City Weekly
St. Joseph, Missouri
City news & information....
Let’s Talk Turkey
December 23, 2015
www.stjoemo.info
Channel 19
(816) 271-5300
by Barbara Russell, Administrative Technician
Turkey is an American tradition for holiday meals. Along with the other wonderful staples of a traditional holiday meal, the turkey, in all its glory, is usually the centerpiece, resting on the table awaiting the person of honor
to begin the carving. But, wait... thanks to a presidential pardon, some gobblers will get a reprieve each year.
Several historical myths have surfaced over the years giving the nod to the president who ultimately saved the
turkey. From President Lincoln’s clemency in 1863, to Harry Truman’s “poultryless Thursdays” endeavors in 1947,
and President Kennedy’s, “Let’s keep him going” declaration in 1963. So... who does get the credit for the first official presidential pardon? The formalities of pardoning a turkey became official in 1989 when George H. W. Bush
quipped, “Reprieve,”“keep him going,” or “pardon”: it’s all the same for the turkey, as long as he doesn’t end up on
the president’s holiday table.*
Is turkey on your menu for the holidays? As you join your family around the dinner table, be prepared to talk turkey with the best
of them by knowing these tidbits about our “almost” national bird:
• Spanish explorers discovered turkeys in Mexico in 1571. Explorers carried them back to Europe, so the Pilgrims were familiar
with turkeys when they arrived in North America.
• Most of us will eat the meat of a domestic turkey.
• Domestic turkeys can’t fly or run very fast. They make more noise by gobbling than wild turkeys.
• The leading domestic turkey-producing states are North Carolina and Minnesota.
• In the early 1900s, there were only 30,000 wild turkeys in North America. Today, there are nearly 7 million. State and national
wildlife groups have worked to protect the bird and its habitat.
• Wild turkeys can hear very well, although they don’t have any ears that stick out.
• Turkeys see well during the daytime, but not at night. Their vision is three times more clear than 20/20. They see in color and
have a 270 degree field of vision.
• Wild turkeys can fly as fast as 55 miles per hour for short distances. They can walk as fast as 20 miles per hour.
• Male turkeys are “toms” or “gobblers.” Females are “hens.” Babies are “poults.”
• Poults eat berries, seeds and insects. Adults eat acorns, insects and small reptiles.
• An adult gobbler weighs 16 to 22 pounds on average, has a beard of modified feathers on his breast that reaches seven inches
or more long, and has sharp spurs on his legs for fighting. A hen is smaller, weighing around 8 to 12 pounds, and has no beard
or spurs. Both genders have a snood (a dangly appendage on the face), wattle (the red dangly bit under the chin) and only a
few feathers on the head.
• Turkeys have from 5,000 to 6,000 feathers. When he wants to show off to attract a mate, a tom turkey spreads out his tail feathers and struts.
• After a hen has mated, she starts looking for a place thick with plants so she can hide the shallow nest she scrapes out of the
ground.
• Wild turkeys are on the ground during the day and despite their large girth and weight, roost in trees at night.
John James Audubon knew birds. He was one of the best
artists ever to draw birds in natural, lifelike settings. It took
him many years to create his “Birds of America” folio. In the
folio were 435 watercolor images of 1,065 birds of 489 different species. The first bird in Audubon’s book was the
wild turkey. Audubon wrote, “The great size and beauty
of the wild turkey, its value as a delicate and prized article
of food render it one of the most interesting birds in the
United States.”
Whether you pardon the turkey this year, or enjoy your
holiday meal with the turkey as the main course, we wish
you a happy and healthy holiday with family and friends.
*Source: The White House Historical Association
Meet Our Newest Attorney
by Melissa Lawyer, Deputy City Attorney
I just wanted to take a minute and introduce myself to everyone here at the city. My name is Melissa Lawyer and
I am the new deputy city attorney. I am a St. Joseph native, having been born and raised here. I moved to Columbia, Missouri in the late 90s for college and fell in love with the city, so I stayed for eleven years - just enough
time to get three degrees and my first “real job.”
I have a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in finance and banking, a Masters
of Business Administration with an emphasis in management, and a Juris Doctorate, all from the University of
Missouri, Columbia. Go Tigers! In law school, I focused my studies on taxation law and received a Tax Certificate
from MU’s Tax Program. I was also very involved in the Board of Advocates and competed heavily in Mock Trials and Moot Courts,
enough so that I graduated with the Honors of Order of the Barrister. My first legal job out of law school was with the State of Missouri, specifically with the General Counsel’s Office of the Missouri Department of Revenue, where I worked in the income tax unit,
focusing my practice on the litigation of State Corporate Income Tax and Franchise Tax matters.
In 2008, my husband, Jeff, and I decided it was time to move closer to family, so we evaluated St. Joseph and St. Louis (his hometown), and, ultimately, I won so here we are. I spent the last six and a half years working for the local office of Legal Aid of Western
Missouri where I was a staff attorney dedicated to serving an 18-county region in areas such as child custody and divorce cases for
victims of domestic violence and vulnerable populations, child and adult guardianships, abandon housing and quiet title actions,
unemployment appeals (both administratively and appellate court level), utility disputes, and consumer fraud.
I really enjoyed my time there and built some amazing relationships. However, I strongly believe we should never stop striving
to learn new things and that change can be very rewarding, so, here I am. On the personal side, as I mentioned, I am married. My
husband’s name is Jeff Lawyer and, yes, he is a lawyer too. We are on the receiving end of jokes about this, so please feel free to hit
me with your best shot! We have two wonderful children, a son who is 8, and a daughter who is 4. They keep our mornings, nights
and weekends hopping and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
I believe strongly that we only have one life to live and one world to live it in, so we better make the most of it while we are here.
I also believe that the best way to do that is to commit ourselves to improving the world in which we live and that can only be
accomplished by getting out there and getting involved. Therefore, I currently serve as the vice chair on the Board of Directors for
Family Guidance Center, Cathedral Early Childhood Center’s advisory board, Bessie Ellison’s Parent Teacher Association’s board, the
Board of Directors for Northwest Missouri Children’s Advocacy Center, the advisory board for Legal Aid of Western Missouri, and I
am a sustaining member of the Junior League of St. Joseph.
I have sincerely enjoyed getting to know some of you already and look forward to meeting many others! Thank you all for going
out of your way to welcome me to the city; just forgive me if learning everyone’s names and roles takes me a bit of time.
Pet Friendly
by Bill Lamar, Training Officer
Firefighters take pride in helping folks however and whenever possible. This can be a simple lift-assist call or a
life and death emergency. During those dire emergencies, the crews often come across pets in danger. If we find
or rescue a family pet, the animal is frequently found to be injured or overcome
by smoke. Trying to help an injured or scared animal with equipment made for
a human is difficult. The crews do their best until Animal Control & Rescue can
be called.
An estimated 500,000 pets are affected by fires each year in the United States. More than 40,000
of our family pets die from smoke inhalation alone (according to The Fetch Foundation). Recent
donations from a local veterinarian and also from a former resident have improved the equipment that we can use to assist the citizens’ pets.
The Fido Bags were donated to the fire department for use with injured pets. The bags include
supplies for safe handling of animals and also basic supplies for their injuries.
The main feature is a specialized snout oxygen mask that fits most pets. This
mask allows crews to attach the mask to our oxygen tanks and help revive a
pet in trouble.
Firefighters are pet owners too. We realize that families and individuals become very attached to their pets. Most consider them to be a member of the family! During an emergency,
life-safety of our citizens and visitors has always been and will continue to be our top priority. When residents
are safe and the conditions allow, then we can check on the pets. It is during this time that we have the chance
to use our equipment and try to save a pet.
These unique kits will offer an additional set of tools for our members to care for the animals and hopefully reunite them with their
owners.
What’s Happening?
City departments at a glance...
City Manager’s Office...
Our best wishes to everyone for a happy holiday
with family and friends. Our thanks to many of you
who work during this holiday to provide important
services to the public.
Administrative Services...
Wishing you and your families a Merry Christmas and
Happy New Year!
Public Works & Transportation...
• Earthwork activities are anticipated to begin this
week at Hyde Park by the landfill division staff.
• Street maintenance has approximately 6,000 tons
of salt mixed and ready to use. Over last year’s
snow season, St. Joseph received 16” of snow,
which cost $18,000 per inch to remove.
Health Department...
WIC breastfeeding peer counselors presented
MERIL with a certificate for becoming a silver
level Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite on December 9. Congratulations to MERIL!
Parks, Recreation & Civic Facilities...
Hundreds of children and adults enjoyed the festivities at
the Mayor’s Annual Christmas Party recently held at the
Bode Ice Arena. Guests enjoyed a program provided by
the figure skating club, free skating, snacks and, of course,
Santa.
Police Department...
• The police department congratulates captain
Jonathan Beaver and officer Dave Lloyd on their
retirement.
• Please drive safely through the holidays and
remember to use seatbelts!
Planning & Community Development...
Last week, property maintenance crews completed
seven weed, seven trash, one rank growth and one brush
abatement. They secured four dangerous structures.
Fire Department...
Congratulations to Rick Rainez on his promotion to captain and Daniel Cordonnier on
his promotion to driver engineer. Both are
assigned to Station 8.
Money, Money, Money Did You Know?
A bill amending the Community Development
Block Grant (CDBG) Fund budget in the amount
of $717,728, to roll forward prior year unspent
Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) Grant
funding for St. Joseph Habitat for Humanity to
develop an affordable housing project at 14th
and Duncan Streets.
Your Tax Dollars
at Work
• Benjamin Franklin admired the wild turkey so much
that he thought it should be our national bird.
• The city’s new deputy city attorney is named Melissa
Lawyer. Her husband is Jeff Lawyer. Yes, he is a lawyer
too. So many lawyers...
• According to the National Fire Protection Association, almost 1,000 fires annually are started by a
homeowner’s pet.
Creature Feature
Robin is a beautiful, 6-year-old
Pointer mix who is a little shy
and nervous. She is looking for a
quiet home that can provide lots
of love and training to help her
adapt to her new environment.
Robin would cost approximately
$120 to make a part of your
family (adoption, heartworm,
fecal, microchip, vaccinations,
registration, spay and fecal
testing).
Brick laying for the screen building for the Faraon Street Pump
Station, which is scheduled to be completed Spring 2016.
For information call 271-4877
Hours of operation:
Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 1-5:30pm
Wednesday 1-6:30pm
Friday & Saturday 1-4:30pm
Property Maintenance Update
1918 North 3rd Street
A notice was sent to the owner
of 1918 North 3rd Street to
remove all buckets, trash bags,
plastic pieces, etc. Upon reinspection, the owner had not
complied so the property was
placed on a work order, cleaned
by our work crew and a bill sent
to the owner.
BEFORE
AFTER
To Your Health
Shop Healthy Without Breaking the Bank
Better food on a budget
(HealthDay News) -- Healthy eating doesn’t have to dent
your wallet. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics suggests how to buy healthier fare on a budget:
• Check coupons and flyers for lean meat, produce, lowfat dairy and other staples that are on sale.
• Your grocery list should focus on whole, fresh foods
while avoiding packaged and prepared foods.
• Plan a menu that allows you to use ingredients several
times to keep your list short and avoid waste.
• Shop for seasonal fresh produce, or opt for frozen varieties without added sugar or salt.
• Buy in bulk on sale to use in multiple recipes. Incorporate dried beans and whole grains for nutrition at
a lower price.
• Use the most perishable ingredients, such as fish, early
in the week to prevent spoilage and waste.
Public Safety Corner
Holiday Safety
The Christmas tree has been decorated and wrapped
presents placed underneath it. And, now all of that is
in plain sight of people walking down the sidewalk.
Decorating for Christmas is something people look
forward to all year long. Unfortunately, there are people
who want to ruin your enjoyment by taking your presents.
The holidays are a time to use extra caution to protect your
property. Consider moving your tree to an area where
outside visibility is limited or shut the curtains, especially
when you are gone. Be extra cautious that doors and
windows are securely locked when you leave.
Once the presents are opened, it is a good idea to record
serial numbers and mark the item in a way that only you
will know where it is marked and how. Do not place empty
boxes along the curb for trash pickup that advertizes what
you got for Christmas, i.e. 52” TV or Samsung stereo – you
never know who might be in the market for that item.
It’s also the time of the year when various organizations
will be asking for donations. There is a lot of need around
the holidays. As with online shopping, stick with charities
you know and what you can verify.
As always, be cautious of social media and talking about
those parties you will be attending or what gifts you
received.
Parks, Recreation
& Civic Facilities
Snowy Owl
Pine Cone
What: Snowy Owl Pine Cone Craft
Where: Remington Nature Center
1502 MacArthur Drive
Phone: 816-271-5499
Website: www.stjoenaturecenter.info
When: Saturday, December 26 1-3pm
Cost: $3 for Adults
$2 for Seniors 60+
$1 for Youth aged 4-15 *
Kids 3 and under free *
*accompanied by an adult
Make an adorable Snowy Owl with a pine cone and cotton balls!
Participants can also work with others to complete the monthly
scavenger hunt to search for nature center pine cones. Activities
are included in the cost of admission. All children should be accompanied by an adult. For more information, call the nature center or go to www.facebook.com/RemingtonNatureCenter.
JRP Senior
Center
Weekly
Cafeteria
Menu
Located at 100 South 10th Street - St. Joseph, MO
CAFETERIA HOURS: Tuesdays - Fridays from 11am-12:30pm
CAFETERIA OPEN TO ALL AGES
Meal is $5 Includes entree, two sides, bread, and coffee or tea
December 29-January 1
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday Friday
Cafeteria Closed
Cafeteria Closed
Cafeteria Closed
Cafeteria Closed
January 5-8
Tuesday
Country Fried Steak
Wednesday
Taco Casserole
Thursday Chicken Pot Pie
FridayTenderloin
Menu Subject to Change
Groups of 7 or more, call for reservations.
Get Connected
DATE
TIME
City of St. Joseph public meeting information ...
EVENT
LOCATION
December 24
City offices closed for holiday
Landfill open 7am-Noon, REC open 6am-Noon
December 25
City offices closed for holiday
January 1, 2016
City offices closed for holiday
January 4
7pm
City Council Meeting
Council Chamber, 3rd floor City Hall
City Job Opportunities
Visit www.stjoemo.info for more information ...
POSITION
WAGE
DEPARTMENT
DEADLINE TO APPLY
Nature Center Educator Part-time
$16.43 Hourly
Parks, Recreation & Civic Facilities
December 27, 2015
Sewer Maintenance Laborer
$12.27 Hourly
Public Works & Transportation
December 27, 2015
Building Maintenance Technician - Sr Ctr $13.01 Hourly
Parks, Recreation & Civic Facilities
January 3, 2016
Recreation Programs & Facilities Coord.
$14.62 Hourly
Parks, Recreation & Civic Facilities
January 3, 2016
Recreation Programs & Facilities Super.
$18.46 Hourly
Parks, Recreation & Civic Facilities
January 3, 2016
Special Events & Comm. Coordinator
$16.43 Hourly
Parks, Recreation & Civic Facilities
January 3, 2016
Fitness Class Instructor - REC Part-time
$15 Hourly
Parks, Recreation & Civic Facilities
Continuous
Firefighter
$31,233 Annually
Fire
Applications taken year-round
Police Officer
$17.60 Hourly
Police
May 31, 2016
Firefighter
$31,233 Annually
Fire
Applications taken year-round
Seasonal City Job Opportunities
Visit www.stjoemo.info for more information ...
POSITION
WAGE
DEPARTMENT
DEADLINE TO APPLY
Referee - Adult Volleyball
$10-$15 Hourly
Parks, Recreation & Civic Facilities
February 28, 2016
Aquatic Coordinator
$13.50-$15 Hourly
Parks, Recreation & Civic Facilities
August 1, 2016
Headguard
$9-$10.50 Hourly
Parks, Recreation & Civic Facilities
August 1, 2016
Lifeguard
$10.50-$11.50 Hourly
Parks, Recreation & Civic Facilities
August 1, 2016
Informational Segments
Current video segments running on Channel 19 ...
TOPIC
DEPARTMENT
Combined Sewer Overflow
Public Works & Transportation
Get Connected
• Channel 19 •
General
Hike & Bike Trail Etiquette
General
St. Joseph Avenue Bike Lane
General
Around Town...
Take advantage of what our community has to offer ...
DATE
TIME
EVENT
LOCATION
December 26
1-3pm
Snowy Owl Craft
Remington Nature Center
December 27
8am
Midwest Showdown Youth Wrestling Tournament
Civic Arena
December 29
9am, 2pm
Bike Safety Training
Civic Arena
The Volunteers Dance
JRP Senior Center
Final night of Holiday Park and South Pole
Krug Park, Hyde Park
Down Home Country Band
JRP Senior Center
Friday Fish Feeding
Remington Nature Center
Down Home Country Band
JRP Senior Center
St. Joseph Sport Show
Civic Arena
Friday Fish Feeding
Remington Nature Center
St. Joseph Sport Show
Civic Arena
Flurry of Snowflakes Craft
Remington Nature Center
January 2, 2016
7pm
January 3
6-10pm
January 5
7pm
January 8
10:30am
January 12
7pm
January 15
2-7pm
January 15
10:30am
January 16
10am-6pm
January 16
1-3pm
January 16
3:30-5:30pm National Skating Month Open House
Bode Ice Arena
Klasik Kuntry Musik Band
JRP Senior Center
11am-4pm
St. Joseph Sport Show
Civic Arena
January 21
6pm
Harlem Globetrotters
Civic Arena
January 22
10:30am
Friday Fish Feeding
Remington Nature Center
January 23
9am-5pm
St. Joseph Gun & Knife Show
Civic Arena
January 24
4-9pm
St. Joseph Gun & Knife Show
Civic Arena
January 27
4-9pm
Red Cross Lifeguard Training
MWSU Indoor Pool
January 29
10am-8pm
KQ2 Farm & Ag Show
Civic Arena
January 27
4-9pm
Red Cross Lifeguard Training
MWSU Indoor Pool
January 30
9am-4pm
KQ2 Farm & Ag Show
Civic Arena
January 16
7pm
January 17
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City Directory
St. Joseph 2014 - 2018 City Council
Mayor’s Office
City Council
City Manager’s Office
City Attorney
City Clerk
Administrative Services
Finance & Revenue
Human Resources
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Purchasing
Utility Billing
Fire Department
Health Department
Animal Control & Rescue
Birth/Death Certificates
Parks, Recreation & Civic Facilities
Bode Sports Complex
Civic Arena
Fairview Golf Course
JRP Senior Center
REC Center
Remington Nature Center
Sports Information Line
Planning and Community Development
Planning & Zoning
Property Maintenance
Police Department
Public Works & Transportation
Landfill
Recycling Center
Rosecrans Memorial Airport
Street Information Line
Street & Sewer Maintenance
Transit
Water Protection
Mayor Bill Falkner
(816) 271-4640 • [email protected]
Deputy Mayor Pat Jones, District I
(816) 244-6229 • [email protected]
Ken Beck, Councilmember-At-Large
(816) 273-3108 • [email protected]
Donna Jean Boyer, Councilmember-At-Large
(816) 279-5259 • [email protected]
Kent O’Dell, Councilmember-At-Large
(816) 341-4502 • [email protected]
Joyce Starr, District II
(816) 244-3906 • [email protected]
PJ Kovac, District III
(816) 261-2934 • [email protected]
Gary Roach, District IV
(816) 341-4506 • [email protected]
Barbara LaBass, District V
(816) 233-9838 • [email protected]
Department Directors
Bruce Woody
City Manager
271-4610
Gia Scruggs
Administrative Services
271-5526
Bryan Carter
City Attorney
271-4680
Mike Dalsing
Fire271-4603
Debra Bradley
Health271-4636
Chuck Kempf
Parks, Recreation & Civic Facilities
271-4702
Chris Connally
Police271-4702
Clint Thompson
Planning & Community Development 271-4827
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271-4640
271-4730
271-4610
271-4680
271-4730
271-5526
271-5526
271-4670
271-4686
271-4696
271-4773
271-4603
271-4636
271-4877
271-4636
271-5500
271-5352
271-4717
271-5350
271-4666
271-5512
271-5499
271-5503
271-4827
271-4827
271-5342
271-4702
271-4653
253-1120
232-4401
271-4886
271-4699
271-4848
233-6700
271-4693
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Phone...
271-5300
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