Public health, safety issues dominate county?s agenda

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The year 2002 will pose unique challenges and opportunities to the community of Greene County. Because of dramatic events that occurred in the fall of 2001, we all have re-evaluated priorities to ascertain what is important for our families, our community, and our country. |ret||ret||tab|

The members of the Greene County Commission will continue to focus on the public interest. Our duty is to protect the health, safety and general welfare of the citizens we serve.|ret||ret||tab|

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Community health|ret||ret||tab|

Fundamental to a healthy community is a clean environment. We continue to work diligently with area municipalities, citizen groups, and other interested parties in promoting sound land use practices as development unfolds in our jurisdiction. |ret||ret||tab|

An emphasis on clean water remains a priority. We will maintain water re-sources by working closely with the James River Basin Partnership and the Watershed Committee of the Ozarks. Consider some of the recent achievements and programs advanced by the Watershed Committee of the Ozarks and the James River Basin Partnership:|ret||ret||tab|

These two entities are applying ap-proximately $2.6 million in grant funds to monitor and address area water pollution problems. Nonpoint source pollution in the James River Basin will be addressed during the next five years utilizing $1 million funded through the Missouri Department of Natural Re-sources. |ret||ret||tab|

This water-quality grant project will be administered by the JRB Partnership. The Watershed Committee is shepherding the following water-quality grant projects in 2002:|ret||ret||tab|

Little Sac River Watershed Restor-ation Project ($625,000)|ret||ret||tab|

Valley Mill Watershed Restoration Project ($995,830)|ret||ret||tab|

We are indeed fortunate to have advisory organizations like the JRB Partner-ship and the Watershed Committee of the Ozarks fostering water-quality initiatives that directly enhance community health. Their work, coupled with the dedicated efforts of land-use and community-health specialists on our staff, will ensure a high quality of life can be counted on in the Ozarks.|ret||ret||tab|

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Public safety|ret||ret||tab|

The commitments made to Greene County voters in the fall of 1997 are be-ing realized as we begin the new year. The Greene County Justice Center has been completed and will be fully operational in April. Our goal to add 100 new law enforcement people has been realized in this budgetary cycle, and the new 800 MHz trunked-radio system will be installed and operational this summer. |ret||ret||tab|

All of this is progress-as-promised with respect to justice and public safety. In concert with our trunked-radio system being brought on line will be the completion of our 911 centralization effort. Springfield, Greene County and the city of Republic are all collaborating to en-hance 911 efficiency.|ret||ret||tab|

The Springfield-Greene County Health Department recently has been ov-erwhelmed responding to the anthrax scare. |ret||ret||tab|

Things have settled down somewhat, but certainly the future will test our collective mettle as new threats are detected. The good news is that our Emergency Management Department has done an excellent job preparing for difficulties that may arise which might jeopardize the public safety.|ret||ret||tab|

General welfare|ret||ret||tab|

Greene County maintains adequate reserves in our budget to meet emergencies. We have made provisions for ad-dressing public safety. |ret||ret||tab|

This includes construction of roadways and bridges in the short term as well as implementing long-range transportation planning.|ret||ret||tab|

Part of our charge is to facilitate the public's ability to prosper in a market-driven economy. We want our citizens to have the freedom to choose how to live and raise families, and to conduct their business in a fashion that is reasonably unfettered by governmental interference. By pursuing these objectives our outlook for the year 2002 is very upbeat and positive.|ret||ret||tab|

Although state budgetary shortfalls will prove difficult, Greene County, working hand in glove with the Spring-field Area Chamber of Commerce and our various municipal associates, will continue to strive for quality growth and economic development. Through innovation and non-parochial mind sets we can work as partners for the benefit of all we serve.|ret||ret||tab|

(David Coonrod is Greene County presiding commissioner.)[[In-content Ad]]