 Adams named officer of the year
Police Chief Ken Greenslate named Sgt. Paul Adams, a detective,
as the Lincoln Police Department 2010 Officer of the Year.
Referring to a comment he'd made at the March 12 budget meeting,
the chief opened by saying: "Last Saturday, I spoke to you all about
the person moving all the furniture. I'd like for you to meet that
guy. I'd like to present the 2010 Officer of the Year Award to
Detective Sgt. Paul Adams.
"It is a great pleasure to award this letter of commendation to
Detective Sgt. Paul Adams. Detective Adams has served in the
capacity of detective since 2004 -- in the last couple of years,
alone," Greenslate continued.
"Detective Adams has been instrumental in investigating and
solving homicides and numerous other serious crimes. (He) also
currently serves as the evidence supervisor, training officer, FOI
officer, UCR officer, the IT officer maintaining the city website
and in numerous other roles.
"Detective Adams has been selected by his fellow officers, with
my full support, as the 2010 Officer of the Year. To be selected by
his peers further recognizes the dedication of Detective Adams.
"Detective Adams is a great asset to the Lincoln Police
Department and to the citizens of Lincoln."
Adams received a plaque recognizing him as officer of the year,
and congratulations and applause from Mayor Keith Snyder and the
Lincoln City Council.
Speedway gets the green flag by unanimous vote
Lincoln Speedway owners Norm and Yvonne Horn, along with race
manager Marty Spears and wife Carol, were in attendance Monday
evening. They came to hear the council's decision on requests they
made last week regarding their racing schedule and specific
exceptions to the council's established curfews.
Before going into the vote, Snyder asked Horn if he had any
comments. He said that he and Spears were there to answer any
questions the council might have but had nothing further to add to
the discussions of last week.
Snyder called for the motion, which was made by Alderwoman Marty
Neitzel and seconded by Alderwoman Stacy Bacon.
During discussion, it was decided that Neitzel's motion was a bit
vague, and the council wanted it to be very precise so it could not
be misinterpreted.
Bacon and Neitzel withdrew their motion and second and started
over. Under the advice of city attorney Bill Bates, they outlined
that they were allowing weeknight racing specifically for June 14
and 16, and the track would be afforded three 30-minute extensions
to be used only on the eight special events of the season. The
motion also allowed for requests for additional extensions as
needed.
Discussion regarding the motion centered on the extensions and
when and how they would be needed, requested and granted.
Alderman Tom O'Donohue said he wanted to amend the motion to
state that if additional extensions were needed, Horn would have to
come back to the council and ask for them.
Alderwoman Joni Tibbs said her understanding of the extensions
was that they would only be used if there were delays on the track
due to accidents. She said the extensions are for a specific reason,
not just to give the track extra time for their show.
As discussion ensued, Horn asked if he could speak. He said, "If
you'll give me three, I'll be happy. I don't need any more. I'm
tickled to death with three."
Spears also clarified that the hope of the track is to have a lot
of cars, a lot of races. He said that if there were an accident on
the track that takes a while to clean up, they would hate to see
drivers who have been there most of the day get sent home without
getting to race.
Spears said: "We do push to get things done. I guarantee you I
will work my hardest. If Norm gets the track ready by 6:30 and we're
ready to go, I'll have those guys done, I promise you."
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In the final motion that went to vote, Lincoln Speedway was given
permission for races on two weeknights, June 14 and 16, with 10:30
curfews. It was also permitted that if needed, they could use their
extensions on those nights.
The three 30-minute extensions can only be used one per night and
only on specific dates: April 15, May 13, May 20, June 14, June 16,
July 3, July 8, and Aug. 20.
The motion also stipulated that if additional extensions were
needed, Horn would return to the council and make an official
request for them.
When the motion went to a roll call vote, it passed unanimously
9-0.
Treasurer says keep encouraging retail business
January ended with a general fund balance of $283,212.19.
Chuck Conzo, city treasurer, shared that at the end of February
the fund balance came to $484,990.93. Comparing that with years
past, in 2010 the February balance was only $92,779.78 and in 2009
it was $504,146.40.
Conzo said the balance is improving, due to the state, although
still running behind, continuing to make regular payments, and he is
also seeing an increase in sales tax revenues.
He told the council that the sales tax payment made in February
was for dollars collected in November of 2010 and amounted to
$206,622.40. He added that the city has received a payment in March
for December and the total came to just over $220,000.
"We need to do everything we can to encourage businesses to
continue to operate here and to locate here. That is one thing that
we do have some control over," he said.
Other announcements
According to Mark Mathon, city engineer, the traffic control
signals at 200 Stahlhut Drive, the entry to the new hospital, will
be activated this week, prior to the Thursday opening of the new
facility.
Snyder acknowledged Tibbs as being named Main Street Lincoln's
Civic Advocate of the Year and expressed appreciation for the work
she does with Main Street on behalf of the city.
There will be a fundraiser April 9 at the Lincoln Banquet Center
to benefit Robert Shattuck, who is battling cancer.
Shattuck is known to the city for the architectural work he has
done, most recently in assisting with the roofing project for City
Hall. He is an architectural designer who works for J.H. Petty from
Springfield.
The city will also pass a resolution declaring April 9 as Robert
Shattuck Day in the city of Lincoln.
It was noted that the second budget workshop will be on Saturday.
The meeting will begin at 8 a.m. and, hopefully, end around the noon
hour.
[By NILA SMITH]
Past related article
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