JENEARY PREPARES FOR A NEW LEGISLATIVE SESSION
3rd District State Representative Tom Jeneary of Le Mars is preparing for anther term in the State Legislature, and he has a number of issues to address in this session.
In an interview with KLEM News, Jeneary says there are three things that the Legislature needs to address, and would require additional state funding. One is rural hospitals.
Another is nursing home reimbursement.
A third is mental health, an issue that will continue to grow in the years ahead.
Jeneary says the state should consider reopening some state facilities in order to house more mental health patients.
Repurposing those facilities would be relatively inexpensive. Money spent now will bring much benefit in the future.
The state of Iowa has taken a regional approach toward mental health delivery, but that system will cease to exist in the next fiscal year. But rather than rushing to replace it, Rep. Jeneary would rather form a task force to determine the best way forward.
Local school superintendents are asking for additional revenue to increase pay for paraeducators. Jeneary would support that proposal.
Jeneary, a retired dentist, also wants to increase dental reimbursements under Title 19. There has been no increase in reimbursement rates in 30 years.
Increased reimbursements would cost the state of Iowa an additional 10 million dollars a year. Jeneary says that’s a lot of money, but it pales in comparison to a current budget surplus of 9 billion dollars.
Jeneary, a Republican, represents House District 3, which includes northern Plymouth and southern Sioux Counties.
ANNUAL REPORTS TO LE MARS COUNCIL
Le Mars’ Public Facilities Director Brad Eppling and Street Supervisor Scott Kneip gave annual department reports to the city council this week.
Eppling highlighted tree removal activities in the past year. Due to infestation of emerald ash borer, 320 of the 370 ash trees on city property were removed, and replaced with 80 new maple trees. 50 more trees of mixed species will arrive next spring.
Flood renovations are underway, including cleanup and other repairs, and seeding flooded areas. Repairs include walking trail bridge fencing and replacing a railroad canopy.
Much work has been done at the city campground, which was extensively damaged by the flood.
Kneip reported that they street department did extensive work on tree removal this year, and tree trimming, due to low hanging branches over streets and sidewalks. The city hired contractors to do street repairs valued at nearly 800-thousand dollars, while doing 400-thousand in street repairs themselves.
Snow removal and street treatment accounted for 512 work hours, 66 hours less than the previous year. There were 190 hours of overtime on snow removal, compared to 256 hours in 2023.
The Street Department filled 1226 potholes in 2024 – far less than the 3570 filled in 2023.
DORDT UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCES ADMINISTRATIVE CABINET LEADERSHIP TRANSITIONS
Dordt University officials recently announced changes to key leadership roles within the administrative cabinet.
Dr. Brandon Huisman has been named Vice President of Advancement and Marketing, while Greg Van Dyke will take on the role of Vice President of Enrollment. Additionally, Vice President of Advancement John Baas has chosen to step away from his position to focus on his health, a decision met with the university community’s full support and deep gratitude for his years of dedicated service.
ROCK VALLEY POST OFFICE TO REOPEN
It’s another sign of flood recover in Rock Valley. U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra of Hull learned that the U.S. Post Office in Rock Valley will reopen tomorrow (Friday), after being closed for months due to floods.
Rep. Feenstra had made repeated requests to USPS leadership that the post office be reopened as quickly as possible. Feenstra said the post office was needlessly lagging behind other businesses, schools, and other agencies.
ISU EXTENTION’S FREE HOME GARDENING WEBINARS START THIS WEEK
When the winter winds are howling, some Iowans take solace in dreaming of the coming warmth of spring and working in their green backyard gardens. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is launching its free Home Gardening Webinar series this week. Alicia Herzog coordinates the master gardener program and says this year’s topics will include soil health, identifying edibles, and more. The first webinar is scheduled for tonight, and the series runs for ten weeks. While there are a couple of online options, Herzog says the webinars will also be offered at many I-S-U extension offices throughout Iowa. There’s also the option of joining via computer using Zoom, or by going to the livestream on the extension’s Facebook page.
