WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Senator Roy Blunt strongly condemned the U.S. Department of Labor’s proposed rule today, which would restrict youth from performing some duties on farms.
The Obama Administration is considering revisions to federal agricultural work rules that effectively would bar teens younger than 16 from engaging in a number of traditional chores for pay — including detasseling.
Opponents of the rules across the Farm Belt argue that they are in part an attack on a way of life, one foreign to Beltway bureaucrats and one that should be encouraged in an era of rising childhood obesity rates and increasingly sedentary lifestyles.
“Having grown up working on my family’s dairy farm, I am outraged by the Department of Labor’s ridiculous attempts to restrict other young Americans from doing the same,” said Blunt.
According to the Wall Street Journal, “Some farmers are opposing new rules proposed by the federal government that would restrict the chores children can be hired to perform in the nation's fields, including driving tractors and rounding up cattle in corrals on horseback.”
“Farmers and ranchers care deeply about the safety of those working on their farms,” Blunt continued. “But this rule is absurd, and it would hurt these job creators who rely on young people to assist with the day-to-day operations of American farms.”
“The next generation of farmers and ranchers need hands-on experience and skills to meet the challenge of feeding a rapidly growing world. Not only would this rule prevent young people from learning how to safely work in this industry, but it would harm programs like 4-H and FFA that help foster and develop critical skills for future leaders in agriculture.”
The American Farm Bureau is heading a coalition of more than 70 ag groups that have petitioned the Labor Department to reconsider what would be the first major rewrite of farm labor standards since the 1970s.
“We have no desire at all to have young teenagers working in jobs that are inappropriate or entail too much risk,” said Bob Stallman, president of the farm bureau.“Farmers and ranchers are more interested than anyone else in assuring the safety of farming operations, and their right to operate their farms with family members is specifically permitted by Congress. We don’t want to see those rights infringed.”
The department is reviewing those laws, which also would cover work with bulls, cows and other farm animals and farm machinery, at the urging of groups such as the Child Labor Coalition and the National Safety Council.
A young Dexter woman was honored this week by the Dexter Board of Aldermen and the local police department.
Tasha Rodgers was honored by the Board and Police Chief Sammy Stone for assistance to an officer at an incident earlier this year. Rodgers is a senior at Dexter High School.
“There are so many times in the world when things go wrong, that people will just turn and walk away or look at a situation and say ‘I need to do something but I don’t want to get involved’ so they walk away,” said Police Chief Sammy Stone during the presentation. “Then you those who say ‘I’m going to help, I’m going to do what I need to do regardless’.”
Rodgers was presented with the Chief’s Award, the first-of-its kind award to recognize a civilian citizen for assistance and support given to the local police.
The presentation was made at the conclusion of the Board of Aldermen with all the aldermen and city officials in attendance.
City Clerk Crystal Bishop reported that filing for 2012 municipal office will open on Tuesday, Dec. 13.
In other business, the board conducted a public hearing on the rezoning of two separate pieces of property in Ward III. No one appeared during the public hearing regarding the rezoning of 234 McCormick and 304 McCormick from “unzoned” to R-1, single-family residence.
Planning and Zoning director Richard Hodder reported both rezoning requests were approved in October by the city Planning and Zoning Commission last month. Aldermen unanimously approved two separate ordinances officially changing the zoning status of the properties.
City Economic Developer Janet Coleman reported that the Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event will be held at the chamber offices on 5-630 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 13.
Chief Stone also announced the Police Department will host an Open House at the new renovated Dexter Police Headquarters from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., this Saturday, Dec. 10. The public is invited to attend.
Ordinances
- Ordinance No. 4660 – rezoning 234 McCormick Street; approved unanimously
- Ordinance No. 4661 – rezoning 302 McCormick Street; approved unanimously
- Ordinance No. 4662 – disbursements; approved unanimously
Wappapello Lake – The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers at Wappapello Lake will begin annual winter drawdown from recreation pool to conservation pool beginning Dec. 15.
In accordance with the water control plan, the pool is drawn down 5 feet, from 359.74 feet relevant to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD) to 354.74 feet NGVD.
During conservation pool, boaters are urged to use caution when on the lake. Mud flats and tree stumps may be exposed or are just under the water surface.
To aid in navigation, the old St. Francis River channel is marked with red and white vertically striped buoys from Wappapello Dam to Chaonia Landing. Between Chaonia Landing and Sulphur Springs, there are nine “arrow” signs which help direct boaters in the direction of the river channel.
Conservation pool lasts until late March, which allows for additional storage of winter and spring precipitation/
Beginning in late March 2012, the lake level will begin transition to recreation pool targeted for early May. The Periodic Inspection of the dam, gatehouse and other flood related structures at Wappapello Lake is scheduled for early March 2012, if funding permits.
For this inspection the lake level will be lowered approximately 6-10 inches below winter pool for a 3-5 day period.
Persons with permitted floating duck blinds on the lake are also reminded to keep a watch on water levels, especially in coves or other shallow areas. Blinds are to be removed from the lake or moored in designated storage coves no later than Jan. 18, 2012.
Persons with questions concerning the annual winter drawdown or other topics, may contact the Wappapello Lake Project Office at (573) 222-8562..
Link Of Interest
Wappapello Lake Corps of Engineers
Photo Above: The Spillway at Lake Wappapello. (SMT File Photo).
Based on National Weather Service forecasts of unseasonably high river levels and more to come, Maj. Gen. John Peabody, Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Mississippi Valley Division, has directed an orderly shutdown of the Birds Point-New Madrid project area.
Further, he has ordered the installation of a Hesco Barrier at the upper crevasse to temporarily bring the system to a 55 ft level of protection (on Cairo gage) for the BPNM Floodway. Construction in this region usually stops between December and May due to adverse weather conditions. The Corps' Memphis District projects construction of this interim measure will take approximately 10 good weather days to complete and work will begin in 48 hours when weather and ground conditions improve.
A HESCO bastion is a large collapsible wire mesh container with heavy duty fabric liners filled with sand. The HESCO bastions and related work can be done around the clock and are not as dependent upon favorable weather conditions.
"Weather conditions continue to hamper our ability to achieve our revised target of 55 feet using normal levee construction techniques," Col. Vernie Reichling, commander of the Corps' Memphis District said. "The orderly shutdown will commence using supplies and equipment that have been pre-positioned which will allow us to reach a 55-foot level of protection with temporary construction methods."
Citizens in the area are urged to stay in touch with their local authorities, and closely monitor river forecasts from the National Weather Service and additional information from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. They should be prepared to take whatever measures they believe are necessary to safeguard their lives and property.
"The Corps' number one priority is and remains public safety," Col. Reichling said.
A public hearing is on the agenda for Monday evening’s meeting of the Dexter Board of Aldermen.
A public hearing will be opened for input concerning the rezoning of two properties on McCormick Street in Dexter. The properties are at 234 McCormick and 304 McCormick. A request has been submitted to change both properties from unzoned to R-1, Single Family Residential. Both properties are in Dexter’s third ward.
Other agenda items include reports from the department heads, city attorney’s report and committee reports.
The gavel will sound at 7 p.m. to begin the meeting. This is the only aldermanic meeting during December. Aldermen agreed at the last meeting to forego the second meeting in December due to the holidays.
The Board of Aldermen meets in the Dexter Municipal Building at 119 Vine Street.
WHAT'S HAPPENING
- What: Dexter Board of Alderman meeting
- When: Monday, Dec. 5
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Where: Municipal Building on Vine Street
