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Live Well identifies, addresses safety concerns

9/15/2016

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St. John, KS - “The new sidewalk along First Street makes me feel safer about letting my son walk or ride to school, I just wish the sidewalk went all the way to the school for our children walking, said Randee Olive, a local St. John parent.
 
With the start of the school year, parents are aware about the lack of safety for children walking to school. According to the CDC, 20% of children under the age of 14 who were killed in traffic crashes were pedestrians in 2013.
 
With the help of Live Well Stafford County (LWSC) volunteers, Walk Audits were conducted in four local communities to identify unsafe, missing and broken sidewalks.
 
High-concern, low-safety areas included:
  • Stafford: Main Street and Broadway Street
  • St. John: sections of First, Third and Main Streets
  • Macksville: Main Street and Gilmore Avenue
  • Hudson: Main Street and View Street
 
A map highlights commonly traveled pedestrian and walk-to school routes that is being used for the Master Bike and Walk Plan created for St. John and Stafford. The Plan encompasses sidewalk infrastructure, proposed bike lanes and curb extensions.
 
"Making these improvements to our sidewalks will make it safer and more inviting for kids to walk to school.  We're already seeing, though, that it's not just kids who benefit.  Almost every evening I've driven by the new sidewalk on 1st Street I've seen senior citizens, and in particular those in wheelchairs utilizing it," said Carolyn Dunn, Executive Director of Stafford Economic Development and Leadership Team member for Live Well Stafford County.
 
Here are four lifesaving tips from the National Center for Safe Routes to School:
  1. Train children to cross the street safely:
  • Stop at the curb.
  • Look left, right, left, behind and in front.
  • Wait until no traffic is coming to cross.
  • Keep looking for traffic while crossing.
  • Walk across the street, do not run.
  1. Have a parent or responsible person walk with young children. Not only for safety reasons but it is a nice way to get exercise and spend time together.
  2. Pre-plan a daily walking route away from busy streets and in low speed areas. Trace the steps from home to school, looking for potential dangers or rush hour. Always have the child use the same route every day. Avoid crossing highways and busy streets.
  3. Wear bright-colored clothing or reflective gear. Drivers often do not watch out for pedestrians.
 
 
About Live Well Stafford County
 
Live Well Stafford County is a volunteer-based health coalition dedicated to improving the health of all Stafford County residents by building local infrastructure that supports walking and biking to maximize safety, economic, accessibility and environmental benefits. LWSC is invested in community education to promote healthy lifestyles and improve the overall quality of life for all residents.
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St. John 1% Sales Tax Passes in Primary Voting

9/6/2016

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On Tuesday, August 2nd, residents in the City of St. John were encouraged to vote on a 1% sales tax proposition.  The proposition read as follows:



"Shall the following be adopted?

Shall a retailers' sales tax in the amount of one-percent (1.0%) be levied in the City of St. John, Kansas to take effect on January 1, 2017 or as soon thereafter as such tax may be levied by the Kansas Department of Revenue, and shall be collected for a period of ten (10) years from the effective date of the retailer's sales tax, with revenue from such tax used to fund general governmental services provided by the City, which may include but is not limited to, economic development purposes and infrastructure projects in the City of St. John, Kansas, all pursuant to K.S.A. 12-187 et seq., as amended?"



Voting was close, but the sales tax proposition did pass and will take effect in January 2017.  Funds from this sales tax will help with costs to establish a new grocery store within the City and further business development that includes infrastructure development needed to support new business. 
Given historical sales levels (prior to Dillon's closing) a sales tax will generate over $100,000 per year with a grocery store being the single biggest contributor to the sales tax base. 

Prior to this vote, St. John was currently one of the few cities around that did not charge a city sales tax. Here are a few examples of surrounding communities' total sales tax percentages, keeping in mind that the State Tax is 6.50% and Stafford County is 1.00% of that total:
 
  • City of St. John - 7.500% (will now be 8.500%)
  • City of Stafford - 8.500%
  • City of Pratt - 9.000%
  • City of Great Bend - ranges from 8.250% to 10.250%
  • City of Hutchinson - ranges from 9.100% to 11.100%
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    Stafford County Economic Development

    We strive to bring you the latest information about our wonderful communities. We believe in growth, opportunity and entrepreneurship! 

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  • HOME
  • About Us
  • Our Story
  • Live
    • Assistance Programs
    • Church
    • Education
    • Get Involved
    • Healthcare
    • Live Well Stafford County
    • Neighborhood Revitalization
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  • Work
    • Remote Work and Training Opportunities
    • AmeriCorps VISTA
    • E-Community
    • Entrepreneurship
    • WO Tax Credit
    • Opportunity Zone
  • Play
    • Discover the Past
    • Get into the Game
    • Photo Contest
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