Kiowa County/Greensburg Update 6-14-07

KIOWA COUNTY/GREENSBURG
Public Information Update
Thursday, June 14, 2007 8:30 a.m.

PROPERTY OWNERS HAVE UNTIL FRIDAY, JUNE 15, to begin or commit to debris removal. After that, the city will begin evaluating properties for possible demolition. Owners would be assessed the costs associated with this removal.

PLANT GIVE-AWAY TO BENEFIT GREENSBURG BEAUTIFICATION BOARD. Hayse Greenhouse will have a plant give-away at the Greenhouse on Oak Street. Hours are 9 a.m. to noon Thursday - Saturday. A free-will donation will be asked to help fund the Greensburg Beautification Board’s parks and downtown projects.

“ADOPTION DAYS”. Pratt Humane Society will be hosting “Adoption Days” first to Greensburg residents on June 15th and 16th from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1402 W. First Street, Pratt. The event continues June 17-18 to everyone. Animals up for adoption are not originally from Kiowa County.

COMMUNITY CHURCH SERVICE. The Kiowa County Ministerial Alliance is hosting a community church service to celebrate Father’s Day on Sunday, June 17th at the red and white tent in Davis Park. The service will begin at 10:50 a.m.

BUSINESS RESTORATION PROGRAM AND PROJECT SALES TAX EXEMPTION. Applications are available at Brown Auction and BTI-Greensburg. Applications are due to the Kansas Department of Revenue (KDOR) by July 30, 2007. Officials from Kansas Department of Revenue will be at Brown Auction on Wednesday, July 20th starting at 9:00 a.m. to assist with applications. If you have questions call (785) 296-3070 or www.ksrevenue.org.

WASHER/DRYER SERVICE IS AVAILABLE for public use at Davis Park in Greensburg and at Haviland Park under the water tower.

NEW HIGHWAY ROUTE. The Greensburg City Council voted to ask the Kansas Department of Transportation to begin acquiring property between Illinois and Ohio streets, north of the existing highway. The current roadway would remain in place but would not be designated as U.S. 54. No timetable has been established for the new freeway to be built, and its design, including entrances and exits, will be determined later.

KANSAS GAS SERVICE is purging natural gas lines in Greensburg. The process will take a few weeks. Crews will block off a one-block area at a time. An odor of rotten eggs may be noticed in the area being purged. People are asked to avoid KGS-blocked areas and to not smoke, cause sparks or operate vehicles or machinery in the area while work is in process. If an odor is noticed, call 1-888-482-4950.

GREENSBURG HIGH SCHOOL DEMOLITION. Due to the demolition, a one block area of Iowa and Oak streets, adjacent to the school, has been blocked off until completion.

AN INSPECTION BY A STRUCTURAL ENGINEER IS NEEDED for property owners to obtain a building permit to rebuild a home or business. Call the Building and Codes Office at 620-723-4109 with questions. Building permits are issued from City Hall during regular business hours.

MEAL LOCATIONS FOR VOLUNTEERS AND RESIDENTS: Meals for volunteers and residents are now offered at these locations.
· Salvation Army in Dillons parking lot. 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Muffins and coffee are available for breakfast. Beverages are provided throughout the day. Lunch 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. and Dinner 4:30– 7 p.m. prepared by the Kansas-Nebraska Southern Baptist feeding unit.
· Lighthouse Worship Center, 804 W. Wisconsin, will serve hot meals Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Beverages are available throughout the day.
· Methodist Church, 600 W. Lincoln, has meals available: 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.-lunch and 5 – 7 p.m.-dinner. They provide snacks throughout the day.

LOST AND FOUND. A lost and found station has been set up at Greensburg City Hall. Residents are encouraged to view the inventory list during regular office hours. New items are arriving daily.

NEW HOUSING PROGRAMS TO AID GREENSBURG. Reconstruction assistance programs are available through the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation at 785-296-5865 or www.kshousingcorp.org.

WATER SERVICE TESTING. Officials are continuing to test and turn on the water lines to areas of Greensburg. Contact City Hall at 620-723-2751 with questions about water restoration or to report water leaks.

INVOLVED IN DEBRIS CLEAN-UP?
Protect yourself with gloves, hard-soled shoes or boots and respiratory masks as necessary. If you have a cut or scratch that does not heal normally, seek necessary medical attention. Help speed up debris removal by placing it in the right of way. Keep debris at least three feet from utility poles, fire hydrants and water and gas meters. Call City Hall with debris removal questions at 620-723-2751. Free debris removal will end Friday, June 22nd. Never handle damaged or leaking containers. Please call KDHE at 785-296-1679 and call 911.

SRS REOPENS LOW INCOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIEAP) to aid residents in Kiowa, Pratt, Stafford and Edwards counties. Applications will be accepted through Friday, June 29th. The benefit is a one-time payment to help with energy bills. LIEAP applications are available at any SRS local office or by calling 1-800-432-0043.
KDHE MAINTAINS A LIST OF LICENSED ASBESTOS CONTRACTORS. Private contractors must be KDHE licensed to remove or demolish any suspected asbestos material. Call 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 and must plug any sewer lines. Contractors are responsible for meals for their crews.

SEPARATE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AND WHITE GOODS. Separate refrigerators, air conditioners, batteries, paint, pesticides, aerosol cans, propane and compressed gas cylinders from other debris and leave at the curb for removal. Protective gloves and masks must be worn when removing food debris. Place waste food items in trash bags and leave at the curb. Bags are available at the Lighthouse Worship Center and the Salvation Army at Dillon’s. Businesses needing to dispose of tornado-damaged hazardous materials must call KDHE at 785-296-1679.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE.
*NEW JOB DEVELOPMENT SERVICE: The Kansas Department of Commerce’s Kansas Works Mobile Center has computers with internet links to job sites, and software to prepare resumes. It also can be used for classes and public presentations. For more information, call Caleb Asher at 785 296-2377 or the RV on the square.
* JOBS IN GREENSBURG: Greensburg residents are being considered for employment such as administrative assistance, general labor, firefighter, and other positions. Contact the Local Area I Workforce Investment Board at the Haviland Disaster Recovery Center or call 620-388-4993 or 620-388-4992. Health benefits will be offered as of July 1st.
* FEMA HIRING FOR LOCAL POSITIONS: Residents and those who worked in Greensburg and have lost their jobs are being considered for these positions. Call 770-216-3156 or 417-234-3798 or visit the Disaster Recovery Center at Barclay College.

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

LANDFILL HOURS
· C & D LANDFILL. Monday through Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
· SOUTH LANDFILL Tuesday – Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Owners of vehicles in Greensburg that were towed to the south landfill can view the inventory during regular 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.

FRAUD TASK FORCE. The Greensburg Fraud Task Force will investigate and prosecute any thefts of federal disaster relief funds. Call 1-800-KS-CRIME with tips.

GREENSBURG PETS. Residents from Greensburg have until July 15th to retrieve their pets at the former Countryside Vet Clinic, 261 NE Hwy 61.

ID BADGES FOR GREENSBURG RESIDENTS. Residents can obtain ID badges at the Emergency Operations Center on the square. Hours are 8 a.m. to noon. Residents are asked to provide some form of identification such as a driver’s license. Badges are intended to provide residents with easier access to their property and to meal sites but are strictly voluntary.

GREENSBURG MAIL Residents can sign up for a box at the new post office. Hours are: Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. - noon and from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays: 9 – 11 a.m. Call 620-723-2341 with questions.

FUEL IS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC PURCHASE AT VOLZ OIL. The public can purchase fuel Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

KIOWA COUNTY OFFICES are located at Mullinville High School. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. The Health Department and Extension offices, are on the square, and are open Monday –Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Health Department number is 620-723-2136 and the Extension number is 620-723-2156.

PROGRESS REPORT:
· 6,103 registered.volunteers have contributed 47,191 hours to date.
· Workers have hauled 283,347 cubic yards of debris requiring 30,013 truck loads. The debris removal process is approximately 81 percent complete.

DISASTER ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE:
· Greensburg Disaster Recovery Center is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday - Saturday and from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
· Disaster Recovery Center at Barclay College in Haviland is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
· FEMA and SBA are located on the square. Hours are Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m FEMA can be reached at 1-800-621-FEMA or www.fema.gov.
· Contact U.S. Representative Jerry Moran for assistance with the federal government at 620-665-6138.

SAFETY UPDATE:
· New Curfew Hours are 10 p.m. until 6 a.m.
· 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. In rural areas, follow county ordinances. Burning is discouraged in high winds.
· Never enter any building that appears unsafe.
· Respiratory protection is recommended for all workers. Dust masks and safety glasses are available at the Kiowa County Health Department on the square.