Summer fun, landlord association and other news from Scott City

Well, the rainfall finally quit. Scott City made it through with little damage. We did lose our entry road to our lagoon due to the rain, but we have rebuilt it. Unfortunately, a lot of our Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois neighbors didn't fare so well. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the many individuals and communities that sustained extensive damages. I think it's time to define what a 100-year rainfall really is.

* Scott City is moving forward with our Ramsey Creek Bridge and road project. You should see some improvements to the north outer road soon, weather permitting.

* The park will be holding the annual Summerfest June 2, 3 and 4 at the Scott City Park. Thursday activities include Marcy Lynn's Music and Teen Challenge Choir. Thursday is $12 bracelet night for rides. Friday night will be the Little Mr. & Miss Pageant at 6:30, ages 4 to 6 and the Miss Summerteen Pageant at 7:30, ages 14 to 18. The washer throwing contest is at 7 p.m. and adult karaoke is at 8 p.m. Saturday will be the finale with a Tae Kwon Do Demo at 4 p.m. The talent show will start with the junior division at 5 p.m. and the senior division at 6 p.m. followed by the dance party. Fireworks will be at 10 p.m.

* The Kiwanis, along with the park, will be sponsoring SCIPP, which will conduct a six-week day camp. The camp will be June 20 through July 29. It is open to children ages 7 to 13. Several field trips are planned and daily workshops will be conducted throughout the six-week period. Further details concerning the SCIPP day camp can be acquired at city hall or by calling 264-2157, or you can log on to www.scottcityscipp.com for more information. My hat is off to the SCIPP committee for their perseverance and commitment to helping the children in our area.

* Speaking of our children, I encourage all of you to invest in some quality time with a child. Whether it is playing ball, fishing, hunting or just spending time doing what they enjoy, these children are our future and they are impressionable in their young years. It seems we, including myself, get busy at work and cannot find the time to share with our children or grandchildren. Even if you don't have children or maybe they are grown and not around, you can volunteer to help shape young people's lives whether it is through volunteering at schools, churches or helping with programs similar to the day camp SCIPP will be holding.

* We recently modified the ordinance pertaining to the number of animals allowed at one residence. It is and has been a total of three dogs over 3 months old, and the new ordinance will allow a total of three cats over the age of 3 months. If you have any questions concerning this ordinance change you can call city hall. The ordinance will be proposed at the June 2 meeting.

* Many of our neighbors, including Cape Girardeau, have been visiting the idea of rental property inspections. Scott City has been researching and discussing the idea for over a year now. The Scott City Landlord Association was formed consisting of landlords from the Scott City area. They have met several times to try to come to a uniform agreement as to how Scott City rental property standards can be improved and monitored to assure the renters a good, clean and safe place to live.

We are moving forward to rid our town of substandard properties which are unfit to occupy. With the improvement of the landlords' properties, there will be an increase in their revenue.

The landlord association has not been received by some of the landlords. The majority of those not participating own and operate the substandard rental properties in our town. Some are fixable and with a little effort could be made into nice properties.

I applaud the concerned landlords who attempted to unite all of the area landlords so that the city would not have to implement rental property inspections. I will, in the near future, ask the council to revisit the inspection plan. In the meantime, we will continue to enforce our substandard building ordinance.

* A Memorial Day service will be held at 11 a.m. on May 30 at Lightners Cemetery. Darren Sides will be the guest speaker.

* Our fiscal year ends in June, so our department heads and city administration will begin the process of finalizing the proposed 2011-2012 budget. Wish us luck.

Thank you to all of those who have unselfishly served Scott City. Council members, boards, committees and coaches, we couldn't do it without you.

Tim Porch is the mayor of Scott City.