Grant School
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Ida County’s Official Newspaper
Courier Ida County
Vol. 42, No. 34 Ida Grove, Iowa
w ww.idacountycourier.com
Wednesday,, August 23, 2017 Wednesday
Turbines’ rules up for News GLIMPSE supervisors’ vote Aug. 28 OABCIG to host mee ngs, tours Page 3
Concert benefits Andy Miller Page 6
Puzzles Page 7
BC Auxiliary Page 7
Ida Co. Fair tractor pull results Page 9
Ida County Board of Supervisors met Aug. 14 and received the recommendations of the county’s Planning and Zoning Commission regarding wind energy ordinance and Invenergy’s wind energy permit application. Although the two boards discussed issues surrounding wind turbine regulation, no formal action was taken by the supervisors, who may do so at their Aug. 28 meeting. Meetings begin at 9 a.m. at the Ida County Courthouse in Ida Grove.
At that meeting, the supervisors may decide whether to regulate the wind turbine projects through a permit process or a county ordinance, which would require a public hearing. County of icials indicated they also hope to talk to MidAmerican Energy about concerns about current phase one. It is not known if MidAmerican would be the owner-operator of phase two’s 106 wind turbines. Doug Barry of Holstein spoke at the meeting and (continued on page 2)
Meier receives award Page 14
Upcoming Events Steak Night Thursday, August 24 7-9 pm Firehouse, Holstein
IG Kiwanis Grill Out Thursday, August 24 4:30-6:30 pm Godbersen Park Ida Grove
Danbury Corn Days August 25-27
St. John’s Lutheran Church Free Fish Fry Monday, September 4 5-8 pm Ba le Creek Alumni Park
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Filing to begin for open city council, mayor seats Persons interested in running for open seats on area city councils can begin iling nomination papers Monday, Aug. 28. Nomination papers must be iled with the county auditor by 5 p.m. Sept. 21. Ida County Auditor Lorna Steenbock has designated city clerks/administrators as the iling agent. Papers are available from city clerks and must contain a minimum of 10 signatures of eligible voters from that community. In Ida Grove, Mayor Devlun Whiteing, the Ward I vacancy term ending in 2019 currently held by Gregor Ernst, the Ward II seat held by Doug Clough and the at-large seat held by Ryan Goodman are up for election this fall. Holstein council seats cur-
rently held by Mary Gross and Joel Wellendorf have expiring terms. In Galva, Mayor Stan Nading, two vacancy terms ending in 2019 currently held by Alan Goettsch and Daniel Bloyer and the two regular terms currently held by Todd Schossow and Rick Wiese are up for election. Battle Creek has three council seats up for election. Council members with expiring terms are Todd Riessen, Myra Meek and Judy Schau. Mayor Lloyd “Doc” Holmes’ seat is also up for election. In Arthur, Mayor Randy Fineran’s seat is up for election. Also up for election are one vacancy term ending in 2019 held by Chris Schuett and three regular terms currently (continued on page 2)
Photo by: Deb Loger | Ida County Courier
Barn fire: The Ida Grove Fire Department was called to J&L Pork at 6160 260th St. for a hog barn fire Aug. 18 at 2:05 p.m. Assisting at the scene were the Arthur, Battle Creek and Holstein Fire Departments, the Ida Grove Ambulance Service, Arthur First Responders and the Ida County Sheriff’s Office. The departments were at the scene five hours. Cause of the fire is undetermined. A total of 110 sows and between 1,000 to 1,200 piglets were lost in addition to the building. The Ida Grove Fire Department returned to the scene from 9 to 10:30 p.m. to put water on the building debris.
O-A/BC-IG, OABCIG boards hear bond referendum presenta on ❚ by DEB LOGER
The Odebolt-Arthur/Battle Creek-Ida Grove and OABCIG School Boards heard updates on the bond referendum from Haila Architecture representatives Sam Stagg and Chad West, Travis Squires from Piper Jaffray and attorney Beth Grob from Ahlers and Cooney during their meeting Aug. 14 in Ida Grove. Stagg reviewed a pamphlet that addresses the $16.4 million bond referendum that will be voted on Sept. 12. The pamphlet will be mailed to all
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❚ by DEB LOGER
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Follow us on Twi er @IdaCoCourier Photo by: Mike Thornhill | Ida County Courier
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OABCIG Elementary/Middle School: address accessibility issues, renovate existing classrooms and update activity and athletic spaces. OABCIG High School: address accessibility issues, renovate existing classroom, update commons and stage, update gymnasium and new performance auditorium. What will be accomplished by approval of the bond referendum? Ultimately it will provide updated, improved and fully accessible facilities that (continued on page 2)
OABCIG Board updated on merger details
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OABCIG patrons and will help inform the public of what the school district is trying to accomplish. Julie Weeda, O-A/BC-IG shared director of innovation and technology integration, reported the pamphlet will also be put on the school web page along with seven YouTube videos highlighting areas of the buildings where improvements are planned. The information in the pamphlet will also be shared at public meetings. What are we voting for?
Flag folding: A demonstration on how to fold an American flag at a military funeral was presented during the annual Veterans’ Appreciation event held at Skate Palace in Ida Grove Sunday, Aug. 20. Here, Staff Sergeant Eric Armstrong, left, who serves as the western Iowa coordinator for military funerals (based in Sioux City) and Staff Sergeant Ryan Meier of Iowa City (who assists with military funerals) explain how they fold the flag into the traditional triangle shape. The veterans’ event included a poker run, a meal, various veteran organizations and recognition of veterans who attend the event. See next week’s Courier for photos of the veterans who were recognized.
The OABCIG Board heard updates on steps taken toward the merger during its meeting Aug. 14 in Ida Grove. Superintendent Terry Kenealy told the board some items that need to be worked on and completed in the near future include: creating six single director districts that are equal in the number of residents each district includes (must be submitted by the Secretary of State by June for approval), determine the order of election of board members for the November 2019 and 2021 school board elections (must be submitted to the Secretary of State for approval), identify designated bank depositories and limits of deposits for OABCIG and appoint the initial OABCIG School District attorney. Also, determine the appropriate time to transfer ownership
of deeds and abstracts of property, vehicles and all assets and liabilities, etc. to the OABCIG School District and determine the procedure to pay any and all expenses that may be incurred by the OABCIG School District prior to July 1, 2018. The board also discussed updating board policies and contracts. Kenealy said updating the board policies would be fairly easy. As the O-A and BC-IG school boards approve board policies, the OABCIG board will also approve the policies. Kenealy recommended a committee be established containing board members, administrators and staff to go through contracts page by page. Business manager/board secretary Kathy Leonard reported both health insurance trusts have been noti ied of the (continued on page 2)