Community News

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, April 6 via Zoom web conferencing software in response to COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines prohibiting public meetings with more than ten attendees. There was no Public Comment during that portion of the meeting.

Mayor Pat Stone began the meeting with the removal of an agenda item and approval of the amended agenda by the council. The council moved into the next matter with Stone reading aloud the proclamation declaring April 2020 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

The council moved into Department Reports. Police Chief Paul Wagner reported that the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) has shut down in response to COVID-19 and as a result Waukon Officer Fallon Cassidy has not completed in-person training but will be completing her training through webinars and hands-on training sessions through nearby agencies with an anticipated April 17 graduation date.

The Allamakee Energy District received recent funding donations from a trio of local businesses in support of its mission. The District is a 501(c)3 organization committed to building community through sustainable and wise energy use; the development of clean, renewable, locally owned energy; and retention and reinvestment of energy dollars in the local community. The Allamakee Energy District is the seventh county energy district to form in the state of Iowa and is part of a growing state and regional energy conservation movement. The District is working in cooperation with energy districts in Howard, Winneshiek and Clayton counties to provide access to energy conservation efforts such as home energy audits and to educate the public on clean, local energy options.

Waukon Chamber of Commerce has announced the hiring of a new Executive Director, Leddia Tallman. Tallman will graduate from the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) in May of this year with a major in Health Promotion and a minor in Advanced Leadership Techniques. She is a Cadet in the United States Iowa Army National Guard and is a member of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program at UNI. Since January of this year, Tallman has been completing an internship at Veteran’s Memorial Hospital, Waukon Wellness Center and Helping Services for Youth and Families.

Tallman’s past experience includes working at Classic Upward Bound, UNI’s Wellness Recreation Center, Farm & Home Supply and a public library. Her volunteer experience includes being a Red Cross Club member, ROTC/IANG Open House Mentor, Panther Push Volunteer and Big Brothers Big Sisters Volunteer.

The site of the February 10 blaze that destroyed Waukon’s iconic Gus & Tony’s Pizza and Steakhouse on West Main Street had the remnants of the building cleaned up and removed this past week. However, restaurant owner Dave Bell said the clean-up is not an indication of any final decisions that have been made, but said it was simply time to get the project completed as the weather cleared and the contractor was available to accomplish the task.

Bell said the remaining open basement area will now need to be filled to existing ground level with dirt and then seeded down for grass growth to return it to “lot” status, as required by State of Iowa law. Pedestrians and other passers-by are reminded that the area is still off limits for safety reasons and anyone who is discovered in the area or trying to enter the area will be charged with trespass.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, March 23 to address a full agenda of items including the Public Hearing for the proposed Fiscal-Year 2021 Allamakee County Budget, setting the level of County support for libraries and the approval of compensation increases for elected officials. There was no Public Comment.

The Public Hearing for the proposed Fiscal-Year 2021 Allamakee County Budget was opened with Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer indicating that no comments have been received. Beyer and Chairperson Larry Schellhammer each briefly commented on the proposed budget with both indicating that the budget process went well. The Public Hearing was closed.

As this country comes together to make decisions to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, connection to the internet is more important than ever. With the current State-recommended school closings in mind, AcenTek announced Wednesday, March 18 that the company will offer free broadband and WiFi internet access until June 1 of this year to students and teachers who do not currently have internet service with the company.

Installation fees will also be waived for the new customers living within the service area. Students (K-12/college) and teachers facing the effects of the shutdown, will now have access to free internet to learn, work and communicate remotely. Contact the AcenTek office at 888-404-4940 or visit AcenTek.net to learn more.
 

Water and Sewer Departments from all local communities are urging citizens to not flush anything but toilet paper down their toilets. Items such as disinfectant wipes, baby wipes, napkins, paper towels and tissues have been clogging up community sanitary sewer systems, and may very likely do the same to individual residential or business sewer systems as well. Many of these products are labeled “flushable” or “septic safe,” but have proven not to be.

Because they don’t break down and decompose the way toilet paper does, disposable wipes clog homeowner and municipal sewer pipes, put stress on community wastewater collection and treatment equipment, and cause cities to spend thousands on premature equipment repair and replacement, according to local Water and Sewer authorities.

Black Hills Energy recently presented a check to the Waukon Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Association to support the purchase of a new defibrillator for use in serving the community. “Engaging with the communities we serve, where our employees and their families live, work and play is important to us at Black Hills Energy,” said Ivan Hackman, Black Hills Energy operations supervisor. “Safety is always a top priority at Black Hills Energy. This new defibrillator will allow for treatment in life-threatening cardiac emergencies.” Pictured above at the check presentation are, left to right: Black Hills Energy Service Technician Arvid Hatlan, Waukon EMS Association President Dave Martin and Black Hills Energy Operations Supervisor Ivan Hackman. Submitted photo.
 

Waukon volunteer firefighter Brad Krambeer was recently recognized for reaching the 25-year milestone of active service with the Waukon Area Fire Protection District. Pictured above, left to right, Krambeer receives a watch in honor of his 25 years of service from Waukon Fire Chief Dave Martin at the District’s annual Wives Appreciation Supper held in January. Submitted photo.
 

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, March 16 to address a full agenda of items including the discussion and consideration of coronavirus actions, setting a letting date for gravel resurfacing and the consideration of a Health Insurance Committee recommendation.

Before moving into Public Comment, Board Chairperson Larry Schellhammer and Supervisors Dan Byrnes and Dennis Koenig agreed to move agenda items relating to health insurance matters to later in the meeting to allow for the arrival of Benefits Consultant Brian Huinker of Midwest Group Benefits, Inc., who was delayed due to a schedule conflict. The Supervisors added an emergency agenda item relating to the discussion and consideration of coronavirus actions.