My Side of the Fencepost
November 25, 2008
By Jim Dickerson
The Future is under discussion
I attended two meetings Monday evening, not thinking there would be any common threads connecting the two. As it turns out, there were common threads.
Both sessions were about the future of the Albion area — different aspects of that future, certainly, but discussion leaders wanted public input from Albion residents at both meetings. They wanted to hear our thoughts about the community’s future.
The first meeting, at Boone Central, was about the search for a new superintendent of schools. Marcia Herring, director of superintendent search services with the Nebraska Association of School Boards, explained the entire process.
She then asked three questions that are considered important to the search process: What are the strengths of your school district and communities? What are the challenges faced by your school district and community in the coming years? What are the most important qualities you believe are needed in a new superintendent?
These questions were answered in various ways by the small group of seven people attending. Strengths included good community support of the school system in academics and all activities, a strong teaching staff and administration, and a welcoming attitude toward new residents and new ideas. Challenges, the group said, were budgeting, maintaining all academic and activity offerings, dealing with enrollment declines, and maintaining buildings and transportation infrastructure. A superintendent, they said, will need many positive qualities, including good communication and leadership skills, involvement in community issues and a businesslike approach.
On to the next meeting . . . the Albion Planning Commission was holding the first of its Planning Steering Committee meetings to begin work on the 10-year update of the city’s comprehensive plan (and additional plans on redevelopment and economic development).
Tim Keelan and Lonnie Dickson presented their preliminary information on population trends, household characteristics, employment data, housing stock and land use. Several interesting points were made from their preliminary study.
Point 1: Land within the corporate limits of Albion is nearly fully utilized. To build new housing within the city limits, the primary method is to remove an existing structure and replace with a new one.
Point 2: The population within the Albion City Limits has been declining for several decades; but if you include the people in the city’s one-mile planning jurisdiction, it has actually remained stable. New residential areas are being created just outside the city limits. The theory is that the city is “bleeding” its population and housing stock outside the corporate limits. A primary reason is that there are very few open building lots inside the city limits.
Point 3: In order to add new housing for future growth, the city will need to expand its corporate limits.
Again, the 20 to 25 participants were asked what they felt the most important planning goals for the city’s future would be. They mentioned increased affordable housing, infrastructure improvements to allow future growth, improvements in the business district and various other priorities.
These were good local discussions to lay some groundwork for the future at the beginning of a new year.
City’s sales tax receipts still higher than last year
November 25, 2008
Albion’s retail sales tax receipts continued higher than last year for September, 2008, according to figures reported Nov. 18.
City sales tax receipts for September 2008 totaled $46,904, an increase of $6,124 or 13 percent over the September 2007 total of $40,780.
However, the September receipts were down by $3,095 or 6.1 percent from the previous month of August 2008, when the total was nearly $50,000. Read more
Drug arrests made here Nov. 6
November 25, 2008
Two Albion men were arrested on drug charges Nov. 6 after a search warrant was served on a house at 640 West Market Street.
Sheriff Dave Spiegel said information had been received through a traffic stop that the residence contained marijuana. The warrant was served at 2:10 p.m. by officers of the Nebraska State Patrol, Boone County Sheriff’s Department and Albion Police Department.
Marijuana was located in the house, along with methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, Spiegel said.
Arrested and taken into custody in Albion was Christopher Blankenship, 28. He was arrrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana less than one ounce and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is being held in the Boone County Jail.
Later the same day, Jonathon Bittner was contacted in Nance County, where he was issued a citation for possession of marijuana less than one ounce, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The three law enforcement agencies are continuing a cooperative investigation.
Student survey: Many local youth would return IF . . .
November 25, 2008
Are rural Nebraska youth — including those in Boone County — interested in returning to their communities after completing their educations?
Yes . . . if they can find the right opportunities back home.
That was a conclusion supported in a recent survey of Boone County Middle School students conducted in the spring of 2008, with follow-up interviews this fall.
A total of 82 seventh and eighth grade students at Boone Central Middle School were surveyed. Read more
County, city to share Roads Superintendent
November 25, 2008
Boone County Commissioners approved an interlocal agreement Monday to share the services of Darrel Thorin, county highway superintendent, who will also serve as Albion’s city street superintendent.
Thorin is a state-licensed street superintendent.
The agreement allows Thorin to act as a consultant and independent contractor for the city, while also maintaining his full-time position with Boone County.
Thorin said his primary job for the city will be to develop and file the city’s one and six-year street plans and assist with any federal aid street projects.
Helen Preusser to step down as County Treasurer
November 25, 2008
Helen Preusser
Mrs. Preusser began working for Boone County in April of 1977. She has been County Treasurer since 1995.
When she joined the treasurer’s office, she had experience in assessing, but she had never collected taxes or registered a motor vehicle before. She learned something new every day, she said. Read more
November 25, 2008
Larry Imus
Larry Imus, 61, of Belgrade, died Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008, at Boone County Health Center in Albion. Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 22 at Peace Lutheran Church near Belgrade. Rev. Brian Ketelsen officiated. Burial was held at Peace Lutheran Cemetery near Belgrade.
Donald Andrew Milburn
Donald Andrew Milburn, 89, Chappell, died on Nov. 19, 2008. Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, Nov. 22 at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Chappell. Father Neal Nollette officiated. Inurement was held in the St. Edward Cemetery.
Stats, Awards Announced For BC Gridders
November 25, 2008
BC 2008 leading rusher Dusty Dozler
Following a loss to Hastings St. Cecelia, the Cardinals finished the season with a 3-6 record.
Boone Central had six players named to the All-District 6 first team - seniors Dusty Dozler, Kalvin Zoucha, Keir Dane Harner and Bryce Morgan and juniors Dustin Christo and Nathan Olson. Seniors Kevin Krohn, Ryan Shotkoski, Cody Baker, Dustin Martin and Issiah Bauld and junior Michael Schmitz were Honorable Mention. Read more
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