If a visitor to Sully asks you to describe Sully, what do you tell them? Do you tell them it is a quiet, clean, and caring community? Maybe you even tell them that Sully is the trucking capital of the state. If you were the visitor, would these descriptions cause you to consider relocating here? Probably not!

When posed with this question, do you realize that you’ve just become a participant in the economic development effort for the city? Most people believe the responsibility for promoting our community falls on the shoulders of the Sully city council and Sully Development, the local economic development group. These two groups do have the primary responsibility, but this only represents 10-12 persons to get the word out. That is not enough.

“Take 10” and Help Sully Get What it Needs for the Next 10 Years

In March 2010, more than 130 million addresses will receive a 2010 Census form by mail or hand delivery. The 2010 Census will document the changes in our nation since the last decennial census in 2000, and tell us how we’ve evolved as a country. Because census data affects how more than $400 billion in federal funding is distributed to tribal, state and local governments, the census also will frame the future of our country and our community for the next 10 years.

During Census 2000, the mail participation rate was 72 percent as of the April 2000 cut-off. About $85 million is saved for every one percent increase in mail participation. For these and many other reasons, we must work to encourage everyone’s participation in the census.

The Lynnville-Sully Senior Parents are planning for the L-S After Prom Party which will follow the prom on Apr. 24.

The After Prom Party provides the opportunity for the prom attendees to participate in a substance-free night of entertainment.

One of the fundraising efforts for the event is the collection of cans and bottles.

Drop off locations include: BZ Auto Co. in Sully, Co-Line Welding south of Sully, Jo's Bar & Grill in Searsboro, Killduff Feed & Grain, Kruseman Implement in Sully, Sully Co-op Oil Station, and Zip "N Mini Mart in Lynnville.

If you would like your cans and bottles picked up please call Kent Baarda 594.3245, Wayn Ritter 594.3214, Deb Van Maanen 527.2716, or Pauline Nelson 990.6634.

The 2010 high school football schedules were released on Friday, Feb. 26. The Lynnville-Sully Hawks will continue to compete in Class A, but have some new match-ups in their district #5 this year resulting in some games closer to home.

• Week 1 Baxter, C-M-B
• Week 2 @ Colo-Nesco
• Week 3 HLV, Victor
• Week 4 @ Montezuma
• Week 5 North Mahaska, New Sharon
• Week 6 @ Belle Plaine
• Week 7 @ English Valleys, North English
• Week 8 BGM, Brooklyn
• Week 9 @ Iowa Valley, Marengo

The City of Sully's budget is a topic for discussion at the regular council meeting on Monday, Feb. 8. I would like to give you a summary of the totals and a small list of some of the items that are included for the next year.

The total estimated income for 2010-11 is $1,160,346. This is estimated because we do not know what the roll back will be on the tax levy by the state. Typically, each year the city takes in less income from taxes due to the roll back. The expenses for this fiscal year are set at $1,174,965, which is $14,619 above what is being taken in. The city has a savings account that the overage can be taken from. During the year, the council will continue to look for areas to trip expenses without cutting services to the residents of Sully.

The Jasper Community Foundation pay half of the tuition upon the completion of the class to the first 20 who register.  The deadline to register is February 16th.   The Jasper County Community Leader Development Class that will be held at DMACC in Newton from March 2nd through April 27th. The class will meet each Tuesday with the exception of March 16th (Spring Break). Click here to download the class brochure.

If you have any questions, please contact DMAAC at 1-800-362-2127 and refer to course number 25600.