News

By Shelia Tomkins

The Guttenberg city council at its regular monthly meeting on April 6 heard a presentation on housing inspections, discussed railroad concerns and acted on water utility issues.

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

Lori Brockway from Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission spoke to the council about the UERPC certified building inspector program that Guttenberg can choose to take part in. She said the program covers rental and owner-occupied properties. "The purpose is to assure decent, safe and certified housing," said Brockway. She noted that Guttenberg currently has 38 buildings in observed poor condition. The program does not cover new building inspections. The City of Fayette is currently taking part in the program and Brockway shared information on that community's housing code. 

City Manager Willett reported on an idea for public art in the park being proposed by Umbrella Arts and recently presented by Juanita Loven to the park board. The board recommended that a community survey be taken to gather public input, and Willett said she will come up with a list of survey questions.

A public hearing was set for the May 4 council meeting regarding a fine levied against Pronto Market for a tobacco sales violation. The hearing will provide a means for the $300 fine to go into city coffers rather than to the state.

By Molly Moser

Brian Lawrence is a science teacher at Clayton Ridge Middle School. He is also a soldier. Lawrence spent 10½ years in the U.S. Army Special Operations with the 3rd Ranger Battalion and 20th Special Forces Group. He served during the Cold War and the Global War on Terror, and has been on multiple combat operations in Central America and the Middle East. Last week, he was named the 2015 State of Iowa VFW Teacher of the Year. 

“Brian is an inspiring teacher who continues to dedicate his daily instruction to further develop and maintain a future generation that displays outstanding character in the area of citizenship in our community, country and world,” said Principal Shane Wahls. “He has set clear and concise expectations while modeling the true meaning of citizenship and fostering the development and enrichment of lifelong values and beliefs that should characterize the “American Citizen.”  

In 1995, Lawrence was hired as an associate for the Garnavillo School District. While working full time, he completed Upper Iowa’s two-year teaching endorsement program in one year, and in 2001 – the first year Guttenberg and Garnavillo students shared classrooms – he led his own classroom for the first time. That fall, Lawrence and his eighth grade science students watched in awe as planes struck the Twin Towers. 

Tickets are still available for the fifth annual Rock the River Road Show set for this Saturday, April 11, at Lakeside Ballroom in Guttenberg. 

This year's headliners are the PastMasters, Steve Bobbitt and his tribute to Rod Stewart, local favorites Backwater, and special guests Carl Thompson and Mark Stumme of Midnite Express.

Scott Sanborn, well-known Eastern Iowa broadcast veteran, will be the emcee. 

By Molly Moser

Born under a porch in downtown Guttenberg, a kitten now called Oscar was delivered to the Guttenberg Veterinary Clinic for euthanization last summer. Oscar’s hind legs were severely deformed from the knee down, and veterinarian David Connell explains the kitten would likely have become food for a hungry predator if left on his own. 

Thanks to the wisdom and kindness of the Guttenberg vet, and now thanks to a local troop of Girl Scouts, Oscar’s nine lives will be spent in good health and good company.

“It didn’t look like much else was wrong with him, so we decided to keep him here at the clinic,” said Connell. “He started scooting around, and we got a kick out of it.” In fact, Oscar has no trouble at all getting from place to place. He played with other kittens that were also at the clinic waiting to be adopted, and started gaining weight due to his healthy appetite. 

Daisy Troop 7221, led by Lynda Schaeffers, Stephanie Horns and Tessa Dietrich, toured the Guttenberg Veterinary Clinic just after Oscar’s second surgery, which removed the underdeveloped bones in one of his back legs.  Veterinary technician Shannon Knack talked to the scouts about Oscar’s situation, mentioning the possibility of a wheelchair for Oscar. “She wasn’t sure if they could afford it,” recalls Dietrich.