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BRIEFLY. Common Threads Meets on Nov. 20
Christa Hanson
Nancy Litch
Judy Vander Ploeg
Litch, Hanson, Vander Ploeg win seats on city council In a race that saw nine candidates compete for three seats, Nancy Litch and Christa Hanson were reelected to the Kanawha City Council. Judy Vander Ploeg was elected to the third position on the council. The unofficial totals from the Nov. 5 city election were: Litch - 106, Hanson - 86 and Vander Ploeg - 85. Vote totals for other candidates were: Roger Anderson - 31, Bernard Blank - 57, Mike Brooks (incumbent) - 67, Paul Delger - 56, Tom Gretillat Sr. - 21 and Darlene Schafer - 26. Nancy Litch was the top
vote-getter in the election. She would like to see what the city can do to encourage growth and economic development Kanawha. “Economic development is more than just looking pretty,� she said. “You have to have some real meat on the bones.� Litch wants focus on the people in the community “who regularly give of themselves� and cited Kanawha EMTs and the Boy Scouts as examples. “If you want Kanawha to be better, you really need step up to the plate and volunteer,� she said. “You cut your teeth on
that first term and get an idea of what it’s all about,� Christa Hanson said about her reelection to bid. Hanson said the search for a new city police officer is one of the top issues facing the city. Judy Vander Ploeg also said hiring a new police chief is a priority of the city. On the subject of economic development, she noted, “We need to keep supporting the businesses we have here.� Klemme Ken Blank was reelected mayor with 51 votes. He was unopposed. Klemme voters elected
three to the city council. They are: Kody Trample (49 votes), David Welsh (38 votes), and incumbent Morris Crotty (38 votes). Roberta Carolus, incumbent candidate, received 33 votes. “The first year will most likely be a learning experience for me. I’m just happy the community elected a young member like myself,� said Kody Trample, age 24. Trample would like to see what can be done to encourage growth in the community and “try to get the Ag Days celebration like it was 10-15 years ago.� David Welsh would like to
Electronic filing begins in Hancock Clerk of Court Office By Rebecca Peter Starting this week, filing of all case types at the Clerk of Court Offices in Hancock, Winnebago and Worth Counties will be done electronically. The switch started on Tuesday, Nov. 12. The change to digital is an on-going, state-wide initiative, according to Scott Hand, court administrator for the Iowa’s Second Judicial District. “There are over 30 [clerk of court] offices on-line already,� he said. “In the majority of our courthouses, we just don’t have space for paper any more. That was one of the over-riding factors.� Hand anticipates efficiency gains for the clerks’ offices, “just by not handling paper and looking for files and pull files. You won’t have to worry about
misplaced files.� Data will also be stored at two, separate physical locations as a precaution. There are some exceptions to the digital filing. “It won’t necessarily apply to existing cases, unless those cases are converted,� said Hand. “It’s a date-forward concept.� “We won’t convert cases that are close to being completed,� he said. There is also a process to be exempted on certain cases. “If you are a party to a case, you will be able to register and view the contents of case you are a party to, from anywhere the Internet is available,� Hand said. “For the general public wanting to look at general public cases, you will still have to come to the county courthouse and use the
public terminal to view cases,� he said. “We’re seeing significant gains in efficiency in our clerks offices. It will also provided opportunities for attorneys to submit proposed orders for judges [on-line]. “It will also help our judges who rotate through counties. They will be able to do some motion work before they get to that county, because they can do it pull that file up and do it remotely.� “It will also even the work load out in the clerks’ offices,� he said. The county clerks, staff and judges have undergone training sessions.
see more civic involvement by citizens. Goodell Pat Sweeney was the apparent winner of a close race for mayor at Goodell. The unofficial results of the election showed 29 votes for Sweeney and 27 votes for incumbent mayor Ryan Halfpop. A formal request for a recount of the mayoral race was filed with the Hancock County Board of Supervisors. Incumbents Thomas Bonjour and Mark Stille were reelected to the Goodell City Council. Mark Stille received 33 votes and Bonjour, 28 votes. Christopher Nolte was
the third person elected with 37 votes. Other candidates were Diana Stille (27 votes) and Wayne DeVall (14 write-in votes). The Hancock County Board of Supervisors canvassed the results of city elections on Tuesday, Nov. 12. (Note: Complete election results from the Nov. 5 city council and mayoral elections in Hancock County and the communities of Wesley, LuVerne and Ventura are on the Kanawha Reporter website: www. kanawhareporter.com
Klemme council hears complaints about stray animals By Rebecca Peter KLEMME - Concerns about dogs and cats running loose were brought to the attention of Klemme City Council, Nov. 4. Licensing dogs was brought up as a possible option. In the past, the city has required licensing of dogs, but dropped the requirement. The council is not currently considering this option. Ken Weiland, public works director, reported that a Department of Natural Resources engineer recently checked the sludge in the city’s wastewater treatment lagoon and sending the results of the testing to the city. The City of Klemme has a February 2017 deadline to meet new lower ammonia discharge requirements to be in compliance with the new DNR discharge permit. Options under consideration are: a controlled discharge lagoon system
and an enhanced lagoon treatment bio-dome system. Weiland will check into when the water tower will be inspected and the light fixed. Water pipes at city hall need to be taken apart to see where there could be a problem creating low hot water pressure. Mayor Ken Blank will patch the holes in the men’s bathroom, along some tile repairs in the community room. City clerk Coleen Rout will inform Alliant Energy about several street lights that are out or flickering around town, along with the community sign light on the highway. A public hearing to adopt the proposed Code of Ordinances will be held at the Dec. 2 council meeting. Recodification of the city code is done every five years. This year Iowa Codefication of Clear Lake was hired to do the recodification for Klemme.
Common Threads, Hancock County’s daytime quilt interests group, will meet Nov. 20 at 9 a.m. at the Britt Public Library. Attendees are encouraged to bring Christmas projects and table runners from the October workshop. Any other projects, gadgets, other items for Sew and Tell can also be included. All are welcome.
Library News The Kanawha library will be closed Friday, November 29.
HCHS Volunteers Host FundRaising Event BRITT – Hancock County Health System Volunteers are hosting a Jewelry Sale on Wednesday, Nov. 20 from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Atrium of Hancock County Memorial Hospital. L’s Collection Fundraising will have a large selection of $5 jewelry, sunglasses, scarves, and other accessories for sale with 20% of the event’s total sales supporting the programs and services of HCHS. For more information about the Jewelry Sale or if you would like to become a HCHS volunteer, please visit www.trustHCHS. com/hchs-volunteers.
Kaplan Announces Dean’s List Kaplan University in Mason City is proud to announce their President’s and Dean’s Lists for the Term ending October 6. Michael Trager of Britt, was one of the students named to the Dean’s List for his 3.58 GPA achievement.
Thank You Kanawha Donors A total of 34 registrants donated 27 units of blood at the recent Kanawha Community Blood Drive. Your efforts help save lives!
Guest speaker, retired Colonel Army Nurse Iowa Army Reserves and National Guard, Joan M. Gouge, Garner, speaks to the audience during the West Hancock Middle School Veterans Day Program. (Photo by Sarah Freesemann). LEFT - Two area veterans look on as the West Hancock Middle School Chorus sings God Bless America during the Veterans Day Program on Monday, Nov. 11, 2013 in Kanawha. (Photo by Sarah Freesemann).