Nance: Boy Scouts celebrate 100 years, Better Bridges and Roads, State Budget

On the 100th Anniversary of the Boys Scouts of America

"I think the character that you learn in Scouting—working together, being honest with each other, being close knit … and depending on one another, on our camping trips and doing things—all these things build character in a young man that he takes with him into adulthood and makes him a much better citizen. And that's why Scouting to me has always been an organization I've always wanted to help. I think it's one of the best youth organizations that we … have in this country." –James A. Lovell Jr., Mission Commander, Apollo 13

Better Bridges and Roads:

MoDOT has named the bridge replacements and repairs for the District for 2010.

• The westbound bridge over Highway 69 in Excelsior Springs is scheduled for completion by November 30th.
• The bridge over Fishing River in Ray County on Highway 10 is scheduled for November 30th completion.
• The smaller bridge on Clay County Highway N will be closed from July 29th through November 21st for replacement.
• The bridge over Tryst Falls on Highway 92 will be closed April 1st until May 25th.
• In 2010, 18 miles of Highway 13 will be resurfaced from the Caldwell County Line to Highway 10 in Richmond.
• Highway C from Highway D to Elmira will receive a "chip and seal".
• Route O will receive an overlay between May and September.
• Route A will have three bridges "Design Build" this year.
• A bridge at K Highway and Highway 13 is also scheduled and a bridge on Route E near the Caldwell County Line.

State Budget:

Budget Chairman Allen Icet responded to questions on the budget recently.

"Many believed we had seen the worst of the economic downturn and that this year would be better— but they were wrong. Unfortunately, this year we face a grim economy and one far worse than last year during the budget crisis."  The Senate, House, and Governor must work responsibly with Missouri's tax dollars as this year's budget is crafted.

At the Capitol

HB 1521, which is a "Silver Alert" for seniors, was forwarded to Senior Citizen Advocacy Committee.

HB 1544 was passed out of the House on Tuesday. The bill extends the state's eligibility to receive federal extended unemployment benefit money to provide unemployed individuals compensation beyond the current unemployment benefit period that ended December 5, 2009. The state will not incur any costs of the extension of benefits.

Marti Cowherd visited the Capitol representing the Ray County Family Practice on Tuesday. Justin Mohn of Excelsior Springs is working as an Intern for Senator Jolie Justus. He is in his junior year at the University of Missouri.

In the District:

Pictured right is: Parker Golliglee. He received his Eagle Scout award at the First United Methodist Church in Excelsior Springs last Sunday. The church and local Kiwanis Club sponsor Scout Pack 309.

Pictured left are: Master Nathaniel Woods, an Eagle Scout, myself, Eagle Scout Brandon Pemburlin, Eagle Scout Kevin Pemburlin and Master Jacob Long.  All the scouts are from Troop 324 of Richmond, Missouri.

Congratulations to the Lawson and Orrick School Districts on being recognized by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Central Regional Professional Development Center as 2009 Distinction in Performance Award Recipients.