O.K., I believe we have had our quota of snow and cold for one winter. Hopefully, we will have an early spring to help us all forget what has been a challenging winter to say the least.
Council and Staff have completed work on the 2010-2011 budget. This is one of the most important jobs we face each year as we weigh the funds available, study the needs of the community, and then prioritize to maximize what can be accomplished. If we knew exactly what would happen in the future, it would obviously be much easier to plan, but unfortunately we do not have that luxury.
I would like to digress a bit from City business and provide a little information some in the community might like to have.
Did you know Pella set up a “sister city” relationship with Pignon, Haiti? This was done via resolution by the Pella City Council on January 3rd, 1989. A number of local citizens and churches had worked in that region beginning in the early eighties. Much of the work in that region has been the result of efforts by a non-profit group called, “Promise For Haiti”. For those with computers, you can learn more by going to www.promiseforhaiti.org.
Pignon was not struck directly by the earthquake. However, indirectly they are being impacted considerably as many people are traveling many miles for badly needed healthcare their hospital is trying to provide. Promise For Haiti has also established 8 Christian schools around the Pignon area.
Dennis Brand of Pella, 641-627-5152, has worked in Haiti and the Pignon area for many years and serves on the Executive Board of the Promise For Haiti organization. He would welcome any and all inquiries from anyone interested in helping whatever way possible. Dennis may be e-mailed at dbrand@iowatelecom.net.
Another project that should certainly be of interest to our citizens is Pella Meals From the Heartland (PMFTH). Plans are under way to package 600,000 meals on April 17th at the Vermeer Pavilion. Volunteers are needed for this project and more information can be found at www.iowatelecom.net/pmfth.
PMFTH has decided to create a hands-on, people-to-people project that anyone can do from the ages of 5 to 95. It is being spearheaded by a number of our community and business leaders along with a growing group of local organizations including both high schools, Central College, several area churches, mission groups, businesses, the Chamber, and others.
Two contacts for PMFTH are Brian T. Naaden, (641-416-0148), btn@iowatelecom.com, and Jim Zaffiro, (641-628-5123), zaffiroj@central.edu.
No doubt there are many more organizations helping the unfortunates of Haiti. These are simply two with local participants who we know are getting the help to where it is needed, something that can be quite difficult in that country.
I had several inquiries regarding this matter, thus the reason for sharing this information.
Darrell Dobernecker