Cleanup continues; Expo Center gates close during IFYR

Justin Erickson, Shawnee’s Community Development director, passed along some information this week concerning the cleanup campaign under way and the coordinated effort between the city and the Greater Shawnee Chamber of Commerce.
He says between his staff’s proactive role and the number of phone calls received, about 300 formal actions were initiated during the month of June.
Approximately half of the complaints were a result of pro-active enforcement, he said. In addition to their current efforts, Erickson said “we intend to target dilapidated buildings over the next few months and work through our backlog of those properties.”
He attributes the number to more awareness on the part of citizens brought about through the combined efforts of the city and the chamber, along with his ability to hire a part-time code enforcement officer.
He said that during Monday night’s city commission meeting he will provide an update on the progress of the campaign which officially launched on June 1.
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Mike Jackson, operations director at the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center, wants to advise area motorists who travel through the Expo that the west gate near Leo Street will close at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 10. It will not reopen to traffic until Sunday morning, July 19, following the conclusion of the IFYR from the previous evening.
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Also, this is another reminder about some of the activities taking place today and this evening as we celebrate July 4 and mark the 233rd birthday of independence of our great nation.
McLoud is hosting its Blackberry Festival throughout the day and evening.
The boat parade at Shawnee Twin Lakes begins just before 11 a.m.
Tecumseh is having its Hometown Independence Celebration, which begins at 6:30 p.m. and ends with a fireworks display starting at 9 p.m. at Slick Humphrey Park.
Shawnee’s Red, White and Blue Celebration is scheduled for this evening at the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center and the gates will open at 6 p.m. The concert begins around 8 and the fireworks start around 10 and will conclude about 10:20.
Tonight’s free concert, which is part of the Red, White and Blue Celebration at the Expo Center, is made possible by these sponsors:
Oklahoma Arts Council, Allied Waste, America’s Best Value Inn, Arvest Bank, BancFirst, Bison Federal Credit Union, Citizen Potawatomi Nation, Cleo L. Craig Foundation, Demco Printing, Droffats, Inc., Firecracker Joe, First United Bank, Haskell Lemons Construction, Homeland, Indaco Metals, KIRC Radio 105.9, S&S Farm Center, Shawnee Convention and Visitor Center, Shawnee News-Star, Shawnee Milling Co., Tinker Federal Credit Union, Unity Health Center, Great Plains Graphics of Shawnee, Wal-Mart.
Lots to do throughout the county.
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I had a gentleman call me this week who was mighty upset about the lack of enforcement taking place by local law enforcement regarding people parking in handicapped spaces whose vehicles are not displaying handicapped tags. He says it’s inconsiderate of those who are using these spaces and are perfectly capable of parking elsewhere.
The gentleman, who kept me on the phone for a considerable amount of time visiting about this issue, advised me he has terminal bone cancer. When he confronted some drivers recently who were using these spaces authorized only for the handicapped, he was fearful a couple were going to harm him for calling them out.
He mentioned that better enforcement by local police of these handicapped zones could bring the city additional funds, because if caught the fine is pretty hefty.
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Shawnee City commissioners on Monday evening will consider a rezoning application from Oklahoma Baptist University which will bring the campus under one zoning classification.
City staff is recommending approval of the request to C-3, which is a commercial classification. The area primarily is north and south of MacArthur Street west of North Kickapoo, and east of the airport, according to information contained in city documents.
 The analysis provided by city staff indicates the proposed new zoning for the area provides for consistent zoning across the entire campus and will provide for reasonable accommodations for expansion and growth into the future.
Commissioners also will consider creating a citizens’ advisory committee on sustainability, along with consideration of entering into an agreement with the Pottawatomie County Public Safety Center for jail services. The meeting, open to the public, begins at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers of city hall.
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If you have ideas or something of interest for this column, call 214-3922 or e-mail michael.mccormick@news-star.com. Include name and phone number for contact purposes.