Dear Friends & Neighbors,

Daylight Saving Time ends this Sunday as we "fall back" and set clocks back one hour. This is also a great time to check the things that keep us safe and ready for emergencies.

Smoke Detectors - Check and replace batteries if needed and make sure the devices around your house are working properly. The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission estimates that about 16 million homes in the country have smoke alarms that do not work. In most cases, the batteries are dead or missing. Nearly 2,700 people die and more than 15,000 are injured each year because of fires that started in their homes.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detectors - Make sure you have working CO Detectors in your home. According to the Centers for Disease Control, carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the United States.

Emergency Kits - Everyone should have a basic emergency kit in their home with supplies such as food and water to last you and your family for at least three days. Other items like a battery-powered or crank radio, flashlights and a first aid kit should also be included. Daylight Saving Time is a perfect time to get a kit - and if you already have a kit, to check it to make sure food and other items are not near or past their expiration dates.

Wednesday, November 9 at 1:00 p.m.- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will conduct the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and may last up to three and a half minutes. On November 9, the public will hear a message indicating that "This is a test." The audio message will be the same for both radio and television. A Nationwide EAS Test will help the federal agencies and EAS participants determine the reliability of the system and its effectiveness in notifying the public of emergencies and potential dangers nationally and regionally.

Wise Avenue Project:  As you are aware, the City is scheduled to rebuild Wise Avenue from Big Bend east in 2012.  MSD has notified us that they have scheduled a sewer replacement project for this area in 2013.  Such a project would damage our newly rebuilt street.  Staff is working with MSD and East West Gateway Council of Governments (TIP Grant Administrator) on a solution.  We may need to postpone the project to coincide with the MSD work in 2013.  I will update you further as we determine possible solutions.

Operation Food Search: It is time again for the Operation Food Search Fall Food Drive in Richmond Heights.  Employees invite you to help feed the hungry by sharing canned goods, cereals and other food items.  Collection barrels are available in the lobbies at City Hall, The Heights, the Library, Public Works and the Public Safety Building. Please give generously as area food banks are really in need this year.  Collections will be around through November 18.

Friday, November 18 at 5:45 p.m.: - Holiday Lighting Ceremony at THE HEIGHTS

Leaf Vacuuming Schedule: Please find attached 2011-12 Richmond Heights Leaf Schedule. Remember, placing leaves in the gutter is against the law. Leaves could catch fire when you park your car over them, and they stop up the sewers. Our Police will ticket you for this. (Just a reminder).

I leave you as always, if I can be of any help to you or yours please call or e-mail me. Please share this newsletter with your neighbors. If you know of anyone who would like to be added to the list of readers, please have them call or drop me a note. Your e-mail address will be kept confidential and it will not be sold, disclosed to others, or used for unsolicited mass mailings (spam). The Quality of Life in our Neighborhoods is what makes our City special. Thank You for giving us the opportunity to serve you on the City Council. The 2nd District rocks because of you, the greatest residents any city can have.

Mike Jones
2nd District Council Member
314.644.1564
mjones@richmondheights.org