Category: Opinion
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Senior Tax Freeze Heats Up County Now!
OZARK, MO — Senate Bill 190 is supposed to help senior citizens (aka people over a certain age) freeze real estate taxes on current home and land values. It’s a bill that says, “Hey, older homeowner, I see you ain’t gonna be workin’ no more. How ’bout them annual real estate taxes yer payin’ stay… Read more
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Sparta Persimmon Days expects record numbers this year!
Joey and Ragan Sartin with their son enjoy food and music at the event Friday afternoon. CT Photo Johnny Rooster Sparta, MO — A record number, 149 vendors, are participating in the 36th annual Persimmon Days Festival at Roller Park in Sparta this weekend, from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Oct. 20-21.… Read more
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New government plaza now in the works!
OZARK, MO — Christian County bought 40 acres on Hwy 14 west of B & B Theater/Big Whiskeys to develop a new government plaza now in the works. Presiding Commissioner Lynn Morris said the county bought the land free and clear in 2020. The previous county commission had the idea of developing a government plaza… Read more
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Journalist now harassed by City of Sparta!
SPARTA, MO — A Christian County journalist now harassed by the City of Sparta is speaking out. Former Mayor Jenni Davis filed a complaint May 22 with Sparta Police, claiming that John Cockroft, (aka “Johnny Rooster”) the publisher of the Christian County Trumpet, harassed her 4 times. Judge Doug Bacon set a trial date for… Read more
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Crowded Library Board meeting alive with controversy now
NIXA, MO — Standing room only. Running out of all available seats. That’s become the new norm at Christian County Library Board of Trustees monthly meetings since a nine-month controversy over sexually explicit books sparked the July election of two conservatives to the 5-person board. For a background on the controversy, click here and here.… Read more
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Group says school system is now backwards !
OZARK, MO — Backwards. Upside down. That’s how Ozark Schools Support Team (OSST), a concerned citizens group, describes state school governance. The second town hall meeting by the group took place Saturday at Ozark library. A picture is said to be worth a thousand words, so here are several thousands of words worth in pictures:… Read more
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OSST wants Ozark R-VI to leave MSBA now, become independent
David Cort addresses the audience Thursday at the Ozark Library. OZARK, MO— Ozark Schools Support Team (OSST), an independent concerned citizens group, wants Ozark R-VI to leave MSBA so citizens can have greater input in the district. Speaking to more than 20 citizens gathered Thursday evening at the Ozark Library were David Cort, Wade Wheeler,… Read more
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Morris: Citizens should now decide how county libraries are run
By Johnny Rooster, opinion column NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in this editorial are necessarily those of the publisher. OZARK, MO — Libraries should be run how the people in the community want it run, not how some library director wants. So says Christian County Presiding Commissioner Lynn Morris. Sounds reasonable. But that ain’t… Read more
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Nixa School Board president demonstrates how to accomplish nothing!
NIXA, MO — Nixa School Board President Josh Roberts did exactly the same thing and accomplished nothing regarding a high school library book review. Wow! Amazing! Speaking of books, here is how Josh Roberts’ book might go if he wrote one: How to Accomplish Nothing by Josh Roberts, Nixa School Board President THE END Great… Read more
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We’re Sorry You Thought We Messed Up!
Guest Column You know how you are sometimes compelled to apologize when you don’t mean it? So you just say something like “I’m sorry your feelings were hurt” or “I’m sorry you took it that way.” This is the art of the non-apology. You lead off with something like “I’m sorry” in order to appease your audience. Then you… Read more
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New Library Board members selected by commission for first time!
Diana Breazeale (top) of Ozark and Echo Alexzander (bottom) of Highlandville were recently elected to the Christian County Library Board of Trustees. The board consists of five members, one from each library district: Ozark, Nixa, Clever, Highlandville and Sparta. Positions are two-year terms and are staggered. Ozark and Highlandville were up for election this year.… Read more
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County sets first new event policy since 2007
Christian County now has a new event policy. On Tuesday, Aug. 1, the county commission approved a new policy which will include an updated application for paid public events and what is required for public gatherings on private property. The policy is included at the bottom of this article. “We have to be careful with… Read more
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Morris now speaks out on senior tax break bill
By Johnny Rooster, Christian County Trumpet Publisher OZARK, MO — Senate Bill 190 was signed into law by Gov. Mike Parson to eliminate Social Security income tax for the elderly. Sounds good. But now Missouri counties must decide if they also want to freeze property taxes for income eligible seniors as an extension of the… Read more
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New 9-1-1 service now approved for Christian County
OZARK, MO — Christian County Commissioners approved an $11.2 million-dollar 911 emergency communication system upgrade that will begin later this month. The project is expected to be completed within 12 to 18 months. The decision was made at an Aug. 1 Commission meeting. Presiding Commissioner Lynn Morris says he is “pretty proud” of the decision.… Read more
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Jail inmates now create smelly, expensive mess!
OZARK, MO — Something stinks in the Christian County Jail. Unidentified inmates have been flushing sheets, tennis shoes and other foreign items down the toilets, causing backup sewage into the jail and jail offices. Christian County Presiding Commissioner Lynn Morris says the problem will take more than a million dollars to fix. The sewer will… Read more
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Commercial properties for sale now in Sparta
SPARTA, MO — Investors alert! Prime commercial property is now for sale in Sparta! The former Sparta Senior’s Place is the finest public building space in town. It has a full kitchen, stage, seating area, and a well-groomed parking lot. Seller Corey Smith is asking $300,000, according to sources. Noel Rogers is the listing agent.… Read more
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New sidewalks, storm siren, picnic tables in Sparta
SPARTA, MO — New sidewalks along Vanilla Bean and 125 and the middle school are coming soon, according to Mayor Misty Holt. Also, the new storm siren is installed in Sparta. In the event of an actual tornado warning, Christian County Emergency Managment or the National Weather Service can activate it, Mayor Misty Holt told… Read more
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Ozark patrons are being robbed now!
OZARK, MO — Ozark patrons are being robbed. That’s the only way to put it. They are paying an exorbitant salary to Dr. Frank C. Bauman (aka Chris) who resigned June 30 but still gets paid through Dec. 31. How many of us get paid full tilt salary and benefits after leaving a job? I… Read more
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Bring Your Popcorn to Courtroom Drama Now!
OzARK, MO — Not sure if popcorn will be allowed, but if you’re up for a good courtroom drama, come see The City of Sparta vs. Johnny Rooster at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, July 20 in Judge Doug Bacon’s courtroom in Ozark, MO. Courtroom Drama Plaintiff Former Sparta Mayor Jenni Davis, known for being dramatic and… Read more
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Ozark School Board censures one of their own!
GUEST COLUMN The Ozark School Board just issued a public censure to one of their own. Wow! For an organization that swears they must always march in lockstep, never displaying the slightest hint of anything less than complete solidarity, this was a startling move. What terrible misconduct could have justified this? The current board president’s… Read more