Hello Fellow Residents of Ward 6 and Happy New Year!
Here's to all the many blessings that 2010 holds in store. I do hope you had a wonderful holiday season. It continues to be my pleasure serving as your representative on the St. Charles City Council. I especially enjoy my involvement with the Senior Citizens Advisory Commission. We were busy last year having provided local workshop opportunities in the areas of Long-term Care and Medicare Part D. As always, we have a host of exciting things in store for St. Charles this year. Here are a few city-wide highlights for your easy reference:
. Allied Waste Contract -- effective January 1, St. Charles City residents now have access to single stream recycling thanks to the city's new contract with Allied Waste Services. Single stream recycling in St. Charles means residents will be able to recycle the following list of recyclable materials:
. Aluminum Cans, Trays and Foil
. Milk and Juice Cartons
. Steel Cans and Tins (including aerosol cans)
. Glass Bottles and Jars (clear, brown and green; no window glass, dinnerware or ceramics)
. Plastic Containers – plastics have an identifying code on the bottom of each container. Please refer to the website for additional details related to Code #1, Code #2, Code #3, Code #5 PP and Plastic Buckets.
For more information, please refer to the city's website at
www.stcharlescitymo.gov (news section); also please be sure to refer to program guidelines and additional recycling updates recently distributed via the City's 2009 calendar.
. Community Freedom Center -- based on the outcome of the August 5 special election, the city is moving forward in the planning of our new community center in collaboration with Show Me Aquatics & Fitness. This one-of-a-kind 125,000-square-foot center will be located on the former K-Mart site off Veteran's Memorial Parkway, adjacent to I-70. I am happy to report that St. Charles and Show Me Aquatics and Fitness are jointly building and managing our new facility. An oversight committee comprising of Mayor York and myself along with other members of the St. Charles City Council and Show Me's board of directors have been meeting regularly to flesh out the plans for this amazing, one-of-a-kind facility scheduled to open in 2010.
. Strategic Planning -- Famous Past, Fabulous Future is the coin phrase used to describe our city's current efforts to develop a long-range strategic plan. This effort involving a wide range of residents and business owners has taken a refined look at how we can make an already great city even better. This process that began some seven months ago is now coming to fruition. As a result, issue groups have submitted their findings and recommendations in ten focus areas, including:
. Transportation
. Riverfront
. City Services
. Economic Development
. Infrastructure
. Environmental Sustainability
. Arts & Culture
. Housing
. Recreation & Leisure
. Education
A final Town Hall meeting will be held later this quarter to reveal the initial strategic plan results, and all are welcome to attend and provide further input and feedback. If you are interested, please call the Strategic Planning Hotline at 636-255-6138. For a complete timeline associated with strategic planning, visit the city's website at
www.stcharlescitymo.gov and refer to Strategic Planning under the Residents tab.
And, in the event you're thinking St. Charles is all work and no play, don't forget to take advantage of our new iPod walking tour the next time you're on historic Main Street. Be sure to stop by the Greater St. Charles Convention & Visitors Bureau, 230 S. Main Street, and check out an iPod free of charge. This historical tour is one you won't want to miss, and it's an hour well-spent...I guarantee you'll learn something new about our city!
Census 2010......
On April 1, 2010 residents of the City of Saint Charles and across America will be participating in the 2010 United States Census. A complete and accurate Census count of St. Charles residents is critical if we are to maintain or improve upon our current level of Federal program funding. It is estimated that Missouri could lose $1 Million in Federal funds for every 100 residents not counted in the Census. An incomplete count could also affect Missouri Congressional Representation and future Federal funds allocated to our local government.
We want the City of Saint Charles to be the leading city in Saint Charles County for their percentage of resident representation in the Census. To learn more about the Census and how it effects you please go to http://2010.census.gov/2010census/ .
On SATURDAY, APRIL 10TH the city will celebrate Earth Day/Month by partnering with WITS foran all city Electronic Recycle day from 8:00-Noon. This event will be held in the St. Charles Arena Parking Lot (Northeast corner) All you have to do is drive up! Here’s what can be brought to this location for recycling:
WITS accepts EVERYTHING with a power chord, has a circuit board, takes batteries or gas including batteries and lawn equipment. All Computer related and household electronics accepted including phones, radio, televisions, cable boxes, and appliances
NO CHARGE FOR ITEMS dropped off with proof of city residence
We offer Tax Deduction & Hard Drive security/destruction
Paints, Tires, Household chemicals, furniture NOT accepted
As always, I look forward to hearing from you whether it's to express interest in a volunteer opportunity or to raise a question or concern that's on your mind. Please don't hesitate to call or drop me a line anytime.
Best wishes--
Jerry