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The
Official Newspaper of Anamosa, located in Jones County, Iowa
Anamosa News
Since 1855
 Thursday,
January 12, 2006 |
Dining
Dollars Donations Nearly Doubled |
Photo:
Michelle Phillips presents a check to Dining Dollars Committee members Neita Huerter
and LaVern Beener. This year Dining Dollars raised $685. (Journal-Eureka Photo
by Becky Dirks) |
ANAMOSA–The Anamosa Journal-Eureka has wrapped up the 2005, Dining Dollars
fundraiser, with a total of $685 donated to Jones County Senior Dining.
“We nearly doubled the $390 that was raised last year,” said Michelle
Phillips, Editor of the Anamosa Journal-Eureka. “There were several substantial
donations this year as well as quite a few smaller ones.”
Dining
Dollars began in 2004 as a way to help those in need of assistance fund meals
at the Jones County Senior Dining sites and Meals on Wheels around the county.
Donations are often used between the time someone applies for assistance and the
time it begins. Money donated can also be designated for a specific individual. |
In
2005 a committee was formed to oversee the donated money. The group determines
how the money will be spent.
If you or someone you know is in need of
assistance with meals, contact your local senior dining site. |
Local
Access Hot Topic at City Council Meeting
by Susan Yario |
ANAMOSA–All council members were present at the regular session of the Anamosa
city council meeting held on January 9, 2006. The new full time city administrator,
Pat Callahan was present as well as the two new council members; Dan Young, Ward
2 and Tom Swisher council-at-large.
Rick Delagardelle presented to council
on the Local Access Channel hearing outcome. The agreement between Monticello
and Anamosa determined to be void and all the assets, both physical and monetary
to be split 50/50 between the cities of Monticello and Anamosa. Council authorized
approval for establishing a city ordinance to be drafted for presentation to council
by the next regular council meeting on January 23, 2006. Delagardelle also addressed
council on future evaluation of opportunity and resources of Anamosa’s Local
Access TV; expansion of broadcasts to include additional programming vs. current
broadcast status quo.
Appointment of members and terms of a cable television
commission were discussed and approved. Names for nomination are to be submitted
to Anamosa Mayor, Jon Hatcher.
Suggestions are to include a member of the
school board along with additional community members. Also approved was authorization
to City Administrator Pat Callahan to approve the 50/50 split of Local Access
equipment for the city of Anamosa.
A public hearing was held regarding
FY 2006-07 City Budget requests.
Requests were received from five organizations:
Jones County Jets $1,500.00, Anamosa Chamber of Commerce $6,000, Jones County
Tourism $1,566.00 with an additional request TBD. Area Substance Abuse Council
(ASAC) amount TBD and also Jones County Economic Development amount TBD.
Charles Nejdl, owner of Valley View Addition presented to council regarding the
final re-plat submission of a country setting subdivision. An amended development
agreement includes voluntary annexation clause to the city of Anamosa. Council
approved the final plat subject to the review and approval of the city attorney.
Doug Wilson, Snyder & Associates, updated council on the Anamosa
Commercial Park storm sewer project. The work is behind schedule at this time
due to harsh December weather. Work will be moving forward with January‚s
favorable weather conditions and the scheduled signalization project is to be
completed by March 31, 2006. Wilson also discussed with council the ongoing street
lighting issues of failing ballast vs. continuous ignitors. The possibility exists
that the current part in the streetscapes lighting could be replaced with a “smart
ignitor” in the future. Snyder & Associates is still in the evaluation
process in with the manufacturer of the lighting products and other parties.
Council also discussed garages located at 305 E. 1st St. and 707 E. 2nd St. The
owner at 305 E. 1st is in agreement with the city that the building should be
demolished as soon as possible. The owner of 707 E. 2nd St. agreed to repair &
rebuild his building within six months. The council counter offered the owner
a maximum deadline of four months. The City of Anamosa will be sending official
letters to the property owners in regards to the city/owner outcomes.
Approval was achieved on the following items:
• The contract with
Department of Natural Resources regarding the administrative order issued on the
wastewater treatment plant. A fine has been assessed to the city for $4,500.00
with $2,500.00 possible additional charges (per month) if the DNR timeline is
not met as follows: March 1, 2006 final plans and specifications to be submitted
to the DNR for their review, November 1, 2006 new equipment to be installed at
Anamosa wastewater treatment plant and final operating systems to be in place
and running by April 2007 deadline.
• Resolution on salary adjustments
for local access employees. This to include retroactive increases from July 1,
2005.
• Pay increase for local access employee, Becky Dirks to $10/hr
effective January 1, 2006.
Larry Driscoll, Public Works Director to prepare
specifications and search for bids on a dump truck for the Dept. of Public Works
• Purchase of a pump for the 2nd street sanitary lift station.
•
Authorization of transfer of $92,942.00 from the TIF fund (12) to the project
fund-Hwy 151/64 traffic signal. This amount is the city‚s portion of the
project coast. The State of Iowa to pay for the remaining fifty-five percent.
Other items of interest were:
• City of Anamosa to announce board
openings on two commissions;Cable commission and the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
(Seat vacated by John Ault) City Council can nominate members to this board. An
additional vacancy on the Jones County Emergency Management & 911. City Council
member Steve Vaca resigning due to scheduling conflicts.
• City administrator,
Pat Callahan sought authorization to attend an USDA Rural Development workshop
and an Economic Development conference in 2006 on behalf of the city of Anamosa.
The meeting adjourned after Callahan reminded the council of the upcoming city
Council strategic planning session on Monday, January 16 at 5pm. |
Girl
Scout Leaders Needed in Jones County
by Michelle Phillips |
CEDAR RAPIDS–The Girl Scout of the Mississippi Valley Council (GSMV) often
gets calls asking about Girl Scout troops in Jones County, but currently there
is just one troop in Anamosa and one in Olin, both Brownies.
Angie Becker,
Regional Manager of the GSMV said the Girl Scouts offer several levels for girls
of all ages. Daisies is the first level, and is for Kindergarten aged girls; Brownies
is for grades 1-3; Juniors grades 4-6; Cadettes are in grades 6-9; Seniors are
the oldest group, grades 9-12.
“The Cadettes and Seniors are the
hardest to recruit,” said Becker, who added that girls at this age level
often have conflicting schedules.
Sometimes there are not enough girls
to have a troop, which must consist of at least five girls and two leaders from
a minimum of two different families. Girls wanting to be a scout, but have no
troop in the area, or can’t make it to meetings can still be Girl Scouts.
Independent scouts are called Juliettes, named after the Girl Scout founder, Juliette
Gordon Low. She started the first troop in Savannah, Georgia in 1912, and the
organization has now grown to over 10 million girls and adults in 140 countries.
Part of the popularity of Girl Scouts is within the Girl Scout mission Statement
itself. “Girl Scouting Builds girls of courage, confidence, and character,
who make the world a better place.” These are characteristics that can help
girls when they are young, right through to adulthood and beyond.
“The
mission statement is the heart and soul of Girl Scouts, and is applied to everything
we do,” said Jennifer Neumann, Director of Community Relations for the GSMV.
“Scouting also builds self-esteem,” added Becker.
Once a troop
is formed, it’s up to the leaders of that troop to plan meeting times. Regional
dues of $10 /year for each scout is required. Troop leaders set the troop dues,
which vary. Financial assistance is available for those who need it.
Information
and help getting a troop started is available through GSMV. Troops and troop leaders
are needed in the following areas: Anamosa, Midland School District, Olin and
Springville. If you are interested in becoming a Girl Scout or leading a troop,
contact Becker or Neumann by phone at 319-363-8335, toll free at 1-800-568-7077
or visit the GSMV website at www.gsmv.org. |
Legislature
Honors Zirkelbach for Military Service |
 | The
Iowa House of Representatives opened the 2006 Legislative session today by honoring
one of their own who will soon be deployed to Iraq. State Representative Ray Zirkelbach,
D-Monticello, is currently training in Mississippi and will miss the entire 2006
Legislative session.
House Democratic Leader Pat Murphy of Dubuque joined
Zirkelbach’s wife
Emily, mother Karen and State Senator Tom Hancock in
placing an American flag and photo on his desk. Shown at Rep. Zirkelbach’s
desk in the photo from left to right are: Emily Zirkelbach, Karen Ross, and State
Senator Tom Hancock. (Photo Submitted) |
Fayram
Appointed Acting Warden
by Michelle Phillips |
John
Fayram,
ASP Acting Warden |
ANAMOSA–John Fayram has worked in the Iowa Department of Corrections for
26 years, and when former Anamosa State Penitentiary (ASP) Warden John Ault was
appointed to Fort Madison at the end of November, Fayram was appointed acting
warden.
Fayram said he is unsure how long he will be in the position.
“It’s indeterminate at this point,” he said, adding that the position
could be opened up for interviews or someone could be placed in the position.
If someone new
is appointed, Fayram will go back to his former position as Deputy Warden. Fayram
had praise for both employees at the prison and Ault. |
“The
staff just carried on and did the outstanding job they always do. Warden Ault
did a good job of heading this institution for 10 years. he left it in good shape,”
Fayram stated.
He said there is usually only a 24 hour turn around time
when a warden is reappointed, so it was no surprise that he was appointed to the
position so quickly.
Fayram said there were no major changes slated for
the prison.
“It’s the nature of this business to make adjustments
as needed. We’ll continue to make adjustments as we see the need,” he
added.
He began working at ASP as a college freshman at Iowa. He said
he became interested in prison work and decided to pursue a career in the field
upon graduation from University of Iowa where he earned a degree in Sociology,
with an emphasis on criminology in 1982.
Since he started with the Iowa
Department of Corrections, Fayram has worked as a corrections officer, counselor
and Assistant to the Department Director, moving from Anamosa, to Oakdale, Cedar
Rapids and back to Anamosa in 2000. At that time he was appointed to the position
of Associate Warden of Administration.
“It’s similar to a business
manager,” he explained.
In 2003 Fayram became Deputy Warden.
Fayram was born and raised in Anamosa. He is married and has three children. |
PO
Box 108, 208 W. Main Street, Anamosa, IA 52205
319-462-3511,
FAX 319-462-4540
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