Supervisors ignore public opinion, hire architect

By Ron Slechta
Posted 3/29/23

The Washington County Board of Supervisors ignored public opinion and property taxpayers last week and signed a contract with Carl A. Nelson to develop plans on how to remodel the Orchard Hill …

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Supervisors ignore public opinion, hire architect

Posted

The Washington County Board of Supervisors ignored public opinion and property taxpayers last week and signed a contract with Carl A. Nelson to develop plans on how to remodel the Orchard Hill complex for county administrative staff.

The move would take county administrative and elected officials out of downtown Washington when there was a cheaper opportunity to purchase the former Federation Bank Building where they now occupy three floors of the building for County Dept. of Health offices.

Supervisors continue to say there is more room for expansion of county government at Orchard Hill.  How much more do we want government to expand?

They are also planning to use COVID relief funds to finance the remodeling.  Is that the best use of those funds? I thought they were to help local governments to better serve the taxpayers, perhaps by improving public health and services that were restricted because of COVID.

Construction or remodeling of a building is not at all related to problems that were a result of COVID. I think the supervisors just see that as free money that they can use whatever way they want.  

 Great Community Support

Kalona area residents showed their strong support by giving $5,509 in freewill donations at the Kalona Optimists Club Tenderloin meal on Thursday, March 23.

The Optimist club is extremely appreciative of the support of area people, including many from other towns such as Wellman, Washington, and Riverside.  Carryout meals exceeded those who dined in.  

Optimists cooked 50 more tenderloins this year than last year but still ran out.  Plans are to increase that number again next year.

 

Flags in the Park

The Kalona Optimists originally planned to have 20 American flags at the north end of City Park on the south side of Highway 22 sponsored by area businesses and individuals. The flags will fly the same day as the Community of Flags on Memorial Day, Flag Day (June 14) Emancipation Day (June 19th), Independence Day, Labor Day, Patriot Day (Sept. 11) and Veterans Day.

However, due to the popularity of the flag display, the Optimists have decided to allow additional businesses, organizations, and individuals to sponsor flags. Cost is $40 for one year or $75 for two years. 

Anyone interested in sponsoring one of the Flags in the Park should contact Ron Slechta at The News or Jan Peterseim of Beatty-Peterseim Funeral and Cremation Services.  Please bring checks to Ron Slechta at The News office, 419 B Avenue, or mail them to Kalona Optimists, PO Box 483, Kalona, IA 52247. There will be a sign recognizing sponsors.

This project was originally suggested to the Kalona Optimists by Friend of Optimists member Jan Peterseim. It will be a very impressive display of flags.  

There are also over 320 residents who sponsor flags in their front yards or at their place of business seven times a year as part of the Kalona Optimist Club’s Community of Flags.    Washington Township Optimists also help the Kalona club display and take down the flags.

Many of those subscriptions are now up for renewal. You can leave checks at The News Office, 419 B Avenue, or mail them to PO Box 483, Kalona, IA 52247.   If you would like to have a flag in your yard on days the flags are displayed, you can pick up a form at The News.