The State Transportation Department is taking another stab at propping up its public image. Audits showing efficient use of tax dollars and awards from national groups recognizing the agency’s efforts have not helped transportation shake a poor public image. Now, highway commissioners have appointed a 12-member blue ribbon panel to help change that. Jack Magruder, who serves as president of Truman State University, will head the panel. He says his group is charged with trying to figure out why there’s such a negative image of the department, and how to change that. The group meets for the first time tomorrow in Jefferson City. Magruder expects the panel will meet once a month from now until the end of August.
