| | 
The
Official Newspaper of Anamosa, located in Jones County, Iowa
Anamosa News
Since 1855
 Thursday,
March 22, 2007 |
Controversy Sparked When School Board Votes on Property
by Michelle Phillips |
Editor’s Note: Last week, in part three of this series, we left off with the community forum to learn about the options for the Anamosa Community School District where space was concerned. In part four of this series we will explore what lead to the school’s decision to purchase the Highway 64 property.
The community forum to explore options for the Anamosa Community School District was complete and tests were begin conducted on the land as the school and the Long-Range Planning Committee continued to look at other properties.
With an option contract between the district and Cletus McNamara and Dirk Downing, owners of the MacDow property nearing expiration in September 2005, the parties agreed to sign a second option agreement, which would give the school the option to purchase the land for one more year at the $15,000 an acre price. The agreement was filed on November 5, 2005 with the Jones County Recorder’s office, and the new expiration was set for October 1, 2006.
In the next several months, former Superintendent Carol Lensing began receiving emails from people in the community inquiring about potential flooding on the MacDow property, safety concerns with the property and the possibility of acquiring land on Highway 64.
When contacted about the potential for flooding in one corner of the property, McNamara and Downing agreed to take the cost of two acres off the price of the land.
Prior to the March 6, 2006 school board meeting, at which the community input was to be read, school board member Julie Fall began to wonder how the neighbors near the MacDow property felt about having a school near their homes and derived a survey to find out.
“I passed out surveys at the ADCO additions and along Old Dubuque Road,” said Fall, and of 100 surveys, 56 were returned.
The response was overwhelming, 55 of the 56 were opposed to the school and one person had no opinion. Some of the concerns included safety concerns over traffic congestion, speeding and the number of accidents at Old Dubuque Road and Highway 151.
“Those on Old Dubuque Road felt the area was more of a retirement section of town and didn’t want traffic lights installed. The ADCO area worried about potential flooding because of past flooding,” Fall explained of the results.
Although the information was presented at the March 6, 2006 school board meeting, there wasn’t a lot of discussion about it at the time because the MacDow property was the only property available.
Community input at the same meeting answered some of the community’s questions about the potential land purchase. Safety concerns at highway 151 and Old Dubuque Road would not be rectified by the Iowa DOT. A review of possible land on Highway 64 turned up the following: No land for sale; Nearly one mile East of Highway 151; Not part of the community; No sidewalks; More vehicle dependent; Utilities not present; No current offer from the landowner made.
Julie VonMuenster expressed that she felt there needed to be a bigger cross-section of the community represented, and felt it was critical for the future success of the bond issue to pay for the school.
“I received a few phone calls following that meeting, after it was aired on the local access station, that were supportive of that decision and encouraged the board to please consider looking east of Anamosa, the direction the town is obviously going,” VonMuenster said in a statement read months later at the December 4, 2006 school board meeting.
When Dr. Dale Monroe started as the new superintendent in July 2006, he did a quick 30-second survey of about 200 people. Again the idea of property on Highway 64 popped up. Monroe and Anamosa School Board President Jim Mitchel decided to talk with John Parham and Doug Ricklefs, owns of Little Creek Estates. The piece of land was 58 acres. Negotiations began and by October 2006 the option was made public.
“We priced it to the school at a very fair price because we both graduated from Anamosa,” Ricklefs commented on the $9,000 per acre price tag. The land was cheaper per acre than the MacDow property, but final costs are expected to be about $150,000-$200,000 more than the MacDow property.
The school held another forum on October 24, 2006, this time at Strawberry Hill, to present the new land option on Highway 64. This time about 125 people showed up to hear details about the Highway 64 land. Doug DuCharme of Shive-Hattery proposed a building plan for the land, including future devlopment. The meeting, facilitated by Sharon Carmody-Holmes, was to gather public input. The public wanted to know about the cost of both properties as well as the potential for acquiring land on the West side of town.
Monroe researched the property and found it was not available because the former Anamosa State Penitentiary farmland was owned by the state.
McNamara said he and Downing agreed that more land could be offered to the school district. “There is 88.5 total acres on the MacDow property,” McNamara said.
The land option was about to run out again, and an extension was given until December, when the school board was scheduled to make a decision on the property. On December 4 the school board voted 4-3 to purchase the Highway 64 land.
Connie McKean, LeAnn Ridgeway and Brian Darrow voted against the Highway 64 land.
Darrow stated that he felt the community was behind the MacDow property, which was why he voted against the Highway 64 property.
“I was part of the Long-range Planning Committee and I based my vote along with my views during that time. I thought the committee did a better job of analyzing the property than the school board did,” he stated.
McKean said,” I voted my preference on December 5, which was the MacDow property.”
“I feel there are considerable cost savings for the closer property,” said Ridgeway.
She cited increased fuel costs, less potential for staff sharing and facility sharing. She also feels that the land is too far away from the rest of the town’s amenities. Ridgeway said she does not feel the highway 64 property was safer than the MacDow property.
Anamosa Police Chief Matt Menard agrees, but he said that neither of the properties are “safe”, and he would not endorse either property.
“They both have safety concerns. The Highway 151 and Old Dubuque Road intersection is dangerous. I usually route kids with driving permits away from it, if they would need to cross it to get to the high school,” Menard explained.
He said the Highway 64 property would increase the number of driving permits for students, who are eligible for permits at the age of 14. The moped traffic in the area would also be increased.
“School permits are the hard to enforce, Menard added.
Sharon Weideman voted to purchase the land. Ricklefs is Weideman’s brother and before she voted on December 4, the school board contacted the Iowa Association of School Boards for legal counsel. They were told that Weideman was within her rights to vote on the purchase.
Anamosa School Board President Jim Mitchel commented, “We went through legal counsel, and there was no stipulation anyplace that said she shouldn’t vote.”
Monroe confirmed that Weideman was fully within her rights to vote. “According to the law, she was entitled to vote,” he said.
Weideman said she voted for the following reasons: She has a deep commitment to do what she feels is best for the kids in the community; She feels the Highway 64 property is better because of safety issues, future expansion and enhancement of the community because this is the direction Anamosa is growing.
“They strung us along and had us tied up for two years,” McNamara said of the vote. “there are so many people that are unhappy about this.”
On December 18 the school board voted to accept the purchase agreement of 58 acres for $9,000 an acre despite opposition form former West Middle School Principal Rick Delagardelle, who supported the MacDow property. One of the reasons he stated was to keep more of a central campus for the schools.
McKean voted to accept the agreement, making the vote 5-2.
“Although I had a preference for the MacDow property, I felt that either would work. My job now is to work toward progress and build a school that will meet the needs of the children,” she said.
After the December 18 a petition began circulating around town. When the petitions were presented to the board by Vance Wickham, the first name on one of the sheets was Ridgeway.
Monroe said by signing the petition, along with about 200 others, Ridgeway is dangerously close to violating board ethics, which states that board members should support a decision once the board has approved a measure.
“I think the petitions were a very bad thing and an attempt to undermine the school board’s decision,” Mitchel said.
Wickham said he feels the board has a responsibility to the community to make the right decision, which was why he signed the petition and delivered it to the board. Although he admits that Anamosa needs a new school, he included, “I won’t support a new school in that location.”
Ricklefs said when the controversy arose, he and Parham offered to let the school back out of the agreement, right up until the time of closing but they chose not to rescind.
“If the school wanted it, fine. If not, we would’ve continued to develop it,” he stated.
“The school board made their decision,” Monroe added.
The Anamosa Community School District closed on the land January 31. Since that time the school has authorized the redemption of school bonds dated February 1, 1997. By calling the bonds early the district saved at least $820,000 in interest. The bonds would otherwise mature in June 2013 and June 2014.
On March 19 a bidders conference was held for Architects who may bid on the job of designing the new school. Bidding will close on April 19. |
Grant Wood Art Festival Contest Plans Underway
By Michelle Phillips |
The Grant Wood Art Festival isn’t until June 10, but preparations for the event have already begun.
A call for entries has gone out throughout the Midwest and around the country for artisans in all mediums. The exhibitors participating in the juried art contest are asked to send the $50 entry fee as well as photos or slides of their original works.
Anamosa Chamber Director KC Kiner said, “I already have 20 entries and I’m hoping to get 50.”
Last year there were 30 artists competing, mostly from Iowa and the Midwest. Kiner said there were about double the entries received thus far, compared to the same time last year.
Awards for the competition are $200 for first place, $150 for second and third place is $100. Each artist will be judged on creativity of the work. The deadline is April 13.
Artists are also invited to compete in the Grant Wood Art Festival Poster Contest. The winning poster will be printed and sold as well as to promote the festival. The poster will be permanently displayed in the Grand Wood Gallery. Deadline for submissions is April 27. All proceeds will be used to support future Grant Wood Art Festivals.
Last year’s winner was Steve Hunter, said Kiner. “Last year we only had six or eight entries, so we’re hoping to get more of those as well,” she included.
Once again children will have the chance to become involved with the festival, through the annual Button Design Contest. Kiner has received a list of all the middle schools in the Grant Wood AEA district and packets are currently being sent out to those classes.
“It goes to all the art teachers in the area so they can introduce Grant Wood into their curriculum,” she said.
This year the contest is open to grades 5-8. Last year the competition was for elementary students and next year high school students will have a chance to compete. The grade levels rotate each year.
“I’m also in the process of applying for a grant from the Iowa Arts Council for $1,500,” said Kiner.
“It’s to be used for the performing arts.”
She said there would be two chances to receive the grant, once in April and again in May if the festival doesn’t receive the April grant.
“The Anamosa Historical Society is going to do a Cemetery Walk that afternoon (June 10). They’re going to dress up as Grant Wood and some of the founding fathers of Anamosa,” Kiner added.
For more information about these events, the Grant Wood Art Festival or the Anamosa Chamber of Commerce, visit the Chamber’s website at www.anamosachamber.org. |
LCC Hosts Annual St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon
By Michelle Phillips |
The Lawrence Community Center hosted their annual St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon on March 16, featuring corned beef and cabbage, green bingo, in which all the prizes are green, and festive decorations.
Photos: Area residents enjoy corned beef and cabbage at the St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon; A shamrock plant fits right in at the event; Nelka Morning serves up corned beef. |
 |
PO
Box 108, 208 W. Main Street, Anamosa, IA 52205
319-462-3511,
FAX 319-462-4540
Copyright
Anamosa Publications
Anamosa Journal-Eureka / Town Crier 2005
Thede Web
Works - Website
Questions
|