Bluff not yet taking legal action on Becker debt

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Three months have passed since an appeal was denied, and still no legal action has been taken to collect the $206,787 owed by Poplar Bluff Internet Inc. to the city of Poplar Bluff.

"I left it in the hands of the city attorney to see what action needs to be taken," said Mark Massingham, interim city manager.

He indicated Wally Duncan, the former city attorney, talked with Robert Smith, interim city attorney, about debt PBI owes the city.

Brian Becker was PBI's president, who fought a three-year legal battle with the city over its Internet access policy and fees. He was doing business as semo.net.

"My position is that I want what the court ordered. [Becker] owes the money, and he needs to pay it," said Massingham, who added he was not aware Becker has made any effort to make payments.

Smith, who was appointed May 14, said he has been busy challenging the contract of Doug Bagby, former city manager, and with being involved in the talk with two property owners concerning the purchase of right of way for the Oak Grove Road project.

"I had to put the judgment on the back burner," said Smith, who expects agreements on the land purchases to be completed in early August.

He said he has delayed taking action because questions have been raised about whether the new owner of City Cable took over the PBI debt.

"We have to look at the contract when City Cable was sold to determine who is owed the judgment," said Smith, who also will research in the PBI case documents so "I will know what the next step should be."

On March 17, the Poplar Bluff City Council approved the sale of City Cable to NewWave Communications.