Informing Citizens AugustCityScene 2017 www.independencemo.org Volume 24 Number 8 City of Independence, MO Be Cool With Your Pool - Drain It Right Did you know anything which goes For proper draining, drain pools and into a storm drain flows into a creek spas into the sanitary sewer to ensure or river without being treated first? water ends up at the treatment plant Rain water washes away soda where all chemicals, including any poured out in parking lots, cigarette residual chlorine, can be removed. butts thrown on the ground, oil and This can be done through any other chemicals dumped or spilled plumbed drain in your home, including along curbs or driveways and can a floor drain. Saltwater pools may pollute our creeks and rivers. the water before draining it. This can never be drained onto the ground Lawn chemicals improperly applied be done chemically or by letting the or into the storm sewer system. and swimming pools improperly water sit for five days without adding Saltwater pools must always be drained can also pollute our creeks any chemicals to it. Always test the drained into the sanitary sewer and rivers. Nothing except rainwater chlorine level to verify that it is zero. system. should go down the storm drain. Once it is dechlorinated, when the Protecting water quality in our Water from pools and spas should pH is between 7-8, and before algae storm system, creeks and streams never enter the storm sewer system. starts to grow, it is safe to begin slowly is an integral part of the City of When cleaning the filter, do it in a draining the water onto your lawn. Independence’s responsibilities sink or another drain connected to This practice is acceptable only if under our state permit for the Storm the sanitary sewer, which will drain the water stays within your property Water Management Program. to a wastewater treatment plant. Pool boundaries - there can be no runoff For proper disposal of excess chemicals can seriously damage onto adjacent lots nor onto the street. chlorine or other chemicals, go to waterways, and kill fish and other Be sure to drain very slowly to limit the www.recyclespot.org. For more aquatic life. amount of runoff. information about pool maintenance, Anytime your pool needs to be Releasing the water too quickly can call Water Pollution Control at (816) drained, be sure to de-chlorinate leave standing water or erode the soil. 325-7711. Consider Law Enforcement As a Career Choice Why become a Police Officer? It’s Few careers are as rewarding as law • You seek a a great choice for anyone seeking a enforcement. Police officers spend job to make you satisfactory salary, respect in your their day protecting and serving their proud community and the opportunity to make community – not stuck behind a desk You might be a difference in people’s lives. in a cubicle. They’re often motivated hard pressed to For those on the fence about deciding by working for something greater than find a group of on a career, or thinking of making a career themselves, and end each day knowing individuals more change, here are five reasons to consider their time and talents are being well spent. proud than the becoming a Police Officer: • You appreciate job variety friends and family • Police officers have an opportunity No two days are the same for a police members of law to save lives every day officer. There are a wide variety of job enforcement Aside from the obvious example of a duties, and anything could happen on professionals. The officers themselves life-and-death situation, a police officer’s your shift. form a kinship not found in many other professions. mere presence may save lives they will • You want to be competitively To find out more about what it takes never know about. Every speeding ticket compensated to become an Independence Police written, every fight broken up, and every The City of Independence has a Officer, contact Kelly Pope at (816) 325- incident of domestic violence which was competitive and comprehensive salary 7411 or [email protected]. You can stopped could have led to a fatality. and benefits package including generous also check the City’s website at www. • You desire to make an impact in time off allowances, health insurance and independencemo.org/hr. your community a retirement plan. August 2017 CityScene CityScene CityScene CityScene CityScene CityScene Page 2 From Santa-Cali-Gon To Snakes With Feet, September Sizzles Kick off the Labor Day weekend with Performed by puppeteer Nancy Clark, of several of their wines, as well as art, the 2017 Santa-Cali-Gon Festival! The performances will be at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. music, beer, food booths and wine classes. carnival opens at noon on Thursday, on Saturday, September 9 at 11025 E. Tickets are $25 in advance or $35 at the August 31, and the vendor booths open Winner Road. Admission is $6 per person. door. The first 2,000 attendees will receive for business at For reservations, call (816) 833-9777. a wine glass and four-bottle wine bag. noon on Friday, City Theatre of Independence presents Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the September 1. “Harvey,” the classic tale of Elwood afternoon in a beautiful setting. The historic P. Dowd and his Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Independence invisible rabbit buddy. Eastern Independence, proceeds will Square will His social-climbing go toward national and local charities welcome thousands of visitors during the sister finds his eccentric supported by Rotary. For details, go to course of the annual Festival, which runs behavior embarrassing www.independenceuncorked.com. until 5 p.m. on Monday, September 4. and decides to have The 11th annual TOUCH-A-TRUCK Hundreds of vendors will be offering him committed. When event will be held from 9 a.m. to noon food, clothing, crafts and unique gift they arrive at the sanitarium, a comedy on Saturday, September 23 at the items for sale. There will be music from of errors ensues. Silverstein Eye Centers Arena, 19100 E. both the Main Stage and the Brew Pub Performances will be 7:30 p.m. Valley View Parkway. Free admission. Stage throughout the weekend, including Thursday through Saturday, September Last year a wide variety of vehicles Blackberry Smoke at 9:30 p.m. Saturday 7, 8 and 9; and Friday and Saturday, were on dis- night on the Main Stage, and Cody Cooke September 15 and 16; closing with a 2 play from and the Bayou Outlaws at 9:30 p.m. on p.m. matinee on Sunday, September 17. Indepen- Sunday night. Call (816) 325-7367 to reserve your seat. dence Power Sponsored by the Chamber General admission $15. City Theatre is and Light, of Commerce, for a full line-up of located inside the Sermon Center, 201 N. Belfonte entertainment and concerts go to www. Dodgion (Noland and Truman Roads). Dairy, Blue santacaligon.com/#/home. For information about all productions, go Springs School District, Independence Puppetry Arts Institute will present to www.citytheatreofindependence.org. Police and Fire Departments, AMR, the “The Snake with The 2017 Independence Uncorked Wine United States Army, Missouri State High- Big Feet,” a Festival will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. on way Patrol, Bass Pro Shops, Children's Native American Saturday, September 9 at the Bingham- Mercy Hospitals, Teamsters Local 41, tale about the Waggoner Estate, 313 W. Pacific. Kansas City Zoo and many more. sun god granting More than 2,500 are expected to More than 4,000 kids and their families a snake's wish attend the Festival, which will feature are expected to take a closer look, honk the to be human. 25 Missouri wineries offering samples horns and learn firsthand how the vehicles impact their daily lives and benefit the community. Notify the City of Illegal Roadside Signs Calling all Princesses ages Have you seen rows of bright yellow located in the right-of-way (generally 4 to 10! It’s time for the annual signs in the median advertising offers to extending 11 feet away from the street) or Little Princess Ball. From purchase your home or unwanted vehicle? on utility poles. Before you place a sign 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Or maybe you would like to sell your gold, in your yard, check out the guidelines by September 23, young ladies replace your roof or make your fortune contacting Community Development at may dress in their prettiest working from home? (816) 325-7109. gowns and attend with their It is a City Council priority The City will continue to favored knight (father figure) to keep Independence a safe remove signs in the right- to enjoy music, dancing, dinner and attractive community. of-way and on utility poles. and general merry-making. These signs, which often Residents and property Held at the Truman Memorial appear magically overnight, owners can assist by Building at 416 W. Maple Avenue, can be distracting to drivers removing illegal temporary ticket cost is $30 per couple; or block sight lines at signs from the street right- each additional participant $15. intersections. Not only can of-way adjacent to their Registration deadline is 9 p.m. they reduce traffic safety, property. Tuesday, September 19. Call but also can make the area If you see a sign in the (816) 325-7843 to register. appear cluttered and messy. right-of-way or on a utility For more activities and events see the The City has rules pole, you can contact (816) Calendar of Events on the City’s website at governing the location, size and duration 325-7818, give the location, and staff will www.independencemo.org or contact the for temporary signs.