With a voter turnout during the Rolla Municipal General Election on April 5 very nearly the 18% predicted, it was somewhat disappointing to not see more folks out at the polls and participating in the election. That said, I would like to still thank everyone who did take the time to vote in the April 5 general election, and all the volunteers who worked at the polling places around town.
In addition to congratulating the six individuals who were elected to represent their wards on the City Council and who will be sworn in it at the next City Council meeting on Monday, April 18 at 6:30 p.m., I would also like to express my thanks and appreciation to the three outgoing City Council members who have served the City and will be attending their final Council meeting on April 18. The outgoing City Council members include Don Brown, Ward I; Ken Boeker, Ward 5 and Mark Walburg, Ward 6. The newly elected Council members include: Bill Lindgren, Jr., Ward I; Greg Sawyer, Ward II; Gary Hicks, Ward III; Louis Magdits, Ward IV; Carrolyn Bolin, Ward 5 and Fran Mazanec, Ward 6. I would also like to congratulate James Crump, Rolla Municipal Judge, who ran unopposed for a new two-year term as Municipal Judge.
The results of the vote regarding Proposition A – the proposed ½ cent Park Sales Tax that was endorsed by the Rolla City Council, with 67% of the voters voting no on the proposition is one of the first major ballot issues not to successfully pass in many years in Rolla. The Rolla City Council, City Administration and City staff will be working diligently in the upcoming months to address the implications of this in terms of next year’s budget, and how to best address the needs and priorities of our City and community. We appreciate all the feedback and input we have received over the past year regarding the proposed ½ cent park sales tax, and will continue to welcome comments and input regarding suggestions and ideas to enhance our community’s quality of life for generations to come.
On a lighter note, I am pleased to share with our residents that the City will be receiving a very generous donation from Ameren U.E. in the way of a surplus 1999 GMC C-7500 utility truck. The truck will be donated to the City’s Public Works Department by officials with Ameren U.E. The truck will be put to very good use in the City’s Street Department. I am also pleased to announce that over 90 tons of materials was collected by the City’s Environmental Services Department during the annual City-Wide Clean Up (residential only) held last Saturday on April 2. We appreciate everyone’s participation in this bi-annual event, and remind you that the City-Wide Clean Ups are held twice a year – once in April (first Saturday) and the other in October (first Saturday). For more information, please contact the Environmental Services Department at 364-6693.
In closing, I’d like to remind everyone that the 10th Annual Rolla Earth Day Celebration will be held Friday, April 22, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. outside the Missouri S&T Gale Bullman Multi-Purpose Building at 10th Street and State Route 63. Businesses, government offices, and non-profit organizations are encouraged to participate. Rolla Earth Day exhibits are limited to organizations sharing information about topics related to sustainability, recycling, environmental best practices, earth and biological sciences and environmental policy. Last year, approximately 1,500 children and adults attended the event. Hands-on children’s activities are encouraged. Giveaways are allowed but only if they relate to the theme (such as trees, seeds, flowers planted in biodegradable flower pots, or products made from natural and/or recyclable materials). This year’s theme is: Live Green, Love Green, Think Green.
For more information, please contact Julie Wilson at 341-4262 or wilsonjulie@mst.edu at your earliest opportunity. You can register your exhibit at http://green.mst.edu/Exhibitors.html. Rolla Earth Day Celebration is a free event that includes children’s activities, educational exhibits, live music, a fashion show with items made from recycled materials, and more. The event will take place rain or shine. Have a safe week!
2 comments:
CITY COUNCIL RECEIVES PROP A SMACKDOWN WITH AN OVERWHELMING VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE
One can only hope and pray that the massive Prop A smackdown will force a change in our Mayor and Council's spending priorities. Of course it is beyond awesome that our seniors were not fooled by the mysterious plans for a senior center. My hat's off to the citizens group, Citizens for Tax Relief, that spread the truth on this issue!
The city council and mayor would be wise to actually listen to Rolla citizens and deal with what is most important to us. Quit passing the hot potato on down the line to the next council or the next mayor. Deficit spending and misplaced priorities have to stop NOW.
Our tax money needs to provide basic services instead of freebies to new parasitic businesses. Basic government services like police and fire protection should automatically earn priority over "economic development" freebies and pond fountains for that money pit - the Rec Centre.
The Council and Mayor will likely have to default on their promise to Kohls for millions of our tax dollars foolishly given away in the name of "economic development" subsidies. The money just isn't there - according to all the city hall hype before the April vote. Guess we will now find out whether they were telling the truth or whether it was a scheme to get sympathy votes.
Even if they shut down the Rec Centre or turned it over to the YMCA or let local recreation businesses lease and run it, they won't save enough money to pay off Kohls or finish Bryant Drive/72. The street department has obviously spent millions of reserve street funds building roads to nowhere in the name of "economic development". Just look at the Bryant Drive extension at McDonalds or the absolutely ridiculous Walgreens extension. Now Butz and Hargis are talking about building an enormous Public Works complex but no one at city hall says why or how it will be funded.
Rolla citizens need to be very watchful to be certain that our tax money does not go to more of these "economic development" scams rather than hiring enough police officers and firefighters to keep us safe.
Furthermore, the Council needs to tell us where they spent the millions coming from things like the phone settlement money, the savings from lowered electric bills, the hundreds of thousands (annually) not spent on funding the emergency communication center because of the 911 tax, and the revenue earned from the recycling center.
Where exactly did our money go?
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You are very, very confused!
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