The Wright County
Monitor
Humane Society Lap the Lake Lake Cornelia BBQ Contest 147th year Number 37
Page 16
Thursday, September 15, 2016
Official newspaper of Wright County
TIF debt reduced by more than $400,000 Kacey Ginn, editor wrightcomonitor@gmail.com Monday, the county supervisors reviewed and approved the Annual Urban Renewal Report, which largely dealt with TIF (Tax Increment Financing) obligations. At the beginning of the fiscal year, the county owed $4,023,625 in TIF debt. “This report shows that as of June 30 2016, principal and interest, we are at $3,576,952 left,” Auditor Betty Ellis said. The last payment on TIF obligations should be completed by the year 2030. “All of that debt is serviced by the property tax dollars from the wind farm. This is not citizens paying off that debt,” Ellis added. Board Chairman Stan Watne
also wanted to thank Tom Frantz for organizing the 9/11 commemoration and first responders recognition at the courthouse on Sunday. “There was a tremendous turnout, and he did a really good job,” he said. “The board would really like to thank him for that.” With regular business concluded, the supervisors held budget talks with county personnel. Projects to be budgeted for the next fiscal year include the courtroom renovation and updating emergency communication radios. In other financial news, property taxes are due September 30.
Case Manager hired for County Social Services Kacey Ginn, editor wrightcomonitor@gmail.com At the September 6 county supervisor’s meeting, Jen Sheehan, Wright County Social Services director, requested approval for the hire of a new case manager. This individual would replace a recent hire who took another position. Sheehan said the new candidate— whose name will be withheld prior to her employee physical—will be able to work out of both the Wright and Franklin County offices, a useful arrangement since Wright has taken over management of several of Franklin County’s Medicaid cases. “Her background is in supportive employment for individuals with disabilities,” Sheehan said. “She uses our same documentation, so she’s familiar with that system
already.” The supervisors approved the hire. Other approvals included one DHS-eligible tax suspension and one corrected tax abatement. The first was for a citizen in Belmond for $1,422; the correction was due to an old code that had been applied to the parcel which contains the county landfill, resulting in $4,394 being taxed in error. Supervisor Rick Rasmussen also gave an update on the expansion of the vicious animal ordinance he suggested at the August 30 meeting. Though nothing’s been completed with the county attorney, Rasmussen reported he’d gotten some positive response to the idea.
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A Celebration for Wright County Heroes Kacey Ginn, editor wrightcomonitor@gmail.com On Sunday, September 11, Americans everywhere remembered the 2001 terror attacks. The citizens of Wright County held a solemn service of remembrance for those who gave their lives and also recognized those first responders—
terrorism organizations. “Today, we pay tribute to those who either literally or figuratively run to the sound of the guns,” Thompson said. “Here in Wright County, that same response and responsibility seems to come naturally.”
not Hollywood actors. These people we honor today are the real thing,” Thompson said. On average, 163 law enforcement officers, 110 firefighters, 22 EMS, and 459 military servicemen give
Wright County Board of Supervisors. Pastor Grant Woodley of the First Lutheran Church gave a closing prayer asking for peace and an end to the wars still going on around the world, ending with, “We look
Tessa Yackle sang the National Anthem at the beginning of the service.
More than 150 citizens, in addition to representatives from all of Wright County’s first response services, attended the service on Sunday.
police, emergency medical staff, firefighters, and military—who keep our country safe on a daily basis. The main speaker for the event was Mark Thompson, a Wright County native who enlisted as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Marines in 1977, spent 20 years at sea, and later worked for national counter-
their lives every year simply doing their jobs. These numbers were read in the official proclamation naming the week of September 11 Wright County Heroes Week in 2016 and every year after. “The board of supervisors of wright county Iowa pledge to never forget the sacrifices,” said Stan Watne, chairman of the
Thompson said that character that calls for farmers to help their neighbors is the same as that which prompts soldiers, firemen, policemen, and EMS to sacrifice for others. His long years of experience fighting terrorism had acquainted him with many who gave their all to protect America. “These were
forward to when we do not have to pray these prayers anymore.” The light show honoring local first responders is available to view on the Wright County Courthouse lawn through Saturday the 17th between 4 p.m. and 11 p.m. Tune your radio to 88.7 FM to listen to the accompanying music.
Constitution Week The 229th Anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution is celebrated September 1723rd, 2016. All Wright County communities are encouraged to join in the commemoration of this important document that is the basis for our laws by re-reading
and studying its words, especially the Bill of Rights.
Wright County law enforcement officers stand to be recognized. They are, front row, from left: Sheriff Jason Schluttenhofer, Chief Deputy Jeremy Hogrefe, Captain Joshua T. Kuisle of the Eagle Grove Police Department, Chief Ray Beltran of the Eagle Grove Police Department, Assistant Chief Shayne Hennigar of the Clarion Police Department, and Chief Steve TerHark of the Clarion Police Department.
Mark Thompson, currently a Belmond resident who has also lived in Eagle Grove and Clarion, gave the main address, which centered on his experiences with terrorism and first responders.
A Flight of Honor Six Wright County vets set to go on Sept. 17 Honor Flight The Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight will be sending its 13th flight to our nation’s capital on Saturday, September 17. Aboard will be 162 passengers, approximately 150 veterans (included are 49 team leaders), and 12 personnel (doctor, nurses, EMT, videographer and staff). The cost for each veteran is $600, which is entirely covered by donations, and adds up to about $100,000 for the flight altogether.
Team Leaders are Vietnam veterans who have volunteered to either walk with a group of 2-3 veterans or to push a veteran in a wheelchair. The trip to Washington, D.C. gives the veterans a chance to visit with other veterans about their experiences, which is encouraged, and maybe to even share more with their families afterward. The one-day trip will start when the group departs from the Fort
Dodge Regional Airport aboard a Boeing 737 jet at around 6:20 a.m. The group returns to Fort Dodge at about 10:40 p.m. Once they arrive at Dulles International Airport in Virginia, they will be greeted with a Water Salute. Water Salutes are used for special events, such as the honor flights, and show respect to pilots and the people aboard the plane. Usually two firefighting vehicles line
up perpendicular to each other and spray plumes of water, forming an arch as the plane taxis underneath— truly a sight to behold. The Salute gives a feeling of pride to veterans and personnel on the flight. After debarking the plane, they will arrive in the terminal with a crowd of overwhelming support. Most are strangers who will shake their hands. Once through the terminal, they will board one of three color-coded buses: red, white, or blue. They will then be transported to the memorials, which is about a 30-minute ride. The memorials included on this trip will be the Korean, Lincoln, Vietnam, WWII, and Arlington Cemetery, where they will see the lowering of the flag and the Changing of the Guard. Also included is the Iwo Jima Memorial, where they will have a short program
Wright County veterans going on Saturday’s honor flight are Donald Reed (Marine, Vietnam), Dennis Reed (Army, Vietnam), John Jacobson (Army, Vietnam), Larry Ivers (Army, Vietnam), Ronald Bliss (Army, Vietnam), and Gary Rohrback (Army, Vietnam).
and a group picture. Buses will return the group to Dulles International, where they will fly back to Fort Dodge Regional. Once they land, the veterans are greeted by family and friends and given the “proper welcome home” they deserve. Since 2010, the flights have consisted of only WWII and Korean War veterans, but as of the May 7,
2016 flight, Vietnam veterans have been incorporated in the trip. The Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight Board would like to thank the many people, organizations and businesses in Wright County that have made these flights possible. Any veteran wanting to take this amazing trip may pick up applications from the VA administrator office, or by calling Julie Reed at 515-825-3750.
Kevin Reed, right, a veteran of the National Guard, will be going on the flight with his brothers Donald and Dennis as a support staff member.