Community News

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, July 6 to discuss noise complaints from a resident, a request to have a pitbull dog as a service animal at a residence, and approval of Park and Recreation Wellness Board appointments.

There was no Public Comment and the council moved into Departmental Reports. Street Superintendent Keith Burrett reported on the new garbage containers placed along portions of Main Street and Rossville Road in downtown Waukon and advised that chip sealing has been completed on several city streets as of last week. Burrett also discussed the potential of having contractor Prairie Road Builders return next year to perform additional chip sealing.

Water and Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper provided an update relating to the Hidden Creek lift station. He also discussed sewer maintenance including the viewing of areas in need of repair with a sewer camera.

The new tennis court facility in Waukon, located west of Waukon High School near the Waukon Park, Recreation and Wellness soccer fields on the west edge of town, has been open for public use since mid-June. A grand opening event is being planned for a later date with only a windscreen installation throughout the surrounding fencing remaining for the project to be 100% complete. The public is welcome to use the tennis courts any time, day or night, with a light switch and timer (pictured at center) located between the restroom doors at the concession stand for activation of the lights at several pre-set intervals of 15 or 30 minutes, one hour or two hours. Lighting can be activated for evening or early morning tennis matches (as evident in the photo above) with concession stand restrooms (smaller concrete building at right in the photo below) nearby always being accessible.

This year’s General Election is scheduled for November 3, 2020. Most ballots cast in the June 2, 2020 Primary Election were by voters who voted absentee from home.

Due to an emergency proclamation for COVID-19 from the Governor, the Iowa Secretary of State’s office mailed an Absentee Ballot Request form to all active voters for the June 2 Primary. Legislation passed after the Primary now requires approval by a legislative council before the Secretary of State is allowed to do a similar mailing for any future election.

by Brianne Eilers

The month of May ended on a positive financial note for Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) in Waukon with a net profit of $51,860. Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act stimulus funding from the federal government impacted that bottom line.

The hospital showed a decrease in net patient revenue, as compared to May 2019, due to a decrease in surgeries and outpatient services as a result of COVID-19. Wages and benefits also were down for the month of May 2020 due to staff being furloughed and lower patient volumes due to COVID-19. Supplies and other expenses were also down for the month. VMH Administrator Mike Myers noted that personnel expenses and visits have both been increasing as the hospital moves toward getting back into the swing of things.

Main Street Story Walk, hosted by Robey Memorial Library in Waukon, continues in July with the popular children’s story “Olivia goes to Venice” by Ian Falconer. Families are encouraged to read the book as they stroll the downtown area mapped out above. Nine selected businesses have a portion of the story posted in the front window of their establishment for viewing from the sidewalk.

Selected locations are located on Spring Avenue, Main Street, First Avenue SW, West Street and Rossville Road. They include the following, labeled accordingly in the map above: 1. Erbal Ink; 2. Cook Agency; 3. Gemini Salon & Spa; 4. Bodensteiner Insurance; 5. S&D Cafe; 6. Waukon State Bank; 7. Hausladen’s Auto Supply; 8. Say Now; 9. Houg State Farm Insurance. Main Street Story Walk will continue with a new story and locations in August.

Brady Beyer, son of Brent and Denise Beyer of Waukon, officially achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank in Boy Scouts, May 18. Beyer is a member of Boy Scout Troop 64, under the leadership of Scoutmaster Troy Lubahn.

In 2008, Beyer began his journey to Eagle as a Cub Scout in first grade. He completed the requirements each year to advance from Bobcat to Tiger, Wolf, Bear and Webelo. Following two years as a Webelo, and completion of all requirements, Beyer earned his Arrow of Light in the spring of his fifth grade year. One of his favorite Cub Scout memories is winning the Pack 64 Pinewood Derby and advancing and participating in the District Pinewood Derby.

Allamakee County will participate in the annual Iowa Bible Reading Marathon this year, 2020, but under a bit of a different format due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has signed the 2020 Iowa Reading Marathon Proclamation, endorsing this event statewide.
The goal of the marathon each year is to read the bible from Genesis to Revelation over the entire state of Iowa. All Allamakee County residents are encouraged and welcome to take part.

CHANGE IN FORMAT
Because of the current COVID-19 situation, the Allamakee County marathon will not take place in a specific physical setting as in years past, but will follow some new guidelines.

by Brianne Eilers

This Friday, June 26 marks the final day for one of Waukon’s oldest businesses, The Waukon Greenhouse.

Sherrie and Gil Hunstad took over the business from Sherrie’s parents, Jim and Helen Johnson, in 2002. Sherrie was basically born and raised in the industry, and the Waukon Greenhouse business has been in her family since 1928.

FIRST IN THE FAMILY
The original location of the greenhouse was located on First Avenue NW in Waukon, across from the current East Elementary School campus. In 1928 Vera Kruger and Knute and Verna Quandahl purchased the greenhouse from Mrs. Van Nice, wife of Presbyterian Church minister Pastor Van Nice. This was the first generation of Sherrie’s family to own the business.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in a delayed regular session due to postponement of the regular session scheduled for Monday, June 15, with attendance via Zoom web-conferencing and at the City Hall Council Chambers Tuesday, June 16. That regular session was postponed due to a majority quorum of council members not being able to meet that traditional meeting night due to various scheduling conflicts.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, June 15 to address a full agenda of items including the signing of a five-year software and information technology contract, discussion and consideration of the Vet’s Club purchase and the retirement of a County Recorder’s Office employee.

During Public Comment, Executive Director Val Reinke of Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED) provided an update relating to tourism information requests and the number of mailings being sent in response to those requests. Reinke discussed the Dairy Days Parade scheduled for Monday, June 15 and other Dairy Days associated events that are taking place.