City of Rolla Weekend E-Updates (Dec. 6, 2012)

Safety tips to

remember during

holidays, cold weather   

The City of Rolla Fire & Rescue wants to remind residents of the potential fire dangers encountered during the holidays and colder months of the year. The following is a list of safety precautions provided by the National Fire Protection Association (www.nfpa.org) that may help you have a safer holiday season:

• Have wood and coal stoves, fireplaces, chimneys, chimney connectors and all other heating equipment inspected annually by a professional, and cleaned as often as inspections suggest. Use only wood that is properly seasoned to reduce creosote build-up.
• When burning wood in fireplaces or wood stoves, it is important to use properly seasoned wood. Green wood has more moisture and is likely to smolder, leading to more creosote build-up. 
• Make sure your fireplace has a sturdy screen to prevent sparks from flying into the room. Allow fireplace and woodstove ashes to cool before disposing in a metal container.
• When buying a new space heater, make sure it carries the mark of an independent testing laboratory, and be sure to have fixed space heaters installed by a qualified technician.
• Portable space heaters should be turned off every time you leave the room or go to bed.
• Have any gas-fueled heating device installed with proper attention to ventilation.
• Test smoke alarms monthly.
• Keep or maintain a 36-inch (1-meter) clearance between space heaters and anything that can burn.

If you own an artificial tree that is flame retardant, over the years, the flame retardant protective coating can break down. So don’t leave your lights on at night or when you are away from your home. If you have a live Christmas tree, keep it watered at all times.

Also, if you are planning to use outdoor lights for decorations, ensure that they have the Underwriters Laboratory (UL Listed) label somewhere on the lights. This indicates that they are safe for outside use.

Electric candles on windowsills can also be a potential hazard if placed directly in contact with blinds or window shades. Always remember to turn them off before going to bed or leaving the house.

“By following a few simple safety rules, we can all have a safer and more accident free holiday season,” said Fire Chief Robert Williams, City of Rolla Fire & Rescue. 

American Legion

donates $1,500 to

Veterans Memorial Park

Rosie Brown, President of the American Legion Auxiliary Post 270 (right), and Janine Stoffel, Secretary/Treasurer, (left) present a $1,500 check to Jerry Bumpus, Chairman of the South Central Regional Veterans Group (SCRVG).

The generous donation will be used for the continued development of Veterans Memorial Park, an 11-acre City of Rolla park located on Southview Drive off of Hwy. 72. 

David and Sharon Glenn

donate funds to

Veterans Memorial Park

David and Sharon Glenn, family of Lloyd Glenn,  present a memorial check to Jerry Bumpus, Chairman of the South Central Regional Veterans Group (center), in memory of their father. 

Mr. Glenn was a U.S. Army veteran of WW II and the Korean War.

The generous donation will be used for the continued development of Veterans Memorial Park, an 11-acre City of Rolla park located on Southview Drive off of Hwy. 72. 

5-K Run raises

over $500 for

Veterans Memorial Park

Jared Applebaum, a student enrolled in the ROTC program at Missouri University of Science and Technology, (left), helped coordinate a 5-K Run fundraiser at Veterans Memorial Park on Nov. 10, 2012. 

Jared recently presented a check for over $500 to Jerry Bumpus, Chairman of the South Central Regional Veterans Group (SCRVG). 

The generous donation will be used for the continued development of Veterans Memorial Park, an 11-acre City of Rolla park located on Southview Drive off of Hwy. 72. A special thanks goes to Jared, the ROTC program at Missouri S&T, members of the SCRVG, and everyone who participated in the 5-K Run.

RPD to crack down

on impaired drivers

Dec. 10-16

The Rolla Police Department will be participating in the 2012 Statewide Holiday DWI Enforcement Campaign to stop people from driving impaired this holiday season. Enforcement efforts will be increased Dec. 10-16 and will focus on reducing deaths and serious injuries caused by impaired drivers.

“Losing a loved one during the holiday season is a tragedy no one should have to endure,” said Sgt. Tim Mayfield. “Impaired driving is a preventable crime, and we intend to crack down so drivers feel secure when traveling on Missouri’s roadways.”

Consider some of the consequences if you are caught driving while intoxicated:

• For the first conviction (or first conviction in over five years), your license will be suspended for 30 days followed by a 60-day suspension if a hardship license is not obtained.

• A second conviction results in a $1,000 fine, a year-long revocation of your license and up to a year in jail. You will also be required to install an ignition interlock system on your vehicle, preventing your car from starting when you have alcohol on your breath.
• Third and subsequent convictions can be penalized with up to a $5,000 fine, a 1-year license denial, and/or up to seven years in jail.
• If you cause a fatal crash while intoxicated, you could be charged with Involuntary Manslaughter, a felony resulting in up to seven years of jail time, a $5,000 fine or both.

In 2011, 234 people were killed and 945 seriously injured in crashes involving an impaired driver.

For more Information about impaired driving, please visit www.saveMOlives.com.

Filing begins Dec. 11

for 2013 Rolla

Municipal Election

Filing for the City of Rolla’s 2013 General Municipal Election, which will be held on April 2, 2013, begins on Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012 at 8 a.m.

The positions open for election this year include: one Council Representative for all six wards (two-year term).

Persons wishing to file their candidacy for any of the above-listed positions may do so between Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012 (8 a.m.) and Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013 (5 p.m.) in the Rolla City Clerk’s Office at City Hall (901 North Elm Street). Municipal candidates are not charged a filing fee.

City Council seats must be filled by candidates with the following qualifications; at least 21 years of age prior to taking office, a citizen of the United States, an inhabitant of the city for one year, and a resident of the ward which he/she is elected for six months at the time of his/her election.

For more information, please contact Carol Daniels, City Clerk, at (573) 426-6942 or at cdaniels@rollacity.org.

Rolla City Council

Mtg. set for

Dec. 17

The next Rolla City Council meeting will be held on Monday, Dec. 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the Rolla City Hall - Council Chambers, 901 N. Elm Street. City Council meetings are usually held the first and third Monday of the month unless interrupted by an observed holiday.

To view the agenda and full agenda packet for the Dec. 17 Council meeting, please visit the City's Website at: http://rollacity.org/admin/agenda.shtml#agenda.

Council meetings are also broadcast live on Rolla Channel 16, (Rolla's Public Education & Government channel).

For more information, please call City Administration at 426-6948.

Shop and dine

locally during

holiday season

With the holiday season just weeks away, folks are beginning to make plans for traditional family gift-giving, get-togethers, celebrations and one of the most special times of the year.

The City of Rolla would like to encourage everyone to please try to patronize and frequent our local restaurants (there are many to choose from), specialty shops, retail outlets, and businesses that rely heavily on the holiday season for a large portion of their business.

As Rolla continues to grow and prosper the number and variety of dining options and retail choices has improved significantly. Our local economy depends largely on these sectors of society, and we will all benefit from keeping our dollars locally invested.

Christmas in the Park

Light Display

Dec. 14-22

The Christmas in the Park Light Display hosted by the Rolla Lioness Club will be held this year from Dec. 14 through Dec. 22 at Rolla Lions Club Park (located on State Route 63 South in Rolla).

The beautiful display of Christmas lights, which can usually be seen from a distance along with a long stream of vehicles getting ready to turn of State Route 63 into Lions Club Park, will be open free to the public Sunday through Thursday from 6-9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 6-10 p.m.

Admission is free to the public, but donations are accepted, and will be used to fund local scholarships for high school students.

Environmental Services

offers leaf pick-up

thru Dec. 14

The City of Rolla’s Environmental Services Department will continue to offer the pick-up of bagged leaves through Friday, Dec. 14, 2012.

To receive this service, the leaves must be placed in brown paper biodegradable yard waste bags, which can be purchased at a reasonable price at many stores in the area. We also ask that you place your bags to the curb by 6 a.m. so our equipment operators can pick them up on your normal collection day.

Please be aware that this service will be suspended from Dec. 15, 2012 through March 3, 2013. Collection of yard waste (leaves, grass, clippings and small sticks) in brown paper bags will resume on Monday, March 4, 2013.

Residents wishing to dispose of these materials during the winter suspension can use the compost site located at the end of McCutchen Drive just north of the Rolla Recycling Center on Old St. James Road. Residents may also arrange for a special pick up for a fee. For more information, please call the Environmental Services Department at (573) 364-6693. 

  

Environmental Services Important Dates

 (clip & save coupon).

Dec. 25, 2012 – Christmas Day:  Tuesday’s trash will be picked up Wednesday.

.

Holidays NOT affecting trash or recycling collection:

            Oct. 8, 2012 – Columbus Day

            Nov. 12, 2012 – Veteran’s Day

Nov. 23, 2012 – Day after Thanksgiving

Rolla Channel 16

live streaming

24/7 on the Web

If you happen to miss the airing of a Rolla City Council meeting, Planning & Zoning meeting, Rolla Public School Board meeting or Board of Public Works meeting, you can now watch them live 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, Rolla Public Schools board meetings, Rolla High School Review and “City Minutes” hosted by the City of Rolla’s Communications Office.

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 Kenny Perzan, Senior Video Editor, at (573) 426-3377 or at Kenny.Perzan@fidelitycommunications.com.

Be sure to watch Rolla Channel 16 – “Education, Government and Community for you!”

Upcoming Events

DECEMBER 2012

Dec. 6 – Board of Adjustment Mtg. (5:30 p.m.); Rolla City Hall - Council Chambers

Dec. 11 – Filing begins for 2013 Rolla General Municipal Election (8 a.m.); City Clerk’s Office, 901 N. Elm St., 3rd Floor

Dec. 14-22 – Christmas in the Park Light Display; Rolla Lions Club Park, Hwy. 63 S.; FREE, donations accepted

Dec. 17 –  Rolla City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)

Dec. 24-25 – City Hall closed for Christmas Eve and Christmas Holidays

JANUARY 2013

Jan. 1 – City Hall closed for New Year’s Day holiday

Jan. 7 – Rolla City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.

Jan. 15 – Filing ends for Rolla Municipal General Election (5 p.m.); City Clerk’s Office, 901 N. Elm Street, 3rd Floor

Jan. 21 – Rolla City Hall closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Holiday

Jan. 22 – Rolla City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)

Scott A. Grahl

Communications Director

City of Rolla, Missouri

(573) 426-6943

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