Week of Mar 15 2008 - 7:00pm to Mar 22 2008 - 6:59pm

Pentagon stop is a highlight
Editor’s Note: The following article was prepared for Army News Service by Carrie McLeroy. It is reprinted with permission.

    More than a dozen leaders from two northern Iowa communities met with senior Army leadership Wednesday at the Pentagon to learn more about the Army’s mission and the challenges it faces.
    The guests, who represented local governments and businesses from Clear Lake and Mason City, were briefed by various levels of Army leadership on the current state of the Army, its role in the war on terrorism and how American communities can support servicemen and women. They were also afforded the opportunity to meet with and ask questions of several officers recently home from Iraq and Afghanistan, who gave an overview of their experiences in theater.
    The Army has been conducting what are referred to as, “Fly-Ins,” for several years, according to representatives from Army Executive Partnerships office at Headquarters, Department of the Army.
    “These events are outreach opportunities for the Army to build partnerships with local leaders throughout the country,” said K. Stephenson, director of Executive Partnerships, who explained that most of the communities that participate find out about the program from the National Chamber of Commerce.
    Brig. Gen. David Halverson, director of Operations, Readiness and Mobilization, gave the leaders and business people an overview of what the Army does, its uniqueness and its senior leaders’ goals for the future.
    “As an Army, we face the same issues as small-town America, but on a magnified scale,” he said. “We have to take care of our Soldiers and their families, educate our men and women and equip them for the future.”

    One-way or two-way?  Bike lanes or not?  Those are not the questions the Clear Lake City Council will consider at a public hearing tonight involving the proposed reconstruction of South Shore Drive.
    Mayor Nelson Crabb ended Monday night’s City Council meeting by prefacing the 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, public hearing in the City Hall Community Room.
    “This will not be a debate forum or question and answer,” warned Crabb.  “This particular hearing is only to discuss whether or not to use the assessment process.”
    City Administrator Scott Flory said City Hall has received comments and Letters to the Editor have been appearing in the newspaper from those objecting to the city’s consideration of one-way travel and bike lanes on South Shore from 4th Avenue South to 12th Avenue South.  
    In January, the Council approved a one-way concept for an eight-block stretch of South Shore Drive. Jerry Weiland, consulting engineer for the project from WHKS in Mason City, explained the one-way concept was developed through preliminary meetings with property owners.  The one-way option provided a balance in design issues, including: preservation of more than 50 mature trees located between the curb and sidewalk; limited on-street parking; bike lanes and Iowa Department of Transportation requirements.
    The other concept considered by the Council would have kept two-way traffic on the road and bike lanes, but would have resulted in the elimination of on-street parking.
    Bike lanes were included in both concepts and some funding, about $150,000 from the state, supported the addition of bike lanes on the road.  The inclusion of federal funding made it necessary for the Council to identify a concept for the project, which has been submitted to the DOT.

The Clear Lake City Council will hold a public hearing Monday, April 7, to discuss the acquisition of approximately 20 acres to expand the city’s recreational area on 12th Avenue South.
    The City is considering purchasing 19.41 acres at a cost of $150,000 from property owner Van Carrier.  The property was formerly used by the Adult Softball Association.
    In 2001, the City spent $145,000 to purchase an 18.7 acre parcel adjacent to the land now available.  At that time the Parks and Recreation Board, with assistance from consultants began to investigate possible uses for the property.  Expansion of soccer fields, Frisbee golf and other ideas have been suggested.
    City Administrator Scott Flory noted development of a “community level park,” one greater than 20 acres, has been identified as a need in the City’s Comprehensive Plan and is a priority in the Parks and Recreation Department’s fiscal year 2009 budget.
    Flory noted city leaders may want to consider selling a section of its property on 12th Avenue South for private single family development.  Approximately four acres on the west edge of the city’s land could accommodate 10 to 20 lots.  Infrastructure is already in place for development, he said.

    A variety store will remain a fixture on Main Street, Clear Lake.
    The former Larson’s Mercantile has been purchased by Alan and Jason Gochanour, of Toledo, Iowa.
Alan Gochanour said Tuesday he and his partner take possession of the Main Avenue business in early April. No date has been set for its opening.
    “The store will be very similar to Larsons,” said Gochanour, who has been in the variety store business about 30 years. He also owns Ben Franklin stores in Eagle Grove and Waterloo.
    He explained many of the suppliers used by Ben Franklin stores are the same used by Kim Larson, owner of Larson’s Mercantile for 15 years. The difference in stores is based on markets, size of the store and demand.
    Gochanour noted the city’s recently approved business incentives were effective in peaking his interest for the property.

    Two members of the Ventura boys basketball team received All Sub-State recognition.
    This is the second year that senior Cody Kadolph as received the honor. Kadolph was a leader in the Cornbelt Conference in a number of categories. He was the second leading scorer with a total of 355 points for the 2007-08 season. He ranked number one in the league in steals and was also a leader in three-point shooing, assists and rebounds. Kadolph was also one of only a few Vikings to have scored over a 1,000 points in his career at Ventura.
    This is the first year that junior Tyler Betz has earned the All Sub-State honor. Betz, who is Ventura’s post player, ranked fifth in the conference in scoring with 335 points. He was a leading rebounder in the league with 173 total rebounds and an 8.24 per game average. Betz ranked fourth in the conference for blocked shots.
    “These two are very special players and this award shows that coaches from two districts also thought they were pretty good,” said Coach Nick Schauf. “It shows that Betz is one of the best big men and Cody is among the top guards.”
    Players are nominated for the honor by their coaches. Coaches from other districts vote on the players and the top eight receive the honor.