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Fairfield Mayor announces Top 10 List of 2024
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FAIRFIELD – Fairfield Mayor Connie Boyer has announced her “Top 10 List” of 2024, a compilation of the most noteworthy events and accomplishments from the past year.
Boyer said some of her list includes actions of the city’s government, but she also included achievements of the town’s businesses, civic organizations and individuals.
No. 10 – Fairfield Police Lt. Julie Kinsella retires
Boyer said Kinsella deserves recognition for her 31 years of service on the department, where she has served as police chief and investigator, among other roles.
No. 9 – Demolition of city-owned house on Sixth Street
A Fairfield resident who owned a home on Sixth Street realized they could no longer maintain it and gave it to the city. The city demolished the home and sold the lot to Grow Fairfield.
“Grow Fairfield also purchased three lots near Logan Apartments, and I’m excited because that’s four lots now that we have gotten rid of,” Boyer said. “Grow Fairfield intends to put up an [Iowa Prison Industries] home, so once those have houses or duplexes there, that will be a great accomplishment.”
No. 8 – RAGBRAI visits Fairfield
Fairfield served as a meeting town on the 2024 RAGBRAI route. Boyer said a lot of work went into that, and it went smoothly.
“I spent some of the morning just watching people go by and wave, and it was really sweet,” she said.
No. 7 – Carnegie Museum receives 46 new windows
One of the major capital projects the Carnegie Historical Museum has completed in recent years was replacing all its windows, in addition to the brick tuck-pointing and new elevator it received.
No. 6 – Indoor pool receives a new deck surface
Boyer said the new deck at the Roosevelt Aquatic Center was much needed and very noticeable to the swimmers who use it on a regular basis. She said next year the rec center will tackle the locker rooms.
No. 5 – Vastu Partners LLC receives revitalization grant for new housing development
Martin Brett of Vastu Partners LLC and business partner Doug Bachard of RRB Contracting began work on the new subdivision north of town called North Campus Ridge, just west of North Campus Village. Once finished, the new subdivision will include nine triplexes and two five-plexes.
No. 4 – Fire station receives $525,000 in grants and awards
Construction on Fairfield’s new fire station will begin in 2025, thanks to over half a million dollars in grants and awards.
No. 3 – Crow Creek Bridge is replaced
Residents who wished to exit Fairfield to the east had to take a detour from April through October while the Crow Creek Bridge was rebuilt.
No. 2 – Fair Field Productions wins an Emmy Award
Fair Field Productions won an Emmy Award for its film “Parsons: The School That Changed the Rules” about the college that called Fairfield home from 1875-1973. “Parsons” was one of four films to receive a nomination in the category Historical Documentary for the 48th Annual Mid-America Regional Emmy Awards.
No. 1 – Matt Stutzman wins Gold Medal in archery
Fairfield native Matt Stutzman, known as “The Armless Archer,” took home the Gold Medal from the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. The town hosted a parade for Stutzman upon his return to Iowa in September, where Boyer was one of the guest speakers.
“It was such a pleasure to do that, and Fairfield really came out for his welcome,” she said. “It was great to see so many kids looking up to him.”
Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com
