Business briefcase 12/10

SCOTT CITY - The regular session of the Board of Commissioners and Semo Port Railroad Inc., Board of Directors will begin at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority office, 10 Bill Bess Drive.

Items on the agenda include: call to order, roll call, approval of minutes, chairman's report, financial and executive session.

The Port Authority, may as part of a regular or special Port Authority meeting, hold a closed session to discuss legal action or litigation, leasing, purchasing, sale of real estate, or personnel matters.

The next meeting is scheduled for Jan. 8.

SIKESTON - The Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce will conduct counseling sessions for area small business persons and individuals planning business ventures. The counselor, Gil Degenhardt, will be available from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Dec. 12 at the Sikeston Chamber of Commerce, 1 Industrial Drive.

Call 573-471-2498 for an appointment. The counseling sessions (approximately an hour) are free of charge to persons taking advantage of the service.

POPLAR BLUFF - Corporal Thad Wilson is the new assistant zone supervisor in Zone 8, which are the Pemiscot/New Madrid county areas. Wilson's promotion was announced by Captain G.E. Ridens, commanding Officer of Troop E.

Wilson joined the Patrol as a member of the 70th Recruit Class graduating from the Patrol Academy in December of 1995. Upon graduating he was assigned to Troop E, Zone 1, Butler and Ripley counties. In 1988 he transferred to Zone 12, serving Madison and Iron counties. In 2005, Wilson transferred to Zone 4, Cape Girardeau and Bollinger counties.

Born in Louisville, Ky., Wilson was graduated from Oldham County High School, in Buckner, Ky., in 1988. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from University of Louisville, in Louisville, Ky., in 1993.

COLUMBIA - The Tenth Annual Water and Waste Conference was held in Columbia for over 135 consulting engineers, regional planning commissions, community planners, grant writers and other consultants from across the state.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss water and sewer opportunities for residents and communities in rural Missouri. The programs are delivered through a partnership of federal, state, and local partners working together to assist rural areas.

Gregory C. Branum, state director for USDA Rural Development, said partnering is essential to success.

Attending from the Dexter Area Office, included Pam Angles, area director, and Phyllis Minner, area specialist, for USDA, Rural Development.