Marshall Democrat-News: Local News: Skelton takes '3-hour tour' of Missouri River on Coast Guard Cutter Cheyenne

U.S. Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) poses with crew members of the Coast Guard Cutter Cheyenne Wednesday, Aug. 12.
(Sydney Stonner/Democrat-News)
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Did you know that Missouri is part of the U.S. Coast Guard's eighth district? If the answer is "no," you're probably not alone, but U.S. Congressman and Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee Ike Skelton, D-Mo., is trying to change that.

On Wednesday, Aug. 12, Skelton -- along with commissioners from Ray and Lafayette counties and a few other passengers -- rode the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Cheyenne, which is based out of St. Louis, from Napoleon upriver to Sibley and back to get a glimpse at the guard's work along the Missouri River.

"This is an opportunity for the Coast Guard to show off," Skelton said. "The Coast Guard does so much, and so little is known about it."

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Cheyenne sits at the Army Corps of Engineers marina in Napoleon prior to embarking on a voyage upriver with U.S. Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO).
(Sydney Stonner/Democrat-News)
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Another special guest on board the Cheyenne was Rear Admiral Mary E. Landry, who is the commander of the eighth district, which includes 26 states.

The Cheyenne is a 75-foot river buoy tender. When working on the river, crew members typically spend their days positioning buoys to mark the waterways, which will help guide other vessels as they float along.

Going upstream, the boat travels at a speed of about 6 mph; downstream, it moves a bit faster at 15 mph. For safety reasons, Coast Guard buoy tenders don't travel at night, so it will take three days for the crew to make its way back to St. Louis.

Contact Sydney Stonner at marshallbusiness@socket.net

ike can appear on a boat on the missouri river, but can't hold any town halls. sounds like a loooong-time congressman who is feeling fat and sassy and lazy and afraid to face the people he represents now that he sees REAL change coming.

sounds like a story for the demo-news to go after, if they are brave enough to go for it. the paper has always been skelton's sounding voice and given him free space and never challenged the man ... sooooo ... demo-news .... why don't you ask good ol' ike why he isn't holding any town halls?

-- Posted by aikman8 on Mon, Aug 17, 2009, at 11:15 PM

I wonder how close Tom Daschel and Ike are to an agreement on how to shut down Missouri River Barge traffic in order to keep water in the Dakotas and protect the little "wiggle worts" and shore birds safe in the Dakota's.

-- Posted by waterman7622 on Fri, Aug 14, 2009, at 8:52 PM

Oops, my mistake.. I thought a 'cutter' was different than a buoy barge..

-- Posted by Third Child on Fri, Aug 14, 2009, at 12:24 PM

Response by Eric Crump/Editor:

"A 'Cutter' is basically any CG vessel 65 feet in length or greater, having adequate accommodations for crew to live on board." See www.uscg.mil/datasheet/

How come there aren't any pictures of the Coast Guard cutter?

Did anyone lose any money at the casino?

-- Posted by Third Child on Fri, Aug 14, 2009, at 12:16 PM

I believe there is a photo of the vessel there.

I called Ike Skelton about NAFTA, the Republican/corporate "treaty" that off shored our industry. Clinton got his pieces of silver to sell the package to the demorats to sell out their constituents.. "the store is open".. pork and power were handed out at great expense to the public.. Skelton wouldn't take any comments from a person outside of his district unless they were donors and I didn't donate.. he of course voted for the treasonous NAFTA "treaty" and against the American people.. Ross Perot was right and everybody made fun of him. Look where we are now..

Mr. Skelton just signed the Carbon tax scam bill without even reading it.. he voted for the banker bailouts and of course he will vote for socialized death care...

Did the reporter/s happen to ask Mr. Skelton any questions about Obamacare or Carbon Tax?

-- Posted by Third Child on Fri, Aug 14, 2009, at 12:08 PM

I'm with you on this one "midmocat"

-- Posted by waterman7622 on Fri, Aug 14, 2009, at 11:32 AM

MidMOCat: My mama told me if I did not have anything good to say I should keep my mouth (keyboard) shut!

Many of us in Central Missouri thank our lucky stars that Ike has been there for us. He is well reasoned and a moderate.

Let's just visit one issue of Bill Stouffer...support of a parallel I-70 just for truckers. That will bankrupt our state. Plus Mr. Stouffer ran one of the dirtiest campaigns of recent memory.

Ike vs. Bill Reason vs. Radical. I'm going with reason and Ike.

I LIKE IKE!

-- Posted by movaldude on Fri, Aug 14, 2009, at 11:13 AM

Ike Skelton is a phony--he voted for the climate bill, and he is for nationalized health care. He is also afraid to face the people that he works for; note, no townhall meetings--instead hides out on the Missouri River, and probably a good idea to have those armed guards with you the way you vote. Go Bill Stouffer--our next Congressman; Ike Skelton, the facade is up, and everyone now clearly understands that you stand with Obama and Pelosi and against us!!!! Bye, Bye IKE!!!!!

-- Posted by midmocat on Fri, Aug 14, 2009, at 10:11 AM