Chapter 77 - Chemical Processing CHEMICAL INDUSTRY. De Boer* *Adapted from 3rd edition, Encyclopaedia of Occupational Health and Safety. The business of the. Faculty and Professional Staff Handbook Chapter III: General Policies for Faculty and Professional Staff.

Guns are not the problem 6/29/16 EDITOR: The Obama administration will take advantage of every crisis to advance its anti-gun agenda. No one has ever been killed by a gun that did not have a human hand wrapped around it. Guns do not kill people; people kill people. There is no such thing as gun violence. Violence flows from the evil natures of unredeemed men. Any effort to ban so-called “weapons of war” or assault rifles is nothing more than a precursor to banning all semi-automatic firearms.

The average liberal elitist knows very little about firearms, since most of them don't own one. They don't understand how to use them or the difference between a semi-automatic and an automatic. Their politicians would like the uniformed public to believe all assault rifles are machine guns. Banning assault rifles is the first step towards confiscating semi-automatic handguns, shotguns, and hunting rifles. It's a foot in the door. What really fuels the violence problem in our country? I believe it starts with our government.

They gave guns to Mexican drug cartels during Operation Fast and Furious in a failed effort to justify gun control across Texas. They refuse to do anything about inner-city violence where dozens of young black-Americans are shot and killed every weekend across the country. By the way, these cities are all run by Democrats.

They release minority drug-offenders from prison before their sentences are completed, many of whom committed crimes with guns. They shame our police officers. They refuse to fully enforce gun laws already on the books, especially if it means an illegal immigrant may go to jail.

They don't secure our borders. They don't let the FBI monitor mosques.They don't allow our military commander's to execute decisive operations against terrorists. They refuse to use the word Islam and terrorist in the same sentence but have no problem giving billions of dollars to Iran, the greatest exporter of terrorism in the world.

They disdain our ally Israel, abandoned our hard-fought gains in Iraq, and implemented failed policies in the Middle East that gave rise to ISIS. They believe the global warming hoax is a bigger threat than Islamic terrorism. They blame America for the problems in the world. I don't directly blame our government for the deaths in Orlando any more than I blame a gun. However, the government’s first and foremost responsibility is to protect us. In my opinion, they are failing at this Constitutional duty in favor of political correctness and faux social justice initiatives.

In many instances, they trade our security for votes. I am a proud, lifetime member of the NRA. You have heard it before – to stop a bad guy with a gun it takes a good guy with a gun.

No one should be denied their Second Amendment rights without due-process. Why do we resist any effort at gun control? The answer is simple. Guns are not the problem. Democrats will shamefully use any crisis to block gun ownership. They believe they will never realize their progressive utopian dreams as long as the law-abiding public is armed.

As the former president of the NRA, Charlton Heston, once said while brandishing his rifle overhead: “Out of my cold dead hands!” --Mike Stark Platte City The fox guarding the chicken coop 6/15/16 EDITOR: I am very upset over the “mistake” of our county treasurer, Rob Willard. In my estimation, he is incompetent to watch over the county's money.

Not only that, he does not know how to follow office procedures. If he had, we wouldn't be in this mess. They have recovered a little over half of the money; however, what does that do to the operating budget for the rest of the year? How will that affect our bond rating?

When Willard was campaigning, he promised to “safeguard and protect our money.” It's probably going to cost us more money now. Do you think this is the definition of his promise?

This is more than a “mistake,” this is using the county's money without permission and as such, should be grounds for termination. If this “mistake” were made by a Democrat, what do you think the outcome would have been?

Everyone who knows me knows I am a Democrat. There are more like me in our county – if I were able, I would be a write-in candidate in November; however I do not have the education to be Platte County's treasurer. But, there is someone out there who can. Step up – we need you. Who ever heard of the fox guarding the chicken coop?

--Sharon Aring Platte County Labor reformers running out of patience 5/11/16 EDITOR: Late last week the administration and the Department of Justice sent letters to over 100,000 school districts across this country mandating that transgender individuals be allowed in restrooms of their choice. That means men in women's restrooms, locker rooms, and yes, in showers. By the 2010 census, only one in 2400 identify as transgenders. The transgender community claims one in 300. Take your pick. Either way, we are saying that.003, 3/10's of one percent to as little as.0004, 4/10,000's of the population is dictating the bathroom rules for the rest of us.

This administration is claiming that restricting school bathrooms to a single sex somehow violates Title IX, which is a federal financial aid program/non-discrimination law used primarily for women's sports. If you believe that, then I will start driving on the left side of the road because I feel like I'm British today. Both policies are equally ridiculous and dangerous. Already two states have refused to abide by this perverted, immoral mandate, Texas and North Carolina. Attention U Haul, your business is about to grow exponentially. Can we, the people, allow this administration to force us to give up the sex education of our vulnerable children to confused individuals who believe God made them incorrectly?

The answer is an absolute NO! Are we ruled by a king or a Constitution? It is time to defy this dictate and institute civil disobedience. For starters, call your school's superintendent's office and tell them that you do not want your child scarred for life by this misguided federal mandate. For Platte County R-3, 858-2822.

For West Platte R-2, 640-2236. Next, call your representative and senator and demand that they put a lawful stop to Obama's overreach.

The main switchboard number for the Capitol is 202-224-3121. Ask for your representative or senator by name. This is a diversion of this administration to advance the LGBT agenda which in itself is allowing two percent of our population to rule.

Folks, it is the rest of us who are accepting this politically correct agenda to proceed. By accepting this we are tacitly advancing a cause which few of us believe in. Intolerant you say? I think if we tolerate this, we have lost any sense of right and wrong.

As a side note, Target has lost over $4 billion of market value since allowing unisex bathrooms. We can thank the American Family Association for calling for a boycott of Target. As for me, if a crossdresser goes into a bathroom with my wife, my adult girls, or my granddaughters, he has much more to be concerned about than emptying his bladder. Here's the bottom line (no pun intended), you get to pee where your plumbing agrees! --Jim DeJarnatt Weston Accountability should be stressed at R-3 5/11/16 EDITOR: The Platte County R-3 School Board and its leader Dr. Mike Reik need to take a step back and review their spending habits.

$2.25 unanimously approved? Hard to believe without at least one board member having questions when the R-3 school district debt shows to be among the highest of any school district in the state. I live in St.

Joseph and our school district has gone through many changes due to spending of taxpayers’ monies. FBI probes as well as state audits are not anything your district would want. Every citizen needs to be informed. Children of the district need to be considered before voting on lavish spending. Again, may I stress the importance of accountability to the taxpayers, teachers and children of your district.

Joseph R-3 taxpayers are subsidizing pre-school 5/4/16 EDITOR: Looks like last week’s front page article in The Landmark woke some people up. Questions I have been asked about the R-3 debt load are: How did this happen and what can we do about it? Here are a few examples of how, in addition to what has been pointed out on the plattecountyr3facts.com website. The district has a tuition based non-state required pre-school, Great Beginnings.

Tuition is $2,300 per year. Tuition has been $2,300 per year since opening in 2008. The classes for the 30 plus tuition-based students are held in a portion of a $4.8 million building and the teachers (2) pay alone for the classes is somewhere around $70,000. Tuition for the preschool does not even cover the cost of the instructors let alone the building, maintenance or administration costs. If you use Platte City area preschool square footage costs and allow for administration cost you the taxpayer are subsidizing each preschool student to the tune of $1,000 plus per year.

At a minimum it has cost the district (taxpayer) about 1/4 of a million dollars since Great Beginnings has opened. When asked about the shortfall Dr. Mike Reik said he felt that preschool is an important part of learning and felt the 'small subsidy' was worth it. I cannot find where any of this has been voted on by the board.

Preschool is important which is why my kids went. I did not know I was paying for other people’s kids to attend preschool. Preschool is important but only subsidized if using the district’s daycare. R-3 in turn lists these students as an enrollment number in the district newsletters, leading to inflating the district’s growth number. Preschool is not mandated by the state only for kids with special needs.

Park Hill’s tuition-based preschool clearly states on its website that tuition covers all costs of the program. Not so with PCR-3. Reik said they had an empty room and it helps to 'normalize' the state mandated day care. There are already non special needs kids in their classroom who have free tuition. So why not charge enough to cover the costs like other preschools? Why no increase in tuition for eight years? Is that a good way to handle your taxes?

This has been going on while R-3 has had Budget Cutting Committees, levy increases, roof leaks and increases in parking and lunch fees. More examples: Paxton is getting a half million dollar makeover to prepare it for use by the high school.

They are using the entire school, which had over 400 students but now will only have 10 standard classrooms for the high school, only allowing about 210 students using the district’s 'functional capacity' calculations. Not enough to even cover projected growth by 2018. So what happens in 2018 when you are told it is overcrowded again? And your new levy funds? $1.5 million in change orders for construction projects and additions so far in the past three months, including a new parking lot at the high school not mentioned as a possible project in information from the district during the last levy election. The 'Kids First' flyers my household received prior to the election said levy money would not be spent for 'unnecessary additional facilities' (source: DON'T BELIEVE THE LIES, April 2015 Kids First mailer, Quality R3 Schools, Vic Perrin Treasurer).

Your Platte County R-3 District is in debt to its eyeballs, PERIOD. Last year’s audit said they spent $1.5 million more than was budgeted. How do you fix it? The obvious answer would be to replace the superintendent with someone who understands how to stretch a dollar, but remember he does not spend money in most cases without the permission of the school board. A superintendent is pretty much a paid fundraiser, about everything they say and do is to convince you that your district/school is wonderful and performs at the highest level but needs more room, needs more security, more technology upgrades, more pay for teachers and staff (that makes their life easier).

And here is the biggest thing: NO ONE but the superintendent really understands what is most important for your kids and that usually involves giving them more, wait for it.MONEY. It is the superintendent’s job to ask for funds for projects and the school board’s job to hold that in check. What we are missing at PCR-3 is that last part. There must be a special class for school administrators where they learn to say things like 'Knowing this information (on debt) serves little utility' and the quote from R-3 School Board president that 'districts have different debt loads at different time.” Of course they do, which is why my numbers are based on the budget posted every year by every district in the state of Missouri and sent to Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. It only 'serves little utility' when they don't want you to comprehend how high that debt is. Comments like this are meant to make you think there is something you might be missing when you are not.

Every project and program at a school can be justified as it is 'for the kids' but at some point the board has to start saying NO until some of the old debt is paid off. Everyone can quietly continue to sit and complain about the district’s performance, afraid of retribution on your kids or grandkids (which is what they bank on) or you can start talking to your school board members about their continued spending sprees. If you don't speak up the debt will just continue to grow after the current superintendent and board are long gone. But we will still be saddled with the taxes to cover their unneeded 'innovative' projects and 'small subsidies.” --Kirby Holden Rural Platte County Platte-Clay's proposed bylaw change 5/4/16 EDITOR: I am writing to alert customers of Platte Clay Electric Cooperative (PCEC) about a proposed bylaw change to be voted on at the May 12 annual meeting. Article IV, Section 4 currently specifies that the board of directors must appoint a nominating committee at least 30 days before Director elections. The committee must then select nominees at least 20 days before the election.

Members may nominate their own candidates at least 15 days beforehand. The proposed change leaves the first two deadlines as is, but moves the third to at least 70 days before the election.

This means that members must make their nominations up to 40 days before the nominating committee is even appointed, and up to 50 days before the nominees are actually chosen. While nominations from the floor are still allowed in both cases, the proposed bylaw change, if approved, would severely curtail members' ability to nominate alternative candidates. As the first two deadlines are left intact, I can see no legitimate reason to change the third. As such, I strongly encourage PCEC customers to attend the annual meeting and vote against this proposal. --Laura Deatrick Platte City Former local principal says hello 4/20/16 EDITOR: How are you doing, Ivan?

I was in contact with Laura (Hulett) at Platte County R-3 and she gave me your email. How fortunate I am that you are still at the newspaper. I wish to let you know that I am blessed to have known you and worked with you while in Platte City. You were such a valuable ally to Platte City Elementary School and Annex. I have many pictures and articles in my treasure chest that you wrote and printed in the newspaper. Occasionally I will look at them and remember great times interacting with you and talking with you.

It is with much fondness that I remember you. I have the article you wrote about me framed and hanging on a wall in my house. That was such a wonderful article and one that I truly treasure. I hope all is well with you and that life has treated you kindly. You are a very special and unique person. I will always treasure the memories of you and what you did for the children and teachers at Platte City Elementary and Annex while I served as principal there.

May God bless you daily and fill your life with happiness and joy. --Charles Spradling Gulfport, Mississippi Platte City Elementary Principal 1980-85 Fracking brings jobs, cuts energy costs 4/13/16 EDITOR: Despite clear evidence that hydraulic fracturing can safely extract oil and natural gas from previously unreachable deposits, attacks on 'fracking,' as it's known, have grown harsher. At a recent Democratic debate, Hillary Clinton said that under the restrictions she'd like to impose, 'I do not think there will be many places in America where fracking will continue to take place.' Bernie Sanders was even blunter: 'No, I do not support fracking.' When the moderator pointed out that even many Democratic governors do, Sanders said they were just wrong.

With their blind opposition, elite Democrats and other environmental activists are endangering America's economy -- and ignoring science. Fracking -- or, injecting fluid into shale rock to extract oil and natural gas -- is an enormous boon to American workers. And it's safe. Let's imagine the America of Clinton and Sanders -- an America without fracking. Thanks to fracking, in 2014, America became the world leader in oil and natural-gas production. For the first time since 1970, we only import a quarter of the oil we use. In the America of Clinton and Sanders, the United States will again become dependent on foreign sources of energy.

From 2007 to 2012, fracking jobs grew 40 percent while the rest of the private sector grew at a 1 percent annual rate. Fracking currently supports about 2.1 million jobs. In the fracking-free America of Clinton and Sanders, those jobs are gone.

American households gained on average $1,200 from fracking in 2012, thanks to increased income from reduced energy costs. These same households could save $3,500 annually by 2025. In the America of Clinton and Sanders, incomes will decline and energy prices will rise.

From 2012 to 2025, fracking will provide $1.6 trillion in tax revenue to the American government - enough to cover the current federal deficit for almost three years. In the fracking-free America of Clinton and Sanders, government will be starved of an important source of revenue. The oil and gas industry adds hundreds of billions of dollars to the nation's GDP annually, and natural-gas exports are a big plus on the ledger of America's trade deficit. In fracking-free America, the economic contraction will run hand-in-hand with a ballooning trade deficit.

Yet Clinton and Sanders have condemned natural gas development and production. But it's dangerous to attack proven energy sources of electricity for the pursuit of renewables that can't meet our energy needs. In the fracking-free America of Clinton and Sanders, we'll have to get by on less electricity and live with rolling brownouts like the kind California endured in the first decade of this century -- and almost suffered again in 2014.

Why the hostility to fracking? Many claim it contaminates water. But studies by key federal agencies show fracking is safe.

In a systematic review of the evidence, the EPA 'did not find evidence' that fracking had 'led to widespread, systemic impacts on drinking water resources in the United States.' Like any energy technology, fracking must be employed with care. But there is no reason to ban it, as Sanders would, or regulate it to death, as Clinton would. Fracking creates jobs, generates tax revenue, reduces the cost of energy, and results in lower greenhouse-gas emissions. The risks to local environmental conditions are minimal and can be addressed with reasonable regulation. The fracking-free America of Clinton and Sanders is an America that is much poorer economically and no better off environmentally. --Tom Borelli, Ph.D.

Conservative Review Contributor 'No' vote on car sales tax aids city 3/30/16 EDITOR: The April 5 Platte City municipal election includes a city resident only ballot measure to decide the fate of the city sales tax on out of state vehicle sales. After discussions with the Chamber of Commerce and local automobile dealers, I urge voters to vote “No” on this ballot measure. A “No” vote supports a level playing field for Missouri (and local) business; a “No” vote maintains the current revenue supporting Platte City services; and, a “No” vote results in an equal sales tax rate for everyone who owns a car, truck, trailer or boat. The purpose of this ballot measure is to correct a technicality in state law. For nearly 50 years, Missouri local governments, including Platte City, collected sales tax on all motor vehicle sales. In 2012, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled that the sales tax was valid only for motor vehicles, boats, motors and trailers purchased from Missouri dealers; the same items purchased out of state (but registered in Missouri) were no longer subject to sales tax but could be charged an equivalent use tax.

For Platte City and other communities (such as Parkville, Gladstone and North Kansas City) who do not charge a use tax, the ruling meant that vehicles purchased from an out of state dealer would pay a lower tax than vehicles purchased from a car dealer located in Missouri, This ruling created an unfair playing field against Missouri car dealers, reduced city revenue and resulted in some vehicle owners paying a higher tax rate to maintain local streets than others. The state legislature subsequently acted to delay enforcement of the court order to provide cities an opportunity to ask their citizens to fix this tax problem by voting on whether to continue the decades old practice of charging the same tax rate for all vehicles, boats, motors and trailers regardless of whether or not the purchase occurred in Missouri or out of state. A “No” vote on the Platte City out of state vehicle issue will maintain the existing tax rates on all motor vehicles. A “No” vote will not increase taxes or add any new City revenue. A “No” vote will maintain a level playing field for Missouri car and boat dealers, including the three dealerships located in Platte City, a “No” vote prevents special tax treatment for a small group and ensures everyone pays the same vehicle sales tax.

Local car dealers have invested in Missouri and invested in Platte City. A “No” vote protects them by treating all vehicle sales equally whether that sale occurs in Missouri or in any other state. A “No” vote maintains existing city revenue.

Platte City strives to provide high quality services including streets maintenance, snow plowing, police, parks while maintaining low property taxes and a low cost of living. A “No” vote maintains the tax revenue that funds our high quality service. Tax policy should be fair and equal for all taxpayers. A “No” vote ensures that everyone who uses city streets pays the same vehicle tax rate as everyone else.

All residents are encouraged to take the time to vote in the Tuesday, April 5 municipal election. If you do vote, consider voting “No” on the Platte City out of state vehicle sales tax ballot measure.

Gehrt, city administrator at 858-3046 or djgehrt@plattecity.org for additional information. --Frank Offutt Mayor Platte City Sierra Club endorses KC earnings tax 3/30/16 EDITOR: On Tuesday, April 5 voters in Kansas City will decide whether to retain the current city earnings tax. The Sierra Club is recommending a “YES” vote on Question 1 to retain the earnings tax. The earnings tax generates more than $240 million in revenue for the city, and makes up 40% of the general fund dollars. The earnings tax also supports environmental programs that improve the health and quality of life of Kansas City residents and visitors. The general fund supports curbside recycling and recycling center programs and energy efficiency investments in city buildings.

It also funds the Office of Environmental Quality in Kansas City, an office whose core mission is maintaining and improving the environment. The Sierra Club is launching a grassroots campaign to support the earnings tax to counter Missouri Mega-Donor Rex Sinquefield. Sinquefield has contributed $1.8 million to the Anti-Earnings Tax campaign in St. Louis City and Kansas City. As a city resident who recycles and wants to see our city succeed, I see the benefit of the earnings tax. I will vote YES on Question 1 on April 5.

The Sierra Club has released a report focusing on environmental programs supported by the earnings tax and the importance of a healthy city center. The Sierra Club, Missouri Chapter is a grassroots environmental group with more than 8,000 members in the state of Missouri. --Claus Wawrzineck Political Chair Sierra Club Monitoring the visa overstay bill closely 3/23/16 EDITOR: In reading the information Congressman Sam Graves, Sixth District, provided regarding enforcement of Visa Laws in the March 16 Landmark, it appears that the salary of the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will be withheld unless or until the Department does it's job tracking down all immigrants living here on an expired visa. This is identified as H.

Preventing Illegal Visa Overstays Act that Representative Graves recently proposed. This is exciting information! This bill must be monitored closely, it may give many of us frustrated citizens the boilerplate instructions that will enable us to withhold the salaries of all the Representatives and Senators of the United States. Kudos to Representative Graves for bravely taking a significant action against non-performance. We just have to hope the current GOP position regarding delay of selection of the next Supreme Court Justice of the United States will enable Representative Graves to push this through the House and Senate very quickly. Please, please do not tell me this is an early April Fools Joke. It does seem too good to be true.

Clopton Kansas City in Platte County Visa laws should be better enforced 3/16/16 EDITOR: There are nearly 12 million immigrants living in this country illegally; drawing welfare benefits, sending their children to public schools, and pushing down wages for American workers. And while liberal politicians and poor border protection have contributed to illegal immigration numbers, the problem extends well beyond amnesty and open borders. Last week in Kansas City we saw the tragic consequences of the failure to enforce immigration laws. Right now, the Department of Homeland Security is responsible for making sure all immigrants temporarily living in the U.S. Do not overstay their visas.

To make that possible, the department is required to use a process known as biometric exit tracking at all domestic air, sea, and land ports. But in many cases DHS fails to fulfill its responsibility, and in others it ignores the requirement entirely. On Thursday I introduced a bill to change that. 4726, the Preventing Illegal Visa Overstays Act, will withhold the Secretary of DHS' salary until the department does its job and tracks down all immigrants living here on an expired visa. DHS' failure to follow biometric tracking laws adds millions to the illegal immigrant population. Congress examined this issue in a hearing earlier this year, where it was estimated that as many as 40% of all people living in America illegally are here on expired visas. If we don't enforce visa laws, we basically have open borders.

DHS has got to take advantage of the technology and resources we have to keep illegal immigration numbers down, and my bill will make sure that happens. It's not just a matter of economic security, it's a matter of national security. --Sam Graves Congressman Sixth District. Releasing terrorists is not a security plan 3/2/16 EDITOR: Since September 11, thousands of young men and women have given their lives to defend America. We've spent so much in the war against violent Islamic extremism, and we continue that fight to this day. That's why it's so disturbing to see the Commander in Chief jeopardizing all that our military has worked for just to fulfill a campaign promise. Last week, President Obama announced his plans to close the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba, which is used as a prison for terrorists that have tried to harm American soldiers across the globe.

The President says closing Gitmo is a matter of national security. But if Obama wants to close the prison, it means he would have to let the terrorists go free back to their home countries, or transfer them to bases on U.S. Either way, closing Gitmo does more to threaten national security than strengthen it. The Pentagon recently announced that 13 sites in the U.S. Would be considered for relocation of current prisoners, with Fort Leavenworth in Kansas expected to be among them. Last summer, representatives from the Pentagon toured Fort Leavenworth's Disciplinary Barracks for that very reason.

But Obama's plans directly violate standing U.S. The annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) has prohibited the transfer of detainees from Gitmo to American soil for the last few years, and Obama has signed each of those bills into law. Moving terrorists to U.S. Soil does not make Americans safer. It's not only the wrong plan, it's an illegal plan. And as a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I will continue to fight against it.

--Sam Graves Congressman Union says Menards should pay more 2/10/16 EDITOR: I was pleased to read there was significant job growth in Platte County during 2015 (see Job Growth Came to Platte County in 2015, front page of The Landmark, Feb. Unfortunately, the Menards development which is expected to open next year near Green Hills Road may only provide low wage employment. Menards pays its employees extremely low wages-- often $10 per hour -- or less. Ask them if you doubt me. Because Menards pays low wages its workers are often forced to rely on Medicaid, Food Stamps or other public assistance to meet their basic needs. So Menards is receiving a public subsidy: Platte County taxpayers are forced to subsidize the employees because Menards fails to pay a living wage. Menards, whose revenue is approximately 7.9 billion dollars (Forbes, 2013), can afford to pay their employees a fair wage and take the burden off the taxpayer.

Menards should immediately adopt a $15 per hour minimum wage rate--which is being demanded by workers across the United States--to bring a needed raise to their employees and reduce taxpayer subsidies to Menards. Local 153, Office and Professional Employees International Union is particularly concerned by the company's anti-worker behavior and we have filed several Unfair Labor Practice Charges against Menards at Region 18 of the National Labor Relations Board. Platte County should demand Menards provide a sustainable living wage. –Seth Goldstein Senior Business Representative Local 153, OPEIU Office and Professional Employees International Union New York, NY 10011 Platte County has lost a political giant 2/3/16 EDITOR: Platte County lost a political giant last week with the death of Barbara Cooke. Barbara wasn't particularly tall. In fact, she was rather short.

And she wasn't rich, powerful or famous. And she never held any elected office, unless you consider her several decades of service as a committeewoman on the Platte County Republican Central Committee as an “elected office.” However, she was the matriarch of the Platte County Republican Party. Barbara was a Republican in Platte County before it was “cool” to be one.

She used to joke that they used to be able to have a meeting of all the Republicans in Platte County in a closet. And, the Democrats so dominated the political process that you kind of needed to meet in a closet so no one knew that you were a Republican. She was on the front line of the uphill battles where most elections were decided in the Democrat primary and if there was a Republican candidate on the November ballot he or she didn't really stand much of a chance. But that didn't stop Barbara from trying to help the Republican win. Although Barbara was an adamant Republican, she was not all that ideological.

When the Republicans finally rose to dominance and a war broke out between the liberal Republicans and the conservative Republicans, I know she was disappointed. Just like she was even more disappointed when the conservatives started fighting with each other after defeating the liberals in the party. Barbara was always a faithful donor but she was not personally a big donor. However, she was amazing at getting a whole bunch of people to make donations both large and small to the party's efforts. She was also the queen of raffle ticket sales and of staffing the headquarters.For decades Barbara personally sat at the headquarters and coordinated volunteers to be there. As Barbara got older (she was actually near 70 when I first met her 20+ years ago), she couldn't drive at night. So, Timothy Thompson and I frequently shared the responsibility of picking her up and taking her to the 7 p.m.

Meeting of the Republican Central Committee on the first Monday of the month. Of course, that meant her driver also had a “date” when a small group of us went to dinner after the meeting. It was kind of inconvenient sometimes, but on this sad occasion I fondly recall those extended evenings spent with Barbara and wish I had done it more. Barbara had many activities outside the Republican Party. She had a loving family. She did a variety of charitable work, including the Platte County Eleemosynary Society. She touched many lives through these activities but our paths mostly crossed in Republican activities (or when she would sell me tickets to a charitable event).

There was a gathering in memory of Barbara at the Coves (South) Club House on Monday. That was a particularly fitting location. It used to be the primary venue for political fundraisers for Republican candidates and the annual Platte Republican Association Christmas Party. Although a physically small woman, Barbara was a giant in Platte County Republican politics. She was friendly to everyone who came to a Republican event.

She was more about the party than any sort of “brand” of Republican. She volunteered almost daily at the Republican headquarters. She got many others to make financial contributions to the party. She found numerous volunteers to work alongside her. Barbara was the matriarch of the Platte County Republican Party and she will be deeply missed.

Thomas III Platte County Progress on reforms at state 2/3/16 EDITOR: After years of fruitless discussion, the General Assembly appears ready to pass legislation to ensure our elected officials represent their constituents' interests while they're in Jefferson City-- not the special interests that regularly call the Capitol home. From lobbying reforms and transparency measures to gift restrictions and campaign finance changes, the list of issues being debated, and the seriousness with which they're being debated, is a vast improvement over past reform attempts. Indeed, prospects are good that the chambers will send real ethics legislation to the Governor this year, and if they do, it will be a great success for supporters of good governance. Kudos to the legislators from both sides of the aisle who are leading this effort.

I hope they are successful. --Patrick Ishmael Director of Government Accountability Show-Me Institute 2/3/16 Why does Platte County R-3 even need a school board? 1/27/16 EDITOR: Why do we have a school board at Platte County R-3? Over the past four years there have been approximately 1700 individual votes from board members with only one vote against anything proposed by district administration. During that time the seven member board has voted about 240 times, if you figure an average of five votes per meeting. Every item voted on has passed. During this time taxpayers have paid thousands for yearly trips to Tan-Tar-A for many board members and administrators, along with training sessions and dues for the Missouri School Board Association.

Other expenses would include the time our paid employees spend with our board in sessions, travel, food, training etc. So why have a board? The obvious reason should be for checks and balances but as you can see that's not needed anymore, as R-3 administrators only propose items that are perfect and always needed, according to the R-3 School Board. School board is an unpaid position. Why are the current members serving if they want to make a difference, as many claim, but then rubber stamp approval for all items while academics goes down and R-3 debt and spending is now some of the highest in the state?

We now spend over $11,000 per student per year at R-3 with interest on the debt taking up about $1,000 of that per student. Once again this year there will be no board election at PCR-3 as only the two incumbents are running again.

The board is now currently made up of four individuals who have not had to run against anyone due to lack of interest: Gary Brown, Lori Bogart, Steve Goettling and Adam McGinness. Board vice president Adam McGinness, who just signed up again, has now served for six years and I could not find a single “no' vote from him, not one. Out of these four board members I found only the one 'NO' vote. (A vote regarding the purchase of a new four wheeler). For those who have asked, I would love to have run again for the board but if I was elected due to the way board policy is written you have to go along with how the majority votes and I would be unable to voice my opinion on any items disagreed with afterward. Watching the district and keeping taxpayers informed via the 'facts' website of factual, complete district information has done the students more good than casting the occasional 'NO' vote.

Wish I could do both but I doubt you'll see them changing this policy. Park Hill just had five people sign up for two open board spots, R-3 has not had more than three sign up for over three years. Do you think there is a correlation since Park Hill School District has been repeatedly beating R-3 in academics during this time period? R-3 has a first time school superintendent, are we to believe everything he has proposed is correct?

After all, everything he has proposed has been passed almost unanimously? (Mike) Reik was so new when starting this job the previous superintendent was paid for about a year to help him out. He must have done a great job as we now have only 'YES' votes for everything and yet Dr. Reik can't seem to get hired at any other district, even though he has tried. Why can’t he get hired elsewhere? What could the other board have been looking?

My guess is the same things I look at, information your school board pretends to ignore. How is it so many parents from R-3 can fill the gym for a wrestling match or for a student archery exhibition but seem to have no interest in district finances or academics? Academic matters are how their kids will ultimately make their living. I don't think R-3 has produced any professional wrestlers, football players or archers.

If parent participation is any measure these three seem to be what is most important. Why does it not bother people that R-3 has one of the lowest performing Special Education programs in the state, the lowest ACT scores in the area? And do taxpayers not care that the board just passed a half million dollar change order for Compass Elementary construction? A $500,000 change order that was not mentioned in the 'Board Highlights' emailed to parents this past week. If not affected directly is it easiest to just stick your head in the sand?

That's the way it looks. Per the December meeting district policy now dictates that for students who may be failing a course the district can 'delay' administration of the state EOC exams until they retake the course a second time. If used, how can we now measure how PCR-3 students are performing against other districts? You can't, but it could falsely increase our scores against those districts, allowing PCR-3 to tell you how much they have improved. Much like when the district dropped several high school EOC exams this past year, exams given by Park Hill and others. Not a word at the school board meeting from any board member on this test information. Why pay for the thousands of dollars for travel, dues and training for a school board that rubber stamps everything put before them?

My suggestion is to keep the state happy by pretending we have a school board but never meet and then use the money we save to buy more large orange foam fingers for the sporting events. From what I have seen, they are more useful to the students. ---Kirby Holden Rural Platte County Cruz has a problem on citizenship issue 1/20/16 EDITOR: As some of you may know, I spent hours with Lt.

Terrance Lakin while he was in the Detenion Barracks at Ft. Leavenworth, visiting twice a week until his release on May 13, 2011.

Lakin challenged Obama's eligibility for president and was court marshaled, discharged, and sentenced to six months in the Ft. Leavenworth prison. Some of you may have read the Constitution, specifically Article II, Section 1, paragraph 5 which I will partially quote: “No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution,” The term “natural born citizen” only appears under the qualifications for president.

For representatives and senators, the Constitution only requires that the individual be a citizen by birth or naturalization, seven years for House members, nine years for a Senator. The addition of “Citizenat the time of the Adoption of this Constitution” was necessary because we were a new nation and someone running for office of President may not have had BOTH parent citizens. The term “natural born” has not been adjudicated, but the Supreme Court in the 1875 case, Minor vs. Happersett, involving a Missouri woman seeking the right to vote, in the majority opinion written by then Chief Justice Waite, attempting to understand the writers of the Constitution did give his opinion, although refusing to argue the point.

N64 Controller Serial Protocol Interface. Here is what he said: “The Constitution does not, in words, say who shall be natural-born citizens. Resort must be had elsewhere to ascertain that. At common-law, with the nomenclature of which the framers of the Constitution were familiar, it was never doubted that all children born in a country of parents who were its citizens became themselves, upon their birth, citizens also.” So Justice Waite relied on the understanding of the law at the time of the writing of the Constitution, that a natural born citizen was the offspring of two citizen parents. Along comes Obama. Obviously Obama is not a natural born citizen as given by Chief Justice Waite in 1875. Obama's parents were not both citizens. One was from Kenya.

The problem lies with the courts and their refusal to hear any case involving Obama's eligibility on the grounds of “no standing,” whatever that means, essentially that the plaintiff wasn't affected by what he, the plaintiff, was arguing. So, what's good for the gander is certainly good for the goose. But Cruz, although I like him, his positions, and his disdain for Obama, has, in my opinion, a problem.

He had only one parent that was a citizen and he was not born in the United States or its protectorates, that is unless Canada will admit that the US is their overseer, which I genuinely doubt. He is best suited for attorney general which I hope will happen. That would straighten out much of the Obama mess. Incidentally, Justice Waite did not grant “Mrs. Virginia Minor, a native born, free, white citizen of the United States, and of the State of Missouri,”, the right to vote. Women's suffrage would wait a few more decades. The 19th Amendment was ratified August 18, 1920.

--Jim DeJarnatt Weston It's time for change at Park Hill 1/13/16 EDITOR: The Park Hill School Board's decision to spend $28,000 on a superintendent search was an unnecessary and wasteful use of taxpayer dollars. It appears the board was never serious about finding an outside candidate since they chose an insider with little experience to fill this important district role. Don't blame the consulting firm. I'm sure they brought in precisely the types of candidates they were asked to pursue.

Criteria were set by the board before the “headhunters” even opened the application/search process. We need only look at other successful districts to see the type of experience and expertise we should have expected in a superintendent. When Shawnee Mission needed new leadership they chose Jim Hinson, who led Independence Schools for years. This past spring, Blue Valley recruited Todd White from North Kansas City as they prepared for some administrative transitions.

Center School District hired Bob Bartman, former Missouri DESE commissioner, who helped in the renaissance of their struggling schools. Even former Park Hill boards provide a blueprint of success. Gayden Carruth, arguably one of the district's finest superintendents, had years of experience in districts in several states and was found with the help of a consulting firm in the late 1990s. Do Park Hill school board members expect us to believe, once again, there are NO candidates, after conducting a 'national search,' who have 10+ years of experience actually leading a suburban school district of 10,000 students with a proven track record of success? Instead, this board chose a candidate who has few of the requisite skills of the position: No direct experience/expertise with district finance No direct experience/expertise with bond/levy issues No direct experience/expertise with business or community development No direct experience/expertise in statistical or data analysis No experience leading a district or even a school And for this, to use a baseball analogy, Park Hill is going to pay Zack Greinke money and hope a 20-win record miraculously develops from an unproven prospect? With salary and benefits, the new superintendent will make nearly a quarter of a million dollars next year. A high-caliber district like Park Hill, which is attractive to prospective candidates for its history of excellence and generous compensation package, should have easily secured a proven “ace.” Jeanette Cowherd is a fine person with good communication skills and a knack for looking you in the eye and making you a believer when she says things like “trust” and “best practices” and “what's best for kids.” But while she is personable, Jeanette doesn't have a proven record as a superintendent; it's entirely different sitting in the “big chair” than sitting beside it.

Perhaps that's the point. I suspect some on the board prefer a superintendent who follows orders and doesn't exercise an independent sense of direction and purpose.

Unfortunately, that's not the leadership Park Hill needs heading into the next decade. I'd urge district patrons to remember the wasteful spending and questionable decision-making when school board elections and bond/levy issues come around. Folks, it's time for some real change. --Jim Dunn Parkville Look out for Joe Biden 1/13/16 EDITOR: The Democratic National Committee made its real and well-aimed move yesterday. Vice President Joe Biden gave an interview to CNN. He was dressed in full power gear.

He spoke firmly and carefully. Hillary is about to get indicted. She will drop from the Democratic race. Poor Bernie can't win the South or West. Enter our Uncle Joe. No taint from campaigning.

High favorability rating. He inherits all of Clinton and Sanders’ structure. He has Obama’s structure and followers.

Equals: President Joseph Biden. --Lee Valentine Platte County Expand worker freedom 12/30/15 EDITOR: Imagine you only had one chance to vote for president—after that, the president served for life, with an impeachment as the only way to put a new face in office. That wouldn't be right. So why is it any different with unions? To our government employees—people like teachers and firefighters— union representation looks a lot like a lifetime appointment. These workers don't get to vote for their union each November.

And some unions came to power so long ago that today's workers have never had a chance to weigh in on the matter. I've heard a lot of debate in recent months about what it means to expand worker freedom. Well, giving employees a vote expands worker freedom. Our government employees deserve to have their voices heard through regular union elections. That's something we should all be able to support.

--John Wright Show-Me Institute St. Louis Betrayed by Sam Graves 12/23/15 EDITOR: Betrayed. After declaring in a Nov.

2, 2015 weekly newsletter “the root of our problems – too much spending in Washington,” Congressman Sam Graves votes to spend more borrowed money. Missouri's 6th District Representative (I use that term loosely), Sam Graves, has betrayed us by voting on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015, in favor of a $1,100,000,000,000 spending bill, affectionately known as Omnibus. Here’s what Graves wrote in his Nov. 2 newsletter: “Budgets are about priorities.

The federal budget has to provide for our military men and women, protect Social Security and Medicare, and it must show that we are serious about getting control of the national debt. “This past week, the House of Representatives passed the Bipartisan Budget Agreement of 2015, setting spending for the federal government through next year. This budget includes some positive reforms, but it raises the debt ceiling without cutting nearly enough spending in return. I could not support the debt ceiling increase or the overall budget.

“The national debt has grown at an unacceptable level over the past six and a half years. We simply cannot continue raising the debt ceiling without addressing the root of our problems – too much spending in Washington. This bill increases discretionary federal spending by $80 billion over the next two years, and it fails to address the fiscal crisis facing Social Security and Medicare, the two biggest drivers of our debt. “All in all, this budget is more of the same, kicking the can down the road on the serious issues we face as a country. Instead, we need real reforms that will put our economy and the debt on a sustainable path going forward.” As with other Obama giveaways, if you spent $1 million a day, let me repeat, a DAY, since Jesus' birth you wouldn't even come close to spending that much.

Over $350 billion left over. Talk about the lottery. Ninety five conservative representatives voted NO. Names like Trey Gowdy, Dr. John Fleming, Louie Gohmert, Bob Goodlatte, Tim Huelskamp, all conservatives. He would have been in good company. My suspicion is Graves cared more about his committee chairmanship than the country.

Here's a short list of what Graves voted FOR: •Full funding of Planned Parenthood – after heinous videos and national outrage •Hike overall spending by another $50 billion (add 9 zeros) •Full funding of Oama's plan to bring in thousands more from mostly Muslim countries – after Paris, and closer to home, San Bernardino attacks •Funds Obama's Global warming Paris promises •Funds snooping into your email, phone, internet activities without a warrant •Approves H2B visas to take more jobs from Americans •Funds sanctuary cities for criminals – commonly called illegal aliens Shall I go on? Someone out there must rise up to oppose Graves in 2016. I'll help your campaign. But, it's not all bad. Graves got to go home for Christmas. And that's not all, presidential candidate Rubio, who proclaimed on Thursday, Dec 17, 2015 he was going to do everything he could to slow down the approval process...didn't show up for the vote.

Put a Marco by his name and then scratch it off your conservative listand presidential contenders. Incidentally, Blunt also voted FOR the spending billand got to go home for Christmas.

--Jim DeJarnatt Weston Parkville Political Theatre 12/16/15 EDITOR: The Bard would have given a hefty “thumbs up” for the drama that unfolded at the last membership meeting of the Main Street Parkville Association on Dec. The illustrious Mayor Nan Johnston and her minions perpetrated a coup that was absolutely textbook in sleaze and sliminess. While 99% of the populace couldn’t care less about this meeting and its results, one has to look at the leadership displayed and wonder who is running the asylum. To clarify what Main Street Parkville Association (MSPA) represents and who they are: They are a group of Parkville specific volunteers who give of their own time and in many cases money to facilitate many of the popular festivals (Brewfest, Parkville Days, and Christmas on the River etc.) along with monthly “cruise nights” during the warm months that are held during the year in Downtown Parkville. To say the business owners are eclectic is an understatement. However such an atmosphere is part of the charm and puts the Downtown area as a “rose amongst the thorns” insofar as shopping venues in the Northland region.

Because of the dated infrastructure, any updates can be costly and a real bone of contention between the City of Parkville and the merchants as to who is responsible for the upkeep of that infrastructure. 9 meeting was the MSPA annual meeting where a slate of officers is elected by the MSPA membership.

Printed ballots are handed out to attendees as they arrive. The ballot had Troy Wilson as returning chairman, Alisha Blackwelder as vice-chairman, Art Brown as secretary and Susan Smith as secretary. For Wilson's part, he had guided MSPA through a year for the most part without a full time executive director. He kept expenses below budget and all festivities and Downtown activities were very successful for the calendar year. This a tribute to a sacrifice of his time and some outstanding volunteers.

He worked tirelessly on obtaining a needed grant for the Downtown Parkville area (more on that later) which was finally obtained. He was voted the “Volunteer of the Year” by the MSPA membership at the annual gallery of trees banquet earlier in the month. Sounds like a real dog, doesn't he? The drama unfolds when Marsha VanDever, the residing honcho of the Parkville Area Chamber of Commerce, asks Alicia Blackelder who is on the ticket as a vice-chair if she would like to be the chairman instead. Very interesting. As several prominent MSPA members noted a few days later, why is the chamber carrying the city's water? It really is a bad look for you, Marsha.

Alicia had told the current chair, Troy Wilson, the day before these elections she was fine with this appointment as a vice-chair. It was felt she could “learn the ropes” from the committee for a year and then run for the 2017 chair. She had been a decent liaison to MSPA for Park University from her position with the university as a “partner” with MSPA (same relationship with the chamber).

Suddenly, Blackwelder has an epiphany and after coughing up a half-baked explanation of “well that might be nice-don't want to stab Troy in the back (really?) but if it is the will of the group.

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