The year 2012 is coming to a close. It also marks the end of my time in the Missouri Legislature.  I am greatly appreciative to the citizens of District 162 to allow me this opportunity for the past nine years.

When I decided to run for office, it was my goal to help the citizens of District 162.  We have many challenges in this area.  I wanted to make sure that people in my district were comfortable to contact me for help.   I pride myself in helping anyway I can. There were many successful outcomes. Unfortunately some issues were completely out of my hands but I tried to direct them to someone who could help. I am thankful I had two very hard working Legislative Assistants, Emily Scheulen for the first four years and Keri Wolters for the past 5 years. Both these ladies were competent and conscientious. It didn’t make a difference to us what party affiliation you were when you called, we were there to help.

Looking back on my tenure in the General Assembly, one of my proudest moments was the success in rebuilding the Caruthersville High School after the tornado devastated our area on April 2, 2006.   It became evident that we had unresolved issues with the insurance company and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and nothing was getting accomplished to fix the school. The General Assembly stepped up to help us. In 2008 we passed Senate Bill 1170, which I handled in the House that created the Rebuild Missouri Schools Program. This bill gives schools that have been destroyed in a tornado, fire or flood a no interest loan through the State Board of Education to help rebuild their schools. It was an exciting day on February 18, 2011 when the high school students walked through the doors of the new school.  The senior class had only attended classes in FEMA trailers throughout their high school career until this point. 

It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the people of District 162.  I wish everyone a healthy and prosperous Happy New Year.