City Talk - Improvements to Rolla National Airport underway

Maintaining and upgrading the infrastructure of our City’s facilities, roads, bridges and storm water/storm sewer systems continues to be a significant priority for City staff and the Rolla City Council. And I’m pleased to report that the improvements underway at Rolla National Airport (RNA), located 13 miles north of Rolla off U.S. Hwy. 63, will upgrade yet another important community asset.

The airport, which consists of two 5,500-foot-long by 100-foot-wide runways, a pilot’s lounge, two 10-unit T-hangers, a number of businesses and numerous aircraft, is used by pilots throughout the Midwest and country as a convenient stop-over or access point to the Rolla/Phelps County area. Maintaining the runways and ensuring that the airport is meeting the standards and requirements established by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is something that RNA Manager Wes Faulkner is always striving for.

Wes, who has managed the airport for the past 12 years, is currently working with Gaines Construction and Huff Construction to ensure the airport’s two runways are well lit, easy to navigate and well marked. Gaines Construction is finishing the installation and landscaping of new runway lights on runway 22 and 04 this week. This Monday, Sept. 29 Huff Construction also will be drilling and filling cracks (where grass and weeds are popping up), resealing, painting and marking runway 13 and 31. These upgrades will not only meet the FAA’s requirements for municipal airports, but they will also improve the quality of the airport services provided by Wes and his staff for pilots and professionals who fly in and out of the Rolla area thousands of times a year.

RNA continues to be an integral asset to the Rolla area, both from an economic development and commuter service perspective. Several businesses and institutions such as Kingsford Charcoal, Brewer Science, Mo-Sci Corporation, Wal-Mart, Missouri University of Science and Technology, and the State of Missouri use RNA on a regular basis. Baron Aviation Services, Inc. also is headquartered at RNA. According to Shawn Bancroft, Operations Supervisor at Baron, the privately owned company provides contractual services for FedEx Express Services. Baron operates a fleet of Cessna Caravans for FedEX. Wodohodsky Aviation, LLC – a flight instruction school also located at RNA, provides airplane rental and aerial photography as part of their services.

RNA is clearly a significant asset to our area in terms of aviation, transportation, economic development, homeland security and future industrial expansion. The eventual development of an industrial/business park at RNA also would encourage the growth of additional businesses and industry around the airport. During the past two weekends hundreds of students from Missouri S&T participated in the “Greek Week” games at RNA at the pavilion area where the legendary Ozark Extravaganza was hosted for many years. This event, like the recent Tour of Missouri Stage 4 Finish in Rolla, reflects the ‘town and gown’ relationship the City of Rolla continues to strengthen and foster with the administration, faculty and students at Missouri S&T.

In closing I would like to mention again that Rolla Channel 6, Rolla’s premiere education and government channel, will begin airing Rolla City Council meetings on a regular basis beginning Monday, Oct. 6 at 6:30 p.m. In addition to airing the City Council meetings live the first and third Monday of the month, RC6 also will re-air City Council meetings several times throughout the week. City Planning & Zoning (P&Z) meetings will begin airing on Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 5:30 p.m. with additional City meetings planned for the coming months.

Rolla Public Schools (RPS) board meetings and Rolla High School Friday night home football games also will air on RC6. The schedule for all programs will be posted on the RC6 program guide. So tune in. RC6 is a jointly funded education and government cable channel provided by the City of Rolla, Rolla Public Schools, and Fidelity Cablevision. The mission of RC6 is to enhance the City of Rolla’s and Rolla Public Schools’ public information and communication systems, involve the community in local government and Rolla Public School decision-making, and provide useful information to the public.

City Talk - RC6 is Rolla’s new premiere education and government cable channel

We sure had an exciting, exhilarating and memorable week when the Tour of Missouri Stage 4 and Stage 5 races made history in Rolla (Sept. 11) and St. James (Sept. 12). It’s not every day that you see the City of Rolla’s name in the headline of articles all over the Internet from countries such as England, Australia, France, and a dozen other countries around the globe. And the timing couldn’t have been better for Rolla Channel 6 (RC6), Rolla’s new Education and Government channel, to capture on film this international sporting event.

In case you were not aware, Gabe Mankin, Video Production Manager for RC6, was very busy filming and capturing video from the Tour of Missouri Stage 4 Finish throughout Rolla’s downtown area. Historic events like these deserve to be filmed, recorded and replayed, and RC6 was among the many other state and national media outlets who were clamoring for position to video and photograph the Tour of Missouri Stage 4 finish in front of the Castleman Hall Performing Arts Center on the Missouri S&T campus.

Many exciting and wonderful events like the Tour of Missouri can bring state, national and international attention to the Rolla community, and having an Education and Government cable channel such as RC6 capture and broadcast these events is, I think you’ll agree, a wonderful addition to our community. The promotional video clip for the Tour of Missouri had been airing on RC6 for weeks prior to the race on Sept. 11, and created additional excitement and anticipation for the event that brought more than 18,000 spectators to the Stage 4 race finish in Rolla and 12,000 spectators to the Stage 5 start in St. James, for a total of more than 30,000 spectators in both TOM host cities.

Rolla Channel 6 will begin airing Rolla City Council meetings on a regular basis beginning Monday, Oct. 6 at 6:30 p.m. In addition to airing the City Council meetings live the first and third Monday of the month, RC6 also will re-air City Council meetings several times throughout the week. City Planning & Zoning (P&Z) meetings are scheduled to begin airing on Tuesday, October 14 at 5:30 p.m. with additional City meetings planned for the coming months.

Rolla Public Schools (RPS) board meetings also will be aired live on RC6. These meetings will re-air throughout the week as well. Rolla High School Friday night football games will air the Sunday following the game at 6 p.m. RC6 will re-air the games frequently throughout the following week or weeks depending on the home schedule. The schedule for all programs will be posted on the RC6 program guide.

Other pre-produced programs currently airing on RC6 include: Missouri Outdoors, After the Storm, Army Newswatch, Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Services (CSREES) Partners Video Magazine, NASA Science Files, World Energy Television, PlaySports TV, Perils for Pedestrians, Road to Recovery and Friends in Discovery.

For more information regarding programming or DVD duplication of Rolla City Council and Rolla Public Schools board meetings, and RHS sporting events, please contact Gabe Mankin, RC6 Video Production Manager, at (573) 426-3377 or at Gabe.Mankin@fidelitycommunications.com.

RC6 is a jointly funded education and government cable channel provided by the City of Rolla, Rolla Public Schools, and Fidelity Cablevision. The mission of RC6 is to enhance the City of Rolla’s and Rolla Public Schools’ public information and communication systems, involve the community in local government and Rolla Public School decision-making, and provide useful information to the public.

City Talk - Rolla's Town & Gown relationship shines during Tour of Missouri

The City of Rolla’s and the community’s historic ties with Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) were taken to another level on Thursday, Sept. 11 when Stage 4 of the Tour of Missouri finished near the front steps of Castleman Hall Performing Arts Center on 10th Street.

And what better venue might you imagine to showcase the assets and treasures of our community than when the entire world is watching the riveting finish of one of the most coveted professional cycling events in the country?

Never before, at least not to my knowledge, has our City received the type of national and international recognition and exposure as it did when 120 cyclists from 22 countries came roaring through Rolla at speeds most of us can only imagine on the back of a bicycle. How we measure the benefits and magnitude of this event, and the positive impact it has had and will continue to have on our community, will be something we will probably be discussing for months and years to come.

Being selected as a host city for the Tour of Missouri, along with the City of St. James was truly an honor, and one that every Rolla resident should take pride in. The number, variety and quality of events held on Sept. 11 in addition to the Tour of Missouri, was I believe, a testament to the amount of pride and patriotism our community demonstrated on September 11. And as I envision the final stretch of the Tour of Missouri as the cyclists near the historic Gateway Arch in St. Louis on Sept. 14, it seems like yesterday Lt. Governor Peter Kinder held a press conference in the Truman Hotel in Jefferson City announcing the host cities. The speed in which the last nine months flew by was mirrored by the speeds attained by the Tour of Missouri cyclists as they crossed the finish line at Castleman Hall.

Striving for an encore to something as big as the Tour of Missouri will be a tall order indeed, but Rolla is poised for many more positive milestones in the future. That said it is hard not to imagine the impact an event like the Tour of Missouri will have on so many aspects of our community.

I can only say how appreciative and grateful I am to the many individuals, businesses, organizations, volunteers and residents who helped make this event as successful and unforgettable is it was. From the members of the Local Organizing Committee who worked tirelessly for months leading up to the event, to the numerous sponsors/businesses who helped finance this event, to the hundreds of volunteers, Missouri S&T students, members of the Rolla High School Marching Bulldog Brigade, Rolla HS Cheerleaders, Veterans, law enforcement agencies, and of course Rolla residents who embraced and supported the Tour.

It would be a tall task in deed to specifically mention and thank every person, business, agency and organization who made the Tour the success it was, but I’ll do my best by saying THANK YOU to everyone for supporting the Tour and putting your best foot forward on a world-wide stage.

Our community has much to be thankful for and much to look forward to in the months and years to come. Let’s keep the momentum going. And don’t forget to cheer on the cyclists as they enter the final stage of the Tour Sept. 14 in St. Louis!

Rolla listed among Top Outdoor Towns in U.S. in Outdoor Life

Rolla listed among Top Outdoor Towns in U.S. in Outdoor Life

After months of extensive research Outdoor Life magazine has included Rolla, Missouri in a list among the top 200 towns for hunting and fishing in America.

Rolla, which is located in the 1.3 million-acre Mark Twain National Forest, in the Meramec Valley region of the Ozarks, was ranked number #74 and included among such notable cities as Durango, Colorado; Grand Junction, Colorado; Grants Pass, Oregon; Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Fairbanks, Alaska; Flagstaff, Arizona; and Helena, Montana.

Mountain Home, Arkansas topped the list at number one, followed by Lewiston, Idaho (#2) and Sheridan, Wyoming in the number 3 slot. Other Missouri cities that made the list include: Boonville (#22), Kirksville, (#53) and Springfield (#129).

The Outdoor Life Website at http://www.outdoorlife.com/article_gallery/Paradise-Found says that the Top 200 list is about moving to “places where life seems simpler, the people friendlier and where the economy is nourished by postcard-perfect vistas.”

The Website article goes on to state that “Outdoor Life has evaluated towns across America to find the places that offer world-class hunting and fishing, easy access to public land and water and vibrant economies that remain affordable and hospitable.”

City Talk - Rolla West Master Plan sets framework for City's Future

Rolla West Master Plan sets framework for City's future

Planning and preparation are known to be key ingredients for the successful outcome of any worthwhile venture, whether it is a short- or long-term endeavor. That said, planning to enhance our City's future, our children's future and the future of Rolla is something our City staff and the City Council continues to embrace as one its highest and most important priorities. So it was encouraging during Monday's City Council meeting (Sept. 2) when the Final Draft of the Rolla West Master Plan was presented by Brian Comer, an architect and consultant with HNTB.

After a great deal of study, research, deliberation, and public input from open public discussions, a three-day series of Rolla West Community Visioning workshops, a public open house, and a Web log on the City of Rolla's Website (www.rollacity.org), the Final Draft of the Rolla West Master Plan was completed.

The purpose of the Rolla West Master Plan, as stated in the Final Draft presented by HNTB, is to "outline a long-term comprehensive vision for land use, transportation and infrastructure within the Rolla West area."

Having a road map or a framework that our City and community can build our future on, is something that the Rolla West Master Plan provides. It is also a document that land owners, real estate companies and developers can refer to when discussing the Rolla West concept to businesses, investors and others who may be interested in starting a business or locating in the Rolla West area.

Among the plan objectives in the Rolla West Master Plan is a stated objective of coordinating planning efforts with Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T), including the new E3 Campus and Technology Park. By broadening the scope of the Rolla West area to include the E3 Campus and Technology Park, the plan takes into consideration the considerable and important impact these projects will have on our community in the years to come.

Among the goal statements that were identified during the Community Visioning Workshop and included in the Rolla West Master Plan were the following:

1. Serve as a major catalyst in solidifying the City of Rolla as the center of commerce, education and health care for South Central Missouri.
2. Provide a balanced mix of uses that meets the needs of Rolla and the region.
3. Identify new development that will pay its' share of the costs of City infrastructure, transportation improvements and services that are necessary to serve the area.
4. Promote environmentally sensitive development that harmoniously blends within the natural character and scenic quality of the area.
5. Encourage quality development that will provide a positive first and last impression.

Among the priorities identified as necessary in the development of Rolla West, and as stated in the Master Plan are the following:

1. Highway 72 Ridgeview Road extension to Bridge School Road
2. A fifth interchange
3. Kingshighway interchange improvement

If you haven't had a chance to review the Final Draft of the Rolla West Master Plan, I encourage you to visit http://www.rollacity.org/rollawest and look over the document. It consists of 47 pages of very useful data, diagrams, tables, drawings, and photos. Hard copies of the Rolla West Master Plan also are available in the Public Works Department at Rolla City Hall (901 North Elm Street).

The Rolla West Master Plan will be presented to the Rolla City Council for adoption and inclusion in the City's Comprehensive Plan sometime in the near future.

In closing I invite and encourage the entire community to attend the Tour of Missouri Stage 4 Finish in Rolla on Thursday, Sept. 11 (between 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.) and Stage 5 Start in St. James Sept. 12 at 2 p.m. A detailed description of the Tour of Missouri route along with a complete listing of events planned on Sept. 11 in Rolla can be viewed on the City's Website at www.rollacity.org (just click on the orange TOM tab at the top of the homepage). Please also remember that on Thursday, September 11, it would be wonderful if everyone (businesses, civic organizations and residents alike) would make an extra effort to display an American flag.

I'd like to also remind everyone to please not park on any of the streets that are included in the Tour of Missouri route that will be going through Rolla on Sept. 11 between the hours of 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. There will be "No Parking" signs posted along the TOM route the evening of Sept. 10, but I would still like to spread the word that we will need to keep the streets clear of vehicles prior to and during the race. Your cooperation concerning this important safety matter is greatly appreciated. The race will enter Rolla on Martin Springs Drive, continue on Blues Lake Parkway, Bridgeschool Road, Kingshighway, Fairgrounds Road, 10th Street, State Street, 8th Street, along Pine Street to 6th, Olive, Bardsley, 12th, Holloway, 10th and back to State Street for three figure 8 loops. The finish line will be on 10th Street in front of Castelman Hall Performing Arts Center.

See you on September 11 for the Tour of Missouri. I hope you'll be there!

City Talk - Sprucing up for the Tour of Missouri

With one of the largest sporting events (Tour of Missouri) ever to be hosted in Rolla, and in the state, just days away, I would like to take this opportunity to ask everyone in the community, to not only attend the Stage 4 Finish in Rolla on Thursday, Sept. 11 and Stage 5 Start in St. James Sept. 12, but also to pitch in and help beautify our community for a world stage.

With more than 100 different countries watching the Tour of Missouri international cycling race (Sept. 8-14) via television and millions others viewing the official Tour of Missouri Website (www.tourofmissouri.com), the Rolla community will be spotlighted across the globe.

Many residents and businesses located in and around the official route for the Stage 4 Finish in Rolla have already spruced up their lawns, facades and businesses so that the many thousands of visitors who will be in Rolla on Sept. 11 will have not only a favorable, but a memorable impression of our great City. Like you have heard so often, first impressions are usually lasting ones, and what better time to project a clean, vibrant and positive image of our city than when thousands of visitors are here watching an international professional cycling event.

You may have already noticed, and I have mentioned in previous City Talk columns, that the City’s Public Works Department, together with Donnelson Construction, Inc. completed the micropaving of many of the streets that are part of the official Tour of Missouri route in Rolla. A detailed description of the Tour of Missouri route can be viewed on the City’s Website at www.rollacity.org (just click on the orange TOM tab at the top of the homepage). We hope these enhancements provide incentive for others in the Rolla community to take pride in their businesses, right-of-ways and lawns, so that our town shines like it has never shined before. There are only three international cycling events of this caliber in North America, and Rolla and St. James are truly fortunate to be part of this event.

And while the lion’s share of the planning and coordination for the events and activities leading up to the Tour of Missouri have been handled by the members of the Tour of Missouri Local Organizing Committee, and other agencies, businesses, organizations and numerous sponsors involved in this event, it will truly take a village – the entire Rolla community – to not only roll out the red carpet, and cheer on the 120 cyclists from 22 different countries, but to show the Show-Me-State and the rest of the world why Rolla continues to be one of the best towns to live, work and play in the United States. I think you will agree with me that this event is a great opportunity to not only see the best cyclists in the world compete in our own backyards, but also to make the racers and their support teams and staff feel like they are visiting one of the most unique towns in the country as well.

In closing, I’d like to also remind everyone to please not park on the any of the streets that are included in the Tour of Missouri route that will be going through Rolla on Sept. 11 between the hours of 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. In addition to door hangers, and windshield notices, there will be “No Parking” signs posted along the TOM route the evening of Sept. 10, but I would still like to spread the word to residents, business owners, visitors and other members of the community that we will need to keep the streets clear of vehicles prior to and during the race. Your cooperation concerning this important safety matter is greatly appreciated. The race will enter Rolla on Martin Springs Drive, continue on Blues Lake Parkway, Bridgeschool Road, Kingshighway, Fairgrounds Road, 10th Street, State Street, 8th Street, along Pine Street to 6th, Olive, Bardsley, 12th, Holloway, 10th and back to State Street for three figure 8 loops. The finish line will be on 10th Street in front of Castelman Hall Performing Arts Center.

While it is difficult to estimate the exact time the cyclists will be arriving in Rolla on Sept. 11, race officials predict they will be arriving sometime between 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m., depending on race speeds.

With the Labor Day weekend upon us, I’d also like to mention that The Centre, Rolla’s Health and Recreation Complex, located at 1200 North Holloway Street, will be closed Saturday, Sunday and Monday for The Centre’s annual preventative maintenance, and will reopen at its regular time on Tuesday morning. Since City Hall will be closed on Monday, Labor Day, Sept. 1, the Rolla City Council meeting usually held the first Monday of the Month will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 2 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Rolla City Hall.

This weekend will also be the final weekend SplashZone (Rolla’s outdoor water park), will be open this year. Closing day at SplashZone is Monday (Labor Day), Sept. 1 from 12-noon to 5 p.m. The popular Canine Plunge (end of the season swim for pets), where you may bring your dog to the SplashZone, will be held next Saturday, Sept. 6 from 12-noon to 3 p.m. Registration to this popular event is required, and there is a cost of $5 per dog. All dogs must be vaccinated, accompanied by their owners and be socialized. This event is limited to 30 canines.For more information please call SplashZone at (573) 364-8222.

Sincerely, William S. Jenks, III, Mayor

Police Chief Chat - Tip A Cop / Burglary

Good morning! I hope you had a great week and were able to enjoy the unseasonably cool weather the past few days. My staff and I have been busy with budget adjustments in preparation for the final budget hearings this week. The Rolla Police Department will be involved in several fund raising/community related events in the next few weeks and I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to participate and help us with our efforts.

On Sunday, September 14, 2008 from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. the Rolla Police Department and Behind the Badge would like to invite you to our 2nd “Tip a Cop” fundraiser that will be held at Pizza Inn in Rolla. Our officers and their families will be serving drinks, taking food orders, doing dishes and whatever we need to do to make your dining experience a pleasure. We will be working for tips to be donated to the Behind the Badge organization that works to assist several non-profit projects in the community. Pizza Inn will also be donating 20% of the nights proceeds to the cause. Last year this event raised nearly $750.00, so bring your family to Pizza Inn and let us show you we are really “Proud to Serve”. Thanks to Pizza Inn, Bob and Jo Campbell and their wonderful customers for this opportunity.

The “Behind the Badge” organization has also joined forces with the Rolla Public Schools and will participate in the “Back Pack” Program, where less fortunate families in need are provided nutritional food items to be used over the weekend. The students will pick up the food items on Fridays and transport the items home in their back packs. The “Behind the Badge” volunteers will be accepting donated food items at the Pizza Inn “Tip a Cop” fundraiser on September 14, 2008. Kudo’s to the Rolla Public Schools for developing this program. If you would like to donate food items to the program please contact: Faith Barnes at (573) 368-8001 for further information.

On Friday, September 19, 2008 from 4 – 8 p.m., members of the Rolla Police Department and the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department will be participating in the 2nd Annual “Gas Up for a Good Cause” campaign being held at Love’s Truck Stop at the intersection of I-44 and Hwy V. In that campaign police officers and Sheriff’s deputies will be filling your tank and cleaning your windshield for a donation to the Children’s Miracle Network. Last year’s campaign was very successful in that we were able to raise $1,000.00. The Children’s Miracle Network is the alliance of premier children's hospitals. Every year, Children's Miracle Network hospitals treat 17 million children for every disease and injury imaginable.

Then on Friday, October 17, 2008 the Rolla Police Department and Special Olympics – Missouri will host the 7th Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run “Trivia Night” at the Rolla Elk’s Lodge. This event has been declared the best trivia night in the area and will offer space for 33 teams. The teams may consist of up to 10 players who will answer 10 trivia questions in 10 different categories. The winning team will secure free berth to next years event and be awarded the traveling trophy emblazed with the team name for the year. In addition, food is provided and a cash bar will be available. This is a night of fun and all proceeds will benefit our special Olympic athletes. The cost to enter a team is a $100.00 donation to Special Olympics. To register a team contact: S/Sgt. Rick Williams at 573-364-0012. Please try to register early as we will only have room for 33 teams.

In other news, on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at approximately 4:00 am, Cpl. Derrick Dillon was investigating a noise complaint in the area of Cedar Street near Hwy 72, when he observed what he believed to be a residential burglary in progress. At the same time central dispatch advised Cpl. Dillon via radio that they had received a prowler complaint in the same vicinity. Cpl. Dillon called for back-up, parked a short distance away, and exited his vehicle. Patrol officer Jamie Solis responded to the area and arrived shortly thereafter joining Cpl. Dillon. As the officers approached the scene, a resident (Scott Melton), alerted them to a suspect crouched and hiding behind a bush between two houses. Cpl. Dillon and Pto. Solis apprehended the suspect, and detained him pending further investigation. Sgt. Ken Moberly and Pto. Greg Long also arrived on the scene to assist and were advised by Mr. Melton of 2 other suspects hiding in the bed of a pick-up truck parked nearby. Sgt. Moberly apprehended the 2 additional suspects and detained them as well. Investigation revealed that all 3 male suspects were in the act of committing a residential burglary when Cpl. Dillon made his discovery. All three suspects were placed under arrest and incarcerated at the Phelps County Jail pending warrants for 2nd Degree Burglary. Numerous items were recovered near the scene, and the owner of the burglarized home, who had been away at the time, was notified of the incident. Great job guys. Special thanks to Scott Melton for his assistance in this incident.

I hope you have a great week.