InfoKwik Kansas City Area News

November 17, 2008

Menke Named Chief
City Partnering with Habitat for Humanity
Winter/Spring Recreation Catalog and Registration
Office Closed for Thanksgiving:  Thursday and Friday Solid Waste and Recycling Delayed One Day
Winterfest and Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting on Dec. 5 

Menke Named Olathe Police Chief
Released 11/17/08
Olathe Police Department veteran Steve Menke has been named Olathe’s Police Chief replacing Janet Thiessen who resigned the position earlier this month.  Olathe is the metropolitan areas 4^th largest city.Menke brings over 20 year of experience to the position.  He began his career with the department as a police officer in 1988.  Since that time he has served in various capacities in nearly all the department’s divisions including:  communications officer, patrol officer, detective, patrol sergeant, patrol lieutenant, personnel and training division captain, investigations division captain, operations bureau commander and most recently, acting major (the departments number two position).  He is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigations National Academy and holds a bachelors degree in business from Mid-America Nazarene University.Menke is involved in a number of law enforcement organizations including:  the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Kansas Tactical Officers Association and the Kansas City Metropolitan Tactical Officers Association.In addition, Menke serves on the City’s executive leadership team where he focuses on citywide leadership related issues.According to Olathe City Manager Michael Wilkes, the decision to hire Menke was easy.  He said, “One of the legacies Chief Thiessen is leaving is the development of an excellent command staff.”  Wilkes said, “It was clear we had very strong and capable internal candidates, and we feel wonderful about offering the position to Steve Menke.”Wilkes continued, “Steve brings tremendous leadership qualities to the department as well as a 20 year history serving Olathe.  He’s proven his commitment and dedication to not only the department and the City, but also to the citizens of Olathe.”According to Menke, he looks forward to the opportunity.  He said, “I’ve spent my entire law enforcement career in Olathe, and we truly have an exceptional department.”  He continued, “I have been proud to serve with the men and women of the Olathe Police Department the past 20 years, and it an honor to be in a position to lead the department.”  Menke said, “We’re doing some wonderful things today, but our ongoing challenge is to remain on the cutting edge as we move to the future.”

City to Partner with Habitat for Humanity on Housing Demolition

Released 11/1l7/08
Earlier this, the City of Olathe and Johnson County purchased four homes near 131^st and Arapaho in Olathe that fell into the Indian Creek floodplain.  The purchase was financed using 75% funding from County Stormwater Management Advisory Council funds and 25% City stormwater funds.   After numerous flooding events over the past decade, the City worked with residents to identify possible solutions to protect the homes.  However, the City and residents ultimately decided that the best and most cost effective solution would be to purchase the properties and restore the land to green space.  The land will become an extension of the Indian Creek Greenway Park. As part of the demolition, the City is partnering with Habitat for Humanity to salvage much of the material in the homes.  As a result, not only will tons of waste be diverted from landfills, but also, a wonderful cause will be supported.  Habitat volunteers are scheduled to begin demolition on Tuesday, November 18^th and plan to complete the salvage in roughly three weeks.  Immediately following the salvage effort, a city contractor will complete the demolition, including basement removal to ensure the land it restored as quickly as possible.  This will be the third project on which the City has partnered with Habitat. The City works with the County to address serious flooding issues as they are identified and funding is available.  In order to qualify for County funding, engineering studies must be conducted to identify best solutions, including possibly buyouts.  The City currently has nine such studies underway with seventeen planned for the future. For more information about the project, contact Matt Feyeraben at 971-8705.  For more information about Habitat for Humanity, contact Kate at 342-2047.

Olathe Parks & Recreation Winter/Spring 2009 Catalog is Now Available Released 11/17/08
The Winter/Spring Olathe Parks and Recreation Catalog is now available on-line at www.olatheks.org/ParksRec, or residents can subscribe to a free printed version by contacting Brad Clay be email at bclay@olatheks.org or calling 971-6263.  New and popular programs being offered include:  Daddy Daughter Ball, Tennis Block Party, Swim Lessons, Basketball Clinics, Tennis Lessons, Golf Lessons, Wrestling Clinics, Fencing, Adult Softball Leagues, Adult Volleyball Leagues, Happy Feet Soccer, Let's Go Tree Climbing, Rock Band and School Of Rock, KinderMusik, Baby-Sitting Clinic, Computer Classes, Adult Ballroom/Swing, and Financing Classes. Registrations for the Winter/Spring classes begin on November 26.



Thanksgiving Holiday Schedule Released 11/17/08
City offices will be closed on Thursday, November 27^th and Friday, November 28^th for the Thanksgiving holiday.  Trash collection and curbside recycling for customers who have regular pick up on Thursdays and Fridays will be delayed one day.  Other customers will not be impacted.

Winterfest and Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting Set for Dec. 5th
Released 11/17/08
Olathe’s Annual Winterfest Celebration and Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting is planned for the evening of Friday, December 5^th.  It will run from 5:30 until 7:30.  The event features performances by a number of local school choirs, the Olathe Civic Band and other local talent, a visit by Santa Claus, food and drink as well as the Christmas tree lighting.  Winterfest benefits the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund.  To learn more about the Mayor’s Christmas Tree fund, the charities it supports or to make a contribution, visit the City’s website at www.olatheks.org or click here. Due to the proximity for the Federal Aviation Administration facility in Olathe, Santa Claus is only cleared to fly his sled during the evening hours of December 24^th and early morning of December 25^th.  As such, he will once again be arriving on a fire engine with his friends from the Olathe Fire Department shortly before 6:00.



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Tags: kansas, olathe