RATHBUN —
Walking in, one can still smell the fresh paint and crispness of the town hall in Rathbun. The building, located east of the local bait shop, was completed in November of 2011 and since then meetings have been held in a town hall for the first time in this small community.
“Part of it was paid for with a grant, $10,000 of it,” said Barbara Milburn, the mayor of Rathbun.
The Appanoose County Community Fund gave Rathbun the $10,000 from the gambling profits fund they disperse each year. Rathbun received the money in June of 2011, and by November the building was completed.
“We decided to [build a town hall] because we needed somewhere to have our meetings,” Milburn explained.
Previous to the town hall, meetings were held in Ronnie Milburn’s garage. During other mayors’ terms, meetings were held in garages and a church.
The construction of the building was a community effort. The floor was done by Murphy and Potter Concrete. Terry Kauzlarich and TBarK Construction erected the building and Ted Clark with Clark’s Septic, Plumbing and Trenching was responsible for the septic. Andy Joiner worked with the electrical, materials were purchased from Lockridge and the rest was done with the help of volunteers. The volunteers were Jim English, Larry Ingersoll, Matt Mattson, Richard Glovas, Ronnie Milburn, Bill Hamm and Roger Shiltz.
As well as the location of town council meetings, the building can also be rented out for things such as reunions, parties and other things. The cost is $50 and a refundable deposit. For more information, contact Barbara Milburn at (641) 895-9262.
Rathbun City Council members are Roger Shiltz, Richard Glovas, Bill Hamm, Deb Kovacevich and Ronnie Milburn. Barb Milburn has been mayor for two terms: she was appointed the first, and elected the second. Her ideas for the community include improvements around the town, getting the townspeople involved, and looking for grants.
Richard Glovas is the longest running councilman in the group. This is his eleventh term on the council. He volunteers around the town with different projects, makes observations of things that need done within the city and mentions them at meetings.
Ronnie Milburn has been a councilman for two terms. He works with heavy equipment to maintain the town and keep it looking fresh. He also volunteers with other councilmen around the town.
Roger Shiltz was a replacement councilman for a year, then elected for his first full term. He also works on city improvement by doing manual labor and volunteer work, focusing specifically on the roads.
The newest to the group is Bill Hamm. This is his first full term as a councilman. He has been involved with committees previously and has brought this knowledge with him to contribute to the town. He also is a part of the volunteer labor around the town.
“So many times people think the mayor runs the city,” said Barb Milburn. “The mayor does not run the city. The council runs the city. I’m very proud of our council. They don’t argue. They work together to get things done.”
One previous improvement of the city was the erection of city welcome signs with money from a match grant from the Chamber of Commerce.
“We want to make the city attractive to outsiders as well as present residents,” said Barb Milburn.
Future endeavors for the council of Rathbun include basic town improvements such as roads, culverts and ditches, and the look of properties owned by absentee landowners. Other improvements for the town include chipping and sealing the streets, and eventually a sewer system.
There are a couple of fundraisers being planned. One is a possible bake sale to raise money for the Fourth of July celebration. The other is a Barilla spaghetti dinner, the date of which has been undecided.
“I’ve just watched our little town grow,” said Mayor Milburn, “and it’s given me a warm feeling.”
Local News
Related Photos
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Pictured are Rathbun City Council members Richard Glovas, Deb Kovacevich, Roger Shiltz, Mayor Barb Milburn and Bill Hamm. Ronnie Milburn is not shown. Photo by Bailey Poolman
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A council meeting is held in the new building. Photo by Bailey Poolman
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June 28, 2012
Rathbun builds town hall, community building
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