Holden names 32 to serve as state security advisers

ST. LOUIS -- Gov. Bob Holden named 32 law enforcement officials, politicians, business executives and civil servants to the Missouri Security Panel on Friday. He directed the group to audit the state's security effort and recommend improvements by late January.

"Since the events of Sept. 11, Missouri has been a national pioneer in protecting its citizens," Holden said. "The task before us now will be to open up our lines of communication to make sure Missouri is as prepared as any state in the nation."

Holden had announced the formation of the panel one day after U.S. military operations began in Afghanistan in response to the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington. Its audit will look for "potential risk locations" the state should actively manage, while checking for any needs or issues that require immediate attention.

That's been going on at the state level since Sept. 11, said Col. Tim Daniel, the governor's special adviser for homeland security. Daniel pointed to an increase of security at state government facilities.

The panel is charged with providing an ongoing evaluation of the state's ability to respond to an unprecedented threat.

"We need to re-relook at what we are doing," Holden said.

Panel makeup

Among the panel's members are Attorney General Jay Nixon, Missouri State Highway Patrol Superintendent Roger Stottlemyre, St. Louis Fire Chief Sherman George and Missouri Department of Transportation Director Henry Hungerbeeler. The mayors of St. Louis and Kansas City, several county executives and four state legislators are also included.

Daniel said the panel will work in seven subcommittees, studying issues ranging from transportation to public awareness.

The panel also will hold six town hall-style meetings across the state to meet with "first responders," such as police officers and firefighters.

The first of those meetings was scheduled for Thursday in Columbia.

Holden said the state has spent more than $700,000 on homeland defense since Sept. 11.

"We expect that will go much higher as we get costs and this continues to develop," he said.

The state's budget is still balanced, Holden said, but tight.

Earlier Friday, Holden spoke with Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., about directing money in an economic stimulus package pending before the Senate to the states for security needs. That followed a letter Holden and several other governors sent to President Bush on Thursday seeking federal assistance.

Money for city safety

St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay said he would like to see legislation creating homeland security block grants, or federal funds given directly to cities to use as they see fit. While many of the expenses cities face are one-time only, such as the more than $10 million needed to install new baggage screening equipment at city's Lambert Airport, Slay said they still place an enormous strain on budgets.

"We're talking about a lot of money that is going to have to come from the federal government," Slay said.