City sales tax check dips again

Shawnee’s city sales tax check for September was down more than 5 percent over the same month a year ago, and the amount for the fiscal year is off by about 1.59 percent.
The city’s check for this month totaled $1,281,234, which was $68,535 under the $1,349,769 received in September 2008.
The city’s total for the initial three months of the new fiscal year, which began July 1, is $3,939,508 or $63,492 below what was budgeted by city officials. The September check is based on business done by merchants during July submitted to the state Tax Commission in August for distribution this month.
In a memo by Stephen Nolen, interim finance director, to the mayor, city commission and City Manager Brian McDougal,  Nolen points out “this has generally been anticipated as the economic downtown continues and the delay factor that our portion of the country has historically followed begins to be realized.”
Nolen mentions, too, that there has been a flattening of the 12-month average curve over the past several months with the most recent reduction pushing the average down slightly.
According to figures released by the city, four of the last five months — May to September — the sales tax checks received have shown a decline over the corresponding months in 2008.
“Although disappointing, the current trend is not surprising and management and staff are reviewing previously discussed options to prepare for any future reductions in projects or spending that may be required to insure the city continues to operate within the budget and revenues received,” Nolen wrote in the memo.
He also indicated department heads are reviewing where 5 percent reductions can be made without negatively affecting customer service and operations.
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The Pottawatomie Veterans Memorial Committee (PCVMC) invites everyone to attend the groundbreaking ceremony at Woodland Veterans Park  4 p.m. Tuesday.
On Tuesday of this week, the committee approved the first phase of the agreement with S.I. Veterans Memorials of Tulsa, the general contractor. Tom Schrzan, a veteran, member of the committee, and former city commissioner said “we have also signed agreements with two local contractors for the excavation, concrete, and electrical work, to begin construction as soon as possible.”
He added “although this is the day our local veterans, their families and friends, and most citizens of the county wide area have been waiting for, we are going to need continued support to start and finish phase II.”
Several hundred granite pavers have already been ordered with inscriptions by area residents, and orders will continue to be taken in the coming months, Schrzan said. He said now is the time to place orders “if you want to be in the first group of inscribed pavers to be laid at the memorial during this initial phase of construction.”
For more information on ordering pavers or to make a contribution, call Tom Smith at 273-7240, or Al Wright at 273-7098, or 273-3600. Or you can go to the web site for an online application. www.pcvm.org
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The Maud 4-H club is holding a hunter’s education class Oct. 7 and 8, from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the town’s community center on Main Street. This opportunity is open to everyone interested in attending the hunter’s education class and getting their certification.  
4-H members who are interested in entering the county shooting sport matches are recommended to get their hunter’s education certification, April Graves, Maud 4-H leader advises.
This is free and open to the public. Anyone 7 years old and older is encouraged to attend. Call April Graves at 580-272-4138 or Amy Bassett at 405-333-2476 or 580-272-8415 to reserve a place or if you have any questions.     
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The annual Fiesta at the Harrah Senior Center is scheduled for Oct. 3. The doors open at 4 p.m. to preview auction items, dinner is at 5 p.m. and the auction follows dinner.
Karen Thompson, of the Senior Center, says “we are planning to have a great evening of excellent Mexican food and lots of fun with our auction.”
Among some of the items for auction are two hand-made wooden cutting boards, three quilts, one Enoch Kelly Haney matted and framed print entitled “Cheyenne,”  floral arrangements, wreaths, OU and OSU door mats and stepping stones, an outdoor covered yard swing, plant stands, a flower tea light holder, and numerous items too many to mention. Door prizes also are being offered
She said the event supports a community service, not-for-profit, organization. Many senior citizens call this their “home away from home,” she added. “We serve lunch Monday through Friday through Oklahoma County Senior Nutrition Program. We not only serve lunch here, but deliver homebound meals in the community.
We have a transportation program to bring participants here to the Center, to go shopping, on fun trips and also to Doctor appointments. We have many activities on a daily basis such as cards, dominoes, puzzles, shuffleboard, weekly bingo and dances, informational seminars, flu shots,” she said.
Tickets are $10 and includes the Mexican meal, door prize ticket and auction. For more information, call the Center at 454-3586.
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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.