With over 63 years of combined service as City of Ossian maintenance workers, Don DiLaura (left) and Brian Zweibohmer are geared up and ready to clean the streets for the next snowfall. The two begin their mornings as early as 3 a.m. when significant snowfall affects the area as the two-man crew aims to have the streets and sidewalks clear and safe by the time the rest of the town wakes up. (Zakary Kriener photo)

Keeping the steets clear and safe

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

The chore of shoveling snow is nothing new to most Iowans. While the majority of individuals have to clear snow from their sidewalks and driveways, which can take anywhere from minutes to hours, there are two individuals in Ossian who are responsible for keeping the streets free and clear of snow and ice.

With over 63 years of combined service between the two, Ossian maintenance workers Don DiLaura and Brian Zweibohmer take on the routine task of running the City’s snowplow, loader, and dump truck whenever required.

“We don’t have a set amount of snow that we need before we go out, it’s generally more of a judgment call,” said DiLaura. “It doesn’t necessarily have to be snow either; If there is freezing rain or ice, we have to go out and sand the intersections.”

Jay and Ann Dibble (l-r) of Clermont were pointed in the direction of mentoring a youth in the community after looking into the process to become foster parents several years ago. The couple has been paired with Emma Wilker (right) of Elgin since April 2016. The group enjoys baking cookies and playing board games together. They also go see movies and explore Fayette County in the summer. Chris DeBack photos

Dibbles find friendship with mentee

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

When Ann and Jay Dibble retired from farming near Postville and moved into Clermont the couple was looking for something to occupy their time.

The Dibbles first thought of becoming Foster parents but after checking into the process were pointed in the direction of mentoring. 

“My niece was a mentor, and she had brought her mentee to out farm when we lived out by Postville. We came down here and semi-retired and had some time on our hands so we checked into fostering; however, it was suggested to us to mentor.”

The couple checked in with NFV Mentoring, liked the opportunity it presented, and have been paired with Emma Wilker, daughter of Crystal Wilker of Elgin, since April of 2016. 

“Emma was a little shy when we first started hanging out, but she has warmed up to us over the years, we are friends now,” Ann said. “If she has problems, I am here for her to talk with. She is like an extra grandchild for me. We just enjoy each others company.”

Colleen and Dwight Ohrt of West Union recently purchased the Little Turkey Campground in Waucoma and should be open to the public in April weather permitting.  Submitted photo

Ohrt's build perfect camping adventure

By Meagan Molseed
mmolseed@thefayettecountyunion.com

            “It’s a little piece of beautiful nature in the middle of our area,” said Colleen Ohrt of the Little Turkey Campground in Waucoma.  “A perfect place to relax and call your ‘home away from home!’”

            Last fall, Colleen and her husband, Dwight, were on the hunt for the perfect campground near the West Union area.

            “We have always been big campers.  When we lived in Oregon we were out backpacking the pacific trail on any given weekend.  When we came back to West Union, camping for many years in Guttenberg,” explained Colleen.

“Camping has always been something we both loved, and while we loved it in the Gutternburg area, we decided to start looking for something a little smaller,” continued the self-proclaimed nature lover. “We loved being on the water, but the Mississippi was a bit big for us.  We aren’t big boat people. We’re the type to spend our weekends kayaking or sitting along the beaches.”

It was last November when the couple found their perfect spot to settle on their weekends away from home during the camping season.

“It was perfect for us,” Colleen beamed as she remembered her first view of the long standing area campground.  

“And, as it turned out, it was actually for sale,” she continued with a laugh.  “Dwight and I had never really discussed running a campground before, but as soon as this opportunity fell into our laps, we knew it was an opportunity just made for us!”

Fayette Council makes some "smart" decisions

Vicki Rowland
Contributing Writer

The Fayette City Council held the first reading of Proposed Ordinance 501 at their regular meeting on Monday, January 21, 2019. Ordinance 501 deals with changes in the city water/sewer rates to accommodate the upcoming new monthly billings. One bit of controversy was over the safety of the new radio transmitted “smart” meters.   Patti Nefzger made a motion that it be mandatory that all citizens have the new radio transmitted “smart” meters on their property.  Nancy Wulfekuhle spoke for individuals having the option to continue with their old meters with the understanding that they would have to pay an extra administrative fee to defray the costs of employees having to physically read the meters and calculate the bills. The motion carried 4 to 1, with Wulfekuhle casting the nay vote. 

Other new proposals in the ordinance are a minimum monthly bill of $18.44 to meet the current system needs. Also a $10.00 monthly Water and Sewer Infrastructure /Administration Fee will be billed to go into a reserve fund for future repair and replacement needs. The second reading of Ordinance 501 will take place at the next Council meeting.

Jeremy Mueller came to the Council with a preliminary proposal to develop a ten acre field he owns on the top of a hill northeast of the Volga River bridge on Highway 150 for a housing development.  Mueller told the Council that he has been meeting with DOT officials to discuss feasibility of accessing the property from Highway 150, and that they had been very positive about working with the City.  Jon Biederman volunteered to walk the property with Mueller and sketch a concept drawing.