Jan. 26, 2011

This nosey ‘lil pooch got a news tip that crossed our desk last week about the ongoing 40th District Missouri House race.

The matter of the fraud alleged by the Royster campaign has been given over to the House Special Standing Committee on Election Contests.

There’s been no news to report on the matter, so we called Committee Chair Rep. Tim Jones’ office to check things out.

According to Rep. Jones, there’s been no hearing on the matter and at press deadline, there were no hearings scheduled.

This inaction on behalf of the House leads us to believe that the matter, despite the wrangling and gesticulating by the Royster folks, doesn’t rise to the level of importance required to initiate a hearing.

• • • •

We were saddened to learn that last week’s fire at 1226 Benton Blvd. took the home and possessions of long-time neighborhood Independence Plaza President Lee Lambert and his wife, Sue.

Lee was hospitalized at the time of the blaze, and Sue escaped with the clothes on her back.

Given the selfless attitude and thousands of hours of service both Lee and Sue have given to the Historic Northeast community, we’re certainly hoping they can get back on their feet soon.

• • • •

And while we’re on the hot subject of fires, it would seem that if the KCMSD wanted to properly maintain their mothballed structures, they’d have the common sense to lock all of the doors to the vacant structure so that transients couldn’t get in and start fires to warm themselves.

Fire department personnel who responded to the Thacher fire said every door they accessed to battle the blaze was unlocked and unsecured.

That alone certainly fuels speculation as to how the district will “re-purpose” their vacant structures.

Unacceptable.