September 2010Employee information is available online at CityShare and on CityView

at springfieldmo.gov/CityView or on Mediacom 80

Character Education word of the month:

RespectTo show consideration for the

feelings and rights ofyourself, others and the world

around you.

Simplify for health

Cutting stress andslowing down can

improve your health.

Day of Caring

See photos of employeesfrom the Aug. 19 UnitedWay charity work day.

Do You Know?

Meet Randy Lyman ofPublic Works.3 6 7IN

SIDE

The Citizens’ Sales Tax Oversight Committee hasbegun its work. The group was formed at the requestof City Council to keep an eye on revenues collectedfrom the ¾-cent Police/Fire Pension Fund Sales Tax,and to ensure that all of the money collected fromthat tax goes into the fund.

The group includes: Arlene Chriswell, MaryErickson, Tom Gargus, Chad Munsey, PatriciaPearson, Rita Pemberton, Steven Rone, RichardThompson and Jack Thurman. Mark Burgess andBrian Perdue are alternates.

The group is charged with three main duties:• Review and monitor the collection and allocation

of the sales tax to assure that 100 percent is going intothe Pension Fund as promised.

• Evaluate and publically comment on anyproposed reduction in pension benefits before they goto City Council (the recent COLA court action wasmentioned).

• Chair or designee will report to Council at a

Council meeting at least once every six monthsCity Council is expected to vote at its Aug. 23

meeting to expand the group’s responsibilities tooverseeing the ¼-cent and 1/8-cent sales tax funds aswell.

At its first meeting, City Finance Director MaryMannix Decker gave the group a basic rundown ofhow municipal finances work, focusing on the factthat accountability is the chief concern in governmentfinance, and keeping funds segregated is key toachieving that. It’s not “one big pot of money,”Mannix Decker said, which leads to confusion as Cityrepresentatives talk about funding shortages on onehand, and then begin new capital projects on theother.

The ¾-cent tax went into effect April 1, and morethan $4 million has been received by the City fromthe state Department of Revenue thus far.

The chair of the new Committee, Dr. Richard

�See OVERSIGHT on page 6 .

SPRINGFIELD CITYEMPLOYEE NEWS EXTRA

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Important Dates

Sept. 6 – Labor Day, Cityoffices closed

Sept. 11-12 – JapaneseFall Festival

Sept. 21 – Police/Fireretirees meeting; 6:30 p.m., HeritageCafeteria, 1364 E.Battlefield Road

Sept. 23 – Autumn begins

The Day of Caring is over but there are moreways to “care” and give all next week, Aug. 23-27.

This year the City is making a bigger push toexceed its $100,000 fundraising goal and the weekof activities following the annual United Way Dayof Caring is intended to kick off the campaign in abig way. Each day, a different event will raise moneyfor UW in a fun way for all employees.

This will be the third year the City’s fundraisinggoal is set at $100,000. We came in just shy of thegoal last year, which is still a solid accomplishmentconsidering we have fewer employees and thenature of theeconomy. Yet theeconomicsituation is thevery reason whythe United Wayneeds our helpright now. Let’s push through that six-digit goaltogether, and make the most of what the UnitedWay does for the Springfield community.

All of the events will be dependent upon

Five days, seven more ways to “care”

�See CARING on page 3.

Movies @Founders

“Movies at Founders Park” iswrapping up. Films begin atdusk on Friday and Saturdaynights. FREE with ticket/family4-packs available at theChesterfield and Doling FamilyCenters, Mediacom Ice Park,the Busch Building andMediacom offices. Admissionwithout a free ticket is $5;children 5 years and under free.

August20 – “UP”

21 – “Transformers: Revenge ofthe Fallen”

27 – “Princess and the Frog”

28 – “Casablanca”

For a complete list, visitwww.springfieldmo.gov/founders/movies.html

2010 United Way goal: $100,000

Brenda Lewellen of the City Clerk’s Office reads tochildren at a local day care as part of the United Way Day ofCaring. See more photos on page 6.

Photo by Chris Akins, DPI

Citizens group starts oversight duties

PRODUCTION EDITORMike Brothers

GRAPHIC DESIGNERMark Montgomery

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 September 3, 2010

Please direct yoursubmissions to

Mike Brothers in theDepartment of Public

Information. 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

()

Issue # 268

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Hints from the Help Desk

The Springfield Sister Cities Association, withsupport from the Springfield-Greene CountyPark Board, will host its 15th Japanese FallFestival Friday, Sept. 10 through Sunday, Sept. 12in the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden atNathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park, 2400 S.Scenic Ave., with special performances bytraditional Japanese performers fromSpringfield’s sister city of Isesaki, Japan and awide array of other activities and performances.

The three-day festival runs from 5:30-10 p.m.,Friday night, and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. both Saturdayand Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults; $3 for

kids 12 and younger; and toddlers two years ofage and under are free.

Opening ceremonies on Friday night featuresa children’s parade comprised of hundreds oflocal Kindergarten-through-sixth gradeelementary students, who were invited asambassadors to represent their classes fromevery Springfield public elementary school.Other highlights include traditional Japanese teaceremonies, flower arranging, dancing,storytelling and Taiko drumming. TheSpringfield Ballet will perform Bushido (balletdance choreographed to traditional Japanesemusic) and local martial artists will performsword demonstrations. Also featured are localmusical groups who have traveled to Japan in thepast, or who will travel to Japan in 2011.

The festival also hosts daily tea ceremonies inthe lakeside tea house, nightly candlelight strollsthrough the garden, hands-on activities forchildren, presentations by local performers,authentic Japanese food and regional artisansand merchants. A large tent top market featuresJapanese souvenirs and apparel for sale, with allproceeds benefiting SSCA.

For more information, go the SpringfieldSister Cities Association website atwww.peacethroughpeople.org.

Experience the East at annual festival

Traditional Taiko drumming is always a crowd-pleaserat the annual Japanese Fall Fesival.

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Did you know that the definition of“simplifying” means to remove the clutter –mental, emotional, and physical? It’s aboutgiving up your attachment to things, not thethings themselves. Sometimes clearing stuffyou no longer use or need is a good way tomake room for more good things to enter.

Recently we observed National SimplifyYour Life Week. It is an official observancethat encourages people to organize and de-clutter their lives.

Stress has been linked to more diseases,obesity and a variety of addictions. If you livea stressful life you may be told you need tosimplify your life. What this means is toattempt through organization to cut down onthings that make your life more complicated.To simplify your life, you may need to apply

the process of organization not just tohousecleaning, but to social aspects of yourlife, relationships, and career.

There are a number of magazines thatdedicate chapter after chapter aboutsimplifying your life and while some of thesecan greatly help you reduce the chaos, otherscan be almost laughable in theirrecommendations. To begin simplifying yourlife, you may want to find out “What does itreally mean to SIMPLIFY?” Does it meanyou have to give up all your worldlypossessions accumulated over the years, moveto a hut in the woods, and use an outhousethe rest of your life? Not hardly. Simplifying isall about having enough without having toomuch -- cutting back on unnecessaryspending, slowing down, and FOCUSING on

your true priorities. For one person, this maymean working fewer hours, a cut in pay, andmore time with the kids. Another may chooseto move closer to work, buy a smaller home,and clean out some unused junk.

If you’re interested in simplifying your life,below is a great starter’s guide:

1. Identify what’s most important to you. 2. Eliminate everything else.

Take time to simplify your life and cutback on your stress. Start today to simplifyyour life on a daily basis so you can sit backto enjoy life a little more, and spend yourtime doing what’s really important to you!

- Diane Carr, Health

Simplify your life – and reap the health benefits

employees for their success. Anydepartment that coordinates a specificevent will claim the money raised towardtheir department’s UW goal.

Events during the week of August 23-27will include:

Monday: Bake sale — Will take placefrom 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the BuschBuilding first floor conference room.Merleene Knapton in BDS and RebeccaRay of Health are heading the effort. Formore information, contact Merleene at 864-1059 or via e-mail.

Tuesday: Ugly tie/Ugly jewelry contest —Those who are participating have alreadyshown off their, ahem … style for photosthat will be posted on CityShare during theWeek of Living United. Employees will alsobe wearing their ties and jewelry to workon Tuesday.

Everyone else can vote for their favorite(or is it least favorite?) accessory onCityShare using the photos provided.Remember, you are voting with yourdollars! This contest is organized by theCity Clerk’s Office. For more information,contact Lisa Harley at 864-1443 or via e-mail.

Wednesday: Pancake breakfast —Breakfast will be served from 6:30-9:30 a.m.at the grassy area in front of the BuschBuilding. The menu will include pancakes,eggs, sausage, juice and coffee. Thebreakfast is organized by Police, Fire and

IS. For more information, contact DavidHall at 864-1507.

Thursday: Support Your Team Day —Wear hats, jerseys, etc. to show your teampride and United Way spirit. Employeeswill be able to purchase a United Waysticker stating that “We’re all on the sameteam” for $3. Wear the sticker with yourteam clothes.

But wait, there’s more! As an incentiveto wear team clothing, anyone who buys asticker for this event will be entered into aMarch Madness-style bracket. Winners willbe determined by a coin flip (a RalphManley silver dollar). The final two nameswill each win tickets to a SpringfieldCardinals game, and the winner will alsoreceive four hours of paid leave time. Thisevent is organized by Public Informationand the City Manager’s Office. For moreinformation contact Mike Brothers at 864-1119 or via e-mail.

Friday: Chili Lunch — Will be held from11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Busch Building lowerlevel. Cost will vary depending on what youbuy. This event is also organized byMerleene Knapton in BDS, 864-1059.

All week: Silent auction — Sharon Spainof Public Information and Barbara Lucksof Public Works are coordinating theauction. Photos of items will be posted onCityShare, and bids will be accepted via e-mail starting at 8 a.m. on Monday andending at 2 p.m. on Friday. A minimum bidof one dollar will be set for each item.

Bidding increments of at least 50 cents perbid will be accepted.

Participants may bid in person by simplywriting down their bid on the list for theappropriate items or they may choose tobid on an item by email sent tosspain@springfieldmo.gov. You can bidanonymously. Each day the highest bidsreceived by e-mail will post in the lobbyand on SharePoint by noon, and again by 5p.m., so participants can decide if theywant to increase their bid against thecompetition.

Items include a mountain bike, fourRivercut golf passes including cart,amathist diamond pendant and earring set,lunch with the City Manager, four hourspaid leave, parking spot for one month (12slots) any building.

For more information on the auction,contact Sharon at 864-1105 or via e-mail.

All week: Raffle sponsored by theFinance Department. It’s a jar full ofmoney donated by Finance employees, plusa coin sorter and a coin-counting jar.Tickets/chances are $1 each. Participantswill write their names on the tickets theypurchase and drop them into a locked box.The drawing for the winner will be at 3p.m. on Friday, in the Busch BuildingLobby. You will not need to be present towin. When you see how much money is inthe jar, you will want to buy more than oneticket!

� CARING from page 1.

Service Anniversaries35 yearsRobert Richardson Engineering Tech I Public Works – 09/22/75

30 yearsJulie Gimlin Street & Sewer ConstructionInspector Public Works – 09/22/80

25 yearsKen Henry License Inspector Finance – 09/23/85Gary Kellogg Chemist Public Works – 09/03/85

20 yearsWendell Farrand GIS Analyst Information Systems – 09/06/90Andrew Houser Fire Captain Fire – 09/10/90Philip Noah Fire Marshal Fire – 09/10/90Gary Reese Equipment Operator III Public Works – 09/10/90Sherry Royal Police Services Administrator Police – 09/10/90

15 yearsKevin FoxShawn Martin William Odom Fire Captains Fire – 09/11/95Thom Shaw Waste Water Video Technician Public Works – 09/01/95Dave Cron Video Specialist Public Information – 09/25/95David Moore Park Ranger Parks – 09/18/95John Vangorkom Todd Williams Firefighters Fire – 09/11/95Lawrence BessBradley DutoitJames LaneRobert Monier Fire Equipment Operators Fire – 09/11/95Jack EllisClint HuntJustin MerrittBrian Schafer Rescue & Salvage Specialists Fire – 09/11/95John Saunders 911 Telecommunicator Emergency Communications –09/23/95

Randy Morland Building MaintenanceCraftsworker Public Works – 09/12/95Michele Huntley Custodian Art Museum – 09/05/95

10 yearsDeb Fraley Accounting Technician Public Works – 09/20/00Linda Maddux Community Health Nurse Health – 09/27/00Mark Phillips Firefighter Fire – 09/24/00Dianne Wolf Clerical Assistant Municipal Court – 09/25/00

5 yearsAnna Algeo Police Officer Police – 09/27/05Olivia Hough Senior City Planner Planning and Development –09/18/05Ellis McCarty Traffic Technician II Public Works – 09/18/05Duke McDonald Assistant City Attorney IV Law – 09/26/05William Newlon Equipment Operator II Public Works – 09/06/05Kelly Page Traffic Controls Worker II Public Works – 09/03/05

Joy Stassel Nutritionist Health – 09/18/05Robert Taylor Aircraft Services Specialist Airport – 09/26/05

WelcomeMichael BinderJustin Caldwell Traffic Controls Workers I –Public WorksBeverly Nageotte Traffic Data Collector – Public WorksJohn Rainford Zoo Keeper – ParksGreg Shaufer Golf Course Worker – ParksRonnie Smith Maintenance Worker – Parks

PromotionsRuth Brown Public Health Nurse – Health Deann Reynolds Administrative Assistant –Public Works Diana RosdahlAngelia Merritt Community RecreationSupervisors – Parks

RetirementsMary Hethcoat Public Health Investigator Health – 21 yearsMernah Snow Health Program Assistant Health – 23 years

MILESTONES

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for saleKolcraft Cuddle ‘n Care Rocking Bassinet.Neutral colors. Used for 4 months, like new.Has four locking casters and easily convertsto a rocking base. Includes electronic toymobile, 3 tier canopy, storage spaceunderneath. $59. Call Mark at 894-7872.

Pack n’ Play for babies and toddlers. Greatcondition, serves as playpen and bed fortraveling or trips to grandparents’overnight. $35. Call Kathy at 881-2591 or619-5511.

Like new, full-size stroller. Light green withPooh design, paid $130. Will sell for $35.Call Kathy at 881-2591 or 619-5511.

DeWalt 12" Single Bevel Compound MiterSaw, model DW705. Great condition. $200.Call Chris at 862-7716 or email:cjakins@netscape.net

servicesNew Shop Open: Todd’s Cycle & AutoService, 3440 W. Division, Ste. I. We areright behind the Kum & Go. We service allmakes and models of motorcycles andautomobiles. Over 25 years experience. Lowlabor rates and reasonable prices. OpenMon-Sat. Come visit us or give us a call 865-3266.

Daycare in my home. SW Springfield.Great rates. Infant – 5 yrs. Call 885-1371 or496-3409.

Online Computers can handle viruses; databackup; consultation and installation of newhardware and software; and Wi-Fi for yourpersonal computer. Call Jason Hicks at 860-3008.

Professional powerwashing, guttercleaning, yard cleanup. Free estimates.Call John at 742-2347 or 766-1754.

Quilting Services. Long arm quilting,very reasonable rates. Would you like tohave a baby quilt made? How about a t-shirt quilt for a special grad? CallCarolyn at 830-6301, or e-mailltrsortr@netscape.net for quotes.

1 Jon Buxton PWRick Garner BDS

Sonja Hawkins PRKEd Malter PWSandra Pratt PRKEddie Stroud POLTeresa Wells HL

2 Charles Cullen PWMichael Lunsford POL

Eric Schroeder POLKevin Stephens PW

3 Phillip Jurgens PWRebekah Lanz PRK

Joshua McMullin POLDon Mihalevich PWJudy Woods HL

4 Sterling Jones PWNancy Laursen MC

Jennifer Meloy 911Kylie Schroeder PRKBrian Thompson FRSandra Wilson POL

5 Ken Harmon PRKJacob Hobbs PRK

Jeff Volkmer BDSWilliam Walters AIRScottie Wilson PW

6 Brian Adams HLJessica Creller PRK

Brandon Gates POLLeree Mays PRKWilliam Newlon PWNathan Paul PRKKyle Smith PRKLauren Smith PRK

7 Earlene Adams POLKenneth Browning POL

Paul Buescher AIRChristopher Countryman PWTony D'Andrea POLRobin Funkhouser PRKJacob Miller POLEric Rogers POLJamie Schmitt PRKJoseph Seastrom PRKCharles Steele PRKSharon Thomas POLBrenda Walter HL

8 Melissa Barton FNKerry Gorman PRK

James Jordan PRKRhonda Lewsader LAWChristopher Mann FRJaydean Miller WDLindie Pierce PRKNichole Plowman IS

Phillip Rolewicz FR

9 Hank Hopkins PRKGlenda Hudson FN

Matthew Iver POLJoshua McCarty PWStephanie McNiel PRKCharles Ritter MCEric Wester FR

10 Kyle Campbell POLVera Clemmons 911

Mark Clinkenbeard FRChristi Edwards BDSCaitlyn Greene HL

11 Thomas Beckenholdt FRCharles Essary HL

David Hatch POLDavid Pratt PRKCasey Quinn PWJames Sieber PWAaron Tummons PW

12 Alison Bickers PRKKathy Hardt CM

Paige Puryear 911Robert Reed PDVLinda Voris FR

13 Barbara Jones BDSDavid Manes PW

Christopher Germann PRKJessica Platowsky PRKAlma Price WDNancy Prine FNLisa Schlientz HLJerry Wine POL

14 John England POLJames Felin PRK

Andrea Kendrick PRKKatelin Langley PRKLisa Lee HLCarolyn Milne POLJacob Painter PRK

15 Dana Brandt 911Jason Dill PRK

Stuart Andress-Nolan PRKStephanie Elliott 911Susan McLeod PRKSherry Royal POLTimothy Wartick PRK

16 Michael Castrodale POLJacqueline Haynes POL

Evan Morrow PRKBrandy Osborn MCPatricia Schneider POLPatricia Schuman AIRJessica Sobieralski POLMichael Suter PWAlbert Tiller PW

17 Nellie Ball PRKCandace Beach PRK

Roger Chism PWJames Landolt PWRobert Legere HLAndrew McPherson POLKimberly Moore MCAmy Werland PDV

18 Elizabeth Durnall PRKHeidi Fowler PRK

Cassi Hilton HLDennis McMan PRKPaul Saitta PRKNicolas Waldron PWSharon Winklepleck PRK

19 Stacy Bergmann PWSteve Brawn IS

Ryan Huslig PRKMarti Reed PWMallory Schmitz PRKChristopher Teel 911

20 Katrina Dunn PRKSean Fox PRK

Tommy Irvine PWWilliam Odom FRBrian Phillips POLNancy Weems WDJerry Witt FRTerry Wyatt AIR

21 Julia Buchli HLShawn Clemens POL

Jonathan Edwards PRKDean Freeman PWChris Koester FRVaunda Logan MCDuane Mumm PWSue Murphy FNJeffrey Owings FREllen Painter PRKBeau Robinson PRKShaun Sigrest PWNicole Sinderman PRKGina Turner PRK

22 Danee Avery AIRLeah Kidwell HL

John Smith POL

23 Robert Friend POLSteven Hosiner POL

Zachary Hudson PRKErica Rens PRKBrian Smithson FR

24 Robin Alton HLRyan Bowling FR

Nancy Lucas PWMatthew Phillips ARTNancy Yendes LAW

25 Mike Brothers DPIRussell Hargrave FR

Aaron Jones MCWesley Long PRKRhonda Puetz HRJohn Saunders 911Zachary Schlup POLJessica Tidwell 911Misty Trent PRKLee Venning FRWayne Woods POL

26 Tyler Cole PRKPhyllis Dye HL

Gregory McKinney POLKathryn Plank PRKSusan Provance PRKRoxanne Sharp HLRichard Sowell PRKSandra Werbitzky PW

27 Cynthia Keltner HLTimothy Panique WD

28 Ryan Cox PRKHunter Durham PRK

Daniel Brockgreitens PRKDan Gerboth BDSKip McCubbin FRAlden Moore PRKMatthew Roberts ISMorris Skiles POLBarbara Swadley PRKBryan Wolford AIRJoseph Woods PRK

29 Channing Laird 911Robert McVay PW

John Schmitz AIRBrian Steen POLDavid Walker POL

30 Caitlin Carney PRKTari Redd 911

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS

Abbreviations911 Emergency Comm.AIR AirportART Art MuseumBDS Building Dev.CC City ClerkCM City ManagerEM Emergency Mgt.FN FinanceFR FireHL HealthHR Human ResourcesIS Info. SystemsLAW LawMC Municipal CourtOG Ozark GreenwaysPRK ParksPDV Planning & Dev.DPI Public InformationPOL PolicePW Public WorksWD Workforce Dev.

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Dozens of City employees contributed theirtime, effort and (in many cases) sweat for the 2010United Way Day of Caring event. The Day ofCaring sends local volunteers to numerous UnitedWay agency sites to help non-profit organizationsaccomplish tasks they otherwise do not have thetime or money to complete. The projects includedbuilding a fence, landscaping at a group home,washing vehicles, cleaning facilities, folding andmailing printed materials, reading to children andmuch more. Thank you to all of those who pitchedin this year!

Thompson, has likened the group’s role to afocus group with accountability andeducational components. The group can helpeducate the public on the more complexpoints of the sales tax funds, and can helpanswer the question, “Is the City living up tovoters’ expectations?” he said.

Mannix Decker also gave the group anoverview of the collection and distributionprocess for sales taxes in general. Generally,the City receives revenues about two monthsafter being paid by consumers. There areexceptions, depending on when businessesare required to pay their taxes. MannixDecker passed out a distribution schedulethat outlines how monthly, quarterly andannual reporters are determined based ontheir amount of taxable sales. In a calendarquarter, the City typically receives a largecheck (quarterly reporters), a medium-sizedcheck (monthly reporters) and a smaller one(those who are lagging behind in payments).

“There tends to be a lot of fluctuationmonth-to-month,” she said, saying the Citytries to focus on year-to-date numbersbecause this tends to smooth out over time.As a recent example, the City’s sales taxcheck July was up 16 percent, while theAugust check was down 8 percent. Suchswings, both up and down, are not unusual

from month to month.As the City moves through the process of

educating this committee about how thebudget works, we are also thinking hardabout ways to better communicate with thepublic and employees about the same thing.

The Finance Department will be askingthe committee to “help the City help itscitizens” by telling us what the mostconfusing aspects of the budget are, wherewe can better explain ourselves, and anythingelse we can do differently to make theprocess easier to understand for all.

That goes for employees, too. To that end,Finance is setting up a focus group ofemployees who will receive presentations onthe budget that are very similar to the onesbeing given to the Citizens Sales TaxOversight Committee. The group is made ofemployees who don’t necessarily deal withbudget numbers every day. Their job willagain be to help determine ways to betterexplain how the City’s budget and fundingwork.

Eventually, Finance would like to bringthe revised presentation to all employees whowould like to hear it. Look for moreinformation this winter as the budget processgets underway.

- Mike Brothers, Public Information

� OVERSIGHT from page 1.

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DAY OF CARING 2010

Scam alertSpringfield Police would like to warn

employees about the increasing number ofscams that are popping up on the Internetand through conventional mail.

Many scams include a letter to the victimwith an offer of cash, and sometimes anactual check in the victim’s name, with thepromise of more money available. All thevictim has to do is send money to coverincidental fees, or commission. In most casesthe original check sent to the victim is nogood though it may appear professionallyprinted.

People are also falling victim to loansharking over the Internet, often involvingcompanies overseas. The victim takes out aloan with very high interest. If the victimdefaults on the loan, which usually occurs,their family, friends or employers are harassedby the company demanding they contact thevictim to pressure him or her into paying offthe debt. The company usually requires thevictim to list family, friends and employertelephone numbers on the loan application.

Offers of money or reward that sound toogood to be true are usually a scam.

Photos by Chris Akins and Bruce Murrell, DPI

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

email mbrothers@springfieldmo.gov.

Randy LymanEnvironmental ComplianceOfficer, Public Works.Randy has worked for theCity for 38 and half years.

What is your earliest memory? Choosing my firstpuppy “Tippy” when I was about 1 ½ years old.

What was your first car? A $50 1953 Buick straight V-8two-door hardtop with a Dynaflow transmission; youcould ‘clutch’ to shift, or not! Wasn’t old enough tolegally drive so my Dad talked me into doubling mymoney and selling it for $100.

What are you most proud of? Hopefully making adifference in preserving and improving the local waterenvironment.

What won’t you eat? Parsnips!

In Brief Do You Know…?

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Feeding time The Ozarks chapter of the

American Association of Zookeeperswill hold a Fundraising Picnic from6-9 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 18, atDickerson Park Zoo. Events willinclude: Keeper Chats, animalfeedings, a silent auction and more.Cost is $5 per person; kids 5 andunder free. The ticket price includesfood. For more information, contact:Bethany Gates at 833-8591 or atozarksaazk@dickersonparkzoo.org.

Protect & ServeThe 2nd annual Protect & Serve

event to raise money for BigBrothers Big Sisters will be heldfrom 5-9 p.m., Friday, Aug. 20 atSpringfield Brewing Co. SpringfieldPolice Officers will be assisting thewait staff and serving tablesrequesting extra tips to help benefitthis great organization. Please helpSPD by coming out to eat dinner,and bring a couple of extra bucks tosupport BBBS.

Sales Tax updateThe City of Springfield’s August

2010 one percent sales tax checkfrom the Missouri Department ofRevenue is down 8.8 percentcompared to August 2009. Revenuecollected totaled $1,939,600 comparedto $2,128,719 in August 2009. Year-to-date, sales tax revenue for Fiscal Year2011 is 6.03 percent above theprevious year.

‘Know Your Parks’The August episode of the Park

Board’s “Know Your Parks” is nowairing on Mediacom ConnectionsChannel 22 and is also streamingonline at http://bit.ly/KYPAugust.This month’s show takes an extendedlook at Dickerson Park Zoo. Fromexhibit maintenance and continuedgrowth at the Zoo to the variousanimals and services its staff andvolunteers offer daily, go behind thescenes for it all.

“Know Your Parks” shows areavailable at 7 p.m., Fridays and 9 a.m.on Saturdays and Sundaysthroughout the month on MediacomChannel 22. The show also re-airs onCityView, Mediacom channel 80 and

80.1, the City’s government channelthroughout the month. Visitwww.springfieldmo.gov/cityview for amonthly schedule.

CityView accessProblems finding CityView on

Mediacom? With Mediacomswitching CityView, our governmentaccess video channel, from 15.1 to80.1 some viewers have experiencedproblems finding our programming.

Even those with set-top converterboxes viewing on channel 80 havenoticed problems as well. In theswitch from 15.1 to 80.1, a frequencymay have been changed. This mightaffect the signal you get in yourhome. This could require aMediacom technician to come toyour house. But there should not beany service call charges for this.

If you are having trouble viewingCityView on Mediacom, call them at888-847-6228. Mediacom is aware ofthe problem and should be able tofix it.

If you still have trouble, feel freeto call the Public Information Dept.at 864-1010 to report your concerns.And remember, you can find andwatch all CityView content via thewebsite, and much of it is availableon YouTube.

SharePointclasses available

Information Systems will holdthree CityShare/SharePoint TrainingClasses on the dates below. Classesare held from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. inthe Busch Lower Level ComputerTraining Lab. The first nineregistrations will be accepted foreach class.

To register online, go toCityShare and click on the Trainingtab at the top of the page, then lookfor this notice. For moreinformation, contact NicholePlowman at 864-1634.

•Monday, Aug. 23rd

•Monday, Oct. 4th

•Monday, Nov. 15th

Topics include: Lists, calendarsand tasks; document and picturelibraries; and using SharePoint withOffice.

The image above is part of the new look and brandingcampaign for the ¼-Cent Sales Tax for Capital Improvements. Signsvery similar to this one will replace the current 8-foot by 4-foot signsat intersections where ¼-cent projects take place or are proposed.(The MoDOT and Greene County logos will not appear on thefinished signs, and were used here only asan example.) At right is the new logo for the¼-cent program that could be used oneverything from smaller, yard-style signs toprinted materials to videos.

The images are designed to help thePublic Works Department raise the profileof these projects, and hopefully reinforcethe “brand” of the ¼-cent tax with voters.The goal is to help the community draw afurther connection between the tax and the projects it funds.

The signs were designed in-house by City staff and will beproduced in-house by the Public Works Sign Shop. Expect to see moreof them over the next few years as the 2010-2013 ¼-cent cycle getsunderway.

outstanding compliance records in the 2009 calendar year.NACWA recognized over 400 Peak Performance Awardfacilities during the Association’s Summer Conference.

It was the fourth year in a row that the SouthwestTreatment Plant received the Gold Peak PerformanceAward, which honors treatment works that have achieved 100percent compliance with their NPDES permit for an entirecalendar year. The Northwest Treatment Plant received theSilver Peak Performance Award, which recognizes less thanfive violations of its permit for the calendar year. TheSouthwest Treatment Plant had also received Silver PeakPerformance Awards in 2004 and 2005 and the Gold PeakPerformance Award in 2006, 2007 and 2008. The NorthwestPlant has received the Silver Peak Performance Award for2004, 2005, 2007 and 2009 with a Gold Peak PerformanceAward in 2008.

To: Police Chief Paul Williams

On July 2, I called the Police Department to report atheft of two diamond bridal sets from my store,Rosenbaum’s Jewelry. Officer Joseph Curry arrived, and all Iexpected was that he would write up a report, look at thevideo that I had of the thief, take the video with him andleave. Officer Curry did all that and more. He looked at thevideo several times gaining more information about what thethief looked like. Then he took fingerprints off the jewelrycase to see if he could be indentified and caught.

My brother and I found officer Joseph Curry to be acourteous and professional officer and in our opinion, acredit to the Springfield Police Department.

Sincerely, Walter S. and Lothar Rosenbaum

To: Parks Director Jodie Adams

We want to thank you and your staff for your help inmaking our June 12 Visitors Appreciation at Grant BeachPark a terrific success. Special thanks goes to Miles Park,Bob Nelson, Barbara McVey, Karen Herron and RobertUckele for their great help in this event. We had an officialcount of 908 visitors through our gate, but we know it wasmore because some slipped by and did not sign our registersheets.

Thanks again for making this our best day ever.

Bill HouserPresident, Railroad Historical Museum

To: Phil Broyles, Co-Interim Director of Public Works

I would like to recognize the Tree Department foroutstanding performance. On July 16, the Traffic Signalshop received an overnight call to respond to theintersection of Campbell and Bennett. A tree the size of asmall truck had fallen on the intersection’s traffic signal andcrushed the steel pole. Our team did not have the equipmentto dispose of the large tree, so we contacted the TreeDepartment to see if they would assist us.

Jeff Coover, Matt Dryer, and James Williams respondedimmediately. Our attempts to clear the intersection andmake it safe would not have been successful if it were not forthe efforts and teamwork displayed by the Tree Department.Please share with them our great appreciation for theirassistance and a pat on the back for a job very well done. Inaddition, please thank the night crew of the Service Centerfor bringing necessary equipment and assisting with thedismantling of the traffic pole.

It is an honor to serve with these men who arecommitted to the safety of our citizens.

Lennie PeterieSignal Operations CoordinatorPublic Works

To: Judge Todd Thornhill, Municipal Court

I would like to say thank you for the time that you give tothe Teen Court program. I am so grateful for the warmattitude that you have toward our volunteer attorneys andyouth. I appreciate the feedback that you give to theattorneys, while taking into consideration that they are stillyoung and learning. Your feedback and instruction is veryvaluable and impactful in their lives.

I receive many compliments from the attorneys on thenights that you are present and they appreciate yourenthusiastic energy and attitude. Speaking from a TeenCourt Coordinator viewpoint, I am very proud and pleasedthat you help represent our program.

Julie Hershberger MayfieldTeen Court and Juvenile Drug Court CoordinatorGreene County Juvenile Office

The City of Springfield’s Southwest and NorthwestWastewater Treatment Plant have been selected to receivePeak Performance Awards presented by the NationalAssociation of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), whichrecognizes public wastewater treatment facilities for their

scene8

Working with the Community( )Awards & Recognition

St. John’s Urgent Care Services

St. John's Urgent Care is a convenient alternative when your regular clinic is closed or you can't see your doctor as soon as you would like. Urgent

care is for non-emergency problems such as sore throats, ear infections,

minor burns, or cuts and bruises.

More serious injuries or illnesses are best treated at an emergency

department. Contact your primary care physician for chronic problems like

depression or diabetes. If possible, you should call your own doctor before seeking treatment at an urgent care clinic or elsewhere. Your doctor knows your medical history and can guide you to

the most appropriate place for care and can provide follow-up care after an urgent care visit.

St. John's Urgent Care clinics are staffed with experienced physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners.

Each urgent care is equipped with laboratory and diagnostic X-ray services. On-site pharmacy services are also

available at most locations. Urgent care patients are generally treated on a first-come, first-served basis. While every

attempt will be made to see you as quickly as possible, wait times will be based on the number of people seeking

care as well as the seriousness of their condition.

What if I'm not sure where to go?

You can always call one of our urgent care centers for advice. Just dial any urgent care clinic phone number below. Whether we're open or not, St. John's Nurse on

Call nurses are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 417-820-3182 to

answer your questions and help direct you to the appropriate place for care. They

can also help you find the St. John's Urgent Care closest to you and tell the staff

that you are coming.

What happens after I leave urgent care?

You will be advised about all follow-up procedures and notified about any abnormal

lab work or X-rays. A complete record of your treatment may also be sent to your

primary care physician, who can provide any necessary follow-up care.

When should I go to the emergency room?

Urgent care is not a substitute for emergency care. You should use a hospital's emergency department for very

serious or life-threatening problems. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, don't wait! Call 911 or get

to your nearest hospital emergency room:

Chest pain;

severe abdominal pain;

difficulty breathing or shortness of breath;

sudden dizziness, weakness or loss of coordination or balance;

sudden blurred vision;

numbness in the face, arm or leg;

sudden, severe headache;

deep cuts or bleeding that won't stop;

coughing up or vomiting blood;

severe burns;

seizures.

Emergency Room or Urgent Care?

Call St. John's Nurse on Call at 417-820-3182.

St. John’s Urgent Care Locations

Springfield

St. John's Urgent Care-Smith Glynn Callaway

3231 S. National, Springfield 65807 417-888-5666 Hours are Monday-Friday 7 AM to 9 PM Saturday & Sunday 9 AM to 7 PM

St. John's Pediatric Urgent Care-Smith Glynn Callaway

3231 S. National, Springfield 65807 417-885-0810 Hours are Monday-Friday, 5 PM to 9 PM Saturdays and Sundays 10 AM to 7 PM Please call for an appointment.

St. John's Urgent Care-W. Kearney

2120 W. Kearney, Springfield 65803 417-869-6191 Hours are Monday-Friday 8 AM to 9 PM Saturday 9 AM to 6 PM, Sunday Noon to 6 PM

Nixa

St. John's Urgent Care- Nixa

940 W. Mount Vernon, Nixa 65714 417-724-5280 Hours are Monday-Friday 5 PM to 8 PM Saturday & Sunday 9 AM to 7 PM

Monett

St. John's Urgent Care-Monett

315 Cleveland, Monett 65708 417-235-4334 Hours are Monday-Friday 5 PM to 9 PM Saturday 10 AM to 3 PM, Sunday Noon to 4 PM

Branson

St. John's Urgent Care-Branson

1065 Hwy 248, Branson 65616 417-337-5000 Hours are Monday-Sunday 8 AM to 6 PM

Lebanon

St. John's Urgent Care-Lebanon

(located in Lebanon Women's Center) 120 Hospital Drive, Lebanon 65536 417-533-6717 Hours are Monday-Friday 5 PM to 10 PM Saturday & Sunday Noon to 5 PM

Rolla

St. John's Clinic-Family Medicine and After Hours

1605 Martin Springs Drive, Rolla 65401 573-458-6350 Hours are Monday-Friday 8 AM to 8 PM Saturday & Sunday 8 AM to 4 PM