A Minute With the Mayor

A Minute with the Mayor by Lyons Mayor Andy Fuston

June, 2017

Summer is here.  Mother Nature was being kind to us there in May but turned up the burners a little here in June.  It’s keeping the pool busy anyway!  We’re off to a great start to the pool season.  We had to replace the chemical controller right at the start of the season.  The repair work we did last year wasn’t working so we ended up replacing the existing unit.  We’re back to stable Ph levels which help keep the pool on an even keel.  We’ve also been able to hire enough lifeguards to get us through the summer.  We got our insurance bill for up-coming year (starts July 1^st).  Premiums when up about $3000.00 to $105,000.00 but the replacement costs for certain areas went up also.  We currently insure almost $18 million in property, automobiles and equipment.

The council talked about those buildings on Main Street that received yellow repair placards.  The city is very much willing to work with property owners as long as they show progress in repairing the portions of their buildings identified as requiring attention.  In addition to those buildings needing repair work, the council discussed the bowling alley and its timeline for demolition.  An interested party stepped forward wanting some time to explore the idea of establishing another business in the building, which the council agreed too, but since the council meeting the interested party has had difficulty locating the owner of the building and the demolition company was ready to move forward with the tear down.  In the best interest of the surrounding buildings, the council is proceeding with the demolition.

The city has completed the tarring of cracks around town that it had budgeted for this year.  More to come next year.  We also continue to work through the electrical upgrades for the Brehmer Mfg. expansion.  A representative from Habitat for Humanity was at the council meeting to discuss doing some work in Lyons in August.  They are looking for a couple of houses in close proximity to each other that could use a little TLC.  They are planning a “Rock the Block” party on August 26^th from 10 am to 3 pm to provide home repair and restoration services.  Anyone is welcome to come and help and volunteer that day.  More information will be coming in August.  Dan Westerhold is replacing Sandy Posvar on the Planning Commission Board.  Thank you Sandy for your many years of service to the city and welcome aboard Dan.  Logan Valley Baptist Church has submitted a building permit for a new building and concrete work located on South 4^th Street.  We’re excited to have them put down roots with a new church.  The 4^th of July will be here before we know it and with that comes the Bluegrass celebration.  You’ve probably seen the fliers posted all over town listing the day’s events.  I hope to see all of you there.  The day will end, of course, with our annual fireworks display.

The pool will be open that day from noon to 3 pm and it will be free admission that day.  Talking about things that put us in a festive mood, what do you think about the new banners that are lining Main Street?  Aren’t they fantastic!  You can thank your Community Club for those.  You’ll also be able to thank them for the new Christmas light displays that will adorn the light poles this winter.  The Lyons Community Club is able to provide those wonderful “extras” for the community thanks to your support of their fundraisers they do throughout the year (like the 4^th of July celebration).

Thank you Community Club for all your hard work and willingness to keep Lyons a great community to live, work and play in!  That’s all I have for now.  Stay cool and talk to you soon.

Mayor Andy Fuston