Eight counties | 36 cities | one region

JEFFERSON CITY—The board and staff of Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) traveled to the state Capitol on Jan. 23 for “MRPC Day at the Capitol.”

During the event, MRPC board and staff shared MRPC’s 2018 state legislative priorities with the 13 state legislators representing residents of the region.

Above, MRPC Executive Director Bonnie Prigge (left), discusses the Meramec Region’s 2018 state priorities as set forth by the MRPC board with Senator Mike Kehoe, representing District 6. In the background, other board members discuss other regional issues.

After lunch, MRPC board members and staff traveled to the offices of those senators and representatives who could not attend to discuss important issues facing the Meramec Region. Senator Gary Romine shakes hands with Dent County Commissioner Darrell Skiles (left). Executive Director Bonnie Prigge and MRPC Chairman Ray Schwartze then presented the senator with the 2018 State Priorities report and highlighted a few of the issues.

MRPC Chairman Ray Schwartze (left) and Belle Mayor Steve Vogt (right), as well as other members sat with Representative Tom Hurst in his office Jan. 23 to discuss transportation issues facing the region. Highways 63 and 50 remain top of the priorities list.

Those participating in MRPC Day at the Capitol were (left to right back) Representative Steve Lynch, Labor representative Shane Anselm, Industry representative Jan Haviland, Hermann Chamber President Ron Kraettli, Lending Institutions representative Janey Radford, Washington County For-Profit representative Debby Bust, Representative Robert Ross, Gary Heldt of Hermann, Dent County Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles, Transportation representative John Casey, Mayor of Potosi T.R. Dudley (left to right front) Treasurer and Mayor of Belle Steve Vogt, MRPC Assistant Director Tammy Snodgrass, MRPC Executive Director Bonnie Prigge, MRPC Chairman and Maries County Presiding Commissioner Ray Schwartze and Secretary and Presiding Commissioner of Gasconade County Larry Miskel. Not photographed: Kelly Sink-Blair and Caitlin Jones.

The event was coordinated with assistance from Sen. Dan Brown and staff.