Fair association receives $4,000 for facility improvements

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 23 October 2012 14:43

Jim Enns, chairman of the Cooperative Grain & Supply board of directors, presents a check for $4,000 to Kelli Savage, Marion County Fair director, last week as the result of a matching-funds program between CG&S and CoBank, the cooperative’s main lender based in Denver, Colo. On either side of them are Laura Legg (left), representing the cooperative’s Ampride stores, and Chuck McLinden, president of the Marion County Fair Association. The money is designated for facility improvements at the fairgrounds—one of which, a ventilation system for the rabbit barn, was completed in time for the 2012 fair in late July. The funds were generated through CoBank’s “Sharing Success,” a $3 million program that matches...

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Chamber cuts ceremonial ribbon to welcome new church as member

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 09 October 2012 14:47

Members of the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce gathered to welcome Grace Community Church as one the organization’s newest members by having a ceremonial ribbon-cutting Sept. 26 at the church’s downtown office, 130 N. Main.

Marion city council selects new auditor

Written by Patty Decker Tuesday, 09 October 2012 14:46

The Marion City Council at its meeting Oct. 1 approved changing the auditing firm of Adams, Brown, Beran and Ball to Swindoll, Janzen, Hawk and Loyd Accounting.

Even though ABBB was the lower bid, the council by a vote of 4-1 was in favor of returning to its former auditing firm.

Swindoll, Janzen, Hawk and Loyd submitted a bid of $16,000 for the 2012 audit, $16,500 in 2013 and $17,000 in 2014.

ABBB submitted bids of $10,500 for 2012, $10,750 in 2013 and $11,000 in 2014.

Scott Loyd with the firm of SJH&L was present at the meeting and thanked the council for its confidence. No representative from ABBB attended.

“What we feel we bring to the table,” Loyd said, “is expertise because all we do is city, county and school...

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Tampa residents built it, and businesses did come

Written by Patty Decker Tuesday, 02 October 2012 14:42

Tampa’s downtown business facade at is appears now (top) and how it looked when reconstruction was under way in March 2011 (bottom). “I thought there was an opportunity that if there was a building, businesses would come—and it has happened,” says David Mueller, who has been a leading player in the renewal project.







Two years ago, a group of Tampa residents started talking about ways to save their Main Street. Those discussions led to the opening of a community grocery store, fitness center, hair salon and meeting room.

The result was a group effort, said David Mueller, who was instrumental in buying and restructuring the buildings.

He said the project would be a complete failure if it wasn’t for David and Catarina...

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Janzen to retire as Parkside Homes CEO

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 25 September 2012 14:25

Lu Janzen announced last week that she will be concluding 41 years with Parkside Homes Inc., effective within 90 days or by the end of the calendar year.

Janzen, currently working as chief executive officer and president, published her decision to retire in an open letter to residents, board members, staff and colleagues. She cited health issues as a factor in her decision.

“My heart and my head are in conflict over this decision, but I know that I have to listen to my head this time,” she said. “There are some projects that won’t be finished before I leave, so I will cheer you on from the sidelines.”

Janzen began working at Parkside in 1970 as an accountant. Five years later, the board hired her as the next administrator...

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