• It seems nearly impossible to fathom that someone as brilliant and funny as Robin Williams could be so tortured emotionally that he takes himself out of the human race. Yet, last week, one by one, each of us across the whole globe, fixed our attention on the sad news of this beloved actor’s suicide. Sometimes, a blip of news in the vast sea of information we are bombarded with daily, seems to slap us so hard in the face that we can almost hear the collective groan rippling through space and time. Then we all try our best to reckon with reality. And what a devastating reality Robin Williams’ death reveals - that someone who, by his very nature, brought

    Aug 26,
  • ST. LOUIS, MO — On Nov. 18, the ACLU of Eastern Missouri filed a suit against the City of Poplar Bluff for an unconstitutional ordinance regarding the distribution of handbills without a permit and advance written consent of the operators of each vehicle. The ACLU is representing Brian Becker, who feared arrest after distributing handbills opposing a local $20 million bond initiative for sewer upgrades.

    Nov 20,
  • Short version: our two-and-a-half-year battle with the City was dismissed today by the courts. The longer version goes: that a couple of weeks ago, I found out that my lawyer had lost his license and would not have it reinstated prior to today's hearing. He helped me secure another lawyer and all was well until a few days ago when the new lawyer stopped communicating with me.

    Nov 15,
  • The question was posed on Facebook by Dennis Gebelhardt, Journeyman Lineman at Municipal Utilities, in this way: Mr Becker...If indeed your motivation wasn't one of personal Gain.. Here is your opportunity to explain. What exactly was your reason to campaign against this Bond Issue?. Remember the Rules are honesty and ethics. Here is my reply to Dennis: The ordinance to put this on the ballot was passed on Aug 20 and given to the County Clerk on August 21st which was the very last day to submit ballot info. One would think that a $20M Sewer Bond Ballot issue by City Council would make the front page, but no, it was buried on page 6 in the middle of an

    Nov 09,
  • Okay, first the second part of my headline: These past two years have taken a toll on my family and, yet, they are still standing firmly beside me in all of this. However, the past five days and the inflammatory storytelling in the DAR and the threat of being arrested on election day have taken a huge chunk out of all our courage. Don't worry they are still standing strong with me, but please pray for us. For those who haven't read the SEMO Times, they released an online story last night which helps to balance the DARs pro-city reporting: This Is The Reason They Call Poplar Bluff Little Chicago.

    Nov 09,

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