Rural Missouri - December 2022 - 5

Missouri
RURAL
Volume 75 | DECEMBER 2022 | Number 12
EDITORIAL STAFF:
Jim McCarty, editor
jmccarty@ruralmissouri.coop
Paul Newton, managing editor
pnewton@ruralmissouri.coop
Heather Berry, associate editor
hberry@ruralmissouri.coop
Megan Backes, creative director
mbackes@ruralmissouri.coop
Zach Smith, field editor
zsmith@ruralmissouri.coop
Angie Jones-Wheeler, designer
ajones@ruralmissouri.coop
ADVERTISING:
Mary Davis, production manager
mdavis@ruralmissouri.coop
Editorial:
Rural Missouri
2722 E. McCarty St., Jefferson City, MO 65101
573-659-3423 info@ruralmissouri.coop
Advertising:
mdavis@ruralmissouri.coop
573-659-3400
National Advertising Representative:
American MainStreet Publications;
611 S. Congress St., Suite 504; Austin, TX 78704
573-659-3400
Postmasters: Send address changes to Rural Missouri,
2722 E. McCarty St., Jefferson City, MO
65101. Subscribers: Report change of address to
your local cooperative. Do not send change of address
to Rural Missouri.
Advertising standards: Advertising published in
Rural Missouri is accepted on the premise that
the merchandise and services offered are accurately
described and sold to customers at the advertised
price. Rural Missouri and Missouri's electric
cooperatives do not endorse any products or
services advertised herein. Advertising that does
not conform to these standards or that is deceptive
or misleading is never knowingly accepted by
this publication. The acceptance of all advertising
shall be in the sole discretion of the editor.
Rural Missouri (ISSN 0164-8578) (USPS 473000)
is published monthly by the Association
of Missouri Electric Cooperatives, 2722 E.
McCarty Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101, Caleb
Jones, CEO/executive vice president. Individual
subscription rate: $12 per year or $25 for three
years, taxes and postage included. Group rate for
members of participating RECs $2.64, plus taxes
and postage, paid from equity accruing to the
member. Delivery as specified by subscriber. If not
specified, delivery will be by periodical class mail
at subscriber's expense. Periodical Class postage
paid at Jefferson City, MO, and additional mailing
offices. Copyright 2022, Association of Missouri
Electric Cooperatives. Call for reprint rights.
Circulation of this issue: 583,153
RM | PERSPECTIVES
That good ol' cooperation
by Caleb Jones | cjones@amec.coop
love this time of year. Things
slow down, I get to see the
kids more and the cool
weather makes me nostalgic.
As I write this the last of the
negative election ads are playing
on the TV.
I
I want to tell them to save
their money. Can there be anyone
who hasn't already made
up their mind on who gets their
vote?
I'm happy that I can finally
turn on my television without
hearing one political candidate
yelling about their opponent.
After watching some of the election
results, it seems fitting that
shortly after election day the
holiday seasons start.
I grew up in a family that
took elections seriously. My dad,
Kenny Jones, served Moniteau
County as its sheriff. He too had
to stand for election in order to
keep his job. I spent plenty of summers
knocking on doors, walking in
parades and going to events all over
the county helping him campaign.
One of the best lessons I learned
My dad - who served as Moniteau County sheriff -
taught me the value of cooperation.
feel in the air. Call it love, peace on
earth, good will to men or just good
ol' cooperation - we are all better
when we are working together.
I see that " can-do " spirit play out
from him was that once the election
was over, he served everyone, not just
the people who voted for him.
Sheriff Jones didn't care whether
you were a donkey or an elephant.
When someone smashed your mailbox
or made off with one of your
cows, he never asked what party you
favored or whether or not you voted
for him. It was his job to work for all,
and he did it.
When I became a state representative,
I tried my best to practice
the example my dad set for me. I
can honestly say I had just as many
friends on the other side of the aisle
as I did in my own party. We swapped
pocket knives, but we also supported
each other when we had something
we wanted to fix for the good of all
Missourians.
Now that the election is over, I
hope those we elected will witness
some of the Christmas magic we can
across the state this time of year. You
see it in food drives; in " Angel Trees "
where people take a paper ornament
and make the dreams of a needy
family come true; and in the parades,
festivals and plays that brighten our
spirits during the holidays.
I love seeing Missouri's small
towns put aside their differences
in order to spread joy. The past few
years have been tough for all. That
makes those lights, visits with Santa,
caroling and all of the other traditions
even more special.
Here's hoping all of you have a
wonderful holiday season in the company
of those you love. From my family
- Caleb, Lindsey, Max and Charlie
- to yours, have the merriest holiday
ever.
Caleb is the executive vice president
and CEO of the Association of Missouri
Electric Cooperatives and a member of
Boone Electric Cooperative.
DECEMBER 2022 | RURALMISSOURI.COOP 5
http://www.facebook.com/RuralMissouri https://co.pinterest.com/ruralmissouri/ https://www.youtube.com/ruralmissouri/ http://www.RURALMISSOURI.COOP
Rural Missouri - December 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Rural Missouri - December 2022
