wave takes toll on manyBy Bill Jenks, III, Mayor Extreme heat, and the dog-days ofsummer are by no means something new to folks in the Ozark Highlands, but mostwill agree that the recent 10-day heat wave that included multiple days oftemperatures well above 100 degrees, (without the heat index) was one of theworst spells of hot, dry weather since the days of the infamous Dust Bowl. Fortunately for us Mother Natureintervened last weekend (like something right out of the movie Sarah Plain and Tall) when we neededrain the most, and two downpours (that also brought dangerous winds, thunderand lightning), were so significant that the Rolla Fire and Rescue Departmentwas able to lift a County- and City-wide burn ban that was implemented prior tothe July 4th holiday.Seeing the grass, and even some treesand bushes turn various shades of brown, and even in some cases white, it iseasy to see where the term ‘scorched earth’ got its name. Realizing how hot andhow dry the ground had gotten from the heat wave, I have to commend the FireDepartments in Phelps County, our own Fire & Rescue Department, RollaPolice Department and local law enforcement agencies, for working together toget the word out to the community regarding the potential hazards of firecaused by the draught and extremely hot weather. A special thanks goes to the Rolla Daily News and other local mediaoutlets for several articles and public service announcements on thepotentially dangerous conditions caused by the heat wave, including manyimportant tips and tricks on how and where to stay cool and healthy during suchharsh weather conditions. Knowing that the community is aware ofwhere to go when it gets too hot (i.e., cooling centers), and how to bestprotect ourselves during severe heat, is reassuring, considering that thehottest weeks and months of the summer are still ahead. To say the recent,unrelenting heat wave we experienced was a dress rehearsal for more severeweather ahead, would be premature, but I’m sure we have all reviewed andreconsidered the necessary precautions we all need to take during such hot, dryweather conditions. It’s never inappropriate to express mygratitude and appreciation also for all the City employees who work outsideregardless of the weather conditions and temperature. The Street Divisioncontinues to fill pot holes, fix traffic lights/signals, build and pave roads,the Sanitation Division continues to pick up waste and recycling materials; theParks and Recreation Department continues to operate and maintain our park system,and 320 acres of park and cemetery land; the Rolla Police Department continuesto patrol and protect our streets, sidewalks, neighborhoods and businesses; theCommunity Development Department continues to conduct inspections, make sitevisits and issue building permits; RollaFire & Rescue continues to respond to emergency calls and provide necessaryfirst response service to those in need. While is it is easy to say thatworking in 110 degree weather is part of the job, I think if any one of us worked5 to 10 days straight in that kind of heat, we might have a difference ofopinion.
In closing, I would like to encourageanyone who has not yet seen the progress that is being made at VeteransMemorial Park (located on Southview Drive), including the recent completion ofa new pavilion and the U.S. Armed Forces Pentagon. Many individuals, groups andbusinesses are working together to complete the many phases of this park,including the members of the South Central Regional Veterans Group (S.C.R.V.G),our very own U.S. Army soldiers stationed in Fort Leonard Wood, the City’sParks and Recreation Department of course, and many other U.S. veterans andsupporters of the military and Veterans Memorial Park. I am confident that thetime is not so distant when we will see the completion of this multi-phased, 11-acrepark with significant donations from the community and region, state fundingand possibly even federal funds that will make it the premiere Veterans Park inSouth Central Missouri, if not the entire state. Enjoy the weekend and have a safe weekRolla City Council Mtg., July 16Thenext Rolla City Council meeting will be held on Monday, July 16 at 6:30 p.m. inthe Council Chambers at Rolla City Hall, 901 N. Elm Street.RollaCity Council meetings are ordinarily held the first and third Monday of themonth at 6:30 p.m. except when there is a conflict with an observed holiday.
To review a copy of the CityCouncil agendas or the full agenda packet, please visit http://rollacity.org/admin/agenda.shtml#agenda.For more information, please contact Rolla City Administration at 426-6948.
Burnban back ineffectDueto the continued extremely dry and drought-like conditions in Rolla and PhelpsCounty, the fire hazard for the area continues to be severe. City of Rolla Fire& Rescue, and other Fire Departments in Phelps County are again joiningtogether to announce and enforce an open burning ban.Withthe extreme weather conditions, effective immediately, by the order of RobertWilliams, Fire Chief, open burning in Rolla and other cities and towns inPhelps County will not be permitted until such time it is safe to lift the burnban. “Thetwo thunder storms we had about a week ago helped offset the fire hazard to a certaindegree, but unfortunately they did not make a long-lasting impact on thedraught-like conditions we are facing in Rolla and Phelps County,” said ChiefWilliams. “There is unfortunately very little rain projected in the immediateforecast, and it doesn’t look like we will see much relief for quite awhile.” For more information, please feel freeto contact Robert Williams, Fire Chief or Ron Smith, Training Officer at(573)364-3989.
International IdolTalent Competitionauditions, Sept. 6Doyou sing, dance, rap, act, or play a musical instrument? Talented communitymembers (all ages and acts are welcome) are invited to audition for theInternational Idol competition on Thursday, Sept. 6 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. atthe Havener Center, Meramec Room, on the Missouri S&T campus.Thefinal competition will be held during the 3rd Annual Celebration ofNations event on Saturday, Sept. 29 at the Downtown Bandshell (located at thecorner of 9th and Oak Street.) Group and individual prizes will beawarded.Tosign up or for more information, please contact Rebecca Holmes at rmhq57@mst.edu or Barbi Spencer at spencerbar@mst.edu. Celebrationof Nations was created to promote awareness, understanding and the celebrationof the vibrant cultural diversity that makes Rolla unique to the Ozarks. ”One Campus. One Community. OneWorld.”
Rolla Downtown Farmer’s Marketopen every TuesdayTheRolla Downtown Farmer’s Market is open and operating under the new shadestructure in the lower parking lot of Rolla City Hall from 7 a.m. until 12-nooneach Tuesday throughout the growing season.TheFarmer’s Market is coordinated by Roy Fiscus and Wilma Bingham, and spots areavailable for vendors to sell their items, but they must be locally grown ormade products/produce (Phelps County). Noflea market, yard sale type items will be permitted. All spots are first come,first served. The cost to host a booth is $2 per day, which is given to theorganizers the day the vendors are there. Foradditional information, please contact Roy Fiscus at 341-8045 or Wilma Binghamat 364-5544.
Cityurges propertyownersto displayaddressnumbersTheCity of Rolla Fire and Rescue is conducting their annual business safety inspections,and one of the items they check for is a visible and conspicuous address numberto identify the location of each business. Byproperly displaying address numerals that contrast with the color of thedwelling, fire, safety and medical responders can more quickly identify aproperty when responding to an emergency call, or during other safety ormedical related matters. “Whenlives are at risk, visible property address numbers really count,” said FireChief Robert Williams, City of Rolla Fire & Rescue. “And emergency servicespersonnel don’t need to be wasting your time guessing at addresses.”Inaddition, property owners who have recently remodeled or re-sided their homes,or whose address numbers are not visible, need to ensure their street orproperty address is easily identifiable somewhere on the structure and visiblefrom the street. A violation of the requirements of thisOrdinance shall constitute an offense which could be punishable by a fine notto exceed $50. Thisrequirement is in keeping with the City’s Ordinance relating to Chapter 6 (Sec.6-1, Article 1 – In General) “Streetnumbers required of property owners on dwelling or structure.” If you have any questions relating to theserequirements, please contact Rolla City Administration at 426-6948.
Environmental Services Important Dates
(clip & save coupon)Sept. 3, 2012 - Labor Day: Monday’s trashwill be picked up Tuesday; Tuesday’s trash will be picked up Wednesday.Oct. 6, 2012- Citywide Fall Clean Up: Saturday - Citywide clean up day(residential only).Nov. 22, 2012– Thanksgiving Day: Thursday’s trash will be picked upWednesday.Dec. 25, 2012– ChristmasDay: Tuesday’s trash will be pickedup Wednesday..HolidaysNOT affecting trash or recycling collection: Oct. 8, 2012 – Columbus Day Nov. 12, 2012 – Veteran’s DayNov. 23, 2012 – Day after ThanksgivingRolla Channel 16live streaming24/7 on the Web Ifyou happen to miss the airing of a Rolla City Council meeting, Planning &Zoning meeting, Rolla Public School Board meeting or Board of Public Worksmeeting, you can now watch them live on the Rolla Channel 16 Website at http://rollachannel16.com. RollaChannel 16, Rolla’s premiere Education and Government channel, is also now livestreaming (24/7) at http://rollachannel16.com.RC16 is live streaming all Rolla City Council meetings, Rolla Planning &Zoning Commission meetings, Rolla Public Schools board meetings, Rolla HighSchool Review and “City Minutes” hosted by the City of Rolla’s CommunicationsOffice. Othersyndicated content on RC16 such as Missouri Outdoors, Army Newswatch, andCapitol Dialogue will also live stream on RC16 at http://rollachannel16.com. Formore information regarding programming or DVD duplication of Rolla City Councilmeetings, Rolla Planning & Zoning meetings, and Rolla Public Schools boardmeetings, etc., please contact Gabe Mankin, Digital Media Operations Manager, at(573) 426-3377 or at Gabe.Mankin@fidelitycommunications.com.Besure to watch Rolla Channel 16 – Education, Government and Community for you!
UpcomingEvents JULY 2012July 16 – City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)
AUGUST 2012Aug. 6 – City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)Aug. 11 – Cruise In (5-8 p.m.), JC Penney parking lot, SouthSide Shoppers WorldAug. 18 – Relay for Life (noon-midnight); Lions Club Park, Hwy.63 SouthAug. 20 – City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)Aug. 24 – 4th Annual Bulldog Pride Night (5:30 p.m.);Rolla High School – Lions Memorial Stadium
SEPTEMBER 2012Sept. 3 – City Hall closed for Labor Day holiday Sept. 5 – City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)Sept. 6 – International Idol Talent Competition Auditions (6-8p.m.); Havener Center (to register, contact Rebecca Holmes at rmhq57@mst.edu) Sept. 8 – Cruise In (5-8 p.m.) JC Penney Parking Lot, SouthsideShoppers WorldSept. 17 – City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)Sept. 29 – 3rd Annual Celebration of Nations (11 a.m.– 4 p.m.); Downtown Festival Park
Scott A. GrahlCommunications DirectorCity of Rolla, Missouri(573) 426-6943Follow us on Facebook & Twitter at www.rollacity.org
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