2011 Year in Review Part I: January - June

The items below summarize the top news stories that appeared in The Standard during the first six months of 2011.

January
During its first regular meeting of the year Monday, January 3, the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met with County Attorney Jill Kistler, who presented the Board with a resolution to prohibit firearms and other weapons in and around the courthouse. Kistler explained that the resolution presented was based on guidance received from the Iowa Attorney General’s office and would make it unlawful for anyone to carry a weapon or firearm on courthouse property (including the Relief Services and Veterans Affairs offices across 1st Avenue NW), even if they had been issued a non-professional permit to carry weapons. Those with professional permits to carry weapons (such as law enforcement officers) are exempt under the resolution, which the Board passed unanimously.

Rep. Bob Hager (R-Dorchester) took his oath of office in the Iowa House chamber as the 84th General Assembly kicked off Monday at the Capitol building in Des Moines. The swearing in ceremony of all 100 state representatives began a week full of ceremonies, including the condition of the state address by the governor, and the condition of the judiciary address by the Iowa Supreme Court chief justice. A full slate of committee work began as well, as bills began the process it takes to get them to the House floor for full debate.

Aside from an expected snowstorm that was gripping the area, December 20, 2010 began and appeared like any normal, cold winter day along Hartley Drive in rural New Albin, where the hog confinement facilities owned by the Dave and Ross Weymiller families is located.
After staff exited the facilities at 2 p.m., Ross Weymiller drove around the hog confinement buildings at 2:45 p.m. for one last look to satisfy any concerns. This has been a particular routine that has been repeated since the opening of the business some three years ago. Little did Ross know that within an hour of that final look, two of the facility’s buildings would be in flames.
The fire was officially over some 24 hours later but the main thrust and damage was done within a couple of hours from the initial alarm. Besides the loss of the two main buildings, 400 of the 2,200 sows in the sow confinement perished, plus all 480 sows with litters in the farrowing house were consumed.

February
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, MN announced Monday, February 7 the 2011 winners of the Morgan Wootten Award for Lifetime Achievement in Coaching High School Basketball. The annual award, one for boys basketball and one for girls basketball, is named after Morgan Wootten, one of two coaches enshrined into the Basketball Hall of Fame that exclusively coached high school basketball.
Waukon High School girls basketball coach Gene Klinge was announced as the 2011 winner of the Morgan Wootten Award for girls basketball. Coach Klinge has been on the sidelines coaching for nearly 50 years, including the transition from six-player to five-player basketball in the state of Iowa.

Kay Zimmerman of Waukon was honored with the Waukon Chamber of Commerce Person of the Year Award at the Chamber’s annual banquet held Friday, February 25 at the Waukon Banquet Center. Zimmerman was nominated for the award by the Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Foundation Board, on which she serves as Vice President as one of her many volunteer activities. Zimmerman’s nomination mentioned her “leadership and vision” as well as her “volunteer hours and enthusiasm” in helping guide the Board, especially through the bond campaigns that made the new NICC Waukon Center a reality. The nomination also listed her volunteer efforts as a member of the Waukon Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission Board of Directors, and within the St. Mary’s Lycurgus and St. Patrick parishes, and also included a letter of support from Allamakee Community School District Superintendent Dave Herold, who serves with Zimmerman on the Waukon Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. In accepting the award, Zimmerman said she was “humbled; I don’t think I’ve done enough.”

March
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) hosted a public meeting Tuesday evening, March 1 at the Waukon Banquet Center in order to address public concerns about the DNR’s harvesting of free-roaming elk in southern Allamakee County and the larger issue of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).
Over 100 residents of Allamakee and surrounding counties attended the meeting, which was led by DNR Wildlife Biologist Terry Haindfield, DNR Wildlife Bureau Chief Dr. Dale Garner and IDALS State Veterinarian Dr. David Schmidt. Following a very detailed presentation by Garner and Schmidt on CWD and other diseases, those in attendance were encouraged to submit questions on notecards for further discussion.
Haindfield said that he understands the passion and good intentions on all sides regarding the free-roaming elk. As a wildlife biologist, Haindfield said that he is compassionate for wildlife and that “the hardest thing I have to do is put down a diseased animal.” He said he hoped that the meeting would help people to see the issue with “different eyes” in light of the recent discovery of CWD in a deer near Pine Island, MN. Haindfield added that “we are lucky not to have this disease in northeast Iowa. Hopefully we can keep it that way.”

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met Monday, March 21 with attorney Rick Zahasky, who has been representing the County in union contract negotiations with Secondary Roads and Sheriff’s Department employees. Zahasky reported that both unions had accepted the County’s offer of a 45-cent per hour raise for Sheriff’s Department employees and a 50-cent per hour raise for Secondary Roads employees.
As it has already done with its other employees, the County will increase its contribution to health insurance costs to match the full cost of a single plan. Zahasky said that a multi-year contract was discussed, but ultimately both sides agreed that a one-year contract was appropriate this year, considering potential changes on the horizon in health care laws and the collective bargaining rights of public employees. The Board voted unanimously to approve the proposal, directing Zahasky to draw up contracts to be signed by the Board and by union representatives.

April
The Waukon City Council met in regular session the evening of Monday, April 4 with the full council in attendance.  However, the meeting was far from regular as the focus was on the proposed assessments regarding the Third Avenue NW Street Project. It was standing room only as approximately 60 concerned citizens were in attendance to address the Council with their questions and comments.
The meeting began with a presentation by the City. Following Mayor Loren Beneke laying down some ground rules for the meeting, City Engineer Lyle TeKippe gave a relatively brief but descriptive review of the project. He explained that whereever possible, driveways, curb and gutter and sidewalks will be left as-is. The proposed upgrade would include some work to the street base, which would mainly consist of prep work to the current road, followed by a three-inch overlay of blacktop. A majority of the street is currently 31 feet wide, but there is a portion at the east end that is currently 24 feet wide but slated to be widened to 31 feet as well to avoid what TeKippe referred to as a “bottle neck” in that area.
Next, Councilman John Ellingson used a slide presentation to present the proposed funding of the project. Before starting, Ellingson told those in attendance, “I’m sure you feel like you’re being picked on”, and went on to explain that the current rate at which the City is repairing or replacing streets is at a far slower pace than is needed to keep up with the work that is needed. Ellingson talked about the Council developing a plan that could be used throughout the city and that this was expected to be the first of many projects that were handled similarly, though different underlying issues or unique situations from project to project were inevitable.

Over 250 graduating seniors from Postville, MFL/MarMac, Kee and Waukon high schools attended “Reality 101” at Waukon High School Wednesday, March 30. More than 80 individuals and businesses volunteered their time to create a real life financial scenario for all of these students preparing for graduation.
Each student was given a career and monthly income based on northeast Iowa wages, and was then required to visit each of the 30 stations to open a bank account, pay their taxes, purchase an automobile and insurance, and pay for daycare, groceries, household supplies, veterinarian expenses, health and life insurance, etc. They were also visited by a roaming officer who issued many tickets for traffic violations, and a roaming nurse who had to charge full price for medical services to any students who had not elected to purchase health insurance.
In addition, the students were also dealt fate cards that caused them even additional out-of-pocket expenses due to fictitious scenarios such as broken water pipes or vehicle repair - all things that can and do unexpectedly happen in real life.

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met with Allamakee County Waste Management Director Dave Mooney at its Monday, April 11 regular session to discuss ongoing problems at the Dalby dump site near Waterville. There are currently five rural dump sites in the county intended for use by rural residents for disposal of household waste, but Mooney said all of the sites are being abused.
In addition to being used for the illegal disposal of construction waste and appliances, the Dalby site has also fallen victim to vandalism and arson in the past. Mooney added that Allamakee County is the only county in the state with sites where dumping is allowed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. “If you leave it open dumping, like we have now, you’re going to have problems,” Mooney said.
Mooney told the Board that the County’s contract with Waste Management, Inc. for emptying of the dumpsters at the rural sites will be up for renewal this fall. He suggested closing all of the rural sites at that time and either contracting for a garbage and recycling truck to sit for four hours one day a week at each site, or opening a second recycling center.
Supervisor Larry Schellhammer said that the county-wide problem of the rural dump sites should be addressed at the end of the current contract, but suggested more immediate action with regard to the Dalby site. Schellhammer moved to close the Dalby site as soon as possible, to arrange for four hours of manned service weekly at the Secondary Roads shop facility near Waterville, and to expand the open hours at the Rural Recycling Center to include either Saturday or evening hours of operation. The Board passed the motion unanimously and Mooney said that everything should be in place in a couple weeks.

The Waukon City Council met in special session the evening of Thursday, April 7, with the full council in attendance. The first part of the meeting involved a discussion between the council members on how to best develop a long range street improvements plan. No decision was made and discussions will continue.
At 7 p.m., discussion turned to the proposed assessments to property owners for the Third Avenue NW street improvement project. Unlike the previous packed house when the public hearing was held the previous Monday, the council room was approximately half-filled this time around. Councilman Joe Cunningham stated that 40 handwritten objections had been presented at the previous meeting and had since been reviewed. He then read verbatim the proposed “resolution of necessity” that was being addressed. Cunningham then made a motion to approve the resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Trent Mitchell.
The resolution would require property owners along the street to share the improvement costs at a 60/40 rate, with the City including an additional $100,000 upfront, buying down the property owners’ portion to roughly 35%. Some discussion then took place prior to the vote. Councilman Steve Wiedner questioned if there was any way the proposed 40% assessment to property owners could be lowered, but then said the Council was “trying to make a good start for the good of the city”, and the Council unanimously approved the vote.

Despite the measurements of the Mississippi River at Lansing coming up just shy of the official flood stage of 18 feet, there were still some obvious difficulties caused by the high water levels the river has reached during the period of spring thaw mixed with spring showers and thunderstorms. The City Marina in Lansing was one example of the high water problems, as fuel tanks, restroom facilities and T.J.’s Tiki Bar were all surrounded as of Sunday, April 17. Statistics from the National Weather Service (NWS) show the Mississippi having reached its crest in Lansing of 17.61 feet around 8 p.m. Sunday evening, April 17 with a forecast of steady decline of water levels as this week plays out. Further statistical data featured on the National Weather Service website shows that this year’s crest ranks just within the top 10 of the historical crests recorded by the NWS, the highest since 2001’s second-ranked crest of 19.93 feet but still well below the all-time crest of 22.5 feet recorded April 24, 1965. Coincidentally (perhaps), seven of Lansing’s top 10 historic crests listed by NWS all took place within a timeframe of April 15 to April 24.
 
During its regular meeting Monday, April 18, the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors approved the second reading of the proposed flood plain management ordinance that would qualify the County to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Having heard no further comments or concerns about the ordinance, the Board voted unanimously to waive the third and final reading of the ordinance and to pass the ordinance, which went into effect immediately. The Board also passed a resolution of intent to participate in the NFIP.

May
With a sudden medical condition claiming the life of Allamakee County Supervisor Cloy Kuhse, County officials approved flying flags at the Allamakee County Courthouse at half staff the day of Kuhse’s funeral service, which was held Friday, May 6. Kuhse was elected to the Board during the Fall 2008 General Election and served as the Board’s chairperson since January of this year, with just under two years remaining of his current term on the Board.
A statement read to Allamakee County staff members by fellow Supervisor Sherry Strub during the Monday, May 2 Supervisor session explained that a blood clot in Kuhse’s leg reached vital organs, resulting in him being airlifted to Gundersen Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse, WI Friday, April 29, and he ultimately passed away Sunday evening, May 1. The statement further outlined, “Cloy’s presence here is, and will be, greatly missed. It is our intent to honor Cloy by continuing to serve and lead the residents of Allamakee County. We are confident that with your help we can continue with business as usual and lead the county in a positive way.”

Supervisor Larry Schellhammer was elected to serve as Chairman of the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors during the Board’s regular meeting Monday, May 9, the position formerly held by the late Cloy Kuhse. Allamakee County Recorder Deb Winke announced that a committee made up of herself, Treasurer Lori Hesse and Auditor Pam Benjegerdes has called for special election to fill Kuhse’s seat on the Board, in accordance with Iowa Code. The election was scheduled for June 14.

Allamakee County Auditor Pam Benjegerdes reported that three candidates will appear on the ballot in the special election scheduled for June 14 to fill the vacant seat on the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors.
After reconvening their convention Monday, May 16, Allamakee County Republicans nominated former State Senator Mark Zeiman of Postville as the party’s candidate for the position.
Tuesday, May 17, Allamakee County Democrats reconvened their convention and nominated former Chairman of the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors Lennie Burke as the party’s candidate.
Drew Hager of Waukon, owner of the Royal Car Wash and manager of the Waukon Golf and Country Club, added his name to the ballot Friday, May 20 by presenting a petition with the required number of signatures.

The Eastern Allamakee Community School (EACS) District Board of Directors met Wednesday, May 18 at Kee High School in Lansing for its regular monthly session.
In one of the main agenda items for the meeting, the Board accepted the resignation of Pat Heiderscheit, the District’s Principal/Superintendent. After nine years in the EACS District, Heiderscheit has accepted a position with Keystone Area Education Agency. His superintendent duties will be assumed by Dr. Dale Crozier, Superintendent for the MFL/MarMac School District. Crozier will be spending 20% of his time with EACS and 80% with MFL/MarMac.

June
During it’s regular meeting Monday, June 13, the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met with Allamakee County Economic Development Executive Director Laura Olson, who presented the Board with a resolution stating the Board’s support for a new business with plans to locate a facility in Waukon. Olson said that Aveka Inc., based in Woodbury, MN, will bring approximately 30 jobs to Waukon. Olson added that Aveka, the parent company of Cresco Food Technologies and Aveka Manufacturing in Fredericksburg, has no plan to close or reduce staff at its other Iowa facilities. The Board approved the resolution.

Former Chairman of the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors Lennie Burke will be returning to the Board of Supervisors after the special election Tuesday, June 14 to fill the vacant seat on the Board formerly held by the late Cloy Kuhse. Vote totals from the office of the Allamakee County Commissioner of Elections indicate that Burke, the Democratic nominee, received 1,054 votes, defeating Drew Hager of Waukon, who was nominated by petition (831 votes), and former State Senator Mark Zieman of Postville, the Republican nominee (659 votes).