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2007 Event Participant Comments
For more information on the Missouri Districts, see the maps below.

2008 Comments | 2006 Comments | 2005 Comments

What do you believe was most valuable about Great Northwest Day at the Capitol?
  • Opportunities to communicate with legislators and governmental departments.
  • I think the whole day is valuable.
  • I think it is important to meet with the leaders of our fine State, to let them know we have voices that need to be heard.
  • Just having a presence at the Capitol with issues to share was most valuable.
  • Visiting with legislators.
  • The opportunity for each county to visit with our legislators in their offices and discuss the issues that were selected most important to all or most NWMO counties. Followed by the opportunity for each county to visit with all State legislators in the individual County booths in the relaxed, festive atmosphere. What a great opportunity to let all our legislators learn about and meet people from our NW Counties. This has to make a difference for all of us in NW MO! Thanks again!
  • Informing legislators from other parts of the state about priorities and strengths of Northwest Missouri.
  • Meeting and visiting with others in the area to discuss issues that effect all of us. Coming together as a group to let our feelings known.
  • Getting the word out that Northwest Missouri is alive and flourishing.
  • The meetings with the legislators other officials i.e. the Governor, Director of Agriculture etc.
  • Face time with the legislators. Building relationships and continuing to make new contacts is such a valuable tool. The Great Northwest region makes a bold impact in Jefferson City, lending momentum to a variety of projects and requests the legislators consider.
  • Legislators and their staffs felt welcome; great job. Just for the record, SJSD supports prevailing wage; i.e., we are probably not on the same side of the table as other NWMO school districts.
  • Time to meet with our Representatives and Senators
  • People working together.
  • Political involvement
  • Just going as a collective group and showing that Northwest Missouri is alive and kicking.
  • As I only was able to attend the Mardi Gras banquet, I can only comment on this component. I thought it was a very nice evening, great food, conducive to networking and idea sharing. If it suits the event organizers, you might consider enlarging the list of invitees to include community development, economic development service providers, such as Extension, USDA-RD, etc. Thanks!!!
  • Showing the legislators that those of us in North Missouri are concerned and active citizens.
  • Having 300 people united in the Capitol for a day all discussing the same issues has to be an impressive sight from a legislator's perspective.
  • Face time with legislators. It is tough to get them to stay and talk about issues, however from an awareness standpoint they learn where you are from and at least a chance to educate them on your county/community.
  • The opportunity for Legislators to here from us a number of times.....invitations, dinner night before with steering committee, showing up at the house and senate, the Mardi Gras event, luncheon and breakfast. It was my first time there and I was very impressed. I will continue to support this event in the future.
  • 1)The community awareness that is generated through the participation of local folks. 2)The statewide awareness generated aiding Northwest Missouri State legislators and other decision makers.
  • The evening event. I thought the booths were very creative and showcased the communities and what they have to offer.
  • My community meeting with legislators in the conference room.
  • This year was the best that I have ever attended. I felt the conversation with legislators was productive, yet on a casual basis. All booths were at their best. Information from all presenters was very beneficial and all those involved in the preparation of this event deserve a huge thank you!
  • This was the first time I attended Great Northwest Day. I most enjoyed meeting with my legislators. Even with the short time frame of our meetings, I felt they intently listened and were generally concerned with our issues. I plan on attending many more in the future.
  • I believe that we are getting to contact "City" legislators that we are not usually able to contact much.
  • It is essential to lobby as an area and it is also important to build more area relationships to promote NW MO.
  • I believe it is a great event that impacts the way the Northwestern section of Missouri is viewed by Missouri Government.
  • Networking and the unified message of what is important to our region.
  • There were two events. The introduction in the House helped me to understand that we do make a difference when we participate. Second, the time spent at the Mardi Gras event discussing the issues not only with our representatives but with other community leaders.
  • The opportunity to meet with so many different legislators and discuss issues.
  • Interaction between counties, cities, and other facets of our communities that don't always see eye-to-eye. Anything we can do that reinforces the "anything that is good for Cameron is good for Brookfield, is good for Maryville, is good for St. Joe, etc. is very positive.
  • 1 on 1 time w/reps/senators and Mardi-Gras.
  • Networking ... getting leaders to think regionally.
  • Getting to see the government in action and really get an idea of what goes on. Getting to hear the issues and what it will mean to local governments in our area.
  • It's great public relations for our area and great networking between communities. I always appreciate the opportunity to see old friends and meet new ones.
  • Meeting with the legislators and getting to know people from surrounding communities.
  • Regional cooperation among communities.
  • Visiting with legislators and state officials about issues which affect our community.
  • Driving our message with over 300 concerned citizens truly has a significant impact on our elected officials. It is one of the most important legislative activities that we can be involved in.
  • Getting the attention of our state legislators by the sheer size of our group. Also, the opportunity to visit throughout the day and evening with individual representatives.
  • The relationships that we build with others from our region. 44. Networking and face time with legislators.
  • The ability we had to showcase our county with legislators and the addressing of our priority issues in the panel.
  • Nodaway County was given one on one time with a lot of different representatives. That was the most valuable, wonderful experience. I would suggest everyone gets a chance to meet with those representatives to share the ideas and areas of interest.
  • Opportunity to speak directly to legislators from outside NW MO.
  • I haven't seen any other event where you can visit with your local Senator/Reps. This event is very beneficial in getting the word out on your own personal beliefs plus the items GNW Day wants to discuss.
  • The Mardi Gras -- it attracts a good amount of the legislators, allows them to see who's who and also allows for constituents to discuss the issues with them.
  • Time to meet face to face with legislators.
  • The issues that affect our area were presented to the legislators. It's good to talk face-to-face about those issues so they understand them and know how important they are to us.
  • The evening brings out the best opportunities to discuss topics in a relaxed atmosphere.
  • Networking with legislators and area leaders and developing a Legislative agenda that Legislators know the areas concerns.

Legislator Comments...

I thought the Great Northwest Day at the Capitol event was effective because...
  • It brings together the community leaders of the region in a friendly environment that allows for very constructive and positive conversations. Very nice event. (Dan Niec, MoDOT, North Central District)
  • Personal communication has the greatest effect. (Tom Shively, Representative - District 8)
  • It is always good to share communication between different parts of the state. Learning about our neighbors is the best way to work together for the betterment of our state. (Mike Spreng, Representative - District 76)
  • It provided an opportunity for those legislators NOT from the Northwest region to be welcomed in a warm way and to receive an abundance of education from the very able presenters and groups representing the region. (Timothy W. Jones, Representative - District 89)
  • The people who come to Jeff City do a great job communicating their needs and concerns to the members of the General Assembly. No other part of the state has a regional representation that is even close to the number of northwest Missourians who attend Great Northwest Day. Great job....look forward to seeing you next year. (Senator Brad Lager, 12th District)
  • The folks from the Great Northwest are so friendly and energetic. I have enjoyed learning about the issues important to your region. What an effective way to lobby in Jefferson City! (Dr. Charles Portwood, Representative - District 92)
  • Awesome representation of the district. Thank you for including staff and interns! It is a great opportunity for staff to network with constituents and a wonderful learning environment for our interns! We try to get them the most out of their experience at the Capitol! (Lucy LePage, Legislative Assistant to Rep. Jane Cunningham, 86th District, Chesterfield, MO)
  • It was an entertaining way to meet people & learn about the Great Northwest.
  • The displays were interesting and informational.
  • You couldn't have done a better job on this event, as always the BEST.
  • Thank you for hosting the greatest expo and party.
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For more information, contact:
Deb Powers, Director of Healthy Communities
Heartland Foundation
518 S. 6th Street, St. Joseph, MO 64501
Phone: 816-271-7185
Toll-Free: 1-800-447-1083
Fax: 816-271-7269

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