Kathy Parker
Adair Chamber of Commerce members learned about a neighborhood watch program at their regular meeting Tuesday.
Scott Conseen has been organizing the group which he said has grown to 40 members.
“When you have children, you look at things in a different way,” Conseen said.
Although the watch is for all citizens, Conseen said he is especially interested in looking out for children and the elderly.
He said to determine if Adair needs a neighborhood watch, former Adair Police Officer Justin Hale drove a rented car around the neighborhoods, turning around in driveways and stopping to talk to children. “No one called,” Conseen said. Then Hale parked, donned a black sweatshirt and sunglasses and walked around the neighborhoods, into driveways and up to windows. “No one called,” Conseen said.
Conseen said Hale observed many vehicles with the keys in them and purses and other valuables left on the seats. All these things could have been easily stolen and children could have easily been abducted.
Based on this test, Conseen, Hale and former police officer Michael Pappe decided a neighborhood watch was
necessary.
“We want to make
people aware what can happen,” Conseen said. “To lock their vehicles and take items inside. To teach kids ‘stranger danger’ and what to do if they need help.
“Every community has problems. We like to think nothing ever happens.”
He said statistics show crime decreases 30 to 40 percent in communities with neighborhood watch.
No meeting date has been set for this month, but Conseen said the group meets “about every three weeks.” Although he would not give a contact number, he said if anyone is interested in neighborhood watch, they should call his wife Kim at city hall, or “they can call my number.”
Conseen said the group has a five member committee which will rotate. “We are not affiliated with the city police or the town,” he said.
Jack Pryor told members there is no new information on the grant to purchase trees for the town beautification
project. He said applicants are supposed to be contacted by mid September. “We’re waiting,” Pryor said. “I’m expecting something any day now.”
Adair Superintendent Tom Linihan gave a school update. He said the county fair begins this week and many Adair students will be participating.
The first home football game is Friday night against Chelsea. “We started the season with a win over Ketchum,” Linihan said.
Enrollment at school is about the same as this time last year, but Linihan said it takes until about Oct. 1 for the numbers to stabilize. Last Oct. 1, Adair Schools had 1,009 students. Linihan said currently, approximately 1,000 students are enrolled.
Linihan said schools started this year with a financial crisis. For the first time, the school took a cut in state aid at the start. He said the school has a $6 million budget. That was cut 2.7 percent in August amounting to approximately $10,000, Linihan said. “It could really get scary if state revenue continues to fall,” he said.
“H1N1 is a real deal,” Linihan said, and school is a good breeding ground for the flu. He said the school is stressing hand washing, and how to cough into sleeves. He said any student with a fever should stay home. “Sick kids will be isolated and sent home,” he said.
“We had the famous speech today,” Linihan said, concerning the President’s address to students. He said he left it up to teachers and parents whether students watched or not. He said he watched the speech himself and the message was “set goals, work hard, and take responsibility for your actions. I think that’s good advice for anybody.”
Treasurer Mary Steiner reported the Aug. 1 bank balance was $9,296.
The new slate of officers will take over Nov. 1. The new officers will be president, Jack Pryor; vice president, Jonny Terry; secretary/treasurer, Mary Steiner.
The chamber banquet is Oct. 15. The price for the prime rib dinner and entertainment is $25. Invitations will be mailed to members Oct. 1. Replies should be received by Oct. 10.
Christmas in the Country is Nov. 14. Kathy Hipp announced the Masons will match dollar for dollar all profits made up to $4,500. More events are planned this year along with the parade, car show and Santa booth. There will also be a spaghetti eating contest, pet show, food tent with TV set up for football, kids’ activity tent, rock climbing, camel and pony rides, a kids’ bicycle decorating contest and music with a DJ.
The Adair Chamber of Commerce meets the second Tuesday of each month at Adair Community Center on Highway 28.
