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WEDNESDAY | AUGUST GUST 28 28, 8, 2 2013 013 | Volume 136 | Number 35 LETS GET
SOCIAL Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/hamptonchronicle Go to HamptonChronicle.com to view all of our newspaper publications.
UP FRONT HDHS yearbooks have arrived
Hampton-Dumont High School’s 2012-2013 Yearbooks are in. If you ordered a yearbook last year - please stop in the high VFKRRO RIÀFH WR SLFN \RXUV XS If you did NOT already purchase one and would like to - there may be some available after Sept. 5th. Contact the high VFKRRO RIÀFH DW for information after that date. It ZLOO EH D ÀUVW FRPH ÀUVW VHUYHG basis and they are $50.00.
Zak benefit set for Sept. 4 at Hampton UMC
Se Seasoned runners tak take Beeds Lake half ma marathon, 10K races Sports, Page 12 Spo
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Sukup attends trade mission to China with Branstad Commerce, Page 5
For the state of Iowa and its leading companies, a strong relationship with China makes great business sense.
Dohrmann Inducted into Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame at Iowa State Fair Neighbors, Page 13
Former mayor Diane Weldin hoping to regain seat By Jeff Forward Former Hampton Mayor Diane Weldin knew she’d run for mayor this year the instant she lost to Shawn Dietz in 2011. “I made that decision two years ago, on Nov. 11,� Weldin said of deciding to run for mayor again. “I felt sad I didn’t win. I’ve been attending council meetings. I keep myself abreast of what’s going on.� Weldin, who was mayor of Hampton from 2003-2011, said she only lost the election to Dietz by a
mere 16 votes; and that she in part credits the loss to the belief that many of her supporters from the Hampton-Dumont teaching ranks were unable to vote that day due to a lengthy conference that kept them from going to the ballot box. “I hope our voter turn-out will increase,� Weldin said. Weldin is a registered nurse and works for the Hampton-Dumont Community School District, where she provides care to students at the four district schools on a rotating ba-
sis. She is married to her husband, Ron, who is retired. Now, two years after the loss to Dietz, she seems more determined than ever to regain her former role DV PD\RU ¹ WXUQLQJ LQ DQ RI¿FLDO FDQdidate declaration on Monday with more than 100 signatures – well above the 25 needed. As of press time, Weldin has one opponent – Brook Boehmler, the forPHU H[HFXWLYH GLUHFWRU RI WKH *UHDWHU Franklin County Chamber of Commerce.
Weldin said that while she feels Boehmler did a good job in his role at the chamber, when it comes to SROLWLFDO RIÂżFH VKH KDV DQ HGJH XS on him in one key area. “I’ve had the experience. I feel experience makes a difference,â€? Weldin said. Weldin said she is running on a few key platforms – ÂżVFDO UHVSRQVLELOLW\ FRQtinued improvement of city streets and alleys, and maintaining Weldin: See Page 9
Back in the saddle Plagge returns to supervisor meetings after battle with cancer
$ VSDJKHWWL VXSSHU EHQHĂ€W will be held from 4:30-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 4, at the Hampton United Methodist Church for Xavier Zak, infant son of Jason and Bridget Zak. Xavier, the grandson of Ann Barnes and great-grandson of Lillian Craighton, has been diagnosed with a rare form of eye cancer. Proceeds from the supper and silent auction will be used to offset the medical and travel expenses for Xavier. Tickets are available at United Methodist Church, local banks, or at the door. The $8 tickets are for anyone age 6 and up. The meal includes spaghetti, garlic bread, salad, bars, and beverage. All checks may be made out to the United Methodist Church.
Pit Row’s 3rd Annual Benefit Run
Sunday, Sept. 1, 2013. Registration 11:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Run Starts at 12 p.m. $20 per person (includes supper and drink upon returning to Pit Row). Route includes: Pit Row (Hampton), Grumpy’s (Ackley), Stinky’s (Aplington), Lil Ricky’s ( Allison) D-T’s Roadhouse (Dumont). Bus will be available for those of you that don’t have bikes but would like to go on ride (with additional charge to cover gas). Cars are also welcome. Any questions please call Jennifer Rooney 641-425-8288; Pam Nalan 641-903-1166 or Haley Montes 641-425-6524. All proceeds will be going towards medical expenses for Blake Gunderson, who suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns. There will be a PRIZE for best poker handDRAWINGS – FOOD - SILENT AUCTION - BAKE SALE AND GAMES!
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$1.25 Newsstand
Plagge listens intently to Jay Waddingham give an update on county projects during the Aug. 26 supervisors meeting.
By Jeff Forward Inspired by a pep talk from one of his grandsons and overwhelming support from his family and the community, Franklin County Supervisor Jerry Plagge found a way to keep battling the cancer that was ravaging his body. Through the darkest days when he thought he was near the end, 3ODJJH FRQWLQXHG WR ÂżJKW Eventually, his health began to improve and he was able to return home to Latimer. On Aug. 19, PlagJH DWWHQGHG KLV ÂżUVW FRXQW\ VXSHUYLsors meeting in-person since March 18. “I felt terrible I hadn’t been to the meetings,â€? Plagge said of missing months of action. “Monday was the ÂżUVW WLPH ,ÂśG EHHQ WKHUH LQ SHUVRQ LQ a long time. I’m feeling better, but this fatigue is a big, big item. But, I’ve been getting back into the swing of things. I feel there is no reason why I won’t get back to normal.â€? Cancer, pneumonia hit Plagge hard Plagge missed those months of meetings while being treated for lymphoma cancer. “Over the last two to three years, I was diagnosed with stage four lymphoma cancer,â€? Plagge described. “I’d gone through the chemo and treatments. I was in remission. Then, it came back. My doctor said something to consider was stem cell transplant.â€? That led Plagge to a severPlagge: See Page 3
Another light night for the Hampton city council By Jeff Forward The Hampton City Council had one of its shortest meetings of the year on Aug. 22, with council members meeting for slightly longer than 30 minutes before adjourning. The biggest item on the agenda was a potential public hearing for an appeal of a nuisance violation for local property owner Milton Hey-
de. However, Heyde called and informed the council he could not attend the meeting and then cancelled his appeal. By cancelling, Heyde will have to comply with the nuisance violation notice. In other business, the council unanimously OK’d the selling of a 1967 Plymouth Fury station wagon owned by the Hampton Fire Depart-
ment. The vehicle will be sold on the eBay vehicle auction Web site with a minimum reserve bid of $2,000. The council also approved unanimously an ordinance closing an 81-foot portion of the alley between Federal Street South and First Street Southeast – which runs between the Hampton Public Library and the
Rustic Brew has this new look after their use of facade grant funds.
Chamber hoping local businesses use façade grants By Jeff Forward There’s money to be given DZD\ DQG RIÂżFLDOV ZLWK WKH *UHDWHU Franklin County Chamber of Commerce hope local businesses will take advantage of it to make downtown look a little bit better. 7KH )DoDGH *UDQW 3URJUDP FRQducted through the chamber’s Design Committee, is intended to provide matching funds up to $1,000 for local businesses to improve, renovate, and in general beautify their business fronts. “We want to make local business owners aware that if they’re looking for a spark to get their storefronts going and improve their businesses,â€? said Eric Christianson, head of the design committee. “These grants can help. It’s to improve our image as a community and draw businesses in.â€?
City Council: See Page 9
The program is in its third year under the supervision of the chamber’s design committee. Prior to that, Christianson said, a similar type of program was conducted through Main Street Iowa. Under the grant program – funded annually by a $10,000 donation by the City of Hampton – local businesses in the downtown TIFF district can apply for matching grants of up to $1,000 from the chamber. The grant money can be used for storefront improvements such as new awnings, signage, paint, and window repair or replacement, Christianson said. The business owner pays for the project up front and then gets reimbursed after completion of the project. Christianson said the program Façade Grants: See Page 9
Local man finds his green thumb after planting bucket garden Hilton set to retire after nearly 38 years with Hampton Police Dept. By Nick Pedley One Hampton man has been enjoying the fruits – or, vegetables – of his labor after planting a rather unorthodox garden at his apartment this summer. Jeff Dellinger was presented with a head-scratching situation earlier this June. He wanted to plant a garden in his apartment’s backyard at the Hampton Community Housing complex, but his landlords wouldn’t allow him to till up the ground. They said the housing board would have to vote to approve the garden addition, but Dellinger didn’t want to deal with that long and arduous pro-
cess. 6R KH WRRN WR WKH ,QWHUQHW WR ÀQG D solution to his problem. Dellinger stumbled upon a video on YouTube that showed garden plants growing in six-gallon buckHWV +H NQHZ KH KDG IRXQG KLV À[ but there were still a few roadblocks. +H KDG WR ÀQG WKH SDLOV JHW WKH 2. (Shown right) The tomato plants have outgrown their cages and have been picked three times. Dellinger planted three kinds – Better Boy, Celebrity and Roma. (Photo by Nick Pedley, Hampton Chronicle) Green Thumb: See Page 2
By Nick Pedley Capt. James Hilton will leave behind over three decades of memories with the Hampton Police Department when he hangs up his uniform IRU WKH Ă€QDO WLPH 6HSW Hilton will turn 66 on Sept. 13. According to Iowa Law Enforcement Academy regulations, no ofĂ€FHU FDQ VHUYH SDVW WKDW DJH (YHQ though his retirement is required, Hilton said he was ready to relax and enjoy the next stage of his life. “The academy said that’s all I can serve. I’m looking forward to full retirement and being with my wife and family more,â€? he said. “This was pretty much my life.â€?
Hilton got his start in Hampton after Chief Bud Nelson hired him in November 1975. However, the Waterloo native didn’t always plan on pursing a career in law enforcement. Hilton enlisted in the Army in 1966 after graduating high school and served in France, Germany and Vietnam. He became an industrial foreman at a textile manufacturing company in Minnesota for six years (Shown right) Capt. James Hilton is set to retire from the Hampton Police Department Sept. 12. He’s served with the local unit since November 1975. (Submitted photo) Hilton: See Page 2