Spring Water Main and Hydrant Flushing Starts Monday
The City of Perry plans to start its annual water main and fire hydrant flushing program next week.
The two week process kicks off Monday as crews run water through lines throughout town. During this time, residents may temporarily experience low water pressure and/or discolored water.
If discoloration appears, citizens are asked to flush their home plumbing until the water clears up.
Anyone with questions can call the water works department at 465-2562.
Perry City Council Approves Voluntary Annexation
The City limits of Perry continue to expand after four more properties were brought in on voluntary annexation this week.
The City Council approved the annexation of property owned by Midwest Oil Seeds, Stine Seed Company, Struyks Slopes and the Knoll Family at their meeting Monday.
City Administrator Butch Niebuhr says the Midwest Oil Seeds and Stine Seed Company owners have come to an agreement with Perry Industries and Perry Economic Development, saying he would be willing to sell the property if someone wanted to expand their business in the Perry Industrial Park.
The two groups are hoping to earn certified site program designation from the Iowa Economic Development Authority.
“They’ve gone through step one and step two, and actually we had Iowa Economic Development Authority in town last week. They did a site visit and were impressed with the site and are ready to bring us to step three. Which gets into Perry Industries having to do the studies, whether it’s historical studies, ecology studies, there’s five or six studies that have to be done. So this is when it comes time where they have to start paying some money out to get this completed and get into the certified site” says Niebuhr.
Niebuhr says this gives Perry around 155 acres of land available for a site expansion.
We recently told you about the two Dallas County sites, in Dexter and Van Meter that have already been certified. Niebuhr says he feels this is beneficial for Perry.
Niebuhr says the next round of certified sites could be announced by the end of the year.
Perry Crime Stoppers Offer Reward for Information Those Placing Graffiti on Property
The Perry Crime Stoppers are hoping the public can help identify those responsible for vandalizing property in town.
A $500 reward is being offered to anyone who has information on the person or persons who have been placing graffiti on property in Perry. Defacing property is a crime and anyone caught doing so will be face criminal charges.
If you have any information, call the Crime Stoppers at 465-5661. As always, all callers will remain anonymous when reporting a crime.
Dry and Drought Conditions Continue Locally
Greene County is still one of only seven counties in Iowa that continues to experience severe drought conditions.
Northeast Iowa continues to be in the best shape in terms of drought but Dallas and Guthrie Counties still range from abnormally dry to moderate drought.
Perry, Jefferson and Guthrie Center have each received just over a quarter of an inch so far this month
Perry and Jefferson usually see just over 4.5 inches of precipitation in May, while Guthrie Center typically receives more than 5 inches.
The chance of additional rain continues through this weekend.
District 10 State Senator Jake Chapman Says 2014 Legislative Session was Frustrating
Iowa state lawmakers wrapped up the 2014 legislative session late last week, but for some it was far from a happy ending.
We asked District 10 State Senator Jake Chapman of Adel how he felt Friday morning…
“My emotion is just really, disappointment. We’re sent down there to govern, not campaign. When you have something like this happening as your last bill of the session, it really puts a sour taste in my mouth and it should put a sour taste in all of Iowa’s mouth. They had the opportunity for the last 50 days, they’ve talked about it every single morning on the Senate floor. And yet they try bringing a bill up after everything is completed and the House adjourns?”
He’s talking of course about the Democrat controlled Senate authorizing subpoena power for lawmakers investigating the secret settlements controversy.
The Republican Senator says he’s upset about it and feels voters will be too.
Chapman, in his second year as a State Senator, says there was a lot of politics played with this year’s session. He says a lot of negotiated deals were passed through at the last minute, many of which without his vote.