This was another busy week in the 33rd Senatorial District. I am proud of the hard work by my staff that has helped me accomplish a goal to make myself more available, year round, to the citizens of the 33rd Senatorial District. We’ve been working to make it easier for you to reach out to my staff and me.

Monday morning we were in West Plains for a ribbon cutting and open house at my new in-district office. After a well-attended ribbon cutting, hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, constituents had a chance to meet my staff. Doris Broeker and Joan Branson both work with me in the Capitol.  Richard Eakin will serve as district coordinator and will staff the West Plains office.

We worked tirelessly to open this office in West Plain to help give me greater access to the citizens of the 33rd district, you, the folks I represent in Jefferson City. I have always felt I maintained an open door policy and have long encouraged everyone to stop by my office in Jefferson City, if they could. I have spent many hours talking with concerned folks in the grocery store aisles or church parking lot, but I wanted a place that everyone knew about, a place anyone could go to leave me a note, express ideas or gather information.

Richard will staff the office in West Plains and will also attend events that conflict with my schedule. The office will be staffed weekly Monday and Thursday from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., and will also be open by appointment. The office is located at the Howell County Office Building, Room 303, 35 Court Square. Constituents are encouraged to stop by the office and leave information for me or visit with Richard about their needs. Richard can be reached in the district office by telephone at (417) 256-2343 or fax at (417) 256-2479.

After the ribbon cutting and open house in West Plains, we headed to Thayer to host a meet and greet event at the Senior Center there. This event was also well attended and gave me a chance to meet with a variety of people and discuss numerous topics.

We are working to schedule a meet and greet in each county in the 33rd District between now and the beginning of the 2015 legislative session.  Dates, times and locations will be posted in local newspapers.  We look forward to visiting with you.