Eight counties | 36 cities | one region

ST. JAMES—Steve Vogt, representing the city of Belle, was elected vice chairman of the Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) board of directors at the board’s January meeting.

Vogt has served on the MRPC board for 30 years, starting in 1989. Previously, Vogt held both roles of treasurer in 2017 and secretary in 2018. He also served on the MRB board in the past and was president.

The vacancy in the vice chairman position occurred when Vice Chairman Larry Miskel moved to the chairmanship when Marvin Wright, presiding commissioner of Washington County, left the board when he left office.

Vogt’s move to vice chairman created a vacancy in the secretary position. At the Feb. 21 meeting, the board elected Mary Heywood, representing the unemployed, to fill the secretary position.

Heywood has served on the MRPC board for 23 years, starting in 1996. Previously, she held the position of secretary in 1997, 2004-2005 and 2012-2014. Heywood has also held the positions of treasurer from 2010-2011 and 2015-2016 and was chairman of the board from 1999-2001, when she represented the city of Bourbon.

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. Gasconade County Presiding Commissioner Larry Miskel serves as chairman of the board. A professional staff of 25 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.

To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.orgor on Facebook at www.facebook.com/meramecregion/.

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