond issue passed. Clay County residents voted to extend a one-eighth cent law enforcement tax with 70 percent. Did any of these communities have professional opposition like ours?
Many of these school votes were far bigger tax issues than ours. So what is the issue with these guys? Taxes? Power? Is it personal?
I note that Ed Catron, who ran unsuccessfully twice for our school board, is now the treasurer of the Citizens Against Forever Tax group, replacing Ken Reeder. Seems like a lot of money to spend for spite.
People are outraged! People want to know who is behind all this opposition. I think the News-Press is obligated to find out for their readers and the community what the reasons are and who is responsible for this intense opposition to the St. Joseph community.
Nancy J. Reed
St. Joseph
Consider adopting an older pet
When adopting a pet, oftentimes it's the puppies and kittens that come to mind, but there are many reasons why adopting a senior dog or cat is beneficial.
Senior pets are less demanding, calmer and sometimes already housebroken. They have already gone through the growing stages, such as teething, so there is much less concern about furniture and household items being chewed. They love to cuddle and snuggle and appreciate companionship.
A senior pet is more likely to be altered, too, which can lower the cost of adoption. Senior companion animals are often left at shelters and rescues, overlooked because of their age, but you could make a difference. You can save a life. Please consider adopting a senior pet.
Jennifer Kepner,
Friends of the Shelter
The News-Press welcomes comments and suggestions from our readers. To be published, letters must be signed and include an address and daytime phone number. We reserve the right to edit any letter. Letters should be 200 words or less. Mail: Letters to the editor • c/o News-Press • Box 29 • St. Joseph, MO 64502 FAX: (816) 271-8692 E-MAIL: letters@npgco.com.
Share Your Thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. We do not review every post or respond to every removal suggestion. Comments that threaten someone or degrade them on the basis of gender, race, class, national origin, religion or disability will be removed. Comments containing abusive, vulgar or sexually-oriented language will be removed. Comments that spread rumors or lies will be removed. Please discuss only what has been factually proven. Comments posted in all caps will be removed. Stay on topic! Brief quotes are okay as long as the source is given. Blatant cutting and pasting is not acceptable. Comments must be kept under 250 words or less. Stjoenews.net moderators also reserve the right to remove comments for any reason they deem worthy. Click here for our full user agreement.
mm1967 says...
Who cares who is behind this group thay did not infuence the viters at all.Let it go and move on and if the district does what it needs to do in 5 years they will not coe back.But if the district continues down the road it is currently on then we will see them again.Forget it,it over.
November 7, 2009 at 5:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JAFO says...
mm1967, there is a greater picture here that some folks may not know about. 3 years ago when we had a general county election, there were mailers that went out about tom mann. there were 3 or 4 i believe that painted him in a really negative light. i've known tom for years, and he is an honest and open person. he does not back down fro what he believes, and i think that is what got him beat in 06. jeff roe's axiom stratagies were paramount in getting him defeated. i have friends in columbia mo, where he used to apparently work, and he does not have a very good reputation down that way either. it was rumored that the Herzog family paid the money to axiom to get tom beat. there was a proposal from Herzog to build a rail car factory on the east side of riverside near a residential area. tom listened to his consituents, and voted against it. Herzog's had it in for him ever since. the money he paid axiom was a drop in the bucket compared to what they would have lost in not moving their rail car divsion to st joe. so there is a reason to pay attention to these peoople, they do pose a threat politically to anybody that stands in the way of progress. please don't take my post as an insult, but as informatory. thank you.
November 7, 2009 at 6:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LibertyOrDeath says...
It all makes sense now. Tom Mann have some political ambitions in the future that you're helping lay groundwork for?
November 7, 2009 at 7:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Orliandor says...
If these people are so powerful, it could be that the local news agencies are afraid of repercussions should they dig too deeply. Perhaps the KC Star would be interested in investigating this mystery.
November 7, 2009 at 9:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rk92559 says...
Yeah..who are these people?? Lets lynch them!! Lets hunt down any opposition to levys and taxes that just go on and on and on.Then we can do whatever we want, and continue to waste money and ask for more and more and more.We could even eliminate those nasty elections that we have to have over and over until we get what we want. What an outrage that these villans would think of opposing anything!!
They have seen the same thing I have over the last 30 years. The lottery is going to pay for it, the casino is going to pay for it, this levy and this tax will pay for it.If it is old..close it and build new somewhere else.Lets do give it five years and see how you are doing.Wait til they close your kids school and they have to get on a bus to go to some other older school while all these "outraged" people are just happy as a clam with thier kids schools.
It won't even be worth telling someone I told you so. What is the point?
November 7, 2009 at 9:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sense says...
To answer the question posed in the letter, the funding fo the campain was make by "teamsam" the fundrasiing of the Sam Adams Alliance out of Chicago - this according to the Missouri Ethics Reports on campain funding. Teamsam donated $35,000 to the "Citizens Against Forever Tax"
"The Sam Adams Alliance" was formed as a citizens group to watch over goverment spending. From that group formed the "American Majority" whose focus is on public schools. They wish for no tax payers money to be involved in education.
Who are these people, mostly republicans, or more descriptive, old rich white men. They are the ones holding tea parties and such.
Why do they care about a local school levy. They are pushing a national agenda beleiving goverment is to involved in our lives and public schools. Also they hold many local meetings invitng normal citizens to get involved and help them get involoved in local races and political events.
You can see why it is so appealing to these people, and very appealing to the "good ol boys" here in St. Joe and the "old money".
They hire Axuim to carry out their agendas because the don't care how they win, lie, misinform, they feel they are justified in doing so.
My problem with them is that they demand goverment tranparency and yet they hide in the shadows. If your against public funding of schools, say so, don't make up lies and send out false and misleading information.
Why doesn't the media report on these groups, I think I described the kinds of people who belong to these groups, you will find that same description fit media company CEO's and owners.
November 7, 2009 at 12:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rk92559 says...
The media did report that KCP&L donated money to the pro levy group. Speaking of wondering why someone stuck their nose in our business. They ask for and got an increase, and then turn around and spend money to make sure we pay a levy.It escapes me why they think it is any of their business what levy passes.
I would be careful throwing out accusations about what business people supported an opposition to the levy.Manure runs downhill, and you might not be on the right side of the slope.
November 7, 2009 at 2:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sense says...
well rk - at least I know that KCP&L donated the money and it was not hidden like those who opposed the levy. KCP&L does business in this community so they have an interest making it a good community. Your statements don't make sense, wouldn't KCP&L rather have people pay less taxes so they could pay their energy bill, why would they want people to pay more taxes? That dosn't even make busienss sense. I didn't accuse anyone of anything, nor do I fear doing so, I simpy pointed out a truth, something you seem to have a problem with.
November 7, 2009 at 2:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rk92559 says...
***. Your statements don't make sense, wouldn't KCP&L rather have people pay less taxes so they could pay their energy bill, why would they want people to pay more taxes? That dosn't even make busienss sense.***
Soooo..they support a tax in hopes that we will pay less tax to pay our bills?? Who doesn't make sense?
Just keep yapping. I know St Joe..and the money will be pissed away ..AGAIN. And then you can rant and rave in another few years when they need more. The levy may have passed, but if you think your crap doesn't stink because it did..guess again. I could be wrong, but if history repeats itself, I am confident I am not.See ya in a few years.
And while your tracking all that secret money, why don't you check out where all that lottery money went that I was told was going to be so great for paying for our children's schools? Good luck with that.
November 7, 2009 at 4:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
Apple/sence you are still wanting to know who the people behind this citizens group is let it go would it make you happy id it was one of our largest employers in town and then you could run them off and we would have less jobs?Let it go they really did not play a roll in this election other then making a few pwoplw mad like yourself.
November 7, 2009 at 6:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dillygent1 says...
Actually, count me in as one who would like to know who was part of the anti-group. I am interested more because if they came from out of town, I am against it. They created divisiveness in town. I don't like it. I don't like ANYBODY, on either side of the election, trying to tell me how to vote. They ARE NOT taxpayers here, so, if they are from Chicago, control Chicago politics. Somehow, I would think that Chicago is big enough that there has to be some little bailiwick they can run. As far as locals, I believe Bill Guenther came into the negative vote discussion. That is fine with me, because at least HE LIVES HERE and represents SOME of us.
November 7, 2009 at 7:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sense says...
mm - why do you always want to sweep this topic under the rug so fast when it comes up
November 7, 2009 at 11:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
johncourter says...
As long as there is unstability on how this community progresses towards future state of its educational processes, Axiom is always going to haunt St. Joseph in my view. The group is funded by people who do not want St. Joseph to progress. As long as we continue to fund an operational need by sunset clauses, this group will have an upper hand. They may not have succeeded in totally killing a levy, but they walked away knowing this argument will come back to the table in several years. That means they have suceeded to an extent because in Apr they argued the sunset clause levy approach. Catch 22, in my view if the issue had waited till next Apr to allow more time and work to gain more buy in from the public for a permenant levy and the community suceeded, that would have sent a message to Axiom. I do not like Axiom either, but I also do not agree with the direction of the sunset clause approach. Future state, argue, invest, and support long term progession, educational improvement, new buildings, growth and the goal to address the education issues facing every area of town, that includes performance, old buildings, improved technologies, infrastructure, etc. When the community,groups, organizations, businesses, and district come to terms with that and set a plan in motion to address needed improvements in all areas of the city, then that will send a clear message to Axiom to go away. We do not need to hire consulting groups to tell us what we already know. Axiom thrives because there is unstability and no committment by the community as a whole to invest. Nancy, that is my response to your editorial. When the community decides to come together and makes a committment to invest and do what it takes to reach futures state, Axiom will go away. It does not matter who is behind them, the community needs to take a strong stand to support investing in its educational processes long term as well as many other things within the city. This city is far behind the curve on many fronts and every day it looses out on potential opportunities because of that. Bottom line, we need to fix it, fix it all. It is not that hard to figure out.
November 8, 2009 at 2:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
Cause it was not a factor in peoples decision when they voted and I am sick of hearing about something that take times away from the main issue and that is the long range planning for the schools and to get a rise out of you about it.
November 8, 2009 at 4:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sense says...
I think it did have a factor, I think it lead to more yes votes. Also I beleive memebers of these groups are still involved with some posts and will be active during the school board elecdtion and I will be here to remind everyone who the are throgghout the process.
I like the subject and since these posts are about the letter of the editor and the subject we will continue the discussion as long as we want. You don't have to part of it.
November 8, 2009 at 8:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
johncourter says...
The bottom line is St Joseph is not progressing in its educational processes, period. The sunset argument was not an argument to improve, it was an argument to maintain and provide "acoountability" per "wishes of the voters". That thought process right there needs to change or the city will continue to loose out on future opportunities. Catch 22, that is how I view it. Until the cycle is broken and a true committment is made by the public to as a whole to invest in future state, we have what we have.
November 8, 2009 at 9:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sense says...
that has nothing to do with the subject of who in the community is funding the COFT or why outside political money is finding it's way into a local school levy election.
November 8, 2009 at 12:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
Apple/Sence
you keep trying to find out who is funding this group and who is behind it locally.This should keep you busy fro some time to come since you are so focused on it.
November 8, 2009 at 12:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sense says...
yes, and when Im focused I usally find what Im looking for, like teamsam the fianicial arm of Sam Adams who created the American Majority which donated $35,000 to the CAFT campain. American Majority who wished to end public schools and who has had meetings in Kansas City and it founder from Lawerence Kansas.
The first question I will ask any candidate running for any office in St. Jospeh, do you belong to, or have you ever atteded a meeting invoving the Sam Adams, or American Majority - I will ask it nonstop -
November 8, 2009 at 1:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dillygent1 says...
Mamy families have pay inadequate to meet their needs. This is not their preference to have inadequate pay. It is what the job pays. John, if you really want to make a big mark on the citizenry of St. Joseph, Mo., work on pay issues and quality of life issues. Future state is a wonderful idea, but the machinery (financial muscle) must be in place, before any plan can be formulated. I am sure there are many people in town who can come up with a plan for wonderful school buildings. But, there has to be money available for these buildings. Given this town's salary structure, the financial muscle is not there. This is a problem faced by the board and administration and I am sure they would like your answers. I would also suggest that you remember that a school reflects the society around it. It would be nice if it could change society's attitude, but that doesn't always happen. Also, remember, bad attitude doesn't necessarily always come from the poor. Sometimes, those with the money just don't want to let loose of it.
November 8, 2009 at 10:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
johncourter says...
My comment has everything to do with the issue. As long as we do not make a committment in this community to progress for the long term and that issue continues to stay unstable, Axiom will haunt. The community needs to take a real stand against them, not a compromise one, and that is what the sunset clause is pure and simple, a compromise, nothing more. It is the orginal argument Axiom went after in Apr. We can deny it all we want to, but that is why they went against Apr, because of no sunset. I will be interested to see what comes out of the tree if you find out who is behind them, but the bigger issue is how we as a community conduct our business. Get rid of the unstability and take a clear stand to move towards progression, and you get rid of Axiom. That is how it should be approached moving foward. Dillygent, I have already conveyed my thoughts and suggestions to both, on several occasions, the only one who responded and cared enough to meet for discussion was Dr. Smith. I got responses from several others, but they were generic responses, and did not pursue any further discussion. In my view that made it clear to me the minds were made up. Your comments give a good perspective of what is going on out there. But I believe we as a community can do much better, and it starts with the community. Pay issues, with education progression and growth, that will come in my view, if we stagnant and continue to do so, we have what we have. Quality of life issues, those are wide ranging, and I believe every individual bears some responsibility in their own quality of life and how they choose to improve it or not. St Joseph has not invested in its educational processes appropriately for almost half century. That needs to change, the city has over 87 in its population base, that is enough of a base to have the ability to move things forward into long term progression. Back to the quality of life. I do mean this as a negative, I love to go and "play" more then anyone, but if we as a community have the ability every weekend to aid in a local casino making record profits because we like all like to "play" , then we have the ability to invest for future state of our educational processes. A community that appears to be struggling to make ends meet can still manage to find "play" and spend for it. And everyone from all walks of life is there regularly, including me. Not a critisizm, just an observation. We can do much better in this community for future state and we have the ability to do so, the challenge is do we have the drive and motivation?
November 9, 2009 at 12:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )