“there she stands, proud in all her glory.” county missouri · 2011. 1. 1. · was the...

32
County Record Missouri Winter 2010 Carter County Courthouse, Van Buren, MO MAC 2011 Legislative Priorities -- p. 3 County Achievement Awards -- p. 7 President Leads Travel Group -- p. 10 Focus On Drug Courts -- p. 15 Annual Conference Photos -- p. 16 National County Gov’t Month -- p. 24 House & Senate Rosters -- p. 30 “There she stands, proud in all her glory.”

Upload: others

Post on 24-Jan-2021

1 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: “There she stands, proud in all her glory.” County Missouri · 2011. 1. 1. · was the abundance and quality of out-of-school programs made available for the community’s youth

County RecordMissouri

Winter 2010

Carter County Courthouse, Van Buren, MO

• MAC 2011 Legislative Priorities -- p. 3• County Achievement Awards -- p. 7• President Leads Travel Group -- p. 10• Focus On Drug Courts -- p. 15• Annual Conference Photos -- p. 16• National County Gov’t Month -- p. 24• House & Senate Rosters -- p. 30

“There she stands, proud in all her glory.”

Page 2: “There she stands, proud in all her glory.” County Missouri · 2011. 1. 1. · was the abundance and quality of out-of-school programs made available for the community’s youth

2010 Board Of DirectorsPresident Eva Danner Horton, Livingston Co.

President-Elect Jack Adams, Iron Co.2nd VP Debbi McGinnis, Polk Co.3rd VP Dave Coonrod, Greene Co.

Treasurer Rodger Reedy, Benton Co. Past President Peggy McGaugh, Carroll Co.

Mark Hedrick, St. Fancois CountyCarol Green, Phelps County

Tom Dirnberger, Scott CountyBecky Schofield, Dallas CountySusette Taylor, Atchison County

Scot Van Meter, Buchanan CountyDan Hausman, Buchanan County

Lisa Pope, Platte CountyBetty Knight, Platte CountyTom Brandom, Clay County

Ed Quick, Clay CountyMichael Sanders, Jackson County

Curtis Koons, Jackson County Mike Whelan, Monroe CountyKen Pearson, Boone County

Pat Lensmeyer, Boone CountyNelson Heil, Carroll County

Mark Reynolds, Johnson CountyCher Caudel, Moniteau County

Shelley Harvey, Audrain CountyAnn Schroeder, Franklin County

Sharon Birkman, Franklin CountyCharlie Dooley, St. Louis County

Ed Kemp, Jefferson CountyCharles Dean, Phelps CountyGene Oakley, Carter County

Rodney Richardet, Perry CountySharron Payne, Butler County

Gary Youngblood, Barry CountyRichard Struckhoff, Greene County

Brenda Day, Wright CountyBonnie McCord, Vernon CountyDarieus Adams, Jasper County

Jerry Reynolds, Cape Girardeau CountyGerald Jones, Cape Girardeau CountyCarolyn Loraine, Camden County

Linda Sweatt, Camden CountyChris Wrigley, Cole County

Marvin Register, Cole CountyPam Shipley, Cass CountyBrian Baker, Cass County

James Strahan, Taney CountyJim Strafuss, Taney County

Donald Kritzer, Callaway CountyKen Dillon, Callaway CountyTerry Nichols, Iron County

Debbie Door, Franklin CountyRichard Webster Jr., Jasper County

Laura Pope, McDonald CountyPamela Williams, St. Francois County

Louella Pryor, Morgan CountySteve Cox, Livingston County

Christy Blakemore, Boone CountyTerry Edwards, Platte County

Carole Wilkerson, Cedar CountyJohn Kay, Moniteau CountyKaren Miller, Boone County

Ron Houseman, Taney CountyStephen Holt, Jasper CountyDon Troutman, Texas County

The Missouri County Record Vol. 16, No. 4

A Publication Of The Missouri Association Of Counties516 East Capitol Avenue, PO Box 234, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0234

Telephone: (573) 634-2120 Fax: (573) 634-3549www.mocounties.com

Dick Burke, Executive Director Mary Ellen Brennan, Assistant Director Bev Cunningham, Insurance/Business Manager Cindy Wells, Finance and Operations Manager Charles Harrison, Administrative Assistant Grace Toebben, Administrative Assistant Bob Holthaus, Loss Prevention Coordinator Jay Shipman, Communications Assistant

The Missouri Association of Counties, founded in 1972, is a nonprofit corporation and lobbying alliance of county elected and administrative officials who work to improve services for Missouri taxpayers. The board of directors meets on the third Wednesday of designated months in Jefferson City to promote passage of priority bills and monitor other legislation before the state General Assembly and the United States Congress. The Missouri County Record is produced four times annually by the association staff. Subscription rates for non-association members are $15 per year prepaid. Rates for association members are included in membership service fees. All articles, photographs and graphics contained herein are the property of the association and may not be reproduced or published without permission. Advertising rates are available upon request.

2 www.mocounties.com

Officers elected by the membership at the association’s fall annual meeting include Polk County Collector Debbi McGinnis, president; Benton County Assessor Rodger Reedy, president-elect; Phelps County Treasurer Carol Green, 2nd vice president; Scott County Recorder Tom Dirnberger, 3rd vice president; Audrain County Clerk Shelley Harvey, treasurer; and Livingston County Presiding Commissioner Eva Danner Horton, past president.

Executive Committee Leads MAC In 2011 I read once that “a government that is big enough to give you all you want is big enough to take it all away.” May we all find 2011 to be the year where we balance the needs with our resources and our challenges with creative fiscal responsibility. The Missouri Associa-tion of Counties and our united voice continue to be our strongest asset on all legislative issues. I am looking forward to working with all members of MAC in this new year. -- Debbi McGinnis, MAC President

Shelley Harvey

Tom DirnbergerCarol Green

Eva Danner Horton

Rodger Reedy

Page 3: “There she stands, proud in all her glory.” County Missouri · 2011. 1. 1. · was the abundance and quality of out-of-school programs made available for the community’s youth

www.mocounties.com 3

At its annual conference at Tan-Tar-A in November, the MAC membership approved six priorities for the 2011 legislative session.

Support UpgradingMissouri’s 9-1-1 Wireless

Emergency Services Missouri trails the nation in wireless 9-1-1 accessibility. MAC will support legislative action to design a complete and detailed plan for upgrading Missouri’s 9-1-1 wire-less emergency services.

Support Fully FundingState Mandates On

County Government MAC will respectfully request that the Missouri General Assem-bly and Gov. Nixon include in the state’s fiscal year 2012 budget (1) an increase in the appropriation for prisoner per diem reimbursement authorized under Sec. 221.105, RSMo, (2) an appropriation to fully fund state assessment maintenance reimbursements, (3) an appropria-tion to fully fund any new obliga-tions placed on the election officials of this state, (4) both an appropria-tion to fully fund the reimburse-ment for the detention and care of neglected and/or delinquent juve-niles and the salaries of juvenile court personnel in single county circuits, (5) an appropriation that would relieve counties of the cost of providing office space and certain utility expenses for the various state public defenders’ offices, and (6) also requests that the General Assembly continue to refrain from implementing the requirements of SB 711 relating to property tax en-acted in 2008 until full state fund-ing for the same is authorized. Ad-ditionally, recognizing the difficult budgetary constraints that the state of Missouri is experiencing and the dim prospects for additional state appropriations for these programs and, as a partner with the state in the delivery of these services, MAC

requests that Gov. Nixon and the Missouri General Assembly hold county governments harmless from any further state budget cuts in these areas.

Oppose The Pre-emptionOf Local Authority

MAC will oppose legislation that would pre-empt a county’s au-thority to deal with local issues and problems.

Oppose Legislation That Erodes The Local Tax Base And Call Upon The General Assembly

To Address Missouri’sAntiquated Tax Structure

MAC will be calling upon the General Assembly to limit legisla-tion that would have a negative budgetary effect on local govern-ments without guaranteed replace-ment revenue. Additionally, MAC will request the General Assembly address Missouri’s antiquated tax code, especially as it relates to sales tax, so that both state and local governments are well-positioned in

Association Votes On 2011 LegislativePriorities At November Annual Meeting

the future to meet the increasing service needs of their citizens.

Support A Transportation Funding Package That Will Address This State’s Dire

Infrastructure Needs MAC will respectfully request the General Assembly’s support for a transportation funding package that will address Missouri’s dire infrastructure needs.

Support Funding ForThe County AssessmentMaintenance Fund FromAdditional Withholdings

MAC will support legislation to allow additional withholdings from local property tax collections to offset the lack of adequate funding from the State of Missouri. Addi-tionally, MAC seeks to protect and preserve all current funding levels, regardless of source, and to cooper-ate in finding new funding sources, or increasing existing sources, for the betterment of the assessment process.

Page 4: “There she stands, proud in all her glory.” County Missouri · 2011. 1. 1. · was the abundance and quality of out-of-school programs made available for the community’s youth
Page 5: “There she stands, proud in all her glory.” County Missouri · 2011. 1. 1. · was the abundance and quality of out-of-school programs made available for the community’s youth

www.mocounties.com 5

Advanced Correctional HealthcareAmeren MissouriCamden County CenturyLinkControl Technology and Solutions

Atwill & Montgomery LLCBerger Devine Yaeger Inc.MOPERM

Mark YourCalendars!

This year’s conferencewill be held Oct. 27-29,

2011, at Tan-Tar-AResort, Osage Beach, MO.

We will see you there!

Henry M. Adkins & SonBenton & AssociatesCentral BankCoastal Energy Corp.Cook, Flatt & Strobel EngineersEvans & Dixon LLC

DEVNET Inc.Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management ServicesL.J. Hart & CompanyOppenheimer & Co. Inc.

Nationwide Retirement SolutionsOden EnterprisesUnion Pacific

Gallagher Bassett Services Inc.Heartland Asphalt MaterialsHarrington & Courtelyou Inc.Murphy Tractor & Equipment Co.The Lowenbaum Partnership LLCStifel, Nicolaus & Co.

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors

Cook, Flatt & Strobel EngineersControl Technology and SolutionsMissouri Pork Association Oden Enterprises

Hospitality SuiteSponsors

Shafer, Kline & Warren, Inc.Shafer, Kline & Warren, Inc.

Engineers

Land Surveyors

Land Planners

Construction Observers

Landscape Architects

Missouri Municipal League - Submitted 1/1/11 (continue to use till updated)ssouri County Record - Submitted 1/1/11 (continue to use till updated)Mi

lts.Forming Partnerships. Delivering Results.

Macon I www.skw-inc.comMissouri: Columbia I Chillicothe I Kansas City I Macon I www.skw-inc.com

Page 6: “There she stands, proud in all her glory.” County Missouri · 2011. 1. 1. · was the abundance and quality of out-of-school programs made available for the community’s youth

www.mocounties.com6

The efforts of Platte and Butler Counties’ civic and community leaders were honored when America’s Promise Alliance (the Alliance), the nation’s largest part-nership organization dedicated to youth and children, announced the counties had been named winners of the Alliance’s 100 Best Communities for Young People (100 Best) competition presented by ING, a global financial services company and provider of retirement plans and programs for teachers. The 100 Best designation recognizes communities that make youth a priority by implementing programs that help keep children in school and prepare them for college and the 21st century workforce. The competition is open to all communities that make children and youth a prior-ity, including small towns, large cities, counties and school districts. In addition to enhanc-ing local educational opportunities, most winning communities have taken steps to facilitate improved access to health care for their young people, encourage youth civic engagement, and supply developmental resources that create better places for young people to live and grow.

Platte County One of the reasons Platte County was named one of the nation’s 100 Best was the abundance and quality of out-of-school programs made available for the community’s youth. Nearly 75 percent of Platte County students enroll in out-of-school programs and ac-tivities. In addition, the county’s school districts boast a combined graduation rate of 90 percent, well above the national average. The county also was recognized for its overall health, exemplified by its designation as the healthiest county in the state of Missouri in January 2010. “Through its innovative and far-reaching programs, Platte County is taking bold and effective steps to help their young people graduate and lead healthy, produc-tive lives,” said Marguerite W. Kondracke, America’s Promise Alliance president and CEO. “Platte County serves as an example to inspire and educate other communities across the nation to tackle the challenges facing their city and children, and to implement initia-tives that give them the essential resources they need to succeed in life.” The walking school bus, a collaboration between the Park Hill School District and the YMCA of Greater Kansas City, was one program cited in the county’s application for the nation’s 100 Best. It is one of many programs for youth made possible by highly-dedicated, cross-community collaboration with public and private organizations, businesses and community leaders. The

walking school bus encourages children to be more active by walking to school twice a week. Volunteers supervise the walks to school, ensuring safety and consistency. Other examples of collaboration cited in the ap-plication for the nation’s 100 Best include the partner-ship between Platte County and the YMCA of Greater Kansas City to provide two community centers in the county. The centers see more than 2,000 youth each week through ongoing activities for members and more than 5,000 youth each year through additional programs such as sports, swim lessons, Kids Night Out and other opportunities that promote health and wellness. Platte County is also home to Pirates R.O.C.K. (Raising Outstanding Character Kids), a community

character building program. Faith, business, home, school and government agencies serve

on the committee to steer this program. Business partners work with staff and

parents at schools to develop a plan on how to encourage students to adopt 12 identified, positive charac-ter traits throughout the year. “I’ve always known that Platte County was a great place for young people to grow up,” said Betty

Knight, [former] Platte County Com-missioner. “This recognition from

America’s Promise puts us into a na-tional perspective. We have such strong

cooperation here among our school districts, the YMCA, our cities, the county and many oth-

ers. This is a wonderful acknowledgement for everyone working to make our community a better place for kids.”

Butler County A previous 100 Best winner, Butler County is a family-oriented community that puts forth great efforts to leverage resources and provide ample opportunities for youth to learn, serve, and grow. Countless communi-ty programs (including summer art classes, community theater productions, after-school programs, youth civic athletics, and community spelling bees) provide students with fun and educational opportunities. Youth are centrally involved in the development of local policies. Virtually every youth- serving program in the community asks youth participants to assess pro-gram needs, impacts, and effectiveness through annual surveys. These contributions are heavily weighted in decision-making concerning policy and budget issues. The Butler County System of Care committee, which includes department heads from all of the social service agencies focused on youth and educational leaders, seeks to remove barriers for students and families related to mental health and social issues. The Boys and Girls

Platte and Butler Counties Listed As Two Of The Nation’s 100 Best Communities For Young People

(Continued On Page 9)

Page 7: “There she stands, proud in all her glory.” County Missouri · 2011. 1. 1. · was the abundance and quality of out-of-school programs made available for the community’s youth

www.mocounties.com 7

2010 MAC County Achievement AwardsBuchanan County Training Camp

For The Kansas City Chiefs

For three weeks each summer, the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs will call Buchanan County their home. The establishment of the new location for the Chiefs’ training camp is the result of the tremendous efforts and cooperation of officials from the state, the Chiefs’ organization, Missouri Western State University, the City of St. Joseph, and the Buchanan County Commis-sion. Their first camp was held last August. For years, the Chiefs held their training camp in River Falls, Wisconsin. The advantages for relocation were numer-ous: (1) players could train in a climate similar to the conditions in which they would be playing; (2) it means less travel time for players, coaches and staff; (3) there is closer access to local fans and media; and (4) the move provides the opportunity for keeping the camp’s financial impact within a local community. Buchanan County has seen increased tourism and expects to see an increase in sales tax revenue, as well. The number of visitors to local museums, hotels, restaurants, gas stations, gaming and other retail establishments has increased. Having the Chiefs’ training camp in the community has brought the community together, plus it has spotlighted and attracted students to Missouri Western State University.

Cape Girardeau CountyDredging Of The Whitewater River

In April 2009, The Cape Girardeau County Com-mission was contacted by the City of Delta, MO, re-questing assistance to help alleviate flooding problems. The city is located in the immediate area where the Whitewater River was cut off by a diversion channel that was built in 1912 to allow for the southeast Mis-souri wetlands to become some of the most fertile and productive farmlands in the country. It was evident that the abandoned portion of the Whitewater River that was cut off needed to be cleared and dredged to help reduce flooding and decrease health concerns caused by standing water. Flooding to state, county and city roads has been minimized, resulting in better accessibility for emergency vehicles, school buses and the traveling public. The Cape County Commission contacted numerous federal and state groups for finan-cial assistance in the form of grants for dredging, and also provided $144,000 of county revenue funds for the clearing portion of the project. The 12-mile improve-ment took substantial leadership and perseverance on the part of the Cape Girardeau County Commission.

Cass County Partnership Road Plan

The Cass County Partnership Road Plan uses

current funding mechanisms to pay for improvements without a tax increase. The Cass County Commis-sion reviewed its bonding capacity and realized that if voters extended a 1/4-cent sales tax for roads to the year 2026, the county could leverage those dollars and draw down approximately $34 million in bonds. Cass County also realized that, under the American Recov-ery & Reinvestment Act, they qualified for $10 million in low-interest bonds and that the federal government would pay 45 percent of the interest on those recovery bonds. A citizen task force did a thorough analysis of the county’s road system and, along with the commis-sion, created a road plan. The overall plan received landslide voter approval in April 2010. Similar to a NID, the homeowners in an area that want their roads improved pay for 40 percent of the road construction, and the county pays for 60 percent. Citizens in the partnership project pay for their portion of the road work through their property taxes over a 5-year period. Since April, the Public Works Dept. has completed over 275 miles of road work, with 130 miles of new chip-seal, 40 miles of new asphalt work, and 105 miles of gravel work -- all without a sales tax extension or increase.

Jackson CountyConstructing Futures Project

Jackson County addressed three key issues with its Constructing Futures Project -- vacant homes, job train-ing, and homelessness. Constructing Futures remodels vacant homes and, in the process, helps rehabilitate former inmates who gain valuable on-the-job training as they transform what was once an eyesore into a new home for a family that has experienced homelessness. While estimates range from there being 7,000 to 12,000 vacant homes in the Kansas City area, any one vacant home can pose considerable problems. It can drive down property values, lower property tax revenues, and im-pact the ability of neighboring homeowners to refinance their mortgages. It can also become a dumping ground for trash or a haven for violent criminal activity. So, crime prevention is a major component of Construct-ing Futures. It seeks to put former inmates on a path of living productive lives, rather than returning to a life of crime. By participating, these inmates acquire marketable job skills. Jackson County partnered with non-profit organizations such as Habitat for Humanity (in order to obtain the vacated properties) and Connec-tions to Success (which provided the training for the ex-inmate construction crews). The county also secured donations from private businesses for materials, fur-nishings and numerous services (such as plumbing, elec-trical wiring, and legal contracts). The county further worked with social agencies to find deserving families to live in the remodeled homes.

Page 8: “There she stands, proud in all her glory.” County Missouri · 2011. 1. 1. · was the abundance and quality of out-of-school programs made available for the community’s youth

www.mocounties.com8

Do culverts in your area look like this?

The complete no-dig culvert rehab solution:Ease of mind and ease of installation. You get both with Snap-Tite. Our patented design and installation system renews a failing culvert without removing deteriorated pipe. Most jobs can be completed with a backhoe, shov-els, a come-a-long and chains — without the safety issues involved in closing a road and coping with traffic control.

www.culvert-rehab.com

Larry Caple1-800-345-4726 ext. [email protected]

Steve Cooney 317-498-9350

[email protected]

Ask for our culvert assistance & demo opportunities to see Snap-Tite installed!

Listed on MoDOT’s approved products list, Qualified Type II Pipe Liner FS-1046, Table 2

Steve C ad_bleeds.indd 1 6/8/2010 10:50:09 AM

Page 9: “There she stands, proud in all her glory.” County Missouri · 2011. 1. 1. · was the abundance and quality of out-of-school programs made available for the community’s youth

www.mocounties.com 9

Community leaders came together to address high rates of juvenile crime in the county and were aston-ished to find that the majority of crimes by youth were committed during after- school hours. The Poplar Bluff Boys and Girls Club was established in 2001. Since then, the community has partnered together to create and establish several “Sites of Promise,” including five Sites of Promise, 11 Congregations of Promise, and 10 Schools of Promise. All sites encourage young people to participate in different out-of-school activities and programs.

About 100 Best: First held in 2005, 100 Best honors communities large and small, rural and urban, that are making progress to help young people achieve their potential, which includes earning a high school diploma, securing a good job, and playing an active, productive role in America’s economic vitality. This year, more than 350 communities in 50 states registered online for the 100 Best distinction at www.americaspromise.org/100best.

About America’s Promise Alliance: Founded by General Colin Powell (chairman), America’s Promise Alliance is the nation’s largest partnership organiza-tion dedicated to improving the lives of children and youth. Through the collective power of our partner network, they raise awareness, support communities and engage in nonpartisan advocacy to ensure that young people receive more of the funda-mental resources they need to graduate high school prepared for college, work and life. For more information about America’s Promise Alliance, visit www.americaspromise.org.

Club of Poplar Bluff provides a safe learning environ-ment for the county’s most vulnerable students, regard-less of gender, race or sexual orientation. The driving force of community collaboration in Butler County is the Butler County Community Resource Council (CRC). The CRC engages over 300 participating individuals rep-resenting over 100 local agencies in community action committees, which seek to build healthy children and families. Various reading programs were developed in the Children Succeeding in School committee, and annu-al Career Fair and Job Shadowing Days for high school sophomores were initiated as a result of the work of the Youth Ready to Enter Productive Adulthood committee. These programs have been developed and supported by a collaborative body of local schools, agencies, and youth serving programs in the community. Junior High counselors in Poplar Bluff Schools launched a mentoring program in 2002 after seeing a need for positive role models in the lives of at-risk stu-dents. The Teen Parent Mentoring Program matches young mothers with experienced mothers as mentors, and provides parenting education and access to needed services. Since 2004, 344 girls from Butler County have participated in the program and only 12 had repeat preg-nancies. Eighty completed the program during the 2009-2010 school year, and 90 percent maintained their child’s immunizations, while nearly all completed their educa-tional requirements including promotion to next grade level, high school graduation, or obtaining their GED.

A Higher Standard. Delivered.While other correctional healthcare providers may offer similar services, no one delivers higher standards than Advanced Correctional Healthcare. Our 33 Missouri clients confi rm it and actively refer their colleagues to us.

At ACH, we take pride in delivering a higher standard. In providing care. In managing risk. In containing costs. When we make a promise, we stand by it.

But don’t take our word for it. Ask the sheriffs, jail administrators and county commissioners in Missouri who recommend us every day. They’ve seen us in action.

And the difference is clear.

Contact us today for a free facility analysis and consultation.

JIM THOMPSON | [email protected] EMAIL

309.550.8166 CELL | 866.719.8100 TOLL-FREE

www.advancedch.com

The difference is clear.

ACHad_MAC.indd 1 1/9/11 2:29:06 PM

(Continued From Page 6)

Page 10: “There she stands, proud in all her glory.” County Missouri · 2011. 1. 1. · was the abundance and quality of out-of-school programs made available for the community’s youth

www.mocounties.com10

McGinnis Leads 10 Others In Trip To Israel, Egypt

“...He’s Going To Be With Us”By Sarah West, Associate Editor, Bolivar Herald-Free Press

Photos of most vacations become cherished memo-ries. Postcards and other keepsakes remind the traveler of an exciting moment of time in another place. Eleven local individuals, led by Debbi Roberts-McGinnis, went on a memorable two-week trip to Israel and Egypt, but in walking where their spiritual forefa-thers walked, pictures and postcards could never do the memories justice. “It was just a very wonderful vacation in that you had a good time and you were away from home, but also that you were having huge spiritual experiences,” McGinnis said.

Israel McGinnis, a member of Cal-vary Missionary Baptist Church, traveled to Israel twice previously. Both experiences changed how she perceived the things she read in her Bible. “My analogy was the Bible was no longer a black and white book,” she said. “It allowed me to more envision what it was like when Christ walked there.” For the June 27 through July 9 trip, McGinnis led 10 others from churches of like faith and order. Guide Yehuda Guy made sure she saw something new on each trip, she said. “He makes a very special effort to make sure you see something you haven’t seen before, even if you are a repeat visitor,” McGinnis said. “It is so overwhelming. You’re learning so much that I needed a second chance to take it all in. There’s just so much there.” The group left June 27. They had a layover in Paris before arriving in Tel Aviv in the evening June 28 -- a total of 15 hours of flying time. “It’s a big city by the Mediterranean Sea,” McGinnis said. “It was basically a place for us to rest.” In the morning the group set off for the ancient seaport of Caesarea. They stopped at Mt. Carmel and Megiddo, a fortress and stables built by Solomon. “That looks out over the Jezreel Valley, which is one of the most lush agricultural areas in the world,” McGin-nis said. Each day in Israel was memorable, as was each night -- the group held devotional services at night. One unforgettable devotional service was spent on the Sea of Galilee. “One of the greatest things we got to do was have our Wednesday night prayer service on the Sea of Gali-lee,” McGinnis said. “We rented the boat. They took

us out in the middle of the water and killed the motor. Brother Ron Ervin led the Wednesday night service. “It’s something you never get to do.” In Jerusalem in the City of David, the group walked through Hezekiah’s Tunnel, dug by King Hezekiah to create access to water, possibly in defense against the Assyrians. The group toured the old city and the new, observing how the city expanded. They visited the West-ern Wall, where the women were segregated from the men by a fence. “It came time for us to go and the men were nowhere to be found,” McGinnis said.

The women got some chairs in order to look over the fence for the men -- they were in the tun-nels watching Orthodox Jews studying. “The government pays them to be scholars,” McGinnis said. “They study Scriptures all day long.” The Western Wall was un-der Jordanian rule from 1948 to 1967. In 1967, after Israel reclaimed control of the Western Wall following the Six Days’ War, a program began to encourage Jews in Israel to know more about their history. “The tradition still continues

today,” McGinnis said. A tour through the Yad VaShem Memorial and Ho-locaust Museum sparked a conversation with the guide, Yehuda, McGinnis said. He had not previously shared much about his heritage, but on this trip he told them he was British born and had moved to Israel in 1967. “His grandfather sensed that there was trouble com-ing,” McGinnis said. “As his children came of age, he insisted his children go abroad.” His grandfather sent Yehuda’s father and his two siblings to England. “Yehuda’s entire family was lost in the Holocaust, except for his father and his two siblings,” McGinnis said. Only when he was older did he realize what he had lost. “Yehuda said, ‘I didn’t really understand the concept of [grandparents] until my sister became a grandparent, and then I realized I had missed out on having grand-parents.’ ” The Catholic and Protestant faiths differ on some of the locations of events surrounding Christ, McGinnis said, especially where he was crucified and buried. The group visited both locations -- the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the Garden Tomb. The group felt a con-nection to the latter.

Debbi Roberts-McGinnis stands at the summit of Mt. Olive, overlooking Jerusalem in Israel. McGinnis led 10 others in a tour of Israel and Egypt June 27 through July 9.

Page 11: “There she stands, proud in all her glory.” County Missouri · 2011. 1. 1. · was the abundance and quality of out-of-school programs made available for the community’s youth

www.mocounties.com 11

“We saw both of them,” McGinnis said. “I think all of us would agree [the Garden Tomb] was where we felt most spiritually drawn. The comment was made that it was like a magnet and we did not want to leave.” The group toured Israel on a very tight schedule because they would be arriving in Jerusalem close to the Sabbath. The pace picked up even more once they ar-rived in Jerusalem. “That was one day we walked 10 miles in the city,” McGinnis said. “You slept well, need-less to say, but you were always ready to go the next day because you were going to see some-thing you might never see again in your life.”

Egypt After nine days in Israel, a four-hour bus ride took the 11 Ameri-cans to the southern tip of Israel and on into Egypt. They stopped first at the Greek Or-thodox Monastery of St. Catherine. “Which is close to where Moses saw the burning bush,” McGinnis said. “It’s also at the foothills of Mt. Sinai.” The next morning was a very early one for seven in the tour group. They arose and departed by 2:30 a.m. to climb Mt. Sinai. The first couple of miles up the moun-tain were on foot, McGinnis said. Then each one climbed atop a camel -- with no stirrups -- for an hour and a half ride in solid blackness. “They made us turn off our flashlights because they confuse the camel’s eyes,” McGinnis said. “You’re talking to your camel, hop-ing your camel can understand English. You’re saying, ‘Go right, go right,’ because left is 6,000 feet down.” To distinguish members of her group, since many oth-ers were also climbing the mountain, McGinnis gave each one a glow-in-the-dark necklace. The last 800 steps had to be taken on foot, McGinnis said. Those steps were large boulders placed by priests to create a trail of sorts. Within about 100 steps from the top, they stopped at a coffee station. Since the guide, Yusef, knew the owner, one climber struck with altitude sickness was able to rest in a room at the station. “We got our place on the summit,” McGinnis said. “We ate our packed breakfasts and watched the sun

come up 6,800 feet above sea level. And I thought ‘Mo-ses was up here.’” They were thankful to have Yusef, a Bedouin, as their guide, McGinnis said. He takes tourists up the mountain every night and is very protective of them. “He got our camels for us,” she said. “He wanted us to have camels strong enough to take us to the top.” Yusef even held out while two men got into a fist

fight over which had the best camel for her, McGinnis said. “To me he looked like Orlando Bloom with curly hair,” McGinnis said. “He was just a sweetheart. He was very good to us. We tipped him heavily.” After they came down from the mountain, the entire group set off for Cairo. They visited the Egyptian Museum and its Tutankhamen exhibit, the Citadel of Saladin, the Alabaster Mosque and the Coptic Museum. In Memphis, they saw the statue of Ramses II, the Alabaster Sphinx and the Temple of Ptah. At the Necropolis of Sakkara, the visitors toured the Tomb of Ptahotep. “You’re walking down, bent over, under the foundation of the pyramid, coming up into burial chambers,” McGinnis said.

They saw the famous Pyramids of Giza and Ma-jestic Sphinx. “When Abraham passed by there, he would have seen the pyramids,” McGinnis said.

Immanuel The journey was an experience of a lifetime, McGinnis said, with all 11 returning healthy and happy. “It was just a wonder-ful trip,” she said. “We all have memories that I’m certain will last a lifetime.”

What she reads in her Bible now jumps out in full color and in 3-D. “I’ve seen the road to Damascus where Paul was saved,” McGinnis said. “I’ve seen the eye of the camel.” When they stood where Christ stood, walked, died and was buried and resurrected -- those moments will not be left behind in the Holy Land, McGinnis said. “We got to see where his early life started,” she said. “It’s like, we’re here. He was here, now we’re here. Even when we go home, he’s going to be with us.” This article was originally published in the Oct. 1, 2010, edition of the Bolivar Herald-Free Press. Reprint-ed with permission.

Pictured are Aaron Evans, Ron Ervin, Pat Fos-ter, Twyla Stewart, Debbi Roberts-McGinnis, Kevin Jones, Alyssa Foster, Pat Jones, Susan Sanders, Giana Andrews and Jane Gladden at the mosque of Mohammed Ali in Cairo.

Aaron Evans, Debbi Roberts-McGinnis, Alyssa Foster and Ron Ervin at the pyramids at Giza.

Page 12: “There she stands, proud in all her glory.” County Missouri · 2011. 1. 1. · was the abundance and quality of out-of-school programs made available for the community’s youth

The Victor L. Phillips Company is proud to be a Dynapac dealer. See for yourself. Demo a Dynapac. Kansas City 816.241.9290Springfield 417.887.2729Joplin 417.781.8222 Part of the Atlas Copco Group

From good design to parts and service...We now carry Dynapac’s new F1000 series wheeled or tracked asphalt pavers, designed especially for the North American market with the help of people who actually use and service the pavers. They have the lowest deck height in the industry and feature 3/4-inch formed hopper wings that deliver asphalt to a high-capacity slat conveyor. A high-performance outboard auger drive and the conveyor design eliminates center line segregation. In addition, Dynapac is proud to present several new pneumatic tired rollers, designed to enhance efficiency, serviceability, operator safety and comfort. Exceptional features include a smooth start-stop system when changing driving direction, wide-base tires, air-on-the-run and a back-up sprinkler system. Our drum rollers have a perfect view of drum edges, surfaces and sprinkler nozzles. Even the largest model lets the operator see an object 3 feet high, at only 3 feet away.

The road to success

Page 13: “There she stands, proud in all her glory.” County Missouri · 2011. 1. 1. · was the abundance and quality of out-of-school programs made available for the community’s youth

In Pictures: General Session Speakers Present At MAC’s 2010 Annual Conference

Dr. Eric Greitens, U.S. Navy SEAL officer and CEO of The Mission Continues, discussed what it means to be a “Complete Warrior.” Dr. Greitens’ Complete Warrior program is designed to ensure that every pub-lic official has not only physical and tactical, but also mental and moral strength to serve and lead in their communities.

Dr. Joseph Haslag, consult-ing chief economist for the Show-Me Institute, gave an in-depth overview of the Missouri Fair Tax proposal. Such a proposal would eliminate business and income taxes and replace them with a statewide retail sales tax on goods and services.

Kim Case, law enforcement coordinator for the Missouri Victim Assistance Network, shared how her experience as a kidnap victim led her to a career of helping others. She explained how counties’ services and collaboration with community agen-cies are imperative to saving lives.

MAC Executive Director Dick Burke (left) talks with National Association of Counties President Glen Whitley. President Whitley emphasized to the MAC membership the need to join his initiative, the “County Government Works” campaign, in order to raise awareness about the important programs and services county governments provide to their constituents. (See page 24 for more information.)

Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice William Ray Price Jr. discussed the need for statewide sentencing reform in regards to how Missouri handles non-violent drug offenders. He proposed that the state utilize drug courts as an effective and fiscally re-sponsible alternative to incarceration. (See page 15 for more information.)

Dr. Sara Imhoff, the Midwest re-gional director for the Concord Coalition, discussed the coalition’s research and sobering data that suggests the United States, due to budget deficits, massive national debt, and unsustainable spend-ing on entitlement programs, is headed for a long-term economic crisis. The non-partisan coalition seeks to educate the public and find solutions to the country’s dire economic situation in order to build a sound economy for future generations.

www.mocounties.com 13

Page 14: “There she stands, proud in all her glory.” County Missouri · 2011. 1. 1. · was the abundance and quality of out-of-school programs made available for the community’s youth

promote and improve county government. As president, Dick brings experience from national, state and local levels of government. Prior to working for MAC, he worked for two years in Jefferson City for the House and Senate Joint Committee on State Fiscal Affairs. He then worked in Washington, D.C., for four years as a legislative assistant, as well as a sales repre-sentative for an international shipping firm. Dick began working for MAC in 1985 and was appointed deputy director in 1990. He was appointed executive director in 1999. He is responsible for the overall administration of the organization and acts as MAC’s chief legislative liaison. He serves on the board of directors for the Missouri Self-Insurers’ Association and acts as the administrator of MAC’s Self-Insured Workers’ Compensation Trust (MAC Trust). Dick is an active member and past president of the Missouri Society of Association Executives and a member of the American Society of Association Executives.

www.mocounties.com14

Dick Burke, the executive direc-tor of the Missouri Association of Counties (MAC), has been elected to serve as the National Council of County Association Executives (NCCAE) president for 2011. As president of NCCAE, Dick will represent the council on the Board of Directors of the National As-sociation of Counties (NACo). NCCAE provides a vehicle

through which its membership may improve the ad-ministration of the various associations of counties and associations of county officials. It also provides a forum through which its membership may meet and exchange information of importance to the executives of state as-sociations of counties. Formally, NCCAE meets 4 times a year, holding its official business meeting in October. Additionally, it assists, in accordance with the policy determinations of the council, NACo in its efforts to

Phelps County Treasurer Carol Green has been appointed to the board of directors for National County Reinsurance, Limited (CRL) and will serve on the invest-ment and auditing committee. Having served on the MAC Trust board of directors since 2004, Carol brings considerable experi-ence to her new position. CRL is a member-owned rein-surance company. The company

was formed in 1997 by county associations that oper-ated their own self-insured pools. NACo and state as-sociation executives played a critical role in the forma-tion of the company. CRL provides property, liability, and workers’ com-pensation reinsurance to its members. As a reinsur-ance company, CRL does not provide direct coverage or state-approved “admitted” polices. In several instances

Boone County Associate Commissioner Karen Miller and Cape Girardeau County Associate Commis-sioner Paul Koeper have been appointed to the Mis-souri Judicial Finance Commission. They fill vacan-cies left by former members Dave Coonrod and Gerald Jones. Seven members make up the commission, three of which are county commissioners. Formed in 1982, the commission was established to resolve budget disputes between counties and their re-

Burke Elected NCCAE President

CRL enters into reinsurance agreements with a state-approved insurance company to meet state regulatory requirements for an “admitted” company. In those instances, CRL members receive a policy from an insur-ance company admitted to do business in their par-ticular state, and CRL reinsures that state-approved insurance company. Carol credits the success of CRL, and thus the MAC Trust, to its founding board members, including former Cape Girardeau Clerk and MAC Trust Chair Rodney Miller. “The work and efforts that the originating board did, is amazing,” Carol stated. “CRL could have never come to the level it is today without the ‘true grit’ of its founding board and members’ support.” Carol has served as Phelps County’s treasurer for 19 years. Carol has also served as a member on MAC’s board of directors in various capacities since 2000, cur-rently serving as its 2nd vice president on the board’s executive committee.

Green Appointed To CRL Board

Miller And Koeper Appointed To Judicial Finance Commissionspective circuit courts. It is empowered with numerous duties: to review petitions from the counties, schedule informal conferences in the geographical area in which the dispute arose in an effort to expeditiously settle disputes, hold hearings so that all parties have the op-portunity to present their positions for the record, and issue opinions on the reasonableness of the disputed budget request.

Page 15: “There she stands, proud in all her glory.” County Missouri · 2011. 1. 1. · was the abundance and quality of out-of-school programs made available for the community’s youth

www.mocounties.com 15

In the fall of 2010, U.S. Communities announced a new online system that enables participating public agencies to access and purchase goods and services from multiple U.S. Communities vendors at one time. The integrated, online marketplace is available to reg-istered users at www.uscommunities.org. Any public agency, including local and state gov-ernments, school districts and non-profit organizations, can take advantage of the savings and quality products available through the program. The new online mar-ketplace offers access to thousands of products from multiple suppliers with a single payment and order. Current products available through the marketplace include technology products, school and classroom sup-plies, lab ware, homeland security and safety supplies, electrical items, janitorial supplies, and maintenance equipment. These products are available through ex-isting contracts between U.S. Communities’ lead public agencies and suppliers. There is no additional cost to purchase online and no minimum purchase requirement for participat-ing public agencies. For additional information and resources, please visit www.uscommunities.org.

U.S. Communities OffersOnline Marketplace

Federal HighwayFunding Bill Update

Prior to Christmas recess, The United States Con-gress passed another Continuing Resolution of the federal highway and bridge funding bill (SAFETEA-LU), extending it through March 4, 2011. This is the sixth ex-tension since the bill originally expired on Sept. 30, 2009. SAFETEA-LU contains $202 million for Missouri highway contracting authority, $17 million of which is apportioned for off-system bridge maintenance (the BRO program). As Rep. John Mica takes over as chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, many anticipate work again this year on a new 5-year high-way funding bill. MAC will follow these developments and plans to work again with Missouri’s congressional delegates to keep the BRO program in future legislation.

Missouri Chief Justice William Ray Price Jr. spoke to the MAC membership on Nov. 22 at their annual conference and trade show. As chair of both the Na-tional Association of Drug Court Professionals and the Missouri Drug Courts Coordinating Commission, Chief Justice Price has considerable experience in the area of drug court operations and dealing with non-violent drug offenders. He suggested that the current system of sen-tencing non-violent offenders to long prison sentences has been detrimental. Over the past 30 years, the national incarceration rate for non-violent drug offenders has skyrocketed. To-tal offenses went from 676,000 in 1982 to 1,841,200 in 2007. Likewise, the U.S. population behind bars went from 612,000 in 1982 to 2,304,000 in 2008. Missouri has followed the same trend. From 1982 to 2009, the Missouri non-violent prison population has increased from 2,957 to 14,148 (which coincides with an overall spike in Missouri incarceration). Missouri drug sentencing increased from 1,409 in 1985 to 9,134 in 2008, a 548 percent increase. Likewise, from 1988 to 2008, Missouri’s state correctional spending increased fourfold, from $11.7 billion to $47.3 billion. Overall, the Missouri Dept. of Corrections’ budget has increased a staggering 1,109 percent since 1982. At an annual cost of $16,432 per prisoner, the state is spending $233 mil-lion per year to incarcerate non-violent offenders. One solution Chief Justice Price recommended was the use of drug courts over incarceration, which has been shown to both reduce recidivism (re-offense) rates and substantially reduce costs to taxpayers. In Mis-souri, drug offenders that were incarcerated were re-ar-rested within two years at a rate of 41.6 percent. Drug court graduates were re-arrested at a rate of only 10 percent. Also, those sentenced to drug court treatment cost the state $3,000-$5,000 per inmate, as opposed to $16,432 per inmate for incarceration in state prisons. Looking forward, Chief Justice Price suggested that drug court supervision and treatment will be an inte-gral part of a larger, more comprehensive discussion about sentencing reform in Missouri aimed at reducing the prison population, reducing recidivism, and ulti-mately saving Missourians money.

Chief Justice PriceRecommends Drug Courts

Page 16: “There she stands, proud in all her glory.” County Missouri · 2011. 1. 1. · was the abundance and quality of out-of-school programs made available for the community’s youth

MAC’s 39th Annual Conference & Tradeshow HighlightsMAC’s 39th Annual Conference

& Trade Show HighlightsMAC’s 39th Annual Conference

& Trade Show Highlights

Page 17: “There she stands, proud in all her glory.” County Missouri · 2011. 1. 1. · was the abundance and quality of out-of-school programs made available for the community’s youth
Page 18: “There she stands, proud in all her glory.” County Missouri · 2011. 1. 1. · was the abundance and quality of out-of-school programs made available for the community’s youth

www.mocounties.com18

Evers & Company CPAsAllgeier, Martin & Associates Inc. American Council of Engineering

Companies of MO (ACEC)Archetype Design Group Inc.

Benton & AssociatesBerger Devine Yaeger Inc.

Cook, Flatt & Strobel Engineers P.A. Great River Associates

Great River EngineeringHorner & Shifrin Inc.

MECO Engineering Co. Inc.Poepping, Stone, Bach & Associates

Shafer, Kline & Warren Inc. Smith And Co.

Sprenkle & Associates Inc. The Benham Companies Inc.

Treanor ArchitectsRichard P. Moore, Attorney At LawBancorpSouth Equipment Finance

George K. Baum & Co.Central Bank

The Commerce Trust Co. -A Divison Of Commerce Bank

Country Club Bank Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.

Piper Jaffray Inc.Sequoia Consulting Group

Stifel, Nicolaus and CompanyUMB Bank

Arning Canopy Systems Inc.Mid-Continental Restoration Co.

Oden Enterprises Inc.SBK Farm and Ranch

Sullivan BrothersDEVNET Inc.

Environmental SystemsResearch Institute (ESRI)

Fidlar TechnologiesGovernMENTOR Systems Inc.

Huber & AssociatesMidland GIS Solutions

The Schneider Corporation Spatial Data Research Inc.

The Sidwell CompanyTriMin Government Solutions

Tyler Technologies/IncodeVanguard Appraisals

VillaGIS Inc.Snap-Tite/ISCO Industries LLC

L.J. Hart & CompanyLiberty National Life Insurance

Nationwide RetirementSolutions

Missouri ConsolidatedHealth Care Plan (MCHCP)

ConEdison SolutionsControl TechnologyAnd Solutions (CTS)

TraneBerry Tractor & Equipment Co.

F&C Truck Sales & ServiceFabick CAT

Knapheide Truck Equipment Co.

Purple Wave Inc.Roland Machinery Co.Rudd Equipment Co.

Sellers Equipment Inc.Victor L. Phillips Co.G.W. Van Keppel Co.

Heartland Asphalt MaterialsAlliance Water Resources

Mark Twain RegionalCouncil Of Governments

Meramec RegionalPlanning Commission

Missouri Energy Center Missouri Local Technical

Assistance Program (MO-LTAP)Missouri Vocational

EnterprisesNortheast Missouri Regional

Planning CommissionPioneer Trails RegionalPlanning Commission

State EmergencyManagement Agency (SEMA)

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.Missouri Public Entity

Benefits (MoPEB)Missouri Public Entity Risk

Management Fund (MOPERM) Gilmore & Bell P.C.

AT&TCellCast TechnologiesGrant Writing U.S.A.

Since 1895. Member SIPC and NYSE.12/10 CM-10-1146 piperjaffray.com

Choose a Guide Who Knows Missouri County Finance

With our public finance expertise for Missouri counties, you can count on Piper Jaffray to understand your needs and provide the best financing solutions available. Whether your journey involves a new capital improvement or refinancing an existing bond issue, we know the surest routes available.

For your next financing journey, choose an experienced Piper Jaffray guide:

Kansas City Public Finance Investment Banking800 829-5377

Jack Dillingham Todd Goffoy [email protected] [email protected]

St. Louis Public Finance Investment Banking800 754-2089

Michelle [email protected]

Important Dates And Session Info For 2011

Are Online!

Go to www.mocounties.com and visit the “Important Dates”

page in the left-hand menu. There you will find a listing of

important dates for the legislative session, as well as MAC’s and its affiliate associations’ scheduled meetings and training dates.

The “Bills & Legislative Bulletins” and “Missouri

Government” pages (also in the left-hand menu) provide links

and resources regarding Missouri government and current

legislative session activities.

Page 19: “There she stands, proud in all her glory.” County Missouri · 2011. 1. 1. · was the abundance and quality of out-of-school programs made available for the community’s youth

www.mocounties.com 19

New Rules For Employers With

Employees Subject To DOT Drug And

Alcohol Testing The United States Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued a final rule which was effective Oct. 1, 2010, impacting all employers with employees subject to Department of Transportation (DOT) drug and alcohol testing regulations. Some of the more significant changes include:

• Laboratories must test for the presence of Methylene-dioxymethamphetamine (“MDMA” -- street name: Ec-stasy).

• The acceptable levels for the presence of amphetamines and cocaine have been decreased (from 300 ng/ml to 150 ng/ml for cocaine and from 1,000 ng/ml to 500 ng/ml for amphetamines).

• Laboratories are now required to do an initial mandatory test for heroin.

• The regulations bring several testing definitions into line with those of the Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS). In addition, in order to conform to the new rules, the required chain of custody has been modi-fied on several respects.

• Each Medical Review Officer (MRO) must be requalified which will include passing an examination given by an MRO training organization every five years; however, the final rule eliminated the requirement that each MRO take 12 hours of con-tinuing education every 3 years.

• Each MRO will not need to be trained by an HHS-approved MRO training organization as long as the MRO meets DOT’s qualification and requalification training requirements.

• The final rule does not allow the use of HHS-Certified Instrumented Initial Testing Facilities (IITFs) to conduct initial drug testing because the Omnibus Transportation Employees Testing Act requires laborato-ries to be able to perform both initial and confirmation testing (IITFs cannot conduct confirmation testing).

• Employers with employees subject to DOT drug and alcohol testing should ensure their policies and practices reflect and account for these changes.

For more information regarding these new rules, please visit www.dot.gov/ost/dapc. You can download a revised copy of the employer guidelines at www.dot.gov/ost/dapc/documents/EmployerGuidelinesOctober012010.pdf.

Page 20: “There she stands, proud in all her glory.” County Missouri · 2011. 1. 1. · was the abundance and quality of out-of-school programs made available for the community’s youth

Nationwide/NACo 2011 College ScholarshipFor more information go to

www.naco.org/retirementscholarship or www.nrsforu.com/scholarshipSubmission deadline: January 31, 2011

Nationwide Retirement Solutions (Nationwide) makes payments to the National Association of Counties (NACo) and the NACo Financial Services Center Partnership (FSC) for services and endorsements that NACo provides for all its members generally related to Nationwide’s products and services sold exclusively in public sector retirement markets. More detail about these payments is available at www.nrsforu.com.

©2010, Nationwide Retirement Solutions Inc. All rights reserved. One Nationwide Blvd. Columbus, OH 43215. Nationwide, On Your Side and the Nationwide framemark are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. NRM-3181AO-NX.4 (12/10)

Drive your future forward.(And theirs too.)

$2,000for college…

Your high school senior could be awarded

Page 21: “There she stands, proud in all her glory.” County Missouri · 2011. 1. 1. · was the abundance and quality of out-of-school programs made available for the community’s youth

E n g i n e e r i n g , A r c h i t e c t u r e , C o n s t r u c t i o n , E n v i r o n m e n t a l a n d C o n s u l t i n g S o l u t i o n s

With 100 years and more than 800 bridges in Missouri, chances are you have driven over one of ours.

From Kansas City to St. Louis, Kirksvilleto Springfield and everywhere in between,we’re connecting people all over Missouri.

Leading the WayTransportation. Inspired.

Kansas City911 Main St., Suite 1900Kansas City, MO 64105816-421-8386

www.hcbridges.com

St. Louis425 S. Woods Mill RoadSuite 300Chesterfield, MO 63017314-682-1500

Page 22: “There she stands, proud in all her glory.” County Missouri · 2011. 1. 1. · was the abundance and quality of out-of-school programs made available for the community’s youth

AN EMPLOYEE OWNED COMPANY 901 VINE STREET

POPLAR BLUFF, MISSOURI (573) 785-9621

www.shsmithco.com

CONSULTING ENGINEERS REMEDIATION GEOTECHNICAL DRILLING LAND SURVEYORS

Water Wastewater Streets/Roads Stormwater Site Plans Bridges

Geotechnical Drilling UST’s Airports Industrial Parks

CO. SMITH &

Page 23: “There she stands, proud in all her glory.” County Missouri · 2011. 1. 1. · was the abundance and quality of out-of-school programs made available for the community’s youth

According to the National Safety Council, about half of traffic fatalities occur at night, yet only about one-quar-ter of travel takes place after dark. As the U.S. popula-tion ages, nighttime visibility is becoming even more of a safety concern. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, by the year 2030, about 19 percent of the U.S. population will be 65 or older, compared to 13 percent in 2010. In general, vision and reaction times decrease with age. To enhance the safety of nighttime driving, the FHWA has set federal standards to improve the nighttime visibility of the signs on all public streets and highways. The sheeting used on traffic signs is “retroreflective,” meaning it is designed so that light bounces back from the sign to enable nighttime visibility. Over time, the sign sheeting degrades. The FHWA standard, which is contained in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), establishes minimum levels of sign retroreflectivity.

Phased-in Deadlines The federal standard governing sign retroreflectivity allows public agencies to phase in compliance according to the schedule shown below. This allows jurisdictions to plan for sign upgrades within their existing mainte-nance cycles.

Flexible Compliance Methods Agencies have until January 2012 to implement a method for maintaining traffic sign retroreflectivity at or above the minimum levels. Agencies can choose either an assessment method or a management method, or a combination of the two. The basic assessment methods are visual assessment or measuring sign retroreflectiv-ity. If an agency wants to avoid having to assess indi-vidual signs, they can simply have signs replaced under a management program. Compliance is achieved by having a method in place and using the method to maintain minimum levels of retroreflectivity. Provided that a method is being used, an agency would be in compliance even if there are some individual signs that do not meet the retroreflectivity levels at a particular point in time.

www.mocounties.com 23

Funding Eligibility State and local road agencies may seek funding as-sistance through the following federal aid programs to help defray some of the costs related to ensuring sign retroreflectivity. Specific eligibility requirements are de-termined at the state and local levels. Please coordinate with partnering agencies: local metropolitan planning organizations, State Departments of Transportation (DOTs), and the State FHWA Division Office.

Sign Management Programs: Federal programs that are possible sources of fund-ing for setting up sign management programs include:• State Planning and Research Programs (SPRs);• community safety grants; and• the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP),

if data-supported, with a link to a state’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP).

Sign Replacement Programs: Federal programs that are possible sources of fund-ing for sign replacement programs include:• the National Highway System (NHS), which pro-

vides funds for improvement to rural and urban roads in the NHS, including interstate and inter-modal terminals;

• the Surface Transportation Program, which provides flexible funding that may be used by states and localities for projects on any federal highway, bridge projects on any public road, transit capital projects, and inter-city bus terminals and facilities. A portion of funds reserved for rural areas may be spent on rural minor collectors;

• the Interstate Maintenance Program (IMP), which provides funding for maintenance of the Interstate System; and

• the HSIP, if data-supported, with a link to a state’s SHSP.

For more information, visit the following websites:

• FHWA Nighttime Visibility: safety.fhwa.dot.gov/roadway_dept/night_visib

• Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices: mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov

• Sign Retroreflectivity Toolkit: safety.fhwa.dot.gov/roadway_dept/night_visib/retrotoolkit/

• American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATS-SA) Retroreflectivity Clearinghouse: www.atssa.com/page.ww?name=Home&section=Retroreflectivity

For additional questions, contact Greg Schertz, FHWA retroreflectivity team leader, by phone at 720-963-3764 or by email at [email protected].

The FHWA Instates New Sign Retroreflectivity Requirements

Public agencies are allowed to phase-in their compliance as outlined below:

January 22, 2012Implement a method to maintain minimum levels of retroreflectivity

January 22, 2015Replace regulatory, warning, and ground-mounted guide signs

January 22, 2018Replace overhead guide signs and street name signs

Page 24: “There she stands, proud in all her glory.” County Missouri · 2011. 1. 1. · was the abundance and quality of out-of-school programs made available for the community’s youth

www.mocounties.com24

are terrific opportunities to educate the public and our partners in state and federal government about the responsibilities counties have and the programs and services counties provide. “Counties are encouraged to link this year’s theme -- Serving Our Veterans, Armed Forces and Their Families -- to as many National County Government Month activities as pos-sible. Popular events include holding public tours of county facilities; talking to students, community organizations and business leaders about county pro-grams and services; holding essay and art contests; and sponsoring County Family Day events on the Courthouse grounds. You can hold media events, write newspaper columns, or be a guest on local radio and TV shows to discuss new county programs or highlight exist-ing ones. “This year’s National County Government Month theme is important and timely as more veterans, military service members and their families are turning to their county government for services. In addition to my ‘County Government Works’ initiative, I cre-ated the Veterans and Military Service Task Force to engage NACo members

NACo President Glen Whitley’s initiative, the “County Government Works” campaign to raise public awareness about counties, has plenty of tools county officials can use to help their constituents bet-ter understand what their counties do. Visit www.naco.org and under the “About NACo” menu at the top, scroll to the “Presidential Initia-tive” link. The page includes talk-ing points for community meetings, templates for brochures, ideas for reaching and teaching students and other easily reproduced programs. The newest additions to the public awareness toolkit are video PSAs to post on county websites, play on government cable channels, or offer to local television stations. The PSAs cover county services like public safety, transportation, crimi-nal justice, parks, recycling, food safety, emergency management and immunizations. NACo has also utilized social networking via Facebook to raise awareness. To see what other counties and associations are doing, please visit www.facebook.com and navigate (via the search bar) to NA-Co’s “Tell America: County Govern-ment Works” group page. NACo also has its own “National Association of Counties” government organization page for general NACo information, as well.

NACo’s “County Government Works” Campaign Utilizes Online Resources

The following is a statement from National Association of Coun-ties (NACo) President Glen Whitley regarding this April’s celebration of National County Government Month: “I am pleased to announce on this Veterans Day that the April 2011 theme for National County Government Month (NCGM) is Serv-ing Our Veterans, Armed Forces and Their Families. “Since 1991, NACo has encour-aged counties to actively promote county government services and pro-grams. Formerly National County Government Week, the designation was expanded to a full month to offer counties more opportunities to participate. Counties aren’t expect-ed to hold public awareness activi-ties throughout the month, but can schedule activities any time during the month. “As county officials, we know that America’s counties provide essential programs and services to communities, but unfortunately many Americans do not. National County Government Month, in con-junction with my ‘County Govern-ment Works’ presidential initiative,

Counties To Honor Services For Veterans And Armed Forces During National County Government Month

to develop and highlight best practices and policies to promote innovative pro-grams, services and benefits.”

For more NCGM information and promotional materials, please visit www.naco.org/programs/countiesdo/pages/ncgm.aspx or contact Tom Good-man, NACo public affairs director, by phone at 202-942-4222.

Page 25: “There she stands, proud in all her glory.” County Missouri · 2011. 1. 1. · was the abundance and quality of out-of-school programs made available for the community’s youth

Contact your dealer

Levels everything but the playing field.

Offering one-of-a-kind advantages and unequalled options, John Deere G-Series Graders let you decide how the work gets done. Choose state-of-the-art armrest-mounted fingertip controls or industry-standard levers. Steering wheel only or steering wheel plus lever. Opt for integrated grade control where you choose the system you want, not us. And much, much more. For the complete story on what makes the G-Series such a great choice, see your John Deere dealer, call 1-800-503-3373, or log on to JohnDeere.com/Choice.

AD1IICU4KM0106-00324297

636-463-2501

Page 26: “There she stands, proud in all her glory.” County Missouri · 2011. 1. 1. · was the abundance and quality of out-of-school programs made available for the community’s youth

www.mocounties.com26

Page 27: “There she stands, proud in all her glory.” County Missouri · 2011. 1. 1. · was the abundance and quality of out-of-school programs made available for the community’s youth

www.mocounties.com 27

Integrated Design Solutions Security today cannot be limited to one roving deputy or single entry with metal detector. In the 21st century, facilities require an integrated system designed to reduce threats by employing physical facil-ity constraints, technology and security personnel. To achieve this, security considerations must be included from the moment a project begins, continue through design and construction, and end with commissioning. Security personnel are frequently the county’s first line of defense. But while deputies and other staff members are indispensable in an integrated security system, they cannot be the only resource in preventing dangerous situations. Another line of defense involves technological systems that may include detection sys-tems, access controls, communications or closed circuit monitoring. All packages brought into the facility -- including those delivered to the truck dock -- should be scanned or searched for weapons and bombs. But not all security considerations involve staff or equipment. Some of the best security is derived from good design of the built environment. For example, a simple design with separate circulation areas for staff, inmates and the general public greatly decreases the potential for dangerous confrontations. These layered security solutions mitigate risk, increase security coun-termeasure effectiveness, and reduce future costs.

Site Location Site selection is the initial step to improving security. When locating a new facility there are often simple opportunities to reduce security risks. The first consideration should be to distance vehicles from the facility by creating a setback from the curb. Since the Oklahoma City bombing federal courts have outlined requirements for setbacks to prevent similar attacks, but this design is easy to incorporate at the local level as well. Historically courthouses were built “on the square” with plenty of green space between the build-ing and the street. Today, placing a new facility in a central location may not be feasible, but creating open space around a courthouse provides a level of security and the opportunity to incorporate community space by including plaza areas, fountains and inviting landscap-ing.

Detainee Transportation If a secure connection to the jail is possible, this is a very effective security measure that saves time and the expense of inmate transportation. If a direct connection to the jail is not an option, an enclosed sally port increases safety by limiting inmate exposure to public areas. Once inside a facility the inmate can be detained in a centrally located, secure holding area without access to courthouse staff or the general public.

Expansion Frequently budget constraints cause a county to

Courthouse SecurityBy Sharon Schmitz,

Principal at Treanor Architects, P.A.

The 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Fed-eral Building prompted counties across the country to evaluate their own security policies and procedures. But even prior to this attack, county officials were looking for ways to prevent dangerous confrontations within courthouses and to ensure the safety of staff and civilians who occupy the facilities on a daily basis. Such a wide variety of potential threats might ap-pear to require complicated procedures and expensive equipment. But in fact, security improvements can frequently be achieved through simple design solutions that have a significant impact on increasing safety.

Risk Assessment The first step in improving courthouse security is assessing potential risk factors and establishing the level of security required for each specific facility. The strategy is to identify what is to be protected, to assess potential threats and then evaluate consequences, or the risk that each threat might pose. These factors can vary greatly based on the facility -- a smaller county government may face far fewer threats than a facility located in a large metropolitan area. The security risk in a courthouse may vary due to a particular case that is being tried or a politically divisive topic that is in the news. The flexibility to tem-porarily increase the security level of the courthouse is a crucial way of dealing with a particular threat. Once the issue is resolved the courthouse can return to its normal security measures. An effective assessment allows designers and coun-ties to work together and determine appropriate safety measures. This process is complex, but assures that solutions don’t exceed what is needed and unnecessar-ily cost the county additional money.

Page 28: “There she stands, proud in all her glory.” County Missouri · 2011. 1. 1. · was the abundance and quality of out-of-school programs made available for the community’s youth

www.mocounties.com28

limit facility size or require that the design and con-struction process be phased over a number of years. This future or phased expansion must be considered as part of the original facility design. Without infrastruc-ture designed to accommodate expansion, security can be compromised and increase safety risks throughout the building. An integrated and interwoven security system should be adaptable to future projects.

Parking Parking may pose the greatest risk to security in a governmental setting. If parking areas aren’t designed with security in mind, the safety level of the facility be-comes far less relevant. Basic strategies include keep-ing parking away from the building if at all possible. If the courthouse is less than 50 feet from the curb, limit the availability of parking on streets adjacent to the building. Ideally parking is created at a distance from the facility, and spaces specifically for judges and attor-neys are separated and out of public view. The parking lot is one of the areas where judges are most vulnerable to attack. Parking below the building also should be avoided if possible. If space restrictions require park-ing near to or under court facilities, access to that area should be limited and carefully controlled. The key is to prevent potential security breaches through plan-ning and good design.

Summary As a top priority for government officials, facil-ity security must be part of the planning and design process at the very beginning of every public project. Achieving a high level of safety requires thorough anal-ysis, design coordination and input from the county, but this process doesn’t have to rely solely on technol-ogy or be overly expensive. A multi-layered security plan will provide cost effective methods to assure the safety and security of your courthouse.

Mark Your Calendars For 2011!

MAC Legislative Conference -- April 11, Capitol Plaza Hotel, Jefferson City

MAC Annual Conference -- Oct. 27-29,Tan-Tar-A Resort, Osage Beach

NACo Legislative Conference -- March 5-9,Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, Washington, DC

NACo Annual Conference -- July 15-19,Multnomah County (Portland), Oregon

Page 29: “There she stands, proud in all her glory.” County Missouri · 2011. 1. 1. · was the abundance and quality of out-of-school programs made available for the community’s youth
Page 30: “There she stands, proud in all her glory.” County Missouri · 2011. 1. 1. · was the abundance and quality of out-of-school programs made available for the community’s youth

13 Tim Green14 Maria Chappelle-Nadal15 Eric Schmitt16 Dan Brown17 Luann Ridgeway18 Brian Munzlinger19 Kurt Schaefer20 Jay Wasson21 Bill Stouffer22 Ryan McKenna23 Tom Dempsey

1 Craig Redmon 2 Zachary Wyatt 3 Casey Guernsey 4 Mike Thomson 5 Glen Klippenstein 6 Lindell Shumake 7 Mike Lair 8 Tom Shively 9 Paul Quinn 10 Jay Houghton 11 Ed Schieffer 12 Doug Funderburk 13 Chuck Gatschenberger 14 Kathie Conway 15 Sally Faith 16 Mark Parkinson 17 Vicki Schneider 18 Anne Zerr 19 Kurt Bahr 20 Jeanie Riddle 21 John Cauthorn 22 Randy Asbury 23 Stephen Webber 24 Chris Kelly 25 Mary Still 26 Joe Aull 27 Pat Conway 28 Delus Johnson 29 Galen Higdon 30 Nick Marshall 31 Jay Swearingen 32 Ronald Schieber 33 Jerry Nolte 34 Myron Neth 35 T.J. Berry 36 Bob Nance 37 Mike Talboy 38 Ryan Silvey 39 Jean Peters-Baker 40 John Rizzo 41 Kiki Curls

42 Jonas Hughes 43 Gail McCann Beatty 44 Jason Kander 45 Jason Holsman 46 Kevin McManus 47 Jeff Grisamore 48 Gary Cross 49 Tom McDonald 50 Michael Brown 51 Ira Anders 52 Noel Torpey 53 Brent Lasater 54 Jeanie Lauer 55 Sheila Solon 56 Mike Cierpiot 57 Karla May 58 Penny Hubbard 59 Jeanette Oxford 60 Jamilah Nasheed 61 Chris Carter 62 Don Phillips 63 Tishaura Jones 64 Susan Carlson 65 Michele Kratky 66 Genise Montecillo 67 Mike Colona 68 David Sater 69 Tommie Pierson 70 Sharon Pace 71 Clem Smith 72 Rory Ellinger 73 Stacey Newman 74 Steve Webb 75 Bert Atkins 76 Churie Spreng 77 Eileen McGeoghegan 78 Margo McNeil 79 Mary Nichols 80 Sylvester Taylor 81 Rochelle Walton Gray 82 Jill Schupp

83 Jake Zimmerman 84 Don Gosen 85 Cloria Brown 86 Cole McNary 87 John Diehl 88 Andrew Koenig 89 Timothy Jones 90 John McCaherty 91 Jeanne Kirkton 92 Sue Allen 93 Dwight Scharnhorst 94 Rick Stream 95 Mike Leara 96 Scott Sifton 97 Gary Fuhr 98 Dave Hinson 99 Bart Korman 100 Marsha Haefner 101 Tim Meadows 102 Paul Wieland 103 Ron Casey 104 Joe Fallert 105 Paul Curtman 106 Steven Tilley 107 Linda Black 108 Jacob Hummel 109 Scott Dieckhaus 110 Ben Harris 111 Dave Schatz 112 Tom Loehner 113 Mike Bernskoetter 114 Jay Barnes 115 Rodney Schad 116 Wanda Brown 117 Caleb Jones 118 Stanley Cox 119 Sandy Crawford 120 Scott Largent 121 Denny Hoskins 122 Mike McGhee 123 Chris Molendorp

124 Rick Brattin 125 Barney Fisher 126 Mike Kelley 127 Tom Flanigan 128 Charlie Davis 129 Bill White 130 Bill Reiboldt 131 Bill Lant 132 Don Ruzicka 133 Sue Entlicher 134 Thomas Long 135 Charlie Denison 136 Eric Burlison 137 Melissa Leach 138 Sara Lampe 139 Shane Schoeller 140 Lincoln Hough 141 Kevin Elmer 142 Ray Weter 143 Lyle Rowland 144 Tony Dugger 145 Lyndall Fraker 146 Darrell Pollock 147 Don Wells 148 David Day 149 Keith Frederick 150 Jason Smith 151 Ward Franz 152 Paul Fitzwater 153 Steve Cookson 154 Todd Richardson 155 Diane Franklin 156 Shelley Keeney 157 Donna Lichtenegger 158 Wayne Wallingford 159 Billy Wright 160 Ellen Brandom 161 Steve Hodges 162 Terry Swinger 163 Kent Hampton

1 Jim Lembke 2 Scott Rupp 3 Kevin Engler 4 Joseph Keaveny 5 Robin Wright-Jones 6 Mike Kehoe 7 Jane Cunningham 8 Will Kraus 9 VACANT10 Jolie Justus11 Victor Callahan12 Brad Lager

24 John Lamping25 Robert Mayer26 Brian Nieves27 Jason Crowell28 Mike Parson29 Jack Goodman30 Bob Dixon31 David Pearce32 Ron Richard33 Chuck Purgason34 Rob Schaaf

Missouri’s 96th General Assembly, First Regular SessionSenators (by district)

Representatives (by district)

District maps can be accessed online:

Senate -- www.senate.mo.gov (under the “Sena-tors” link in the top-left menu)

House -- www.house.mo.gov (under the “House Mem-bers” link in the left-hand menu, click “General Info”)

Additional session information can be found online at: www.moga.mo.gov. There, you can ac-cess links to the Missouri Senate’s website (senate.mo.gov) and the Missouri House of Representa-tives’ website (house.mo.gov). Additonal session information can be accessed from MAC’s website at www.mocounties.com; visit the “Missouri Government” and “Bills & Legisla-tive Bulletins” links in the left-hand menu for updates.

Senate Pro-Tem: Robert Mayer (25)

Speaker of the House: Steven Tilley (106)

Page 31: “There she stands, proud in all her glory.” County Missouri · 2011. 1. 1. · was the abundance and quality of out-of-school programs made available for the community’s youth
Page 32: “There she stands, proud in all her glory.” County Missouri · 2011. 1. 1. · was the abundance and quality of out-of-school programs made available for the community’s youth

SA M P L E CO U N T Y

PRO J E C T S

First Year Energy Savings: $2.5 Million

Savings Over Contract Periods: $52.9 Million (3% annual in ation factor)

Annual Environmental Savings:

• 12,500 metric tons of CO2

• CO2 emissions for electricity use from 1,517 homes

• CO2 emissions from 1,406,074 gallons of gasoline

• Carbon sequestered by 2,665 acres of pine forests

C O M P L E T E D E S I G N , E N G I N E E R I N G A N D I N S TA L L AT I O N O F E N E R G Y S AV I N G F AC I L I T Y

R E T RO F I T S T H RO U G H P E R F O R M A N C E C O N T R AC T I N G

Jasper County$51,764 Annual Energy/

Operational Savings

Jefferson County$117,208 Annual Energy/

Operational Savings

Livingston County$63,687 Annual Energy/

Operational Savings

Camden County$144,421 Annual Energy / Operational Savings

CTS GUARANTEED ENERGY SAVINGS

PERFORMANCE CONTRACTS

15933 Clayton Rd. #110 / St. Louis, MO 63011636.230.0843 / www.thectsgroup.com