6:24 a.m. CDT, June 1, 2012
JEFFERSON CITY – The future needs and challenges facing Missouri's transportation system will be the subject of a series of public forums across the state this spring and summer.
Springfield will host one such meeting this afternoon at 1 p.m. at the Chamber of Commerce, 202 S. John Q. Hammons Pkwy. Citizens will be able to voice opinions on which road projects they would like to see in their areas.
The meetings are being held in conjunction with the work of the Blue Ribbon Citizens Committee on Missouri Transportation Needs that was appointed by Missouri House Speaker Steven Tilley, R-Perryville, in early March. The Blue Ribbon Committee is a 21-member panel of business leaders, contractors and special interest groups from across the state.
"The purpose of the committee is to examine Missouri's current and future transportation needs and explore possible solutions," said Speaker Tilley. "We need to start a conversation with all Missouri citizens to make sure our transportation system can function at a level that will foster economic growth and handle growing traffic safely and efficiently."The committee is co-chaired by former House Speaker Rod Jetton and former Senate President Pro Tem Bill McKenna. Other members include: Ben Jones, Blake Hurst, Brian Meisel, Dan Mehan, Duane Michie, Ed Soignie, Estil Fretwell, Jim Anderson, Joe Delong, John Nations, Len Toenjes, Mark Stidham, Neal St. Onge, Randy Verkamp, Ric Neubert, Scott Smith, Tom Crawford, Tom Dunne, and Tony Thompson.
Working with the Missouri Department of Transportation, Tilley's Blue Ribbon Citizens Committee has scheduled public meetings around the state to gather information from citizens and stakeholders. The Committee and MoDOT urge Missouri citizens to attend the meeting in their area and become involved in this important conversation.