Updates

I obviously haven't been keeping up on posting to this blog. Here is an update of recent happenings:
Last week at the Scottsbluff City Council meeting, SPD Chief Alex Moreno made a comment about "maybe now is the time to look at merging the departments." It was amazing how one short comment then turned into a major story about the possibility. I would like to clarify.

The comment was made when the Scottsbluff City Council had given the bid for their new public safety building. They were referring that there would be more room and could house a merged police force if it ever came about. As both cities go into the budget planning, this will probably come up. However, we need to do the research and make sure that it is a win win for all three cities including Terrytown, who contracts with Scottsbluff PD.

This past Monday, June 8, at the Gering City Council meeting, Council Member Shields asked a question about a cleaning bill at the Civic Center. This also suddenly became the main focus in the Star-Herald and the Gering Courier.

In the Courier, I was then quoted in the headline and that I did not want to "make a mountain out of a molehill" which is exactly what happened, since it was the lead item in the story. I don't think that is what reporter Chabella Guzman meant to do as she was just reporting what happened in the order of the meeting in the Star Herald. Courier Editor, Tom Lawrence is who added the comments and the headline in the Courier.
Unfortunately, the Winchell's that do the cleaning were very upset. They do a great job for the city as they also clean city hall. It was too bad that a simple question has caused such upset. We have referred it to the Admin committee.

I do want to thank Gering Citizen reporter Jerry Purvis for reporting what I thought was the most important item from the meeting, LB840 money going to Intralinks, who are moving to Gering and going into a suite at the old Alco building. This is exciting and I am happy the Paul Reed, the owner, is getting tennants into that building!

The last bit of controversy, was the 10th street paving project! The paving was done in just three weeks, all that is left to do is the striping. However, with all the rain that has caused some delay. It should look great in July for Oregon Trail Days!

Speaking of Oregon Trail Days, buy your tickets at city hall for the Terry Clark/James Otto concert on July 11th. The Oregon Trail Days committee did decide not to have a beer garden this year and make the concert more family friendly. I have also heard some concern about that decision. However, hopefully more families will attend as they are giving a discount for 4 tickets. I would love to see Five Rocks filled to capacity that evening!

We live in a great city!

Until next time.....