Goessel reps assist Lincolnville residents without electricity

Written by Cynthia Goerzen Thursday, 27 December 2007 04:50

The Goessel City Council heard at its Dec. 17 meeting that Councilor Jim Wiens and Public Works Director Karen Dickerson had personally donated supplies and bottled water to the city of Lincolnville to help them deal with the effects of the recent ice storm.

After hearing on the radio that Lincolnville was without electricity for a week, Dickerson called to see what she could do to help. She was told the city of Lincolnville was providing meals to 60 people three times a day. They needed food and disposable tableware. Dickerson delivered the items that Wiens and Dickerson donated.

The Goessel council decided to follow their example and also donate food and supplies. Dickerson was asked to deliver the city’s donation. Dickerson said...

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Bad press is better than no press for college football post-season

Written by Michelle Avis Thursday, 27 December 2007 04:44

The Florence City Council discussed the future of the vacant former nursing home at its Dec. 3 meeting.

A group is considering rehabilitating the nursing home into affordable housing and asked whether a survey could be done to help determine if there would be enough interest in the project.

The survey could also establish whether the housing should be geared toward those 55 and older or toward young families. Florence Economic Develop­ment agreed to spend $360 on the surveys to be inserted in the Free Press.

A cash prize between $50 and $100 was suggested to help ensure as many surveys as possible are returned. Completed surveys will be kept confidential, with identifying information used strictly for the prize drawing and only the...

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Holt honored by Corps for work with stress management

Written by Malinda Just Wednesday, 19 December 2007 08:54

Holt.Terry-2.jpg Click to buy top photo Terry Holt, at home in his office at Marion Reservoir (left photo) and receiving the de Fleury Medal from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in San Antonio in late October.


In late October, Terry Holt, lead park ranger at Marion Reservoir and co-program manager of the Critical Incident Stress Management program for the U.S. Army Corps of Engin­eers, was in San Antonio, Texas, to give a presentation at an environmental and natural resource conference.

Little did he know that a surprise awaited him.

On Oct. 30, Holt was awarded the bronze order of the de Fleury Medal for his leadership as the director of CISM program implementation for the Corps. The program was first implemented in...

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Rhodes on Roads– Here's how Road & Bridge spends your tax money

Written by Martin Rhodes Wednesday, 19 December 2007 08:29

How does the Marion County Road & Bridge Department spend your tax money?

Like any family on a fixed income, the department has only so much money to spend in a year. The department must budget before the New Year to see how it intends to spend these funds wisely. The department budgets just like you would budget for housing, auto, food, clothing, utilities, etc.

Included in the budget are salaries and benefits for employees, repair and maintenance of asphalt roads, rock for gravel roads, at least two new bridges per year, fuel, new equipment, repairs and maintenance on older equipment.

I could go on, but you get the picture.

When you finance a home or new car you are spending future income to satisfy today’s needs. Road &...

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