Record heat wave takes toll on many

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By Mayor Bill Jenks, IIIExtreme heat, and the dog-days of summer areby no means something new to folks in the Ozark Highlands, but most will agreethat the recent 10-day heat wave that included multiple days of temperatures wellabove 100 degrees, (without the heat index) was one of the worst spells of hot,dry weather since the days of the infamous Dust Bowl.Fortunately for us Mother Nature intervenedlast weekend (like something right out of the movie Sarah Plain and Tall) when we needed rain the most, and twodownpours (that also brought dangerous winds, thunder and lightning), were sosignificant that the Rolla Fire and Rescue Department was able to lift aCounty- and City-wide burn ban that was implemented prior to the July 4^thholiday. Seeing the grass, and even some trees and bushes turn various shades ofbrown, and even in some cases white, it is easy to see where the term ‘scorchedearth’ got its name. Realizing how hot and how dry the ground had gotten fromthe heat wave, I have to commend the Fire Departments in Phelps County, our ownFire & Rescue Department, Rolla Police Department and local law enforcementagencies, for working together to get the word out to the community regardingthe potential hazards of fire caused by the draught and extremely hot weather.A special thanks goes to the Rolla DailyNews and other local media outlets for several articles and public serviceannouncements on the potentially dangerous conditions caused by the heat wave,including many important tips and tricks on how and where to stay cool andhealthy during such harsh weather conditions. Knowingthat the community is aware of where to go when it gets too hot (i.e., coolingcenters), and how to best protect ourselves during severe heat, is reassuring,considering that the hottest weeks and months of the summer are still ahead. Tosay the recent, unrelenting heat wave we experienced was a dress rehearsal formore severe weather ahead, would be premature, but I’m sure we have allreviewed and reconsidered the necessary precautions we all need to take duringsuch hot, dry weather conditions. It’snever inappropriate to express my gratitude and appreciation also for all theCity employees who work outside regardless of the weather conditions andtemperature. The Street Division continues to fill pot holes, fix trafficlights/signals, build and pave roads, the Sanitation Division continues to pickup waste and recycling materials; the Parks and Recreation Department continuesto operate and maintain our park system, and 320 acres of park and cemeteryland; the Rolla Police Department continues to patrol and protect our streets,sidewalks, neighborhoods and businesses; the Community Development Departmentcontinues to conduct inspections, make site visits and issue building permits;  Rolla Fire & Rescue continues to respondto emergency calls and provide necessary first response service to those inneed. While is it is easy to say that working in 110 degree weather is part ofthe job, I think if any one of us worked 5 to 10 days straight in that kind ofheat, we might have a difference of opinion. Inclosing, I would like to encourage anyone who has not yet seen the progressthat is being made at Veterans Memorial Park (located on Southview Drive),including the recent completion of a new pavilion and the U.S. Armed ForcesPentagon. Many individuals, groups and businesses are working together to completethe many phases of this park, including the members of the South CentralRegional Veterans Group (S.C.R.V.G), our very own U.S. Army soldiers stationedin Fort Leonard Wood, the City’s Parks and Recreation Department of course, andmany other U.S. veterans and supporters of the military and Veterans MemorialPark. I am confident that the time is not so distant when we will see thecompletion of this multi-phased, 11-acre park with significant donations fromthe community and region, state funding and possibly even federal funds thatwill make it the premiere Veterans Park in South Central Missouri, if not theentire state. Enjoy the weekend and have a safe week!