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The
Official Newspaper of Anamosa, located in Jones County, Iowa
Anamosa News
Since 1855
 Thursday,
January 18, 2007 |
Culver Sworn-in as Governor of Iowa
by Michelle Phillips |
Cold weather and snow didn’t prevent soldiers, senators and supporters of the Chet Culver, Patty Judge campaign from turning out for the Governor’s Inauguration on January 12 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.
People streamed into the arena and enjoyed music from the National Guard Band and Hoover High School Choir before dignitaries and legislators were shown to their seats. Former governors Tom Vilsack, Terry Branstad and Robert Ray were in the audience for the event.
There was a call to order for the joint legislature, the presenting of colors by the Iowa National Guard and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited and the National Anthem was sung. Father James Polich of St. Augustine Catholic Church in Des Moines led the invocation followed by a poem reading by Waverly students. The poem outlined the hopes for Iowa’s future with new leadership.
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Photos: Above: Chet Culver is administered the Oath of Office by Chief Justice Marsha Ternus and the help of his wife, Mari (Journal-Eureka Photos by Michelle Phillips) |
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People gather around Chet and Mari Culver at the Taste of Iowa Lunch, January 12; Inauguration attendees mill around Wells Fargo Arena; Tom Arnold, a supporter of Culver/Judge on Inauguration Day; Jerry Fitzgerald and Allison Dreeszen serve up pork chops at the Pork Producers booth at the Taste of Iowa Lunch; A sticker supporting Tom Vilsack at Hy-Vee Hall; Patty Judge talks with Angie Beck and Brian Waddingham at the Iowa Beef Producers stand; Culver shakes hands with a supporter on Inauguration Day. (Journal-Eureka Photos by Michelle Phillips)
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Chief Justice Marsha Ternus then administered the oath of office to Lt. Governor Patty Judge. Judge then took the podium to say a few words.
After thanking a list of people Judge told the group, “I am humbled to be here today.” She continued by talking about her small own background as a nurse and small business owner and said she had met the most incredible people in small towns. Sticking with the Democratic Duo’s theme of “One Iowa”, Judge said that through “hard work, working together and helping neighbors our One Iowa believes the future is unlimited.”
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She said renewable energy is giving Iowa the brightest future it has had in a long time.
“The entire country is buzzing over the opportunities of renewable fuel,” she stated.
Judge pledged to continue advocating clean air and renewable fuels as well as safety of the food supply.
“Chet Culver and I are people who don’t believe in the concept of impossible,” she included.
Culver was then sworn in as Iowa’s 40th governor by Ternus and addressed a crowd who offered him a standing ovation.
“Today is the greatest honor on my life,” Culver beamed as he thanked the legislature, Governor Vilsack and family.
He then added, “I love Iowa.”
Culver went on to talk about his boyhood experiences in McGregor, along the Mississippi River, and reflected on explorers who came before us, including Chief Black Hawk, Marquette and Jolliet and Lewis and Clark. He then told Iowans that we were about to embark on a new expedition in Iowa, dubbed the “21st Century Iowa Expedition” by his administration.
“Well, my fellow Iowans, this is our time! It’s our time to accept the challenge, to explore and discover Iowa’s unlimited potential. It’s our time to win the race to become the energy capital of the world. Let us invoke the lessons previous generations of explorers and leaders have taught us.
Let us all come together as one and lead our own ‘21st Century Iowa Expedition’,” the 40 year-old Governor offered to the cheering crowd.
He told Iowans that will be starting the Iowa Power Fund to finance research and development of alternative fuels, biomass, geothermal, wind and solar energy.
It’s time for Iowa to become the first state in the nation to declare energy independence!
“We are already on our way! Whether it’s the production of soy lubricant in Waverly, the development of a biorefinery in Emmetsburg, the manufacturing of corn-based plastics in Clinton, the wind storage project in Dallas County or the new biomass option of burning oat hulls in place of coal in Cedar Falls — Iowa is on the frontier!” he exclaimed.
Culver urged all Iowans, young and old, Democrat and Republican, urban and rural to come together to form “One Iowa.”
He said there are several other issues on his agenda, including: making college more affordable, lifting the ban on stem-cell research, raising minimum wage, supporting small businesses, embrace diversity, denounce hatred and bringing ethics back to government.
“Let us work together to build “One Iowa” and in doing so, we will achieve the greatness we all know is possible. So, as we go from here, let us always remember: This is our time! Much is expected of us, and our future is unlimited,” he concluded.
After Culver’s speech, a benediction was given by Rev. Keith Ratliff of the Maple Street Baptist Church, Des Moines, and the joint session of the legislature was adjourned.
Immediately following the inauguration, guests were given the opportunity to taste Iowa at the Hy-Vee Hall next the arena. Iowa food was featured and music was provided by B.O.G. Incident.
The Inaugural Ball followed that evening at the Varied Industries building at the Iowa State Fairgrounds and featured fair food, beer and wine.
Inauguration events began on January 11 beginning in Sioux City, moving across the state to Iowa City, and featured a concert called the One Iowa Gala. It ended on January 13 with an open house at Terrace Hill, the Governor’s Mansion, the featured event. |
Anamosa Community School District Approves Land Purchase Agreement
by Susan Yario |
On the order of old business the land purchase agreement ignited some old tensions. Retired WMS Principal, Rick Delegardelle addressed the board with his concerns over a bond issue and the Highway 64 property at the Anamosa School Board meeting on January 15.
He questioned whether the board could put the Highway 64 property into the Long Range Planning Committee to make sure that it is the right track of land. Delegardelle asked “What do we have to lose by turning it back to the long range planning committee?”. He questioned if site preparation costs had been addressed and what was the hurry in moving at such a quick pace. Delegardelle stressed that he was not looking for a debate on which property was the better option but looking for a successful bond issue.
Board member, LeAnn Ridgeway agreed with Delegardelle concerns questions.
Board President Jim Mitchel, countered that the board has already received site prep estimates on both properties, the cost of the Highway 64 property is considerably less than the other option, and addressed other factors previously mentioned at earlier meetings. Mitchel stressed, “We reached the decision in December, we made the decision in December.”
He also pointed out that there is two years, not four before the bond issue will come about and that the district does not have as much time as people think. Mitchel also made mention that “no one wants a difficult bond issue and that the district needs to get back to concentrating on our students and the student body”.
Ridgeway pursued the issue further in regards to the speed of “why today” and why there was no out clause in the purchase agreement. Superintendent Dr. Dale Monroe pointed out the last factor on the purchase agreement where the Sellers agree to a final sales contract. The District will be privy to the final sales contract prior to the closing date of February 1. School Board President, Jim Mitchel will be the signature on the legal documents. The District’s attorney is involved in this transaction and qualified to make final judgements. The land purchase agreement was approved five yes vs. two no.
Two Public Hearings were held on Monday evening; Instructional Support Levy and Innovative School Calendar Waiver. There were no public written or oral comments for either scheduled hearing.
The board celebrated Ed McNamara, owner of Anamosa Travel Mart for his continued donations to the school district. Also celebrated was Coach Bill Carlson for his contribution in volunteering to construct cabinets for the sports storage room at the high school.
Personnel Items approved on Monday night are as follows:
Hiring of Pam Jenkins as a high school Para educator effective January 16.
Hiring of Steven Tuegel as Strawberry Hill housekeeper, replacement for Jim Slach, effective January 16.
Resignation of Jim Slach as Strawberry High Housekeeper effective January 2.
Resignation of Gail Dinger as Assistant Basketball Coach effective after the season ends.
Additional action items on the agenda that were approved during the Monday night meeting are as follows:
An early graduation request from Rose Lemmer
A one year leave of absence request from Sandi Callon-McDill (Business Computers teacher at AHS)
2007-2008 School Calendar
Payment of the September bus purchase. The bus will be ready for pick up within the next few weeks.
The Whole Grade Sharing Agreement was also approved. Amendments, busing, sharing in funding and graduation requirements were discussed as well as a February deadline for enrollment.
The Instructional Support Levy resolution for the district was approved without incident. The levy for collection in the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2007 is to be levied upon taxable income and property within the school district. The intended purposes for which the instructional support monies will be used include a Student At-Risk Program, An Elementary Guidance Program, Technology Staffing and training, technology and general support for the district.
Matt Gillespie from Piper Jaffray gave a lengthy but data packed report on the financial status of the district. There are three sources that will be necessary to acquire funds from for the construction of a new high school.
General Obligation School Bonds- $13,720,000
PPEL Capital Loan Notes- $2,550,000
Sales Tax Revenue Bonds (SILO) The maximum capacity- $3,895,000
= $20,165,000 + any grants and/or donated funds
For a complete list of this information, contact the Anamosa Community School District.
Gillespie spent time explaining Moody’s Investor Service Ratings and where Anamosa Community School District falls on the list. The school district’s solvency is very healthy at Baaa1 and could be in a more desirable place if we were to “spend down” and acquire an A3 rating. Gillespie states “A3 would be a significant accomplishment for this board…” The A3 rating would likely garner a savings in interest rates of between 10-15 basis points. He also shared some highlights of an example timeline for a general obligation bond referendum timeline beginning in August 2007 or earlier with public awareness, campaign planning and architectural plans.
Linda VonBehren, Business Manager for the school district spoke to the Board regarding a resolution to pay for the land purchase. This year’s revenue that was set aside for a land purchase totals at $150,000. Beginning in 2008 and forward there will be interfund borrowing of $75,000 from the General Fund to the PPEL Fund to pay for the land purchase. This will enable the district to borrow from within itself and save attorney fees and reduce the bond issue dollars. This can be paid off early especially if the district sees an economic increase. The Interfund Borrowing for Land Purchase was approved five yes vs. two no.
Monroe reported that the district and Jones Regional Medical Center will be in partnership in daycare in the near future. Monroe invited School Board members to be present at the Open Meeting with Anamosa City Council/ACS Board at the Library and Learning Center at 6 p.m. on January 24. The meeting was adjourned prior to 9 p.m. |
Anamosa City Council to Hear Well Reccomendation at January 22 Meeting
By Michelle Phillips |
The City of Anamosa has Well Number Four online again after it was shutdown due to high Radium levels in December, but City Administrator Patrick Callahan said the well would be used merely as a back-up. The city continues to function with only one well for drinking water.
“I’m of the opinion that we need another well. I was not happy that we had to pull number four and the city water off just well number five,” said Callahan.
The city has hired Snyder and Associates to assess the options. Rough price quotes will be included and the information will be presented at the January 22 Anamosa City Council meeting.
The well was found to need only minor repairs after the city placed a camera inside to determine damage. Callahan said the repairs were made, but the well could still have high radium levels. This is common is deep wells that tap into the Jordan Stratum of aquifers and Callahan said the city may still have problems with Radium if another deep well is dug.
The city could opt to build a shallow well, but runs the risk of high nitrate levels from farm runoff.
“We have the option of doing nothing because at 5 (piC/L) the DNR requires the city to notify residents, but you don’t have to come up with a solution. The well doesn’t have to be shut down until it reaches 10 (piC/L),” added Callahan.
Callahan said the city is still hoping for a cooperation with the Anamosa State Penitentiary (ASP). He included that ASP has begun to study the cost of digging a well.
A filtration system will probably be needed regardless of whether a new well is dug or not.
Callahan said the assessment by Synder and Associates is just the first step in solving the problem. The next step would be to get a larger engineering study to choose the best option.
After the report is given at the council meeting Callahan will know more about where the well situation stands.
“After that I will also know more about how this might affect water rates,” Callahan said. |
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