Monday, June 25, 2012

Ber Juan Sportsplex is Mecca for sporting events


By Rolla Mayor Bill Jenks, III
Summertime in Rolla means baseball, softball (fast pitch and slow pitch) and lots of high caliber tournaments at the Ber Juan Sportsplex located in Ber Juan Park (off 18th Street) in Rolla.
These highly competitive and entertaining games and tournaments, which are organized and operated through the City’s Parks and Recreation Department, have brought a significant level of notoriety and state-wide exposure to the Ber Juan Sportsplex where it’s not uncommon for 60 to 80 softball (fast and slow pitch) and baseball games to be played over the course of one weekend. In addition to providing great recreational and social opportunities at one of the premiere sportplexes in Outstate Missouri, these games and tournaments are bringing in hundreds of players and visitors who are staying at local hotels, shopping at our stores, dining at  restaurants, and getting fuel, ice and drinks at our service stations.
To illustrate how parks and recreation departments are one of the engines of tourism and economic development not only in Rolla but throughout the country, an Economic Impact Report was done on the Black Ice Girls’ Fastpitch Tournament held June 1-3, 2012 at the Ber Juan Sportsplex. It’s important to note that the Black Ice tournament did not include any teams from Phelps County or the surrounding counties, and that all the teams were from the state of Missouri. Based on 35 surveys that were completed over three days, the 29 visiting teams accounted for over 1,300 total visitors each day for a 3-day total of nearly 4,000. The total amount of money spent in Rolla was just over $150,000, and 31 of the 35 survey participants said they would not have come to Rolla at this time if this event had not been held.  In short, the Ber Juan Sportsplex is an economic and tourism boom to the Rolla and Phelps County area, and we are glad to see the type of high level athletic events and sports tourism that are generated from all the tournament play at the Ber Juan Sports Complex.
The Parks and Recreation Department staff is doing a great job hosting these tournaments, and maintaining all the ball fields, concession stands and park area while ensuring the fields and facilities are in top-notch condition. And judging by the amount and quality of the teams and athletes that travel from several states in the Mid-West and beyond to compete in the softball and baseball tournaments at Ber Juan, there’s no denying that the Ber Juan Sportsplex has become a high priority on the radar screen for the sporting world.
In addition to all the sporting events taking place at Ber Juan, there are also numerous high school level basketball and volleyball teams participating in the well known Licking Tournaments that are held every summer at The Centre, Rolla’s Health and Recreation complex, located just around the bend in Ber Juan Park. Hundreds of athletes and their families and friends attend these highly sought after camps, and they too are spending considerable time in the Rolla are while they are attending the camps, staying in hotels, shopping, dinging, getting fuel, etc. The staff at The Centre and the Parks and Recreation Department have all done an outstanding job hosting these camps year after year, and the rising attendance, and popularity of the camps are a testament to the great facilities, service and hospitality that is provided to the players, coaches and spectators.
One of the added benefits for teams who participate in the tournaments at the Ber Juan Sportsplex is the close proximity to SplashZone, Rolla’s outdoor water park, located just down the street off 14th Street next to the Ber Juan Tennis Complex. Players, spectators and visitors can wind down and cool off at this great outdoor facility.
Enjoy the weekend and have a safe week!
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Monday, June 18, 2012

Child Safety Seat Clinic set for June 19-21


The public is invited to attend a FREE Child Safety Seat Clinic on Tuesday, June 19; Wednesday, June 20; and Thursday, June 21 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the City of Rolla Fire and Rescue headquarters (located at 1490 E. 10th Street in Rolla).
During this clinic, certified child safety seat technicians will inspect your child car seat, and show you how to correctly install and use it.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, three out of four child safety seats are improperly installed. In 2011, eight children less than eight-years-old were killed and 1,624 children were injured as occupants in motor vehicle crashes in Missouri.
A limited number of seats are available at no charge to those that meet income guidelines. For more information on this program, please call Lynette Manley, City of Rolla Fire & Rescue, at 364-3989 or Lisa at the Phelps County Health Department at 458-6030.
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Child Safety Seat Clinic set for June 19-21


The public is invited to attend a FREE Child Safety Seat Clinic on Tuesday, June 19; Wednesday, June 20; and Thursday, June 21 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the City of Rolla Fire and Rescue headquarters (located at 1490 E. 10th Street in Rolla).
During this clinic, certified child safety seat technicians will inspect your child car seat, and show you how to correctly install and use it.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, three out of four child safety seats are improperly installed. In 2011, eight children less than eight-years-old were killed and 1,624 children were injured as occupants in motor vehicle crashes in Missouri.
A limited number o seats are available at no charge to those that meet income guidelines. For more information on this program, please call Lynette Manley, City of Rolla Fire & Rescue, at 364-3989 or Lisa at the Phelps County Health Department at 458-6030.
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City of Rolla Weekly E-Updates (June 18, 2012)


Rolla City Council
Mtg., June 18
The next Rolla City Council meeting will be held on Monday, June 18 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://rollacity.org/admin/agenda.shtml#agenda. For more information, please contact Rolla City Administration at 426-6948.

New Rolla City Council
members attend
Elected Officials Training
Newly elected Rolla City Council members Kelly Long (Ward 3) and Steve Leonard (Ward 2), recently attending the Missouri Municipal League 2012 Elected Officials Training Conference on June 14 and 15 at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City.
The conference, which was attended by hundreds of newly elected officials across the state, consisted of a comprehensive overview of municipal government, including what it looks like and how it works. Some of the areas covered included: the municipal budget process; conflict resolution; liability and risk; the Missouri Open Meetings and Records Law; public works contracts, economic development; taxation and revenue; ethics and the many services provided by the Missouri Municipal League.
“This conference is a great overview to municipal government,” said John Butz, City Administrator. “In addition to the great training it provides, it also provides elected officials an opportunity to meet with and network with other elected and government officials who are facing the same kind of challenges and issues we are in Rolla.”
The Missouri Municipal League, an independent, statewide not-for-profit association governed by a Board of Directors, was organized in 1934. Its aim has been "to develop an agency for the cooperation of Missouri cities, towns and villages and to promote the interest, welfare and closer relations among them in order to improve municipal government and administration in the state." Thus, the League's basic goal is to strengthen cities through unity and cooperation.

Child Safety Seat Clinic
set for June 19-21
The public is invited to attend a FREE Child Safety Seat Clinic on Tuesday, June 19; Wednesday, June 20; and Thursday, June 21 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the City of Rolla Fire and Rescue headquarters (located at 1490 E. 10th Street in Rolla).
During this clinic, certified child safety seat technicians will inspect your child car seat, and show you how to correctly install and use it.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, three out of four child safety seats are improperly installed. In 2011, eight children less than eight-years-old were killed and 1,624 children were injured as occupants in motor vehicle crashes in Missouri.
A limited number o seats are available at no charge to those that meet income guidelines. For more information on this program, please call Lynette Manley, City of Rolla Fire & Rescue, at 364-3989 or Lisa at the Phelps County Health Department at 458-6030.

Public Works
Dept. finishes
paving of
Forum Drive
By Mayor Bill Jenks, III
The long awaited milling, excavating and paving (six inches of asphalt) of Forum Drive from 18th Street to Old St. James Road was completed about two months ahead of schedule last Friday by the Public Works Street Division. Realizing how many residents live along this stretch of Forum Drive and how important this east/west collector is, I’m very pleased that the project was completed as quickly and efficiently as it was.
I would first like to thank the residents and business owners in this area and those who use this section of Forum Drive for your continued patience, cooperation and understanding throughout the duration of the project. A special thanks also goes out to Steve Hargis, Director of Public Works; Dave Phelps, Street Construction Foreman; Gene Stroup, Project Coordinator, and all the members of the Street Department for all their hard work and effort.
No sooner will the Forum Drive paving project conclude, that the first phase of the Public Works Services Yard will begin this week with the construction of a new Vehicle Maintenance Facility and Sanitation Department building. The Public Works Services Yard is located at the end of McCutchen Drive behind the Rolla Recycling Center (located off Old St. James Road.)
In October 2005, the City purchased what was then known as the Meade Technology site, which consisted of 102.3 acres, for the development of the Public Works Services Yard. The City has since purchased an additional 30 acres for stormwater improvements and future expansion of industrial properties. The new Vehicle Maintenance facility (currently located at 18th and Old St. James Road), and new Sanitation Division building (currently located off Sharp Road near the Rolla Animal Shelter), will replace the badly deteriorating structures. The majority of the required funding (about $1.8 million) for the construction of the new buildings will be provided by the City’s Environmental Services’ reserve account. The construction of those new buildings, which was contracted out to Bales Construction, is currently underway and should be completed by the end of 2012.
Future phases of the Public Works Services Yard, based on available funding, include construction of a new Street Division building, and Animal Shelter, which are also currently located off Sharp Road. These projects have been designed and discussed on a few different occasions, and plans are underway, but construction will most likely take a few years to get off the ground, depending on the economic climate, and available funding sources.  
One other Public Works related project that is just around the corner is the paving (overlay of 2 inches of asphalt) of Forum Drive from 10th Street all the way to Hwy. 72. This paving project will begin sometime next week. We again ask for your patience and cooperation, as we post detour signs, and try to complete this project with minimum disruption and inconvenience to our residents and visitors. Forum Drive is a very heavily traveled north/south arterial road that thousands of cars, trucks and buses use on a daily basis, and we realize the importance of keeping this road in excellent condition.
In closing, I’d like to remind property owners who have recently remodeled or re-sided their homes, or whose address numbers are not visible, to ensure their street or property address is easily identifiable somewhere on the structure and visible from the street. This requirement is in keeping with the City’s Ordinance relating to Chapter 6 (Sec. 6-1, Article 1 – In General) “Street numbers required of property owners on dwelling or structure.”  If you have any questions relating to these requirements, please contact Rolla City Administration at 426-6948.
Enjoy the weekend and have a safe week!

City urges residents
and businesses
to maintain properties
The full force of another Missouri summer is upon us and so is the rapid growth of grass, weeds and vegetation. Unsightly weeds, extremely long grass, and overgrown vegetation throughout various areas of the City of Rolla has prompted the City’s Code Enforcement Division and Street Department to enforce City codes that will ensure compliance with proper yard and business maintenance.
The City’s code “Permitting Growth of High Weeds, etc., Prohibited” (Article II, Section 28-14) states that all weeds, brush, or rank vegetation will be cut and maintained at a height of 12 inches or less. Failure to comply with these codes (Section 28-11 to 28-17) may result in a City abatement or a summons being issued.  
“We would like to remind home owners and property owners throughout the City to please be vigilant regarding the maintenance and upkeep of your yards, businesses and properties,” said John Butz, City Administrator.   
For more information regarding this issues, please contact the City’s Community Development Department at  (573) 364-5333. 

Rolla Parks and
Recreation offers
Cardio Tennis
Improve your fitness and tennis at the same time by joining the new Cardio Tennis program offered by the Rolla Parks and Recreation Department.
Classes meet Monday and Wednesday mornings from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Ber Juan Tennis Complex starting Monday, June 4. The monthly fee is $40, with Centre members receiving a $5 discount.
Cardio Tennis is a high energy fitness activity that combines the best features of the sport of tennis with cardiovascular exercise, delivering the ultimate, full body, calorie burning aerobic workout. It is a very social and fun class for players of all ability levels taught by a tennis teaching professional. If you’ve never played tennis before it is a great way to be introduced to the sport and if you are an experienced high level tennis player it is the best way to train for tennis.
Most classes have mixed ability and some facilities offer classes which are more specific to ability/fitness level. However, regardless of ability or fitness level, the tennis  professional is trained to provide the ultimate workout for each person.
For more information, or to register for this class, please contact the Rolla Parks and Recreation Department at 341-2386 or via e-mail at kristy@rollacity.org. 

RPD cracks down
on impaired drivers
during month of June
The Rolla Police Department will be cracking down on impaired drivers by conducting a sobriety checkpoint during the month of June 2012.
Law enforcement efforts will be increased in an endeavor to reduce the deaths and serious injuries caused by impaired drivers. Those caught drinking and driving could lose their license, money, and freedom.
For more Information, please contact Sgt. Tim Mayfield at (573) 308-1213 or visit www.saveMOlives.com.

Relax and cool off
at SplashZone
all summer long
Considered one of the best vacation and summer values in the Ozarks Highlands, SplashZone, Rolla’s outdoor water park, will remain open throughout the summer months Monday through Friday (noon-7) and Saturday and Sunday (noon-6 p.m.). Closing day at SplashZone will be on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 3.
Located in beautiful Ber Juan Park at 14th and Holloway Streets, this fun-filled water park includes a leisure pool with beach-like entrance, interactive play structure, lazy river, the “world’s largest” vortex, and two giant water slides.
Admission to SplashZone is $4.50 for individuals age four and above. For children age three and under, there is no charge. Value passes are $75 for 20 visits.
For more information for special events, private rentals, swimming lessons and other information, please call SplashZone at 364-8222 or 341-2FUN.

City urges property
owners to display
address numbers
The City of Rolla Fire and Rescue is conducting their annual business safety inspections, and one of the items they check for is a visible and conspicuous address number to identify the location of each business.
By properly displaying address numerals that contrast with the color of the dwelling, fire, safety and medical responders can more quickly identify a property when responding to an emergency call, or during other safety or medical related matters.
“When lives are at risk, visible property address numbers really count,” said Fire Chief Robert Williams, City of Rolla Fire & Rescue. “And emergency services personnel don’t need to be wasting your time guessing at addresses.”
In addition, property owners who have recently remodeled or re-sided their homes, or whose address numbers are not visible, need to ensure their street or property address is easily identifiable somewhere on the structure and visible from the street.
 A violation of the requirements of this Ordinance shall constitute an offense which could be punishable by a fine not to exceed $50.
This requirement is in keeping with the City’s Ordinance relating to Chapter 6 (Sec. 6-1, Article 1 – In General) “Street numbers required of property owners on dwelling or structure.”
 If you have any questions relating to these requirements, please contact Rolla City Administration at 426-6948.

Rolla Downtown
Farmer’s Market
open every Tuesday
The Rolla Downtown Farmer’s Market is open and operating under the new shade structure in the lower parking lot of Rolla City Hall from 7 a.m. until 12-noon each Tuesday throughout the growing season.
The Farmer’s Market is coordinated by Roy Fiscus and Wilma Bingham, and spots are available for vendors to sell their items, but they must be locally grown or made products/produce (Phelps County).
No flea market, yard sale type items will be permitted. All spots are first come, first served. The cost to host a booth is $2 per day, which is given to the organizers the day the vendors are there.
For additional information, please contact Roy Fiscus at 341-8045 or Wilma Bingham at 364-5544.

Rolla Lions Club
Carnival set for
July 4-7
The 77th annual Rolla Lions Club Carnival will be held Wednesday, July 4 through Saturday, July 7 at beautiful Lions Club Park (located on Hwy. 63 South).
Rolla’s hometown July 4th celebration draws thousands of folks from South Central Missouri who love the carnival rides, outstanding fireworks, and great-tasting burgers, funnel cakes, steak sandwhiches, and cotton candy.
This year’s Carnival will feature wristband nights for rides as well as stunning fireworks displays that light up the sky.
All proceeds from the Carnival benefit Rolla Lions Club Park, vision and hearing programs, area youth activities and scholarships for local students.
For more information, visit http://www.rollalions.org/~lions/carnival.
  
Environmental Services Important Dates
 (clip & save coupon)
July 4, 2012 - Independence Day:  Schedule will not change.
Sept. 3, 2012 - Labor Day:  Monday’s trash will be picked up Tuesday; Tuesday’s trash will be picked up Wednesday.
Oct. 6, 2012 - Citywide Fall Clean Up: Saturday - Citywide clean up day (residential only).
Nov. 22, 2012 – Thanksgiving Day:  Thursday’s trash will be picked up Wednesday.
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 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!

Upcoming Events
JUNE 2012
June 18 – City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)
June 19 – FREE Child Safety Seat Clinic (1-3 p.m.); City of Rolla Fire & Rescue, 1490 E. 10th Street (364-3989)
June 20 – FREE Child Safety Seat Clinic (1-3 p.m.); City of Rolla Fire & Rescue
June 21 – FREE Child Safety Seat Clinic (1-3 p.m.); City of Rolla Fire & Rescue

JULY 2012
July 2 – City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)
July 4 – City Hall closed for Independence Day holiday
July 4-7 – Lions Club Carnival, Lions Club Park, Hwy. 63 South
July 14 – Cruise In (5-8 p.m.); JC Penney Parking Lot, Southside Shoppers World
July 16 – City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)

AUGUST 2012
Aug. 6 – City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)
Aug. 11 – Cruise In (5-8 p.m.), JC Penney parking lot, South Side Shoppers World
Aug. 18 – Relay for Life (noon-midnight); Lions Club Park, Hwy. 63 South
Aug. 20 – City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)
Scott A. Grahl
Communications Director
City of Rolla, Missouri
(573) 426-6943
Follow us on Facebook
& Twitter at www.rollacity.org
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New Rolla City Council members attend Elected Officials Training

Newly elected Rolla City Council members Kelly Long (Ward 3) and Steve Leonard (Ward 2), recently attending the Missouri Municipal League 2012 Elected Officials Training Conference on June 14 and 15 at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City. 
 
The conference, which was attended by hundreds of newly elected officials across the state, consisted of a comprehensive overview of municipal government, including what it looks like and how it works. Some of the areas covered included: the municipal budget process; conflict resolution; liability and risk; the Missouri Open Meetings and Records Law; public works contracts, economic development; taxation and revenue; ethics and the many services provided by the Missouri Municipal League.
“This conference is a great overview to municipal government,” said John Butz, City Administrator. “In addition to the great training it provides, it also provides elected officials an opportunity to meet with and network with other elected and government officials who are facing the same kind of challenges and issues we are in Rolla.”
The Missouri Municipal League, an independent, statewide not-for-profit association governed by a Board of Directors, was organized in 1934. Its aim has been "to develop an agency for the cooperation of Missouri cities, towns and villages and to promote the interest, welfare and closer relations among them in order to improve municipal government and administration in the state." Thus, the League's basic goal is to strengthen cities through unity and cooperation.

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Police Chief Chat

Drug watch: On Thursday, June 14, 2012 Officers just responded to a heroin overdose in a residential neighborhood. The man was not breathing but had a pulse. Officers performed CPR on the man and he started to breathe again on his own. Phelps County Paramedics and Rolla Firefighters took over and resuscitated him. Heroin is a clear and present danger to our community and kills people we love!
This past week, the Street Crimes Unit conducted a search of a residence. The apartment was rented to a self proclaimed retired methamphetamine cook. As a result of the search, officers located numerous dirty needles, drug paraphernalia, synthetic drugs, and Rx pills. The “retired cook” is now addicted to synthetic bath salts and prescription pills. (for safety purposes, the needles were capped off by officers). While the drugs are dangerous to the person using them, the left over paraphernalia is dangerous to everyone when not disposed of properly. If you encounter any hazardous paraphernalia, please contact our office and we will have officers respond to collect the items.
This past week, the Rolla Police Department handled 733 calls for service. Of these calls there were: 25 arrests, 17 alarms, 13 accidents, 36 traffic complaints, 16 check the well being, 90 traffic stops, 19 disturbance (including domestics), 16 suspicious nature, 23 assists of other agencies, 10 narcotic violations, 78 security checks, 53 animal control complaints, 3 leave without pay. This call total is 119 calls below last week’s total and a welcome reprieve!
On Wednesday, June 13, 2012 the Rolla Police Department hosted a meeting with U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson, Senator Dan Brown, Representative Keith Frederick and Representative Jason Smith at the Rolla Police Department. The topic of discussion was synthetic drugs, the problems they present, educational requirements, and the need for stricter laws to keep businesses from selling them in Missouri. Also in attendance was Mayor Bill Jenks, City Administrator John Butz, Phelps County Prosecuting Attorney John Beger, Phelps County Sheriff Rick Lisenbe, members of the Pulaski County Prosecutors office, Capt. Leann Kenley, Lt. Jim Remillard and Lt. Bruce Fisk of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Jodi Waltman Phelps County Health Department and Missouri S & T Police. The meeting was closed to the public but was a terrific opportunity for all of us to discuss our next step in dealing with this dangerous and deadly epidemic. We will keep you posted on future developments.
In a recent FaceBook posting I mentioned a 1%er and realized some were not sure what I was talking about. I have included the Rolla Police Department’s “Golden Rule” which we call the 95%-4%-1%er Rule. Here is the rule:
95% of the people are good law abiding citizens. They make mistakes breaking traffic laws, minor infractions and sometimes they make bad decisions, like you and I They are your mothers, fathers, brothers sisters and relatives. Treat them as such!
4% of the people are petty criminals. They steal, break into cars, damage property, drink too much, use drugs and struggle to live in our community because they have have weaknesses. They deserve respect, however we will enforce the laws to better them and our community!
1%ers These are the true predators of our society, They deal poisons to the 95% and the 4%, they rape, murder, burglarize, assault and cause catastrophe upon the good people. They are our targets. We will enforce the laws to their fullest extent upon the 1%ers! We will treat the 100% as our best friend until they cause us to do different.
On Wednesday, June 13, 2012, we received a call of a male shoplifter who ran out of a business, climbed into a vehicle with several other people and fled the scene. A witness provided us with the license plate number which checked to a person the police know very well.
Several officers checked Hwy 63 and the surrounding area, while one officer started checking the parks. This officer observed the suspect vehicle at Green Acres Park and as he approached the shoplifting suspect ran. Several officers began searching the area and a short time later one officer located the suspect and took him in custody. The suspect was searched with the officer discovering illegal drugs. As the officer attempted to handcuff the suspect, he was able to break free and fled into the wood area around the park. A perimeter was established and Cpl. Josh Campbell of the Street Crimes Unit and K-9 Ziggy were called to assist. Another witness reported that the suspect was running in the area of Veteran’s Memorial Park. Myself and another officer drove to the area and upon arrival, spotted the suspect running. All at once, the suspect came to an abrupt halt, and we were unclear why until we heard the menacing sound of Ziggy’s deep throated bark. Once the suspect knew Ziggy was on his trail, he gave up without incident. The suspect was arrested for stealing; he also had a warrant for stealing, possession of marijuana and resisting arrest. The suspect is a 1%er in our community. Great job by all.
On Thursday, June 14, 2012, I had the honor and privilege to attend the 237th Army Birthday Retreat Ceremony at Fort Leonard Wood. The ceremony was impressive and the history of those that served, are serving and will serve deserves our utmost respect and support. They are a major factor in why we live in a country that gives us the freedoms we cherish. Also in attendance was Lt. Rick Williams, who served in the Army four years and Detective Robert Jones who was in the Military police for over 20 years. We Support all the Military,
This next entry is from our Volunteers in Police Services (VIPS) Director Vince Giacolone. Vince writes: Did you know that this month is the 10 year anniversary of VIPS (Volunteers in Police Service) nationwide? The Rolla Police Department VIPS program was chartered in the fall of 2008, and was established by the Chief of Police, Mark Kearse, to give residents an opportunity to serve in unpaid positions to augment the work of the Police Department. Volunteers allow RPD officers to focus on law enforcement functions by providing support services. Volunteers also help enhance the relationship between the police and the community. Rolla VIPS has now grown to 20 active members that serve in many different capacities. Our volunteers perform such duties as, vacation security checks, school patrols, speed monitoring, data entry and analysis, telephone advocacy, special events support and funeral escorts. In the next few weeks, we will introduce you, in the form of brief personal bio’s, to our wonderful, dedicated volunteers. 

Have a great week!
Chief Mark Kearse
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Public Works Dept. finishes paving of Forum Dr.

The long awaited milling, excavating and paving (six inches of asphalt) of Forum Drive from 18th Street to Old St. James Road was completed about two months ahead of schedule last Friday by the Public Works Street Division. Realizing how many residents live along this stretch of Forum Drive and how important this east/west collector is, I’m very pleased that the project was completed as quickly and efficiently as it was.
I would first like to thank the residents and business owners in this area and those who use this section of Forum Drive for your continued patience, cooperation and understanding throughout the duration of the project. A special thanks also goes out to Steve Hargis, Director of Public Works; Dave Phelps, Street Construction Foreman; Gene Stroup, Project Coordinator, and all the members of the Street Department for all their hard work and effort.
No sooner will the Forum Drive paving project conclude, that the first phase of the Public Works Services Yard will begin this week with the construction of a new Vehicle Maintenance Facility and Sanitation Department building. The Public Works Services Yard is located at the end of McCutchen Drive behind the Rolla Recycling Center (located off Old St. James Road.)
In October 2005, the City purchased what was then known as the Meade Technology site, which consisted of 102.3 acres, for the development of the Public Works Services Yard. The City has since purchased an additional 30 acres for stormwater improvements and future expansion of industrial properties. The new Vehicle Maintenance facility (currently located at 18th and Old St. James Road), and new Sanitation Division building (currently located off Sharp Road near the Rolla Animal Shelter), will replace the badly deteriorating structures. The majority of the required funding (about $1.8 million) for the construction of the new buildings will be provided by the City’s Environmental Services’ reserve account. The construction of those new buildings, which was contracted out to Bales Construction, is currently underway and should be completed by the end of 2012.
Future phases of the Public Works Services Yard, based on available funding, include construction of a new Street Division building, and Animal Shelter, which are also currently located off Sharp Road. These projects have been designed and discussed on a few different occasions, and plans are underway, but construction will most likely take a few years to get off the ground, depending on the economic climate, and available funding sources.  
One other Public Works related project that is just around the corner is the paving (overlay of 2 inches of asphalt) of Forum Drive from 10th Street all the way to Hwy. 72. This paving project will begin sometime next week. We again ask for your patience and cooperation, as we post detour signs, and try to complete this project with minimum disruption and inconvenience to our residents and visitors. Forum Drive is a very heavily traveled north/south arterial road that thousands of cars, trucks and buses use on a daily basis, and we realize the importance of keeping this road in excellent condition.
In closing, I’d like to remind property owners who have recently remodeled or re-sided their homes, or whose address numbers are not visible, to ensure their street or property address is easily identifiable somewhere on the structure and visible from the street. This requirement is in keeping with the City’s Ordinance relating to Chapter 6 (Sec. 6-1, Article 1 – In General) “Street numbers required of property owners on dwelling or structure.”  If you have any questions relating to these requirements, please contact Rolla City Administration at 426-6948.
Enjoy the weekend and have a safe week!
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