Legislators Demand Action for Reynolds County Residents

Intro: Legislators held a press conference Monday to outline the results they want for those affected by the collapse of the Taum Sauk reservoir.

Amy Becker has more from the state Capitol.

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Republican Senators Michael Gibbons and Kevin Engler, along with Democrat Representative J.C. Kuessner held a press conference demanding action from Ameren UE in response to the Taum Sauk disaster.

The legislators want Ameren to be held accountable by paying for the damages and reconstruction of the reservoir itself.

More than a year has passed since the reservoir collapsed and Senator Michael Gibbons feels it is time for something to be done.

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Description: There's been way too much time passed. It's time to put the people first, not politics and lets get this moving.

Gibbons stated the reconstruction is imporant to the tax base and for Ameren to supply affordable power to the area.

From Jefferson City, I'm Amy Becker.

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State leaders held a bipartisan press conference Monday, calling for financial action from gas company Ameren UE in response to the collapse of the Taum Sauk reservoir.

Amy Becker has more from Jefferson City.

More than a year has passed since the Taum Sauk reservoir in Reynolds county collapsed. With the loss of the reservoir came the loss of many jobs in the area.

Republican Senator Kevin Engler described the situation as a chess game and said the people could not be looked at as pawns.

Engler also called for action from other state leaders.

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Description: We've called on all the parties to either negotiate, mediate, or arbitrate, something, to get going.

Engler says the disaster was a self inflicted wound, not an act of God. He says Ameren must be held accountable for their actions.

From the state Capitol, I'm Amy Becker.

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Legislators called on governmental offices to step forward and tackle the reconstruction of the Taum Sauk reservoir.

Amy Becker has more from the Missouri state capitol.

After more than a year since the collapse of the Taum Sauk reservoir, state leaders held a bipartisan press conference to organize political aid for Reynolds County.

According to Democrat Representative J.C. Kuessner, the collapse of the reservoir added to the high unemployment rate in the area.

Kuessner stated the disaster affected tourists attitudes towards visiting the area.

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Description: People make choices based on the places they were last and of course when they break a trend it's hard to get them back in the focus of that trend.

Kuessner revealed he owned a business in Reynolds County and like many local businesses, saw a substantial loss in revenue after the reservoir collapsed.

Reporting from Jefferson City, I'm Amy Becker.