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July 2, 2010 For more information, contact 16 Local Leaders Attend ST. JAMES—When the election is over and the successful candidates take office, some realize that local government is more complex than realized or anticipated—especially when it comes to responsibilities. To help newly elected officials begin to understand some of those responsibilities—and to help refresh veteran officials—the Meramec Regional Planning Commission, in cooperation with the Missouri Municipal League, hosted its Annual Elected Officials Workshop June 23 at MRPC's St. James office. Richard Sheets and Stuart Haynes of the MML were the guest presenters for the workshop. MML is a statewide association developed to form an agency for the cooperation of Missouri cities, towns and villages and to promote the interest, welfare and closer relations among them in order to improve municipal government and administration in the state. Sheets and Haynes covered such important issues as conflict of interest, nepotism, the open meetings law, the powers of the mayor and governing body, classification of cities and council procedures. Some 16 local leaders participated in the workshop. Among those attending were: From Argyle: Ryan Davis and Kym Brunnert; From Caledonia: John Lucas and Phil Taylor; From Cuba: Patrick Shaw, Maurice Grant, Lester Murdock and Ray Mortimeyer; From Edgar Springs: Kim Ellison, Paula James and Carol Dunham; From Gasconade: John Schramm; From Rolla: Scott Grahl; From St. James: David Watkins; From St. Robert: Jim Phillips; and From Steelville: Terry Beckham From MRPC: Connie Willman, Jodie Branson and Lisa Warnke. 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. Officers are Chairman Russell Scheulen of Loose Creek, Vice Chairman Gary Brown of Salem, Secretary T.R. Dudley of Potosi and Treasurer Mary Heywood of Boubon. A professional staff of 31, directed by the MRPC board, offers technical assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning, environmental and homeland security planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities upon request. |