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At tonight's City Council meeting the City Clerk, Pam Kearbey, announced that nominations were open for Mayor. Johnny Brannum and Susan McVey started speaking at the same time and Kearbey recognized McVey. She nominated current Mayor, Ed Degaris. Kearbey asked for a second and Lloyd Matthews seconded the nomination. Kearbey then gave the floor back to Brannum who stated that the city had just made history by seating Angela Pearson and Betty Abshear which made three women serving on the City Council at the same time. Brannum went on to state that the city should make history again, tonight, by honoring the 4-term City Council member, Robert Smith, and elect him to be the first African-American Mayor of our 140+

Over the past 2 months, I've made a dozen Sunshine requests for public records from the City. In late March I requested "Appraisal Information on properties" and gave the address for the Flipper property, the Whelan, Tinsley and Car Wash properties. Three business days later I paid the clerk a bit over $20 dollars and received appraisals for three properties and a denial for the Whelan appraisal stating it was pending litigation and therefore not available under Sunshine laws. The city didn't provide me with actual appraisals, but, instead provided me with "Appraisal Reviews". Two names showed up on the reviews, Richard Eggers and Connie Roe. I called Smith and Co on two separate occasions to verify their employment. What

Okay, this is just weird. With the city in the middle of an eminent domain lawsuit and with more property still remaining to be purchased along Oak Grove Road... The City's Appraisers - Smith & Co Appraisers - are shutting their departmental doors and closing up operation. Every appraisal of property I've seen on the Oak Grove Road project has been performed by Smith & Co (well, except for the "flipper's" property which was appraised by a local individual). I just called Smith & Co and asked for their appraisal department. I believe I spoke to Connie Roe because she identified herself as Connie and as a certified appraiser. She said she could not perform any more local appraisals because

For the past two years in the lawsuit of Poplar Bluff Internet v. City of Poplar Bluff, the City's lawyers have claimed that the city only has a cable television system which was enhanced to provide cable Internet. For instance, back in early 2011 we stated: Poplar Bluff put to a vote, and the citizens approved, the issue of general obligation bonds for the purpose of establishing, constructing, and equipping a communications system for the residents of Poplar Bluff. The city's lawyers responded: [The City] denies the allegations...answering affirmatively, [the City] states that in or about 2000, it put to a vote and the citizens approved the issuance of general obligation bonds for the purpose of establishing, constructing and equipping

SEMO.net has confirmed that the City is filing for Eminent Domain of property at the corner of Westwood Blvd and Oak Grove Road owned by Robert and Robin Whelan which houses Robert Whelan Financial Services. SEMO.net has already reported that one property near that intersection sold at a premium. Two more properties nearby have been purchased by the City: Location Schalk (#1 in photo) Ozark Medical (#2) Car Wash (#3) Sold for $828,000 $789,000 $1,000,000 Appraisal $828,000 $655,000 $748,700 "Good Will" $0 $134,000 $251,300 Office $38/sqft $58/sqft none Lot $10/sqft $18/sqft $21/sqft This leaves the Whelans' Property (#4 in photo) as the sole, business property remaining along Oak Grove, all other lots are residences or empty. From a "business" perspective, it