The
Kanawha
REPORTER
An official publication for Kanawha, Klemme, and West Hancock Community Schools
Thursday, October 1, 2015 | Volume 124, Number 40 | $1
In this issue:
West Hancock Homecoming Photos
BRIEFLY.
Fire Department Open House
KANAWHA - The Kanawha Fire Department invites you to an open house, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2-4 p.m. The event is to help kick off Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 4-10. The public is invited to visit with the members of the Kanawha Fire Department. The department’s new tanker truck will be on display. Enjoy an ice cream sundae or float.
Kanawha Book Meeting on Friday
WH Homecoming Royalty
West Hancock seniors Maria Gonzalez and Sam Smith were crowned Homecoming King and Queen Tuesday night. More photos throughout this week’s Reporter. (Lisa Carlson Photo)
The Kanawha adult book club will meet on Friday, October 2, at 10 a.m. “Under the Banner of Heaven,” by Jon Krakauer, will be discussed. This is “a white-knuckle mix of true crime reporting and provocative history.” Readers may pick up the book at the Kanawha library, check out the audio book or find the eBook at BRIDGES on the online resources page.
Shelter House Upkeep
On Saturday, Sept. 26, Beverly and Howard Drevs hosted fund-raiser for maintenance of the swimming pool park shelter house. The Drevs served maid-rites and a beverage for a donation to the fund. The building was constructed in 1979 by the Kanawha FFA Chapter. Howard Drevs was the vo-ag instructor and FFA advisor at that time. Scott Johnson of Kanawha and Jim Pannhoff of Forest City are also pictured. (Rebecca Peter Photo)
Hancock County Foundation announces twenty grant awards
4-H Grows Here
Jerry Tlach (center), chairman of the Hancock County Board of Supervisors, signs a proclamation supporting National 4-H Week, Oct. 4-10. “4-H Grows Here” is the 2015 theme, which celebrates the impact 4-H Youth are making in their lives and communities. Others present at the signing are supervisors Ron Sweers and Sis Greiman, and members of the 4-H County Council: (leftright) Trevor Kluver, Kayla Leerar, Kiersten Jass, Kyle Hansen, Tyler Kumsher, Andrew Dornbier, Nathan Nedved and Jade Pringnitz. For more information about 4-H in Hancock County, contact the Hancock County ISU Extension Service in Garner.(Rebecca Peter Photo)
Marv Johnson appointed to Veterans Commission By Rebecca Peter Marv Johnson, Kanawha, was appointed to a three-year term on the Hancock County Commission of Veteran Affairs. Hancock County Board of Supervisors approved the appointment on Monday, Sept. 21. Johnson is veteran of the United States Marine Corps, having served during the Vietnam Conflict from Feb. 1969 to 1972. Johnson looks forward to helping local veterans obtain the services and benefits they need. Johnson fills the vacancy on the commission created by the resignation of Tony Rasmussen, who stepped down in September due to time constraints. Other members on the Veterans Affairs Commission are Joan Gouge and Jerry Christensen. In other matters, supervisors appointed Kent Rode of the I&S Group, Algona, as drainage engineer for various drainage projects. The contract for independent
drainage contractor services with former county engineer Bill Waddingham was terminated.
Funding Request
Supervisors met with representative from the City of Garner and Garner Public Library board and others, to discuss a request for $10,000 from Hancock County in support of an application for a Vision Iowa/Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) grant. If approved, the grant will go toward the $1.5 million Garner Public Library renovation project. The City of Garner is applying for $310,000 in CAT grant funding. The application process requires a show of financial support from the county for the project. Supervisor Ron Sweers noted the request is only “six tenths of a percent of the total project.” “I’m going to make a motion that we give $5,000 in July of 2016 and $5,000 in July of 2017,
subject to acquiring the CAT grant.” Sweer’s motion was seconded by Sis Greiman. “If we give $10,000 to try to get $310,000 back, that’s not a bad exchange,” Sweers stated. The motion was 2-1 in favor of pledging $5,000 for FY2016 and $5,000 for FY2017 to support the Garner library renovation project. The motion was contingent on being awarded CAT funding. Supervisor Jerry Tlach voted against the motion, citing concerns about upcoming projects and future expenses. Supervisors Sis Greiman and Ron Sweers voted in favor. “I have mixed emotions,” said Sis Greiman. “We have given to other projects in other towns, too. We may have to cut budgets in other places. On the other hand, I hate to not give you the opportunity to try for [the CAT grant].”
Hancock County Foundation recently awarded $93,876.97 in grants to 20 non-profit charitable organizations and governmental units. The following is a list of organizations and governmental units to whom awards were given, amounts given to each and the purpose for each award: Britt Food Bank, $4000, food and supplies; City of Corwith, $6000, house demolition; City of Crystal Lake, $7500, fire truck; City of Garner Public Library, $7500, library addition; City of Goodell, $1957, computer software; City of Kanawha, $4300, picnic tables; Garner Community Center Inc. (Avery Theater), $1792, sidewalk repair; Garner-HayfieldVentura Schools, $6000, library books; Hancock County Agricultural Museum, $1600, building addition; Hancock County Agricultural Society, $7500, building maintenance; Hancock County Conservation Board, $556, responder equipment; Hancock County Economic Development, $4500, advertising and related programs; Hancock County Economic Development, $3000, career fair; Hancock County Extension, $7500, summer youth program; Hancock County Historical Society, $4000, house repairs; Hancock County Sheriff, $7500, mobile radios; Klemme
Fire Department, $7500, protective clothing; Little Lambs Preschool, $671.97, I-pads and equipment; West Hancock Community School, $4000, musical instruments; West Hancock High School, $2500, computers; Winnebago Historical Society, $4000, lumber for shed. “Community foundations like the Hancock County Foundation are at the heart of our communities. We know the places of need in the county and can direct resources to create solutions,” said Howard Parrott, Hancock County Foundation president. “In Iowa, giving through the Hancock County Foundation is rewarding in more ways than one. The Endow Iowa Tax Credit Program provides a great incentive for Iowa taxpayers to invest in permanent community endowments at qualified community foundations.” The Endow Tax Credit Program allows taxpayers to take a 25 percent Iowa tax credit in addition to normal federal charitable income tax deductions for charitable gifts. Hancock County Foundation continues to grow its endowment fund for future grant making. The permanent endowment now totals over $350,000. For more information, contact Howard Parrott at 641-923-2739.
Supervisors Upcoming Meeting
Hancock County Board of Supervisors meets at 9 a.m. in Board Chamber, Garner on Monday, Oct. 5.
Driver’s License Office Closed
The Driver’s License office at the Hancock County Courthouse will be closed on Thursday, Oct. 8. Normal hours will resume on Friday.
Campgrounds Closing for the Season
Effective Monday, October 5, 2015, all Cerro Gordo County Conservation Board modern campgrounds will be closed for the season. If the weather is unseasonably cold or wet, the closing date will be earlier. This includes Wilkinson Pioneer Park in Rock Falls, Linn Grove Park in Rockwell, and Ingebretson Park in Thornton. The three campgrounds will re-open in May 2016. Recreational Experience Close to Home brochures of year round activities within the county recreation areas and other areas are available by calling the office at 641-423-5309, visiting the website at www.co.cerro-gordo. ia.us, or by stopping at the Lime Creek Nature Center, which is open Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sweeney named MaxYield Seed, Agronomy & SciMax Team Leader Greg Sweeney has been named to the position of Seed, Agronomy and SciMax Solutions Team Leader for MaxYield Cooperative. The appointment was announced recently by Keith Heim, CEO for MaxYield Cooperative, and will be effective December 31, 2016. Sweeney will assume the position currently held by Larry Arndt, who recently announced his intention to retire from the company in December 2016. Greg will be responsible for providing leadership and strategic direction for MaxYield Seed/Agronomy plus SciMax Solutions and GE-Max Nutrients LLC. Sweeney will also be responsible for product purchasing, pricing, inventory management and the education and development of the seed and agronomy sales teams. Sweeney and Arndt will work together over the next several months to ensure a smooth
Greg Sweeney transition of responsibilities. “MaxYield is grateful for Larry’s leadership and dedication to our cooperative during his 12 year tenure here,” said Heim. “During Larry’s time at MaxYield, we have moved
forward as a solutions based agronomy company, and with our initiatives in seed, precision agriculture and data and information management.” Heim went on to say, “We are also excited to have Greg step up into this new position. He will spend each day finding ways to elevate our seed, agronomy, and SciMax business units and help us achieve our goals of increased market share.” Sweeney has been at MaxYield for thirteen years, most recently serving the cooperative as MaxYield Seed Team Leader. Prior positions include Seed Solutions Specialist in MaxYield’s eastern territory and Agronomy Specialist in the cooperative’s Emmetsburg area. Sweeney is a 2002 graduate of Iowa State University, earning his degree in Agronomy. He lives near Kanawha with his wife, Heather, and two sons, Owen, age nine, and Caleb, age six.