Long time Harlan City official Orval “Orv” Roecker died late last week, after dealing with health issues over the past few months. Harlan City Administrator Terry Cox says Roecker was a community man. “He loved Harlan and he was on the Council and mayor. I met him in 77 or 78 and had a good relationship with him. I teased him as my adopted father. He loved the community and helped it grow in so many ways. He was just a pure supporter of Harlan. A great personality and could tell a joke on any topic. He’s just a nice person.”

Roecker was also a staple at many community events until his health problems persisted. Cox says Roecker had a good life. Cox said “So it is sad to see him go. He had a good life and the last few years, a lot of his good friends teased him for having more than 9 lives. He was a great gentleman for this community.”

Roecker was Harlan Mayor from 1982 to 1987 after being a council member from 1980 to 1981. He had been on the council in 2002 until October 2012. He resigned from his Harlan City Council position Tuesday, October 4th. Roecker was born February 2nd, 1930 and died Friday, February 1st. His funeral service will take place 11-a.m. Wednesday, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan.

(Joel McCal/KNOD)

A public hearing will be held Wednesday evening during the City Council meeting in Atlantic, with regard to an amendment of the City’s Zoning Ordinance to allow a portion of land in the southeastern part of the City to be rezoned from Low Density/Single Family dwellings (R-2) to Multiple Family (R-4) dwellings. The hearing and first reading of the ordinance, follows discussion pertaining to traffic issues along 19^th Street in the area of a proposed new subdivision.

Local developer Don Sonntag is asking the Council to approve rezoning of a portion of the Southern Heights 2^nd addition along East 19^th Street. During the City of Atlantic’s Planning and Zoning Commission meeting on Jan. 29^th, the Commission voted 4-to 3 to approve the matter, and forwarded it to the full Council for its consideration and vote. In approving Sonntag’s request, the Commission agreed that he would not be required to provide for any street connections envisioned in the City’s Comprehensive Plan, or as shown on the original plat.

Concerns about the street connection aspect of the proposal have been raised by the City Attorney and others, with regard to traffic flow on 22^nd and 19^th Streets, especially with regard to the width of 19^th Street, west of Redwood Drive, and the proposed installation of a cul-de-sac, instead of a through street, which some say would be more conducive to better traffic flow and provider easier access to emergency vehicles.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council Wednesday, will act on: Resolutions accepting work on two paving and storm sewer improvement projects; the plans and specs for 2013 Street Improvement Projects and authorization of bids; and the setting of Feb. 20^th, as the date for a public hearing with regard to the issuance of General Obligation bonds not to exceed $2.72-million, for the City’s Capital Improvement Plan for Fiscal Year 2014.

Street improvements make up slightly over 70-percent of the bond amount ($1.91-million), with Storm Water improvements coming in at just under 10-percent ($270,000), and building improvements making up three-percent ($90,000), and equipment just under 17-percent ($450,000).

The Council’s meeting begins at 5:30-p.m. Wednesday.

Nominations are now being taken for this year’s Iowa Character Awards. Amy Smit, spokeswoman for Character Counts in Iowa, says it’s important to recognize our community leaders as well as people behind the scenes who exhibit the six pillars of character “There’s tons of Iowans out there so take just a second to think about the people in our lives that show good character and make a very worthy nomination,” Smit says. There are certain guidelines Iowans should follow as they make nominations.

“We look for people who follow the six pillars of character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship,” Smit says. “We also look for people who do work in their community, who stand up for what they believe and do their best work.” This will be the eighth year for what’s now an annual, statewide awards tradition.

Individuals and organizations can be nominated on the group’s website: www.charactercountsiniowa.org, and follow the links to submit a nomination. The deadline for entries is May 14th. The winners will be recognized at the Iowa Character Awards Dinner this August in West Des Moines.

(Radio Iowa)