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by Bob Beach

Allamakee County Conservation Director Jim Janett recently led members of the County Conservation Board on a tour of several of the many sites established and maintained by Allamakee County Conservation. The first stop on the tour was Stonebrook Park (pictured), located across the road from the former location of the Old Stone House on the banks of the Yellow River in southern Allamakee County. Construction of a new shelter house was recently completed at the site, along with an information kiosk, outhouse and handicapped-accessible walkways connecting them. The group also visited the Volney Conservation Park, located at the junction of Bear Creek and the Yellow River, where playground equipment purchased with funds from a Carver Grant was installed several years ago. The final stop on the tour was the Kolsrud Memorial Park near Waterville, which was donated by the Robert and Eunice Kolsrud family in memory of Helmer and Emma Kolsrud.

by Bob Beach

The Allamakee County Public Safety Committee invited city officials and township trustees to a public meeting Thursday evening, October 2 regarding the proposed construction of a new jail and public safety center and the $4.9 million bond referendum to fund the project. Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick opened the meeting by saying that his job is to operate the County's jail, not to tell people how to vote.
That said, Mellick went on to give a detailed presentation covering the history of the proposed project, the deficiencies of the current jail facility, the options reviewed by the Public Safety Committee and associated costs. He concluded his presentation with a review of the layout of the proposed facility.

The first of what is anticipated to be many Waukon Community Meals was held at First Presbyterian Church in Waukon Monday, September 29, and event organizers say that "by all signs, it was a successful, well-received beginning." It was estimated that approximately 175 people were served at the inaugural event, not including the kitchen and dining room workers. Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon provided, prepared and served this first meal, with a broad cross-section of ages witnessed as both attending the event and helping with preparation, serving and clean-up.

by Bob Beach

Waukon High School seniors Thea Meyer (left) and Gunnar Grangaard (right) were crowned Waukon High School's 2014 Homecoming Queen and King at the traditional "Burning of the 'W'" pep rally Thursday evening, September 25 at the Waukon High School gym. Additional photos of Waukon High School's Homecoming events may be viewed by clicking on the Photo Galleries link.

The Great Annual Model A Ride Around Iowa (GAMARAI), sponsored by the Central Iowa Chapter of the Model A Ford Club of America, passed through Waukon Wednesday, September 17. The route of this year's event included a five-day tour throughout northeast Iowa, which included two days exploring the Decorah area before passing through Waukon on the way to Prairie du Chien, WI, concluding Thursday, September 18 in Waterloo. Submitted photo.
 

The Standard newspaper will be issuing questionnaires to candidates involved in contested races on this year's November 4 General Election ballot. In an effort to base those questions for the candidates on the issues of greatest concern to the people they will be representing, The Standard is asking residents of Allamakee County to submit questions they would like to have considered for inclusion in the General Election questionnaire.
Questions for the candidates must be based on issues and not on personal or private matters. Not all questions will be included on the questionnaire, but all questions will be considered and those appearing with the most frequency will likely be prioritized for inclusion.

The Allamakee County Public Safety Committee will be presenting its findings to Township Trustees and city officials regarding the need to construct a new jail and public safety center at 7 p.m. in the large courtroom at the Allamakee County Courthouse in Waukon Thursday, October 2. The public is welcome to attend the informational meeting.
Members of the Committee will also give presentations regarding the proposed facility during a meeting at the Allamakee County Farm Bureau building Saturday, October 4 at 10 a.m. and at upcoming city council meetings throughout the county during the month of October, beginning with the Waukon and Waterville City Councils Monday night, October 6.
Other informational public meetings will be scheduled during the month of October to inform voters about the $4.9 million dollar bond referendum on the November 4 ballot to fund the construction of the proposed facility.
 

by Bob Beach

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met Tuesday, September 23 with Kim Waters, Allamakee County Coordinator of Disabilities Services, who reviewed the services available to those in the County with mental illnesses and/or developmental disabilities. Waters explained that there had been numerous changes since the implementation of the federal Affordable Care Act and the regionalization of mental health and developmental disabilities services (MH/DD), but overall the services offered have remained stable throughout the process. She noted that Allamakee County is fortunate to be able to offer services to those with traumatic brain injuries, as there are other counties that are not able to offer those services. Waters also reviewed the agenda for the upcoming meeting of the County Social Services Board, the governing body of the MH/DD region that includes Allamakee County, along with 20 other counties.