Central Bank of Boone County is Columbia’s largest bank, with approximately $3-billion in assets. The bank has 14 branches, including numerous Columbia branches and locations in Boonville, Ashland, Centralia, Hallsville and Sturgeon. Central Bank of Boone County president Ed Scavone joined host Fred Parry in-studio for the hour Saturday morning on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Round Table.” Mr. Scavone is one of Columbia’s top business and banking leaders. He moved to Columbia in 1978, at the age of 14. His mother-in-law worked for Central Bank in Moberly. Mr. Scavone has spent 29 years with Central Bank, including four years as president of Central Bank of Boone County. Inflation and housing were two of many topics Mr. Scavone and Mr. Parry tackled on the show. Mr. Scavone tells listeners that the big spender is the government, adding that the inflation we’re seeing now has been driven by federal COVID dollars and by federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars. Fred and Mr. Scavone also discussed the local economy. Mr. Scavone tells listeners that the median home value in Boone County is now about $350,000, adding that for years, housing costs were lower in Columbia than in St. Louis and Kansas City. Mr. Parry and Mr. Scavone say that’s not the case now:
(LISTEN): Columbia Police Officers Association (CPOA) president Matt Nichols appears on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”
The Columbia Police Department is currently 41 officers short, according to CPD assistant chief Jeremiah Hunter. Columbia Police Officers Association (CPOA) president Matt Nichols is concerned about that number and about staffing levels. Mr. Nichols joined us live on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” this morning, telling listeners that one detective left the department because of the way the community is leaning. Mr. Nichols and CPOA are also disappointed because Columbia’s city council has not allocated any federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars as premium/hazard pay for law enforcement officers and other essential workers who were unable to work from home during the COVID pandemic. Mr. Nichols tells listeners that one-time money would help retain Columbia Police officers, as well as bus drivers and garbage collectors. Mayor Barbara Buffaloe has noted Columbia’s city council approved a fiscal year 2024 budget in September that saw an across-the-board increase in pay, and an increase in starting salary for police officers. While Mr. Nichols acknowledges those two points, he says inflation has eaten a lot of that raise:
(LISTEN): Southwest Columbia’s new $4.5 million fire station opens
Fast-growing southwest Columbia has a brand-new fire station, thanks to the voter-approved 2015 capital improvement sales tax extension.
About 200 people turned out in the blazing sun for Tuesday morning’s ribbon-cutting ceremony on Scott Boulevard. City manager De’Carlon Seewood tells 939 the Eagle that it’s one of the fastest-growing areas in Columbia.
“And not to have proper fire service does a disservice to our residents. So this fire house will be an exemplary process that will allow our residents to be safe to make sure that if there is a health emergency or if there is a fire emergency, we can respond quickly,” Mr. Seewood says.
The 10,000 square feet fire station cost $4.5 million to build. It has three apparatus bays, a training room, multiple restrooms and a workout area. The new fire station is located in a residential neighborhood on Scott Boulevard in southwest Columbia. City voters approved the project as part of the 2015 capital improvement sales tax extension. Mr. Seewood says the project was impacted by inflation.
“When we put it in the budget ten years ago, we budgeted two-and-a-half million (dollars). Inflation happens, so it cost us four-and-a-half (million) to actually get it built,” says Seewood.
Mr. Seewood, Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe, fire chief Clayton Farr and Councilman Donald Waterman were among the speakers at Tuesday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony. Mr. Seewood tells 939 the Eagle the 12 firefighters to staff fire station 11 have been hired and are ready to start.
(LISTEN): Missouri Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe discusses his GOP gubernatorial bid on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”
Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe is seeking Missouri’s GOP gubernatorial nomination in 2024. He joined us live this morning on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”, saying crime and inflation are two main concerns he’s hearing from voters across the state. Lt. Governor Kehoe also says that when he meets voters, many of them want to know if he and others are getting anything done. Kehoe tells listeners that voters are tired of divisive politics:
West-central Missouri Democratic congressional candidate is self-funding his campaign
West-central Missouri’s sprawling fourth congressional district hasn’t sent a Democrat to Capitol Hill in 14 years. That’s when the late U.S. Rep. Ike Skelton (D-Lexington) won his final term in 2008.
Lamar Democrat Jack Truman believes he can win Tuesday’s election in the heavily-Republican district. The 57-year-old Truman tells 939 the Eagle that times are difficult across the rural district.
“Financially people are having to watch their pennies. And inflation and the economy is one of my top issues,” Truman says.
Mr. Truman says the regular person is having difficulty now just surviving, citing the cost of gasoline, food, rent, utilities and more. He’s self-funding his campaign and has been traveling across the sprawling 24-county district. He says there several other key issues that voters want to see addressed.
“Protecting our children, a woman’s right to choose, the economy, gun control, the environment,” says Truman.
He’ll face GOP nominee Mark Alford on Tuesday. Alford is a veteran Kansas City television new anchor.
The district includes parts of Columbia, Hallsville, Centralia and Sedalia. The district has only had two congressional representatives since 1977: Skelton from 1977-2010 and U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-Harrisonville) from 2011 to today. Hartzler gave up her House seat to run unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate.
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