Supervisors Turn Down Funding Request For Log Cabin
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors decided not to offer any financial assistance to the efforts of saving the Joy Hollow log cabin, although they did agree to offer some in-kind services which would help save the museum some money if the cabin is moved from the fair grounds to the museum grounds. Judy Bowman, told the supervisors she was appearing before the county board as an interested individual, and not as a museum official. Supervisor Craig Anderson says he did not believe it should be a tax payer funded project.
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Supervisor Mark Loutsch suggested the cabin instead of being moved to the museum, it should remain at the fairgrounds, but to utilize the collected and pledged funds to help restore the cabin. Anderson agreed with that idea.
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Bowman informed the county supervisors a fence would be needed to surround the cabin after the move, and until such time the cabin could be restored, in order to prevent people from doing damage to the cabin, or from getting injured. In addition, Bowman indicated preliminary work at the museum grounds would be needed to secure the log cabin. Supervisor chairman Jim Henrich thought the county may be able to donate a safety fence for the museum, as well as provide a truck to assist with the removal of asphalt.
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Kovarna Shares Concerns About New Hog Facility
(Le Mars) — The County Board of Supervisors also heard from Tom Kovarna of rural Merrill share a concern regarding a hog confinement facility that is being built within 700 feet of his property. Kovarna says Cory Newberg is constructing the hog facility. He told the supervisors his concerns about the new hog building.
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The supervisors said they shared his concern and related about how they had received other citizens’ complaints regarding the same individual with other hog buildings. Supervisor Craig Anderson says he had spoken to Newberg about a hog building being built next next to a park. County Attorney Darrin Raymond informed Kovarna that the state code allows for animal feeding units without any special zoning provisions. The county supervisors indicated that Newberg was constructing a smaller size building that does not require regulations.
City Council Turns Down Request For Residential Development Area
(Le Mars) — By a vote of 3 to 2, the Le Mars City Council voted down a proposal
Tuesday that would have helped paved streets, install water and sewer lines, and helped with other associated costs for a proposed residential development area that was to be located in the southeast corner of town. Developer Bruce Kellen has appeared before the council on three other occasions attempting to get the city council’s approval for him to sub-divide a partial of property into larger than normal lot sizes. Kellen says there is a desire from some people to have the larger sized lots, and it is something Le Mars does not currently offer. He indicated to the city council he has people interested in purchasing the larger lot sizes. However, Kellen says he is reluctant to sub-plat his entire property
at this time, due to the higher tax fees. The majority of the city council members indicated they would prefer to see other investors show an interest in the proposed development project, before they commit city tax dollars to the project.
Signs To Designate Historical Areas Will Appear
(Le Mars) — In the near future, signs will be erected around three areas of Le Mars designating historical areas. The city council approved the measure during its council meeting on Tuesday. Richard Ziettlow of the Historical Commission appeared before the council and showed an example of the signs. The signs will be posted in the Memorial Park, Foster Park, and the downtown areas.
Jan Hansen Honored As School District’s “Employee Of The Month”
(Le Mars) — A fourth grader teacher at Franklin Elementary school is the latest to receive the honor of Le Mars Community School District “Employee of the Month” Jan Hansen has been with the school system for 23 years and she intends to retire at the conclusion of the school year. She was
nominated by Kay Powell and Daletta Bruggeman. In their nominations, they say: Jan’s teaching experience as a Title I Reading teacher, Reading Recovery teacher, first grade teacher, and fourth grade teacher have made her a great resource teacher to turn to. Jan is approachable and is willing to share her ideas, knowledge, and skills with others. She has demonstrated her leadership capabilities through various leadership assignments for our school district. Jan is an outstanding teacher! She brings a high degree of energy, enthusiasm, professionalism, and commitment to school with her every day. She is the kind of teacher that makes Franklin Elementary and Le Mars Community Schools look great. She has a high diligence towards student achievement and learning. Jan is positive, upbeat, and kind. Her positive attitude is contagious and uplifting. She is always ready to lend a hand, a hug, a smile, and a kind word. Our congratulations to Jan Hansen for being named the Le Mars Community School District’s “Employee of the month.”
Charles City School District Produces Video Urging Legislators To Pass School Funding Bill
CHARLES CITY, Iowa (AP) – A northern Iowa school district has called on lawmakers to take legislative action on education funding.
The Charles City Community School District released a video on Monday in which students, staff and parents urge legislators to find a compromise on school funding. The Republican-majority House and Democratic-controlled Senate remain at odds over how much new money to give to schools in the upcoming academic year.
House Republicans have advanced a plan for about $100 million in additional funding, while Senate Democrats want to give schools over $200 million.
Superintendent Dr. Dan Cox says the district’s video is a last-ditch effort to implore that legislators reach an agreement soon on supplemental state aid.
Districts are supposed to certify their 2015-2016 budgets by April 15.
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