Message from the Pilot

Pushing forward with our plans, sharing proven strategies and developing a highly practical understanding of the cultural, ecological and recreational diversity of the Mississippi River States – that’s what I am expecting from the Semi-Annual Meeting in Baton Rouge, April 8 and 9, 2010. The Louisiana-MRPC has worked hard to put together a meeting that maximizes our productivity by taking committees out into the field to see firsthand the infrastructure and assets that are affected by the work of the MRPC. It’s a format designed to provoke committees into constructive discussions and decisive actions.

I hope you are looking forward to this important meeting as much as I am. With the American economy shaken as it has been over the past year, the MRPC’s focus promoting and enhancing the Great River Road and the Mississippi River Corridor is—more than ever—vital to the health of each of our communities and states. As an organization, the MRPC provides a much-needed bridge between the major players—both governmental and community-based—who can spur economic progress in our region.

These are truly tough times for everyone in America, individuals and organizations alike. For our organization to survive and thrive into the future, we must produce real value for our communities and states. We must be action-oriented. Unified effort is the fundamental basis for our very existence. It is our ability to work together to apply for NSB grants and other types of funding that is our most important purpose as an organization. We must work harder to build cooperative multi-state efforts in the coming months and years.

The MRPC owes a huge debt of gratitude to Patsy Ramacitti of Iowa, who’s leadership as Pilot over the past two years has produced successes that should help propel us to future achievements. Most significant, perhaps, was the recent announcement of National Scenic Byway Certification for the remaining four states—Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee—making all ten states part of the Great River Road National Scenic Byway. It’s an important accomplishment and we should all be proud. We are lucky to have Patsy continuing to serve as the Pilot Emeritus. I think I speak for everyone when I say that we are a better organization for her efforts.

Whether you’re a seasoned veteran of the MRPC or a fresh new face, your perspective is needed at this Semi-Annual Meeting. Make plans to be there and be a part of more than seven decades of preserving, promoting and enhancing our region for the people of today and generations to come.

See you in Baton Rouge this April!

  Announcements & Reminders

2010 Semi-Annual Meeting — April 8 & 9, Baton Rouge, Louisiana — Experience the food, history and unique mix of cultures that makes Baton Rouge one of the most exciting cities in the American South. Action-oriented sessions will take you out in the field to get a first-hand look at some of the most important new projects being built on the river, key ecological issues facing the river’s future and fascinating history. Scheduled speakers include award-winning Wildlife photographer C.C. Lockwood and Nancy Rabalais, the world’s foremost expert on the Dead Zone in the Gulf of Mexico. It all takes place at the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center. Reserve by March 8 to get rates and rooms as part of the Mississippi River Parkway Commission block. The Early Bird Deadline for Registration is March 17 — Register Today.

MRPC Honors Minnesota’s John Wood – The Great River Road (GRR) lost a great friend and supporter when Minnesota Mississippi River Parkway Commissioner John Wood passed away on June 1, 2009 at age 82 in West St. Paul, MN. The friendship started in 1977 when John served as the Deputy Director of Finance for the Minnesota Historical Society (MHS). At the time, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) was competing for $50 million in Federal Categorical Funds along with the other nine Mississippi River states. This was new Federal Transportation Funding. In Minnesota, most cities and counties and all of the state agencies, except MHS, were reluctant to get involved. The complaint was that there was too much red tape, paperwork and a new project development process to follow. John was no complainer and saw the opportunity these funds provided to meet the needs of the historical sites along the Mississippi River. John focused on finding out how MHS could change their processes to meet the necessary federal requirements. And then he did it, including getting special legislation passed.

Because of John Wood’s proactive approach, MHS received more federal GRR categorical funds than any other unit of government in the state. Over the course of the next four years the MHS received nearly $10 million for historic sites in Minnesota. This federal funding would not have been received without John Wood’s willingness to think outside the box and do thing differently. Funded projects included major Minnesota landmarks such as the Hill House, Fort Snelling, Ramsey House and Sibley House. To put this into perspective, out of the $200 million in GRR categorical funds that were given to the ten river states over four years, Minnesota received $50 million. The categorical funds were awarded to the states that could most quickly deliver results on eligible projects. John must be given credit for his tremendous contributions to Minnesota’s GRR effort in the early years of the program.

John’s dedication to the GRR didn’t end there. After John retired from the MHS he was appointed to the Minnesota MRPC in 2004. John worked with Legislative members of our Commission resulting in appropriation of $4.3 million in state transportation funds to repair 12 historic roadside properties and assess another seven along the Mississippi River in Minnesota. The first project was completed two months after John’s passing.

John's dedicated efforts to the State of Minnesota, and the Great River Road in particular, lives on in the many projects that he helped fund. The history of the river is safeguarded and the stories are passed on to future generations. John leaves a legacy that is an inspiration to all of us who continue the work of making our state and the Mississippi River places to enjoy and be proud of.

Successful 2009 Annual Meeting in Red Wing, MN — The Annual Meeting in Red Wing, Minnesota this past September garnered a great deal of positive feedback from attendees. Thank you to the folks from the Minnesota-MRPC who helped to make the event so productive and memorable.

New Officers Elected for 2010 — At the Annual Meeting in Red Wing, new officers were elected as follows:

• Bill Seratt of Mississippi was elected the MRPC Pilot
• Bob Miller of Wisconsin was named MRPC Pilot Pro Tem
• Garland Hayes of Arkansas is the new MRPC Secretary
• MJ Smith of Iowa was elected MRPC Treasurer
• Patsy Ramacitti of Iowa is now the Pilot Emeritus

Congratulations to the new officers.

Kentucky MRPC Shines — Congratulations to Alma Blair of the KY-MRPC for winning the 2009 Distinguished Service Award. Alma and her husband Chuck have faithfully attended national meetings for many years. Alma has served as chair of the Resolutions Committee, and everyone on the MRPC is grateful for her hard work and the years of insight she brings to the organization. Congratulations also goes out to the KY-MRPC, who received the 2009 Pilot’s Award. The Pilot's award goes to states based on their work throughout the year, and the Kentucky team, chaired by Greg Pruitt, definitely distinguished themselves. Congratulations Kentucky-MRPC!

2010 Work Plan — It is the work of the individual committees that moves the MRPC ahead in its overall goals. Keep abreast of your own committee’s ongoing work by reading the work plans, available online at www.mrpcmembers.com.

Stay Up To Date — Looking for minutes, current rosters and upcoming meeting dates? Visit www.mrpcmembers.com/committee.php.

NSB Certification in Ten States! — This past October, the MRPC achieved one of its most significant goals when Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced that the Great River Road in Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee had all received official National Scenic Byway designations. The announcement was the result of many years of hard work and dedication on the part of the MRPC delegations for these four states and the organization as a whole. Today, at more than 3,000 miles, the Great River Road is today the longest National Scenic Byway in America. Thank you to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Scenic Byways program and congratulations to all the delegates, past and present, who have been involved in this process over through the decades.

Great River Road Benefits from Last Round of NSB Grants — In the last round of NSB Grants, the Great River Road and its related assets received more than $6 million in federal funding. That’s a tremendous amount of economic impact for the 10 states along the Mississippi River Corridor. Congratulations to all of the state and local agencies that took the initiative and put in the work to go after these grant dollars. Learn more about the National Scenic Byways grant program.

Call for NSB Grant Proposals — The Federal Highway Administration has just announced that it is soliciting grant applications for the National Scenic Byways Program. Information about the grants, including application guidelines and important deadlines, visit www.bywaysonline.org/grants/.

The MRPC Endowment Fund — Learn more about how you can help sustain efforts to preserve, promote and enhance the Great River Road and the Mississippi River Corridor for generations to come. Download the Endowment brochure.

2010 Meeting Reminders
Semi-Annual Meeting — Hotel reservation deadline — March 8
Semi-Annual Meeting in Baton Rouge, LA — April 8 & 9
Annual Meeting in La Crosse, WI — September 10-11

Please contact the National Office with information for future enewsletters.