By Beacon Staff The Burlington Fire Department has concluded its investigation into the fatal August fire at an apartment complex at 1126 Washington St., and the results are inconclusive. Investigators said the cause of the fire on Aug. 24, which took the life of 44-year-old Samantha M. Hoenig, is undetermined. The report noted that Hoenig did have working smoke alarms in her second-floor apartment. The fire originated in Apt. 1 on the first floor. According to a press release issued by Burlington Fire Marshall Mark Crooks today, investigators were unable to rule out careless smoking or overloaded electrical extension cords as possible causes. The Iowa State Medical Examiner’s office has determined that Hoenig died as a result of smoke inhalation, and her death is considered accidental. The four-unit apartment house, owned by Wilson Rentals of Burlington, sustained extensive damage and is considered a total loss. The property is insured. Three of the four units were rented and occupied by a total of four people. The investigation was conducted by the Burlington Police and Fire Departments, the Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Office, and the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2021/11/1636506740522.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>By Beacon Staff The Burlington Fire Department has concluded its investigation into the fatal August fire at an apartment complex at 1126 Washington St., and the results are inconclusive. Investigators said the cause of the fire on Aug. 24, which took the life of 44-year-old Samantha M. Hoenig, is undetermined. The report noted that Hoenig did have working smoke alarms in her second-floor apartment. The fire originated in Apt. 1 on the first floor. According to a press release issued by Burlington Fire Marshall Mark Crooks today, investigators were unable to rule out careless smoking or overloaded electrical extension cords as possible causes. The Iowa State Medical Examiner’s office has determined that Hoenig died as a result of smoke inhalation, and her death is considered accidental. The four-unit apartment house, owned by Wilson Rentals of Burlington, sustained extensive damage and is considered a total loss. The property is insured. Three of the four units were rented and occupied by a total of four people. The investigation was conducted by the Burlington Police and Fire Departments, the Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Office, and the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office.

Cause of Fatal August Apartment Fire Undetermined

By Beacon Staff Salvation
 Army bell ringers will sprout up like poinsettias when the charity 
organization’s annual Red Kettle fundraising campaign begins Monday, 
Nov. 8. But the Burlington Salvation Army is in dire need of volunteers and paid workers to actually ring those bells. “We have a bell ringer shortage,” said Burlington Salvation Army lieutenant Alisha Welch. Alisha
 and her husband Nathan Welch kicked off the season of giving with a 
presentation next to a gigantic red kettle in the lobby of Catfish Bend 
Casino Monday, Nov. 1. The large kettle will stay on the premises, while
 the rest of the kettles will be a much more manageable size. Gary
 Hoyer, CEO of Great River Entertainment and chairperson of this year's 
kettle campaign, proved the point by dropping the first two donations 
into the chest-high bucket. Fellow community members followed suit. “The
 Salvation Army is really one of those iconic charities that everyone 
knows," Hoyer said. “It's there to feed the hungry, it's there to clothe
 the poor. The Salvation Army is there when there's times of crisis, 
whether it's a storm or fire.” As of Nov. 1, only half dozen bell
 ringer applications had been turned in. The Welches are hoping for at 
least 20 applications, whether it be for volunteer or paid bell ringer 
positions. By the end the month, there will 12 bell ringer 
locations in front of Burlington stores. The first six kettle stands 
will go up Nov. 8, in front of Hy-Vee stores, Hobby Lobby, Fareway and 
Farm King. Walmart, Walgreens and other stores will join them after Nov.
 20. The bells will ring from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. everyday, except 
for Sundays and Thanksgiving, through Christmas Eve. The quest to bring 
in bell ringers for those positions gets a little tougher every year. “In
 the past three years, in my other locations I’ve worked for, we’ve seen
 a steady decline in bell ringers,” Alisha Welch said. The 
overall goal of the campaign is $190,000, but the goal for the actual 
kettles is $74,000. The rest of the money will be drummed up through 
random donations and mail-in campaign. Burlington hasn’t missed its 
target goal in nine years. Though the Red Kettle campaign only 
happens before Christmas, the money earned from the fundraiser supports 
the Salvation Army throughout the year. That funds all the programs the 
charity administers. “It means hot lunches can be served at our 
meal site Monday through Friday," Alisha Welch said. "It means we can 
provide monthly food boxes to members of our community. It means we can 
continue to help clients with rent and utility assistance. It means we 
can provide clothing vouchers to our thrift stores for families in 
emergency situations. It means there's a safe place for children to come
 on Wednesday nights for youth programs. It means there can be toys 
under the Christmas tree for families in need, like mine once was." Alisha
 Welch is in charge of the Christmas Angel Tree program, which gets toys
 to kids who might not get any otherwise. Those who wish to donate toys 
will receive a specific child to buy for, with toy suggestions. Those 
toys will be distributed by the Salvation Army. Those who want to apply for a bell ringer position can do so at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.registertoring.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.registertoring.com</a>&nbsp;or by calling the Burlington&nbsp;Salvation&nbsp;Army at 319-753-2038.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2021/11/1636228102724.jpeg" alt="Nathan and Alisha Welch, Salvation Army lieutenants for Burlington, kick off the charity's Red Kettle campaign Monday, Nov. 1 in the lobby of Catfish Bend Casino. Photo by William Smith." />
 <figcaption>Nathan and Alisha Welch, Salvation Army lieutenants for Burlington, kick off the charity's Red Kettle campaign Monday, Nov. 1 in the lobby of Catfish Bend Casino. Photo by William Smith.</figcaption>
 </figure>By Beacon Staff Salvation
 Army bell ringers will sprout up like poinsettias when the charity 
organization’s annual Red Kettle fundraising campaign begins Monday, 
Nov. 8. But the Burlington Salvation Army is in dire need of volunteers and paid workers to actually ring those bells. “We have a bell ringer shortage,” said Burlington Salvation Army lieutenant Alisha Welch. Alisha
 and her husband Nathan Welch kicked off the season of giving with a 
presentation next to a gigantic red kettle in the lobby of Catfish Bend 
Casino Monday, Nov. 1. The large kettle will stay on the premises, while
 the rest of the kettles will be a much more manageable size. Gary
 Hoyer, CEO of Great River Entertainment and chairperson of this year's 
kettle campaign, proved the point by dropping the first two donations 
into the chest-high bucket. Fellow community members followed suit. “The
 Salvation Army is really one of those iconic charities that everyone 
knows," Hoyer said. “It's there to feed the hungry, it's there to clothe
 the poor. The Salvation Army is there when there's times of crisis, 
whether it's a storm or fire.” As of Nov. 1, only half dozen bell
 ringer applications had been turned in. The Welches are hoping for at 
least 20 applications, whether it be for volunteer or paid bell ringer 
positions. By the end the month, there will 12 bell ringer 
locations in front of Burlington stores. The first six kettle stands 
will go up Nov. 8, in front of Hy-Vee stores, Hobby Lobby, Fareway and 
Farm King. Walmart, Walgreens and other stores will join them after Nov.
 20. The bells will ring from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. everyday, except 
for Sundays and Thanksgiving, through Christmas Eve. The quest to bring 
in bell ringers for those positions gets a little tougher every year. “In
 the past three years, in my other locations I’ve worked for, we’ve seen
 a steady decline in bell ringers,” Alisha Welch said. The 
overall goal of the campaign is $190,000, but the goal for the actual 
kettles is $74,000. The rest of the money will be drummed up through 
random donations and mail-in campaign. Burlington hasn’t missed its 
target goal in nine years. Though the Red Kettle campaign only 
happens before Christmas, the money earned from the fundraiser supports 
the Salvation Army throughout the year. That funds all the programs the 
charity administers. “It means hot lunches can be served at our 
meal site Monday through Friday," Alisha Welch said. "It means we can 
provide monthly food boxes to members of our community. It means we can 
continue to help clients with rent and utility assistance. It means we 
can provide clothing vouchers to our thrift stores for families in 
emergency situations. It means there's a safe place for children to come
 on Wednesday nights for youth programs. It means there can be toys 
under the Christmas tree for families in need, like mine once was." Alisha
 Welch is in charge of the Christmas Angel Tree program, which gets toys
 to kids who might not get any otherwise. Those who wish to donate toys 
will receive a specific child to buy for, with toy suggestions. Those 
toys will be distributed by the Salvation Army. Those who want to apply for a bell ringer position can do so at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.registertoring.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.registertoring.com</a>&nbsp;or by calling the Burlington&nbsp;Salvation&nbsp;Army at 319-753-2038.

Salvation Army Needs Bell Ringers; Kettle Campaign Starts Monday

By Beacon Staff A new pipeline will likely run through Southeast Iowa, and a spur of the pipeline could be coming to Des Moines County. Des
 Moines County Engineer Brian Carter told the board of supervisors 
Tuesday during the board's regular meeting that Navigator 
Heartland Greenway LLC has proposed a carbon capture pipeline to 
transport liquid carbon dioxide. In Iowa, the 
pipeline would run from northwest Iowa to southeast Iowa. The pipeline 
is proposed to span approximately 1,300 miles across five states, 
including Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, and South Dakota. Navigator’s
 pipeline system would capture carbon dioxide at local facilities, 
convert it to liquid form, and transfer the liquefied carbon dioxide to a
 permanent underground sequestration site in Illinois. “If
 this does move forward, it sounds like any pipeline in our county would
 be coming up from the Skunk River area, kind of toward the Geode 
quarry area, and kind of diagonal up through there,” Carter said during 
the meeting. “Obviously, the ammunition plant runs through up there, and
 I’m guessing they’re not friendly to that. So it’s going to be west of 
the ammunition plant.” Carter studied the map 
provided for the Heartland Greenway System, and noted that it is too 
vague at this point to determine the exact location of the pipeline 
spur. He noted there is a spur that would connect to the Big River 
Resources ethanol plant. The main pipeline will run through Lee County, he said. Navigator
 has estimated the project will cost at least $2 billion and create 
about 8,000 construction jobs and about 80 permanent positions along the
 pipeline route. Navigator's proposed project 
is classified as a hazardous liquid pipeline and is required under Iowa
 law to hold informational meetings at least 30 days prior to 
petitioning the Iowa Utilities Board for a new pipeline permit. Navigator
 has set up a meeting for all the counties impacted. The Des Moines County
 meeting will be at noon Dec. 8. at LOFT Events, 416 Jefferson St. in 
Burlington. Vaccination Rate Continues To Climb Public
 health administrator Christa Poggemiller told the Des Moines County 
supervisors that the vaccination rate for COVID-19 “is really coming 
along.” Poggemiller said county COVID-19 
positivity is currently 14 percent with 131 cases in the past week, and 
the county vaccination rate for those over 18 is 57 percent.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2021/11/1636133920887.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>By Beacon Staff A new pipeline will likely run through Southeast Iowa, and a spur of the pipeline could be coming to Des Moines County. Des
 Moines County Engineer Brian Carter told the board of supervisors 
Tuesday during the board's regular meeting that Navigator 
Heartland Greenway LLC has proposed a carbon capture pipeline to 
transport liquid carbon dioxide. In Iowa, the 
pipeline would run from northwest Iowa to southeast Iowa. The pipeline 
is proposed to span approximately 1,300 miles across five states, 
including Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, and South Dakota. Navigator’s
 pipeline system would capture carbon dioxide at local facilities, 
convert it to liquid form, and transfer the liquefied carbon dioxide to a
 permanent underground sequestration site in Illinois. “If
 this does move forward, it sounds like any pipeline in our county would
 be coming up from the Skunk River area, kind of toward the Geode 
quarry area, and kind of diagonal up through there,” Carter said during 
the meeting. “Obviously, the ammunition plant runs through up there, and
 I’m guessing they’re not friendly to that. So it’s going to be west of 
the ammunition plant.” Carter studied the map 
provided for the Heartland Greenway System, and noted that it is too 
vague at this point to determine the exact location of the pipeline 
spur. He noted there is a spur that would connect to the Big River 
Resources ethanol plant. The main pipeline will run through Lee County, he said. Navigator
 has estimated the project will cost at least $2 billion and create 
about 8,000 construction jobs and about 80 permanent positions along the
 pipeline route. Navigator's proposed project 
is classified as a hazardous liquid pipeline and is required under Iowa
 law to hold informational meetings at least 30 days prior to 
petitioning the Iowa Utilities Board for a new pipeline permit. Navigator
 has set up a meeting for all the counties impacted. The Des Moines County
 meeting will be at noon Dec. 8. at LOFT Events, 416 Jefferson St. in 
Burlington. Vaccination Rate Continues To Climb Public
 health administrator Christa Poggemiller told the Des Moines County 
supervisors that the vaccination rate for COVID-19 “is really coming 
along.” Poggemiller said county COVID-19 
positivity is currently 14 percent with 131 cases in the past week, and 
the county vaccination rate for those over 18 is 57 percent.

New Pipeline Spur Could Be Coming To DMC; Vaccination Rate is Up

It
 was a good night to be an incumbent in Burlington. Jon Billups, Matthew
 Rinker, and Lynda Graham-Murray were re-elected Tuesday to the 
Burlington City Council.

According
 to the unofficial tally, Billups garnered the most votes with 1,480 or 
27.56 percent of the ballots cast out of a total of 5,370 votes.&nbsp;

Lynda Graham-Murray came in second with 1,070 votes while Matt Rinker came in third with 1,055 votes.

“I
 am thrilled to be reelected. I want to congratulate all the candidates 
on a great campaign,” Billups told The Beacon, noting turnout was up 
compared to the primary election.

Of
 her win, Graham-Murray said: “I am ecstatic that the citizens of 
Burlington felt the trio of us (the incumbents) were doing a good job 
and felt like they wanted to give us another four years.”

Rinker
 also expressed his gratitude to voters: “I’m grateful for the 
opportunity to continue to serve the City of Burlington, and I’m looking
 forward to what the next four years will bring,”

Antonio Bailey took home 707 votes, Chris Roepke received 555 votes, and Terry Schnack got 459 votes.&nbsp;

Meanwhile,
 in the contest to win a seat on the Burlington School Board, Scott 
Mason, Darven Kendell (the only incumbent), and Christi Burghoffer were 
elected Tuesday night, according to the unofficial tally.

Mason
 came in first with 1,404 votes or 24.86 percent out of a total of 5,647
 votes. Kendell was second with 1,149 votes, and Burghoffer netted 766 
votes.

Tammy
 Anderson garnered 671 votes, Jennifer Gibb received 481 votes, Jennifer
 Lachenberg received 406 votes, and Reyna Cadena received 336 votes.

Other Des Moines County elections results&nbsp;

The city of Burlington local option sales tax was renewed by 1,733 “yes” votes versus 219 “no” votes.&nbsp;

The
 West Burlington public measure in favor of adopting a Revenue Purpose 
Statement specifying the use of revenues the West Burlington Independent
 School District will receive from the State of Iowa “Secure an Advanced
 Vision for Education Fund” passed with 157 “yes” votes to 35 “no” 
votes.

West Burlington Mayor Ron Teater: 182

West Burlington City Council (three open seats) Kathy Newberry: 183 Melanie Young: 173 John Johnson: 166

West Burlington School Board (two open seats) Bruce Thuleen: 160 Amanda Hancock: 137

Mediapolis City Council (three open seats) Chuck Massner: 165 Troy Garrison: 157 Miranda Pfeiff: 106 Monte Hawley: 71 Denise Dietrick: 57

Mediapolis School Board (three open seats) Mark Schmidgall: 323 Richard Whitaker: 237 John Witte: 216 Peter Pfeiff: 173

Danville Mayor Jerry Stause: 136

Danville School Board (two open seats) Jason Samples: 225 Jon Paul Van Buskirk: 182 Sandy Dockendorff: 140 Taylor Eisenmann: 118

Middletown Mayor Eric Gerst: 46 Middletown City Council (two open seats) Stephanie Gerst: 45 Jordan Fidler: 33 Southeastern Community College Board of Trustees District 2 - Lanny Hillyard: 1,083 District 3 - Jeff Heland: 1,060

By Beacon StaffIt
 was a good night to be an incumbent in Burlington. Jon Billups, Matthew
 Rinker, and Lynda Graham-Murray were re-elected Tuesday to the 
Burlington City Council.According
 to the unofficial tally, Billups garnered the most votes with 1,480 or 
27.56 percent of the ballots cast out of a total of 5,370 votes.&nbsp;Lynda Graham-Murray came in second with 1,070 votes while Matt Rinker came in third with 1,055 votes.“I
 am thrilled to be reelected. I want to congratulate all the candidates 
on a great campaign,” Billups told The Beacon, noting turnout was up 
compared to the primary election.Of
 her win, Graham-Murray said: “I am ecstatic that the citizens of 
Burlington felt the trio of us (the incumbents) were doing a good job 
and felt like they wanted to give us another four years.”Rinker
 also expressed his gratitude to voters: “I’m grateful for the 
opportunity to continue to serve the City of Burlington, and I’m looking
 forward to what the next four years will bring,”Antonio Bailey took home 707 votes, Chris Roepke received 555 votes, and Terry Schnack got 459 votes.&nbsp;Meanwhile,
 in the contest to win a seat on the Burlington School Board, Scott 
Mason, Darven Kendell (the only incumbent), and Christi Burghoffer were 
elected Tuesday night, according to the unofficial tally.Mason
 came in first with 1,404 votes or 24.86 percent out of a total of 5,647
 votes. Kendell was second with 1,149 votes, and Burghoffer netted 766 
votes.Tammy
 Anderson garnered 671 votes, Jennifer Gibb received 481 votes, Jennifer
 Lachenberg received 406 votes, and Reyna Cadena received 336 votes.Other Des Moines County elections results&nbsp;The city of Burlington local option sales tax was renewed by 1,733 “yes” votes versus 219 “no” votes.&nbsp;The
 West Burlington public measure in favor of adopting a Revenue Purpose 
Statement specifying the use of revenues the West Burlington Independent
 School District will receive from the State of Iowa “Secure an Advanced
 Vision for Education Fund” passed with 157 “yes” votes to 35 “no” 
votes.The rest of the votes were as follows:West Burlington Mayor Ron Teater: 182West Burlington City Council (three open seats) Kathy Newberry: 183 Melanie Young: 173 John Johnson: 166West Burlington School Board (two open seats) Bruce Thuleen: 160 Amanda Hancock: 137Mediapolis City Council (three open seats) Chuck Massner: 165 Troy Garrison: 157 Miranda Pfeiff: 106 Monte Hawley: 71 Denise Dietrick: 57Mediapolis School Board (three open seats) Mark Schmidgall: 323 Richard Whitaker: 237 John Witte: 216 Peter Pfeiff: 173Danville Mayor Jerry Stause: 136Danville School Board (two open seats) Jason Samples: 225 Jon Paul Van Buskirk: 182 Sandy Dockendorff: 140 Taylor Eisenmann: 118Middletown Mayor Eric Gerst: 46 Middletown City Council (two open seats) Stephanie Gerst: 45 Jordan Fidler: 33 Southeastern Community College Board of Trustees District 2 - Lanny Hillyard: 1,083 District 3 - Jeff Heland: 1,060

Des Moines County City/School Election Results

Burlington Police and other law enforcement agencies seized four guns, $13,000 in cash, marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, and drug paraphernalia Tuesday, Nov. 2 during searches at seven locations in Burlington.

The locations included the 400 block of Franklin Street, 100 block of South Marshall Street, 1300 block of Jefferson Street, 1500 block of Ashmun Street, 1300 block of Washington Street, the 1400 block of Hillary Avenue and the 1200 block of Aetna Street.

Eight Burlington men are facing federal charges as part of a multi-year, joint federal and state investigation into a large drug trafficking organization. Five of them were arrested, including Clyde Macks Stewart, Jr., Rudolph Sinclair Allen, Brian Keith Davis, Jr., Gregory Jermain Johnson, and Marcus Allen Johnson.

The names of the three men who weren’t arrested have not been released.

All eight men have been charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in U.S. District Court, Davenport, according to a media release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa. They face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, without parole.

The charges stem from an investigation conducted by the Southeast Iowa Narcotics Task Force, Burlington Police Department, Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office, Henry County Sheriff’s Office, Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement.

The Des Moines County Tactical Response Unit, Des Moines County Attorney’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Lee County Narcotics Task Force, Muscatine County Tactical Team, Muscatine County Narcotics Task Force, Washington County Tactical Team, Iowa State Patrol Tactical Teams, West Burlington Police Department, and the Johnson County Municipal Drug Task Force also assisted in the investigation.

“I want to thank all of the participating agencies for their hard work and dedication that has resulted in the service and execution of the multitude of search and arrest warrants, which will significantly impact crime within the city of Burlington and Southeast Iowa,” Burlington Police Chief Marc Denney said in a press release.

By Beacon StaffBurlington Police and other law enforcement agencies seized four guns, $13,000 in cash, marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, and drug paraphernalia Tuesday, Nov. 2 during searches at seven locations in Burlington.The locations included the 400 block of Franklin Street, 100 block of South Marshall Street, 1300 block of Jefferson Street, 1500 block of Ashmun Street, 1300 block of Washington Street, the 1400 block of Hillary Avenue and the 1200 block of Aetna Street.Eight Burlington men are facing federal charges as part of a multi-year, joint federal and state investigation into a large drug trafficking organization. Five of them were arrested, including Clyde Macks Stewart, Jr., Rudolph Sinclair Allen, Brian Keith Davis, Jr., Gregory Jermain Johnson, and Marcus Allen Johnson.The names of the three men who weren’t arrested have not been released.All eight men have been charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in U.S. District Court, Davenport, according to a media release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa. They face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, without parole.The charges stem from an investigation conducted by the Southeast Iowa Narcotics Task Force, Burlington Police Department, Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office, Henry County Sheriff’s Office, Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement.The Des Moines County Tactical Response Unit, Des Moines County Attorney’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Lee County Narcotics Task Force, Muscatine County Tactical Team, Muscatine County Narcotics Task Force, Washington County Tactical Team, Iowa State Patrol Tactical Teams, West Burlington Police Department, and the Johnson County Municipal Drug Task Force also assisted in the investigation.“I want to thank all of the participating agencies for their hard work and dedication that has resulted in the service and execution of the multitude of search and arrest warrants, which will significantly impact crime within the city of Burlington and Southeast Iowa,” Burlington Police Chief Marc Denney said in a press release.

Big Burlington Drug Bust Nets Five Arrests, Guns, and Drugs

By Beacon Staff A bomb threat was made against New London Community School on Tuesday Nov. 2, but no bomb was found. New
 London Superintendent Chad Wahls updated parents and the community 
about the threat via a letter posted on the school’s Facebook page
 Tuesday afternoon. The building was not evacuated, and after a search 
in conjunction with local law enforcement, no bomb was found. The letter reads in full: “This
 letter is to inform you about a bomb threat that we received this 
morning. Our school is committed to the safety and education of all our 
students. We also want to clearly communicate with parents about safety 
issues as they arise. This morning, a hand-written note was found which indicated that a bomb would be placed in the school at 1:00PM. After
 consulting with local law enforcement, we didn’t evacuate the building.
 But, with the help of the police department and district personnel, the
 building and campus was searched and nothing was found. The
 police department is continuing their investigation and has given us 
the go ahead to continue classes for the remainder of the day as there 
is no longer a threat to anyone. Counselors are available if any students would like to talk to someone about this event. All
 threats to our school or students are taken seriously and investigated 
thoroughly. We wanted you can have a conversation with your child and 
emphasize the seriousness of this issue.”

By Beacon Staff A bomb threat was made against New London Community School on Tuesday Nov. 2, but no bomb was found. New
 London Superintendent Chad Wahls updated parents and the community 
about the threat via a letter posted on the school’s Facebook page
 Tuesday afternoon. The building was not evacuated, and after a search 
in conjunction with local law enforcement, no bomb was found. The letter reads in full: “This
 letter is to inform you about a bomb threat that we received this 
morning. Our school is committed to the safety and education of all our 
students. We also want to clearly communicate with parents about safety 
issues as they arise. This morning, a hand-written note was found which indicated that a bomb would be placed in the school at 1:00PM. After
 consulting with local law enforcement, we didn’t evacuate the building.
 But, with the help of the police department and district personnel, the
 building and campus was searched and nothing was found. The
 police department is continuing their investigation and has given us 
the go ahead to continue classes for the remainder of the day as there 
is no longer a threat to anyone. Counselors are available if any students would like to talk to someone about this event. All
 threats to our school or students are taken seriously and investigated 
thoroughly. We wanted you can have a conversation with your child and 
emphasize the seriousness of this issue.”

Bomb Threat Directed at New London School; Nothing Found During Search

By Beacon Staff The combined city and school election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021. Polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. More information and polling locations can be found at <a href="https://dmcountyelections.iowa.gov/elections/info/2021_city_school_elections_2021_11_02/">https://dmcountyelections.iowa.gov/elections/info/2021_city_school_elections_2021_11_02/</a>&nbsp;

The following offices and candidates will appear on ballot styles according to the specific jurisdictions with the exception of write-in candidates, who are denoted in italics:

City of Burlington Council Member (vote for no more than three)

Terry A. Schnack, Jon D. Billups, Lynda Graham-Murray, Antonio Bailey, Christopher Roepke, Matthew Rinker.

Drake Fenton is running as a write-in candidate.

City of Danville Mayor (vote for no more than one)

City of Danville Council Member (vote for no more than two)

City of Mediapolis Council Member (vote for no more than three)

Chuck Massner, Miranda Pfeiff, Denise M. Deitrick, Troy Garrison, Monte Hawley

City of Middletown Mayor (vote for no more than one)

City of Middletown Council Member (vote for no more than two)

City of West Burlington Mayor (vote for no more than one)

City of West Burlington Council Member (vote for no more than two)

City of West Burlington Council Member – To Fill A Vacancy (vote for no more than one)

Burlington School District Board Member (vote for no more than three)

Scott Mason, Jennifer Gibb, Darven R. Kendell, Tammy M. Anderson, Jennifer Lachenberg, Reyna N. Cadena, Christi Burghoffer

Bryan C. Bross is running as a write-in candidate.

Danville School District Board Member (vote for no more than two)

Sandy Dockendorff, Taylor Eisenmann, Jon Paul Van Buskirk, Jason Samples

Mediapolis School District Board Member (vote for no more than three)

Richard E. Whitaker, John Witte, Peter Pfeiff, Mark Schmidgall

West Burlington Independent School District Board Member (vote for no more than two)

Note: Not all community college director districts are on the ballot in 2021 for voters.

Southeastern Community College – Merged Area XVI

Director District #2 (vote for no more than one)

Director District #3 (vote for no more than one)

By Beacon Staff The combined city and school election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021. Polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. More information and polling locations can be found at <a href="https://dmcountyelections.iowa.gov/elections/info/2021_city_school_elections_2021_11_02/">https://dmcountyelections.iowa.gov/elections/info/2021_city_school_elections_2021_11_02/</a>&nbsp;The following offices and candidates will appear on ballot styles according to the specific jurisdictions with the exception of write-in candidates, who are denoted in italics:CITY CANDIDATESCity of Burlington Council Member (vote for no more than three)Terry A. Schnack, Jon D. Billups, Lynda Graham-Murray, Antonio Bailey, Christopher Roepke, Matthew Rinker. Drake Fenton is running as a write-in candidate.City of Danville Mayor (vote for no more than one)Jerry L. StrauseCity of Danville Council Member (vote for no more than two)Stefanee HeaterCity of Mediapolis Council Member (vote for no more than three)Chuck Massner, Miranda Pfeiff, Denise M. Deitrick, Troy Garrison, Monte HawleyCity of Middletown Mayor (vote for no more than one)Eric GerstCity of Middletown Council Member (vote for no more than two)Jordan Fidler, Stephanie GerstCity of West Burlington Mayor (vote for no more than one)Ron TeaterCity of West Burlington Council Member (vote for no more than two)John E. Johnson, Melanie C. YoungCity of West Burlington Council Member – To Fill A Vacancy (vote for no more than one)Kathy NewberrySCHOOL CANDIDATESBurlington School District Board Member (vote for no more than three)Scott Mason, Jennifer Gibb, Darven R. Kendell, Tammy M. Anderson, Jennifer Lachenberg, Reyna N. Cadena, Christi BurghofferBryan C. Bross is running as a write-in candidate.Danville School District Board Member (vote for no more than two)Sandy Dockendorff, Taylor Eisenmann, Jon Paul Van Buskirk, Jason SamplesMediapolis School District Board Member (vote for no more than three)Richard E. Whitaker, John Witte, Peter Pfeiff, Mark SchmidgallWest Burlington Independent School District Board Member (vote for no more than two)Bruce Thuleen, Amanda HancockCOMMUNITY COLLEGE CANDIDATESNote: Not all community college director districts are on the ballot in 2021 for voters.Southeastern Community College – Merged Area XVIDirector District #2 (vote for no more than one)Lanny HillyardDirector District #3 (vote for no more than one)Jeff M. Heland

City and School Election Candidates

Southeastern Community College will offer complimentary assistance with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at its FAFSA Ready Iowa event on Wednesday, Nov. 3. The event will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. at both the West Burlington and Keokuk campuses. The West Burlington event will be held in Room 192 and the Keokuk event will be located in Room 419.

“Filing for financial aid can be intimidating for students of any age and their families,” says Jared Reed, SCC Financial Aid Director. “We help people through the process so they know it is right the first time.”

Reed encourages people who plan to attend college to file the forms as soon as they can for a better chance to receive more state and institutional aid.

“The event is a great way to complete the FAFSA in a timely manner without interruptions,” he adds.

SCC’s priority deadline date is March 1 to coincide with the SCC Foundation Scholarship Application deadline.

This event is free and open to students of any age or income, regardless of which college they plan to attend. There is no need to pre-register; attendees will be assisted throughout the afternoon and evening on a first-come, first-served basis. Staff members from the SCC Financial Aid Office, the Educational Opportunity Center, and other college departments will be on-hand to guide students through the FAFSA and to answer questions about financial aid.

Reed recommends that students under age 24 attend with at least one parent or guardian.

“Most traditional college-age students are required to include parental information on their FAFSA, so it’s helpful if both the student and at least one parent can attend.”

To complete the 2022-2023 FAFSA, students and parents should each bring the following:

• Social Security number, driver’s license number and date of birth

• 2020 federal and state tax returns, complete with all schedules and worksheets

• W-2 forms or other records of income earned in 2020

• Current bank statements and investment records

• Records of untaxed income received last year

• Your A-Number (if not a U.S. citizen)

A list of frequently asked questions, including a link to a complete list of required information and documents, can be found at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.icansucceed.org/financial-aid/financial-aid-process/fafsa" target="_blank">www.icansucceed.org</a>.

Students and parents may register in advance for an FSA ID to electronically sign the FAFSA and make future changes. To create an FSA ID or retrieve a forgotten ID, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://fsaid.ed.gov/npas/index.htm" target="_blank">studentaid.gov</a>.

Students who are unable to attend this event are encouraged to contact the Educational Opportunity Center located at SCC at (319) 208-5026.

Appointments are available year-round to provide assistance with filing the FAFSA.

Southeastern Community College will offer complimentary assistance with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at its FAFSA Ready Iowa event on Wednesday, Nov. 3. The event will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. at both the West Burlington and Keokuk campuses. The West Burlington event will be held in Room 192 and the Keokuk event will be located in Room 419.“Filing for financial aid can be intimidating for students of any age and their families,” says Jared Reed, SCC Financial Aid Director. “We help people through the process so they know it is right the first time.”Reed encourages people who plan to attend college to file the forms as soon as they can for a better chance to receive more state and institutional aid.“The event is a great way to complete the FAFSA in a timely manner without interruptions,” he adds.SCC’s priority deadline date is March 1 to coincide with the SCC Foundation Scholarship Application deadline.This event is free and open to students of any age or income, regardless of which college they plan to attend. There is no need to pre-register; attendees will be assisted throughout the afternoon and evening on a first-come, first-served basis. Staff members from the SCC Financial Aid Office, the Educational Opportunity Center, and other college departments will be on-hand to guide students through the FAFSA and to answer questions about financial aid.Reed recommends that students under age 24 attend with at least one parent or guardian.“Most traditional college-age students are required to include parental information on their FAFSA, so it’s helpful if both the student and at least one parent can attend.”To complete the 2022-2023 FAFSA, students and parents should each bring the following:• Social Security number, driver’s license number and date of birth• 2020 federal and state tax returns, complete with all schedules and worksheets• W-2 forms or other records of income earned in 2020• Current bank statements and investment records• Records of untaxed income received last year• Your A-Number (if not a U.S. citizen)A list of frequently asked questions, including a link to a complete list of required information and documents, can be found at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.icansucceed.org/financial-aid/financial-aid-process/fafsa" target="_blank">www.icansucceed.org</a>.Students and parents may register in advance for an FSA ID to electronically sign the FAFSA and make future changes. To create an FSA ID or retrieve a forgotten ID, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://fsaid.ed.gov/npas/index.htm" target="_blank">studentaid.gov</a>.Students who are unable to attend this event are encouraged to contact the Educational Opportunity Center located at SCC at (319) 208-5026.Appointments are available year-round to provide assistance with filing the FAFSA.

SCC to Host Free Financial Aid Workshop November 3

Driver of Stolen Vehicle Crashes Into Power Pole, Flees Scene; Police Seek Leads

By Beacon Staff Several Burlington homes lost power Friday night, Oct. 29, after a car careened into a power pole on the 2200 block of Sunnyside Avenue, snapped the pole in half, and then took off. The driver of the vehicle has yet to be identified, and Burlington Police are asking for the public’s help in finding them. Power has since been restored to the homes affected. According to police officials, the incident occurred shortly after 8 p.m. Burlington Police were called to the 2200 block of Sunnyside Avenue, where they found a utility pole that had been broken in half. The wires kept the pole standing.

The car — a 1999 Honda Accord — was gone by then, though the muffler stayed overnight in the yard of a nearby house. The vehicle was abandoned at the 1900 block of Osborn and was able to locate and speak with the owner, who said the car was stolen. Anyone with information that leads to the driver is encouraged to contact the Burlington Police Department at 319-753-8366 or Burlington Area Crime Stoppers at 319-753-6835.

Biker Injured In Sunnyside Accident Was Wearing A Helmet By Beacon Staff A
 motorcycle driver was taken to Southeast Iowa Regional Hospital 
Saturday morning, Oct. 30, when a vehicle on Sunnyside Avenue backed 
into the bike’s path. Burlington Police Sgt. John Stirn said the accident could have been much worse if the biker hadn’t taken safety precautions. “He was wearing a helmet,” Stirn said. Stirn
 said the accident occurred at 9:38 a.m. near the intersection of 
Sunnyside Avenue and Pilger Avenue, which is near Sunnyside Elementary 
School. The biker, 32-year-old Bryan Denlea, of
 Burlington, was riding a 2021 Harley Davidson. He was conscious as he 
was being transported by ambulance to Southeast Iowa Regional Medical 
Center. The driver of the 2010 Ford Focus that 
backed out of a private drive in front of the motorcycle, 58-year-old 
Rosemary Rood, was cited for failure to enter or exit a highway/roadway.

Driver of Stolen Vehicle Crashes Into Power Pole, Flees Scene; Police Seek Leads By Beacon Staff Several Burlington homes lost power Friday night, Oct. 29, after a car careened into a power pole on the 2200 block of Sunnyside Avenue, snapped the pole in half, and then took off. The driver of the vehicle has yet to be identified, and Burlington Police are asking for the public’s help in finding them. Power has since been restored to the homes affected. According to police officials, the incident occurred shortly after 8 p.m. Burlington Police were called to the 2200 block of Sunnyside Avenue, where they found a utility pole that had been broken in half. The wires kept the pole standing.The car — a 1999 Honda Accord — was gone by then, though the muffler stayed overnight in the yard of a nearby house. The vehicle was abandoned at the 1900 block of Osborn and was able to locate and speak with the owner, who said the car was stolen. Anyone with information that leads to the driver is encouraged to contact the Burlington Police Department at 319-753-8366 or Burlington Area Crime Stoppers at 319-753-6835.Biker Injured In Sunnyside Accident Was Wearing A Helmet By Beacon Staff A
 motorcycle driver was taken to Southeast Iowa Regional Hospital 
Saturday morning, Oct. 30, when a vehicle on Sunnyside Avenue backed 
into the bike’s path. Burlington Police Sgt. John Stirn said the accident could have been much worse if the biker hadn’t taken safety precautions. “He was wearing a helmet,” Stirn said. Stirn
 said the accident occurred at 9:38 a.m. near the intersection of 
Sunnyside Avenue and Pilger Avenue, which is near Sunnyside Elementary 
School. The biker, 32-year-old Bryan Denlea, of
 Burlington, was riding a 2021 Harley Davidson. He was conscious as he 
was being transported by ambulance to Southeast Iowa Regional Medical 
Center. The driver of the 2010 Ford Focus that 
backed out of a private drive in front of the motorcycle, 58-year-old 
Rosemary Rood, was cited for failure to enter or exit a highway/roadway.

Two Separate Traffic Accidents Occur on Sunnyside Ave.

By Beacon Staff The Burlington City Council reviewed its multi-year road plan during a work session Monday,Oct. 25, and there’s plenty of work to be done. Featured on the list is the closed Cascade Bridge, which is currently budgeted for about$7 million. Assistant city manager for public works Nick MacGregor said that is very rough figure, noting that inflation on construction materials has risen by 5.5 percent over the course of the pandemic. Replacing the Cascade Bridge is positioned as the only roads project in fiscal year 2025 – the final year of the plan. “I think this project is probably the biggest concern, from what happens with estimation and inflation and how you plan for this bridge. This is complicated work, and we don’t know how inflation will affect it,” MacGregor said. The city has secured $1 million in state bridge fund money, but the price will likely be higher than $7 million. “We need to be on the lookout for federal aid monies,” MacGregor said.

TIGER grant reconstruction of Main and Jefferson Street will be ongoing from 2022 to 2025. Work has already begun on the 800 block of Jefferson Street. The rest of the road plan breaks down as follows: Fiscal Year 2022 The work will consist of reconstruction of Madison Avenue. There will be bike lines from South Street to Sunset Avenue, ADA ramps will be replaced, and there will be minor storm intake work and minor sewer separation near the Harrison Avenue project. “Harrison Avenue will not be completed this fall,” MacGregor said. “It will continue next spring, and there is quite a bit of work left on the table. If they start April 1, it will take all the way until at least July 1 to get that done.” Fiscal Year 2023 Road work includes Agency Street, from Melrose to Curan; Terrace Avenue; Johannsen Drive; and Division Street, from Plane to Leebrick. The work will consist of a full depth concrete reconstruction and sidewalk network continuation on Agency, as well as ADA upgrades. The work on Terrace, Johannsen, and Division Street will be an HMA (hot mix asphalt) overlay. Fiscal Year 2024 The scope of the project will consist of reconstruction of Summer Street, from Harrison to Koestner, and the widening of the entire width of the street. The current road is 22 feet wide with no shoulder – the new street will be 31 feet wide with a curb and gutter. There will also be work done on the Washington Central Overpass to Front Street. Originally planned as an HMA overlay, the budget currently has provisions for full depth replacement from Front Street to Sixth Street at the base of Snake Alley. The rest would be an HMA overlay from Sixth Street to the Central Avenue overpass. MacGregor also provided the council a list of roads that will need work in fiscal year 2025 and beyond.&nbsp; The list includes: Sunnyside Avenue, Lesylvia, Sunrise, Regina, Monarch, Glendale, Stone Garden, Deer Run, 800 block of Easy Street, Sixth Street and Fifth Street from Spruce to Cedar, frontage roads (especially off of West Avenue near Two Rivers), asphalt roads that need overlay or reconstruct, Barrett from Summer to 14th, Barrett from Seventh to Main, Twelfth from Barrett to Angular, Main From Harrison to Cascade Bridge, Louisa Street from Madison to Seventh, and Fleming Court south of Flint Hills.

By Beacon Staff The Burlington City Council reviewed its multi-year road plan during a work session Monday,Oct. 25, and there’s plenty of work to be done. Featured on the list is the closed Cascade Bridge, which is currently budgeted for about$7 million. Assistant city manager for public works Nick MacGregor said that is very rough figure, noting that inflation on construction materials has risen by 5.5 percent over the course of the pandemic. Replacing the Cascade Bridge is positioned as the only roads project in fiscal year 2025 – the final year of the plan. “I think this project is probably the biggest concern, from what happens with estimation and inflation and how you plan for this bridge. This is complicated work, and we don’t know how inflation will affect it,” MacGregor said. The city has secured $1 million in state bridge fund money, but the price will likely be higher than $7 million. “We need to be on the lookout for federal aid monies,” MacGregor said.TIGER grant reconstruction of Main and Jefferson Street will be ongoing from 2022 to 2025. Work has already begun on the 800 block of Jefferson Street. The rest of the road plan breaks down as follows: Fiscal Year 2022 The work will consist of reconstruction of Madison Avenue. There will be bike lines from South Street to Sunset Avenue, ADA ramps will be replaced, and there will be minor storm intake work and minor sewer separation near the Harrison Avenue project. “Harrison Avenue will not be completed this fall,” MacGregor said. “It will continue next spring, and there is quite a bit of work left on the table. If they start April 1, it will take all the way until at least July 1 to get that done.” Fiscal Year 2023 Road work includes Agency Street, from Melrose to Curan; Terrace Avenue; Johannsen Drive; and Division Street, from Plane to Leebrick. The work will consist of a full depth concrete reconstruction and sidewalk network continuation on Agency, as well as ADA upgrades. The work on Terrace, Johannsen, and Division Street will be an HMA (hot mix asphalt) overlay. Fiscal Year 2024 The scope of the project will consist of reconstruction of Summer Street, from Harrison to Koestner, and the widening of the entire width of the street. The current road is 22 feet wide with no shoulder – the new street will be 31 feet wide with a curb and gutter. There will also be work done on the Washington Central Overpass to Front Street. Originally planned as an HMA overlay, the budget currently has provisions for full depth replacement from Front Street to Sixth Street at the base of Snake Alley. The rest would be an HMA overlay from Sixth Street to the Central Avenue overpass. MacGregor also provided the council a list of roads that will need work in fiscal year 2025 and beyond.&nbsp; The list includes: Sunnyside Avenue, Lesylvia, Sunrise, Regina, Monarch, Glendale, Stone Garden, Deer Run, 800 block of Easy Street, Sixth Street and Fifth Street from Spruce to Cedar, frontage roads (especially off of West Avenue near Two Rivers), asphalt roads that need overlay or reconstruct, Barrett from Summer to 14th, Barrett from Seventh to Main, Twelfth from Barrett to Angular, Main From Harrison to Cascade Bridge, Louisa Street from Madison to Seventh, and Fleming Court south of Flint Hills.

City Council Reviews Multi-Year Road Plan,Replacement of Cascade Bridge

By Beacon Staff If Iowa’s current redistricting plan continues on the same trajectory it has now, Des Moines County will pick up another senate district. “We would have two senate districts, for the first time that I know of,” Des Moines County auditor Terri Johnson said during the Des Moines County Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday (Oct. 26). According to the proposed redistricting plan, the southern tip of Des Moines County would be included in Lee County’s senate district, giving Des Moines County two senate districts. The majority of Des Moines County would continue to stay with Louisa County and a portion of Muscatine County (but not the city of Muscatine itself). The plan still has to be approved by legislators. Once it is, it will set the state’s congressional and legislative boundaries for the next decade. Iowa’s second round of redistricting maps came out on Oct. 21, giving lawmakers one week to review the proposal before convening for a special session. Precincts for Des Moines County will be determined via census information once a new plan is approved. During the last redistricting in 2010, Des Moines County went from 12 voting precincts to nine. Sen. Tim Goodwin (R) is currently the only state senator for Des Moines County.

By Beacon Staff If Iowa’s current redistricting plan continues on the same trajectory it has now, Des Moines County will pick up another senate district. “We would have two senate districts, for the first time that I know of,” Des Moines County auditor Terri Johnson said during the Des Moines County Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday (Oct. 26). According to the proposed redistricting plan, the southern tip of Des Moines County would be included in Lee County’s senate district, giving Des Moines County two senate districts. The majority of Des Moines County would continue to stay with Louisa County and a portion of Muscatine County (but not the city of Muscatine itself). The plan still has to be approved by legislators. Once it is, it will set the state’s congressional and legislative boundaries for the next decade. Iowa’s second round of redistricting maps came out on Oct. 21, giving lawmakers one week to review the proposal before convening for a special session. Precincts for Des Moines County will be determined via census information once a new plan is approved. During the last redistricting in 2010, Des Moines County went from 12 voting precincts to nine. Sen. Tim Goodwin (R) is currently the only state senator for Des Moines County.

Des Moines County Could Get Extra Senate Seat

Urgent Care Center Opening Soon By Aiden Orton, Beacon Intern Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center’s Urgent Care Center will be opening for the first time on Monday, Nov. 1 at 10 a.m. in West Burlington. Urgent Care services are necessary medical services that are required for an injury or illnesses that would not result in death or physical disability if not treated immediately, but require professional treatment and attention within 24 hours.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, emergency rooms have been pushed to their limits. Patients waiting for the emergency room should be prepared to wait hours upon hours to be seen. An Urgent Care Center can alleviate the pressure of rising numbers of patients seeking emergency treatment. Urgent Care Centers can also provide many routine treatments, such as vaccinations and diagnostics.

Hospital Earns Recognition By Beacon Staff

Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center’s West Burlington campus has received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline®&nbsp;EMS Gold Achievement Award for implementing specific quality improvement measures to treat patients who suffer severe heart attacks.

Each year, more than 250,000 people experience an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI),the deadliest type of heart attack, caused by a blockage of blood flow to the heart that requires timely treatment.

The American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline program helps reduce barriers to prompt treatment for heart attacks – starting from when 9-1-1 is called, to EMS transport and continuing through hospital treatment and discharge. Optimal care for heart attack patients takes coordination between the individual hospital, EMS and healthcare system.

“EMTs and paramedics play a vital part in the system of care for those who have heart attacks,” said Tim Henry, MD, chair of the Mission: Lifeline Acute Coronary Syndrome Subcommittee. “Since they often are the first medical point of contact, they can save precious minutes of treatment time by activating the emergency response system that alerts hospitals to an incoming heart attack patient.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2021/10/1635535179541.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Urgent Care Center Opening Soon By Aiden Orton, Beacon Intern Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center’s Urgent Care Center will be opening for the first time on Monday, Nov. 1 at 10 a.m. in West Burlington. Urgent Care services are necessary medical services that are required for an injury or illnesses that would not result in death or physical disability if not treated immediately, but require professional treatment and attention within 24 hours.Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, emergency rooms have been pushed to their limits. Patients waiting for the emergency room should be prepared to wait hours upon hours to be seen. An Urgent Care Center can alleviate the pressure of rising numbers of patients seeking emergency treatment. Urgent Care Centers can also provide many routine treatments, such as vaccinations and diagnostics. Hospital Earns Recognition By Beacon Staff Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center’s West Burlington campus has received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline®&nbsp;EMS Gold Achievement Award for implementing specific quality improvement measures to treat patients who suffer severe heart attacks.Each year, more than 250,000 people experience an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI),the deadliest type of heart attack, caused by a blockage of blood flow to the heart that requires timely treatment. The American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline program helps reduce barriers to prompt treatment for heart attacks – starting from when 9-1-1 is called, to EMS transport and continuing through hospital treatment and discharge. Optimal care for heart attack patients takes coordination between the individual hospital, EMS and healthcare system.“EMTs and paramedics play a vital part in the system of care for those who have heart attacks,” said Tim Henry, MD, chair of the Mission: Lifeline Acute Coronary Syndrome Subcommittee. “Since they often are the first medical point of contact, they can save precious minutes of treatment time by activating the emergency response system that alerts hospitals to an incoming heart attack patient.”

SEIRMC Urgent Care Center Opening Soon, Hospital Earns Recognition

Most everyone knows Lynda Graham-Murray as a cheerleader for Burlington.

During her four years on the city council, Graham-Murray has stressed “outreach” for the city of Burlington as though it were her middle name. Her goal is to always publicize the best of Burlington.

She thinks under-utilizing Snake Alley and the Mississippi River as tourist attractions is a mistake that can be rectified. They just need to be wrapped in the publicity that defines a rolling river city.

“We just have a bad self image here,” she said, noting that extends to all of Iowa – not just Burlington. “I don’t know what it stems from. We’re the best kept secret.”&nbsp;

Outside of council life, the mayor pro tem wields a diverse set of skills. She’s a registered dietician and a syndicated columnist, best known for her “Dietitian Magician” column.

Graham-Murray moved to Texas for a while after graduating college in Iowa, but it was just too hot. It just wasn’t the same.

“I missed home. I missed Iowa,” she said, “I love the change of seasons. I love the Mississippi River. I really think we have a lot on tap for local recreational potential.”

Graham-Murray eventually fell for and married Matt Murray, a past city councilman himself. They have two children; one plays basketball for Luther College in Decorah, where current Burlington city manager Chad Bird worked previously.

Graham-Murray loved what she saw in Decorah, and she wants the same for Burlington.

“He used Americorps to fix up bike trails and recreation,” she said. “If you package recreational activities right, people will go there for a hotel stay.”

The repackaging of downtown Burlington and the riverfront is part of the transformation.

Burlington is becoming a hot river town that attracts outsiders, and the physical change is just catching up to the downtown vibe.

“I went downtown and ordered some takeout from Pookie’s, and I looked around and said ‘What’s going on?’ I felt like I was in Chicago. The sidewalks are swarming with people. People can’t find any parking. I said, ‘You’re getting it, Burlington!’ We’re connecting the dots,” Graham-Murray said excitedly.

Of course, she said, you have to restore the parts of Burlington that aren’t working to complete the package. That circles around to the closed Cascade Bridge. It’s on the council’s five year plan, and Graham-Murray believes it will be reopened.

Much like her fellow incumbents running for re-election, she would like to help make it happen.

“Bridges that don’t work, roads that aren’t open, tell us we’re a dying community. And we’re not. We’re a vibrant community,” she said.

Editor’s
 note: This is the last installment of a six-part series profiling the city council 
candidates. There are six candidates vying for three open seats. In 
Burlington, all city council seats are at-large, meaning anyone from 
anywhere in the city may run for a seat on city council. The council 
election is Nov. 2.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2021/10/1635446863567.png" alt="Lynda Graham-Murray is running to retain her seat on the Burlington City Council. Photo by William Smith." />
 <figcaption>Lynda Graham-Murray is running to retain her seat on the Burlington City Council. Photo by William Smith.</figcaption>
 </figure>By William SmithMost everyone knows Lynda Graham-Murray as a cheerleader for Burlington.During her four years on the city council, Graham-Murray has stressed “outreach” for the city of Burlington as though it were her middle name. Her goal is to always publicize the best of Burlington.She thinks under-utilizing Snake Alley and the Mississippi River as tourist attractions is a mistake that can be rectified. They just need to be wrapped in the publicity that defines a rolling river city.“We just have a bad self image here,” she said, noting that extends to all of Iowa – not just Burlington. “I don’t know what it stems from. We’re the best kept secret.”&nbsp;Outside of council life, the mayor pro tem wields a diverse set of skills. She’s a registered dietician and a syndicated columnist, best known for her “Dietitian Magician” column.Graham-Murray moved to Texas for a while after graduating college in Iowa, but it was just too hot. It just wasn’t the same.“I missed home. I missed Iowa,” she said, “I love the change of seasons. I love the Mississippi River. I really think we have a lot on tap for local recreational potential.”Graham-Murray eventually fell for and married Matt Murray, a past city councilman himself. They have two children; one plays basketball for Luther College in Decorah, where current Burlington city manager Chad Bird worked previously.Graham-Murray loved what she saw in Decorah, and she wants the same for Burlington.“He used Americorps to fix up bike trails and recreation,” she said. “If you package recreational activities right, people will go there for a hotel stay.”The repackaging of downtown Burlington and the riverfront is part of the transformation.Burlington is becoming a hot river town that attracts outsiders, and the physical change is just catching up to the downtown vibe.“I went downtown and ordered some takeout from Pookie’s, and I looked around and said ‘What’s going on?’ I felt like I was in Chicago. The sidewalks are swarming with people. People can’t find any parking. I said, ‘You’re getting it, Burlington!’ We’re connecting the dots,” Graham-Murray said excitedly.Of course, she said, you have to restore the parts of Burlington that aren’t working to complete the package. That circles around to the closed Cascade Bridge. It’s on the council’s five year plan, and Graham-Murray believes it will be reopened.Much like her fellow incumbents running for re-election, she would like to help make it happen.“Bridges that don’t work, roads that aren’t open, tell us we’re a dying community. And we’re not. We’re a vibrant community,” she said.Editor’s
 note: This is the last installment of a six-part series profiling the city council 
candidates. There are six candidates vying for three open seats. In 
Burlington, all city council seats are at-large, meaning anyone from 
anywhere in the city may run for a seat on city council. The council 
election is Nov. 2.

Always Cheering For Burlington: Lynda Graham-Murray Looks For Second Term

Hometown candidates like to wear their origin like a badge of pride.

Mayor and city councilman Jon Billups wears his like a tattoo. His family name was synonymous with a long-running automotive service in Burlington. Billups himself is often engaged in conversations with constituents, either answering questions via e-mail or explaining city policy on a Facebook comment thread.

“Because I’ve been more visible than most, I get more grief than most. But I’m willing to take that. More often than not, people just don’t have the information they need,” he said.

Billlups said whether he’s mayor or not, he’ll still be easy to find during his waking hours. He has nothing to hide.

“I take pride in my first term as mayor,” he said.

From running a Burlington skateboard shop as a youth to working two jobs during his tenure as mayor – one at Notre Dame, another at Bluff Harbor Marina – Billups likes to keep moving.

He believes that’s exactly what the downtown redevelopment project will do — keep Burlington moving.&nbsp;

“In the end, it will be transformative,” he said.&nbsp;

Billups said their job as council is to facilitate the project as smoothly as possible. He pointed out the TIGER grant money brought into Burlington is the equivalent of citizens having their tax money returned to them.

“If you look at downtown, our sidewalks are in bad shape. We have a lot of residents downtown, and our goal is to make it more livable, more traffic friendly, walking friendly, and better lit at night so you feel safe,” he said.

Aside from the TIGER project, Billups has quite a few more ongoing projects he would like to see through. That includes reopening Cascade Bridge, which is on the city’s five year plan.

Billups said his reign as mayor has&nbsp; strengthened Burlington’s relationship with neighboring communities.&nbsp;

“I’ve worked hard on building relationships. For a long time, it seemed like Burlington and West Burlington were adversarial,” he said.

Billups acknowledged the next couple of years are going to be uncomfortable due to all the construction projects. Businesses along Jefferson Street will have limited access.

He wants to steer the city through the worst of the potential problems, and he wants to get to the other side.

“It’s going to be fantastic. And I’m glad to be a part of it,” he said.

Editor’s
 note: This is part five of a six-part series profiling the city council 
candidates. There are six candidates vying for three open seats. In 
Burlington, all city council seats are at-large, meaning anyone from 
anywhere in the city may run for a seat on city council. The council 
election is Nov. 2.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2021/10/1635365178146.jpeg" alt="Mayor and city councilman Jon Billups is seeking re-relection to the Burlington City Council. Photo by William Smith." />
 <figcaption>Mayor and city councilman Jon Billups is seeking re-relection to the Burlington City Council. Photo by William Smith.</figcaption>
 </figure>By William SmithHometown candidates like to wear their origin like a badge of pride.Mayor and city councilman Jon Billups wears his like a tattoo. His family name was synonymous with a long-running automotive service in Burlington. Billups himself is often engaged in conversations with constituents, either answering questions via e-mail or explaining city policy on a Facebook comment thread.“Because I’ve been more visible than most, I get more grief than most. But I’m willing to take that. More often than not, people just don’t have the information they need,” he said.Billlups said whether he’s mayor or not, he’ll still be easy to find during his waking hours. He has nothing to hide.“I take pride in my first term as mayor,” he said.From running a Burlington skateboard shop as a youth to working two jobs during his tenure as mayor – one at Notre Dame, another at Bluff Harbor Marina – Billups likes to keep moving.He believes that’s exactly what the downtown redevelopment project will do — keep Burlington moving.&nbsp;“In the end, it will be transformative,” he said.&nbsp;Billups said their job as council is to facilitate the project as smoothly as possible. He pointed out the TIGER grant money brought into Burlington is the equivalent of citizens having their tax money returned to them.“If you look at downtown, our sidewalks are in bad shape. We have a lot of residents downtown, and our goal is to make it more livable, more traffic friendly, walking friendly, and better lit at night so you feel safe,” he said.Aside from the TIGER project, Billups has quite a few more ongoing projects he would like to see through. That includes reopening Cascade Bridge, which is on the city’s five year plan.Billups said his reign as mayor has&nbsp; strengthened Burlington’s relationship with neighboring communities.&nbsp;“I’ve worked hard on building relationships. For a long time, it seemed like Burlington and West Burlington were adversarial,” he said.Billups acknowledged the next couple of years are going to be uncomfortable due to all the construction projects. Businesses along Jefferson Street will have limited access.He wants to steer the city through the worst of the potential problems, and he wants to get to the other side.“It’s going to be fantastic. And I’m glad to be a part of it,” he said.Editor’s
 note: This is part five of a six-part series profiling the city council 
candidates. There are six candidates vying for three open seats. In 
Burlington, all city council seats are at-large, meaning anyone from 
anywhere in the city may run for a seat on city council. The council 
election is Nov. 2.

An Accessible Mayor: Jon Billups Running For Reelection

The West Burlington City election isn’t contested this year, and Mayor Hans Trousil, who has been mayor since 1993, is not returning for another run.

The three council candidates took the opportunity to introduce themselves during a forum hosted by the Greater Burlington Partnership Thursday, Oct 21. So did Ron Teater, who is running unopposed for mayor.

Best known locally for his tenure as principal of West Burlington High School, Teater has worked a variety of careers – and not always in education.

Bouncing around as a military brat in his younger years, Teater eventually moved to Iowa. He graduated in Centerville, and after finishing college at the University of Iowa, served his country in Vietnam.

After retiring from West Burlington, Teater went back to work again as a teacher at Notre Dame for nine years.&nbsp; Then, he was a bus driver for Trailways. When that ended, he became the technology/communications director for First Christian Church in Burlington.&nbsp;

“I don’t retire well,” Teater said with a grin.

With three children currently in the West Burlington school system, Newberry has a vested interest in the city’s educational system.

She and her husband have lived in West Burlington for the past 15 years, and Newberry works at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center.

“I feel it’s important to invest in things that are important to you. I find value in our community. And I hope to keep it a thriving community,” she said.&nbsp;

Born in Keosauqua and raised in Kahoka, Mo., John Johnson attended a one-room country schoolhouse until seventh grade.

But, he’s spent the better part of his life in West Burlington. Johnson worked at General Electric for 36 years, where he met his late wife of 40 years. They had four children together, and Johnson has been running J&amp;J Auto Sales since 1988.

Johnson also served on council for 10 years prior to this run.

“I just hope I can bring back some of that knowledge to the council,” he said.

Appointed to the city council after former city councilman Al Waterman resigned in July, Young is seeking a full term.

Young grew up a farm kid in northeast Iowa, then worked her way south to the University of Iowa. She graduated with an ROTC commission and met her husband in the National Guard.

Young has lived in West Burlington for 23 years and retired from Federal Mogul Champion. She has no plans on leaving West Burlington.

“We could have lived anywhere. We wanted to live here,” she said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2021/10/1635346450632.jpeg" alt="West Burlington mayoral candidate Ron Teater, left, and the three candidates for West Burlington City council introduce themselves during a forum hosted by the Greater Burlington Partnership Thursday, Oct. 21. The council candidates, from left to right, are John Johnson, Kathy Newberry, and Melanie Young. Photo by William Smith. " />
 <figcaption>West Burlington mayoral candidate Ron Teater, left, and the three candidates for West Burlington City council introduce themselves during a forum hosted by the Greater Burlington Partnership Thursday, Oct. 21. The council candidates, from left to right, are John Johnson, Kathy Newberry, and Melanie Young. Photo by William Smith. </figcaption>
 </figure>By Beacon StaffThe West Burlington City election isn’t contested this year, and Mayor Hans Trousil, who has been mayor since 1993, is not returning for another run.The three council candidates took the opportunity to introduce themselves during a forum hosted by the Greater Burlington Partnership Thursday, Oct 21. So did Ron Teater, who is running unopposed for mayor.Ron TeaterBest known locally for his tenure as principal of West Burlington High School, Teater has worked a variety of careers – and not always in education.Bouncing around as a military brat in his younger years, Teater eventually moved to Iowa. He graduated in Centerville, and after finishing college at the University of Iowa, served his country in Vietnam.“Here was home,” he said.After retiring from West Burlington, Teater went back to work again as a teacher at Notre Dame for nine years.&nbsp; Then, he was a bus driver for Trailways. When that ended, he became the technology/communications director for First Christian Church in Burlington.&nbsp;He’s retired several times.“I don’t retire well,” Teater said with a grin.Kathy NewberryWith three children currently in the West Burlington school system, Newberry has a vested interest in the city’s educational system.She and her husband have lived in West Burlington for the past 15 years, and Newberry works at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center.“I feel it’s important to invest in things that are important to you. I find value in our community. And I hope to keep it a thriving community,” she said.&nbsp;John JohnsonBorn in Keosauqua and raised in Kahoka, Mo., John Johnson attended a one-room country schoolhouse until seventh grade.But, he’s spent the better part of his life in West Burlington. Johnson worked at General Electric for 36 years, where he met his late wife of 40 years. They had four children together, and Johnson has been running J&amp;J Auto Sales since 1988.Johnson also served on council for 10 years prior to this run.“I just hope I can bring back some of that knowledge to the council,” he said.Melanie YoungAppointed to the city council after former city councilman Al Waterman resigned in July, Young is seeking a full term.Young grew up a farm kid in northeast Iowa, then worked her way south to the University of Iowa. She graduated with an ROTC commission and met her husband in the National Guard.Young has lived in West Burlington for 23 years and retired from Federal Mogul Champion. She has no plans on leaving West Burlington.“We could have lived anywhere. We wanted to live here,” she said.

An Introduction To The West Burlington Mayor and Council Candidates

Seven candidates are running for three open seats on the Burlington School board, and four of those candidates addressed the public Wednesday, Oct. 20 during a forum hosted by the Greater Burlington Partnership.

Darven Kendell, the only incumbent school board member running for reelection, attended the forum as did new candidates Christi Burghoffer, Scott Mason, and Tammy Anderson. Candidates Reyna Cadena, Jennifer Lachenberg, and Jennifer Gibb did not attend the forum.

Board members Tom Courtney and Dean Vickstrom both declined to run for reelection this year.

Questions for the candidates were randomly drawn with some candidates getting the same question. The Burlington Beacon was allowed one question for all the candidates to answer: how would the candidates deal with COVID-19 going forward, and what is their opinion on mask mandates?

The candidates were split evenly, with Christi Burghoffer and Tammy Anderson saying masks should be a parental choice. Mason and Kendell said they are in favor of mandates when necessary. The Burlington School District currently has a mask mandate in place for all its schools.

The candidates also got a chance to introduce themselves.&nbsp;

“I want to be a voice for the parents,” Anderson said.

Anderson said she wants to fight for the rights of parents to make their own health decisions for their children.

“I want to be able to support our teachers and support staff as well. I want to work as a team to continue to improve children’s education,” she said.

Anderson has three children who have been taught in the district and pointed to teachers as the district's main strength.

“I was raised in this area, and graduated from BHS myself,” Burghoffer said.

Burghoffer worked at an elementary school for five years and is now a stay-at-home mom to four boys. Her oldest son is a 2021 BHS graduate.

“I’m a great listener, and I stand strong in my convictions and beliefs. I’m also known for my thorough research and diligence, studying all I can about a topic. This is a quality that I feel is very beneficial to this position, as my decisions aren’t emotionally driven or driven by personal gain,” she said.

“I’m a lifelong Burlington resident,” Kendell said.

Kendell works for the DMC Regional Waste Commission, and his children are products of the Burlington school system. His daughter just graduated in May.

“My family’s roots are deep in public education, and I have always been passionate about volunteering and the importance of giving back to our community,” he said.&nbsp;

Kendell said the best school board members work to use taxpayer dollars wisely and are mindful that decisions affect all the students – not just their own children.

That applies to his life with BHS, as well as Burlington itself. A 1990 graduate of the high school, Mason was the truancy officer for the district for over a decade.

Mason said his primary goal will be finding a good superintendent to replace Pat Coen, who retires at the end of the year.

“There are voices that need to be heard, and I don’t know that they feel, those being the faculty, that they’re being heard enough," Mason said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2021/10/1635309292247.jpeg" alt="Four of the seven candidates for the Burlington School District board presented their views during a forum hosted by the Greater Burlington Partnership. From left to right: Candidates Tammy Anderson, Christi Burghoffer, Darven Kendell, and Scott Mason. Photo by William Smith. " />
 <figcaption>Four of the seven candidates for the Burlington School District board presented their views during a forum hosted by the Greater Burlington Partnership. From left to right: Candidates Tammy Anderson, Christi Burghoffer, Darven Kendell, and Scott Mason. Photo by William Smith. </figcaption>
 </figure>By Beacon StaffSeven candidates are running for three open seats on the Burlington School board, and four of those candidates addressed the public Wednesday, Oct. 20 during a forum hosted by the Greater Burlington Partnership.Darven Kendell, the only incumbent school board member running for reelection, attended the forum as did new candidates Christi Burghoffer, Scott Mason, and Tammy Anderson. Candidates Reyna Cadena, Jennifer Lachenberg, and Jennifer Gibb did not attend the forum.Board members Tom Courtney and Dean Vickstrom both declined to run for reelection this year.Questions for the candidates were randomly drawn with some candidates getting the same question. The Burlington Beacon was allowed one question for all the candidates to answer: how would the candidates deal with COVID-19 going forward, and what is their opinion on mask mandates?The candidates were split evenly, with Christi Burghoffer and Tammy Anderson saying masks should be a parental choice. Mason and Kendell said they are in favor of mandates when necessary. The Burlington School District currently has a mask mandate in place for all its schools.The candidates also got a chance to introduce themselves.&nbsp;Tammy Anderson“I want to be a voice for the parents,” Anderson said.Anderson said she wants to fight for the rights of parents to make their own health decisions for their children.“I want to be able to support our teachers and support staff as well. I want to work as a team to continue to improve children’s education,” she said.Anderson has three children who have been taught in the district and pointed to teachers as the district's main strength.Christi Burghoffer“I was raised in this area, and graduated from BHS myself,” Burghoffer said.Burghoffer worked at an elementary school for five years and is now a stay-at-home mom to four boys. Her oldest son is a 2021 BHS graduate.“I’m a great listener, and I stand strong in my convictions and beliefs. I’m also known for my thorough research and diligence, studying all I can about a topic. This is a quality that I feel is very beneficial to this position, as my decisions aren’t emotionally driven or driven by personal gain,” she said.Darven Kendell“I’m a lifelong Burlington resident,” Kendell said.Kendell works for the DMC Regional Waste Commission, and his children are products of the Burlington school system. His daughter just graduated in May.“My family’s roots are deep in public education, and I have always been passionate about volunteering and the importance of giving back to our community,” he said.&nbsp;Kendell said the best school board members work to use taxpayer dollars wisely and are mindful that decisions affect all the students – not just their own children.Scott Mason“I’m a lifer,” Mason said.That applies to his life with BHS, as well as Burlington itself. A 1990 graduate of the high school, Mason was the truancy officer for the district for over a decade. Mason said his primary goal will be finding a good superintendent to replace Pat Coen, who retires at the end of the year.“There are voices that need to be heard, and I don’t know that they feel, those being the faculty, that they’re being heard enough," Mason said.

Four BCSD School Board Candidates Make Their Case

By Beacon Staff Chris Roepke is used to being the lone voice of dissent. That’s
 usually because he has a lot of questions, commonly directed towards 
the financial side of a project. He wants to know how much it will cost 
to maintain and how much it will cost if something breaks. These
 are the kind of questions a homeowner would ask before starting a 
remodel, keeping an equal eye towards quality and financial frugality. 
Roepke wants to protect taxpayer money as if it were his own finances – 
very carefully. “A lot of people don’t like questions, because we all like things to be simple. But they’re not,” he said. The pastor of Concordia Lutheran Church in Burlington, Roepke is a 
defender of what he calls “the old Burlington neighborhoods.” These are 
areas of the city that continue to decline in value due to poor roads, 
increased violence, and abandoned homes. Roepke
 said those neighborhoods have been too often ignored in favor of huge 
development projects, particularly in the downtown district. There isn’t
 anything wrong with taking advantage the TIGER grant to spiff up 
Jefferson Street, Main Street, and the riverfront, but he said the 
project has its limits. The
 dilapidated alleys emptying into Jefferson Street, for example, won’t 
be touched during redevelopment. Roepke doesn’t see how downtown 
Burlington can be a tourist attraction if the rest of the city is 
blighted. He
 also worries about the cost to the city outside of what grants cover, 
arguing that additions such as a million-dollar boat dock take away from
 projects that could be developed elsewhere in the city. “Does that really help the neighborhoods?” Roepke said. Always
 one to welcome nuance into his arguments, Roepke said he doesn’t 
believe the boat dock is a bad idea — just an expensive one. Determining
 how expensive is too expensive would be his primary goal as a council 
member. “I want the city to have amenities,” he conceded. Roepke
 has applied his hawkish spending attitudes to the smallest details, 
even calling into question the permeable pavers in the TIGER grant 
project. The downtown development project is built around a green 
infrastructure, which also will help separate stormwater from sewer 
water. &nbsp; Once
 again, Roepke likes the idea, but worries about the longevity and 
repair cost. The pavers allow water to run through the pavement to 
prevent flooding, and Roepke has heard accounts from other cities of the
 material falling apart after a few years.&nbsp; Roepke
 hopes to bring his pragmatic approach to the recently closed Cascade 
Bridge. For the time being, he suggests replacing it with a cheaper 
pedestrian and bike bridge. He would like to see something capable of 
carrying automotive traffic in the future and said it might be possible to have a new
 bridge if spending is cut elsewhere. “You’re isolating part of downtown from traffic, and that’s not good,” he said. Service,
 both of the public and also of the spiritual kind, seems to run in 
Roepke’s family. His father was a police officer in the suburbs of 
Chicago, where Roepke grew up. Chris heard his call from God years ago and has involved himself in the Burlington community for nearly three decades. 
His call to public service is more recent, taking root when he led a 
petition against swapping on-street parking for bike lanes on Madison 
Avenue. “There is no magic wand I can wave. We just need to take this money we’re spending downtown (aside from grant dollars) and spend it on the old neighborhoods,” he said. Editor’s
 note: This is part four of a six-part series profiling the city council 
candidates. There are six candidates vying for three open seats. In 
Burlington, all city council seats are at-large, meaning anyone from 
anywhere in the city may run for a seat on city council. The council 
election is Nov. 2.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2021/10/1635137422622.jpeg" alt="Chris Roepke is vying for a seat on the Burlington City Council. Photo by William Smith." />
 <figcaption>Chris Roepke is vying for a seat on the Burlington City Council. Photo by William Smith.</figcaption>
 </figure>By Beacon Staff Chris Roepke is used to being the lone voice of dissent. That’s
 usually because he has a lot of questions, commonly directed towards 
the financial side of a project. He wants to know how much it will cost 
to maintain and how much it will cost if something breaks. These
 are the kind of questions a homeowner would ask before starting a 
remodel, keeping an equal eye towards quality and financial frugality. 
Roepke wants to protect taxpayer money as if it were his own finances – 
very carefully. “A lot of people don’t like questions, because we all like things to be simple. But they’re not,” he said. The pastor of Concordia Lutheran Church in Burlington, Roepke is a 
defender of what he calls “the old Burlington neighborhoods.” These are 
areas of the city that continue to decline in value due to poor roads, 
increased violence, and abandoned homes. Roepke
 said those neighborhoods have been too often ignored in favor of huge 
development projects, particularly in the downtown district. There isn’t
 anything wrong with taking advantage the TIGER grant to spiff up 
Jefferson Street, Main Street, and the riverfront, but he said the 
project has its limits. The
 dilapidated alleys emptying into Jefferson Street, for example, won’t 
be touched during redevelopment. Roepke doesn’t see how downtown 
Burlington can be a tourist attraction if the rest of the city is 
blighted. He
 also worries about the cost to the city outside of what grants cover, 
arguing that additions such as a million-dollar boat dock take away from
 projects that could be developed elsewhere in the city. “Does that really help the neighborhoods?” Roepke said. Always
 one to welcome nuance into his arguments, Roepke said he doesn’t 
believe the boat dock is a bad idea — just an expensive one. Determining
 how expensive is too expensive would be his primary goal as a council 
member. “I want the city to have amenities,” he conceded. Roepke
 has applied his hawkish spending attitudes to the smallest details, 
even calling into question the permeable pavers in the TIGER grant 
project. The downtown development project is built around a green 
infrastructure, which also will help separate stormwater from sewer 
water. &nbsp; Once
 again, Roepke likes the idea, but worries about the longevity and 
repair cost. The pavers allow water to run through the pavement to 
prevent flooding, and Roepke has heard accounts from other cities of the
 material falling apart after a few years.&nbsp; Roepke
 hopes to bring his pragmatic approach to the recently closed Cascade 
Bridge. For the time being, he suggests replacing it with a cheaper 
pedestrian and bike bridge. He would like to see something capable of 
carrying automotive traffic in the future and said it might be possible to have a new
 bridge if spending is cut elsewhere. “You’re isolating part of downtown from traffic, and that’s not good,” he said. Service,
 both of the public and also of the spiritual kind, seems to run in 
Roepke’s family. His father was a police officer in the suburbs of 
Chicago, where Roepke grew up. Chris heard his call from God years ago and has involved himself in the Burlington community for nearly three decades. 
His call to public service is more recent, taking root when he led a 
petition against swapping on-street parking for bike lanes on Madison 
Avenue. “There is no magic wand I can wave. We just need to take this money we’re spending downtown (aside from grant dollars) and spend it on the old neighborhoods,” he said. Editor’s
 note: This is part four of a six-part series profiling the city council 
candidates. There are six candidates vying for three open seats. In 
Burlington, all city council seats are at-large, meaning anyone from 
anywhere in the city may run for a seat on city council. The council 
election is Nov. 2.

Roepke: Campaigning on Fiscal Responsibility

Incumbent city council candidate Matt Rinker has spent most of his life, save for a few years, in Burlington.

He was 19 years old when he joined the U.S. Navy in 2004, just three years after 9/11.

“After 9/11, I was really driven to go into service,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2021/10/1634939653352.jpeg" alt="Matt Rinker seeks to retain his seat on the Burlington City Council. File photo " />
 <figcaption>Matt Rinker seeks to retain his seat on the Burlington City Council. File photo </figcaption>
 </figure>By William SmithIncumbent city council candidate Matt Rinker has spent most of his life, save for a few years, in Burlington.He was 19 years old when he joined the U.S. Navy in 2004, just three years after 9/11.“After 9/11, I was really driven to go into service,” he said.That took him all the way to Greece. When Rinker came back, he attended Western Illinois University, where he obtained a degree in political science.&nbsp;Rinker, who is now married with five kids, came back to Burlington and started work as a State Farm insurance agent. It wasn’t long before he was developing real estate on the side and dipping his hand into charity work. He even helped the Burlington Police Department restart the Shop With A Cop program.“They do all the work for that. I’m just a cheerleader,” he said.Four years ago, Rinker took his first run at city council and won. Now he’s fighting to stay there, and believes his tenure makes a good argument for Burlingtonians to vote for him again.“In 2017, there were a lot of things we felt we needed to do, one of the more aggressive being on the housing side of things,” he said. “At the end of the day, the city of Burlington is going to be as good as the housing stock.”Rinker said the current council has taken notable strides in that direction, but there is still much he would like to do.&nbsp;“We’ve focused on a lot of nuisance abatement and a lot on beautification,” he said.&nbsp;Rinker said progress was made by the previous council, which was responsible for securing the federal TIGER grant that is being used to redevelop Jefferson Street, Main Street, and the riverfront area.It’s not a perfect project, Rinker admitted. He’s been frustrated by the delays, and isn’t happy that businesses along Jefferson Street will lose a good portion of their annual sales due to roadblocks and construction.But he does believe in the project. He hopes business owners afflicted by construction will, too.&nbsp;“I’m excited about the downtown that business owners will have,” Rinker said. “If you go back 15 years, and you look at the empty storefronts and empty living spaces that used to be above the buildings, and if you look at the infrastructure now, it’s a complete 180.”Despite delays to construction, Rinker said the second Tama building will be a big part of downtown development. The timeline of that construction falls on the developer.“I know a lot of people are frustrated with the time it’s taking,” he conceded.The city council put the Cascade Bridge project on the five- year plan, and Rinker believes there’s a solution there as well – though it’s going to take more time. Since the bridge is registered as a historic landmark, simply tearing it down and replacing it wasn’t an option.One day, the passage will reopen, Rinker said.“I believe in the last four years, we have made a lot of progress, and it’s been taking place at historic preservation meetings and city council work sessions,” Rinker said.The city council recently tabled a project that would bring solar power to much of Burlington, but plans on reintroducing it after further details are hashed out and the project is rebid.“Over the next couple of years, you're going to see us move toward more solar. You are going to see us become more effective at ways of cutting costs,” he said.Along with a neighborhood improvement program that would focus on improving housing nine to 12 blocks at a time, Rinker believes he can keep the city’s momentum rolling.“Over the next ten to 15 years, you could see massive improvements in a lot of neighborhoods that are more blighted today,” Rinker said.

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