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The
Official Newspaper of Anamosa, located in Jones County, Iowa
Anamosa News
Since 1855
 Thursday,
March 29, 2007 |
2007 Great Jones County Fair Entertainment Announced
by Michelle Phillips |
The Great Jones County Fair in Monticello is still a few months away, July 18-22, but fair manager John Harms has been hard at work solidifying entertainment for one of Iowa’s biggest and best county fairs.
“I think this will be the best year we’ve ever had,” exclaimed Harms, when asked about the entertainment. “I put my first bid in last June and I got my first verbal confirmation before the 2006 fair.”
Tuesday, July 17: Sneak-a-Peek
There is free admission to the fair, and the midway and the food court will be open. In addition, the Colgate Country Showdown area finals will be held that night.
“We’ll have our queen coronation that evening,” added Harms.
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Sugarland |
Wednesday, July 18: NTPA National Truck and Tractor Pull
The Eastern Iowa Truck and Tractor Pull will be in the afternoon and the National Truck and Tractor Pull will be in the evening.
Thursday, July 19: Country singer Trace Adkins will take the stage following the opening act of Jamie O’Neal at 8p.m. Adkins was the first act to book a date for this year’s fair.
Jamie O’Neal comes to us by Trace’s request and the management of both their acts,” included Harms. Harness racing will be the afternoon attraction.
Friday, July 20: Chicago
Popular rock band Chicago will perform at 8:30 p.m. There is no opening act that evening. Harness racing will be in the grandstand that afternoon.
Saturday, July 21: Sugarland
The crowd-pleasing band Sugarland will headline that night. Keith Anderson will open for the band, beginning at 8 p.m.
“He’s a lady’s favorite,” added Harms.
Sunday, July 22: TBA
No act has confirmed, but Harms said he is working on booking a family friendly act for that night.
|
 
 Chicago, Keith Anderson, Trace Adkins, Jamie O'Neal |
“The night thing has really been a challenge,” Harms said.
A Demolition Derby will be held during the afternoon on Sunday.
Exotic trips will be given away each of the five nights of the fair. A fireworks display will also follow each of the concerts.
In addition to the headliners and grandstand acts there will also be free acts on three stages in the Pepsi Pavillion. The main stage will highlight a variety of talent including three acts that will rotate; Tiger Encounter, a white tiger act; extreme K-9s, dog acrobatics and tricks; Otto the Diving Fool, who was slated for last year, but had to cancel due to an injury on the first day of the fair. The main free stage will also feature mental illusionist Lawrence Gregory.
Strolling acts for this year’s fair will be Dave the Horn Guy, who was also scheduled for last year, but had to cancel because of a conflicting engagement on America’s Got Talent, and a professional mime, who turns himself into a statue and does stilt walking.
Harms said the Midway entertainment would, once again, be provided by Evens United Shows and 4H and FFA will be strong again this year.
“The food court will be well endowed with different types of cuisine from around the planet,” he included.
Tickets will go on sale online for the country acts on April 9 and over the counter and telephone on April 16. Ticket sales for Chicago and the Sunday night show will begin on April 16.
“We have to graduate it because its’ a zoo,” Harms stated.
For more information about the Great Jones County Fair, visit them on the web at www.greatjonescountyfair.com. |
District’s Next Step, Planning for a New School
By Michelle Phillips |
Editor’s Note: This week is the fifth and final story in a series concerning the Anamosa Community School District’s purchase of land for a new school. It looks at the steps the district will now take to try to build a new high school.
The Anamosa Community School District (ACSD) has finished preliminary work on the land it purchased on January 31, including conducting soil testing, environmental assessment, begun looking for an architect and written a Request for Proposal (RFP), and are now ready to move toward getting a new high school built.
Anamosa Superintendent Dr. Dale Monroe said there are two phases in the process of building a new school.
Phase I, Part 1
After an architect is hired, which should be done by the end of May, they will help the district devise a 10-year Master Facility Plan. This will include assessing the amenities the current high school building already has and what should be included in the new facility.
During this segment of planning the community, staff and Long-Range Planning Committee will be involved in the general planning.
“There will be a series of community forums to get input,” Monroe said.
Once the Master Facility Plan is complete, the school board must approve it, and a financial plan will be determined. The plan will give the district an estimate of total cost. Piper Jaffray of Des Moines will help advise the school financially.
“We’re a financial advisor to many schools, cities and counties in the state,” stated Matt Gillaspie, Piper Jaffray Vice President.
Phase I, Part 2
Once the preliminary plan and the financial plan are set the community must petition the school board to allow a bond vote. The Anamosa School Board must also approve the bond vote.
“It is then forwarded to the county auditor and an election date is set,” said Gillaspie.
“It will be no sooner than next April (2008), that we can have a bond issue,” Monroe included.
Phase II
This is the point when plans for the new school are actually put to paper according to Monroe. “We’ll determine the actual design of the school, bids will go out for construction of the new high school and remodel of the old high school. The school board must take the lowest bid,” he said.
During this planning phase there will be a lot of contact and coordination between the architect and school. Monroe said this will help insure that the school is the way the district wants it and within the budget.
Should all of the pieces fall into place on schedule, the district would break ground on the facility in May 2009. It would then take about 18 months to two years to complete the building. The school would be ready to open in fall of 2011 or 2012 if everything goes according to plan.
One of the things that could potentially hold up the process is the bond issue. A super-majority, 60%, of voters would need to mark yes on their ballots in order for the proposal to pass. Gillaspie reminded, “You can’t build a school until they vote to borrow money.”
If the bond doesn’t pass the first time, the school district will have to wait six months before it can be taken to vote again.
“It certainly isn’t the kiss of death if it isn’t passed the first time,” Monroe said.
If the reason the bond didn’t pass can be fixed, for example the community doesn’t like some aspect of the plan, it will be addressed. In other cases it maybe something that hasn’t come up and would need to be detected before the district could find a solution.
“I hope people will step up to the plate and do what’s best for the students, building a new school,” Anamosa School Board President Jim Michel said of the bond issue.
Although the purchase of the land stirred up controversy in the community, many are hoping that differences can be set-aside in an effort to do what’s best for the children, who are badly in need of a new school.
Former Superintendent Carol Lensing summed up the situation, “The decision has been made, so Anamosa must figure out how to heal and bring the board together and bring the community together because the bottom line is that Anamosa needs a new school.”
Proposed New School Timeline
January 2007
Land purchased for new high school
February/March 2007
Soil samples completed
Environmental assessment done
Request for Proposal (RFP) written
Bidder’s workshop conducted to find architect
April 2007
RFPs due
May-September 2007
Interview and choose architect
Start Phase I
Complete Master Facility Plan
Estimate enrollement
Estimate cost
October-December 2007
Gather community input
April 2008
Formalize timeline
Public request of bond issue
Hold community forums
Set date for bond vote
Vote on Bond
Begin formal design plans
May-December 2008
Let bids per architect
Negotiate final contract
April 2009
Break ground on new building |
Anamosa City Council Holds First Rezoning Hearing
By Susan Yario |
 The Anamosa City Council held three public hearings on March 26, the first regarding the proposed amendment to the zoning district map. Rezoning the East side of ADCO Third addition from R-1 single family to R-2 multiple family residential.
ADCO proponents, Vic Hamre and Lawrence Schwers spoke for the rezoning and three residents spoke against the possible action. No written comments were received by City Hall regarding this public hearing. Council came to a standstill on this item as it was a 3:3 tie. A tie requires the start of the whole process again and may be included on the next council agenda.
A public hearing regarding the proposed amendment to the zoning district map rezoning the area formerly known as Happy Hollow Mobile Home Park from M-H Mobile Home to R-2 Multiple Family residential. R-2 also allows for a single family dwelling. No written or oral comments were reported to City Hall on this hearing.
The third public hearing of the evening was regarding the status on the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for owner-occupied housing rehabilitation program. Lisa-Marie Garlich updated council on the project’s status.
Todd Weimer made a request of the council to detour traffic on June 23 for two hours during a wedding ceremony at Fountain Park. His concern was for the noise level of passing motorcycles as they come through town as this day is the same date as J&P Cycles Open House.
Dennis Walters from J&P Cycles offered some suggestions for help as J&P could help direct bikes to use Highway 64 rather than through town. Council made motion to deny such a request for several reasons. City Hall will be in contact with J&P Cycles concerning possibly advertising of a motorcycle route from 151 to Highway 64 for downtown Anamosa.
Catherine (Kitty) Dirks discussed with council members the shape of the water line coming into her property on the corner of Main and Huber Streets. There is a lead line coming into the building but there is no shut off valve. She is concerned because it may have been covered over by concrete during the Streetscapes Project.
Public Works Director, Larry Driscoll suggested as an option that the city could put in a shut off valve at street level on Huber. Request was made from council for Catherine to put a proposal together for the city and it will be added onto the next meeting agenda.
A request was made to the city for a curb cut on the south side of the Senior Center Building parking lot to install a ramp for an adjacent property owner’s use. The request was denied by council.
The Anamosa City Council also approved an increase of fees at the Lawrence Community Center.
(See chart)
Also denied on Monday evening, the previous ordinance prohibiting persons under legal age from entering certain premises that serve alcohol. A new ordinance has been reworded to define the categories and percentages of food and alcohol served in an establishment. The new ordinance, which was approved, also specifies that sign posting will be required. Establishments and persons will be fined if found under violation of the city ordinance 46.04.
Council had a discussion on the condition of and where responsibility lies in the caretaking of Stallion Creek. The result being the city will send residents along the creek a letter regarding the current debris issue (and cleanup) after it has been approved by the city attorney and the city council. A public forum will be forthcoming on this matter as the creek covers a lot of ground through Anamosa and is a concern to many residents.
Also approved are as follows:
First reading of ordinance amending the zoning district map rezoning the area formerly known as Happy Hollow Mobile Home Court from M-H Mobile Home to R-2 Multiple Family . Second and third considerations were also approved.
CDBG contract extension for one year until March 17, 2008
Extension letter for filing the FY2005-2006 Audit Report with the State of Iowa. This was requested by Clifton Gunderson, the auditor for the city due to time constraints.
To keep the existing Sycamore Street Bridge closed even though it is a sound and stable structure below the deck. PWD, Larry Driscoll recommended the bridge remain closed as work is to begin in less than two months on the drainage project. Removal costs will be discussed at the next council meeting.
Payment of bills for the month of March 2007.
Season dates for the Aqua Court/Swimming Pool Season: June 2-August 15. This was deemed reasonable as to reduce costs and adequately staff the pool. Flexibility will be maintained depending on the availability of staff and favorable weather conditions.
Public forum on Sycamore Street box culvert project, April 12, 6 p.m. at the Lawrence Community Center.
Change order for pay request No. 2 for the Highway 64 East water main and sanitary sewer project for $3,907.
Pay request No. 3 for the Highway 64 East water main and sanitary sewer project for $32,701.76.
Engineering services for construction observation for the Central area detention basin project not to exceed $12,443 by Snyder & Associates.
Appointment of Douglas Edel and Martha Rowland to the Parks and Recreation Board.
The OSHA educational visit has been completed and the inspector has met with all the city department heads and the City Administrator. A final report is being compiled and re-inspection will be in three months. The city departments have already begun to make the appropriate changes.
Public Works Director, Larry Driscoll discussed a potential joint project with Jones County on asphalt overlay for Iowa Street. Council approved Driscoll and the City Administrator to develop a proposal to work together with Jones County on repairing Iowa Street both in city limits and in county jurisdiction.
Driscoll also talked with council regarding Anamosa State Penitentiary choice to disregard the Anamosa water supply and drill a new well within their property. Driscoll offered that it may be feasible to invite ASP to go into a joint project in drilling a new well and building a reservoir. No action was taken as this was discussion only. |
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