State Highway A’s poor conditions have been in discussions near and far. It was the topic of discussion at the Missouri State Capitol as several Hardin community members and Ray County Presiding Commissioner Billy Gaines sat down with federal, state and Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) officials last week. Overall guidance from Congressman Sam Graves’ Senior Field Representatives Matt Barry and Buffy Smith suggested support be sought from the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC). Stan and Joan Utley, Kent Templeton, David Minnick and Hardin-Central Superintendent Austin Purvis attended, as well as Districts 7 and 53 State Representatives Peggy McGaugh and Terry Thompson and MoDOT engineer leaders Ben Mc-Cabe, Tonya Lohman and Ed Hassinger. Stan stated Highway A conditions were “deplorable” and “dangerous.” He shared information gathered from the Missouri State Highway Patrol regarding vehicle accidents on Highway A, noting State Highway Patrol has responded to at least…