Opinion From The Top

Here is a Matt Blunt editorial in the KC newspaper.

Same Old Story

The following is from the Joplin paper.

Banking on the idea that Civil War tourists spend more time and money visiting historic sites than do pleasure tourists, organizations across Missouri are trying to find ways to promote the state's sites in time for the war's 150th anniversary.

The problem is that the anniversary is less than four years away, and, according to one state organization, Missouri isn't presenting a unified front capable of competing with Civil War sites in other states.

Too bad there wasn't a battle in Branson!

Community Service

Here is a link to news release about the Taum Sauk Fund, Inc. and the process of finding individuals that want to serve on the board that will oversee the $7 million for tourism and economic development.

The Vote Is In

The Springfield newspaper had an online poll yesterday. They ask should Ameren rebuild the Taum Sauk reservoir? The results 68% yes, 32% no, with 591 readers voting.

Better Photos

Once again the Park Hills newspaper has one of the best articles. I recommend that you click on the photos, not a inclusive as I would have hoped, but better than I have found elsewhere.

A Day In The Life

Each of us has certain days that stay with us for all our life, and December 14 will always be a big day for me. It's been two years since I received a call from a neighbor informing me that the reservoir had failed and that I needed to be ready for high water. As we all know that high water never came, but I have spent hundreds of hours in meetings, hearing, and other events during these past two years. In the process I have made a lot of new friends, mostly Ameren employees,
and I'm sure a few enemies for my take on some of the events and processes over the past 24 months. I'm happy to hear that the rebuild is underway and I hope that Ameren will keep everyone informed about the progress on top of Proffitt Mt.

Yesterday was the media tour of the site. Here is the newspaper report and here is a TV story. I sure wish there were better photos. I know the area well and I can't figure anything from this TV story. For the record, none of the Springfield stations covered this media event. So when you hear pronouncements from Jeff City about all the citizens of Missouri being harmed by this event, that may be technically true, but the day to day facts don't bare that out. It's a big local event in an area with a very small population.

Probably won't be any further coverage on this story for a while, so for my loyal readers, have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year.

News From The Front Line

Just returned from Lesterville and here is some of what I saw and heard.

Returning to Lesterville from Centerville on Thursday night I saw a scene that reminded me of "Close Encounters". Remember when Richard Dreyfuss first sees the landing zone at the base of Devils Tower? Well that is what the Taum Sauk area looks like at night from Highway 21. Must be enough lights to light two super bowls. I did not have time to head up Highway U to see what it looks like from that vantage point, but anyone heading back to Lesterville should plan an after dark drive to take a look at this site.

There did not seem to be much thought about the Ameren settlement except that everyone seemed to be happy that it was settled. There is still some dissatisfaction at the Court House and Sen. Engler is unhappy that Iron County did not get anything directly out of the settlement. The biggest question is who is going to be appointed to the two boards (tourism and education) and will they really be independent. Guess only time will tell.

On Highway J near Oats a new 3 bay fire station is near completion. This was built with part of the $5 million FERC fine. Still no 911, but I guess its still in the works.

Here are two links about another aspect of this story.

New State Park

PSC Investigation
I wonder what this political investigation cost the tax payers. Ameren and it's insurance carrier may pay a lot in this settlement, but there are a lot of tax payer funded costs that are going to just be absorbed in this deal.

Finally, Ameren is having a press tour on the reservoir site this Thursday. I'd love to see it, but I'm not driving back to Lesterville for the event. So hope that all the news media will do a good job of showing us what the top of Proffitt Mt. really looks like. Still want to encourage Ameren to install a webcam and let all of us watch from our computers.

Local News

Pam and I are heading back to Lesterville tomorrow for a week of packing and cleaning. I'll try to talk to some local contacts and see what the mood is after the settlement.

In other news I should disclose that I have degrees from the University of Oklahoma and the University of Kansas. I'm a happy guy!

Katy Trail Problems?

I looked through the 80 page document, but I did not read it all. Here is a link to a Kansas City site that sees some problems ahead.