Kiowa County/Greensburg Update 6-26-07

KIOWA COUNTY/GREENSBURG
Public Information Update
Tuesday, June 26, 2007

COMMUNITY WORSHIP
The Kiowa County Ministerial Alliance is sponsoring an All-Faiths based Community Worship service Wednesday, June 27 at 6:00 p.m. A free gospel concert will be held in the red and white tent at Davis Park. A free fresh seafood and gumbo dinner will be provided by a church group from Mississippi.

TOWN HALL MEETING
Greensburg City Council will be holding a Town Hall meeting on Thursday, June 28th. The meeting will be held in the Red and White Tent at Davis Park. A barbecue will be provided at 6:00 p.m. with the meeting from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. The BBQ is sponsored by the South Central Community Foundation.

BUILDING MORATORIUM AMENDED
The City council voted to extend the building moratorium for the Highway 54 corridor and the downtown district for two weeks to allow KDOT and the Downtown Design Team to submit plans.

BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATIONS
Before buying a new home or arranging for any construction, residents should call 620-723-4109 or stop by the Building and Codes office to determine which documentation and information is required for the building permit application. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

ELEMENTARY FUN DAY IN THE PARK
Teachers from the Florence Wilson Elementary School in Garden City and KAHBH are sponsoring a day of fun in Davis Park for children 5-11 year olds on Thursday, June 28th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Kids will participate in a variety of games. Supervision, lunch and drinks will be provided. Check in begins at 9:30 a.m. You may sign up at the Greensburg School District Office, the KAHBH bus on the square or by calling 785-313-6359.

DEBRIS REMOVAL
The city of Greensburg will continue debris curbside pick-up until June 27th. The City is reviewing properties that have not been cleared of debris to determine “Immediate Hazards” and may begin taking action on such properties.
Property owners willing to release the City and allow crews to enter properties for debris removal need to visit City Hall and sign a “Right of Entry” form. Property owners who sign the form will not have costs assessed to their properties.

BURNING REMINDER
Burning is prohibited within the Greensburg City Limits. In rural areas, follow county ordinances. Burning is strongly discouraged in windy conditions.

4th OF JULY CELEBRATION PLANNED
“Pigmasters” of Greensboro, North Carolina will be traveling to Greensburg to provide an Eastern North Carolina Style Pig Picking for the residents. The southern hospitality barbecue will be held at Davis Park on the 4th of July. Evening festivities will end with a fireworks display.

USDA RURAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Financial assistance is available for Housing, Community Facilities and Business Development. Grants and low interest loans are available for repair or rebuilding of these structures and businesses. Applications are available at USDA’s Rural Development’s office in the Greensburg City Hall. Office hours are Monday - Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., evening appointments are available upon request. Individuals may call 785-628-3081 ext. 4 or 800-338-5546 for more information. USDA is also offering Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Financial Assistance, for businesses, agricultural producers, and individuals through the Agency’s “Build Green” Program. This information is available at the USDA Rural Development Greensburg Office.

BUSINESS RESTORATION PROGRAM AND PROJECT SALES TAX EXEMPTION
Applications are available at Brown Auction and BTI-Greensburg. If you have questions call (785) 296-3070 or www.ksrevenue.org. Applications are due to the Kansas Department of Revenue (KDOR) by July 30.

KANSAS GAS SERVICE
KGS is purging natural gas lines in Greensburg. Crews will block off a one-block area at a time. A rotten egg odor may be noticed in the area being purged. People are asked to avoid KGS-blocked areas and to not smoke, operate vehicles or machinery in the area while work is in progress. For information, call 1-888-482-4950.

DEBRIS CLEANUP
· Safety Tips
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.
· Debris Removal
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.
· Hazardous Waste
Separate hazardous waste and “white goods”, such as batteries, paint, propane, pesticides, refrigerator, etc., from other debris. Businesses needing to dispose of tornado-damaged hazardous materials must call KDHE at 785-296-1679. Never handle damaged or leaking containers that might be hazardous. Call KDHE at 785-296-1679 or call 911.

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.

WASHER/DRYER SERVICE
The Kansas-Nebraska Southern Baptist Church is sponsoring a public laundry service at Davis Park in Greensburg.

GREENSBURG MAIL
Residents can sign up for a mail 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.

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. The South Landfill is closed Mondays.
The landfill is open to the public at no charge.

CONCTRACTOR/RECONSTRUCTION INFO
· All contractors must register at City Hall between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays. 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.
· Asbestos abatement contractors must be KDHE licensed. Call Scott at 785-296-1689 with questions.
· Structural engineer inspection is required before obtaining a building permit to rebuild a home or business. Call the Greensburg Building and Codes Office at 620-723-4109 with questions.

MEAL LOCATIONS
Meals for volunteers and residents are offered at:
· Salvation Army, Dillons parking lot, from 7 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Muffins and coffee are available for breakfast. Beverages are provided throughout the day. Lunch is from 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. and dinner is from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Meals are prepared by the Kansas-Nebraska Southern Baptist feeding unit. The Salvation Army will stop serving meals on Wednesday, June 27th.
· Lighthouse Worship Center, 804 W. Wisconsin, will serve hot meals from 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Beverages are available throughout the day.
· Methodist Church, 600 W. Lincoln. Lunch is from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. and dinner is from 5 – 7 p.m. Snacks are provided throughout the day.
· Red Baron Pizza, Davis Park, will serve free pizza from 10:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., June 26 at Davis Park.

ROYAL NEIGHBORS OF AMERICA
Residents of Greensburg who are members of the Royal Neighbors of America, and suffered a loss due to the Greensburg tornado, should call 1-800-627-4762 for details on possible disaster assistance.

KIOWA COUNTY
· County offices are located at Mullinville High School. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday.
· Health Department and Extension Offices are on the square. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday.

VOLUNTEERS
In-state volunteers must call 211 and out-of-state volunteers must call 1-888-413-4327 prior to arrival. AmeriCorps is organizing groups wishing to volunteer, please call 314-313-4779. Volunteers must dress appropriately for hazardous working conditions.
Greensburg & Kiowa County residents needing volunteer labor assistance can contact AmeriCorps at Davis Park.

Progress Report
· 6,893 registered volunteers have contributed 52,863 hours to date.
· Workers have hauled 309,611 cubic yards of debris requiring 33,321 truck loads. The debris removal process is approximately 88.5 percent complete.

FEMA TRAILERS
Residents can view and inspect a FEMA travel trailer and manufactured home between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday at the west entrance to Davis Park. They are closed on Sundays. A FEMA specialist will be on hand to answer questions during regular hours.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
· JOBS IN GREENSBURG: Greensburg residents are being considered for employment such as administrative assistance, general labor, and other positions. Those interested can visit the Kansas Department of Commerce’s KansasWorks Mobile Center on the square, or by calling Kandy or Christine at 620-723-2030 or 620-388-4993. Hours are Monday –Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 9a.m. to 1 p.m. Health benefits will be offered as of July 1.
· FEMA positions remain open to residents living 50 miles or less from the city of Greensburg and within 50 miles of Wichita. Specialty positions for planning and geographical information systems (GIS) are needed. More information about the open positions call 620-723-4423 or 601-818-7515 or www.kansasjoblink.com.

GREENSBURG CITY HALL
· City Hall Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday.
· Lost and Found Station has been set up at City Hall. New items are arriving daily.
· Water Service Testing continues and more water lines are being charged daily. Contact City Hall at 620-723-2751 for information or to report leaks.

DISASTER ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE
· Disaster Recovery Centers in Greensburg and Haviland are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday
· 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.
· Kansas Housing Resources Corporation is offering a housing reconstruction assistance program. Call 785-296-5865 or log on to www.kshousingcorp.org.
· SRS has reopened its low-income energy assistance program to aid residents in Kiowa, Pratt, Stafford and Edwards counties. Applications are available until June 29 at any local SRS office or by calling 1-800-432-0043.
· Kansas All Hazards Behavioral Health is offering crisis counseling for those dealing with the psychological affects of the tornado. Those needing services should call 1-800-575-2038 to schedule an appointment.

SAFETY UPDATE:
· Curfew Hours remain in effect from 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.
· 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.