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From the Director .0 … ceeccsesesecessesessecessecssesesesessenssesucnteneseseencnesnenseneasenenens 3 Governor Dedicates Green Hills Regional Planning Commission. Years 1967 -1977 Years 1977 -1987.... Years 1987 - 1997.... Years 1997—2007... Years 2007—2017.. Past Annual Meeting Photos ...
Green Hills Regional Planning Commission 1104 Main Street Trenton, MO 64683 Phone: 660-359-5636 Fax: 660-359-3096 Email: ghrpe@ghrpc.org Online at www.ghrpc.org
This document was prepared in part through a planning grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce (50% Federal; 50% Local Match), the Economic Development Administration, the Missouri Office of Administration, and from local membership dues and contracts for services.
A Message from the Executive Director
Every year is different for the Regional Planning Commission, different projects, rules, and challenges come and go. This year however is especially unique given it is our 50 year anniversary. Fifty years ago Governor Warren Hearnes came to Trenton and with great fanfare proclaimed the creation of the brand new Green Hills Regional Planning Commission. The Governor spoke to several hundred people at the Trenton High School. He started his speech with the following statement. “The Green Hills area is doing on a small scale what the 13 commonwealths in the new land of America did nearly 200 years ago in joining together in a fraternity which can only result in the common economic and social good of all participating”. These past fifty years have seen many changes to the region and to the Commission. Some of the changes were good and some were not. But through it all one thing is still true and consistent: the region is far stronger working together than working apart.
When an agency like Green Hills looks back over a certain time period, the temptation is to just look at the financial impact to the region. Certainly that impact can be calculated and would be in the hundreds of millions of dollars. But what is not easily calculated is the impact of jobs created by all the business development and construction projects that have resulted through the efforts of the numerous employees of the Commission. Countless people have benefited from the Workforce Programs delivered by the Commission by receiving retraining services or direct job placement. Those people are now productive, tax paying citizens adding value to the region.
This annual report provides a snapshot of some of the programs, projects, and achievements accomplished by the region’s elected officials, economic developers, and GHRPC staff during the past 50 years. It takes all of us working together to accomplish these tasks. That means local, regional, state and federal players must set aside personal biases and find solutions.
This agency delivers state and federal programs to our local governments based upon requests and needs. It is my intention that the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission will always be looked upon as a professional organization deserving of the trust and respect of its members and partnering agencies. Without trust and respect, this agency does not thrive and, more importantly, the region suffers. My vision is for an agency this region can continually be proud of and will always come to for professional assistance.
The staff looks forward to assisting your community in the coming year. If someone from our office has not attended one of your meetings lately and you have concerns you would like to discuss, please give us a call. We pledge to you that we will continue to find ways for the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission to be responsive to your ongoing needs.
Best Regards,
Randall Railsback Executive Director
TRENTON
Republican - Times
86th YEAR DAILY EDITION TRENTON, MISSOURI
THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 1967 EIGHT PAGES NO. 155
| Governor Warren E. Heames dedicated the Green Hills Regional Planning Com- | mission in special ceremonies at the Trenton High School this morning.
The Governor is pictured above (at left) presenting the proclamation to Trenton | Mayor Charles Holmes. Shown at front right is Philip V. Maher, director of office of state and regional planning and community development. (R-T Photo)
duals," he said, “and the same is becoming increasingly true in governmental services ‘The Governor said the key to most efficient-utilization of resources is to join strength
Gov. Warren E. Hearnes Dedicates Green Hills Planning Commission
Says Area Joining Together For Common Good Of All
The Green Hills area is doing on a small scale what the 13 commonwealths in the new land of America did nearly 200-years ago in joining together into a fraternity which can only result in the common economic and social good of all participating, Governor Warren E, Hearnes told a large crowd at the Trenton High School this morning when he dedicated Missouri's third regional planning commission.
Gov. Hearnes said that such commissions do not infringe upon, or dilute, the authority of local governments within the region. "Instead, through a joining of strength, such commissions as this are designed to strengthen a region's governmental components.”
He pointed out that one's mode of living through specialized jobs, professions and businesses and is dependent upon others doing different work to provide the diverse services and materials he needs
No longer can we live our lives apart from of the indi-
"Such Regional Planning Commissions as this provide the machinery and blueprints for such cooperation to make use of this collective intelligence and you are to be complimented or your vision." he said.
"As I dedicate the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission and sign this official proclamation, I do so with the firm belief a regional plan will be developed that will serve the needs of more people, yet preserve the integrity of local government within it."
‘The Governor was introduced by Philip Maher, Director of Office of State and Regional Planning.
Willis Alexander, Jr., President of the Trenton Trust Bank was Master of Ceremonies. He introduced Maher and other dignitaries. Alexander read telegrams from Representative William Hungate
Governor Warren E, Hearnes was greeted upon arrival at the Trenton Memorial Airport by Bill Selzer, chairman of arrangements. (R-T Photo)
and Senator Edward V. Long,
Gov, Warren E, Heames addressed a large crowd of patrons from the 9-county Green Hills area during dedication ceremonies of Missouri's third regiona planning commission. Dignitaries who shared the stage with the Governor at the Trenton High school during the dedication are shown above. (R-T Photo).
PAGE 2 TRENTON REPUBLICAN-TIMES, TRENTON, MO DAILY, THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 1967
Perry Hobbs, Brimson Spickard
Mayor D. L. Pearce, Princeton Mayor Bill Koetting, Laredo County Judge R.B. Tharp
Pictured above are representatives of the area towns receiving a proclamation designating a nine-county area as the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission by Governor Warren E, Hearnes. ‘The representatives are pictured with the Governor
Special music was provided by the Brookfield Glee Club.
In speaking to the high school students of the Green Hills nine-county area, who made up about half of the crowd, Gov. Hearnes said the planning commission which was being established today was designed to each community so that it “can provide the young people with an economic foundation which allows them security in the present and in the future and to fashion an environment in which they and their children can live pleasant and healthy lives
The Governor was introduced by Harry L. Porter, Marceline attomey, who "was master of ceremonies at the airport.”
Dennis Davidson, president of the Trenton high school student body, presented a citation to Gov. Hearnes. The citation which was a bronze plaque with the state seal at the top of an outline of the state of Missouri with the following: "Presented to Governor Warren E. Hearnes in appreciation for his great dedication to improving our opportunities for having a successful future in the state of Missouri. Presented by the youth of the Green Hills Regional Planning area, March 2, 1967.
With Dennis when he made the presentation Bob Carter, Youth Chairman of the Green Hills Planning Commission, Chillicothe.
The invocation was given by the Rev. James Wallick, pastor of the Trenton Church of the Nazarene and the benediction was given by the Rev. Marlon Rowlen, President of Churches For Progress Advisory Council to the Green Hills Regional Commission
Following the Governor’s address at the airport, a motorcade of more than 150 vehicles went to the high school for the dedication of the Green Hills area.
Dennis Davidson, president of the Trenton High School student body, presented an appreciation plaque to Governor Warren E. Heames. tured from left to right, are Trenton City Mayor |
les Holmes, Bob Youth Chairman of Green Hills Planning Commission, Davidson | and Gov. Hearnes. (R-T Photo),
Governor Warren E. Hearnes was greeted upon arrival in Trenton Thursday with music by the Jamesport and Galt-Humphreys high school bands. ‘The Governor was here to dedicate the Green Hills Regional | Planning Commission. portion of the bands are pictured above. (R-T photo).
Wednesday, April 19, 1967
Wednesday, February 9, 1972
Trenton To Be Headquarters Calls For Funding For Green Hills EDD
Trenton was elected as the headquarters of the Green Hills Planning Commission at an organizational meeting in the Grundy County Circuit Court room in Trenton yesterday afternoon. Mayor Steve Miller of Kingston was elected Chairman.
The Commission is a cooperative effort on the part of nine counties to develop and plan programs to meet community and area needs. The nine counties are Grundy, Harrison, Daviess, Caldwell, Mercer, Linn, Livingston, Sullivan and Putnam.
Other officers elected by the 46 members of the Commission Tuesday are Frank Bonderer, Presiding Judge of Livingston County as Vice Chairman; Laverne Madison, Mayor of Bethany, Secretary, and Alfred Cerney, Mayor of Brookfield, Treasurer.
The Executive Committee will be made up of 18 officials from the nine counties.
The County Court member or elected official will represent each court and a mayor will represent each of the incorporated areas. Those elected are:
Daviess County—Lloyd Petit represents cities and a Mr. Nelson will represent County Court.
Caldwell County - Steve Millet will represent the towns and Guy Airs will represent the County Court.
Grundy County—Robert T. Redd, Mayor, will represent the cities and Jennings Grisamore will represent the County Court.
Harrison County—Laverne Madison of Bethany will represent the cities and Prosecuting Attorney Bill Esely will represent the County Court.
Linn County—Alfred Cerney, Brookfield will represent the cities and G.H. Alexander will represent the County Court.
Livingston County—Acting Mayor Woody Kline will represent the cities and Frank Bonderer will represent the County Court.
Mercer County—Mayor Brown of Mercer will represent the cities and Judge Lloyd Larason will represent the County Court.
Putnam County—-Lee Stroud, Mayor of Unionville, will represent the cities and Pearson will represent the County Court.
Sullivan County—Green City Mayor R.D. Smith will represent the cities and Marvin G. Stephenson will represent the County Court.
State Representative Charles Broomfield, candidate for the 6th District Congressional seat, called this week for immediate funding for the Green Hills Economic Development district.
Representative Broomfield said he was contacting Governor Hearnes and the Economic Development Administration in Washington to urge their immediate consideration for funding the Green Hills District which included Harrison, Caldwell, Daviess, Grundy, Linn, Livingston, Mercer, Putnam and Sullivan Counties.
Representative Broomfield said his request is part of an overall effort to stimulate economic development planning in North Central and North Western Missouri. He is presently working with ABCD Regional Commission, the North Western Regional Commission and the Green Hills Regional Commission to develop coordinated approaches to regional development.
Funding by EDA will provide planning resources for the area and assistance in development of an Overall Economic Development Plan. Upon approval of the plan and designation by EDA the area will qualify for special financial assistance including a 10 percent bonus on public works in the redevelopment areas, special assistance to development centers (communities such as Chillicothe, Trenton or other growth centers) through grants for public works, loans for public works and business development loans to new and existing employers.
Representative Broomfield said, “With local property taxes at an all time high and with a narrowing tax base in too many of our rural counties, this program can provide the foundation for new growth and development.”
Green Hills Regional Planning Commission Executive Directors Lee Stroud - March 1967 to June 1974 Leroy Krider - June 1974 to June 1976 Charles St. Clair - August 1976 to May 1977 Michael T. Flahive - August 1977 to November 1977 Bill Chodoir - January 1978 to February 1980 Michael Johns - March 1980 to December 2002
Randy Railsback - January 2003 to present
Wednesday, June 21, 1972
Regional Planning Commission on progress in such areas as public representation on the commission, comprehensive health, aging and economic development. Other members of the commission left to right are: J.E. Grisamore, Galt, Secre-
to the Director, (R-T photo)
tary; LaVerne Madison, Bethany, Chairman; and Mrs. Ruth Ann Galvin, Secretary
Monday, August 21, 1972
Group Reveals Member Plan
The Green Hills Regional Planning Commission last night disclosed plans for an associate membership program during their regular monthly meeting at the Gables Supper Club.
Associate. memberships as. explained by development specialist Chuck Elliott, would consist of paid memberships for a period of one year, and would involve a minimum contribution of $25 for an individual, $75 for a commercial business or service and $150 for financial institutions.
The tax deductible monies would provide matching funds to bring federal grants into the area and would entitle associate members to attend an annual meeting and monthly updates on the Commission progress.
Also on last night’s agenda was increasing the size of the Commission to 81 by enlisting the service of members of the private community.
The Commission now consists of mayors and county judges from the nine-county Green Hills area. Each county is to have two additional delegates on the commission and three members are to be chosen at large.
Elliott told the Commission that a four-county labor survey is to be underway soon which wiil provide information for an industrial prospect considering location in Unionville.
In a report on law enforcement, Stroud said that of 75 to 80 law enforcement officers in the region, only 20 to 25 had been attending classes on the subject at Trenton Junior College.
He told the group that it may some day be mandatory for officers to attend the 240 hours of training.
In other business, the Commission reaffirmed its support for the Pattonsburg town relocation and dam project.
Tuesday, October 24, 1972
Commission Seeks Associate Members
The Green Hills Regional Planning and Development Commission is seeking assistance in development of the region through associate memberships.
Due to limited local funds to match federal programs, the demand for additional services and a need for broader representation of the people in the Green Hills Region, associate members are being solicited by the Commission, which now is made up of all county court judges, mayors and a limited number of general citizen representation in the nine-county region.
The associate membership program allows not only financial participation but also for assistance in the planning and economic development process of the region.
Persons wishing further information are asked to contact county courts or mayors.
Monday, August 21, 1972
Joe Easton, left, took over duties today as Law Enforcement Director for the Green Hills Regional Planning and Development Commission. Commission Executive Director Lee Stroud made the announcement.
Tuesday, July 17, 1973
Gov. Bond To Be Here Thursday For Health Office Dedication
duly 20, 1973
Bond Urges Involvement In Health Care, Development
Tuesday, September 18, 1973
Russell Streich Assumes Duty
Russell Streich, a former employee of Modine Manufacturing in Trenton. today assumed duties as Industrial Development Specialist with the Green Hills Regional Planning and Development Commission according to Executive Director Lee Stroud.
Before joining the Commission, Streich worked 2 1/2 years in the industrial engineering department at Modine. Prior to that he was a marketing and manufacturing instructor for the Diamond Shamrock Corp.. an oil and chemical company based in Amarillo. TX.,
During the later portion of his 12-year career in the U.S. Air Force, Streich, now 38, was stationed in Spain as an instructor in the petroleum industry by the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co.
Streich’s wife, the former Barbara Becker, is a native of Jameson, They and their two children currently live in the Daviess County community.
Chuck Elliott, Economic Development Director, said Streich will be concerned with the promotion of the nine-county Green Hills region in order to attract industry.
“He will be working with communities to make them more attractive to industry and with Missouri Community Betterment”. ¥ \ Elliott said.
Wednesday, September 26, 1973
Proposed Land Fill Rules Wrong For Green Hills, Commission Says
Wednesday, November 28, 1973
Potential Wealth Of Coal Lays Under Green Hills Area
Monday, January 14, 1974
Commission Discusses Coal Plan With Area Railroad Representatives
Tuesday, January 29, 1974
Industries Look, But Leave Green Hills Area Area industrial development people. in looking back over their 1973 efforts, have uncovered what they call an unhealthy statistic: The Green Hills region gets more than its share of industry referrals but less than its fair portion of actual plant locations.
Wednesday, January 30, 1974
Regional Communication Center To Link Green Hills Law Offices
A $20,000 communication center give regional approval last night should result in streamlined law enforcement in the Green Hills, the region’s Law Council Director said today.
The system will include a radio console in Chillicothe and a repeater station in Trenton and will link all sheriff's and police in the area together with a single radio frequency.
Saturday, February 9, 1974
Counties Must Consider Land-Use Planning In Near Future
Tuesday, March 12, 1974
Area Turns Thumbs Down On Green Hills Coal Project
Wednesday, April 3, 1974
Plan Discussion On Proposed Interstate
Members of four Missouri Regional Planning Commissions will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Crown Restaurant to discuss support for and adoption of the proposed northern route of the Kansas City to Chicago interstate highway, Green Hills Commission Director Lee Stroud said today.
Stroud invited all persons interested in the proposed interstate highway to attend the meeting.
Wednesday, May 29, 1974
ay : PIC ol :
Lt. Gov, William C. Phelps was the main speaker last night at the Green Hills Regional Planning and Development Commission's annual awards banquet, Phelps spoke on the potential for a coal industry in the Green Hills and about state government re-organization, (R-T photo)
Wednesday, June 6, 1974
Green Hills Region
No Longer 9 Counties
The Green Hills Regional Planning and Development Commission who for seven years has been a nine-county region is now only an eight-county area.
Mercer County, a member of the commission since its inception on March 2, 1967; pulled out in March because it could not afford to pay its per capita assessment.
Wednesday, June 26, 1974
Stroud Resigns As Head Of Planning Commission and LeRoy Krider Appointed Acting Director.
Monday, August 12, 1974
Meeting with Governor Bond from the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission (Harrison, Mercer, Putnam, Daviess, Grundy, Sullivan Caldwell, Linn and Livingston Counties) were, left to right: LeRoy Krider (Acting Director), Robert Cullers, Bill Hoyt (Chairman), Governor Bond, Jack Gruber and Senator William J. Esely.
Monday, August 12, 1974
Bond Presents Planning Commission With $25,000
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.
Governor Christopher S. Bond last week presented a $25,000 check to the Chairman of the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission. Checks totaling $580,000 were presented to each of Missouri’s 20 regional planning commissions.
Governor Bond said the funds will develop area-wide governmental programs of use to all counties within each commission’s area.
Wednesday, December 18, 1974
RPC Guest Discusses Anti-Regionalism Move
Opposition to the regional planning concept is growing in southern Missouri, according to Eddie Barnett, State Program Coordinator for local and regional planning. Speaking last night at a meeting of the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission Executive Board at the Villager Restaurant. Barnett said that local opposition of regional planning often results from misinformation.
Tuesday, March 18, 1975
Business Failures Cloud Regional Job Picture
Wednesday, July 23, 1975
Region To Be Designated As Development District
Thursday, July 1, 1976 Krider Resigns As RPC Executive Director
Thursday, July 8, 1976
RPC Names Flahive As Acting Director
The Green Hills Regional Planning Commission last night appointed Michael T. Flahive as acting Executive Director of the Commission. Flahive will serve until the Commission names a new Executive Director to succeed LeRoy P. Krider.
Tuesday, August 17, 1976 Missouri Man to Direct RPC Here
The Green Hills Regional Planning Commission is expected to name the Mid-Missouri Council of Governments Administrative Assistant as the RPC Executive Director here during the Commission’s monthly meeting at the Family Restaurant tonight.
Charles St. Clair will succeed LeRoy P. Krider, who resigned in June to accept a similar position with the Kaysinger Basin Regional Planning Commission. Michael T. Flahive has served as acting Director here since Krider left.
Wednesday, August 18, 1976
RPC Hires New Director
Charles St. Clair
New Green Hills Regional Planning, Commission Executive Director (R-T photo)
Tuesday, February 3, 1977
Cities Seek Aid For Water Problems
Tuesday, April 12, 1977
Planning Commission Relies On Members
A successful regional planning commission is one “that very visible among its own elected officials” Green Hills RPC Executive Director Chas. St. Clair said in an interview.
The GHRPC celebrates its 10th anniversary tonight at a banquet at Trenton High School.
The Green Hills Commission was dedicated in 1967 ~as a means for municipalities and counties to work cooperatively to solve problems and to plan the future development of human, natural and economic resources within the region.”
Wednesday, April 13, 1977
Grundy County Presiding Judge Billie Davidson (left) was elected to suc-
dune 1, 1977
RPC Begins:Search For Director
The search for -a new Executive Director for the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission "will begin immediately, according to RPC vicechairman Billie Davidson.
The executive director's position became vacant last week when Char St. Clair resigned for what Davidson called personal reasons. St. Clair will be paid through June 30 but his last day in the office was May 24.
July 1977
RPC Hires New Director
Mike Flahive began duties as Executive Director for Green Hills Regional Planning Commission on August 5 replacing Charles St. Clair.
Wednesday, October 19, 1977
Staff Offices to Move
Director Announces Resignation From RPC
Mike Flahive announced fast night that he would be stepping down from his position as Executive Director of the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission, effective Nov. 30. Flahive made the announcement at the RPC’s monthly meeting at the Crown Restaurant.
Approval was given for the RPC to move from its present courthouse location to new offices in the basement of the Agricultural Stabilization Conservation Service building at 815 Main. Treasurer Bob Cullers assured Commission members there was “unpledged dollars” and other moneys in the budget to cover the increase in rent which would have to be paid.
The new offices will have a little over 1,600 square feet of space with room for later expansion to 3.300 square feet.
World Happenings....
Six Day War
Thurgood Marshall—Ist African-American to be appointed to the Supreme Court
First human heart transplant
Tet Offensive
My Lai Massacre
Martin Luther King assassinated
Robert F. Kennedy assassinated
60 Minutes premieres
First men on the moon—Apollo 11
Woodstock
Manson murders
Apollo 13 returns safely to Earth after oxygen tank exploded on board
Kent State Massacre
Beatles released final album in 1970 and broke up Bobby Orr became the youngest NFL Hall of Famer
Indira Ghandi re-elected
Disney World opened
Nixon visited China
Bobby Fischer became the World Chess Champion Terror at Munich Olympics
Miami Dolphins win Super Bowl (undefeated season) The Godfather won the Oscar for Best Picture Secretariat won the Triple Crown
Sears Tower—tallest building in the world Scandal in the Nixon administration
Twin Towers completed
Pocket calculator introduced
Energy crisis
Hank Aaron set new home run record
Nixon resigned
End of Vietnam War
Jaws
Arthur Ashe became the first black man to win Wimbeldon
Saturday Night Live began
Happy 200th birthday America
Barbara Walters became the first woman to co-anchor a major network newscast.
Jimmy Carter was elected 39th president
TV miniseries “Roots” premiered in January 1977
Wednesday, January 18, 1978
Laredo Man Hired As New RPC Executive Director
The Green Hills Regional Planning Commission approved the hiring of a permanent Executive Director at the monthly meeting held at the Crown Restaurant last night.
William Chadoir, an RPC planner until last month when he became acting Executive Director, replaces Mike Flahive, who left the RPC in November to take a job with the Air Force in Nebraska.
Missouri Senator Thomas Eagleton told a group at the Trenton High School commons last night that there had been a rumor of a trade-off between President Carter signing the Talmadge Farm Bill and the Senate supporting the Panama Canal Treaty, Eagleton was speaking at a banquet of the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission and the Green Hills Resource Conservation and Development Council. (R-T photo)
Wednesday, May 16, 1979
Danforth To Attend RPC Sponsored Forum
It was announced at Tuesday night’s monthly meeting of the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission that Sen, Jack Danforth will make an appearance at the RPC sponsored local Public Officials Forum,
“The Forum will allow local government officials the opportunity to discuss their needs and concerns with the Senator”. said Bill Chaudoir, Executive Director for RPC.
Wednesday, March 19, 1980
RPC Names Johns As Executive Director
The Green Hills Regional Planning Commission at the regular meeting last night agreed to make RPC Senior Planner Mike Johns the new Executive Director. Johns had been serving as acting Executive Director since the resignation of Bill Chaudoir became etfective in February. Johns was picked from a field of 18 candidates for the position.
Wednesday, November 19, 1980
Commission Discusses Fuel Shortage Proposal
Wednesday, May 20, 1984
New Unit Proposed To Aid In Regional Development Projects
The Board of Directors of the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission is considering the establishment of a subsidiary organization designed to help local elected officials implement various kinds of programs.
The Board, at a meeting Tuesday night in Trenton, tabled formal action on the proposal so that directors could have more time to study details of the plan. The matter is expected to be discussed at the RPC’s session next month.
The by-laws of the proposed Green Hills Rural Development Corp. were submitted by Mike Johns, RPC Executive Director.
He said the organization would be an “entity separate from the RPC” and would compensate for some of the present limitations of the Planning Commission.
Wednesday, June 17, 1981
RPC Approves Proposal For Program Delivery Organization
Approval of a motion establishing an independent non-profit corporation to deliver necessary programs for the area came at Tuesday night's meeting of the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission.
The corporation would be called “Green Hills Rural Development, Inc.” and would operate such progr as the existing Green Hills RMI Program. Housing Management Assistance programs and various other programs including Head Start.
Wednesday, September 16, 1981
Officers Are Chosen For Rural Development Group
Officers for the Green Hills Rural Development, Inc. were elected Tuesday night prior to the regular meeting of the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission.
Harrison County Court Associate Judge Robert Allen was elected President while Daviess County Court Presiding Judge Robert Owings was elected Vice President. Grundy County Court Presiding Judge Billie Davidson was elected as Secretary and Treasurer.
Tuesday, September 29, 1981
Grant Received For Rail Study
The Economic Development Administration has approved a $30,600 grant to the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission to finance a railroad preservation feasibility study.
Tuesday, March 9, 1982
Survey Eyes Transportation Needs
The Green Hills Regional Planning Commission—a ninecounty planning and economic development agency serving this area—is circulating a questionnaire on freight transporta-
tion service in this region.
Monday, April 19, 1982
Carnahan To Speak Here Tuesday
State Treasurer Mel Carnahan will be the featured speaker at the 15th annual meeting of the Green Hills Regional Planning
Commission and Green Hills Rural Development, Inc.
Missouri Treasurer Mel Camahan addresses the annual banquet of the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission as RPC Executive Director Michael Johns looks on. Carnahan was presented after the meeting with a shirt which read “Give em Mel” and a 50-pound bag of popcorn,
Tuesday, August 10, 1982
Planning Commission Wins SBA Certification
‘The Green Hills Regional Planning Commission has been named a “503 Certified Development Company.” Tom Coleman announced.
This will put the GHRPC in fa stronger position as it seeks to attract economic development to the area.
Powell with Coleman “Another tool”
Wednesday, February 16, 1983
Funded By Gasoline Tax Highway 65 Project Eyed
Local officials, including Trenton, want to get traffic rolling on Highway 65 using monies from the government’s five-cent per gallon gas tax.
A plan by Marshall city officials was announced at Tuesday night’s meeting of the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission which would have city officials along the highway meet and examine ways the highway could be improved.
Tuesday, May 3, 1983
Four Job Training Act
Counties To Protest Area Assignment
Four counties in the St. Joseph area will appeal a preliminary ruling by Gov. Christopher Bond that an 18-county area. including the nine Green Hills area counties be established as a Service Delivery Area for the government’s new Job Training Partnership Act.
Green Hills Regional Planning Commission Executive Director Michael Johns received word on Monday that preliminary approval had been given by the Governor to establish a Northwest Missouri Service Delivery Area Consortium for the JTPA. The RPC, along with the Green Hills Human Resources Corp. developed the idea of combining the counties of ABCD. Northwest and Green Hills into a SDA to handle delivery of the job training program.
But ABCD (Atchison, Buchanan, Clinton and DeKalb), was never pleased with being put in the same category as the other 14 counties and will appeal to the Governor to form its own four-county SDA.
Friday, May 6, 1983
aaa |
County Presiding Judge Bill Hoyt and Bob Cullers. Jr, of Trenton, display their certificates and plaques give to them during Thursday night’s 16th annual Green Hills Regional Planning Commission meeting. Owings and Hoyt were honored for 10 years of service on the Commission’s Board of Directors while Cullers was presented the award for 10 years of “Outstanding Service to Local Government.” (R-T photo)
Thursday, August 11, 1983
TJC Selected To Administer Federal Job Program
Trenton Junior College has been selected to administer a federal job training program under the Job Training Partnership Act for an 18-county area in Northwest Missouri.
Wednesday, October 26, 1983
Job Training Partnership Act Placed On Hold By St. Joseph Economic Opportunity Corp. Protest
Monday, November 21, 1983
Appeal To Halt Job Training Partnership Act Denied
An appeal which halted the Job Training Partnership Act in Service Delivery Area No. | has been denied by Gov. Christopher Bond.
Wednesday, January 18, 1984
Directors Urged To Contact Governor
Concerning Funding Elimination
Green Hills Regional Planning Commission Board of Director members were urged Tuesday night to contact Governor Christopher Bond in hopes of reversing the governor’s decision to eliminate RPC funding for fiscal year 1985.
Wednesday, June 20, 1984 Regional Planning Retains State Funding
World Happenings
Star Wars opened in theaters in May
David Berkowitz—Son of Sam arrested
Apple computers introduced the Apple 11
Elvis Presley died
Atari 2600 was released
Saturday Night Live starring John Travolta
Village People debuted
Louise Brown became first test tube baby
Peace in the Middle East
New Pope—Pope John Paul IT
Jonestown Massacre
Walkman was introduced by Sony
Three Mile [sland—worst nuclear accident in US Margaret Thatcher was elected first female Prime Minister SALT II talks
Ted Bundy stands trial
Iran Hostage Crisis
Mother Teresa won the Nobel Prize
Mt. St. Helens erupted
CNN debuted—the worlds first 24 hr. TV news network Moscow Olympics were boycotted by United States Pac Man
Death of John Lennon
President Reagan shot
Assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II
Sandra Day O’Connor—first female on Supreme court IBM introduced the [BM—PC personal computer Charles & Diana married
Anwar Al-Sadat assassinated
John Belushi died
War in the Falklands
Epcot Center opened
CD was invented
Leonid Brezhnev died
Marine barracks bombed in Beruit
Cabbage Patch Kids
Olympics in Sarajevo Kosevo
Geraldine Ferraro—first female Vice President presidential candidate
Indian Prime minister Indira Ghadhi killed
Bhopal India—poisonous gas incident killed estimated 15,000 people
TWA Flight 847 hijacked—Pilot John Testraken—17 day ordeal
Titanic was discovered
Space shuttle Challenger exploded
Jack Nickolaus won his 6th Masters title
Chernobyl meltdown
Halley’s Comet
Thursday, February 14, 1991
Solid Waste Regions Set In Missouri
Wednesday, May 22, 1981
For Area Solid Waste Management
RPC OKs Go Ahead With Plan
Wednesday, October 16, 1991
Waste Authority Organizes...
The North Missouri Solid Waste Management Authority took steps ‘Tuesday night in Trenton to become a working organization following its official formation last month.
..As RPC Agrees To Administer Services
Wednesday, June 19, 1991
Johns Urges Area Community Action
Solid Waste Plan Could Be Leader
The Green Hills Region could be the first to officially form a Solid Waste Management District and get a jump on the rest of Missouri for possible state funding according to the area’s top planning official.
During a meeting of the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission Tuesday in Trenton, its Executive Director, Michael Johns urged government officials from the nine-county area to join the effort as soon as the state announces district boundaries later this month.
Wednesday, December 11, 1991
RPC Adds 10th County to Service Area
The Green Hills Regional Planning Commission is expected to expand by one county following a vote of its members in Trenton Tuesday night.
The Commission’s Board of Directors voted without descent to endorse Chariton County as a new member, Formal acceptance by Gov. John Ashcroft is not expected until next spring,
Friday, January 24, 1992
RPC Membership Increases To 11 Counties
The Green Hills Regional Planning Commission grew again Thursday as members voted to grant membership to Carroll County.
gia AED LEE Pattonsburg Flood 1993 Highway Projects Top RPC Agenda
Wednesday, December 8, 1993,
Update Heard On Solid Waste Plan
The Board of Directors of the North Missouri Solid Waste Management District met Tuesday night to hear an update on the District Waste-Reduction Plan.
Board Chairman Charlene Coleman reported that the plan has been submitted to the state and that all local governments in the District have voted to participate in the plan. The plan is now being evaluated by the state and will be retumed with suggestions.
Michael Johns, Executive Director of the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission, reported that public service announcements have begun airing on area radio stations. The announcements are designed to inform area residents about the plan and what it hopes to accomplish
The Board agreed to file an application to receive computers, software programs, and training necessary to participate in a pilot development of the Missouri Recycling Information Systems. If selected for the program, the District would be able to share market information on recyclables.
Aerial photo of Pattonsburg, MO1993
Friday, February 18, 1994
To Comply With SB530 Meeting Held On Waste Reduction
The North Missouri Solid Waste Management Plan and funding available to implement recycling and other waste reduction projects were among the topics discussed at a meeting in Trenton. Thursday night.
The Solid Waste Plan, which has been adopted by 31 communities in an I1-county area of North Missouri is being implemented as the result of SB530, a state solid waste management law passed in 1989. The goal of the local plan is to help the area and the state meet the state’s goal of 40 percent waste reduction by 1998.
Charlene Coleman, who is Chairman of the North Missouri Solid Waste Management District’s Advisory Board, pointed out the District was not in the business of owning landfills or recycling centers but, instead, is encouraging and assisting communities within the District to set up their own programs to meet the State-minded goal. She noted that it is the District’s aim to encourage recycling and composting, help set up plans for rural collection and try to be a resource center for those communities, individuals and businesses who are working on waste reduction projects.
Many headstones and markers were recovered after the floods, but the caskets and bodies were never located
Moving Pattonsburg
“Pi
Moving of 2 homes to the new town site,
These two buildings remained in the old town.
These two buildings also remained in old Pattonsburg. Part of the High School building was torn down, but the rest remains.
New Pattonsburg
View of the new town Downtown strip mall
Movie filmed in Old Pattonsburg after
High School 18 the move was complete
Wednesday, March 22, 1995
~ Paul Hildebrandt, Economic Development Rep tive with the Economic
Development Administration, was the guest r at Tuesday night’s meeting of
the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission Board of Directors, Hildebrandt
discussed the functions of the agency and how it is changing, (R-T photo by RonLickteig)
Thursday, September 28, 1995
Career Center Open On NCMC Campus
The ambassadors of the Trenton Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribboncutting last Friday at the Work Connections Career Center, located on the campus of North Central Missouri College. ‘The Center, which is open to the public, is the product of a joint effort among NCMC, Green Hills Regional Planning Commission, Green Hills Community Action Agency and the Private Industry Council Other agencies involved in the Center are the Missouri Division of Employment Security, the FUTURES program, Vocational Rehabilitation, New Perspectives and Green Thumb. Some of the services available at the Center include job search assistance, employment and training programs, career guidance and resume preparation, The center serves the nine-county Green Hills area and is open from 8 a.m to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. (R-T photo by Ronda Lickteig)
Monday, January 27, 1997
Area Residents Offer Comments On Transportation
A continued push for construction of a connecting road between Highway 65 at Trenton and Interstate 35 at Bethany and the four-laning of Highway 65 to Trenton dominated much of the discussion on transportation needs during a public forum held Friday in Trenton.
Town Memorial Erected to Commemorate Wakenda Village—Town Site Abandoned 1996
Friday, May 9, 1997
Gallatin Mayor David Pierce, right, accepts the Green Hills Economic Development Achievement Award from Linn County Commissioner Buck Farrenkopf during Thursday night’s annual meeting of the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission. The City of Gallatin and the IDC were recognized for their achievements during the past year along with Pattonsburg Mayor David Warford, who was named the recipient of the Bill Hoyt Outstanding Government Service Award (R-T photo by Diane Raynes)
World Happenings …
Baby Jessica—18 month old who fell in an abandoned well,
Black Monday Dow Jones dropped 500 points
George H.W, Bush was elected president
Lockerbie disaster
Exxon Valdez spilled 11 million gallons of oil Teanamen Massacre
Berlin wall came down
Germany was reunited after 45 years of separation South Africa’s Nelson Mandela was treed
Lech Walesa became the first President of Poland Hubble Telescope was launched into space
Operation Desert Storm—first Gulf War
Jeffrey Dahmer was arrested
South Africa repealed its apartheid laws
Copper Age man was found frozen in a glacier
Soviet Union collapsed, officially ending the Cold War
Beginning of the genocide in Bosnia
Los Angeles riots after the Rodney King trial verdict
World Trade Center was bombed
Branch Davidian cult in Waco, TX was raided by ATF Lorena Bobbitt was in the news
Nelson Mandela was elected president of South Africa Genocide was occurring in Rwanda
Channel Tunnel opened connecting Britain and France
O.J. Simpson was found guilty of murdering Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman
Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City was bombed, killing 168
Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated Calvin & Hobbes comic strip was published
First successful air-balloon ride was made over the Pacific
Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta was bombed during the Olympic Games
Mad cow disease hammered Britain
JonBenet Ramsey was murdered
Unabomber was arrested
Dolly the Sheep, the first cloned mammal, was born
Harry Potter hit the book shelves
Hale-Bopp comet became visible
Wednesday, January 21, 1998
Landfill Closing Causes Concerns For Residents
The only landfill located within the Il-county area of the North Missouri Solid Waste Management District expects to close its doors within the next six months and a meeting has been set for next week for area government officials to discuss the future of solid waste disposal in this region.
Wednesday, July 1, 1998
CDBG Awards Are Announced
Six area communities are among those receiving community Development Block Grant funds for the 1998-99 fiscal year.
Four of those communities had grant applications prepared by the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission and include $486,000 to Gilman City for water; $265,000 to Linn County for water, $278,000 to South Lineville for neighborhood development, and $198,900 to Bucklin for water. A total of 19 grants were submitted by the RPC from the Green Hills Area.
Wednesday, November 18, 1998
RPC Per Capita Rate Is Increased
Tuesday, December 26, 2000 a
A fire which started at the end of the 900 block of Main Street will cause the town to lose 2 buildings and force the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission to move because of smoke and water damage.
October 2001
Plaza Apartments
In October, 2001, the rehabilitation of the former Plaza Hotel in downtown Trenton became a reality. For over two years, the Regional Planning Commission and the North Missouri Rural Housing Coalition provided administrative and organizational support to the rehabilitation project. Through funding made available through the Missouri Housing Development Commission’s federal and state Low-Income Housing tax credit program, and Historic federal and state tax credits, the former hotel was rehabilitated into a 23 unit apartment complex.
The former hotel has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places and recently was honored by the State of Missouri for the Historic Preservation Merits of the project.
Friday, November 16, 2001
RPC Offices Will Relocate Next To City Hall
The Green Hills Regional Planning Commission will have new offices early next month after approving a resolution to lease a building currently owned by the City of Trenton.
Tuesday, January 28, 2003
Railsback Hired To Head RPC Office
Randy Railsback has been hired as the permanent Executive Director for the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission. Railsback formally accepted the job during a meeting of the RPC Board of Directors on Thursday night. He had een serving as the Interim Director since Nov. , when former Director Michael Johns was laced on administrative leave. Johns was not ffered an extension on his contract, which exired on Dec, 31. “After an exhaustive search, we feel we have i selected the best candidate and look forward t working with Randy in the years to come”, said David Tolen, who serves as Chairman of the RPC Board of Directors.
Ep
Friday, August 8, 2003
RPC Role Expansion Seen
The role of the Regional Planning Commission has greatly expanded since its inception nearly 35 years ago.
Commonly known for their assistance in grant writing and other funding activities, commissions are now being looked at by the state to provide information in other areas, including transportation and emergency planning.
In the area of transportation, the state has asked planning commissions to provide input from residents in their area to assist the Missouri Department of Transportation in its long-range planning. The Green Hills RPC has formed a Transportation Advisory Committee, which in the past has helped survey individuals and businesses within the Il-county area to determine transportation needs and concerns. That information has then been passed on to MoDOT and used to develop the five-year plans that are now being used.
A current project in which regional planning commissions are involved is assisting with the development of County Hazardous Mitigation Plans. The State Emergency Management Agency has asked commissions to work with counties on these plans, which are designed to put measures in place to reduce the chances of serious damage and loss of life when a disaster occurs. Two counties within the Green Hills RPC area, Chariton and Carroll are among the counties chosen to have their plans done initially. The local RPC is now working with those counties, who will receive funding from SEMA to have their work done.
Thursday, October 9, 2003
RPC Receives Honor
The Green Hills Regional Planning Commission, based at Trenton, was among five organizations receiving the Achievement award today during the Workforce Development Conference at the Lake of the Ozarks.
Friday, September 10, 2004
Former RPC Director, Planner Are Indicted
Two former officials with the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission were indicted Thursday by a Federal Grand Jury on public corruption charges.
Michael R. Johns, 52, and Denise K. Stottlemyre, 52. were charged in a 19-count indictment returned by a federal Grand Jury in Kansas City. Todd Graves, US Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, said that Johns and Stottlemyre were alleged to have received nearly $400,000 in unauthorized wages, and that companies they operated and controlled received $543,872 in unauthorized loans.
RPC Statement
Editor’s Note: The following statement was released today by the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission.
“The announcement of these federal indictments culminates an extensive one and one-half-year federal investigation and validates the previous efforts of the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission/Green Hills Rural Development, Inc. Board of Directors and staff. In December 2002, the GHRPC Board terminated former Director Michael Johns and Denise Stottlemyre and referred to the board’s concerns to the FBI for further investigation. At this time, we would like to express our gratitude to the many communities, agencies, elected officials and individuals who supported the agency during this very difficult and unfortunate period in the agency’s history. We look forward to the many challenges that lie ahead and to developing this agency to its maximum potential”.
Wednesday, October 13, 2004
Former RPC Official Arraigned
Michael Johns and Denise Stottlemyre have been formally arraigned on federal charges brought against the pair by the Grand Jury in September.
The two were arraigned on Wednesday, Oct. 6 in the Western courts alleging receipt of nearly $400,000 in unauthorized wages and that companies they operated and controlled received $543,972 in unauthorized loans. The charges are in connection with alleged incidents that occurred while they were employed by the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission, where Johns was Executive Director and Ms. Stottlemyre was a Community Planner and Assistant Director, as well as their association with the Green Hills Rural Development, Inc. where Johns was an Assistant Vice President on the board as well as Executive Vice President while Ms. Stottlemyre performed grant work for the organization.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s office, both individuals pleaded not guilty and were released on a personal recogt zance bond. They are scheduled to retum to court on Dec. 6, at which time a date for trial is expected to be set.
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Former RPC Official Pleads Guilty
RPC Statement
“The announcement of the guilty pleas that were offered in Federal District Court by Michael R. Johns and Denise K. Stottlemyre culminate two and one-half years of investigation of the former employees of the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission”. RPC Executive Director Randy Railsback said. “Throughout this period, the Board of Directors and staff have remained resolute in the belief that the eventual outcome would confirm the removal of Johns and Ms. Stottlemyre taken by the Board in October 2002. Throughout this period of time, the agency has continued to provide uninterrupted services to the 75 towns and I1 counties within the Green Hills service area. The GHRPC staff would like to express their appreci tion to the communities, agencies, elected officials and indivi uals who supported the agency throughout this time. We look forward to continuing to provide professional services to the GHRPC Region and to developing the agency to its maximum potential”.
Thursday, January 4, 2007
Railsback Appointed To Board
Randy Railsback, Executive Director of the Green Hills Regionat Planning Commission has been appointed to serve on the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines Affordable Housing Advisory Council with a three-year term that began Jan. 1.
With more than 20 years of experience in rural community and economic development, Railsback has received national attention for innovative community development practices. He has served as Executive Director of the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission for over four years and has overseen projects intended to foster improved quality of life throughout communities in an 11-county region. He previously served as Executive Director of the North west Regional Council of Governments in Maryville for more than 11 years. He is Past President of the Missouri Rural Opportunity Council and the current President of the Missouri Association of Councils of Government. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Small Business Development Center, Northwest Workforce Investment, Heartland Community Foundation and Bank Midwest Community Reinvestment Corporation.
World Happenings …
Hong Kong was returned to China after years as a British Crown Colony
Pathfinder sent back images of Mars
Tiger Woods won the Masters Golf Tournament Princess Diana died in a car crash in Paris
President Bill Clinton was impeached but escaped conviction
Viagra hit the market
The euro made its debut as the European currency Panama got the Panama Canal back
John F. Kennedy Jr. and wife, Carolyn Bessett and her sister, Lauren Bessette died in a plane crash Columbine High School killing spree
Turn of the millennium
The Pyrenean [bex went extinct
Vladimir Putin is elected president of Russia Concorde crashes in France, killing 113
Personal home computers break the | GHz barrier Sydney hosts the Olympic Games
Wikipedia is launched
George Bush is sworn in as the 43rd President Space station Mir is deorbited
The world’s first space tourist
Terrorist attach on 9/11 leaves 3,000 dead
Apple launches the iPod
The Euro enters circulation
Apple introduces the iMac G4
The dwarf planet Quaoar is discovered
Space Shuttle Columbia disaster
The invasion of Iraq
MySpace is launched
The first recorded hurricane in the South Atlantic George W. Bush is re-elected
Athens hosts the Olympic Games.
Train bombings in Madrid kill nearly 200 people Mars exploration rovers
Facebook is launched
Indian Ocean earthquake
YouTube is launched
USB flash drives replace floppy disks Hurricane Katrina floods New Orleans.
Pluto is demoted to “dwarf planet” status West African black rhino is declared extinct Saddam Hussein is executed
Global economic downturn
World Happenings
Apple debuts the iPhone
Arctic sea ice hits a record low
Amazon releases the Kindle
Benazir Bhutto is assassinated in Pakistan
Dmitry Medvedev is elected president of Russia Oil prices hit a record high
The internet continues to boom
Bejing hosts the Olympic Games.
Barack Obama is sworn in as 44th president Major breakthrough in cancer research
Water is discovered on the Moon
Mercury is 98% mapped
Haiti is struck by an earthquake
Apple debuts the iPad
Macular degeneration is curable
One-fifth of Pakistan is flooded
British forces withdraw from Afghanistan Prince William married Kate Middleton
Japan has a 9.0 earthquake and tsunami
The death of Osama bin Laden
The world’s first synthetic organ transplant South Sudan becomes an independent nation The Space Shuttle fleet is retired
The diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth IT London hosts the Olympic Games.
Mars Science Laboratory explores the Red Planet Voyager I crosses the heliopause
Windows 8 is released
Mayan calendar reaches the end of its current cycle
North Korea conducts its third nuclear test
A meteor explodes over Chelyabinsk
The first cloning creation
Birth of a royal baby
The first gene therapy in the Western world China’s first unmanned Moom landing
The 100th anniversary of World War I
The MAVEN probe arrives at Mars
The new World Trade Center is opened
The first self-regulating artificial heart
Queen Elizabeth II is the longest reigning monarch in British history
The New Horizons probe arrives at Pluto
Completion of the Panama Canal expansion project Donald Trump is elected president
The remaining JFK files are released
Total solar eclipse in the US
The world’s first HIV vaccine is commercially available
Economic Development
ConAgra Foods, Trenton, MO
U.S. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION
North Missouri Logistics, LLC, Trenton,
Transportation
DISTRICTS Northwest Northeast
Central St. Louis
Southwest Southeast
The ValuPro 2012 speed trailer is designed to help communities control speeds at a designated site while simultaneously collecting data related to average speed and vehicle volume.
Ribbon cutting for the MoDOT project to realign Highway 6 between Gallatin and Jamesport —2007
Workforce Development
Show Me Hero Award to Karen Bryant
Left to right— Justin Hirniak, Randy Railsback, Karen Bryant - Workforce Development Specialist, Bobby Barlow
Solid Waste Management District
Textile Recycling Trailer—2007
Ann Hamilton, Nate Walker, RepresentaLisa Colson, Lance Ranes, Matt tive, Randy Railsback Walker, GHRPC/SWD Staff
i Sint SE
HHW Collection in Linn County HHW Collection in Grundy County Car Batteries from a collection event. hosted by the City of Marceline hosted by the City of Trenton. Cars
in line to drop off banned items.
Matt Walker tries out an SCBA Electronics ready for shipping, Ann Hamilton dumping paint at a recycling collection.
(Self Contained Breathing Apparatus)
DNR Tire Round UpRegion B -2014
wert Auer / Livingston County—19.441 Tires—August 9, 2014 jy
September 27. 2014
Watershed Meetings - 2015 and 2016
ere =
Lower Grand River
‘ag foun
Lower Grand River Watershed
Crooked River
Past Annual Meetings
Dr. Leon G. Schumacker
Chris May, Chairman, Randy Railsback, Executive Director
Harry Truman Impersonator
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Past Annual Meetings
The Green Hills Regional Planning Commission
Randy Railsback, Executive Director, Catherine Jones and Mark Russell, Department of Natural Resources
Dr. Neil Nutali, President of North Central Missouri College
Past Annual Meetings
Taveleome 2 90 Hills Regional Weleare "pranning commission
aa Randy Railsback, Executive . Ee Director Tho Green Hills Regional
—1} Sarah Parker Pauley, Director of Natural Resources
Past Annual Meetings
Lawrence Hinnen being honored by
Andy Papen, Manager of DED’s Community Development Block Grant Program, Randy Railsback, Executive | Director, Chris May, Chairman
Ta.
Andy Papen, Randy Railsback
November 30, 2017
GREEN HILLS RPC *
Open House On Dec. 15
50 Years And Counting
The Green Hills Regional Planning Commission will celebrate 50 years of service to the community with a luncheon and public open house next month,
The RPC will celebrate its accomplishments during the annual meeting of the Board of Directors at noon on Wednesday, Dec. 6 at the First Christian Church. A public open house and reception will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday, Dec. 15 at the RPC office, located at 1104 Main St., with a ribbon cutting by the Trenton Area Chamber of Commerce at 11:30 a.m.
On March 2, 1967, in response to federal legislation that allowed county governments to join together to collectively address the economic and social needs of a region, Gov. Warren E. Hearnes visited the City of Trenton to officially dedicate the Green Hills RPC.
At a crowd-filled special ceremony, held at Trenton High School, Gov. Hearnes presented a proclamation which dedicated the third regional planning commission to be placed in service in the state of Missouri. The commission was declared a regional organization whose mission was to serve the counties and cities within a nine-county rural region in north central Missouri, otherwise known as the Green Hills region.
In his comments, the Governor stated that commissions such as the GHRPC do not infringe, or dilute, the authority of local governments within a region.
“Instead, through a joining of strength, such commissions as this are designed to strengthen a region’s governmental components,” Gov. Hearnes said.
He further stated “no longer can we live our lives apart from other individuals and the same is becoming increasingly true in governmental services.”
Fifty years later, the Governor’s comments on that day continue to ring true today. During the past 50 years the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission has been directed by a Board of Directors, which has selected and employed executive directors and professional staff to apply their talents and available resources to lead the region to collectively impact the many challenges and diversity the cities and counties within the region face.
Sit
Asa result of this dedication to the Region, the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission has leveraged millions of dollars of federal and state funds to address and improve the Region’s infrastructure, transportation system, economic and workforce development needs and the overall wellbeing and quality of life of the people who reside in the region’s challenged rural area.
Recognized as one of the most successful RPC’s in the state of Missouri, now serving 11 counties, the Board and staff continue to represent, promote and advocate for necessary funds and programs to continue to positive development of the region. Currently, much like the Commission’s priorities 50 years ago, the needs of the Region are diverse and at times critical.
Issues facing the Region today that threaten the stability and future growth of the Region include maintaining a diverse infrastructure system which includes transportation and water/wastewater systems. As populations continue to decline and local businesses adapt to the challenges of internet commerce the ability to retain and grow a small business presence threatens small rural communities as never experienced before.
Downtowns are facing an epidemic of abandoned, dilapidated buil s and community leaders are working to redefine the purpose of “Main Street” in their communities.
Keeping up with the educational and skill needs of today’s workforce continues to impact the employers and educators who are forced to react to a fast paced, everchanging technological environment.
Agriculture continues to represent the largest economic sector in the region, however, the market share for family farms has decreased while large corporate farms and processing facilities contribution to the economy has increased.
Through the strength that comes from joining forces, in a regional approach, as envisioned by Gov. Hearnes some 50 years ago, the Green Hills RPC stands ready to lead and respond to the challenges of today.
Those with questions about the RPC are invited to contact the agency’s Executive Director Randy Railsback at 660359-5636, ext. 11.
Front Row—Left to Right
Kim Swaney Ann Hamilton Karen Bryant Workforce Development Specialist Community Development Planner Workforce Development Functional Leader swaney@ghrpc.org, ann@ghrpe.org wioa.karen@gmail.com
Becky McAtee Debbie Pergande
Workforce Development Program Director Fiscal Manager
becky@ghrpc.org debbie@ghrpc.org
Back Row—Lefi to Right
Randall Railsback Matt Walker Cheryl Fredricks Executive Director Special Projects Coordinator Workforce Development Specialist randy@ghrpc.org mdw@ghrpe.org cheryl@ghrpc.org
Lance Rains Jackie Soptic
Community Development Planner Assistant Director
lance@ghrpc.org jackie@ghrpc.org,
