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The
Official Newspaper of Anamosa, located in Jones County, Iowa
Anamosa News
Since 1855
 Thursday,
August 30, 2007 |
McQuillen Wins Pheasants Forever Award
by Michelle Phillips |
Anamosa resident Matt McQuillen has worked hard to help acquire land for the Twin Rivers Pheasants Forever Chapter, and now McQuillen is being recognized for his work.
Pheasants Forever recently named 25 Pioneering Volunteers in honor of the conservations group’s 25th anniversary.
In the past several years, McQuillen has helped scout out and acquire land for several conservation projects around Jones County, including an addition to Muskrat Slough near Olin and the Lost Canyon project in northeast Jones County. In all, McQuillen has helped acquire 216 acres of land and is currently working on additional projects.
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“The real thing is to be able to sit down and identify property, making the contacts and putting together the funding sources,” he explained of the land purchases.
McQuillen said that several groups have worked together to help make these purchases possible.
The DNR and Jones County Conservation have been important players in these acquisitions.
He added that the location of the property is key in the purchases because it is easier to get support for adding to an existing wildlife area than creating a new island. In addition, there are other key elements when acquiring conservation land. McQuillen said grant writing and a review of the property are also important.
The land acquisitions have received REAP grants as well as money from the Habitat Tax Stamp.
“My primary objective in pursuing land acquisitions is that it allows us to receive money, leverage that money with grants and invest compounded dollars in Jones County or the immediate are,” he explained.
Pheasants Forever Regional Representative Tom Fuller nominated McQuillen for the award and said the organization was looking for chapter volunteers who had set themselves apart.
“It’s hard to separate volunteers because we have so many great volunteers,” said Fuller. “Matt’s ability to find grant money to fund the projects has just been exemplary.”
With 115,000 members in the Pheasants Forever organizations, the 25 Pioneering Volunteers Award winners truly stood out.
“This is a nationwide award, so to be distinguished with this award is a big honor,” added Fuller.
“It’s a humbling award, it’s not like any of us are in Pheasants Forever to receive an award. Many are involved because it’s their passion,” McQuillen said.
McQuillen has been a member of Pheasants Forever for about 12 years; he won the Governors Environmental Excellence Award in 2003 and is the past president of the Anamosa Izaak Walton League. He will receive the Pioneering Volunteer Award at the Pheasants Forever national banquet on January.
“I want to give my appreciation to Matt and the Twin Rivers Pheasants Forever for protecting land. It’s something we’re indebted to,” concluded Fuller.
Other Iowa recipients of Pioneering Volunteer awards are Dan Dunham from the Dubuqueland Chapter and Don Lamb of the Dickinson County Chapter. |
Lawmakers Collect Input on Healthcare
By Michelle Phillips |
Eastern Iowa Legislators stopped in three communities on August 24 to hold a Healthcare Forum.
Senators Tom Hancock and Joe Bolkum along with House representatives Ray Zirkelbach and Ro Foege conducted meetings in Cascade, Monticello and Anamosa to get a feel for the concerns of constituents in the area of healthcare. The men will propose a single pay, state run healthcare system for Iowa when the legislative session resumes in January.
“What we are attempting to accomplish is universal healthcare for all Iowans,” Foege told the dozen Anamosans that came out for the forum.
The lawmakers told the group that only eight percent of all Iowans are uninsured, which means there is a small gap to close in the state. They also said there is a difference between coverage and access to care. Just because a person has insurance does not mean they have access to the care they need because of individual policy provisions.
Zirkelbach told the group that his main concern is for preventative care.
“Preventative measures save $4 for every dollar spent,” he said.
The Legislative Interim Commission on Affordable Health Care Plans for Small Business and Families has been formed to explore the issue and is made up of legislators, including Foege, healthcare providers, insurance companies and patients.
“If we want to accomplish universal care and coverage, we need everyone at the table,” Foege explained.
Some of the principles of the commission include reducing cost, sharing cost responsibility and take into account all healthcare costs
The legislators said healthcare has not been a major issue in previous years, but has come to the forefront recently.
Some of the things citizens presented as problems with the healthcare system are as follows:
• Too much waste in the medical industry.
• Pharmaceuticals and technology too costly.
• High turnover of healthcare providers.
• Long waiting periods for benefits.
• High insurance premiums.
• Many procedures and preventative measures not covered by insurance.
The men said they have heard similar feedback in other communities they have visited.
There are three public hearings scheduled across Iowa over the coming weeks. The hearings will be conducted by former governors Terry Branstad and Tom Vilsack. They are September 4 in Looft Hall at Western Community College, Council Bluffs, from 6-8 p.m.; September 26 in Lekberg Hall at Simpson College, Indianola, from 6-8 p.m.; September 27 at the Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency in Benttendorf form6-8 p.m.
Iowans may also complete a survey by logging on to: www.legis.state.ia.us. |
Consignment Store Opens on Elm Street
By Michelle Phillips |
Ladybug Consignment Boutique, located at 118 South Elm Street in Anamosa, came about after owner Deb Reyhons left her job at Maquoketa Valley Electric Cooperative to be a stay at home mom.
“After I left Maquoketa Valley to stay at home with the kids, my husband (Steve) thought I would be bored when school started, so he said, take part of my shop,’” she explained.
Deb did just that and partnered with her friend Jessica Fahey, in the venture.
“I’ve always wanted to open a clothing store,” said Jessica. “We’ve needed something like this in Anamosa since Price Slate closed.”
The women credited their husbands, Steve and John, with renovation of the space, which is divided into individual rooms based on merchandise.
The items sold on consignment at Ladybug are all free of stains, holes and fraying. All toys are in good working condition, clean and undamaged. Books are complete without writing on the pages. Jessica said those consigning items should keep that in mind when bringing things in to be sold. Ladybug also restricts the amount of items to three plastic totes full of items.
“People are very glad that we have high quality items,” said Deb, who added that the store has a few brand new things.
The store also carries some jewelry, accessories and baby items.
Clothing sizes start with infant sizes and go all the way up to plus sized clothing for women as well as men’s clothes.
At this time, Ladybug is taking in fall and winter things, and consignors are give 40% of the sale price with the store keeping 60%.
Appointments are necessary for consignment by calling the store at 319-462-3788.
“We prefer them to be pressed and on hangers,” Jessica said of the clothing.
The women said that if items go unsold, they could donate them to a charitable organization.
The store’s hours of operation are Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursday, 10 a.m.-9p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Deb said the Saturday hours may be extended to accommodate shoppers.
“We’re finding that people shop later into the afternoon,” she said.
Ladybug does not accept credit cards.
“We want to thank out husbands, construction crew and our children for being so patient,” Deb concluded. |
Deb Reyhons and Jessica Fahey inside Ladybug Consignment Boutique; A mirror reflects clothing in the store; Ladybug has a wide variety of kids clothes; The sign outside the store. |
Three Run for Two Anamosa School Board Spots
By Michelle Phillips |
| In the Anamosa Community School District, three people are vying for two seats on the school’s board of directors at the September 11 election. Those candidates are Brian Bieber and incumbents Jim Mitchel and Julie VonMuenster. Here’s what the candidates had to say about the issues. |
  
Brian Bieber Jim Mitchel Julie VonMuenster |
Brian Bieber is running for Anamosa School Board for several reasons. First, the 1987 Anamosa grad said he feels he can add a younger perspective to the board and represent younger parents.
“I feel they need some new, younger blood on the board,” Bieber said and added that he is very involved with the district through FFA and other activities his three children are involved in.
He said there are a few members who no longer have children in the Anamosa school system, who may not be in touch with the school’s needs.
“Through my involvement, I see things they don’t see on a daily basis. I think I’m a little more in touch with parents, students and teachers,” he stated.
A second reason for Bieber’s bid is his dissatifaction with the new school site.
“I really strongly would like to review the new school locations,” he said. “I think we need to look at more of the safety issues of this location (Highway 64) versus the secondary property (McNamara),” he included.
Bieber questions whether the money spent on the site could be better spent on education.
If elected to the board, he said he would visit all of the schools to get an overall perspective of how everything is going.
“I just want to make sure that the kids are getting the best they can have for the money we can spend and that education is stressed first,” Bieber said.
He said he favored the school returning to seven or eight periods a day rather than the modified block system that is currently in use.
“Going back to periods like this would help us keep our kids from going to Monticello for classes because they can’t fit them in here,” Bieber suggested. “You’re saving the kids gas, improving safety and just making it more convenient.”
Bieber said he supports music and the arts and was himself a member of Sadie Street Singers.
“I support the arts as much as I do sports. Each student has their niche and we should encourage them,” Bieber said.
Bieber acknowledges that if he is elected, he is only one vote and four votes are required to approve an issue.
“I will gladly listen to the public and hear what they have to say,” included Bieber who said he would base his decisions on what is best for students, taxpayers and teachers.
Jim Mitchel has been on the Anamosa School Board for nine years and serves as board president.
Mitchel is running for the school board again because he enjoys helping shape the education of students in the district.
“I think I’ve built a wealth of knowledge and information. I think I’m able to understand the district and how it’s operated. I also understand the financial end,” he said.
Mitchel added that he left his employer in January, freeing up his time.
“I don’t consider myself retired. I’ll probably go back to work,” he stated.
Since Mitchel joined the board, Anamosa has seen many changes. One of the most significant is the increase in academic achievement and advanced placement (AP) classes.
Recent ACT scores support are a perfect example. The average score in Anamosa was 22.1, very close to the sate average of 22.3. In addition, 66% of Anamosa students took the ACT test as compared with 28% of students in Cedar Rapids.
“It’s not that it’s a small percent of the students taking the test,” Mitchel said of the high test scores.
AP classes are also on the rise in Anamosa, another trend Mitchel expects to continue.
zz“AP classes didn’t even exist in Anamosa five to six years ago, and they’ve really taken off.
That’s going to continue,” Mitchel commented.
This expansion, along with the expansion of a preschool program in Anamosa, is part of the reason Mitchel supported the school’s land purchase on Highway 64.
“There is ample space for future growth out there,” said Mitchel who noted that the school’s preschool lease at Jones Regional Medical Center will end in two years.
Mitchel said he will continue to support the new school and that the project is moving forward with sewer and water purchased and a bond issue slated for spring 2008.
Mitchel added that he feels the continued support of fine arts is important in Anamosa.
“I think the drama department deserves more support than it’s received in the past,” he said.
Mitchel praised Jan Cratsenberg or who heads up the department and will also head up a new reading program at the high school, Read-180.
Julie VonMuenster is finishing up her first term, sort of. VonMuenster has previously served as a board member and won a seat three years ago.
“I’m running because I’m willing to serve the district and the children of the community,” stated VonMuenster. “I think there are a lot of exciting things going on in the district.”
Some of the things VonMuenster cited were the recent preschool grant, which will provide free preschool to Anamosa four year olds; the new career academy, which will be offered through Kirkwood and located in Monticello; and Read-180, a program that is designed to help high school students read more efficiently.
“We’ve had a lot of conversations over the past three years about curriculum, implementing those ideas and curriculum benchmarks,” she said.
VonMuenster also recognized that the ACT scores and addition of AP classes are evidence of improved curriculum in the district.
“Those things has grown exponentially and are wonderful preparation for our kids,” added VonMuenster. “We’ve just added a new science curriculum. It’s very important to stay current on curriculum.”
There is also an ACT preparation class at Anamosa High School. The class helps students prepare for the test.
“The Anamosa School Foundation should get the credit for adding that class,” VonMuenster praised.
She said she would also continue to support the fine arts in Anamosa and credits funding for the programs with PPEL funds as well as the Anamosa Music Boosters.
“I’ve heard and I sense that the community really wants an auditorium in the new building,” VonMuenster said.
She added that she would continue to support the new school location primarily because of her safety concerns with the McNamara property.
“It’s documented that that intersection (Old Dubuque Road and Highway 151) has had multiple fatalities. In talking with officials from the DOT, there would never be any sort of traffic control device at that intersection,” VonMuenster explained. “I couldn’t live with myself if a student was killed at that intersection, and I had voted for that location.”
A community forum will be held at the Anamosa Library and Learning Center on August 30 at 7 p.m. Residents are encouraged to come meet the candidates and ask questions at the event.
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