Ozark Newsletter

Issue 44 | July 2020

July 2020 News & Updates

July's edition includes....

COVID-19 Update
From The Mayor's Corner with Ozark Mayor Rick Gardner
City Updates
Christian County Library Update
Programs & Events

You can always find more information on our website at ozarkmissouri.com and connect with us on our social media pages, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Nextdoor

Visit our Website

#Journey2030:

From the Mayor's Corner

My good friends in Ozark,

Past newsletters have been about city events, taxes and pandemics. This one is not. It is about the state of our country of which Missouri and the City of Ozark are an important part. With our upcoming celebration of Independence Day, I would like to encourage you to consider something.

I recently read a book named If You Can Keep It, The Forgotten Promise of American Liberty . It is a book spawned by a comment made by Benjamin Franklin to a lady after the Constitution was written in 1787. Upon leaving Constitution Hall in Philadelphia, history has it that Franklin was asked, "Well, Dr. Franklin, what do we have?" To which he replied, "A republic, Madam, if you can keep it." Our constitution put a grave responsibility on "we the people" to do our part to maintain the liberties we gave ourselves in that great document.

What can the great residents of Ozark do to perpetuate American liberty and our wonderful heritage? A short answer would be to embrace the values upon which our country was founded. One of the foremost of those was respect for our fellow Americans. We cannot do that with constant political bickering and disrespect for one another. The Constitution gave us a platform - now it is our job to keep it intact.

Be careful and be kind to one another. Given the opportunity, always be a part of the solution, not the problem. Thanks, Ozark. I love you and God bless you.

Rick

City News and Updates

Beginning June 16, 2020 the City of Ozark moved into Phase Three (3) of our reopening plan. After taking into consideration Governor Parson’s recent address to the state, our community and its current data in relation to the COVID-19 outbreak, this phase will lift all current restrictions.

The risk of exposure and transmission of COVID-19 continues to pose a health risk to our community, therefore, it is strongly encouraged that everyone observes the Centers for Disease Control social distancing, also called physical distancing, best practices, including:

a. Staying at least six feet from other people;

b. Do not gather in large groups;

c. Stay out of crowded places and avoid mass gatherings;

d. The use of personal protective equipment whenever possible.

To read the official order and to view the reopening playbook please click the following link: COVID-19 LANDING PAGE

Ozark Public Works

MoDOT PRESS RELEASE JUNE 18, 2020:

Jackson Street/Missouri Route 14 Widening Project in Ozark Beginning Week of July 6

Ozark, Christian County – Drivers can expect lane closings, traffic shifts and possible delays on Jackson Street (Missouri Route 14) in Ozark when a widening project begins the week of July 6, the Missouri Department of Transportation said.

Jackson Street will be widened to five lanes – two lanes in each direction with a center-turn lane – between 32nd Street west of U.S. Route 65 and the Finley River Bridge.

Here’s a look at the project:

Widen Route 14 to five lanes between 32nd Street west of U.S. Route 65 and the Finley River bridge (two through lanes and a center turn lane)
Widen the intersection of Route 14 and Route NN (City of Ozark is sharing in the cost of this part of the project.)
Improve sidewalks and traffic signals in various locations

Project website: Click here to view

Traffic Impacts:

Lane closings during lower traffic volume times
Traffic shifts away from work areas
Side streets and sidewalks CLOSED at times
Business entrances closed half at a time or closed one at a time, if two or more entrances exist
Crews and equipment close to traffic

More information:

Weather and/or construction delays will alter the work schedule.
The project is scheduled for completion by late July 2021.
The prime contractor is Emery Sapp & Sons, Columbia
Estimated total cost: $9.3 million

View updates on the Riverside Bridge by clicking here.

Ozark Police Department

Congratulations to our newest Ozark Police Officers, Justin Brown and Tanner Gilmore!

Officer Justin Brown comes to the Ozark Police Department with over five (5) years of law enforcement experience. Justin has worked for the Kimberling City Police Department and the Christian County Sheriff’s Office. Justin grew up in the Ozark and is a graduate of Sparta, Mo High School. Justin and his family reside in Nixa, Mo and look forward to raising their children in our great community.

Officer Tanner Gilmore graduated the Drury University Law Enforcement Academy in June 2020. Tanner has worked in the automotive industry for the past 14 years, but decided to pursue his true calling in law enforcement. Tanner was born and raised in Clever, Mo and is a graduate of Clever High School. Tanner and his family reside in Boaz, Mo.

We are excited to add Officers Brown and Gilmore to our team and look forward to the may contributions they will make to our organization and our community. Please join us in welcoming them to Ozark!

Ozark Police Department - Citizen’s Academy

The Ozark Police Department is proud to announce its 5th Annual Citizen’s Police Academy!! There is no better way to learn about your local police department!

The Ozark Police Department’s 2020 Citizen’s Academy will start on Thursday, August 27th, 2020, meeting every Thursday evening between the hours of 6:00pm and 9:00pm for ten weeks. If you’re interested in attending this year’s academy, please click on the below link, complete the application and return it to Lieutenant Derek Hill at the Ozark Police Department. Seating is limited and participants will be considered on a first come, first serve basis: Click here to view the application.

About the Citizen's Academy

The program provides an informative overview of the fundamentals of police operations and the Divisions within the Ozark Police Department for anyone 18 years of age and older. The format includes lecture-style presentations by OPD officers and staff, as well as some hands-on experience. The Citizen’s Academy is free of charge. If you are interested in learning more about the Ozark Police Department, the Citizen’s Academy is a great way to get started. During the 10 weeks, the class will meet our Command Staff, receive a facility tour, hear from patrol officers, meet our detectives, and hear from other emergency responders who serve in Ozark. The class will shoot at our firearms range and learn about some of the criminal problems our community faces and what your police department is doing to address these problems.