Lebanon, Missouri, Asked for Change, Although not Happily Received

Lebanon, Missouri -- What began as a vote for change in city hall, looks more like a metaphorical "lynching." When C.P. Craig took the mayor's office in April, he began to make some changes that, according to the audit done by the State Auditor's office (by petition of the citizens of Lebanon), were needed. Changes, such as the usage of city vehicles, were put into effect.

The audit, completed and discussed at a town hall meeting in July, with the findings also published in the August 3,2008 issue of the Lebanon Daily Record, suggested that the receipt books at the Cowan Civic Center were not accurately kept, city vehicles were being used for personal use and she suggested changing that policy, bidding processes, prevailing wage practices and poor documentation were among the items State Auditor Susan Montee recommended changing.

Mayor Craig began making some of these changes as soon as he took office and long before the findings of the state audit. Several police officers were temporarily demoted on the premise that there were "too many chiefs and not enough Indians." 3 officers immediately resigned, the Chief of Police announced his early retirement and that is just the beginning.

Grievances were filed with the police board by several of the demoted officers and the statement was made by attorney for the officers, Roger G. Brown of Roger G. Brown and Associates, in a letter to Mayor Craig on May 27 warning that if the city does not address the officer's grievances properly, the attorney "will assume that your actions were based on age and gender." On June 4, 2008, the mayor announced the restructure of the police department and reinstatement of ranks. However, Police officers who live outside the city limits are no longer allowed to drive their police cruisers home and the Emergency Management Department was disbanded.

Once the Police Department was back in action, Craig decided to advance to the subject of the city pool and the civic center. For the last 2 years, local citizens were allowed to use both of these facilities at no charge due to a tax that was passed over 5 years ago. Craig suggested to the park board that a fee of $1 per person to the Boswell Aquatic Park and pool be charged as well as a $25 yearly membership fee to the civic center. The Parks Department discussed this issue and the decision was made to leave the facilities at no charge until the year 2010 when the tax had expired.

The city of Lebanon had been lead by Mayor Bud Allen for more than 8 years. They asked for change, voted in change and within 3 months are ready for another change. My father always told this reporter "be careful what you wish for, you just may get it."