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Cass Supervisors discuss relocation of 9-1-1 Center & road closures

News

September 1st, 2012 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Board of Supervisors, Friday, decided to take under advisement a recommendation by the County Public Safety Commission, to relocate the 9-1-1 Center from the basement of the courthouse, to the third-floor, where the County Emergency Management Office is currently located. CPC Chairman Steve Livengood said the 3rd floor is the most logical place for the 9-1-1 Center, which has outgrown its current space. Livengood said consolidating with the Iowa State Patrol Communications Center in a new, separate building may still happen somewhere down the road, but it’s not in the scope of vision for the immediate future, because of the current “political climate,” and the lack of funds available. Livengood says they need more information on what types are funding are needed before any equipment is moved to the 3rd floor.

One of the concerns the Supervisors had with moving the 9-1-1 Center to the 3rd floor is, where will the voting machines on the floor go to? The machines require a climate-controlled environment and security. There is not enough room in the Comm Center for the voting machines and EMA offices. Supervisor Chuck Rieken he couldn’t give the CPC his blessing to move forward with relocating the Comm Center until some important questions are answered.

In other business, the Board of Supervisors, Friday, approved the setting of October 17th at 9:05-a.m. as the date and time for a public hearing on the proposed vacation of a portion of 662nd Lane (Benton Township, Section 7). The road was originally established in July of 1895. And, they approved the closure of certain roads on Saturday, Sept. 15th, as part of the “Fly Iowa 2012” airshow at the Atlantic Airport.

Gary Maas, Flight Boss for the show says since part of the show’s flight activity will be over Secondary roadways, those roads must be closed, and the FAA requires an “Air Box” to be established for the air show performers, that they must adhere to for safety reasons. The box has vertical and horizontal spatial limitations, that extend to the ground and cover a couple of local roads, which again, must be blocked-off during the show.

Airshow Chairman Gary Pellett has spoken with the affected farmers, property owners and the Iowa Interstate Railroad about the temporary changes, all of whom are agreeable to the restrictions. Maas says there’s been tremendous community support and cooperation for the free air show. You can find out more about it by surfing to the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce’ website at www.atlanticiowa.com, or by using this direct link: http://www.atlanticiowa.com/visiting-atlantic/atlantic-municipal-airport