March 2012

BeCivilBeHeard.com

Respect Other ViewsRespond to differentopinions with a fair and open mind.

100 Years of Safety

The HistoryMuseum highlights

Greene County heroes.

Your Retirement Online

Online resources arethere to help plan yourfinancial future.

Do You Know?

Do you know Lisa McCurry and Jenny Fillmer Edwards?

2 6 7INSIDE

SPRINGFIELD CITYEMPLOYEE NEWS EXTRA

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SPD civilian promotion recognitionChief Williams recognized

several non-sworn SpringfieldPolice employees in theCouncil Chambers at theHistoric City Hall on Thursday,Feb. 16. Those personnel, whowere promoted in the last 6months of 2011, are TrudyPowell, Veronica Zeigler, andKevin Johnson.

Animal shelter hitsadoption milestone The Springfield-Greene

County Health Department’sAnimal Control program and itscommunity partners havereached a milestone worthcelebrating this week.

As of today, the shelter hasgone 16 weeks – four fullmonths – sending all potentiallyadoptable dogs to one of morethan a dozen “no-kill” rescuepartners for public adoption.This is the longest such “streak”that anyone associated with theshelter and its partners canrecall. As the streak hasprogressed, all of those involvedin these efforts have workedharder and harder to keep itgoing. A total of 417 dogs and70 cats have been sent to rescuegroups during those 16 weeks.

The Health Department willcontinue to update the publicon status of this “streak” as itprogresses.

Planners working on theCollege Street Corridor projectare happy to see investorconfidence start to become areality. After only two meetingswith stakeholders in the area, aninvestor stepped forward to give avote of confidence by purchasingand refurbishing a building.

Mark Cockrum becameinspired to begin theredevelopment of College Streetby purchasing a building at 1031College, in response to theplanning process and hisanticipation of success.

“I missed out in downtownand Commercial Streetredevelopment so I’m not goingto miss out on College Street.”

The building was said to havebeen built to house an auto repairshop in the early 1930’s inresponse to College Streetbecoming Route 66. It has fallen

in disrepair after serving mostrecently as a pawn shop, saidVern Morgan, principal planner.

Public stirs College Street investment

New Parks Building dedicated despite cold

The College Street Corridor area is located along College and Olive Streets,between Grant Avenue and Kansas Expressway.

�See COLLEGE STREET on page 6 .

The Springfield Greene-County Park Boarddedicated the new Jordan Valley Maintenance OfficeFriday, Feb. 10, at 625 E. Trafficway.

The two-story 7,308-square-foot building will houseJordan Valley Park maintenance staff and equipment,as well as a Park Ranger office and Jordan ValleyPark staff. The building serves park patrons withrestrooms and an outdoor seating deck with asweeping view of Jordan Valley. In the future, thebuilding will also house a refreshment service area.

“We needed a maintenance facility with accessto Jordan Valley Park and the greenway trail, butwe also wanted to have a shared public function,”said Jeff Cumley, Jordan Valley Park Manager.“The seating area and refreshment service willprovide a great stopping place along the trail.”

The energy-efficient building is designed tomeet LEED-Silver Certification. The architect wasChris Swan with Butler Rosenbury & Partners.General contractor was Larry Snyder andCompany, Jennifer Baker, project manager.

The $1.4 million facility was funded through theCity of Springfield’s ¼-cent Capital ImprovementsProgram Sales Tax, approved by voters in 2007.

The new structure replaces the temporarymaintenance facility, a building more than 115 yearsold located on Phelps Street, in the Jordan Creekfloodplain. The building has flooded twice since2007, causing extensive damage to mowers andother maintenance equipment inside.

For more information, call Jeff Cumley, JordanValley Park Manager, at 837-5710; or Jenny FillmerEdwards, Springfield-Greene County Park BoardPublic Information Administrator, at 874-2176 or224-5510.

Mayor Pro-Tem Bob Stephens and Park Board memberJerry Clark (center) lead the ribbon cutting ceremony Feb. 10.

PRODUCTION EDITORCora Scott

GRAPHIC DESIGNERKristen Linsenbardt

CONTENT MANAGERSharon Spain

COPY EDITORSharon Smith

DISTRIBUTIONJenni Lewis

RETIREE LIAISONFinance Department

The SCENE is published monthly by the City of Springfield,

840 Boonville, P.O. Box 8368, Springfield, MO, 65801.

Comments and articles which appear inThe SCENE do not necessarily reflect theviews or opinions of City administration

or any employee thereof, but are forinformation only. Permission to reprintmaterial may be obtained from theDepartment of Public Information,

(417) 864-1010.

SCENE Deadline March 2, 2012

Please direct your submissions tothe Department of PublicInformation. Submissions

and ads via e-mail are preferred:thescene@springfieldmo.gov.

printed on recycled paper

MISSIONWe are committed to

Working with the Community to provide ethical and

responsible local governmentso that everyone can enjoy thebenefits of living and working

in Springfield.

sceneSPRINGFIELD CITYEMPLOYEE NEWS EXTRA

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Issue # 283

Online at cityshare/The SCENE

Hints from the Help DeskOutlook:

Distribution lists….

By using a distribution list, you can send anemail to a group of people easily over and overagain, if necessary.

To set up a distribution list in Outlook:

Select File | New | Distribution List from themenu.

(Alternatively, hit Ctrl-Shift-L (think List).

Type the desired name of the Distribution Listin the Name field.

(The Name Field is what you will use to addressmessages to the list of email addresses.)

Now, you can add new members immediatelyusing the Add New... and Select Members...buttons.

Click Save and Close button.

To delete names from this distribution list, go tocontacts. Find your distribution list Name anddouble click to open it. Find the address in thelist of names that you want deleted from the list.Click on that name to select it, and click“Remove,” then “Save and Close.”

Additional City Govt. information is available on our website at:www.springfieldmo.govand videos may be seen onCityView on the web or

Mediacom cable and AT&T Uverse.

History Museum highlights trials andtriumphs of Greene County heroes

Excel Level 2Feb 28

Word Level 1Mar 6

Word Level 2Mar 20

PowerpointMar 27

Contact Judy Stangl at jstangl@springfieldmo.govwith your requested date.

You will receive an e-mail acknowledgement.(Limit of nine per class.)

Microsoft Office 2007 class scheduleClasses are in L46, Busch Municipal Building. All classes are one day and begin at 8:15 a.m.

A new History Museum exhibit: OrdinaryHeroes: One Hundred Plus Years of Those whoProtected and Served Springfield and GreeneCounty, opened Feb. 5 in historic City Hall.

The exhibit showcases the heroic men andwomen who have protected and served thecitizens throughout Greene County’s history.Springfield Police Department, the SpringfieldFire Department, the Greene County Sheriff’sDepartment and the Missouri State HighwayPatrol will be featured. This exhibit showcasesthe history of the departments.

The exhibit runs through May 14. Museumhours are 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondaythrough Friday and the second Saturday of eachmonth.

The museum is a not-for-profit organization.There is a suggested donation of $3 for adultand $1 for children. It is located on the 3rd floorof Historic City Hall, 830 N. Boonville,Springfield, MO.

For additional information, contact JoanHampton-Porter at 864-1976.

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A new History Museum exhibit showcases the heroicmen and women who have protected and servedGreene County.

Special Olympics torch run fundraiser shirts on saleCorporal Tonya Price and Officer

Mark Priebe have T-shirts for sale tohelp benefit Special OlympicsMissouri (SOMO).

All proceeds stay in Missouri tobenefit the athletes of SOMO.SOMO’s mission is to provide year-round sports training and athleticcompetition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adultswith intellectual disabilities, givingthem continuing opportunities todevelop physical fitness, demonstratecourage, experience joy, andparticipate in a sharing of gifts, skillsand friendship with their families,other Special Olympics athletes, andthe community.

SOMO also provides health andwellness education. For moreinformation, visit somo.org.

The t-shirts will be displayed atPolice Headquarters in the north

hallway display case. Contact Cpl. Price via email if you

are interested in purchasing them.

CAmP visits the Health DepartmentCAmPers spent a healthy day visiting the Health Department

Feb. 8, hosted by Kevin Gipson, Director of Health, and theentire team of about 100 staff members.

How do you know whether something is safe and healthy?Test it! Kendra Williams, Jodi Daniel and Becki Davis showedhow epidemiologists track down disease, while lab staffersMachelle Petit and Sharon Smith demonstrated complicatedtesting procedures and led CAmPers in hands-on lab work.

Later in the morning, CAmPers toured Jordan ValleyCommunity Health Center and visited Women, Infants and

Children (WIC), aprogram which shares thesame building andcooperates with the center.WIC employees preparedCAmPers a healthy andtasty lunch with the foodapproved by WIC foryoung families that meetcertain guidelines.

Food inspector RoxanneSharp set up a kitchen inJackson Brothers FoodService for CAmPers in theafternoon. CAmPers actedas “deputy food inspectors”while the real inspectorsacted as kitchen staff whocontaminated food bycoughing all over it, orhaving pretend open scarson their skin. The

contaminating behaviors were all real ones food inspectors haveseen in local restaurants.

Besides human health, the Health Department also caresabout animal health. The last stop for CAmPers was the Animal

Shelter, where they toured the facilities and leared aboutrescuing and treating animals. The shelter has had 16 weekswithout euthanizing any adoptable dogs. The department hopesto partner with others to make Springfield a “no kill”community by the year 2018.

Since October 2011 CAmPers have visited several departmentsof the city to gain further understanding of their work.

“CAmP provides a great learning experience for both parties.We go to learn about them (other departments). At the sametime, they learn what the public wants to know,” said Anita Eddy,Administrative Assistant in Public Information.

CAmPers will tour and learn about the Springfield FireDepartment next month.

The design for the 2012 Law Enforcement Torch Run shirtswill be featured on stone blue short sleeve shirts and graylong sleeve shirts.

CAmPers are led in stretching and relaxation techniques at the SpringfieldHealth Department. Participants also took part in hands-on lab work,learned about the WIC program, health inspections, and the animal shelter.

CAmPers spent the day learning aboutall aspects of the Health Department.

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Available Sizes and Prices:Short sleeve – Children’s Medium and Large ........ $10

Short sleeve – Adult Small to XXL............................... $10

Short sleeve – Adult 3XL..................................................$15

Long sleeve – Adult only Small to XXL......................$15

2012 Law Enforcement Torch Run T-shirts for SOMO

Service Anniversaries25 yearsAnn Rude License Inspector Finance – 03/16/87

20 yearsGeorge Dye Maintenance Worker Environmental Services –03/30/92Lloyd Gillmore Craftsworker Parks – 03/31/92

15 yearsRonald Powell Fire Captain Fire – 03/03/97Darran Kinney Glenn Kimberlin Fire Equipment Operators Fire – 03/03/97Kelly Cardin Truck Company Captain Fire – 03/03/97Andy Woody Assistant Fire Chief Fire – 03/03/97Gary Birum

Senior Database Administrator Information Systems – 03/03/97Cathy Johnson Public Health Investigator Health – 03/10/97Roger Chism Building MaintenanceCraftsworker Public Works – 03/12/97Lisa Orr Laboratory Technician Health – 03/24/97

10 yearsJoyce Black Senior Street & SewerConstruction Inspector Public Works – 03/11/02Bobby King Parks Caretaker Parks – 03/23/02Rickey Ryan Parks Caretaker Parks – 03/25/02Roger Hall Art Museum Security Officer Art Museum – 03/26/02

5 yearsAndrew Davis Parks Caretaker Parks – 03/05/07Eric Claussen Professional Engineer Public Works – 03/05/07James Sieber Equipment Operator IIPublic Works – 03/05/07Jesse Blanton Maintenance Worker Public Works – 03/05/07Steve Brawn Senior Computer Technician Information Systems – 03/12/07Tammy Burnett Public Health ProgramRepresentative Health – 03/16/07

William Simpson Custodian Airport – 03/19/07Matt Schaefer Senior City Planner Planning and Development –03/26/07Martin Gugel Traffic Engineer Public Works – 03/26/07Ellen Painter Administrative Assistant Parks – 03/27/07Jenni Lewis Accounting ServicesRepresentative Finance – 03/27/07

PromotionsAndrew Barksdale Eric Reece Steve Schwind Christopher Wells Police Sergeants – PoliceJeffery Lepold Building Maintenance CrewLeader – Public Works

RetirementsLoring Bullard Executive DirectorWatershed Committee – 36 years

MILESTONES

for saleSofa and love seat in fair condition $50. HitekNight Vision device. Hand held w/cameraadapter. New in box, never used. Excellent forhunting, security, surveillance, camping etc.Precison optics, water resistant, and daylightfilter built in. Purchased new for four hundreddollars. $250.00 OBO. Call Joe at 343-3117 or e-mail me at coloradoman78@sbcglobal.net.

Double wide mobile home on 1 acre 1.5 milesnorth of Kansas Expressway and I-44. 3Bedrooms, 2 baths, fireplace, jetted tub inmaster bath. Stove, dishwasher and refrigeratorare included. Central heat and air. $69,500. CallDon at 833-5182. Thank-you!

One Groupon ticket to Adventure Ziplines inBranson. adventureziplinesofbranson.com$29, valid through March 1 ($60 is their regularprice) Call 862-7716, and ask for Chris.

Homemade Goats Milk Soap makes a greatgift! Made with essential oils especially formoisturizing and skin care. Contact SteveBrawn at 299-0956 AFTER 5 p.m. daily, or visitwww.stegsfarm.com to view and order.

servicesDo you love candles? Check outwww.417scents.com for Wickless Candles byScentsy, which are a safe, wickless alternativeto scented candles. Great gift ideas forholidays, birthdays, and anniversaries.Contact David or Anita Climer at 831-9124 or838-3710 for more details.

Next Level Sport Karate – 1317 W. Sunshine,Springfield. Offering classes in Tae KwonDo, Hapkido, and Zumba Fitness. 496-5038 oronline at nextlevelsportkarate.com.

discountsCheck CityShare for City employee discountsto area businesses. Need a great cup of coffeeor pastry to get you through the day? Visitthe new coffee shop across from GovernmentPlaza at the Hub. See CityShare for details.

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March 17 – 32nd Annual St.Patrick’s Day Parade,Noon, Downtown

March 20 – Police/Fire retireesmeeting, 6:30 pm,Heritage Cafeteria

March 31 – NeighborhoodCleanup, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.Williams Elementary

Important Dates

CITY CLERK

PETITIONS TO VERIFY

CITY CLERK

PETITIONS TO VERIFY

WHAT DO YOU THINK about the SCENIC Route?

Email thescene@springfieldmo.govand give us your topic ideas.

?

1 Dennis Budd MCLibby Harris POL

Richard Mansel POLDavid Pennington FRBeth Ryan PRKMatthew Shackelford POLLyle Smith PWEric Werbitzky ES

2 Brendan Griesemer PDVRichard Tracy AIR

3 Jacqulynn Adams WDStephen Miller POL

Karen Stewart PWClifford Stutz HLCandice Williams PRK

4 Allison Carson HRDaniel Jones PRK

Alana Owen PDVTravis Scudder AIRAndrew Whitener PRK

5 Jason Copley POLAllison Miller HL

James Thomas PRKDiana Young ES

6 Benjamin Gaddy POLFrank Long PW

Samantha Stocklaufer 911Helen Wilson POL

7 Brittany Blanks PRKJeffery Eagleburger ES

Barbara Lucks ESJose Martinez AIRSamantha Porterfield PRKBrian Powers ESKevin Swearengin ESChris Thompson FRKara Totzke PRK

8 Thomas Cowens POLCathie Lehman PW

Joshua Steele POL

9 Karen Chandler ESRandy Dunlap PW

Mayci Hicks PRKMavis Jackson FNMichael Karnes POLChristopher King PRK Sharon Pitts IS

10 Bill Dowling WDRandy Greer MC

Carol Halford ESJanet Hicks HLDavid Park FRJohn Swanson POLPhilip Yarnell POL

11 Brandon Bowling POLKatelyn Haymes PRK

Don Smith PW

12 Ellis Campbell PRKDavid Minnehan FR

Hailey Rutledge PRK

13 Howard Curtis FRRaymond Jones PRK

Steven King PRKOlan Morelan FR

14 Heith Aldridge FRJames Andela POL

Drew Coffman PRKTanner Counts PRKAshlee Luko PRKAngelia Merritt PRKLeslie Miller PRKJohn Norton PRKStuart Rutledge ESCharles Young ES

15 Allen Criger WDThomas Deckard AIR

Donald Hampton POLVictoria Malick PRKRoger McCormack PRKJessica McCutcheon PRKDarin Miller FR

16 Patricia Cooper MCElizabeth Langley POL

Rick Miller IS

17 Bryan DiSylvester POLClay Farrell PRK

Demita Gookin PRKSteven McMurray FRSue Schofield POLKyle Williams HL

18 Dorrell Duquette BDSRalph Rognstad PDV

Brian Weiler AIR

19 Brian Lamkin PRKJoe Medina ART

Danielle McKeirnan PRKRonald Moskalski PRKCoy Spurlock PRKLee Walker POL

20 Dean Bogart PRKAmanda Ehrhardt PRK

Colten Harris PWEmily Hegg HLSarah Kerner LAWDuke McDonald LAWDavid Nokes AIRCollin Quigley CMJonn Strahl HR

21 Lee Grover FRCelia King WD

Kelly Ross PRKJason Shuck POLMark Smith ES

22 Sandra Fanning HLJulie Randolph HL

Kristen Linsenbardt DPIBruce Scheiderer FRPatricia Sullivan LAW

23 David Hall FRJohn Marion FR

24 Katie Babits HRBelinda Gonzalez PW

Robert Johnson PRKBenjamin Norman PRK

25 Dennis Bright ESKevin Cantrell POL

Shawn Schroeder AIRJoseph Sharpe PRK

26 Aaron Allen PRKKristian Burke PRK

Matthew Conaway PRKVicki Dekker POLDavid Raine PRKDavid Shanholtzer POL

27 Jerry Allen PRKKristy Bork IA

Isaac Elliott PRKTri Nguyen 911Tina Schreiner PRKJordan Tate AIRCaleb Taylor POL

28 Clinton Coyan POLAshton Peoples PRK

29 Stephen Boehmer POLJeff Coiner IS

Chad Eutsler POLBradley Jones FRJason McCormick FRBrad O'Neal ESDaniel Romine AIRJohn West AIR

30 Ida Buske AIRCale Murphy FR

Mike MacPherson PDVStephen Osborn PWJarid Spoon PW

31 Matthew Daily AIRDavid Essary PRK

Nicholas Sellers PRK

MARCH BIRTHDAYSAbbreviations

911 Emergency Comm.AIR AirportART Art MuseumBDS Building Dev.CC City ClerkCM City ManagerEM Emergency Mgt.ES Environmental Ser.FN FinanceFR FireHL HealthHR Human ResourcesIA Internal AuditIS Info. SystemsLAW LawMC Municipal CourtOG Ozark GreenwaysPRK ParksPDV Planning & Dev.DPI Public InformationPOL PolicePW Public WorksWD Workforce Dev.

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Did you know that LAGERS (LocalGovernment Employees Retirement System),the Springfield Police and Fire PensionSystem and ICMA (Deferred CompensationPlan) all have information available via theInternet? Each retirement plan has a websitethat offers information about each plan’srules and regulations. LAGERS and ICMAwebsites also have interactive tools that canhelp you plan for retirement.

LAGERS website at www.molagers.orghas a retirement benefit calculator that canbe used to estimate your future pensionbenefit. In addition, you may learn moreabout retirement payment options andother topics related to this pension plan.

On the ICMA site, www4.icmarc.org,you may set up a login and password toaccess your individual account information.

Once logged in, you may view yourdeferred compensation plan accountbalance, make changes to your beneficiarydesignation, change your investmentallocation, as well change your address andother personal information.

Police and Fire Pension Planinformation is available on CityShare in theInternal Boards and Commissions sectionaccessed from the left side of thehomepage. By going to this site, you maylearn more about plan rules andregulations, print forms to apply forretirement and access other valuable planinformation. The Police and Fire Pension’snew Administrator, Janell Manley, may bereached via City e-mail or at 864-1018.

There are also several links toretirement-related resources from

CityShare. The links appear on thenavigation bar located on the right-handside of the Human Resources Serviceshome page. You will also find a“Retirement” link on the navigation barlocated on the left-hand side of the pagewhich will allow you to access informativedocuments from LAGERS, as well as anoverview of all retirement plans offered bythe City.

Retiree Health Plan information isavailable at springfieldmo.gov/retirees.

It’s never too early to learn more aboutretirement issues, especially in today’seconomic times. So, go online and use thesewebsites to plan for a more secure future!

For more information about retirementissues, contact Peggy Thompson via Cityemail, or at 864-1608.

Retirement Planning Web Sites

� COLLEGE STREET from page 1.

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Effective January 1, 2012, Walgreens discontinued participatingas a provider in the Express Scripts pharmacy network! ExpressScripts is the City of Springfield Health Plan’s prescription benefitprovider (PBM) and the company which processes all of yourprescriptions – even those filled at a retail pharmacy. Therefore,anyone who has a current prescription that is on file withWalgreens will need to transfer this prescription to anotherpharmacy to be able to receive in-network discounts.

This unfortunate change is beyond the control of the City ofSpringfield’s Health Insurance Committee and is happeningbecause Walgreens and Express Scripts did not reach an agreementregarding the cost of prescriptions. Prescriptions will continue to becovered by the City of Springfield Health Plan. However, Walgreensis not an in-network option effective January 1, 2012.

Most retail pharmacies in the Springfield area, other thanWalgreens, are in-network. In-network pharmacies include those ingrocery stores, locally-owned pharmacies, nationally recognizedpharmacy chains and discount stores. Typically there is another in-network pharmacy within one-half mile of any Walgreens pharmacywhose staff will be ready and eager to assist with all yourprescription needs. You must transfer your prescription(s) to anyone of these pharmacies in your neighborhood now to avoid payingthe full cost for your prescription at Walgreens.

It’s easy to change pharmacies!You can transfer your prescription(s) to a new pharmacy by

taking any one of the following actions:1. Take your prescription bottle to your new pharmacy; they will

contact your old pharmacy to transfer your prescription.2. Call or contact your new pharmacy and ask them to contact

your old pharmacy.3. Ask your doctor to call your new pharmacy with your

prescription information.4. Visit StartHomeDelivery.com to begin receiving up to a 90-day

supply of your maintenance medications at home.You can also find a complete list of local participating

pharmacies by going to express-scripts.com Go to the section titledWalgreens Pharmacy Customers: Plan Now for Upcoming NetworkChange and click on Find out more about this change and how youcan transfer your prescriptions from Walgreens.

Please note: Any existing home delivery prescriptions from theExpress Scripts Pharmacy are not affected by this change.

If you have any questions, please visit express-scripts.com or callExpress Scripts at 877.508.1379.

Peggy Thompson, Senior Human Resources Specialist is alsoavailable to help. You may reach her at 864-1608 or via City e-mail.

Walgreens and your prescription coverage

It was also designated by City BuildingDevelopment Services as a “dangerousbuilding”

“Mark’s actions represent confidence inthe future of the area and will hopefullyencourage others to join in the action,”Morgan explained. “We have had twopublic meetings very well attended bypeople interested in the area and we havereceived many good comments regardingthe desired future for College Street.”

The College Street Corridor is an arealocated along College and Olive Streets,

between Grant Avenue and KansasExpressway. It has strong linkages to thefuture West Meadows of Jordan Valley, theWest Central Neighborhood, and downtownwhich are very important to the future ofthe College Street Corridor Planning Area.

Public engagement will occur throughApril 11, and the plan is scheduled forcompletion during the summer. Moreinformation is provided on the City websiteat springfieldmo.gov/collegestreet. AGoogle group is also set up.

“Mark’s actionsrepresent confidence

in the future of the area and will hopefully

encourage others to join in the action.

- Vern Morgan, Principal Planner

A Q & A of City of Springfield employees. Tosuggest a colleague for a “Do You Know…?” profile,

email thescene@springfieldmo.gov.

Jenny FillmerEdwards Public InformationAdministrator Springfield-Greene CountyPark BoardJenny has been with Parks for almost a month.

What was your first job?During high school, I baked bread and othergoodies at the Bakehouse, next to Casper’s onwest Walnut. I miss those sticky pecan rolls.

What didn’t you learn in school?How to read a budget. But I’m learning!

What are you compulsive about?Proofreading. That doesn’t mean I don’t maketypo$.

What’s the one thing about you most peopledon’t know?I almost always have a song stuck in my head.Usually it’s something dumb like a commercialjingle, but I’ll hum it all day.

In Brief Do You Know…?Joplin presents SPD withmedal of appreciation City of Joplin officials recently

presented the Springfield PoliceDepartment with a medal ofappreciation for going above andbeyond in response to the May 22tornado. Police Chief Paul Williamsframed the medal, along with aphotograph purchased at afundraising auction. The finished artpiece is currently on display in theshowcase in the main lobby of BuschMunicipal Building.

February 2012 Sales Tax Report

The City of Springfield’s February2012 sales tax check from theMissouri Department of Revenue wasdown 12.65% compared to February2011. Year to date, sales tax revenuehas increased 6.86% over last year.

Petition aims to repealsmoking ordinance

Opponents of the indoor smokingban voters approved in April 2011turned in an initiative petition to theCity Clerk’s Office that aims atreturning smoking to certainbusinesses and spaces.

Dave Myers, of Oldfield, Mo., saidthe group gathered more than 4,000signatures. Only 2,101 must be certifiedas Springfield registered votersresiding in the City limits for thepetition to advance to City Council.

The City Clerk’s Office now has 20days to certify the signatures. If too

few are found to be valid, petitionerswill have 10 days to gather more.

If the petition is certified, CityCouncil has the option of adopting itas written or sending it to voters atthe next possible municipal election,which could be June.

SPD to receive $1 million federal grant

The Springfield Fire Departmenthas been awarded a federalAssistance to Firefighters Grant fornearly $1 million. This grant will beused to purchase mobile and portableradios for all fire departments withinGreene County. This program is acompetitive grant process throughthe U.S. Department of HomelandSecurity and the Federal EmergencyManagement Agency, which requiresa 20% local match. Springfield FireDepartment will receive $217,606. Ofthis amount, $174,950 is from thegrant and $43,521 is the match. Thematching funds are from levelproperty tax.

Over the next several years, thecurrent radio system will migrate tothe next generation technology toutilize digital technology and complywith the new P-25 standard. The newradios will allow the fire departmentsto operate on the new system.

According to Assistant Fire ChiefDavid Pennington, “This grant iscritical in providing the local fireservice with the tools we need. Itsimply would not have been possiblefor us to replace these radios withoutthis grant.”

From the SCENE archives10 Years Ago - March 2002

City Wins Award

The 2002 Corporate Humanitarianof the Year Award was presented tothe City of Springfield for the effortsof City employees over many years ofcontributing both their time andfinancial resources to the annualUnited Way campaign. The City wascommended for its strong ongoingcommitment to the Day of Caringactivities where hundreds ofemployees have participated indozens of projects to help individualagencies complete projects they maynot otherwise be able to do.

20 Years Ago - March 1992City of Springfield Mission Statement

Working with the City Council andstaff, we have established that ourMission is a “Commitment toWorking with the Community.” Thisis a simple purpose which each andevery one of us should apply to all ofour actions. This means having theattitude and discipline to look for waysof helping our citizens solve problemsrather than falling back on the easierroute, “That’s the way we’ve alwaysdone it; that’s what the ordinance says;we have to treat everyone the same.”--City Manager Tom Finnie (1992)

Lisa McCurry Contract Accounting Services Representative Lisa has been with the city for 4 months.

What do feel is the most important thing forpeople to know about you? Jesus Christ and my family are the mostimportant things in my life

What has been your greatest achievement?Buying a house at 22

Who had the greatest influence on you duringyour childhood? My mom and grandma

What are you most proud of? My nieces

What do you most dislike in others? Talking badly about people

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To: City of Springfield Employees

I’m happy to reportthat Brittany wasreleased from thehospital Wednesdaynight. She is still in alot of pain from herincisions, but she hasgood movement andfeeling in her legs. Thesurgeon felt confidenthe was able to removeall of the tumor and he is not sure if she will have to haveradiation treatment. The plan from here, is for her torecover for 3 months and then the doctors will reevaluatethe need for further treatment.

I can never thank everyone enough for all they did tomake the Chili fundraiser a success. I don’t even know allthe people who were involved in setting up, cooking andserving the food. Plus all the people that attended thefundraiser and contributed far more than $5. I had manypeople give me donations who didn’t even get any chili. Thegenerosity of the employees of the City of Springfield isamazing. Most of you don’t even know me or my daughter,but when you saw a need you didn’t hesitate to help. Myfamily was truly blessed by your giving. Thank You All.

The Dyer family

To: Police Chief Paul Williams

A few years ago I found myself caught in a physicallyabusive relationship. After one night, I got out and ran, butleft everything. Two police officers came with me to get mythings, so I could be safe.

One of them told me not to go back, that I deserved abetter life. He seemed genuinely concerned. Stupidly, I didgo back though, but I never forgot what the officer saidand I did eventually divorce my husband.

Now I’m graduating Bible college in a few months andwill be attending graduate school to get a Masters in SocialWork to work with children and victims of abuse.

I know there are a lot of negative feelings toward policeofficers, but really, you all are everyday heroes. I want to saythank you for your work and service to this city. It doesn'tgo unnoticed. Also, thank you for blessing my life, just bycaring. You are my heroes.

Thank you,Jesika

To: Police Chief Paul Williams

Please tell members of the child victim unit thank youfor spending years doing a job that I wouldn’t be able to dofor a month without losing objectivity.

I know from help I have received from law enforcementofficers that the children they help will never forget them.

Gail DeGeorgeSpringfied

To: Police Chief Paul Williams

I attended a two day program on the NeighborhoodWatch program presented by Officers Rust andSnyder. The presentation was interesting, informative andeye-opening. The time I spent there was well worth it, and Ijust want to compliment these two individuals for all thethought and preparation it obviously took to put this on. Ifeel more prepared to identify and act on a communitysafety issue after attending this program.

Vreni JonesSpringfield

To: Police Chief Paul Williams

I just wanted to give Officer Rust appreciation for all ofthe work he has put into the neighborhood watch program.The training was very professional and well organized andOfficer Rust did a great job of giving the training anddeserves alot of gratitude from our community to makeSpringfield a better and safer place to live. Keep up thegreat work.

Bruce TannerSpringfield

To: Department of Public Information

Thanks to each of you for helping organize and set upthe Jordan Valley Park Maintenance Office dedicationtoday. It was my first one for Parks, so I really appreciateyour support as I learn the ropes. I thought the wholeevent came off beautifully and everyone seemed pleased.

Jenny Fillmer Edwards Public Information AdministratorSpringfield-Greene County Park Board

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Working with the Community( )Awards & Recognition