Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
8th Congressional District - Last week I spent time working various jobs throughout our Eighth Congressional District on a Work-A-Day Tour. My goal in touring the district and working local jobs was to meet new people and to learn about the challenges families in our region are facing.
In Festus I mixed paint at a hardware store, I helped put siding on a house in Ironton, worked the front desk at a resort in Steelville and even got the chance to read the news on a morning radio show in Cape Girardeau.
I cannot tell you how refreshing it was to spend time with people who are not afraid of hard work and who are committed to making their communities a good place to live, work and raise a family. While our district is large and diverse, every person I met last week shared a common pride in our nation and a love for our corner of rural Missouri.
In Farmington I spent time bagging groceries at Country Mart. In conversations I shared with employees and customers they talked about the ever increasing cost of food and how it is impacting their families.
While Washington should not directly control the cost of goods and services, Congress can create an environment of certainty to help stabilize prices. Additionally, a national energy policy that would keep energy costs under control, and input costs in check, which would in turn keep grocery bills lower for Missouri families.
Our rural district is home to many unique small businesses that are truly the backbone of our economy. In Mansfield I spent time working at Engrave-A-Crete during my tour. Although the company is famous for their decorative concrete projects, they have also tapped into a niche market of manufacturing urban chicken houses that are sold nationwide. I worked with the crew at Engrave-A-Crete to completely assemble one of the chicken houses.
Nestled into the hills of the Ozarks is the tiny village of Rockbridge and the Rainbow Trout and Game Ranch. People come from far and wide to fish, hunt and ride horses at the ranch. During my time working at Rockbridge I helped serve dinner during the evening rush. I met folks not only from the Show-Me State but also from surrounding states who were enjoying the outdoors at Rockbridge. The Rainbow Trout and Game Ranch is a perfect example of a family owned business that provides jobs in our rural district and also attracts business to our region.
Too often politicians in Washington lose sight of the people they represent. When you elected me to be your voice in Congress a few months ago, I promised myself that I would never forget the challenges families are facing back home in Missouri. My Work-A-Day Tour was a reminder that Washington is not the answer to the problems facing our nation. The solution to our biggest challenges will always be the spirit and commitment to freedom that resides in each American.
Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
On this day in 1939, the first televised Major League baseball game is broadcast on station W2XBS, the station that was to become WNBC-TV. Announcer Red Barber called the game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, New York.
At the time, television was still in its infancy. Regular programming did not yet exist, and very few people owned television sets--there were only about 400 in the New York area. Not until 1946 did regular network broadcasting catch on in the United States, and only in the mid-1950s did television sets become more common in the American household.
In 1939, the World's Fair--which was being held in New York--became the catalyst for the historic broadcast. The television was one of fair’s prize exhibits, and organizers believed that the Dodgers-Reds doubleheader on August 26 was the perfect event to showcase America's grasp on the new technology.
By today's standards, the video coverage was somewhat crude. There were only two stationary camera angles: The first was placed down the third base line to pick up infield throws to first, and the second was placed high above home plate to get an extensive view of the field. It was also difficult to capture fast-moving plays: Swinging bats looked like paper fans, and the ball was all but invisible during pitches and hits.
Nevertheless, the experiment was a success, driving interest in the development of television technology, particularly for sporting events. Though baseball owners were initially concerned that televising baseball would sap actual attendance, they soon warmed to the idea, and the possibilities for revenue generation that came with increased exposure of the game, including the sale of rights to air certain teams or games and television advertising.
Today, televised sports is a multi-billion dollar industry, with technology that gives viewers an astounding amount of visual and audio detail. Cameras are now so precise that they can capture the way a ball changes shape when struck by a bat, and athletes are wired to pick up field-level and sideline conversation.
A brief legislative update: Veto session begins September 11th in which the legislative body, if it so choses and has the required votes to override the Governor’s veto of legislation passed this past session.
See ya in Church Sunday!
As always, it is an honor to serve you in the Missouri House. If you would like to discuss any issue, please call 573-751-3629. You can also email me at kent.hampton@house.mo.gov . I look forward to hearing from you.
Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
In the coming weeks Missouri families will be working to clean up their homes, businesses, farms and communities. As we move forward my staff and I will be working to ensure you have the resources you need. Here are a few tips from the U.S. Army to keep in mind should the need arise as we begin the process of getting life back to normal:
• Listen to news reports to make sure water supplies are not contaminated.
• Stay clear of flood waters, standing and moving, as they may be contaminated or deeper than expected.
• Beware of downed power lines.
• Avoid any roads where flood waters have receded as they may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car.
• Be extremely cautious when entering buildings and homes, as there may be unseen damage.
• Clean and disinfect everything that was touched by flood water, as it can contain sewage and other contaminants.
The rain and waters will soon be gone. My staff and I are working to make sure attention for a region does not recede with the flood waters.
I will be working to ensure operations between local, state and federal officials continue until life returns to normal for those impacted by flooding. Often times rural America is forgotten.
I will be holding federal emergency management officials’ feet to the fire so that rural Missouri gets the help we need.
Finally, I ask that you keep our fellow Missourians in your thoughts and prayers. So many have lost so much. In the coming days our families, neighbors and friends will be working to get life back to normal.
If you or your family needs help cleaning up after the flood please contact my offices in Rolla at 573-364-2455, West Plains at 417-255-1515, Farmington at 573-756-9755 or Cape Girardeau at 573-335-0101.
My staff and I are here to help in times of natural disaster.
Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
8th Congressional District, Missouri - Tuesday, August 6, 2013, Congressman Jason Smith (MO-08) announced the formation of the Veterans Advisory Council to advise on issues important to veterans. Smith and his staff will work with members of the Veterans Advisory Council to get feedback on issues with the Veterans Administration and as new policy is being crafted that will impact veterans living in Missouri’s 8th District.
"Honoring our veteran’s service is a top priority for me. I formed this Veteran’s Advisory Council to be a resource for issues that are affecting veterans and their families in our Eighth Congressional District,” said Smith. “Through meetings, calls and visits my staff and I will work with members of the Veterans Advisory Council on issues with the Veterans Administration and access to healthcare services. The Council will also serve as a key resource for policy ideas and a sounding board for legislation being considered in Congress.”
Smith’s Veterans Advisory Council has representatives from across Missouri’s Eighth Congressional District. Mr. Charles Kruse and Mr. Jim Bland of Dexter, Missouri will be serving on the committee for Stoddard County.
Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
Jefferson City, Missouri - Gov. Jay Nixon today ordered the deployment of 50 military policemen of the Missouri National Guard to assist local civil authorities in protecting lives and property threatened by flash floods in areas of southern Missouri impacted by flooding from recent heavy rain.
“The Citizen-Soldiers of the Missouri National Guard are one of our most valuable assets in helping Missourians during and after natural disasters, and their skill and training will greatly assist state and local emergency responders in taking necessary action to save lives,” Gov. Nixon said.
This morning, Gov. Nixon spoke to elected officials in Laclede, Miller, Phelps and Pulaski counties about the situation in each of those counties, and about the ongoing assistance from the state.
Yesterday, the Governor declared a state of emergency after heavy rains caused flash flooding and at least one confirmed death in the Waynesville area. That executive order activated the Missouri State Emergency Operations Plan, which allows state agencies to coordinate directly with local jurisdictions to provide emergency services.
In addition to the deployment of the Missouri National Guard, the Missouri State Highway Patrol has deployed additional marine operations troopers, a rescue helicopter and associated assets to the region to assist local emergency responders. At the Governor’s direction, those resources will remain in place until the threat has passed. The State Emergency Management Agency is actively monitoring conditions and will continue to work with local response agencies to provide additional support as needed.
The Governor urged residents of flood-affected areas of southern Missouri to pay close attention to weather warnings and follow the safety instructions of local officials as the potential for additional dangerous flooding continues. Missourians, especially motorists, are encouraged to remember these important safety tips on flooding and high water:
• Do not walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can make you fall. If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you.
• Do not drive into flooded areas. If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can do so safely. You and the vehicle can be quickly swept away. Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars, causing loss of control and possible stalling.
A foot of water will float many vehicles. Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles, including sport utility vehicles and pick-ups. Even if the water appears shallow enough to cross, don’t try it. Water hides dips in the road. Worse yet, there may be no road at all under the water. Flooding can scour away the entire road surface and a significant amount of ground beneath.
