Jan. 23, 2003   Commission Appoints Blue Ribbon Panel JEFFERSON CITY - Following through on a promise to get more citizen input into Missouri's transportation programs, the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission today appointed a 12-member Blue Ribbon Panel on Accountability, Credibility and Efficiency.  The group will examine and evaluate the commission and Missouri Department of Transportation and recommend ways for them to enhance accountability, credibility and efficiency in the state's transportation operations. The panel will review a variety of areas, including how the commission and department are governed, and sources of state and federal funding, including transportation monies allocated to other agencies. Panel members will also compare MoDOT to other state departments of transportation in terms of funding sources, organization, highway system size and other operational aspects. "We have chosen an outside group of citizens who are well-known and respected in their communities to focus on issues of governance and finance," Commission Chairman Ollie Gates said. "The commission realizes there are huge transportation needs in the state, and we are asking for outside help in dealing with those needs. "One of the keys to meeting the challenges and opportunities of the future is to continually earn the respect and trust of the citizens and taxpayers of Missouri," he said. "The best way to do that is to listen to Missourians' concerns, suggestions and comments. That's what this panel will do." Dr. Jack Magruder, president of Truman State University, will chair the panel. "We're delighted that Dr. Magruder has agreed to head this panel because Truman State University, under his leadership, has attained a reputation for accountability, top performance and integrity," Gates said. Other members include: Ray Beck, city manager of Columbia; the Rev. Emanuel Cleaver, former Kansas City mayor; Jim Henson, presiding commissioner of St. Francois County and union official; Tom Irwin, senior vice president, St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association; Freeman McCullah, retired MoDOT district engineer, Springfield; John E. Mehner, president and chief executive officer, Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce; Karen Messerli, Lee's Summit mayor; Joe Ortwerth, St. Charles County executive; Steve Roberts, president and chief executive officer, Roberts Broadcasting Co., St. Louis; Larry Stobbs, former mayor of St. Joseph; and Morris Westfall, former state senator from Halfway. The group's first meeting will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 28 in Room 100 of the MoDOT Building in Jefferson City. The panel is expected to make a final report and recommendations to the commission on or before Aug. 31.