Springfield Vote Aids in Homeless Efforts

By Briana Rivera

Mar. 27, 2019 (SPRINGFIELD) Springfield City Council passed a bill on Monday night to extend protections to provide food and shelter for the community’s homeless population. The council bill allows area churches, organizations, and even individuals, to continue to provide a place to stay and a warm meal for Springfield’s working poor and homeless. This economic and housing access calamity bill was first proposed and approved in 2009 during country’s economic recession and had been extended six previous times due to Springfield’s poverty rate being significantly higher than that of the rest of the state, according to the city’s Assistant Director of Planning and Development, Brendan Griesemer, who spoke on the council floor before the vote. 

Griesemer stated from the council floor that the extension of the bill was “especially relevant during the cold weather months when we see a spike in demand for these type of services.” Griesemer also addressed possible concerns, mentioning that the service providers covered under the calamity ordinance would still be required to meet building, safety, and health codes.

Community Partnership of the Ozark’s Vice President of Affordable Housing and Homeless Prevention, Michelle Garand, also spoke before council regarding Springfield’s high demand for homelessness aid. “We have a great number of outstanding shelters in our community, but they are typically at capacity,” Garand said from the council floor. Garand works with the Ozarks Alliance to End Homelessness, an organization that coordinates homeless services and funding.

“Since the calamity ordinance was set in place, we have had a lot of churches, faith communities in particular, that have risen to the challenge to either support initiatives through volunteers or to open their doors,” Garand said, of the bill’s benefits. According to Garand, East Sunshine Church of Christ and Grace United were able to offer more than 64 nights of shelter this winter under the protections of the ordinance.

“This has remained a critical need,” Garand urged city council. “We haven’t grown in capacity to meet the needs of the individuals that are living outside, and so this is a really important vote you have before you tonight to be able to continue this opportunity.”

Springfield City Council unanimously voted to pass the bill, extending the ordinance until March 2021, where the calamity could have the possibility of being renewed for an eighth time.

Springfield City Council will meet again at Historic City Hall on April 8th at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.

The Fight to Protect Students

Dexter Smith, dexterwadesmith17@gmail.com

March 25, 2019 – Springfield, Mo.

In a Springfield City Council meeting held on Monday, March 25, concerns were raised regarding the use of district-issued computers to students in the Springfield school system. In 2015, the City of Springfield launched a campaign known as “Ignite” in order to put modern tools and resources into the hands of teachers and students. The technology is intended to help students have a better learning experience during their time in Springfield public schools as well as better prepare them for the future. Some individuals do not see this technology as beneficial neither in nor out of the classroom. Dr. Norman Merely says the technology actually hinders learning as well as opens up avenues for students to access explicit material. Merely expressed that “children are accessing and being exposed to sexual content through district issued Chromebooks”.

Not only does this raise concern over explicit material in the hands of students, but whether this is truly beneficial for learning or not. In a study done by Pam A. Mueller of Princeton University and Daniel M. Oppenheimer of the University of California, it was found that “students who take handwritten notes typically test better than students who used a laptop or mobile device to take notes.” Typing notes may allow students to keep up with the speaker and copy word for word, but Mueller and Oppenheimer claim writing notes by hand helps students cognitively remember what they are recording. Other concerns included that Chromebooks, which are currently in commission across the Springfield district, will wear out and could even be broken by students and staff carrying them. With each unit costing taxpayers $140, the bill could add up quickly.

These personal devices issued by the district could ultimately lead to students having their personal information compromised. According to the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), “one-third of all students in the United States are using school issued devices.”  About one-third of those devices accounted for are Chromebooks. The EFF did extensive research on what information these devices were keeping on the students. The EFF claims that “the public issued devices are taking and keeping information on students that far exceed the information students should be giving in order to have these devices.” With a price tag of over $1 million for the district to have the personal laptops for students, simply taking away the Chromebooks does not seem to be an option at this time. The question is, do these devices ultimately help the students? Or do they hinder learning and invade privacy?

The next City Council Meeting will be held on Monday, April 8th at 6:30pm in the City Council Chambers.

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The LINK Project

SPRINGFIELD, Mo

By Emily Groves

In March of 2018, a young girl was raped in a tunnel between Commercial and Chase St. One year later, Springfield City Government is making headway in creating a safer environment for the Springfield community. On March 11, 2019, Springfield City Council addressed the LINK Washington Avenue Project, a proposal to construct retaining walls, upgrade stormwater infrastructure and widen the sidewalks of a tunnel on the LINK route. In doing this, the tunnel and surrounding areas will have a higher visibility to promote a safe and accessible area Councilmember Phyllis Ferguson said “This is hugely important, and I thank [Derrick Estell, presenter of the bill] for bringing it to our attention.”

The LINK is a route through the core of Springfield that has sidewalks for people to walk or bike around the city. The route is placed along streets with low traffic to encourage people to exercise while in a safe environment. The LINK connects multiple trails, neighborhoods, bus routes and business activity centers throughout the city. The goal of LINK is to create a comfortable experience and eventually develop a higher quality look than one would see on a typical street (LINK, 2019).

Derrick Estell, traffic operations engineer from Springfield, MO proposed the bill during the March 11 City Council Meeting and presented the logistics of the project. The bill accepts the bid of Hamilton and Dad, Inc. in the amount of $233,162.19 for the project. The primary focus of Derrick Estell and Springfield City Council is to create a safe and accessible route as well as improve the visibility of the tunnel. During the March 25 City Council Meeting, the bill was voted on. Each of the six council members and mayor approved and the bill passed. There is no confirmation yet when the construction project will begin.

The next City Council Meeting will be held April 8, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at Historic City Hall (City, 2019).

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Springfield City Council Responds to Past Incident

By JonChristopher Collins

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – On Monday the Springfield City Council voted to pass Council Bill 059; the bill was passed unanimously 9-0.

The passing of Council Bill 059 approved The LINK Washington Avenue Project. Hamilton and Dad, Inc’s bid was accepted at $233,162.19. According to the bill, “The focus of this project is to create a safe access along this segment of the LINK for pedestrians and bicyclists by improving the visibility of the pedestrian tunnel so that there are clear sight lines from Commercial and Chase Streets along Washington Avenue.”

On April 1. Commercial and Chase Streets closed. That part of Washington Avenue was set to be under construction for ten weeks in order to begin and finish the LINK Washington Avenue Project; the construction is already three weeks in. The route will remain in service to pedestrians throughout the project’s lifespan; however, according to an alert from the City of Springfield, drivers will be asked to consider different passageways until the project is complete.

Councilman Richard Ollis sponsored Council Bill 059. Ollis said the project is important because it provides a clean and safe way to navigate past the railroad tracks. He said the project will allow walkers, bikers and other travelers to bypass the tracks by using the improved tunnel beneath the tracks. Ollis said this project is essential for the City of Springfield.

This project came as a response to an incident that took place in the area in 2018. In March of last year a woman was raped in the Springfield pedestrian tunnel. The project’s goal is to provide safety for travelers of the LINK tunnel passageway.

According to the City of Springfield’s website, the LINK is relaxed and slow due to the low traffic levels of the roads that neighbor it. “The ultimate goal is to create a network of routes for people that walk, bicycle and drive that creates an experience of comfort and safety, similar to that of walking or riding on a greenway trail,” the website said.

Springfield City Council Recognizes Two Local Basketball Powerhouses

By: Andrew Edwards

SPRINGFIELD, MO – The Greenwood Laboratory School basketball team and the Springfield Catholic High School basketball team were recognized by the Springfield City Council on March 25, 2019. Council bill 2019-063 was approved 9-0 to recognize the achievement of the Greenwood Laboratory School Blue Jays upon their winning of the 2018-2019 Missouri State High School Activities Association Class 2 Boys Basketball State Tournament. Council Bill 2019-064 was also approved 9-0 which recognized the Springfield Catholic High School Fightin’ Irish for winning second place in the 2018-2019 Missouri State High School Activities Association Class 3 Boys Basketball State Tournament.

City Councilman Dr. Thomas Prater, the zone two Councilman where the Greenwood School is located said, “Unwavering in the classroom and on the court the Blue Jays exemplified the student-athlete.” The Councilman went on to say, “The city council congratulate the Greenwood Laboratory School Blue Jays basketball team for their achievements, indeed deserved through their dedication, teamwork, and fair play.”

The Blue Jays were led by head coach Darren Taylor and assistant coach Joe Black. The Blue Jays finished the season 29-3 all while winning a state championship. Their first since 1993.

Springfield Catholic High School’s basketball team was also recognized though they fell short in the state championship game. They were overcome by Vashon 69-59 in the Class 3 Show-Me Showdown title game, but their efforts were valiant throughout the season, so they were recognized by City Council.

City Councilman Matthew Simpson, the zone four Councilman where Springfield Catholic is located, repeated the resolution proposed and passed by City Councilman Prater by congratulating Springfield Catholics’ basketball team for their “dedication, teamwork, and fair play.”

The Fightin’ Irish seniors were also recognized for their achievement of winning 82 games over their four years of play. It was also the first time in 35 years the Springfield Catholic Fightin’ Irish reached the state championship game.

Mayor Ken McClure, the sponsor of both Council Bill 2019-063 and Council Bill 2019-064, said, “We are so pleased to have such a rich heritage of high school basketball in this community.  Certainly, Greenwood and Catholic have been prime examples of that.”

Springfield City Council Acts on Homeless Shelters

By: Micah Daniels

SAVE A ROOM

Springfield, MO– City Council ordered an agenda meeting that just took place at City Hall this past Monday on March, 26 to address each council bill.

There was a resolution extending the declaration of Bill 065 regarding the economic and housing calamity throughout Springfield. To allow service providers to provide food and lodging for the working poor and unemployed community. “This is a critical need, we haven’t grown in capacity of our shelters to meets the needs of our citizens,” Citizen Michelle Grant said from the city council floor. The Council first declared this bill way back in 2009, and has been revised and renewed ever since the most recent renewal in 2017. The poverty level still strickens to be above the statewide level of 14.6 percent. This entire purpose would allow service providers to provide the correct lodging and food services for the working poor and unemployed. Some people might not see this drastic need for shelters in the community due to the scarcely proximity of each shelter being so close by one another, as well as the capacity. There is an overflow in shelters which leads to no access, health and safety issues; this can be very dangerous, especially during cold months. This leaves many adults including teens without a place to stay which allows them to serve about 200-300 individuals on any given night. “When calamity was passed it allowed churches and nonprofits to open their doors and welcome individuals for a 12 hour period providing a safe haven for men and women, typically single adult men and women to access shelter,” according to Grant. The demand is urgent for the community to take action and caring for all the people of Springfield.

“Many church faith communities have risen to the challenge to support initiatives to volunteers or open their doors like East Sunshine Church of Christ and Grace United who offered more than 64 nights, and 4,370 bed nights,” Grant stated. Each and every individual can impact and move the direction forward because everything is voluntary based. Since the start of this bill unemployment has went down, but the push for food and housing still stands strong. It starts by continuing the extension of this bill which was graciously passed again. City Council will continue to fight for this until Springfield poverty level falls below the stateline or until March 31, 2021.