MOUNT PLEASANT, IA – January 10, 2023 – The Mount Pleasant Chamber Alliance is pleased to
announce the selection of its new Executive Vice President. After undergoing a national search, Rachel
Lindeen, a Mount Pleasant native, will assume the leadership position beginning in February.
“Rachel has a wide range of experience in chamber and economic development work. She has an
infectious passion for government relations, workforce development, and employee retention that she
will bring to our community,” said Meg Richtman, Chamber Board President. “Workforce issues
continue to be at the forefront of employer needs. We could not be more thrilled to have Rachel lead
our Chamber Alliance. I am confident her impressive background and commitment to Henry County will
build upon the work of those before her.”
Lindeen has over nine years of experience in the chamber of commerce industry. Most recently, Lindeen
served as the Talent Development & Government Relations Director at the Greater Burlington
Partnership, where she managed workforce and talent recruitment, led government relations activities,
worked on regional workforce initiatives and led numerous events and volunteers.
“The Mt. Pleasant Area Development Commission (ADC) Board of Directors is extremely excited to work
with Rachel Lindeen as the new Executive Vice President. Rachel brings a wealth of knowledge to the
region and the state regarding workforce development, housing, and business recruitment,” stated
Carla McNamee, Vice Chair of the Mt. Pleasant Area Development Commission. “She will be an asset to
the Henry County Community. The ADC Board is excited for the opportunity to work and collaborate
with her to promote economic development.”
Lindeen is an economics graduate of the University of Iowa and has also completed the US Chamber of
Commerce Institute for Organizational Management. She is very active on numerous boards and
volunteer organizations throughout Southeast Iowa.
“I am excited and honored to be given the opportunity to lead the Mount Pleasant Chamber Alliance,
and I am thrilled to be entrusted with this critical work,” Lindeen added. “I look forward to working with
businesses and the community that makes Mount Pleasant and Henry County a success.”
The Chamber Alliance looks forward to working with Rachel Lindeen to continue to enhance the lives of
residents in Henry County through continued economic growth and quality of life. Lindeen will begin
employment on February 13.

Mount Pleasant School District Superintendent John Henriksen told the school board Monday night that the district will likely have to do the budget without knowing what the State Supplemental Aid percentage will be.  SSA are funds allocated by the State legislature for school districts based on enrollment.  The Iowa School Board Association believes the aid won’t be decided on until school choice is resolved.  Basically, school choice and education reform at priorities for Governor Reynolds.  This would include a school voucher system considered by some to be state aide for private schools. Opponents to the system believe state funds should be used for the State’s public school systems.

Supt. Henriksen also told the board that Kate Walton with the  Iowa Area Education Agencies is of the opinion that the Governor’s other priorities will be maternal health, tort reform, property taxes and consolidation of services.  Walton is also of the option that Republican priorities are property taxes, education issues, the budge and lessening licensing requirements while the Democrats are focused on raising wages and lowering costs, protecting reproductive freedom, funding public education and legalizing adult use of marijuana.

Monday night the Mount Pleasant School Board met in regular session.  The board approved an agreement for design of the Harvest Drive and Grand Avenue traffic signal and related intersection improvements.  The fee for  the design work is $93,500. The plan is to make the intersection at the entrance to the High School drive safer.  The entire project, including construction costs, is estimated at $600,000.  Board member Josh Maher was the lone “no” vote.  Board President Jennifer Crull noted that if the intersection is not improved, there can not be any additional future construction on the High School site.

Superintendent John Henriksen informed the board that he has discussed grade alike elementary buildings with the principals and has sent a survey out to teachers.  He said when he gets back the survey data he will meet with each elementary building leadership team.

Mr. Henriksen also said he is working with a consultant on the various configurations the board could choose from if it wants to make changes to the composition of the board. For example would it be better if the board had one less district director and one more at large seat? The population changes reflected in the 2020 Census will require the district to adjust the director district boundaries and five of the seven directors will be up for re-election in the fall.

WINFIELD – MT. UNION COMMUNITY SCHOOL

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

LIBRARY, W-MU 6:00 p.m. ~ January 11, 2023

1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Public Comment
4. Consent Agenda

D1.  Minutes, Bills, Financial Reports

D2.  Personnel Hirings/Resignations

1. Reports

E1.  Building Reports

E2.  Superintendent Report

1. General Business

F1.  Consider Early Retirement Package offer

1. Adjourn

The Henry County Conservation Board meets Wednesday, January 11 at 5:30 pm in the board meeting room at the office in Oakland mills. Items on the agenda include welcoming the newest board member, an update on the foot bridge renovation, Nature Center Open House recap, director update and Naturalist reports.  Please contact the Conservation Department if you have any questions at 319-385-5067.

Rachel Lindeen has been named the new Executive Vice President for the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance.  Rachel is a Mount Pleasant native and will begin her duties with the Alliance in February. KILJ will have all the details of the announcement on our 6:30 am news Wednesday.

The Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to provide Jefferson County residents the opportunity to share their views with state lawmakers during a series of four public forums during the Iowa legislative session. The first Legislative Forum of the season will be held on Saturday, January 21^st at the Activities Building at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. This monthly session will be held from 7:30-9:00am.  Legislators will provide a brief update followed by focused Q&A. Topics will be chosen monthly based on the work happening at the capital. Questions should be limited to the topics selected each month.

Coffee and donuts will be provided to participants. These events are free and open to the public.

Elected officials invited to attend include:

• Iowa Senate District 41 Representative Adrian Dickey
• Iowa House District 88 Representative Helena Hayes
• Iowa House District 89 Representative Jeff Shipley

The next three Legislative Forums will be held at the Fairfield Arts and Convention Center. The sessions will be held from 7:30-9:00am on February 18, March 18, and April 8.

Thank you to our generous sponsors who make this event possible. The 2023 Legislative Forum Sponsors include: Freeman Kevenides Law Firm, Fairfield Community School District, Access Energy Cooperative, Sierra Club, Jefferson County Farmers and Neighbors (JFAN), Morrissey Law Offices, and the Fairfield Arts and Convention Center.

For more information, please contact the Chamber at 641-472-2111 or email Chamber@FairfieldIowa.com