The
IOLA REGISTER
FOOTBALL Official gears up for Shrine Bowl - See B1
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Locally owned since 1867
www.iolaregister.com
City council gives rezoning thumbs up By BOB JOHNSON bob@iolaregister.com
At the conclusion of two hours of comment Monday evening, Iola council members voted to rezone 3.8 acres at 1002 N. Kentucky to permit construction of a senior assisted living complex. Councilman Jon Wells noted the area had been “vacant for years,” and questioned whether that was better for Iola. “I’m not seeing problems that can’t be addressed,” Wells said, in changing the zoning from R1 (single family) to R3 (multiple family). Problems brought up, often repeatedly, by opponents were that the complex would adversely affect property values of neighboring homes; lighting and traffic into the complex would be a disruption; rain water runoff would flood
neighboring properties, and traffic on Kentucky, already heavy for a residential street, would increase. Mainly, those objecting — 74 people signed a petition to oppose the rezoning — said they thought the complex would change forever their quiet and pristine neighborhood. Councilman Gene Myrick questioned whether rezoning would be a negative. “We can’t keep turning people away,” he said. “Eventually the word is going to get out, ‘Don’t come to Iola.’ I feel this is a way to grow Iola.” Councilman Don Becker didn’t agree, and his was the lone vote against rezoning. “I don’t think we’ve done anything to run business out of town,” Becker said. “I think planning commission members studied the issue,” and See REZONING | Page A6
Register/Steven Schwartz
Scott Holder, with Neighborhood Senior Living, addresses the Iola City Council Monday night, in regard to plans for a new assisted living facility on North Kentucky Street.
EMS merger stalled by the numbers
GARDEN GRATITUDE
By STEVEN SCHWARTZ steven@iolaregister.com
Register/Steven Schwartz
Crows beware — the U.S. military is standing guard at a garden on North Kentucky Street. Richard Klingensmith, a former city employee with the Iola Parks Department, stands next to a scarecrow he has donned with fatigues and hat, which his son, Darin, wore in Kuwait serving with the U.S. Air Force. “I did it to honor the soldiers,” Klingensmith said.
The proposed EMS merger contract is still on the table, but some questions “in the numbers” have halted any sort of decision from the Iola City Council. The council amassed a list of questions — generated from the council, Allen County EMS and the Iola Fire Department — that will be brought to Allen County Commissioners for clarification. “We have some sticking points,” Council member Jon Wells said. “But, the county had to move mountains for this and I thank them for that.” The first problem dealt with the amount of revenue the city will receive in total. Through the contract, the county will retain the billing services for EMS and provide $750,000 — a fixed amount — to the city for the services. In a meeting prior to Monday’s council meeting, City Administrator Carl Slaugh said the $750,000 is borderline from the start in terms See EMS | Page A3
BOE to move Crossroads A public hearing concerning the relocation of Crossroads Learning Center from Gas to Iola met with no opposition Monday night. The hearing took place before the regular USD 257 board of education meeting. Jack Koehn, the new superintendent of schools, said the move to Iola would cut food service, utility, maintenance and transportation costs. “Moving it a block and a half away from the high school gives us flexibility,” Koehn said. Tim Siebel, Crossroads director, was present during the hearing. Koehn said they plan to have the new location ready by the time school starts in August. Crossroads will be in the building that formerly housed district administration offices at 408 N. Cottonwood. Scott Stanley updated
board members on the progress of the new board office located at 305 N. Washington Ave. Stanley said they are making renovations and are waiting on carpet for the new location.
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presentation. Koehn suggested the board consider a 1.5 mill increase. The board will discuss the budget at the budget hearing on Aug. 12 at 6:30 p.m. Other items included the
Moving it (the school) a block and a half away from the high school gives us flexibility. — Jack Koehn, USD 257 superintendent
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By KAYLA BANZET kayla@iolaregister.com
“We will start moving on Thursday and Friday,” Stanley said. “Next week we will start at the old board office.” THE BOARD also accepted a Cox Communications grant for $1,000. Brett Linn, technology director, applied for the grant to help fund laptops for students at all the elementary schools. Koehn broke down the 2013-14 budget for the board members during a
Vol. 115, No.189
approval of contracts between the teachers and the board. The board accepted the resignation of Amy Carson, a secretary at Crossroads. It rehired retirees, Lyle Kern and Joe Shrum. They will start work on Sept. 1. It hired Crystal Wood as a para, Chi Wiggins as secretary transportation, Gregory McCullough as a custodian and Alena Melugin as a cook. The next board meeting will be on Aug. 12.
Register/Steven Schwartz
A local treasure
The Iola City Council honored Bob Johnson, left, Monday night for his 50 years of service to the community through his work at The Iola Register. Mayor Joel Wicoff, right, proclaimed July 29, 2013, which coincides with Johnson’s 70th birthday, as “Bob Johnson Day” in Iola. Johnson started work at The Register on July 6, 1964. 75 Cents
Iola, KS