Overheard

Springfield is the most affordable housing market in Missouri, according to Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corp.’s latest study. The study compiled the average 2006 sales prices of sold-home listings in Coldwell’s worldwide database, in markets that are typical for corporate middle-management transferees. Springfield’s 2006 average sale price of the typical home – four bedrooms, 2.5 baths, family room and two-car garage – was $188,318. That’s about $66,000 less than in St. Louis, Missouri’s most expensive market. Springfield falls near the bottom of the pricing spectrum, as the most inexpensive market was Minot, N.D., with a home price of $132,333. The priciest housing market in the world was Beverly Hills, Calif., where the home sells for an average of $1.8 million.

City Government Opportunities

Five seats – including Mayor Tom Carlson’s slot – are opening up on Springfield City Council. Filing dates for the election are Oct. 10–Nov. 21. Other open council seats are general seats C and D, currently held by Conrad Griggs and Bob Jones, respectively, and zones 2 and 3, currently held by Shelia Wright and Ralph Manley, respectively. Applications and petitions may be picked up at the Springfield City Clerk’s office, 840 Boonville, beginning Oct. 3, and filings can be returned during regular office hours. If more than two candidates are certified for a position, those names will appear on the primary election ballot Feb. 6. The two candidates receiving the most votes will appear on the ballot in the April 3 regular municipal general election.

MOHELA Funding Plan

The Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority voted Sept. 27 to support Gov. Matt Blunt’s plan to contribute $350 million for capital improvements and student scholarships at the state’s colleges and universities. The plan was initiated by Blunt in January and has MOHELA distributing $350 million during the course of six years to the Missouri Development Finance Board. The finance board, which approved the plan unanimously Sept. 19, would then provide $335 million of the funding for capital improvement projects at higher-education institutions and $15 million for student scholarships.

The General Assembly will convene next year and has final say on the plan.

Slice of Nice

Hooked on Dance 2006, a fund-raiser for Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks, presents at 6 p.m. Oct. 6 in the White River Room at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World. The event includes cocktails, networking, a live auction and dancing to live music by The Loon Rangers. Among the auction items are Miami Super Bowl XLI package for two, California wine country tour and tasting package and four tickets to a sold-out Notre Dame game. Hooked on Dance tickets are available through sponsorships; minimum sponsorship amount is $750. Proceeds benefit BCFO, which provides assistance for women affected by breast cancer and their families. For more information, call BCFO at (417) 862-3838.[[In-content Ad]]