Community leaders and elected officials in Warren County are anticipating a busy year.Here’s what a few of them had to say about what’s coming in 2018.Roger Mauzy, Dan Hampson and Hubie Kluesner, Warren County commissioners — We are looking forward to another busy year in 2018. We are currently working on expanding the jail to alleviate the overcrowding that it is currently experiencing.We are looking to convert 5 to 7 miles of gravel roads to hard surface roads. We have consistently been able to do this over the past several years. Currently, we do not have those locations chosen.We are anticipating a good response to our new fitness center in our newly purchased building located at the intersection of Highway 47 and Isabella in Warrenton.We are currently anticipating placing a one-half cent sales tax issue on the April ballot for the purpose of financially supporting law enforcement so as not to compromise the same level of safety and security of the citizens of Warren County that we currently have.David Lange, Mayor of Marthasville — Looking ahead to 2018, the city of Marthasville has quite a few irons in the fire. A few of the projects slated for completion in 2018 are:Widening and rebuilding of Pecan and South streets. This project is in the design phase at this time.MoDOT TAP grant sidewalk project. The city will replace some old sidewalks and install some new sidewalks along Main Street/Highway D, from the east city limits to just past the firehouse. This project is also in the design phase.In the water department, the city is working on drilling a new deep well and building a new ground storage water reservoir to help improve the system. This project is about ready to be designed.We will continue work on and complete GIS mapping of the entire city infrastructure system. This is approximately halfway done.The city is in the process of making improvements in its financial accounting, banking, billing, etc., by consolidation and simplification of its systems.The city also has plans to make some improvements to the city parks, wastewater systems, stormwater systems and basic municipal services.We would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a blessed and Merry Christmas and a prosperous and safe new year.Chris Watson, Mayor of Truesdale — Looking ahead for Truesdale in 2018 starts with looking back and reflecting on 2017 in the “Little City That Could.”The year 2017 started with a focus on development, growth and our city’s first community event.The city issued 24 new home permits and nine new business licenses. Also, several existing businesses expanded during the year. The city completed two major street projects (Market Street area and part of Smith Street).The city was devastated with the death of two important and very influential leaders of our community. Donald McGee served as an alderman, starting in 2003, and Murray Bruer served as alderman for two years and our beloved mayor for nine years. They both left a great foundation for the city to continue building upon for the future.The future of Truesdale for 2018 is limitless. The city has an excellent staff with years of knowledge. They also are aware and sensitive to the needs of the citizens. The Truesdale Board of Aldermen is very involved with all aspects of growth and economic development, not only within the city limits, but Warren County as well.The police department’s focus is to keep the citizens safe, to serve and protect, and be involved within the community with a positive demeanor.At this time, the board is currently looking into government grants for a community center/storm shelter and a park. The city is working toward the rebuilding of the Truesdale Depot that will be used as a museum to preserve the rich railroad history of the city and surrounding area.With the tremendous outpouring of local citizens volunteering to help with the depot and the Railroad Days event, I anticipate a great event next October.The city will continue using our city’s motto “What Is Best for the City” to make 2018 a great year. I pray that 2018 will be a great one for each citizen, each city, Warren County and our country.David Buck, Superintendent of Wright City R-II School District — Wright City R-II is about to adopt a Wright City Profile of a Graduate. These will be three to five skills that we want every graduate to be proficient in by the time they graduate.We will then build in experiences so as to develop and allow kids to show they are proficient in them. We will do this at the elementary level, middle school level and high school level.We also are exploring the feasibility of a three-day, two-night camp experience for a grade each year and looking forward to working with our athletic boosters to create more opportunities for our young kids to get exposed to and play in athletics.Lastly, we are looking at ways to increase participation in extra- and co-curricular activities. Research shows that kids who participate in two or more activities in their high school career are more highly correlated to a successful career as an adult.Jill Schowe, Assistant Superintendent of Warren County R-III School District — Goals for the district include working with local municipalities to attract and maintain professional teaching staff, which we feel would include having the staff living and being an integral part of our community.We reached a record high APR score, and we hope to maintain or even score higher next year.We’re looking forward to Dr. Gregg Klinginsmith joining our Warrior Family again and helping to move this district to great places!Bart Korman, State Representative for the 42nd District — In my final year as representative for the 42nd District I will continue to serve on the Transportation, Budget, and Innovation and Technology Committees. While serving on the Transportation Committee I would like to make sure that we have reasonable funding solutions for our transportation infrastructure, it is a fundamental purpose of our state government.Next, by sitting on the Budget Committee my goal is to help reduce state spending on unnecessary programs. Vice versa, I also hope to ensure that adequate funding is provided for fundamental purposes of government, such as public safety and transportation.Warren County Ambulance District — The Warren County Ambulance District as always is looking forward to a very busy new year. We have a lot of exciting things going on and maintaining the highest level of prehospital care is one of our No. 1 priorities.In 2017, we opened our fourth base and added extra medics to meet the approximately 4,400 calls we responded to. When we’re not running calls we are investing our time and talent in our communities that we live in and serve.We believe that in 2018 we will see more growth that will stimulate our economies, bring more value to our properties and bring more opportunities for those who live and work here.Many projects will be started in 2018. With that being said, the ambulance district is really looking forward to the completion of the Veterans Memorial project. We love our veterans — if it weren’t for them we would not enjoy our freedoms we have today and that is why we enjoyed helping on this project.There are many veterans in Warren County and this is a memorial that we all can be proud of.Other projects in the new year will be upgrading medical equipment and a new ambulance and hiring additional personnel. At the same time, reworking service contracts and continue making the district as financially efficient as possible.Resource management is another high priority. We constantly strive to maintain and make sure we have the resources we need to complete our 24/7 mission.The Warren County Ambulance District would like to thank all of our citizens for their continued support of the district for many years! We look forward to continue serving you and your families for years to come.2018