For the Good of the Order

City Offices Closed in Observance of Memorial Day
Marion City Hall, Marion Public Library and other City offices will be closed on Monday, May 26, in observance of Memorial Day. Regular business hours resume on Tuesday, May 27. Garbage, recycling and yard waste will not be collected on Memorial Day. Collection will be one day late all week with collection happening Tuesday-Saturday instead. The Recycling Drop-off Center and Yard Waste Facility, located at 195 35th Street, will maintain their normal hours on Saturday and Tuesday.

Marion Pool and Splash Pads Open This Weekend
The Thomas Park and Gill Park splash pads are up and running. Daily hours of operation are from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. The Marion Pool will open on Monday, May 26. It will be open for lap swim from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and open swim will be from 1-7 p.m. The pool will be open for lap swim only (no open swim) on May 27, 28 and 29. Regular pool hours will begin on Friday, May 30. They are Monday-Friday, 1-7 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Lap swim is offered daily from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and a lap lane is open from 1 p.m.-close daily. Find the complete schedule and other exceptions due to evening swimming lessons at www.cityofmarion.org/aquatics.

Military Tribute Banners Now on Display
The City of Marion, Marion Chamber of Commerce and Uptown Marion Main Street District are pleased to announce that the military tribute banners, sponsored by area residents and businesses, are now on display. Here's a look at the printable map. This year, 92 banners are on display honoring veterans and military personnel with ties to Marion. The banners will be up through Veterans Day 2025. Over 450 service members have been honored in the first eight years of the program. A portion of the sponsorship is donated to local veteran affairs programs. To request to be notified when 2026 sponsorships become available visit: tinyurl.com/marionmilitarybanners. Special thanks to our teammates in the Public Works Department for their assistance with installation!

New Stop Added for the Marion Public Library’s Bookmobile
Have you paid a visit to the bookmobile yet? Marion Public Library’s bookmobile provides education, entertainment and library services throughout Marion. On Tuesdays you can find it at the Marion YMCA (3740 Irish Drive) from 9 a.m.-noon and Thomas Park (343 Marion Blvd) from 1-4 p.m. On Thursdays you can find it at a new stop – K9 Acres Off-Lease Dog Park – from 9 a.m.-noon and then Dupaco Community Credit Union (5970 Carlson Way) from 1-4 p.m. All are welcome!  

Summer Outdoor Fitness Programming
Be Well Marion and Marion Parks and Recreation are teaming up with area yoga and fitness instructors to offer expanded fitness programming in Marion through the summer. All ages and abilities are welcome to participate in the Zumba on select Tuesday evenings, Sunrise Yoga on Saturday mornings or Downdogs in Uptown on select Wednesday evenings. Participants will need to complete a waiver, good for all sessions, prior to their first class. Additional copies will be available on-site.

Volunteers Needed for Indian Creek Clean Up Day
The City of Marion is teaming up with Creekside Pride to remove trash from Indian Creek and educate the community on the importance of healthy watersheds. The clean-up day will take place at Thomas Park, located at 343 Marion Blvd., on Saturday, June 28, from 9 a.m.-noon. Volunteers will remove debris by boat and by foot along the paths of Indian Creek. Participants are encouraged to wear clothing that can get dirty and will protect them from moderate hazards. Garbage bags and gloves will be provided. Lunch, sponsored by Cargill, will also be offered. Help maintain Indian Creek’s beauty by signing up to volunteer at https://signup.com/go/YBJQFtG.

Moonlit Movies Return to Lowe Park
The City of Marion is pleased to announce the return of the Moonlit Movie series at the Klopfenstein Amphitheater at Lowe Park. Three outdoor movie nights are planned, including:

• Friday, June 20 featuring “Inside Out 2”
• Friday, July 18 featuring “Mufasa: The Lion King”
• Friday, Aug. 15 featuring “Kung Fu Panda 4”

Inflatables will be available each evening starting at 7 p.m. and face painting will be offered for a fee. The feature presentation will begin around 8:30 p.m. Outside food and drink are permitted but select snack vendors will be onsite during each event. Guests should bring chairs or blankets for general lawn seating. Moonlit Movies are hosted by the Marion Parks and Recreation Department and supported by Marion’s Hotel/Motel Grant Program.

Board and Commission Openings
Do you want to provide input on City policies and help shape our city and its government? Apply to be one of 100+ volunteers who serve on Marion boards and commissions. There are openings on the Library Board of Trustees, Planning and Zoning Commission, Civil Rights Commission, Construction Code Review Board and Marion Arts Council. To be considered, please submit an online application. 

Firefighter Tanner Frank attains Paramedic Certification
Congratulations to Marion Firefighter Tanner Frank for attaining his paramedic certification through the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. This achievement culminates the completion of over 18 months of classroom work and a combined 800 hours of clinical experience in both the hospital and field through Kirkwood Community College. Tanner becomes the 27^th active paramedic of 47 total firefighters within the department. The MFD provides advanced medical care to our community with at least one paramedic on duty at each fire station 24/7/365.

We’re Hiring
If you’re looking for a collaborative team where you can learn and grow while making a positive impact in the community – look no further. Current full-time openings include planning division manager, administrative assistant, equipment operator, police officer, library assistant and 911 communications operator. Find a full listing of both full and part-time opportunities at www.cityofmarion.org/employment.

• Why doesn’t the City install new curbs and gutters on streets that are part of the hot mix asphalt (HMA) overlay project?
  The HMA project focuses on removal of the existing asphalt surface, full depth patching of the concrete subsurface where necessary, and replacement of the asphalt surface. Conducting a full curb replacement with the annual HMA resurfacing project would double the project cost, leading to a reduction in the number of streets we can address annually with the  funding available. Therefore, curbs and gutters are not replaced in association with HMA projects. Instead, replacement typically occurs when subsurface utility improvements are necessary, such as sanitary sewer, storm sewer or water improvements. Our goal is to prolong our existing street surfaces through the annual HMA program, until an eventual decline in infrastructure requires a more comprehensive project.

• Where will the mobile traffic camera be stationed next week?
  Between May 23-26, the mobile speed enforcement vehicle will be located in the 2700 block of 50th Street, northbound. Then, between May 28-June 1, the mobile speed enforcement vehicle will be located in the 3400 block of McGowan Boulevard, westbound.

Upcoming Events

Here’s a look at what’s happening in Marion:

• Saturday, May 24 – Marion Farmers Market & City Council Office Hours – 8-11 a.m. – Willowood Park
• Monday, May 26 – Memorial Day – Most City Offices Closed
• Tuesday, May 27 – Zumba: Fit Fun at the Park – 6-7 p.m. – Klopfenstein Amphitheater at Lowe Park

Here’s an overview of several items that will be coming before the City Council in the weeks ahead.

The following are a few of the major activities on my calendar for the coming week:

• Offices closed in observance of the Memorial Day holiday
• Internal meetings
• Meeting with Sami Scheetz

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