May 2012 Message

This time of year is always filled with excitement for me.  We just completed the second year of the Cherokee County S.A.F.E. (Seatbelts Are For Everyone) Program.  Again this year we saw a great increase in our high school student seatbelt usage rates.  This program could not be the huge success it is without committed school administrators, teachers, students and our great sponsors - Mike Carpino Ford, Jay Hatfield Chevrolet, Labette Bank, Columbus Telephone Company, State Farm Insurance and the AAA of Kansas, KDOT, Kansas Trauma Program and the Kansas Traffic Safety Resource Office.

Because of our sponsors’ generosity, 10 Cherokee County high school students were awarded $100.00 gift cards as part of the grand prizes last week.

It is also exciting to see the happiness and well deserved pride of our high school seniors.  I'm sure that whatever they choose to do, whether go to college, a technical school or go right into the workforce, they will represent Cherokee County well.

I offer my congratulations and wishes for a successful future to all recent high school and college graduates!

I also want to extend my congratulations to those who worked hard on designating Kansas' portion of Route 66 as an historic byway.  There was a ribbon cutting earlier this month at Rainbow Bridge to mark the occasion.

This week we also will take time to reflect on the deadly tornado that struck our neighbors in Joplin, Missouri last year.

So many of you have given of your talents and monetarily, directly following the storm and even still today, in helping Joplin rebuild.  The deadly destruction was remarkable, but so is the response and resolve of everyone in making sure that Joplin comes back stronger and better than ever.

Finally, in a couple of weeks we will be celebrating Galena Days.  There has been a lot of positive progress in Galena lately, from the demolition of an old building at 7th and Main, construction of the new hospital and the revitalization of Main Street.

The Galena Fire Department always works hard on organizing and hosting the Galena Days Celebration.  I hope you'll be able to bring your families down for some entertainment come and help support the fire department!