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The DAR, the (un) official political mouthpiece for the City of Poplar Bluff, ran a series of incorrect and subjective information to SCARE THE PUBLIC today regarding the Sewer Tax which is on the ballot November 6 (spoiler alert: you should vote no). Isn't that the job of a newspaper? Print what the government tells them. NOT IN AMERICA, MR SCHRIEBER! Unless, of course, you are a state-run-media. Is that what you are Mr. Schreiber? State-run? Your reporter was well-aware that there was opposition to this Sewer Tax and could have easily asked for a quote — but that wouldn't suit your propaganda piece. How about doing some actual research and come to conclusions that DON'T fall from the mouth

Between the TDD, TIF, Sewer Bond and Road construction I was told our city will be $100,000,000 more in debt at the end of this year than 18 months before. DO WE REALLY WANT THAT? That's sounds more like Washington D.C. NOT POPLAR BLUFF! Over the last few years I've become more and more aware of the wasteful spending of Municipal Utilities. Just ask someone in the know one of these questions: How much money does the City LOSE from the Plum Point Energy Plant in Arkansas? How much money do we LOSE by having our own electric generator that doesn't operate but a few times a year?

According to Bill Bach, Municipal Utilities General Manager, the average utility bill will be increased from $16.34 to $28.44 if the City of Poplar Bluff votes YES to the Sewer Bond this November. That is a 75% (SEVENTY FIVE PERCENT!!!) increase every month!!!! That's $2900 each over the term of the bond! And why do we need these sewer improvements?

It was clear from the beginning as I was bombarded by countless questions that it wasn't going my way. Here's an example: Becker: Both Wally Duncan and Bill Bach have repeatedly said they never received any notification and never received a letter from me regarding the date of the Dispute Hearing even though we contacted the city four different times: two by phone to the City's lawyer in St Louis, once by email (Feb 21) to the City's lawyer in St Louis and once by letter (Mar 14) to Mr. Bach.

It's not that I expected anything different, but I certainly went to the MU Advisory Board meeting on Monday with a glimmer of hope that these five businessmen of our community on that board would challenge the city employees or ask them to prove their statements.