Friends and Family Handymen

10/30/2026

🌙 GOOD NIGHT, SINNER’S FELLOWSHIP MINISTRIES FAMILY! ✝️❤️

THE WORLD IS FULL OF SECOND CHANCES, BUT ETERNITY IS NOT!

Tonight, before you lay your head down to rest, I want you to do something for me. I want you to search your heart, reflect on your life, and answer a question honestly to yourself.

You don't have to answer me. You don't have to comment below. This is between you, your heart, and God.

How many times throughout your life have you asked someone for another chance?

Maybe it was a second chance. Maybe it was a third, fourth, fifth, or sixth chance. Maybe you had already used up so many chances that you lost count, but you still found yourself begging someone to give you just one more opportunity to make things right.

I know I have!

And anyone who knows me knows that I BELIEVE IN SECOND CHANCES!

I believe in third chances, fourth chances, fifth chances, sixth chances, seventh chances, and however many chances it takes for someone to finally get it right!

Why? Because I know what it's like to need another chance. I know what it's like to make mistakes, to fall short, to disappoint people, and to desperately want an opportunity to prove that I can do better.

I believe in forgiveness. I believe in redemption. I believe in restoration. And I believe that as long as someone is breathing, their story isn't finished!

But tonight, I want to share something with you that is far more important than any second chance another human being could ever give you.

THERE IS ONE THING IN LIFE THAT YOU WILL NOT GET A SECOND CHANCE AT ONCE YOUR TIME ON THIS EARTH IS OVER.

You see, our time here is short.

We spend our lives making plans for tomorrow, next week, next month, and next year. We tell ourselves that we have plenty of time.

Plenty of time to change.

Plenty of time to forgive.

Plenty of time to make things right.

And plenty of time to get our relationship with God where it needs to be.

But here's the problem.

TOMORROW IS NOT PROMISED TO A SINGLE ONE OF US!

James 4:14 (KJV) reminds us:

"For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."

Think about that!

Every single one of us has an appointment with death, and not one of us knows when that appointment will come.

Hebrews 9:27 (KJV) tells us:

"And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:"

And this brings me to the most important message I want you to take away tonight.

YOU CAN ASK THE WORLD FOR ANOTHER CHANCE, BUT YOU CANNOT ASK ETERNITY FOR A DO-OVER!

When your time on this earth is finished, there is no going back.

There is no asking God to send you back for another week so you can get your life together.

There is no asking for one more Sunday to attend church.

There is no asking for one more opportunity to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

There is no saying, "Lord, I was going to get saved tomorrow!"

WHEN YOUR TIME IS UP, YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THAT DECISION IS OVER!

Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:13-14 (KJV):

"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."

Church family, understand something.

The road to destruction is broad. It is wide. It is crowded with people who believe they have all the time in the world.

People who say, "I'll get right with God someday."

People who say, "I'm not ready to give up my lifestyle."

People who say, "I'll start going to church when I get my life together."

And people who believe that simply being a good person is enough to get them into Heaven.

But Jesus made something very clear.

John 14:6 (KJV):

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

SALVATION IS NOT SOMETHING YOU SHOULD PUT OFF UNTIL TOMORROW!

And please understand, I am not telling you that you have to become perfect before you come to Christ.

Quite the opposite!

You don't have to overcome your addiction first.

You don't have to fix every mistake you've made.

You don't have to clean up your past.

You don't have to become somebody the world approves of.

YOU COME TO JESUS JUST AS YOU ARE, AND YOU ALLOW HIM TO BEGIN CHANGING YOUR LIFE!

Romans 10:9 (KJV) says:

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."

That invitation is available to you RIGHT NOW!

Not because you deserve it.

Not because you've earned it.

But because Jesus Christ loves you enough that He gave His life so that you could have eternal life!

And tonight, if you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, I want you to seriously consider the decision you're putting off.

Because here's the truth:

The world may give you a thousand chances to get your life right, but you only have this lifetime to accept the gift of salvation.

When your earthly life ends, there are no more chances to make that choice.

Eternity is real.

Heaven is real.

Hell is real.

And the decision to accept or reject Jesus Christ has eternal consequences.

I don't share this message to frighten you. I share it because I love you, because your soul matters, and because I don't want anyone to spend eternity separated from God.

IF YOU HAVE NEVER ACCEPTED JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR, THIS NEXT PART IS ESPECIALLY FOR YOU! ❤️🙏

Maybe you've been putting it off.

Maybe you feel like you've done too many terrible things in your life for God to forgive you.

Maybe you've spent years battling addiction, living in sin, carrying guilt, or believing that you are too far gone to be saved.

Or maybe you've simply never understood what it means to surrender your life to Jesus Christ.

Well, let me tell you something.

YOU ARE NOT TOO FAR GONE FOR THE LOVE, MERCY, AND GRACE OF JESUS CHRIST!

There is no past so dark that His light cannot reach it.

There is no sinner beyond the reach of His mercy who is willing to repent and turn to Him.

There is no life so broken that Jesus cannot begin restoring it.

And you don't have to be sitting in a church pew to accept Him!

You can be sitting on your couch, lying in your bed, sitting in your car, or standing in your kitchen.

God hears you wherever you are!

If you are ready to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, I invite you to say the following prayer OUT LOUD.

Don't just read the words. Speak them to God with a sincere and believing heart.

Remember, the words themselves are not magic. Salvation is God's gift of grace through faith in Jesus Christ. This prayer is a way to express your repentance, your faith, and your surrender to Him.

🙏 PRAYER OF SALVATION — ACCEPTING JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR 🙏

Heavenly Father,

I come before You tonight with an open heart, humbled by Your love, mercy, and grace.

Lord, I know that I am a sinner. I know that I have made mistakes, that I have fallen short of Your glory, and that I have lived parts of my life outside of Your will.

Father, I am sorry for my sins. I ask You to forgive me for the wrongs I have committed, the people I have hurt, and the times I have turned away from You.

Tonight, Lord, I choose to turn away from my sins and turn toward You.

I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son.

I believe that He came to this earth, lived a sinless life, and willingly suffered and died upon the cross to pay the price for my sins.

I believe that He was buried and that on the third day, You raised Him from the dead.

I believe that Jesus Christ is alive today and that through Him, I can receive forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life.

Jesus, I invite You into my heart and into my life right now.

I confess with my mouth that You are Lord, and I believe in my heart that God raised You from the dead.

I accept You, Jesus Christ, as my personal Lord and Savior.

I surrender my past, my present, and my future to You.

Take away the guilt, the shame, the bitterness, and the burdens that I have carried for so long.

Give me the strength to turn away from the things that separate me from You.

Help me to forgive others as You have forgiven me.

Teach me to walk in Your ways, to follow Your Word, and to become the person You created me to be.

Lord, I know that I will not be perfect. I know that I will still face struggles, temptations, and difficult days.

But from this moment forward, I do not want to face them without You.

Fill my heart with Your Holy Spirit. Guide my footsteps, strengthen my faith, and help me grow closer to You each and every day.

Thank You, Jesus, for loving me when I did not love myself.

Thank You for dying for me when I could never have earned such a sacrifice.

Thank You for offering me forgiveness, redemption, and the promise of eternal life.

Tonight, I place my faith, my hope, my trust, and my eternity in Your hands.

I am Yours, Lord.

Lead me, guide me, and use my life for Your glory.

In the precious, powerful, and holy name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I pray.

AMEN! 🙏✝️❤️

---

NOW, IF YOU JUST PRAYED THAT PRAYER AND TRULY MEANT IT IN YOUR HEART, I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND SOMETHING!

You have taken the most important step of your life!

Not because you repeated some words, but because you have placed your faith in Jesus Christ and surrendered your heart to Him.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV) reminds us:

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Not of works, lest any man should boast."

Salvation is a gift!

You cannot buy it.

You cannot earn it.

And you cannot make yourself good enough to deserve it.

It comes through the grace of God and faith in Jesus Christ!

Now, begin building that relationship with Him.

Pray daily. Read your Bible. Find a Bible-believing church or ministry where you can grow in your faith. Seek baptism as an outward expression of your faith in Christ. Surround yourself with people who will encourage you in your walk with the Lord.

And if you need someone to talk to, someone to pray with you, or someone to help guide you in understanding your new relationship with Jesus Christ, please reach out to us here at Sinner’s Fellowship Ministries!

You do not have to walk this journey alone!

AND TO EVERYONE READING THIS TONIGHT...

Whether you have been saved for fifty years, five years, five minutes, or you are still searching for answers, I want you to remember something.

God loves you.

Jesus died for you.

And while you still have breath in your lungs, the invitation to turn to Him remains open.

But do not mistake God's patience for a promise of another tomorrow.

2 Corinthians 6:2 (KJV) reminds us:

"Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation."

GOOD NIGHT, MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS! ❤️

May God watch over you and your families tonight. May He bring peace to your troubled hearts, comfort to those who are grieving, strength to those battling addiction, hope to those struggling with mental health, and rest to those who are weary.

And above all, may He touch the hearts of those who have not yet accepted His Son.

Remember:

SECOND CHANCES ARE A BLESSING IN THIS LIFE. BUT DON'T GAMBLE YOUR ETERNITY BELIEVING YOU'LL GET ONE MORE CHANCE AFTER THIS LIFE IS OVER.

Tomorrow isn't promised.

Jesus is calling today. Will you answer?

God bless each and every one of you.

Jesus loves you, and so do I and the rest of your Sinner’s Fellowship Ministries family! ❤️✝️

🙏 Good night, and may God bless you all!

Pastor Jesse Breshears
Sinner’s Fellowship Ministries

"Restoring Lives Through the Love of Jesus Christ."

10/29/2026

10/29/2026

Excuse the language but this young lady is on point.

10/28/2026

Today we did some dirt and gravel work.
Over the years, dirt had built up around this building and the driveway to the point of it holdimg water around the building.
We are preparing to level the building, resupport the post, and close in the side. Then w we had to get a level area to instal a carport beside it.
In order for this to work and not hold water, we had to recontour all of it and create a flow route for rain water. There was so much build up that we continued around the building and built up the driveway on the side.
This is just the rough in and after it gets some water on it we will fine tune it and pack it better.
Thank you John for bringing in your machine and for your hard work and attention to detail on tjis project.
Thank you Karen R. for your continued trust in Friends and Family Handymen for your handyman needs.

10/28/2026

ACCOUNTABILITY IS NOT A PERSONAL ATTACK!

There is a difference between attacking your city government and holding your city government accountable.

I want to clear something up regarding the questions, concerns, public records research, and discussions surrounding the administration of the City of Bunceton.

This is not about hatred. It is not about personal disagreements. It is not about disliking particular individuals serving on the city council.

It is about accountability, transparency, responsibility, and the citizens' right to know how their community is being managed.

For far too long, citizens have raised concerns, asked questions, and requested explanations about things happening within their community. Some questions have been brushed aside. Others have received vague answers, and some have seemingly gone unanswered altogether.

When something doesn't look right, people have every right to ask questions. When explanations don't add up, people have every right to seek clarification.

Let's look at a few examples.

1. WATER AND SEWER RATES — WHERE IS THE MONEY GOING?

Over the past 15 to 20 years, how many times have sewer rates increased? How much more are residents paying for water and sewer services today compared to years ago?

And perhaps the most important question: What improvements have citizens received in return?

Residents continue paying their monthly utility bills, yet many are questioning why they aren't seeing corresponding improvements in infrastructure and services.

In February, multiple residents reported concerns about dark, foul-smelling water.

Now, in October, residents have faced a boil-water order involving E. coli contamination.

These are serious concerns involving essential services that people pay for every month.

What improvements have been made? What repairs are planned? What is being done to prevent future problems? How are utility revenues being spent?

These are reasonable questions that deserve clear, documented answers.

2. SIXTEEN YEARS OF WAITING FOR STREET REPAIRS

For more than 16 years, citizens have complained about deteriorating streets, potholes, and crumbling pavement.

For years, the explanation residents have heard is that the city doesn't want to repair streets only to tear them back up during the upcoming sewer project.

That explanation might sound reasonable.

However, I was recently informed that the engineer overseeing the sewer project indicated that the project would not involve tearing up the streets or replacing sewer lines, but would instead focus on the wastewater containment area.

If that information is accurate, it raises an important question.

Why have residents been told for years that street repairs must wait until after a sewer project that apparently isn't going to tear up those streets?

Was there a misunderstanding about the project's scope? Did the project change over time? Were previous explanations based on outdated information?

Citizens deserve to know.

And then there is another concerning statement.

I personally spoke with an alderman who told me that the city had previously paid someone to perform street work, but that individual or company took the money and disappeared.

That is a serious claim.

If this actually happened, when did it happen? How much taxpayer money was involved? Who received the money? Was a police report filed? Was legal action pursued? Was any money recovered?

And where are the public records documenting what happened?

I am not accusing anyone of wrongdoing. I am asking for documentation and clarification regarding a statement made to me by an elected official.

If taxpayer money was lost, shouldn't taxpayers have been informed?

3. CITY COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS AND PUBLIC TRANSPARENCY

Recently, an alderman resigned, and a replacement was appointed during that same council meeting.

This raises questions about the process.

When was the resignation received? When was the replacement selected? Was the possibility of an appointment publicly announced? Were other interested and qualified citizens given an opportunity to express interest?

Perhaps the appointment complied with every applicable law and procedure.

If so, providing the records and explaining the process should help resolve those concerns.

Transparency should not be something citizens have to fight for.

4. CITY-OWNED PROPERTIES — SHORT-TERM MONEY OR LONG-TERM COMMUNITY GROWTH?

Another concern involves properties acquired by the city through legal proceedings or other means.

When these properties are sold, what is the long-term plan?

How much money did the city spend acquiring them? Were there attorney fees, court costs, administrative expenses, or maintenance costs?

Does the selling price recover those expenses?

And most importantly, could these properties serve a greater purpose?

Instead of simply selling vacant lots, why not explore partnerships with Habitat for Humanity or other housing organizations?

Why not work toward building affordable homes for families in need?

A new home could mean additional residents, an improved tax base, increased utility customers, and more people supporting local businesses.

I understand that cities need revenue. I understand that budgets matter.

But shouldn't we also consider the long-term financial and community benefits rather than focusing exclusively on the immediate sale of a property?

If a city-owned lot could become a home for a family, wouldn't that be worth exploring before simply selling it to the highest bidder?

If our goal is to bring Bunceton back to life, shouldn't we be exploring every reasonable opportunity to do so?

5. THE SAME ACCOUNTABILITY FOR EVERYONE — INCLUDING THE CITY ITSELF!

This is where I really want people to stop and think about something.

If you don't pay your water bill, the city can shut your water off.

If you don't maintain your property according to city ordinances, you may receive a warning, citation, or fine.

If you violate a city ordinance, you can be held accountable.

And I understand that. Communities need rules, and those rules should be enforced fairly.

But here's my question.

If city government can hold citizens accountable for their responsibilities, why is it considered a personal attack when citizens ask city government to account for its responsibilities?

And speaking of accountability and property maintenance, let's look at a specific example.

504 FOURTH STREET, BUNCETON, MISSOURI.

This property has reportedly been owned by the City of Bunceton since January 2026.

Let's do the math.

January to October. That's approximately nine to ten months, depending on the exact acquisition date.

During that time, how much cleanup or maintenance has the city performed on this property?

From what I have observed, the property has remained largely untouched.

Yet, according to the conditions presented for the sale, the winning bidder will be required to clean up the property to the city's standards within SIX MONTHS!

Now, somebody please explain that to me.

The city has had approximately ten months to address the condition of this property, yet it expects the person purchasing it to accomplish the cleanup within six months?

And here's what makes this even more interesting.

The city has a paid, full-time maintenance employee.

The city has a dump trailer.

The city has a tractor.

The city has a truck.

The city has equipment and resources available for maintenance work.

Yet this property has reportedly sat for months without meaningful cleanup.

But whoever purchases it, whether an individual, family, or organization, is expected to meet the city's cleanup requirements within six months?

Whatever happened to "what's good for the goose is good for the gander"?

If the city establishes standards for property maintenance, shouldn't the city demonstrate those same standards with the properties it owns?

If citizens are expected to maintain their yards, remove debris, and keep their properties in compliance with city ordinances, shouldn't the city be setting the example?

If the city can issue warnings and citations to citizens for neglected properties, shouldn't citizens have the right to question why city-owned properties appear to be neglected?

And before someone says that city-owned property is different, let's be clear about something.

There may be different legal requirements or exemptions that apply to municipal property. If that's the case, explain them.

But even if a municipality is legally exempt from a particular requirement, shouldn't it still strive to meet the same standards it expects from its residents?

Being the governing authority should come with greater responsibility to lead by example, not less.

This is exactly the kind of accountability I have been talking about.

I'm not suggesting that city employees have nothing else to do. I understand there are other responsibilities, priorities, and budget considerations.

But if the city has had this property for approximately ten months, has maintenance personnel and equipment, and is requiring the next owner to clean it up within six months, isn't it reasonable to ask why the city hasn't already addressed the property itself?

Was there a reason the cleanup couldn't be performed?

Were there legal restrictions?

Was there a budget issue?

Was there a plan to leave the cleanup to the purchaser?

If so, why not explain that to the public?

These are questions, not accusations.

The point is simple.

If a citizen is expected to maintain their property, shouldn't citizens be able to ask about the maintenance of city-owned property?

If citizens are expected to pay their utility bills on time, shouldn't they be able to ask how that money is being spent?

If citizens must follow city ordinances, shouldn't city officials be expected to follow applicable laws, public notice requirements, and proper procedures?

And if the city expects citizens to answer questions about their properties, shouldn't citizens expect clear answers about public property and public funds?

Accountability is not supposed to be a one-way street.

The city government is not above the law. Its officials are entrusted with administering the law and managing public resources responsibly.

And when citizens question whether the city is meeting the standards it expects from everyone else, that should not automatically be treated as hostility or a personal attack.

You cannot reasonably expect citizens to respect standards that their own government appears unwilling to demonstrate.

Leadership is not simply telling people what they must do.

Leadership is setting an example through your own actions.

And that is the accountability I'm talking about.

ONE COMMUNITY. ONE SET OF EXPECTATIONS. ACCOUNTABILITY FOR EVERYONE.

6. AN EMPLOYEE'S DECISION TO REJECT DONATED PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT

I was recently told about a situation involving playground equipment that was offered as a donation for a city park.

My understanding is that the city had discussed the donation. However, an employee—not an alderman, not an elected official, and not the mayor—apparently took it upon themselves to make the decision for the city council and tell the individual offering the equipment that the city was not interested.

By the time city officials and elected officials learned what had happened and reached out to the donor to express their interest, it was reportedly too late.

If this account is accurate, it raises serious questions about authority, accountability, and the decision-making process within city government.

Who authorized that employee to reject the donation?

Did the employee have the authority to make that decision on behalf of the council?

Was the city council formally notified before the donor was turned away?

Was the decision documented in public records?

What was the value of the donated equipment, and what opportunity did the city lose as a result?

Most importantly, how is the employee being held accountable for making a decision that appears to have belonged to the city council?

This is not about attacking an employee. It is about understanding the limits of authority and ensuring that decisions affecting the citizens of Bunceton are made by the people legally authorized to make them.

If an employee acted without authorization, why was that allowed to happen? What corrective action was taken? Why does that employee still hold the position they hold? Has the employee been disciplined, counseled, or otherwise held accountable?

And why hasn't the City of Bunceton informed its citizens about this apparent overstepping of authority and explained how the matter was addressed?

The city council represents the citizens of Bunceton. An employee should not be able to supersede the authority of the council or make a decision for the citizens without proper authorization.

If the employee did have authority to make that decision, then the city should explain what authority existed and what policy or procedure allowed it.

If the employee did not have that authority, then the city should explain what accountability followed.

Citizens deserve to know who has the authority to make decisions on their behalf, whether that authority was followed, and what happens when it is not.

7. QUESTIONS ARE NOT ACCUSATIONS

I want to emphasize this point because it seems to be getting lost in the discussion.

Asking where money went is not accusing someone of stealing it.

Asking whether a procedure was followed is not accusing someone of breaking the law.

Asking why a project has been delayed is not accusing someone of intentionally misleading the public.

Asking for public records is not harassment.

And disagreeing with a decision does not mean you hate the people who made it.

Sometimes an explanation will show that everything was handled correctly. Sometimes it will reveal a misunderstanding. Other times, it may identify a problem that needs to be corrected.

That is precisely why questions should be welcomed rather than discouraged.

I don't expect every elected official to agree with me, and I certainly don't expect every citizen to agree with my concerns.

I recognize that serving in municipal government involves difficult decisions, limited resources, and responsibilities that many people may not fully understand.

But those challenges make open communication more important, not less.

MY PURPOSE IN ALL OF THIS

I own Friends and Family Handymen, and I have spent years working in and around small communities. I have seen firsthand how neglected properties, deteriorating infrastructure, and a lack of investment affect the people living there.

I want to see Bunceton succeed.

I want to see streets repaired, reliable and safe drinking water, homes being built, businesses opening, and families wanting to move here.

I want to see a community where citizens and city leadership can work together, even when they disagree.

And I want to see public questions answered with public information whenever possible.

This is not about removing someone from office because of a personal disagreement.

This is not about creating enemies or dividing neighbors.

It is about asking legitimate questions, reviewing public records, understanding how decisions are made, and encouraging accountability at every level.

If the records support the decisions that were made, then let those records speak for themselves. If mistakes were made, acknowledge them, correct them, and move forward.

We cannot expect our communities to improve if we are unwilling to examine the problems holding them back.

And we certainly cannot expect citizens to trust a process they are discouraged from questioning.

I am not asking anyone to blindly agree with me. In fact, I encourage people to research these matters themselves, attend meetings, request records, listen to explanations, and form their own conclusions.

Because ultimately, this is not about me.

It is about the community, the taxpayers, the property owners, the families, and the future of Bunceton.

Accountability is not disrespect.

Transparency is not hostility.

Asking questions is not harassment.

And expecting answers from public officials is not a personal attack.

The same standards of accountability that apply to the citizens should apply to those entrusted with serving them.

Respectfully,

Jesse Breshears
Friends and Family Handymen

We don't have to agree on everything to work together toward a better community.

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QUESTIONS EVERY ALDERMAN SHOULD BE ABLE TO ANSWER

In closing, I want to share something from the research behind my book, The People's Guide to City Government: A Missouri Citizen's Handbook on the Duties, Responsibilities, Legal Obligations, and Accountability of Mayors, Aldermen, and Municipal Officials.

These are basic questions that every person serving as an alderman should understand, or at least know how to research and explain.

1. What are the legal duties and responsibilities of an alderman under Missouri law?

2. What is the difference between the authority of the mayor and the authority of the Board of Aldermen?

3. Who has the legal authority to make decisions regarding city property, finances, contracts, and employees?

4. What is the proper legal procedure for introducing, reading, voting on, and passing a city ordinance?

5. What does Missouri's Sunshine Law require regarding public meetings, advance notices, agendas, minutes, and public records?

6. Under what circumstances can the mayor and aldermen meet privately or enter a closed session, and what legal procedures must be followed?

7. What is the proper procedure under Missouri law for filling a vacant alderman position?

8. What responsibilities does the Board of Aldermen have concerning the city's budget, expenditures, contracts, and financial oversight?

9. What authority do city employees have, and who determines the limits of that authority?

10. What procedures must be followed when the city acquires, maintains, or sells public property?

11. What constitutes a conflict of interest, and when must a public official disclose a financial interest or refrain from participating in a decision?

12. What rights do citizens have to request public records, attend open meetings, question decisions, and petition their local government?

13. What responsibilities does the city have concerning public health, drinking-water safety, and infrastructure?

14. What rules govern public participation, parliamentary procedure, and the conduct of city council meetings?

15. Most importantly, who are you accountable to, and what is your responsibility to the citizens you were elected or appointed to represent?

These are not trick questions.

These are not personal attacks.

These are questions about the fundamental responsibilities of municipal government.

I don't expect every alderman to memorize every Missouri statute. However, I do believe anyone entrusted with making decisions on behalf of a community should understand the legal framework governing those decisions and know where to find the answers.

And when citizens ask questions, elected officials should be willing to explain their decisions, identify the applicable laws and procedures, and direct citizens to the relevant public records.

Public office is a position of public trust, not a position above public questioning.

If we expect citizens to know and obey the ordinances governing their lives and properties, shouldn't we also expect those writing and enforcing those ordinances to understand their own duties and legal limitations?

INFORMED CITIZENS. RESPONSIBLE LEADERS. STRONGER COMMUNITIES.

That is the purpose behind my book, and that is the purpose behind the questions I continue to ask.