Local News Headlines – Wednesday, November 18th

THE WINDOM CITY PLANNING COMMISSION MET THIS WEEK.  PUBLIC HEARINGS WERE HELD ON THREE ZONING APPLICATIONS.  THE WINDOM E-D-A AND HY LIFE FOODS WERE APPLYING FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW TEMPORARY HOUSING ON PROPERTY OWNED BY THE E-D-A.  THE PLANNING COMMISSION VOTED 5-1 TO RECOMMEND THAT THE WINDOM CITY COUNCIL DENY THE APPLICATION.  COMMISSION MEMBERS STATED THAT THE PROJECT DID NOT MEET THE CRITERIA FOR FUTURE LAND-USE NEEDS UNDER THE CITY’S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.  THE COMMISSION VOTED TO RECOMMEND THAT THE COUNCIL APPROVE TWO OTHER APPLICATIONS, INCLUDING AN APPLICATION FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AND A PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT FOR A PROPOSED HOUSING PROJECT. 

PLANS ARE STILL UNDERWAY FOR WINDOM HIGH SCHOOL TO PRESENT A MUSICAL PRODUCTION.   THE SHOW “NEWSIES” IS BEING DIRECTED BY RACHEL AXFORD WITH JONI FISCHENICH AS THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR.  DUE TO COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS ON A LIVE PERFORMANCE, THE PLAN IS TO RECORD THE SHOW AND POST IT ONLINE FOR VIEWING.  WITH THE WINDOM SCHOOL DISTRICT MOVING TO DISTANCE LEARNING, THE SCHEDULE FOR RECORDING THE SHOW HAS BEEN DELAYED.  DETAILS WILL ALSO NEED TO BE ANNOUNCED ON HOW TICKETS FOR THE SHOW WILL BE SOLD ONLINE.   LISTEN FOR AN UPDATE ON WHEN THE SHOW MAY BE SEEN.  NEWSIES IS BASED ON A REAL-LIFE INCIDENT- A STRIKE IN NEW YORK CITY IN 1899 BY YOUNG BOYS AND GIRLS WHO SOLD NEWSPAPERS ON THE STREET.  

THE WINDOM CITY PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETS AT 5:30 THIS AFTERNOON AT THE CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS.   FURTHER DISCUSSION WILL BE HELD ON THE ‘PIRATE SHIP’ AT ISLAND PARK.  THE COMMISSION MAY CONSIDER MAKING A RECOMMENDATION TO THE WINDOM CITY COUNCIL.  THE RECREATION DIRECTOR’S REPORT WILL INCLUDE AN UPDATE ON THE CITY ARENA.  A DISCUSSION WILL BE HELD ON STAFFING NEEDS AT THE ARENA.  THE PARK SUPERINTENDENT WILL REPORT ON SOME RECENT DAMAGE AT MAYFLOWER PARK.  THERE WILL BE AN UPDATE ON WINTER PARK MAINTENANCE.  THE COMMISSION WILL DISCUSS OPTIONS FOR A NEW SHELTER HOUSE AND NEW RESTROOMS AT ISLAND PARK. 

THE WINDOM AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU ARE HOLDING A HOLIDAY DECORATION CONTEST.   THIS IS OPEN TO HOME OWNERS AND BUSINESSES.  ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED AT THE WINDOM CHAMBER OFFICE UNTIL FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20TH.  THERE WILL BE TWO CATEGORIES FOR HOLIDAY LIGHTING AND DECORATIONS – ONE FOR BUSINESSES, AND ONE FOR RESIDENTIAL HOMES.  THIS IS OPEN TO HOMES AND BUSINESSES IN THE CITY OF WINDOM AND UP TO TWO MILES OUTSIDE OF THE CITY LIMITS.  VOTING WILL TAKE PLACE FROM DECEMBER 7TH THROUGH THE 17TH.  WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED BY DECEMBER 21ST.  THE RESIDENTIAL WINNERS WILL RECEIVE CHAMBER BUCKS.  BUSINESS WINNERS WILL RECEIVE CASH PRIZES.