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We sat down with Heath Kaplan in the council chambers at city hall at 8:30 on Friday morning, September 19th, after his first 30 days on the job as Poplar Bluff’s new city manager. During our hour and a half interview, Kaplan was forthright, knowledgeable and assertive. There wasn’t any issue we touched upon that he didn’t have a well thought out answer for. One cannot help but be impressed by his passion and drive. Kaplan’s now a Poplar Bluffian and talks as though this is his hometown now. Given you’ve been on the job 30 days now, what are your impressions of Poplar Bluff? I’ve been very pleased with the city. There is no shortage of individuals here who

There are times when SEMO TIMES must take an editorial stance and Noranda's Rate Case with the PSC, as supported by the Office of Public Counsel, is one of them. SEMO TIMES urges citizens to take some time to read about the issue and then, if you feel compelled, submit the following email to the Public Service Commission by entering your information and clicking "Send." We hope that the Public Service Commission will listen to Governor Nixon and accept the OPC's compromise. Senator Libla to PSC: Opportunity Crucial For Our Economy - June 10, 2014 Noranda Still Might Get Rate Reduction - August 11, 2014 Public Service Commission Knifes the Heart of SEMO - August 20, 2014 Noranda To Lay

POPLAR BLUFF - In a letter dated September 19, the City Manager informed council that his estimate to bring the city hall structure into code compliance and building repair is $2M. Kaplan stated in his letter that staff was cataloging all of the code violations the building is currently in violation, "to hold governmental structures to the same standard as other structures when enforcing code compliance." Kaplan wrote, "I am currently preparing a plan to continue government activities by temporarily relocating City Hall, Police Department and Municipal Court to other locations since the costs of renting will be significantly lower than the anticipated costs of repair." The full letter is below:

Poplar Bluff, Mo. - At this Tuesday's council meeting, council will discuss workshop item D regarding rezoning a property at the corner of Northwood Dr. and Westmoor Dr. At the planning and zoning meeting earlier this week, it was clear this is a divisive issue among the neighbors. Jared Beaird purchased the property for his family dentist practice and the neighborhood appears torn as to whether it should happen. Planning and Zoning said no but ultimately it is up to council. Does the city take a more aggressive stance on commercial development or not? That's what really is at question here. Northwood, Sunset, Old Orchard, that's what we think of when the word Poplar Bluff neighborhoods is brought up. But over the

SEMO TIMES needs a self-motivated, hard-working person who has a proven track record in sales. Selling area includes Stoddard, Dunklin, and Butler. Opportunity to make a great commission-based income with a temporary base to help get you to the level of income you need. Working at a startup is exciting and challenging. Come join Brian Becker, Tammy Hilderbrand, Steve Hankins, Peter Tinsley and Toni Becker and be a part of the SEMO TIMES success story. Send resume to: Brian Becker    brian@semo.net    573.778.6500