Cities look ahead at new year
City officials consider New Year's resolutions
By TERESA RESSEL
Daily Journal Staff Writer
Daily Journal Staff Writer
New Year’s Eve is a time for making resolutions. The Daily Journal asked area mayors what their New Year’s resolutions were for their cities.
Farmington Mayor Jeannie Roberts said New Year’s Eve has always been a time for looking back to the past, and more importantly, looking forward to the New Year.
“As I reflect on resolutions and the changes I want to make, recycling in Farmington and conserving energy, tops the list,” she said. “Students of St. Paul Lutheran School came to the city a year ago about going ‘GREEN’ and building a Recycling Center in downtown.
“The city was awarded a grant to help with the construction and the students are working on public awareness of the benefits of recycling. When it comes to conserving energy, it’s as simple as switching off a light and changing to fluorescent bulbs in our businesses and homes. The cumulative effect of all the people of Farmington can be transformational!”
She said Farmington continues to stand up to its motto, “The City of Progress and Tradition” with many exciting things happening in the new year. The addition of the new airport terminal building and improvements at the airport, the East Treatment Plant expansion, the building of the new fire station, the addition of the Senior Center to city services and more, are but a few examples of the city’s progress.
“I guess I would say that my personal resolution is to make each day in the New Year the best it can be,” Roberts said. “I saw the play, ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ in December and as I sat and listened, I thought it could have taken place right here in Farmington.”
She said the gentle spirit and charitable acts of the people of Farmington is the sterling quality that puts the “Tradition” in the city motto.
“As a mother, friend and mayor, I am extremely proud to be a part of a community that keeps the spirit of Christmas in their hearts throughout the year,” she said.
Bismarck Mayor Dennis Mayberry has big issues on his mind. He said the city is faced with a dilemma because they need a new treatment plant. They will be asking voters to approve a $2.5 million bond issue in February.
The state has fined the city because the current treatment plant built 20 to 25 years ago is not working well enough, Mayberry said. He expects it will cost $5.7 million to build a new plant.
City officials will be scheduling public meetings to discuss the bond issue with residents. Mayberry said they are going to have to build a plant one way or another. He is hoping residents will get on board and see that this is something that needs to be done.
Other than the treatment issue, Mayberry said things in the city are solid. He wishes everyone a happy new year.
Park Hills Mayor John Clark said their resolution is to keep moving in the direction they have been and place more focus on areas that are now open for development like the Parkway Drive area with the new road and the area around the fairground. They’re also hoping for even more business to come in to downtown.
There’s also projects to spruce up the community like the new roundabout near the high school.
They’ve submitted a list of five road and bridge projects to the federal government for funding. They’re also going to put in another water tank in the fairgrounds for additional water pressure and fire protection in the Leadington-Park Hills area, including the college.
In Desloge, Mayor David Kater said getting the eastern outer road project started and under wraps is his priority. His other hope is that the economy turns around, especially in the Desloge area.
Leadington Mayor Larry Kennon is striving to make 2009 a better year. He hopes new businesses come into the city and revenue increases a bit. He wants to work on getting new businesses but he also wants to help the ones already there to increase their business.
Bonne Terre Mayor Fritz Gower thought about it and made a list. He wants to continue to improve relations with citizens so they will gain more trust in the new form of government. He said he wants to strive for betterment of the community and attract ore business. He also wants to see more improvements in the city’s infrastructure.
City officials from Leadwood and Iron Mountain Lake were also contacted for this story, but had not returned the call by press time.
Teresa Ressel is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-431-2010, ext. 179 or at tressel@dailyjournalonline.com.
Farmington Mayor Jeannie Roberts said New Year’s Eve has always been a time for looking back to the past, and more importantly, looking forward to the New Year.
“As I reflect on resolutions and the changes I want to make, recycling in Farmington and conserving energy, tops the list,” she said. “Students of St. Paul Lutheran School came to the city a year ago about going ‘GREEN’ and building a Recycling Center in downtown.
“The city was awarded a grant to help with the construction and the students are working on public awareness of the benefits of recycling. When it comes to conserving energy, it’s as simple as switching off a light and changing to fluorescent bulbs in our businesses and homes. The cumulative effect of all the people of Farmington can be transformational!”
She said Farmington continues to stand up to its motto, “The City of Progress and Tradition” with many exciting things happening in the new year. The addition of the new airport terminal building and improvements at the airport, the East Treatment Plant expansion, the building of the new fire station, the addition of the Senior Center to city services and more, are but a few examples of the city’s progress.
“I guess I would say that my personal resolution is to make each day in the New Year the best it can be,” Roberts said. “I saw the play, ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ in December and as I sat and listened, I thought it could have taken place right here in Farmington.”
She said the gentle spirit and charitable acts of the people of Farmington is the sterling quality that puts the “Tradition” in the city motto.
“As a mother, friend and mayor, I am extremely proud to be a part of a community that keeps the spirit of Christmas in their hearts throughout the year,” she said.
Bismarck Mayor Dennis Mayberry has big issues on his mind. He said the city is faced with a dilemma because they need a new treatment plant. They will be asking voters to approve a $2.5 million bond issue in February.
The state has fined the city because the current treatment plant built 20 to 25 years ago is not working well enough, Mayberry said. He expects it will cost $5.7 million to build a new plant.
City officials will be scheduling public meetings to discuss the bond issue with residents. Mayberry said they are going to have to build a plant one way or another. He is hoping residents will get on board and see that this is something that needs to be done.
Other than the treatment issue, Mayberry said things in the city are solid. He wishes everyone a happy new year.
Park Hills Mayor John Clark said their resolution is to keep moving in the direction they have been and place more focus on areas that are now open for development like the Parkway Drive area with the new road and the area around the fairground. They’re also hoping for even more business to come in to downtown.
There’s also projects to spruce up the community like the new roundabout near the high school.
They’ve submitted a list of five road and bridge projects to the federal government for funding. They’re also going to put in another water tank in the fairgrounds for additional water pressure and fire protection in the Leadington-Park Hills area, including the college.
In Desloge, Mayor David Kater said getting the eastern outer road project started and under wraps is his priority. His other hope is that the economy turns around, especially in the Desloge area.
Leadington Mayor Larry Kennon is striving to make 2009 a better year. He hopes new businesses come into the city and revenue increases a bit. He wants to work on getting new businesses but he also wants to help the ones already there to increase their business.
Bonne Terre Mayor Fritz Gower thought about it and made a list. He wants to continue to improve relations with citizens so they will gain more trust in the new form of government. He said he wants to strive for betterment of the community and attract ore business. He also wants to see more improvements in the city’s infrastructure.
City officials from Leadwood and Iron Mountain Lake were also contacted for this story, but had not returned the call by press time.
Teresa Ressel is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-431-2010, ext. 179 or at tressel@dailyjournalonline.com.
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