On the Street

City officials Aug. 1 held the first of three public meetings to discuss railroad configurations at three city rail crossings and the relocation of a downtown rail yard. With the help of Kansas City consultant Hanson-Wilson Inc., the city has identified crossings on Division, East Chestnut and James River Freeway that need separation from roads because of public safety and traffic delays. The city also intends to relocate BNSF’s downtown rail yard, because it lies in the path of Jordan Valley Park’s West Meadows development. It is an 18-month development project. Other meetings are planned for Dec. 5 and June 5. For more information, the public can contact Springfield Contract Development Specialist Mike MacPherson, (417) 864-1031.

Powerful recommendation

After months of meetings, the Power Supply Community Task Force reached a recommendation for City Utilities Board of Public Utilities: build a coal generating plant and increase focus on energy conservation. The board is expected to formally receive the recommendation at its Aug. 12 retreat. Voters last August defeated a bond issue to finance a coal plant, and environmentalists still oppose that idea. In a news release issued the day the task force reported its recommendation, Southwest Missouri Citizens for Clean Energy announced its “Conservation First” approach. It plans to mount a public information blitz to promote energy efficiency, demand-side management and small renewable projects in opposition of a coal-burning plant, which CU officials estimate would raise rates almost 20 percent.

Isesaki trip

Popular Springfield band The Garbonzos performed Aug. 6 at the 2005 Summer Festival in Isesaki, Japan, one of Springfield’s sister cities. The band represented the Springfield Sister Cities Association, which each year sends a performing group to the festival. The Garbonzos held two major fund-raisers, netting almost $9,000 to pay for the trip. Band members are John Ehlers, Chris Slatinsky, Tim White, Dave Watts, Ron Gremp, Michael Granda and Mark Horn. As part of the cultural exchange, Isesaki sends performers to Springfield’s annual Japanese Fall Festival at the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden at Nathanael Greene Park. Isesaki will be sending high school students demonstrating ancient tools of calculation and another group performing traditional tea ceremonies to the Sept. 9–11 event.

Slice of Nice

Two locally owned grocery stores are lending helping hands to area nonprofits. During the month of August, Country Mart stores in Branson, Forsyth and Hollister will offer customers the chance to round up their purchases to the next whole dollar, with the proceeds benefiting the Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks’ units in Branson and Forsyth. The six-year-old fund-raiser made a record $6,600 for the club last year.

Meanwhile, Summer Fresh Supermarkets continues its Helping Hand program, which has generated nearly $100,000 for local schools, churches and community groups.