JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Following the tragedy at Table Rock Lake last week, Missouri Governor Mike Parson continued to monitor the situation moving forward, while staying involved and meeting with survivors of the duck boat that sank, killing 17.
Appreciate the continued work of federal, state, and local investigators. This morning, @MSHPTrooperGHQ divers completed the critical work bringing the boat out of the water. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the families who lost loved ones in this horrific incident. pic.twitter.com/EQLoDUkuQ9
— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) July 23, 2018
Teresa, @LtGovMikeKehoe, and I met Sgt. Shawn Fields, an off-duty officer, who assisted with the rescue efforts last Thursday at Table Rock Lake. We are proud of the work of our emergency responders and civilian rescuers did the night of the tragedy and we are grateful to them. pic.twitter.com/Mp7ELuDlps
— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) July 26, 2018
Despite that, Parson has remained busy this week, heading to Kansas City on Tuesday for the arrival of President Donald Trump. Trump thanked Parson for his response and leadership during the tragedy.
On Wednesday, Parson met with Kansas City police officers Mike Delaney, Matthew “Buck” Williams, and Brent Cartwright, all of whom were shot and wounded in the line of duty on July 15.
“Missouri’s public safety officers and first responders courageously and selflessly take on tremendous risks each time they answer a call,” said Parson. “Each time they respond, they are quietly reaffirming their solemn commitment to risk their own lives to protect others. For this, they deserve our thanks, and continued prayers and support.
“It has been a difficult last few weeks for Missouri and those affected by these incidents,” Parson added. “As we begin to heal, we need to remember the courageous men and women who dedicate their lives to keep us safe from harm.”
Today we got to meet with the @kcpolice who were shot and wounded last week. Mike, Buck, and Brent, bravely and willingly accept danger as the price of keeping all of us safe. They confront violence. They run to danger as others flee. They make our state safer and stronger. pic.twitter.com/um4Rc3dT8e
— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) July 25, 2018
On Thursday, after receiving the news that the Missouri Veterans Commission had completed its background checks of St. Louis Veterans Home employees, Parson issued a statement on the work of the Missouri Veterans Commission and new director Grace Link’s aggressive approach to see that Missouri Veterans Homes are safe and efficiently managed.
“I am glad to see that the Missouri Veterans Commission continues to take steps to address the serious issues that had been allowed to continue for too long at the St. Louis Veterans Home,” said Parson. “The investigation that was conducted during my time as Lieutenant Governor revealed that Missouri’s heroes were not receiving the attention and care they deserved at the St. Louis home. The Governor’s Office will continue to monitor progress throughout the Veterans Homes and work with the Commission to ensure conditions continue to improve.”
#MCCProud to be your advocate! Supporting @MCCKansasCity with Trustee Cindy Adams at the state capitol today with @GovParsonMO #MCContheMove pic.twitter.com/qXtioo9ouK
— MCCChancellorBeatty (@ChancellorMCC) July 26, 2018
On Friday, Parson tweeted his support for Judge Kavanaugh, President Trump’s pick for the Supreme Court, joining several other governors.
Happy to join many fellow governors in support of Judge Kavanaugh, a great conservative nominee, for SCOTUS. This is an enormous opportunity to make lasting change for our next generation. pic.twitter.com/iTTZGPP3pf
— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) July 27, 2018
Parson also announced eleven appointments to Missouri’s boards and commissions on Friday. They are as follows:
Steve Abney, of Warrensburg, was appointed to the University of Central Missouri Board of Governors.
Abney is the chairman, president, and CEO of Central Bank of Warrensburg. He studied at the University of Central Missouri and graduated from the Mid-South School of Banking and the Trust School of Banking. Abney serves on the University of Central Missouri Athletic Committee and is a member of the Warrensburg Chamber of Commerce, the Warrensburg R-VI Educational Foundation, and the Warrensburg Rotary Club.
Lynn Farrell, of Osage Beach, was appointed to the Missouri Real Estate Commission.
Farrell is a broker/owner for John Farrell Real Estate Company. She serves as state director for the Bagnell Dam Association of Realtors and as state president for the Missouri Women’s Council of Realtors.
Cindy Fox, of O’Fallon, was appointed to the Missouri Real Estate Commission.
Fox is a broker/owner for Real Living Now Real Estate in St. Charles County. She served as president of St. Charles Association of REALTORS in 2016 and currently serves as a board member for Missouri REALTORS.
Paul Granberry, of St. Louis, was appointed as the student representative of the Missouri Western State University Board of Governors.
Granberry is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in political science. He is the Assistant Director of External Relations for the Student Government Association and serves as a Resident Assistant on campus.
Emily Hymer, of Asbury, was reappointed to the Missouri State Foster Care and Adoption Board.
Hymer is a current foster and adoptive parent. She previously worked as a child advocate for Children’s Haven of Southwest Missouri. Hymer holds an associate’s degree from Missouri Southern University.
Dr. Mary Long, of Kansas City, was reappointed to the University of Central Missouri Board of Governors.
Dr. Long has been serving on the Board of Governors since May 2009. She retired as a principal for the Kansas City Missouri School District in 2007. Dr. Long holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business education from Alcorn A&M University and a Master of Science degree in vocational business education from Mississippi State University. She earned a Specialist degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and a doctorate degree from Nova Southeastern University.
Tiffany Middlemas, of Kirksville, was appointed as the student representative of the Truman State University Board of Governors.
Middlemas is pursuing bachelor’s degrees in business administration and history. She is a Student Ambassador in the Admissions Office and a Student Worker in the Advancement Office. Middlemas is a member of the Pershing Society and the Bulldog Student Investment Fund.
John Moore, of Raymore, was appointed to the Northwest Missouri State University Board of Regents.
Moore retired as the chief operating officer of the 12th Federal Reserve District. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Northwest Missouri State University and a graduate degree in banking from the University of Wisconsin.
Casey Short, of Greenfield, was appointed as the student representative of the University of Central Missouri Board of Governors.
Short is majoring in criminal justice and with a minor in forensic science. She is a member of the UCM Honors College, Lambda Alpha Epsilon, and UCM Young Americans for Freedom.
Avery Welker, of Perryville, was appointed as the student representative of the University of Missouri Board of Curators.
Welker is a Ph.D. student studying petroleum engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Missouri University of Science and Technology and an associate’s degree from Northwest Missouri State University.
Dr. Gus Wetzel, of Clinton, was reappointed to the University of Central Missouri Board of Governors.
Dr. Wetzel has served on the Board of Governors since 2011. He is a board-certified general surgeon at Golden Valley Memorial Hospital in Clinton. Dr. Wetzel received a bachelor’s degree from Westminster College and a medical degree from Tulane Medical School. He has been involved with the Clinton Rotary Club, United Methodist Church, and St. Paul School of Theology Board of Trustees.
Benjamin Peters was a reporter for The Missouri Times and Missouri Times Magazine and also produced the #MoLeg Podcast. He joined The Missouri Times in 2016 after working as a sports editor and TV news producer in mid-Missouri. Benjamin is a graduate of Missouri State University in Springfield.
