School Board considers future technology needs
March 9, 2010
Technology needs now and in the future were discussed by the Boone Central School Board during its monthly meeting Monday night, March 8.
The Technology Committee has been meeting monthly and receiving teachers’ input. Deb Larson, high school technology coordinator, Spanish teacher Jeremy Struckman and middle school teacher Jeff Hayes were present to address the board. They requested new laptops for the middle school and a computer upgrade for the library, as well as a laptop for the school lunchroom.
The total technology budget for this year is about $116,000 for both new equipment and upgrades. Superintendent Cory Worrell said the goal is to have a consistent technology budget with a planned replacement program for technology items.
Details in the March 10 Albion News Print Edition.
Commissioners approve changes in wind farm regs
March 9, 2010
Some setback requirements for wind energy generators were reduced and several other changes were made in Boone County’s zoning regulations governing commercial wind energy systems at the Boone County Commissioners meeting Monday, March 8.
Acting on recommendations from the County Planning Commission, the commissioners approved a reduction in the required setback distance, separating wind towers from wetland areas. The previous setback distance of 600 feet was reduced to 300 feet in the amended regulations, and the setback can be reduced to as little as 100 feet if the plan is reviewed and approved by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Army Corps of Engineers.
Other changes were made in setback distance from neighboring property lines, the definition of a “wind tower,” permitting requirements and noise regulations.
Details in the March 10 Albion News Print Edition.
County to have few contested races
March 2, 2010
With the passing of the primary election filing deadline on Monday, March 1, there will be few contested local or statewide races in the upcoming election.
For Boone County, there will be only three local contested races in the May 11 primary.
One of those primary races will be for District 3 County Commissioner, where two Democrats are running. Ken Luettel of Petersburg filed to challenge incumbent Hank Thieman for the position.
No Republicans filed for the District 3 seat.
There will be no primary election race for the District 1 Commissioner seat, but there will be a race in the general election.
Republican Max Olson filed to challenge incumbent Democrat Tom Schuele for the District 1 seat.
A primary race will also be held for Clerk of the District Court, where two Republicans will appear on the ballot. Incumbent Ellen Hirsch is being challenged by Amanda (Mandy) Wiseman.
The third primary race will be for Cedar Rapids School Board, where seven candidates will be vying for three available seats. The list of candidates will be trimmed to six in the primary.
Incumbents seeking re-election to the Cedar Rapids School Board are Lisa Kennedy and Mark Zentner. The other five candidates are Debbie Braun, Tom McPhillips, Matt Paulsen, Bill Robinson and Brian Swerczek.
Details in the March 3 Albion News Print Edition.
Boone County ranks 20th in property tax increase percentage
March 2, 2010
Property tax increases
The county had an 11.45 percent increase in total property taxes levied from 2008 to 2009, ranking just behind neighboring Nance County, which had an 11.66 percent increase in total property taxes.
Ranking just behind Boone County was neighboring Greeley County with an 11.18 percent increase in total property taxes.
Details in this week’s Albion News Print Edition.
Congressman Smith: Cap-and-trade will kill jobs, hurt agriculture
February 23, 2010
Congressman Adrian Smith
He met with about 15 constituents at Julie’s Restaraunt in Albion Tuesday evening, Feb. 16.
His primary message was that cap-and-trade would hurt both rural economic development and agriculture at a critical time.
“The economy needs to be the priority right now,” said Smith. “Job creation is the key.”
Parent-Teacher Conferences set March 2 at Boone Central
February 23, 2010
Boone Central School will hold Parent-Teacher Conferences on Tuesday, March 2. There will be no school for K-5 grades that day due to the conferences.
Middle school and high school (sixth-12th grades) will have conferences from 4:30-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the high school multi-purpose gym in Albion.
Elementary students will have conferences on Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Scheduled appointment times will be assigned.
If you cannot attend, another way to communicate with teachers is through their individual e-mail accounts on the Boone Central School web page at http://www.boonecentral.esu7.org.
County Board approves road plan
February 23, 2010
Boone County’s 2010 road improvement plan includes 16 projects, but nine of those will be done by the wind farm construction company to facilitate installation of the Laredo Ridge wind generation project in the county’s northern portion.
County Commissioners on Monday approved the one and six-year road plan as proposed by Darrel Thorin, county highway superintendent.
Details in the Feb. 24 Albion News Print Edition.
Incumbents beat filing deadline
February 17, 2010
Several incumbent office holders beat the Feb. 16 deadline to file for the 2010 elections. A number of new candidates had also filed at the Boone County Clerk’s office as of Tuesday morning.
Jim Jarecki, incumbent, filed for Albion Mayor, and Jim Riedmiller, incumbent city councilman, filed to retain his seat.
Filing for Albion Airport Authority were Bob Sandman, incumbent, and Steve Wooden, a new candidate.
Incumbent Larry Temme filed to retain his seat on the Boone Central School Board,
St. Edward Mayor Marvin K. Haas filed to retain his office.
Two non-incumbents, Dave Merrell and Tom Carlstrom, filed for election to the St. Edward School Board.
See the Feb. 17 Albion News Print Edition for the complete filing picture.
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