Hello and Happy New Year!
I trust you had a blessed holiday season. I can't believe we're already in the throws of the New Year. As always, we have a host of exciting things in store for St. Charles in 2009. Here are a few highlights for your easy reference:
. 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/ .
. Bicentennial Celebration -- as you may know, this year St. Charles will celebrate the 200th anniversary of the city's 1809 incorporation. A planning committee comprised of some 25 people are currently in the process of finalizing event ideas, including related dates, times and places. The celebration will begin March 27 with a Bicentennial costume ball at the Foundry Art Centre. Those attending will be invited to wear clothing symbolic of the passing of time from then until now. Other key events will center around the city's actual incorporation date on October 13. The key is that the anniversary will be all about the city, its residents and business owners. For more information, please refer to a recent article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
. 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. For more information, please call 636-255-6142.
. Holiday Inn Express -- in early 2009, we will have the good fortune to welcome Holiday Inn Express & Suites to Ward 8. Located at 3970 Elmpoint Industrial Drive, this new facility will be equipped with 74 guest rooms, 8 handicapped rooms and two meeting rooms. In addition, the Halls Ferry Inn Restaurant will open adjacent to the hotel, plus there are several other restaurants and business establishments within walking distance. At this writing, the hotel is currently under roof and, if interested, you may call directly for more information at 636-947-0330.
. Air Products -- speaking of good fortune in our Ward, we also have the folks at Air Products of Lehigh Valley, PA building a new production facility at Fountain Lakes Commerce Center. Air Products will invest $27 million in their new building, land purchase and related equipment; they selected 12 acres in Fountain Lakes off New Town Blvd. for their new facility. Phase 1 of the project will include a 98,047 square foot building and some 55 jobs with starting wages at $40,800. Phase II will incorporate a 171,790 square foot facility adding an additional 45 jobs in the pipeline. The Millstone Company is the owner/developer of Fountain Lakes. Korte Construction, the building contractor on the project, is slated to have Phase I completed by mid 2009, with Phase II of the new plant to be on-stream in early 2010.
. Strategic Planning -- Famous Past, Fabulous Future is the focus behind our city's current efforts to develop a long-range strategic plan. These ongoing activities involving a wide range of residents and business owners has taken a closer look at how we can make an already great city even better. This process that began more than 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
Stay tuned for more information as the next Town Hall Meeting to present the executive summary of our forthcoming Strategic Plan will be held at the St. Charles Convention Center from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, February 28. If you are interested in further details, please feel free to call the Strategic Planning Hotline at 636-255-6138.
It continues to be my honor and pleasure serving you in Ward 8. I hope you won't hesitate to call or drop me a line if there's anything I may do to assist you throughout the course of the year. All the best--
Mike