Thursday, January 28, 2010

SATURDAY NIGHT!

...Don't be all dressed up with no place to go when you could be attending:

The Missouri Restoration Tour...

...featuring "The Golden Age Band," "Nick and Ruell and Ned The Band," and other surprise musical guests!

(Click here for more information!)

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Wednesday, January 27, 2010

City Should Honor Original Council Pledges

Provide Additional Funding Contribution to the Pension Plan from a Different Source if Legal Opinion Demands it

The "Springfield News-Leader" reported January 27, City Manager Greg Burris is suggesting part of the A T & T telecom settlement money be used to pay a 2.77 percentage point difference to the Tier I police and fire pension plan to take responsibility for decreased employee contributions to the Tier I plan, a result of the plan being shut down to new hires in 2006.

According to the report, the pension board agreed to pay an "Additional Funding Contribution" to support a benefit "enhancement" in 2000. The enhancement allows Tier I police and firefighters to accrue maximum benefits at an accelerated rate, the report stated.

The issue might be considered to be raised fairly since, in 2000, the pension board would have no way of knowing Tier I would be closed in 2006, reducing the additional employee funding contribution to the plan.

I can understand, on one hand, why Burris would feel the City has some responsibility to contribute to the percentage point shortfall under the outlined circumstances but, by offering as one option, A T & T settlement funds as the means of covering the 2.77 percent, when the City Council has already pledged to put the entire settlement amount (and any other telecom settlement proceeds) into the pension plan anyway, could be considered to cut contributions by 2.77 percent, rather than take responsibility for them.

If the City wants to take responsibility for 2.77 percent on behalf of Tier 1-covered employees, then the difference should be paid through a funding source not already pledged to benefit the fund. Using funds already earmarked for the pension plan in the first place could be perceived as just a shell game, rather than a real contribution. One hand takes away, the other hand puts it back, and the 2.77 percent the employees would have contributed is lost in the shuffle, it would simply go away.

Of course, that's just my opinion, which is what the News-Leader reported about Burris' thoughts, that it's just his opinion the City should take responsibility for paying a portion of the additional funding contribution.

The paper reported Burris wants to wait and allow the Citizens' Sales Tax Oversight Committee to offer an opinion before the City Council makes a final decision about it.

The City began soliciting applicants for the Tax Oversight Committee on January 26, 2010. The deadline for turning in applications is 5 p.m., Feb. 9.

But, getting back to the original topic, in another way, it doesn't seem a fair question whether the City should be responsible for a portion of Tier I's "Additional Funding Contribution." While Tier I might not have known in 2000 that in 2006 Tier II would be created and Tier I would be closed, the time for this question would have been better suited to have been raised in 2006, or at least in 2009, when City Council stated at line 182 of resolution #9714 (passed on September 10, 2009 at a public meeting),

"If the tax passes ... The Additional Funding Contribution (AFC) portion of their (police and fire Tier I employees) contribution, as determined by the actuary's experience study, will continue in perpetuity; the additional contribution will sunset when the tax sunsets."


If the City chooses to label a portion of the A T & T settlement money as satisfying 2.77 percent of the additional funding contribution, it will take that much longer for the 3/4-cent pension sales tax to satisfy the pension shortfall and could potentially increase the number of requested extensions of that sales tax.

The News-Leader's Editorial Board also opined, in the January 27, "Our Voice" column, residents should be keeping an eye on the pension issue and that the News-Leader will try to seek answers as to why the City Manager would recommend the Council contribute millions more into the Tier 1 plan, money police and firefighters had already agreed to pay themselves.

One scenario (I'm just supposing) might be that Burris thinks there is a possiblity that if there is a legal challenge brought by the police and fire association/union attorney concerning this additional funding contribution, a judge might rule against the City, ruling the City should contribute the difference. In that case, Burris might want to play it safe and label part of the A T & T settlement money as payment of the 2.77 percent to protect himself and City staff from having to come up with an additional $5 + million in the future.

Certainly, the City manager could be considered crazy for recommending the Council pay a contribution police and fire employees have already agreed to pay but, is he? If he really thought the City could lose in a law suit against them, he might just be (in a self-serving way) "crazy like a fox" because, by recommending, as an option, mind you, part of the A T & T telecom settlement money be labeled as payment of the additional funding contribution, he and other City staff members wouldn't be scrambling to come up with the contribution through potential budget cuts later.

Think about it. The contribution(s), if payment is required from the City rather than Tier I employees, are going to come out of the tax payer's pocket regardless of when and how. Burris could be thinking, 'So, why not make it less painful for me and the City staff responsible for balancing a budget every year?' With a simple slight of hand it could appear $5 + million has been compensated in the fund. The reality is, if it is done using A T & T settlement funds, and the City manager gives up before there is even a legal challenge filed, it is crazy but, it would make his job easier. We need to know, for certain, the motivation for such a recommendation because, the difference is, by using that option, the responsibility is transferred from the collective shoulders of those police and fire employees who benefit from Tier I, and to the shoulders of the tax payer .

Regarding the potential legal question, in my opinion, since there was no objection to the additional funding contribution in 2006, when Tier II was created and Tier I was closed, then that ship should be considered as having sailed but, if there is still a question? There was even a very recent, second chance for police and fire Tier I beneficiaries to object to paying the additional funding contribution. The chance even occurred at a time the pension board, and many police and fire department employees, were fully focused on the pension plan and a highly touted sales tax remedy to its shortfall. You see, in 2009, when Tier I beneficiaries' responsibility to pay the additional funding contribution was reinforced by the passage of Council resolution #9714 in a very public meeting, Tier I employees, again, failed to object to taking responsibility for that contribution.

We really do have to wonder why Burris is offering an opinion that appears to concede this challenge before a challenge has even officially been filed (if it ever gets filed) a position the News-Leader reported was even in opposition to his own legal councel's opinion....

Experience might have been useful? (I'm just askin'...)

Where IS Vincent David Jericho when a girl needs him!? ;)

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Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Well-Fed Neighbor Alliance to Introduce The Missouri Restoration Tour

WFNA Co-Founder Ruell Chappell issued the following news release announcing the upcoming debut of "The Missouri Restoration Tour," featuring "The Golden Age Band" -

“The Missouri Restoration Tour”
Introduction

This Saturday, January 30, Gillioz theater, 7pm
> Doors open at 6pm, Presentations in the entryway, Tickets $10.00 at the door

Saturday, Jan 30, 7pm at the beautiful Gillioz theater in downtown Springfield, The Well-Fed Neighbor Alliance will present an introduction to The Missouri Restoration Tour! The Missouri Restoration Tour is currently being designed to educate residents of our 27 County Food-Shed to the fact that we can’t feed ourselves, recruit farmers, producers, processors, and merchants to the need and the economic opportunity, identify supply and demand for the Well-Fed Neighbor Farmers’ Coop, introduce the County Sustainability handbook, and, ultimately, re-localize food production and a vibrant sustainable economy.

The Missouri Restoration Tour Debut will include a live music / multi-media presentation in three parts. Part 1, Missouri’s Golden Age (1890-1914); Part 2, Today ( Our current condition); and Part 3, A Restored Missouri secure in its food and economy.

Musician guests will include Ruell Chappell, Nick and Ruell and Ned the Band and, surprise guests.

Doors will open at 6pm. Tickets are $10.00 and available at the door the night of the event.

In addition to the Tour introduction there will be a host of Local Food, Energy and Sustainability exhibits in the entryway, and a status report on the Following:

> The Well-Fed Neighbor Alliances’ 1000 Garden’s project going State-Wide!
> The County Sustainability Handbook!
> The Well-Fed Neighbor Alliance 501c3 and envisioned programs
> The Well-Fed Neighbor Alliance Community Outreach
> The Mom’s For Local Food …… Lunch Box rebellion
> Status in Jefferson City
> The birth of the Missouri Restoration Party

And the latest and most exciting news……..

>The formation of the Well-Fed Neighbor Farmers’ Coop with the aid of Joe Maxwell ( Former Lt. Governor of Missouri, the WFNA’s General Counsel, and creator of a number of successful sustainable local coops nationwide) and Russ Kremer ( coop builder of “Fresh” fame). The WFN Farmers’ Coop is key to economic sustainability and the model through which small local producer products will find their way to local processors and, ultimately, local merchants!

Don’t miss the opportunity to be at this historic event!

The Well-Fed Neighbor Alliance is dedicated to Local Food and Local Jobs; the re-localization of our food supply and a vibrant, sustainable economy!

Ruell Chappell
PresidentRCM, Inc
Co-Founder Well-Fed Neighbor Alliance
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Monday, January 25, 2010

City of Springfield Weekly Calendar: January 25-January 29, 2010

Monday, 1/25/2010

10:30 AM Springfield/Greene County Park Board Finance Committee Park Board Offices , 1923 North Weller Contact: Jodie Adams, (417) 864-1049

6:30 PM City Council Meeting Old City Hall, Council Chambers, 830 Boonville Contact: Brenda Cirtin, (417) 864-1650 (agenda)

Tuesday, 1/26/2010

8:00 AM Mayor's Commission for Children Midtown Carnegie Branch Library , 397 East Central Contact: Denise Bredfeldt, (417) 864-1656

10:30 AM Solid Waste Management District Region O Executive Board Greene County, Room 309, 940 North Boonville Contact: Ronda Gulley, (417) 868-4197

12:00 PM Cancelled Council Lunch Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Anita Climer, (417) 864-1654

2:30 PM Traffic Advisory Board Pedestrian & Bicycle Subcommittee Busch Municipal Building, Traffic Eng.1st Floor Conference Rm, 840 Boonville Contact: David Hutchison, (417) 864-1971

3:30 PM Traffic Advisory Board Busch Municipal Building, Traffic Eng.1st Floor Conference Rm, 840 Boonville Contact: Jenny Turner, (417) 864-1980

4:00 PM Urban District Alliance Downtown Forum (residents, business owners, property owners, employees, patrons, and students interested in downtown are invited by the Urban Districts Alliance) Missouri State University Alumni Center, 300 S. Jefferson Contact: the office of Urban District Alliance 831-6200

6:00 PM Citizens Advisory Committee for Community Development Midtown Carnegie Branch Library , 397 East Central Contact: Vern Morgan, (417) 864-1844

Wednesday, 1/27/2010

No Meetings Scheduled

Thursday, 1/28/2010

3:00 PM Board of Public Utilities City Utilities, C. Frank Knox Board Room, 301 East Central Contact: Gayla Jones, (417) 831-8311

3:30 PM Jordan Valley Advisory Committee Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Olivia Hough, (417) 864-1092

Friday, 1/29/2010

No Meetings Scheduled

Sources: City of Springfield Public Information Office; Springfield News-Leader (reformatting for ease of use)

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Thursday, January 21, 2010

January 25 City Council Meeting

The agenda is now available for the next Springfield City Council meeting.

Click here.

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Monday, January 18, 2010

City of Springfield Weekly Calendar: January 18 - January 22, 2010

Monday, 1/18/2010

Holiday - City Offices Closed

Tuesday, 1/19/2010

9:00 AM Springfield Police Officers' and Firefighters' Retirement System Board of Trustees Busch Municipal Building, Room L45, 840 Boonville Contact: Nikki White, (417) 569-6282

12:00 PM Council Lunch* Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Anita Climer, (417) 864-1654

12:00 PM Library Board Retreat Republic Branch Library , 921 N. Lindsey, Republic Contact: Debbie Eckert, (417) 883-5366

4:00 PM Library Board Republic Branch Library , 921 N. Lindsey, Republic Contact: Debbie Eckert, (417) 883-5366

Wednesday, 1/20/2010

8:30 AM Workforce Investment Board Planning & Oversight Committee Missouri Career Center , 1514 South Glenstone Contact: Karen Dowdy, (417) 887-4343

1:30 PM Ozarks Transportation Organization Technical Planning Missouri State University, Plaster Student Union Contact: Tim Conklin, (417) 836-5482

3:00 PM Cancelled E-911 Advisory Board Greene County, Commission's Conference Room, 940 North Boonville Contact: Debbie Moore, (417) 864-1719

5:30 PM Landmarks Board Old City Hall, Council Chambers, 830 Boonville Contact: Daniel Neal, (417) 864-1036

Thursday, 1/21/2010

8:00 AM Airport Board Springfield/Branson National Airport , 2300 North Airport Boulevard Suite 100 Contact: Terri Winchester, (417) 868-0500

8:00 AM Springfield Convention & Visitor's Bureau Board of Directors Jordan Valley Park , 815 E. St. Louis St. Contact: Tracy Kimberlin, (417) 881-5300

12:00 PM City Council Plans & Policies Committee Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Lisa Harley, (417) 864-1443

3:30 PM Tree City USA Citizen Advisory Committee Busch Municipal Building, 2nd Floor East Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Benjamin Kellner, (417) 864-1178

6:30 PM Planning and Zoning Commission Old City Hall, Council Chambers, 830 Boonville Contact: Mike MacPherson, (417) 864-1831

Friday, 1/22/2010

No Meetings Scheduled

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*Tentative City Council Lunch Agenda


1. Street Connectivity Policy Review - Ralph Rognstad

2. Any and all matters to come before City Council


Source: Public Information Office (with some reformatting for ease of use)

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Saturday, January 16, 2010

Well-Fed Neighbor Alliance Activists Meet at New Office

Group reports exciting developments and interesting liasons; 1,000 Gardens Project could go statewide

Springfield, MO - A dozen "Well Fed Neighbor Alliance" (WFNA) activists, including this blogger's husband, gathered for the first time in a conference room where "Hummert International" is setting up shop.

Darrel Sparkman, one of WFNA's 255 (current) members, has supplied WFNA with two office spaces, a reception area, and use of the conference room the group met in on January 15.

Sparkman is general manager of "Hummert International" and "Springfield Seed & Supply," they just moved into the 615 N. Glenstone Avenue location, themselves. The building previously housed "Ozark Food Harvest."

Sparkman said "Hummert International" bought out "Springfield Seed Company" and kept it as a retail outlet in Springfield.

"We sell (horticultural products) to retail and wholesale accounts in the immediate 4 state area, plus all over the United States and overseas," Sparkman said.

Sparkman was quick to tell his fellow WFNA members he has "no expectations" of the group. He said he likes what WFNA is doing and was glad to help by offering the space, "It was the least I could do," Sparkman said. He did, however, express interest in WFNA volunteers planting a garden on the east side of the Hummert building.

Galen Chadwick, co-founder of WFNA, reported he and fellow co-founder Ruell Chappell had met with Missouri Director of Agriculture Jon Hagler and his assistant, Marketing Specialist Tony Anderson, on January 14. According to Chadwick, Hagler has expressed a strong desire to see WFNA's 1,000 Gardens Project go statewide.

Larry Melton talked about involving neighborhood associations through organizing neighborhood clean up days. It was suggested coupons for up to 5 packages of Hummert International's open-pollinated vegetable seed be given to those who disposed of yard waste during the neighborhood clean ups, to encourage gardening in the Springfield community. The coupons would be redeemable at Hummert's store. WFNA volunteers would package the garden seed for distribution on behalf of WFNA and Hummert.

"We're dirt under the fingernails kind of people," Chadwick said. "This is how we get things done."

Aubree Taylor, who heads up the "1,000 Gardens Project" in Springfield, (visit here and here) reported, among other things, she has been working with Shelley Vaugine to try to establish a Well-Fed/Grant Beach Community Garden. Taylor said Vaugine was formerly a librarian and is also working with Taylor on a tool and book lending library.

Taylor is also planning a 1,000 Gardens Earth Day event at Weaver Elementary School for April 23.

Another project of Chadwick and Chappell has been the development of a Food Policy Coalition. According to Chadwick, the plan which the Food Policy Coalition is drafting, "will highlight urban agriculture models and goals, outline food security restoration, and offer a timeline for energy descent from imported fossil fuels."

Chadwick was also pleased to announce John Ikerd is advising the coalition. Ikerd is the author of: "Sustainable Capitalism," Kumarian Press; "A Return to Common Sense," R.T. Edwards; "Small Farms are Real Farms," Acres USA and; "Crisis and Opportunity: Sustainability in American Agriculture," University of Nebraska Press.

It seemed each of the 12 activists who were present had a wealth of news to share. For instance, Mark Hay, of "Sammy's Window," announced "The Kitchen" is interested in WFNA's assistance with their garden, and that the "Victory Mission" has expressed an interest in assistance with future green house projects. Hay said Hummert International is also interested in teaming up with Victory Mission on future green house projects. Hummert offers a wide variety of green house products for sale.

Hay directed "JackeHammer" to the Sammy's Window FaceBook description for information about that organization, "Sammy’s Window is a not-for-profit organization whose purpose is to help foster children enter the foster system with some sense of dignity, and to help foster parents with the transition." (Learn more about the mission of Sammy's Window and how to help at their FaceBook page.)

WFNA has booked the Gilloiz Theater for a January 30 event. WFNA's Ruell Chappell will provide musical entertainment (to be announced). There will be a $10 charge which will go toward paying for the venue. There was a discussion about collecting canned goods and clothing, to be distributed by Sammy's Window, and gardening books and tools at the event. Chadwick said WFNA members could also decorate and share 8 to 10 tables to promote ventures in which they may be involved or display products they have to sell.

---------------------------------------------

Disclosure: Jackie Melton is a member of the Well-Fed Neighbor Alliance

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Monday, January 11, 2010

City of Springfield Weekly Calendar: January 11-January 15

Monday, 1/11/2010

8:30 AM Library Board Programs/Services/Technology Committee Library Center , 4653 South Campbell Contact: Debbie Eckert, (417) 883-5366

12:00 PM Cancelled Partnership Industrial Center West Administrative Council Contact: Ryan Mooney, (417) 862-5567

6:30 PM City Council Meeting Old City Hall, Council Chambers, 830 Boonville Contact: Brenda Cirtin, (417) 864-1650 (agenda)

Tuesday, 1/12/2010

8:30 AM Library Board Buildings & Grounds Committee Kirkpatrick, Phillips, & Miller, CPA's , 2003 E. Sunshine Contact: Debbie Eckert, (417) 883-5366

9:00 AM Board of Equalization Greene County, Room 113, 940 North Boonville Contact: Richard Struckhoff, (417) 868-4055

12:00 PM Council Lunch* Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Anita Climer, (417) 864-1654

5:00 PM Watershed Work Session Watershed Offices , 320 North Main Contact: Loring Bullard, (417) 866-1127

5:30 PM Sherman Avenue Project Area Committee Busch Municipal Building, 2nd Floor West Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Marti Fewell, (417) 864-1039

6:00 PM Mayor's Commission on Human Rights Busch Municipal Building, 1st Floor Conf. Rm, 840 Boonville Contact: Bob Hosmer, (417) 864-1834

Wednesday, 1/13/2010

8:00 AM Downtown Springfield Community Improvement District Board of Directors Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Barb Baker, (417) 831-6200

Thursday, 1/14/2010

8:30 AM Police Officers' and Fire Fighters' Retirement System Board of Trustees Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Kenneth Homan, (417) 883-3838

8:30 AM Workforce Investment Board Youth Council Missouri Career Center , 1514 South Glenstone Contact: Karen Dowdy, (417) 887-4343

6:00 PM Art Museum Board of Directors Art Museum , 1111 East Brookside Contact: Jerry Berger, (417) 837-5700

Friday, 1/15/2010

9:30 AM Cancelled Public Housing Authority Contact: Tom Barnett, (417) 866-4329

12:00 PM City Council Community Involvement Committee Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Lisa Harley, (417) 864-1443

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*Tentative Jan. 12, City Council Lunch Agenda

1. Follow-up to City Council Meeting held on Monday, January 11, 2010

2. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Mapping Update - Nick Heatherly

3. Any and all matters to come before City Council

Source: City of Springfield Public Information Office

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Monday, January 04, 2010

City of Springfield Weekly Calendar: January 4-8, 2010

Monday, 1/4/2010

No Meetings Scheduled

Tuesday, 1/5/2010

8:00 AM Mayor's Commission for Children Executive Committee Community Foundation , 425 E. Trafficway Contact: Denise Bredfeldt, (417) 864-1656

11:45 AM Special City Council Meeting* Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Brenda Cirtin, (417) 864-1650

12:00 PM (or immediately following the Special City Council Meeting) Council Lunch** Busch Municipal Building, 4th Floor Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Anita Climer, (417) 864-1654

1:30 PM Board of Adjustment Old City Hall, Council Chambers, 830 Boonville Contact: Matt Schaefer, (417) 864-1100

Wednesday, 1/6/2010

8:00 AM Workforce Investment Board Marketing Committee Missouri Career Center , 1514 South Glenstone Contact: Karen Dowdy, (417) 887-4343

5:30 PM Landmarks Board Old City Hall, Council Chambers, 830 Boonville Contact: Daniel Neal, (417) 864-1036

Thursday, 1/7/2010

5:30 PM Building Trades Certification and Examination Board Busch Municipal Building, 1st Floor Conf. Rm, 840 Boonville Contact: Nick Heatherly, (417) 864-1059

6:30 PM Planning and Zoning Commission Old City Hall, Council Chambers, 830 Boonville Contact: Mike MacPherson, (417) 864-1831

Friday, 1/8/2010

8:30 AM Springfield/Greene County Park Board Park Board Offices , 1923 North Weller Contact: Jodie Adams, (417) 864-1049

9:00 AM Commercial Street Community Improvement District Busch Municipal Building, 2nd Floor West Conf. Rm., 840 Boonville Contact: Donnie Rodgers, (417) 880-3435

*Special January 5, 11:45 AM City Council meeting Agenda:

1. ROLL CALL.

2. FIRST READING BILLS. CITIZENS MAY SPEAK. NOT ANTICIPATED TO BE VOTED ON.

3. COUNCIL BILL 2010-001 (O'Neal)A special ordinance authorizing the issuance of not to exceed $13,000,000 principal amount of special obligation bonds (State of Missouri - Direct Loan Program - ARRA) series 2010 of the City of Springfield, Missouri, for the purpose of extending and improving the City's sewerage system; prescribing the form and details of the bonds and the agreements made by the City to facilitate and protect their payment and prescribing other related matters.

4. NEW BUSINESS

Budget Cuts - Greg Burris

5. ANY AND ALL MATTERS WHICH FALL WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE COUNCIL.

6. ADJOURN.

Note: Springfield City Clerk Brenda Cirtin indicated the Council wouldn't be taking action on Council bill 2010-001, and the public hearing will be continued to the regular January 11, City Council meeting. After hearing from the public the Council will likely vote.

"Just wanted Council to have plenty of time to review it, as it is ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) money," Cirtin wrote in an email.

**City Council Tentative January 5, Lunch Agenda:

1. Citizen's Advisory Committee for Community Development (CACCD) - Vern Morgan

2. Continued Q & A regarding City Manager's Proposed 2nd Quarter Budget Cuts - Greg Burris

3. Any and all matters to come before City Council

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Sources: City of Springfield Public Information Office and City Clerk Brenda Cirtin

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Friday, January 01, 2010

HAPPY 2010!

I was just thinking, I hope 2010 is a better year for my husband and I than 2009 was...BUT only for a minute.

How could God possibly top the miracles he performed in our lives last year in the new year!?

While 2009 left some things to be desired, I AM alive!

I can't wait to find out what God has planned for 2010.

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