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Tampa City Council: Torrential rains cause problems for city residents

Contributing writer

Don Mueller came to the Tampa City Council meeting June 5 to voice concerns about how drainage after recent heavy rains may have been affected by a dike recently built between town and the property on the west owned by Agri-Producers Inc.

When he asked how the council felt the dike had worked, Wilbert Backhus said, "It worked for me." He explained that before the dike was built his garage always was flooded when it rained.

"Something wasn't working," remarked Willis Herbel, whose yard had been full of water after the rain.

"I was an island," said Mueller. "I have a finished basement; I wouldn't be happy to have water in it. I think something needs to be done to channel that water across the road."

There was a consensus that while the dike blocked the flow of water into the town where it had formerly caused problems, it had diverted it around the ends of the dike. The water simply wound up in different places than before. Of course, the rain May 30 was much heavier than is usually received, with five inches falling in about 30 minutes.

It was suggested that when the county works on 330th perhaps they could be persuaded to put a large culvert under the road, so the water will be able to drain away in both ditches instead of backing up into many people's yards.

Mayor Jim Clemmer reported receiving correspondence from the attorney for residents whose property is blocking Fourth Street. This street has been closed for a number of years, but Agri-Producers has requested that it be opened to allow them easier access to their property. The letters asked for assistance from the elevator in moving the possessions, since the owners are in poor health. The staff at the elevator had said they are too busy to do that at this time, but may be able to do it later in the summer.

Clemmer brought up the possibility of condemning some properties which have deteriorated into eyesores and, in some cases, safety hazards. The council agreed to ask they attorney to write letters to property owners demanding the problems be corrected.

There was a lengthy and sometimes rather heated discussion of the work needing to be done at the sewer ponds to meet environmental standards. The consensus of the council was that the work could be done less expensively than estimated in the grant application, but some concern was expressed about the danger of not meeting the state requirements.

"Lehigh had to tear theirs out and spend $300,000 doing it over," Clemmer commented.

Paul Backhus moved to ask Mike Kelsey to come and discuss the project with the council. On a second from Willis Herbel, the motion carried. Clemmer said he would find out for sure whether the city can borrow money for the project from the state revolving fund.

The council discussed a problem with breaking and rusting culverts. It was agreed the city should look into purchasing new culverts.

The mayor informed the council that a check for around $700 had been received from the insurance company to reimburse the city for repairs to the furnace at the senior center.

Communication had been received about the Keystone Pipeline Project with an invitation to an informational meeting from 3 to 4 p.m. Tuesday at the Abilene Civic Center followed by an open house.

Students earn

honors at FHSU

Area students recently were named to the dean's honor roll for the 2006 spring semester at Fort Hays State University.

They were: Sheldon Funk, Hillsboro; Jo Ann Olsen, Lincolnville; Jordan Leiker and Samantha Hett, Marion; Mallory Whitney, Peabody; and Cecilia Rziha, Tampa.

Parmleys win

at spring show

Cody and Corin Parmley of Marion both won showmanship May 17 at the Rooks County Spring Show in Stockton.

Corin won the pee-wee division. Cody won the junior division and received a pair of embroidered wash pants. Cody's yorkshire hog won the heavyweight class.

They are the children of James and Melissa Parmley of Marion.

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