The Columbia Heart Beat--Happy Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, et. al.!
Paperless News for Columbia's Blogs and Listservs
people
GOT BUDGET WOES? Try a "Hail Gary" Pass
ASSESSOR ERROR? Schauwecker Boosts "$739 Duplex"
COLUMBIA'S QUIET: Sustainability Team
PROPERTY TAXES: Too High? Read This!
places
STREET SQUAWK: Wade's Rendezvous #1;
Main Squeeze First on Google; For Sale: CrossCreek
the change gang
LETTER URGES: MU Vet School/Humane Society Partnership
GUEST OP-ED: Columbia's "Other" Criminals
DARKOW'S TAKE: Eminent Domain; Pinkel Bucks
things
READERS RITE: Phyllis Chase and her "1818 Elves"
HEAR YE! HEAR YE! Blue Note Inaugural
HOLIDAY LIGHTS: Season's Greetings
GOINGS ON: Visit http://www.iheartcolumbia.com
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GOT BUDGET WOES? Try a "Hail Gary" Pass
by Mike Martin for the Columbia Business Times
http://www.columbiabusinesstimes.com
When MU approved Coach Gary Pinkel's new $2.5 million/year contract,
it was one exciting game!
"Perfect reception from the legal department on the 40-yard line.
And Coach is off! Dodges the hiring freeze! Sidesteps those budget
woes."
"Yeah, Mike—with a Hail Gary pass like that, the old wall of worry
play is no problem today."
"Look at the academics coach down there, John. His team looks pretty
beleaguered. Here's Spence. Let's listen in."
ON THE FIELD
"Your team's looking at what—25 percent budget cuts?"
"That's right, Spence. Makes it hard to build a winning program, but
we keep on keepin' on."
"If you would, coach, give us an example."
"We may ask the academic team to reduce hours, consolidate programs,
forego raises—you know, some minor sacrifices. For the good of the
team."
"What do you say to people who think Coach Pinkel should sacrifice
too?"
"Our own newspaper baron Hank Waters probably said it best. Don't
complain. It's unbecoming. Just come back in the next life as a
coach!"
"That's kind of like the old Steve Martin line: To become a
millionaire, first—get a million dollars!"
"Well, not exactly. To become a millionaire, first—get a college
coaching job."
AT THE ANNOUNCER'S BOOTH
"Touchdown Coach Pinkel!"
BOOM!
"You know, John. We gripe about overpaid CEO's. But college
coaches—everybody loves 'em—and their players aren't paid a dime!"
"Good point. Coach Pinkel is up to $2.5 million! Isn't that ten
times what Obama calls rich?"
"No doubt—Coach is one rich coach!"
"So if Coach makes $2.5 million and his players make zero, how much
more than the lowest paid player does Coach make?"
"John—you're blowin' my mind."
POST-GAME INTERVIEW
"You're the third highest-paid coach in the Big 12. How's it feel?"
"It's all about building a program. I love building programs."
"Look at the program with us a minute, Coach. What do you see?"
"Education. Learning. When my guys graduate, they'll work really hard
and make a tiny fraction of what the top guy makes. That's life. My
guys are learning life lessons. It's a great feeling."
"I hear they're planning a stimulus package for coaches."
"News flash—I turned down an offer to coach Congress through this
financial mess."
"Really?"
"Yeah. They offered two mil, but people who don't understand what it
takes to build a great program got up in arms."
"Politics! But you don't have to worry about that here! Speaking of
being here, Coach—tell us you're happy and you're not planning to
leave."
"Plans are for tomorrow. This is for today. And today is a great
day for this program."
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ASSESSOR ERROR? Schauwecker Boosts "$739 Duplex"
Without much sunshine or fanfare, Boone County Assessor Tom
Schauwecker has quietly increased the ridiculously low appraised
value of a 1999, 4 bedroom, 4 bath, 2,373 sq. ft. duplex at 1605-07
Glenover Court owned by real estate baron Jeffrey Smith -- from
$739.00 to $33,479.
(We reported Schauwecker's original $739 appraisal on October 2.
Google "17-209-00-06-002.00 01" for a comparison).
So as not to increase Mr. Smith's property taxes, Schauwecker lowered
the value of the 4.5 acre parcel the duplex sits on -- from
$44,560.00 to $11,820.
All seven duplexes in Smith's Glenover/Hanover subdivision are
appraised at the same price: $45,299.00, despite that 1605-07
Glenover Court sits on a lot many times larger than its neighbors.
Four more duplexes, on nearby Cocoa Ct., come in at between $38,710
to $45,299.00, values lower than most 90-year-old central city 2-
bedroom, 1-bath homes command.
And the school district needs a property tax increase? Guess it's
easier to get from us than the real estate barons. (And many
thanks to the readers who alerted us).
RELATED:
http://columbiaheartbeat.blogspot.com/2008/10/739-duplex-bail-out-or-bailing-out-on.html
http://board.columbiatribune.com/index.php?showtopic=6456&st=40&p=75155&#entry75155
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COLUMBIA'S QUIET: Sustainability Team
by Mike Martin for the Columbia Business Times
http://www.columbiabusinesstimes.com
Okay, class – raise your hand if you know what "absolute zero"
means. If you said, "zero degrees Kelvin," or the temperature at
which there is absolutely no heat left in the air, you're right.
At a shockingly cold −273 degrees Celsius (−460 degrees
Fahrenheit) absolute zero means there's simply not one degree of heat left in the
air. Everything – even the tiniest atom – freezes to a halt.
Now raise your hand if you know how the concept of absolute zero can
be used to heat your home in the winter and cool it in the summer.
No idea?
What about how the Sun can charge a solar battery? Or how hydrogen
can power a car? Or how wind can spin a turbine and electrify a
town? Bet you've heard of all those things. And bet you use not
a one.
Surprisingly, using the power of absolute zero to heat and cool your
home is much less exotic than solar, wind, or hydrogen. People are
doing it every day, right here in Columbia and Boone County. I'm
doing it as we speak, because I got smart and got help – from
Columbia's quiet sustainability team.
MORE AT:
http://columbiaheartbeat.blogspot.com/2008/12/columbias-quiet-sustainability-team.html
___________________________________________________________
IS YOUR PROPERTY TAX BILL: Too High?
by Tom Stone, Bank of Missouri
Income tax, sales tax, estate tax, excise tax, alternative minimum
tax...and just when you thought you'd paid them all...along comes
your property tax bill as a homeowner. But did you know that the
National Taxpayers Union estimates that as many as 60% of homes are
assessed too high, resulting in an incorrectly larger property tax
bill?
First, contact your local tax assessor's office. Find out the process
for submitting a property tax appeal. Additionally, ask for a copy
of your property tax report. Review and confirm that the basic
information about your property is correct. Is the square footage and
number of rooms for your home accurate?
If everything on the property report is correct but the assessed
value still seems too high, gather documentation to support an
appeal. Don't be surprised if the assessed value is lower than what
you think the market value for your home is -- many counties use a
formula which uses a percentage of market value to determine assessed
value.
Ask what the formula is, because an assessment which is less than
market value still might be too high.
If you have a current appraisal that supports the value being lower
using recent market-value information, many counties will accept a
copy of the appraisal with the appeal. If the appraisal is outdated,
you can order a new one -- just call me for a referral to a great
appraiser. You can also visit the local assessor's office or search
online, and look through the public records for other homes that have
similar features to yours, but have lower assessments.
Additionally, contact me to get in touch with a great Realtor who
knows your area. They will be able to give you current market
information for your neighborhood, and help you see how your market
value and assessed value stacks up against your neighbors'.
Submitting an appeal is generally a simple process, but make sure to
take the time to fill out all forms in advance and be prepared with
your documentation if there is an in-person hearing that needs to
take place.
More good news - according to the National Taxpayers Union, about 33%
of property tax appeals succeed! Taking the time to review the
accuracy of a tax bill could easily save you hundreds of dollars per
year, adding up to thousands of dollars during the time you own your
home.
Please feel free to contact me for more information on this money-
saving tip!
Tom Stone
573-874-4700
tstone@...
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GUEST OP ED: Columbia's "Other" Criminals
by M. C. Dampier, Forever Life Ministry, Columbia
When we speak about crime, it's not just about crime on the street.
It's a crime to take money while lying to people about what it's
for. Studies have shown that 70 percent of all Federal grant
recipients SAY they will do computer classes, victim classes,
parenting classes, and other things to help society, but pocket the
funds instead.
80% of our community depends on growing handouts because no one has a
workable plan. We are content to let able-bodied human beings not
work and stay in low income housing. For instance, how many times
has the Columbia Housing Authority actually lifted its residents out
of their circumstances?
We have police forces who not only abuse their authority, but claim
they can't help. Instead, they tell people it's better to move if
they want lower crime, while in the same breath asking for more money
to put more officers on the street. If those who protect and serve
really did so, some might be inclined to protect and serve them.
We say we don't want "street justice." But so often, the only
justice is street justice. Why? Because the same people are out of
jail in 24 hours doing the same crimes all over again.
Finally, let's stop targeting one neighborhood over another. It is
not okay to say that crime happens only in low income parts of town.
Some of the deadliest crimes happen right smack in the middle of the
so-called good parts of town.
We as concerned citizens must do more than just talk about change.
I urge men of the cloth to stand up and do as you were called to do!
Men of faith -- stand up and be more than a father FIGURE to your
own! Women of faith -- be that example, and not JUST for your
daughters. If we want to reclaim the village, we must first be an
example to ALL of it.
And last but not least, to my people in our communities -- remember,
a society that feeds off itself is bound for extinction. If we want
change, we have to stop the genocide against each other.
We have to be a community striving for unity.
___________________________________________________________
STREET SQUAWK: Wade's Rendezvous #1; Main Squeeze Google Favorite
Acknowleding what 4th Ward councilman Jerry Wade already knows,
nationally-known Missouri Life magazine has named Columbia's
Rendezvous Coffee Shop Missouri's Favorite Java Joint. Wade holds bi-
monthly office hours at the west-side coffee shop. From the article:
"Rendezvous Coffeehouse enthusiasts love the friendly personalities
of owners Lori Sander and Stacey Slaughter.
"They're very personable. They know you by name when you walk in the
door, and they know what you want," says frequent customer Jenna
Sheffield of Midway. "We both like to take care of people, and our
first jobs were customer service, in retail," Lori says.
"I have spent all day there several times, studying and working,
because my internet goes out when it storms," Jenna says. "I'll go
down and get breakfast, lunch, and sometimes dinner."
Located at 3304 Business Park Court near HyVee, Rendezvous, which
opened in 2004, has a large coffee menu and a small meal menu that
includes sandwiches, plus biscuits and gravy on Saturday and Sunday
mornings.
RELATED:
http://www.missourilife.com/articles/show/488-Java_Joints
For the Heart Beat's newswire cousin—Beat Byte—I wrote a brief take
on an email campaign to save downtown's Main Squeeze Cafe, Tough
Economy Squeezes Main Squeeze.
To include a website I Googled "main squeeze," hoping to find
Columbia's version buried in hundreds of thousands of hits on the
popular phrase. But our Main Squeeze Natural Foods Café is number
one among 264,000 Google hits!
A map, a menu, and the café's website sit atop songs by Lenny Kravitz
and Teena Marie; a New York City-based all-girl accordion band;
businesses, Facebooks, Myspaces, book titles, news stories, and love
notes by the tens of thousands.
Talk about the power of a brand.
RELATED:
http://columbiatribune.com/2008/nov/20081115busi002.asp
CrossCreek, the much-debated development along Stadium Blvd. and
Highway 63, is For Sale -- at least over half of it. Comprising
about 37.5 acres, lots 101, 102, 103, 105, 107, 108, 111,
and 113 are listed for $12,331,400. What this means for the future
of the development, if anything, isn't clear. Listing agent is
Plaza Real Estate of Columbia.
(PS Assessor Schauwecker has all these lots appraised at ZERO.
That's right -- ZERO!, e.g.
http://www.showmeboone.com/ASSESSOR/RealEstateSummary.Asp?PARCEL=1740400050010001
CrossCreek Map (Lot numbers circled):
http://www.shepard.missouri.org/files/crosscreek/CP_OverallLandscaping_052008.pdf
_____________________________________________________________
LETTER URGES: MU Vet School/Humane Society Partnership
11/26/08
To Columbia City Council, Columbia Tribune:
There is a rumor floating around that the City is looking to contract
with a local vet for pet shelter and euthanasia services. I would
find it difficult to believe that a city like Columbia would do such
a thing rather than rally around the development of a comprehensive
animal welfare shelter.
I watch MU pay Gary Pinkel $2.3 million a year when the City is
suffering from lack of resources for basic services and wonder - why
can't MU's Vet School join with the City in developing this animal
welfare resource and use it to train its students?
Most vet students do only 1 -3 spay or neuter procedures before
graduating vet school and this type of a joint partnership would
greatly improve their skill set and benefit the community at large.
MU gets a significant tax break on property taxes in the City and
this should not go unnoticed. The City should nudge the University
into doing something good for the community's pets and their own vet
school to create and sustain a terrific animal welfare program and
shelter.
MU's donors could be tapped to help start the drive. The Vet School
has a lot of development staff who could be tagged to get this done -
and it would the School's own goal of starting an area wide low cost
spay/neuter program (mobile) and a pet trust program.
K-State has a large pet trust program where owners pay a Vet
Student's tuition and fees in return for the student adopting their
pet when they are no longer able to care for the pet or the pet has
outlived the owner. MU wants to do this but it has been on the back
burner for 4 years now. Same for the MU Vet School low cost
spay/neuter mobile van initiative.
There are options that the City is not considering, if the only
option on the table now is to use a local vet to put pets to sleep.
That is an awful solution to a community problem. Given the City's
visioning efforts (and significant chunk of change used to fund this
process) isn't envisioning a better shelter for abandoned and injured
pets a critical part of the City vision?
Sarah A. Grim, MSPH, CHE
Columbia, MO 65203
_____________________________________________________________
DARKOW'S TAKE: Eminent Domain; Pinkel Bucks
Eminent Domain
http://columbiatribune.com/2008/dec/20081217comm051.asp
Pinkel Bucks
http://columbiatribune.com/2008/dec/20081213busi051.asp
_____________________________________________________________
READERS RITE: Letters to the Blogitor
Hi -- I thought this was pretty funny!
Phyllis Chase and her 1818 "Elves"
http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/L2ObeOaZPaK9cPxvVzeo
-- An Elf from W. Worley
THANKS for persevering about the county assessor's activities. I am
so glad to hear the city is going to ask questions. What about the
school board? Seems to me that they have would have a lot to gain
with the appropriate changes. -- M.K. Doyle, Columbia
[Ed. Note: Couldn't agree more about the school board. But -- see no
evil, hear no evil, speak no evil...and pass a levy onto the rest of
us.]
Mike, I wanted to thank you for your blog about what is going on in
Columbia. As always, you have and share great information that is
balanced and informative.
-- Chris Lunn, Columbia
V.P., Habitat for Humanity
Co-Chair, Emerging Professionals in Columbia (EPIC)
Mike: Schauwecker raised the value of that cheap duplex. Guess
you were right! -- C. Montague, Columbia
Mike: I'm not voting for any more tax increases until this garbage
with the assessor is worked out. Shame on the system for letting it
happen all these years! Please sign this: -- Angry CPS Employee
Hi Mike: I LOVE your blog--it rocks! Thank you for adding me to your
subscription list. You're my new hero.
-- Peggy Gray, Columbia
Mike, Were you not aware of all the mistaken and erroneous addresses
in the Tribune arrest column? It is a big mess. I'd like your help
on correcting this problem. Good people suffer from bad information
like this. Bad information leads to bad judgments. Please call me
and I'll show you more of the problem regarding getting accurate
addresses from criminals.
-- Mark Stevenson, Columbia, on arrest reports linked to crime houses
Mike, Can't thank you enough for the assistance on our Stonecrest
Neighborhood Yahoo group. We had set a goal of 50 residents being
listed by Dec. 31. We're are 30 already and will keep at it.
-- Mike Haggas
Director of Development
Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business
University of Missouri
Wow. Thanks for the story SAYING GOODBYE: To Bernie Martin,
Columbia's Beloved Postman. I have interacted with Bernie the
Postman since I moved to Columbia in 1989. One of my favorite people
to do business with. He will be greatly missed.
-- F. Dettler, Columbia
Mike, See: Web Sites That Dig for News Rise as Watchdogs
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/18/business/media/18voice.html?_r=1&hp
You're ahead of the curve! Excellent work.
--Tracy Greever-Rice, Columbia
Gaslight GMAC Realty closing its doors! Chalk up another one for the
economy. -- Jason Thornhill, First Tier Realtors, Columbia
Enjoy your blog/newsletter. Keep writing. You write stuff the
papers don't cover or else don't cover adequately. I do read the
paper and listen a little to radio, but locally you fill in the
chinks. -- Betsy Phillips, Columbia
BEAT BYTE: Love it! Appreciate the contribution you make to the
community. -- Mary Ann Groves, Columbia
________________________________________________________________
HEAR YE, HEAR YE: Local Announcements
TATTERS TO TUXEDOS -- COLUMBIA'S INAUGURAL BALL
TUESDAY, JANUARY 20TH, 6:00-11:00 P.M. AT The BLUE NOTE
Downtown Columbia, 17 North 9th Street
Cash Bar (Bring your own appetizers or snacks)
Music, Great Company, Video feeds from D.C.
Come As Formal, or Informally, As You Like
Sponsored by: Democracy for Missouri and Boone County Democrats
Come enjoy this FREE EVENT
________________________________________________________________
HOLIDAY LIGHTS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2TPMoP01Sc
http://magic-tree.org/index.php
________________________________________________________________
Mike Martin
Blogitor-in-Chief
Member: National Press Club
The Columbia Heart Beat
http://columbiaheartbeat.blogspot.com
Circulation: Roughly 4,800
ARCHIVE: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nccna/messages
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