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The
Official Newspaper of Anamosa, located in Jones County, Iowa
Anamosa News
Since 1855
 Thursday,
November 23, 2006 |
One Injured in Roll-over Near Stone City |
Kristopher Jacobs, the driver of a dump truck owned by Dugan’s of Marion, lost control of his vehicle on Stone City Road, just West of Stone City on November 21.
Jones County Sheriff’s Deputy Mark Thomas said, “It appears the load shifted as he was negotiating a curve to the left, causing him to lose control.”
The driver was transported to Jones Regional Medical Center by Anamosa Ambulance, with head injuries. The Anamosa Fire Department also assisted at the scene. |
Phase I of Waste Water Improvement Complete
by Michelle Phillips |
Anamosa’s sewage system problems seem to have subsided since the city began upgrading it in the summer.
Anamosa City Administrator Pat Callahan said the new disinfection system has been installed and is currently in use, but this is just the first phase of the project.
“We are currently meeting the effluent requirements or are very close to it,” he said, and added that the chlorine system is a process of trial and error to get the levels correct because too much chlorine can be a problem.
The city has embarked on Phase II of the improvements, which involves handling the sludge.
Howard R. Green Company of Cedar Rapids has been hired to assess the process.
“Andrew Marsh, an engineer with Howard R. Green Company, has a team of engineers taking photos and inspecting the parts and tank,” Callahan stated.
After the assessment is complete, the company will come back with suggestions for the waste water system and a cost estimate for the upgrades.
“It could be in the range of $2-$3 million for Phase II,” said Callahan.
The estimated cost of the entire project is $7.5-$8.5 million, with four phases completed at the end of the project.
Callahan said the second phase is not crucial for compliance with the DNR requirements, but it is crucial for the long-term waste water plan.
Callahan said the city has been in compliance with the DNR requirements for the past 3-4 weeks. |
Town Tree Lighting, Live Window Displays Scheduled for December 2
by Michelle Phillips |
The Anamosa Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Town Tree Lighting and Live Window Display on December 2 at 4 p.m. The Town Tree Lighting will replace the Annual Parade of Lights event, which was previously held on Main Street on the weekend after Thanksgiving.
“There was diminishing interest in the Parade of Lights, and we changed the date so it wouldn’t be on Thanksgiving weekend because so many people are out of town during that time,” explained Anamosa Chamber of Commerce Director KC Kiner.
The Live Window Display will not be changed. This year the theme will be “Home for the Holidays.”
Prizes of Chamber Bucks, which can be used at any business that is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, will be awarded to the top three windows. Displays should be ready by 4 p.m. and judging will take place at 4:45 p.m.
“People love the live displays, and I think it’s one of the neatest things Anamosa does. It seems appropriate for a town like Anamosa because it’s such a creative community,” Kiner said.
Townspeople are encouraged to gather at Chamber Park, North Huber Street, for the tree lighting festivities at 5 p.m. Candy canes will be provided for children to hang on the tree, Angel Lena’s will provide hot chocolate, and Santa will be on hand for the event. In addition, cast members of Oliver!
will be caroling before their 7:30 p.m. performance.
“I think this will be a very nice town event, and it will be the first event held in Chamber Park,” Kiner added.
The tree for the event was provided by the Fawn Creek Country Club. Kiner said the lights for the15-foot tree would be provided by F&M Bank, and the tree stand was made by the Maquoketa Valley Electric Cooperative. It will be lit each night from 5-10 p.m. until the New Year.
Businesses who are interested in participating in the Live Window Displays can pick up an entry form in the Anamosa Chamber of Commerce office or download one online at anamosachamber.org.
For more information on the event, call the Anamosa Chamber of Commerce at 319-462-4879. |
Parhams Donate Land to Anamosa
by Michelle Phillips |
Jill and John Parham, owners of J&P Cycles, donated a parcel of land to the City of Anamosa on November 16.
Anamosa Mayor Jon Hatcher and city council members Bill Feldmann and Dan Young accepted the deed to the 4.27 acres of land, located next to Remley Woods, at J&P Cycles.
“I think our long range goal is to hook up to the walking trail from the Hale Bridge, through ADCO and back around to the park (Wapsipinicon),” Hatcher said.
“It’s already being used as a park now,” added John Parham.
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Anamosa Mayor Jon Hatcher and city council members Bill Feldmann and Dan young accept the deed from Jill and John Parham for property the couple is donating to the city. (Journal-Eureka Photo by Michelle Phillips |
“We hope the citizens of Anamosa will enjoy it for years to come,” included Jill Parham.
The Parhams had originally planned to build a house on the property. After selling part of the land they decided to give it to the city.
Hatcher said the trail is probably 5-10 years down the road and the idea is to encourage those in Anamosa to walk.
“It’s a continuation of the generosity of Jill and John toward the community,” he said.
“Anamosa is our home and we like to contribute to the town to make things better,” John Parham concluded.
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School Board Votes to Build New School
By
Susan Yario |
The Anamosa Community School District voted unanimously in it’s intent to construct a new high school at the November 20 school board meeting. The new building is contingent with passing a bond issue within the community.
Items also approved at Monday night’s meeting were the following:
Hiring of Joseph Haefiner as Assistant Boys’ Basketball Coach. Effective November 21.
Bills due and payable and bills paid between Board meetings.
Music Booster fundraiser-Parade of Homes scheduled for December 17.
Music Booster fundraiser-Student Dance-A-Thon at the high school on March 16, 2007.
Resolution adopting the Revenue Purpose Statement for Linn County Local Option Sales Tax
(A portion of Linn County is in the Anamosa Community School District (Viola) The resolution shows our interest and use for the funds. If passed in Linn County, It would mean an additional $50,000-$60,000 a year for the Anamosa District)
Superintendent Dr. Dale Monroe, board members and staff congratulated four students who were present to receive a certificate of achievement. These four were participants in the 720-member Opus Choir last week in Des Moines. Mallory Wagner, Sydney Pratt, Kelly Jamison and Lauren Taylor.
First term congratulations were given to AHS Principal Steve Goodall for a job well done as this is the first time that the freshman class has not had a failure in the first term. There are 115 students in the freshman class this year.
Veteran board member, LeAnn Ridgeway reported to the board regarding the delegate assembly on November 15. The top six priorities for our district are: SILO (School Infrastructure Local Option) tax, 6% Allowable Growth, Reorganization & Sharing Incentives, Professional Service Days, Foundation Formula Tax, and Early Childhood & Preschool. To get a more detailed view of the issues, visit www.ia-sb.org , and select Legislative Advocacy.
Connie McKean reported on her first experience to the IASB convention. She attended several informational sessions Iowa Youth Survey, and School Finance. Superintendent Monroe also attended the convention but deliberately sat in on dissimilar sessions to absorb and gather data.
Monroe toured the six state-owned properties, farms run by the Iowa Prison system, within the district. The meeting came about as one of the questions raised at the Community Forum concerning the potential to purchase one of the properties. The state owned farms are all operational and the majority of the land is used for pasture, crops and farming animals. The topography is highly erode-able land, whereas it is very steep and mostly used for pastureland.
The Iowa Legislature decides how to dispose of the land and any land to be sold would be sold at market value and not at a discounted rate. Monroe felt that the meeting/tour was very instructional as he learned quite a bit about state owned farms but that it would be highly unlikely that Iowa would sell land to the district.
The last item on the Superintendent’s report was regarding whether the IDOT has future plans for either Highway 64 or Route 151 in regards to a stoplight, speed restrictions, four lanes. Board members has several questions on options & criteria for both roadways for a future building site decision. Monroe is waiting for a return call from the IDOT. |
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Box 108, 208 W. Main Street, Anamosa, IA 52205
319-462-3511,
FAX 319-462-4540
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