subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite map
Sun, Jul 05 2009 

Published January 12, 2008 10:49 am - Most of Joplin was still without power on the day Ron Richard was scheduled to meet with the Globe’s editorial board.
The December ice storm left few untouched, including the Missouri House representative.


Carol Stark: Richard known for bipartisan



Most of Joplin was still without power on the day Ron Richard was scheduled to meet with the Globe’s editorial board.

The December ice storm left few untouched, including the Missouri House representative. He had been out clearing fallen limbs from the street before he stopped by to see us, and apologized a couple of times for being “grotty” — an expression I hadn’t heard for a long time.

We asked Richard in to get his thoughts on the 2008 legislative session. You can read his responses on the opposite page. We also wanted to talk about his recent election as Speaker of the House. If the Republicans maintain the majority, Richard will take that position in 2009.

Richard, 60, is a pretty straight shooter. In September, it was suggested that Southwest Missouri now had the upper hand in the House.

A story carried in the Columbia Tribune captured Richard’s directness:

“State Rep. Ron Richard’s elevation to House speaker-in-waiting is another instance of a Southwest Missouri politician getting elevated to a prominent legislative leadership post. But the former Joplin mayor insisted dubbing him a regional political creature would be a mistake.

‘That is absolute BS,’ Richard said when asked whether his effort to succeed House Speaker Rod Jetton cemented Southwest Missouri’s dominance of Missouri politics. ‘Let me tell you something: I’ve worked with the entire state of Missouri since I’ve been elected. And anybody who wants to say that I’m regional can just leave the building.’”

We got pretty much the same response when we asked Richard if his election as Speaker would change the way he does business. Absolutely not, he told us. But, you can also tell that Richard is excited about the challenge.

I learned a few new things about Richard during his visit. For instance, he used to be a Democrat. He was quick to let us know that was back during college when it was “cooler” to be associated with the Young Democrats than the Young Republicans, who he characterized as “nerdly.” He said it was few years later that he switched to the Republican Party because he felt it was more in line with his way of thinking. But Richard, elected to his third term to the House in 2006, is known throughout the state for his bipartisan way of thinking.

His last committee disclosure report to the Missouri Ethics Commission, filed in October, showed he has a hefty $169,515 on hand in his campaign fund. A lot of his contributions come from Southwest Missouri businesses and individuals. His largest contribution — $25,000 — was received in June and came from the Southwest Missouri Leadership PAC, formerly the Nodler Leadership PAC.

To learn more about who Richard’s backers are, check out the Missouri Ethics Commission report. You can also learn more about Richard’s background by reading his bio information on his Web site at www.ronrichard.com.

Carol Stark is editor of The Joplin Globe. Address correspondence to her, c/o The Joplin Globe, P.O. Box 7, Joplin, Mo. 64802 or e-mail cstark@joplinglobe.com.



print this story    email this story    comment on this story   

Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.


Add a comment on this story





monster
autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Click here!!

We Blog!
We Pod Cast!

We Twitter!

: Special Offer For New Subscribers : 32 buy 1 get 1 free offers

Click Here!

TV LIsitngs



Find a job! Find a Home! Find a car!
Featured Jobs

ACCOUNTANT.

Expanding CPA firm: full time, degree/ computer skills required. Audit/tax experience preferred. Send resume to P
...>MORE

OPINIONS WANTED
For legal research project. Participants will listen to presentations and express their opinions. Project scheduled for ...>MORE

TRUCK MECHANIC

needed for Waste Corporation of Joplin. Competitive pay and benefits package. Requires candidate to own hand tools
...>MORE

OLIVE GARDEN

Now accepting applications Line Cooks, Dishwashers, and Lunch Servers
Interviewing 2-4 p.m. Monday through Fr
...>MORE

T EACHER-FULL TIME
TEACHER- Full-time Position with benefits working with children 0-6 at Discovery Center child care center. Position requ...>MORE

UP IN FLAMES
WOOD FIRE PIZZA AND PASTA now hiring MANAGERS, SERVERS, BARTENDER Apply 1612 S. Madison, Webb City, behind Subway...>MORE

CNA AND CMT
CNA AND CMT Joplin Healthcare Center is looking for CMT for day 12 hour shift. Also a CNA for night 12 hours shift. Exc...>MORE

DELIVERY DRIVER
We have a full time position open for a delivery driver. Position consists of working part time in the warehouse in addi...>MORE

GREAT BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
Located on US Business. 60
7 acres with 3 BR house on Hickory Creek
3 buildings with 20 10 x 15 units each
...>MORE

REVETER WANTED
EXPERIENCED for brake manufacturing. Please apply in person at 3215 E. 20th, Joplin, MO. ...>MORE

See all ads

Featured Transportation

1957 CHEVROLET
2 door post, project, rust free Texas car, no motor or transmission, good Missouri title, $7500.
Bob 417-781-1932
...>MORE

1979 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
350 automatic, $5000 or trade consider. (620)230-0459...>MORE

LEHMAN TRIKE
LEHMAN TRIKE, 2007, excellent condition, rider has health problems. $20,500. Serious inquires only. (417)529-9554....>MORE

2006 CHEVROLET HHR LT
automatic, 40,000 miles, loaded with options, $6200. (417)434-2949....>MORE

1999 CHEVROLET TAHOE
2 door, 2 wheel drive, barn door rear, lowered, custom paint/grill/wheels, asking $5500. (417)781-1932, or cell (417)437...>MORE

MAZDA, 2000
B3000, 4x2, V6, automatic, high miles, $2150. (417)843-2613....>MORE

FORD 2001 ESCORT
FORD, 2001 Escort, 4 cylinder, automatic, good condition. $1800. (417)437-5682....>MORE

1990 GMC HIGH SIERRA
short wide bed, 2 wheel drive, V-8, power windows/locks, air, CD, tinted windows, chrome wheels. $2,000 or best offer. (...>MORE

2005 HONDA SHADOW VLX 600
2,000 miles, color white, $3950. (417)673-3860....>MORE

NEED 2 DRIVERS
with 3 years plus $ miles with turn arounds back to Joplin, MO. Home often. 417-325-7320....>MORE

See all ads

Featured Homes

OPEN HOUSE
405 Keeney Street, Carl Junction. Sunday July 12 • 2 p.m.-4 p.m.
This home is owned by Carl Junction R-1 School Di
...>MORE

OWNER FINANCE
OWNER FINANCE. $650 down, $435 monthly. 201 N. Washington, Joplin, 3 BR, garage, Full price $32,500. 417-359-4113. ...>MORE

2-3 BR
Basement, newly remodeled, oak cabinets, nice wood floors, privacy fence. $79,200. 2525 N. Ozark. (417)483-0900....>MORE

OPEN HOUSE
OPEN HOUSE 7/5/09 1:00-4:00 2281 sq. ft. Updated kitchen 4 br + bonus room 2 living areas Metal roof. Stapleton school ...>MORE

INVESTORS OR START-UP
INVESTORS OR START-UP 1217 Central. $67500 2 bedroom, 1 bath, very nice,room to build more. See more at homesbyowner.co...>MORE

HANDYMAN SPECIAL
Handyman Special, only $500 down, owner financing, 11% interest, $345/ month, priced at $23,900. 1120 W. 12th Street (41...>MORE

LAKE FRONT MOBILE
Lake Front Mobile Grove, OK 1972 14 X 46 1 Bedroom, 1 bath lake front mobile home weekend getaway. Complete with furn...>MORE

See all ads

Other Cool Stuff

COLLEGE STUDENT
COLLEGE STUDENT LOOKING FOR FEMALE ROOMMATE
I am looking for a female roommate with Christian values to share my du
...>MORE

INDEPENDENCE DAY BLOW OUT SALE

20% off all grocery items
20% off all cleaning supply items
20% off all refrigerators, dishwashers, deep
...>MORE

ATTEMPTING TO LOCATE
realitives of late father, Aziel Murphy, who married Maxine Steele, of Oklahoma, on June 10, 1929. Contact Tresa Collins...>MORE

24' BAJA OUTLAW
24’ BAJA Outlaw beautiful closed bow boat, 454 Mag, all options, excellent condition, low hours with 2005 trailer, $16,0...>MORE

PATTERN TORCH
Industrial, $500. (417)781-1932....>MORE

ANTIQUE RADIO
ANTIQUE Radio; hanging lamps; china cabinet; carnival glass; Singer featherweight machine; 2 ladies and men diamond ring...>MORE

2002 LOWE TAHITI
2002 Lowe Tahiti 22 Deck Boat with 2002 Johnson 150 hp motor, fully loaded and lake ready, $12,500. (620)856-5165 or (41...>MORE

YORKIE-CHORKIE
Yorkie-Chorkie, 6 weeks, weight 12 oz. and up. 417-358-4202....>MORE

LAB MIX
black female, spayed, 3 years old, and 2 puppies, male/female, up to date vet care, $35 each. Refundable with proof of s...>MORE

LOST: 10 YEAR OLD YELLOW LAB

Goldie has on a flea collar, lost 6/28 between Oak Grove and Tipton Ford. PLEASE call 417-438-2828.
...>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index

 

 

The Joplin Globe Electronic Edition