FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Contact: Nanci Gonder, 573-751-0290

First Lady Takes on Cause to Restore Missouri's Governor's Mansion

JEFFERSON CITY - First Lady Melanie Blunt is committed to leaving the Missouri’s Governor’s Mansion better than she found it and today she announced she is taking on a special cause to support much-needed improvements to the people’s house.

"Matt and I are honored to call the mansion home, as so many governors' families have before us," Mrs. Blunt said. "Our family already has so many great memories of our three years at the Mansion and we have enjoyed sharing it with the thousands of Missourians who have visited us here. Matt and I believe in the importance of leaving a place better than how you found it. As Matt has worked to ensure the state of Missouri is in a stronger position than when he took office, I am committed to doing all I can do to ensure the people's house is also in better condition when we leave here in January."

"The Governor's Mansion is filled with irreplaceable artifacts and is an important piece of the history of the state of Missouri," said Mary Pat Abele, executive director for Missouri Mansion Preservation Inc (MMPI). "Mrs. Blunt is dedicated to preserving the Mansion and all of its treasures for future generations and her support and Gov. Blunt's support are critical to preserving this historic and beautiful building. MMPI strongly encourages the General Assembly to pass Gov. Blunt’s amendment to assist with these long overdue repairs at the Mansion."

Mrs. Blunt is encouraging the state legislature to appropriate $3 million to support renovation efforts at the Governor's Mansion. The money is available in a constitutionally-established Facilities Maintenance and Reserve Fund dedicated to repairing and preserving state buildings in Missouri such as the Governor's Mansion.

Ms. Naoma Powell, the recipient of the Culture and Humanities, has dedicated her career, personal savings, and entire life to the goal of serving all persons through the arts. Naoma founded Access Arts - School of Service in Columbia to encourage creativity and provide opportunities for all people to experience and participate in art.

The repairs outlined include:

• $780,000 to repair the mansard slate roof and replacement of flat, membrane-type roofs. The life of the Mansion's roof is 40 years and the last significant repair and installation of the roof was in 1965.
• $1.1 million to restore and repaint all windows, repair exterior masonry, and repair and paint all windows, trim, cornices, and columns. The current window frames and sashes show splintered and rotted wood which cannot adequately support large glass panes.
• $1.2 million for the partial replacement of the 23-year-old heating and cooling system that is malfunctioning and is well-beyond its life capacity, replacement of first floor kitchen needed for health, safety and efficiency, interior flooring and plaster repairs and other minor interior repairs and painting.

A stitch in time saves nine for any homeowner, but many of the needed repairs at the Governor's Mansion should have occurred many years ago. The failure to make these basic repairs have made the job more difficult and costly. However, waiting any longer would be even more expensive for taxpayers and potentially dangerous for the Mansion's many visitors.

Gov. Blunt's amendment must be approved by the legislature in order to appropriate the money for the repairs. The amendment passed the Senate Appropriations Committee on March 6 and now must be approved by the full Senate.

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