Rural Missouri - September 2024 - 5

Missouri
RURAL
Volume 77 | SEPTEMBER 2024 | Number 9
EDITORIAL STAFF:
Sara Schafer, editor
sschafer@ruralmissouri.coop
Jim McCarty, editor emeritus
jmccarty@ruralmissouri.coop
Paul Newton, managing editor
pnewton@ruralmissouri.coop
Ricki Spargo, social media editor
rspargo@ruralmissouri.coop
Megan Backes, creative director
mbackes@ruralmissouri.coop
Angie Jones-Wheeler, associate editor
ajones@ruralmissouri.coop
Mike Sutherland, VP communications
msutherland@amec.coop
ADVERTISING:
Mary Davis, production manager
mdavis@ruralmissouri.coop
CONTACT:
Rural Missouri
2722 E. McCarty St., Jefferson City, MO 65101
573-659-3423 info@ruralmissouri.coop
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
473-000) 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 $0.96, plus taxes and
postage, paid from equity accruing to the
member. Delivery as specified by subscriber.
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Call for reprint rights.
Circulation of this issue: 589,094
RM | PERSPECTIVES
Where thanks is needed
by Caleb Jones | cjones@amec.coop
t was only a matter of time. Not
too long ago, my son, Max, and
I had an unscheduled meeting
to discuss the accuracy of
the speedometer in my truck. The
meeting began with flashing red and
blue lights, followed by a noteworthy
self-assessment, which involved
me apologizing for my mistake and
thanking the Boone County deputy
sheriff for his service. After a
polite reminder that there have
been multiple accidents in the area
involving excessive speed, the officer
reminded me to please slow down
and sent me on my way.
As we drove off, Max remarked he
didn't realize police officers were so
nice. This gave me an opportunity to
explain two important lessons:
1. Even good people make mistakes,
such as driving too fast.
2. Law enforcement officers are
people just like you and me. They
go to work every day to ensure our
families are safe.
Over the last few years, news
articles and social media posts
about police often cast them in a
negative light. Even worse, recent
FBI reports show attacks on law
enforcement officers are at a 10-year
high. Between protesters, the news
media and actual criminals, those
who protect and serve the public are
facing an insurmountable task in
just doing their jobs.
Having a father who was the
local county sheriff all through my
childhood gave me a much more
educated perspective. I have seen
the good and bad of what it takes
to be a public servant. Watching my
father put on a uniform and pin that
badge on his chest made me appreciate
what he did every day - rain
or shine.
Plus, I bet there aren't too many
kids who can say their brother
locked them in the drunk tank on a
long Saturday afternoon while their
dad was finishing up paperwork at
the office.
As a child, I had a front-row seat to the
sacrifices our law enforcement makes since
my dad served as Moniteau County sheriff.
We live in an amazing country
with great schools, jobs and endless
opportunities for the American
Dream. It's easy to forget all of this
starts with knowing you and your
family are safe.
Most importantly, there are men
and women who every day put
themselves in harm's way, so we are
safe. Sometimes that means stopping
people from driving recklessly.
Other times that means chasing
down terrible people who wish to
cause harm to others. Our society is
based on the core belief that we can
live our lives without fear for our
safety. Law enforcement is the cornerstone
of this.
I think we should start a new
trend. We need to flood our law
enforcement with praise, appreciation
and respect to outweigh the
negativity they experience. The next
time you see a police officer, whether
they are writing you a ticket or getting
a cup of coffee, thank them for
keeping you safe.
Caleb Jones is the executive vice
president and CEO of Missouri Electric
Cooperatives. He is a member of
Boone Electric Cooperative.
SEPTEMBER 2024 | RURALMISSOURI.COOP 5
I
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Rural Missouri - September 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Rural Missouri - September 2024

Contents
Rural Missouri - September 2024 - Cover1
Rural Missouri - September 2024 - Cover2
Rural Missouri - September 2024 - Contents
Rural Missouri - September 2024 - 4
Rural Missouri - September 2024 - 5
Rural Missouri - September 2024 - 6
Rural Missouri - September 2024 - 7
Rural Missouri - September 2024 - 8
Rural Missouri - September 2024 - 9
Rural Missouri - September 2024 - 10
Rural Missouri - September 2024 - 11
Rural Missouri - September 2024 - 12
Rural Missouri - September 2024 - 13
Rural Missouri - September 2024 - 14
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Rural Missouri - September 2024 - Cover3
Rural Missouri - September 2024 - Cover4
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ruralmissouri/202412
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