The Cass County Board of Supervisors have appointed an interim Director of Mental Health and General Assistance.

Deb Schuler

Debbie Schuler was named to the position, and has accepted the job. Schuler will serve as the MH/GA Director and Central Point Coordinator (CPC), following last week’s termination of long-time director Teresa Kanning for what was termed “Work related items.” Schuler, who has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology, has worked in various capacities for 25-years in the Cass County Mental Health system, and built the day program for the chronically mentally ill at Partnership for Progress. She started in the Cass County Courthouse in 2009.

The Board also took action on the vacating of certain roads. Last week, they heard concerns from Guthrie County REC line crew foreman Elden Wolfe, with regard to how the REC’s easement would be affected on the portion of 700th St between Sec 2 & 3, Benton Township. Action was tabled on the matter last week, but during today’s (Wednesday’s) meeting, the Board voted to vacate that section of road, after receiving necessary information and discussing the County’s role in an easement agreement.

A hearing was also held on the vacating of a portion of 740th St. lying between sections 4 & 5, Lincoln Township. After much discussion, the Board voted to leave the road open, but reclassify it as a Class C road, which the County will maintain or repair as needed.

A hearing took place on the closure of a portion of 540th Lane lying between section 30-76-37, Cass County and section 25-76-38, in Pottawattamie County (referred to as Juniper Road). Since a portion of the road is in Pottawattamie County (referred to as Juniper Lane), a conference call was held with the Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors. The Cass County Supervisors voted to close the road, and while the Pott. County Board was not opposed to it, they could not vote to approve it because action to do so was not on their agenda. They are expected to approve it at their next meeting.

During a public hearing on the vacating of a portion of Liberty Lane lying in section 34, Washington Township, Cass County Supervisors received a request to place a “Private Drive” sign near the end of the road nearest public access, and voted to approve the sign before agreeing to vacate the road. In other action, the Supervisors voted to leave that portion of 756th Lane lying in section 3, Grant Township as is (A Class B road), after receiving both written and oral comment opposed to the closure.  And, that opted to leave that portion of Quebec Lane lying in section 27, Massena Township, as is. The move followed both written and oral objections to closing Quebec Lane.

The County looks at roads best suited for vacating every 5-years, or as requests are received. Vacating certain, little used roads saves the County money by not having to maintain them, but it can also affect property owners who have a stake in getting to their crops, various structures and/or pasture land.