LOOKING AHEAD

     Always interesting to see if the city fathers have some future goals that coalesce, somewhat, with the thinking of their constituents. At one of their most recent meetings, the Boone City Council identified some goals they have for the next fiscal year, beginning in July of 2023.

     Dealing with nuisance abatement and the demolition of some properties were among the items discussed. Most recent focus in that area has concerned residential properties but at least one council member, Eli Stines, wanted to include vacant and blighted commercial property as well.

    The city owns some property located on South Linn Street across from the Goldwaite-Garvey Family Resource Center and, a time or two, that has been mentioned as a possible site for a proposed Wellness Center. Anyway, the Council suggested as a goal, finding some good use for that "open" property.

    There was a discussion about the city's many parks and their usage. There was some talk about discussing with the Park Commission whether all of the parks were needed and it was mentioned that Franklin Park does have some federal funding ties available and there should be discussion about a plan for using those funds.

    There was some concern about the need for the installation of some new sidewalks in some residential areas and even the repair of existing sidewalks that need some help.

    According to City Clerk/Finance Officer Ondrea Elmquist the city is in a good position in regards to their five-year financial plan, though things such as legislative action could change that plan. She reported that Hotel-Motel Tax receipts and Local Option Sales Tax receipts have seen increases. However, she warned that there has been discussion in the state legislature about possible changes to that Local Option Tax. That tax was installed in 1990 and it stated that 75-percent would be used for capital purchases and projects, 20-percent for property tax relief and five-percent for human service programming. Of course, changes by the legislature can always have an effect on city property taxes.

K-----K

     Once a Minnesota Viking fan...........always....

    And could there ever be one like old friend, good guy Gary Long, BHS-73?

    Some may remember a years ago Viking star, Karl Kassulke. He was a Drake football star in college and in the summertime, played on one of Ev Long's (Gary's dad) good fast pitch softball teams.

    Kassulke played several years for the Vikings in the NFL and Gary became a devoted fan due, mainly, to their acquaintance. 

    For 40 years.....that's 40 YEARS......Gary has had season tickets for Viking home games but that's not all. He also attends their OUT-OF-TOWN games......regardless. Not much of a challenge now since he's in retirement. However, even when he was working, he would alter his schedule so in times when the Vike's had games in New York or California, he could leave a little early on Friday for the longer trips.

    I, the Kornerman, would be remiss if I didn't mention his great devotion also to the Iowa High School Athletic Association. A statue of the guy should be established on the IHSAA grounds here.

    When I was working at the IHSAA, I hired Gary, when he was a young student, to work with the stat (statistics) crew at the Boys State Basketball Tournament. These many years later, he's still there. Many co-workers have come and gone, but its believed Gary is the longest serving Boys State Basketball tournament staff official.......over 40 years.

    He's worked the State Football Playoffs for the IHSAA for over 20 years and has helped with the State Class 1-A Tennis Tournament in Waterloo for over 30 years. Oh yes, he is the Public Address Announcer for all the high school football games played at Brady Stadium in Davenport, runs the clock for St. Ambrose football games and does P.A. work for wrestling, boys and girls basketball, baseball and softball involving area schools. 

    Gary's mother, Marilyn, and sisters are longtime Boone residents.

K-----K

    Worldwide Korner headquarters are located at 928 South Jackson, Boone, Iowa 50036-4932. Phone number is 515-432-1530. Leave a message. To email your stories/memories/comments/death notices.....

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