Shauna coordinates city-related information for Harbour Highlights. Any questions, suggestions regarding the content should be emailed to her. Just click on the image.

MAY/JUNE 2010

EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

Congratulations to Shauna Hume, the City of Indian Harbour Beach Employee of the Year for 2010.  Shauna is the Secretary to the City Manager and has worked for the City for over fourteen years.  Since the City of Indian Harbour Beach has always operated with the fewest employees per population and consequently all employees must wear several hats, Shauna’s work efforts entail more than regular secretarial duties.  She also does typing for our Harbour Highlights newsletter and the code enforcement officer, and handles most calls regarding recycling and trash pickup.  Shauna assists the Police Chief with his annual grant applications, prepares all purchase orders for the various departments, assists with bank deposits, fills in for the receptionist  and other clerical employees during their absences/vacations, and assists the Fire Chief, Comptroller and City Clerk with special projects as well.  This past year, she was the City’s liaison to Brevard County’s Census 2010 Complete Count Committee and, most recently, was site captain for Indian Harbour Beach’s Annual Trash Bash, an award-winning project of Keep Brevard Beautiful. (An undertaking for which she has volunteered for the past fifteen years!) Shauna was chosen by City Manager Jackie Burns for this prestigious award because she performs all of her duties with the utmost concern for our residents, our City Hall clients, and her fellow employees.  She epitomizes this City’s emphasis on the highest quality employee service to our citizens!  A long-time resident of Indian Harbour Beach, Shauna is actively involved with several social and volunteer organizations, recently became a certified SCUBA diver, and is the proud mother of two children and grandmother of three precious grandsons. Sincere congratulations to the City’s outstanding Employee of the Year for 2010, Shauna Hume!

HURRICANE SEASON IS NEAR

The 2009 Atlantic hurricane season began June 1 and our residents are encouraged to hope for the best…but plan for the worst.  Most of our citizens are seasoned storm veterans but for those who are experiencing their first hurricane season we offer the following information that we hope you will find helpful both before and after the storm.  It is important to note that tropical storms and thunderstorms can be as damaging as a hurricane, causing property damage, extended power outages, and hazardous conditions.

Now is the time to trim your bushes and trees to ensure that Waste Management has adequate time to remove the debris before the height of storm season. Branches and miscellaneous items left lying around your property can become flying projectiles and not only damage your property but that of your neighbors as well. We often get calls from nervous neighbors regarding this issue when a storm is approaching.

Our Public Works department works diligently throughout the year to maintain over 1,000 storm drains in the city. Residents are also encouraged to check out storm drains in their neighborhood and ensure that they are clear of debris to prevent flooding.

 Develop a personal evacuation plan - know where you will be evacuating to - and advise friends and family of your plan.  The nearest shelter for our Indian Harbour Beach residents is located at Eau Gallie High School located at 1400 Commodore Boulevard in Melbourne. Call Brevard County Emergency Management now at 633-6670 or log onto www.embrevard.com if you require special evacuation assistance due to a physical or medical condition should an evacuation be ordered. If you have been registered for this service in the past, please note it must be updated annually. Call now.

  It is wise to always keep your vehicle at least half full of gas during the season and have necessary supplies on hand such as bottled water, non-perishable food that needs little or no water in preparation, battery operated radios and weather radios, flashlights, and fresh batteries. Gather your important documents and medicines and take them with you in the event an evacuation has been ordered. A portable generator is a helpful piece of equipment to have on hand should an extended power outage occur. It is of extreme importance not to plug your portable generator into electrical outlets or patch them into your electrical wiring or main electrical panels. Power from a generator connected to a home’s wiring will “back feed” into utility lines, potentially injuring severely or killing a neighbor or utility crew working to restore service. To prevent this problem, hire a licensed electrician to connect the generator to your house wiring using a UL listed transfer switch, or plug individual appliances directly into the generator. Place your generator outside well away from windows – including neighbors – so deadly exhaust does not enter the home. You can’t trust your senses for protection from carbon monoxide; this deadly gas is invisible and odorless. When purchasing a generator, also buy a battery-operated carbon monoxide alarm. It works like a smoke alarm, sounding an alert if carbon monoxide levels become dangerous. Always follow the manufacturers directions when maintaining or using your generator.  For further information log on to http://www.fpl.com/storm/generator_safety.  The Community Information pages in the phone book offers great hurricane season advice and tips.  Stay tuned to local radio and television advisories should threatening weather develop.

CITY MEETINGS

CITY COUNCIL

Mayor Mary Anne O’Neill.........................    777-2322

Deputy Mayor David Panicola...................... 777-5591

Council Member Gene Newberry................ 610-4047

Council Member Scott Nickle...................... 779-3767

 Council Member James H. Nolan, Sr. ....     773-2937