.......Sparky Anderson passes away today...........

 

Sparky Anderson, the first manager to win World Series championships with teams from both the National and American leagues, died on Thursday in Thousand Oaks, Calif. He was 76.

For more on the story, click here to the New York Times Article.

......Proposition A is passed.......

As you know, I was against this Proposition, because I felt so strongly about local control, but it passed.  It passed Statewide, Big time!  This does not mean I will stop my advocacy of what is in Missouri's best interests, in my opinion! 

There are several interesting things to note about this election, on the Statewide Ballot questions.  I hope my conservative friends and local neighbors will take heed and maybe, just maybe, I will be able to influence someone on the NEXT election..............................

First, for Proposition A - the only jurisdictions effected by this tax are the only two who voted against the initiative -  THAT IS - THE ONLY TWO LOCALITIES PAYING THE TAX CURRENTLY VOTED TO KEEP IT!!!!!  I feel that proves we meddled in someone else's business.  Kansas City Voters were against the issue by 55% of the vote, while in St. Louis a whopping 68% of voters were against it!!!!  Now, I know some of you will say they can keep voting to have the tax and this is true, but thanks to us "outstate" voters - Both Cities will not be able to do any long range planning, because they will have to renew the tax every five years.

Now, on to the flip side - most people in our area were against Proposition B - but it passed Statewide thanks to Kansas City and St. Louis voters - with a little help from the rural counties of Pemiscot and Dunklin (they form Missouri's Bootheel).  The point I am trying to make is this - with the noted exception of the Bootheel Counties - the urban areas just passed a law that will cost our communities jobs!!!!  BUT, we just passed a law that will potentially cost them long range planning and local services!!!

Missouri must stop fighting the US Versus THEM battle of Rural Versus Urban.  All Taxes are NOT bad and All Dog Breeders are NOT running Puppy Mills!  Wake up Missouri!

....The right to vote - even if you are a cop!!!.....

Election Official Dismissed After Refusing Armed Officer His Right to Vote

Bangor Daily News
November 02, 2010

BANGOR, Maine — A city election official who refused to allow an armed, uniformed Bangor police officer to vote last week will not be working at the polls for the remainder of the 2010 elections.

Bangor City Clerk Patti Dubois, who is in charge of staffing the city’s lone polling place, the Bangor Civic Center, confirmed Monday that Wayne Mallar, a longtime election warden in Bangor, has been asked to stay home.  Dubois said she planned to contact the officer later Monday to apologize and ensure that he has another opportunity to vote.

Additional details associated with Mallar’s long-term status as an election official or the reasons behind his dismissal for the rest of this election cycle are considered a personnel matter, interim City Manager Bob Farrar said.

The incident in question happened late Friday afternoon. Officer James Dearing, who was patrolling his assigned beat near the civic center, decided to stop in and cast an early vote. He walked into the polling place in full uniform with his firearm holstered and stood in a short line with other voters.
Mallar, an election warden, approached Dearing and requested that he turn over the weapon to another officer stationed at the polling place or he wouldn’t be allowed to vote.
Dearing refused, but Mallar stood his ground.

The officer said Sunday that he felt insulted but did not protest further. Bangor Police Chief Ron Gastia said Monday that his officer did the right thing.  “In speaking with the clerk’s office this morning, her position is that officers are certainly permitted at the polls, in uniform or out of uniform, armed or unarmed,” the chief said. “It’s been a history to allow police officers on duty to vote when it’s appropriate. The police department has always allowed officers to do that.”

Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap said he couldn’t remember an incident like this ever happening in Maine.
“I don’t know what [the warden] was thinking,” he said. “There is no reason why a uniformed officer under any circumstances should be questioned.”