MAYOR'S LETTER

August 2009 ~ Vol. 69 Published by the City of St. John MAYOR’S LETTER Law Enforcement Day/Concert In The Park Will be held on August 29th this year at Home Heights Park. The day will start at 2 pm with representatives from numerous organizations, various activities and equipment all sponsored by the City’s Police Department. There will be opportunities to meet your local neighborhood watch group, your police officers and your City Council representatives. In addition local restaurants will be participating so that there will be a variety of food to choose from. That evening starting at 7 pm, a concert will be held. Music will be provided by “British Export” an award winning Beatles Tribute Band. Many of you have seen them perform at Woodson Terrace Days. The concert will run until 10 pm. Bring your blankets, chairs and coolers if you like (no glass bottles please). North Avenue Project Update - The project is finally underway. The bid was awarded to Gershenson Construction Company in May of this year and they have been working hard on the project ever since. LeeRoy M. Taylor The plan is to completely rebuild North Ave. from Woodson Road to Valleywood. Because of utility conflicts, work began on the stretch of North between Eminence and Brown Road. The next section to open was from Brown Rd. to McKibbon, and then from Eminence to Gordon. The contractor has excavated out the old street, replaced new curb and gutters, placed the base lifts of asphalt, and has begun replacing driveways and sidewalks along these areas. All the work activity on North Ave. east of McKibbon is various utilities (electric, water, gas) relocating or replacing their lines. They are taking advantage of the fact that we are replacing this street and they in turn can replace some of their older lines at the same time. We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as the various contractors work to make our City better by updating the utilities, and by re-building North Ave. 2009 SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS During the past ten years, the St. John Police Department has awarded over $30,000 to Ritenour High School graduating seniors. The St. John Police Scholarship Program is funded through various fund raising efforts and community partnerships with local businesses. This year, four graduating seniors were awarded $1,000 scholarships to assist them with future college expenses. This years Class of 2009 recipients are: (From left to right) Rachel Weatherford; Joshua Hahn; Kyle Lavelle; Office Chad Rackers; Jacob Myers. Congratulations And Good Luck To All! FALL CLEAN UP On Saturday, October 17th, the City will once again provide dumpsters on the Bristol Parking lot for residents to discard trash and debris from the fall clean up. Just like last year, these large dumpsters will be provided to allow residents to throw out items that may be too large or just too much to put out for the regular trash day pick up. Residents may come to the Bristol parking lot behind the St. John Municipal Center between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m to dispose of any items that may be legally placed in a landfill. City staff will be on hand both to verify residency, and to examine the items to be thrown away so we can ensure that no hazardous items are being thrown into these dumpsters. Items considered hazardous or unacceptable include paint, batteries, pesticides, fertilizer, railroad ties, tires, oil, old gasoline, etc. Residents are encouraged to come early because once the dumpsters are filled up, they will be removed. ANNUAL CHILDREN’S HALLOWEEN PARTY The City will hold its annual Children’s Halloween Party on Saturday, October 24, 2009. The party will take place at the St. John Municipal Center, 8944 St. Charles Rock Road, “C” level, starting at 11 am. All St. John children and grandchildren, up to nine years old, are invited and COSTUMES ARE DEFINITELY ENCOURAGED. Entertainment, hotdogs, chips & drink will be provided. Tickets are required for admission but are free of charge. Please have proof of residency available when picking up tickets. A limited number of tickets will be available from September 1st until they run out, or until 5 pm, Friday, October 23rd. For questions call the City Hall at 427-8700, ext. 3. LIMB CHIPPING The Street Department will begin running the chipper through the City on November 2nd and will continue through the week of April 26, 2010, as weather permits. The chipper will cover the east side of town (Marshall to the east City limits) on the first and third Mondays, and the west side of town (Marshall to the west City limits) on the second and fourth Mondays. If there is a fifth Monday in a month, the chipper will not run that week. As always, please remember that the chipper can only handle limbs 3” in diameter and smaller, and the fat parts of all limbs should be placed toward the street. This makes the chipping operation more efficient and safer for the operators. We have two street sweepings planned for this fall. Weather permitting, the sweeper will run through the City according to this schedule: August 17th - 19th and October 19th -21st Schedule: Monday, all streets between I-170 and the east side of McKibbon. Tuesday, all streets between the west side of McKibbon and the east side of Boswell. Wednesday, all streets between the west side of Boswell to Edmundson and all streets east of I-170. If it is raining the sweeper will move the scheduled sweeping back a day. Please remember that in order to get the most efficient use of this contracted machine, we will need you to park in your driveway on the day your street is scheduled to be swept. Also please remember that the street sweeper is not a leaf vacuum, so please do not rake leaves or other yard waste into the street. The machine will not be able to pick it up and that area will not be swept. Thank you for your cooperation with this effort to keep our streets clean. 2 STREET SWEEPING CONTACTING AN OFFICER Are there times you need to talk to a Police Officer after regular work hours but not for an immediate emergency? You can contact the St. Louis County Dispatcher at 889-2341 and tell them you’re a St. John resident and you need to talk to an Officer. They can take your name, number & reference and have a St. John Officer call you back when they are available. 3 UPCOMING ACTIVITIES & EVENTS SENIOR EVENTS Monthly Luncheons Cost: Residents $5 Non-residents $7 Tickets may be purchased until noon on the Monday before each month’s lunch. Call Jackie @ 427-8700, ext 214 for more information. Wednesday, August 19: Grilled hamburgers w/fixin’s, potato salad, slaw, and dessert. Wednesday, September 16: BBQ Chicken, steamed broccoli w/cheese, bread, and dessert. Wednesday, October 21: Pork chops w/dressing, mixed vegetables, salad, bread, and dessert. Movie Day cont. Monday, September 14, 2009 “Australia” Cast: Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, David Wenham and Bryan Brown. Pre-World War II Australia. An English aristocrat inherits a sprawling ranch, and a rough-and-tumble cattle driver helps protect her property from greedy English cattle barons. While herding cattle hundreds of miles across the treacherous Australian outback, they are stunned to bear witness to the bombing of Darwin by Japanese forces – who just a few months prior launched a devastating attack on Pearl Harbor. Run Time:165 minutes; Action, Drama, Epic, Historical and War; Rated: PG-13 Monday, September 28, 2009 “He’s Just Not That Into You” Starring: Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Connelly, Kevin Connolly, Bradley Cooper. Gigi, a young woman attempting to understand the mixed signals she gets from the men she’s dating, gets advice from a bar owner who prides himself on understanding the ins and outs of the dating scene. Gigi’s co-worker Janine finds herself involved in a major redecorating project with her husband Ben. Unbeknownst to Janine, Ben contemplates an affair with Anna, an attractive woman trying to make a career as a singer. Another of Gigi’s friends at work, Beth, enjoys a successful, healthy relationship with Neil, but storm clouds hover over them as he has no interest in getting married. Run Time: 129 minutes; Comedy: Rated: PG-13 Monday, October 5, 2009 “House on Haunted Hill” Starring: Vincent Price, Carol Ohmart, Richard Long, Alan Marshal, Carolyn Craig. A perennial favorite of the “Shock Theatre” TV circuit, House on Haunted Hill stars Vincent Price as sinister gent (you’re surprised?) Frederick Loren, who 4 Movie Day All movies start @ 1:00 p.m. Cost: Free Monday, August 3, 2009 “Bolt” Cast: John Travolta, Miley Cyrus, Susie Essman, Mark Walton and Malcolm McDowell. When the star of a hit TV show is accidentally shipped from his Hollywood soundstage to New York City, he begins his biggest adventure yet on a crosscountry journey through the real world to get back to his owner and co-star. Run Time: 1 hr, 43 minutes; Adventure & Comedy; Rated PG Monday, August 31, 2009 “Gran Torino” Cast: Clint Eastwood, Bee Vang, Ahney Her, Christopher Carley and Brian Haley. A racist Korean War veteran living in a crime-ridden Detroit neighborhood is forced to confront his own lingering prejudice when a troubled Hmong teen from his neighborhood attempts to steal his prized Gran Torino. Run Time:116 minutes; Action, Crime, Mystery and Drama; Rated: R UPCOMING ACTIVITIES & EVENTS Movie Day cont. resides in a sinister mansion on a sinister hill, where seven murders have occurred. He makes a proposal to several strangers, offering $10,000 to anyone who can last the entire night. Loren festively gives each of his guests a tiny coffin containing a loaded handgun, designed to protect them from the spooks that emerge in the house over the course of the night. The picture hinges on its surprise ending, which packs in several by-now-familiar twists. Run Time: 75 minutes; Horror; Rated: Not Rated Monday, October 19, 2009 “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” Starring: Drew Barrymore, Andy Garcia A pampered Chihuahua accustomed to the living the good life in glamorous Beverly Hills must rein in her heiress instincts and rely on the kindness of strangers in order to find her way back home after becoming hopelessly lost in Mexico. Running Time: 91 minutes; Comedy, Family & Kids, Animation Rating: PG Trips cont. Spend A Day for A Lifetime Of Memories in Nauvoo, IL Date: Tuesday, September 29, 2009 Cost: $66 Includes: Transportation, Lunch, and Admissions Depart: City of St. John @ 6:30 a.m. Return : City of St. John at approximately 6:45 p.m. Living History Tour of Alton, Il & an Autumn Cruise on the Mississippi River Thursday, October 22, 2009 Cost:$72 per person Share in the fun of the Holidays All Around Alton, IL Tuesday, December 8, 2009 Cost: $62 per person The Glory of Christmas Sunday, December 13, 2009 Cost: $25 per person plus the cost of dinner. Craft Classes Monday, November 23, 2009 Christmas Craft – 1:00 p.m. - Cost: $10 or less Trips For more information on any or all of the trips please call Jackie @ 427-8700, ext. 214. All trips must be paid for in full at least 30 days in advance. A $5 or 10% deposit (which ever is more) must be paid on each trip within 2 weeks of signing up UNLESS it is less than 30 days to the trip. Then the full amount is due. Refunds will only be given if the trip is cancelled, there is someone to take your place, or if the venue will give a refund. Checks need to be made out to: City of St. John. Swansea Raffle/Bingo Tuesday, September 8th, and November 10th, 2009 Cost: $38 Includes: bingo, and 1 chance on power ball. Depart: City of St. John’s parking lot @ 9:45 a.m. Exercise Classes “Aerobics” Looking to increase your activity level? Join our senior oriented aerobics class involving low impact aerobic exercise and the use of Dyna-bands. Monday and Wednesday, 8:45 -9:30 a.m. Fee: $2.00 per class, pay as you go “T’ai Chi” Join other area seniors for exercise of the mind and body through slow movements and concentration. Thursdays 8:00-8:45 a.m. Fee: $1.50 pay as you go 5 NEW EMPLOYEES Public Works John Lich is the newest edition to the Street Department. John comes to us after many years in the construction industry, most particularly as a foreman of a concrete crew for Mon-Clair Construction. In that position, John was responsible for laying out and installing sewer mains, storm sewers, and sidewalks. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Street Department and we are pleased to have him on board. Police Jim Davis is the newest edition to the Police Department. Prior to joining our ranks, Jim worked for Sunset Hills P. D. Jim’s experience and training will be an asset to our community. He is married, has three (3) children, and is currently working towards his Bachelor’s Degree. VACATION CRIME PREVENTION TIPS Vacation is a time for relaxation and enjoyment. It can also be the time for crime victimization if the appropriate crime prevention measures are not followed. The following are some of the crime prevention tips or recommendations which are designed to allow the vacationer to enjoy their vacation more by not having to worry as much about their house while they’re away. Before Leaving Secure Your Residence . . . . . • Have good locks on all doors and windows and use them. • Leave shades and blinds in a normal position. • Ask a neighbor to watch your residence while you are away and leave your vacation address and telephone number with them so you can be reached in case of an emergency. • Test your smoke and burglar alarms. • Stop all deliveries or arrange for a neighbor to pick up your mail, newspaper and packages. • Arrange for someone to mow your lawn, rake leaves and maintain the yard to give the home a lived-in look. • Plug in timers to turn lights and a radio or television on and off at appropriate times. • Engrave your valuables with your driver’s license number and post Operation Identification decals on entry doors and windows. Consider taking them to a bank safety deposit box. • Ask a neighbor to occasionally park in your driveway. If you leave your car at home, park it as you normally would. Vehicles parked outside should be moved occasionally to appear that they are being used. • Ask local police to place your home on their vacation watch list and then call to advise them of your return. Although nothing is guaranteed, by following these few simple tips you will hopefully be able to rest easier while you’re away and have a more safe and enjoyable vacation. Remember, be proactive not reactive - Join A St. John Neighborhood Watch Group! For information Contact Sgt. R. P. Selby at 427-8706 6 MyContact411.com MyContact411 is an Emergency Preparedness and Child Protection service that is endorsed by the St. John Police Department. It allows our citizens to receive calls directly to their cell phone without having to provide their number or disclose their identity. By placing a Membership # sticker on the provided home markers, key / luggage tags, My Child Safeguard™ cards, or directly on your property, you can be contacted immediately in emergencies, by your neighbors, or a Good Samaritan on issues of your children, health, residence and property. My Child Safeguard ID cards and wristbands protect children’s identities from predators by removing their name and phone number on their bags and belongings. They also create a direct link to contact Parents immediately for safety issues, separated children, medical emergency, and lost property. Some of the many benefits of this program include: • Police, Fire, and neighbors can quickly and directly contact a citizen or business owner to help with their home or business in cases of property damage, suspicious behavior, lost pets, or natural disaster. • Senior citizens’ families can be contacted immediately in cases of emergency. • The Medical Information Registry allows Emergency Responders to access health information that can expedite medical treatment. • Lost property (bikes, laptops, luggage, iPods, phones) can be returned directly to the owner. • And many more. Gain the piece of mind that your children, health, residence, and property are protected 24 hours a day, while at home, work or traveling, for $5 - $7 / month. To find out more information or to subscribe, visit www.MyContact411.com. Help make St. John a more connected community. NOTE: Representative from MyContact411 will have a table at St. John’s Law Enforcement Day on August 29th. Take a moment to stop by and get more info on these invaluable programs. 7 MSD’s LOW INCOME ASSISTANCE PROGRAM MSD offers an expanded low income sewer assistance program to qualified single family homeowners who receive sewer and stormwater service from MSD. Qualified customers will receive a rate reduction equal to 50% of the current charges for wastewater and/or storm water services on their monthly sewer bill. To find out more about the program call 1-866-281-5737 or request information by e-mail from customersvc@stlmsd.com. FEDERAL TAX CREDITS AVAILABLE Been thinking about replacing those old windows or adding more insulation? Do you worry each summer and winter if your air conditioner or furnace is going to make it through that season? Perhaps you might want to think a little harder about actually replacing them now. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) provides energy incentives for both individuals and businesses. For Residential Energy Property Credit (Section 1121), the new law increases the energy tax credit for homeowners who make energy efficient improvements to their existing homes. The new law increases the credit rate to 30 percent of the cost of all qualifying improvements and raises the maximum credit limit to $1,500 for improvements placed in service in 2009 and 2010. The credit applies to improvements such as adding insulation, energy efficient exterior windows and energy-efficient heating and air conditioning systems. Contact your tax advisor for more information on any energy credits you might qualify for. LACLEDE GAS’ REBATE PROGRAM EXTENDED Laclede’s rebate programs for residential and commercial/industrial (C/I) customers will be available while funding remains through July 31, 2010. Customers can receive a rebate check for installing energy efficiency measures, including ENERGYSTAR thermostats and high-efficiency heating equipment. For more information on the residential program, ask your heating contractor, visit www.lacledegas.com/ conservation or call the residential rebate coordinator at 866-542-4352. 8 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT ASSISTANCE FOR HOME REPAIR A public hearing was held in conjunction with the July 6, 2009 City Council meeting regarding how best to use the $ 21,400 of Community Development Block Grant monies the City will receive for 2010. Based upon community input at that public hearing, the City Council decided to designate the whole amount for low to moderate income home repair. What this means is that those homeowners who meet St. Louis County’s low to moderate income guidelines will be able to call in to the Home Improvement Information Line (615-8232) after January 1st, 2010, and have their names placed on a waiting list. Once the monies are available from the federal government in 2010, names will be taken from that list on a first come first served basis and representatives from St. Louis County will work with those homeowners in getting the necessary repairs made. Some of the basic requirements of the program are: • The home must be owner occupied (no monies will be made available to rental properties); • The homeowner must submit income information to see if they qualify; • Each qualifying homeowner may receive up to $5,000 for home repairs (until the $21,400 is gone); • Once the repairs are made, you must agree to live in the house for 5 years (if you move out sooner, you will have to pay the money back). If you are interested in this program call the Home Improvement Information Line after September 1st. They will not open the sign up list until that time. DRIVERS NEEDED Do you have a few hours a month to make a difference in the life of an older neighbor? That’s all it takes to help an older adult continue to maintain a fulfilling and independent lifestyle. The St. Louis County Older Resident Programs (CORP) offers many wonderful volunteer opportunities to be of service to your older neighbors. Transportation to medical appointments is the most critical need but there are many ways you can help. Training and mileage reimbursement are available. Help us help others. To find out more about how you can make a difference in an older person’s life call 314-615-4516. CITY WIDE GARAGE SALE This year’s sale was the best one yet. Not just because of the participation (which was great as well) but because the weather cooperated and gave us a nice sunny day. Thank you all for your participation. In addition, the City would like to thank Sandy Menge for again posting and taking down all the directional signs. Those are really important in getting customers to our sellers. Now you can start saving up items for next year’s sale. Remember, it will be the first Saturday in June, which is June 5th. 9 Reminder… Property owners, tenants or agents are required to cut, destroy and/or remove weeds or grass found growing along their property, adjoining right-ofway, sidewalks and along the street curb. ST. JOHN PARK RENOVATIONS Three years ago, the City hired a consultant to develop a master plan for St. John and Home Heights parks. The residents who participated in the public hearings associated with developing this master plan said that two amenities they wanted to see were walking trails and exercise equipment. Last year the City applied for a grant from the Municipal Park Grants Commission to build this walking trail and related improvements. Monies from this grant come from the Parks and Storm Water Tax that was voted on by voters approximately 5 years ago. If you visit St. John Park now you will see that the walking trail is almost finished. Once completed it will be almost a one-quarter mile long concrete walking trail with eight exercise stations placed around the park. The exercise stations will consist of air walkers, leg presses, multi-bars, pull up and dip stations, a rowing machine, and a sit up board. These exercise stations are scheduled to be installed in early August. As a final touch, a 15’ gazebo is being constructed just under the trees in the center of the park. TRASH SERVICE TIDBITS: Please remember to properly place your container at curbside for pickup. Please utilize the proper procedures: 1. Place cart one foot from curb or edge of street. 2. Place the cart four feet mailbox, tree or automobile. 3. Keep container ten feet from cars parked in street. 4. If you have multi carts, please keep three feet between carts. 5. Remember to place the arrows on the lid pointing towards the street and handles toward the house. WOODSON TERRACE SWIMMING POOL Residents should note that Woodson Terrace is only making family swim passes available for non-Woodson Terrace residents. In the past they have been gracious enough to open their pool to a couple of adjacent communities for their residents’ use. Due to problems in recent years, they have decided to limit non-residents usage to families only. For further information on obtaining a family pass, please call 427-2600. Shepard Funeral Chapel 9255 Natural Bridge, St. Louis, MO 63134 Bus. (314) 426-6000 • Fax (314) 426-8999 Family Owned and Operated by the Shepard family since 1906 Prearrangement Services and Counseling are available Services include: • Traditional Service with visitation Est. 1906 • Immediate burial with no viewing (Graveside) • Shipping services into or out of town • Body donations to science • Cremation Services Traditional with Viewing Privately with Memorial Services 10 NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH RECRUITMENT DRIVE Your St. John Police Department wants to teach residents how to be an active participant in fighting crime. Developing an active Neighborhood Watch Program on your street can be that first step. Not only will you learn how and what to look for when observing a crime; but you will also learn how to properly report crime. In addition, you will have an opportunity to meet your neighbors. We need your help to make our neighborhood a safe place. Help your police department and help your community by starting a Neighborhood Watch Group in your area today. Contact Sgt. Selby at 427-8706 for further information. NATURAL GAS SAFETY TIPS Check connections on natural gas appliances. Flexible pipe connectors can begin to leak over time and should be inspected regularly.Connectors should be replaced if found to be in poor condition and should never be reused from one appliance to the next. Gas Pipes should be capped whenever an appliance is disconnected. Also, never use gas pipes as clotheslines, free-form closets or grounds for electrical appliances.Undue stress could result in a breakage or leak. For more information, please visit www.lacledegas.com/safety The St. John Police Department was successful in obtaining a grant from the Missouri Department of Transportation Highway Safety Division to conduct several sobriety checkpoints throughout the year. One weekend each month, St. John Police will be conducting sobriety checkpoints. Drivers suspected of intoxication will be given a brief field sobriety test. Confirmed drunk drivers will be arrested. While some area motorists may be slightly inconvenienced by these stops, citizen patience and cooperation will assist in this important safety effort. SOBRIETY CHECKPOINTS 11 SEAT BELT ENFORCEMENT LAW This existing ordinance was recently amended to make all seat belt violations become a primary violation. In the past, additional violations had to exist prior to being cited for a seat belt violation. As a “primary” violation, no other violations need to exist. City of St. John 8944 Saint Charles Rock Road Suite 100 St. John, MO 63114-4200 PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ST. LOUIS, MO PERMIT NO. 495 Please buckle up. It’s the law!! www.cityofstjohn.org GENERAL INFORMATION City Council Mayor, Lee Taylor 8917 McNulty • 423-9349 Ward I Skip Lowry 3508 Connor • 429-3747 Justin Saffell 8647 Ardelia • 428-4647 Penny Degardin 3414 Ginger • 429-5662 Ward II Mary Halaska 9221 Central • 427-7154 Jim Hess 3526 Boswell • 429-4574 Bill Bales 9077 Pallardy • 428-3555 Administration Terry D. Milam • 427-8706 #5 City Manager/Police Chief Connie Sieveking • 427-8700 #3 Asst. City Manager John R. Morris • 427-8706 #5 Police Captain James Phillips • 427-8700 #3 Public Works Director Kathy Wilson • 427-6544 #6 Court Administrator Donna Davis • 427-8700 #3 City Clerk Regular council meetings held 1st and 3rd Mondays at 7 pm 2nd Floor Council Chambers Police Administrative Offices 427-8706, #5 (Mon-Fri, 8 am - 5 pm) Non-emergency Police Dispatcher 889-2341 (after office hours) City Hall Administrative Offices 427-8700, #3 (Mon-Fri, 8 am - 5 pm) Municipal Court Offices 427-6544, #6 (Mon-Fri, 8 am - 5 pm) Senior Coordinator Office 427-8700, #214 (Mon-Fri, 8 am - 2 pm) Court closes at 3 pm on Court Days and reopens at 6:30 pm. No Telephone Service During Court Nights DIAL 911 FOR EMERGENCIES