City reminds residents to 'Go Green' during the holidays

With Christmas just days away most folks are thinking about the possibility of having a white Christmas. But before you make plans for how you are going to enjoy the winter weather, I’d like to remind our readers and residents the importance of “Going Green” during the holidays.

While most of us are still busy shopping (remember to ‘shop local’ whenever possible) and getting presents wrapped for the holidays, don’t forget throughout the holidays as you receive gifts and packaged treats, you have the option of “going green” and recycling! The Rolla Recycling Center, located at 2141 Old St. James Road, accepts most types of wrapping paper and they take boxes as well. A Christmas tree drop-off site will also be available at the Rolla Recycling Center. Trees will be accepted at this location through Sunday, Jan. 17, 2011.

The City of Rolla’s Environmental Services Department will also continue to offer the pick-up of bagged leaves through Friday, Dec. 17, 2010. 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. 20, 2010 through Feb. 25, 2011. Collection of yard waste (leaves, grass, clippings and small sticks) in brown paper bags will resume on Monday, Feb. 28, 2011. 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.

In other news I’d like to announce that the Rolla City Council recently approved (at the Dec. 6 Council meeting) the appointment of Rolla resident Greg Sawyer to the Rolla City Council. Mr. Sawyer, who is a lifelong resident of Rolla, a 1977 graduate of Rolla High School, a graduate of The University of the Ozarks, a USGS 30-year veteran, and a member of the City’s Planning and Zoning Commission, was appointed to serve the unexpired term of former City Councilman Don Barklage, who served as Ward II Councilman for the past 14 years. Mr. Sawyer will be administered the oath of office at the next City Council meeting on Monday, Dec. 20 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Rolla City Hall (901 N. Elm Street).

Also during the Dec. 20 meeting Rolla Municipal Judge Bill Hickle, who served as municipal judge from May 1996 to Dec. 2010, will be retiring at the end of this year, and will be recognized for his 14 years of service. Judge Hickle will continue serving the residents of Rolla and Phelps County as a newly elected Associate Circuit Judge for Phelps County.  Long-time City Counselor John Beger (of Beger and Bushie, LLC), who served as City Counselor for the Rolla City Council from January 1995 to December 2010, will also be recognized for his 15 years of service. Mr. Beger will continue serving the residents of Rolla and Phelps County as the newly elected Phelps County Prosecutor.

In closing I’d like to remind everyone that filing for the City of Rolla’s 2011 General Municipal Election, which will be held April 5, 2011, begins on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010 at 8 a.m. The positions open for election this year include: one Council Representative for all six wards (two-year term) and Municipal Judge (to fulfill a one-year unexpired term). Persons wishing to file their candidacy for any of the above-listed positions may do so between 8 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010 and 5 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011 in the Rolla City Clerk’s Office at City Hall (901 North Elm Street). Municipal candidates are not charged a filing fee.