River Valley

by B.J. Tomlinson

The Lansing City Council met in a special session Monday, December 12 to replace its regular December 5 meeting which was postponed due to a required quorum of council members being unavailable to hold an official meeting that evening. After making four minor corrections to the financial report, the Council approved the Consent Agenda.

The Council discussed various problems associated with the recent snowstorm. There are still several parked cars piled with snow, some of which have not been moved, resulting in snowplows being unable to clean the streets effectively. If not moved soon, citations will be issued and/or the cars will be towed.

The Lansing Park and Recreation Board has accepted a proposal from the Lansing Lions Club to enhance the playground on South Front Street near the Sports Complex in Lansing. Last year, the Park and Recreation Board removed a large piece of playground equipment which was deemed to be unsafe for children from that location.

The Lions Club has developed a plan to add new equipment for five- to 12-year-old children that is safe, handicap accessible and educational. The proposed equipment will have a theme which relates to the area. The plan also includes a bicycle rack, sidewalks, and benches for parents to use as they observe their children playing or ice skating.

A significant part of the plan is a fundraising campaign. The project has a budget of $60,000. Grants are being applied for; however, the campaign needs to raise at least $15,000 from the local community to achieve its goal.

Main Street Lansing has been anticipating a record-breaking “Main Street Madness” promotion again this year with even more prizes. Last year, $157,500 was spent in downtown Lansing by “Main Street Madness” punch card participants.

The event is underway and shoppers should look for a participating merchant poster and pick up a free punch card. The cards can then be validated with either punches or stamps in five-dollar increments for purchases made up until the promotion deadline of this Sunday, December 18. Once a card is full ($100 in purchases), it can be turned in and another card started, with no limit on the number of cards that can be filled and entered for the “Main Street Madness” drawing.

The Allamakee County Community Foundation (ACCF) is now accepting grant applications for 2017. The application is completely online and will be available at the Foundation’s website, www.dbqfoundation.org/accf. Applications are due February 1 at midnight.

Nonprofit organizations can apply for grants from the ACCF for projects or programs that address significant community issues and benefit a broad spectrum of the community. Projects must be in Allamakee County.

The Lansing Park and Recreation Board has accepted a proposal from the Lansing Lions Club to enhance the playground on South Front Street near the Sports Complex. Last year, the Park and Recreation Board removed a large piece of playground equipment which was deemed to be unsafe for children.

The Lions Club has developed a plan to add new equipment for five- to 12-year-old children that is safe, handicap accessible and educational. The proposed equipment will have a theme which relates to the area. The plan also includes a bicycle rack, sidewalks, and benches for parents to use as they observe their children playing or ice skating.

A significant part of the plan is a fundraising campaign. The project has a budget of $60,000. Grants are being applied for; however, the campaign needs to raise at least $15,000 from the local community to achieve its goal.

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

Tuesday, November 22, the first of six podiums that will be placed throughout the Historic Downtown District in the Lansing community to educate visitors and citizens about Lansing’s vital history was unveiled and dedicated. The all-weather podiums are being created and put in place in anticipation of Lansing celebrating the 150th anniversary next year of its incorporation as a city in the state of Iowa.

This first podium features the Black Hawk Bridge, which  commemorates its 85th birthday this year, and the podium location at the corner of Main Street and North Front Street near the Lansing Fire Station looks out toward the bridge that has played an important role in Lansing’s economic history and continues to make Lansing a destination with its unique beauty. The Lansing History Committee felt it was very fitting that the first podium is about this landmark.

The New Albin community had its last free little library (pictured at right in the above photo) put in place recently, this one located in the City Park off Main Street. This latest addition joins two others in the New Albin community, all of which were made possible by funds raised through the New Albin Community Education program. Local residents can take the books inside the little libraries home with them to enjoy for as long as they like. Books can also be shared or donated to any of the little libraries by simply placing them inside the structures. Submitted photo.
 

Northeast Iowa Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is seeking volunteers who are interested in becoming certified to provide free income tax assistance for the low- to mid-income and elderly. The services are provided at the Decorah, Cresco and Postville Public Libraries starting February 1 through April 15.

RSVP volunteers are age 55-plus and will receive in-depth training during the month of January in preparation for certification to provide the tax assistance. Potential volunteers should have moderate computer skills in order to take an online certification test and utilize the TaxSlayer program for completing returns.

They will join a group of 12 other volunteers with two volunteers working as a team on each return. Tax assistance volunteers usually serve four to eight hours a week during the tax season and choose where they would like to provide the services.

The V.F.W. Auxiliary of the Kenneth Casey Post 5603 held its regular monthly meeting November 21 at the New Albin Community Center with a potluck dinner served at 12 p.m. followed by the regular meeting at 1 p.m. Eight members were present. Sherry Bechtel, 9th District President, was also present.

The meeting was called to order by President Anne Faulken. The secretary’s report was accepted as read. The treasurer’s report was accepted as read. General orders and other communications were read.

Sara Thomas gave a report on the spaghetti supper held November 10, noting there was very good attendance. Six Auxiliary members attended the Veteran’s Day program held at the school Veteran’s Day.

The 9th District meeting will be held at Elkader January 7, 2017. Waukon V.F.W. and the Auxiliary will be the hosts. President Anne Faulkner gave 9th District President Sherry Bechtel a gift. The 9th District President gave the Auxiliary an inspection report.

by B.J. Tomlinson

The Lansing City Council met in regular session Monday, November 21. After approving the Consent Agenda, the Council reviewed a proposal from the local snowmobile club to utilize Allamakee Alley for its trail this winter. The item had been discussed at the last meeting, but no decision was made.

Greg Stirn, representative of the club, said speed limit signs would be posted and encouraged the Lansing Police Department to issue citations to any violators. Stirn and the Council agreed that South Road is not an option for the trail because it is too narrow and has too many blind corners. After discussion, the Council approved the request. Stirn also announced that his tenure as “trail manager” is ending and that Wayne Weber will be taking over those duties.