Published: Dec. 28, 2021 at 6:55 AM CST . Hiawatha, a city of around 3,100 people, is the county seat of . David was born and raised in Hiawatha. It was still a fairly scary thing to do, even in 2005.. Enjoy the Maple Leaf festival in the fall or the longest running Halloween parade in the nation both the kiddie parade and the evening parade. Little attention was paid to her identity until late February, 2016, when a friend and Muscatine High School teacher asked Wichtendahl if shed be open to visiting the schools Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA). Weve got a really good network of activists in Iowa. They worked with our state legislature and senate representatives and other government officials. Support our award-winning, independent journalism with a subscription today. All of the areas that go to make up . The three largest issues that face the city are continuing to provide the best possible public safety, addressing housing needs, and continuing to make the community walkable. Support our award-winning, independent journalism with a subscription today. Many of these can be funded through LOST funds, federal grants and property taxes. I grew up in the Hiawatha area and have a passion for the city and the corridor. Serving the citizens of Hiawatha is an honor and a privilege. Then came the pandemic and then derecho. 2023 The Gazette | All Rights Reserved. We do a lot of infrastructure work with local-option sales tax dollars. These municipalities come in a wide range of sizes, Westervoort is the smallest with a land area of 7.03km2 (2.71sqmi) and Sdwest-Frysln the largest with a land area of 523.01km2 (201.94sqmi). Steve has been a resident of Hiawatha for 18 years. Robert Archibald, running for reelection to an at-large seat on Hiawatha City Council (Submitted photo), Caleb McCullough, Gazette-Lee Des Moines Bureau. This fits our Comprehensive Plan 2036 perfectly. 17, 2023 7:32 am8h ago, Local Government Jul. Throughout the years, less populous municipalities have been merged. What new policies might you propose for the city to enact? Our population doubles during the daytime. City Directory | The mayors motion was seconded by Commissioner Brian Shefferd, who was joined by Commissioner Evans Woehlecke, which led to the 3 to 2 vote. If not, we would look for other funding sources such as grants from the state or federal government. This means connecting all parts of the city internally and making connections to surrounding communities as well. The larger, merged municipalities are intended to handle an increasing workload because more public services are delegated from higher levels of government to the municipalities. They never told me why, but I think I could fill in the blanks. She had no legal recourse, and she and her 2-year-old son found themselves homeless and couch-surfing for a month. Bennett narrowly upset Mayor Theis, and Dick Olson and Dennis Norton held onto their council seats. Richard Olson Work Experience and Education. It has been an honor to represent the Hiawatha community and our employees since October 2005. Im actually really amazed at peoples ability to be adaptive and find new ways to combat adversity, Wichtendahl said. Even with this, Hiawatha stuck to our economic development plans. Current research shows that we need to add housing at all levels in the city, county, and region to keep up with the demand of the corridor. There are also trains going from Amsterdam central Station at least every 15 minutes, more in the busy times of the day. I would propose that we say the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of the council meetings. PDF Committee of the Whole: - LIMS - City of Minneapolis Advantage Concrete, LLC 710 North 1st, Hiawatha, KS 66434 (785) 741-1036 ~or~ (785) 741-1425 Construction/Building/Remodeling & Repair Aflac-DeeAnn Hinkle, DSC 817 Oregon Street, Suite 1 Hiawatha, KS 66434 (785) 741-3531 Insurance Ag Partners Cooperative, Inc. 708 South 10th, Hiawatha, KS 66434 (785) 742-2196 Agriculture Industries This office is outside of Ballotpedia's coverage scope and does not receive scheduled updates. I remember my parents watching CNN when the Berlin Wall fell and watching them be awestruck at that. Construction begins Monday! Home; Residents. Tom Theis, who had served as Hiawatha mayor three times over four decades and was vying for a third consecutive term, was also being challenged, by William Bennett, himself a business owner. 2023 Little Village LLC Website by Little Village Creative Services, 2022 Give Guide: Your guide to Iowa nonprofits, add exemptions to the Iowa Civil Rights Act, Little Village magazine issue 282: June 3-16, 2020. Wichtendahl accepted. Also, results from other Johnson and Linn County races. I want to hear what other residents and businesses have to say and promote better growth and opportunities for them.". The municipal council, which is titled island council in the special municipalities, is elected every four years. That study showed we need about 200 homes. Hiawatha City Council Meeting | Hoopla [7], The municipalities are governed by both a board of mayor and aldermen and a municipal council. Two years later, she launched her campaign. And Ive been here ever since, she said. When I was younger, that was the priority.. I have also worked full-time for both Coralville and Hiawatha Fire Departments. We have been able to lower the city tax levy three out of the last four years. The Hiawatha City Council will meet to determine the next steps in finding a successor. Overall, she found her fellow Hiawathans responded well to her message. The things that I saw growing up [about LGBTQ people] were just fodder for daytime television. He loves spending time with his family, friends, and the great outdoors. All rights reserved. Zaanstad Travel and City Guide - Netherlands Tourism When you start seeing the returns coming over the TV for the first time youre like, Oh my god, oh my god.. These are the public employee salaries for the City of Hiawatha during fiscal year 2021, which ended June 30, 2021. At Gray, our journalists report, write, edit and produce the news content that informs the communities we serve. Marcia Correll had to withdraw from the race. Earlier this year we had a developer who wants to build on approximately 42 acres of currently zoned agriculture land. It is located about 70 miles northeast of Topeka. [5] The different levels do, however, make work agreements, which give municipalities a certain degree of independence in their policy decisions. Campaigns & Elections Nov. 3, 2021 2:58 pm621d ago. We love spending time with family, friends and especially the grandchildren. It is a small but friendly place with a very good atmosphere that serves good quality food at a reasonable price. I figured out what I had to do to live, and that was to transition and take this immense plunge. All of these are requirements for quality of life. I continue to be inspired by the strong spirit of our Hiawatha Team, its volunteers, and community, said Downs. The bus lines number 92 and 94 go from Amsterdam several times and hour to Zaandam Central Station. Work on getting approval for the I-380/Tower Terrace Road interchange has been going for years. On the customer side, if people dont feel safe going out, business as usual is impossible. Fortunately, Hiawatha is in very good financial shape. Hiawatha Economic Development Corporation - HEDCO October 1, 2021 These are exciting times in Hiawatha. Hiawatha City Council meets tonight at 5:30 PM via an electronic format. We need housing for those young professionals and young families that cannot afford $400,000 homes. As our city grows, so does the need to keep our citizens safe. These municipalities function the same as regular municipalities and are grouped together as the Caribbean Netherlands and are not part of a province. 303 likes. What areas would you look to for savings and why? They have lived in Hiawatha since 2008, and have two kids - Tucker and Mackenzie. Aime Wichtendahl, Iowa's first trans elected official, reflects on My campaign slogan that year was Stand with local businesses, she said. Hiawatha Jones - Ballotpedia A lot of those things shaped my political identity., Wichtendahl also had a secret: she was transgender. Lelystad. Municipalities of the Netherlands - Wikipedia Evans Woehlecke, Police - January 2021 - January 2025. Kim Downs has unmatched energy and she leaves behind big shoes to fill, said Hiawatha Mayor Bill Bennett. David Middendorf, Finance, May 2020 - January 2027. HIAWATHA, Kansas The Brown County Kansas Attorney has confirmed that his office is investigating some members of the Hiawatha City Commission for an alleged violation of the Kansas Open. Emma McClatchey plans to dress her dog and herself in matching rainbow tutus and join online Pride celebrations. They have two children, Jaycea and Drake, and one grandchild, Cayson. Intelligent syncing of traffic lights to help the daily traffic commute. The different levels do, however, make work . Tom Theis, who had served as Hiawatha mayor three times over four decades and was vying for a third consecutive term, was also being challenged, by William Bennett, himself a business owner. From The 1600s onwards, the land around Zanstreek was one of the main food producing areas of the Netherlands and made a contribution so great to the national food production that it was referred to as the food basket of the Netherlands Whaling was also very important at this time, with the area having access to the North Sea. He graduated from Hiawatha High School in 1999, where he met his wife Tami Shefferd. Aquatic Park; Dog & Cat Tags; Fisher Community Center [8] The number of members in the council ranges from nine members for the smallest municipalities to forty-five members for the largest. Thus, making our city safer to live in. The city also needs to continue investing in training for members of the police and fire departments. I think those are basic things that we can do to try to continue to get through this, making sure that when this scourge does pass that we have a stable economy that we can get back to.. I was really annoyed when I was a kid that our town didnt have a swimming pool. Be the first to know about snow emergencies, leaf pick-up, deadlines, events, announcements, and more! Employer: Collins Aerospace Family: wife Chelsea and three daughters. June Pride Month events are typically a time for the LGBTQ community to celebrate progress, and organize to support LGBTQ issues, organizations and businesses. The city needs to continue to support the fire department which relies on both volunteers and career members. Later on the wood from these mills also went to the making of paper. I have also served as a police officer in Norman, Oklahoma and been in sales. Initially, she wasnt sure what to do with that designation. Aime Wichtendahl will listen to homeo A lot about Wichtendahls life has changed since she was a kid in Newhall, Iowa, a town with a population hovering around 850 approximately 20 miles west of Cedar Rapids. The Municipalities Act of 1851, written by prime minister Thorbecke, led to the disappearance of small municipalities. City of Hiawatha, Iowa - Facebook I am also an active fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus. How do you rate the citys current performance? I will work with everyone in the community to create solutions that support the city and our residents holistically. Municipalities have the right to decentralise themselves and form submunicipalities as an additional level of government. What are the three largest issues facing the community and what will you do to address them? Its not.. We completed a hotel study in February, she cited as an example. Are there quality of life improvements that could be made in the community? It also has knowledgeable and friendly staff. Aime Wichtendahl was born in Minnesota in 1980. Schiermonnikoog is both the least populated, with 936 people, and the least densely populated municipality at 23/km2 (60/sqmi). Eagle Board of Review It finally came to the point of either living or dying, and I didnt want to die. Contact City Officials. 14, 2023 7:01 pm2d ago, Campaigns & Elections Jul. I was involved on the city's Comprehensive Plan 2036 prior to being on the council and I want to see those plans enacted. If you were forced to cut the citys budget, how would you approach these reductions? Aime Wichtendahl is the first transgender woman to be elected to Iowa's government as a chair on Hiawatha's City Council. in journalism and political science in 2005. Partner, Mary; four sons and ten grandchildren. I am currently the chair of the Linn County LEPC (Local Emergency Planning Committee). Budget reductions for public organizations are difficult decisions because all programs provided are important and essential. Subscribe to our email and text alerts. We have started building our new Turtle Creek Park, Village Center Amphitheater, and soon construction on the I-380/Tower Terrace interchange. In the same year, Wichtendahl began her transition at the age of twenty-five. Pushing out capital expenses that would not degrade city services could be a major cost savings in the short term. It was always presented as just, oh, look at this oddity. There were never any real role models for me to aspire to, she explained. If you are wanting to go to more than one part of the municipality, then it is probably easiest to do so by car. 14, 2023 7:01 pm2d ago, Campaigns & Elections Jul. The largest urban network is known as Randstad, including the largest four cities (3 with, and 1 without historical city 'rights') in the Netherlands ( Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht ). 17, 2023 11:26 am4h ago, Erin Jordan Business News Jul. Steve graduated from Oklahoma State University and Emory University in Atlanta, GA. Video recordings of city council meetings. According to KNZA, Defore, who was present at the time of his firing, told the commission that his contract calls for severance if he was terminated without cause. Hiawatha, a city of around 3,100 people, is the county seat of Brown County. Wichtendahl made history by becoming the first transgender woman elected to Iowa's government. I was really, really confident heading into Election Day that I would be able to at least snag one of those seats, Wichtendahl said. Which is weird now cause Im, like, totally a Democrat.. Office Hours: List of cities in the Netherlands by province - Wikipedia Marcia Correll had to withdraw from the race. They have truly experienced the expansion of Hiawatha. But in 2007, almost as soon as she started living full-time as a woman, Wichtendahl received a message from the property management company through which she rented her apartment: Move out in 30 days. (Submitted photo) Steve Dodson, Robert Archibald and Jeffrey Cater are running for the two at-large Hiawatha council seats. The reductions would come from infrastructure spending where possible. Another issue is lack of a hotel in Hiawatha. In 2004 a sculpture was put up in Zandaam by the Yugoslavian artist Slavomir Miletic called The Woodworker in honour of the craft. City Rentals Examples are: City Manager, Kim Downs has been recognized by HER Magazine and other entities. Elected to fourth term. She is an advocate for transgender and LGBTQIA+ rights,[4][5] green energy, and small businesses. One Iowa, theyre fantastic at what they do. Wichtendahl served as an honorary co-chair at the Sept. 20, 2019 LGBTQ presidential forum in Cedar Rapids, co-hosted by One Iowa. The Hiawatha District is home to over 45 Cub Scout, Scouts BSA, and Venturing units covering Tioga and Broome Counties. Welcome To Robins The City of Robins is a family-oriented community located four miles north of Cedar Rapids. But a coworker I was working at Transamerica, somewhat ironically who was preparing to move offered to sell Wichtendahl her house in Hiawatha. The second urban network in the Netherlands is known as Brabantstad, a partnership of the Brabant "Big 5": Eindhoven, Tilburg, Breda, 's . Today, we broke ground on the first phase of our Village Center on Robins Road, which will add business and housing opportunities to our City Center. The city needs to continue to invest in trails and sidewalks that make the whole city accessible by alternative means of transportation (bike, walking, etc). We are adding a new 17-acre Turtle Creek Park in our developing northwest part of the city. How do you balance coming into government new and fresh with also being the first trans person in Iowa to get elected to government?. To answer your question, I would resist cutting staff and services, especially fire and police. Marcia Correll had to withdraw from the race. The visit was covered by the Muscatine Journal, the first media coverage of Wichtendahl focused on trans issues. Navigation. Evans is currently employed with the Brown County Sheriff's Office as a Corrections Officer, and with Chapel Oaks Funeral Home of Hiawatha/Highland, Brian Shefferd, Utilities - January 2021 - January 2025. 17, 2023 5:00 am10h ago, State Government Jul. Hiawatha already does this in a few intersections. Wood from Scandinavia used to be highly thought of in industry as the cold conditions made it grow slowly, this in turn made it very strong. As a lifelong resident of the area, I have been involved in many different local organizations. Lelystad is a city and a municipality in the middle of Holland. KNZA said Defore has held the position of Hiawatha police chief since July 2012. I ended up actually getting the most votes, she said. How do you rate the citys current performance? I am proud of what our city team and community members have been able to accomplish the past 17 years, said Downs. What are the three largest issues facing the community and what will you do to address them? Oct. 13, 2021 5:00 am, Updated: Oct. 27, 2021 6:10 pm, Robert Archibald, Jeffrey Cater and Steve Dodson are running for the two at-large Hiawatha council seats. This is a form of patriotism and I stand behind it. Wichtendahl began transitioning gradually, finding support from her family and friends along the way. City has a couple of developments that will be starting soon. [16] Only Amsterdam,[17] where the districts are called stadsdelen, as well as Rotterdam,[18] where the districts are called deelgemeenten, consist of such formal subdivisions. "I love Hiawatha and am proud to be a resident. Mayor & City Council Mayor Bill Bennett Mayor of Hiawatha Four-year Term Ending December 31, 2023 Contact Information: 101 Emmons Street Hiawatha, IA 52233 319-360-1986 mayor@hiawatha-iowa.com Bio: Bill has lived in Hiawatha for 45 years. Out of five candidates, Wichtendahl, Dick Olson, and Dennis Norton won the City Council election in 2015. [10] The mayor is responsible for public order and is the first in command during emergencies, all other tasks are distributed freely between mayor and aldermen. "Growing up in the area, I have a passion for the city and the corridor and firmly believe Hiawatha is a great place to raise a family or grow a business.". She received her undergraduate degree from Kansas State University and her Masters degree from Fort Hays State University. Hiawatha has the Cedar Valley Nature bike trail from Waterloo thru Hiawatha to the south thru Ely. The executive power lies with the executive board, which consists of a mayor, titled lieutenant governor in the special municipalities, and multiple aldermen, titled island deputies in the special municipalities. September 2nd, 2022 will be Downs last day as Hiawatha City Manager. Sign Up Log In Messenger All of the areas that go to make up Zaanstad are by or around the river Zaan. The council was unanimous in approving the rezoning to R-5, which is moderate density housing.