The Columbia Heart Beat

Section 8 conversion in the works?

COLUMBIA, Mo 12/4/18 (Beat Byte) -- Board members overseeing a City Hall-sponsored low-income home ownership program are split over a move to turn it into a Section 8 landlord .

The Columbia Community Land Trust (CCLT) detailed plans in August and September to enter the low-income rental property business. 

Such plans would "potentially stray from the original mission of the CCLT , to provide opportunity for individuals to build equity in a home," board member Paul Prevo explained at the group's August 14 meeting . 

The public's impression is "that the CCLT would provide homeownership opportunities," particularly in central Columbia, board member Susan Maze added. 

After resea...

COLUMBIA, Mo 11/27/18 (Beat Byte) -- Embattled Columbia police chief Ken Burton has been looking for work since July, an unconfirmed letter to a California-based headhunting firm suggests.

City manager Mike Matthes resigned last week, following city finance director Michele Nix , who resigned in September. 

"I would like to make formal application for the position of Chief of Police in the City of Denton, Texas," the letter -- signed Kenneth M. Burton and dated July 16, 2018 -- explains.  "Throughout my career I have effectively responded to organizational challenges in the eyes of my supervisors, peers, and subordinates, and I enjoy an excellent reputation as a talent...