var g_txt=[
{t:"To Our Readers",p:2,x:874,y:128,w:148,h:23},
{t:"As you may have noticed, ",p:2,x:873,y:179,w:155,h:14},
{t:"we have changed our format.",p:2,x:863,y:195,w:170,h:14},
{t:"Like everyone else we are tight-",p:2,x:855,y:210,w:186,h:14},
{t:"ening our belts. We trust you will",p:2,x:853,y:226,w:189,h:14},
{t:"find the same quality stories",p:2,x:866,y:242,w:163,h:14},
{t:"inside a little different wrapper.",p:2,x:859,y:258,w:177,h:14},
{t:"We are still dedicated to ",p:2,x:878,y:273,w:144,h:14},
{t:"bringing you stories of insight",p:2,x:863,y:289,w:170,h:14},
{t:"and entertainment, focusing ",p:2,x:867,y:305,w:165,h:14},
{t:"on the local people and ",p:2,x:880,y:320,w:140,h:14},
{t:"issues and events that make",p:2,x:865,y:336,w:166,h:14},
{t:"“Both Sides of the Bridge” ",p:2,x:873,y:352,w:155,h:14},
{t:"country the great place it is. ",p:2,x:867,y:367,w:165,h:14},
{t:"We know you will still enjoy",p:2,x:869,y:383,w:159,h:14},
{t:"reading the publication and we",p:2,x:859,y:399,w:178,h:14},
{t:"appreciate your support.",p:2,x:877,y:414,w:141,h:14},
{t:"Publishers",p:2,x:923,y:568,w:50,h:14},
{t:"Earl and Colette Stresak",p:2,x:890,y:583,w:117,h:14},
{t:"Editorial. . . . . . . . . .  . .  . . Earl Stresak",p:2,x:851,y:615,w:191,h:14},
{t:"Advertising & ",p:2,x:851,y:630,w:66,h:14},
{t:"Creative Design. . . . . . .Colette Stresak   ",p:2,x:851,y:646,w:200,h:14},
{t:"Contributing ",p:2,x:851,y:662,w:60,h:14},
{t:"Writer. .. . . . . Josephine Cozean Styron",p:2,x:851,y:677,w:191,h:14},
{t:"Contributing ",p:2,x:851,y:693,w:60,h:14},
{t:"Photographer .. . . . . . . . Nicole Stresak",p:2,x:851,y:710,w:190,h:14},
{t:"Both Sides of the Bridge",p:2,x:879,y:777,w:138,h:16},
{t:"P.O. Box 1573 ~ Hollister, MO 65673",p:2,x:869,y:794,w:158,h:13},
{t:"(417) 263-0355",p:2,x:915,y:809,w:66,h:13},
{t:"editorial@bothsidesofthebridge.com ~",p:2,x:867,y:823,w:162,h:13},
{t:"sales@bothsidesofthebridge.com",p:2,x:877,y:837,w:142,h:13},
{t:"COPYRIGHT 2009, All Rights Reserved",p:2,x:872,y:853,w:152,h:11},
{t:"Vol. 3  -  Issue 2",p:2,x:917,y:867,w:62,h:11},
{t:"Page 2 Both Sides of the Bridge April 2009",p:2,x:107,y:1029,w:270,h:19},
{t:"Letters to the editor are welcome.",p:2,x:881,y:977,w:134,h:14},
{t:"You can e-mail us at ",p:2,x:907,y:992,w:86,h:14},
{t:"editorial@bothsidesofthebridge.com. ",p:2,x:876,y:1007,w:146,h:14},
{t:"Table of Contents",p:3,x:122,y:108,w:562,h:73},
{t:"Taney County’s Kevin Tweedy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .",p:3,x:121,y:208,w:480,h:17},
{t:"4",p:3,x:648,y:208,w:8,h:17},
{t:"Michael Maples, A Life-Changing Awakening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .",p:3,x:121,y:227,w:496,h:17},
{t:"8",p:3,x:648,y:227,w:8,h:17},
{t:"Air & Military Museum of the Ozarks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ",p:3,x:121,y:246,w:480,h:17},
{t:"10",p:3,x:639,y:246,w:17,h:17},
{t:"SPECIALFEATURE",p:3,x:182,y:293,w:217,h:26},
{t:"Looking Both Ways Before Crossing the East-West Corridor . . . . .",p:3,x:121,y:335,w:495,h:17},
{t:"12",p:3,x:639,y:335,w:17,h:17},
{t:"Presiding Commissioner Pennel - Why He Voted No. . . . . . . . . . . ",p:3,x:121,y:354,w:487,h:17},
{t:"14",p:3,x:639,y:354,w:17,h:17},
{t:"Eastern Commissioner Strahan - Had Some Wakeful Nights . . . . .",p:3,x:121,y:372,w:489,h:17},
{t:"16",p:3,x:638,y:372,w:17,h:17},
{t:"Community Response . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .",p:3,x:121,y:391,w:468,h:17},
{t:".",p:3,x:596,y:391,w:4,h:17},
{t:"18",p:3,x:639,y:391,w:17,h:17},
{t:"Western Commissioner Strafuss - Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .",p:3,x:121,y:410,w:475,h:17},
{t:"19",p:3,x:639,y:410,w:17,h:17},
{t:"Cost of Road Construction Per Mile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .",p:3,x:121,y:429,w:481,h:17},
{t:"20",p:3,x:639,y:429,w:17,h:17},
{t:"Pat Lambert - New Accolades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ",p:3,x:121,y:467,w:491,h:17},
{t:"22",p:3,x:639,y:467,w:17,h:17},
{t:"A Beacon of Hope - Taney County Women’s Crisis Center . . . . . .",p:3,x:121,y:485,w:484,h:17},
{t:"24",p:3,x:639,y:485,w:17,h:17},
{t:"The Show Must Go On,  Photo Essay  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .",p:3,x:121,y:504,w:488,h:17},
{t:"27",p:3,x:639,y:504,w:17,h:17},
{t:"Donna Marie Seim Book Benefits Children’s Charity . . . . . . . . . . .",p:3,x:121,y:523,w:487,h:17},
{t:"30",p:3,x:639,y:523,w:17,h:17},
{t:"R",p:3,x:752,y:336,w:-8,h:27},
{t:"Runnnin g",p:3,x:752,y:255,w:-10,h:108},
{t:"g",p:3,x:736,y:255,w:4,h:27},
{t:"T",p:3,x:751,y:228,w:8,h:27},
{t:"Tow",p:3,x:751,y:206,w:31,h:49},
{t:"wa",p:3,x:771,y:194,w:23,h:39},
{t:"ar",p:3,x:784,y:188,w:21,h:34},
{t:"rd",p:3,x:797,y:185,w:23,h:30},
{t:"ds",p:3,x:808,y:181,w:24,h:31},
{t:"s",p:3,x:822,y:181,w:10,h:27},
{t:"S Sp",p:3,x:849,y:155,w:14,h:39},
{t:"pri",p:3,x:859,y:130,w:8,h:52},
{t:"in",p:3,x:867,y:121,w:3,h:35},
{t:"ng",p:3,x:868,y:107,w:2,h:42},
{t:"g",p:3,x:870,y:107,w:0,h:27},
{t:"By Earl Stresak",p:4,x:115,y:851,w:91,h:16},
{t:"Working inside a small cloud of fiberglass",p:4,x:130,y:868,w:248,h:16},
{t:"dust, Kevin Tweedy’s youthful illusion about a",p:4,x:107,y:886,w:274,h:16},
{t:"glamorous life seemed to be grinding away before",p:4,x:107,y:903,w:295,h:16},
{t:"his eyes. ",p:4,x:107,y:921,w:54,h:16},
{t:"“They put me to work grinding Corvettes,” he",p:4,x:123,y:938,w:271,h:16},
{t:"said. “In the 70’s and 80’s you could see a seam",p:4,x:107,y:956,w:282,h:16},
{t:"in the Corvettes. People that had money, would",p:4,x:107,y:973,w:278,h:16},
{t:"bring them right in, right off the showroom floor,",p:4,x:107,y:991,w:289,h:16},
{t:"to have that seam ground out of them… then have",p:4,x:107,y:1008,w:295,h:16},
{t:"it filled-in so you couldn't see it. So, they put me",p:4,x:428,y:852,w:287,h:16},
{t:"to work grinding fiberglass. I hated doing that",p:4,x:428,y:869,w:270,h:16},
{t:"because I wanted to be a painter.”",p:4,x:428,y:887,w:198,h:16},
{t:"After graduating from high school in Ava,",p:4,x:451,y:904,w:246,h:16},
{t:"Mo., Tweedy had enrolled in a technical school",p:4,x:428,y:922,w:278,h:16},
{t:"located in Laramie, Wyo. He liked flashy exotic",p:4,x:428,y:939,w:281,h:16},
{t:"cars, and the school offered a great course for",p:4,x:428,y:957,w:268,h:16},
{t:"learning auto body work, including custom paint-",p:4,x:428,y:974,w:290,h:16},
{t:"ing. Raised on a farm, Tweedy had never owned",p:4,x:428,y:992,w:284,h:16},
{t:"any flashy exotic cars, but becoming a big star in",p:4,x:428,y:1009,w:288,h:16},
{t:"the world of custom auto painting looked like the",p:4,x:750,y:852,w:290,h:16},
{t:"ideal road to getting one, or two - or who knew",p:4,x:750,y:869,w:278,h:16},
{t:"how many hot looking custom cars for himself.",p:4,x:750,y:887,w:278,h:16},
{t:"There also seemed another sure-fire job benefit of",p:4,x:750,y:904,w:293,h:16},
{t:"the trade. Driving around town in a hot, eye-pop-",p:4,x:750,y:922,w:289,h:16},
{t:"ping, custom-painted car was bound to attract",p:4,x:750,y:939,w:268,h:16},
{t:"scores good looking girls.",p:4,x:750,y:957,w:151,h:16},
{t:"But now, watching his grinder turn fiberglass",p:4,x:770,y:974,w:265,h:16},
{t:"into tiny dust particles disappearing into the auto",p:4,x:750,y:992,w:287,h:16},
{t:"shop air, Tweedy wondered if maybe his dreams",p:4,x:750,y:1009,w:283,h:16},
{t:"Taney County’s",p:4,x:152,y:133,w:223,h:33},
{t:"Kevin Tweedy",p:4,x:152,y:164,w:338,h:54},
{t:"Page 4 Both Sides of the Bridge April 2009",p:4,x:107,y:1028,w:270,h:19},
{t:"had detoured down the wrong road. ",p:5,x:107,y:103,w:212,h:16},
{t:"“I was going to make a big living just driving",p:5,x:127,y:121,w:268,h:16},
{t:"around in nice-looking cars and -- well you know",p:5,x:107,y:138,w:291,h:16},
{t:"how that dream goes,” Tweedy said grinning.",p:5,x:107,y:156,w:266,h:16},
{t:"Reality did not match the dream. ",p:5,x:107,y:173,w:196,h:16},
{t:"“You’d go home and just itch,” he said. “You",p:5,x:127,y:191,w:266,h:16},
{t:"would look across the shop and see fiberglass just",p:5,x:107,y:208,w:293,h:16},
{t:"floating. I remember I wore a mask much of the",p:5,x:107,y:226,w:282,h:16},
{t:"time, but it wasn't a requirement. I thought - this",p:5,x:107,y:243,w:284,h:16},
{t:"can’t be good for you.”",p:5,x:107,y:261,w:136,h:16},
{t:"Then, one day through the miasma of fiber-",p:5,x:126,y:278,w:256,h:16},
{t:"glass dust appeared a vision of",p:5,x:107,y:296,w:180,h:16},
{t:"reality appeared that would",p:5,x:107,y:313,w:160,h:16},
{t:"change Tweedy’s life forever ",p:5,x:107,y:331,w:174,h:16},
{t:"- a wrecked ambulance. ",p:5,x:107,y:348,w:143,h:16},
{t:"“I was repairing it and was",p:5,x:127,y:366,w:158,h:16},
{t:"fascinated by the ambulance,”",p:5,x:107,y:383,w:176,h:16},
{t:"Tweedy said. When a para-",p:5,x:107,y:401,w:159,h:16},
{t:"medic came in to retrieve the",p:5,x:107,y:418,w:171,h:16},
{t:"finished vehicle Tweedy struck",p:5,x:107,y:435,w:182,h:16},
{t:"up a conversation with him.",p:5,x:107,y:453,w:163,h:16},
{t:"“There were only three or",p:5,x:131,y:470,w:151,h:16},
{t:"four paramedics in the City of",p:5,x:107,y:488,w:177,h:16},
{t:"Springfield at the time then,”",p:5,x:107,y:505,w:171,h:16},
{t:"Tweedy said.",p:5,x:107,y:523,w:77,h:16},
{t:"“You know we need",p:5,x:127,y:540,w:118,h:16},
{t:"EMT's,” the guy said. “You",p:5,x:107,y:558,w:162,h:16},
{t:"could go to EMT class and I’d",p:5,x:107,y:575,w:179,h:16},
{t:"put you to work right away.”",p:5,x:107,y:593,w:169,h:16},
{t:"Tweedy had been a life-",p:5,x:126,y:610,w:141,h:16},
{t:"guard while in high school and",p:5,x:107,y:628,w:181,h:16},
{t:"something inside him was",p:5,x:107,y:645,w:152,h:16},
{t:"attracted to the idea of becom-",p:5,x:107,y:663,w:179,h:16},
{t:"ing a saver of lives. He took the paramedic’s",p:5,x:107,y:680,w:262,h:16},
{t:"advice and enrolled into a regimen of EMT class-",p:5,x:107,y:698,w:291,h:16},
{t:"es. Auto body repair’s loss would eventually",p:5,x:107,y:715,w:261,h:16},
{t:"become a positive gain for emergency and rescue",p:5,x:107,y:733,w:289,h:16},
{t:"services in Taney County. Working with area",p:5,x:107,y:750,w:263,h:16},
{t:"peers, Tweedy’s future work would help nurture,",p:5,x:428,y:103,w:285,h:16},
{t:"expand and improve modern day EMS services to",p:5,x:428,y:121,w:293,h:16},
{t:"county residents. ",p:5,x:428,y:138,w:103,h:16},
{t:"First, though, Tweedy would have to pay his",p:5,x:448,y:156,w:261,h:16},
{t:"dues to learn his job. As might be expected there",p:5,x:428,y:173,w:286,h:16},
{t:"were some bumps in the road.",p:5,x:428,y:191,w:176,h:16},
{t:"HERE'S AN AMBULANCE, HERE'S  AMAP",p:5,x:430,y:208,w:291,h:16},
{t:"Tweedy grew up on his parent’s dairy farm",p:5,x:452,y:226,w:252,h:16},
{t:"near Ava, Mo. The family had moved moved",p:5,x:428,y:243,w:263,h:16},
{t:"from Cottage Grove, Ore., to Missouri when",p:5,x:428,y:261,w:261,h:16},
{t:"Kevin was in the fifth grade. He went through the",p:5,x:428,y:278,w:292,h:16},
{t:"Ava public school system",p:5,x:428,y:680,w:150,h:16},
{t:"“I didn't think I’d miss it,” Tweedy said of",p:5,x:452,y:698,w:249,h:16},
{t:"farm life, “but it’s something you miss after a",p:5,x:428,y:715,w:267,h:16},
{t:"while.”.",p:5,x:428,y:733,w:46,h:16},
{t:"After completing EMT training in Springfield,",p:5,x:447,y:750,w:272,h:16},
{t:"Tweedy sought out the paramedic who had",p:5,x:750,y:103,w:252,h:16},
{t:"encouraged him to take the classes.",p:5,x:750,y:121,w:207,h:16},
{t:"“I went over there and the guy hired me right",p:5,x:770,y:138,w:266,h:16},
{t:"off the bat,” Tweedy said. The ambulance compa-",p:5,x:750,y:156,w:292,h:16},
{t:"ny served the City of  Springfield. “I had passed",p:5,x:750,y:173,w:284,h:16},
{t:"(EMT training), had my license, but had no expe-",p:5,x:750,y:191,w:291,h:16},
{t:"rience. ",p:5,x:750,y:208,w:42,h:16},
{t:"The 1980’s had just begun and Tweedy",p:5,x:769,y:226,w:229,h:16},
{t:"remembers the company not having an orientation",p:5,x:750,y:243,w:295,h:16},
{t:"program for new hires.",p:5,x:750,y:261,w:134,h:16},
{t:"“Here's the ambulance, here's your partner,",p:5,x:766,y:278,w:252,h:16},
{t:"here's a map, you need to learn",p:5,x:846,y:296,w:182,h:16},
{t:"it,” Tweedy recalled of his first",p:5,x:846,y:313,w:182,h:16},
{t:"day. “I was there maybe 30 or 40",p:5,x:846,y:331,w:194,h:16},
{t:"minutes and we had a car",p:5,x:846,y:348,w:149,h:16},
{t:"wreck.”",p:5,x:846,y:366,w:45,h:16},
{t:"Not only was it Tweedy’s first",p:5,x:866,y:383,w:177,h:16},
{t:"emergency run, but the farm kid",p:5,x:846,y:401,w:189,h:16},
{t:"from Ava still felt out of his ele-",p:5,x:846,y:418,w:189,h:16},
{t:"ment inside a busy city. The acci-",p:5,x:846,y:435,w:197,h:16},
{t:"dent site was at the intersection",p:5,x:846,y:453,w:184,h:16},
{t:"of Sunshine and Glenstone.",p:5,x:846,y:470,w:161,h:16},
{t:"“I remember shaking so hard,",p:5,x:866,y:488,w:174,h:16},
{t:"I didn't know what I was doing,”",p:5,x:846,y:505,w:192,h:16},
{t:"Tweedy said. “I was lucky to be",p:5,x:846,y:523,w:188,h:16},
{t:"able to take a blood pressure.”",p:5,x:846,y:540,w:178,h:16},
{t:"A few months later, he and a",p:5,x:846,y:558,w:168,h:16},
{t:"partner were called to a cardiac",p:5,x:846,y:575,w:184,h:16},
{t:"arrest. The run meant crossing",p:5,x:846,y:593,w:178,h:16},
{t:"Division St., into north",p:5,x:846,y:610,w:134,h:16},
{t:"Springfield, a territory normally",p:5,x:846,y:628,w:188,h:16},
{t:"covered by another ambulance",p:5,x:846,y:645,w:179,h:16},
{t:"service.",p:5,x:846,y:663,w:44,h:16},
{t:"Already feeling anxious about responding to",p:5,x:769,y:680,w:261,h:16},
{t:"his first cardiac arrest run, Tweedy found himself",p:5,x:750,y:698,w:289,h:16},
{t:"driving on unfamiliar streets. Trying to get to a",p:5,x:750,y:715,w:276,h:16},
{t:"hospital while carrying the body of a man who",p:5,x:750,y:733,w:274,h:16},
{t:"had expired from the heart attack, Tweedy drove",p:5,x:750,y:750,w:285,h:16},
{t:"Page 5 Both Sides of the Bridge April 2009",p:5,x:769,y:1027,w:270,h:19},
{t:"down a dead end street. His partner began",p:6,x:118,y:103,w:246,h:16},
{t:"screaming at him. The episode rattled Tweedy",p:6,x:118,y:121,w:270,h:16},
{t:"and took a while to get over.",p:6,x:118,y:138,w:167,h:16},
{t:"BETTER ORIENTATION",p:6,x:118,y:156,w:166,h:16},
{t:"Tweedy was recruited by a private ambu-",p:6,x:138,y:173,w:243,h:16},
{t:"lance service run by a husband and wife team",p:6,x:118,y:191,w:268,h:16},
{t:"who had been his EMT instructors. The compa-",p:6,x:118,y:208,w:280,h:16},
{t:"ny covered Ozark and Douglas Counties plus",p:6,x:118,y:226,w:266,h:16},
{t:"West Plains. Thankfully, their company had an",p:6,x:118,y:243,w:274,h:16},
{t:"orientation and continuing training program",p:6,x:118,y:261,w:257,h:16},
{t:"which Tweedy credits nuturing his on-the-job",p:6,x:118,y:278,w:267,h:16},
{t:"skills. After working their he was offered a job",p:6,x:118,y:296,w:274,h:16},
{t:"in Taney County and worked out of Forsyth. ",p:6,x:118,y:313,w:265,h:16},
{t:"“I worked six days on for $600 a-month,”",p:6,x:138,y:331,w:246,h:16},
{t:"Tweedy said. “After six days, I got three days",p:6,x:118,y:348,w:268,h:16},
{t:"off.”  On his duty days, Tweedy either lived at",p:6,x:118,y:366,w:272,h:16},
{t:"the station, or in quarters near where the old jail",p:6,x:118,y:383,w:282,h:16},
{t:"stood. After a year or so, Tweedy went to para-",p:6,x:118,y:401,w:276,h:16},
{t:"medic school, graduated and kept working in",p:6,x:118,y:418,w:264,h:16},
{t:"Forsyth. The   city had two",p:6,x:428,y:103,w:159,h:16},
{t:"paramedics then, himself and",p:6,x:428,y:121,w:171,h:16},
{t:"another man. He worked in",p:6,x:428,y:138,w:160,h:16},
{t:"Forsyth for five years.",p:6,x:428,y:156,w:130,h:16},
{t:"“During those five years,",p:6,x:448,y:173,w:147,h:16},
{t:"I was also on the fire and",p:6,x:428,y:191,w:148,h:16},
{t:"also the sheriff's department.",p:6,x:428,y:208,w:168,h:16},
{t:"Fire was the Forsyth-",p:6,x:428,y:226,w:125,h:16},
{t:"Taneyville Fire Department",p:6,x:428,y:243,w:161,h:16},
{t:"at that time,” Tweedy said.",p:6,x:428,y:261,w:157,h:16},
{t:"He and the then fire depart-",p:6,x:428,y:278,w:162,h:16},
{t:"ment chief worked to form",p:6,x:428,y:296,w:157,h:16},
{t:"what is now the Central",p:6,x:428,y:313,w:139,h:16},
{t:"Taney County Fire District. ",p:6,x:428,y:331,w:165,h:16},
{t:"“We had no money,”",p:6,x:448,y:348,w:121,h:16},
{t:"Tweedy said. “We’d do chili",p:6,x:428,y:366,w:167,h:16},
{t:"supers and anything we could",p:6,x:428,y:383,w:174,h:16},
{t:"to raise money, so going to a",p:6,x:428,y:401,w:169,h:16},
{t:"district was best for us. The",p:6,x:428,y:418,w:162,h:16},
{t:"only thing was,  it",p:6,x:497,y:435,w:106,h:16},
{t:"was controversial",p:6,x:497,y:453,w:102,h:16},
{t:"move.  A lot of the older firemen did-",p:6,x:497,y:470,w:221,h:16},
{t:"n’t want to do it, but we worked hard",p:6,x:497,y:488,w:219,h:16},
{t:"and got it on the ballot and it passed.”",p:6,x:497,y:505,w:223,h:16},
{t:"After the Central Taney County",p:6,x:522,y:523,w:185,h:16},
{t:"Fire District was formed, Tweedy",p:6,x:497,y:540,w:197,h:16},
{t:"became the assistant fire chief. He",p:6,x:497,y:558,w:201,h:16},
{t:"served in that position for two years.",p:6,x:497,y:575,w:215,h:16},
{t:"When the chief left, Tweedy took over",p:6,x:497,y:593,w:226,h:16},
{t:"as fire chief.",p:6,x:497,y:610,w:73,h:16},
{t:"“We didn't have many fires,”",p:6,x:517,y:628,w:170,h:16},
{t:"Tweedy said, “so after completing his",p:6,x:497,y:645,w:221,h:16},
{t:"law enforcement training, if I didn’t",p:6,x:497,y:663,w:211,h:16},
{t:"have any fire stuff to do, I would",p:6,x:497,y:680,w:194,h:16},
{t:"work at the sheriff's department on",p:6,x:497,y:698,w:204,h:16},
{t:"my three days off. I did that for ten",p:6,x:497,y:715,w:206,h:16},
{t:"years, on a part-time basis.” ",p:6,x:497,y:733,w:168,h:16},
{t:"Tweedy said all those jobs weren't",p:6,x:516,y:750,w:201,h:16},
{t:"as hectic a work day as it might",p:6,x:497,y:768,w:186,h:16},
{t:"imply.",p:6,x:497,y:785,w:36,h:16},
{t:"“I remember six day periods when",p:6,x:517,y:803,w:202,h:16},
{t:"we wouldn't have an (ambulance) run",p:6,x:497,y:820,w:220,h:16},
{t:"at all,” he said. “I think maybe we",p:6,x:497,y:838,w:201,h:16},
{t:"averaged four to six runs, in a six day",p:6,x:497,y:855,w:221,h:16},
{t:"period.”",p:6,x:497,y:873,w:47,h:16},
{t:"LIFE STARTED CHANGING",p:6,x:497,y:890,w:190,h:16},
{t:"When a paramedic position",p:6,x:522,y:908,w:160,h:16},
{t:"opened up in Branson, Tweedy trans-",p:6,x:497,y:925,w:219,h:16},
{t:"fered there, but continued his fire and",p:6,x:497,y:942,w:221,h:16},
{t:"police work.",p:6,x:497,y:960,w:73,h:16},
{t:"The move to Branson to work as a",p:6,x:516,y:977,w:202,h:16},
{t:"paramedic was an exciting one for",p:6,x:497,y:995,w:202,h:16},
{t:"Page 6 Both Sides of the Bridge April 2009",p:6,x:107,y:1029,w:270,h:19},
{t:"Tweedy. “It was one of my goals to go to",p:6,x:750,y:465,w:242,h:16},
{t:"Branson. They got all the calls.” he said. “I had",p:6,x:750,y:482,w:278,h:16},
{t:"dreamed about running hot down the two lane",p:6,x:750,y:500,w:270,h:16},
{t:"strip with all the lights around.  I was young,",p:6,x:750,y:517,w:264,h:16},
{t:"what can I say? When I got there, life got a little",p:6,x:750,y:535,w:285,h:16},
{t:"busier for me.” ",p:6,x:750,y:552,w:92,h:16},
{t:"The runs increased and Tweedy was able to do",p:6,x:769,y:569,w:274,h:16},
{t:"more paramedic work. Apart from those increased",p:6,x:750,y:587,w:294,h:16},
{t:"runs, Tweedy’s personal life also changed dramat-",p:6,x:750,y:604,w:294,h:16},
{t:"Page 7 Both Sides of the Bridge April 2009",p:7,x:773,y:1024,w:270,h:19},
{t:"ically. He met his wife-to-be, formerly Robin",p:7,x:107,y:103,w:265,h:16},
{t:"Johnson, whose family are longtime residents of",p:7,x:107,y:121,w:284,h:16},
{t:"Taneyville. Not only would they eventually marry",p:7,x:107,y:138,w:293,h:16},
{t:"and have a child, but they would make ambulance",p:7,x:107,y:156,w:294,h:16},
{t:"runs together. Robin’s EMS creditionals rival his",p:7,x:107,y:173,w:286,h:16},
{t:"own. The couple have one son, Kurt.",p:7,x:107,y:191,w:216,h:16},
{t:"“When you get a girlfriend, things change,”",p:7,x:127,y:208,w:257,h:16},
{t:"Tweedy said.  Eventually, he stopped his work",p:7,x:107,y:226,w:272,h:16},
{t:"with the fire district, and resigned his commission",p:7,x:107,y:243,w:293,h:16},
{t:"with the sheriff’s department.  Marriage and fami-",p:7,x:107,y:261,w:295,h:16},
{t:"ly caused Tweedy to worry about their financial",p:7,x:107,y:278,w:280,h:16},
{t:"well being.  During his off-duty time, he worked",p:7,x:107,y:296,w:285,h:16},
{t:"as a paramedic for St. John’s in Springfield. “All",p:7,x:107,y:313,w:286,h:16},
{t:"the medics in the area were doing that, then,” he",p:7,x:107,y:331,w:284,h:16},
{t:"said. “There was a shortage of paramedics in",p:7,x:107,y:348,w:263,h:16},
{t:"Springfield. You'd go up to work a shift and",p:7,x:107,y:366,w:258,h:16},
{t:"you’d find yourself working with another medic",p:7,x:107,y:383,w:283,h:16},
{t:"from Ava, or some other town from around the",p:7,x:107,y:401,w:274,h:16},
{t:"area. He also became an air-evac flight medic,",p:7,x:107,y:418,w:272,h:16},
{t:"working in helicopters out of Springfield.",p:7,x:107,y:435,w:243,h:16},
{t:"Money was tight then, and Tweedy consid-",p:7,x:131,y:453,w:253,h:16},
{t:"ered studying nursing.  “I was making around",p:7,x:107,y:470,w:268,h:16},
{t:"five or six dollars an hour,” he said. “Even as a",p:7,x:107,y:488,w:277,h:16},
{t:"flight medic, I think I was making eight or nine,",p:7,x:107,y:505,w:282,h:16},
{t:"so I considered going to nursing school.”",p:7,x:107,y:523,w:241,h:16},
{t:"For a while he took nursing courses, but",p:7,x:127,y:540,w:236,h:16},
{t:"decided to stick with what he does best. Things",p:7,x:107,y:558,w:278,h:16},
{t:"got better. Tweedy became a paramedic field",p:7,x:107,y:575,w:262,h:16},
{t:"supervisor. Public recognition of EMS changed",p:7,x:428,y:102,w:277,h:16},
{t:"for the better. ",p:7,x:428,y:119,w:82,h:16},
{t:"In Taney County, he reverted again to his tire-",p:7,x:448,y:137,w:270,h:16},
{t:"less style of service to community. Tweedy",p:7,x:428,y:154,w:252,h:16},
{t:"helped organize the county’s first rescue unit that",p:7,x:428,y:172,w:289,h:16},
{t:"was equipped with the Jaws of Life for vehicle",p:7,x:428,y:189,w:275,h:16},
{t:"extrication, then a water rescue unit. In 1990, the",p:7,x:428,y:207,w:288,h:16},
{t:"rescue unit lost a member, David Straub, during a",p:7,x:428,y:224,w:291,h:16},
{t:"mountain side a rope rescue. Tweedy and long-",p:7,x:428,y:242,w:277,h:16},
{t:"time area firefighter and past Western Taney",p:7,x:428,y:259,w:260,h:16},
{t:"County Fire District Asst. Chief Dana Aumiller",p:7,x:428,y:277,w:277,h:16},
{t:"(also a rescue unit founder)  were there on the",p:7,x:428,y:294,w:270,h:16},
{t:"day of the tragedy. A framed memorial commem-",p:7,x:428,y:312,w:290,h:16},
{t:"orating Straub's passing, hangs on Tweedy’s",p:7,x:428,y:329,w:258,h:16},
{t:"office wall.",p:7,x:428,y:347,w:66,h:16},
{t:"Today, Tweedy carries the title of  EMT-P,",p:7,x:448,y:364,w:248,h:16},
{t:"CCEMT, Operations Manager, Taney",p:7,x:428,y:382,w:218,h:16},
{t:"County Ambulance District, shouldering a",p:7,x:428,y:399,w:247,h:16},
{t:"plethora of responsibilities that can range",p:7,x:428,y:417,w:242,h:16},
{t:"from  personnel, vehicle, or equipment",p:7,x:428,y:434,w:228,h:16},
{t:"issues to county-wide disaster prepared-",p:7,x:428,y:452,w:235,h:16},
{t:"ness. The district has its own mobile dis-",p:7,x:428,y:469,w:240,h:16},
{t:"aster command center.  The district has 63",p:7,x:428,y:487,w:248,h:16},
{t:"employees, including paramedics, EMT's,",p:7,x:428,y:504,w:245,h:16},
{t:"dispatchers and office staff and over 20",p:7,x:428,y:522,w:231,h:16},
{t:"part time employees. There is 24 hour dis-",p:7,x:428,y:539,w:249,h:16},
{t:"patch. In 2009 the district handled 9000",p:7,x:428,y:557,w:234,h:16},
{t:"calls. In this post 911, TCAD drills for",p:7,x:428,y:574,w:227,h:16},
{t:"photos by Nicole Stresak",p:7,x:477,y:1015,w:145,h:14},
{t:"disaster, preparedness and maintains equipment",p:7,x:750,y:103,w:278,h:16},
{t:"and supplies to handle mass disasters. ",p:7,x:750,y:121,w:225,h:16},
{t:"Last year, Tweedy was elected as Taney",p:7,x:770,y:138,w:234,h:16},
{t:"County Coroner after serving as interim coroner",p:7,x:750,y:156,w:282,h:16},
{t:"following the death of Randall Vest in a tractor",p:7,x:750,y:173,w:276,h:16},
{t:"accident.",p:7,x:750,y:191,w:52,h:16},
{t:"He remains committed to EMS and communi-",p:7,x:770,y:208,w:271,h:16},
{t:"ty preparedness. In 2005, he experienced the real-",p:7,x:750,y:226,w:292,h:16},
{t:"ity of mass disaster first-hand. It impressed upon",p:7,x:750,y:243,w:286,h:16},
{t:"him the need for effective inter-agency communi-",p:7,x:750,y:261,w:292,h:16},
{t:"cation and logistics.Tweedy was part of an EMS",p:7,x:750,y:278,w:283,h:16},
{t:"team sent to New Orleans, shortly after Hurricane",p:7,x:750,y:296,w:293,h:16},
{t:"Katrina devastated the area, and worked at triage",p:7,x:750,y:313,w:287,h:16},
{t:"areas in Houston and other locations. ",p:7,x:750,y:331,w:221,h:16},
{t:"Tweedy as Taney County Coroner",p:7,x:114,y:1015,w:210,h:14},
{t:"MICHAEL",p:8,x:97,y:69,w:249,h:190},
{t:"MAPLES",p:8,x:410,y:69,w:228,h:190},
{t:"Five years ago, at the age of 18, Michael Maples had discovered",p:8,x:705,y:94,w:346,h:14},
{t:"his dream job - or so he thought at the time.  He had worked hard to",p:8,x:687,y:110,w:367,h:14},
{t:"get there.  Through extraordinary, disciplined effort as a teenager,",p:8,x:687,y:126,w:352,h:14},
{t:"Maples had jump started his young life. ",p:8,x:687,y:142,w:217,h:14},
{t:"While still in high school, Maples attended college full-time.",p:8,x:709,y:158,w:327,h:14},
{t:"At high school graduation time, he was only 12 credits shy of",p:8,x:687,y:174,w:331,h:14},
{t:"obtaining his associates degree.  He completed those  twelve credits",p:8,x:687,y:190,w:365,h:14},
{t:"while working full time  in the news department at KSPR-TV in",p:8,x:687,y:206,w:346,h:14},
{t:"Springfield.  He had chosen live broadcast production as his career",p:8,x:687,y:222,w:359,h:14},
{t:"of choice, and while many of his peers would spend  the next few",p:8,x:687,y:238,w:353,h:14},
{t:"years preparing for a career, Maples was working  professionally in",p:8,x:687,y:254,w:363,h:14},
{t:"his.",p:8,x:687,y:270,w:18,h:14},
{t:"Then, things got even better.  By the summer of that year,",p:8,x:705,y:286,w:310,h:14},
{t:"Maples was working for Metro Sports/Time Warner in live broad-",p:8,x:687,y:302,w:354,h:14},
{t:"cast for Kansas City Royals baseball games.  Sports was an excel-",p:8,x:687,y:318,w:356,h:14},
{t:"lent match for him. Maples loved sports. He had lettered in football,",p:8,x:687,y:334,w:366,h:14},
{t:"basketball and baseball at Fair Grove High School.  He was a natu-",p:8,x:687,y:350,w:362,h:14},
{t:"ral athlete, along the way even trying a little rodeo bull riding. The",p:8,x:687,y:366,w:359,h:14},
{t:"broadcast job seemed a dream come true, but two months into the",p:8,x:687,y:382,w:353,h:14},
{t:"work, Maples had an epiphany. ",p:8,x:687,y:398,w:171,h:14},
{t:"During a commercial break, sitting in the production van with",p:8,x:705,y:414,w:333,h:14},
{t:"his co-workers - it hit him.  Maples looked around the van.  His co-",p:8,x:687,y:430,w:363,h:14},
{t:"workers were all 15 to 25 years older than him. They all smoked,",p:8,x:687,y:446,w:351,h:14},
{t:"drank, and caroused.  Since they followed the team on the road,",p:8,x:687,y:462,w:342,h:14},
{t:"they were never home. They gulped down fast food, never exer-",p:8,x:687,y:478,w:345,h:14},
{t:"cised, and were overweight. ",p:8,x:687,y:494,w:153,h:14},
{t:"“I don't really want to live like that,” Maples thought to himself.",p:8,x:705,y:510,w:346,h:14},
{t:"He realized then that if he remained in that job, his daily existence",p:8,x:687,y:526,w:357,h:14},
{t:"would be a constant uphill fight to not turn out the same way as his",p:8,x:687,y:542,w:362,h:14},
{t:"co-workers.  Although competitive by nature,  Maples reasoned that",p:8,x:687,y:558,w:365,h:14},
{t:"it was one fight he had no desire to compete in. A quality life",p:8,x:687,y:574,w:329,h:14},
{t:"should not be that hard, he reasoned.  He believed his energy could",p:8,x:687,y:590,w:361,h:14},
{t:"be better spent elsewhere. ",p:8,x:687,y:606,w:142,h:14},
{t:"So, he asked himself the question, “What is the exact opposite?”",p:8,x:705,y:622,w:346,h:14},
{t:"The answer did not come to him then, but he knew he had to find",p:8,x:687,y:638,w:352,h:14},
{t:"out. Maples immediately quit his job to begin his quest. But where",p:8,x:687,y:654,w:358,h:14},
{t:"to begin? Maples had a cousin who lived in California. He knew the",p:8,x:687,y:670,w:367,h:14},
{t:"relative would let him live there while he tried to sort things out in",p:8,x:687,y:686,w:358,h:14},
{t:"his mind, find the answer to the question that was gnawing at him.",p:8,x:687,y:702,w:358,h:14},
{t:"Maples purchased a round-trip airline ticket to California and",p:8,x:709,y:718,w:330,h:14},
{t:"began his quest. Over a twelve week period on the West Coast,",p:8,x:687,y:734,w:338,h:14},
{t:"Maples began another course of serious study - this time not in a",p:8,x:687,y:750,w:348,h:14},
{t:"formal educational institution, but on the streets of real life. With a",p:8,x:687,y:766,w:359,h:14},
{t:"notebook in hand, Maples would sit in one spot for hours watching",p:8,x:687,y:782,w:360,h:14},
{t:"people. Studying people proved to be an enlightening experience.",p:8,x:687,y:798,w:351,h:14},
{t:"Maples recalled one such experience while driving his cousin’s",p:8,x:705,y:814,w:339,h:14},
{t:"jeep on Father’s Day. He saw a man in a track suit walking down",p:8,x:687,y:830,w:351,h:14},
{t:"the road.  A few hours later, farther down the road, he saw the same",p:8,x:687,y:846,w:364,h:14},
{t:"man, still walking.  Maples stopped and asked him if he needed a",p:8,x:687,y:862,w:352,h:14},
{t:"ride. The man accepted the kind gesture.  While riding,  they struck",p:8,x:687,y:878,w:363,h:14},
{t:"up a conversation.  The man was trying to get to his uncle’s for a",p:8,x:687,y:894,w:349,h:14},
{t:"visit. The man’s father was dead,  and the uncle was very special",p:8,x:687,y:910,w:348,h:14},
{t:"him. So, making the trip on Father’s Day was important to him.",p:8,x:687,y:926,w:342,h:14},
{t:"Maples stopped and took his passenger to get a bite to eat, and",p:8,x:687,y:942,w:336,h:14},
{t:"while chatting further, the man confided that his life had become a",p:8,x:687,y:958,w:357,h:14},
{t:"rough road of travail.  He had made a lot of mistakes in his life, he",p:8,x:687,y:974,w:359,h:14},
{t:"said. One thing had lead to another. The reason he was walking was",p:8,x:687,y:990,w:365,h:14},
{t:"because his car had just been impounded. He was carrying a stack",p:8,x:687,y:1006,w:355,h:14},
{t:"A Life-Changing A",p:8,x:102,y:238,w:211,h:26},
{t:"wakening",p:8,x:333,y:238,w:109,h:26},
{t:"Page 8 Both Sides of the Bridge April 2009",p:8,x:100,y:1039,w:275,h:19},
{t:"health  -  confidence  -  vitality  -  wisdom  -  inner-peace",p:9,x:1045,y:984,w:0,h:33},
{t:"of citations. Despite it all, the man said",p:9,x:318,y:94,w:210,h:14},
{t:"he was trying to get his life back on track.",p:9,x:318,y:110,w:226,h:14},
{t:"The man said his uncle lived over by the",p:9,x:318,y:126,w:218,h:14},
{t:"Walgreen’s across town, so after eating",p:9,x:318,y:142,w:210,h:14},
{t:"Maples drove the man there. The",p:9,x:318,y:158,w:177,h:14},
{t:"Walgreen’s was situated in a densely com-",p:9,x:318,y:174,w:228,h:14},
{t:"mercial area, and Maples recalls that there",p:9,x:318,y:190,w:227,h:14},
{t:"were no residential homes in sight.",p:9,x:318,y:206,w:187,h:14},
{t:"“Where is your uncle's house?” Maples",p:9,x:337,y:222,w:211,h:14},
{t:"asked",p:9,x:318,y:238,w:30,h:14},
{t:"“Oh, he doesn't have a house,” the man",p:9,x:337,y:254,w:211,h:14},
{t:"replied, “He lives on this corner here”.",p:9,x:318,y:270,w:207,h:14},
{t:"Sure enough, there was his uncle, liv-",p:9,x:337,y:286,w:202,h:14},
{t:"ing on the street. Maples still recalls the",p:9,x:318,y:302,w:214,h:14},
{t:"joy with which the nephew and uncle",p:9,x:318,y:318,w:201,h:14},
{t:"greeted each other that day. They sat",p:9,x:318,y:334,w:196,h:14},
{t:"down, right on the curb, and started catch-",p:9,x:318,y:350,w:227,h:14},
{t:"ing up on old times, just like any other",p:9,x:318,y:366,w:208,h:14},
{t:"family.",p:9,x:318,y:382,w:37,h:14},
{t:"The experience of that day touched",p:9,x:340,y:398,w:189,h:14},
{t:"Maples deeply. “Nobody is different, we are all the same,” he said.  “We may look",p:9,x:97,y:414,w:444,h:14},
{t:"different, have cultural differences, but outside of time and culture, people are peo-",p:9,x:97,y:430,w:446,h:14},
{t:"ple. Once you understand that, you can relate to anybody. We are all born with the",p:9,x:97,y:446,w:442,h:14},
{t:"ability to love. Everyone responds to kindness, or hatred, regardless of where they",p:9,x:97,y:462,w:442,h:14},
{t:"come from.”",p:9,x:97,y:478,w:67,h:14},
{t:"That June day in California,",p:9,x:119,y:494,w:150,h:14},
{t:"watching two homeless men with",p:9,x:97,y:510,w:179,h:14},
{t:"no worldly possessions or even a",p:9,x:97,y:526,w:177,h:14},
{t:"roof over their heads, share a deep",p:9,x:97,y:542,w:185,h:14},
{t:"camaraderie and love, became a",p:9,x:97,y:558,w:171,h:14},
{t:"second epiphany in Maples’young",p:9,x:97,y:574,w:186,h:14},
{t:"life. ",p:9,x:97,y:590,w:24,h:14},
{t:"“The only thing that separates",p:9,x:115,y:606,w:161,h:14},
{t:"us is what we are taught,” Maples",p:9,x:97,y:622,w:182,h:14},
{t:"said. “We are raised with certain",p:9,x:97,y:638,w:174,h:14},
{t:"traditions and political beliefs,  but",p:9,x:97,y:654,w:187,h:14},
{t:"we all have a choice and all of our",p:9,x:97,y:670,w:185,h:14},
{t:"choices come down to two",p:9,x:97,y:686,w:143,h:14},
{t:"options.  We can choose to love or hate at any time no matter what situation we are",p:9,x:97,y:702,w:447,h:14},
{t:"in. We can choose to have a positive attitude or a negative one.”",p:9,x:97,y:718,w:344,h:14},
{t:"After twelve weeks in California, Maples felt ready to return home. He knew",p:9,x:122,y:734,w:415,h:14},
{t:"what he wanted to do. He wanted to take his perspectives on life and",p:9,x:97,y:750,w:370,h:14},
{t:"teach them to others while using the gifts god had given him - his",p:9,x:97,y:766,w:353,h:14},
{t:"athletic ability,  to make a positive impact on as many people as he",p:9,x:97,y:782,w:360,h:14},
{t:"could.",p:9,x:97,y:798,w:32,h:14},
{t:"MAPLES TRAINING CO. PHILOSOPHY",p:9,x:97,y:814,w:232,h:14},
{t:"Maples said he is fortunate to have the benefit of a family that",p:9,x:115,y:830,w:335,h:14},
{t:"has always been supportive. His father always told him, “Anything",p:9,x:97,y:846,w:360,h:14},
{t:"your hand finds to, do it with all your strength”.",p:9,x:97,y:862,w:258,h:14},
{t:"Maples’ father worked long nights in a factory. Striving to better his",p:9,x:97,y:878,w:365,h:14},
{t:"family's life,  he went back to school when Maples’ was 10-years-",p:9,x:97,y:894,w:355,h:14},
{t:"old. He obtained a degree and left behind the factory work. His",p:9,x:97,y:910,w:340,h:14},
{t:"father presently works as a network administrator at Cox Health",p:9,x:97,y:926,w:344,h:14},
{t:"Center. Like father like son, they both understand the importance of",p:9,x:97,y:942,w:364,h:14},
{t:"quality of life. ",p:9,x:97,y:958,w:80,h:14},
{t:"His mother worked equally hard at home, raising their family .",p:9,x:119,y:974,w:337,h:14},
{t:"Maples’ parents passed along their work ethic.",p:9,x:97,y:990,w:249,h:14},
{t:"“For me, fitness is just a tool, my gift, if you will. It’s what I",p:9,x:115,y:1006,w:326,h:14},
{t:"have to present to the world. What I",p:9,x:812,y:94,w:193,h:14},
{t:"was created to do.” Maples said.",p:9,x:812,y:110,w:174,h:14},
{t:"In January, 2007, at the age of 21, he",p:9,x:816,y:126,w:199,h:14},
{t:"founded Maples Training Co., locat-",p:9,x:812,y:142,w:195,h:14},
{t:"ed in the Factory Merchants Mall in",p:9,x:812,y:158,w:193,h:14},
{t:"Branson.",p:9,x:812,y:174,w:47,h:14},
{t:"The deep personal philosophy that",p:9,x:827,y:190,w:185,h:14},
{t:"evolved from his past quest strongly",p:9,x:812,y:206,w:195,h:14},
{t:"influences his approach to personal",p:9,x:812,y:222,w:189,h:14},
{t:"training and a healthy psychological",p:9,x:812,y:238,w:194,h:14},
{t:"outlook.",p:9,x:812,y:254,w:44,h:14},
{t:"Maples found that many people",p:9,x:831,y:270,w:170,h:14},
{t:"think that if they look good, they’ll",p:9,x:812,y:286,w:189,h:14},
{t:"feel good. ",p:9,x:812,y:302,w:57,h:14},
{t:"“That concept is backwards,” he",p:9,x:831,y:318,w:174,h:14},
{t:"said. ",p:9,x:812,y:334,w:28,h:14},
{t:"Maples believes that, first and",p:9,x:834,y:350,w:161,h:14},
{t:"foremost, that if you feel good about",p:9,x:812,y:366,w:197,h:14},
{t:"yourself, you’ll want to take better",p:9,x:812,y:382,w:186,h:14},
{t:"care of yourself.  By feeling good",p:9,x:812,y:398,w:181,h:14},
{t:"about yourself, you will have more",p:9,x:812,y:414,w:188,h:14},
{t:"energy, you’ll be in a positive frame of mind, and be excited about taking a posi-",p:9,x:575,y:430,w:435,h:14},
{t:"tive step to make and keep yourself fit. Once you start to become fit, you will",p:9,x:575,y:446,w:417,h:14},
{t:"indeed feel better about yourself.  It's an uphill cycle.",p:9,x:575,y:462,w:286,h:14},
{t:"“People who think, if they",p:9,x:589,y:478,w:141,h:14},
{t:"look good, they’ll feel good,",p:9,x:575,y:494,w:153,h:14},
{t:"usually want to know what is",p:9,x:575,y:510,w:157,h:14},
{t:"the least effort I can put into",p:9,x:575,y:526,w:152,h:14},
{t:"this and get results,” Maples",p:9,x:575,y:542,w:152,h:14},
{t:"said. “How many cookies can",p:9,x:575,y:558,w:160,h:14},
{t:"I eat, and still lose weight? If",p:9,x:575,y:574,w:157,h:14},
{t:"you feel good about yourself",p:9,x:575,y:590,w:154,h:14},
{t:"first, your entire attitude",p:9,x:575,y:606,w:130,h:14},
{t:"about fitness is different. You",p:9,x:575,y:622,w:158,h:14},
{t:"go into it from a positive",p:9,x:575,y:638,w:133,h:14},
{t:"place, instead of a negative",p:9,x:575,y:654,w:146,h:14},
{t:"one. Anything done with a",p:9,x:575,y:670,w:142,h:14},
{t:"positive attitude is going to achieve much greater results.”",p:9,x:575,y:686,w:312,h:14},
{t:"Maples’ goal is to help people feel good about themselves by spreading his",p:9,x:589,y:702,w:403,h:14},
{t:"message of positive attitude. Even the most out-of-shape person doesn't feel out",p:9,x:575,y:718,w:428,h:14},
{t:"of place at Maples Training Co.",p:9,x:575,y:734,w:170,h:14},
{t:"Why Maples “Training” instead of Maples “Gym”?  “I",p:9,x:699,y:750,w:294,h:14},
{t:"would like there to be a lot more going on here than just",p:9,x:685,y:766,w:303,h:14},
{t:"physical fitness. My goal is to grow this business to help",p:9,x:685,y:782,w:305,h:14},
{t:"people achieve total fitness; mental, emotional, spiritual, and",p:9,x:685,y:798,w:326,h:14},
{t:"physical.”",p:9,x:685,y:814,w:53,h:14},
{t:"Maples Training Co., current variety of activities is",p:9,x:703,y:830,w:275,h:14},
{t:"impressive. From yoga to weight training, cage fighting, to",p:9,x:685,y:846,w:317,h:14},
{t:"indoor batting cages. They offer state-of-the-art treadmills",p:9,x:685,y:862,w:312,h:14},
{t:"with built-in televisions, and Zumba classes- a fun, new",p:9,x:685,y:878,w:300,h:14},
{t:"exercise combining hip-shaking Latin dance moves with",p:9,x:685,y:894,w:303,h:14},
{t:"high-energy aerobics.",p:9,x:685,y:910,w:115,h:14},
{t:"Maples also has integrated Branson Fight Club and",p:9,x:703,y:926,w:275,h:14},
{t:"Midwest Dance Revolution, as part of the Maples Training",p:9,x:685,y:942,w:316,h:14},
{t:"Team.",p:9,x:685,y:958,w:32,h:14},
{t:"For more information, Maples Training Co. can be reached",p:9,x:696,y:974,w:317,h:14},
{t:"at 417-239-1199.",p:9,x:685,y:990,w:91,h:14},
{t:"Page 9 Both Sides of the Bridge April 2009",p:9,x:774,y:1039,w:275,h:19},
{t:"In the winter of 1945, as the air",p:10,x:876,y:352,w:178,h:15},
{t:"war raged over France, a lone P-",p:10,x:857,y:369,w:184,h:15},
{t:"51D mustang, returning from a",p:10,x:857,y:386,w:175,h:15},
{t:"reconnaissance mission, was lost",p:10,x:857,y:402,w:185,h:15},
{t:"near the village of Longueville",p:10,x:857,y:419,w:174,h:15},
{t:"France. The P-51D had developed",p:10,x:857,y:436,w:192,h:15},
{t:"an unknown mechanical problem",p:10,x:857,y:453,w:187,h:15},
{t:"causing the loss of the pilot,",p:10,x:857,y:470,w:158,h:15},
{t:"Lieutenant William Patton and his",p:10,x:857,y:486,w:192,h:15},
{t:"aircraft.",p:10,x:857,y:503,w:43,h:15},
{t:"For 56 years, Lieutenant Patton",p:10,x:876,y:520,w:177,h:15},
{t:"and his plane were lost to history.",p:10,x:857,y:537,w:189,h:15},
{t:"On January 15 2001 lieutenant",p:10,x:857,y:554,w:173,h:15},
{t:"Patton’s air craft was accidentally",p:10,x:857,y:570,w:190,h:15},
{t:"discovered submerged in a bog",p:10,x:857,y:587,w:175,h:15},
{t:"near the village of Longueville.",p:10,x:857,y:604,w:177,h:15},
{t:"The remains of the air craft was",p:10,x:857,y:621,w:180,h:15},
{t:"removed from the bog and dis-",p:10,x:857,y:638,w:174,h:15},
{t:"played in the museum of Fort",p:10,x:857,y:654,w:167,h:15},
{t:"Leveau in France. Due to the",p:10,x:857,y:671,w:164,h:15},
{t:"unique properties of this bog,",p:10,x:857,y:688,w:165,h:15},
{t:"Lieutenant Patton and his air craft",p:10,x:857,y:705,w:191,h:15},
{t:"were well preserved, allowing the",p:10,x:857,y:722,w:190,h:15},
{t:"lieutenant to finally be properly",p:10,x:857,y:738,w:178,h:15},
{t:"interred in the Springfield",p:10,x:857,y:755,w:146,h:15},
{t:"National Cemetery.",p:10,x:857,y:772,w:109,h:15},
{t:"The Air & Military Museum of",p:10,x:875,y:789,w:176,h:15},
{t:"the Ozarks  houses an impressive",p:10,x:857,y:806,w:187,h:15},
{t:"display of recovered parts of this",p:10,x:857,y:822,w:185,h:15},
{t:"aircraft along with other memora-",p:10,x:857,y:839,w:191,h:15},
{t:"bilia.     ",p:10,x:857,y:856,w:47,h:15},
{t:"At the Air and Military",p:10,x:875,y:873,w:130,h:15},
{t:"Museum of the Ozarks, their mis-",p:10,x:857,y:890,w:190,h:15},
{t:"sion is the restoration, preserva-",p:10,x:857,y:906,w:180,h:15},
{t:"tion and display of military history",p:10,x:857,y:923,w:196,h:15},
{t:"and memorabilia for the education",p:10,x:857,y:940,w:194,h:15},
{t:"of our patrons. The museum is",p:10,x:857,y:957,w:172,h:15},
{t:"dedicated to all of the brave men",p:10,x:857,y:974,w:185,h:15},
{t:"and women who fought and died",p:10,x:857,y:990,w:185,h:15},
{t:"in the Armed Forces to preserve",p:10,x:857,y:1007,w:180,h:15},
{t:"America's freedoms. ",p:10,x:857,y:1024,w:119,h:15},
{t:"Offering free",p:10,x:860,y:93,w:163,h:32},
{t:"admission, ",p:10,x:860,y:129,w:148,h:32},
{t:"the Air &",p:10,x:860,y:165,w:112,h:32},
{t:"Military",p:10,x:860,y:201,w:92,h:32},
{t:"Museum of",p:10,x:860,y:237,w:145,h:32},
{t:"the Ozarks ",p:10,x:860,y:273,w:151,h:32},
{t:"welcomes all",p:10,x:860,y:309,w:168,h:32},
{t:"Page 10  Both Sides of the Bridge April 2009",p:10,x:97,y:1039,w:287,h:19},
{t:"Possessing the largest military",p:11,x:608,y:105,w:170,h:15},
{t:"library in the midwest, the Air &",p:11,x:589,y:122,w:185,h:15},
{t:"Military Museum is a valuable",p:11,x:589,y:138,w:173,h:15},
{t:"resource available to anyone with a",p:11,x:589,y:155,w:199,h:15},
{t:"desire to learn.",p:11,x:589,y:172,w:83,h:15},
{t:"The Air & Military Museum, in",p:11,x:589,y:189,w:178,h:15},
{t:"coordination with MSU and the",p:11,x:589,y:206,w:178,h:15},
{t:"Library of Congress also participate",p:11,x:589,y:222,w:202,h:15},
{t:"in the Veterans History Project. ",p:11,x:589,y:239,w:180,h:15},
{t:"Admission to the museum is",p:11,x:607,y:256,w:160,h:15},
{t:"always free, but donations are",p:11,x:589,y:273,w:168,h:15},
{t:"accepted.",p:11,x:589,y:290,w:52,h:15},
{t:"Since being established in 1989, growth has been steady and they've acquired",p:11,x:116,y:439,w:437,h:15},
{t:"over 5,000 pieces of military history. Projects include vintage aircraft shows at",p:11,x:97,y:456,w:444,h:15},
{t:"the Springfield/Branson Regional Airport, restoration of vintage military equip-",p:11,x:97,y:473,w:448,h:15},
{t:"ment and Museum School - a program of true history and science for young stu-",p:11,x:97,y:490,w:454,h:15},
{t:"dents.",p:11,x:97,y:507,w:33,h:15},
{t:"By providing a “hands on” environ-",p:11,x:120,y:523,w:202,h:15},
{t:"ment, they can learn about the variety",p:11,x:97,y:540,w:213,h:15},
{t:"of war paraphernalia on display in the",p:11,x:97,y:557,w:214,h:15},
{t:"“Field Trip” program. The dual purpose",p:11,x:97,y:574,w:224,h:15},
{t:"of this program is to enlighten and edu-",p:11,x:97,y:591,w:223,h:15},
{t:"cate students about the history of wars",p:11,x:97,y:607,w:216,h:15},
{t:"that were fought to preserve our free-",p:11,x:97,y:826,w:211,h:15},
{t:"doms, and second, to stimulate students",p:11,x:97,y:843,w:223,h:15},
{t:"interest in fiscal science. Subjects are",p:11,x:97,y:859,w:210,h:15},
{t:"electricity and magnetism, light, and",p:11,x:97,y:876,w:205,h:15},
{t:"lightning.",p:11,x:97,y:893,w:54,h:15},
{t:"Museum volunteers provide stu-",p:11,x:116,y:910,w:182,h:15},
{t:"dents an historical tour of America’s",p:11,x:97,y:927,w:205,h:15},
{t:"involvement in WWII, by providing",p:11,x:97,y:943,w:203,h:15},
{t:"lectures and demonstrations with mem-",p:11,x:97,y:960,w:222,h:15},
{t:"orabilia. Students are given hands-on",p:11,x:97,y:977,w:209,h:15},
{t:"opportunities to operate and learn about",p:11,x:97,y:994,w:224,h:15},
{t:"restored military equipment.",p:11,x:97,y:1011,w:159,h:15},
{t:"Page 11 Both Sides of the Bridge April 2009",p:11,x:770,y:1036,w:282,h:19},
{t:"Air & Military",p:11,x:913,y:334,w:105,h:20},
{t:"Museum of ",p:11,x:913,y:356,w:98,h:20},
{t:"the Ozarks is",p:11,x:913,y:378,w:109,h:20},
{t:"Located at",p:11,x:913,y:401,w:87,h:20},
{t:"2305 E. Kearney",p:11,x:913,y:423,w:140,h:20},
{t:"Springfield. MO",p:11,x:913,y:446,w:128,h:20},
{t:"417-864-7997",p:11,x:913,y:468,w:116,h:20},
{t:"Taney County voters will soon approve or reject funding construction of the so called East-West",p:12,x:131,y:109,w:722,h:17},
{t:"Corridor road by increasing sales tax. The sales tax increase amount would be a 1/4 of a cent",p:12,x:112,y:127,w:700,h:17},
{t:"increase county-wide. The idea for a new road connecting east and west Taney County has been",p:12,x:112,y:146,w:724,h:17},
{t:"around for years. Originally, the idea for funding it was to use money from the county's Road and",p:12,x:112,y:165,w:730,h:17},
{t:"Bridge Fund, share construction costs with the Missouri Department of Transporation (MoDOT), or",p:12,x:112,y:184,w:738,h:17},
{t:"a combination of both. The idea of using a sales tax increase to fund construction of the road is a",p:12,x:112,y:203,w:733,h:17},
{t:"recent one, brought to Taney County Commissioners by Hollister developer, ",p:12,x:112,y:222,w:575,h:17},
{t:"Justin Gage through a citizen group called the Taney County",p:12,x:112,y:240,w:455,h:17},
{t:"Coalition which he heads. ",p:12,x:112,y:259,w:198,h:17},
{t:"Contrary to some local belief,",p:12,x:588,y:507,w:188,h:17},
{t:"the idea of constructing a newer,",p:12,x:567,y:526,w:205,h:17},
{t:"less congested, road to unite",p:12,x:567,y:545,w:178,h:17},
{t:"Eastern and Western Taney County",p:12,x:567,y:564,w:221,h:17},
{t:"did not roll down the conceptual",p:12,x:567,y:583,w:205,h:17},
{t:"highway just this year.  Talk about",p:12,x:567,y:602,w:217,h:17},
{t:"the ideal connecting route has var-",p:12,x:567,y:620,w:218,h:17},
{t:"ied and included ideas such as",p:12,x:567,y:639,w:191,h:17},
{t:"widening East Highway 76, build-",p:12,x:567,y:658,w:217,h:17},
{t:"ing a road to extend to F Highway",p:12,x:567,y:677,w:217,h:17},
{t:"then routing traffic to US Highway",p:12,x:567,y:696,w:221,h:17},
{t:"65. The present favored route is a",p:12,x:567,y:714,w:212,h:17},
{t:"corridor road from the approximate",p:12,x:567,y:733,w:223,h:17},
{t:"location of the Highway 65",p:12,x:567,y:752,w:173,h:17},
{t:"Interchange to J Highway near",p:12,x:567,y:771,w:194,h:17},
{t:"Kirbyville.",p:12,x:567,y:790,w:68,h:17},
{t:"“There has been talk about it for",p:12,x:584,y:809,w:205,h:17},
{t:"maybe 15 years or more,” Eastern",p:12,x:567,y:827,w:215,h:17},
{t:"Taney County Commissioner",p:12,x:567,y:846,w:184,h:17},
{t:"Danny Strahan said. “The idea has",p:12,x:567,y:865,w:218,h:17},
{t:"been around a long  time”.",p:12,x:567,y:884,w:168,h:17},
{t:"It has it been on and off the",p:12,x:588,y:903,w:174,h:17},
{t:"table for years, say officials and",p:12,x:567,y:921,w:201,h:17},
{t:"longtime residents. The original",p:12,x:567,y:940,w:201,h:17},
{t:"motivation for the idea was",p:12,x:567,y:959,w:173,h:17},
{t:"increased safety through a reduc-",p:12,x:567,y:978,w:209,h:17},
{t:"tion of traffic congestion along",p:12,x:567,y:997,w:195,h:17},
{t:"East Highway 76,  not necessarily",p:12,x:802,y:508,w:215,h:17},
{t:"development, although affordable",p:12,x:802,y:527,w:212,h:17},
{t:"housing in the county has been an",p:12,x:802,y:546,w:214,h:17},
{t:"issue particularly as Taney County",p:12,x:802,y:565,w:217,h:17},
{t:"has grown. ",p:12,x:802,y:583,w:73,h:17},
{t:"“People still want to move here,”",p:12,x:823,y:602,w:210,h:17},
{t:"Presiding Commissioner Chuck",p:12,x:802,y:621,w:200,h:17},
{t:"Pennel said recently. “and buildable",p:12,x:802,y:640,w:226,h:17},
{t:"land in Hollister and Branson is get-",p:12,x:802,y:659,w:229,h:17},
{t:"ting tighter.” ",p:12,x:802,y:677,w:83,h:17},
{t:"Still, safety and traffic congestion",p:12,x:823,y:696,w:213,h:17},
{t:"relief have been the primary reason",p:12,x:802,y:715,w:223,h:17},
{t:"for citing the need for a new road.",p:12,x:802,y:734,w:216,h:17},
{t:"Daily commuters coming from",p:12,x:802,y:753,w:194,h:17},
{t:"Eastern Taney County drive past",p:12,x:802,y:772,w:205,h:17},
{t:"Kirbyville schools, and those taking",p:12,x:802,y:790,w:227,h:17},
{t:"Coon Creek down to BB Highway",p:12,x:802,y:809,w:218,h:17},
{t:"pass Hollister schools. Speeding is a",p:12,x:802,y:828,w:230,h:17},
{t:"continued issue and traffic accidents",p:12,x:802,y:847,w:229,h:17},
{t:"along East Highway 76 occur with",p:12,x:802,y:866,w:219,h:17},
{t:"regularity. (BSB requested accident",p:12,x:802,y:884,w:223,h:17},
{t:"information for the highway via a",p:12,x:802,y:903,w:213,h:17},
{t:"Sunshine Law Information request to",p:12,x:802,y:922,w:234,h:17},
{t:"MoDOT. That information is still",p:12,x:802,y:941,w:210,h:17},
{t:"forthcoming, but via a suggestion",p:12,x:802,y:960,w:211,h:17},
{t:"from Branson City Engineer David",p:12,x:802,y:979,w:221,h:17},
{t:"Miller we checked the Missour State",p:12,x:802,y:997,w:232,h:17},
{t:"In this series of stories, Both Sides of the Bridge",p:12,x:167,y:565,w:357,h:17},
{t:"took a look at some viewpoints surrounding the",p:12,x:143,y:583,w:350,h:17},
{t:"issue. Time and space prohibited us from covering as",p:12,x:143,y:602,w:393,h:17},
{t:"many views as we would have liked to. It is our hope",p:12,x:143,y:620,w:386,h:17},
{t:"that local media outlets fill-in information gaps we",p:12,x:143,y:638,w:365,h:17},
{t:"were unable to include. We begin with some summary",p:12,x:143,y:657,w:395,h:17},
{t:"background on how the East-West Corridor evolved.",p:12,x:143,y:675,w:383,h:17},
{t:"County voters will cast their ballots on Tuesday,",p:12,x:167,y:694,w:351,h:17},
{t:"April 7th, 2009. The proposed road is 4.39 miles long,",p:12,x:143,y:712,w:390,h:17},
{t:"from the intersection of Industrial Park Drive and",p:12,x:143,y:730,w:358,h:17},
{t:"Birch, to the Intersection of East Highway 76 and J",p:12,x:143,y:749,w:371,h:17},
{t:"Highway. ",p:12,x:143,y:767,w:70,h:17},
{t:"The project has five intersections: Birch Street and",p:12,x:167,y:785,w:373,h:17},
{t:"US 65, Industrial Park Dr., Maple Street, BB Highway,",p:12,x:143,y:804,w:385,h:17},
{t:"J Highway and East Highway 76. Each of the intersec-",p:12,x:143,y:822,w:394,h:17},
{t:"tions will have either signals installed or be pre-wired",p:12,x:143,y:840,w:391,h:17},
{t:"for signalized intersections. The road would require a",p:12,x:143,y:859,w:391,h:17},
{t:"100 foot right-of-way, two lanes with eight  foot shoul-",p:12,x:143,y:877,w:394,h:17},
{t:"ders, expandable to four lanes in the future. ",p:12,x:143,y:895,w:324,h:17},
{t:"Estimated cost of the project has varied, but is said",p:12,x:157,y:914,w:377,h:17},
{t:"to be $25 million to $30 million  (see page 20). The",p:12,x:143,y:932,w:367,h:17},
{t:"sales tax proposition for the 1/4 cent sales tax would",p:12,x:143,y:950,w:386,h:17},
{t:"be imposed until 2022, or until the road is paid for,",p:12,x:143,y:969,w:369,h:17},
{t:"which ever is earlier.",p:12,x:143,y:987,w:150,h:17},
{t:"Page 12 Both Sides of the Bridge April 2009",p:12,x:107,y:1028,w:277,h:19},
{t:"Special Feature",p:12,x:121,y:316,w:536,h:90},
{t:"Looking both ways before crossing",p:12,x:224,y:403,w:692,h:46},
{t:"the proposed East - West Corridor",p:12,x:280,y:464,w:666,h:46},
{t:"Stories by Earl Stresak",p:12,x:883,y:467,w:133,h:14},
{t:"Highway Patrol website to find a",p:13,x:107,y:103,w:208,h:17},
{t:"report of of a rollover accident",p:13,x:107,y:122,w:193,h:17},
{t:"this last week).",p:13,x:107,y:141,w:95,h:17},
{t:"“I think a new road being a",p:13,x:128,y:160,w:173,h:17},
{t:"safety benefit at the two schools -",p:13,x:107,y:178,w:213,h:17},
{t:"- is a no brainer,” Pennel has",p:13,x:107,y:197,w:182,h:17},
{t:"said. “Even without the safety",p:13,x:107,y:216,w:190,h:17},
{t:"issue, you can just look at the",p:13,x:107,y:235,w:187,h:17},
{t:"volume of traffic.” ",p:13,x:107,y:254,w:121,h:17},
{t:"At the beginning and end of",p:13,x:127,y:272,w:177,h:17},
{t:"the work day, commuters can",p:13,x:107,y:291,w:185,h:17},
{t:"stack up near bumper to bumper",p:13,x:107,y:310,w:204,h:17},
{t:"while  traversing  the Mt.Branson",p:13,x:107,y:329,w:212,h:17},
{t:"area and down around T",p:13,x:107,y:348,w:153,h:17},
{t:"Highway. During peak tourist",p:13,x:107,y:366,w:187,h:17},
{t:"months, the traffic flow increases.",p:13,x:107,y:385,w:214,h:17},
{t:"“When a school bus loaded",p:13,x:128,y:404,w:173,h:17},
{t:"with kids takes 45 minutes to get",p:13,x:107,y:423,w:208,h:17},
{t:"from Snapp's to Branson - ",p:13,x:107,y:442,w:169,h:17},
{t:"citizens deserve better,” Taney",p:13,x:107,y:461,w:192,h:17},
{t:"County Eastern Commissioner",p:13,x:107,y:479,w:193,h:17},
{t:"Danny Strahan said. ",p:13,x:107,y:498,w:131,h:17},
{t:"2006 EAST-WEST",p:13,x:107,y:517,w:125,h:17},
{t:"FEASIBILITYSTUDY",p:13,x:107,y:536,w:157,h:17},
{t:"According to Pennel, the county",p:13,x:114,y:555,w:204,h:17},
{t:"paid $20,000 for a feasibility",p:13,x:107,y:573,w:183,h:17},
{t:"study on the East-West Corridor",p:13,x:107,y:592,w:203,h:17},
{t:"road in 2006 and then had some",p:13,x:107,y:611,w:202,h:17},
{t:"preliminary engineering design",p:13,x:107,y:630,w:196,h:17},
{t:"work done for an additional",p:13,x:107,y:649,w:175,h:17},
{t:"$105,000.",p:13,x:107,y:668,w:62,h:17},
{t:"“We felt it was a good",p:13,x:133,y:686,w:141,h:17},
{t:"enough project, so the county did",p:13,x:107,y:705,w:211,h:17},
{t:"that the engineering,” Pennel said",p:13,x:107,y:724,w:212,h:17},
{t:"a contract with an engineering",p:13,x:107,y:743,w:191,h:17},
{t:"firm was structured in a sort of",p:13,x:107,y:762,w:195,h:17},
{t:"incremental fashion.",p:13,x:107,y:780,w:128,h:17},
{t:"“We set up in the contract",p:13,x:128,y:799,w:163,h:17},
{t:"with EFK Moen Engineering",p:13,x:107,y:818,w:183,h:17},
{t:"that, so at the time, we could",p:13,x:107,y:837,w:182,h:17},
{t:"examine the project and see if we",p:13,x:107,y:856,w:212,h:17},
{t:"wanted to continue. If not, we",p:13,x:107,y:875,w:189,h:17},
{t:"could cut it off,” he said. At the",p:13,x:107,y:893,w:199,h:17},
{t:"time, the county commission was",p:13,x:107,y:912,w:211,h:17},
{t:"entertaining the idea that MoDot",p:13,x:107,y:931,w:206,h:17},
{t:"would cost share on building the",p:13,x:356,y:103,w:206,h:17},
{t:"road.",p:13,x:356,y:122,w:31,h:17},
{t:"At one point in time, com-",p:13,x:377,y:141,w:168,h:17},
{t:"missioners learned MoDOT",p:13,x:356,y:160,w:175,h:17},
{t:"would not be able to cost share",p:13,x:356,y:178,w:196,h:17},
{t:"for the East-West Corridor proj-",p:13,x:356,y:197,w:202,h:17},
{t:"ect. (A call to a MoDOT official",p:13,x:356,y:216,w:204,h:17},
{t:"confirmed that during that time,",p:13,x:356,y:235,w:201,h:17},
{t:"an East-West Corridor project",p:13,x:356,y:254,w:188,h:17},
{t:"through Taney County was, “not",p:13,x:356,y:272,w:205,h:17},
{t:"up there” on the state's project",p:13,x:356,y:291,w:191,h:17},
{t:"priority list). ",p:13,x:356,y:310,w:83,h:17},
{t:"What was up there on the list",p:13,x:373,y:329,w:185,h:17},
{t:"was the Taneycomo Bridge con-",p:13,x:356,y:348,w:203,h:17},
{t:"necting downtown Branson to",p:13,x:356,y:366,w:189,h:17},
{t:"Business 65. Not only was the",p:13,x:356,y:385,w:191,h:17},
{t:"bridge aging and in need of",p:13,x:356,y:404,w:173,h:17},
{t:"repair, but also contributed to",p:13,x:356,y:423,w:186,h:17},
{t:"the daily commuter traffic snafu",p:13,x:356,y:442,w:203,h:17},
{t:"and  is a well know local traffic",p:13,x:356,y:461,w:200,h:17},
{t:"bottleneck.",p:13,x:356,y:479,w:69,h:17},
{t:"Learning that MoDOT cost",p:13,x:378,y:498,w:172,h:17},
{t:"sharing on the East-West",p:13,x:356,y:517,w:157,h:17},
{t:"Corridor project  took some",p:13,x:356,y:536,w:175,h:17},
{t:"wind out that project. Focus on",p:13,x:356,y:555,w:197,h:17},
{t:"the bridge got intense when",p:13,x:356,y:573,w:174,h:17},
{t:"MoDOT talked of closing the",p:13,x:356,y:592,w:186,h:17},
{t:"bridge for one year while con-",p:13,x:356,y:611,w:192,h:17},
{t:"struction went on. Closing the",p:13,x:356,y:630,w:190,h:17},
{t:"Taneycomo Bridge would have",p:13,x:356,y:649,w:197,h:17},
{t:"meant an obvious disruptive",p:13,x:356,y:668,w:178,h:17},
{t:"effect on commuters, and a neg-",p:13,x:356,y:686,w:203,h:17},
{t:"ative impact on businesses along",p:13,x:356,y:705,w:207,h:17},
{t:"Commercial Street in Branson.",p:13,x:356,y:724,w:195,h:17},
{t:"“The public made it very",p:13,x:378,y:743,w:158,h:17},
{t:"clear, we should take action to",p:13,x:356,y:762,w:192,h:17},
{t:"keep that from happening,”",p:13,x:356,y:780,w:172,h:17},
{t:"Pennel said. Commissioners got",p:13,x:356,y:799,w:202,h:17},
{t:"to work on that crucial aspect",p:13,x:356,y:818,w:187,h:17},
{t:"and talk about the East-West",p:13,x:356,y:837,w:180,h:17},
{t:"Corridor went further onto the",p:13,x:356,y:856,w:191,h:17},
{t:"backburner of planning.",p:13,x:356,y:875,w:151,h:17},
{t:"Taneycomo Bridge work ses-",p:13,x:377,y:893,w:185,h:17},
{t:"sions and meetings among the",p:13,x:356,y:912,w:190,h:17},
{t:"commissioners and representa-",p:13,x:356,y:931,w:194,h:17},
{t:"tives of municipal and state",p:13,x:594,y:103,w:174,h:17},
{t:"agencies transpired. Debates",p:13,x:594,y:122,w:179,h:17},
{t:"went on involving the usual sus-",p:13,x:594,y:141,w:205,h:17},
{t:"pects that get haggled about dur-",p:13,x:594,y:160,w:207,h:17},
{t:"ing that a large construction",p:13,x:594,y:178,w:176,h:17},
{t:"project - traffic flow, use of a",p:13,x:594,y:197,w:185,h:17},
{t:"round-about or traffic light in the",p:13,x:594,y:216,w:209,h:17},
{t:"design, who should pay, and",p:13,x:594,y:235,w:179,h:17},
{t:"how much. ",p:13,x:594,y:254,w:74,h:17},
{t:"In the end, the old  bridge",p:13,x:616,y:272,w:163,h:17},
{t:"would be kept open whenever",p:13,x:594,y:291,w:189,h:17},
{t:"construction would begin on a",p:13,x:594,y:310,w:191,h:17},
{t:"new bridge.",p:13,x:594,y:329,w:74,h:17},
{t:"Very recent good news",p:13,x:615,y:348,w:144,h:17},
{t:"crossed the bridge debates when",p:13,x:594,y:366,w:204,h:17},
{t:"MoDOT announced in March,",p:13,x:594,y:385,w:191,h:17},
{t:"2009, it will receive federal",p:13,x:594,y:404,w:174,h:17},
{t:"stimulus money allowing the",p:13,x:594,y:423,w:182,h:17},
{t:"agency  to proceed with con-",p:13,x:594,y:442,w:183,h:17},
{t:"struction projects on their priori-",p:13,x:594,y:461,w:206,h:17},
{t:"ty list. The Taneycomo Bridge",p:13,x:594,y:479,w:191,h:17},
{t:"project is on that list. A call to",p:13,x:594,y:498,w:190,h:17},
{t:"the City of Branson’s engineer",p:13,x:594,y:517,w:193,h:17},
{t:"confirmed that MoDOT will",p:13,x:594,y:536,w:179,h:17},
{t:"indeed move forward with the",p:13,x:594,y:555,w:190,h:17},
{t:"project with a starting date",p:13,x:594,y:573,w:168,h:17},
{t:"planned for this year.",p:13,x:594,y:592,w:133,h:17},
{t:"EAST- WESTCORRIDOR",p:13,x:594,y:611,w:190,h:17},
{t:"PROPOSALRETURNS",p:13,x:594,y:630,w:163,h:17},
{t:"During the end of 2008, the",p:13,x:616,y:649,w:175,h:17},
{t:"Taney County Coalition headed",p:13,x:594,y:668,w:199,h:17},
{t:"by Hollister developer Justin",p:13,x:594,y:686,w:181,h:17},
{t:"Gage began reviving the idea of",p:13,x:594,y:705,w:202,h:17},
{t:"the East-West Corridor through a",p:13,x:594,y:724,w:209,h:17},
{t:"series of public town hall type",p:13,x:594,y:743,w:191,h:17},
{t:"meetings. Gage bundled a pro-",p:13,x:594,y:762,w:194,h:17},
{t:"posal to build the East-West",p:13,x:594,y:780,w:177,h:17},
{t:"Corridor road with a plan to con-",p:13,x:594,y:799,w:209,h:17},
{t:"struct a multi-use event center",p:13,x:594,y:818,w:190,h:17},
{t:"that would be used to bring in",p:13,x:594,y:837,w:189,h:17},
{t:"entertainment venues and sport-",p:13,x:594,y:856,w:201,h:17},
{t:"ing events. The center would",p:13,x:594,y:875,w:182,h:17},
{t:"include an ice rink and would be",p:13,x:594,y:893,w:207,h:17},
{t:"built on land near one end of the",p:13,x:594,y:912,w:206,h:17},
{t:"proposed East-West Corridor.",p:13,x:594,y:931,w:186,h:17},
{t:"Page 13 Both Sides of the Bridge April 2009",p:13,x:767,y:1028,w:277,h:19},
{t:"The Coalition held public infor-",p:13,x:837,y:103,w:201,h:17},
{t:"mation meetings about the two",p:13,x:837,y:122,w:194,h:17},
{t:"projects in 2008 and into 2009.",p:13,x:837,y:141,w:197,h:17},
{t:"Gage rallied county residents at",p:13,x:837,y:160,w:200,h:17},
{t:"the meetings to call or e-mail",p:13,x:837,y:178,w:185,h:17},
{t:"their county commissioner ask-",p:13,x:837,y:197,w:198,h:17},
{t:"ing that a 1/4 cent sales tax",p:13,x:837,y:216,w:172,h:17},
{t:"increase measure be placed on",p:13,x:837,y:235,w:192,h:17},
{t:"the April ballot used to fund the",p:13,x:837,y:254,w:201,h:17},
{t:"East-West Corridor Road and",p:13,x:837,y:272,w:185,h:17},
{t:"the event center. Gage and",p:13,x:837,y:291,w:167,h:17},
{t:"Taney County Coalition circu-",p:13,x:837,y:310,w:192,h:17},
{t:"lated information indicating the",p:13,x:837,y:329,w:199,h:17},
{t:"road and the event center will",p:13,x:837,y:348,w:187,h:17},
{t:"mean easier commutes, jobs and",p:13,x:837,y:366,w:204,h:17},
{t:"improved county infrastructure. ",p:13,x:837,y:385,w:204,h:17},
{t:"After that, the three Taney",p:13,x:858,y:404,w:166,h:17},
{t:"County commissioners received",p:13,x:837,y:423,w:201,h:17},
{t:"hundreds of calls asking that the",p:13,x:837,y:442,w:204,h:17},
{t:"measure be placed on the county",p:13,x:837,y:461,w:207,h:17},
{t:"ballot. Commissioners set Jan.,",p:13,x:837,y:479,w:196,h:17},
{t:"20, 2009, for a meeting on the",p:13,x:837,y:498,w:191,h:17},
{t:"issue, which would include pub-",p:13,x:837,y:517,w:204,h:17},
{t:"lic comment.  At the meeting,",p:13,x:837,y:536,w:187,h:17},
{t:"commissioners unbundled",p:13,x:837,y:555,w:164,h:17},
{t:"Gage’s request. Each agreed",p:13,x:837,y:573,w:178,h:17},
{t:"they did not have enough infor-",p:13,x:837,y:592,w:200,h:17},
{t:"mation to make any kind of",p:13,x:837,y:611,w:174,h:17},
{t:"decision on the events center.",p:13,x:837,y:630,w:185,h:17},
{t:"That issue was tabled for some",p:13,x:837,y:649,w:195,h:17},
{t:"later date. A vote from the three",p:13,x:837,y:668,w:201,h:17},
{t:"member County Board turned",p:13,x:837,y:686,w:188,h:17},
{t:"up a 2 to l vote in favor of plac-",p:13,x:837,y:705,w:202,h:17},
{t:"ing the sales tax increase ques-",p:13,x:837,y:724,w:195,h:17},
{t:"tion to fund the East-West",p:13,x:837,y:743,w:164,h:17},
{t:"Corridor on the the April 7th",p:13,x:837,y:762,w:181,h:17},
{t:"ballot. According to Pennel, if",p:13,x:837,y:780,w:190,h:17},
{t:"the measure passes, construction",p:13,x:837,y:799,w:205,h:17},
{t:"for East-West corridor would go",p:13,x:837,y:818,w:204,h:17},
{t:"out for public bid. ",p:13,x:837,y:837,w:118,h:17},
{t:"Read how and why each",p:13,x:859,y:854,w:153,h:17},
{t:"Taney County Commissioner",p:13,x:837,y:871,w:181,h:17},
{t:"voted on placing the sales tax",p:13,x:837,y:888,w:187,h:17},
{t:"question on the ballot, and ",p:13,x:837,y:905,w:173,h:17},
{t:"continue on through our series",p:13,x:837,y:922,w:194,h:17},
{t:"of stories.",p:13,x:837,y:939,w:62,h:17},
{t:"Page 14 Both Sides of the Bridge April 2009",p:14,x:107,y:1029,w:277,h:19},
{t:"Taney County Presiding Commissioner Chuck Pennel has lots of",p:14,x:126,y:268,w:375,h:15},
{t:"questions about the East-West Corridor that he would like answered",p:14,x:107,y:285,w:393,h:15},
{t:"somewhere down the road. One driving question in his mind is why",p:14,x:107,y:302,w:393,h:15},
{t:"the county has not used its own Transportation Advisory Board to",p:14,x:107,y:320,w:381,h:15},
{t:"study the road proposal.  ",p:14,x:107,y:337,w:147,h:15},
{t:"Pennel was the lone “no” vote on the three Commissioner Board,",p:14,x:126,y:354,w:378,h:15},
{t:"opposing placing a measure on the April ballot asking voters to",p:14,x:107,y:371,w:366,h:15},
{t:"approve a 1/4  cent county-wide sales tax increase to fund construction",p:14,x:107,y:389,w:411,h:15},
{t:"of the road. ",p:14,x:107,y:406,w:70,h:15},
{t:"Nonetheless, it may surprise some to know that Pennel is not",p:14,x:126,y:423,w:353,h:15},
{t:"opposed to building the road - basically he is for it. ",p:14,x:107,y:440,w:300,h:15},
{t:"“It looks to be a good project,” he said. “But, I feel there are a lot",p:14,x:130,y:458,w:380,h:15},
{t:"Commissioner Chuck Pennel nixed the ballot vote",p:14,x:107,y:139,w:697,h:34},
{t:"but not his support of East-West Corridor road",p:14,x:174,y:176,w:645,h:34},
{t:"of questions we should answer first. The informa-",p:14,x:535,y:267,w:288,h:15},
{t:"tion that we have been given needs to be con-",p:14,x:535,y:284,w:265,h:15},
{t:"firmed.”",p:14,x:535,y:301,w:48,h:15},
{t:"Recently, that information has come from ",p:14,x:555,y:318,w:245,h:15},
{t:"the Taney County Coalition headed by ",p:14,x:535,y:336,w:226,h:15},
{t:"Hollister developer Justin Gage who has ",p:14,x:535,y:353,w:238,h:15},
{t:"lobbied the commission to place the sales ",p:14,x:535,y:370,w:244,h:15},
{t:"tax question on the ballot. Pennel said he ",p:14,x:535,y:387,w:242,h:15},
{t:"does not feel comfortable knowing the push ",p:14,x:535,y:405,w:258,h:15},
{t:"comes from a private developer.",p:14,x:535,y:422,w:186,h:15},
{t:"“It would have been so much better if ",p:14,x:555,y:439,w:223,h:15},
{t:"we hadn't been pushed into this,” Pennel ",p:14,x:535,y:456,w:239,h:15},
{t:"said. He would like the county to use its ",p:14,x:535,y:474,w:237,h:15},
{t:"Trans-portation Advisory Board, established ",p:14,x:535,y:491,w:260,h:15},
{t:"a year ago but not yet convened, to thoroughly ",p:14,x:535,y:508,w:274,h:15},
{t:"research the corridor road proposal.",p:14,x:535,y:525,w:206,h:15},
{t:"“I would like them to look at all of the county",p:14,x:555,y:543,w:267,h:15},
{t:"and determine what priorities we ought to look at,”",p:14,x:535,y:560,w:296,h:15},
{t:"Pennel said. “We have not done that, yet we are",p:14,x:535,y:577,w:277,h:15},
{t:"taking off on a project without a plan. I feel that",p:14,x:535,y:594,w:279,h:15},
{t:"East-West probably is top priority - if not, awfully",p:14,x:535,y:612,w:291,h:15},
{t:"close to the top. ",p:14,x:535,y:629,w:96,h:15},
{t:"“If  I was looking to vote on this sales tax, if I",p:14,x:555,y:646,w:268,h:15},
{t:"knew our county had looked at the whole county",p:14,x:535,y:663,w:283,h:15},
{t:"and people that don’t stand to benefit in anyway",p:14,x:535,y:681,w:279,h:15},
{t:"said ‘this would be the best way to spend money",p:14,x:535,y:698,w:282,h:15},
{t:"on a major project - man, I’d vote a whole lot",p:14,x:535,y:715,w:265,h:15},
{t:"quicker than I would knowing that this has all",p:14,x:535,y:732,w:266,h:15},
{t:"been initiated by a developer who - likely or not -",p:14,x:535,y:750,w:288,h:15},
{t:"is going to benefit. To some extent it’s self-serv-",p:14,x:535,y:767,w:280,h:15},
{t:"ing. We’ve allowed the developer, the special",p:14,x:535,y:784,w:262,h:15},
{t:"interest group, you might say, to lead and direct us",p:14,x:535,y:801,w:293,h:15},
{t:"into a rush.",p:14,x:535,y:819,w:64,h:15},
{t:"“I’m not against developers in any way, shape",p:14,x:555,y:836,w:267,h:15},
{t:"or form,” Pennel said. “We need the developer to",p:14,x:535,y:853,w:285,h:15},
{t:"grow, but we need to work together rather than",p:14,x:535,y:870,w:272,h:15},
{t:"push each other. We have a Transportation",p:14,x:535,y:888,w:245,h:15},
{t:"Advisory Board all set-up that hasn't gotten to",p:14,x:535,y:905,w:267,h:15},
{t:"meet yet.”",p:14,x:535,y:922,w:59,h:15},
{t:"Pennel believes the county should have a well",p:14,x:555,y:939,w:267,h:15},
{t:"thought-out master plan for road development. ",p:14,x:535,y:957,w:274,h:15},
{t:"He said that the County Commission has talked to",p:14,x:535,y:974,w:291,h:15},
{t:"their engineer about doing that. He would also like",p:14,x:535,y:991,w:294,h:15},
{t:"to see all current and past data about the East-West",p:14,x:535,y:1008,w:295,h:15},
{t:"Page 15 Both Sides of the Bridge April 2009",p:15,x:767,y:1028,w:277,h:19},
{t:"Corridor gathered into one report source, including",p:15,x:108,y:103,w:295,h:15},
{t:"a review of the EFK Moen study initiated by the",p:15,x:108,y:121,w:281,h:15},
{t:"county some two years ago. He would like to see all",p:15,x:108,y:138,w:303,h:15},
{t:"the data floating around examined and rechecked to",p:15,x:108,y:155,w:299,h:15},
{t:"assure accuracy.",p:15,x:108,y:172,w:93,h:15},
{t:"CAR COUNTQUESTIONS",p:15,x:108,y:207,w:174,h:15},
{t:"One of the examples Pennel cites is data predict-",p:15,x:128,y:224,w:283,h:15},
{t:"ing car counts expected along East-West Corridor.  ",p:15,x:108,y:241,w:298,h:15},
{t:"“They say that the day the corridor road would",p:15,x:128,y:259,w:271,h:15},
{t:"open there would be 7,000 to 9,000 cars a day on",p:15,x:108,y:276,w:286,h:15},
{t:"it,” Pennel said. “I don't know where that originat-",p:15,x:108,y:293,w:292,h:15},
{t:"ed. I know that MoDOT (Missouri Department of",p:15,x:108,y:310,w:288,h:15},
{t:"Transportation) has numbers. Some of these figures",p:15,x:108,y:328,w:299,h:15},
{t:"have come from MoDOT traffic count numbers.",p:15,x:108,y:345,w:279,h:15},
{t:"“The bridge (Taneycomo) has 19,000 to 21,000",p:15,x:124,y:362,w:274,h:15},
{t:"cars a day during the season busy time, so I assume",p:15,x:108,y:379,w:299,h:15},
{t:"they took that number and figured from that some-",p:15,x:108,y:397,w:294,h:15},
{t:"way to come up with that 7,000 to 9,000 figure.",p:15,x:108,y:414,w:277,h:15},
{t:"They may have done a wonderful job (counting),",p:15,x:108,y:431,w:284,h:15},
{t:"but I'd like see how they did that. I don't want us to",p:15,x:108,y:448,w:298,h:15},
{t:"spend any money, $5 million or $25 million. (with-",p:15,x:108,y:466,w:297,h:15},
{t:"out further study). ",p:15,x:108,y:483,w:108,h:15},
{t:"“Guessing the road would be a $25 to $30 mil-",p:15,x:128,y:500,w:272,h:15},
{t:"lion project - and there are all kinds of figures being",p:15,x:108,y:517,w:302,h:15},
{t:"thrown out there - but for a $25, million project, for",p:15,x:108,y:535,w:300,h:15},
{t:"us not to do our homework, so to speak, and be",p:15,x:108,y:552,w:275,h:15},
{t:"extremely confident that the public is going to get a",p:15,x:108,y:569,w:299,h:15},
{t:"good bang for their buck, well, I'm not 100 percent",p:15,x:108,y:586,w:296,h:15},
{t:"confident that's the case. ",p:15,x:108,y:604,w:145,h:15},
{t:"“We need to look at who really would use that",p:15,x:128,y:621,w:269,h:15},
{t:"road. I don’t know that. For me to be really respon-",p:15,x:108,y:638,w:298,h:15},
{t:"sible in my position means to know something like",p:15,x:108,y:655,w:295,h:15},
{t:"that. That's one reason I voted against putting it on",p:15,x:108,y:673,w:293,h:15},
{t:"the April ballot.”",p:15,x:108,y:690,w:97,h:15},
{t:"Pennel is also concerned about making certain",p:15,x:128,y:707,w:268,h:15},
{t:"property right-of-way can definitely be acquired",p:15,x:108,y:724,w:279,h:15},
{t:"before taking on the corridor project.  ",p:15,x:108,y:742,w:222,h:15},
{t:"“There are seven to ten, I believe, property own-",p:15,x:128,y:759,w:282,h:15},
{t:"ers on that stretch of the preliminary design which",p:15,x:108,y:776,w:291,h:15},
{t:"is wonderful,” he said. “Generally on a road that",p:15,x:108,y:793,w:281,h:15},
{t:"long there would be much more, but it is mostly",p:15,x:108,y:810,w:279,h:15},
{t:"fields and farm land.  I think I heard Danny",p:15,x:108,y:828,w:253,h:15},
{t:"(Strahan) say seven, but I would have to confirm",p:15,x:108,y:845,w:283,h:15},
{t:"that, but having just that small a number to deal",p:15,x:108,y:862,w:277,h:15},
{t:"with - I think that's a good point.",p:15,x:108,y:879,w:190,h:15},
{t:"“Danny has known most of these people all his",p:15,x:128,y:897,w:273,h:15},
{t:"life. A couple of years ago he sat down with all of",p:15,x:108,y:914,w:289,h:15},
{t:"them. There was a good sense that most of them",p:15,x:108,y:931,w:280,h:15},
{t:"were willing to work with us,” Pennel said, calling",p:15,x:108,y:948,w:294,h:15},
{t:"that another “good point,” but since that time some",p:15,x:108,y:966,w:296,h:15},
{t:"property owner attitudes toward the road might",p:15,x:444,y:103,w:273,h:15},
{t:"have changed. He said he has received phone",p:15,x:444,y:121,w:262,h:15},
{t:"calls from one of the property owners. The caller",p:15,x:444,y:138,w:284,h:15},
{t:"told Pennel of hearing people saying he (the prop-",p:15,x:444,y:155,w:291,h:15},
{t:"erty owner) supported the project when in fact,",p:15,x:444,y:172,w:272,h:15},
{t:"the property owner does not support it. Another",p:15,x:444,y:190,w:275,h:15},
{t:"property owner whose right-of-way would have to",p:15,x:444,y:207,w:291,h:15},
{t:"be secured for the road called Pennel to say he",p:15,x:444,y:224,w:270,h:15},
{t:"was not happy with the layout of the road design",p:15,x:444,y:241,w:283,h:15},
{t:"through his land.",p:15,x:444,y:259,w:97,h:15},
{t:"“So we have two of those property owners, at",p:15,x:464,y:276,w:265,h:15},
{t:"this point, who aren't willing,” Pennel said.",p:15,x:444,y:293,w:250,h:15},
{t:"“Those things should be done, in my opinion,",p:15,x:444,y:310,w:264,h:15},
{t:"before we take it to the voters.” ",p:15,x:444,y:328,w:186,h:15},
{t:"EMINENTDOMAIN QUESTION",p:15,x:444,y:362,w:213,h:15},
{t:"“I hate to bring this up, but there is also the",p:15,x:464,y:379,w:252,h:15},
{t:"issue of eminent domain,” Pennel said.",p:15,x:444,y:397,w:225,h:15},
{t:"“If property owners refuse to sell their land for",p:15,x:444,y:414,w:271,h:15},
{t:"right away, the county would have the option of",p:15,x:444,y:431,w:277,h:15},
{t:"using eminent domain. They would have to sell",p:15,x:444,y:448,w:275,h:15},
{t:"their property for whatever a judge said its",p:15,x:444,y:466,w:247,h:15},
{t:"worth,” Pennel said. “Years ago, we had those",p:15,x:444,y:483,w:267,h:15},
{t:"discussions and the sense I had was that we",p:15,x:444,y:500,w:252,h:15},
{t:"weren't willing to do that.” (When asked if that",p:15,x:444,y:517,w:273,h:15},
{t:"was still the feeling today, Pennel promised to",p:15,x:444,y:535,w:267,h:15},
{t:"find out. A couple days later he called to say that",p:15,x:444,y:552,w:283,h:15},
{t:"Commissioners Strahan and Strafuss said they",p:15,x:444,y:569,w:267,h:15},
{t:"would not be willing to use eminent domain to",p:15,x:444,y:586,w:271,h:15},
{t:"acquire right of way). ",p:15,x:444,y:604,w:129,h:15},
{t:"But, Pennel wonders if voters do pass the tax",p:15,x:464,y:621,w:261,h:15},
{t:"increase to build the road and the construction",p:15,x:444,y:638,w:267,h:15},
{t:"was to commence, would eminent domain be a",p:15,x:444,y:655,w:272,h:15},
{t:"required option to see the project to completion.",p:15,x:444,y:673,w:278,h:15},
{t:"“I hate to even think about that,” Pennel said",p:15,x:464,y:690,w:260,h:15},
{t:"again, “but I feel it is something I have to bring",p:15,x:444,y:707,w:276,h:15},
{t:"up. I think it my responsibility to ask these ques-",p:15,x:444,y:724,w:283,h:15},
{t:"tions.",p:15,x:444,y:742,w:31,h:15},
{t:"“Having said all this, I do want people to",p:15,x:464,y:759,w:238,h:15},
{t:"know I am for the proposed road,” he said. “I",p:15,x:444,y:776,w:263,h:15},
{t:"think a new road would be a safety benefit at the",p:15,x:444,y:793,w:283,h:15},
{t:"two schools (Kirbyville and Hollister), that is a",p:15,x:444,y:810,w:273,h:15},
{t:"no-brainer.    ",p:15,x:444,y:828,w:78,h:15},
{t:"Even without the safety issue, you can just",p:15,x:467,y:845,w:247,h:15},
{t:"look at the volume of traffic (now commuting",p:15,x:444,y:862,w:266,h:15},
{t:"down East Hwy 76). Branson and Hollister are",p:15,x:444,y:879,w:271,h:15},
{t:"tight for land development in the future and peo-",p:15,x:444,y:897,w:283,h:15},
{t:"ple still want to move here. There is good ground",p:15,x:444,y:914,w:286,h:15},
{t:"for land development, grades are not extremely",p:15,x:444,y:931,w:273,h:15},
{t:"steep, and sewer is close. I just feel we are being",p:15,x:444,y:948,w:282,h:15},
{t:"rushed into this.”",p:15,x:444,y:966,w:99,h:15},
{t:"Danny Strahan spent some wakeful nights ponder-",p:16,x:399,y:349,w:281,h:15},
{t:"ing which direction his vote should travel concerning",p:16,x:380,y:366,w:297,h:15},
{t:"placing the East-West Corridor sales tax issue on the",p:16,x:380,y:383,w:294,h:15},
{t:"county ballot.  From a telephone interview weeks after",p:16,x:380,y:399,w:305,h:15},
{t:"the vote, and comments made in public meetings prior",p:16,x:381,y:416,w:303,h:15},
{t:"to his vote, Strahan drives home his major view-",p:16,x:385,y:432,w:271,h:15},
{t:"points. The one that tops the list is “representation.”",p:16,x:389,y:449,w:290,h:15},
{t:"Because of the volume of calls and e-mails he",p:16,x:392,y:466,w:257,h:15},
{t:"received from county residents asking that the sales",p:16,x:395,y:482,w:288,h:15},
{t:"tax issue be placed on the ballot, Strahan feels an",p:16,x:398,y:499,w:275,h:15},
{t:"obligation to do that.",p:16,x:401,y:516,w:116,h:15},
{t:"An Eastern Taney County native son, Strahan",p:16,x:421,y:532,w:254,h:15},
{t:"knows the vision of an efficient, time-saving, rela-",p:16,x:404,y:549,w:281,h:15},
{t:"tively straight road has been around long before",p:16,x:404,y:565,w:267,h:15},
{t:"the issue was touted by the Taney County",p:16,x:407,y:582,w:232,h:15},
{t:"Coalition. He has been privy to the 2006-2007",p:16,x:407,y:599,w:259,h:15},
{t:"feasibility study of the corridor road, and the pre-",p:16,x:404,y:615,w:276,h:15},
{t:"liminary design work that followed. When it was",p:16,x:403,y:632,w:273,h:15},
{t:"still in discussion stage, he studied the proposed",p:16,x:397,y:649,w:268,h:15},
{t:"Taneycomo Bridge project and contributed input.",p:16,x:380,y:665,w:274,h:15},
{t:"During the interview for this story, he spoke at length",p:16,x:380,y:682,w:299,h:15},
{t:"about his desire to solve county road problems the best",p:16,x:380,y:698,w:307,h:15},
{t:"way possible, do what was right for residents. ",p:16,x:380,y:715,w:259,h:15},
{t:"For those reasons, he said he did not feel rushed",p:16,x:399,y:732,w:269,h:15},
{t:"into a vote concerning the corridor.  ",p:16,x:380,y:748,w:203,h:15},
{t:"As do his colleagues on the Taney County Board of",p:16,x:399,y:765,w:288,h:15},
{t:"Commissioners, Strahan sees benefits the proposed",p:16,x:380,y:781,w:285,h:15},
{t:"project could contribute to area transportation, safety,",p:16,x:380,y:798,w:298,h:15},
{t:"and future job creation as the county grows. But as",p:16,x:380,y:815,w:284,h:15},
{t:"also do his colleagues, he has concerns about  funding,",p:16,x:380,y:831,w:306,h:15},
{t:"design, and finding the proper provider to get the work",p:16,x:380,y:848,w:307,h:15},
{t:"done should that time come to start construction.",p:16,x:380,y:865,w:272,h:15},
{t:"Strahan is concerned that people might misinterpret",p:16,x:399,y:881,w:288,h:15},
{t:"his vote as something it is not. As Commissioner",p:16,x:380,y:898,w:273,h:15},
{t:"Chuck Pennel pointed out in an interview with him,",p:16,x:380,y:914,w:289,h:15},
{t:"the idea of a sales tax increase to fund the road did not",p:16,x:380,y:931,w:305,h:15},
{t:"originate with the commissioners, but came from the",p:16,x:380,y:948,w:294,h:15},
{t:"Taney County Coalition, reinforced by numbers of phone",p:16,x:718,y:349,w:319,h:15},
{t:"calls and e-mails he received about the issue.",p:16,x:718,y:366,w:251,h:15},
{t:"Just  before publicly casting that vote, Strahan admit-",p:16,x:737,y:383,w:298,h:15},
{t:"ted that “It's been a tough, tough decision to come-up",p:16,x:718,y:399,w:298,h:15},
{t:"with in a week. A lot of  thoughts at two o’clock in the",p:16,x:718,y:416,w:306,h:15},
{t:"morning.”",p:16,x:718,y:432,w:56,h:15},
{t:"“My main topic of conversation is representation.” he",p:16,x:737,y:449,w:300,h:15},
{t:"said addressing the packed boardroom before the vote. ",p:16,x:718,y:466,w:308,h:15},
{t:"THE OPPORTUNITYFOR THE CITIZENS TO BE",p:16,x:718,y:499,w:315,h:15},
{t:"ABLE TO VOTE",p:16,x:718,y:516,w:103,h:15},
{t:"Presiding Commissioner Chuck Pennel had spoken",p:16,x:737,y:532,w:285,h:15},
{t:"before Strahan. Part of Pennel’s address was the presenta-",p:16,x:718,y:549,w:322,h:15},
{t:"tion of a slide show that reviewed past successful road",p:16,x:718,y:565,w:304,h:15},
{t:"construction projects the county had accomplished or",p:16,x:718,y:582,w:297,h:15},
{t:"been a partner in completing. Reflecting on those projects,",p:16,x:718,y:599,w:326,h:15},
{t:"Strahan said that the commission had often taken it upon",p:16,x:718,y:615,w:317,h:15},
{t:"themselves to approve projects that did not require voter",p:16,x:718,y:632,w:315,h:15},
{t:"approval. He saw placing the East-West road tax issue on",p:16,x:718,y:649,w:320,h:15},
{t:"the April ballot as an opportunity to give county residents",p:16,x:718,y:665,w:322,h:15},
{t:"a voice in the decision making process Strahan said he",p:16,x:718,y:682,w:304,h:15},
{t:"had “well over 150 calls” about placing the issue on the",p:16,x:718,y:698,w:311,h:15},
{t:"ballot.” A surprising number of those citizens said - ‘we",p:16,x:718,y:715,w:312,h:15},
{t:"are not going to tell you how we feel on the issue… but",p:16,x:718,y:732,w:311,h:15},
{t:"we do want the opportunity to vote on the issue as a citi-",p:16,x:718,y:748,w:317,h:15},
{t:"zen,’” he said of those calls. Strahan said he had spent",p:16,x:718,y:765,w:303,h:15},
{t:"hours and days also visiting with county residents about",p:16,x:718,y:781,w:312,h:15},
{t:"the ballot question.",p:16,x:718,y:798,w:106,h:15},
{t:"STRAHAN DID NOTFEELRUSHED",p:16,x:718,y:831,w:231,h:15},
{t:"“Do we want to be rushed into a decision? No.”",p:16,x:741,y:848,w:267,h:15},
{t:"Strahan said. “Have we had a long period of time to look",p:16,x:718,y:865,w:318,h:15},
{t:"at what the East-West means to the county financially,",p:16,x:718,y:881,w:302,h:15},
{t:"then no its not a push deal and we all looked and studied",p:16,x:718,y:898,w:317,h:15},
{t:"and had interest in what the East-West will do.” ",p:16,x:718,y:914,w:270,h:15},
{t:"“We’ve had a long time to look at the East-West",p:16,x:737,y:931,w:269,h:15},
{t:"Corridor,” he said. He recalls hearing from past Taney",p:16,x:718,y:948,w:302,h:15},
{t:"Page 16 Both Sides of the Bridge April 2009",p:16,x:109,y:1031,w:277,h:19},
{t:"COMMISSIONER DANNY STRAHAN",p:16,x:154,y:151,w:406,h:44},
{t:"DIDN'T FEEL RUSHED INTO DECISION,",p:16,x:313,y:188,w:703,h:67},
{t:"BUT HAD SOME WAKEFUL NIGHTS",p:16,x:364,y:252,w:619,h:67},
{t:"Page 17 Both Sides of the Bridge April 2009",p:17,x:768,y:1026,w:277,h:19},
{t:"Commissioner Finis Keyes about how back",p:17,x:107,y:103,w:242,h:15},
{t:"into the early 1990's, money had been set",p:17,x:107,y:120,w:231,h:15},
{t:"aside for the East-West Corridor.  The corri-",p:17,x:107,y:137,w:246,h:15},
{t:"dor idea has been around \"long before I ever",p:17,x:107,y:153,w:249,h:15},
{t:"considered public office,” he said. ",p:17,x:107,y:170,w:194,h:15},
{t:"“I talked with people who considered",p:17,x:126,y:187,w:209,h:15},
{t:"donating land for the project where the state",p:17,x:107,y:203,w:246,h:15},
{t:"could build a barn (for road crew mainte-",p:17,x:107,y:220,w:231,h:15},
{t:"nance),” Strahan said. “That could mean",p:17,x:107,y:236,w:225,h:15},
{t:"bonding (for the project.). There are options",p:17,x:107,y:253,w:245,h:15},
{t:"available for building the road he believes",p:17,x:107,y:270,w:235,h:15},
{t:"would help county traffic flow. ",p:17,x:107,y:286,w:176,h:15},
{t:"“When a school bus takes 45 minutes to",p:17,x:126,y:303,w:224,h:15},
{t:"travel from Snapp's to Branson - people",p:17,x:107,y:319,w:222,h:15},
{t:"desire better.” But, regardless of what hap-",p:17,x:107,y:336,w:239,h:15},
{t:"pens after the vote Strahan said it is impor-",p:17,x:107,y:353,w:241,h:15},
{t:"tant voters have the opportunity to voice",p:17,x:107,y:369,w:225,h:15},
{t:"their opinion in April at the polls. “I’m all",p:17,x:107,y:386,w:234,h:15},
{t:"about representation,” he repeated. ",p:17,x:107,y:403,w:197,h:15},
{t:"“Our responsibility is to the citizens.”",p:17,x:126,y:419,w:211,h:15},
{t:"COMMISSIONER  STRAHAN'S PROPERTY ",p:17,x:401,y:109,w:639,h:43},
{t:"NOT ON CORRIDOR WAY",p:17,x:401,y:154,w:402,h:43},
{t:"When a reporter hinted that  Eastern Taney County Commissioner  Danny Strahan  might have",p:17,x:423,y:213,w:607,h:16},
{t:"a vested interest in building a East-West Corridor road because he lived and owned land in",p:17,x:401,y:230,w:583,h:16},
{t:"Eastern Taney County, the commissioner become a little irked.",p:17,x:401,y:247,w:399,h:16},
{t:"Not only had the  idea of building a corridor road been around long before Strahan took public",p:17,x:423,y:264,w:600,h:16},
{t:"office, but Strahan's home is not within the proposed corridor right-of-way.",p:17,x:401,y:282,w:471,h:16},
{t:"“I want to make something perfectly clear to the news media,” Strahan announced to a packed",p:17,x:423,y:299,w:604,h:16},
{t:"room just before the East-West Corridor vote was taken last January. “I was asked by a news",p:17,x:401,y:316,w:597,h:16},
{t:"media person - ‘Mr. Strahan, doesn't the East-West Corridor cross your property?’ - and, the",p:17,x:401,y:333,w:588,h:16},
{t:"answer is absolutely not. Now, that issue has been brought up around the communities for political",p:17,x:401,y:351,w:630,h:16},
{t:"purposed, and I don't appreciate it. If they can't look at a map, or are not interested in looking at a",p:17,x:401,y:368,w:625,h:16},
{t:"map and seeing where the property lines are, then they don't need to go vote on that issue.”",p:17,x:401,y:385,w:590,h:16},
{t:"(See photos of indicating some property lines along the proposed East-West Corridor route ",p:17,x:418,y:402,w:586,h:16},
{t:"on this page. A map is available for examination at the Taney County Commissioners Office in",p:17,x:401,y:420,w:601,h:16},
{t:"Forsyth).",p:17,x:401,y:437,w:56,h:16},
{t:"Would the opening of the East-West Corridor",p:18,x:128,y:231,w:274,h:15},
{t:"have an adverse effect on any established busi-",p:18,x:107,y:248,w:292,h:15},
{t:"nesses? Shop keepers along East Highway 76",p:18,x:107,y:264,w:285,h:15},
{t:"in the Mt. Branson area answered that question",p:18,x:107,y:281,w:290,h:15},
{t:"with an angry tone.",p:18,x:107,y:297,w:117,h:15},
{t:"“Of course it would,” Sue Ford owner of",p:18,x:128,y:313,w:242,h:15},
{t:"Quik-Mart in the Mt. Branson area said emphati-",p:18,x:107,y:330,w:295,h:15},
{t:"cally. “People go down one way to work, and go",p:18,x:107,y:346,w:292,h:15},
{t:"home one way at night. Using that road they",p:18,x:107,y:363,w:271,h:15},
{t:"would by-pass all this.”",p:18,x:107,y:379,w:139,h:15},
{t:"Ford believes her business would drop sig-",p:18,x:128,y:725,w:263,h:15},
{t:"nificantly, particularly in the summertime, she",p:18,x:107,y:742,w:274,h:15},
{t:"said.",p:18,x:107,y:758,w:28,h:15},
{t:"“We have to eat too, we have employees to",p:18,x:128,y:774,w:266,h:15},
{t:"pay,” she said. Ford has nine employees at her",p:18,x:107,y:791,w:287,h:15},
{t:"store",p:18,x:107,y:807,w:30,h:15},
{t:"In Ford's store at the time was a wholesale",p:18,x:128,y:824,w:262,h:15},
{t:"distributor who made regular deliveries to the",p:18,x:107,y:840,w:276,h:15},
{t:"store. Overhearing the conversation, she was",p:18,x:107,y:857,w:277,h:15},
{t:"reluctant to use her name, but wanted to",p:18,x:107,y:873,w:248,h:15},
{t:"express her opinion on the matter - “My busi-",p:18,x:107,y:890,w:276,h:15},
{t:"ness would go down here and at other stores",p:18,x:107,y:906,w:276,h:15},
{t:"along my route here,” she said.",p:18,x:107,y:923,w:191,h:15},
{t:"Up the road at Beverly’s Steak House, owner",p:18,x:128,y:939,w:275,h:15},
{t:"Beverly Speers raised her voice and said. “Lots",p:18,x:107,y:956,w:289,h:15},
{t:"of locals go home by me. I depend on locals. If",p:18,x:107,y:972,w:286,h:15},
{t:"they drove another way, yes it would hurt busi-",p:18,x:107,y:988,w:284,h:15},
{t:"ness. I depend on local traffic and my place has",p:18,x:107,y:1005,w:292,h:15},
{t:"easy access for my people”. ",p:18,x:427,y:231,w:176,h:15},
{t:"About the proposed sales tax increase,",p:18,x:452,y:248,w:238,h:15},
{t:"Speers added, “I don't want to pay a tax on",p:18,x:427,y:264,w:263,h:15},
{t:"something that will hurt my business.”",p:18,x:427,y:281,w:230,h:15},
{t:"Speers has been at her present location for",p:18,x:448,y:297,w:265,h:15},
{t:"two years. Previously, she had a restaurant in",p:18,x:427,y:313,w:279,h:15},
{t:"downtown Hollister, but moved when construc-",p:18,x:427,y:330,w:284,h:15},
{t:"tion work began at the Highway 65 Interchange,",p:18,x:427,y:346,w:293,h:15},
{t:"and traffic to her place dropped. “I”m tired of",p:18,x:427,y:363,w:270,h:15},
{t:"building a clientele and then having to move.”",p:18,x:427,y:379,w:277,h:15},
{t:"Across the street at A-I Muffler, owner John",p:18,x:447,y:396,w:264,h:15},
{t:"Cobb got right to the point. Standing outside his",p:18,x:427,y:412,w:291,h:15},
{t:"shop and gesturing with his hand at the busi-",p:18,x:427,y:429,w:275,h:15},
{t:"nesses along East Highway 76, Cobb said, “It",p:18,x:427,y:445,w:279,h:15},
{t:"will kill us.”",p:18,x:427,y:462,w:66,h:15},
{t:"Cobb has been at his present locale for 20",p:18,x:448,y:478,w:260,h:15},
{t:"years.",p:18,x:427,y:495,w:37,h:15},
{t:"“I have regular customers, but what it takes",p:18,x:448,y:511,w:264,h:15},
{t:"to build a business is lots of traffic,” Cobb said,",p:18,x:427,y:527,w:285,h:15},
{t:"particularly in the summertime when he gets",p:18,x:427,y:544,w:270,h:15},
{t:"drop-in business.",p:18,x:427,y:560,w:104,h:15},
{t:"Farther east down the highway at",p:18,x:448,y:577,w:204,h:15},
{t:"Marzano’s East 76 Motors, owner Bernie",p:18,x:427,y:593,w:249,h:15},
{t:"Marzano called the East-West Corridor propos-",p:18,x:427,y:610,w:288,h:15},
{t:"al, “Ridiculous. Traffic down this road brings new",p:18,x:427,y:626,w:296,h:15},
{t:"state and county tax money. They would be",p:18,x:427,y:643,w:265,h:15},
{t:"loosing tax money. The idea (of the new corri-",p:18,x:427,y:659,w:279,h:15},
{t:"dor) is stupid,” he said and wondered why a por-",p:18,x:427,y:676,w:297,h:15},
{t:"tion of East 76 Highway could not be widened.",p:18,x:427,y:692,w:284,h:15},
{t:"“There are subdivisions all up and down this",p:18,x:427,y:709,w:270,h:15},
{t:"road that could also be improved and built-up.”",p:18,x:748,y:732,w:285,h:15},
{t:"At the new Sun Fest near Holiday Hills, man-",p:18,x:768,y:749,w:276,h:15},
{t:"ager Steve Kuehn was somewhat neutral on the",p:18,x:748,y:765,w:294,h:15},
{t:"subject.",p:18,x:748,y:782,w:47,h:15},
{t:"“I really couldn't say,” Kuehn said. He had",p:18,x:769,y:798,w:255,h:15},
{t:"only recently moved into the area to manage the",p:18,x:748,y:815,w:296,h:15},
{t:"store, “but, it would seem reasonable that if traf-",p:18,x:748,y:831,w:293,h:15},
{t:"fic was rerouted to bypass a store, business",p:18,x:748,y:847,w:269,h:15},
{t:"could drop some.”",p:18,x:748,y:864,w:110,h:15},
{t:"Aways down on T Highway, Denny Moore",p:18,x:768,y:880,w:258,h:15},
{t:"said his auto repair shop would not suffer",p:18,x:748,y:897,w:252,h:15},
{t:"because he gets a steady flow of referral busi-",p:18,x:748,y:913,w:283,h:15},
{t:"ness. He did want to offer an opinion about the",p:18,x:748,y:930,w:286,h:15},
{t:"sales tax question on the county ballot.",p:18,x:748,y:946,w:238,h:15},
{t:"\"Why should we pay a 1/4 cent tax for some-",p:18,x:769,y:963,w:274,h:15},
{t:"thing that we don't need?\" Moore said.",p:18,x:748,y:979,w:235,h:15},
{t:"Page 18 Both Sides of the Bridge April 2009",p:18,x:108,y:1029,w:277,h:19},
{t:"It Will Kill Us",p:18,x:118,y:89,w:406,h:95},
{t:"East Highway 76 Business owners weigh-in",p:18,x:118,y:168,w:509,h:29},
{t:"About whether a new road would hurt business.",p:18,x:118,y:194,w:555,h:29},
{t:"Page 19 Both Sides of the Bridge April 2009",p:19,x:768,y:1027,w:277,h:19},
{t:"COMMISSIONER      ",p:19,x:146,y:101,w:231,h:27},
{t:"JIM STRAFUSS ",p:19,x:157,y:131,w:176,h:27},
{t:"COMMENTS ",p:19,x:171,y:161,w:146,h:27},
{t:"PRIOR TO THE ",p:19,x:158,y:191,w:173,h:27},
{t:"JANUARYVOTE",p:19,x:148,y:220,w:186,h:27},
{t:"“I’ve fielded probably 150 to 200 phone",p:19,x:123,y:252,w:244,h:16},
{t:"calls in the last five days or so,” Western",p:19,x:107,y:270,w:247,h:16},
{t:"Taney County Commissioner Jim Strafuss",p:19,x:107,y:288,w:254,h:16},
{t:"said about input to him prior the Jan., 20",p:19,x:107,y:306,w:246,h:16},
{t:"County Commission meeting. He also",p:19,x:107,y:324,w:230,h:16},
{t:"received 100 e-mails about the East-West",p:19,x:107,y:342,w:250,h:16},
{t:"Corridor “This issue has pretty much been",p:19,x:107,y:360,w:256,h:16},
{t:"on everybody's mind, and I appreciate their",p:19,x:107,y:378,w:262,h:16},
{t:"involvement, their participation in the",p:19,x:107,y:396,w:228,h:16},
{t:"process. It makes my job easier. The more",p:19,x:107,y:414,w:255,h:16},
{t:"people I hear from, the better I can make an",p:19,x:107,y:432,w:266,h:16},
{t:"informed decision.",p:19,x:107,y:451,w:113,h:16},
{t:"“Overwhelmingly, everyone wants an",p:19,x:127,y:469,w:228,h:16},
{t:"opportunity to vote on the East-West",p:19,x:107,y:487,w:222,h:16},
{t:"Corridor decision. I would say about  99.9",p:19,x:107,y:505,w:256,h:16},
{t:"percent of the people that contacted me said",p:19,x:107,y:523,w:266,h:16},
{t:"‘please let me have the option to vote on",p:19,x:107,y:541,w:246,h:16},
{t:"that East-West Corridor’.”",p:19,x:107,y:559,w:159,h:16},
{t:"“A lot of time when I field a call, I didn't",p:19,x:127,y:577,w:248,h:16},
{t:"want to hear a yes-no, I wanted to ask more",p:19,x:107,y:595,w:265,h:16},
{t:"official  questions, and obviously one of my",p:19,x:107,y:613,w:266,h:16},
{t:"questions would have been, are you in",p:19,x:107,y:631,w:232,h:16},
{t:"favor, or not in favor, of the road. Most of",p:19,x:107,y:649,w:255,h:16},
{t:"the time they would say they were in favor,",p:19,x:107,y:667,w:263,h:16},
{t:"but a lot of times they would say, ‘I don’t",p:19,x:107,y:685,w:251,h:16},
{t:"want to tell you’.  Well, that’s fair enough,”",p:19,x:107,y:703,w:264,h:16},
{t:"Strafuss said. “From the perspective of what",p:19,x:107,y:721,w:268,h:16},
{t:"the people want, they are telling me they",p:19,x:107,y:739,w:247,h:16},
{t:"want to see it on the ballot.”",p:19,x:107,y:757,w:171,h:16},
{t:"TAX ISSUE, AND SELFFUNDING",p:19,x:107,y:775,w:233,h:16},
{t:"“I’ve made it public and will continue to",p:19,x:127,y:793,w:246,h:16},
{t:"make it public that I am against any new",p:19,x:107,y:811,w:246,h:16},
{t:"taxes and that puts me in an interesting situ-",p:19,x:107,y:829,w:267,h:16},
{t:"ation where I can not have the best of both",p:19,x:107,y:847,w:259,h:16},
{t:"worlds right now,..” Strafuss said.",p:19,x:107,y:865,w:204,h:16},
{t:"“We had talked about possibly trying to",p:19,x:127,y:883,w:240,h:16},
{t:"self-fund the East-West Corridor,” and had",p:19,x:107,y:901,w:258,h:16},
{t:"been looking into that idea, along with",p:19,x:107,y:919,w:233,h:16},
{t:"County Road and Bridge Director Frank",p:19,x:107,y:937,w:244,h:16},
{t:"Pierson.",p:19,x:107,y:955,w:48,h:16},
{t:"“I’m not convinced yet that we have",p:19,x:417,y:103,w:220,h:16},
{t:"all the money to self-fund it,” Strafuss",p:19,x:397,y:121,w:231,h:16},
{t:"said. “So, when we talk about alternate",p:19,x:397,y:139,w:236,h:16},
{t:"funding, we already have a tax that would",p:19,x:397,y:157,w:254,h:16},
{t:"collect for road and bridge. I believe a",p:19,x:397,y:175,w:232,h:16},
{t:"portion of that could go to the road, but is",p:19,x:397,y:193,w:253,h:16},
{t:"it enough to pay for the entire road up",p:19,x:397,y:211,w:230,h:16},
{t:"front? I still do not have all the informa-",p:19,x:397,y:229,w:245,h:16},
{t:"tion on that yet. With that said at this",p:19,x:397,y:247,w:224,h:16},
{t:"point, I can't rely, 100 percent, that I can",p:19,x:397,y:265,w:245,h:16},
{t:"fund the road any other way.”",p:19,x:397,y:284,w:180,h:16},
{t:"Strafuss said that when talking with",p:19,x:417,y:302,w:216,h:16},
{t:"constituents most were concerned about",p:19,x:397,y:320,w:241,h:16},
{t:"the betterment of the community and “I",p:19,x:397,y:338,w:240,h:16},
{t:"heard overwhelmingly that they throught",p:19,x:397,y:356,w:247,h:16},
{t:"the East-West Corridor would do that.”",p:19,x:397,y:374,w:236,h:16},
{t:"The commissioner said he has referred",p:19,x:417,y:392,w:234,h:16},
{t:"to the eastern portion of the county as the",p:19,x:397,y:410,w:251,h:16},
{t:"“the workforce of the economic engine for",p:19,x:397,y:428,w:258,h:16},
{t:"Branson.” Strafuss said he is in favor of",p:19,x:397,y:446,w:241,h:16},
{t:"the East-West Corridor because it does",p:19,x:397,y:464,w:234,h:16},
{t:"help “the east support the west.” He",p:19,x:397,y:482,w:218,h:16},
{t:"believes the road would benefit growth to",p:19,x:397,y:500,w:252,h:16},
{t:"the east of Branson.",p:19,x:397,y:518,w:120,h:16},
{t:"“It helps the community, it helps",p:19,x:417,y:536,w:197,h:16},
{t:"Kirbyville grow,” Strafuss said. “I think",p:19,x:397,y:554,w:241,h:16},
{t:"Kirbyville would not grow past where it is",p:19,x:397,y:572,w:257,h:16},
{t:"right now, and while talking to the school",p:19,x:397,y:590,w:252,h:16},
{t:"system people over there, they are very",p:19,x:397,y:608,w:238,h:16},
{t:"excited about the potential of Kirbyville,",p:19,x:397,y:626,w:246,h:16},
{t:"and the growth that would happen because",p:19,x:397,y:644,w:258,h:16},
{t:"of that.”",p:19,x:397,y:662,w:49,h:16},
{t:"Commissioner Strafuss voted in favor",p:19,x:417,y:680,w:229,h:16},
{t:"of placing the question of the East-West",p:19,x:397,y:698,w:242,h:16},
{t:"Corridor sales tax on the ballot.",p:19,x:397,y:716,w:191,h:16},
{t:"(Editor's note: After the January meeting,",p:19,x:400,y:751,w:228,h:15},
{t:"Commissioner  Strafuss was asked for an",p:19,x:397,y:768,w:228,h:15},
{t:"interview to talk about alternative funding",p:19,x:397,y:784,w:233,h:15},
{t:"possibilities for county development projects.",p:19,x:397,y:800,w:251,h:15},
{t:"At the meeting, he agreed, and said to call his",p:19,x:397,y:817,w:253,h:15},
{t:"office. Subsequently,  a call to his office was",p:19,x:397,y:833,w:247,h:15},
{t:"not returned, nor was there any response to a",p:19,x:397,y:850,w:248,h:15},
{t:"written letter, delivered to his office, once",p:19,x:397,y:866,w:231,h:15},
{t:"again, requesting that interview.)",p:19,x:397,y:883,w:181,h:15},
{t:"Page 20 Both Sides of the Bridge April 2009",p:20,x:107,y:1028,w:277,h:19},
{t:"A question often asked is why can't",p:20,x:130,y:231,w:245,h:17},
{t:"East Highway 76 be widened instead of",p:20,x:107,y:250,w:277,h:17},
{t:"constructing the East-West Corridor road? ",p:20,x:107,y:269,w:299,h:17},
{t:"“The impact to private property would",p:20,x:131,y:288,w:260,h:17},
{t:"be huge,” said Chad Zickefoose a",p:20,x:107,y:307,w:236,h:17},
{t:"Missouiri Department of Transportation",p:20,x:107,y:326,w:270,h:17},
{t:"District 8 engineer. “I think it would be a",p:20,x:107,y:344,w:277,h:17},
{t:"lot more costly, a lot more expensive,",p:20,x:107,y:363,w:260,h:17},
{t:"than going cross-county like the county is",p:20,x:107,y:382,w:289,h:17},
{t:"proposing with their new corridor.”",p:20,x:107,y:401,w:237,h:17},
{t:"Apart from having tougher terrain to",p:20,x:130,y:420,w:249,h:17},
{t:"excavate, East Highway 76 would involve",p:20,x:107,y:438,w:289,h:17},
{t:"buying property right-of-ways from hun-",p:20,x:107,y:457,w:275,h:17},
{t:"dreds of people, many of whom might not",p:20,x:107,y:476,w:290,h:17},
{t:"want to sell easement rights. Construction",p:20,x:107,y:495,w:293,h:17},
{t:"work would disrupt or shut down dozens",p:20,x:107,y:514,w:281,h:17},
{t:"of businesses. Construction work would",p:20,x:428,y:230,w:277,h:17},
{t:"take a couple years or more. In contrast,",p:20,x:428,y:249,w:283,h:17},
{t:"the proposed East-West Corridor would",p:20,x:428,y:268,w:275,h:17},
{t:"involve negotiations with less than a",p:20,x:428,y:287,w:252,h:17},
{t:"dozen property owners.",p:20,x:428,y:305,w:164,h:17},
{t:"CONSTRUCTION COST PER MILE",p:20,x:428,y:324,w:253,h:17},
{t:"Zickefoose said ",p:20,x:452,y:343,w:114,h:17},
{t:"construction costs run",p:20,x:428,y:362,w:153,h:17},
{t:"about “$2 million per mile,",p:20,x:428,y:381,w:181,h:17},
{t:"but that is a real general",p:20,x:428,y:399,w:170,h:17},
{t:"thing,”. When asked if that",p:20,x:428,y:418,w:183,h:17},
{t:"figure could be accurately",p:20,x:428,y:437,w:179,h:17},
{t:"used as a cost yardstick",p:20,x:428,y:456,w:169,h:17},
{t:"for the proposed East-",p:20,x:428,y:475,w:156,h:17},
{t:"West Corridor, the engi-",p:20,x:428,y:494,w:166,h:17},
{t:"neer took a deep breath",p:20,x:428,y:512,w:168,h:17},
{t:"before answering.",p:20,x:461,y:531,w:125,h:17},
{t:"Estimating costs for",p:20,x:461,y:550,w:137,h:17},
{t:"extensive digging,",p:20,x:461,y:569,w:125,h:17},
{t:"blasting, and moving",p:20,x:461,y:588,w:144,h:17},
{t:"earth for constructing",p:20,x:461,y:606,w:148,h:17},
{t:"roads in the Ozarks",p:20,x:461,y:625,w:137,h:17},
{t:"can be as variable",p:20,x:461,y:644,w:128,h:17},
{t:"and challenging as",p:20,x:461,y:663,w:131,h:17},
{t:"dealing with the",p:20,x:461,y:682,w:109,h:17},
{t:"weather. The differ-",p:20,x:461,y:701,w:135,h:17},
{t:"ence between plan-",p:20,x:461,y:719,w:137,h:17},
{t:"ning a project on pen and paper and",p:20,x:461,y:738,w:254,h:17},
{t:"digging in with bulldozers and earth-",p:20,x:461,y:757,w:253,h:17},
{t:"movers can become a different reali-",p:20,x:461,y:776,w:256,h:17},
{t:"ty show.",p:20,x:461,y:795,w:57,h:17},
{t:"“No,” Zickefoose said, “It may be a",p:20,x:475,y:813,w:242,h:17},
{t:"little higher depending on how much",p:20,x:461,y:832,w:253,h:17},
{t:"of the additional earthwork grading",p:20,x:461,y:851,w:242,h:17},
{t:"stuff they were going to do for the",p:20,x:461,y:870,w:235,h:17},
{t:"future lanes. Some of that topogra-",p:20,x:461,y:889,w:244,h:17},
{t:"phy down there (Taney County) is",p:20,x:461,y:908,w:235,h:17},
{t:"pretty extreme. You never really",p:20,x:461,y:926,w:222,h:17},
{t:"know that estimate is sort of a real",p:20,x:461,y:945,w:240,h:17},
{t:"general thing ($2 million-a-mile).",p:20,x:461,y:964,w:225,h:17},
{t:"We've had roads we thought would be ",p:20,x:750,y:231,w:272,h:17},
{t:"$2 plus million a mile when you get down",p:20,x:750,y:250,w:288,h:17},
{t:"through the design and stuff, but were",p:20,x:750,y:269,w:265,h:17},
{t:"well under that. It’s so variable that’s",p:20,x:750,y:288,w:254,h:17},
{t:"where people usually get in trouble.",p:20,x:750,y:307,w:248,h:17},
{t:"Someone makes a rough estimate, then",p:20,x:750,y:326,w:280,h:17},
{t:"people take it and run",p:20,x:874,y:344,w:152,h:17},
{t:"with it, then they want",p:20,x:874,y:363,w:152,h:17},
{t:"people held to that num-",p:20,x:874,y:382,w:170,h:17},
{t:"ber. Then (for example)",p:20,x:874,y:401,w:163,h:17},
{t:"it's two point three mil-",p:20,x:874,y:420,w:157,h:17},
{t:"lion a mile and people",p:20,x:874,y:438,w:154,h:17},
{t:"get concerned.”",p:20,x:874,y:457,w:109,h:17},
{t:"When asked about",p:20,x:891,y:476,w:131,h:17},
{t:"the possibility of a future",p:20,x:874,y:495,w:170,h:17},
{t:"cost share with Taney",p:20,x:874,y:514,w:151,h:17},
{t:"County for the East-",p:20,x:874,y:533,w:140,h:17},
{t:"West Corridor proposal,",p:20,x:874,y:551,w:166,h:17},
{t:"he said, “MoDOT is",p:20,x:874,y:570,w:136,h:17},
{t:"watching the project",p:20,x:874,y:589,w:140,h:17},
{t:"and we are giving some",p:20,x:874,y:608,w:167,h:17},
{t:"cursory reviews for the",p:20,x:874,y:627,w:159,h:17},
{t:"city and county, but we",p:20,x:874,y:645,w:160,h:17},
{t:"are not actively involved",p:20,x:874,y:664,w:168,h:17},
{t:"in the design or con-",p:20,x:874,y:683,w:143,h:17},
{t:"struction of that. In the",p:20,x:874,y:702,w:156,h:17},
{t:"past we discussed the possibility of a",p:20,x:750,y:721,w:259,h:17},
{t:"cost-share, but it was never more that",p:20,x:750,y:739,w:264,h:17},
{t:"that, just a possibility.”",p:20,x:750,y:758,w:154,h:17},
{t:"When MoDOT officials looked at the",p:20,x:773,y:777,w:252,h:17},
{t:"project and compared it to other projects",p:20,x:750,y:796,w:282,h:17},
{t:"needing to be done, “it’s not up there,”",p:20,x:750,y:815,w:267,h:17},
{t:"Zickefoose said. “As it stands now we are",p:20,x:750,y:834,w:291,h:17},
{t:"not interested in partnering with the proj-",p:20,x:750,y:852,w:283,h:17},
{t:"ect, but later on, down the road, we may",p:20,x:750,y:871,w:282,h:17},
{t:"consider taking ownership of it, after it",p:20,x:750,y:890,w:265,h:17},
{t:"was build, in exchange for some other",p:20,x:750,y:909,w:266,h:17},
{t:"roads around the county.”",p:20,x:750,y:928,w:178,h:17},
{t:"COSTOF ROAD CONSTRUCTION PER MILE, PLUS",p:20,x:107,y:98,w:884,h:56},
{t:"WHYEASTHIGHWAY76 NOTUSED FOR CORRIDOR",p:20,x:107,y:158,w:922,h:56},
{t:"EAST- WEST CORRIDOR",p:20,x:627,y:372,w:217,h:20},
{t:"QUICK TIFFACT",p:20,x:627,y:394,w:144,h:20},
{t:"If voters approve the 1/4 cent",p:20,x:627,y:437,w:219,h:17},
{t:"sales tax, how much money",p:20,x:627,y:458,w:208,h:17},
{t:"would the county lose through",p:20,x:627,y:479,w:229,h:17},
{t:"TIF districts?  ",p:20,x:627,y:500,w:108,h:17},
{t:"Commissioner Chuck Pennel",p:20,x:627,y:542,w:217,h:17},
{t:"ran that question by the ",p:20,x:627,y:563,w:184,h:17},
{t:"county's number cruncher",p:20,x:627,y:584,w:198,h:17},
{t:"Rick Findley. Without digging",p:20,x:627,y:605,w:220,h:17},
{t:"up hard data, Findley could",p:20,x:627,y:626,w:205,h:17},
{t:"only offer an estimate. That",p:20,x:627,y:646,w:205,h:17},
{t:"figure is  around $150,000.",p:20,x:627,y:667,w:198,h:17},
{t:"Page 21 Both Sides of the Bridge April 2009",p:21,x:767,y:1026,w:277,h:19},
{t:"Pat Lambert ",p:22,x:827,y:119,w:231,h:44},
{t:"Wins National",p:22,x:827,y:161,w:198,h:35},
{t:"Silver Level",p:22,x:827,y:196,w:166,h:35},
{t:"Photographer of",p:22,x:827,y:230,w:230,h:35},
{t:"the Y ear Award",p:22,x:827,y:265,w:207,h:35},
{t:"Pat Lambert, of Moment",p:22,x:845,y:314,w:158,h:16},
{t:"s By Pat,",p:22,x:995,y:314,w:59,h:16},
{t:"Inc., Missouri's Photographer of the",p:22,x:827,y:332,w:231,h:16},
{t:"Year in 2007 & 2008 has added to",p:22,x:827,y:349,w:223,h:16},
{t:"her array of awards by earning the",p:22,x:827,y:367,w:225,h:16},
{t:"Silver Level National Photographer",p:22,x:827,y:385,w:227,h:16},
{t:"of the Year Award from Professional",p:22,x:827,y:402,w:229,h:16},
{t:"Photographers of ",p:22,x:827,y:420,w:117,h:16},
{t:"America (PP A).",p:22,x:936,y:420,w:95,h:16},
{t:"The National Photographer of the",p:22,x:827,y:437,w:218,h:16},
{t:"Year Award was presented at PP",p:22,x:827,y:455,w:213,h:16},
{t:"A's",p:22,x:1029,y:455,w:19,h:16},
{t:"annual convention, Imaging USA,",p:22,x:827,y:473,w:218,h:16},
{t:"this past January , in Phoenix, ",p:22,x:827,y:490,w:189,h:16},
{t:"AZ.",p:22,x:1010,y:490,w:22,h:16},
{t:"Lambert also received the #1",p:22,x:827,y:508,w:190,h:16},
{t:"Childrens Photography and",p:22,x:827,y:525,w:178,h:16},
{t:"Illustrative ",p:22,x:827,y:543,w:70,h:16},
{t:"Awards for last two years,",p:22,x:891,y:543,w:168,h:16},
{t:"the Fuji Masterpiece ",p:22,x:827,y:561,w:137,h:16},
{t:"Award in 2008",p:22,x:955,y:561,w:93,h:16},
{t:"and multiple Judges ",p:22,x:827,y:578,w:135,h:16},
{t:"Awards.  For",p:22,x:954,y:578,w:83,h:16},
{t:"each of the p ast three years, Pat",p:22,x:827,y:596,w:208,h:16},
{t:"Lambert's images have been award-",p:22,x:827,y:613,w:238,h:16},
{t:"ed the coveted Loan Collection st",p:22,x:827,y:631,w:218,h:16},
{t:"a-",p:22,x:1032,y:631,w:13,h:16},
{t:"tus.",p:22,x:827,y:649,w:23,h:16},
{t:"2004 was the inaugural year for",p:22,x:843,y:666,w:207,h:16},
{t:"PPA's National Photographer of the",p:22,x:827,y:684,w:230,h:16},
{t:"Year Awards.  They were developed",p:22,x:827,y:701,w:230,h:16},
{t:"as a way to encourage photogra-",p:22,x:827,y:719,w:216,h:16},
{t:"phers to improve their artistic and",p:22,x:827,y:737,w:218,h:16},
{t:"technical skills and demonstrate their",p:22,x:827,y:754,w:242,h:16},
{t:"talent through competition, as well",p:22,x:827,y:772,w:222,h:16},
{t:"as a way for the public to discern the",p:22,x:827,y:789,w:241,h:16},
{t:"best of the best.",p:22,x:827,y:807,w:105,h:16},
{t:"“These awards are among the",p:22,x:847,y:825,w:197,h:16},
{t:"most prestigious in the industry",p:22,x:827,y:842,w:203,h:16},
{t:",”",p:22,x:1016,y:842,w:8,h:16},
{t:"confirms PP APrint Exhibition",p:22,x:827,y:860,w:184,h:16},
{t:"Committee Helen Yancy . “The recipi-",p:22,x:827,y:877,w:231,h:16},
{t:"ents of these awards have proven",p:22,x:827,y:895,w:220,h:16},
{t:"the quality of their work on a consis-",p:22,x:827,y:913,w:236,h:16},
{t:"tent basis in one of the highest quali-",p:22,x:827,y:930,w:241,h:16},
{t:"ty image competitions in the world,",p:22,x:827,y:948,w:227,h:16},
{t:"PPA's International Print",p:22,x:827,y:965,w:157,h:16},
{t:"Competition.”",p:22,x:827,y:983,w:87,h:16},
{t:"Page 22 Both Sides of the Bridge April 2009",p:22,x:98,y:1039,w:283,h:19},
{t:"A PPAmember earns a",p:23,x:97,y:130,w:154,h:16},
{t:"Photographer of the ",p:23,x:97,y:148,w:134,h:16},
{t:"Year Award by",p:23,x:223,y:148,w:92,h:16},
{t:"earning a merit for each of the four",p:23,x:97,y:165,w:227,h:16},
{t:"images included in their print case -",p:23,x:97,y:183,w:233,h:16},
{t:"an incredible accomplishment.  ",p:23,x:97,y:201,w:207,h:16},
{t:"All",p:23,x:290,y:201,w:16,h:16},
{t:"merited images enter PP",p:23,x:97,y:218,w:162,h:16},
{t:"A's",p:23,x:249,y:218,w:19,h:16},
{t:"renowned General Collection.",p:23,x:97,y:236,w:194,h:16},
{t:"The level of the award is deter-",p:23,x:113,y:253,w:203,h:16},
{t:"mined by how many of those four",p:23,x:97,y:271,w:218,h:16},
{t:"images receive the highest possi-",p:23,x:97,y:289,w:219,h:16},
{t:"ble honor: accept",p:23,x:97,y:306,w:113,h:16},
{t:"ance into the PP",p:23,x:203,y:306,w:108,h:16},
{t:"A",p:23,x:304,y:306,w:9,h:16},
{t:"Loan Collection.  ",p:23,x:97,y:324,w:114,h:16},
{t:"The Loan",p:23,x:204,y:324,w:62,h:16},
{t:"Collection travels the world for one",p:23,x:97,y:341,w:227,h:16},
{t:"year and is displayed at print exhi-",p:23,x:97,y:359,w:224,h:16},
{t:"bitions, conventions and other pho-",p:23,x:97,y:377,w:229,h:16},
{t:"tography event",p:23,x:97,y:394,w:97,h:16},
{t:"s.",p:23,x:188,y:394,w:11,h:16},
{t:"Ms. Lambert received the Silver",p:23,x:117,y:412,w:207,h:16},
{t:"Level National Photographer of the",p:23,x:97,y:429,w:228,h:16},
{t:"Year Award, meaning that one of",p:23,x:97,y:447,w:211,h:16},
{t:"her four merited print",p:23,x:97,y:465,w:137,h:16},
{t:"s entered the",p:23,x:225,y:465,w:86,h:16},
{t:"PPALoan Collection.  In 2008, she",p:23,x:97,y:482,w:226,h:16},
{t:"was one of only 75 Silver Level",p:23,x:97,y:500,w:204,h:16},
{t:"National     Photographers of the",p:23,x:97,y:517,w:214,h:16},
{t:"Year out of a PP",p:23,x:97,y:535,w:107,h:16},
{t:"Amembership of",p:23,x:197,y:535,w:110,h:16},
{t:"over 20,000.  ",p:23,x:97,y:553,w:90,h:16},
{t:"PPA, a worldwide association,",p:23,x:117,y:570,w:195,h:16},
{t:"exists to assist it",p:23,x:97,y:588,w:105,h:16},
{t:"s more than",p:23,x:197,y:588,w:78,h:16},
{t:"20,000 members in achieving their",p:23,x:97,y:605,w:225,h:16},
{t:"professional, artistic and fraternal",p:23,x:97,y:623,w:217,h:16},
{t:"goals, promote public awareness",p:23,x:97,y:641,w:215,h:16},
{t:"of the profession and to advance",p:23,x:97,y:658,w:214,h:16},
{t:"the making of images in all it",p:23,x:97,y:676,w:187,h:16},
{t:"s disci-",p:23,x:272,y:676,w:46,h:16},
{t:"plines as an art, a science and a",p:23,x:97,y:693,w:213,h:16},
{t:"visual recorder of history",p:23,x:97,y:711,w:160,h:16},
{t:".",p:23,x:246,y:711,w:4,h:16},
{t:"Lambert’ s studio, Moment",p:23,x:113,y:729,w:166,h:16},
{t:"s By",p:23,x:272,y:729,w:28,h:16},
{t:"Pat, is located in Saddlebrooke",p:23,x:97,y:746,w:203,h:16},
{t:"and Branson, MO. Lambert has",p:23,x:97,y:764,w:206,h:16},
{t:"relently added an associate ",p:23,x:97,y:781,w:184,h:16},
{t:"photographer to her st",p:23,x:97,y:799,w:145,h:16},
{t:"aff, Nicole",p:23,x:233,y:799,w:64,h:16},
{t:"Stresak. ",p:23,x:97,y:817,w:56,h:16},
{t:"Stresak, a 2008 graduate of",p:23,x:117,y:834,w:181,h:16},
{t:"Hallmark Institute of Photography",p:23,x:97,y:852,w:218,h:16},
{t:"returns to the Branson area af",p:23,x:97,y:869,w:196,h:16},
{t:"ter a",p:23,x:281,y:869,w:29,h:16},
{t:"internship with Disney in Florida. “I",p:23,x:97,y:887,w:226,h:16},
{t:"am thrilled to be working with",p:23,x:97,y:905,w:191,h:16},
{t:"Nicole. She is a great addition to",p:23,x:97,y:922,w:213,h:16},
{t:"our studio” Lambert said.",p:23,x:97,y:940,w:163,h:16},
{t:"Page 23 Both Sides of the Bridge April 2009",p:23,x:770,y:1039,w:283,h:19},
{t:"ABeacon of Hope",p:24,x:108,y:85,w:935,h:141},
{t:"The Women’ s Crisis Center of ",p:24,x:108,y:192,w:513,h:51},
{t:"Taney County",p:24,x:658,y:192,w:234,h:51},
{t:"For women living with domestic violence, the world",p:24,x:125,y:260,w:276,h:14},
{t:"can be a dark and scary place.  The Women's Crisis",p:24,x:107,y:276,w:270,h:14},
{t:"Center of Taney County, however, strives to change",p:24,x:107,y:292,w:272,h:14},
{t:"that.  “The women who are living under oppression are",p:24,x:107,y:307,w:291,h:14},
{t:"beat down,” Becky Vermeire, Executive Director of the",p:24,x:107,y:323,w:291,h:14},
{t:"Crisis Center said. “I strongly",p:24,x:107,y:339,w:157,h:14},
{t:"believe, though, that ",p:24,x:107,y:354,w:110,h:14},
{t:"people can change.  There is a",p:24,x:107,y:370,w:159,h:14},
{t:"light at the end of the tunnel.”",p:24,x:107,y:386,w:158,h:14},
{t:"The way toward that light can",p:24,x:107,y:402,w:158,h:14},
{t:"begin with a phone call.",p:24,x:107,y:417,w:126,h:14},
{t:"According to the Missouri",p:24,x:120,y:433,w:138,h:14},
{t:"Coalition Against Domestic and",p:24,x:107,y:449,w:168,h:14},
{t:"Sexual Violence (MCADSV),",p:24,x:107,y:464,w:156,h:14},
{t:"domestic violence is different",p:24,x:107,y:480,w:155,h:14},
{t:"from other forms of family vio-",p:24,x:107,y:496,w:166,h:14},
{t:"lence, such as child abuse,",p:24,x:107,y:511,w:139,h:14},
{t:"because it “distorts what is sup-",p:24,x:107,y:527,w:167,h:14},
{t:"posed to be a partnership based",p:24,x:107,y:543,w:165,h:14},
{t:"on mutual respect.” While both",p:24,x:107,y:558,w:164,h:14},
{t:"men and women can be the vic-",p:24,x:107,y:574,w:168,h:14},
{t:"tims of domestic violence,",p:24,x:107,y:590,w:138,h:14},
{t:"women make up approximately",p:24,x:107,y:605,w:166,h:14},
{t:"84 percent.  ",p:24,x:107,y:621,w:65,h:14},
{t:"Although most people realize",p:24,x:124,y:637,w:155,h:14},
{t:"that domestic violence can be",p:24,x:107,y:652,w:155,h:14},
{t:"physical abuse, the MCADSV",p:24,x:107,y:668,w:159,h:14},
{t:"also recognizes three others: sex-",p:24,x:107,y:684,w:174,h:14},
{t:"ual violence and abuse; psycho-",p:24,x:107,y:699,w:168,h:14},
{t:"logical abuse; and economic",p:24,x:107,y:715,w:149,h:14},
{t:"abuse, in which the abuser controls all of the money or",p:24,x:107,y:731,w:289,h:14},
{t:"ruins the victim’s credit rating, for example. Many vic-",p:24,x:107,y:746,w:290,h:14},
{t:"tims of domestic violence believe that they are no",p:24,x:107,y:762,w:262,h:14},
{t:"longer capable of making decisions for themselves.",p:24,x:107,y:778,w:270,h:14},
{t:"Even though they are in a desperate situation, many",p:24,x:125,y:794,w:272,h:14},
{t:"abused women find it difficult to make the initial call to",p:24,x:107,y:809,w:294,h:14},
{t:"a crisis center.  “We have a 24-hour-crisis hotline,”",p:24,x:107,y:825,w:268,h:14},
{t:"Vermeire said.  “The hotline may be just used as an",p:24,x:107,y:841,w:271,h:14},
{t:"information-gathering tool, or someone may call for a",p:24,x:107,y:856,w:283,h:14},
{t:"woman.  The domestic violence victim may call back",p:24,x:107,y:872,w:281,h:14},
{t:"when she feels ready.” In 2007, 1,827 calls were made",p:24,x:107,y:888,w:287,h:14},
{t:"to the 24-hour Crisis Hotline.",p:24,x:107,y:903,w:154,h:14},
{t:"According to Vermeire, the hotline is only one way",p:24,x:124,y:919,w:269,h:14},
{t:"a woman may contact the Women’s Crisis Center, also",p:24,x:107,y:935,w:287,h:14},
{t:"called the Crisis Center. “The police may provide infor-",p:24,x:107,y:950,w:294,h:14},
{t:"mation and transportation to the center, or an emer-",p:24,x:107,y:966,w:270,h:14},
{t:"gency medical provider may suggest that the Crisis",p:24,x:107,y:982,w:269,h:14},
{t:"Center come to pick up the woman,” Vermeire said.  ",p:24,x:107,y:997,w:280,h:14},
{t:"In 2007 domestic violence programs in southwest",p:24,x:428,y:262,w:261,h:14},
{t:"Missouri provided services to more than 4, 900 individ-",p:24,x:428,y:277,w:294,h:14},
{t:"uals, and, according to the Missouri State Highway",p:24,x:428,y:293,w:269,h:14},
{t:"Patrol’s Uniform Crime Reports, 416 reported inci-",p:24,x:428,y:309,w:270,h:14},
{t:"dences occurred in Taney County.  ",p:24,x:428,y:324,w:185,h:14},
{t:"“Keep in mind that the U.S. Department of Justice",p:24,x:446,y:732,w:266,h:14},
{t:"reports that only about one half of the incidents of",p:24,x:428,y:748,w:264,h:14},
{t:"domestic violence experienced by women are reported",p:24,x:428,y:763,w:287,h:14},
{t:"to the police,” MCADSV's Lisa Weingarth said.  If that",p:24,x:428,y:779,w:291,h:14},
{t:"is indeed the case, then approximately 800 incidences",p:24,x:428,y:795,w:283,h:14},
{t:"of domestic violence occurred in Taney County alone.",p:24,x:428,y:810,w:284,h:14},
{t:"Although domestic violence occurs in every social",p:24,x:428,y:826,w:266,h:14},
{t:"group defined by race, ethnicity, and economic status,",p:24,x:428,y:842,w:283,h:14},
{t:"women who are better off financially are abused less.",p:24,x:428,y:858,w:281,h:14},
{t:"Women who live in poverty are more than twice as",p:24,x:428,y:873,w:269,h:14},
{t:"likely to experience violence by their partners, partly",p:24,x:428,y:889,w:278,h:14},
{t:"because they have fewer options. ",p:24,x:428,y:905,w:177,h:14},
{t:"Approximately 25 percent of Taney County's resi-",p:24,x:445,y:920,w:263,h:14},
{t:"dents live below the poverty level.  A large number of",p:24,x:428,y:936,w:284,h:14},
{t:"jobs in the county are in the service sector, which cre-",p:24,x:428,y:952,w:284,h:14},
{t:"ates jobs with relatively low pay, few benefits, and sea-",p:24,x:428,y:967,w:292,h:14},
{t:"sonal layoffs. The financial stress on families whose",p:24,x:428,y:983,w:275,h:14},
{t:"livelihoods depend on this type of employment is",p:24,x:428,y:999,w:260,h:14},
{t:"reflected in the numbers of women served at the",p:24,x:750,y:263,w:254,h:14},
{t:"Women's Crisis Center.  “In 2007, the Crisis Center",p:24,x:750,y:279,w:271,h:14},
{t:"provided 6,116 emergency shelter bed nights,”",p:24,x:750,y:295,w:245,h:14},
{t:"Vermeire said.",p:24,x:750,y:310,w:75,h:14},
{t:"The demands of providing help to so many women",p:24,x:767,y:326,w:269,h:14},
{t:"must be daunting, but Vermeire takes it",p:24,x:825,y:342,w:206,h:14},
{t:"in stride. “This is a good fit for me,”",p:24,x:825,y:357,w:192,h:14},
{t:"Vermeire said. “I have a heart for women",p:24,x:825,y:373,w:217,h:14},
{t:"who find themselves in oppressive situa-",p:24,x:825,y:389,w:214,h:14},
{t:"tions.",p:24,x:825,y:404,w:28,h:14},
{t:"“The Crisis Center was created by a",p:24,x:840,y:420,w:189,h:14},
{t:"group of concerned citizens who thought",p:24,x:825,y:436,w:215,h:14},
{t:"they needed to do something about",p:24,x:825,y:451,w:184,h:14},
{t:"(domestic violence).  In 1990 the",p:24,x:825,y:467,w:174,h:14},
{t:"Women's Crisis Center was incorporated",p:24,x:825,y:483,w:213,h:14},
{t:"as a not-for-profit agency for the sole",p:24,x:825,y:499,w:196,h:14},
{t:"purpose of providing safe shelter, sup-",p:24,x:825,y:514,w:202,h:14},
{t:"port, and advocacy for victims of domes-",p:24,x:825,y:530,w:217,h:14},
{t:"tic violence and their children,” Vermeire",p:24,x:825,y:546,w:217,h:14},
{t:"said.",p:24,x:825,y:561,w:24,h:14},
{t:"“As the only victim services agency",p:24,x:843,y:577,w:189,h:14},
{t:"in Taney County in 1997, the Crisis",p:24,x:825,y:593,w:187,h:14},
{t:"Center began serving victims of sexual",p:24,x:825,y:608,w:205,h:14},
{t:"assault, as well.   In 2001, through pri-",p:24,x:825,y:624,w:204,h:14},
{t:"vate grant funding, the Crisis Center pur-",p:24,x:825,y:640,w:217,h:14},
{t:"chased resort property.  We were the first",p:24,x:825,y:655,w:216,h:14},
{t:"shelter in Missouri to purchase a resort",p:24,x:825,y:671,w:205,h:14},
{t:"and put women into separate facilities,”",p:24,x:825,y:687,w:209,h:14},
{t:"Vermeire said.",p:24,x:825,y:702,w:75,h:14},
{t:"Vermeire began her career by work-",p:24,x:843,y:718,w:189,h:14},
{t:"ing with behavioral disorder children and kids who had",p:24,x:750,y:734,w:291,h:14},
{t:"substance abuse problems.  “This was the niche that fit",p:24,x:750,y:749,w:289,h:14},
{t:"for me,” said Vermeire.  She graduated from College of",p:24,x:750,y:765,w:292,h:14},
{t:"the Ozarks with a degree in psychology/philosophy/",p:24,x:750,y:781,w:274,h:14},
{t:"religion and was headed toward an M.Ed. in education-",p:24,x:750,y:796,w:292,h:14},
{t:"al psychology when child bearing intervened.  “My son",p:24,x:750,y:812,w:292,h:14},
{t:"was born and changed my plans,” she said.",p:24,x:750,y:828,w:226,h:14},
{t:"“I stayed home for 18 months when I had my son,”",p:24,x:767,y:843,w:270,h:14},
{t:"Vermeire said.  “When a part-time position at the center",p:24,x:750,y:859,w:294,h:14},
{t:"became available in 1997, I took it.  I was going to stay",p:24,x:750,y:875,w:293,h:14},
{t:"six weeks.  But, then I became full-time, and then I",p:24,x:750,y:891,w:270,h:14},
{t:"became director,” she said. ",p:24,x:750,y:906,w:145,h:14},
{t:"“At that time, my level of understanding of domes-",p:24,x:767,y:922,w:270,h:14},
{t:"tic violence was minimal,” Vermeire said.  “What I",p:24,x:750,y:938,w:269,h:14},
{t:"quickly found out was that this is my passion, my God-",p:24,x:750,y:953,w:292,h:14},
{t:"given purpose.  It’s a privilege to work with people in a",p:24,x:750,y:969,w:293,h:14},
{t:"crisis situation.  And, if you are in an abusive situation,",p:24,x:750,y:985,w:291,h:14},
{t:"every day is an emergency situation.  The behavior of",p:24,x:750,y:1000,w:283,h:14},
{t:"By Josephine Cozean Styron",p:24,x:895,y:242,w:144,h:12},
{t:"Page 24 Both Sides of the Bridge April 2009",p:24,x:108,y:1029,w:277,h:19},
{t:"abuse intensifies over time. Today it may be verbal,",p:25,x:114,y:104,w:272,h:14},
{t:"but tomorrow it may be physical.  Women know that",p:25,x:114,y:119,w:278,h:14},
{t:"it will get worse.  If we can be pro-active and not wait",p:25,x:114,y:135,w:286,h:14},
{t:"until she's been hit, we should.  When those dynamics",p:25,x:114,y:151,w:284,h:14},
{t:"are in the home, there's a threat.",p:25,x:114,y:166,w:168,h:14},
{t:"“My philosophy is this: These are adult women in",p:25,x:132,y:182,w:263,h:14},
{t:"bad situations.  Domestic violence is all about power",p:25,x:114,y:198,w:278,h:14},
{t:"and control.  The Women's Crisis Center gives women",p:25,x:114,y:213,w:286,h:14},
{t:"the power of her own choices,” Vermeire said.",p:25,x:114,y:229,w:244,h:14},
{t:"Once a woman arrives at the shelter, she is",p:25,x:132,y:245,w:225,h:14},
{t:"assigned a victim advocate.  “The advocate sits with",p:25,x:114,y:260,w:275,h:14},
{t:"her and explains the program.  The woman determines",p:25,x:114,y:276,w:287,h:14},
{t:"her goals, and together they develop a goal and an",p:25,x:114,y:292,w:264,h:14},
{t:"action plan for her, including a personalized safety",p:25,x:114,y:307,w:266,h:14},
{t:"plan.  The advocate explores options with the woman",p:25,x:114,y:323,w:281,h:14},
{t:"and presents information and potential outcomes. The",p:25,x:114,y:339,w:282,h:14},
{t:"Crisis Center also provides a telephone for her,”",p:25,x:114,y:354,w:253,h:14},
{t:"Vermeire said. To assist battered women, the advo-",p:25,x:114,y:370,w:268,h:14},
{t:"cates utilize the LIFE process: Listen, Inform,",p:25,x:114,y:386,w:242,h:14},
{t:"Facilitate, and Empower and Assist her.",p:25,x:114,y:402,w:208,h:14},
{t:"“A woman can stay from 60 to 90 days as a short-",p:25,x:125,y:417,w:264,h:14},
{t:"term resident, and we will help her move from goal to",p:25,x:114,y:433,w:285,h:14},
{t:"goal.  In the transitional housing program, she can",p:25,x:114,y:449,w:264,h:14},
{t:"stay for two years,” said Vermeire.  “It’s up to the",p:25,x:114,y:464,w:262,h:14},
{t:"woman to determine whether she has met her goals.”",p:25,x:114,y:480,w:279,h:14},
{t:"For some women, one goal may be to obtain reme-",p:25,x:132,y:496,w:269,h:14},
{t:"dies through the judi-",p:25,x:114,y:511,w:113,h:14},
{t:"cial system. This may",p:25,x:114,y:527,w:114,h:14},
{t:"be frightening and",p:25,x:114,y:543,w:96,h:14},
{t:"bewildering for them.",p:25,x:114,y:558,w:114,h:14},
{t:"But, the Women's",p:25,x:114,y:574,w:92,h:14},
{t:"Crisis Center’s court",p:25,x:114,y:590,w:108,h:14},
{t:"advocate, Stefanie",p:25,x:114,y:605,w:95,h:14},
{t:"Parker, will be there to",p:25,x:114,y:621,w:120,h:14},
{t:"help them.  “When the",p:25,x:114,y:637,w:119,h:14},
{t:"women come in to",p:25,x:114,y:652,w:97,h:14},
{t:"court, I help them nav-",p:25,x:114,y:668,w:120,h:14},
{t:"igate the legal sys-",p:25,x:114,y:684,w:98,h:14},
{t:"tem,” Parker said.  “I",p:25,x:114,y:699,w:111,h:14},
{t:"act as a liaison",p:25,x:114,y:715,w:77,h:14},
{t:"between the Women’s",p:25,x:114,y:731,w:115,h:14},
{t:"Crisis Center and oth-",p:25,x:114,y:746,w:116,h:14},
{t:"ers, like the sheriff’s",p:25,x:114,y:762,w:108,h:14},
{t:"department and other",p:25,x:114,y:778,w:111,h:14},
{t:"community services.  I",p:25,x:114,y:794,w:120,h:14},
{t:"speak to the victim advocate, find attorneys for the",p:25,x:114,y:809,w:267,h:14},
{t:"women, and I take them to appointments with their",p:25,x:114,y:825,w:269,h:14},
{t:"attorneys and their court dates.  Sometimes the",p:25,x:114,y:841,w:246,h:14},
{t:"women will be coming to court because the sheriff’s",p:25,x:114,y:856,w:276,h:14},
{t:"office told them to file an Order of Protection.  I’ll sit",p:25,x:114,y:872,w:282,h:14},
{t:"with them on domestic day in court, and I’ll just be",p:25,x:114,y:888,w:270,h:14},
{t:"here for them.\"",p:25,x:114,y:903,w:79,h:14},
{t:"Parker is careful not to cross legal boundaries.",p:25,x:132,y:919,w:243,h:14},
{t:"“There are things I can't do, like give them advice or",p:25,x:114,y:935,w:278,h:14},
{t:"help with their paperwork.  That would be considered",p:25,x:114,y:950,w:282,h:14},
{t:"practicing law. But, I can point them in the right",p:25,x:114,y:966,w:254,h:14},
{t:"direction by telling them where to get the forms, and",p:25,x:114,y:982,w:278,h:14},
{t:"how much it costs to file for divorce,” she said.  ",p:25,x:114,y:997,w:257,h:14},
{t:"“Knowing that there is someone there to give",p:25,x:446,y:104,w:239,h:14},
{t:"them support gives courage to them,” Parker said.",p:25,x:428,y:119,w:263,h:14},
{t:"“These women are so isolated.  They have",p:25,x:428,y:135,w:223,h:14},
{t:"absolutely no one. It helps to have someone in",p:25,x:428,y:151,w:244,h:14},
{t:"their corner.",p:25,x:428,y:166,w:63,h:14},
{t:"“It’s pretty",p:25,x:446,y:182,w:56,h:14},
{t:"scary for them.",p:25,x:428,y:198,w:79,h:14},
{t:"They will have to",p:25,x:428,y:213,w:92,h:14},
{t:"sit there next to",p:25,x:428,y:229,w:81,h:14},
{t:"their abuser, or",p:25,x:428,y:245,w:78,h:14},
{t:"sometimes the",p:25,x:428,y:260,w:75,h:14},
{t:"abuser will sit",p:25,x:428,y:276,w:73,h:14},
{t:"right behind them.",p:25,x:428,y:292,w:96,h:14},
{t:"They may want to",p:25,x:428,y:307,w:95,h:14},
{t:"drop this,” Parker",p:25,x:428,y:323,w:93,h:14},
{t:"said, “and some-",p:25,x:428,y:339,w:88,h:14},
{t:"times that's a",p:25,x:428,y:354,w:68,h:14},
{t:"good choice.”",p:25,x:428,y:370,w:72,h:14},
{t:"Statistics back",p:25,x:428,y:386,w:75,h:14},
{t:"this up: According",p:25,x:428,y:402,w:97,h:14},
{t:"to the MCADSV, a woman is at a 75 percent",p:25,x:428,y:417,w:235,h:14},
{t:"greater risk of being killed when she leaves the",p:25,x:428,y:433,w:248,h:14},
{t:"relationship. “A protective order doesn't protect a",p:25,x:428,y:449,w:259,h:14},
{t:"woman from being killed,” Parker said. A woman",p:25,x:428,y:464,w:261,h:14},
{t:"also has to consider what effect her testimony will",p:25,x:428,y:480,w:265,h:14},
{t:"have upon the safety and security of her children.",p:25,x:428,y:496,w:260,h:14},
{t:"“We support whatever they decide,” Parker said.",p:25,x:431,y:511,w:255,h:14},
{t:"“A lot of women are really brave to get up in",p:25,x:449,y:527,w:237,h:14},
{t:"front of a judge and their abuser,” Parker said.",p:25,x:431,y:543,w:243,h:14},
{t:"“Some women don't function well, but a lot of",p:25,x:431,y:558,w:244,h:14},
{t:"them do really well.”",p:25,x:431,y:574,w:111,h:14},
{t:"“The women will say ‘Thank you, thanks for",p:25,x:449,y:590,w:237,h:14},
{t:"listening,’”  Parker said.  “You can see that they",p:25,x:431,y:605,w:253,h:14},
{t:"are stronger, but they don't realize it yet.  I like to",p:25,x:431,y:621,w:261,h:14},
{t:"see it when the women get their self-confidence",p:25,x:431,y:637,w:252,h:14},
{t:"back.  They realize they can do it on their own.  I",p:25,x:431,y:652,w:260,h:14},
{t:"get a lot of satisfaction from that,” Parker said.",p:25,x:431,y:668,w:247,h:14},
{t:"“We try to help as many people with as many",p:25,x:449,y:684,w:240,h:14},
{t:"issues as possible,” Becky Vermeire said.  To do",p:25,x:431,y:699,w:254,h:14},
{t:"this, the Crisis Center uses two federal grants and",p:25,x:431,y:715,w:261,h:14},
{t:"one state grant.  “But we rely a lot on the commu-",p:25,x:431,y:731,w:264,h:14},
{t:"nity at large.  Without community support, we",p:25,x:431,y:746,w:243,h:14},
{t:"would struggle.  In 2008, the level of contribu-",p:25,x:431,y:762,w:247,h:14},
{t:"tions went down.  People are having trouble donat-",p:25,x:428,y:778,w:269,h:14},
{t:"ing.”  ",p:25,x:428,y:794,w:32,h:14},
{t:"When donations fall short, Vermeire tries to",p:25,x:446,y:809,w:230,h:14},
{t:"fund raise.  “The discretionary grant search is con-",p:25,x:428,y:825,w:267,h:14},
{t:"stant,” Vermeire said.  “It’s not from year to year.",p:25,x:428,y:841,w:260,h:14},
{t:"The thing people don't consider is the vastness of",p:25,x:428,y:856,w:259,h:14},
{t:"the things and services supplied, from office sup-",p:25,x:428,y:872,w:259,h:14},
{t:"plies to food, clothing, etc.  All of the non-profit",p:25,x:428,y:888,w:254,h:14},
{t:"agencies work together.  You have to have that",p:25,x:428,y:903,w:245,h:14},
{t:"community and collaboration.  Taney County has",p:25,x:428,y:919,w:259,h:14},
{t:"an excellent collaboration of services,” Vermeire",p:25,x:428,y:935,w:256,h:14},
{t:"said. The center still must rely heavily on local",p:25,x:428,y:950,w:247,h:14},
{t:"support to maintain the consistency of services",p:25,x:428,y:966,w:246,h:14},
{t:"necessary to meet the growing needs of those in",p:25,x:428,y:982,w:253,h:14},
{t:"our community.",p:25,x:428,y:997,w:82,h:14},
{t:"At a candlelight ceremony sponsored by the Crisis",p:25,x:767,y:104,w:266,h:14},
{t:"Center, a woman who had been helped at the center and",p:25,x:750,y:119,w:294,h:14},
{t:"had successfully met her goals spoke to the audience.",p:25,x:750,y:135,w:281,h:14},
{t:"“You can choose not to be a victim,” she said.  “Your",p:25,x:750,y:151,w:281,h:14},
{t:"challenge is to not let the past dictate your future.  The",p:25,x:750,y:166,w:288,h:14},
{t:"end can be better than the beginning.”",p:25,x:750,y:182,w:200,h:14},
{t:"Vermeire firmly believes in the light at the end of",p:25,x:767,y:198,w:260,h:14},
{t:"the dark tunnel of domestic violence.  “People can",p:25,x:750,y:213,w:265,h:14},
{t:"change,” she said.  “It’s miraculous.”",p:25,x:750,y:229,w:195,h:14},
{t:"If you are interested in learning more about the",p:25,x:767,y:245,w:248,h:14},
{t:"Women's Crisis Center or want to volunteer, call ",p:25,x:750,y:260,w:259,h:14},
{t:"(417) 561.5105.  The hotline is (866) 379.0074.",p:25,x:750,y:276,w:288,h:17},
{t:"Becky Vermeire",p:25,x:287,y:780,w:97,h:14},
{t:"Page 25 Both Sides of the Bridge April 2009",p:25,x:766,y:1027,w:277,h:19},
{t:"Stephanie Parker",p:25,x:565,y:392,w:106,h:14},
{t:"Page 26 Both Sides of the Bridge April 2009",p:26,x:97,y:1039,w:283,h:19},
{t:"Page 27 Both Sides of the Bridge April 2009",p:27,x:770,y:1040,w:283,h:19},
{t:"the old adage that he would grow out of it was not true either.",p:28,x:719,y:159,w:306,h:13},
{t:"After years of frustration a friend recommended that we try a chi-",p:28,x:719,y:173,w:325,h:13},
{t:"ropractor.  My parents were skeptical, but desperate.  We went to",p:28,x:719,y:188,w:322,h:13},
{t:"the chiropractor who did a thorough neurological evaluation, and",p:28,x:719,y:203,w:322,h:13},
{t:"x-rayed his spine.  He showed my parents the x-rays and",p:28,x:719,y:218,w:281,h:13},
{t:"explained that the rotation in my brother's spine (subluxation)",p:28,x:719,y:232,w:305,h:13},
{t:"was putting pressure on the nerves  going to his bladder, causing",p:28,x:719,y:247,w:320,h:13},
{t:"a lack of communication to flow between his brain and his blad-",p:28,x:719,y:262,w:319,h:13},
{t:"der. (Much like stepping on a garden hose and cutting off the",p:28,x:719,y:277,w:302,h:13},
{t:"water supply to the garden will ultimately cause the garden to",p:28,x:719,y:291,w:305,h:13},
{t:"whither and spoil.)  My brother then received his first chiroprac-",p:28,x:719,y:306,w:319,h:13},
{t:"tic adjustment.  After a few adjustments he no longer wet the",p:28,x:719,y:321,w:302,h:13},
{t:"bed!  Releasing the pressure on the nervous system (taking your",p:28,x:719,y:586,w:317,h:13},
{t:"foot off the hose), had allowed his body to heal itself without the",p:28,x:719,y:601,w:321,h:13},
{t:"need for medical intervention.  I later learned that chiropractic",p:28,x:719,y:616,w:308,h:13},
{t:"adjustments could help the body heal from many different symp-",p:28,x:719,y:630,w:321,h:13},
{t:"toms by removing the interference to the organs or body parts….",p:28,x:719,y:645,w:321,h:13},
{t:"it wasn't just for helping kids with bed-wetting like I thought as a",p:28,x:719,y:660,w:323,h:13},
{t:"kid. ",p:28,x:719,y:674,w:21,h:13},
{t:"I later became a wellness chiropractor and realized that the",p:28,x:736,y:689,w:291,h:13},
{t:"health problems I had as a \"normal\" child could have been",p:28,x:719,y:704,w:290,h:13},
{t:"helped and possibly eliminated, as I have helped children and",p:28,x:719,y:719,w:305,h:13},
{t:"adults of all ages overcome a near endless array of symptoms.",p:28,x:719,y:733,w:307,h:13},
{t:"My confession is this; I helped them, never healed them.  A",p:28,x:719,y:748,w:295,h:13},
{t:"power much greater than me does all of the healing.  I simply",p:28,x:719,y:763,w:305,h:13},
{t:"remove the spinal interferences that are preventing their bodies",p:28,x:719,y:778,w:312,h:13},
{t:"from functioning correctly in the first place- and their health is",p:28,x:719,y:792,w:310,h:13},
{t:"naturally restored.",p:28,x:719,y:807,w:89,h:13},
{t:"We have come to a time when we absolutely should not rely",p:28,x:736,y:822,w:298,h:13},
{t:"on our government or insurance companies to get, or keep us",p:28,x:719,y:837,w:302,h:13},
{t:"well.  As we look at ourselves in the mirror, we are ultimately",p:28,x:719,y:851,w:306,h:13},
{t:"looking at the only person who is responsible of our health and",p:28,x:719,y:866,w:312,h:13},
{t:"well-being.  Please consider this special offer.  We invite you to",p:28,x:719,y:881,w:315,h:13},
{t:"come into our office for the entire new patient services (NASA",p:28,x:719,y:896,w:312,h:13},
{t:"approved computerized neurological exam and x-rays if needed)",p:28,x:719,y:910,w:319,h:13},
{t:"for $27 (a $150 value)!  This special offer removes most of the",p:28,x:719,y:925,w:312,h:13},
{t:"financial barrier to allow you to see if wellness chiropractic can",p:28,x:719,y:940,w:315,h:13},
{t:"help you improve your health and overall well-being.  NOTE:",p:28,x:719,y:955,w:307,h:13},
{t:"This $27 special covers an individual, or entire families initial",p:28,x:719,y:969,w:307,h:13},
{t:"check-up.  Please accept this special offer, and call today, as",p:28,x:719,y:984,w:297,h:13},
{t:"appointments are limited.  Call 417-334-5330.",p:28,x:719,y:999,w:229,h:13},
{t:"Page 28 Both Sides of the Bridge April 2009",p:28,x:107,y:1029,w:277,h:19},
{t:"A Doctor's Confession to the Branson Residents",p:28,x:205,y:99,w:709,h:40},
{t:"Dear Friends,",p:28,x:107,y:143,w:67,h:13},
{t:"Confessions are tough, yet they often help promote a",p:28,x:124,y:158,w:262,h:13},
{t:"better understanding by erasing misconceptions.  I want t",p:28,x:107,y:172,w:283,h:13},
{t:"to tell you a story, and confession that I have.",p:28,x:107,y:187,w:225,h:13},
{t:"My story is that as a small child I was considered",p:28,x:120,y:202,w:245,h:13},
{t:"\"hyper\".  I had a speech impediment and regularly had",p:28,x:107,y:217,w:270,h:13},
{t:"some type of ear infection, cold or flu.  My family always",p:28,x:107,y:231,w:287,h:13},
{t:"used the \"traditional\" form of medicine for treating any and",p:28,x:107,y:246,w:294,h:13},
{t:"all health ailments that we had.  By no means were we",p:28,x:419,y:158,w:270,h:13},
{t:"frequently running to the medical Doctor, yet we thought",p:28,x:419,y:172,w:282,h:13},
{t:"that everything that was wrong with our health was \"nor-",p:28,x:419,y:187,w:283,h:13},
{t:"mal\", with one exception.  My older brother wet the bed.",p:28,x:419,y:202,w:282,h:13},
{t:"What was as a small child considered a minor problem",p:28,x:419,y:217,w:271,h:13},
{t:"became very embarrassing for him as he became older.  ",p:28,x:419,y:231,w:279,h:13},
{t:"We tried the \"traditional\" routes of medication, and",p:28,x:439,y:246,w:253,h:13},
{t:"Page 29 Both Sides of the Bridge April 2009",p:29,x:767,y:1029,w:277,h:19},
{t:"Page 30 Both Sides of the Bridge April 2009",p:30,x:107,y:1028,w:277,h:19},
{t:"Newest Donna Marie Seim book proceeds ",p:30,x:479,y:113,w:568,h:40},
{t:"will go to support children's charity fund",p:30,x:484,y:154,w:542,h:40},
{t:"Author Donna Marie",p:30,x:484,y:220,w:121,h:15},
{t:"Seim collaborated with",p:30,x:465,y:237,w:134,h:15},
{t:"illustrator Susan",p:30,x:465,y:254,w:94,h:15},
{t:"Spellman for Seim’s ",p:30,x:465,y:272,w:122,h:15},
{t:"latest children's book",p:30,x:465,y:289,w:122,h:15},
{t:"\"Where is Simon,",p:30,x:465,y:306,w:109,h:15},
{t:"Sandy?\" a delightful",p:30,x:465,y:323,w:123,h:15},
{t:"tale set on the island of",p:30,x:465,y:341,w:134,h:15},
{t:"Grand Turk in the",p:30,x:465,y:358,w:103,h:15},
{t:"Bahamas.",p:30,x:465,y:375,w:56,h:15},
{t:"A tale passed down",p:30,x:484,y:392,w:112,h:15},
{t:"through generations of",p:30,x:465,y:410,w:130,h:15},
{t:"oral tradition on the",p:30,x:465,y:427,w:114,h:15},
{t:"island, the book tells of",p:30,x:465,y:444,w:135,h:15},
{t:"how Sandy the donkey",p:30,x:465,y:461,w:132,h:15},
{t:"awakens one morning to find her master,",p:30,x:465,y:479,w:236,h:15},
{t:"Simon, missing.  Despite Simon's leadership",p:30,x:465,y:496,w:257,h:15},
{t:"absence,  Sandy refuses to shirk her daily task",p:30,x:465,y:513,w:267,h:15},
{t:"of carrying water to the villagers, never quitting",p:30,x:465,y:530,w:277,h:15},
{t:"until the job is done. Seim's words and",p:30,x:465,y:548,w:224,h:15},
{t:"Spellman's illustrations capture the texture of",p:30,x:465,y:565,w:261,h:15},
{t:"the life of Grand Turk residents.",p:30,x:465,y:582,w:186,h:15},
{t:"Seim is the sister of Branson businessman",p:30,x:485,y:599,w:244,h:15},
{t:"Jack Burke, also an author himself of books on",p:30,x:465,y:617,w:273,h:15},
{t:"business and marketing.",p:30,x:465,y:634,w:139,h:15},
{t:"“Donna has an affinity for children,” Burke",p:30,x:485,y:651,w:252,h:15},
{t:"said.  “She and her husband, Marty, owned and",p:30,x:465,y:668,w:273,h:15},
{t:"operated a wonderful toy store in Newburyport,",p:30,x:465,y:686,w:276,h:15},
{t:"Massachusetts for many years before turning it",p:30,x:465,y:703,w:272,h:15},
{t:"over to their daughter Kristin.  It's one of the",p:30,x:465,y:720,w:259,h:15},
{t:"few toy stores I've ever seen featured in",p:30,x:465,y:737,w:230,h:15},
{t:"Smithsonian magazine.”  ",p:30,x:465,y:755,w:148,h:15},
{t:"Moving from the world of retail toys, into",p:30,x:485,y:772,w:243,h:15},
{t:"the role of children's book author seemed a nat-",p:30,x:465,y:789,w:276,h:15},
{t:"ural transition for Seim. Her previous works",p:30,x:465,y:806,w:256,h:15},
{t:"include the children's novel “Hurricane Mia”, an",p:30,x:465,y:824,w:281,h:15},
{t:"adventure story about a young girl and her",p:30,x:465,y:841,w:246,h:15},
{t:"island friend who search for a tea that cures",p:30,x:465,y:858,w:253,h:15},
{t:"everything. Seim also wrote a personal child-",p:30,x:465,y:875,w:262,h:15},
{t:"hood memoir, “Fifty Cents an Hour: My Life",p:30,x:465,y:892,w:262,h:15},
{t:"According to Me.”  ",p:30,x:465,y:910,w:116,h:15},
{t:"Spellman has illustrated over 25 books,",p:30,x:485,y:927,w:228,h:15},
{t:"including the patriotic tale “An American Flag",p:30,x:465,y:944,w:269,h:15},
{t:"for Their Father”.  ",p:30,x:465,y:961,w:110,h:15},
{t:"To lend graphic authenticity to the story told",p:30,x:485,y:979,w:258,h:15},
{t:"in “Where is Simon, Sandy?” the two women",p:30,x:465,y:996,w:264,h:15},
{t:"researched the architecture and landscape of",p:30,x:465,y:1013,w:256,h:15},
{t:"Grand Turk plus hundreds of photographs of",p:30,x:777,y:486,w:258,h:15},
{t:"the islanders.  Many of the illustrations are",p:30,x:777,y:503,w:248,h:15},
{t:"based on children who currently live on the",p:30,x:777,y:520,w:252,h:15},
{t:"island.  All of the proceeds from “Where is",p:30,x:777,y:537,w:249,h:15},
{t:"Simon, Sandy?” will go to benefit the",p:30,x:777,y:555,w:218,h:15},
{t:"Children's Program of the Turks and the",p:30,x:777,y:572,w:232,h:15},
{t:"Caicos National Museum, which celebrates",p:30,x:777,y:589,w:250,h:15},
{t:"the culture and heritage of the islands",p:30,x:777,y:606,w:217,h:15},
{t:"“Where is Simon, Sandy?” is ",p:30,x:801,y:624,w:173,h:15},
{t:"available at Books-a-Million in Branson,",p:30,x:777,y:641,w:236,h:15},
{t:"online through Amazon.com, Barnes and",p:30,x:777,y:658,w:236,h:15},
{t:"Noble, as well as through the publisher,",p:30,x:777,y:675,w:229,h:15},
{t:"Publishing Works.",p:30,x:777,y:693,w:105,h:15},
{t:"Page 31 Both Sides of the Bridge April 2009",p:31,x:770,y:1039,w:283,h:19},
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