Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
8th Congressional District - Congressman Jason Smith announced the schedule for his Farm Tour. The Farm Tour started on Monday, August 19 and will run through Friday, August 23.
“Agriculture is the number one industry in our Eighth Congressional District and it is essential to the health of our rural economy. Our district is also one of the most diverse agriculture districts in the country growing everything except sugar and citrus fruits. During the weeklong tour I will be in 11 counties and hold 20 tours and discussions,” said Smith. “I am looking forward to being on my Farm Tour and meeting the families who farm the land and raise livestock in our region. We will be listening to cattle farmers; row croppers and we will even visit a Christmas tree farm and a peach orchard. The information I learn on the Farm Tour will be critical as policy is being created in Washington.”
Location on the Farm Tour Schedule Close to Stoddard County
WHAT: Farm Tour stop at Farm Bureau Annual Appreciation Dinner
WHERE: 2114 North Westwood Blvd, Poplar Bluff, MO
WHEN: Wednesday, August 21, 2013 from 6:30PM-8:00PM
WHAT: Farm Tour stop at Blakemore Cotton & Gin
WHERE: 402 North Main Street, Campbell, MO
WHEN: Thursday, August 22, 2013 from 1:30PM-2:30PM
WHAT: Farm Tour stop at Hamra Hydroponics Farm
WHERE: 160 County Road 831, Sikeston, MO
WHEN: Thursday, August 22, 2013 from 3:30PM-4:30PM
WHAT: Farm Tour stop at Farm Bureau Dinner
WHERE: Rebecca Sharp’s 1325 Mill Street, New Madrid, MO
WHEN: Thursday, August 22, 2013 from 6:00PM-8:30PM
WHAT: Farm Tour stop at Riceland Foods
WHERE: 918 New Madrid County Port, Marston, MO
WHEN: Friday, August 23, 2013 from 9:00AM-10:00AM
WHAT: Farm Tour stop at Hulshof Soybean and Corn Farm
WHERE: Sowinski Potato Shed, 3780 W. County Road 220, Bertrand,
WHEN: Friday, August 23, 2013 from 11:00AM-12:00PM
WHAT: Farm Tour stop at MRM Ag
WHERE: 3468 West Highway 80, East Prairie, MO
WHEN: Friday, August 23, 2013 from 1:00PM-2:00PM
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.
