Cassville Democrat: Opinion

Top students from CHS speak (05/16/13)
Good afternoon classmates, families and faculty. Today is the day that we think back on the last four years of our life. I'm supposed to come up with something insightful and inspiring to say to everyone on our last day here, but let's be honest, I'm 18. ...

Media should keep public informed (05/16/13)
Dear editor, The founders of this country formed a government based on the concept that man, as long as he maintained high moral standards, was educated and informed, could rule himself, and not be in need of a ruling class which controlled most activities. This form of government, called a republic, not a democracy, set clear limitations on the federal governing body. I learned this in the Cassville school, from Mr. Lassiter...

Save the Eureka Springs railroad (05/16/13)
Dear editor, I would like to take this time to discussed the topic called save The Eureka Springs and North Arkansas Railroad. Now this is just my opinion. I will discussed this topic as best as I can. The Eureka Springs and North Arkansas Railroad is falling into disrepair, and there are no steam locomotives running any more. ...

Happy Mother's Day (05/08/13)
This Sunday, families across the country will gather to honor women who have kissed boo boos, cradled sick youngsters, tried to mend broken hearts and watched with both pride and heartbreak as their children have started college, careers and families of their own. ...

National Travel and Tourism Week (05/08/13)
Dear editor, Cassville has recently gained state-wide attention when Roaring River State Park was selected through an on-line poll as the state's favorite trout park. Not only are our businesses and residents fortunate enough to have a beautiful state park in our back yard, our community is also able to reap the benefits of having tourism in our area...

Impressive high school honor (05/01/13)
Last Wednesday, I had the opportunity to attend Cassville High School's National Honor Society (NHS) induction ceremony. This year, 17 CHS students were inducted into the prestigious organization, which recognizes students' achievements and commitments in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service and character...

Emergency workers behind the scene (04/24/13)
The Barry County E-911 Operations Center held a special event on Saturday to honor the local dispatching team. During the event, Pat Blevins, dispatching operations manager, read a letter titled "A Tribute To Dispatchers," which was written by Chief Thomas Wagoner of the Loveland, Colo., Police Department. ...

Hats off to local DARE leaders (04/17/13)
On April 5, I had the honor of attending the Cassville Middle School DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) graduation ceremony. This year, 137 sixth grade students completed the DARE program, which is designed to teach children how to resist drugs and alcohol and give them tips for making constructive decisions. ...

Warning from local superintendents (04/17/13)
Dear editor, As superintendents of Barry County school districts, we feel it is our duty to share some thoughts on the pending legislation of Senate Bill 26, sponsored by Senator Will Kraus of Lee's Summit. This bill has passed by a veto proof margin of 23-11 in the Missouri Senate...

Show appreciation, cast a vote (04/10/13)
Barry County completed another successful general election on April 2. I know that not all voters were happy with the election outcomes, but they can rest assured that the integrity of each and every one of their votes was maintained. The latest general election was the last one I will cover as editor of the Cassville Democrat. With that in mind, I wanted to use this week's editorial to recognize some of the individuals and groups who work to ensure each election is conducted successfully...

Tax would benefit everyone (04/10/13)
Dear Editor, In response to your article "Local legislators oppose MoDOT tax plan," on April 3, 2013, I have a few concerns. This is a temporary change and one that benefits everyone. Well-maintained roads provide for safer and more comfortable travel...

Spring opportunities (04/03/13)
This weekend, area residents will have a lot of opportunity to get outside, enjoy the seasonal spring weather and support the local economy. On Friday and Saturday, the Cassville Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual spring sidewalk sale. During this event, businesses in downtown Cassville will entice shoppers by displaying an assortment of products on the sidewalks outside their stores. ...

Big announcement (03/27/13)
It is with both sadness and excitement that I am announcing that I will only serve as the editor of the Cassville Democrat for about nine more weeks. My final day in the leadership position at the newspaper is May 31. In January of this year, my husband accepted a new job located several hours from Cassville. ...

Mental healthcare will gain from Medicaid extension (03/27/13)
Dear editor: The debate on whether to extend Medicaid coverage in Missouri to 138 percent of the federal poverty level is an issue that is important to all citizens. Strengthening Medicaid through federal funding available under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) also has major implications for Missouri's mental health system...

Tax could save money (03/27/13)
Dear editor: As Barry County voters go to the polls April 2nd to vote on a one-eighth-cent sales tax, here are some things to consider. A couple of weeks ago, an expensive manhunt took place in Monett, when a Barry County deputy sheriff attempted to serve a felony warrant by himself. ...

County sales tax is justified (03/27/13)
No one likes taxes, especially here in Barry County, but sometimes a tax increase is necessary to make sure citizens continue receiving the local government services they deserve. A tax can also be justified if the government entity seeking the increase has a track record of spending tax money wisely...

Small price to pay (03/27/13)
Dear editor: Thirteen cents per $100 is a small amount to pay to help improve benefits the citizens of Barry County receive. We rely on law enforcement to protect us every day. More presence of deputies in the rural areas will help cattle thefts and burglaries. It would help with faster response to emergencies. If you are a victim in one of these circumstances it would be important for the prosecutor's office to be able to speed up the handling of your case...

The weather is changing (03/20/13)
On Saturday, I had the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful spring weather at Roaring River State Park. I'm happy to say, I wasn't the only one who chose to spend at least a portion of the day at Roaring River. The park was packed with people fishing, walking, enjoying picnics, camping, sunbathing, wading, hiking and playing. It was wonderful seeing so many people enjoying the park, which attracts thousands of visitors to Cassville and the surrounding area...

County tax is needed (03/20/13)
Dear editor: I encourage the voters of Barry County to support the proposed Barry County one-eighth cent sales tax increase that is sorely needed for the various services provided by the county to its citizens. Part of the increase will necessarily be used for the needs of law enforcement, which I will address...

Sunshine Week (03/13/13)
Celebrated in mid-March each year, Sunshine Week is designed to promote the importance of open government and freedom of information. The idea for the national event began when the Florida Society of Newspaper Editors (FSNE) created Sunshine Sunday in 2002. ...

Another successful March 1 (03/06/13)
On Friday, Roaring River State Park celebrated another successful Opening Day. Thousands of visitors from across Missouri and surrounding states visited the park in hopes of reeling in one of the 100 lunkers stocked into the stream this year. On March 1, I visited the lodge and park store and spoke with several individuals who took part in Opening Day. ...

Opening Day memory (02/27/13)
Although I have lived in Barry County the majority of my life and have fished at Roaring River State Park since I was very young, I was nearly an adult the first time I attended an Opening Day at the park. On that frigid morning, around 16 years ago, I remember gripping my rod and reel in my gloved hands and looking around at the anglers standing shoulder to shoulder along the stream. It was fun, exciting, nerve-wracking and above all else, cold...

Thanks for the hospitality (02/27/13)
Dear editor, On Feb. 16, the Habitat for Humanity of South Barry County hosted the Harlem Ambassadors professional show basketball team for a night of high-flying slam dunks, hilarious comedy, and feel-good family entertainment. The Harlem Ambassadors would like to extend a special thank you to event organizers Nora Young and Justin Gates who planned and promoted the game. ...

Seriously too serious (02/20/13)
Last week, a Goodwill store in Springfield posted an apology for a message that appeared on its sign earlier this month. The apology was recommended by Goodwill's corporate office after complaints were received regarding the original message, which read "Your husband called. ...

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