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Missouri in no hurry to fill vacancies on State earthquake preparation commission

October 12, 2005
By: Travis Thompson
State Capital Bureau

An earthquake bigger than the one that devastated Pakistan could shake Missouri.

But the Governor's top spokesman says he doesn't know when the State's main earthquake commission will be fully staffed.

Travis Thompson has more from the state Capitol.

Story:
RunTime:
OutCue: SOC

Missouri's earthquake preparation commission has more than a half dozen vacancies.

It's been this way for months.

The commission reviews the State's earthquake response plans then makes recommendations to lawmakers.

Governor Matt Blunt's top spokesman, Spence Jackson says there's no hurry to fill the vacancies.

Actuality:
RunTime:
OutCue:
Contents: "Better have it right than quick. You don't want to get somebody who's not qualified on there. That would be the worst thing that could happen."

Jackson says the National Guard is the first response to an earthquake, not the commission.

The State hasn't held an earthquake preparation exercise since 2001.

From the state Capitol, I'm Travis Thompson.

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Governor Matt Blunt's top spokesman says there's no hurry to fill more than a half dozen vacancies on the State's earthquake preparation commission.

Travis Thompson has more from the state Capitol.

Story:
RunTime:
OutCue: SOC

An earthquake bigger than the that devastated Pakistan could shake Missouri.

But for months, the State's earthquake preparation commission has had more than half a dozen vacancies.

When asked about the vacancies, Governor Blunt's top spokesperson, Spence Jackson only talked about Hurricane Katrina.

Actuality:
RunTime:
OutCue:
Contents: "Hurricane Katrina was an excellent test. It was an actual precursor for our state for any sort of earthquake, tornado or anything else that unfortunately could happen here."

Jackson says the State is in no hurry to fill the empty commission spots.

The group reviews earthquake response preparation and then makes recommendations to lawmakers.

From the state Capitol, I'm Travis Thompson.