City of Anderson News Feed

Protect water through proper disposal of medicines

3/8/2010 12:00:00 AM

Did you know that disposing of medications down the drain can affect the quality of water in Indiana’s lakes and streams? Wastewater facilities aren’t designed to remove these types of chemicals from water, so they can be discharged into our waterways, where they can last for significant periods of time and have developmental problems in fish, wildlife, and people!

The City of Anderson’s Office of Stormwater Management is working in conjunction with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management the Indiana Poison Center, Statewide Medical Services, and Marsh Supermarket Pharmacies to keep Indiana’s lakes and streams free of pharmaceutical waste.

Two days have been set aside for collection of unwanted household medicines and sharp needles at all area Marsh Supermarket pharmacies. These collection times are Saturday, March 13 from 9am-5pm and Sunday, March 14 from 11am-5pm.

Keeping prescription and over-the-counter medicines out of the environment is an important way you can help prevent pollution. For more information about the environmental impacts of pharmaceutical chemicals, visit the US Environmental Protection Agency’s website at www.epa.gov/ppcp or call IDEM at (800) 988-7901.

"We Can Care" Food Drive aims to reach 1,000,000 pounds

3/2/2010 12:00:00 AM

Half of all recipients of emergency food in East Central Indiana are children and seniors. More than 11,600 different people each week visit pantries, kitchens and shelters receiving food from Second Harvest Food Bank.

The 8th annual "We Can Care" county-wide food drive kicked off on Wednesday, February 24^th to help stock the shelves of charities feeding hungry residents of Madison County.

We Can Care is coordinated by the City of Anderson, United Way of Madison County, and Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana. The drive will run from March 1st thru March 26^th. In the seven years of effort, with the leadership of the City of Anderson and United Way of Madison County, it has generated over 900,000 pounds of food for residents of Madison County who are in need. The goal is set at 160,000 pounds this year and will bring the cumulative total for all years to over 1 million pounds of food collected through this drive.

Drop-off locations are at various points around the county, including Pay Less Supermarkets, City Hall and many more locations.

To get involved, contact Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana at 765-287-8698 ext. 100 or email foodbank@curehunger.org

Here is list of 2010’s early participants:

WQME	City of Anderson Sewer and Waste Treatment
United Way of Madison County	City of Anderson Light and Power
Saint John’s Health System	Character Counts
Rhino Trucking	Boy Scouts of America
Pay Less Super Markets	Anderson Water Pollution Control
Madison County Highway Department	Anderson Police Department
Community Hospital	Anderson Community Schools
City of Anderson Water Department	Anderson City Hall

Weights and Measures Week is March 1-7

3/1/2010 12:00:00 AM

Weights and Measures Inspectors are keeping pace with rapidly advancing technologies to ensure fairness in the marketplace. Their service to consumers and industry plays an essential role in our economic recovery by protecting buyers and sellers in virtually all sales of goods in the United States. To recognize this vital element of our free market society, the State of Indiana celebrates Weights and Measures Week.

"This date is significant. It marks the signing of the first weights and measures law by John Adams on March 2, 1799," "During the 211 year history of the Weights and Measures, we have seen advancements from mechanical devices to highly sophisticated software-based weighing and measuring instruments."

Today, quantities are determined in all business sectors using the latest advancements in technology. Gasoline stations and supermarkets employ state of the art weighing and measuring equipment. Railway cars and highway vehicles are weighed "in-motion." Coal is weighed while moving rapidly across belt-conveyor scales. Motor fuel quality, another function for weights and measures, is also a rapidly advancing science. Regulatory officials are challenged with the development of performance specifications and laboratory testing of evolving fuel sources such as ethanol, biodiesel, biobutanol, and hydrogen. Regardless of the technology in place, inspectors are well trained to secure accuracy and equity.

Nearly everything we buy is sold by weight, volume, length, count or measure. Think of examples –

a dozen eggs, a gallon of milk, a liter of wine, a yard of cloth, a pound of hamburger, a cord of wood.

Your Weights and Measures Inspectors are at work behind the scenes protecting consumers and businesses from unfair practices.

"The weights and measures inspector is perhaps the least known element of daily commerce in the United States, but serves to protect buyers and sellers in every transaction, there are a total of 86 weights and measures officials that serve the public." said Larry J. Stump, Director of the Division of Weights and Measures for the State of Indiana.

They inspect scales and packages in the grocery stores to insure they weigh correctly and that the wrapper or container weight has been deducted from the total cost of the product. They check gasoline stations to make sure you are getting the proper amount for your dollars. Pharmacy scales, LP refillable tanks, scrap yard and truck stop scales and school athletic scales are just some of the hundreds of scales regularly checked for accuracy by your Inspectors.

“We find, more often than not, that stations are giving away gasoline rather than shorting the consumer. We require them to repair the pump if it is shorting the customer. We shut it down until that repair is made. That business isn’t intentionally cheating anyone. Mechanical equipment will get out of adjustment and we make regular and surprise inspections to find those instances and follow up to insure they are fixed,” said Russell Willis, City of Anderson Weights and Measures Inspector.

“In January, I got a call from the State Director of Weights and Measures advising underweight bags of ice had been found in Muncie. So I was checking the weight of bags of ice while it was only 10 degrees outside! And, yes, several hundred underweight bags of ice were found in local stores here.

Consumers should watch the scale and the amount registered. The scale should be placed so you can see the weight, price and other information displayed. If you have a question about the weight or price charged, ask a manager. If a problem is not resolved, contact your Weights and Measures office for assistance. In the City of Anderson call 641-6186; in Madison County call 641-9662.

"Weights and Measures regulation and inspection is necessary to ensure fair practices are being followed in the marketplace. Our main goal is to ensure equity in the marketplace for both the seller and buyer. We certify accuracy on thousands of devices per year that range from motor fuel dispensers to gram scales in local factories and pharmacies. Measuring devices are held to strict standards set forth by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Wherever there is weighing or measuring devices used commercially, we are also there!" said Kyle Noone, Madison County Weights and Measures Inspector.

Weights and Measures Week serves as a reminder of the value that our society receives for a very small investment in Weights and Measures inspection programs. The cost of a regulatory presence is less than $1.00 per person per year. Yet we can realize the full return on that investment in a single trip to the market or gas station.

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Help bring Google Fiber to Anderson

2/25/2010 12:00:00 AM

Google is launching a new project expected to make Internet access better and faster for everyone by developing ultra-high speed broadband networks in locations across the country. These networks will deliver Internet speeds over 100 times faster than most Americans have access to today.

Google has asked interested municipalities to provide information through a formal Request for information (RFI), which they'll use to determine where to build the network. Economic Development Director Linda Dawson has stated that Google’s potential investment in Anderson ranks as the TOP Economic Development opportunity she has seen in her career.

Anderson WILL complete this information to compete forGoogle’s investment… and you can help!

Google is very interested in community participation so we need as many people from in and around Anderson to participate as possible. This is a rare opportunity for community members to have a strong impact on the success of an economic development prospect. You can help Anderson make a strong case for Google’s investment by going to www.cityofanderson.com and following the link to the Google questionnaire. We have from now until March 26^th to show Google that Anderson is the right place for their investment!

About the Google questionnaire:

1. In one question, Google will ask about the speed of your internet connection and show you three tools for testing. We suggest http://speedtest.net Go to the site and click on "begin test" just above the map; in a few seconds you’ll have your Download and Upload speeds. Don't forget to specify Mb/s or Kb/s, depending on which one applies.

2. Another question that might leave you wondering is, "Why should Google build a fiber to the home network where you live?" It's a good question! We encourage you to think outside the box. "My Internet is really slow" is something they're going to hear over and over again. Here are some ideasfor more creative answers:

“Anderson has a wide range of income levels. This would be a great test community to see the affect of high speed in bridging the digital divide.”

“Many residents commute to Indianapolis, making Anderson a great area to test telecommuting applications.”

“Anderson has the Flagship Enterprise Center which is an incubator for small companies to get their start. This would be a great area for startups to create and test new broadband applications.”

“Anderson owns and operates its own electric utility, making building in this area much easier than others.”

“Anderson is a community that has invested in itself and its infrastructure even when large corporations moved out. It’s a community that has turned hardship into innovation”.

“For a city of around 60,000 people, Anderson has a rich mix of institutions, including higher education, businesses, finance, and residential, all of which could benefit differently from the speeds Google fiber would bring”.

After you complete the response, we would greatly appreciate you sending us an e-mail to googlefiber@cityofanderson.com to let us know how it went. This will help us gauge how many responses Google is receiving from our community and how easily participants are navigating the questionnaire.

In the coming weeks, you will see City staff and volunteers in the community with displays and videos as we build You Tube short videos of Anderson fans asking Google to invest in us. To learn more about fiber, the Google RFI, or to volunteer more ideas to win this investment, get in touch with Darren Grile at AndersonFiber@gmail.com or go to our Facebook page www.facebook.com/googlefiberforanderson/ and our Twitter feed at twitter.com/AndersonFiber

Surveys Online for Housing Needs Assessment

2/10/2010 12:00:00 AM

The City of Anderson wishes to complete a Housing Needs Assessment that will serve as a reference point for all interested parties providing safe, decent and affordable housing. The City has hired Indiana Association for Community Economic Development (IACED) to complete the assessment. The assessment will help set the City's priorities and determine the type, location, size, design and price of housing that will be built and rehabilitated in the coming years.

It will also assist many of its partners, both for profit and nonprofit by providing the following:

• An examination of housing affordability for present and future residents.
• Housing data for use by the private sector, social service agencies, advocacy groups, government leaders, developers, appraisers and bankers.
• Required documentation required for the City to make funding requests at the state and national levels.
• Community development information needed by local planners in long term planning.

Q. When will the housing needs assessment be completed?
A. A draft of the housing needs assessment will be submitted to the city for review, input and approval by early April 2010.

Q. Who can I contact if I have any questions or comments?
A. Lisa A. Archey
    Senior Program Manager
    317-920-2300 Ext. 12
    LArchey@IACED.org

Surveys are avaialable which are targeted to three groups:

For Residents

For Service Providers

For Business

Please complete a survey by March 15, 2010

Anderson Municipal Light and Power to Launch New Service

2/4/2010 12:00:00 AM

For more information, contact: Superintendent Bruce Boerner, (765) 648-6480

Commercial and industrial customers of Anderson Municipal Light and Power will soon have access to a valuable energy efficiency tool. A new service available through the utility’s wholesale power provider, the Indiana Municipal Power Agency (IMPA), will provide commercial customers with immediate access to load profile data with the click of a mouse.

“Anderson Municipal Light and Power is becoming an innovator in energy efficiency and conservation,” commented AML&P Superintendent Bruce Boerner. “We are pleased to be able to offer this program to our commercial customers – a service that makes energy efficiency easier.”

AML&P plans to implement a Commercial Load Profiler service available through Automated Energy, Inc. (AEI), a leading provider of web based energy information services in North America. The profiler service provides commercial customers with secure, detailed 15 minute interval load profile data (KW, kVar, and kWh data) via the Internet. The energy data is presented in both tabular and graphical formats, allowing customers to conduct end use analysis online or export the data for use in external benchmarking, auditing, billing, or energy management applications.

“The Commercial Load Profiler enables businesses and industries to evaluate their energy usage and look for areas of improvement,” said Erick Rheam, AEI Sales Manager. “It has the ability to show you exactly when and where you can capitalize on energy savings in your daily operations.”

The utility is hosting a breakfast and demonstration of the software for commercial and industrial customers interested in the program on Thursday, February 11 from 9-10:30 a.m at Moran’s Restaurant. Customers interested in attending should contact the utility at (765) 648-6480.

“We are excited to offer this service to our commercial and industrial customers as yet another tool to help in evaluating their energy usage,” commented Boerner. “In today’s economic environment, any steps that businesses can take to reduce their expenses and save money are welcome opportunities.”

For more information on the Commercial Load Profiler, please contact Anderson Municipal Light and Power at (765) 648-6480.

Pence to Host Mayor for National Prayer Breakfast

2/2/2010 12:00:00 AM

WASHINGTON, DC—U.S. Congressman Mike Pence announced today that Mayor Kris Ockomon, Mayor of Anderson, and his wife Ann will be his guests of honor at the 58^th Annual National Prayer Breakfast, which will take place this Thursday, February 4, 2010 in Washington, D.C.

“I am honored to be joined at this significant event by Anderson’s mayor, Kris Ockomon and his wife Ann,” said Pence. “As we set aside time to remember the power and necessity of prayer, we should also be reminded to pray for those like Mayor Ockomon who sacrifice much to be public servants.”

“I am thrilled to have been invited to attend the National Prayer Breakfast this year,” said Ockomon. “Ann and I have felt the power of prayer at work in our lives and look forward to being present at this event, where thousands of people united in purpose and faith will gather together to call on a greater power.”

Background on the National Prayer Breakfast

WHO: Congressman Mike Pence/Anderson Mayor Kris Ockomon and wife Ann

WHAT: 58^th Annual National Prayer Breakfast

WHEN: Thursday, February 4

7:00 AM EST

WHERE: The Hilton Washington

1919 Connecticut Avenue NW

Members of Congress initiated the Breakfast in 1952 and over 3,400 guests, representing more than 160 nations, all 50 states and the U.S. territories, accepted the invitation last year to gather together in prayer.

"Rigor is Cool" at Highland High School

2/1/2010 12:00:00 AM

From January 2010 College Board Connection

For Highland High School counselor Kyle Poyer, who is also head wrestling coach, motivating students to work harder to reach higher goals is nothing new. Not only has he produced state wrestling champions, but also three of the last four valedictorians at Highland High School in Anderson, Ind., have been four-year varsity wrestlers. So when Poyer set out with his colleagues to find new ways to promote the school’s Advanced Placement®culture, he pulled from his coaching experience and created, in essence, an AP®booster club —complete with fundraising events, community outreach projects and bowling nights —and made “Highland University” the place to be.

Anderson is like a lot of Midwestern industrial cities —the loss of manufacturing jobs has leftthe city devastated, and a large number of students have parents who never went to college.Higher education represents the best hope for students who wish to build a brighter future forthemselves and a stronger economy for their community, so the school has employed variousmethods to increase student participation in college-preparatory courses.“Following two strong years in which the number of Highland students passing AP Exams morethan doubled,” said Poyer, “we saw an opportunity to increase the program’s momentum, createmore excitement and build community awareness.” Highland’s director of guidance, Michel Mullins, suggested they first plan an event to raise the visibility of the AP program. The group ofschool counselors and AP teachers decided to host an AP Rocks Tailgate Party this fall, justbefore a school football game, and Poyer found local sponsors to cover the initial costs. Topromote the event, the group made T-shirts, printed signs and invited the entire school. The event was a great success, and it was duplicated at each home game this fall.

Having gotten the students’ attention, Poyer and colleagues —AP European History and AP Economics teacher Ralph Robinson and AP U.S. History teacher Aaron Riley —wanted to start an AP club. “A teacher asked me how we could convince a student who prefers taking the easy route to accept the challenge of college-level work when it’s not required,” said Poyer. This gave Poyer the idea to call the club “Highland University.”

In a matter of months, Highland University has amassed more than 100 members, growing faster than any other club at the school. The club has created a mission statement and holds weekly meetings. Members offer tutoring and hold fundraisers to offset the cost of exams and to plan social events, such as an end-of-year celebration after their AP Exams. Most important, they have found a way to reach students and prompt them to engage in rigorous course work.

"The Highland University club has created a learning environment where advanced college-prep studies are no longer reserved for the elite,” said Robinson. “The accessibility of AP courses for students has been made wider by the support and enthusiasm of the Highland University student members through their efforts to expand enrollment and support struggling AP students. The support of our AP teachers and their students has been phenomenal. The reality of college is much more real and reachable even to our lowest-income students as a result. I am extremely proud to be a part of this community of scholars and look forward to even further expansion of the program to all of our student body."

Riley added that the University club and AP programs at Highland “have given our students the chance to push the boundaries of previous expectations. Our students have come to demand and expect the highest levels of performance from not only the faculty but from themselves as well. It has been a joy to watch the growth of our students as they realize the potential that lies within each of them.”

This year, Highland High School has 393 students enrolled in 14 different AP subject areas, up from 336 students last year. The number of traditionally underrepresented minority students enrolled in AP has increased 650 percent. Due to state budget cuts, Anderson Community School Corporation will merge the district’s two
high schools in 2010-11. When Highland merges with Anderson High School, Poyer — never one to waste an opportunity — believes this will provide yet another opportunity to strengthen the school’s AP program for all students. At Highland High School, one thing is certain: Rigor is cool.

Enjoy a Picnic in the Hangar this Saturday

1/26/2010 12:00:00 AM

Take a break from winter with an indoor picnic!
Sponsored by Anderson Municipal Airport and Killbuck Concerned Citizens

CORNHOLE
TOURNAMENT
ANDERSON MUNICIPAL AIRPORT

SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2010

REGISTRATION FROM 11 A.M. ‘TIL NOON

DOUBLE ELIMINATION TOURNAMENT AT NOON SHARP!!

ENTRY FEE - $5.00 PER PERSON/$10.00 PER TEAM

TROPHYS FOR 1^st and 2^nd PLACE!

$1.00 Hot Dogs / $1.00 Soft Drinks / 50¢ Chips

$ 1.00 for a 4 Bag To$$ – A chance to win CA$H PRIZE$!!

TE$T YOUR $KILL! WHO CAN PUT 4 BAG$ IN ONE HOLE?

January Construction Update: Dewey Street Treatment Plant

1/22/2010 12:00:00 AM

Crews are moving into the next phase of construction at the Dewey Street water pollution control facility.

This $8.5 million project is building new screens and an energy efficient pump station at the Dewey Street plant to bring more sewer flows into the plant during wet weather. It will also add diesel stand-by electricity generators so the plant can operate during power outages.

During the week of Jan. 11, Shook Construction worked on excavating a hole for Dewey Street's new, energy-efficient pump station. The next step will be setting down a stone base and placing steel for the bottom slab.

The photos below show workers assembling the trench box that will protect them from cave-ins during construction. An electrical contractor has recently moved to the construction site and begun preparing for electrical work to support the new pump station.