Celebrate—Celebrate Meridian

Over the past 18 months I have used this blog to share with our community some of the many things we have to celebrate about in Meridian. From community leaders to awards received, we have had a lot to share. Today I’m excited to announce that the City is continuing this trend with a new partnership with Mountain View High School and Treasure Valley Community Television (TVCTV).

Beginning in January CableONE subscribers can turn to channel 39 every Thursday at 8:00 pm for Celebrate Meridian, a 30 minute focus on our community. For those of you who don’t have CableONE, Celebrate Meridian can be viewed on the City’s website in the video section after it airs on channel 39.

Each month Celebrate Meridian will discuss timely issues and feature guests who will give perspective and provide information about our community. January’s guests include Senator Russ Fulcher and Representative Marv Hagedorn. Both legislators share their thoughts on the upcoming 2011 legislative session and how it relates to our community. This is great information for those looking to learn more about our community. I appreciate both of my guests for taking time out of their busy schedule to share their thoughts.

In addition to guests, Celebrate Meridian will include updates about community events as well as profiles on Meridian businesses and exceptional student leaders. Each episode will conclude with an “Ask the Mayor” segment where I answer viewer questions. If you have a question you’d like to ask on Celebrate Meridian, send us an email by clicking here.

This program is produced in partnership with the students at Mountain View High School. Every month the students in media production at the school volunteer their time to help direct and produce Celebrate Meridian. The program is taped on a set inside the high school using the school’s equipment and operators. Under the direction of their instructor Michael Gartner, these students have received a variety of national awards for television production and we are excited to be working along side these future media professionals.

I hope you will tune in or log on to Celebrate Meridian each month to learn more about our community. Do you have an idea for a future show? If so I want to hear about it. Email me at MayorTammy@meridiancity.org and together we can recognize those individuals and Celebrate Meridian as the premier community to live, work and raise a family.

Celebrate Meridian Blog – Idaho’s Brightest Stars

Community service always plays an important part in our lives as we help one another in times of need and celebration. Just a few weeks ago, Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter and First Lady Lori Otter recognized 103 volunteers from throughout Idaho in front of approximately 400 guests during the annual Governor's Brightest Star Awards ceremony held at Boise State University. Meridian citizens, businesses, and organizations received several honors during the ceremony that night, giving us much to celebrate.

• Meridian honorees in the Individual Category were long-time civic leader and volunteer Terry P. Smith, who was honored posthumously; Brian Simer who is driving force behind many of Meridian’s youth sports programs; and Janelle Johnson who works tirelessly on projects benefiting the Susan G. Komen Foundation, Make-a-Wish, and the Idaho Food Bank.

• Meridian High School student Janelle de Weerd was recognized in the Student Category for her leadership, advocacy, and long-term community service efforts, including lobbying efforts behind Meridian’s recent ban on texting while driving and her leadership in a variety of youth-driven initiatives.

• UltraClean, owned by dynamic Meridian entrepreneur and small business advocate Brandon Wright, was recognized by the Governor and First Lady as one of the top candidates in the Small Business Category for its numerous contributions to the community.

• The Meridian Kiwanis, who champion a large variety of programs and projects benefitting Meridian’s family and youth, including the K-Kids Club at Meridian Elementary School and the Builder’s Club at Meridian Middle School, took the top prize in the Organization Category.

• Blue Cross of Idaho and Bodybuilding.com were both nominated for the extraordinary amount of time and talent their staff members donate to our community. And Meridian’s Mountain States Equipment gained the top award in the Corporate Category, due in large part to their extraordinary efforts in collecting food for the hungry.

Is it any wonder that Meridian continues to be Idaho’s brightest star, a shining example for other communities in this great state to follow with such wonderful people and companies calling Meridian home? As Mayor, I have the high honor and privilege of working with these individuals, and many others who are just as wonderful, on a daily basis. We are truly blessed here in Meridian and I applaud all of our citizens for your continuous effort to help make our city the premier community to live, work, and raise a family.

Now the Holiday season is upon us and our minds turn to that for which we are most grateful. During this time you no doubt will be spending time with family and friends, perhaps exchanging gifts and expressing your love. As a city we will be celebrating this season in a variety of different ways and I invite you to join us so together, as a community, we can indeed show our unity and appreciation for one another. It is each and every one of us that makes Meridian special.

Every morning I humbled at the opportunity to serve as your Mayor and am truly grateful for your trust to serve you well. If you would like to share with me who your brightest star is and why, email me at MayorTammy@meridiancity.org and together we can continue to celebrate Meridian.

Celebrate—Texting While Driving Ban to Make Roads Safer

For many years Meridian has been celebrated for stepping up to lead the way in the Treasure Valley and Idaho when it comes to programs and initiatives. We have been innovative in our use of reclaimed water – the first City in Idaho to receive a Class A permit; we created a prescription drug drop-off program that is being emulated by others; and since last week we have a new ordinance banning text messaging (or emailing) while driving. While we may not be the first in Idaho to take this step, we are leading this issue in the Treasure Valley as a way to keep our roads safe for all who travel.

Texting while driving has received quite a bit of media attention over the past month, but it is important to share the reasoning behind the change. This issue has been spearheaded by members of the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council (MYAC) – teens who see the dangers that occur when friends and family text while driving. Members of MYAC researched this issue and worked diligently to lobby the legislature last year; during that process I learned a lot of surprising statistics about texting while driving. Here are some you should know.

· 60 percent of drivers admit to texting while driving

· The average teen sent 435 texts a month in 2007; now its 2,899 per month – 97 a day

· If you text and drive you are twenty three times more likely to get in an accident

· Drivers who text often have delayed responses similar to those found to be driving under the influence of alcohol

· Over 20% of fatal car crashes involving teens were the result of cell phone usage

While the legislature failed to enact legislation on this issue last year, our Police Department knew that texting while driving was a growing problem that needed to be addressed. Under existing laws, texting while driving could be addressed under “inattentive driving”. The problem in using this as the only enforcement tool is that even if the officer sees someone texting and not watching the road, they can’t do anything until they swerve in and out of their lane, rear-end another car, or heaven forbid kill someone. According to the third annual 2010 Traffic Safety Culture Index by AAA, 86% of motorists rated drivers who text and email as a very serious threat to their safety. That’s 1% more than people rated those who drive after drinking.

We have a vested interest in protecting other drivers, as this behavior puts others’ lives at risk, not just their own. The Meridian Police Department would like police officers to be proactive in texting enforcement and preventing future tragedies.

This new ordinance that was passed by City Council unanimously is known as “Kassy’s Law”. Kassy Kerfoot was a Meridian High school student who died last year in an accident she caused while texting; since that time Kassy’s family has been touring local schools and the country educating individuals on the harms of texting while driving. Her story reminds us that we need to intervene before texting while driving becomes deadly.

Currently 30 states ban texting while driving, and starting November 1 the Meridian Police Department began educating the public about the ordinance with warnings to drivers. In December, the offense for texting while driving will be an infraction with a $75 fine for the first or second offense, and the third offense will be a misdemeanor with the potential of $300 and/or up to 90 days in jail. While we all recognize this ban alone will not stop all people from texting, we do hope those individuals who do text will learn about the issue and be reminded that no message is worth losing a life over.

In Meridian we will continue to lead on issues that are important and make a difference in our community whether big or small. Our City employees are being urged to not talk on their cell phones when operating vehicles unless it is on a hands-free device. We hope this action will also make our roads safer for everyone and I encourage the community to consider doing the same. Together we can take proactive measures and celebrate all those who are leaving a legacy and making Meridian the premier place to live, work and raise a family.

Celebrate – Silent Leaders

Meridian is an amazing community made up of a variety of talented individuals many who use their talents to benefit our community in a number of ways. Often referred to as “silent leaders,” these individuals are the faces you see countless times in our community at a variety of events, serving not for recognition, but rather to make their home a better place. These silent leaders deserve the recognition for laying the groundwork for our community, giving us much to celebrate today in Meridian.

Recently the City of Meridian lost one of those silent leaders, a precious member of our community, with the passing of Terry Smith. Terry was a long-time businessman and active volunteer; he represented the best of our community. I truly believe there is not a person in Meridian that wasn’t touched by Terry in one form or another – whether they knew it or not. Terry was all the things our community stands for, a true pillar in our town and known by many as “Mr. Meridian.”

Terry Smith was a man of faith, a man who loved his family. He was a banker, Meridian Kiwanis leader, President of and ambassador for the Chamber of Commerce, involved in preserving and sharing our rich history, a believer and supporter of youth and a train enthusiast. Terry was a community advocate and the energy behind projects such as the Eagle Road interchange, Generations Plaza, the creation of the urban renewal district, the Main Street LID that brought street trees and sidewalks…and dare I mention, the Split corridor and the years of debate. He was known through his service on countless committees and philanthropic involvements as an individual who unselfishly dedicated his entire life to the community and others. Terry was truly a man who has made a significant difference in our community! Personally, he was my mentor; he was truly an inspiration.

Like many of our residents, Terry had an opinion and he would often share it without solicitation. What made Terry unique was that not only did he always have great points to argue and loved a debate, he always had what was best in mind for his community…for our community.

His passion for Meridian and youth drove his heart, mind, and deeds in his efforts which were always to build a better Meridian. Our community is indebted to this man. We all have a responsibility to pick up where he left off. In his example - in his memory – get more involved; be a voice, make a difference in our community doing what you are passionate about. Like Terry, passion and conviction are essential ingredients in choosing your involvement. I also imagine Terry would say – don’t just talk about it, do it.

People like Terry have encouraged me to celebrate Meridian and be involved. And it is all the people and groups that are involved in our community that make us unique. I encourage and challenge you to honor Terry’s legacy, the legacy of a solid community leader, by becoming more involved in Meridian. Find your passion and use it to make a difference.

I often refer to the popular “Starfish Story” by Loren Eisely. The story is about a young boy who is seen returning starfish to the ocean as the tide was going out. The boy is working feverishly in an effort to save as many starfish as possible, when the narrator questions how he can possibly save every starfish due to the countless miles of beaches. At this, the boy bends down, picks up another starfish, and throws it into the ocean. As it meets the water, he says, "It made a difference for that one."

We all have the opportunity to serve and to make a difference whether it is big or small. If you know of an individual who is making a difference in Meridian, I want to hear about it. Email me at MayorTammy@meridiancity.org and together we can celebrate the silent leaders who are leaving a legacy and making Meridian the premier place to live, work and raise a family.

Celebrate Meridian – National Recognition

I often use this blog as an opportunity to celebrate our community. It’s no secret that Meridian is an amazing community that offers so much to so many people. With outstanding parks, safe streets, our progressive education system, and quality neighborhoods it is easy to see that we have many reasons to celebrate Meridian.

Others are taking notice. In fact with in a weeks time, two national news publications recognized Meridian as an ideal place to live. Family Circle magazine and CNN/Money magazine both identified Meridian as one of the premiere communities in the country to live.

On July 7^th Family Circle was the first publication to recognize Meridian as part of its annual effort to identify communities that are a perfect place for families to call home. Family Circle designated Meridian as one of the Top 10 Best Cities for Families. Indeed we are an ideal location for families and our emphasis on youth can be seen through groups and organizations like Meridian’s Promise which was highlighted by the article. The individuals who make up Meridian’s Promise, the Kiwanis, Boys & Girls Club, Department of Labor, and so many other groups show our Meridian’s ongoing commitment to serving families.

In addition, Meridian was also acknowledged for having a strong public education system in Joint School District No. 2, quality parks, and a low crime rate. This acknowledgment is a reflection of the role that all of our great community partners play in making Meridian a place to call home.

As a community we had reason to ‘celebrate’ regarding the accolades from the Family Circle recognition. Then a few days later CNN/Money magazine identified Meridian as one of its 100 Best Places to Live for 2010. CNN/Money reporters crunched reams of data to find communities that have optimal combinations of fiscal strength, family-wage jobs, great schools, safe streets, low crime, lots to do, charm, and other features such as proximity to world class recreation that make a town great for raising a family.

Together we have created, and are nurturing, a community that families want to be a part of; I have no doubt these collaborative efforts are why we continue to receive national attention. Meridian is recognized as a community that blends big-city opportunities through arts and cultural opportunities with choices in housing; that offers an ideal blend of affordable housing, good jobs, top-rated schools, and wide-open spaces; and a lot less stress than many other cities and towns. The City of Meridian continues to place great importance to our fiscal responsibility, to public safety, and to places to gather and to play – all are areas that matter to our citizens.

So, I guess our secret’s out so let’s celebrate Meridian as a premier city to live, work and raise a family. Do you like living in Meridian, if so I want to know about it. Email me at mayortammy@meridiancity.org and tell me why Meridian is the top place for your family.

Celebrate – This Week in Meridian

In the past few weeks there have been some amazing events in Meridian. We have had annual events like Dairy Days, the Blue Cruise, and this weekends Independence Day celebration. These events join activities like our CableONE Movie Night in Meridian, Concerts on Broadway, and Playin’ in the Plaza taking place in downtown Meridian. As our community grows there are many events that are growing with it, giving us much to celebrate in Meridian.

With so much going on, it can be difficult to keep track of the events and activities taking place in Meridian. In an effort to make this information available in a timely and fun way, this last month the City launched a new weekly webisode program called “This Week in Meridian.”

“This Week in Meridian” is a brief weekly video series that is designed to give you basic information about all the events going on in Meridian for the upcoming week. From community events and activities to important information about our wonderful community, these videos provide a way to easily access what is taking place in Meridian via the City of Meridian website or on our Facebook Page. You can also find much of this information on the electronic reader board located on Meridian Road at City Hall.

In addition to providing important information about what is taking place in Meridian, it is also a great way to introduce our community to the City Staff members who are dedicated to serving in Meridian. Each week there will be a new City employee who will be presenting this information.

We hope by rotating hosts through out the weeks and months you will get to know the employee that you might see at one of these events in our community or interact with the next time you are at City Hall. In addition, you will be able to see what I already know – City of Meridian employees are second to none and they share the same passion for our community that you have.

I hope you find this resource beneficial as we are providing another way for you to get engaged in our community. With so many great events, many of which are at no cost to attend and provide opportunity’s to enjoy an outdoor evening celebrating with friends, families, and neighbors, we want you to know what is taking place “This Week in Meridian.”

If you have an event to be featured in the future or have a request for a host, I want to hear about it. Email me at MayorTammy@meridiancity.org; together we can celebrate all that makes Meridian the premier place to live, work and raise a family.

Celebrate—Hometown Heroes

Last week at City Council I began what I hope will become a long standing tradition in our community-- recognizing our own hometown heroes. In the past we have presented this award to our emergency responders or others in our community on an annual type basis. Moving forward we will be celebrating our Hometown Heroes whenever possible.

Our Hometown Heroes are Meridian residents who demonstrate selfless acts of heroism, going above and beyond the call of duty in service to those in our community. This service is performed without regard of personal gain or attention. Kelly Lloyd is one such hero who came to the aid of an elderly gentleman who had fallen into 5 Mile Creek. Kelly’s actions resulted in rescuing a hero in his own right, a veteran who was visiting the tree he had planted in memory of his deceased wife. You can read more about this story in CityNews on page 7, but it was Kelly’s actions that exemplified the heroic qualities of our Hometown Heroes.

I can say that I was humbled to present Kelly with this recognition; almost as much as she was to receive it. Just as inspiring, is that Kelly’s actions and character are similar to other amazing people in Meridian.

As a community we should honor our heroes whenever possible. It is important for city leaders and members of our community to take notice of those unique individuals who go out of their way to serve those in need.

While Kelly’s actions resulted in saving a life, I do believe the word “hero” captures much more in our community. Our teachers, community volunteers, first responders, and so many more demonstrate selfless acts everyday. I would ask for your help in identifying these individuals in Meridian who go above and beyond the call of duty in service to others in our community.

Do you have someone who you would like to nominate for this honor? If so, I want to hear from you. Please send me an email at mayortammy@meridiancity.org and tell me who your Hometown Hero is. Together, we can celebrate these individuals who help make Meridian the premier place to live, work and raise a family.

City of Meridian Blogs

Last week we had a real opportunity to celebrate in Meridian with one of the all-time Major League Baseball greats, Vern Law. Vern was a pitcher for the Pittsburg Pirates for 16 seasons through the 1960’s. Many of you probably recognize his name because you are a baseball purist and are aware of his nationally recognized skills and talents, but what you may not know is that Vern Law was Meridian’s first professional athlete.

Nicknamed “the Deacon,” Vern was known for his accomplishments both on and off the field. In addition to helping the Pirates win their third World Series, Vern was also the recipient of the prestigious Cy Young Award – the award given to the best pitcher in both the American and National leagues. Vern was also regarded as an individual who valued his reputation as a leader and his moral character, earning him the coveted Lou Gehrig award in 1969 given to the player that best exemplifies character and integrity both on and off the field.

Kiss it Good-Bye is a new book about Vern Law’s life and career written by author and lifelong baseball fan, John Moody. It contains unique stories about Law and the 1960 Pirates, including one that might give Law the unique distinction of being the only man in the history of major league baseball to be ejected from a game due to another player’s bad conduct.

During a game Vern claims that pitcher Nellie King was sitting next to him, and began yelling and cursing - things that Vern never would have done. When the umpire took notice he saw Vern pointing at the score board and thought Vern was making an inappropriate gesture. According to Law, the ump came over to the dugout and said, "That’s it Law, you’re out of here!” Law said, “I was embarrassed to be out there any way with all the bad language. He accused me of impersonating an umpire. And I wish I would have thought faster and accused him of the same thing.” These, and other great stories, are part of this book about this truly amazing Meridian High School graduate.

At 3:00 pm today, I would like to invite everyone in the community to come out and meet Vern Law – a “Major League Meridian Legend”. We will be celebrating Vern and his accomplishments on the steps of City Hall by proclaiming April, 22, 2010 as Vern Law Day. In addition Vern will be signing autographs, a pitching session will take place, and refreshments and prizes will be provided. This is a great opportunity to celebrate a Meridian citizen who has become a local hero and brings pride to many in our community. Please join us.

Do you know of a local hero or legend making an impact in Meridian? If so I want to hear about it. Email me at Mayortammy@Meridiancity.org and together we can recognize those individuals and celebrate Meridian as the premier community to live, work and raise a family.

Celebrate Meridian—Census

Census Day has come and gone and I am proud to say that Meridian was one of the top ten communities in the country in terms of Census response rates as of April 1! I want to applaud our citizens, 56% of which promptly completed and returned their Census by Census day. We led the state and showed the nation that we are doing our part to ensure the success of our communities in the future giving us much to celebrate in Meridian.

Many of you are aware through the Census commercials that this is a crucial tool used by government when determining the best allocation of resources –and I couldn’t agree more. Due to the growth Meridian has seen over the past decade, having an accurate count assists with location of schools, transportation funding, assure we have an adequate level of representation at the state and federal level in voting districts, as well as the allocation of funds to benefit organizations like the Meridian Food Bank, Meridian Senior Center and the Boy’s & Girls Club. While the pace has slowed, many families are still making the decision to move to Meridian, and this information will help make decisions on allocation of resources and services to maintain our levels of service for current residents and provide for our new citizens.

I found the new format to be easy and straight forward, and finished mine in less then ten minutes. Today nearly 70% of our community has responded, yet there are still many of you that haven’t been counted. I would urge you to take the time to fill out the Census; each individual counted can result in up to $14,000 dollars for our community over the next ten years.

If you lost or threw away your Census or have questions you can stop by the Idaho Youth Ranch Store on Main Street to pickup a copy. I recommend you call first at 895-8433 to ensure a Census worker is available. A second Census form will be mailed out in a few weeks if you do not fill out and return a form. In addition a Census worker may come to your home and knock on your door and attempt to fill out the information. Unfortunately this is a costly and time consuming effort – occurring up to six times – so it is best to turn in your form as soon as possible to save taxpayer money in this effort.

With the great people that live in our community I know we will continue to be a leader in the country when it comes to returning our Census forms through the mail. I want to thank all of you for doing your part so far. Meridian is a community that is standing up to be counted as part of the 2010 Census, so please join me as we celebrate Meridian as the premier community to live, work and raise a family.