Work on East Commercial Street is close to being completed

Wow! There is a lot going on in the City right now. So, I won’t go into anything going on in Cathy and my life, other than to say that there will not be anything in the paper from me next week and possibly the following week. So, we’ll jump right in.

 In City business, Wayne Wallace, the electrical department manager, would like to say a big thank you to everyone who called in power outages during and after the storm last Saturday. Many times, calling in is the only way that the electrical department has to know there has been an outage, so your calls are important. Also, having several people call in and provide their locations assists the guys in pinpointing the source of the problem so problems can be repaired quickly. So please do not hesitate to call. If you experience an outage, just call City Hall, even after hours, at 208-414-1965. Again, thank you to everyone who called in this past Saturday! 

 Also, Wayne would like to remind you that if you see a downed line of any kind, do not touch it or even go near it. What may appear to be a harmless cable TV or telephone line could be a live power line. You do not want to be the one to make this determination. One mistake could have shocking permanent consequences.

 As you have probably seen, there are a number of projects going on around town. There is the sidewalk project from the base of the hill on State Street to connect to downtown and Memorial Park. There is the sidewalk project at the top of the hill above the football field in Memorial Park. And of course, there is the rebuilding of Commercial Street between State Street and E. 3rd Street. 

 I can happily say that all these projects will be completed within just a few weeks. On the sidewalk at the top of the football field, the only remaining piece is filling in new asphalt between the road and the sidewalk. This will be completed before the first football game so the tailgating tradition can continue! Go Wolverines! 

 The sidewalk starting at State Street is mostly done. The reason a portion of this project is in asphalt has to do with where the crown of State Street is located. To construct curb, gutter, and sidewalk on this section, the street would have had to be re-engineered at great expense. To keep vehicles from parking on this portion of the “sidewalk” a low barrier will be placed down the asphalt. Any vehicles ignoring this barrier will face the wrath of Weiser’s finest. 

 Also, the Commercial Street project should be completed within the next week. I understand that the merchants on Commercial Street will be hosting a big open house welcoming everyone back to their piece of paradise on Saturday, Aug. 2. Please join them in celebrating. These past few months have been difficult for their businesses, and they have survived. That is worth celebrating!

 In addition, I would like to remind you that the swimming pool will be closing for the season on Aug. 15. No, we are not predicting that the weather will be too cool for swimming by then. Instead, we will no longer have enough lifeguards. The high school’s first day of school is Aug. 13, and the college age guards will also be headed back to their respective colleges and universities. If you patronize the pool between now and then, please thank the lifeguards for their service protecting you and your children. They do a great job, and I suspect that they would appreciate your thanks!

 Well, that’s it for this week. Weiser really is a great place to live, work, and play!