JackeHammer

• City Council Agenda for December 14, 2009

  Number of comments: 0
  The upcoming City Council meeting agenda is now available online.
  
  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ [...]
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  Posted: December 10, 2009, 1:27pm EST
  by Jackie Melton

• I'M HOME!!!!

  Number of comments: 7
  I nearly died but as Momma Twoop wrote below, God decided to perform a miracle in my life and I'm back!
  
  I have a list of article and report ideas I prepared at the hospital and I WILL be chipping away at it as time goes on but, for' [...]
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  Posted: December 05, 2009, 11:44am EST
  by Jackie Melton

• Let us give thanks....

  Number of comments: 0
  Do you believe in miracles? I do, and I think I, and a few others, have witnessed one recently.
  
  My last post, my only post in ages, was a prayer for my friend Jackie. She was at death's door, literally. I posted that prayer, repeated it too many [...]
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  Posted: November 25, 2009, 9:58am EST
  by Momma Twoop

• For Jackie

  Number of comments: 4
  Dear Lord,
  
  You know Jackie so much better than I do. You know her sickness and the burden she carries. You also know her heart.
  
  Lord, I ask you to be with her now, working in her life. Let your will be done in her life. Lord, [...]
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  Posted: November 22, 2009, 9:56am EST
  by Momma Twoop

• City of Springfield Weekly Calendar: October 19-October 23

  Number of comments: 0
  Monday, 10/19/2009
  
  12:00 PM Library Board Finance/Personnel Committee Library Center , 4653 South Campbell Contact: Debbie Eckert, (417) 883-5366
  
  6:30 PM Town Hall Meeting [on Community Improvement Districts] Hosted by Councilmen Nicholas Ibarra, Doug Burlison and State Representative Eric Burlison Brentwood Library , 2214 Brentwood Boulevard [...]
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  Posted: October 19, 2009, 8:22am EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Associated Press should have Identified the Source of Information used to Insinuate Treasurer Clint Zweifel is Hypocritical or Broke State Law

  Number of comments: 1
  State Treasurer Zweifel, a Democrat, also serves as the chair of Missouri's Housing Commission (MHC)
  
  An "Associated Press" article in Saturday's "Springfield News-Leader," declares:
  
  

  Treasurer accepts cash from developer
  Zweifel backed new ethics rules requiring conflict disclosure
  

  
  What the AP article tells you is [...]
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  Posted: October 17, 2009, 11:25am EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Recommended Reading 23: On Influenza Vaccination

  Number of comments: 2
  "Does the Vaccine Matter?" - Source: "The Atlantic" (November 2009)
  
  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ [...]
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  Posted: October 16, 2009, 3:49pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• BREAKING: Ruell Chappell Plans to Challenge Sara Lampe for the 138th District

  Number of comments: 5
  Chappell announced his intentions at a Well-Fed Neighbor/Well-Fed Neighbor Farmers' Cooperative meeting on October 14
  
  Springfield, MO - Ruell Chappell wants to unseat incumbent Sara Lampe in a run for the 138th district. Chappell said he will run on much the same platform that is resonating among farmers, growers,' [...]
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  Posted: October 15, 2009, 8:44am EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Missouri State Rep. Burlison and Springfield City Councilmen Ibarra and Burlison to Hold Town-Hall Meeting Discussing Community Improvement Districts

  Number of comments: 5
  A City news-release was generated to announce Councilmen Nick Ibarra and Doug Burlison, along with State Rep. Eric Burlison, "will co-host a Town Hall meeting focusing on the topic of Community Improvement Districts [CIDs] on Monday, Oct. 19."
  
  The meeting, which will be held at the Brentwood Library, [...]
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  Posted: October 14, 2009, 12:10pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Springfield Should have Limited Focus to Passing Pension Sales Tax in November

  Number of comments: 20
  Attempt to stage November's ballot language to enable the city to influence a future sales tax repeal vote may threaten passage of pension sales tax next month
  
  Springfield, MO - There has been repeated reference made by City attorney Dan Wichmer that state statute restricts and limits what the' [...]
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  Posted: October 12, 2009, 10:10am EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• City of Springfield Weekly Calendar: Oct. 12-Oct. 16

  Number of comments: 0
  Monday, 10/12/2009
  
  12:00 PM Partnership Industrial Center West Administrative Council Chamber of Commerce , 202 John Q. Hammons Parkway Contact: Greg Williams, (417) 862-5567
  
  6:30 PM City Council Meeting Old City Hall, Council Chambers, 830 Boonville Contact: Brenda Cirtin, (417) 864-1650
  
  Tuesday, 10/13/2009
  
  8:30 AM Library [...]
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  Posted: October 12, 2009, 11:38pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• P & Z to Refer Urban Garden Text Amendment to City Council

  Number of comments: 0
  and what's "JackeHammer's" opinion regarding the amendment?
  
  Thursday night, as readers of "JackeHammer" know, the Planning and Zoning Commission (P & Z) held a public hearing regarding the proposed text amendment that was unanimously recommended to them by the urban garden task force.
  
  The P & Z Commission, [...]
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  Posted: October 09, 2009, 2:56pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• P & Z to Hear from Public on Urban Garden Task Force Recommendations Tonight

  Number of comments: 0
  As written about in this previous "JackeHammer" (JH) entry, the Planning and Zoning Commission (P & Z) will take public comment tonight as they review and discuss the Urban Garden Task Force's recommendation.
  
  Here's a recap of some of the details from the earlier JH posting. You might [...]
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  Posted: October 08, 2009, 3:59pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Police and Fire Pension Fund Year-End Report Released

  Number of comments: 1
  The year end actuarial valuation report for the Police and Fire Pension Fund has been released.
  
  A City of Springfield News Release states, in part:
  
  As of June 30, 2009, the plan's market-value funded ratio is 35.5 percent.
  
  "The Plan's funded status is steadily and significantly" [...]
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  Posted: October 07, 2009, 3:28pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Approval of $50 Million Springfield Public School Initiative does not Guarantee Federal Stimulus Funds

  Number of comments: 1
  Last night, I read with interest Brian Brown's article, "Pay longer, build now," regarding the $50 million bond initiative the Springfield Public School Board seeks the tax-payer to approve in the upcoming November election. The article can be found in the October 7, issue of the "Community Free Press'" [...]
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  Posted: October 07, 2009, 12:38pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Trunk or Treating???

  Number of comments: 0
  If you will be participating in a "Trunk or Treat" this year, like I will be, here's a great site with pictures and links to other sites to help you get your creative juices flowing.
  
  Trunk or Treat Decorating
  
  Enjoy!
  
  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~' [...]
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  Posted: October 06, 2009, 12:32pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Tit for Tat on School District Numbers

  Number of comments: 7
  Opinion
  
  Since I posted a link to Tom Gargus' "Voice of the Day" column, "Numbers don't back district's claims," as a recommended reading the day it came out in the "Springfield News-Leader," I feel I should also post President of the Springfield School Board Gerry Lee's response, [...]
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  Posted: October 05, 2009, 10:53am EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• City of Springfield Weekly Calendar: Oct.5-9

  Number of comments: 0
  Monday, 10/5/2009
  
  8:30 AM Library Board Programs/Services/Technology Committee Library Center , 4653 South Campbell Contact: Debbie Eckert, (417) 883-5366
  
  Tuesday, 10/6/2009
  
  8:00 AM Mayor's Commission for Children Community Foundation , 425 E. Trafficway Contact: Denise Bredfeldt, (417) 864-1656
  
  12:00 PM [Please Note Location Change]' [...]
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  Posted: October 05, 2009, 9:36am EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Sunday Reading: Dr. Charles Stanley on Addressing and Confronting Conflict Wisely

  Number of comments: 0
  Because everybody faces conflict
  
  "Addressing Conflict Wisely" - "In Touch Ministries" - Dr. Charles Stanley 2009
  
  Further reading: "Confronting Conflict," source: "Life Principles Notes" by Dr. Charles Stanley (pdf)
  
  Note: This post is intended to be a resource for Christians but, others may find it [...]
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  Posted: October 03, 2009, 8:40pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• More Garden News: Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park Leases Almost a Third of Available Garden Plots

  Number of comments: 1
  According to an article in the Friday edition of the "Springfield News-Leader," the Springfield-Greene County Parks Department has leased 19 of the 60 garden plots it is making available to the public since kicking off the pilot program last month.
  
  The 8 x 16 and 16 x [...]
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  Posted: October 02, 2009, 10:57am EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• P & Z Commission to Hold Public Hearing on Proposed Urban Garden Text Amendment

  Number of comments: 0
  Task force members prompt Springfield City Council to adopt a resolution to support a policy of food, urban agricultural and energy sustainability
  
  The Urban Garden Task Force voted unanimously to recommend a City staff prepared, proposed text amendment to the Planning and Zoning Commission (P & Z) for consideration [...]
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  Posted: October 02, 2009, 1:30am EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Recommended Reading 22: Springfield Public Schools

  Number of comments: 0
  Numbers don't back district's claims News-Leader.com Springfield News-Leader ~ by Tom Gargus
  
  The "Springfield News-Leader" also provided the following editor's note:
  
  "Editor's note: Tom Gargus says he spent $122 through the Sunshine Law obtaining district documents and used many others on the district Web site to" [...]
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  Posted: September 30, 2009, 10:16am EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• City of Springfield Weekly Calendar: Sept. 28-Oct. 2

  Number of comments: 0
  Update, addition to Wednesday's meeting schedule and (new change as of Wednesday morning) the Springfield Police Officers' and Fire Fighters' Retirement System Board of Trustees will meet in the Community Room of Fire Station #1 at 720 E. Grand instead of at the Busch building as originally planned.
  
  Monday,' [...]
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  Posted: September 28, 2009, 3:00pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Sunday Reading: On Judging Others

  Number of comments: 14
  I like the hair salon I go to. The girls are very good at their work [no matter which one "works you in"] and they can usually get me in, even without an appointment. I called on Friday, though because, since it was a Friday, I thought I might be [...]
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  Posted: September 26, 2009, 7:51pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Repeat City Council Speakers not Going Away Anytime Soon

  Number of comments: 10
  In fact, City Manager Greg Burris' recent remarks about regular speakers at City Council meetings, "probably just strengthens our cause," said Missouri Liberty Coalition member Carl Herd
  
  I got wind that the Missouri Liberty Coalition (MoLiCo) would be meeting last Saturday, September 19, for a "planning meeting."
  
  Considering' [...]
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  Posted: September 23, 2009, 1:53pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Fruits and Vegetables Exempt from Prohibition Under a Section of Springfield Municipal Code...

  Number of comments: 0
  for as long as research can reach but answers to simple questions do not exist; Municipal code prior to 1936 lost
  
  The other day I mentioned I would continue to update "JackeHammer" regarding the Urban Garden Task Force and issues related to its eventual goal of providing recommendations [...]
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  Posted: September 22, 2009, 5:30pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• FCC to Consider and Debate Rules to Govern the Internet

  Number of comments: 0
  Some excerpts from the prepared remarks of Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski, delivered September 21, 2009
  
  Read the Speech at "OpenInternet.gov"
  
  " I will soon circulate to my fellow Commissioners proposed rules prepared by Commission staff embodying the principles I’ve discussed, and I will ask for" [...]
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  Posted: September 21, 2009, 10:39am EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Just for Fun: Recommended Reading 22: An After Report on the Pro-Obamacare Rally...

  Number of comments: 0
  ...held the day after an estimated crowd of over 1 million marched on Washington in protest to Obama's Health Care Reform plan
  
  "The 300"
  
  Source: "The Weekly Standard"
  
  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~' [...]
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  Posted: September 21, 2009, 11:04pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• City of Springfield Weekly Calendar: September 21-25

  Number of comments: 0
  Monday, 9/21/2009
  
  5:00 PM Springfield Police Officers' and Firefighters' Retirement System Board of Trustees Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Evelyn Honea, (417) 864-1002
  
  6:30 PM City Council Meeting Old City Hall, Council Chambers, 830 Boonville Contact: Brenda Cirtin, (417) 864-1650 (See: Agenda)
  [...]
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  Posted: September 20, 2009, 10:05pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Nailing Health Care Reform to the Wall

  Number of comments: 0
  The Vice president for public policy and research for the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, Barrett Duke, took his time in responding to President Obama's September 9 speech to Congress. In an article dated September 16, he asked, "Where is the President's Health Care Reform Bill?"
  [...]
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  Posted: September 19, 2009, 5:09pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• JackeHammer's Second-Ever Bullwinkle Award goes to....

  Number of comments: 5
  Drum roll, please!
  
  This is only the second time JackeHammer has issued a "Bullwinkle Award."
  
  A person qualifies for a bullwinkle award when the actions of the person garner a reaction that is totally unexpected, not predicted, and the exact opposite of what the person set [...]
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  Posted: September 15, 2009, 5:10pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• News-Leader Responds with Follow Up to JackeHammer's Breaking Story

  Number of comments: 1
  It was really nice of the "Springfield News-Leader's" Wes Johnson to follow up today on the story I broke at JackeHammer last Friday.
  
  Wes expressed his appreciation for all the hard work and research I have been providing when I saw him at the last meeting' [...]
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  Posted: September 15, 2009, 4:10pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• City of Springfield Weekly Calendar: September 14-18

  Number of comments: 0
  Monday, 9/14/2009
  
  12:00 PM Library Board Finance/Personnel Committee Library Center , 4653 South Campbell Contact: Debbie Eckert, (417) 883-5366
  
  Cancelled 12:00 PM Partnership Industrial Center West Administrative Council Chamber of Commerce , 202 John Q. Hammons Parkway Contact: Greg Williams, (417) 862-5567
  
  Tuesday, 9/15/2009
  [...]
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  Posted: September 14, 2009, 10:50am EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• BREAKING: The Urban Garden Task Force's Behind the Scenes Dilemma

  Number of comments: 2
  Recently discovered Springfield City Code brings more questions about whether group should recommend the restriction of garden produce sales in any zoning district within the City
  
  Urban Garden Task Force member Petra Butler has been researching Springfield's Municipal Code in order to get an understanding of what the City [...]
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  Posted: September 11, 2009, 4:23pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Web Site Saves the Histories of September 11, 2001

  Number of comments: 0
  September 11 Digital Archive
  
  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ [...]
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  Posted: September 11, 2009, 8:02am EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Special Council Meeting Thursday Night

  Number of comments: 3
  The Springfield City Council is going to hold a special meeting Thursday night, September 10, at 6:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers.
  
  There will be a public hearing on Council Bill 2009-235: "A resolution outlining the November 2009 Police-Fire Pension Fund sales tax vote."
  
  It appears the Council [...]
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  Posted: September 10, 2009, 11:34pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• [Anonymous] Blogger Exercises Old Ploy

  Number of comments: 1
  If you can't win an argument, change it
  
  A local [anonymous] blogger recently mischaracterized the content of a video produced by Oprah Winfrey's "Harpo Production, Inc." by claiming Hollywood stars pledged "support" to President Obama.
  
  If that were the case, if Hollywood stars had merely pledged support' [...]
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  Posted: September 09, 2009, 2:54pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Urban Garden Task Force to Meet Tuesday September 8

  Number of comments: 1
  Meeting to be held in the fourth floor conference room of the Busch Municipal Building at 6:30 p.m.
  
  Springfield's Urban Garden Task Force will begin considering draft definitions related to the urban gardening issue tonight at their fourth meeting. According to the agenda, they will also begin formulating recommendations [...]
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  Posted: September 08, 2009, 2:27pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Read the President's Address to School Children Scheduled for Tuesday

  Number of comments: 4
  At whitehouse.gov:
  
  Prepared School Remarks
  
  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ [...]
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  Posted: September 07, 2009, 12:25pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• City of Springfield Weekly Calendar: September 7 - September 11

  Number of comments: 0
  Monday, 9/7/2009
  
  Holiday - City Offices Closed
  
  Tuesday, 9/8/2009
  
  8:30 AM Library Board Buildings & Grounds Committee Kirkpatrick, Phillips, & Miller CPA's , 2003 E. Sunshine Contact: Debbie Eckert, (417) 883-5366
  
  9:00 AM Board of Equalization Greene County, Room 113, 940 North Boonville [...]
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  Posted: September 07, 2009, 5:51am EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Recommended Reading 21: Urban Gardening News from KC

  Number of comments: 0
  "Civil Eats" Paula Crossfield » Bad Seed Farm in Kansas City Brings Urban Farming to the Next Level: Legislation
  
  "This particular case has brought to the fore an issue which is bound to come up again and again as growing food changes the cityscape: how do we" [...]
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  Posted: September 05, 2009, 8:12am EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Stars Pledge Servitude to their President

  Number of comments: 5
  Oprah's "Harpo Production, Inc." "I Pledge!" video which featured Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher and many other Hollywood stars pledging to be "servants" of Barack Obama was fodder for nearly every talk show on the radio today.
  
  And for good reason.
  
  In his 1928 autobiography, Benito Mussolini [...]
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  Posted: September 04, 2009, 9:31pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• About President Obama's Address to America's Children

  Number of comments: 0
  I've been listening to the discussion about President Obama's Address to America's children scheduled for Tuesday, September 8. The discussions I've listened to have taken place on the Vincent David Jericho Program on "KSGF" the last couple of mornings. (Wed. and Thurs., podcasts accessible here.)
  
  There [...]
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  Posted: September 03, 2009, 12:49pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Springfield City Council Meeting Agenda for Tuesday, September 8, 2009

  Number of comments: 0
  The Springfield City Council meeting which normally would have taken place on Monday, September 7, has been scheduled for 6:30 PM Tuesday, September 8, in City Council Chambers, on the 3rd floor of the historic City Hall, because Monday is Labor Day.
  
  The agenda for the September 8, [...]
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  Posted: September 03, 2009, 11:06am EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Recommended Reading 20: Missouri State MOSERS and MoDot Defined Benefit Pension Plans Scrutinized

  Number of comments: 0
  Shrinking retirement funds put pressure on Missouri to find alternatives - STLtoday.com
  
  "Echoing the call for a review is Gov. Jay Nixon's top budget official, Commissioner of Administration Kelvin Simmons. He said eight states commissioned studies of their pension plans last year.
  
  "When you have an [...]
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  Posted: September 02, 2009, 1:13pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• "Is the best of the free life behind us now?"

  Number of comments: 0
  "Are The Good Times Really Over" - Merle Haggard
  
  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ [...]
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  Posted: September 02, 2009, 11:47am EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Lockjaw? Spider-Ham? Hellcow?

  Number of comments: 0
  Top 10 Oddest Marvel Characters - TIME
  
  For Fat Jack and Larry
  
  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ [...]
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  Posted: September 02, 2009, 12:11am EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Urban Garden Task Force Moved to Fast Track

  Number of comments: 0
  So many gray areas, so little time
  
  The Urban Garden Task Force meeting on August 25 brought with it some contention among dual members of the task force and the Planning and Zoning Commission and one of the task force members.
  
  Springfield-Greene County Parks Director Jodie [...]
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  Posted: September 01, 2009, 5:59pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• City of Springfield Weekly Calendar: August 31-September 4

  Number of comments: 0
  Monday, 8/31/2009
  
  6:00 PM Joint Retreat City of Springfield and Greene County Commission Doling Family Center , 301 East Talmage Contact: Brenda Cirtin, (417) 864-1651
  
  Tuesday, 9/1/2009
  
  8:00 AM Mayor's Commission for Children Executive Committee Community Foundation , 425 E. Trafficway Contact: Denise Bredfeldt, (417) [...]
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  Posted: August 30, 2009, 9:40pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Sunday reading

  Number of comments: 0
  "The Bible Speaks on Aging"
  
  Source: "The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission"
  
  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ [...]
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  Posted: August 30, 2009, 7:29am EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Only One of Springfield's Farmers' Markets is Legal Today but, not as a "Farmers' Market"

  Number of comments: 6
  Should be addressed by the Urban Garden Task Force, along with other issues
  
  Imagine going to a Springfield restaurant and telling your waiter or waitress, "I'll have the urban broccoli with the urban goat cheese sauce, please." That might be a possibility if some Springfieldians get their way but,' [...]
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  Posted: August 24, 2009, 3:11pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• City of Springfield Weekly Calendar: August 24-August 28

  Number of comments: 0
  Monday, 8/24/2009
  
  12:00 PM Enhanced Enterprise Zone Board of Directors Busch Municipal Building, 2nd Floor West Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Matthew Schaeffer, (417) 864-1198
  
  6:30 PM City Council Meeting Old City Hall, Council Chambers, 830 Boonville Contact: Brenda Cirtin, (417) 864-1650
  
  Tuesday, 8/25/2009
  
  8:00 AM [...]
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  Posted: August 24, 2009, 3:01pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Springfield City Council Meeting Agenda

  Number of comments: 0
  The August 24 City Council Agenda is online.
  
  Read it here.
  
  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ [...]
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  Posted: August 20, 2009, 1:37pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Recommended Reading 19: Salatin on Food

  Number of comments: 0
  Joel Salatin promotes local, nutrient dense foods over today's food industries' "fatter, faster, bigger, cheaper" version
  
  "Joel Salatin, America's Most Influential Farmer, Talks Big Organic and the Future of Food : TreeHugger"
  
  Hat tip: "Well-Fed Neighbor Alliance"
  
  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~' [...]
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  Posted: August 17, 2009, 6:13pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• City of Springfield Weekly Calendar: August 17-21

  Number of comments: 0
  Monday, 8/17/2009
  
  11:30 AM Workforce Investment Board Executive Committee Missouri Career Center , 1514 South Glenstone Contact: Karen Dowdy, (417) 887-4343
  
  12:00 PM Library Board Finance/Personnel Committee Library Center , 4653 South Campbell Contact: Debbie Eckert, (417) 883-5366
  
  12:00 PM Springfield Convention & Visitor's Bureau Board of [...]
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  Posted: August 16, 2009, 8:56pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Recommended Reading 17

  Number of comments: 0
  Just a reminder:
  
  The City of Springfield Could be an Innovative Urban Garden Leader
  
  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ [...]
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  Posted: August 15, 2009, 10:23am EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Urban Garden Task Force Considers the Pros and Cons of Retail Produce Sales in Residential Neighborhoods

  Number of comments: 9
  Maneuvers through obstacle course of issues in effort to reach the bounty of benefits growing in the urban garden
  
  While the Urban Garden Task Force has a meeting scheduled every Tuesday night through September 1, Chairman Jack Wheeler, who is also the Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission, [...]
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  Posted: August 15, 2009, 12:41am EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Urban Garden Task Force Selection Process

  Number of comments: 0
  (Mostly nuts and bolts, another article covering the discussion of the task force to follow)
  
  Sometimes "stories" take an odd and unexpected turn. The story I wanted to write about the Urban Garden Task Force acted like it was going to head off in a strange direction yesterday and [...]
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  Posted: August 15, 2009, 11:10pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Urban Garden Task Force

  Number of comments: 2
  A report on the first Urban Garden Task Force meeting will be published later today.
  
  Stay tuned!
  
  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ [...]
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  Posted: August 13, 2009, 10:58am EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Special Springfield City Council Meeting Called

  Number of comments: 6
  5/8 or 3/4 cent sales tax, that's the question
  
  There has been a special City Council meeting called for Thursday evening to have first reading and public hearing of two separate bills. The two bills, 2009-206 and 207, give the City Council a choice of approving the call [...]
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  Posted: August 13, 2009, 10:40am EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission Offers Analysis of the House Health Care Bill

  Number of comments: 0
  The ERLC analysis, dated August 3, 2009, is available for download and is 9 pages in length.
  
  From the conclusion:
  
  "...what we can say with absolute certainty is that this legislation will lead to diminished health care for most Americans, less choice, higher taxes, and unprecedented government" [...]
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  Posted: August 13, 2009, 6:31am EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Recommended Reading 17: 545 People

  Number of comments: 0
  545 People by Charlie Reese
  
  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ [...]
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  Posted: August 12, 2009, 1:15pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• In His Own Words....

  Number of comments: 22
  Or, wanna play a round? (Geesh, can we just get real???)
  
  "I happen to be a proponent of a single-payer health care plan, universal health care plan. That's what I'd like to see." Barack Obama, AFL-CIO Civil, Human, and Women's Rights Conference, 2003
  
  "...but, I don't" [...]
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  Posted: August 10, 2009, 2:41pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• City of Springfield Weekly Calendar: August 10-14; Council Lunch Agenda

  Number of comments: 0
  Monday, 8/10/2009
  
  Cancelled 12:00 PM Partnership Industrial Center West Administrative Council Chamber of Commerce , 202 John Q. Hammons Parkway Contact: Greg Williams, (417) 862-5567
  
  4:00 PM Springfield Greene County Regional Health Commission Community Foundation, Conference Room, 425 E. Trafficway Contact: Carmen Parker Bradshaw, (417) 864-1573
  
  6:00 [...]
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  Posted: August 10, 2009, 9:39am EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• The Town Crier: "All is well, all is well."

  Number of comments: 0
  Merrie Melodies: Have You Got Any Castles
  
  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ [...]
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  Posted: August 07, 2009, 11:26am EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• What Fun! Check it out!

  Number of comments: 1
  busplunge: I've Been Looking At This Plot Of Vacant Land That I Think I Want To Grow A Garden On....
  
  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~' [...]
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  Posted: August 06, 2009, 9:36pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Springfield City Council Agenda Online

  Number of comments: 0
  The City Council Agenda for August 10 is now available at the City's Web site.
  
  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ [...]
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  Posted: August 06, 2009, 12:22pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• The City of Springfield Could be an Innovative Urban Garden Leader

  Number of comments: 5
  Instead, Task Force meeting topics appear to focus primarily on troubleshooting potential problems; little on enabling, facilitation, and encouragement of urban gardens
  
  To be clear, troubleshooting potential problems has to play a part in any urban garden ordinance brought for the review of the Springfield Planning and Zoning Department [...]
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  Posted: August 06, 2009, 10:59am EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Missouri House of Representatives Addresses Springfield Urban Garden Questions

  Number of comments: 1
  How does Springfield's original intent line up with Missouri State Statutes?
  
  When the staff of the City of Springfield presented an ordinance to the City Council on May 18 of this year, I'm not sure they knew the level of interest that would be inspired by its passage.[...]
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  Posted: August 05, 2009, 12:49pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Joint Pension Task Force/City Council Meeting Wednesday Night

  Number of comments: 0
  As noted on the City Calendar below, the Police and Fire Citizen's Task Force is meeting tonight at the Busch Building in the 4th floor conference room.
  
  Not listed on the calendar, but just announced, is a joint meeting of the Task Force and the City Council. The meeting [...]
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  Posted: August 04, 2009, 2:06pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• City Announces Redesigned Web Site

  Number of comments: 3
  In a Tuesday news release, the City of Springfield announced the launch of its redesigned Web site. The address is the same as the old Web site but, it might prove to be more user friendly. We'll find out with practice, huh?
  
  To view the "new" digs, click' [...]
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  Posted: August 04, 2009, 11:33am EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Pythian Castle Update

  Number of comments: 0
  8/5/09 - Update on the update - Just a note to remind readers there is a reason ordinances are not generally reported on while they are in draft. Because it is a draft proposal, it is not set in stone and can be changed. We will not know the exact [...]
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  Posted: August 03, 2009, 2:36pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• City of Springfield Weekly Calendar: August 3 - 7; Council Lunch Tentative Agenda

  Number of comments: 0
  Monday, 8/3/2009
  
  10:00 AM James River Commons Community Improvement District Board of Directors Busch Municipal Building, 5th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Matthew Schaeffer, (417) 864-1100
  
  Tuesday, 8/4/2009
  
  8:00 AM Mayor's Commission for Children Executive Committee Community Foundation , 425 E. Trafficway Contact: Denise Bredfeldt, (417)' [...]
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  Posted: August 03, 2009, 7:30am EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Pension Task Force Town Hall Thursday Night, July 30

  Number of comments: 1
  You can watch the first Police-Fire Pension Task Force Town Hall meeting or, look through the Task Force Presentation from Tuesday's Town Hall Meeting ahead of time to get ideas about questions or comments you might like to ask or make.
  
  Following is the City's' [...]
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  Posted: July 29, 2009, 7:53pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• In Memory

  Number of comments: 0
  Big Bad John
  
  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ [...]
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  Posted: July 29, 2009, 9:09am EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Is Springfield's Police-Fire Pension Plan Doomed?

  Number of comments: 6
  Or: Take that Smoking Gun Away from that Straw Man!
  
  The first paragraph of Sunday's Springfield News-Leader article, "Observer scours pension's past for cause of shortfall" began not as a paragraph but, as a single question:
  
  
  "When it comes to the city's police-fire pension woes," [...]
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  Posted: July 28, 2009, 10:58pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Wait for it, wait for it....

  Number of comments: 7
  New post coming late tonight!
  
  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ [...]
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  Posted: July 28, 2009, 3:15pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• City of Springfield Weekly Calendar: July 27-31

  Number of comments: 0
  Monday, 7/27/2009
  
  1:30 PM Ozarks Transportation Organization Technical Planning Missouri State University, Plaster Student Union Contact: Tim Conklin, (417) 836-5482
  
  5:15 PM Sister Cities Association - Isesaki Committee at the Park Board Offices at 1923 N. Weller Ave. Contact: Sister City Office, (417) 864-1191
  
  6:00 PM City [...]
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  Posted: July 27, 2009, 4:02pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• July 27, Springfield City Council Meeting Agenda Online; Limited Opinion on Pension Task Force

  Number of comments: 4
  Read the upcoming Council Meeting Agenda here.
  
  I've had so much on my mind, I haven't known where to start. I feel pulled in several directions at the moment....
  
  I attended the first Pension Task Force Town Hall meeting on Tuesday night. The main thing I'd say,' [...]
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  Posted: July 23, 2009, 10:28am EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Pythian Castle Resolution Delayed

  Number of comments: 2
  Saturday, in this posting, I alerted readers that according to Tamara Finocchiario, owner of the Pythian Castle, the City Council would be considering whether to "spot blight" the Pythian Castle through a resolution presented on the July 27, City Council agenda.
  
  A designation of blight would pave the [...]
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  Posted: July 21, 2009, 10:21am EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Addition to City of Springfield Calendar for Monday, July 20

  Number of comments: 0
  The calendar released Friday of last week did not list a meeting which will take place tonight, Monday night, according to Public Information Director Louise Whall.
  
  "The following meeting was not included on the weekly calendar sent out on Friday, July 17."
  
  Monday, 7/20/2009
  
  6 to [...]
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  Posted: July 20, 2009, 11:03am EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• City of Springfield Weekly Calendar: July 20-July 24

  Number of comments: 0
  Monday, 7/20/2009
  
  No Meetings Scheduled
  
  Tuesday, 7/21/2009
  
  9:00 AM Board of Equalization Greene County , 940 North Boonville Contact: Richard Struckhoff, (417) 868-4055
  
  11:30 AM Environmental Advisory Board Springfield Greene County Health Department, Basement Conference Room, 227 E. Chestnut Expressway Contact: Karen McKinnis, (417) 864-1623
  
  [...]
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  Posted: July 19, 2009, 10:30pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• This Week at Baptist Press: "There is still hope for America"

  Number of comments: 3
  I'll be honest (of course I always try my best to be honest at all times, it's just that sometimes I choose not to comment on some items in the news, believing I need to be careful in "picking my battles"). But, here's an honest confession, I like to spotlight' [...]
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  Posted: July 19, 2009, 5:18pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Breaking News: New Hope for the Pythian Castle

  Number of comments: 1
  I got a note from Tamara Finocchiaro, the owner of the Pythian Castle, late Friday night.
  
  Finocchiaro wanted to share the news that, on July 27, there will be a resolution on the City Council agenda seeking the approval of the City Council to "spot blight" the Pythian Castle, [...]
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  Posted: July 18, 2009, 12:04am EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Recommended Reading 16: The Case of the Mounting Cases

  Number of comments: 2
  If you haven't checked Brian Brown's blog, "Brown on a Blog," in a while, or you weren't aware the reporter for the "Community Free Press" has one, this entry would be a great place to start.
  
  You'll thank me. :)
  
  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~' [...]
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  Posted: July 17, 2009, 10:17pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• City Manager's Memo Paints Bleak Picture

  Number of comments: 6
  Eliminations hit many City departments; effect all
  
  In a memo to Mayor Jim O'Neal and the Springfield City Council, City Manager Greg Burris indicated there are currently 101 vacant positions within City government. In addition, Burris noted another 46 temporary, seasonal and contract positions have been eliminated. All of' [...]
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  Posted: July 16, 2009, 10:55am EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• "busplunge:" where'll the dust settle?

  Number of comments: 1
  The "bus driver" took readers down a side alley yesterday afternoon, and if they were watching through the bus windows, as he ruffled up the dormant gravel road-bed, they might have gotten a glimpse of how things happen around here, and why they happen when they happen.
  
  [...]
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  Posted: July 15, 2009, 12:04pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Dog, Cat & Mouse II

  Number of comments: 0
  "The Financial Matrix"
  
  Source: "Ancient_Warrior's Ancient_Battles"
  
  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ [...]
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  Posted: July 13, 2009, 10:45pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Dog, Cat and Mouse

  Number of comments: 0
  Chow Hound (Org.Version)
  
  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ [...]
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  Posted: July 13, 2009, 10:29am EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• City of Springfield Weekly Calendar July 13 - July 17, 2009

  Number of comments: 1
  Monday, 7/13/2009
  
  Cancelled 12:00 PM Partnership Industrial Center West Administrative Council Chamber of Commerce , 202 John Q. Hammons Parkway Contact: Greg Williams, (417) 862-5567
  
  5:15 PM Sister Cities Association - Isesaki Committee Park Board Offices , 1923 North Weller Contact: Sister City Office, (417) 864-1191
  [...]
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  Posted: July 13, 2009, 7:40am EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Community Improvement District Debate Continues and: An Open Question to the Springfield News-Leader

  Number of comments: 0
  Regarding Sunday's "Our Voice" column: "Lumber company should not be forced into CID Springfield News-Leader"
  
  The inclusion of Janss Lumber into the Commercial Street CID was based on its inclusion in Commericial Street's tax increment financing (TIF) district wasn't it?
  
  I'd be interested to know exactly how [...]
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  Posted: July 12, 2009, 4:01pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• City Council Meetings Still begin at 6 p.m. for the Time Being; City-Owned Property Sales: No "Windfall" for the Pension Fund

  Number of comments: 0
  Nor will incremental sales tax revenues represent "a windfall" in the short term; it's all in the measurin' stick used
  
  I was looking over this article in the "Springfield News-Leader" Sunday morning, and thought I would share a little fact picked up at a recent' [...]
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  Posted: July 12, 2009, 2:04pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Police & Fire Pension Task Force to Hold Two Town Hall Meetings

  Number of comments: 0
  The City of Springfield just issued a news release about two upcoming Town Hall meetings hosted by the Police and Fire Pension Task Force. I would have just posted a link but, the news release is not yet available at their Web site:
  
  July 10, 2009
  
  News Release
  [...]
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  Posted: July 10, 2009, 4:07pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Gospel Pick on a Friday

  Number of comments: 0
  Rob McNurlin and the Beatnik Cowboys: "Workin' on a Building"
  
  
  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~' [...]
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  Posted: July 10, 2009, 12:32pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Local Writers Continue to Inform Public about Community Improvement Districts

  Number of comments: 0
  Mark "Stormy" Davis weighed in on the Community Improvement District (CID) issue in the "Springfield News-Leader" on Friday. Davis is a member of the News-Leader's Editorial board.
  
  What you may not know is Davis also writes a local blog, "The Storm Watch," and this is not [...]
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  Posted: July 10, 2009, 7:39am EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• "Now I'm Gold"

  Number of comments: 0
  As I traveled home tonight after the Planning & Zoning Commission's public hearing on the urban gardens issue, my mind traveled many different directions.
  
  I was thinking about what a great community we live in, here in Springfield, Missouri, and what fabulous people there are dwelling among us all,' [...]
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  Posted: July 09, 2009, 10:03pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Still No Clear Answer Regarding Which "Urban Gardeners" would be Affected by Proposed Ordinance Text Amendments

  Number of comments: 0
  Answers regarding who would be affected by licensing and conditional use permits under proposed "urban garden" ordinance text amendments remain unclear.
  
  On Tuesday, July 7, still uncertain of my understanding about which "urban gardeners" would be affected and which would not, I wrote in a follow up email to [...]
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  Posted: July 09, 2009, 1:18pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Gospel Pick on a Thursday

  Number of comments: 0
  Alison Krauss - "Down in the River to Pray"
  
  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ [...]
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  Posted: July 09, 2009, 12:28pm EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• Just a Little Food for Thought and Discussion...

  Number of comments: 0
  Forgotten Founding Wisdom
  
  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ [...]
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  Posted: July 09, 2009, 11:24am EDT
  by Jackie Melton

• July 13 City Council Meeting Agenda Available; Public Hearing Tonight

  Number of comments: 0
  City Council Meeting Agenda
  
  And, don't forget, the Planning & Zoning Commission will be holding a public hearing on "Urban Garden" issues tonight (Thursday) at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers on the third floor of Historic City Hall!
  
  While "staff" has recommended the proposed definition of' [...]
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  Posted: July 09, 2009, 9:52am EDT
  by Jackie Melton