October: Breast Cancer Awareness Month

We all know someone who has been stricken by this terrible disease and we all continue to HOPE for a cure, some day.

The West Plains Fire Department fully supports Breast Cancer Awareness month. Throughout October you will see our firefighters sporting their bright pink shirts supporting the cause.

Thank you for supporting such a great cause, WPFD!

What’s Happening? 10/22/12

The West Plains City Council met in regular session last night, 10/22/12. Royce Fugate was sworn in by City Clerk Mallory Thompson at 5 p.m. and the City Council then reorganized.

Photo courtesy of WP Daily Quill

During the reorganization part of the meeting the council decided Lou Citro will remain Mayor Pro-Tem and serve over the Departments of Accounts and Finance, Councilman Burtrum will remain serving over Streets & Public Improvements, Councilwoman Smith will continue to serve over Parks & Public Property, Councilman Fugate will serve over Public Utilities and Mayor Pahlmann will serve over Public Affairs and Public Safety.

During the regular meeting John Nunally spoke on his concern of air dust products and the danger they can be to children and adults.

A Resolution was passed to authorize an agreement between the City and Rick and Tawnya Rothermich pertaining to the use of airport land.

Several bids were approved including floor covering for the Civic Center. This will be part of the Capital Improvement Tax money. Two liquor licenses were approved; Jackie’s Goods & Gifts, LLC (Leslie Collins) and Wild Vine (Toni Johnson).

Planning and Zoning recommendations were approved. A site development plan for proposed Arby’s Restaurant and a revised and amended plat for Butler Plaza were part of the meeting.

The Council adjourned the closed session for legal issues.

The Street Department is continuing work on Luna Drive this week. Today a crane was on site to place box culverts, which will be eliminating the low water crossing. Luna Drive remains closed between Good Hard Drive and Lisa Street. We are hopeful it will be open by the end of the week. The Street Department has worked very hard and it looks great! Thank you!

Weekly Update—October 15, 2012

• Sewer Crews will be working on Alaska Street this week between 7th & 8th Streets doing a new sewer line. That street is closed in the area for this time.
• Jackson Street remains open to local traffic only between Thornburgh and Abe Taylor.
• Luna Drive is closed between Good Hard Drive and Lisa for storm drainage work.
• Charter Government meetings will take place Tuesday, October 16th at 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Please attend if you are interested in the future of West Plains or have questions!
• Planning & Zoning will meet Thursday, October 18th at 5:30 p.m. At this meeting there will be a site development plan for a proposed restaurant (Arby’s) and a revised and amended plat for Butler Plaza. Everyone is invited to attend.
• We’ll hear sign ordinance comments until October 22nd. At that point we’ll schedule another public hearing for citizens to voice their opinion. This is IMPORTANT! It could affect all businesses in West Plains.
• Haunting in the Hollows is Saturday, October 20th at Galloway Park beginning at 2 p.m. This is a FREE event!

Weekly Update 10/1/12

Busy week for Public Works!

• Luna Drive is still closed from Good Hard Drive to Lisa Street. The Street Department is working on a new storm drain after taking out the low water bridge.

 

• The intersection of Garrett Street and Preacher Roe is currently closed to repair a water main break. The Water Department was there first thing this morning starting repair on it.

• Harlin Drive will be closed for paving from Garrett Street to Porter Wagoner Blvd.
• The Engineering Construction crew has been busy working on the West Main Street sidewalk in front of Gohn Hall. Work is nearly completed and weather permitting hopefully will be done this week.

 

• Joe’s Bridge & Grading of Poplar Bluff, MO was rewarded the bid for the Grizzly Way Phase 1 & 2 project. This project was scheduled to begin this fall, but the contractor is worried we may have an earlier than normal winter. Work on this project will begin spring 2013.
• Next week is Fire Prevention week. The Fire Department has a busy schedule next week of school visits and different things. Watch our Facebook page and the blog for updates on this year’s Fire Prevention theme, “Have 2 Ways Out!”
• City Clerk Mallory Thompson and Building Official Dustin Harrison will hear comments on the draft sign ordinance until October 22nd. At that time we will schedule another public hearing and hear additional comments. We are urging all citizens to take a look at the draft ordinance. This could potentially affect all businesses in the city limits of West Plains. Copies are available at City Hall, West Plains Public Library, or contact us (417-256-7176 or cityclerk@westplains.net)  for an electronic copy.
• Mark your calendars for October 20th…Haunting in the Hollows at Galloway Park. This event is hosted by the Friends of Galloway Park and is FREE to everyone!
• The City is currently asking for ideas on ways to honor the late Mayor Joe Paul Evans. If you have a suggestion please contact City Clerk Mallory Thompson with your suggestion.
• City Hall and other city offices will be closed October 8th, in observation of Columbus Day. Trash routes on Monday only will be affected. Monday’s scheduled routes will be picked up Tuesday.

Week of 9/24/12

• The Planning and Zoning Commission met Thursday, September 20th. On the agenda was a public hearing for a draft sign ordinance and a request to vacate East Dixon Street and the alley that runs between Dixon Street and the rail road tracks.
• A couple of citizens spoke about the sign ordinance, but we are allowing 30 days for additional comments before another public hearing will be held. THIS IS IMPORTANT! We want all citizens input, this could potentially affect your business in the city limits of West Plains. Contact Mallory Thompson or Dustin Harrison at 256-7176 for additional information or to see a copy of the draft ordinance.
• A development plan for Breckenridge Apartments was approved and the request to vacate.
• Monday, September 24th was the monthly City Council meeting.
• Andy Marmouget with Davis, Lynn & Moots, gave the audit report and the City had a great report.
• An ordinance was approved for the vacate of East Dixon Street and the alley.
• David M. Gohn and Josh Cotter were reappointed to the Civic Center Board for 3 year terms.
• October City Council meeting was moved to October 22nd.
• Councilman Lou Citro was appointed Mayor Pro-Tem by the City Council.
• Letters of interest have been taken for the vacate City Council seat. City Council will evaluate those letters and do interviews with a selected group.
• October 20th will be the annual Haunting in the Hollows event at Galloway Park. New playground equipment that has been made possible by the Rotary Club and should be ready by the October 20th event.
• The Street Department is continuing work on Luna Drive on the storm drain. Luna Drive is closed from Lisa to Good Hard until further notice.
• Tractors on the Square will be Saturday, September 29th from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Traffic will be closed around the square. Please come visit local businesses that will be open during this time and see the antique tractors! This event is free to the public.
• Be watching our Facebook page, this blog, and the newspaper for information on Fire Prevention Week, October 7-13.  

Have a great week!

“MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY”….Fire Drill 9/18/12

I had the opportunity to attend one of the monthly fire drill’s at Fire Station #1 Tuesday, September 18th. Wow! I learned so much and was so proud to see all firefighters working together.
Full-time, part-time, and paid-on-call firefighters were all in attendance. They started the evening in the training room going over questions on how to properly call out a “MAYDAY” during a fire. Lieutenant Wayne Cormier lead the discussion and questions and everyone participated.
After class discussion all firefighters put on their turnout gear and got ready for drill.
Now for the real fun…The firefighters were broke up into teams and had to go into a dark room and either find a dummy, another firefighter, call “MAYDAY” the proper way, or even a few other things. The firemen have worked hard on a make-shift house that was built in this room to educate firefighters on hallways, stairwells, small rooms, floors falling in, etc.
All teams did a great job. They learned that calling a “MAYDAY” is not something that happens often, but is something important you need to know when the time comes and you have to call it.
I’m proud to say that everyday heroes live and work in West Plains. These men and women put their life at risk every time they take a fire call. Be thankful for what we have, it’s good, and thank a firefighter today!
Reminder: Fire Prevention Week is October 7-13. For more information visit the West Plains Fire Department website.

What's Happening? September 14, 2012

• The Planning and Zoning Commission will meet Thursday, September 20th at 5:30 p.m. A public hearing will begin the meeting with the topic of the sign ordinance draft and a vacate request of Dixon Street and the alley that runs between Dixon Street and the railroad tracks.
• PLEASE come and give your input on the sign ordinance. We will not act on anything this month but are looking for great input.
• Last Thursday the Fire Department, along with the Water & Sewer Departments all were in class for hazardous chlorine. It is very important for all of our departments to continue their education with different courses that pertain to their field.
• Smoke testing should be finishing up this week. Weather permitting Tuesday crews should wrap everything up south of Broadway Street.
• The Timbers Booster Station is online and seems to be working well. We will keep close tabs on this to make sure it continues this way.
• September 20th the City of West Plains, Missouri Forest Products Association, and Missouri Enterprise will host a workshop on Growing Profits for Missouri's Wood Industries. The workshop will take place at the West Plains Civic Center and the cost is $25 and includes lunch. To register visit www.missourienterprise.org or call 573-308-7581. This will be a great opportunity for all in the forestry product field.
• The Street Department has been busy patching several spots on different water and sewer openings across town. They will also begin work on the storm drain for Luna Drive. Luna Drive will be closed from Good Hard Drive to Elizabeth with local traffic only beginning Monday 9/17. Crews will be digging out the low water crossing and will put in a box culvert to get rid of the crossing.
• A reminder for citizens...THANK YOU for your support in the renewal of the Capital Improvement Tax. We began working on new improvements as soon as the election was over. We will be sending out request for proposals soon for the different parks to be updated; Butler, Wayhaven, Kelly and Lofton. We also have committed to a sidewalk on Preacher Roe that will run from Harlin Drive to Worley Drive. Plans are in the works and we are always excited to show you the finished product!

Have a great week!