by Lowell Washburn

    The long awaited, much anticipated, $9 million Clear Lake dredging project has begun.
    “Weatherwise, it’s been a tough spring and summer for dredge assembly workers.  People have been anxious, but the project is now up and running,” says DNR District Fisheries Biologist, Scott Grummer.
    During the next week, dredge operators plan to test equipment and piping by dredging near the mobilization site at the Ventura Grade.  Following that, dredging operations will move further into the lake and proceed in full force.
    “Although the Lynne Lorenzen Access will remain closed during the dredge project, all other boat ramps including those at McIntosh Woods State Park will remain open,” says Grummer.  “This could result in some congestion at McIntosh Woods, but we hope that people will exercise patience.”
    “Another change is that, beginning this week, the DNR will begin enforcing a 10 mph speed restriction on the Little Lake, which is everything west of the McIntosh Woods Sand Bar,” said Grummer.  “The new speed restriction is for public safety.  With piping and dredge equipment in the water, people just need to slow down.  This way, all of Clear Lake can remain open to boating, fishing, and swimming.  No part of the lake will be closed.”

    “It just doesn’t get any better than this.” 
    That was the sentiment of the thousands who strolled through City Park over the weekend, listening to music provided by the Municipal Band and watching the boats out on the lake.  They savored chicken grilled to perfection by the Clear Lake Noon Lions and tried to save room for pie and ice-cream dished up by members of the Lioness.  The weekend also included the opporunity to step back in time a bit, and enjoy the Classic and Antique Boat Show.
    Topped off with perfect weather, these activities and more served as the perfect reminder of why we love Clear Lake.

    The Clear Lake City Council awarded a contract Monday night for the much-discussed South Shore Drive Reconstruction Improvement Project.  
    A bid letting was held July 15 at the Iowa Department of Transportation office in Ames.  Although the city had not received formal notice from the DOT prior to its Monday meeting, Project Engineer Rich Brumm, of WHKS & Co., told the Council Heartland Asphalt, of Mason City, was the low bidder for the project.
    Contingent upon receiving the itemized bid from the DOT, the Council unanimously awarded the $1,234,443 contract to Heartland Asphalt.    Heartland was the lowest of three bidders for the work.
    The bid came in below the engineer’s estimate for the work, which was $1,540,000 for construction only, and $1,840,000 including engineering costs.  Heartland’s bid was for construction only.
    The reconstruction of South Shore Drive will occur between Main Avenue and 12th Avenue South.  At the 4th Avenue South intersection the road will become one-way, traveling south, to 12th Avenue South, where it resumes two-way traffic.
    An official from Heartland Asphalt said Yohn Companies will be the subcontractor doing the underground work this fall for the project.  Underground infrastructure work includes water and sewer line replacement.   The plan is for rock to be placed over the work areas by year-end.  Complete pavement removal and paving would take place in late spring 2009, with completion prior to the July 4 holiday activities in Clear Lake.
    The City Council is expected to complete the contract and bonds for the project at its Aug. 4 meeting.

    Clear Lake School Board incumbent Deb Betz has announced she will run for election in the Sept. 9 School Election.  
    Betz was first elected in 2007 to fill the one-year board seat created when Theresa Brakke resigned the post.  Betz will be running for a three-year term.
    “This year has been a great learning experience for me.  Quality education remains a huge priority for me, and I would like to continue my service to the community for the next three years,” she said.
    Betz and her husband, David, are the parents of four children and grandparents to Alexis.  Their sons, Drew and Devin, are both Clear Lake High School graduates who reside in the community.  Daughters Dailey and Darby are in the eighth and fifth grades, respectively.
    Thursday, July 31, is the last day for candidates to file nomination papers with the school board secretary.