Advance aldermen approve state softball tournament, hear ways to become storm-ready

Wednesday, July 22, 2015
MADELINEDEJOURNETTadvancensc@sbcglobal.net Advance aldermen listen to a storm safety report from Stoddard County Emergency Management Director Kent Polsgrove.

As storm warnings riddled the area, the Advance Board of Aldermen listened to Kent Polsgrove, Stoddard County Emergency Management Director, outline plans to make the entire county storm-ready.

The county's Emergency Operations Center is based in the Stoddard County Ambulance Station in Dexter. Polsgrove is the one who pushes the button that operates the county's emergency sirens.

Polsgrove emphasized the importance of having weather radios in various locations where citizens congregate. These radios are inexpensive ways to get storm warnings out to large groups. As Polsgrove spoke, the weather radio in Advance City Hall went off several times, prompting Mayor Carl Ritter to assure aldermen and citizens that the old Advance jail would make a good place to take shelter.

MADELINEDEJOURNETTadvancensc@sbcglobal.net Storm clouds gather over Advance, as the city council meets in city hall. KFVS television reports followed the progress of a tornado watch in the area, but no severe weather materialized.

"We've had four major weather-related events in Stoddard County so far this year, and we usually have six or seven. Flooding also counts as an 'event.'"Polsgrove explained.

Several methods are available to get out storm warnings; Polsgrove uses the emergency sirens, text alerts, smart phones apps, Facebook and Twitter.

Aldermen received a hand-out to read at their leisure.

Mayor Ritter suggested that the city could add a weather radio at the concession stand in Westfield Park, for use during t-ball games.

Ryan Crader, the softball commissioner for the Advance Youth League, was present at the meeting to recommend that Advance host the state softball tournament next year.

"Small towns are chosen for these tournaments, rather than the big cities," Crader explained. "Our fields qualify for a state tournament, so we would like to bring in 20-30 teams of 8-10-12-14 year-olds on a Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, the second weekend in July, 2016."

Aldermen approved the idea and agreed to pay to get rid of the grubs that are attracting moles in the ball fields.

Crader, who is also on the newly-reappointed Advance Park Board, agreed to comply with the mayor's request for the park board to present a monthly report to the board of aldermen. The mayor also reminded Crader that the park board was responsible for all three parks--not just Westfield.

"We should be proud of our parks." Ritter said. "For a small town, we have some pretty good parks."

Aldermen were also informed of a big tent revival being organized in Umfleet Park sometime in August.

Mayor Ritter has been informed that Industrial Drive will be re-paved and donated to the city.

Alderman Wayne Page reported complaints that Umfleet Park needs more lights. He said that there are quite a few people who walk in the park in the morning before daylight. Mayor Ritter agreed to look into the matter.

The next meeting of the Advance city council will be on Monday, August 17, 2015 at 6 p.m.

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: