Our department is proud to be a part of this effort, which enhances the state as a whole as well as each individual that uses the trails.

We all have a responsibility to be good stewards of our natural resources. Conserving our soil and water resources is vital to keeping fields productive and improving water quality throughout Missouri.

If problems develop, we will rescind the authorization. This is in line with the direction Gov. (Matt) Blunt provided when he ordered us to shut down RES in December.

I am confident that Mike will provide positive leadership in the new direction that Gov. Blunt has asked the department to pursue.

I thought we had a chance. You hold a team to 36 percent shooting, you rebound with them, you get more free throws ... the difference in the game might be the stretch where we turned the ball over.

We'll just keep pushing on because we don't have any other choice.