by Doug Clark
Assistant Editor The Sampson Independent

Doug Clark/Sampson Independent

Salemburg commissioners, from left, Arnold Page, Donald Nance and Bobby Tew, take notes as mayor Bobby Strickland explains the need for an amendment to an ordinance.

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Despite very few offenders, commissioners with the town of Salemburg unanimously voted to make an amendment to Section 8 of their Code of Ordinances.

The ordinance, which is titled: “Uncontrolled growth of weeds and accumulation of refuse declared public nuisance” was amended at this month’s town board meeting to establish enforcement measures for preventing people from placing indoor furniture and other inappropriate items outside in open areas, such as porches, decks or other areas visible to the public.

The issue came earlier this month when complaints arose about a citizen who had filled their front porch with furniture.

“Such conditions increase the likelihood of fire, provide a breeding place for vermin, conceal dangerous conditions and contribute to visual blight, which lessen property values,” the amendment in Section 8-4001 states.

Mayor pro tem Joe Warren made a motion to amend the ordinance as presented, Shirley Cooper seconded and it was approved unanimously.

“What happens is we send them (the offender) a letter and if that person neglects or refuses to remove the condition constituting the nuisance within seven days from receipt of the order,” explained town clerk Juanita Faircloth, “then we will have it moved and cleared and they will be responsible for paying the costs of removal.”

If the fee isn’t paid, it is in the town’s right to place a lien against the property.

Water Meter Tampering

Another issue board members were concerned about was the recent tampering with water meters by citizens with older equipment. The issues stems from citizens whose water was cut off after they didn’t pay their bill. It was learned that some were going out and cutting the water back on themselves.

Board members amended the fee from $25 to $200 for anyone caught tampering with the meter.

“This is very rare,” noted Faircloth of the tampering. “This amendment is really being used as a deterrent from it happening again.”

Faircloth said there have only been “three or four” instances of this happening in the town, but because of a recent incident, it was felt the board needed to address the situation.

“We already have an ordinance that prohibits any tampering of the meters or with any town property,” noted Faircloth. “We send out full notification when water is being turned off to a customer; there is also a note on the meter that explains payment. If someone does tamper with the meter and turns it back on, they will have to pay the bill (in full) and now the $200 before it can be turned back on.”

Warren made a motion that Bobby Tew seconded, with all favoring to amend the fee schedule to increase the charge for tampering with water meters.

To reach Doug Clark call 910-592-8137 ext. 123 or email to sisports@heartlandpublications.com.

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Salemburg commissioners amend ordinance

Read more: Local, Scouting for Food, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Collecting Food on Front Porches, Great Rivers Council, Boy Scouts of America, Nonperishable Food Items

COLUMBIA, MO. -- It’s the largest one-day food drive by the Boy Scouts of America.

Scouts, leaders and parents are preparing for the 28th annual Scouting for Food drive.

This is the second year for the drive in Mid-Missouri.

On Saturday, cub scouts and boy scouts will be hanging door mail flyers in selected neighborhoods in 33 central and northeast Missouri counties.

The flyers explain how you can donate nonperishable food items for local food pantries.

District Director Jon Wilson said, “It really helps small pantries based out of churches.  For example, here in Columbia, Parkade Baptist Church has a pantry.  We have a troop that goes and collects food and turns it in for that pantry.  It’s real important to those pantries and any pantry, basically, to continue to bring in food so they don’t have to spend money buying it.”

Cub scouts and boy scouts will be collecting food on front porches throughout Mid-Missouri on Saturday, March 3.

You can also drop off food donations in barrels at your local Gerbes and C & R grocery stores.

This year’s goal is 100,000 pounds of food.

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Boy Scouts start Scouting for Food campaign

LAKE FOREST – A new community recreation center planned for the city's sports park will be built in a Craftsman style and will include heavy timber, porches, plaster wall and stacked stone pillars.

These elements are part of conceptual plans presented by architects to the City Council on Tuesday night. The design concepts were created from comments by the City Council during an earlier review of plans in December. The City Council thanked the design group for taking their input and including it in the revised plans.

The recreation center will provide opportunities for community fitness classes, dance classes and arts and crafts for children. Most all activities now found at the current City Hall on Commercentre Drive would be relocated to the recreation center.

REPORTED BY ERIKA I. RITCHIE, RENDERING COURTESY OF CITY OF LAKE FOREST

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The City Council voted to allow the architect to prepare construction drawings and bid specifications. Construction could start by fall.

Additional considerations reviewed by the City Council included the sizes of meeting and activity rooms and the opportunity for creating rooms for multi-purposes.

Mayor Kathryn McCullough questioned whether the planned restrooms were adequately sized for the expected number of recreation center users.

The restrooms will include more than are actually required by the building code based on the size of the building.

The center will provide opportunities for community fitness classes, dance classes and arts and crafts for children. Most all activities now found at the current City Hall on Commercentre Drive would be relocated to the center.

Plans for the park are 80 percent complete. Clearing and grubbing of the Glass Creek and Baker properties was done in January. The extension of Rancho Parkway— which will provide access to the park — is expected to be done by the end of the year. Mass grading of the site is scheduled to begin in late spring; construction of the amenities at the park could start in August.

The new sports park will be located on 86 acres near the intersection of Portola Parkway and El Toro Road.

Contact the writer: 949-454-7307 or eritchie@ocregister.com or twitter.com/lagunaini

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Council OKs Lake Forest recreation center design

In the future, Shenandoah properties with trash on porches, high grass or other ordinance violations may receive a citation similar to a parking or speeding ticket.

Borough Manager Joseph L. Palubinsky spoke at Monday's borough council meeting on the possibility of implementing a "clean sweep" program. He learned of a similar program in Allentown called SWEEP (Solid Waste Education and Enforcement Program) during a recent blight summit held by state Sen. David G. Argall, R-29.

"There were a number of good things that we heard and were recommended," Palubinsky said.

He said the program would authorize any borough employee to issue tickets for various ordinance violations such as littering, high grass, nuisances, trash on porches and similar ordinance violations.

"I think the general sentiment among the members of council and the mayor is that ... we want to proceed with this," he said.

Councilman Robert Kulpowicz said the ticket would be like a parking ticket and list various offenses.

"There will be fines and penalties. We don't know what the costs will be at this time," he said. "People have been getting away with things for too long and it's time to put a stop to it."

Tickets would be paid at borough hall. Those that aren't paid or are challenged would go before Magisterial District Judge Anthony Kilker.

Mayor Michael Whitecavage suggested that borough officials meet with Kilker about the plan.

Palubinsky said the borough first needs to check all its ordinances "and see what we can adapt" to the new program. "If some ordinances need to be amended, we'll have to do that, or pass new ordinances."

Palubinsky said warnings can be issued in some cases.

"I really think we can use this to the borough's advantage," he said.

No action was taken by council on the matter. The ordinances will be reviewed by Palubinsky and council for future establishing of the program.

Other business

Council approved a resolution that allows an inter-municipal alcoholic beverage license transfer from Pine Grove to Shenandoah. Isabel Nunez, 2 S. Jardin St., applied for the transfer through the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. A public hearing on the request was held Oct. 17.

usalis@republicanherald.com

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Poorly kept Shenandoah properties could face citations

SHENANDOAH - In the future, borough properties with trash on porches, high grass or other ordinance violations may receive a citation similar to a parking or speeding ticket.

During Monday's meeting of Shenandoah Borough Council, Borough manager Joseph L. Palubinsky spoke on the possibility of implementing a "Clean Sweep" program in the borough, similar to the City of Allentown's Solid Waste Education and Enforcement Program. Palubinsky became aware of Allentown's program during a recent blight summit held by state Sen. David Argall, R-29.

"There were a number of good things that we heard and were recommended," Palubinsky said with one recommendation being SWEEP.

"Basically, this is a program whereby employees within the borough would be authorized to issue tickets for various ordinance violations, such as littering, high grass, nuisance problems, trash on porches and similar ordinance violations," Palubinsky said. "I think the general sentiment among the members of the council and the mayor is that the fact we want to proceed with this or try to implement this and see what we can do about some of these problem areas."

Councilman Robert Kulpowicz explained, "It's basically going to be like a parking ticket with various offenses on it. There will be fines and penalties. We don't know what the costs will be at this time. People have been getting away with things for too long and it's time to put a stop to it."

"This is a proactive response rather than reactive," council President Leo Pietkiewicz said.

Tickets/citations in this program could be issued by any borough employee so designated and would not be restricted to the code enforcement officer. Tickets would be paid at borough hall, or if not paid or challenged, the matter would go to Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker.

Mayor Michael Whitecavage suggested that borough officials meet with Kilker about the plan.

"What we need to do first of all is to check our ordinances that we have in place and see what we can adapt," Palubinsky replied. "If some ordinances need to be amended, we'll have to do that, or pass new ordinances."

Palubinsky said warnings can be issued in some cases.

"I really think we can use this to the borough's advantage," Palubinsky said.

No action was taken by the council on the matter. Ordinances will be reviewed by Palubinsky and the council for future establishing of the program.

In other business, the borough council approved a resolution that allows an inter-municipal alcoholic beverage license transfer from Pine Grove to Shenandoah. Isabel Nunez, 2 S. Jardin St., applied for the transfer through the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. A public hearing was held on Oct. 17 to receive positive or negative input on the proposed transfer.

"At that public hearing, there was no evidence that (the transfer) would adversely effect the health, welfare and morals of the borough," O'Pake said. "There was a lot of speculation at that time, but nothing concrete was found and there was no evidence presented in that regard."

The vote was 5-0 with two abstentions, council Vice President Brian Conroy and Kulpowicz.

The council approved the following event requests:

- The Polish American Fire Company No. 4 to hold its annual block party from July 6 to 8, which includes closing North West Street from Center to Lloyd streets. There will be no parking from 3 to 10 p.m. July 6 along the 100 and 200 blocks of West Center Street, the unit block of South West Street, and the unit and 100 blocks of South Chestnut Street to park the emergency vehicles participating in the annual truck parade.

- Downtown Shenandoah Inc. to hold the fifth annual Kielbasi Festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 19, on the first and 100 blocks of North Main Street.

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Shenandoah considering the 'SWEEP' program

15-11-2010 09:41 Just think no more bugs, add a screen porch today!!!!!!!!!!!

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Mid Atlantic Deck and Fence,Low Maintenance Deck and Porch Maryland, MD - Video

04-03-2011 22:41 Visit my Photoblog: http://www.soaringframes.com With his signature writing style, Jamey brings across the calmness of the afternoon many of us have known on our own porches during summers long gone. A good tune with great imagery.

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Jamey Johnson - Front Porch Swing Afternoon - Video

By Alli Knothe, Globe Correspondent

A 13-year-old boy and five firefighters were sent to the hospital this morning after being injured during a three-larm fire that destoryed a triple-decker home at 28 Harvard Ave., leaving nine people homeless, Boston fire officials said.

The fire was ignited by a cigarette on the second floor porch of the Harvard Avenue home at about 5:45 a.m. and spread to the third floor, said Steve MacDonald, a department spokesman.

“There was a lot of fire, “ MacDonald said, standing across the street from the burned out home, located near the intersection of Washington Street.. “It was blowing out the sides. It’s a total loss.”

The smoky blaze caused estimated $500,000 in damages, MacDonald said. The roof was destroyed, windows blown out and two porches collapsed onto the sidewalk out front of the house. A van parked on the street was also destroyed, after being engulfed in flames, MacDonald said.

MacDonald said that when the porches of the building collapsed, destroying a white van parked outside the house, located near the intersection of Washington Street.

About 80 Boston firefighters battled the fire for about 2 and a half hours before it was brought under control, MacDonald said.

The boy suffered burns on his head and was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital, said MacDonald. Five firefighters also suffered non life-threatening injuries, and were sent to several local hospitals. He said three of the firefighters were treated for chest pains, one had a wrist injury, and another had facial cuts.

“Nothing is life-threatening,” MacDonald said of the injuries to the boy and firefighters.

The Red Cross was providing assistance to the nine people, including five adults and four children, he said.

Boston property records list the owner of the house as Irma Gomez. Attempts to reach her yesterday were unsuccessful.

The Red Cross was providing assistance to the nine people, including five adults and four children, he said.

Boston property records assessed the value of the home at $284,700.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Kathy McCabe of the Globe Staff contributed to this story.

Alli Knothe can be reached at aknothe@globe.com.

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Dorchester fire injures five firefighters and 13-year-old boy.

wwltv.com

Posted on February 18, 2012 at 10:25 PM

Updated today at 10:25 PM

Monica Hernandez / Eyewitness News

NEW ORLEANS - Heavy wind and rain pounded into tents set up along the Endymion route Saturday afternoon, pushing the parade back over an hour. But die-hard revelers continued to stake out their spot and make the most of it. Some made a make shift "Slip 'n' Slide" out of a blue tarp. Other played soccer on the neutral ground or danced beneath porches.

 Some huddled together beneath lowered tents.

"We got family, we got shelter, we got food, we [are] good," said Lynn Cochran, of Gonzales.

And then came the parade that thousands braved the weather for. With 2,500 members and massive floats, revelers said they didn't mind the spotty showers as as the parade began. 

"I got my survival kit and my poncho and my drink. I'm good, I'm good, this is wonderful. I've got beads, this is my first one, my very first Mardi Gras catch, so I'm very excited about that," said Angela Martinez, from Houston, pointing to her first set of beads.

"We rode our bikes, we got soaked, threw our stuff in the drier, and now we're here," said Sarah Hubley, of Mid-City.

Mid-City neighbors said they're relieved the area's only parade rolled despite the rain. Last year, wet weather pushed the event back to Sunday, when it rolled Uptown behind Bacchus.

"Endymion's the best parade of the season and that's why I'm out here in the freezing weather," said Tricia Schiro, of Metairie.

And so, thousands lined the Mid-City cheering, catching throws, and enjoying the spirit of carnival.

"The state of Louisiana has a lot to offer, happy Mardi Gras, nothing but fun," said Walter Falls, of New Orleans.

Excerpt from:
Parade goers say watching Endymion was worth getting drenched

Some musicians attend conservatories, perform in elaborate concert halls and cathedrals, and pride themselves on polished renditions of great masterworks, played note-for-note from the composers’ score.

Some pick out tunes by ear as they gather in parks and on back porches. They sing about their own lives and loves and pass their homespun musical traditions down through their families.

Classically trained musicians sound wonderful. Folk and bluegrass artists are finger-picking good. Yet the two musical camps are known to hold each other in dubious regard, and too rarely find common ground in the field both love.

“I started out with that same snobby perspective,” said Mary Danzig, a classically trained violinist who became a fiddler.

This week, Danzig is enjoying a rare chance to merge the two musical traditions she loves. Along with her husband, Peter Danzig, and other area bluegrass artists, she will be featured in Salt Lake Choral Artists’ performances of Carol Barnett’s “The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass.”

Mary Danzig’s exposure to folk music started after she married Peter Danzig, a classical violist and folk-music aficionado who also plays many traditional instruments. Her epiphany happened when she heard top-notch bluegrass groups perform at a Snowbird festival about five years ago. “All of a sudden I understood what this music was about,” she said. “It really just awoke this passion in me.”

Bluegrass music is blossoming among talented people who lacked formal training, but loved singing to their children, picking out tunes with neighbors and learning to play instruments as well as they could on their own, Danzig said.

“There is something incredible about taking a tradition passed down from one person to another, and putting everything I have into it, just as I would if it was a classical piece,” she said. “I don’t just suddenly become sloppy when I play bluegrass. I honor the tradition of people who may not have had as many opportunities, by making their music be everything they were trying to create.”

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SLCA music director Brady Allred said it wasn’t easy to find musicians to play the fiddle, mandolin, guitar, banjo and bass parts for the unusual Mass performance. “I had to find the right combination of classical musicians that could read standard notation, but also play chord symbols and improvise,” Allred said.

The bluegrass players who assume the role filled by orchestra or organ in a typical Mass must read a written score, follow a conductor and count their way through frequent meter changes — “stuff bluegrass players don’t do in normal playing,” Allred said. And they must pluck and bow in the lively language of bluegrass, with all its jangling verve.

The Danzigs and guitarist Rich Dixon, banjoist Nathan Keller and bassist Jim Thompson are musical bilinguals who are up to the challenge.

“[‘Bluegrass Mass’] keeps you off-balance in a really fun and unexpected way,” Mary Danzig said. “Some aspects of it sound very much like traditional Appalachian roots music. Then it changes meter and goes on to some incredible choral sections from classical tradition. It keeps weaving in and out of these two worlds.”

Danzig and her husband perform and record together as a folk duo called Otter Creek, drawing upon their deep backgrounds in classical music to burnish their folk music performances. Mary was the 2011 winner of the Utah State Fiddle Championship; Peter won the Utah State Mandolin Championship and took second place in the National Mandolin Championship.

Having been trained in note-reading from a young age, the most intimidating aspect of Mary Danzig’s folk-music transformation was learning to improvise music on the spot. She now believes that classical music training programs err in not teaching improvisation. “Bach, Mozart and Beethoven all knew how to improvise,” she said. “That’s part of what a classical musician was supposed to be able to do.”

Learning to create music spontaneously has done more than make Danzig an award-winning fiddler.

“It has helped me be a better classical musician,” she said. “I have to pay attention to what the chords are and what the other instruments are doing. With the music in front of you, you can get away without doing that, but that doesn’t make for the best music.”

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Plucking and bowing for a Mass in the language of bluegrass