Dedicated Zookeeper, Teacher, Mentor, Friend
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[SPRINGFIELD CITY EMPLOYEE NEWS EXTRA ] Nov. 5 November 2013 John Bradford remembered as ‘extraordinary,’ dedicated zookeeper, teacher, mentor, friend ccording to his friends and co-workers, John ABradford never would have wanted this much attention for doing the job he loved – caring for and making life better for the elephants at Dickerson Park Zoo. “He wasn’t in it for the glory, Kick Off and which is probably why he was such Mayor’s Tree Lighting a good manager,” said Zookeeper 5:30 p.m. Sat., Nov. 23 at Jackson Thompson. “John was Jordan Valley Park. Kick off a true conservationist. His life’s the season with the lighting work was saving these animals of the Mayor’s Christmas from extinction. He was always so Tree followed by a visit good to them.” from Santa and fireworks at Described as humble and Hammons Field. reserved, yet fun and very intelligent, Bradford leaves an impressive legacy at Dickerson Downtown Springfield Park Zoo. Christmas Parade After working at what was Bradford “leaves behind a huge hole,” said his friend, fellow Zookeeper Melissa Dickson. then Exotic Animal Paradise and He dedicated countless hours of his own time to improving his elephants’ living environ- 2 p.m. Sat., Dec. 14 in the Humane Society of Missouri, ment. “He was always inventing something for them or looking for new toys for them.” Downtown Springfield. Bradford joined the zoo in 1983 as Parade floats, marching a zookeeper. In 1990, he became a bands, Santa and more! The program was the recipient expertise with elephants,” said veterinary technician and worked of the 1997 Edward H. Bean zoo Public Relations/Marketing his way up to senior zookeeper and Award from the Association of Director Melinda Arnold. “He elephant manager in 2007. First Night Springfield Zoos and Aquariums. often helped other zoos start their Bradford helped create the breeding programs. We’ve had 5:30 p.m.-midnight zoo’s elephant breeding program, “John was a true an overwhelming outpouring of Tues., Dec. 31 at multiple which resulted in the world’s first conservationist. His support from zoos nationwide.” Downtown venues artifically inseminated elephant While the zoo was Bradford’s and Jordan Valley Park. birth there (Haji) in 1999. life’s work was saving second home, co-workers also Admission in advance: $8, these animals from characterize him as a family man $30 family 4-pack. Kids extinction. He was who was devoted to his nieces and under 3 free! nephews in the St. Louis area. He always so good to them.” is also survived by two sisters and - Zookeeper Jackson Thompson a brother. It’s Movember! “He really loved his family and Help raise awareness and the family farm in Festus that support for men’s health by Bradford’s tribute wall at www. he grew up on,” Thompson said. turning this November into dietrichfuneralhome.com is filled “He was always excited to see his Movember! Learn more at with messages from colleagues at nieces and nephews.” www.movember.com. zoos across the country. A die-hard St. Louis Cardinals Bradford giving one of his charges a bath. “John was extremely well- fan, Bradford loved going to respected by other zoos for his 4See Bradford on page 6. 911 Dispatch Fire Department Do you know? BeCivilBeHeard.com Speak out with courage City welcomes new Staff reaches out Get to know Express yourself with employees with 2 during Fire Prevention 3 Paul Byer, 7 honor and conviction. Republic merger Month Parks Ranger County offers explanation of use tax Simply stated, it’s a tax on out-of-state who must charge more tax than out-of-state purchases. competitors. What is the rate? It is equal to sales tax rate. • Restore tax on out-of-state vehicle sales, SPRINGFIELD CITY Greene County’s rate is 1.25 percent. The City which was suspended by a recent court ruling. [ EMPLOYEE NEWS EXTRA of Springfield and State of Missouri already have • Prevent cuts in vital services provided by ] Use Taxes. Greene County. The Use Tax does not change the sales tax Greene County faces an uncertain financial EDITOR rate and does not add any cost to purchases made future without additional general revenue. Please Cora Scott in Missouri, including Springfield and Greene study the issue carefully and exercise your right MANAGING EDITOR County. to vote on Nov. 5. Melissa Haase The Use Tax will: The Use Tax is listed as “Proposition A” and • Level the play field for local businesses, is the only issue on the ballot. PRODUCTION EDITOR Kristen Milam EDITORIAL CARTOON Springfield, Republic 911 dispatch centers merge Mark Montgomery CONTENT MANAGER After years of preparation, the Republic and Schwartze understands that some citizens may Sharon Spain Springfield 911 emergency dispatch centers have feel differently about the merger. However, the transitioned into one. telecommunicators will continue to do all they COPY EDITOR Sharon Smith As of Oct. 6, four telecommunicators from can to provide the level of service the citizens of Republic became City of Springfield employees in Republic and Greene County have come to expect. DISTRIBUTION the 911 Emergency Communications Department. “I am very proud of the dispatchers we have Jenni Lewis They bring many years of experience and training working here at 911 ECD and excited to welcome RETIREE LIAISON with them which benefits the entire community the four newest from Republic,” she added. Finance Department overall. Please welcome Sam Brakebill, Danielle “It takes many months for a new hire to be fully Allen, Cinnamon Fuller and James Stater. The SCENE is published monthly by the City of Springfield, trained in our dispatch center. There is a lot of 840 Boonville, P.O. Box 8368, information to learn and skills needed to perform Recent recognitions Springfield, MO, 65801. the various functions. These four employees bring • A caller from the Stillwell Column Comments and articles which appear in with them nearly all of the skills which greatly Apartments told the on-duty supervisor after a The SCENE do not necessarily reflect the speeds up the their training process,” Director recent incident in the apartment complex on Oct. 6 views or opinions of City administration or any employee thereof, but are for Zim Schwartze said. that she “appreciated everything you people do for information only. Permission to reprint Springfield and Republic officials met regularly this city!” material may be obtained from the to ensure small details were addressed for the • Kayla Smith handled a call on Oct. 10 from Department of Public Information, employee transition as well as for operations and Barbara Crismas, who was trying to help her (417) 864-1010. processes. elderly neighbors during an incident. Ms. Crismas Several stages occurred to include the full- told dispatch that the female has dementia/ time dispatch of fire calls on Sept. 23 and police Alzheimer’s and the male has some age-related dispatch on Oct. 7. Officials will continue to meet issues. She said that Kayla was extremely friendly, and work out any issues and clarify procedures. professional, and genuinely seemed to care about “It may not be perfect, but we are trying to the situation that she was reporting. MISSION clean up any loose ends that come up,” Schwartze We are committed to says. working with the community to provide ethical and responsible local government so that everyone can enjoy the benefits of living and working in Springfield. Additional City info is available on our Web site at www.springfieldmo.gov. Videos may be viewed on CityView on the Web or on Mediacom channels 15.1 and 80 and AT&T U-verse channel 99. SCENE Deadline Hints from the Help Desk Nov. 22, 2013 Easily resize desktop icons in Windows 7 them where you want them on the desktop to Please direct your submissions avoid them from moving around.) to the Department of Public Hold down your Ctrl key and use the scroll Information. Submissions and wheel on your mouse to easily resize Windows 7 ads via e-mail are preferred: desktop icons. [email protected] (Hint – resize your icons first and then place printed on recycled paper 2 SCENE Fire marshals participate in Bomb Suit 5K, staff provide outreach during Fire Prevention Month Fire Marshal Phil Noah (pictured left, Fire Protection District. Firefighters and on the right) and Greene County Deputy Jim employees from Battery Outfitters went door Stanley won first place in the Bomb Suit relay to door in Springfield, Battlefield and Nixa race that was part of the 2nd annual Kansas/ on Saturday, Oct. 5 offering to replace smoke Missouri Bomb Tech Working Group’s Bomb alarm batteries. Suite 5K Race in October. A properly installed and maintained smoke Noah and fellow Fire Marshal Kevin alarm is the only thing in your home that can Binam (pictured below) also took first in the alert you and your family to a fire 24 hours individual category. a day, seven days a week. A working smoke Bomb techs from Kansas, Missouri and alarm doubles your chances of surviving a Overland Park, including FBI personnel, deadly home fire. participated in the event, which benefits the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Wounded Local restaurant donates $12,000 fire safe- Warrior Project and the Bomb Tech ty tool to Fire Department Memorial Fund. The Springfield Fire Department will now be able to train countless residents Fire departments team up to replace on how to properly use a fire extinguisher, smoke alarm batteries Oct. 5 thanks to a donation from a local restaurant, Continuing with a regional approach to Firehouse Subs. The Firehouse Subs Public fire safety, fire departments in Springfield, Safety Foundation donated a laser-driven Battlefield and Nixa replaced smoke alarm fire extinguisher training system, worth batteries throughout those cities during a more than $11,500 to the Springfield Fire neighborhood canvass on Oct.