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Turkey Winners Winners of the turkeys given away at Tull’s New & Used Store in Sheffield during the pre-Thanksgiving holiday are as follows: Robin Smalley, Mary Ellen Nelson, Roberta Atkinson, and Rachelle Foust.
Welcome reception for NIACC President Dec. 10 The North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) Board of Directors and Foundation Board will host a welcome reception for the new NIACC President, Dr. Steven Schulz. The public is invited to attend the reception anytime between 5-6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 10, in the Activity Center on the NIACC campus, 500 College Drive, Mason City. Welcome and introduction will be held at 6 p.m. Schulz, who has been serving as provost at Des Moines Area Community College, Carroll campus, begins his duties at NIACC on December 1. Schulz will also attend a variety of events throughout North Iowa in January and February to meet local residents, community and business leaders. “I look forward to the opportunity to meet people in the many communities NIACC serves in north central Iowa,� said Schulz, who grew up in Geneva. To learn more about Schulz and North Iowa Area Community College, visit our web site: www.niacc.edu.
Thornton Merchants Christmas lighting contest The Thornton Merchants are sponsoring an exterior Christmas light contest for the 2013 holiday season. This contest is open to any Thornton resident or business with an exterior lighting display. All exterior lighting displays are automatically entered. Cash prizes will awarded for first, second and third place. Holiday lights will be judged on Dec. 4 or 5, between 6-9 p.m. Winners will be announced on Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Town Christmas Party in the Thornton Fire Station at 1 p.m. Let’s make Thornton sparkle this holiday season!
Thornton Merchants plan holiday activities The Thornton Merchants have planned Holiday activities. On Friday, Dec. 6, during business hours, the following businesses will host their annual holiday open house: Chit Chat CafÊ First Gabrielson Insurance (9 am – 3 pm) First Security Bank & Trust (9 am – 5 pm) Jaspersen Insurance & Real Estate (9 am – 4 pm) K&H Classic Stop (6 am – 1 pm) Shear Traditions (9 am – 1 pm) Westy’s The West Fork High School music department will perform during the morning hours in Thornton businesses, starting at 10:45 a.m. at First Security Bank. Musicians will stroll through the local businesses and finish with a performance at the Chit Chat CafÊ around noon. On Saturday, Dec. 7, at 1:00 p.m. the Thornton Merchants Christmas Drawing will be held at the Thornton Fire Station. Everyone is welcome to this event, sponsored by local businesses, American Legion, Thornton Lions and Thornton Fire Department. This is an opportunity to thank the Thornton Community for their patronage and support. Exterior lighting contest winners will also be announced. Mark your calendar and plan to attend and enjoy refreshments, prizes and a visit from Santa Claus.
Community Calendar Wednesday, Dec. 4
9-11:30 a.m. Pest Control Operators: Pesticide Applicator Training, Cerro Gordo County Extension Of ice, Mason City
Thursday, Dec. 5
5:30-7:30 p.m. Smart Choices: Options in the New Health Insurance Marketplace, Mason City Public Library, Mason City
In this issue: Courthouse ................................... page 4 Public Notices ............................page 4&5 Area Sports ................................... page 8 Classifieds .................................... page 5
Laudner resigns from Rockwell council; Wentz hopes to fill vacancy By Nick Pedley The Rockwell City Council now stands one member short after resignation of two-term Councilman David Laudner at the group’s Nov. 20 meeting. The news didn’t come as a surprise to the council. Laudner announced in the summer his intentions to sell his home and move away from the area to pursue other career opportunities. However, he was unsure about the exact date of the change back then. He was close to finalizing the sale of his house, which prompted his resignation effective Nov. 21. “I’m just ready to explore opportunities outside of Mason City and the north Iowa area,� Laudner said. “I’ll really miss the meetings and our discussions. I thought we had a great team, and all of us really brought different skills to the table.� Laudner was first elected to the council in 2007 and then once again in 2011. His tenure oversaw the addition of Rockwell’s new aquatic center and housing development in the northwest part of town, along with a few other small projects. He also chaired the Cerro Gordo County Community Foundation for the past three years and served as a volunteer fireman on the Rockwell Fire
Department. “I’ve always had an interest in public policy and have enjoyed serving the community,� he said. The search for Laudner’s replacement will most likely be a short one. The council has two options – appoint someone or hold a special election to fill the vacancy. Because of the proximity to the Nov. 5 election, the council felt that appointing the fourth-highest vote-getter would be their best option. Three people – James Bills, Tom Worley and Tim Brown – won council seats in election this year. Larry Wentz, who was in attendance at the council’s Nov. 20 meeting, came in fourth with 74 votes. “You’re basically giving the people who they voted for,� Mayor Steve Karabatsos said about the potential appointment. Councilman Adam Wedmore pointed out the cost of a special election and felt holding another one would be redundant. The group also noted that Wentz has showed a vested interest in the council and attended many of the meetings during the past two months. Karabatsos asked Wentz if he’d accept the position if the group offered it to him. “Definitely,� he responded.
Larry Wentz
David Laudner Karabatsos said the council would have to appoint Wentz before the terms of Gary Akin, Kenny Nielsen and Wedmore expire at the end of the year. According to the Iowa Code, an appointment must be made within 40 days after the vacancy occurs, but the deadline increases if they opt to hold a vote. Citizens of Rockwell also have the option to petition for a special election if they’re unhappy with the council’s decision to appoint. Iowa Code mandates a petition with a minimum of 20 signatures from eli-
gible city voters is necessary to put the seat up for a vote. The law also states the special election must be held at the earliest feasible date but no later than 90 days after the vacancy occurs. Wentz indicated that he was more than willing to serve, and said he was thrilled at the opportunity to join the council. He’s lived in Rockwell for a year with his wife, Meagen (Scholl), and daughters Addison and Lexi. He works as a technician for Rockwell Cooperative Telephone Association and has served in leadership positions
on many boards and committees in the past. Wentz said updates to roads and other city infrastructure would be his highest priorities if appointed to the council. “I like living in a true small town – I’ve never lived in a town this small,� he said. “I want to be involved and make a difference. I want to be out there in the community, I love working with the community, and I thought this was great place to start.�
Rockwell council discusses new police vehicle, Amoco station last Wednesday
Meservey aims at improving citywide housing with state program
By Nick Pedley Rockwell’s police car rolled on to the chopping block at the Nov. 20 city council meeting after it was announced a search had begun to find a replacement. According to Mayor Steve Karabatsos and police Chief Rick Whitney, the 10-year-old Chevy has started showing its age recently. The transmission is slipping, it uses too much oil and high mileage has created concerns. Councilman Mike Flatness reported that he found a deal on a new 2012 Chevy Malibu to replace the old car, and Karabatsos thought now might be the right time to make a switch. “It’s getting to the point where something’s going to have to be done within the next year,� he said. Karabatsos asked the threemember council (Kenny Nielsen and Gary Akin were absent) whether the city should amend the budget and buy the vehicle this fiscal year, or plan for it and purchase it in the next fiscal year. The council was unsure about what move they should take, and admitted they were surprised at the announcement. “I guess I didn’t even know we were looking for a new one,� said Councilman David Laudner. “This was kind of sprung on me tonight.� Flatness said the car would cost around $20,000. There would be added expenses for the installation of electronic equipment, but he explained it was still a good deal. The car has never been licensed or given a title because it was leftover inventory from last year’s crop of police vehicles. “If a dealership orders 50 cars with police packages and they only sell 48, the other two sit there, the new models come in, and everyone wants those,� explained Flatness. “We just happened to stumble across a deal.� Karabatsos suggested the
By Nick Pedley The Meservey City Council is hoping to improve a few residences around town through a state-funded program that gives homeowners money for housing repairs. The council authorized the submission of a housing fund grant application to the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) at their meeting Nov. 11. If the city’s application is approved, the IEDA would allocate money for an owner-occupied housing rehabilitation program for six houses in Meservey. Each chosen residence would receive up to $24,999 in grant money for a wide range of renovations. “The goal of the program is to make safe improvements to houses and to make the homes more efficient,� said Dana Heimbuch, Community Development Coordinator for the North Iowa Area Council of Governments. “A lot of people will put in new windows, which makes sense from an energy saving standpoint. Things like rewiring and maybe a new heater or something – things like those.� If Meservey is awarded the grant, applicable houses must meet a list of requirements to receive funding. The house must be occupied by the person that owns it, it must have insurance, and the property needs to be up-to-date on taxes and utility payments. It also must meet the Iowa Minimum Housing Standards, and the owner must fall under a specific income level to be approved. According to Heimbuch, the city sent out a survey to Meservey residents prior to the Nov. 11 meeting to gauge interest. Seventeen homeowners expressed curiosity and returned the survey. “What that means is that 17 people think they’d meet the requirements and fall within the income target area to obtain the
The Rockwell council discussed the possibility of buying the old Amoco station on Main Street and turning it into a parking lot for the library at their Nov. 20 meeting. (Photo by Nick Pedley) council give the issue some fered an alternative suggestion. thought before their next meet- He thought the REDC should focus on expanding the indusing. “I guess we’ll have to see trial park, while the city should whether we should spend tackle some of the unwanted $23,000 now, or wait,� con- buildings on Main Street. “I’d like to see the city buy cluded Councilman Adam Wedthe old Amoco station, tear it more. The council stayed on topic down, extend the city’s propand discussed more budget erty from here [city hall] to the planning for next year. Karabat- corner and make a parking lot sos asked Laudner, who’s on the or something for the library,� he city pool board, if the budget for said. “The library is a huge asset the aquatic center should stay to the town.� The council was hesitant the same as last year. Laudner said unexpected an- about the idea. Laudner pointed nual repair costs have made an out the station’s underground estimate somewhat difficult, and gas tanks, and felt regulations noted the city might need to in- and added expenses would make crease funding if that trend con- the project too costly. “I’m just saying you’re going tinued. “I don’t think we’re out of to have to jump through 18 difthat range, but our repairs have ferent hoops if you’re going to killed us,� he explained. “We do something there,� he said. Karabatsos acknowledged lost about the same as we did last year from an operational the possibility of some red tape, but felt the project was still standpoint.� Karabatsos brought up main worth it. He said he would instreet renovations to conclude vestigate the matter further durthe group’s discussion on next ing the budget planning process. “I think we’re at the point year’s budget. At their Nov. 6 meeting, the council had dis- where we move beyond the rhetcussed allocating money for the oric and start doing something Rockwell Economic Develop- with Main Street,� he said. “We ment Corporation (REDC) to can either accept it the way it is clean up old buildings down- or move forward and change it. town. However, Karabatsos of- And I’d like to change it.�
grant funding,� Heimbuch explained. Meservey Mayor Richard Miller said the city applied for the grant last year but was denied. Miller said the council wanted to apply for the grant again for obvious reasons. “It makes houses look better, and it gives the town a facelift for people who can’t afford to do it themselves,� he said. Meservey isn’t the only area town that’s shown interest in the IEDA grant. Heimbuch said both Thornton and Sheffield received funding from the program. Thornton Councilman and Mayor-elect Brian Crowell said the grant’s impact on the community has been very positive, and explained renovating the appearance of local residences was only one half of the story. Improvements in efficiency help lessen the impact on the homeowner’s pocketbook and the environment. “It’s a great project to bring houses up-to-date,� Crowell said. “The visible impact might not be as immediate as people thought, but the impact from an environmental standpoint is improved right away.� While the majority of the housing grant is covered by IEDA monies, Meservey must cover $12,000 for the project – or $2,000 per home – if their application is accepted. The needbased selection process will get underway if the city is awarded the grant sometime in April. Heimbuch said the program has the potential to benefit more than just the six homes that get picked. “Obviously, the community’s pride in the city’s housing gets a boost. And also, we kind of hope the program sets off a chain reaction for people,� she said. “They might look at their house and realize that maybe it’s not up-to-snuff and make their own improvements. Kind of a domino effect.�
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