A note from the poll writer: You're correct about the elderly, Heritage. The elderly are not being asked to move out, according to today's article. My mistake in the original version of the poll answer.
A couple answers to your questions, from the reporter:
1)The land they're talking about is not owned by any Hausman. I assume you're thinking of the Tuscany Village land, which is at the southeast corner of the I-29/169 interchange. This potential ag/expo center land is at the northeast corner of the interchange, and it is owned by Buchanan County.
2)The city of St. Joseph did settle its sewer line/eminent domain issue with the Judy Hausman Trust (Dan Hausman's wife, involving the couple's land around their house in northeast St. Joseph).
Any other rhetorical questions or opinions, I leave up to you.
A note from the reporter: The County Commissioners are now "full-time" and typically have meeting hours beginning at 9 a.m. every weekday. For more specific agendas, you can check their Web site at http://www.co.buchanan.mo.us/ or check the Sunday print edition of the News-Press for a list of city and county meetings.
A note from the reporter: Thanks for everyone's interest in this story and your interest in keeping the facts straight in your discussions.
I'd just like to clarify a couple legal points people have posted, as I understand them.
First, judges do have the option of submitting alternative charges to the jury for consideration.
[Judges also have the option (and even responsibility) of dismissing any or all of the charges against someone, even during a jury trial, if they feel the prosecution hasn't presented enough evidence to support the charge. (Judge Robb did that just a few weeks ago in the meth-lab-fire jury trial of Jeannie Swope, when he dismissed an arson charge against her.)]
Second, a sentencing assessment report (also known as a pre-sentence investigation) will be conducted on Mr. Zorn, which usually is a very comprehensive look at a person's background and criminal background.
Third, just to be clear, the penalty range is 10-30 years or life in prison, with a mandatory 85-percent before being eligible for parole.
A note from the reporter: I normally do print the names of who voted -- sorry about that, Heritage. Here's the vote on Bill Falkner's motion to reduce outside sewer customers' rates by 15 percent: Yes: Bill Falkner, Barbara LaBass, Mike Bozarth (3) No: Donna Jean Boyer, Mike Hirter, Gary Roach, Joyce Starr (4) Mayor Ken Shearin and Councilman Roger Baker were absent from that meeting. (The mayor was at a KC life-sciences-corridor gathering along with St. Joseph businessmen and the Chamber.)
Heritage, The three city skate parks are at Hyde Park in the South Side, the Bode Complex in the middle of town, and on Mapleleaf Parkway up north (off St. Joseph Avenue and Grand Avenue -- get with it, dude).
Other unofficial skate parks abound.
From your filled-with-useless-knowledge City Hall reporter, Joe
Heritage is correct about one project receiving the full amount they requested. The Reillys received the full amount they requested -- $10,000 -- for 1219 Felix St. Sorry about that.
A note from the reporter - Richard Mastio asked me to post this comment from him:
Sadly for St. Joseph, Missouri, the city's biggest export is and has been for a very long time your young people, now and in the past, and even still those growing up there today. If the city wants to keep it's vibrant youth, good jobs are the answer. Following the lead of Mr. Ken Shearin, your mayor and a man with a big heart and a very creative mind, in time can change the atmosphere and provide benefits to the city. Isn't it time that the 5 council members who regularly oppose Ken open their minds a bit and work with Ken to make a real difference instead of constantly giving him a hard time and opposing his every suggestion? An audit of the city finances and expenditures would be helpful too. Merging city and county government and removing some of the tax collector pressure might help too. Isn't it time to face the facts of the decay that infects your city of very good people and start to make corrections?! Your city has much history to be proud of, but it is the history you make today that will enliven St. Joseph and make it prosper and grow. Saying No, No, No to Mr. Shearin is not the answer! You fine people elected Ken, tell your council women and men to cooperate with Ken. He cares and so do most of you too.
Do you like the Foutch Brothers plan to redevelop the Corby Building?
A note from the poll writer:
You're correct about the elderly, Heritage. The elderly are not being asked to move out, according to today's article. My mistake in the original version of the poll answer.
Joe
May 19, 2009 at 8:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Buchanan County out of ag/expo board
A couple answers to your questions, from the reporter:
1)The land they're talking about is not owned by any Hausman. I assume you're thinking of the Tuscany Village land, which is at the southeast corner of the I-29/169 interchange. This potential ag/expo center land is at the northeast corner of the interchange, and it is owned by Buchanan County.
2)The city of St. Joseph did settle its sewer line/eminent domain issue with the Judy Hausman Trust (Dan Hausman's wife, involving the couple's land around their house in northeast St. Joseph).
Any other rhetorical questions or opinions, I leave up to you.
Thanks for reading,
Joe
May 8, 2009 at 2:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
County finishes $35 million budget
A note from the reporter:
The County Commissioners are now "full-time" and typically have meeting hours beginning at 9 a.m. every weekday. For more specific agendas, you can check their Web site at http://www.co.buchanan.mo.us/ or check the Sunday print edition of the News-Press for a list of city and county meetings.
January 29, 2009 at 9:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
How long until Buchanan County government begins long-term planning?
A note from reporter Joe Blumberg:
StJoeMoe, you may consider reading the articles below.
http://www.stjoenews.net/news/2009/ja...
http://www.stjoenews.net/news/2009/ja...
January 27, 2009 at 1:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Zorn pleads guilty to second-degree murder
A note from the reporter:
Thanks for everyone's interest in this story and your interest in keeping the facts straight in your discussions.
I'd just like to clarify a couple legal points people have posted, as I understand them.
First, judges do have the option of submitting alternative charges to the jury for consideration.
[Judges also have the option (and even responsibility) of dismissing any or all of the charges against someone, even during a jury trial, if they feel the prosecution hasn't presented enough evidence to support the charge. (Judge Robb did that just a few weeks ago in the meth-lab-fire jury trial of Jeannie Swope, when he dismissed an arson charge against her.)]
Second, a sentencing assessment report (also known as a pre-sentence investigation) will be conducted on Mr. Zorn, which usually is a very comprehensive look at a person's background and criminal background.
Third, just to be clear, the penalty range is 10-30 years or life in prison, with a mandatory 85-percent before being eligible for parole.
Thanks,
Joe Blumberg
January 8, 2009 at 1:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
St. Joseph, neighbor not likely to work things out
A note from the reporter:
I normally do print the names of who voted -- sorry about that, Heritage. Here's the vote on Bill Falkner's motion to reduce outside sewer customers' rates by 15 percent:
Yes: Bill Falkner, Barbara LaBass, Mike Bozarth (3)
No: Donna Jean Boyer, Mike Hirter, Gary Roach, Joyce Starr (4)
Mayor Ken Shearin and Councilman Roger Baker were absent from that meeting. (The mayor was at a KC life-sciences-corridor gathering along with St. Joseph businessmen and the Chamber.)
September 13, 2008 at 9:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Skateboards nixed on streets, again
Heritage,
The three city skate parks are at Hyde Park in the South Side, the Bode Complex in the middle of town, and on Mapleleaf Parkway up north (off St. Joseph Avenue and Grand Avenue -- get with it, dude).
Other unofficial skate parks abound.
From your filled-with-useless-knowledge City Hall reporter,
Joe
September 4, 2008 at 10:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
United Building, 5 others receive grants
Heritage is correct about one project receiving the full amount they requested. The Reillys received the full amount they requested -- $10,000 -- for 1219 Felix St. Sorry about that.
August 6, 2008 at 10:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Felix Street work nearing end
A note from the reporter:
The deli is Mojo Cafe, at 620 Felix St. Sorry for my mistake.
Joe
July 30, 2008 at 8:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Whatever happened to ... Mastio and his gorilla?
A note from the reporter -
Richard Mastio asked me to post this comment from him:
Sadly for St. Joseph, Missouri, the city's biggest export is and has been for a very long time your young people, now and in the past, and even still those growing up there today. If the city wants to keep it's vibrant youth, good jobs are the answer. Following the lead of Mr. Ken Shearin, your mayor and a man with a big heart and a very creative mind, in time can change the atmosphere and provide benefits to the city. Isn't it time that the 5 council members who regularly oppose Ken open their minds a bit and work with Ken to make a real difference instead of constantly giving him a hard time and opposing his every suggestion? An audit of the city finances and expenditures would be helpful too. Merging city and county government and removing some of the tax collector pressure might help too. Isn't it time to face the facts of the decay that infects your city of very good people and start to make corrections?! Your city has much history to be proud of, but it is the history you make today that will enliven St. Joseph and make it prosper and grow. Saying No, No, No to Mr. Shearin is not the answer! You fine people elected Ken, tell your council women and men to cooperate with Ken. He cares and so do most of you too.
Sincerely,
Richard Mastio
July 21, 2008 at 12:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )