Letter To The Editor

bring this to the attention of my Representative in the legislature. What followed was a series of phone calls, emails and face-to-face meetings. Much to my surprise, Rep. Lant took the issue on as his own and championed it. Nearly two years after I approached him, the reform was signed into law by the Governor. It might sound like a slow speed, but, relatively speaking, it occurred quickly due to his passion and dedication. It has been said that the average time from an idea’s inception to the passage of a law is five years. This means that two years is a good pace, but two years wasn’t fast enough to keep me from being impatient. In fact, I vividly recall Rep. Lant telling me, in what was likely an impatient moment of mine prior to seeing the reform passed, that moving legislation “was like pouring molasses.”

Since that time, Rep. Lant and his wife, Jane, have become wonderful friends of mine. To know them is to admire them. For reasons that are all too clear, many holding elected office these days are decried and held in public contempt. Rep. Lant exudes the qualities one seeks in a public servant while eschewing from all those things we deplore about politicians. While many serve in the legislature to secure power for themselves, Rep. Lant serves out of a sense of civic duty. I have often told people that Southwest Missouri has excellent representation in Jefferson City, and I truly believe this. What I never said but always knew was that Rep. Lant was a big reason as to why this is the case. We are extremely fortunate to be represented by such an honorable man. I feel even more fortunate to call him a friend. Please join me in continuing to pray for his recovery. Dirk Deaton

Noel