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Photo: Property 1 sold for $828,000; property 2 sold for $789,000; property 3 sold for $1,000,000; property 4 purchase price has not been released   A tentative agreement has finally been reached between the City of Poplar Bluff, and Robert and Robin Whelan of Whelan Wealth Management, 2895 N. Westwood Blvd. “We have finally come to a tentative verbal agreement,” said Whelan. Though he did not want to comment on the exact figure agreed upon, he noted he was pleased, and particularly pleased with the speed in which the new Poplar Bluff City Council and city staff ironed out the agreement. “This had been going on for two years,” said Whelan. “There was never any reason for it to have gone on

Poplar Bluff, Mo. - The Poplar Bluff City Council voted 5-2 to approve a one-year contract for City Manager with Heath Kaplan this evening. On Wednesday of last week, at a special session of the city council, members approved 7-0 to hire Mr. Kaplan.  On Friday, the city issued a press release introducing their new city manager. Tonight's vote was whether to issue Kaplan a one-year contract laying out the duties, salary, termination procedures, benefits and allowances. Council members Betty Absheer and Ed Degaris voted no. Mayor Pearson, Mayor Pro Tem Rushin, along with councilmen Brannum, Tinsley and Johson voted yes for the contract. At the beginning of the meeting during the citizen input portion, former city councilwoman McVey challenged the council for

At the beginning of the new year, the city shot down the opportunity to put their meeting videos online. But part of the "New Direction" includes more open and transparent meetings. What seems so simple, is such a HUGE step. Thank you council for voting 6-0 to post your meetings online!

Many questions are swirling about Doug Bagby's City Manager contract since KFVS-TV reported that "Bagby's Remaining Contract" was $270,000. The Daily American Republic regurgitated the same information; quoting David Silverberg in today's paper "The decision by the new coalition on the Poplar Bluff City Council to fire City Manager Doug Bagby will cost the city nearly $278,000 in salary he still must be paid under his contract." Here's the problem: Missouri has laws and a constitution. But before we get to that, let's look at the contract Mr. Bagby is quoting from dated August 26, 2003: 2. Term. The initial term of this agreement shall be for a period of three (3) years, and shall begin on September 1, 2003

I've tried to investigate two stories surrounding the City Cable sale, but am getting no where so I'm left to either not report it or let you know what I've come across and see if you can help me corroborate the stories. Of course my critics are going to claim I'm rumor-mongering, and to a degree I understand and accept that critique. Insurance Questions Regarding City Cable One of the city employees who was potentially being fired as a result of the sale of City Cable has a child with serious health issues. I asked the labor rep of the union to provide me any details and he couldn't give me specifics but did say that a trip to a