Commissioners
need our support
Letter to Editor,
Commissioners Verkamp, Dean and Stratman need a vote of confidence for their stand on the upcoming EEZ proposal.
Their view was that the EEZ issue is a citizen's issue and needs to be decided by the citizens and not by a few overzealous city fathers or other directors. The EEZ committee used a very underhanded way to try and get an accelerated approval of the EEZ zone from our County Commissioners.
Let's all get out an show them we mean business on Oct. 5 at the Rolla City Hall.
— Earl Richards, Rolla


Federal spending at its inflated worst
To the editor,
Wednesday's Rolla Daily News said that the Rolla Police Department is going to receive a federal Department of Justice Grant for $10,187 to buy 32 flashlights.
Using grade school mathematics, that means the flashlights cost $318.34 each.  I'm glad that our RPD uniformed road officers will be safer and more efficient with these new LED style flashlights.
My only problem with the grant funding is that I am not happy paying over $300 for each flashlight. Why do even these fancy flashlights cost that much?    
— George Karr, Rolla


Veterans park
is taking shape
The South Regional Veterans Park located on Southview in Rolla is starting to take shape.  On Aug. 14 the parking lot was graded and is now ready for the base gravel to be spread. 
We want to thank Ken Kwantes, director of Parks and Recreations for the City of Rolla, for getting the parking lot ready.  If you have driven by the park you noticed it was brushed hogged twice. Tom Olsen, a member of the Retired Enlisted Association of Rolla, volunteered to cut the area for us.
Greg Daniels of Daniels Construction volunteered to haul the 30 truck loads of base gravel which will be used on the parking lot, the gravel was donated by Capital Quarry of Rolla.
A 48” x 96” exterior sign is being manufactured for display showing the proposed park layout.  We have the three flag poles in storage, so progress is being made. 
Anyone wishing to donate money towards the Veterans Park may send their check to any of the veteran’s organizations in Rolla. All donations are tax deductible.
— Jerry Bumpus, Veterans park committee member


Thankful for
Relay support
On May 2, 2009, the American Cancer Society’s local Relay For Life Event was held in Phelps County, Mo.  
Hundreds of volunteers formed 32 teams. These teams spent countless hours throughout the year and came together for the overnight event, which raised over $103,000 in the fight against cancer.  Example fundraisers include the St. James’ Evening Star 4-H Team’s “Donkey Basketball,”  WalMart 101’s bake sale , and the Phelps County Regional Medical Center “Lifesavers” team’s  annual Trail Ride.
Individual team fundraising totals are impressive. The Lifesavers achieved the Fundraising Club Platinum Level by raising $15,695. Several teams earned the Gold Level (at least $5000 raised) -- St. John’s Clinic ($8,367), WalMart 101 ($7,509), RFL Committee 1 ($6,601), Evening Star 4-H ($5,211), and Candlelighters ($5,243). The Silver Level teams who raised a minimum of $3000 include Groovin’ For A Cure ($4,348), Crusaders For The Cure – Bond Clinic, ($4,117), Friends Against Cancer ($4,046), and Classy Curves ($3,330). The teams that brought in $1500 or more to earn the Bronze Level were RFL Committee 2 ($2,895), Penguin Parade ($2,835), Rolla High School Key Club ($2,543), Glassholes, Potters and Ironmen ($2,233), Allison Lawn Care ($1,892), Campus Christian Fellowship ($1,864), Knock-Outs 1 ($1,857), Omega Sigma ($1,754), Missouri Home Care ($1,677), Tae Kwon Do Club ($1,554), and Gunslingers ($1,519). The Rolla Catholic Newman Center ($1,458), Team Revelation ($1,150), Lamda Sigma Pi ($1,137), Knights of the RC ($990), Sigma Chi ($795), Knock Outs 2 ($765) Team Monster ($674), Rolla Rotoract Club ($580), Team Hunt ($493), and Rolla Manor Care Center ($415) also raised funds to be donated to the fight against cancer.
The 2009 committee is grateful to our local sponsors for their generous support of Relay For Life of Phelps County.   Rolla Junior High School Student-2-Student, the Rolla Lions Club, In Memory of Debra Leigh Jolin, S&T Pink Ladies 5K, Watkins Portable Toilets, 40/8 Central Ozark Voiture 460, St. John’s Clinic – Rolla, Bond Clinic, Merle’s Music,  MJ Sound, American Legion Post 331, Phelps County Bank,  Sink’s Pharmacy, Jim Logan’s Audio,  Christian Life Center, ATA Construction, Rolla Regional Office/DMH, Paul’s Wholesale Furniture, MO-Sci, McCall’s Floor Mart, King Auto Glass, Fidelity Communications, Town & Country Bank, Shomshor Shiner,  John’s Firestone, Royal Canin USA, Tim’s Custom Engraving, and William B. Moorkamp, DDS. Please patronize these community supporters and let them know how much you appreciate their involvement with Relay.
We cannot forget the Cancer Survivors who braved the weather to come out to the Relay.  The increasing numbers of survivors in the county testify to the fact that early detection can and does save lives.  All the teams and committee thank them for their attendance and applaud their bravery.
Finally, a reminder about next year’s Relay For Life – it will be held on 7 and 8 May, 2010 at Lions Club Park in Rolla.  This event is open to the entire Phelps County community.  For more information about your American Cancer Society or Relay For Life, as well as how to get involved in planning the 2010 Relay, form or join a team, register a Cancer Survivor, or volunteer, please contact the 2010 Event Chair, Cynthia Tharp, at (573) 578-7594 or by email at irelay2@gmail.com.
Have a safe, cancer-free year and we’ll see you at Relay!
— Patti Fleck, Chairman,
Relay for Life of Phelps County