Fast away the old year passes

Although reporters often complain about late-night meetings or the simple drudgery of certain beats, we can't honestly look back at 12 months without realizing how many things there were to make us smile. That said, if you're not a Clintonian, this piece may not do much for you.

There was a point this year when I thought the city had been overrun by vicious dogs driving remote control locomotives along Mill Creek Parkway.

Such is the life of a reporter covering Clinton City Hall. The last 12 months are the first time in my short professional career that I have lived and worked in a community for an entire calendar year.

I witnessed 24 regular meetings of the Clinton City Council this year (and one or two special committee meetings to boot) and watched the council deal with a broad variety of issues that did not make it to the Clinton Herald’s list of Top 10 stories of the year.

Here are a few:

The debate over the vicious animal ordinance, which at one point threatened to turn the council chambers into People’s Court.

The public campaign waged against remote control locomotives that later spilled to the Clinton County Board of Supervisors.

The emotional issue of extended benefits for city employees called to active military duty for the war in Iraq, another crossover issue.

The problem of all-terrain vehicle riders tearing up the dirt along the Mill Creek Parkway.

The motorized scooter saga, one of the more odd topics that flared up several passions.

When at-large councilman Morris Crouse resigned, 11 people lined up for his spot. After it was awarded to Ed O’Neill, he ran unopposed in the fall election

The city finally decided to go back to red fire trucks. Although at-large councilman Bob Soesbe said it should have been done for common sense, Fire Chief Mark Regenwether said the actual reason is concerns about resale value.

Of course there was debate about the building code, featuring a self-described “street preacher” who compared corrupt contractors to animal owners who can’t keep their oxen from goring their neighbors.

The council chambers were remodeled this year, with the lovely old orange carpet and chairs removed, along with some past-its-prime wood paneling. In the middle of the renovation, Mayor Pro Tem Ron Mallicoat began a council meeting wearing a hard hat.

It was at that session the council voted not to approve its own budget, then came to its senses and sent the financial paperwork on to Des Moines.

Looking ahead to 2004, I expect more of the same at City Hall. In retrospect, I truly enjoyed my year of going to council meetings. The people on the council care a great deal about the future of the city and work hard toward progress for the future.

This is true of Chuck Horner, the Ward 4 councilman deposed in the Nov. 4 general election. In 2003, Horner continued to stick up for his beliefs and exhibit a true connection with his constituents. He also has had nothing but praise and well wishes for his successor, Rodger Holm. Both men are exemplary residents of the city’s north end.

Over the next 12 months, I anticipate an awful lot of progress at the Lyons Business and Technology Park. I also anticipate an awful year for those hoping to see the Liberty Square project completed within the next decade, unless the federal government comes up with a big chunk of change in its transportation reauthorization bill.

We’ll see, for real, what all the fuss is about the Harding School property and its potential use as a public library. In fact, library board members say it will take about six months to complete feasibility studies.

That means we’ll know about Harding right around the same time we find out how things go at Riverboat Days next year now that the Jaycees Carnival will be outside the festival grounds and the Sixth Avenue North parking lot is totally open to the public.

While many thoughts will turn to the presidential, federal and state elections in 2004, city government will keep its nose to the grindstone and hope to avoid any further budget reductions from our friends in Des Moines (who lose some of their money because of our friends in Washington, who have the power to print money).

I also want to thank the eight people who have served on the City Council this year for their dedication to the city.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but public service can be one of the most unforgiving jobs in the world. City Council members know this, as do county supervisors and other elected officials and department heads. Paying taxes and voting gives you a right to complain, and many people aren’t shy about using that right.

So I raise a proverbial glass to toast a year’s worth of completed efforts. And, because this is the holiday season, I raise another to toast the future and 12 more exciting months in a wonderful place on the banks of the Mississippi River.