Springfield's Best

At some point here, someone has to step up and hire the best reporter in Springfield. I'm sick of being the best donut finisher.

Doubting the reporter claim? Allow me to make my case.

Exhibit A: Hammons hotel project. I've done several stories on the Embassy Suites hotel slated for the 1.7 acre piece of land next to the Expo Center. The first of which was part of a larger failed projects story which appeared in CFP's June 17-30, 2009 issue. Hammons wouldn't talk with me, but Mary Lilly Smith did. And when I did the follow up in December, Hammons did speak. Nobody did a story until after his second missed deadline and then there wasn't any background provided. Hammons holds all the cards on this thing; He manages the Expo, and Smith said herself that was a big advantage when he was competing with other developers for the bid. The question nobody is asking: What incentive does Hammons have to compete with University Plaza? At least one developer said Hammons will never build a hotel on the site. Where's the local media on this?

Exhibit B: Becky Spence. The former owner of the Arbor Hotel may be an unsympathetic figure to many that remember her run-down downtown temp apartments, but Spence does have rights. When City Utilities wanted to take her property to build a new, and many feel unnecessary, bus terminal on her St. Louis St. lot, it seemed no one wanted to cover the story. I did. Read the first installment here. And then again when she proposed her new hotel, here. Her public announcement of plans led to concerns from City Council and CU dropping the eminent domain push. To my knowledge, I am the only one to also do a follow-up on her project, here.

For those still reading, I've also done a sweet NIMBY, a sweet voter's guide, and the best teaser ever: "Rowe, Rowe, Rowe, then Moats."

So, where's the trophy? I've got my speech ready. I'm planning on taking a page from Terrill Owens, "I'd like to thank my hands for being so awesome."

Why all the machismo? I need a jobby job. Get it together people. I'm laying it down over here.

Last word on health care

In the current issue of the Community Free Press, I examined the ups and downs, and the ins and outs of The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

It was a monster. But it was a good experience.

Over the last year, I've posted several pieces about possible reform measures on my blog, and my latest story at CFP was my third on the subject. But until recently, no one could say with certainty what the legislation would look like as law. Now we can.

I've read more stories about health care lately than I care to remember. A lot of it was useless crapola full of misinformation. Hopefully, the article does a good job of summarizing the most important facts. I also hope -- as my former professor Dr. Cline would so often say -- it meets the primary purpose of journalism: to give readers the information they need to be free and self-governing.

One website that was a great help to me was www.kff.org. The Kaiser Family Foundation is a non-partisan, non-profit group that looks at health care legislation. On its web site, there is a complete timeline that details when provisions of the reforms are scheduled to be implemented. I encourage anyone who wants to learn more to read the CFP article or check out KFF.

Weary travelers

Welcome unbelievers. Enter beds.
Familiar pillows, shaded room.
Let your eyes close over muted
advertisement. Ticking clock.
The weight of the road hangs
on your suntanned shoulders.
Set the money down.
Release the memories of chances lost.
A time for us? For stories?
A walking toddler ignored.
A crying toddler ignored.
Weighted shoulders.
A blurred fan buzzes around
itself, tricking my eyes,
tugging a memory from childhood.
A young plea to the Mighty Christ:
never forget I believe today.
I joined you years ago.
We walk and sing no songs.
Stop. Grab the baby.
Feel the breeze. Rest.

Leaving on a Jet Plane or Free Fallin'

If you are one of my Facebook friends, you may already know that I've decided to leave the Community Free Press. Including my internship, I've been there 2 1/2 years.

I have nothing negative to say about my experience.

I'm very proud of much of the work I've done in that time, and I will continue to be grateful to the Langsfords for giving me a chance to write for money. I've also developed some friendships there that couldn't have happened anywhere else, so I will take what I can from this -- but, it is time to move on.

I've told everyone, including myself, that I am going to become a freelance writer. However, I'm not sure how realistic I'm being. The journalism market is scary. One of my fellow staffers, Fines Massey, who himself is leaving to take a Census job, was told one paper he recently applied for in St. James had 87 applicants for its one open position.

I've picked up around 30 hours at my old haunt LaMar's Donuts, and I'm just hoping that some opportunities pop up. This may be the riskiest thing I've ever done. All I can really say is that the political season is starting, and it just felt like the right time to leave.

The April 21 issue will be my last issue. I am grateful for all of the people in our community that took the time to answer questions from me over the last couple of years. I sincerely hope that I treated you fairly.

Well, before this sounds entirely cheesy and sappy, I'll sign off. I'm stepping out the door and heading into my last day. After today, I'm just a donut man. Dear lord, somebody hire me!

Citation Nation or A Tangled Web We Weave

The funny thing about hyperlinks is they can bring a whole new dimension to one's meaning, as well as one's understanding.

If you took the time to follow the hyperlinks in the previous paragraph you found: 1. When you clicked on "hyperlinks" you were magically transported to a website that featured a Buddhist temple made out of beer bottles. And 2. When you clicked on "one's understanding" you traveled to a website that featured an article that examined the relationship between Glenn Beck, his big, fat mouth, and social justice.

If you've followed the hyperlink in the second paragraph you likely think: 1. Brian's made a mistake. Or 2. What?! If you only followed the first hyperlink, and not the other two, you may think this is a normal blog post.

For those who didn't follow any hyperlink, let me explain. 1. The first hyperlink did in fact magically transport you to a site that featured a Buddhist temple made out of beer bottles. Heineken, actually. And 2. I deceived you. The second hyperlink sent you to a site that claimed all who visited the site are now atheists. Which is just funny.

In fact, the third link in the second paragraph examined the relationship between Glenn Beck, his big, fat mouth, and social justice.

The point is the words I highlight for links aren't necessarily connected to the sites in which the reader magically transports. However, if one was the impressionable type, and one "took the time" to follow the "hyperlinks," it may have contributed to "one's understanding." If you are stoic and hard to impress, well, that's cool I guess.