The Guthrie Center City Council met Monday night.
They continue to discuss the issues of parking and rental property maintenance.
The Council is considering setting up a system to sell parking permits for five days in instances where residents or contractors need to have a vehicle parked on the street for an extended period of time. The permits could be voided in case of a snow parking ban or other emergency situation. The issue will be discussed further at future meetings.
Plus, the Council continues to discuss the possibility of implementing a rental house maintenance code. Landlord Tom Rutledge owns six properties in Guthrie Center and showed concern to the Council that responsible property owners like himself will be punished with extra fees because of a few landlords who don’t take care of their properties. Councilor Patrick responded to Rutledge’s concern stating that the goal of the legislation was to provide a safe and livable place to live for tenants; something that many of the City’s landlords are already doing. The Council is seeking feedback from local landlords on this issue.
Additionally, the Council voted unanimously to donate a pool pass to the Guthrie Center Chamber Christmas event.
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Everyone is invited to help decorate the Panora town square for the holidays this weekend. Chamber Treasurer Jamie Waddle says the more people that get involved, the easier the task will be. Work is set to begin at 1 p.m. Sunday.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) estimates 125,000 deer hunters will be out in Iowa’s fields and timber during December’s two shotgun seasons.
Many will try their luck in Guthrie County, which has a reputation as being one of the best places to find trophy bucks in the state. According to Iowa Game and Fish Magazine, there were 38 trophy bucks harvested in Guthrie County between 2010-2014. That’s the fourth highest of any county in Iowa.
DNR Recreation Safety Officer Pat Jorgensen reminds hunters to be safe in the field, by wearing as much blaze orange as they can.
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Numerous individuals were presented awards at the annual Guthrie County 4-H Awards Sunday night. There were five Senior Specialty Awards handed out. Caleb Finnegan, of Guthrie Center, was given the People’s Bank Leadership Award and Shubel Owen Communication Award. The Senior Achievement Award was presented to Madeline Knapp of Linden. Matt Vannatta, of Guthrie Center, received the James Leo Community Service Award and Willow Sword, of Panora, received the Outstanding Senior Award.
Additionally, three Adult Awards were handed out. Kendall Kipp was named an Honorary 4-H Member. The Stuart-Anita Vet Clinic was given the Friends of 4-H Award and Dean and Betty Whitehead received the 4-H Alumni Award.
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The Professional Learning Coaches (PLC) program at Panorama Elementary School continues to provide an important service to the district in its second year.
The PLC staff includes music teacher Amy Block, teacher librarian Joan Fredrickson and preschool teacher Kelly Nunn. The PLC’s meet weekly with Instructional Coach, Patty Meinecke, to plan professional development for the teachers based on data and the district’s needs.
This year, the PLC program has been largely focused on improving the education aspects of substantive conversation, conceptual understanding and unit planning.