 Serving Excelsior Springs since 1889
|
|
July 11, 2008
|
Community News | Sports | Opinion | Close Window
City moves to build up committees
By ERIC COPELAND
Managing Editor
 City officials are working to better recognize volunteers in the community, while also encouraging them to take a role in their city's future.
About a dozen committees, boards, authorities and commissions, most of which are appointed by the Excelsior Springs City Council, are currently in existence, though some have vacancies.
Other such groups have fallen into disuse, either due to a lack of activity, a decline in participation or, occasionally, a perception that the oversight a board provided wasn't needed.
Mayor Carolyn Schutte and City Manager David Haugland would like to change that.
With vacancies on existing boards, inactive groups and a sometimes rather short list of available volunteers, Haugland, Schutte and other city leaders are reaching out to the public to increase interest in public service and gain fresh faces and ideas to help run the city.
The appointed bodies generally fall under one of three categories.
Some are statutory in nature, meaning they1re required by law and in some cases act autonomously with no input from the council needed.
Other groups are advisory in nature. They review issues and items in detail, then make recommendations to the council regarding what action should be taken.
Still others are focus groups, which are usually formed for a specific purpose and only exist for a short time, as long as the need is present.
These groups might consider such items as needs within the community (for example, transportation needs or the need for a community center), then disband once action to address those needs was underway.
Currently, the city has in existing Parks & Recreation Board, Planning & Zoning Commission, Excelsior Springs Medical Center Board of Trustees, Transportation Trust Authority, Capital Improvement Authority, Board of Zoning Adjustment, Housing Authority and Historic Preservation Commission,
Other groups which have existed in the past but are in various stages of inactivity include the Airport Board, Golf Board, Finance Committee, Fair Housing Board, Recycling Committee, Industrial Development Authority and Cemetery Board.
In addition, Schutte and Haugland would like to establish a few new appointed bodies, including a Committee on Aging and a Beautification Committee, as well as focus groups associated with the coming Master Plan or other issues as they arise.
In order to do that, though, they need to organize and look for volunteers.
"We think there are a lot of people out there who would be willing and able to serve, but don't know what they can do -- and we don't necessarily know who they are," said Schutte.
Some groups require at least one expert, such as an architect or an engineer. Others simply ask for civic-minded people.
City officials are currently in the process of updating a file that outlines each of the committees. The copy they're working with now, provided by former Assistant City Manager Molly McGovern, was compiled in 1991.
They're also updating the application that those who serve on boards and commissions must fill out in order to be considered for such a role.
In the coming weeks, the Standard will take a more in-depth look at these committees and boards, including their duties and roles.
In the meantime, anyone interested in volunteering to serve in a capacity on any of the above groups should contact Haugland's office at the Hall of Waters, 630-0752.
Outage leaves 3,600 without power
By ERIC COPELAND
Managing Editor
Weather conditions and a tree too close to power lines knocked out power for thousands of people Tuesday afternoon.
The outage affected about 3,600 customers in eastern Excelsior Springs, Wood Heights and Lawson, according to AmerenUE Customer Service Adviser Mike Edwards, and it lasted for about an hour.
All of downtown Excelsior Springs lost power, as did locations at least as far west as Easy Street.
The west side of town, including numerous homes and major retailers like Price Chopper and Wal-Mart, were unaffected by the outage.
The lights went out just as the Town & Country Leader was being sent to press; the shopper was finished up at Mid-Continent Public Library, where the power was still on.
Edwards said the outage was caused by tree contact with a power line near AmerenUE's old headquarters at the north end of the downtown area.
Contributing factors included the wind and rain from a strong storm that blew through Tuesday afternoon.
"There's a big load on the lines during the summer," Edwards said. "It took us a little while to find the problem and get the power turned back on."
Wealth Springs to cut ribbon
The Excelsior Springs Area Chamber of Commerce has announced a ribbon-cutting and grand opening next week at Wealth Springs/Case & Associates' new location at 118 Spring St.
The event will be held from 4-6 p.m. next Tuesday, July 15.
Business owner Ann Case has been guiding local residents' investments for years, but purchased the building last year and recently opened in the new location.
Chamber lunch next Wednesday
The Excelsior Springs Area Chamber of Commerce will have its regular monthly luncheon from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. next Wednesday, July 16, at the Clay-Ray Veterans Club, 217 Veterans Memorial Dr. (formerly Concourse Avenue).
The luncheon is sponsored by Rite-Way Auto Service and Rite-Way Guttering.
Admission is free for Chamber members and invited guests, but reservations are required by noon Monday so enough food is provided.
Master Plan firms to present
The Excelsior Springs City Council will be considering a contract with one of three firms to assemble a new Master Plan for the city, and each of those three firms will be making a presentation before the council's July 21 meeting.
The 30-minute presentations will start at 4 p.m. in the council chambers at the Hall of Waters, 201 E. Broadway, then continue at 4:40 p.m. and 5:20 p.m. The schedule allows for a 10-minute break after each.
The council will be prepared to make a decision regarding which firm to hire at their 6 p.m. meeting, but reserve the right to postpone the vote until their Aug. 4 meeting.
|
Back to Top | Close Window
Jones, Oliphant selected to Honor Choir
Brooke Jones of Lewis Elementary, 5th grade, and Johanna Oliphant of Elkhorn Elementary, 5th Grade, were selected to perform in the Missouri Choral Director's Association Elementary Honor Choir.
Both students sent in an audition CD earlier this spring, which was reviewed by a panel of judges to determine who would be selected to perform.
The choir will consist of 140 singers, who are also 5th and 6th graders, from all over the state of Missouri. Jones and Oliphant have been preparing for the music while waiting for the concert, Wednesday, July 16 in Jefferson City.
The students will have an all-day rehearsal in Jefferson City the day of the rehearsal and perform that night for the parents and members of the MissouriChoral Director's Association.
Local awarded at SkillsUSA Nationals
Ryan Butler, from Excelsior Springs and a student at Excelsior Springs Area Career Center, was awarded the high school silver medal in Employment Application Process at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Kansas City.
The SkillsUSA championships are for high school and college-level students who are members of SkillsUSA.
Students from Missouri high schools and college technical education programs, along with over 1,100 businesses, corporations, trade associations and unions, attended the annual conference.
Students were recognized for their demonstrated excellence in 91 hands-on occupational and leadership contests, such as robotics, criminal justice, aviation maintenance and public speaking.
All student winners received medallions and many received prizes such as tools of their trades and/or scholarships to further their careers and education.
For the second year, the winners and other high scorers received Skill Point Certificates. The Skill Point Certificate was awarded in 59 occupational areas at this year's conference.
The certificate is earned by achieving a score defined by industry and based on contest standards designed by industry representatives.
SkillsUSA serves more than 300,000 students and instructors annually and has more than 9.6 million members since its founding in 1965. The organization has 19,333 sections and 54 state and territorial associations.
Bulter is also a Skill Point Certificate recipient, as well as a silver medalist.
For more information about SkillsUSA and their Workforce Ready System, go to their web site at www.skillsusa.com.
CPR, First Aid to be offered in early Aug.
The Clay County Public Health Center is offering two classes next month that deal with specific training.
"Heart Saver CPR and First Aid" will be on Aug. 1 at the Health Center, located at 800 Haines Drive in Liberty.
The CPR training course will be from 8 a.m.-noon and the First Aid class will be from 1-4:30 p.m. at the same location.
Both classes are approved by the American Heart Association and each costs $20.
Pre-registration is required and seating is limited. This class is for the public.
The center suggests participants wear comfortable clothing for the hands-on training.
Another program, "Basic Life Support for Health Care Workers Training-CPR," will be for the medical providers throughout the community.
The class will be from 8 a.m.-noon on Aug. 8 at the center.
Pre-registration is required and costs $50 per person to attend.
The center suggests comfortable clothing due to the hands-on training.
To register for any of the courses, call (816) 595-4234 or e-mail ejackson@clayhealth.com.
For more information about other programs the center is offering like their "Arthritis Self-Help" program, back-to-school immunizations or directions to their new location, go to www.clayhealth.com.
|
Back to Top | Close Window
New award presented at Hall of Fame Banquet
By KIM SIMMONS
Standard Sports Editor
A packed house filled the Grand Ballroom on Wednesday evening as inductees for the 2008 Tiger Sports Hall of Fame were honored. Those special Tigers included: Allen "Buckshot" Carroll, David McDonald, Jim Piburn, Carrie Smith Polite and the 1990 Girls Cross Country team. A complete wrap-up of the Hall of Fame inductions will be published in next Tuesday's edition of the Standard.
Another group of special Tiger supporters was also introduced and honored at this year's banquet.
"Before we honor tonight's class, I would like to recognize some special friends of Tiger athletics," Jesse Hall, Director of the ESSD Activities Department, told the crowd. "This year we will honor our first recipients of the (newly-established) Excelsior Springs Athletics Distinguished Service Award."
Hall then spoke of a personal mentor from his past who had prepared him years ago for what he called his "Life's Lessons."
"My hope is that Excelsior Springs High School students who are in attendance tonight will carry the torch of my mentor and of these five honorees," said Hall. "A month before my mentor's death, I received a note that paints a very accurate picture of the beliefs of our five Distinguished Service Award recipients."
Hall then shared the note, which read: "Jesse - Remember, you will make a living by what you get, but you can make a difference by what you give. Your greatest satisfaction will be to give without any reward or notice. Be able to look in the mirror each day and be proud of what you accomplished yesterday - and make a difference with what you are going to accomplish today. Finally, surround yourself with those who have a vision similar to yours and watch your dreams become a reality."
Hall then congratulated the Board of Directors of The Gregg Williams Foundation, a group that he feels exemplifies the meaning of the words of his mentor.
"The Board of Directors (Gregg Williams, Jack Talley, Tray Harkins, Kelly Harkins and Jeff Woods) has surrounded itself with many people who have a similar vision of giving back to help our youth. Each simply wants to make a difference for the youth of Excelsior Springs."
Hall went on to say that as the board members continue to give back so unselfishly to the community, they also provide excellent examples for why Excelsior's youth should join them in the efforts of the Gregg Williams Foundation.
"Their accomplishments are truly unbelievable," concluded Hall. "My mentor would have been proud of the Gregg Williams Foundation Board of Directors. "They have made a difference by what they have given. It is up to us to live-up to their motto, 'If you can, you should.' "
|
Back to Top | Close Window
Committees and boards: Calling all volunteers
Each month, dozens of people gather in small groups to help guide the city of Excelsior Springs on its way through history.
They're not the Excelsior Springs City Council, but they assist the council. In fact, without their time, expertise, opinions and efforts the council would have a much more difficult job.
They're the people who serve on the various boards, committees, commissions and authorities in Excelsior Springs. These volunteers comprise specialized groups, from those interested in parks and recreation to those who follow the latest in planning and zoning trends. They serve at the request of the council, and often are one of the first steps in accomplishing anything in town. They consider issues and requests, then make recommendations to the council.
Currently, there are several such groups that are active in our community. However, quite a few of these groups have vacancies; the ones who are currently full could face a vacancy any day if a member leaves his or her post for a variety of reasons.
And some groups, like the airport, golf and finance board, have been inactive for some time. Still others, such as a committee on aging, are relatively new ideas.
Over the years, hundreds of local residents have served well in capacities on all these appointed bodies, but city leaders are sure there are some out there who have the knowledge, ability and enthusiasm to serve their community.
Over the next several weeks, the Standard will explain the roles and duties of these groups. Perhaps one will catch your eye.
Volunteers are needed to help continue our progress into the future.
Keep your swimming activities safe and fun
By BRIAN RICE
Publisher
My family recently returned from a long weekend getaway for some rest and relaxation. It was a rare moment in the Rice household to have the entire family together in one place and enjoying each other's company without relying on any television, computer, or video game for entertainment.
A lot of time was spent around a swimming pool and we all enjoyed our two-year-old's newfound excitement of this watery recreation. Of course, as a parent, I was especially cautious of young Emily's "heroics" as she held tightly to her inflatable ring and jumped fearlessly into the water.
While our mini-vacation was mild and relatively uneventful, a wave of concern crossed this father's mind of the many hazards around swimming pools - especially for our young, fearless children. That thought compelled me to turn this week's column into a "public safety message" for everyone with backyard swimming pools and young children.
Each year about 300 children nationwide under the age of five drown in swimming pools; most often a pool owned by the family, according to a University of Missouri report.
A child can drown in less time than it takes to answer the telephone. The number one thing to keep in mind is there is no substitution for supervision. Never leave a child alone in a pool or spa for even one second. During social gatherings at or near a pool, appoint a designated watcher to protect young children from pool accidents. Adults can take turns. Instruct babysitters about potential pool hazards.
If a child is missing, check the pool first. Seconds can be critical. Don't consider young children to be drown-proof because they had swimming lessons. Do not use flotation devices as a substitute for supervision. Many of these devices are only toys. Make sure your pool is equipped with proper rescue equipment that includes a ring buoy with an attached line or a long-handled hook.
Keep chairs, tables and toys away from the pool or spa fence to keep children from using them to climb over. We recommend that you have a cordless phone near the pool so that you can answer it without leaving the pool area.
Always remove a pool or spa cover completely before use to avoid the possibility of anyone being trapped and drowning under the cover.
Make sure your pool is surrounded by a properly latched or locked fence or barrier. Lock doors to limit access to the pool. Doors leading to a pool should also have audible alarms.
Drowning is a silent killer. There often is no splashing or calling out to alert someone that a child is in trouble.
Finally, learn CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). Baby sitters and other caretakers should also learn CPR.
Swimming is a healthy and fun activity. I don't want to scare anyone from getting near a pool; our family found hours of fun splashing and carrying on this past weekend. I just want to urge everyone to be responsible and careful. A fun family outing can turn from fun to traumatic in just a few short minutes.
|
Back to Top | Close Window
|
