School Board Election Affected By Census
(Le Mars) The last U.S. census has added a big twist to this year’s Le Mars School board election. The Plymouth County clerk’s office says districts were redrawn after the 2010 census, and that placed two incumbents into one district.
That means current board members Cris Collins and Mark Hemmingson will have to face each other for the final two years of the district three term. Hemmingson currently serves in the third district.
The other seats on the board for a four year term are unopposed. District 4 incumbent Brendan Phelan is running for re-election.
District 1 Incumbent Scott Kommes is running for the district two seat currently held by Collins because of the redrawn boundary lines.
Newcomer Todd Lancaster filed nomination papers to run in District One. The school board election is set for Tuesday, September 10th.
Iowa bishops Want Humane Immigration Reform
The Catholic bishops of Iowa have released a statement on the immigration debate that’s ongoing in Congress.
The statement is signed by all four Bishops, including R. Walker Nickless of the Diocese of Sioux City which serves Le Mars and northwest Iowa.
The Bishops say that many immigrants are forced to leave their homes and countries in order to provide basic needs of themselves and their families.
The Catholic leaders say that those already here, for the sake of family unity and being humane, should receive special consideration that would include eventual citizenship.
The Bishops support measures that help secure our border but respect human rights and life and Want a system that is humane for workers and fair to employers.
They acknowledge that Catholics may disagree on how to reform the immigration system, but say Catholics must agree as a people of faith to live out the scriptural commandment to “welcome the stranger” and defend the God-given dignity of every person.
The Bishops encourage members of the Catholic community to contact their members of Congress this month in support of immigration reform legislation consistent with the principles of justice.
Lewis & Clark Re-enactment
If you have an interest in the history of the Lewis and Clark Expedition’s trip through northwest Iowa, a special event is planned for this weekend along the Missouri River in Sioux City.
The annual Sergeant Floyd Memorial Encampment will be held on the riverfront grounds of the Sergeant Floyd Riverboat Welcome Center on Saturday, August 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, August 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The 1804 living-history camp takes visitors back in time with its authentic tents, equipment, uniforms and firearms like those used by the Lewis and Clark expedition.
Long-time historical re-enactors with the Omaha-based Discovery Corps, Inc. and the local Sergeant Floyd Honor Guard interact with visitors to bring the history of the encampment to life.
A new feature on display this year will be a 42 foot mackinaw-style boat built by Butch Bouvier of Onawa, Iowa. The pirogues of the Lewis & Clark Expediton are believed to be of this style.
The Sergeant Floyd Burial Re-enactment Ceremony will be held on Saturday at 6 p.m. on the grounds of the Floyd Monument. All the events are free too the public.
