JETTON'S WALK DRAWS ATTENTION TO ROAD NEEDS

State Rep. Rod Jetton of Marble Hill, Mo., always the gentleman, recently sent out thank-you notes to the news agencies that covered his remarkable walk.

The former cross-country runner and Marine successfully completed a nine-day, 255-mile trek from Jackson, Mo., to Jefferson City in an attempt to bring attention to the area's unmet highway needs.

His trip followed some of the highways he was concerned about, including Highway 34 and U.S. 67. He was successful. News agencies from across the state covered his journey.

But it is the people of Southeast Missouri who should thank the freshman Republican legislator. He faced stifling heat, hurting feet and dangerous roadways and emerged triumphant.

Now it is up to the Highways and Transportation Commission to do the right thing and give Southeast Missouri the attention it deserves, particularly on narrow, crooked two-lane highways.