Hermann Hearsay: Friday, July 2, 2010

Friday, July 2, 2010

The County Tire Contract Controversy ..... Part I: County Commission Meeting and Road Department Meeting - 7/1/2010

Published by Dick Schaefer, Contributing Writer and Part-time Investigative Reporter

The Gasconade County Commission met at the Owensville City Hall on Thursday, 7/1/2010. All of the principals took their seats at the front of the room: Presiding Commissioner Ron Jost, Northern District Associate Commissioner Matt Penning, Southern District Associate Commissioner Jerry Lairmore and County Clerk Lesa Lietzow.

The local press was represented by "Telescopic Camera Lens" Dave Marner from the Gasconade County Republican, "Online News Site Pioneer" Jeff Noedel from CNL ("Cheap News LIVE"), Anna Wiegenstein from Hermann NEWS, Don Kruse from The Hermann Advertiser-Courier, and yours truly from Hermann Hearsay.

Other notable illuminaries in attendance were Charlie Brown, unpaid but often hassled volunteer video camera operator; Raymond "Mike" Jacquin, citizen activist, watchdog and pitbull extraordinaire; Kyle Lairmore, highly decorated and broadly acclaimed son of Jerry Lairmore, the 2010 Missouri Conservation Department Employee of the Year, the 2009 Owensville Man of The Year, 2009 NRA Award Recipient and, using one of Kyle's favorite words, "dickhead" who filed a bogus (that means false, Kyle) complaint with the Missouri Ethics Commission against Commissioner Penning last year; Ron and Lynn Meyer, residents of Owensville and courthouse cleaning volunteers who along with others were once much maligned by County Collector Shawn Schlottach; Marty Keeling, mother-in-law of Ron Meyer and another maligned courthourse cleaning volunteer; Mrs. Chuck Lewis, representing Central Tire Company of Owensville; Matt Jost, nephew of Ron Jost and son of Don Jost who owns Jost Tire Company; Morris Landwehr, faher-in-law of Jerry Lairmore; and John Penning, father of Matt Penning, a popular Hermann City Alderman and a guy who has"changed more tires than Ron Jost". (I might add that John was changing tires before Ron Jost was knee high to a grasshopper, and John often had to change tires under adverse working conditions with Glen "Pierre LaPew" Sidener looking on and offering helpful unsolicited advice!)

Back to the subject of the county meeting though! I guess y'all wanna hear about what happened!

First of all, I observed that the meeting atmosphere was very tense. Nobody was smilin' .... well nobody but Commissioner Lairmore who wore a devilish smile upon his mustached face. Ya see, the commissioners had met with the County Road Department employees at the Drake Maintenance Shed prior to the public meeting in Owensville. Now it seems that Commissioner Lairmore and Jost had worked out a deal with the Road Department employees (Wayne Kottwitz, Roger Dahl and Debbie Thomas) regarding the county tire contract well ahead of time. Ya might say they kinda ambushed Commissioner Penning ..... but that's nothin' real new. They've done it before! Seems that when there's gonna be an orchestrated ambush, Lairmore and Jost tip off Noedel from "Cheap News LIVE" as well as Dave Marner from the GCR. On this particular occasion, Noedel rushed to the Drake Road Department meeting like a panting and salivating dog, but it was probably too early in the mornin' for ol' Dave to roll out of bed and attend the meeting 'cause he didn't make it!

Now as a side matter, we here at Hermann Hearsay aren't real sure that the Road Department Meeting is an open and public meeting ...... but it does seem to be "open" to Mr. Noedel. We will be researching this matter. The questions we have are these:

If the Road Department Meeting has in the past been open to the public, then has the Couny Clerk always posted proper NOTICE of the meeting as required under Missouri's Sunshine Laws?
Where has the County Clerk posted NOTICE of this meeting? Has it been widely publicized on bulletin boards throughout the county and in the county's two newspapers of record?
If the Road Department Meeting has NOT been a meeting which has been open to the public, who invited Mr. Noedel to attend the 7/1 meeting? And why was he alone invited when reporters from The Hermann Advertiser-Courier and Hermann NEWS were not.

So ya see, Commissioner Lairmore and Jost surprised the unsuspecting Commissioner Penning by discussing their new "solution" to the tire contract issues ol' Matt has been raising for two years and most recently in the 6/17 and 6/24 County Commission Meetings. Penning objected to their "solution", but as is most often the case, he was out-voted by Lairmore and Jost.

The "solution" which was devised by Lairmore, Jost and most likely forced upon the Road Department employees was this:

No competitive bid process for the county tires and tire services this year. (I don't know if this is in direct violation of Missouri statutes, but you can be sure I'm gonna find out.)
Tire and tire services business to be "split" between the tire vendors (Jost Tire Company and Central Tire Company) on some undefined basis as yet to be determined by Wayne Kottwitz, Road Department Superintendent (no doubt under the close direction of Lairmore and Jost!) Wanna guess which tire vendor will now get the largest portion of the county's tire and tire service business?!
Tire pricing to the county will be the "state bid" pricing (or better should a vendor wish to cut the county a better deal). Now, the only problem with this is that the tire specs which are not on the "state bid" pricing list will be charged out at whatever the county's tire vendor wants to charge. Jerry Lairmore explained that we can "trust" our tire vendors to treat the county right on the pricing of those tire specs. Oh, OK Jerry! If you say so!
But rather than allow the county's "trusted" tire vendors to determine which used tire casings are reusable and which are not and then provide credits back to the county accordingly, something which Chuck Lewis of Central Tire Company has been doing this past contract year at the direction of Commissioner Penning, Jerry Lairmore, never at a loss to suggest a convoluted, srewball idea in opposition to Commissioner Penning, stated that he really believes it would be best to have the used tire casings which are removed from the county trucks and graders returned back to the Drake Maintenance Shed where Jerry has promised to devise a whole new used tire casing tracking system and then make arrangements to bid out the tire casings on a periodic frequency yet to be determined. Er uh, Jerry, I got a question ..... Who's gonna be hauling all those tires back to the Drake Maintenance Shed? Don't guess you've figured out the cost of labor, fuel and lost opportunity to have our Road Department boys and girls haul tires to Drake from Owensville or wherever on county roads the used tires are pulled off county trucks and graders by our tire vendors? And I was wonderin' if that will create a new position within the Gasconade County Road and Bridge Department? "Used Tire Casing Hauler, Handler and Inventory Control Manager"? Ha ha ha! You're an idiot, Commissioner Lairmore! And if I'm wrong and you ain't an idiot, maybe you are just wanting to set up a system where you and Ronnie can direct more tire business to Ronnie's brother Don over at Jost Tire Company? Hmmmm?
Oh, and we won't be bidding out the other miscellaneous things like labor rates for changing tires and doing other assorted things, batteries, parts, etc. No, Jerry says we can just "trust" the tire vendors to treat the county right on all of these charges.

Now, none of the specifics of this new "Jerry Lairmore County Tire Purchasing Program" have been written up over at "Cheap News LIVE". Have you ever wondered why "Cheap News LIVE" never challenges any of the screwball, preposterous stuff that Lairmore and Jost do? I mean ol' Jeffy Pooh is supposed to have a top-notch news organization over there! Just ask him or Hank Vonk! Ha ha ha! (Sure hope you boys at CNL are readin' this!)

And no mention at "Cheap News LIVE" about the specific and highly rational objections which both Commissioner Penning and citizen watchdog "Mike" Jacquin raised! No mention that non-state bid tire specs should be bid out since they aren't on the state list. No mention that labor represents a significant portion of the county's tire and tire services cost and therefore the labor rates should be competitively bid. No mention that Chuck Lewis of Central Tire Comapny has been providing tire casing credits to the county for the past year and that Jost Tire Company on the otherhand has NEVER given the county a tire casing credit. No, NEVER!

"Cheap News LIVE" didn't report to their readers that it was a glaring "conflict of interest" for Presiding Commissioner Jost to second Jerry Lairmore's motion to adopt the new "Jerry Lairmore County Tire Purchasing Program" vs. competitively bidding the contract as the county has done for years and years. "Cheap News LIVE" didn't report that it was a glaring "conflict of interest" for Presiding Commissioner Ron Jost to vote affirmatively on a motion which will have the resultant effect of directing more tire and tire services business to Jost Tire Company which is owned by Don Jost who is Ron Jost's brother. My understanding is that Ron Jost is still employed by Jost Tire Company on a part-time basis, but I suppose I could be wrong. Maybe Mr. Noedel is not aware of these things. But how could that possibly be? Mr. Noedel afterall proclaims himself to be a great journalist and his company a great news organization! Maybe Mr. Noedel doesn't understand what constitutes a "conflict of interest". Or .......... maybe Mr. Noedel is somehow being influenced to "look the other way"! Surely not? That wouldn't meet the high standards of journalistic ethical behavior now would it?

Be sure to stay tuned for Part II: Presiding Commissioner Ron Jost's Conflict of Interest and Unethical Actions. In this article, I will explain in no uncertain terms exactly which Missouri statute(s) Presiding Commissioner Ron Jost violated in this week's County Commissioner Meeting. And I will also explain that what Jost and Lairmore are doing with respect to the county's tire contract is unethical and not in the best interests of the county taxpayers. This will be stuff you will never see reported over at "Cheap News LIVE".

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Editorial Comment: Hermann Hearsay Endorses Judge Cynthia Eckelkamp

Published by Jimmy Oldsun, NDRIRSRWRAFTC & Editor

Hermann Hearsay's Editorial Board met this morning and unanimously agreed to formally endorse Judge Cynthia Eckelkamp in her bid for re-election as Circuit Judge in the August 3rd Republican Primary Election.

The following information has been copied and pasted from Judge Eckelkamp's website .....

Judge Eckelkamp has the experience where it counts:

In her former position as Associate Circuit Judge and now as Circuit Judge, Judge Eckelkamp has handled over 17,000 cases. She has worked extremely hard to bring all cases to a speedy resolution. Because she carefully reviews all case files prior to hearings, she makes clear and fair decisions quickly.

As Circuit Judge, she has provided the leadership needed to maximize the benefits provided by the court’s computers and well-trained staff, reducing delays and providing fair, tough, commonsense resolutions to difficult problems. Judge Eckelkamp treats everyone with respect and considers the impact of her decisions on victims and children. She listens intently, carefully searches the law, and issues decisions promptly.

Judge Eckelkamp possesses a rare combination of courage, integrity, impartiality, and enthusiasm.

Dedicated Community Servant:

Judge Cynthia Eckelkamp, the Circuit Judge in Division 2, lives near Washington with her husband Terry Witthaus and their daughter, Sonja. Their son Ansel works in Mountain View, California and their son Cyrus plans to graduate from Grinnell College in May 2010. The daughter of Woody and Helen Eckelkamp, Cynthia was born in Washington and raised near Villa Ridge where her father was the rural mail carrier. She is a 1967 graduate of Washington High School, a 1970 graduate of Vassar College and 1977 graduate of the Washington University School of Law. Judge Eckelkamp has served as a high school teacher, a law school teacher, a mediator, and a clerk for the Missouri Court of Appeals. She was married in 1980 to Terry Witthaus.

Judge Eckelkamp has a long history of volunteer service at Immanuel Lutheran Church and in our community as a 4-H leader, Parent Teacher Organization President, Washington High School Orchestra Booster President, Mock Trial Advisor, Academic Booster Board Member, and Sunday School teacher.

From Left to Right: Terry, Sonja, Cyrus, Cindy, Ansel

Judge Cynthia Eckelkamp is:

Experienced:

Hardworking Associate Circuit Judge, Division 6 and Circuit Judge, Division 2
18,000+ Decisions, fewer than 10 reversals
Respected attorney since 1977
Successful law practice in Union for over 15 years
Former Judicial Clerk - Mo. Court of Appeals
Former Court-approved Mediator
Former Special Prosecutor
Proficient in courtroom use of technology
Fair, honest, and independent
Former high school teacher
Former instructor at Washington University School of Law
Author of numerous "plain language" documents

Rooted in the Community:

5th generation resident of Franklin County
Daughter of William “Woody” and Helen Eckelkamp of Villa Ridge
Graduate of Washington High School
Graduate of Vassar College
Masters in Education from Missouri University, Columbia
Graduate of Washington University School of Law
Married to Terry Witthaus for 30 years
Mother of three children – Sonja, Ansel, and Cyrus
Active - Immanuel Lutheran Church, Washington
Active - Franklin County 4-H Leader
Former High School Parent - WHS Orchestra Boosters, Mock Trial Advisor, Academic Booster Board
Former Girl Scout Leader

Committed to:

Encourage speedy case resolution to reduce backlog and make justice available to all parties
Render commonsense decisions that solve problems
Treat litigants and attorneys with respect
Devote a full day each day to the court
Embrace new technologies that streamline and improve the legal system
Positively influence the many young people that will come into her courtroom
Render decisions that dignify family values

Judge Cynthia Eckelkamp

Impartial, Hardworking, & Courageous:

Your Experienced Judge

E-mail the Judge: cindy@cindy4judge.com

Paid for by Reelect Judge Eckelkamp, Terry Witthaus Treasurer

Weekend Weather Report - 7/2 thru 7/4

Published by Charlie Farquharson, Weekend Weather Reporter

Hello Hermann Hearsay readers! This is Charlie Farquharson with your Weekend Weather Report!

It's going to be hot this weekend! But afterall folks it's the Fourth of July weekend, so it should be hot!

Today it's been sunny and we're expecting highs in the mid to upper 80s with humidity at about 34%. Tonight you can expect a low of 58° F. Take your sweater along if you're gonna be outside night fishin' or froggin'.

For Saturday, you can expect lots of sunshine with a high temperature of 90° F and 36% humidity. The low temperature Saturday night will be 72° F (or thereabouts).

On Sunday the 4th, expect partly sunny skies and more humid conditions. The high for the day will be 86° F and the low Sunday night will be 72° F. Humidity will rise to 66%.

Have a great July 4th weekend and BE SAFE!

Gasconade County Tire and Tire Services Contract Controversy

Published by Dick Schaefer, Contributing Writer and Part-time Investigative Reporter

I've been mulling over what I and other citizens witnessed at this week's Gasconade County Commission meeting in Owensville. I've been reading Jeff Noedel's one-sided report about the meeting over on his website CNL ("Cheap News LIVE"). Now I await Dave Marner's written account of the meeting next week in the Gasconade County Republican. Marner's report should be equally "interesting".

It's going to take me several postings (at least four) to say all that I want to say about the 7/1 county meeting as well as the continuing controversy over the county's tire and tire services contract. I'm going to break down my reports as follows:

Part I: County Commission Meeting and Road Department Meeting - 7/1/2010
Part II: Presiding Commissioner Ron Jost's Conflict of Interest and Unethical Actions
Part III: Irregularities Found In Prior Year Tire and Tire Services Invoices
Part IV: Why Jeff Noedel, CNL Publisher, Goes Out Of His Way To Slam Matt Penning Every Chance He Gets

My written reports will be posted when I'm well satisified that I have gathered all the relevant facts and have put together reports which will be clear and understandable to our readers.

In the meantime, if you see me in a coffee shop, let's talk. I will give you an earful! And it will be truthful to the best of my ability to perceive the truth. I neither solicit nor take money from anyone in county government. I have no financial relationship with anyone in county government. I do not rely upon nor solicit "exclusive inside news scoops" from anyone in county government. I do not publish PR reports for anyone in county government nor for their immediate family members. I am free to publish the unvarnished truth. I am blunt. I do not spin, fabricate, fog or misrepresent.