point of view

This quote is enscribed on the Ray County Courthouse. I always look for it when I am in Richmond. These simple five words are thought provoking. This thought encapsulates the delicate balance between order & freedom. When individuals adhere to established laws, they contribute to a harmonious society where rights & responsibilities coexist. The framework of laws provides structure, protection, & a sense of security. However, it is essential to recognize that not all laws are just or fair. In such cases, advocating for change becomes an expression of true liberty.

Monday, noon - Hospital Board of Trustees; 6pm - Planning & Zoning Commission; Special Study Session of PZ Commission following regular meeting

Tuesday, 4pm - Municipal Court; 6pm - Parks & Recreation Commission

Thursday, 10am - Housing Authority

Friday, 7:30am - Council work session

Hospital Board - CEO, CNO, CFO reports; annual appointments Antibiotic Stewardship Leaders, Corporate Compliance Annual Summary, Performance Improvement Annual Report, YE Annual Safety Report, Policy/Procedure approvals, Board yearly self-evaluation & disclosures

Planning & Zoning - public hearings regarding application to amend the zoning regs pertaining to Short Term Rental properties; renewal of SUP for short-term rental @ 608 Benton & 1012 Sunset Strip; rezone tract of land @ 517 SKC Ave from C-2A to C-3

Planning & Zoning Study Session - discussion regarding PZ process with a focus on decision-making

Parks & Recreation - Financial reports; staff & director's reports; committee reports; Milwaukee St. Park space & stormwater; Church land.

City Council - issues under development include social media policy; fire dept. recommendation for Clinic/Psych agreement; police dept. recommendations for MOU with ESSD for storm shelter; community development dept. recommendations for EIERA bid award; URC recommendations to extend Chapter 353 @ 526 Isley; PZ recommendations; public works recommendations to accept Marocco Estates public element; & dedication of Miller & May Streets

Celebrating work anniversaries this week - Melissa Davis, Lead Animal Control Officer - 19 years; Marla Ellison, Accounting Specialist - 9 years; Samantha Nash-St. John, Police Sergeant - 5 years; John Schindler, Center Building Monitor - 4 years; Marissa Gregorwich, 911 Communications Officer & Emily West, Child Watch Attendant - 3 years; Ziya Miller, Lifeguard - 1 year.

National news published in November, 2023: Most U.S. cities would have to replace lead water pipes within 10 years under strict new rules proposed by the EPA to reduce lead in drinking water & prevent public health crises like the ones in Flint, MI, & Washington, D.C. Millions of people consume drinking water from lead pipes & the agency said tighter standards would improve IQ scores in children & reduce high blood pressure & heart disease in adults.

In April, an EPA report found there are more than 9 million lead service lines – known to be a "significant source" of lead contamination – used to carry drinking water to homes throughout the nation. They are most common in older, industrial parts of the country.

The EPA enacted the first comprehensive lead in drinking water regulations in 1991, but experts have said they left loopholes that keep lead levels too high & lax enforcement allows cities to ignore the problem. Unlike other contaminants, lead seeps into drinking water after leaving the treatment plant. Former President Trump's administration issued new standards that forced utilities to take stronger action when lead levels rose too high. They also made communities locate their lead pipes - initial inventories are due in October 2024.

LOCAL NEWS: This week, the city began to ask homeowners to answer a brief survey about the pipes coming into their houses & take a picture of the pipe. The Water Department is currently conducting an inventory of all 4,000+ water mains & has excavated around 770 of the system's lines to date. We believe our community is at low risk to discover lead lines, based on testamony of some of our employees who have been with the city for over 40 years & have never found a lead line yet. To debunk some misunderstandings - homeowners do not need to excavate their service lines, take the picture where the line comes into your house or call Public Works to take care of it for you. Step 1 - we will complete the inventory of lines by the October 2024 deadline. With the inventory, we will be able to quantify the level of need, & develop a plan of action.

I love this little town!! Always someone walking, hardly no traffic. Easy drive to work, friendly people. Small town shopping. Close friendships. Easy lifestyle. I can honestly continue!❤️ Read it on Facebook.