Frac sand, cannon fire and flooding: The Standard's Year 2013 in Review - Part I

The items below summarize the top news stories that appeared in The Standard during the first six months of 2013.

JANUARY
Veterans Memorial Hospital physicians and staff announced that Landon Steven David Wilkes, son of Steven and Natasha Wilkes of Waukon, was the winner of the First Baby of the Year Contest at Veterans Memorial Hospital.
Landon was born January 2, 2013 at 6:52 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Hospital. Dr. David Schwartz was his physician. Landon weighed 8 pounds, 11 ounces and measured 21 1/2 inches in length when he arrived.

Due to the unexpected resignation of Lansing Mayor Joe Strobel, the meeting of the Lansing City Council Monday night, January 21 was conducted by Mayor Pro-tem Bill Burke. In a letter to the Council dated January 18, Mayor Strobel cited health concerns and employment commitments as reasons for his resignation. The Council voted to accept his resignation.
The City Clerk read the options for selecting a new Mayor, which include selecting a Mayor by appointment or by special election. After discussion it was agreed to hold a special election. The special election was later scheduled for Tuesday, March 5.

FEBRUARY
At its Monday, February 4 regular meeting, the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to approve a moratorium on frac sand mining through July 1, 2014. The Board's decision to impose the moratorium followed a public hearing Thursday, January 31, 2013 which drew more than 40 people who attended to support the moratorium.

Dr. David Schwartz was named "Person of the Year" at the Waukon Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet held Friday, February 22 at the Waukon Banquet Center. The award is given to an individual who "has made a difference in the community through dedication and service to the community," and the nomination information for Dr. Schwartz included specific examples of that very characteristic he possesses, including his "outstanding bedside manner and lifelong learning and support for health care in a rural setting".
In addition to his services as a health care provider, the nomination also cited his volunteer efforts at area sporting events, including coaching of youth sports, as well as the many other activities he volunteers for through his family's involvement in the school district and the Waukon Chamber of Commerce. Others recognized at the annual banquet included Kathy Hay as Volunteer of the Year, WW Homestead Dairy was named New Business of the Year and Howard Home Furnishing was named Business of the Year.

MARCH
During the regular meeting of the Lansing City Council Monday, March 4 Council member Deb Volker read a statement calling for Bill Burke’s resignation: “As a Council in general, we all have a responsibility to the citizens of Lansing. Our responsibility cannot and should not be based on vengeance and petty arguments. I have spoken to legal counsel today and was instructed that it was totally legal to ask you, Bill Burke, to resign from the City government of Lansing, Iowa. As you know, the entire Council has been served with papers from the County Attorney. The largest part of the Council had nothing to do with this. However, it has done some terrible damage to this Council’s reputation. It is time we are allowed to rebuild this trust.”  
Bill Burke responded to the statement with, “Your misunderstanding of the reason for that incident relates back to your own actions. That will be resolved when we deal with the complaint that’s been filed. And it will be an eye opener. I have no intention of resigning.”
Mike Verdon was elected to be Lansing’s new Mayor following the special election held Tuesday, March 5. Lansing voters chose Verdon over current Lansing City Councilwoman Deb Volker by a 196 to 25 vote margin, with five other write-in votes being cast in the election. Verdon was sworn in as Lansing's new mayor Thursday, March 7.
During the regular meeting of the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors Monday, March 25, the Board issued a statement regarding the planned closure of the Makee Manor residential care facility: “The Allamakee Board of Supervisors accepts the decision of the Makee Manor Board to close its facility. Makee Manor has been a county institution for decades and its role in our county’s history has been significant. The Board of Supervisors recognizes that this has been a difficult decision for the current Makee Manor Board and has nothing but gratitude and praise for its current and past employees and management. The staff at Makee Manor assures our community that placement of the residents is their top priority. The Allamakee Board of Supervisors will endeavor to find the best future use for this iconic facility.”

APRIL
During its regular meeting Monday, April 1, The Lansing Council discussed the possibility of holding a special election in order to stagger Council terms of office. The current Lansing City Code provides terms of office that expire simultaneously every two years. The Council feels this arrangement does not allow continuity of experience among Council members.
In a memo, City Attorney Richard Zahasky explained the process, citing Section 376.2 of the Code of Iowa. Upon receipt of a petition signed by eligible voters and filed with the City, this special election would then be held prior to the next regular City election so that the new terms would implemented immediately following the regular City election in November.
All current Council members would be listed on the ballot; the three who receive the most votes would be elected for four-year terms, the remainder for two-year terms. The Council unanimously approved the item and the City Clerk directed to create the petition.

During its regular meeting Monday, April 15, the Waukon City Council met with City Attorney Jim Garrett and Dave and Clark Stilwell of West Side Waukon Lumber regarding a development agreement under which a 3,500 to 5,000 square foot retail store would replace the mobile home court currently in place on West Main Street. The building that currently houses the Allamakee County Food Shelf would remain in place and residents of the mobile home park had been notified of the park’s pending removal.

Live Healthy Iowa announced its 2013 Cup Challenge winners at a press conference held Wednesday, April 24 in the State Capitol Rotunda in Des Moines, and for the second consecutive year, Allamakee County was crowned the winner of the Community Cup Challenge.
With 38 communities competing in this year's Community Cup Challenge, a point system based on participation percentage of eligible population and percentage of completion for the entire 10-Week Challenge racked up a championship total of 75 points for Allamakee County, leaving second-place Grundy County behind by seven points and pushing Allamakee County to the top of the competition for the second consecutive year.

Members of the Waukon area community gathered in the Community Room at Farmers and Merchants Savings Bank in Waukon Thursday evening, April 25 to learn more about the Community to Community program coordinated by Iowa State University (ISU) designed to address a revitalization process for the Waukon community. The event began a two-year process during which ISU staff will first identify the needs of the Waukon community using economic analysis and community surveys before beginning to suggest strategies to enhance economic development.

MAY
During its regular meeting Monday, May 6 the Lansing City Council reviewed and considered a petition submitted by the Mayor for the removal of longtime Councilman Bill Burke from the Council, pursuant to Title I, Chapter 1, Article 6A, Section 6S02 of the Lansing Municipal Code. Mayor Mike Verdon said the specific charges leveled against Burke include “willful misconduct, maladministration in office in his handling of several matters related to violations of the Iowa Open Meetings law which resulted in legal action against members of the City Council in District Court.” The Council formally acknowledged the petition and voted to conduct a public hearing June 3 at 6 p.m. to consider the Petition for Removal.

JUNE
The Lansing City Council met in regular session Monday night, June 3. Mayor Mike Verdon opened a scheduled public hearing at 6 p.m., and in a dramatic and unprecedented decision, the Council voted to remove Bill Burke from the Council for alleged willful misconduct, maladministration in office and violations of open meetings laws.
Documents from various sources were presented by Mayor Verdon, including a 2012 letter from City Attorney Rick Zahasky to previous City Clerk Carolyn Thorsten, advising that the two reasons given to call a proposed special “executive/closed session” did not qualify for a closed session.
The City Clerk forwarded the letter to the Council and 50 minutes later received a response from Burke with copies to the other Council members. March 27, 2013 Attorney Danita Grant, the attorney hired by the City’s insurance underwriter, informed the Council that she had reviewed the documents. She filed an answer denying the claim based on the limited information she had available at the time, including the recorded transcripts from the September 4 meeting. “Based on my analysis, the County Attorney has made some legitimate allegations. I expect that if this case goes to trial, the Judge will enter a ruling in favor of the County Attorney on some of the allegations she has made.” Verdon stated the County Attorney would dismiss the charges if Councilman Burke were to resign.
Burke and his attorney, Barrett Gipp from Decorah, were both present and answered the charges. After a brief discussion and statements from Council members, the Council voted to remove Burke. Verdon instructed Burke to return all City items in his possession. Tuesday morning, Burke stated that he would appeal the Council’s decision.

A two-day break in the weather June 19-20 was a mixed blessing for the 27th annual Farm Progress Hay Expo hosted by Regancrest Farm north of Waukon.  Hay Expo Marketing Specialist Dena Morgan said the Wednesday attendance at the event was affected by the nice weather, as farmers took the opportunity to stay home and put in their own crops. “So many are catching up on their beans and their own hay,” said Morgan, who later said Thursday saw better attendance. “The Regans were very easy to work with. We had to change several things at the last minute.”
Morgan said while the demonstrations were to have included second-crop hay, the Regans planned ahead for the wet conditions and saved some first crop to mow during the Expo. Organizers ended up switching some things around, moving the displays to an area which was better for the exhibits. Morgan said surveys indicated attendants came from all over the Midwest, including Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa and Minnesota.  “It was our biggest show ever, with 110 exhibitors,” she said.

On the heels of an epic drought last year, Mother Nature unleashed her fury the weekend of June 22 and 23, 2013 causing torrential downpours which caused major flooding countywide. The Standard’s office on First Street Northwest was among the hardest hit by flash flooding. With very few exceptions, everything in the office was destroyed by flood waters, which rose to approximately five feet in front of the building, and around three and a half feet throughout the office. Other businesses that suffered heavy damage from flood waters included JaDecc'S Computer Center, McMillan Muffler, Cunningham Hardware, Video Connection and Full Circle Consignments.
The basements of many homes were also filled with sewer water as storm water infiltrated Waukon's sanitary system, backing sewer water up through floor drains, washing machines, sinks and toilets.
Heavy rains were also responsible for mudslides that damaged several homes in the Lansing area. Many area roads and bridges were also damaged and campers in Yellow River State Forest had to be evacuated due to flood water.
While county and city governments received federal assistance to repair publicly owned infrastructure, there was no help to be found from the state or federal government for home owners and businesses. Very few business owners and home owners carried flood insurance, so there was little help from there either. Home owners and businesses did, however, benefit from the help of dedicated volunteers who contributed countless hours of backbreaking work to clean-up efforts.