Aug. 21, 2006

For more information, contact:
Bonnie J. Prigge, (573) 265-2993

MRPC HONORS HEYWOOD FOR SERVICE TO THE BOARD
Encourages local governments to consider information technology
as a basic infrastructure

ST. JAMES—During its August meeting, the board of the Meramec Regional Planning Commission honored former Bourbon Mayor Mary Heywood for her service to the organization. Heywood had represented the city of Bourbon on the MRPC board since 1997 when she was elected mayor. Chairman Robert Reed presented Heywood with a plaque recognizing her contributions.

With nine years of service, Heywood had served four terms as secretary and two terms as chairman of MRPC.

Rep. Bob May, also in attendance at the meeting, commended Heywood for her service to regional planning commissions. "She is a very strong supporter for regional planning," May said, sharing a story of a state representative who changed his opinion on regional planning commissions after talking with Heywood, then chairman of MRPC.

Heywood continues to serve one of Missouri's three representatives Missouri's Delta Regional Authority Committee. Missouri has 28 counties in the Delta Regional Authority, an eight-state, 240-county agency that fosters partnerships as it attempts to improve the Delta economy. Missouri has 29 counties in the DRA; four of those—Crawford, Dent, Phelps and Washington—are within the Meramec Region.

During the August meeting, Heywood reported on a recent DRA meeting in Cape Giraurdeau. While in the past, DRA has placed its emphasis on basic infrastructure, the top priority identified in a recent DRA retreat was providing internet access to all Delta residents and the second priority is to create a technology savvy workforce, Heywood said.

"We need to get on the band wagon," Heywood told local governments leaders. Some states, like Kentucky and Southern Illinois, already have developed strong partnerships to provide internet access to rural areas. Heywood also shared the example of Macon, Mo., that offered its resident access to the internet some 40 years ago. The north-Missouri city is now its own internet provider and has enjoyed economic success because of the availability of internet services.

"It's important that we change the mindset," Heywood said. "We must think of (internet service) as an essential infrastructure service, like water and sewer."

Cutline: MRPC Chairman Robert Reed presents a plaque to former Bourbon Mayor Mary Heywood, who served on the MRPC board for nine years, and served six of those years in the leadership roles of chairman and secretary.

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