NEWS
CLASSIFIEDS
AUTO
HOMES
JOBS
Clinton Thomas - City Government Reporter

Photo of Clinton Thomas
Contact Clinton via e-mail
Call Clinton at 816-271-8589.
RSS Feed of Clinton's stories
Falkner to run for mayor
by Clinton Thomas
Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2009

One of the city’s most persistent rumors has been verified.

City catches break on overflow woes
by Clinton Thomas
Monday, Aug. 17, 2009

The city may gain a bit of relief from its massive sewer problem. The city’s sewer consultant outlined changes to the City Council in the $450 million, 100-plus year plan to reduce combined sewer overflows last week. The amount of work the Environmental Protection Agency initially asked the city to complete within 20 years may be cut by about 15 percent.

Diversity marks council hopefuls
by Clinton Thomas
Sunday, Aug. 16, 2009

Prospects of long hours and low pay haven’t stopped a crowd from lining up for St. Joseph’s City Council vacancy.

Chiefs camp raises tax discussion
by Clinton Thomas
Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009

In the near future, St. Joseph voters could decide on a tax increase on the ballot that won’t cost most locals a dime.
City and county officials discussed the idea of raising St. Joseph’s hotel/motel tax Wednesday at City Hall. The revenue would replenish coffers emptied to pay for the Chiefs training camp.
While hotel/motel taxes are paid almost entirely by tourists, local decision-makers predict the public will view any tax increase with skepticism, no matter whose pocket the money comes from.

City dials in on settlement revenue
by Clinton Thomas
Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009

City Hall could soon find itself in another lawsuit.

Corby building developer meets with residents
by Clinton Thomas
Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009

Residents of The Fountains at Corby Place no longer need to fear the next rumor.

Charter group sets a slow course
by Clinton Thomas
Sunday, Aug. 9, 2009

A year of scrutiny has yet to yield any significant changes to St. Joseph’s City Charter. The City Council formed a 14-member task force to review the charter in August 2008 after Mayor Ken Shearin proposed two changes to the document: staggered terms for council members and a change in the annual budget-approval process. Instead of voting on individual issues itself, the council established a group to review the entire document and make recommendations.

City sues governor over veto
by Clinton Thomas
Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009

The city of St. Joseph has filed suit against Gov. Jay Nixon over an “incomprehensibly unfair” veto that would force the city to lower its voter-approved property tax.
House Bill 148, which the legislature passed this year, would have negated language in a 2007 Senate bill that, if implemented, would force the city to lower its tax levy ceiling from 70 cents to 67 cents per $100 of assessed value.
The governor vetoed HB 148, which means the Senate bill could go into effect and cost St. Joseph more than $300,000 a year in lost revenue to its general fund.

South Side bridge plans remain firm
by Clinton Thomas
Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009

Word of a federal funding hiccup sparked speculation last week that plans for a South Side overpass had jumped the tracks. Officials from the city, Missouri Department of Transportation and the federal government said Tuesday that citizens can rest easy. With a little patience, the money and bridge will come.

Repair bid higher than anticipated
by Clinton Thomas
Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009

A bigger-than-expected price tag has delayed repairs at the Wyeth-Tootle Mansion.
The city initially hoped to begin work on the building’s aging exterior in mid-August so the project would be complete in time for the holiday lighting ceremony in December. Plans changed when the city reviewed the only bid for the project. At $808,147, it was more than double the $350,000 the city budgeted for the job.
The city will use a base bid and a deductive alternate bid in an effort to work around high costs. Public Works Director Bruce Woody explained the process.

Plethora of candidates sought for council seat
by Clinton Thomas
Friday, July 31, 2009

For those who don’t mind long hours, low pay and a place in the sometimes angry public eye, the St. Joseph City Council has a job for you.
The city formally announced its plans this week to fill former Deputy Mayor Mike Hirter’s council seat.
Applicants have until 5 p.m. Aug. 17 to hand-deliver a letter of intent and résumé to the city clerk’s office, Room 303 at City Hall.

City raises some rates on animal shelter
by Clinton Thomas
Wednesday, July 29, 2009

People who drop off a pet at St. Joseph Animal Control & Rescue often leave with an empty feeling. For Buchanan County residents, the empty feeling may spread to their wallets as well. The St. Joseph City Council raised handling fees for Buchanan County residents outside the city limits from $10 to $40 on Monday. County residents formerly paid the same fee as St. Joseph citizens when they brought an unwanted pet to animal control, due to a contract where the county paid the city for animal control services. When the county decided not to renew the contract, city officials had to find a way to make up the financial shortfall.

City distributes CDBG funds
by Clinton Thomas
Tuesday, July 28, 2009

The St. Joseph City Council approved a resolution to allocate $475,429 in Community Development Block Grant Recovery Funds to five projects in Downtown St. Joseph.

Council picks Boyer as deputy mayor
by Clinton Thomas
Tuesday, July 28, 2009

The St. Joseph City Council resumed business Monday after the death of Deputy Mayor Mike Hirter just more than one week ago. Members debated various funding requests for more than two hours — one of the longest meetings of the year — before they finally took a big step forward. The council chose Donna Jean Boyer to fill its vacant deputy mayor position 7-0 Monday.

Who will be the next mayor?
by Clinton Thomas
Sunday, July 26, 2009

Many in St. Joseph believe the city lost its next mayor last weekend.
At the time of his death, Mike Hirter was the only person who had announced his intent to run for St. Joseph’s highest office. Mr. Hirter’s sudden absence — combined with Mayor Ken Shearin’s decision not to seek a second term — sets the table for a wide-open mayoral election in April 2010.

Teen ‘carried his values’ on three continents
by Clinton Thomas
Friday, July 24, 2009

On a seaside Saturday morning in New Zealand, more than 300 people gathered to pay respects to a fun-loving teenager from South Africa they had only begun to know.

St. Joe says its goodbyes to Mike Hirter
by Clinton Thomas
Thursday, July 23, 2009

Mike Hirter built bridges.
Between police and the community, city government and its citizens, friends and family, himself and God.
The lives he touched were on full display Wednesday with a funeral procession that spanned the city.

Council won't rush to replace Hirter
by Clinton Thomas
Tuesday, July 21, 2009

An American flag and a police officer’s cap will adorn Deputy Mayor Mike Hirter’s empty seat at the St. Joseph City Council’s next meeting. The gesture will honor the three-plus decades Mr. Hirter gave the city as a police officer, police chief and deputy mayor. But the tribute won’t be complete until someone new sits at Mr. Hirter’s desk and begins his or her own service for the citizens of St. Joseph. “The only thing we’ve talked about so far is that each person will submit a name from their district of someone they think is qualified and we’ll go from there,” Mayor Ken Shearin said.

Local leaders bound by law on bids
by Clinton Thomas
Monday, July 20, 2009

When a big construction project comes to town with promises to lift the local economy, the public assumes local workers will reap the rewards. As St. Joseph residents learned this summer, it’s not that simple. Local union leaders expressed outrage at the news Missouri Western State University had selected an out-of-state contractor to construct facilities for the Kansas City Chiefs’ training camp. A St. Joseph architect showed similar anger when he found out the city chose a Nebraska-based firm to design the new Muchenberger Center.

Committee recommends 5 projects for funds
by Clinton Thomas
Friday, July 17, 2009

A city-sponsored committee has decided which projects it will recommend for stimulus funding in two weeks.

Council to vote on further upgrades to Civic Arena
by Clinton Thomas
Thursday, July 16, 2009

If the bleachers at Civic Arena seem adequate at first glance, take a peek underneath at the network of metal bars and supports. After nearly three decades of use, the seats are old enough that replacement parts are no longer available.

City looks to provide arts funding
by Clinton Thomas
Tuesday, July 14, 2009

The St. Joseph arts community may have found a patron at City Hall.
The St. Joseph City Council reviewed two ordinances Monday that could give the Allied Arts Council nearly $50,000. One bill would send the group $25,000 to fund the arts in St. Joseph, while the second would donate $24,600 to help put on the Trails West! Music & Arts Festival.

Panel sorting through projects
by Clinton Thomas
Saturday, July 11, 2009

Don’t spend it all in one place. The advice has a familiar ring to those who have opened a birthday card from grandma — or perhaps a rich uncle — and found a single $1 bill. Smile. Say thank you. And find a way to get the most bang for the buck.

City Hall sees high court fight on a small scale
by Clinton Thomas
Wednesday, July 8, 2009

A lightning rod of the abortion debate struck in St. Joseph on Tuesday.
Randall Terry, founder of the anti-abortion group Operation Rescue, is traveling the country this week to ask citizens to tell their senators to filibuster Sonia Sotomayor’s confirmation hearings for the Supreme Court, which begin Monday.

City gambling on future of business park
by Clinton Thomas
Monday, July 6, 2009

The bets are down, and city leaders still expect to cash in on a new business park that remains empty. Workers began installing infrastructure this spring at the Eastowne Business Park at the corner of Riverside and Pickett roads. Wet weather has slowed the spread of roadways across the bare hills, while economic troubles cut down the number of companies looking to locate on one of the empty lots. The City of St. Joseph and Kansas City Power & Light have each placed a $375,000 wager that the project will bring in revenue for the community.

City hopes for green infusion
by Clinton Thomas
Wednesday, July 1, 2009

A possible infusion of stimulus money could help St. Joseph cut its energy spending for years to come.

Council approves downtown TIF district
by Clinton Thomas
Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Downtown presents St. Joseph officials with one of their biggest fix-up jobs.
On Monday night, the City Council grabbed a tool it hopes will speed up the project.
The council voted 5-1 in favor of a plan to establish a Downtown tax increment financing district. Deputy Mayor Mike Hirter and council members Joyce Starr, Gary Roach, Donna Jean Boyer and Mike Bozarth approved the TIF, while council member Barbara LaBass was opposed.

The heart of St. Joe
by Clinton Thomas
Sunday, June 28, 2009

In the good ol’ days, a community never needed to search far to find its heart.
Side streets held their share of business and backyard diversion, but everyone knew where to go for the real action.
In small towns, the destination was Main Street or the square. Cities had downtown.

Downtown TIF proposal discussed
by Clinton Thomas
Friday, June 26, 2009

A lengthy discussion on an idea for Downtown revitalization leaves little room for fence-straddlers.
You’re either for tax increment financing or against it, and you have plenty of vocal volume to back your point.
City staff, council members and about 30 citizens discussed the proposed Downtown TIF plan during a Town Hall meeting Thursday at the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge.
City Manager Vince Capell made the case that Downtown growth needs a TIF to create an incentive for independent investors.

Boulevard plan aims to enhance new growth
by Clinton Thomas
Wednesday, June 24, 2009

St. Joseph has outgrown its belt. The concern lies not with the city’s collective waistline, but with the Parkway System designed decades ago as a green belt around the community.
Winding roads carry drivers from Krug Park in the north to Hyde Park in the south, with smaller ribbons of green space shooting off to the side. Yet, years of eastward growth have left a large part of St. Joseph unserved by the Parkway System.

City isn't ready to get rid of trolleys
by Clinton Thomas
Tuesday, June 23, 2009

St. Joseph’s historic trolleys won’t hit the Downtown streets anytime soon. But at least they’re not leaving town. City staff pitched an idea to City Council members last week to move the trolleys from the transit system to the Parks Department, where they will be stored for future use.

Council postpones vote on Downtown TIF plan
by Clinton Thomas
Tuesday, June 16, 2009

If boom times ever return to St. Joseph’s historic core, the Downtown dreamers might thank the City Council for a vote it decided not to take. The St. Joseph City Council decided Monday to push back a vote to use tax increment financing to revitalize Downtown. Council member Joyce Starr proposed the move for two reasons. She did not want to take the vote because council member Mike Bozarth was absent and because council member Donna Jean Boyer had missed the past two council meetings and wanted more time to review the TIF plan.

Budget approved with little debate
by Clinton Thomas
Tuesday, June 16, 2009

The largest piece of legislation the city will pass all year was approved with little debate Monday. The St. Joseph City Council explained a handful of discrepancies between documents and spoken promises to two city employees before it passed the $130 million 2009-10 city budget. John Olszowka, a spokesman for City Employees United, was happy when he heard the city would add seven new employees next year instead of 11. But he had a concern: the budget showed nine new jobs.

City workers criticize budget
by Clinton Thomas
Sunday, June 14, 2009

When the city splits up its annual budget, someone always asks for a bigger share.
The city’s own employees have been the most persistent critics of the $130 million budget. The council will vote on the budget Monday.
City Employees United formed this spring, with the stated goal of improving communication between city employees and the staff and council members who establish city policy.

Capell says Chiefs money diverted funds from roads
by Clinton Thomas
Friday, June 12, 2009

A few weeks of summer football could lead to a few more years of bumpy roads.
When the City Council debated last week whether to accept a batch of federal stimulus funds for Downtown redevelopment, some members argued the money would be better spent on road repairs in the Eastside Industrial Business Park.
City Manager Vince Capell reminded council members this week of a plan to pay for road repairs. However, another high-profile council decision has made the plan untenable.

Council to tackle museum issue — again
by Clinton Thomas
Wednesday, June 10, 2009

One of last year’s most controversial issues has returned at City Hall.

City Council prepares to vote on Downtown TIF
by Clinton Thomas
Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Another big Downtown decision lies ahead for the St. Joseph City Council.
The council will vote next Monday whether to establish a Downtown Tax Increment Financing district to promote redevelopment in a 113-acre area roughly bounded by Interstate 229 on the west, 10th Street on the east, Faraon Street on the north and Charles and Sylvanie streets on the south.
Clint Thompson, city director of planning and community development, said he has received phone calls from a number of business owners curious about how a TIF district would affect them.

Revote incites war of words
by Clinton Thomas
Friday, June 5, 2009

After a verbal storm of profanity and name-calling, the St. Joseph City Council decided to accept its share of federal stimulus money Thursday.
The council approved an ordinance 8-1 that will amend the city’s Consolidated Plan 2008 Action Plan for Community Development Block Grant Funding, which allows the city to accept more than $475,000 in federal stimulus money. The amendment states that Downtown redevelopment projects will be the city’s first priority.
Council member Barbara LaBass cast the dissenting vote.

Normandy vet kept going
by Clinton Thomas
Friday, June 5, 2009

Ceremonies around the world will commemorate the 65th anniversary of one of the most significant battles in military history Saturday — The Normandy Invasion: D-Day, June 6, 1944.

Tire business operator working to fix problem
by Clinton Thomas
Friday, June 5, 2009

Mark Horstman admits the smoke from his tire retread business has been worse than he expected.

Council to re-vote on rejected funds
by Clinton Thomas
Thursday, June 4, 2009

The St. Joseph City Council will hold a special meeting at 4:30 p.m. today in the council chambers on the third floor of City Hall.

Neighbor points finger at retread shop
by Clinton Thomas
Thursday, June 4, 2009

The deck behind Kim Fansher’s house on Messanie Street could give a teacher the perfect place to sit and smell the flowers during a summer away from the classroom.
It would be a lot better if the flowers hadn’t died and the summer breeze didn’t burn her throat.
Such has been the case since a tire retread facility opened about a month ago across an alley from Ms. Fansher’s backyard.

Some question funding refusal
by Clinton Thomas
Wednesday, June 3, 2009

If St. Joseph city officials want to make a last-gasp effort to grab federal stimulus money, they need to answer questions from concerned City Council members. The St. Joseph City Council will meet at 4:30 p.m. Thursday with city staff to discuss the consequences of its decision to turn down more than $475,000 in the fourth-floor conference room at City Hall. The council voted 4-3 Monday in favor of an emergency ordinance that would have brought the money to St. Joseph. However, the bill failed because emergency ordinances require six votes to pass, while regular ordinances need a simple majority.

YMCA seeks funds for elevator repairs
by Clinton Thomas
Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Plans to pay for elevator repairs at the St. Joseph Family YMCA with city money did not crash, but they may be stuck for a while. The St. Joseph City Council postponed a decision to donate $33,040 to the YMCA on Monday after citizens spoke out against using public money for private problems. The money would have come from the Riverboat Gaming Fund. The YMCA’s elevator had been out of service since it failed a pressure test in November. Repairs were completed in May, but the YMCA sought city funding to pay its bills.

Council declines stimulus money
by Clinton Thomas
Tuesday, June 2, 2009

The St. Joseph City Council denied an emergency ordinance Monday that would have brought more than $475,000 in Community Development Block Grant money to the city for Downtown redevelopment. Four of the seven council members in attendance favored the ordinance, but emergency ordinances need six votes to pass. Council members Bill Falkner, Mike Bozarth and Barbara LaBass opposed the bill, while Mayor Ken Shearin, Deputy Mayor Mike Hirter, and council members Gary Roach and Joyce Starr voted in favor. Donna Jean Boyer and Roger Baker were absent. Ms. LaBass asked why the city can obtain money for Downtown revitalization, but not for existing industrial parks that need road repairs.

Rural areas fight to retain the best and brightest
by Clinton Thomas
Sunday, May 31, 2009

Midwestern communities face a problem that could slowly suck the life out of their economies: brain drain.
This isn’t some plague lifted from a zombie movie, but it’s every bit as scary.
Brain drain refers to a phenomenon where highly educated people leave one area in favor of another. For example, scientists such as Albert Einstein fled Europe in droves before World War II for safer locales in the United States.

Mapping software to improve communications
by Clinton Thomas
Monday, May 25, 2009

St. Joseph Mayor Ken Shearin has an eye-in-the-sky idea to improve the city’s communications with its residents.

Fund receives $2.6M to burn
by Clinton Thomas
Sunday, May 24, 2009

Gerald McCush has a new kind of problem.
As the city’s community development manager, Mr. McCush dispenses St. Joseph’s annual share of Community Development Block Grant funds. The city’s slice of CDBG pie has shrunk to $1.75 million in the upcoming budget, but Mr. McCush has grown to expect funding cuts.
That’s what makes this problem different.

Theater to raise curtain on improvements
by Clinton Thomas
Saturday, May 23, 2009

A set of long-awaited upgrades could hit the stage at the Missouri Theater.

Mustangs to debut on 28th in renovated Phil Welch Stadium
by Clinton Thomas
Saturday, May 23, 2009

Kansas City won’t be the only baseball town to show off a revamped stadium this summer.
Phil Welch Stadium will have a new look when summer baseball returns to St. Joseph next Thursday for the St. Joseph Mustangs’ season opener against the Omaha Diamond Spirit.
Fans who haven’t visited the ballpark since the Blacksnakes left town two years ago will see more than $600,000 in new features.