The camp of Senator Gary Nodler, the Republican incumbent facing Wright in the November 2006 General Election, may not be too concerned over a candidate supporting her bid with picnics, silent auctions and bean dinners, but almost 100 supporters who attended the picnic held on July 26, 2006, at Cunningham Park in Joplin disagreed.
Wright, pictured, speaking extemporaneously, focused on what needed to be done to insure a good life for future generations. She was concerned over energy needs and dwindling water resources. She said she wanted to be the spokesperson for communities getting together to fight for tougher drug enforcement, for reevaluation of Medicaid cuts that affect the vulnerable population, for alternatives to nursing homes for seniors, and for maintaining quality educational standards.
Kathy Johnson spoke on behalf of her twin sister. She flew down from South Dakota where they grew up in modest circumstances. She described their family as "honest, hardworking people" and said that "you won't find anyone more honest, or hardworking than Kim." And the crowd agreed that Wright was a highly energetic person.
The audience applauded Jeff Flowers, executive director of the Independent Living Center, who said that Wright would "give the Senator of the 32nd district a run for his money."
And, "He's got a lot of it" was an immediate retort that brought a laugh from everyone.
Included in the group were Newton County residents with health concerns caused by the presence of CAFOs like that of egg-producer Moark, located on Highway D in Neosho. These constituents of Nodler recall that on July 20, 2006 when he was leaving a Lion's Club meeting in Neosho, they forced an audience from their senator in order to appeal for his support. As they described it, they were "rudely" told that Moark was his constituent, too.
That the support of a politician like Nodler is where the money is was noted by Randy Turner in his Turner Report:
"A transcript of that meeting shows Nodler saying, "Ethical rules of the state of Missouri prevent me from attempting to influence the DNR (Department of Natural Resources) on regulatory procedures. In fact, it would probably be a violation of federal integrity laws if I interfered with their regulatory process. I wouldn't do that and not only does the law say that, but it would be unethical for me to do that."
The transcript does not indicate that Nodler told the Moark opponents that only six days earlier his campaign committee accepted a maximum $600 contribution from N.B. Inc., of Neosho, because he failed to mention that fact. (N.B. or Nutra Blend shared offices at 1100 Blair Ave. with MoArk.) This was not the first contribution Nodler had received from N. B. Inc. Missouri Ethics Commission records show that on Sept. 10, 2001, N. B., contributed $550 to Nodler's 2002 senatorial campaign. During that same election cycle, he received a $500 contribution from the Poultry Federation of Missouri, and $200 from Moark official Hollis Osborne.
One of the early contributors to the Nodler Leadership PAC when it was formed in 2003 was Moark official Jerry Wells, who gave $1,000."
Speaking for himself, Flowers criticized the area incumbents for not listening to the needs of the people. He said, "Either they give you the brush off...or when sitting in their offices their eyes glaze over and you know you've lost their complete attention."
Wright says she recognizes that each county has different needs. She wants to be the person to hear what they are in order to address them. Consequently, her committee has set up an interactive website to call attention to those issues. It may be found here.
In response to how the Wright campaign was going to finance itself, treasurer Cindy Weaver said that although Nodler "has a large treasure chest of money, we have volunteers...not $200 a plate meals". Everyone was invited to a Ham and Bean Dinner and Silent Auction Fundraiser from 4 to 9 p.m., September 29, 2006 at the Joplin Board of Realtors Building, Seventh and Florida. Donations would be appreciated but spreading the word that a vote for Kim Wright for State Senate to help return the voice of voters to government was considered just as important.
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