April 2001 Newsletter

Free Child Safety Seat Inspection

City to Offer Free child Safety Seat Checks

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of unintentional death among children ages 14 and under. The single most effective way to protect children in the event of a crash is to ensure that all children are buckled up in an age-appropriate system on every trip. Studies show that nearly 85% of all child safety seats are installed improperly.

The Hawarden Police Department and the City of Hawarden have made a commitment to the citizens of Hawarden to try and reduce unnecessary injuries and even deaths of children who are in crashes. On March 6 through March 9th, Police Chief Mike DeBruin attended a 32-hour class on Seat belts and Child Restraints. This class focused on educating parents and caregivers on the proper way to ensure the proper fit of seat belts and child safety seats, as well as the proper installation of child safety seats. Following a written and practical examination, Chief DeBruin became certified as a Child Safety Seat Technician with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The class was cosponsored by the Iowa Department of Public Health, the Governor's Traffic and Safety Bureau, and Safe Kids of Iowa.

The Hawarden Police Department will be sponsoring a child seat checkup event in the near future. The event is going to be free of charge to all who want to have their child seats checked. Details of this event will follow in the weeks to come. Through this program, the Hawarden Police Department hopes to reduce that number through this safety check-up event.

If anyone has a child safety seat they would like checked for proper fit before the checkup event, please feel free to contact Chief DeBruin at the Hawarden Police Department 551-2461 to make necessary arrangements.

Warning for Motorcycle and Four-Wheeler riders

Notice to Motorcycle and Four Wheeler Riders

With the nice weather coming many people are getting "spring fever". More and more motorcycles and four wheelers are being ridden and this has prompted the Hawarden Police Department to release the information concerning motorcycles and four wheelers.

Over the past couple of weeks the Hawarden Police Department has received numerous complaints from citizens in Hawarden about motorcycles and four-wheelers riding on their property. In an attempt to stop this practice, the Hawarden Police Department will be enforcing trespassing laws if a violation is reported.

Citizens who have a complaint or see a violation are encouraged to call the Hawarden Police Department. Citizens are encouraged to give their name, address, and time of call. They are also asked to give a description of the motorcycle or four-wheeler they are complaining about.

These calls will be followed up and if the police find the person or persons responsible for the violations, a citation will be issued. If a person is a juvenile and is charged with trespass, they are required to go to juvenile court. If they are 18 or over, they will have to appear in magistrate court and pay a fine.

There is not any "public" land available for motorcycles and four-wheelers to be ridden. The land along the railroad tracks, the pit areas, city parks, and even the road side-ditches are off limits to these vehicles. The only place to ride these "off road" vehicles is on privately owned land and with the land owners permission. To be ridden on the streets or in the right of ways, they must be ridden a licensed driver and be a licensed vehicle.

If there are any questions in regards to motorcycles and four-wheelers, they may be directed to the Hawarden Police Department.

Hawarden Siren Signals

TORNADO WATCH
"Conditions are favorable for a Tornado"

When there is a tornado watch issued by the National Weather Service
an alert siren WILL NOT be blown.

CITIZENS SHOULD FOLLOW THESE PROCEDURES:

  1. Protect personal property
  2. Prepare emergency lighting
  3. Be ready to take personal shelter.
  4. Tune into a television or radio station that provides Sioux County weather.

Tornado Warning
"Tornado actually sighted, which threatens our city."

When there is a tornado warning issued by the National Weather Service an alert siren
WILL be blown.
Signal: Straight blasts for 3 to 5 minutes.

CITIZENS SHOULD FOLLOW THESE PROCEDURES:

  1. Take immediate shelter
  2. DO NOT go outside or look out of windows.

    NO "ALL CLEAR" SIGNAL WILL BE GIVEN.

SIREN TEST

The Sirens will go off the first Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. from April through September.

City Moving Gas Meters Outside

UTILITY NEWS

Gas Meter Replacement Program

The City has initiated a seven-year plan to move all gas meters outside of residences and businesses. This is to help eliminate the potential hazards of gas leaks around the meter. The gas department personnel will be contacting you when they will begin work in your area. If you need to have your meter moved sooner for remodeling or meter concerns, call Sandy Buffington at 551-2565.

HiTec and ACSNet Lower internet fees!

HiTec NEWS

High - Speed Internet Price Reduction

ACS Networks is announcing that they are lowering the monthly access rate for High - Speed Internet by $5.00 per month. The City of Hawarden and ACS Networks have worked together to cut costs in the hope of increasing customers. The new amounts are as follows:

Internet Monthly Charges coupled to Telephone and Long Distance Service Monthly Charge
With HITEC Telephone Service AND HITEC Long Distance $ 39.95
With HITEC Telephone Service OR HITEC Long Distance $ 44.95
Without HITEC Telephone Service or HITEC Long Distance $ 49.95

If you are interested in acquiring High Speed Internet at your home, please call ACS Networks a 551-1136 to get signed up.

Boys Baseball
and
Girls Softball

ACTIVITY NEWS

by Jami Dekkers

Summer Recreation - Registration for boys and girls baseball and softball for 2nd through 6th grade is coming up. Also registration for girls and boys 5th through 8th grade golf and tennis. Forms will be handed out at the West Sioux Schools in April or can picked up and dropped off at the Hawarden City offices. Registration deadline is April 27, 2001.

Adult Softball
and
Volleyball Leagues


Summer Adult Softball and Volleyball Leagues - Monday nights there will be Co-ed Sand Volleyball offered at Sportsman's Lanes. Tuesday nights there will be Co-ed slow pitch at the south softball complex. For more information and to register contact Jami. Registration deadline is May 11, 2001.

Hawarden Swimming Pool Information - Hours

Hawarden Swimming Pool

Pool Hours

The pool will open Saturday, May 26th.

Hours:1:30 - 5:00 p.m. and 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Monday through Sunday.

If you have any questions contact Jami Dekkers at 551-4412.

Hawarden Swimming Pool Information - Costs

Daily Rates:

Season Passes:

Visitor's Pass:
6 & under Free Single Pass $30.00 Single Pass $10.00
13 & under $2.00 Family Pass $50.00 Family Pass $20.00
14 & up, $3.00
Lap Swim
(Monday Friday from 12:30-1:30 & 5:30-6:30)		 $1.00 Lap Swim Pass $10.00

Wading pool is free
  • (Children under 7 must be supervised by someone 14 or older.)
  • Visitors Pass valid for 2 weeks only
  • All passes may be purchased at the city offices or the swimming pool.

Swimming Lessons

Swimming Lessons

The Hawarden swimming pool will be offering swimming lessons for Levels I - VII and Lifeguard training. Registration forms will be handed out at the West Sioux Schools. Class sessions: June 11 - June 29 is Levels V- VII and July 9 - July 27 is Levels I - IV. There will be a fee charged this year for swimming lessons. A $5.00 fee will be charged per participant from Hawarden residents and a $10.00 fee will be charged for those who are not Hawarden residents. This fee must be paid at time of registration. Registration deadline is Friday, May 18th.

Build a Playground


Be a Part of your Community and Help build a Playground

May 16th - l9th you can take part in a huge event by creating a wonderland for our younger citizens. Construction will start on Wednesday, May 16th at 8:00 am and will conclude by 8:00 pm each night. You can work an hour, four hours, or the whole day. No experience or tools are necessary. The pay is not the best (none) but the rewards are great and free food and refreshments will be provided. If you are interested in taking part in the project, please RSVP for the day you would be willing to work by calling 551-2665.