News Mayor Watson Addresses Vinton Lion’s Club

The Vinton Lions Club held their regular Wednesday meeting at the Pizza Ranch.  There were 48 members and one guest present.  During the business portion of the meeting, president Don Eells passed a signup sheet among the members for the upcoming lunch with the Iowa Board of Regents on June 9th.  Thirty one members will be attending the luncheon.    Member Mark Wilberg gave the required third reading of the list of the nominees for new officer positions.  After the reading, a motion was made and seconded and the new officer elections were held.  Incoming officers are as follows:  President, Julie Zimmer, 1st V.P., Jeff Petersen, 2nd V.P., Pat Lyons, 3rd V.P., Emily Wilson, Secretary/Treasurer Dick Kerdus, Board Members Steve Hite, Larry Druschel, and Gerald Pedersen, Lion Tamer, Rae Dugan, and Tail Twister, Frank Van Steenhuyse. Those officers will be inducted at a ceremony in late June.

In other business, long time member Mike Elwick urged members to get involved in helping with the Lion’s club mobile food trailer.  “It’s a great deal of fun, and a great way to get the Lion’s logo out into the community”, he said.  After further elaboration, President Don Eells thanked member Elwick for his speech.  Eells mentioned that the speech was much better received than the halftime speeches Mike gave when they played football together a few years back as Vikings.  “That year, the team went 0 for 8.”  The Lions roared.    

After the business meeting, member Emily Wilson introduced the program, Vinton Mayor John Watson.   Mayor Watson spoke about several recent matters concerning city business.  He said the most common complaint he’s heard in the last three weeks has been about smoke from fire rings encroaching on their neighbor’s airspace.  Mayor Watson encouraged all Vintonians to be conscientious to their neighbors.  The mayor also spoke about several of the downtown area trees.  The roots of some of the trees are starting to interfere with electric conduit below ground level.  City crews will work to relieve the problem.

 Another topic of discussion was bugs.  According to the mayor, spraying for mosquitoes usually begins about mid June as long as weather conditions are favorable.  Mayor Watson told the crowd that he is always available by phone, and as long as you let him know who it is he’s talking with, he is happy to listen to both complaints and compliments concerning the city of Vinton.

The Vinton Lion’s club is one of the largest and most active community organizations in Vinton.  Each week the membership is treated to a program which offers a unique perspective into the varied interests of the membership.  New members are always welcome.  For more information about becoming a member, contact Jeff Petersen at Farmers Savings Bank and Trust.