Bloomfield, Missouri - The city of Bloomfield was recently named a Purple Heart City after months of efforts by Bloomfield City Clerk Kari Standley.

"She was instrumental in this endeavor to make Bloomfield a Purple Heart City," commented Bloomfield Mayor Bill Aslin. "I commend her for her actions and I am grateful she took this upon herself to do for our community."

Aslin signed the Proclamation on Monday, May 20, 2019 at the monthly city council meeting.  On hand were Purple Heart recipients and members of the community to honor them. As well as other local veterans including the Stoddard County Honor Guard and representatives of the Region 2 Military Order of the Purple Heart.

The Purple Heart is the oldest military award in the United States.  In 1782, George Washington needed a way to quell the talk of a rebellion at the end of the Revolutionary War.  Moral was low and they were starving.  He was afraid of a mutiny so he created the Badge of Military Merit to recognize heroic acts by his troops. No one knows home many received this award and it later lapsed after the war for many years.  It was in 1932 on Washington's 200th birthday, the modern medal featuring a profile image of Washington was created for soldiers.  

The award was made retroactive - WWI soldiers who had earned certain awards could apply for the Purple Heart.  Today many have earned the medal and we thank them for their service and sacrifice.

"I really wanted to do this for our community," stated Kari Standley.  "We have a lot of military history here and I wanted them to know that we appreciate their sacrifices.  We will eventually get a few signs as you enter Bloomfield to visually thank those who were battle wounded and stand as a thank you for their service.  It's definitely a sign of respect and gratitude!"

One of Standley's goals is to get everyone on board in Stoddard County and all the towns to become Purple Heart cities.

Bryce Lockwood, Chaplain of Chapter 621 Missouri Military Order of the Purple Heart from Springfield, Missouri, explained that the medal is given to members of the U.S. military who have been wounded or killed in action during wartime.

Also in attendance was John D. Dismer, Region 2 Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. "I am proud that Bloomfield has become a Purple Heart city.  The sign will acknowledge that the city supports and honors all veterans."

Dismer explained that Bloomfield will have the opportunity to purchase road signs identifying the town as a Purple Heart City and they will be placed at near the city limits on the north and south in the beginning.  They may try to purchase a couple more for other county roads leading into the city.

"I am truly honored to read and sign this proclamation tonight," continued Aslin.  "My dad was in the Navy and my Uncle was in the Air Force.  It's a privilege and honor for the city of Bloomfield to be designated a Purple Heart City."

Purple Heart City of Bloomfield Proclamation signed May 20, 2019

"Whereas the City of Bloomfield, Missouri and our Community have a great admiration and the utmost gratitude for all of the men and women who have selflessly served their country and this community in the Armed Forces; and

Whereas veterans have paid the high price of freedom by leaving their families and communities and placing themselves in harm's way for the good fall; and

Whereas the contributions and sacrifices of the men and women who served in the Armed Forces have been vital in maintaining the freedoms and way of life enjoyed by our citizens' and

Whereas citizens of our country have received the Purple Heart Medal as a result of being wounded while engaged in combat with an enemy force, construed as a singularly meritorious act of essential served; and

Whereas the City of Bloomfield, Missouri seeks to remember and recognize those who are recipients of the Purple Heart Medal.

Now, therefore, I Bill Aslin, Mayor of the city of Bloomfield, Missouri, do hereby declare the city of Bloomfield to be a Purple Heart City honoring the service and sacrifice of our nation's men and women in uniform, wounded or killed by the enemy while serving to protect our freedoms.

Pictured: Purple Heart recipients present for the proclamation of Bloomfield as a Purple Heart City include, from left: Terry Hood, U.S. Army, Charles Hedspeth, U.S. Army, Bryce Lockwood, U.S. Marines, John Dismer, U.S. Army; Dallas Buchanan, U.S. Army, David Wilson, U.S. Army, and David McClellan, U.S. Army.

Bloomfield, Missouri - Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for Las Brisas, the latest Mexican restaurant to open in the area.  

Las Brisas is located in the newly remodeled Sonic building.  If you haven't had a chance to visit you will be amazed at the difference in the old building vs the new style.

Las Brisas is owned by Cristobal Marquez and Gustavo Marquez.  Managers are Carla Lopez and Miguel Marquez.

They are located at 507 State Highway 25 South in Bloomfield, Missouri.  Phone number is (573) 568-6100.

Bloomfield, Missouri - Outdoor Movie Night sponsored by Bloomfield Fellowship of Christian Students/Staff and the Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce will be on Wednesday, October 10, 2018 from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at the City Park.

They will feature the movie Soul Surfer.

FREE hotdogs, popcorn and water.  Just bring your own chair or blanket to sit on!

SOUL SURFER is the inspiring true story of teen surfer Bethany Hamilton, who lost her arm in a shark attack and courageously overcame all odds to become a professional surfer.  

"Bethany Hamilton has become a source of inspiration to millions through her story of determination, faith and hope. At the age of thirteen, Bethany lost her left arm to a 14-foot tiger shark, which seemed to end her career as a rising surf star.  One month after the attack, Bethany returned to the water and within 2 years had won her first National title. In 2007, she realized her dream of surfing professionally and since then her story has been told in a New York Times best selling autobiography and in the 2011 film, SOUL SURFER. Bethany is involved in numerous charitable efforts, including her own foundation, Friends of Bethany, which reaches out to amputees and youth, encouraging a broken world by offering hope to overcome through Jesus Christ. Using her platform as a professional athlete to promote living a fit and healthy lifestyle, she authored the book BODY AND SOUL in 2014. Bethany’s latest project, UNSTOPPABLE, a surf documentary which will showcase her as one of the best women surfers in the world, is set to release in 2018, accompanied by a photo book and a children’s book. She is passionate about helping young women be unstoppable in life and faith, and is launching a new website and app this Fall for sharing content and facilitating connection. Her greatest joy is being a wife and mother, and she continues to touch and inspire lives globally as a professional surfer, and motivational speaker."

Bloomfield, Missouri - Stoddard County Sheriff Carl Hefner spoke to a small crowd of interested voters  Friday, July 13, 2018 at the Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce monthly meeting held at Elderland Restaurant.

His main topic of discussion was the two propositions on the ballot for the August primary.  Proposition 1 and Proposition 2 both need to pass according to Sheriff Carl Hefner.

"Shall the County of Stoddard impose a county wide sales tax at the rate of one half (1/2) of one (1) percent for a period of seven (7) years from the date on which such tax is first imposed for the purpose of the renovation of the existing jail, construction, equipment, and design cost of a jail addition.  Collections for this Proposition are not to begin until the the one half (1/2) of one (1) percent sales tax of Proposition 1 is approved."

This means on August 7, 2018 Proposition 1 must pass first before Proposition 2 can also be enacted.  Both are needed for the survival of the Stoddard County Sheriff's Department. 

Let's look at the past and see how the Sheriff's department has gotten to this point.  First the jail was original constructed in 1983 to hold about 8 inmates. Then in 1991 the jail underwent an addition offering 4 more cells, two showers, dispatch area, laundry room and sheriff's office along with a booking area that is now an inmate property storage area. By the end of construction in 1991the jail was designed to hold 28 inmates.

Since that time the jail has grown to over capacity, but not much renovation has been done.  The average daily inmate population in 1998 was 34 making the jail capacity at 121%. During the 2016/2017 years the average daily jail population was 76 meaning jail was at 271% capacity.  

The jail is now housing 4 people per 2-man cell and the day room is being used to house inmates for sleeping, etc.  The kitchen is smaller than most apartments and they use residential washer and dryer constantly purchasing more than one a year to replace each as they run them almost 24 hours a day.  Their food storage is outside and cold food storage is in refrigerators in the hallway.  Safety of the officers is impaired because of the space and inmates having to go outside to get items to prepare three meals per day.  There is always plumbing issues which need to be upgraded.

One of the most serious problems is not being able to segregate inmates.  Which means if you are a arrested for a minor violation you will be housed with violent sex offenders.  There is simply no ability to segregate inmates.  There is not even a holding area while they process new inmates.

Another serious issue is that the corrections officers do not have visual supervision of inmates at all times.  Over crowding leads to jail assaults and increased costs in medical and manpower etc to transport to the hospital as well as the potential for officers to be injured due to increased assaults on staff.  Also if there were a fire or emergency the hallways are filled with storage, refrigerators, and other clutter because of lack of proper storage. 

The third most important safety issue for corrections officers is the fact that the cell doors don't latch properly.  They are using an antiquated key system and many parts on the cell doors are not available or have to be specially made.  Another cost and safety issue for our deputies.

The new addition to the jail will include a full basement, a separate booking area with line of sight to padded cells and holding cells, an full kitchen and food prep area, industrial laundry area, cold and dry storage and four isolation/observation cells and a holding area for booking.  Most importantly it will include a secure "sally port" for transportation of inmates.  This is extremely necessary not only for the safety of the officers, but to the public as well.

The main level of construction will house a control center for the entire jail where all doors will be operated from a "pod" system.  This new construction will also house approximately120 inmates which should then last for years.

The preliminary cost of the entire project is estimated to be a little over 9 million dollars.  The proposed funding would come from the passage of this sale tax to fund the jail until the bond is paid back which should be 7 years.  This tax will end in 7 years.

If you have any questions or would like Sheriff Carl Hefner to speak at your organization about Proposition 1 and 2 please contact him at 573.568.4654