10th Street Bridge dedicated
in honor of Gene Sally
By Bill Jenks, III
Mayor
It only seems fitting that the Rolla City Council approved a resolution at Monday’s City Council meeting to dedicate the section of 10th Street that includes what many refer to the 10th Street Bridge between Elm Street and Cedar Street in honor of former Missouri State Representative, Missouri State Senator, and real estate developer, Gene Sally.
Had it not been for the diligent efforts of Mr. Sally to help pass a bond issue through the Missouri State Legislature to secure funding for the 10th Street bridge, we all might be taking the long way around that portion of 10th Street that is a crucial transportation element for the community – by-passing the railroad tracks below, and providing a direct east/west route through the center of town. Mr. Sally was 100% responsible for Rolla’s 10th Street project as the Missouri Highway Commission moved the project from the “20 year plan” to the very next year. But the contributions he has made to the City of Rolla and Rolla community, including in particular the private development of the east side of Rolla with the Forum Shopping Center and adjacent residential subdivision do not end there. He also is credited for spear-heading a grant (Rolla was given 90% of the money for this project) for the purchase of Ber Juan Park and swimming pool; helped accelerate the building of Rolla Vocational School (and later expansion money); was instrumental in Rolla getting a new National Guard Armory and Highway Patrol Building, was one of 12 individuals who purchased land for Oak Meadow Country Club and then developed it (160- acres for $7,000); as Chairman of the Missouri Atomic Energy Commission, helped get a nuclear reactor for then UMR – now Missouri University of Science and Technology; gave land in the Forum Shopping Center for the Rolla Cerebral Palsy School and then assisted them in fund raising for the construction of the building; and as former Director of the Rolla Chamber of Commerce, he helped Rolla purchase Rolla National Airport (2,000 acres) for only $1.
Thanks to Mr. Sally’s foresight, vision and perseverance, we not only have the 10th Street Bridge, but also the Forum Shopping Center, 15 subdivisions, including Forum Hills, which was 200 acres. A 1955 graduate of Missouri University, where he played college basketball with Norm Stewart on the Tigers Basketball team, Mr. Sally started Sally Real Estate upon graduation, and began to make his mark not only as a real estate developer in Rolla, but also as an up-and-coming legislator in Jefferson City where at age 26 he was elected to the Missouri State House of Representatives, and at age 30 elected to the Missouri State Senate – at the time the youngest ever elected. It was during his terms in the Missouri Legislature he was able to secure a number of grants and funding commitment for a variety of needed public improvements in Rolla that included the 10th Street Bridge, Ber Juan Park and swimming pool, and the Rolla Technical Institute, to name a few.
A gifted high school, collegiate and adult athlete, Mr. Sally’s true sport’s legacy was well known for the years he devoted to organizational, development and fund-raising support for area youth sports throughout the Rolla area. In addition, with his many years of service in the Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce, Oak Meadow Country Club, Rolla Cerebral Palsy School, Rolla Jaycee’s and many other organizations, Mr. Sally was a true visionary for the entire region. Gene and his wife, Betty currently reside near Palm Desert, California, but his legacy will live on in Rolla, Missouri!
In closing I’d like to remind everyone that school will be in session very soon at area colleges, universities, St. Pat’s and Rolla Public Schools, so please be cautious of students as they are going to classes, crossing streets, and using the sidewalks along Pine, Soest, Pinetree, 18th, Salem, Bishop Highway, and many others. Please also continue to be mindful of the extreme heat that has continued to be a challenge for everyone concerning outdoor activities, etc. Cooling centers are available during the day at Rolla City Hall (City Council Chambers, 901 N. Elm St.); The Centre (1200 N. Holloway St.) and the Rolla Public Library (900 N. Pine Street). Have a safe week!
Caution urged during round-about construction on Kingshighway
Construction of the two round-abouts, referred to as a ‘dogbone’ configuration, is Phase 3 of the ‘Rolla West’ project that began two years ago with the extension of Ridgeview Road at the State Route 63/Highway 72 Intersection, and then the new Bryant Drive Extension and intersection on Kingshighway next to Fairground Chevrolet and the new McDonalds restaurant.
Also included in Phase III of the Rolla West project will be the eventual widening of Kingshighway from three to five lanes, from the Bryant Drive intersection to the I-44/Kingshighway overpass. This project is tentatively schedule in 2012/ 2013. Phase 4 will involve the extension of Ridgeview Road (Hwy. 72) to Bridge School Road. Phase 5 of Rolla West would involve the construction of a fifth Rolla interchange on I-44 west of the Kingshighway overpass at some point in the distant future.
The Rolla West project was presented as part of the Rolla 2020 Comprehensive Plan Update adopted by the Rolla City Council in January 2006. One of the keys to the success of the Rolla West project is the partnership with the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) and the Highway Commission, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Phelps County, and the Rolla Regional Economic Commission (RREC).
“Through mutual cooperation we hope to achieve improvements and growth that will propel Rolla and Phelps County into a bright and prosperous future,” said John Butz, Rolla City Administrator.
For more information, or to view a detailed version of the Rolla West Master Plan, please visit http://www.rollawest.com/index.shtm or contact the City of Rolla Public Works Department at 364-8659.
Rolla City Council Mtg. set for Aug. 15
The next Rolla City Council meeting will be held on Monday, Aug. 15 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Rolla City Hall, 901 N. Elm Street.
The next Rolla City Council meeting will be held on Monday, Aug. 15 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Rolla City Hall, 901 N. Elm Street.
Rolla City Council meetings are ordinarily held the first and third Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. except when there is a conflict with an observed holiday. To review a copy of the City Council agendas or the full agenda packet, please visit http://www.rollacity.org/admin/agenda.shtml. For more information, please contact Rolla City Administration at 426-6948.
City Council meetings are also broadcast live on Rolla Channel 16 (RC16). To check to see when the City Council meetings are rebroadcast, please check the RC16 Program Guide online at http://rollachannel16.pegcentral.com.
Rolla Channel 16 now live streaming
24/7 on the Web
24/7 on the Web
If you happen to miss the airing of a Rolla City Council meeting or Planning & Zoning meeting, you can now watch them online on the Rolla Channel 16 Website at http://rollachannel16.com.
Rolla Channel 16, Rolla’s premiere Education and Government channel, is also now live streaming (24/7) at http://rollachannel16.com. RC16 is live streaming all Rolla City Council meetings, Rolla Planning & Zoning Commission meetings, all future episodes of “City Minutes”, all Rolla Public Schools board meetings, and Rolla High School Review.
Other syndicated content on RC16 such as Missouri Outdoors, Army Newswatch, and Capitol Dialogue will also live stream on RC16 at http://rollachannel16.com.
For more information regarding programming or DVD duplication of Rolla City Council meetings, Rolla Planning & Zoning meetings, and Rolla Public Schools board meetings, etc., please contact Gabe Mankin, Digital Media Operations Manager, at (573) 426-3377 or at Gabe.Mankin@fidelitycommunications.com.
Be sure to watch Rolla Channel 16 – Education, Government and Community for you!
Rolla Sesquicentennial T-shirts
and posters available at City Hall
Rolla Sesquicentennial commemorative T-shirts and posters are still available to the public for purchase at Rolla City Hall, (901 N. Elm Street).
The vintage Heather grey T-shirts that showcase the Sesquicentennial logo designed by Angi Yowell, Graphic Design Instructor at Rolla Technical Institute, are selling for $5 a piece in the following sizes: Large (13) and Small (four).
The 4-color, 11x17 glossy Sesquicentennial commemorative posters are selling for $2 each. In addition to the T-shirts and posters, a limited number of newly designed and printed Rolla City flags are available for purchase as well. City flags may be purchased in the Community Development Department (2nd Floor) at Rolla City Hall for $40 each.
Proceeds from the sales of Sesquicentennial T-shirts and posters will be used to offset costs and expenses incurred for Rolla’s Sesquicentennial Celebration held on Saturday, June 4, 2011.
The City of Rolla, which was incorporated 150 years ago on Jan. 25, 1861, continues to celebrate its Sesquicentennial Anniversary, which began on Jan. 25, 2011. For more information, please call Scott Grahl, Communications Officer, at 426-6943 or visit the City’s Website at www.rollacity.org and click on the Rolla’s 150th tab.
2011 Environmental Services Dept.
List of Important Dates:
(Clip & save for easy reference!)
Sept. 5, 2011 - Labor Day: Monday’s trash will be picked up Tuesday; Tuesday’s trash will be picked up Wednesday.
Oct. 1, 2011 - City-wide Fall Clean-Up: Saturday (residential only)
Nov. 24, 2011 – Thanksgiving Day: Thursday’s trash will be picked up Wednesday.
Dec. 25, 2011 – Christmas Day (Observed Dec. 26): Monday’s trash will be picked up Tuesday; Tuesday’s trash will be picked up Wednesday.
Holidays NOT affecting trash
or recycling collection:
Oct. 10, 2011 – Columbus Day
Nov. 11, 2011 – Veterans Day
Nov. 25, 2011 – Day after Thanksgiving
Hotline number: 341-1168
Upcoming Events
AUGUST 2011
14 - Mother’s Day Special at SplashZone (364-8222)
15 - City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)
22 – City Council Budget Workshop (5:30 p.m.); City Hall – Council Chambers
SEPTEMBER 2011
5 - City Hall closed for Labor Day Holiday
5 - Environmental Service closed for Labor Day; Monday’s trash picked up Tues.; Tuesday’s trash picked up Wed.
6 - City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)
10 - Canine Plunge at SplashZone (noon-3 p.m.); early registration required
(364-8222)
19 - City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)
24 - Celebration of Nations (11 a.m.-5 p.m.); Downtown Festival Park
OCTOBER 2011
1 - City-wide Fall Clean Up (items to curb by 6 a.m.); residential only
3 - City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)
8 - Autumn Arts & Crafts Festival (9 a.m.-4 p.m.); downtown Rolla
17 - City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)
31 – Have a Safe Trick or Treat Night (downtown Rolla)
Scott A. Grahl
Communications Officer
City of Rolla, Missouri
(573) 426-6943
Follow us on Facebook
& Twitter at www.rollacity.org
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