The Wright County
Monitor
Boyd signs Letter of Intent page 14
VFW receives money page 13
144th year Number 48
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Official newspaper of Wright County
$1.00 per copy
www.clarionnewsonline.com
Help support Small Business Saturday, November 30
It’s ugly sweater time!
For those who cherish the tradition of out-uglying each other’s choice of cardigan or pullover, here’s your chance to vote for the Courthouse’s most eye-rollingly outrageous sweater. Denise Baker (left) and Colleen Bartlett (right) show off some of the spoils, although not quite ready for public consumption as of yet, and soon to be tarted up with bells, bows and assorted whatnots, the game is now afoot. Swing by the County Courthouse and enjoy the visual treat that is ugly sweater day on Friday, Dec. 6 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and vote for your choice of “What the heck were they thinking?” Holiday warm-wear, and let the festivities begin! (Monitor Photo by Mary Freeman, Editor)
All-State Music Festival to broadcast tonight If you would like to see Elizabeth Lockwood in the AllState Music Festival, Iowa Public Television will broadcast the concert on Thursday, Nov. 28, at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 1, at 2:00 p.m. The broadcast is made possible by Mid-American Energy, Iowa Network Services, Musco Lighting, and Friends of IPTV. The concert
order is All-State Band, All-State Chorus, and All-State Orchestra.
For several years now, the Saturday after Thanksgiving has been designated as Small Business Saturday. It’s a nationwide effort designed to promote shopping locally to keep those businesses and communities thriving. Clarion is no exception, and even though we are blessed with many full storefronts here they need our continued support to keep going and especially now during their biggest shopping season of the year. Clarion stores will be open from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. that day, with lots of holiday specials and some stores even doing giveaways. “These local merchants support our clubs, organizations and sporting events all year long, so it’s a chance for Clarion residents to say thank you and support them as they support the community we live in,” said Clarion Chamber and Development Executive Director Kim Heller. “If you have family in town for the holidays, you can take them to see all the fine shops and businesses we have in the downtown area. The Christmas lights are up, and the holiday music is playing, so it’s a great time to take a stroll down mainstreet and get into the holiday spirit.” While you’re doing that, make sure to check out the Vendor Market at grounded from 9 a.m. to noon. Enjoy a cup of their fine coffee, and maybe one of their delicious baked treats, while browsing the display tables from thirty-one, Jewel Kade, Silpada and Beyond Baby. “It’s an opportunity to get started on holiday shopping, with lots of cash and carry items or you
can place an order with any of them for delivery before Christmas,” said Heller. If that isn’t already enough, that Saturday is also the kickoff weekend for the free merchant movies at the Clarion Theatre. Those will run for three weekends starting at 11 a.m., and are sponsored by local Chamber members in cooperation with the theatre. Be sure to thank them for making it possible, and the free tickets can be picked up from any participating merchant, including Clarion Super Foods, on a first come, first served basis to theatre capacity only. “Let’s make this a great day of showing our support for all the fine downtown businesses in Clarion,” concluded Heller.
Saturday’s downtown shopping extravaganza should be both fun and profitable for all involved. With Christmas barely held at bay as we digest some of our tangible reasons to give thanks, Clarion Holiday Season should be off to a good start as the shops downtown roll out their Saturday specials. Grounded, the place to load up on comestibles to sustain even the most determined shopper, will be open from 7 a.m. until noon for your caffeinated and munching pleasure!
County Supervisors discuss Academy plans By Mary Freeman WrightCoMonitor@gmail.com
Spirit of Giving Trees are up
Wish list ornaments for the Spirit of Giving which helps children in the Clarion-Goldfield School District were placed at the Iowa Specialty Hospital – Clarion and Clarion Public Library on Thursday, Nov. 21. The trees will be up in both locations until Thursday, Dec. 5. You may pick up an ornament at either location. Unwrapped gifts need to be dropped off at the United Presbyterian Church, 219 1st Street NW, Clarion on Friday, Dec. 6 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Donation boxes are also out in all four area banks for those who wish to donate money. Committee members surrounding the tree are (back row, left to right): Cassie Howell and daughters, Jo Ann Krammer, Carissa Lehman, Janet Disney, Deb Sebby; (front row): Angie Chapman, Jackie Loux, and Denise Nelson.
The Wright County Board of Supervisors met at normal session on Monday, Nov. 25, and covered a lot of local ground. As the old year closes and the new one begins, exciting changes are coming to Wright County. The Supervisors meetings will be SKYPE’d directly to all interested citizens who call in and link up, one more test run is scheduled before the public will be invited to attend from the comfort of their own homes or the convenience of their workplace. The method for connection will be conveyed to the public shortly after the final testing. Also, the Supervisors approved a letter drafted as a statement of support and endorsement for the planned Eagle Grove Academy to be housed in the old Armory building in Eagle Grove. This planned ‘trade to high-tech’ booster academy will be part of the Iowa Central Community College system, and will attract upper class persons from all of the area high schools where they will earn college credit while also learning the career skills of their choice. Each of the local high schools had to make a commitment of 10 to 20 seats, which has been promised, and the Board’s endorsement will carry weight in bringing this much needed addition to our community. In further news, the Board voted to pass Resolution 2013-27 regarding Obstructing, Impeding and Damaging a drain after an incident that has diverted runoff water-flow exclusively to one farm, damaging the culvert and denying neighbors the benefit of the water. The Board will be sending a certified letter to the offending party, notifying them of the resolution and the timeframe in which to cure the offense. Said
Supervisor Karl Helgevold “ Did he know that he can’t do that?” to which fellow Supervisor Rick Rasmussen replied, “He’ll find out shortly” regarding the pending notice. Also, the Board has benefitted from a savings of $21,000 concerning DD#176/SDD 31 in regards to crushing and burying waste tile, as opposed to paying for it to be hauled away. They also approved the hire of Kristyn Hennigar as the County’s Civil Process Server, a position which fits within the scope of her current duties while working at the County Jail. The new, up-dated County Drainage Book will be available shortly, the first one in 15 years, as the Board sweeps away old business into the ‘done’ pile and prepares for the New Year. The recently
completed Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan is now ready for signatures. The Plan, a necessary component for any community seeking FEMA disaster assistance, as well as future grants, when an emergency arises, has been a labor of Herculean efforts on the part of Board Secretary, Betty Ellis and others, as it is over 3 inches thick. It identifies and prepares the County for almost any type of disaster probable, and if need be, will allow a smooth recovery for the citizens of Wright County. As always, the Wright County Courthouse will be closed for the Thanksgiving Holiday, both Thursday and Friday, allowing County employees to enjoy this festive season with their families.
At their regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, Wright County Board Supervisors Stan Watne, Rick Rasmussen and Karl Helgevold congratulate Larry McBain on five years of bus driving service, and presented him with a certificate of appreciation.
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