Love note from Jeff City

Greetings, My Fellow Missourians

It was not on my calendar to visit the MO Veterans’ Home in Warrensburg on Friday, Dec. 15. However, when encouraged by constituents to make a visit, I felt compelled to work it into my schedule. I arrived unannounced and was really impressed by the professionalism of all the staff and the cleanliness of the facility. Administrator Eric Endsley put his day on hold to graciously give me a tour. Although the Veterans’ Home location in St. Louis has been under recent inspection and scrutiny, the Warrensburg home has a very welcoming environment and appears to have contentment among the residents. There are seven locations throughout Missouri with a total capacity of 1,350 beds. Currently, there are 2,000 veterans on a waiting list. These homes play a vital role in serving the needs of our veterans, and I certainly hope that any recent issues are solved swiftly to ensure continued commitment to Missouri veterans.

An open house was held on Saturday, Dec. 16, to celebrate 125 years of service by the El Dorado Springs Volunteer Fire Department. I was honored to present Fire Chief Owen Elliott and members of the department with a resolution recognizing their dedication to the protecting the El Dorado Springs area. The department currently has 27 active volunteers; we are certainly grateful to these citizens for their service.

On Tuesday, I attended a meeting of the Missouri State Tax Commission in Jefferson City for a vote on Agriculture Land Value. The three-member commission voted for no increases in property taxes for Class 1-4 (tillable land), a 7% reduction in property taxes for Class 5-7 (pasture land), and a 3% reduction in property taxes for Class 8. This is great news for District 125; most of our district is in Class 5-7. This decrease in property taxes is great news for the Missouri farmer and the agriculture industry in our state.

I have mentioned before that there is a lot of construction going on in District 125, and it is great to see this activity as I drive our local roads. New boat ramp construction is underway in Osceola as well as extensive improvements to the Osceola water district. There are school construction projects going on in El Dorado Springs and Weaubleau, a new facility for the Hickory County Health Department in Hermitage, a new Dollar General recently built and opened in Weaubleau as well as a new community building, and a convenience store/truck stop in Wheatland. I hope this is an indication of a prosperous 2018 for more economic development and jobs for our local citizens.

Merry Christmas

This year as we gather together to celebrate the birth of Christ, we will share our love and exchange gifts as a way of reminding one another of how much we care and how deeply blessed we are. Christmas is a time to thank God for all that He has given us; it is much more than just a day to give and receive gifts.

I hope this Christmas is filled with joy for you and your family. I wish you safe travels if you are visiting loved ones, and wish the same for those who may be coming to stay with you. At the same time as we celebrate the greatest of holidays, I also ask us to remember there are many Missourians who are not as fortunate. They won’t have the luxury of the companionship of family and friends, presents to open, or possibly even a warm meal. I ask you to keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this holiday season. Christmas is a time of giving and it’s important that we remember that means more than presents. It should be a time to give of ourselves to help those who are less fortunate.

My wish is for this time of year to be one filled with joy and celebration as you share your time with those who mean the most to you. Merry Christmas.

As the curtain closes on this year, we wish you a wonderful, healthy, prosperous 2018.

This will be my last report for this year, but I will continue regular, weekly reports in January to keep you informed.