THIS IS YOUR CITY!

How long have you lived in Springfield?  What is your favorite part of this city?  Is it the people, the small businesses, the Springfield Cardinals, First Friday Art Walk?  There is a lot to love about our city and there have been countless hours of work and taxpayer dollars to make and keep it that way.  The most noticeable improvements may be in the downtown area; namely The Square with its artwork and beautiful new fountain.   This, along with the Art Walk, has helped to cultivate an environment that has attracted people and families from multiple age groups and demographics as well as from surrounding cities. 

I, for one, love going to Art walk with my wife and seeing what residents of my city have created with amazing talent, the interesting wares the vendors peddle, and the many diverse cultures coinciding and enjoying it right along with me.  I also love seeing the small businesses that have popped up and contributed to Springfield’s charm.

Sure, Springfield isn’t perfect and there is still much to be done.   Crime, unemployment, a large problem with methamphetamine abuse, etc., continue to be problems which need continued attention.  Since these issues are inextricably tied to our economy, it is vital to create an environment where businesses can grow, where families can flourish, and that attracts people from surrounding areas to do business in our fair city.  Things such as the Art Walk and The Square have helped to set our downtown  area on a path to rejuvenation.

A few months ago, however, our city came under attack by a group of professional victims claiming gender equality and demanding that women have the same right to public toplessness that men do.  This could mean the destruction of any family friendly image we have thus far achieved.  A group of topless protesters, exploiting weak language in Springfield’s indecent exposure ordinance, invaded The Square during Art Walk wearing nothing but strategically placed tape from the waste up.  They then left The Square and paraded themselves in front of a concert being put on by middle school students.  It was even reported that girls as young as fifteen were taking part and being photographed by a myriad of older men.  Then the outcry began.

Numerous calls and emails began pouring into the City Council demanding that something be done.  Newly elected Council Member Justin Burnett answered Springfield by drafting a new indecent exposure ordinance that he modeled, and pretty much copied, from various other major cities including Missouri’s own St. Louis.  Then the true character of our city’s elected government began to show itself. 

The new ordinance was passed by a 5-4 vote with some council members being swayed by the inundation of emails from their constituents telling their Council Members to support it.  Mayor Stephens voted against it.  (This is the same city council that voted to table a motion to install our country’s national motto in the City Council Chambers and then defeat it later in committee without vote or public voice.)  Only Council Members Burnett and Fulnecky whole heartedly supported the both bills.

          That should have been the end of it.  The people spoke, the Council voted, the ordinance passed, the end. Right?.... WRONG!  The protesters decided to get revenge for their hurt feelings by targeting the Councilman who actually did his job: Justin Burnett.  They, under the leadership of Katie Webb, Jessica Lawson, and Bon Tindle, began a recall petition to get Burnett removed from office.  After a very dismal beginning resulting in lack of volunteers and even a bigger lack of signatures, it appeared as though the protesters campaign was fizzling out.  Then it happened. 

          On October 26, a coordinated attack was lobbied against this city and its residents.  Katie Webb had a failed attempt at recruiting people to show up at the City Council meeting that night and call for Burnett’s resignation.  That same morning, Mayor Stephens had sent a letter to Councilman Hosmer of the city’s Plans and Policies committee asking that they look at the new ordinance.  He claimed that he believed that it may violate the 1st and 14th Amendments of the Constitution and that it should be repealed.  Keep in mind that nobody had tried to get a repeal issue on the ballot such as happened with SOGI.  This was the Mayor working on his own.

          That same day the ACLU filed a lawsuit against Springfield naming Jessica Lawson in the suit.  This lawsuit was eerily similar to Stephens letter to Hosmer.  When asked if he had had any knowledge of the impending lawsuit he said that he hadn’t.  However, Jessica Lawson claimed that he had full knowledge of the suit.  So it appears that our very own Mayor Stephens was working with the people who wanted to destroy the city’s image and expose women in public to bring a lawsuit against Springfield. 

          Councilwoman Kristi Fulnecky had had enough.  In an interview she claims that Stephens had lied and was misleading to the people of Springfield.  This obviously did not sit well with Stephens who has major political ambitions.  How Stephens responds to all this in the coming days will be very telling about his character. 

          People of Springfield, this is YOUR CITY!  In which direction do you want it to go?  Does Mayor Stephens reflect the future that you want for your city?  Do the Council Members who voted against the ordinance and our National Motto have your best interests at heart? Springfield’s future is in your hands. Only by speaking out for what you believe is right for your city can you make a positive difference.  There is no middle ground.  There is no more time for pacifism.  They city’s government works for you!  If they do not reflect your views, you can fire them.  An effort to recall Mayor Stephens will soon be underway.  Will you stand up for YOUR CITY?