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May 14, 2008 For more information, contact: Laura Antolak Elected Chairperson Of MRPC ST. JAMES—Laura Antolak, at-large commissioner for small business, was elected chairperson of the Meramec Regional Planning Commission. This is the first time in MRPC’s 39-year history that an at-large commissioner has been selected for the organization’s highest leadership role. It comes at a time with MRPC’s cognizant agency, the US Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration is encouraging economic development districts like MRPC to involve more private sector representation. Antolak, who formerly owned Eyes of the World in Rolla, served as vice chairperson for two years prior to succeeding Washington County Presiding Commissioner Robert Reed, who had served two years as chairperson, the maximum allowed. Other officers elected during the May 8 regular meeting were Vice Chair Russell Scheulen, Osage County presiding commissioner; Secretary Gary Brown, mayor of Salem; and Treasurer James Morgan, mayor of Crocker. This is the first time that a Pulaski County representative served in a leadership position. Pulaski County joined MRPC in August 2005. In other business, Sen. Frank Barnitz briefed the regional planning commission board on legislative action. He said legislation to develop and fund a state interoperability plan has passed, however, he still has concerns. His reservations regarding statewide coverage and procurement issues had earlier raised the concern of the Region I Homeland Security Oversight Committee, administered through MRPC. Barnitz explained that the state system will be top-of-the-line, and many local jurisdictions won’t be able to afford the new equipment that will be required to participate. “It’s not a true interoperable plan if everyone can’t participate,” Barnitz told the board. “I’m in no way opposed to an interoperability plan but it can’t be a true system if everyone can’t hook in—it’s a make shift system.” “The passing legislation must also be vendor-neutral,” Barnitz said, “and the Department of Public Safety will be required to provide quarterly reports on the progress of the project.“ Barnitz is also concerned about the long-term contract, the costs associated with it and the future possibility of those costs being handed down to the counties. “I know my counties—they don’t have (the money),” Barnitz stressed. Barnitz also discussed the Senate debate on offering millions of dollars-worth of state tax credits to Bombardier, a Canadian company considering an airplane manufacturing operation in the Kansas City area. He opposed the proposed incentives plan because he doesn’t believe that the state can afford it. “If we can support new companies, why can’t we support existing companies?” he asked. “If we can afford $40 million today, we should be putting it into our existing businesses, like the Briggs and Strattons and the car plants,” Barnitz stressed. The Senate approved $240 million in state tax credits over six years, should Bombardier locate in Missouri. Barnitz reported that elementary and secondary education “came out pretty fair” this year. The old formula is phasing out, and the new formula is phasing in, he explained. Education, as a whole, will get more dollars, however, every school may not see an increase in funding. The board also heard a report from Connie Willman, MRPC planning and development manager, on the formation of a new Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy committee to assist with the updating and evaluation of the CEDS, a five-year planning document for the Meramec Region. Previously, the MRPC planning committee served as the CEDS committee, however, changes in federal regulations now require more private sector involvement, which will require the formation of a separate committee. MRPC board members have been asked to suggest persons within their cities and counties who would provide the expertise needed on the committee. The board also re-elected five at-large representatives for three years terms: Jesse Jarvis of Washington County will continue to represent education. Kraig Bone of Washington County will continue to serve emergency management. Tom Klebba of Osage County will represent lending. Janet Walker of Phelps County will continue to represent minorities and Mary Heywood of Crawford County will represent the unemployed. 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. A professional staff of 27, directed by the MRPC board, 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. The MRPC board will meet at 7:30 p.m. on June 12 at its office at 4 Industrial Drive in St. James. All meetings are open to the public. |