INSIDE
DECISION
columbia’s morning newspaper
Thursday, July 31, 2008
City to
pinch
pennies
in 2009
The city manger
proposes a 1 percent
increase for 2009.
By AMY ALLEN
and KOURTNEY GEERS
news@ColumbiaMissourian.com
Although in recent years
City Manager Bill Watkins has
referred to Columbia’s budget as
“tight,” he used a new word for
fiscal year 2009 ­— “squeaky.”
“If you’ve bought gas or gro-
ceries lately ... if you have a
house sitting on the market ... or
a development plan that’s start-
ing to gather dust, you know
what I’m talking about. Every
family, every business and
every level of government is
taking action to get through the
coming year. It’s now my belief
that these challenges will con-
tinue through 2010,” he said.
Watkins presented the annual
budget for fiscal 2009 during
a news conference Wednesday
“We must be honest
with citizens, we must
acknowledge that if
city government adds
a new service or a new
program, some other
established service
will suffer.”
bill Watkins
City manager
afternoon. The total proposed
budget is $397.6 million, a 1 per-
cent increase from 2008.
Internal maintenance costs,
utility costs and the need for
more personnel have claimed
a significant portion of next
year’s money pot. The city will
add 24 new positions in fiscal
2009, and a few will be cut.
“This is the first year in the
three budgets that I have pre-
pared where there have been
actual layoffs,” Watkins said.
City workers will receive a
25-cents-per-hour raise along-
side health benefits and raises
of up to 2 percent based on
merit.
He cited trends such as declin-
ing tax revenue and increasing
energy costs as the main con-
tributors to the city’s tight fist.
Problems in the past played into
the budget as well.
The projected growth in sales
tax revenue for 2008 was 3 per-
cent, yet at this time the city
Please see budget, page 8a
Overflow from ballpark creates wet fairgrounds
An irrigation lake for the
fields dumped water into
the carnival area.
By ASHLEY DILLON
news@ColumbiaMissourian.com
When Columbia got almost 4½
inches of rain in middle-of-the-night
thunderstorms last week, roads
flooded and power went out. At the
Boone County Fair, though, an irri-
gation lake for the ball fields by the
fairgrounds dumped runoff straight
into the carnival area, turning it
into a marsh of mud and puddles.
The rides were closed that evening.
“We had plans at the time to divert
the overflow, but then the fair came
along, and the rain got to us before
we could fix it,” said Skip Elkin,
Boone County Northern District
commissioner, who serves as the
commission’s liaison to the county-
owned fairgrounds. “When you get
(this much) rain, there’s not enough
INSIDE TODAY:
Find the best
places in town to
enjoy ice cream.
smart
ESTABLISHED IN 1908
Warrens must now prove they meet regulations
Dan Viets, the lawyer representing the Warren Funeral Chapel, talks with reporters
on Wednesday after a hearing in which Assistant Attorney General Peter Lyskowski
announced an agreement between the state and the Warren Funeral Chapel that would
cease all funeral operations for 15 days.
Funeral home will
close for 15 days
By JUSTIN MYERS
news@ColumbiaMissourian.com
Warren Funeral Chapel
agreed to a temporary restrain-
ing order that effectively shuts
the business’ doors for the next
15 days, the Warrens’ attorney,
Dan Viets, said at a hearing
Wednesday afternoon at the
Boone County Courthouse.
Roughly a dozen people were
present, but Harold Warren
Jr., the funeral home’s current
director, and previous director
Harold Warren Sr. did not attend
the hearing.
Viets said the Warrens hired
him earlier Wednesday to rep-
resent them in the case, which
Attorney General Jay Nixon
filed Friday in Boone County
Circuit Court.
“I’ve just gotten into this,”
Viets said.
Judge Kevin Crane signed off
on the restraining order. Viets
said he and Assistant Attorney
General Peter Lyskowski agreed
to the order so they would have
time to discuss other aspects of
the case.
“They (the Warrens) will not
operate for the next 15 days, and
we’ll use that time to resolve the
other issues,” Viets said.
money in all the banks of Columbia
to prevent this kind of flooding.”
Vicki Russell, president of the
Boone County Fair Board of Direc-
tors, said the overflow pushed inch-
es of mud and silt into the carni-
val area, creating pools of water
and mud. The chat, a gravel-like
mixture that had been laid down
to create an even walking surface,
was washed away. The city’s Parks
and Recreation Department had to
come Wednesday morning to truck
out excess mud, replace the chat
and create pine-shavings paths so
fair goers would not sink into the
mud, Russell said.
They also had to dig trenches to
divert the runoff into Bear Creek,
as was originally planned for the
finished irrigation system. Elkin
said they fixed the problem within
a few hours, and he does not antici-
pate future lake runoff to be an
issue for the fairgrounds.
Finishing the irrigation lake had
Outside today
This morning: Mostly sunny with
a light wind.
Temp: 89°
This evening: Partly cloudy with
a light wind. Temp: 69°
Page 2A
n www.ColumbiaMissourian.com
JULIA ROBINSON/The Associated Press
Scott Holste, a spokesman for
the attorney general’s office,
said it would be up to the War-
rens to prove they can operate
the funeral home in accordance
with state regulations.
“They’re going to have to
convince the same state inspec-
tors that came out earlier this
month,” Holste said.
According to the lawsuit,
those inspectors found unsani-
tary conditions, a garbage bag
containing organs from mul-
tiple bodies in a casket and the
decayed, unembalmed body of a
woman who had been stored at
the funeral home since Septem-
ber 2007.
“Our most important focus
here is to ensure that these fam-
ilies are protected,” Holste said.
After the hearing, Holste said
the attorney general’s office had
received between 15 and 20 con-
sumer complaints since the law-
suit was filed.
Viets and Lyskowski agreed to
reschedule for Aug. 12 a hear-
ing on a preliminary injunction,
which was originally scheduled
for Aug. 4. If that injunction is
granted, the funeral home would
be shut down until the case is
resolved.
been delayed because the ball fields
continue to be a challenge. Built on
80 acres north of the fairgrounds,
they were set to be finished by
April. Because of the rain, the Parks
and Recreation Department has had
only three five-day weeks to work
on them since March, Toney Low-
ery, senior parks planner, said.
This year, Columbia has received
35¾ inches of rain as of Tues-
day, according to MU Extension’s
Missouri Historical Agricultural
Weather Database. That’s nearly 16
more inches than last year at this
time.
No one even set foot on the con-
struction site between December
and March because conditions were
so bad, Lowery said.
“Trying to get up there through
the mud is a nightmare,” said Hous-
ton Mueller, superintendent for Wil-
coxson Excavating and Construc-
tion. “It’s hard to get the material up
Correction
In addition to Charles Shipman, Don Schwartz, 73, of
Columbia, is also a recipient of the Wright Brothers Master
Pilot Award, which he received on Oct. 16, 2007. Schwartz
began flying in the 1950s. He retired from piloting about
six months ago. An article on page 1A Wednesday about
the honored aviators omitted Schwartz.
08
10 compete in primaries
for 9th District seat.
Page 4A
Coming Saturday
Check the Weekend Missourian for
a complete guide to the election.
50 cents
Obama
outlines
economic
policies
In Rolla, the senator also talked
about issues such as education,
national debt and the war.
By JACOB BARKER
news@ColumbiaMissourian.com
ROLLA — In front of a roaring, standing-
room-only crowd at the Missouri University of
Science and Technology on Wednesday, Sen.
Barack Obama, D-Ill., detailed his economic
plan for the nation if he is elected president. The
senator stopped in Springfield, Rolla and Union
on Wednesday as part of his economic tour
through rural Missouri.
Obama was introduced by prominent Mis-
souri Democrats, but after he took the stage,
the crowd continued to stand throughout his
opening remarks. After telling the crowd they
could sit down, Obama launched into his plan to
revitalize the economy and took questions from
the audience.
“A lot of people are losing their faith in the
essence of the American dream,” he said, “which
is not only that we do well, but we’re able to pass
on to the next generation a better life.”
The rising cost of gas and food, rising fore-
closures and an increase in corporate profits
while “ordinary families saw their real incomes
decline” warrant some short-term relief for mid-
dle-class families, Obama said. He promised tax
cuts for families making under $250,000, which
would cover 95 percent of families, he said. He
would also not require seniors to pay taxes on
their social security if they are making $50,000
or less a year and would close corporate tax
loopholes.
Obama also spoke on the need to close the
achievement gap by investing more in educa-
tion and detailed a plan to give “$4,000 in tuition
breaks to every student every year in exchange
for community service or national service.”
Please see remarks, page 3A
Consultants
to evaluate
Missourian file photo
Harold Warren Sr.
served as Columbia’s
first black city
councilman and is
properties
the former director
of Warren Funeral
Chapel, one of the
few minority-owned
funeral homes in mid-
Missouri.
A tour of east downtown will
determine if some sites are
eligible to be historic places.
By ELLIOT NJUS
news@ColumbiaMissourian.com
Two consultants hired by the city will tour east
downtown today to study whether a proposed
extension of Elm Street to College Avenue would
affect historic properties in the area.
The consultants will review and document
about 60 historic buildings in the neighborhood.
The survey could be the first step toward includ-
ing the area, or some of the structures in it, in the
National Register of Historic Places.
Parts of the area were targeted for redevelop-
ment — and possible demolition — in the Sasaki
Plan, a study by Boston-based Sasaki Associ-
ates Inc. The plan, which has not been officially
adopted by the City Council, suggests extending
Elm Street to College Avenue and turning the
east end, which is within the survey area, into a
parklike area.
In the interest of identifying historic properties
in the area, the city’s Historic Preservation Com-
mission initiated the review by encouraging city
staff to apply for a grant from the State Historic
Preservation Office to fund it, city planner Scott
BROOKE FLETCHER/Missourian Hanson said. The grant will cover $5,700, or 60
percent, of the $9,500 the survey will cost, and the
The baseball fields next to the
city will pay the remaining 40 percent.
Boone County Fairgrounds have The consultants, Ruth Keenoy of St. Louis and
been temporarily abandoned by
Terri Foley of Cape Girardeau, started the sur-
construction crews because of vey Wednesday but could only drive through
rain. The Parks and Recreation the neighborhood because of rain. On Thursday,
Department has worked on the they’ll walk through the neighborhood to evaluate
fields for only three five-day weeks how the historic properties have been maintained
since March, said Toney Lowery, and take photos of the properties.
senior parks planner. They will also research the area’s history by
looking at old newspapers and maps and visiting
there because the gravel (parking historical societies and libraries.
lot) stops 300 to 350 feet before the The consultants will hold another meeting after
Please see wet, page 3A Please see downtown, page 8A
Index Our 100th year/#321
3 sections
Abby 7A Lottery 2A 32 pages
Calendar 2A Nation 3A
Classified 4B Opinion 6A
Comics 7A Sports 1B
Election 4A Sudoku 7A
Life Stories 2A 6 54051 90850 3
Page 8A — THURSDAY, July 31, 2008 Columbia Missourian

Downtown: Entire area will likely not qualify

SURVEYING FOR HISTORY
CONTINUED from page 1A
Budget: Utility
cost increases,
MAP AREA
the survey is conducted to show
At a public meeting Wednesday night, a consulting team presented plans for an 70 the results, including photos of
architectural and historical survey of east downtown to determine if any structures notable buildings and informa-
are eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. tion they found on the history

cuts in services
63 of the neighborhood.
Residential Commercial Parking area Keenoy said neither she nor
Foley would make a recom-
LOCUST ST. mendation on the Elm Street
Missouri United extension. Applying for the
Robert
rt E. Lee

forecasted
National Register of Historic
TENTH ST.

Methodist Elementary
Church School
Places is typically initiated by
the owners of a property, Han-
son said.

WAUGH ST.
Columbia already has a num-
ber of locations on the reg- CONTINUED from page 1A
ELM ST. ister. Columbia’s East Cam- new service or a new program,
pus neighborhood was added has determined it to be some other established service
Commercial/
in 1996. A number of other between 0.75 percent and 0.8 will suffer,” Watkins said.

COLLEGE AVENUE
business
Institute
buildings throughout the city percent. The lower number He said he was concerned
Paquin of Religion
are also included, as well as a caused problems in the 2008 but not disheartened by the fis-
Towers commercial district on North budget, said Lori Fleming, the cal challenges.
Ninth Street and the Francis city’s finance director. “We are not able to do near
Parking This is one reason for the the things we want to do or
garage PAQUIN ST. Quadrangle Historic District
conservative 2009 sales tax should do this year,” he said.
NINTH ST.

MU at MU.
Keenoy said it wasn’t likely growth estimate of 1 percent. “I think we’re able to maintain
HITT ST.

Telecom “It is much less of a budget core services at about the same
the entire area could apply to
MATTHEWS ST.

Parking University Place be a historic district because problem to have estimated low, level as last year.”
garage Apartments many of the buildings have than to have estimated high,” He recommended that the
MU Fleming said. proposed budget allocate
MU Fine Arts been altered and because of
the Hitt Street Garage and The state of the economy also $175,000 to the City Council’s
Professional Annex
Hillel towering apartment buildings contributed to this estimate. reserve fund — an increase of
Building
N Foundation nearby. However, she said The average resident’s pock- $100,000 from last year.
areas within the neighborhood etbook will be hit with a $7.55 “Council members have the
200 FEET UNIVERSITY AVENUE increase in utility costs. A sig- discretion to use this resource
and individual structures could
MISSOURIAN still be eligible. nificant portion of this change for purposes they collectively
Source: COLUMBIA PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
has been voter approved, Wat- believe will benefit Columbia’s

9th District candidates speak about health care

By ROSEANN MORING
news@ColumbiaMissourian.com
Three Democratic candidates for the 9th
District Congressional nomination sparred
about health care and political experience
Wednesday night at a Grass Roots Organiz-
ing meeting of about 50 people.
State Rep. Judy Baker of Columbia, for-
mer State Sen. Ken Jacob of Columbia and
Steve Gaw, former Public Service Commis-
sion chairman and state representative, got
a brief amount of time to answer a few ques-
tions about health care.
Democrat Lyndon Bode, presiding com-
missioner of Marion County who is also
seeking the nomination, did not attend.
The candidates were asked about their
plans, what reforms they would support and
how they would work with Congress and
the new president to accomplish a variety
of health care-related goals in the first 100
days in office.
Candidates agreed to pledge their support
for a modified version of the Health Care
for America Now pledge.
Baker highlighted her experience as a
health care administrator and said she is
the “best prepared” to deal with health care
reform.
“I’ve dedicated my whole life to making
sure everyone can see a doctor,” she said.
Jacob said though he doesn’t have experi-
ence in the health care field, he has passed
more bills than “either of my opponents
combined,” and that would be the most use-
ful experience in furthering health care
reform.
Gaw also highlighted his political experi-
ence, including his stint as speaker of the
Missouri House of Representatives.
“Health care is not new to me,” he said. “I
know what we need to do to get it done.”
kins said. citizens,” Watkins said.
There will be other changes Though Watkins termed the
affecting residents, Watkins budget “extremely difficult,”
said. he said he allocated money
Recreation services at with the future in mind.
Paquin Tower, along with the “I truly wish I could say that
specialist who manages them, all these recommendations
are being cut from the budget. will provide short-term relief
Next summer, the city will not for citizens,” Watkins said.
fund swimming at the Lake of “As city manager, however,
the Woods pool. This will save it’s my duty to suggest a bal-
the city about $100,000. anced set of choices aimed at
“We must be honest with cit- managing costs and making
izens; we must acknowledge investments for the long-term,
that if city government adds a public good.”
BUDGET BASICS
Total budget: $397.6 million, up 1 percent from fiscal 2008
Total operating budget: $256.6 million, up 7.1 percent from fiscal
2008
Total revenue: $346 million, down 7.6 percent from fiscal 2008
Major cuts: Elimination of Adaptive Recreation Program at Paquin
Tower; closing Lake of the Woods Pool; eliminating positions of
recreation supervisor at Paquin Tower and a transportation supervi-
sor, along with an assistant city counselor who plans to retire.
Utility rates: Residential utility customers will see total monthly
bills rise by an average of $7.55. This includes a 15 percent
increase in sewer rates, a 5.5 percent increase in water rates and
a 5 percent increase in electric rates.
Other fee changes: The budget calls for increases in fees for ani-
mal control, environmental health services, immunizations, rezon-
ing requests, water and sewer connections, recreation services and
parking. It also calls for increases in public transportation fees.
New personnel: The budget calls for adding 24 new personnel,
including four police officers for the new street crimes unit, two
firefighters, a business ombudsman, a purchasing officer, four
Water and Light workers and nearly 12 new employees in the Pub-
lic Works Department.
Raises and other benefits for workers: Proposed 25-cents per
hour across-the-board raise for all city workers, along with merit
raises up to 2 percent. The budget also calls for increased health
benefits.
Major capital projects: Street work will include the extension of
Maguire Boulevard north to Stadium Boulevard, the extension of
Mexico Gravel Road to Route PP, the extension of Providence Road
to Blue Ridge Road, the reconstruction of Scott Boulevard and
right-of-way purchases to accommodate work along Stadium Bou-
levard. The budget also includes construction of Fire Station No. 9
at Providence and Blue Ridge, development of neighborhood parks
in The Cascades, the Grasslands and Lake of the Woods South/
Eastport, the construction of a parking garage at Fifth and Walnut
streets and the replacement of two paratransit vans and a bus.
Where we go from here:
6 p.m. Aug. 18 — Budget hearing at the regular City Council
meeting
Groups that will be considered for comment: Community Services
Advisory Commission, Community Development Commission, Cul-
tural Affairs Commission and any other person or group wanting to
be heard
7 p.m. Sept. 2 — Budget hearing continues at regularly scheduled
City Council meeting
Any other person or organization who has not addressed the coun-
cil is welcome to be heard at this time.
7 p.m. Sept. 15 — Budget hearing continues at regularly sched-
uled City Council meeting
Any other person or organization who has not addressed the coun-
cil is welcome to make final comments on budget items before the
meeting is closed and the budget is adopted for fiscal year 2009.
For more information on the budget,
go to gocolumbiamo.com.