Ozarks Property Rights Congress Meeting
November 11 -7:00 p.m.—Gainesville, Missouri 
Vaught’s Family Restaurant
On meeting nights, food is served from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Meeting Topics will include
 13 County National Heritage Area Proposal (see above link Local Counties . . . )

Thirteen  south central Missouri counties are being considered for inclusion in a proposed National Heritage Area designation by Ozark Action in West Plains. The counties are Texas, Wright, Douglas, Carter, Dent, Howell, Iron, Oregon, Ozark, Reynolds, Ripley, Shannon, and Wayne. Ozark Action has initiated a government funded feasibility study.
        
Supporters say NHA is a way to preserve cultural heritage. Property rights groups see NHA designation as Federal land use zoning, a way to put restrictions on private land use.
     
The Ozarks Heritage Project is a collaborative effort between the West Plains Council on the Arts, Ozarks Action  and Missouri State University-West Plains. The organizers are funded with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (stimulus) funds received from the U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services provided by the MO Dept. of Social Services, Family Support Division. There is also funding from the National Endowment for the Arts. MSU-West Plains is providing personnel to fill key positions.

Mountain View, Missouri’s Morningland Dairy’s trouble
with the Missouri Milk Board, USDA, and FDA

Go to http://uncheeseparty.wordpress.com/ and read the articles that explain the situation.  Doreen Hannes is very active in getting the word out on this serious rights issue.

We will also have comments on the Missouri Conservation Commission meeting in Kirksville, Missouri  and their vote to stock Elk in the state.

There will be no November meeting in Mountain Grove.

MDC Officials have said they would attend

 
    An information meeting regarding the Missouri Department of Conservation`s proposal to stock elk in the Ozarks will be held  at the Mountain View  community building,  Wednesday  Sept. 29th at 7 p.m.
     MDC deputy director Tom Draper has confirmed that he and three other department  personnel will attend  to present details of their proposal and hear comments from the public at the meeting being hosted by the Ozarks Property Rights Congress.
    There will also be speakers representing landowners concerns about releasing free roaming elk in the region.  Area elected officials have also been invited to attend.
    The conservation commision has stated they will make a final decision on elk stocking at their October 15th meeting.
    The meeting is open to the public.

Deadline coming up to send your ELK comments to MDC.

The MDC is seeking written comments by Oct. 1. Comments can be emailed by going to www.mdc.mo.gov/contact-us and click on “Elk Restoration Comments” or mailed to Missouri Department of Conservation, Director’s Office, PO Box 180, Jefferson City MO 65102-0180. Following a period of public comment ending Oct. 1, MDC staff will present a proposed elk restoration plan to the Commission at its meeting Oct. 15 in Jefferson City.

Ozarks Property Rights Congress Meeting
September 23 -7:00 p.m.
Hayloft Restaurant– Mountain Grove
Come early if you care to eat as no food is allowed in the meeting room. 

 ••  The Heritage Area designations are back on the table in a big way. A Heritage Area that covers 13 SW MO counties is in the works. We will have a report on the 9/17 Howell County Heritage Area meeting. We need to    stay on top of this.
 ••  We are expecting an update on another landowner/government agency boundary dispute - this one is with the US Forest Service.
 ••  Calvin Morrow of Christians Uniting for Political Action & Accountability will tell about his organization  (www.cupaasalt.org).

Two public meetings on Elk Reintroduction

 Tuesday, September 21, 7:00 p.m. in the Old City Hall Auditorium at 3rd and Washington in Salem, Missouri.   This meeting is to educate the Missouri Dept. of Conservation as to Why We Don’t Want Elk Re-introduction in Missouri. The meeting is sponsored by the Dent County Farm Bureau Chapter and the Dent County Cattlemen’s Association. MDC’s Deputy Director, Tom Draper, will be there to answer questions and take comments from the public. It would also be a good time to have written comments ready to send back to MDC via Mr. Draper.
 

Wednesday, Septenber 29th 7:00 p.m. Mountain View, MO Community Center. (OPRC Sponsored) Try to come to at least one of these meetings, we need to get folks out to show opposition to the dangerous return of wild elk. Why should we want the same problems Arkansas has with elk?

Ozarks Property Rights Congress will host a their bi-monthly meeting in Gainesville, Missouri at Vaught’s Family Restaurant on Thursday, September 9 at 7:00 p.m. On meeting nights, food is served from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. This month there will be a buffet available, as well as ordering from the menu.

The main topic of discussion will be the Missouri Department of Conservation’s proposal to re-introduce wild Elk in Missouri. MDC tried to get this done 10 years ago, but failed because of liability and containment issues. As OPRC sees it, nothing has changed. (see the article MDC Discusses Elk Restoration at OPRC Meeting for details of the Mountain Grove, MO meeting with MDC officials on August 26)

DVDs of the Mountain Grove meeting will be available at the meeting. Also, DVDs of the 10th Conference on Private Property Rights held July 17th in Cabool are also available.

The next meeting in Mountain Grove, Missouri will be on September 26 at the Hayloft Restaurant at 7:00 p.m.

Property Rights Meeting - Hayloft Restaurant at 7:00 p.m.

Ozarks Property Rights Congress will hold its monthly meeting on August 26th at the Hayloft Restaurant in Mountain Grove, at 7:00 p.m. (Come early if you care to eat, as no food is allowed in the meeting room, due to limited restaurant staff).

We will be discussing the proposal of the Missouri Department of Conservation to reintroduce  Elk in Missouri . See the previously posted article.

Meeting Topic: Elk Reintroduction in Missouri 

     The recent announcement by the Missouri Department of Conservation that they are once again proposing stocking elk in the Ozarks, will be the topic of the August 26th meeting. Pros and cons on the issue will be discussed.  Clint  Dalbom, forestry district supervisor with the Conservation Department, has confirmed that he will speak at the meeting.
   
Mr. Dalbom will present the MDC proposal. A rebuttal presentation will also be made outlining objections to the plan by dissenting landowners.

OPRC president, Russell Wood says, “Bringing both sides together for a civil discussion of an issue is the hallmark of the Ozarks Property Rights Congress, and has proven beneficial in promoting understanding of opposing forces in the past.” Russell insists on everyone maintaining a civil and respectful decorum throughout the meeting.
   
Stocking elk in the region was proposed ten years ago, but the plan was dropped after strong concerns were raised by the public and legislators over liability, animal health and habitat issues.

DVDs of the July 17th, 10th Conference on Private Property Rights  held in Cabool, Missouri will be available at the meeting. Details later.

10th Conference on Private Property Rights
Sponsored by Ozarks Property Rights Congress
July 17, 2010—Cabool, Missouri 
Cinema II Theatre — Highway 181 South
9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Complimentary coffee and donuts at  about 8:30 a.m.
 
 

 “The purpose of the 10th Conference on Private Property Rights is to show attendees how their support, involvement, leadership, and energy, as well as vote, as related to the speakers’ topics can enhance their chances of preserving private property rights and basic freedoms. As we give them useable information, we need to also give them actionable advice.”  c. Russell Wood—OPRC President 
 
Tentative Agenda (not necessarily in this order)
 
Ron Calzone—What is a Constitutional Republic? What are citizens’ inherent responsibilities in such a political system?
 
Ray Cunio—Update on the Clean Water Restoration Act
 
Paul Hamby—MO Coordinator Campaign for Liberty– How a few grass roots folks have been able to affect legislation, and protect our rights—or slow the growth of government.
 
Doreen Hannes—The so-called Food Safety Bills that are going through Congress. What can we, what should we, do about them,  both at the state and federal level.
 
The REAL Conservationist Award—Given each year to someone who has shown extraordinary diligence in their commitment to preserving our private property rights.
 
Candidates in contested state and congressional races in the November election have been invited to share their views and answer questions.
 
Lunch may be available on grounds or on your own at area restaurants. There will be an announcement at  the Conference.
 
If you care about your rights, make the effort to come! Invite someone to come with you.
 
 
For more information:  info@ozarksprc.com

YOU Can Make A Difference! is the theme of the 10th Conference on Private Property Rights sponsored by  the Ozarks Property Rights Congress.

July 17, 2010 
9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Cinema II Theatre
Highway 181 South 
Cabool, Missouri 

Coffee and doughnuts at 8:30 a.m.

Confirmed speakers include:
Doreen Hannes will talk about the details and status of the food safety bills going through Congress.
Ray Cunio of Citizens for Private Property Rights - Topic to be announced
Ron Calzone of Missouri Citizens For Property Rights - whose web site is www.mo-cpr.org  Ron’s topic will be announced later.  

Candidates have been invited to give a brief talk and answer questions.

We will have more information for you early next week. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

Ozarks Property Rights Congress
 Meeting – May 27 -  7:00 p.m.
Hayloft Restaurant  in Mountain Grove, Missouri
Come early if you care to eat, as no food is allowed in the meeting room due to limited staff.

President’s Update by c. Russell Wood

The Missouri legislative session has ended without too much serious damage to private property rights, or so it looks at this point. We`ll have up to date reports at the next meeting.
   Doreen attended the meeting USDA held in Kansas City to lay out their approach to their new version of NAIS. It`s now called Animal Disease Traceability and she will be at the meeting in Mountain Grove to tell us all about it. (See her article starting on page 2)
    Although the animal care regulations proposed in Jefferson City didn`t pass, that bogus animal rights petition pushed by the HSUSA  is still out there and is expected to be on the November ballot. It`s a bad one and we`ve got to defeat it or lose our rights to raise animals on our property. It is worded and presented as a soft and fuzzy puppy care issue, but its intent is to stop animal agriculture.
    Many of you are asking what has happened in the dispute over the boundary lines between the Conservation Dept. and neighbors on the Massingill property in Douglas county. In a recent conservation I had with Tom Draper( who is now assistant director of MDC) he indicated boundaries are not going to be changed at this time and MDC was not pursuing any change in usage. He said the neighbors need to show a history of possession and use in order to be able to establish a base for any realignment of ownership of the disputed ownership. I think the MDC would like the matter settled and they obviously want no more of a fuss over it.
    We`ve asked Rep. Tony Dugger to join us for the upcoming meeting and keep us informed.
    Hope to see you Thursday night.    Russell

Upcoming Meetings

The Missouri Primary Election is on August 3 and voters want to face the candidates in person. OPRC is happy to provide opportunities to bring voters and candidates together. We encourage those in other areas to plan some voter/candidate get-togethers.

June 1 – Lawrence County Chapter - Mt. Vernon - Red Barn Restaurant - 7:00 pm
 Topic: Reviewing and personalizing the land use plan that Douglas County so generously allowed us to use as a template.
June 8 – Far Southwest Chapter - New-Mac Community Center, Anderson, Missouri – 7:00 p.m. -  Speaker will be Senator Chuck Purgason
June 10 – Meet the Candidates in Gainesville – 7:00 p.m. Vaught’s Family Restaurant – On meeting nights food is served from 5 to 7 p.m.
Vaught’s is located on Highway 160, west of Gainesville, west of the junction of Highway 160 and Highway 5 South
June 19 – Meet the Candidates in Ava. 1-3 p.m. at the Ava Victory Academy, located near the intersection of Highway 5 and 14, between McDonald’s and Taco Bell. We hope to have some district and state wide candidates attend.
June 24 – Meet the Candidates in Mountain Grove – 7:00 p.m. Hayloft Restaurant
July 13 -  Far Southwest Chapter - New-Mac Community Center, Anderson, Missouri – 7:00 p.m. Topic: Meet the candidates for State Representatives
July 17 – 10th Property Rights Conference in Cabool. (Details in June news)

 
“All Doesn’t Mean All”

A Special Report from Doreen Hannes on the
USDA Kansas City Meeting on Traceability–
© Doreen Hannes 2010 

  On May 11th, the USDA held the first of three public meetings on their “New NAIS” program “Animal Disease Traceability”.  The meeting began at 8am with three power point presentations. California State Veterinarian, Dr. Richard Breitmeyer gave the first presentation. This was the same presentation he gave at the mid-March NIAA (National Institute of Animal Agriculture) meeting, also held in Kansas City.
 Breitmeyer’s presentation focused on the difficulties around tracing the contacts of tubercular (and suspect) cattle in the state of California and other states without the aid of an interoperable database covering all animals and all movements. According to his presentation, the state of California has approximately 57,500 known live cattle imports from Mexico per year. This is significant in that more than 75% of all tuberculosis in cattle is of Mexican origin. Breitmeyer lamented that when he began as a vet 25 years ago, the US had nearly eliminated TB except for in small areas of northern Michigan and northern Minnesota where the soil make up continues to keep TB in the wildlife and therefore occasionally in cattle. Breitmeyer’s presentation was actually quite a good illustration of many of the failed policies of the USDA in disease control, the lack of quarantine at the borders chief among them. Of course, he is a proponent of a NAIS style system because having all that data available would make his job easier…At least on paper.
  The second presentation was given by a very soft-spoken APHIS/VS (Veternary Services) representative, Dr. TJ Mayer. He stressed that the “theme” for the development of the “new” program is “collaboration”. Those to be affected must be involved in the process of developing the solution for the lack of traceability that now exists— particularly in cattle. Cattle are the primary focus for this new plan, and the methodology for bringing cattle to 95% traceability back to the point of identification in 2 business days is dependent on “collaboration” in developing the processes in our states. (Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?)  Mayer also illustrated that the desired traceability would be implemented gradually through partnerships of stakeholders and building upon the requirements outlined in the rule that is to be developed for criteria that states must meet for interstate commerce.
  The third presentation was by Becky Brewer (Oklahoma State Vet) and the apparent lead member of the newly established “Regulatory Working Group”. Dr. Brewer related the thinking of the Regulatory Working Group on the measurable outcomes of the ‘traceability’ standards to arrive at 95% of “all” animals traced back to the ‘traceability unit’ within 2 business days. Brewer stated, “In government speak, “all” doesn’t mean all.” This may explain why the USDA kept insisting that when opponents of NAIS cited documents verbatim, we were “spreading misinformation”. Evidently the English language is a linguistic and statistical anomaly in the hands and mouths of bureaucrats. They can’t say what they mean and mean what they say.
   There were no question and answer sessions after the presentations. Instead every table was given a USDA facilitator and three segments of questions to answer regarding how we might achieve the desired outcome of getting animals id’d back to the ‘traceability unit’.  The tables were marked with species placards and there were at least five cattle tables, three swine, two poultry, one sheep and goat, and one other species.
  When I entered the room I noticed that Kenny Fox of R CALF USA was at a cattle table and I failed to notice the “other species” table so I sat at the sheep and goat table. There were no people at the poultry tables. The cattle tables were quite full, and all of the reporters were sitting at the ‘other species’ table, so I thought I would just sit at the empty sheep and goat table.
  When the facilitating began, I was blessed with three USDA representatives at my table, where all the other tables only had one. I shared the table with one sheep broker from New Mexico. He deals in 20 to 30,000 head of sheep annually mostly exported to Mexico and was quite content with the Scrapie program. This program identifies breeding animals back to the flock of origin with a number assigned to the flock manager and not the land the animals are held on. It also allows for tattoos as an alternate form of official id for interstate commerce, and does not use RFID tags, although it could in the future.
  The USDA representatives at my table were not particularly interested in hearing about how the failed agricultural policies have created a problem that the USDA would now like all of us to ‘partner’ with them to solve. They did take copious notes, and were quite proficient in ‘mirroring’ my statements while slightly adjusting them to fit their desired outcome more handily.
  At the end of each of the three segments, a representative from each table stood and gave the ‘report’ from the table on that segment. The consensus of the cattle groups were that only breeders should be identified, RFID tags should be avoided, back tags should continue to be used for feeders and slaughter cows, and a NAIS styled system would not work at all.
  The USDA is currently promoting the use of ‘bright’ tags for cattle. These are very similar to brucellosis tags in numbering and appearance. However, when the only question and answer segment of the day took place and Neil Hammerschmidt  (one of the main authors of NAIS) gave most of the answers, he made it clear that the USDA still wants to ‘aggressively’ pursue the use of 840 tags.
  The bottom line about the entire meeting is that the USDA will try to have a draft rule ready in June from
the “Regulatory Working Group.” This rule will define the “performance standards” that are to be met by the states to engage in interstate commerce. The USDA plans to publish this proposed rule in November or December of 2010, allow a 90 day comment period, and finalize the rule (make it law) from 8-10 months after the comment period is complete. There may be different requirements under these performance standards by species, potentially exempted sectors or movements. There is concern that incentives and disincentives for states must be expressed clearly and not be too “heavy handed”. In other words, if a state meets compliance levels in hogs and not cattle, the hogs should not be refused access to interstate commerce.
  It appears to me that we must proactively engage our state legislators to statutorily define requirements for interstate livestock movement and not allow the Missouri Departments of Agriculture the leeway to cooperate with the USDA to achieve the goals of the USDA as those goals are still NAIS oriented. The USDA will not dismantle the National Premises Repository although Hammerschmidt stated that if a state were to want to withdraw all of their participants, they could do so. Also, according to Hammerschmidt, they still want to move ‘aggressively’ to 840 tags as official identification along with electronic Certificates of Veterinary Inspection.
  The onus of implementing the graduated Animal Disease Traceability program rests squarely on the individual states. Either the states will define those standards statutorily or the USDA will bring about their final desires incrementally through the regulatory process.
 
Listen to Doreen Hannes’ radio show, Truth Farmer, every Saturday from 10-11am Central on libertynewsradio.com.
 Also check out www.newswithviews.com  for her articles and many other excellent researchers on topics affecting your freedom…also her blog,
www.truth-farmer.blogspot.com

Special Report- 2010 Missouri Legislative Session Review

by Paul Hamby
Missouri Campaign for Liberty /www.campaignforliberty.com/usa/MO/

4.5 months.  70 days in session. 163 house members.  34 Senators.  Approximately 1800 bills & resolutions filed;  106 passed. Down from 150 typically passed.
 Most legislators go to Jeff City thinking their job is to pass laws, pass tax credits and provide money for the specials interests who funded their campaign.   Sadly, that is how politics usually works.  The real purpose of being elected to the Missouri Legislature is to protect Missouri citizen’s Liberty and rights.  Our legislator’s constitutional purpose is to fight against those who want to pass more laws and fund special interests.  From that perspective, here is my review of the 2010 Missouri Legislative session;
     HCFA - The Health Care Freedom Act. (passed) Initiative in response to the federal health care bill, and prohibits any law (state or federal) from forcing a patient, employer or health care provider to participate in any government or private health care system. Does not limit your options or rights, just stops government from forcing you to purchase a plan.
 On August 3, Missouri voters will be the first in the nation to accept or reject forced Obamacare. This showdown of the sovereign people of
Missouri vs the Federal Govt of Pelosi/Reid/Obama will be one of the top stories of the August 2010 elections.  The world will be watching.  More on this developing story and how you can help coming soon.
      Ethics Reform (purged then passed) allows the Missouri Ethics Commission to investigate ethics violations without an outside complaint being filed and makes it a crime to obstruct an ethics investigation.  In addition, the bill requires contributions of more than $500 to incumbent officials and their challengers during Missouri legislative session be electronically reported within 48 hours; makes clear that no
statewide elected official or lawmaker may offer employment where compensation is above actual
Legislative Session Review Cont
expenses to another statewide elected official or lawmaker in exchange for his or her official vote; and limits the transferring of contributions among most committees.
 This bill is mostly political theatre.    Watch for incumbent politicians to tout this during the election cycle.  Mostly a waste of time - but at least they were not spending tax money while providing the entertainment of ‘ethics’
 Ag Bill (purged then passed) this simple bill quickly grew to an unconstitutional omnibus bill with 42 pages of “Someone should do something!”  Several grass roots groups including Campaign for Liberty worked hard to purge the bad stuff from this bill.  Two significant items we removed are;
 “the “Missouri Animal Care Advisory Committee”, which would have written pro-CAFO, industrial ag supporters into statute as official advisors to the General Assembly and set a precedent for industry advisory groups.
 ”the so-called “Right to Raise Animals” (in numerous bills), which could have taken away local control and stopped the General Assembly from passing future state CAFO standards if corporate agri-business decided it was an “undue economic burden”. Kudos to Senators Rob Mayer, Chuck Purgason, Wes Shoemyer, Clemens & Rep Belinda Harris.
    Message for the 2011 legislators; Omnibus bills are unconstitutional and they are bad policy.  We will not tolerate Washington DC style legislation in Missouri.   Next year we will oppose all Omnibus bills regardless of content.   Follow the rules - One issue per bill.  Vote on that issue. Move On.   
     10th amendment resolutions.   (passed house committee, then stalled) Affirms of the sovereignty of the people of Missouri under the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.  Sometimes it takes a few years for a bill to get passed.  Jim Guest presented 10th amendment resolutions before Tea Parties became popular.  In the past 18 months, most tea parties had some reference to the 10th amendment or state sovereignty.  Special Thanks to Jim Guest for lighting the torch that so many others are now carrying.  Kudos to Rep Jim Guest,  Mike Dethrow, Brian Nieves,  Alan Icet, Chuck Gatschenberger. 
     Private and Home Schools gain equal rights.  (passed)    Authorizes certain specified individuals in addition to the school superintendent to issue a student work certificate.  Current law says 14 & 15 year olds must have a work permit in order to be gainfully employed under child labor standards.  These “work certificates” are only provided by the public school superintendant of the school district in which the child resides.  Under this bill all private and home schools may issue certificates to their own students without having to submit to the public school superintendant.  Kudos  Reps Jamilah Nasheed, Chris Carter
     Bright Flight Scholarships for Home School students. (passed)  When the Bright Flight Scholarship was first created by the General Assembly the administration of the scholarship was not micro managed in statute.  As a result home school students who otherwise qualified for the scholarship were denied out of discrimination against home education.  In more recent years this discrimination has been eliminated through appeals and pressures from home schoolers and political supporters.  SB 733 now protects home school students from the potential of future discrimination by explicitly including home schools in the statutory guidelines for the scholarship.  Kudos Senator David Pearce, Rep Gayle Kingery
    Sunshine Law expansion (passed) For any public meeting where a vote of the governing body is required on issues regarding a tax increase, eminent domain with respect to a retail development project, certain types of improvement or development districts, or tax increment financing, the governing body of such county, city, town or village must give at least four days notice before the proper notice is not given, no vote shall be taken until proper notice has been provided. Any legal challenge to the provisions of this section must be brought within thirty days of the subject meeting or such meeting shall be deemed to have been properly noticed and held. Kudos  Senators Eric Schmitt,  Brad Lager
        Red-light cameras  (failed) would ban municipalities from using red-light cameras to enforce driving laws or raise money.  This issue needs a lot of public education.

Ozarks Property Rights Congress
Thursday, April 22, 7:00 p.m.
Hayloft Restaurant – Mountain Grove, MO

Come early if you care to eat, as no food is allowed in the meeting room due to limited restaurant staff

 In light of the resurgence of water control issues, it will be interesting to hear Russell’s report on  the Watershed Workgroup meeting in Jefferson City on April  8.
Also attending with Russell were Ross McElvain, and Jack & Connie Schmidt.

 Please come to the meeting if at all possible. We all need to be aware and involved in “property rights” issues. Property Rights are being taken away. Stay informed.

Upcoming:
No May meeting in Gainesville.
Regular Meeting in Mountain Grove, May 27, 7:00 p.m.

Meet the candidates in Gainesville on June 10 and in Ava on June 19 and June 24 in Mtn. Grove (More info in May).
If you are a candidate for an office and wish to participate, please contact us ASAP.Primary elections are August 3. Get to know your candidates!