“
Important
Addresses:
City of
Chariton 4th of July Committee
Chariton
Chamber and Development Corp. 104 North
Grand,
Chariton Community Schools Information Site http://www.Chariton.k12.ia.us
The website of the Lucas County Arts Council is www.southerniowaarts.com
The website of the Lucas County Historical Society is http://chariton-museum.tripod.com/
Fall in
email
Randy Westman
was presented the 2009 Citizen of the Year Award at the Chariton Chamber and Development
Corporation's Annual meet at Carpenter's Hall, August 11th, 2009 . The
presentation was made by Mary Stierwalt, the 2008 Citizen of the Year .
In making the presentation, Stierwalt noted that Chariton is fortunate to
have citizens like Randy who are willing to step forward and carry out community
projects large and small. She also said, " Those of us who live here have
certainly been enriched by Randy's decision to return to his home base." Randy
was recognized for his many years of community service the latest being his
coordination of the Chariton RAGBRAI overnight this year. Randy
also was a key organizer in the Johnson Machine Works' 100th Anniversary in 2007, which
included the community and surrounding areas and states. He has been a coach and
referee for youth sports, 4-H activities, the teaching of a financial management course
and is currently serving on the Lucas County Health Center Board of Trustee. Randy's
wife, Caryn, and his parents Marion and Beverly Westman were present for the presentation.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Construction on
a new jail for Lucas County has been put on hold as the bids for the construction of a new
jail were opened and the prices ranged from $$3.76 million to $3.657 million.
All bids were above the original total project amount which was not to exceed $2.9
million. The unincorporated areas of Lucas County passed a one-cent local option
sales tax on April 1, 2008 to fund the project. The
Board of Supervisors are exploring ways to proceed. The former National
Guard Armory was to have been converted into a jail/law center facility. Title to
the building is now in the process of being returned to the ownership of the City of
Chariton.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The collection of a hotel/motel tax for Lucas County was approved by voters at
a special election on May 5, 2009. The tax will be 7% of the gross receipts
of motels and bread and breakfast facilities within the county. If approved,
the tax would go in to effect July 21, 2009. The referendum was proposed by Tourism
Lucas County, a division of the Lucas County Chamber of Commerce and Development
Corporation.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Two
overhead railroad bridges, one on The
Chariton City Council has approved plans and work will begin on the replacement of the
Auburn Avenue bridge. Calhoun-Burns and Associates, a bridge specialty firm has been
working with the City Council. The
bridge will be of concrete, a continuous slab with a sidewalk alongside and will span 150
feet. It will be constructed just south of where the old bridge was. The concrete pouring
on the Auburn Avenue bridge has been completed and the bridge is open for travel.
The Chariton Ambassadors, along with others, were present for the ceremony. Present
Mayor John Braida and former Mayor Mary Stierwalt shared the duties of cutting the ribbon
to officially open the bridge for travel. Stierwalt was given the honor of being the
first to travel over the bridge after its opening. The contractor for the bridge was
Herberger Construction. Ideal Ready Mix supplied the concrete and Lucas County
Engineer Todde Folkerts, along with others from the Lucas County Secondary
Roads Department, were on site to test the concrete and make sure all specifications were
followed. The bridge is 153.1 ft in length and 37 feet wide.
Representatives
from Lucas County Tourism met with the Chariton City Council recently with an
entrance sign proposal for the City of Chariton. The council voted to send a letter
of approval of participation in this program. The Chariton Valley Tourism Region is
promoting a coordinated entrance sign program for each community in the nine
counties area. The counties are Appanoose, Clarke, Davis, Decatur, Lucas, Monroe,
Van Buren, Wapello and Wayne. This area has been named the Historic Hills
Corridor. The logo to be used is part of a new tourism campaign to highlight
the beautiful drives along Highway 34 and Highway 2 in Southern Iowa. The Historic
Hills Advisory Group have received a Transportation Enhancement funds
grant. Six replacement signs are slated to be put up at the entrances
to Chariton. Work was completed on the new CHARITON
signs recently. They are a very nice addition.
At their last meeting, members of the Historic
Hills Initiative recommended that all communities in the Chariton Valley Tourism
Region promote the planting of red bud trees hoping to expand on the success of the red
bud plantings that have been promoted by the Chariton Chamber of Commerce the past few
years. It is felt this has been a very successful program coupled with the
many trees at Red Haw State Park and has been an effective tourism tool. They
are hoping this mass planting would provide an incentive for visitors to visit the
area.
Stratford Homes Update ~ Stratford
Homes Models and Sales Office are open Mon-Fri from 8-4:30 pm and on weekends by
appointment. You can call the office 641 774-8828 or toll free 866 774 8828 to
schedule an appointment during daily hours of operation. Debra Storm is the Stratford Homes Sales Coordinator in Chariton. The
office/model homes are located at 1000 South 1st Street.
Stratford Homes Model Homes will be open during Ragbrai,
Wednesday, July 22 from 8-4:30 pm. Please call if you have any questions.
See the Vredenburg -
The Chariton City
Council,
The E911 system has
been placed into service. According to Project Manager, Tim McGee, the
system has been 99% correct. All City of
The Department of
Natural Resources Trumpeter Swan Restoration Team has released a pair of flightless
swans in the Northwest Park Pond as part of a cooperative effort between the City of
Old Betsy in Home Coming Parade
Chariton Merchants Locator
4th of July Committee
Local Endorsement
Request for
Information
Chariton Volunteer Fire Department
Chariton
Community Home Page Created and Maintained by City
of Chariton. If you have any comments or suggestions please email me.
Thanks for visiting.