Great Bend City Administrator Howard Partington gave an update on the activities of city departments during Monday’s City Council meeting. Highlights included:
Engineering Department
• Venture Corporation completed paving all the mill and overlay streets on the 2013 Residential Street Resurfacing Project on Oct. 11.
• Venture completed the patching component of the Lakin Avenue Improvements project on Oct. 15, completed asphalt repairs along 10th Street between Main and Frey streets on Oct. 16, and completed placement of the second lift of pavement on Bonita Street on Oct. 19.
• Venture began placing the asphalt overlay along Lakin Avenue on Oct. 19.
Public Works
• Mixed salt and sand and did snow plow maintenance in preparation of the winter season.
• Repainted street markings on 10th Street due to the repairs between Kansas and Frey.
• Replaced fire hydrant at Patton and Broadway due to accident.
• Sanitarian reported 1,208 year to date complaints, 24 new complaints (five by citizens and 19 by staff), 39 complaints completed by citizens, five abatement notices sent, and seven cars brought into compliance.
Police
• Oct. 17 – September’s “I Make A Difference” winner, Roosevelt Elementary in Hoisington, was announced.
Explore Great Bend Month is about to kick off and run through November, Great Bend Community Coordinator Christina Hayes told the City Council Monday. This marks the second year for the city-wide business promotion.
Hayes said each Saturday in November, and Black Friday, participating businesses will host a variety of activities enticing people into their stores. So far, 32 business owners have said they will take part.
At these events, shoppers can sign up to win a $1,000 shopping spree. This year, there will also be a $500 second prize and $250 third prize.
The themes for the Saturdays are:
• Nov. 2: Open houses and Chili Cookoff
• Nov. 9: Explore Great Bend Day
• Nov. 16: Find the Hidden Turkey Day
• Nov. 23: Camp Hope Charity Day
• Nov. 29: Black Friday
• Nov. 30: Small Business Saturday, Cookie Contest and Holiday Parade.
The Explore Great Bend pins sold in advance of the city’s Party in the Park held in September will again be valuable during November, Hayes said. Many of the participants will offer specials to those wearing the pins.
Also in preparation for the holidays, Hayes said she is still gathering volunteers for the Trail of Lights booth at Brit Spaugh Park. There are still 18 open days to fill with greeters and volunteers.
Party time
In addition to looking at what was coming up, Hayes gave a final tally on the Party in the Park. “It was hugely successful,” she said.
The event was a chance for the City of Great Bend to give back to the community and Hayes thanked other city officials for jumping on board with the idea. City administrators, employees and even City Council members took part.
But, Hayes said, the best part was seeing the families taking part in the busy day. She ran through some highlights.
• The Tuff Enuff Fun Run (Club 1 Fitness and Great Bend High School Student Council) – 81 Runners took part and it raised $650 for the stuco, which will help with its Community Service Day.
• The Great Bend Optimist Club Fun Zone attracted around 500 kids to the Velcro wall, Imagination Station and other activities, the club felt it was a great success.
• Bark 4 Life, a fundraiser for the Great Bend Tribune Relay for Life of Barton County team made $200. There were canine activities, a dog costume contest and dogs for adoption from the Golden Belt Humane Society.
• Oozefest Mud Volleyball, operated by the Great Bend Recreation Commission, drew 17 teams and funds went to the GBRC youth scholarships. Those who took part loved it and said it was run very well.
• Oreo Eating Contest consisted of three heats and attracted a large crowd. Simone Sulivan took first in the 18-and-older class, Jason Steinert took first in the 18-and-younger class, and uncle and nephew Chad Norris and Liam Proffit took first in the couples class.
Hayes said she may change the item consumed for next year’s contest.
• The picnic attracted around 300 people. City Council members were on hand to serve food to the guests. Hayes said they over order food for the event and the leftovers went to the Barton County Food Bank, Hungry Heart Soup Kitchen, Great Bend Senior Center, and the Great Bend Girls’ Home and Boys’ Home.
• The concert in the park, featuring local musician Ricky Fugitt and regional talent Logan Mize, had a great turnout with around 750 people sitting in lawn chairs, standing up at the stage or dancing.
• The fireworks display was a wonderful addition with families filling the park. Around 200 cars were counted leaving after the show.
