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(AUDIO): Columbia has received all of its $25.2 million allocation from ARPA

February 8, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

While Columbia has only spent $800,000 of the $25-million it’s received under the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), many other dollars are committed to key projects.

City manager De’Carlon Seewood tells 939 the Eagle that about $10-million is committed.

“Right now we’re under contract negotiations for a behavioral crisis center. And so we’re running through that process. We have workforce development of $1.6 million that has been approved by council,” Seewood says.

Mr. Seewood also notes the council has approved $3-million for a comprehensive homeless services plan. That’s now pending an application review. ARPA was signed by President Joe Biden (D).

The city council and Boone County commissioners held a rare work session on Tuesday to discuss details of ARPA funding. Mr. Seewood is pleased with how Tuesday’s discussion went. He wanted it to be a conversation, and it was.

“You know one thing that I want to get to is hopefully there is an opportunity for the county and the city to collaborate on some projects. Something that would be really impactful for the overall Boone County. And so I think that’s exciting,” says Seewood.

As for Boone County, presiding commissioner Kip Kendrick tells 939 the Eagle that the county has received about $35-million in ARPA funding. They still have about $18-million and are currently accepting applications for funding.

Columbia’s city council gives green light to permit for construction of homeless shelter

February 7, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

The proposed 100-120 bed homeless shelter would be built near Columbia’s municipal power plant off the Business Loop (2022 file photo courtesy of City of Columbia Utilities)

A proposed 120-bed homeless shelter near Columbia’s power plant and former VFW Post 280 building is a step closer to reality.

The city council voted Monday evening to approve a permit that allows for the construction and operation of the proposed shelter near the Business Loop. The Voluntary Action Center (VAC) would operate the shelter, under the proposal.

City manager De’Carlon Seewood believes there are 100 to 200 homeless residents in town. Mr. Seewood’s report says clients at the proposed homeless shelter are to be single men and women experiencing homelessness. The longest they could stay at the shelter would be 90 days, according to Mr. Seewood’s report.

The proposed shelter would also include a commercial, laundry facilities, pet kennels, restrooms and showers. Critics of the proposal say there are inadequate sidewalks in that area and not enough services for the homeless.

The city has also purchased VFW Post 280’s building and parking lots on Ashley street for $865,000. The city used federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars for the purchase. President Joe Biden (D) signed ARPA into law. The VFW property is located just behind Columbia’s municipal power plant.

(AUDIO): Former U.S. Rep. Billy Long (R-Springfield) emphasizes civility on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”

January 30, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

Former U.S. Rep. Billy Long (R-Springfield) accumulated one of the most conservative voting records in Missouri’s GOP delegation during his 12 years on Capitol Hill. For State of the Union every winter, Congressman Long stood in the aisle before and after every speech, shaking the hands of both President Barack Obama (D) and Donald Trump (R). Presidents Obama and Trump also signed Congressman Long’s St. Jude tie, and the ties were auctioned off to help St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Memphis. Some of Congressman Long’s constituents in conservative southwest Missouri were not happy that he shook President Obama’s hand. Congressman Long discussed that this morning on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri.” He encourages civility on Capitol Hill, and urges Missouri freshmen U.S. Reps. Mark Alford (R-Harrisonville) and Eric Burlison (R-Springfield) to sit in the aisle for next Tuesday’s State of the Union. Long says they can and should be cordial to President Biden while still fighting for conservative principles:

Ballot measure would make Missouri National Guard its own department

October 25, 2022 By Brian Hauswirth

Missouri Governor Mike Parson (left) and Missouri National Guard Adjutant General Levon Cumpton at the state fair’s Military Appreciation Day in Sedalia on August 15, 2021 (file photo courtesy of the governor’s Flickr page)

You’ll be casting ballots in November on a proposed constitutional amendment involving the Missouri National Guard.

Amendment five is a fairly short ballot measure. It would amend the state Constitution to make the National Guard its own department called “the Missouri Department of the National Guard.” It would be required to protect the constitutional rights and civil liberties of Missourians, under Amendment five.

The Guard is currently part of the state Department of Public Safety (DPS). The Missouri Secretary of State’s fair ballot language says Amendment 5 would have no impact on taxes, if approved by voters.

The Missouri National Guard answers to both President Biden and Governor Parson. Both the Missouri Army and National Guard are currently exceeding their recruiting goals, according to the Guard’s website, with about 12,000 Guardsmen serving. They come from all 114 Missouri counties.

State Rep. Adam Schnelting (R-St. Charles) filed the bill to make the Guard its own department. Representative Schnelting serves in the Missouri National Guard.

(AUDIO): Missouri GOP U.S. Senate candidate Eric Schmitt appears on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”

October 20, 2022 By Brian Hauswirth

Missouri GOP U.S. Senate nominee Eric Schmitt, the state’s attorney general, describes the November Senate election between him and Democrat Trudy Busch Valentine as a contrast in backgrounds and beliefs. Attorney General Schmitt appeared on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”, telling listeners that Busch Valentine will push the Green New Deal. Busch Valentine’s campaign is airing numerous television commercials in mid-Missouri, which say Schmitt voted twice to allow China to buy up about 150-thousand acres of Missouri farmland. Busch Valentine says that’s a major risk to Missouri’s economy and to national security. Schmitt tells 939 the Eagle’s Brian Hauswirth that the ad misrepresents his vote and that no one will be tougher on China than him. Schmitt also tells listeners that he hopes President Joe Biden (D) travels to Missouri to campaign for Busch Valentine. Election day is November 8: