BEAT BYTE: Columbia realtor battles new tax idea

1)  LEADING COLUMBIA REALTOR:  Battles new tax idea

2)  RATE MY COP:  Lets Columbians praise or pan police 

3)  BILL GATES:  Helps Centralia Library;  Barber steps in for City Hall

4)  DIGITAL PATRONAGE:  Saves Columbia Record Label 

5)  MIZZOU STUDENTS:  Build solar house on DC's National Mall

6)  DINERS REVIEW:  Bangkok Gardens

7)  HEAR YE!  HEAR YE!   Boone County Republicans Chili Supper

Mid-Missouri Renaissance Fest

 

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LEADING COLUMBIA REALTOR:  Battles new tax idea

COLUMBIA, 10/13/09 (Beat Byte) -- Yet another new tax is angling its way up the government flagpole, as Missouri realtors battle a sales tax on real estate.  Take it from someone who has paid this onerous tax in another state:  We don't want it here.

 

And we won't have it here if REMAX/Boone Realty honcho Elizabeth Mendenhall has anything to say about it.  The incoming president of the Missouri Association of Realtors, Mendenhall called sales taxes on real estate "double taxation" in yesterday's St. Louis Post-Dispatch.  She argues that homeowners and landowners already pay property taxes and shouldn't have to pay another tax to sell property.

 

Missouri is one of only 13 states without such a sales tax, which hits a property owner regardless whether they profit from the real estate sale or not.  It can even put sellers in the hole or further in the hole:  a 1% tax on the gross sales price of a $200,000 home -- modest by today's standards -- is $2,000.00   In Philadelphia, the tax is 4%, which would mean $8,000.00.

 

Read Tony Messenger's story on the issue here:

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/politics/story/0BA3BDDD88C84BE18625764C00838A0F?OpenDocument

 

 

RATE MY COP:  Lets Columbians praise or pan police

 

COLUMBIA, 10/13/09 (Beat Byte) --  Columbia police (CPD) officer Trisha Rigsby gets five stars for being "cool and professional."  But officer Latisha Stroer only gets one star, and a nasty note from someone she arrested:  "Stroer was involved in an incident where my friend was being held in a cop car (later released). I asked why and was told it wasn't my business so I called my lawyer. When they heard him actually answer my call I was tackled by 4 officers and my phone taken from me. I was arrested for trespassing on a public sidewalk (later dropped)."

 

It's all part of the dialogue on RateMyCop.com, where citizens get to talk back to police officers and "rate" them with one to five stars.  The comments can be tough -- " This guy was a moron.  A complete loser," about CPD officer Aaron Wheeler -- or kind, as in this note about CPD officer Michael Youtsey:  "Responded quickly and got as much information as he could. We need more like him."   

 

My favorite CPD officers get mixed reviews.  Zim Schwartze, writes the same person who hammered officer Wheeler, is "dishonest." while Michael Hayes, who coordinates the Neighborhood Watch program, is "as fair as they come. He is one of the cops who really listen to what you have to say."

 

Check out RateMyCop.com, Columbia at:

http://www.ratemycop.com/index.php?dept=10071&st=MO&page=2

 

 

BILL GATES:  Helps Centralia Library; Local barber steps in for City Hall

CENTRALIA, 10/13/09 (Fireside-Guard) --  The Centralia Public Library will receive $9,750 from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to purchase six public computers in 2010-11, the Centralia Fireside Guard has reported.  This is the third year of the grant program, which awards libraries in selected states across the nation with matching grants for new and updated technology.

 

The Centralia Public Library will match the foundation's grant with $5,850 over the next two years. The library's first computers were supplied by a Gates Foundation grant seven years ago.

 

Read all about it at:

http://www.firesideguard.com/news/view_sections.asp?idcategory=47&idarticle=2946

 

In other recent news, a Centralia barber, fed up with City Hall feet-dragging over an eyesore near his shop, took up the job of painting and fixing it himself -- something Columbians ought to do with the Heibel-March Store/Field Park Building!   This summer, six years after a gas-main explosion gutted the building at 105 N. Allen Street, LeeAllen Smith took his wife, two children and 20 gallons of paint and gave the make-shift storefront a makeover, the Fireside Guard reported. 

 

"I understand the city is moving as fast as it can," said Smith, a former Centralia alderman.  "But it needed to be done because it was an eyesore."

 

He found a few people of like-mind to support him: Denny Rusch of LaCrosse Lumber mixed and donated the light tan latex paint, paint brushes and rollers; Charlie Stidham of Stidham Electric loaned Smith a scissor lift to paint the 32-foot tall storefront; and Smith's own business, the Centralia Barber Shop, provided the labor.

 

Columbia City Hall -- take note! 

 

Read all about it at:

http://www.firesideguard.com/news/view_sections.asp?idcategory=47&idarticle=2910

 

 

DIGITAL PATRONAGE:  Saves Columbia Record Label 

 

COLUMBIA, 10/13/09 (Beat Byte) --  Centuries ago, all the big artists had patrons -- wealthy benefactors who commissioned and supported their work.  Michelangelo had the Pope; Mozart and Wagner had kings and emperors;  William Shakespeare had Henry Wriothesley, the Earl of Southampton.

 

Turns out patronage is back, online, and not just for the rich.  In fact, a unique website called Kickstarter helped save Columbia-based Emergency Umbrella Records from a big headache: How to clear an overcrowded warehouse of a bulging CD backlog.

 

First reported by by Annie Zaleski in the Riverfront Times, Emergency Umbrella -- label home to a number of local bands including St. Louis-based Gentleman Auction House -- was facing the kind of massive storage crunch that forced Columbia's City Hall and County Courthouse to expand themselves for about $40 million.  Artists, sadly, are never so lucky.  Instead of relying on unsuspecting taxpayers, Emergency Umbrella turned to Facebook and Kickstarter, Zaleski reported.   

 

The call for help went out on Facebook in September:  "Emergency Umbrella Records needs your help!  Our warehouses are overcrowded with CD's and LP's and we need to clear them out before they get destroyed or we face high storage costs.  Destroying these records is just not an option for us (these are great records that our bands worked really hard on, they're just overstocked)." 

 

Facebookers were directed to Kickstarter, "where people looking to help can become a 'patron' of the label by pledging money.  In return, donors receive an assortment of albums" at an amazing, bargain basement price.   A $15.00 pledge might merit 10 CDs, for instance. 

 

Emergency Umbrella reported meeting their fundraising goal and clearing out their warehouse thanks to Kickstarter.   

 

Check it out at :

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1118557283/help-emergency-umbrella-records-clear-an-over-crow

http://www.emergencyumbrella.com/

http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/atoz/2009/09/emergency_umbrella_cleaning_out_warehouse_donor_gentleman_auction_house_foundry_field_recordings_bald_eagle.php

 

 

MIZZOU STUDENTS:  Build solar house on National Mall

 

COLUMBIA, 10/13/09 (Mizzouwire) --  Two years ago, University of Missouri engineering students stopped a longtime project to build and race a car powered by sunlight.

 

But Mizzou students aren't done with the sun.  As part of the US Department of Energy's Solar Decathlon, Mizzou architecture students joined Missouri University of Science and Technology to build a solar house on the National Mall in Washington, DC this month.   Sunlight powers every light, appliance, climate-control system, entertainment device and high-tech gadget.

 

"The three-week-long international competition brings together 20 teams selected by a DOE committee to show off forward-thinking students’ most innovative approaches to sustainable living in solar-powered housing," writes Karen Pojmann in this week's Mizzouwire.   "Planned, constructed and decked out entirely by undergrads, each self-sufficient house is evaluated for its integration of earth-friendly, budget-conscious efficiency with user-driven, style-savvy design."

 

Check it out at:

http://mizzouwire.missouri.edu/stories/2009/power-house/index.php

 

 

DINERS REVIEW:  Bangkok Gardens

 

Twelve years ago, when I first arrived in Columbia, I was working on a project to move a restaurant from the downtown area to Ashland.  My restaurant was closed and in boxes, but the most scrumptious smells were wafting in from next door.  I was starving and John Pham's phabulous Thom Yum Gung soup would be my first meal in a downtown Columbia restaurant.  I've been hooked on his establishment, Bangkok Gardens, ever since.

 

Few people know that Pham is a certified French chef, a training and sensibility that makes his sauces and curries among the best I've tasted in Thai restaurants across the country.  I've dined at Bangkok Gardens three times in the past two weeks, bringing friends and business associates to savor what I've long enjoyed.  Lately, I've been on a dumpling soup kick, ordering the veggie version of this filling meal each time.

 

Bangkok Gardens gets 3.5 out of 5 stars at Yelp.com, and here's what other diners have to say.  "I've been a Bangkok Gardens fan for a long time.  They've moved into a new spacious locale on Cherry Street just west of 9th St.  It's bright and airy, with upstairs and downstairs dining areas. Their pad thai is still stellar, and their curries are awesome as well.  They have Thai beer (Singha), which, in my opinion, gives Bangkok an extra boost above most Thai places."

"The food was alright.  The ingredients seemed fresh enough.  The veggie egg rolls were especially fat.  I liked them.  The rest was just ok..."

 

"Excellent Thai food.  Nice selection of typical Thai dishes and unique dishes with exotic flavors.  Good Service.  Fair prices.  Appeared very clean.  What more can I say?  Give it a try."

 

Check out Bangkok Gardens at 811 Cherry Street, just off 9th Street in the Downtown District. 

http://www.yelp.com/biz/bangkok-gardens-columbia

 

 

HEAR YE!  HEAR YE!   Boone County Republicans Chili Supper; Mid-Missouri Renaissance Fest

 

Longtime local radio talk show host Tom Bradley will host/emcee the Boone County Republicans Annual Chili Supper Friday, October 23rd, at the Elks Lodge in Columbia (4747 E. Elk Park Drive). 

 

Dinner starts at 6 P.M., Program begins at 7:15 P.M.  Several speakers are tentatively confirmed, including Congressional representatives Blaine Luetkemeyer and Roy Blunt; and State Senator Kurt Schaefer.  More details to follow, but meanwhile check out:

http://www.centralmoyrs.com/bocochilisupper.htm
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=149479649519&ref=ts

 

 

The 4th Annual Central Missouri Renaissance Festival will be held October 17 & 18 at the Boone County Fairgrounds in Columbia, MO.  Come experience the valor of Medieval Europe from 10am to 6pm each day.  Admission is $5 at the gate. Children 5 and under are free.   More details:  http://centralmorenfest.com/content/view/1/2/

 

 

2009 Honor Ball benefiting Central Missouri Honor Flight

The Central Missouri Honor Ball will be held Saturday, October 17, 2009 from 5:30 pm onward at the Holiday Inn Select in Columbia.   The Honor Flight, works in the mid-Missouri area to raise money to take our WWII veterans to DC to see their memorial.  We have made four trips (185 veterans) since May 5. Our next trip is scheduled for Oct. 13.  We will take 80 more veterans with us that day, and we hope to have at least one more trip before the end of the year.   For more information, contact Mary Paulsell at PaulsellM@missouri.edu

 

 

Mike Martin
Blogitor in Chief
The Columbia Heart Beat
http://columbiaheartbeat.blogspot.com

 

CIRCULATION:  5,164

1)  BREAKING FIASCO:  Humane Society, ZooToo Brew

2)  COLUMBIA AND DARWIN:  Make nation's largest circulation magazine
3)  FALL BUSINESS FAVE:  Dawson Shoe Repair
4)  MORTGAGE AND HOUSING NEWS:  From Tom Stone

5)  ANNOUNCEMENTS:  Peaceworks, Eminent Domain, Habitat

Thompson

BREAKING FIASCO:  Humane Society, ZooToo Brew

The Columbia Daily Tribune is reporting that ZooToo honcho Richard Thompson may be demanding the resignation of Central Missouri Humane Society director Patty Forister over allegations of impropriety.   ZooToo had problems earlier this year with an animal shelter-makeover winner in St. Louis that forced both sides to withdraw from the makeover competition.   

Read about it here:

http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2009/sep/28/humane-society-champions-withdraw-support/

Forister responded late this morning in a press release:

The Central Missouri Humane Society (CMHS) was saddened by the news that the Huhman and Burkes families have withdrawn support from the shelter they once rallied around.

"Working with Angie, Liz the girls to win the Zootoo.com Shelter Makeover contest has been a wonderful experience," said Patty Forister, CMHS Executive Director. "We are so grateful for the time they have devoted to the shelter and the animals will definitely see an improved quality of life thanks to them."

While specific complaints remain a bit unclear, CMHS submitted a completed application and all documentation by the required deadline as requested by Zootoo.com for review by contest representatives.

"CMHS has made some amazing accomplishments thanks to the community, Zootoo-ers, volunteers, staff, and board members," said Forister. "The organization has a bright future if we can all focus on the needs of the animals. They have to be our number one priority."

COLUMBIA AND DARWIN:  Make nation's largest circulation magazine

COLUMBIA, 9/29/09 (Beat Byte) --  With an astonishing 33 million readers as a Sunday insert in 470 national newspapers, Parade Magazine is widely considered America's -- if not the world's -- largest circulation publication.

And Columbia mayor/bicyclist Darwin Hindman made last Sunday's issue, as the subject of a feature story about "bike friendly cities." 

"For a bicyclist, Darwin Hindman is rather nattily attired, wearing a crisp tweed blazer and an orange silk tie as he pilots his ancient mountain bike through the center of Columbia, Missouri," writes Parade reporter Bill Donahue.  "Hindman, 76, is this Midwestern town's mayor and a survivor of both esophageal and prostate cancer. As he glides along, coattails flying, he is savoring the streets of Columbia, which he's transforming into one of the nation's premier cycling cities."

READ ALL ABOUT IT AT:

http://www.parade.com/news/2009/09/27-a-free-wheeling-city.html

FALL BUSINESS FAVE:  Dawson Shoe Repair 

Ten years ago, I blew nearly $400.00 on a pair of black leather dress shoes from some fancy Italian designer.  I bought the shoes in Hollywood, Calif. at Beverly Hills prices, and for several years wore them with care.  But as they aged, I slowly relented, wearing them everywhere, in all weather, even in mud.

I bought some other dress shoes, only to discover I've never had a more comfortable pair than my $400.00 Hollywood loafers.  After listening to my lament, my wife pulled them out of the closet and took them downtown, to Dawson's Shoe Repair, a surprisingly bustling place filled with the rich smell of polished leather (if you've ever enjoyed the equally rich smell of aromatic pipe tobacco in a tobacco store, you know the feeling). 

My wife bragged on the nice man who runs the shop, Bob Wood, returning my shoes a week later looking brand new!  New soles, new polish, at extremely reasonable prices.   A way to save something, rather than just throw it away.  Sustainable footware. 

Getting ready for some out-of-town trips, I took the shoes back and met Bob myself.  My wife was right.  Not only is Mr. Wood nice, he may indeed be the nicest businessman I've met in Columbia, and I've met a lot of nice businesspeople.  Unfailingly pleasant and always smiling, Bob noticed a small scuff that had appeared on my shoe after he polished it.  Immediately, he took it back to his machine and polished it up once again.  The shoes looked brand new, all for only $5.00.

Check out Dawson Shoe Repair and meet Columbia's nicest businessman for yourself.  They're located at 212 South 8th Street, next to the Missouri Press Association building and kitty-corner from the Columbia Missourian.   You can also call 573-442-1014. 

MORTGAGE AND HOUSING NEWS:  From Tom Stone

Last week, the Fed met and stated they would not be buying more bonds.  This means that between now and the end of the first quarter of 2010, we should see a gradual rise in interest rates.  I predict by the end of that time frame, the 30 year rate will be in the neighborhood of 6% to 6.5%.  I would also expect some volatility during that time frame also. 

If you are a first-time buyer and qualify for the $8000 federal tax credit, NOW IS THE TIME.  The tax credit is set to expire on November 30, 2009.  October is almost here and with changes in FHA lending starting October 1, lenders may need more time to close. 

READ THIS WEEK'S NEWSLETTER HERE:

http://www.mmgweekly.com/w/index.html?SID=dbec0010cebb295ffb1d96b0af9d77f8

Tom Stone
The Bank of Missouri
Asst. Vice President
www.bankofmissouri.com
tstone@bankofmissouri.com

LOCAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

From Peaceworks

MAJOR PEACE RALLY:  Plan to come out on Sunday, October 11 for Eight is (More Than) Enough, the Columbia Peace Coalition's big fall event. Courthouse Sq., 1:30 p.m. Details TBA.

SUSTAINABLE LIVING FAIR:  Join us Saturday, Oct. 17 for our annual Sustainable Living Fair. This FREE event will run 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Columbia College Student Commons. Workshops, booths, displays, mini-solar tours, kids' activities, keynote and more. Details at www.slfcolumbia.org

PEACEWORKS' ANNUAL DINNER:  Don't miss this celebration of our community and the best potluck of the year. We'll gather on Saturday, Nov. 14, 6 p.m., at First Christian Church. Details TBA.

From The Show-Me Institute 

Presentation:  Eminent Domain and the Missouri Constitution
Speaker:  David Roland
When: Monday, October 5, 2009
Time:  Noon until 1:30
Where:   Room 208A, Reynolds Alumni Center, University of Missouri
Parking: Meters on the street, and in the Turner Parking Garage
Lunch:  Breast of Chicken Milano (or special diet choice)
Price: $20 for the general public, or $15 for Show-Me Institute members
For more information, or to reserve a seat if you do not register online, please contact Breck Frerking

at (573) 424-1713 or  Breck.Frerking@showmeinstitute.org.

From Habitat for Humanity

Ambassador Dinner and Fundraiser
7pm on Tuesday, October 20th
Peachtree Banquet Center. 
Music, dinner, program, bar and live auction.

RSVP by October 1st
email lunn777@hotmail.com or call 268-2405

Chris Lunn
President
Show-Me Central Habitat for Humanity
www.showmehabitat.net

Mike Martin
Blogitor in Chief
The Columbia Heart Beat
http://columbiaheartbeat.blogspot.com

BEAT BYTE: Bizarre cell phone sale offers MU athletic dept. secrets

BEAT BYTES -- 9/23/09
News and Notes from the Columbia Heart Beat

1) CONVERSATION WITH: The City Manager
2) BIZARRE CELL PHONE SALE: Offers MU Athletic Dept. Secrets
3) TRAFFIC SAFETY: Grant School, four years after an accident
4) MU SCIENTIST: Studies Fall foliage
5) SANS PEPPER AND MOUSER: Advertisers drop KOMU
6) MORTGAGE AND HOUSING NEWS: From Tom Stone
7) GET ALL THE LOCAL HEADLINES: At www.Columbia360.com

Listening Whilst Writing: A Fistful of Dollars, Ennio Morricone




CONVERSATION WITH: The Columbia City Manager

It's not everyday a schlep like me gets to chat it up with Columbia City Manager Bill Watkins. Depending on your perspective, our conversation either went well...or not.

Our convo started with an email from a constituent to the City Council about the unfolding sewer billing scandal, cc'd to me:

----- Original Message -----
From: A Constituent
To: Jerry Wade; Karl Skala; Barbara Hoppe; Paul Sturtz
Sent: Monday, September 21, 2009 2:48 PM
Subject: tonight's Council vote on sewer rate increase

Council Members,

I'm hoping you will look into this before you vote to increase the rates. From what I can tell, this should be a "no" vote.
http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2009/sep/21/sewer-billing-trouble-costly

Today: "As the Columbia City Council votes tonight on a 2010 budget with a proposed increase in basic service rates for each city sewer user, there is a source of money that some in the Public Works Department believe is being ignored...According to multiple e-mails by Weitkemper, he believes the city is enforcing the sanitary sewer billing ordinance haphazardly and is giving certain users preferential treatment."

Talbert said the rate increase is necessary to cover debt incurred for the $69 million wastewater treatment plant upgrade voters approved in 2008. "We have to have enough cash to cover our debt. That's what the bulk of that is," she said.
http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2008/04/08/sewer-bonds-passed-overwhelmingly

April 8, 2008: "voters were told the rise would be steeper--and come sooner--without the bonds."
http://gocolumbiamo.com/Public_Comm/Public_Information/Press_Releases/documents/April08.pdf

Regards,

A Constituent


I added my two cents:

----- Original Message -----
From: Mike Martin
To: Paul Sturtz; Barbara Hoppe; Karl Skala; Jerry Wade; A Constituent
Sent: Monday, September 21, 2009 3:35 PM
Subject: Re: tonight's Council vote on sewer rate increase

I've heard about this sewer fiasco at length already -- glad somebody else did the heavy lifting on putting a story together on it.

What a bunch of the same old crap this is, eh? Favoritism for the few at the expense of the many -- and right here, in good ol' progressive Columbia!


Mr. Watkins admonished me about an hour later:

----- Original Message -----
From: William Watkins
To: Mike Martin: CityMan; Darwin Mayor; Paul Ward1; Jason Ward2; Karl Ward3; Jerry Ward4; Laura Ward5; Barbara Ward6; Sent: Monday, September 21, 2009 4:23 PM
Subject: Re: Fw: tonight's Council vote on sewer rate increase

It would be very nice if you would consider all the facts before rushing to a decision.


I replied:

----- Original Message -----
From: Mike Martin
To: CityMan; William Watkins
Cc: Barbara Ward6; Laura Ward5; Jerry Ward4; Karl Ward3; Jason Ward2; Paul Ward1; Darwin Mayor
Sent: Monday, September 21, 2009 4:36 PM
Subject: Re: Fw: tonight's Council vote on sewer rate increase

Bill:

With all due respect, that's part of the problem in this community. Only a select few have "all the facts," doling them out as need be. The rest of us schleps just have to get by. As one of those schleps, I do the best with what I have, and everything I write or say is as carefully considered as it can be, given my intrinsically limited circumstances.

Mike


Councilman Skala jumped in:

----- Original Message -----
From: Karl Skala
To: Jason Thornhill; Paul Sturtz; Karl Skala; Jerry Wade; Laura Nauser; Barbara Hoppe; Darwin Hindman; William Watkins; Mike Martin; A Constituent
Sent: Monday, September 21, 2009 4:33 PM
Subject: Re: Fw: tonight's Council vote on sewer rate increase

A Constituent, et al.,

Tonight, I will ask Bill Watkins for his explanation regarding this information.

Best Regards,

Karl


Feeling naughty, I dashed off some satire:

----- Original Message -----
From: Mike Martin
To: Karl Skala;
Cc: Jason Thornhill; Paul Sturtz; Jerry Wade; Laura Nauser; Barbara Hoppe; Darwin Hindman; William Watkins;
A Constituent
Sent: Monday, September 21, 2009 4:58 PM
Subject: Re: Fw: tonight's Council vote on sewer rate increase

Karl:

You know darned well you can't ask Bill to explain anything. It's a violation of the City Charter, Chapter 205-A, Section 6B, Subchapter 7D.5, Paragraph 3A:

"No council member shall ever ask the city manager or any assistant city manager to explain anything, at any time, whatsoever, ad infinitum. Doing so will result in immediate removal from the council."

[City Attorney] Mr. Boeckmann sent me the relevant passage. It's right below the passage about how council members can't be paid.

See you out here in Schlep Land.

-- Mike


Mr. Watkins was not in a satirical mood:

----- Original Message -----
From: William Watkins
To: Mike Martin
Sent: Monday, September 21, 2009 4:55 PM
Subject: Re: Fw: tonight's Council vote on sewer rate increase

Mike -- I think your attempt at humor is way out of line.


Ever conscientious, Councilman Skala hunted for the ordinance I had cited:

----- Original Message -----
From: Karl Skala
To: Mike Martin
Sent: Tuesday, September 22, 2009 9:21 AM
Subject: The Sewer Thing

Mike,

....I am not sure what you meant by "City Charter, Chapter 205-A, Section 6B, Subchapter 7D.5, Paragraph 3A" as a reference; perhaps you would clarify this reference for me (I was unable to locate a City Charter, Chapter 205-A).

Best Regards.

Karl


I replied:

----- Original Message -----
From: Mike Martin
To: Karl Skala
Sent: Tuesday, September 22, 2009 10:07 AM
Subject: Re: The Sewer Thing

...no, there's no such thing as those charter citations. I was kidding...Many old-line senior staffers disdain answering council's questions, and I'm sure they wish there was such a charter citation....


BIZARRE CELL PHONE SALE: Offers MU Athletic Dept. Secrets

COLUMBIA, 9/23/09 (Beat Byte) -- In one of the weirdest stories to cross our desk in a while, a Craigslister is offering nearly 30 cell and smart phones for sale as "unique souvenirs." Why unique? They used to belong to the MU Athletic Department and still contain information from their former owners. The seller claims he purchased the old phones at a university disposal sale.

He says he offered to sell them back, but that the Athletic Department turned him down.

"Ever wanted to know how those sports dignitaries use their electronic stuff?" the seller writes. "What do they say in a chat? Who do they get tweets from? Now you can get a little bit of UNFILTERED insight. The price is reflective of the rarity and ensures only SERIOUS offers."

The smart phones, cell phones, and flip phones allegedly contain "conversations, text messages, email, memos, calendar entries and address books from all over the MU Athletic Department. Coaches and Directors of Volleyball, Soccer all the way up to Football and Basketball. In some cases there are conversations FROM the people as well. One seems to be from a sports doctor or pharmacist. Some seem to be from players and interns."

CHECK IT OUT AT:
http://columbiamo.craigslist.org/mob/1384339670.html
http://web.me.com/mikebellman/MU_Souvenirs/MUCellPhones.html


TRAFFIC SAFETY CHECK: Grant School, four years after an accident

COLUMBIA, 9/23/09 (Beat Byte) -- "One parent who witnessed Monday's accident said she didn't think she'd ever be able to forget the horrid sound of a child's body bouncing off a car's fender. A playground teeming with schoolmates and families witnessed the accident and it's aftermath. This should not happen again. The accident at Grant Elementary on Monday afternoon has to be a wake-up call to all drivers in Columbia."

That was the conclusion of an April 2005 Columbia Missourian guest column about a first grade girl at Grant Elementary struck by a car on Garth Avenue a month earlier.

In May 2005, Jacque Cowherd, then a Columbia Public Schools assistant superintendent, coordinated a meeting about traffic safety at Grant, a still-dangerous affair. Sandwiched between both the library and the elementary, Garth Avenue simply can't handle a traffic burden that has only grown in the past 4 years.

Attended by representatives from City Hall, Columbia Police Department, First Student Bus Service, assistant superintendent Jack Jensen, then-Grant principal Crystal Church, and school district safety coordinator Preston Bass, Cowherd's meeting addressed two goals, wrote Julie Davis in the Grant PTA newsletter:

1) To effect better enforcement of parking and speed
2) To request extension or maintenance of the yellow curb zone on Garth

Back then, Davis noted that among 360 total students, 100 rode the bus to and from school, while another 40 students attended Adventure Club, a popular after-school program held in the Grant auditorium.

"That leaves 220 students either walking home or picked up by car," Davis noted. She then provided what today could be used as a followup checklist: Was this done? Was that done? Crosswalks, crossing flags, and better rules have all been instituted.

But basic road and traffic issues remain largely unchanged.

"We have zero parking spaces at Grant and currently have no good safe spot for a drive-up student pickup area," Davis wrote.
She then noted that police will be "enforcing and ticketing speeders and vehicles parked, stopped or standing along Garth. The school district specifically asked the police department to help us in this way."

A number of other approaches were discussed, including traffic-calming devices, such as speed humps, on Garth; and developing a "drop-off/pick-up plan" Davis said would be "enforced very consistently by both our school and the Columbia Police Department" and having the library add another entrance/exit on Crestmere Ave., as the old library had.

Taking a serious look at this checklist today is like reviewing compliance with a series of expert recommendations. Writing to 4th Ward councilman Jerry Wade last year, Davis said she had been "heavily involved over the last 3-7 years working to address traffic safety issues at Grant. I worked with parents, school personnel and a city traffic engineer named Richard Stone during and after the library construction project. Stone was extremely knowledgable and worked very hard to help us. He probably still has a very deep file of Grant-related notes."

Davis concluded with a call to action in her 2005 PTA story, addressing a situation that continues to plague Grant school at least twice daily.

"As long as I've had children at this school, folks have been concerned about the traffic safety issues. The unfortunate accident last month has people paying attention. Please join me in doing your part to keep Garth Avenue safe by driving the speed limit, staying off the yellow curb, and crossing only in the crosswalk. Thanks for your help and cooperation!"


MU SCIENTIST: Studies Fall foliage

COLUMBIA, 9/23/09 (Mizzouwire) -- Meet John Walker, Plant Detective. His mission: To investigate one of the most common occurrences in nature -- abscission -- something that happens in plain sight billions and billions of times every year, every time a leaf falls from a tree or an apple drops to the ground.

Walker, a biologist who has been at the University of Missouri since 1987, and his MU colleagues in the University's Interdisciplinary Plant Group have been attracting international press for discovering links in the chain of genetic events that control abscission. With funding from the National Science Foundation, they tracked the process in a small flowering weed that grows in Europe, Asia and Africa.

"John is a pioneer," said Frans Tax, a plant biologist at the University of Arizona. "His research is an elegant combination of genetics and biochemistry. Because these genes are found in all plants, manipulation in crops to regulate abscission could be fairly straightforward."

Before following Walker on his path to discovery, let's review for a moment the case file on plant abscission: The autumn turning of leaves has always been part of the human experience, an activity has attracted at least as much interest from poets as from scientists.

When Walker does a PowerPoint presentation of his work he includes a citation from Emily Bronte:

Fall, leaves, fall; die, flowers, away;
Lengthen night and shorten day;
Every leaf speaks bliss to me
Fluttering from the autumn tree.

"That just about says it all," Walker says.

READ ALL ABOUT IT


SANS PEPPER AND MOUSER: Advertisers drop KOMU

COLUMBIA, 9/23/09 (Beat Byte) -- Now that Pepper and Friends has departed from the airwaves, local businesses are following through with threats to pull their advertising from Pepper's former home, television station KOMU.

The businesses include Affordable Cruises and Travel, LLC; Appletree Quilting Center; Children's Orchard; Dancearts of Columbia; Hazel Kinder's Lighthouse Theater; Hearing Solutions; The MacXprts Network; Missouri River Monuments; World Harvest International and Gourmet Foods; and Columbia Catering Company.

In August, Mac Xperts owner and former congressional candidate Duane Burghard wrote MU Chancellor Brady Deaton, Vice-Chancellor Jacquelyn Jones and KOMU General Manager Marty Siddall. "Unhappily, if the University insists on this course of action (cancellation), my business will be included in a group" of advertisers who've pulled their business.

Longtime MU associate professor of consumer and family economics Mel Zelenak, who owns Affordable Cruises and Travel, said that, "In total, Affordable Cruises and Travel has been responsible for approximately $5,000 in revenue sales for KOMU-TV through the first nine months of 2009. Once our contractual obligations end in September; I will terminate our five year relationship with the station. My decision is solely because of the management team's decision to eliminate Pepper and Friends programming."

Public relations executive Barbara Carman of Creative Concepts called Pepper and Friends a "front-porch" outlet.

"In the past, I have always considered 'Pepper and Friends' as the absolute best advertising resource to reach the Mid-Missouri people. If the show goes, KOMU-TV has nothing for me to recommend that has that wide local appeal."


MORTGAGE AND HOUSING NEWS: From Tom Stone

"I'M ON MY WAY...JUST SET ME FREE...HOME SWEET HOME." The lyrics from Motley Crue's Home Sweet Home sound a lot like something the housing industry might have sang last week, after the Commerce Department reported that the number of Housing Starts in August came in better than expected.

As you can see in the chart below, Housing Starts have fallen significantly since June 2008, but in last week's report, they broke free to come in at their highest level since last November. Building Permits were a bit lower than expectations, but the overall report suggests that while we're not entirely out of the woods yet, the worst in the housing market may have passed and that the industry may be on its way to stabilizing.

READ THE FULL REPORT


Tom Stone
The Bank of Missouri
Asst. Vice President
Columbia, MO
Office: 573-874-4700



Mike Martin
Blogitor in Chief
The Columbia Heart Beat
http://columbiaheartbeat.blogspot.com

BEAT BYTES: Liens, Foreclosures Slam Prominent Developer

News Briefs from The Columbia Heart Beat

1) Liens, Foreclosures Slam Prominent Developer
2) Zany, Wacky, Crazy: Columbia, Missouri, The Musical

3) Accountant Accusations Left on Downtown Cars

4) The Grasslands' Ann Koenig: 2009 Tree Climbing Champion

5) LET'S DO LUNCH: Mugs Up, A Columbia Institution

6) The Most Complete Look Ever at Stan Kroenke's Humongous Empire

7) READERS WRITE: Did Trib play fair with TIF opposition?

8) Commission urges action on water supply safety

9) Councilman Speaks Out on Downtown Cameras

10) Housing News from Bank of Missouri's Tom Stone

1) Liens, Foreclosures Slam Prominent Developer

COLUMBIA, 8/25/09 (Beat Byte) -- It's been a tough year for Glen Strothmann, a man people in the know call a "good guy" who's done a lot of "great things" for Columbia.

The prominent realtor and developer -- whose real estate empire stretches across the city -- has lost one of downtown's crown jewels to foreclosure and seen his well-regarded Delta group of development companies hit with liens and lawsuits.

The trouble seems to have kicked off in earnest last October, when Columbia-based A.D. Harris, Inc. filed a breach of contract lawsuit against Delta Roads Development; a sister company, Delta Park Development; Strothmann; and his partner, homebuilder Andy McVey (left). The case dragged on for several months, ultimately resulting in a $10,876.00 judgment and bank account garnishment.

The trouble continued after construction firm Emery Sapp and Sons filed a $47,567.00 lien and subsequent lawsuit against Strothmann, et. al. this month, apparently related to work on property he and partners own along Rock Quarry Road.

Strothmann occupies a uniquely diversified niche among local developers, taking on both new subdivisions and historic preservation.

Larger liens -- around $280,000.00 from contractors working on a major downtown preservation project -- started bedeviling Strothmann's companies last February. The restoration of 904 E. Broadway -- the former Puckett's women's wear store -- was to be both "state of the art" and vintage, "an original structure that dates to the early 1900s" when the building had a mezzanine, balcony and fancy railing, Strothmann told the Columbia Daily Tribune in 2007, shortly after he had purchased the building from serial preservationist John Ott.

But this month, Strothmann and Delta Roads lost the building after defaulting on a $1.3 million loan, along with several parcels at Springdale Estates after defaulting on another $600,000.00 in loans.

RELATED:

http://www.showmeboone.com/iCountyPDFCache/20090023438.PDF

http://www.showmeboone.com/iCountyPDFCache/20090023438.PDF

http://archive.showmenews.com/2006/sep/20060923busi003.asp

2) Zany, Wacky, Crazy: Columbia, Missouri, The Musical

COLUMBIA, 8/25/09 (Beat Byte) -- "Columbia, Missouri -- where everyone's White and Normal. We spend every week-end maintaining our lush front lawns."

What, you say? Who dares be so politically incorrect! It was the hit of a dinner party I attended this weekend, singer-songwriter Frank Reed's zany, catchy, twistedly toe-tapping take on our little burg, the song "Columbia, Missouri" from his 2008 album "I Regret Everything."

(The humorless, smug, pompous, overly-serious, or overly-sensitive should cover their eyes now).

In Columbia, Missouri, "everyone's shirt is tucked in," Reed sings. And "we all like brave new ideas in the arts --as long as they're not controversial or overly smart."

And sorry, First Ward Councilman and too-successful-for-those-sandals guy Paul Sturtz. According to Reed, who relishes twisting his tongue around the words,

"If we go to the Ragtag, downtown to see a show

Then we can expose our children to left-wing hip-py pro-pa-ganda!"

Imagine an Off-Broadway, full-on musical production designed with actor-singers devilishly delighting in poking fun at a town that -- from bikes v. cars to Hank "The Butterfly" -- often takes itself WAY too seriously and you've got this delightful ditty.

"Columbia, Missouri

Where Wal-Marts Outnumber People.

Col-um-bia, Miss-ouri

Yourrrree Okayyyyy!"

LISTEN FOR FREE

"Columbia, Missouri" is song #3, and if you just click "Listen" it plays with stereophonic quality. You can also download the song for free.

3) Accountant Accusations Left on Downtown Cars

COLUMBIA, 8/25/09 (Beat Byte) -- "Render Unto Caesar that which is Caesars!" proclaims a flyer left on dozens of cars downtown this past weekend.

But it wasn't an add for a Bible School or a pitch for a new religion. The flyer was an accusation against a local accountant, James Berry, CPA, for supposedly embezzling "hundreds of thousands of dollars." Signed "Betsy Murphy" with an email address betsymurphy@rocketmail.com, the flyer says Murphy and her husband -- local small business owners -- entrusted employee tax payments to Berry as part of a payroll service.

But "Berry kept the money for himself," resulting in IRS and State tax actions, including "liens filed against our house," that "have drained our savings," Murphy writes.

A quick Casenet search of both parties turns up two recent judgments and several State of Missouri delinquent tax actions against a "James R. Berry, CPA."

Neither Berry nor Murphy returned calls for comment.

4) The Grasslands' Ann Koenig: 2009 Tree Climbing Champion

COLUMBIA, 8/25/09 (Beat Byte) -- According to the women who know them, the guys who live around Ann Koenig (left) in Columbia's Grasslands neighborhood have a terrible case of chainsaw envy.

Rumor has it that Koenig, 35, has about eight shiny new chain saws, her collected prize-winnings from a brief but high-flying career as one of the world's best tree climbers.

Not only did Koenig -- a Missouri Dept. of Conservation forester -- climb away with the 2009 Midwest Tree Climbing Championship this June, but she was also the second highest placing U.S. finisher at the 2009 International Tree Climbing Championship (ITCC) held July 24 and 25 in Providence, Rhode Island. Koenig placed 8th overall, behind women climbers from New Zealand, Australia, Switzerland, and Sweden.

Started 35 years ago as a fun and competitive way to "preserve the classic skills that would prepare a climber equipped with nothing more than a rope to have the ability to save a life in an aerial rescue," the ITCC tests tree climbers across a number of important categories, from aerial rescue to basic climbing skills. Koenig started climbing competitively in 2005, and now ranks with the best.

She's also a Grant Mom (Grant Elementary School), where just yesterday I heard a Grant Dad openly wondering if he could persuade her to part with one of her championship chainsaws.

MORE AT:

http://www.mwisa.org/mc/page.do?sitePageId=34121

http://itcc.isa-arbor.com/results/resources/2009_preliminarytotals_web_final.pdf

http://itcc.isa-arbor.com/home.aspx

5) LET'S DO LUNCH: Mugs Up, A Columbia Institution

Tucked away over on Orange Street just off Business Loop 70 is a tiny reminder of a day long past when A&W dominated the fast food business and "drive in" was all part of America's new-found love for the automobile.

Opened by Raymond Kewley in 1955 and famous for its root beer, the Mugs-Up Drive In may have Columbia's best hamburgers and chili cheese dogs. I had both on a particularly gluttonous recent luncheon, and because I eat faster than Carl Edwards does a back flip, both entrees were gone before my lunch-time buddy -- the amazingly brilliant and deeply compassionate Amir Ziv (paid plug) -- had even slipped the wrapping off his order.

As the city's only non-chain drive-in, Mugs Up is a cute keeper, a great place to take the kids on the way to the pool; pick up a student study snack; or grab dinner on the way home from work. It's open 11 am to 9 pm Monday thru Saturday, but keeps seasonable hours, closed for most of the winter (open mid-February to late-October).

RELATED:

http://archive.showmenews.com/2002/aug/20020831busi003.asp

6) The Most Complete Look Ever at Stan Kroenke's Humongous Empire

Click here for the most complete list ever of Columbia developer Stan Kroenke's (left) endless empire.

7) READERS WRITE: Did Trib play fair with TIF opposition?

Mike: In my capacity as President of the Columbia Apartment Association (over 50% of Columbia's residential units are rental and we pay lots of taxes), I held several discussions about TIFs and the board voted unanimously to oppose the two downtown projects recently granted TIFs. I wrote our thoughts and reasons in an email to the Mayor, City Council members and the two papers: the Missourian and the Tribune.

I think it significant that the Missourian published my letter, but the Tribune did not. Why not? Hank? Are you there? Do you shy away from opposing opinions? I didn't think so until this happened.

Anyway, it was just kind of "buried" and the TIFs were rushed through. We felt like their minds were already made up before the public hearing and they simply did not want to hear any opposition. We also go into whether or not these areas are "blighted" and whether or not downtown is losing its economic base. We don't think so.

I enjoy your emails. Lots to think about. And we did feel that there were powerful forces at work behind the scenes. -- Mark Stevenson, Columbia

Columbia Apartment Association opposes TIF funding in city


Mike: Between you and I, as a business and landowner in downtown Columbia, I really don’t know if anyone (Special Business District, CCA, or Downtown Leadership Council) has my back.

I am sure I am overly naïve, but if someone on the board of one of these organizations hears or sees anything about my business or land, I feel that I should be informed immediately with a courtesy email, call or letter.

The only thing I know to do is to systematically visit each board meeting and ask them what allegiance they feel is owed to me as a member (or entity within their respective geographical boundaries). -- Name withheld by request

Mr. Martin: I look forward to each issue of the Columbia Heart Beat. You prove the importance of free and independent media. And I think you are the best investigative journalist in town. Keep up the good work! -- Mitchell J. Moore, Attorney at Law, Columbia

Hi Mike, Been wanting to thank you for writing the great neighborhood blog. Thanks for the Columbia Heart Beat! -- Mary Lottes, Ashland

8) Commission urges action on water supply safety

Columbia's Environment and Energy Commission sent the following letter to the City Council regarding the wetlands and water supply.

Seventeen years of study indicate that our wetland activities in the McBaine bottoms have fundamentally changed groundwater flow and impacted the quality of our drinking water supply.

Very soon, we will hire a consulting firm to perform an engineering study of our water treatment plant. Prior to drilling new wells, any plant expansion, or change in treatment, it is imperative that we answer some fundamental questions regarding our water supply.

• Should we treat our water to remove any of the unregulated compounds we now find in our water (wastewater tracers, pesticides, drugs, etc.)?
• What levels of these unregulated compounds are acceptable?
• Should we take steps to protect our wells from these contaminants?
• What can be done to minimize the wetlands’ effects on groundwater quality?
• What can be done to minimize the wetlands’ effects on groundwater flow?
• Could conservation measures delay the need for and expense of a plant expansion?

These questions should be addressed and our Source Water Protection Plan should be finalized in an open and public manner so that we as a community can participate in major decisions about our water supply. The Environment and Energy Commission requests to present this topic at a future council work session.

The Environment and Energy Commission recommends that the City Council direct staff to work with the Missouri Department of Conservation to address the questions posed above and to release its assessment at a future Council work session or scheduled evening meeting. It is our hope that Columbians may continue to enjoy the many benefits of the Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area and our wastewater treatment wetlands without further compromising our drinking water source.

9) Councilman Speaks Out on Downtown Cameras

The recent attack on Adam Taylor was a terrible crime and I am glad that he has recovered from his injuries. I am also very glad that the surveillance cameras in the parking garage helped the police identify and arrest the perpetrators. I have always supported the use of surveillance cameras in city-owned parking garages. Although they may not deter crime, as in Adam’s case, they can certainly help the police, after the fact.

However, I do not support government sponsored and taxpayer financed downtown surveillance cameras placed in high visibility public areas such as our streets and sidewalks for three reasons:

1) Existing comparative data do not demonstrate significant positive effects on crime deterrence or apprehension with continuous public surveillance in high visibility, high traffic areas, such as public streets and sidewalks. What does have a significant effect on both deterrence and apprehension is a significant police presence.

2) The data also suggest that the cost of general surveillance camera programs may be a waste of limited public safety resources, when compared to the value and flexibility of an increased police presence downtown. That is one reason why, after two public hearings and a Scheduled Public Comment on the matter, the City Council voted against reconsideration of funding them.

There is simply no effective substitute for well trained, dedicated and strategically deployed police officers. I firmly believe that local public safety policies ought to be data driven and optimized with regard to both effectiveness and cost. Accordingly, surveillance cameras have long been used in city-owned high-risk properties such as parking facilities.

Real police presence in the downtown area has also been significantly enhanced, consistent with the Columbia Police Department’s new data and resource driven policy of “geographic policing.” Concurrently, I would encourage the downtown merchants and property owners to make their own decisions with respect to the benefits and costs of private property surveillance.

3) There is no "probable cause” associated with continuous general public surveillance. Without “probable cause” citizens do have a "right to privacy" conferred by the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution against unreasonable searches and seizures, even in public areas.

Nonetheless, I continue to support the use of city surveillance cameras in high-risk public areas such as city parking garages, where probable cause is likely to exist because of poor sight lines, limited public activity, etc.

As the record indicates, I have voted accordingly.

Karl Skala
Columbia Third Ward City Councilman

10) Housing News from Bank of Missouri's Tom Stone

The housing market continues to show signs of stabilization, and although home prices are not about to spike higher, the decline certainly seems to have subsided. Existing Home Sales came in better than expectations, reaching their highest level in two years, as you can see in the chart below.

Click here to view newsletter

Tom Stone
The Bank of Missouri
Asst. Vice President
573-874-4700
573-489-4059
tstone@bankofmissouri.com

Mike Martin

Blogitor-in-Chief

The Columbia Heart Beat

http://columbiaheartbeat.blogspot.com

Biz Columnist Schuster Blasts City/County Downtown Land Grabs

COLUMBIA, 7/26/09 (Beat Byte) -- In a surprisingly pointed condemnation of public encroachment on the private sector, Columbia Business Times (CBT) columnist and former city councilman Larry Schuster Friday blasted the Columbia City Council for approving two local TIFs and took the Boone County Commission to task for buying up large chunks of once privately owned, property-tax-paying downtown land.

Warning against overly-liberal use of "blight" to secure tax incentives, Schuster intimated that he sees the term as a self-serving misnomer with regard to any parcel of downtown Columbia's legendarily pricey property.

"For the city council to approve each of these TIF applications, a host of acrobatic flips and tumbles have occurred. Beginning with the Tiger Hotel application, they have concluded that the treasure of downtown is in imminent danger of loss or dilapidation -- quite a stretch for even the most imaginative among us," Schuster writes in this week's CBT, a publication owned by Tiger Hotel principals Dave Baugher and Al Germond. "In the case of the Trittenbach application, they have overlooked the applicants’ public testimony that the property they seek to redevelop is among the most expensive real estate available within the city limits."

Schuster then points to an irony of downtown redevelopment: so many public agencies have swallowed once-privately held land that a tax revenue crisis of their own making now requires incentives like TIF and CID to correct.

"City Manager Bill Watkins points to the decline of sales tax revenue and business licenses in downtown as evidence that this particular interference is necessary," Schuster notes. "However, between the city and county governments, blame for the bulk of revenue declines can be laid at their feet. The Daniel Boone Building expansion itself removed two businesses from the private sector. In addition, the county’s acquisition of the Johnston Building, the Johnston Paint & Decorating Building and the Guarantee Land Title Building are further examples of recent moves from the private sector to the public, tax-exempt sector of the downtown economy.

"These acquisitions of prime real estate by public entities who pay top dollar fuels the exit of private enterprise that generates tax revenue. The downtown community is thus divided among those who accept the buyout and those less fortunate to hold properties that are not adjacent to public entities."

And, as Schuster says, divided between those who receive tax incentives and those who don't.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST


Street Do-Overs -- Providence Wall, Broadway Break -- Draw Gasps

COLUMBIA, 7/26/09 (Beat Byte) -- Is it just radio show callers, or have two street do-overs caught Columbians off guard? A huge wall running down the center of Providence -- perhaps to divide football parking crowds -- has appeared without any local media fanfare across from Reactor Field on one side and what I call Stadium Foothills on the other.

And once four-lane Broadway has suddenly become 1+ lanes at Clinkscales, where I've already seen several cars using a new right-hand turn lane to go straight.

It's above my pay grade to find out what's going on with both the Providence Wall and Broadway Bust, but based on disgruntled phone calls and confused drivers, I doubt I'm the only one with questions.


Criminal Parade Continues at Benton-Stephens 8-Plex

COLUMBIA, 7/26/09 (Beat Byte) -- The Tiger Car Wash chain owners may need to wash out tenants at their Benton-Stephens 8-plex. Following up a February story of dozens of arrests, fires, and SWAT team action at 1411 Wilkes Blvd., the parade of tenant arrests continues unabated. Since then, police have made the following arrests, stretching into late July (this month):

Jamall Chavez Cambell, 22, of 1411 Wilkes Blvd., probation-and-parole violation, out-of-county warrant, $5,200 bond.
Jamall Chavez Campbell, 22, of 1411 Wilkes Blvd., misdemeanor warrant.
Marco Damon Campbell, 24, of 1411 Wilkes Blvd., out-of-county warrant, $7,500 bond.
Marco Damon Campbell, 24, of 1411 Wilkes Blvd., careless and imprudent driving, driving without a license, $5,114.50 bond.
Marco Damon Campbell, 24, of 1411 Wilkes Blvd., two out-of-county warrants, possession of 35 grams or less of marijuana, $5,000 bond.
John Robert Allen, 26, of 1411 Wilkes Blvd., first-degree trespassing, stealing, $1,000 bond.
Natasha Deeann Hunter, 35, of 1411 Wilkes Blvd., possession of 35 grams or less of marijuana.

Owners Gregg and Amy Morgan purchased the eight-unit complex in March 2005 with help from a $602,000 mortgage from First National Bank (FNB) of Columbia. The mortgage, which includes another property, was refinanced at FNB in 2008 for $770,000, according to public records on file with Boone County. The Morgans and FNB then consolidated the note last December with several other properties for $1,520,000.

With former Emery Sapp and Sons VP Roland Bartels, Gregg Morgan also owns a chain of Tiger Car Washes and the Briarcrest Apartments at 105 N. Garth. In the four years since the Morgans purchased the Wilkes eight-plex, authorities have made 30 resident arrests, or an average 7 arrests per year, nearly one every other month. Apartment residents have also endured two fires.