River Valley

by B.J. Tomlinson

Because of scheduling conflicts, the Lansing City Council could not meet Monday, February 20 and, instead, met in a delayed regular session Tuesday, February 21. After approving the Consent Agenda, the Council adopted the Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2017 and set Monday, March 13 at 7 p.m. for the Public Hearing. Those residents interested in discussing the proposed budget are invited to attend.

In observance of the community of Lansing’s Sesquicentennial 150th birthday being celebrated this year, Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library has put together monthly programs, and more, regarding the history and exploration of Lansing. Some of those programs will address the fur trade, the river, mining, how the community grew from the lumber mills, to grain elevators, to mercantile, manufacturing, tourism, along with the people, their heritage and their livelihood.

To start the year off, “Coffees with Lansing’s Elders: Talking about how got to where we are” will be held Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. in March (March 4, 11, 18 and 25) at the library. Everyone is welcome to come join the roundtable, participate or just listen in.
Additional history programs will be held Thursdays, with exceptions, at 6:30 p.m., with a soup supper beginning at 5:30 p.m. Current scheduled history programs include the following:

Lansing Hardware, owned and operated by Dave and Laurie Janzen in Lansing, received the 2016 President’s Paint Award at United Hardware Distributing Company’s Spring and Summer Buying Market, which was held January 6-8 at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, MN. The President’s Paint Award is given to the top 100 stores overall that excelled in paint sales and promotions for United Hardware Distributing Company during 2016. Pictured above, left to right, Dave and Laurie Janzen accept the award from Steve Draeger, President and CEO of United Hardware Distributing Co., which is the parent company of Hardware Hank and Trustworthy Hardware stores and is located in Plymouth, MN. Submitted photo.
 

by Anne Falken

A year has come and gone since the last report on the New Albin wastewater treatment plant proposal, but the New Albin City Council has been working diligently with Fehr Graham Engineers out of West Union and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to gain a Letter of Consent, which would set out a timeline toward the permit needed to implement a new wastewater treatment system within the community of New Albin.

The City of New Albin wants to incorporate the Algaewheel system, an innovative wastewater treatment system invented at the OneWater Company out of Indianapolis, IN. The present New Albin treatment plant was built in the late 1960s and is currently not compliant with regulations.

In August 2016, the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge (Refuge) released 23 revised draft Compatibility Determinations (CDs) which re-evaluated uses of the Refuge that were determined to be compatible with the Refuge mission. The original Compatibility Determinations were completed in 2006 as part of the Refuge’s Comprehensive Conservation Plan and are required to be re-evaluated.

The Lansing Veterans Memorial Association has donated $3,000 to the Lansing Parks Board to develop a Veterans Memorial patio adjacent to the south side of the existing park shelter on Mt Hosmer in Lansing. Pictured at right, Veterans Memorial Association President Bill Burke (right) recently presented the Association's check to Lansing City Parks Board Chairman Dave Pleasants (left), the funds of which will be placed into a City fund for the memorial patio.
 

Tim Alberts (pictured at right in photo), Quartermaster of Lansing VFW Post 5981, presented a check for $200 from the VFW to the Lansing Ambulance and EMT service. Accepting the check on behalf of the Lansing Ambulance/EMT service are Ann and Matthew Wagner (pictured left to right at left in the above photo). The Wagners also were recently presented with the Lansing VFW Community Service Award for 2016 for their continuing contribution and dedication to the Lansing Ambulance/EMT service and their involvement in other local organizations and church activities that have benefited the Lansing community. Submitted photo.
 

Lansing’s third annual WinterFest scheduled for Saturday, February 18 will have a special purpose this year. While WinterFest started with the organization committee from Main Street Lansing in Lansing, the group has branched out this year to partner with the Lansing Lions Club to promote family fun and fundraising for new playground equipment in the Front Street park down by the ball diamond.

Several old wooden playground pieces at the park have had to be dismantled, leaving a real need for an enhanced playground space. Equipment and improvements to the area will cost approximately $60,000. The Lansing Lions have taken on the task of raising funds to get this project done. The WinterFest committee agreed that a whole community event was a great way to start this fundraiser. All profits from WinterFest will go to the fundraising for the park.

by B.J. Tomlinson

The Lansing City Council met in regular session Monday, February 6 and reviewed two applications for the Council seat left vacant by the resignation of Don Peters. After discussion, Lansing resident Stephanie Runkle was selected and immediately seated at the Council table.

The next regular Council meeting date was changed from February 20 to February 21 because of scheduling conflicts. The Council also postponed setting the Public Hearing date for the South Road Bridge Replacement Project  until February 21. Spring Clean-Up Day was scheduled for April 18.

Main Street Lansing and KNEI Radio will be sponsoring the Allamakee County Chili Cook-Off in conjunction with Lansing’s WinterFest again this year. The Chili Cook-Off is scheduled to take place from 4-6 p.m. Saturday, February 18 at T.J. Hunters Banquet Hall in Lansing as the final event of the day-long WinterFest celebration.

Competition will be held in two divisions: Individual and Business. Prizes in the Individual division include $100, $50 and $25 in cash, with the Business division winner being awarded a traveling trophy. The general public in attendance will be tasting and voting for their favorite chili to determine the winners.

Those wishing to participate need to register by February 13. Registration forms are available at the Main Street Lansing office and Red Geranium Floral and Gifts in Lansing, as well as online at www.mainstreetlansing.com.