Marshall Writers' Guild | Edward Richards

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EDWARD RICHARDS

Letters to The Marshall Democrat-News:

Voters should question actions of current Marshall School Board as they consider how to vote in upcoming election. 4/1/2008

We are fortunate that a number of people always come forward and offer themselves as candidates for public office. The school board is one of these. By definition, in offering their services, candidates are also offering to assume the obligations, duties and responsibilities attendant to the office sought, and to give due diligence to their performance.

We have reason to question the manner in which the current board has exercised it's responsibilities.

First, it took 3½ years for the board to respond to the fiscal problem of over spending. And, not until the overspending had reached almost 1.5 million dollars.

Second, Dr. Gordon was assigned responsibility for overspending and fired. The real culprit is the board which allowed it. The board cannot claim lack of knowledge as they must approve the annual state report which discloses the financial status of the district. Each of the last three years that report has shown expenditures exceeding income.

Third, Dr. Gordon exercised his right to a public hearing pending his dismissal. He received a hearing of dubious merit. While it may have met legal requirements, only lawyers in attendance would know that. Many residents feel the hearing did not pass the fairness test.

Fourth, reportedly the Board incurred about $90,000 in expenses for legal fees, interim superintendent salaries and search fees attendant to dismissing Dr. Gordon and hiring a replacement. Most people would question why, if a change was to be made so abruptly, existing management could not have sufficed until a new superintendent was hired. The University of Missouri was able to operate with existing personnel while seeking a new leader, why not the Marshall School District?

These events follow earlier misjudgments when the board advanced three building proposals which the electorate found wanting. That was in addition to a building which the Board approved and erected, then shortly found unsuitable and had dismantled.

We have an election on April 8 at which three board members will be elected. It does make a difference whom we elect. Be informed and vote wisely.

Government failure to effectively address illegal immgration problem puts nation at risk for bigger problems. 2/19/2008

My friend Chuck Hird has put a very human face on the problem of illegal immigration and the impact of potential legislation on individual illegal immigrants. (Democrat-News 1/31/2008).

Some will surely want to take a broader look at the problem and it's impact on the 300 million or so legal residents. By U. S. Census estimates illegal aliens now number more than two times the total of all U. S soldiers mobilized during WWII. Just the yearly increase in illegals is four times the number of all allied forces that landed at Normandy on D-Day during World War II.

Few can deny that this influx has had an impact on all of us. And there is no end in sight.

In the absence of a Federal solution, a number of state and local governments have attempted to provide their own remedies. Missouri appears ready to join them.

A large unassimilated population of a single ethnic group portends difficulties such as now experienced in Canada, Ireland and Iraq and which led to the partitioning of India to create Pakistan and Bangladesh.

There is an axiom that if you want more of something you reward it. Upwards of 85% of the U. S. Population do not want to reward or otherwise encourage this illegal activity.

There are frightening similarities between this situation and that leading up to the Civil War. Feelings are strong among the citizenry and Congress has been unable, or unwilling, to effect a solution.

Mr. Hird notes the lack of Christian hospitality by the state of Oklahoma and now potentially Missouri. He may be right. Whether an act is Christian applies to our individual actions; this test cannot be considered by government, courtesy of the American Civil Liberties Union and the U. S. Constitution.

The Blue Swallow Still Flies

The Blue Swallow Motel has welcomed Route 66 visitors since 1939.

Reprinted with permission of
Route 66 New Mexico Fall 2006 | Vol 14 No 2

Like many 67-year-olds, the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico is still active and on the job. It was built in 1939 by architect and builder W. A. Huggins to serve travelers on the Mother Road (Route 66) and it has been in continuous use ever since.

The Blue Swallow may well be the most famous motel in the world. It certainly is the most photographed according to Bill Kinder, one of owners. Not only has it been listed in the State and National Register of Historic Places since 1993; it is also listed in the book 1,000 Places to See Before You Die, by Patricia Schultz, which was published in 2003. It has been used as a backdrop for a number of movies and TV shows. In fact three production companies are scheduled to be there this summer. Unfortunately no record has been kept of those movies and shows or the famous people who have stayed there.

But, as with most 67 year olds, life has not always been easy. Mr. Huggins had to sell the property at a loss at the beginning of WW II as gas and tire rationing limited travel on Route 66. But the motel survived and in 1958 came into the hands of Lillian Redman, a former Harvey House Restaurant Girl. She operated it for almost 40 years and is perhaps the most famous proprietor. Mrs. Redman saw it through the construction of Interstate 40 whose completion bypassed the city and took with it a great part of her customer base.

The present owners are Terri Johnson and Bill Kinder. During a recent remodeling all eleven rooms were updated with Beautyrest mattresses but the original 1939 dial telephones were retained. In another bit of nostalgia some black and white TVs were also kept. All rooms have quilts and in a nod to the present they also have internet access. There are antiques throughout. For instance an antique sewing machine is used as a TV stand in one room and a vintage floor model radio is used in another. Each room has a different decor.

Terri and Bill can accommodate you with a queen size bed, two double beds or a suite of two rooms. The sign out front invites prospective guests to inspect the rooms. You can also view some rooms on their web site at www.blueswallowmotel.com. Rooms are budget priced at just $33.95 for a single and $36.95 for a double. But if you want the suite that will set you back $74.95 for two Queen sized and one double bed. Bill says guests always say they are going to get up for an early start but the good mattresses cause them to sleep in.

Recent improvements include locked garages, new Beautyrest mattresses and internet access.

Bill Kinder and Terri Johnson welcome you to the Blue Swallow. Visit their website at www.blueswallowmotel.com.

When you check-in one of the first things you will notice is the 1950s era cigarette machine, an old fire extinguisher and other antiques in the office. And hospitality! Where else will lodgers be treated by the proprietor to a photo of themselves under the famous sign; not to mention a private locked garage by their room. On leaving guests get an autographed postcard with a nighttime shot of the motel featuring the neon lighted blue swallow.

They are always thrilled to see quests arrive in a vintage vehicle. The day we visited Bill was excited to point to the 1948 Studebaker pickup truck parked in one of the garages by a guest who arrived the previous day.

A stay at the Blue Swallow is a must for Route 66 nostalgia buffs. Especially in 2006. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the designation of U. S. Highway 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles. Tucumcari claims to be the heart of the Mother Road. On June the city hosted the Mother Road Rally at the Quay County Fair Grounds and in July the 6th Annual Route 66 Celebration at the Tucumcari Convention Center.

One place you can still get your kicks on Route 66 is the famous Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico. But you better make your reservations about a week in advance.

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