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Rapid City Journal, Rapid City, Oct. 5, 2014

Paying for sidewalk repair a civic duty

Living in a city brings both benefits, and at times, burdens.

Residents in a municipality typically get faster police and fire service; they have easy access to parks, playgrounds and pools; their streets get maintained (mostly), and their garbage gets picked up.

But on the flip side, they pay more in taxes for those services; they have to follow ordinances on parking, noise, and various codes; they cant fire weapons or shoot off fireworks; and they cant let their properties become unsafe.

City dwellers also have to take care of the sidewalks in front of their properties, even though the walkways are typically owned by the city and reside on municipal land. That means shoveling when it snows, but it also means repairing cracks or replacing walks that have crumbled away to near nothing.

One can debate whether its fair that property owners must pay for those repairs when needed. We think is it fair, since providing safe passage on sidewalks is simply part of the bargain one makes for living in a city.

Rapid City, rightfully so, has targeted numerous local properties for sidewalk repair this fall, noticed either via resident complaint or through city inspection. Like in most South Dakota municipalities, the city gives property owners a chance to hire someone to fix the sidewalks themselves, or they can let the city pay and then reimburse the government later for the work.

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Excerpts from recent South Dakota editorials

Oct. 9, 2014, 4 a.m.

WORK to transform a former Panmure pine plantation into a community park is proceeding quickly with Moyne Shire Council contributing funds for the makeover.

Panmure Action Group vice-president Reg Dumesny (left) and president Ian Wallace take a break from mulching work at the future park this week. Picture: VICKY HUGHSON

WORK to transform a former Panmure pine plantation into a community park is proceeding quickly with Moyne Shire Council contributing funds for the makeover.

The creation of the park is part of a busy time ahead for the Panmure Action Group (PAG) that also has plans to create a war memorial in the township as well as new Panmure entrance signs.

PAG president Ian Wallace said Moyne Shire had responded to the groups call for assistance and contributed $4600 to pay for the mulching of pine stumps on the 0.8-hectare site on the banks of Mount Emu Creek.

Mr Wallace said the councils action had given impetus to PAGs plan to create a park on the land that had previously beenused as a fund-raising pine plantation by Panmure Primary School.

He said PAG hoped to link the park with a path along Billets Street to the bridge over Mount Emu Creek and the Big Hole swimming area on the other side of the creek.

Mulching of the pine stumps on the site took place this week and PAG plans to next contour the site, construct a post-and-rail fence around it with an entrance off Heath Marsh Road.

Mr Wallace said the installation of walkways and picnic tables would be the next steps, with tree planting by the community likely to be the final stage.

See the rest here:
Panmure residents starting to see the park for the trees

LONG HILL TWP. Dangerous sidewalks have caught the attention of Township Committee members, who discussed the matter at their Wednesday, Sept. 24 meeting, with emphasis on walkways on Long Hill and Northfield roads, leading up to Millington School.

The sidewalks need to be replaced. They are becoming a hazard, said Department of Public Works (DPW) Director Tom Sweeney.

Township Administrator Neil Henry said the town could transfer money from its operating budget after Nov. 1 or declare an emergency to the state and dip into its surplus. The town would have to pay off the money used to fix the sidewalks before budgeting for 2015.

Henry and Sweeney were not optimistic that anything could be done during the 2014 budgeted year. However, Sweeny seemed a bit more hopeful of tackling the project in 2015.

We already did road analysis for 2015, and Im going to come under with my roads. We have caught up with a lot of roads and paving, so what I originally estimated is a little higher than what were going to be, so we might be able to work these sidewalks in, said Sweeny

Sweeny gave some insight on why it is difficult to fund sidewalk repairs, pointing out that it is harder to get grants to fix sidewalks than it is for roads, and that the town was unsuccessful in obtaining a sidewalk grant last year.

Sweeney said that when applying for the grants, he had estimates of under $200,000 to fix the sidewalks. The sidewalks in question are black top and would have to be replaced with cement. There are also some parts that are high up and would have to be leveled and supported with a retaining wall.

They need to be replaced. They were originally cement sidewalks that were replaced by the road department in the 70s due to a lot of tree roots coming through. Back then they replaced it with black top, probably for cost savings. It has been 40 years for a lot of them, said Sweeney.

There were small steps introduced on what the DPW and town could do in the interim.

Sweeney provided two quick remedies that would fix a small portion of the problem. He said that the DPW could patch whatever potholes are in the sidewalks for now, as well as put up a barrier on Northfield Road to make it safe for both pedestrians and drivers.

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Township to act on unsafe sidewalks

October 3, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL) Reading Royals Reading, PA - The Reading Royals of the ECHL, affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers of the NHL and Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the AHL, the SMG-Managed Santander Arena and the Reading Downtown Improvement District (DID), today announced details of an expanded partnership designed to improve the experience of patrons attending Royals' games in Reading this season.

At all Royals' home games this season, three DID Ambassadors will be exclusively assigned to the Santander Arena area, including the parking decks operated by the Reading Parking Authority and the walkways in and around the Arena stretching across the 700 to 800 blocks of Penn and Cherry streets. The DID Ambassadors, who employ state-of-the-art mobile GPS positioning and communication devices while performing their tasks in the downtown area, will use three different types of transportation, including DID's pick-up truck, a 4x4 vehicle, and a Segway(r), to facilitate their efforts to meet, greet and assist patrons before, during and after Royals' games.

"The Royals are excited to announce this enhanced partnership with the Downtown Improvement District," said Royals' President Drew Bell. "We want to assure everyone attending Royals' games this year that we're taking all available steps to help fans enjoy their entire experience-from driveway to driveway. We're committed to giving our fans this peace of mind, and we're confident that the DID Ambassadors will add to the comfort level experienced by our fans. We particularly want to thank Chuck Broad and his crew at DID for their efforts, as well as our close partners at Santander Arena, all of whom are committed to the effort to provide a safe, secure and fun downtown experience."

"We are certainly appreciative of all that the DID Ambassadors do for our downtown community," said David Farrar, General Manager of the SMG-Managed Santander Arena. "We want patrons coming to Santander Arena to know how much we appreciate their decision to support events being held at our downtown Reading facilities. We are constantly trying to put a personal touch on our efforts to meet, greet, assist, and thank people for coming to the downtown area, and the DID Ambassadors do an exceptional job of reminding our patrons how appreciative we are of their support of events being held in our city."

"The Reading Downtown Improvement District is dedicated to the safety, security, and cleanliness of the entire downtown area," said Chuck Broad, Executive Director of DID. "The Royals and Santander Arena are critical participants in the continuing growth and improvement in the quality of life in our downtown community, and it's imperative that patrons are able to fully enjoy events at the Arena. Particularly with the ongoing construction of the DoubleTree Hotel project, DID is totally committed to work with the Royals and Santander Arena to make sure that persons walking within the Penn Street corridor and surrounding parking decks feel completely comfortable in this area."

Established in 1995, the Reading DID is dedicated to creating a more vital, productive and commercially active downtown environment. The DID is comprised of Cleaning and Safety Ambassadors, who provide a wide variety of services including removal of litter, graffiti, weed abatement, sidewalk pressure washing and special projects. Created as a managed approach to enhance downtown's physical environment, the DID cleaning program has proven to be an effective way to reduce litter, improve the public's image of downtown and encourage community involvement in all downtown events.

DID Safety Ambassadors are on the streets six days a week, providing public safety and helpful information. They work with street level businesses, provide information to visitors, workers and residents as well as report on potential and actual emergencies that require police, fire and/or EMS services. Safety Ambassadors provide services such as bicycle and Segway(r) patrols, business checks in the downtown area, safety escorts, and event support.

The Royals open the 2014-15 season on Saturday, October 18, at WesBanco Arena in Wheeling, West Virginia, where the team will face the Wheeling Nailers. The home portion of the schedule will kick off the following Saturday (October 25, 2014 @ 7:05 p.m.) when the Elmira Jackals travel to Santander Arena. Royals' season tickets are currently available. Call 610-898-7825 for more information or log onto http://www.royalshockey.com.

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Royals, Santander Arena and Reading Downtown Improvement District Expand Partnership

My cousin told me that some parents have stopped sending their kids to school, though he hypothesised that it's just because they're too lazy to get stuck in traffic. The overwhelming opinion is in favour of the protestors, though some are worried about the protests affecting business, especially those whose work is in the demonstration area.

Despite the support, few dare to dream of success. A professor friend told me: "The pace of democracy is painfully slow. One step forward, ten steps retreat."

China's position is also unenviable. If President Xi is seen to allow protests in Hong Kong, it may spark student protests in other reaches of the country, or even Tibet or Mongolia. If it is seen to be reneging on one country, two systems, this will affect its only chance to unite with Taiwan.

I was five years old when the Tiananmen Square massacre happened, but I remember its impact, and people wearing black ribbons in honour of the students who died. I think, as the closest place to China to have seen uncensored news footage, Hong Kong has a special responsibility to ensure nothing like that will happen again.

For this reason I was extra shocked by reports of tear gas being used by police against the unarmed demonstrators; it was another sign that we need to be constantly reminded of each other's humanity, and for this I thank the peaceful members of the Umbrella Revolution.

In a city of plentiful luxuries, they have shown that Hong Kong people know the difference between a luxury and a right.

Emma-Lee, known by her stage name Emmy the Great, is a musician and culture writer. Follow Emmy the Great on Twitter

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Emmy the Great on a Hong Kong 'dreamed by its people'

It's a 100th birthday party and everyone is invited.

The Alpine Tabernacle at 110 E. Main St. in American Fork was opened in 1914. In celebration of its centennial, there will be tours of the building Oct. 11, and a fireside and program featuring former LDS Relief Society General President Julie B. Beck on Oct. 12.

The Alpine Tabernacle is the last tabernacle remaining in Utah County.

The Alpine Stake was organized Jan. 13, 1901, and had been part of the Utah Stake, which took in the entire valley. The Alpine Stake included the north part of Utah County, covering what now is Lindon to Cedar Valley.

All presidents of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from Joseph F. Smith to Thomas S. Monson have spoken at the tabernacle's pulpit, either as presidents or apostles.

"Ten of the men who have served as presidents of the church spoke here," said Allen C. Christensen, who wrote a history of the tabernacle.

"The sacrifices that went into the building were rather remarkable."

Sacrifices included not only the monetary contributions, but the volunteer labor. The cost of the building was $81,254. The four wards in American Fork were asked to contribute half of those costs.

In November 1914, there was an autumn festival to help finish paying for the building.

Christensen quoted a story from the American Fork Citizen, which told about the festival and put the monetary amounts into perspective.

See the article here:
Alpine Tabernacle marks 100 years

Published: Sunday, September 28, 2014 at 5:57 p.m. Last Modified: Sunday, September 28, 2014 at 5:57 p.m.

New Hanover County is taking steps to transform Carolina Courtyard, located outside the main library downtown, from a degraded lot frequented by loiterers into a space that serves library patrons looking for reading or socializing spaces and children's activities.

The county put out a request for qualifications for the renovation and received three applications by the deadline earlier this month.

Paige Owens, assistant director of New Hanover County Public Library, said a committee of county and library officials is planning to review the materials soon and meet with potential firms in late October.

"We're looking for a company that shares our vision (and) understands the importance of the library as a place in the community and is excited about creative ways of extending that space," Owens said.

The plan is divided into three phases, the first being the most expensive. It involves creating an opening in the east side of the library on both the first and second floors. The first floor expansion will feature an enclosed children's story park accessible only from the inside of the library, topped by a second-floor outdoor deck for reading and studying, from which a stairway will lead down to the courtyard.

The second phase will add landscaping, seating for reading, and outdoor meeting space. The plan for the third phase is to open up the perimeter of the space for what Owens calls "parklets," small adoptable spaces that organizations can use to feature a design concept.

The courtyard is located at an advantageous spot to bring people downtown and provide a place for people to eat lunch, gather and meet and for children to have space for activities, Owens said.

That, she said, would be healthier than its current lack of purpose with people sitting there with nothing to do.

"When you have a lot downtown that's not built, it tends to have people just loitering," Owens said.

Link:
County plans to renovate library courtyard

Winter is coming.

And so are snow, ice and slippery sidewalks.

Breckenridge town staffers were ready to implement a new ordinance fining businesses and property owners in the downtown Main Street district for not clearing snow buildup during peak business hours. However, the majority of the town council is not ready to take such punitive measures.

Were developing a plan where we dont take heavy equipment through the center of town at certain times, said Tom Daugherty, public works director. And at certain times it will require the business and property owners to take care of their area.

In order to encourage property owners to take care of their area we need to change the ordinance.

He argued that plowing sidewalks is very difficult between the times of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. due to heavy pedestrian traffic.

Town employees now plan to plow the sidewalks on Main Street, the 100 and 200 south blocks of Ridge Street and the connections between these areas on Lincoln, Washington and Adams prior to 8 a.m.

In the proposed ordinance, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., property owners and occupants of properties adjacent to public sidewalks in these areas would be responsible for removing the snow. This would need to be done by noon every day if snowfall had accumulated on the walkways. The property owners would be able to pile the snow in the street or the area between the street and sidewalk.

Meanwhile, the town will continue plowing the sidewalks after 8 p.m. Staffing dedicated to snow plowing will remain the same as in years past, but shift times will change to support the new plan. Also, for properties it owns, the town will send out small fleets of municipal employees to shovel those areas that are in the new downtown sidewalk snow district.

Before 8 a.m. we will go out, and after 8 p.m. we will go out again, Daugherty said. Were asking that they help us out when we cant get down there. Its just like you shoveling your driveway so it doesnt build up and get packed down. These business owners need to do the same thing on their sidewalks We need a new ordinance to make this work.

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Breckenridge seeks safer sidewalks this winter with business owners help

CHICAGO (PRWEB) September 24, 2014

In 2013, more than 94,000 adults and children were treated in hospital emergency rooms in the United States for eye injuries from products. Many of these products are used in and around the home, including power tools and cleaning supplies.

Prevent Blindness has declared October as Home Eye Safety Awareness Month to help educate the public on steps that can be taken to avoid painful and costly injuries. Free information can be found at the groups dedicated web page, PreventBlindness.org/eye-safety-home.

According to information from Prevent Blindness, the top categories contributing to eye injuries include: 1.Power tools 2.Welding tools 3.Workshop Grinders, Buffers or Polishers 4.Manual Tools 5.Bleach

We strongly encourage everyone to always wear eye protection when working in or around the house. Doing yard work, cleaning the house, or working in the garage without protecting your vision can have a tremendous negative impact for years to come, said Hugh R. Parry, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness.

Eye injuries can occur from a variety of common sources, such as flying debris from lawn mowers or trimmers, or splashes from household cleaners, paints or solvents. Prevent Blindness urges everyone to wear protective eyewear approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) when performing household activities. The eyewear should have the Z-87 logo stamped on the frames.

Prevent Blindness recommends the following to help prevent eye injuries at home:

In case of an eye-related accident, Prevent Blindness also offers its First Aid for Eye Emergencies sticker in both English and Spanish, free to the public. The sticker is designed to fit conveniently inside a homes medicine cabinet or glove box of a car.

For more information on home eye safety and eye protection recommendations, or to request a free copy of the First Aid for Eye Emergencies sticker, call (800) 331-2020 or visit preventblindness.org.

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Prevent Blindness Urges Proper Eye Protection in the Home, Yard and Garage to Help Prevent Eye Injuries

Francesco Bellini / AP

In this Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014, file photo George Clooney and his fiancee, Amal Alamuddin, pose for photographers as they arrive for the Celebrity Fight Night foundation gala dinner, in Florence,Italy.

By Colleen Barry, Associated Press

Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014 | 10:01 a.m.

Luca Bruno / AP

People sit by the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014.

MILAN Venice city officials on Thursday ordered the closure of a walkway fronting the picturesque Grand Canal on Monday to keep crowds away from George Clooney's wedding to human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin.

The city order closes pedestrian access to walkways accessing the 16th-Century Cavalli Palace for at least two hours Monday, citing "the George Clooney wedding." The order is the first official indication of the timing of the nuptials.

Clooney revealed earlier this month at a star-studded benefit in Florence that he would marry Alamuddin in the lagoon city, but refrained from giving the date. Press reports have speculated that the couple would have two ceremonies, one on Saturday followed by a civil ceremony on Monday.

A Venice city official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said police requested the closure to prevent crowds from gathering and creating a safety risk. The official said such closures have taken place previously for both public and private events.

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Venice taking steps to control crowds for George Clooney wedding