Students at Waukon High School received some first-hand experience with the effects of impaired and distracted driving when the world-renowned Save A Life Tour: Safe Driving Awareness Program visited Waukon Friday, September 8. Freshman through senior students first all attended an hour-long assembly that began at the start of the school day with a thought-provoking video followed by a live presentation in which Save A Life Tour presenters shared some of their own personal experiences with impaired or distracted driving, some of which included the loss of a family member or other far-reaching impact.
The Allamakee County Housing Needs Assessment Countywide Task Force will be holding a Kick-Off Meeting for an Allamakee County Housing Study to be conducted over the next nine months. With input needed from all areas, all residents of Allamakee County are invited to this initial meeting scheduled for Wednesday, September 20 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Waukon Center, Room 113. Those attending are asked to RSVP to Allamakee County Economic Development Executive Director Val Reinke by emailing aced@mchsi.com or calling 563-568-2624.
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in a pair of regular sessions within the past week due to the Labor Day holiday Monday, September 4. Coverage of both the Tuesday, September 5 and Monday, September 11 regular Board sessions appears below.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Tuesday, September 5, delayed a day due to the Labor Day holiday Monday, September 4. The Board met at the Waterville Public Library to address a full agenda of items, including the language for the Bid Notice for the rental of the County Farm cropland and pasture, the Liquor License approval for the Allamakee County Conservation Foundation and setting a date and time for a Public Hearing for the Social Host Ordinance LVIII.
Waukon Park, Recreation and Wellness was awarded $10,000 from the RAGBRAI Waukon 2017 profit of $32,000 to be designated for the construction of tennis courts. Pictured above, left to right, are Steph Dugan and Ardie Kuhse of the RAGBRAI Waukon Executive Committee, Waukon Park, Recreation and Wellness Director Jeremy Strub, and Dennis Lyons, Stefanie Perkins and Danette Jones of the RAGBRAI Waukon Executive Committee.
The Waukon Police Department was awarded $5,000 from the RAGBRAI Waukon 2017 profit of $32,000 to be designated for equipment. Pictured above, left to right, are Jeremy Strub and Ardie Kuhse of the RAGBRAI Waukon Executive Committee, Waukon Police Department Chief Phil Young and Assistant Chief Paul Wagner, and Dennis Lyons, Stefanie Perkins, Danette Jones and Steph Dugan of the RAGBRAI Waukon Executive Committee.
Members of the Executive Committee and Advisory Board of the local RAGBRAI Waukon organization put some more specific finishing touches on the RAGBRAI event that made its first venture into Allamakee County in four decades and its first-ever overnight stop in Waukon just over a month ago. Those local leaders sat down for a final review with RAGBRAI Director T.J. Juskiewicz and Assistant Director Scott Garner Wednesday, August 30, and members of the Executive Committee also recently distributed shares of the $32,000 profit Waukon RAGBRAI realized from RAGBRAI's Friday, July 28 overnight stop in Waukon.
Both Juskiewicz and Garner had extremely positive comments to share with local leaders in regard to a final review of the overnight event. "Waukon should be absolutely proud of hosting that many people for a first-time event like that," Juskiewicz said. "You guys hit it out of the park!"
Evergreen Marketing, newly located in Waukon, recently received a First Dollar Visit from the Waukon Chamber of Commerce. Pictured above at the First Dollar presentation are, left to right, Waukon Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors member Erica Nosbisch, Katie Danover of Evergreen Marketing, and Waukon Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors member Sherrie Hunstad. Submitted photo.
Being able to make a difference in the lives of business owners she knows and loves is what Katie Danover of newly-established Evergreen Marketing in Waukon sees as the most rewarding aspect of owning her own business. Started just last month, Danover has established Evergreen Marketing as the only marketing agency of its kind in Allamakee County.
“I wanted to help local mom and pop businesses utilize agency-style marketing resources at an affordable price,” Danover says. "We customize every social management plan to each individual customer in order to help them get the best bang for their buck."
Danover recently moved to Waukon when her husband was transferred to Fareway’s Waukon location. The two were married earlier this year. “It was only natural for me to invest in the Waukon community alongside him," Danover said.
The Waukon City Council met in regular session Tuesday, September 5, following the Labor Day holiday. The Public Hearing for the First Avenue NW and Second Street NW Storm Sewer Improvements Project was opened and closed without written or verbal comment.
During Public Comment, Coordinator Ardie Kuhse with Waukon Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) discussed the scheduled tour of the Aveka Nutra Processing facility to take place September 14, inviting the Mayor and City Council to attend.
Under Departmental Reports, Water and Sewer Superintendent Bob Campbell discussed recent tours of wastewater treatment plants in preparation for the planning of Waukon's new wastewater treatment facility. Campbell recommended the oxidation ditch wastewater treatment example as being a good fit for Waukon's needs. Campbell discussed the purchase of a replacement pick-up, which will be added to the next meeting agenda.
The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Master Gardener program will hold its core training sessions this fall for individuals interested in becoming Master Gardeners.
The Master Gardener program is looking for people who are passionate about volunteering and gardening. No previous garden knowledge is required. The program equips volunteers to grow in knowledge about gardening best practices, contribute produce to food banks to enhance food security and make Iowa’s fairgrounds and main streets beautiful.
“Master Gardeners provide information and education to Iowans,” said Susan DeBlieck, ISU Extension and Outreach Master Gardener assistant coordinator. “They are excellent community resources who help make the state a better place to live.”
Information released about the Iowa Legislative Page program is encouraging area students to apply for the 2018 session. Each year the Iowa General Assembly employs Iowa high school juniors and seniors from across the state to serve as Pages during the legislative session.
The duties of Legislative Pages vary slightly, but they generally provide valuable assistance to legislators and legislative staff. Tasks include running the chamber switchboard, delivering messages, distributing legislation, assisting committee chairpersons and sorting amendments. Pages are paid and many schools offer class credit for a student’s work in the Legislature.
Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) has received a grant sub-award in partnership with Kirkwood Community College that will provide more financial assistance for low-income eligible students through the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) Food Assistance Employment and Training (FA E&T) program.
NICC was selected as a community college partner for the grant sub-award in part because of the College’s expansive 5,000-square mile, eight-county service area with a substantial percentage of residents who have not earned a high school diploma or a high school equivalency diploma (HSED) and qualify for food assistance through the FA E&T program.
Just under half of northeast Iowa residents, 49.2 percent, reported a high school diploma, HSED or less as the highest educational level attained – higher than the 42 percent reported statewide, according to EMSI, Inc. Of this population, 8.08 percent of residents 25 and older live in poverty.
At the August 7 Friends of Pool 9 (FOP9) Board meeting, Deb Sullivan presented FOP9 with a check for $2,500 from the Norwex Company. At a recent company convention, Sullivan was informed of grants available to non-profits for being involved in projects to clean the environment. She was aware of the thousands of pounds of debris Friends of Pool 9 volunteers have removed from the Mississippi River annually and decided to apply for the grant. Thanks to the efforts of Deb Sullivan and the Norwex Company, the expenses for the 2018 river clean-up on the Mississippi River are already paid for. FOP9 appreciates the hundreds of volunteers that give their time and efforts to keep the Mississippi River environment a clean and safe place, making Pool 9 one of the best pools on the Upper Mississippi River. The next Pool 9 river clean-up is scheduled for the last Saturday in April.
