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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFALLVol. 3, No. 4 Fall 2008 MUNICIPAL ELECTION 2008 RESULTS By Sally Maio, MMC, City Clerk On November 4, 2008, Richard H. Gillmor and Jim Hill were elected to two year terms on Sebastian City Council, and were sworn into office at a Special Meeting held on Monday, November 10, 2008. Following the seating of the new Council, Richard Gillmor was elected Mayor and Jim Hill was elected Vice Mayor. The one year terms of Mayor and Vice Mayor are elected by the members of Council following each annual election. Remaining in office for the second of their two year terms from 2007 are Council Members Andrea Coy, Dale Simchick and Eugene Wolff. The next annual election will take place on November 3, 2009 for three seats. Questions specific to City of Sebastian General Elections can be directed to City Clerk, Sally Maio at 388 -8214 or smaio@cityofsebastian.org. Any questions relating to voter registration and precincts should be directed to Supervisor of Elections for Indian River County, Kay Clem at 567 -8187. NATURAL RESOURCES BOAR[ The Natural Resources Board was created in 2007 by joining the Tree & Landscape Advisory Board with the Temporary Environmental Committee. The blending of these two boards has created a group that goes out and works in the community to assist with educational topics, conducting events for citizens, clean up areas to benefit the environment as well as enhancing habitat of endangered species. Examples of their work are the eradication of Brazilian Pepper trees and potato vines at the new Periwinkle Stormwater Park to restore habitat for Gopher Tortoises, as well as recommending the planting of new trees at the park. Another project was holding their annual Champion Tree Day. This is a day where they encourage citizens to plant trees and protect the trees that they have. The event was held on Saturday, November 15th at City Hall. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Murphy, of Coverbrook Lane, were honored at the event with a proclamation for having a Champion Live Oak tree they call "Annie Oakley" Earth Day is an- other event that the Board has Lu become involved with. The 2009 event will be held on Saturday, April 18th in Riverview Park. The free event will provide an opportunity for citizens to mingle with earth friendly vendors and learn about the various methods to protect our planet's resources. Members: Ginny Koerner, Lynn AIbury, Jim Slattery, Todd Klitenic, Cynthia Schuster, Robin Graves, Ken Grudens, Scott Nelson and Barbara Salmon. DEPARTMENT HIGHLIGHT: SEBASTIAN ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT The City Engineering Department provides support services for City departments and projects under the overall direction and guidance from the City Manager. Its functions include participation in project management on selected City projects; inspections related to stormwater drainage, streets and roads, and traffic signage and markings; review of site plans; permitting of work activities in the City's right-of-ways; and numerous miscellaneous assignments that arise on a continuous basis. The Engineering Department also provides oversight of daily operations of the City's Sign Shop, providing installation and maintenance of the City's traffic signage and markings in close collaboration with the City's Police and Growth Management departments. The Engineering Department's job is not to make City policy but rather to assist in the implementation of City policy and projects in collaboration with other City departments and staff. Toward that end, a major facet of the Engineering Department's ongoing operations is Issue Identification; y that is, identifying and helping to investigate issues arising having to do with projects, traffic, streets and roads, stormwater, utilities services, permitting, and related matters. - This important Issue Identification function is continuous and ongoing and is assisted greatly by the input from residents, property owners, contractors, and all citizens and stakeholders. The Engineering Department therefore welcomes constructive communications at all times from any sources seeking answers to pertinent questions, offering ideas and _suggestions. or_j_ust —p iding_heads -up information and comments. The Engineering Department deals with all such contacts on a "soonest" basis, drawing in other City staff and departments as may be called for in providing a timely response to any such communications. The Engineering Department may be contacted in several ways: Through the City Hall Main Switchboard at 772- 589 -5330. Through the Engineering Department Direct Line at 772 -589 -5490. Please note that many times no one will be available in person to immediately take your call in which case you will be connected to a voicemail system to allow you to leave a message. If so, please be sure to leave your name and return contact information and, to be helpful, the nature of your call (including street address if relevant). The Engineering Department responds to all such calls on a "soonest" basis. By email directly to any of the following email addresses: dfisher@cityofsebastian.org (Dave Fisher is City Engineer) gsieferd @cityofsebastian.org (Ginny Sieferd is Engineering Technician) bgrzesiak @cityo£sebastian.org (Brian Grzesiak is Signage and Traffic Technician) aminner@cityofsebastian.org (Al Minner is the City Manager) jtarbell @cityofsebastian.org (Jean Tarbell is Administrative Assistant to the City Manager) - - By visiting the Engineering Department offices on the second floor of City Hall. Please call ahead if possible to make sure someone will be in the office to meet with you when you arrive. The City Engineering Department definitely welcomes any / all inquiries and communications at any time having to do with any concerns and constructive comments regarding the City infrastructure and facilities, both current and prospective. A major departmental objective is to provide a timely response to any such communication. SEBASTIAN AIRPORT GETS INK The July 2008 installation of a FAA ADS -B "NextGen" navigation tower at Sebastian Airport (X26) has not gone unnoticed by AIRPORT Magazine. In the October/ November 2008 issue of AIRPORT Magazine, Sebastian Airport's ADS -B ground station is cited as "the first commissioned at an airport" in the United States. -- ADS -B is the foundation for the FAAs Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). It uses ground stations, on- aircraft avionics and satellite data to paint an accurate picture of what is happening in the sky. ADS -B relies on aircraft continuously broadcasting their position, speed, and other key information, which is fed to other like equipped aircraft, and to ground stations. This data is also collected by air traffic control facilities, which use it to separate aircraft. Currently, the system is used for en -route aircraft at medium to high altitudes. Long term national benefits are the reduction in cost of the infrastructure needed to operate the National Airspace System. YOU CAN HELP US KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE THE SEBASTIAN POLICE DEPARTMENT R. U. 0. K. PROGRAM The Sebastian Police Department is planning to keep a closer watch on its seniors. Sebastian Police Department is re- initiating the R.U.O.K. Program. This computer based program is designed for the police department to check on their local seniors who live alone or who may be home bound. The R.U.O.K. program allows a computer to automatically contact the senior by telephone at a pre - arranged time or times at their residence each day. The senior will then receive a message when they pick up the phone asking - them "Are You Okay ". If the phone is busy during the call, the computer will call back three times before the police department sends out an officer. If they do not pick up for some reason the computer sends out an alert to the Police 911 Dispatch Center and prints the individuals' information and emergency contact information. An officer is then dispatched to the residence to check on the welfare of the senior. Residents of the City of Sebastian may obtain an application for the program which is available at the Sebastian Police Department or contact Community Policing Specialist, Officer Steve Marcinik at 772 - 589 -5233 ex. 8576 for more information and eligibility. DEEP AN EYE ON UPCOMING EVENTS... January 23, 24, 25, 2009 Music and Fine Arts Festival, Sebastian Riverview Park March 14, 2009 Pelican Island Wildlife Festival, Sebastian Riverview Park March 28, 2009 Rotary Club Home and Garden Show, Sebastian Riverview Park HOLIDAY SAFETY TIPS FROM THE SEBASTIAN POLICE DEPARTMENT • Teach your children to stay with you at all times while shopping. • Always supervise your children in a public facility and accompany young children to the restroom. • Make a plan in the event you get separated. • Teach your children to look for people who work within the store or mall. • Never leave your children in toy stores or public facilities. • Have older children stay with a friend while out. • Plan your day; know where you are going and what you are doing. Let a friend or family member know your plans. • Carry a cellular phone and have emergency phone numbers available. • PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR SURROUNDINGS!! • Avoid carrying large amounts of money. Utilize credit cards if possible. • Secure your purse or wallet after use. • Report suspicious persons and packages to police. • Maintain your vehicle to prevent unnecessary breakdowns. • Park in well -lit areas. Lock and secure your vehicle and place packages and valuables out of sight. • Be aware of other vehicles parked too close to your vehicle. It may have persons waiting for an opportunity to victimize you. • Remember - if it's too good to be true it usually is! • If someone attempts to stop your vehicle and for divert your attention, try to stop in a well -lit and populated area and then contact the police. • Do not leave your vehicle running and unattended. • While getting fuel, keep your vehicle locked to prevent thefts while you are focused on your task. REMEMBER - YOU can help US keep OUR community safe and secure.. Be safe and Happy Holidays. U: SEBASTIAN MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE NEWS 2008 Sebastian Open Congratulation to all 108 golfers who participated in the 2008 Sebastian Open, which was conducted on November 22nd and 23rd. The annual golf tournament was definitely a test of perseverance, patience and "grinding" as Sebastian Golf Course showed off it's lightning -fast greens and Mother Nature showed she could make the wind blow extremely strong throughout the weekend. Professional Division: elow is a st of names ecognizing ie top two layers in ach division nd flight. 1st Joe Kern 2nd Rob Corcoran Men's Under 49 - First Flight 1st Jin Chun Kim (Overall Sebastian Open Champion) 2nd Spencer Burson Men's Under 49 — Second Flight 1st Mark Williams 2nd Steve McLacken Men's Under 49 -- Third Flight 1st Andy Sakalian 2nd Hyun Moon Men's Senior +50 — First Flight 1st Keen Shackleford 2nd Mike Paolin Men's Senior +50 — Second Flight 1st Bill Fairchild 2nd Kevin Keefe Men s Senior +50 — Third Flight 1st John Marre 2nd Don Burns Men's Super Senior +60 — First Flight 1st Ray Darmstadt 2nd Ron Kutschinski Men's Super Senior +60 — Second Flight 1st Chuck Coplen 2nd Stephen Lash Women's Division 1st Gail Flynn 2nd Tina Tetlow POSTAL PATRON Sebastian, Florida 32958 PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID VERO BEACH, FL PERMIT NO. 218