Community News

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met twice within a week including a special session Wednesday, February 15 and regular session Monday, February 20. Coverage of both meetings follows.

FEBRUARY 15
The February 15 special meeting of the Waukon City Council was called to order by Mayor Pat Stone with council member Steve Wiedner attending in person and council members Arvid Hatlan, Andy Sires and John Lydon attending through Zoom web-conferencing or by phone. City Manager Gary Boden and City Clerk Sarah Snitker were present in person for this meeting taking place in the City Council Chambers within Waukon City Hall.

The meeting moved into the approval of payment to S&M Development for Pladsen Subdivision invoices. The council approved the payment of bills in the amount of $176,806 relating to the Pladsen Subdivision project.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, February 20 to address a full agenda of matters including the consideration of setting dates and times for Supervisors meetings at public libraries throughout the county, consideration of the Compensation Board’s Fiscal-Year 2024 recommendation for elected officials’ salaries and the consideration of a letter seeking an opinion from the Iowa Attorney General. The meeting was called to order by Board Chairperson Dan Byrnes with Supervisors Dennis Keatley and Mark Reiser present.

The Allamakee County Veterans Museum program scheduled for this Thursday, February 23 at the new museum in the former Vet’s Club has been postponed due to anticipated winter weather. The program is rescheduled for March 16 and will involve area native Craig Timmerman giving a public presentation titled “Harley Davidson Goes to War” where he will detail his efforts to locate and restore an authentic World War II Harley Davidson U.S. Army motorcycle, model WLA (pictured in the submitted photo).

Timmerman is an experienced WWII collector who will explain the training, experiences and contributions of this modern “cavalry” to the war effort. He will also introduce a documentary from the U.S. Army Quartermaster School where the motorcycle troops trained. His restored Harley Davidson WLA with maintenance tools and manuals will be on display.

The Allamakee County Veterans Museum in Waukon will be offering another program to the public in the meeting room of its new museum in the former Vet’s Club building at 105 Allamakee Street in Waukon. Thursday, February 23 at 6:30 p.m., area native Craig Timmerman will give a public presentation titled “Harley Davidson Goes to War” where he will detail his efforts to locate and restore an authentic World War II Harley Davidson U.S. Army motorcycle, model WLA (which he is pictured with in the photo above).

Timmerman is an experienced WWII collector who will explain the training, experiences and contributions of this modern “cavalry” to the war effort. He will also introduce a documentary from the U.S. Army Quartermaster School where the motorcycle troops trained. His restored Harley Davidson WLA with maintenance tools and manuals will be on display.

Plans have been announced to hold the 2023 St. Patrick's Day Parade in Waukon Sunday, March 19 at 1 p.m. All are invited to participate in this year’s parade with an Irish-themed entry at no cost. The parade route will be the same as it has been in the past.

A can and bottle redemption drive is now underway to benefit the Post Prom event that takes place each year after the Waukon High School Prom. This year’s Prom is scheduled for Saturday, April 22 at Waukon High School.

The can and bottle drive is being conducted through Waukon Redemption, located at 707 West Main Street in Waukon. Everyone is encouraged to redeem their cans and bottles at that location during its open hours of Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and Saturdays from 8-10 a.m. However, Waukon Redemption will be closed this Saturday, February 18 (see advertisement below).

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, February 13 to address a full agenda of matters including the consideration of changing the Maximum Levy Public Hearing date, the approval of a Resolution allocating American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for election items and the consideration of personnel matters relating to the Allamakee County Auditor’s office and the Allamakee County Sheriff’s office.

Board chairperson Dan Byrnes called the meeting to order with Supervisors Mark Reiser and Dennis Keatley present for this meeting. There was no Public Comment during the time allotted for that agenda item.

The Waukon Music Department will be hosting its 13th Annual Pops Concert Friday, February 24 at the Waukon Middle School gymnasium. Doors will open at 6 p.m. with the concert performances to begin at 7 p.m.

The Pops Concert is an annual fundraising event sponsored by the Allamakee Music Boosters. The Pops Concert features high energy musical numbers from the 1950s through today.  Groups performing will include the high school and middle school choirs, high school and middle school jazz bands, drumline, featured soloists, song and dance skits, and emcees.   The Pops Concert continues to feature new musical talents each year and has become a must-see event for the Waukon community.

Waukon City Manager Gary Boden recently provided an update to The Standard relating to improvements made at the Waukon City Hall north entrance, which is now open again to the public. Evident in the photo above, Boden noted replacements and improvements including metal hand-railing, steps leading to parking at the east side of the building, the sidewalk and canopy in front of the north entrance and new interior and exterior doors are now in place following work performed by Sweeney Builders, Inc., the primary contractor on this project. Boden noted that these improvements were made possible through a commitment of $70,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding with an additional $2,000 from the General Fund, all of which he added will not impact local taxpayers.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, February 6 to address a full agenda of matters including the Public Hearing on Proposed Property Tax Dollars for the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year, review of a Waukon Facade Improvement Program application and the approval of plans and specifications relating to the storm sewer project along 1st Avenue and 1st Street NW.