(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City Council in Atlantic met in a relatively short, regular session this (Wednesday) evening, during which they approved a request from Wild Wayne’s, for a Special Fireworks Display on Sept 14th at dusk. The private event is with regard to Duke Aerial’s Employee Appreciation event (on private property at 103 W. 29th St.). The show is expected to last about 20-minutes.
The Council then received an update from Cass County/United 1st Aid Program Coordinator Erik Johnson, who said there are currently 18 volunteers who “Dedicate their off-time to helping their neighbors, helping the community that they live in, being available when they travel between north-south, east-west of our county, to stop at a moments notice and go assist somebody in need.”
Those individuals are equipped with “go bags,” they contain AED’s, “Stop the Bleed” kits, Narcan and other supplies necessary to provide aid until an ambulance arrives on the scene. Johnson said between the three counties that have instituted the program (Cass, Van Buren and Calhoun), there have been 100 calls. He said Iowa Lieutenant Governor Adam Greg was pleased with the program’s success. The pilot program went live in Cass County and the other two counties, about seven-months ago.
Erik Johnson
Erik Johnson said they hosted a First Aid station during RAGBRAI, in cooperation with Cass Health. “It was a good day. We did see a few minor injuries: Road rash, bee stings, sunburns, sore joints and muscles (from the 40-mile ride). Everybody was treated well and with respect. We got a lot of thank-you’s from people that just walked-in to see where the First Aid station was…”. He said they have received an extension on the original grant for the program, which may result in the expansion of the program into a few additional counties. Ultimately, it’s hoped the program will go nationwide.
Johnson said they will have a booth at the Cass County Fair in Atlantic, Thursday through Saturday, to answer any questions you may have with regard to the EMS levy that will be on the ballot for the November General Election.
In other business, the Atlantic City Council passed the second reading of an ordinance pertaining to the rezoning of the Camblin Hills Subdivision in Atlantic, from R-2 (Low Density/Single-Family residential) to R-4 (Multifamily residential) housing. They also approved a Change Order for the Sunnyside Park Splashpad Project, and a related Pay Application in the amount of $316,087.41 to the Henley Group, LLC.
Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bailey Smith and Police Chief Devin Hogue updated the Council on the RAGBRAI event that was held Monday and Tuesday, in Atlantic. Smith said it was a “I think it was a great day. We had great weather…a lot of happy people, I think. All the riders complimented Atlantic’s hospitality, and anybody they stopped, whether they were a volunteer shirt on or not, very kindly answered their questions and helped them get to where they were going. There were a lot of compliments on the entertainment that went on throughout the day.” She said also, the Welcome Center at 2nd & Sunnyside was a big hit. There were also a lot of compliments about the police presence during the event.
Chief Hogue said there were only two arrests, and those involved local people. He said the riders were out of town by 9-a.m., Tuesday. He thanked the officers from around the county who came in to help with traffic control, safety and other duties. The Chief said he had “No complaints” about how things went on his side of the event.