|
||
|
"AROUND OUR
TOWN" IT'S GREAT, BUT THEY WERE TOO LATE Two calls came to city hall last Friday, October 31. They were both of the good news variety. The second was from Ron Krammes, Director of Parks and Recreation. He was advising the city that the new double tennis courts in Danner Park had been completed and were ready for use.
In the case of both projects, it was great news, not only for the city but especially the people residing in the northeast part of Chillicothe and the Grand River Health nursing facility. Unfortunately, both projects were two to three months behind schedule because of weather and other problems that popped up. The sports seasons are now over; and hopefully the city will never have to deal with such a wet construction season for many years.
As for the new double tennis courts, they were also approved last spring, but delays from weather, a school grant and other reasons, the project never got underway until most knew it would not be done in time for possible tournament or post-season tennis matches to be hosted here. The new double courts just west of the current courts in Danner Park are ready for play, however the tennis season for the high school as well as other tennis players is probably over until spring. There are plans for a new concrete walk, benches and wind screens for the courts, but at least for now there are no bleachers or lights in the plans. The tennis courts were a $128,000 project, a part of the cost coming from the R-2 school district and a school grant and an initial $57,000 approved by the city as well as a proposed public contribution. The city and its parks and recreation department now have three sets of doubles courts in Danner Park and one set of doubles courts in Simpson Park. The street project was by Wales Contracting of St. Joseph working with the city’s contracted engineering firm of Shafer, Kline & Warren, Inc. and the tennis courts were constructed by McConnell & Associates of North Kansas City.
Those wanting to file for a city office have until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, November 18. Filing is done at the city clerk’s office Monday through Friday. There is a filing fee. The city primary election will be in February and the city general election is set for April, 2009. First Ward Councilman Earle Teegarden who is in his fourth term and Fourth Ward Councilperson Pam Jarding, who is completing her third term, have announced they will not be seeking re-election. The city was officially notified this week that Canadian Pacific has acquired the IC&E (Iowa, Chicago and Eastern Railroad) line that runs through Chillicothe. The transaction was announced in September by the company and the US Surface Transportation Board (STB), however a regulatory 30-day administrative period is required. The city’s short rail and its customers, including those in the Farmers’ Electric Cooperative’s Industrial Park in the southeast part of the city connect to and have agreements with IC &E that will now be transferred to the new owner Canadian Pacific.
As I said before one of the great things about serving as mayor is speaking to people, to children and seeing new faces as folks come to city hall. Just this past month, I attended a P.E.O. International meeting and spoke to around 18 women who are a part of that group. They were holding their regular meeting in the home of Mrs. Judy Shaffer. It was a great one hour plus session and that included my opening comments about what’s going on in our great city and then allowing the ladies to ask questions. Know what many of the questions were about? They were about housing and whether the city was doing something about it if there was a lack of new homes, duplexes, etc. What was going on the housing matter on the north side of Third Street at the current prison, how was the new prison coming along and when would the move officially be made and other issues. I want to thank the P.E.O. organization for the invitation to speak and answer questions.
There was also my monthly appearance as mayor on CMS Live which occurs on the third Monday of each month. In the past month I have had office visits from Steve Whitson, manager of the Swan Lake Refuge and local committee member Myrna Carlton in regard to the wildlife support group and visited by phone with a number of persons with questions about the city or issues handled by the city council. I also welcomed various groups to city hall that had requested City Proclamations such as VFW Buddy Poppies, National Business Women’s Week, National Physical Therapy Month and the Women’s Shelter and Domestic Violence Month.
New city board members include Ed Douglas to the Board of Public Works, Rollie Stadlman and George Laprade to the Golf Advisory Board and the re-appointment of Ed Martens to the Board of Public Works and Jim Summerville to the Airport Board.
This monthly column appears on the first Wednesday of each month in The Constitution-Tribune. You may also call city hall and ask for administrative assistant Joella Shiflett, or email her. She will make arrangements to mail you a copy. Send them to me at mayor@chillicothecity.org! If you know someone who doesn’t have access to a computer but might enjoy the column, just get their address to me (call 660-646-2267 or email us), and we’ll mail them out a hard copy monthly. REMEMBER TO FORWARD THIS COLUMN ON TO ANYONE WHO YOU THINK MIGHT ENJOY IT. |
The Trenton Road project that brought many complaints and headaches to not only city hall, but the residents of the area, was scheduled to start in
mid-April. It never happened. First, there were delays because of the telephone company and gas company not getting started when they were scheduled. Then came the spring rains. After that,
it was one delay after another because of weather and various other reasons. After two meetings with the city council, mayor and city administrator, a larger crew arrived and began working daily. As I write this column the final street paving was to be completed on Tuesday,
November 4. That final paving will eventually open McVey and Alexander streets off Trenton Road as well as two alleys within a few days. That leaves sidewalk paving, dirt work,
and landscaping before bad winter weather and then sodding next spring. The $445,122.82 project was paid for through the city half-cent sales tax that is earmarked for permanent street projects.
What else is going in your city? It is filing time for the 11 elective offices and as of this writing 15 persons have stepped forward to file.
In some cases there already are races that have developed.
I was also honored to make a Proclamation presentation to my good friend Dr. Jack Neal when the Grand River Historical Society recognized him for his nearly 35 years as Curator of the Livingston County Museum.
I am in the mayor’s office in city hall each Tuesday, Wednesday and
Thursday and my door is open to all. Please remember, this is your city and opinions and comments are always welcome.