Victor

Posted in: Victor
VCDA: The State of the City is Good
By Staff Report
Jun 26, 2008 - 7:32:42 PM

VICTOR - Based on reports from the Victor Community Development Association annual dinner on May 22, the state of the city is good.  Rather than a small community struggling to survive, Victor continues to thrive and prosper.

Among those reporting from area businesses, Bill Collins of River Bend Industries, along with his wife, thanked the community for the warm welcome they have received.  Collins stated that the company is facing challenges through inventory built up prior to River Bend’s ownership and also with flood insurance.  Iowa County has approved joining the National Flood Insurance Program in part to provide relief for the company.  Collins and River Bend also donated $3,000 to the Victor Parks Project to assist in the construction of the city’s new park.

Victor City Councilman Nick Simmons presented a report on the upcoming Victor Fun Day, to be held on June 28.  The family-oriented event will include numerous activities throughout the day.

HLV School superintendent Bill Lynch reported on the status of the school remodeling and expansion project.  “It will be a wonderful improvement,” Lynch said.

Mitch Traphagen of the East Iowa Herald also thanked the community for the warm welcome.  Traphagen reported that 70 percent of the homes in Victor are currently receiving the paper.

A.J. Schnebbe of the Victor Parks Committee reported that $25,127 had been contributed through personal donations to the new city park next to the library.  She also reported the Ahrens Foundation awarded a $5,000 grant and the Iowa County Community Foundation awarded a $7,500 grant towards the project.  Those funds, along with $30,000 in matching funds from Orville and Loanna Bloethe as well as the donation from River Bend Industries, brought the total collected to over $70,000.  Schnebbe reported the new park shelter would be up in time for Victor Fun Day.

Schnebbe also reported that her personal business, RS Lawn Furniture & More, continues to do well.

Duke Wilgenbush reported that the Victor welcome signs are now complete.  Wilgenbush thanked the Dick Hansen family for placing the sign west of town in memory of Chad Hansen.  The Greg Roberts family and friends donated the sign north of town and the Victor Chamber of Commerce, with funding help from the Quas-Centennial, paid for the sign south of town.
Ann Hall of Victor Manufacturing reported that Rob Muzzin had been promoted to general manager of the plant and that the business is doing well and they are confident about their future.  The primary focus is currently on the Ford Escape, a popular fuel-efficient vehicle.

Dr. Eric Smith joined the Farm & Family Veterinary Clinic.  Dr. Wilgenbush stated that he is not retiring but does plan to cut back on his hours.

Maria Koschmeder of the Iowa County Nature Center provided an update on plans for the new nature center.  Koschmeder hopes to raise $310,000 this summer towards the project.  She also plans to hold coffees and small group meetings to keep the community informed.

Duke Wilgenbush and Bill Lynch provided an update on Manatt’s concrete plant.  Wilgenbush said the community needs to think about locations for a possible new plant.  It would require three to five acres.  Lynch reported the VCDA received a rough estimate of $200,000 for water and sewer for a location west of town.

Dr. Cranston of the Victor Health Center reported the clinic is doing well in partnership with the Grinnell Medical Center.  Last year, the clinic saw 2,700 patients and is expecting an increase of 10 to 20 percent this year.  Cranston reported that a three-month study revealed only one patient was seen after 6 p.m., thus the clinic decided it was not beneficial to remain open to that hour.  Cranston also reported that the clinic provided all third-grade students with a bike helmet and that the money received for school physicals was donated back to the school.

Heidi Van Buren of Village Pharmacy reported that store remodeling and expansion will continue this summer with a goal of July 1 - August 1 as an opening date.  The addition will include a “dollar general” type store.  The business hired two new pharmacists, including Victor native Erin McGrory.

Mitch Traphagen reported the new Victor Website will be operational soon.  The site will include a variety of community information and links and may be found at www.victoriowa.com or www.victoriowa.org.

Kevin Healey reported that there are few building lots available in the city and that the VCDA should be contacted if any lots become available.  Healey also reported that Jon Wood has three lots that he plans to develop.

Doug Powell of PCS Home Care expressed his gratitude for the welcome the community has given to his business.  Powell reported that it has been a good year and that the business is working to help find funds for those who fall through the cracks with Medicare and Medicaid.

Eric Zehr of Victor Appliance reported that he would add a delivery person to his payroll.  He is also planning to add a repair person that the people of Victor will be comfortable having in their homes.  Zehr also reported they are nearing completion of a remodeling project at the Washington Street store.

Mel Happel and Bob Dental reported that all was well at the Farmers Savings Bank and Victor State Bank respectively.

Orville Bloethe congratulated Bill Lynch for 28 years as superintendent at HLV School.  Bloethe said the community should be proud of Bill’s accomplishments.

Vernon Koehn reported that business was good at Shaull and Ulrich.

Clara Jack expressed a need in Victor for senior condominiums.  According to Jack, there are numerous one-person households in the community and that condominiums may better serve some seniors.

Linda Jack is celebrating her 20th year at Flower Connections.  Jack stated that she greatly appreciates those who shop at her store.

Amy Hudepohl of Victor Lumber reported that their four-year-old business has five full-time and some part-time employees.  Victor Lumber has provided all materials at cost for the new city park.

Sky Eilers, editor of the Brooklyn Chronicle, stated that he is happy to be reporting Victor news.

Dr. Leonard Seda conducted a vote during the meeting regarding a possible upgrade of Washington Street and Third Street with new lights and some sidewalk and beautification improvements.  Of 40 votes cast, all 40 check ‘Yes’ in favor of the upgrade.

In VCDA business, Kevin Healey, Mike Heitmann, Bill Lynch, A.J. Schnebbe, Leonard Seda, Fred Stiefel and Duke Wilgenbush were unanimously elected to the board.



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