Kiowa County/Greensburg Update 9-27-07 to 9-30-07

KIOWA COUNTY/GREENSBURG
Public Information Update
Thursday, September 27 – Sunday, September 30, 2007

HIGHWAY 54 CORRIDOR
KDOT will be hosting an informational meeting on Thursday, October 11th from 4 – 6 p.m. to show the latest plans for the proposed highway 54 corridor through Greensburg. The meeting will be held in the Kiowa County Meeting room, located in the northwest gray trailer southwest of the courthouse square. KDOT will stay for the City Council work session to be held immediately following this meeting. Contact Martin Miller at 620-663-3361 or 1-877-550-5368 for more information.

USDA SERVICE CENTER OPEN HOUSE
You’re invited! The USDA Service Center at 122 E. Illinois, in Greensburg will hold an open house for the public on Thursday, October 11, 2007 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Please come join us!

TREES FOR RURAL RESIDENTS
Fifty English Oak saplings arrived at the Extension Office on Tuesday to be distributed to rural residents of Kiowa County who were affected by the May 4th tornado. The free saplings will be distributed on a first come first serve basis and will be available between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Thursday, September 27th and Friday, September 28th. There is a 2 tree per household limit due to the quantity available.

GREENSBURG TRASH ROUTES
The City of Greensburg will resume trash pick-up routes starting Monday, September 24th. North/South Streets will be picked up on Mondays and East/West Streets will be picked up on Fridays.

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.

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 e-mail ucsbgreensburg@yahoo.com.

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, are inspecting rural properties throughout the county. 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.

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 the 1st and 3rd Mondays and the last working day of the month at 9:00 a.m. in the northwest gray trailer located southwest of the courthouse square.
· South Landfill hours are Monday – Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The landfill is now charging $3.50 per cubic yard for debris.
· North Landfill will only accept clean concrete. If the concrete has any metal or other debris mixed then it must go to the South Landfill.

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 northwest gray trailer located southwest of the courthouse square.
· Greensburg Planning Commission meetings are held Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. in the Kiowa County Commissioners Meeting room, located in the northwest gray trailer located southwest of the courthouse 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 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 in their temporary trailer at 321 S. Walnut 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.
· 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. Come sign-up for volunteer assistance with clean-up and repair or reconstruction.
· UMC Recovery Store hours are Thursday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the 2nd Saturday of each month. The Recovery Store is located at 322 N. Main St. in Haviland. Items such as food, clothing, and bedding are also available. Be prepared to show your storm ID or FEMA number.
· Hudson Oil Company, H.B. Hudson, founder will provide every family rebuilding or remodeling within the city limits of Greensburg $700. See Tom Corns at the Greensburg State Bank to pick up the application.