Good Old Days 10-09-15

Compiled By Delaney Uhrig

These stories from the past first appeared in The Sidney Telegraph. Original writing is preserved, though some stories were shortened for space reasons.

50 Years Ago

'South and West Flood Control Need Outlined For Action By Sidney'

Oct. 6, 1965

Sidney city officials were informed Wednesday might on the procedure to be followed in getting federal aid for a flood control project in south Sidney.

An estimate of damage from flood waters in the affected area along Verde Lane in Country Club Heights with an application or assistance would be the first step to be taken. Included in the estimate should be listings of the location and frequency of flooding, officials were told.

The draw extending through Country Club Heights south to Lodgepole Creek was termed an "intermittent stream" by watershed officials who met with city, county and soil conservation representatives at the SWCS offices.

It has been estimated that runoff water from about 350 acres of land fills the Verde Lane draw and sends it out of its banks during heavy rains. The problem has occurred too frequently in recent years and city officials are searching for an answer.

After the damages are estimated and an application filed, a survey would be made to determine if a feasible flood control project can be planned.

L. Ronald Fleecs, State Soil and Water Conservation Commission, Lincoln, presided at the meeting and told his audience that such a project would have to guarantee $1.20 benefit from each $1 spent.

There is a possibility, the visiting specialists said, that the only improvement needed would be enlargement of culverts to keep the draw from overflowing. This would be fully determined by a study.

An application form and other information on obtaining federal aid were picked up by Acting City Manager Gordon Tobin and City Attorney L.M. Clinton for presentation to the city council.

Joseph H. Bennett, Omaha, representing the Corps of Engineers, introduced into the discussion an Army Engineer survey made about two years ago on the flood situation along Lodgepole Creek as it winds its way through Sidney.

40 Years Ago

'Lodgepole Creek May Be Re-Classified'

Oct. 10, 1975

An indication was given here Wednesday that Lodgepole Creek's classification as a "Class A trout stream" by the Nebraska Natural Resource Commission (NRC) may be reviewed later this year."Lodgepole Creek is getting to be a headache for us because despite its intermittent and sporadic flows throughout the (South Platte Natural Resources) district it's classified as a Class A trout stream for pollution control purposes," said Clark Haberman of the water quality planning division of the Nebraska Department of Environmental Control.

Haberman and three other department staffers were in Sidney to review implementation procedures of the South Platte River Basin Water Quality Management Plan. Invitations to attend the meeting were extended to city and county official form Cheyenne, Deuel and Kimball counties. It was attended by Kimball City Administrator Robert Arraj, South Platte NRD manager Bob Hahn, Cheyenne County Highway Superintendent F.B. "Tommy" Thompson and NRC member Al Narjes of Sidney.

The basin plan was adopted about six months ago to guide federal, state, and local spending on water pollution control. It also contains recommendations for non-structural management measures and legislation to reduce water pollution. The basin encompasses parts of eight Nebraska counties from Wyoming line to North Platte.

"It's a problem we'll have to address," Haberman said, "because the water quality standards in the plan are up for review this fall. We'll have to get together with the Game and Parks (Commission) people and people here to see how the creek should really be classified."

Local conservation officials and others have questioned the commission's classification of Lodgepole Creek as Class A waters (those waters intended for body contact sports, domestic water supply, fish, wildlife and other aquatic life because of its intermittent flow).

Haberman said Wednesday's meeting was an attempt by the department to put the plan and its annual review on a community level.

"We need a good cooperative effort to put it on a personal level and then the cooperation will be better," he said.

25 Years Ago

'Parents, Teachers Protest Overcrowded Classrooms'

Oct. 9, 1990

It was a standing room only at Monday night's monthly meeting of the Sidney Public Schools Board.

More than 50 people, most of them elementary teachers and concerned parents, had come to make a statement to the board. The subject: overcrowding in first grade classrooms.

Diane Goodwin, speaking from a prepared statement on behalf of the both Parents Advisory Council, said that quality of education drops when 20 students are in a classroom. She said these early years of education are very important for developing social skills and establishing educational values, which can't be fulfilled in an overcrowded classroom. She concluded by saying South has an art room by which could be converted into a classroom for an additional first grade room. An audience member added that, as an interim measure, parents could volunteer to help supervise first grade classes.

Superintendent of School Myron "Bud" Jasnoch responded by saying that the primary consideration, at this point in time, is the result of the November balloting. Two measures which directly affect school financing – Measure 405 ("the two percent lid") are on the ballot. If either 405 passes or 406 is repealed, Sidney school financing is in big trouble.

A question was raised about a school "slush fund" – couldn't it be used to cover costs for an additional first grade? Jasnoch said "If there's a slush fund out there somewhere, I'd like to wallow in that baby."

Another question asked about use of reserve funds. Jasnoch replied that state law does not permit the use of reserve funds established in the budget for any purpose other than the temporary covering of shortages in cash flow.

Goodwin asked if there were not state funds set aside for emergency use by schools. The answer was no. What about federal aid? The only federal aid, she was told, was Federal Impact Aid, for which Sidney didn't qualify because of its problems are not caused by an influx of federal workers.

10 Years Ago

'Building Tries To Keep Pace WIth Business'

Oct. 7, 2005

The construction industry had another strong month in Sidney, and residential housing may see some additional steam in the near future.

The building valuation within Sidney's city limits increased $7,230,043 by the end of September. That's $1,936,377 more than at the same time last year. "Any time you add valuation it helps everybody in the community. It helps the economy, creates jobs and brings in revenue for the city," said Gary Person, Sidney's city manager. "It goes to show that we're having a strong construction year. We've also had some encouraging developments on the home front with some of the projects we've been working on with developers that may be coming to fruition."

Most of the building permits were directed toward home improvements and commercial projects. Some of the bigger spenders for building permits were Cabela's and a couple of single-family homes. Cabela's ponied up to $900,000 for a commercial addition on Cabela Drive.

New homes are planned for Trail Road and Huckleberry Lane. The biggest request for building permits came in for residential alterations and improvements, with 14 permit applications landing on the desk of Sidney Building Inspector and Zoning Administrator Jim Pelster.

Not an explosion by any mean in the single-family market, the two permits only pushed this year's totals to 16 new homes.

Current homeowners decided to get projects done before it gets too cold and applied for permits this month. Permits were issued for two additions, three garages/carports/decks, seven alterations and seven other. The improvements contributed to a combined increase in property value of $95,485 for those homes.