Board, commission posts available for those wanting to help serve the community
SIKESTON - Are you really as busy as you tell your friends? Honestly, do you sometimes try to pass off "me time" as "we time"? Perhaps you are a recent "empty nester" or have recently retired. In any event, if you have an interest in serving your community or giving something back, or even if you are just bored, the city of Sikeston has a board for you.
For nearly every local government function, there is a board made up of citizens appointed by the city council. The city council makes the appointments mostly from the Citizens Resource Bank, which is simply a list of people who have made an application to be appointed to serve on a board.
Linda Lowes, Sikeston's director of Government Services, encourages the people of Sikeston to complete an application for the Citizen Resource Bank.
"This is an opportunity for interested residents to participate in the governing process. By serving on a board or commission, they will learn more about the internal operations of the city, the community's needs and help provide or develop recommendations on how to meet these needs," she said. "This information will be provided to the city council to assist them in budget preparation and the design of future programs.
"If you are a citizen of Sikeston, and want to be invested in your community, this is an excellent way to do so."Lowes added, "Everyone has something of value to offer, and service adds to everyone's quality of life."
An application can be obtained online at sikeston.org or at City Hall.
"The application is short and only takes a minute to complete," said Lowes. For individuals that may not have access to a computer, Lowes said that the city will take and make applications by telephone by calling (573) 471-2512.
On the application you specify up to three boards for which you would like to be considered. The Sikeston boards or committees available are:
Board of Adjustments
Board of Municipal Utilities
Board of Appeals
Enhanced Enterprise Zone Board
Friends of the Animal Shelter Advisory Board
Housing Authority Board
Industrial Development Authority
Land Clearance Redevelopment Authority LCRA Commission
Library Board
Park Board
Planning and Zoning Commission
Public Safety Advisory Board
Rental Ordinance Appeals Board
Scott County Extension Council
SEMO University - Sikeston Campus Advisory Council
Tourism Advisory Board
Tax Increment Financing TIF Commission
Traffic Committee.