Inaugural Public Safety Day Today in Perry
The Perry police, fire and public works departments are all taking time out their Saturday to inform and entertain the public. Public Safety Day takes place in the Hy-Vee Parking lot from 10-1pm.
Fire Chief Chris Hinds say he’s looking forward to the event and says it serves a few purposes for the public.
“One thing is money. It costs a lot of money to buy a piece of fire equipment or a snow plow, a police car or a piece of equipment the police departments use. So it’s important for the public to see this stuff, see what their tax dollars go for. You can find out how it’s used and what it’s used for and why this specific piece of equipment is needed or necessary for the safety of the public.”
Hinds says it’s also a good opportunity for children to see that these people are here to help them in emergencies.
“When children see us with our full bunker gear on and the air back, and of course the mask that goes along with that, we look like some kind of a space alien or something like that. It’s important when you have a house fire or something like that it’s important that the children are not afraid of you so they don’t hide from you. It makes it very difficult to get everybody out of the house if you have someone that is scared because they think the aliens have landed and they’re hiding in their closet or under their bed.”
Saturday’s event will include a smokehouse, car crash simulator, equipment on display and more.
The Raccoon Valley Radio “Big Red Radio” will be there broadcasting live from 10am to noon.
Pattee Park Expansion Project Hits Snag, Groundbreaking Likely in 2016
Additions to Perry’s Pattee Park will likely be behind schedule as the City failed to get any bids on the first phase of the project.
City Administrator Sven Peterson says they are looking for a company to help with the storm water retention pond, part of the walking trail and parking lot as the first portion of the project, but now that may change.
“We’re just going to kind of go back to the drawing board and revisit the project, maybe expand it now that we have some more funds and go back and probably rebid that in December.”
As for how far this delays the project, Peterson says it shouldn’t a major setback.
“We were hoping that maybe we could get some dirt moving this fall but it’s going to look like next spring for a start day, probably into next August. Hopefully (grass) seeding late next summer, into fall. Hopefully maybe spring of 2017 we can plan on a soccer field. So a little be farther behind schedule than I would hope but things happen and we just kind of roll with it and take it as it comes.”
The total cost of the project is around $680,000, with phase one estimated at just under $270,000.
Adel Chamber Hires New Director
The Adel Partners Chamber of Commerce has a new leader.
The Board recently announced the hiring of Deb Bengtson as their new Director, filling the vacancy left when Karina Ward departed in mid June.
Bengtson previously worked with the chambers in Windsor Heights and West Des Moines and she’s looking forward to meeting the Adel community and helping the city grow.
She can be reached at 993-5472.
Perry Chamber Helps Welcome Back School Teacher and Staff
Monday was the official start of the 2015-2016 school year for teachers and staff in the Perry Community School District.
Though students won’t join them for another week, educators are busy learning new curriculums and policies, collaborating with their peers and preparing to teach our local youth.
The Perry Chamber of Commerce helped welcome everyone back Monday morning with an appreciation breakfast in the high school commons. The Hotel Pattee served a buffet of pastries, fruit, eggs, potatoes, bacon, sausage and beverages to all in attendance.
Everyone then relocated to the performing arts center where they were welcomed by Chamber Executive Director Bob Wilson, Jay and Denise Hartz with the Hotel Pattee, School Board President Dan Willhelmi, School Board Vice President Jim Lutmer and Superintendent Lynn Ubben.
The program continued with a video introduction of the District’s new teachers, followed by an inspirational video, and presentations from Teaching and Learning Director Kevin Vidergar and Technology Director Rich Nichols.
Weekly Precipitation Update
The week started on a wet note here in the Raccoon River Valley.
According to the National Weather Service, Jefferson received more than 2.6 inches of rain this week for a total of 3.2 inches this month.
Another 1.7 inches fell in both Perry and Guthrie Center, bringing their monthly totals to 2.2 and 3.4 inches respectively.
More rain is expected tomorrow evening.