(Atlantic, Iowa) – The issue of parking in the downtown Atlantic business district will be discussed Wednesday afternoon, during a meeting of the Atlantic City Council. According to the agenda, Brown Shoe Fit owner/manager Brian Ruge will address his concerns with regard to customer parking, long-term parking and snow removal. He is also expected to address building and sidewalk issues. The Council’s meeting begins at 3-p.m., in the Council’s Chambers at City Hall, instead of the normal 5:30-p.m.   A Budget work session will follow, at 4-p.m., Wednesday.

In his letter to the Council, Ruge says “Despite the fact that we have made strides in our downtown appearance…buildings not being maintained [there are] dangerous intersections, trees overgrowing into buildings, bricks on sidewalk lifting and becoming a tripping hazard.” The biggest issue he and other business owners have, is parking. Specifically with regard to the snow route.  “When the city attempts to clear the downtown streets,” he says, “they are not able to do this successfully which leaves the front 5 parking spots uncleared and unusable per vehicle parked on Chestnut Street. Parking is a constant issue and concern. This is not only costing the city more time and money having to attempt to clear the streets multiple times, but also money lost. Lack of parking=loss of business=loss of tax dollars spent.”

Photos submitted to the Atlantic City Council

Brian Ruge says “The biggest concern with parking is when cars are parked for days. I understand there are tenants who reside downtown; however, their vehicles being parked for lengthy periods of time means that parking becomes limited and can be problematic for those intending to shop. As a business owner, my priority is the customer, and allowing them the priority for parking. Downtown parking should not be viewed as a public lot to park. Furthermore, I find myself running products out to customers who are not able to park on our block due to the lack of space available and sometimes even moving vehicles for customers. I have spoken to Grace about installing a Handicap parking spot on our block to help this situation, but this was not possible due to the slope and drain. Overall, thinking about the big picture, the business owners in downtown Atlantic are missing out on sales, and our customers are not being prioritized.”

In other business, the Council will recognize Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Travis Hanson, for achieving his Grade III certification. Travis joined the Atlantic Wastewater Department a little more than four-years ago. The City does not provide any financial incentives to obtain the certification, nor does it cover the costs to test for the certification.

The Red Oak Police Department reports the arrest on Saturday at 11:45 p.m. of 25-year-old Christopher Floyd Birdtail of Red Oak on a charge of Harassment 1st Degree. Birdtail was arrested at 1310 Broadway Street in Red Oak and booked into the Montgomery County Jail on $2,000 bond.

(Radio Iowa) – The Marengo company that was the site of an explosion and fire in December has complied with a judge’s order to give the Iowa Department of Natural Resources a list of chemicals present at the time. The Attorney General’s Office says C-6-Zero attempted to submit the list by the deadline but the company was delayed by technical issues. The A-G’s Office says it has obtained the list Friday and had passed it to the D-N-R.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports five recent arrests. A little after 2-a.m. Sunday, 23-year-old Maria P. Hawthorne, of Nebraska, was arrested in Creston for OWI/1st offense. And, at around 10:25-p.m. Saturday, 50-year-old Matthew David Walden, of Creston, was arrested for OWI/1st Offense. Both subjects were being held in the Union County Jail on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.

At around 6:40-a.m., Saturday, 43-year-old Stacy Marie Jones, of Creston, was arrested at her home on a charge of Domestic Abuse Assault causing injury/1st offense. Jones was transported to the Adams County Jail and held on a $300 bond.

Just before 2-a.m. Saturday, 45-year-old Kerry Lee Starlin, of Creston, was arrested for OWI/1st offense. She was later released on a $1,000 bond.

And, at around 5:14-p.m. on Feb. 23rd, 53-year-old Danny Ray Bird, Jr., of Creston, was arrested at the Creston/Union County Law Enforcement Center. Bird was charged with Assault w/intent to cause pain/injury. He was later released on bond.