Stressing that emergency medical services are a vital public service whose members are ready to provide life-saving care 24/7, the Washington County Supervisors Tuesday unanimously approved May 21 to May 27 as Emergency Medical Services Week in the county.  

Supervisor Jack Seward, Jr. expressed appreciation to all who serve at numerous levels, and Supervisor Marcus Fedler said the county services “are second to none,” calling the efforts provided “awesome.” 

The week recognizes all involved from first responders, fire, police, educators, nurses, physicians, trained members of the public and other out-of-hospital medical providers, including volunteers, who “engage in thousands of hours of specialized training and continuing education to enhance their life-saving skills.”

In other business in the brief meeting, the board:

Following a public hearing, acknowledged the proposed addition to the animal feeding operation at the Kiwi Avenue site for Prairie Pork, Inc. of 1888 170th Street, Wellman, in Cedar Township.   The proposed facility is for 1,920 animal units.

Approved renewal of a Class E liquor license for Ainsworth Four Corners, effective June 29, 2023, through June 28, 2024, after noting all requirements and notices had been met.

Approved both the secondary road use request and fireworks permit specifically for Amvets Road (Jefferson Street) in Richmond for a fireworks display July 3 (with July 8 as a rain date) by the Richmond Shooters from noon to 11 p.m.    Sponsors are both the Shooters and the City of Kalona.

Noted that there will be a closed session at 1:30 p.m. Monday, May 22, “to evaluate the competence of an individual whose appointment, hiring or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent endless and irreparable injury to the individual’s reputation and  that individual requests a closed session” in accordance with Iowa  Code Section 21.5(1)(j).  It is a continuance of the May 9 session.

Learned there will be a joint public meeting with Monroe County regarding South Central Behavioral Health Region and Southeast Iowa Link (SCBHR-SEIL) at 2:30 p.m. in Ottumwa, available for in-person attendance and also via Zoom.