Kraus: Honoring Our Public Safety Officers

Last Saturday, the Lee’s Summit Jack Ray Post for Veterans of Foreign Wars invited me to speak at their ceremony honoring outstanding public safety officers. While I take my duties here as a representative very seriously, my work pales in contrast to those who daily risk their lives to protect our citizens, and I was extremely honored to be a part of this event.

We once lived in a country where a locked door was rarely necessary and folks shared an open-door policy with neighbors. Unfortunately, the world has changed. We have seen violence in families and in our communities becoming more commonplace. The effect of this deterioration - with a rising number of juvenile justice problems, drug trafficking, and a host of other problems - is invading even the smallest of communities in our state.

It also means that our citizens are faced with ever growing concerns for their safety. The public safety community continues to face ever increasing hardships in a job that has always faced incredible challenges. But some things have not changed. The people still depend on our public safety officers for safety and security----perhaps now more than ever. The dedication of these officers in the face of their many challenges is the stuff of which heroes are made.

In recognition of their outstanding services, the VFW honored the following individuals as 2010 Public Safety Honorees:

• Shawn Burgess, who was selected as Fire Fighter of the Year for 2009, has battled major blazes, helped to birth babies, and once battled a fire during weather so cold that it left him covered in ice -challenges that our firefighters face to extinguish flames and rescue those in peril.
• Scott Goodman with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office has served in many positions such as on the Emergency Response Team, Field Training Office, Firearms Instructor and Detective. Goodman is also a member of the United States military’s Individual Ready Reserve, serves as a Petty Officer Second class and earned a number of medals while on active duty.
• Jeff Palecek was honored for his work as a full-time police officer with the Grain Valley Police Department. He has served in many positions such as firearms instructor, field training supervisor, and citizens academy instructor, and he has been involved in all areas of department operations.
• Josh Patterson, who was named as the 2009 Officer of the Year by the Lee’s Summit Police Department, is a nine-year veteran of the department. Patterson has been assigned training duties to help his fellow officers, served as a firearm instructor, coordinated special duty assignments, and served as a member of the Emergency Services Squad.
• Ryan A. Wood was recognized for his work with the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Wood has demonstrated a solid cross section of arrests, services and investigations in fulfilling his duties as a public servant.

I also commend the VFW Jack Ray Post of Lee’s Summit for their efforts to recognize our public safety officers. Those who have travelled abroad to protect our safety have joined to pay tribute to those who protect our safety at home. And I cannot mention our veterans without thanking all of them for the sacrifices they have made in defense of these great United States.

Please know that we are aware of the enormous contributions public safety officers make to the health and well-being of our communities.

Hazel Grove Elementary School Visits the Capitol

Last week brought another school from District 48, Hazel Grove Elementary, to visit Jefferson City and learn more about state government and Missouri’s history. I enjoyed visiting with all of the fourth graders and their teachers, and hope they were able to take home some valuable lessons and experiences from their day at the Capitol.

Host Families Needed

Host Families for foreign exchange students are needed for next year in the Raytown, Lee’s Summit, Lone Jack and surrounding areas. Many students are waiting for a family to welcome them into their home so that they can spend the school year in a local high school. All it takes is a room for the student to sleep in, a place to study and a place at your dinner table. If you are interested in being a Host Family, contact Liz Carver PAX/FLEX Coordinator at 816-228-8587 or carver_elizabeth{at}yahoo{dot}com

MoDOT Asking for Your Thoughts

Once a year, MoDOT formally sets out a five-year construction program to let you know what you're getting for your money. The draft 2011-2015 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program lists transportation projects planned by state and regional planning agencies for July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2015. It totals $5.7 billion. A formal comment period now is under way. This is a chance to share your thoughts about the kind of transportation system you want in Missouri.

The proposed program is available for public review and comment beginning May 5 and ending June 4. You can submit your comments at Thoughts or call toll-free 1-888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636).

With the beginning of the 2010 Legislative Session, the Capitol Report will be issued about once a week. During this time, if you have an event that you would like me to attend or speak at, please contact my office at 1 (573) 751-1459 or e-mail at will{dot}kraus{at}house{dot}mo{dot}gov.