Readers ask about tornado shelter, "click it" campaign

Readers ask about tornado shelter, “click it” campaign

The following questions were asked recently on the Wonderline:

Q: Does the city offer shelter in the event of a tornado at the auditorium, community center, etc.? Every year, it seems like there’s confusion about that.
A: If the city buildings are open, the public is more than welcome and encouraged to come inside during such a weather event.
However, if the buildings are closed, they will not be opened in the event of a tornado warning, because of safety precautions.
City Administrator Jack Vavra said, “By the time the warning comes, everyone needs to seek cover immediately, they need to already be in a safe place — it is much more dangerous to get into a car and drive to another location.”

Q: How will the York Police Department be participating in the nationwide “Click It or Ticket” campaign?
A: The York Police Department does not specifically participate in that campaign (with mandatory traffic check points, etc.).
Chief of Police Don Klug said that the local police have not typically done so “because it’s a manpower issue.
“Some of the larger police departments in the state, those which have traffic units, do participate and the state patrol does,” Klug said. “But the York Police Department has not. The officers pay attention to those issues on a daily basis, during the course of their regular patrol, but as far as initiating a specific program, that has not been done.”

Q: Members of the Eagles organization were out planting grass on another of the vacant lots where the fire occurred on Fifth Street. Why can't the city require the other property owners to do the same?
A: The city cannot mandate the planting of grass on vacant lots because there are no statutes stating as such, according to City Administrator Jack Vavra.
“We did notify the lot owners when dirt was washing into the street and the alley, and they put up silt retention fences,” Vavra said. “If they would have high weeds growing there, for example, the city could ask them to get rid of them. But we cannot mandate that the property owners plant grass, install pavement, or anything else on those vacant lots.”

Q: Is there anyone in York that teaches piano lessons?
A: If anyone teaches piano lessons, they are asked to contact the Wonderline at 362-4478.

Q: Wonderline received a question regarding a specific person who is allegedly working at a very public business in York, who they say is a Level 3 sex offender. “Can Wonderline shed some light on this?” they asked.
A: Wonderline searched the Nebraska Sex Offender Registry for the name of this particular individual and found that he is not listed as a Level 3 sex offender. Wonderline chose not to publish the name of the individual or the business, because of that reason.

Q: Do you know the due date of the new squad for the York Fire and Rescue to be here?
A: The city’s new ambulance will become part of the fleet in the very near future, according to Fire Chief Kevin Stuhr.
“It will be anytime now,” Stuhr said. “There is some paperwork to be completed, and once that’s done, we will take delivery.”

Q: What’s the deal with this “customer service training” thing that’s being planned here in York? Can I still send some of my people?
A: The customer service training is being organized by the York Area Chamber of Commerce and the York County Visitors Bureau — so the reader can get more information from them, if they so need.
The program is entitled, “The Good, the Mad and the Ugly: Service Success Strategies,” and will be held on June 3, from 10 a.m. until noon at the Chances R beer garden. The presenter will be Jeanne Baer, a York native and great speaker, according to organizers. Chamber members can send up to five employees for free, and any additional employees can attend at $10 a person. There is also an optional lunch following the presentation.
They should contact either office to see if they can still reserve spaces for the training and lunch if they so wish.

Q: Are we going to be treated by another visit from Pirate Jim this year?
A: Yes, Pirate Jim will be visiting the York community to kick off the annual York News-Times Treasure Hunt (which is now in its 21st year). He will be at the Farmer’s Market on Thursday, June 26. Last year was his first public appearance.
Also, on that night, a “Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest” will be held on the west side of the courthouse, at 5 p.m., for kids. Prizes will be given for the best “pirate-themed art.”

Q: Why is the Nebraska Department of Roads going to pave the Bradshaw spur, when they haven’t even paved the road to Cordova yet?
A: The road leading to Cordova from Interstate 80 is not a state road, so it is not a financial or construction concern of the Nebraska Department of Roads — it is, rather, an issue for Seward County. The Bradshaw Spur, however, is designated as a state roadway. Once the Bradshaw Spur is paved, it will be relinquished to the county.

Q: I haven’t heard much about the West Nile Virus this year. Is that still something to be concerned about?
A: Yes, as in past summers, the Four Corners Health Department is asking for assistance from the public to monitor the presence of the West Nile Virus. The department began its surveillance May 19, and they are accepting dead birds for testing for the virus. They can be contacted at 362-2621.
Reports of dead birds of any species will be taken, and certain species will be collected and tested. Species that will be collected include blue jays, crows, magpies, owls and hawks. Testing will only be done on birds that are in good condition, with no evidence of decomposition. Bare hands should not be used in handling dead birds or other animals. Use a shovel to pick up the bird or reach into a plastic bag and using the bag like a glove, pick up the bird and turn the bag inside out. The bag can then be tied. If the bird is not accepted by the health department, it can be placed in a covered trash receptacle. Thorough hand washing should follow.
And as in the past, Four Corners authorities encourage the public to protect themselves from mosquito bites, by using insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or oil from lemon eucalyptus; by wearing long sleeves and pants when outdoors; by taking extra precautions when going outdoors at dawn and dusk; and by removing standing water where mosquitoes breed.