On Jan. 11, the Metropolitan Congregations United presented a proposal at the Missouri Department of Transportation monthly commission that would require a local work force to be involved in the upcoming highway 64/40-reconstruction project. As Father Rich Greason, past president of MCU, put it, their plea seemed to “fall on deaf ears.” Although MoDOT did not reject the ordinance made by MCU, it has not been accepted. “They haven’t really said anything yet,” said Reverend Tommie Pierson, president of MCU, “but we are hopeful that they will accept our proposal for giving available jobs to local minorities and lower income workers who are qualified for the work.” The proposal would ensure that 30 percent of the work done on the project would go to local laborers. It also states that .5 percent of federal dollars for the project goes toward training those workers. Despite the disappointment of lack of response from MoDOT, the community’s response and support made up for it. MoDOT’s monthly meeting, which only seats 100, was filled with over 250 people. There were delegations from Kansas City, Mo., as well as St. Louis. One of the most inspiring shows of support was the group of about 50 younger African-Americans who came in hard hats. “We brought a very powerful delegation with us to Jefferson,” said Dan Grandone, executive director of MCU. Pierson was not surprised by this show of support. “This is a very interested community; they are interested in any available jobs being given to local people, and the more information put out there the more the community will rally around us in support of giving an increased number of jobs to those who need it,” he said. Although there is obvious and overwhelming support from the surrounding neighborhoods, there is still a lot of work to be done, Creason said. “There is a very strong support from the grass roots, whereas it is more of a cautious questioning response from civil leaders,” said Creason, “but this is an important issue that we are going to keep after.” Since Dec. 1, 2005, additional elected officials, local businesses and companies have signed on to support the proposal. During the Jan. 11 commission, when asked, the MoDOT commissioners one by one all claimed they were committed to hiring a local, low-income work force. However, they defer a lot of power and response to the shoulders of Pete Rahn, the executive director of MoDOT. So far, Rahn has claimed to work together with MCU, but has been unwilling to make any specific amendment. “This cause would benefit the whole state of Missouri and is for the good of the state, not just the St. Louis area, ” said Creason, “but no matter how we present the problem, we just keep coming up empty.” Despite the recent setbacks, MCU is looking to attend the MoDOT February commission, which will be held next Wednesday, Feb. 8. Although he has been unwilling to commit or offer up a platform of his own, Rahn did tell MCU he hired a national mediator to come to St. Louis on Feb. 21 to find a solution with the highway contractors and the community. MCU does not have very much say in this decision, as MoDOT ultimately controls the proposals as they are presented to the contractors. “Pete Rahn appears to be hiding behind the mediation process,” said Grandone. After the meeting at the end of February a “draft RFP” (Request For Proposal) will be sent out to the two companies bidding on the proposal for the 64/40 project. In May, MoDOT will send out the final RFP; therefore, MCU has until May to influence MoDOT’s final decision. This imminency has not intimidated MCU. “This platform is critical to a neighborhood like ours, with a high concentration of poverty, and people in dire need of work,” explained Creason. “Our proposal brings together two perspectives; the first, being the economy, second, the community. To create a good economy for our region, we need good roads, and we need people working-which is why Highway 64/40 is the perfect place to start.” The second part of Creason’s perspective addresses unemployment rates in local neighborhoods. “It comes down to the point that it is the moral responsibility of everyone in the community to do what they can to help prevent and improve unemployment rates,” Creason said.

MCU can only hope that MoDOT will recognize this responsibility, and continue to state their case with the hope that their words will no longer fall on deaf ears.