JOPLIN, MO —
Our path forward as a community has never been more imposing than it is today. However, the horrific May 22 tornado has clearly served to bond us together as a community more tightly than ever before.
It also prepares us for the challenging rebuilding opportunities we now face.
Our next major community rebuilding and expansion opportunity will present itself in two days. On Tuesday, Joplin voters will have the chance to continue the quarter-cent sales tax used exclusively to fund much-needed public park and stormwater infrastructure enhancement projects.
On Nov. 6, 2001, Joplin voters gave the city the green light to begin collecting such a tax after a diverse citizens’ committee came up with a comprehensive list of the most desirable projects.
This taxing authority was granted for 10 years and is due to expire in March 2012. We can now look proudly back over the past 10 years and clearly see that the $28.2 million collected was prudently used by the city. It is vitally important that we keep this tax in place for the next 10 years.
With that goal in mind, another citizens’ committee was formed last winter to garner public input and prepare a new projects list. If you would like to see that list, you may go to the city’s website at www.joplinmo.org and click on Parks & Storm Water information and then select Master Plan 2012. Here you will see parks projects totaling $12.9 million and stormwater projects totaling $18.5 million.
You may also see the master plan at the Joplin Public Library.
Remember, this is not a new or increased tax. Your “yes” vote will ensure that our present one-quarter cent sales tax for parks and storm water improvements remains unchanged for the next 10 years. I have studied this opportunity and firmly believe that our path forward, especially now, will be made easier if we vote “yes” on Tuesday to continue this tax.
Please join me on the path forward with your “yes” vote for our parks and stormwater sales tax renewal.
It’s the right thing to do at the right time. Let’s “git ’er done.”
Mike Pence lives in Joplin. He is the retired former owner of Electric Motor Supply, and currently is on the board of Joplin Tomorrow.
Tornado: Columns
Mike Pence, guest columnist: The path forward
- Tornado: Columns
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Susan Redden: McCaskill praises Joplin cooperation
At least two things she saw in Joplin need to be replicated in Washington, U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill said during a visit last week.
A strong spirit of cooperation is driving Joplin’s rebuilding, she said. And, the senator said there is a realization “that federal programs have a place.” -
Mark Rohr, guest columnist: Miracle of the human spirit ever-pervasive since tornado
Monday marks 100 days since the worst tornado in our country in the past 70 years tore through our community, leaving lost lives and destroyed property in its wake. As I have said before, that fateful day in late May will be the defining moment in all of our lives whether we want it to be or not.
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Ron Richard, guest columnist: Partnership can spur recovery
The tornado that ravaged Joplin and the flooding affecting Missouri River towns and businesses are both human and economic tragedies.
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Wally Kennedy: Flocks expected for Chick-fil-A opening
The stocking of the Chick-fil-A restaurant at 2127 S. Range Line Road is under way in preparation for a grand reopening on Thursday. The restaurant was among 25 or so eateries on Main Street and Range Line Road that were destroyed by the May 22 tornado.
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Susan Redden: State officials argue about disaster money
Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon is under fire from two different fronts, both relating to plans for a special legislative session in which the Joplin tornado and its economic impact will most certainly be a topic.
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Wally Kennedy: Walgreen’s to reopen both stores Monday
Monday will be a big day for two of the three stores that Walgreen’s operates in Joplin. The Walgreen’s at 20th and Main streets sustained significant damage on May 22. It was at the north edge of the tornado’s damage zone. It has had a major makeover.
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Roger Nomer: Image a ‘revelation’ for photographer
The sky looked dark, but nothing more unusual than a typical springtime storm.
I was on duty May 22 at the Globe, and had just finished taking photos of Joplin High School’s graduation when the storm sirens started to sound at Missouri Southern State University. -
Jo Ellis: Small deeds will make a big impact
A big, big thanks to all who have called, emailed or written to me saying they want to participate in Nature-Joplin (Nurture a Tree-Urban Reforestation Effort-Joplin) to help Joplin recover from the May 22 tornado that scoured the landscape.
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Andra Bryan Stefanoni: Safe room will always be reminder of May 22
The afternoon of May 22, I emailed a story to my editor from my home office just before the tornado sirens sounded in Pittsburg.
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Sarah Sticklen: Lessons learned: Remain faithful, move forward
As I walked into Missouri Southern’s Leggett & Platt Athletic Center on May 22 for my high school graduation, all I could think was: “I cannot wait until this is all over. Then, I can finally relax.”
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