In accordance with State guidelines and vaccine supply, the Greendale Health Department has expanded groups to receive the H1N1 vaccine. Appointments are being taken for people who are at highest risk for complications from the disease. These groups are:

• All people from 6 months through 24 years of age
• Persons 25-64 years of age who are actively being treated for diabetes, kidney, heart (not high blood pressure), respiratory, or other conditions which put them at risk for complications from flu
• Pregnant women
• Families and caretakers of babies under 6 months of age
• Health care workers who have direct contact with patients
  

Healthy adults and seniors should call the Health Department after Thanksgiving for updated information. The CDC is advising that there will be enough vaccine eventually for anyone who wants it.

As more vaccine becomes available, clinics will be announced through the schools and on the Greendale website and other locations. You can also call 2-1-1 for location of clinics throughout the area, but most local health departments are following the same guidelines. You can attend a clinic in any location.

Continue to protect yourself and your family by frequent hand washing, avoiding large crowds and people who are ill and staying home from work or school if you or your family members are ill with fever, cough and sore throat.

Seasonal Flu Vaccine
The Greendale Health Department no longer has seasonal flu vaccine available. The Visiting Nurse Association is now giving this vaccine. Clinic sites close to Greendale are:

Saturday, November 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
At Aurora VNA, 11333 w. National Avenue, West Allis
Saturday, December 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
At Aurora VNA, 11333 W. National Avenue, West Allis
Tuesday, December 8 from 3:00 to 6:30 p.m.
At Aurora Health Center, 5250 S. 108th Street, Hales Corners
Thursday, December 10 from 1:00-6:00 p.m.
At South Milwaukee City Hall at 2424 15th Avenue, South Milwaukee
Tuesday, December 15 from 3:00-7:00 p.m.
At Aurora St. Luke’s Health Center 14555 W. National Ave., New Berlin

For other dates and sites, contact the Visiting Nurse Association.

Please take the time to review the condition of your on street mailbox before the snow flies.

On street mailboxes must conform to United States Postal Service guidelines. The proper height from the road surface, the proper set back from the road or curb edge and the use of correct materials for installation are necessary for a durable, long lasting structure.

The Village can only review mailbox damage complaints to properly maintained and positioned structures that have been physically struck by a Village vehicle since the structure must be robust enough to withstand the force of plowed snow. Plow drivers will get as close as possible to mailboxes but you can expect that extra snow removal efforts by the owner may be necessary especially after heavy snow events.

The Greendale Police Department has joined the High Visibility Enforcement program along with the Southeast Multi-Jurisdictional Task Force to arrest drunk drivers according to Greendale Police Chief Rob Dams. 

Since the program began many drivers are now trying to sidestep the freeway system in Milwaukee County by using other through fares such as Highway 36 and South 76th Street to avoid detection. 

The deployment is called “Stop, Test, Arrest” with the goal of reducing the number of Operating While Intoxicated traffic deaths and injuries. The ultimate goal is to create voluntary compliance with OWI laws.

The Greendale Police Department recognizes that the abuse of pharmaceuticals is a serious health and social problem. The Greendale Police Department also recognizes that improper disposal of medications is a threat to our environment.
Our children today are experimenting with prescription drugs that can cause death. The Greendale Police Department must frequently deal with the results of drug abuse. The department recognizes that the diversion of pharmaceuticals has become a significant problem. The medicine collection program is one strategy we use to help fight the war on illegal drugs. We are committed to reducing both the supply and demand side of the problem. Please help us help the children.

Expired, unwanted medications can be turned into the Greendale Police Department by Village of Greendale residents during the hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Medication should be kept in the original package or bottle. Names and addresses can be crossed off the bottle, but DO NOT cover up or remove the name of the medicine.

ACCEPTED MEDICATIONS: Prescription and over-the-counter medications, ointments, sprays, inhalers, creams, vials and pet medications.

NOT ACCEPTED: Illegal drugs, needles/sharps, bio-hazardous material (anything containing a bodily fluid or blood), personal care products (shampoo, soaps, lotions, sunscreens, etc.), household hazardous waste (paint, pesticides, oil, gas).

Why Should We Care?
We are working in conjunction with MSSD to provide safe water. MMSD wastewater treatment plants are not designed to remove all medicines from wastewater. Drugs can end up filtering through the plants and directly to our rivers and lakes. Various levels of antibiotics, anti-depressants, veterinary drugs, birth control hormones and other drugs have been detected in waterways across the United States. Research suggests that hormones found in pharmaceuticals may cause abnormalities in the reproductive cycles of fish. Antibiotics in the environment may also contribute to the development of drug resistant germs. As a community we need to keep prescription drugs out of the hands of our children and water systems of the State.

Prevent Childhood Poisonings
Reduce Substance Abuse
Help Protect Lake Michigan

The Department of Public Works will conduct a final leaf collection service throughout the Village beginning on Monday, November 16, 2009. Residents may place bulk leaves in the street until Sunday, November 15, 2009.

Please remember to place the piles at least 2 feet out from the curb and only leaves will be collected. Piles containing branches, rocks, soil, garbage or any other materials will be rejected and become the homeowners responsibility to properly dispose of. As each street is completed the street sweeper will do a final pass. The street sweeper cannot pick up piled leaves so please do not place leaves in the street after November 15.

Leaves may always be disposed of at the Refuse Recycling Center during regular open hours. Please call 423-2133 for further info.

The Greendale Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the Village of Greendale will conduct the Village’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on “Thanksgiving Friday”, November 27, 2009 in front of Village Hall (6500 Northway). The Tree Lighting Ceremony will include the Greendale High School Choir leading the crowd in a community sing-along of carols starting at 6:30 P.M. Village President, John R. Hermes, will then lead the crowd in counting down to the lighting of the holiday lights throughout the Village Center at 6:50 PM. Shortly thereafter, Santa Claus will arrive to provide treats to all the “good little boys and girls.”

The Tree Lighting Ceremony will welcome the United States Marine Corps Reserve and the Toys for Tots program. During the holiday season, and year-round, attendees of the Tree Lighting are asked to remember the less fortunate children of the area and make voluntary monetary donations to support this worthy program. Due to space limitations, donors are asked to make monetary donations to support the Toys for Tots program instead of bringing toys. Marines will honor the event with their attendance and thank donors for their generosity.

Greendale residents and visitors are welcome to the Tree Lighting Ceremony to kickoff the holiday season. Residents and visitors are also reminded to Shop Greendale 1st and support local Chamber of Commerce and Greendale Village Business Association (GVBA) businesses. Many Village Center businesses will remain open until 8 p.m. for the special event.