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The
Official Newspaper of Anamosa, located in Jones County, Iowa
Anamosa News
Since 1855
 Thursday,
April 12, 2007 |
Lookadoo to Speak at West Middle School
by Michelle Phillips |
After seeing teen motivational speaker and author Justin Lookadoo at a State 4-H Conference a couple of years ago, Jacki Luckstead, ISU Extension Youth Coordinator, thought it would be fun to hire him to speak at some of the schools with which she works.
“I was impressed with him and the way he involved all the kids. It was amazing,” she said.
Lookadoo is renowned for his repertoire with kids. He uses a straightforward approach to talk with them about serious subjects like sex, drugs and alcohol. He also talks to kids about their overall well-being and gives suggestions concerning having fun without getting hurt and building a relationship with yourself, which can make them a catch in the dating world.
“I believe he will hit on the highlights about dating, relationships, alcohol and drugs,” explained Luckstead.
Lookadoo, a 6’7” Texan, formerly worked in the Juvenile Probations Department, and is a certified youth specialist. He has taken this expertise and has combined his expertise with biblical principles to build a framework of rules to live by.
Some of his books include: The Dirt on Drugs, The Dirt on Sex, Dateable and 97. His most notable work, Dateable, was first published in 2003 and is currently in its 13th printing.
He has a broad audience and appeals to students from middle school to college age. He appearances are generally made possible by student groups, MADD, SADD, tobacco prevention groups and local communities.
“He’s very dynamic. Some of the 4-H kids that saw him in Ames are very excited that he’ll be here,” included Luckstead.
An Iowa’s Promise Youth Grant, which was applied for by students, will help pay for the appearance, along with donations from churches, civic groups, ISU Extension and individuals.
Donations are still needed and will be taken at the door during the events.
Lookadoo is scheduled to appear at West Middle School in Anamosa on April 15 from 6-8:30 p.m., after an engagement, lined up by Luckstead, at Maquoketa High School from 1-3:30 p.m. |
City Well Number Five Back in Operation
By Susan Yario |
The Anamosa Public Works Director, Larry Driscoll informed Anamosa City Council at their regular meeting April 9 that Well Number Five is back in operation and running at the same capacity prior to it’s shutdown. The city can expect to see $60,000 in repair bills. These will be submitted to FEMA for a possible reimbursement due to the shutdown’s coinciding with severe weather storms.
The invoices will also be submitted to the city’s insurance carrier for possible reimbursement.
Jennifer Fisher from the Jones County Economic Development gave the council a quarterly update on the progress of the office.
An Endowment Fund grant of $4,500.00 has been approved. The funds will be used to update the JCEDC website and create prospect packets as well as.
ECICOG has received an Economic Development Grant and JCEDC will also be able to apply for funds through ECICOG for street improvements, infrastructure as well as other things.
In community development, the JDEC office has been working with the hospital and school district in moving Rainbow daycare.
Fisher stressed the importance of capitalizing on the youth market in Eastern Iowa as it is just as productive to encourage young people to start a business as it is to assist older adults. The concept would be to offer youth, opportunities and training. Monthly network meetings are ongoing and a technology panel on bio-renewable energy will be forthcoming in June.
The Iowa Street overlay project will cost Anamosa most of the FY 07-08 budgeted amount of $75,000.00. The City of Anamosa and Jones County will enter into a 28-E agreement to complete two projects that intertwine. Manatto truck traffic will be soon passing through Anamosa between 400 and 600 times during the county road improvement project on the E-29 Central Park Rd.
Hauling rock through Anamosa versus going around will save the project $9,781.85. The traffic route has been approved by the city and the project is scheduled to begin during the week of April 16.
Other items approved on Monday evening are as follows:
• The hiring of Jim Henson as a volunteer Fire Fighter for the Anamosa Fire Department
• Resolution setting Public Hearing for proposed budget amendment to FY 2006-2007 budget for May 14 at 6 p.m.
• Resolution hiring and setting salaries for the Lawrence Community Center employees for FY ending June 30, 2007; Terry Miller and Gwyn Gapinski as part time employees with hourly pay rate set at $6.60 per hour for weekdays and $7.00 per hour for weekend days.
• Resolution hiring and setting salary for Lawrence Community Center employee, Robyn Cummings for FY ending June 30, 2007 at $6.50 per hour for weekdays and $7.00 per hour for weekend days.
• The purchase of a sludge belt press system for the Waste Water Treatment plant in amount not to exceed $200,00.00 including shipping costs. Per Public Works Director and City Administrator this option has been concluded to be the most cost effective option versus renting the equipment as it will be necessary to purchase along the process of updating the plant during Phase II improvements.
• A portion of Webster street to be closed for an auction on April 22 beginning at noon
• A Public Forum will be held at the next regular scheduled Council meeting (4/23/01) regarding the cleanup of Stallion Creek.
• Water and Sewer improvements in the Old Cass Second Addition.
• A water curb stop replacement will be installed by the City of Anamosa to 138 East Main Street providing the owner replaces the lead service line into her building at her expense.
• Repairs to be made to the sanitary sewer line in the former Happy Hollow Trailer Court property.
• 129 feet of sewer line along Highway 64 between Chamber Drive and the BP Service station requires approximately $10,500 in repair.
• A sanitary sewer break on Third Street at the Anamosa Care Center was caused by the contractor who built the new assisted living facility. Plumber, Mike Shaffer assisted the city in making the repairs to the sewer line and has requested payment from the city. The city will in turn add the costs to the invoice sent to the Anamosa Care Center.
• Amendments to the ordinance establishing the Local Access Commission. These changes delete 2 members and add local citizens to the board.
Items tabled until the next agenda are:
• Update and possible action on the purchase of $6,000 worth of equipment for the new pumper truck-due to not having an itemized list at the time of the meeting.
Items of interest during the City Administrator and Mayor report are below:
• The Grant Ridge development agreement will be on the next agenda.
• On Wednesday, April 11, the city will be meeting with school board members regarding the Highway 64 water/sewer agreement. This issue will be on the April 23 agenda.
• The REAP meeting will be at the Central Park Nature Center on April 17.
• The City of Monticello has committed to the concept of a transfer station in Jones County. Action regarding the contracting of hauling trash to the solid waste transfer station will be on the next agenda for April 23, 2007.
• The City was invited to a Kirkwood Community College Board of Trustees meeting on April 23. This will begin a series of discussions with the college and their plans for future growth in Monticello.
• The Planning and Zoning Committee will be working on new ordinances that involves the issues of fences, signs, setbacks next to alleys and cellular and wind towers.
• The City Hall clock tower has several leaks which cannot be repaired without proper equipment to reach the parts of the roof that are in need of repair. Barnhardt will be consulted to make repairs.
Pat Callahan met with School, County and JCRMC representatives on April 5 regarding the need to contact the Iowa DOT on a necessary traffic study. JRMC and the school district will be researching traffic estimates and The City and Jones County are to draft a letter to the IDOT requesting a traffic study. |
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Box 108, 208 W. Main Street, Anamosa, IA 52205
319-462-3511,
FAX 319-462-4540
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