Lady Pirates Po s t v i l l e Regional Volleyball
h
HERALD What happened to my paper Redesign catch you off guard?
Jay Meyer Herald Publisher “There is nothing wrong with change, if it is in the right direction,” once said Sir Winston Churchill; and I wholeheartedly believe that. I’ve made a lot of changes throughout my life; changes in hairstyles, wardrobe, educational track and occupation; though not always were they in the right direction. Recently the biggest, and most “right” change I’ve made is the decision of entrepreneurship, to purchase and run my hometown newspaper, the Postville Herald. To stave off the confines of being merely a section in someone else’s newspaper, as was the plans set forth by the previous owners, is now my privilege. What this now means is more changes... changes in the look and feel of the newspaper, and the newspaper’s participation in the community. One of the BIGGEST changes you will notice off the bat is the branding decision... the “h” logo that now adorns the Herald’s front page, as well as the newspaper’s layout in whole. Another change, more important but less visible than the logo, was the decision to
Monona 563-539-2061
Part of the BIRDNOW DEALERSHIPS in Monona, Fayette, Cascade, Jesup, Oelwein & Independence. Buick, Pontiac, Cadillac, Ford, Lincoln & Mercury available at our Oelwein location.
We’re Your Closest Dealer If we don’t have what you’re looking for, tell us. We likely have it at one of our other locations. Check www.BIRDNOW.com or call Toll Free 1.888.BIRDNOW (247-3669) for inventory & more information or stop by our Dealership! You’ve got to get to our place, you’ll like the way we treat you!
return to the newspaper’s roots, the returning to the name Postville Herald. By returning to the Herald, I’ve also chosen to return to the original numbering and publishing sequence established 118 years ago. This newspaper you hold today is Issue One of Volume 118. Flipping through our archives here at the office, I came across a catchphrase that fell out of favor some 40 years ago, but still caught my attention, “A Live Newspaper in a Live Town.” I decided to take that catchphrase and resurrect it, with a few modifications, to reflect my aspirations for the Herald and for Postville; “A Live Newspaper in a Live Community since 1892.” As you thumb through today’s newspaper you may notice small changes here and there, and throughout the coming weeks they may be tweaked as we continue to blend the old with the new, looking for that “right” change Churchill alluded to. Though changes have been made to the Herald in look and feel; Sharon Drahn, long-time Herald-Leader Editor, will remain on staff as the News Editor. We’re still conveniently located at 112 North Lawler in Postville on Iowa Highway 51, right next to Fidelity Bank (formerly Citizens State Bank). Call (563) 864-3333 or fax (563) 864-3400 with your community, family, society, church or sports news, or just to chat. We can also be reached via e-mail at phlnews@neitel.net or phlads@neitel.net. I look forward to hearing from you, the readers of the Postville Herald. Let me know your thoughts and feelings on the new look and how the Herald can help our community.
Postville advances to Regional Semifinal at Oelwein... Sports – Pages 12-14 A Live Newspaper for a Live Community since 1892
Volume 118 – Number 1
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
$1.00 Single Copy
Under New Management Postville Herald returns to local ownership Sharon Drahn
‘Charlie Brown’ coming to PHS this weekend
The Postville High School Drama Department will present “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown (Revised)” this Saturday, November 7, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, November 8, at 2:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts and Civic Center. The play is based on the comic strip “Peanuts” by Charles M. Schulz. For more information contact Betsy Shea at the high school.
Herald News Editor At first glance there are several changes that are evident in today’s paper, not the least of which is the name being changed from the Herald-Leader back to the Postville Herald, a name that originated in the 19th century. There are also many more subtle changes that readers will notice as they peruse today’s paper and those of upcoming weeks. All these changes are being brought about through the ingenuity and creativity of new owner, Jason Meyer. Meyer, 28, who moved to Postville at age 3, with his parents, Laverne and Carol Meyer and his sister, Stephanie, says he has had a loyalty to the community since childhood. When it became evident that the former owners of the Herald-Leader were contemplating closing the local office, Meyer stepped up to the plate and purchased the newspaper from News Publishing Company, Inc. The sale was finalized last Thursday, October 29. A 1999 graduate of Postville High School, Jason said, “Small towns and small town schools are conducive to close relationships. I went to grades K-12 with many of the same kids and many of us still stay in contact with one another.” He went on to say that he developed an intense interest in technology while attending school in Postville, and the knowledge he acquired is very useful in the newspaper industry. Meyer said, “During my high school years many curriculum changes were taking place and there were many opportunities for students to spend more time with the technological equipment.” Following high school, Jason attended Iowa State University and Kirkwood Community College where he was enrolled in the prebusiness and computer programs. A detour, however, found Meyer serving our country in United States Air Force where he trained as an airborne communications and electronics specialist. In this program, he explained, he was trained to operate and maintain the communication and data systems on aircraft during flight. Jason also spent some time in the U. S. Army before being separated for a medical disqualification in 2004. After leaving the service, he began doing some information technology (IT) consulting where he worked in Postville with a few local and area businesses. He said, “I always enjoyed working with technology and computers but I was looking for a more steady income.” Later in 2005 Meyer relocated to North Central Iowa where he went to work for the Northwood Anchor newspaper as a graphic designer. He also did some editorial work and copy setting. He said, “This was my first job in publishing and I found that I really enjoyed the newspaper business. The owners of
NEWS BRIEF
P.E.O to meet next Tuesday
P.E.O Chapter FT will meet next Tuesday, November 10 at 7:30 p.m. at East Park Terrace. Barb DuwePeterson will be hostess. LaRae Schutte will present the program “PEOple Learn.”
Veteran’s Day Chili Supper
Meyer buys Postville’s Herald–Leader
Jason Meyer, who stopped for a moment to pose for area amateur photographer Paula Enyart, recently purchased the 18-year-old Postville Herald-Leader. The HeraldLeader was the consolidation of the 117-year-old Postville Herald and the 1991 startup Postville Leader. the newspaper offered me the option of taking over one of their newspapers but instead I decided I wanted to come back to northeast Iowa.” After filling in at the Herald-Leader for a time, Meyer accepted a job as the Sports Editor at The Standard in Waukon. Following a year-long stint in Waukon,
Jason accepted the position as Managing Editor at The Clayton County Register in Elkader. He said, “I found the challenge of editorship enjoyable, but it was a bit more difficult as I was never very familiar with Elkader. Ultimately, I felt Elkader was not the right fit for me and in July of this year I resigned as
the editor to pursue other interests.” He saw an opportunity to help Postville prosper by keeping the local newspaper a viable part of the community. Having lived in Postville
Postville Herald Continued on Page 2...
Postville City Council, School Board meet Special joint session focuses on Postville Child Care The Postville City Council met in special session Monday evening, November 2, at the Fine Arts and Civic Center on the Postville Community School Campus. The purpose of the meeting was to hear an update on the status of Postville Child Care Services and Project NICHES (the renovation at the YMCA). Also present were Postville School Board members Brad Rekow, Jeff Cox and Laura Lubka, and Superintendent of Schools Ottie Maxey. Members and directors of the Childcare Center were also in attendance. Local accountant Christina Drahos spoke to those present concerning the collaboration between the school district, the childcare center and the school. She said that 65% of the childcare facility’s expenses are filtered out through wages. The assessed value of the building which houses the childcare center is $682,900
and the current debt on the building is $288,000. Currently, it was explained, the City has been paying the $15,000 loan payment on the building. To this issue city council member Jeff Reinhardt said, “It is necessary to take in revenue to make the payment. Currently, the City has been using property tax money to pay revenue bonds and that is illegal.” Council member Larry Moore said, “To lose this facility would be a horrible loss to the community. There must be a way to be able to continue to support this entity.” City Clerk Darcy Radloff will look into getting a special dispensation from the state to allow the current payment schedule to continue. Concerning the renovation at the YMCA, it was noted that with the expansion the facility will have increased access to preschool children.
If the state is awarded a preschool grant, there will be funding available for staff salaries and other expenses. The success of all programs, as depicted in a chart presented to the those present by Drahos, is dependent on several groups including: • Postville Chamber of Commerce • Postville Community Schools • City of Postville • Allamakee County • Northeast Iowa YMCA • Postville Childcare Services • Vision Iowa (C.A.T.) • Department of Education At the conclusion of the meeting, Dr. Ken Weston, DVM, a member of the Childcare Board of Directors, asked for a showing of hands of those who supported the efforts of the Center. Nearly all of the approximately 25 people present raised their hands in support.
Rubashkin attorneys seek mistrial – Page 2
The Jeffrey E. Bohr Jr. VFW Post 12083, Postville, will be hosting a Chili Supper this Veteran’s Day, November 11, from 5 to 8 p.m. in Turner Hall. Due to inclement weather, the accompanying Veteran’s Parade has been cancelled. Come eat chili and visit with local veterans. A freewill offering will be accepted.
Booster Club meeting Wed. November 10
The monthly Postville Athletic Booster Club meeting will be held Tuesday, November 10, in the John R. Mott High School lobby, beginning at 7 p.m. The club meeting has been moved from its regularly scheduled time Wednesday to Tuesday in observance of the Veteran’s Day holiday, November 11.
County Offices closed Nov. 11
In observance of Veteran’s Day this coming Wednesday, November 11, all county offices in both Allamakee and Clayton counties will be closed. In Allamakee this extends to outlying county departments; including rural recycling, secondary roads and shops, Veterans Affairs, Relief Office and Conservation. As always, the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office is open holidays.
CONTENTS
Local......................................... 2 Family....................................... 3 Area..................................... 4-5 Religion.................................... 6 Pirate Perspective.................. 7 Area..................................... 8-9 Public Notice.........................10 Classified...............................11 Sports.............................. 12-14
USPS 006-515 ©2009 Postville Herald 112 N. Lawler, Postville, IA 52162 (563) 864-3333