MPD KICKS OFF RECRUITING CAMPAIGN
Employee retention and recruitment is a top priority for many West Texas businesses and the City of Midland is no different. The area of public safety is of special interest and the recruitment of new officers is moving to a higher level.
While many departments across the state have relaxed age and fitness standards (or are considering the move), the MPD continues to hold recruits to high standards, in education and physical ability, in an effort to hire only the best. Now, the manner in which the MPD advertises vacancies will include strategically placed billboards, posters, and future web videos.
Beginning in July, the MPD will advertise “NOW HIRING” through the use of a billboard in nearby Lubbock. The message will reach university and college students and catch the eye of those considering applying with the Lubbock Police Department.
In addition, posters, with the same theme as the billboard, are being placed on college campuses and even a few retail outlets in the area. A recruiting video will be created in July and used at job fairs, on the City’s cable access station, as well as the City of Midland website.
The goal is to fill all vacant officer positions with the most qualified individuals. The MPD wants a department that is reflective of the entire community. Ideally, the demographics for the police department should be similar to that of the city. Officials also want “home-grown officers” recruiting heavily in the region. With this in mind, the department wants to keep recruiting standards high feeling the citizens of Midland should be given the best possible service.
MPD is currently preparing for the August academy in which approximately 17 are scheduled to participate. Any new recruits would participate in the February academy with testing beginning in late August.
PICKLEBALL
If you are looking for something new to try this summer, the City of Midland’s Parks & Recreation Division will be offering a new program – Pickleball. Play will kick-off on Monday, July 16, 2007. Leagues will be formed age categories including senior high/college age students to adults age 60 & over.
Pickleball, a badminton and tennis hybrid, is growing rapidly in popularity among both seniors and teenagers alike. It is a sport described as "a combination of Ping-Pong, tennis, and badminton" played in schools, parks and recreation centers, camps, and retirement communities mostly in North America. It uses a simplified combination of tennis rules and strategies.
The game is played on a court that is the same size as a badminton court (20 feet wide by 44 feet long). A ball similar to a wiffleball, made with a more rigid material and having smaller holes, is used in gameplay. It has also been classified as being similar to a Floorball ball. Originally, during the time the game was invented, wooden paddles were used, but now lightweight fiberglass and composite paddles are most common due to their lower cost and higher durability.
Pickleball's small court also allows players of all ages and abilities to participate in a way that the larger court of tennis sometimes prohibits. Additionally, a rule prohibiting volleying (hitting the ball in the air) in the space 7 feet from the net helps to equalize play and reduce overpowering smashes at the net. Pickleball has both singles or doubles variations.
The rules are similar to those of tennis, except that only the serving side scores (as in badminton). However, the serve itself is made underhand, and the ball must bounce once on each side of the net after service before any volleys may be made.
Pickleball is designed to keep everyone in play. Pickleball is a game of shot placement and patience, not brute power or strength. Once the ball has hit the ground on both sides of the net, the volley can continue as in badminton, with the ball constantly in the air. Otherwise the serve is void.
3-ON-3 BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
The City of Midland’s Parks & Recreation Division will host a 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament on Saturday, July 14, 2007, beginning at 7:00 a.m. at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, 2300 Butternut Lane.
The event is FREE. Students who will be entering grades 7-9 can compete against other students in 3-on-3 games. There will also be a 3-point contest. Prizes will be awarded.
Entries are limited, so don’t delay, register today!
Another tournament will be held on July 28th for students entering grades 10-12.
For more details contact the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center at 685.7355
YOUTH VOLLEYBALL CAMP
The City of Midland’s Parks & Recreation Division will offer two volleyball camps this summer.
The camp will be offered July 23 - July 27, 2007. There will be two sessions offered each day in order to allow the children to play within the same skill level. The first session will be for younger players and will teach them the basics of volleyball with more direction and detail. The second session will be offered to the children who already have been introduced to the concept of volleyball. The cost is 50 cents per day.
- 6th Grade 10:00 a.m. -Noon
- 7th-10th Grade 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Former Midland College Lady Chaparral Nikki Stokes will lead this summer’s volleyball camp.
Stokes was a fundamental member of the Lady Chaparral’s NJCAA National Tournament squad this past season and has recently joined the staff at Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center
For more details and to register, contact the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center at 685.7355
Can't find what you're looking for? Try our search engine.
