Return completed forms to MRPC, 4 Industrial Dr., St. James, MO 65559.
MRPC News
October 18, 2005
For more information, contact:
Richard Cavender or Bonnie J. Prigge, (573) 265-2993
KEEP USGS IN ROLLA: MRPC INITIATES PETITION DRIVE FOR 10,000 SIGNATURES
ST. JAMES-Acting on a request from Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, the Meramec Regional
Planning Commission, during its monthly meeting Oct. 13, kicked off a petition
drive to collect 10,000 signatures in support of keeping the United States Geological
Survey in Rolla. Rep. Emerson, working to reverse USGS' decision to close the
Mid-Continental Mapping Center in Rolla, plans to deliver the signed petitions
to President George Bush during the Congressional Christmas party. The congresswoman
made the request for signatures to MRPC's Chairman Gary Brown, mayor of Salem,
on Tuesday during a meeting in Dent County.
The MRPC board, which now includes Pulaski County and the cities of St. Robert
and Waynesville, Dixon, also voted to request Rep. Ike Skeleton's assistance
on the issue. Skeleton's Congressional district includes Pulaski County.
On Sept. 15, USGS announced its plans to close its Mid-Continental Mapping Center
in Rolla, consolidating operations to Denver, Col. This decision came after
an independent evaluation found Rolla to be the most cost-effective mapping
center of the four considered for consolidation. Approximately 185 skilled jobs
with an annual payroll of $13.75 million with be lost along with local tax revenues
of $299,476 and state tax revenue of $601,000. Sen. Kit Bond, Sen. Jim Talent
and Rep. Jo Ann Emerson have requested more information on the decision and
have requested that the Inspector General's office review the decision-making
process.
In other business, the board:
o Approved a clean audit report, delivered by Molly Malone of Verkamp and Malone.
Malone praised the fiscal management of MRPC and commended staff for their efforts.
For the year ended June 30, 2005, MRPC and its closely held subsidiary-MRB Corp.
and Meramec Region Emergency Planning Committee-posted revenues of $1,460,024
and expenses of $1,453,208, for an operating income of $6,816.
o Heard a report from Jim Gilstrap of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources
on grant opportunities for dealing with brownfields. "Properties that are
contaminated or thought to be contaminated are not to be shunned," Gilstrap
told board members. "They are opportunities." Grant moneys are now
available to help buyers and developers to deal with contaminated sites, including
those with lead paint and asbestos.
o Approved the selection of Martha Pogue of Rolla to serve as at-large commissioner
for the unemployed. Pogue manages the PenMac offices in Rolla, Owensville, Cuba
and Houston.
Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford,
Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and
their respective cities.
A professional staff of 27, directed by the MRPC board, offers technical assistance
and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance,
transportation planning, environmental planning, ordinance codification, business
loans and other services to member communities upon request. The board meets
the second Thursday of each month, except in July when no meeting is held. MRPC's
officers are Chairman Gary Brown of Salem, Vice Chairman Bob Reed of Washington
County, Secretary Mary Heywood of Bourbon and Treasurer Laura Cyr of Rolla.
For more information, persons may call (573) 265-2993.
Download the petition here.
Return completed forms to MRPC, 4 Industrial Dr., St. James, MO 65559.