Shared police chief agreement with Marion ends
By Jane Myhra

A winery bar’s request to allow outdoor seating for its customers was denied by the Manawa Common Council at its June 15 meeting.

The Improvements and Services Committee recommended denying the request from Jamie Lane, of Winemaker’s Daughter.

There will be no special permit issued and no change to the city’s ordinances.

“If we do it for them, we will need to do it for everybody,” said Mike Frazier, who chairs the committee. “It would give everybody free rein to go outside to drink and smoke.”

Lane said the alfresco seating would have added a nice visual appeal.

“It would be a nice improvement to our downtown,” she told the council.

Other businesses had objected to the request, according to Mayor John Smith.

“We go by what our constituents say and what is best for the city of Manawa,” said Smith.

The council approved a request by the family of Jack Beck to place a tree in Triangle Park in his honor. The type of tree must be approved by the Department of Public Works.

The common council agreed to discontinue the shared chief agreement with the city of Marion. The agreement will end Dec. 31.

“It’s not that it wasn’t an effective program,” Smith said. “The taxpayers of the city of Manawa have brought forth (a request) that they want their own (police) chief.”