The Official Newspaper of Manchester and Delaware County, Iowa

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

Manchester Chamber hires new director DRA Grant helps combat meth Mayor Kramer re-elected, utility voted down Occupational Therapists to discuss sensory issues with parents

BRIAN COOK / Press Jack Klaus, former Delaware County Assessor, replaces Marie Steenlage as Chamber Director.

Manchester Chamber of Commerce President Dave Smith announced that Jack Klaus, former Delaware County Assessor, has been hired as the new Executive Director of the Manchester Area Chamber of Commerce. Klaus, a life long resident of Delaware County and a long time resident of Manchester, will officially assume the position in December after finishing his duties at the Courthouse. “I am looking forward to the position,” says Klaus. “I think it will be both fun and challenging to be promoting the Manchester area. My wife and I have found Manchester to be a great place to live and raise our family and with that as a background, I think that I will be a very effective promoter of the area.”

Efforts of the Manchester Police Department to battle the methamphetamine problem have been helped out by a grant from the Dubuque Area Racing Association. The Manchester Police Department received a grant in 2005 for $3,061.98, which was used to purchase a self-contained breathing apparatus and a medical first aid kit. This is the second grant from the Racing Association secured by the Police Department. Two years ago Racing Association money helped purchase first aid kits for all the patrol cars and an automatic external defibrillator. Officer Chad Wright who is part of a meth lab clean-up team, along with Officer Jim Hauschild, who already has the equipment, will use the new breathing apparatus. The meth lab clean-up team is called periodically to assist other agencies when meth labs are found. “Because of the nature of the chemicals the guys are dealing with, the breathing masks help prevent acute respiratory problems and prevent complications from being around the chemicals years down the road,” Sgt. Rick Carnicle, said explaining the need for the breathing masks. The officers are dealing with acid and ether and other chemicals that produce a very poisonous gas. Whatever stage in production the meth lab may be discovered may warrant the officers wear full chemical suits.

BRIAN COOK / Press Manchester Police officer Chad Wright, demonstrates the breathing apparatus he uses during meth lab clean-up. The breathing apparatus was purchased with money from the Dubuque Racing Association Grant.

BRIAN COOK / Press The Dubuque Racing Association Grant has helped purchase the equipment shown on the table which is a self-contained breathing apparatus, defibrillator and first-aid kit.

The pseudophedrine law that went into effect in Iowa in May, regulating the sale of the over-the-counter drug which is a major chemical in manufacturing meth, has had the desired effect on the number of labs found in the state, according to Carnicle. “The decreases have been phenomenal,” Carnicle said pointing out that there are still labs out there producing meth and that it can still be produced in other areas and shipped to Iowa. “It’s still there, but it’s not like it was. Iowa led the way in developing the pseudo laws.” From January 1 to October 31 of this year, 679 labs have been found in the state, which is down from 1,258 during the same time last year. Law enforcement hit an all-time record of 1,472 meth lab incidents in 2004.

109 E. Delaware - P.O. Box C - Manchester, Iowa 52057
563-927-2020 / FAX 563-927-4945
Copyright Manchester Press 2005
Thede Web Works - Web Questions