ANAMOSA–At Large City Councilman, Steve Vaca, will be leaving his spot on the Anamosa City Council in mid-March. Vaca has accepted a job in Tulsa, OK and his last city council meeting will be March 13.

Vaca, who is employed by McLeod, will be the Manager of Advanced Service Development for the company.

“Careerwise, it’s a great opportunity, and much of our family is in Texas,” said Vaca. “It was a tough decision. I have a lot of good friends here and there are a lot of great people in Anamosa.”

Vaca said he is confidant that the city is moving in the right direction with development and that there is a competent City Administrator now in place.

He added that he has enjoyed his time serving on the Anamosa City Council.

“There’s so much going on in this area and we have a great opportunity to continue that,” Vaca added.

City Administrator Pat Callahan said the city has two options for filling Vaca’s seat, which has an ending term of January 2, 2008. The council may take applications for the spot or hold a special election to vote in someone new. The city has 40 days after the vacancy occurs to fill the seat.

County Auditor Janine Sulzner said the city must publish a notice announcing the vacancy in either case. She said the city would have to pay approximately $2,000 if a special election is held.

If the council should appoint someone to the seat, voters may take up a petition to hold an election if they don’t like the choice. The petition must have the names of15% of the voters from that district in the last election to be filed. In this case there would need to be 107 names because Vaca was an At Large council members and the number comes from all votes cast in Anamosa.

There are two other stipulations for a special election.

“It has to be a Tuesday and the auditor must have at least 32 days notice,” explained Sulzner, who said it’s not uncommon for a council member to leave mid-term.

Vaca, his wife Lana and their three children are planning to be relocated before April 1. The Vacas have been in Anamosa for three years.

“It’s a bittersweet move, but I think it’s best for my family,” Vaca concluded.

Vaca announced his resignation at the February 27 Anamosa City Council meeting.

Center Point Coordinator at Jones County Community Services Jacki Luckstead, was presented with a plaque by Andy McKean (L) and Merlin Moore on behalf of the Jones County Supervisors. Luckstead, who was a Jones County employee for more than 11 years, was honored with a reception, which was attended by co-workers, clients and friends. Luckstead has accepted a position with Jones County 4-H. In addition to the plaque, Luckstead’s fellow Jones County Community Service employees gave her a clock.(Journal-Eureka Photo by Michelle Phillips)

ANAMOSA–If you have a sweet tooth and love music, Sounds and Sweets is for you. The annual event, sponsored by the Anamosa Music Boosters, will feature desserts and a concert by Anamosa High School and West Middle School music students on March 10. Dessert will begin at 6 pm and music at 7:30.
Performances will include: award-winning choirs, concert and jazz bands and the Sadie Street Singers, Show Band and Crew.

This year for the first time there will be a Silent Auction fundraiser.

Peggy Walton, a florist for HyVee, shows students how to make a corsage.

About 25 different careers were represented this year and speakers included a clown, restaurant owner and a federal judge.

Anamosa State Penitentiary officer Randy Caspers talks to students about drugs in the prison, as Ferro, the K-9 officer looks on. Caspers also showed a video of Ferro in action (Journal-Eureka photos by Michelle Phillips)