Guttenberg Press

Early voting is now available for the special election in the Clayton Ridge Community School District  to be held on Tuesday, April 7.

The polling hours for the Clayton Ridge School District will be from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. that day. Anyone not able to vote during those hours is encouraged to vote early at the Clayton County Auditor’s Office or by mail.  

The notice of the election and sample ballot will be printed in the March 25 issue of The Guttenberg Press. 

By Molly Moser

“The things I remember the most about mom would be her generosity, her quick wit, the endless smile, open arms, and her passion for being a great mother,” says Tony Reyerson of his late mother, Lucy Smith Reyerson. “But most of all, she was my best friend.”

Doctors at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester diagnosed Lucy with multiple sclerosis in 1989. On Jan. 11, 2000, she passed away from pneumonia and complications of the disease. This year, Lucy’s family and friends have organized a walk around Esmann Island to honor her memory and fundraise for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

When Tony decided to join the MS volunteer committee in his home city of LaCrosse, he learned of a group in Platteville, Wis., who raised $25,000 by hosting a private walk in their town. “That’s what sparked this idea,” he says. “I mentioned it to my wife, Heather, and my mother-in-law, Mary Eulberg. Mary being the go-getter she is, took right off with it and started making some connections.”

“Our mission behind this walk is to raise awareness for those in our community fighting MS and to raise money to go toward MS research,” said Reyerson’s wife, Heather (Hefel) Reyerson. She and her mother join many others each year for LaCrosse’s Walk MS event as part of Team Lucy.  

By Molly Moser

Guttenberg resident Dan Ganahl met the late Shari Harbaugh of Edgewood during pool league. They had been friends for just over a year when she was killed in a tragic car accident on Dec. 1, 2014. Ganahl decided to organize a pool tournament in her honor. “She deserves a big happy celebration,” he said. “A lot of people knew her and she was one of those people that will be remembered.”

The Shari Harbaugh Memorial Kings & Queens Pool Tournament is planned for Saturday, March 21, hosted by both Moxies Tap and the Dam Bar in Guttenberg. “I had some high expectations, and this event has definitely exceeded those,” Ganahl told The Press. At print, there are 52 couples signed up for the tournament. Moxies will be bringing in an extra pool table to accommodate the tournament, and 14 other businesses have also signed up as event sponsors.

Over 30 envelopes stuffed with gift cards from area businesses will be raffled off during the tournament on March 21. Prizes like a roadside car kit, pool stick and cue, manicure/pedicure, and more have also been donated for the raffle. Danny and Andy Schroeder have donated a whole hog to the raffle, and two winners will each receive one half of the hog. A 50th anniversary Ruger 10/22 stainless steel rifle was also donated as a raffle prize. 

By Shelia Tomkins

The city budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2015,  was approved at the March 2 meeting of the Guttenberg city council. 

For the coming fiscal year, revenues are estimated at $23,065,834 and expenditures at $23,124,206. As per state requirements, the city budget includes the budget for Guttenberg Municipal Hospital. The hospital portion makes up almost 70% of the city budget for the coming fiscal year. The hospital budget predicts revenues and expenditures at $16,443,000 each. The estimated total tax levy per $1,000 valuation on regular property is 15.11220, reflecting a minor decrease from this year's levy of 15.11400. 

Mayor Russ Loven led councilmembers Steve Friedlein, Jane Parker, Dave Schlueter, Fred Schaub and Virginia Saeugling through the agenda. City Manager Mary Willett and City Attorney Michael Schuster were also present.

Water rate increase

The council approved the second reading of an ordinance that will increase water, sewer and storm sewer rates. A recent audit report recommended an increase in customer water and sewer rates in order to cover operating costs. Proposed is a base rate increase of $1 for water, $2 for sewer and $.50 for storm sewer. The ordinance also provides for a minimum monthly billing even if service is disconnected. 

City manager salary increase

City Manager Mary Willett has been on the job for a year now, and in accordance with her employment agreement a one-year review was recently completed. "We have had some really big challenges, and she's stepped up to the plate," said the Mayor of her evaluation. He noted that major city issues in the past year included comprehensive planning, the change of electricity providers, strategic planning, Acre Street renovation, frozen water pipes, municipal hospital plans, the Garber Road bridge, major capital expenditures, levee accreditation, the RAGBRAI visit last summer, Canadian Pacific Railroad concerns, as well as financing and budgeting.