The one-month anniversary of the F-5 tornado hitting Greensburg has just passed and they celebrated by reopening U.S. 54 Highway, which passes right through the heart of the city. Previously manned checkpoints were removed shortly after noon on Monday the 5th of June. Barriers restricting travel to the side street and residential areas remain in place.
Recovery has been a team effort across Kansas. In the first month since the tornado, nearly 600 missions have been tasked to assist Greensburg with personnel and equipment from local and state agencies from throughout Kansas, including the National Guard. By May 9th 500 troops were on station, today 40 remain, as the reduction was possible as other resources became available to assist the community.
“ The community of Greensburg has made tremendous progress with the help of Kansans from all around the state who have answered the call of duty and continue to do so in a variety of roles, including National guard, government workers, private contractors/companies and volunteers,” said Major General Tod Bunting, Kansas Adjutant General and director of Kansas Division of emergency management.
Workers have hauled 263,207 cubic yards of debris in 28,219 truckloads since the tornado. Debris removal is 75% complete. Approximately 10% of electrical service and roughly 50% of the potable water has been restored. 4,480 volunteers from various agencies have contributed 33,950 hours in clean up and recovery efforts.
What is our emergency plan? Do you have a personal emergency reaction plan? Does your business? Just think of trying to rebuild your home, family, business and trying to remember everything you need to do. Insurance agents tell me we should all have video or photo records of our possessions to help in the claims process. Just take a look in your closet or the back room of the basement; do you know what is there? Today is a good time to begin making a plan and record your valuables.
I continue to work during this interim on several issues; some specific to contractors. At my request two private groups are working on proposing new legislation that I will try to facilitate into law next session. One deals with reciprocity of continuing education credits between code authorities within the various Kansas communities where contractors work. This is where although a license issued in Wichita is accepted in El Dorado, the annually required continuing education credits may not be recognized. Once again this is a bigger issue in the northeast part of the state than is here in the south central.
The second is the licensing and certification of “Home Inspectors” and what national organization(s) are being used as testing and certification agencies. Nationally there are half dozen or so issuers of the certification to be a home inspector. We had some very revealing testimony last session that led me to request a time out and ask for more research. Good legislation takes time.
Both of these issues came into our Commerce and Labor Committee last session and without prior coordination within the committee the conferees were at odds on what was needed. I requested the parties that were involved regroup and try to come to a consensus through interim negotiations. I meet with the continuing education group this week in Salina to discuss progress. Next month I will meet with the home inspection group. In July I return to work on the Legislative Post Audit Committee.
House Substitute for Senate Bill 31 amends the municipal courts subject matter jurisdiction on certain felonies and authorizes the municipal court to enter into contracts for collection of services for debts owed to municipal courts or for restitution.
The bill clarifies the subject matter jurisdiction to allow municipal courts to hear and determine cases involving violations of city ordinances and specified violations that could be charged as a felony in district court. These cases include Driving Under the Influence, Domestic Battery, Theft, Worthless Checks, and Possession of Marijuana. The municipal court will share jurisdiction with our District Court on these issues.
The 07 Leadership Kansas Class will be in town on June 30th for a tour of the Correctional Facility and is being sponsored by Warden Ray Roberts. The group will tour the facility and see the general population area, Spiritual life Center, and go into the segregation unit. The highlight is an Inmate panel that discusses life within the walls.
This class is seeing the internal workings of Kansas Communities by visiting sites over the next 4 months. For 3 days a month this select group of 40 community and business leaders share the experience of what makes our communities unique. I am excited to assist in this event and help showcase El Dorado.
I appreciate the calls and letters requesting information or assistance. If there is something I can help you with please contact me. I want to remind you I can get State issued certificates to honor or recognize achievements. Some include anniversaries, Eagle Scout, birthday wishes, and others. The certificates make nice mementos and cost you nothing, just give me as much lead-time as possible to allow for printing. I hope you all continue to have a safe and enjoyable summer.
I consider it an honor and privilege to serve as your representative in Topeka. Thanks again, Rep John C. Grange. 1115 Rim Rock Road, El Dorado, 67042, 316-321-2087 Home, johng@carlisleinc.net, grange@house.state.ks.us, www.johngrange.net.
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