Once again we find ourselves at the start of another new year.
I sincerely hope your Christmas season was filled with happiness, joy and the company of those closest to you while we all celebrated the reason for the season.
No one can argue - 2021 was a challenge. Oftentimes, it seemed like a repeat of the previous year. With God’s help and a just a little common sense from our elected officials at the national level, I’m confident 2022 will be the start of our return to normalcy.
We’ve been a busy community over the past year. Some of the highlights:
- Emmetsburg was chosen and is currently participating in Iowa’s Living Roadways Community Visioning Program. A lot of volunteer time is being committed to this by many community-minded, local citizens looking to add value to our hometown.
- The City of Emmetsburg and the Chamber of Commerce worked together to beautify downtown last spring by using casino grant funds to purchase new stainless steel trash receptacles and planters for the downtown district. Wild Rose Casino and their contributions to the invaluable projects in Emmetsburg and Palo Alto County for so many years are greatly appreciated.
- The Shores at Five Island continues to stay busy with public and private events almost daily. We saw the first annual Community Showcase at The Shores last year with a large turnout of businesses, local groups, and citizens.
- The 5th Annual Homebrew Fest was held over the summer and was bigger and better than ever.
- Late last winter, because of extremely cold weather and short-sighted national energy policy, we experienced natural gas prices that were much higher than anyone could have ever imagined. Thanks to years of forward thinking and sound fiscal management on the part of the Emmetsburg Municipal Utilities Board, reserve money was available to help absorb the impact of the extreme prices on our citizens.
- In December, we purchased a large property and facility on 23rd Street to house our Police Department. The property surrounding the building is large enough that part of it could be re-purposed for future projects or development. Our current Police Department building isn’t ADA compliant and it was fiscally prudent to purchase this (already ADA compliant) facility rather than investing even more money to bring our current facility into compliance.
We are blessed to be living in a community where business and industry are thriving. Our housing market is strong. Many new homes are being built and existing homes are being renovated at a brisk pace.
I’d like to thank all of the local people who generously donate their time and talent to serve on the various boards working to keep our community going. Because of volunteers like them, we’re able to provide many of the services we all enjoy.
I’d like to recognize our dedicated city employees. Day in and day out, these folks are here to help and serve us. I applaud their efforts and I value them all.
To our health care workers, law enforcement, and other first responders; not enough can be said to express the debt we owe you all for your efforts every day and especially over the past couple of years. May God bless you all and keep you safe & healthy.
To everyone, continue to take care of each other. These are different times. Reach out to those in need. Be empathetic to those who are unsure. A small gesture on your part can make a bigger difference in someone else’s life than you might realize.
It’s truly been an honor and a privilege to be your Mayor for the past two years. I look forward to serving you for many more.
In closing, I offer an Irish blessing:
In the New Year, may your right hand always be stretched out in friendship, but never in want.
God bless you, and my best wishes for a prosperous and fulfilling new year.
Patrick Degen, Emmetsburg Mayor
