Hurricane City Manager Ben Newhouse (left) chats with Rotarians Dr. Bill Ellis (center) and Hurricane Mayor Scott Edwards

April 19, 2011

Hurricane's city manager Ben Newhouse told Putnam Rotarians today that census data indicated a growth of twenty percent in the last ten years.

"Hurricane has gained 1,000 residents," said Newhouse, "making it the fastest growing city in the region."

Newhouse and Hurricane Mayor Scott Edwards reviewed a litany of progress through hard work and efficient operation which continues to draw businesses into the area and stimulate residential growth.

"We have renovated 120 homes in the area," Edwards told the group. "We have invited REACH Workcamps into the area," he said. "This takes more than picking up a phone. We've worked with the school board and local churches to bring in groups to do repair work."

MU freshman Michael Spangler (right) was the guest of Rotarian Tom Midkiff (State Farm). Spangler is preparing a student paper on the Rotary Club.

Attention to grant opportunities has netted $500,000 for improvements to rail crossings through grants from CSX Corporation and the state, $183,000 for law enforcement from the state and over $250,00 in improvements to the City Park in lighting, a regulation basketball court and concession stand. A "spray ground" is planned for the park, with groundbreaking set for May 2nd. The Farmers' Market will move to the park on May 19th.

Emergency response time has been cut from twenty minutes or longer to "immediate," the mayor said. The city now has fifteen police officers -- three on duty at night, and five during the day. And two paid fire fighters are on duty.

But with these and other improvements, the city has, in fact, cut the levy rate, Edwards said.

This is accomplished through efficient operation, agressive competition for grants and special funding. "We know who pays the bill," said Edwards, "and, while we make things better, our main goal is to lighten the burden on the taxpayer."