Scott County blacktop program done for 2013

BENTON, Mo. -- The ride through Scott County is a little smoother. According to the Standard Democrat, Donnie Kiefer, Scott County second district commissioner, reported at Tuesday's regular meeting of the Scott County Commission, the blacktopping program for 2013 is finished. Road crews put down approximately 15 to 16 miles of blacktop overlay, completing the last project Tuesday, he said. Noting the county has completed 12 to 15 miles of blacktopping each summer over the past several years, Kiefer said he is pleased with the progress. "We have made a big dent in it but we have several more roads to do," he added. According to Kiefer, the county spent about $600,000 on blacktopping this year. He pointed out the commission tried to spread the road improvements across the county to benefit all residents.

In other action by the County Commission, Presiding Commission Jamie Burger signed a proclamation declaring Thursday as "It Can Wait -- No Texting While Driving Pledge Day."

The proclamation noted that those who send a text message while driving are 23 times more likely to crash. More than 100,000 crashes a year are attributed to drivers who are texting.

First District Commissioner Dennis Ziegenhorn called the proposal to pledge not to text while driving a great idea.

"Texting is great way of communication but not while driving," Ziegenhorn said. "More of us need to be aware of the dangers of texting while driving."