JETTON LAUNCHES WALK TO IMPROVE HIGHWAYS

JACKSON, Mo. -- State Rep. Rod Jetton kept his eyes focused on passing cars and his goal of seeking state highway improvements as he walked along Highway 34 west of Jackson, his white T-shirt drenched with sweat from the sweltering heat.

The Marble Hill Republican embarked from the Cape Girardeau County Courthouse in Jackson Wednesday on his 255-mile walk to Jefferson City. Jetton plans to deliver petitions demanding the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission complete 10 road projects in a region ranging from the state capital to the Bootheel.

The petitions also seek to have the highway commission reorganized to reduce waste and provide more accountability for tax dollars.

Among the projects Jetton wants done is the widening of Highway 34, a narrow, shoulderless asphalt road. Cars and trucks whizzed by dangerously close to Jetton as he walked along the highway headed west toward Marble Hill, his destination for the first 19.5-mile leg of his 10-day journey.

July 27 arrival planned

The son of a Baptist preacher, Jetton plans to take Sunday off. Otherwise, he plans to walk during the days and rest at night. He hopes to arrive at the state capitol by 5 p.m. on July 27. He said he will resort to replacement walkers, if necessary, to complete the journey.

Jetton started out wearing a short-sleeved shirt Wednesday but soon shed it for the comfort of a T-shirt. He also wore an orange vest provided by the Missouri Department of Transportation as a safety measure so motorists would see him.

MoDOT also provided an emergency light, which was attached to a car driven by Jetton's legislative aide, Allene Howser. Howser, accompanied by Jetton's wife, Cassie, drove ahead. The women stopped periodically to supply Jetton with bottled water.

By late afternoon, heavy rains moved in. Jetton was drenched but continued his journey until lightning forced him to take shelter around 4:45 p.m. in a garage about four miles from Marble Hill. He planned to spend the night at his home.

The lawmaker welcomed the rain. "It felt like an air conditioner had been turned on when that first hit. I was tickled to death," he said.

Jetton had trained for the journey. Still, he said he wasn't prepared for the heat. "That heat really zapped me," said Jetton.

"My legs got a little tired. I was drinking water constantly," said Jetton.

2,000 signatures

The 156th District lawmaker began the trip with close to 2,000 signatures on petitions and the support of county commissioners and other elected officials in the region. Jetton said he expects to pick up more signed petitions at stops along the way.

S. Lee Kling, a St. Louis Democrat who chairs the highways commission, has said the bipartisan, six-member commission works well as it is.

A former Marine and high school cross-country runner, Jetton, 33, began the trip with well wishes from about 20 supporters, local officials and state lawmakers.

Some said they are unhappy that the commission scuttled the 15-year highway plan. They want the state to follow through with the projects that were on the highway plan, including those in Southeast Missouri.

"We feel in the past we have not gotten our fair share from MoDOT," said Jackson Mayor Paul Sander.

State Sen. Bill Foster, R-Poplar Bluff, rooms with Jetton when the Legislature is in session in Jefferson City.

Foster said half of the state's highway money goes to projects in St. Louis and Kansas City. The highways commission, he said, needs to spend more money in the rural areas as was envisioned under the 15-year plan.

"It's time for each highway district to have a highway commissioner," said Foster.

Jetton insists his walk isn't a political stunt. He said it's a way to get the attention of state transportation officials and the governor.

Cassie Jetton said her husband regularly runs and walks. This journey isn't out of character for him, she said.

"Before we were married, he did swim half way across the Mississippi River," she said.