MEDC/20 for the Future in Washington DC Meetings Considered “A Successful Trip”
February 17th, 2012 by Joe Burgess
Sen. Mark Pryor and the MEDC / 20 for the Future Delegation in Washington DC
8 business and community leaders from Monticello spent Tuesday and Wednesday in Washington D.C., meeting with with all 6 members of our state’s national representatives, detailing a list of local needs, in hopes of getting or continuing funding of several Monticello / Drew County projects.
Meetings were with with Senators Mark Pryor and John Boozman, as well as Congressmen Tim Griffin, Mike Ross, Rick Crawford and Steve Womack.
Local residents participating included:
Mike Akin, Akin Holdings & President of Twenty for the Future and Mrs. Susan Akin
Bennie Ryburn, III, Ryburn Automotive Superstore & President of MEDC
Scott Kuttenkuler, UAM, Dean of Students/Director of Government Relations
Allen Maxwell, Mayor, City of Monticello
Brian Hargis, Simmons First Bank of Monticello
Nita McDaniel, Executive Director, Monticello Economic Development Commission
David McDaniel, Maxwell Hardwood Flooring of Monticello
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A conference call with the Congressmen and Senators would accomplish the same thing and conserve our tax dollars. Oh well, maybe the cherry blossoms are starting to bloom early this year.
C C, the people in this article are spending their own money and time to help our community. They are not using tax dollars. What selfish act are you doing for the community besides being negative about outstanding civil servants. Keep up the good work 20 for the future. I appreciate everything you do for us.
A conference call is nothing like a face to face sit down meeting. What this group is going to find out is getting money out of the delegation that now represents this state will be harder. These teabaggers and blue dog could care less about improving Southeast Arkansas.
LAX. If you’re not a teabagger or blue dog what in the world are you?
“Resident”, write back in a few months( or years ) and let us know what these “civil servants” have gained from this trip. I have no problem with them taking a vacation on their own dime, just don’t make them sound like selfless saints when they benefit personally more than the community. Do we need the jobs their businesses provide? Of course, but it seems as if the only industries in town are owned and financed by the same elite circle. That would not be so bad if that “circle” was a little less of a “stranglehold”. Additions like Atwoods are nice, but don’t substitute for industrial or professional jobs with benefits and retirement programs. A long empty “industrial park” is testimony enough to the usefulness of the MEDC. Unfortunately the Senate is controlled by the party of the President and any beneficial legislation from the House is DOA. It is no wonder things have not improved. Whine all you want LAX, or whatever you call yourself, the stagnation is the result of liberal Democratic policies and their control over Congress. As for what I do for the community, I don’t need press for it. I just do it.
And I have to say, Each business is paying for their own, The City (tax dollars) Pays for the Mayor and MEDC director.
Every year, this group has managed to come up with grants and loans that have benefited the city, the county, and the university. But it’s not too surprising to see people come on here and whine about things that they don’t know anything about.
CC why don’t you start up one of those industries of which you speak?
I am looking into forming a consulting firm for consulting with consultants about previous consultations with our civic entities. If that doesn’t work out we might start building period accurate dumpsters for our historic North Main district. Taxpayer I’ll count on you to buy the first shares when we go public.
Well said, Archaeopteryx.