Dec. 16, 2010

For more information, contact:
Richard Cavender or Bonnie J. Prigge, (573) 265-2993

MRPC Executive Director Announces Retirement
Board promotes assistant director, approves audit

ST. JAMES— After 32 years as executive director of Meramec Regional Planning Commission, Richard Cavender has decided to retire, effective June 30, 2011. He announced his resignation during the MRPC board’s Dec. 12 meeting in St. James. Cavender joined MRPC in 1979, after having served 10 years with the Mid-America Regional Council in Kansas City. The organization was only 10 years old, and Cavender was its second director. “I feel fortunate to have found a career that I am passionate about, Cavender said Monday.

After receiving news of Cavender’s retirement plans, the board voted to promote Assistant Director Bonnie Prigge to the executive director position, effective July 1, 2011. Prigge, who has worked for MRPC for 20 years—14 as assistant director, had tendered her resignation in November to take another position. On Tuesday, she accepted the board’s offer to become executive director when Cavender steps down.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to continue to work with local governments to improve the quality of life in the Meramec Region,” Prigge said.

In other business, the board:

• Approved the 2010 audit, conducted by Verkamp and Malone of Rolla. MRPC’s Fiscal Officer Linda Loughridge told the board that the audit was good with no findings.

• Talked with area legislators—Rep. Paul Fitzwater of Potosi, Rep. Tom Loehner of Koeltztown—in attendance at the meeting about the upcoming legislative session. The board finalized its slate of issues to present to legislators in January.

• Was briefed by staffer Luci Flaim on the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Energize Missouri Homeowner Upgrades and Geothermal program, which MRPC is coordinating for a 16-county area, including Meramec’s eight counties.

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 32, 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 Jan. 13 at its office at 4 Industrial Drive in St. James. All meetings are open to the public.

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