September 2019

Grundy County Supervisor Barb Smith admitted after a public hearing Monday morning that she had the heart of a developer: she and her late husband Richard launched businesses and housing projects all over the area, and Smith initially viewed a proposed four-lot R2 zone on V Avenue between Dike and New Hartford as a plus for the county. Then, she visited the site.
           
“My conclusion is that we have no business creating subdivisions on gravel roads or otherwise,” she said.
           

I thought about taking my column in at least five different directions this week, but a story I found in The Des Moines Register made me do a double take. I try to believe that people, regardless of their personal shortcomings and human tendencies, are overwhelmingly good, just and empathetic, and then I read headlines that make me wonder if I’ve been wrong all along.
 
Clive neighbors’ hostility to psych hospital dismays mental health advocates

Omvig to enter UNI Hall of Fame
 
Randy Omvig had the potential to be something special for Northern Iowa wrestling. Head coach Chuck Patten was sure of this.
 
Now all he needed to do was see that Omvig believed it himself as he entered the Panthers program in the 1970-71 school year after winning a high school state title with Eagle Grove.
 
As a freshman, Omvig won the North Central Conference crown at 190 pounds.
 

GRUNDY CENTER – What’s something that can really put Grundy Center on the map and set it apart from all of the other rural, small town communities across Iowa? What could bring more people to visit, and maybe even to live here?
 
In search of an answer to those questions, and inspired by the creativity of other small towns around the country, a small team of city officials and community members have landed on a possible answer: public art.