'Just Saying...' offers another view of area

Let me get this disclaimer out of the way right up front. Today's column is a shameless plug for a relatively new feature at the Standard Democrat.

On the Standard Democrat website you'll find a video each week called "Just Saying..." This weekly feature gives Steve McPheeters and myself an opportunity to speak with some area residents who we believe are important for our community.

Thus far, we've had Jo Ann Emerson and others talk about the flood impact. We've had Public Safety Director Drew Juden talk about the new Public Safety building under construction. And we've talked with Scott Crumpecker, school board president, and Superintendent Steve Borgsmiller about our school system.

Commissioner Dennis Ziegenhorn spoke about activities in the county and the Jaycees took the opportunity to share plans for this year's Bootheel Rodeo.

That's just a partial list of the guests.

For starters - here's the shameless plug - we hope you'll take time to visit our website and click on the 'Just Saying ...' video each week. The video coffee gabs run just over 10 minutes - depending on how wound-up Steve and I are each week. It's a way to hear the voices and listen to the plans or decisions that shape our community and region.

This week's webcast is an excellent example.

Steve sat down with Sikeston High School football coach Kent Gibbs to talk football and leadership and responsibility. Gibbs' style of coaching goes far beyond the football field. He is coaching leaders of tomorrow who just happen to be football players.

The message from Gibbs is a lesson we could use in all walks of life and all businesses. And to be real honest, it's hard to argue with his success on the gridiron and in molding young men to prepare for the future.

So that's my promotion for the day. We hope you can take the time to watch any or all of these weekly webcasts. And you'll be given ample opportunity to share your thoughts or suggestions. Heck, we even accept criticism.