DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is in Iowa for a series of fundraisers and campaign stops in a state with the first presidential caucuses. Christie is beginning his day Thursday with a closed-door fundraiser outside Des Moines for Iowa’s Republican Gov. Terry Branstad.

He’ll then head to Cedar Rapids for a fundraiser for Iowa House Speaker Kraig Paulsen, followed by a stop at MJ’s Restaurant in Marion, where Christie is set to greet diners and talk to reporters. The day will end with a rally for Branstad at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds in Davenport.

Christie has been traveling across the country as chair of the Republican Governors Association. The group has raised $60 million on Christie’s watch and gives him a platform to test a presidential run.

Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones said there is some potentially good news as far as housing development in the community is concerned. During Wednesday’s City Council meeting, Jones said a small group of investors is looking at building a 24-unit apartment complex in town, and is looking to the City to grant a $300,000 Developer’s Loan with interest, which would be paid back within 2-years. The group doesn’t want any tax abatement or other incentives. The City’s Personnel, Finance and Development Committee will meet later this month with the groups’ representatives and discuss the matter further.

In other business, the Council awarded a contract to Snyder and Associates that allows them to conduct a Nutrient Reduction Study for the Waste Water Treatment Plant, in accordance with Iowa DNR requirements. New Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent Tim Snyder recommended the local company because they have the staff and expertise to deal handle the job, and their bid was very reasonable. Snyder said the study will help to determine what Atlantic needs to do within 10-years to reduce nitrates and, potentially phosphorous, from its wastewater discharges.

City Administrator Doug Harris said the City is required under its NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) permit to conduct the study, because it couldn’t meet all the discharge limits by the time the permit came due for renewal, even with the new plant in action.

The Atlantic City Council met the City’s newest Police Officer, Wednesday evening. Police Chief Steve Green introduced the latest addition to the police force. He appeared at the podium with Tim Olsen, who began working with his fellow officers on Monday.

Atlantic Police Chief Steve Green (Left) introduces Tim Olsen as the newest Police Officer in Atlantic. (Ric Hanson/photo)

Olsen and his wife Megan are coming to the community from Hampton, Iowa, where’s served for the past year. The couple, who are both originally from Atlantic, is expecting their first child in January.

Tim graduated from AHS in 2010. He went on to get a degree in Criminal Justice from Simpson College. He attained the 4-year degree in just three-years. He’s also a graduate of the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy in Johnston.