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OFFICIAL
NEWSPAPER FOR
NORWALK COMMUNITY
SCHOOL DISTRICT
Nor-.valk Warriors
Vol. 44 No. 48 Norwalk, Iowa 50211 USPS No. 395-120 Phone 981-0406 emaih news@norwalknewspaper.com,Thursday, April 18, 2013
CHANGES IN CLEAN-UP DAYS
LETTERS
We publish letters to the editor when they are not
libelous and when they are signed by the person or
persons submitting them. Opinions expressed are
not necessarily the opinions of the N/Warren
Town and County News staff. Letters are printed
as received. We do not correct spelling and
grammatical errors.
Residents are asked to note the changes to this year's
annual Spring Clean-Up Days Saturday, May 4. Due to
acts of vandalism last year, curbside pickup of appli-
ances and electronics will no longer be available during
this event.
Residents will have the opportunity to dispose of
these items at a special event Saturda June 8, from 7
a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Norwalk Public Works Facility, 2626
North Ave.
CASINO LOCATION IN DOUBT
The proposed location for the Warren County Casino
in Norwalk sits 1.2 miles off the end of the DSM airport's . Agenda
Southwest runway. Since proposing this site, promot- REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
ers have become aware that severe restrictions on what ~ Norwalk City Hall
can be built on this land may make this location unde- Thursday, April 18, 2013, 6:30 P.M.
sirable. A representative of Wild Rose told the Lakewood This is a tentative Agenda only, which is subject tO
Village Association president and the Norwalk City change. The final City Council A2enda will be
Manager they may be limited to a three story structure posted at the Norwalk City Hall at-least 24 hours
at this site. Height is not the only restriction. The use of prior to commencement of the meeting.
flashing, neon and strobe lighting would likely also be 1, Call to order at 6:30 p.m.
precluded. Add to this that a 40 foot noise berm con- 2. Approval'of Agenda
structed by the IDOT on the south side of Highway 5 3. Presentation - McClure regarding NCIS
would obscure any visibility of this kind of structure 4. Approval of Minutes-April 4, 2013 Regular Court-
makes you wonder, WHERE WILL THEY ACTUALLY cil Meeting
BUILD THIS CASINO if the vote passes. Public and 5. Mayor, Welcome of guests and public comment,
elected officials aren't talking on the record. I think it 3 minute limit, no action
important to remember that ALL WE ARE VOTING ON 6. Consent Agenda
IS SHOULD WE ALLOW GAMBLING ANYWHERE IN A. Expenditures
WARREN COUNTY. Location is not part of the vote. If B. Tax Abatements
gambling is approved in Warren County, a CASINO C. Special Events permit- RuNorwalk, May 11,
COULD BE COMING TO A LOCATION VERY NEAR 2013
YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. D. Set June 8, 2013 as the date of the annual soap
box derby
Tom Greteman E. Monthly reports
Norwalk 7. Hearings, Ordinances and Resolutions
Paid for by Tom Greteman
*** A. Consideration and third reading of a pro-
I am part of a group of concerned residents who re- posed Ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances of
cently petitioned the Norwalk City Council to take ac- the City of Norwalk, Iowa, 2008 making changes to the
tion that mirrors the vote of Norwalk on the May 7th Community Development fees - Final of Three read-
Gambling Referendum. On March 11th we asked the ings
Council to clearly define the threshold of City Council B. Consideration and third reading of a pro-
support in advance of the referendum. We asked that posed Ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances of
they discuss a referendum as an official item on their the City of Norwalk, Iowa, 2008, Chapter 136, pertain-
Council agenda at least one month in advance of May ing to snow, ice, and accumulations from public side-
7th. As of this writing, April 5th, the Council has cho- walks - Final of Three readings
sen not to discuss this in an open forum as official Coun- C. Consideration and second reading of a pro-
cil business. I would like to point out, however that the posed Ordinance amending Chapter 177 of the Code of
Council has felt quite comfortable in having six closed Ordinances of the City of Norwalk, Iowa, 2008 making
door sessions since Wild Rose's casino proposal was changes to the EMS fees
driven out of Ankeny. What was discussed during these D. Consideration and second reading of a pro-
Norwalk City Council closed-door sessions? What se- posed Ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances of
crets and facts are being hidden from the Norwalk resi- the City of Norwalk, Iowa, 2008, by amending Chapter
dents and taxpayers? What back room deals have been 177 pertaining to Building Department Permit Fees
carried out, either implicit or explicit? What, if anything, E. Consideration and first reading of a proposed
is enforceable? Ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances of the City
We are the individuals and families the Council rep- of Norwalk, Iowa, 2008, pertaining to property mainte-
resents. We are not a group paid by casinos. When Wild nance code
Rose was approached and our town was peddled as the F. Consideration and first reading of a proposed
location for their next casino, the Mayor and City Man- Ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances of the City
ager did it without ever asking the residents what we of Norwalk, Iowa, 2008, pertaining to peddler permits
wanted. They went to Wild Rose, said "Put It Here" and G. Resolution setting the date for Public Hear-
had closed-door Cotmcil meetings without ever hear- ing and consideration of a proposed Resolution approv-
ing our opinions. The irony is that the Mayor and City ing the Urban Renewal Plan amendment for park im-
Manager's motivations artd recommendations are sup- provements and administrative programs
posed mirror those of the individuals and families 8. Current Business
throughout Norwalk that they represent. 9. Reports-Mayor; Delker, Murillo, Curtis, Leto,
Just because we don't want a casino doesn't mean we Sylvester; City Manager; City Clerk; Community De-
are against all economic development. It's just that a velopment Director; Director of Planning & Building;
casino is a desperate idea by desperate people. It's no Public Works Director; Police Chief; Fire Chief; Parks &
substitute for real economic development. Urbandale Recreation Director;
Library Director
Concluded p. 1310. Adjournment
Register To Vote For City Election
All residents of the county must be pre-registered by
Friday, April 26, 2013 at 5 p.m. to cast a ballot for the
Special Election Tuesda May 7.
Individuals may register in person at the County
Auditor's Office or register by mail. All registrations
must be in the Warren County Auditor's Office no later
than 5 p.m. Friday, April 26, 2013.
Ballots are available for absentee voting for persons
who will be absent from the polls on May 7, 2013. The
ballots may be mailed to the voter upon a signed-re-
quest no later than Friday, May 3, 2013, or persons may
come into the Warren County Administration Building,
301 N. Buxton, Suite 101 and vote through May 6, 2013.
Persons applying for absentee ballots should mail these
ballots back to the Warren County Auditor's Office as
soon as possible, as the envelope must be postmarked"
no later than May 6, 2013.
A voter is not required to own property in order to
vote in the election, but must be currently registered in
your county of residency.
The Public Measure to be voted on reads as follows
on the ballot: "Shall the following public measure be
adopted? Gambling games at a casino to be developed
in Warren County is approved." Voters then have a
choice of "yes" or "no".
Norwalk Residents Asked to be Cautious
The Norwalk Fire Department and Norwalk Police
Department would like to inform its residents of re-
ported incidents of possible impersonation. It has been
reported that an individual has been knocking on doors
claiming to be a First Responder and they are respond-
ing to a distress call in the area. This individual is NOT
affiliated with the Norwalk Fire Department or the
Norwalk Police Department.
"We would like to takethis opportunity to remind
residents that members of both Departments woflld re-
lit" ' ;
spond in an Official City of Norwalk Vehicle," said Chief
Kuhl. "The members will also be wearing the autho-
rized uniform of each respective Department and have
Official Identification." Members of the Norwalk Fire
Department and Norwalk Police Deparfi-aent will not
go door-to-door unless the type of call necessitates it.
Both Departments respond to the specific location or
address of the call.
If you have someone come to your residence and state
he/she is a First Responder, Utility Worker, etc. and you
have concerns, it is recommended to ask for Official
Identification. If the person refuses, secure the door and
contact the Norwalk Police Department by calling 911
for emergency. If you have had a similar incident, call
the non-emergency dispatch rromber at 222-3321.
OES Dinner This Sunday
Members of Good Will Chapter, Order of the East-
ern Star will host the monthly dinner Sunday, April 21,
from 11 a.m. to I p.m. at the Masonic Hall on Main Street.
The meal is open to the public.
The menu includes minute steal% potatoes, green
beans, coleslaw and homemade pie. The cost is $6 for
adults and $3 for children 10 and under.
All proceeds will be given to the Norwalk Food Pan-
try. A donation of camaed goods will also be taken at the
dinner for the food pantry.
Community Blood Drive Today
Residents are reminded of the Norwalk Community
Blood Drive today, Thursda) April 18, from 3 to 7 p.m.
at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, 720 Orchard
Hills Dr.
Jib
