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The
Official Newspaper of Manchester and Delaware County, Iowa
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
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Hanson leaving council, extension for new appointment
by Latisha Sand |
Darrell Hanson has spoken his opinion for the final time, as a city council member and the ISU Extension Director anyway.
As of this week, Hanson is a new member of the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) and, for the foreseeable future, will be traveling to Des Moines every week, while spending weekends in Manchester.
The board, according to Hanson, is a three-member board that regulates utility companies and pipelines.
“If a company wants to raise rates or build a new plant, for example, they would have to go through the board for approval,” said Hanson, who was appointed to the board by Governor Chet Culver. Hanson said that he has served as chair of the Iowa Environmental Protection Commission for three out of the last four years and that could have had something to do with his appointment.
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Darrell Hanson |
The members are sort of like judges. They will listen to contested cases with lawyers and the board will issue a legal opinion.
The board will be involved with two areas that Hanson is partial to – environmental and economic and growth.
“I’ve always enjoyed working with public policy,” said Hanson.
Hanson worked 16 years as a legislator and did only one term as a Manchester City Council member.
“I never intended to run more than one term,” said Hanson. “I spent years in the legislator and I’ve learned to keep my options open.”
He said he would have only ran for another term if he saw that he needed to.
“We have capable council members who are staying and two experienced and capable people coming on so I didn’t see a reason to stick around,” said Hanson.
Hanson is excited about his new position but he said he will miss the staff and extension council from his position at the ISU Extension office and the members of the Manchester City Council.
“The people I work with are great,” said Hanson. “We have a great extension program and it’s been great to be a part of that ride for the past 12 years.”
He won’t miss the hours, however.
“The job takes a lot of time,” said Hanson, who said that biggest thing he will miss is watching the 4-H members grow and develop.
“I’m not directly involved with the kids but there are still a lot of kids I’ve seen that were very young when I started and now have grown,” he said. “It’s good that I won’t have to be out and about as much, I’ll miss the fair and I won’t be supervising people. But then again it’s bad too.”
Dean Sherman, who was recently elected, will replace Hanson on the Manchester City Council at the beginning of the year. As of right now, if the council needs Hanson, he can attend the meetings via telephone.
The ISU extension council, which consists of nine elected Delaware County residents, will meet with the Iowa State University staff to discuss what type of person they want to have take over the director position.
Bruce Bearinger, the director for Buchanan County, will serve as an interim director for the next few months until a new director can be named. |
| Chamber, Rotary Club host elected officials banquet |
The Manchester Area Chamber of Commerce and the Manchester Rotary Club hosted their 20th Annual Elected Officials Luncheon last Wednesday at the Manchester Golf Course.
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Tom Hancock, State Senator, District 16; Steve Lukan State Rep. House District 32; Roger Thomas State Rep. House District 24
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Some 19 county wide elected officials gave short speeches on topics ranging from the state budget, health care concerns, funding teachers salaries and the training of a new type of workforce to replaced the retiring “Baby Boomers.”
The luncheon has been a big hit with both the elected officials that attend and the Manchester Area Chamber of Commerce and the Manchester Rotary Club.
Following the luncheon a number of the elected officials stayed around to talk with their constituents regarding concerns they may have.
Bill Bergeson, Rotary Club President and Judy Gudenkauf, Vice-President of the Manchester Area Chamber of Commerce conducted the opening ceremonies and the introductions of officials. |
Donna Boss (left) Economic Development Director presents Darrell Hanson (right) with a plaque honoring him for his many years of service to Manchester and the surrounding area as both a the Delaware County Extension Director and a Manchester City Council member. The plaque was presented at the conclusion of the 20th Anniversary of the Elected Officials Luncheon hosted by the Manchester Rotary Club and the Manchester Area Chamber of Commerce last Wednesday at the Manchester Golf Course.
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| The Museum in Lamont is full of local history |
If you haven’t had to opportunity, or just haven’t taken the time to travel to Lamont to visit the Museum, you really should.
There are two floors packed full of antique items, almost all of which are from the local area in and around Lamont.
The Museum opened in 2003 and is in its fifth year. It is privately owned and gets its funds through donations and volunteer workers.
Currently the Museum is doing their annual Christmas. This celebration includes many items that have been handmade by residents of Lamont and the surrounding area which are for sale through a silent auction.
Items range from various kinds of decorative baskets, filled with tons of goodies, to miniature trees that are carefully decorated by their creators.
Many of the items on display belong to the buildings owner, Mike Cook. However, there are a lot of items that people have loaned to the Museum to also display.
Looking at the registry book, near the front entrance, one can find visitors from New York, Georgia, Texas, South Dakota, Washington and California.
The Museum will be open this Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The last day they will be open for this year will be Saturday, December 8 when the silent auction will come to an end.
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