The Mount Pleasant Personnel & Finance Committee will meet Thursday, February 1st, 2024, at 8:00 AM at City Hall in the City Administrators’ Conference Room.
AGENDA
Northern Henry County might soon become the sight for a large wind farm. RWE Renewables, a nuclear electric power generation company, has begun a wind study in our area to determine how many wind turbines would be added to the county. This study began in the summer of 2023, and is set to last for “one to two years” according to a Henry County Supervisor.
RWE is proposing 50-90 turbines in the northern part of the county. Each individual turbine is 650ft at the top of their revolution. Noise pollution is one common issue that has been raised in these discussions. For those a quarter of a mile away, the turbine noise can be likened to that of a constant refrigerator hum. Standing under the turbine at ground level will sound more like a jet plane taking off.
The company has been in contact with landowners to ask if they would allow wind turbines on their property. Landowners are allowed to decline. Each turbine needs at least 40 acres of space to operate.
It is difficult to determine just how big of an impact this will have in our county. The Planning and Zoning Commission first needs to rezone these areas as they are updating the commercial wind ordinance.
This project would, theoretically, generate funds for the county and property owners in the norther portion of Henry.
There is a map in the Henry County Courthouse showing all the landowners that have agreed to this project so far. This project would have a 30,000-acre footprint, while producing 200-300 construction jobs. The minimum amount in landowner payments that can be expected over the 35-year project is 77 million dollars. Meanwhile, 133 million dollars is the amount that Henry County and townships within the project area will receive.
There are many questions that will come with this potential project. RWE is responsible for the deconstruction/decommission of the wind turbines. The scope of this construction and size of these turbines is something we have not seen in our county.
The Henry County Board of Supervisors has the final say on this matter. There is an open meeting at 9:00 am on Tuesday, January 30th at the Henry County Courthouse. Joe Buffington with the Planning and Zoning Commission will be in attendance for a public hearing at 10:00 am.
It must be noted that there are many “unknowns” surrounding this project, with many conversations still to be had.
RWE FlyerDavid Lamont Brower, 74, of Mt. Pleasant, died Friday, January 26, 2024 at his residence.
Dave was born August 1, 1949 in Ottumwa. He was the son of Harvey David and Dolores Eloise (Fattig) Brower. Dave grew up in Blakesburg, IA and graduated from Blakesburg High School in 1967. On August 18, 1993 in Mt. Pleasant, David was united in marriage to Martha Louise Schadt. Martha preceded Dave in death on March 5, 2018 in Mt. Pleasant. 
For 33 years, Dave was employed at Case IH in Burlington. He was a repair technician at the end of the production line, correcting problems before the equipment left the line. He retired in 2002. In 1996, the company sent Dave to France to work on some of the equipment with which they were experiencing trouble.
Dave honorably served his country during the Vietnam War. He was inducted into the US Army from Ft. Des Moines on September 11, 1969 and was honorably discharged on August 6, 1971 at Ft. Lewis, Washington.
While at Case IH, Dave was a member of the United Auto Workers Union. Dave enjoyed classic cars and attending car shows. He liked to cook and spend time with his family. For many years, Martha and he were members of the Gold Wing Touring Association. They loved getting on their Honda Goldwing motorcycle and attending Goldwing rallies across the nation.
Those thankful for sharing in Dave’s life include a son and his wife, Rob and Brenda Schadt of Mt. Pleasant; a sister, Rosemary Vandello of Ottumwa, several nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives.
In addition to his parents, parent-in-laws Jim & Bertha Schadt and wife Martha, Dave’s sister Linda Fine precedes him in death.
A funeral service for Dave will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, February 1 at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant. Open visitation will be from 12 – 7 PM on Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be directed to the family. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com.
The Henry County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a Live Emergency Response Drill at the New London Community School District on Wednesday, January 31st. This drill was meant to take place this morning, January 29th, but has been rescheduled due to intense fog causing a delay for NLCSD.
They believe this will ensure that they are prepared for any emergency situation.
During the drill, students and staff will either practice exiting the building as if they were leaving in a real emergency or will remain in their classrooms with their teachers. It’s important to note that students will not be leaving the school property during this drill.
The purpose of this exercise is to familiarize everyone with the necessary procedures in case of an emergency and to ensure a swift and coordinated response from our school community.
Remind your students before they leave this morning for school of this drill.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to Chad Wahls, 319-367-0512.
The 51st RAGBRAI is set to take place July 21st through the 27th this year, and after three straight years of ending in Davenport or further north, the Southeast corner of the state is the period. Glenwood on Keg Creek is the starting point, with cyclers ending the long journey in Burlington after cycling through Mount Pleasant. The route is just 424 miles, which is one of the shortest ever, yet riders’ will climb nearly 19,000 feet of elevation by the end of the 7 day event.
John Kenneth Bogert, 67, of rural Donnellson, Iowa, passed away at 9:00 a.m. Friday, January 26, 2024, at his home.
He was born on September 4, 1956, in Keokuk, Iowa, the son of Clifford Marion and Evelyn Marie (Peel) Bogert. On October 7, 1978, he married Catherine Schier at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Fort Madison. They later divorced in 2008.
He is survived by three children: Vanessa Bogert, Derek Bogert, and Shaye Bogert; and one sister Janice (Greg) Gobble. Also surviving are several nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. 
He was preceded in death by his parents.
From the time he had his driver’s license, John loved competing in the demolition derbies held in the area, especially at the Lee County Fair. He and his buddies would strategize with one another on how to take the “out of towners” out of the running. One year the prize was finally his and when the local paper reported his winning the Derby, it referenced him as the “Hometown Favorite.” Some of his buddies went so far as to put a crudely constructed sign north of town announcing “Donnellson, Home of Hometown Favorite, John Bogert.
John loved conversation and managed to remember everything he had been told by Dad, Maurice and other elders who had imparted their knowledge to him on topics from local history, family history, farming and deer hunting. He was a member of the Franklin Township Deer Hunting Association through several generations of hunters and would regale any listener with not only details of the hunt but the pranks the hunters pulled on one another. He loved history and was an avid reader devouring books and watching documentaries on the World Wars and other major historical events.
He was devoted to family and friends his entire life. He was eager to help those that needed help or at least offer his sage advice on how to handle problems life throws at you. He dearly loved his kids, Vanessa, Derek & Shaye and his extended family Erinne, Emma, Garrett, Ashley & Daniel and their offspring. He prided himself on being the “Patriarch” of his clan.
A visitation will be held from 12:00 noon to 7:00 p.m. Monday, January 29, 2024 at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson, where the family will receive friends from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Donnellson, Iowa with Tony Keefe officiating.
Burial will be in Evangelical Cemetery, Donnellson, Iowa.
A memorial has been established in his memory for St. Paul’s United Church of Christ or Donnellson Fire and Rescue.
Schmitz Funeral Home of Donnellson is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.
Steven Gregory Voyles, 61, of Burlington, died Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at his home. He was born March 4, 1962 in Marshfield, Wisconsin to John “Jack” L. and Glenna J. Hess Voyles. He was a 1980 graduate of New London High School and attended Hawkeye Technical College in Waterloo. On March 23, 1985 he married Teresa Marie Wilson in New London; she died February 26, 2023.
He worked at Burlington Basket Company for over twenty years, then at O’Reillys Auto Parts in Burlington for the past several years. Steve enjoyed fishing; going to Geode; NASCAR races; and was a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, Iowa Hawkeyes, and Chicago Bears. He was very artistic and had a great sense of humor. He loved spending time with his family, especially his kids and grandchildren.
Steve is survived by his mother of New London; two sons, Christopher (Amber) Voyles of New London and Jordan (Alexandra) Voyles of Burlington; two daughters, Stephanie (Dan) Housh of Mt. Pleasant and Abigail Voyles of Mediapolis; six grandchildren; one brother John (Heather) Voyles of Blakesburg, Iowa; and four sisters, Cindy (Curt) Watson, Sharon (Scott) Barron, Karen (Tim) Conrad, and Denise (Russ) Wolfe, all of Mt. Pleasant; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, his wife, and nephew Ethan Conrad.
Visitation will begin at noon on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at Elliott Chapel, New London, with the family greeting friends from 2:00 until 4:00 pm. According to his wishes, his body will cremated with private inurnment at a later date. A memorial in his honor has been established. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.
