The Village of Iola Revitalization Committee met on Monday, Jan. 8, and discussed a variety of topics including new garbage cans and benches.

Committee members present included were Chair Shannon Dane, Mark McCoy, Greg Loescher, and Joe Opperman.  Others present were Holly Neumann, Chris Nelson, Adam Johnson, Emily Conroy, and Deputy Clerk/Treasurer Missy Fenn.

Dane started the discussion off by stating she wanted to get a game plan regarding garbage cans and benches.  She did some research and found metal benches that could be personalized for $1,600 and plain for $1,100.  The village could buy the benches and then have businesses or people sponsor the rest of the cost to have personalized.

The car show is working with Waupaca Foundry on making a prototype for them at little to no cost. Opperman is unable to give us a delivery date currently. He shared pictures of the garbage cans they are looking at – a basic metal barrel and a metal top screwed on. He suggested a red or black color can.

The idea of conducting a survey and asking, “What does Iola mean to you,” or having a contest to make an Iola logo incorporating various things that make Iola such a wonderful place were ideas shared. This may give the committee a fresh perspective on what to do and build a plan around these suggestions.

Loescher showed the Waupaca County Economic Development website www.visitwaupacacounty.com on Village TV and showed some of the features.

Shannon Dane will get a survey together before the next meeting.

Joe Opperman invited the next committee meeting to be held at the Vintage Car Mobil Station on the Old Car Show Grounds. Dane suggested we have meetings at different businesses going forward.

Mark McCoy brought up some concerns about permits and costs. He was wondering who would/should address these concerns.  Greg Loescher suggested that he make a list of his concerns and that the committee could look at them when we get better organized.