As the director of the recently merged West Union Chamber of Commerce and Main Street West Union organizations, Jennifer Tobin joins each of the board members in looking forward to promoting businesses and future events throughout the entire community. The organization continues to seek public input in regard to a name for the group. Anyone wishing to submit a name for the new organization or to volunteer to help with an event, project, and/or committee is asked to contact Tobin at (563) 422-3070. (Mike Van Sickle photo)

Chamber/Main Street merger opens new avenues

By Mike Van Sickle
News Editor
mvansickle@thefayettecountyunion.com

As the merging process continues, the newly combined West Union Chamber of Commerce and Main Street West Union (MSWU) organization is setting a new foundation to further engage the entire community.

“I believe the board members from both organizations look at this as a tremendous benefit to all of our merchants and the entire community,” said Bob Sadler, newly elected president of the yet-to-be named group.

“A connection with the Main Street Iowa program provides more accessibility and an additional avenue for valuable information and opportunities to our local businesses,” he explained.

“All of our businesses are equally important, and this reorganization will open doors to the benefit of each and every one of them,” he continued. “If there was ever a time for additional teamwork, now is the time.”

Sadler noted that former West Union Chamber of Commerce coordinator Jennifer Tobin is settling into her new role as director of the combined MSWU and Chamber offices.  

School board discusses 2016 budget

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

The South Winneshiek school board met Monday night, March 2, in Calmar.

Shared Superintendant Clark Goltz and the South Winn school board discussed options regarding the 2015 fiscal year budget for the district. Current projections show a 4.7 student enrollment decline from 2015 to 2016, which will result in a loss of $29,983.

Goltz informed the board that the cash reserve levy can be used to offset this loss in funds, with a maximum levy amount for the 2016 fiscal year at $425,762, including a $200,000 management fund.

An April 6 budget hearing date has been set and is open for members of the public.

South Winn holds Pop Band and Choir Concert

South Winn choir students performed several popular tunes at the recent Pop Band and Choir Concert, including “Don’t Stop Believing” and a pair of tunes from the popular movie “Frozen.” Proudly entertaining during the recent concert are (front, l-r) Alejandro Koenig, Matthew Meyer, Karissa Kleve, Rhianna Bergstrom, and Maddie Ondrashek; (second row) Kelly Kuboushek, Manning Kubousek, Lucas Feltz, Amy Covell, and Maddie Monroe; (back) Mahagoni Boe, Ethan Kipp, Adam Tollefsrud, Nic Hogan, and Marc Teff. (Zakary Kriener photo)

Council approves FY16 budget

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

The Ossian City Council met Monday night, March 2, and held a public hearing in regard to the 2016 fiscal year budget as well as for borrowing funds to construct a new lift station.

There were no members of the public present to address their concerns with either matter, allowing both measures to voted on and passed.

Reilly Construction engineer Justin Lechtenberg, who had been preparing bids for the Carey’s Park renovation project, Lechtenberg informed the council that Gjere Construction had presented the lowest bid of $36,279 as a base cost, plus the per/ton price of rock. Lechtenberg estimated that the project would require approximately 300 tons of rock. Gjere Construction also guaranteed that the project would be its number-one priority during spring 2015, and it would do everything it could to meet the May 1 completion deadline.

Valley Cub Scout Leader Michelle Shaefers celebrates the local Scouts’ recent Klondike Derby win with Webelos (l-r) J.K. Prentice, Colton Schupbach, Brendan Wander, Nicholas Schaefers, and Shawn Gilson. (Courtesy photo)

Valley Cub Scouts are Klondike champs

For the second time in the program’s history, the Webelos from Valley Cub Scout Pack 53 recently brought home the Winnebago Council BSA's Klondike Derby championship trophy.

The Klondike Derby is a test of Scouting skills such as map reading and orienteering, using various knots, building a campfire, first aid, wildlife, and demonstrating teamwork and leadership skills. ​

Library budget focus of public hearing

Brian Smith
bsmith@fayettepublishing.com

            Several Elgin residents, including members of the library board and the Friends of the Elgin Library, were in attendance at the Elgin City Council meeting on Monday night, March 2. A public hearing for the 2016 Fiscal Year budget was scheduled for 7:30 p.m., and many of those present expressed their opinion regarding the budget for the Elgin library.

           Harriet Blockhus addressed the council on behalf of the Friends of the Elgin Library. She expressed a desire for the Elgin City Council, the Elgin Library Board, and the Friends of the Elgin Library to work together to promote the welfare and growth of the library.

           “We ask that the council provide 10 percent of the total library budget, which is a requirement for state accreditation. The council, the library board and the Friends of the Elgin Library need to work together to keep our Four-Star library successful,” added the Elgin resident.

Among the North Fayette Valley Middle School students rehearsing for the school's March 13 drama production are (l-r) Madison Voshell, Chloe Cummings, and Bethany Merkle. (Mike Van Sickle photo)

Middle school cast preparing for stage debut

The cast and crew continue to rehearse for the upcoming North Fayette Valley Middle School drama.

Under the direction of Rick Scheffert and assistant Shirleen Reinhardt, the participating students will perform two one-act plays, “Skid Marks” and “This Phone Will Explode in 5 Seconds.”

The Friday, March 13, production will also include a series of dramatic and humorous monologues, including "The Big Bad Wolf,” "Kill First/Gloat Later,” "I Need Detention,” "Demons,” "Breaking Up,” "Facing Death," and "Die and Leave Thee.”

The construction of Fayette’s new memory care unit, Maple Memory Lane, is finally down to the interior details. The new unit is on track to open soon. 

It's all in the details at Maple Memory Lane

Megan Mohlis
Contributing Writer

As the new addition to Maple Crest Manor in Fayette begins to look more and more like a building on the outside, the attention to detail going on inside is even more impressive. Maple Memory Lane will serve as a memory care unit that integrates all of the newest research creating the best home possible for its residents.

The construction of Fayette’s new memory care unit, Maple Memory Lane, is finally down to the interior details. The new unit is on track to open soon. 

It's all in the details at Maple Memory Lane

Megan Mohlis
Contributing Writer

As the new addition to Maple Crest Manor in Fayette begins to look more and more like a building on the outside, the attention to detail going on inside is even more impressive. Maple Memory Lane will serve as a memory care unit that integrates all of the newest research creating the best home possible for its residents.

Pictured is the proposed site for a new maintenance shop, located north of Baumler Implements along Highway 150 South in West Union. (Mike Van Sickle photos)

Proposed county maintenance shop site

By Mike Van Sickle
News Editor
mvansickle@thefayettecountyunion.com

Pending a short list of contingencies being met and the approval of local voters, a new Fayette County Secondary Roads Department maintenance shop could potentially be constructed in 2016.

Fayette County Engineer Al Miller was authorized Monday to sign a purchase agreement with Bruihler Vision Trust for the potential purchase of approximately 25 acres in West Union’s South Industrial Park Subdivision. The proposed purchase price is $200,000.