Mortimer files for 4th Ward

Paula Mortimer has filed for the 4th Ward City Council seat. The filing deadline of noon today passed, and with the current filings, there will be no need for a primary.

Craig files for re-election

2nd Ward City Councilmember Terry Craig has filed for re-election. The deadline for filing is noon tomorrow.

December Unemployment Rates

According to information received from Sumner County Economic Development, unemployment continues to slowly decline as indicated by the December 2009 statistics. It is still worrisome however as Sumner County is tied in 8th place for having the highest unemployment of the 105 counties in the state. Kansas unemployment rate is 6.3% while Sumner County comes in at 8%.

Brand files for First Ward

John Brand has filed for 1st Ward Council seat and will be running against incumbent Richard Granger. As far as I'm aware, there is still no candidates for 4th Ward. Filings thus far include John Brand and Richard Granger for 1st Ward, Chase Weber for 2nd Ward, and myself for Third Ward. There is still time to file before the filing deadline at noon, Tuesday the 26th.

Derailment cleanup underway

Cleanup after UP Derailment on Vandenburg is finally underway. The grain cars have been removed from the site as of today. There is still metal debris to be picked up, and UPRR promised they would repair the City's right of way along Vandenburg. The derailment occurred in early November, and after two self-imposed deadlines past without action, Council members voiced their concern about the hazards and the slow cleanup process.

Council filings

So far, Richard Granger has filed for re-election in 1st Ward (north and northeast), Chase Weber has filed for 2nd Ward (east and southeast), and I myself filed for re-election in 3rd Ward (south and southwest). There is still time to file...for more information, visit www.johntracy.net.

Trash rate increases

In addition to increases in landfill rates and monthly pickups, citizens should take note there is now a limit on the number of trash containers you can have. For the monthly sanitation collection charge, the City will pickup two polycarts or four 45-gallon trash cans. If you have more, additional charges of $5.00 per yard will be applied.

Filing deadline nears

The deadline for filing for City Council positions is less than two weeks away. Four seats will be open...one in each of the four Wards. Filing applications must be submitted by January 26th at noon. For information on the open seats as well as downloadable forms, visit the City website at http://www.cityofwellington.net/news/City_of_Wellington/article234.html. Henrik Ibsen once said, "A community is like a ship; everyone ought to be prepared to take the helm."

WDN has remodeled their website

The Wellington Daily News has a great new website. Check it out at http://www.wellingtondailynews.com/homepage.

Mark Your Calendar

My next Neighborhood Meeting is January 18, 6:30p.m. at the Steakhouse. The next Regular City Council meeting is on Tuesday, January 19, 6:30p.m. at City Hall. Hope to see you there.

Electric Ordinance changes

The City Council, at their January 5 meeting, passed changes to the Electric Ordinance that establishes rates for service. Contrary to recent new articles, electric rates for City customers will not be increasing.
The electric rates for rural customers will be increasing 20%, about $10 per month for the average user. And commercial and industrial definitions have been more clearly defined to correct some differences in how we charge electricity to the commercial users.
Probably the biggest difference you will see is that the City will no longer be averaging the Power Costs over a 12 month period. This was a policy that started a few years ago to try to level out the electric costs for the customer. Instead, the power costs will be averaged over a 3 month period...the result, you will see higher bills in the summer and fall months, but lower bills in the winter and spring months...like it used to be. This was the result of concerns aired by the City Auditor because we we're deferring the cost of electricity beyond fiscal years.
I was assured however that this "averaging" will not affect the Level Pay Plan customer. Out of over 4700 utility customers, only 280 take advantage of the Level Pay Plan.

Skate Park meeting held

I attended the Skate Park meeting held at City Hall last Wednesday. About 20 people showed and gave their thoughts and opinions. Public Works Director Jeremy Jones did a great job facilitating the meeting...input was received from the skaters as to what they would like to see when the park is constructed. The park will be located on Ash Street where the old Girl Scout house once sat behind the old Jr. High. Initially, it will be 60 feet by 90 feet, but additional monies are scheduled in the Capital Improvement Plan for expansion in future years. Thanks also to Park Department Director Roy Kabeurek and Park Board Members Dwyer and Janney for taking time out of their schedules to attend.