By Roger McKinney
rmckinney@joplinglobe.com
GALENA, Kan. — Several members of the Galena City Council will meet in the coming weeks to determine what it will take to open the city swimming pool in May — if it can be opened.
“We need to take some action about which direction we’re going to be going in,” Councilman Ken Bankson said. “We need to see what our resources are.”
Councilman Darrell Shoemaker said 12 valves at the pool need to be replaced, at a cost of $320 each.
“I don’t want to see the pool close either, but if the city doesn’t have any money, there’s nothing we can do,” Shoemaker said.
Resident Bill Frazier said he thinks it is important to keep the city pool operating, for the sake of the town’s children.
“I think it should be maintained and kept up,” he said. “A lot of volunteers would gladly pitch in.”
Frazier said the city should consider setting money aside each year for pool maintenance and repairs. Mayor Dale Oglesby, half jokingly, said it’s unlike city officials to plan for the future.
“We put out grass fires,” he said. “We don’t plan.”
Oglesby said he thinks solving problems at the pool probably would require some plumbing work, and repairs or replacement of filters and pumps. He said the pool is not leaking water.
City Superintendent Jerry Rickey said some swimmers last year received electrical shocks.
“We get somebody hurt down there, that’s a liability,” Rickey said.
In other business at a meeting Tuesday, the council heard from resident Alice Girton, who complained about the recent increase in water rates. She said her most recent bill, which includes water, sewer and trash charges, was $92.
“How do you think we’re going to keep paying this?” Girton asked.
The council in December approved an increase in water and sewer rates after a 64 percent rate increase from Missouri American Water Co. for its customers, including the city of Galena.
The city’s increase in water and sewer rates resulted in a 43 percent increase for the average customer, from $28.70 to $41 a month.
Pool a blessing
The Galena swimming pool had problems with algae growth last summer, said Gayla Spon, who was the pool manager. She said she hopes a solution can be found to keep the pool open this summer.
“We’re blessed to have that in our community,” she said.
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Galena City Council faces decision on swimming pool
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