e-Merriam Udates...Your Source for Civic News!

July 2, 2009

In this issue:			Click here for a printable copy of this issue.
-	City Offices Closed July 3rd	-	Beat the heat this 4th of July at the Merriam Aquatic Center
-	Fireworks of any kind are prohibited in Merriam	-	Merriam Police Academy
-	Celebrate the 4th of July in Downtown Merriam	-	Save on Prescription Drugs with new Prescription Discount Card!

When celebrating Independence Day this year, the citizens of Merriam are asked to remember and observe all City ordinances pertaining to the use of fireworks within City limits. Although we recognize the desire to celebrate the Fourth of July (and other holidays) using fireworks, the City of Merriam has adopted the International Fire Code, which says; “the possession, manufacture, storage, sale, handling, and use of fireworks are prohibited.”

During this holiday season, the Merriam police and fire departments will be increasing patrols around the City to discourage fireworks violations. Those parties that do not follow the guidelines outlined by the City will be subject to a fine of up to $500 and/or thirty days in jail. Violators will also be placed on a fireworks violator list that is permanently maintained. Please help us to prevent injuries and property loss by following the law. Fireworks of any kind are prohibited in the City of Merriam.

For more information concerning City firework ordinances, contact the Merriam Fire Department at (913) 322-5530. As always, the City of Merriam wishes you a safe and happy Fourth of July.

The City of Merriam invites you to participate in an exciting event in downtown Merriam and Shawnee during the week of July 4th. A group of volunteers including citizens, businesses and city officials are organizing the third annual celebration known as Fields For Freedom.

As the showpiece of the week, 3,000 American flags will be displayed at the Irene B. French Community Center, Merriam Marketplace and along Johnson Drive connecting the Cities of Merriam and Shawnee. The flags will be flown from Saturday, June 27th, through Saturday, July 4th.

A patriotic program will be held at 1:30 PM on Saturday, July 4th at the Merriam Marketplace. We invite you to join the planning committee, City officials, veterans, and the Merriam and Shawnee communities to celebrate our freedoms and honor those who protect those freedoms.

For more information, a schedule of activities, or to learn how you can purchase one of the flags that will be on display, visit www.fieldsforfreedom.org.

Celebrate the 4th of July in cool comfort at Merriam Aquatic Center (6040 Slater). The hours for July 4th will be 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM, giving your family plenty of time to swim before a backyard cookout or attending a fireworks display. Daily admission fees for Merriam residents are $5.00 (proof of residency is required). Non-Merriam Johnson County resident guest fee is $6.00.

Looking for a great place to host a party? Merriam Aquatic Center is now hosting after-hours private party rentals. Packages start at just $180 for a one and a half hour rental which includes your choice of two of the three pools (50-meter, zero-depth, water slide pool), or reserve the entire facility for just $230. Call Merriam Parks and Recreation at 322-5550 to arrange your party.

The Merriam Police Department will be hosting a Citizens Police Academy in August. The Academy will start on August 11, 2009. It is a 10 week course that meets every Tuesday night from 6:00 PM until about 9:30 PM. The classes will cover all areas of police operations. The classes cover an overview of the Merriam Police Department, basic patrol officer duties, traffic enforcement, drug investigations, search and seizure law, domestic violence, property and person crime investigations, traffic accident investigation, less than lethal force options, firearms, use of force liability, defensive tactics, S.W.A.T. operations, and DUI investigations.

This is a fun class for both the participants and the Police Officer Instructors. You will have the opportunity to meet many of the Merriam Police Officers. You will get to know a little about them and why they choose to be police officers in the City of Merriam. You can enroll in the academy by going to the Merriam Police Department webpage at www.Merriam.org/MPD. You can look at a short video from last years class on the webpage under the Citizens Academy section to see how much fun you can have while learning what your police department does to help make the City of Merriam a great place to live and work.

For more information please contact Lt. Mike Daniels at 322-5586 or e-mail miked@merriam.org.

The City of Merriam has a new program to offer savings on prescription drugs to residents who are without health insurance, a traditional benefits plan, or have prescriptions that are not covered by insurance.

The Prescription Discount Card is made available to residents by the City of Merriam in collaboration with the National League of Cities (NLC) and is made possible through Merriam's membership in NLC.

The card is FREE to all Merriam residents, regardless of age, income or existing health insurance. By using this card you may save an average of 20% off the regular retail price of prescription drugs at participating pharmacies.

To discover the savings and learn more about the program, CLICK HERE to access the program online and print a card, check drugs prices and locate participating pharmacies.

Residents may also pick up a card at the following locations:

Merriam City Hall (9000 W. 62nd Terrace)
Irene B. French Community Center (5701 Merriam Drive)

Or for more information, call toll free: 1-888-620-1749.

This is not insurance. Discounts are only available at participating pharmacies. By using this card, participants agree to pay the entire prescription cost less any applicable discount. Savings may vary by drug and pharmacy.