Gary Hicks recognized for service on Rolla City Council

Gary Hicks

Rolla City Council member Gary Hicks (Ward 3), who has served on the Rolla City Council since April 18, 2005, will be recognized by Mayor Bill Jenks, III and the Rolla City Council for his service to the City at the Dec. 17, 2012 Rolla City Council meeting.

Councilman Hicks, who was recently elected to the position of District 2 Commissioner for Phelps County, is required to vacate his seat on the Rolla City Council. Councilman Hicks recently sent Mayor Jenks official notification of his resignation as Rolla City Councilman, Ward 3, effective Dec. 31, 2012.

“The opportunity to serve the residents of the City of Rolla has been a wonderful experience that I will forever treasure,” said Hicks. “I wish to express my gratitude to all the members of the Rolla City Council both past and present; Mayor Bill Jenks; City Administrator John Butz; and all the Rolla City employees for their devotion to our community.” 

 Mayor Jenks will present Councilman Hicks with a certificate of appreciation plaque at the Dec. 17 City Council meeting and thank him for his many years of service and dedication to the Council and Rolla community. Hicks, who is an active member of the community, has served on the Rolla City Council from 2005-2012. 

“The City appreciates Councilman Hick’s service on the Rolla City Council and the contributions he has made to the Rolla community,” said Mayor Jenks. “His leadership and commitment to the Rolla community are greatly appreciated. We look forward to working with Gary in his role on the County Commission.”

Mayor Jenks will appoint a new council representative of Ward 3 in the coming weeks to fill the remaining term of Councilman Hicks, whose term officially ends in April 2013.

Best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving

Mayor Bill Jenks, III

Without trying to sound like a worn out record, is it me, or does it just seem like the holiday season continues to come around the bend at a rate of speed that just doesn’t seem to fit the pace of life we wish existed, or maybe at one time did and no longer does? Maybe it’s all the access to news outlets, all the natural disasters that keep us glued to the television, the Internet, Facebook, Twitter, and other digital devices that tell us sometimes months, if not a year in advance, that we need to put an event, holiday or activity on our calendar, or maybe we are just all leading very busy, hectic lives, that make the time seem like its flying by? Part of the dilemma may be that society continues to live in a fast-forward mode of operating, never really slowing down to catch our breaths – celebrating another holiday before we even celebrate and enjoy the one before it.

Regardless of how the pace of life and the arrival and departure of the holidays may appear to you, I sincerely wish that all our residents and visitors will have an opportunity at least for a day or two, if not a long weekend, to celebrate Thanksgiving with family, friends and loved ones. Rolla is a fairly close-knit community where folks tend to look out for one another, and it is my hope that we are all doing our part to help, in any small or large way, to make the holidays a little brighter and memorable for our family members, neighbors and friends. For those of you who will be preparing and distributing Thanksgiving meals to those who don’t have the means to celebrate the holidays, your service and contribution to our citizens are most appreciated. For those who are taking a banana bread or tray of home-baked cookies to one of your neighbors or friends across town, sending a Thanksgiving Day card of cheer, or simply acknowledging that Thanksgiving has arrived, special thanks goes out to you as well. Our community has grown welcoming and friendly by all the generous individuals who live here, and go the extra mile to ensure others are enjoying the same creature comforts and sense of belonging that we can easily take for granted.

And while some may be inclined to think or say our standard of living could be better, the economy could be more robust, the unemployment rate and inflation rate lower, and the Dow Jones average a little higher, we need only to see and read about the incredible hardships that folks living along the Eastern Seaboard, who were impacted by the ravages caused by Hurricane Sandy, are still going without power, food, clothes, and a warm place to sleep and live. A great deal of humanitarian relief and aide has begun to pour into this region, but it will take several billions of dollars for this hard-hit area to rebuild the communities that have been so badly impacted by the hurricane. One of the easiest and most direct ways to help these folks out is to donate to the American Red Cross, which is one of the largest relief organizations in the world. There are certainly countless ways to show our support for those impacted by Hurricane Sandy, but keeping them in our thoughts throughout the holidays would certainly seem to be the very least we can all do.

I would also like to again mention the thousands of U.S. service men and women, serving in areas across the country, and overseas who allow us all the opportunity to celebrate Thanksgiving and the holidays in the peace and comfort of our own homes. So if it’s possible to send them a card, an e-mail or text message this Thanksgiving, I’m sure it would again mean the world to them as well. After all if anyone truly deserves to be recognized and thanked during the season of thanksgiving, it is the members of the U.S. military and their families who sacrifice so much for our freedoms.

In closing, please remember that Rolla City Hall will be closed for the Thanksgiving Day holiday on Thursday, Nov. 22 and Friday, Nov. 22. The Environmental Services Department also will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 22 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Thursday’s trash, recycling and yard waste will be picked up on Wednesday. There will be no special pick-ups on Wednesday, Nov. 21. Friday’s collection will not be affected. If you have any questions, please call the Environmental Services Department at 364-6693. The Centre, Rolla’s Health and Recreation complex, (located at 1200 North Holloway Street), will also be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22, and will be open the following day on Friday, Nov. 23 from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

I hope you have a safe and memorable Thanksgiving holiday!

 

Claudia Sands receives 2012 Leadership Missouri Lifetime Achievement Award

By Andrea Morrow

Claudia Sands

Claudia Sands lives by Winston Churchill’s words, “We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give,” and she is certainly no stranger to giving back. A 2004 Leadership Missouri Graduate, Sands has been named the 2012 Leadership Missouri Alumni of the Year for her tireless work to make Missouri a better place through her work and volunteering.

“I’m truly honored to win this award, because I truly love this program,” Sands said about her award.  “Leadership Missouri provides participants with leadership skills, but I think anyone who participates is already a leader. The Leadership Missouri Program just sharpens and enhances those leadership skills, and I’m so glad I was able to participate.”

Sands began her career in 1979 with United Telephone, as a telephone operator and worked her way to the position she currently holds as State and Local Government Affairs Manager.

“I’ve seen so many changes with this company,” Sands explained. “But I’ve gotten to work with great teams of people through the years and I wouldn’t be the person that I am, with the current job title that I have, or the leader that I am, without this company.”

Sands takes leadership very seriously, and she believes anyone can be a leader.

 “Leadership is measured by what you do, not what you say,” she explains.  “It’s how it impacts your community. You don’t have to have a special job or role to be a leader, it can start from home.”

“Claudia is totally devoted to her job, community and this industry, said coworker Greg Gaffke. “Her leadership over the years speaks for itself. Like many of us who are called to volunteer, I’ve never heard Claudia say no to requests for helping to serve others or benefitting the community or even the state.”

While growing up, Sands actually wanted to be a nurse, so it’s no surprise she’s chosen to make helping people her life’s work. Sands is active in the Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce as an Ambassador, United Way, and Leadership Missouri Alumni, having served as a past president. One of her proudest achievements was serving on the Newburg School Board for 12 years. Sands was a graduate of the district and had a son, Holden, graduate from the district as well.

“Being on the school board doesn’t always make you more friends or make you popular, but I feel like my time on the board made an impact on the district, and it meant a lot to serve on the board,” Sands said.

In 2008, Sands was named the Spirit of Rolla Award winner by the Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce.  The award is presented to a woman in the Rolla community in recognition for significant achievement and/or lifetime contribution to the spirit of giving that is so indicative of Rolla and the surrounding community.

At the end of the day, after her work and volunteering, Sands is most proud of her family including husband Orel, son Holden and daughter-in-law Amanda.  She firmly believes that all leaders need the support of their families, for without a support system, there wouldn’t be as strong a level of leadership.

In her spare time, which she admits she has very little of these days, you might find Sands fishing on the Gasconade River with her family, which counts among her favorite things. She doesn’t stay still for long, however, she’s too busy giving back.

Rolla Chamber kicks off Angel Tree program early

In the spirit of Christmas giving the Rolla Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center is once again hosting an Angel Tree.  The Angel Tree provides much needed clothing items and special gifts to area children who, without this program, would have to do without.

RACC is kicking off their Angel Tree program early this year in an effort to allow more time for adopting angels and to allow those who adopt to take advantage of Black Friday deals when shopping for their angels.  The deadline for gift drop off is Friday, December 14.

The Chamber is encouraging anyone that would like to purchase gift items for children in need, to please stop by the Visitor Center and pick up an angel(s).  No time to shop?  Not a problem! Cash donations are also being accepted.  The RACC staff will be more than happy to do the shopping for those who do not have the time.  RACC will take the money donated and purchase the items that are needed to fulfill any remaining Angels.

Thank you for your consideration of this gift giving mission.  If you have any questions please feel free to contact Aimee at 573-364-3577.

RPD to step up seat belt enforcement

The Rolla Police Department will join efforts with statewide law enforcement on Friday, Nov. 16 for an aggressive “Click It or Ticket” mobilization to get more motorists to buckle up – and save more lives.

Despite evidence proving the benefits of wearing a seat belt, nearly one in four Missouri motorists are still not making it click. During the past three years, 68% of individuals killed in crashes in Missouri were unrestrained.

“Local motorists should be prepared for stepped up Click It or Ticket enforcement,” said Sgt. Tim Mayfield. “We’ll be out there to remind you seat belts can – and do – save lives.”

Buckle Up and Arrive Alive. 

For more information on Missouri seatbelt usage, please visit www.saveMOlives.com.