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Vol. 45 No. 19 Norwalk, Iowa 50211 USPS No. 395-120 Phone 981-0406 emaih news@norwalknewspaper.com Thursday, September 26, 2013
A
Ronda and Jeff Raun
New Venture for Jeff and Ronda Raun
Norwalk's "Berry Happy Club"
Hosting An Open House
Jeff and Ronda Raun have turned a hobby into a new
venture for them and for Norwalk area residents. Their
love of gardening led them to planting 40 tomato plants,
a large vegetable garden and a fruit orchard full of straw-
berries, raspberries, blackberries, concord grapes and
red seedless grapes, all at their Norwalk home, 1440 E.
17th St. They also have flower gardens, planter boxes,
maiden grass and a Hosta bed.
Jeff was intrigued by the process and became very
interested in arbors. From five blackberry plants they
purchased in their first year, they learned about soil,
water, disease, pest and insect management, as well as
how arbors affect quantity, quality and ease of harvest.
He studied the latest research on commercial arbors and
worked with Iowa State University Horticulture Re-
search and Extension specialists. Jeff designed an arbor
and had a skilled Warren County business build the 14
arbors that are currently in their yard.
Then came the idea of having more arbors and shar-
ing the berry growing experience with friends and
neighbors. Arbors don't take much land, they take capi-
tal so the goal is to get 500 arbors. Thus the idea of Berry
Happy Club.
Jeff says this is a unique process by letting them put
two or more 10 ft. arbors in your yard. You harvest the
first arbor, they harvest the rest. They also do all of the
work except harvesting your arbor. They will install and
manage a multi-unit Turnkey Arbor System in member's
yards or acreages. Members receive all of the berries
from one 10 ft. bed. Depending on how many 10 ft. beds
you choose, you get 100-200% of your money back and
keep the arbor system at the end of the Agreement. He
advises the more you let them install, the more it
switches to its investment potential. While helping the
Raun's get supply" members also get supply of fresh
blackberries from their yard. The couple say, "Growth
through mutual benefit and treats for your body."
Once established, one 10 ft. arbor should produce
enough fruit for the member. Multiple arbors will give
100-200% of their money back over time, while increas-
ing the privacy of their yard. The Rauns say they went
from no privacy to high privacy on a very busy Norwalk
corner. They call it their own little oasis. Jeff said, "You
can bring a full-sized pick-up with a dump trailer to
afiywhere in our yard. You can walk through and not
Concluded p. 13
Candidates SeekSeats On Council
Norwalk City Clerk, Jeff Rosien, has announced that
several candidates filed nomination papers seeking elec-
tion to the Norwalk City Council by the 5 p.m. deadline
Thursday, Sept. 19.
Tom Phillips_and Dave Murillo are running for
Mayor. Those seeking the four-year term as council are
Jaki Livingston, Herman Riva, Erika Isley and Mike Leto.
Seeking the two-year term vacancy left when Frank
Curtis resigned as a council member are Kyle Jackson,
David Lester, Pat Wahl and Bryan Nelson.
The General Election is Tuesday, Nov. 5. A sample Bal-
lot will be published at a later date in this newspaper.
Riva Announces He Is
Council Candidate
Name: Herman Riva
Address: 3720 Bluestem
Road
Personal Information and
Reason for Running:
I grew up in a town of
600 in central Illinois. I re-
ceived my BA in Econom-
ics from University of Illi-
nois-Springfield and MBA
from Western Illinois Uni-
versity (Macomb). I began
my career in institutional
fixed income investments
in Illinois, followed by five
• years in Cedar Rapids and
11 years in my current po-
sition. I earned my Char-
tered Financial Analyst
accreditation several years
ago and have been married
to my wife Stephanie for
15 years.
While living in Clive I
served on the Clive Li-
brary board and I am cur-
rently serving on a non-
profit foundation board of
directors. Since moving to
Norwalk in 2006, I have
been a regular attendee at
City Council meetings in
addition to other city gov-
ernment related meetings.
I am running for City
Council because I believe
I can help the city develop
- into a community that ev-
eryone can be proud to
,live. My financial back-
ground and attendance at
past city council meetings
Will allow me to immedi-
ately contribute to work-
ing with current city staff.
If elected, I will proac-
tively seek opinions and
viewpoints from citizens
in order to serve the city in
a conscientious manner.
My focus will be transpar-
ent government, commer-
cial development and in-
frastructure improvement.
Feel free to contact me at
Herman Riva
rivanorwalk @gmail.com,
or 515-221-1356. Visit my
Facebook page: Riva for
Norwalk Iowa for my
viewpoints on city related
issues.
Farmer's Market
Friday, Sept. 27, is the
last Norwalk Area Cham-
ber of Commerce spon-
sored Farmer's Market
from 4 to 7 p.m. in the
parking lot in front of the
Dollar General Store in
Sunset Plaza.
A variety of vendors
have been selling their
products throughout the
summer. Deb Mineart, ex-
ecutive secretary for the
chamber, advises there
ffaay be some vendors who
will continue to bring fall
produce to the Norwalk
market including zucchini
and squash.
Clothing Swap
Community Clothing
SWAP Friday, Oct. 4 and
Saturday" Oct. 5, at Lake-
wood Elementary School.
Drop off gently used items
Friday between 5 and 9
p.m., then return Saturday
morning between 9 a.m.
and noon for FREE • shop-
ping
Public Reception for Ed Kuhl; ;
Ed Kuhl'showing the proclamation and his shadow i!i!;;:i::i
Photo submitted.
I YOUR CITY. ]
GOVERNMENT IN ACTION
By Mary Lou Gray
City Clerk Jeff Rosien announced candidates for
upcoming city elections. Mayoral candidates are Tom
Phillips and Dave Murillo. The 4-year council seat
candidates are Jaki Livingston, Herman Riva, Erika
Isley and Mike Leto. The 2-year councilseat (vacated by
Frank Curtis) candidates are
Kyle Jackson, David Lester, Pat Wahl and Bryan Nelson.
The Norwalk City Council meeting was held Thurs-
day" Sept. 19, at city hall. Mayor Pro Tem Dave Murillo
called the meeting to order as Mayor Doug Pierce was
absent. Councilmembers Jamie Sylvester, Mike Leto and
Eric Delker were present.
Presentation-Dave Stone, of BRAVO, shared infor-
marion about BRAVO and thanked the city of Norwalk
for its participation. The BRAVO organization supports
• arts, arts education and the creative economy of Greater
Des Moines and surrounding communities.
Public Comment-Resident Kurt Lankford, Woodmayr
Circle, invited council to take a drive along Woodmayr
to experience the condition of the street.
Tom Greteman addressed the wisdom of asking resi-
dents for social security numbers on water bills. He stated
it opens the door for the city to be liable if this informa-
tion is used for identify theft or stolen from the city.
Newton Standridge advised the council of the Simon 1"
Estes concert to be held at the Norwalk Performing Arts
Center October 20.
Steve Carlson, Norwalk resident, stated he would like
to know how long before information is Coming con-
ceming the city manager's contract changes. Note: This
item was pulled from the agenda.
Consent Agenda-Tax abatements were approved for
Classic Builders, Inc., 405 Sycamore Dr., single-family
residence (SFR), $200,000 and Wright Storage LLC, 150
W. Wright Rd., new commercial for $850,000.
Liquor license was approved for Git N Go Conve-
nience Stores, Inc.
Mayor Pro Tem-With the resignation of
Councilmember Frank Curtis, Councilmember Dave
Murillo was appointed for the remainder of 2013 for ,
the position of Mayor Pro Tem.
concluded p. 11
