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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

77% of the voters of Ward 1 voted for Angela Pearson, I don't have access to past victory counts but no one I spoke to can remember a bigger victory in Poplar Bluff's Ward 1 history. The people have spoken and sent a CLEAR message to City Council - we are tired of yes-men and yes-women. The City Manager is an employee...IF he's to stay employed then he needs to start acting as such. Angela ran an amazing campaign and she deserves great praise for the well deserved victory. In the past two years, our city has elected two independent, principled people to sit on City Council: Johnny Brannum and, now, Angela Pearson. Next year, three seats will be up for election: Ward

Poplar Bluff Internet's lawyer, Derrick Kirby, filed an additional count to the company's petition as well as another "Affirmative Defense" claiming the City Council did not follow appropriate rules before, during AND after their August 6, 2012, Dispute Hearing. Part of the filing included: [The City] failed to follow the applicable provisions of the Missouri Administrative Procedure Act.  Specifically, [the City] violated the following provisions: A.     [The City] failed to provide the statutory notice required §536.067 RSMo.; B.     [The City] violated §536.083 RSMo. by permitting a hearing officer to also vote on the administrative appeal; C.     [The City] violated §536.090 RSMo. by failing to provide Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law along with its purported decision; D.  

The old social security office building on Oak Grove sat idle for years. Fifteen months ago it sold for $600k. Last month it sold again for $828k. As Americans our culture thrives on such opportunities seized...but do you feel the same after you find out it was the citizens of Poplar Bluff footing the bill? It was the City of Poplar Bluff who, last month, bought that old building and lot at a premium price giving the "flipper" a $228,000 profit in 15 months. According to the Recorder of Deeds: 11/17/2011 - property purchased by a local businessman and wife for $599,000 11/21/2011 - financed by local bank for $600,000 2/19/2013 - City purchased property for $828,000  If the "flipper" just