The Wright County
Monitor
Car Bash Page 2
Sports Pages 10 & 11
Alpha meetings held Wednesday evenings at Hagie’s Show Room By: Clae Goater The religious organization 99Ways, which also organizes the Hiz Kidz program in Clarion, is going to be holding Alpha meetings in Clarion through December. The meetings will be held in the Show Room at Hagie Manufacturing on Wednesday nights from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., on Oct. 16 – Dec. 11. “Alpha is really just a chance to come hear the truth and ask questions and process it. It’s really about getting the people in the community to discuss things,” said Neal Bunn, who will be leading the meetings. “When they do, God shows up, people get blessed and miracles happen. “ The Alpha Course was developed by the Rev. Charles Marnham in 1977, to introduce the basics of Christianity and faith to people. Today, Alpha Courses are held in 163 countries, and over 15 million people have attended an Alpha Course. This is the fourth time that Bunn has organized an Alpha Course in Clarion. After attending Alpha at his own church in Des Moines in 2006, Bunn was inspired to organize an Alpha Course here in Clarion. “I wished people I knew who were struggling in life, especially in my hometown here, could learn what I’ve learned and seen what I’ve seen. I thought ‘That’s crazy. How am I going to get those people down here,’ God showed me that I had to take it to them. That’s how this dream of starting Alpha up here started.” Bunn stresses that Alpha is meant to be an inclusive group, and that people of all different types of backgrounds are encouraged to come. Attendance is free, and childcare will be provided. “I don’t care about economic status, where you’re from, what you think you know, if you call yourself a Christian, if you call yourself an atheist- I’m just saying come,” Bunn said. “Any question is safe. I might not agree with it, but that’s not why we’re here. We’re here to hash this stuff out. Just because I’m teaching it doesn’t mean that I know any more than anyone else. I’m on a journey, too, like everyone else. I’m not a pastor, I don’t pretend to know everything. I’m just a guy who cares a lot. “ The course is being held at Hagie specifically so that people aren’t alienated by going to a specific church.“We’re holding it out at Hagie, because people will feel safe coming to a neutral site. If you put it in a church, a lot of times non-churchy people are put off by that. I don’t want that to be a barrier to anyone. “ Alpha is non-denominational, and stresses the commonalities between various types of faith. “I believe that the walls we’ve created in denominations don’t serve anybody. We’re not going to get into the disputable things. Like Baptism: do you dunk them or sprinkle them? You know what, I don’t care what
Neal Bunn you do. We’re not going to focus on that. We’re going to focus on basic truths and God’s love for us, “ Bunn said. The Alpha meetings will consist of lessons, followed by small group discussions. The course will discuss Christianity and how it applies to your life, different interpretations of Jesus, the reasons why we pray, and historical information about Jesus and the authors of the Bible, among other things. Bunn went over some of the questions that regularly get brought up in group discussion. “A lot of people hone in on the “why is there so much pain and suffering” question. That’s was probably the hardest question for me when I came in. It’s a common question. Does God heal? Is God active in my life? Those are the big questions,” Bunn said. “Then there are a lot of weird questions. Will we know our relatives in heaven? We’re not going to solve those questions, but we can talk them through. “ Bunn, who left his job as a CPA to work with 99 Ways, says that he’s seen the program yield some amazing results. “I’ve seen the craziest things through Alpha. Miraculous stuff … happens almost every time,” Bunn said. “The president of my board of directors, I met in Alpha back in 2007 down in Des Moines. He came into that class a complete atheist. Over 12 weeks, I saw God turn a light bulb on in him, and his life was changed forever. “ Bunn says that his goal is to get people in Clarion to find their own place in the religious community. “If you do a ten-week study and then you’re done and you turn the people loose and say ‘Good luck,” that’s not responsible. I don’t think it’s the way we’re supposed to do it. This group that met last spring, they’re still meeting now,” Bunn said. “I hope to point people to a church that they fit into. I’m not recommending any particular church, but I am recommending church. You’ve got family when you need help or encouragement. That’s why you have church. The building isn’t the church, the people are the church. “
Sheriff Jason Schluttenhofer wants or when passing motorists are struck by Wright County motorists to take extra farm equipment making wide left turns. caution on our roadways during harvest Traffic accidents with farm equipment are about five times more likely to cause season. “As it gets busy with the farming fatalities than other types of accident. Drivers should make sure to have their going on, we’re going to be encountering some slow-moving vehicles out there,” full attention on the road, and should watch out for slow-moving vehicles Schluttenhofer said. “Leave a little or vehicles with strange outlines. early, and expect some delays. Farmers should make sure that Maybe leave for work ten or their slow-moving vehicle fifteen minutes earlier. Pay emblems are well-maintained attention on the blacktops and and recognizable. They gravel roads. We don’t want should also make sure any wrecks out there.“ that their lights and Statewide, there have Watch for reflectors are property been 79 crashes with slow moving maintained. Drivers farm equipment in vehicles and farmers should 2013, causing five make sure to fatalities. Most clearly signal their collisions occur when drivers rear-end farm equipment, intentions when turning or passing.
Caution:
Night Hike on Oct. 19 at Lake Cornelia
reservations this year. Night Hike is not designed to be scary, and is something that the whole family can enjoy. However, if people are not comfortable moving along uneven ground in the dark, they might want to consider showing up early. “If you have little kids or elderly people who don’t want to go out in the dark, I would advise them to show up early. About 6-7,” Walker said. Night Hike is organized through volunteer efforts. This year, Night Hike has about 50 volunteers working together. Clarion-Goldfield Peer Helper students will be acting as guides on the hike. The Belmond Boy Scouts will be manning the concession stand for the evening. If you’re interested in volunteering for Night Hike, or want more information, you can contact Schaben at 515-532-3185
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Official newspaper of Wright County
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www.clarionnewsonline.com
Council candidates face questions from public BY: Clae Goater
Sheriff urges everyone to drive safely this harvest By: Clae Goater
By: Clae Goater This year’s Night Hike is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 19, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Lake Cornelia. Night Hike is a great opportunity for people to go out and enjoy the great outdoors, and maybe even learn something along the way. Groups of 20-25 people will be sent around the nature trail roughly every ten minutes. Hikers will go to various stations around the trail, where they will listen to presentations and skits based around ecology and conservation. “We usually do stuff about animal interactions. We do stuff about the park, about interactions between park rangers and campers, things like that,” said Wright County Naturalist Jake Schaben. “Our main goal is to teach people some things that they might not know. We’re trying to do a little environmental education.” Night Hike will not be taking
144th year Number 42
Clarion Chamber and Development held a candidate’s forum Monday, Oct. 14, where city council candidates answered questions from the chamber and the community. Incumbent candidate Duane Asbe was not present for the forum, but he his views will be included in next week’s Monitor as part of our candidate questionnaire. The night’s first question focused on how each candidate was involved with the Clarion community, and how they get their information about the community. Randall Davenport, who works at local convenience store, said that working overnight shifts have kept him from participating in a lot of boards and committees. However, he says that he hears about the issues that face the community from his customer. “But I do hear all the coffee drinkers who come in and all the people who come in. All the concerns they have and all the questions they have,” Davenport said. “This is how I hear what’s going on.” Terry Hilpipre, former Clarion police officer, is a regular at city council meetings, and gets a lot of his information that way. “Currently, I’m on the board of adjustments for the city of Clarion. I spend time at city council meetings, and I do hear what comes in from the citizens. I’ve probably attended 80 percent of city council meetings over the last two and a half years“ Hilpipre said. Barb Mussman, former publisher and editor of the Wright County Monitor, said that she’s been very involved in the community over the years. Mussman has been a member of the Clarion Chamber and Development Board, the Clarion Golf Club Board, the Rotary Board, the Museum Board, the Theater Board, and the Community Development Committee. She’s also a member of the Wright County Women’s Coalition. “I feel like my 30-some years as editor and publisher of the Monitor has definitely kept me abreast of everything that’s going on in this community,” Mussman said. “I feel like I have background with the city council. I know how they work. I know what TIFF districts are.” Nancy Duitscher, former schoolteacher, said that she’s a member of the Clarion Development Committee. She also said that she’s fairly in touch with the Clarion community, and that she gets her information from the people she knows. “I get input from my network of friends. When I am out working in my yard, probably about 80 percent of the citizens of Clarion drive by there and they stop and visit and they tell me their issues,” Duitscher said. “I’ve also attended a few meetings of the city council. Not as many as Terry.” Dave Maxheimer, human resources director at Hagie Manufacturing, is a member of the Leadership Committee.
He also served as president of the Kid’s Korner board for eight years. Maxheimer also said that he’s fairly connected in the Clarion community, and that he’s interested in talking to people about their issues. “I do like to listen. I do want to help people with their problems, but the one thing I ask for is solutions,” Maxheimer said. “I hear a lot of complaints from people on different things that people don’t like. I’m keeping an open mind going into this process, but I want to hear solutions, too. “ The next question was “What are the two most
important issues facing Clarion?” All candidates basically agreed that housing, beautification, and economic development were at the top of the list. After that, the candidates were asked why they chose to run. Both of these questions were included as part of the Monitor’s candidate questionnaire, and will be discussed at length next week. The first question from a member of the audience asked the candidates to discuss their ideas to attract new businesses to Clarion. Duitscher said that Clarion should look for new businesses that fit with the needs of our local businesses. “One way to find businesses is to look at the businesses we currently have. Are there any support businesses that we can have move into the city?” Duitscher asked. “Are there parts, are there things that Hagie needs … Companies where we can say ‘Move here. You won’t have to transport so far.” She also suggested supporting local innovators, along with looking for established businesses from outside our community. “This community used to have it’s own patent attorney … I think we need to look outside … and find those new, old, and young entrepreneurs and establish an environment that will help them,“ Duitscher said. Mussman agreed that looking for support businesses is a good idea. She also said that we need to help our local businesses expand.
“I think that value-added industries play a big part in communities our size. I think we need to look at businesses we have, to see if they can expand or branch out in order to make their business better and add something to community,” Mussman said. Hilpipre said that before Clarion can start attracting new businesses, the town needs to work on improving its appearance. “The bottom line is until the infrastructure is built, the housing is here, and the city is clean and welcoming, you’re not going to get (businesses). When businesses are looking for a place to move they look at education, they look at housing, they look at infrastructure, and they look at appearance,” Hilpipre said. “Our infrastructure is being worked on, our housing is being worked o n . Appearance, I think, is the one area that’s going to make a big difference in Clarion. “ Davenport agreed that appearance was important. “We have to first clean up the city and get the housing for the people. You can’t get businesses in here if you can’t get housing,” Davenport said. He also said that if the city wants to attract new businesses, it will probably have to provide some financial incentive. “Sometimes to attract new businesses, you have to offer them some kind of tax break,” Davenport said. “Can the city do that? I don’t know, but it’s something you’ve got to look at. “ Maxheimer also said that Clarion is going to have to be willing to cut deals with businesses to attract them here. “The city council has to look at what incentives they can offer to new businesses to come to town. You have to be a better deal than the other ones,” Maxheimer said. “We lack some of the other pieces that the other communities have: being closer to the interstates, being closer to large labors pools or large amounts of housing. We don’t have that, so we have to be creative about how we bring new industries into town.“ The next question from the audience was “How will you deal with dilapidated housing?” Duitscher still supported cleaning up the town using ordinances. “I think the ordinances will make a big difference. Right now we have two ordinances, one on safety that I’m not sure is really being covered,” Nancy said. “The other ordinance we have is mowing.“ Mussman also said that ordinance enforcement was key. “Clarion has not done a very good job of enforcing the ordinances that are
on the books,” Mussman said. “There’s definitely the need for more ordinances on the books.” Davenport said that he has personal experience with living in subpar housing, and that ordinances can be used to fix the issue. Davenport said that he has a new landlord, who has let his apartment deteriorate. “This person has let it run downhill. It’s really bad when you wake up and you find a possum in your closet, when you live on the third floor,” Davenport said. “That means the houses are deteriorating pretty badly. The ordinances have to be enforced.” Maxheimer also discussed ordinances, but cautioned that the city should try talking to property owners before they go to the police. “I think a lot of it has to do with the ordinances we have in place, and making sure that they’re sound ordinances. If there needs to be new ones, writing them up,” Maxheimer said. “(But) we have to work with the property owners, give them a chance to work on things, let them know what the issues are, and then work on solutions with them to fix it. If they decide to go against it, that’s when the enforcement comes in … I definitely need to hear all of the issues before I go after the homeowners.” Hilpipre also said that ordinances should be a last resort, and that letters from the city have shown themselves to be effective. He also argued that many ordinances are “passed in haste, and sometimes faulty.” “There have been several letters sent to property owners, to have them clean up their property. It’s actually been fairly successful. It needs to continue. It needs to increase,” Hilpipre said. “The use of ordinance, to me, is a last resort” The candidates also discussed whether they were willing to make unpopular decisions, if they had experience contacting state legislators, and what were their criteria for a “good looking” town. They all said they were willing to make unpopular decisions. Four out of five candidates present said they had experience contacting their legislators at least once, and that they were comfortable with it. Hilpipre did not indicate whether or not he’d ever contacted anyone at the state or federal level, but said that he’d have no problems doing so. While several members did mention that there’s no universal criteria for “attractiveness,” most agreed that they were trying ot get rid of obvious problems like unmowed lawns, junk in the yard, and uneven streets. For their closing statements, most candidates either recapped their talking points or thanked the audience for caring about their town. Davenport used his time to say that the city needs to embrace it’s Latino community. “The one thing I did not bring up: we have a different culture in this community that we also need to reach out to. We have a pretty good size Latino population in this community, and I think we need to reach out to them to,” Davenport said.
Downtown trick-or-treat set for Saturday, Oct. 26 By: Clae Goater Trick-or-Treat Downtown will be held on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Kids and parents are encouraged to dress up and visit their local businesses for some sugary goodies. All businesses that are participating will have signs in their windows. “One of the things we’ve heard kids say is that they like to trick or treat downtown because it’s daylight, and they can see all their friends in their costumes,“ said Clarion chamber director Kim Heller. The movie theater will also be showing free cartoons during Trick-orTreat Downtown. “The movie theater will be showing cartoons from 9:30 to 11. Then, they will have a cartoon that starts at 11, when the trick or treat finishes, so you can watch an entire set if you wanted to,“ said Heller. Trick-or-treaters who go to Pizza Ranch will be asked to give a canned food donation, which will be given to Wright County Public Health. “Our businesses like to do it because it shows their community support, in terms o f creating an environment that is safe and friendly. They like to be engaged with the young people in the
community. As a bonus, it gets the adults in their stores to at least take a glimpse of what’s around,” Heller said. “Primarily, I’d say the businesses do it because they care about our community and they want to create a nice, safe environment
Fire Truck Rides
for kids to go out and show off their costumes. “ “In Clarion, we’re blessed with a very vibrant downtown. Every storefront is full. All of our businesses are engaged with our community,” Heller said. “Our
Trick-or-Treat Downtown is just another opportunity to show that we are the ideal of a small-town community, where the families and the business owners support one another.“
Clarion Firemen gave area children a ride around town on Saturday, Oct. 12, as part of the National Fire Prevention Week. National Fire Prevention Week is celebrated the second week of October.