OST-05-14-2015

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News

SCC CHAMPS:

• Band news

Clarke Community High School concert band received a “I — superior” rating at State Large Group Contest in Winterset. Director Brad Lampe said the Band played extremely well and represented Clarke wonderfully. This is the 23rd “I – superior” rating in the past 27 years.

Witt, Bailey Zimmerman win conference track titles page 8

www.osceolaiowa.com

155 YEARS • NO. 19

OSCEOLA, IOWA 50213

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

SINGLE COPY PRICE: 75¢

City Council rejects animal control ordinance amendment, looks into agricultural zoning By AMY HANSEN

OST news editor ahansen@osceolaiowa.com

If you change it, they will come. A potential amendment to an animal ordinance created a completely packed room during an Osceola City Council meeting Tuesday, May 5. A public hearing was held on a proposed amendment to an ordinance titled “animal control.” The existing ordinance about

livestock reads, “It is unlawful for a person to keep livestock within the city except by written consent of the city council.” The proposed amendment was to add “upon the sale or transfer of property, it shall be unlawful for the new owners to maintain the right of possessing livestock on property contained within the city.” Why the amendment? For many years, the city has dealt with the issue of livestock within

the city limits, including requests for urban chickens. Recently, there was an issue with a property that was being sold where, years ago, the council had approved the request for horses on the property to the original owner. However, that allowance for horses wouldn’t transfer to the new owner. At previous meetings, the council realized this could be a problem that could come up a lot in the future and were trying to find a solu-

tion for it. Ty Wheeler, city administrator/clerk, discussed concerns he had heard from a local cattle farmer. “When he’s Wheeler looking at acquiring that property from his dad …. in the distant future, he’s worried what would happen if the council dug in as the ordinance is written

and amended now, saying no more livestock, then he’d have a fairly significant portion of that property no longer able to be used for the cattle operation,” Wheeler said. Ag zoning Wheeler also discussed the potential of creating agriculture zoning within the city. “Thereby, (it’s) exempting them from this ordinance, which would Please see ORDINANCE, Page 4

Teacher spotlight Gilbert promotes preschool’s NAEYC accreditation, QRS ranking By AMY HANSEN

OST news editor • ahansen@osceolaiowa.com

Editor’s note: This was a story originally run the Creston News Advertiser’s March Progress issues and requested to run in the Osceola Sentinel-Tribune. MURRAY — Murray preschool teacher Gerry Gilbert and the school district’s preschool program has a lot to be proud of — their hard work is getting noticed. The program is accredited through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). “It’s a very in-depth evaluation,” Gilbert said. “We have portfolios that have several hundred entries in them. They come in from Washington, D.C., and they observe us. They go through

all of our paperwork. They make sure we’re doing all the right things. We have just recently received notification that we’ve been reaccredited through that.” For more than 25 years, families have relied on NAEYC Accreditation to ensure the quality of education and care provided in programs for young children. High-quality programs provide a safe and nurturing environment while promoting the development of young children. Gilbert’s background Gilbert has a vested interest in the high-quality of Murray’s educational system. “I’ve been at Murray forever. I went to school here, graduated in 1970, like a 100 years ago,” she said with a laugh. “I raised my family,

my husband and I have five kids. We raised our kids, and then I went to college and got my degree after having taught Headstart for several years. I decided I wanted to get a full degree, and preschool has always been kind of special. I love little kids.” During the regular school year, Murray preschool is an all-day program, Monday through Thursday. The average age of a preschooler is four or five, but the age of children with special needs can vary. “They’re like little sponges. Every day is new and different. You just see them grow constantly,” Gilbert said. Gilbert can have up to 20 students in her class. Stacey Feehan, Murray’s other

OST photo by AMY HANSEN

SIMCO:

Doug Hamilton, center, general manager of SIMCO Drilling Equipment, shows different types of equipment to Congressman Dave Loebsack, D-Iowa, during a tour Thursday, May 7. Loebsack toured the facility, asked questions about the business and met with staff.

Please see GILBERT, Page 4

OST photo by AMY HANSEN

Showing appreciation: Southern Hills Specialty Care hosted a rally presented by

the National Association of Health Care Assistants (NAHCA) Tuesday, May 5. The event was to recognize their certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and their dedication to providing care for Iowa’s frail and elderly. Pictured, center, is NAHCA co-founder Lori Porter addressing the crowd. The Osceola stop was just one stop on NAHCA’s month long state-wide tour “CNAs Caring for an Aging America, Proudly Taking It On!” To see another photo from the event, go to page 4.

A groundbreaking ceremony is held at the site of the new Osceola Farm and Home Tuesday, May 5. The site is located between Southwestern Community College’s Osceola Center and Boyt Harness. It is in the area of the Saylor business park. Fire debris clean-up at the old site was scheduled to begin Monday, April 27.

OST photo by AMY HANSEN

Gerry Gilbert holds a certificate of National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation in her Murray preschool classroom. SINGLE COPY PRICE: 75¢

Copyright 2015

Index Church Directory..........5 Classifieds............ 10-11 Editorial.........................4 Neighbors...................12

Obituary........................3 Public Notices........ 9-10 Record..........................2 Sports............................8

OST photo by AMY HANSEN

From the ground up:

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Clarke County Speedway’s parks and recreation night is planned 7 p.m. Saturday at Clarke County Speedway.

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