Dear editor,
Here are some random thoughts as I observe the daily activities in our community.
1. At the July 22 City Council meeting, a Council member said he had received several emails asking to keep the traffic light at the corner of Buckeye and Madison streets. The other four Council members present apparently agreed as it was a unanimous vote to keep the light with no discussion or guidance from the city administrator concerning rules for justifying a traffic light.
The original reason it was installed was to allow students to safely cross Madison Avenue for classes at the Bowlus Center. This is no longer the case. If the light were not already there, I doubt that it could be justified using rules now in effect. Because it is already there, I suggest it be turned into a yellow blinking caution light on Madison. Im sure a lot of Madison eastbound truckers would appreciate seeing that stoplight removed after possibly stopping at three lights when coming into town.
2. It might soften the blow to Allen County Commissioners about possibly losing part of their $300,000 the city gives them to help support the hospital if the city decided to use some of the half-percent sales tax designated for road construction in Iola for widening Kentucky Street from North Dakota Road to Oregon Road to the same standards as the road on south to U.S. 54. It is needed and might sit well with the possible future managers of our hospital which looks to be Saint Lukes of Kansas City.
At one time several years ago, it was mentioned to broaden Broadway from State Street to Kentucky Street to the standards of Lincoln Street. Is there any life in this plan? Weve probably got about 5 miles of street that needs new curbing. In some spots, there is no curbing at all. I notice this on far north Sycamore as I take my morning walk.
3. Thank you City Council for voting to resume mosquito spraying. The initial decision was made last summer to save a few dollars. I thank Councilperson Nancy Ford for staying with that one until it got reversed.
4. My opinion is that the City Council should have voted for the solar farm west of the Russell Stover Candies plant. On the personal side, I dont believe most of us would get that new car or house if we waited until we saved the money. Can we apply the same rule of buy now, pay later in a prudent way as we improve our city? The water plant will be paid for in 2025, freeing up that money. If the city follows through with cutting the annual payment to support the countys hospital, theres another $150,000. When the newly purchased peaking generators are installed and online, there will be another $100,000 we wont have to pay Chanute and Sabetha for our electrical generating shortfall. This is in spite of your city administrator assuring you it could be done. Is it too late to reverse that decision?
5. On July 13, an armadillo wandered out onto State Street in front of the bowling alley and was killed by a vehicle. As of this writing, whats left of the very flat body of the creature is still there. At one time, it was the duty of the animal control officer to dispose of dead wild animals as soon as discovered. Isnt there an ordinance covering the removal of dead animals?
6. The City of Iola is relentless when it comes to condemning very old houses. We are about to lose four more houses to Ray Maloneys wrecking machine. Maybe we should put on our visionary hats and try to come to some solution to replace some of these wrecked homes. Even one house built by Habitat for Humanity would be a good start for the right family.
7. About those manholes around town that are a few inches lower than the street level. They are what I call man-made potholes. Future paving contracts should include a fix for this problem. The one in front of China Palace is one I make a point to avoid.
8. In some places I have lived, they have summer programs for high school and college-age kids to work in the summer cutting grass and keeping the city picked up and trimmed. Any chance this could happen? It could do some of those jobs the city crews dont have time for. Im thinking of the summer of 2020.
Respectfully,
Paul L. Zirjacks,
Iola, Kan.
