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Masonic Watches and pocket watches feature the familiar Masonic symbols and fraternal orders. Blue Lodge, Scottish Rite and the Order of the Eastern Star are well represented. Various levels of Masons are also available, including Past Master, Past Matron and 33rd Degree.

DECATUR COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES

APRIL 18, 2006


The Decatur County Council held the April 18th meeting with the following present: Ernest Gauck, President, Rheadawn Metz, Tom Carroll, Geneva Hunt, Al Knecht, Rose Hellmich, Ken Owens and Auditor Bridgett Weber.

Mrs. Metz moved to approve the March 16th meeting minutes and Mrs. Hunt seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Vicki Kellerman with the EDC provided information about a Certified Shovel Ready project for the 440 acres that the City and County have the option to purchase from Campbell and Reiger. Providing a sewer system to this area is essential to promote economic development for the acreage. Mrs. Kellerman will be submitting a grant application to the City of Lawrenceburg and requested a letter of support from the County Council for the application. Mr. Gauck discussed with Council members on how the sewer project could be funded by the City and County.
Mrs. Kellerman also updated Council members on potential company types the EDC is looking for.

William Meyerrose provided quotes from Baltus and Mobile Comm for a communications tower for the Millhousen and Napoleon fire runs. Mobile Comm withdrew their quote leaving Baltus quoting $7,070.00 with half being paid from E911 funds. Mr. Carroll moved to spend $3335.00 on the tower for fire and EMS, Mr. Owens seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Robin Nobbe mailed Council members an update on state mandated work. The Washington Township Assessor’s office needs new computers. Mrs. Nobbe had bought the other townships computers a few years ago and will pay for the computers with Reassessment funds. Trending is now in effect for 2006 pay 2007 and has received a quote for the project of $37,600.00.

Robert Barker discussed lake dredging project at the park. Mr. Barker is currently working with Force Construction on this project. The County Commissioners have a tentative agreement with Force Construction between $60,000 and $70,000.00 to do the work.
Mr. Barker also discussed the Sports Complex and the need for a Coordinator during baseball/softball season. With many traveling teams wanting to use the complex, Mr. Barker feels that the association fees could pay for this position. Mr. Barker will look into this further and will most likely try to budget for 2007.

Tim Ortman requested a decision from Council members on how to pay for the State Mandated Parcel Numbering Project. Council members recommended using the salary not currently being used in the GIS Budget.

Mrs. Metz moved to approve additional appropriations for $20,000.00 for Reassessment; and $25,000 for Cum Cap Development; and appropriation transfers, Mr. Knecht seconded the motion. Motion carried

Cold Weather Safety     Print     E-mail
Supplemental Heating Devices

    * Use and maintain all supplemental heating devices in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.

    * Do no leave heating devices unattended or turned on while you are sleeping.
    * Provide all heating devices with at least three feet of clear space, away from beds, drapes, furniture, and other combustible materials.

    * Examine gas lines for punctures or splits.  Check the connectors and valves for leaks.

 
Heat-Producing Appliances

    * Leave space for air to circulate around other heat-producing equipment, such as copy machines, coffee makers and computers.  Keep appliances away from anything that might catch fire.  Do not stack books or papers on top of computer monitors.

    * Designate someone to turn off or unplug all appliances at the end of each workday at work.

 
Chimneys and Fireplaces

    * Clean and maintain chimneys, fireplaces, and furnaces on a regular basis.  Most fires in wood stoves, fireplaces and chimneys occur because of a lack of regular cleaning, leading to the buildup of creosote (the residue of unburned fuel).

    * Keep sparks and embers inside the fireplace with fire screens made of heat-tempered glass or sturdy metal.

    * Burn dry, well-seasoned hard wood because it’s the most efficient fuel.

 
Smoke and CO Alarms

    * If you don’t have smoke alarms, install them.  If you do, maintain them according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

    * Install CO alarms in your home to provide you with an early warning if CO is accumulating.  Heating equipment that burns fuel is a potential source of carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless, poisonous gas that is created when fuel burns incompletely.

    * Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms weekly to be sure they are working properly.  Change the batteries in all alarms at least once a year.

 
General Fire-Prevention and Safety Practices

    * Have a family escape plan with a meeting place.  Once you exit your home, DO NOT return.  Too many people lose their lives going back into a burning home.

    * If you use candles, make sure you use them in a safe environment in a fireproof container and away from children.  Do not leave them unattended.  If possible, consider using flameless, battery-operated candles.

    * Consider getting a residential fire sprinkler installed.  According to statistics, the risk of death by fire is reduced by 82 percent when smoke detectors are accompanied with residential fire sprinklers.

2-6 JUNE
NAVAL BASE VENTURA COUNTY, CA
 
“AIR FORCE DOMINATES”
By Andrea Howry Naval Base Ventura County
 

The U.S. Air Force triathlon team won the top individual and team titles Saturday, June 5, at the annual Armed Forces Triathlon at Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC), Point Mugu.

Seventy-eight of the military’s top athletes completed the 1,500-meter swim; 40 kilometer bike race and 10-kilometer run at Point Mugu, which hosted the event for the 11th consecutive year.

Capt. James Bales, who flew into California a day later than the rest of the team because he had to complete his orthopedic surgery residency program in San Antonio, finished the course in 1:46:32.

1st Lt. Kathy Rakel, stationed at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, came in first for the women with a time of 2:00:04.

Both winning times are about 5 minutes off the course records.

Most years, the winners of this triathlon would progress to international competition at the Conseil International du Sport Militaire (CISM), but this year’s events were canceled so all efforts can go into the Military World Games, scheduled for 2011 in Rio de Janiero.

The Air Force team defeated the other armed forces with a point total of 121. The Army came in second with 124, Navy third with 136 and Marine Corps fourth with 174. Points are determined by the times of the top eight men and top four women on each team.

NBVC Point Mugu is the permanent host of the Armed Forces Triathlon. “It is an honor and a privilege to host this event,” said Capt. James McHugh, commanding officer, NBVC.

McHugh officiated at the medal presentation, thanking the athletes for their commitment and dedication to armed forces sports. Drafting is allowed in the Armed Forces Triathlon, but some veterans of the race said that didn’t become much of a factor this year. “It was a tough day out there,” said Navy Lt. Cmdr. John Calvert, who was competing in his fourth Armed Forces Triathlon. “The packs on the bikes didn’t stick together. Plus, this was by far the toughest field I’ve seen. It was a very close competition.” Drafting not being a factor helped the winner of the women’s race. “It actually played into my strategy and the way I train,” Rakel said. “I always try to be in front of the swim pack, and I like to put my head down and bike as fast as possible. So for me, this race was great.” Lt. Laura Springer, stationed in Seattle with the Coast Guard, said bicycling is her “weak spot,” and without the packs, she struggled.

Her saving grace was teammate Lt. Molly Cook, stationed at Miramar. The last swimmer out of the water, she devoted the bike leg to helping Springer. “It’s a team sport,” Cook explained. “I went slower on the bike so I could pull Laura.” Cook ended up coming in last of all the triathletes. Springer came in third among the women. “It’s all about having fun and staying healthy,” said Cook, who took part in her first triathlon exactly two years prior to the Armed Forces event at the urging of her husband, Lt. Cmdr. Jerry Cook, who also competed Saturday.

Perhaps the most unusual story of the day belonged to Bales, who didn’t arrive at Point Mugu until 13 hours before the start of the triathlon because he had to complete his residency program at Wilford Hall Medical Center, an Air Force Level 1 Trauma Center at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio. “I just finished the 25th grade,” he said with a laugh. In less than a month he takes the board exams to become an orthopedic surgeon. Less than two weeks after that, he reports to Colorado Springs to join the two-year Air Force World Class Athlete Program, a possible prelude to the Olympics. The second- and third-place male finishers were Army 2nd Lt. Nicholas Vandam of Fort Sill, Okla., 1:47:42, and Army 1st Lt. Darin Shearer of Fort Carson, Colo.

The second- and third-place female finishers were Marine 2nd Lt. Ashley Messoline of Texas Tech Law School and Springer. Times for all the triathletes are posted at Eternaltiming.com.

This was the last Armed Forces Triathlon for coordinator Kent Blankenship, athletics director for NBVC. He has accepted a position with the base’s Public Works Department. Kent, who has coordinated the last 11 triathlons, said he will return next year “as a volunteer.”