KIOWA COUNTY/GREENSBURG
Public Information Update
Saturday, May 26, 2007 8:30 a.m.

GOVERNOR SIGNS GREENSBURG BILL.
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius has signed Senate Substitute for HB 2540, which creates a $5 million Business Restoration Assistance Program for businesses in Kiowa County damaged by the May 4 storm. Qualifying businesses will be eligible for payments of up to 10 percent of the investment made by June 30, 2008 to rebuild and up to $3,500 for each full-time employee rehired by that date. The relief bill also includes a sales tax exemption for items and services purchased to construct, reconstruct, enlarge or remodel a business facility (including agricultural fencing) within Kiowa County damaged by the May 4 storm. Project exemption certificates will be issued to qualifying businesses applying before June 30, 2008 for use in making tax-exempt purchases for such purposes.

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND ACCESS TO THE CEMETARY is from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, May 27 and Monday, May 28. The cemetery routes are US 54 east to US 183 then north to California Avenue then east to the north cemetery gate and US 54 west to County Road 33 then north to California Avenue then west to the north cemetery gate. The south gate will be closed.

GREENSBURG CITY HALL IS CLOSED ON MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, SATURDAY THRU MONDAY. City Hall will re-open during normal business hours on Tuesday, May 29.

EVERYONE INVOLVED IN DEBRIS CLEAN-UP IS ENCOURAGED TO WEAR PROPER CLOTHING AND RESPIRATORY PROTECTION.
Protect yourself with gloves, hard soled shoes or boots, and respiratory masks as necessary. If you have a cut or a scratch that does not heal normally, seek necessary medical attention.

KANSAS GAS SERVICE IS PRESSURE TESTING NATURAL GAS LINES IN GREENSBURG. If you smell gas, it is likely due to this testing. If you have concerns about gas odors, call 9-1-1.

HELP SPEED UP DEBRIS REMOVAL BY PLACING IT IN THE RIGHT OF WAY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Keep debris at least three feet from utility poles, fire hydrants and water and gas meters. Call Greensburg City Hall with debris removal questions at 620-723-2751.

THE LANDFILL WILL BE CLOSED SUNDAY, MAY 27 AND MONDAY, MAY 28 for maintenance over the Memorial Day Holiday. No one can use the landfill during this time. Regular hours of operation resume Tuesday.

KDHE ISSUED A HAZARD DECLARATION FOR TORNADO DEBRIS.
Residents are encouraged to take appropriate steps to remove tornado debris remaining on private properties which may present a health and safety risk to the public. Unstable structures and debris piles pose fire hazards and create a habitat for undesirable vermin. Currently, concrete rubble and foundations do not present an immediate hazard.

KDHE MAINTAINS LIST OF LICENSED ASBESTOS CONTRACTORS. Private contractors must be KDHE licensed to remove or demolish any suspected asbestos material.

If you are a homeowner and suspect asbestos is present during demolition or debris removal, consider using a specially trained contractor to remove the material.

Contact Scott Bangert at 785-296-1689 with questions.

ALL CONTRACTORS MUST REGISTER at Greensburg City Hall between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Contract work is prohibited without registration and/or license. Contractors are responsible for hauling jobsite debris. Contractors removing debris or doing demolition from a jobsite must plug any sewer lines.

SEPARATE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AND WHITE GOODS (appliances, air conditioners, batteries, paint, pesticides, aerosol cans, propane and compressed gas cylinders) from debris and leave at the curb for EPA to remove. Place waste food items in trash bags and leave at the curb. Garbage trucks will remove this waste. Bags are available at the Lighthouse Worship Center, Scientology tent and Salvation Army at the courthouse.

FREE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS PICK UP FOR BUSINESSES TOO. Businesses needing to dispose of tornado damaged hazardous materials can place them by the curb by June 3 for EPA pickup.

CALL 911 IF YOU ENCOUNTER A HAZARDOUS SPILL OR LEAK. Never handle damaged or leaking containers. The EPA Spill Line is 913-281-0991.

NEVER DRINK, SHOWER OR BATHE WITH WATER UNTIL OFFICIALS ANNOUNCE THAT IT IS SAFE. Contact City Hall at 620-723-2751 with questions or to report water leaks.

FUEL AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC PURCHASE AT VOLZ OIL. The public can purchase up to 20 gallons of unleaded or 100 gallons of diesel per vehicle per purchase.

PLACARDS REQUIRED. All vehicles must stop at check points. Police will issue placards. Placards must be visible in the windshield.

KIOWA COUNTY OFFICES are located at the Mullinville High School. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. County commission meets at 9 a.m. on Mondays at the Mullinville High School.

GREENSBURG CITY OFFICES are located on the square. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

THE NEXT CITY COMMISSION MEETING, due to the Memorial Day holiday, is on the square in the white tent on Wednesday, May 30 at 5 p.m.

CITY OF GREENSBURG ISSUING BUILDING PERMITS at City Hall during regular business hours.

GREENSURG RESIDENTS can view and inspect a FEMA travel trailer and manufactured home between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. at the west entrance to Davis Park. A FEMA specialist will be on hand to answer questions.

AVAILABLE DISASTER ASSISTANCE:
· FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA or http://www.fema.gov/ or on the square.
· Red Cross at 1-866-GET INFO or your local chapter.
· Contact Kansas Representative Jerry Moran for assistance with the federal government at 620-665-6138.
· USDA Rural Development Housing at 785-628-3081 or 1-800-338-5546.
· Disaster Recovery Center at Barclay College or 620-862-7750. Center agencies are FEMA; Kansas Departments of Health and Environment, SRS and Labor; Veterans Administration; SBA and Salvation Army.
· To Volunteer for Disaster Recovery call 211.
· SBA low interest loans at 1-800-659-2955 or on the square.
· Free, non-fee legal case assistance at 1-800-929-3111 and at Disaster Recovery Center at Barclay College.
· Farm field debris removal at 314-313-4779 or visit Davis Park Volunteer Reception Center.
· Disabled American Veterans at 316-688-6722.
· Mullinville and Haviland United Methodist Churches between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
· Mullinville Church of Christ at 620-548-2512.

OTHER AVAILABLE ASSISTANCE:
· FEMA hiring for local positions at 770-216-3156 or 417-234-3798 or visit the Disaster Recovery Center at Barclay College.
· Mental health professionals at 785-313-6359.
· Claim lost firearms by calling the Kiowa County Sheriff’s Department at 620-723-2182.
· Report stray or dead animals or missing pets by calling 620-723-2897.
· For animal boarding needs call 620-672-6777.
·
RODEO ROUTES this Thursday, Friday and Saturday are US 54 east to US 183 then north to California Avenue then east to Bay Street and US 54 west to County Road 33 then north to California Avenue then west to Bay Street.
Free child safety seats available from the Kiowa County Health Department at 620-388-4544.
· File complaints against private insurance companies by calling the Kansas Insurance Commissioner at 1-800-432-2484.

SAFETY UPDATE:
· Curfew in effect from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.
· Obey all traffic laws.
· Treat ALL power lines as if they are live. Call 911 if you observe an arcing power line.
· Leave room for emergency and military vehicles when parking.
· Take frequent breaks and drink plenty of water. Seek immediate medical attention if you feel dizzy, nauseated or experience vomiting.
· Burning is prohibited in Greensburg and highly discouraged in rural areas during high winds.
· Never enter any building that appears unsafe.
· Respiratory protection is recommended for all workers. Dust masks available at the Kiowa County Health Department on the square.

VEHICLE REMOVAL. Tagged, damaged or destroyed vehicles in Greensburg were towed to the south landfill. Owners are NOT responsible for landfill tow fees. Contact the Kiowa County Sheriff’s Office at 620-723-2182 with questions.

THOSE WISHING TO VOLUNTEER MUST CALL 211 (in state) or 1-888-413-4327 (out of state) prior to arrival. Ameri Corp is organizing groups wishing to volunteer. Group leaders must call 314-313-4779. Volunteers must dress appropriately for hazardous working conditions.

AIRSPACE OVER GREENSBURG is restricted to official aircraft only. Report aircraft to the nearest law enforcement officer.

GREENSBURG MAIL is forwarded to the Pratt Post Office where residents and businesses can register for a free post office box.

FREE PHONE USE at the square for residents and responders provided by AT&T.

LIGHTHOUSE WORSHIP CENTER ASSEMBLY OF GOD SUNDAY SERVICE AT 10 A.M.