Baptist Church makes an offer; Snyder Construction and area developer plan to submit bids

    A decision may come as early as Friday about the sale of Lincoln School.
    The Clear Lake School Board met in special session Tuesday, Sept. 2, to receive one bid.  The Board was also informed it will receive at least two additional bids for the school property by its advertised deadline of 11 a.m., Friday, Sept. 5.  The Board will then meet at noon Friday to discuss all offers.
    The Clear Lake Regular Baptist Church submitted a bid for an undisclosed amount to the Board Tuesday.  Representatives of the church said they hope to tear down the school and build a new church on the property.
    Bids are expected by Friday from Snyder Construction, of Clear Lake, as well as Jeff Tierney, a commercial and residential builder from Mason City.
    Vickie Snyder, of Snyder Construction, told the Board they would submit a plan to develop senior living at the site.
    Tierney declined to comment about his plans.
    Board member Tom Lovell, who serves on the district’s Property Committee, said the Board is acting consistent with its approach to selling the property.  In addition to price, the Board will consider the proposed future use for the property and its potential benefit to the community.
    Interim Superintendent Dwight Pierson suggested the Board be prepared to make a decision about the sale of the building on Friday.  When asked by an attorney representing the Baptist Church if counter-offers will be accepted, Pierson said the school district will seek advice from its attorney.

Fire department asks for public’s help in restoring Engine No. 5

Meet Clear Lake School Board incumbent Deb Betz

    Perched atop a snag near the east end of the Iowa Regular Baptist Camp, a young osprey (leg band number KT) dines on a fresh channel catfish. The bird is one of four nestling ospreys relocated to Clear Lake during July. The birds were obtained from wild nests in Wisconsin and Minnesota. According to osprey volunteer caretaker and Clear Lake Mayor, Nelson Crabb, the young bird is expected to begin its southward migration later this month. Young ospreys travel as far south as Venezuela. The migration is unique among birds in that the young will not return to North America until they are two years old. As surviving adults return north, it is hoped the birds will reestablish a nesting population of wild ospreys to Iowa lakes and waterways. -Photo by Lowell Washburn.

    The Clear Lake Rotary Club is seeking nominations of worthy residents for its “Citizen of the Year” for 2008.  This will be the 19th community-wide event.
    Nominees may be any resident of Clear Lake whom an individual or an organization feels has served the community in a special way.  A person’s contribution to the community may be described in terms of truth, fairness, goodwill, and friendship.
    The nomination forms will be accepted through Oct. 8, 2008, with the final selection to be made by the Board of Directors of the Clear Lake Rotary Club.  The recipient will be publicly honored at a meeting of the Clear Lake Rotary Club in November.
    Nomination forms can be obtained from: Doug Grabinski, P.O. Box 227, Clear Lake, Iowa 50428.  Call 641-357-2992 (office) or 641- 357-6518 (home) for further information.