ron Hometowner serving the communities of Akron, IA and Westfield, IA with Local News, Sports and What's Happening in the community. Designed by River City Digital Design www.rivercd.com
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March 12, 2008 What's Happening? Potato Bake New Horizons Church is hosting a Potato Bake March 15, 5-7 p.m. A-W FFA Banquet The Akron-Westfield FFA Banquet begins at 5:30 p.m, Saturday, March 18. Sioux Valley meeting Sioux Valley Township Board of Adjustment meets March 19, 7 p.m. Easter basket hunt The Akron Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring and Easter Basket Hunt March 22 beginning at 9:30 a.m. Pork Producers The Plymouth County Pork Producers annual banquet is March 18 in Le Mars. Social is at 6 p.m., dinner is at 7 p.m. A-W carnival The Akron-Westfield school carnival is March 14 at the school from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Proceeds will be used to fund several projects at the school. Sees candy sale A Sees candy sale will be at the A-W Carnival March 14. There are some extra Easter candy items that will be available that night. Proceeds go towards the teachers’ wish list. Legislative forum Rep. Chuck Soderberg and Sen. Dave Mulder will be hosting legislative forums at 9 a.m. at the Hawarden City Hall, 10:30 a.m. at the Akron Public Library, and at noon at the Westfield Community Center to discuss various issues concerning the Iowa Legislature. The public is invited and encouraged to attend the meetings and address any issues that are of concern.
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Commissioners give Hyperion green light Follow the timeline leading up to the unanimous 5-0 vote on the Hometowner's Hyperion Articles page
By Julie Ann Madden The vote was unanimous -- the Union County Commissioners approved Hyperion Refining LLC’s rezoning application and ordinance yesterday. Hyperion officials plan to erect a 400,000 barrels-a- day oil refinery and Integrated Combined Cycle electric power plant in rural Union County. During the public input of the meeting, Save Union County Committee spokesperson Ed Cable asked the commissioners to complete an Environmental Impact Study before approving Hyperion’s paperwork. In addition, he asked that the public be allowed to look at the revised ordinance before commissioners voted and that the Whalen Law Office report be made public. Union County resident Burdette Hanson also spoke against the passage of the ordinance while Citizens For Hyperion chairperson J.B. Mercer urged commissioners to pass it based on if the application was filled out correctly. Two others in the crowd of about 130 asked that the issue be decided by a vote of the people. The commission made no comments and continued with the meeting. Commissioner Milton Ustad made a motion to delay the second reading of Hyperion’s proposal. However, none of the other commissioners would second the motion. Commission Chairman Doyle Karpen immediately began conducting the second reading. Hyperion’s rezoning application and ordinance had been revised to the point that they appeared to be completely new documents. As soon as Karpen finished reading the ordinance revisions, an attorney in the audience interjected that with such substantial changes in the ordinance, the process called for another public hearing. Nothing was said by the commissioners and Karpen finished the second reading. Two of the biggest changes were the size of the Energy Center Planned Development. The acreage of the proposed site was reduced from 3,882.24 acres to 3,292 acres. In addition, the site is now east of 473rd Avenue. Commissioner Ross Jordan made a motion to approve the ordinance as it was presented, and Commissioner Marvin Schempp seconded it. Each of the commissioner spoke regarding their decision and the process. “I think this document is completely different from the original,” said Jordan, “and we’ve addressed areas of concern that I’ve personally had and heard at the public hearing.” “It’s not the county commissioners’ responsibility or authority to send this to a vote of the people,” he said. “It’s our responsibility to vote on the other ordinance. And if the citizens decided they want to refer it, that is up to the citizens. Our responsibility has been to look at this ordinance, determine whether it was proper for Union County, make sure if it was proper we covered all the elements of concern the citizens had and we as commissioners had, and I think we have done that.” “I’d like to say that I believe the county’s liability here has been protected by the amendments of this ordinance,” said Commissioner Dale Neely. Only Schempp spoke during the recall vote. “I was going to vote no but I’m going to vote yes today because of the letter I got,” said Schempp referring to an email containing a photograph of him meeting with county and state officials Saturday.
Akron Community Foundation awards grants
The Akron Community Foundation (ACF), originally established by Florence and Fern Peterson, recently awarded grants totaling $27,607. In planting the first seeds of giving to establish the ACF, the Petersons created a vehicle for current and former residents of Akron to give back to their community. All gifts to the ACF are carefully invested and the income from Akron’s endowment is used to make grants to public charities that best meet the needs in Akron. This is the third year of awarding grants and the ACF Advisory Board is again pleased to support worthy organizations in their efforts to positively impact the quality of life in Akron,” said Mike Hohenstein, chairman of the ACF Advisory Board. This year grants have been awarded to: • Akron Child Care Center, Inc: $2,200 – Support for the purchase of new gross motor development indoor and outdoor play equipment that will help the Center meet state requirements. • Akron City Convalescent Care Center: $4,000 – For the purchase and installation of a wheelchair lift for the Care Center van. • Akron Community Theatre: $3,000 – For the purchase and installation of a chair lift up the steps to enhance accessibility to the theatre. • Akron Historical Society: $3,000 – For the installation of a main entry access ramp, railing, and additional lighting to improve safety and accessibility to the Museum. • Akron Public Library: $1,407 – For the purchase of new tables for the meeting room which is used for all library programs and by community groups and organizations. • City of Akron: $14,000 – Support for new decorative light poles to be installed on Reed Street as part of the commercial district revitalization efforts. Since the first grants were awarded in 2006, almost $50,000 has been awarded to support needs in the community and the services provided by Akron nonprofit organizations. Past grant recipients also include the Akron Park Board, Akron-Westfield Community School District, Akron-Westfield FFA, and the Akron Lions Club in partnership with the City of Akron for the electronic community event sign. The mission of the Akron Community Foundation is to identify and fulfill community needs, impact future growth and development of Akron, promote volunteerism, attract and distribute funds, and enhance the quality of life in Akron by providing leadership, creating opportunities, and challenging the community to share time, talent, and resources through personal involvement and commitment. The ACF is an affiliate of the Siouxland Community Foundation which provides administrative and technical assistance to further the charitable efforts of all its affiliates, including the Akron Community Foundation. Visit http://www.siouxlandcommunityfoundation.org/akron.aspx to learn more about the Akron Community Foundation.
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