Author: Theresa Rose

Henry County Health Center Foundation is pleased to announce its 2020 Grant Program. The HCHC Foundation seeks to support the development and delivery of important health related initiatives for the benefit of residents of Henry County and surrounding areas.

The Foundation will fund projects in six health related priority areas: 1) Science and Technology, 2) Health Education, 3) Health Programming, 4) Workforce Development, 5) Workforce Recruitment and 6) Capacity Building.   Those seeking funds should submit Letters of Intent to HCHC Foundation by August 21, 2020.   Letters of Intent should include organization information, project information and dollar amount requested.  If the Foundation determines the program or project meets eligibility requirements, the applicant will receive an invitation to submit a full grant application.  Full applications will be due September 30, 2020.

According to Mark Hempen, Director, HCHC Foundation is diligently working to achieve its vision to become a widely recognized, respected and visible provider of health resources in our communities.  “We are committed to the future wellness of our citizens.  This grant program is the vehicle that allows us to fund and support health-related projects that benefit individuals and families of Henry County.  It is a great opportunity to show what we are all about and for our supporters to clearly see the positive results of their contributions.”

2019 award recipients include Christamore Family Treatment Center for purchase of recreational equipment to help promote healthy living choices; Mount Pleasant Community School District to go towards the construction of a walk path around the Middle School for use by students and the general public; Iowa Wesleyan University to upgrade nursing simulation equipment; Mount Pleasant Public Library to purchase health related books for children; Henry County Public Health Department for newborn home visits;  and Bridges out of Poverty for their Workplace Stability Initiative.

Consideration for funding will be given to proposals which: closely align with the Foundation’s mission, have the potential to achieve both the objectives of the applicant organization and program goals of the Foundation, and have the potential for long-term impact and sustainability in the community.   For additional details please visit www.hchc.org/foundation or contact HCHC Foundation Director, Mark Hempen at 319/385-6541, or hempenm@hchc.org .

AGENDA FOR NEW LONDON CITY COUNCIL & UTILITY TRUSTEES
JOINT MEETING – AUGUST 4, 2020 – 6:00 P.M. – COMMUNITY CENTER
1. CALL TO ORDER JOINT MEETING: Mayor Kirk Miller
2. ROLL CALL: Council: Scott Campbell, Brad Helmerson, Travis Benz, January Benjamin & Dan Berner
Trustees: Jerry Wilhelm, Bob Byczek, Jodi Jackson, Steve Rotter, & Shanon Wellington
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
4. OLD BUSINESS:
5. NEW BUSINESS:
a. Council: Discuss and take action on the renewal of the health insurance and self funding policies (1-4)
b. Utility: Discuss and take action on the renewal of the health insurance and self funding policies (1-4)
6. ADJOURNMENT OF JOINT MEETING
RECESS
7. CALL TO ORDER REGULAR MEETING: Mayor Kirk Miller
8. ROLL CALL: Travis Benz, January Benjamin, Dan Berner, Scott Campbell & Brad Helmerson
9. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
10. INVOCATION: Kirk Miller
11. PUBLIC HEARING:
12. REPORTS:
a. Police Dept. (5-6)
b. Fire Dept. (Handout)
c. Public Works (7)
d. Parks & Recreation
e. Utilities (8-12)
f. Child Care
g. Mayor
13. OPEN FORUM:
14. CONSENT AGENDA:
a. Approve minutes of previous meetings (13-17)
b. Accept Clerk’s Financial Reports (18-20)
c. Approve Payment of Claims (Handout)
d. Approve class C liquor license with Sunday sales for Woobies (21)
e. Zoning Permits: Sean Rogers, Garage, 503 E. McKinley St. (22-27)
Sovern Construction, Home & Garage, 113 Orchard Ln. (28-31)
15. OLD BUSINESS:
a. Discuss and take action on the sale of the remaining lots in the Pine Street Subdivision Phase 1 (32-33)
16. NEW BUSINESS:
a. Approve resolution #318 to employ a police officer for the City, Juan Tornero Jr. (34-35)
b. Approve resolution #319 street finance report for fiscal year ending 2020 (36-38)
c. Approve resolution #320 sponsoring the Red Flag run from New London to Brighton (39-41)
d. Approve pay estimate #4 to Jones Contracting Corp for the Thompson St. Extension (42)
e. Approve pay estimate #4 to Four Seasons Excavating for the Pine Street Subdivision Grading (43)
f. Approve change order #2 for Four Seasons Excavating for the Pine Street Subdivision Grading (Handout)
g. Approve allowing a black chain link and treated lumber fence at 401 W. Adams St. per the protective covenants (44-46)
h. Approve reinvesting capital improvement funds in a CD (47)
i. Approve re-appointing Cathy Hopkins to the Board of Adjustments with a term ending 8/31/2025
j. Approve re-appointing Mike Dickey to the Board of Adjustments with a term ending 8/31/2025
k. Discuss and take action on changing the posted speed limit on S. Pine St. to 35 MPH
17. MEETINGS:
a. Public Works Committee, August 15th, 2020 at 6:30 a.m., Public Works Shop
b. Public Safety Committee, August 15th, 2020 at 6:30 p.m., City Office
c. City Council Meeting, September 1st, 2020 at 6:00 p.m., Community Center
18. ADJOURNMENT
NEW LONDON CITY COUNCIL – OPEN FORUM NOTICE
The Open Forum portion of the New London City Council meeting is a time where the public is allowed to speak. This is a courtesy that is extended to you. During this portion of the meeting the following guideline will be in effect:
1. Upon being recognized by the Mayor, please stand if possible, and state you name and address for the record.
2. Unless you are a scheduled, approved organization making a presentation, you will have 3 minutes to respectfully express your thoughts. Guest organizations will be under the discretion and management of the Mayor as the presiding officer.
3. Understand that no formal motions or actions will be taken on items during this time. Your concerns may be forwarded to the appropriate committee for further considerations and/or discussion.
4. All comments and discussion will remain respectful in nature to all parties.
5. Similar topics will be acknowledged, and forwarded to the appropriate department. However, repetition of topics will be limited.
6. Any deviation from these guidelines will end you allotted time and you will be asked to be seated. Failure to abide by these guidelines may lead to removal from the meeting at the order of the Mayor and possibly charges of disorderly conduct if so warranted.
7. Your involvement on agenda items will be limited to the presentation of factual material as determined by the Mayor. This the Council’s time for dealing with matters and will not include public opinions or question and answer time; this is done during Public Hearings.

A correctional officer was assaulted by an inmate at the Iowa State Penitentiary at approximately 7:10 p.m Tuesday night.

The officer was handling the distribution of medications to inmates in a living unit. After issuing a verbal directive to an inmate, the inmate began advancing towards the officer in an aggressive manner. The officer attempted to deploy pepper spray, but it didn’t deter the inmate, who then proceeded to assault the officer with closed fist strikes. The officer was able to utilize defense maneuvers to restrain the inmate, and additional staff quickly arrived to assist.

The officer was assessed by prison medical staff and returned to his post. The inmate did not suffer any significant injuries.

This incident remains under investigation.

One person was injured in a three vehicle crash that happened Tuesday afternoon south of Mount Pleasant in Lee County.  Carole Wilson of Nauvoo, Illinois was driving east on Highway 16.  She failed to yield at the intersection with Highway 218 and pulled into the path of an oncoming semi driven by Robert Atkins of Maynard, Arkansas. The collision caused the semi to skid across the roadway where it hit a semi driven by Paul Thys of Victor, Iowa.  The semi drivers did not need medical transport but Wilson was transported from the scene to University Hospitals in Iowa City by Air Vac. The Iowa State Patrol continues to investigate.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig confirmed today that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is aware that individuals in Iowa have received unsolicited seed shipments from China and other countries. 

The Department is asking anyone who receives unlabeled seed from an unknown origin to retain the original packaging and report it immediately at 515-281-5321. Recipients should not open the seed packet, plant the seed or attempt to destroy it. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship or United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will collect, analyze and properly destroy the seeds. 

“The Iowa Department of Agriculture is working closely with the USDA to trace, collect and properly destroy these unknown seeds to protect our agriculture community from plant and seed-borne diseases,” said Secretary Naig. 

Unlabeled seeds and seeds from unknown origins should never be planted. They pose the risk of introducing an invasive plant species or seed-borne diseases that do not currently exist in the United States. APHIS is working closely with the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection and State departments of agriculture to prevent the unlawful entry of prohibited seeds and protect U.S. agriculture from invasive pests and noxious weeds. 

The USDA APHIS issued a news release stating this may be a “brushing scam,” where people receive unsolicited items from a seller who then posts false customer reviews to boost online sales. 

Southeastern Community College will host receptions for this year’s Distinguished Alumni honorees prior to the August 1 graduation ceremonies.

West Burlington 2020 Distinguished Alumnus, John Schulz, will be honored at a reception at 11 a.m. in the banquet hall at Burlington Memorial Auditorium.

Keokuk 2020 Distinguished Alumnus, Dr. Gary Mansheim, will be honored at a reception at 5 p.m. at Keokuk High School, the site of this year’s Keokuk campus commencement.

Schulz and Mansheim will present keynote speeches during their respective commencements.

To work around the pandemic, both ceremonies were moved to August 1 after students requested to hold in-person commencements. West Burlington’s commencement will begin at 1 p.m.; Keokuk’s will begin at 7 p.m.

A Mediapolis High School graduate, Schulz earned his degree from SCC in 1963, after serving in the Army National Guard.

He continued to Iowa State University, where he earned his degree in engineering. He then attended Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH, where he earned his MBA.

Schulz began his career at General Motors in Dayton, OH. He participated in GM’s program to develop the first automotive air bag — he also drove the first airbag-equipped automobile out of Detroit.

He and his family returned to Burlington. He purchased Klein Manufacturing, which is now called Flint Cliffs Manufacturing.

Schulz has contributed to the community a number of ways, including sitting on the Southeast Iowa Regional Airport Board, the Community Foundation Board, and teaching Junior Achievement for a decade. He has earned the Business Person of the Year award, the Manufacturer of Distinction award, the Burlington Chamber’s Manufacturer of the Year honor, and was presented with the Mayor’s Award for rebuilding the snowflakes on Snake Alley.

He also provided leadership in the reconstruction of the First United Methodist Church after it was destroyed by a fire.

Dr. Mansheim graduated from Central Lee High School with a dream of becoming a physician. He started his educational journey at SCC, graduating in 1973.

Upon his graduation, he transferred to the University of Iowa to complete his bachelor’s degree and continued on to the university’s School of Medicine.

Dr. Mansheim realized southeast Iowa had a profound need for primary care when he settled in the area. Working with other practitioners, he established Burlington Family Practice, which has grown to 20 providers.

It has always been his goal to improve access to high quality, compassionate, affordable medical care for residence in the region.

Dr. Mansheim credits SCC instructors Fred Karre, John Breshears, and Jim Ingemanson for giving him a quality science education foundation that led to his success.

Both pre-graduation receptions are open to the public and include hot and cold hors d’oeuvres and beverages for a free will donation.