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Nixon outlines plan for Lake of the Ozarks cleanup

September 23, 2009 By

Governor Jay Nixon has announced an initiative aimed at improving water quality at the Lake of the Ozarks. It’s an initiative that includes a comprehensive study of contaminants of the lake.

Governor Nixon's Lake of the Ozarks news conference "Ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Lake of the Ozarks is a challenge that falls to us here and now to guarantee that this resource remains for generations to follow," said Nixon as he was flanked by Department of Natural Resources Director Mark Templeton at a Wednesday afternoon news conference at the Pa He Tsi Boat Launch at Lake of the Ozarks State Park.

With that, Nixon announced a four-part plan to clean up the Lake of the Ozarks, which begins with the inspection sweep of about 400 area facilities that hold current wastewater permits close to the Lake of the Ozarks of major tributaries. The Governor promises a zero-tolerance standard for permit violations will be applied.

Lake of the Ozarks The next step is a zero-tolerance policy regarding the pollution of the lake with contaminants. Step will see the Department of Natural Resources completing the baseline survey of water quality at the lake, testing all relevant contaminants. Finally, DNR will institute a strict standard for authorizing any additional wastewater discharge permits around the lake.

"These actions will help us move water quality here at the lake in the right direction," said Nixon. "I have ordered the DNR to start implementing these policies immediately."

As for why this effort is being launched now, Nixon makes it clear the closing of Lake of the Ozark beaches this summer is reason enough.

"Having to close beaches in a state park is a dramatic occurrence that happened not once, but twice, this summer and certainly that focused my attention on this particular resource," said Nixon. "I would hope, and I think it’s well within our power, to accomplish that that never happens again here."

Asked why the public should have confidence in the government given the fact that information on this summer’s E.coli contamination at the Lake of the Ozarks was withheld from the public for a period of time, Nixon vows to take the bull by the horns.

"We’ve laid out a very, very clear path here of what we are going to do using the full force and power of the Department of Natural Resources and the Governor’s Office to make sure that we get on a path that gives us the baseline information that the public will be able to see.that lays out a clear plan to improve the water quality of this resource. We’re gonna do that … I’m gonna do it … We’re gonna do it … It’s gonna happen."

Nixon expects the results of the DNR study to be delivered to his desk by December 31st of this year.

Download/Listen: Governor’s news conference at Lake of the Ozarks (27:00 MP3)

Filed Under: Politics & Government Tagged With: , ,

Skelton urges Obama to commit resources to Afghanistan

September 23, 2009 By

West-Central Missouri Congressman Ike Skelton has written President Obama, urging him to listen to his military commander in Afghanistan and give him the resources he needs to win.

In a six-page letter , Congressman Skelton, chairman of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, outlines the case for the importance of the war in Afghanistan and urges President Obama to support General Stanley McChrystal, by giving him the troops and equipment he needs. Skelton states in the letter that McChrystal has the right plan and is the right man for the job.

Is Skelton worried that the president’s resolve in Afghanistan has wavered?

"I hope not," Skelton tells the Missourinet, "I certainly hope not. I do know exactly what he said back in his March speech and I’m taking him at his word for that."

Skelton states in the letter that al Qaeda presents "a serious threat to American national security." He says al Qaeda, sheltered in Afghanistan by the Taliban, must be defeated. He writes that he doesn’t believe America can successfully root out al Qaeda from Pakistan and destroy the organization if it doesn’t succeed in Afghanistan.

Skelton says America must regain its footing in the treacherous terrain of Afghanistan.

"We had the initiative early on, but going into Iraq caused us to short change the efforts in Afghanistan," Skelton says. "Consequently, that initiative has been slowed down."

Skelton counsels for a very tough stance against the Taliban. He points out the Taliban has become experts on exploiting "every ideological and military success and it should not be our policy to allow them even the smallest victory."

A three-prong approach is outlined in the letter. Skelton advocates a counter-terror campaign using pilotless drones and special operations forces to attack al Qaeda leadership. Secondly, he says the United States must speed up the training of Afghan National Security Forces, though he says such a strategy on its own is insufficient. The final approach would be the United States-led counter-insurgency plan devised by General McChrystal. Skelton tells President Obama that plan must be given sufficient resources so that the U.S. and allied military, along with civilian experts, can carry out the strategy Obama announced in March.

"Undertaking a counter-insurgency campaign is complex, and it will require additional resources, both civilian and military, and hopefully not all from the United States," Skelton writes.

Toward the end of the letter, Skelton states, "We know the ends, General McChrystal has a plan, and we should supply him the resources he needs to see if it will work."

 

Download/listen Brent Martin reports (:60 MP3)

Filed Under: Military Tagged With: ,

Bond: Obama sends wrong message to Taliban, drug lords and Al Qaeda

September 23, 2009 By

Sen. Bond is blasting the Obama administration for its lack of support behind the war effort in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Bond says last November, he sent his report from the Itelligence committee to Obama and his security team – ”Roadmap to Success in South Asia” — outlining that effective messaging is key to America’s success in Afghanistan and Pakistan. He says the president supported a number of those strategies, but now appears to be doing an about face on the issue.

Bond says it’s important to get a clear message across, “such as having an Afghan face and dealing it with it at the local level” but that Obama, while initally embracing the ideal, ”but in dealing with troops, they have flailed about with an uncoordinated communication plan. On the other hand, the enemy has adopted a sophisticated message. Regretfully, messages are very important. What you say makes a big impact. Ironically, Obama, one of our nation’s most gifted orators, has given the enemy a win-win in the public information battle.”

Bond says the president’s verbal wavering has left many in doubt over his committment in Afghanistan. 

He has “left our allies wondering and our opponents — the Taliban, drug lords and Al Qaeda – absolutely thrilled that he had sent such a bad message.”

Listen to Bond’s complete address by clicking the audio link below.

Senator Bond’s Washington Listening Post report

Filed Under: Politics & Government

Health Department: Seniors suffering falls a big problem

September 23, 2009 By

As the fall season rolls in, so does the message about falls prevention awareness from the Missouri Department of Health .

falling down.jpg One in three seniors in Missouri will suffer a serious fall in their lifetime, according to the Health Department. The number of those falls that result in death, says Director Margaret Donnelly, is a third higher than the national average.

Donnelly says the department is urging Missouri seniors to make sure they’re exercising and maintaining good strength and balance, identify hazards in their home, such as area rugs they could slip and fall on, make sure their medication is balanced so it’s not making them dizzy, and get their vision checked on a regular basis.

The department recommends older adults who live alone have a good safety plan in place with their family and friends, whether it’s calling to check in every day, frequent visits or wearing an alert device in case of an emergency. Donnelly says awareness of the risk is key to preventing them and senior citizens can get information on how to be proactive and prevent falls either through the Health Department or their community senior center. Donnelly says most think about the elderly falling a breaking a hip, but the injuries are far reaching.

Jessica Machetta reports [Download/listen MP3]

Filed Under: Health & Medicine Tagged With: ,

Haley must show patience with Cassel

September 23, 2009 By

Are you kidding me?  Someone in the media actually asked Chiefs head coach Todd Haley if he envisioned a scenario where Matt Cassel was not the starting quarterback. 

I think that’s a bit drastic to ask that type of question after one start with the Chiefs.  I’m still standing behind Cassel.  He’s got one year of starting experience and was limited this summer when he got hurt.  I thought Cassel played gutsy and certainly should have played better, but I’m not ready to throw the towel in on Cassel and neither is Haley.

"There were a lot of positives in Matt’s performance. There are a few we would like to have back obviously. I believe that a quarterback in a game has seven critical decisions – combined key plays in a game of 79 plays last week or whatever it was – that really separate winning and losing. There were clearly seven in this game where we would like to do something different.  But that being said, I like a lot about this guy. Anybody watching can see the competitiveness. Here’s a guy who’s injured that was not running with that thought in his mind. He added 34 yards of rushing to our game and when you do that it’s pretty positive."

Haley also pointed out he’s been impressed with Brodie Croyle and after watching the game film saw a lot of positives from the offense and defense.

Listen to portions of  Haley’s press conference from Tuesday.

Listen to Todd Haley

Filed Under: Sports Tagged With: ,
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