Thursday, March 21, 2024
Vol. 159, Issue 12
Decorah, Iowa 52101 www.decorahnewspapers.com
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Lovstuen earns 2024 National High School ‘Heart of the Arts’ Award Laura Ingalls Wilder benefit held Laura Ingalls Wilder Park & Museum hosted the a n n u a l spaghetti fundraiser S a t u r d a y, March 9, at Decorah Lutheran Church dining hall. Among the organizers volunteering at the event were Lisa Bullerman and Leslie Cook (l-r) serving up salad. A live auction of items from local businesses and individuals, along with homemade pies, also was held. (Driftless Multimedia photos by Roz Weis)
The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) has selected Anders Lovstuen, a multi-activity participant and exemplary student leader at Decorah High School, as the recipient of the 2024 National High School Heart of the Arts Award. The National High School Heart of the Arts Award was conceptualized by the NFHS in 2014 and has since been utilized to honor those individuals who exemplify the ideals of the positive heart of the arts and represent the core mission of education-based activities. Few others personify the spirit of education-based activities more fervently than Lovstuen, a speech standout and
‘Heart of the Arts’
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Winneshiek County proposes $1 per thousand levy increase, public hearing March 25 By Zach Jensen
Residents speak out Property taxes in Winneshiek County are increasing by $1 thousand dollars of valuaagainst county’s proposed per tion primarily due to a couple big-ticket expenses the county Freeport land sale has incurred. Two bids opened following public hearing By Zach Jensen Twenty-two area residents attended the Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors’ public hearing regarding the county’s proposed sale of land in Freeport Monday morning. Almost all members of the audience were opposed to the sale, and several spoke out against it, citing public policy and common sense as reasons to stop it. Freeport resident Kevin Lee started off the discussion by reading a portion of the Iowa Code as it relates to the powers and duties of a county. According to the information Lee presented, Part 1 of Section 331.301 “General Powers and Duties” states: “A county may, except as expressly limited by the Constitution of the State of Iowa, and if not inconsistent with the laws of the general assembly, exercise any power and perform any function it deems appropriate to protect and preserve the rights, privileges, and property of the county or of its residents, and to preserve and improve the peace, safety, health, welfare, comfort, and convenience of its residents. This grant of home rule powers does not include the power to enact private or civil law governing civil relationships, except as incident to an exercise of an independent county power.” “Please,” Lee implored the supervisors. “For the protection of the neighborhood of Freeport and even downstream, do not
alter the ownership of this prairie seed plot – flood mitigation area. Every bit of flood mitigation is needed here.” Asked by a member of the audience how many people were opposed and against the sale, Supervisor Shirley Vermace said the supervisors had received up to 54 separate e-mails and 400 signatures on a petition from people against the sale, while receiving notifications from just three residents in favor of it. “How many times do we have to go through this?” asked Kristin Erickson. “Let’s just drop it, because obviously, there are enough people against it that we could say that it was not really a good idea. I have yet to hear any benefit to the county.” Supervisor Chair Dan Langreck and County Auditor Ben Steines answered Erickson’s question by saying that, essentially, within a few years the county would benefit from the increased tax revenue. “So, the pros and cons would be ‘Let’s throw Freeport under the bus, so we can get some tax money in four or five years,’” Erickson said. “There is an old saying that ‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,’” added county resident Jerrine Osenga. “We have learned that lesson very clearly with this issue. This issue has had some good things occur, and one is that you have
Anders Lovstuen pictured with coaches and administration, front row (l-r): Coach Carrie Kauffman, award recipient Anders Lovstuen and Coach Molly Holkesvik. Back row: School board member and board member of the IGHSAU Ron Fadness, DHS Principal Brad Hurst, Coach Rachel Breitenbach-Dirks, Coach Gabe Twedt, Superintendent Tim Cronin, DHS Associate Principal and Athletic Director Adam Riley and Coach Annika Krieg. (submitted)
According to the public hearing notice on the county’s proposed property tax levy, which is published in today’s edition of the Public Opinion, the current year’s certified property tax, for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023/2024 is $6.79 per $1,000 of valuation, and the budget year effective tax for FY 2024/2025 is $6.72453 per thousand. If approved, the budget year’s proposed tax for FY 2024/2025 will be $7.72 per $1,000 of valuation.
Winneshiek County Auditor Ben Steines said the primary cause for the $1 levy increase is the cost of the new emergency services radio system and related towers. “The biggest contributing factor is the payment for the construction of the 911 communications tower,” Steines said. “We had a $500,000 payment last summer, and then we have $900,000 a year for three years.” Steines said that due to technological changes, many Iowa counties are having to upgrade their 911 communications systems. “Because of our topography, we have a lot of areas where emergency services couldn’t
radio back to the dispatcher, because there wasn’t a signal,” Steines said. “As an example, a few years ago, there was an accident where a car was in a ditch on the Bluffton Road, and our deputy had to walk three quarters of a mile up a hill to radio in to have them send an ambulance to rescue the person in the car wreck.” But, whereas most counties typically do bond issues to pay for the new systems, which usually cost millions of dollars, Winneshiek County opted to take advantage of an option to make interest-free payments over time, because, as Steines said, it’s cheaper for the taxpayers that way. “This way, we don’t have to
pay interest,” the auditor said. “And, there are fees with bond issues, like legal fees, and you have to pay an outside consultant. So, it’s cheaper if we just pay for it.” The new 911 system isn’t the only high-dollar expense the county has taken on. Earlier this month, the county also purchased the Spectrum Building on Washington Street in Decorah, now named the Winneshiek County Community Services building. The county is paying $250,000 down on that property until the total purchase price is paid off. The public hearing on the proposed tax levy will be held Monday, March 25, at 11 a.m., in the courthouse annex.
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Freeport land sale
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Students had the opportunity to read with certiDecorah Family fied dogs from the Decorah Public Library’s Visit us online www.decorahnewspapers Dog Tales program. Literacy Night a success
Decorah Elementary Schools recently hosted a “Wild About Reading” Elementary Family Literacy Night. Nearly 400 participants joined for literacy games, animal-themed snacks, reading with certified dogs, art projects, animal artifact exploration and a special visit from some very wild animals (sharks!). Event organizer Shanna Putnam Dibble expressed gratitude to the Decorah FEC (Family, Educator and Community Organization) for sponsoring the event and to the Luther women’s basketball team, Winneshiek County Conservation, Decorah Public Library and Girls Scouts of Eastern Iowa for volunteering. “The partnerships between school, home, and community are essential in nurturing lifelong learners,” Putnam Dibble said, “and we are very grateful for the support of our families and community who came together for an engaging night of learning Putnam Dibble interacts with sharks and fun.” from the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. (submitted)
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