A helping hand

By Michael Jensen

Since this column originates in Sikeston, Mo., all talk of the massive chaos from last week's ice storm may be somewhat lost on readers outside this community. But Cape Girardeau and other areas have also had their share of natural disasters, so everyone reading this can appreciate the sense of isolation and frustration being felt by many this week.

During these trying times, we all too often must rely on our elected leaders to provide the helping hand that is essential right now. We may be tough-spirited people in this region of the state. but there are clearly times when the problems and their solutions are simply beyond our control.

So that being the case, officials in Southeast Missouri last week called on our elected leaders to provide that helping hand and to offer advice for this once-in-a-lifetime disaster.

I'm pleased to report that all of those elected officials were quick to respond in our time of need.

Gov. Jay Nixon visited this region and declared our area a state disaster region. He then forwarded a request for a similar national declaration and -- following some slow paperwork -- that request was also granted.

State representatives and state senators did what they could do and called on those in power to lend a helping hand. And U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson was front and center and promised to monitor the federal response that we so desperately needed.

City officials carried the bulk of the load in our region. These local officials spent more hours than anyone trying to assure that our needs were met. And the progress made during the past week is testament to their efforts.

But it was Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder who shone the brightest during this time. It was Kinder who brought generators to Sikeston and who kept in constant contact with city officials to make certain our needs were met and our voices heard.

We thank everyone for their efforts, especially those of our lieutenant governor, who clearly went beyond the call to help the citizens of the Sikeston region.

Those efforts, along with all of the others, will not soon be forgotten.