Have Plans for Thursday, September 30, 5:30 PM?

Brush your teeth, comb your hair, wash your hands and come on over to a special reception for Jim Viebrock, Republican Candidate for Presiding Commissioner!

OTO MEETING WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 15 1:30 P.M.

Besides paying your quarterly taxes, make sure this meeting is on your calendar.

As OTO is allowing public comment and moved the meeting to a larger facility, the OTO members are taking our concerns [and the concerns of our Farm Road 164 neighbors] seriously.

Meeting is 1:30p.m. , Wednesday, Plaster Student Union Room 317 {Missouri State Campus].

Our topic is to be discussed at the beginning of the meeting.

Public comment - 5 [five]minute limit, is prior to the agenda item which is listed at 15 minutes.

This meeting is during the majority's normal work hours. If you are retired, a stay at home parent/partner, please please please find a way to attend the meeting.

One HOT POTATO: OTO Panel Punts 60-65 Road Link Controversy

News-Leader Headline August 12, 2010 "OTO Panel Punts Road Controversy"

[link to article at top of page]

The final determination by the group [with two of the eight members failing to attend] was to refer it back to the much larger OTO Tech. Committee to be discussed during their September 15th meeting. "....We're being asked by one or two government jurisdictions to make decisions they chose not to make for themselves," said panel member Roger Howard.

The current OTO Major Thoroughfare Plan does NOT include road links east of the James River south of FR 164 and north of Hwy 60.

Does the OTO feel obligated to answer the questions posed to them by the city and county or enter into a thorough evaluation of the overall plan [which might take two years according to Tim Conklin (OTO Director).]

One of the most interesting statements by Wes Johnson, the News-Leader reporter and author of the article: "After the meeting, Frank Miller, MODOT's rep. on the OTO panel, confirmed that a short road linking the development and FR 164 to the north would satisy MODOT's requirement for a connection."

It is my understanding MODOT attempted to receive a retraction the following day and the only clarification given was a statement added to the online article "......MODOT has not endorsed any of the proposed alignments, leaving that for local officials to decide." Wes did not back down on his comment.

It is important for all to understand, the connection to Battlefield Rd. (via FR 164) was mandated in PD 330 (rezoning docs) by the city under "required improvements."

We appreciate the participation from our neighbors on 164 and 166.

Is ANOTHER (designated) connection needed at any time less than 20 years from now?

Thanks to all of you that attended this meeting, with special thanks to Bobbie Louderbaugh. Her little sign generated another round of emails back and forth, relative to a letter attorney Pat Platter had sent to the county prior to the last Planning Board meeting.

This issue is one HOT POTATO because of the passion, time and effort from all of you.

The issue will ultimately be determined by the County Commission. We are in the process of a heated race for Presiding Commissioner of that body. Do we need to invite both candidates in for a discussion of our concerns? Another gathering at the River of Life Church, maybe?? Please let me know via email if you feel that would be beneficial - farmroad170@gmail.com - OR - contact either Sara Ray or Lou or Pam Neblett.

Don't hesitate to contact our east side

Commissioner, Roseanne Bentley.

Jim Viebrock Candidate for Presiding Commissioner

David Coonrod, Presiding Commissioner

HEADS UP - OZARKS TRANSPORATION ORGANIZATION MEETING THIS WEDNESDAY AUGUST 11

It's summer, it's hot, our energy is low and our brains are tired BUT we can't stop now!!!

The first Ozarks Transportation Organization [OTO] meeting will be held August 11 [Wednesday], at 2pm at the MSU Alumni Center, 300 South Jefferson, 2nd floor conference room.

This is the old bank building with attached parking garage accessible from St. Louis Street, one block north, and south on one-way Jefferson street, immediately left on McDaniel to the parking garage on the right [might be worth a Sunday drive to find this location in advance].

The meeting is open to the public with NO public comment allowed. Sources say the OTO is expecting a big turn out of property owners.

Here is additional information on the meeting at the OTO website:

http://www.ozarkstransportation.org/Republic-FR170.html

As the meeting is Wednesday afternoon, those of us that work may have to make arrangements to attend. Encourage your neighbor or a non-working family member to attend and be a representative.

I spoke with Sara Ray this week. [She is off to New Orleans to visit her daughter, grandson and brand new grand-daughter]. Her thoughts on Farm Road 170 at this time: the project is 'on-hold'. Dr. Neblett and Pam are the community pit bulls listening for strange sounds or movement out of the Greene County Commissioner office.

We are on guard.....

Enjoy the summer.

COMMUNITY

a group of people living in a particular local area; "the team is drawn from all parts of the community"

common ownership; "they shared a community of possessions"

residential district: a district where people live; occupied primarily by private residences

Our 'Community' of property owners are to be recognized and appreciated for having the strength and resolve confronting the challenge to our homes and peace of mind. Kudos to us all!

The Greene County Planning and Zoning Board vote to send the road alignment plan to the Ozarks Transportation Organization is the right thing to do. Thank you to the Board for responding to our 'community' communication.

STAY TUNED..... This issue is temporarily paused but not resolved . Be vigilant, stay informed , and continue to communicate with your community.

P.S. Sara Ray is taking unnecessary heat for the Farm Road 164 comments. Farm Road 164 is already designated as a 'primary arterial connection'.

HAVE YOU SEEN THESE SIGNS?

At the personal expense of one of our concerned property owners [$250], eight signs were made and posted. TWO of the signs have been taken [FR205 and FR170, and FR193/Highway 60]. If you notice someone in possession of these signs, please turn the scumbag thief nosepicker into the Green County Sheriff's Department.

Another concerned property owner wrote a passionate letter to Governor Nixon. The home owner was contacted by Public Counsult, Tom Green of the State of Missouri in response to the letter.

Mr. Green encourages all to voice their concerns to him at Tom.Green@ded.mo.gov on the proposed Highway 170 thoroughfare. According to Mr. Green, the City does not have eminent domain to take property for economic use [which this clearly is] , for the development of the proposed mall/stores/restaurants at the 65/60 corridor. Mr. Green indicated his willingness to come to Springfield on our behalf, if necessary.

Brian Calfano, KWTO 560AM, 6am to 9am, Monday thru Friday, is interested in the Farm Road 170 issue. Brian is a college professor who teaches political science at MSU. PLEASE start listening to his show , call in, and participate! Mr. Calfano has a huge audience and can be a super asset in our effort to shut this thoroughfare down.

Candidates planning on being in attendance Tuesday evening are:

Jim Viebrock, candidate for Presiding Commissioner of Greene County
Lincoln Hough, candidate for State Representative, 140th District
Robert [Bob] Cirtin, candidate for State Representative, 140th District

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE be there Tuesday night! A huge showing of support from the property owners is important!