Spence holds “senior issues” forum

Sean Spence, a candidate for Missouri’s 25th legislative district, held a forum at the Columbia Area Senior Center to discuss issues relating to senior citizens.

“My goal is to hear from you all rather than talk about my campaign,” Spence said at the event. “This will work best if I spend more time listening. Really, I’m building an agenda.”

About seven people attended and discussed issues with Spence in a casual environment while he wrote them as a list on paper posted on the wall. While Spence mentioned some anecdotes about issues he’s heard from people while walking door-to-door, most of the discussion was between the attendees.

Much of the early discussion focused on health care issues and the obstacles senior citizens face with paying for prescription drugs, dental work and coordinating between doctors. However, the discussion included energy issues, property tax and transportation among others.

Spence is running against Mary Still and Bob Pund in the primary, and the winner will face off against Republican Ryan Asbridge. The 25th district candidates, along with 23rd district candidates Cande Iveson and Stephen Webber, will participate in a public forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters at the Columbia Public Library on Thursday.

State Fraternal Order of Police endorses Jay Nixon for Governor

State FOP President Kevin Ahlbrand and Attorney General Jay Nixon spoke and took questions from the public this morning in the Boone County Commission Champers in the Roger B. Wilson Government Building, a press release from Nixon’s campaign said.

“The State FOP cited Atttorney General Nixon’s strong record of cracking down on crime, protecting consumers and supporting law enforcement as the basis for its endorsement,” the press release said.

In past endorsements, the FOP has shown partisan independence, such as with the endorsement of Matt Blunt for Governor in 2004, the release said.

Public access to conserved areas

With more than 2,000 acres of parks and greenspace in Columbia, it’s safe to say that residents value their time outdoors. But does the city have the right to allow public access on land dedicated to them through a conservation easement?

The City Council hasn’t come to a consensus yet, as evidenced by Monday night’s discussion of rezoning land for the development of the Silver Oak Senior Living Center.

The talk centered on whether the public would have access to about 2.7 acres of forest that would be preserved.

The original greenspace conservation easement would have meant that the developer couldn’t build over those 2.7 acres. However, it would not have allowed anyone to enter that area either.

This is where things get contentious.