TKC BREAKING NEWS!!! JACKSON COUNTY EXECUTIVE FRANK WHITE STAYS LOSING CONTROL OF COMBAT ANTI-DRUG TAX!!! PROSECUTOR JEAN PETERS BAKER TAKES CONTROL & PROMISES NEW DIRECTOR!!!

Exec Frank White loses an important Courthouse battle whilst all the bored weekend newsies struggle to come up with stupid baseball analogies.

More to the point . . .

EXEC FRANK WHITE SUFFERS AN IMPORTANT DEFEAT THAT WILL LEAVE HIS OFFICE WITH AN EVEN MORE LIMITED CAPACITY TO KEEP JOSTLING MONEY AROUND TO PAY FOR EXPENSIVE TRUCKS FOR STAFFERS!!!

Caleb's Chevy Colorado was probably one of the greatest signs that the Courthouse is mostly just a viper pit with no real hope of reform.

Again, just to fill in the blanks for those who don't know . . .

COMBAT is bigger than just an anti-violence program - The tax is budgeted at tens of millions of dollars and it's basically another branch of County government.

The debate on this effort has been one of the most bitter betwixt Exec White and the Legislature. Mean Jean had to publicly school the Exec on the judicial system as Team Frank persisted.

As charter changes loom . . . The power of the Exec office has dwindled even further with COMBAT going back to the Prosecutor's office . . . For better and worse, Frank White is becoming nothing more than a figurehead.

Last insult to injury . . .

Local crime and drugs continue to proliferate and none of these political games have helped to make local streets safer.

Here's the official word with a few TKC highlights . . .

Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker's statement on judge's ruling on COMBAT



Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker released today the following statement after a Jackson County judge late Friday ruled in a civil action involving the Jackson County Legislature and the Jackson County Executive regarding oversight of COMBAT.

From Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker:

I am pleased with the Court's ruling, placing COMBAT back under the Jackson County Prosecutor. I will begin immediately to undertake the work necessary to restore trust in this important tax.

A lack of certainty in recent months has been difficult for COMBAT administration, grantees and the public. But we welcome this ruling and anticipate more productive times ahead in achieving a crucial COMBAT mission, -- building a safer Jackson County for every resident.

I will oversee this program in a straightforward and transparent manner. My office has already undertaken the process of retaining a thorough financial audit of COMBAT funds and I have also requested a performance audit by the State Auditor of Missouri. She has agreed to make such an audit a priority.

Finally, I will initiate immediately the process to begin a search for a new Executive Director. The position has been vacant for more than a year. We will soon announce a selection committee to review and interview candidates, the first step in this process.

Ruling in COMBAT civil case

Update from the County Exec threatens a lawsuit:

“The County Executive will not be commenting on the latest decision regarding COMBAT until he has an opportunity to consult with the attorney’s hired by the County Counselor to handle this matter, which will likely be next week. However, as he has said from the beginning, the most important issue is not who oversees COMBAT, but to ensure COMBAT achieves its mission of creating a strong, safe community. His concern and focus will remain on the unacceptable levels of violence and drug use in our community despite the amount of taxpayer dollars that have been spent to curb it. Regardless of this or any subsequent rulings, the County Executive will remain committed to doing everything in his power to address these truly life and death issues.”

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Developing . . .