SDMEAHometown Power - Burke

By Chris Hill, Director of Municipal Electric Services

Burke

Acity on the mend.

Burke was struck by a tornado in August 2019, causing damage to the city. Two businesses were a complete loss, Fox Bros Grinding and Burke/Gregory Building Center were destroyed by the tornado. Both businesses have rebuiltinBurkeandcontinuetooperatewithinthecity. In addition to the two businesses being damaged, the city civic center and the north end of the school, which served as the middle school and auditorium were also lost and have since rebuilt. As I was sitting in the finance office, the great city crew was trying to recall the number of houses that were lost due to the tornado, and we came up with 8 total houses. The city crew has a ton of experience and have invested their lives to the city that they love. Streets/Wastewater Supervisor, David Green (34 years); Superintendent of Utilities, Wade Broome (29 years); Assistant Finance Officer, LaVella Lambley (18 years); Shop Maintenance Supervisor, Pat Vaughn (16 years); Finance Officer Mike Glover (8 years); and Chief of Police, Mark Green (9 months) know the city inside and outandlovedtalkingabouttheimprovementsandpositive things taking place in their hometown.

A destructive tornado will not stop this city. In the last year, there have been three new houses that have been completed and a lot of other great things are happening within the city of Burke. When I arrived in town, a little early for my meeting, I drove around to see what had changed since the last time I was there to visit with them. During construction season it is always easier to see that there are projects going on, markings on the streets and road closed signs can be telltale signs. Burke is no different as they are taking advantage of the season to work on replacing water mains, streets, and some storm sewer on 8th and 9th streets. Seven blocks of streets will be replaced as well as about 4 blocks of water main.

There are also some electrical projects that are taking place. One of those projects is in the City Park where the city will be burying some overhead lines that run through the area. Wade also mentioned that the crew has been replacing high pressure sodium lights with LED lights, as they need replacing. They also have a new bucket truck that will be arriving soon. Also on the forefront is new

Burke City employees LaVella Lambley, Pat Vaughn, Mark Green, David Green, Mike Glover and Wade Broome

lighting on Highway 18 including poles and lights. This projectiscollaborationwiththeStateandisbeingdoneso that each city block on the highway is lit.

Burke ’ s renovated Civic Center

There is also a “fun” project taking place in Burke. The city has been awarded a grant to help with an upgrade to the city park that will include a splash pad to help cool off on those hot summer days. A new pavilion is also in the plans as the community uses the city park for farmers markets on Thursdays during the summer. New trees, a revised parking lot, potential camping spots, and a 1/8th mile walk path loop are in the plans for the City Park improvements.

Burke Fire & Ambulance

Rendering of City Park Project There are plenty of great things that the City of Burke enjoys,oneofwhichistheannualBurkeStampedeRodeo which will be a professional rodeo this year (and will be televised on the Cowboy Channel) will be held the weekend of July 16-18. Also coming up is the Burke hometown celebration that features a street dance, parade, alumni banquet, and golf tournament. This year, the celebration, known as Dog Days, is August 6-8. Come out and support this wonderful community and see what makes their HOMETOWN great!

Burke Community Hospital

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