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319.385.3101
NEWSLINE
February 2015
THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FOR SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSES
IN THIS ISSUE...
2
3
5
6
Oscar Party Details
Legislative Forum
Address Closing of
MHI
75th Anniversary
Banquet Recap
Upcoming
Chamber Chat at
MP Middle School
SunnyBrook
Assisted Living
Celebrating 10 Years!
1406 East Linden Dr.
Mount Pleasant, Iowa
Wednesday, Feb. 4th
5:00-7:00 p.m.
Heatons Honored as 2014
Citizens of the Year
The
Mount Pleasant Area Chamber of
Commerce on January 22, 2015 honored
State Representative Dave Heaton and
his wife, Carmen, as 2014 Mount Pleasant
Citizens of the Year.
The award, given at the Annual Chamber
of Commerce Banquet and Meeting of the
Membership, held at Airport Road Vineyard,
recognized the Heatons for their service
to Iowa Wesleyan College, St. Alphonsus
Catholic Church, and the community of Mount
Pleasant and Southeast Iowa.
For 40 years David and Carmen Heaton
provided a first class dining experience and
gathering place for many at the greatly missed
Iris Restaurant in Mount Pleasant. Their past
and current volunteer activities and support
efforts include:
• 20 years of service as State Representative
for House District 84
• Henry County Health Center Board of
Directors
• T.T.T.
• P.E.O.
• Kiwanis International
• Henry County Pork Producers
• Henry County Farm Bureau
State Representative Dave Heaton & his wife Carmen
• Iowa Licensed Beverage Association
accepted the 2014 Citizens of the Year award at the Annual
• Iowa Wesleyan College
Banquet & Meeting of the Membership on January 22, 2015.
• St. Alphonsus Catholic Church organist and Knights of Columbus member
• Past President of Iowa Restaurant Association
• Former board member of the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce
• Past Co-Chair of the Henry County Republican Party
The Heatons accepted the Citizen of the Year Award from Mr. Paul Dennison of KILJ AM & FM Radio, a
Chamber of Commerce board member. The couple’s daughter, Mary Carrick, surprised them with a beautiful
vocal performance to indroduce them as citizens of the year.
FEATURED INVESTOR
See pages 4-5 for more details on the Annual Banquet.
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CHAMBER
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ADC NEWS
Legislative Forum for Mental Health Institute draws large crowd
Governor Terry Branstad’s proposal to cut funding for the
Mount Pleasant Mental Health Institute (MHI), effectively
closing down the facility, prompted an abrupt change to
the first legislative forum of 2015. The closure of MHI
took center stage on Saturday, January 24th, with the
scheduled topic of Housing & Workforce Recruitment put
on hold for a later date.
Over 100 people attended the forum at the Iowa
Wesleyan College chapel to hear Department of Human
Services Director Charles Palmer explain the decisionmaking process behind the proposal, as well as future
plans for the facility and patients. Mr. Palmer cited four
primary reasons for the proposal: 1) changes in how
mental health services are delivered; 2) a decrease in the
number of people being served in the facility; 3) difficulty
retaining clinical professionals; and 4) facility costs.
State Representative Dave Heaton (R – Mount
Pleasant) and State Senator Rich Taylor (D - Mount
Pleasant) heatedly opposed the proposal, citing the
imprudence of such a decision given the great need for
mental health services in the community and throughout
the state. Audience questions and statements reiterated
the legislator’s sentiments, adding that the closure will
increase the burden on local facilities and services,
where funding and resources are already in short supply.
Senator Taylor challenged the legality of Branstad’s
unilateral proposal, and referred to Iowa Code Chapter 226.1 that states that “state hospitals for persons with mental illness shall be designated”
as MHI in Mount Pleasant. Both Heaton and Taylor plan to submit a bill to fully fund the facility.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
All citizens are encouraged to reach out to Governor Branstad and all state legislators to express their concerns. Plan to attend a local public
meeting on February 7th from Noon - 2pm at Cottrell Gym in Mount Pleasant to discuss community action regarding MHI.
UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE FORMS
•
February 28, 2015 / Education & Workforce Development
•
March 28, 2015 / Addressing Local and State Infrastructure Needs
•
April 25, 2015 / Legislative Review
The 2015 Legislative Forums will be held the fourth Saturdays from January through April, from 8:30-10am in the International Room of Chadwick
Library at Iowa Wesleyan College. Topics, meeting times, and location are subject to change.
New Chamber Member
The Bridge Nutrition and Fitness, LLC
114 East Monroe Street (Professional Building)
Mount Pleasant, IA 52641
319.931.4234
[email protected]
http://thebridgenutrition.com
Start the New Year off right with a nutrition and fitness consultation with Dan Snavely of The
Bridge Nutrition and Fitness, LLC. Dan is a Certified Nutritionist from the International Board
of Nutrition and Fitness Coaching. The retail side of the store, located inside the Professional
Building in Mount Pleasant, has organic and supplemental (toxic free) products for your health.
Depending on the health and nutrition goal of the client, Dan can set up
a nutrition
and meal plan that is tailored to the health needs of the client. Consultations
are not just
for weight loss. Dan can help if clients they are trying to gain muscle mass or meet a specific
fitness goal related to a health issue or disease prevention.
The Bridge will provide you with the tools and point you to effective products you need. The
Bridge will shift your thinking and passion in a way that allows you to make your achieved
goals a transformation in your life and lifestyle in a more permanent way.
Best Dog Costume
1st: Major (Heather Coffin)
ALLIANCE NEWSLETTER
PAGE 3
CHAMBER NEWS
Expansion Awards were presented to Henry County
Health Center and Brad Holtkamp Automotive.
Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards were presented to
Ryan & Sheila Matheney of Arbor Court (not pictured),
Chad McMullin of Farm Bureau Financial ServicesChad McMullin, Dr. Matt Donnolly of Mt. Pleasant
Chiropractic and Sarah Lauer of Sarah's Bridal Gallery.
Special Thanks
Sheila Allender of The Catering Company for preparing the plated dinner,
dinner rolls, The Catering Company for appetizers,
The diamond was sponsored by Becker’s Jeweler’s, Community 1st Credit Union, Farm Credit Services of Am
Bank. Thank you to Kadie Dennison, Lisa & Alex Oetken, Kar
Kalen Henderson of StudioK and Mike Henderson, Troy Spence and Rich Mueller of Edward Jones sponsore
Amanda Rundquist of Pura Vida Creative and Jill Yoder of PIP Printing & Marketing Services for the design an
podium and sound system and Amy Becker of Amy Becker Photography for taking pictures. Robb Webb and
booth ba
Banquet Planning Committee: Chris Van De Berg of Northeast Animal Hospital, Karla Maher of Mt. Pleasant De
Melissa Kruse and Sarah Martin of SunnyBrook of Mount P
PAGE 4
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Photos credit to Amy Becker Photography
To view all photos and order visit
www.amybeckerphotography.com. Click
"Order Online." The password is "diamond."
Amy Becker of Amy Becker Photography
was awarded the 2014 Mount Pleasant Area
Chamber Alliance Volunteer of the Year.
Trustee Awards were presented to Shottenkirk
Automotive, Sunnybrook Assisted Living,
Veyance Technologies, Henry County Health
Center, Two Rivers Bank & Trust, Walmart
Supercenter, and Hearth & Home Technologies.
, Luis and Michelle Rosell for greeting people as they arrived, Stephanie Zinkle of Wholesome Chef for donating
, and SunnyBrook of Mount Pleasant Assisted Living for providing dessert for the evening.
merica, Great Western Bank, Pilot Grove Savings Bank, Two Rivers Bank & Trust, US Bank and Wayland State
rla & Josh Maher for helping sell chances to win the diamond.
ed valet parking for the evening, with the help of Kurt Moon and the Iowa Wesleyan College men’s golf team.
nd printing of the banquet program. Thanks to the Mount Pleasant Community School District for providing the
the staff at Kempker’s Grand Rental made many contributions, including linens, place settings and the photo
ack drop.
ental Associates, Mallory Henderson of Airport Road Vineyard, Melissa Flowers of the Chamber of Commerce,
Pleasant Assisted Living and Paul Dennison of KILJ Radio.
ALLIANCE NEWSLETTER
PAGE 5 5
PAGE
CHAMBER
NEWS
ADC NEWS
2015 Alive After Five Schedule
January 7th- Faith Christian Outreach Church
February 4th- Sunnybrook Assisted Living
March 11th- Midwest Old Threshers at Main Street Cinemas
April 1st- Iowa Wesleyan College
May 6th- TD&T CPA’s and Advisors, P.C. (location TBD)
June 3rd- Henry County Habitat for Humanity
July 1st- Community 1st Credit Union
August 5th- Kempker’s Grand Rental Station
September 9th- Farm Bureau Financial Services- Chad McMullin
& Team Staffing Solutions at the Professional Building
October 7th- The Rec Center
November 4th- Mount Pleasant Community School District
December 2nd- Main Street Mount Pleasant at the Union Block
*Event held at host’s location unless otherwise specified*
Join us for Chamber Chat
over coffee in the Mount
Pleasant Community School
District Middle School
(Media Center)
Tuesday, February 17
8:00-9:00 a.m.
The Middle School is located at 400 N. Adams Street in Mount Pleasant.
Our host is the MPCSD Middle School and the topic of discussion will be "Connecting Businesses &
Education trhough STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math)." A look at where we are and what
businesses need from their future workforce.
319-385-2261
www.shottenkirktruckstop.com
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CHAMBER NEWS
Spotlight on
The goal of
the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance LOOK
LOCAL FIRST campaign is simple; to change our buying habits
and unite our community by combining our greatest resources: local
customers and local businesses.
This month’s “spotlight” on LOOK LOCAL FIRST, comes from
Tina Hill, of Mount Pleasant Christian School. "The Henry County
Health Center was a Godsend in a tough time for our family. The care
our loved one received was outstanding.
The staff was patient and caring not only with the patient, but with
the entire family as well.
The nursing staff and doctors took the time to explain things,
answer questions and listen. It was very evident that they weren't
just doing their job, but they genuinely cared.
Our family wishes to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation
to the staff at the Henry County Health Center."
NEWSLINE
CHAMBER BOARD
President
Carla McNamee
Past President
Shelley Doak
Treasurer
Ronda Whitney
VP Business Dev.
Diane Barton
VP Community Dev.
Mike Anderson
VP Organizational Dev. Mallory Henderson
Matthew Donnolly
Chad Hudson
Jeff Fedler
Matt Lowery
Kat Niemann
Matt Schimmelpfennig
Jean Spiesz
Regan Stoops
Chris Van De Berg
AREA DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
President
David File
Vice President
Dan McCabe
Mike Anderson
Steve Brimhall
Teri Bockting
Alan Huisinga
Robert Meyer
Michelle Rosell
JD Schimmelpfennig
Brent Schleisman
Gary See
Robert Swindell
Tom Wenstrand
MAIN STREET BOARD
President
Josh Maher
Diane Barton
Roger Beckman
Ryan Duffie
Elizabeth Garrels
Morgan Hoenig
Brian Jones
Paula Kinney
Dawn Moreira
Brent Schleisman
Randy Stroud
STAFF MEMBERS
Travis Kraus
Executive Vice President
Lisa Oetken, CMSM
Main Street Director
Melissa Flowers, CMA
Membership & Small Business Growth
Coordinator
Kadie Dennison
Director of Communications & Tourism
319-385-3196
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ALLIANCE NEWSLETTER
PAGE 7
Mount Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance
124 South Main Street
Mount Pleasant, IA 52641
office: (319)385-3101
www.mountpleasantiowa.org
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Planning an Event? Submit
details to our community
calendar to be included in our
What's Up Weekly.
Enter your event information online at:
http://business.mountpleasantiowa.org/
events/public-submission
ALLIANCE CALENDAR
February 2015
Wednesday, February 4
Alive After Five at SunnyBrook
Assisted Living (10 Year
Anniversary), 5pm
Saturday, February 7
Community Action Meeting on
closure of MHI at Cottrell Gym,
12(noon)-2pm
Tuesday, February 10-11
Great River Region Days in Des
Moines
Wednesday, February 11
Ambassadors, 8am
Look Local, 9am
Monday, February 16
Presidents' Day- Alliance Office
Closed
Tuesday February 17
Chamber Chat at Mount Pleasant
Middle School (Media Center), 8am
Wednesday, February 18
Main Street Board Meeting, 5pm
The 2015 Member
Directory will be
printed in March of
2015.
Sunday, February 22
Oscars Party at Main Street
Cinemas, 6pm
Tuesday, February 24
Area Development Commission
Board Meeting, 11:30am
Thursday, February 26
Chamber Executive Board Meeting,
7:30am
Saturday, February 28
Legislative Forum at IWC Chadwick
Library on "Education & Workforce
Development," 8:30am
Wednesday, March 11
Alive After Five hosted by Midwest
Old Threshers at Main Street
Cinemas, 5pm
Please take the time to visit
http://business.mountpleasantiowa.org/list
to ensure all contact information is
up to date.
Should changes need to be made, please
contact Melissa Flowers at
[email protected] or
319.385.3101
Please contact the Alliance office at 319-385-