Crane License Bureau to Remain Open
DOR changes course following public and legislative pressure
February 22, 2018
Isaac Estes-Jones
The Crane License Bureau will remain open, the Crane Chronicle learned Tuesday morning.
The news comes just a day after Senator David Sater and Representatives Don Phillips and Scott Fitzpatrick sent a letter to the director of the Missouri Department of Revenue, urging the department not to close the Crane office.
The letter to Director Joel Walters urged DOR to consider the effect on Crane and all of Stone County.
“These offices don’t cost the state of Missouri money. They are an opportunity to take what has traditionally been a government function and hand that over to the people,” said Representative Scott Fitzpatrick, R-Cassville, in the letter. Fitzpatrick represents a small portion of Stone County near Shell Knob.
Cara Walker McMenamy has operated the Crane License Bureau since 2005. “We are thrilled to have the chance to bid it,” she said after learning that DOR had reversed it’s decision. “The new bid seems more detailed than the last one I filled out, but I am hopeful that we can keep it going into the future.”
Collin Brannan, Mayor of Crane, said, “I hate to see any local business close. This is one of those higher profile businesses that impact a lot people from not just Crane. Sometimes keeping the status quo is a good thing. In this case, if we can help keep the license office open, that would actually be a great thing – a huge win for the community. While I understand the State may be trying to look out for a local business, ‘father’ may not always know what is best. Here is another example of the State making local decisions that really should be left up to the ‘locals’.”
“There are certain services that a town needs or the town will dry up,” Senator David Sater said. “Those are services like a school or post office. A license office is one of those as well. Without those things, a town will dry up. We have a high concentration of elderly people in Stone County, so having these offices close by is important. Our roads are not always straight, so it’s not like getting on a freeway and getting to the next place in 20 minutes.
“When I found out that the state was not losing money and that there was a contractor willing to do the job, that changed my mind on the matter completely,” Sater continued, “Evidently the letter signed by myself, Representative Fitzpatrick and Representative Phillips made a difference.”
“I’m thrilled as a legislature that the decision was reversed,” said Representative Don Phillips, R-Kimberling City.
“I know I personally spoke with DOR and the Governor’s office about this. I think all of that, combined with the letter signed by myself and Senator Sater and Rep. Fitzpatrick, made a difference,” Phillips said.
We are unable to confirm the details of the new bid, compared with previous as of presstime and will continue to follow this story as it develops. But, for right now, the Crane License Bureau is safe.
Isaac Estes-Jones
The Crane License Bureau will remain open, the Crane Chronicle learned Tuesday morning.
The news comes just a day after Senator David Sater and Representatives Don Phillips and Scott Fitzpatrick sent a letter to the director of the Missouri Department of Revenue, urging the department not to close the Crane office.
The letter to Director Joel Walters urged DOR to consider the effect on Crane and all of Stone County.
“These offices don’t cost the state of Missouri money. They are an opportunity to take what has traditionally been a government function and hand that over to the people,” said Representative Scott Fitzpatrick, R-Cassville, in the letter. Fitzpatrick represents a small portion of Stone County near Shell Knob.
Cara Walker McMenamy has operated the Crane License Bureau since 2005. “We are thrilled to have the chance to bid it,” she said after learning that DOR had reversed it’s decision. “The new bid seems more detailed than the last one I filled out, but I am hopeful that we can keep it going into the future.”
Collin Brannan, Mayor of Crane, said, “I hate to see any local business close. This is one of those higher profile businesses that impact a lot people from not just Crane. Sometimes keeping the status quo is a good thing. In this case, if we can help keep the license office open, that would actually be a great thing – a huge win for the community. While I understand the State may be trying to look out for a local business, ‘father’ may not always know what is best. Here is another example of the State making local decisions that really should be left up to the ‘locals’.”
“There are certain services that a town needs or the town will dry up,” Senator David Sater said. “Those are services like a school or post office. A license office is one of those as well. Without those things, a town will dry up. We have a high concentration of elderly people in Stone County, so having these offices close by is important. Our roads are not always straight, so it’s not like getting on a freeway and getting to the next place in 20 minutes.
“When I found out that the state was not losing money and that there was a contractor willing to do the job, that changed my mind on the matter completely,” Sater continued, “Evidently the letter signed by myself, Representative Fitzpatrick and Representative Phillips made a difference.”
“I’m thrilled as a legislature that the decision was reversed,” said Representative Don Phillips, R-Kimberling City.
“I know I personally spoke with DOR and the Governor’s office about this. I think all of that, combined with the letter signed by myself and Senator Sater and Rep. Fitzpatrick, made a difference,” Phillips said.
We are unable to confirm the details of the new bid, compared with previous as of presstime and will continue to follow this story as it develops. But, for right now, the Crane License Bureau is safe.