December 7, 2009

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
Midland Animal Services is trying to find good homes for animals in need this holiday season.

The 12 Days of Christmas adoption event will start on Thursday, December 10, 2009. 

Beginning December 10 and running until December 23, Midland Animal Services will stay open until 6:00 p.m., M - F, and 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays.  They will offer $25 adoptions.  The $25 price includes the adoption, rabies shot, city license and micro-chip.  New adopters will also have a chance to take home a present for their new pet. 

Animal Services adoption policies will apply and adopters who do not live in the City of Midland will have to pay for the spay or neuter surgery before the pet can go home.  

Everyone is encouraged to come and adopt your next best friend.  If you already have a dog and it needs a friend you can bring your dog to the shelter to interact with any of the shelter dogs in the outdoor area to make sure it will be a good match for your dog and you. 

Help us help more pets to have a Merry Christmas with a new family.  For more information contact Midland Animal Services at 685.7420.

M.P.D. EARNS SIXTH ACCREDITATION
The Midland Police Department is proud to announce its Re-Accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.  This is the sixth overall time the M.P.D. has met the requirements of a highly regarded department.

A team of assessors from CALEA conducted an on-site evaluation of the department from August 8-11, 2009.  During that time the assessors reviewed department policies and practices to make sure that they were in compliance with CALEA standards.  Accreditation is a voluntary process and means that the MPD has met the requirements of a highly regarded and broadly recognized body of law enforcement standards. 

The M.P.D. must meet over 450 requirements and standards to be an accredited agency.  This represents the agency’s ongoing acceptance of the obligation to continue the quest for professional excellence.  The process holds the department accountable and sets the bar for professionalism.

This is the fifth time the department has sought to be re-accredited.  The commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. first awarded the M.P.D. accreditation in 1993, with re-accreditation every three years.  In 2006 the department was selected by CALEA as a Flagship Agency.  The Flagship Agency Program was introduced three years ago to acknowledge the achievement and expertise of some of the most successful CALEA Accredited agencies, and also to provide “flagship examples” to assist others.

2009 PARADE WINNERS
The City of Midland hosted its first Christmas Night Lights Parade on Saturday.  Sixty different entries participated in the parade.  Today, December 7, 2009, the winners are announced:

Best Theme: Grace Lutheran Church
Best Illumination: Art & Soul, A Fine Arts & Dance Studio
Best Design: Oops Alley Clowns & Fiddlestick Farms
Best City Entry: Midland Crime Prevention
Honorable Mentions: Midland PowerSports, Natural Gas Service Group

More than 1,800 individuals participated in the parade.  Estimates of 10,000 spectators enjoyed the festivities in downtown Midland. 

HOME HEATING SAFETY
With colder temperatures in the Permian Basin over the past few weeks the Midland Fire Department has experienced an increase in home fires.  The Midland Fire Department reminds citizens to use caution when heating or decorating their home for the Christmas holiday.

Here are some tips to remember for winter home Fire Safety: 

Do not overload electrical wiring or outlets.  We have experienced home fires from overloaded electrical wiring powering portable space heaters and Christmas lights.

Do not use your stove to heat your home.  This is a dangerous situation that not only increases the chance of a fire but it will fill your home with deadly carbon monoxide.  An unattended open flame is a disaster waiting to happen especially with small children at home.  Using portable space heaters is safe if you keep the heater 3 feet away from combustible materials.   Do not leave a space heater unattended in a child’s room.  Plug the heater directly into an outlet and do not use extension cords.  If the electrical breaker trips while using the heater, discontinue the use of the heater and call a qualified electrician to check your electrical system.

Keep combustible materials away from Christmas decorations. This is the time of year that holiday decorations can become deadly.  Keep open flames such as candles away from combustible decorations.  Never leave a burning candle unattended and around children.

Service your fireplace before use. Have your chimney inspected and cleaned at least once a year.  Chimney’s often become clogged with soot and other debris from birds or squirrels.  Always make sure your chimney flue is open before you light your fire.

Keeping your pets warm: Every year we see at least one fire started by heating lamps or lights that were placed in a dog house to keep the pets warm.  This is a dangerous practice and we do not recommend placing heating devices within the dog house or pet container.

Check your smoke detectors for proper operation and review your fire escape plans with you family.  If you have gas fueled appliances in your home install a carbon monoxide detector and have your heating unit checked and serviced by a qualified service company.

DECEMBER 8th CITY COUNCIL MEETING

• During the regular 10:00 a.m. City Council meeting, the council will consider authorizing an agreement for labor and materials for the installation of a traffic signal at Briarwood and Holiday Hill Road.  The intersection is currently a four-way stop awaiting funding of the traffic signal.  Total cost of the project is approximately $110,000.  Installation is expected to begin in January 2010 with project duration approximately two weeks. 
• The City Council will also consider support of a joint venture to secure funding from TxDOT for inter-city transit between Midland & Odessa.  The joint effort, by All-Aboard America and EZ Rider, is an 18 month proof-of-concept, park & ride bus service between Midland & Odessa.  The program will be financed with federal funding and private, in-kind matches.  This project would provide reliable and affordable transportation opportunities for the area. 
• The City Council will consider establishing a fund for the new Christmas tree in downtown Midland.  The Midland Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) Board funded $50,000 toward the purchase of the new tree in Centennial Plaza.  The new tree currently stands at 30 feet and will grow to 50 feet for 2010.  Additional panels will be purchased, making the tree even taller for the 2010 holidays. 
  
  

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