2025 LE MARS AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNUAL DINNER
The annual dinner of the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce featured awards and a panel discussion of the” Vision 2045″ plan. A sold out crowd gathered at the “Garage at 800” for the event Thursday evening.
The Paul Olson Outstanding Volunteer award from the Le Mars United Way was presented to Justin Daale. It was announced that the Le Mars campaign raised $230,400 in 2024.
Citizen of the Year was given to Steve Kolker. Kolker was the heart of the Christian Needs Center for over three decades. He launched “The Last Gift”- an endeavor that seeks out unmarked graves in the community, providing funding for markers to honor those resting in peace. Kolker sings in two church choirs, has been involved with Youth for Christ, and even played Santa at Pioneer Village.
A family that has been in the restaurant business in Le Mars for 75 years was named Business of the Year. Kass Family Restaurants was honored for their dedication to Le Mars with not only Bob’s Drive Inn, but also 4 Brothers Restaurant, and most recently, the opening of Chaos on Central in downtown Le Mars.
A charitable, fraternal organization received the Impact Award at the annual meeting. The Le Mars Knights of Columbus—-called fundraising Superheroes in the presentation- donated $18,800 to various groups, raised close to $50,000 during the Life Skills Phone-a-thon, and its members volunteered at community events like the Bash, Chamber happenings, and Breakfast with the Elves.
Also recognized were the recipients of the Chamber Employee of the Month and Boss of the Quarter awards.
A speaker panel consisting of Le Mars Mayor Rob Bixenman, Community Development Director Mark Gaul, Superintendent of Le Mars Community Schools Steve Webner, CEO of Floyd Valley Heathcare Dustin Wright, and Mike Wells- Past President of the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce followed the awards ceremony. The panel spoke on Vision 2045- A Year One Review. They outlined an overview of the community’s achievements and aspirations.
IOWA NATIONAL GUARD RANKS TO GROW, PLAN TO BUILD AIR GUARD RUNWAY IN SIOUX CITY
The Iowa National Guard’s adjutant general says this is a pivotal moment of evolution for the organization, with construction on new facilities and more soldiers joining its ranks. Major General Steve Osborn says the Iowa Guard has had recruiting success and is authorized to add dozens of new positions in 2025.
The 137 new positions are for combat engineers as well as soldiers who’ll work in cyber security and field artillery.
Osborn delivered the annual “Condition of the Guard” address at the Iowa Capitol Thursday. Afterwards, he met with reporters and discussed plans to rebuild a runway at Sioux City’s airport. It’s where Air Guard planes carrying massive amounts of fuel take off to resupply military aircraft in mid-flight.
The F-A-A has notified officials the runway has about two more years of unrestricted use in its current condition and after that it will be too dangerous for the aircraft and crews to use it.
He says the F-A-A is likely to supply some of the funds for rebuilding the runway. The total project cost — 95 million dollars.
Osborn says commercial traffic will not be disrupted at the Sioux Gateway Airport as the Air Guard’s runway is rebuilt. The Air Guard’s refueling wing will operate at a nearby air base in Omaha or Topeka, Kansas during the project.
GOVERNOR REYNOLDS PROPOSES WITHDRAWALS FROM STATE RESERVES
Governor Kim Reynolds has presented a state spending plan to legislators that’s about 700-million dollars above projected state tax revenue. Reynolds says that dip in tax collections is expected due to the big state income tax cut that took effect January 1st and she’s recommending legislators approve withdrawals from a series of state savings accounts to cover the difference.
Reynolds predicts cutting Iowa’s personal income tax to a single rate under three-point-nine percent this month will spur the Iowa economy.
House Speaker Pat Grassley says an initial reduction in state tax receipts was expected, so G-O-P lawmakers budgeted cautiously over the past several years to beef up the state’s reserves.
Grassley made his comments during taping of “Iowa Press” which airs tonight on Iowa P-B-S. Senator Janet Petersen, the top Democrat on the Iowa Senate’s budget committee, says Iowans need to be reassured these withdrawals won’t turn out to be a yearly occurrence.
Nearly all of the 700 million dollars would come from the state surplus and cash reserve. About 15 million dollars would be withdrawn from the state’s Economic Emergency Fund – to help Iowa victims of last year’s federally-declared flood and tornado disasters. Reynolds is asking for authority to make similar withdrawals when the legislature isn’t in session, with the approval of other statewide elected officials.
The state’s Economic Emergency Fund has a current balance of over 230 million dollars.
STATE SENATOR TAYLOR REFLECTS ON NEW LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Iowa District 2 Senator Jeff Taylor of Sioux Center is back at work at the state house.
Taylor says Governor’s address Tuesday set the right tone for this legislative session.
Sen. Taylor says a higher tone doesn’t have to be set each year.
The Governor says she wants to stop cell phone use during school hours, and require hands free devices to be used by drivers, but appears to leave it up to lawmakers to set the rules on these issues.
One of the Governor’s priorities is to launch a study on increasing cancer rates in Iowa. Sen. Taylor says we need to find out the source of these higher cancer rates.
The governor wants to create new incentives to train and retain more doctors in Iowa. Sen Taylor says something has to be done to increase the number of doctors, especially in rural Iowa.
Developing a new Mental Health structure is before lawmakers. That issue makes local lawmakers nervous because of an inconsistent structure, and rising costs.
A priority of the Republican majority in the Senate want to reform the property tax system. Senator Taylor says this is a struggle between funding essential services in cities and counties, and keeping property taxes reasonable.
Lawmakers need to listen to all parties affected by the property tax issue.
Taylor represents a district which includes the northern half of Plymouth County, including Le Mars, and all of Sioux County and Lyon County.
DNR SETS PUBLIC MEETINGS TO RECAP HUNTING, TRAPPING SEASONS, DISCUSS POSSIBLE RULE CHANGES
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hosting a series of town hall-style meetings where local staff will provide updates on recently completed hunting and trapping seasons, discuss possible changes to hunting and trapping rules and regulations, and address other topics as requested.
A series of 20 meetings will be held across the state during the third week of February. One of the meetings will be at the Dennis Sohl Center for Outdoor Learning at Hillview Recreation Area near Hinton. That meeting will begin at 6-30 p.m. on February 18. Other Northwest Iowa Meetings will be at Iowa Lakes Community College in Spencer on February 18, and at Maser Monarch Lodge in Okoboji on February 20.
The meetings are open to the public. Comments collected from these public meetings will be considered along with other related comments received by the Iowa DNR prior to proposing changes to hunting rules and regulations. Proposed rules will be presented to the Natural Resource Commission during a regular public meeting for consideration and additional public comment.
GOV. REYNOLDS INTRODUCES BILL FOR PAID PARENTAL LEAVE
Governor Kim Reynolds Thursday released the Families First Bill to the Iowa House and Senate.
The proposal includes four weeks of paid maternity leave and one week of paid paternity leave for state employees. Gov. Reynolds is also proposing four weeks of paid leave for state employees who adopt a child. Currently, the state offers no paid parental leave to its employees who are caring for a new child.
If passed, Iowa will become the 25th state to have some form of paid leave.
ERNST PUSHES TO CLOSE THE BORDER
U.S. Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa, a member of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, voted to affirm that President Trump has the authority to secure our southwest border immediately and called to build the wall to end Biden’s era of open borders.
During her questioning, witness Kenneth Cuccinelli, a former senior Department of Homeland Security official, confirmed that the Biden administration’s intentional abandonment of border wall materials was a part of its “open borders policy” and “part of that narrative” that invited illegal immigrants into our homeland. He also mentioned that walls help border patrol manage the flow of illegals, creating efficiency and safety.
IOWA LEGISLATIVE TOWN HALL
The League of Women Voters of Sioux City and Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa are co-sponsoring the first 2025 Iowa Legislative Town Hall on January 25, 2025 from 10:00am to 11:30pm. at the Sioux City Public Museum.
The public is invited to attend and share questions or concerns with their elected state representatives. Siouxland area legislators will be asked to share their legislative priorities for 2025, followed by questions from the audience. The event will be live streamed on LWV Facebook page, “League of Women Voters of Sioux City.” Questions may be posted in advance on the Facebook event or emailed to LWVSiouxCity@gmail.com.
Future Town Halls will be February 22, 2025, cosponsored by Siouxland Cares; and March 22, 2025.