Webber releases campaign ad

Stephen Webber, candidate for the Democratic nomination for the Missouri House of Representative’s 23rd District seat, released his first television campaign ad today. The ad features pictures of his tours in Iraq, along with him speaking at events to supporter, including former Missouri Gov. Roger Wilson.

View the ad here.

EMILY’s List endorses Still

Candidate for the Democratic nomination in the 25th District Mary Still announced her endorsement by EMILY’s List Tuesday.

EMILY’s List has over 100,000 members and is one of the largest political action groups in the country, according to a Still campaign release. The group is supporting Still through the Political Opportunity Program, which mobilizes, trains and provides financial help to women candidates at the state and local levels.

“I am honored to have the endorsement of this respected national organization that sent a representative to Columbia to conduct a lengthy interview with me,” Still stated in the release.  “This is a group of women throughout the country who understand the importance of becoming active in the political process as a means of supporting progressive values important to families not only state-wide but also nation-wide.”

Still is running against Bob Pund and Sean Spence in the 25th District primary. The winner faces Republican Ryan Asbridge in the general election.

Paquin Residents Submit Petition Over Proposed Cuts of Rec Programs

A petition was sent Tuesday to City Manager Bill Watkins by some of the residents of Paquin Tower, who oppose the proposed cuts of the Adaptive Recreation Programs. The program costs the city $88,000 a year and was design to provide residents with disabilities or limited mobility ways to exercise and enjoy recreation. 

The petition said that in a discussion among residents on July 18, “a consensus emerged that Parks and Recreation is a lifeline for the community.”

In addition to providing recreation classes such as ceramic and acrylic painting, Parks and Recreation Staff help residents get to pharmacies and grocery stores, and provide career advice. 

“Without this resource,” the petition said, “disabled residents would be hard-pressed to meet their needs.” 

The group of residents went on to say that although the program does not generate any revenue, it provides a sense of community and would be a great loss to the residents of Paquin. 

“We reject that premise that the program should be cut because it does not pay for itself,” the petition said. “While we understand fiscal responsibility, profit should not be the sole litmus test for good policy. We would even suggest that city government is posed to venture into areas where need is great and profitability is impossible.” 

There were 41 signatures that accompanied the petition.  Though it was addressed to the city manager, it was also e-mailed to all of the city council members, including the mayor.  

The City Manager said that he hopes to present the budget to the city at the end of the month.  City Council will ultimately have to approve the budget in September.

More Ninth District Republicans stuff…

A 14-member “farm and ranch team” has formed to support former Missouri tourism director Blaine Luetkemeyer. Also, Bob Onder has released another tv advertisement

NAACP to hold candidate forum tonight

The Columbia chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People will hold a forum tonight for candidates in the August 5 primary.

Here are the candidates Columbia NAACP President Mary Ratliff said have confirmed their plans to attend:

• a representative from gubernatorial candidate Jay Nixon’s campaign
• Tom Schauwecker and Barbara Bishop, candidates for Boone County assessor
• Stephen Webber and Cande Iveson, candidates for 23rd District state representative
• Sid Sullivan and Karen Miller, candidates for Boone County Southern District commissioner
• Mary Still, candidate for 25th District state representative
• Ken Jacob, Judy Baker, Lyndon Bode and a representative from the campaign of Steve Gaw, all Democratic candidates for Ninth District representative in the U.S. House
• Dan Dunham, candidate for Boone County public administrator

The forum will begin at 7 p.m. at Second Missionary Baptist Church, 407 E. Broadway, and the public is invited. Attendees may enter from the Fourth Street door on the west side of the building or at the wheelchair-accessible entrance on the north side of the building.