MARCHNEWSLETTER

Ash Wednesday – March 1, 2017

What is Ash Wednesday?

Many people ask, "What is Ash Wednesday?" This primarily Catholic holiday is the first day of Lent and always falls forty-six days before Easter.

What is the meaning of Ash Wednesday?

Roman Catholic churches of the Latin Rite use this service to prepare church members to better appreciate the death and resurrection of Christ through self-examination, repentance, prayer, fasting, and self-denial. Ashes from the burned palms of the preceding year's Palm Sunday are blessed. With these ashes, the priest marks a cross on the foreheads of worshipers, saying, "Remember, man, that dust thou art, and unto dust thou shalt return" (Genesis 3:19 KJV). Besides showing sorrow for their sins, those who honor Ash Wednesday add an additional meaning; the need to prepare for a holy death.

Origin of Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday has a non-Christian origin and was accepted into the beliefs of the Catholic Church at the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. The council also settled upon the 40-day fast period as the standard length to celebrate Lent. During this time period Constantine’s goal was to combine pagans and Christians into a peaceable unit within the Roman kingdom.Even after the Council of Nicaea the beginning start date of Lent was still questioned. In 601 Pope Gregory moved the beginning of Lent from the fourth Sunday of the year to Ash Wednesday, 46 days before Easter. This changed allowed for 40 days of fasting with six Sundays counted as feast days, for a total of 46 days for Lent. Pope Gregory also instituted the tradition of marking parishioners forehead’s with ashes in the shape of a cross.

FLOOD SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK March 6-10, 2017

FLOOD SAFETY TIPS

1.Do not walk through flowing water. Six inches of moving water is enough to knock you off your feet.

2.Do not drive through a flooded area. Two feet of water will carry away most cars. One foot of water can displace 1,500 pounds of weight. A that car weighs less than 1,500 pounds could float in a foot of water.

3.Stay away from downed power lines and also electrical lines in your own home. Electrical current can travel through water.

4.Watch for animals and snakes. Small animals that have been flooded out of their homes may seek shelter in your home.

5.Watch your step. After a flood the ground is covered with debris including broken glass and sharp objects just below the mud. Wet or muddy steps can be slippery.

6.Use a flashlight to check for gas leaks. Soapy water on gas lines will reveal leaks as soap bubbles form. Don’t use candles or smoke until you are certain there are no gas leaks.

7.Have an evacuation plan for yourself and family members. Choose a route and a meeting place.

8.Prepare an emergency kit in a portable container. Make it small enough to grab quickly and go. Suggested items for such a kit include portable radio, flashlight, spare batteries, spare car keys, spare pair of glasses, prescription medication, nonperishable food items, bottled water, first aid kit, blanket, list of important numbers, and copies of important papers.

9.Shut off utilities beforehand. Make sure family members know how to shut off gas at the meter and power at the breaker box.

10.Consider buying flood insurance now. Normally, there is a 30-day waiting period before policies go into effect.

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME – March 12, 2017

Just as sunflowers turn their heads to catch every sunbeam, so too have we discovered a simple way to get more from our sun.Daylight Saving Time gives us the opportunity to enjoy sunny summer evenings by moving our clocks an hour forward in the spring.

Yet, the implementation of Daylight Saving Time has been fraught with controversy since Benjamin Franklin conceived of the idea. Even today, regions and countries routinely change their approaches to Daylight Saving Time.

When we change our clocks

Most of the United States begins Daylight Saving Time at 2:00 a.m. on the second Sunday in March and reverts to standard time on the first Sunday in November. In the U.S., each time zone switches at a different time.

St. Patrick’s Day – March 17, 2017

Every year on March 17, the Irish and the Irish-at-heart across the globe observe St. Patrick’s Day. What began as a religious feast day for the patron saint of Ireland has become an international festival celebrating Irish culture with parades, dancing, special foods and a whole lot of green.

Dates to remember:

March8th: Council Meeting at City Hall at 7:00 pm

March 12th: Daylight Savings Time begins. Don’t forget to set your clocks forward one hour and change your batteries in your smoke alarms.

March 17th: St. Patrick’s Day

March20st:PRIDE Meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the City Hall

March28th:Past due Utility shut off date.

If you can’t pay your account in full at this time then you must attend theMarch Council meeting or submit your reasoning in writing to the City Clerk BEFORE the March Council meeting.

April 1st: Animal Clinic at City Hall from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00p.m.

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR ANIMAL IS ON A LEASH OR IN A CRATE.

ACARF WILL BE ON SITE TO OFFER MICROCHIPPING FOR CAT OR DOG FOR $15.00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL LAHARPE CITIZENS CELEBRATING A BIRTHDAY THIS MONTH!!!! MAY YOUR DAY BE AS SPECIAL AS YOU ARE TO US!

If you need assistance after-hours please call the Iola Dispatch Center at (620) 365-1437, they will notify the proper personnel.

A message from our animal control officer:

You can help City Hall identify your pet by snapping a picture of it with your smart phone or cameraand sending it to if you have questions please call City Hall.

CITY COUNCIL NEWS

SPECIAL ANNOUCEMENT

Mayor Crowell announced the City had been awarded the grant for the electrical upgrade. She thanked everyone involved and stated “we have a long road ahead of us but it’s a step in the right direction. Susan Galemore, grant writer, was in attendance and shared that there were strings with CDBG funding; they are funded through HUD. The Start date has been pushed back to May 1st because the funding is not secured; she stated the process is slow right now. Eric Hethcoat & Bruce Boettcher with BG Consultants was also in attendance, they stated that this will not affect anything other than pushing everything back a month waiting on the May 1st start date but will have plenty of time to have it well completed before the April 30, 2019 deadline.

Chuck Apt requested 20 minutes for an executive session for client/attorney. David Lee made the motion to go into executive session for the time requested. Sharlyn Thompson seconded. Motion carried 4-0.

CITIZENS CALL FOR BUSINESS

a)Richard Luken told the Council that the area around the playground is cleaned out we are just looking into some options for the footing. We have a few options to go with rubber mulch but it’s very costly and there are grant opportunities for this kind of footing that we will be looking into. David Lee expressed concerns about the drainage; Richard stated that PRIDE is looking into some options. Raymond Maloney stated that he had a little bit of rubber mulch that was bb size if anyone is able to use it he would donate it.

b)Raymond Maloney asked if the Council had decided anything on changing the incentive ordinance to accommodate smaller square footage. Mayor Crowell asked Ray to get with Chuck on the particulars. Ray also inquired into the use of City Hall should the building become vacant, the school would be interested in having a CNA class here. Mayor Crowell stated that nothing has been decided on yet.

c)Jim Nixon requested a 2 month extension to finish building his home and to be allowed to still partake in the incentive program. David Lee made a motion to allow him a 2 month extension and also change some of the wording in our incentive program. Sharlyn Thompson seconded. Motion carried 4-0.

NEW BUSINESS

a)Annual review of the City Water Plan- No changes were made. David Lee made the motion to accept the annual review and have the Mayor sign as requested. Ron Knavel seconded. Motion carried 4-0.

b)Old City Hall remodeling bids – Tabled until next month.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

a)Lift Station Preventative Maintenance Contract- Mayor Crowell recommend we move forward on this because we are having issues with 2 of our lift stations. David Lee suggested we have Enviro-line come in and repair 2 different lift stations so that Paul can use those as a training tool and hold off on the preventative maintenance

contract for the time being. David Lee made the motion to have Enviro-line come in and fix 2 of our lift stations. Diana Mullins seconded. Motion carried 4-0.

b)COLA – The council was presented with numbers for each employee with a .3% cost of living adjustment. David Lee made the motion to give the employees the .3% COLA back dated to January 1, 2017. Diana Mullins seconded. Motion carried 4-0.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS

a)Chuck Apt, City Attorney – Met with Council earlier.

b)Chuck Richey, Water District Representative- Had nothing to report on water.

c)Micheal DuVall, Police Chief – Absent from meeting, Dustin Huff attended in his absence. Mayor Crowell introduced Dustin to the Council and public as our new code/animal control officer and at times he will be a back-up for Micheal. Dustin stated he was trying to get use to everything and has started some code issues but has noticed that the police department is in need of a new computer; the one we have now is outdated and won’t update several programs that we need to be in compliance with the State of Kansas. Diana Mullins made the motion to give the department $750.00 to buy a new computer. Ron Knavel seconded. Motion carried 4-0.

d)Marc Waggoner, Fire Chief- Minutes from 1/27/17 was shared; Present: Marc Waggoner Sr., Craig Trester, Mark Scott, Ryan Scott, Dennis Sidebottom, Jeremy Kinzer, Nick Trester, Jonathan Gay & Marc Waggoner Jr. Absent was Rick Noyes. The firefighters completed the CPR and first aid class, used the class as counted time for the meeting because the class was 3 hours long. Next meeting will be February 26, 2017. Marc stated that Ray Maloney donated a house for the fire department to use for training purposes, but we aren’t allowed to have any structures within 1000 feet. Marc asked the Council if he could use one of the storm shelters for a smoke house training exercise, the council had no problem with them doing that training.

e)Michelle Altis, City Clerk- Michelle asked the Council if she could order a list of parts that Paul needed for 3 lift stations; the amount was $549.21, the council told her to get them ordered. Michelle also shared some new insurance quotes between United Health Care and BCBS with BCBS being about $500.00 a month less than UHC. Michelle suggested we keep Delta Dental and change to BCBS. David Lee made the motion to change to BCBS with a $500 deductible for medical and keep Delta Dental. Diana Mullins seconded. Motion carried 4-0. Michelle suggested we send Paul to a class in math for water/wastewater operators; the class is $140.00 for 2 days in Chanute. David Lee made the motion to send Paul to class. Sharlyn Thompson seconded. Motion carried 4-0. Michelle shared what the City crew has been busy doing; they have started cleaning out a ditch on main street that should help with a drainage issue on Main. Paul met with J & J Contractors about helping us with our ditch work that is needed. Paul started the work on February 6th. The streets we are working on were those that were approved last year. Mayor Crowell showed some concern because this wasn’t brought to the Council first before agreeing to hire J & J Contractors at $90.00 an hour to help with the ditch grading. David Lee made the motion to accept J & J Contractor’s bid for $90.00 an hour for ditch work. Diana Mullins seconded. Motion carried 4-0. Mayor Crowell asked Michelle to get with Chuck on a contract for them.

Mayor: City Attorney:

Ella Mae Crowell (496-6219) Charles Apt

City Municipal Judge: Police Chief:

Patricia Miklos Micheal DuVall (911)

Fire Chief: City Clerk:

Marc Waggoner Michelle Altis

Assistant City Clerk: City Treasurer:

Penny Ebert Teresa Driskel

Maintenance Staff: Code/Animal Control

Kelly Rouse, Paul BeasleyDustin Huff (496-2241)

& Clint Boyers

City Council Members:

David Lee (496-2333) Danny Ware Jr. (496-2156)

Diana Mullins (496-2248) Sharlyn Thompson (496-3348)

Ron Knavel (496-2508)

Laharpe City Hall Hours: Monday-Friday

902 S. Washington 8:00-12:00 & 1:00-5:00

P.O. Box 10 Ph. (620) 496-2241

Laharpe, KS. 66751 Fax (620) 496-2240

Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds lean ground beef
  • 1 (1 ounce) envelope dry onion soup mix
  • 1/2 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of chicken soup
  • 1 (1 ounce) packet dry au jus mix
  • 3/4 cup water

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, onion soup mix, bread crumbs, and milk using your hands. Shape into 8 patties.
  2. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Dredge the patties in flour just to coat, and quickly brown on both sides in the hot skillet. Place browned patties into the slow cooker stacking alternately like a pyramid. In a medium bowl, mix together the cream of chicken soup, au jus mix, and water. Pour over the meat. Cook on the Low setting for 4 or 5 hours, until ground beef is well done.

Easy Creamy Corn Casserole

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter, melted
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1 (8.5 ounce) package dry corn bread mix
  • 1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
  • 1 (14.75 ounce) can creamed corn
  • 1 cup sour cream

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), and lightly grease a 9x9 inch baking dish.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine butter, eggs, corn bread mix, whole and creamed corn and sour cream. Spoon mixture into prepared dish.
  3. Bake for 45 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the top is golden brown.

Note: The ingredients can be doubled and baked in a 9x13 inch baking dish in almost the same amount of cooking time.

Crock-Pot Banana Bread

Ingredients

  • 2 Whole eggs
  • 1/2 Cup butter (Softened, cubed)
  • 1 Cup granulated sugar
  • 2 Cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 Teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 Teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 Teaspoon salt
  • 3 Whole bananas (Medium sized, mashed)
  • 1 Cup chocolate chips (Optional)
  • 1 Cup nuts (Walnuts or pecans, chopped, optional)

Instructions

  1. In a bowl, combine butter, eggs and sugar. Mix well.
  2. Add in baking powder, baking soda, salt and 1 cup flour. Mix well.
  3. Add in last cup of flour. Mixture should be thick.
  4. Mash Bananas well and then add to mixture. Mix well.
  5. If you chose to add in the extra ingredients, do so now.
  6. Butter small crock dish and pour mixture in.
  7. Cook in 6 quart crock pot for 4 hours on low. Top should be slightly brown. Bread will bounce back to the touch.

Note:I made this and I would recommend spraying your crockpot with a non-stick spray other than using butter and I would check it after 3-3 ½ hours to see if it bounces back, 4 hours is a little too long because the bottom was burnt.