Saturday, July 30, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
New City Manager's first city budget proposal includes pay raise for city workers and reduced bus services!
In his first proposed budget as city manager, Mike Matthes recommended no tax increases for Columbia residents.
The budget proposal for the 2012 fiscal year includes maintenance for sidewalks and streets, reduction of bus services and a pay raise for city employees, which they haven't seen in two years.
The proposal was released Friday morning on the main page of the city's website, gocolumbiamo.com.
Taxes and fees
Matthes recommended a modest fee increase for water, recreation, transit, sewer, parking and solid waste services. The average utility increase would be $4.49 per month for residents, according to the proposal.
Although the tax rate would remain flat, the revenue the city is projecting from sales taxes and property taxes is projected to grow by 2 percent. The increase, according to the budget report, reflects economic improvements.
Streets and bus services
The focus on streets and cuts to bus services comes from public opinion, the budget proposal states.
Columbia citizens said in a recent survey that paving streets was their top priority, while expanding public transit ranked eighth of 14 choices, according to the budget proposal.
Under the proposal, funding for street paving and maintenance would increase by $585,000. Several infrastructure improvements to Stadium Boulevard and Interstate 70 are proposed, at a cost of $7.3 million.
Bus services would be reduced, but riders would be asked to pay more to reach a "positive cash balance" by the end of fiscal year 2012. Specifically:
Fare increases would occur for semester passes, full and half fares, and paratransit.
The eligibility for half fares would be reduced to that which is federally mandated.
Thursday through Saturday evening service would be eliminated.
Saturday service would be reduced by one trip. Miles would be dropped from the 209 black route, 104SE route and the 207 West Gold Route.
Pay raises and general fund
Matthes proposed a 25 cent per hour pay raise for all city employees. It would be their first raise in two years. That would cost the city $1 million, with half coming from the general fund.
Matthes said in the proposal that the general fund "represents our greatest financial pain." In fiscal year 2012, the general fund is projected to take in $75.4 million and spend $77.7 million — leaving a $2.3 million deficit.
Matthes proposed to close the gap between revenues and expenses by about $600,000.
The proposal intends to eliminate the deficit by fiscal year 2014.
Sources:
http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2011/07/29/city-manager-mike-matthes-submitted-his-first-budget-proposal/
City of Columbia Budget PDF Download:
http://gocolumbiamo.com/Finance/Services/Financial_Reports/documents/fy2012_CM_budget.pdf
The budget proposal for the 2012 fiscal year includes maintenance for sidewalks and streets, reduction of bus services and a pay raise for city employees, which they haven't seen in two years.
The proposal was released Friday morning on the main page of the city's website, gocolumbiamo.com.
Taxes and fees
Matthes recommended a modest fee increase for water, recreation, transit, sewer, parking and solid waste services. The average utility increase would be $4.49 per month for residents, according to the proposal.
Although the tax rate would remain flat, the revenue the city is projecting from sales taxes and property taxes is projected to grow by 2 percent. The increase, according to the budget report, reflects economic improvements.
Streets and bus services
The focus on streets and cuts to bus services comes from public opinion, the budget proposal states.
Columbia citizens said in a recent survey that paving streets was their top priority, while expanding public transit ranked eighth of 14 choices, according to the budget proposal.
Under the proposal, funding for street paving and maintenance would increase by $585,000. Several infrastructure improvements to Stadium Boulevard and Interstate 70 are proposed, at a cost of $7.3 million.
Bus services would be reduced, but riders would be asked to pay more to reach a "positive cash balance" by the end of fiscal year 2012. Specifically:
Fare increases would occur for semester passes, full and half fares, and paratransit.
The eligibility for half fares would be reduced to that which is federally mandated.
Thursday through Saturday evening service would be eliminated.
Saturday service would be reduced by one trip. Miles would be dropped from the 209 black route, 104SE route and the 207 West Gold Route.
Pay raises and general fund
Matthes proposed a 25 cent per hour pay raise for all city employees. It would be their first raise in two years. That would cost the city $1 million, with half coming from the general fund.
Matthes said in the proposal that the general fund "represents our greatest financial pain." In fiscal year 2012, the general fund is projected to take in $75.4 million and spend $77.7 million — leaving a $2.3 million deficit.
Matthes proposed to close the gap between revenues and expenses by about $600,000.
The proposal intends to eliminate the deficit by fiscal year 2014.
Sources:
http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2011/07/29/city-manager-mike-matthes-submitted-his-first-budget-proposal/
City of Columbia Budget PDF Download:
http://gocolumbiamo.com/Finance/Services/Financial_Reports/documents/fy2012_CM_budget.pdf
Spread The Word To End The "r" Word!
The effects of the R-word on people with ID and their families and friends
“Everyone has a gift and the world would be better off if we recognized it.” – Timothy Shriver, Chairman and CEO of Special Olympics.
The R-word is the word 'retard(ed)'. Why does it hurt? The R-word hurts because it is exclusive. It’s offensive. It’s derogatory. The R-word is hate speech. See why supporters think the R-Word is hurtful when used in jokes or as part of everyday speech. More on Effects >
How "retardation" went from a clinical description to a word of derision
When they were originally introduced, the terms “mental retardation” or “mentally challenged person” were medical terms with a specifically clinical connotation; however, the pejorative forms, “retard” and “challenged person” have been used widely in today’s society to degrade and insult people with intellectual disabilities. Additionally, when “retard” and “challenged person” are used as synonyms for “dumb” or “stupid” by people without disabilities, it only reinforces painful stereotypes of people with intellectual disabilities being less valued members of humanity.
History of the Campaign
2004
In response to Special Olympics athletes’ call for change, the Special Olympics International Board of Directors adopts a resolution to update the movement’s terminology from "mental retardation" to "intellectual disabilities."
2008
Special Olympics launches the website www.r-word.org to combat the inappropriate use of the R-word in common usage.
August 14, 2008
Special Olympics, Best Buddies International and a coalition of national disability organizations, mobilizes a grass-roots campaign against "Tropic Thunder," a DreamWorks production. Special Olympics athletes joined protestors at demonstrations in Los Angeles, California, Washington D.C., New York City, Delaware, Massachusetts, Missouri and Texas. "Tropic Thunder," marketed as a satire about Hollywood actors and the movie industry in general, contains scenes promoting the idea that a "retard" is funny.
View the complete history of the campaign
Why "intellectual disability" is replacing "mental retardation"
The R-word, “retard,” is slang for the term mental retardation. Mental retardation was what doctors, psychologists, and other professionals used to describe people with significant intellectual impairment. Today the r-word has become a common word used by society as an insult for someone or something stupid. For example, you might hear someone say, “That is so challenged person” or “Don’t be such a retard.” When used in this way, the r-word can apply to anyone or anything, and is not specific to someone with a disability. But, even when the r-word is not said to harm someone with a disability, it is hurtful.
Because of this, Special Olympics and the greater disability community prefers to focus on people and their gifts and accomplishments, and to dispel negative attitudes and stereotypes. As language has evolved, Special Olympics has updated its official terminology to use standard, people-first language that is more acceptable to our athletes.
Rosa’s Law and Legislature Challenges
On October 5, 2010, U.S. President Barack Obama officially signed bill S. 2781 into federal law. Rosa’s Law, which takes its name and inspiration for 9-year-old Rosa Marcellino, removes the terms “mental retardation” and "mentally challenged person" from federal health, education and labor policy and replaces them with people first language “individual with an intellectual disability” and “intellectual disability.” The signing of Rosa’s Law is a significant milestone in establishing dignity, inclusion and respect for all people with intellectual disabilities.
Source and so much more info on site:
http://www.r-word.org/r-word-why-pledge.aspx
Facebook Event Page:
https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=197009023655192
“Everyone has a gift and the world would be better off if we recognized it.” – Timothy Shriver, Chairman and CEO of Special Olympics.
The R-word is the word 'retard(ed)'. Why does it hurt? The R-word hurts because it is exclusive. It’s offensive. It’s derogatory. The R-word is hate speech. See why supporters think the R-Word is hurtful when used in jokes or as part of everyday speech. More on Effects >
How "retardation" went from a clinical description to a word of derision
When they were originally introduced, the terms “mental retardation” or “mentally challenged person” were medical terms with a specifically clinical connotation; however, the pejorative forms, “retard” and “challenged person” have been used widely in today’s society to degrade and insult people with intellectual disabilities. Additionally, when “retard” and “challenged person” are used as synonyms for “dumb” or “stupid” by people without disabilities, it only reinforces painful stereotypes of people with intellectual disabilities being less valued members of humanity.
History of the Campaign
2004
In response to Special Olympics athletes’ call for change, the Special Olympics International Board of Directors adopts a resolution to update the movement’s terminology from "mental retardation" to "intellectual disabilities."
2008
Special Olympics launches the website www.r-word.org to combat the inappropriate use of the R-word in common usage.
August 14, 2008
Special Olympics, Best Buddies International and a coalition of national disability organizations, mobilizes a grass-roots campaign against "Tropic Thunder," a DreamWorks production. Special Olympics athletes joined protestors at demonstrations in Los Angeles, California, Washington D.C., New York City, Delaware, Massachusetts, Missouri and Texas. "Tropic Thunder," marketed as a satire about Hollywood actors and the movie industry in general, contains scenes promoting the idea that a "retard" is funny.
View the complete history of the campaign
Why "intellectual disability" is replacing "mental retardation"
The R-word, “retard,” is slang for the term mental retardation. Mental retardation was what doctors, psychologists, and other professionals used to describe people with significant intellectual impairment. Today the r-word has become a common word used by society as an insult for someone or something stupid. For example, you might hear someone say, “That is so challenged person” or “Don’t be such a retard.” When used in this way, the r-word can apply to anyone or anything, and is not specific to someone with a disability. But, even when the r-word is not said to harm someone with a disability, it is hurtful.
Because of this, Special Olympics and the greater disability community prefers to focus on people and their gifts and accomplishments, and to dispel negative attitudes and stereotypes. As language has evolved, Special Olympics has updated its official terminology to use standard, people-first language that is more acceptable to our athletes.
Rosa’s Law and Legislature Challenges
On October 5, 2010, U.S. President Barack Obama officially signed bill S. 2781 into federal law. Rosa’s Law, which takes its name and inspiration for 9-year-old Rosa Marcellino, removes the terms “mental retardation” and "mentally challenged person" from federal health, education and labor policy and replaces them with people first language “individual with an intellectual disability” and “intellectual disability.” The signing of Rosa’s Law is a significant milestone in establishing dignity, inclusion and respect for all people with intellectual disabilities.
Source and so much more info on site:
http://www.r-word.org/r-word-why-pledge.aspx
Facebook Event Page:
https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=197009023655192
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Disabilities Commission Meeting
Description: Disabilities Commission Meeting
Location: 300 S. Providence Rd., Columbia MO
URL: www.GoColumbiaMo.com
Date: Thursday, August 11, 2011
Time: 3:00pm-4:30pm CDT
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Category: Meetings *
Location: 300 S. Providence Rd., Columbia MO
URL: www.GoColumbiaMo.com
Date: Thursday, August 11, 2011
Time: 3:00pm-4:30pm CDT
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Category: Meetings *
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Columbia Star Dinner Train's opening night met with protest
A line of 14 people formed at the opening of the Columbia Star Dinner Train Friday night – with no intention to ride.
The Columbia Star's inaugural run was met by protesters from the disabilities community wielding signs with phrases such as "I would rather be on the dinner train" and "I have wheels, will you subsidize me?"
Since June 2010, when Central States Rail Associates, the dinner train's operator, met with the Columbia City Council and proposed bringing the dinner train to Columbia, advocates for people wth disabilities have voiced concern over the train's lack of wheelchair accessibility.
Protesters began arriving around 5 p.m. to protest the train's first ride. At the demonstration, many protesters voiced their disapproval of the council's use of public funding and resources to support the business coming to Columbia.
Last year, the Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau approved $45,000 to help move the train to Columbia from Denver, Iowa. About $20,000 more in public money was used to upgrade the exisiting train station's facilities and prepare them for use. The Columbia Star also uses the city's rail line, which run between Columbia and Centralia and the city-owned train station at 6501 Brown Station Road.
"Our biggest problem is that the government gave $65,000 to the business," Allison Reinhart, one of the protesters, said. "The business being inaccessible is bad, but them giving the train tax dollars is what we're mad about."
Troy Balthazor, secretary of the Mid-Missouri Advocacy Coalition, hopes this demonstration will have a lasting effect.
"What we want to accomplish is to follow through and make a clear statement to the city and the council that we expect more of them in the future," Balthazor said.
An estimated 85 tickets were sold for opening night, according to Brian Cunningham, a Columbia Star employee. He said things were running smoothly.
Source:
http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2011/07/15/columbia-star-dinner-trains-opening-night-met-protest/
The Columbia Star's inaugural run was met by protesters from the disabilities community wielding signs with phrases such as "I would rather be on the dinner train" and "I have wheels, will you subsidize me?"
Since June 2010, when Central States Rail Associates, the dinner train's operator, met with the Columbia City Council and proposed bringing the dinner train to Columbia, advocates for people wth disabilities have voiced concern over the train's lack of wheelchair accessibility.
Protesters began arriving around 5 p.m. to protest the train's first ride. At the demonstration, many protesters voiced their disapproval of the council's use of public funding and resources to support the business coming to Columbia.
Last year, the Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau approved $45,000 to help move the train to Columbia from Denver, Iowa. About $20,000 more in public money was used to upgrade the exisiting train station's facilities and prepare them for use. The Columbia Star also uses the city's rail line, which run between Columbia and Centralia and the city-owned train station at 6501 Brown Station Road.
"Our biggest problem is that the government gave $65,000 to the business," Allison Reinhart, one of the protesters, said. "The business being inaccessible is bad, but them giving the train tax dollars is what we're mad about."
Troy Balthazor, secretary of the Mid-Missouri Advocacy Coalition, hopes this demonstration will have a lasting effect.
"What we want to accomplish is to follow through and make a clear statement to the city and the council that we expect more of them in the future," Balthazor said.
An estimated 85 tickets were sold for opening night, according to Brian Cunningham, a Columbia Star employee. He said things were running smoothly.
Source:
http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2011/07/15/columbia-star-dinner-trains-opening-night-met-protest/
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
The July issue of The Resident newsletter is available.
This is the link to the downloadable PFD for the July News Letter:
http://portal.hud.gov/huddoc/theresident-july11.pdf
Source:
http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/public_indian_housing/programs/ph/newsletter
http://portal.hud.gov/huddoc/theresident-july11.pdf
Source:
http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/public_indian_housing/programs/ph/newsletter
Monday, July 11, 2011
Summrer Time Notes
When outside drink plenty of water not soda or anything sweet as it will just make your thirst worse and not do your body any good at all besides make you feel sluggish and your body will not properly process soda and anything sweet as efficiently as it will water. Sport drinks are not all that good either.
Guys wear a hat if you have one. Women wear one of those wide brim out door gardening hats if you have one.
Be sure to check your medications to see if they have a warning about to much sun exposure.
Take a towel with you if you can to wipe the perspiration from your face.
Do not let yourself get over heated. This can cause Sun Stroke or Heat Exhaustion.
When in doubt stay in side unless you absolutely have to go out.
Guys wear a hat if you have one. Women wear one of those wide brim out door gardening hats if you have one.
Be sure to check your medications to see if they have a warning about to much sun exposure.
Take a towel with you if you can to wipe the perspiration from your face.
Do not let yourself get over heated. This can cause Sun Stroke or Heat Exhaustion.
When in doubt stay in side unless you absolutely have to go out.
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