Kiowa County/Greensburg Update 9-17-07 to 9-19-07

KIOWA COUNTY/GREENSBURG
Public Information Update
Monday, September 17 – Wednesday, September 19, 2007

USDA SERVICE CENTER REOPENS IN GREENSBURG
The Natural Resource Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency will reopen their office on Monday, September 17th. Office hours will return to 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday. NRCS phone is 620-723-2146 and FSA phone is 620-723-2311. An Open House will be scheduled in October.

HUDSON OIL COMPANY TO HELP RESIDNETS
H. B. Hudson, founder of Hudson Oil Company wants to help the residents of Greensburg. He has set up an account at Greensburg State Bank to provide $700 to each family rebuilding or remodeling their home within the city limits. Please see Tom Corns to pick up the application or if you have questions.

POST OFFICE BOXES
The Post Office recently installed more mail boxes for residents of Greensburg who will be residing her for six months or longer. To register for a box, stop by the Post Office during regular business hours, Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. If you have questions, call 723-2341.

FREE FOOD
There is free food (water, cereal, and chips only) for residents of Greensburg located in the white semi trailer parked at the Lighthouse Worship Center, 804 W. Wisconsin. Please come by and help yourself!

COFFEE TIME!
Have you missed gathering with friends over coffee? Well, come reunite with friends and neighbors over free coffee Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Iroquois Center Annex Building, located just behind the Iroquois Center at 610 E. Grant St. Donuts will be provided on Wednesdays and Fridays. For more information, call 620-723-2272.

TREES FOR GREENSBURG
The communities of Udall, Hesston and Halstead have teamed up with Westar Energy, the Kansas Forest Service and K-State Research and Extension to plant trees back into the yards of homeowners.

The trees will be provided in phases as residents are ready to move back into their homes. The first phase will be 50 to 75 trees for homeowners ready to move into or living in their homes. The trees will arrive in October to be planted. You will be allowed to choose your preference of a large shade tree, a small to medium ornamental, or a shrub. Please contact Carmen Stauth at 620-723-2156 to register your name and selected a tree category.

GREENSBURG RESEARCH STUDY EXPANDED
Researchers at the University of California – Santa Barbara are interested in the interactions that took place between parents and their children before, during and after the tornado of May 4th.

Participation will involve a 45-60 minute phone interview with anyone over the age of 12. In return for your participation, you family will receive compensation. Interviews will be scheduled at your convenience. Confidentiality is guaranteed.

If you are interested or have questions, contact Dr. Walid Afifi at 805-893-7105 or by e-mail at ucsbgreensburg@yahoo.com.

GREENSBURG LANDOWNERS
The Greensburg City Government encourages all property owners to maintain their lots. Property owners have until September 17th to mow their lots.

After the 17th, the city will begin maintaining properties at a rate of $200 per hour, with a 2 hour minimum. Property owners will be responsible for paying this fee or it will be assessed to your taxes.

MEALS FOR SALE
· Kansan Restaurant is serving lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday - 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.

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.

TELL YOUR STORY
Janice Haney is collecting stories from individuals who went through the May 4th tornado and compiling them into a book to offer in the Big Well gift shop and tornado museum. She is also wanting to video will residents to play their stories in the gift shop and museum. If you are interested in being interviewed for print or willing to be video taped, contact Janice at 620-770-2529 or mail your story to Janice Haney, R.R. 1 Box 130, Greensburg, KS 67054.

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 is now charging $3.50 per cubic yard for debris.

GREENSBURG CITY GOVERNMENT
· City Hall Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday.
· City Hall Phone Number is 620-723-2751. Please call if you have questions.
· City Council meetings are held the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month. The meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. and will be held in the Kiowa County Commissioners Meeting room, located in the gray trailer directly west of the courthouse.
· Greensburg Planning Commission meetings are held Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. in the Kiowa County Commissioners Meeting room, located in the gray trailer directly west of the courthouse.

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 is meeting in their temporary facility located at 600 W. Lincoln. Worship at 9:30 a.m. and Sunday School at 10:30 a.m. Contact Pastor Mayhew at 620-723-3338 with questions or concerns.
· 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 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.
· Faith Tabernacle is meeting at the temporary Kiowa County Memorial Hospital each Sunday at 10 a.m.

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 Amber or Christina at 620-723-2030 or 620-388-4993. Hours are Monday –Friday 8 a.m. to 5 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 .
· 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, 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 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.
· Take frequent breaks and drink plenty of water. Seek immediate medical attention if you feel dizzy, nauseated or experience vomiting.
· 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.

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.
· 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.

DISASTER ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE
· 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.
· USDA Rural Development – Greensburg office is located in 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.
· 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 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 1-866-327-6578 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 Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. The Recovery Store hours are Thursday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the 2nd Saturday of each month. Come sign up for volunteer assistance with clean-up, repair, or reconstruction. Items such as food, clothing, and bedding are also available. Be prepared to show your storm ID or FEMA number.