I'll post more happiness later, but right now, I feel like I should do a post about what has been happening with my dad's job, which I think I talked about a little before. More specifically, MoDOT District 9 Office. With the need to cut down the amount of money being spent from the government, MoDOT's State Engineer decided to cut down the amount of districts in Missouri from 10 districts to 7 districts, which eliminates my dad's district that he runs in Willow Springs. My dad was offered another job in Jefferson City, where the main office is, but turned it down and is exploring other options because he is fully committed to seeing his district to the end. We appealed to JoAnn Emerson and all of the state representatives and senators to try and reason with the MoDOT Commission Board, but yesterday, they announced a unanimous vote to shut down the District 9 Office. We're all devastated. This means that so many of the workers in District 9 will lose their jobs or have to be relocated. More so, Willow Springs is a small area that depends on the jobs from MoDOT, and this will be devastating for this community. You have to wonder sometimes if there was even any reason going into this decision or if it was solely because we are centered in a small town and can be shut down easier (or at least they thought) than a district in Kansas City or St. Louis. However, the difference is that the bigger cities can AFFORD to shut down a district as long as they have a MoDOT presence in the area. Those citizens are not depending on the jobs NEAR as much as people in Willow Springs and surrounding areas. My heart goes out to all the people affected, and I just want to tell you that we have been behind you all the way. My dad has come home many, many times so down because he cares so much for all the employees and knows that this is unfair. He can't say anything against MoDOT's Commission, though, because his job depends on him being loyal to MoDOT. But, he, and we all, know this is unfair, and if there is anything left to do, we'll do it.
Thoughts and prayers with all of the Willow Springs and surrounding area communities.
If you want to learn more about this district, go here!
My dad, Tom Stehn, doing one of the million presentations he does on a daily basis. :) So proud to be his daughter!!
So many people work so hard daily at their jobs... their jobs deserve to be respected!!
Even the school district came to hear JoAnn Emerson speak on Monday about how we could save District 9! The District 9 Office is in the background.
JoAnn Emerson speaking on Monday.
Please keep all of the wonderful people in these areas and employees of MoDOT District 9 (as well as other districts affected by the plan) in your thoughts and prayers!
Have a good day!
Take care,
-Gennie
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