Hermann Hearsay Interviews A. E. Newman (Part 3)

Published by Clark Kant, Contributing Writer and Investigative Blogger

A. E. Newman
Candidate for Southern District Associate
Commissioner of Gasconade County

Date: 2/16/2011
Post: 1,727

Part 1 of my interview may be found by clicking on A. E. Newman Interview (Part 1) .  And Part 2 may be found by clicking on A. E. Newman Interview (Part 2) .

Here is the transcript from Part 3 of the interview with A. E. Newman which took place Saturday morning, 2/12/2011, at Newman's kitchen table in Bland, MO .....

Kant:  Mr. Newman, let's talk about the issue which I know is most near and dear to your heart.  And that is the issue of unemployment in Gasconade County.  The numbers from the BLS are not yet out for January, but most people are expecting that the official unemployment rate for Gasconade County will come in right around 10%.
Newman:  Isn't that terrible, Clark?!  Absolutely horrendous!  And we have such proud, skilled and hard-working people in our county!  We have to get this situation fixed and fixed for good!  We've got to bring quality industry and business operations to Gasconade County!
Kant:  I know that you and your wife have reached out to the unemployed and homeless down in the southern district by hosting some breakfast meetings with them at your home.  Other than that what do you plan to do, Mr. Newman?
Newman:  IF elected, I plan to "shake things up" with the Gasconade County IDA (Industrial Development Authority) and the GVEZ (Gasconade Valley Enterprise Zone).  As you probably know, my opponent, incumbent Jerry D. Lairmore, has been sitting as a member of these groups for a number of years representing the Gasconade County Commissioners.  I have heard him talk a lot in County Commission Meetings about attending these meetings.  I have read the minutes of County Commission Meetings going back about three years now.  In these minutes, you can find Commissioner Lairmore talking about attending IDA and GVEZ meetings, but I believe I am correct in saying that Mr. Lairmore has accomplished very little of any real substance.  I can't remember one business which Lairmore has brought to Gasconade County.  I can't remember him helping an existing business expand and produce more good-paying jobs for the county.  Just a lot of hot air!  I wonder who Commissioner Lairmore is really representing as a member of the Gasconade County IDA and the GVEZ?  Is he representing the workers of Gasconade County who need good-paying jobs with company provided health insurance or is he representing a few business owners who are greedy and short-sighted in terms of wanting to maintain a low wage and salary structure in Gasconade County for their own benefit?  That's what I'm wondering!  And I'm aiming to find out about it too!
Kant:  How are you gonna do that, Mr.  Newman?
Newman:  I'll be showing up at the IDA and GVEZ meetings as a visitor and observer.  I want to get educated about the mission of these groups, the membership of these groups, what they have accomplished, what they haven't accomplished and their plans for the future.  I want to personally assess what needs to be done to bring business and jobs to Gasconade County.
Kant:  That sounds good for starters, but what else do you plan to do, Mr. Newman?
Newman:  I'm going to find out what my opponent has been doing as a member of these two groups.  I'm going to find out if he is fighting to bring business and jobs to Gasconade County, or if he is just giving "lip service" to the chronic needs of our county!  I'm going to find out who he is representing by sitting on the boards of these groups ... the workers of Gasconade County ... or just a few "fat cat" friends.  I'm going to find out if our county and regional industrial development groups are consulting with marketing professionals.  I'm going to find out if they are putting together professional presentations and brochures which can be used to attract quality employers to our county.  I'm going to find out if and how they are reaching out to quality businesses directly, through various political connections and through various economic development agencies at the state level.  I'm going to ask if they'd consider adding one unemployed worker from the southern end of the county and one from the northern end of the county to their boards.  I think we need to listen to the voice of the people who are being impacted by our county's high rate of unemployment!
Kant:  Sounds like you've been really thinking about this issue!
Newman:  I suspect and I dare say that  I've been thinking about this issue more than my opponent!  And if I find that my suspicions are indeed confirmed, then that is a very sad state of affairs for the honest and hard-working people of Gasconade County!
Kant:  What else can be done to bring good-paying jobs to our county?
Newman:  We must be progressive and forward-thinking about our county's infrastructure and county services.  Quality companies will not want to locate an industrial plant, a warehouse or any other kind of large business operation in our county if our county leaders are constantly fighting and failing to move the county ahead.  That's why Southern District Associate Commissioner Jerry Lairmore needs to be replaced!  I'm convinced Mr. Lairmore spends a great deal of his waking hours trying to figure out how he can obstruct what Commissioner Penning of the Northern District wants to accpmplish.  Lairmore conspires with others to bring information, rumor and innuendo into County Commission meetings when such things have absolutely no place in the County Commission meetings.  Presiding Commissioner Jost should cut off such inappropriate rumor mongering, but he has demonstrated that he has been unwilling to conduct a professional meeting.  If elected, I pledge to work with Commissioner Penning to accomplish positive things for both ends of our county.  I will try to work with Presiding Commissioner Jost, but I will also "all a spade a spade".  I expect Mr. Jost to set the appropriate priorities for the county, lead our meetings efficiently and effectively and cut off political rumor "mongering" as was seen in a recent Commission meeting when Commissioner Lairmore and a former commissioner teamed up in a sleazy, unprofessional attempt to smear Commissioner Penning by innuendo .
Kant:  Well, we're just about out of time, Mr. Newman.  I know you and your wife are planning to drive up to Columbia to visit your son today.
Newman:  Yeah, I guess I'm getting a bit long-winded, Clark!  It's been a pleasure talking with you today!  'Hope we can do it again in the future!
Kant:  That would be just swell!  I know you'll be getting your campaign signs made up this spring.  Perhaps we can get together when you get your first sign back from the printer?
Newman:  Clark, my signs are gonna be hand-painted on some old, discarded lumber.  I'm going for the rustic, country look.  I plan to hire some of the unemployed people here in the Bland area to help me.  I'm gonna put my actions where my mouth is!

Reciprocal Links: http://www.DSchaefer.Vemma.com (Nutrition For A Lifetime), http://www.Heart2HeartLyrics.blogspot.com (Song Lyrics Seeking Singer-Songwriters), http://www.HermannMoNews.blogspot.com (The 'Drudge Report' of Hermann), http://www.RivertownRecipes.blogspot.com (Great Local Recipes)

Other Recommended Links: http://www.AccuWeather.com (Weather Forecasts), https://stores.healthmart.com/berlenerdrugstorepharmacy (Professional Local Pharmacy Services), http://www.DorasSpinningWheel.com (Embroidery), http://www.HermannAdvertiserCourier.com (Gasconade County's Newspaper of Record), http://www.MUTigers.com (Official Website of the Missouri Tigers), http://www.RushLimbaugh.com (Conservative Talk), http://www.Time4Pie.com (Great Pie, Coffee & Conversation), http://www.ToedtmannGrosse.com (Obituaries), http://www.WatkinsOnline.com (Watkins Natural Products)

Hermann Hearsay Interviews A. E. Newman (Part 2)

Published by Clark Kant, Contributing Writer and Investigative Blogger

A. E. Newman
Candidate for Southern District Associate Commissioner

Date: 2/15/2011
Post: 1,718


Part 1 of my interview may be found by clicking on A. E. Newman Interview (Part 1) 

Here is the transcript from Part 2 of the interview with A. E. Newman which took place Saturday morning, 2/12/2011, at Newman's kitchen table in Bland, MO .....

Kant:  Mr. Newman, you've promised that you would clean up county government.  Can you tell my readers just exactly how you'd go about doing that?
Newman:  Well, I wouldn't be able to do it all by myself, but with the help of Northern District Associate Commissioner Matt Penning and interested citizens from both the south and north ends of Gasconade County, I think we could accomplish quite a lot!
Kant:  I don't understand.  What would you do?
Newman:  Well, first we would have to have much more transparency in county government and much more involvement and participation by the citizens than we currently have.  I would ask Commissioner Penning to join me in bringing about a change to the times and locations for the County Commission meetings.  I suspect Presiding Commissioner Jost would oppose this, but with two votes in favor of it, we could bring about the needed changes.  Right now the Commission has very short meetings (30 minutes to 90 minutes) each week on Thursday mornings.  The County Commission meeting room at the County Courthouse has very limited space for citizen attendees.  I think the "good ol' boys" like it that way.  The meeting held on the first Thursday of the month at the City Hall in Owensville is normally heavily attended by family members and political allies of Commissioner Jerry Lairmore and Presiding Commissioner Ron Jost.  Others from the south end of the county don't even bother to attend.  We've got to change all of this.  We need to hold ALL of our meetings during evening hours to encourage greater participation by the general public, and we need to meet in a larger room at the Gasconade County Courthouse.  I would suggest that we meet in the 2nd floor courtroom where we could accomodate about one hundred (100) attendees from the public.  The courtroom would be available during evening hours, so there would be no meeting room conflict..
Kant:  Wow!  You've really thought this through! 
Newman:  Yes, I have!
Kant:  What else would you do?
Newman:  We have to restore trust in our county government, and we have to restore competence and accountability.  With all the years of in-fighting, lack of accountability and poor results on recent financial audits performed by the State of Missouri, our county government is the laughing stock of our county as well as the neighboring counties which surround us!
Kant:  What would you do about all that?
Newman:  First of all, I would restore civility within the County Commission.  We would have rules of decorum!  If one Commissioner calls another Commissioner a "lieing son-of-a-bitch", he would be assessed a substantial fine.  I'm thinking a $500 fine.  And said fine would be deducted from his next month's pay check.  If a Commissioner calls a citizen a "jackass", whether he/she be in attendance at a commission meeting or not, that Commissioner would be assessed a $500 fine, he would be required to issue a public statement of apology which the County Clerk would dutifully record in the Commission Meeting Minutes, and he would be required to attend "Anger Management Training".  I'm hoping I could persuade Commissioner Penning to help me institute these new procedures.  Without two (2) affirmative votes within the Commission, positive changes like these will not be possible.  I doubt that Presiding Commissioner Jost would support me at all on my proposed changes.

Stay tuned tomorrow, Wednesday, 2/16/2011, for Part 3 (the final part) of our interview with A. E. Newman.

Reciprocal Links: http://www.DSchaefer.Vemma.com (Nutrition For A Lifetime), http://www.Heart2HeartLyrics.blogspot.com (Song Lyrics Seeking Singer-Songwriters), http://www.HermannMoNews.blogspot.com (The 'Drudge Report' of Hermann), http://www.RivertownRecipes.blogspot.com (Great Local Recipes)

Other Recommended Links: http://www.AccuWeather.com (Weather Forecasts), https://stores.healthmart.com/berlenerdrugstorepharmacy (Professional Local Pharmacy Services), http://www.DorasSpinningWheel.com (Embroidery), http://www.HermannAdvertiserCourier.com (Gasconade County's Newspaper of Record), http://www.MUTigers.com (Official Website of the Missouri Tigers), http://www.RushLimbaugh.com (Conservative Talk), http://www.Time4Pie.com (Great Pie, Coffee & Conversation), http://www.ToedtmannGrosse.com (Obituaries), http://www.WatkinsOnline.com (Watkins Natural Products)

Hermann Hearsay Interviews A. E. Newman (Part 1)

Published by Clark Kant, Contributing Writer and Investigative Blogger

A. E. Newman
Candidate for Southern District Associate Commissioner

Date:  2/12/2011
Post:  1,708

Here is the transcript from Part 1 of an interview with A. E. Newman which took place this morning (Saturday, 2/12/2011) at his kitchen table in Bland, MO .....

Kant:  Thanks for the opportunity to interview you, Mr. Newman.
Newman:  You are quite welcome, Clark.  Anything to get the word out about my campaign!
Kant:  And how is your campaign going?
Newman:  Well, I'm starting to build up some name recognition down here in the south end of the county.  And the election isn't until November, 2012, so I feel everyone will know who I am by that time.
Kant:  Yes I know!  I bought some gas at a convenience station in Owensville, and I asked the station attendant if they knew A. E. Newman.  She told me she did, and she was real enthusiastic about it!  I think you've got at least one vote there, Mr. Newman!
Newman:  Oh good! I'm gonna need every single vote I can get!  I'm running against an entrenched incumbent ya know!
Kant:  Yes, I know!  It's going to be real hard to beat Jerry Lairmore!
Newman:  I figure I have a chance if I get around and meet every eligible voter in the southern district.  I've met a lot of them in their homes, at the coffee shops and at special events I've had in my own home.  I'm even reaching out to the unemployed and the homeless!  I've had a couple breakfasts for them already.  My wife and I plan to host many more!
Kant:  Yes, I know!  Those breakfasts for the unemployed really show that you care about the unemployed and homeless!
Newman:  Well, someone needs to care about 'em!  My opponent just scoffs and looks down his nose at the unemployed!  He even said he thinks they're free-loadin' off the Missouri Division of Employment Security during a county commission meeting a few weeks back!  Got printed in the paper as part of the meeting minutes!  Pathetic!  Absolutely pathetic!  A lot of his constituents don't appreciate his remarks!
Kant:  'Sounds like that's gonna be a pretty good campaign issue for you?!
Newman:  You betcha!
Kant:  Ya got any other campaign issues, Mr. Newman?
Newman:  Oh my goodness yes!  There's so doggone many of 'em, I'd like to summarize them all in my next public statement release to the media.  Can I answer your question by saying that I'll just have to get back to you on that one?
Kant:  Sure, we can wait.  We'll look forward to receiving your next release to the media.
Newman:  I promise I'll have it out to you guys no later that March 1st.
Kant:  How is your family doing?  Has the campaign been stressful for them?
Newman:  No.  My wife has been tremendously supportive, God love her!  And my son, A. A. Newman, who is studying nuclear physics at Mizzou, is doing well up there.  He's a good kid and hasn't given me one minute of trouble!  So far in his freshman year, he's not gotten one DWI nor been thrown in jail for rowdiness or public nudity.  And I am relieved to know that he won't get to "play around" with the university's nuclear reactor until his junior year.  So you see, I can concentrate all my attention and efforts on my campaign for Southern District Associate Commissioner.

Part 2 of the Newman interview will be published on Valentine's Day, Monday, 2/14/2011

Reciprocal Links: http://www.DSchaefer.Vemma.com (Nutrition For A Lifetime), http://www.Heart2HeartLyrics.blogspot.com (Song Lyrics Seeking Singer-Songwriters), http://www.HermannMoNews.blogspot.com (The 'Drudge Report' of Hermann), http://www.RivertownRecipes.blogspot.com (Great Local Recipes)

Other Recommended Links: http://www.AccuWeather.com (Weather Forecasts), https://stores.healthmart.com/berlenerdrugstorepharmacy (Professional Local Pharmacy Services), http://www.DorasSpinningWheel.com (Embroidery), http://www.HermannAdvertiserCourier.com (Gasconade County's Newspaper of Record), http://www.MUTigers.com (Official Website of the Missouri Tigers), http://www.RushLimbaugh.com (Conservative Talk), http://www.Time4Pie.com (Great Pie, Coffee & Conversation), http://www.ToedtmannGrosse.com (Obituaries), http://www.WatkinsOnline.com (Watkins Natural Products)

A. E. Newman Provides Breakfast to Bland's Unemployed and Underemployed

Published by Dick Schaefer, Award-winning, Unpaid, Part-time Contributing Writer; Amateur Investigative Reporter; and Aspiring Photo-Journalist

Date:  1/28/2011
Post:  1,581

Hermann Hearsay has just learned that A. E. Newman and his wife invited a group of Bland's unemployed and underemployed into their home for breakfast this morning.  Eight people turned out for friendly conversation, warm fellowship and a wonderful breakfast.

Newman's wife is a great cook.  The family dining room table was covered with bowls of fluffy scrambled eggs, Eggs Benedict, link sausage, peppered bacon, Virginia country ham, blueberry pancakes, buttermilk biscuits and milk gravy, Newman's special persimmon jelly, hashbrowns, etc.  Freshly brewed French roasted coffee and freshly squeezed Florida orange juice topped off a great breakfast.  The unemployed had not eaten a good breakfast in months, so they really appreciated the Newman's hospitality!

Newman, a candidate for the office of Gasconade County Southern District Associate Commissioner, is very concerned about the plight of our county's unemployed and underemployed.  He is convinced that the current Commissioner of the Southern District is not doing enough to attract job-producing business into the county. 

Newman told Hermann Hearsay ... "Commissioner Lairmore looks down on the unemployed and underemployed of Gasconade County.  While he sits in a comfortable position on the board of directors of the Gasconade County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) and the Gasconade Valley Enterprise Zone (GVEZ), he has done very little to help our county's unemployed and underemployed.  It is imperative that we vote Lairmore out of office!"

Speaking to the group of eight jobless Bland residents, he said "I am a friend of the unemployed and underemployed.  Vote for me in 2012!"

Reciprocal Links: http://www.DSchaefer.Vemma.com (Nutrition For A Lifetime), http://www.Heart2HeartLyrics.blogspot.com (Song Lyrics Seeking Singer-Songwriters), http://www.HermannMoNews.blogspot.com (The 'Drudge Report' of Hermann), http://www.RivertownRecipes.blogspot.com (Great Local Recipes)

Other Recommended Links: http://www.AccuWeather.com (Weather Forecasts), http://www.DorasSpinningWheel.com (Embroidery), http://www.HermannAdvertiserCourier.com (Gasconade County's Newspaper of Record), http://www.MUTigers.com (Official Website of the Missouri Tigers), http://www.RushLimbaugh.com (Conservative Talk), http://www.Time4Pie.com (Great Pie, Coffee & Conversation), http://www.ToedtmannGrosse.com (Obituaries), http://www.WatkinsOnline.com (Watkins Natural Products)

A. E. Newman Issues PRESS RELEASE #3

Published by Dick Schaefer, Award-winning, Unpaid, Part-time Contributing Writer; Amateur Investigative Reporter; and Aspiring Photo-Journalist

A. E. Newman

Date: 12/22/2010
Post: 1,315

A. E. Newman sent us the PRESS RELEASE reproduced hereinbelow, his third to date, on Tuesday, 12/21. Mr. Newman announced his candidacy for the office of Southern District Associate Commissioner of Gasconade County several months ago. We published his first two PRESS RELEASES on November 5 and November 14.  If you'd like to refer back to them, just click on the following links:

• 11/5 - http://hermannhearsay.blogspot.com/2010/11/e-newman-issues-press-release.html
• 11/14 - http://hermannhearsay.blogspot.com/2010/11/e-newman-issues-press-release-2.html

PRESS RELEASE #3
A. E. Newman (I), Candidate for Southern District Associate Commissioner of Gasconade County
ae_newman@hotmail.com


12/21/2010


(Bland, MO) ----- Friends and neighbors throughout Gasconade County, I want to take this opportunity to wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.  I have been busy meeting with you in your homes and out on the stump this fall.  And time has certainly flown by quickly!  At this time of the year, I pause to take stock of my family's blessings and to wish others well as we end one year and begin a new one.

In my first press release and out on the stump, I talk about four (4) problems I see with Gasconade County government. These problems are:

• lack of transparency by county government,
• lack of financial accountability and mismanagement of public funds by county government,
• lack of forward-looking vision by the county commission, and
• lack of bold leadership by the county commission.

I went on to detail my concerns about the "lack of transparency by county government" in my second press release. 

In this my third press release, I would like to discuss in further detail what I mean by a "lack of financial accountability and mismanagement of public funds by county government".

Financial accountability and professional management of the county's financial affairs means that the elected representatives of the people are being good stewards of taxpayer money. This is NOT happening and the fault lies primarily with the County Commission, with the Treasurer and with the County Clerk, but there is room for improvement in other departments as well.  Our most recent financial audit by the Missouri State Auditor's Office plainly showed which elected oficials are not meeting their fiduciary responsibilites to the taxpayers of Gasconade County.  It also showed that our financial systems and financial controls are woefully inadequate.  The County Commission, Treasurer and Clerk should work collaboratively to drive improvement projects which will improve these systems and controls.  Unfortunately no one seems to give a hoot in hell!

If I am fortunate enough to be elected to the office of Southern District Associate Commissioner of Gasconade County, I pledge that I will work with my colleagues in county government to identify necessary improvement projects, assign responsibility and accountability for those projects and track the projects to completion.  If I am elected, we will NOT continue to have the kind of pathetic audit results we have been having in 2002, 2006 and 2010.

In addition to working with other elected county officials to improve the county's overall financial systems and financial controls, I will look into the following specific concerns which I have:

1. Why do we lease roadgraders instead of purchasing them outright?  I'm not convinced we should be leasing vs. purchasing.
2. Why are we not bidding out the tire and tire service contract?  I'm concerned about favoritism being shown to Jost Tire Co. and Dud's Tire Co. which just happen to have well-placed relatives in key decision making positions with the county.
3. Why are we reimbursing current Southern District Associate Commissioner Jerry Lairmore and former Northern District Associate Commissioner Max Aubuchon for 100% of their legal defense bills when a trial before former Associate Circuit Judge Cynthia Eckelcamp had established that they were not legally entitled to take a mid-term salary increase even though her decision was reversed at the appellate level on a legal technicality (statute of limitations)?
4. Why are we so obviously negligent in the maintenance of one of our greatest county assets, our multi-million dollar, historic county courthouse?  Why are we allowing the courthouse to gradually deteriorate by budgeting and spending on $1,000 per year for it's upkeep and maintenance?  This willful negligence is or at least should be criminal!  Does someone have a continuing agenda to move the county seat to Owensville?  It appears that way!
5. Why is the County Sheriff spending public funds for his own personal political ads in the Hermann Advertiser-Courier?  And why don't said newspaper ads state how the ads are funded as required by Missouri ethics laws pertaining to campaign financing?  This concern has been raised by the Missouri state auditors, but the abuse continues.
6. Why are we spending money to study the "feasibility" of constructing and operating a new county jail when it ought to be abundantly clear that we will never be able to properly operate such a facility for less than we are currently paying out (net of reimbursements by the state) to adjoining counties which currently house our prisoners?

I'm sure that, if elected, I will find additional specific concerns which need attention.  And when I find these concerns, I will challenge the status quo thinking and "rock the boat" until my concerns are adequately addressed.

A. E. Newman
"A new kind of politician!"


Reciprocal Links:  http://www.DSchaefer.Vemma.com (Nutrition For A Lifetime), http://www.Heart2HeartLyrics.blogspot.com (Song Lyrics Seeking Singer-Songwriters), http://www.HermannMoNews.blogspot.com (The 'Drudge Report' of Hermann), http://www.RivertownRecipes.blogspot.com (Great Local Recipes), http://www.WatkinsOnline.com/richardhschaefer (Watkins Natural Products)

Other Recommended Links:  http://www.HermannAdvertiserCourier.com (Gasconade County's Newspaper of Record), http://www.Time4Pie.com (Great Pie, Coffee & Conversation)

PART 1 - Revised Statutes of Missouri Which Govern County Commissions

Published by Dick Schaefer, Award-winning, Unpaid, Part-time Contributing Writer; Amateur Investigative Blogger; Aspiring Photo-Journalist; and Missouri Tiger Fan

Date:  12/7/2010
Post:  1,257

This is PART 1 of a 2 PART report which will address the "legality" of certain actions and decisions taken by the Gasconade County Commission in relationship to the so-called "salary overpayment lawsuit".

County governments in the State of Missouri are subject to the Revised Statutes of Missoui.  Chapter 49 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri (RSMo 49) and Chapter 50 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri (RSMo 50) are of particular interest in that they pertain to the operating procedures, rules, powers, reponsibilities and limitations of County Commissions.  RSMo 49 pertains to County Commissions and County Buildings while RSMo 50 pertains to County Finances, Budget and Retirement Systems.

Some of the particular sections of these chapters which we will be referring to in PART 2 of this invstigative report are copied/pasted hereinbelow:

49.070 - A majority of the commissioners of the county commission shall constitute a quorum to do business; a single member may adjourn from day to day, and require the attendance of those absent; when but two commissioners are sitting and they shall disagree in any matter submitted to them, the decision of the presiding commissioner shall stand as the decision of the commission; provided further, when the presiding commissioner is absent and the other two commissioners are present the commission clerk shall designate one of the commissioners present as presiding commissioner during the absence of the regular presiding commissioner, and he shall, during the absence of the regular presiding commissioner, have all of the powers of the regular presiding commissioner.

49.220 - If a majority of the commissioners of the county commission shall be interested in any cause or proceeding pending before them, or related to either party, the same shall be certified with the original papers to the circuit court of the county, which shall proceed thereon to final judgment and determination in like manner as the county commission should have done.

49.230 - Appeals from the decisions, findings and orders of county commissions shall be conducted under the provisions of chapter 536.

50.160 - The county commission may:

1. Audit, adjust and settle all accounts to which the county is a party;
2. Order the payment out of the county treasury of any sum of money found to be due by the county on such accounts;
3. Enforce the collection of money due the county;
4. Order suit to be brought on the bond of any delinquent and require the prosecuting attorney for the county to commence and prosecute the same;
5. Issue all necessary process to secure the attendance of any person, whether party or witness, whom it deems necessary to examine in the investigation of any accounts;
6. In order to procure the exhibition or delivery to it of any accounts, books, documents or other papers, it may issue process directed to the person in whose custody or care the accounts, books, documents or other papers may be, commanding him to deliver or transmit the same to such commission, which process shall be served by the sheriff;
7. Examine all parties and witnesses on oath, touching the investigation of any accounts, and if any person being served with such process shall not appear according to the command thereof, without reasonable cause, or if any person in attendance at any hearing or proceeding shall, without reasonable cause, refuse to be sworn or to be examined, or to answer a question or to produce a book or paper, or to subscribe or swear to his deposition, he shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor;
8. If it finds it necessary to do so, it may employ an accountant to audit the accounts of the various county officers.

Please carefully read and study the above sections of Missouri statutes in preparation for reading PART 2 which we intend to post in the next day or two.  Please refer back to these statutes as needed.

Just one more thing ....  As a Hermann Hearsay reader, you are obviously a very bright person.  Consequently it is very likely that you already anticipate where I am going with this report.  Please don't spoil it for any readers who may not be as sharp as you by making a comment in PART 1.

Reciprocal Links:  http://www.DSchaefer.Vemma.com (Nutrition For A Lifetime), http://www.Heart2HeartLyrics.blogspot.com (Song Lyrics Seeking Singer-Songwriters), http://www.HermannMoNews.blogspot.com (The 'Drudge Report' of Hermann), http://www.RivertownRecipes.blogspot.com (Great Local Recipes), http://www.WatkinsOnline.com/richardhschaefer (Watkins Natural Products)

Other Recommended Links:  http://www.HermannAdvertiserCourier.com (Gasconade County's Newspaper of Record), http://www.Time4Pie.com (Great Pie, Coffee & Conversation)

A. E. Newman Exclusive Interview

Published by Dick Schaefer, Award-winning, Unpaid, Part-time Contributing Writer; Amateur Investigative Blogger; Aspiring Photo-Journalist; and Missouri Tiger Fan

Date:  12/1/2010
Post:  1,204

Hermann Hearsay sat down with A. E. Newman this afternoon for an exclusive interview.  We asked very specific questions about the operation of county government, and Mr. Newman forthrightly answered each and everyone.  A transcript of our interview follows:

Hermann Hearsay (HH):  Mr. Newman, thanks for taking the time to sit down with us this afternoon to answer a few questions.  I know you have been busy with your door-to-door political campaign.

A. E. Newman (AEN):  You're quite welcome.  I'm pleased to do it!

HH:  I was hoping to get your candid reaction to the state audit reports for Gasconade County.  As you know, these reports were posted on the State Auditor's website a few weeks ago.

AEN:  If I am brutally honest with you, I was absolutely appalled!  Our 2010 audit report contained many serious deficiencies.  I consider the deficiencies found in the County Treasurer's office to be very serious.  I mean that guy can't even balance the county's checking account!  I am concerned about the use of public funds by our County Sheriff for what amounts to political affinity newspaper advertisements.  These ads should be paid for by the Sheriff or by the Sheriff's political campaign fund.  They should not be paid for by county taxpayers!  Serious deficiencies have been reported in previous state audits.  Just go back and pull up the audit reports for 2002 and 2006.  Now, who has the overall responsibility and accountability for all things financial within a county.  By statute, it is the County Clerk.  What the dickens has she been doing all of these years!  She certainly has not been excercising her oversight responsibility over all county departments, and she has not been working to improve the county's financial systems and financial controls.

HH:  Did you see Daniel Penning's 'Letter to the Editor' in The Hermann Advertiser-Courier today?  He criticized Joey Grosse, the County Treasurer, and Lesa Lietzow, the County Clerk, for poor performance.  What did you think about his criticisms?

AEN:  As a matter of fact, I did read the Hermann A-C today.  I agree with Mr. Penning.  I couldn't have written that letter any better than he did!  That's why I supported Sharon Meyer for County Clerk in the recent election.  We need changes in a number of county offices.  The County Clerk is just one change that we need to make!

HH:  Let's switch to a different subject.  You may be aware that Presiding Commissioner Ron Jost called for a vote to pay off the legal defense bills incurred during the so-called "salary overpayment" lawsuit by Southern District Commissioner Jerry Lairmore and former Northern District Commissioner Max Aubuchon at last week's County Commission Meeting.  He asked current Northern District Commissioner Matt Penning to second his motion to pay the bills.  Penning declined.  Lairmore could not second the motion since he had a personal interest in the matter.  Jost called for a vote anyway.  Penning abstained, and Lairmore abstained.  Then Jost made a unilateral decision to pay the bills which are said to amount to approximately $52,000.  Does he have the authority to unilaterally authorize a $52,000 payment ...... without a 2/3 majority vote to do so?

AEN:  My opinion is that the Presiding Commissioner does NOT have the authority to authorize the expenditure of $52,000 of county money completely on his own.  My opinion is that he would be violating a Missouri State statute by acting unilaterally.  I believe that it also does not display particularly good judgment on his part to act unilaterally since this is a highly visible and controversial issue within the county.  I am not an attorney, but my opinion is that by unilaterly authorizing the expenditure, the Presiding Commissioner would place himself in violation of RSMo 49.220.  I might have that wrong, so don't hold me to it.  Perhaps you could consult with an attorney or perhaps the Prosecuting Attorney herself.

HH:  Do you think the Presiding Commissioner will sign county checks to Lairmore and Aubuchon at the County Commission meeting in Owensville tomorrow morning?

AEN:  Wow!  I just don't know the answer to that question!  I would advise the Presiding Commissioner NOT to sign those checks before he gets competent legal advice and weighs the political implications of doing so.  If I were him, I would consult with the Prosecuting Attorney.

HH:  Switching once again to another topic, how has your campaign been going?  Are you being well-received by the folks in the southern district?

AEN:  I am having fun!  I am going door-to-door and I have been meeting with small groups.  I love the interaction, the give and the take.  I'm learning a lot!  Yes, I think I am getting a good reception.  People are interested in hearing about the issues facing the county, and they want to know my positions.  By starting two years before the election in November 2012, I have allowed myself plenty of time to meet and talk with most of the people in the southern district.

HH:  Do you believe you can unseat the incumbent, Jerry Lairmore? 

AEN:  I think I have a good chance.  It won't be easy, but if I keep working hard, yes, I think I can beat him!

HH:  And now with our remaining time, let me ask you a couple personal questions.  Is that OK?

AEN:  Sure!  Fire away!

HH:  Why do you even want the job of county commissioner?  There is so much controversy and so many issues to deal with!

AEN:  I know what you mean!  Sometimes my wife asks me the same questions!  Ya see, the thing is that I've had some good people down here ask me to run.  They feel that we need to make a change, and they don't see anyone else who is willing to stand up to the incumbent.  I'm just hard-headed enough to stand up to the incumbent and point out the things he ought be doing for the people of his area and the things he ought not be doing to personally enrich himself.  Anyway, I've made commitments to some good people down here, and I intend to honor my commitments to them.

HH:  How's your son doing at Mizzou?

AEN:  Oh, thanks a lot for asking about him!  He loves Mizzou!  We drove up for the K-State game a few weeks ago, and had a great visit with him!  He's studying hard.  'Thinks he wants to be a nuclear physicist!  Ha ha ha!  We'll see!  I just hope he doesn't melt down that reactor they have on campus near the football stadium!  I wish him all the best!  He's my pride and joy!

HH:  'Just noticed that it's ten till the hour.  If you're going to be on time to your meeting with that ladies sewing circle, I guess I had better let you go!  I want to thank you so much for the interview.  We will also be trying to schedule an interview with your opponent, Mr. Lairmore.

AEN:  I enjoyed our talk.  The time flew by very quickly!  Let's do it again when I have more time!


Reciprocal Links:  http://www.DSchaefer.Vemma.com (Nutrition For A Lifetime), http://www.Heart2HeartLyrics.blogspot.com (Song Lyrics Seeking Singer-Songwriters), http://www.HermannMoNews.blogspot.com (The 'Drudge Report' of Hermann), http://www.RivertownRecipes.blogspot.com (Great Local Recipes), http://www.WatkinsOnline.com/richardhschaefer (Watkins Natural Products)

Other Recommended Links:  http://www.HermannAdvertiserCourier.com (Gasconade County's Newspaper of Record), http://www.Time4Pie.com (Great Pie, Coffee & Conversation)

A. E. Newman Behind This Morning's Robo-Calls To Gasconade County Residents

Published by Dick Schaefer, Award-winning, Unpaid, Part-time Contributing Writer; Amateur Investigative Blogger; Aspiring Photo-Journalist; and Missouri Tiger Fan

Date:  11/30/2010
Post:  1,193

Several people from Owensville and the surrounding area have called our office this morning to report a "robo-call" from A. E. Newman, candidate for Southern District Associate Commissioner.  The people telephoning our office have consistently reported a "citizen call to action" by Mr. Newman.  The jest of the call is that Newman wants Gasconade County residents to show up in large numbers for this week's county commission meeting at the Owensville City Hall.  Newman calls for citizens to protest Presiding Commissioner Jost's intent to pay the legal bills out of public funds for the two respondents in the so-called "salary over-payment lawsuit" originally filed by plaintiffs Matt Penning and Sandra Lackman on behalf of Gasconade County citizens.

Newman exhorted call recipients ... "Let's fill the meeting room at the Owensville City Hall this Thursday!  Let's tell Presiding Commissioner Jost just what we think about his intent to use $52,000 of county funds to pay these legal bills!"

If you yourself have received one of these "robo-calls", we'd like to know about it.  Please leave us a brief comment.


Reciprocal Links:  http://www.dschaefer.vemma.com/ (Nutrition For A Lifetime), http://www.heart2heartlyrics.blogspot.com/ (Song Lyrics Seeking Singer-Songwriters), http://www.hermannmonews.blogspot.com/ (The 'Drudge Report' of Hermann), http://www.rivertownrecipes.blogspot.com/ (Great Local Recipes), http://www.WatkinsOnline.com/richardhschaefer (Watkins Natural Products)

Other Recommended Links:  http://www.hermannadvertisercourier.com/ (Gasconade County's Newspaper of Record), http://www.time4pie.com/ (Great Pie, Coffee & Conversation)

Who and what are the citizens of Gasconade County to believe?

Published by Clark Kant, Contributing Writer and Investigative Reporter

Gasconade County Courthouse
County Seat (for now):  Hermann, MO
11/4/2010

Photo by Dick Schaefer (Hermann Hearsay).
Copyright protected.  All rights reserved.

Date:  11/18/2010
Post:  1,113

Who and what are we, the citizens of Gasconade County, to believe?  On one hand we have Julie A. Allen, Executive Director of the Missouri Ethics Commission (MEC) saying that insufficient evidence to support the "conflict of interest" complaint against Gasconade County Presiding Commissioner Ron Jost has been produced by complainant Northern District Associate Commissioner Matt Penning.  And yet on the other hand, the CPA firm contracted by Missouri State Auditor Susan Montee to audit Gasconade County, Casey-Beard-Boehmer PC, Certified Public Accountants, has concluded that the Presiding Commissioner has had a "conflict of interest" with respect to the purchasing of tires and tire services during the period of time audited (January 1, 2008 thru December 31, 2009).

If you would like to read the letter sent to Presiding Commissioner Jost by MEC Executive Director Allen which "dismisses" the conflict of interest case alleged against him, just click on the following link:  http://mec.mo.gov/Scanned/CaseDocsPDF/1314.pdf .

In the "SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND RESPONSES" of their audit report to Gasconade County officeholders, Casey-Beard-Boehmer PC, Certified Public Accountants made the following statements:

09-03 Conflicts of Interest

Condition:  The Presiding Commissioner approved receiving reports for the receipt of tires and
initialed invoices for the purchase of tires from a vendor that is also a related party. The Presiding Commissioner did abstain from voting on the bids for the purchase of tires by the county.

Criteria:  All county transactions should be conducted independently to avoid any conflicts of interest.

Cause:  Tires do not appear to be received by an independent county employee.

Effect:  County expenditures have been paid without proper approval from an unrelated party, which could lead to a potential misuse of county assets.

Recommendation:  The County Commission should implement policies and procedures to avoid conflicts of interest situations.

Response:  The Presiding Commissioner agreed to no longer approve receipt of tires or initial invoices
for tire purchases from a vendor that is a related party.

If you would like to examine the entire audit report recently posted on the Missouri State Auditor's website, just click on the following link:  http://www.auditor.mo.gov/press/2010-137.pdf .

So, what the devil are we, the citizens of Gasconade County, to conclude from all of this?  Sometimes BIG government just can't resolve anything!  The more that simple problems are investigated by government bureaucrats, the more complicated, confused and inconclusive things seem to become!


Reciprocal Links:  http://www.dschaefer.vemma.com/ (Nutrition For A Lifetime), http://www.heart2heartlyrics.blogspot.com/ (Song Lyrics Seeking Singer-Songwriters), http://www.hermannmonews.blogspot.com/ (The 'Drudge Report' of Hermann), http://www.rivertownrecipes.blogspot.com/ (Great Local Recipes), http://www.WatkinsOnline.com/richardhschaefer (Watkins Natural Products)

Other Recommended Links:  http://www.hermannadvertisercourier.com/ (Gasconade County's Newspaper of Record), http://www.time4pie.com/ (Great Pie, Coffee & Conversation)

County Jail Feasibility Studies

Published by Clark Kant, Contributing Writer and Investigative Reporter

Date:  11/17/2010
Post:  1,105

There are two feasibility studies underway for Sheriff Randy Esphorst's proposed county jail at Swiss, MO.  The two independent studies are these:

1. Feasibility study by Goldberg, Sullivan and McCrerey Architects and Planners, Inc.  This study was engaged in on behalf of the county by Sheriff Esphorst and authorized by Presiding Commissioner Ron Jost.  The reported cost of this study which began on Monday, 11/8 is $2,500.  The study is being paid for out of public funds.  Information about GSM Architects and Planners, Inc. many be found at their website:  http://www.gsm-design.com.
2. Feasibility study by J. Bodine of rural Gasconade County.  This study was initiated by Mr. Bodine and is being funded with his own private funds.  The reported cost of Bodine'sstudy which began in early November is approximately $1.09 ($0.99 for a 'Big Chief' writing tablet and $0.10 for a #2 lead pencil).  J. Bodine's website is:  http://www.jbodine-consultants.blogspot.com.

Reciprocal Links:  http://www.DSchaefer.Vemma.com (Nutrition For A Lifetime), http://www.Heart2HeartLyrics.blogspot.com (Song Lyrics Seeking Singer-Songwriters), http://www.HermannMoNews.blogspot.com (The 'Drudge Report' of Hermann), http://www.RivertownRecipes.blogspot.com (Great Local Recipes), http://www.WatkinsOnline.com/richardhschaefer (Watkins Natural Products)

Other Recommended Links:  http://www.HermannAdvertiserCourier.com (Gasconade County's Newspaper of Record), http://www.Time4Pie.com (Great Pie, Coffee & Conversation)

Missouri State Audit of Gasconade County Financial Statements Now Posted On Auditor's Website

Published by Dick Schaefer, Award-winning, Unpaid, Part-time Contributing Writer; Amateur Investigative Reporter; and Aspiring Photo-Journalist

Date:  11/15/2010
Post:  1,091

Finally, the long-awaited Missouri state audit report of Gasconade County financial statements has been posted at the Missouri State Auditor's website.  You can link to the report by clicking on the following URL:  http://auditor.mo.gov/press/2010-137.pdf.

The cover letter from Missouri State Auditor Susan Montee, reads as follows:

To the County Commission and
Officeholders of Gasconade County, Missouri:


The Office of the State Auditor is responsible under Section 29.230, RSMo, for auditing certain operations of Gasconade County, and issues a separate report on that audit. In addition, the Office of the
State Auditor has contracted for an audit of the county’s financial statements for the 2 years ended
December 31, 2009, through the state Office of Administration, Division of Purchasing and Materials
Management. A copy of this audit, performed by Casey-Beard-Boehmer PC, Certified Public Accountants, is attached.

Susan Montee, JD, CPA
State Auditor

A hard copy of the audit report was available to county officeholders just one week prior to the November 2nd general election.  Unfortunately, the county officeholders did not widely broadcast the results.  Did you see them publish the report in either The Hermann Advertiser-Courier or The Gasconade County Republican?  No you didn't!  Did you see any coverage on CNL?  No you didn't!  And let me tell you the reasons you haven't seen any coverage about the recently concluded state audit of the Gasconade County financial statements:  (1) none of the officeholders are especially proud of the audit findings and the deficiencies noted for their areas of responsibility and will therefore not be discussing the results in an open public meeting and (2) the news media in Gasconade County is not particularly aggressive in terms of investigating things that really matter like the job performance of our elected county officials!

So, comes now Hermann Hearsay, a poorly funded, lowly news blog, to finally inform the citizens of Gasconade County.  You should have had this important information prior to your vote in the general election on November 2nd, but it was difficult to reproduce 34 pages of the audit at this site.  I chose to wait until the audit report was public knowledge, i.e. officially posted to the public on the Missouri State Auditor's website.  Now you can just click on the link published above and read the audit for yourselves. 

If you will take the time to read the 34 pages of this audit, you will conclude that we need to make changes in Gasconade County!  Mind you that similar deficiencies have been noted in prior audits.  If you want to do some independent research, pull up the audits for 2002 and 2006.

Reciprocal Links:  http://www.DSchaefer.Vemma.com (Nutrition For A Lifetime), http://www.Heart2HeartLyrics.blogspot.com (Song Lyrics Seeking Singer-Songwriters), http://www.HermannMoNews.blogspot.com (The 'Drudge Report' of Hermann), http://www.HermannAdvertiserCourier.com (Gasconade County's Newspaper of Record), http://www.RivertownRecipes.blogspot.com (Great Local Recipes), http://www.Time4Pie.com (Great Pie, Coffee & Conversation), http://www.WatkinsOnline.com/richardhschaefer (Watkins Natural Products)

A. E. Newman Issues PRESS RELEASE #2

Published by Dick Schaefer, Award-winning, Unpaid, Part-time Contributing Writer; Amateur Investigative Reporter; and Aspiring Photo-Journalist

Date: 11/14/2010
Post: 1,078

A. E. Newman sent us the following PRESS RELEASE, his second, on Friday, 11/12.  Mr. Newman announced his candidacy for the office of Southern District Associate Commissioner of Gasconade County several months ago.  We published his first PRESS RELEASE on November 5.  If you'd like to refer back to it, just click on the following link:  http://hermannhearsay.blogspot.com/2010/11/e-newman-issues-press-release.html

PRESS RELEASE #2
A. E. Newman (I), Candidate for Southern District Associate Commissioner of Gasconade County
ae_newman@hotmail.com


11/12/2010


(Bland, MO) ----- In my first press release and out on the stump, I talk about four (4) problems I see with Gasconade County government.  These problems are:

1. lack of transparency by county government,
2. lack of financial accountability and mismanagement of public funds by county government,
3. lack of forward-looking vision by the county commission, and
4. lack of bold leadership by the county commission.

In this press statement, I would like to discuss in further detail what I mean by a "lack of transparency".

Transparency in government means that the elected representatives of the people are open and honest with their constituents in everything pertaining to government.  Elected representatives should share information openly, freely and frequently.  By sharing information with their constituents, elected representatives earn the trust and confidence of their constituents.  This is not a one-way street.  Elected representatives of the people must make an earnest effort to LISTEN to the concerns and suggestions of their constituents.

If I am fortunate enough to be elected to the office of Southern District Associate Commissioner of Gasconade County, I pledge that I will do the following things to improve the communications between county government and my constituents and all people in Gasconade County:

1. Conduct townhall meetings in the southern district.  I will conduct townhall meetings on a quarterly basis throughout the southern district.  Initially the meetings will be held on a quarterly basis.  After a few of these meetings, we will see how frequently the people would like me to conduct them.  In these meetings, I will share information about what is going on in the county, what issues we will be faced with in the county and most importantly I will listen to the concerns and suggestions of the people who have sent me to do their work.
2. Open up county commission meetings for greater access by the people.  We currently conduct our open county commission meetings once per week at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday mornings.  Most of the meetings are held at the county courthouse in Hermann, which is the county seat. The commission meets in very small quarters where seating for the public is very limited.  These meetings are kept very short in duration.  Much of the county's business is done outside of this open public meeting.  This is not right!  This needs to change, and I will work to get it changed!  On the first Thursday of each month, the county commission meets at the Owensville City Hall.  I have noticed that the commissioners of other counties, meet more frequently than do the Gasconade County commissioners.  Montgomery County is one such case in point.  The Montgomery County Commission currently meets in open session twice per week instead of once per week. The Montgomery County Commissioners are in session on Monday and Thursday from 9 to noon and 1 to 4 p.m.  (Reference: http://www.montgomerycountymo.org/abtmontcounty.php)  In otherwords, the Montgomery County Commission meets in open session 12 hours every week split between two day whereas the Gasconade County Commission meets in open session about 1-2 hours per week on just one day of the week.  Do y'all reckon that Montgomery County really has that much more business to conduct by comparison to Gasconade County OR do you think maybe they are just doing their county business MORE OPENLY than our county commissioners?!  I plan to find out what is really going on, and I plan to shake things up!
3. Presiding Commissioner Jost not meeting regularly with GCCS.  I will find out why!  He agreed to represent the County Commission as an ex-officio member and attend the GCCS (Gasconade County Couthouse Society) Board Meetings.  His attendance has been VERY SPOTTY!  Communications between the County Commission and the GCCS are extremely poor.  If elected to the County Commission, I will look into this problem, and I will shake things up!

A. E. Newman
"A new kind of politician!"

Reciprocal Links: http://www.dschaefer.vemma.com/ (Nutrition For A Lifetime), http://www.heart2heartlyrics.blogspot.com/ (Song Lyrics Seeking Singer-Songwriters), http://www.hermannmonews.blogspot.com/ (The 'Drudge Report' of Hermann), http://www.hermannadvertisercourier.com/ (Gasconade County's Newspaper of Record), http://www.rivertownrecipes.blogspot.com/ (Great Local Recipes), http://www.time4pie.com/ (Great Pie, Coffee & Conversation), http://www.WatkinsOnline.com/richardhschaefer (Watkins Natural Products)