An Offer You Can’t Refuse

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Tuesday night, the Southwest Camden County Fire Protection District board discussed the Macks Creek Community Park in a joint meeting with the park board and interested citizens. The meeting, orignally scheduled by the park board to discuss the “Save Our Park” event on May 18, was amended to include discussion about a proposal for the park’s future. This proposal was concocted by 2nd District Commissioner Cliff Luber and Macks Creek resident Paul Sheppard.

The meeting began with a prayer, then Jimmy Hubbard gave an update on the “Save Our Park” event. The event, scheduled for Saturday, May 18, will feature live music throughout the day. Jimmy also updated the group on donations received for the event, including hot dogs from Sav-A-Lot and items for a raffle. Musical acts and speakers have been lined up for the entire day, including the Blue Society. Mr. Hubbard also gave information regarding event insurance. According to Mr. Hubbard’s research, for less than $165, $3 million dollars of coverage can be purchased for a twenty-four hour event. This insurance is similar to coverage purchased for concerts, etc. The disputed ownership of the park has no bearing on the issuance of event coverage.

During Mr. Hubbard’s presentation, it became obvious that both Sheppard and Luber were impatient to move on to other business. Luber’s constant grunts and pointed throat clearings culminated with Paul Sheppard interrupting Jimmy, asking if he would hurry it along as they had a lot more to cover. Luber and Sheppard were anxious to unveil their backroom deal.

After Jimmy concluded, Luber stepped into the center of the gazebo to hand deliver a Guido-esque offer the citizens of Macks Creek couldn’t refuse. The offer Luber made at Tuesday’s meeting was one that had already been sent to park board members and community activists via email Thursday evening.

The SWFPD, according to a proposal spearheaded by 2nd District Commissioner Cliff Luber and Macks Creek resident Paul Sheppard, would assume ownership of the park, if the citizens of the Macks Creek community agree to raise funds to pay off debts incurred under the former city’s government. The email reads like an offer from ‘The Godfather’. The details of this offer were skirted at Tuesday night’s meeting and that, according to many residents, is where the devil lies.

Luber began his presentation by stating that the county assumes no ownership of the park. He cited familiar arguments regarding the county’s position for not wanting to be associated with the park long term. He reinforced inaccurate and inflated fears that other cities in the county, like Climax Springs, might also dissolve and want the county to assume responsibility for their parks.

Then, Luber stated that he was positive there was ”plenty of private money” available through fund raising, to clear the former city’s debt. He inferred that the monies raised through efforts of people like Jimmy Hubbard, Melody Hartman, Stacey Randalls and Kristina Price would be able to pay off the odious debt easily. Luber stated repeatedly that he was ”not worried about the debts”. That is an easy position to take when you aren’t the one paying for them.

Luber also said on Tuesday that he was ”tired of government” always being at the center of solutions. He emphasized community as the answer to the park issue. His assertion that the people pick up the tab for poor government decisions brings to mind a word well-known in Luber’s political circles: Socialism. Socializing the debt of a former corrupt government to a community, while holding their park hostage, bears all the hallmarks of what is most despized in politics. It is bully behavior.

While Luber’s presentation at the meeting on Tuesday fell short of thoroughly discussing the details of his proposal surrounding the old city debt, the email he sent Thursday fills in some blanks. In it, Luber introduces his extortion offer with his full endorsement. He also seeks to minimize conversation outside of the framework of his proposed solution.

” I would strongly suggest we work together to move this forward by reducing the current liabilities and hoping the SWFPD will assume the park, and not rehash things we both know are outlined in this letter. “

Then, like a good telemarketer, Luber assumed the sale, installing Paul Sheppard as overseer of the Park’s power of attorney, with the endorsement of County Attorney and Macks Creek Trustee Charlie McElyea:

” I spoke with Charlie today and he has agreed to allow Paul Sheppard to be the Power of Attorney and work to eliminate the liabilities regarding the IRS and Division of Employment Security. Paul will be obtaining that authority tomorrow. “

What Luber is offering the people of Macks Creek is an extortion demand. If you want your park, you have to pay off the odious debts incurred by the former city government. That is the county’s demand for releasing authority of the park. It would seek to then transfer oversight of the property to the Southwest Fire Protection District and its board.

In a clever one-two from the County Commission, we are painted two different pictures regarding debts owed by the former city of Macks Creek. Prior to Luber’s extortion email, Presiding Commissioner Kris Franken gave an interview to the Lake Sun regarding the Macks Creek Community Park. One of the issues raised by Franken was the liabilities of the former city’s debt. In that article, he said:

” The total of the outstanding bills for the City of Macks Creek is $18,629.15, with $875.36 owed to the state of Missouri, and $718.48 to the federal government. While the argument may be able to be made saying that the park is not currently in a position be sold, that does not mean that it is not a viable asset in the eyes of Macks Creek’s creditors, and would probably be a losing argument for the county in a court of law, leaving Camden County on the hook for the $18,629.15. The park can only be sold if the stipulation from the grant is somehow removed, Franken said.

There was no attempt to explain or itemize the figure Franken put forth as the former city’s debt. While Franken specifically identified the amounts owed to government agencies, this accounted for less than ten percent of the $18,000 debt. He does not offer any other bills to substantiate his claim. This public overinflation of debt would seek to use public opinion against the people of Macks Creek.

Luber however, in his Chicago-style shakedown letter, identified a different amount of debt owed by the former city. He plays the role of ”good cop” in this classic con game. From his email letter to the park board and community activists:

” The total outstanding liabilities are 4,439.15. I think these liabilities can greatly be reduced, but possibly the Park Board and others be prepared to raise any monies needed to pay off the final amount owed. Once the debt is satisfied, Charlie is agreeable to conveying the park property to the SWFPD. “

Luber goes on to say:

” I know paying off the city’s debts are unappetizing. However; if it brings a positive resolution by the community being able to move forward with their park, and will allow the property to be conveyed, I believe it should strongly be considered. “

According to sources close to the situation, a significant portion of the debt claimed by Franken are attorney fees owed to Charlie McElyea. McElyea, who accrued the fees in his role as Trustee of the former city of Macks Creek, are in the range of $11,000 and $13,000. McElyea has offered to write these fees off and work to reduce the amount outstanding further. A lawsuit involving the city is the source of one such outstanding debt. An AT&T bill, another. When the topic of former city debt was mentioned on Tuesday night, former mayor Joel Stoner, in attendance, sat on the sidelines in silence.

Luber continued, “I believe the options are extremely limited and would appreciate your support to move my suggestion forward in regards to paying off the liabilities and asking the SWFPD to assume ownership of the park.”

“I have asked Paul Sheppard to request an Emergency Board Meeting with the SWFPD to discuss this matter.”

Paul Sheppard sits on both the Macks Creek Community Park Board as well as the board of the Southwest Fire Protection District. A longtime resident of Macks Creek, Sheppard seemed to allude to this backroom deal in the last park board meeting. As reported by American Spring, Sheppard said, in regards to who owned the park: ” The community of Macks Creek and southwest Camden County. ” At the time he made this comment, Mr. Sheppard gestured to the fire protection district map hanging on the wall. He also said, more than once, that he expected a resolution to the park situation in a couple of weeks.

The resolution negotiated by Mr. Sheppard, Commissioner Luber, County Attorney McElyea and Commissioner Franken however, has met resistance with both members of the park board and the community. Holding the park hostage against debts incurred by a dysfunctional city government, one they voted to dissolve, has been taken by some as an insult.

Leslie Chamberlin, president of the Macks Creek Community Park board: ” During the city dissolution, I had formed a meeting asking for the assistance of the Camden County Commission on July 28, 2012 to help the citizens understand how the dissolution would affect them as citizens of Macks Creek city after the city dissolved. The city debt was a major topic. Commissioner Kris Franken indicated to his constituents that the debt could not be passed to the citizens and that a trustee would handle what was in the best interest of the city and its people to determine what debt could be paid, if any. It was said that the County would not have to take on that debt. The dissolution of the city was compared to a person dying. I understood it that if the park had grant restrictions on it, it could not be sold to pay the debt. At this point, those restrictions are the only thing saving the park. I also believe that Commissioner Franken is using Commissioner Luber to do his dirty work. It was interesting that Commissioner Luber showed up to the meeting, yet Commissioner Franken did not. ”

Ms. Chamberlin was not consulted in any talks or agreements regarding paying off old city debt. She opposes any attempt to use the park as leverage to force the community to raise money to pay off these odious debts.

“I understand that our group does not legally own the park. Second District Commissioner Cliff Luber contacted me last Friday. I was under the impression discussions had already occurred between Paul, The Commission, and trustee for the City of Macks Creek. I was told I was stupid for not considering this option of fundraising to pay back the debt. I explained that I worked long and hard for the dissolution of the city and had given my word that I had researched the fact that the debt could not fall onto the citizens. Why should we have to pay for the mistakes of those whom we were left to fight with little assistance from Camden County to help us as a people of that county? I paid for the election out of my pocket to help Camden County stop the bleeding. If the City continued on its path, the amount of debt would have been much worse. Financially, I have provided enough and so have others in the Macks Creek community. The people paid for the park originally, not the City. The City was brought in to be an owner. History is repeating itself. The County is asking a small group of people to take on a debt they didn’t incur and were fighting to stop from happening. It’s just not fair when Commissioner Franken said that if the City was dissolved, the debt would not affect any one individual and then turn around and send Commissioner Luber in with a guilt trip trying to get us to pay the City’s neglected bills. That is Bait and Switch in my mind, and I cannot be a part of those tactics. I will not be bullied into a decision. I do not appreciate being told that if I was charitable, I would take this solution. I have been more than charitable in helping the Macks Creek area get through this growing pain trying to undo its shady past. Another individual should never judge another person’s charitable heart.”

Macks Creek resident Nicki Roam spoke about the attempt to hold the park ransom.

” The city, when it existed, didnt pay the IRS or unemployment. They bought third rate, antique road graders. They blew money trying to get them to run. When they did run I dont think the operators knew what they were doing half the time. Our roads were graded once every few months (at best.) The phone bills were never paid. The people of Macks Creek are tired of being bullied and being told one thing then having to do another. We were told in a meeting right before we dissolved by Comissioner Franken that we would not be responsible for any city debt. I heard it and so did many others.
He did say the future of the park was uncertain but he would have to sift thru assets and figure that out. But now we are being told if we want it there is a possibility we will have to pay off old debts….many of them we fought hard against even having to incur. “

The extortion attempt highlights the relationship between Paul Sheppard and Cliff Luber. Sheppard, a proponent of the implementation of EEZ’s in Camden County, has maintained close ties to Luber. Mr. Sheppard was a supporter of Luber’s in the 2012 election for county commission. Soon after the election, Luber announced his support for EEZ’s and began courting gun manufacturer Beretta to relocate to Camden County. Presumably, the subject of EEZ’s and the tax abatements associated with them were part of these conversations with the Maryland-based company. In recent weeks, as public resistance has continued to mount against EEZ’s, Luber has attempted to distance himself from the subject.

Luber has yet to commit publicly on his stance regarding EEZ’s, despite fierce opposition to such zones among his base supporters, the Lake Area Conservative Club. The LACC has been on the front lines in the fight for private property ownership rights and many of their group see EEZ’s as a threat to private property values across Camden County.

Repeatedly and publicly, American Spring has sought to ask Commissioner Luber about EEZ’s, in order to provide clarification of his views on this important subject. To date, there has been no reply from the commissioner.

Last Friday, on KRMS’ Morning Magazine, Luber talked about both the pro’s and the con’s surrounding EEZ’s. He fell far short of taking a stance on the issue however, using what has become a familiar mantra. Luber said that he is still waiting for information regarding the effects of blight on property values. He has said that he has requested the information from government sources and has yet to receive it. This, he indicates, is why he has not chosen a position. It appears to be a convenient excuse.

Luber has been advised by one real estate expert of 18 years experience that the blight designation does, in fact, have a negative effect on property values. Research, conducted by the group Luber helped found, the Lake Area Conservative Club, points to EEZ’s having a few positive effects on economic growth in an area. The tax benefits provided to business who would take advantage of an EEZ have been found to actually cost taxpayers money without providing the projected boost to the communities supporting them.

This continued refrain of ignorance from Luber is wearing thin with his constituents. He has repeated his excuse since the subject of EEZ’s were officially entered into the county record. His claims of waiting for information while his constituents see a black and white issue, has already cost him the trust of long term supporters and called into question his political motivations and ambitions.

The offer Luber delivered to the citizens of Macks Creek, encouraging them to raise money to pay off past debts in exchange for the park appears to be a hollow one. In addition to attempting to extort money from the citizens of the Macks Creek community, the ‘solution’ proposed by Luber would turn the park land would transfer control of the park, in part, to Paul Sheppard. Sheppard sits on the unelected board of the Southwest Fire Protection District. The fire district would assume control over the park in this proposal. This leads some to question the long term ramifications for the park and its nearly ten acres just off of Highway 54.

While the park is protected from outright sale, the property can be sold if a location of equal value can be found in the area to serve as a public park for the community. This is a protection written into the grant accepted on behalf of the park in the 1990′s. As the park sits in an area considered to be flood plain, its value on the real estate market is depressed. Any replacement public use site would almost certainly pale by comparison to the picturesque bottoms of Macks Creek Community Park. Nor is this the only concern. As the shadow of EEZ’s creeps across the landscape to include most of southwest Camden County and the community of Macks Creek, the park and its acreage take a different cast.

The part of the park nearest Highway 54 would be unsuited for development. Regularly, these bottoms become boggy and result in the property’s designation as flood plain. The upper part of the park which has been developed into a recreation area complete with swings, a gazebo and other playground equipment, is more suited to building and industrial development. The park, and the lands that abut it, would seem to be an ideal location for businesses seeking to take advantage of an EEZ. The proximity to the highway and open expanse of the bottoms in which the park sits may make it an attractive site for a business looking to take advantage of considerable tax breaks available through EEZ’s. Placing the park in the hands of those who support EEZ’s may mean the park’s days are numbered.

What is certain, is that community resistance to the extortion demand issued by Cliff Luber will not be tolerated. As park board president Leslie Chamberlin learned, Cliff Luber knows all about the ‘Chicago-style’ politics he campaigned against in ’12.

When she talked with Luber after receiving the demand, he launched into an attack. He began berating her on the telephone and called Ms. Chamberlin ”stupid” when she raised objections to paying off old city debt.

“He said I was stupid for not considering this option. All I told him was that I personally would not be a part of a fundraising effort. I never said anything more. He was upset that he worked so hard for the past week. Possibly if he had consulted me prior to that hard work, he would have known my stance. He chose to speak with Jerry Palmer and Paul Sheppard. Neither of those men are my representative, so their opinion was not how the President of Macks Creek Community park felt about the subject. I feel my job as the president is to look out for the best interest of the group. The group’s mission is to look out for the best interest of the park. I feel as if my park is being held hostage to pay back bills that have nothing to do with it. It sickened me that former Mayor Joel Stoner and his mother were at that meeting last night smirking when the debt was brought up. Those two were the directly the reason the city was in the bind it was.”

Luber appears to have taken a page from the bully handbook employed by Kris Franken. It is clear that the one-time tea party leader in the lake area has decided to abandon the very foundation of the group by pushing the residents of Macks Creek to pay debt incurred by a corrputed government. His inexcusable behavior toward a tax-paying citizen of this county speaks volumes to both his lack of integrity and character. It also speaks directly to the art of the backroom deal. Luber’s rank insistence that the people accept this hollow offer of resolution has created more uncertainty among the community and further muddied the murky future of the park.

His ‘solution’ would have the people of the community raise money to pay off debt for a corrupted city government to receive resolution to the issue of the park. Once this is completed, he would then see the park handed over to an EEZ-friendly board. This has created anger among those who live in Macks Creek, particularly in light of a recent decision made at the school to defer an appointment to an EEZ board to Camdenton’s Tim Hatfield. This board seat will rotate between the school districts. Josh Phillips, new to position of superintendant at Macks Creek, elected to focus on the district without the additional responsibilities of serving on the board. As a result, Hatfield would serve the first term on any EEZ board.

The community of Macks Creek and the park have become ground zero for a number of common lake area issues. EEZ implementation lies at the heart of that. Macks Creek increasingly appears to be positioning toward the acceptance of blight designation for the benefit of business. The groundwork for this move has been quietly laid in the background and in back rooms in Camden County.

“Now that I know what Franken’s plans are for EEZs I feel like he would have told us anything to get us to dissolve because it works out better for him And I feel like he knew the park was a huge deal to a lot of us, so he kind of just played dumb and said he didnt know,” said Nicki Roam.

The community of Macks Creek is beginning to stir in opposition to this scheme. They are beginning to see the truth for themselves. They are beginning to take matters into their own hands.

Jerry Palmer, in attendance Tuesday, presented information from the DNR. It is the position of DNR that the county does indeed own the park. County Attorney and Macks Creek Trustee Charlie McElyea does not share this opinion. According to the DNR, the county could face possible legal action for not maintaing the park for the community, per grant responsibilities. Such a legal action, brought on by county inaction and ineptitude, could potentially cost the taxpayers thousands of dollars.

Von Young, attending the meeting in his capacity as a board member for the Southwest Fire Protection District, questioned what the real difference would be between the county maintaining sponsorship for the park and the fire district being sponsors. To that, Luber could only shrug. Soon after, in ‘hit-and-run’ fashion, Luber bolted from the pavillion.

The ”Save Our Park” event has been planned by volunteers for May 18. This event will feature live music and seeks to raise awareness about the plight of the park. Planning for this event began before the extortion offer to pay city debts was proposed. At this time, it is unclear if any fund raising would be used in the way demanded by Luber. This community event was conceptualized as a way to bring attention to the status of the park and the need for a positive resolution. The show, as it is said, must go on. Organizer Melody Hartman:

” The event is essentially to raise awareness to the people of the community about the situation surrounding the park. I am hoping that it can also serve as a testiment to the county, DNR, and the local fire department about how many people utilize the park on a daily basis. There will be local musicians, free hot dogs, poltuck sides and desserts, and family activities. We will also be raffling off several items that were donated by local businesses who wanted to show their support.”

Melody went on to talk about other efforts underway in support of the community park.

“Originally we were going to gather signatures on a petition, as well as gather pledges from community members who would help to maintain and improve the park, and video testimony about how often the park is used and what it means to the people.”

The Macks Creek Community Park, and the issues tied to it, have become common ground for a growing number of Lake citizens. Those who stand in protection of our constitutional right to speech and those who stand for the rights of private property owners at the Lake of the Ozarks have rallied around the cause of the park. It is a snapshot of our community at large and the dangers posed by reckless proposals and intentionally ineffective government.

The park’s plight is far from over and time will tell how its fate is decided. One thing is certain, it bears paying close attention to. Macks Creek and its park is at the center of a political perfect storm.

As Paul Sheppard said on Facebook, after striking his backroom deal, the community should ” put past behind us and move forward maybe lessons have been learned don’t give up that the easy way out some people are like the kinds in grade school who play marbles and don’t like when they lose so the pickup their marbles and go home. “

Instead of paying off old debt and putting the past behind them, perhaps the community of Macks Creek would remember this saying:

“Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it.”

Article 600 and the P & Z Shell Game

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A recent rash of noise complaints from private citizens against lake front businesses has escalated in recent weeks. These complaints have drawn attention to Camden County’s Planning and Zoning Commission. The complaints are challenging zoning classifications and use permits of both Paradise, a restaurant and bar located in Sunrise Beach and Lazy Gators, part of an entertainment complex on Horseshoe Bend. In both cases, private home owners are lodging complaints against these facilities. The complaints are similar in nature and have centered around noise levels, citing that homeowners’ rights are being violated in what is being termed ‘commercial creep’.

These complaints and various legal proceedings have begun to make an argument for the need for Article 600, currently tabled by the County Commission in lieu of public opposition. Article 600, according to an argument made by Kris Franken in March, was necessary to provide enforcement for Planning and Zoning violations. He explained that after a 90-day violation is issued, the county has no other recourse than the courts.

“This is where our current code exhausts enforcement,” Franken said in quote from lakeexpo.com. “At that point all we can do is file suit in civil court which is very expensive.”

The Commission should know. They have been caught in legal proceedings they began with Lazy Gators in recent years. Lazy Gators, which sits on a lot that was formerly the site to an abandoned house, is zoned as residential. Instead of rezoning to accommodate the commercial use of the point, the county remained steadfast on keeping the lot zoned residential. This was done under the leadership of a county commission that included two residents of Horseshoe Bend, current Commissioner Bev Thomas and former Presiding Commissioner Carolyn Lorraine.

Attorney and husband of former Presiding Commissioner Lorraine, Thomas Lorraine, representing Mr. and Mrs. Richard Danowsky, filed a petition in Camden County Circuit Court against the Paradise Bar and Grill in Sunrise Beach. The petition states his clients land rights and values were being adversely affected by the noise levels coming from neighboring Paradise. ” They won’t enforce their own codes.” Lorraine said of the county.

Across the Lake, residents of the Village of the Four Seasons have lodged similar complaints against Lazy Gators. They cite entertainment cabanas, outdoor music and traffic congestion as being in violation of Camden County zoning regulations. Anonymous citizens were quoted, hitting an interesting array of talking points in a recent article by Dan Field in the Lake Sun. In it, Field describes at length, concerns of unidentified citizens. Additionally, he takes great pains to avoid mentioning the approximate number of those citizens standing against the operation of Lazy Gators.

From Field’s Lake Sun article:

The group attending the Village meeting says it will continue to visit with residents and work to gather momentum in halting the noise and other concerns.

“One of the issues is that the Camden County Planning and Zoning has little recourse when somebody breaks the rules other than the courts,” a resident said. “We’re not against development, none of us is, as long as the development doesn’t infringe on the residents.

Our voices are going to be the most important thing in getting this resolved,” a resident said.

Village Clerk Tom Laird encouraged residents to attend Planning and Zoning meetings and Camden County Commissioner meetings.

Article 600, from sales pitches issued from county commissioners in recent months, is the solution. Residents of the Village of the Four Seasons would clearly like to see Article 600 passed and applied to developer of Lazy Gators, Gary Prewitt. In order to satisfy citizens in the Village of Four Seasons, the county filed suit against Prewitt, claiming him to be in violation of zoning restrictions. The county has also denied all attempts to rezone the lot to commercial. This failure to rezone and decision to pursue a court judgement would not seem to be in the best interest of Camden County. It would however, appear to benefit a few residents of Horseshoe Bend. These residents of Four Seasons, who would remain anonymous, would like to see unwarranted inspections and heavy fines imposed on residents in Camden County. The Commission’s office seems all too eager to assist in these flimsy ‘justifications’ to pass Article 600. The County Commission, through the use of a manufactured crisis by way of the lawsuit filed against Lazy Gators, is seeking political cover regarding the controversial Planning and Zoning Article. They would seek to give themselves protection against public resentment, should they pass it.

The next meeting of the County Commission will be at 10am on May 16th. As the justifications mount in favor of Article 600, so too does the resolve of those who stand in opposition to such gross government overreach. The citizens of Camden County, whose voices were loud in defiance of the ambiguous Article 600, now have both their eyes and ears wide open, looking for the next move in this shell game.

Macks Creek and Their CommUNITY Park

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Macks Creek Community Park sits in political netherworld while Spring has Sprung. The residents of the Macks Creek Community are seeking answers about their park.

Macks Creek Community Park sits in a political netherworld while Spring has Sprung. The residents of the Macks Creek Community are seeking answers about their park.

Friday night, the members of the Macks Creek Community Park board held their first meeting of the spring.  The meeting began with board officers Leslie Chamberlin, Brenda Carnahan and Paul Sheppard discussing a park clean up day.  The consensus was that, until ownership of the park is established, community efforts should be tabled due to liability and insurance concerns.  The conversation then went to matters of mowing and maintaining the park while it remains in political limbo.  The pros and cons of maintaining the park were addressed by the board, with Brenda Carnahan speaking firmly in favor of continuing efforts to ensure the park remain usable by the community.

“I don’t think we should stop” she said. “I think the more we do…we’ve got the park cleaned up.  We’ve got the park looking nice. I think we should keep doing something.”  This sentiment was echoed by Paul Sheppard, who said he would continue to use his weed eater at the park.  All in attendance understood this is far from a permanent solution.  As Leslie pointed out, without insurance, they cannot recruit volunteers because of insurance concerns.

Doing something about the park in Macks Creek has become a rallying point for the Lake of the Ozarks community.  The meeting drew a crowd from around the lake area, in addition to Macks “Creekers”.  The Macks Creek Community Park and its uncertain status, has become a rallying point for members of the Lake community as well as a point of contention at the Camden County Courthouse.

The dissolution of the City of Macks Creek has put the Community Park in a purgatory.  While there seems to be a clear deed to the property, because of a grant issued by the Department of Natural Resources, the Park’s status is unclear.  When the city was voted dissolved, the Park reverted to County control.  This does not include maintenance for the park, nor does it include upgrades to facilities.  The county has cited that they have no tax money allocated for the park to do such work.  While the County does not hold the Park in a trust, the Commission’s office holds the reins on the Park.

Construction had begun on these restrooms, but uncertainty regarding the park's ownership has halted completion.

Construction had begun on these restrooms, but uncertainty regarding the park’s ownership has halted completion.

Currently, members of the Macks Creek community are working to expedite a resolution regarding the ownership of the park.  Once clear ownership is defined, the Park Board can work with that structure and begin fundraising.  Without a resolution to the ownership issue, the Park Board cannot proceed with fundraisers and construction to complete two bathroom facilities.  Nor can they repair cracked sidewalks or pursue donations for new playground equipment.

The issue of the inclusion of community garden space was a topic of much discussion Friday night.  Community gardens have been springing up all around the country in a variety of ways.  In some cases they work with local food pantries,  providing half the produce from each plot to food banks.  Others engage in competition with neighbors and surrounding communities.  There appear to be plenty of interested donors in the lake area, with greenhouses and nurseries leading the way.

Board President Leslie Chamberlin discussed several different fund-raising options for the park.  They discussed holding ‘Macks Creek Days’, complete with a charity auction.  Leslie mentioned businesses in the community that have expressed an interest in helping raise money to support the ‘Creekers’ and their wish to have their park back.  The problem isn’t funding, it’s having a resolution on the land.

“I suspect we will have an answer in a couple of weeks.” Paul Sheppard, board Treasurer stated.

That has been the hope, since the board first approached Presiding Commissioner Kris Franken prior to last August’s election.  At that time, they sought resolution to the issue, in order to be prepared to handle the park in the spring.  Emails exchanged between Jerry Palmer, Macks Creek Park board member and local business owner, and Commissioner Franken about the status of the park outline the web of bureaucracy it is snared in.

The Macks Creek Community Park is set on 9.6 acres of land designated as 'flood plain'. While it may not be good for development, it is ideal for a community park.

The Macks Creek Community Park is set on 9.6 acres of land designated as ‘flood plain’. While it may not be good for development, it is ideal for a community park.

Jerry Palmer, local business owner, has been seeking clarification from the county regarding this matter.  Below, are some of his efforts in chronological order.  Also included is a response from Presiding Commissioner Kris Franken.  The first email was sent to State Senator Dan Brown.  In it, Jerry asks for help in resolving the issues surrounding the park.

From: Jerry Palmer [mailto:palmj5@att.net]
Sent: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 9:14 PM
To: Dan Brown
Subject: Regarding ownership of park in Macks Creek Mo.

Dear Sir,

I am a resident of Camden County Missouri and a business owner in the Town of Macks Creek Missouri.

The City was dissolved back in August 2012 by the resident voter of the former City of Macks Creek Mo.

It was won by a very big margin.

There is a dispute now with Camden County over ownership of a 8 or 9 acre park more or less and who should or should not have the Park.

It is my understanding that there is a Park Board been formed here to maintain and care for the Park.

The problem now it has been 8 months and the County Commission will not talk to nor make a decision on this matter.

They maintain the will not mow nor take care of the Park due to the fact they do not have tax money to do this.

We request very respectfully that your office request the Attorney Generals Office request information of prior owner ship from the beginning up to the present. Also minutes of records of how the Park become City owned property years ago when it was started by the Community of Macks Creek and not the City of Macks Creek.  Was

The property deed signed legally or dishonestly by others?

It is my understanding that the Park was started by the local Community with community money in the beginning.

I do not know how the Former City of Macks Creek Mo became owners of this land but in my opinion and others it does not matter to to the fact the City has been dissolved. We know for a fact that we donated $500.00.

It is also my understanding from DNR that there was prior grant money given to the City of Macks Creek for improvements to the park and the grant states the land cannot be sold now or never except if it is the land has to be replace for equal value and a new park be constructed.

It is also my understanding that DNR has contacted the County and their Attorney a number of times to resolve this problem

Without any response as of this date 4-3-2013.  It is also my understanding that all the County has to do is Sponsor the park in writing to DNR then lease the park to the park board for $1.00 and the park board maintain insurance and maintain what a quick fix to the problem.

This is a nice Park and lots of kids enjoy this park 8 or 9 months out of the year.  There is also a track there that our School system also uses.

It is also my understand that there is to be a handicap walkway down to the playground equipment that is written in the prior grant that has never been finished also.  According to DNR spokesman Chris Buckland.

Thank you for any help you can give us on this matter above.  As a business owner and resident of Camden County all we want to see is a nice maintained clean park with nice playground equipment and the park be accessable to everyone at all times that wants to use it.

Sincerely

Jerry L Palmer

Jerry also reached out to County Clerk Todd for clarification about the park.

From: Jerry Palmer [mailto:palmj5@att.net]
Sent: Friday, April 05, 2013 9:17 AM
To: rowland_todd@camdenmo.org; leslie@whisperingcreekfarms.com
Subject: quick question

Rowland,

Leslie and I have a quick question as you can see she will be getting this email also.

Are you the record holder of the Former City of Macks Creek once it got dissolved or where are those records now and where are they being stored?

Also for concerned persons with questions or needing copies of information do they need to come by your office and do a Sunshine Law request.

We sent Franken a request a few days ago requesting information and have not been given information as of yet by him.

What we are looking for  is information such as minutes of meetings where the ownership of the Community Park was mentioned who was present and who voted to receive ownership of the park etc etc and who was given the permission to receive and sign title of deed to the property.

It is my understanding that the Friends of the Park had money like $3500.00 in the Bank of Macks Creek and someone that was on the board of the past City of Macks Creek went to the bank and the bank allowed them to withdraw the money without being on the checking account and the Park board members were all fired.

Volunteer workers of the community that  spent money to purchase the land and make improvements to the park.

Like to see some kind of tracking from the past how this money was used as well as others are now questioning this matter.

Main piece of material needed is something in writing from the Former City of Macks Creek received ownership of the Park in the beginning.

If Leslie and I need to drop by and sign a sunshine law request on this matter please let us know. As she is the President of the newly formed Park Board at the present time.

Look forward to your response on this matter thanks for your past and future help on this pressing matter of the Community Park of Macks Creek Mo.

We are kind of thinking maybe the State Auditor may need to get involved with this pressing matter because we keep finding out there may be large sums of money involved in this matter that may or may not have been misused and not used on the Park.

Sincerely

Jerry L Palmer

Presiding Commissioner Franken responded to Jerry.  This follows a call from Jerry to KRMS’ Morning Magazine during the station’s ‘ticked off Tuesday’ segment.  During the show, Jerry talked about the Community Park and his efforts to get answers from County officials.  Jerry spoke passionately about the park.  Through the following response, it is apparent Franken feels as though the delays aren’t his fault.  It is apparent as well, that he didn’t appreciate Jerry speaking out regarding the park in his quest for answers to questions first asked well over eight months ago.

From: Kris Franken [mailto:kris_franken@camdenmo.org]
Sent: Friday, April 05, 2013 9:44 AM
To: Jerry Palmer
Subject: RE: Park,

Jerry:

I am sorry I did not get back to you yesterday, I was in meetings all day.  Regarding the park:  As I have previously indicated, I am not against the county being the sponsor of the park, but I want in writing from DNR that we can cease to be the sponsor of the park at any time with the proper notification.  I have not received this from DNR.  We do not own the park as has been asserted by you and Leslie.  Another option is that if DNR really wanted to, and I have reviewed the statutes, they could let your park group take ownership of the park.  It is a lengthy process that they probably don’t want to go through, and getting us to be the sponsor is the easy way out for them.

The county needs  to have some options for future management of the park so that we can deal with issues and changes that come about.  One can assert that there will never be any problems, but who thought that the city of Macks Creek would not be in existence 20 years ago?  We need to proceed with the appropriate framework of the agreement for park sponsorship so that we have the flexibility to deal with future issues.  I know you think this is a bunch of junk, but it is the responsible way to proceed, and DNR is the one holding this up, not us.  If they issue me a letter saying we can terminate sponsorship at any time with the appropriate notice, I will put it on the agenda and have it passed in two business days.  I am not the problem here.  Also, I really enjoyed your statements on the radio on Tuesday.  I guess now that you have verified the truth (as per your emails yesterday), I can expect an apology?

Regards,

Kris Franken

Jerry has reached out to the Department of Natural Resourecs, to try and bring the two entities together.

From: Jerry Palmer [mailto:palmj5@att.net]
Sent: Saturday, April 06, 2013 10:53 AM
To: brenda.ardrey@dnr.mo.gov
Cc: mphillips@wcamerica.com; leslie@whisperingcreekfarms.com
Subject: regards to Macks Creek Park

Brenda,

Thanks for taking your time to talk to Mark Phillips about the Macks Creek Park and giving him a name of Denny Bopp  we spoke with him this week about this matter.

It seems that the County Attorney will not provide DNR with information they have requested about

How the City of Macks Creek was dissolved last August 2012.

Of coarse Comm. Kris Franken blames DNR that they are the hold up.  By of all things an email to me as I was told years ago by a former Supervisor if you do not want something to bite you on the behind

Never put it in writing.

We have thus far forwarded this email to Denny Bopp as well as Chris Buckland within DNR.

We mentioned something to Mr. Buckland yesterday just a suggestion since there are some conflicting information what if as a resident taxpayer of Camden County how about us requesting a meeting at the Camden County Courthouse with Comm. Franken, Luber, Thomas, as well as the County Attorney with Mr. Bopp and Mr. Buckland present so all issues can be put on the table so all people including the residents of Macks Creek know what is happening with the Park in question  there will be no more he said she said on this pressing matter at hand. No more blame game so to speak and there will be minutes taken so all can see what has been said.  Also which Comm. Are for us or against us on this pressing matter and maybe question can be asked why and words can be written within the minutes at that time for all to see.

Others as well as my opinion is the Park was a Community Park in the beginning when it was started and needs to be returned to the community once again. Which a lot of people donated time and money as well as myself when it was first developed into a Park way before the City seemed to retain the land.

It is my opinion there seems to be some type of misunderstanding with the County what sponsorship of the park really means.  My thoughts is this if you have people in the Community willing to maintain, cut grass, pick up trash, build a new bathroom that was never finished by the City, have funding events

To receive money toward the parks benefits.  Looks to me like it is a win win for everyone involved.

All it takes once a sponsorship is attained then the sponsor can lease the Park to the Community Park

Board 501c3 Not for profit organization. What the sponsorship means is that the Park Board can try to get grant  funds to better the Park but the County will oversee the money and how it is spent.

In others opinion here in the community 8 months and counting is way too long for this to drag out.

Spring is here and we are getting plenty of rain and the grass is growing and we have a beautiful park here that need attn with willing and able body people here ready to take care of the Park.

Sad that is has fallen into a  governmental very deep dark hole  that our own County officials will not listen and learn how to resolve this matter. For everyones  benefits that are involved. Them and the Community of Macks Creek.  They the County claim they will not mow the grass nor maintain because as always the excuse no tax funding for the park.  So if you have your mind set that you

Will not maintain the Park why not allow those that will a lease so they can maintain the park.

Footnote we are going to have Celebration of Earth day at Macks Creek School starting April 13 till April 22  all cans brought to my recycling center we are going to double the wait and whatever we are paying that week example .50 cents per lb we are going to pay the School 1.00 per lb whatever they collect to those days   all proceeds go to Macks Creek School system

As  always thanks for your help.

Sincerely

Jerry L Palmer

Brenda Carnahan stated at the meeting the “county has not been cooperative” in providing help in bringing this matter to a close.  They have failed to show leadership, good stewardship and good judgment in this matter.  As long time resident Paul Sheppard said: “The people own it.  The community of Macks Creek and southwest Camden County.”

The park is approximately 9.6 acres of flood plain and shouldn’t be considered a good site for development.  The county has seemed to look at potential alternatives, such as selling the park and replacing it with another park.  One suggestion had been to classify the school, which has a ball field, as a suitable replacement.  The residents of Macks Creek and the surrounding communities do not want, nor do they need, a replacement park.

One question from the crowd was: “What can we do to speed up a decision?”  Another: “Who is stopping progress?”

The Macks Creek Community Park is our common ground.  Citizens of the Lake of the Ozarks community are watching the creep of political corruption in our local city and county governments.  This is not a condition unique to Macks Creek.

Planning and Zoning in Camden County, with their warrantless inspections, vague language and heavy fines, present a real threat to our private property rights.  The introduction of EEZ’s to the county will bring the tools of blight and eminent domain into our landscape.  Approximately half of Camden County is being considered for EEZ’s.  They will inspect us, fine us, blight us and laugh all the way to the bank.  The will of the people, as demonstrated in two recent P & Z rulings, is not a factor.  They serve their own self-interests and those of their benefactors.

The first of these rulings, passing controversial Article 600 against the considerable opposition from the community, points to a clear agenda against property owners.  In the second, Planning and Zoning allowed an extension to a developer in Shawnee Bend.  Gary Storm is seeking government funds to develop a ”green, sustainable community”.  His development includes special zoning that will allow for some commercial property on the 72 acre development.  While the citizens of Shawnee Bend protested the extension, the board moved ahead with the issue.  This decision likely didn’t displease developer Thomas Biggs, whose holdings through Shawnee Bend Development and THB Development, comprises hundreds of acres.  Biggs seems to have an interest in what is decided for neighbor Gary Storm. He is poised to recruit investors interested in building green homes.

“Green, sustainable communities” or homes paid through “green grants”, uses tax money to subsidize developments of this type, in amounts from 10% to as high as 100%. Typically, such a grant will fund %50 of such development.  In other words, tax dollars would pay for a percentage of these private, for-profit, building projects.

The county’s Planning and Zoning board agreed to the extension that will allow Storm to build a subdivision, complete with retail and commercial space, on our tax dollars.  This has been done by officials collecting checks drawn on our tax dollars.

In a breaking development, the lots owned by Gary Storm have undergone a change on the county GIS web site.  The lots were changed on Friday, April 12.  They are now labeled as ‘Woodland Community’.  The fix on Storm’s ‘green grant’ money must be in.  This change, likely made Friday, points to a decision having already been made in the matter, prior to the meeting in April to revisit the issue.

Think about that for a second.

As citizens of the Lake are seeing these events unfold around them, the City of Lake Ozark has passed an ordinance, drafted by City Attorney Roger Gibbons, taking the lead on restricting speech.  Most importantly, the ordinance criminalizes protest.  They are making our right to voice our opposition a crime while they continue to pass and support positions directly against the will of the people and our rights.  They have given themselves the power to arrest those of us who are ‘annoying’ while they conduct themselves in questionable ways.

Betsey Browning, newly sworn member of the Lake Ozark board of aldermen, has put this issue back on the agenda for Tuesday, April 23rd.  Betsey has put the new Lake Ozark disorderly conduct ordinance on the agenda for “discussion and action”.  This allows every member of our lake community, regardless of where you call home, to comment against this conspiracy to rob us of speech.  Speakers are allowed five minutes each.  We must use them, to shout down any attempts to trample our Constitution and strip our rights.  In Lake Ozark, as in the Community of Macks Creek Park, we have common ground and the people will have their voices heard.

After the Macks Creek Community Park meeting, Kristan Price of Osage Beach, expressed her feelings:

” I am one that believes that it takes a village to raise a child and when I look around at our society, I see it breaking down and the rate it is, makes it time to do something.  I’m solutions oriented and I have found that you start in your own backyard first, then work out.

The park is central focus of the community connection, the hub, and it needs our help.   I want to feel that sense of community with my neighbors. “

The Macks Creek Community Park, regardless of who in government snapped on the cuffs, is being held hostage.  It is being kept from the children of the community, it is being kept from the Creekers, who originally paid for and developed it.  Their community park, is OUR community park.

The park is the hub, in Ms. Price’s words.  It is where the good people of our community can gather together, to find fellowship, friendship and mutual respect.  The parks of our community are our ‘commons’, like the internet is.  It is a place where free exchange occurs and where free men and women gather to break bread.  It is a place that grows with sunshine and the laughter of children.  It is about ice cream socials and jam sessions and barbeques.  It is about all of us and none of them.  They have forgotten they are supposed to work for us.

We can all agree on the truth of that. Here, they should do the right thing.  In this community park, and everywhere.  That’s what we want. Do the right thing.

In the words of a Creeker:

“Just sayin’.”

Franken’s Lake Landgrab

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From Barack Obama’s State of the Union address 2013:

“Last year, we created our first manufacturing innovation institute in Youngstown, Ohio.
A once shuttered warehouse is now a state of the art lab where new workers are mastering the 3D printing that has the potential to revolutionize the way we make almost everything.
There’s no reason this can’t happen in other towns.
So tonight, I’m announcing the launch of three more of these manufacturing hubs, where businesses will partner with
the Departments of Defense and Energy to turn regions left behind by globalization into global centers of high-tech jobs. And I ask this Congress to help create a network of fifteen of these hubs and guarantee that the next revolution in manufacturing is Made in America.”

One of the most common means for government to attract manufacturing companies and plants is the use of an EEZ.  An EEZ (Enhanced Enterprize Zone) is designed to encourage manufacturing companies to open plants in certain designated areas.  When a company operates in an EEZ, they are given significant tax breaks and other corporate welfare.  These tax breaks and incentives have been shown to harm communities rather than help them.

Monday night, with little notice, the Camden County Commission met with the public to discuss the creation of an EEZ board.  Approximately thirty citizens showed up to voice concerns about the proposal.

It was announced that Fire Chief Riley of Sunrise Beach could be part of the EEZ board.  Also, it was mentioned that Macks Creek was asked for a representative from the school.  They curiously deferred, it was stated, to Camdenton for the appointment.

County Presiding Commissioner Kris Franken indicated that there may be larger abatements to companies coming from outside Missouri than those given to businesses in the state.  Commissioner Luber asked Mac McNally of the Lake of the Ozarks Council of Governments, not once but twice, if there are real examples of successful EEZ’s.  Three of the four counties in LOCOG currently have EEZ’s.  McNally said he did not have the information and would look into it.

Public sentiment was against the proposal.

Issues ranged from the lack of notification of the meeting and concerns about tax incentives.  One citizen brought up the recent attempt to bring an EEZ into Columbia and the public’s stance against it.  The EEZ was voted down there.  The reasons for the defeat of the measure in Columbia were many.  First, there is no real data to support the claim that EEZ’s provide any benefit to the community.  Companies operating in an EEZ instead receive corporate welfare in places where the work force, often in poverty, has no choice but to accept a low paying job.  In this aspect, the benefits of the EEZ are offset by a further loss of tax dollars.

The favorite tool to create an EEZ is a two-fold landgrab.  Through the use of eminent domain and declaring areas blighted, land becomes available to the company at a fraction of market value.  The citizens have little protection against receiving such a designation.  Commonly, inspections are used to determine structures in an area to be deemed blighted.  If this sounds like a familiar refrain, here comes the chorus.

Franken’s Planning and Zoning Commission met last week and passed controversial Article 600.  They did this without taking public comment, immediately adjourning after voting to pass without changes demanded by the community.  The community had expressed concerns about the vague, arbitrary language used in the article, allowing inspections, notifying lien holders of violations and hefty fines.  After passing Article 600 without changes, Commissioner Cliff Luber stated he believed an agenda was being pursued.

Franken appears to be a man on a mission.  After taking office, he fired a member of the County IT staff responsible for the county mapping programs and software.  He moved the county land auction notifications from the Lake Sun to a paper with a significantly smaller circulation.  Franken appointed, along with ‘Yes Man’ Gumm, Hathaway to head up the P & Z commission, responsible for delivering us Article 600.  Hathaway, who is not a resident of Camden County, had no hesitation in passing Article 600.  He doesn’t have to abide by the rule, after all.

Article 600 is the doorway to designate an area acceptable for the placement of an EEZ.

The beginning of this article took a piece of the State of the Union address given by Obama this year.  In it, Obama says he wants “to turn regions left behind by globalization into global centers of high-tech jobs”.  EEZ’s do not guarantee fabulous, high-tech jobs.

Regions left behind by globalization are all around us.  They are the rural areas, the small towns, that make up a significant part of our rich tapestry.  These towns, with their tiny homes and their big hearts, are being targeted by Franken’s sights. Franken’s forte is the landgrab.

The inspections, allowed by Article 600, will begin in towns like Macks Creek and Climax Springs.  They will move against the poor to create cheap land for those who can afford it and are in the loop.  Putting the tools of an EEZ board in Franken’s hands represents a direct threat to all land owners in Camden County.

Franken cannot be allowed to host his landgrab.  They must be stopped.

Franken is holding Macks Creek Community Park hostage, refusing to turn it over to the people who paid for it and built it.  His gaze is firmly fixed on finding a way to sell the picturesque park out from under the community.

Monday, thirty citizens gathered in opposition to Franken’s proposal.

Next time, it will be 300.

We recognize a threat when we see one.  We understand that ‘agenda’ is an appropriate word for the actions of a petty dictator looking to stuff his pockets.  We understand that it is Franken’s sausage fingers on the levers of inspection, of fines, of eminent domain.  We also understand how to deal with dictators and petty lords.

We are coming, Kris.  We know exactly what you are.

St. Louis police arrest a dozen Peabody protesters : News

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5/21 Glenn Greenwald: The Obama Administration’s War On Press Freedom | The Majority Report with Sam Seder

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DOJ’s secret subpoena of AP phone records broader than initially revealed – Open Channel

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The Transformation of Education

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A Note From the Editor: Stacy Shore has led in the fight against Common Core in the state of Missouri. She has worked tirelessly in Jefferson City to educate our lawmakers about the dangers presented by this corporate take over of education. We are lucky to have her in our community.
There will be an educational meeting on June 3rd at the Camden County Library. I strongly urge you all to attend. Common Core is one of the tools they are using to privatize our schools. Through it, private companies are allowed to collect data on our children. It is an insidious means to undermine the very foundation of our educational system. No wonder this weekend, Obama was encouraging those kids who weren’t great students to become plumbers…

By Stacy Shore

http://www.ed.gov/news/speeches/vision-education-reform-united-states-secretary-arne-duncans-remarks-united-nations-ed

The following are all quotes from Arne Duncan’s speech. These are all his words. My commentary is amplified below each excerpt.

Our goal for the coming year will be to work closely with global partners, including UNESCO, to promote qualitative improvements and system-strengthening. With such a shared commitment, we believe that we can greatly reduce the number of children out of school and ensure that the children who are in class are actually learning.

UNESCO = United Nations

I want to caution you that several misconceptions often crop up in the coverage of the Obama administration’s agenda. Media coverage of our reform agenda understandably tends to concentrate on the unexpected, such as the fact that President Obama, a progressive president, has supported the expansion of high-performing charter schools. Or that he favors incorporating student achievement growth as one of a number of factors in evaluations of teachers and school performance.

(Privatization of education)

The second assurance governors provided was in the area of data systems. More robust data systems and a new generation of assessments can assist teachers and principals to improve their practices and tailor their instruction in ways that were largely unthinkable in the past.

Does the governor have the authority to give the assurance that he would ramp up access to our childrens’ data? I see a pattern here with Gov. Nixon! What gives him that right?

Districts now have to engage in interventions to foster dramatic change in these schools. This will be some of the hardest, most controversial, and most important work you will see coming from the United States this school year, and in the years ahead

Okay, so any time an Obama Admin bully uses the word “change” our ears should all perk up. Why “controversial”?

Our vision of reform takes account of the fact that, in several respects, the governance of education in the United States is unusual. Traditionally, the federal government in the U.S. has had a limited role in education policy.

Why do they consider the way our Constitution protects our individual voices “unusual”?

As the federal role in education grew, so did the bureaucracy. All too often, the U.S. Department of Education operated more like a compliance machine, instead of an engine of innovation. The department typically focused on ensuring that formula funds reached their intended recipients in the proper fashion. It focused on inputs—not educational outcomes or equity.

There is that social equity piece.

The Obama administration has sought to fundamentally shift the federal role, so that the Department is doing much more to support reform and innovation in states, districts, and local communities.

There you have it…Arne Duncan admits the Federal role through CC will “reform” their role in education.

I’ve said that America is now in the midst of a “quiet revolution” in school reform. And this is very much a revolution driven by leaders in statehouses, state school superintendents, local lawmakers, district leaders, union heads, school boards, parents, principals, and teachers.

Quiet because they have silenced parents for too long while they ram this stuff down our throats. I don’t intend to be quiet. The sneaky ways that they have adopted to pass the buck must stop.

I said earlier that the United States now has a unique opportunity to transform our education system in ways that will resonate for decades to come. Last year and this year, the federal government provided unprecedented funds to support education and reform.

“Transform”? Again I say, when that comes out of the Obama Admin, does that scare you? It should. An in this sentence he is admitting proudly the federal govt. role in pushing the reforms through funding. Don’t let anyone lie to you and tell you this initiative is “state led”. Read this entire article. Save it in your favorites and send it to them if anyone ever is dumb enough to argue that fact.

But today, 37 states and the District of Columbia have already chosen to adopt the new state-crafted Common Core standards in math and English. Not studying it, not thinking about it, not issuing a white paper—they have actually done it.

Is your blood boiling? States signed on without “thinking about it”. Just as easy as that. No research, no studying, just did it. So much for “state led”.

So, in the end, transforming education is not just about raising expectations. It has to be about creating greater capacity at all levels of the system to implement reform. It has to be about results.

Reform? What kind? Keep asking that question. This is not about learning. This is about reforming and changing us as Americans.

The urgent need to provide an excellent education for every child is a right that cannot be denied. We can’t wait because our children can’t wait. The time for change is now.

There is that “change” word again. Ugly, isn’t it?