Nevada council member issues apology for Aug. 1 incident

Thursday, September 10, 2009

By Rusty Murry - Nevada Daily Mail

Nevada city councilman Seth Barrett has issued an apology to "the citizens of Nevada" relating to an Aug. 1 incident that resulted in his arrest.

The councilman, however, was not charged.

The incident, according to official reports obtained from the Nevada Police Department and the Vernon County Sheriff's Office through separate Sunshine Law requests, occurred on the evening of Aug. 1.According to the incident reports, a truck and trailer that had been parked at the Nevada Country Club were reported stolen and later discovered parked outside Barrett's residence.

Chief of Police Gary Herstein said Barrett was initially taken into custody by city police officers, but the case was turned over to the sheriff's office as soon as it was determined that he was a councilman.

"We wouldn't investigate anything involving a city employee," Herstein said.

Barrett, who also is past president of the Nevada-Vernon County Chamber of Commerce, was released without being charged after the truck's owner, Charles Cantrell, said he did not want to press charges.

Cantrell said he didn't see any benefit in filing charges against Barrett, since he didn't think it was Barrett's intent to steal the truck and there was no damage to the vehicle.

"I figured he'd be in enough trouble as it was." The day following the event, "he called and was apologizing," said Cantrell.

Barrett's only comment in an interview last week was: "I regret the whole thing."

A few days later, he sent the following e-mail to the Daily Mail:

"I understand there are concerned citizens that want to know what happened over a month ago on August 1st, but at this point I am dedicated to moving forward and taking care of business. I have been through a great deal of humiliation and I can say that I am a better person because of experiencing the situation. I immediately apologized to those involved and then apologized to the Mayor of Nevada, Councilmember Novak and the City Manager, but at this time I would like to apologize to the citizens of Nevada. For the record I am still 100% committed to Nevada and the city council, also I am staying active with the same clubs and organizations I have been involved with for many years now."

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IF IT WASN'T MR BARRETT'S INTENT TO STEAL THE TRUCK, WE WOULD ALL LOVE TO HEAR WHAT HIS INTENT WAS. YOU GOT SOME "SPLAININ" TO DO, LUCY. BUT AS ALWAYS, THIS IS THE LAST WE WILL HEAR ABOUT THE INCIDENT.

-- Posted by resident65 on Thu, Sep 10, 2009, at 7:13 AM
Isn't a bit silly to drag up a story over a month old to pick apart a person who has volunteered to serve our community on charges that were dropped and haven't ever been an issue? I salute Mr. Barrett for giving an apology when not necessary.

-- Posted by nevmoresident on Thu, Sep 10, 2009, at 8:29 AM
I totally agree. Why bring this up now, what's the point. Thanks for the apology but it really wasn't necessary in my opinion.

-- Posted by ccmom on Thu, Sep 10, 2009, at 12:40 PM
So perhaps the Sheriff should explain why Seth Barrett received preferential treatment and was released without bond after being booked at the county jail? There are many people in this town that have scanners; so this information would have been audibly heard by numerous people with respect to him being taken into custody to the jail.

Why was nothing in the paper before today? In looking through the archives there are not any Police Reports for August 1, 2009. Were they intentionally left out to avoid further embarrassment?

Councilmember or not, he should be held accountable for his actions and treated just like any other citizen that is arrested for a crime. Why is even still serving on the Council?

What about the oath he took? Does that not stand for something? Doesn't this follow under the definition of Moral Turpitude?

Perhaps he feels he should be granted a "do-over" just like Obama did on his oath of office.

An apology is indeed necessary and a resignation should also follow suit because who is to say this won't happen again?

If this would have been a city employee, most likely the employee would have been fired the following day or asked to submit a letter of resignation... charges being filed or not.

-- Posted by howaboutsometruth on Thu, Sep 10, 2009, at 1:38 PM
I do agree that there seems to be a bit of favoritism being shown in this case.

If this were the average citizen, even if the vehicle's owner did not press charges, the city or the county would have found a way to follow through with charges of their own. The average citizen would have been charged with possibly a DWI, DUI - (because something played the part in the wrong vehicle being taken), theft, or even trespassing. Officers would have found something to charge the average citizen with.

Remember a few months ago, the young woman who was charged and fined with the vandalism to street signs? She had to make a public apology to local officials, and received criticism from a few during her acknowledgement of her wrongs.

Law enforcement didn't break any Sunshine Laws in hiding this case. Why? Because she was just an average person without a Big Name.

What a shame Nevada and Vernon County has to be run this way.

-- Posted by Jessie on Thu, Sep 10, 2009, at 4:50 PM
HAVE ANY OF YOU EVER HEARD THE LEGAL TERM "COMPOUNDING A FELONY"? IF NOT, PLEASE LOOK UP THE DEFINITION.

-- Posted by resident65 on Thu, Sep 10, 2009, at 7:32 PM
Councilperson Barrett,

When you decided to run for public office you put yourself in a position to be held to a higher standard. Right or wrong that is the way it is. You are in the public eye and your actions are watched by children and adults and also the citizens who thought enough of your abilities to give you their vote. I applaud that you apologized to those involved and your fellow council members, but I am very saddened that once again the citizens of this town come in last. My belief is that council members are elected to serve the public, and the public should come first and foremost. The public should have been one of the first to receive your apology and not had to wait over a month, and by waiting, the perception has evolved that there was a coverup or you were given preferential treatment because of your position on the council or because of your last name. Probably most of these reasons are not true, but the perception is there and sometimes, unfortunately, perception becomes truth. I'm sure this has been a very difficult time for you, and I look forward to watching you move forward from here. I also hope that you will keep in mind the people that gave you the gift of serving as their representative and you will put their needs first. Not the needs and wants of your friends, family, fellow council members, or city administration, but the needs of the citizens of this town.

-- Posted by bornandraisedhere on Fri, Sep 11, 2009, at 7:51 AM
I am going to assume that everyone who has commented her positive or negative took the time to go vote on Tuesday although assuming is never a good idea. FYI; yes, I did!!

-- Posted by ccmom on Fri, Sep 11, 2009, at 8:23 AM
Mr. Barrett is a person that since returning to Nevada, has done so much to improve our community. It bothers me that people can talk like this about a man who gives so much back to the town that he loves. Did he make a mistake, yes of course, we all know this and so does he. That is exactly why he apologized. He handled thing the correct way after the incident, by apologizing first to those that he has to answer to like council members and the mayor, then issuing his apology to us. Can you imagine being the mayor and seeing this write up in the paper without Mr. Barrett first apologizing or making you aware of the situation? It is time that we as the public accept his apology and move on.

-- Posted by psualumn on Fri, Sep 11, 2009, at 11:55 AM
As always the genius bloggers in this town have had great things to say. I am sure you are the people that do nothing for the betterment of this community, but you look for every chance you get to step on somebody while they are down. Yes, Seth made a mistake, but keep your personal/hateful comments to yourself.

-- Posted by nevada1 on Fri, Sep 11, 2009, at 12:05 PM
I realize I am outsider, however, annually I trek 4 hours across this great State of Missouri to play in a golf tournament the first weekend of August in the quiet town of Nevada, Missouri. I have played the last 11 years and I still look forward to my time in Nevada every year, despite the fact that Echoes was burnt to a crisp.

So a city councilman made a mistake. Do civil servants that are truly humbled and apologetic not deserve second chances and the benefit of the doubt? There were no legal charges hence no jail time nor resignation necessary. This isn't Russia, is this Russia?

-- Posted by nevadaclassichamp on Fri, Sep 11, 2009, at 1:55 PM
First of all the matter with the police, the issue was handled between all parties involved. Mr. Barrett, Mr. Cantrell and the police. There was nothing in the paper b/c there was nothing to report. No charges were filed no crime was committed. He was at fault no doubt and should take some criticism but I can't stand it when people throw dirt on people when they are down, and chances are they aren't doing anything for the community. They can attack his apology if they are that concerned and what he was doing but calling his family a bunch of drunks is ridiculous. The Barrett family has been an honest, productive and charitable family for years in the community. They are not perfect and don't claim to be. They haven't packed up and left town when things are bad and I don't believe they will anytime soon. If I was Seth I would never live there but for him to come back and get involved in the community has to stand for something. A town like Nevada will never progress if they keep the some old people in charge. Just about every business has left town (Fram/Crane/Body & Soul/Pete's Swap shop/most of 3m/ practically all of the square). I also love the person who said, "should we give him a do-over just like Obama got on his oath of office." What is this person trying to say? Obama isn't really the president? Honestly I bet he/she thinks that....You can argue with ignorance. You people need to get a reality check, sh*t happens, give the guy a chance to redeem himself. If he were to be forced to resign chances are Nevada would lose a person who would be committed to the better good of the community over the next couple decades. Nevada is already being passed by smaller towns like Butler/Carl Junction/ Webb City/Carthage who have committed themselves to progress instead of attacking/slandering and worrying about apologies over incidents that do not affect the community directly. How funny is it that people are upset that he apologized before or after he spoke with the Mayor. Does an apology actually serve your heart good? Are you that wrapped up in yourself that it actually matters to you? If so do yourself a favor and drive 90 miles north and get a dose of reality. People have lives, things happen, regrets are made, but for someone else to complain about not getting an apology about an incident that does not affect you is absurd. This town needs young people to come back and get involved with Commerce/Schools/Athletics. Unfortunately with that comes issues like this...it's just a fact. He is not a bad person at all, he does make mistakes and I am certain Seth will be a better person for it. You can give him a chance to prove it or you can light your torches a run him off and continue with the way things are and see your town shrink every year. So get off you high-horse and be apart of the solution not the problem.

Peace

Long live the White Grill!

-- Posted by nevadatiger on Fri, Sep 11, 2009, at 2:16 PM
if this was an honest mistake why doesn't he issue a statement saying what happened? this article says a truck and trailer that had been reported stolen showed up in front of his house. he WAS initially arrested. does this not lead one to believe that there was some form of a crime committed. if this isn't the case, maybe the paper should print "the rest of the story."

-- Posted by nosurprise on Fri, Sep 11, 2009, at 3:38 PM
LONG LIVE FBJ!

-- Posted by bestWRinnevada on Fri, Sep 11, 2009, at 4:51 PM
Don't know Mr. Barrett, don't care to. This kind of thing happens at all levels of elected officials. Paid or unpaid. Seems as though people want to defend any actions or dismiss any actions by "all the good the accused person has done". Can't help but laugh about us "common" people not doing any good in the community. This was not a prove-able case as was all the money disappearing from the City coffers some years back. I understand that the fox is still in the hen house on that deal. But thru all this let's remember these people are only human. Even the law enforcement employees. If law enforcement would reopen the theft of money from the City, I for one would stand in line to press charges. But, as one comment stated "sweep it under the carpet".

Welcome to small town USSA. United Socialist States of America.

-- Posted by thestirrer on Fri, Sep 11, 2009, at 5:43 PM
Small town politics...Good Ole boy thinking; it's all the same no matter what the size of the town is, unfortunately.

For the record, both my spouse and I did vote on September 8th because we do want this town to grow. Nevada is a nice community but what does it really have to offer families or young couples that want to do things? To really go shopping or to eat at nice restaurants you have to Joplin or KC. Just think of all the tax dollars that could benefit this town if only there were businesses that offered better selections.

Has anyone paid any attention to the fact that the filing period for candidates to file for the September 8th special election opened up 7/18/09 and closed on 8/18/09?

Does anyone recall an article published in the Nevada Daily Mail dated 7/30/09 about the city council? Here is an excerpt taken from that article:

[Having only three council members will pose some difficulties for the council.

It means that it will take a minimum of seven days to enact any ordinance, since it takes four votes to approve an emergency ordinance. It also means that the council can neither fire interim City Manager Harlan Moore nor hire a new permanent city manager.

Since it takes at least three votes to accept bids, appoint people to boards or commissions, adopt a resolution of pass an ordinance, it also means that if one of the three remaining council members should become permanently incapacitated or die, the city council will be unable to conduct any business until the special election is held.]

I have looked and there are no police reports or sheriff's reports covering the dates of August 1st, 2nd or 3rd to be found in the Nevada Daily Mail. Kind of odd that for 3 days the city & county were crime free.

Yes people make mistakes, nobody is perfect; however when they become public and you are a public official you have to expect criticism and negative comments from citizens. If you don't want the negativity don't draw attention to yourself by inappropriate actions. Running a stop sign, expired plates or a speeding citation are one thing.

If an officer comes to your house, takes you into custody, drives you to the county jail... is it because you are voluntarily going to take a joy ride, do a ride along, get a late night tour of the new facility or is it simply because you did something that precipitated the need for someone to call the cops in the first place?

Sounds like a cover-up, hush-up to keep the council floating along until November.

This town will shrink every year until we get council members who are not afraid of growth, the multitude of headaches that come with it; a city manager that is a resident of Missouri; and a council that works as a team that supports our local firemen & police officers.

-- Posted by howaboutsometruth on Fri, Sep 11, 2009, at 11:08 PM
a

-- Posted by skc on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, at 9:33 AM
I have known Seth Barrett my entire life. If he makes a mistake he stands up and takes responsibility. I have also seen him take full responsibility for situations that were not his fault and back up his friends whenever they were in need. If you ask me that is a characteristic of a good leader and more importantly a good man and is a reflection of being raised by a good family. Nevada is lucky to have him in a leadership position. I was born and raised in Nevada and while I don't live there anymore I am still proud of my hometown and proud that Seth will have an integral part in moving the city forward.

I would also like to second a previous comment - long live the White Grill and rebuild Echo's while we are at it.

-- Posted by skc on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, at 9:49 AM
Ehco's was in the county so rebuilding it would not have a direct impact on Nevada moving forward.

So if he stands up for his mistakes why was there a delay in the public being made aware of it?

This happened August 1 and it made the headlines September 10!

-- Posted by howaboutsometruth on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, at 10:45 AM
Obviously because there was nothing to make the public aware of. The parties involved were made aware of it. Nothing happend, case closed. Cover ups, conspiracy, preferential treatment? Give me a break!!! There were no charges, so leave it alone. Seth is a wonderful person who dedicates his time to serve the community, has as a public figure made a public apology for his "incident". That seems like a great example for the community.

Perhaps all of you who are so personally offended should only vote in council members who are completely perfect and have never and will never find themselves in the middle of a public misunderstanding.

-- Posted by nevmoresident on Sat, Sep 12, 2009, at 11:30 AM
Did I miss something. Several of these comments refer to Mr Barrett drinking. Did this article say he was arrested for DWI. What I get from the article is that Mr Barrett mistakenly drove Mr. Cantrell's truck home from the country club. I say mistakenly because Mr Cantrell did not press charges so rather than Mr Barrett committing a crime he made a mistake. I dare to say we have ALL, at some time, made a mistake.

-- Posted by ccmom on Mon, Sep 14, 2009, at 8:19 AM
how do you accidentally take someone elses truck?

-- Posted by nosurprise on Mon, Sep 14, 2009, at 5:55 PM
It wasn't an accident it was a mistake.

-- Posted by ccmom on Tue, Sep 15, 2009, at 7:54 AM
what is the difference? it was still someone elses truck. how do you make that kind of "mistake?"

-- Posted by nosurprise on Tue, Sep 15, 2009, at 7:57 AM
Well he obviously is a terrible person who goes around stealing vehicles to sell on the black market. We should just have him removed from council and banned from town. This has to be the worst thing anyone on council, or any public official, has ever done. What a bad person he is. I know that his volunteering to be on council is just a cover for a car theft ring. Maybe we could just have him executed. This will probably bring the whole town crashing down. Oh the humanity!!!

-- Posted by nevmoresident on Tue, Sep 15, 2009, at 8:14 AM
From dictionary.com

accident: an undesirable or unfortunate happening that occurs unintentionally and usually results in harm, injury, damage or loss; casualty; mishap

mistake: an error in action, calculation,opinion, or judgment caused by poor reasoning, carelessness, insufficient knowledge, etc.

-- Posted by ccmom on Tue, Sep 15, 2009, at 12:17 PM
"Politician" or not, we all make mistakes. Did Seth make a mistake? Absolutely. If you know someone who hasn't made a poor choice in his or her life, I'd like to hear about it.

Before everyone goes around gossiping about this, it may be wise to recall all the irresponsible things you've done in your life first.

Supporting FBJ and the town of Nevada, Go Tigers!

-- Posted by nevadasupporter on Tue, Sep 15, 2009, at 2:32 PM

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