Originally published July 24, 2009 at 9:20 a.m., updated July 24, 2009 at 9:20 a.m.
St. Joseph attorney James Montee, former husband of Missouri State Auditor Susan Montee, has been awarded the contract to operate the St. Joseph motor vehicle license office, the Missouri Department of Revenue announced.
This would be Mr. Montee's second license office in the state; in June, he was awarded the contract for the Lee's Summit office. Reports indicated that Mr. Montee intends to move the office to a new location at 2319 N. Belt Highway. The office currently is at the East Hills Shopping Center.
The revenue department announced five new license office contracts Thursday, including those for St. Joseph and Chillicothe. In addition to the St. Joseph office, Kathryn Diane Harlow was awarded the right to operate the license office in Chilicothe.
She is the agent who has served in that capacity since 2005.
Gov. Jay Nixon, who took office in January, had pledged to take politics out of the process of awarding contracts for the license offices. "The new process is open, honest and transparent," the governor said in a statement.
The state received one bid to operate the Chillicothe office. Mr. Montee was one of four bidders for the St. Joseph office.
Mr. Montee, who contributes to Democratic candidates and allows the party to hold meetings in his law building, described the bidding process as public, open and transparent in a previous News-Press article.
He pledged to return 10 percent of office revenues, or $44,005, to the state.
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Leonie says...
So that is next door to Rod's hallmark, right? Is there really enough parking there for the DMV?
July 24, 2009 at 10:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ksmith says...
Well, one less thing in the mall. Just what we need. Another open space. I would think the DMV sends business to the mall.
July 24, 2009 at 10:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Leonie says...
Yes, I liked it in the mall. Lots of parking and a good place to wait inside when I hurried in to be first in line. Probably the rent was too high, I will be sorry to see them move.
July 24, 2009 at 11:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
FarmerGirl says...
This article says former husband but according to voter registration records the state auditor still lives with him. Just more corruption.
July 24, 2009 at 12:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
janice says...
Just because you are divorce doesn't mean you can't live were ever you want. Since when did it say once you are no longer married, you have to live apart?
July 24, 2009 at 1:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Mookie625 says...
I'm not sure Leonie but i know its in that shopping strip by speedys on beck and the belt. I dont like the parking there ethier. i was hoping that maybe the Old Social Security Offices by Kmart would be chosen,he Parking is a tad better i think.
July 24, 2009 at 1:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shorty9258 says...
The front of Big Bobs Outlet has plenty of parking,and its across from the Highway PatrolI-29 to 169 and your there.Give it some thought Montee
July 24, 2009 at 3:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rk92559 says...
Maybe he will put it in a tent and have lawn chairs for those waiting in line.
July 24, 2009 at 4:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grannytuff says...
I don't know why it is even mentioned that he is the former husband. What difference does that make? They are divorced, so what are they implying? Who cares who he is or was married to? It's his private business, he's not running for President.
I really hope the chosen location can handle the customer parking and lobby space it will require.
July 24, 2009 at 4:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Leonie says...
Oh, Granny, you know that putting immaterial past marital info in a story is a News Press trademark, a special way of showing they care!
July 24, 2009 at 5:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
Heres a idea since the state gave up running the local DMV office in St Joseph it has not been worth a heck. People working there do not know what they are doing and so forth.
So why does not the state take it back over and put it back downtown in the state building they already have and operate and bring back the ladys that worked there they got you in and out and knew what they were doing.Savannah gets you in and out and knows what is going on and it is not state ran either.
July 24, 2009 at 10:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Leonie says...
The state is trying to cut costs (at the expense of our time wasted in line at the dmv), so they outsourced the dmv. Those ladies that worked so hard for us downtown all lost their jobs, but look at the bright side. Now that a new contractor is taking over the office, all the current workers will lose their jobs and we get to break in a whole new crew. I am sure Mr. Montee plans on running an efficient operation, lets give it a chance.
July 25, 2009 at 8:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Ivo1 says...
There has to be a motive to Montee acqiuring this endeavor.
Other than the fact that it is revenue for his pocket.
July 25, 2009 at 10:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
greenman says...
Of course there's a motive - he's an intelligent businessman who sees a good opportunity with a lasting revenue stream. Not everything in St. Joe is some conspiracy - but if all you read were the comments on this site you would think that everyone and everything is out to "get you" in this community. hehehehe too funny.
July 25, 2009 at 11:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
insideout says...
MM - Did that post actually make sense to anyone? On one hand you want the government to return to running the DMV offices to improve efficiency but then on the other hand you comment on how efficient Savannah's privately ran office.
Sounds to me that it's more about staff and their knowledge and training than whether the office is private or state ran.
July 25, 2009 at 12:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
matt says...
I am confident Mr. Montee will strive toward doing a very organized job.
However, give us a break!!! Jay Nixon Democrat, Montees married or not are top Democrats!!!! Politics anyone????
July 25, 2009 at 12:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )