Kiowa County/Greensburg Update 08-23-07 to 08-26-07

KIOWA COUNTY/GREENSBURG
Public Information Update
Thursday, August 23 – Sunday, August 26, 2007

UPDATE BY e-mail
If you would like to receive the Kiowa County/Greensburg Update by e-mail, please send a request to kiowa.pio@gmail.com.

SRS OFFICE REOPENED
The Greensburg SRS office opened Monday, August 20, 2007 in it temporary facility located adjacent to the Iroquios Center at 608 E. Grant St. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, please call the office at 620-723-3321.

PROPERTY VAULATION REVIEW
Due to the extensive damage by the May tornadoes, staff from the Kiowa County Appraiser’s office and Kansas Property Valuation Division, will be inspecting all residential and rural properties throughout the county beginning August 20th. The appraisal staff will carry identification and the sheriffs department will have their names, vehicle descriptions, and tag numbers on file.

Current damage affecting the property’s market value as of January 1, 2008, will be reflected in the 2008 appraised values and the 2008 taxes. Property taxes due in December 2007 will be based on the property as it existed on January 1, 2007.

USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT OFFICE
The USDA Rural Development – Greensburg office has moved into the Kiowa County Commissioners Building just west of the courthouse. Office hours are 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Friday, night appointments upon request. Please call 785-628-3081 ext. 4 or 1-800-338-5546 for more information.

NEW FALL AND WINTER ITEMS
New fall and winter items are now available for storm survivors at the Haviland United Methodist Church Basement. The Survivor’s Shop is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday – Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Beginning August 20th the store hours will change to 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays and the 2nd Saturday of each month. Be prepared to show your storm ID or FEMA number.

KIOWA COUNTY GOVERNMENT
· County Offices are located on the square. Hours are Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
· County Commission meetings are held on Mondays at 9:00 a.m. in the gray trailers directly west of the courthouse.
· South Landfill hours are Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The landfill will begin charging for debris September 1st. The cost for debris will be $3.50 per cubic yard.

GREENSBURG CITY HALL
· City Hall Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday.
· Lost and Found Station has been set up at City Hall.
· City Council meetings are the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month. The meetings will begin at 7:00 p.m. and will be held in the yellow and white tent on the square.
· Greensburg Planning Commission meetings are held Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. in the yellow and white tent on the square.

CHURCH SERVICES
· Lighthouse Worship Center is meeting in their temporary facility located at 804 W. Wisconsin. Church starts at 10 a.m.
· First United Methodist Church of Greensburg is meeting in their temporary facility at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, August 12th.
· Catholic Church is meeting in their temporary facility located at 215 W. Morton at 10:45 a.m.
· First Baptist Church is meeting in their temporary facility located at Kyle’s farm just ½ mile east, ½ mile north and ¼ mile east of Greensburg. Church begins at 10:50 a.m.
· Peace Lutheran Church is meeting at 803 S. Spruce, Greensburg at 11 a.m. For more information, call Pastor Henning at 620-388-0518.
· First Christian Church is meeting at Brown Auction beginning at 10:30 a.m. A guest speaker leads the service each Sunday.

MEALS FOR SALE
· Cannonball Catering and WB’s Bulk Food is selling lunches just east of Davis Park 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday, Thursday, and Friday. Now serving breakfast 6:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
· Kansan Restaurant is serving lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday at the original restaurant location.
· JD’s BBQ will be serving meals on Tuesdays and Wednesdays each week at the intersection of Bay and Hwy 54. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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) for any second round assistance by August 31st.

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.

AT&T SERVICE AT KELLER ESTATES
Greensburg residents can call AT&T at 1-866-490-0499 to get your phone service reconnected. High Speed DSL service is also available. If no one answers, please leave a message and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
· JOBS IN GREENSBURG: Greensburg residents are being considered for employment. Those interested can visit the 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 are provided.
· FEMA positions remain open to residents living within 50 miles 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 .
· Looking for Work? Needing employees? Log onto www.kansasjoblink.com . All types of positions are currently available. We can also post your job listing. Stop by the KansasWorks Mobile Unit, located on the square, or call Vicky at 620-723-2030 or 620-255-3705.
· Greensburg Recreation Commission is looking to hire a Recreation Director. Duties include but are not limited to: year-round athletic and recreational programming for all ages, basic bookkeeping, several meetings per month, and upkeep of equipment and facilities. Salary commensurate of experience. Position will remain open until filled with a qualified applicant. Interested persons should send a letter of interest and resume to: Greensburg Recreation Commission, 132 S. Main, Greensburg, KS 67054. For questions, call Jay at 620-255-9229 or Kim at 620-546-4504.

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 handle damaged or leaking containers that might be hazardous. Call KDHE at 785-296-2679 or call 911.
· Respiratory protection is recommended for all workers. Dust masks and safety glasses are available at the Health Department on the square.
· Burning is prohibited in the Greensburg city limits. In rural areas, follow county ordinances. Burning is strongly discouraged in high winds.
· Protect yourself with gloves, hard-soled shoes or boots. If you have a cut or scratch that does not heal normally, seek necessary medical attention.
· Businesses needing to dispose of hazardous materials must call KDHE at 785-296-2679.

DISASTER ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE
· Greensburg Disaster Recovery Center is located on the square. FEMA and SBA hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. FEMA can be reached at 1-800-621-FEMA or www.fema.gov. The Disaster Recovery Center will be closing August 18th.
· Salvation Army warehouse is located at 201 S. Jackson St. Hours are Tuesday – Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Stop by to pick up food, household items, cleaning supplies and other house wares. For more information, contact Billie Taylor at 620-388-4685. No appointments are necessary. Please stop by.
· 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.
· Kansas All Hazards Behavioral Health is offering crisis counseling, please call 1-800-575-2038 to schedule an appointment.
· Kansas Assisting Recovery Efforts (KARE) is a grant funded outreach project serving the counties of Kiowa, Edwards, Comanche, Pratt and Stafford. Call 785-313-6123 or 1-800-575-2038 or e-mail kare1_project@yahoo.com with questions.
· South Central Kansas Tornado Recovery Organization is providing repair and rebuilding assistance, volunteer labor, donated goods and spiritual and psychological referrals for individuals and families. For more information, call 620-862-5882 or stop by at 201 N. Main St., Haviland.
· United Methodist Recovery Center is located at 322 N. Main in Haviland. Hours are Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Come sign up for volunteer assistance with clean-up, repair, or reconstruction. Items such as food, clothing, and bedding are also available.

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.
· A structural engineer inspection is required before obtaining a building permit to rebuild a home or business. Call the Building and Codes Office at 620-723-4109 with questions.
· Building permit applications are available at the Building and Codes office on the square. Hours are 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday. Call 620-723-4109 for information about required documentation and information.

SCAM ALERT
There is a group operating in Kansas conducting asphalt scams. They offer to seal or repave asphalt with leftover material from another job at a reduced price. After the work is done they charge an inflated price and pressure for immediate payment.

Because of the notoriety and devastation in Greensburg, they may be attracted to the community. Be very cautious of anyone soliciting this type of work.

If anyone approaches you wanting to do any type of asphalt work, contact the Kiowa County Sheriff at 620-723-2182 or 911. The Sheriff’s Department will check out the contractor to insure they are legitimate.