Area mayors meet to discuss poverty-fighting strategies

from the Marshall Democrat News

By KATHY FAIRCHILD/Staff writer

In an effort to provide a starting point for united city action to boost the health and vitality of local communities, the Missouri Valley Community Action Agency (MVCAA) and Mayor Connie Latimer hosted a "Mayor's Summit" in Marshall on Tuesday, Nov. 13.

City officials from communities in Carroll, Chariton, Lafayette, Saline, Ray, Pettis and Johnson counties were invited to attend the summit, a day of discussion and brainstorming to set the stage for a more in-depth summit in April 2008.

Among the issues discussed were affordable health and dental care, the availability of housing and childcare and after-school care.

Marshall Mayor Connie Latimer admits the problem of poverty in mid-Missouri is not a small one and that it will take time to solve the problems.

But, she said, "Even if it isn't going to happen tomorrow, we must start today."

Tentatively titled "Poverty to Prosperity," the April summit aims to gather teams of representatives in the education, business, economic development, health and social service fields from as many cities as possible to work together to give communities the tools they need to address their communities' needs.

The seven-county area covered by MVCAA includes more than 190,000 residents in more than 75 cities and towns in mid-Missouri.