Seventy-two families with a total of 98 children
will have a much merrier Christmas this year thanks to the efforts of
the First United Methodist Church and other volunteers of “The
Christmas Store.”Each year, “The Christmas Store” provides new and used toys in good condition, along with the makings for Christmas dinner to financially disadvantaged families in the Holden area. The families, who are referred to the program’s volunteers, are invited to the event, at which they are able to help themselves to a table full of toys for their children and a large number of food items. “We had many donated items they could choose from for each child and family,” Terry Callahan, Christmas Store co-chairman said. “The families walked away, we hope, with at least something under their tree and food for their tummies.” Callahan said the enormous amount of food offered was due to the efforts of students at Holden Middle School, who held a food drive and brought in 2,680 food items for use at the store. Any left over food items will be donated to the food pantry at the H.O.P.E Service Center. “We had a lot of good helpers,” Callahan said. “We would like to thank the community for their support and all the little elves who came and helped.” Callahan wanted to thank the following individuals for their efforts in making “The Christmas Store” a success this year: Brett Mason, Jamie Phelps, Johnny Watterson, Jessica Taylor, Shari Mason, Dennis Mason, Georgia Jarman, Ruth Hammond, Jack Warton, Jean Wharton, Joyce Rinne, Glenna Hull, Delann Lewis, Bill Lewis, Beverly Kennedy, Margaret Skidmore, Fran Yoder, John Yoder, Pat Kelly and Tonya Callahan. According to Callahan, “The Christmas Store” is an event that requires planning and donations throughout the year on the part of its volunteers, and the event’s organizers are always seeking donations of toys, food and time. Anyone interested in assisting in the efforts of “The Christmas Store” may call the Methodist Church and leave a message at 732-4718, and church officials will pass along the message to the event’s organizers. By Christi Stowe News Editor A request from local
cabinet makers Rodger McConville and Mike Watterson to rezone a tract
of land that houses a building at 205 West Eleventh Street from R-1
(residential) to I-1 (industrial) was not approved during a special
meeting of the planning and zoning board last Tuesday night.An exception to the zoning rules in that area was granted, however, permitting McConville and Watterson to open a cabinet shop in the building that previously housed the Holden R-3 bus barn. By granting the exception, but not changing the zoning for the land completely, the men will be able to use the building for their business. However, if the property should ever be sold, the new owners will then be required to seek approval from the board if they intend to use the property for any purpose not deemed appropriate by the guidelines of R-1 zoning. After recommendations regarding the property were given to the Holden City Council Tuesday evening, the request to grant the zoning exception received unanimous approval by the council. In other planning and zoning business, a request from citizens Charles and Sharon Eissler to place a modular home on a piece of property located at 1203 South Olive Street was approved by the Holden City Council after a public hearing in which only one negative comment was heard. According to Mayor Terry Hedglin, a citizen attending the hearing spoke negatively of modular homes in general, but did not necessarily have specific concerns about the property in question. Councilman Jim Nipko said although he understood the complaint, he didn't feel it was realistic to expect everyone to be able to own a traditional home with the gaining popularity and decreased expense of modular homes. "I'm sure everyone within the city would like to see homes with basements that are multi-story in town... It would be a great show of prosperity for us, but Holden is Rural America, USA," Nipko said. "This is a beautiful home and I believe it will add to the area rather than detract from it.” According to Holden Codes Enforcement Officer Mike Wakeman, there is criteria that must be met by any citizen wishing to place a modular home within the city limits. First, the buyer must send certified letters to all neighbors who live within 120 feet of where the home is to be placed and post signs on the property that announce the date and time of the public hearing in which placement of the home is to be discussed. The buyer must then provide documentation of the home's details, including price, photos and other viable information. "They have met those requirements,” Wakeman said. After reviewing documentation presented by the Eisslers, a motion to approve placement of the modular home was made by Nipko, which received a second from council person Roseanne Ferguson. The motion received unanimous approval from the remainder of the council. By Christi Stowe News Editor |
A bid from LB Enterprises, Inc. to perform work to
construct the city's new sewer lagoon was approved during the regular
meeting of the Holden City Council last Tuesday night. According to council liaison to the water board, Brent Brown, a number of bids for the work have been received, which were narrowed down to just four. "They (LB Enterprises) were the low bid out of the four,” Brown said. "The engineer (with the Board of Public Works) followed up on leads regarding the past history of the companies who bid, and this was the board's recommendation.” The lagoon, which is being constructed to replace the obsolete sewage treatment plant currently used by the city, should near completion approximately six months following the start of construction, according to city officials. The lagoon is expected to handle nearly two times as much sewage as the city currently produces. By Christi Stowe News Editor Serious problems
with the city's storm sewer system are expected to come with a high
price tag, according to information presented by street department committee
member Chad Manford and street department supervisor Larry Miller.According to Miller, the street department has noted issues with the storm sewer "backing up" in the area just adjacent to Holden Package Store extending to Madison Avenue since last spring. Ace Piping recently cleaned out the storm sewer pipes and ran a camera down inside to investigate the blockage problems, and according to Miller, parts of the pipe were so blocked the camera would not go all the way through. According to Miller, a portion of the storm sewer that runs directly under the railroad tracks is the most serious, showing a collapsed portion in which railroad rocks were found. "We are potentially at risk of causing damage to the tracks,” Miller warned the council. "If something happens, such as the tracks sinking, the city will be forced to make a decision... It would be better to just take care of it now.” According to Miller, although he had been in contact with several companies in an attempt to get estimates on the cost to repair the damages, only one company showed any interest in bidding on and performing the work. G&G Mechanical, a company who has been enlisted by the city for work in the past, expressed interest in the project. “They would be willing to replace the portion just under the railroad tracks or the whole thing,” Miller said. "They would also be willing to utilize street department crews to keep labor costs low.” Although bids from G&G or any other company have not been received, as the city has not advertised for sealed bids at this time, Miller came up with a cost estimate on his own and presented it to the council for review. Miller estimated to repair just the portion of pipes that runs underneath the railroad tracks, the cost would be approximately $50,000. That cost would nearly double at $80,000- $100,000 if the council chooses to replace the whole system from the Holden Package Store to Madison Avenue. According to Miller, because the problem is associated with the railroad tracks, the expense is higher because a permit for the work will have to be obtained from the railroad and a flagman to warn trains will have to be employed for the duration of the work. When asked by the council whether he felt the damages would cause any immediate danger, Miller replied, "I just can't answer that question.” It was decided by the council to publish an ad in the newspaper for one week requesting sealed bids for work on the project. The bids will be reviewed and a company chosen “as early in January as possible.” In related business, the council requested that City Attorney Audara Charlton add a clause to the city's bids ordinance allowing them to opt out of the sealed bids process in emergent situations. If approved, the clause would allow them to seek work from experienced, reputable companies in a much timelier manner than is possible under the current sealed bid ordinance, when necessary. By Christi Stowe News Editor The Holden Garden
Club recently announced the winners of their annual Christmas Home Decorating
Contest.First and second prizes were awarded in three categories, and first prize was awarded in one additional category. In the general residential category, the home of Oren Jr. “Scooter” and Jean Henry, took first place honors. Second prize was awarded to the home of Randy and Sara Henderson. In the residential religious themed category, the home of Mr. and Mrs. Denver Wood took first prize honors, while the home of Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Brown was awarded second place. Country Creations took first prize in the business category. American Family Insurance received second place. In the Business-Religious themed category, Sandy’s Jewelry and Repair received first prize. |
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