Author: Theresa Rose

The Mid-America Port Commission (MAPC), a 26-county 3-state port commission welcomed two new commissioners from Iowa to its board of directors. The members were formally seated at the September 13th board meeting. The MAPC is the second largest port statistical area on the Mississippi River and ranks in the top 25 nationally for shipment of dry bulk cargo.

Denise Boyer is a lifelong resident of Lee County and the Fort Madison, Iowa, area. She and her husband Jay co-own and operate Hall Towing, Inc. in Fort Madison. Hall Towing, Inc. provides an array of services to southeast Iowa, including: Harbor services, commodity and bulk material storage and transloading, and specialized services in river construction, tow boat rehabilitation and equipment transfer.

Denise has a history of serving her community through volunteer service. She is a past board member of Fort Madison Economic Development Corporation and current board member of the Southeast Iowa Economic and Port Authority (serving Lee County). When not operating her business or serving on local boards, Denise is active in her local ministry and pursuing her degree.

Mike Norris, Executive Director of the Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission was appointed to the board by Governor Kim Reynolds. Mike also serves as Administrator of the Southeast Iowa Regional Economic and Port Authority, a Lee County organization that is active in a number of major economic development initiatives. Mike has been involved in river and other transportation planning and economic development projects for many years. He has other experience in a number of statewide and regional transportation, non-profit and educational groups.  Mike was appointed to fill the unexpired term of board member and Vice Chairman, Daniel Wiedemeier.

AGENDA

October 19, 2021

Approve Agenda

Approve Minutes

9:00 Jake Hotchkiss, Engineer Weekly Update

Motion – Approve 28E Agreement with City of Wayland – W55

Other County Business as time allows

Supervisors Sub-Committee Updates

In the interest of keeping Henry County residents informed, the Henry County Sheriff’s office has requested KILJ post the daily jail count. During the jail referendum campaign it was publicized that the jail would be able to house additional inmates from surrounding counties and this would generate revenue for Henry County.

Date:   10-15-2021______

JAIL COUNT

   32       Henry County Inmates

   45       Out of County Contract Inmates              

  77       TOTAL

October 13 at about 4:30 pm the Mt. Pleasant Police Department was dispatched to a motor vehicle accident in the 2200 block of East Washington Street. Upon investigation, it was determined that a van operated by Penny Bender-Penfield of Crawfordsville exited Highway 218 using the off ramp and stopped for the stop sign at East Washington Street. The van then entered the intersection striking a car operated by John Tarver of West Burlington traveling eastbound on Washington Street. The total damage to both vehicles was estimated at $8000. Penny Bender-Penfield was treated by Henry County ambulance crew for minor injuries and was released on scene. As a result of this investigation, Penny Bender-Penfield was cited for failure to yield upon entering through highway. John Tarver was cited for failure to provide proof of financial liability.

Four “no” votes kept a proposed ordinance allowing for the use of Lidar speed radar equipment in Mount Pleasant from going any further than a second reading.  The Mount Pleasant City Council heard from several citizens during Monday night’s City Council meeting and then voted four to two against going to a third reading and possible passage of the ordinance that would have allowed the local police to work with Blue Line Systems for monitoring speed and then billing for and collecting fines. Bob Griffith and Terry McWilliams were there “yes” votes. Steve Engberg, Matt Crull, Kent White and Jeff Batty all voted “no.”

There were citizens in attendance supporting both sides of the question.  Residents on South Walnut Street expressed concern about the speeding dangers on their street and felt the police needed all available tools to deter speeders.  Others, including Council member Crull felt that just paying a speeding ticket wouldn’t be enough of a deterrent. If Blue Line Systems issues the ticket nothing goes against the driver’s record. There was also concern expressed regarding the lack of personal contact between the police and the driving public.

Iowa Wesleyan University and the Friends of the Harlan-Lincoln House are excited to welcome professional writer and biographer, C.J. King, to campus for a special presentation entitled “The Spirited Lincoln Women.” The event will be held on today,October 14 at 5:00 pm in the Iowa Wesleyan Chapel and is open to the public. No registration is necessary. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, masks are required inside campus buildings.

King will present a talk on the Lincoln women, with a special focus on Peggy Beckwith, the great-granddaughter of Abraham and Mary Lincoln and James and Ann Harlan. Throughout her presentation, King will pose as the last female Lincoln, reflecting on the Lincoln women’s spiritual connection to Christian Science, as well as on their individual, spirited personalities, and their family and community relationships.

Her book Four Marys and a Jessie: The Story of the Lincoln Women, includes extensive research conducted in many of the places where the Lincoln women lived, including Iowa, Chicago and Springfield IL, Washington, D.C., and Manchester, VT. Copies of King’s book will be available to purchase at the event. A reception and book signing opportunity will follow the presentation.

A professional writer for 40 years, King is a Vermont resident and a native of Hoosier. She holds a B.A. in Journalism from Ball State University and an M.F.A. in Writing from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. King has a family connection of her own to the Lincoln women; she is a distant cousin of Mary Harlan Lincoln, the President and First Lady’s daughter-in-law.

Free walk-in tours of the Harlan-Lincoln House will be available from 1:00-4:00 pm the day of. For more information, visit https://harlanlincolnhouse.org/ or email hlhouse@iw.edu.