She thinks that with all the hog and beef confinements up now, there won’t be enough corn to go around.

Hancock, who is not up for re-election for state senator in district 16, said he had the opportunity to tour one plant and he’s even excited for the bio-diesel plant in Farley.

“There are great things going on in the state,” said Hancock.

Peyton, the Delaware County Recorder, talked about renewing or getting passports for travel outside the United States.

“Even land travel will be required to have a passport in 2008,” said Peyton. Land travel could be just to Canada and Mexico or even throughout the continental states. “It doesn’t matter so much going into that country, just coming back in to the U.S.”

She said that passports are a difficult issue and if anyone has any questions to contact her at the Delaware County Courthouse.

State or National issues
Minimum wage was one of the major topics during the forum and one where all the politicians were in agreement.

“If people work hard and play by the rules they should get paid for it,” said Hancock. “There have been 22 states that have already adopted wages higher than the federal wage and there will be two more this month. $10,000 or $12,000 a year is not enough money to support themselves, especially when you look at prescription drug prices.”

Hancock also said that there are several states that have joined a ‘pool’ for prescription drugs.

“It’s sad that drugs that are made here in America are sold cheaper in other countries,” he said.

Lukan said that Nussle is proposing for a state hotline on prescription drugs that people can call if they have questions and another item is speeding up patent law.

“People don’t really understand how long it takes to get a patent,” said Lukan. “If we could move that up sooner to help save money on generic drugs. It’s bad too when someone passes away and there are half used or three-fourths used drugs that have to be dumped.”

Lukan and Nussle are both working on getting that changed because those drugs “are a terrible waste.”

The senior citizens and other residents that attended the forum had a chance to visit with the political candidates and officers individually after the forum.

Other legislators and candidates that were invited to the forum but did not attend were: Chet Culver, Jim Nussle, Christy Welty, Tom Harkin, Chuck Grassley, Mike Whalen, Bruce Braley, John Bernau, Mike Sauser, Carla Becker, Bill Skinner, Brian Schoenjahn and Roger Thomas.

Scenic Valley Area VIII Agency on Aging’s Delaware County Advisory Council sponsored the event.

A group of concerned parents and coaches urged the West Delaware School Board at their October meeting to consider seriously looking into adding a new gymnasium to the high school campus.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Don Finn asked, “What do we need to do to help you get the next phase of this project going?”

The first phase of the current high school addition project includes addition of 16 classrooms, a commons area, an auditorium, as well as other construction on campus. The next phase, as Finn referred to, projected by the board to possibly take place some time after completion of phase one, includes the addition of a new gymnasium, administration offices and demolition of the Annex building.

Finn stressed to the board the timing would be perfect now with contractors already on site, and could lead to savings if the same contractors were hired to complete the second phase, or at least the gym addition.

He continued by listing several reasons why the old gym is no longer practical for the needs of West Delaware athletes.

Scheduling is a major difficulty for all winter sports.

“Students are at the gym at all hours of the day…from 6 a.m. till after 8 p.m.,” Finn explained. “We often have several groups needing the gym at the same time, who may only get 15-20 minutes of practice time.”

Varsity boys basketball coach Tony Tjaden commented, “It is a nightmare trying to schedule everything.”

Finn also noted that the community uses the gym at various times throughout the week, allowing for additional scheduling problems.

The proximity of the bleachers on the floor of the gym was also brought up. Athletes are often running into the stands causing numerous accidents.

“During games, the players are sitting on the floor inbounds,” Tjaden said.

Corey Coates, varsity girls’ basketball coach added to the scheduling and safety concerns, saying, “We are having to have ninth and 10th grade games at the middle school, which is much to small for bigger, more aggressive games and players.”

The small size of the gym is also a concern, not allowing West Delaware the opportunity to support any large events. The high school Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Bob Murphy noted that West Delaware is a central site for activities, such as regional and district athletics as well as show choir events.

“This would be an opportunity to showcase our community if this were to take place,” he said.

Also discussed was the poor access to the second floor gym, the overall congestion of the second floor area and the need for repairs on the gym floor.

“It makes sense to look into it now,” Coates told the board. “The kids are used to the construction and the new parking. It would look great with the new auditorium, and I think we have community support.”

Board President Gary Johnson responded, “We need to get a little bit further into this project (phase one) so we know where we’re at financially…before we start phase two.”

While Johnson made clear he was in support of phase two, he stated, “From my perspective, it’s a timing issue.”

He suggested the group bring back ideas in the spring of 2007, in order to prepare for the fall election, at which time the expansion of the local option sales tax would need to be approved in order to fund phase two. At that time, they would also have a better idea of where the contingency fund stood regarding phase one costs.

“The past few years we haven’t had that much snow,” he said. “And when we don’t have a lot of snow, people get rid of their snowmobiles.”

Last year the grass drags brought only 75 snowmobiles but this year the club is hoping for 100 or 150 snowmobiles and ATVs. One year the club did try to include mini tractor pulls but they have found that people who ride snowmobiles also ride ATVs.

The grass drag will take place on Doug Bishop’s land, located one and a half miles south of Manchester on Highway 13 at the corner of 170th Ave. and 240th Street. Tobe Werner, a member of the Snow Pioneers said that signs would be posted along Highway 13.

People will be able to register between 9 and 10:30 a.m. and races will start at 11 a.m. Gate admission is $5 for 11 years and over and an entry fee for all classes but the kiddie class is $20. The club asks that a $10 trophy donation be given for the kiddie class.

Other classes in the double elimination event include stock, stock non-studded, trail performance (silenced pipes and stock bore carb), improved stock and modified. ATV riders can participate in the stock two and four stroke, stock utility, improved or an open class.

There will be a 500-foot track with an electric start and finish. The club asks that there is a minimum two-inch suspension travel in all classes with no slide lubricators allowed. Grills will not be allowed because of fire hazards and there will be no clean out at the starting line.

The gates will open at 8 a.m. and a radar gun timed run will last from 8:30 to 10 a.m.

“They will be $1 per run for 500 feet and it’s a time where riders can tune their sleds,” said Vorwald.

Trophies will be given out for all classes, even the kiddie class that is only exhibition.

“Helmets are required for insurance purposes,” said Larry Childs, a member of the Snow Pioneers.

Other than the kiddie class, riders must be 18 years or older. Childs teaches a snowmobile safety course every year and is currently looking for a location to hold the course. When a resident completes the two-day course, they receive a certificate from the DNR. Residents have to be 16 years old to ride the trails but they can be 12 years old if they have taken the course and are riding with an adult.

The Snow Pioneers started in 1969 or 1970 and it was formed to promote snowmobile safety. Today they have 42 members.

“There are over 500 registered snowmobile riders in Delaware County,” said Childs. “We are always looking for membership.”

There are 175 miles worth of trails in Delaware County that the Snow Pioneers help maintain. All trails are open to non-club member snowmobile riders.

For more information on the grass drags or about becoming a member of the Snow Pioneers visit their website at www.snowpioneers.com or contact Mike Pasker at 563-927-6315 or Werner at 563-927-2804.