|
|
Published May 08, 2006 12:00 am - The top contributors to the Nodler Leadership Political Action Committee form an exclusive club.
Influencing public policy
The Joplin Globe
By Max McCoy
Globe Investigative Writer
The top contributors to the Nodler Leadership Political Action Committee form an exclusive club.
They represent the richest and most powerful individuals and institutions in the Joplin area. Their ranks include a chief executive officer whose salary is more than 10 times the median income for Jasper County, libertarian millionaires who give lavishly to conservative candidates, the area's largest manufacturer and the region's electric utility.
The committee is named for state Sen. Gary Nodler, R-Joplin. It was established just eight months after Nodler was sworn in for his first term in January 2003, and by the 2004 general election it was pumping tens of thousands of dollars into the state GOP machine. That was the year that Republicans took the governor's mansion and both houses of the General Assembly.
In all, the leadership PAC spent $116,000.
Now, Nodler is one of the most powerful members of the Missouri Senate - so formidable, in fact, that the local Democratic Party chairman said recently that no candidate could be recruited to run against him in the upcoming general election because he appears unbeatable.
Because Nodler also is unopposed in the GOP primary, he is virtually assured of a second and final term.
Nick Myers, a Joplin certified public accountant, is treasurer of the Nodler Leadership PAC. During a recent interview, Myers said the PAC was meant to promote the senator's leadership style. When asked to define that style, Myers referred the question to Nodler.
Nodler declined to answer that question and all others put to him in connection with the leadership committee and his fund-raising activities in general. He also refused to respond to a list of questions faxed to his Jefferson City office.
But Bill Gipson, the president of Empire District Electric Co. and one of the PAC officers who approves disbursements, did share the committee's philosophy as he sees it:
"The purpose of that PAC," he said, "is to join together like-minded business people in the area to promote the kinds of values that these individuals and their associated businesses might have in terms of trying to influence the political process and public policy."
'A similar philosophy'
The top contributors to the Nodler Leadership PAC are David and Ethelmae Humphreys, the president and chairwoman, respectively, of Tamko Roofing Products Inc., who gave $20,000 from 2003 to 2005. Ethelmae Humphreys also is a director of the CATO Institute, a nonprofit libertarian think tank based in Washington, D.C.
Members of the Humphreys family are the most generous political contributors in the Joplin area. During the past five years, according to the Federal Election Commission, they gave $211,000 to candidates and joint committees during national elections.
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
|
|
Announcements



: Special Offer For New Subscribers
:


 |
|
TRUCK DRIVERS NEEDED
for local construction project, must have CDL and experience on construction site belly dumps. 417-206-0930....>MORE
See all ads |
|
1993 CHEVROLET LONG BED
runs good, 4.3 V6, new transmission, needs body parts, $400. (417)438-2508...>MORE
1997 OLDSMOBILE 88
runs good, $1900. 417-850-0731....>MORE
1979 SATURN
GOOD Economical car, 1979 Saturn, $2000 firm, cash only. (620)783-1751....>MORE
2002 KIA OPTIMA EX
4 door, sharp, loaded, leather, CD, sunroof, extra nice, $3200. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE
1998 CHEVROLET S10
4 cylinder, 5 speed, high miles, $1750. 417-214-0022....>MORE
1989 CHEVROLET STEPSIDE
350, V8, custom flames, runs great, $2500. 417-208-6717...>MORE
TOYOTA 2004 TACOMA PRERUNNER
Toyota, 2004 Tacoma Prerunner, TRD off road, double cab, V6, new tires, CD, bed liner, lid cover, 100,000 miles, excelle...>MORE
HONDA, 2007 FIT SPORT,
customized interior package, automatic, air, AM/FM/CD, cruise, great mpg, low miles, excellent condition, $11,800. (417)...>MORE
1999 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED
4x4, leather loaded, $3500. 417-850-0731....>MORE
2001 FORD WINDSTAR SE
Sport, loaded, all options, great looking van, extra nice, $3200. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE
See all ads |
|
525 E. 41ST, JOPLIN, MO
to be sold at auction December 5th or before. Lovely all red brick home on large corner. 4 bedroom, 2 bath, double...>MORE
NEWER 3 BR/2 BA
Lots of upgrades and great location. $149,000 but all offers considered. 903 Katlin, Carl Junction. Pictures www.fsboloc...>MORE
Deerfield Estates
in Carl Junction, prime building sites, reduced $10,000 each. 417-825-0052...>MORE
3 ACRES
3 ACRES more/less with pond. Nice park-like setting, just minutes from Range Line. Close to area of newer homes. $19,900...>MORE
See all ads |
|
NEW IN BOX
New in box, Lucchese cowboy boots, black, size 9D, $200. (620)231-9256...>MORE
(2) TEACUP CHIHUAHUA
APRI puppies. (417)673-1997....>MORE
REWARD $50,000 REWARD
Offered for any information leading to conviction of any person or persons known to have been involved in alleged ...>MORE
SCHNAUZERS
one white puppy, one registered silver adult female, one white adult male. (417)437-0300....>MORE
MALTESE PUPPIES ADORABLE!!
6 weeks old Thanksgiving. 2 boys and 2 girls. Shots, wormed, and vet checked. Healthy, active, and loved! Great Ch...>MORE
ENGLISH BULLDOG PUPPY
male, AKC, fawn/white, champion bloodlines, $900 or best offer. (417)396-3340...>MORE
DIAMOND SOLITAIRE
Pear-shaped, one carat, diamond solitaire in gold setting. $2,000. Please call 417-825-3238...>MORE
ANGUS HEIFERS
6 Augus heifers, good foundation stock. (417)358-7519...>MORE
I WANT TO BUY
6’ t-post, 5’ wire. Call for details. (417)396-1339...>MORE
MALTESE PUPPIES
2 gorgeous AKC males, 8 weeks on 11/30, all shots/vaccines, $200 each. 417-325-4340 ...>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|