Adam Emery found his calling early in life. At age fourteen he got his first job, working in a tire shop, and there the spark was lit. Today Mr. Emery owns his own service station and offers customers much more than just fuel. “I also do basic mechanic work, brakes, oil changes, tire repair and rotation,” Emery says of his shop, Emery Convenience & Service located in Parnell, Missouri.
In addition to all the services Emery offers, his station also carries new tires along with convenience and grocery items. Along with fulfilling his own dream of being his own boss Emery feels his business is an important way for him to help his rural community.
“This way people do not have to drive twenty miles to the next town to get a gallon of milk or a loaf of bread,” Emery says.
In the town of Parnell, which has a population of approximately 200 people, Emery’s Convenience & Service and K&T Bar and Grill are the only two stores.
Emery has advice for anyone passionate about owning their own business, “Go for it,” he says, “it is possible to make businesses work in small towns.”
Through contacts at USDA, Emery learned about Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation (NWMEF). He credits NWMEF and facilitator Annette Weeks with helping him in planning out the financial aspects of his business and helping his business succeed.
Emery Convenience & Service, 204 S. Main Street, Parnell, Missouri is celebrating a one year anniversary hosted by NWMEF Saturday, November 5th with an awards presentation at 12:00 p.m. and barbecue 12:00 p.m.- 2:00 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
If you are interested in starting or retaining your own business, Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation (NWMEF) is here to help. NWMEF is an economic development project trained by the Sirolli Institute which serves six counties including Andrew, Atchison, Gentry, Holt, Nodaway and Worth. Services are offered free and are strictly confidential. NWMEF is a not-for-profit organization. For more information, contact Annette Weeks, facilitator, at (816) 262-5158 or facilitator@nwmef.com. The Resource Board is comprised of more than 70 volunteer board members from each county as well as regional representation.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
A Moment with Mike -- Back in Missouri
After a couple of weeks traveling out of state for both business and pleasure, it is nice to be back in Missouri. The wooded hills of the Northeast are beautiful this time of year. The leaves come alive in an array of bright colors and the picturesque view of the small fishing villages on the coast of Maine bring images of a time past. We saw beautiful scenery and different livelihoods as we visited another part of our diverse country but I am always glad to be home where Northwest Missouri offers a beauty of its own. Some of the brightest tree colors that I have seen are a couple of blocks from my home and the rolling hills with recently harvested crops have a serenity of their own. Most of you have heard me say that there is nowhere in the world that I would rather live than right here in Northwest Missouri and even though traveling is exciting there are no more comforting words than “Welcome to Kansas City” when your airplane touches down and you are almost home.
The “Special Session” that was called by the Governor to pass some economic development initiatives is officially over and even though the legislative body did not come to agreement on some of the proposed topics, the session was not a complete loss. Two bills were passed and signed by the Governor. One is a powerful economic development tool that will help Missouri attract high-tech and life sciences businesses to our state. The Missouri Science and Innovation Reinvestment Act (MOSIRA) will create a funding source to fuel new growth in the fields of science and technology. MOSIRA was meant to supplement the primary jobs package but it does offer a significant economic development tool on its own.
The other bill passed during the session is what has commonly been referred to as the “Facebook Fix.” The fix will protect the ability of teachers to have appropriate online communications with students. This fixes the unintended consequences that resulted from a previous bill that was meant to prohibit improper communications but put all communications into question.
The lack of agreements did, however, stop some initiatives, leaving them unaddressed until our next regular session. The House had passed bills to move Missouri’s presidential primary, create a period of tax amnesty for Missourians who have fallen behind on their taxes, provide an avenue for disaster relief funding to areas of the state devastated by severe weather and flooding and return control of the St. Louis Police Department to the City of St. Louis. These are issues that impact our state and need serious consideration.
There will be continued speculation on the success and necessity of this “Special Session.” I was sometimes frustrated and disappointed, however, the process is difficult and disagreement often times means that further scrutiny and negotiation is needed to come up with the best solution. Maybe it is better to pass less legislation than to pass legislation that is not the “best” thing for our state.
If you have questions, you may reach me at my Capitol number 573-751-9465, at the local district number, 660-582-4014, by email at mike.thomson@house.mo.gov or by mail at Room 401B State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
The “Special Session” that was called by the Governor to pass some economic development initiatives is officially over and even though the legislative body did not come to agreement on some of the proposed topics, the session was not a complete loss. Two bills were passed and signed by the Governor. One is a powerful economic development tool that will help Missouri attract high-tech and life sciences businesses to our state. The Missouri Science and Innovation Reinvestment Act (MOSIRA) will create a funding source to fuel new growth in the fields of science and technology. MOSIRA was meant to supplement the primary jobs package but it does offer a significant economic development tool on its own.
The other bill passed during the session is what has commonly been referred to as the “Facebook Fix.” The fix will protect the ability of teachers to have appropriate online communications with students. This fixes the unintended consequences that resulted from a previous bill that was meant to prohibit improper communications but put all communications into question.
The lack of agreements did, however, stop some initiatives, leaving them unaddressed until our next regular session. The House had passed bills to move Missouri’s presidential primary, create a period of tax amnesty for Missourians who have fallen behind on their taxes, provide an avenue for disaster relief funding to areas of the state devastated by severe weather and flooding and return control of the St. Louis Police Department to the City of St. Louis. These are issues that impact our state and need serious consideration.
There will be continued speculation on the success and necessity of this “Special Session.” I was sometimes frustrated and disappointed, however, the process is difficult and disagreement often times means that further scrutiny and negotiation is needed to come up with the best solution. Maybe it is better to pass less legislation than to pass legislation that is not the “best” thing for our state.
If you have questions, you may reach me at my Capitol number 573-751-9465, at the local district number, 660-582-4014, by email at mike.thomson@house.mo.gov or by mail at Room 401B State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
Spell of Gold
What magic has now touched
The branches of the trees
And changed green foliage
To golden treasuries?
It’s autumn’s alchemy,
In gardens bonfires blaze;
And see, the leaping flames
Turn golden in the haze!
Perhaps you, too, may find
Gold magic of your own
You planted pumpkin seeds?
See how they’ve grown and grown.
At Halloween, they’ll glow
As lanterns by and by,
Or else be baked golden,
At Thanksgiving for a pie!
--Submitted by Vivian Coleman
The branches of the trees
And changed green foliage
To golden treasuries?
It’s autumn’s alchemy,
In gardens bonfires blaze;
And see, the leaping flames
Turn golden in the haze!
Perhaps you, too, may find
Gold magic of your own
You planted pumpkin seeds?
See how they’ve grown and grown.
At Halloween, they’ll glow
As lanterns by and by,
Or else be baked golden,
At Thanksgiving for a pie!
--Submitted by Vivian Coleman
Blockton Birthdays & Anniversaries
November Birthdays
1 Marylyn Van Patten
2 Paul Beemer
2 David Nally
2 Dorothy Sleep
2 Robert Clark
3 Judy Wilt
4 Eldon Stroburg
5 Sue Hull
5 John Van Patten, Jr.
6 Helen Lawrence
6 Mary Bentley Sheeks
9 Colton Johnson
10 Brent Melvin
10 Lora Wall
11 LuAnn Kettle
12 Doris Risser
12 L.D. Wood
13 Dennis Jackson
14 Jeff Quick
15 Jeanne Cavin
15 Julie Wall
15 Karissa Wiederholt
15 LaVeta Wyllie
16 Barbara McCully
16 Larry Winemiller
16 Donna Walters
17 Amber Farrens
17 Jared Gray
18 Danyelle Jackson
18 Judy King
18 Jim Meek
18 Tammy Schoenmann
18 Rebecca Wall
19 Delbert Molt
19 Brandon Owens
20 Marvel Melvin
20 Lisa Dillon Botzler
21 Corina Lawrence
21 Donald Brown
21 Dorothy Newkirk
21 Jaxson Hull
22 Ethan Coleman
24 Willie Skinner
25 Derek Naill
25 Bub O’Connor
25 Dianne Koehler
25 Joyce Ridge
26 Leena O’Connor Hightshoe
26 Roger Peters
27 Damien Henry
28 Kathleen Drake
28 Gary Loutzenhiser
29 John Cavin
29 Dan Freeman
29 Andrea Owens
29 Kenneth Goff
30 Glen Hull
30 Michelle Saville Riley
30 Ardna Walsh
November Anniversaries
6 Richard & Betty Lamborn
7 Paul & Sue Beemer
11 Chuck & Donna Walters
20 Carey & Joy Stroburg
23 Jerry & Corina Lawrence
24 David & Dee Qualls
24 Jim & Shirley Winemiller
30 Dan & Cindy Nally
1 Marylyn Van Patten
2 Paul Beemer
2 David Nally
2 Dorothy Sleep
2 Robert Clark
3 Judy Wilt
4 Eldon Stroburg
5 Sue Hull
5 John Van Patten, Jr.
6 Helen Lawrence
6 Mary Bentley Sheeks
9 Colton Johnson
10 Brent Melvin
10 Lora Wall
11 LuAnn Kettle
12 Doris Risser
12 L.D. Wood
13 Dennis Jackson
14 Jeff Quick
15 Jeanne Cavin
15 Julie Wall
15 Karissa Wiederholt
15 LaVeta Wyllie
16 Barbara McCully
16 Larry Winemiller
16 Donna Walters
17 Amber Farrens
17 Jared Gray
18 Danyelle Jackson
18 Judy King
18 Jim Meek
18 Tammy Schoenmann
18 Rebecca Wall
19 Delbert Molt
19 Brandon Owens
20 Marvel Melvin
20 Lisa Dillon Botzler
21 Corina Lawrence
21 Donald Brown
21 Dorothy Newkirk
21 Jaxson Hull
22 Ethan Coleman
24 Willie Skinner
25 Derek Naill
25 Bub O’Connor
25 Dianne Koehler
25 Joyce Ridge
26 Leena O’Connor Hightshoe
26 Roger Peters
27 Damien Henry
28 Kathleen Drake
28 Gary Loutzenhiser
29 John Cavin
29 Dan Freeman
29 Andrea Owens
29 Kenneth Goff
30 Glen Hull
30 Michelle Saville Riley
30 Ardna Walsh
November Anniversaries
6 Richard & Betty Lamborn
7 Paul & Sue Beemer
11 Chuck & Donna Walters
20 Carey & Joy Stroburg
23 Jerry & Corina Lawrence
24 David & Dee Qualls
24 Jim & Shirley Winemiller
30 Dan & Cindy Nally
Jack Remembers -- Saturday Nights
It saddens me to think our young rural kids will never experience the thrill of going to town on Saturday night. If you have memories like Dennis Dierking, let me know.
Dear Jack, It was fun to read in the Concordian about the Saturday night ritual from Jack Remembers. Let me tell you what it was like in the late 50’s and early 60’s in good ole Sweet Springs.
On Friday night if you had completed all your chores for the week, your homework was complete, and you hadn’t back-talked your Mother, then you went out to Dad’s workshop and asked for your allowance. It was 50 cents. Once it was in your hands you would call your cousin Phil and arrange to meet at Whitsitt’s Drug Store in 15 minutes. Once we got there we would buy a cherry coke for a dime and then go across the street to the Uptown Theater. Admission was 25 cents for 2 movies and a cartoon. We’d then buy a 10 cent bag of popcorn and for the next 3 ½ hours be totally amused. If you’ve followed my math so far you will know that we each had a nickel left so when the last movie was over we would go across the street to the Sweet Shop, a classic American 60’s malt shop and blow our last nickel on the pinball machine that was in the front window.
Saturday was a different story. Having blown my allowance on Friday night, Saturday consisted of this. My Dad was a mechanic for Turner Chevrolet in downtown Sweet Springs. He worked til noon on Saturdays. We lived about 6 blocks from downtown but Dad would always walk home on Saturday afternoon after he had parked the car in a good spot to visit with people on Saturday night. Saturday nights were incredible. People bringing eggs and produce to Wiley’s grocery. Jack, at one time you could buy a Ford, Mercury, Chevrolet, GM, Chrysler, Dodge product in my home town and now there’s not even a used car dealership that I know of. It’s really sad. Dennis Dierking, Raytown, MO Keep writing, Jack
Jack can be reached at PO Box 40, Oak Grove, MO 64075 or jackremembers @aol.com, www.jackremembers.com
Dear Jack, It was fun to read in the Concordian about the Saturday night ritual from Jack Remembers. Let me tell you what it was like in the late 50’s and early 60’s in good ole Sweet Springs.
On Friday night if you had completed all your chores for the week, your homework was complete, and you hadn’t back-talked your Mother, then you went out to Dad’s workshop and asked for your allowance. It was 50 cents. Once it was in your hands you would call your cousin Phil and arrange to meet at Whitsitt’s Drug Store in 15 minutes. Once we got there we would buy a cherry coke for a dime and then go across the street to the Uptown Theater. Admission was 25 cents for 2 movies and a cartoon. We’d then buy a 10 cent bag of popcorn and for the next 3 ½ hours be totally amused. If you’ve followed my math so far you will know that we each had a nickel left so when the last movie was over we would go across the street to the Sweet Shop, a classic American 60’s malt shop and blow our last nickel on the pinball machine that was in the front window.
Saturday was a different story. Having blown my allowance on Friday night, Saturday consisted of this. My Dad was a mechanic for Turner Chevrolet in downtown Sweet Springs. He worked til noon on Saturdays. We lived about 6 blocks from downtown but Dad would always walk home on Saturday afternoon after he had parked the car in a good spot to visit with people on Saturday night. Saturday nights were incredible. People bringing eggs and produce to Wiley’s grocery. Jack, at one time you could buy a Ford, Mercury, Chevrolet, GM, Chrysler, Dodge product in my home town and now there’s not even a used car dealership that I know of. It’s really sad. Dennis Dierking, Raytown, MO Keep writing, Jack
Jack can be reached at PO Box 40, Oak Grove, MO 64075 or jackremembers @aol.com, www.jackremembers.com
Brad Lager's Capitol Report -- Rebuilding Missouri's Economy
Rebuilding Missouri’s Economy
As the 2011 special session comes to a close, Missouri’s economic outlook is not much different than when the special session began nearly two months ago. While the major push was an attempt to increase government spending under the umbrella of “economic development,” the reality is that there are a number of public policy changes that should be considered instead of creating more special perks for special interest. With the next regular session just two months away, we cannot lose our focus on protecting the interests of taxpayers, reducing government spending, and growing our economy through private sector job creation.
In recent years, every level of government has worked to spur economic growth. Unfortunately, the majority of these attempts have been politicians throwing the taxpayer’s money at specific industries, particular companies and campaign contributors. These government handouts have compounded the already strained budgets thereby forcing dramatic reductions to essential public programs such as education, transportation and public safety.
Although these financial giveaways may create short-term economic activity, they do very little to create long term sustainable economic growth. If we are serious about creating public policy that supports economic growth, then we must pursue comprehensive measures aimed at long-term prosperity. For example, by improving Missouri’s tax structure and reducing the financial burdens on businesses in our state, we will benefit every company operating within our borders. By having a fair legal system that is not hostile towards businesses and a reasonable regulatory environment that is not forcing jobs out of our country, we can create a business climate that encourages innovators and entrepreneurs to invest in their businesses, hire new workers, and grow their companies.
While government incentives are easy to tout as economic development efforts, they too often become special treatment for a handful of companies who lobby effectively. The winners and losers in the free market place should be chosen by consumer’s purchasing practices and not by politicians or government bureaucrats. I believe that the legislature has a greater responsibility to Missouri’s citizens to fight for every Missouri business that supports our communities and keeps our economy growing. While there is no silver bullet for the problems we currently face, I am committed to working hard and continuing to fight for comprehensive solutions that provide widespread support and long-term growth opportunities.
As always, please feel free to call, email, or write with your ideas or concerns. The Capitol number is (573) 751-1415, my email is brad.lager@senate.mo.gov and my mailing address is Room 422, State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
As the 2011 special session comes to a close, Missouri’s economic outlook is not much different than when the special session began nearly two months ago. While the major push was an attempt to increase government spending under the umbrella of “economic development,” the reality is that there are a number of public policy changes that should be considered instead of creating more special perks for special interest. With the next regular session just two months away, we cannot lose our focus on protecting the interests of taxpayers, reducing government spending, and growing our economy through private sector job creation.
In recent years, every level of government has worked to spur economic growth. Unfortunately, the majority of these attempts have been politicians throwing the taxpayer’s money at specific industries, particular companies and campaign contributors. These government handouts have compounded the already strained budgets thereby forcing dramatic reductions to essential public programs such as education, transportation and public safety.
Although these financial giveaways may create short-term economic activity, they do very little to create long term sustainable economic growth. If we are serious about creating public policy that supports economic growth, then we must pursue comprehensive measures aimed at long-term prosperity. For example, by improving Missouri’s tax structure and reducing the financial burdens on businesses in our state, we will benefit every company operating within our borders. By having a fair legal system that is not hostile towards businesses and a reasonable regulatory environment that is not forcing jobs out of our country, we can create a business climate that encourages innovators and entrepreneurs to invest in their businesses, hire new workers, and grow their companies.
While government incentives are easy to tout as economic development efforts, they too often become special treatment for a handful of companies who lobby effectively. The winners and losers in the free market place should be chosen by consumer’s purchasing practices and not by politicians or government bureaucrats. I believe that the legislature has a greater responsibility to Missouri’s citizens to fight for every Missouri business that supports our communities and keeps our economy growing. While there is no silver bullet for the problems we currently face, I am committed to working hard and continuing to fight for comprehensive solutions that provide widespread support and long-term growth opportunities.
As always, please feel free to call, email, or write with your ideas or concerns. The Capitol number is (573) 751-1415, my email is brad.lager@senate.mo.gov and my mailing address is Room 422, State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
To the Older Christian
You may be growing older
And your step a mite bit slow
You may not move as fast as once,
But oh, God loves you so.
You may think that you're not needed
That your work down here is through!
But my beloved oldster,
God has a plan for you.
Your white hair shows the wisdom
You've gathered through the years;
Your patience stands for victories,
Proves you've conquered many fears.
Your sweetness shows that Christ prevails
His love for you inbides;
As these virtues flow out from you,
You're blessing other lives.
Oh, don't ever be discouraged,
If others must wait for you;
You've done your share of services;
Just let His light shine through.
So rejoice and live with Jesus
And to others his kindness show;
You're still wanted and still needed;
You're God's messenger, you know.
--Submitted by Vivian Coleman
And your step a mite bit slow
You may not move as fast as once,
But oh, God loves you so.
You may think that you're not needed
That your work down here is through!
But my beloved oldster,
God has a plan for you.
Your white hair shows the wisdom
You've gathered through the years;
Your patience stands for victories,
Proves you've conquered many fears.
Your sweetness shows that Christ prevails
His love for you inbides;
As these virtues flow out from you,
You're blessing other lives.
Oh, don't ever be discouraged,
If others must wait for you;
You've done your share of services;
Just let His light shine through.
So rejoice and live with Jesus
And to others his kindness show;
You're still wanted and still needed;
You're God's messenger, you know.
--Submitted by Vivian Coleman
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