What a fun day we had educating Missouri voters about this upcoming vote. Missouri will be the first state to challenge the federal government’s mandates regarding health insurance!!!

Tracy Ward of the Liberty Restoration Project, an anti-Big-Brother organization best known for protesting the city's red-light cameras, has been trying to schedule a meeting with Councilwoman Cathy Jolly since April 14. Ward and the LRP oppose the red-light cameras as well as the proposed use of Shotspotter technology, in which microphones are placed in high-crime locations to trace the sound of a gunshot to its origin.But after three months of requests, Ward has yet to see the councilwoman face-to-face. As chairwoman of the Public Safety and Neighborhoods Committee, Jolly has repeatedly voiced her support for the cameras and the Shotspotter. Additionally, Ward lives in Jolly's district. It's only natural for Ward to request a meeting with Jolly to try to sway her to the LRP's point of view.On April 14, Ward e-mailed Jolly's chief staff assistant, Lisa Sturgeon: Hello Lisa, I met with you today about visiting with Cathy Jolly sometime next week. Could you possibly give me a few available times and we can hopefully work something out? Thanks so much for your time. In Liberty, Tracy Ward.After receiving no response, she tried again on April 20: Hello Lisa, I spoke with you last week and also emailed you regarding setting up a meeting with Cathy Jolly. Is it possible to meet her this week on Thursday or Friday? I know you stated Monday through Thursday worked best, but I'm free on Friday as well. Gabe Grider will also be attending the meeting with me. Please let me know if that will work. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Tracy Ward.cathtracy.jpgWard right and Catherine Bleish just want to talk.​Sturgeon responded April 20: You mentioned that you wanted to discuss Shotspotter with Councilwoman Jolly. She informed me that there is a federal grant that is being applied for through the Green Impact Zone through Congressman Cleaver's office and that his office would actually be the point of contact for that project.On April 21, Ward wrote, Thank you for getting back to me, Lisa. However, I would still like to set up a time to visit with Mrs. Jolly. I am one of her constituents and I do reside in her district. Please let me know if Friday or sometime next week would work. Thank you so very much for your time. Sincerely, Tracy WardSturgeon wrote back April 23 to tell Ward that the councilwoman had an opening the morning of Wednesday, May 28. Ward agreed to the date and time and planned on meeting Jolly, but Sturgeon canceled the meeting via e-mail on May 14. Sorry Tracy. That time is no longer open due to the homeless task force that has been scheduled that day. What about Wed. the 19th at 1:00 p.m.?Ward agreed to the new time, but on May 18, Sturgeon asked to change it up again, this time to 11 a.m. the same day. The new time didn't work for Ward, who asked for Jolly's next availability. After some back-and-forth, Sturgeon wrote, "Tracy we are trying to squeeze this in this week, but I can look at other dates next week. Can you tell me what it is in regard to, so I'll know how much time to schedule?"Ward responded, "I think we can cover all of our issues in about 30 minutes. Next week would be fine, if she's available." After receiving no response for two weeks, Ward asked again for a meeting time.Sturgeon responded on July 14: Tracy, Please let me know what the topic of discussion for the meeting [is] and who will be attending.Ward explained in an e-mail that she wanted to talk about alternative means for public safety other than surveillance, and that the time of the meeting would determine who else from the LRP would attend. Sturgeon sent back two more suggested meeting times, and Ward chose the option of Thursday, July 22, listing two other LRP members who would also be there.On Wednesday, Ward received another cancellation from Jolly, via Sturgeon. "However, I can respond to your requests for information if you will give me a call," Sturgeon wrote.Ward is understandably frustrated — she's met with Mayor Mark Funkhouser, Missouri state Sen. Jolie Justus and her state representative, Michael Brown, with no problem. "I just don't get why [Jolly's] so

via Need to meet with Councilwoman Cathy Jolly? Good luck – Kansas City News – Plog.

Today we educated KC about fluoride and red light cameras!

We asked questions about citizens taping police, red light traffic cameras, fluoride in water, how accessible is your city council rep, and urban farming.

Over 100 fliers passed out in 2 hours!!!!!!!!

New LRP potential members AND we educated some snobby rich folks who would have rather not looked at the folks handing out the info LOL

GOOD TIMES, we’re all sweaty hot, though.

Really? I know its as hot as iraq today, but must we have the thugs with guns patrolling, too? Really?

Roller Runts!!!!

At the end of our meeting John Bush of Texans for Accountable Government asked you, Mayor Mark Funkhouser, if you would reconsider your stance on Red Light Cameras if we proved the following 3 points: 1. There is great public outcry against the use of this technology in our city 2. That alternative options were not properly vetted and 3. Demonstration through comparative analysis that that Red Light Cameras are not the option that creates your desired level of “safety”.

I’m sure you remember what you said, Mr. Mayor, and I’ll paraphrase here for my readers:

“I’m a stubborn man” and that even after proving there was no safety value that there are better potential options and that the people of this community do not desire the use of the cameras, DESPITE ALL OF THAT, they would likely not come down, nor would you likely change your stance on this issue.

I thought you were supposed to REPRESENT US, Mr. Mayor, not OPPRESS us.

We stood up for you when the media and jealous council members went after you and your wife. We even had plans to make “I’m down with Funk” t-shirts! I also sat down with your chief of staff on multiple occasions trying to offer help.

But on this issue, Mr. Mayor, you do not have my support.

And your response to this issue has made me lose a lot of respect for the man who, AT ONE TIME, actually defended taxpayers as the Auditor of this lovely city. What happened Mr. Mayor, did the lobbyists get to you, too??

Mayor Mark Funkhouser – those cameras are coming down, and its in your interest to see they come down voluntarily. You would be one of the most celebrated Mayors in the nation. I fear, instead, you are going to dig your heels in the sand, ignore the pleas of your constituents, and dig a political hole so deep the light of reelection will find itself rather dim.

Your truly,

Catherine Bleish
Founder of LRP

Tracy, the girls, and the triple b’s took a few hours to enjoy eachother’s company and the beautiful KC sunshine before dinner with mi familia. Nice little pit stop on the ride home from New Hampshire’s Porcupine Freedom Festival.

kmbctv — April 29, 2008 — The owner of a dog shot and killed by police is wondering if something else could have been done instead.

Monday afternoon, police came to a home on Roberts Street looking for a man with outstanding warrants. Officers are accused of pepper-spraying the dog before they searched a duplex.

“They had guns drawn when they first got up here. Dog was on his leash, and they pepper sprayed him,” neighbor Helen Spencer told KMBC’s Bev Chapman.

The dog broke free from his chain and rushed the officers when they emerged from the building.

“He’s a fairly strong dog. He managed to break the chain,” said Jim Conaway, the dog’s owner.

Neighbors said they watched as police shot the dog, a 5-year-old Labrador mix named Smokey.

“I was standing by the fence. When they shot him, they just unloaded on him,” Spencer said

“I saw blood shoot up and I thought, ‘Oh, man.’ All the kids were over there screaming,” neighbor Dave Breakstraw said.

“If they had not sprayed him, or made sure somebody was home, he wouldn’t have broke his leash. That would not have happened,” Spencer said.

Conaway said animal control officers took his dog away.

“He was also a very lovable companion,” Conaway said. “I didn’t even have a chance to bring the dog’s body home and to bury him.”

Dispatch records indicate Smokey was gone within 30 minutes, removed and cremated.

Conaway, who is a teacher for the Kansas City School District, said he works about 15 minutes away from home. Neighbors called to tell him what happened and he was able to get home within an hour. However, the dog was already gone by then.

Conaway said that officers came to his house on Tuesday morning to apologize.

The man police were looking for is wanted on two felony warrants and lives on the block.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ca73iLBypTA

kmbctv — December 21, 2009 — (Editor’s Note: Some viewers may find the following video upsetting.) A neighbor recorded home video of Kansas City police officers shooting a dog during a standoff. KMBC’s Micheal Mahoney reports.
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I recorded this video blog 12 days ago and had a hard time getting it to play back in qik.com – looks like its running nicely now!

This is my second taping of this (the first had the case to my cell phone sticking slightly in front of the lense. The one couple I wanted to mention by name, but didn’t in take two is Rita and Val – for their support during these transitional time. I love you!

Thanks to Tracy Ward and their entire framily, John Bush, mi familia, Brooke Kelley, the Austin area activists, the StL area activists (Kelly Owens!), the New Hampshire activist community and, of course, my homies in KC with Liberty Restoration Project. Most importantly, huge thanks to those who have opened their homes to John, Brooke and I as we travel the country. Thank you to everyone who has emotionally, financially, and in any other way supported our endeavors. I love, love, love you all <3

peace and love,
Cat