Merry Christmas

December 25, 2016

In November we remembered our veterans with an observance of veterans day and in December we will celebrate Christmas. Our veterans made sacrifices for our freedom and our nation and Jesus made a sacrifice for our salvation. This is the true meaning of Christmas, giving of one’s self for the benefit of others. Last week I mentioned giving blood as a way to give to others. Some of us ring bells, others cook for a neighbor while others make an extra contribution to their favorite charity. No matter what you choose to do to “serve others” remember to keep Christmas in your heart. Rejoice in what we have been given by others and remember our freedom and salvation are precious gifts that are not free but have already been paid for by others.

This past week we once again saw the agents of evil utilize a single actor to perpetrate an act of violence against the peaceful people of faith. The army of radical Islam aims to destroy any culture that does not embrace their beliefs. There are those that say we need to remove celebrations that embrace Judea-Christian values such as Christmas celebrations so as not to offend others. They would have us secularize the Christmas season. They say we should call the Christmas season “Winter Break”, that a Christmas tree is not a Christmas tree and we should all wish each other a “Happy Holidays”. The proponents of this approach hide behind the first amendment. The idea behind the first amendment is not to remove our values from public view, the first amendment actually provides protection for us to celebrate our values. The way we win against the agents of evil who seek to destroy Christmas is not to “go along” with them but to rather embrace our values and culture. Celebrate our faith and to always remember Christmas.

My neighbor next door when I was growing up, Renate, had a numeric tattoo on the inside of her left arm. This tattoo was from was from her time in a Nazi concentration camp. If anyone had the right to be sensitive to the religious nuances in our society it was her. We always wished her a Merry Christmas and she would respond back with Happy Chanukah, neither of us choose to be offended by this exchange and in fact the warmth that we shared in this exchange was very much appreciated by both sides.

With the spirit of the season and only warmth in my heart let me wish all of our residents a  Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and have a safe and happy new year!

Merry Christmas Mantorville, Merry Christmas!

Yours in service,

Chuck Bradford,
Mayor - City of Mantorville
MantorvilleMayor@Gmail.Com
MayorBradford.BlogSpot.com

Vampires aren’t just for Halloween

December 13, 2016

A True Gift:
This time of year we are all thinking of the errands we have to run, the food we need to prepare and the gifts we want to buy for that special someone. The Christmas season has always been about giving to others, so it is only natural that we first think of our own loved ones, those that are near and dear to our hearts. There are others in our area that find themselves needing of a gift from us suddenly and often unexpectedly. This time of year with the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season and the ice and snow on the roadways, we see an increase in the number of trauma cases needing blood or blood products. One of the best anonymous gifts you can give this season is the gift of one unit of  blood or going to see the vampires as my son Spencer, would say. A single unit of blood can save a person’s life and it is so easy to donate. In this season of giving consider giving a truly anonymous gift that could change a life, you never know who might benefit, it maybe someone very close to you that benefits from this loving gift.

Last Meeting of the year:
The City Council held its last meeting on December 12 and held the annual truth in taxation meeting where we set our tax levy rate at 68% down from 70% last year. We have a new council member joining the council next year and we say good bye to Council member Roth. Ryan Christianson is filling the seat vacated when Sherry Roth chose not to run for reelection. I wanted to thank Councilmember Roth for her service and dedication and welcome our new council member Ryan Christianson.

Park Board Vacancy:
The park board has had some members retire, and this has opened up a couple of opportunities to serve our community. If you have an interest in identifying policy’s for our parks, keeping the plantings healthy or just an interest in helping shape the future of our parks, I encourage you to fill out an application in City Hall to be considered to serve on this important committee.

A Great Loss:
This past week America lost the last original member of the Mercury and Apollo era. John Glenn was an Engineer, Marine, Test Pilot, Executive, Senator and Astronaut. Glenn’s contribution to the war effort as a fighter pilot would have been enough to earn him a place in history, however, he went on to serve in a pivotal role in America’s new Space Exploration program and years later return to space on the shuttle. While Glenn was so much more than just an astronaut, it is his participation in the Space Program that he will always be remembered for. God Speed John Glenn, God’s speed.

Yearly Wrap up:
Take time and reflect on the past year. Remember the true meaning of Christmas is not about “things” but about people and Gods love. Share your love with those around you and make a real gift and give the gift of life to a stranger, hopefully this will bring a new meaning for the season and eventually become a holiday tradition. Merry Christmas Mantorville.

Yours in service,

Chuck Bradford,
Mayor - City of Mantorville
MantorvilleMayor@Gmail.Com
MayorBradford.BlogSpot.com

Fahoo Fores

December 8, 2016

Celebrate Winter:

After nine long months of only liquid precipitation, Mantorville was once again graced with promise of winter. As I watched the snow fall this past week, Spencer and I simultaneously started singing the “Welcome Christmas” song by Dr. Seuss. I have always loved this song because of it simple but clear message of Christmas summed up in the closing part of the song. “Welcome Christmas while we stand, Heart to Heart and Hand in Hand“. The beauty of fresh falling snow always reminds me of this message and also assures me that the ski season will soon start. While there are alternative ways of looking at the white gift we are given every year, I encourage everyone to find their own way to “Celebrate Winter”!

Waste Water Treatment:

The City was able to break ground on the long awaited Waste Water Treatment Plant this fall. With an unseasonably warm November the construction crew was able to make additional progress with installing some of the pipe-work and was able to deliver most of the materials needed for the project. The work will wrap up this week with the securing of materials for storage over the winter and progress will resume once the frost is out of the ground. The City is still waiting to hear about any progress with a legislative special session and the completion / adoption of this cycles biennium bonding bill.

Park Board Vacancy:

The park board has had some members retire, and this has opened up a couple of opportunities to serve our community. If you have an interest in identifying policy’s for our parks, keeping the plantings healthy or just an interest in helping shape the future of our parks, I encourage you to fill out an application in City Hall to be considered to serve on this important committee.

Yearly Wrap up:

The City Council is planning on having the last meeting of the year on Monday December 12, this is also the meeting we will set our final tax levy and hold our “Truth in Taxation” meeting. I encourage anyone that has questions or concerns about the tax rate for 2017 to come to our last meeting and ask questions. Until next time, remember to keep oil in your sled, wax on your skis and to celebrate the gift that is winter. “Fahoo Fores” everyone, “Fahoo Fores”!

Yours in service,

Chuck Bradford,

Mayor - City of Mantorville

MantorvilleMayor@Gmail.Com

MayorBradford.BlogSpot.com