The Mayor’s Corner 07-29-2024

Mayor Randy Hibberd

I don’t know about you, but I was really glad to have a respite from the heat for a while. What the cooler weather did for me was to let me know that Fall is on the way. We just need to hang in there a little while longer.
As a reminder in this heat, the Library is open during business hours if you do not have air conditioning in your home and need to get out of the heat for a bit. Actually, the Library is a great place to visit anytime with its books, audio visual selection, computers, periodicals, etc. Plus. the librarians are great people to work with. You cannot go wrong visiting the Library. Over 4,000 people a month can’t be wrong!
As a backup to the Library, if demand warrants, the Vendome hallways will become available during business hours to provide a break. Granted, the Vendome does not have the amenities for entertainment that the Library offers, so you might want to go to the Library first to check out a book! But cool air, water, and restrooms would be available.
Talking about a respite from the heat, the City Swimming Pool has had to close intermittently due to the hazardous air from the various wildfires in the area. We must think about not only the health of pool patrons, but also the lifeguards. So, please be understanding if you arrive at the pool only to find it closed due to air quality.
While we are on the subject of the Swimming Pool, as you are probably aware, there is a shortage of certified life guards this year. At this time in the season, the lifeguards, who are high school and college students, start experiencing conflicts with school commitments and activities. With that in mind, the pool will be closed on the afternoon of Friday, August 2 for general admission swimming, but will be open in the evening. The pool will be open Saturday, August 3 as regularly scheduled.
The following week, the Swimming Pool will have its regular schedule with Water aerobics at 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., lap swimming at noon for an hour, general admission from1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and general swimming again from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The last day for a general admission swimming will be Saturday, August 10. The pool will be available the following week until the 16th for water aerobics and lap swimming at the usual times.
All schedules above will be subject to the air quality index remaining less than 150, which is considered unhealthy for all age groups. (We found out that telephone apps are an unreliable indicator of air quality. Last Monday, some phone apps said the air quality was 118 when you could not see at a distance and smoke could be smelled in the air. We called the National Weather Service in Boise and discovered that the air quality index was 155.)
I realize that the Swimming Pool schedule is a bit erratic at this time. However, it is strictly due to a shortage of lifeguards and air quality. We would appreciate your understanding of these circumstances.
Moving on, Wayne Wallace in the Electrical Department wanted me to tell you that the Department has been unable to locate the sours of the electrical bumps we have been experiencing in the mornings. In order to find the source, the power must remain off until it is located. Instead, these bumps are momentary, and power is restored on its own. We will keep trying to find the source, but it is difficult.
While on the topic of the Electrical Department, I want to remind you that the power crew will be going throughout town to replace power meters for your homes. Please be kind. They will be wearing safety vests and have identification. If you have any questions, they will be more than happy to provide answers. Just, please be courteous.
Well, that’s it for this week. I hope you stay cool and the air becomes cleaner. Still, Weiser is a great place to live, work, and play!