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City looking to increase sanitary sewer rates by 5 percent By Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News A 5 percent sanitary sewer rate increase is in the works for the citizens of Newton in August. City council approved the first reading of an ordinance uping rates on Monday with two additional readings needed before the ordinance is adopted.
This is the third rate increase in three years, all 5 percent, for the city. City administrator Matt Muckler said by doing small rate inLaube creases periodically, the city can keep up with infla-
Majors of Jasper County Salvation Army to bid farewell Carters to hold farewell reception By Kayla Langmaid Newton Daily News After five years of serving as majors of the Jasper County Salvation Army, Majors Mikey and Jeff Carter will bid farewell to their positions but will remain active residents of Newton. The community will have the opportunity to greet the Carters during a farewell reception at 2:30 p.m. June 16 at the Jasper County Salvation
Several procedural changes and the acceptance of perpetual care funds were made concerning Newton Memorial Park Cemetery. City council adopted an update to the language in city codes relating to the purchase of cemetery plots, who can sign Muckler the certificate of interment, the depositing of care fund money and accepting
among the 40 cities surveyed. The proposed Newton rate would be near the median rate for water use more than 10,000 cubic feet per month.” Neighboring cities included in the survey were Ankeny, Pella, Boone, Altoona, Oskaloosa and Marshalltown with Newton having rates lower all of the cities listed in the 200, 600 and 1,000 cubic feet used per month categories.
For citizens, those with low water usage, less than 200 cubic feet per month, would see a minimum monthly charge of $11.92 or an increase of 57 cents per month. Those with an average household water use, 600 cubic feet per month, would have a monthly charge of $27.21 or an increase of $1.29 per month. SEWER | 3A
Iowa pushes clean energy forward, despite U.S. withdrawal from Paris Agreement
Army Fellowship Hall. As appointed majors, the Carters arrived in Newton in 2012. New changes within the organization prompted their replacement this year. Captain Janelle Cleaveland, of Mason City is set to fulfill the position in July. Jeff said the couple’s previous appointment was in Fairmont, Minn. for three years before being appointed to Jasper County. The Carters have served with the Salvation Army for a total of 18 years and in seven different locations in Illinois, Minnesota and Iowa. “When we arrived in Newton we were impressed by the CARTERS | 8A
Codes changes approved for Memorial Park Cemetery By Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News
tion for plant equipment and avoid a large rate increase at a later date. “Currently Newton sanitary sewer rates are relatively low compared to cities in Iowa with a population greater than 10,000,” Muckler said. “For small water users (less than 600 cubic feet per month), the rate increase would position Newton as the 11th to 15th lowest cost
the funds from Jasper County. Newton Memorial Park Cemetery, 2710 First Ave. E., came into the city’s ownership in October 2015 after the Iowa Insurance Division received it from its previous owner. It is one of two city-owned and operated perpetual care cemeteries with the other being Newton Union Cemetery. Previously, a buyer of a burial lot received a “cemetery deed.” Since the term “deed” is often used when referring to the sale of land, the transaction has been confusing for the public. CODES| 8A
Submitted Photo Iowa is a national leader in wind energy, generating more than 35 percent of its electricity from wind. Clean energy production is a central part of the Paris Climate Agreement, which the U.S. recently backed out of following President Donald Trump’s decision.
By Justin Jagler Newton Daily News President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement was a symbolic one. The agreement is voluntary and has no mandates or framework to hold nations accountable. Symbolism is a powerful force, however, most world leaders remain committed to at least publicly acknowledging the threat of climate change. Many American leaders at the state and local levels are also vocal proponents of re-
maining in the Paris Agreement and taking climate action. Ordinary citizens in the United States are overwhelmingly on board, too, according to a poll conducted by the Yale Program on Climate Communication following the 2016 presidential election. The national survey found that about 70 percent of registered voters said the U.S. should participate in the Paris Agreement. The support stretched across party lines. In addition to support from Democrats and independents, a majority of Republicans supported participation.
The Paris Agreement was formed by members of the United Nations in 2015. Many critics and environmentalists have criticized it for not being nearly strong enough. The agreement contains vague goals, like reaching global peaking of greenhouse gas emissions “as soon as possible.” Still, state and local governments are making their own progress on cleaner, more efficient energy. This progress is not dependent on the Paris Agreement. ENERGY | 3A
Downtown mural restoration underway By Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News Restoration work is underway on four downtown murals. Three University of Iowa students started work last week and are already making strides on their first mural, the 16-by-35 foot American flag on the VFW building. The process to fix up the murals started more than a year ago when
the Newton Hometown Pride committee invited students from the University of Iowa to analyze the murals and create a report on work that needs to be done. A thorough assessment of each mural including dimensions, primers, concerns, art mediums and evidence of structural damage was taken last July by the students. A mural sketch was also created for documenta-
tion purposes and a list of products and materials were determined. “The reason this is being done is because all of the murals in the downtown area are more than 10 years old,” Newton Main Street Executive Director Graham Sullivan said. Four murals were found in need of restoration. Those murals are MURALS | 3A
Jamee A. Pierson/Daily News The American flag on the VFW building in downtown Newton is currently getting a face lift through a mural restoration project spearheaded by the Newton Hometown Pride Committee.
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