JEFFERSON CITY—Senator Doug Libla, R-Poplar Bluff, attended a public town hall meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 25 with various other elected officials at the Divine Holiness Outreach Center in Caruthersville. The event was hosted by Pastor Jaime Jones and his wife, Deborah. The panel discussion focused on ways to improve the lives of southeast Missouri residents. Pastor Earl Grissom and Pastor Jones served as moderators.

Those on the panel included Sen. Libla; Congressman Jason Smith, R-Salem; Rep. Steve Cookson, R-Polar Bluff; Rep. Don Rone, R-Portageville; Rep. Andrew McDaniel, R-Deering; Dr. Wes Payne, president of Three Rivers College; Sgt. Brad Haggett, of the Missouri Highway Patrol; the Honorable Judge Bill Carter; newly elected Pemiscot County Prosecutor Jereme Lytle; and local businessmen Glen Haynes and Herman Styles.

“It was a pleasure spending time with my friends and colleagues at this event. The discussion we held was hard-hitting and on point. It was truly amazing to see such commitment on the part of everyone in attendance, with each of us pledging to make our communities a better place to live and raise a family,” said Sen. Libla. “The leading issue was primarily ways to create opportunities so that every citizen can pursue and reach their dreams. This gathering of concerned citizens and community leaders was truly a heartwarming experience, especially seeing such a diverse group of people join together with a common purpose larger than any one individual.”

“I am thankful for my family, friends and the many citizens here in Southeast Missouri and the Bootheel that truly care about one another,” continued Sen. Libla. “Let’s turn away from dwelling on the differences that separate us, and instead focus on what our concerted objectives are to improve our communities. Many of our children and adult citizens are in desperate need. We can help solve these issues by working together. We can do it.”

To view photos from the panel discussion, click here or visit Sen. Libla’s official Senate website at www.senate.mo.gov/libla.