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Wednesday, March 19, 2014
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Newton, Iowa
Colfax resident given green light for subdivision
OBITUARIES LaVonne Peterson Erickson, 81 Mary V. Gause, 90
By Ty Rushing Daily News Senior Staff Writer One Colfax resident has gotten the go ahead from the Jasper County Board of Supervisors to proceed with his plans for a private subdivision. Tuesday, Jasper County Planning and
INSIDE TODAY
Zoning Administrator Larry Ryan recommended the board approve plans for the Phil Web Subdivision. Ryan said the subdivision would divide 40 acres of Web’s property into four different plots. Ryan made his recommendation based on
his March 2 meeting with the Jasper County Planning and Zoning Commission. During that meeting, Ryan broke down the specifics of the subdivision: “The Phil Web Subdivision is a minor subdivision, as defined by the Jasper County Sub-
division Ordinance, located half a mile from Colfax, creating four lots ranging from 2.29 to 15.89 acres with no shared infrastructure and each lot having access to a public road.” Ryan also clarified to the board the subdivision met all state and
county legal requirements and that Web was just “re-plotting” his property. The board approved the measure. Senior staff writer Ty Rushing may be contacted at (641) 792-3121, ext. 426, or at trushing@newtondailynews. com.
Laube updates city council on I&I Program
Local
Essay contest winners at Capitol Page 2A
By Zach Johnson Daily News Staff Writer
Religion
Kate Malott/Daily News Shawn O’Conner stands in front of his pictures on display at Uncle Nancy’s. Shawn, who has Down Syndrome, enjoys taking pictures at Maytag Park, the Newton Arboretum and the Wittemberg Church.
Cross Walk set for Good Friday Page 8A
Shawn O’Connor’s photography now on display at Uncle Nancy’s
Sports
Card boys finish indoor strong
By Kate Malott Daily News Staff Writer
Page 1B
Weather
Thursday
High 56 Low 34
Friday
High 58 Low 30 Weather Almanac
Tues., Mar. 18 High 51 Low 31 .04 inch of rain Also:
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and to Shawn O’Connor, his eye spots the beauty out of ordinary sights. The 31-year-old has been selected to have his photographs on display at Uncle Nancy’s for the remainder of the month. Shawn, like many young adults, enjoys live music, going to movies and spending time outdoors. In the summer, he loves to attend concerts at the Maytag Bowl, his mother Connie Robertson said. Shawn was diagnosed with autism and rarely speaks, but the joy he gets from taking pictures with a camera communicates in significant ways. “In his early teens, Shawn always wanted to take out a Kodak disposable camera, and he started using those a lot,” Connie said. “After he learned how to take a picture, he became very creative.” Shawn has pictures all over his room that he’s taken around town and at work, Progress Industries. He would also go to his grandparents house, use their camera and take candid pictures of family members. “I noticed last Christmas that Shawn was centering his pictures really well, so
we took a bunch of picture at the arboretum to put in posters and they turned out so well,” Connie said. Most of Shawn’s pictures are from Maytag Park and a few of his recent photographs were taken at the Wittemberg Church where Shawn and Connie attend. Shawn loves the Maytag Park and particularly attending concerts at the Maytag Bowl, like the Bowlful of Blues. The bowl is what led him to take pictures at the park. “When I looked at the previews, I knew they were going to be really pretty blown up. The ladies behind the (photo) counter started jumping up and down, and I thought it would be nice to maybe put these up somewhere,” Connie said. Shawn first put his pictures up at Progress Industries where he participates in the day habilitation center. Then Shawn was able to put his pictures at the library and now at Uncle Nancy’s. “I was so excited at the even the thought that we could put something of his up on display,” Connie said. “It means a lot to him. When we got them up at Progress Industries, he was all smiles.” Shawn’s work will be on display, along with John Lee Photography, at Uncle Nancy’s, for the remainder of the month.
‘Pie in the Sky’
Astrograph Page 5B Classifieds Page 4B Comics & Puzzles Page 6A Dear Abby Page 6A Opinion Page 4A Obituaries Page 3A Police Page 2A, 5A Our 112th Year No. 212
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Ty Rushing/Daily News Jasper County Elderly Nutrition held its “Piece of Pie” fundraiser at the Jasper County Courthouse on Tuesday. The sale generated $1,242.50 and proceeds of the fundraiser went to support Meals on Wheels/Congregate Meals in Jasper County. Volunteers, such as those pictured, donated pies and took turns running the table.
Newton Public Works Director Keith Laube gave an update on the Infiltration and Inflow Program to the Newton City Council on Monday. During the meeting, Laube announced three public meetings to discuss the I&I Program. “We have identified nine property owners, who have done qualified corrective action since August of 2011, but since they didn’t follow exact procedures with prior inspection and estimates outlined in the ordinance, they didn’t qualify for the reimbursement,” Laube said. “Those were the ones who obviously had a problem and spent money. We can go into these homes and see the water stains to the point where something needs to be done.” The Public Works department staff proposed the changes to the ordinances due to proper improvements done by homeowners, but didn’t follow the procedure to enter the program. “The staff proposes a change to the ordinance for these initial nine property owners and maybe more,” Laube said. “The ordinance had this clause in there about all work done between April 2009 to Aug. 1, 2011, could be a part of the program. We want to extend the Aug. 1, 2011, to April 7, 2014, so that homeowners, if they had work done, still have receipts and staff could verify that work was needed.” The proposed changes will give homeowners a chance to have a professional inspection. “We can do these inspections to make sure the homeowner didn’t leave something out of the improvements,” Laube said. “They could qualify for the program. It’s a solution, if we wanted to include those who did work from last summer and fall.” The first meeting is set for 2 p.m. March 31 at DMACC. The two additional meetings will also be at DMACC at 7 p.m. on April 1 and 23. These meetings will inform the property owners about the I&I program, while updating them on the changes made to the program. “The meeting gives homeowners an opportunity to know the proper procedure to become a part of the I&I program,” Laube said. “The meeting will also provide more information on what I&I does for the city as well.” Councilor Noreen Otto has first hand experience with the I&I program with being a Newton homeowner in the First District. “I found the meeting very helpful to learn more about the I&I program as a homeowner,” Otto said. “Keith and his team did a good job of breaking the procedures and the process of the I&I program.” Noreen and her husband, Adam, bought their house in Newton five years ago. “We had water in our basement almost immediately,” Otto said. “I felt the program was a win-win because we had our house inspected to make sure our house was hooked up properly. We took the necessary steps. It is great to have professional member do an inspection.” Otto has shown her support in the current discussions on the program. “I think its great that we’re proactively engaging homeowners to give short term and long term solution for the city in regards to the program,” Otto said.