Chris Umscheid

A matter of perspective
05/09/2013 - 7:16pm
Chris Umscheid
IOWA CITY– Opponents of a proposed housing development on Newport Road and the Johnson County Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Department agree on one thing. “Urban sprawl is not good.” So said RJ Moore, assistant administrator of the department. The development on land owned by Sharon Dooley at 2915 Newport Road, has sparked controversy and put the spotlight on urban-style housing in rural areas. It has also brought the term “Rural Cluster” (RC) to the forefront. The...
North Liberty Leader
Aiming for excellence
03/26/2013 - 8:11pm
SWISHER– In an era of tense controversy over the use and possession of firearms, one group in this northwest Johnson County town is learning to respect guns, rather than fear them. And they’re learning life lessons while learning to shoot. For two years, the American Legion Post 671 in Swisher has sponsored a Junior Shooting Sports Program, one of...
North Liberty Leader
CCA takes on super search
03/26/2013 - 8:00pm
AMANA– They knew it wouldn’t be easy to replace superintendent Dr. Denise Schares, but the Clear Creek Amana (CCA) school board truly had their work cut out for them as they met with the search firm recently. The meeting with Dr. Gaylord Tryon, president and founder of G. Tryon and Associates, came toward the end of the board’s regular monthly...
North Liberty Leader
NLPD’s Venenga born to serve, strong role model
03/19/2013 - 7:56pm
NORTH LIBERTY– In December, the City of North Liberty named police lieutenant Diane Venenga as its 2012 employee of the year. Venenga was cited as, “a solid role model for every officer,” in the city’s press release. Mayor Tom Salm and city administrator Ryan Heiar made the selection, which was open to all city employees. Since then, Lt. Venenga...
North Liberty Leader
District deals with legislative uncertainty
03/19/2013 - 7:49pm
AMANA– Every spring, school districts across Iowa draw up a budget for the next school year and certify it. It’s the art of speculation coupled with the science of fiscal reality. The speculation comes, especially this year, as districts wonder what the state legislature will do in terms of the amount of state aid they will allocate to the...
North Liberty Leader
A cluster of controversy
03/19/2013 - 7:46pm
IOWA CITY– Opponents of a proposed housing development along Newport Road in northern Johnson County left the county administration building disappointed Tuesday night in the wake of a 4-1 vote by the board of supervisors. A proposal to rezone 90.89 acres owned by Sharon Dooley, wife of the late Mike Dooley, from agricultural land to Rural Cluster...